Capacitor in the AC circuit

Principle

A capacitor is connected in a circuit with a variable-frequency voltage source. The impedance and phase displacement are determined as a function of frequency and of capacitance. Parallel and series impedances are measured.

Benefits

• Intuitive, touch-optimized software that controls all devices simultaneously
• Simplified implementation: all pre-settings already prepared
• Easy frequency setting thanks to digital function generator
• Fast and easy experimenting simply by switching components
• Impedance will be computed in real-time
• Further experiments in electricity and electronics can be performed with the equipment

Tasks

1. Determination of the impedance of a capacitor as a function of frequency.
2. Determination of the phase displacement between the terminal voltage and total current as a function of the frequency in the circuit.
3. Determination of the total impedance of capacitors connected in parallel and in series.

Learning objectives

• Capacitance
• Kirchhoff's laws
• Maxwell's equations
• A.C. impedance
• Phase displacement

Operating system-independent software included. Computer not provided.