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Module 2 Lecture 2

The document discusses the principles of capacitance, including the definition of capacitance, the behavior of parallel-plate capacitors, and the effects of dielectrics on capacitance. It explains how charging a capacitor occurs in a circuit and how to calculate capacitance using electric fields and potential differences. Additionally, it covers the energy stored in capacitors and the impact of dielectrics on electric fields and capacitance values.

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3 views10 pages

Module 2 Lecture 2

The document discusses the principles of capacitance, including the definition of capacitance, the behavior of parallel-plate capacitors, and the effects of dielectrics on capacitance. It explains how charging a capacitor occurs in a circuit and how to calculate capacitance using electric fields and potential differences. Additionally, it covers the energy stored in capacitors and the impact of dielectrics on electric fields and capacitance values.

Uploaded by

a.oke.swe2023049
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2-1 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.

A parallel-plate capacitor, made up of As the field lines show, the electric field due to
two plates of area A separated by a the charged plates is uniform in the central
distance d. The charges on the region between the plates. The field is not
facing plate surfaces have the same uniform at the edges of the plates, as indicated
magnitude q but opposite signs by the “fringing” of the field lines there.
2-1 Capacitance

Charging Capacitor
When a circuit with a battery, an open switch, and an uncharged capacitor is
completed by closing the switch, conduction electrons shift, leaving the
capacitor plates with opposite charges.

In Fig. a, a battery B, a switch S, an uncharged capacitor C, and interconnecting


wires form a circuit. The same circuit is shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. b,
in which the symbols for a battery, a switch, and a capacitor represent those
devices. The battery maintains potential difference V between its terminals. The
terminal of higher potential is labeled + and is often called the positive terminal; the
terminal of lower potential is labeled - and is often called the negative terminal.
2-2 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, we shall use Gauss’ law:

the potential difference between the plates of a


capacitor is related to the field E by

Letting V represent the difference Vf - Vi ,


we can then recast the above
equation as: 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.
2-2 Calculating the Capacitance

Parallel-Plate Capacitor
We assume, as Figure suggests, 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 A charged parallel-plate capacitor.


relations to q=CV, we get, 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.
2-3 Capacitors in Parallel and in Series

Capacitors in Parallel
2-3 Capacitors in Parallel and in Series

Capacitors in Series
2-4 Energy Stored in an Electric Field

The electric potential energy U of a charged capacitor,

and,

is equal to the work required to charge the capacitor. This energy can be
associated with the capacitor’s electric field E.

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
2-5 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, (Greek kappa) which is a number greater than 1.

(a)If the potential difference between the (b) If the charge on the capacitor plates is
plates of a capacitor is maintained, as maintained, as in this case by isolating the
by the presence of battery B, the effect capacitor, the effect of a dielectric is to reduce
of a dielectric is to increase the charge the potential difference between the plates. The
on the plates. scale shown is that of a potentiometer, a device
used to measure potential difference (here,
between the plates). A capacitor cannot
discharge through a potentiometer.
2-5 Capacitor with a Dielectric

An Atomic View

Polar Dielectrics

(b) An electric field is applied, (a) Molecules with a permanent


producing partial alignment of the electric dipole moment, showing their
dipoles. Thermal agitation random orientation in the absence of
prevents complete alignment. an external electric field.

Nonpolar
Dielectrics
2-6 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.
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 k 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
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.

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