Capacitance is how well a capacitor can store an electrical charge. You can understand this better using the formula:

$C = \frac{Q}{V}$

In this formula:

• $C$ is capacitance, measured in farads (F).
• $Q$ is the charge, measured in coulombs (C).
• $V$ is the voltage, measured in volts (V).

Different types of capacitors behave in different ways. This affects how they work, how well they perform, and where they can be used.

Types of Capacitors

1. Ceramic Capacitors

   • What They Are Like: They are low-cost, small, and can keep their capacitance steady even when the voltage or temperature changes.
   • Capacitance Range: Usually between 1 picofarad (pF) and 100 microfarads (µF).
   • Where They Are Used: Found in filtering, decoupling, and timing circuits.

2. Electrolytic Capacitors

   • What They Are Like: These have a specific positive and negative side (polarized), can hold a lot of charge for their size, and are mostly used in direct current (DC) applications.
   • Capacitance Range: From 1 microfarad (µF) to thousands of microfarads (µF).
   • Energy Storage: They can store a lot of energy, which can be figured out using this formula: $E = \frac{1}{2} C V^2$.

3. Film Capacitors

   • What They Are Like: They are stable and have low energy loss, making them great for alternating current (AC) applications.
   • Capacitance Range: Ranges from 1 nanofarad (nF) to 100 microfarads (µF).
   • Where They Are Used: Common in power electronics, audio devices, and pulse circuits.

Summary of How They Work

• Voltage Rating: Each type of capacitor has a maximum voltage it can handle. Using more voltage than this can cause it to break.
• Frequency Response: Ceramic capacitors work better at high frequencies, so they are ideal for radio frequency (RF) applications.
• Temperature Effects: The capacitance can change with temperature, especially in ceramic capacitors. This change can affect how reliable a circuit is.