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Capacitor Energy Equation:
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The energy stored in a capacitor is calculated using the formula PE = 1/2 C V², where C is the capacitance in farads and V is the voltage across the capacitor in volts. This represents the electrical potential energy stored in the capacitor's electric field.
The calculator uses the capacitor energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to the square of the voltage and directly proportional to the capacitance. Doubling the voltage quadruples the stored energy.
Details: Calculating the energy stored in capacitors is essential for designing electronic circuits, power systems, and energy storage applications. It helps determine how much energy can be delivered to a circuit and the size of capacitor needed for specific applications.
Tips: Enter capacitance in farads and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers. For microfarads (μF), divide by 1,000,000 (e.g., 4.7μF = 0.0000047F).
Q1: Why is there a 1/2 in the formula?
A: The factor of 1/2 comes from the integration of voltage with respect to charge during the charging process of the capacitor.
Q2: What are typical capacitor values?
A: Capacitors range from picofarads (pF, 10⁻¹²F) to farads (supercapacitors). Most common capacitors are in microfarads (μF, 10⁻⁶F).
Q3: How does energy relate to capacitor size?
A: Higher capacitance and higher voltage ratings generally mean larger physical size, though technology improvements have created smaller high-capacitance components.
Q4: Can capacitors store large amounts of energy?
A: While capacitors charge and discharge quickly, their energy density is typically lower than batteries. Supercapacitors bridge this gap with much higher capacitance values.
Q5: What safety precautions are needed with high-energy capacitors?
A: High-energy capacitors can deliver dangerous shocks even when disconnected from power. Always discharge capacitors properly before handling.