SI unit of Capacitance | What is the SI unit of Capacitance
- Farad
Capacitor is most commonly used electrical component. It is used in formation of electric circuits like PCB’s of radio transmitter, remote control, television panel etc. It mainly consists of two parallel plates carrying equal and opposite charges, separated by small distance. The space between plates of capacitor is filled with dielectric materials.
If ‘Q’ be the charge on one the plate and ‘V’ be the potential difference applied across both the plates then the capacitance of capacitor is defined as ‘the charge per unit potential difference between plates.’
Then by formula, capacitance of capacitor is given as.
∴ capacitance = charge/potential difference
∴ C = Q/V
Where, Q = Charge ,V = potential difference
From the above equation we can unit of capacitance as coulomb per volt (C/V).
Sir Michael Faraday, one the most brilliant experimental physicist, who didn’t had formal education too! He worked in book binding shop, developed the interest towards the science from the same books and worked with Sir Humphrey Davy at Royal institute. Faraday made several extraordinary discoveries like concept of electromagnetic induction and the laws of electrolysis. These discoveries led the world to most modern of energy production i.e. electric energy by magnetic field.
Taking his enormous contribution towards the field of physics, the international system of units has replaced the unit of capacitance as ‘farad’.
i.e. SI unit of capacitance is,
∴ C = Charge/potential difference = coulomb/volt = farad
Thus the SI unit of capacitance of capacitor is farad. Its symbol is F.
When 1 coulomb of are separated by the 1 volt of potential difference, then the capacitance of capacitor is said to 1 farad.
∴ 1 farad = 1 coulomb/1 volt
Generally, capacitance is measured in small amount hence it’s written with prefixes as,
1 mF = 10-3 F
1 µF = 10-6 F
1 nF = 10-9 F
Important Faq on SI unit of Capacitance
Q.1) What is the need of capacitor?
Answer: It is risky to handle large charge at high potential. Capacitor is an arrangement in which capacity of conductor is increased without increase in its potential. So we can overcome the danger which can arise due to large charge.
Q.2) To increase the capacitance, one should connect the number of capacitors in series or in parallel?
Answer: Equivalent capacity of series combination is smaller than value of individual capacity. Hence, series combination is used to reduce capacity. However, equivalent capacity of parallel combination is greater than value of individual capacity. Hence, parallel combination is used to increase capacity.
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