K7-22. RLC Circuit - 10 Khz - Damped Oscillations

Purpose

To demonstrate damped oscillations in an RLC circuit.

Equipment

Commercial RLC circuit in box with capacitor substitution box, oscillator, and dual trace scope on scope/TV cart.

Setup Time

5 minutes.

Images

Description

Using the circuit below with a low-frequency square wave, damped oscillations are shown on the dual trace scope. The lower trace is the applied square wave and the upper trace shows the damped oscillations produced each time the square wave changes. The circuit can be adjusted to obtain either underdamped, overdamped, or critically damped oscillations by changing the capacitance of the capacitor substitution box.

References

(PIRA unknown.) See Demonstration Reference File for further information regarding theory of damped◙electrical oscillations.