4/21/2014 Experiments: Capacitor in Series/Parallel & Capacitance vs Distance

Capacitor in Series/Parallel

 Using multimeter to measure the capacitance in series connection.  

 Using multimeter to measure the capacitance in parallel connection. 

Base on the experiment data to conjecture the relationship of capacitance in series and parallel connection.

Summary:

In this experiment we were given two capacitors. First measured the capacitance of each capacitor and record on the board.  We next set up the capacitors in series and in parallel as seen above.  After measuring the capacitance in both connections we can say that in parallel the capacitance of the two capacitors was simply the sum of their respective capacitance(Ctotal=C1+C2); in series capacitors add up inversely (1/Ctotal=1/C1+1/C2.)

Capacitance vs Distance

Using aluminum foil as the plates of capacitor to create a capacitor as show in picture.
Using multimeter to measure the capacitances in different distance between two plates.

Recorded experiment data that the capacitances in different distance.

 

Using the excel to make a distance of separation vs capacitance graph as show.  Base on the shape of the graph, the distance of separation and the capacitance have a inverse relationship.

Using the experiment data to calculate the kappa(dielectric constant).  The kappa value we calculated is 1.1 which is different to the real value 3.5 for papers.  The possible error is due to the pressure that we given on the book during the experiment.