Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

ALTERNATING CURRENT CIRCUITS

Aim
To investigate how the impedance varies with frequency in LR, RC and LCR circuits.

References
[1] AC Circuits Chapter of Giancoli, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, chapter 30 in the 4th Edition.

Preparation
i. Read AC circuits sections of reference [1]. ii. A 1000 Hz sinusoidal voltage is applied to a 0.1mH inductor in series with a 0.1 F capacitor. Determine both the peak-to-peak and RMS voltages across the inductor and capacitor. iii. Write down the phase differences between the above voltages and the current flowing through the inductor and capacitor.

Introduction
An inductor can be represented as a series combination of a pure inductance L and a pure resistance, r. The impedance, Z, of the circuit shown in figure 1 is given by (1) (2) Thus the graph of Z2 versus f2 should be linear.

Figure 1

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 1 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A capacitor can be represented as a series combination of a pure capacitance C and a pure resistance, r. The impedance of the circuit shown in figure 2 is given by (3) (4)

Figure 2

Figure 3 shows a series LCR circuit. The impedance is given by (5) (6) In a series LCR circuit the impedance of the capacitance decreases with frequency while that of the inductance increases. At the resonant frequency they are equal but because of the 180 phase difference they cancel each other to give a minimum impedance for the circuit.

Figure 3

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 2 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Apparatus
i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Fluke digital multimeter Digitising oscilloscope Function generator Decade inductance box Decade capacitance box Decade resistance box

Procedure
1. Set the inductor box to 100 mH, the resistor box to 1 k and the capacitor box to 0.04 F. Use the Hameg LCR meter to measure the inductance and series resistance of the inductor box and the capacitance and series resistance of the capacitor box. 2. Wire the circuit shown in figure 4 using the function generator to supply the sinusoidal input and an oscilloscope to measure the input voltage, , and the voltage across the resistor . Make sure the earth connection on the function generator BNC cable is connected to the earth connection on the oscilloscope BNC cable. Set to about 2 V at 10 Hz. Measure and over the frequency range 10 Hz to 10 kHz, making measurements at multiples of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 10. At the same time note how the phase difference between and changes with frequency. 3. The magnitude of the impedance can be determined from the current in the circuit and the applied voltage. The current can be found from the voltage across the resistor. Plot |Z| 2 versus f 2 and from the graph calculate the value for L.

Figure 4

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 3 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Replace the inductor in figure 4 with the capacitor. Repeat the measurements made in section 2. 5. Plot a graph of |Z|2 versus 1/f 2 and from the graph calculate C. Compare your value of C with the previously measured value. 6. Wire the circuit shown in figure 5. Set the input voltage to ~1 Vp-p and use the first oscilloscope channel to monitor this throughout the measurement. Use the second oscilloscope channel to make measurements of the voltage and its phase relative to over the frequency range 100 Hz - 10 kHz while holding constant. At the same time measure with the digital multi-meter (DMM). 7. Re-wire the circuit to that shown in figure 6 and repeat the measurement, this time for and . Plot graphs of impedance and phase versus frequency for both the inductor and capacitor. 8. Construct a phasor diagram to determine the magnitude of voltage across the function generator output and its phase relative to the current. Compare the expected values from your diagram with those obtained in the experiment. Discussion Question: The inductor and capacitor have series resistance. Furthermore, the signal generator has resistance in the form of output impedance. Discuss how these resistances affect your results.

Figure 5

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 4 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Figure 6

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 5 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Report
Your final report should include the following sections: Abstract: The abstract should describe the principle of the measurement, the value obtained and its uncertainty. Introduction: An explanation of the fundamental physics involved and how it relates to the experiment. Experiment: A brief description of the experimental techniques and procedures. Results: The results of each section of the experiment. In general, raw data should not be included in reports. Graphs are better than tables of raw data. Discussion: An analysis and interpretation of the experimental results detailing the reasoning leading to your conclusions. In your discussion include answers to the following questions. These answers should form part of the body of your discussion and should not be presented in a question-andanswer format. i. What is meant by power factor? Calculate the power factor for the circuit of figure 4 at a frequency of 50 Hz. ii. How do rms and peak-to-peak voltages compare for waveforms other than sinusoids? iii. Is it possible to design a filter circuit to pass only signals with a frequency below 1000 Hz? Discuss.

Conclusion: A short summary of the conclusions reached. References: A list of all references used, including page numbers.

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 6 of 7

Physics 2000 Laboratory University of Newcastle ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Specific Safety Precautions AC Circuits Experiment

Below is a list of risks and controls specific to this experiment. Please read it carefully before commencing the experiment and refer to it as necessary during the course of the experiment. Further details can be found in the Standard Operating Procedure and Risk Assessment document for this experiment, which is available in the laboratory.

Risk

Control

Exposure to dangerous voltages from faulty Do not use faulty equipment. equipment. Report faulty equipment to demonstrator immediately. Check all power cords for visible deterioration prior to use. Foot injury from test equipment or test Keep boxes away from bench edge. boxes falling from bench. Wear covered footwear. Trip hazard due to wires trailing over Do not to let long wires dangle over bench bench edges. edges. Trip hazard due to obstructions in Keep bags under benches to avoid walkways obstructions.

_________________________________________________________________________________ AC Circuits Rev 7 Aug 2009 CW 7 of 7