CHAPTER 2 : ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL & CAPACITANCE

NOTES
Work Done & Potential Energy
 Work Done by External Force in bringing test charge from infinity
to point P
P

W∞-P = ∫ ⃗F ⃗
dr
∞

Potential Energy

ΔU = Up – UR = WRP
Electrostatic Potential (V)
 Amount of Work done in bringing unit positive charge from
infinity to given point in electric field against electrostatic force
without any accleration is called Electrostatic Potential
 Scalar Quantity
Unit : V (J/C)

DF: M1 L2 T-3 A-1

Work Done W
Formula : Charge = Q

Electrostatic Potential Difference

 Work done in bringing unit test charge from one point to another
point inside electric field is called Electrostatic Potential Difference
 Vector Quantity

W AB
V = VB – V A = q0
Potential Due to Point Charge :

 In figure: Charge q0 (q0> 0) is placed on origin

 We have to find electric potential at some point P, having its position
vector r from origin O
 Work done is given by external force in bringing unit positive charge
from infinity to P

 Force on unit positive charge kept at point P

k q0q q0 q
F= 2 = 4 πε 0 x
2 (By Coulomb’s Law)
x

 Small Work Done in moving test charge q0 from A to B with small

displacement against Electrostatic Force
dW = F dx
dW = - F dx

 To get total work done by external force

Integrating above equation
W = ∫ dW
W = ∫−F dx
W = - ∫ F dx
Limits : Upper Limit : r
Lower Limit : ∞ (unit charge is brought from infinity)
r
k q0 q
W=-∫ 2 dx
∞ x
r
1
W = -kqq0 ∫ 2 dx
∞ x
r

W = -kqq0 ∫ x −2 dx
∞

W = -kqq0 ¿
W = kqq0 ¿
W = kqq0 [ 1 1
−
r ∞ ]
kq q 0
W= r

 Potential at point P is given by

V = W= kq q 0
r
q0
q0 Q<0 V<0 W : -ve
kq
V= r Q>0 V >0 W : +ve
Potential due to Electric Dipole
 Assume that there are two equal & opposite charges +q & -q
separated by distance 2a
 Dipole is placed with origin at its midpoint
 Let point P be away from midpoint of dipole
r1 : distance of P from +q
r2 : distance of P from -q

 Potential due to charge +q at point P is

kq
V+q = r1
 Potential due to charge -q at point P is
−kq
V-q = r2

 According to Superposition Principle, total potential at point P is

V = V+q + V-q
kq kq
V= r1 - r2

V = kq [ 1 1
−
r1 r2 ]
r 2−r 1
V = kq r1 r2
………. (1)

 Draw BM perpendicular to AP

AMP = 900
AM r 2−r 1
cosϴ = AP = 2a
r 2−r 1 = 2acosϴ …….. (2)
Put (2) in eq (1)
2 a cos ϴ
V = kq r 1 r2

where p = 2aq
kpcosϴ
V= r1 r2
If r1 = r2 = r
kpcosϴ
V= r
2

Case 1 : At Axial Point

V = V+q + V-q
kq kq
V = (r −a) - (r + a)
V = kq [ 1
−
r −a r +a
1
]
V = kq [ r + a−r+ a
2
r −a
2 ]
V = kq [ ]
2a
2 2
r −a
r>>>> a
r 2 – a2 ≈ r 2
p = 2aq
kp
V= r
2

Case 2 : At Equatorial Plane :

V = V+q + V-q
kq kq
V = √ r 2 + a2 - √ r 2 + a2

V=0
Potential Due to System of Charges

 Figure represents system of n – electric charges with respect to origin

 Electric charge ‘q1’ has position vector ⃗r1
 Electric charge ‘q2’ has position vector ⃗r 2
 Electric charge ‘q3’ has position vector ⃗
r3
 Electric charge ‘q4’ has position vector ⃗r4
 Electric charge ‘qn’ has position vector ‘⃗rn

1 q1
 Electrical potential at p due to charge q1 : V1 = 4 π ε0 r1 p
where r1p = distance between charge q1 & p

1 q2
 Electrical potential at p due to charge q2 : V2 = 4 π ε0 r2 p
where r2p = distance between charge q2 & p

1 q3
 Electrical potential at p due to charge q3 : V3 = 4 π ε0 r3 p
1 q4
 Electrical potential at p due to charge q 4 : V4 = 4 π ε 0 r4 p
1 qn
 Electrical potential at p due to charge q n : Vn = 4 π ε 0 rn p
where rnp = distance between charge qn & p

 Using Superposition Principle

Total (net) potential at Point P
V = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 + …… + Vn
1 q1 1 q2 1 q3 1 q4 1 qn
V= 4 π ε0 r1 p + 4 π ε0 r2 p + 4 π ε0 r3 p + 4 π ε0 r4 p + …….. + 4 π ε 0 r np
1 q1 q2 q3 q4 qn
V= (
4 π ε0 r1 p + +
r2 p r3 p
+ r4 p
+ ….. + r np
)
1 qi
V= 4 π ε0
n
Σ i=1
r ip

where i = represents number of electric charges of system

EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACES
 Surface at which potential at every point is same is called
Equipotential Surfaces
Properties of Equipotential Surfaces
1. Potential Difference between any two points on equipotential
surface is ZERO
2. Work done by conservative force in moving charge from one
point to another point on an equipotential surface is ZERO
3. Direction of E is perpendicular to Equipotential Surface
1
⃗
E ∝ Equipotential Surface
4. Two Equipotential Surface never Intersect each other
[if they do so, it will merge & become 1 equipotential surface]

Relation between Electric Field (E) & Electric Potential (V)

 A & B are 2 surfaces having electric field (E) & Electric Potential
VA & VB respectively
 Work done is equal to electric potential difference between A &
B = VA - VB
ΔV = VA - VB

W
Using V = Q
−W const
VA - VB = q0
where : W = ∫ F dr
VA - VB = -
∫ F e dr
q0
where : F = qE E = Fe/q0
VA - VB = -∫ E dr
dV = -∫ E dr

Uniform Field
VA - VB = - E (r2 – r1)
ΔV = - EΔr
POTENTIAL ENERGY DUE TO SYSTEM OF CHARGES

 Position vectors of charge q1 is ⃗ r1

 Position vectors of charge q2 is ⃗r 2

 Position vectors of charge q3 is ⃗ r3

 Initially , all these charged are located at infinity

 No Work is required in bringing charges q1 from infinity to point

having position ⃗ r1

 Electric field is not present

 Work done in bringing charge q2 from infinity to ⃗r 2

k q1 q 2
W= r 12
(W = qv)
1 q1 q2
q2V1 (⃗r 2 ¿ = 4 π ε 0 r 12
 Charges q1 & q2 have their own potential
Potential at any point P is
1 q1 q2
V(1,2) = 4 π ε0 ( r1 p
+ r2 p
)

 Work done in bringing charge q3 from infinity is

W = q3


Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole in Uniform Electric Field
 Consider an electric dipole of dipole moment placed at angle ϴ in
direction of uniform electric field

 Consider two charges of equal & opposite

magnitude acosϴ & -acosϴ placed in field
 In Uniform Electric Field , Net Force acting
on dipole is ZERO

 Dipole experiences torque

τ⃗ = ⃗
P ×⃗
E = PEsinϴ
where ϴ = angle between P & E0
This torque tends to rotate Dipole in direction of Electric Field

 Suppose an external torque τext is applied just to neutralise torque (τ)

& to rotate dipole from θ2 to θ1 without angular acceleration
τext = τ⃗ = PEsinϴ

 Work Done by External Torque :

τext = PEsinϴ
Case 1: ϴ = 00
dW = τext dϴ
U = - PE cos0
dW = PEsinϴ
U = - PE (minimum)
Stable Equilibrium
W = ∫ dW
ϴ2

W = ∫ PEsinϴ dϴ Case 2: ϴ = 1800

ϴ1

W = PE [−cosϴ ¿ ¿ ϴ
ϴ1
2
U = - PE cos 180
W = -PE [cosϴ ¿ ¿ ϴϴ
1

2
U = PE (maximum)
W = -PE [cosϴ2 - cosϴ1] Unstable Equilibrium

0 Case 3: ϴ = 900
ϴ1 = 90 : ϴ2 = ϴ
U = - PE cos 90
W = -PE [cosϴ - cos 900]
U=0
W = -pEcosϴ Max Unstable Equilibrium

 Work is stored in form of potential energy of dipole U = -pEcosϴ

Parallel Plate Capacitor
Parallel Plate Capacitor : Capacitor made up of two large parallel
conducting plates kept at small distance
is called Parallel Plate Capacitor
 Two Parallel Conducting Plates are arranged
Suppose :
 let charge be + Q & -Q respectively
A = area of plate
 Separation (d) between two plates is very small compared
d = perpendicular to n 2 plates
distance betw
σ = surface charge density
C = capacitance on parallel plate
E = electric field
V = voltage of capacitors
area of plates (d2 <<< A)

 Electric Field in region above Plate I

σ σ
E1 = 2 ε0 - 2 ε0 =0

 Electric Field in Region Below Plate II

σ σ
E2 = 2 ε0 - 2 ε0 =0

 Electric Field in Between 2 Plates

σ σ
E3 = 2 ε0 + 2 ε0
2σ
E3 = 2 ε0
σ
E3 = ε0

 Net Electric Field is given by :

Enet = E1 + E2 + E3
σ
Enet = 0 + 0 + ε0

σ
Enet = ε0

Surface Charge Density is given by

Q
σ= A
 Q
E= Aε 0

 Direction of Electric field is from +ve plate to -ve plate

 Electric Field is uniform in entire region

 Uniform electric potential is given by

V = Ed
Qd
V= Aε 0

Q
C = V
Q
C= Qd
Aε 0

ε0 A
C= d

 Equation represents Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor

where : C = capacitance of parallel plate capacitor
ε0 = permeability of dielectric
d = distance of separation between plates of capacitors
A = Area between parallel plates

k ε0 A
C= d

where : k = Dielectric Constant

Factors on which Parallel Plate Capacitance depends

1. Area (A) : C∝ A
If Area Increases , Capacitance Increases
1
2. Distance between Plates (d) : C ∝ d
If Distance Decreases , Capacitance Increases
3. Dielectric medium kept between 2 plates

Capacitors in Series :
 Two capacitors C1 & C2 are connected in series

 Left plate of C1 & right plate of C2 are connected to two terminals of

battery & having charges Q & -Q on them respectively
 Right plate C1 : Charge -Q
Lef Plate C2 : Charge +Q
 Capacitors have different capacitance , charge on them is same
 Charge is SAME in Series

 Suppose :
Potential Difference between two terminals of C1 is V1
Potential Difference between two terminals of C2 is V2

Total Potential Drop : V

V = V1 + V2

Q
V= C
Q1 Q2
For Capacitor C1 : V1 = C1
: For Capacitor C2 : V2 = C2

Q1 Q2
V= C1
+ C2
But Q1 = Q2 = Q (charge is same)
Q Q
V= C1 + C2

V=Q ( C1 + C1 )
1 2

V 1 1
Q
=C +C
1 2
Q 1 Q
But C : V C
=V
1 1 1 C1C2
C
=C + C2 C = C +C
1 1 2

 Reciprocal of Effective Capacitance is equal to Sum of Reciprocals of

Individual Capacitance
 For ‘n’ capacitors : 1 1 1 1 C
=C + C2 + …. + Cn
Ceq = n
C 1
Capacitors in Parallel
 Two capacitors C1 & C2 are connected in parallel

 Charge on plate of capacitor 1 C1 : Q1

 Charge on plate of capacitor 2 C2 : Q2
 Potential Difference (V) is same across each capacitor

Q = CV
For Capacitor C1 : Q1 = C1V1
For Capacitor C2 : Q2 = C2V2

Total Charge on Capacitor

Q = Q1 + Q2
Q = C1V1 + C2V2
But V1 = V2 = V (voltage is SAME)

Q = C1V + C2V
Q = V (C1 + C2)
Q
V
= C1 + C2

C = C1 + C2

 Effective Capacitance in Parallel Connection is equal to sum of

individual capacitors
For ‘n’ capacitors
C = C1 + C2 + …. + Cn

Ceq = n C
ENERGY STORED IN CAPACITOR
 Take uncharged conductors 1 & 2

 Initially charge on conductor is zero

 Suppose positive charge is taken from conductor 2 to conductor 1
 At end : Conductor 1 : + Q charge Conductor 2 : -Q charge
 To transfer positive charge from conductor 2 to conductor 1 work will
be done externally
 Work Done = Energy stored in capacitor

Q
V= C
W
V= Q
W = VQ
differentiate above equation since small charge is transferred from
conductor 2 to 1
dW = V dQ
Q
dW = C dQ

Total work done to transfer charge Q from conductor 2 to 1

W = ∫ dw
Limits : Lower Limit : 0 (initial charge) Upper Limit : Q (transfer
charge)
Q
Q
W = ∫ C dQ
0
Q
1
W= C ∫ Q dQ
0 2
Q
W=
1 Q2
C 2
−0( ) W = 2C

 Work Done in capacitor is equal to energy stored in capacitor (W= U)

2
Q
U= 2C

Q= CV
2 2
1 C V
U= U= CV 2
2C
2

1 Q
U= 2 V U = 2 VQ
1 V2
ENERGY DENSITY

 Energy Density : Energy stored per unit volume is called Energy Density
 Suppose area of each capacitor plate is A & distance between
plates is d
ε0 A
C= d

 Energy Stored in Capacitor :

2
Q
U= 2C
But Q = σA
where σ = surface charge density
2 2
σ A
U= 2
d( )
ε0 A

2
σ Ad
U= 2 ε0
………. (1)

Electric field between two plates :

σ
E= ε0
σ = E ε0 ……. (2)

From equation (1) & (2)

2
σ Ad
U= 2 ε0
2 2
E ε Ad
U = 2 0ε
0
1
U = 2 E2 ε 20 Ad
U 1 2 2
Ad
= 2
E ε0

but Ad = V (volume of space between two plates)

U 1 2 2
V
= 2
E ε0
1 2 2
ρ= 2
E ε0

1 2 2
ρ= 2
E ε0

where : ρ = Energy Density of Electric Field

E = Electric Field
ε0 = permeability in vacuum