User:SeanShriner/ENES-100/Project 3/CDIO

Problem Statement
Create a capacitor capable of holding a charge induced by a static generator.

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Requirements for each element or component derived from system level goals and requirements:

List of elements:
 * Inner and outer conductor
 * Dielectric

List of requirements:
 * Inner and outer conductor: To carry charges opposite to each other.
 * Dielectric: To increase the capacitance by an appreciable amount.

Alternatives in design
Using two tin lids, a wooden base, and copper wire, a basic capacitor was made. However, the plates turned out to be non-conductive.



The initial design
The initial design consists of a glass bottle serving as the insulator with a sheet of aluminum foil as the conductor on the outside of the bottle and salinated water being the conductor on the inside. A straw that is split into 4 parts halfway down serves as a support for the contact of the sailnated water. A segment of stranded 22 gauge wire is used as the lead for the aluminum.

Experiment prototypes and tests need for design
The experimental design is the same design as the initial design.

Technical and scientific knowledge
The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the charge on either conductor to the magnitude of the potential difference between the conductors: C=Q/∆V
 * Capacitance:
 * Electrical conductor: An object or type of material which permits the flow of electric charges in one or more directions

Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Instead of using another piece of foil to serve as the inside conductor, salinated water was used.

Modeling, simulation and test
A wimhurst machine was used to charge the capacitor by imparting a charge on the aluminum sheet. When both leads were touched a spark was formed proving that a charge was successfully stored.

Next Steps
Next step is to try to find how much the capacitor is actually storing.