1. What is a Capacitive Impedance Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the impedance of a capacitor in an AC circuit based on frequency and capacitance.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, students, and hobbyists understand how capacitors behave in AC circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Complex impedance (ohms)
• \( \omega \) — Angular frequency (2πf, rad/s)
• \( C \) — Capacitance (farads)
• \( j \) — Imaginary unit (√-1)

Explanation: The calculator displays the magnitude of the impedance (without phase information for simplicity).

3. Importance of Capacitive Impedance

Details: Understanding capacitive impedance is crucial for designing filters, timing circuits, and AC power applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the frequency in Hertz and capacitance in Farads. Note that 1 μF = 0.000001 F.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is impedance complex?
A: The imaginary component represents the phase shift between voltage and current in a capacitor.

Q2: What happens to impedance at higher frequencies?
A: Impedance decreases as frequency increases (capacitors pass high frequencies more easily).

Q3: Why doesn't the calculator show phase information?
A: For simplicity, we show only the magnitude. The phase would be -90° for an ideal capacitor.

Q4: What's a typical capacitance value?
A: Common values range from pF (picofarads, 10⁻¹²F) to mF (millifarads, 10⁻³F).

Q5: How does DC affect a capacitor?
A: At 0 Hz (DC), impedance is theoretically infinite (capacitor acts as an open circuit).