Capacitance Topic

Displays a collection of commercial fixed and variable capacitors to show how geometry, dielectric material, and voltage rating affect capacitance and physical size. Students see that capacitance does not correlate …

Students observe real-time capacitance changes as plate separation is varied and dielectric materials are inserted, directly verifying. The demo can also be done with a projection electroscope instead of the …

Demonstrates that increasing a conductor's surface area increases its capacitance. Charge an electroscope connected to a rolled-up tinfoil sheet, then unroll the foil and observe the electroscope deflection decrease — …

Shows that inserting a dielectric between charged, isolated capacitor plates reduces the voltage (visible as decreased electroscope deflection) while charge remains constant. Reinforces and demonstrates why dielectric materials increase capacitance.

Students observe real-time capacitance changes as different dielectric materials (acrylic, wood, Teflon, Bakelite) are inserted between parallel plates connected to a capacitance meter. Demonstrates the relationship and how material properties …

Water is poured into a bag between parallel capacitor plates while a meter displays the capacitance in real time. Students watch the reading climb dramatically, providing direct evidence that dielectric …

Demonstrates capacitance and energy storage using a Leyden jar charged by a Van de Graaff generator. Students see charge accumulate and then discharge as a dramatic spark, making stored electrical …

A 90,000 μF capacitor charged to 25V is shorted with a screwdriver, producing dramatic sparks and temporarily welding the screwdriver to the terminals. Demonstrates that even modest stored energy ( …

A salvaged disposable camera flash circuit demonstrates capacitor energy storage and rapid discharge. A 1.5 V AA battery charges a 100 F capacitor to over 300 V, which then discharges …