Capacitor Simulation

Name _________________

Purpose: To visualize and learn the relationships between voltage, charge and capacitance.
The flash of a camera and the jolt provided by a heart defibrillator require sudden bursts of
electric energy. The relatively small batteries used in these devices could not supply such bursts
without the use of capacitors. Capacitors are devices that store energy in the form of an electric
field. This energy can be delivered to an electric circuit very rapidly. The field is typically
produced by separating opposite charges on two parallel plates.
Google PHET click on simulations click on the capacitor simulation icon and choose run
now. The simulation opens showing two parallel, conducting plates connected to a battery. In
the Control Panel, the View: Plate Charges option is selected.

1. Notice that the battery has a variable voltage. Move the voltage slider up and down and
observe the effect. Record your observations.

To move charge from one plate to another, the battery must exert a force on that charge. The
force must act through a distance. The battery must do _______ on the charge, and the amount
of work a battery can do depends, in part, on its voltage.
2. From the Meters section of the Control Panel, activate the plate charge meter.
a. Which plate does the plate charge meter show the charge of? _____
b. The color used to represent positive charge is ________
c. The color used to represent negative charge is ________
3. Vary the battery voltage and observe the plate charge. What is the relationship between
charge and voltage?
From the meters section of the Control Panel, activate the capacitance meter.
4. Disconnect the battery and vary the plate charge. What is the relationship between
charge and capacitance?

5. Reconnect the battery and vary the voltage. What is the relationship between voltage and
capacitance?
6. Set the battery to maximum voltage. With the voltage held constant by the battery, vary
the plate size. What is the relationship between capacitance and plate size?
7. Set the battery to maximum voltage. With the voltage held constant by the battery, vary
the plate separation. What is the relationship between capacitance and plate separation?

8. Make side-by-side sketches of high and low capacitance configurations.

High capacitance configuration
Low capacitance configuration

9. Combine your answers to #s 6 and 7 and state the combined relationship between
capacitance plate area and separation distance.

10. If plate area is doubled, what will happen to capacitance?

11. If plate separation is halved, what will happen to capacitance?
12. If voltage is doubled, what will happen to capacitance?
13. If charge is cut in half, what will happen to capacitance?
14. If voltage is doubled, what happens to the amount of charge stored?

PART
B: ENERGY
Step 10: Which expression below corresponds to your observations regarding capacitance (C), plate area
Step(A),1:and
Inseparation
the Control
(d)? Panel, click the on-screen Reset All button and confirm your intention. In
the Meters section,
activate the capacitance
meter, the plate
charge meter, and the voltmeter.
_____ C ~ Ad
_____ C ~ A/d
_____ C ~ d/A
Step 2: Move the voltmeter probes to the upper and lower right corners of the wire connecting
B: ENERGY
the PART
battery
to the plates. Make sure the voltmeter is properly connected by varying the voltage on
1: In and
the Control
Panel, click
on-screen Reset All
button andon
confirm
intention. Leave
In the Meters
the Step
battery
observing
thethe
corresponding
variation
the your
voltmeter.
the battery voltage
section, activate the capacitance meter, the plate charge meter, and the voltmeter.
set to 0.00 V.
Move the voltmeter probes to the upper and lower right corners of the wire connecting the battery
StepStep
3:2:Arrange
the area and separation
of the parallel plates so that their capacitance is 0.5
to the plates. Make sure the voltmeter
is properly connected by varying the voltage on the battery and
12
picofarads
pF = 0.5 variation
10 F).
observing (0.5
the corresponding
on the voltmeter. Leave the battery voltage set to 0.00 V.
StepStep
4:3:Complete
the
table
below.
Setparallel
the voltage
values
on the table
record
Arrange the area and separation of the
plates so that
their capacitance
is 0.5and
picofarads
(0.5the plate charge
12
= 0.5 ! 10 F).to that voltage. Note the plate charge is expressed in the table with units of
thatpFcorresponds
1012Step
C.4:(If
you cant
getbelow.
the exact
voltage
value
listed,
use
a nearby
But use a value that
Complete
the table
Set the voltage
values
on the
table and
record
the platevalue.
charge that
12
to that
voltage. Note the plate charge is expressed in the table with units of 10 C. (If you
endscorresponds
in an even
number.)
cant get the exact voltage value listed, use a nearby value. But use a value that ends in an even number.)
Voltage V
(V)

Plate Charge Q
(x 1012 C)

0.00

Plate Charge vs. Voltage

0.20
0.44
0.70
0.96
1.34
1.50

Step 5: Complete the Plate Charge vs. Voltage graph above. Plot the points from your data table.
Step 5: Complete the Plate Charge vs. Voltage graph above. Plot the points from your data table. Make a
Make
ofDont
best forget
fit. Dont
tothe
label
the axes of the graph.
line aofline
best fit.
to label forget
the axes of
graph.
Step 6: Interpret the slope.

Stepa. 6: Calculate
Interpret
the the
valueslope.
of the slope of the line of best fit. Dont forget to include the units of this slope.
a. Calculate the value of the slope of the line of best fit. Dont forget to include the units of this
slope.
b.

What is the meaning of that slope? (Hint: consider the units of the slope.)

Step 7:isInterpret
the area. of that slope? (Consider the units of the slope.)
b. What
the meaning
a.

Calculate the value of the area under the line of best fit. (Hint: whats the area of a triangle?)

Step 7: Interpret the area.

b.
What isthe
the value
meaningof
of the
that area?
consider
the units
of the fit.
area.)
a. Calculate
area(Hint:
under
the line
of best

More curriculum can be found in Pearson Addison Wesleys Conceptual Physics Laboratory Manual:

b. What
is the
meaning Demonstrations
of that area? (Consider
theG.units
Activities
Experiments
Tech Labs by Paul
Hewitt of
andthe
Deanarea.)
Baird. ISBN: 0321732480

Step 8: From the Meters section of the Control Panel, activate the stored energy meter and
examine the value it shows. What does it mean?

Step 9: Which equation below is consistent with your observations and calculations involving
stored energy (W), plate charge (Q) and voltage (V) in a capacitor?
_____ W = Q/V _____ W = V/Q _____ W = QV/2 _____ W = 2QV
Step 10: Going to Extremes I. Using a battery at full voltage (1.50 V),
a. what is the maximum energy that can be stored in the plates?
______________________________
b. Describe the corresponding configuration. Discuss the plate arrangement and capacitance, but
do so qualitatively, not quantitatively.

c. What is the minimum energy that can be stored in the plates?

______________________________
d. Describe the corresponding configuration. Again, limit the discussion to qualitative terms.

Step 11: Going to Extremes II. Disconnect the battery. With the plates holding maximum charge
(0.53 1011 C = 5.3 pC),
a. what is the maximum energy that can be stored in the plates?
______________________________
b. Describe the corresponding configuration. Discuss the plate arrangement, voltage, and
capacitance, but do so qualitatively, not quantitatively.

c. What is the minimum energy that can be stored in the plates?

______________________________

d. Describe the corresponding configuration. Again, limit the discussion to qualitative terms.
Summing UP
1. ParallelSumming
plates withUp
a high capacitance can
1.
Parallel
plates with
a high
capacitance
can
_____hold a large
charge
at high
voltage
_____hold
a large charge at low voltage
_____hold
a
large
charge
at
high
voltage
a large charge at low voltage
Summing
Up a small charge at high voltage _____hold a_____hold
_____hold
small charge
at low voltage

_____hold a small charge at high voltage

_____hold a small charge at low voltage
Parallel plates with a high capacitance can
a large
chargeaatside
high voltage
_____hold
a large charge at low voltage
2._____hold
The figure
twoof charged
parallel
2. shows
The figure
showsview
a sideof
view
two charged
parallelplates.
plates.
_____hold a small charge at high voltage
_____hold a small charge at low voltage
a. Sketch all five
electrostatic
forces
acting
on
the
negative
charge
a. Sketch all five electrostatic forces acting on the negative charge
(circled)
at
the
right
end
of
the
negative
plate.
Notice
that
some
at theofright
of theparallel
negativeplates.
plate. Notice that some
2. The figure shows(circled)
a side view
twoend
charged
forces repel theforces
negative
charge
and
some
it. Some
actact
toto
repel the
negative
charge
andattract
some attract
it. Some
a. Sketch all fivepush
electrostatic
on the
charge
it of
offthe
the forces
edge
ofacting
the
plate;
act to ithold
on the
plate.
push
it off the edge
plate;
some
actsome
tonegative
hold
onitthe
plate.
(circled) at the right end of the negative plate. Notice that some
b.forces
Which
thosecharge
that attract
orattract
thoseor
repel,
with
the
b. Which
forces,
those
that
attract
those
that
with
the
repelforces,
the negative
and
some
it.that
Some
act repel,
tovaryvary
separation
distance
between
the
plates?
separation
distance
between
the
plates?
push it off the edge of the plate; some act to hold it on the plate.

1.

b. Which forces, those that attract or those that repel, vary with the
separation distance between the plates?
c. A battery can hold more charge on parallel plates when the plates are ___closer ___farther.

c. A battery can hold more charge on parallel plates when the plates are ___closer ___farther.

3. The figure shows two parallel plate configurations. Both use the same voltage and the plates are at the
c. A battery can hold
chargeinon
parallel
plates when
are plates.
___closer ___farther.
samemore
separation
both
configurations.
Butthe
oneplates
has larger

3.

3. The figure shows two parallel plate configurations. Both use the same voltage and the plates
are
the same
in both
configurations.
But
larger
Theat
figure
shows separation
two parallel plate
configurations.
Both use
theone
samehas
voltage
andplates.
the plates are at the
same separation in both configurations. But one has larger plates.

A battery can hold more charge on parallel plates when the plates are ___larger ___smaller.
4.

a. Write the equation for capacitance in terms of plate charge and voltage. (See Part A, Step 8.)

A battery can hold more charge on parallel plates when the plates are ___larger ___smaller.

4. a. Write the equation for capacitance in terms of plate charge and voltage. Part B Step 6
4.

a. Write the equation for capacitance in terms of plate charge and voltage. (See Part A, Step 8.)
b. Write the equation of energy stored in a capacitor in terms of plate charge and voltage.

b. Write the equation of energy stored in a capacitor in terms of plate charge and voltage.

c. Use substitution
to derive
equations in
for terms
energy of
stored
in acharge
capacitor:
onevoltage.
in terms of
b. Write the equation
of energy
storedtwo
in new
a capacitor
plate
and
capacitance and voltage, and one in terms of capacitance and plate charge.

c. Use substitution to derive two new equations for energy stored in a capacitor: one in terms of
capacitance and voltage, and one in terms of capacitance and plate charge.
5. Examine
the equation
the equations
energy storedfor
in the
platesstored
in termsin
ofacharge
and capacitance.
Whenof
the
c. Use substitution
to derive
twofor
new
energy
capacitor:
one in terms
voltage was held constant, doubling the plate charge also doubles the capacitance. As a result, the
capacitance and
voltage, and one in terms of capacitance and plate charge.
stored energy increased. According to the equation, energy increases with plate charge but decreases

5.

with capacitance. Why didnt the increase of both factors simply cancel and leave energy unchanged?
Examine the equation for the energy stored in the plates in terms of charge and capacitance. When the
voltage was held constant, doubling the plate charge also doubles the capacitance. As a result, the
stored energy increased. According to the equation, energy increases with plate charge but decreases
with capacitance. Why didnt the increase of both factors simply cancel and leave energy unchanged?

More curriculum can be found in Pearson Addison Wesleys Conceptual Physics Laboratory Manual:
Activities Experiments Demonstrations Tech Labs by Paul G. Hewitt and Dean Baird. ISBN: 0321732480

5. Examine the equation for the energy stored in the plates in terms of charge and capacitance.
When the voltage was held constant, doubling the plate charge also doubles the capacitance. As a
result, the stored energy increased. According to the equation, energy increases with plate charge
but decreases with capacitance. Why didnt the increase of both factors simply cancel and leave
energy unchanged?

6. Examine the equation for the energy stored in the plates in terms of capacitance and voltage.
6. Examine the equation for the energy stored in the plates in terms of capacitance and voltage. When the
When the
charge was held constant, doubling the voltage halved the capacitance. As a result, the
charge was held constant, doubling the voltage halved the capacitance. As a result, the stored energy
stored energy
increased.
According
to the equation,
energy
varies
directly with
and
increased.
According
to the equation,
energy varies
directly
with capacitance
andcapacitance
voltage. Why didnt
voltage. Why
increase
voltage
the decrease
in capacitance
simply
and
thedidnt
increasethe
in voltage
andinthe
decreaseand
in capacitance
simply
cancel and leave
energycancel
unchanged?
leave energy unchanged?

7. Consider parallel plates whose plate charge vs.

7. Consider
parallel plates whose plate charge vs.
voltage plot is shown.
voltage plot is shown.
Determine
the capacitance
of the plates.
a. Determinea. the
capacitance
of the plates.

b. Determine the energy stored in the plates.

b. Determine the energy stored in the plates.

8. A 3600-F capacitor is connected to a 12-V battery.

a. Calculate the charge separated on the plates.
8.

A 3600-F capacitor is connected to a 12-V battery.

Calculate
chargein
separated
on the plates.
b. Calculatea.the
energythestored
the plates.

The capacitors charge (and stored energy) can be made available to an electric circuit, such as
one in an electronic flash or a heart defibrillator. The capacitor can deliver the charge and energy
Calculate
the A
energy
stored
in uses
the plates.
faster than ab.battery
can.
device
that
a great deal of energy in a short interval of time can
best be described as high
___ charge ___ current
9.

___ energy ___ power

___ voltage.

The capacitors charge (and stored energy) can be made available to an electric circuit, such as one in
an electronic flash or a heart defibrillator. The capacitor can deliver the charge and energy faster than a
battery can. A device that uses a great deal of energy in a short interval of time can best be described as
high
___ charge

___ current

___ energy

___ power

___ voltage.