Can a capacitor discharge as a result of being struck?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores whether a large dielectric capacitor can discharge as a result of being physically struck, examining the implications of different types of impacts and their effects on capacitance and dielectric strength.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if a physical impact could push a capacitor on the verge of discharge over the edge.
  • Another participant provides a definition of capacitance and discusses how an impact might affect capacitance and voltage, suggesting that a reduction in dielectric thickness could lead to increased capacitance and lower voltage, but also considers the possibility of momentary changes in capacitance due to physical oscillation.
  • A third participant clarifies that the effect of hitting the capacitor depends on the nature of the impact, categorizing it into light taps, mighty hits, and punctures, each with different expected outcomes regarding discharge.
  • A fourth participant raises a question about the meaning of "discharge," linking it to dielectric strength and emphasizing that the outcome would depend on the type of dielectric and the nature of the impact.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of physical impacts on a capacitor, with no consensus reached on the specific outcomes or mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion hinges on definitions of discharge and the characteristics of the dielectric material, as well as the nature of the impact, which remain unresolved.

emrock
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
I am curious if a large capacitor on the verge of discharge could be put over the edge by physically hitting it.
I am curious if a large dielectric capacitor on the verge of discharge could be put over the edge by physically hitting it.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

Definition; capacitance = charge / voltage.
If the impact lowers the capacitance then the voltage must increase.

But I would expect an impact to reduce the dielectric thickness, which would increase the capacitance, so lower the voltage.

But it is possible that physical oscillation could rebound to lower capacitance momentarily.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: emrock and sophiecentaur
Depends on what you mean by "hitting it". A light tap, mighty hit with a large object or putting a bullet through.
!: light tap i would expect no effect. 2; Mighty hit would deform or puncture I would expect it to discharge in a fashion dependent on its size. 3: bullet(or metal rod puncture) would discharge as per previous.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: emrock
What do you mean by discharge? An arc through the dielectric? This has as much to do with dielectric strength (when abused?) as it has to do with capacitance. It will of course depend entirely on what sort of dielectric and what is done to it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: emrock and berkeman

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
15K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K