17.

1 CAPACITANCE AND CAPACITORS

IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to :
Q
a) Define and Use Capacitance, C =
CHAPTER 17 V
CAPACITOR & DIELECTRICS b) Derive and Determine the Effective Capacitance
(PST :3 hours) of Capacitors in Series and Parallel.
b) Derive and Use Energy Stored in A Capacitor.
17.1 Capacitance and Capacitors in Series and Parallel
17.2 Charging and Discharging of Capacitors
17.3 Capacitors with dielectrics
17.1 (a) Define & Use capacitance
Capacitor Capacitance, C
• A capacitor , sometimes called a condenser, is a device that can
store electric charge. • The ability of a capacitor to store charge is measured by its
capacitance.
• It is consists of two conducting plates separated by a small air gap • Capacitance is defined as the ratio of the charge on either
or a thin insulator (called a dielectric such as mica, ceramics, paper plate to the potential difference between them.
or even oil).
• The electrical symbol for a capacitor is Q Q : charge on one of the plates
C= V : potential difference across the two plates
V
or
17.1 (a) Define & Use capacitance 17.1 (a) Define & Use capacitance
• The unit of capacitance is the farad (F). • One farad (1F) is a very large unit.
1 farad is the capacitance of a capacitor if the charge on either of the
plates is 1C when the potential difference across the capacitor is 1V. • Therefore in many applications the most convenient units of
i.e. capacitance are microfarad and the picofarad where the unit
1 coulomb Q conversion can be shown below :
1 farad= C=
1 volt V
• By rearranging the equation from the definition of capacitance, we get 1 µF = 10 −6 F
Q = CV 1 pF = 10 −12 F
where the capacitance of a capacitor, C is constant then = 10 −6 µF
Q ∝V
= 1 µµF
(The charges stored, Q is directly proportional to the
potential difference, V across the conducting plate.)
 17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of
EXAMPLE 17.1 Capacitors in Series and Parallel.
CAPACITORS CONNECTED IN SERIES
The capacitance of a capacitor is 20µF. What is the charge
on each plate to a potential difference of
(a) 6.0 V +Q -Q
(b) 9.0 V V1 V2 V3
Ceq,V
Q1 Q2 Q3
equivalent to
V
• Figure above shows 3 capacitors connected in series to a battery of
voltage, V.
• When the circuit is completed, the electron from the battery (-Q) flows to
one plate of C3 and this plate become negatively charge.
17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of 17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of
Capacitors in Series and Parallel. Capacitors in Series and Parallel.
• This negative charge induces a charge +Q on the other plate of C3 • The total potential difference V is given by
because electrons on one plate of C3 are repelled to the plate of C2. V = V1 + V2 + V3
Hence this plate is charged –Q, which induces a charge +Q on the other Q Q Q
plate of C2.
V= + +
C1 C2 C3
V 1 1 1
• This in turn produces a charge –Q on one plate of C1 and a charge of +Q = + +
Q C1 C2 C3
on the other plate of capacitor C1.
• If Ceq is the equivalent capacitance, then
• Hence the charges on all the three capacitors are the same, Q.
• Therefore the equivalent (effective) capacitance Ceq for n capacitors
• The potential difference across capacitor C1,C2 and C3 are connected in series is given by
Q1 Q Q2 Q Q3 Q 1 1 1 1 1 capacitors
V1 = = ; V2 = = ; V3 = = = + + + ... connected in
C1 C1 C2 C2 C3 C3 Ceq C1 C2 C3 Cn series
17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of
17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of
Capacitors in Series and Parallel.
Capacitors in Series and Parallel.
Capacitors connected in parallel • If not, the charge will flow from the capacitor of higher potential
difference to the other capacitors until they all have the same
+Q -Q potential difference, V.
• The potential difference across each capacitor is the same as the
Ceq,V
supply voltage V.
equivalent to
V • Thus the total potential difference (V) on the equivalent capacitor is
V = V1 = V2 = V3
• Figure above shows 3 capacitors connected in parallel to a battery of
• The charge on each capacitor is Q = C V = C V
voltage V. 1 1 1 1
• When three capacitors are connected in parallel to a battery, the
capacitors are all charged until the potential differences across the Q2 = C 2V2 = C 2V
capacitors are the same.
Q3 = C3V3 = C3V
 17.1 (b) Derive and Determine The Effective Capacitance of
Capacitors in Series and Parallel. EXAMPLE 17.2
• The total charge is
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3
50 V
Q = C1V + C2V + C3V
Q Q
= C1 + C2 + C3 and = Ceq C1 = 1µF C2 = 2µF
V V In the circuit shown above, calculate the
• Therefore the equivalent (effective) capacitance Ceq for n capacitors a) charge on each capacitor
connected in parallel is given by
CAPACITORS CONNECTED
C eq = C1 + C 2 + C3 + ...C n IN PARALLEL
b) equivalent capacitance
EXAMPLE 17.3 EXAMPLE 17.4
In the circuit shown below, calculate the In the circuit shown below, calculate the
a) equivalent capacitance a) equivalent capacitance
b) charge on each capacitor C1 = 6.0µF
C1 = 1µF C2 = 2µF C3 = 8.0µF
V1 V2 c) the pd across each capacitor V1 V2 =V3
50 V 12 V
V1 + V2 = V
V1 + V2 = 50
C1 = 6.0µF C23 = 12.0µF
b) charge on each capacitor c) the pd across each capacitor V1 V2
12 V
EXAMPLE 17.5
Find the equivalent capacitance between points a
and b for the group of capacitors connected as
shown in figure below.
Take
C1 = 5.00 µF,
C2 = 10.0 µF
C3 = 2.00 µF.
 Solution Solution
C1 = 5.00 µF, C2 = 10.0 µF and C3 = 2.00 µF. C1 = 5.00 µF, C2 = 10.0 µF and C3 = 2.00 µF.
Series a and Series b •a Parallel
Parallel
Series a Series b
C12 C12 C12 C3 C12
Parallel
parallel Ca
C22
C22
•b
Solution
EXAMPLE 17.6
Determine the equivalent capacitance of the configuration
•a Series shown in figure below. All the capacitors are identical and
each has capacitance of 1 µF.
series
1 µF 1 µF
Ca
Ceq 1 µF 1 µF 1 µF
C22 1 µF 1 µF
•b
Solution
series
1 µF 1 µF series 1 µF
series
1 µF
1 µF 1 µF Cb
1 µF 1 µF
Cc
1 µF
Ca
1 µF parallel parallel
1 µF 1 µF
1 µF
Ca 1 µF Cc
Cb
 EXERCISE 17.2
a C1
2. Four capacitors are connected as shown in figure below.
C2 d
b
C3
1. In the circuit shown in figure above, C1= 2.00 µF, C2 = 4.00
µF and C3 = 9.00 µF. The applied potential difference between
points a and b is Vab = 61.5 V. Calculate
a) the charge on each capacitor.
b) the potential difference across each capacitor. Calculate
c) the potential difference between points a and d. a) the equivalent capacitance between points a and b.
V3 = 24.6 V b) the charge on each capacitor if Vab=15.0 V.
Q = 73.8 µC
1
Q = 221 µC
3
Q2 = 147 µC V1 = V2 = 36.9 V Vad = 36.9 V 5.96 µF, 89.5 µC on 20 µF, 63.2 µC on 6 µF,
26.3 µC on 15 µF and on 3 µF.
17.1 (c) Derive and Use Energy in a Capacitor
Energy stored in a capacitor, U
3. A 3.00-µF and a 4.00-µF capacitor are connected in series • A charged capacitor stores electrical energy.
and this combination is connected in parallel with a 2.00-µF
capacitor. • The energy stored in a capacitor will be equal to the work done to
a) What is the net capacitance? charge it.
b) If 26.0 V is applied across the whole network, calculate the
• A capacitor does not become charged instantly. It takes time.
voltage across each capacitor.
• Initially, when the capacitor is uncharged , it requires no work to move
the first bit of charge over.
3.71-µF, 26.0 V,
14.9 V, 11.1 V • When some charge is on each plate, it requires work to add more
charge of the same sign because of the electric repulsion.
• The work needed to add a small amount of charge dq, when a potential
difference V is across the plates is, dW = Vdq
EXAMPLE 17.7
17.1 (c) Derive and Use Energy in a Capacitor
• Since V=q/C at any moment ,
where C is the capacitance, • Thus the energy stored in a
the work needed to store a capacitor is A camera flash unit stores energy in a 150 µF capacitor
total charge Q is at 200 V. How much energy can be stored?
Q 1 Q2
W = ∫ Vdq W =U =
2 C
0
1 Q or
C ∫0
W = qdq 1
U= CV 2
Q
2
1  q2  or
W =   1
C  2 0 U=
2
QV
1 Q2
W =
2 C
 EXAMPLE 17.8 Exercise 17.3
A 2 µF capacitor is charged to 200V using a battery. Two capacitors, C1= 3.00 µF and C2 = 6.00 µF are connected in
Calculate the series and charged with a 4.00 V battery as shown in figure below.
a) charge delivered by the battery
b) energy supplied by the battery.
c) energy stored in the capacitor. 4.00 V
C1 C2
Solution
Calculate
a) the total capacitance for the circuit above. 2.00 µF
b) the charge on each capacitor. 8.00 µC
c) the potential difference across each capacitor. V1 = 2.67 V, V2 = 1.33 V
d) the energy stored in each capacitor. U1 = 1.07 x 10 -5 J, U2 = 5.31 x 10-6 J
e) the area of the each plate in capacitor C1 if the distance between
two plates is 0.01 mm and the region between plates is vacuum. 3.39 m 2
17. 2 Charging and discharging of 17.2 (a) Define and Use Time Constant
capacitors (1 hour) Time Constant, τ
• It is a measure of how quickly the capacitor charges or discharges.
LEARNING OUTCOMES : • Its formula, τ = RC
• Its unit is second (s).
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to :
a) Define and use time constant, τ = RC. Definition for Time Constant in Charging process
• The time constantτ is defined as the time required for the
b) Sketch and explain the characteristics of Q-t and I-t graph capacitor to reach 0.63 or 63% of its maximum charge (Qo).
for charging and discharging of a capacitor. • The time constantτ is defined as the time required for the
current to drop to 0.37 or 37% of its initial value(I0).
− t / RC
b) Use formula Q = Qo e for discharging and  t
  −  RC
−
t
Q = Q0  1 − e RC  Q = Q0  1− e 
− RC RC
Q = Qo (1− e − t / RC ) for charging. I = I0e
    −
RC
when t=RC
RC
when t=RC Q = Q (1− 0.37 )
o
I = I0e
Q = 0.63Qo I = 0.37 I o
17.2 (a) Define and Use Time Constant 17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging &
Discharging of a Capacitor.
Definition for Time Constant in Discharging Process CHARGING A CAPACITOR THROUGH A
• The time constantτ is defined as the time required for RESISTOR

Figure below shows a simple circuit for charging a capacitor.
the charge on the capacitor/current in the resistor
When the switch S is closed, current Io immediately begins to flow
decrease to 0.37 or 37% of its initial value. through the circuit.
t R
t − e−
Electrons will flow out from the
RC
Q = Q0 e
−
RC I = I0e negative terminal of the battery,
through the resistor R and
when t=RC when t=RC accumulate on the plate B of the
A+ + + + + +
RC RC
− − capacitor.
Q = Q0 e RC
I = I0e RC V0 C

B − −− − −− Then electrons will flow into the
positive terminal of the battery,
Q = 0.37Qo I = 0.37 I o leaving a positive charge on the
switch, S e− plate A.
 17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging & 17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging &
Discharging of a Capacitor. Discharging of a Capacitor.
Charge , Q ( C ) Current , I ( A )
• As charge accumulates on the capacitor, the potential difference
across it increases and the current is reduced until eventually the Q0
maximum voltage across the capacitor equals the voltage supplied by I0
0.63 Q0
the battery, Vo.
0.37 I 0
• At this time, no further current flows (I = 0) through the resistor R and 0 0
the charge Q on the capacitor thus increases gradually and reaches a
τ = RC time , t ( s ) τ = RC tim e , t ( s )
maximum value Qo. The charge on the capacitor The current through the resistor
increases exponentially with time decreases exponentially with time
Charge on charging Current in resistor :
capacitor : where
Q0 : maximum charge t
 −
t
 −
Q = Q0  1 − e RC  I o : maximum current I = I0e RC
  R : resistance of the resistor
C : capacitance of the capacitor
17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging & 17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging &
Discharging of a Capacitor. Discharging of a Capacitor.
DISCHARGING A CAPACITOR THROUGH A
RESISTOR

Figure below shows a simple circuit for discharging a capacitor. • Initially, the potential difference (voltage) across the capacitor is

When a capacitor is already maximum, V0 and then a maximum current I0 flows through the
R charged to a voltage Vo and it is resistor R.
e−
allowed to discharge through the
resistor R as shown in figure • When part of the positive charges on plate A is neutralized by the
below. electrons, the voltage across the capacitor is reduced.
V
A+ + + + + +
0

When the switch S is closed,
• The process continues until the current through the resistor is
C electrons from plate B begin to
B − −− − −− flow through the resistor R and
zero.
C neutralizes positive charges at
• At this moment, all the charges at plate A is fully neutralized and
plate A.
switch, S e− the voltage across the capacitor becomes zero.
17.2 (b) Sketch and Explain The Characteristics of Q-t and I-t Graph For Charging &
Discharging of a Capacitor. EXAMPLE 17.9
Charge , Q ( C ) Current , I ( A )
Consider the circuit shown in figure below, where C1= 6.00 µF,
Charge on discharging τ = RC tim e , t ( s ) C2 = 3.00 µF and V = 20.0 V.
Q0 capacitor : t 0
−
RC 0. 37 I 0
Q = Q0 e Current in resistor :
t
0.37 Q 0 −
I0 RC
I = −I e
0 τ = RC 0
tim e , t ( s )
The charge on the capacitor The current through the resistor
decreases exponentially with time. decreases exponentially with time.
The negative sign indicates that as the capacitor discharges, the current Capacitor C1 is first charged by the closing of switch S1. Switch
direction opposite its direction when the capacitor was being charged. S1 is then opened, and the charged capacitor is connected
to the uncharged capacitor by the closing of S2. Calculate the
For calculation of current in discharging process, ignore the negative initial charge acquired by C1 and the final charge on each
sign in the formula. capacitor.
 Solution Solution
After the switch S1 is closed. The capacitor C1 is fully charged and the The charge from capacitor C1 flows to the capacitor C2 until the
charge has been placed on it is given by potential difference V’ across each capacitor is the same (parallel) and
given by Q
Q1 = C1V = ( 6.00 µ)( 20.0 ) V'=
Ceq ++ +
+ + + ++ C1 - -
V- - C1 Q1 = 120 µC 120µ - C2
-- - V'=
9.00µ
V ' = 13.3 V S2
S1
After the switch S2 is closed and S1 is opened. The capacitors C1 and Therefore the final charge accumulates
C2 (uncharged) are connected in parallel and the equivalent capacitance
'
is C eq = C1 + C 2 = 9.00 µF - on capacitor C1 : Q1 = C1V ' = ( 6.00 µ)(13.3 )
The total charge Q on the circuit is given by ++ Q1' = 79.8 µC
C1 -- C2
Qtotal = Q1 + Q2 +
Qtotal = 120 + 0 = 120 µC - - on capacitor C2 : Q2' = Q − Q1' or Q2' = C2V '
S2 Q2' = 40.2 µC
EXAMPLE 17.10
Solution
In the RC circuit shown in figure below, the battery has fully charged the a S R
capacitor. a
S R V0 b
C
V0 b
C
Then at t = 0 s the switch S is thrown from position a to b. The battery
voltage is 20.0 V and the capacitance C = 1.02 µF. The current I is
observed to decrease to 0.50 of its initial value in 40 µs. Determine
a. the value of R.
b. the time constant, τ
b. the value of Q, the charge on the capacitor at t = 0.
c. the value of Q at t = 60 µs
17.3 (a) Calculate Capacitance of Air Filled Parallel Plate Capacitor
17. 3 Capacitors With Dielectrics
Parallel-plate Capacitors
LEARNING OUTCOMES :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to :
εo A
a) Calculate capacitance of air-filled parallel plate capacitor, Co =
d
ε
a) Define and use dielectric constant,ε r =
εo
• A parallel–plate capacitor consists of a pair of parallel plates of area A
b) Describe the effect of dielectric on a parallel plate capacitor. separated by a small distance d.
c) Use formula C = ε r Co • If a voltage is applied to a capacitor (connected to a battery), it quickly
becomes charged.
• One plate acquires a negative charge, the other an equal amount of
positive charge and the full battery voltage appears across the plates
of the capacitor (12 V).
 17.3 (a) Calculate Capacitance of Air Filled Parallel Plate Capacitor
EXAMPLE 17.11
• The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor, C is a) Calculate the capacitance of a capacitor whose plates are 20 cm x
proportional to the area of its plates and inversely 3.0 cm and are separated by a 1.0-mm air gap.
b) What is the charge on each plate if the capacitor is connected to a
proportional to the plate separation. 12-V battery?
ε0 A c) What is the electric field between the plates?
C= Parallel--plate capacitor separated by a vacuum
Parallel
d Answer :
or
εA
C= Parallel--plate capacitor separated by a dielectric material
Parallel
d
ε0 : permittivity of free space
ε0 : 8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2
A : area of the plate
d : distance between the two plates
EXAMPLE 17.12
EXERCISE
An electric field of 2.80 x 105 V m-1 is desired between two parallel
plates each of area 21.0 cm2 and separated by 250 cm of air. Find the The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are 8.0 mm apart and
charge on each plate. each has an area of 4.0 cm2. The plates are in vacuum. If the
(Given permittivity of free space, ε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2) potential difference across the plates is 2.0 kV, determine
Solution : a) the capacitance of the capacitor.
b) the amount of charge on each plate.
V c) the electric field strength was produced.
E=
d
C = 4.42 x 10-13F @ 0.44 pF
Q = 8.84 x 10-10C
E = 2.50 x 105 N C-1@V m-1
17.3 (b) Define and Use Dielectric Constant 17.3 (b) Define and Use Dielectric Constant
Dielectric Dielectric Constant
• A dielectric is an insulating material. Hence no free electrons are
available in it. • Dielectric constant, κ (εr) is defined as the ratio between the capacitance
of given capacitor with space between plates filled with dielectric, C with
• When a dielectric (such as rubber, plastics, ceramics, glass or the capacitance of same capacitor with plates in a vacuum, C0.
waxed paper) is inserted between the plates of a capacitor, the
capacitance increases.
C ε : permittivity of dielectric material
εr =
• The capacitance increases by a factor κ or εr which is called the C0
dielectric constant (relative permittivity) of the material.
 εA  ε
 d  εr = or ε = εr ε0
ε =  
r ε0
 ε0 A 
 
 d 
 17.3 (b) Define and Use Dielectric Constant 17.3 (b) Define and Use Dielectric Constant
• From the definition of the capacitance,
Q Q • From the relationship between E and V for uniform electric field,
C= and C0 =
V V0
V = Ed and V0 = E0 d
C
Q is constant
εr = E0 d
where C0 εr =
Ed
V : potential difference across capacitor with dielectric where
V0
εr =
V V0 : potential difference across capacitor in vacuum E0 E0 : electric field strength of the capacitor in vacuum
εr =
E E : electric field strength of the capacitor with dielectric
17.3 (b) Define and Use Dielectric Constant 17.3 (c) Describe the Effect of Dielectric on a Parallel Plate Capacitor.
Material Dielectric constant, εr Dielectric Strength
(106 V m-1) Dielectric effect on the parallel-
parallel-plate
Air 1.00059 3 capacitor
Mylar 3.2 7
Paper 3.7 16
In part a, the region between the charged plates is
Silicone oil 2.5 15 empty. The field lines point from the positive toward
Water 80 - the negative plate
Teflon 2.1 60
*** The dielectric strength is the maximum electric field before dielectric
breakdown (charge flow) occurs and the material becomes a
conductor.
C ε V0 E0
εr = = = =
C 0 ε0 V E
17.3 (c) Describe the Effect of Dielectric on a Parallel Plate Capacitor. 17.3 (c) Describe the Effect of Dielectric on a Parallel Plate Capacitor.
In part b, a dielectric has been inserted between the
plates. Because of the electric field between the
plates, the molecules of the dielectric (whether polar • Because of the surface charges on the dielectric,
or non-polar) will tend to become oriented as shown not all the electric field lines generated by the
in the figure, the negative ends are attracted to the charges on the plates pass through the dielectric.
positive plate and the positive ends are attracted to • As figure c shows, some of the field lines end on
the negative plate. Because of the end-to-end the negative surface charges and begin again on
orientation, the left surface of the dielectric become the positive surface charges.
negatively charged, and the right surface become
positively charged.
E0
εr =
E
 17.3 (c) Describe the Effect of Dielectric on a Parallel Plate Capacitor.
EXAMPLE 17.14
• Thus, the electric field inside the dielectric is less strong than the
electric field inside the empty capacitor, assuming the charge on the A parallel-plate capacitor has plates of area A = 2x10-10 m2 and
plates remains constant. separation d = 1 cm. The capacitor is charged to a potential
• This reduction in the electric field is described by the dielectric constant εr difference V0 = 3000 V. Then the battery is disconnected and a
which is the ratio of the field magnitude Eo without the dielectric to the field dielectric sheet of the same area A is placed between the plates as
magnitude E inside the dielectric: shown in figure below.
Quantity Capacitor With Capacitor Without Relationship
Dielectric Dielectric
Electric Field E Eo E < Eo
Potential Difference V Vo V < Vo
dielectric
Charge Q Qo Q = Qo
Capacitance C Co C > Co
C ε V E
εr = = = 0 = 0
C 0 ε0 V E d
Solution
In the presence of the dielectric, the potential difference across the plates is
reduced to 1000 V. Determine
a) the initial capacitance of the air-filled capacitor.
b) the charge on each plate before the dielectric is inserted.
c) the capacitance after the dielectric is in place.
d) the relative permittivity.
e) the permittivity of dielectric sheet.
f) the initial electric field.
g) the electric field after the dielectric is inserted.
(Given permittivity of free space, ε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 F m-1)
EXERCISE
1. How is the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor affected by
a) The charge on plates
b) The potential difference across the capacitor
c) The area of each plate
d) The distance between the plates
e) Filling the space between the plates with an insulator?
2. The separation between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor is
0.20 mm. The area of each plate is 0.56 m2 . A potential
difference of 240 V is applied between the plates of the capacitor.
a) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor. (2.48 x 10-8 F)
b) What is the charge on each plate? (5.95 x 10-6 C