Behaviour of Conductors in the Electrostatic Field:

1. Net electric field intensity in the interior of a

E0
conductor is zero.
When a conductor is placed in an electrostatic
field, the charges (free electrons) drift towards EP
the positive plate leaving the + ve core behind.
At an equilibrium, the electric field due to the
polarisation becomes equal to the applied field.
So, the net electrostatic field inside the Enet = 0
conductor is zero.

2. Electric field just outside the charged

conductor is perpendicular to the surface of
the conductor.
E cos θ E
Suppose the electric field is acting at an
angle other than 90°, then there will be a θ
component E cos θ acting along the tangent
at that point to the surface which will tend •+ q n
to accelerate the charge on the surface
leading to ‘surface current’. But there is no
surface current in electrostatics. So, θ = 90°
and cos 90° = 0.
3. Net charge in the interior of a conductor is zero.
The charges are temporarily separated. The total
charge of the system is zero.
q
ΦE = E . dS = ε
0
S
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore q = 0.
4. Charge always resides on the surface of a
conductor.
Suppose a conductor is given some excess
charge q. Construct a Gaussian surface just q q
inside the conductor.
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore q = 0 inside the conductor. q=0

5. Electric potential is constant for the entire

conductor.
dV = - E . dr
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore dV = 0. i.e. V = constant
6. Surface charge distribution may be different
at different points. q
σ=
S σmin σmax
Every conductor is an equipotential volume
(three- dimensional) rather than just an
equipotential surface (two- dimensional).
Electrical Capacitance:
The measure of the ability of a conductor to store charges is known as
capacitance or capacity (old name).
q
q α V or q = C V or C=
V
If V = 1 volt, then C = q
Capacitance of a conductor is defined as the charge required to raise its
potential through one unit.
SI Unit of capacitance is ‘farad’ (F). Symbol of capacitance:
Capacitance is said to be 1 farad when 1 coulomb of charge raises the
potential of conductor by 1 volt.
Since 1 coulomb is the big amount of charge, the capacitance will be usually
in the range of milli farad, micro farad, nano farad or pico farad.
Capacitance of an Isolated Spherical Conductor:
Let a charge q be given to the sphere which
is assumed to be concentrated at the centre.
Potential at any point on the surface is
r
O•
q +q
V =
4πε0 r
q
C=
V

C = 4πε0 r

1. Capacitance of a spherical conductor is directly proportional to its radius.

2. The above equation is true for conducting spheres, hollow or solid.
3. IF the sphere is in a medium, then C = 4πε0εr r.
4. Capacitance of the earth is 711 μF.
Principle of Capacitance:
A B
Step 1: Plate A is positively charged and B is neutral.
Step 2: When a neutral plate B is brought near A,
charges are induced on B such that the side near A is
negative and the other side is positive.
The potential of the system of A and B in step 1 and 2
remains the same because the potential due to positive
and negative charges on B cancel out. Potential = V
Step 3: When the farther side of B is earthed the
positive charges on B get neutralised and B is left only
with negative charges. A B
Now, the net potential of the system decreases due to
the sum of positive potential on A and negative potential
on B.
To increase the potential to the same value as was in
step 2, an additional amount of charges can be given to
plate A.
Potential = V
This means, the capacity of storing charges on A
Potential E
increases.
decreases to v
The system so formed is called a ‘capacitor’.
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor:
Parallel plate capacitor is an arrangement of two
parallel conducting plates of equal area σ E σ
separated by air medium or any other insulating
medium such as paper, mica, glass, wood, A A
ceramic, etc. σ
V=Ed= d
ε0
qd
or V=
A ε0
q A ε0
But C= C= d
V d

If the space between the plates is filled with dielectric medium of relative
permittivity εr, then
A ε0 εr
C=
d
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
(i) directly proportional to the area of the plates and
(ii) inversely proportional to the distance of separation between them.
Series Combination of Capacitors:
C1 C2 C3
In series combination,
q q q
i) Charge is same in each capacitor
ii) Potential is distributed in inverse V1 V2 V3
proportion to capacitances

i.e. V = V1 + V2 + V3 V
q q q q
But V = , V1 = , V2 = and V3 =
C C1 C2 C3
q q q q (where C is the equivalent capacitance or
= + + effective capacitance or net capacitance or
C C1 C2 C3
total capacitance)
1 1 1 1 n 1
1
or = + + = ∑
C C1 C2 C3 C i=1 Ci

The reciprocal of the effective capacitance is the sum of the reciprocals of the
individual capacitances.
Note: The effective capacitance in series combination is less than the least of
all the individual capacitances.
Parallel Combination of Capacitors: C1
In parallel combination, V q1

i) Potential is same across each capacitor

ii) Charge is distributed in direct proportion to C2
capacitances V q2

i.e. q = q1 + q2 + q3

But q1 = C1 V , q2 = C2 V , q3 = C3 V and q = C V C3
V q3

C V = C1V + C2 V + C3 V (where C is the equivalent

capacitance)

n
V
or C = C1 + C2 + C3 C = ∑ Ci
i=1

The effective capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitances.

Note: The effective capacitance in parallel combination is larger than the
largest of all the individual capacitances.
Energy Stored in a Capacitor:
The process of charging a capacitor is
equivalent to transferring charges from one
plate to the other of the capacitor.
The moment charging starts, there is a potential
difference between the plates. Therefore, to
transfer charges against the potential difference
some work is to be done. This work is stored as
electrostatic potential energy in the capacitor.
If dq be the charge transferred against the
potential difference V, then work done is
dU = dW = V dq V
q
= dq
C
The total work done ( energy) to transfer charge q is
q
q 1 q2 1 1
U= dq or U= or U= C V2 or U = qV
C 2 C 2 2
0
Energy Density:
1 A ε0
U= C V2 But C= and V=Ed
2 d
1 U 1 1
U= ε0 Ad E2 or = ε0 E2 or U = ε0 E2
2 Ad 2 2

SI unit of energy density is J m-3.

Energy density is generalised as energy per unit volume of the field.

Energy Stored in a Series Combination of Capacitors:

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ………. +
C C1 C2 C3 Cn

1 q2 1 1 1 1 1
U= U=
2
q2 [ C1
+
C2
+
C3
+ ………. +
Cn
]
2 C
U = U1 + U2 + U3 + ………. + Un
The total energy stored in the system is the sum of energy stored in the
individual capacitors.
Energy Stored in a Parallel Combination of Capacitors:
C = C1 + C2 + C3 + ……….. + Cn

1 1
U= C V2 U= V2 ( C1 + C2 + C3 + ……….. + Cn )
2 2

U = U1 + U2 + U3 + ………. + Un
The total energy stored in the system is the sum of energy stored in the
individual capacitors.

Loss of Energy on Sharing of Charges between the Capacitors in

Parallel:
Consider two capacitors of capacitances C1, C2, charges q1, q2 and
potentials V1,V2.
Total charge after sharing = Total charge before sharing

(C1 + C2) V = C1 V1 + C2 V2

C1 V1 + C2 V2
V=
C1 + C2
 The total energy before sharing is

1 1
C1 V1 2 C2 V22
Ui = +
2 2
The total energy after sharing is

1
Uf = (C1 + C2) V2
2

C1 C2 (V1 – V2)2
Ui– Uf =
2 (C1 + C2)

Ui – Uf > 0 or Ui > Uf
Therefore, there is some loss of energy when two charged capacitors are
connected together.
The loss of energy appears as heat and the wire connecting the two capacitors
may become hot.
Polar Molecules:
A molecule in which the centre of positive charges does O
not coincide with the centre of negative charges is called
a polar molecule.
105°
Polar molecule does not have symmetrical shape. p
H H
Eg. H Cl, H2 O, N H3, C O2, alcohol, etc.

Effect of Electric Field on Polar Molecules:

E=0 E

p=0 p
In the absence of external electric When electric field is applied, the
field, the permanent dipoles of the dipoles orient themselves in a
molecules orient in random regular fashion and hence dipole
directions and hence the net dipole moment is induced. Complete
moment is zero. allignment is not possible due to
thermal agitation.
Non - polar Molecules:
A molecule in which the centre of positive charges coincides with the centre of
negative charges is called a non-polar molecule.
Non-polar molecule has symmetrical shape.
Eg. N2 , C H4, O2, C6 H6, etc.

Effect of Electric Field on Non-polar Molecules:

E=0 E

p=0 p
In the absence of external When electric field is applied, the positive
electric field, the effective charges are pushed in the direction of electric
positive and negative centres field and the electrons are pulled in the
coincide and hence dipole is direction opposite to the electric field. Due to
not formed. separation of effective centres of positive and
negative charges, dipole is formed.
Dielectrics:
Generally, a non-conducting medium or insulator is called a ‘dielectric’.
Precisely, the non-conducting materials in which induced charges are produced
on their faces on the application of electric fields are called dielectrics.
Eg. Air, H2, glass, mica, paraffin wax, transformer oil, etc.
Polarization of Dielectrics:
When a non-polar dielectric slab is
subjected to an electric field, dipoles
are induced due to separation of
effective positive and negative centres.
E0 is the applied field and Ep is the
induced field in the dielectric.
The net field is EN = E0 – Ep EE=0 0 Ep
i.e. the field is reduced when a
dielectric slab is introduced.
The dielectric constant is given by

E0
K=
E0 - Ep
Polarization Vector:
The polarization vector measures the degree of polarization of the dielectric. It
is defined as the dipole moment of the unit volume of the polarized dielectric.
If n is the number of atoms or molecules per unit volume of the dielectric, then
polarization vector is
P=np
SI unit of polarization vector is C m-2.

Dielectric Dielectric strength (kV /

Dielectric Strength: mm)
Dielectric strength is the maximum Vacuum ∞
value of the electric field intensity
Air 0.8 – 1
that can be applied to the dielectric
without its electric break down. Porcelain 4–8
Its SI unit is V m-1. Pyrex 14
Paper 14 – 16
Its practical unit is kV mm-1.
Rubber 21
Mica 160 – 200
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor with Dielectric Slab:

V = E0 (d – t) + EN t

E0 E0
K= or EN =
EN K E0 Ep t d
EN = E0 - Ep
E0
V = E0 (d – t) + t
K
t
V = E0 [ (d – t) + K
]
A ε0
σ qA or C=
But E0 = = t t
ε0 ε0 d 1– [ d
(1 - K
)]
q
and C=
V C0
or C=
A ε0 t t
C=
t
[1 – d
(1 - K
)]
[ (d – t) + K
] C > C0. i.e. Capacitance increases with
introduction of dielectric slab.
If the dielectric slab occupies the whole space between the plates, i.e. t = d,
then
C = K C0

C
Dielectric Constant K=
C0

WITH DIELECTRIC SLAB

Physcial Quantity With Battery With Battery

disconnected connected
Charge Remains the same Increases (K C0 V0)

Capacitance Increases (K C0) Increases (K C0)

Electric Field Decreases Remains the same

EN = E0 – Ep
Potential Difference Decreases Remains the same

Energy stored Remains the same Increases (K U0)