How To Make A Battery With Capacitors

A capacitor is an electrical component that consists of a pair of conductors separated by an insulator. A voltage applied across the conductors creates an electrical field in the capacitor, which stores energy. A capacitor operates like a battery in that, if a potential difference is applied across it that can cause a charge greater than its "present" charge, it will be charged up. Should the opposite happen, the capacitor will release a charge.

Step 1

Determine what kind of battery to use to pass a potential difference across the capacitor. This depends on the voltage rating of the capacitor; the maximum voltage of the battery used should be equal to the capacitor's voltage rating.

Step 2

Wire the circuit to charge the capacitor: Connect one end of the battery holder to the switch, which is open in the up position.

Step 3

Attach a resistor to the other end of the switch. The resistor prevents the capacitor from being charged too quickly.

Step 4

Connect one end of the capacitor to the resistor and the other end of the capacitor to the battery holder.

Step 5

Connect the multimeter wiring to both ends of the capacitor and set the multimeter to read "voltage."

Step 6

Connect the battery to the battery holder and close the switch. View the voltage reading on the multimeter; this is the voltage passing across and charging the capacitor. The capacitor is now charged, like a battery.