1. What is Capacitor Impedance?

Capacitor impedance (Z) is the measure of opposition that a capacitor presents to alternating current at a given frequency. It is a complex quantity that includes both magnitude and phase information.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capacitor impedance formula:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Capacitor impedance (Ω)
• \( j \) — Imaginary unit (√-1)
• \( \omega \) — Angular frequency (rad/s)
• \( C \) — Capacitance (F)

Explanation: The formula shows that capacitor impedance is inversely proportional to both frequency and capacitance, and has a -90° phase shift.

3. Importance of Impedance Calculation

Details: Calculating capacitor impedance is essential for designing and analyzing AC circuits, filter networks, resonance circuits, and various electronic applications where capacitors are used.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter angular frequency in rad/s and capacitance in Farads. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between impedance and resistance?
A: Resistance is the opposition to DC current, while impedance is the opposition to AC current and includes both magnitude and phase information.

Q2: How does frequency affect capacitor impedance?
A: Capacitor impedance decreases as frequency increases - capacitors behave like open circuits at DC and short circuits at very high frequencies.

Q3: What are typical capacitor impedance values?
A: Impedance values vary widely depending on frequency and capacitance, ranging from very high (MΩ) at low frequencies to very low (mΩ) at high frequencies.

Q4: Why is the impedance formula complex?
A: The complex notation (j) indicates that the voltage and current are 90 degrees out of phase in an ideal capacitor.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for real capacitors?
A: This calculator provides the ideal impedance. Real capacitors also have equivalent series resistance (ESR) and equivalent series inductance (ESL) that affect their behavior.