- #1
flyingpig
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Homework Statement
I am just wondering, can the voltage in a capacitor ever be equal to or greater than the voltage in the power supply? Probably not the power supply...but is it possible to be equal to?
The voltage in a capacitor is directly proportional to the power supply voltage. This means that if the power supply voltage increases, the voltage in the capacitor will also increase, and vice versa.
A capacitor stores voltage through the build-up of electric charge on its two plates. When connected to a power supply, one plate becomes positively charged and the other becomes negatively charged, creating an electric field between them. This stored charge is what gives a capacitor its voltage.
No, a capacitor cannot have a higher voltage than the power supply it is connected to. The capacitor's voltage is limited by the power supply voltage. However, in some cases, a capacitor can have a higher voltage rating than the power supply, meaning it can handle a higher voltage without breaking down.
When connected to a power supply, the voltage in a capacitor increases over time as it charges up. However, if the power supply is disconnected, the voltage in the capacitor will slowly decrease over time as it discharges. The rate at which the voltage changes depends on the capacitance of the capacitor and the resistance in the circuit.
Yes, a capacitor can hold a constant voltage as long as it is connected to a constant power supply. This is because the capacitor's charge will continuously adjust to maintain a constant voltage across its plates. However, if the power supply is changed or disconnected, the voltage in the capacitor will change accordingly.