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remedemic
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So I'm reading that in a capacitor, an electric field is being manifested between two plates. There are no electrons actually traveling from the negative to the positive plate, correct? There is only an attraction?
Yes, that's correct. Not through the dielectric medium anyway.remedemic said:There are no electrons actually traveling from the negative to the positive plate, correct?
Sylvia Else said:The simple view is the electrons depart from the top plate, pass through the battery, and arrive at the bottom plate. Thus the battery itself neither gains nor loses electrons. Its function is to provide the force that moves the electrons. The battery is analagous to a water pump - it makes the water move, but is neither a source, nor a sink, for water.
sophiecentaur said:Best just to talk in terms of 'charge' and, at a stroke, you have avoided the problem which many people have of electron flow being in the opposite direction to conventional current and the worry of how far the electrons may actually get.
A capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material, known as a dielectric. When a voltage is applied to the capacitor, it charges the plates, and the dielectric material prevents the charges from flowing across. This stored energy can then be released when needed.
There are various types of capacitors, including ceramic, electrolytic, film, and variable capacitors. Each type has different properties and uses. For example, ceramic capacitors are small and inexpensive, while electrolytic capacitors have a larger capacitance and are commonly used in power supply circuits.
The right capacitor for a circuit depends on the specific requirements of the circuit. Factors such as capacitance, voltage rating, and temperature stability should be considered. It is also essential to select a capacitor with the correct physical size and shape to fit into the circuit design.
The unit of measurement for capacitance is the Farad (F), named after the physicist Michael Faraday. However, due to the small size of most capacitors, subunits such as microfarads (μF), nanofarads (nF), and picofarads (pF) are commonly used.
There are a few methods for testing a capacitor, including using a multimeter, an oscilloscope, or an LCR meter. These devices can measure the capacitance, voltage rating, and other properties of a capacitor to determine if it is functioning correctly. Another way to test a capacitor is to discharge it using a resistor and then measure the time it takes to recharge. A functioning capacitor should recharge quickly.