4.8 • +11k Ratings
Save
Print
Edit
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.
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.
Figure 1. A Capacitor. Source: Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).
The fast movement of electrons between the two plates of a capacitor makes it very useful in electronic applications.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are two values on a capacitor, one showing the voltage (V) and the capacitance in Farads (F).
Figure 6. Capacitor with readings of voltage and capacitance. Source: Jomegat, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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.
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:
Capacitance can, therefore, be used to calculate the charge in coulombs:
The capacitance can be calculated using the following equation:
= epsilon nought, the dielectric constant of free space, which has a constant value of 8.85 × 10⁻¹² F/m.Calculate the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor whose plates have an area of 0.525 m ^ 2 and are separated by 2.15mm.
As K is not specified, we will take it as 1. Adding the other values yields:
This may look like a very small capacitance, but it is huge in reality.
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.
Capacitance is the ability of an object to store a charge.
Capacitance is calculated by calculating the charge per unit potential difference.
Capacitance can be measured with a Digital Multimeter (DMM).
The units in which the capacitance is measured are Farads (F).
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.
Be perfectly prepared on time with an individual plan.
Test your knowledge with gamified quizzes.
Create and find flashcards in record time.
Create beautiful notes faster than ever before.
Have all your study materials in one place.
Upload unlimited documents and save them online.
Identify your study strength and weaknesses.
Set individual study goals and earn points reaching them.
Stop procrastinating with our study reminders.
Earn points, unlock badges and level up while studying.
Create flashcards in notes completely automatically.
Create the most beautiful study materials using our templates.
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
