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JEE Main 2026 Preparation: Question Papers, Solutions, Mock Tests & Strategy Unacademy » JEE Study Material » Physics » Dimensional Formula and Unit of Capacitance

Dimensional Formula and Unit of Capacitance

Capacitance is a defined property of the set of conductors that is measured based on the amount of electric charge it can store per unit change in electrical potential.

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The term capacitance was simultaneously invented by Ewald Georg von Kleist, a Prussian scientist, and van Musschenbroek, a Dutch physicist Pieter. Both scientists found that the electricity released by the electrostatic machine can be stored for a desired period and can then be released. 

With the data obtained from their experiments, a device named ‘Leyden Jar’ was made. With the advent of technology, Leyden Jar was later converted into a newly modified device called a capacitor. The structure of the capacitor can be compared to a sandwich. The primary working of the capacitor is to store the produced energy. The capacitor has two plates separated by a dielectric material in the form of conducting product. The Dimensional Formula of capacitance is explained below. 

The measure of how much separated electric charge can be stored on an electric conductor, or set of conductors, per unit change in electrical potential is called ‘Capacitance’. A potential difference is established between two initially unequally charged conductors when an electric charge is transferred between them. A positive conductor becomes equally charged, and the negative conductor becomes similarly charged. Capacitance is calculated by dividing the amount of the charge q between either conductor by the potential difference V between the conductors, or C = q/V. 

Capacitance Unit

The unit of electrical capacitance is Farad(F). This name is given after the name of Scientist Micheal Faraday. The formula of capacitance is C= Q/U, where Q refers to charge, C capacitance, and U applied to dc voltage. 

The capacitance of an alternating current (ac) capacitor is defined by the alternating current flowing when an alternating voltage U is applied to its impedance Z:

In the following formula, Z = U/I where Z = 1/(jωC) ⇒ C = I/( jωU)

(j2 = -1) and ω is the angular frequency.

Therefore, it holds for both direct and alternating current:

If F is equal to 1 As/V, then it is equal to 1 s/Ω

Commonly used capacitance standards are invar and fused-silica parallel-plate capacitors because they have low dissipation factors, among other advantages.

What is the dimensional formula of capacitance? 

Physical quantities are expressed in terms of their basic units with proper dimensions. The dimensional formula is used to represent them.

The Dimensional formula of capacitance is  [ M-1L-2T4 I2]

What is the dimensional formula theoretically?

This formula is formed by capacitance = charge ×Voltage–1

What is Self Capacitance?

Self-capacitance refers to the process of one-plate coupling with the ground. The self-capacitance of any plate tends to change when touched by a finger. By measuring this self-capacitance change, you can determine how far a finger is from the sensor. Many buttons, sliders, and wheels (BSW) sensors use self-capacitance.

Even though self-capacitance can be used to manufacture a sensor that works through touch, it has several drawbacks. Using indirect measurement, a method was invented to determine the coil’s self-capacitance. Based on the measurement results, the self-capacitance and self-inductance of the coil are calculated from the resonant frequencies of the LC circuit with two different external capacitors.

What is Mutual capacitance?

When it comes to mutual capacitance methodologies, transparent arrays of indium tin oxide (InSbO2) are deposited on glass or other transparent insulators with the rows on one side and the columns on the other. The mutual capacitance is Q2/V1 = C21. The ratio is negative because the field lines always end on the opposite polarity charges. Mutual capacitance is sometimes called parasitic or leakage capacitance.

Stray Capacitance

Capacitance is not only limited to capacitors. An electric field is generated when two surfaces are at different electric potentials and close enough to generate an electric field. Any two surfaces with capacitance will act as capacitors and generate an electric field. This unintended capacitance can adversely affect the normal current flow within a circuit (between conductive runs or component leads) and is called stray capacitance. The designers of circuits try to minimise the stray capacitance on their circuits. To do this, they keep the leads of electronic components as short as possible and group components in a way that minimises capacitance coupling. One example of this is a freshly manufactured inducer, where the leads are typically quite long when bought from a manufacturer.

Conclusion

Circuits containing electrical or electronic components require capacitors to provide the capacitance needed. There is a wide variety of capacitor forms, each with its characteristics. In addition to having different form factors and electrical performance properties, the physical capacitors may be surface mount or traditional led. Capacitors come in many different varieties. Despite capacitance being a universal measure, different capacitors are different regarding maximum current, frequency response, size, voltage, stability, tolerance, etc. Depending on the application, certain capacitor types are more suitable than others to accommodate these parameters. In this chapter, we learned about capacitors, Dimensional formula of capacitance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the JEE Examination Preparation.

Capacitance affects discharge rate; how

Ans. As the charge is lost, the voltage decreases rapidly, slowing the discharging rate as the current become...Read full

What are some ways to increase a capacitor's capacitance?

Ans. Parallel Plate Capacitors can have higher capacitance by increasing the p...Read full

How is dimension and Dimensional formula different?

Ans.  It is an expression in which dime...Read full

What are the effects of capacitance on a circuit?

Ans. Therefore, as the frequency of the voltage source increases, a capacitor ...Read full

Ans. As the charge is lost, the voltage decreases rapidly, slowing the discharging rate as the current becomes smaller. In the beginning, the current is large because the voltage is large, and therefore the charge is lost quickly. As the charge is lost, the voltage decreases, making the current smaller, slowing the discharge rate.

 

Ans. Parallel Plate Capacitors can have higher capacitance by increasing the plate’s surface area, reducing the separation between the plates, and using materials with higher breakdown strength.

Ans.  It is an expression in which dimensions of a physical quantity are expressed in terms of fundamental quantity. The  Dimensional formula is a way of representing the dimension of fundamental quantity.

Ans. Therefore, as the frequency of the voltage source increases, a capacitor lets more current flow. The circuit with a capacitance can allow AC to flow. When a capacitor is used in an AC circuit, its apparent resistance is lower than its DC resistance.

 

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