Energy Stored in Capacitor Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the energy stored in capacitor calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

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Formulas Used

Stored Energy

energy = 0.5 * capacitance * 1e-6 * pow(voltage, 2)

Stored Energy (mJ)

energy_mj = 0.5 * capacitance * 1e-6 * pow(voltage, 2) * 1000

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
capacitanceCapacitance(μF)1000
voltageVoltage(V)12

How It Works

Energy in a Capacitor

A charged capacitor stores energy in its electric field.

Formula

E = (1/2) * C * V²

This energy is released when the capacitor discharges. Doubling the voltage quadruples the stored energy.

Worked Example

A 1000 μF capacitor charged to 12 V.

capacitance = 1000voltage = 12
  1. 01E = 0.5 * C * V²
  2. 02E = 0.5 * 1000e-6 * 12²
  3. 03E = 0.5 * 0.001 * 144
  4. 04E = 0.072 J = 72 mJ

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