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Energy Stored by Capacitors
Introduction
Capacitors store energy in the electric field created between their plates when they are charged. Understanding how this energy is stored and calculated is an important part of the AQA A Level Physics course and links ideas from electricity, electric fields and energy conservation. This topic explains the relationship between capacitance, charge, potential difference and stored energy.
AQA A Level Physics Specification: 3.7.3.3 Energy Stored by Capacitors
What You Need to Know
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Explain that energy is stored in the electric field between the plates of a charged capacitor.
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Calculate the energy stored in a capacitor using the appropriate equations.
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Understand the relationship between stored energy, capacitance and potential difference.
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Understand the relationship between stored energy, charge and potential difference.
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Explain why the area under a charge–potential difference graph represents the energy stored.
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Apply energy equations to solve quantitative problems involving capacitors.
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Describe practical applications of energy storage in capacitors.
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Solve exam-style problems involving charge, capacitance, potential difference and stored energy.
Downloadable Topic Pack
Energy Stored by Capacitors Topic Pack Exam Questions and Answers
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