PHY 102: Chapter 3

Capacitance & Dielectric

Capacitor and Capacitance:

Any two conductors separated by an insulator (or a vacuum) form a capacitor.
In most practical applications, each conductor initially has zero net charge and electrons are
transferred from one conductor to the other; this is called charging the capacitor. Then the two
conductors have charges with equal magnitude and opposite sign, and the net charge on the capacitor
as a whole remains zero.
In circuit diagrams a capacitor is represented by either of these symbols:

Figure 1: Symbol of Capacitor

The electric field 𝐸 at any point in the region between the conductors is proportional to the magnitude
𝑄 of charge on each conductor. It follows that the potential difference 𝑉 between the conductors is
also proportional to 𝑄.
The ratio of charge to potential difference is constant and is called capacitance C of the capacitor.

𝑄
𝐶= … … … … (1)
𝑉
The SI unit of capacitance is called one farad (1 F), one farad is equal to one coulomb per volt (C/V).
𝐶
1 𝐹 = 1 𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑 = 1 = 1 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏/𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡
𝑉

Uses of capacitors:
1. To establish strong electric fields within a small space.
2. To store electrical energy and use it at intervals.
3. It blocks the flow of direct current and allows the flow of an alternating current.
4. In radio and television receivers and transmitter circuits, capacitors are used as a producer of
oscillations and for coupling in power supply units.
5. To reduce voltage fluctuations and to provide time delays.

Parallel Plate Capacitor:

The simplest form of capacitor consists of two parallel conducting plates. The parallel plate capacitor
consists of two conducting plates parallel to each other and separated by a small distance. When the
plates are charged, the electric field is almost completely localized in the region between the plates
(Fig. 2). We call this arrangement a parallel-plate capacitor.

Let the plates are in vacuum and area be 𝐴, separation be d and charges be 𝑄.

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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

From Gauss’s law,

𝑄
∮ 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆 =
𝜀0
𝑄
𝑜𝑟, ∮ 𝐸𝑑𝑆 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = ∮ 𝐸𝑑𝑆 𝑐𝑜𝑠90 = 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑆 =
𝜀0
𝑄
𝑜𝑟, 𝐸𝐴 = [∮ 𝑑𝑆 = 𝐴]
𝜀0
𝑄 𝜎
∴𝐸= = … … … … … . . (2)
𝜀0 𝐴 𝜀0
𝑄
𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝜎 =
𝐴
Now the potential difference
𝑄𝑑
𝑉 = 𝐸𝑑 = … … … … … . . (3)
𝜀0 𝐴
Hence, Capacitance
𝑄 𝑄
𝐶= =
𝑉 𝑄𝑑
𝜀0 𝐴
𝜀0 𝐴
∴𝐶= … … … … . (4)
𝑑 Figure 2: A charged parallel plate capacitor

Capacitance is depend on physical properties of capacitor (area and

separator).

Capacitors in Series:
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a series connection. Two
capacitors are connected in series (one after the other) by
conducting wires between points a and b. Both capacitors are
initially uncharged. When a constant positive potential difference
V is applied between points a and b, the capacitors become
charged; the figure shows that the charge on all conducting plates
has the same magnitude.

We can write the potential differences between points a and c, c

and b, and a and b as

𝑄 𝑄
𝑉𝑎𝑐 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉𝑐𝑏 =
𝐶1 𝐶2
𝑄 𝑄 1 1
𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉𝑎𝑐 + 𝑉𝑐𝑏 = + = 𝑄 ( + ) … … . (5)
𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶1 𝐶2

The equivalent capacitance 𝐶𝑒𝑞 of the series combination is defined

as the capacitance of a single capacitor for which the charge Q is
Figure 3: Two capacitors in series
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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

the same as for the combination, when the potential difference V is the same. And equivalence
capacitance,

𝑄
𝐶𝑒𝑞 =
𝑉
𝑄
∴𝑉= … … … … … … . (6)
𝐶𝑒𝑞
Comparing (5) and (6)

1 1 1
∴ = + … … … … (7)
𝐶𝑒𝑞 𝐶1 𝐶2

We can extend this analysis to any number of capacitors in series. We find the following result for
the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance:

1 1 1 1 1
= = + + + ⋯……………
𝐶𝑒𝑞 𝐶𝑆 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶3

The reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance of a series combination equals the sum of the reciprocals
of the individual capacitances.

Capacitors in Parallel:
The arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is called a parallel
connection. Two capacitors are connected in parallel between
points a and b. In this case the upper plates of the two
capacitors are connected by conducting wires to form an
equipotential surface, and the lower plates form another. Hence
in a parallel connection the potential difference for all
individual capacitors is the same and is equal to 𝑉𝑎𝑏 = 𝑉.

Now, the charges in each capacitors,

𝑄1 = 𝐶1 𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄2 = 𝐶2 𝑉

The total charge Q of the combination, and thus the total

charge on the equivalent capacitor, is Figure 4: Two capacitors in parallel

𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄1 = (𝐶1 + 𝐶2 )𝑉
𝑄
∴ = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 … … … … . . (8)
𝑉

The parallel combination is equivalent to a single capacitor with the same total charge 𝑄 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄1
and potential difference V as the combination (Fig. 4). The equivalent capacitance 𝐶𝑒𝑞 of the
combination,

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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

𝑄
𝐶𝑒𝑞 = … … … … … … . (9)
𝑉
Now combining (8) and (9)
𝐶𝑒𝑞 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 … … … . (10)

In the same way we can show that for any number of capacitors in parallel

𝐶𝑒𝑞 = 𝐶𝑃 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3 … … … … … ….

The equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination equals the sum of the individual capacitances.

Energy of a Charged Capacitor:

The electric potential energy stored in a charged capacitor is just equal to the amount of work required
to charge it—that is, to separate opposite charges and place them on different conductors. When the
capacitor is discharged, this stored energy is recovered as work done by electrical forces.

We can calculate the potential energy U of a charged capacitor by calculating the work W required
to charge it. Suppose that when we are done charging the capacitor, the final charge is 𝑄 and the final
potential difference is 𝑉. Now the capacitance,
𝑄
𝐶=
𝑉
𝑄
∴ 𝑉 = … … … … . (11)
𝐶

Let q and v be the charge and potential difference, respectively, at an intermediate stage during the
𝑞
charging process; then 𝑣 = 𝐶 . At this stage the work dW required to transfer an additional element of
charge is dq is
𝑞𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝑊 = 𝑣𝑑𝑞 = … … … … … (12)
𝐶
[∴ 𝑊 = 𝐹𝑑 = 𝑞𝐸𝑑 = 𝑞(𝐸𝑑) = 𝑉𝑞]
The total work W needed to increase the capacitor charge q from zero to a final value Q is

𝑊
1 𝑄 𝑄2
𝑊 = ∫ 𝑑𝑊 = ∫ 𝑞𝑑𝑞 =
0 𝐶 0 2𝐶
𝑄2
∴𝑊=𝑈= … … … … … . (13)
2𝐶

This is also equal to the total work done by the electric field on the charge when the capacitor
discharges. Then q decreases from an initial value Q to zero as the elements of charge dq “fall”
through potential differences v that vary from V down to zero.
Again, energy can be represented by various format,
1 𝑄2 1 2 1
𝑈= = 𝐶𝑉 = 𝑄𝑉 … … … … … … (14)
2 𝐶 2 2
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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

Electric-Field Energy Density:

Energy stored per unit volume in the space between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor is called
energy density.
1 2
𝑈 𝐶𝑉
𝑢 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = =2 … … … … … . (15)
𝐴𝑑 𝐴𝑑

Now the capacitance and electric filed of a parallel plate capacitor is

1 2 1 𝜀0 𝐴
𝐶𝑉 (𝐸𝑑)2 𝜀0 𝐴
𝑢= 2 = 2 𝑑 [𝐶 = , 𝑉 = 𝐸𝑑]
𝐴𝑑 𝐴𝑑 𝑑
1
∴ 𝑢 = 𝜀0 𝐸 2 … … … . (16)
2

Although we have derived this relationship only for a parallel-plate capacitor, it turns out to be valid
for any capacitor in vacuum and indeed for any electric field configuration in vacuum.

Dielectric:
Most capacitors have a non-conducting material, or dielectric, between their conducting plates. A
common type of capacitor uses long strips of metal foil for the plates, separated by strips of plastic
sheet such as Mylar.

1. It solves the mechanical problem of maintaining two large metal sheets at an extremely small
separation but without actual contact.
2. Any dielectric material when subjected to a sufficiently large electric field, experiences
dielectric breakdown, which permits conduction through a material which was supposed to
insulate. Many insulating material can tolerate stronger electric field without breaking.
3. The capacitance of a capacitor of given dimension is larger when there is dielectric material
between the plates than when the plates are separated by air or vacuum.

This effect can be shown by considering a parallel plate capacitor with charge ‘Q’ and potential
difference is 𝑉0. When a sheet of dielectric is inserted between the plates the potential difference is
found to decrease to a smaller value 𝑉. When the dielectric is removed, the potential difference returns
to its original value, showing the original charges on the plates have not been affected by insertion of
the dielectric.
The original capacitance,
𝑄
𝐶0 = … … … … … . (17)
𝑉0

And due to insertion of dielectric, the capacitance is,

𝑄
𝐶 = … … … … … … … . (18)
𝑉

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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

Since ‘𝑄’ remains same, and 𝑉 < 𝑉0 ; it shows, 𝐶 > 𝐶0 . The

ratio of 𝐶 𝑡𝑜 𝐶0 is called the dielectric constant.
𝐶
𝐾=
𝐶0
Since 𝐶 > 𝐶0, therefore 𝐾 > 1[𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙]

Now, with vacuum (or air), between the plates the electric field

𝑉0
𝐸0 = … … … … … … . (19𝑎)
𝑑
Again for parallel plate capacitor from Gauss law
𝑄
𝐸0 𝐴 =
𝜀0
𝑄 𝜎 𝑄
𝐸0 = = [ 𝜎 = ] … … … … . (19𝑏)
𝐴𝜀0 𝜀0 𝐴

From (19a) and (19b)

𝑉0 𝜎
𝐸0 = = … … … . . (19𝑐) Figure 5: Capacitor with dielectric
𝑑 𝜀0

The observed reduction in potential difference due to insertion of dielectric implies a reduction in the
electric field which implies a reduction in the charge per unit area. Since no charge has leaked off the
plates, such a reduction could be caused only by induced charges of opposite sign appearing in the
two surfaces of dielectric. That is, the dielectric surface adjacent to the positive plate must have an
induced negative charge and adjacent the negative plate an induced positive charge of equal
magnitude.

If 𝜎𝑖 is the magnitude of induced charge per unit area on the surfaces of the dielectric, then the net
surface charge on each side is (𝜎 − 𝜎𝑖 ). Then ‘E’ in the dielectric is,

𝑉 𝜎 − 𝜎𝑖
𝐸= = … … … … . . (20)
𝑑 𝜀0
But,
𝑄
𝐶 𝑉0 𝐸0 𝜎
𝐾= = 𝑉 = = =
𝐶0 𝑄 𝑉 𝐸 𝜎 − 𝜎𝑖
𝑉0
𝜎
𝑜𝑟, 𝐾 =
𝜎 − 𝜎𝑖
𝜎
𝑜𝑟, 𝜎 − 𝜎𝑖 =
𝐾
𝜎
𝑜𝑟, 𝐸𝜀0 = [𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (20)]
𝐾
𝜎 𝜎
∴𝐸= =
𝜀0 𝐾 𝜀
Where 𝜀 = 𝜀0 𝐾, is called permittivity of the dielectric.
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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

Any dielectric material, when subjected to a sufficiently strong electric field becomes a conductor, a
phenomenon known as dielectric breakdown. The maximum electric field a material can withstand
without the occurrence of breakdown is called the dielectric strength. The dielectric strength for dry
air is about 0.8 × 106 𝑉/𝑚 , for plastic and ceramic materials is, 107 𝑉/𝑚 . We can find the
maximum voltage without dielectric breakdown as,

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐷𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑡 × 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠

Capacitance and Dielectric [Chapter 27]

1. A parallel plate air capacitor has a capacitance of 0.001F (a) what potential difference is required
for a charge of 0.5C on each plate? (b) What is the total stored energy? (c) If the plates are separated
by a distance 1.0mm, what is the area? (d) If the charge is kept constant what will be the potential
difference if the separation is doubled? (e) How much work is required to double the separation?
[500 V, 1.25 × 10−4 𝐽, 0.113 m2, 1000 V, 2.5 × 10−4 𝐽]

2. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 5 mm apart and 2 m2 in area. The plates are in vacuum. A
potential difference of 10,000V is applied across the capacitor. Compute (a) the capacitance (b) the
charge in each plate and (c) the electric field in the space between them. [(a) 3.54 ×
10−9 𝐹 (𝑏) 3.54 × 10−5 𝐶, (𝐶) 20 × 105 𝑉/𝑚]

3. A parallel plate air capacitor is made using two plates of area 0.2m2, spaced 1.0cm apart. It is
connected to a 50V battery. (a) What is the capacitance? (b) What is the charge on each plate? (c)
What is the electric field between the plates? (d) What is the energy stored in the capacitor? [177
pF, 53.1 × 10−8 𝐶, 3 × 105 𝑉𝑚−1 , 2.21 × 10−3 𝐽]

4. A 1.0F capacitor and a 2.0F capacitor are connected in series across a 1200V supply line. (a) Find
the charge and voltage across each (b) The charged capacitor is disconnected from the line and from
each other, and reconnected the terminals of like sign together. Find the final charge on each and
voltage across each.[(a) 800 𝜇𝐶, 800V; 800 𝜇𝐶, 400V (b) 533 𝜇𝐶, 533V, 1067 𝜇𝐶, 533V]

5. Three capacitors having capacitances 8 F, 8F, and 4F are connected in series across a 12V line (a)
Find the charge and voltage across each capacitor (b) The charged capacitors are disconnected from
the line and from each other, and reconnected the terminals of like sign together. Find the final
charge and voltage across the capacitors. [(a) 24 × 10−6 𝐶, 3V, 3V, 8V (b) 28.8 𝜇𝐶, 28.8 𝜇𝐶, 14.4 𝜇𝐶,
3.6V]

6. How many 1.00 F capacitors must be connected in parallel to store a charge of 1.00 C with a
potential of 110 V across the capacitors? [9100]

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 PHY 102: Chapter 3

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