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Lab 3

The document summarizes an experiment to determine the capacitance of three capacitors using two methods. It describes connecting capacitors to a constant current source and voltage source to collect concurrent measurements and discharge measurements. Graphs of the measurement data show the best fit lines used to calculate capacitance. The capacitance values found experimentally were close to each other but differed from theoretical values, potentially due to errors in starting voltage, incomplete discharging between trials, and capacitor aging.

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183 views8 pages

Lab 3

The document summarizes an experiment to determine the capacitance of three capacitors using two methods. It describes connecting capacitors to a constant current source and voltage source to collect concurrent measurements and discharge measurements. Graphs of the measurement data show the best fit lines used to calculate capacitance. The capacitance values found experimentally were close to each other but differed from theoretical values, potentially due to errors in starting voltage, incomplete discharging between trials, and capacitor aging.

Uploaded by

api-560750289
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 1

2/4/2021

Capacitors lab

Khyree Brooks, Briggs Fultz, and Elvis Morales Campoverde.

Abstract

For this lab we determine the capacitance of three capacitors using two experimental approaches.
We will also use mathematical expressions that relate to capacitance. We will measure voltages,
circuit resistance, and discharge time.

Goals:

Using derived forms of Capacitance and voltage formulas, we are verifying if the
capacitance of capacitors can be estimated using a constant current applied to the
capacitor.

Procedure:
Materials:
Constant Current Source (~1 mA) [Serial # 14]
Constant Voltage Source (~3 V) [Serial # 9]
Board of capacitors [Board #1]
Resistor (~1000 ohms)
LabQuest Mini
Laptop computer running Logger Pro software
Digital multimeter [Serial # PHOE-40]
Voltage probe
assorted leads
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 2

1. Plug the power adapter to the LabQuest Mini. Connect the LabQuest Mini to the laptop via
the USB and connect the voltage probe to the interface into channel 1.
2. Start LoggerPro software. To set up the probe click Experiment → Connect Interface →
Show All Interfaces.
3. A window should pop up, select CH1 → Voltage → voltage (+/- 10 v.). Sensor is now set up.
4. To check to see if the probes are reading correctly, connect the probes and check
LoggerPro. The potential voltage should be close to zero.
5. Before collecting data make sure to zero out the probes. To do so click Experiment → Zero.
This should bring the potential voltages to zero.
6. [Insert procedures for the two experiments, maybe?]

For Concurrent Measurements:


7. A For concurrent measurements, discharge the capacitor before use to prevent error by
completing the circuit of the capacitor.
8. A Use the constant current power supply, connect the red probe of the power supply to the
same color on the multimeter’s microamp/milliamp port.
9. A Connect the ground of the multimeter of ground to the red lead of the capacitor. The red
voltage probe will also be attached to the same lead
10. A Connect the ground of the voltage source to the negative of the capacitor. The logger pro
will also connect to the negative of the capacitor.
11. A Set up data collection for logger pro, ~10 seconds, remember to zero calibrate the system.
12. Turn on the power source, recording data for loggerPro, up to 3V then turn off the power
source.
13. A Remember to discharge the capacitor after each trial.

For Discharge Measurements:


7. B Plug the voltage source into either side of the capacitor.
8. B Plug the 3V source into either side of the capacitor.
9. B Begin charging the capacitor, up to 2.5v.
10. B Unhook the positive and negative connection. Plug the negative connection top the
resistor connection, recording the discharge in loggerPro.
11.B Discharging per trial isn’t required.

Measurements:
The graph of the measured data and the best fit lines can be viewed in the next section.

LInear fits from constant concurrent source


LoggerPro was used to collect the voltage over time. The constant current source we used was

1 mA = . To calculate the capacitance we used , where I = 1 mA and slope of


the best fit line.
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 3

C1
The best fit line for C1 resulted in m (Slope)‎= 0.08557 2.388E-005 V/s and
b (Y-Intercept)= -0.2141 0.0005462 V

C2
The best fit line for C2 resulted in m (Slope)‎= 0.1197 4.391E-005 V/s and
b (Y-Intercept)‎= -0.2361 0.0008126 V

C1 & C2 parallel
The best fit line for C1 & C2 parallel resulted in m (Slope)‎= 0.04982 1.246E-005 V/s and
b (Y-Intercept)‎= -0.08128 0.0004415 V

Experimental values:

Theoretical values:

C1 & C2 series
The best fit line for C1 & C2 series resulted in m (Slope)=: 0.2074 9.666E-005 V/s and
b (Y-Intercept)‎= -0.1998 0.0009260 V

Experimental values:

Theoretical values:

Fits for Discharge


We found the best fit line of the natural log of our data. We took the slope of the best fit and set it to

. Rearranging the equation we get , where m is the slope.


Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 4

C1
The best fit line for C1 discharge resulted in m (Slope)= -0.08576 4.604E-005
b (Y-Intercept)‎= 1.106 0.0006638

C2
The best fit line for C2 discharge resulted in m (Slope)‎= -0.1182 0.0001105
b (Y-Intercept)‎= 1.211 0.001721

Plots
C1
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 5

C2

Series
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 6

Parallel

Discharge
C1
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 7

C2

Analysis

Capacitor C1 acquired a capacitance of , while C2 carried


. The discharge experiment gave use a capacitance of
for C1 and for C2. The series experimental capacitance returned
and parallel capacitance was , The
theoretical values were for the series and for
the parallel.

As we can see our capacitance for C1 and C2 within each other's error. Our experimental and
theoretical values are not with each other's error.

Potential Sources of error:

Due to our starting voltage at times not reaching zero, this could result in a slight error in our
calculations. There is also the chance that our capacitors were not completely discharged in
between trials, which means that capacitance would be lower than expected for the trials. The age of
the capacitor could also affect results, as capacitors naturally lose their capacitance over time. We
also assumed a small error for both the current and the resistor. We gave the current a small error of
and the resistor had an error . Since the values of both the current and resistors
were given we decided to be conservative in our estimated error.
Brooks, Fultz, Morales Campoverde 8

Conclusion

From our observation of the capacitors, we are able to determine the capacitance of the capacitors
within relative range. The discharge rate of the capacitors are also within estimate, proving the
theory of the measuring discharge. However, the quality of capacitors and minor errors with the trials
could be potential factors for future labs.

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