This all-in-one online Capacitor Energy Calculator performs calculations according to formulas that relate the voltage applied to a capacitor and its сapacitance with the amount of energy and electric charge stored in that capacitor. You can enter the values of any two known parameters in the input fields of this calculator and find the two missing parameters.
E = C·V2 / 2, Q = C·V
What is a Capacitor?
A capacitor is an electronic component designed to store electrical charge. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. The conductive plates can be made of various materials, such as metal, and the dielectric can be made of materials like ceramics, plastic, or air. The key principle behind a capacitor’s operation is its ability to store electric charge between these plates when a voltage is applied across them.
How Does a Capacitor Store Energy?
The energy storage in a capacitor arises from the accumulation of electric charge on its plates. When a voltage is applied across the capacitor terminals, it creates an electric field between the plates. This occurs as a result of electrons moving through an external circuit from one plate to another with opposite charge. This movement of electrons creates potential energy in the electric field between the plates.
The energy stored in a capacitor can be calculated using the following formula:
$$E = \frac{CV^2}{2},$$
where
• \(E\) is the energy stored in joules (J).
• \(C\) is the capacitance of the capacitor in farads (F).
• \(V\) is the voltage applied across the capacitor in volts (V).
This formula highlights that the energy stored in a capacitor is directly proportional to both the square of the voltage and the capacitance. Capacitance is a measure of a capacitor’s ability to store charge, with a higher capacitance allowing for greater energy storage.
Formula for Charge on a Capacitor
The charge on a capacitor can be calculated using the formula:
$$Q = CV,$$
where
• \(C\) is the сapacitance of the capacitor in farads (F),
• \(Q\) is the electric charge stored on the capacitor in coulombs (C),
• \(V\) is the voltage applied across the capacitor in volts (V).
This formula demonstrates that the charge on a capacitor is directly proportional to both the capacitance and the voltage. A higher voltage or capacitance results in a greater charge stored on the capacitor.
The above formulas are used in our Capacitor Energy Calculator, the use of which makes any calculation a matter of seconds.
Related calculators
Check out our other physics calculators such as Capacitance Calculator or Capacitive Reactance Calculator.