CAPACITANCE

(i) When a conductor is given a charge , it's potential rises in proportional to

the charge given
i. e. V or Q = CV or C = Q/V
This C is a constant and is called the CAPACITANCE of conductor
(ii)Electrical capacitance of a conductor is a measure of it's ability to hold
electric charge.
(iii) A given conductor can be charged to a limit. Charging after the limit
results into ionization of medium , and charge gets leaked into medium
(iv) C depends on
(1) Size and shape of conductor
(2) Surrounding medium
(3) Presence of other conductor near by
(v)Units (1) Coulomb/volt
(2) Farad
1 Farad = 1 Coulomb/volt.
(vi) If potential of a conductor rises by 1 volt as a result of charging by 1
coulomb , then capacitance of that conductor is said to be
1 Farad.
(vii) The farad is too large a unit (spherical conductor of 1 farad must have a
radius of 9 × 108m). Hence in practice these units are used -
1microF = 1 × 10–6 F
1nF = 1 × 10–9 F
1pF = 1 × 10–12 F
(viii) Dimension [M-1 L-2 T4 A2]
(ix) CGS unit : 9 × 1011 statfarad = 1 Farad
Ex.1 A conductor gets a charge of 60 pC when it is connected to a battery of
emf mV. Then the capacitance of the conductor is...........
(1) 120 × 10–6 (2) 1.2 × 10–9
(3) 10 × 10–9 F (4) 10 × 10–6 F
Ans.[3]

Ex.2 Farad is not equivalent to-

(1) QV (2) J2
V

(4) CV2
2
Q
(3) J

Ans.[4]

Capacitance of an isolated spherical conductor

Q : Charge on the sphere
V : Potential at the surface of sphere
R : Radius of sphere

Q Q
(i) V = 40 R
also V= C

hence C = 40R
Q
(ii) V
= C = 40R (in MKS) = R (in CGS)
(iii) If relative permittivity of medium is K(dielectric constant), then
Cm = 40KR
(iv) C  R , C  K
(v)C does not depend upon the charge given
to the conductor

(vi) Here , we see that C = 40R

 0 = 4CR
  units of0 = Farad/meter

Ex.3 Can a sphere of radius 1 cm, placed in air be given a charge of 1 coulomb.

Sol. Potential of sphere of 1 cm radius is.

V = k qr
= 9 × 109 × 1
= 9 × 1011 volt=900000000000 V
10 2
This potential is so high that the surrounding air gets ionized, thereby
charge leaks to the medium. [Air gets ionized at 3 x 106 volt]
Ans. [No]
Ex.4 Two spheres, one being hollow and another solid, have equal radius. If
they are charged to V volt, then which one will acquire more charge.
Sol. Both will acquire same charge
 C  R, the capacitance of both the spheres is same, so charge will be
same on both. [  Q = CV]
Ex.5 If the diameter of earth is 128 × 102 km, then its capacity will be-
(1) 111 F (2) 211 F
(3) 331  F (4) 711 F

Ans.[4]
Ex.6 64 water drops having equal charges & equal radius combine to form one
bigger drop. The capacity of bigger drop, as compared to that of smaller
drop will be-
(1) 8 times (2) 64 times
(3) 4 times (4) 16 times
Sol.  43 R3 = 64 × 43 r3
 R = 4r
40R = 4 × 40r
 CBigger = 4 Csmaller Ans.[3]
Ex.7 Capacity of a metal sphere will be 1 f , if it's radius is nearly -
(1) 9km (2) 64 km
(3) 81 km (4) None of these

Ans.[1]
Ex.8 A radioactive source in the form of a metal sphere of diameter 10-3 m
emits particles at a constant rate of 6.25 × 1010 particles per second. If the
source is electrically insulated, how long will it take for its potential to rise by
1.0 volt, assuming that 80% of emitted Particles escape from the surface.
Sol. Capacitance of metal sphere of radius
r = 0.5 × 10–3 m
0.5  10 3
C = 4 r = = 1
× 10–12 farad
9  109 18
Rate of escape of charge from surface
= 80 × ne
100

= 80
× 6.25 × 1010 × 1.6 × 10–19 coul/sec
100

= 8 × 10–9 coul/sec.
 If t is the required time, then charge escaped,
q = (8 × 10–9) t.
From relation q = CV, we have
8 × 10–9 t = 1 × 10–12 × 1.0
18
( V = 1.0 V)
10 12 10 3 1000  10 6
t= = = t = 6.95 s. Ans.
8  10 9  18 144 144
ENERGY OF A CHARGED CONDUCTOR
(i) The work done in charging the conductor gets stored as potential energy
in the electric field in the vicinity of the conductor.
(ii)Suppose, a conductor is given a charge q, then potential of conductor V =
q
C
q
Work done to bring a further charge dq is given by dw = Vdq = C
dq
So, work done to charge it from 0 to Q is
W = 1  q dq = Q = 1 CV2 = 1 QV. This is energy U which is stored.
Q 2

C 0 2C 2 2

(iii) This energy does not depend upon size of the conductor

Ex.9 Two charged conductor having capacities 2C & C, potentials V & V/2
respectively. The ratio in their energies will be-
(1) 1 : 2 (2) 2 : 1
(3) 8 : 1 (4) 1 : 8

Ans.[3]
DISTRIBUTION OF CHARGES
(i) Two insulated conductors A and B of capacitances C1 and C2 are given
charges q1 and q2 and raised to potential V1 and V2 respectively. Then
q1 = C1V1 and q2 = C2V2
(ii)When , these conductors are joined by a thin wire, then positive charge
will flow from the conductor at higher potential to conductor at lower
potential till their potentials become equal.
(iii) Charge remains conserved in this process i.e . If q'1 and q'2 are charges
after distribution and V the potential on each conductor then
q'1 = C1V
and q'2 = C2V
and C1V1 + C2V2 = C1V + C2V
Total ch arg e C1V1  C 2 V2
(iv) V = Total capci tan ce
= C1  C 2

(v)On connecting two charged conductors their distributed charges on them

are in the ratio of their capacitances
q1 C1
i.e. q

C
2 2

(vi) Loss of energy :

U = Uinitial – Ufinal
 U = 1 C1C 2
2 C1  C 2
(V1 – V2)2

* Special case:-
i.e. q2 = 0, V2 = 0. Then C1 is connected in parallel to conductor of capacity
C2. The common potential (after equilibrium)
V = C1V1 / (C1 + C2), The loss of energy now becomes U = 1 C1C 2
2 C1  C 2
V12

the % of energy loss in this case (lost energy/initial energy)x100

= (U/Ui) × 100
This energy appears partly as heat in the connecting wire and partly as
light and sound if sparking occurs.

Note : , U = 0 i.e. There is no loss of energy on connecting two

conductors at the same potential.
Ex.10 The radii of two charged metallic spheres are 15 cm and 10cm. Each has
a positive charge of 150 micro coulomb. They connected by a conducting
wire. Calculate the common potential of the spheres after connecting and
the quantity of charge on each.
The capacity of a sphere of radius a meter is 4a farad
where 41 = 9.0 × 109 N-m2/C2.
0

Capacity of the first sphere,

C1 = 1 9  (0.15) = 15 × 10–11 farad. 9
9.0  10
Capacity of the second sphere
C2 = 1 9  (0.10) = 10 × 10–11 farad 9
9.0  10

The charge on each is 150 C, that is.

q1 = q2 = 150 x 10-6 coulomb.
Common potential after connecting is given by-
(150  10 6 )  (150  10 6 )
V = Cq1  qC2 =  15
1 2 11   10 11 
  10     10 
9   9 

= 300  10 6
25
= 1.08 × 107 volt.
 10 11
9

Now, charge on the first sphere

q1 = C1V =  15 1011  (1.08 × 107)
9 

= 180 × 10–6 cb. = 180 C:

and charge on the second sphere
q2 = C2V =  10 1011  (1.08 × 107)
 9 

= 120 × 10–6 cb. = 120 C. Ans.

Ex.11 Two conductors having capacities 2F & 5F and potentials 2 volt and
10 volt respectively. The ratio in their charges after connecting by a wire
will be-
(1) 2 : 5 (2) 5 : 2
(3) 1 : 5 (4) 5 : 1
Ans.[1]

Ex.12 Two isolated metallic solid spheres of radii R and 2R are charged such
both of these have same charge density . The spheres are located far
away from each other and connected by a thin conduction wire. Find the
new charge density on the bigger sphere.

Sol. Let charge on the sphere '1' = Q1

and charge on the sphere '2' = Q2
Q1
Charge density on sphere '1' =
4R 2
Q2
Charge density on sphere '2' =
4 ( 2 R ) 2

It is given that the charge density on both the sphere is same

  = Q1 2 = Q 2 2 .....(1)
4R 4  4R

 Q2 = 4Q1
When the spheres are connected by a thin conducting wire, the
redistribution of charges takes place so that both spheres get common
potential and new charges on the spheres are according to their
capacitance
 New charges ; QQ''1 = CC1
2 2
 Q'1  Q'2
 Q'2
= C1C C2 ....(2)
2

[Adding 1 in both sides]

Law of conservation of charges gives us
Q1' + Q2' = Q1 + Q2
= Q1 + 4Q1 (because Q2 = 4Q1)
= 5Q1.
5Q1 C1  C 2
Now eq(2) becomes Q'2
= C2
C2
 Q'2 = 5Q1 × C1  C 2

From equation (1) Q1 =  × 4R2

 Q'2 = 5 ×  × 4 × R2 × 4 0 (2R )
4 0 (R  2R )
or Q'2 = 5 ×  × 4 × R2 × 2
3

New charge density on sphere '2'

2
5    4  R 2 
Q'2
= = 2
3 = 56 
4 ( 2 R ) 2 4  4R

Concept of condenser :

Q
C
VA

Now , a second conductor is brought near A ,

V 'A = VA + VB– + VB+

VB– is negative
VB+ is positive and |VB– | > |VB+| , because of lesser distance of
negative charge
 V'A < VA
 Capacitance increases
If B is earthed VB+ = 0 hence
 V 'A = VA + VB– and capacitance of A increases.
(ii)Conductors in a condenser are arranged in such a way that capacity of
conductors is increased without bringing any change in their size.
(iii) For condenser, Q = CV, where
Q - Charge given to any one of conductors
V - potential difference between conductors
(iv) In fact, A capacitor is a pair of two conductors of any shape which are
close to each other and have equal and opposite charges. these
conductors are called 'PLATES' of the capacitor
(v)Capacitance of a condenser depend on the following points
(1) Distance between plates :
C is inversely proportional to 'd'
i.e. C  1/d as d increases,
C decreases and viceversa

(2) Overlapping area of plates :

C is directly proportional to 'A', i.e.
CA
(3) Medium between the plates :
Capacitance is directly proportional to the dielectric constant of the
medium, i.e. CK
(vi) If capacitance of a condenser in air/vacuum is C, then it's capacitance in
a dielectric medium (K) will be KC
(vii) Condensers provide infinite resistance for a D.C. while they allow A.C. to
pass through them (provide limited/finite resistance)
Ex.13 A gold leaf electroscope is positively charged and an earthed
conducting plate is brought near it, then
Capacity Potential Charge
(1) remains decreases increases
constant
(2)decreases decreases remains constant
(3)increases decreases remains constant
(4) remains decreases increases
Constant

Sol. : In this case potential decreases, charge remains constant hence capacity
increases.
Ex.14 The net charge on a parallel plate condenser is-
(1) 2q (2) q2
(3) zero (4) 
Ans.[3]
Ex.15 The capacitance of a capacitor is C when the distance between the
plates is halved, the capacitance will becomes-
(1) half (2) twice
(3) one-fourth (4) four-times

Ans. [2]
Ex.16 If the distance between the plates of a capacitor is made half and the
area of plates is doubled, then the capacitance will becomes-
(1) Twice (2) Four times
(3) Half (4) One-fourth
Ans. [2]

Ex.17 If 50F be the capacity of a capacitor in air, and 110F in oil then the
dielectric constant oil will be-
(1) 0.45 (2) 0.55
(3) 1.10 (4) 2.20

Ans. [4]
ENERGY STORED IN A CONDENSER
(i) If C = capacitance of condenser,
Q = charge on condenser,
V = potential it is raised to them
1 1 Q2 1
E= 2
CV 2 = 2 C
= 2
QV

This energy is stored as the electric field between plates. Then energy
density of the field is 12 0 E 2
Ex.18 Two capacitor C1 and C2 have equal amount of energy stored in them.
The ratio of p.d. across their plates is
C2 C1
(1) C1
(2) C2

(3) 1 : 2 (4) 2 : 1

Ans. [1]
Ex.19 If the distance between the plates of a capacitor is d and potential
difference is V then the energy density will be-
1 V2 1 V
(1) 0
2 d2
(2) 0
2 d

(3) 12 0 V2 d2 (4) 12 0 V.d.

Ans.[1]
Ex.21 Calculate the heat generated when a condenser of 100 F capacity and
charged to 200 volts is discharged through a 2 ohm resistance.
(1) 0 (2) 2 J
(3) 1 J (4) 4 J

Sol. The energy stored in the condenser

U = 1 CV2
2

Here C = 100 F = 100 × 10–6 F,

V = 200 volts
U = 1 × 100 × 10–6 × (200)2 = 2J
2

When discharged through a resistor (2),

the whole energy is dissipated as heat.
 Heat produced, Q = U = 2J. Ans.[2]
COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
There are two possible combinations-
(1) Series (2) Parallel

Series (1) Charge on each condenser is same i.e.

Q = C1V1 = C2V2 = C3V3 = ...........
(2) Potential difference across each condenser is inversely proportional to
it's capacity i.e.
V 1/C
So, V1 = CQ , V2 = CQ ...............
1 2

(3) Total potential difference (V) in the circuit is sum of the potential
differences across each capacitor i.e.
V = V1 + V2 + V2 + V3 ...........
Q Q Q
or V =  
C1 C 2 C3
+...............

V 1 1 1
   
Q C1 C 2 C3
+...............

1 1 1 1
  
C C1 C 2 C3
+...............

1
* Please keep in mind that you are asked to find C and not C
Series combination of two capacitors
C1C 2
(1) C = C1  C 2
C2
(2) V1= C1  C 2
V & V2 = C C1C V
1 2

 C1C 2 
(3) Q=   V = C1V1 = C2V2
 C1  C 2 

Parallel Combination
 Potential difference across each capacitor is same and is equal to the
potential difference applied across the circuit.
 Charge on each capacitor is proportional to it's capacitance i.e.
Q1 = C1V , Q2 = C2V, Q3 = C3V,.........

 Q  C

 Total charge in circuit

Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 +......

 If C is the total capacitance of the circuit then

C = C1 + C2 + C3 +.............

 This combination is useful when-

The capacitance of the combination is to be increased. At the low voltage
high capacitance is needed
 For parallel combination of two capacitance-
(1)C = C1 + C2

(2) Q1 = C C1C Q = C1V

1 2

C2
Q2 = C1  C 2
Q = C2V
(3)The total energy stored in parallel
combination of two capacitors is
U = U1 + U2 = 1 C1V2 + 1 C2V2
2 2

= 1
2
V2(C1 + C2)
* If N identical capacitors are connected
(i) In series then Cs = C/N and
(ii) In parallel Cp = NC also Cp/CS = N2

Ex.22 Three capacitors C1 = 1 F, C2 = 2F and

C3 = 3F should be connected in following manner, so that the resultant
capacitance becomes the least –
(1) All in parallel
(2) All in series
(3) C1 & C2 in series C3 in parallel

(4) C2 & C3 in series & C1 in parallel

Ans. [2]

Ex.23 Four capacitors 102 F, 104 F, 116 F &

108 F are connected in series, the resultant capacitance will be-
(1) more than 116 F
(2) more than F but less than 116 F
(3) less than 102 F
(4) The average of all the four

Sol. Remember, in series the resultant capacitance is even less than the
least capacitor of the combination.
Ans. [3]

Ex.24 In the following fig, three capacitors

(each of 9F)are connected, the equivalence capacity will be-

(1) 3 F (2) 27 F
(3) 1 F (4) 3 F Ans.[1]
Ex.25 In the above problem, the correct order of p.d. across the plates of
capacitors will be-
(1) V1 = 360 volt, V2 = 40 volt, V3 = 90 volt,
 (2) V1 = 360 volt, V2 = 360 volt, V3 = 90 volt.
(3) V1 = V2 = V3 = 40 volt.
(4) V1 = 90 volt, V2 = 360 volt, V3 = 40 volt.

Sol. The p.d. across each capacitor

V1 = q/C1 etc.
But q = CV = 3 × 10–6 × 120
= 360 × 10–6 C
360  10 6
Hence V1 = = 40 volt
9  10 6
V1 = V2 = V3 = 40 volt
(because all the capacitors have same capacitance, so p.d. across their
plates will be same) Ans.[3]
Ex.26 An infinite no. of capacitors of capacitance C, 4C, 16C, 64C  are
connected in series, their resultant capacitance will be-
(1)  (2) C/2
(3) 4C/3 (4) 3C/4
Sol. Let the resultant capacitance of the combination be C' then
1 1 1 1
    .......
C' C 4C 16C
1 1 1 1 
 1    ........ 
C' C  4 16 
 
1 1 
=  
C 1 1 
 
 4

[ a + ar + ar2 + ....= a
1 r
if r < 1 (Sum of infinite terms in G.P.)]
3
 C' = 4
C Ans.[4]
Ex.27 Three capacitors 1F, 4F & 7F give maximum capacity, when
connected-
(1) All in series
(2) All in parallel
(3) 1F & 4F in series and 7F in parallel
(4) 4F & 7F in parallel & 1F in series

Sol. The equivalence capacity of the capacitors will be maximum, when they
are connected in parallel. Ans. [2]
Ex.28 Capacitors of 10F, 25F, 115F, 108F, are connected in parallel, the
resultant capacity will be-
(1) less than 10F
 (2) more than 115F
(3) average of all the four
(4) none of above.

Sol. In parallel combination of capacitors the resultant capacity is always

greater than that of the largest capacitor. Ans. [2]
Ex.29 Capacitor C , 2C , 4C ...  all are connected in parallel, their effective
capacitance will be-
(1) C (2) C/2
(3)  (4) 0

Sol. Let the effective capacitance be C' , then

C' = C + 2C + 4C +...... 
= C [1 + 2 + 4 + ..... ] = C × =  Ans. [3]
Ex.30 A capacitor of 20F is charged to 500 volt, which is then connected in
parallel to 10F capacitor of 200 volt. What will be their common potential ?
SAME POLARITY
Sol. Charge on first capacitor q1 = C1V1
 q1 = 20 × 10–6 × 500 = 0.01 C
Charge on second q2 = C2V2
 q2 = 10 × 10–6 × 200 = 0.002 C
 Charge of both capacitor
q = q1 + q2 = 0.01 + 0.002 = 0.012 C
C = C1 + C2 = 20 × 10–6 + 10 × 10–6
= 30 × 10–6 F
 Common potential (V) = q/C
= 0.012  400 volt Ans.
6

30  10

Note : When capacitors are connected in parallel then the resultant

capacitance increases