Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro

Department of Computer System Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

LAB HANDOUT # 08
Name: ______________________________________________ Roll Number: ____________

Score: _____________ Signature of tutor: _________________ Date: ___________________

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn about Capacitor, Types of resistors.
2. Capacitor in series combinations of capacitors.
3. Capacitor in parallel combinations of capacitors.
4. Analyzing the charging and discharging process of the capacitors.

Components required:
1) Decade capacitor box
2) Digital Multimeter
3) A few hard wires
Discussion:
The basic function of a capacitor is to store charge and thereby electrical energy. A capacitor is a set of
two metal conductors separated by a small distance. Usually some type of dielectric (non-conducting)
material is placed between the two conductors.
An example is the parallel plate capacitor shown in fig. below:
When connected to a voltage source, such as a battery, the two conducting plates become charged.
When the battery is first connected, free electrons inside the top capacitor plate will move toward the
positive terminal of the battery. This continues until the top capacitor plate is at the same potential as
the positive terminal of the battery. A net positive charge, +Q, will then be on the top capacitor plate.
At the same time, free electrons inside the wire connecting the negative terminal to the bottom
capacitor plate will move toward the bottom capacitor plate. This continues until the bottom capacitor
plate is at the same potential as the battery's negative terminal. A net negative charge, –Q, will be
present on the bottom capacitor plate. Fig. 1(a) shows a parallel-plate capacitor connected to a battery
and Fig. 1(b) is the schematic diagram of the same setup. Note that the symbols for a capacitor and a
battery are similar but not the same. Be careful not to confuse them. Note that there are equal and
opposite charges (+Q and –Q) on the two plates of the charged capacitor. For convenience, we simply
refer to the magnitude of the charge and say that the capacitor has a charge Q on it. Also note that
since the top capacitor plate is at the same potential as the positive battery terminal and the bottom
plate is at the same potential as the negative battery terminal, the potential difference between the
capacitor's two plates is the same as the potential difference across the terminals of the battery. The
amount of charge deposited on a capacitor is directly proportional to the potential difference placed
across its plates. This can be written as: Q=C∇V
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 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Computer System Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

Where the proportionality constant C is known as the capacitance of the capacitor and is measured in
units of Farads (F). The capacitance depends on the particular geometry of the capacitor as well as the
type of dielectric material used. If you were to remove the battery from a charged capacitor, the charges
would stay on the plates, and a potential difference would remain between the two plates of the
capacitor. Therefore, we say that the capacitor "stores" electrical energy. The amount of energy stored
in a charged capacitor can be calculated using the formula.

Fig. 1 (a) capacitor parallel plates connected to a battery (b) schematic diagram
Types of capacitors:
There are many different types of capacitors including electrolyte, non-electrolyte, ceramic, plastic,
sliver mica, and many more:
1. Electrolyte capacitor:
Electrolyte capacitor is a polarized capacitor. Electrolyte capacitor has two legs. One leg has (-) signs
next to it, this is the negative side. The other side is positive, sign (+) this is the positive side. Electrolyte
capacitor provides dc voltage. The value of electrolyte capacitor would be normally started from
1microfarad. Electrolyte capacitor is used Dc power supply, Computer, TV etc.

Fig. 2 Electro light capacitor

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 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Computer System Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

2. : Non-electrolyte capacitor:
A Non electrolyte capacitor is non polarized. The value starts from Pico farad ranges. In non-
electrolyte capacitor both legs are equal. Non electrolyte capacitor provides ac voltage. Non
electrolyte capacitor is used in fans, motor etc.

Fig. 3 Non-Electrolyte capacitor

Capacitors Connected in Parallel:

Frequently we want to combine multiple capacitors into one circuit. One way to combine capacitors is
to connect them in parallel as shown in Fig. 2. Note that the top plates of both capacitors are connected
to the positive terminal of the battery, and the bottom plates of both capacitors are connected to the
negative terminal. Therefore, the potential difference across each individual capacitor will be the same
as the total potential difference placed by the battery across the whole parallel arrangement.

∇ V1=∇ V2=∇ V

Each individual capacitor will store different charges, Q1 and Q2. The total charge placed on the entire
parallel arrangement by the battery is then: QTotal = Q1+Q2

Fig. 4 capacitors connected in parallel combination

The total capacitance of the parallel arrangement, CTotal = C1 + C2 + C3 + ... + CN.

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 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Computer System Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

Capacitors Connected in Series:

When connected to a battery, the bottom plate of the first capacitor C1 will store a charge –Q and the
top plate of the second capacitor C2 will store a charge +Q. We see then that the total charge placed on
the overall series arrangement by the battery is Q. Notice that the top plate of C1 and the bottom plate
of C2 are connected by a conducting wire, forming a single H-shaped conductor. This conductor is not
connected to the battery, so the battery cannot directly provide charge to it. Instead, the negative charge
–Q on the bottom plate of C1 and the positive charge +Q on the top plate of C2 will cause free electrons
in the H-shaped conductor to move to the top. The result is an induced net charge of +Q on the top plate
of C1 and an induced net charge of –Q on the bottom plate of C2. Therefore, both capacitors will have
the same charge Q, which is the same as the total charge on the entire arrangement.

QTotal = Q1 = Q2

Fig. 5 Capacitors connected in series combination

The bottom plate of C1 is at the same potential as the negative terminal of the battery, and the top
plate of C2 is at the same potential as the positive terminal

Q total, 1/C1 +1/C2………

Fig. 6 Capacitor circuit connected with digital power supply trainer

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 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Computer System Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

Circuit diagram of capacitor store electric city (charging and discharging)

Fig .7 Circuit diagram of capacitor in series

Fig.8 Circuit diagram of capacitor in parallel

Observation table: Fill the following observation table:

S.No. Capacitance in series Capacitance in parallel

C1 C2 C3 CT C1 C2 C3 CT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Experimental procedure:
1. Make the necessary connections as shown in the given Fig. 9
2. Set the dc voltmeter to its 10 V range.
3. Set the dc milli-ammeter to its 1 mA range.

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 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Computer System Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Applied Physics (2nd Semester, 1st Year)

4. Switch on the power supply and adjust the dc power supply' to obtain a 10 V reading
on the voltmeter.

Fig. 9 Experimental circuit for charging and discharging of capacitor

Review Questions:

1. What are the applications of Electrolyte and nonelectrolyte capacitor?

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2. What is a main function of capacitor?

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3. How the capacitor store energy in circuit? Justify with example.

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FINAL CHECKLIST:
1. Check your equipment materials before you leave.
2. Return all equipment and materials to their proper storage area.
3. Submit your answers to questions.

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