CAPACITOR
Any two conductors separated by an insulator are known as a capacitor. Electric field can be produced in this
separation. The conductors are called electrodes or plates. Here, the conductors have one of them at a higher
potential of charge +Q and the other have a lower potential with a charge -Q.
A capacitor is an electrical device that is used in storing charges.
+Q -Q insulator or dielectric
d metal plates
The capacitance (C) of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the charge Q on either plate of the conductors to
the potential difference V between them.
𝑄
𝐶=
𝑉
The unit of capacitance is Farad.
PARALLEL-PLATE CAPACITORS
Area A +Q
-Q
Let the area of the plate = A
Let the separation between the plates = d
Let one plate have a charge of +Q and the other -Q
Let the capacitance be C
Let the permittivity of the material be 𝜀
𝑄
Let charge density 𝜎 = 𝐴
1
𝜎
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑, 𝐸 =
𝜀
𝑄
Since 𝜎 =
𝐴
𝑄
∴𝐸=
𝜀𝐴
𝑉
But if V is the p.d between the plates, the electric field, 𝐸 = 𝑑
𝑉 = 𝐸. 𝑑
𝑄
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸 =
𝜀𝐴
𝑄
∴𝑉= .𝑑
𝜀𝐴
𝑄𝑑
𝑉=
𝜀𝐴
𝑉 𝑑
=
𝑄 𝜀𝐴
𝑄 𝜀𝐴
=
𝑉 𝑑
𝑄
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝐶 =
𝑉
𝜀𝐴
∴𝐶=
𝑑
To increase the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor, you will place a di-electric material between the plate.
This has a way of reducing the p.d. across the capacitor. Once the p.d is reduced, the capacitance is increased.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with a material of relative permittivity 𝜖𝑟 feeling the space
between the plates is;
𝜀0 𝜖𝑟 𝐴
𝐶=
𝑑
ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR
While the capacitor is being charged, its charge build up from an initial value of zero (0) to the final value of
q and the p.d between the plates build up from an initial value of zero (0) to the final value of V.
While the reverse is the case if it is discharging i.e. for charge, initial value is q and final value is zero (V).
𝑃. 𝑑 = 0 → 𝑉
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = 0 → 𝑞
1 1 𝑞 𝑞
Charging:- 𝑊 = 2 𝑉×𝑞 = 2 𝑞𝑉 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐶 = 𝑉 or 𝑉 = 𝐶
2
1 1 𝑞 𝑞2
∴ 𝑊 = 2 𝑞𝑉 = 2 𝑞× 𝐶 = 2𝐶
where 𝑞 = 𝐶𝑉
1 1 1
𝑊 = 𝑞𝑉 = 𝐶𝑉. 𝑉 = 𝐶𝑉 2
2 2 2
Discharging:-
𝑄 𝑞𝑑𝑞 1 𝑄2 1 1
Energy = ∫ −𝑉𝑑𝑞 = ∫0 𝐶
=2 𝐶
= 2 𝐶𝑉 2 = 2 𝑄𝑉
Since capacitors have the ability to store charge, they are also a source of electrical energy. Care must be taken
when touching capacitors because although they may be disconnected from a supply, they may still retain a
charge and this stored energy can give you a serious shock.
The rate at which a capacitor can be charged or discharged depends on;
a. the capacitance of the capacitor
b. the resistance of the circuit through which is being charged or is discharging
𝑡
𝑉 = 𝑉0 𝑒 −( ⁄𝑅𝐶)
𝑡
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −( ⁄𝑅𝐶)
Examples
1. A capacitor of charge 5×10−8 𝐶 has a potential of 100V. What is the capacitance of the capacitor?
(5×10−4 𝜇𝐹)
2. A capacitor of capacitance 5μF is subjected to a p.d of 1000V across its terminals. Calculate the energy
stored in the capacitor (2.5J)
3. Calculate the capacitance of a pair of parallel plates of area 25cm2 if they are separated by a piece of
Perspex 0.1mm thick. Take the relative permittivity of Perspex to be 3.5 (0.74nF)
3
GROWTH AND DECAY OF CURRENT
In R-C circuits R C
The growth of current can be shown to have the following expression
𝐸 −𝑡⁄
𝐼 = 𝑅 (1 − 𝑒 𝑅𝐶 )…………… (i)
−𝑡⁄
𝐼 = 𝐼0 (1 − 𝑒 𝑅𝐶 )
The decay of current can be shown to have the following expression
𝐸 −𝑡⁄
𝐼 = 𝑅𝑒 𝑅𝐶 ……….. (ii)
−𝑡⁄
𝐼 = 𝐼0 𝑒 𝑅𝐶
From (i) and (ii); 𝜏 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝑅𝐶. It is measured in second
−𝑡⁄
So, in (i) 𝐼 = 𝐼0 (1 − 𝑒 𝜏)
−𝑡⁄
In (ii) 𝐼 = 𝐼0 𝑒 𝜏
Examples
1. A capacitor is discharged through a 10MΩ resistor and it is found that the time constant is 200s.
Calculate the value of the capacitor.
2. Calculate the time for the potential across a 100µF capacitor to fall to 80% of its original value if it is
discharged through a 20kΩ resistor.
