1. What is the Capacitor Formula?

The basic capacitor formula relates capacitance (C) to charge (Q) and voltage (V). It defines capacitance as the ratio of electric charge stored to the potential difference across the capacitor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental capacitor equation:

Where:

• \( C \) — Capacitance in farads (F)
• \( Q \) — Electric charge in coulombs (C)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)

Explanation: This equation shows that capacitance is directly proportional to the stored charge and inversely proportional to the voltage across the capacitor.

3. Importance of Capacitance Calculation

Details: Calculating capacitance is essential for designing electronic circuits, selecting appropriate capacitors, and understanding energy storage in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter charge in coulombs and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a farad?
A: A farad is the SI unit of capacitance, defined as one coulomb of charge stored per volt of potential difference.

Q2: What are typical capacitor values?
A: Most practical capacitors are measured in microfarads (µF), nanofarads (nF), or picofarads (pF), as one farad is very large.

Q3: Does this formula apply to all capacitors?
A: This is the fundamental definition that applies to all capacitors, though specific capacitor types may have additional characteristics.

Q4: How does capacitance relate to energy storage?
A: The energy stored in a capacitor is given by \( E = \frac{1}{2}CV^2 \), showing the importance of capacitance in energy storage.

Q5: What factors affect real-world capacitance?
A: Physical factors like plate area, separation distance, and dielectric material affect a capacitor's actual capacitance value.