Lesson 02: Inductors and Capacitors

Circuit Simulations

For the simulations below: Click the play button in the lower left to start the simulation. Use checkboxes to open or close switches and sliders to adjust the parameters.

RL Circuit

Author:Dave Nero

1. When is the current through an inductor maximum? When is it zero?
2. Why does opening both switches immediately set the current and voltage across the inductor to zero?
3. What combination of settings results in the largest time constant?
4. The voltage across the resistor is not plotted here. Can you figure out what a plot of it would look like?

RC Circuit

Author Dave Nero

1. Which parameters affect the speed with which the capacitor charges/discharges?
2. Which parameters affect the maximum charge held by the capacitor?
3. Which parameters affect the maximum current provided by the discharging capacitor?