Measuring Capacitance

Objective

Measuring capacitance and explore the series and parallel combinations of capacitors.

_images/cap-measure.svg _images/cap-series.svg _images/cap-parallel.svg

Procedure

  • Connect the capacitor between IN1 and Ground.
  • Click on “Capacitance on IN1” . Should not touch the capacitor while measuring
  • Repeat the measurement for Series and parallel combinations

Discussion

We have used 100~pF capacitors in this activity. For parallel combination, the effective capacitance is given by C = C_1 + C_2 + ⋯ , and for series combination by \frac{1}{C} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + ⋯. You can make the capacitors by pasting thin metal foils on both sides of insulators like paper, polythene or glass.