Capacitance

A capacitor is a device that can store electrical charges and can also be used to protect circuits from unwanted spikes. Now, you might think that a battery also does that.

Get started

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

Sign up for free

Review generated flashcards

Sign up for free
You have reached the daily AI limit

Start learning or create your own AI flashcards

StudySmarter Editorial Team

Team Capacitance Teachers

  • 6 minutes reading time
  • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
Save Article Save Article
Contents
Contents

Jump to a key chapter

    However, while that is the case, the difference is that a battery stores energy in the form of chemical potential, whereas capacitors store energy in the form of electrical potential. Also, the leakage current is higher in capacitors than in batteries, which means that capacitors cannot hold a charge as long as batteries do.

    Capacitance. Capacitor. StudySmarter.

    Capacitors.

    The fast movement of electrons between the two plates of a capacitor makes it very useful in electronic applications.

    Capacitor

    Inside a capacitor, there are two metal plates made of a conductive material such as aluminium. These plates are separated by an insulating material, also known as a dielectric.

    Before we explore how a capacitor works, we need to understand the concept of polarisation.

    Polarisation is the orientation of polar molecules inside the dielectric towards opposite electrodes.

    A dielectric consists of lots of polar molecules that have both a positive and a negative end. When no charge is stored by the capacitor, there is no electric field, and these molecules randomly point in different directions.

    Capacitance. Polarisation. StudySmarter

    Figure 2. Random molecules (top) and molecules in an electric field (bottom). Source: hyperphysics, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

    When a voltage is applied to a capacitor, an electric field is generated. The positive ends of the molecules are attracted to the negatively charged plate and vice versa.

    As the dielectric is an insulator and the molecules cannot shift, the polarised molecules orient themselves in such a way that opposite charges on the molecules and the plates face each other.

    Capacitance. Polarisation. StudySmarter.

    Figure 3. Orientation of polarised molecules in an electric field. Source: Brews ohare, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

    As the electric field of the polarised molecules is in the opposite direction to the capacitor plates, the potential difference is reduced, and the capacitor’s capacity to store charge per unit potential difference is increased.

    Take a battery and attach the negative end to the negative terminal of the capacitor (indicated by a strip) and the positive end to the positive terminal. However, bear in mind that not all capacitors have marked poles. If that is the case, they can be connected in whatever direction in the circuit.

    Capacitance. Capacitor symbol. StudySmarter.

    Figure 4. Symbol of a capacitor. Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

    The charges flow from the battery to the negative terminal of the capacitor and from the positive plate to the positive end of the battery.

    Capacitance. Charging of a capacitor. StudySmarter.

    Figure 5. The diagram shows how the voltage across the plates and the current flow into the plates vary as the capacitor charges. Source: jjbeard, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

    Once the charges have flown from the positive plate to the battery and from the battery to the negative plate, no further electron flow is possible, and one side of the capacitor is negatively charged while the other side is positively charged. The capacitor is at the same voltage level as the battery.

    As the electrons accumulate on one side of the capacitor, we say that it is storing energy, which can be released when it is needed.

    There is a potential difference that is created between the plates of the capacitor as there is a difference in the number of charges on the plates.

    Application of a capacitor

    A charged capacitor can be used to provide a charge in a circuit without any interruptions.

    For example, when we connect an LED with a capacitor that is fully charged, the charges from the negative plate on the capacitor flow through the LED to the positive plate on the capacitor until there is no potential difference between the two terminals. The LED will flash for a short moment as a result.

    This duration of the flash will be very short as the electron flow is very fast. However, if we connect a battery to the capacitor in this circuit, the capacitor will charge and store energy and discharge it again if there is any interruption in the current flow.

    Measuring the stored energy

    There are two values on a capacitor, one showing the voltage (V) and the capacitance in Farads (F).

    Capacitance. Capacitor readings. StudySmarter.

    Capacitors on a circuit board.

    The voltage reading on the capacitor indicates the maximum voltage that it can handle. If that value is exceeded, the chances are that a capacitor might burn, sometimes even explode.

    The capacitance of a capacitor

    Every capacitor has a capacitance, which is its capacity to store electrical charge. The symbol for capacitance is C, which is measured in Farads. Farads are the number of coulombs that can be stored per volt:

    \[1 F = \frac{1C}{1V}\]

    Capacitance can, therefore, be used to calculate the charge in coulombs:

    \[Q = C \cdot V\]

    • Q = electric charge.
    • C = capacitance.
    • V = voltage.

    The capacitance formula

    The capacitance can be calculated using the following equation:

    \[C = K \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d}\]

    • C = capacitance measured in coulombs per volt (F).
    • K = relative dielectric constant, i.e., the dielectric constant of a material relative to the dielectric constant of free space. This is expressed as εr/ε0, where εr is the dielectric constant of the material. The relative dielectric constant is usually provided. For example, the air has a dielectric constant of 1.
    • = epsilon nought, the dielectric constant of free space, which has a constant value of 8.85 · 10⁻¹² F/m.
    • A = area of the plates measured in metres2, which is directly proportional to the plates.
    • d = distance between the plates measured in metres, which is inversely proportional to the capacitance.

    Calculate the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor whose plates have an area of 0.525 m2 and are separated by 2.15mm.

    As K is not specified, we will take it as 1. Adding the other values yields:

    \(C = 8.85 \cdot 10^{-12} \cdot \frac{0.525}{2.15 \cdot 10^{-3}} = 2.16 \cdot10^{-9} F\)

    This may look like a very small capacitance, but it is huge in reality.

    Capacitance (A2 Only) - Key takeaways

    • A capacitor is a conductor that can store charge in electrical form.
    • Every capacitor has a capacitance, which is the amount of charge per unit potential difference.

    • A capacitor is used to keep the current in a circuit flowing if there is any interruption.

    • Two conductive plates with a dielectric insulator between them constitute a capacitor.

    • A capacitor works by accumulating negative charges on one plate, which creates a potential difference between the two plates.

    • The unit of capacitance is Farads.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Capacitance

    What is capacitance?

    Capacitance is the ability of an object to store a charge.

    How capacitance is calculated?

    Capacitance is calculated by calculating the charge per unit potential difference.

    How is capacitance measured?

     Capacitance can be measured with a Digital Multimeter (DMM).

    What is capacitance measured in?

    The units in which the capacitance is measured are Farads (F).

    What is the capacitance of a short-circuited capacitor?

    When a capacitor is short-circuited, the two plates act as one, and no dielectric medium exists between the two plates. Hence, the capacitance is 0.

    Save Article

    Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

    What is the material between the plates of a capacitor called?

    What is the dielectric constant of air?

    If the area of the plates is doubled what effect will it have on the capacitance?

    Next

    Discover learning materials with the free StudySmarter app

    Sign up for free
    1
    About StudySmarter

    StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

    Learn more
    StudySmarter Editorial Team

    Team Physics Teachers

    • 6 minutes reading time
    • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
    Save Explanation Save Explanation

    Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

    Sign-up for free

    Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

    The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

    • Flashcards & Quizzes
    • AI Study Assistant
    • Study Planner
    • Mock-Exams
    • Smart Note-Taking
    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App
    Sign up with Email