Galleria
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

Visit Science,
Optics, & You


The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
DNA Gallery
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Variable Capacitor

A variable capacitor allows for a range of capacitance. Variable capacitors are designed so that capacitance can be changed through a mechanical means. Variable capacitors are used when the application requires an adjustment of capacitance such as in a radio tuner.

Click on the slider to adjust the capacitor

The tutorial is based on a typical variable capacitor that consists of two sets of plates. One set is called the rotor and the other the stator. The rotor is connected to the adjustment knob outside the capacitor. The two sets of plates are close together but not touching. Air is the dielectric in a variable capacitor. As the capacitor is adjusted, the sets of plates become more or less meshed, increasing or decreasing the area of overlap between the plates. As the plates become more meshed, capacitance increases. As the plates become less meshed, capacitance decreases.

BACK TO ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM TUTORIALS

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1995-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, software, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last Modification: Wednesday, Jun 07, 2017 at 12:19 PM
Access Count Since January 20, 1999: 152091