Summary of the Part b
Below is different values of capacitance which I got in three methods by using the formula (theory capacitance):
Theory
capacitance:
Method
1:
Method
4:
Method
5:
Based on the values of capacitance below, the most effective way to find capacitance of capacitor without using multi-meter is Method 5. Errors which occurred in Method 1 were explained in “Summary of the Part A”.
Errors
Some errors occur during the experiment. First of all, error can be made because the timing is not accurate (which means we might be late or too early when pressing the start and stop button). Also, error happen because the video camera we use cannot captures all of the fast moving figures in the multi-meter. To improve this we can use special video camera which sets in sports mode (specialize to capture fast moving object) although we can use special program to set video in slow motion, so we could see figure movements more clearly.
Secondly, when we measured the capacitance of the capacitor using method 4 we are not sure whether the contact between leads is good or not. To improve this error we could use another leads which have more contact.
Thirdly, using multi-meter also add up the inaccuracy of the experiment. A multi-meter is a device to measure current, which means that a multi-meter have a resistor with a huge resistance inside it. As a result, we ended up adding additional resistance which took charge from capacitor, so our numbers was more inaccurate from what it should.
Errors for Part B
Method 1:
The same errors which were in Part A and it is already described in “Summary of Part A”.
Method 4:
Method 4 has simple errors. They are:
Connection to multi-meter was not so good
Resistor of multi-meter could influence to results
Method 5:
One
of the biggest errors it is
of the capacitor, where
is a distance between aluminium foils. It should be
.
The distance between foils in some parts is bigger than that. As a
result, value which we got as the theory is not real capacitance of
the capacitor. To solve this problem we should make ideal capacitor
where distance between foils will not be different, it is possible,
but very hard and it will take a lot of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if I were to choose one best method between Method 1, Method 4 and Method 5, I will choose Method 4. Because in Method 4 there are less errors than in another methods and it is one of the easiest methods which were given.
Method 5 largely depends on the camera and timer accuracy. If resistance of resistor was enough to slow down the discharging process of the capacitor; if charge was went through the multi-meter; and last one, it is depends on how lucky will you be. Method 1 has little errors, which destroys all experiment and results are “rubbish”.
Therefore in conclusion, I could say that the most accurate method is Method 4, in second place could stay Method 5, Method 1 cannot be counted.
Adil Rgaibek
ENG 2-2A
SBC-11-1073 Page