1. What is Capacitor Impedance?

The impedance (Z) of a capacitor is the total opposition it presents to alternating current (AC). It combines both resistance and reactance, and is frequency-dependent. For a pure capacitor, the impedance is purely reactive.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the capacitor impedance formula:

Where:

• \( Z \) — Impedance (ohms, Ω)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts, V)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes, A)
• \( \omega \) — Angular frequency (radians per second, rad/s)
• \( C \) — Capacitance (farads, F)
• \( j \) — Imaginary unit (√-1)

Explanation: The calculator computes the magnitude of the impedance from the voltage and the calculated current through the capacitor.

3. Importance of Impedance Calculation

Details: Calculating capacitor impedance is essential for designing AC circuits, filters, and understanding frequency response in electronic systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, angular frequency in rad/s, and capacitance in farads. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between impedance and resistance?
A: Resistance opposes DC current, while impedance opposes AC current and includes both resistive and reactive components.

Q2: Why does capacitor impedance decrease with frequency?
A: Higher frequencies allow the capacitor to charge/discharge more quickly, effectively making it "easier" for current to pass through.

Q3: What is the phase relationship in a capacitor?
A: Current leads voltage by 90° in an ideal capacitor.

Q4: How does capacitance affect impedance?
A: Larger capacitance results in lower impedance at a given frequency, as more current can flow for the same voltage.

Q5: What happens at DC (ω = 0)?
A: The impedance becomes infinite - capacitors block DC current once fully charged.