Episode 124: Preparation for capacitors topic

This is a topic in which there is plenty of scope for practical work, and the experiments tend to be
reliable. The topic is also rather mathematical; the use of exponential equations can reinforce
students experience with radioactive decay equations, if this has already been covered.
It is unlikely that your students will have met capacitors before unless they have studied some
electronics, perhaps in Technology.
Episode 125: Introducing capacitors
Episode 126: Capacitance and the equation C = Q/V !ith e"tension to C = #r$/d%
Episode 12&: Capacitors in series and para''e'
Episode 12(: Energ) stored in a capacitor
Episode 12*: +ischarge of a capacitor: Q = Qoe
,t/C-

Episode 1.#: -,C circuits and other s)ste/s
$d0ance !arning
any of the basic ideas can be studied with a range of
capacitors !at least one with a large value, "# ### $ or
more% and cells, plus ammeters and voltmeters !some
/u'ti/eters will have the ability to measure capacitance
directly%. & cou'o/1/eter is most useful. +ata'ogger!s% will
be an advantage. & reasonable osci''oscope can do a
similar 'ob but does not provide a permanent record
(ook out for)
Capacitors of different si*es; check that you can identify
those which are electrolytic.
+'ectro')tic capacitors may explode if they are connected the wrong way round. The material
inside becomes a gas and the pressure is more than the case can contain. ,ou may wish to
demonstrate this effect; you should only do so in a fume cupboard. This can also occur when a
capacitor carries a large ripple current. Those designed to cope with this are labelled -high ripple
capacity and are used as smoothing capacitors with lab power supplies.
& change.over reed s!itch mounted in a box, for measuring capacitance.
Two large !/# cm square% metal plates, drilled to take 0 mm plugs.
1ome activities make use of spreadsheets.
any activities make use of electrolytic capacitors. If these have not been used for "2 months, it
is worth reforming them before use. 1ee -+lectrolytic 3apacitors in the 3(+&411 (ab 5andbook.
2ain ai/s
3tudents !i'':
". 6efine capacitance in terms of charge stored per volt.
"
!resourcefulphysics.org%
2. 3alculate values of charge and energy stored.
/. 3alculate values of capacitances connected in series and parallel.
0. Interpret exponential and logarithmic graphs for capacitor discharge.
7. 8elate their understanding to analogous phenomena, including springs and radioactive
decay.
Prior 4no!'edge
The topic draws on what students already know about simple dc circuits. There may be a need to
remind students about charge while it is possible that ideas about !uniform% electric fields can be
reinforced.
!If your specification introduces the formula for calculating capacitance, then students will have to
use #, the permittivity of free space, so previous work with electric fields is more important in this
case.%
5here this 'eads
The exponential equations for capacitor discharge are similar to those for radioactive decay !and
for damped 15%. 6epending on the order in which you are tackling these topics, you can either
refer back to previous use of exponentials, or refer ahead to future work. It is helpful to students
to feel that they are getting -two for the price of one, particularly if they find these mathematical
ideas tricky.
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