Re: New capacitor problem

[inet@intellisys.net (brian whatcott)]

At 10:12 AM 3/31/97, Prof. John P. Ertel (wizard) wrote:
> This is a common problem when students forget the "true" meaning of the
> elements of a formula.  The defining equation for the linear capacitor is
> 	Q = CV
> This can be read (and should be read) as the magnitude of the charge, Q,
> (the EFFECT) that resides on either plate of a capacitive device is
> directly proportional to the potential difference, V*, (the CAUSE) between
> the plates and the proportionality CONSTANT is the capacitance, C, of the
> device.
> ...
>                     / Prof. John P. Ertel \

This seems a little eccentric to me.
I prefer to say that charge may be stored in a capacitor.
The charge carrier is the electron.
The rate of charge  is the rate of electron flow in a conductor.
This rate is given as (a large number of) electrons flowing per second.
This unit is called the ampere.
The integral of this charge rate is given as I.t
It represents the accumulated charge.
Hence Q = I.t

An electric field may be used to deduce the amount of charge on a capacitor.
This charge may be represented by a 'condensed'  or reduced voltage, if the
 air dielectric is replaced by a dielectric of higher permittivity.

This sort of description makes no special appeal to' true' meanings, 'first' 
causes,
 and proportionality constants.

Regards
brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK