CAPACITANCE

3
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this unit, the learner will be able to:

∙ Calculate capacitance of different types of common capacitors
∙ Analyze and calculate equivalent capacitance, charges, energy and potential difference across
capacitor for series-connected, parallel-connected and series-parallel connected capacitors.

3.1 CAPACITANCE OF COMMON CAPACITORS, CHARGE AND ENERGY

-
Capacitor (Condenser) Any device on which electric charge may be stored so as to posses electrical potential energy.
-
Essentially consist of two conducting surfaces/plates separated by a layer of insulating
medium called dielectric.

Dielectric, or insulator, substance that is a poor conductor of electricity and that will sustain the force of an electric field passing
through it.
Example of dielectric materials: mica, paraffin paper, oil, air, etc.

-
Capacitance (C) of Capacitor is defined as the charge required to create a unit potential difference between the two
plates, expressed in Farad (F).

-
Farad (F) is the capacitance of a capacitor which acquires a potential difference of one-volt when it receives a charge of
one Coulomb (C).

1 F = 10 6 uF ( 1 uF = 10-6 F )
= 10 9 nF ( 1 nF = 10-9 F )
= 10 12 pF ( 1 nF = 10-12 F )
Simple Capacitors

- A simple capacitor might consist of two large, parallel metal sheets insulated from each other and their
surroundings and placed closed together with empty space between them.

Figure 3.1 A simple capacitor connected to a device for moving charge from one plate to the other.

q
CAPACITORFarad (F)
C = Eq. 3.1
Q
Q Potential Difference (V)
V
C
Source of Electric Where: C – is the capacitance in Farad (F)
 Q – is the charge in Coulombs (C) V – is
the potential difference in Volts (V)
Permitti ε):
vity (
- The response of a medium to the presence of an electric field is characterized by a quantity called the
permittivity of the symbol ( F
medium, ε). C
designated by the 2
For empty space
m εof a substance is defined as the ratio of its permittivity
12
ε 8.85 10 - the relative permittivityr
−
= 2 empty space.
x o→ ε
Nm
⋅
ε): εto the permittivity of
Relative permittivity (r

ε =Eq. 3.2
r
some Materials (r
ε
o

ε):
Relative Permittivity of

Air = 1 Oil = 2 to 2.2 Alcohol = 25 Mica = 5.6 to 6.6 Others = . . .

Figure 3.2 Action of the dielectric material in a capacitor

(a) Uncharged (b) Charged

CAPACITANCE OF COMMON CAPACITORS

A. Isolated Sphere with radius r

=πεε

B. Spherical Capacitor
r C 4 r Farad (F) o r
Eq. 3.3
ab
C orπ ε ε

b
a
= 4 Farad (F) a b
Eq. 3.4 −
rε

C. Parallel Plate Capacitor A or

A C εε
r ε
- with uniform dielectric Farad (F)
= d
medium Eq. 3.5d
D. Parallel Plate Capacitor - with composite dielectric medium ε
A
C
r3 ε r1 ε r 2 ε = o

Farad (F) d

∑
A
ε
r

εEq. 3.6
A
C
= Farad F ( )
o
dd
d1d3 ++2 ε ε rr1
1
2
d2

E. Multi-Plate Capacitor - with uniform dielectric medium

nA or
A C −εε

r ε rε rε

ddd 1
Farad F
n = number of plates =
Eq. 3.7 d

( )( )

F. Cable Capacitor
L
π ε εWhere: L – is the length of cable in meters (m) Co r

=
2
Farad F
⎜ a b of each cable
⎝⎛ ⎟ ()
a – distance
2.3 log ⎠⎞ between cable
centers b – radius Eq. 3.8

Note: In applying Equation 3.3 through Equation 3.8, the following units should be observed:
Area:2 A ⇒ m
Spacing:d ⇒ m
Radius or distances:r, a & b ⇒ m
Length:
 12
Energy Stored in Capacitor:( )
w CV Joules J c=Eq. 3.9
2

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.1
In a concentric spherical capacitor the radius of the inner sphere is 3 cm, and the inside radius of the
outer spherical shell is 8 cm. What is the capacitance? (Assume medium is air: )
ε r= 1

Given: Spherical capacitor:

a = 8 cm = 0.08 m
b = 3 cm = 0.03 m
ε r= 1
Solution:
Capacitance (C) of the capacitor:

Using Equation 3.4:

( )( )
83
mm

[ ]( ) ( )
xF
−
π
C ⋅⋅
=⋅⋅4 83mm− 8.85 10 1 m
12

x F pF (picoFarad)
−
12
==
5.34 10 5.34
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.2

An air capacitor has two parallel plates 10 cm2 in area and 0.50 cm apart. What is the capacitance of
this capacitor?

Given: Parallel-plate capacitor:

22
A = 10 cm = 0.001 m
d = 0.50 cm = 0.005 m
ε r= 1
Solution:
Capacitance (C) of the capacitor:

Using Equation 3.5

( )( )( )
xF
−
12 2

C = 8.85 10 1 0.001
 m [] m
12
−
m
0.005
==
1.77 10 1.77
x F pF

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.3
Two parallel plates are arranged as a capacitor having air as the dielectric and being 0.50 cm apart.
If a capacitance of 20 x 10 -12 F exists when a 200-Volt source is connected across the plates. (a) Find
the area of the plates; (b) what is the charge in the capacitor?

Given: Parallel-plate capacitor:

d = 0.50 cm = 0.005 m
ε r= 1
12
20 10 − =
CxF
V = 200 V

Solution:
(a) Area (A) of the plates;
From Equation 3.5
A or
C εε
Farad (F)

= Substituting given data

d
( )( )
xF
−
12
⋅
12
20 10 m A
8.85 10 1 −
xF
0.005
=
[m]
Thus,
( )( )
12
−
20 10 0.005
m
xFm
( ) ( )2
A=
= −12 0.0113
8.85 10 1
x
⋅

(b) Charge (Q) in the capacitor

From Equation 3.1

C=
 QV
Transforming Equation 3.1 to solve for Q:
()()
− 12
QCVxFV=⋅=⋅
20 10 200
−
9
==
4 10 4.0 ( ) x C nC nanoCoulomb

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.4
Calculate the area in square-km of a parallel-plate air-capacitor having a capacitance of 1.0 F when
the plates are separated by 1.0 mm.

Given: Parallel-plate capacitor:

C = 1.0 F
ε r= 1
d = 1.0 mm = 0.001 m

Solution:

(a) Area of the plates in square-km (km2):

From Equation 3.5
A or
C εε
Farad (F)

= Substituting given data

d ⋅ 12
F
0.001
8.85 10 1
( )( ) x F m
A
− 1.0
=
[m]
Thus,
( )( ) 1.0 F m ⎜ 1
2
⎟
=− ⎜ ⎝⎛
2
⎟ ⎠⎞
112,9943 m x
0.001 = 50
A 12
km
( ) ( ) 8.85 10 1 1,000 m

= 112.994 ⋅
2
x km

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.5
Calculate the capacitance of a capacitor made of 21 circular plates separated by sheets of mica
0.518 mm thick. The diameter of each plate is 125 mm and the relative permittivity of mica is 6.5.

Given: Multi-plate capacitor:

n = 21 (Circular plates)
Diameter of each plate = 125 mm
ε r= 6.5
d = 0.518 mm = 0.000518 m
 Solution:
Capacitance of a multi-plate capacitor
From Equation 3.3 (For multi-plate capacitor)

( )( )
or
C −εε
nA
1
Farad F
=
d

( ) ( )( )( )
12
⎢⎡ 2
⎥
⎢⎣ ⋅ ⎥ ⎦⎤
− π
0.125
21 1 8.85 10 6.5
m

xF
−⋅⋅
C m 4
=
[]
8
0.000518
== m
−

2.726 10 27.26 x F nF

3.2 CAPACITOR CONNECTIONS, VOLTAGE AND CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS

A. CAPACITORS IN SERIES:
- In series-connected capacitors, the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance is equal to the sum of the
reciprocals of the capacitances of individual capacitor.
C 1C 2C 3

Where;
Cn
C

C. = the equivalent capacitance of the

combination or the total capacitance of
the combination.

The equivalent capacitance for series-connected capacitors is determined by:

11111
=++++
Eq. 3.10
C C C C Cn
123

When connected to a supply voltage (V):

Q = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 == QnEq. 3.11 C V C V C V C V Cn Vn
⋅ = ⋅ = ⋅ = ⋅ == ⋅
112233 Eq. 3.12

V = V1 + V2 + V3 +  + VnEq. 3.13
 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Illustrative Problem 3.6

Four capacitors having capacitance C1 = 24.2 uF; C2 = 36.4 uF; C3 = 18.5 uF; C4 = 42.9 uF are
connected in series. Determine the value of a single capacitance C, which is equivalent to these four
in series.
C 1C 2C 3
Given:
36.4 uF 18.5 uF
24.2 uF 42.9 uF
C C4
Solution:

Equivalent Capacitance (C) for the series-connected capacitors::

From Equation 3..10
11 1 1 1
C =+++
24.2 36.4 18.5 42.9
Simplifying to solve for C:

C = 6.842 μF

B. CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL:
- In parallel-connected capacitors, the equivalent capacitance is equal to the sum of the capacitances of the
individual capacitor.

Where;
C. = the equivalent capacitance of the combination

or the total capacitance of the combination. C 1 C 2 C 3 C n C

The equivalent capacitance for parallel-connected capacitors:

C = C1 + C2 + C3 +  + CnEq. 3.14

When connected to a supply voltage (V):

Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 +  + QnEq. 3.15 Q C V
=⋅
QCV
=⋅
111

QCV
=⋅
222Q C V Qn Cn Vn = ⋅
=⋅
333 Eq. 3.16

V = V1 = V2 = V3 == VnEq. 3.17

 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.7

Four capacitors having capacitance C1 = 24.2 uF; C2 = 36.4 uF; C3 = 18.5 uF; C4 = 42.9 uF are
connected in parallel. Determine the value of a single capacitance C, which is equivalent to these four
in parallel.
Given:
C 1C 2C 3
C4
C

Equivalent Capacitance (C) for the

parallel-connected capacitors: From
Solution:
Equation 3..14
C = 24.2 + 36.4 + 18.5 + 42.9

= 122 μF

24.2 uF 36.4 uF 18.5 uF 42.9 uF

Voltage-Distribution when the capacitors are connected in series:
⎜⎛
⎜⎝+

⎟
⎟ ⎠⎞
C
VV
Eq. 3.18
= 2

1
C C 12 C
C1 ⎟
⎟ ⎠⎞
V ⎜⎛
⎜⎝+
VV
Eq. 3.19
C2 = 1

2
CC
12

Charge-Distribution when the capacitors are connected in parallel:

⎟
⎜⎛ ⎟ ⎠⎞
⎜⎝+
CQQ
Eq. 3.20
= 1

1
C C 12

⎜⎛
⎜⎝+
⎟
⎟ ⎠⎞
C
Q 1 C2 Q 1 Q 2
CQV
Eq. 3.21
= 2

2
CC
12
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.8
Three capacitors having capacitances of 5, 10, 12 uF are connected in parallel across 600 volt mains.
Determine (a) capacitance of a single capacitor which could replace the combination; (b) charge on
each capacitor and the total charge.
= 12 μF V = 600 V
5 μF 10 μF
Given: C1 = 5 μF; C2 = 10 μF; C3 C C C3
1 2

Solution:
(a) Equivalent capacitance (C):
For parallel-connected capacitors:

12 μF
600V

The equivalent capacitance from Equation 3.14

C = C1 + C2 + C3 +  + Cn Substituting given data C = 5 + 10 + 12 = 27

μF

(b) Charge on each capacitor and the total charge (Q):

For parallel-connected capacitors from Equation 3.17:
V = V1 = V2 = V3 = 600 V
Thus, from Equation 3.16. charge on each
Q C V (5 x 10 )(600) 0.003 C
−
6
= 1⋅1 = =
1

Q C V (10 x 10 )(600) 0.006 C

−
6

2 = 2⋅2 = =
Q C V (12 x10 )(600) 0.0072 C
−
6

3 = 3⋅3 = =
QQQQC
=++= 0.0162
123

Or Q CV ( x )( ) C
− 6
: 27 10 600 0.0162 = = =

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.9
Three capacitors having capacitances of 5, 10, 12 uF are connected in series across 600 volt mains.
Determine (a) equivalent capacitance of the combination; (b) charge on each capacitor; (c)
potential across each capacitor, assuming no leakage.

Given: C1 = 5 μF; C2 = 10 μF; C3 = 12 μF V = 600 V Solution:

 (a) Equivalent capacitance (C):
C1 C2
For series-connected capacitors: C
600V 3 12 μF
The equivalent capacitance from Equation 3.10
5 μF 10 μF

11111

= + + +  + Substituting given data C C C C Cn

123

11 1 1
=++
12
C 5 10
C = 2.609 μF
(b) Charge on each capacitor and the total charge (Q):
For series-connected capacitors from Equation 3.11:

Q = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 == Qn
Thus,

( )( )
= = = = ⋅ =−
2.609 10 600 6
QQQQCVx
123

==
0.00157 1.57
C mC

(c) Potential across each capacitor:

From Equation 3.12 and by transformtion
Q 0.00157
V V 313.043 1 = = = −

1
Cx 5 10
6
1 0.00157
Q
V V 156.521 2 = = = −
2
Cx 10 10
6
2 0.00157
Q
V V 130.434 1 = = = −
1
1
Cx
6 12 10

Checking using Equation 3.13: V = V1

+ V2 + V3 = 600 V
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.10
A 6-uF and a 10-uF capacitor is connected in parallel are in
series with a 12-uF capacitor. capacitance; (b) charge in each
The combination is then capacitor; (c) voltage across
250V
connected across 250 Volts
source. Determine (a) equivalent 6 μF 10 μF C1 C2

Solution:
each capacitor; (d) energy stored in each
(a) Equivalent
capacitor and the
capacitance (C);
C3 12 μF
total energy stored in the capacitors.

Given: As shown in the circuit-diagram:

Let CP be the equivalent capacitance for the parallel connected capacitors, using Equation
3.14:
CP= C1 + C2 = (6 + 10)μF = 16μF
The simplified diagram is given below, Figure A and Figure B. In Figure A, the equivalent
circuit is a series-circuit. Applying Equation 3.10 to solve for the equivalent capacitance
(CEq.) as presented in Figure B:
1111
1

=+=+
CEq CP C μ 12μ 16
.3

So,

μFV1=V2
CEq. = 6.857 μF

Simplified Circuit Diagram:

CEq. = 6.857 μF

V =250V
CP= 16
250V
V3
C3 = 12 μF

Figure A. Equivalent-series circuit Figure B. Equivalent simple-circuit

(b) Charge on each capacitor

Considering equivalent-circuit in Figure B, charge on each capacitor using Equation 3.11
for series-circuit:
Let: QEq. be the total charge of the circuit

()()
6.857 10 250 6
−
Q Q Q C V x Eq P
 ===⋅=⋅
.3

0.001714 1,714 μ
==
CC
Q3. = 0.001714 C = 1,714 μC
Applying charge distribution for the parallel-circuit: Using Equations 3.20 & 3.21:
⎜⎛ C ⎟ ⎜⎛ 6

⎜⎝+ Q QP ⎟ ⎠⎞ ⎜⎝+ ⎟
− ⎟ ⎠⎞
6 10
1,714 10 6 6
−
6 x
= ⋅− − = ⋅

0.000643 643 μ
x 6 10 10 10 x x
1
==
1

CC
12 CC
C ⎜⎛ ⎟
Q QP ⎜⎝+ ⎟ ⎠⎞
⎜⎛ ⎟ −

⎟ ⎠⎞
6
⎜⎝+
10 10
1,714 10 6 6
−
6 x
= ⋅− − = ⋅

x 0.001071 1,071 μ
6 10 10 10 x x
2 ==
2

CC
12 CC
(c) Voltage across each capacitor
Considering equivalent-circuit in Figure A, using transformed Equation 3.12
−

Q x
1,714 10 6

VVVV

P 107.143 = 1 = 2 = = = −
P
C 16 10 −
P 6
x
Q
x
1,714 10
6

V V 142.857 3 = = = −
3
C 12 10 x
3
6
So,

V1 = V2 = 107.143 V
V3 = 142.857 V

(d) Energy stored in each capacitor and the total energy stored in the capacitors
 Applying Equation 3.9 for energy stored:
1 262
1
C V (6 x10 ) (107.143) 0.03444 J − ω

1 = ⋅ 1⋅ 1 = ⋅ ⋅ =
2 2
1 262
1
−
C V (10 x10 ) (107.143) 0.0574 J ω

2 = ⋅ 2⋅ 2 = ⋅ ⋅ =
2 2
1 262
1

C V (12 x10 ) (142.857) 0.1225 J ω 3 = ⋅ 3⋅ 3 = ⋅ ⋅ =

−

2 stored: 1
Total energy 2

C V 0.2143 J 2 ω = ⋅ ⋅ = ϖ + ϖ + ϖ =

123
2
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_ Illustrative Problem 3.11
40 μF
Three capacitors A, B, C capacitor A is 3200 uC. circuit-diagram: QA = 3200 μC
without initial charge, Determine (a) voltage
Solution:
are connected series across parallel circuit; 12 μF
parallel across a (b) charge on capacitor (a) Voltage across parallel B C
240-Volt source. The C; (c) energy stored in circuit (VB = VC=VP):
capacitance of a capacitors A, B, and C VA

capacitor A is 40 uF, and and the total energy

that of capacitor B is 12 stored. 240V VB=VC=VP
uF. The charge on Given: As shown in the A

Considering the simplified diagram below, Figure A, and applying Equation 3.13 for
series-circuit,
V = VA + VP= 240V
Thus,
VVVVV
===−
PBCA

V 240 V Eq. (1)

=−⇒
PA
 Where: Voltage across capacitor A (VA): By transforming Equation
3.12
−
Q 3,200 10 6
V
x

A 80 = = = −

V
A
VA in Equation C 40 10 x
(1) gives A
Substituting 6

VP= VB= VC= 240 − 80 = 160 V Simplified Circuit

Diagram:

μF CP (12 + CC ) μF Ceq.QA = QP=

3200 μC
A V =240V
VA
240V QA = 3200 μC
40
VB=VC =VP

Figure A. Equivalent-series circuit Figure B. Equivalent simple-circuit

(b) Charge on capacitor C:

Considering the simplified diagram, Figure A, for series-circuit, and applying Equation
3.11:
6
3,200 10 − = =
QA QP x C

But, from Equation 3.15 (From original circuit given, for parallel-circuit)

QP QB QC x C

6
3,200 10 − = + =
Thus,
QCVQ
=⋅+
( )( ) C
PBBC
−−
3,200 10 12 10 160 6 6
xxQ
=+
Hence,
3,200 10 1,920 10 1,280 10 6 6 6
−−−

QC x x x C
=−=

= 1,280μ C
Also,
Q 1,280 10 − x
−
6

xC===

C C
C 6
C V
 3,200 10 160

(c) Energy stored in capacitors A, B & C and the total energy:

Applying Equation 3.9 for energy stored:
1 262
1
C V ( x ) ( ) J A A A 40 10 80 0.1280 − ω

=⋅⋅=⋅⋅=
2 2
1 262
1
−
C V ( x ) ( ) J B B B 12 10 160 0.1536 ω

=⋅⋅=⋅⋅=
2 2
1 262
1
−
C V ( x ) ( ) J C C C 8 10 160 0.1024 ω

=⋅⋅=⋅⋅=
2 stored:
2
Total energy

2
1 ω=⋅⋅=ϖ+ϖ+ϖ=
C V J A B C 0.3840 2