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Lucila
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LucilaLevel 1
Asked: February 1, 20202020-02-01T17:23:17+00:00 2020-02-01T17:23:17+00:00In: Energy

What is the difference between batteries and capacitors?

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What is the difference between batteries and capacitors?

A battery is a device which transforms chemical energy into electricity to supply a static power charge.

A capacitor, on the other hand, is an electronic component used to store electrostatic energy in an electrical field.

Would capacitors be able to replace batteries?

batteriescapacitorsdifference between
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    2 Answers

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    1. Emilio Level 2
      2020-02-01T18:12:36+00:00Added an answer on February 1, 2020 at
      This answer was edited.

      Both capacitors and batteries perform the same duty of storing and releasing energy. However, the functioning of the capacitor and the battery differ significantly.

      Major differences between capacitors and batteries

      Capacitor

      Potential energy storage

      The potential energy is stored in the electrical field.

      Working principle

      Once the voltage is applied across the capacitor terminals, it begins storing energy within.

      Size

      The size of the capacitor is comparatively large as compared to the batteries for the same capacity rating.

      Type of device

      It is a passive electronic component, consisting of two conductive plates and an insulator (dielectric) between them.

      Energy density

      The capacitor energy density is lower than that of a battery.

      Charging and discharging

      The charging and discharge rates of the capacitor are quicker than a battery because it directly transfers energy to the plates.

      Voltage

      In the discharging process, the voltage decreases rapidly.

      Composition

      A capacitor consists of thin sheet metals which are held close to each other or isolated by an insulator.

      Life span

      The capacitor does not run for a longer time. 

      Applications

      They are extensively used in pulsed applications for load sharing, in motor starters, as power back-up for most of the memory functions in various products.

      Batteries

      Potential energy storage

      The potential energy is stored in the form of chemical energy which is eventually transformed into electricity.

      Working principle

      Battery works on the basis of a chemical reaction called an oxidation-reduction response.

      Size

      The battery size is small compared to a capacitor for the same charging capacity.

      Type of device

      The battery is an active component (storage and release energy). It is made of metal plates called Anode (positive terminal) & Cathode (negative terminal) & an electrolyte.

      Energy density

      It has greater energy density than a capacitor.

      Charging and discharging

      The rates of charging and discharge are comparatively slower due to the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy.

      Voltage

      It delivers a constant voltage while discharging.

      Composition

      The composition of batteries is generally metals and chemicals.

      Life span 

      Batteries can run for a longer time.

      Applications

      Their uses are mostly found for emergency power, in robots and automobiles, local energy storage or in submarines.

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    2. Elizebeth Level 1
      2020-02-02T19:16:05+00:00Added an answer on February 2, 2020 at

      Capacitors are also called condensers which is an old term. Although the energy storage mechanisms are the same for both batteries and condensers, the main difference is how these tasks are performed.

      • Batteries store electrical energy in chemicals forms whereas capacitors mostly store electrical energy in the form of electric charge.
      • The main function of a battery is to supply electrical power to a device or load. While a capacitor mainly charges and unloads, it first takes power from a device and then supplies the circuit with energy.
      • The polarity of the power circuit must be reversed if a battery is to be charged, but there is no need to reverse polarity for capacitor charging.
      • Batteries cannot be used for power factor improvement as compared to capacitors.
      • Batteries only operate on DC, which means batteries can only store DC and also supply voltage in DC, but the capacitors may be used both in AC and in DC. 
      • Batteries can hold a charge for longer periods so that they can be used as a primary energy storage medium. Although a capacitor retains the charge for a shorter period of time, this means that it cannot be used as the primary energy storage medium. 
      • Capacitors have a high level of leakage compared to batteries. 
      • Batteries are more temperature-sensitive than capacitors. 
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