Question

How does the $RC$ circuit work?

Answer 1

Explanation:

A resistor-capacitor circuit, often known as an $RC$ circuit, is a type of electrical circuit that uses capacitors and resistors as passive parts and is powered by either a voltage source or a current source.

The resistor in the circuit, which is coupled to the capacitor, controls the rate of charging and discharging.

1. The capacitor slowly starts charging as soon as the circuit is turned $ON$, according to the $RC$ time constant. A developing voltage across the capacitor starts to be applied to the lamp.
2. The neon lamp conducts and starts to illuminate as soon as this charge across the capacitor reaches a value that may be equivalent to the firing voltage of the neon.
3. When this occurs, the neon makes a conduit for the capacitor's discharge, and the capacitor then starts to discharge. Therefore, the voltage across the neon decreases. When this level falls below the firing voltage of the neon, the lamp turns off and shuts down.
4. The neon is now flashing $ON/OFF$ as the procedure continues. The $RC$ time constant value, which can be changed to enable either a slow flashing rate or a fast flashing rate, determines the flashing rate or frequency.
5. If we use the diagram's component values as a guide, the circuit's time constant is $T=5megohmsx0.1microfarads$, or $0.5seconds$.
6. This suggests that, in accordance with personal desire, the neon flashing rate can be adjusted by modifying the $RC$ values.
7. The product of the circuit resistance (in ohms) and the circuit capacitance (in farads), often known as the RC time constant or tau, is equal to the time constant (in seconds) of an RC circuit, i.e. $\tau =RC$

Hence, a series combination of a resistor and a capacitor make up an $RC$ circuit. The resistor regulates the rate of change of charging and discharging, while the capacitor stores charges.