Measuring capacitor charge and discharge using an LED and a smartphone
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2023-10-06Referencia bibliográfica
Published version: R. Hurtado-Gutiérrez and Á. Tejero 2023. Measuring capacitor charge and discharge using an LED and a smartphone. Eur. J. Phys. 44 065201. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6404/acf906]
Sponsorship
Spanish Ministry; Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI): FPU17/02191, FPU20/02835, PID2020-113681GB-I00, PID2021-128970OA-I0; FEDER/Junta de Andalucía programs AFQM.752.UGR20, P20_00173Abstract
In this article, we present a simple, inexpensive, and effective method for measuring the capac-
itor charge and discharge processes using a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and the light meter of a
smartphone. We propose a simple circuit in which the LED’s brightness is linear on the capacitor’s
voltage, allowing us to use the smartphone to monitor the capacitor state accurately. The method
is tested experimentally, giving highly satisfactory results. Its exceptional combination of accuracy,
minimal requirements, and ease of setup makes it an excellent way to introduce undergraduate
students to the concepts of electricity and electronics in any educational setting.