LU Capacitor
LU Capacitor
LU Capacitor
Page: 1
Lecture Sheet-5 Electricity & Magnetism
𝑄
𝑂𝑟 𝐶=
𝑄𝑑
𝐴𝜀0
𝐴𝜀0
∴ 𝐶= (4)
𝑑
If we put a medium of dielectric constant k in the free space between the two plates then we
get
𝐴𝜀0 𝑘
𝐶= (5)
𝑑
Equations (4) and (5) are the expressions for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
From the above equations we conclude that, the capacitance of a capacitor depends on the
geometrical shape of the plates of a capacitor not on charge and the potential difference
between the plates of the capacitor.
Capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor
Let us consider a capacitor consisting of two coaxial cylinder of
radius a and b (where b>>a) and length l. We construct a Gaussian
surface having radius r, by using Gauss’s law we get
⃗⃗⃗ 𝑑𝑎 = 𝑄
𝜀0 ∮ 𝐸.
𝑆
Where, Q is the charge on the surface. Fig. 2. A cylindrical capacitor.
𝜀0 𝐸(2𝜋𝑟𝑙) = 𝑄
𝑄
∴ 𝐸=
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟𝑙
The potential difference between the plates is given by
𝑏
𝑉 = − ∫ 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑟
𝑎
𝑉 = ∫ 𝐸 𝑑𝑟
𝑎
𝑏
𝑄
=∫ 𝑑𝑟
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑟𝑙
𝑎
𝑏
𝑄 𝑑𝑟
= ∫
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙 𝑟
𝑎
Page: 2
Lecture Sheet-5 Electricity & Magnetism
𝑄
= [𝑙𝑛𝑟]𝑏𝑎
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙
𝑄
= [𝑙𝑛 𝑏 − 𝑙𝑛 𝑎]
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙
𝑄 𝑏
𝑣= 𝑙𝑛
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙 𝑎
Therefore, the capacitance
𝑄 𝑄
𝐶= =
𝑉 𝑄 𝑏
𝑙𝑛 𝑎
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑙
∴ 𝐶=
𝑏
𝑙𝑛 𝑎
From the above equations we conclude that, the capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor is
independent of charge of the capacitor and the potential difference between the plates of the
capacitor.
Capacitance of a spherical capacitor
Let us consider a capacitor consisting of two concentric
spherical shells of radius a and b, where b>>a. We construct
a Gaussian surface having radius r, by using Gauss’s law we
get
𝜀0 ∮ ⃗⃗⃗
𝐸. 𝑑𝑎 = 𝑄
𝑆
𝑄
∴ 𝐸=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
The potential difference between the plates is given by
𝑏
𝑉 = − ∫ 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑟
𝑎
𝑉 = ∫ 𝐸 𝑑𝑟
𝑎
𝑏
𝑄
𝑉= ∫ 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝑎
Page: 3
Lecture Sheet-5 Electricity & Magnetism
𝑏
𝑄 𝑑𝑟
𝑉= ∫ 2
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑎
𝑄 1𝑏
𝑉= [− ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑎
𝑄 1 1
𝑉= [− + ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑏 𝑎
𝑄 𝑏−𝑎
∴ 𝑉=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑎𝑏
Therefore, the capacitance
𝑄 𝑄
𝐶= =
𝑉 𝑄 𝑏−𝑎
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑎𝑏
𝑎𝑏
∴ 𝐶 = 4𝜋𝜀0
𝑏−𝑎
Mathematical problems
Problem-1: The parallel plates of an air filled capacitor are everywhere 1.0 mm apart. What
must be the plate area if the capacitance is to be 1.0 farad?
Solution: The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
𝐴𝜀0 Here,
𝐶=
𝑑 𝐶 = 1 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐶𝑑
𝑂𝑟 𝐴= 𝑑 = 1 𝑚𝑚 = 0.001 𝑚
𝜀0
𝜀0 = 8.854 × 10−12 𝐶 2 /𝑁 − 𝑚2
1 × 0.001
𝑂𝑟 𝐴= 𝐴=?
8.854 × 10−12
∴ 𝐴 = 1.1 × 108 𝑚2 (𝑨𝒏𝒔)
Problem-2: The parallel plate of a Ruby-Mica filled capacitor are every 2.0 mm apart. What
must be the plate area be if the capacitance is to be 2.0 F? Given dielectic constant for Ruby-
Mica is 1.5.
Solution: The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
𝐴𝜀0 𝑘 Here,
𝐶=
𝑑 𝐶 = 2 𝐹𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝐶𝑑
𝑂𝑟 𝐴= 𝑑 = 2 𝑚𝑚 = 0.002 𝑚
𝜀0 𝑘
1 × 0.002 𝜀0 = 8.854 × 10−12 𝐶 2 /𝑁 − 𝑚2
𝑂𝑟 𝐴=
8.854 × 10−12 × 1.5 𝑘 = 1.5
Page: 4
Lecture Sheet-5 Electricity & Magnetism
Problem-3: A parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance of 100 F, a plate area of 100 cm2,
and a mica dielectric constant (𝑘 = 5.4). If the potential difference in between the parallel
plate is 50 volt, calculate
(i) Electric field in the mica
(ii) The free charge on the plate and induced charge.
Solution: Free charge is
𝑞 = 𝐶0 𝑉0 Here,
𝐶0 = 100 𝜇𝐹 = 100 × 10−6 𝐹
𝑜𝑟 𝑞 = 100 × 10−6 × 50
𝐴 = 100 𝑐𝑚2 = 1 × 10−2 𝑚2
∴ 𝑞 = 5 × 10−3 𝐶(𝑨𝒏𝒔)
𝜀0 = 8.854 × 10−12 𝐶 2 /𝑁 − 𝑚2
Electric field in the mica
𝑞 𝑘 = 5.4
𝐸=
𝐴𝜀0 𝑘 𝑉0 = 50 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡
5 × 10−3
𝑜𝑟 𝐸=
1 × 10−2 × 8.854 × 10−12 × 5.4
∴ 𝐸 = 1.04 × 1010 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡 (𝑨𝒏𝒔)
Induced capacitance is 𝐶𝑖𝑛𝑑 = 𝐶0 𝑘 = 100 × 10−6 × 5.4
Page: 5