CAPACITORS AND DIELECTRICS
CAPACITANCE:
The capacitance of a conductor is the measure of its ability to hold
electric charge.
NOTE:
If the charge Q raises the potential of a conductor by V, then:
DIELECTRIC:
A dielectric is a substance which does not allow the flow of charges
through it but permits them to exert electrostatic force on one another
through it.
A dielectric is essentially an insulator which can be polarised through
small localised displacement of its charges. Example glass, wax ,rubber,
plastic.
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT:
It is the ratio of capacitance of a capacitor completely filled with that
material to the capacitance of a the same capacitor in vacuum.
NOTE:
CAPACITANCE OF AN ISOLATED SPHERICAL CONDUCTOR:
Consider an isolated spherical conductor with charge +Q. We assume that
the charge is concentrated to the Centre.
We know that,
NOTE:
POTENTIAL ENERGY OF A CHARGED CAPACITOR:
We know that the potential acquired by a conductor when given charge Q
will be:
If a small charge dQ is brought from infinity, the work done will be:
Potential energy in terms of Q and C
Potential energy in terms of C and V
Potential energy in terms of Q and V
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CAPACITORS:
It is a pair of two conductors of any shape ( parallel plates) which are
close to each other and have equal and opposite charges.
Factors affecting capacitance of a capacitor:
1. Area of the plates
2. Distance between the plates
3. Medium between the plates
NOTE:
Capacitance of a capacitor does not depend on the charge Q and
potential V
CAPACITANCE OF A PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR:
If the space between the sheets is filled with
dielectric material of dielectric constant K, then:
If V be the potential difference between the plates,
Since, capacitance of a capacitor is:
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If the medium is filled with air (K=1) then:
CAPACITANCE OF A PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR PARTIALLY FILLED WITH
DIELECTRIC MATERIAL (DIELECTRIC SLAB)
The potential difference between the plates will be:
Thus, Capacitance of the partially filled capacitor will be:
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NOTE:
➢ If the entire space between the plates is filled with slab, t=d
➢ If the entire space is air, t=0 and K =1
➢ If thickness of slab is t and K=
➢ If the entire space is filled with slabs of dielectric constant K1,K2,….
and thickness t1,t2,…..
COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS:
1) IN SERIES
The potential difference between a and b is:
Note:
• The equivalent (net) capacitance will be lesser than the lowest
individual capacitance in series.
• The voltage of that individual capacitor will be maximum whose
capacitance is lowest (or minimum) since it is inversely
proportional.
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2) IN PARALLEL
Note :
• The equivalent capacitance will be more than the maximum
individual capacitor.
• If you require large capacitance at a small potential the capacitors
are to be connected in parallel.
ENERGY DENSITY IN CAPACITORS:
Energy stored per unit volume in an electric field between the plates of a
capacitor is known as its energy density (u).
We know that:
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Note:
• In series or in parallel the total energy stored in the system of
capacitors will be:
U= U1+U2+….
FORCE BETWEEN PLATES OF A CHARGED PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR:
Due to opposite polarity of the place there is an attractive force (F)
between the plates. If the plates are gradually pulled apart to a distance d
then a uniform electric field E is maintained and thus the force remains
constant at F.
The work done in separating the plates from near zero to d will be:
W = Fxd
The potential energy stored will be:
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POLAR AND NON-POLAR DIELECTRIC MOLECULES:
POLAR MOLECULE NON-POLAR MOLECULE
Centre of gravity of the positive charge is The centre of gravity of the positive
separated from the centre of gravity of a and the negative charges coincide.
negative charged by a finite distance
They possess dipole moment Dipole moment is zero
Examples HCl, H2O Example CO2, H2
ELECTRIC POLARISATION OF MATTER:
1. In absence of external electric field the molecules are oriented
randomly that is they do not have a net dipole moment
2. When the dielectric material is placed in an electric field, the
electric properties are modified.
3. When placed in the field the molecules align in the direction of the
field.
4. Due to the thermal agitation of the molecules, the alignment is not
perfect. Thus the net dipole moment is produced in the dielectric.
NOTE: To make the alignment perfect the electric field is increased or
the temperature is decreased.
FEW DEFINITIONS:
➢ Electric polarisation of matter:
When an electric field produces, in a dielectric (polar or non-polar), a
net dipole moment in the direction of the field the process is called
electric polarisation of matter
➢ Dielectric Strength:
It is the maximum value of the electric field that a dielectric can
tolerate without its electric breakdown (break down of its insulating
properties).
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CHARGE INDUCED ON THE SURFACE OF A DIELECTRIC SLAB WHEN
PLACED BETWEEN PLATES OF A PARALLEL PLATE:
Electric field in the air between the plate is
Let the charges induced on the plates be :
+Q’ , -Q’ [Q’<Q]
If the dielectric is present then:
