Description: This demonstration shows how RLC circuits can exhibit damped harmonic oscillations in an electrical context, similar to a mechanical harmonic oscillator.
Equipment:
- Oscilloscope
- Function generator
- Capacitor Decade Box
- Large Solenoid
- Audio AMP and Speaker
Setup Procedure:
- Clamp the speaker to a bench rod on the display cart
- Connect the components together according to the above circuit diagram
- Set the capacitors on the decade box to the above mentioned settings
- Set the function generator to a 1 Hz Square wave at a high amplitude
- Vary the position of the Solenoids Iron Core with the speaker on to test the setup
Demonstration Procedure:
- Turn on the function generator and oscilloscope to show the form of the input voltage signal
- With the iron core most of the way inside the solenoid, turn on the speaker
- Explain that as the inductance varies with the position of the iron core, the rate of decay of the oscillations will change according to omega = (LC)^-1/2
- Slide the iron core back and forth and note how the sound from the speaker changes
28-F5
