5C10.20-Parallel Plate Capacitor
Description: This demo uses a large parallel plate capacitor to show that the capacitance varies when the air gap size is changed.
Equipment:
- Large Parallel plate capacitor
- Rods and fur
- Large Kilovolt potentiometer
- Two short wires
Setup Procedure:
- Connect both wires from the capacitor to the kilovolt meter (grounded wire on insulated plate). The wires should not be touching anything, so use short wires (else a charge won’t stay on the plates).
- Test to make sure the plates hold a charge.
Demonstration Procedure:
- Start with a large air gap.
- Use the fur to charge up the rod. Put the charge on the insulated plate.
- Move the plate closer and note that the voltage of the capacitor changes.
- To discharge the plates, touch your hand across both.
Note: Works best with less then 50% humidity.