Physics 4
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  • HOME
    • Introduction
    • Pre-course Setup
  • PHYSICS 4AL
    • 4AL Grading Policy
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Google Drive
    • Report Writing
    • 4AL Lab Sections /Office hours
    • Unit 1 - Training (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 2 - Motion (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 3 - Oscillations (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 4 - Project (Winter 2023)
  • PHYSICS 4BL
    • Grading Policy
    • Lab Sections/ Office Hours
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Google Drive
    • Report Writing
    • Unit 1 - Training
    • Unit 2 - Sound
    • Unit 3 - Circuits
    • Unit 4 - Optics
    • Unit 5 - Project
    • Pre-Lab Assignments
  • RESOURCES
    • Physics
    • Python
    • Arduino
    • Electronics
    • Software Download
  • EXTERNAL LINKS
    • GradeScope
    • CCLE
    • MyUCLA
    • CampusWire
    • UCLA Calendars
    • UCLA Physics Dept.

Unit 3- Circuits 1

Basic Non-Linear Circuits - Winter 2021

Circuits are the an integral part of human life in this day and age. Radios, televisions, phones, computers, etc., are complex circuits. However, they are based on simple physical principles. That is the purpose of this lab, to teach you the basic principles behind circuits. We will also introduce how to use your Arduino and computer as a virtual oscilloscope.

We are going to start with verifying Ohm's law and producing an I-V curve for an LED. Next we will look at a simple RC circuit. We will see a capacitor charge and discharge using this circuit. The timing of the charging is referred to as the RC time constant. In many circuits, a time varying current is present. We observe oscillations in the voltage of these circuits when an inductor is introduced. Since all circuits have some form of resistance and capacitance, it is important to understand the fundamentals of RLC circuits. In this lab we will examine the most basic RLC circuits.

​Our study of circuits begins with RC circuits and the measurement of the RC time constant, τ. This time constant is the amount of time required for the capacitor in the RC circuit to charge up to ~63% and conversely, discharge to ~37%. The analytical solution for this circuit is simply an exponential.

Unit 3 Reference Material

  • Unit 3 Slides

Additional Circuits Background References

To review physics laws on mechanics, please check out  OpenStax texbook.
  • University Physics Volume 2
​​Here are important Chapters:
  • 10.5 RC Circuits
  • 14.5 Oscillations in an LC Circuit
  • ​14.6 RLC Series Circuits
Please also refer to Wikipedia:
  • RLC Circuits
  • Q factor
edited Jan 19, 2023 by Javier Carmona
  • HOME
    • Introduction
    • Pre-course Setup
  • PHYSICS 4AL
    • 4AL Grading Policy
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Google Drive
    • Report Writing
    • 4AL Lab Sections /Office hours
    • Unit 1 - Training (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 2 - Motion (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 3 - Oscillations (Winter 2023)
    • Unit 4 - Project (Winter 2023)
  • PHYSICS 4BL
    • Grading Policy
    • Lab Sections/ Office Hours
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Google Drive
    • Report Writing
    • Unit 1 - Training
    • Unit 2 - Sound
    • Unit 3 - Circuits
    • Unit 4 - Optics
    • Unit 5 - Project
    • Pre-Lab Assignments
  • RESOURCES
    • Physics
    • Python
    • Arduino
    • Electronics
    • Software Download
  • EXTERNAL LINKS
    • GradeScope
    • CCLE
    • MyUCLA
    • CampusWire
    • UCLA Calendars
    • UCLA Physics Dept.