Capacitance is used to describe that how much any conductor charge can hold. It represents the ratio of charge flowing across the conductor to the potential applied. Capacitors are the conductors used for holding charges.
Capacitance is the ability of a substance to store an electrical charge. Any object that can be electrically charged shows capacitance. A parallel-plate capacitor is a common form of an energy storage device. Capacitance is exhibited by a parallel plate arrangement and defined in terms of charge storage. When a capacitor is charged completely, there is a potential difference between its plates, and larger the area of plates and/or smaller the distance between them, greater will be the charge of the capacitor and greater will be its Capacitance.
Capacitance Formula is expressed as
C = Q / V
Where,
Q denotes the charge of the conductor,
V denotes the potential applied across a conductor and
C is proportionality constant, called capacitance
If capacitors are connected in series, the capacitance formula is expressed by
If capacitors are connected in parallel, the capacitance formula is expressed by
Where C1,C2,C3…….Cn are the capacitors and Capacitance is expressed in Farads
Example 1
Determine the capacitance of the capacitor if 5 coulombs of charge is flowing and 2V of potential is applied.
Solution
Given parameters are
Charge Q is 5 C,
A voltage applied V is 2 V
the Capacitance formula is given by
C = Q / V
= 5 / 2
= 2.5 F
Example 2
Determine the capacitance if capacitors 6 F and 5 F are connected
(i) In series and
(ii) In parallel
Solution
The capacitance in the series formula is given by
Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2
= C1+C2 / C1C2
= 6+5 / 30
= 0.367 F
The capacitance in parallel formula is given by
Cp = C1 + C2
= 6 + 5
= 11 F