2

CAPACITORS & DIELECTRIC

CHAPTER

CHAPTER OUTLINE

2.1 Capacitance and Capacitors in

Series and Parallel
2.2 Charging And Discharging of
Capacitors
2.3 Capacitors with Dielectric

Questions & Answers

Exercises
Overview Chapter 2 : Capacitors & Dielectric

2.1 : Capacitance & Capacitors

In Series & Parallel
(a) Define & Use (b) Derive & (c) Derive & use
Capacitance. Determine the energy stored in
𝑸 effective capacitance capacitor.
𝑪= in series & parallel. 𝟏 𝟐
𝑽 𝑼=
𝟐
𝑪𝑽

𝟏
𝑼 = 𝑸𝑽
𝟐
𝟏 𝑸𝟐
𝑼=
𝟐 𝑪
Overview Chapter 2 : Capacitors & Dielectric

2.2 : Charging & Discharging of

Capacitors
(a) State the (b) Sketch and (c) Use (d) Determine
physical explain the 𝒕
−𝑹𝑪 the time
𝑸 = 𝑸𝟎 𝒆
meaning of a characteristic of constant of RC
time constant. Q – t and I –t for discharging and circuit.
𝒕

𝝉 = 𝑹𝑪 graph for 𝑸 = 𝑸𝟎 𝟏 − 𝒆−𝑹𝑪

for
charging & charging.
discharging
capacitors.
Overview Chapter 2 : Capacitors & Dielectric

2.3 : Capacitors with Dielectric

(a) Define (b) Describe (c) Calculate (d) Use (e) Use
dielectric the effect of of dielectric capacitance
constant. dielectric in a capacitance constant. with
𝜺 parallel plate air-filled dielectric.
𝜺𝒓 = capacitor. parallel plate
𝜺𝟎 𝜺
capacitor. 𝜺𝒓 =
𝜺𝟎 𝑪 = 𝜺𝒓 𝑪𝟎
𝜺𝟎 𝑨
𝑪𝟎 =
𝒅
2.1 Capacitance and Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Capacitor
(Condenser)

A device that is Consist of two Uses: Photo-

capable of conducting flash, on-off
storing electric plates separated switches,
charges or by a small air gap smoothen
electric or a thin direct current
potential insulator (d.c) voltages
energy (dielectric) such
as mica, ceramics
or even oil
 Capacitance, C – Measurement of the
ability of capacitor to store charges
the ratio of the charge on either plate to the
potential difference between them. Scalar quantity,
Q Unit: CV– 1 or F
C Q  CV
V

The charges stored, 1 farad, F = the charge

When the The greater of 1 coulomb stored on
capacitance of Q is directly capacitance of a each of the conducting
a capacitor, C is proportional to the plates as a result of a
potential difference,
capacitor, the
constant, potential difference of 1
V across the more charge is volt between the two
Q V conducting plates required plates
 The magnitude of the charge Q on each plate is the
same.

Q  Q1  Q2  Q3

+Q1 The potential difference across each capacitor C1, C2

C1,V1 QI and C3 are V1,V2 and V3 respectively

V Q1 Q Q2 Q Q3 Q
+Q2 V1   V2   V3  
C2,V2
Q2 C1 C1 C2 C2 C3 C3

+Q3 The total potential difference V is given by

C3,V3 Q3 Q Q Q
V  V1  V2  V3   
C1 C 2 C3

Where V  1  1  1 and V  1
Q C1 C 2 C3 Q Ceff
V +Q capacitors 1 1 1 1 1
Ceff,     ... 
V Q in series Ceff C1 C 2 C3 Cn
 The potential difference across each capacitor
is the same as the supply voltage (V)
V  V1  V2  V3

V +Q1 +Q2 +Q3 V +Q

Q2 Q3
QI Ceff,
Q
C1,V1 C2,V2 C3,V3 V

The charges stored by each capacitor C1,C2 and C3 are Q1,Q2 and Q3 respectively

Q1  C1V1  C1V ; Q2  C2V2  C2V ; Q3  C3V3  C3V

The total charge Q on the effective capacitor is given by

Q  Q1  Q2  Q3  C1V  C 2V  C3V
where
For
Q Q
 C1  C 2  C3 and V  Ceff capacitors Ceff  C1  C 2  C3  ...  C n
V in parallel;
Example 2.1

Calculate the total capacitance in (a), (b) and (c).

Example 2.2 : Tutorial Session

Determine the potential difference across and charges

on capacitors X, Y and Z.
Solution: From Q = CV, hence the
potential difference,
CY and CZ are in parallel; 𝑄
𝑉𝑋 = =4𝑉
CYZ = CY + CZ = 3 x 10-6 F 𝐶𝑋
Capacitors Y and Z are in
𝐶𝑥 and 𝐶𝑦𝑧 are in series; parallel, so VY = VZ
1 1 1 1 Thus ; V = VX + VY
= + =
𝐶𝑋𝑌𝑍 𝐶𝑋 𝐶𝑌𝑍 5 × 106 VY = 12 – 4 = 8 V
CXYZ = 5 x 10-6 F VZ = 8V

Total charge, For capacitor Y,

Q = CXYZV = 2.4 x 10-5 C 𝑄𝑦 = CYVY = 8 x 10-6 C
For capacitor X, For capacitor Z,
𝑄𝑥 = 2.4 x 10-5 C
𝑄𝑧 = CZVZ = 1.6 x 10-5 C
Exercise 2.1

Determine the
effective capacitance
of the configuration
shown in Figure .
All the capacitors are
identical and each has
a capacitance of 2 F.

30
Ans : Ceff  μF
11
Exercise 2.2

In Figure , C1= 100 F, C2 =

200 F and C3 = 300 F. The A C1
applied potential difference C2
between points A and B is D
VAB = 8.0 V. Calculate C3
(a) the charge on each B
capacitor
(b) the potential difference
across each capacitor
(c) the potential difference Q3  Q12  Q  1200 μC
between points A and D.
V1  V2  V3  4.0 V
VAD  V12  4.0 V
2.1(c) Energy stored in a charged capacitor, U

• The total work W required to

• When a switch in circuit increase the accumulated charge
closed, charges begin to from zero to Q is given by
accumulate on the plates W Q
Q
• A small amount 0 dW  0 C dQ
of work (dW) is done in dQ
bringing a small amount of   1 Q2
  U W 
charge (dQ) from the   2 C
battery to the capacitor
• This is given by 1
Q U  CV 2
dW  VdQ and V  2
V
C
Q 1
dW  dQ U  QV
C 2
Exercise 2.3
Figure shows a combination of three capacitors where C1= 100
F, C2 = 22 F and C3 = 47 F. A 20 V
20 V
supply is connected to the combination.
Determine
(a) the effective capacitance in the circuit, C1
(b) the charge stored in the capacitor C1,
(c) the potential difference across the C2 C3
capacitor C2,
(d) the energy stored in the capacitor C3,
(e) the area of the each plate in capacitor C1 if the distance
between two plates is 0.02 m and the region between
plates is vacuum.
(Permittivity of free space, 0 = 8.85  1012 C2 N1 m2)
Exercise 2.4

Consider the circuit shown in figure, where

𝐶1 = 50 F, 𝐶2 = 25 F and V = 25.0 V.
Capacitor 𝐶1 is first charged by S1 S2
closing a switch 𝑆1 . Switch 𝑆1 is
then opened, and then the C1 C2
charged capacitor is connected V
to the uncharged capacitor 𝐶2 by
closing a switch 𝑆2 .
Calculate the initial charge acquired by 𝐶1 and
the final charge on each capacitor.
 Extra Work 1

Given 0 = 8.85  1012 C2 N1 m2

1. Four capacitors are connected as shown in figure .
Calculate
(a) the equivalent capacitance
between points a and b,
(b) the charge on each capacitor if
Vab=15.0 V.

(Physics for scientists and engineers,6th

edition,Serway&Jewett, Q21, p.823)
ANS: 5.96 F; 89.5 C on 20 F, 63.2 C
on 6 F, 26.3 C on 15 F and on 3 F
 Extra Work 1

2. Determine the equivalent capacitance between

points a and b for the group of capacitors
connected as shown in figure. 1

Take C1 = 5.00 F, C2 = 10.0

F and C3 = 2.00 F.

ANS: 6.04 F
 Extra Work 1

3. An electronic flash unit for a camera contains a capacitor of capacitance 850 F.
When the unit is fully charged and ready for operation, the potential difference
across the plates is 330 V.
(a) What is the magnitude of the charge on each plate of the fully charged
capacitor?
(b) Calculate the energy stored in the “charged-up” flash unit.
(Physics,3rd edition, J.S Walker, Q59, p.692)
ANS: 0.28 C; 46 J
4. A parallel-plate capacitor has plates with an area of 405 cm2 and an air-filled gap
between the plates that is 2.25 mm thick. The capacitor is charged by a battery to
575 V and then is disconnected from the battery.
(a) How much energy is stored in the capacitor?
(b) The separation between the plates is now increased to 4.50 mm. How much
energy is stored in the capacitor now?
(c) How much work is required to increase the separation of the plates
from 2.25 mm to 4.50 mm? 19
(Physics,3rd edition, J.S Walker, Q60, p.692)
ANS: 2.63  105 J; 5.27  105 J; 2.63  105 J
2.2 Charging and Discharging of Capacitor

Charging Discharging
Charging a Capacitor

Time constant, 
• Scalar quantity
• Unit: s
• A measurement of
how quickly the
capacitor charges
or discharges

  RC

21
Potential Difference Across Charging Capacitor

• The voltage V across the

capacitor, increase from •  is defined as the time
zero at t = 0 to maximum required for the capacitor to
values V0 after a very long reach (1 e1) = 0.63 or 63% of
time. its maximum voltage.

Q Q0   
t

V  1  e RC 
V0
V
C C  

Q0
0.63V0 and  V0
C
 
t

V  V0 1  e RC 
 
0 τ  RC time, t  
Charge on Charging Capacitor

• The charge Q across the capacitor, •  is defined as the time required for the
increase from zero at t = 0 to maximum capacitor to reach (1 e1) = 0.63 or 63%
values Q0 after a very long time of its maximum charge

Q
 
t

Q0
Q  Q0 1  e RC 
 
0.63Q0  

and Q0  CV0
0 τ  RC time, t
 Current In Resistor

• the current drops exponentially in

time constant  •  is defined as the time
required for the current drops
to 1/e = 0.37 or 37% of its
initial value(I0)
I 
t

I0
I  I 0e RC

V0
and I 0 
R
Q0: maximum charge
0.37 I 0 V0: maximum (supply) voltage
I0: maximum current
0 τ  RC time, t R: resistance of the resistor
C: capacitance of the capacitor
 Discharging a Capacitor

Charge on capacitor Current through resistor

The negative sign indicates that as the
Q capacitor discharges, the current
direction opposite its direction when
I the capacitor was being charged

Q0 0
τ  RC time, t
0.37 I 0
0.37Q0
0 τ  RC I0
time, t
t t
 
Q  Q0 e RC
I   I 0e RC
Potential Difference (Voltage) Across Discharging Capacitor
Discharging: V-t, Q-t & I-t graph
• the charge Q, the voltage V
V and the current I is seen to
decrease exponentially in
time constant 
V0 •  is defined as the time
required for the charge on
0.37V0 the capacitor (or voltage
across it or current in the
0 τ  RC time, t resistor) decreases to 1/e
= 0.37 or 37% of its initial
t
 value
V  V0 e RC
Example 2.3 : Tutorial Session

In the RC circuit shown in figure , the battery has

fully charged the capacitor. At time t = 0 s, a
switch S is thrown from position a to b. The a
battery voltage V0 is 12.0 V and the capacitance S R
C = 3.00 F. The current I is
observed to decrease to 0.45
of its initial value in 60 s. V0 b
Determine ; C
(a) the value of R.
(b) the time constant, 
(c) the value of Q, the charge on the capacitor
at t = 0.
(d) the value of Q at t = 100 s
 V0  12.0 V; C  3.00  10 6 F; I  0.45 I 0 ; t  60  10 6 s
Solution:
(a) By applying the equation of current for discharging process;
t

I  I 0e RC
6010 6

0.45 I 0  I 0 e  R 3.0010 6 
Then by taking natural logs on both sides, thus the value of R ;
6010 6

ln 0.45  ln e  R 3.0010 6 

60  10 6
ln 0.45  

R 3.00  10 6 
R  25 
(b) The time constant is given by
τ  RC τ  253.00  10 6
τ  7.5  10 5 s
(c) By using the equation of charge for discharging process and
the time, t = 0 hence;  t
Q  Q0 e RC and Q0  CV0
t

Q  CV0 e RC


Q  3.00  10 6 12.0
Q  3.6  10 5 C
(d) By using the equation of charge for discharging process and
the time, t = 100  106 s hence;
10010 6
 
t
 
Q  CV0 e RC Q  3.00  10 12.0 e
6 7.510 5

Q  9.49  10 6 C
Example 2.4 : Tutorial Session

A circular parallel-plate capacitor with radius of 1.2 cm is connected to a

6.0 V battery. After the capacitor is fully charged, the battery is
disconnected without loss of any of the charge on the plates. If the
separation between plates is 2.5 mm and the medium between plates is
air.
(a) Calculate the amount of charge on each plate.
If their separation is increase to 8.0 mm after the battery is
disconnected, determine
(b) the amount of charge on each plate.
(c) the potential difference between the plates.
(d) the capacitance of the capacitor.
(Given permittivity of free space, 0 = 8.85  1012 C2 N1 m2)
 Solution:
r  1.2  10 2 m; V  6.0 V; d  2.5  10 3 m

(a) The area of each plate is ; A  πr 2  

A   1.2  10 2  4.52  10 4 m 2
ε0 A
Q  CV and C
d
The amount of charge on each plate is given by ;
ε0 AV
Q
d
The amount of each plate remains unchanged;

Q
8.85  10 4.52  10 6.0 
12 4

2.5  10 3
Q  9.60  10 12 C
(b) because no charge losses to the surrounding;

Q  9.60  10 12 C
(c) From the relation between uniform E and V , therefore ;

V1 Q
E and E
d1 ε0 A
Q V1 9.60  10 12 V1 V1  19.2 V
 
ε0 A d1 8.85  10 12

4.52  10 4
 8.0  10 3

(d) The new capacitance of the capacitor is;

Q 9.60  10 12
C1  C1 
V1 19.2
C1  5.0  10 13 F
ε0 A
OR C1 
d1
 Extra Work 2

1. (a) A parallel-plate, air-filled capacitor has circular plates separated by

1.80 mm. The charge per unit area on each plate has magnitude of
5.60 pC m2. Calculate the potential difference between the plates of
the capacitor.

(b) An electric field of 2.80  105 V m1 is desired between two parallel
plates each of area 21.0 cm2 and separated by 0.250 cm of air.
Determine the charge on each plate.

ANS: 1.14 mV; 5.20  109 C

2. When the potential difference between the plates of a capacitor is

increased by 3.25 V, the magnitude of the charge on each plate increases
by 13.5 C. What is the capacitance of this capacitor?
ANS: 4.15 F
 Extra Work 2

3. A 10.0 F parallel-plate, air-filled capacitor with circular plates is connected to a 12.0

V battery. Calculate
(a) the charge on each plate.
(b) the charge on each plate if their separation were twice while the capacitor
remained connected to the battery.
(c) the charge on each plate if the capacitor were connected to the 12.0 V
battery after the radius of each plate was twice without changing their
separation.
ANS: 120 C; 60 C; 480 C
4. A capacitor stores 100 pC of charge when it is connected across a potential difference
of 20 V. Calculate
(a) the capacitance of the capacitor,
(b) the amount of charge to be removed from the capacitor to reduce its
potential difference to 15 V.
ANS: 5.0 pF; 25 pC
 2.3 Capacitors with Dielectric

• Dielectric constant is defined as a ratio between the capacitance of a given capacitor

with space between plates filled with dielectric, C and the capacitance of the same
capacitor with plates in a vacuum, C0

Mathematically, C
εr  No unit for dielectric constant
C0
• For parallel-plates capacitor;
εA
C  εA 
d   ε
and
εr   d  εr 
ε0 A  ε0 A  ε0
C0   
d  d 
 From the relationship between E and V for uniform electric field,
V  Ed and V0  E0 d
thus the equation of 𝜀r can be written as ;

V0 E0 C
εr   
V E C0

 The dielectric constant depends on the insulating material used.

(a) Potential difference of a (b) Potential difference of a
charged capacitor before charged capacitor after
insertion of a dielectric insertion of a dielectric
between the plates. between the plates.
Table below shows the value of dielectric constant and the dielectric strength for
several materials.

Dielectric Strength
Material Dielectric constant, r (106 V m1)
Air 1.00059 3
Mylar 3.2 7
Paper 3.7 16
Silicone oil 2.5 15
Water 80 -
Teflon 2.1 60

The dielectric strength is defined as the electric field strength at which

dielectric breakdown occurs and the material becomes a conductor.
Dielectric Effect On a parallel-plate Capacitor

• Consider a parallel-plate capacitor as shown in figure.

d
Q Q


E0
 Q
d Q
Initially the plates are
separated by a vacuum and
connected to a battery, giving
the charge on the plates +Q
and –Q 
E0

The battery is now removed

and the charge on the plates
remains constant

The electric field between

the plates is uniform and
Q  Q has a magnitude of 𝑬𝟎
E
When a dielectric is placed in the electric field
between the plates, the molecules of the
dielectric tend to become oriented with their
positive ends pointing toward the negatively
charged plate and their negative ends pointing
 toward the positively charged plated as shown
E0 in Figure.
• The result is a buildup of positive charge on one surface of the dielectric and of
negative charge on the other as shown in figure.
Q Q


E
• From Figure , the number of field lines within the dielectric is reduced thus the
applied electric field E0 is partially canceled.

• Because the new electric field strength (E < E0) is less, then the potential difference, V
across the plates is less as well.
V  Ed
• Since V is smaller while Q remains the same the capacitance,
Q
C
V
is increased by the dielectric.
Example 2.5 : Tutorial Session
A vacuum parallel-plate capacitor has plates of area A = 150 cm2 and separation d = 2 mm.
The capacitor is charged to a potential difference V0 = 2000 V. Then the battery is
disconnected and a dielectric sheet of the same area A is placed between the plates as shown
in Figure. In the presence of the dielectric, the potential difference across the plates is
reduced to 500 V. Determine
(a) the initial capacitance of the capacitor,
(b) the charge on each plate before the dielectric is inserted, dielectric
(c) the capacitance after the dielectric is in place,
(d) the relative permittivity,
(e) the permittivity of dielectric material,
(f) the initial electric field,
(g) the electric field after the dielectric is inserted.
d
(0 = 8.85  10 C N m )
12 2 1 2
 A  150  10 4 m 2 ; d  2  10 3 m;V0  2000 V;
Solution: V  500 V

(a) The initial capacitance of the capacitor is given by;

C0 
ε0 A
C0 
8.85  10 150  10
12 4

d 2  10 3
C0  6.63  10 11 F
(b) The charge on each plate is ;

Q0  C0V0  
Q0  6.63  10 11 2000 
Q0  1.33  10 7 C
(c) In the presence of the (d) From the definition of the
dielectric, the charge on each dielectric constant, thus ;
plate is the same as before
C
the dielectric was inserted. εr 
Therefore the new capacitance C0
is ;
Q0  CV 2.66  10 10
εr 
6.63  10 11
1.33  10 7  C 500  ε r  4.01
C  2.66  10 10 F

(e) the permittivity of dielectric material is given by ;

ε  ε r ε0

ε  4.01 8.85  10 12 
ε  3.55  10 11 C 2 N 1 m  2
(f) By applying the (g) The electric field after the
relationship between E dielectric inserted is given
and V for uniform by ;
electric field, the
magnitude of the initial
electric field is ;
V0 E0 V
E0  εr  OR E 
d E d
2000 1.00  10 6
E0  4.01 
2  10 3 E
E0  1.00  10 6 V m 1 E  2.49  105 V m 1
 Extra Work 3

Given 0 = 8.85  1012 C2 N1 m2

1. What are the maximum and minimum equivalent capacitances that can be
obtained by combinations of three capacitors of 1.5 F, 2.0 F and 3.0 F?
(College Physics,6th edition, Wilson, Buffa & Lou, Q97, p.566)
ANS: 6.5 F; 0.67 F
2. The dielectric of a parallel-plate capacitor is to be constructed from teflon that
completely fills the volume between the plates. The area of each plate is 0.50 m2.

(a) What is the thickness of the teflon if the capacitance is to be 0.10 F?

(b) Calculate the charge on the capacitor if it is connected to a 12 V battery.

(Dielectric constant for teflon is 2.1)
ANS: 92.9 m; 1.2 C
 Extra Work 3

3. An air-filled parallel-plate capacitor has rectangular plates with

dimensions of 6.0 cm  8.0 cm. It is connected to a 12 V battery. While
the battery remains connected, a sheet of 1.5 mm thick paper is
inserted and completely fills the space between the plates.

(a) Explain briefly what is happen to the charge on the plates of the
capacitor while the dielectric was being inserted.
(b) Determine the change in the charge storage of the capacitor
because of the dielectric insertion.
(Dielectric constant for paper is 3.7)
ANS: 0.92 nC