11.

3: Ls 1 capacitors research
Today’s lesson:
• Describing the effect of different dielectric materials on Homework:
capacitance
• Solving problems involving parallel-plate capacitors
• Investigating combinations of capacitors in series or
parallel circuits
• Determining the energy stored in a charged capacitor
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a Starter:
capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor What is
through a fixed resistor
• Solving problems involving the time constant of an RC
circuit for charge, voltage and current

Starter:
What is
• Describing the effect of different dielectric materials on capacitance

In pairs:
Today: research and summarise the questions on capacitors (20
minutes)

● what is a capacitor?
● how do they work
● what is the structure of it?
● What is the role of dielectric materials?
● How do different dielectric materials affect the
capacitance?
● How do we combine capacitors in series and parallel.
● What does charging a capacitor graph look like?
● Why does it give this shape? what are the corresponding
equations.
● What does discharging a capacitor graph look like?
● Why does it give this shape? what are the corresponding
equations.
● give some real life examples of uses of capacitors
these are electrical components which store charge

They are made up by two conducting plates with a thin

layer of insulating material between (called the dielectric).

two bits of foil represent the plates

the bin bag the dieletric

you can hear the sparks

The power supply removes electrons from one foil sheet

and at the same time adds electrons to the other. They
cannot move round the complete circuit because
polythene is an electrical insulator. Charge is stored on
the foil sheets in amounts + Q and – Q. Having opposite
charges, the foil sheets attract.
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Capacitors
Capacitors consist of two conducting surface separated by an insulating
layer called a dielectric. You can also have them with no dielectric and
air in between but we don’t deal with these in IB.
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Charging a capacitor
When switch is closed electrons flow from top plate into battery, and from battery onto bottom plate -
charge produces an electric field across the capacitor and a voltage across it (equal to the battery voltage)
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Capacitance
For a given capacitor the stored charge q (+q on one plate, -q on the other) is directly
proportional to the voltage across it V
The constant of proportionality is the capacitance C.

Q = CV
Units:
• charge is measured in coulombs
(C)
• voltage in volts, (V)
• capacitance is in farads (F)
• Describing the effect of different dielectric materials on capacitance

charging a capacitor
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

•
Charging a capacitor
Connect capacitor to battery
• Charge flows from battery onto plates
• It cannot pass the gap between them
• Charge collects on plates until pd
between them equals the EMF of
battery
• Capacitance is the ratio of the charge
on the plates to the pd between them:
C= Q
V
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Recap:
The charge on the capacitor produces an electric field with an electric field
strength E given by E = V/d
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Example question
The capacitance of two parallel plates
is 4.5 pF. Calculate the charge on
one plate when a voltage of 8.0 V is
applied to the plates.
c = q/V

q = CV
= 4.5 x 10-12 x 8.0
= 3.6 x 10-11 C
= 36 pC
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Capacitor dimensions
The capacitance of a capacitor is directly proportional to its surface
area A, and inversely proportional to the distance between its plates d.
Hence C α A
d
To equate it we give it a constant of proportionality which is the
permittivity ε of the dielectric

C=εA
d
Note: ε = εr ε0
Where εr is the permittivity of the dielectric , and ε0 is of free
space
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Capacitor dimensions

C =εA
d
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance
Permittivity of dielectric between the plates
Dielectric Relative permittivity

Vacuum 1
Air 1.0006
Polythene 2.3
Waxed paper 2.7
Mica 5.4
Glycerin 43
Pure water 80
Strontium titanate 310

• A dielectric is an insulator under the influence of an E field.

• Putting a dielectric material between the plates can increase the
capacitance
• This is because the dielectric has polar molecules which align with the
field.
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Dielectrics
• A molecule/atom can be regarded as a collection of atomic nuclei,
positively charged, and surrounded by a cloud of negative electrons.

• When the molecule is in an electric field, the nuclei are urged in the
direction of the field, and the electrons in the opposite direction. The
molecule is said to be polarized.
• Describing the
Describing theeffect
effectofof
different
different
dielectric
dielectric
materials
materials
on capacitance
on capacitance

Dielectrics
• When a dielectric is in a charged
capacitor, charges appear as
shown below. These charges are
of opposite sign to the charges on
the plates.

• The charges reduce the electric

field strength E between the
plates. The potential difference
between the plates is also
reduced as E = V/d. From C =
Q/V, it follows that C is increased.
•• Solving problems
Describing involving
the effectparallel-plate
of different capacitors
dielectric materials on capacitance
• Investigating combinations of capacitors in series or parallel circuits

Capacitors in parallel
Consider a voltage V applied
across two capacitors.
The charge on each is;

Q1 = VC1, Q2 = VC2
If the two capacitors are replaced with a single capacitor Cp which has a similar
effect as the pair, then charge stored on Cp

Q p= Q 1 + Q 2
C p V = C 1V + C 2V
Cp = C 1 + C 2
•• Solving problemsthe
Describing involving parallel-plate
effect capacitors
of different dielectric materials on capacitance

Capacitors in series
• Investigating combinations of capacitors in series or parallel circuits

Consider a voltage V applied across 2

capacitors in series. The only charge that can be
applied to the lower plate of C1 is that supplied
by the upper plate of C2. Therefore the charge
on each capacitor must be identical. Let this be
Q, and therefore if a single capacitor C has the
same effect as the pair, then;
•• Determining
Describingthe
theenergy
effectstored in a charged
of different capacitor
dielectric materials on capacitance
•
Energy stored in a charged capacitor
• To move a charge Q through a potential difference V requires an
amount of energy QV
• As we charge up a capacitor we repeatedly add small amounts of
charge ∆Q by moving them through a voltage equal to the voltage on
the capacitor
• Since Q = CV, it follows that ∆Q = C∆V, so the energy needed E is
given by
•• Determining
Describingthe
theenergy
effectstored in a charged
of different capacitor
dielectric materials on capacitance
•
Energy stored in a charged capacitor
•• Determining
Describingthe
theenergy
effectstored in a charged
of different capacitor
dielectric materials on capacitance
•
Energy stored in a charged capacitor
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Discharging capacitor equations
 11.3 capacitors -ls 2 charging and discharging

Todays lesson:
• Describing the effect of different dielectric materials on Starter:
capacitance What is
• Solving problems involving parallel-plate capacitors
• Investigating combinations of capacitors in series or
parallel circuits
• Determining the energy stored in a charged capacitor
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of
a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a
capacitor through a fixed resistor
• Solving problems involving the time constant of an
RC circuit for charge, voltage and current
Homework:

Big Question: How are capacitors used to store electrical

energy for later use.
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Charging a capacitor
• To charge a capacitor we connect it to a battery in a circuit.

• When the switch is closed, current will flow as charge moves onto the plates of
the capacitor.

• This happens over time and not instantly.

• So when the switch is first closed there is NO charge on the capacitor. ε= VR = IR

• As the charge flows onto the plates the pd of the capacitor increases. ε= VR + Vc
This uses
• this means that there is a smaller pd across the resistor so the current must be
less.
Kirchhoff's second
law: sum of emf =
• As the charge on the capacitor increases, the current becomes less until ε= Vc so sum of pd
VR = 0 so no current flows.
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Charging a capacitor graphs
As the switch is closed in the circuit above,
the potential difference across the capacitor
will initially be zero.

The charge stored on it will also be zero

and the current that flows in the circuit will
be at its maximum value.

In your tables: can you explain the shape of

the graphs for:
Voltage:

Current:
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•

Voltage:
● Initially there is no voltage on the capacitor and it starts to charge up.
● As charge builds up on the capacitor there is some voltage across the capacitor which
“pushes” against the voltage of the supply so the rate of charging gets slower.
● Rate of charging decreases but capacitor eventually reaches supply voltage.

Current:
● The current is maximum at the beginning as there is no charge on the capacitor and current
= supply voltage/ resistance.
● As the charge builds upon the capacitor the voltage of the capacitor acts against the supply
voltage so the current gets smaller until it reaches zero when the capacitor is fully charged.
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Charging a capacitor graphs
What about charge:
• When first switched on (closed)
the charge on capacitor = 0

• As current is a maximum at
beginning we know charge will
increase rapidly.

• As time progresses the rate at

which charge increases gets
less and less till it approaches
the maximum value.
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Discharging a capacitor.
After a capacitor is charged it can be disconnected. The charge is
stored in the capacitor, until a device is connected across the
terminals for example a resistor.

The rate of discharge is proportional to the amount of charge left.

This means that these functions are exponential. (similar to
radioactive decay laws)
•• Describing
Describing the
thenature
natureof the exponential
of the discharge
exponential of a capacitor
discharge of a capacitor
• Solving problems involving the discharge of a capacitor through a fixed resistor
•
Discharging a capacitor.
The rate at which capacitors charge or
discharge depends on the capacitance and
the resistance. The value RC is known as
the time constant and is represented by the
symbol τ.

τ = RC
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

• τ is the time constant. If τ has a large value

The time constant
the charging is slow.

• We can see that if the resistance in the

circuit is large then the initial current will be
small so it will take a long time for the
capacitor to reach full charge.

• Also, if the value of the capacitance is high

then it will require a lot of charge to be
transferred to the plates before the pd
equals the battery emf.
• In fact τ = RC which means that resistance ×
capacitance has the same units as time.
τ = RC
The greater the value of CR, the
more slowly the charge is stored.
Half-life: The half-life is the time taken
for the charge in a capacitor to decay to
half of its initial value.
T1/2 = CR ln 2
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

• Q = Q0 e(-t/𝛕) Deriving the half life

• Q0 =Q0 e(-t(½) /𝛕) formula
2 The greater the value of CR, the
more slowly the charge is stored.
• Q0 = 2 Q0 e(-t(½) /𝛕)

● 1 = 2 e(-t(½) /𝛕) Half-life: The half-life is the time taken

for the charge in a capacitor to decay to
half of its initial value.
● ln 1 = ln2 - (t(½) /𝛕) (ln 1 = 0)
T1/2 = CR ln 2

● t(½) /𝛕 = ln 2

● t(½) = 𝛕 ln 2

● t(½) = CR ln 2
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

As time steps forward in equal

intervals, 𝛕 (called the time
constant), the charge drops
by the same proportion each
time.

It turns out that each for interval

𝛕, the charge or current drops to
about 0.37 (37%) of its initial
value.
• Describing the
Describing thenature
natureofof
the exponential
the discharge
exponential of a of
discharge capacitor
a capacitor
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

1. A 4000 mF capacitor is charged through a 2.5 kW resistor using a 15 V supply.

Calculate:
(a) the potential difference across the plates after 5s
(b) the time taken for the potential difference across the plates to reach 10 V

2. A 2000 mF capacitor is charged through a 1 kW resistor using a 6 V supply.

Calculate:
(a) the charging current after 2.5s
(b) the charge on the plates after 2.5 s
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor
1. A 4000 mF capacitor is charged through a 2.5 kW resistor using a 15 V
supply.
Calculate:
(a) the potential difference across the plates after 5s
(b) the time taken for the potential difference across the plates to reach 10 V

(a) V = Vo[1 – e-t/RC] = 15[1 – e-5/(2500x0.004)] = 5.9 V

(b) 10/15 = 1 – e-t/RC and so e-t/RC = 0.33

therefore t/RC = 1.099 This gives: t = 1.0986x2500x0.004 = 11 s

• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

2. A 2000 mF capacitor is charged through a 1 kW resistor

using a 6 V supply.
Calculate:
(a) the charging current after 2.5s
(b) the charge on the plates after 2.5 s

(a) Initial charging current (Io) = V/R = 6/1000 = 6 mA

Current after 2.5 s = Ioe-t/RC = 6x10-3xe-(2.5/1000x0.002) = 6x10-3 x 0.287
= 1.7 mA

(b) Q = Qo [1 - e-t/RC]
Final charge (Qo) = CV = 0.002x6 = 0.012 C
Charge after 2.5 s = 0.012[1 - 0.287] = 0.012x0.713 = 0.0086 C
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

Applications (for interest only)

• The capacitance is varied by altering the
overlap between a fixed set of metal plates
and a moving set. These are used to tune
radio receiver.
• Press the key on a computer keyboard
reduce the capacitor spacing thus
increasing the capacitance which can be
detected electronically.
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

Applications (for interest only)

• Condenser microphone
– sound pressure changes the
spacing between a thin
metallic membrane and the
stationary back plate. The
plates are charged to a total
charge
– A change in plate spacing will
cause a change in charge Q
and force a current through
resistance R. This current
"images" the sound pressure,
making this a "pressure"
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

Applications (for interest only)

• Electronic flash on a camera
– The battery charges up the
flash’s capacitor over several
seconds, and then the capacitor
dumps the full charge into the
flash tube almost instantly.
– A high voltage pulse is generated
across the flash tube.
– The capacitor discharges
through gas in the the flash tube
• Describing the nature of the exponential discharge of a capacitor

activities
• Completes notes
• 11.3 questions
• Rewatch the videos
charging capacitor animation
charging video
discharging video
• Have a go at the phet simulation
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/capacitor-lab