5C30.35 - Capacitor - Lift a Mass | Instructional Resources and Lecture Demonstrations

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.

Code Number:

5C30.35

Demo Title:

Capacitor - Lift a Mass

Condition:

Excellent

Principle:

Power Stored in a Capacitor

Area of Study:

Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

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.

^{Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.}