Chapter 25
Capacitance
What is physics?
Practical
electromagnetic
devices
Capacitor Resistor Inductor
C R L
Electrostatics Current Magnetism
25-1 Capacitance
A capacitor consists of two isolated conductors (the plates) with
charges +q and q. Its capacitance C is defined from
where V is the potential difference between the plates.
Two conductors, isolated electrically from each
other and from their surroundings, form a capacitor.
When the capacitor is charged, the charges on the
conductors, or plates as they are called, have the
same magnitude q but opposite signs.
The SI unit of capacitance: 1 Farad = 1 F = 1 C/V
In practice, F or pF is more convenient!
25-1 Capacitance
(a) A parallel-plate capacitor, (b) As the field lines show, the electric
made up of two plates of area A field due to the charged plates is uniform
separated by a distance d. The in the central region between the plates.
charges on the facing plate The field is not uniform at the edges of
surfaces have the same the plates, as indicated by the “fringing”
magnitude q but opposite signs of the field lines there.
25-1 Capacitance
Charging Capacitor
When a circuit with a battery (B), an open switch (S), and an uncharged
capacitor (C) is completed by closing the switch, conduction electrons
shift, leaving the capacitor plates with opposite charges. The battery
maintains potential difference V between its terminals.
(a) Battery B, switch S, and plates h and l of capacitor C, connected in a circuit. (b) A
schematic diagram with the circuit elements represented by their symbols.
25-2 Calculating the Capacitance
Calculating electric field and potential difference
To relate the electric field E between the plates of a capacitor to the
charge q on either plate,
qE
The potential difference between the plates of a
capacitor is related to the field E by
EV
Choosing a path that follows an electric field line, from
the negative to the positive plate, becomes .
q = CV
25-2 Calculating the Capacitance
Parallel-Plate Capacitor
We assume that the plates of our parallel-plate capacitor are so large
and so close together that we can neglect the fringing of the electric field
at the edges of the plates, taking E to be constant throughout the region
between the plates.
We draw a Gaussian surface that encloses
just the charge q on the positive plate
where A is the area of the plate. And therefore,
Now if we substitute q in the above relations
to q=CV, we get, C = q/V A charged parallel-plate capacitor. A
Gaussian surface encloses the charge on
the positive plate. The integration is taken
along a path extending directly from the
negative plate to the positive plate.
25-2 Calculating the Capacitance
Cylindrical Capacitor
A cylindrical capacitor of length L formed by two
coaxial cylinders of radii a and b is shown in cross
section. We assume that L >> b so that we can
neglect the fringing of the electric field that occurs
at the ends of the cylinders. Each plate contains a
charge of magnitude q. Applying Gauss’ law,
A cross section of a long cylindrical
capacitor, showing a cylindrical
Gaussian surface of radius r (that
encloses the positive plate) and the
From the relation C= q/V, radial path of integration. This figure
also serves to illustrate a spherical
capacitor in a cross section through
its center.
25-2 Calculating the Capacitance
Others…
For spherical capacitor,
For an isolated sphere, A cross section of a spherical
capacitor, showing a spherical
Gaussian surface of radius r (that
b encloses the positive plate) and
the radial path of integration.
a=R
25-3 Capacitors in Parallel and in Series
Capacitors in Parallel
25-3 Capacitors in Parallel and in Series
Capacitors in Series
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
𝑉 = , 𝑉 =
, 𝑉 =
𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
1 1 1
𝑉 =𝑉 +𝑉 +𝑉 =𝑞 + + 𝑉
𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
𝑞 1
𝐶 = =
𝑉 1 ⁄𝐶 + 1 ⁄ 𝐶 + 1 ⁄ 𝐶
1 1 1 1
= + +
𝐶 𝐶 𝐶 𝐶
25-4 Energy Stored in an Electric Field
Energy stored in a capacitor
The electric potential energy U of a charged capacitor,
or
is equal to the work required to charge the capacitor. This energy can
be associated with the capacitor’s electric field E.
Proof (q’ = 0 q)
-q’
+q’
25-4 Energy Stored in an Electric Field
Energy stored in a capacitor
Every electric field, in a capacitor or from any other source, has an
associated stored energy. In vacuum, the energy density u (potential
energy per unit volume) in a field of magnitude E is
25-5 Capacitor with a Dielectric
If the space between the plates of a capacitor is completely filled with a
dielectric material, the capacitance C in vacuum (or, effectively, in air) is
multiplied by the material’s dielectric constant κ (> 1).
𝑞 = 𝐶𝑉 𝑉 = 𝑞/𝐶
(a) If the potential difference between the (b) If the charge on the capacitor plates is
plates of a capacitor is maintained, as by maintained, as in this case by isolating the capacitor,
the presence of battery B, the effect of a the effect of a dielectric is to reduce the potential
dielectric is to increase the charge on the difference between the plates. The scale shown is
plates. that of a potentiometer, a device used to measure
potential difference (here, between the plates). A
Faraday’s discovery! capacitor cannot discharge through a potentiometer.
25-5 Capacitor with a Dielectric
E-field in a dielectric
Around a point charge
Outside an isolated conductor
25-5 Capacitor with a Dielectric
An Atomic View
Polar
Dielectrics
(a) Molecules with a permanent electric dipole moment, (b) An electric field is applied, producing
showing their random orientation in the absence of an partial alignment of the dipoles. Thermal
external electric field. agitation prevents complete alignment.
Nonpolar
Dielectrics
25-6 Dielectrics and Gauss’ Law
• Inserting a dielectric into a capacitor causes induced charge to appear
on the faces of the dielectric and weakens the electric field between
the plates.
• The induced charge is less than the free charge on the plates.
A parallel-plate capacitor (a) without
and (b) with a dielectric slab inserted.
The charge q on the plates is assumed
to be the same in both cases.
1
𝑞 =𝑞 1− <𝑞
𝜅
25-6 Dielectrics and Gauss’ Law
When a dielectric is present, Gauss’ law may be generalized to
where q is the free charge. Any induced surface charge is accounted for
by including the dielectric constant κ inside the integral.
Note:
The flux integral now involves κE, not just
E. The vector ε0κE is sometimes called the
electric displacement D, so that the above
equation can be written in the form
25-6 Dielectrics and Gauss’ Law
Sample Problem
A parallel-plate capacitor is charged to
free charge q.
A dielectric slab of dielectric constant κ
is inserted so that charge q’ is induced
on the both surfaces of the slab.
Gaussian surface I:
Gaussian surface II:
Potential difference:
Capacitance: