Chapter 26

Capacitance and Dielectrics

Circuits and Circuit Elements

Electric circuits are the basis for the vast majority of the devices used in society.
Circuit elements can be connected with wires to form electric circuits.
Capacitors are one circuit element.
§ Others will be introduced in other chapters

Introduction
Capacitors

Capacitors are devices that store electric charge.

Examples of where capacitors are used include:
§ radio receivers
§ filters in power supplies
§ to eliminate sparking in automobile ignition systems
§ energy-storing devices in electronic flashes

Introduction
Makeup of a Capacitor

A capacitor consists of two conductors.

§ These conductors are called
plates.
§ When the conductor is charged,
the plates carry charges of equal
magnitude and opposite directions.
A potential difference exists between
the plates due to the charge.

Section 26.1
Definition of Capacitance

The capacitance, C, of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of the

charge on either conductor to the potential difference between the conductors.
Q
Cº
DV
The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F).
The farad is a large unit, typically you will see microfarads (mF) and picofarads
(pF).
Capacitance will always be a positive quantity
The capacitance of a given capacitor is constant.
The capacitance is a measure of the capacitor’s ability to store charge .
§ The capacitance of a capacitor is the amount of charge the capacitor can
store per unit of potential difference.

Section 26.1
Parallel Plate Capacitor
Each plate is connected to a terminal of
the battery.
§ The battery is a source of potential
difference.
If the capacitor is initially uncharged,
the battery establishes an electric field
in the connecting wires.

Section 26.1
Parallel Plate Capacitor, cont

This field applies a force on electrons in the wire just outside of the plates.
The force causes the electrons to move onto the negative plate.
This continues until equilibrium is achieved.
§ The plate, the wire and the terminal are all at the same potential.
At this point, there is no field present in the wire and the movement of the
electrons ceases.
The plate is now negatively charged.
A similar process occurs at the other plate, electrons moving away from the plate
and leaving it positively charged.
In its final configuration, the potential difference across the capacitor plates is the
same as that between the terminals of the battery.

Section 26.1
Problem 26.1

(a) How much charge is on each plate of a 4.00 µF capacitor when it is

connected to a 12.0-V
80 Capacitance battery? (b) If this same capacitor is connected to a 1.50-V
and Dielectrics
battery, what charge is stored?
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS

Section 26.1 Definition of Capacitance

P26.1 (a) e ja f
Q = C∆V = 4.00 × 10 −6 F 12.0 V = 4.80 × 10 −5 C = 48.0 µC

(b) e ja f
Q = C∆V = 4.00 × 10 −6 F 1.50 V = 6.00 × 10 −6 C = 6.00 µC

Q 10.0 × 10 −6 C
P26.2 (a) C= = = 1.00 × 10 −6 F = 1.00 µF
∆V 10.0 V

Q 100 × 10 −6 C
(b) ∆V = = = 100 V
C 1.00 × 10 −6 F

Section 26.1
Section 26.2 Calculating Capacitance
Capacitance – Parallel Plates

The charge density on the plates is σ = Q/A.

§ A is the area of each plate, the area of each plate is equal
§ Q is the charge on each plate, equal with opposite signs
The electric field is uniform between the plates and zero elsewhere.
The capacitance is proportional to the area of its plates and inversely
proportional to the distance between the plates.
Q Q Q ε A
C= = = = o
DV Ed Qd / εo A d

Section 26.2
Circuit Symbols

A circuit diagram is a simplified

representation of an actual circuit.
Circuit symbols are used to represent
the various elements.
Lines are used to represent wires.
The battery’s positive terminal is
indicated by the longer line.

Section 26.3
 B
Key

Movable
plate
Example 26.1 Parallel-Plate Capacitor
Soft
insulator
A parallel-plate capacitor with air between the plates has an area A = 2.00 x 10-4
Fixedm2 and a plate separationFigure 26.5 (Quick
d = 1.00 Quiz 26.2)
mm. Find One type of com-
its capacitance.
plate puter keyboard button.

pacitor

ween the plates has an $0A (8.85 " 10#12 C 2/N%m2)(2.00 " 10#4 m2)
eparation d ! 1.00 mm. C! !
d 1.00 " 10#3 m

! 1.77 " 10#12 F ! 1.77 pF

nd that

Section 26.1
 Chapter 26 81

Problem
P26.6 26.7
C=
∈0 A
=
a fe je
1.00 8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 1.00 × 10 3 m j 2

= 11.1 nF
d a
N ⋅ m 2 800 m f
An air-filled capacitor consists of two parallel plates, each with an area of 7.60
The potential between ground and cloud is
cm2, separated by a distance of 1.80 mm. A 20.0-V potential difference is applied
Ed = e3.00 × 10 6(a)
∆V = Calculate
to these plates. ja800electric
N Cthe mf = 2.40 ×field
10 9 V between the plates, (b) the surface

charge density, a∆V fthe

Q = C(c) = e11.capacitance,
1 × 10 −9 C V je 2.40 ×and j = 26the
10 9 V(d) .6 Ccharge on each plate.

P26.7 (a) ∆V = Ed
20.0 V
E= = 11.1 kV m
1.80 × 10 −3 m

σ
(b) E=
∈0

e je j
σ = 1.11 × 10 4 N C 8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 N ⋅ m 2 = 98.3 nC m 2

(c) C=
∈0 A
=
e je
8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 N ⋅ m 2 7.60 cm 2 1.00 m 100 cm jb g 2

= 3.74 pF
d 1.80 × 10 −3 m

Q
(d) ∆V =
C

a fe j
Q = 20.0 V 3.74 × 10 −12 F = 74.7 pC

∈0 A
P26.8 C= = 60.0 × 10 −15 F
 (c) C=
∈0 A
=
e je
8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 N ⋅ m 2 7.60 cm 2 1.00 m 100 cm jb g 2

= 3.74 pF
d 1.80 × 10 −3 m

Q
(d) ∆V =
C
Problem 26.9
a fe
Q = 20.0 V 3.74 × 10 −12 F = 74.7 pC j
When a potential difference of 150 V is applied to the plates of a parallel-plate
∈0 A
capacitor,P26.8
the plates
C = carry = 60a.0 surface
× 10 −15 F charge density of 30.0nC/cm2. What is the
d
spacing between the plates?
d=
∈0 A
=
a fe je
1 8.85 × 10 −12 21.0 × 10 −12 j
C 60.0 × 10 −15
d = 3.10 × 10 −9 m = 3.10 nm

P26.9 Q=
∈0 A
∆Va f Q ∈ ∆V
=σ = 0
a f
d A d

d=
a f=
∈0 ∆V e8.85 × 10 −12
ja
C 2 N ⋅ m 2 150 V f = 4.42 µm
σ e30.0 × 10 −9
je
C cm 2 1.00 × 10 4 cm 2 m 2 j

Section 26.1
Capacitors in Parallel
When capacitors are first connected in
the circuit, electrons are transferred
from the left plates through the battery
to the right plate, leaving the left plate
positively charged and the right plate
negatively charged.

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Parallel, 2
The flow of charges ceases when the voltage across the capacitors equals that of
the battery.
The potential difference across the capacitors is the same.
§ And each is equal to the voltage of the battery
§ DV1 = DV2 = DV
§ DV is the battery terminal voltage
The capacitors reach their maximum charge when the flow of charge ceases.
The total charge is equal to the sum of the charges on the capacitors.
§ Qtot = Q1 + Q2

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Parallel, 3

The capacitors can be replaced with

one capacitor with a capacitance of Ceq.
§ The equivalent capacitor must
have exactly the same external
effect on the circuit as the original
capacitors.

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Parallel, final

Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 + …
The equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination of capacitors is greater than
any of the individual capacitors.
§ Essentially, the areas are combined

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Series

When a battery is connected to the

circuit, electrons are transferred from
the left plate of C1 to the right plate of
C2 through the battery.
As this negative charge accumulates
on the right plate of C2, an equivalent
amount of negative charge is
removed from the left plate of C2,
leaving it with an excess positive
charge.
All of the right plates gain charges of
–Q and all the left plates have
charges of +Q.

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Series, cont.

An equivalent capacitor can be found

that performs the same function as the
series combination.
The charges are all the same.
Q1 = Q2 = Q

Section 26.3
Capacitors in Series, final

The potential differences add up to the battery voltage.

ΔVtot = DV1 + DV2 + …
The equivalent capacitance is
1 1 1 1
= + + +
Ceq C1 C2 C3
The equivalent capacitance of a series combination is always less than any
individual capacitor in the combination.

Section 26.3
Equivalent Capacitance, Example

The 1.0-µF and 3.0-µF capacitors are in parallel as are the 6.0-µF and 2.0-µF
capacitors.
These parallel combinations are in series with the capacitors next to them.
The series combinations are in parallel and the final equivalent capacitance can be
found.

Section 26.3
 distance d from its neighbors, to which it is elec- equivalent capacitance of the combination, (b)
connected. As shown in Figure P26.10, a second tial difference across each capacitor, and (c) the
l set of plates is enmeshed with its plates halfway each capacitor.
those of the first set. The second set can rotate
18. Evaluate the equivalent capacitance of the con
t. Determine the capacitance as a function of the
Problem
rotation $, where 26.18
$ # 0 corresponds to the maxi-
shown in Figure P26.18. All the capacitors are
and each has capacitance C.
pacitance.
Evaluate the equivalent capacitance of the configuration shown in the Figure. All
the capacitors are identical, and each has capacitance C. C

C C
4 Capacitance and Dielectrics

26.18 d The circuit reduces first according to the rule for capacitors in C C C
series, as shown in the figure, then according to the rule for
capacitors in parallel, shown below.
θ
Figure P26.18
FG
1 1 11 IJ
H
C eq = C 1 + +
2 3
tance and Dielectrics 6 K
= R C = 1.83C
FIG. P26.18

he circuit reduces
Figurefirst according 1to the
P26.10 1 rule
1 for capacitors19.inTwo capacitors when connected in parallel give
C p = C1 +
26.19 as shown inCthe = +
eries, C1 C 2 to the rule for lent capacitance of 9.00 pF and give an equivale
figure, thenC saccording
2

apacitors in parallel, shown below. tance of 2.00 pF when connected in series. W

1 1 1 C p − C 1 + Ccapacitance
1 of each capacitor ?
Substitute C 2 = C p − C1
= + = .
FG 1 of
0.0-m length 1 coaxial IJ C
11 cable has an
s C
inner
1 C − C
pconduc-
1 e j
− C1Two capacitors when connected in parallel give
C1 C p20.
H
C eq = C 1 + +
has a diameter
2 3 of 2.58 K
= C = 1.83C
6 mm and carries a charge of lent capacitanceFIG.
of CP26.18
p and an equivalent capacit
C 12 an
Simplifying, conductor has
The surrounding − C 1inner
C p + Cdiame-
pC s = 0 . when connected in series. What is the capacitan
27 mm and a charge of " 8.101 %1C. (a)1 What is the capacitor?
2
Problem 26.21

Four capacitors are connected as shown in the Figure. (a) Find the equivalent
capacitance between points a and b. (b) Calculate the charge on each capacitor
if ΔVab = 15.0 V.
Chapter 26 85
1 1 1
P26.21 (a) = +
C s 15.0 3.00

C s = 2.50 µF
C p = 2.50 + 6.00 = 8.50 µF

C =G
F 1 + 1 IJ = −1
5.96 µF
eq
H 8.50 µF 20.0 µF K
(b) Q = C∆V = b5.96 µFga15.0 V f = 89.5 µC on 20.0 µF

Q 89.5 µC
∆V = = = 4.47 V
C 20.0 µF
15.0 − 4.47 = 10.53 V
b ga f
Q = C∆V = 6.00 µF 10.53 V = 63.2 µC on 6.00 µF

89.5 − 63.2 = 26.3 µC on 15.0 µF and 3.00 µF

FIG. P26.21

*P26.22 (a) Capacitors 2 and 3 are in parallel and present equivalent capacitance 6C. This is in series
−1
Energy in a Capacitor – Overview

Consider the circuit to be a system.

Before the switch is closed, the energy
is stored as chemical energy in the
battery.
When the switch is closed, the energy
is transformed from chemical potential
energy to electric potential energy.
The electric potential energy is related
to the separation of the positive and
negative charges on the plates.
A capacitor can be described as a
device that stores energy as well as
charge.

Section 26.4
Energy Stored in a Capacitor

Assume the capacitor is being charged

and, at some point, has a charge q on
it.
The work needed to transfer a charge
from one plate to the other is
q
dW = DVdq = dq
C

The work required is the area of the tan

rectangle.
The total work required is
Q q Q2
W =ò dq =
0 C 2C

Section 26.4
Energy, cont
The work done in charging the capacitor appears as electric potential energy U:

Q2 1 1
U= = Q DV = C ( D V ) 2
2C 2 2
This applies to a capacitor of any geometry.
The energy stored increases as the charge increases and as the potential
difference increases.
In practice, there is a maximum voltage before discharge occurs between the
plates.

Section 26.4
Energy, final
The energy can be considered to be stored in the electric field .
For a parallel-plate capacitor, the energy can be expressed in terms of the field
as U = ½ (εoAd)E2.
It can also be expressed in terms of the energy density (energy per unit volume)
uE = ½ eoE2.

Section 26.4
Some Uses of Capacitors
Defibrillators
§ When cardiac fibrillation occurs, the heart produces a rapid, irregular pattern
of beats
§ A fast discharge of electrical energy through the heart can return the organ
to its normal beat pattern.
In general, capacitors act as energy reservoirs that can be slowly charged and
then discharged quickly to provide large amounts of energy in a short pulse.

Section 26.4
 C 0 C + C 02 = 2C 2 + 3C 0 C
2C 2 + 2C 0 C − C 02 = 0 FIG. P26.30

C=
−2C 0 ± 4C 02 + 4 2C 02 e j
Problem 26.31 4
Only the positive root is physical
(a) A 3.00-µF capacitor is connected to a 12.0-V battery. How much energy is
C0
stored in the capacitor? (b)
C =If the
2
e
3capacitor
−1 j
had been connected to a 6.00-V
battery, how much energy would have been stored?

Section 26.4 Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor

P26.31 (a) U=
1
2
a f
C ∆V
2
=
1
2
b ga
3.00 µF 12.0 V f 2
= 216 µJ

(b) U=
1
2
a f
C ∆V
2
=
1
2
b ga
3.00 µF 6.00 V f 2
= 54.0 µJ

1
P26.32 U= C∆V 2
2

∆V =
2U
=
a
2 300 J f = 4. 47 × 10 3 V
−6
C 30 × 10 CV
 1 Q2 ∈ A
P26.34 Use U = and C = 0 .
2 C d
1
If d 2 = 2d1 , C 2 = C 1 . Therefore, the stored energy doubles .
2
Problem 26.36
*P26.35 (a) e je j
Q = C∆V = 150 × 10 −12 F 10 × 10 3 V = 1.50 × 10 −6 C
A uniform electric field E = 3 000 V/m exists within a certain region. What volume
of space contains(b)an energy
meters and in liters.
U = C ∆V
2
a f
1 equal2 to 1.00 x 10-7 J? Express your answer in cubic

∆V =
2U
=
e
2 250 × 10 −6 J j= 1.83 × 10 3 V
C 150 × 10 −12 F

U 1
P26.36 u= = ∈0 E 2
V 2
1.00 × 10 −7 1
V
e
= 8.85 × 10 −12 3 000
2
jb g 2

e
V = 2.51 × 10 −3 m 3 = 2.51 × 10 −3 m 3 jFGH 1 000
m K
3
LI
J= 2.51 L

P26.37 z
W = U = Fdx

dU d Q 2 F I
d Q2x Q2 F I
so F = =
dx dx 2C
= GH JK
dx 2 ∈0 A
=
2 ∈0 AGH JK
Capacitors with Dielectrics

A dielectric is a nonconducting material that, when placed between the plates of

a capacitor, increases the capacitance.
§ Dielectrics include rubber, glass, and waxed paper
With a dielectric, the capacitance becomes C = κCo.
§ The capacitance increases by the factor κ when the dielectric completely fills
the region between the plates.
§ κ is the dielectric constant of the material.
If the capacitor remains connected to a battery, the voltage across the capacitor
necessarily remains the same.
If the capacitor is disconnected from the battery, the capacitor is an isolated
system and the charge remains the same.

Section 26.5
Dielectrics, cont
For a parallel-plate capacitor, C = κ (εoA) / d
In theory, d could be made very small to create a very large capacitance.
In practice, there is a limit to d.
§ d is limited by the electric discharge that could occur though the dielectric
medium separating the plates.
For a given d, the maximum voltage that can be applied to a capacitor without
causing a discharge depends on the dielectric strength of the material.

Section 26.5
Dielectrics, final
Dielectrics provide the following advantages:
§ Increase in capacitance
§ Increase the maximum operating voltage
§ Possible mechanical support between the plates
§ This allows the plates to be close together without touching.
§ This decreases d and increases C.

Section 26.5
Some Dielectric Constants and Dielectric Strengths

Section 26.5
 Example 26.6 A Paper-Filled Capacitor
e and Dielectrics
A parallel-plate capacitor has plates of dimensions 2.0 cm by Solution From Table 2
Example 26.6 A Paper-Filled Capacitor
3.0 cm separated by a 1.0-mm thickness of paper. strength of paper is 16 $
the paper is 1.0 mm, th
Quick Quiz(A) 26.9Find itsAcapacitance.
fully charged parallel-plate capacitor remains con-
A nected to a battery while you slide a dielectric between the plates. Do the following
parallel-plate capacitor has plates of dimensions 2.0 cm by 3.0 cm separated
applied before breakdown
byquantities
a 1.0-mm thickness
increase, decrease,of
Solution or paper.
Because
stay the
"# (A)
same? Find
3.7 for C ; its
(a)paper capacitance.
(b)(see Table
Q ; (c) 26.1), we
E between thehave
plates; ∆Vmax # E max d # (1
(d) !V.
'0A # 16 $ 103 V
C#"
d Hence, the maximum cha

Filled Capacitor
# 3.7 ! (8.85 $ 10 %12 C 2/N&m2)(6.0 $ 10 %4 m2)
1.0 $ 10 %3 m " Q max # C !Vmax #

s plates of dimensions 2.0 cm by # 20 $ 10 %12

Solution FromF # Table
20 pF26.1 we see that the dielectric # 0.32 (C
m thickness of paper. strength of paper is 16 $ 106 V/m. Because the thickness of
(B) What is the (B) maximum charge
the paper
What is the
is 1.0that
maximum
mm, can
charge be
thatplaced
the maximum on the
voltage that capacitor?
can be placed
can be
on the
applied before breakdown is
capacitor?
r paper (see Table 26.1), we have ∆Vmax # E max d # (16 $ 106 V/m)(1.0 $ 10 %3 m)
3V
Example 26.7 Energy Stored
# 16 $ 10 Before and After
Hence, the maximum charge is
A parallel-plate capacitor is charged with a battery to a Solution From Equation
C 2/N& m2)(6.0
1.0 $ 10 %3 m
$ 10 %4 m2)
"
charge Q 0, as Qshown in Figure 26.20a.%12
max # C !Vmax # (20 $ 10
The battery
F )(16 $ 103isV )then in the absence of the diele
removed, and a slab of material that has a dielectric
pF constant " is inserted
# between
0.32 (C the plates, as shown in Figure
26.20b. Find the energy stored in the capacitor before and U0
harge that can be placed onafter
the the dielectric is inserted.
 max max
1), we have ∆Vmax
Hence, E max d #charge
the#maximum 106 V/m)(1.0 $ 10 %3 m)
(16 $ is
C3 V
0 %4 m2)
" Q
Hence, themax
16 $ (
# # 0.32 10
# C !Vmax # (20 $ 10 %12 F )(16 $ 103 V )
maximum charge is
(B) What is the maximum charge that can be pla
capacitor?

"
%4 m)2
n the # 0.32 (C
Example 26.7 Energy Stored Before and Af
Q max # C !Vmax # (20 $ 10 %12 F )(16 $ 103 V )
Example 26.7
laced on the Energy Stored Before and After
# 0.32 (C A parallel-plate capacitor is charged with a ba
charge Q 0, as shown in Figure 26.20a. The batt
ced on A
After theparallel-plate capacitor is charged with a battery toremoved, a charge
and a slab of material that has a
Q0, as shown in
to a Solution From Equation 26.11, we see that the energy stored constant " is inserted between the plates, as shown
then thea Figure.
battery to in theSolution
absence The battery
of the
From
is isthen
dielectric
Equation 26.11,
removed, and a slab 26.20b.
we see that the energy stored
of material
Find thethat
energy has a in the capacitor b
stored
after the dielectric is inserted.
ctric dielectric constant 𝜅 is inserted between the plates.
ter
ttery is then in the absence of the dielectric is Find the energy stored in the
a dielectric
gure
wn
attery capacitor
in Figure
to a before
Solution and after
From Equation Qthe
26.11, we
0
dielectric
2 see is stored
that the energy inserted. Q0
and
r before and U0 # Q 0
2
C0
ery is then in the absence of the dielectric
U0 # 2C is
dielectric 2C 00 + –
n in Figure
before and Q 02
After After the battery
the battery is removed
is removed and the
U0 #and
2C
the dielectric
dielectric inserted, the the
inserted,
0
chargecharge
on theon the capacitor remains the same. Hence, the energy
capacitor remains the same. Hence, the energy
stored in the presence of the dielectric is
stored in the presence of the dielectric is
After the battery is removed andQ 0 2the dielectric inserted, the
U #
charge on the capacitor remainsQthe2
0 same. Hence, the energy
2C ∆V 0
U the
stored in the presence of # dielectric is
2C
But the capacitance in the presence of the dielectric is
2 (a)
C # "C 0, so U becomes U # Q 0
But the capacitance in the presence
2C
of the dielectric is
C # "C 0, so U becomes Dielectric
But the capacitance in the
Q 0 2 presence
U0 of the dielectric is
U #
C # "C 0, so U becomes 2"C #
0 " Q0
Q 02 U0 + –
U# 2
#
Because 2"QC0energy
" ) 1, the final 0 isU"0less than the initial
U# #
energy. We can account 2 for the
"C 0 “missing’’
" energy by noting
that the dielectric, when inserted, is pulled into the (b)
Because
device")
(see1,Section
the final
26.7).energy is less
An external agentthan theneg-
must do initial
Because
energy. Wework
ative " ) 1, the
cantoaccount final
keep thefor energy is less
the “missing’’
dielectric than the initial
energy byThis
from accelerating. noting Figure 26.20 (Example 26.7) (a) A battery charges
 ∈0 A
P26.45 C=
d

or 95.0 × 10 −9
=
e jb
3.70 8.85 × 10 −12 0.070 0 g
0.025 0 × 10 −3
problem 26.47
= 1.04 m

A parallel-plate capacitor in air has a plate separation of 1.50 cm and a plate area
P26.46 Consider two sheets of aluminum foil, each 40 cm by 100 cm, with one sheet of plastic between
of 25.0 cm2. The plates are charged to 7a potential difference 2.54of
cm 250 V and
them. Suppose the plastic has ≅ 3 , Emax ~ 10 V m and thickness 1 mil = . Then,
disconnected from the source. The capacitor is then immersed 1 000 in distilled water.

Determine (a) ∈0 Athe3e8charge

.85 × 10 −12 on
C2 N ⋅ m 2 je
the 0.4 m 2 j before
plates −6
and after immersion, (b) the
C= ~ ~ 10 F
capacitance dand potential 2.54 difference
× 10 −5 m after immersion, and (c) the change in
max d ~ e10 V m je2.54 × 10 the mj ~ liquid
7 −5
energy of the= Ecapacitor.
∆Vmax Assume 10 2 V is an insulator.

∈0 A Q
P26.47 Originally, C= = .
d ∆V a f i

(a) The charge is the same before and after immersion, with value Q =
∈0 A ∆Va f i
.
d

Q=
e8.85 × 10 −12
je
C 2 N ⋅ m 2 25.0 × 10 −4 m 2 250 V ja f= 369 pC
e
1.50 × 10 −2 m j
(b) Finally,

Cf =
∈0 A
=
Q
Cf =
e je
80.0 8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 N ⋅ m 2 25.0 × 10 −4 m 2 j= 118 pF
d ∆V a f f e1.50 × 10 mj −2

∈ Aa ∆V f d a ∆V f
a ∆V f f
=
Qd
∈0 A
=
0
=
∈0 Ad
i i
=
250 V
80.0
= 3.12 V .

1 2 ∈0 A ∆V a f 2
 (a) The charge is the same before and after immersion, with value Q =
∈0 A ∆Va f. i
d

Q=
e8.85 × 10 −12
je
C 2 N ⋅ m 2 25.0 × 10 −4 m 2 250 V ja f= 369 pC
problem 26.47 e 1.50 × 10 −2 m j
A parallel-plate capacitor in air has a plate separation of 1.50 cm and a plate area
of 25.0 (b)
cm2. The plates are charged to a potential difference of 250 V and
Finally,
disconnected from the source. The capacitor is then immersed in distilled water.
80.0e8.85 × 10 −12 C 2 N ⋅ m 2 je 25.0 × 10 −4 m 2 j
∈0 A Q
Determine (a)Cthef = charge = on the plates
C f = before and after immersion, (b) the= 118 pF
d a ∆V f f
capacitance and potential difference after immersion, e and (c)j the change in
1.50 × 10 −2
m

0 Aa ∆V fi d a∆V fi 250 V
energy of the capacitor. Assume the liquidQd is an∈insulator.
a ∆V f f
=
∈0 A
=
∈0 Ad
= =
80.0
= 3.12 V .

(c) Originally,
1
U i = C ∆V a f 2
=
∈0 A ∆V a f 2
i
.
i
2 2d

Finally,
1
U f = C f ∆V a f 2
=
∈0 A ∆V a f 2
i
=
a f
∈0 A ∆V
2
i
.
f 2
2 2d 2d

So, ∆U = U f − U i =
− ∈0 A ∆V a f a − 1f
2
i
2d

∆U = −
e8.85 × 10 −12
je
C 2 N ⋅ m 2 25.0 × 10 −4 m 2 250 V ja f a79.0f =
2

−45.5 nJ .
e
2 1.50 × 10 −2
ja f
m 80.0