A capacitor or condenser consists of two conductors separated by an insulator or dielectric.
(i) When uncharged conductor is brought near to a charged conductor, the charge on conductors
remains same but its potential decreases resulting in the increase of capacitance.
(ii) In capacitor two conductors have equal but opposite charges.
(iii) The conductors are called the plates of the capacitor. The name of the capacitor depends on
the shape of the capacitor.
+QA B
(iv) Formulae related with capacitors
(a) Q = CV

Q QA QB A B
 C = V
V V
V V
A B B A

Q = Charge of positive plate of capacitor.

V = Potential difference between positive and negative plates of capacitor
C = Capacitance of capacitor.
(b) Energy stored in the capacitor

A B

Initially charge = 0 0

q 
Intermediate q
+ 
C

+Q 

Finally,

Q
q Q2
W=  dW =  C dq =
0 C

Q2 1 1
 Energy stored in the capacitor = U = = CV2 = QV..
2C 2 2
This energy is stored inside the capacitor in its electric field with energy density

dU 1 1
= E2 or   r E2 .
dV 2 2

(v) The capacitor is represented as following: ,

(vi) Based on shape and arrangement of capacitor plates there are various types of capacitors.
(a) Parallel plate capacitor.
(b) Spherical capacitor.
(c) Cylindrical capacitor.
(vii) Capacitance of a capacitor depends on
(a) Area of plates.
(b) Distance between the plates.
(c) Dielectric medium between the plates.

Capacitance - 5
Example 3. Find out the capacitance of parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate separation d.
Solution :
A +Q
Q Plate Area = A
E = A
0 d
Qd Q d << size of the plate
VA B = E.d. = A = B 
0 C

0 A
C=
d
where A = area of the plates.
d = distance between plates.

(viii) Electric field intensity between the plates of capacitors (air filled )
E = / 0 = V/d
(ix) Force experienced by any plate of capacitor

q2
F=
2A 0

!
      " # $  
   " #   
Note : (i) Charge on the capacitor does not change instantaneously or suddenly if there is a resistance in the
path (series) of the capacitor.
(ii) When an uncharged capacitor is connected with battery then its charge is zero initially hence
potential difference across it is zero initially. At this time the capacitor can be treated as a conduct-
ing wire

(iii) The current will become zero finally (that means in steady state) in the branch which contains
capacitor.

Example 4. Find out current in the circuit and charge on capacitor

which is initially uncharged in the following situations.
(a) Just after the switch is closed.
(b) After a long time when switch was closed.

Capacitance - 6
Solution : (a) For just after closing the switch:
potential difference across capacitor = 0

10
 QC = 0 i= = 5A
2
(b) After a long time
at steady state current i = 0
and potential difference across capacitor = 10 V
 QC = 3
 

dQ
Example 5. Find out current 1, 2, 3, charge on capacitor and of
dt
capacitor in the circuit which is initially uncharged in the
following situations.
(a) Just after the switch is closed
(b) After a long time when switch is closed. x x
Solution : (a) Initially the capacitor is uncharged so its behaviour is like F R 1 E 2 D

a conductor. Let potential at A is zero so at B and C also zero
 R R
and at F it is . Let potential at E is x so at D also x.
3
Apply Kirchhoffst law at point E :
A B C
x x 0 x 0 0 0 0
+ + =0
R R R

3x  
=  x= Qc = 0
R R 3

 / 3   2 dQ  
 1 = =  2 = =  3 =
R 3R dt 3R 3R
Alternatively

  2 i1 
i1 = R = R = 3R  i2 = i3 = =
eq R 2 3R
2
(b) at t =  (finally)
capacitor completely charged so their will be no current through it.


2 = 0, 1 = 3 =
2R
VE B = VD C = (/2R)R = /2

C dQ
 QC = , = 2 = 0
2 dt

1 2 3 Q dQ /dt
Time
2   
t=0 0
3R 3R 3R 3R

Finally  C
0 2R 0
t= 2R 2

Capacitance - 7
   
Example 6. At t = 0 switch S1 is closed and remains closed for a long
time and S2 remains open. Now S1 is opened and S2 is
closed. Find out
(i) The current through the capacitor immediately
after that moment
(ii) Charge on the capacitor long after that moment.
(iii) Total charge flown through the cell of emf 2 after S2 is closed.
Solution : (i) Let Potential at point A is zero. Then at point B and C it will be 
(because current through the circuit is zero).
VB A = ( 
 Charge on capacitor = C( 

Now S2 is closed and S1 is open. (p.d. across capacitor

and charge on it will not change suddenly)
Potential at A is zero so at D it is .

  ( 2 ) 3
 current through the capacitor = = (B to D)
R R
(ii) after a long time, i = 0
VB A = VD A = 
 Q = C () = C

(iii) The charge on the lower plate (which is connected to the battery)
changes from C to 2C.
 this charge will come form the battery,
 charge flown from that cell is 3C downward.

Example 7. A capacitor of capacitance C which is initially uncharged is connected with a battery. Find out heat
dissipated in the circuit during the process of charging.
Solution : Final status

Let potential at point A is 0, so at B also 0 and at C and D it is . finally, charge on the capacitor
QC = C
Ui = 0
1 1
Uf = CV2 = C2
2 2

work done by battery = Pdt 

W =  idt 
=  idt =  . Q = . C = 2C

(Now onwards remember that w.d. by battery = Q if Q has flown out of the cell from high potential
and w.d. on battery is Q if Q has flown into the cell through high potential)

1 2 C 2
Heat produced = W = (Uf i ) = 2C  C= .
2 2
Capacitance - 8
Example 8. A capacitor of capacitance C which is initially charged upto a potential difference  is connected with
a battery of emf  such that the positive terminal of battery is connected with positive plate of
capacitor. Find out heat loss in the circuit during the process of charging.

Solution :

Since the initial and final charge on the capacitor is same before and after connection.
Here no charge will flow in the circuit so heat loss = 0

Question 4. In the above question, if the positive ter- C   C

minal of the battery is connected with D B D B
negative plate of capacitor. Find out heat
loss in the circuit during the process of
charging.
Net charge flow through battery = 2C
Work done by battery = 
C = 22C  
Heat produced = 22 C. Ans. Initially finally

Example 9. A capacitor of capacitance C which is initially charged upto a potential difference  is connected with
a battery of emf  such that the positive terminal of battery is connected with positive plate of
capacitor. After a long time
(i) Find out total charge flow through the battery
(ii) Find out total work done by battery
(iii) Find out heat dissipated in the circuit during the process of charging.


Solution : (i) Let potential of A is 0 so at B it is . So final charge on capacitor = C/2
2
Charge flow through the capacitor = (C/2 ) = /2
So charge is entering into battery.
(ii) finally,
Change in energy of capacitor = Ufinal initial
2
1   2C
= C   
2 2 2

1 2 1 3  2C
=  C  2C = 
8 2 8

  C  2
Work done by battery =
    = C
2  2  4
(iii) Work done by battery = Change in energy of capacitor + Heat produced

3 2 C  2C  2C
Heat produced =  =
8 4 8

Capacitance - 9
  
%
         
When two capacitors are C1 and C2 are connected as shown in figure

Before connecting the capacitors

st nd
Parameter I Capacitor II Capacitor

Capacitance C1 C2

Charge Q1 Q2

Potential V1 V2

After connecting the capacitors

Pa ram ete r I s t C ap ac ito r II n d C ap ac ito r

C a pac ita nc e C1 C2

C h arg e Q 1 Q 2

Po te ntia l V V

(a) Common potential :

By charge conservation of plates A and C before and after connection.
Q 1 + Q 2 = C 1V + C 2V

Q1  Q 2 C1V1  C 2 V2 Total ch arg e

 V = C C = C  C = Total capaci tan ce
1 2 1 2

C1
(b) Q 1' = C 1V = (Q1 + Q2)
C1  C 2

C2
Q2' = C2 V = C  C (Q1 +Q2)
1 2

(c) Heat loss during redistribution :

1 C1C 2
H = Ui f = (V1 2)2
2 C1  C 2
The loss of energy is in the form of Joule heating in the wire.
Note : (i) When plates of similar charges are connected with each other (+ with + and 
all values (Q 1, Q2, V1, V2) with positive sign.
(ii) When plates of opposite polarity are connected with each other (+ with 
potential of one of the plate to be negative.

Capacitance - 10
 Derivation of above formulae :

Let potential of B and D is zero and common potential on capacitors is V, then at A and C it will be V
C1V + C2V = C1V1 + C2V2

C1V1  C 2 V2
V= C1  C 2

1 1 1
H= C V 2 + C2V22  (C1 + C2)V2
2 1 1 2 2
2
1 1 1 (C1V1  C 2 V2 )
= C1V12 + C2V22 
2 2 2 (C1  C 2 )

1  C12 V12  C1C 2 V12  C 2 C1V22  C 22 V22  C12 V12  C 2 V22  2C1C 2 V1V2 
=  
2  C1  C 2 

1 C1C 2
= (V1 2)2
2 C1  C 2

1 C1C 2
H = (V1 2)2
2 C1  C 2
when oppositely charge terminals are connected then
 C1V + C2V = C1V1 2V2

C1V1  C 2 V2
V=
C1  C 2

1 C1C 2
H= (V1 + V2)2
2 C1  C 2
Example 10. Find out the following if A is connected with C and B is connected with D.
(i) How much charge flows in the circuit.
(ii) How much heat is produced in the circuit.

A B
Solution : + 
Q 1 = 2V
V 0

+
C D
Q 2 = 3V

Capacitance - 11
 Let potential of B and D is zero and common potential on capacitors is V, then at A and C it will be V.
By charge conservation,
A +  B
3V + 2V = 40 + 30
28 C  
5V = 70
+12 C +12 C
V = 14 volt
+ 
Charge flow = 40  = 12 C D
C
Now final charges on each plate is shown in the figure 42 C ! 

1 1 1
(ii) Heat produced =

"2 +
 
"2 
#
"!2
2 2 2
= 400 + 150 !
= 550 !
= 60 J
Note 1. When capacitor plates are joined then the charge remains conserved.
Note 2. We can also use direct formula of redistribution as given above.

Example 11. Repeat above question if A is connected with D and B is connected with C.

Q1 = 2V
A B
V 0

D Q2 = 3V C

Solution : Let potential of B and C is zero and common potential on capacitors is V, then at A and D it will be V
2V + 3V = 10
 V = 2 volt 4C !
Now charge on each plate is shown in the figure A B
36C 36C
1
Heat produced = 400 + 150 
#
! D C
2
= 550  = 540 J 6C 
Note : here heat produced is more. Think why?

Example 12 Three capacitors as shown of capacitance 1F, 2F and 2F are charged upto potential difference
30 V, 10 V and 15 V respectively. If terminal A is connected with D, C is connected with E and F is
connected with B. Then find out charge flow in the circuit and find the final charges on capacitors.

Solution : Let charge flow is q. 30 q     30+q

Now applying kirchhoff's voltage low +   +
A 1F B F 2F E
(q  20 ) (30  q) 30  q q
  + =0
2 2 1 2F
C
 #
D $ 20
q = 12.5 C
+17.5C &%#
Final charges on plates +   +
!%# +42.5C
12.5 C

&%# +7.5C
 +

Capacitance - 12
Example 13. In the given circuit find out the charge on each capacitor. (Initially they are uncharged)

10 V E 30 V
F +  x  + D

+
 30 V
10 V G #

25 V

A B C
0

Let potential at A is 0, so at D it is 30 V, at F it is 10 V and at point G potential is #%'()*

kirchhoff+st law at point E. ( total charge of all the plates connected to 'E' must be same as before
i.e. 0)
 (x $", $",$#
5x = 20
x=4
Final charges :
Q2F = (30 !#C
Q1F = (10 !C
Q2F = (4 "## C

Capacitance - 13