Understanding Capacitance
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Which of these is the correct SI unit for capacitance?
Farads
Newtons
Ohms
Volts
Farad-Joules
Explanation
The correct unit for capacitance is the Farad, named after the English physicist Michael Faraday.
Newtons are used to measure force. Ohms measure resistance and volts measure electrical energy or potential. Joules are a unit of energy, but Farad-Joules are not a recognizable unit.
By using a dielectric, it is possible to store more energy in a capacitor. Why is this?
The dielectric replaces air, which breaks down when the electric fields get strong enough
The dielectric can store excess energy
The dielectric changes the distance between the two plates of the capacitor
The dielectric provides a direct energy source to the capacitor
Explanation
Dielectrics are insulating materials that can be polarized, and can be used to increase the separability of the two plates of a capacitor. When a dielectric is absent, air is present between the capacitor plates. At high voltages, when the electric field between the plates is incredibly strong, air begins to break down and becomes unable to prevent the flow of electricity between the capacitor plates. When this occurs, the capacitor cannot store energy, nor can it properly function. The presence of a dielectric eliminates this problem, allowing the capacitor to store much more energy.