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TOPIC - CAPACITOR

What is a capacitor storing electric A passive component designed for

energy (charge) Increases efficiency of a circuit system Does not dissipate heat but stores energy Energy stored can be retrieved at a later time

Capacitor cotaint
Electronic component

Two conducting surfaces separated by an insulating material

Stores charge Uses
Time delays Filters Tuned circuits

Capacitors electrical components

Construction Consists of two conducting plates

separated by an insulating layer called a dielectric. Differs in size, arrangements of plates and dielectric material

Application
Electronics
Communications Computers Power supply systems

Capacitance
The measure of a capacitor in its ability to store

electric charge Expressed in Farads (F) Electric charge stored is proportional to voltage supplied from Power Supply: Q = CV
Q = Charge stored C = Capacitance V = Voltage applied to capacitor

Factors affecting capacitance Size of plates (area)

larger plate greater capacity Distance between plates closer together more capacity Dielectric constant different material capacitance changes
C = (8.855kA) / d C = capacitance (picofarads) k = dielectric constant A = area of plate (m^2) d = distance between plates (m)

Purpose of dielectric material

Prevents flowing of current between its plates
Support electrostatic force that have been induced

between the plates

Dielectric material
Dielectric Vacuum Air Polystyrene Paper Mica Flint glass Methyl alcohol Glycerin Pure water Constant 1.0 1.00059 2.5 3.5 5.4 9.9 35 56.2 81

Charging a capacitor Capacitor not charged yet :

Capacitor not connected to

power source (battery) No potential difference between plates Therefore no charges stored in capacitor

Chargingcontd Battery connected across capacitor:

Electrons flow to and from plates Electrons cannot flow through

because of dielectric material Counter emf (reactance) induced on plates Electrostatic field induced between plates Reactance level = Power Supply no further flow of current

Chargingcontd Power Supply disconnected:

Capacitor retains charges because of

electrostatic force existing between plates Unequal charges on both negative & positive plates Capacitor is now a source of potential energy

Discharging to other circuit: a capacitor Capacitor connected

Electrons flow through from

negative plated to positive plate Capacitor is discharging

Dischargingcontd Current will stop flowing when

charges of both positive and negative plates are equal Capacitor is fully discharged when theres no more energy left

Capacitors in parallel circuits Same effect as increasing plate size

Increase in plate size = increase capacitance
Able to store more charges

C = C1+C2+C3

Capacitors in series circuits Same effect as increasing distance between plates

Increase in dist = decrease in capacitance
Able to store less charges

C = (C1xC2) / (C1+C2)

Resistive-Capacitive (RC) series circuit

Capacitor charges current flow decreases

Reactance (opposing emf) increases over time

Rate of charging a capacitor decreases over time Resistors used to control charge/discharge time Increase resistor = more time to charge a capacitor

RC Time Constant Rate of charge greatly decreases

over time Time required to charge to 63.2% of full capacity Take only 1/5 of its total time for capacitor to reach 63.2% of charge t=CxR t = time (sec) C = capacitance (farads) R = resistance (ohms)