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Capacitor Discharge Simulation

General Aim of Capacitor Discharge Simulation

1- Study the variation of discharge voltage of capacitor with time using capacitor discharge simulation
2- Determine the time constant τ 

3- Determine the experimental value of the capacitance of capacitor C

4- Calculate the percentage error for capacitance

Method of Capacitor Discharge Simulation

Discharge capacitor (decrease of voltage with time ) through RC circuit discharge

Theoretical Background/Context

• A capacitor is a device that stores electric energy in an electric field form. A capacitor consists of two conductors separated by a small distance. 
• When the conductors are connected to a charging device (for example, a battery), the charge is transferred from one conductor to the other until the difference in potential between the conductors becomes equal to the potential difference between the terminals of the charging device. 
• The amount of charge stored on either conductor is directly proportional to the voltage, and the constant of proportionality is known as the capacitance.
• In practical applications, a capacitor can release its stored energy through a discharging capacitor RC circuit, where the voltage decreases gradually over time according to the resistance and capacitance values.

Principle Work of Capacitor Discharge Simulation

At capacitor discharge simulation:

• When turning off the switch key, the capacitor that is used in the capacitor discharge simulation starts charging until it reaches maximum voltage (Vs). 
• When we turn on the switch key, the voltage on the capacitor decreases with time (t) until it reaches zero voltage through the discharging rc circuit. 
• We can calculate the time constant, the capacitance of the capacitor, and RC circuit voltage at any time during the discharge process