Measurement of the Time Constant of an RC Circuit through

Charging and Discharging

A.Noel , G. Divinagracia , D.Padilla
(1) (2) (3)

1,2,3Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering

University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Date Submitted: November 4, 2016

Abstract
The time constant, which is denoted by the quantity RC, determines the rate of
charging and discharging of a circuit. Thus the experimental time constant was
obtained by measuring the potential experienced by an RC circuit while it was
being charged and discharged. It was seen that the resistance and rate of
charging/discharging had an inversely proportional relationships since as the
resistance was decreased, the rate of charging and discharging increased. A time
constant of 103.1s was obtained for charging and 113.6 s for discharging of RC
circuit, R(100k) and C(1000F), yielding a percent error of 3.1% and 13.6%,
respectively given a theoretical value of 100s.
Keywords: Capacitors (84.32Tt), Resistors(84.32Ff), RC Circuits(84.30-r)

Theoretical Time constant(RC) with R(100k) and C(1000F) is 100s. The experimental
value(Charging) with the slope -0.0097 which is equal to -1/RC, Time constant is equal 103.09s having a
percent error of 3.09%. Meanwhile the experimental value(Discharging) with the slope -0.0088 which is
equal to -1/RC, Time constant is equal 113.64s having a percent error of 13.64%.
Theoretical Time constant(RC) with R(10k) and C(1000F) is 10s. The experimental value(Charging)
with the slope -0.0811 which is equal to -1/RC, Time constant is equal 12.33s having a percent error of
23.3%. Meanwhile the experimental value(Discharging) with the slope -0.0347 which is equal to -1/RC,
Time constant is equal 28.82s having a percent error of 188.2%.