Permittivity Measurement Using the Resonance Circuits

Abstract

Abstract A pair of LC circuits has been used to demonstrate the resonance condition of electromagnetic waves. The first circuit comprises of an inductor, a capacitor and a power supply; while the second pair employs an inductor, a variable capacitor and a neon bulb. The same inductance is applied in both circuits. The variable capacitor is a parallel plate capacitor. By varying the capacitance in the second circuit, we achieve the resonance condition as indicated by the lit neon bulb. By doing so, we observe the equal oscillation frequency in both, the first and second circuit. The condition is then used to obtain the permittivity of air to be (6.1±0.2) x10-11 F/m.