Difference between Capacitor and Battery

What is a capacitor?

A capacitor stores electric charge in an electric field and consists of two metallic plates separated by a dielectric medium. The dielectric medium can be made of materials such as paper, electrolytes, mica, tantalum, etc.

What is a battery?

A battery is a component that supplies energy to a circuit. It can be charged by applying voltage across it and stores energy for later use.

What is the difference between a capacitor and a battery?

There are several key differences between a capacitor and a battery:

1. Energy Storage:

• Capacitor: Stores potential energy in an electric field.
• Battery: Stores energy in the form of chemical energy.

2. Energy Release:

• Capacitor: Releases stored energy when the supply is switched off.
• Battery: Delivers energy to the load even after the supply is disconnected.

3. Active/Passive Component:

• Capacitor: Passive component that stores and releases energy.
• Battery: Active component that delivers current to the load.

4. AC/DC Usage:

• Capacitor: Used in AC circuits to block DC components.
• Battery: Can be charged with a DC supply and undergoes chemical reactions.

5. Discharge Rate:

• Capacitor: Discharges quickly due to a lesser time constant and low resistance.
• Battery: Discharges exponentially and takes longer to discharge.

6. Charging and Discharging Time:

• Capacitor: Charges and discharges quickly, typically in 1-10 seconds.
• Battery: Charging and discharging time is slower, taking about 1-2 hours.

7. Life Cycle and Cost:

• Capacitor: Longer life cycle (around 30,000 hours) and higher cost.
• Battery: Shorter life cycle (around 500 hours) and lower cost.

8. Specific Power:

• Capacitor: Higher specific power (around 10,000 W/kg).
• Battery: Lower specific power (ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 W/kg).

9. Temperature Range:

• Capacitor: Operates in a temperature range of -10 to 65 degrees Celsius.
• Battery: Operates in a temperature range of 0 to 45 degrees Celsius.

10. Size:

• Capacitor: Larger in size compared to a battery.

Please note that these differences highlight the general characteristics of capacitors and batteries, but specific types and designs may have variations in their properties and applications.