Objective

The objective of this experiment is to investigate the energy storage capability of an electrolytic capacitor and to understand its charging and discharging behavior.

Components Required

• 1 x Electrolytic Capacitor (1000µF, 25V)
• 1 x Resistor (1kΩ)
• 1 x DC Power Supply (5V or appropriate voltage for the capacitor)
• 1 x Multimeter
• 1 x Stopwatch or Timer
• Connecting Wires
• Breadboard (optional)

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Theory

Electrolytic capacitors store energy in the electric field created between their plates when a voltage is applied. The energy (E) stored in a capacitor can be calculated using the formula:

E = 0.5 × C × V²

where C is the capacitance in farads and V is the voltage across the capacitor. This experiment will demonstrate the charging and discharging characteristics of an electrolytic capacitor.

Circuit Diagram

Experimental Setup

1. Connect the DC power supply in series with the resistor and the electrolytic capacitor.

2. Ensure the correct polarity of the electrolytic capacitor; the positive terminal should be connected to the positive voltage supply.

3. Connect the multimeter in parallel to the capacitor to measure the voltage across it.

Procedure

1. Set up the circuit as per the diagram, ensuring the correct connections and polarity.
2. Turn on the DC power supply and begin charging the electrolytic capacitor.
3. Using the multimeter, monitor the voltage across the capacitor as it charges.
4. Note the time taken for the capacitor to charge to approximately 63% of the supply voltage.
5. Once fully charged, disconnect the power supply and discharge the capacitor through the resistor.
6. Measure the time taken for the voltage across the capacitor to drop to 37% of its maximum value.
7. Record the voltage and time measurements during charging and discharging.

Results and Observations

Document the charging and discharging times along with the voltage readings. Use the measurements to calculate the energy stored in the capacitor.

Conclusion

This experiment demonstrates how an electrolytic capacitor stores energy and its behavior during charging and discharging. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for the effective use of capacitors in various electronic applications, including power supply filtering and timing circuits.