Why do you think it should? If you had a 10 ohm resistor across the power supply would you expect it to become 11 ohms if you increased the voltage?PlatoDescartes said:The answer is 2.5 μF still, but WHY doesn't the capacitance change when the voltage changes?
According to the equation Q=VC, if voltage increases, capacitance should too... I'm missing something here... I apologize!phinds said:Why do you think it should? If you had a 10 ohm resistor across the power supply would you expect it to become 11 ohms if you increased the voltage?
Capacitance is not dependent on voltage nor charge though, only material/geometry. Which is why it doesn't change.PlatoDescartes said:According to the equation Q=VC, if voltage increases, capacitance should too... I'm missing something here... I apologize!
Capacitance is the ability of a material or system to store an electric charge. It is measured in units of farads (F) and is represented by the symbol C. Capacitance is measured by using a device called a capacitor, which consists of two conductive plates separated by a dielectric material. The amount of capacitance is determined by the size of the plates, the distance between them, and the type of dielectric material used.
The capacitance of a capacitor is primarily affected by three factors: the surface area of the plates, the distance between the plates, and the type of dielectric material used. The larger the surface area of the plates, the closer they are together, and the higher the permittivity of the dielectric material, the higher the capacitance will be.
Capacitance affects the flow of electricity by storing and releasing charge. When a capacitor is connected to a circuit, it initially acts as an open circuit, blocking the flow of current. However, as the capacitor charges up, it begins to allow current to flow through it. Once the capacitor is fully charged, it acts as a short circuit, allowing current to flow freely. This charging and discharging of the capacitor can have various effects on the circuit, such as smoothing out voltage spikes.
The shape of a capacitor can affect its capacitance in a few ways. As mentioned earlier, the surface area of the plates is a factor in determining capacitance, so a larger surface area will result in a higher capacitance. Additionally, the shape of the plates can also affect the distance between them, which is another factor in determining capacitance. For example, a parallel plate capacitor with rectangular plates will have a higher capacitance than one with circular plates, as the distance between the plates in the rectangular capacitor is constant, while it varies in the circular one.
Capacitance has many practical applications in various fields. In electronics, capacitors are used in power supplies, filters, and signal processing circuits. They are also used in touch screens, where changes in capacitance are detected to register touch. In power systems, capacitors are used to improve power factor and reduce power loss. Capacitance also plays a role in medical devices, such as defibrillators, and in energy storage systems, such as batteries and supercapacitors.