What is a Capacitor? • A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge. • It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material (dielectric). • It stores potential energy in the electric field between its plates.
Symbol and Structure • Symbol: Two parallel lines representing the plates. • Structure: Two metal plates separated by air or dielectric material. • Common dielectrics: air, mica, paper, ceramic.
Capacitance • Capacitance (C) is the ability of a capacitor to store charge. • Formula: C = Q/V • SI Unit: Farad (F) • 1 Farad = 1 Coulomb / 1 Volt
Series and Parallel Combination • Series: 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ... • Parallel: Ceq = C1 + C2 + ... • Series reduces equivalent capacitance, parallel increases it.
Applications of Capacitors • Energy storage • Filtering in power supplies • Tuning circuits in radios • Coupling and decoupling signals in electronics
Safety Precautions • Always discharge capacitors before handling. • Avoid overvoltage. • Handle electrolytic capacitors carefully.
Conclusion • Capacitors are essential components in modern electronics. • They play a key role in energy storage, filtering, and timing applications. • Understanding their principles is crucial in electronics and physics.
Bibliography • NCERT Physics Class XII • Physics Textbook by HC Verma • Internet resources (Wikipedia, Physics Classroom)