PHYS 211 Experimental Physics   Laboratory Report

Student Name: Peter

Student ID number: ---

Student email: ---

Dates of the experiment: 13 – 9 – 2001, 20 – 9 – 2001

Date of re-submission: 1 – 11 – 2001

EXPERIMENT 2A   BASIC ELECTRONICS

Abstract

After doing the experiment, I found that the resonance frequency was 8.42 kHz. In the LC series connection, the root-mean-square voltage observed in the CRO attained a maximum value at the resonance frequency. When a resistor is added between L and C, the value of the resonance frequency remains unchanged. This indicates that resonance frequency is independent to resistance. In the LC parallel connection, the peak-to-peak voltage value attains a minimum value at the resonance frequency.

Also, in the half wave rectification, a diode was used. We could observed that half-cycle of the input signal is lost which can deduce that only half of the alternating current signal was used and current pulses are unidirectional. In the bridge full wave rectification, we could find that current flow through the load resistor is unidirectional during both half-cycles of the input signal.

By using different components in half wave CRC filter, the wave produced would be different. It showed that different electronic components could affect the output signal. The same result would appear in the full wave CRC filter.

Introduction

Electrical oscillators are used in radio and television transmitters and receivers, in signal generators, oscilloscope and computers to produce alternating current with waveforms which maybe sinusoials, square, saw-tooth etc. and with frequencies from a few hertz up to millions of hertz. In addition, the ability of a resonant circuit to select and amplify a potential difference of one particular frequency (strictly, a very narrow band of frequencies) applies to radio and television reception.

In the second part of the experiment, we will investigate the resonance frequency of the circuit and how the voltage across the capacitor changes and the storage of energy in capacitor and inductor at various frequencies. The effect of resistance to the frequency response curve will also be investigated.

In a direct current the drift velocity superimposed on the random motion of the charge carriers (e.g. electrons) is in one direction only while in an alternating current the direction of the drift velocity reverses, usually many times a second. The effect of alternating current is essentially the source as those of direct current. Though alternating current is more easily generated and distributed than direct current and for this reason the mains supply is alternating current, processes such as electroplating and battery charging require direct current rather than alternating current, as does electronic equipment like radio and television receivers. When necessary, alternating current can be rectified to give direct current.

In the third part of the experiment, we will examine how to convert an alternating current signal into a direct current one. We will also investigate how the components in the filter work and change the output waveform. 

Theory

Consider two parallel plates separated by a narrow gap and connected to the terminals of a battery. The charge on each plate is proportional to the given voltage.

Q = C V    ------ (1)

where Q, C and V are respectively the charges on each plate, the capacitance and the potential different between the two plates.

When a capacitor is connected across a direct current voltage source, current will flow and the capacitor will charge up to a value equal to the direct current source voltage. When the switch is opened then, there is no voltage across the capacitor at that instant and therefore a potential difference exists between the battery and the capacitor. This causes the current to flow.         I =δqt

From equation (1),               I = C (δVt)     ------ (2)

In particular, if the voltage is sinusoidal, the current in the capacitor,

                        I = Cδ(Vp sinωt) /δt

                          =ωC Vp cosωt

                          =ωC Vp sin (ωt +π/2)    ------ (3)

where ω is the frequency of the input signal.

In terms of root-mean-square value, equation (3) can be written as

Vc = I [1/(ωC)]    ------(4)

where 1/(ωC) is the impedance of the capacitor.

From equation (3), current leads voltage with the phase angle π/2.

Figure 1 shows the current and voltage relationship in capacitor

In an inductor, the current will produce a magnetic field in a region surrounding the current. Changes of B-field arising from a varying current induce an emf in the current,

V = L (δI /δt)      ------ (5)

where L, I and t are respectively the inductance, the current flow through the coil and the charging time

In particular, if the current is sinusoidal, the voltage in the inductor is

                        V = Lδ(Ip sinωt)/δt

                           =ωL Ip cosωt

                           =ωL Ip sin (ωt +π/2)    ------ (6)

where ω is the frequency of the input signal.

In terms of root-ream-square values, equation (6) can be written as

VL =ωL I    ------ (7)

WhereωL is the impedance of the inductor.

From equation (6), current lags behind voltage with the phase angle π/2.

Figure 2 shows the current and voltage relationship in inductor.

Figure 3 shows the phase relationship among the inductive reactance, the capacitive reactance and the resistance

By the phase relationship in equations (3) and (6),

Z = R + [ω L – 1 / (ωC)]     ------ (8)

By ohm law, I = V/Z = V / { R + [ω L – 1 / (ωC)] }     ------ (9)

and the phase difference between source voltage and circuit current

ψ= arctan {[ω L – 1 / (ωC)] / R}

The current flowing through the circuit is at maximum when the inductive reactance is equal to the capacitive reactance. Hence,

ωL = 1/ωC

                             ω = 2πf = 1/(LC)     ------ (10)

At this frequency the circuit is in resonance, and the current I = V / R.

Figure 4 shows the reactance curve – resonance frequency when Xc and X curves cross.

Q factor is defined as           Q = X / R    ------ (11)

where X and R are respectively the impedance of inductor and resistance of resistor

And the bandwidth is defined as    B = f / Q    ------ (12)

Where f is the resonant frequency.

The diode used in this experiment is a junction diode. Figure 5 shows a conductor function diode. A junction diode is with an abrupt transmission from p-type to n-type semiconductor material. The p-type material is the result of a doping with acceptor atoms, whereas the n-type material is doped with donor atoms. As for this diode, a positive value of an external potential results in a movement of the holes of the left hand region to the right and free electrons of the right-hand region to the left. As electrons have a negative charge the crossing of the junction by both types of carriers results in a positive diode current. On the other hand, there are few carriers that contribute to a current in the opposite direction. As a result, the diode current for a negative external potential tends to be very small. Hence, with different connection of diode, they will have different function. [1]

There will be voltage drop after passing the diode since there is a barrier voltage in the diode. Also the diode cannot block the current absolutely due to reverse bias, There will be some leakage, therefore the voltage will not be absolutely zero.

Rectification is the conversion of an alternating current signal into a direct current one by a rectifier. There are two methods of rectification, half-wave and full-wave rectification.

In the half-wave rectification, the rectifying circuit in Figure 6(a) consists of a rectifier in series with the alternating current input to be rectified and the ‘load’ requiring the direct current output. In Figure 6(b) the alternating input potential difference applied to the rectifier and load is shown. If the first half-cycle acts in the forward direction of the rectifier, a pulse of current flows round the circuit, creating a potential difference across R which will have almost the same value as the applied potential difference if the forward resistance of the rectifier is small compared with R. The second half-cycle reverse biases the rectifier, little or no current flows and the potential difference across R is zero. This is repeated for each cycle of alternating current input. The current pulses are unidirectional and so the potential difference across R is direct, for although it fluctuates it never change direction.

In the bridge full-wave rectification, four rectifiers are arranged in a bridge network as in Figure 7(a). If A is positive during the first half-cycle, rectifiers 1 and 2 conduct and current takes the path ABC, R, DEF. On the next half-cycle when F is positive, rectifiers 3 and 4 are forward biased and current follows the path FEC, R DBA. Once again current flowing through R is unidirectional during both half-cycles of the input potential difference and a direct current output is obtained as in Figure 7(b).

To produce a steady direct current from the varying but unidirectional output from a half- or full-wave rectifier, smoothing and filtering effect is necessary. A reservoir capacitor C1 has a useful smoothing effect but it is usually supplemented by a filter circuit consists of a choke L and a large capacitor C2 arranged as in Figure 8(a). The smoothing action of C1 arises from its large capacitance making the time constant C1R large so that the potential difference across it cannot follow the variations of the input potential difference. The action of filter circuit of L-C2 can be understood if V1 is resolved into steady direct potential difference and alternating potential difference, which is illustrated in Figure 8(b).

Experimental Methods

(2a) Series connection

The experiment setup was shown in Figure 9. The signal frequency was varied from signal generator until the voltage reading from the CRO was at maximum. The frequency was taken as the resonance frequency of the circuit. The signal frequency was then changed by –3000Hz and +3000Hz about the resonance frequency in steps of 500Hz. The root-mean-square voltage across the capacitor was taken at each frequency and a frequency response curve was sketched with the data. The experimental value was determined from the frequency response curve and the Q factor was also deduced. The resistance of the inductor was measured by using multi-meter.

(2b) Parallel connection

The experimental setup was shown in Figure 10. The experimental procedure was the same as in series connection. But the resonance frequency was determined by varying the signal frequency until the reading was minimized.

(3a) Half-wave rectification

The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 11. The waveform observed was drawn and the frequency was recorded. Another CRO probe across the signal source was then connected to check if the observed waveform and that from the signal source are in phase. The above steps were then repeated after reversing the diode.

(3b) Full-wave rectification

The circuit was connected was shown in Figure 12. The observed waveform and the frequency were recorded.

(3c) Have-wave rectification with CRC filter

The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 13. The waveform was observed and the ripple voltage across the load resistor was measured. The circuit was then modified separately with changing the capacitors to 1μF from the original circuit, replacing the resistor with a choke and replacing the load resistor with a 100Ω resistor, and each time, the observed new waveform and new ripple voltage across the load resistor was recorded.

(3d) Full-wave rectification with CRC filter

The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 14. The waveform was observed and the ripple voltage across the load resistor was measured. The circuit was then modified by changing the capacitors to 1μF from the original circuit, and the observed new waveform and new ripple voltage across the load resistor was recorded.

Result

(2a) Series connection

Without 470Ω resistor:

Acceptable range for the experimental resonance

= (1 / [2π ] ) [( ) + ( )]

= (1 / [2π ] ) ( + )

= + 0.8377 kHz

Root-mean-square Voltage = 52.40 + 0.005V

Resistance of the Coil = 51.8Ω

Resonance Frequency = 8.42 + 0.005 kHz

The raw data is shown in Table 1 in the Appendix. A graph of Frequency response curve is plotted and shown in Figure 15.

Error in the 0.01μF capacitor = 0.01 x 10%

                        = 0.001μF

Hence capacitance of 0.01μF capacitor is 0.010 + 0.001μF.

Error in the 33.3 mH inductor = 33.3 x 10%

                        = 3.33 mH

Hence inductance of the 33.3 mH inductor is 33.30 + 3.33 mH.

Calculated resonance frequency, fo = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 8.721 kHz

By equation (11), calculated Q factor = =

                     =

                     = 35.23

By equation (12), calculated bandwidth = fo / Q

                                = 8721 / 35.23

                                = 247.54 Hz

In the experiment, the resonant frequency is 8.42kHz.

Experimental Q factor = 34.01

From the graph, maximum voltage is 54.42V.

V = 0.7071 Vo = 0.7071 (52.42) = 37.07V.

In the graph, we draw a line for V = 37.07V to cut the curve in two points, which are 8700Hz and 8125Hz.

Hence the experimental bandwidth = (8700 – 8125) Hz = 575 Hz.

With 470Ω resistor:

Root-mean-square Voltage = 11.64 + 0.005 V

Resistance of the Coil = 51.8Ω

Resonance Frequency = 8.33 + 0.005 kHz

The raw data is shown in Table 2 in the Appendix. A graph of Frequency response curve is plotted and shown in Figure 16.

Comparing Figure 12 and 13, the curve without the 470Ω resistor is less sharper than that with the resistor. The bandwidth without the 470Ω resistor is higher than that with the resistor.

Calculated resonance frequency, fo = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 8.721 kHz

By equation (11), Q factor = 3.497

By equation (12), calculated bandwidth = fo / Q

                                = 8721 / 3.497

                                = 2493.85 Hz

In the experiment, the resonant frequency is 8.33kHz.

Experimental Q factor = = 3.34

From the graph, maximum voltage is 54.42V.

V = 0.7071 Vo = 0.7071 (11.63) = 8.22V. In the graph, we draw a line for V = 8.22V to cut the curve in two points, which are 9600Hz and 6800Hz. Hence the experimental bandwidth = (9600 – 6800) Hz = 2800 Hz.

(2b) Parallel Connection

Root-mean-square Voltage = 1.186 + 0.005V

Experimental Resonance Frequency = 8.64 + 0.005 kHz

The raw data is shown in Table 2 in the Appendix. A graph of Frequency response curve is plotted and shown in Figure 17. From the graph, we obtain a minima at resonance frequency in parallel connection.

Calculated resonance frequency, fo = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 1 / [2π ]

                            = 8.721 kHz

By equation (11), Q factor = 35.23

By equation (12), calculated bandwidth = fo / Q

                                = 8721 / 34.908

                                = 247.54 Hz

In the experiment, the resonant frequency is 8.64kHz.

Experimental Q factor = 34.9

From the graph, the voltage range = (5.48 – 1.17)V = 4.31.

V = 0.7071 Vo = 0.7071 (4.31) = 3.048V.

In the graph, we draw a line for V = 3.048V to cut the curve in two points, which are 9200Hz and 8000Hz. Therefore the experimental bandwidth = (9200 – 8000) Hz = 1200 Hz.

(3a) Half-wave rectification

The observed waveform for the input and output signal is shown in Figure 18. The frequency is 57.310+0.005Hz. Also, we can find that the two waveforms are in phase.

When the direction of the diode is reversed, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 19. The frequency is also 57.310+0.005Hz. The waveforms for input and output signal are in phase. But the output signal (wave 2) in Figure 19 is up side down to the wave 1 in Figure 18.

(3b) Full-wave rectification

The observed waveform for the output signal is shown in Figure 20. The frequency is 119.000 + 0.005 Hz.

We can see that the frequency of the waveform in wave 3 is twice the frequency of the input waveform in half-wave rectification.

(3c) Half-wave with CRC filter

(1)   By using 10μF capacitor, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 21.

Ripple Voltage = 5.254 + 0.005V

Frequency = 513.8 + 0.005 Hz

(2)   By using 1μF capacitor, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 22.

Ripple Voltage = 14.56 + 0.005V

The ripple voltage in wave 5 is higher than that in wave 4 when a smaller capacitor is used.

(3)   By replacing R1 with choke, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 23.

Ripple Voltage = 1.639 + 0.005V

The ripple voltage in wave 6 is lower than that in wave 4 when replacing R1 with choke.

(4)   By replacing RL with a 100Ω resistor, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 24.

Ripple Voltage = 12.14 + 0.005V

The ripple voltage in wave 7 is higher than that in wave 4 in Figure 21 when replacing RL with a 100Ω resistor. 

(3d) Full-wave with CRC filter

(1)   By using 10μF capacitor, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 25.

Ripple Voltage = 5.425 + 0.005V

Frequency = 1.088 + 0.005 kHz

   The frequency in wave 8 is twice that in wave 4

(2)   By using 1μF capacitor, the observed waveform is shown in Figure 26.

Ripple Voltage = 8.126 + 0.005V

The ripple voltage in wave 9 in Figure 26 is higher than that in wave 8 in Figure 25 when a smaller capacitor is used.

Discussion 

(2a) Series Connection

Without 470Ω resistor:

The experimental and theoretical bandwidth is respectively 575Hz and 249.83 Hz. One reason for the large discrepancy is that the experimental bandwidth is found by drawing a line across the curve, which is highly inaccurate.

In the series connection, the source of energy is the alternating current generator. Some of the energy produced is stored in the electric field in the capacitor and some is stored in the magnetic field in the inductor, and some is dissipated as thermal energy in the resistor.

In the capacitor, during the first quarter cycle of the current input, energy taken from the source is stored in the electric field due to the potential difference between the plates of the charged capacitor. During the next quarter-cycle the capacitor discharges and the energy flows to the inductor. While in the inductor, during the first quarter cycle of the current input, energy is taken from the capacitor and energy is stored in the magnetic field of the inductor. In the second quarter, the current and the magnetic field decrease and the e.m.f. induced in the inductor enables it to act as generator, returning the stored energy in the magnetic field to the capacitor again.

Figure 27 (a) and (b) show the curve for the power in a pure inductive and in a pure capacitive circuit respectively. In the capacitor and the inductor, by equations (3) and (6), power = 1/2 Io Vo sin 2ωt = Irms Vrms sin 2ωt. From the graphs in Figure 27, we can see how voltage varies with the frequency, so the power at the resonant frequency will be maximized. The above equation represents a sinusoidal variation with mean value power is zero. It follows that the power absorbed by the capacitor and the inductor in a cycle is zero. Since the energy is proportional to the power, so the energy of the capacitor and the inductor is similar to the power.

The difference between the experimental and calculated resonant frequency

= (8.721 – 8.42) kHz

= 0.301 kHz

The experimental value of the resonant frequency is acceptable compared with the calculated resonant frequency, since the error in resonant frequency is + 0.84 kHz which is within the range.

The percentage discrepancy = 3.45%

With 470Ω resistor:

The difference between the experimental and calculated resonant frequency

= (8.721 – 8.33) kHz

= 0.391 kHz

The experimental value of the resonant frequency is acceptable compared with the calculated resonant frequency, since the error in resonant frequency is + 0.84 kHz which is within the range.

The percentage discrepancy = x 100%

                       = 4.48%

Overall in (2a) experiment:

In the graph in Figure 12, the voltage drops except in resonance. The voltage across resistor is VR = IR. From equation (4), voltage across the resistor is Vc = I [1/(ωC)]. From equation (7), voltage across the inductor is VL =ωL I. When the circuit is in resonance, Vc = VL and since they are 180°out of phase, they cancel each other. Therefore, the resistor receives the whole voltage from the input signal, and so the current is maximized. When the current in the circuit is at maximum, by equation (4) voltage across the capacitor is also at maximum. But when the circuit is not in resonance, although Vc and VL are still 180°out of phase, they do not cancel each other completely. By equation (9), the current in the circuit will be lower than that in resonance, and hence by equation (4) the voltage across the capacitor will drop.

By comparing the two curves in Figure 12, the curve without the resistor is sharper than that with the resistor. From the calculation of the bandwidth and the Q factor, the curve without the resistor has lower bandwidth but higher Q factor than that with the resistor. This is because Qα1/R and Bwα1/Q, so Bw is proportional to R. Therefore, when using larger resistor, the bandwidth is larger and the curve is less sharp. Quantitatively, by equations (4) and (9),

Vc = V / { R + [ω L – 1 / (ωC)] } * [1/(ωC)]      ------ (13)

Differentiating equation (13) with respect to ω,

δVc/δω= (V/C){1/[ R + [ω L – 1 / (ωC)] ] } – {1/{2ω[ R + [ω L – 1 / (ωC)] ] }}

Hence for small value of R, δVc/δω is large, which means that the change of voltage is large with respect to the frequency, and therefore the curve is sharp. For large value of R, δVc/δω is small and thus the curve is less sharp.

Also, the voltage across the capacitor for the circuit without 470Ω resistor is higher than that with the resistor for all frequencies. This is because when increasing the resistance in the series connection of the RLC circuit, by equation (9), the current in the circuit is lower. Hence by equation (4) the voltage across the capacitor for all frequencies is lower than that with 470Ω resistor.

(2b) Parallel Connection

The difference between the experimental and calculated resonant frequency

= (8.721 – 8.64) kHz

= 0.081 kHz

The experimental value of the resonant frequency is acceptable compared with the calculated resonant frequency, since the error in resonant frequency is + 0.84 kHz which is within the range.

The percentage discrepancy = x 100%

                       = 0.93%

In the parallel connection, the resonant frequency was taken when the minimum voltage reading was observed in CRO. The circuit in Figure 28 is considered.

From equation (4), Ic = V / Xc = VωC

From equation (7), IL = V / XL = V /ωL

When the circuit is in resonance, IL and Ic are 180°out of phase and so cancel out. Also oscillation occurs. In the oscillation, current only flows back and forth between the inductor and capacitor, and no current flows from the source. Hence the LC circuit appears to be with infinite or very high impedance. [2]

Hence in the parallel connection circuit of the experiment, at the resonant frequency the LC circuit has very high impedance and gets most of the voltage. Then the resistance gets little. So the resonant frequency was taken when minimum voltage reading was observed in CRO. When frequency is not at resonant, the impedance across LC circuit is lower and the resistor gets higher voltage.

Overall in (2a) and (2b) experiment:

Both the circuits in (2a) and (2b) experiment are band stop filter for the load. The band stop filter can block or attenuates a band of frequencies centered on the resonant frequency of the LC circuit. The two circuits have the same frequency response curve as shown in Figure 29.

In the series resonant circuit, the CL impedance is very low at and around resonance, so these frequencies are rejected or shunted away from the output. Above and below resonance, the series have very high impedance, which result in no shunting of the signal away from the output. In the parallel resonant circuit, the LC circuit is in series with the load. At resonance, the impedance of a parallel resonance circuit will be very high, and the band of frequency centered around the resonance will be blocked. Above and below resonance, impedance of a parallel resonant circuit will be low, output signal will not be blocked. [3]

(3a) Half-wave rectification

The waveform is observed, since the diode can only allow the current to flow in one direction only. Hence if a sinusoidal wave is input, at the positive half of the wave, the current can pass through but in the negative half one, the current cannot pass through. Therefore the output will only have positive half wave while the negative half will become 0V. If the diode is reversed, the negative half of input wave can pass through the diode. Therefore the current will only have negative half wave while the positive half will become 0V.

Actually there will be a small voltage drop after passing through the diode since there is a barrier voltage in the diode. Also, the diode cannot absolutely block the current due to reverse bias. There will be some leakage, so the voltage will not absolutely be zero.

(3b) Full-wave rectification

The observed waveform is shown in wave 3 in Figure 20. With the bridge rectifier, the operation of this circuit may be described by tracing the current on the alternate half-cycle of the input voltage. The frequency of the output signal will be twice because the signal is repeated for each half wave while the input signal is a full wave. This frequency doubling makes it easier for the pulsating direct-current voltage to be converted into a constant direct-current voltage level. The waveform is not sharp at voltage equal zero since the diode cannot absolutely block the current due to reverse bias. There will be some leakage, so the voltage will not absolutely be zero.

The half-wave rectifier circuit produces a waveform that uses only half of the alternating current signal. The full-wave circuit uses the entire alternating current signal. The full-wave is more efficient. Also, the full-wave output is closer to pure direct current than the half-wave output. It requires less filtering to create pure direct current.

(3c) Half-wave with CRC filter

(1)   By using 10μF capacitor, the waveform is shown in wave 4 in Figure 21. At the first quarter of input wave, the output will get the signal, at the same time it will charge up the capacitor. At the rest of the input wave, the capacitor starts to discharge so the output signal starts to decay. When the second input wave is inserted, the capacitor starts to charge up again.

(2)   By using 1μF capacitor, while charging the two 10μF capacitor instead of the 1μF capacitor, the peak-to-peak voltage will become higher. This is because the time constant, t = RC where R and C are respectively the resistance and the capacitance. As for lowing the capacitance, the time constant will be lower. Therefore the time required to charge and discharge is short. Since the 1μF capacitor can discharge quickly in a period, so the ripple voltage is high. But the frequency will remain the same as using 10μF capacitor.

(3)   By replacing R1 with a choke, the waveform becomes smooth and the peak-to-peak voltage will decrease. The choke contributes to the filtering action by offering a much greater impedance to the alternating current component and most of the unwanted ripple potential difference appears across the choke. For the direct current component, the capacitor C2 has infinite resistance and the whole of this component is developed across C2 except for the small drop due to the resistance of the choke.

(4)   By replacing RL with a 100Ω resistor, the peak-to-peak voltage is lower when a resistor with 100Ω resistance is used instead of RL with 1000Ω resistor. As the time constant, t = RC where R and C are respectively the resistance and the capacitance, lower resistance means lower time constant. Therefore the time required to charge and discharge is short. Since the 10μF capacitor can discharge quickly in a period, so the ripple voltage is high. [5]

(3d) Full-wave with CRC filter

(1)    By using 10μF capacitor, the frequency of the output signal is twice. This is because the signal is repeated for each half wave, while the input signal is in full wave.

(2)    By using a 1μF capacitor, while charging the two 10μF capacitor instead of the 1μF capacitor, the peak-to-peak voltage becomes higher. It is because the time constant is defined as the product of resistance and capacitance, therefore lowering capacitance will lower time constant. Hence the time required to charge and discharge is short. Since the 1μF capacitor can discharge well in a period, so the ripple voltage is high.

Source of error:

(1)   Internal resistance of the wire reduce the accuracy of the reading of the (2a) and (2b) experiment.

(2)   The background E-field and B-field may affect the energy stored in the capacitor and the inductor.

(3)   The change in temperature can affect the barrier voltage in the diode, reducing the accuracy of the peak-to-peak voltage taken in Part 3.

(4)   Poor contact between the wire of the components and the breadboard.

Improvement:

(1)   Use thicker and short connecting wire.

(2)   Make sure the apparatus is far away from the wall and things that can produce E-field and B-field.

(3)   Keep the room temperature constant.

(4)   Make sure the components contact well and remove any grease or rust on the connecting wire.

Conclusion

From the experiment, it is found that the resonant frequency of the series and parallel connection are more or less the same. The voltage across the capacitor and inductor when in resonance is at maximum, while the voltage across the load resistor is at minimum. Since the load impedance is minimized at resonance, both connections are used as band stop filter. Also the resistance can affect the sharpness of the frequency response curve. The higher the resistance is, the less sharp the curve will be.

In the series connection, at resonance the maximum root-mean-square voltage was 51.400 + 0.005V and the corresponding resonant frequency was 8.420 + 0.005 kHz. The experimental Q factor and the bandwidth were respectively 34.01 and 575Hz. When the 470Ω resistor was added between L and C, the maximum root-mean-square voltage was 11.640 + 0.005V and the corresponding resonant frequency was 8.330 + 0.005 kHz. The experimental Q factor and the bandwidth were then respectively 3.34 and 2800Hz.

In the parallel connection, at resonance the minimum root-mean-square voltage was 1.186 + 0.005V and the corresponding resonant frequency was 8.640 + 0.005 kHz. The experimental Q factor and the bandwidth were respectively 34.9 and 1200Hz.

Also, the diode can be used as the rectifier, so that an alternating current signal can be rectified to become a direct current signal. When using one diode, one-half of the input signals are lost. While using a bridge rectifier, a repeated set of half wave signal would be obtained. So the frequency of the wave in full wave rectification is twice that in half wave rectification. Also, a capacitor and a resistor can affect the speed of charging and discharging. Smaller capacitance and smaller resistance allow the capacitor to charge and discharge quicker, thus having larger ripple voltage. Moreover, the use of choke can lower the ripple voltage, thus showing the filtering effect. Therefore, we can see that the results are consistent with the theory.

Reference

[1] Electronic Concepts – An Introduction, first edition, by Jerrold Krenz, P.370-385

[2] Analog Electronics, second edition, by T.E. Price, P. 28-31

[3] Analog Electronics, second edition, by T.E. Price, P. 54-63

[4] Basic Electronics For Scientists, fifth edition, by James Brophy, P.137-145

[5] Basic Electronics For Scientists, fifth edition, by James Brophy, P.75-86

[6] Fundamentals of Electronic Devices, fourth edition, By Ronald Tocci, P.62

[7] Handouts of Experiment 2A of PHYS211

 

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