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27 views4 pages

Applied Physics Lab Copy Rafae

Uploaded by

rafaeawan962
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Applied Physics Lab

EXPERIMENT 1
CAPACITORS IN SERIES

1. OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this experiment is to measure the equivalent capacitance of several
capacitors connected in series. First the individual capacitances and their equivalent will be
measured. Then we will charge the capacitors by connecting the combination to a battery and then
measuring the voltage across each capacitor. This will allow us to calculate the charge on the
capacitors and then calculate the equivalent capacitance using the equation C = Q/V.

2. INTRODUCTION:
A capacitor consists of two conducting objects (Plates) separated by a non-conducting medium
(dielectric). Figure (1) shows a capacitor connected to a battery. The capacitance of this capacitor is
defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on one of the conducting plates to the potential
difference across them.

C = Q/V (1)

The SI unit of capacitance is the Farad (F), named after Michael Faraday (1791-1867). Since
capacitance is the charge per unit voltage, one farad is one coulomb per one volt.

1F = 1C/1V (2)

Figure 1: Capacitor connected to a battery


Capacitors may be combined in series or parallel. Figure (2) shows three capacitors connected in series and
connected to a battery. Note the polarity in each case. Theoretically the equivalent capacitance for the series
connection is given by.

1 1 1 1
= + + + ¿…….. (3)
Ceq C 1 C 2 C 3

3. APPARATUS:

3 capacitors of different values, 6-volt battery, voltmeter, multi-meter and connecting wires (leads).

4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
 Make sure that each capacitor is discharged (V=0) by connecting a wire lead across the capacitor for
about 30 seconds.
 Use the multi-meter to measure the capacitance of each capacitor. Record the values in your data
table.
 Make sure each of the capacitors is still discharged by repeating the first step here.
 Wire the capacitors in series as shown in Fig. (2) (but do not connect them to the battery). Pay close
attention to the polarity of the capacitors and the way they are connected. The capacitors used un this
experiment are electrolytic capacitors and the polarity of the plates is important. Make sure the ends
of the lead wires do not come in contact with each other.

Figure 2: Capacitors In Series


 Using a multi-meter, measure the capacitance of the series combination(connect the meter to the
free ends). This is Ceq, measured.
 Connect the battery to the series combination of capacitors.
 Measure the voltage across each capacitor and the battery voltage and record these values in your
data table. You are finished with the series combination.

5. ANALYSIS:

Series Connection:

 For each case calculate the charge on each capacitor using the relation Q1 = CiVi where i = 1,2,3.
 The values of the charges should be the same within the limits of experimental error. Find the
average value of the charge.

1
Qav= ( Q 1+Q 2+Q 3 )
3

This is the charge on the equivalent capacitor.

 Calculate the experimental equivalent capacitance C eq = Qave/Vbatt and record it in the data
table.
 Use eq. (2) to calculate the equivalent capacitance predicted my theory, C eq, predicted and
record it in the data table.
 Calculate the percent difference between the equivalent capacitance predicted by theory and
the measured equivalent capacitance.

% difference=¿ Ceq . measured−Ceq. predicted∨ ¿ ¿


1
(Ceq . measured−Ceq . predicted)
2
 Calculate the percent difference between the equivalent capacitance predicted by theory and
the measured equivalent equivalent capacitance, Ceq.
6. QUESTIONS
 For each connection, calculate the amount of energy stored in each of the three capacitors.
Add up these energies to get the total energy stored in each of the series and parallel.
 Calculate the amount of energy stored in the equivalent capacitance and show that this energy
is equal to the sum of the energies stored in the individual capacitors for the series and
parallel connections.
 Which way should capacitors be connected to give you the largest amount of energy stored.
7. DATA TABLE

SERIES CONNECTION

Capacitance Voltage Charge


C V Q
(mF) (Volts) (mC)

Qave Vbatt = Qave =


Ceq = =¿
Vbatt
Ceq. Measured =
Ceq. Predicted =

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