Chapter 6.3, Problem 1bT

Remove the capacitor and the bulb from the circuit.

1. Predict the potential difference across the bulb and the potential difference across the capacitor while these elements are disconnected from the circuit and from each other. Explain.

Check your prediction.

2. Predict whether the potential difference across the capacitor will increase, decrease, or remain the same if a wire is connected from “ground” to one or the other of the terminals of the capacitor. Explain your reasoning.

Check your prediction. (You can use a wire with clip leads connected to a metal table leg as a “ground.”)

3. Devise and carry out a method to reduce the potential difference across the capacitor to zero. (This is sometimes called discharging the capacitor.)

4. The capacitor in part A is said to be charges by the battery.

Does the capacitor have a net charge after connected to the battery?

In light of your answer above, what is meant by the charge on a capacitor?