1 Answer
When voltage is applied across a capacitor, here's what happens:
1. **Charging the Capacitor**: Initially, when a voltage is applied, the capacitor begins to charge. The plates of the capacitor attract opposite charges β positive charge accumulates on one plate and negative charge on the other.
2. **Capacitor's Behavior Over Time**: The charging doesn't happen instantly. It happens gradually, and the rate of charging depends on the **capacitance** (how much charge the capacitor can store) and the **resistance** in the circuit (if thereβs any resistor). The relationship is typically described by an exponential curve, meaning the capacitor charges up to a certain point, and as time goes on, the charging slows down.
3. **Stored Energy**: As the capacitor charges, it stores electrical energy in the electric field between the two plates. The amount of energy stored is proportional to the **voltage** across the capacitor and the **capacitance**. The energy stored is given by the formula:
\[
E = \frac{1}{2} C V^2
\]
where *E* is the energy, *C* is the capacitance, and *V* is the voltage across the capacitor.
4. **Fully Charged State**: Once the capacitor is fully charged, the voltage across the capacitor becomes equal to the applied voltage. At this point, no more current flows into the capacitor (in an ideal case), because the capacitor now "acts like an open circuit."
5. **Discharging**: If the voltage source is removed or a path is provided for the current to flow, the capacitor will discharge. The stored energy will flow out of the capacitor, and the voltage across it will drop as it releases its charge.
In simple terms:
- When voltage is applied, the capacitor stores energy.
- It gradually "fills up" with charge.
- Once charged, it holds that charge until the voltage is removed or it discharges.
This is how capacitors are used in circuits to store energy and manage changes in voltage. Does that help clarify it?
1. **Charging the Capacitor**: Initially, when a voltage is applied, the capacitor begins to charge. The plates of the capacitor attract opposite charges β positive charge accumulates on one plate and negative charge on the other.
2. **Capacitor's Behavior Over Time**: The charging doesn't happen instantly. It happens gradually, and the rate of charging depends on the **capacitance** (how much charge the capacitor can store) and the **resistance** in the circuit (if thereβs any resistor). The relationship is typically described by an exponential curve, meaning the capacitor charges up to a certain point, and as time goes on, the charging slows down.
3. **Stored Energy**: As the capacitor charges, it stores electrical energy in the electric field between the two plates. The amount of energy stored is proportional to the **voltage** across the capacitor and the **capacitance**. The energy stored is given by the formula:
\[
E = \frac{1}{2} C V^2
\]
where *E* is the energy, *C* is the capacitance, and *V* is the voltage across the capacitor.
4. **Fully Charged State**: Once the capacitor is fully charged, the voltage across the capacitor becomes equal to the applied voltage. At this point, no more current flows into the capacitor (in an ideal case), because the capacitor now "acts like an open circuit."
5. **Discharging**: If the voltage source is removed or a path is provided for the current to flow, the capacitor will discharge. The stored energy will flow out of the capacitor, and the voltage across it will drop as it releases its charge.
In simple terms:
- When voltage is applied, the capacitor stores energy.
- It gradually "fills up" with charge.
- Once charged, it holds that charge until the voltage is removed or it discharges.
This is how capacitors are used in circuits to store energy and manage changes in voltage. Does that help clarify it?