capacitance
Americannoun
-
the ratio of an impressed charge on a conductor to the corresponding change in potential.
-
the ratio of the charge on either conductor of a capacitor to the potential difference between the conductors.
-
the property of being able to collect a charge of electricity. C
noun
-
the property of a system that enables it to store electric charge
-
a measure of this, equal to the charge that must be added to such a system to raise its electrical potential by one unit
-
A measure of the ability of a configuration of materials to store electric charge. In a capacitor, capacitance depends on the size of the plates, the type of insulator, and the amount of space between the plates. Most electrical components display capacitance to some degree; even the spaces between components of a circuit have a natural capacitance. Capacitance is measured in farads.
-
Compare inductance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of capacitance
First recorded in 1905–10; capacit(y) + -ance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When lactate binds to the sensor, it causes a change in the electrical signal -- or quantum capacitance -- of the carbon foam.
From Science Daily ● May 22, 2024
The researchers found that capacitance generally increased linearly with length between 10 and 60 cm, after which gains in capacitance slowed significantly as length increased.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2024
This allowed them to measure two characteristics; internal resistance, which measures how much electrical current is impeded while trying to move through a battery, and capacitance, which is the ability to store electrical energy.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2024
A parallel plate capacitor must have a large area to have a capacitance approaching a farad.
From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015
A fixed condenser of the exact capacitance required for connecting across the head phones is mounted in a base fitted with binding posts, as shown at B, and costs 75 cents.
From The Radio Amateur's Hand Book by Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
