Electricity and Magnetism -- Resistance

Resistors and capacitor

Let's compare a siphon system to an electrical circuit.

In this device, the tank is trying to fill the bottle, and the siphon hose is limiting the flow. Eventually the bottle fills up, but it will take a long time if the tube is thin.
In this circuit, the battery is trying to push electricity into the capacitor, and the resistor is limiting the current. Eventually the capacitor charges up, but it will take a long time if the current is small.
Let's verify the analogy proposed here. Start with an uncharged capacitor and the 10 ohm resistor. Close the switch for 1 second, and then see if the capacitor is able to cause LED to light, using it as if it were a battery. If not, close the switch for several seconds more and try again. In this way, get an estimate how of how long it takes to charge the capacitor using this resistor.

Then replace the 10 ohm resistor, with the 100 ohm resistor and again determine the charging time.

How do your results differ? Which resistor is like a thick siphon tube, and which is like a thin one?

The LED needs a certain voltage to turn on. It is like requiring the bottle to be full to a certain level. The LED won't go on until the capacitor is charged to 1.6V.

	In this device, the tank is trying to fill the bottle, and the siphon hose is limiting the flow. Eventually the bottle fills up, but it will take a long time if the tube is thin.
	In this circuit, the battery is trying to push electricity into the capacitor, and the resistor is limiting the current. Eventually the capacitor charges up, but it will take a long time if the current is small.