In the first two parts of this experiment, we observe that when we flip the switch, the voltage first very quickly changes to one value, then slowly changes after that. Let's examine how to explain this. ● Suppose the wire has a 10Ω resistance (which is almost certainly an overestimate) and the voltmeter has a 1MΩ resistance (1Ω=1s/F). Given that our capacitances are of order ~10μF, compute the time constant for each resistance: this is essentially the time it takes for current to "go through" that component. From these timescales, consider: of the two processes described above (the quick change in voltage and the slow change in voltage), which process is controlled by each component's resistance?
In the first two parts of this experiment, we observe that when we flip the switch, the
voltage first very quickly changes to one value, then slowly changes after that. Let's examine
how to explain this.
● Suppose the wire has a 10Ω resistance (which is almost certainly an overestimate) and
the voltmeter has a 1MΩ resistance (1Ω=1s/F). Given that our capacitances are of order
~10μF, compute the time constant for each resistance: this is essentially the time it takes
for current to "go through" that component. From these timescales, consider: of the two
processes described above (the quick change in voltage and the slow change in voltage),
which process is controlled by each component's resistance?
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