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Capacitors
Definition of Capacitor
BASED ON NCERT & CBSE PATTERN
Capacitor is an arrangement of two conductors separated by an insulating medium that is used to store electric
charge and electrical energy.
Capacitor: If any substance has ability to store charge in it-self, then this property of a substance is called
capacitance and the substance is called capacitor.
If we continuously increased the amount of charges in the conductor electric potential also increases.
Q
So, Q  V or Q  CV , C where C   M 1 L2T 4 A2 
V
Its S-I unit is Farad (F) or C/V.
Capacitance of a capacitor is independent of charge stored and potential raised but depends on the shape and size
of a conductor.
q
(a) General form : C  . . . . (i)
V
(b) Parallel plate capacitor :
 A
C 0 (with vacuum between the plates)
d
 KA
C 0 (with a medium of dielectric constant K between the plates)
d
Capacitance of a spherical conductor
Q 1 Q
C    , Vs 
V  4 0 R
So, C  4 0 R
i.e., C  R (Bigger the conductor, greater will be the capacitance).
When two conductors are joined by a wire, then the potential of both the conductors will be equal called common
potential.
C V  C2V2 R1V1  R2V2
V 1 1 
C1  C2 R1  R2
Where, C  R

Note : Equation (i) shows that for large C, V is small for a given 'Q'. This means that a capacitor with large C can hold
large amount of charge Q at a relatively small V. This is of practical importance because large V  strong
E  can ionise the air  charge of capacitor leaks away due to reduction in insulating power of medium.

(c) Effective capacitance :

 The max electric field that a
More to know

1 1 1 dielectric medium can withstand

(i) Series combination    ........
C C1 C2 without breakdown of its insulating
In this combination q1 = q2 = q3 property is called its.
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH.
Example : For air, its 3 × 106 v/m.

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(ii) Parallel combination C = C1 + C2 + .......

In this combination v1 = v2 = v3

 In series combination, the effective capacitance is less than the least individual capacitance.
 In parallel combination, the effective capacitance is more than the largest individual
capacitance.
1
(d) Energy stored by capacitor : U  CV 2 = Q2 / 2C = 1/2QV
2

Note : The formula of capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is applicable only for A>> d2 because for plates with finite
area, the electric field will not be uniform and localized near the outer boundaries of the plates. The field lines bend
outward at the edges - an effect called ‘FRINGINING OF THE FIELD’. Also  will not be strictly uniform on
entire plate. To avoid such non-uniformity, we consider A >> d2, such that these effects can be ignored.

(i) Capacitance of a Parallel Plate Capacitor :


E
0
V = Ed
q = A
Tips : Get expressions for the charge q and the potential difference (V) between the plates.
q
Apply C 
V
(ii) Effective Capacitance :
(a) Parallel Combination
q = q1 + q2 + q3 + ….
CV = C1V + C2V + C3V + ……
C = C1 + C2 + ………

(b) Series combination

V = V1 + V2 + V3 + …...

q q q q
    ..........
C C1 C2 C3

1 1 1
   ........
C C1 C2

Tips :

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(iii) Energy Stored by a Capacitor :

q = CV
 dq = C dV  dW = V dq
1
U  CV 2
2
(iv) Energy Density for a Parallel Plate capacitor :
Energy stored in the capacitor
1 Q2 ( A )2 d
(U )  =  {  surface charge density}
2 C 2 0 A
 1  2d
E  U  A
0 2 0
1
 U   0 E 2  Ad {Ad is the volume of the region b/w the plates where electric filed alone
2
exists.}
Energy stored 1
Energy density = So, Energy density of electric field = 0E 2
volume 2

PRACTICE QUESTIONS BASED ON NCERT PATTERN

1
1. Show that the force on each plate of a parallel plate capacitor has a magnitude equal to QE , where Q is
2
the charge on the capacitor and E is the magnitude of electric field between the plates. Explain the origin of
the factor 1/2
SOLUTION :
Let the distance between the plates be increased by a very small distance Δx . The force on each plate is F.
The amount of work done in increasing the separation by Δx
= Force  Increased distance = F . Δx . . . . .(i)
Increase in volume of capacitor = Area of plates  Increased distance
 A . Δx
Energy
u = Energy density =
Volume
Energy = u  Volume = u . A. Δx . . . .(ii)
As Energy = Work done
F . Δx  u . A.Δx [From Eqs. (i) and (ii) ]
 u. A
  1 V
 0E2 . A 2
 u  2  0 E and E  d 
2  
1 V2
 0 . 2 . A
2 d
 0 A V 1   0A 
 .V    C  d  CV  q 
 d  d 2  
1 1
 E.C.V  QE
2 2
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1
The factor of in the force can be explained by the fact that the field is zero inside the conductor and outside the
2
E
conductor, field is E. So, the average value of the field i.e., contributes to the force against which the plates
2
are moved.

2. Two charged conducting spheres of radii a and b are connected to each other by a wire. What is the ratio of
electric fields at the surfaces of the two spheres? Use the result obtained to explain why charge density on
the sharp and pointed ends of a conductor is higher than on its flatter portions.
SOLUTION :
As the two conducting spheres are connected to each other by a wire, the charge always flows from higher
potential to lower potential till both have same potential.
Capacitance of sphere (1),
C1  4 0b
Capacitance of sphere (2),
C2  4 0b . . . . .(i)

Charge Q1 on C1.
Q1 = C1V . . . . .(ii)
Charge Q2 on C2, Q2 = C2V
Where V, is the same potential on both the spheres.
Q1 C1
  [From Eqs. (i) and (ii)]
Q2 C2
Putting the values of C1 and C2, we get :
Q1 4 0 a a
 
Q2 4 0 b b
Q1 a
 . . . . .(iii)
Q2 b

Charge density on sphere (1),

Charge
1 
Surface area
Q1
1 
4 a 2
Charge density on sphere (2),
Charge
2 
Surface area
Q2
2 
4 b 2
1 b 2 Q1 b 2 a
 .  . [From Eq. (iii)]
 2 a 2 Q2 a 2 b
1 b
or  . . . .(iv)
2 a

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The ratio of electric field on both spheres

E1 1 b
  [From Eq. (iv)]
E2  2 a
As charge density is inversely proportional to radius.
Thus, for flatter portions, the radius is more and at pointed ends radius is less, thus the charge density is more at
pointed or sharp ends.

3. An electrical technician requires a capacitance of 2F in a circuit across a potential difference of 1 kV.
A large number of 1F capacitors are available to him each of which can withstand a potential difference of
not more than 400 V. Suggest a possible arrangement that requires the minimum number of capacitors.
SOLUTION :
The required capacitance C  2 F Potential difference

V = 1kV = 1000V
Capacitance of each capacitor C1 1 F and it can withstand
a potential difference of V1  400V Let the n capacitors are
connected in series and there are m rows of such capacitors.
As the potential difference across each row is 1000V.
1000
So, the potential difference across each capacitor 
n
Minimum number of capacitor that must be connected in
1000
series in a row are  400
n
n = 2.5
Here n is the number of capacitors, so it should be a wholes number. If we take n = 2, then potential difference
across each capacitor is 500 V. Here according to question a capacitor can bear only 400 V, so they So, the
capacitance of each row (in series)
1 1 1 3 1
    C 
C 1 1 1 3
m
According to question, the total capacitance required is 2  F . So, 2
3
Thus, the total number of capacitor = m  n  3  6  18 So, 1 F capacitors are connected that of 6 rows having
3 capacitors in each row.

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MORE PRACTICE QUESTIONS

[1 Mark Questions]

1. A capacitor has been charged by a DC source. What are the magnitude of conduction and displacement current,
when it is fully charged?

2. A metal plate is introduced between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor. What is its effect on the
capacitance of the capacitor?
3. In case the figure given below, X, Y, represent parallel plate capacitors having the
same area of plates and the same distance of separation between them. What is the
relation between the energies stored in the capacitors ?

4. The following graph shows the variation of charge Q with voltage

V, for two capacitor K and L. In which capacitor is more
electrostatic energy stored?
5. Define dielectric strength of a dielectric.

[2 Marks Questions]
1. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of a parallel plate capacitor but
has the thickness d/2, where, d is the separation between the plates. Find out the expression for its capacitance
when slab is inserted between the plates of the capacitor.
2. A capacitor, made of two parallel plates each of the plate A and separation d, is being charged by an external
sinusoidal time varying source. Show that, the displacement current inside the capacitor is the same as the current
charging the capacitor.
3. Determine the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor C1 of the network shown in the figure.
(Assume E2 > E1)

4. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1F . What will be their net capacitance if connected in
parallel? Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations, if they are both connected to the same source.
5. Figure shows two identical capacitors C1 and C2, each of 2F capacitance, connected to a battery of 5 V.
Initially switch S is closed. After sometime S is let open and dielectric slabs of dielectric constant K = 5 are
inserted to fill completely the space between the plates of the two capacitors. How will the (i) charge and
(ii) potential difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slab are inserted?

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6. Two identical parallel plate (air) capacitor C1 and C2

have capacitance C each. The space between their
plates is now filled with dielectrics as shown. If the
two capacitors still have equal capacitance, obtain the
relation between dielectric constants K, K1 and K2.

7. You are given an air filled parallel plate capacitor C1.

The space between its plates is now filled with slabs
of dielectric constants K1 and K2 as shown in C2. Find
the capacitance of the capacitor C2, if area of the
plates is A and distance between the plates is d.

8. You are given an air filled parallel plate capacitor C1.

The space between its plates is now filled with slabs
of dielectric constants K1 and K2 as shown in C2. Find
the capacitance of the capacitor C2, it area of the
plates is A and distance between the plates is d.

9. Figure shows a sheet of aluminum foil of negligible thickness placed

between the plates of a capacitor. How will its capacitance be affected if.
(i) the foil is electrically insulated?
(ii) the foil is connected to the upper plate with a conducting wire?

10. A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.4 m diameter has a surface charge density of 80.0  C / m2
(i) Find the charge on the sphere
(ii) What is the total electric flux leaving the surface of the sphere?

[3 Marks Questions]
1. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The charge stored in it is 360  C .
When potential across the capacitor is reduced by120 V, the charge stored in it becomes 120  C . Calculate :
(i) the potential V and the unknown capacitance C.
(ii) what will be the charge stored in the capacitor, if the voltage applied had increased by 120V?
2. A hollow cylindrical box of length 1 m and area of cross-section 25cm2 is
placed in a three dimensional coordinate system as shown in the figure. The
electric field in the region is given E = 50 xi, where E is NC 1 and x is in
meter. Find :
(i) Net flux through the cylinder.
(ii) charge enclosed by the cylinder.

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3. A capacitor of 200pF is charged by a 300 V battery. The battery is then disconnected and the charge capacitor is
connected to another uncharged capacitor of 100 pF. Calculate the difference between the final energy stored in
the combined system and the initial energy stored in the single capacitor.
4. A network of four capacitors each of 12 F capacitance, if
connected to a 500 V supply as shown in the figure. Determine.
(i) equivalent capacitance of the network and
(ii) charge on each capacitor

5. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After sometime, the battery is disconnected and a dielectric slab
with its thickness equal to the plate separation is inserted between the plates. How will :
(i) the capacitances of the capacitor,
(ii) potential difference between the plates and
(iii) the energy stored in the capacitors be affected. Justify your answer in each case.

6. A parallel plate capacitor each with plate area A and separation d, is charged to a potential difference V. The
battery used to charge it remains connected. A dielectric slab of thickness d and dielectric constant K is now
placed between the plates. What change, if any will takes place in :
(i) charge on plates? (ii) electric field intensity between the plates?
(iii) capacitance of the capacitor?
Justify your answer in each case.

7. A parallel plate capacitor is charged to a potential difference, V by a DC source. The capacitor is then
disconnected from the source. If the distance between the plates is doubled, state with reason, how the following
will change?
(i) Electric field between the plates (ii) Capacitance (iii) Energy stored in the capacitor

8. Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be applied across the parallel and the series combination of
two identical capacitors, so that the energy stored, in the two cases, becomes the same.

9. (i) How is the electric field due to a charged parallel plate capacitor affected, when a dielectric slab is
inserted between the plates fully occupying the intervening region?
(ii) A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as the plates of a parallel plate capacitor but
1
has thickness d , where, d is the separation between the plates. Find the expression for the capacitance
2
when the slab is inserted between the plates.

10. (i) Plot a graph, comparing the variation of potential, V and electric field E due to point charge Q as a
function of distance R from the point charge.
(ii) Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be applied across the parallel and the series
combination of two capacitors, C1 and C2 with their capacitances in the ratio 1 : 2, so that the energy
stored, in the two cases, becomes the same.
11. Four capacitors of value of 6  F , 6  F , 6  F and 2  F are
connected to a 6 V battery as shown in the figure. Determine the :
(i) Equivalent capacitance of the network.
(ii) The charge on each capacitor.

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12. Three identical capacitor C1, C2 and C3 of capacitances 6  F each

are connected to a 12V battery as shown below. Find :
(i) charge on each capacitor
(ii) equivalent capacitances of the network
(iii) energy stored in the network of capacitors.

13. The equivalent capacitances of the combination between points A and B in the given is 4 F
(i) Calculate capacitances of the capacitor C.
(ii) Calculate charge on each capacitor, if a 12V battery is
connected across terminals A and B.
(iii) What will be the potential drop across each capacitor?

14. Two parallel plate capacitors, X and Y have the same area of the plates and same
separation between them. X has air between the plates while Y contains a dielectric
medium of  r  4 .
(i) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor, if equivalent of the combination is
4 F
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y
(iii) What is the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y

15. A system of capacitors, connected as shown,

has a total energy of 160 mJ stored in it. Obtain
the value of the equivalent capacitance of this
system and the value of Z.

16. The two plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 4mm apart. A slab of dielectric constant 3 and thickness 3 mm is
introduced between the plates with its face parallel to them. The distance between the plates is so adjusted that the
capacitance of the capacitor becomes (2/3)rd of its original value. What is the new distance between the plates?

[5 Marks Questions]
1. (i) A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery to a potential. The battery is disconnected and a
dielectric slab is inserted to completely fill the space between the plates. How will :
(a) its capacitance
(b) electric field between the plates and
(c) energy stored in the capacitor be affected? Justify your answer, giving necessary mathematical
expressions for each case.
(ii) Sketch the pattern of electric field lines due to :
(a) a conducting sphere having negative charge on it (b) an electric dipole.

2. (i) Deduce the expression for the energy stored in a charged capacitor.
(ii) Show that the effective capacitances, C of a series combination of three capacitors C1, C2 and C3 is given
C1C2C3
by : C 
 1 2 C2C3  C3C1 
C C 

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3. (i) Show that in a parallel plate capacitor, if the medium between the plates of a capacitor is filled with an
insulating substance of dielectric constant K, its capacitance increases.
(ii) Deduce the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance C with charge Q.
4. A small sphere of radius, a carrying a positive charge, q is placed concentrically inside a larger hollow conducting
shell of radius b (b > a). This outer shell has charge Q on it. Show that, if these spheres are connected by a
conducting wire, charge will always flow from the inner sphere to the outer sphere, irrespective of the magnitude
of the two charges.
5. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor. On charging a parallel plate capacitor to a
potential V, the spacing between the plates is halved and a dielectric medium of  r  10 is introduced between
the plates, without disconnecting, the DC source. Explain, using suitable expression, how the
(i) capacitance (ii) electric field and (iii) energy density of the capacitor charges?

6. Define the terms :

(i) Capacitance of a capacitor.
(ii) dielectric strength of a dielectric
When a dielectric is inserted between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor, fully occupying the
intervening region, how does the polarization of the dielectric medium affect the net electric field? For linear
dielectric, show that the introduction of the dielectric increases its capacitance by a factor K, which is
characteristic of the dielectric.

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