Demonstration 1: The circuit on the right consists of capacitor C in series with a bulb of resistance R. The capacitor is initially charged with +Q on the top plate and -Q on the bottom plate. 

Predict what will happen to the bulb after switch S is closed.

After you have made your prediction, download and view the video. Compare to your prediction and explain your observation.

Sketch on the top axes to the right your prediction for the voltage across the capacitor Vc vs. time after the switch S is closed. Sketch on the bottom axes your prediction for the voltage across the bulb Vb vs. time after the switch S is closed.

After you have made your prediction, download and view the video. Compare to your prediction and explain your observation.

Now open the RC circuit simulation: https://www.compadre.org/Physlets/circuits/illustration30_6.cfm

Select Show graph of voltage vs. time. Note that with the initial position of the switches, the capacitor has charged through the bulb, and is initially charged. (When you start graphing, the capacitor voltage is 1 V and the bulb voltage is 0.) When you click on open/close, the charged capacitor discharges through the bulb. Observe the voltage graphs for the capacitor (red) and bulb (green) as the capacitor discharges. Also observe the bulb (black represents off). Do your observations of the bulb and graphs agree with the ones you observed above in the video? Explain.

What happens to the charge Q on the capacitor after switch S is closed?   Does it increase, decrease, or stay the same?   (circle one)

Sketch on the axes to the right your prediction for the magnitude of the current , I  in the circuit vs. time after S is closed.

Now view the graph of current vs. time and compare it to your prediction. Do these observations agree with your predictions? Explain.

Demonstration 3: The circuit to the right consists of an uncharged capacitor, a bulb (resistance R) and a battery of voltage V connected in series.  The switch S is initially open. 

Predict what will happen to the light bulb after switch S is closed.

Also, sketch on the axes to the right your prediction the voltage across the capacitor ,Vc  vs. time after switch S is closed. Sketch on the axes to the right the voltage across the bulb , Vb vs. time after switch S is closed.

After you have made your predictions, open the RC circuit simulation: https://www.compadre.org/Physlets/circuits/illustration30_6.cfm

Select Show graph of voltage vs. time. Begin graphing, click on open/close as before, and watch the voltages decay. Then click again on open/close so that the capacitor is now charging through the bulb. Observe the voltage graphs for the capacitor (red) and bulb (green) as the capacitor charges. Also observe the bulb (black represents off). Do your observations of the bulb and graphs agree with your predictions? Explain.

Demonstration 4: Sketch on the axes to the right your prediction for the magnitude of the current , I  in the circuit vs. time after S is closed.

Now view the graph of current vs. time and compare it to your prediction. Do these observations agree with your predictions? Explain.