EXCEL REVIEW CENTER ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Electrostatic/Capacitance

Electrostatics/Capacitance Capacitance is the ability of a body to hold an electrical Ψ - electric flux in Coulombs n – the number of plates
Electrostatics is the branch of science that deals with charge. A - area in sq. meters CAPACITANCE of several PARALLEL PLATES
the phenomena and properties of stationary or slow- CAPACITOR with DIFFERENT DIELECTRIC
moving (without acceleration ) electric charges. ELECTRIC INTENSITY: E CAPACITANCE: C MATERIAL and THICKNESS of INSULATION:
(Wikipedia) or (Field Intensity)
 is the property of the capacitor which delays any
change of voltage across it. εo  A
LAWS OF ELECTROSTATICS: C=
Q εr1 εr2 εr3 d1 d 2 d 3
Q C=  
Like charges repel each other, unlike charges attract E E  9  109 C – capacitance in Farad V ε r1 ε r2 ε r3
each other. The force exerted between two charges is εr  d 2 Q – charge in Coulombs d1 d2 d3
+Q
directly proportional to the product of their strengths and V – voltage in Volts
is inversely proportional to the square of the distance d
between the two charges.
ELASTANCE: S
COULOMB’S LAW:
The fundamental equation of electrostatics is Coulomb's  the reciprocal of capacitance PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS
law, which describes the force between two point E - Electric Intensity in Newton/Coulomb INSULATING
charges. The magnitude of the electrostatic force Q – charge in Coulombs V S – elastance in Daraf (DIELECTRIC) MATERIALS
S= Q – charge in Coulombs
between two point electric charges Q1 and Q2 is directly d – distance in meters Q Vacuum 1
proportional to the product of the magnitudes of each V – voltage in Volts Air 1.0006
charge and inversely proportional to the surface area of a Asbestos 2
sphere whose radius is equal to the distance between the POTENTIAL AT A Q Bakelite 5
V  9  10 9
charges: (Wikipedia) POINT: V εr  d CAPACITANCE OF TWO PARALLEL PLATE Cellulose film 5.8
CAPACITOR: Marble 7
Q1  Q 2 Q1  Q 2 V – potential at a point Mica 6
F=k  9  10 9 in volts
d2 d2 εo  εr  A Paper (Dry) 2.2
Q – charge in Coulombs C= Paper (Treated) 3.2
d – distance in meters d d
1 V Glass 6
k=  9 x 109 Porcelain 5.7
4π  ε o  ε r
ELECTRIC FIELD OUTSIDE AN ISOLATED Pressboard 6.2
SPHERE IN FREE SPACE: E Quartz, fused 3.5
F – force in Newton Rubber 2.6
Q1, Q2 – respective charges on the particles in 9 Q C – capacitance in Farad
E – electric field outside an E = 9·10 2 Silica, fused 3.6
Coulombs A – area of each plate sq. meters
isolated sphere in free space d Water 70
ε o - absolute permittivity in volts/meter
d - thickness of the dielectric material in meters
Wax, paraffin 2.2
εo = 8.854·10-12 Farad/meter Q – the total charge in Coulombs
d – the distance from the center of an isolated sphere
εr - relative permittivity or dielectric constant
located in free space in meters.
CAPACITANCE OF “n” PARALLEL PLATES Major Types of Capacitors:
1 Electrolytics
εr =1 - free space CAPACITOR with the same DIELECTRIC
MATERIAL and thickness of INSULATION: 2 Dielectrics
d - distance between the charged particles in meters 3 Plastic film types
ELECTRIC FLUX
In CGS: DENSITY: D εo  εr  A 4 Metallized plastic types
εr εr εr C = (n  1) 5 Glass and ceramics
F – force in Dyne d
Q1, Q2 – respective charges on the particles in D 
Ψ D  εo  εr  E 6 Mica and mica/paper types
Statcoulomb A d d d 7 Air/vacuum types
d - distance between the charged particles in C – capacitance in Farad
centimeters D - electric flux density in Coulombs /sq. meter

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 EXCEL REVIEW CENTER ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Electrostatic/Capacitance

CAPACITANCE OF AN Example6: Calculate the electric field E in air at a Example13: The series combination of two
ISOLATED SPHERE: 2 Q 2 distance of 30 cm from a point charge capacitors is connected to a voltage source of 1000
W = ½ C·V = ½ = ½V·Q Q1=5.0x10-9 C. volts. If C1= 3pF and C2= 6pF, calculate (a) its
C
C = 4π · εo · εr · r (Ans. ________ ) equivalent capacitance Ceq (b) the charges on each
εr + + +Q
W – stored energy in (Joules) capacitors: Q1, Q2 (c) the voltage across each
+
r
+ Example7:. Two spheres having charges of
+ + C – capacitance in (Farads) capacitors: V1, V2 (d) the energy stored in each
+ Q1=5C and Q2=3C are placed 20cm apart. The
V – voltage across a capacitor in (Volts) capacitor: W1, W2.
Q – charge in (Coulombs) spheres are made to touch each other and then
(Ans. ________ )
again separated at a distance of 30cm. Calculate
the force after this condition. Example14: The parallel combination of two
(Ans. ________ )
Example1: Calculate the force between two capacitors is connected across a voltage source of
CAPACITANCE OF A charged particles placed 10-13 Example8: Two positive point charges of
120 volts. If C1=2pF and C2=6pF, calculate (a) its
SPHERICAL CAPACITOR: 3 5 10-19 C. Q1=12x10-10C and Q2=8x10-10C are placed 10 cm equivalent capacitance: Ceq (b) its equivalent
(Ans. ________ ) apart. Find the work done in bringing the two elastance: St.
- - - r1  r2 charges 4 cm closer. (Ans. ________ )
εr + C = 4π·εo·εr· Example2: Two identical charge particles
- +
+Q
+ - r2  r1 (Ans. ________ )
r1
+
1.5 meters apart placed under water experience a Example15 Two capacitors 3F and 4F are
+
r2
-
- force of 2 Newton. If the dielectric constant of Example9: A capacitor consists of 15 aluminum individually charged across a dc voltage source of
water is 80, calculate each charge. sheets connected in parallel separated by plates of 6.0 volts. After being disconnected from the dc
(Ans. ________ ) glass in between having dielectric constant of 6 source, the capacitors are connected with the
and a thickness of 2 mm. If the area of each sheet negative plate of one end attached to the positive
Example3: Q1 and Q2 are placed 50 cm apart in an is 5 cm by 10 cm, calculate the charge on the plate of the other. Calculate the final charge on
x-axis. In between the two charges another charge capacitor when 24 volts is applied to it. each capacitor.
CAPACITANCE OF COAXIAL CABLE:
Q3 is placed 20cm from Q1. If Q1= 3C, Q2= 8C (Ans. ________ ) (Ans. ________ )
2π  ε o  ε r and Q3=-5C, calculate the net force on Q3.
r1 C= (Farad/meter) (Ans. ________ ) Example10: Two metallic plates separated by Example16: Two capacitors are connected in
r
r2 ln 2 1-cm are connected across a 12-V battery. A series and the series combination is connected in
r1 certain plastic material is inserted completely
Example4: Three point charges are placed at the parallel with a third capacitor. If the three
corners of an equilateral triangle as shown. filling the space between the plates and the charge v u , 150μF, w
Calculate the resultant force exerted on the charge on each plate is observed to double. What is the is the total capacitance?
3Q w Q = 2μC dielectric constant of the plastic material? (Ans. ________ )
(Ans. ________ ) (Ans. ________ )
CAPACITORS IN SERIES:
Example11. An isolated charge sphere having a Example17: A length of a co-axial cable is 300
1 1 1 1 Example5: Two charges are placed 40 cm apart radius of 0.1cm is place in a medium having a km long. Its conductor has a diameter of 0.5cm
= + +…
C T C1 C 2 Cn on the x-axis. Q1=3C is placed at 0 while dielectric of 2.2. Determine its capacitance. and its insulation covering is 0.4cm thick.
Q2= 5C is at 40cm. Calculate the distance from (Ans. ________ ) Calculate the capacitance of the cable if the
Q1 a new negatively charge Q3 be placed if the insulation covering has a relative permittivity of
CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL: force on it is zero. Example12: Two conductors having a diameter 4.5.
(Ans. ________ ) each of 1.5-cm are placed 45-cm apart from each
CT = C1 + C2 + … Cn other. What is the capacitance of the line in Farad
per meter.
ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR: (Ans. ________ )

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 EXCEL REVIEW CENTER ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Electrostatic/Capacitance

Problems to Solve its relative permittivity is 2.5. Problem15. Determine the energy stored in a 3μF Problem21. Three point charges are located at the
A. 0.62 mm B. 0.4 mm * capacitor when charged to 400 V. Find also the corners of a square of side L equal to 30cm. The
Problem1. D n v 4μF
C. 1.2 mm D. 0.95 mm average power developed if this energy is charge Q1 of -4C is at (0,0), charge Q2 of 8C is
capacitor when charged with 5mC.
A. 2.25 kV B. 6.55 kV dissipated in a time of 10μs. at (L,0), charge Q3 of -5C is at (L,L), Calculate
Problem8. A parallel plate capacitor has nineteen A. 26 kW B. 32 kW the electric field strength at (L,0)
C. 3.25 kV D. 1.25 kV *
interleaved plates each 75mm by 75mm separated C. 24 kW * D. 29 kW A. 2.45N B. 0.79N
Problem2.Two identical charges are place 1.5 by mica sheets 0.2mm thick. Assuming the relative C. 1.48N * D. 1.95N
meters apart. If the force on each charge is about 2 permittivity of the mica is 5, calculate the Problem16. A 12μF capacitor is required to store
Newton, calculate how large is the charge of each? capacitance of the capacitor. 4J of energy. Find the voltage to which the Problem23. Three point charges are placed at the
A. 4x10-6C B. 7x10-9C A. 22.4 nF * B. 22.4 nF capacitor must be charged. corners of an equilateral triangle. The charge Q1 of
-9
C. 5x10 C D. 2x10-5C * C. 22.4 nF D. 22.4 nF A. 726.8 V B. 527.3 V 2C is at (0,0), charge Q2 of 3C is at (20,0), and
Problem10. Calculate the equivalent capacitance C. 941.5 V D. 816.5 V * charge Q3 of 4C is placed at the 1st quadrant.
Problem3. A direct current of 4A flows into a of two capacitors of 6μF and 4μF connected in Calculate the force on Q3.
previously uncharged 20μF capacitor for 3ms. parallel. Problem17. A capacitor has a capacitance of 8F A. 3.9 N * B. 2.5 N
Determine the voltage between the plates. A. 15 μ F B. 21 μ F with air between its plates. Determine its C. 4.2 N D. 3.1 N
A. 220 V B. 600 V * C. 10 μ F * D. 9 μ F capacitance when a dielectric of value 6 is placed
C. 410 V D. 650 V between its plates. Problem24. Determine the electric field strength E
Problem11. Calculate the equivalent capacitance A. 31F B. 48F * at a distance 30cm away from a point charge of
Problem4.Two parallel rectangular plates of two capacitors of 6μF and 4μF connected in C. 59F D. 72F 5nF.
measuring 20cm by 40cm carry an electric charge series. A. 0.62 kN/C B. 0.36 kN/C
of 0.2μC. Calculate the electric flux density. A. 2.4 μF * B. 1.9 μF Problem18. The potential difference between C. 0.49 kN/C D. 0.50 kN/C *
A. 2.5 μC/m2* B. 3.5 μC/m3 C. 3.2 μF D. 2.6 μF metal plates is 120 volts. If the distance between
5
C. 6.5 μC/m D. 2.7 μC/m2 theses plates is 3.0mm, calculate the electric field Problem25. In a concentric cable capacitor the
Problem12.What capacitance must be connected between them. diameters of the inner and outer cylinders are 3
Problem5.The flux density between two plates in series with a 30μF capacitor for the equivalent A. 31kV/m B. 40kV/m * and 10 mm respectivelv. If the relative permittivity
separated by mica of relative permittivity 5 is capacitance to be 12μF? C. 64kV/m D. 42kV/m for insulation is 3 find its capacitance per metre.
2μ C/m2 . Find the voltage gradient between the A. 42 μF B. 20 μF * A. 241.7pF B. 138.8pF *
plates. C. 36 μF D. 29 μF C. 337.1pF D. 291.5pF
A. 15.7 kV/m B. 47.1 kV/m Problem19. A charge Q1of 0.20C is 30cm from
C. 45.2 kV/m * D. 32.9 kV/m Problem13.Capacitances of 1μF, 3μF, 5μF and another charge Q2 of 3.0F in vacuum. Calculate
6μF are connected in parallel to a direct voltage the work needed to bring Q1 18 cm closer to Q2. Problem26. The conductors of a two-wire
Problem6. A ceramic capacitor has an effective supply of 100V. Determine the total charge. A. 0.132J B. 0.232J transmission line (4 km long) are spaced 45cm
plate area of 4cm 2 separated by 0.1mm of ceramic A. 0.3 mC B. 2.1 mC C. 0.079J D. 0.027J * between centre. If each conductor has a diameter
of relative permittivity 100. Calculate the C. 1.5 mC * D. 1.3 mC of 1.5 cm, calculate the capacitance of the line.
capacitance of the capacitor in picofarads. A. 31.6 nF B. 27.2 nF *
Problem20. A charge Q1 of 2.0F is place at
A. 5340 pF B. 4760 pF Problem14. Capacitances of 3μF, 6μF and 12μF C. 25.3 nF D. 34.9 nF
point (0,0) while a second charge Q2 is place at
C. 2580 pF D. 3540 pF * are connected in series across a 350 V supply. point (100,0) cm. Determine at what point in the
Calculate the voltage across capacitor 1. positive x-axis will the absolute potential be zero END
Problem7. A waxed paper capacitor has two A. 120 V B. 210 V A. 63cm B. 40cm *
parallel plates, each of effective area 800cm2. If C. 350 V D. 200 V * C. 50cm D. 32cm
the capacitance of the capacitor is 4425pF,
determine the effective thickness of the paper if

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