Capacitance

Question 1

What is a capacitor?

Answer 1

Electrical devices used to store energy in electronic circuits - they do this by storing electric charge, which creates a build up of potential difference

Question 2

What are capacitors made up of?

Answer 2

2 conductive metal plated connected to a voltage supply - there is commonly a dialect in between the plates to ensure the charge does not flow across them

Question 3

What is the capacitor circuit symbol?

Answer 3

Question 4

What is the definition of capacitance?

Answer 4

The charge stored per unit potential difference (between the plates)

Question 5

What is the capacitance defining equation?

Answer 5

C = Q/ V

C = capacitance (F)
Q = charge stored (C)
V = potential difference across the capacitor plates (V)

Question 6

What is the unit for capacitance?

Answer 6

Farad (F)

Question 7

What does Q refer to in the capacitance equation?

Answer 7

The charge stored on the plates - not the charge of the capacitor itself