Difference between revisions of "Capacitor Energy"
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*[[Energy]] stored in a [[capacitor]] can be used in various applications like powering the lights designed to flash and providing [[energy]] for defibrillators. | *[[Energy]] stored in a [[capacitor]] can be used in various applications like powering the lights designed to flash and providing [[energy]] for defibrillators. | ||
*[[Capacitor]]s store energy in the [[Electric Field|electric field]] between their plates. | *[[Capacitor]]s store energy in the [[Electric Field|electric field]] between their plates. | ||
− | *The stored [[energy]] is released when the [[capacitor]] is [[Capacitor | + | *The stored [[energy]] is released when the [[capacitor]] is [[Dicharging a Capacitor|discharged]]. |
*[[Capacitor]]s can deliver [[energy]] quickly compared to [[Electrical Battery|batteries]]. | *[[Capacitor]]s can deliver [[energy]] quickly compared to [[Electrical Battery|batteries]]. | ||
*Used in [[Power Supply|power supplies]] to smooth out fluctuations in [[Potential Difference|voltage]]. | *Used in [[Power Supply|power supplies]] to smooth out fluctuations in [[Potential Difference|voltage]]. | ||
− | *The [[energy]] stored in a [[capacitor]] is half the [[energy]] required to [[Capacitor | + | *The [[energy]] stored in a [[capacitor]] is half the [[energy]] required to [[Charging a Capacitor|charge the capacitor]]. The energy required to [[Capacitor Charge|charge]] the [[capacitor]] is the [[Electrical Work|work done]] by the [[Electrical Battery|battery]] which is given by the product of the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] supplied by the [[Electrical Battery|battery]] and the [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] of the [[Electrical Battery|battery]] since the [[Electrical Battery|battery]] provides a constant flow of [[Electrical Charge|charge]] and constant [[Potential Difference|potential difference]]. However, as the [[Potential Difference|potential difference]] across the [[capacitor]] changes with the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] stored in the [[capacitor]] so the [[energy]] stored by a [[capacitor]] is half the product of the [[Electrical Charge|charge]] and [[Potential Difference|potential difference]]. |
*The maximum possible [[Energy Efficiency|efficiency]] of a [[capacitor]] is 50% which is far less than the maximum theoretical [[Energy Efficiency|efficiency]] of a [[Electrical Battery|battery]]. | *The maximum possible [[Energy Efficiency|efficiency]] of a [[capacitor]] is 50% which is far less than the maximum theoretical [[Energy Efficiency|efficiency]] of a [[Electrical Battery|battery]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 15:41, 22 May 2024
Key Stage 5
Meaning
Capacitor energy refers to the energy stored in a capacitor due to the separation of charge.
About Capacitor Energy
- Energy stored in a capacitor can be used in various applications like powering the lights designed to flash and providing energy for defibrillators.
- Capacitors store energy in the electric field between their plates.
- The stored energy is released when the capacitor is discharged.
- Capacitors can deliver energy quickly compared to batteries.
- Used in power supplies to smooth out fluctuations in voltage.
- The energy stored in a capacitor is half the energy required to charge the capacitor. The energy required to charge the capacitor is the work done by the battery which is given by the product of the charge supplied by the battery and the potential difference of the battery since the battery provides a constant flow of charge and constant potential difference. However, as the potential difference across the capacitor changes with the charge stored in the capacitor so the energy stored by a capacitor is half the product of the charge and potential difference.
- The maximum possible efficiency of a capacitor is 50% which is far less than the maximum theoretical efficiency of a battery.
Formula
The energy, 𝐸, stored in a capacitor is given by any of the three following formulae:
•\(𝐸 = \frac{1}{2}𝐶𝑉^2\)
•\(𝐸 = \frac{1}{2}Q𝑉\)
•\(𝐸 = \frac{1}{2}\frac{Q^2}{C}\)
Where:
𝐸 is the energy stored in the capacitor
𝐶 is the capacitance of the capacitor
and
𝑉 is the potential difference across the capacitor.