CHAPTER

Electrostatic Potential and

2 Capacitance

Electric Potential Energy (d) Relation between electric field and potential

(a) The electric potential energy for a point charge q0 in the  E
∂V
E = −

electric field of a stationary point charge q, with a distance ∂
P
r separating the charges is
∂V
1 q0q = +
∂l
U=
∂ A
4πε0 r
If electric potential energy at infinity is considered to be Electric Dipole Potential
zero. 1  p cos θ  p
(a) V =  
(b) Work done by electric force on a charge when it is moved 4πε 0  r 2  r
from A to B
(b) Potential energy of a dipole in q
WA→B = UA – UB an external electric field –q +q
  l
Electric Potential U ( θ ) =−p ⋅ E

(a) Potential is equal to potential energy per unit charge
Capacitors
U

V= Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
q0
A
The potential for a point charge q at any point at a distance C = ε0
d
r is
Q
1 q Also, C =
V=
V
4πε0 r
Electric Field Energy
If potential at infinity is considered to be zero.
1 Q2 1
(b) Potential due to a collection of charges is the sum of the U
(a) = QV
= = CV 2
2 2C 2
potentials due to each charge. 1
(b) Energy density of energy stored in electric field U= ε0 E 2
1 n
q 2
Vn =
4πε0
∑i ri
Combination of Capacitor
(c) Potential due to a conducting sphere of radius r with charge (a) When capacitors are combined in series,
q (solid or hollow) at a distance r from the centre 1 1 1 1
= + + + .........
 1 q Ceq C1 C2 C3
V=
 if (r > R)
 4πε0 r (b) When capacitors are connected in parallel,
Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 + ........
 1 q

V=  if (r = R)
(c) Spherical capacitor,
 4πε0  R
ab
1 q C= 4πε 0
, (When outer shell is earthed)
V=
if (r < R) b−a
4πε0 R b 2
C= 4πε 0
, (When inner shell is earthed)
b−a
 C = 4πε0R (For a sphere of radius R) Dipole moment
(b) Polarisation P =
2πε0 l Volume
(d) Cylindrical capacitor, C =  
b P = χ0 E
ln  
a
Dielectrics χ0
= K −1
ε0
 1
q ' q 1 − 
(a) Induced charge, =
 K

P Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 5

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