[Actual] Difference and Similarities Between Battery and Capacitor

The main difference between Battery and Capacitor is Battery store electrical energy in the form of chemical energy whereas the Capacitor store electrical energy in the form of electrical charge. The similarity between Battery and capacitor is, both of them can store electrical energy. In this article, you will find other important differences between the capacitor and Battery in detail. You will also find the similarities between Capacitor and Battery.

Here, you can see the venn diagram between Battery and Capacitor.

Similarities Between Battery and Capacitor

1. As I told before the main similarity between Battery and Capacitor is, the battery can store electrical energy and the capacitor also can store electrical energy.

2. Another important similarity between the capacitor and battery is, both of them have a series resistance. I mean to say internal resistance.

3. Both of them can create a potential difference across the other electrical components such as a resistor.

4. A typical battery has two terminals and a typical capacitor also has two terminals.

 A charged battery can cause to flow current within a closed circuit. Similarly, a charged capacitor also can cause to flow current within a closed circuit.

Difference Between Battery and Capacitor

There are many important differences between Capacitor and Battery. First of all, let's know the constructional difference then we will see the other differences.

Constructional Difference Between Battery and Capacitor

Here we talking about lead-acid battery. As you see in the above figure, the construction of the battery is shown. A battery is made by connecting no. of cells in series and parallel. As you see in the above figure, each cell has two plates, a positive plate, and a negative plate. The positive and negative plates are separated by separator or insulator. The total arrangement(two plates with a separator) is immersed in the mixture of Sulphuric Acid and distilled water. Different types of battery has diffrent constructions.

As you see in the above figure, the construction of the electrolytic capacitor is shown. The capacitor has two conductive plates one is Positive plate and another is negative plate. A dielectric material is used between the two plates of the capacitor. There are different types of capacitor each has different construction but all the capacitors have two plates or electrodes in which they store electrical energy in the form of charge.

Other important differences between Battery and Capacitor are given below.

Battery VS Capacitor

Battery	Capacitor
Battery store electrical energy in the form of chemical energy.	Capacitor store electrical energy in the form of electrical charge.
The charging and discharging rate of a battery are very slow.	The charging and discharging rate of a Capacitor are very fast.
Generally, a battery gives constant voltage during discharging.	In capacitor voltage rapidly decrease during the discharging time.
The main function of a battery is to provide electrical energy to a circuit or load.	The main function of a Capacitor is charging and discharging, that means first it takes energy from a circuit then it releases energy to the circuit.
The battery is an Active device.	The capacitor is a Passive component.
When a battery is to be charged, then the polarity of the power circuit must be reversed.	There is no need reversal of polarity for the charging of the capacitor.
The battery cannot be used for Power Factor improvement.	The capacitor can be used for Power Factor Improvement.
A battery cannot be used for filtering application.	A capacitor can be used for filtering application.
Battery always works on DC, that means the battery can store only DC and also gives voltage in DC.	Capacitor can be used in AC as well as DC.
The battery has a limited life cycle.	The capacitor has a long life cycle.
Battery more temperature sensitive than the capacitor.	Capacitor less temperature sensitive than the battery.

Read Also:

• [Explained] Current and Voltage required to charge a Battery
• What is the Meaning of mAh in Battery? Explained
• [Main] Difference between Cell and Battery Explained
• Why mobile phone or cell phone battery has more than two terminal?
• Float, Trickle, Boost Charging Difference and Examples

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