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WHAT ARE CAPACITORS? REVISION CARDS | ||
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INTRODUCTION - CAPACITORS Capacitors are components that are used to store an electrical charge. They are often used in timer circuits. A capacitor may be used with a resistor to produce a timer. Timers are found in a large range of electronic devices Sometimes capacitors are used to smooth the current in a circuit, as they can prevent false triggering of other components such as relays. |
ELECTROLYTIC CAPACITORS Electrolytic capacitors are ‘polarised’, which means they have a positive and negative lead and must be positioned in a circuit the right way round (the positive lead must go to the positive side of the circuit). They have a much higher capacitance than non-electrolytic capacitors. |
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CERAMIC CAPACITORS Non-electrolytic capacitors usually have a low capacitance compared to electrolytic capacitors. They are not polarised (do not have a positive and negative lead) and can be placed anyway round in a circuit. They are normally used to smooth the current (flow of electricity) in a circuit, so that the circuit works without faults occurring. |
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QUESTIONS | ||
1. In general, why are capacitors often found in circuits.? 3 marks | ||
2. How do electrolytic and ceramic capacitors differ ? 4 marks | ||
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