VOL 1

SECT 1
U i r
C

OUR

Electrostatics

Static ELect r i c i t y 1.
1, When certain substances are rubbed together %urf ace " electrons
may be gained or lost.

\
.The material that has gained electrons has acquired a negative
(-ve) charge, the aterial t h a t has l o s t electrons has - acquired
a positive ( w e ) charge. This type of e l e c t r i c charge i s
1 called STATIC EXECTRICITP.

Wo metal spheres, isolated From one another, may have different

charges. If the spheres are now placed in contact, electrons
w i l l transfer from the more negative sphere t o the sphere that i s
more positive. This movement of electrons constitutes a n
e ------- -- The flow of electrons, and therefore the
l e c t r i c current.
C-

- : /7n
+
&

currant, w i l l cease when the charges have equalled out.

- -*
4 - .
*A

.I- Contact, therefore, provides a means by which a charge can be

transferred from one body to another.

ELectzic Field &7~4-,-~

- .

30 Definition The Electric Field i s the region about a charged ;"Aa

body where the presence of a charge may be detected. !
:--;
-

An e l e c t r i c f i e l d i s analogous to a magnetic f i e l d . An e l e c t r i c
f i e l d may be represented in magnitude and direction by Electric
Enes of Force.

Electric Lines of Force

4. The Density or &gnitude of the f i e l d may be represented by the

n a e r of l i n e s drawn.

The Direction i s indicated by arrows which point from positive

to negative.
Isolated positive charge

Fig. 4.1
 VOL 1
SECT L
. a-IA.P 4
fi

- - . .

Laws of Electrostatics

a) Iiike charges Repel

b) Thlike charges Attract

Force between two charged bodies

The formula for the force between two charges in a vacuum is:-
!------'--
;
;
F = q x Q 2 I
f
newtons ------- 4n. 4.1

I--

Where F i s the fbrce of repulsion or attraction i n newtons

are the charges in coulonibs
are the charges i n coulombs
-
Eo i s a constant called the permittivity of &ee space and equal
to- 8.854 x farad per i e t r e .

d i s the distance between the charges i n metres.

Hence F i s inversely proportional *to d

2
.
The force i s either
a force of repulsion or - attraction depending upon the r e l a t i v e
polarities of Q1 and Q2.

The &it of Charge

7. Charge (Q) i s measured in coulombs.

Definition: -

, k i t Charge i s that charge which w i l l a t t r a c t or repel the sam

quantity of charge one metre away in free space by a force of

i.e. i f C$ = Q2 = 1 coulomb
 VOL 1
# SECT 1
cmP 4

8.
-.- AS an e l e c t r i c charge can be considered a s the origin of
lines of e l e c t r i c flux, it i s convenient to measure the flux
i n coulombs also.

Electric Flux then i s given the symbol Q and is the t o t a l

charge,

Electric Flux Density D.

9. i,
!his i s the total electric flux acting through an area of 1metre
square perpendicular t o
9
e flux. T t is denoted by D and
C
/-

measured i n coulomb/metre (~/in2). Thus e l e c t r i c f l u x density

.- --.
.- ..
.-...
..- D= Coulombs
-
.*

A Sq.metre. - -
- Eqn. 4.3
ELectric Field Strength E.
10
,
-
. This i s measured by the farce (in newtons) on a unit positive
charge.

'Ihe f i e l d strength may be axpressed in newtons per coulomb but

i s usually expressed in volts per metre. The value i s numerically
the same for both units,
E = -L Newtons
q CouloI?ibs
or -
E = - V
d
Volts
,---a

Metre a n . 4.4

Where the - ve sign indicates that the potential gradient

decreases in the direction of the field.
.c ELectros t a t i c Lines of Force Between Charges
- -

11. (a) IhLike charges

-

Fig. 4.3
 SECT 1
CHAP L,

(b) Liike Qlarges

X = neutral point

Induced E l e c t r i c Charges

12. X f a charged body i s placed near t o an uncharged body, the

presence of t h e charged body "inducesft charges in the neutral
body.

Fig. LS &&j

'he charged bddy A, w i l l , a t t r a c t free electrons in the neutral

body, these electrons w i l l concentrate a t the nearest point to
A i.e. B and so a negative charge has been induced a t B.
Similarly, point C i s now deficient i n t r e e electrons and so
assumes a positive charge.

This process q l a i n s why a neutral body i s a t b a c ted to a charged

body. Point A and point B a r e a t t r a c t e d to one another, i f
either body i s f r e e to mve, they will come together.

If point C i s earthed, the positive charge a t C w i l l a t t r a c t

electrons from e a r t h to neutralise the positive charge. If the
earth i s then removed from C, the previously n e u t r a l body has
acquired a negative charge. !his charge has been produced by
7NDUCTION.
15. S U l y a positive charge can be induced in the previously
neutral body, by using a negative charge as the f!inducerfte

Variation of Induced Charge

16.
-- Lf, in Fig. 4.5 the charge on A was a varying charge, then the
force of a t t r a c t i o n on the f'ree electrons i n the neutral body would
vary. The electrons that are concentrated a t B a r e of l i k e charge
and would therefore, tend to repel one another and disperse, i t
i s orily the positive charge a t A that prevents this. If, therefore
the force of attraction of A f o r the f r e e electrons i s varying,
the concentration of the electrons a t u w o u l d v-1so.

This means that a varying charge can cause a varying induced charge
in an isolated body,
lhis i s often most undesirable, and requires elimination.
,

Fig. 4.6

7he earth i s said to be e l e c t r i c a l l y neutral i , e , i t i s neither net

positive or negative. &cause the earth contains an almost i n f i n i t e
number of charges, the removal of even a large n-er of charges
w i l l not disturb this neutrality. %us the earth w i l l always
a c t a s a terminating point for linesof force emanating from both
positive and negative charged bodies.
 5%~T

18. In Fig. 4.6 an earthed flscreen" i s placed between two charged

bodies and provides a terraination f o r the l i n e s of force ,
CHAP 4.
-
A l l bodies on one side of t h e screen a r e el er.+lr+ y shielded
from bodies on the other side. It i s common t o completely
surround components or systems with an earth s h i e l d t o prevent
t h e i r operation being affected by s t r a y e l e c t r i c f i e l d s .

Precipitation S t a t i c

19 Aircraft in f l i g h t pick up s t a t i c charges due t o f r i c t i o n i n

the atansphere and high velocity j e t exhausts. Where p a r t s of
. .
the a i r c r a f t a r e i n s u l a t e d o m each n+hw.s,7 +. LS qldtc p~ssLb.filc
f o r this precipitation s t a t i c t o r e s u l t i n sparking across
, the insulated gaps. lhis can cause severe radio interference.
To reduce this t o a x n h h u n , good e l e c t r i c a l contact i s established
between the various a i r c r a f t parts, a process known a s bonding.

20. E l e c t r i c a l discharge can a l s o take place i n t o the surrounding

alr, p a r t i c u l a r l y from sharp or pointed sections of t h e airframe.
To reduce the energy l e v e l of such discharges and hence radio
interference, discharges are controlled by the provision of
special 'kicksrr o r Wischargers If, generally f i t t e d t o the t a i l i n g
edges of wings.

ELectrical Potential

21 . Consider two positively charged bodies A and B. If B i s moved

towards A, energy mst be expended t o overcome the repelling force.
This means that A has a c e r t a i n potential energy, by v i r t u e of i t s
charge and this i s generally ref erred to as "potential lr. !he
earth, always having zero net charge, has zero potential.
Potential i s measured in v o l t s (v) ,
Potential Difference

22. Tho bodies having different charges w i l l have d i f f e r e n t potentials,

"
and so there i s a fpotential difference (pd) between them. 'his '7
i s also measured i n volts,

i e
C a ~ a ctanc
q=vc
23 In any body a change in the amount of charge 4 Q leads to a
t

corresponding change in the potential 4 V.

i.e. 4 ~ t - O
Where C i s the capacitance of the body,
or AQ = c measured in farads F and i s constant for
t h a t body.

L.1 practice the farad i s too large a u n i t an

-
usually expressed in microfarads- ( A F) = 10- i! capacitance i s
--
o r picofarads = ~o-'~F
 VVJJ I
SECT 1
cH@ 4

Permit t i v i t g of Free space 0

24. f o i s the r a t i o of the e l e c t r i c f l u x density D t o t h e e l e c t r i c

force o r f i e l d strength E, in a vacuum ( f r e e space). o is
sometimes called the e l e c t r i c space constant.
\ - -...

€0 = D
but D = Q and E = V
E. - - ii . x
- \
- - # -
o =
V A
= Cd
A a-2
,L-.-
/- A \

Ihe numerical vahe o f g o = 8.854 x loo1* F/'M -

&solute Permittivity €
25. i s the r a t i o of D t o E in any insulating material (dielectric)

Relative ~ e r a d t t i v i t v ~ r

E r i s an indication of the material's a b i l i t y to support an

e l e c t r i c f i e l d , r e l a t i v e to f r e e space.

Capacitors

27 Eh e l e c t r i c component designed to have capacitance i s called a

capacitor. Basically i t consists of two pieces of conducting
material (the ' p l a t e s lt) separated by an insulator (the lfdielectric")

Fig. 4.7
A capacitor may be %hargedUby c;nnecting the p l a t e s to a dc
supply as shown i n Fig. 4.7. The charge +Q on one p l a t e i s
balanced by a charge -Q on the other. An e l e c t r i c f i e l d e d s t s
i n the d i e l e c t r i c and a pd V i s established between the plates.
The relationship between charge, pd and capacitance i s given by: -
 VDL 1

-
SECT, 1
cmP 4
Capacitance of a Parallel Plate Capacitor

-
I .
I
& -c-
Where A = X sectional area of
plates (sq. m t r e )
d = distance between plates (m)

ButE=V - ,-
,4-06~
/
-- -

Q.

Ihe capacitance may therefore be increased y t -%

(a) Increasing A, the area of the plates
(b) Using a dielectric of higher r e l a t i v e permittivity
(c) %creasing the distance between the plates.

M t i - P l a t e Capacitors

30 One way of increasing the effective cross-sectional area i s t o

connect a number of plates i n parallel w i t h each other as shown
i n Fig. 4.8

1
Whe~eN = number of plates
 -

i
VOL 1
SECT 1
.
'S

CHAP 4

- - - . - - \ - 1 .

Eielakive r e r m i t t i v ~ t y(melectxrlc wnstant) ox c;ommon u l e l e c t r l c s

-. - . -
31. L+ k - t u ' r-
' , _* I

MATERIAL &
~ i r 1.0006
Polythene 2.3
Pa /<,A
Glass 5 ,lo
Waxed Paper '-2
Ceramics " 2000
Aluminium (bc2de A- 25
r'

Tantalum Oxide 4- 25
j
"'
c Dielectzic Strength 1~
v/
'[ /
/' 32. If the distance between the plates i s reduced too mch, there
w i l l be a danger of e l e c t r i c a l breakdown in the dielectric.
Dielectric strength i s the voltage which just breaks down 1 m
thickness of the dielectric. Some examples are given in the
table: -

MATERIAL DIELECTRIC STRZNGTH

J

Air 4,300
Rubber boyo~
Ebonite ~O,OOO
Eta ---,:
, - a "
60,000
#

Working Voltage

33 The safe working voltage 'of a capacitor i s the maximum dc voltage

that can be ap@e i.d to i t without danger of d i e l e c t r i c breakdown.'
E m s t b 6 % , k e n i n ac c i r c u i t s that any instantaneous voltage
applied to the plate does not exceed the safe working limit.
The working voltage i s generally marked on the capacitor. Note
that t h i s figure only applies a t a specific temperature.
 v v r r A
SECT 1
CHAP 41

&ergy Storage in a Capacitor

0
A &ie e t r o , r
Fig. 4.7

1 flow
I

L=+ I J
Aalte t-

In Fig. 4.7 there i s acapacitor; p l a t e s l a b e l l e d A and B f o r

i d e n t i f i c a t i o n purposes, two galvanom t e r s , two switches SCL
and SW2, and a battery.

When switch 1 i s made the b a t t e r y w i l l be connected t o t h e

capacitor, there i s no r e s i s t a n c e i n the c i r c w i t a s t h e
r e s i s t a n c e of the galvanometers may be ignored. ELec trons
w i l l be a t t r a c e d from p l a t e A t o the b a t t e r y anode, and
electrons w i l l be repelled from the b a t t e r y negative terminal and
these electrons w i l l b u i l d upon p l a t e B a t t r a c t e d there by
the p o s i t i v e charge on p l a t e A. lhis means t h a t p l a t e A,
having a deficiency of electrons, w i l l b e positive. P l a t e By
having a surplus of electrons w i l l be negative.

36. With no r e s i s t a n c e in the c i r c u i t , t h e t r a n s f e r of charge w i l l

be instantaneous, but the galvanometers w i l l '!€lickftindicating
the flow of current for a short time.

37 0 Once the charges have b u i l t up on the p l a t e s they w i l l be a t

the same p o t e n t i a l a s the supply and no f u r t h e r movement of
electrons w i l l occur. The "back e,m. f It w i l l be exactly equal to the?
b a t t e r y e.m.f. and therefore cancel i t out, so no current c a n '
flow. When t h i s s t a t e i s reached, the capacitor i s s a i d to be
"Fully Chargedu

Lf switch 1 i s now opened; disconnecting the capacitor from the

.
supply, the p l a t e s w i l l remain charged, i n the same way a s the
i s o l a t e d spheres were charged - (J?igs. 4.1 and 4.2)

38. A voltmeter with a high r e s i s t a n c e may now be placed across the

p l a t e s and t h i s w i l l i n d i c a t e a voltage. In theory t h i s voltage
w i l l be equal t o the supply bat6ery voltage. The capacitor w i l l
r e t a i n the charge f o r long periods,

390 If switch 2 i s closed, the capacitor 's charge w i l l equalise, by

conduction, through the s h o r t c i r c u i t provided by the switch. A
second "flick" w i l l be observed on the galvanometers, t h i s time
in the opposite d i r e c t i o n to the o r i g i n a l f l i c k a s the current
now flows in the opposite direction. Once the c a p a c i t o r ' s
charge has eqvalised, the capacitor i s s a i d t o be "Discharged
 SMlT 1
CHAP 1
I

400 It may be seen t h a t during charge, a c e r t a i n quantity of e l e c t r i c i t y

- iqd-~ the

When the capacitor was disconnected from the b a t t e r y there was

energy stored in the capacitor*

k ~ g Wy = vA$ 1 x t joules = VAv x Q joules

here i s the average voltage, i.e., the average of the i n i t i a l

;oltag:'~= 0) and the f i n a l voltage V, therefore VAv = V - assuming
a l i n e a r V charge and discharge. F
Therefore the energy stored i n the capacitor:-

but Q = C V

Therefore k e r g y stored = 5 CV' joules --- eqn 4.11

where C i s in farad
V i s in v o l t s

Losses i n Capacitors
2
4. I n theory, a l l the energy stored in a capacitor (W = CV joules)
should be returned to the c i r c u i t on discharge. I n practice t h i s
i s not so a s some energy i s l o s t due to:-

1, Conductor Loss
2. Dielec t r i c leakage
3. Dielectric Absorbtion ?-LA

4. Dielectric Hysteresis
Efficiency of Dielectric Materials

42. Losses in the d i e l e c t r i c can considerable reduce the efficiency

of a capacitor especially i f the charge on the capacitor i s alternating.
?he higher the frequency w i t h which the charge alternates, the
greater the losses.

Air i s taken to be 100% e f f i c i e n t .

Compared t o a i r : -
r J

Material % Efficiency
Mica 40 - 90
Glass 60
E b o t~e 70
SomeOils 90
-
 SECT 1
QIAP ,ir
Capacitors in p a r a l l e l

When capacitors a r e connected i n p a r a l l e l

a s sKown in the diagram, t h e voltage
across each capacitor i s t h e same L e a ,
equal to the supply voltage E

E=V1=V2=V
3
--- Eqn. 4.12

However the charge Q on each capacitor w i l l be d i f f e r e n t unless

the values of t h e capacitors a r e equal to one another because
from f o r m l a (5*5)*

The t o t a l charge QT i s the sum of the charges on the capacitors.

Q ~ : = ~1 + Q~ + Q~ --- eqn* 4.612

but QT = CTE and Q1 = C V etc.

1 1 ,

Therefore CTE = C V + C2 V2 + C V
1 1 3 3
but E = V1 = V2 = V dividing both sides by the voltage gives.
3,

Thus the formula f o r finding the sum of capacitors i n p a r a l l e l i s the

arithmetic sum of the individual values

As V = -Q and V i s constant
( I .
The smallest value of capacitor has the smallest charge

Capacitors in s e r i e s

A s the three components are

connected in s e r i e s , the charging
current t h a t flows round the
c i r c u i t i s common to a l l three
capacitors, theref ore the charge
held by each component must be
the same.
-I{t;- F'{
Fig. 4.9
 VOL 1
SECT 1
4

The t o t a l voltage E = V1 + V2 + V3 v o l t s (&rchhoffls 2nd ~ a w )

and E = QT - - - eqn 4.11

but QT = 61 = Q2 = Q3, dividing both sides by the charge gives

....-...
9-

\ .
..
.. ..,-.
h

. .-
.-..
:; ..
.' LC'.

Thus the formula f o r finding the sum of capacitor; i n s e r i e s i s :-

reciprocal of the total capacitance equals the sum of the reciprocals
of the individual values.

A s Q i s common and Q = CV, the smallest capacitor must have the

l a r g e s t voltage across i t , and vice versa.

C,R, Circuits - C & R i n Series -

459 In Fig. 4.10 when the switch i s closed

to A, the applied voltage appears
across the s e r i e s components C & Re
By Kirchhoff the sum of these two
100v , component voltages w i l l equal the
Voltage applied.
T1 - J
However, the voltage across the p l a t e s
Fig. 4.10 of a fixed capacitor can only a l t e r i f
. the charge Q a l t e r s , since Vc = Q/C.
Since the charge in coulombs i s r e l a t e d t o the amount of current that
has flowed then i t follows that a t the i n s t a n t of switch to A the
capacitor voltage i s s t i l l zero.

me current t h a t w i l l flow to charge the capacitor a t t h a t i n s t a n t

w i l l be given by I = V/R, since the capacitor i s v i r t u a l l y a short
c i r c u i t to the suddenly applied voltage ( L e o i t o f f e r s no
opposition since i t h s no voltage). The i n i t i a l current i s
8
therefore I = 100VbO ohms = 100pAo

Note that the r e s i s t o r voltage a t t h a t i n s t a n t i s VR = I x R = - x 106

loo
lo6
which i s 100V. Thus the whole of the applied voltage change i s
appearing across R. This mst always happen when a sudden change
of input i s applied to a s e r i e s CoRa c i r c u i t .
 VUL I
SECT 1
CHAP 4'

46. When the switch i s closed to A, the initial c u r r e n t value i s

I = V/R A, and therefore the i n i t i a l r i s e of charge on C i s given
by V/R coulombs/second; in t h i s case i t w i l l be 100 u coulombs
per second. I f V/R (giving the coulombs per second flowing) i s
substituted f o r b Q in the formula A Vc = A Q/c, we g e t A Vc = V/CR
which i s the r a t e of r i s e of capacitor voltage Vc in v o l s per
2
second. In t h i s case we g e t A Vc = 1 0 0 / ( ~ 0 - 6 x 1 x 10 ) = 100 V/S.

If C continued to charge a t this r a t e f o r CR seconds i t would reach

the f u l l value of the applied voltage in t h a t time.

47 0 ?he capacitor does n o t continue to charge a t i t s i n i t i a l r a t e ,

however, f o r t h e following reason.

Suppose the i n s t a n t a t which Vc has r i s e n to 10V i s considered. m e

capacitor voltage opposes the applied voltage, and the r e s u l t i s -
that e f f e c t i v e working voltage of the c i r c u i t becorms V minus Vc,
i.e. 100 - 10 = 90V, in t h i s case. The current i n the c i r c u i t I = V/R =
9 0 ~ ohms ~ 0= 90bA.~ In consequence the r a t e of r i s e of voltage
on C is now given by A Vc = V/CR = 90/(1 x 10-6) = 90 V/S.
 VUL I
SECT 1
CHAP k

480 From the foregoing the following summary can be made:-

1. The initial current flow i s dictated purely by V and Re

2. !he sudden change in applied voltage appears completely across R.
3. The s t a t e of charge of a capacitor cannot be a l t e r e d
instantaneously.
4. The c i r c u i t current progressively reduces as G charges.
5;. The r a t e of r i s e of voltage across C reduces as C charges.
6. The voltage across R decreases as C progressively charges.
---- , -r
rbCLDta a
found enabling Vc t o be determined a t any i n s t a n t during -its
charge. This expression i s an exponential law given by: -
I

Where C i s i n farads, R i s i n ohms,

Vc i s the instantaneous capacitor voltage, and V i s the applied
voltage, t i s the time i n question, i n seconds,
and e = base of Napierian Logs = 2.718.

When t equals C x R seconds, Vc = ~ ( 1e -

m a t is, in time CR seconds capacitor voltage Vc r i s e s to 63.2%

of the applied voltage. The charge graph of Vc i s constructed from
t h i s (see Fig. 4.11) (see vol 1. Section 1. Chapter 11 Appendix 1 )

Discharge conditions

51. Ch switching to B the applied voltage i s disconneclted, and the

charged capacitor i s now the effective supply, and w i l l give r i s e
to a discharge current. Lf i t i s assumed t h a t Vc = 100V, then
the discharge current which i n i t i a l l y flows w i l l be I = VC/R
and in this case i t w i l l be I = 100~/106ohms = 100pA. Note that
t h i s i s i d e n t i c a l i n value t o the i n i t i a l charging current which
flowed.

The voltage across R w i l l ' be 100V, (vR = I x R) but of reversed

p o l a r i t y since the direction of current flow i s reversed.

When Vc has discharged to 9 0 V the discharge current becomes

I = 90v/l06 = SOp A, i.e. the discharge current decreases
exponentially.
 i
VUL I
SECT 1
MAP 4'

Rectangular Pulses i n CR Networks

OUTPUT
SHORT r
CR f

If a s e r i e s of rectangular pulses are applied to the c i r c u i t

shown in Fig. 4.11, the output taken across R, w i l l be distorted.
Severe d i s t o r t i o n w i l l r e s u l t ff the time constant CR i s a
very small value (short CR). Only s l i g h t d i s t o r t i o n w i l l occur
i f CR i s l a r g e (Long CR).

N,B. The capacitor w i l l completely charge o r discharge in

approximately 5 CR seconds.
 APPENDIX

1. Calculate the2value of a capacitor with eleven plates each of cross-

section area 7 cm placed 1nrm apart in a i r .
2
Where A = area of p l a t e in m
= 8.854 x 10-12
Eo
= r e l a t i v e permittivity
fr
%I- nET>ihr of plates - -- --
- -.

Er= I s = distance between plates in me

N = 11
= 1 lom3

12
Converting to picofarad by d t i p l y i n g by 10

Therefore C = 62 pF

2
2. Calculate the capacitance of a five p l a t e capacitor, p l a t e area 4 cm
spaced 0.1 mm apart using mica of relative permittivity 5 a s the dielectric.
Were A
g _=
- area of plate in square metre
r e l a t i v e permittivity

N = number of plates
s = distance between plates i n m.

Note that the capacitor in l e (2) has a mch larger value of

7
capacitance than the example ( 1 capacitor, even though the area of the
plate and nurriber of plates i n (2) is l e s s than (1). This i s because the
distance between the plates in (2) i s l e s s and the r e l a t i v e permittivity
of the dielectric i s greater. I n addition, note that the working voltage
of (2) i s s t i l l higher than (1) even though the d i e l e c t r i c i s thinner.
lhis i s possible due t o the f a c t that the dielectric strength of mica i s
approximately fifteen times t h a t of air.
 :30'& 1 '
SET*1
u 4
APPENDIX --

Fig. 4.13

I00 v d. c.

Referring t o the c i r c u i t represented by the above diagram calculate: -

(i) effective capacitance between A and B
(ii) voltage across each capacitor
(iii) charge on each capacitor
(iv) energy contained in each capacitor

Ihe t o t a l capacitance (cT) of two capacitors i n s e r i e s i s given:-

Therefore 1 - = C2
+
C~ c; x c,

and CT =
C1 C2
C2+C1
-
From this: CT = 2 x 8 = 16
8+-2 m

N.B. the total capacitance of capacitors in s e r i e s i s always

smaller than the smallest capacitor.
t

( i i ) C T = 1.6 Fand E = U ) O V

Therefore Q = CT E = 1.6 x lo4 x 100

The charge Q on each capacitor i s the same a s the same charging current
has charged the two capacitors.

(iii) V = Q = 160 x lo4 = 80 v o l t s

tT 2 x 10-0

Therefore there will be 8 0 V across the 2 uF capacitor

and there w i l l be across the 8 uF capacitor

 .
rrr *
SECT 1
CHAP 4
..
APmn

(iv) Ihe energy stored i n a capacitor i s given by W = 1 CV 2 joules.

2
Ehergg stored in 2 p F capacitor = $ C x 80 J when C i s in farads.

Find:-
i) Total capacitance
ii) Voltage across each capacitor
iii) h e r = stored in each capacitor
iv) Charge on each capacitor

i) The t o t a l capacitance of C and C2 in p a r a l l e l .

1

The t o t a l capacticance now may be found, taking the e f f e c t i v e value

of the p a r a l l e l network to be 6 F and t r e a t i n g i t a s though i t
was one capacitor. P

Therefore CT = 2.4 fl
 VUL I
SECT 1
au.P 4 '
APPENDIX --
ii) Q = = 2.4 x 240 UC
C~
= 576 UC D
1

Q i s the same f o r both the capacitors

lherefore V = Q volts I 4 0 V d.c.

P C
P
= 576 x 10
4, V ~ i g . 4.15
6xl.0°
V = 96 V This i s the voltage across C and C2
1
- - - - - - - -

and =f;76x104 V
v3
4 x loo6

iii) Ehergy stored (w) =*. cv2 J.

Ehergy stored in C1 = 929.6 mJ,

Energy stored i n C2 = 18.432 mJ

Ehergy stored i n C3 = 41.47 mJ

iv) Charge Q = CV c~ulombs
q = 2 x IDd
/

x 96 C.
Charge on Cl = 0.192 mC.
7

Qarge on C2 = 0.384 nrC.

Charge on C
3
= 0.576 mc

NB. ?he sum of the charges on 5 and C2 equals the charge on C

3'
 " ' -
VOL
SECT

APPENDIX
1
1
4

5. A supply of capacitors, each of 0.1 uF i s available. What

arrangements of these capacitors would provide f o r the
f ollawing :-

i) a t o t a l capacitance of 0.3 uF
ii) a t o t a l capacitance of 0.025 uF
iii) a t o t a l capacitance of 0.1 uF, but w i t h a break down voltage
double that of a *single capacitor?

Solutions : -
i) W e e capacitors in p a r a l l e l .

ii) kur capacitors in series.

iii) 'Iko capacitors in p a r a l l e l i n s e r i e s with a f u r t h e r two capacitors
in parallel.

Brunel Technical College

&isto1
GSB~PJR - JUNE 1983