Energy Stored in Capacitor Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the energy stored in a supercapacitor based on its capacitance and voltage.
Purpose: It helps electrical engineers and hobbyists determine how much energy a capacitor can store for power applications.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The energy stored in a capacitor is proportional to its capacitance and the square of the voltage across it.
Details: Proper energy estimation ensures correct capacitor selection for power backup, energy storage, and pulse power applications.
Tips: Enter the capacitance in Farads and voltage in Volts. All values must be > 0.
Q1: Why is energy proportional to voltage squared?
A: Because both the charge stored and the potential difference increase with voltage, resulting in a quadratic relationship.
Q2: What's a typical supercapacitor capacitance?
A: Supercapacitors range from 1 Farad to several thousand Farads, much higher than regular capacitors.
Q3: How does this differ from battery energy?
A: Capacitors store energy electrostatically while batteries use chemical reactions. Capacitors charge/discharge faster but store less total energy.
Q4: Can I calculate current from this?
A: Current depends on discharge rate. The stored energy can be used to calculate power delivery over time (P = E/t).
Q5: What affects real-world capacitor performance?
A: Factors like equivalent series resistance (ESR), leakage current, and temperature affect actual performance.