capacitance

[ kuh-pas-i-tuhns ]

noun

, Electricity.

1. the ratio of an impressed charge on a conductor to the corresponding change in potential.
2. the ratio of the charge on either conductor of a capacitor to the potential difference between the conductors.
3. the property of being able to collect a charge of electricity. : C

capacitance

/ kəˈpæsɪtəns /

noun

1. the property of a system that enables it to store electric charge
2. a measure of this, equal to the charge that must be added to such a system to raise its electrical potential by one unit

capacitance

/ kə-păs′ĭ-təns /

1. 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.
2. Compare inductance

Derived Forms

• caˈpacitively, adverb
• caˈpacitive, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of capacitance¹

First recorded in 1905–10; capacit(y) + -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of capacitance¹

C20: from capacit ( y ) + -ance

Example Sentences

When lactate binds to the sensor, it causes a change in the electrical signal -- or quantum capacitance -- of the carbon foam.

From Science Daily

The areal capacitance of the resulting MSC retains its original value even after stretching up to 1,000 cycles.

From Science Daily

These pulses cause the biomarkers to bind to the antibodies and alter the charge and capacitance over the electrode.

From Science Daily

This allowed them to measure two characteristics; internal resistance, which measures how much electrical current is impeded while trying to move through a battery, and capacitance, which is the ability to store electrical energy.

From Science Daily

The researchers analyzed thermodynamic parameters of the system such as binding energies, changes in capacitance, and molecular conformations and found that they played critical roles in optimizing the sensor's performance.

From Science Daily