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Virtual Capacitor Experiment Name

The document describes an experiment using an online simulation to investigate the behavior of capacitors connected in various configurations, including series, parallel, and combinations. It involves measuring voltages and calculating charges and total capacitance. The student is asked to perform several parts of the experiment involving different capacitor connections and record results. Finally, the student is prompted to write a 10 sentence paragraph comparing and contrasting capacitors in series versus parallel configurations in terms of charge, voltage, total capacitance, and practical applications.

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constantine1106
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241 views3 pages

Virtual Capacitor Experiment Name

The document describes an experiment using an online simulation to investigate the behavior of capacitors connected in various configurations, including series, parallel, and combinations. It involves measuring voltages and calculating charges and total capacitance. The student is asked to perform several parts of the experiment involving different capacitor connections and record results. Finally, the student is prompted to write a 10 sentence paragraph comparing and contrasting capacitors in series versus parallel configurations in terms of charge, voltage, total capacitance, and practical applications.

Uploaded by

constantine1106
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Virtual Capacitor Experiment

Name______________________________________________

Open the following webpage, and then click on the multiple capacitor tab.

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/capacitor-lab

1) Click on three capacitor in series button.


a. Move the voltage slide to maximum and measure the voltage across the battery
with the voltmeter. Vmax=_____
b. Change the settings on the 3 caps to :
C1= 1.0 C2= 2.0 C3= 2.5
c. Now measure the voltage across each capacitor.
V1= ______ V2=_____ V3=____
d. What is the relationship of voltages?

e. Using the stated capacitance (1.0x10 -13 F, 2.0x10-13 F, 2.5x10-13 F) find the charge
on each capacitor.
q1=____ q2=____ q3=____

f. What is the total capacitance in Farads? Read meter

g. Use formula to find the total capacitance.

2) Click on the three capacitors in parallel button.


a. Change the settings on the 3 caps to :
C1= 1.0 C2= 2.0 C3= 2.5
b. Now measure the voltage across each capacitor.
V1= ______ V2=_____ V3=____
c. What is the relationship of voltages?

d. Using the stated capacitance (1.0x10 -13 F, 2.0x10-13 F, 2.5x10-13 F) find the charge
on each capacitor.
q1=____ q2=____ q3=____

e. What is the total capacitance in Farads? Read meter

f. Use formula to find the Total capacitance.


3. Now click on the two in series and one in parallel button.

a. Now measure the voltage across each capacitor.

V1= ______ V2=_____ V3=____

b. Using the stated capacitance (1.0x10 -13 F, 2.0x10-13 F, 2.5x10-13 F) find the charge on
each capacitor.
q1=____ q2=____ q3=____

c. What is your measured total capacitance in Farads? Read meter

d. Now calculate the theoretical capacitance and a percent agreement.

4. Finally click on the two in parallel and one in series button.

a. Now measure the voltage across each capacitor.


V1= ______ V2=_____ V3=____

b. Using the stated capacitance (1.0x10 -13 F, 2.0x10-13 F, 2.5x10-13 F) find the charge
on each capacitor.
q1=____ q2=____ q3=____

c. What is your measured total capacitance in Farads? Read meter

d. Now calculate the theoretical capacitance and a percent agreement.


Conclusion Question

Compare wiring capacitors in series versus wiring them in parallel.


Please answer the question in at least 10 sentences. Use paragraph form. Your answer should include
the following points:

 How much charge can you accumulate on each plate in series vs. in parallel?
 How does the voltage compare across the plates in series vs. parallel?
 How does the total capacitance compare?
 Which would you rather use and why? (I.e. which would be more economical if you were
building, say, a computer?)

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