Lab Manual

Step 1: Connect the capacitor with the lower rating to the 9V battery. Connect the long wire on the capacitor to the negative battery terminal and the short wire to the positive terminal, as shown in Figure 15.5. Keep the capacitor connected for three seconds, then disconnect it from the battery.

Figure 15.5 Connecting the capacitor to a battery allows the capacitor to become charged.

Step 2: Connect one of the capacitor wires to the LED. Note any observations. Connect the other wire to create a closed loop. Write down any observations in Table 15.3, noting how long the light stays on and whether it is bright or dim. Note—LEDs have polarity; if the LED does not light up, flip which side the wires are connected to on the L

Step 3: Connect the capacitor to the 9V battery in the opposite orientation. Connect the long wire to the positive terminal and the short wire to the negative terminal. Keep the wires connected for three seconds. Disconnect the battery.

Step 4: Connect the capacitor to the LED, and again, note any observations. Does the orientation of the capacitor matter? Choose one orientation and use it for the remaining steps.

Step 5: Repeat the procedure, but this time charge the capacitor for one second instead of three. Does this alter the time the LED stays lit or alter the brightness?

Step 6: Repeat the procedure again, but this time use the AAA battery instead of the 9V battery. Does this alter the time the LED stays lit or alter the brightness?

Step 7: Repeat the procedure using the 9V battery. This time, connect a wire from the capacitor to one LED. Connect that LED to another LED, and connect the second LED to the capacitor.

Again, record all observations in Table 15.3. Does this alter the time the LED stays lit or alter the brightness?

Step 8: Repeat the procedure one last time, but now use the larger capacitor with the 9V battery. Does this alter the time the LED stays lit or alter the brightness?