How to Build a Capacitor

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Fill a non-metallic vessel (such as a paper cup

   Use warm water to dissolve the salt.
2. 2

   Step 2: or a plastic bottle) with warm saltwater.

   , The foil is one terminal, and the water/metal object combination is the other.
   
   Do not allow the water or the metal object to touch the foil or spill over the side.
   
   This will short the capacitor and make it impossible to charge.
   
   Later you can use a voltmeter to verify if the capacitor can hold a charge. , After a few seconds disconnect the battery and connect the voltmeter to the terminals of the capacitor.
   
   Any reading (mV-V) will indicate a charge. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: Wrap the outside of the vessel with aluminum foil

4. 4

   Step 4: or tin foil.

5. 5

   Step 5: Place a metal object (such as a knife

6. 6

   Step 6: a nail

7. 7

   Step 7: etc) in the saltwater.

8. 8

   Step 8: Charge it up

9. 9

   Step 9: by applying the voltage from an ordinary household battery

10. 10

    Step 10: to both terminals.

11. 11

    Step 11: Congratulations

12. 12

    Step 12: you have a working capacitor

13. 13

    Step 13: capable of holding an electric charge!

Detailed Guide

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