1. What is a Capacitor Energy Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the energy stored in a capacitor based on its capacitance and the applied voltage.

Purpose: It helps electronics engineers, students, and hobbyists determine how much energy a capacitor can store for circuit design and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy stored in joules (J)
• \( C \) — Capacitance in farads (F)
• \( V \) — Voltage across the capacitor in volts (V)

Explanation: The energy stored is proportional to the capacitance and the square of the voltage applied.

3. Importance of Capacitor Energy Calculation

Details: Understanding stored energy is crucial for power supply design, energy storage systems, and safety considerations when working with high-voltage capacitors.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the capacitance in farads (can use scientific notation like 0.000001 for 1μF) and the voltage in volts. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is there a 1/2 in the formula?
A: The energy is the integral of voltage with respect to charge, which results in the 1/2 factor in the equation.

Q2: What's a typical capacitance value?
A: Capacitors range from picofarads (pF) to farads (F), with supercapacitors reaching thousands of farads.

Q3: Does this work for AC voltage?
A: For AC circuits, use the peak voltage in the calculation for maximum stored energy.

Q4: How dangerous is the stored energy?
A: Even small capacitors at high voltages can store dangerous amounts of energy. Always discharge capacitors before handling.

Q5: Can I calculate capacitance from energy?
A: Yes, rearrange the formula: \( C = \frac{2E}{V^2} \)