capacitance

ca·pac·i·tance  (k-ps-tns)

n.

1. Symbol C The ratio of charge to potential on an electrically charged, isolated conductor.

2. Symbol C The ratio of the electric charge transferred from one to the other of a pair of conductors to the resulting potential difference between them.

3.

a. The property of a circuit element that permits it to store charge.

b. The part of the circuit exhibiting capacitance.

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[capacit(y) + -ance.]

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ca·paci·tive (-tv) adj.

ca·paci·tive·ly adv.

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capacitance

Noun

Physics

1. the ability of a capacitor to store electrical charge

2. a measure of this

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capacitance  (k-ps-tns)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	capacitance - an electrical phenomenon whereby an electric charge is stored electrical capacity, capacity electrical phenomenon - a physical phenomenon involving electricity
	2.	capacitance - an electrical device characterized by its capacity to store an electric charge capacitor, condenser, electrical condenser bypass capacitor, bypass condenser - a capacitor that provides low impedance over certain (high) frequencies circuit, electric circuit, electrical circuit - an electrical device that provides a path for electrical current to flow electrical distributor, distributer, distributor - electrical device that distributes voltage to the spark plugs of a gasoline engine in the order of the firing sequence electrical device - a device that produces or is powered by electricity electrolytic, electrolytic capacitor, electrolytic condenser - a fixed capacitor consisting of two electrodes separated by an electrolyte Leiden jar, Leyden jar - an electrostatic capacitor of historical interest trimming capacitor, trimmer - capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments