Energy Stored in Capacitor Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the energy stored in capacitor calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
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) * 1000Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
capacitance | Capacitance(μF) | 1000 |
voltage | Voltage(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.
- 01E = 0.5 * C * V²
- 02E = 0.5 * 1000e-6 * 12²
- 03E = 0.5 * 0.001 * 144
- 04E = 0.072 J = 72 mJ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does energy scale with voltage squared?
As voltage increases, both the stored charge and the voltage across the capacitor increase, giving a quadratic relationship.
Can a capacitor replace a battery?
Supercapacitors can store significant energy for short bursts, but batteries store far more energy per unit mass for sustained delivery.
Is it dangerous to discharge a charged capacitor?
Large capacitors at high voltages can store lethal amounts of energy. Always discharge capacitors safely before handling.
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Energy Stored in Capacitor Calculator