Learn How Capacitors Work

A capacitor somewhat looks like a battery. However, they work in totally different ways but capacitors and batteries both store electrical energy. You must be aware that a battery has two terminals. Inside the battery, chemical reactions result in the production of electrons on one terminal and when you create a circuit the other terminal absorbs them. Compared to a battery a motor capacitor is much simpler as it can't produce new electrons but it only stores them. A capacitor is so-called as it consists the capacity to store energy.

You will find that inside a capacitor, the terminals are connected to two metal plates which is separated by a non-conducting substance. You can easily prepare a capacitor from two pieces of aluminum foil and a piece of paper (and some electrical clips). In terms of its storage capacity, it won't be a particularly good capacitor, but it will work.

Capacitors are made by capacitor manufacturer to serve any purpose starting from the smallest plastic capacitor in your calculator, to an ultra-capacitor that can power a commuter bus. Below is listed few of its various types and how they are used.

Air: They are used in radio tuning circuits

Mylar: In timer circuits like clocks, alarms and counters they are most commonly used

Glass: Very Good for high-voltage applications

Ceramic: For high frequency purposes like antennas, X-ray and MRI machines they are used

Super capacitor: Used in Powers electric and hybrid cars

Theoretically the dielectric can be any non-conductive substance. However, for practical applications, there is use of specific materials that best suit the capacitor's function. Some of the non-conductive materials used are Mylar, ceramic, cellulose, Mica, porcelain, Teflon and even air. The dielectric itself says what kind of capacitor it is and for what purpose it is best suited. Some capacitors are better for high-frequency uses but it depends on the size and type of dielectric, while some are better for high-voltage applications.

Capacitor Circuit

Things that happen when you connect a capacitor to a battery:

The plate on the voltage capacitor that is attached to the negative terminal of the battery accepts electrons that the battery is producing.

The plate on the capacitor that remains attached to the positive terminal of the battery loses electrons to the battery. Follow us on Twitter