Capacitor Voltage Formula:
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Definition: This calculator determines the voltage across a capacitor based on its stored charge and capacitance.
Purpose: It helps engineers, students, and electronics enthusiasts understand and calculate capacitor behavior in circuits.
The calculator uses the fundamental capacitor formula:
Where:
Explanation: The voltage is directly proportional to the stored charge and inversely proportional to the capacitance.
Details: Understanding capacitor voltage is crucial for circuit design, energy storage applications, and preventing capacitor failure due to overvoltage.
Tips: Enter the charge in coulombs and capacitance in farads. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is the practical unit for capacitance?
A: While farads are the SI unit, practical capacitors are often measured in microfarads (μF) or picofarads (pF).
Q2: How do I measure charge in a capacitor?
A: Charge can be calculated by integrating current over time (Q = ∫I dt) or by measuring voltage and using Q = CV.
Q3: What happens if voltage exceeds rating?
A: Exceeding a capacitor's voltage rating can cause dielectric breakdown and permanent damage.
Q4: Does this formula work for all capacitor types?
A: Yes, this fundamental relationship applies to all capacitor types (electrolytic, ceramic, film, etc.).
Q5: How does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Temperature can affect capacitance value but not the fundamental V=Q/C relationship.