1. What is Capacitance Between Plates?

The capacitance between two parallel conducting plates is a measure of how much electric charge can be stored per unit voltage between the plates. It depends on the plate area, distance between plates, and the permittivity of the material between them.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the parallel plate capacitance formula:

Where:

• \( C \) — Capacitance in Farads (F)
• \( \varepsilon \) — Permittivity of the dielectric material (F/m)
• \( A \) — Area of one plate (m²)
• \( d \) — Distance between plates (m)

Explanation: The capacitance increases with larger plate area and higher permittivity, and decreases with greater separation between plates.

3. Importance of Capacitance Calculation

Details: Calculating capacitance is essential for designing capacitors, electronic circuits, RF systems, and understanding energy storage in electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter permittivity in F/m (8.85×10⁻¹² F/m for vacuum), plate area in m², and distance between plates in m. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the permittivity of free space?
A: The permittivity of free space (vacuum) is approximately 8.854×10⁻¹² F/m.

Q2: How does dielectric material affect capacitance?
A: Dielectric materials with higher relative permittivity (εᵣ) increase capacitance by a factor of εᵣ compared to vacuum.

Q3: What are typical capacitance values?
A: Practical capacitors range from picofarads (pF) to millifarads (mF), with supercapacitors reaching farads (F).

Q4: Does plate shape affect capacitance?
A: This formula is for parallel plates. Other geometries require different formulas.

Q5: Why is the distance between plates important?
A: Closer plates create stronger electric fields for the same voltage, allowing more charge storage (higher capacitance).