Capacitance of A Capacitor Ss3

CAPACITANCE OF A CAPACITOR
A Capacitor is essentially a device for storing electrical energy or charges. In general, capacitors can be in
the form of two conductors which are insulated electrically from the surroundings. However, most
common types of capacitors are in the form of two parallel plate conductors which are separated by a
very small distance, d. the two plates of the capacitor can be made to carry equal and opposite charges
by connecting the capacitor across the terminals of a battery such that the p.d across the plate is V.
parallel plate capacitor circuit representation of a capacitor.
This is called “charging”. For a charged capacitor the electric charge on one plate is +q while on the
other plate it is -q
PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR
For a parallel plate capacitor with plates each of area (A), separated by distance (d) the capacitance (C),
of the capacitor is given by
ε×A
C=
d
Where ε (epsilon) is the permittivity of the dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor.
For vacuum air:
ε0 × A
C=
d
ε0 (epsilon-zero) = 8.854 ×10−12 F/m (permittivity of free space)
for other materials:
use the material’s relative permittivity (εr) and ε0:
ε = ε0 × εr
ε0 × εr × A
C=
d
It therefore means the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is dependent of several factors namely:
1. The separation or distance (d) between the plates.

2. The permittivity of the medium εo
3. The area of the plates (A).
CAPACITANCE
Experiment shows that the magnitude of the charge q on any of the plate is directly proportional to the
potential difference, V across the capacitor,
that is q ∝ v
q = cv………………………….. 1
Where c is a constant of proportionality known as the capacitance, the farad (F) is capacitance unit.
Practical units are micro ( μ F ) and pico ( pF ) farad
1μF=1.0×10−6 F
1 pF=1.0×10−12 F
CAPACITANCE IN SERIES AND IN PARALLEL
If two or more capacitors, c1, c2 --- are connected in series, it can be shown that the equivalent or net
capacitance, c of the combination is given by
1/c = 1/c1 + 1/c2 + ----- 2
If they are connected in parallel the net capacitance C in this is given by
C = c1 + c2 + c3 ------- 3
Example; A capacitor contain a charge of 4 .0 x 10– 4 coulomb when a potential difference of 400 v is
applied across it. Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor
The capacitance C = q/v

−4
4.0 ×10
= = 10 – 6 F = 1. 0 μ F
400
ENERGY STORED IN CAPACITOR
A charged is a store of electrical energy. When a charge, q, is moved through a p.d, the work done is
given by
W = average p.d x charge
1
= qv
2
q
But; v =
C
1 q 1 2
W = ×q = q /c
2 C 2
1
W = q2/C
2
0r if instead we use q=cv
W =1/2 cv2
Therefore; the work done is either
W = ½ CV2 = 1/2 q2/c
This work is stored in the capacitor as electrical potential energy.
EVALUATION
1. What Critically examine the electromagnetic spectrum showing their appropriate

wavelength range and uses.
2. List the electromagnetic spectrum in the order of their wavelength
3. What is a capacitor?
4. Two capacitor of capacitance 3uF and 6uF are connected in series. Calculate the
equivalent capacitance (a) 9uF (b) 6uF (c) 2uF (d) ½ uF
5. The net charge on capacitor which is charged to a p.d of 200 is 1.0 x 10 -4 coulomb.
What is the capacitance of capacitor and the energy stored in the capacitor?
READING ASSIGNMENT
New School Physics for Senior Secondary Schools (M.W AnyakohaPages 377 – 379).
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. A capacitor stores 10-4c of charge when the p.d between the plates is 1kv. What is the
capacitance? (a) 10-4uF (b) 0.1 uF (c) 4uF (d) 100uF.
2. Which of the following electromagnetic radiations is used to examine broken bones? (a) Gamma
rays (b) Radio waves (c) X-rays (d) Infra-red
3. An electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in the range of ( 4 ×10−7) m is likely to be (a) X-
ray (b) Ultra-violet (c) Visible light (d) Gamma ray
4. The magnitude of the common velocity to all electromagnetic waves is --- (a)
9 8 8 −8
3.0 ×10 m/s . (b) 3.0 ×10 m/s . (c) 2.0 ×10 m/ s. (d) 3.0 ×10 m/ s.
5. All electromagnetic waves in a vacuum have the same (a) wavelength (b) frequency
(c) speed (d) amplitude
6. The main difference between x-rays and Ƴ rays lies in their A. ionizing ability B.
absorption rate C. mode of production D. mode of propagation
7. Which of the following statements about x rays is not correct? They (a) are
electromagnetic waves (b) can be used to study crystal lattice (c) can destroy living
cells (d) are produced from the nucleus of an atom
8. Which of the following electromagnetic waves is most energetic? A. radio waves
B. X rays C. Gamma rays D. Ultra Violet rays
9. Which of the following radiations have the longest wavelength? A. Gamma rays B.
Radio waves C. Infrared rays D. X rays
10. Which of the following radiation has its frequency lower than that of infra-red
radiation? A. U.V rays B. Gamma rays C. X rays D. Radio waves
11. X rays and Infra-red rays are both electromagnetic. Which common property do the
waves have? Both waves A. are longitudinal B. have the same frequency C. have the
same wavelength D. travel at the same speed in a vacuum

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CAPACITANCE OF A CAPACITOR

parallel plate capacitor circuit representation of a capacitor.

PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR

For vacuum air:

for other materials:

use the material’s relative permittivity (εr) and ε0:

1. The separation or distance (d) between the plates.

Practical units are micro ( μ F ) and pico ( pF ) farad

CAPACITANCE IN SERIES AND IN PARALLEL

1/c = 1/c1 + 1/c2 + ----- 2

If they are connected in parallel the net capacitance C in this is given by

The capacitance C = q/v

W = average p.d x charge

Therefore; the work done is either

W = ½ CV2 = 1/2 q2/c

This work is stored in the capacitor as electrical potential energy.

1. What Critically examine the electromagnetic spectrum showing their appropriate

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