Capacitance &

Capacitors
By - SID Sir
\
Conductors
Conductors are materials that allow the flow of
electric charges through them. In conductors, the
charge carriers are free electrons. If some charge is
given to a conductor then the charges resides on the
surface of the conductor.

Example: Iron, Aluminum, Copper, Silver, Graphite,

etc.
Insulators
Insulators are materials that do not allow the flow of
electric charges through them. They do not have free
electrons. If some charge is given to the conductor
then the charges will remain fixed at that point. They
will not move to any other point.

Example: Rubber, Plastic, Wood, Saw Dust, Air, Pure

water, Glass etc.
Properties of Conductors
1. The net electric field inside a conductor is zero.
 
Let a conductor ABCD be placed in an
external electric field of intensity . As a
result of this, opposite charges are
induced on the conductor on either side.
These are called as induced charges.
These induced charges produce induced
an electric field , in a direction opposite
to that of as shown in the figure. The
values of & are equal in magnitude. So,
the net electric field inside the conductor
is zero.

Einside  0
Properties of Conductors
2. The net electric charge inside the conductor is zero.
 As we know that the net electric
field inside a conductor is zero

So, as E=0, ϕ =0.

According to Gauss Law,
qen
  qen   0  0
0
∴ This proves that the net electric charge
inside the conductor is zero.
Properties of Conductors
3. The total electric charge of a conductor resides its surface.

 
4. The electric field on the surface
of the conductor is

 σis the surface charge density of the

conductor andis the unit vector
perpendicular to the surface.

For σ > 0, electric field is normal to the

surface outward.

For σ < 0, electric field is normal to the

surface inward.
Properties of Conductors
5. The electric field just outside the conductor is perpendicular to
the conductor at each and every point of the conductor.

6. The electric potential is constant at each and every point of the

conductor (surface & inside).

7. The surface charge distribution may be different at different

points on the conductor.
Electrostatic Shielding
Electrostatic Shielding is the method of
protecting a region from the effect of
electric field. It is also called as
electrostatic screening.

This method is based on the principle that

the net electric field inside a conductor is
zero.
Dielectric Material
A dielectric material (dielectric for short) is an electrical insulator
that can be polarized by an applied electric field.

When a dielectric is placed in an electric field, electric charges do

not flow through the material as they do in a conductor, but only
get polarized. This is called as dielectric polarization.

The positive charges within the dielectric are displaced minutely

in the direction of the electric field, and the negative charges are
displaced minutely in the direction opposite to the electric field.

This slight separation of charge, or polarization, reduces the

electric field within the dielectric.
Dielectric Material
The positive charges  displaced  in the direction of field, & the
negative charges  displaced  opposite to direction of field.
This is as Polarization. It reduces the field within the dielectric.
Dielectric Material
The positive charges  displaced  in the direction of field, & the
negative charges  displaced  opposite to direction of field.
This is as Polarization. It reduces the field within the dielectric.
Dielectric Material - Types
Polar Dielectric Non - Polar Dielectric

Polar dielectrics are Non-polar dielectrics are

substances in which each substances in which each
molecule has some molecule has zero dipole
permanent electric dipole moment in its normal state.
moment in its normal state.
Example: hydrogen, oxygen,
Example: water, alcohol, benzene, methane, etc.
ammonia, hydrochloric acid,
etc.
Dielectric Material - Types
Polar Dielectric Non - Polar Dielectric
Some permanent electric Zero dipole moment in its
dipole moment in its normal normal state.
state.
Dielectric Polarization
The alignment of the dipole moments of the permanent or induced
dipoles with the direction of the applied electric field is called
Polarization.
Dielectric Polarization
Dielectric polarization is the term given to describe the behavior
of a material when an external electric field is applied on it. A
simple picture can be made using a capacitor as an example. The
figure below shows an example of a dielectric material in between
two conducting parallel plates.

Because of dielectric polarization,

The positive charges  displaced  in the direction of field, &
the negative charges  displaced  opposite to direction of field.

This creates an internal electric field that reduces the overall field
within the dielectric itself.
Dielectric Polarization
Dielectric Polarization
 
Let us now consider a non-polar
dielectric slab ABCD placed in an
electric field maintained between
two plates P and Q.

Let all its molecules are uniformly

polarized in the direction of .

Let the electric field inside the

dielectric due to the induced
charges be .

The direction of is opposite to that

of .
Dielectric Polarization
 Let
the electric field inside the dielectric due to the induced
charges be . The direction of is opposite to that of .
Dielectric Polarization
The net electric field in a polarized dielectric is = E = E0 - EP .
This is called as reduced electric field.
Dielectric Polarization
Polarisation is defined as the total dipole moment per unit volume
 

of the dielectric.  
P   e 0 E
 
Where E is a constant which depends on the nature of the material.
It is called as the electric susceptibility of the dielectric material.

Its value is the measure of how easily a material can be polarized.

Materials which have higher value of electric susceptibility are

easily polarizable.
Materials which have lower value of electric susceptibility are
less polarizable.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Strength is the maximum
value of electric field intensity that can
be applied to the dielectric without its
electric breakdown.

VBreak
EBreak 
d

When the external electric field applied

to a dielectric is very large, it tears the
atoms apart so that the bound charges
become free charges. Then the
dielectric starts to conduct electricity.
This is called dielectric breakdown.
Dielectric Strength
 Therelation between electric susceptibility (E) and the dielectric
constant (K) of the material is:

K  1  e
Electrical Capacitance
1st Definition
It is defined as the ability of a conductor to store electric charge or
energy.
2nd Definition
The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio between the
charge on the conductor to its potential.
Let q be the charges on a conductor & V be the potential, then we
know that,
q  V or q = CV
Where C is constant of proportionality called as the
Electrical capacitance or capacity of the conductor.

q
 C=
V
Electrical Capacitance
3rd Definition
The capacitance of a capacitor is the amount of charge that a
capacitor can store per unit of potential difference. That means if
V= 1 then C=q.
Capacitance - Points
1. Capacitance is a scalar quantity.
2. Its SI unit is farad (F). 1 farad =1 F = 1 CV−1.
3. 1 farad= stat farad. & 1 farad= abfarad.
1 2 4 2
4. Its dimensions are [M L T A ].
5. The value of capacitance is always positive.
6. The value of capacitance is independent of the value of charge
and potential of the capacitor.
7. The graph of charge vs potential is a straight line passing
through origin.
Capacitor
A capacitor is an arrangement of two conducting plates separated
by a non-conducting medium that it can store a large amount of
charge in a small space.
q
The capacitance of a capacitor is given by the formula  C = V
Capacitor
A capacitor is represented by symbol.

It is important to note that the value of capacitance is independent

if the values if q & V. Its value is constant for a particular
capacitor.

A capacitor is also called as a condenser.

Principle of Capacitor
The capacitor is based on the principle that when, when a
conductor at low potential (for ex. earthed) is brought near a
charged conductor, capacitance of the charged conductor
increases.
Capacitance of An Isolated Spherical
Conductor
Consider an isolated spherical conductor
having radius R. Let a charge q be placed at
its centre O.

The potential at any point on the surface of

the sphere is given by:
1 q
V
4  0 R
The capacitance of the spherical capacitor is
given by:
q q
C   4  0 R
V 1 q
4  0 R
Capacitance of An Isolated Spherical
Conductor
The capacitance of the spherical capacitor is
given by:
C  4  0 R

We can clearly see that; the capacitance of

the spherical capacitor is directly
proportional to its radius.

CR
Parallel Plate Capacitor
A parallel plate capacitor consists of two parallel conducting
plates separated by a small distance. These plates are given equal
and opposite charges
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Air Medium Between the Two Plates)
Consider a parallel plate capacitor with the
distance d between the plates & the area of
each plate be A.

Let the plate X be given a charge +q and the

plate Y be given a charge −q. So, the surface
charge density of plate X will be +σ & that of
plate Y will be −σ.
So, σ =q/A. ⸫ q = σA …1

The electric field between the plates X and Y

is given by:

E
0 …2
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Air Medium Between the Two Plates)
As the electric field is uniform, so potential
difference between the plates:

d
V  Ed 
0 …3
Now, the capacitance of the capacitor is
given by: (From Eq. 1, 2 & 3)
q A  A 0 0 A
C   
V d d d
0 0 A
C 
d
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Air Medium Between the Two Plates)

0 A
C 
d

From the above equation, we see that:

 The capacitance (C) of a parallel plate

capacitor is directly proportional to the
area of the plates(A)

 The capacitance (C) of the parallel plate

capacitor is inversely proportional to the
distance between the plates (d)
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
Consider a parallel plate capacitor with the t

distance d between the plates & the area of

each plate be A.

Let the plate X be given a charge +q and the EP

plate Y be given a charge −q.

So, the surface charge density of plate X will

E00
be +σ & that of plate Y will be −σ.
So, σ =q/A.

⸫ q = σA …1
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
t
Let a dielectric medium of dielectric constant
K & thickness t (t<d) be placed in the air gap
between the plates.

∴ The reduced magnitude electric field inside EP

the dielectric of thickness t is :
E0
Edi 
K …2
E00

The value of electric field in the air gap

remaining (thickness of d-t) is: E0.
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
So, the potential difference between the t

plates is:
V = Vair + Vdi
V = Eair . dair + Edi. ddi
EP
V = E0 . (d-t) + E . t

E0  t
V  E0 (d  t)  t  E0 (d  t)   …3
K  K E00

 q
We know that E0  
0 A 0 …4
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
t
Now, the capacitance of the capacitor is:

q q A 0
C  
V q  t  t
A 0 (d  t)  K  (d  t)  K  EP
   

A 0
C 
 t E00
(d  t)  K 
 
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
t
If the medium between the plates is
completely filled with dielectric then d=t. So,

C  KC0 EP

E00
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor
(With Dielectric Medium Between the Two Plates)
t
If the medium between the plates is
completely filled with dielectric then d=t. So,

C  KC0 EP

If the medium between the plates is

completely filled with a conducting material
K=∞. So C= ∞. E00
Energy Stored in A Charged Capacitor
Let at any instant the charge on the
capacitor be q. The potential difference
across the plates of the capacitor is: V
=q/C .
Now let an extra charge dq be given to the
capacitor then work has to be done to add
the extra charge.
Work done in transferring the charge dq is :

q
dW  Vdq  dq
C
Energy Stored in A Charged Capacitor
This work done is stored as the electric
potential energy of the capacitor.
The total electric potential energy of the
capacitor (U) is :
Q
1 q 
Q Q 2
q 1
U   dq   qdq   
0
C C0 C  2 0

Q2
U 
2C

This is the expression for the electrostatic

potential energy stored in the capacitor.
Energy Stored Capacitor - Points
The SI unit of electrostatic potential energy is J. Its dimensions are
 ML T 
2 2
 
This can be represented in other formats as:

Q 2 (CV)2 1 2
a. U   CV
2C 2C 2

1 2 1Q 2 1
b. U  CV  V  QV
2 2V 2
Energy Stored Capacitor - Points

a. The value of electric potential energy is directly proportional

to the square of the charge on it.
b. The value of electric potential energy is directly proportional
to the square of the potential difference.
c. The value of electric potential energy is the area under the
Q−V graph.
d. The value of the slope of the Q−V graph gives the
capacitance of the capacitor.
Energy Stored Capacitor - Points
a. Dielectric is introduced between the plates with battery
connected.
U  KU 0
Where K is the dielectric constant of the medium. This means
that capacitance will increase K times.
b. Dielectric is introduced between the plates with battery
disconnected. U
U 0
K
Where K is the dielectric constant of the medium. This
means that capacitance will decrease K times.
c. The total energy stored in either series or parallel or mixed
combination of capacitors is equal to the sum of the
energies stored in each capacitor.
U  U1  U 2  U 3  ...  U n
Electrostatic Energy Density in a
Parallel Plate Capacitor
Electrostatic Energy Density is defined as the energy stored per
unit volume of the space between the plates of a capacitor.
Consider a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C, distance d
between the plates & the area of each plate be A.

Let it be charged to a potential V.

So the energy stored in the capacitor will be:

1 2
U  CV
2 …1
Electrostatic Energy Density in a
Parallel Plate Capacitor
We know that,
0 A
C0  & V  Ed
d
…2

From Eq. 1 & Eq. 2, we get,

1
U  0 E Ad
2

2
U 1
  0 E2
Ad 2
Electrostatic Energy Density in a
Parallel Plate Capacitor
∴ Energy Stored per unit volume= Energy Density
1
U d  0 E2
2
1 1 
∴U    0 E.E
2
d 0
E
2 2

This expression represents the energy density or the energy

stored per unit volume of a capacitor. Its SI unit is Jm 3. Its

dimensions are  ML T 
 1 2
Important Points
When a dielectric medium of dielectric constant is introduced
between the plates then:
1
U d  K 0 E2
2
Important Points
When a dielectric medium of dielectric constant is introduced
between the plates then:

When a dielectric medium of dielectric constant is introduced

between the plates then:
1
U d  K 0 E2
2
Equivalent Capacitance

Equivalent Capacitance is that value of capacitance that can

replace a combination of capacitors by a single capacitor

Grouping of Capacitors in Series

Capacitors are said to be connected in series if the second plate

of one capacitor is connected to the first of another.

NOTE: For series connection: Charge remains constant,

potentials get added
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Series
Consider three capacitors having capacitances C1, C2 & C3 to be
connected in series.
In series grouping of capacitors, each capacitor is charged with
the same charge but different potentials depending on the
values of their capacitances.
Let the potential difference across the capacitor C1 be V1, C2 be
V2 and C3 be V3.
So q q q
V1  , V2  , V3 
C1 C2 C3
…1
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Series
Let the equivalent capacitance of the
combination of the capacitors in
series be Cs.
As the total potential difference
across the capacitors is

q
V,V 
Cs …2
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Series

The total potential difference V

across the grouping is:
V = V1+V2+V3
q

q q q
 
C s C1 C 2 C 3

From Eq. 1 & Eq. 2 
q  1 1 1 
 q    
Cs  C1 C 2 C 3 

1 1 1 1
  
C s C1 C 2 C 3
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Series
This expression represents the
equivalent capacitance of 3
capacitors connected in series.
If there are n number of capacitors
connected in series then their
equivalent capacitance is:

1 1 1 1
   ... 
C s C1 C 2 Cn
Grouping of Capacitors in Parallel

Capacitors are said to be connected

in parallel if the first plate of one
capacitor is connected to the first
plate of the other capacitor and the
second plate to the second.

NOTE: For parallel connection:

Potential remains constant, charges
get added.
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Parallel
Consider three capacitors having
capacitances C1, C2 & C3 to be connected in
parallel.
In parallel grouping of capacitors, each
capacitor is charged to the same potential
but different charge depending on the
values of their capacitances.
Let the charge on the capacitor C1 be q1, C2
be q2 and C3 be q3.
So q1  C1 V,q2  C2 V,q3  C3 V
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Parallel
Consider three capacitors having
capacitances C1, C2 & C3 to be connected in
parallel.
In parallel grouping of capacitors, each
capacitor is charged to the same potential
but different charge depending on the
values of their capacitances.
Let the charge on the capacitor C1 be q1, C2
be q2 and C3 be q3.
So q1  C1 V,q2  C2 V,q3  C3 V
…1
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Parallel

Let the equivalent capacitance of the

combination of the capacitors in parallel be
Cp.
As the total charge across the capacitors is

q,q  C p V
…2
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Parallel
The total charge q across the grouping is:
q  q1  q 2  q 3
Cp V  C1 V  C2 V  C3 V  From Eq. 1 & Eq. 2 
C p V  V  C1  C 2  C 3 

Cp  C1  C2  C3
Equivalent Capacitance of Capacitors
connected in Parallel
This expression represents the equivalent
capacitance of 3 capacitors connected in
parallel.
If there are n number of capacitors
connected in series then their equivalent
capacitance

Cp  C1  C2  ...  Cn
Electric Potential Energy
Let a positive test charge q0 be placed in an electric
 

field due to another positive charge Q. The force

acting on the test charge q0 is given by:
 
Fe = q0 E
Question - 01

A charge of 2 C moves between two plates

maintained at a potential difference of 1 volt.
What is the energy acquired by the charge?
Ans. Given:
: Charge =q = 2C
Pot. Diff. =V = 1V
Energy =U = ?
Value 4 =X = 4
Value 5 =Y = 5
Ans. Given: FORMULA TO USE
: Charge =q = 2C
Pot. Diff. =V = 1V
Energy =U = ?
Value 4 =X = 4
Value 5 =Y = 5
 Thank You
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