Capacitors Definition and 884 Threads

  1. sam charlton

    Supercapacitors: The Future of High-Performance Energy Storage?

    Hello, what is the consensus on using super capacitors to power a 500w electric bike motor. cheap and innovative alternative to li-po batteries or explosion between thighs waiting to happen? the plan is to create something like this: i will use a 24V motor...
  2. HelloCthulhu

    Max voltage of both air and water capacitors

    Homework Statement Theses questions have been modified to solve my own inquiries. The originals can be found in the attached file. A parallel plate capacitor has area A = 1 cm2, a plate separation of d = 0.01m, and is filled with air.(a) If the breakdown field is E0 = 3 × 106V/m, calculate...
  3. A

    Why is there confusion about capacitors and potential difference between plates?

    So I understand that a capacitor consists of 2 plates separated by a distance which creates a potential difference between the plates. But I was confused, when watching this physics video it seemed to be saying that once the capacitor was fully charged, the plate closest to the positive terminal...
  4. M

    What Determines Electric Field Strengths of Two Charged Rods

    Homework Statement The problem I encountered goes like this: A 10cm long thin glass rod uniformly charged to 10nC and a 10cm long thin plastic rod uniformly charged to -10nC are placed side by side 4cm apart. What are the electric field strengths E1 to E3 at distances 1cm, 2cm, and 3cm from the...
  5. E

    Effect of Dielectric Material on Capacitor Voltages in a Circuit

    Homework Statement C1=C2=C3=C No internal resistance. We wait for a while and the put a dielectric material in C3. Then after waiting again we remove the voltage source and after that we take this material out. How will the voltages on the capacitor be affected? Homework Equations CV=Q The...
  6. A

    Understanding the Cockcroft Walton Generator: How Does it Work?

    Hi everyone. I am doing some research about Cockcroft Walton Accelerators, because I need to be able to explain them to others as a part of a project. However, in order to understand the Cockcroft Walton Accelerator, I need to be able to understand the Cockcroft Walton Generator first. I have...
  7. E

    Connecting two charged capacitors

    Homework Statement One capacitor with a capacity of 6μF and another with a capacity of 12μF are charged by being connected in a series to a voltage source with an electrive force of 660V. After that, we disconnect the capacitors from the source and connect them to each other. What is the charge...
  8. E

    Understanding Capacitor Voltage and Capacity in a Circuit

    Homework Statement First, we connect a capacitor to a voltage source with an electric force of 60V. After that we put another capacitor with a capacity of 0.01nF instead of the voltage source. As a result, the voltage on the first capacitor is down to 40V. 1. What is the voltage on the second...
  9. A

    Fully filled capacitors with parallel dielectrics problem

    consider that we have two dielectrics inside a capacitor as shown in the picture, let0s consider also that Q is the charge of the capacitor and d the distance between the two plates , the first dielectric occupy a surface of S/3 with a dielectric constant of er1 and the second a surface of 2S/3...
  10. C

    Two capacitors with opposite terminals connected together

    Homework Statement A capacitor of 5μF is charged to 24V and another capacitor of capacitance 6μF is charged to 12V , the positive plate of first capacitor is now connected to negative plate of second and vice versa, find new charges on the capacitor Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution...
  11. M

    Capacitors in Series: Intuitive Understanding Question

    I understand algebraically that when capacitors are in series, the total capacitance is less than any individual capacitance, but I do not understand this intuitively. How can this be possible? Shouldn't more capacitors equal more capacitance?
  12. J

    Inserting a conductor in a parallel-plate capacitor

    Consider a parallel plate capacitor formed by two plates of length ##L## and width ##d##, separated by a distance ##e##. There is a vacuum in between the plates. Let's note the capacitance of this arrangement ##C_0##. I insert a conducting plate of length ##l=L/2##, with ##D##, and thickness...
  13. R

    The energy stored in a system of capacitors (only)

    1.when a charged capacitor is connected to an uncharged capacitor will they attain the same voltage ?the initial and final energy are different why is this so?2.q=CV,U=c*v*v/23. I tried to equate the initial and final energy of system of capacitors but the answer does not match.what is the...
  14. M

    Capacitors in Hybrid-pi Model and Frequency Response

    This is what I have and I was wondering where C2 might go if I make apply the hybrid pi model on this circuit. I know that all the DC Voltages should be shorted if I were to make use of an equivalent circuit, so that in the hybrid pi model R1 should be in the input and R3 in the output. But what...
  15. lonelypancreas

    Are ALL parallel plate capacitors linear?

    Homework Statement Are ALL parallel plate capacitors linear? Homework Equations D = permittivity * E The Attempt at a Solution Capacitance is linear if permittivity is constant. Is there a case where a parallel plate capacitor is not linear?
  16. D

    Are Human Cell Walls Capacitors?

    Homework Statement Some cell walls in the human body have a layer of negative charge on the inside surface. Suppose that the surface charge densities are ##±0.50 \times 10^{-3} C/m^2## , the cell wall is ##5.0 \times 10^{-9} m## thick, and the cell wall material has a dielectric constant of...
  17. P

    Engineering How Do You Solve RCL Circuit Problems Using Kirchhoff's Loop Rule?

    Homework Statement I'm just really lost on this topic and honestly don't have too much of an idea. (a) Using Kirchoff's loop rule, find the differential equation satisfied by the charge q(t). (b) Verify that q(t) = q_max e^-(a/t) cos(ωt) satisfies the differential equation for particular...
  18. C

    Capacitor discharge vs. Pole relaxation

    I'm trying to understand the difference between these two when it comes to measuring the amount of time they take. As of right now, my current understanding is that pole relaxation is based on the amount of time that it takes for polarization of the charges to go back to its relaxed state. For...
  19. L

    Capacitors charged in parallel

    Homework Statement Capacitors C1 = 6.97 uF and C2 = 1.54 uF are charged as a parallel combination across a 281 V battery. The capacitors are disconnected from the battery and from each other. They are then connected positive plate to negative plate and negative plate to positive plate. A)...
  20. E

    Choosing a zero for potential for 2 batteries in parallel with capacitors

    Homework Statement I want to find the charge and potential drop across each capacitor Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I know both the capacitors are in series and hence have the same charge on them. However I don't know how to calculate the potential drop across the capacitors...
  21. J

    Why/how does distance affect capacitance?

    As distance between two capacitor plates decreases, capacitance increases - given that the dielectric and area of the capacitor plates remain the same. So, why does this occur?
  22. Mzzed

    Understanding 'C Code' & 'No.' in Buck Converter Regulator Datasheet

    I have recently come across a datasheet for a buck converter regulator that uses the terms "c code" and "No." for certain capacitors but when going to the manufacturer datasheets for these capacitors they make no reference to any "c code" or one single number for a capacitor. If anyone could...
  23. M

    Excess charge in capacitors connected in series

    I have a hard time comprehending excess charge in capacitor plates. Let's say we have two identical capacitor and we charged them to identical amount of charge. Next we connect them in series by opposite sign electrodes and we get double the voltage on the open ends. Now a single capacitor has...
  24. martin25p2

    Calculating the total capacitance of a network of capacitors

    Homework Statement I would like to know how to calculate the total capacity of the capacity network displayed in the uploaded picture. I know how to calculate the total capacity if the capacity are in parallel or in series, but I am confused by the capacity Nr 6. I know how to calculate the...
  25. Mzzed

    Understanding Capacitor Voltage in Relation to Ground

    If a capacitor is charged to 10V where the negative side is connected to ground (0V), when the capacitor is disconnected from the power supply on both the positive and negative sides; 1) Will the negative side of the capacitor still be 0V relative to the ground it was just connected to? 2) Say...
  26. T

    Which Statements Are True for Capacitors in Earthed Circuits?

    Homework Statement For the curcuit shown in figure,which of the following statement is true? A)with S1 closed, V1=15V, V2=20V B)with S3 closed, V1=V2=25V C)with S1 and S2 closed, V1=V2=0 D)with S1 and S3 closed, V1=30V, V2=20V Homework Equations ▪Q=CV, where Q and V are the charge and...
  27. T

    Capacitors in Parallel: Finding the Relationship Between Capacitance and Charge

    Homework Statement Two capacitors C1 and C2 are charged to 120V and 200V respectively.It is found that on connecting them together the potential on each one of them can be made zero.Then, A)3C1=5C2 B)3C1 + 5C2=0 C)9C1=4C2 D)5C1=3C2 Homework Equations Q=CV Q-charge on capacitor C-capacitance...
  28. N

    Capacitors in series or in parallel? - calculating CR

    Homework Statement I have the circuit above. When I have the switch at A, the capacitor C1 is charging at 100μF is at 10V. I then discharge the capacitor by connecting the switch to B. I was asked to calculate the time constant. I thought the capacitors were in parallel but according to...
  29. D

    Calculating Capacitors for Wave Energy Collectors

    How can I calculate the capacitor needed for my wave energy collector? I have have build a wave energy collector. It consists of multiple coils in series with magnets moving up and down, following the waves underneath the unit. My multi-meter measures anywhere between 60 and 250 milli volts...
  30. N

    Help clarifying capacitors, dielectrics, E field, potential

    Hello there, I was wondering if anyone wouldn't mind helping clarify what is occurring with a charged capacitor for me. I understand that in a charged capacitor one conducting plate is negatively charged and one is positively charged due to the distribution or rearrangement of electrons. There...
  31. Jack of some trades

    Capacitors on motors: why big C for starting, small for running?

    Long story short, on single-phase capacitor motors, large values of capacitance are used for starting and much smaller values are used for running. Yet it would seem that the amount of electrical phase shift needed is dictated and fixed by the physical relationship between the main and auxiliary...
  32. maxelcat

    Current in a capacitor question

    This is a question from an a level textbook. The R starts at 8k ohms (thought its not relevant) Switch S is closed - C fully charges up. Question:Switch S is opened. Explain why the current decreases and REVERSES direction in the ammeter. This is what I think. The decrease in current is...
  33. Kelsi_Jade

    Two Capacitors connected in Series and to a 10V battery.

    Homework Statement I am going over problems for exam study - here is the question with my submitted solution. Anything helps, just trying to correct mistakes so I can study the problems. Two capacitors C=3mF, C=2mF are initially discharged. They are connected in series and then the two ends...
  34. G

    Doubt regarding voltage balance on capacitors

    The text in the paper says that C1 has Vout/N-1 = Vout/6, C2 has 2*Vout/6 and so on... Can someone please explain how? Source : Liao, Zitao, Yutian Lei, and Robert CN Pilawa-Podgurski. "A GaN-based flying-capacitor multilevel boost converter for high step-up conversion." Energy Conversion...
  35. A

    Why do the capacitors in this circuit have the same voltage?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations C = Q/V The Attempt at a Solution I understand that capacitors in parallel have the same voltage, but wouldn't they be in series after the switch is flipped, since no current goes to the left most portion of the circuit.
  36. N

    Does Separating the Plates of a Capacitor Affect Its Charge?

    Homework Statement The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are maintained with constant voltage by a battery as they are pulled apart. During this process, the amount of charge must... (decrease , increase , remains the same) Homework Equations C=Q/V C=E0(Area/Distance) The Attempt at a...
  37. K

    What Resistor Value Discharges a Capacitor 99% in 5 Seconds?

    Homework Statement .50uf capacitor is charged connecting it to a 6.0v battery then discharged through 100k ohm resistor. . Question: Estimate the resistance of the resistor that you would use in place of the 100k ohm resistor if the discharge is to be 99% completed within about 5 secs...
  38. D

    Electrical and Mechanical Energy as it relates to Capacitors

    Homework Statement In my lab, we are studying the efficiency of a simple DC motor. In order to do this, we related the initial potential energy of the capacitor to the final potential energy of a mass (which remained constant for all three capacitors) that the motor lifted. I was instructed...
  39. R

    Capacitor with uniform space charge between them

    Homework Statement 2 large plates are separated by a distance d and a space charge of uniform charge density p is placed between them and a potential difference V is applied across the plates. Find the electric field stength at a distance x fromt the positive plate The answer is -V/d...
  40. T

    Why's Potential Difference Different in Series Capacitors?

    My book says "the magnitude of charge on all plates in a series connection is the same." It then says "potential differences of the individual capacitors are not the same unless their individual capacitances are the same." If the plates were all the same size, given that they all have equal...
  41. nagyn

    Effects of capacitors on potential difference

    Homework Statement Two parallel-plate capacitors have the same plate area. Capacitor 1 has a plate separation twice that of capacitor 2, and the quantity of charge you place on capacitor 1 is six times the quantity you place on capacitor 2. How do the potential differences across each of the...
  42. CassieFordham

    Layering different dielectric materials to increase breakdown voltage

    This is a general question, not a homework question, and @berkeman said I should post it in the EE forum... I'm trying to get a better understanding of the relationship of dielectric constant (relative permitivity) to dielectric strength (breakdown voltage).I want to know what happens when you...
  43. Drako Amorim

    Unconventional capacitors connection

    Homework Statement Hello everyone. The problem is related to these two capacitor connections: In the enunciate it is said that these two are equivalent and it is requested to prove that: C1=(CxCy+CyCz+CzCx)/Cx C2=(CxCy+CyCz+CzCx)/Cy C1=(CxCy+CyCz+CzCx)/Cz Homework Equations C=Q/Vab...
  44. S

    Parallel combination of capacitors

    Homework Statement [/B] If the 2 charged capacitors are reconnected in parallel with plates of opposite polarity together then ? is common potential. In this condition how charge is conserved and same potential is maintainedHomework Equations [/B] Net charge Q=C1V1-C2V2 Where C1V1=q1 and...
  45. D

    Engineering Capacitors in Circuit: Voltage, Charge, and Switch Behavior Explained

    Homework Statement Homework Equations 3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] First i found the voltage ##U_{13}=\frac{E(R2+R3)}{R1+R2+R3}=50V## Then i figured that the charge on 1 and 2 is equal since the voltage across is the same right? ##Q1=Q2=U_{13}\frac{C1C2}{C1+C2}=80mC## and...
  46. Biker

    How does the voltage drop in a capacitor happen?

    Where does the voltage drop of a capacitor happen? My answer would be that It produces an electric field the opposes the field of the battery along the wires. So it is continuous lose to the capacitor which stores this energy in it. Another question related to this, When a positive charge hits...
  47. t00mas

    Calculating pre-charge of capacitors on electric vehicle

    Hello! I found how to calculate here: http://liionbms.com/php/precharge.php But the problem is, that when I used online calculator, it gives me that with resistance 531, my charging time to 288V will be about 2.3 seconds instead 5 seconds, that I need. Online calculator here...
  48. C

    Capacitance - does a general approach really exist?

    I have spent hours on the web and in libraries to obtain a general and careful approach to the notion of capacitance, without success. Please, read carefully the question: I already know the usual blabla about capacitance. Also, I appologize in advance for the length of this question. I...
  49. Cocoleia

    Current and voltage with inductors and capacitors

    Homework Statement I am given the following circuit: and asked to solve for v(t) and i(t) Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution If this is right, I don't know where to go from here.
  50. Cocoleia

    Finding current in circuits with inductors and capacitors

    Homework Statement I am practicing these types of problems, for example: and I am asked to find i(t) in this case, and it is in steady state. I really need someone to walk me through these types of problems, how do I get them started. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I am really...
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