1. What is the Volts to Coulombs Formula?

The formula Q = C × V relates the charge (Q) in coulombs stored in a capacitor to its capacitance (C) in farads and the voltage (V) across it in volts. This fundamental equation in electronics describes how much charge a capacitor can store at a given voltage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic capacitor charge equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Charge in coulombs (C)
• \( C \) — Capacitance in farads (F)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)

Explanation: The equation shows that the charge stored in a capacitor is directly proportional to both its capacitance and the applied voltage.

3. Importance of Charge Calculation

Details: Calculating charge is essential for designing circuits, determining energy storage capacity, and understanding capacitor behavior in electronic systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter capacitance in farads (common values range from picofarads to farads) and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a coulomb?
A: A coulomb is the SI unit of electric charge, equal to the charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second.

Q2: How does charge relate to energy?
A: The energy stored in a capacitor is given by E = ½CV², which is different from the charge Q = CV.

Q3: What are typical capacitance values?
A: Common values range from picofarads (pF, 10⁻¹² F) for small ceramic capacitors to farads (F) for supercapacitors.

Q4: Does this formula work for all capacitors?
A: Yes, for ideal capacitors. Real capacitors may have leakage or other non-ideal behaviors not accounted for in this simple formula.

Q5: How is this related to current?
A: Current is the rate of change of charge (I = dQ/dt). This formula gives the instantaneous charge at a given voltage.