PURPOSE: To demonstrate that energy is stored in a capacitor and show how the time constant can be changed.

DESCRIPTION: Eight 1 microfarad capacitors are charged to 12 volts using 2 6 volt batteries. They are hooked up to a 12 DC bulb. The capacitors are charged with the batteries and a switch. They are then discharged through a different switch and the light bulb. You can also change the number of capacitors and track the change in time constant.

SUGGESTIONS:

EQUIPMENT: Capacitor demo setup board setup for the above demo

SETUP TIME: 60 minutes.