1. What is Capacitance?

Capacitance is the ability of a system to store an electric charge. It is measured in farads (F) and is defined as the ratio of the electric charge (Q) on each conductor to the potential difference (V) between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental capacitance formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The 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 for specific applications, and understanding energy storage in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the charge in coulombs and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the capacitance in farads.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a farad?
A: A farad is the SI unit of capacitance, equal to one coulomb per volt. Most practical capacitors are measured in microfarads (μF) or picofarads (pF).

Q2: How does capacitance relate to energy storage?
A: The energy stored in a capacitor is given by \( E = \frac{1}{2}CV^2 \). Higher capacitance means more energy can be stored at a given voltage.

Q3: What factors affect capacitance?
A: For parallel plate capacitors, capacitance depends on the surface area of plates, distance between plates, and the dielectric material between them.

Q4: What are typical capacitor values?
A: Practical capacitors range from picofarads (10⁻¹² F) to farads (supercapacitors). Most common are in the microfarad (10⁻⁶ F) range.

Q5: Can this formula be used for all capacitors?
A: This basic formula works for ideal capacitors. Real capacitors may have additional factors like equivalent series resistance (ESR) that affect performance.