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asAaron Schmitt

221-01

Lab 4: Capacitors
Part 1
Capacitor Color

Measured Capacitance (nF)

Blue

32.8

Small Yellow

21.9

Big Yellow

67.2

Experimental Series Capacitance: 10.5 nF


1 = 1 + 1 + 1 =
Theoretical Series Capacitance: Ceq
32.8 21.9 67.2
Percent Error: 100

Capacitance
( Experimental
Theoretical Capacitance ) * 100 =

1
0.091

= 10.9 nF

3.66%

Experimental Parallel Capacitance: 120.4 nF


Theoretical Parallel Capacitance: Ceq = 32.8 + 21.9 + 67.2 = 121.9 nF
Capacitance
Percent Error: 100 ( Experimental
Theoretical Capacitance ) * 100 = 1.23%
1. Calculate the capacitance using Equation 1 for the various separation distances of task 1 (for part 2a).
How do these values compare with the data taken with the capacimeter? Dont forget to take into account
the dielectric constant for air
Equation 1: C = C0 = VQ o = eA
d
Diameter of Plates: 0.20 m
air = 1.00059

Experiment Capacitance (pF)

Calculated Capacitance (pF)

Distance (cm)

Trial 1

Trial 2

Trial 3

0.5

88.7

84.4

60.4

1.5

50

48.8

45.5

45.6

2.5

42.6

43.1

40.6

38

36.6

35.6

34.9

34.9

34.9

35.2

34.3

34.3

33.5

33.7

12

33.1

33.1

33.5

31.8

61.1

41.5

60.4

40.8

55.1

40.9
37

36.5

36.9

36.7
36.0

The values of capacitance calculated using equation 1 provided capacitance within 2% error of the
experimental capacitance.
2. Calculate the dielectric constant for the paper used. How do your values compare with the listed value
from the table above?
Number of Paper Sheets

Distance (cm)

Capacitance (pF)

62.1

10

58.9

Paper Thickness: 0.1 mm


Diameter of Plates: 20 cm
Equation 1: C = C0 = VQ o = eA
d
62.1 = *(20.1)
paper = 3.09
The literature value of paper is 3. The experimental dielectric constant is 2.99% greater than the literature
value.

3. Calculate the dielectric constant for the transparency sheets. Does the capacitance of the parallel plates
depend on the thickness of the dielectric?
Number of Transparent Sheets

Distance (cm)

Capacitance(pF)

68.8

66.1

Diameter of Plates: 20 cm
Equation 1: C = C0 = VQ o = eA
d
66.1 = *(20.1)
transparency = 3.29
The literature value of transparency sheets is between 2.9 and 4.5. The experimental dielectric constant
was 3.29, which falls within this range.
Capacitance is dependent on the material of the dielectric, the distance between the parallel plates, and the
area of the plates. The capacitance of the parallel plates does not depend on the thickness of the dielectric,
however, if the thickness influences the distance between the plates then the capacitance will depend on
the distance caused by the thickness of the dielectric material.
1 2
4. Show that the capacitance for the setup in Figure 4 is given by C = 2eA
d 1+ 2

Dielectrics stacked in series, capacitors in parallel


1
1
1
C = C1 + C2
A , C = A
C1 = 1 0d/2
2
2 0d/2
1 2
C = 2eA
d 1+ 2

5. Compare your experimental results of task 4 with Equation 4.


Material of Sheet

Distance (mm)

Capacitance (nF)

Polystyrene

0.224

Nylon

0.361

Both

0.153

1 2
C = 2eA
d 1+ 2

1 = Polystyrene = 2.5
2 = Nylon = 3.5
C=

2e(0.04) (3.5)(2.5)
0.003 (3.5+2.5)

Cboth = 0.196 nF
The calculated capacitance of polystyrene and nylon using equation 4 provided a 28% error from the
experimental capacitance of the two materials.

6. The dielectrics you insert between the parallel plates may have excess charge. What happens when you
charge the plates, if this turns out to be true?
Because dielectrics resist the flow of electricity, the surface of a dielectric may retain stranded excess
electrical charges. This may occur accidentally when the dielectric is rubbed (the triboelectric effect). A
spark could result from electrostatic discharge, or the charge on the plates will be higher than they would
be given uncharged dielectric material.
7. For Part 2b, create a plot of V vs d. What does the slope represent?
Power Supply Voltage (V)

Distance (cm)

Electrometer Reading (V)

15

0.3

12.1

15

0.5

15

15

18

15

1.5

19.2

15

20.3

15

2.5

21.5

The slope of the line formed plotting voltage against distance is the electric field, E in ( Vm or
8. How much charge is found on the plates in Part 2b?

N
C

).

C=
Q=
Q=

Q
eA
V o = d
eA
d * V0
e(0.04)
(0.01) *(18-15)

Q 0.489 nC
References
The TriboElectric Series. (n.d.). Retrieved September 27, 2016, from
http://www.trifield.com/content/tribo-electric-series/

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