Lift a Mass Demo
Lift a Mass Demo

 

Code Number: 5C30.35

Demo Title: Capacitor - Lift a Mass

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Power Stored in a Capacitor

Area of Study: Electricity & Magnetism

Equipment: 

Genecon Generator, 1 Farad capacitor, 6 V battery, Geared motor with long shaft, String, and Masses.

Procedure:

Completely charge the 1 Farad capacitor with either the Genecon generator or the 6 V battery.  Disconnect the charging device and attach the capacitor to the motor.  The motor will wind the string and lift the mass until the capacitor discharges enough to no longer run the motor.  A 100g or 200g mass works well for this demonstration.  If desired, the efficiency of the motor can be calculated by comparing the change in gravitational potential energy of the lifted mass to the initial energy in the charged capacitor.  

References:

  • Antonio Angel Moya, "Charging a Capacitor with Another Capacitor by Using Arduino", TPT, Vol. 60, #6, Sept. 2022, p. 471.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Capacitor Weight Lifter", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 263.