Let's talk about choosing capacitors! Imagine capacitors as tiny batteries that can store and release electricity very quickly. They're super important in making our boards work properly.

What is a Capacitor?

A capacitor is a fundamental electronic component that stores and releases electrical energy. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material called a dielectric. Here's a simple breakdown of how a capacitor works:

• Structure: Two conductive plates (usually metal) separated by a non-conductive material (dielectric)
• Function: Stores electrical charge when voltage is applied
• Charge storage: Positive charge on one plate, negative on the other
• Energy release: Quickly discharges stored energy when needed

Capacitors are used in various applications, from smoothing power supplies to timing circuits and filtering signals. They come in different types, sizes, and capacities to suit various electronic needs.

One way to think about capacitors is by comparing them with batteries. Batteries are much larger in capacity but take longer to charge, have a nearly constant voltage output (1.5V batteries for example), and are much less powerful (Less wattage). This is all assuming similar-sized capacitors.

Capacitor Sizes: E Series and 125 Series

Capacitors come in different sizes, just like your clothes! We use special number series to pick the right sizes:

• E Series: These are like t-shirt sizes (S, M, L, XL). We have E3, E6, E12, E24, E48, E96, and E192.
• 1-2-5 Series: This is a special set of numbers (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100...) that helps engineers pick capacitor values easily. It covers a decade (1:10 ratio) in three steps, with adjacent values differing by factors of 2 or 2.5.

Uses of Capacitors

Capacitors are versatile components with a wide range of applications in electronic circuits. Here are some of the key uses:

1. Energy Storage

The most basic function of a capacitor is to store electrical energy.

• Power supplies: Smoothing out voltage fluctuations