Introduction->How to make a charging and discharging circuit of capacitor

In this module, we will see the charging and discharging of capacitor practically.

As we are aware; Capacitor is a device which is used to store charge(electrical energy) in the electric field.It is similar to battery but the difference is it has two metallic plate separated by a dielectric.

So, in this lesson we will make a circuit of charging and discharging of capacitor.

Charging

As soon as the switch is closed the battery is connected across the capacitor, current flows and the potential difference across the capacitor begins to rise but, as more and more charge builds up on the capacitor then no further current will flow when the potential difference across the capacitor equals that of the supply voltage.
The capacitor is then fully charged.

Discharging

As soon as the switch is open means it is sided towards different position a ‘large’ current starts to flow and the potential difference across the capacitor drops. As charge flows from one plate to the other through the resistor the charge is neutralized and so the current falls.
Eventually the charge on the plates is zero and the current and potential difference are also zero – the capacitor is fully discharged.

Note: The bigger the resistor the longer the time taken.