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Capacitance Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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capacitance

[kəˈpæsɪtəns ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

electrical component

Capacitance is the ability of a system to store an electric charge. It is defined as the ratio of the electric charge stored on a conductor to the electrical potential (voltage) across it. Capacitance is measured in farads.

Synonyms

charge storage, electric capacity, electrical storage.

Examples of usage

  • The capacitance of the capacitor is measured in microfarads.
  • Higher capacitance allows for more charge storage.
  • The circuit requires a capacitor with a specific capacitance.
  • The capacitance can be affected by the distance between the plates.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Physics

  • The unit of capacitance is the farad, named after the English scientist Michael Faraday, who made significant contributions to electromagnetism.
  • Capacitance depends on the physical characteristics of the capacitor, including surface area, distance between plates, and type of insulating material.

Technology

  • Capacitance plays a key role in electronic circuits. It's used in devices like smartphones and cameras to manage power usage.
  • Supercapacitors, which have much higher capacitance than traditional capacitors, can deliver quick bursts of energy, useful in hybrid vehicles.

Applications

  • Capacitors, which store electrical energy, are essential in filtering signals in radios and televisions.
  • Capacitance is also involved in timing circuits found in everyday devices like microwaves and alarm clocks.

Education

  • Understanding capacitance is fundamental in electronics courses, helping students grasp how circuits store and manage energy.
  • Many experiments in physics classrooms use capacitance to illustrate the principles of charge and voltage across different materials.

Origin of 'capacitance'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'capacitas', meaning capacity, indicating the ability to hold an electric charge.
  • It was first used in the context of electricity in the early 19th century, reflecting advancements in understanding electrical phenomena.

The term 'capacitance' originates from the mid-19th century, derived from the Latin word 'capacitas', meaning 'capacity'. The concept became essential in electrical engineering as capacitors were developed to store electrical energy. The first clear differentiation of capacitance as a property of components came with the advancements in electrical theory by scientists like Michael Faraday and later developments in the context of electromagnetism. In modern physics, capacitance is a fundamental concept that helps explain how electronic circuits function, especially in relation to AC signals and filtering applications. Capacitors, the devices that exhibit capacitance, saw significant innovation throughout the 20th century, leading to their widespread use in various electronic devices.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,253, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.