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Chapter 2 - Electrostatic Potential - Capacitance (Student Copy)

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106 views40 pages

Chapter 2 - Electrostatic Potential - Capacitance (Student Copy)

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tanmayrkumble
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CHAPTER

ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL
2 & CAPACIATANCE
No. of Hrs. No. of
1 Marks 5 Marks Total
PU Board Required 2 Marks 3 Marks
Marks
Allotted Sessions (MCQ) FIB LA NP
12 24 1 - 1 1 1 - 11

Learning Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to understand the following
 Work done on a charge and electroststic potential energy
 Electrostatic potential.
 Potential due to a point charge
 Electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole
 Electrostatic potential due to a system of charges
 Electrostatic potential at a point due to continuous charge distributions
 Equipotential surfaces
 Relation between field and potential
 Electrostatic potential energy of a system of charges
 Potential energy in an external field
 Electrostatics of conductors
 Capacitors and capacitance
 Capacitance of a spherical conductor
 Parallel plate capacitor
 Dielectrics and polarisation
 The effect of dielectric on capacitance
 Combinations of capacitors
 Energy stored in a charged capacitor
Introduction
When an external force does work in taking a body from a point to another against a force like
spring force or gravitational force that work gets stored as potential energy in the body. When the
external force is removed, the body moves, gaining kinetic energy and losing an equal amount of
potential energy. The sum of kinetic and potential energies is always a constant or conserved. Forces
of this kind are called conservative forces. Moreover in a conservative force field the work done on
a body in displacing it from one point to another depends only on the initial and final positions but
not on the path along which it is moved.
36 | II PU Physics

Since, Coulomb force and gravitional force both have inverse – square dependence on distance
and differ mainly in the proportionality constants (the masses in the gravitional law are replaced by
charges in Coulomb’s law), we can define electrostatic potential energy of a charge in an
electrostatic field similar to gravitational potential energy of mass in gravitational field.
Work done on a charge and electrostatic potential energy
Consider an electric field E due to a
positive charge Q placed at the origin.
Imagine a positive test charge q brought from
a point P ' to a point P against the repulsive
force on it by the charge Q. The minimum
external force F ext required to bring the
charge from P’ to P must be equal and
opposite to the force due to electric field
FE  qE. i.e.,
F e x t   F E  qE ........  2.1
The amount of work done by external force in moving a charge q from P ' to P is
P P
WP ' P   F ext  d r  q  E  d r .....  2.2 
P' P'

This work done against electrostatic force gets stored as electrostatic potential energy.
Therefore, the change in potential energy is given by equation
 U  U P  U P '  WP ' P ......  2.3
Note:
i) It is only the difference U P  U P ' has a definite value but not the absolute value of the potential
energy of a charge at a particular point.
ii) The absence of uniqueness of the absolute potential energy of a charge at a point allow us to
choose a reference point where the potential energy is zero, so that the potential energy at
any point will be then uniquely defined as the work done in bringing a charge form the
reference point to the given point.
iii) A convenient choice of reference point is to have electrostatic potential energy zero at infinity.
If we choose the initial point P ' to be infinity, then WP  U P  U   U P . Therefore, the
potential energy of a charge q at a point P in an electric field can be defined as ‘The amount of
work done on charge q in bringing it from infinity to the point P.
Electrostatic potential
The electrostatic potential energy per unit charge is called electrostatic potential denoted by V.
The potential VP at P is
P
U W
VP  P  P    E  d r .....  2.4 
q q 

The potential at a point P can be defined as work done per unit charge in taking it from infinity
to that point.The SI unit of potential is volt (V). volt  joule / coulomb.
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 37

Properties of electrostatic potential


1. It is a scalar quantity.
2. It depends only on the position and independent of the charge placed at a point to measure it.
3. A positive charge produces a positive potential whereas and a negative charge produces a
negative potential everywhere.
4. Potential at any point due to two or more charges is always equal to algebraic sum of potentials
due to individual charges i.e.,

V  V1  V2  ....  Vn .......  2.5

5. If W is the amount of work to be done to move a charge q from a point A where the potential is
VA to a point B where potential is VB with no acceleration, then

W  U B  U A  q VB  VA  ......  2.6

Work done = charge × potential difference

Worked Example:
1. If 20 J of work has to be done to move an electric charge of 4 C from a point, where potential is
10 V to another point, where potential is V volt, then find the value of V.

Sol.: W  q V2  V1   20  4 V  10  V  15 volt

Potential due to a point charge

Let ‘P’ be a point at a


distance ‘ 𝑟 ’ from the isolated
charge + 𝑄 . Let a positive test
charge ‘𝑞0 ’ is displaced through a
small distance ‘𝑑𝑥’ from A to B
against the electric field due to +𝑄. The amount of work done on 𝑞0

q0Q 1
dW  F  dx  Fdx cos180   Fdx   dx; ( force is opposite displacement)
4 0 x 2
The total amount of work done on q0 in bringing it from infinity to the point ‘P’ is given by

q0Q  1
r
q0Q r 1 q0Q
W   dW    2 dx   
4 0  x 4 0  x   4 0 r

Therefore, the potential at P is

W 1 Q
V  .....  2.7 
q0 4 0 r
38 | II PU Physics

Q. Define electric potential due to a point charge and arrive at the expression for the electric
potential at a point due to a point charge. (Mar-2018): 5 Marks

Note:

1 q
(i) The equation V  is based on the fact that potential is zero at infinity.
4 0 r

1 q
(ii) Although we have derived the equation, V  for a positively charged particle, the
4 0 r
derivation holds also for a negatively charged particle also.
1 q
(iii) The equation V  also gives the electric potential outside or on the external surface of a
4 0 r
spherically symmetric charge distribution. However, this equation is not valid for a point within
the actual distribution.
(iv) The varation of potential with respect to the distance from the point charge can be represented
as follows.
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 39

Worked Example:
1. The electric potential at 0.1 m from a point charge is 540 volt. What is the magnitude and
sign of the charge?
1 q q
Sol.: V    540  9 109   q  6 109 C  6nC
4 0 r 0.1

2. A wire is bent in a circle of radius 10 cm. It is given a charge of 250 C which spreads on it
uniformly. What is the electric potential at the centre? (HW)
Sol.: Since the potential is scaller and every element of the wire is at the same distance from the
centre, the potential at the centre is equivalent to the potential due to a point charge of 250C
at a distance 10cm from it. Therefore,

1 q 250 106
V   9 109   2.25 107V
4 0 r 0.1

Exercise:
1. (a) Calculate the potential at a point P due to a charge of 4  107 C located 9 cm away.
(b) What is the work done in bringing a charge of 2  109 C - from infinity to the point P. Does
the answer depend on the path along which the charge is brought?

Ans: a) 4 104V b) 8 10 5 J , No
Sol.:

Parent’s Signature Mentor’s Signature


40 | II PU Physics

Potential due to an electric dipole.


Let ‘P’ be a point at a distance ‘𝑟’ from the centre ‘O’ of
the dipole as shown in the fig(2.3). Let ‘𝜃’ be the angle made by
OP with respect to the direction of the dipole moment p. If V q
and V q denote the potentials at P due to the charges +𝑞 and −𝑞 of
the dipole, then the net potential at P is

V  V q  V q .....  2.8

1  q q  q 1 1
      
4 0  r1 r2  4 0  r2 r1 

In the figure, C and D are the foot of the perpendiculars drawn from A and B respectively to
the line passing through O and P. When the distance ‘𝑟’ is very large compared to the dipole length,
then

r1  AP  CP  r  a cos ; r2  BP  DP  r  a cos 

q  1 1 
V   
4 0  r  a cos  r  a cos  

q   r  a cos     r  a cos    1 q  2a cos  1 p cos 


V      ( 2a.q  p)  2.9 
4 0   r  a cos   r  a cos    4 0  r  a cos   4 0 r 2
2 2 2

Q. Dervie an expression for the electric potential at any point due to a short dipole.
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 41

Axial Line
1 p cos 0 1 p 1
i) At axial line,   00 : V   ;V  2
4 0 r 2
4 0 r 2
r
1 p cos90
ii) At equatorial line,   900 : V  0
4 0 r2
Electrostatic potential due to a system charges
Let there be a number of point charges q1, q2, q3, …qn at distances r1, r2, r3, … rn respectively
from the point P. Potential at P due to individual charges are given by
1 q1 1 q2 1 q3 1 qn
V1  ; V2  ; V3  ; …. ; Vn 
4 0 r1 4 0 r2 4 0 r3 4 0 rn
Using superposition principle, we obtain the resultant potential at P due to total charge
configuration as the algebraic sum of the potentials due to individual charges.i.e,
V  V1  V3  V3  ....  Vn ......  2.10
1 q1 1 q2 1 q3 1 qn
    ....... 
4 0 r1 4 0 r2 4 0 r3 4 0 rn
1  q1 q2 q3 qn 
     .......  
4 0  r1 r2 r3 rn 
n
1 qi
V
4 0
r
i 1
........  2.11
i

Electrostatic potential due to continuious charge distributions


If dq is an infinitesimally small element of a given charge distribution and r is the distance of
the observation point from the element under consideration, then the net potential due to given
charge distribution is
1 1
......  2.12 
4 0  r
V dq

a) Potential due to linear charge distribution:If the charge is distributed uniformly along a line
of length l and  is the linear charge density, then
1 d
Vl   ...........  2.13
4 0 0
r
b) Potential due to surface charge distribution:If the charge is distributed uniformly over an
area S and  is the charge per unit area (surface charge density), then
1  dSs
Vs   ..........  2.14 
4 0 0 R
c) Potential due to volume charge distribution:If the charge is uniformly distributed over a
volume v and  is the charge per unit volume(volume charge density), then
1
v
 dv
Vv   ........  2.15
4 0 0
r
42 | II PU Physics

Potential due to a charged spherical conductor


Case I. At an external point  r  R 
For a point outside the uniform charge distribution, it appears
as if entire charge Q is concentrated at the centre.
Therefore,

1 Q
 V r  
4 0 r
Case II. At a point on the surface. (r = R)
1 Q
 V  r  
4  0 R
Case III. At a point inside the sphere
Inside the conductor (of any shape and size) the electric field
E  0. This implies that there is no gradient of potential. In other
words potential at any point inside the conductor is the same as
that on its surface. Therefore the potential at any point can be
expressed as

 1 Q
4    if r  R
 r
V r    .......  2.16 
0

 1 Q
 if r  R

 4  0 R
Worked Example

1. Two point charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance ‘d’ Find the positions along the line
joining the two charges where the net potential is zero.
Sol:. The point of zero potential exists only when q1q2  O or q1 / q2   q1 / q2 . For a pair of unlike
charges, we find one of the point lies beween the two charges and the other outside where the
net potential V  V1  V2  0 . If x is the distance from the weaker charge, say q2 , the distance
from the stronger charge q2 will be  d  x  for a point between the two charges and  d  x 
for a point outside (the point must be closer to the weaker charge than to the stronger charge).
V  V1  V2  0 leads to
q1 q
At P:  2  0 for a point between the charges
d  x x
q1 q
At Q:  2  0 for a point outside
dx x
Solving for x we get
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 43

d
x
q1
1
q2
' ' sign corresponds to a point between the charges and ' ' sign corresponds to a point outside.

2. Eight charged water droplets, each with a radius of 1 mm and a charge of 1010 C, coalesce to
form a single drop. Calculate the potential of the bigger drop.

Sol.: Charge on the bigger drop Q  8q  8 1010 C


4 4
Volume of the bigger drop V   R3  8   r 3  R  2r  2mm
3 3
 Potential of the bigger drop

1 Q 8  1010
V   9  109   3.6  103V
4 0 R 2  103

3. Two tiny spheres carrying charges 1.5  C and 2.5  C are placed 30 cm apart. Find the
electric potential at the midpoint of the line joining the 2 charges.

1  q1 q2 
Sol.: V  V1  V2    
4 0  d1 q2 

For the midpoint, d1  d2  15cm

1.5  106 2.5  106 


 v  9  109      2.4  10 J
5

 0.15 0.15 

Exercise:
1. Two point charges 8C and  16C are separated by 0.6m distance. Find the points on line
joining the charges at which the potential is zero.
(Ans: 0.2 m from 8C between the two charges and 0.6 m from 8C outside the two
charges)
Sol.:
44 | II PU Physics

2. ABCD is a square of side 2m. Point charges of 5nC, 10nC and 5nC are placed at corners A, B
and C respectively. Calculate the work done in transferring 5C from D to point of intersection
of diagonals.
225
(Ans: 106 J )
2
Sol.:

3. A regular hexagon of side 10 cm has a charge 5C at each of its vertices. Calculate the
potential at the centre of the hexagon. (HW)

(Ans: 2.7 106V )


Sol.:
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 45

4. Two charges 3  108 C and 2  108 C are located 15 cm apart. At what points on the line
joining the two charges is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be
zero.(HW)
[Ans: 6 cm from 2  108 C between the charges, 30 cm from 2 108 C outside the charges]

Parent’s Signature Mentor’s Signature

Equipotential surfaces
Q. What is an equipotential surface? (Mar – 2018): 1 Mark
A surface on which the potential is the same everywhere is called an equipotential surface.
Characteristcs of equipotential surfaces.
1. No work is done in moving a test charge over an equipotential surface.
Work done W  q V2  V1  . For equipotential surface V is constant. Therefore, V1  V2 and W  0.

2. Electric field intensity E is normal to the equipotential surface.
The change in potential dV along any line element d l on the equipotential surface is zero.
Therefore, dV   E  d l  0 . This implies E is perpendicular to d l 3.
3. Equipotential surfaces are relatively closer in the region of
stronger field strength compared to those in the region of
weaker field strength.
When a system of equipotential surfaces are drawn in a
region of non – uniform electric field, surfaces appear closer
in the region of stronger field strength and are well separated
in the region of weaker field strength as depicted in fig (a) &
fig (b)
46 | II PU Physics

Relation between field and potential


Let A and P be two points respectively on two close-by
equipotential surfaces with potentials ‘V’ and ‘𝑉 + 𝛿𝑉’ separated by a small
perpendicular distance ‘𝛿𝑙’ as shown in the figure (2.6). The amount of
work done on a charge ‘𝑞’ in moving it from P to A against the electric field
is given by

dW  Fdx cos  Edr cos180   Edr ............ 1


The potential difference between A and B is given by VAB VA  VB  V  V  dV 
 VA  VB 
VAB  dV  dW .............  2  dW  
 q 
From (1) & (2) Edr  dV
dV
Therefore E ..........  3
dr
Where dV/ dr is called potential gradient and it decreases in the direction of the field.
Worked Examples:
1. Potential at a point in space V  5r 3 volts, where r is the distance from the orgin Find the electric
field at the point 50cm from the origin [H.W]
dv
Sol.: E    
dr
d
dr
 
5r 3  15r 2  15   0.5  3.75 N / C
2

The –ve sign shows that the electric field is pointing towards the origin.
2. Electric field in a region is given by E =  2iˆ + 3jˆ  4kˆ  V / m. Find the potential difference between
points (0, 0, 0) and (1, 2, 3). [H.W]
B 1,2,3
 
Sol.: V    E  dr    2i  3 ˆj  4kˆ  idx  ˆjdy  kdz
ˆ 
A  0,0,0
1,2,3
    2dx  3dy  4dz 
 0,0,0 
1,2,3
   2 x  3 y  4 z  0,0,0  4V

Q. Derive the relation between electric field and electric potential due to a point charge. (Jun
– 2014) (Jun – 2015) (Mar – 2017) (Jun – 2017) (Mar – 2020) (Jun – 2020): 2 or 3 Marks
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 47

Electrostatic potential energy of a system of charges


i. System of two point charges
The electrostatic potential energy of a system of point charges is the work required to assemble
this system of charges by bringing them from infinite distances. Here, it is assumed that the
charges were at rest when they were separated by an infinite distance.
Consider two point charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance r12. Assume that both the charges
q1 and q2 are initially at infinity. Let the charge q1 be brought first to A. No work is required to
be done in bringing this charge because there is no electric field.Keeping q1 fixed at A, the
work required to bring the charge q2 from infinity to B is given by
W  q2  V1
Where V1 is the electrostatic potential at B due to charge q1.Therfore,
1 q 1 q1q2
 W  q2  1 
4 0 r12 4 0 r12
This work done is the electrostatic potential energy U of the system of two point
charges.Therefore,
1 q1q2
 U W  ...... 2.19a 
4 0 r12
Now, let us again assume that both the charges are at infinity. Let q2 be brought first from
infinity to B. No work is done in this case.Keeping q2 fixed at B, the work required to bring the
charge q1 from infinity to A is given by
1 q 1 qq
W  q1 . V2  q1   2   1 2
4 0 r12 4 0 r12
1 q1q2
U  W  .......  2.19b 
4 0 r12
From equation 2.19 (a) and 2.19 (b) it is clear that
1 qq
U  q1V2  q2V1   1 2 ……..(2.19)
4 0 r12
From this, it becomes clear that the electrostatic potential energy belongs to the system as a
whole and not to any individual charges.
Q. Derive the expression for potential energy of a system of two charges in the absence of an
external electrical field. (Mar-2014) (Jun-2016): 3 Marks
48 | II PU Physics

ii. Electrostatic potential energy of system of three point charges


The potential energy associated with the system of three charges located at three fixed points is
the amount of work done in assembling them to their respective locations by bringing them
from infinite distances. In the obsenece of an external electric field the work done W1 on q1 is
zero. The work done on q2 is W2  q2 V1 , where V1 is the potential due to q1 and the work done
on q3 is W3  q3V12 where V12 is the net potential at the final position of q3 due to q1 and q2 ,
Therefore ,
W  W1  W2  W3  0  q2V1  q3V12
1 q1 1  q1 q2 
V1   ; V12    
4 0 r12 4 0  r13 r23 

1  q1q2 q1q3 q2 q3 
W     
4 0  r12 r13 r23 

1  q1q2 q1q3 q2 q3 
 U W      ......  2.20 
4 0  r12 r13 r23 
Worked Example:
1. Two point charges are located on the x–axis, q1   1 mC at x  0 and q2   1 mC at x  1m.
Find the work that must be done by an external force to bring a third point charge q3  1 mC
from infinity to x  2m.
1  q3 q1 q3 q2 
Sol.: U 3  q3 V13  V12     
4 0  r13 r23 

 1 1 106 11106 


 9  109   
 2 1 

 4.5 103 J
Exercise:
1. Two charged particles, having equal charges of 2.0  105 C each, are brought from infinity to
within a separation of 10 cm. Find the increase in the electric potential energy during the
process.
[Ans: 36 J]
Sol.:
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 49

q4 q3
2. Four charges q1  1mC, q2  2mC, q3   3 mC and q4  4 mC are kept on the
vertices of a square of side 1 m. Find the electric potential energy of this 1m
system of charges. (HW)
1m
q1 q2
[Ans: - 22.18 kJ]
Sol.:

3. Three point charges 1.5  103 C,  0.2  103 C and  0.5  103 C are placed respectively at
the corners A, B, and Cof a right angled triangle ABC. If AB  1.2 m , BC  0.5 m, and
B  90 . Calculate the potential energy of the charge at B. (HW)
[Ans: 450 J]
Sol.:

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50 | II PU Physics

Potential energy in an external field


If q1 , q2,...... qn are the system of charges placed in an external electric field described by the
potential V(r), the total electrostatic energy of system of charges consists of two parts
i) An internal energy U int due to mutual interaction between the charges.

ii) An External energy U ext due interaction of charges with the external electric field.

Therefore, the total energy

U  Uint  U ext ......  2.21

i. A single charge in an external field:


To bring a charge from infinity to a given point in an external electric field, the work is to be

done on a charge. If V r is the potential at a point P (due to unkown source) with position

vector r , then potential energy of charge q located at P is

U  qV r  ......  2.22 

ii) Two charges in an external field


The total energy of two charges q1 & q2 located at two points A and B with position vectorts
r1 & r 2 respectively consists of

1) Energy U ext due to interaction of q1 & q2 with the external field

 
 U ext  U1  U 2  q1V r1  q2V r 2   .............  2.23

2) Energy U int due interaction between q1 & q2

1 q1q2
 U int   .........  2.24 
4 0 r12

Total energy

 
U  U ext  U int  q1V r1  q2V r 2   1
4 0

q1q2
r12
....  2.25

Commonly used units of electrostatic potential energy


a. Electron volt (eV). It is the energy gained by an electron when accelerated through a potential
difference of 1V. 1eV  1.6  1019 J . In addition to this following units are also used

b. 1meV  103 eV  1.6 1022 J c. 1 keV  103 eV  1.6 1016 J

d. 1MeV  106 eV  1.6 1013 J e. 1GeV  109 eV  1.6 1010 J

f. 1TeV  1012 eV  1.6 107 J


Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 51

Potential energy of a dipole in an external field


The dipole experiences no net force but
experiences a torque  and it is given by
  pE sin  ...... 1
Suppose an external torque  ext is applied in such
a manner that neutralises this torque and rotates it
in the plane of paper from angle 1 to angle  2 at
an inflinitesimal angular speed and without
angular acceleration. The amount of work done
by the external torque will be given by
2 2
W    ext d   pE sin  d  pE   cos  2

1
1 1

U   pE  cos2  cos1   pE  cos1    cos2   W U 



Note: If 1  and  2   then U   pE cos
2
Q. Derive an expression for potential energy of electric-dipole placed in a uniform electric field.
(Mar-2019): 3 Marks

Worked Example:
1. The kinetic energy of a charged particle decreases by 10 J as it moves from a point at potential
100 V to a point at potential 200 V. Find the charge on the particle.
Sol.: Decease in kinetic energy  increase in potential energy

 10  q V2  V1   q  200 100

 q  0.1C

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52 | II PU Physics

Electrostatics of conductors
Conductors contain mobile charge carriers. In metallic conductors, these charge carriers are
electrons, called free electrons.In electrolytic conductors, the charge carriers are both positive and
negative ions. Let us note some of the important results regarding electrostatics of conductors.
1. At every point on the surface of a charged conductor, electrostatic field must be normal.
2. The interior of a conductor can have no excess charge in the static situation
3. Electrostatic potential is constant on and within the volume of the conductor.
As E = 0 inside the conductor and has no tangential component on the surface, no work is done
in moving a charge either within the body of conductor or on the surcface.Therefore potential is
constant

4. Electric field is maximum  E   /  0  on the surface of a charged conductor

5. Electrostatic shielding
Consider a conductor with a cavity, having no
charges inside the cavity. The electric field inside
the cavity is always zero, irrespective of the size and
shape of the cavity, the charge on the conductor and
the external fields in which it might be placed. In
presence of an external electric field the charge
distribution on the surface get modified in such a
way that the net electric field with in the body of the
conductor as well as within the cavity is always
zero.This is known as electrostatic shielding. The
effect can be made use of in protecting sensitive
instruments from outside electrical influence. Figure
(2.9). Shows how chage distribution gets modified when the conductor is placed in an external
electric field.

Capacitors and capacitance


In practice, we cannot handle free point charges or hold them fixed at desired positions. A
practical way to handle charges would be to put it on a conductor. Thus, one of the use of a
conductor is to store electric charges (or electric potential energy). But every conductor has its
maximum limit of storing the electric charge or potential energy. Beyond that limit the dielectric (or
insulator) in which the conductor is placed gets ionized.
Capacitance of an isolated conductor
The ability of a conductor to store charges is known as electrical
capacitance.
When a charge q is given to a conductor, it spreads over the outer
surface of the conductor. The potential of the whole conductor becomes
same (say V). The increase in the potential is found to vary directly with
respect to the amount of charge palced on it. i.e.,
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 53

q V

q  CV ......  2.27 

q
Where the constant of proportionality C  is called electrical capacitance.
V
If V  1, then C  q; Therefore, capacitance can be defined as the amount of charge required
to raise the potential of a conductor through one volt.
The SI unit of capacitance is called farad (F). If V  1 V when q  1 coulomb then C  1F  1
coulomb /volt
Therefore, capacitance of a conductor is said to be one farad, when a charge of one coulumb
raises its potential through one volt.Smaller units like  F  106 F , n F  109 F , p F  1012 F are also
used.

Capacitance of a spherical conductor


When a charge q is given to a spherical conductor of radius R, its
potential becomes,
1 q
V .
4 0 R

Therefore, the capacitance


q
C  4  0R ……….(2.28)
V
From this expression it follows that C  R . It may be noted that, the capacitance depends only
on the size and shape of the conductor but neither on the charge nor on the potential of the conductor.
1
For example, if R  9 cm, then C  4   0 R   9  102  1011 F  10 pF
9  109

Therefore even with a spherical conductor of radius 9 cm (about the size of a foot ball) the
capacitance becomes as low as 10 pF. This implies that a very small amount of charge placed on the
conductor increases its potential by large amount. Therefore an isolated conductor is not a
convenient device to store electrical charge.
However, if we use pair of conductors held close to each other with opposite charges on them,
then each conductor will modify the potential of the other so that the potential difference between the
conductors get reduced. Consequently the capacitance C  q / V will increase. This is the principle
used in the construction of small size capacitors with desired value of capacitance.
Capacitors
A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge or
potential energy.
54 | II PU Physics

Any two conductors separated by an insulator (or a vacuum) form a capacitor. One common
way to charge a capacitor is to connect the two conductors to opposite terminals of a battery. This
gives a fixed potential difference Vab between the conductors, which is just equal to the voltage of
the battery.
When we say that a capacitor has charge q we mean that the conductor at higher potential has
charge +q and the conductor at lower potential has charge q. In circuit diagram a capacitor is
represented by two parallel lines as shown in figure 2.12.
Q. What is a capacitor? (Jun-2014) : 1 Mark

Worked Example:
1. A potential difference of 250 volt is applied across the plates of a capacitor of 10 pF. Calculate
the charge on the plates of the capacitor.

Sol.: Q  CV  10 1012  250  2.5 109 C  2.5nC

Exercise:
1. When 1.0  1012 electrons are transferred from one conductor to another, a potential difference
of 10 V appears between the conductors. Calculate the capacitance of the two conductor
system. (HW)
[Ans: 16 nF]
Sol.:
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 55

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The parallel plate capacitor

Two metallic parallel plates of any shape but of same size


and separated by a small distance constitute parallel plate
capacitor. Let +q and –q be the charges on the two plates of
the capacitor with area A and separated by a distance of d in
vacuum (Fig:2.13) The charge density on each of these
surfaces has a magnitude,   q / A

If the plates are large as compared to the separation between


them, then the electric field between the plates (at point B in fig
2.14) is uniform and perpendicular to the plates Since both
positive and negative plates produce the electric field in the same
direction (from positive plate towards negative plate), The net
electric field at B is given by,

  
E   .......  2.29 
2 0 2 0  0

Outside the plates (at points A and C) the field due to positive
and negative sheets of charge are in opposite directions. Therefore, net field at these points is
zero.
56 | II PU Physics

  qd
The potential difference between the plates is, V  E.d   d 
 0  A 0

q A 0
The capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor is, C  
V d

0 A
C ...... 2.30 
d

Note:

i) From the above relation, it is clear that the capacitance depends only on geometrical factors
(A and d).

 0 AK
ii) If we introduce a dielectric medium, then C '  (where K is a electric constant).
d

iii) Instead of two plates if there are ‘n’ similar plates at equal distances from each other and the
alternate plates are connected together, the capacitance of the arrangement is given by,

C
 n  1  0 A
d

Q. Derive the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.(Mar-2015) : 3 Marks
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 57

Worked Example:
1. A parallel plate capacitor has plate area 25.0 cm2 and a separation of 2.0 mm between the
plates. The capacitor is connected to a battery of 12.0 V (a) Find the charge on the capacitor
(b) The plate separation is decreased to 1.00 mm, find the extra charge given by the battery to
the positive plate.
 0 A 8.854 1012  25 104
Sol.: a) C    11.0675  1012 F
d 2 103

Q  CV  11.0675 1012  0.133nC

C' d
b)   2  C1  2C
C d'

Q'  C 'V  2CV  2Q

Q1  Q  Q  0.133nC

Dielectric and polarisation


Michael Faraday discovered that if an insulating slab is introduced into a capacitor, the
capacitance of the capacitor increases.We shall now discuss how the introduction of the dielectric
increases the capacitance of the capacitor.
Polar and non –polar molecules
The molecules of a dielectric are classified as either polar or
non-polar. A polar molecule is one in which the centre of mass of
protons (positive charges) and centre of mass of electrons
(negative charges) do not coincide.

Examples: N2O, H 2O, HCl, NH3 etc.

A non – polar molecule is that molecule in which the centre of mass of protons (positive
charges) and centre of mass of electrons (negative charges) coincide. O2 , N2 , H 2 , CO2 etc. are some
examples of non – polar molecules. In their normal state, the non – polar molecules have no dipole
moment. However, in presence of an external electric field, the non polar molecules will acquire
dipole moment and try to align themselves in the direction of the field.

Dielectric polarisation:
The alignment of the dipole moments of the permanent or induced di-poles in the direction of
the applied electric field is called polarisation.It is defined as the dipole moment per unit volume of
the dielectric.
The polarization is vector denoted by P which increase with increase in electric filed E i.e.,
P  E or P  e E
Where,  e is called electrical susceptibility of dielectric medium.
58 | II PU Physics

Dielectric Strength of a dielectric


When a dielectric is placed in a very high electric field, the outer electrons get detached from
their parent atoms. The dielectric then behaves like a conductor. This
phenomenon is known as dielectric breakdown. The minimum field
at which the breakdown occurs is called the dielectric strength of
the material.
The maximum electric field that a dielectric medium can
withstand without break-down (of its insulating property) is called its
dielectric strength.


Dielectric strength is usaully expressed in terms of kilo volt per millimetre kV mm1 . The 
knowledge of dielectric strength helps us in designing a capacitor.

Effect of dielectric on capacitance:


When a dielectric is inserted between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor it gets polarised.
This leads to decrease in electric field in the region between the metallic plates which in turn
decreases electric potential difference between the plates. There fore capacitance of capacitor
increases.
Consider a parallel plate capacitor having two large plates each of area A separated by a small
distance‘d’. The charge on the two plates are +q and –q, while surface charge densities are  and
 respectively. When a medium between the two plates is air or vacuum, the electric field is
 q
E0  
 0 0 A

When a dielectric is inserted between the plates,


molecules of the dielectric will align with their dipole
moment parallel to Electric field. A layer of molecules closed
with positive plate will have induced negative charge on that
side and a layer of molecules close to in closed with negative
plate will have induced positive charge on that side. Apart
from these two layers, the effect remaining positive and
negative induced chaeges gets rullified. Therfore the net
effect of introduction of negative charges to positive plate and
positive charges to engative plate. If  p is the charge density
due to polarization on the layers close to the metal plates, then effective charge density becomes
1
 eff     p     eff  const.   
k

 eff  1 q q
 Electric field in the region between the plates is E      
0 k  0 k 0 A  A

V 1 q  C  q  0 kA
E 
d k 0 A V d
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 59

Combinations of capacitors
Series combination of capacitors

Let C1 , C2 and C3 are three capacitors


connected in series across a battery of terminal
potential difference ‘V’ as shown in figure (2.17 (a)).
All three capacitors will acquire same charge equal to
the amount of charge drawn from the battery. If
V1 , V2 and V3 are the potential difference across
C1 , C2 and C3 respectively, then

Q Q Q
V1  ;V2  and V3 
C1 C2 C3

The net potential difference across the combination

Q Q Q  1 1 1 
V  V1  V2  V3     Q   
C1 C2 C3  C1 C2 C3 

If 𝐶𝑠 is the capacitance of the equivalent capacitor, then

Q  1 1 1 
V  Q   
Cs  C1 C2 C3 

1 1 1 1
    .....  2.31
Cs C1 C2 C3

Q. Obtain the expression for effective capacitance of two capacitors connected in series.
(Jun-2018) (Jun-2019) : 3 Marks
60 | II PU Physics

Following points are important in case of series combination of capacitors.


i) In a series connection the equivalent capacitance is always less than any individual
capacitance.
ii) The equivalent capacitance of two capacitors it can also be expressed in the form,
C1 C2
C
C1  C2
iii) If n capacitors of equal capacity C are connected in series, then their equivalent capacitance is
C
n
Parallel combination of capacitors
Let C1 , C2 and C3 are three capacitors connected in parallel
across a battery of terminal potentialdifference ‘V’ as shown in figure
(2.18 (a)). Here, potential difference across all three capacitors will be
the same. If Q1 , Q2 and Q3 are the quantity of charges drawn by
C1 , C2 and C3 respectively, then
V1  V2  V3  V
Q1  C1V ; Q2  C2V and Q3  C3V
The total charge drawn by the combination
Q  Q1  Q2  Q3   C1  C2  C3 V
If 𝐶𝑝 is the capacitance of the equivalent capacitor, then
Q  C pV   C1  C2  C3 V
 C p   C1  C2  C3  ....2.32
Note:
(i) In a parallel combination the equivalent is always greater then any individual capacitance.
(ii) If n capacitors of equal capacity C are connected in parallel, then their equivalent capacitance is
nC.
Series combination Parallel combination

Negative plate of one capacitor is Positive plates of all the capacitors are connected
connected to positive plate of the other to one common terminal. The negative plates are
and so on. connected to another common terminal

Charge on each capacitor is same Potential diffence across each capacitor is same

V  V1  V2  V3 Q  Q1  Q2  Q3

1 1 1 1
   Cp  C1  C2  C3
CS C1 C2 C3

5Capacitors are connected in series to The capacitors are connected in parallel to


decrease the capacitance. increase the capacitance.
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 61

Energy stored in charged capacitor

Consider a parallel plate capacitor with their plates


intially uncharged when an amount of charge Q ' ia
transferred from plate-2 to plate -1, the plate-1 will aquire
Q ' charge and the plate -2 will aquire  Q ' charge. Let
V '  Q '/ C is the pd, between the plates at this stage. To
transfer an additional charge dQ ' at this stage, the amount of
work to be done

Q'
dW  dQ '.V '  dQ '
C

The total amount of work done to charge the capacitor from zero to Q is present in the form of
electrostatic energy in the capacitor. Therefore, on integration we obtain

Q2 1 1
U  CV 2  QV
2C 2 2

Energy stored in combination of capacitors


(a) Series combination

Let C1 , C2 , C3 ,.Cn are connected in series. The equivalent capacitance is given by

1 1 1 1 1
    ............  ___________
(i)
C C1 C2 C3 Cn

1 Q2 Q2 1 Q2  1 1 1 1
U        .........  
2 C 2 C 2  C1 C2 C3 Cn 

Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2
U     .......   U1  U 2  U3  ..  U n .
2C1 2C2 2C3 2Cn

(b) Parallel combination

Let C1 , C2 , C3 ,.Cn are connected in parallel. The equivalent capacitance of the


combination is

C  C1  C2  C3  .  Cn

1 1 1 1 1 1 1
U CV 2  V 2 C  V 2  C1  C2  C3  .....  Cn   C1 V 2  C2 V 2  C3 V 2  .....  Cn V 2
2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Or U  U1  U 2  U3  ..........  U n

Thus, we conclude that the total energy stored in series or parallel combination is the sum of
energy stored in the individual capacitors.
62 | II PU Physics

Common potential
When two capacitors charged to different potentials are connected in parallel by a conducting
wire, charge flows from one capacitor to be other until potential difference across the two capacitors
become equal. The potential difference across the combination at equilibrium is called common
potential. Obviously, no charge is lost in the process of sharing of charges by the two capacitors.

Suppose C1 and C2 are capacities of two capicitors charged to potentials V1 and V2 respectively,
total charge before sharing

Q  C1V1  C2 V2 .....  2.33

If V is the common potential on sharing charges, then total charge before and after sharing,
should be the same due to conservation of charges. Therefore,

C1V  C2V   C1  C2 V

 C1  C2 V  C1V1  C2V2
C1V1  C2V2
Or V ` ...  2.34 
C1  C2

Total charge
i.e, Common potential 
total capacitance

Numerical
1. Three capacitors of capacitance 2pF, 3pF and 4pF are connected in parallel. a) What is the total
capacitance of the combination? b) Determine the charge on each capacitor if the combination
is connected to a 100 V supply?
[Ans: 9 pF, 0.2 nC, 0.3nC & 0.4nC]
Sol.:
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 63

2. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two identical rectangular metal plates of sides 5.5 cm and
4 cm which are separated by 0.7 mm. Calculate the capacitance of capacitor when the space is
filled with a) air and b) a medium of dielectric constant 4.
[Ans: a) 27.82 pF b) 111.3 pF]
Sol.:

3. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two plates each of area 0.01 sq.m, separated by a distance
of 0.1 mm. It is charged to a potential of 50 V. Calculate its capacitance, charge on it and
energy stored.
[Ans: 0.8854 nF, 44.27 nC]
Sol.:

4. Three capacitors of capacitances 2μF, 3μF and 6μF are first connected in series and then in
parallel. Find the ratio of effective capacitances in series connection and that in parallel
connection.(HW)
[Ans: 1:11]
Sol.:
64 | II PU Physics

5. Two capacitors of capacitances 1μF and 3μF are charged to 800 V and 400 V respectively. Find
the common potential difference, the charge on each capacitor and energy dissipated when they
1
are connected in parallel.[Hint: U  Ei  E f  CS V1  V2  ]
2

[Ans: 500 V, 500  C, 1500  C, 6 102 J ]

Sol.:

6. Two capacitors of capacitances 600pF and 900pF are connected in series across a 200 V supply.
Calculate i) the effective capacitance of combination ii) p.d across each capacitor iii) total
energy stored in the system iv) energy stored in each. (HW)
[Ans: 360 pF, 120V & 80V, 7.2  J, 4.32  J & 2.88  J]

Sol.:
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 65

7. In fig the potential difference between A and B is 60V. What is


the p.d across 6μF capacitor?
[Ans: 10V]
Sol.:

8. Find the effective capacitance between A and B in the


following circuit. (HW)
[Ans: 0.4  F]

Sol.:

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66 | II PU Physics

I. Multiple choice questions (MCQ)


1. Which of the following is the unit of capacitance
a) farad (F) b) coulomb c) volt (v) d) tesla (T)
2. An example for polar molecule is
a) Oxygen  O2  molecule b) nitrogen  N 2  molecule
c) hydrogen  H 2  molecule d) water  H 2O  molecule
3. The SI unit of electric potential is
a) N/C b) V/m c) J/C d) V/C
4. The graph is plotted by taking charge Q on a capacitor along x-axis and potential difference ‘V’
across the capacitor along y axis. The slope of the graph will give
a) capacitance b) energy
c) reciprocal of capacitance d) reciprocal of energy
5. The electrostatic potential due to a dipole at a large distance ‘r’ from the dipole is
1 1 1
a)  b)  2 c)  3 d)  r
r r r
6. The work done on a charge q in moving it from the centre of the dipole to a point P on the
equatorial line through a distance r is proportional to
1 1
a) r b) c) 2 d) zero
r r
7. The electric field E and the electric potential V inside the body of a charged conductor are
a) E  constant, V  0 b) E  0, V  constant
c) E  0, V  constant d) E  constant , V  constant
8. The equipotential surfaces of a point charge look like
a) equally spaced spherical surfaces b) unequally spaced parallel planes
c) equally spaced parallel planes d) unequally spaced spherical surfaces.
9. A charged capacitor with capacitance C1 is connected in parallel with an uncharged capacitor of
capacitance C2 . If Q1 and Q2 are the charges on the two capicitors at equilibrium, then
Q1 C1  C2
a) Q1  Q2 b) Q1 C1  Q2 C2 c)  d) Q1 C2  Q2 C1
Q2 C1  C2
10. Two capicitors C1 and C2 each carries a charge Q are joined in parallel. At equilibrium the
common potential across the combination is

a)
Q
b)
2Q
c)
 C1  C2  Q d)
 C1  C2  Q
C1  C2  C1  C2  2C1C2 C1C2
11. A metal sphere of radius R placed on an insulating stand is connected by a conducting wire to
another metal sphere of radius 2R which is also placed on an insulating stand. If a charge Q is
given given to a sphere of radius 2R, the surface charge density on this sphere at equilibrium is
Q Q Q Q
a) b) c) d)
16 R 2 24 R 2 32 R 2 6 R 2
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 67

12. Four equal charges q each are placed at four corners of a square of side a. Work done in
carrying a charge – q from its centre to infinity is
2q 2 2q 2 q2
a) zero b) c) d)
 0 a  0 a 2 0 a
13. A parallel plate capacitor with capacitance C is charged to a potential V. The amount of work
required to pull the two plates of the capacitor to increase the separation between the two plates
from d to 2d is
1 1 3
a) CV 2 b) CV 2 c) CV 2 d) CV 2
2 4 4
14. A charged spherical conductor of radius 10cm has a potential V at a point distant 5cm from the
centre. The potential at a distance 15 cm from the centre will be
3 2 1
a) 3V b) V c) V d) V
2 3 3
15. ‘n’ identical capacitors each of capacitance 200mF are connected in series. When the
combination is connected to 250V source, 5c of charge is drawn from the source. The value of
‘n’ is
a) 5 b) 10 c) 15 d) 20
II. Two marks questions:
1. What are the factors on which capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor depends?

2. Mention any two properties of equipotential surfaces.

3. Give the graphical representation showing the variation of potential at any point due to a
charged spherical caonductor
68 | II PU Physics

4. Write the expression for the electric field due a short dipole along its axis and explain the
symbols.

5. Write the expression for the electric field due a short dipole along its equatorial line and explain
the symbols.

6. Write the expression for the potential energy of system of three charges and explain the terms.

7. What is electrostatic shielding? Mention any one use of it.

8. What are polar and non- polar molecules? Give an example for each

Parent’s Signature Mentor’s Signature


Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 69

Assignment Numericals

1. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates, each plate has an area of 6  103 m2 and
the distance between the plates is 3mm. Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor. If this
capacitor is connected to a 100 V supply, what is the charge on each plate of capacitor?
(absolute permittivity of freespace  8.85  1012 Fm1 ). (Mar-14)

Ans: [C=17.7 pF, 1.77 nC]

2. Two charges 3  108 C and 2  108 C are located 15 cm apart. At what points on the line
joining the two charges is the electric potential zero. Take the potential at infinity to bezero.
(Jul-14)

[Ans: 6 cm from 2 108 C between the two charges, 30 cm from 2 108 C outside the two
charges]
70 | II PU Physics

3. Two point charges 1C and  4C are 1m apart in air. Find the positions along the line
joining the two charges at which the resultant potential is zero. (Mar-15)

[Ans: 0.2 cm from 1  C between the charges, 0.33 m from 1  C outside the charges]

4. ABCD is a square of side 2m. Charges 5C , 10C and 5C are placed at the corners A B and
C respectively. What is the work done in transferring a charge of 5C from D to the point of
intersection ofdiagonals? (Jul-15)

[Ans: W  0.252 J ]
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 71

5. When two capacitors are connected in series and connected across a 4kV line, the energy stored
in the system is 8J. If the same capacitors are connected in parallel across the same line, the
energy stored is 36J. Find the individual capacitances. (Mar-16)

[Ans: C1  3  F , C2  1.5  F ]

6. Charges 2C, 4C and 6C are placed at three corners ABC respectively of a square ABCD
of side xm. Find what charge must be placed at the corner D such that the potential at the centre
of the square is zero. (Jul-16)

[Ans: 12  C ]
72 | II PU Physics

7. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates each plate has an area 8 103 m2 and
distance between the plates is 2mm. Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor. If these
capacitors is connected to a 50V supply. What is the charge on each plate of the capacitor?
(Jun-17)

[Ans: 35.4 pF,1.77nC]

8. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor have an area of 100 cm2 each and are separated by 3mm.
The capacitor is charged by connecting it to a 400V supply. Calculate (a) the electrostatic
energy stored in the capacitor, (b) if a dielectric of constant 2.5 is introduced between the plates
of the capacitor, then find electro static energy stored and also change in the energy stored.
(Jun-2018)

[Ans: 2.36  J , 5.90  J , 3.54  J ]


Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | 73

9. In a circular parallel plate capacitor radius of each plate is 5cm and they are separated by a
distance of 2mm. Calculate the capacitance and the energy stored, when it is chargedby
connecting the battery of 200V (Given 0  8.854  1012 Fm1 ) (Mar-2019)

[Ans: 34.75pF, 695 nJ]

10. ABCD is a square of side 1m. Charges of 3nc,  5nc and 3nc are placed the corners of AB
and C respectively. Calculate the work done in transferring charge of 12μC from D to the point
of intersection of the diagonals? (Jun-2019)
[Ans: W  113.42  J ]

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74 | II PU Physics

Additional Numericals
1. Point charges of +2nC, +4nC and +8nC are placed at the corners A, B and C respectively of a
square ABCD of side 0.2 m. Calculate the work required to transfer a charge of 2nC from D to
centre of the square. [Ans: 627 nJ]
2. A ball of mass 1g is charged to10-8C moves from A point whose potential is 600V to B point
whose potential is zero. Velocity of ball at point B is 20 cm/s. Find the velocity of ball at the
point A. [Ans: 16.73cm /s]
3. Three point charges +4μC, -2μC and +6μC are placed at the three corners of an equilateral
triangle of side 0.1m. Calculate the potential energy of system of charges. [Ans: 360 mJ]
4. Two charges 5x10-8C and -3x10-8 C are located 16 cm apart. At what points on the line joining
the two charges is the electric potential is zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
[Ans: 6 cm / 24 cm from 3 108 C ]
5. Two charges 3x10-8C and -2x10-8 C are located 15 cm apart. At what points on the line joining
the two charges is the electric potential is zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero
[Ans: 6 cm /30 cm from 2 108 C ]
6. Two capacitors of capacitances 600pF and 900pF are connected in series across a 200 V supply.
Calculate i) the effective capacitance of combination ii) p.d across each capacitor iii) total
energy stored in the system iv) energy stored in each.
[Ans: i) 360pF, ii) 120V & 80V, iii) 7.20 J , iv) .32 J & 2.88 J ]

7. Energy stored in a system consisting of two capacitors in series and connected across 2kV line
is 4J. When the same two capacitors are in parallel across the same line, energy stored is 18J.
Find the capacitance of the capacitors.
[Ans: 6 F&3 F]

MCQ’s Answer Keys

Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
A a d c c b d c a d b d c a c b

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