1. What is a Voltage Across Capacitor Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the voltage across a capacitor based on the stored charge and capacitance.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, students, and hobbyists analyze capacitor behavior in circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Voltage across capacitor (volts)
• \( Q \) — Charge stored (coulombs)
• \( C \) — Capacitance (farads)

Explanation: The voltage across a capacitor is directly proportional to the stored charge and inversely proportional to its capacitance.

3. Importance of Voltage Calculation

Details: Knowing the voltage helps in circuit design, ensuring capacitors operate within their voltage ratings and function as intended.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the charge in coulombs and capacitance in farads. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens if voltage exceeds capacitor rating?
A: The capacitor may fail, potentially causing a short circuit or even explosion in electrolytic capacitors.

Q2: How do I measure charge on a capacitor?
A: Charge can be calculated by Q = CV if you know the voltage, or measured with specialized instruments.

Q3: What's a typical capacitance value?
A: Capacitors range from picofarads (pF) to thousands of farads in supercapacitors.

Q4: Does this formula work for AC circuits?
A: This gives the instantaneous voltage for DC. AC analysis requires considering frequency and reactance.

Q5: Why does voltage increase with charge?
A: As more charge accumulates on the plates, the electric field strengthens, increasing potential difference.