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Experiment No. 4 Objective: To Determine Dielectric Constant of Given Samples

This document describes an experiment to determine the dielectric constant of various samples using an LC circuit. A sample is placed between two metal plates, forming a dielectric cell. The capacitance of this cell is measured and compared to the empty cell to calculate the dielectric constant using the ratio of the capacitances. Several samples are to be tested, including materials with low and high dielectric constants. Sources of error and modifications to test liquid samples are also discussed.

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5K views4 pages

Experiment No. 4 Objective: To Determine Dielectric Constant of Given Samples

This document describes an experiment to determine the dielectric constant of various samples using an LC circuit. A sample is placed between two metal plates, forming a dielectric cell. The capacitance of this cell is measured and compared to the empty cell to calculate the dielectric constant using the ratio of the capacitances. Several samples are to be tested, including materials with low and high dielectric constants. Sources of error and modifications to test liquid samples are also discussed.

Uploaded by

auro auro
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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EXPERIMENT NO.

4
OBJECTIVE: TO DETERMINE DIELECTRIC CONSTANT OF GIVEN SAMPLES.
INTRODUCTION:
A dielectric is a material having electrical conductivity low in comparison to that of a metal.
It is characterized by its dielectric constant. Dielectric constant is measured as the ratio of the
capacitance C of an electrical condenser filled (as shown in figure (1)) with the dielectric to the
capacitance C0 of the evacuated condenser i.e.
C
 (1)
C0

Figure 1 Schematic of a dielectric sample cell with two gold coated brass plates.

THEORY:
In this experiment an LC circuit is used to determine the capacitance of the dielectric cell and
hence the dielectric constant. The circuit details are shown in figure (2)

Figure 2: Circuit used to measure the dielectric constant.


Where,
DC Dielectric cell
SC Standard capacitor
L Inductor
X Sample

1
The audio oscillator is incorporated inside the instrument. If CSC and CDC represents the capacitances
of the standard capacitor and dielectric cell respectively and if Vsc and V DC are the voltages across
SC and DC then.
VSC 1
 (2)
I CSC

I  VSC CSC (3)

The same current I passes through the dielectric cell.


VDC 1
 (4)
I CDC

1 CSCVSC CSCVSC
CDC    (5)
VC VDC VDC

By measuring VSC & VDC and using the value of Csc we can determine the capacitance of the dielectric
cell containing the sample.
If C0 represents the capacitance of the dielectric cell without the sample and the plates separated by air
gap whose thickness is the same as the thickness of the sample then C0 (air) is given by
0 A r2
C0   nf (6)
d 36d

Where r represents the radius of the gold plated discs and d represents thickness of the sample in
meters.
The dielectric constant of the sample is given by
CDC
r  (7)
C0

EXPREIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1) Connect CRO to the terminal provided on the front panel of main unit. If no sinusoidal waveform
appears on CRO then adjust “CAL” such that waveform appears.
2) Connect the dielectric cell assembly to the main unit and insert the sample in between the metal
discs. Important: Do not put extra pressure, as Glass samples is brittle and may be damaged.
3) Switch ON the unit.
4) Choose the standard capacitor (with the help of switch S2) SC1 for materials having low dielectric
constants (like Bakelite, Glass, Plywood samples) or SC2 for material having high dielectric
constant (PZT sample).
5) Throw S1 towards DC to measure the voltage across dielectric cell, say VDC and towards SC to
measure voltage across standard capacitor, say Vsc. Calculate the capacitance C using equation
(5).
6) For samples, other than provided with the kit, measure the capacitance of the sample placed in
between the Dielectric Cell with the help of any capacitance meter available. If measured
capacitance value is not comparable to either of SC1 or SC2 put capacitor having value near to
that measured value in between the plugs provided at SC3 and throw switch S2 to SC3 and repeat
step 4.
7) Measure thickness of the sample using the cell holder and calculate the value of C0(air) using
equation (6).
8) Determine the relative dielectric constant of the sample using equation (7).

COMPONENT VALUES
SC1 = 47 pf
SC2 = 20 nf

TABLE:
I.
Sr. No. Materials Diameter (m) Thickness (m) C0 ( nf )

II.

Sr. No. Sample Name SC Vsc (V) Vdc (V) CDC ( nf) C0 ( nf ) εr

3
PRECAUTIONS:
1. Sample surface must be flat so that there is no air gap between the sample and the disc.
2. Dielectric cell should be placed on insulating surface in humid weather conditions.
3. Least pressure should be exerted on the brittle samples.
4. Diameter of the samples should not be lesser than the gold plated discs.
5. Dielectric cell (metal discs) and sample should be coaxial.

Conclude your report by answering the following questions:


1. Can we modify the set-up to compare dielectric constant of different solids? Can we
determine dielectric constant of liquids by this procedure? (In particular of water.)

2. Which is the prime source of error in this experiment? Which is the next important factor?

3. Why it is necessary to have diameter equivalent or more than the gold plated brass electrodes?

SAMPLE CALCULATION:

Note: The above readings are of particular samples and varies for sample to sample.

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