Final answer:
The total energy (E) stored in a capacitor is given by \( \frac{1}{2} CV^2 \), \( \frac{Q^2}{2C} \), or \( \frac{QV}{2} \), where C is capacitance, V is voltage, and Q is charge. The energy is calculated in joules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total energy stored in a capacitor which has a capacitance C, voltage V, and charge Q, can be described using the equation:
E = \( \frac{1}{2} CV^2 \)
This equation calculates the energy in joules for a given capacitance in farads and voltage in volts. Alternatively, the energy can also be expressed as:
E = \( \frac{Q^2}{2C} \)
using the charge in coulombs and the capacitance in farads. Lastly, if we consider the charge Q and voltage V, the energy can be represented as:
E = \( \frac{QV}{2} \)
Note that the energy is not simply QV, but QV divided by 2, representing the internally stored potential energy.