5.

CAPACITOR
 CONDUCTORS, INSULATORS AND DIELECTRICS: Conductors are the materials in which the
valance shell is less than half filled. The electrons in the valance shell are loosely bound and can leave
the valance shell and travel throughout the body of the conductor. Due to the large number of free
electrons in conductors, the electric conduction is high in the materials like copper, aluminium etc. When
an external electric field is applied the free electrons experience net force and are accelerated in opposite
direction to that of the electric field.
Insulators are the materials in which the valance shell is more than half filled. The electrons in the
valance shell are tightly bound and cannot leave the atom to become free. Due to this the insulators do
not conduct electricity.
When an insulator is placed in an electric field then it may not conduct electricity but induced charges are
produced on the two faces of the insulator and then it is termed as a dielectric.
 BEHAVIOUR OF A CONDUCTOR IN ELECTRIC FIELD: When a conductor is placed in an
external electric field then the free electrons move in opposite direction to that of the electric field. The
electric field produced due to the free electrons is such that it completely cancels the applied electric
field. Hence the net electric field inside a conductor is always zero.
On the surface of the conductor the tangential component of electric field is zero. Due to this the charges
cannot move along the surface of the conductor and the surface current is also zero. The electric field
lines are always perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.
Therefore when a conductor is placed in an external electric field then
(i) Electric field and charge inside the conductor are zero.
(ii) Charges reside only on the surface of the conductor.
(iii) On the surface of the conductor the electric field is perpendicular to the surface.
(iv) The entire body of the conductor is at constant potential.
 BEHAVIOUR OF AN INSULATOR IN ELECTRIC FIELD: When an
insulator is placed in an electric field then induced charges are produced on
the two faces of the insulator. The induced electric field produced is not equal E≠0
to the applied electric field they do not cancel each other. Due to this the
electric field inside an insulator is not zero.
 ELECTRIC CAPACITANCE: Electric capacitance is the ability of a
conductor to store charge.
We know that q  V or q  CV
q
Where C is constant of proportionality and is called electric capacitance.  C 
V
Therefore electric capacitance is also defined as the charge developed per unit voltage.
 Electric capacitance is a scalar quantity.
S.I. unit : C/V or farad (F) , cgs unit : statF.
One farad is very big unit of capacitance and generally we use smaller units like μF, nF, pF etc.

Q: Find the dimensional formula for capacitance.

 CAPACITANCE OF AN ISOLATED SPHERE: Let us consider an isolated sphere of radius r.

q
We know that C  ………(1)
V
Now the potential on the surface of the sphere can be written as
O r
1 q
V
4 0 r

Putting this value in equation (1) we have C  40 r

Which shows that the capacitance of an isolated sphere depends upon its size and the nature of the
surrounding medium. It is independent of the nature of the material of the sphere.

Q: Find the capacitance of earth if its radius is 6400Km.

Q: Estimate the radius of a spherical body which can have a capacitance of 1

farad.

Q: F/m is the unit of which physical quantity?.

 CAPACITOR: It is an arrangement in which large quantity of charge can be stored in small space. It is
also known as a condenser.
SYMBOL: In electric circuits a capacitor is shown by the following symbol:
 ( Fixed Value) (Variable capacitor)
 PRINCIPLE OF A CAPACITOR: Consider a metal plate A which is connected to the +ve terminal of
the battery. Due to this +ve charge increases on the plate A. When maximum value of charge that can be
added to the plate A is reached, another uncharged metallic plate B is brought close to the plate A.

A B A B

Now equal and opposite induced charges appear on the plate B and the potential on plate A decreases and
further charge on A can be added. Again when the potential of the plate A becomes maximum the plate B
is connected to earth due to which the +ve charge on plate B flows down to earth and hence the potential
on plate A gets decreased and more charge can be added to plate A.
Thus it follows that the capacitance of a conductor is greatly increased when an earth connected
uncharged conductor is placed near it. It forms the principle of a capacitor.
The two metallic conductors are called the coatings of the capacitor. Depending upon the shape of these
coatings we can have parallel plate capacitor, spherical capacitor, cylindrical capacitor etc.
The capacity of a capacitor can be increased by filling the space between its two plates by a material of
dielectric constant K.
 PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR: Let us consider a parallel plate capacitor having charge –q and +q
on its two plates A and B separated by distance d. A B
-q
q
We know that C  ……………. (1)
V +q
dV
Also we know that E  
dr d
Since the electric field b/w the plates of capacitor is constant in magnitude and direction

V V d qd   q 
E   or V  Ed    E   
r d  0 A 0   0 A 0 

q A 0 A 0
Putting this value in equation (1) we have C   C 
qd d d
A 0

KA 0
If the space b/w the plates is filled with a material of dielectric constant K then C 
d
EXERCISE: Define the dielectric constant of a material K in terms of its capacitance.
 GROUPING OF CAPACITORS: Capacitors can be grouped in two ways:
1. IN SERIES: When the capacitors are joined in such a way that one
plate of a capacitor is joined to the another plate of next capacitor and
C1 C2 C3
so on then the grouping is called grouping in series.
Let us consider three capacitors having capacity C1 , C2 and C3 be
V11 V22 V33
joined in series such the potential difference across them is V1 , V2
and V3 respectively.
Now the total potential difference V is V = V1 + V2 + V3 V

q q q q
Now V1  , V2  ,V  and V3 
C1 C2 C C3

q q q q 1 1 1 1
Therefore    or   
C C1 C2 C3 C C1 C2 C3

Which shows that in series combination the reciprocal of net capacitance is equal to the sum of
reciprocals of the individual capacitances.
2. IN PARALLEL: When the capacitors are joined in such a way that one plate of all the capacitors is
joined to same terminal of the battery and the other plate of all capacitors to other terminal of the battery
then the grouping is called grouping in parallel.. Let us consider three capacitors having capacity C 1 , C2
and C3 be joined in parallel such the charge across them is q1 , q2 and q3 respectively.
C1
Now the total charge q is
q = q 1 + q2 + q3 C2

Now q  CV , q1  C1V , q2  C2V and q3  C3V C3

Therefore CV  C1V  C2V  C3V or C  C1  C2  C3

Which shows that in parallel combination the net capacitance is equal to the
V
sum of the individual capacitances.
 ENERGY STORED IN CHARGED CAPACITOR: The work done in charging a capacitor is stored
in it in the form of its energy. We know that the small amount of work done in adding charge dq due to a
q  q q
potential V can be written as dW  Vdq or dW  dq  C  ,V  
C  V C
W q q
q 1 q2
Integrating both sides within limits we have 0 dW  0 C dq  C 0 qdq or W
2C

q2
This work will be stored as the energy of the capacitor U 
2C
 1
putting q  CV . We have U  CV 2
2
q qV
Again putting C  we have U
V 2
 TOTAL ENERGY STORED IN SERIES COMBINATION: In series combination as the charge on
q2 q2 1
each capacitor is same. Therefore the energy of the combination is U   .
2C S 2 CS

q2 1 1 1  q2 q2 q2
or U      .....  or U     ... U  U1  U 2  U 3  .....
2  C1 C 2 C3  2C 1 2C 2 2C 3

 TOTAL ENERGY STORED IN PARALLEL COMBINATION: In parallel combination as the

potential difference across each capacitor is same. Therefore the energy of the combination is

C PV 2 or U  C1  C 2  C 3  ........ V 2  C1V 2  C 2V 2  C 3V 2  ........

1 1 1 1 1
U 
2 2 2 2 2
U  U1  U 2  U 3  .....

 ENERGY DENSITY IN PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR: It is defined as the total energy stored
1
CV 2
U
per unit volume of the capacitor. Mathematically u   2
v Ad

A 0 1  A  E 2 d 2  1
Putting C and V  Ed we have u   0     0 E 2
d 2  d  Ad  2

1
or u   0 E 2
2
 COMMON POTENTIAL: When two capacitors having different capacities C1 and C2 and charged to
different potentials V1 and V2 are joined by a conducting wire then charge flows from the capacitor at
higher potential to that at the lower potential until they attain a common potential V.
Total charge before sharing q = q1 +q2 = C1V1 + C2V2
Charge after sharing q’ = ( C1 + C2) V
Since there is no loss of charge therefore q = q’
C1V1  C2V2
i.e. C1V1 + C2V2 = ( C1 + C2) V or V
C1  C2

 LOSS OF ENERGY ON SHARING CHARGE BY TWO CAPACITORS: When two capacitors

having different capacitances and charged to different voltages are joined then there always occur loss of
energy.
Let us consider two capacitors having capacitance C1 and C2 and voltages V1 and V2.
1 1
Total initial energy of the capacitors is U  C1V12  C2V22 ……………. (1)
2 2
 When the capacitors are joined then total capacitance C = C1 + C2 and total charge q = q1 + q2 = C1V1 +
C2V2.

q 2 C1V1  C2V2 
2
Now total final energy of the combination is U    ………………. (2)
2C 2C1  C2 

1 1 C V  C2V2 
Subtracting equation (2) from equation (1) we have U  U   C1V12  C2V22  1 1
2

2 2 2C1  C2 

1  C1V12 C1  C2   C2V22 C1  C2   C1V1  C2V2  

2
or U U    
2 C1  C2  

1  C1 V12  C1C2V12  C1C2V22  C2 V22  C1 V12  C2 V22  2C1C2V1V2 

2 2 2 2
or U  U    
2 C1  C2  

1  C1C2V12  C1C2V22  2C1C2V1V2  C1C2 V1  V2 2

or U  U     
2 C1  C2   2C1  C2 
Since U – U’ = +ve , therefore it shows that there always occurs loss of energy on sharing charge by two
capacitors.
 NON-POLAR DIELECTRIC: A dielectric in the atoms and molecules of which
the centers of gravity of +ve and –ve charges coincides with each other is called a
non-polar dielectric. The electric dipole moment of non-polar molecules is zero
due to the zero separation b/w the centers of +ve and –ve charges. The molecules
such as Cl2 , O2, N2 etc are the examples of non-polar molecules.
 POLAR DIELECTRIC: A dielectric in the atoms and molecules of which the
centers of gravity of +ve and –ve charges do not coincide with each other is
called a polar dielectric. The electric dipole moment of polar molecules is non-zero.
The molecules such as HCl,H2O , NH3 , CO2 etc are the examples of polar molecules.
 POLARISATION: When a non-polar atom is placed in an electric field then the 
E0
centers of +ve and –ve charges get separated due to the force by the electric field
and the atom becomes polar and acquires some electric dipole moment. Thus
the stretching of dielectric atoms due to the displacement of charges in the atoms
under the action of the applied electric field is called polarization
 P0LARISATION OF A DIELECTRIC SLAB: When a dielectric slab is placed
in an electric field then equal and opposite charges are developed on its two faces
and it acquires an electric field due to polarization.
E≠0
Let E0 = applied electric field , EP = electric field due to polarization,
then E = E0 – EP is called reduced value of electric field. 
Ep 
E0
 DIELECTRIC CONSTANT: The ratio of applied electric field to that
of the reduced value of electric field when a dielectric slab is placed b/w the plates of a capacitor is called
the dielectric constant of that medium. It is denoted by K or εr. It is also called relative permittivity or
specific inductive capacity.
E0
Mathematically K  .
E
 POLARISATION DENSITY: The induced dipole moment developed per unit volume in a dielectric
slab on placing it inside the electric field is called polarization density. It is denoted by P.
p
Mathematically P 
V
If charges +q and –q separated by distance d are produced on the dielectric slab on placing it in an
qd q
electric field then P    p or P  p
Ad A
Therefore polarization density is also equal to the polarization surface charge density.
 p P
The reduced value of electric field can be written as E  E0  E p    E0 
0 0 0
It p is induced dipole moment of atom and there are total N atoms then the polarization density P = N p .
The induced dipole moment of the atom is p   0 E or p   0 E

Where α is constant of proportionality and is called atomic polarizability.

Therefore in terms of atomic polarizability the polarization density is P  N 0 E

 ELECTRIC SUSCEPTIBILITY: The polarization density of a dielectric slab is directly proportional to

the reduced value of electric field i.e. P   0 E or P   0 E

Where  is constant of proportionality and is called electric susceptibility of the dielectric slab.
Also we know that P  N 0 E , therefore comparing above two equations we have   N

 DIELECTRIC STRENGTH: of a medium is defined as the maximum value of electric field that the
medium can withstand without its electric breakdown. Its S.I. unit is V/m but practical unit is KV/mm.
Material Vacuum Air Paper Mica Porcelain

Dielectric strength  0.8 14 160 4

( kV/mm)
 EFFECT OF INSERTING A DIELECTRIC SLAB B/W THE PLATES OF A CAPACITOR: Let
us consider a parallel plate capacitor whose plates have area A and are separated by distance d. Therefore
we have
q
C …………….. (1)
V
Let a dielectric slab of thickness t is introduced b/w the plates of the capacitor.
 We know that potential = electric field x distance d
t
Therefore from diagram we have V  E  t  E0 (d  t )

E0 E0
Also K  , therefore E
E K E= E0 - Ep

E0 t 
Therefore we have V   t  E0 ( d  t )  E0   ( d  t ) 
K K  
Ep 
q  t  K (d  t )  E0
or V 
A 0  K 

q KA 0 KA 0
Putting this value in equation (1) we have C  C 
q  t  K (d  t )  t  K (d  t ) t  K (d  t )
A 0  K 

KA 0
SPECIAL CASE: When t = d then C
d
 EFFECT OF INSERTING A CONDUCTING SLAB B/W THE PLATES OF A CAPACITOR: Let
us consider a parallel plate capacitor whose plates have area A and are separated by distance d.
Therefore we have d
t
q
C …………….. (1)
V
Let a conducting slab of thickness t is introduced b/w the plates of the capacitor. E= 0
We know that potential = electric field x distance
Therefore from diagram we have V  0  t  E0 (d  t ) 
Ep 
q E0
Therefore we have V  E0 (d  t ) or V  (d  t )
A 0

q A 0
Putting this value in equation (1) we have C 
q (d  t )
(d  t )
A 0

A 0
C 
(d  t )
SPECIAL CASE: When t = d then C 

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