Description
Return parallel-plate membrane capacitance.
Membrane electrical quantities distinguish total from area-specific properties, concentration ratios from activities and single-ion from multi-ion models. Local capacitance, current or potential terms require compatible sign, valence, temperature and unit conventions without themselves validating a biological membrane.
Return parallel-plate membrane capacitance.
When to use this tool
Use Membrane Capacitance Area Thickness Factor when evaluating the stated membrane, ionic or area-basis term.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter relativePermittivity, vacuumPermittivity, area, thickness. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read capacitance, capacitancePerArea. Use the output convention below.
Return parallel-plate membrane capacitance. Require positive relative/vacuum permittivity and thickness, area >= 0; capacitancePerArea = epsilonRelative*epsilonVacuum/thickness, capacitance multiplies area.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| relativePermittivity | Positive dimensionless relative permittivity. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| vacuumPermittivity | Supplied vacuum permittivity, F/m for SI capacitance. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| area | Area | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| thickness | Thickness | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| capacitance | Capacitance | Required. Finite number. |
| capacitancePerArea | Capacitance Per Area | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"relativePermittivity": 2,
"vacuumPermittivity": 8.85e-12,
"area": 0.01,
"thickness": 0.000001
},
"output": {
"capacitance": 1.77e-7,
"capacitancePerArea": 0.000017700000000000003
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Compatible SI inputs produce farads; the uniform dielectric geometry omits interfaces, frequency response and membrane complexity.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified concentrations, activities, geometry and electrical calibration with the appropriate complete membrane/channel model for physiological interpretation.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Membrane Capacitance Area Ratio
Return capacitance per membrane area.
- Membrane Time Constant Area Cancellation
Return membrane resistance, capacitance and area-independent time constant.