Capacitor

Capacitor or Condenser :
A capacitor is a device that stores electric energy. or A capacitor is a pair of two conductors of any shape, which
are close to each other and have equal and opposite charge.
Capacitance – The potential ‘V’ appearing on a conductor is directly proportional to the charge ‘Q’ given to it
i.e.
V ∝ Q or Q ∝ V
Or Q = CV

Or 𝑄
𝐶=
𝑉

Where C is a proportionality constant, called capacity or capacitance of conductor. Hence capacitance is the
ability of conductor to hold the charge.
Note:
(1) Capacitance of a capacitor is independent of Q or V.
(2) Capacitance depends only upon geometrical configuration (shape , size, separation) of the system of
conductor and nature of medium between them.
(3) The S.I unit of capacitor is Farad (F), or coulomb / volt.
(4) 1 Farad is a very large unit of capacitance. For practical purposes, the more practically units are
1μ F = 10-6 F, 1 nF = 10-9 F and 1 pF = 10-12 F
(5) Dimensions of capacitance= [M −1 L−2 T 4 A2 ]

Capacity of an isolated spherical conductor : When charge Q is given to a spherical

conductor of radius R, then potential at the surface of sphere is
1 Q Q
V    4 0 R
4 0 R V

C  4πε0 R
If earth is assumed to be a conducting sphere having radius R  6400 km. It’s theoretical capacitance
C  711F . But for all practical purpose capacitance of earth is taken infinity and its potential V  0 .

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 EXERCISE–1
1. Twenty seven spherical drops of radius 3 mm and carrying 10-12 C of charge are combined to form a single drop. Find
the capacitance and the potential of the bigger drop. (Ans. 1 pF , 27 V )
2. An isolated sphere has a capacitance 50 pF. (i) Calculate its radius. (ii) How much charge should be placed on it to
raise potential to 104 V? (Ans. 45 cm , 0.5 𝛍C )
3. 125 drops of water each of radius 2 mm and carrying charge of 1 nC are made of form a bigger drop. Find the
capacitance and potential of the bigger drop. (Ans. 1.1 pF, 113.6 V )
4. N drops of mercury of equal radii and possessing equal charges combine to form a big drop. Compare the charge,
capacitance and potential of bigger drop with the corresponding quantities of individual drops.(Ans. N, N 1/3, N2/3 )

Principal of capacitor :
if an identical earthed conductor is placed near a charged conductor than the charge carrying capacity of the
conductor increase appreciably.
Parallel plate capacitor:
It consists of two parallel metallic plates (may be circular, rectangular, square) separated by a small distance.

Expression for capacitance of parallel plate capacitors:

Let area of each plate be ‘A’ and ‘d’ be the separation between them. Two plates have charge +q and –q. let the
intervening medium be vacuum.
Now, electric field intensity between the plates, having charge densities +σ and -σ is
σ q
E= =
ε0 ε0 A
For uniform electric field, potential difference between the plates will simply be the product to of electric field
qd
and the distance between the plate i.e. V = Ed = ………….. …(1)
ε0 A
Now from eq. (1),
q
Capacitance C= ……………(2)
V
ε0 A
𝐶=
d

If entire intervening medium is filled using a dielectric constant εr the

capacitance becomes

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 ϵA ϵr ϵ0 A
Cmed = = = εr C ……….…(3)
d d

𝐶𝑚𝑒𝑑 = 𝜖𝑟 𝐶
Note :-The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
(i) Directly proportional to the area of each plate.
(ii) Directly proportional to the dielectric constant of medium.
(iii) Inversely proportional to the distance between the plates.
(iv) Independent of the material of the plates.

EXERCISE–2
1. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The charge stored in it is
360 μC . When potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V , the charge stored in it becomes 120 μC .
calculate :
(i) The potential V and the unknown capacitance C
(ii) What will be the charge stored in the capacitor , if the voltage applied had increased by 120 V?
(Ans. 180 V , 600 𝛍𝐂 )
2. A parallel plate capacitor has plate area of 25.0 cm2 and a separation of 2.0 mm between its plates. The
capacitor is connected to 12 V battery .(i) Find the charge on the capacitor (ii) If the plate separation is
decreased by 1.0 mm, what extra charge is given by the battery to the positive plate? (Ans. 1.32 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎
C , 1.32 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎 C )
3. Two parallel plate air capacitors have their plate areas 100 and 500 cm2 respectively. If they have the same
charge and potential and the distance between the plates of the first capacitor is 0.5 mm. what is the distance
between the plates of the second capacitor? (Ans. 2.5 mm )
4. The negative plate of a parallel plate capacitor is given a charge of -20 × 10−8 C. Find the charges
appearing on the four surfaces of the capacitor plates.
(Ans. - 10 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 C , + 10 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 C , - 10 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 C , - 10 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟖 C )
5. Calculate the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor having circular discs of radii 5.0 cm each. The
separation between the discs is 1.0 mm. (Ans. 0.69 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟎 F )

Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with dielectric slab inserted between the plates-
Let a dielectric slab of thickness t be inserted between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor. let ⃗E be the
electric field due to the plates of the capacitor and E ′ be the net electric field inside the dielectric. Then, the
potential difference between the plates
V = E (d − t ) + E ′ t
E + –
V = E (d − t ) + t + t
∈r –
t σ
V = E(d − t + ) But E = ∈ + –
∈r 0 A
σ t + –
Thus, V = (d − t + ) +
K
–
∈0 ∈r
q t + –
Or V= (d − t + ) E
A∈0 ∈r d

3
 Q
Therefore C = V
A∈0
Or C = t
(d−t+ )
∈ r
𝐴 ∈0
𝐶=
1
𝑑 − 𝑡 (1 − ∈ )
𝑟

Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with conducting slab inserted between the plates-
Let a conducting slab of thickness t be inserted between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor. let ⃗E be the
electric field due to the plates of the capacitor. Inside the conducting slab, electric field is zero. Then, the
potential difference between the plates
V = E(d − t)
σ
But E =
∈0
σ
Thus, V = (d − t)
∈0
q
O V= (d − t)
A∈0

q
Therefore C =
V
𝐴 ∈0
𝐶=
(𝑑 − 𝑡)
Note :-
(i) Capacity is independent of position of metallic slab or dielectric slab between the plates.
(ii) With the insertion of a dielectric slab, capacitance of the capacitor increases.
(iii) With the insertion of metallic slab, capacitance of the capacitor increases. And for t= d, it becomes
infinite.
(iv) Dielectric constant for a metal is infinity i.e. for a metal , ∈r = ∞

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 EXERCISE – 3

1. In a parallel plate capacitor, the capacitance increases from 4 μF to 80 μF, on introduction a dielectric
medium between the plates. What is the dielectric constant of the medium? (Ans : 20 )
2. A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has capacitance of 8 μF. The separation between the
plates is now reduced by half and the space between them is filled with a medium of dielectric constant 5.
Calculate value of capacitance of the capacitor in the second case. (Ans : 80 𝐩𝐅 )
3. The two plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 4 mm apart. A slab of dielectric constant 3 and thickness 3
mm is introduced between the plates with its faces parallel to them. The distance between the plates is so
adjusted that the capacitance of the capacitor becomes 2/3rd of its original value. What is the new distance
between the plates? (Ans. 8 mm )
4. The distance between the parallel plates of a charged capacitor is 5 cm and the intensity of electric field is
300 V cm-1. A slab of dielectric constant 5 and thickness 1 cm is inserted parallel to the plates. Determine
the potential difference between the plates, before and after the slab is inserted? (Ans. 1500 V, 1260 V )
5. A slab of material of dielectric constant k has the same as the plates of a parallel plate capacitor but has
thickness d/2, where d is the separation between the plates. Find the expression for the capacitance when the
𝟐𝐊
slab is inserted between the plates. (Ans. 𝐂𝟎 )
𝐊+𝟏

Energy stored in a capacitor -

The work done in charging the capacitor is stored as its electrical potential energy. let the charge appearing on
the capacitor be q and potential difference across its plates be V.
𝑸𝟐
𝑼= 𝟐𝑪

This work done is stored in from electrostatics potential energy in the capacitors, in the space between the
plates. Equation (16) can also be expressed in other forms as follows:
𝟏
Putting 𝐐 = 𝐂𝐕 , 𝐔 = 𝟐 𝐂𝐕 𝟐
𝐐 𝟏
Putting 𝐂 = , 𝐔= 𝐐𝐕
𝐕 𝟐

Energy density :

U 1
u= ⇒0 𝑢= 𝜀 𝐸2
Ad 2 0

Redistribution of Charges and Loss of Energy

When two charged conductors joined together through a conducting wire, charge begins to flow from one
conductor to another from higher potential to lower potential. This flow of charge stops when they attain the same
potential.
Due to flow of charge, loss of energy also takes place in the form of heat through the connecting wire.
Suppose there are two spherical conductors of radii r1 and r2 , having charge Q1 and Q2 , potential V1 and V2 ,
energies U 1 and U 2 and capacitance C1 and C 2 respectively.
let the common potential occurring on them be V and the final charges be Q1 ′and Q2 ′ . Then from conservation
of charge
Q′1 + Q2 ′ = Q1 + Q2

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 C1 V + C2 V = C1 V1 + C2 V2
V(C1 + C2 ) = C1 V1 + C2 V2
C1 V1 + C2 V2
V= ………………(1)
C1 + C2
When two conductor are connected, flow of charge occurs from conductor to another and there is loss of energy
due to Joules heating in the conducting wires. This can be calculated as below:
Initial electrical energy stored in the two conductor:
1 1
U1 = C1 V1 2 + C2 V2 2 ………………(2)
2 2

Final electric energy stored in the two capacitors:

1
U2 = (C1 + C2 )V 2
2
From (1) and (2)
1 C1 V1 + C2 V2 2
U2 = (C1 + C2 ) [ ]
2 C1 + C2
(C1 V1 + C2 V2 )2
⇒ U2 =
2 ( C1 + C2 )
Therefore, loss in energy
∆U = U1 − U2
1 1 (C1 V1 + C2 V2 )2
∆U = ( 2 C1 V1 2 + C2 V2 2 ) −
2 2 ( C1 + C2 )
C1C2
U  Ui  U f  (V1  V2 ) 2 ………………………………(3)
2(C1  C2 )
From eq . (3) , it is clear that no charge will flow if V1 = V2 and hence there will be no loss in energy .

EXERCISE – 4
1. A parallel plate capacitor of 300 μF is charged to 200 V. If the distance between its plates is halved, what
will be the potential difference between the plates and what will be the change in stored energy? (Ans. 100
V, 3 J )
2. Two capacitors of capacitances C1 =3 μF and C2 = 6 μF arranged in series are connected in parallel with a
third capacitor C3 = 4 μF. The arrangement is connected to a 6.0 V battery. Calculate the total energy stored
in the capacitors. (Ans : 1.08 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 J )
3. A 800 pF capacitor is charged by a 100 V battery. After some time the battery is disconnected. the capacitor
is then connected to another 800 pF capacitor. What is the electrostatic energy stored? (Ans : 2 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 J )
4. A capacitor is charged to potential V1. The power supply is disconnected and the capacitor is connected in
parallel to another uncharged capacitor.
(A) Derive the expression for the common potential of the combination of capacitors.
(B) Show that total energy of the combination is less than the sum of the energy stored in them before
they are connected.

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5. Two capacitors are in parallel and the energy stored is 45 J, when the combination is raised to potential of
3000 V . With the same two capacitors in series, the energy stored is 4.05 J for the same potential. What are
their individual capacitances? (Ans : 9𝛍𝐅 , 1𝛍𝐅 )
6. A capacitor of capacitance 6 μF is charged to a potential of 150 V. Its potential falls to 90 V, when another
capacitor is connected to it. Find the capacitance of the second capacitor and the amount of energy lost due
to the connection. (Ans : 4𝛍𝐅 , 0.027 J )

Variation of different variable (Q, C, V, E and U) of parallel plate capacitor

Quantity Battery is Removed Battery Remains connected

A K A K

d d
V

Capacity C = KC C = KC
Charge Q = Q Q = KQ
Potential V = V/K V = V
Intensity E = E/K E = E
Energy U = U/K U = KU

Series and Parallel combination of capacitors –

1. Capacitors in series – In series connection, positive plate of one capacitor is connected to negative plate of
the other and same charge appear on each of the capacitor. Also, the total potential drop across the
combination is the sum of individual potential drops across
each capacitor C1 C2 C3
+Q –Q +Q –Q +Q –Q
i.e. V = V1 + V2 + V3 + – + – + –
+ – + – + –
Q ++ –– + – + –
Q Q Q + – + –
or V = + + V1 V2 V3
C1 C2 C3
+ –
V 1 1 1
or = + + V
Q C1 C2 C3
…………………….(1) If the combination is regarded as an effectives capacitor
(capacitance C) with charge Q and potential difference V, effective capacitance of the combination is
Q 1 V
C= or = …………………….(2)
V C Q
From (1) and (2),
1 1 1 1
= + + ..……………………(3)
C C1 C2 C3

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 Result (3) can be extended to n numbers of capacitor in series as
1 1 1 1
= + + …+
C C1 C2 Cn
(a) If n identical capacitors each having capacitances C are connected in series with supply voltage V then
C V
Equivalent capacitance C eq  and Potential difference across each capacitor V '  .
n n
(b) If n identical plates are arranged as shown below, they constitute (n – 1) capacitors in series. If each capacitors
 A 0 A
having capacitance 0 then Ceq 
d (n  1)d

+ + – + – + – + –
+ – + – + – + – –
+ – + – + – + –
+ – + – + – + –

In this situation except two extreme plates each plate is common to adjacent capacitors.

2. Capacitors in parallel – In parallel combination , same potential +Q1 – Q1

difference exists across each capacitor ,capacitors are connected in + –
+ –
+ –
such a way that their positive plates are connected at one point and Q1 +–
+Q2 –Q2
negative plates at some other point; total charge through the + –
+ –
combination is the sum of charge on individual capacitor i.e. Q2 ++ –
–
Q Q3 +Q3 –Q3
Q = Q1 + Q 2 + Q 3 +–
+–
+–
+–
But , Q1 = C1 V ; Q2 = C2 V and Q3 = C3 V
Hence, Q = C1 V + C2 V + C3 V V
Or CV = C1 V + C2 V + C3 V
where C is the equivalent capacitance
Or C = C1 + C2 + C3 ……………….(1)
This result can be extended to n numbers of combination of n capacitors is
parallel as
C = C1 + C2 + C3 + ⋯ + Cn …………………(2)

(a) If n identical capacitors are connected in parallel Equivalent capacitance C eq  nC and Charge on each
Q
capacitor Q' 
n
(b) If n identical plates are arranged such that even numbered of plates are connected together and odd numbered
plates are connected together, then (n – 1) capacitors will be formed and they will be in parallel grouping.

2 4 6
1 3 5 7

Equivalent capacitance C'  (n  1) C ; where C = capacitance of a capacitor

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 EXERCISE – 5

1. Two parallel plate capacitors, X and Y, have the same area of plates and same separation between them are
connected in series with 12 V source. X has air between the plates while Y contains a dielectric medium of
εr = 4.
(i) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent capacitance of the combination is 4 μF.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y.
(iii)What is the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y ?
(Ans. (i) 5 𝛍F, 20 𝛍F (ii) 9.6 V , 2.4 V (iii) 4 : 1 )
2. Three capacitors C1 ,C2 and C3 are connected to a 6 V battery, as shown in Fig. Find the charges on the three
capacitors. (Ans: 30𝛍𝐂 , 15 𝛍𝐂 , 15𝛍𝐂 )

3. If C1 = 3 pF and C2= 2 pF, calculate the equivalent capacitance of the given network between points A and
𝟔𝟎
B. (Ans: pF )
𝟔𝟏

4. From the network shown in Fig. , find the value of the capacitance C if the equivalent capacitance between
𝟑𝟐
points A and B is to be 1 μF. All the capacitances are in μF. (Ans: pF)
𝟐𝟑

9
5. Find the equivalent capacitance between the points P and Q as shown in Fig. Given C= 18 μF and
C1 =12 μF. (Ans: 11 𝛍𝐅)

6. Four capacitors are connected as shown in the Fig. Calculate the equivalent capacitance between the points
X and Y. (Ans: 5 𝛍𝐅)

7. What is the capacitance of arrangement of 4 plates of area A at distance in air in Fig.?

𝟑𝛆𝟎 𝐀
( Ans : 𝐂 = )
𝐝

8. Two capacitors of equal capacitance when connected in series have net capacitance C1 ,and when connected
in parallel have net C1 / C2 ? (Ans. C1/C2 =1/4 )
9. Find the equivalent capacitor of the ladder (Fig. ) between points A and B. (Ans: 2 𝛍𝐅)

10. If C1 =20 μF, C2 =30 μF and C3=15 μF and the insulated plate of C1 be at a potential of 90 V , one plate of
C3 being earthed. What is the potential difference between the plates of C2 three capacitors being connected
in series? (Ans: 20 V)

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11. In the circuit shown in Fig. , if the point C is earthed and point A is given a potential of + 1200 V, find the
charge on each capacitor and the potential at the point B. (Ans. 2.4 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 C , 1.6 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 C , 0.8 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑
C , 400 V )

12. A network of four 10 μF capacitors is connected to a 500 V supply as shown in Fig. Determine (a) The
equivalent capacitance of the network, (b) the charge on each capacitor.
(Ans. 13.3 𝛍𝐅 , 1.7 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 C , 5 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 C )

13. The capacities of three capacitors are in the ratio 1:2:3. their equivalent capacity in parallel is greater than
the equivalent capacity in series by 60/11 pF. Calculate the individual capacitance. (Ans. 1 pF, 2 pF, 3pF )
14. Three identical capacitors C1 , C2 and C3 of capacitance 6 μF each connected to a 12 V battery as shown:
(A) Charge on each capacitor.
(B) Equivalent capacitance of the network.
(C) Energy stored in the network of capacitors.
(Ans : 36𝛍𝐂 ,72𝛍𝐂, 9𝛍𝐅 , 6.48 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 J )

11
15. Four capacitors C1, C2, C3 and C4 are connected to a battery of 12 V, as shown in Fig. Find the potential
difference between the points A and B. (Ans: 4 V)

16. Figure. shows two identical capacitors, C1 and C2 each of 1 μF capacitance connected to a battery of 6 V.
Initially switch 'S' is closed. After some time 'S' is left open and dielectric slabs of dielectric constant K =3
are inserted to fill completely the space between the plates of the two capacitors . how will the (i) charge
and (ii) potential difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slabs are inserted?
(Ans : 18 𝛍𝐂 , 2 V )

17. Three identical parallel plate (air) capacitors C1, C2, C3 have capacitances C each. The space between their
plates is now filled with dielectric as shown. If all the three capacitors still have equal capacitances, obtain
the relation between the dielectric capacitances k1, k2, k3 and k4.
𝟐𝐊 𝟏 𝐊 𝟐 𝐊 𝟑 +𝐊 𝟒
(Ans : 𝐊 = = )
𝐊 𝟏 +𝐊 𝟐 𝟐

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