Capacitor

(I) Experiment: spooning charge by electrometer

Note:
(i) Electrometer: is an extremely large resistance voltmeter. Its internal resistance is
very high ≈ 1013Ω and usual voltmeter is of about
106 —107Ω .
(ii) Bylising an electrometer the value of the voltage across the capacitor can be
measured without leaking through voltmeter.
(iii) Capacitor: is composed of two parallel metal plates separated at a small distance.
Therefore the resistance of a capacitor is in fact very large and its p.d. cannot measured
by usual voltmeter (which has resistance small compared to that of capacitor).

(a) polar capacitor (b)capacitor

When a cell is collected across the capacitor

charges are accumulated on both plates shown below
iv)
The p.d. between A and B are increasing as
more and more charges are accumulated at A
and B until the p.d. across A and B = p.d. of the
cell, the capacitor is said to be charged.

V) When a charged capacitor is corrected across a

resistor, the capacitor will be discharged and
energy will be released in the resistor.
Therefore capacitor is a mean to store energy.

(vi) Spooning charge experiment this experiment is to demonstrate the relationship

between Q and V.
Q = charge stored on one plate of the capacitor
V = p.d. across the capacitor

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 1 of Total 15 Pages

 (1) By touching D1 with a
conductor (e.g. a meter
spoon), so that some “+“charge is on the spoon.
(2) Then touch the plate D2 with this spoon so that the “+“ charges are transferred
D2 and hence to plate A.
(3) Repeat the above steps several times, each time equal amount of charge Q
has been added to A.
4) Repeat the corresponding p.d. across AB by electrometer so that a set of
values of Q and V are collected namely.
5) A graph of Q against V is plotted:

The result of this graph is a straight line

showing that
Q∝V

(II) Capacitance

(i) When measuring capacitance of an invisible physical quantity e.g. Heat, Charge
etc. We usually have two terms, namely, the stimulus (S) and the response (R).

(ii) A small capacitance 4 small (5) results large (R) a large capacitance 4 large (S)
results small(R)

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 2 of Total 15 Pages

 Therefore, in our physics approach capacitance = S / R
e.g. in thermal physics, heat capacitance C = Energy supplied(Stimulus) /
Temperature rise(Response);
(iii) In capacitor: stimulus = charge Q response = p.d. across C Capacitance C=Q/V
(iv) Unit of Capacitance cV-1or Farad (F)
1 Farad = capacitance of 1 V for 1 C of charge increase in the
Capacitor plate.
Hence 1 F is very large capacitance.
Common unit
µ F= 10-6 F pF = 10-12F

(III) Charging and discharging of a capacitor

i) The current I varies from time = 0 to time = ∞ (i.e. a very long time)

ii) The current I = 0 at t = ∞ since potential

difference established
by the capacitor = potential of battery charging;
(iii) Charge on one plate = Charge of the other plate
with sign opposite;
(iv) Suppose a current I flows past a point, in a short
time At, the charge on the plate is increased by
∆ Q = J∆ t.

∆Q dQ
I= =
i.e. ∆t dt

Note:
a) I is positive for charging;
b) I is negative for discharging;
c) Discharging means to connect a capacitor through a
resistor after the capacitor has been charged up

(IV) Parallel plate capacitor

By Guass Law

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 3 of Total 15 Pages

 Q
EA + 0 = ε 0
Q
E = ε0
p.d. V = Ed for uniform E field
Qd
V = Aε 0
Q
Capacitance of a capacitor = V
Q ε0 A
=
C= V d
eg.1 The parallel plates of a capacitor are 1mm apart. What must the plate area be if the
capacitor is to be I F?
Solution:
dC 10 −3 × 1
= = 1.1 × 10 8 m 2
A = ε 0 8.9 × 10
−12

eg.2 The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 5mm apart and 2m2
in area. The plates are in vacuum. A p.d. of 104V is applied across the capacitor.
Compute
(a) the capacitance
(b) the charge on each plate,
(c) the electric field intensity in the space between them.
Solution:
Q ε 0 A 8.9 × 10 −12 × 2
= = −3
= 3.54 × 10 −9 F
a) C = V d 5 × 10
b) Q = CV = 3.54 × 10-9 × 104 = 3.54× 10-5C
σ Q 3.54 × 10 −5
= = = 2 × 10 6 Vm −1
c) E = 0 ε ε 0 A 8 . 9 × 10 −12
× 2
(V) Measuring capacitance
(i) when K is set to F, C is charged and voltage V. Q = CV

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 4 of Total 15 Pages

 (ii) This occurs almost instantaneously and the potential
difference across C shoots up almost immediately to V(WX).
(iii) When K is kept at F for a brief period, p.d. is constant (X.Y)
(iv) K is set to N, C is discharged, p.d. drops to zero (YZ). If K is kept at N for
sufficient period, all the charge flows out of C.
(v) The whole operation is repeat at a frequency. Consider a unit time, C has been
discharged f times.
Hence total charge flows through the milliammeter = fQ = fCV.
Charge value of the current show by the milliammeter I = Total charge / Time =
fC V / 1
1
i.e. C = fV
(vi) The reed switch
(1) F and K are ferromagnetic. N is non-ferromagnetic

(2) If I=0, in the coil, K,N, in contact. If I is large, F and K become opposite
magnetised. Hence K attracted to F.

(vii) Experiment to measure the capacitance of a capacitor by using a reed switch

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 5 of Total 15 Pages

 (1) Set the battery
to 6V and signal
generator to
50Hz

2) The capacitor is
charged up very quickly because there is a virtually zero resistance in the
charging circuit. However, the discharge is slow because there is a large
Resistance (10KΩ ) in the circuit. The discharge is not complete before the
capacitor is charge up again.

(3) Now slowly decrease the resistance of the rheostat. average discharge current
increases and eventually approaches a value independent of resistance.

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 6 of Total 15 Pages

 VI) charging
and

discharging(experimental approach)

(i) Charging
1) Choose C = 470 µ F, R = 100Ω

2) Charge C by closing the switch at B. Figure (a) shows the oscilloscope

trace at slow sweep. The potential difference Vc rise quickly to 3V, but
the potential across the resistor drops quickly from 3V to 0.

3) If we repeat the process with C4700µ F And, R = 100Ω , the CRO trace with be
the same as C=470µ F, R=1kΩ . Hence the time required for charging and
discharging depends on RC such that RC = time constant It represents as time
unit for measuring the period of charging and discharging.

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 7 of Total 15 Pages

 ii) Dischar
ging
(1) Disch
arge C by closing the switch A. The circuit is reversed. Choose C
=470µ F and R = 100 Ω

(2) Repeat the above step by choosing C = 470µ F and R = 1kΩ

It is obvious that the values of R and C affects the time of charging and
discharging. In fact, the time for charging or discharging process is
measured by time unit of τ , such tat τ =RC.

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 8 of Total 15 Pages

 (3) Discharging a capacitor (Theoretical approach)
a) Initial charge on C is Q0 = CV0, at any time Q=CV (V p.d. across C)

(b) In a graph of Q vs. t, it is found

that the time needed for the charge to
decayed by half of its full value is equal
to the time needed for the charge to
decay by half of the remaining and so
on. This time is called the half-life and
is a constant. This kind of decay is
called an exponential decay.

(c) The broken line in the graph

at Q= Q0 represents the slope
at this value. It cuts the
horizontal axis at a time τ
V
I0 = 0
R

Also I0 = initial negative slope

of the Q-t graph.
Q
I0 = 0
R

(Negative means the direction is reversed , we reflect it here);

V0 Q0 Q R
= τ = 0 = RC
R τ r0
The larger the value of C, the more charge there is to flow out. The larger the value of R,
the smaller I and hence the longer it takes for Q to flow out.

(VII) Mathematical approach of discharging

(1) Q= CV

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 9 of Total 15 Pages

 dQ
−
discharge current I at time t, I = dt
(negative sign shows that Q decrease as t increase)
dQ
Q = CV = CIR = −CR
dt
dQ dt
− =
Q CR
Q dQ t dt
−∫ =∫
Q0 Q 0 CR

Q dQ t
∫Q0 Q = CR
t
ln Q0 − ln Q =
CR
t t
− −
= Q0 e τ
Q = Q0 e
CR
(τ = CR)
1
Q0
Note: when Q = 2 , t = T1 / 2

t t
Q0 − 1 − T1
= Q0 e τ =e τ t
ln 2 =
2 2 2=e τ
τ
T1 / 2 = τ ln 2 = 0.693CR

t t
Q − 1 −
V c = = Q0 e τ = −V0 e τ
(2) Similarly, for C C
t
−
V R = −VC = −V0 e τ

(VC = p.d. across C, V0 = initial p.d. across circuit, VR=p.d. across R);
£ £
t
−
VR V τ
e t
I= = − C = −V0 −
R R R I = −I 0e τ
(3) For
Note:
(i) τ = time constant = CR it is a unit for measuring the discharging period
(ii) for t = τ , the charge Q =
for t = 2τ , the charge Q = Q0e-2 and so on.

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 10 of Total 15 Pages

(VIII) Charging
Q dQ Q
V0 = IR + =R +
C dt C
V0 dQ Q
= +
R dt CR
dQ CV0 − Q Q0 − Q
= =
dt CR RC

dQ dt
=
Q0 − Q RC
Q dQ τ dt
∫
0 Q0 − Q
=∫
0 RC
t
− ln(Q0 − Q) |Q0 =
RC
t
Q0 − Q −
=e τ
Q0

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 11 of Total 15 Pages

 b
d
(IX) Combination of capacitors
(1) In parallel
Q1 = C1V
Q2 = C2V
Q3 = C3V
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3

C = C1 + C2 + C3

(2) In series
V = V1 + V 2 + V3 =
Q Q Q Q
+ + =
C1 C 2 C 3 C

1 1 1 1
= + +
C C1 C 2 C 3

E.G.3 Two parallel metal plates, each of area A,

contain charge +Q and -Q and are separated by a
distance d. A neutral rectangular slab of metal of
thickness b is inserted exactly in the plates.
(a) Find the p.d. between the two plates.
(b) Find the capacitance of the parallel plate
capacitor when the metal slab is inserted.
(c) Check the result by considering the set up
as a combination of two capacitors in
series?
Solution:
σ Q
E= =
(a) ε 0 Aε 0

Q/ A d −b
VM − V N = E × dis tan ce = ×
ε0 2

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 12 of Total 15 Pages

VN − VR = 0

Q/ A d −b
V R − Vs = ×
ε0 2

Q/ A
VM − VS = ( d − b)
ε0

ε0 A
(b) C = Q/V = d − b
CC C
C= 1 2 = 1
(c) C1 + C 2 2
2ε 0 A ε A
C1 = C= 0
d −b d −b
(X) Energy in a Capacitor

(1) Consider a capacitor of capacitance C. Suppose at

one moment it has a charge Q and a p.d. V = Q/C.
If an extra charge AQ is put into the capacitor,
the work done in the process is
∆ W = V∆ Q = ∆ Q × Q/C
QQ Q2
W = ∫ dW = ∫ dQ =
0 C 2C
(2) Total work done is
Total work done W.D. = potential energy stored in the capacitor

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

E.Q.4
(a) Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the system.
(b) Determine the energy store in each
capacitor.
Solution:
470(100 + 220)
= 190.38µF
(a) C = 470 + 100 + 220
(b) Q = CV = 190.38 × 6 = 1142 µC

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 13 of Total 15 Pages

 Q 1142
V1 = = = 2.43V
C1 470
1 1
E1 = C1V12 = (470 × 10 −6 ) × 2.43 2 = 1.39 × 10 −3 J
2 2
1 1
E 2 = C 2V22 = (100 × 10 −6 ) × 3.57 2 = 6.4 × 10 −4 J
2 2
1 1
E3 = C 3V32 = (220 × 10 −6 ) × 2.57 2 = 1.4 × 10 −3 J
2 2

EG. 5
A parallel plate capacitor has plates of area A and separation d to charge to a p.d.
V. The charging battery is the disconnected and the plates are pulled apart to 2d.
Derive expression in terms of A, d and V for
(a) the new p.d.;
(b) the initial and the final stored energy;
(c) the work required to separate the plates.

Solution:
ε A Q ε A Q Q
C= 0 = C= 0 = ' =
(a) d V 2d V 2V V ' = 2V
1 1 ε0 A 2
U i = CV 2 = V
(b) 2 2 d
1 1 ε0 A 1ε A
U f = C 'V '2 = (2V ) 2 = 2( 0 V 2 ) = 2U
2 2 d 2 d
1 ε0 A 2
W = U f −Ui = Ui = V
(c) 2 d
EG. 6
A capacitor of capacitance 9µ F is charged from a source of e.m.f. 200V. The capacitor
is now disconnected from the source and connect in parallel with a second capacitor
3µ F.
The second capacitor is now removed and discharged.
(a) What charge remains on the 9µ F capacitor?
(b) How many times would the process have to be performed in order to reduce the
charge on the 9µ F capacitor to below 50% of its initial value?
(c) What would the p.d. between the plates of the capacitor now be?

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 14 of Total 15 Pages

Solution:
(a) Let C1=9µ F, C=C1+C2=12µ F, V=200V
Q=C1V=1.8× 10-3C
Q C 9 −3
V1 = Q1 = C1V1 = 1 Q = × (1.8 × 10 −3) =1.35×10 c
C C 12
C
Q1 = Q Q2 = ( C1 ) 2 Q C
Qn = ( 1 ) n Q
(b) C1 , C …… C
n n
 Qn  1  Cn  1 9 1
  <   <   <
if  Q  2 C  2  12  2 n=3

n 3
 Qn   3
  <  
(c)  Q   4 Qn = 1.8× 10-3 × 0.753 = 7.6× 10-4c
−4
Q 7.6 × 10
Vn = n = = 84.4V
C1 9 × 10 −6

EG.7
Faraday used two concentric spheres to investigate the relative permittivity of
liquids. Suppose a, b are the respective radii of the inner and the outer spheres.
Let +Q be the charge given to the inner sphere and let the outer sphere be
earthed, with air between them. Find the capacitance of this set up.
Solution
1 Q 1 Q
Va = −
4π ε0 a 4π ε0 b
Vb = 0
Q 1 1 Q (b − a)
( − )=
V = V - V = 4π ε0 a b
a b
4π ε0 ab
Q 4π ε0 ab
C= =
V b−a
EG. 8 A capacitor C1 of 2µ F charged to a p.d. of 50V, and a capacitor
c2 of 3µ F charged to a p.d. of 100V. The capacitors are now joined with plates of
like charges connected together. Calculate the loss of energy when the
capacitors are connected.
Solution:
Q1 =C1V1 =2x10-6 x50=10-4C

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 15 of Total 15 Pages

 Q2 =C2V2 =3x10-6 x50=3× 10-4C
1 Q 2 1 (4 × 10 −4 ) 2
Ef = = = 0.016 J
2 C 2 (2 × 3) × 10 −6
1 1
Ei = (Q1V1 + Q2V2 ) = (10 −4 × 50 + 3 × 10 − 4 × 10 2 ) = 0.0175 J
2 2

Hence the loss of energy as heat = Ei - Ef = 0.0175—0.016= 0.0015J

EG.9
A capacitor of capacitance C is fully charged by 200V battery. It is then discharged
through a small coil of resistance wire embedded in an thermally insulated block of
specific heat capacity 2.5x 102Jkg-1K-1 and of mass 0.1kg. if the temperature of the
block risers by 0.4K, what is the value of C?
Solution:
1
CV 2 = mcθ
2
1
C ⋅ 200 2 = 0.1 × 2.5 × 10 2 × 0.4
2
C = 500µ F

- The End -

A.L. Notes on Capacitor (Prepared by Chan Man Yiu) P. 16 of Total 15 Pages