Dielectric Capacitors

Capacitor with Dielectric
Most capacitors have a dielectric (insulating solid or liquid material) in the space between the
conductors. This has several advantages:
• Physical separation of the conductors.

• Prevention of dielectric breakdown.
• Enhancement of capacitance.
The dielectric is polarized by the electric field between the capacitor plates.
14/9/2015 [tsl124 – 1/13]

Parallel-Plate Capacitor with Dielectric (1)
The polarization produces a bound charge on the surface of the dielectric.
+q f −q f +q f −q b +q b −qf
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+
+
E0 −
−
+ −
+
E + −
−
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
~0
The bound surface charge has the effect of reducing the electric field between the plates from E
~
to E.
• A: area of plates • ±qb : bound charge on surface of dielectric

• d: separation between plates ~ 0 : electric field in vacuum
• E
• ±qf : free charge on plate ~ electric field in dielectric
• E:
14/9/2015 [tsl125 – 2/13]

Parallel-Plate Capacitor with Dielectric (2)
~ 0 and E.
Use Gauss’ law to determine the electric fields E ~
+q f −q f +q f −q b +q b −qf
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+
+
E0 −
−
+ −
+
E + −
−
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
+ − + −
+ − + − + −
qf qf
• Field in vacuum: E0 A = ⇒ E0 =
ǫ0 ǫ0 A
qf − qb qf − qb
• Field in dielectric: EA = ⇒ E= < E0
ǫ0 ǫ0 A
V0
• Voltage: V0 = E0 d (vacuum), V = Ed = < V0 (dielectric)
κ
E0 qf
Dielectric constant: κ ≡ = > 1. Permittivity of dielectric: ǫ = κǫ0 .
E qf − qb
14/9/2015 [tsl126 – 3/13]

Dielectric Materials
• Dielectrics increase the capacitance: C/C0 = κ.

• The capacitor is discharged spontaneously across the dielectric if the electric field exceeds
the value quoted as dielectric strength.
14/9/2015 [tsl138 – 4/13]

Impact of Dielectric (1)
What happens when a dielectric is placed into a capacitor

with the charge on the capacitor kept constant?
vacuum dielectric
charge Q0 Q = Q0
E0
electric field E0 E= < E0
κ
V0
voltage V0 V = < V0
κ
Q0 Q
capacitance C0 = C= = κC0 > C0
V0 V
Q20 Q2 U0
potential energy U0 = U = = < U0
2C0 2C κ
(0)
(0) 1 uE 1 (0)
energy density uE = ǫ0 E02 uE = = κǫ0 E 2 < uE
2 κ 2
14/9/2015 [tsl127 – 5/13]

Impact of Dielectric (2)
What happens when a dielectric is placed into a capacitor

with the voltage across the capacitor kept constant?
vacuum dielectric
charge Q0 Q = κQ0
electric field E0 E = E0
voltage V0 V = V0
Q0 Q
capacitance C0 = C= = κC0 > C0
V0 V
1 1
potential energy U0 = C0 V02 U = CV 2 = κU0 > U0
2 2
(0) 1 (0) 1 (0)
energy density uE = ǫ0 E02 uE = κuE = κǫ0 E 2 > uE
2 2
14/9/2015 [tsl128 – 6/13]

Stacked Dielectrics
Consider a parallel-plate capacitor with area A of each plate and spacing d.
ǫ0 A
• Capacitance without dielectric: C0 = .
d
• Dielectrics stacked in parallel: C = C1 + C2

A/2 A/2
with C1 = κ1 ǫ0 , C2 = κ2 ǫ0 .
d d
1
⇒ C= (κ1 + κ2 )C0 .
2
1 1 1
• Dielectrics stacked in series: = +
C C1 C2
A A
with C1 = κ1 ǫ0 , C2 = κ2 ǫ0
d/2 d/2
2κ1 κ2
⇒ C= C0 .
κ1 + κ2
14/9/2015 [tsl129 – 7/13]

Lateral Force on Dielectric
Consider two charged capacitors with dielectrics only halfway between the plates.
In configuration (a) any lateral motion of the dielectric takes place

at constant voltage across the plates.
In configuration (b) any lateral motion of the dielectric takes place

at constant charge on the plates.
Determine in each case the direction (left/zero/right) of the lateral force experienced by the
dielectric.
(a) (b)
14/9/2015 [tsl130 – 8/13]

Geiger Counter
Radioactive atomic nuclei produce high-energy particles of three different kinds:
α β γ
• α-particles are 4 He nuclei. 111111

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111111 amplifier
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111111
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111111
• β-particles are electrons or 000000
111111
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111111
000000
111111 loudspeaker
000000
111111
positrons. 000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
• γ-particles are high-energy 000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
photons. 000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
000000
111111
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111111
low−pressure 000000
111111
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111111
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111111
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111111
inert gas 000000
111111
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111111
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111111
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111111
• Free electrons produced by ionizing radiation are strongly accelerated toward the central wire.
• Collisions with gas atoms produce further free electrons, which are accelerated in the same
direction.
• An avalanche of electrons reaching the wire produces a current pulse in the circuit.
14/9/2015 [tsl123 – 9/13]

Intermediate Exam II: Problem #1 (Spring ’05)
The circuit of capacitors connected to a battery is at equilibrium.
(a) Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq .

(b) Find the voltage V3 across capacitor C3 .
(c) Find the the charge Q2 on capacitor C2 .
C3 = 3 µF
8V C1 = 1 µ F C2 = 2 µF
14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]


C3 = 3 µF
8V C1 = 1 µ F C2 = 2 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 = C1 + C2 = 3µF, Ceq = + = 1.5µF.
C12 C3
14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]


C3 = 3 µF
8V C1 = 1 µ F C2 = 2 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 = C1 + C2 = 3µF, Ceq = + = 1.5µF.
C12 C3
(b) Q3 = Q12 = Qeq = Ceq (8V) = 12µC
Q3 12µC
⇒ V3 = = = 4V.
C3 3µF
14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]


C3 = 3 µF
8V C1 = 1 µ F C2 = 2 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 = C1 + C2 = 3µF, Ceq = + = 1.5µF.
C12 C3
(b) Q3 = Q12 = Qeq = Ceq (8V) = 12µC
Q3 12µC
⇒ V3 = = = 4V.
C3 3µF
(c) Q2 = V2 C2 = 8µC.
14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]

Unit Exam II: Problem #1 (Spring ’07)
Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.
(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

(b) Find the voltage V4 across capacitor C4 . C1 = 2 µ F C 2 = 2µ F
(c) Find the voltage V2 across capacitor C2 .
(d) Find the charge Q1 on capacitor C1 .
6V
C 3 = 3µ F
C4 = 5 µ F
14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]


6V
Solution:
C 3 = 3µ F
1
(a) U3 = (3µF)(6V)2 = 54µJ.
2
C4 = 5 µ F
14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]


6V
Solution:
C 3 = 3µ F
1
(a) U3 = (3µF)(6V)2 = 54µJ.
2
(b) V4 = 6V. C4 = 5 µ F
14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]


6V
Solution:
C 3 = 3µ F
1
(a) U3 = (3µF)(6V)2 = 54µJ.
2
(b) V4 = 6V. C4 = 5 µ F
1
(c) V2 = 6V = 3V.
2
14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]


6V
Solution:
C 3 = 3µ F
1
(a) U3 = (3µF)(6V)2 = 54µJ.
2
(b) V4 = 6V. C4 = 5 µ F
1
(c) V2 = 6V = 3V.
2
(d) Q1 = (2µF)(3V) = 6µC.
14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

The circuit of capacitors is at equilibrium.

(a) Find the charge Q1 on capacitor 1 and the charge Q2 on capacitor 2.
(b) Find the voltage V1 across capacitor 1 and the voltage V2 across capacitor 2.
(c) Find the charge Q3 and the energy U3 on capacitor 3.
C 3 = 5 µF
C 1 = 6µ F C 2 = 12µ F
12V
14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]


C 3 = 5 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 =
6µF
+
12µF
= 4µF, C 1 = 6µ F C 2 = 12µ F
Q1 = Q2 = Q12 = (4µF)(12V) = 48µC.
12V
14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]


C 3 = 5 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 =
6µF
+
12µF
= 4µF, C 1 = 6µ F C 2 = 12µ F
Q1 = Q2 = Q12 = (4µF)(12V) = 48µC.
Q1 48µC
(b) V1 = = = 8V, 12V
C1 6µF
Q2 48µC
V2 = = = 4V.
C2 12µF
14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]


C 3 = 5 µF
Solution:
„ «−1
1 1
(a) C12 =
6µF
+
12µF
= 4µF, C 1 = 6µ F C 2 = 12µ F
Q1 = Q2 = Q12 = (4µF)(12V) = 48µC.
Q1 48µC
(b) V1 = = = 8V, 12V
C1 6µF
Q2 48µC
V2 = = = 4V.
C2 12µF
(c) Q3 = (5µF)(12V) = 60µC,
1
U3 = (5µF)(12V)2 = 360µJ.
2
14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]

Consider a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C = 6pF with plates separated a distance

d = 1mm and a potential difference V = V+ − V− = 3V between them.
(a) Find the magnitude E of the electric field between the plates.
(b) Find the amount Q of charge on each plate.
(c) Find the energy U stored on the capacitor.
(d) Find the area A of each plate. +Q −Q
V+ V−
d
14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]


Solution:
V 3V V+
(a) E = = = 3000V/m. V−
d 1mm d
14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]


Solution:
V 3V V+
(a) E = = = 3000V/m. V−
d 1mm d
(b) Q = CV = (6pF)(3V) = 18pC.
14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]


Solution:
V 3V V+
(a) E = = = 3000V/m. V−
d 1mm d
(b) Q = CV = (6pF)(3V) = 18pC.
1
(c) U = QV = 0.5(18pC)(3V) = 27pJ.
2
14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]


Solution:
V 3V V+
(a) E = = = 3000V/m. V−
d 1mm d
(b) Q = CV = (6pF)(3V) = 18pC.
1
(c) U = QV = 0.5(18pC)(3V) = 27pJ.
2
Cd (6pF)(1mm) −4 2
(d) A = = = 6.78 × 10 m .
ǫ0 8.85 × 10−12 C2 N−1 m−2
14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]

Dielectric Capacitors

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Dielectric Capacitors

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Capacitor with Dielectric

• Physical separation of the conductors.

14/9/2015 [tsl124 – 1/13]

The polarization produces a bound charge on the surface of the dielectric.

• A: area of plates • ±qb : bound charge on surface of dielectric

14/9/2015 [tsl125 – 2/13]

14/9/2015 [tsl126 – 3/13]

• Dielectrics increase the capacitance: C/C0 = κ.

14/9/2015 [tsl138 – 4/13]

What happens when a dielectric is placed into a capacitor

14/9/2015 [tsl127 – 5/13]

What happens when a dielectric is placed into a capacitor

14/9/2015 [tsl128 – 6/13]

Consider a parallel-plate capacitor with area A of each plate and spacing d.

• Dielectrics stacked in parallel: C = C1 + C2

14/9/2015 [tsl129 – 7/13]

In configuration (a) any lateral motion of the dielectric takes place

In configuration (b) any lateral motion of the dielectric takes place

14/9/2015 [tsl130 – 8/13]

Radioactive atomic nuclei produce high-energy particles of three different kinds:

• α-particles are 4 He nuclei. 111111

14/9/2015 [tsl123 – 9/13]

The circuit of capacitors connected to a battery is at equilibrium.

(a) Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq .

14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]

The circuit of capacitors connected to a battery is at equilibrium.

(a) Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq .

14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]

The circuit of capacitors connected to a battery is at equilibrium.

(a) Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq .

14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]

The circuit of capacitors connected to a battery is at equilibrium.

(a) Find the equivalent capacitance Ceq .

14/9/2015 [tsl336 – 10/13]

Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.

(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.

(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.

(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.

(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

Consider the configuration of two point charges as shown.

(a) Find the energy U3 stored on capacitor C3 .

14/9/2015 [tsl362 – 11/13]

The circuit of capacitors is at equilibrium.

14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]

The circuit of capacitors is at equilibrium.

14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]

The circuit of capacitors is at equilibrium.

14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]

The circuit of capacitors is at equilibrium.

14/9/2015 [tsl377 – 12/13]

Consider a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C = 6pF with plates separated a distance

14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]

Consider a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C = 6pF with plates separated a distance

14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]

Consider a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C = 6pF with plates separated a distance

14/9/2015 [tsl428 – 13/13]