Department of technical education

Andhra Pradesh
Name of the faculty : KP Pratap
Designation : Lecturer in ECE
Branch : ECE
Institute : GMR Polytechnic Gajwel, Medak(dt)
Year : First year
Subject : Electronic components and devices
Subject code : EC-105
Topic : Capacitors
Duration : 50 minutes
Sub topic : Factors affecting the capacitance of
capacitor
Teaching Aids : PPT
EC105.28 1
Objectives

Upon the completion of this topic you would

be able to understand

• Know the factors affecting the capacitance of capacitor.

EC105.28 2
Recap

• In previous class we discussed

about

• colour code of capacitors

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Factors affecting the capacitance of a capacitor

• We know the capacitance of capacitor is

ε A = ε0 εr A
D D

Where ε=ε0 εr =permittivity of dielectric

A = area of one of the plates
d = distance between plates
ε0 = permittivity of free space (8.85 x 10-12 F/m)
εr = relative permittivity

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• Capacitance of the capacitor is directly proportional
to the area of plates.

• The capacitance value increases with increase in

area of the plates.

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• Capacitance of the capacitor is inversely
proportional to the distance between plates.

• If the distance between plates increases the

capacitance value decreases (vice versa).

• If the distance between plates decreases the

capacitance value increases

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• Capacitance value is directly proportional to the permittivity of
dielectric.
c∞ε but ε = ε 0 εr

The dielectric constants of different materials are given below.

S.No Material Dielectric
Constant
1 Vacuum 1.000
2 Air 1.0001
3 Polystyrene 2.4 to 2.6
4 Polycarbonate 2.8 to 3.1
5 Mylar 3.00
6 Polyethylene 2.1 to 2.2
7 Polyester 3.0 to 3.3
8 Poly propelene 2.1 to 2.2
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 S.No Material Dielectric
Constant
9 Kraft paper 2 to 6
10 Paper waxed 4 to 6
11 Mica 4 to 7
12 Alluminiumoxide 7 to 10
13 Tantalum oxide 27 to 28
14 Ceramic (Low loss type) 7 to 20
15 Ceramic (Temp. compensating) 80 to 100
16 Ceramic (high permittivity) 1000 to
50000
17 Glass 7.6

So if ceramic (high permittivity) is used as dielectric the capacitance is more

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• Area of plate is 5mm, glass is used as dielectric (7.6) and

d=0.1cm. Then find the capacitance.

C= εo εr

=7.6 X 8.85 X 10-12

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• If the thickness of dielectric is reduced, higher

capacitance can be obtained. But reduction in

thickness of dielectric causes breakdown of

dielectric due to potential difference between

plates (when charged).

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Summary

We discussed about:
various factors affecting
the capacitance of a capacitor

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Quiz
1. The capacitance of a capacitor is directly
proportional to

c) Area of the plate

e) Distance between the plates

g) Both area and distance

i) None of the above

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2. The capacitance of a capacitor is inversely
proportional to

d) Area of plates

f) Distance between plates

h) Absolute permittivity

j) Relative permittivity

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 Frequently asked Questions

• List the factors on which the capacitance of a

capacitor depends.

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 Assignment questions

1. Write notes on how capacitance varies with various

factors

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