Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology – New Minya

Program: Preparatory Stage

Practical Physics(2)
BAS (042)

Prepared by
Dr. Hossam Bhy El-Din Alaa El-Din
Dr. Mohamed Nabil Abd El-Salam
Department of Basic Science
 CONTENTS

Experiment Pag.
Name
No.

1 Ohm’s law: Application of Ohmic Materials 1

2 Ohm’s law: Application of Non-Ohmic Materials 9

3 Internal Resistance and Electromotive Force 17

4 Series Connection of Resistors 25

5 Parallel Connection of Resistors 31

6 Meter Bridge 37

7 Charge and Discharge of a Capacitor 47

8 Series Connection of Capacitors 55

9 Parallel Connection of Capacitors 61

i
 Experiment No. (1)

Ohm’s law: Application of Ohmic Materials

Objective

• Test the validity of Ohm’s law.

• Determination of the unknown resistance (R)

Theory

Most of us use electricity every day. Electricity is handled in circuits: a

closed loop of conductors travelling from power plants to neighborhoods to

households. That closed loop, with all of its many parts, forms one huge electrical

circuit. Today we’ll use the three essential parts of a circuit – power supply (or

battery), wires, and resistors. We’ll learn how resistors affect the current of

electrons that flows through them.

One of the fundamental laws describing how electrical circuits behave is

Ohm’s law. According to Ohm’s law, there is a linear relationship between the

voltage across the circuit and the current flowing through it.

V ± R

A simple electric circuit

1
 Ohm’s law states that the current (I) through a conductor between two

points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points at constant

temperature.

V I
V = IR
V
R =
I
Where,
Current (I): is amount of the electric charge flow from two points in conductor
or the rate of flow of charge.
The SI unit for measuring an electric current is the ampere (A).

Voltage Or Potential difference (V): The work that must be done to move the
electrical charge between the two points in conductor.
The SI unit for measuring voltage is the volt (V).

Resistance (R): The property of a material that restricts the flow of electrons

The SI unit for measuring a Resistance is the Ohm (Ω).

- The resistance of object depends on three factors:

• Material it is made of

• The resistance is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area

• The resistance is proportional to the length

R 1 A Rl
l
R A
A
2
 l
R = 
A

Where ρ is called resistivity which unit Ohm. Meter (Ω.m)

The reciprocals of the resistivity (ρ) is conductivity (σ) which unit is

ohm-1. meter -1 (Ω-1.m-1).

 = 1/ 
l
 =
RA
Tools

1. D.C Power Supply 2. Voltmeter 3. Ammeter

4. Resistor 5. Breadboard 6.Unknow resistance
7. Several banana-to-banana wires.
Procedure
V

Variable resistance

D.C
1. Start by building electric circuit.

2. Using the resistor for passes a small current (I) and then record the

corresponding voltage (V) by voltmeter.

3
3. Repeat step 2 for other values of current (I) and record all values in the table.

4. Fill in the table and plot a graph between the current (I) on X-axis and the

voltage (V) on Y-axis. The straight line refers to validity of Ohm’s law.

5. Determine the slope, according to the relation between the current (I) and

voltage (V) the value of the slope equal the unknown resistance (R).

Table

current (I)

voltage (V)

Result Analysis
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4
Graph

5
6
Questions

1. Ohm’s law states that….……………………………………………………..

2. Current is …………………………..and its unit is …………………...…….

3-Voltage is……………….…………. and its unit is ………………………....

3. Resistance depend on…………… , …………….. and……….…………….

4. A rectangular block of iron has dimensions 1.2 cm ×1.2 cm with 15 cm in

depth. What is the resistance of the block if the resistivity of the iron (9.68 ×10-8)

Ω.m.

7
 Experiment No. (2)

Ohm’s law: Application of Non-Ohmic Materials

Objective

1. Determine the relationship between the current and voltage with changing

temperature.

2. Verify that (I-V) curve is nonlinear.

Theory

The connection between voltage and resistance can be more complicated

in some materials. These materials are called non-ohmic (e.g. semiconductor

devices such as transistors). We'll focus mainly on non-ohmic materials for now.

When an electric current pass through a tungsten projector lamp, its

temperature rises. Therefore, the relationship between current I and the voltage V

applied will not be linear, but will be on the following relation:

I = kV n
Where (n, k) are constants depend on the nature of the fuse. The values of these

constants can be calculated from the relationship between (log I and log V) based

on the equation:

log I = log k + n log V

9
It is a straight-line equation. If we plots the relationship between (log I) on the

horizontal axis and (log V) on the vertical axis, we get a straight line. From the

slope of the straight line can determine the value (n) and from the part of the

straight line of the axis, can determine the value (k).

Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Voltmeter

3. Ammeter

4. Resistor

5. Breadboard

6. Several banana-to-banana wires

7. Tungsten projector lamp

Procedure
V

D.C

10
1. Start by building electric circuit.

2. Using the resistor for passes a small current (I) and then record the

corresponding voltage (V) by voltmeter.

3. Repeat step 2 for other values of current (I) and record all values in the table.

4. Fill in the table and plot a graph between the current (I) on X-axis and the

voltage (V) on Y-axis.

5. Plot a graph between the (log I) on X-axis and the (log V) on Y-axis.

6. Determine the slope and intercept, according to the relation between the

(log I) and (logV), the value of the slope equal (n) and the value of the intercept

equal (k).

11
Table

current (I)

voltage (V)

Log (I)

Log (V)

Result Analysis
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12
Graph

13
14
Questions

1. When an electric current pass through a tungsten projector lamp, its

temperature rises ……………………………………………..

2. Non-ohmic materials have ………….relationship between current and voltage.

3. When temperature rises the resistance …………………………………...….

15
 Experiment No. (3)

Internal Resistance and Electromotive Force

Objective

1- Determination of the internal resistance (r) and electromotive force (ε) in an

electrical circuit

Theory

A resistor is a passive two - terminal electrical component that implements

electrical resistance as a circuit element. The ratio of the voltage applied across a

resistor’s terminals to the intensity of current in the circuit is called its

resistance. Resistors are common elements of electrical networks and electronic

circuits, practical resistors can be made of various compounds and films, as well

as resistance wire (wire made of a high - resistivity alloy, such as nickel -

chrome).

To produce a steady flow of charge, you need a “charge pump,” a device

that -by doing work on the charge carriers-maintains a potential difference

between a pair of terminals. We call such a device an emf device .A battery is

called either a source of electromotive force or, more commonly, a source of emf.

The electromotive force (emf): Is the maximum possible voltage that the

battery can provide between its terminals to move the electric charge, you

17
can consider of a source of emf as a “charge pump.” When an electric potential

difference exists between two points positive charge carriers move from a region

of low electric potential and thus low electric potential energy (at the negative

terminal) to a region of higher electric potential and higher electric potential

energy (at the positive terminal). This motion is just the opposite of what the

electric field between the terminals (which is directed from the positive terminal

toward the negative terminal) would cause the charge carriers to do. Thus, there

must be some source of energy within the device, enabling it to do work on the

charges by forcing them to move as they do. There are two types of electromotive

force devices.

Ideal emf device is one that has no internal resistance so the potential difference

between the terminals of an ideal emf device is equal to the emf of the device. For

example an ideal battery with an emf of 12.0 V always has a potential difference

of 12.0 V between its terminals.

Real emf device, such as any real battery, has internal resistance to the internal

movement of charge. When that device has current through it, the potential

difference between its terminals differs from its emf. Because a real battery is

18
made of matter, there is resistance to the flow of charge within the battery. This

resistance is called internal resistance (r).

(a) Ideal emf (b) Real emf

According to Ohm’s law,

V = IR  = I ( R + r )

 1
= (R + r)  R =  −r
I I
Tools

1. D.C Power Supply 2.Ammeter 3.Breadboard

4. Resistance box 5.Several banana-to-banana wires

Procedure
A

R
r

D.C
19
1. Start by building electric circuit.

2. Set value of (R) from resistance box and then record the current (I) by ammeter

as accurately as possible.

3. Repeat step 2 with increasing (R) and obtained values of (I) record all values

in the table.

4. Fill in the table and calculate (1/I). Plot a graph between the current (1/I) on X-

axis and the voltage (R) on Y-axis.

5. Draw the best possible straight line through the points.

6. The slope of the straight line of this graph is the electromotive force (  ) of the

circuit. The negative intercept on the y-axis is the internal resistance (r)

Table

Resistance (R)

current (I)

1/I

Result Analysis
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20
Graph

21
22
Questions

1. The electromotive force (emf ) is ……….………………………….………..

2. There are two types of emf devices ………………...and ……………….…..

3. ……...emf has internal resistance while……. emf has no internal resistance.

4. Find the current passing through the following circuit.

23
 Experiment No. (4)

Series Connection of Resistors

Objective

1- To study current flow and voltages in series circuits.

2- To use Ohm’s law to calculate equivalent resistance of series circuits.

Theory

In the previous experiment, you constructed circuits, each circuit built with

one resistive element. There is other type of circuits are building with multiple

resistors.

The first type: The components in an electrical circuit are in series, they are

connected one after the other, so that the same current flows through both of them.

The second type: The components are in parallel when they are in alternate

branches of a circuit. Series and parallel circuits function differently.

In the first part will be studies the properties of resistors, which are connected

“in series”. As shown in figure, for a series combination of three resistors, the

currents (I) are the same in both resistors because the amount of charge that passes

through R1 must also pass through R2 and R3 respectively, in the same time

interval. While the potential difference (V) applied across the series combination

of resistors will divide between the resistors.

25
 A R1 B R2 C R3 D

VAB VBC VCD

VAD

According to Ohm’s law,

V = IR
For Combination of resistors

Vt = V1 + V2 + V3 + .............. + Vn

 It Rt = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 + .............. + IRn

Where

It = I1 = I 2 = I3 = .............. = I n

 Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 + .............. + Rn

Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Ammeter

3. Voltammeter

4. Three or more Resistances

5. Breadboard

6. Several banana-to-banana wires

26
Procedure
Vt

I1 R1 I2 R R3
2
I3
V1 V2 V3
It
At

1. Start by building electric circuit.

2. This circuit having three resistors and a power source

3. Record the values of the total current (It) and voltage (Vt) by ammeter and

voltammeter respectively, as accurately as possible.

4. From Ohm’s law calculate the total resistance (Rt).

5. Using the voltammeter to record the values of voltage (V) of each resistance

V1, V2 and V3 respectively, and then calculate the total value of voltage

Vt = V1+V2+V3.

6. From the known values of R1, R2 and R3 calculate the equivalent value of

resistance Req = R1+R2+R3.

7. Finally, comparing the values of (Rt) and (Req). Also, voltage (Vt) in step (3)

and step (5).

27
Table
Quantity Value S.I unit

Total current (It)

Total voltage (Vt)

Total resistance (Rt) = Vt/It

Voltage (V1)

Voltage (V2)

Voltage (V3)

Total voltage (Vtot)

Vt = V1+V2+V3
resistance (R1)

resistance (R2)

resistance (R3)

Equivalent resistance (Req)

Req = R1+R2+R3

Result Analysis
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Questions

1. In series connection,………………. passing through the circuit is the same.

2. In series connection, ……………. Is varying with varying resistance.

3. In series the value of total resistance is ………than any individual resistance.

4. Shows a multiloop circuit containing one ideal battery and four resistances

are connected series with each other with the following values:

R1= 20 Ω, R2 = 20 Ω, R3 = 30 Ω, R4 = 8.0 Ω and the potential is 12 V. What is

the current through the battery?

29
 Experiment No. (5)

Parallel Connection of Resistors

Objective

• To study current flow and voltages in Parallel circuits.

• To use Ohm’s law to calculate equivalent resistance of Parallel circuits.

Theory

In the second part will be studies the properties of resistors, which are

connected “in Parallel”. As shown in figure, for a Parallel combination of three

resistors, the voltage (V) are the same in both resistors. while the current (I) when

charges reach point (a) called a junction, they split into three parts, with some

going through R1, R2 and the rest going through R3 respectively, a junction is any

point in a circuit where a current can split. This split results less current in each

individual resistor than the current leaving the battery. Because electric charge

is conserved, the current I that enters point (a) must equal the total current at point

(b). Vt

R1
I1
I2 R2
a b
R3
At I3

It

31
According to Ohm’s law,

V = IR
For Combination of resistors

I t = I1 + I 2 + I 3 + .............. + I n

Vt V1 V2 V3 V
 = + + + .............. + n
Rt R1 R2 R3 Rn

Where,

Vt = V1 = V2 = V3 = .............. = Vn

1 1 1 1 1
 = + + + .............. +
Rt R1 R2 R3 Rn

Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Ammeter

3. Voltammeter

4. Three or more Resistances

5. Breadboard

6. Several banana-to-banana wires

32
Procedure

Vt

I1 R1
A1

I2 R2
A2

I3 R3
A3
At
It

1. Start by building electric circuit.

2. This circuit having three resistors and a power source

3. Record the values of the total current (It) and voltage (Vt) by ammeter and

voltammeter respectively, as accurately as possible.

4. From Ohm’s law calculate the total resistance (Rt).

5. Using the ammeter to record the values of current (I) of each resistance I1, I2

and I3 respectively, and then calculate the total value of current It = I1+I2+I3.

6. From the known values of R1, R2 and R3 calculate the equivalent value of

resistance Req = R1+R2+R3.

7. Finally, comparing the values of (Rt) and (Req). Also, voltage (It) in step (3) and

step (5).

33
Table

Quantity Value S.I unit

Total current (It)

Total voltage (Vt)

Total resistance (Rt) = Vt/It

Current (I1)
Voltage (I2)

Voltage (I3)
Total voltage (It)
It= I1+I2+I3
resistance (R1)
resistance (R2)
resistance (R3)
Equivalent resistance (Req)
Req = R1+R2+R3
Result Analysis
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34
Questions

1. In parallel connection,………………. passing through the circuit is the same.

2. In parallel connection, ……………. is varying with varying resistance.

3. In parallel the value of total resistance is ……than any individual resistance.

4. Shows a multiloop circuit containing one ideal battery and four resistances

are connected parallel with each other with the following values:

R1= 20 Ω, R2 = 20 Ω, R3 = 30 Ω, R4 = 8.0 Ω and the potential is 12 V. What is

the current through the battery?

35
 Experiment No. (6)

Meter Bridge
Objective

1- Verify series and parallel combination of resistances.

2- Determine the specific unknown resistance.

Theory

A meter bridge is the practical application of Wheatstone bridge as shown

in figure below. The four resistances (R1, R2, R3 and R4) are connected to each

other as shown
b
R1 R2

a c

R3 R4
d

Three of these resistances as (R1, R2, and R4) are known and one resistance (R3)

is unknown. In this circuit, balanced within the galvanometer occurs when a

current is not passing through it, i.e., when the potential difference between points

37
(b, d) is equal. This means that the potential difference across (ab) is equal to the

potential difference across (ad).

According to Ohm’s law.

I1R1 = I 2 R3 (1)
Also, across (dc) and (bc)

I1R2 = I 2 R4 (2)
Dividing equations (1), (2) we obtain the equation:

R1 R3
 = (3)
R2 R4
From equations (3) can be calculate the value of unknown resistance (R3).

This is the principle idea used in the experience Meter bridge. We can use this

relation to find the unknown resistance of the given material of wire, in case of

Meter bridge will be instead of the resistance (R3 and R4) by uniform wire of

length (L= 100 cm), resistivity (ρ) and resistance of wire (R).

So, the resistance (R) of any part from wire can be described by the following
relation:

L
R=
A
Where A is the cross-section area, L is the wire length andis the resistivity. 
Since this wire is uniform cross-section area

A = constant  = constant
 RL R = L
38
Where γ constant depend on wire material type.

Consequently,

 R3 = L1

R4 = L2

By slide the jockey slowly over the wire deflection. Till the balancing point is

reached.

According to condition of Wheatstone bridge in Eq. (3)

R1 R3 L1
= =
R2 R4 L2

R1 L1
= (4)
R2 L2

L1
 R1 = R2 (5)
L2

From Eq. (5) can be calculated the known resistance R2

39
Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Galvanometer

3. A resistance boxes

4. Known Resistance

5. Breadboard

6. Several banana-to-banana wires

Procedure

R1 R2
G

a c
b
L1 L2

1. Arrange the required equipment on a table and make the connections

accordingly electric circuit.

2. Take out suitable resistance (R1) form the resistance box.

3. Touch the jockey at point (a) see that there is a deflection in the galvanometer

on one side, then touch the jockey on the point (b) of the wire, the deflection in

40
the galvanometer should be on the other side. If it is so, your connections are

correct.

4. Now, slide the jockey slowly over the wire starting from (a) and note the

galvanometer deflection. Continue the process till the balancing point is reached.

Balancing point is the point at which the galvanometer shows zero deflection.

5. Set the length L1 and L2 at the balancing point and record in table.

6. Repeat the above procedure for different values of (R1). Take at least 6 readings

7. Plot a graph between the ratio of length L1/L2 on X-axis and resistance (R1) on

Y-axis.

8. Determine the slope, according to Eq.(5) the value of the slope equal the

unknown resistance (R2)

41
Table

R1 Ω L1 cm L2 cm L1 L2

Result Analysis
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42
Graph

43
44
Questions

1. If R1 = 3 Ω , L1= 6 cm and L2= 12 cm b

find R2 R1 R2

a c

R3 R4
d

2. In parallel connection of resistance, the …………. between two point is

fixed.

3. In series connection of resistance, the current passing through the resistances

is …………

4. In ………..connection, resistances are connected in one point.

5. In ………..connection, resistances are connected in two points.

45
 Experiment No. (7)
Charge and Discharge of a Capacitor
Objective

1- Determination the capacitance of a capacitor.

Theory

A capacitor essentially consists of two conducting surfaces separated by a

layer of an insulating medium called dielectric.

The purpose of a capacitor is to store electrical energy by in the form of electric

field. The property of a capacitor is store electricity may be called its capacitance.

Capacitors are electronic devices which have fixed values of capacitance

and negligible resistance. The capacitance C is the charge stored in the device,

Q, divided by the voltage difference across the device, ∆V:

Q
C= (1)
V
The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as "The amount of charge required to

create a unit potential difference between its plates"

k

Q
V ± C

47
The S. I unit of capacitance is Farad which is defined as "The capacitance of a

capacitor which requires a charge of one coulomb to establish a potential

difference of one volt between its plates".

1 farad = 1 F = 1 coulomb/volt. The farad is ridiculously large. So large, in fact,

that most capacitance measurements use Micro-Farads (μF), Nano- Farads (nF),

and Pico-Farads (pF) as their unit of measure.

1 μF = 10-6 F 1 nF = 10-9 F 1 pF = 10-12 F

When a key "K" is on then the capacitor may be charged, on the other hand, when

"K" is off then "C" starts to discharge.

Consequently, the rate of the current (I) which passing through specific period

of time (t) is given from the relation:

dQ
I =− (2)
dt
From ohm’s law.

V
I= (3)
R
Q = CV (4)

V dV
 = −C (5)
R dt

48
By separating variables and integration

dt
t V dV
 = − (6)
0 RC V0 V

1 t
 t 0 = −ln V V 0
V
(7)
RC
t
 = − ln(V − V0 ) (8)
RC
t V0
 = ln (9)
RC V
V
ln 0
1
 = V (10)
RC t
Where t is the time period, Vo is the maximum potential difference and "R"

(internal resistance of the voltammeter)

Tools

1. D.C Power Supply 2. Capacitor 3.voltammeter

4. Breadboard 5.Stop watch 6.Several banana wires

Procedure
Vt

C
K
Q

D.C
49
1.Arrange the required equipment on a table and make the connections

accordingly electric circuit.

2. Close the key "K" so that the capacitor is charged, then record the reading of

the voltammeter "V0".

3.Release the key and start the stop watch at the same moment.

4.Take the reading of the voltammeter "V" each equal time periods "t".
𝑉0
5.Plot a graph between "t" on X-axis and 𝑙𝑛 on Y-axis which give a straight
𝑉

1
line its slope is .
𝑅𝐶

Table

𝑉0 𝑉0
t sec V volt 𝑙𝑛
𝑉 𝑉

Result Analysis
1 1
Slope = , 𝐶=
𝑅 × 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒
R(15v) = 137.5k Ω R(3v) = 55k Ω
𝑅𝐶
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50
Graph

51
52
Questions

1. A capacitor essentially consists of…………………………………………..

2. The purpose of a capacitor is ………………………………………………..

3. The capacitance is ……………………………………………………………

4. If the potential applied to a 500 μF is 20 V what the charge.

53
 Experiment No. (8)

Series Connection of Capacitors

Objective

• Determination of the equivalent capacitance of several capacitors connected in

series

Theory

Capacitors are devices that can store electric charge and energy.

Capacitors have several uses, such as filters in DC power supplies and as energy

storage banks. Capacitors pass AC current, but not DC current, so they are used

to block the DC component of a signal so that the AC component can be

measured.

Capacitors have a several of types could be classify due to:-

1- construction: - there are different types as Parallel Plate, Spherical and

Cylindrical Capacitors.

2- Dielectric medium: - also there are different materials used as ceramic, paper

and glass Capacitor.

The capacitance of a capacitor Capacitance is a physical property of the

capacitor and does not depend on circuit characteristics of voltage, current, and

55
resistance. A given capacitor always has the same value of capacitance that

depends on three factors:

1- The area of the plates

2-The distance between the plates.

3-The dielectric constant of the material between the plates.

𝐴
𝑐 = 𝜀0
𝑑
Where,
𝜀0 is the permittivity of the air.
𝐴 is the area of the plates.
𝑑 is the distance between plates.

There are two ways to connect capacitors in an electronic circuit - series or

parallel connection.

1- Series Connection:

In a series connection the components are connected at a single point, end

to end as shown.

It is a general feature of series connections of capacitors that the total capacitance

is less than any of the individual capacitances.

We can find an expression for the total capacitance by considering the voltage

across the individual capacitors shown

56
The voltages across the individual capacitors are thus

𝑄 𝑄 𝑄
𝑉1 = , 𝑉2 = and 𝑉3 =
𝐶3
.
𝐶1 𝐶2

The total voltage is the sum of the individual voltages:

𝑽𝒕 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑

Now, calling the equivalent capacitance Ceq for series capacitance,

𝑸
𝑽𝒕 =
𝑪𝒆𝒒

𝑸
𝑽𝒕 = = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑽𝟑
𝑪𝒆𝒒

𝑸 𝑸 𝑸 𝑸
= + +
𝑪𝒆𝒒 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑

As conservation of charge requires that equal magnitude of charges would be

created on the plates of the individual capacitors.

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
∴ = + + (𝟏)
𝑪𝒆𝒒 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑

57
Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Capacitor

3. voltammeter

4. Breadboard

5. Several banana-to-banana wires

Procedure

1. Design the previous circuit on board and connect the capacitors in series.

2. Connect the capacitors to the battery and switch it on.

3. Measure the voltage across each capacitor connected in series, record the

results in the table.

4. Calculate the charge on every capacitor and find the average total charge.

5. Calculate the experimental equivalent capacitance using ,

𝑸𝒂𝒗
𝑪𝒆𝒒 =
𝑽𝒕

6. Find the theoretical equivalent capacitance using eq. (1).

58
 Table

C (Capacitors in series) µF 𝑉 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 (𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡) 𝑄 (𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏) = 𝐶𝑉

𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 = V 𝑄𝑎𝑣 = C

𝑸𝒂𝒗
𝑪𝒆𝒒 =
𝑽𝒕
= (Experimental)

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + = (Theoretical )
𝑪𝒆𝒒 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑

Result Analysis
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
59
Questions

1. Capacitor consists of ………................................……….............................

2. The equivalent capacitance in series would be................ than the smallest

capacitance.

3. In series connection for capacitors charge is ……………………………….

4. Find the total capacitance of the combination of capacitors that connected in

series. Assume the capacitances are C1= 1µF, C2 = 5µF, and C3= 8µF.

60
 Experiment No. (9)

Parallel Connection of Capacitors

Objective

• Determination of the equivalent capacitance of several capacitors connected in

parallel

Theory

In the parallel connection, the components are connected together at both

ends as shown below:

It is a general feature of parallel connections of capacitors that the total

capacitance is more than any of the individual capacitances.

We can find an expression for the total capacitance by considering the voltage

across the individual capacitors shown

61
For a parallel connection, the voltage drops will be the same, but the charges will

add. Then the equivalent capacitance can be calculated by adding the charges:

𝑸𝒕 = 𝑸𝟏 + 𝑸𝟐 + 𝑸𝟑

∴ 𝑪𝒆𝒒 𝑽𝒕 = 𝑪𝟏 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑪𝟐 𝑽𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 𝑽𝟑

As in parallel connection, the voltage drop remains constant so we have canceled

the voltages because they are all the same...,

∴ 𝑪𝒆𝒒 = 𝑪𝟏 + 𝑪𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 (1)

Therefore, the equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination of capacitors is

(1) The algebraic sum of the individual capacitances and

(2) Greater than any of the individual capacitances.

62
Tools

1. D.C Power Supply

2. Capacitor

3. voltammeter

4. Breadboard

5. Several banana-to-banana wire.

Procedure
V

C3

C2

C1

D.C

1. Design the previous circuit on board and connect the capacitors in parallel.

2. Connect the capacitors to the battery and switch it on.

3. Measure the voltage across each capacitor connected in series, record the

results in the table.

4. Calculate the charge on every capacitor and find the average total charge.

63
5. Calculate the experimental equivalent capacitance using

𝑸𝒂𝒗
𝑪𝒆𝒒 =
𝑽𝒕

6. Find the theoretical equivalent capacitance using eq. (1).

64
Table

C (CAPACITORS IN
𝑉 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑑 (𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡) 𝑄 (𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏) = 𝐶𝑉
PARALLEL) µF

𝑉𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦 = 𝑄𝑎𝑣 =
𝑸𝒂𝒗
= (Experimental) 𝑪𝒆𝒒 =
𝑽𝒕

𝑪𝒆𝒒 = 𝑪𝟏 + 𝑪𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 = (Theoretical )

Result Analysis

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
65
Questions

1. In the parallel connection, the components are connected together at one point

(true or false)

2. The equivalent capacitance in parallel would be........... than the largest

capacitance.

3. In parallel connection for capacitors voltage is ……………………………….

4. Find the total capacitance of the combination of capacitors that connected in

parallel. Assume the capacitances are C1= 4µF, C2 = 2µF, and C3= 8µF.

5. Find the total capacitance.

66
 Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology -
El-Minia
Department of Basic Science

Name / Code / 52022…….. Section /

No Name of Experiment Date Degree signature

1 Ohm’s law: Application of Ohmic
Materials
2 Ohm’s law: Application of Non-
Ohmic Materials
3 Internal Resistance and
Electromotive Force
4 Series Connection of Resistors
5 Parallel Connection of Resistors
6 Meter Bridge
7 Charge and Discharge of a
Capacitor
8 Series Connection of Capacitors
9 Parallel Connection of Capacitors