Chapter 17-7

CAPACITANCE
Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

CAPACITANCE

The ratio of the magnitude of the charge to the

magnitude of the potential difference
It is a measure of the capacity of a conductor to
store charge for a given potential difference.

Remarks

The SI unit for capacitance is the farad: 1 F = 1 C/V

The capacitance of the conductor does not depend on Q nor
V but on the size and shape of the conductor.

Chapter 17-7

CAPACITORS AND
CAPACITANCE

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

PARALLEL-PLATE CAPACITOR

May be made up of thin metallic foils that are separated and

insulated from one another by empty space (vacuum) or a
dielectric material.

Remarks

Fringe effect is neglected

The capacitance of a parallel-plate
capacitor does not depend on Q
nor V but on the geometry of the
capacitor
0 = 8.8510-12 F/m
= 8.8510-12 C2N/m2

CAPACITORS AND
CAPACITANCE

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

SPHERICAL CAPACITOR

CAPACITORS AND
CAPACITANCE

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

CYLINDRICAL CAPACITOR

Example: coaxial cable (for cable TV)

COMBINATION OF
CAPACITORS

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

Capacitors are manufactured with certain standard

capacitance and working voltages (potential)
One can use combination of capacitors to obtain the
desired capacitance

COMBINATION OF
CAPACITORS

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

CAPACITORS IN SERIES

The magnitude of the charge on all the plates are the same
The potential of the individual capacitors are in general different

COMBINATION OF
CAPACITORS

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL

The upper plates of the two capacitors are connected together

to form an equipotential surface ,the lower plate form another.
The potential difference is the same for both capacitors

COMBINATION OF
CAPACITORS

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

Find the effective capacitance

Find the charge and voltage drop across the capacitors
when connected to 6 V battery

Chapter 17-9

STORAGE OFELECTRICITY
Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

Application of capacitors depend on their ability to store

energy
The electric potential energy stored in a charge capacitor
is just equal to the amount of work required to charge it.
Work is done and stored as electrostatic potential energy.

Energy stored in a capacitor

ENERGY STORAGE IN
CAPACITORS

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

A parallel-square plate capacitor with 14 cm side separated

by 2 mm is connected to a battery and charged to 12 V.
The battery is then disconnected from the capacitor and
the plate separation is increased to 3.5 mm.
Calculate the following:
Charge on the capacitor
Energy that was originally stored
Change in energy when the plate separation is changed

ELECTROSTATIC FIELD
ENERGY

Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

The energy stored in the capacitor is directly related to

the electric field between the capacitor plate.

Energy Density

Energy per unit volume in the space between the plates of a

parallel-plate capacitor with plate area A and separation d

Chapter 17-8

DIELECTRICS
Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

Non-conducting material inserted between the capacitor

plates.
Functions of dielectrics:
Solves mechanical problem of maintaining two large
metal sheets at a very small separation without
contact
Can tolerate strong electric fields without breaking
down
Dielectric breakdown partial ionization that permits
conduction through a material that is supposed to insulate.

The capacitance is greater for a given dimension

Chapter 17-8

DIELECTRICS
Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig

The electric field decreases in the presence of dielectric

Permitivity

Chapter 17-8

DIELECTRICS
Physics Lectures A.C.Baclig