Abstract:

Using MATLAB Simulink to simulate the response of an RC circuit can be a powerful tool to introduce this topic for undergraduate physics classes. In most introductory physics textbooks, the response of an RC circuit is usually found by solving the differential equation resulting from applying Kirchhoff’s voltage rule. Students often get lost in the math and when it comes to understanding the response they try to do so only via the derived equations. Here we introduce a new didactic method that solely rely on simulating the output response for different input sources without the use of any mathematical equations. We point out three major points in the process: how the capacitor behaves at the beginning of its transient response, how it behaves as the steady-state response is reached, and how fast it goes between these two states. A few RC circuits are simulated and these points are emphasized in each case.

Keywords:

RC circuits, physics education, RC circuit simulation.