Data Sheet
-97-
197. Electrolytic Capacitor
Build the circuit shown on the left and turn on the switch (62). Press
the press switch (61) and you will see the heart LED (69), star LED
(70), and colorful LED (72) light. Release the press switch (61) and
the heart LED (69), star LED (70), and colorful LED (72) will stay bright
briey and then turn dim.
The 100mF capacitor (73) is called an electrolytic capacitor because it
is designed where one plate is made of a metal that forms an insulating
layer that acts as the dielectric. This makes the design of the 100mF
capacitor (73) asymmetric where the higher voltage must always be on
one lead, and the lower voltage on the other lead (which is marked on
the capacitor with a “–” sign).
198. Tolerance of 100mF Capacitor
Replace the 1kW resistor (42) in project #197 with the 5.1kW resistor
(43) and then turn on the switch (62). Press the press switch (61) and
you will see the heart LED (69), star LED (70), and colorful LED (72)
light. Release the press switch (61) and the heart LED (69), star LED
(70), and colorful LED (72) will stay bright for a little while and then
turn dim.
As discussed in project #194, the typical tolerance of capacitors is
±20%. That means that the actual capacitance of the 100mF capacitor
(73) should be between 0.8*100 = 80mF and 1.2*100 = 120mF.
199. Capacitors in Cameras
Replace the 1kW resistor (42) in project #197 with the 10kW resistor
(44) and then turn on the switch (62). Press the press switch (61) and
you will see the heart LED (69), star LED (70), and colorful LED (72)
light. Release the press switch (61) and the heart LED (69), star LED
(70), and colorful LED (72) will stay bright for a while and then turn dim.
Did you know that Electrolytic capacitors are often used in cameras
to create the ash? The battery in the camera is used to charge the
capacitor and when you press the button to take the picture, the sudden
discharge of the capacitor is used to produce the ash.
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