Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Lesson 4.1
Capacitors
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 4

Capacitors and Capacitance 4
Capacitance Calculations 6
Parallel-Plate Capacitors 6
Cylindrical Capacitors 7

Key Points 15

Key Formulas 16

Check Your Understanding 18

Challenge Yourself 20

Photo Credit 20

Bibliography 21

Key to Try It! 21

Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Lesson 4.1

Capacitors

Introduction
The photo above shows camera flashes. It is being attached to a camera to produce a
sudden burst of light in case the camera requires more light for a good image to be
produced. Inside these flashes are capacitors. These capacitors operate through an
indispensable electronic concept called the capacitance. Many other equipment in our daily
lives such as televisions, radios, power conditioning units, and microphones employ this
mechanism, too. Switching between channels in your TV, taking photos using a digital
camera, or tuning between the stations of a radio are all made partly possible by materials
called capacitors. In this lesson, we will look closely on the nature and characteristics of
capacitors and discover how they enable the storage of electrical energy.

4.1. Capacitors 1
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Learning Objectives DepEd Competencies

In this lesson, you should be able to do the ● Deduce the effects of simple
capacitors (e.g. parallel,
following:
spherical, cylindrical) on the
● Explain the concept of capacitance. capacitance, charge, and
potential difference when the
● Determine the capacitance present in
size, potential difference, or
a given capacitor. charge is changed

● Calculate values of unknown variables (STEM_GP12EMIIId-23).

● Solve problems involving
in problems that relate to
capacitors in contexts such as,
parallel-plate, cylindrical, and but not limited to, charged
spherical capacitors. plates, electroscopes, batteries,
camera flashlamps, Geiger
counters, and coaxial cables
(STEM_GP12EMIIId-24).

Warm Up
Capacitor Lab 5 minutes
This PhET simulation will allow you to explore the different effects of changing the potential
difference across a capacitor, the area of its plates, and their separation distance on the
capacitance of a system.

Material
● laptop, tablet, or smartphone

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Procedure
1. Choose the “Capacitance” tab. A screenshot of the simulator is presented in Fig.
4.1.1.

Fig. 4.1.1. Capacitance lab simulator

Capacitor Lab: Basics

PhET, “Capacitor Lab: Basics,”
https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/capacitor-lab-basics/late
st/capacitor-lab-basics_en.html, last accessed on March 20,
2020

2. Tick all four options: Plate Charges, Bar Graph, Electric Field, and Current Direction.
Then, connect the capacitor to the battery. Set the variables below to their
corresponding values:
2.1. Capacitance: 0.07 pF
2.2. Plates’ Separation Distance (d): 12 mm
2.3. Area of Plates (A): 120 mm2

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

3. Connect the voltmeter across the capacitor and slowly increase the voltage in the
battery until it reaches 1.5 volts. Let the separation distance and area of plates
remain constant. Observe its effects on the system’s capacitance, potential
difference, charge, and electric field.

Guide Questions
1. What happened to the charge on the plates when you increased the voltage to 1.5 V?
2. What happened to the system’s capacitance?
3. What conclusions can you deduce about capacitance and its relationship to its
variables?

Learn about It!

Capacitors and Capacitance

How does a capacitor make the storage of

electrical energy possible?

A capacitor is a material which is made of two conductors separated by either vacuum or

an insulator, and where electrical energy may be stored. The capacity to store energy is
made possible by charging the capacitor with electrons that move between two
conductors, whose charges are positive and negative, respectively, and are both of equal
magnitude. The conducting plate that is positively charged with +Q has greater potential
than the negatively-charged plate. The amount of charge that a particular conductor can
store is referred to as capacitance. Capacitance is expressed through the SI unit called
farad (F), which is also equivalent to 1 coulomb per volt.

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Fig. 4.1.2. Parallel-plate capacitor

Did You Know?

The unit for capacitance, which is called the farad, was named in
honor of the British scientist Michael Faraday.

Capacitors come in many forms, shapes, and sizes, the most typical of which is a
configuration of parallel plates, as shown in Fig. 4.1.2. This capacitor is composed of two
parallel conducting plates with a given area (A) between a separation distance (d). In circuit

diagrams, a capacitor is signified by the symbol or . The conductors are

represented by either the straight or curved vertical lines. The horizontal lines, on the other
hand, show the wires attached to each end of the conductor and these wires are then
connected to the terminals of a battery every time a capacitor is being charged. As soon as
the battery has been detached, the opposite charges q and –q provides a voltage VAB
between the two conductors.

What is a capacitor and how does a capacitor

work?

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Capacitance Calculations
Recall from your previous lesson that conductors are considered equipotential surfaces;
thus, any point in a capacitor’s two conductors contain the same electric potential.
Nonetheless, voltage, or potential difference exists in the system. In a capacitor, the
charge q and the voltage are directly proportional to each other and are
mathematically expressed through the equation:

Equation 4.1.1

where q is the magnitude of the charge, C is the proportionality constant or “capacitance,

and is the potential difference between the conductors.

Through this, we may also view the concept of capacitance as the amount of charge
necessary to put forth a particular voltage between two conducting plates. Hence, as the
value of the capacitance becomes larger, a greater charge is also needed.

The capacitance, denoted by the proportionality constant C, is determined according to the

shape of the capacitor. Gauss’s law will prove to be considerably useful in determining the
appropriate symmetry applicable for each geometry. Let us explore how this is made
possible.

Parallel-Plate Capacitors
In the case of parallel-plate capacitors, the magnitude of the electric field is determined
using Gauss’s law, i.e., by dividing the surface charge density (or amount of charge per
unit length) on each plate to the permittivity constant . This is also equivalent to the net
charge Q present on each conducting plate divided by the area A. Therefore,

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Since the value of capacitance is determined according to the shape of the capacitor, it is
always directly proportional to the area of the conducting plate and inversely proportional
to the separation distance between two conducting plates. Recall that the general equation
for capacitance can be derived from Equation 4.1.1. For parallel-plate capacitors, the

potential difference is determined by the equation . Incorporating this relation

to Equation 4.1.1, we can assign a Gaussian surface to enclose a positive charge q on one of
the plates, and thus determine the capacitance by:

Equation 4.1.2

where C is the proportionality constant or “capacitance” in the parallel-plate capacitor, is

the permittivity of free space, with a constant value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m, and is the
potential difference between the conductors.

Cylindrical Capacitors

Fig. 4.1.3. Cylindrical capacitor

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Recall that for cylindrical symmetries, a coaxial charge distribution is present. In this case,
the capacitance will depend solely on the length L and the radii ra and rb of the cylindrical
capacitor. Thus, the capacitance is expressed as capacitance per unit length, and is given
by:

Equation 4.1.3

where C is the proportionality constant or “capacitance” in the cylindrical capacitor, is the

permittivity of free space, with a constant value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m, L is the length of the
cylindrical capacitor, rb is the radius of the outer cylinder, and ra is the radius of the inner
cylinder.

Spherical Capacitors

Fig. 4.1.4. Spherical capacitor

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Here, two spherical conducting shells separated by a vacuum form a spherical capacitor.
The electric potential at any given point between the two shells is determined by

; thus, the potential difference between them may be calculated as follows:

By using a Gaussian surface, such as the one shown in Fig. 4.1.4, the electric field and
potential between the two conducting concentric spheres are similar to the field and
potential present outside the conducting sphere with charge q. We then substitute this
relation for potential difference between two spheres to the general equation for

capacitance , and solve the capacitance of a spherical capacitor, as follows:

Equation 4.1.4

where C is the proportionality constant or “capacitance” in the spherical capacitor, is the

permittivity of free space, with a constant value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m, rb is the radius of the
outer sphere, and ra is the radius of the inner sphere

How do we determine the capacitance of

parallel-plate, cylindrical, and spherical
capacitors?

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Table 4.1.1. Units of measurements related to capacitance

Symbol Unit

Capacitance C F farad

Charge q C coulomb

Potential
V volt
Difference

Permittivity of
Free Space farad per meter
(constant)

Separation
Distance between d m meter
Two Conductors

Length of Cylinder L m meter

Radius r m meter

Did You Know?

Recall from your previous lessons that the unit for the constant

permittivity of free space is . Here, however, the unit has

been used. This distinction may be bridged by the derivation that
follows:

4.1. Capacitors 10
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Remember
Never confuse capacitance and coulombs. Capacitance is expressed
in farads (F) and is symbolized by the italicized capital letter C. C, on
the contrary, is an abbreviation for coulombs and is not italicized.

All the equations provided above are only applicable for calculating
the capacitance of capacitors in a vacuum, i.e., when conductors are
separated by vacuum or empty space.

Let’s Practice!

Example 1
Calculate the capacitance of two parallel plates of a capacitor with a separation distance of
1.5 mm and with an area of 2.0 ✕ 108 m2.

Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to solve the capacitance of the parallel-plate capacitor.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The separation distance (d), 1.5 mm, and the area, 2.0 ✕ 108 m2, are given.

Step 3: Write the working equation.

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Step 5: Find the answer.

Thus, the capacitance of the parallel-plate capacitor is 1.18 F.

1 Try It!
Calculate the capacitance of two parallel plates of a capacitor with a separation
distance of 5.0 mm and with an area of 4.5 ✕ 108 m2.

Example 2
Solve the potential difference of a battery connected to a capacitor that consists of two
parallel plates with an area of 2.0 cm2 and a separation distance of 2.0 mm. Suppose that
the charge present on the two plates is equal to 4.0 picocoulombs.

Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to calculate the potential difference of a battery connected to a
parallel-plate capacitor.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The separation distance 2.0 mm, the area 2.0 cm2, and the charge 4.0 pC are
given.

Step 3: Write the working equations.

To solve the potential difference, we must first identify the value of the capacitance
given by:

4.1. Capacitors 12
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Use the equation below to solve for the potential difference.

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

Step 5: Find the answer.

Thus, the potential difference of the battery attached to the parallel-plate capacitor is
equal to 0.045 V.

2 Try It!
Calculate the potential difference of a battery connected to a capacitor consisting of
two parallel plates with an area of 1.75 cm2 and a separation distance of 4.33 mm.
Suppose that the charge present on the two plates is equal to 2.67 picocoulombs.

Example 3
A spherical-shaped capacitor has a charge equivalent to 3.30 nanocoulombs when
connected to a battery that has a voltage of 220 V. Suppose the two shells of the spherical
capacitor are 4 centimeters apart, what are the capacitance and the radius of the inner
sphere?

4.1. Capacitors 13
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Solution
Step 1: Identify what is required in the problem.
You are asked to calculate the capacitance of the spherical conductor, as well as
the radius of its inner sphere.

Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.

The charge 3.30 nC, the potential difference (voltage) of the battery 220 V, and the
separation distance between the two conducting shells 4 cm are given.

Step 3: Write the working equations.

To solve the capacitance of the spherical conductor, use the equation:

To solve the radius of the inner sphere, derive ra from the equation

, as follows:

Step 4: Substitute the given values.

Solve the value of the capacitance.

Plug in the given values to the derived equation for ra.

Step 5: Find the answer.

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Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Thus, the capacitance of the spherical conductor is 1.5 ✕ 10-11 F and the radius of the
inner sphere is 0.0309 m.

3 Try It!
A spherical-shaped capacitor has a charge equivalent to 4.45 nanocoulombs when
connected to a battery that has a voltage of 220 V. Suppose the two shells of the
spherical capacitor are 5.34 centimeters apart, what are the capacitance and the
radius of the inner sphere?

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● A capacitor is a material which is made of two conductors separated by either

vacuum or an insulator, and where electrical energy may be stored.
● The capacity to store energy is made possible by charging the capacitor with
electrons that move to and fro two conductors whose charges are positive and
negative, respectively, and are both of equal magnitude.
● The amount of charge that a particular conductor can store is what is referred to as
capacitance. Capacitance is expressed through the SI unit called farad (F), which is
also equivalent to 1 coulomb per volt.
● Gauss’s law may be used to determine which symmetry is most applicable to solve
the capacitance in a system. The three major geometries of capacitors include:
parallel-plate, cylindrical, and spherical symmetries.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

4.1. Capacitors 15
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Key Formulas
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Concept Formula Description

Capacitance Use this formula to solve

(General Equation) capacitance when the
magnitude of the charge
where and potential difference are
● C is capacitance; given.
● q is the magnitude of the
charge, and
● ΔV is the potential
difference between the
conductors.

Capacitance of Use this formula to solve

Parallel-Plate the capacitance of
Capacitors parallel-plate capacitors.
where
● C is the capacitance in the
parallel-plate capacitor;
● 𝜀0 is the permittivity of free
space, with a constant
value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m,
and
● ΔV is the potential
difference between the
conductors.

4.1. Capacitors 16
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Capacitance of Use this formula to solve

Cylindrical the capacitance of
Capacitors cylindrical capacitors.
where
● C is the capacitance in the
cylindrical capacitor;
● 𝜀0 is the permittivity of free
space, with a constant
value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m;
● L is the length of the
cylindrical capacitor;
● rb is the radius of the outer
cylinder, and
● ra is the radius of the inner
cylinder.

Capacitance of Use this formula to solve

Spherical the capacitance of
Capacitors where spherical capacitors.
● C is the capacitance in the
spherical capacitor;
● 𝜀0 is the permittivity of free
space, with a constant
value of 8.85 ✕ 10–12 F/m;
● rb is the radius of the outer
sphere, and
● ra is the radius of the inner
sphere.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

4.1. Capacitors 17
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify whether each of the following statements is true or

false.

______________ 1. A capacitor stores electrical energy.

______________ 2. In a capacitor, the charge q and the voltage are

directly proportional to each other.

______________ 3. The potential difference between two conducting plates is

referred to as capacitance.

______________ 4. The capacitance in a parallel-plate capacitor may be solved

using the equation .

______________ 5. The two conductors that comprise a capacitor must at all

times be both positively-charged.

______________ 6. The capacitance in a cylindrical capacitor may be solved

using the equation .

______________ 7. As the value of the capacitance becomes larger, a greater

charge is also needed.

______________ 8. The capacitance in a spherical capacitor may be solved

using the equation .

______________ 9. One farad is equivalent to 1 coulomb per meter.

4.1. Capacitors 18
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

______________ 10. The charges present in the conductors of a capacitor must

always be of equal magnitude.

B. Answer the questions that follow.

1. A battery with a potential difference of 40 V is attached to a parallel-plate

capacitor that stores 315.0 𝜇C of charge. What is the capacitor’s capacitance?
2. How much charge is stored in each of the plates of a capacitor with 4.5 ✕ 10-6 F
if it is connected to a battery with 15 volts?
3. If two plates of a capacitor are separated by a distance of 2.15 mm, what is the
area of the two plates if the capacitance has a value of 2 F?
4. Solve the separation distance between two plates with an area of 0.3 m2 if the
capacitance is equal to 6.8 nF.
5. What is the capacitance of a capacitor that stores 15.3 𝜇C when it is connected
to a battery that has 5.5 V?
6. A 7.5-cm capacitor has two cylinders with inner and outer rings of radii 2.7 cm
and 5.2 cm, respectively. Calculate the capacitor’s capacitance.
7. A cylindrical capacitor with a length of 82.2 mm has two concentric rings with
an outer radius of 10 cm and an inner radius of 5 cm. What is its capacitance?
8. When a capacitor of cylindrical geometry was provided with a charge of 0.55
nC, a voltage amounting to 220 V was measured between the two cylinders.
What is its capacitance?
9. Consider a spherical-shaped capacitor formed by two shells with radii 0.5 m
and 0.7 m, respectively. Determine its capacitance.
10. A spherical capacitor has a charge equivalent to 3.30 nanocoulombs when
connected to a battery that has a voltage of 220 V. What is its capacitance?

4.1. Capacitors 19
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following questions. Provide mathematical

proofs wherever necessary.

1. Recall your lessons on Gaussian and equipotential surfaces, as well as the

polarization of charges in conductors under electrostatic equilibrium. Infer the
location of the charges present in the conductors of a capacitor.

For items 2-5, consider the following situation:

Suppose a battery has been charged such that its potential difference is constant. Once
the capacitor has been charged maximally, the battery will be removed from the circuit.

2. What will happen to the charge if the plates will be moved closer together?
3. What will happen to the capacitance in the system?
4. What will happen to its potential difference?
5. Recall your past lessons on potential difference and electric field. Infer what will
happen to the electric field of the system after the battery has been removed.

Photo Credit
Flash - Speedlight - SLR Flash - Studio picture 2011 by Bill Ebbesen is licensed under CC
BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

4.1. Capacitors 20
Unit 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Bibliography
Hewitt, Paul G. 2010. Conceptual Physics (11th ed). New York: Pearson Education.

Holt, R., Serway, R., & Faugn, J. (2006). Physics. Holt McDougald. Austin, TX.

Macalalad, E. P. and Vergara, R. L. 2011. Exploring the Realms of Science: Physics. Valenzuela
City: JO-ES Publishing House, Inc.

Vincent P. Coletta. Physics Fundamentals. Physics Curriculum & Instruction, Inc.: 2010.

Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2011). Fundamentals of physics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Key to Try It!

1. 0.797 F
2. 7.46 V
3. 0.0413 m

4.1. Capacitors 21