Question

Difficulty: MediumCapacitors

Match each capacitor specification or parameter with its correct electrical description.

  • DielectricThe insulating material between conductive plates that prevents direct charge transfer and establishes permittivity.
  • Working Voltage (WVDC)The maximum continuous direct-current potential difference that can be applied without causing dielectric breakdown.
  • Capacitive Reactance (XCX_C)The frequency-dependent opposition a capacitor presents to alternating current.
  • Farad (FF)The base unit of electrostatic capacity representing one coulomb of stored charge per volt of potential difference.

Answer

Dielectric matches the insulating material between conductive plates; Working Voltage (WVDC) matches the maximum continuous direct-current potential difference before breakdown; Capacitive Reactance matches the frequency-dependent opposition to alternating current; and Farad matches the base unit of electrostatic capacity storing one coulomb per volt.
Each capacitor term corresponds to its fundamental physical or operational definition: the dielectric is the insulating layer, working voltage is the maximum safe direct voltage before breakdown, capacitive reactance is the frequency-dependent opposition to alternating current, and the farad is the SI unit representing charge storage per volt.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the physical insulating component inside a capacitor.
The dielectric is the insulating material placed between conductive plates that establishes permittivity and prevents direct conduction.
Capacitors store energy in an electrostatic field across an insulator, which is termed the dielectric.
2
Identify the maximum safe operating voltage parameter.
Working Voltage (WVDC) indicates the maximum continuous direct voltage the component can withstand without dielectric puncture.
Exceeding this rating causes dielectric breakdown, arcing, and component destruction.
3
Identify the parameter defining AC opposition.
Capacitive Reactance (XCX_C) is the opposition offered to alternating current, calculated as XC=12πfCX_C = \frac{1}{2\pi f C}.
Capacitors impede alternating current depending inversely on the signal frequency and capacitance value.
4
Identify the primary electrical unit of capacitance.
The Farad (FF) is the standard unit of capacitance, where 1 F=1 C/V1\text{ F} = 1\text{ C/V}.
Capacitance (CC) equals stored electrostatic charge (QQ) divided by the voltage difference (VV).

Key Concept

Capacitor Construction, Ratings, Units, and AC Behavior
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question