Lao,Pon, Salcedo 1

Eduardo Lao, Ander pon, Luis Salcedo

Hugofimm

10th-grade Physics

​24/​ 4/2020

Area of Capacitor vs Time of Discharge

Introduction

According to ​Electrical4U and ​Basic Electronics Tutorials​, the area of the capacitor will

influence the time in which the resistance is fueled with energy. The purpose of the

experiment is to analyze the time it takes for the bulb to turn off when the plate area

variances. The experiment consists of testing this statement to prove if the hypothesis is

accurate. This is done by having a power source such as a battery with a fixed voltage and

supply energy in the direction of two parallel capacitors which then will transport the energy

to a resistance (in this case a bulb).This information was gathered from ​HodgkinsEncyclopædia

and ​Britannica​. The area of the capacitors will be changed periodically and the time in which

the bulb completely fades will be measured. With this method, the experiment will have ​time

as a dependent variable and ​area of the capacitor as an independent variable. According to

Isaac Physics, “A parallel-plate capacitor is a pair of identical conducting plates, each of area A,

placed parallel to one another and separated by a distance d”, Meaning that c= ε0A
d . This

equation will be useful to calculate the capacitance of the capacitors. A = the area of the
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capacitors, d represents the distance between the capacitors, and ε0 = ​8.85×10​^-12​Fm​−1 .

Once the capacitance is calculated, the correct procedure to prove the time of discharging the

capacitor is by using ​V(t) = (​Isaac Physics)​. ​T i​ s the time(s) in which the capacitor

will be fully discharged, V0 represents the initial voltage, RC is the time constant(Resistance

x Capacitance), and ​e is the Euler’s number​. To know when the capacitor is discharged, it is

required to multiply RC(time constant) by 5.Meaining that the capacitor is discharged in five

time constants. ​ ike this, it is concluded that the area of the capacitor is influential to the
L

time. (​Isaac Physics)​ With the experiment completed students will be able to test if the time in

which the bulb fades depends on the area of the plates.

Research Question

How does the area of a capacitor influence the time of discharge of a resistor?

Hypothesis

When the area doubles, the time in which the bulb is active doubles. (The area is directly

proportional to the time)

Variables

● Dependent​: Time (Time depends on area, which means that when area is decreased or

increased, time will stimulate a change as well)

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● Independent: ​ (Area is to be tested in intervals of 50.0 mm2 , starting at 100.0 mm2 .

This could represented as: 100 mm2 +50 mm2 (x). The area will be enlarged four times

in total throughout the laboratory report.

● Control: ​Distance (6mm), Voltage(1.5V), resistance (approximates to 0.02225

ohms(Not accurate)). All these variables have a fixed value that won’t change

throughout the experiment.

Materials

1. Battery (​Power source. Voltage=1.5V)

2. Capacitor ​( Parallel plates of conductive material. Distance between the plates is = 6

mm )

3. Resistor ​(Regular Light Bulb)

4. Voltmeter(​measuring device)

5. Time measuring-device (​Stopwatch. This tool will start timing once the wire is

connected and start passing the current to the resistor. When the resistor reaches 0v,

the stopwatch will stop timing, and will show time measured. )

6. Wire ​(Attachment and current passage)

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Figure 1. ​Circuit to perform laboratory.

Figure 2.​Time​ ​Measuring Device(stopwatch)

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Figure 3. ​Voltmeter(Measuring Device)

Procedure

The battery is set to a fixed voltage of 1.5v (Measure the voltage of the battery with the

voltmeter for accurate results). Afterward, the capacitor of a starting area of 100mm2 is to be

connected from both positive and negative ends, meaning that one wire is connected to one

plate that receives positive charges, and the other is connected to receive negative charges.

The distance between the capacitor must be fixed to 6.0mm throughout the procedure. The

wires connecting the plates and the power source are periodically(specified later) connected

throughout the experiment, not at all times. The bulb must be close by, to be attached to the

circuit since it will also be periodically connected (specified later). After the experiment is set

up, the plates are to be charged with the battery and disconnected after they hold their full
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capacitance. After disconnecting the plates from the power source, the capacitor is united

with the bulb. As soon as the bulb shines, the stopwatch starts. As soon as the light fades, the

stopwatch must be stopped. This process will be repeated five times, each time the area of the

plates will be increased by 50mm2 , and the time for each trial must be measured.

● The circuit must look similar to Figure 2.

Figure 2.
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Data Collection

Time(s)
Area( mm2 )
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Average

100.0 5.60 5.50 5.56 5.56 5.50 5.54

150.0 8.30 8.38 8.18 8.19 8.32 8.27

200.0 11.1 10.9 10.8 10.1 11.1 10.8

250.0 13.7 13.7 13.6 13.7 13.8 13.7

300.0 16.6 16.8 16.4 16.3 16.4 16.5

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Analyzing Data

- The graph shows a directly-proportional relationship between the area(independent)

and time(dependent). According to the graph, the trends/patterns show that when the

area(independent) increases by 50 mm2 , time(dependent) increases by x1.5s. This can

be proven by multiplying the time(5.54s) when the area is 100 mm2 by 1.5. This will

give 5.54s x 1.5s = 8.31s, which approximates to the value of time in the graph when
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time is measured at an area of 150.0 mm2 . Finally, Yint= ​0.0548​x which is to be

2
considered 0, like this, the trend is supported to be directly proportional. When R =

0.9995 the relation in between the variables is closely approximated to 1, which

explains a linear trend between the relationship of variables.

Calculating capacitance

In this example, it is being tested the time when area is equal to 100 mm2 . The real time

measured previously in data collection was 5.54s. So when the discharge of the capacitor is

calculated, the answer should give around 0.007(this number defines a capacitor to be fully

discharged), or the answer can also be a number approximate to 5.54s when the time

constant(RC) is multiplied by 5.

d= 6mm A= 100 mm2 ε0 = ​8.85 x 10^-12 Fm^-1

ε0A
c= d

C= ε0 100 mm2 / 6 mm2

​ 1.475 x 10^-10 F
C=

Discharging Capacitor

Resistance = ​0.02225​Ω(​ According to Mr.Hugo)

RC ​= (0.02225​Ω​)(1.475 x 10^-10 F) = 3.281 x 10^-12 s

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RC = ​3.281 x 10^-12s euler's number(e) = 2​ .718281828 t = 5.54s v = 1.5

V(t) =

V(​t) =
​ 1.5v(e^-5.54s/3.281 x 10^-12s)

​ 1.5v​ (​ e^-1.68 x 10^-12)

V(​t) =

V(​t)​ =
​ 1.5v(1)

As it can be seen, something wrong happened when calculating the time for the capacitor to

be completely discharged. The predicted answer was a number approximate to 0.007 that is

when the capacitor is discharged.

Capacitor must be fully discharged after 5 time constant

5RC​ = 5 x ​3.281 x 10^-12s = 1.6405 x 10^-11s

According to this information given, the time that it will take for the capacitor to be fully

​ he predicted time previously measured was 5.54s. To make

discharged is 1.6405 x 10^-11s. T

a comparison between these two numbers, ​1.6405 x 10^-11s ≈​ ​0.016405ns (n​ anoseconds). To

conclude this statement, it is considered that the cause of this calculation to be inaccurate is

​ .T
the value of resistance, which is ​0.02225Ω ​ his value was not measured during procedure,

therefore, the resistance taken in consideration is unreliable

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Conclusion

Evaluating Hypothesis

The data displayed for the independent variable is reliable due to minimal human error.

Furthermore, evaluated results provide the expected trends and patterns. The graph expresses

a directly proportional trend. The y-intercept approximates to zero ( enough to be considered

zero), like this, supporting the trend and pattern of proportionality. Finally, the data collected

was sufficient to test the hypothesis.

When the area is doubled in measurement, the time will only increase by 1.5 times its original

value instead of 2.0. For example: when the area (independent variable) = 350.0 mm2 , time

(dependent variable) should equal 24.8s. This approximation was not met. The data tested is

limited to the range in which it was measured, yet, the trend could be predicted with higher

values by using the Yint and slope. The hypothesis was not tested with higher voltages,

therefore, the behaviour is unknown for these values. Since it was not possible to have in

consideration the values for resistance, the formula to access the constant of time was not

applied.
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The hypothesis is partially tested as a result of restraints and advantages. The trend is

according to the hypothesis and values for area and time are sufficient to satisfy the expected

results regarding the graph. Although, the results given were not highly accurate. The time in

relation to area will increase by 1.5 in each progression while the relation according to the

hypothesis should express that the time is increased by 2.0, and finally, the unknown

resistance restricted further analisis. The hypothesis is tested until the trends and patterns it

relates, although it is not completely tested when analyzing the quantifier.

The procedure met all expected factors regarding time management and precision when

collecting data. The data provided for the values of the independent and dependent variables

are highly reliable due to a digital display. The method used approximates to the expected

outcomes in terms of time taken and general results.

There could be a miniscule margin of error due to human mistakes and accuracy when

collecting the values of time. The resistance was not measured during the procedure,

therefore, the proper evaluation of data was compromised.

The method used throughout the experiment was optimal, yet, minor mistakes concluded on

terrible outcomes. The data collected was reliable and human mistakes were minimal.

Although, the unknown value for resistance impacted greatly on the general outcome of the

experiment.
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The measurement of time could have a lower margin of error if the number of trials is

increased. The range of information would increase if the area is tested at higher values as

well, instead of stopping in 300 mm2 , like this, providing more data to support the hypothesis.

The behavior is unknown for greater intervals, meaning that the intervals used in the method

could as well be increased to analyze different outcomes. To test the hypothesis there must be

an accurate value for resistance. If the values for resistance are known, the time in which the

bulb fades could be corroborated, like this, supporting the hypothesis with further evidence.

How does this experiment provide a better understanding of electricity?

The experiment carried on will further develop knowledge and understanding of circuits. New

vocabulary is also learned (capacitor, capacitance) and practiced throughout the lab. From

these experiments we can conclude many statements that are to be beneficial for future

investigations. These statements could be summarized in: #1. When graphing the relationship

with area and time in a circuit similar to the one presented in this experiment with similar

intervals, the graph is expected to show a directly proportional relationship between variables.

#2. When calculating the time in which the capacitor is discharged, there has to be an accurate

value for total resistance. Finally; #3. The area of the capacitor

will be one factor affecting the time in which a resistor is completely discharged.
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REFERENCES

Electrical4U. “Discharging a Capacitor.” ​Electrical4U,​ 15 Aug. 2018,

www.electrical4u.com/discharging-a-capacitor/​.

Hodgkins, Leila. “Mathematical Treatment of Charging and Discharging a Capacitor.”

Schoolphysics​,

www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age16-19/Electricity%20and%20magnetism/Electrostatics/te

xt/Capacitor_charge_and_discharge_mathematics/index.html​.

Hodgkins, Leila. “The Charge and Discharge of a Capacitor.” ​Schoolphysics,​

www.schoolphysics.co.uk/age16-19/Electricity%20and%20magnetism/Electrostatics/te

xt/Capacitor_charge_and_discharge/index.html​.

Luque F, Hugo “Area of capacitor vs Discharge time(Lab report).” Physics 10 class.

Knightsbridge school International of Panama facility classroom, Panama City. April 23,

2020. Lecture.

Capacitors​, Isaac Physics​,

https://isaacphysics.org/conceptsa/cp_capacitor
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Capacitor.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica​,

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 22 Jan. 2020,

​www.britannica.com/technology/capacitor​.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Capacitance.” ​Encyclopædia Britannica,​

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Nov. 2019, ​www.britannica.com/science/capacitance​.

“Introduction to Capacitors, Capacitance and Charge.” ​Basic Electronics Tutorials,​ 18 Nov.

2019, ​www.electronics-tutorials.ws/capacitor/cap_1.html​.