One of the best tools for teaching the concepts of circuits is the 1-F capacitor. These robust little circuit elements show the normally invisible and otherwise instantaneous transient current effects over tens of seconds. Thus, they are perfect for labs that introduce capacitor behavior. Since capacitor circuits are tested heavily on the AP Physics: Electricity and Magnetism exams,1 these are very helpful apparatus for high school teachers. In this paper, I outline five possible experiments using these 1-F supercapacitors.
There are many advantages to using a 1-F capacitor (Fig. 1). First, the maximum charging voltage is about 5 V, so there is no risk of students getting shocked or of a violent sparking discharge. Second, the integer capacitance allows for quick and easy calculations, without exponents or scientific notation, thereby easing a focus on conceptual development. Also, the high capacitance allows for the smaller resistances of familiar light...
