6.1 - Capacitors

Question 1

What is a capacitor?

Answer 1

A component that is able to store energy by separating charges onto two electrical conductors (most often plates) and an insulator in between, known as the dielectric.

Question 2

What is capacitance?

Answer 2

The amount of charge that is able to be stored across the plates of the capacitor, per unit of potential difference

Question 3

What is the time constant?

Answer 3

Time taken for the charge on the capacitor to decrease to 37% of it’s initial value