Pre Lab
This week's lab will be using electrical components called capacitors. Capacitors are electrical components with the ability to store charge. In electrical schematics, capacitors are represented with this symbol:
The amount of charge a capacitor can hold when charged by a given voltage is called its capacitance and can be calculated with the equation C = Q/V. Capacitance is measured in Farads, which are really big, so we normally see microFarads (10^-6) or nanoFarads (10^-9).
The capacitance of a capacitor is determined by the physical characteristics of the capacitor, including the area of the plates, how far they are apart, and if there is an insulating dielectric between the plates (see the equations below and the videos to the right). Note: The funny looking E (Greek letter epsilon) in both of these equations is the same number, the permittivity of free space. K is the dielectric constant if there is a dielectric between the plates.
In the lab this week we will be building RC circuits (circuits with resistor(s) and capacitor(s)) to 1) experimentally determine the capacitance of individual capacitors, 2) experimentally determine the capacitance of capacitors in series, and 3) experimentally determine the capacitance of capacitors in parallel. Prior to lab please complete the following:
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Some Videos on Capacitors
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Pre Lab Video
Simulation
Use the simulation at the following link to explore capacitance.
Simulation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/capacitor-lab
You may use the simulation to answer the pre lab quiz questions as well.
Pre-Lab Quiz is available at the course Blackboard website
Simulation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/capacitor-lab
You may use the simulation to answer the pre lab quiz questions as well.
Pre-Lab Quiz is available at the course Blackboard website
Lab
This week you will be completing the Capacitance lab found your lab manual.
We will be using the Snap Circuits, a voltage sensor, and Capstone software to complete this lab.
We will be using the Snap Circuits, a voltage sensor, and Capstone software to complete this lab.
Post Lab
Please post a reflection on the lab experience on the Capacitance Lab Reflection discussion board on the course Blackboard site.
Be sure to include:
Be sure to include:
- What you did
- Why you did it
- Any interesting observations
- What you learned from doing the lab