.1 mF capacitors - series
.1 mF capacitors - Parallel

 

Code Number: 5F20.65

Demo Title: Series and Parallel Capacitors

Condition: Fair

Principle: Series and Parallel Capacitors

Area of Study: Electricity and Magnetism

Equipment: 

.1 mF capacitors in series and parallel on boards, multimeter, demonstration board.

Procedure:

Set the parallel and series capacitors on the demonstration board.  Measure the capacitance of the two sets. The series capacitor set should show a total capacitance of approx. .05 mF and the parallel set should show a total capacitance of approx. .20 mF.

References:

  • William Ennis, "A Simple, Successful Capacitor Lab", TPT, Vol. 49, # 5, p. 272, May 2011. 
  • Douglas Young, "Exploring Series and Parallel Combinations of Capacitors by Inquiry", TPT, Vol. 44, # 6, p. 366, Sept. 2006.
  • C. J. Efthimiou and R. A. Llewellyn, "Adding Resistances and Capacitances in Introductory Electricity", TPT, Vol. 43, # 6, Sept. 2005, p. 366.
  • Ronald Brown, "Series and Parallel Resistors and Capacitors", TPT, Vol. 41, # 8,  Nov. 2003, p. 483
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "The Hydraulic Analogy for Electric Current",  TPT, Vol. 41, # 8, Nov. 2003, p. 464.
  • B. L. Illman and G. T. Carlson, "Equal Plate Charges on Series Capacitors?", TPT, Vol. 32, # 2, Feb. 1994, p. 77.
  • A. P. French, "Another in Our Series on Capacitors", TPT, Vol. 32, # 5, May 1994, p. 262.
  • Ludwik Kowalski, "Simplifications: To Accept or Not to Accept", TPT, Vol. 32, # 4, Apr. 1994, p. 197.
  • Helene F. Perry, Randall S. Jones, and Gregory N. Derry, "Capacitors in Parallel and Series", TPT, Vol. 29, # 6, June 1991, p. 348.
  • L. Kowalski, "A Myth About Capacitors in Series, "TPT, Vol. 26, # 5, May 1988, p. 286".
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "Capacitor Circuits", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 261.
  • G. T. Carlson, and B. L. Illman, "Erratum: Series Capacitors and the Inverse Sum Rule", AJP, Vol. 70, # 11, Nov. 2002, p. 1122". AJP, Vol. 71, # 3, March, 2003, p. 283.
  • G. T. Carlson, and B. L. Illman, "Series Capacitors and the Inverse Sum Rule", AJP, Vol. 70, # 11, Nov. 2002, p. 1122.

Video Credit: Jonathan M. Sullivan-Wood

5F20.65 - Series and Parallel Capacitors