1-30 Electrostatics

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL -PHYSICAL MEANING

Every field is associated with a potential.(The potential associated

with an electric field is called electric potentiaL.It is a scalar quantity.
The electric field at a point is the negatlve gradient of the electric
potentlal at that poin?If we bring a charge q to a point of potential V,the
work done is qV.This is the potential energy associated with the charge at
that position.

ELECTRIC POTENTLAL AT A POINT

Electric potential at a point is defined as the work done in taking a unit

positive charge from infinity to that point.Its unit is JC-1.

.Here the field E and the displacement dx are in

∴
opposite directions,hence the negative sign.When positive charge is taken,
work done is positive and potential V is positive and when negative charge
is taken,work done is negative and potential V is negative.

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

Potential difference between two points in an electric field is defined as

the work done in taking a unit positive charge from one point to the
other against the electric field.Its unit is JC-1 or volt.

DEFINITION OF VOLT

Potential difference between two points is volt if a work of,1 Joule is

done in taling.1.Coulomg charge from one poirt to another against the
electric field,

SQ34]Nothing happeris to a bird siting on a high power line,but a man standing on the
ground touching the same line gets a fatal shock.Why?
Ans:No current fows through the body of the bird since there is no potential difference
between its legs.But there is a potential difference between the man and the ground if
he touches the same line.So he gets the shock.
SQ35)Name the physical quantity whose S.I,unit is JC -1.Is it a scalar or
vedor quantity?
Ans:Volt.It is a scalar as volt corresponds to work done or energy.
1-30 Electrostatics

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL -PHYSICAL MEANING

Every field is associated with a potential.(The potential associated

with an electric field is called electric potentiaL.It is a scalar quantity.
The electric field at a point is the negatlve gradient of the electric
potentlal at that poin?If we bring a charge q to a point of potential V,the
work done is qV.This is the potential energy associated with the charge at
that position.

ELECTRIC POTENTLAL AT A POINT

Electric potential at a point is defined as the work done in taking a unit

positive charge from infinity to that point.Its unit is JC-1.

.Here the field E and the displacement dx are in

∴
opposite directions,hence the negative sign.When positive charge is taken,
work done is positive and potential V is positive and when negative charge
is taken,work done is negative and potential V is negative.

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

Potential difference between two points in an electric field is defined as

the work done in taking a unit positive charge from one point to the
other against the electric field.Its unit is JC-1 or volt.

DEFINITION OF VOLT

Potential difference between two points is volt if a work of,1 Joule is

done in taling.1.Coulomg charge from one poirt to another against the
electric field,

SQ34]Nothing happeris to a bird siting on a high power line,but a man standing on the
ground touching the same line gets a fatal shock.Why?
Ans:No current fows through the body of the bird since there is no potential difference
between its legs.But there is a potential difference between the man and the ground if
he touches the same line.So he gets the shock.
SQ35)Name the physical quantity whose S.I,unit is JC -1.Is it a scalar or
vedor quantity?
Ans:Volt.It is a scalar as volt corresponds to work done or energy.
 1.Develop the concepts of potential difference
and electric potential.State and define their SI units.
Potential difference.As shown in
Fig.2.1,consider a point charge +q located at a point
O.Let Aand Bbe two points in its electric field.When
a test charge qo is moved from A to B,a work WAg
has to be done in moving against the repulsive
force exerted by the

Fig.2.1 To define potential difference.

(2.

charge +q.We then calculate the potential

difference between points A and Bby the equation:

…(2.1)

So the potential difference between two points in an

electric field may be defined as the amount of work done
in moving a unit positive charge from one point to the
other against the electrostatic forces.
In the above definition,we have assumed that the
test charge is so small that it does not disturb the
distribution of the source charge.Secondly,we just
apply so much external force on the test charge that
it just balances the repulsive electric force on it and
hence does not produce any acceleration in it.
SI unit of potential difference is volt (V).It has been
named after the Italian scientist Alessandro Volta.

Or 1V=1NmC-1=1JC-1
Hence the potential difference between two points
in an electric field is said to be 1 volt if1 joule of work has
to be done in moving a positive charge of 1 coulomb from
one point to the other against the electrostatic forces.
 Electrostatics 1-31

Relation between Electric Field and Potential

1)Differential Rorm

Fig.1.11

Consider +q charge placed at 0.A and B are two points separated by

a small distance dx.,Let E be the fie ld at.A.Work has to be done to take
unit positive charge (test charge)from A to B against the force of repulsion. ·
F·

Now the work done .-R dx.(The minus sign is due to opposite
nature of E and dx).This work done is the potential difference dV between A
and B.

dv --E dx;∴ .The unit of electric field,Vm-1 follows from

this.The negative sign indicates that the potentlal decreases in the
direction of electric fleld.

Thus the electrle fleld is equal to the negative gradient of

potentlal.,In the three dimensional case, --VV.This is the relation
between E and V in the differential form.
2)Integral Form

We have dV=-E dx,

Integrating,we get

.This is the relation between

E and V in the integral form.Thus poteritlal dUfference between A and B ts
the negative tine tntegral of electrle fleld along the pathA to B.

8036)The electric field is zero at a point midway between two.equal like

charges.What is the potential af that point?
Ans:The potential is twica the vahue of potential dye to a stngle charge at that point.
S037Can eledric potential at any point in space be zero while intensity of electric
field at that point is not zero?
Ans:At the centre of a dipole there is a field but potential wil be zero.
8038)What are the potentials at inyinite distance due to(a)positfive,charge and
(b)negative
Ans:In both the cases the potentials at infinite distance are taken zero.
品
 1-32 .Electrostatics

Elertrie potential due to a point charge

Consider a charge +q placed at O.

A and B are two points at distances x
and x+dx from the point O as in the figure.
Fig.1.12

The electrie feld atA is given!y

Potential difference between A and B is dY.--Edx dx

The negative sign indicates that the work is done against the electrio
feld.Potenttal at the point P ts the total work done tn taking the
untt posttive charge from infinlty to that point

This is the potential due to the tq charge.

Potential due to-q charge is obtained by taking-q instead of +q,

In the case of postttve charge mintmum potentlat ts zero and t ts

when r is infinity.But tn the ca se of negative charge
maimum potentlal is serg and tt ts when r ts tnfintty.
SQ₃ 9) How wll the presence ofa negattve charge afect the potential at a
point? Ans:The potential decreases at that point.
8Q40)Erplain the "action of points".Oive an important applicatlon of this.

Aner Thiet of a pointed end has wery small radius of aungtreR But
.te,B
will be very large near the pointed end.This is made use in,ightening arresters.
SQ41)Is electrostatic potential necessarily zero at point where electric field strength
is zero.Nlustrate your answer.
Ans:The electrostatie potental is not necessarly zero tuhen the electric fteld strength
is zero,e.g,Inside a charged condudting hollow sphere there is a value for the
potential inside the spherioal shell even though the field is zero.
 Electrostatics 1-33
-6 /6
Problem.26:A charge 20 uC produces an electric field.Two points are 10cm
and 5cm away from this oharge.Find the values of the .potentials at these
poi‫ﻡ‬ta ٠

Ans:q=20×10-⁶C,
potental,

Potential at the point 10cm from the charge=9×10°×20X¹0-18×10*v

Potential at the point 5cm from the charge-9×10⁹×20×19~-36×10v
» 7 ' +& ‫ ﮮ‬٠
Problem 27:Two electric charges 3 μC and 5pCare located·20cm apart in a
medium of dielectric constant 1 and calculate the potential midway between
them?

Ans:q₁-3x10-⁶C,
q2=5×10-⁶C,
r=20×10-²m,
E=1
 Electrostatics 1-;

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A DIPOLE

C consider an electic dipole with charges vq

and -4 separated by.a dtstance.2a. let P be a point
at a ’dtstance r from the centre’O of the dipole.
OP makes an ange l with the dipole AB as shown
in fgurе. Ьест-АР апага- ВРЛ

Мес роЕепйяЛ аЕРаие о сИрое,

гАРшСРтОРчОС-гчд совО
гг т ВР а ОРе ОР -ОР -г-а созО .

(:R

Свве1: PotenHal along the axiaI Нпе. Моч О О,совО совО -1.

(when ac<r, a is

neglected) TIиs the potendal ofa dlpole,

саве2: Potenlal along the equatorlal Hne. Now 0 - 90*, совО - сов9О - О .

:
· , We ве!, .. V а О

Thus electllc potenttal due to an electrle dlpole ls reгo along thе

equatorial line of dlpole.
 9:
444
Jt

K(9 Q
<a→Q +9
1-36 Electrostatics

Consider two points separated by a distance 'd'within a uniform electric

field.When unit charge is taken between these"two points,work done
=forcexdistance.i.e.Fxd(:Force on unit charge is the field E):
If V,volt is the potential difference beiween the points,work done -V

∴V=E×4 or 。

To show that
Consider two points having a potential difference of V,volts.Work done
in taking a charge q between the two points will be qy:

When a particle of mass m and charge q is allowed to accelerate

from rest under this potential difference,the particle will acquire a
。

According to the work energy theorem,workdone -change in K.E …

Electron volt (eV)

Electron volt leV)is the energy acquired by an electron when it is

accelerated through a potential dljference of I olt.
1 eV=qV,=charge of an electronx1 volt

-1.602×1019C×1Vott-1.602×10~!Joule
i.e.IeV1.602×1019 Joule

SQ42)What is the work done in taking a charge from one point to another along
the equatorial line of a dipole?
Ans:As a potential along the equatorial lne is zero,no work is required to take a
charge from one point to another
SQ43)Is there any point on the axial line of a dipole where the potential is zerg?
Ans:At the midpoint of dipole the potential will be zero.The potential is also zero along
the axial line at infinite distance.
S044)A charge is taken from the nearby point of a dipole round the trip
back.to.the same point.What is work done?
Ans:As the electostatic force is a conservative one,the wok done for a round rp
is
zerp.
PoiENTIAl DUE TO A SYSEM QF CHARAES
Q)

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立
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 Electrostatics I-37

ectre Potential due to a System of Charges)

FotentialM)due to a system of charges qu,q₂,q₃,……,qn at a point P
is the sum of potentials due to the individual charges qu,q₂,q₃,……,qn at
the
point P

where rn;rz,3
in stoh euny P
Ejuipotential Surface ‫ ﺏ‬Same Pa{ ict
EA surface on which every point has the same potential is
called equipotential surface.The electric field is always perpendicular
to the equipotential surface.For moving a charge on an equipotential
surface,no work is required.)

Examples: vxry vuy ioP²

Equipotential Equipotential
surface
surfa
(a)
(b)
Fig.1.14

LA spherical surface with a charge at the centre is an example of.

equipotential.surface.Fig.(a)
r in the case of uniform field,the equipotential surfaces are parallel
planes perpendicular to the lines of force.Fig.(b)

S04s The clectrie feld near the suface of earth is about 100 Vm'1.Yet we dont
get any shock.Why?
Ans:Our body and the earth's surface are situated on an equipotential
surface.So there is no p.d and hence no shock:
SQ46)A small positive charge is placed at a null point lwhere electric field is zero),in
an electrostatic field.Predict the niature of equilibrium.
Ans:The equlibrium is unstable.If the charge is displaced from the null point,it wil
move in the direction of field.
SQ47 What is the equipotential surjace'of a dipole?
Ans:tis the plane normal to the length of dipole and passing through its
midpoint.,) SQ48 A charge moves or an equipotential surface. What is the work
required?
Ans:Work done =chargex p.d.=chargex0 =0.Therefore no work is done.
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.2.25 Equipotential surface of a+ve point charge.
Fig.2.26 Equipotential surfaces for two equal and
opposite charges.
 (iii)Equipotential surfaces of two equal positive
charges.Fig.2.27 shows the equipotential surfaces of
two equal and positive charges,each equal to+q,sepa-
rated by a small distance.The equipotential
surfaces are far apart in the regions in between the two
charges, indicating a weak field in such regions.

Fig.2.27
Fig.2.28 Equipotential surfaces for a uniform
electric field.
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 Electrostatics 1-39

WORK DONE IN ROTATING A DIPOLE F=qE

IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD E

Consider an electric dipole kept at an 2 +q

angle ‘θ with a uniform electric field E.Now
torque on the dipole,T =pE sin0.In
rotational dynamics,the work done =torquexangular
displacement just like forcexdisplacement in
linear dynamics. Fig.1.17

dW=Txdθ .
Work done in giving a rotation of an angle sinθdθ
dθis
∴dW=pE given by,

The work done for rotating the dipole from θ,to θ₂is

=pE[Cosθ₁-cosθ₂]

When the dipole is rotated by an angle θ from the equilibrium position

θ₁=O and θ₂=θ ∴work done W=pE[1-cosθ]

Case 1:When θ=0°work done W=pE[1-cos0]=pE [1-1]=0.

Case 2:When θ=90°work done W=pE[1-cos90]=pE [1-0]=pE.

Case 3:When θ=180°work done W=pE [1-cos180]=pE [1-(-

1)]=2pE.This is the maximum work done and also the maximum potential
energs

SQ49)What
i is the work done in rotating a dipole once completely?
.θ
Ans Lets a be
dip o le on he orieniation
c pl etof thez dipote
0+ uith a uniormelecric fold :&:-Ouhen the
e co m e 0.
Work iw pE[cos8 ₁- cos G₂]- pE os3θ6-cos(D+360)]=pE[coeθ-(cosOl-0 P
SQ50)What is the work dane in rotating a dipole from the stable equilibrium position
to the unstable equilibrium position?
Ans:The dipole will be in stable equilibrium when θ=0°and unstable equilibrium when
θ-180°.Therefore θ₁=0 and Oz=180°
·:W=pE(cosB₁ -cos0₂)=pE(cos0-cos 180)=pE(1-(-1))=2pE w=#·S
 to dg lA

910mt
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认
Dielectric,insulating material or a very
poor conductor of electric
current.When
dielectrics are placed in an electric field,
practically no current flows in them
because,unlike metals,they have no
loosely bound,or free,electrons that may
drift through the
material.Instead,electric
polarization occurs.The positive charges
within the dielectric are displaced
minutely in the direction of the electric
field,and the negative charges are
displaced minutely in the direction
opposite to the electric field.This
slight separation of charge,or
polarization,
reduces the electric field within the
dielectric.
 Comli Page
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18

DIELECTRIC STRENGTH
Tue manimwm valn,dthe dodat kood
thata diolottrui modtum
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 Dielectric Polarization

In the presence of an external

electric field,centres of positive
charges of a non-polar dielectric are
displaced in the direction of the
field while the
centres of negative charge are
displaced in the opposite direction.
This induces a dipole moment in
each molecule.The dipole moment of
different molecules add up giving a
net dipole moment to the dielectric.
When an external field is applied the
dipole moment of different
molecules of a polar dielectric tend
to align with the field.As a result
there is a net
dipole moment in the direction of
the field.
The effect of induced net
dipole moment in the presence
of an
external electric field of both
polar and nonpolar dielectrics is
called dielectric polarization.
M te
2.17 ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE OF A
CONDUCTOR
27. Define electrical capacitance of a conductor.On
which factors does it depend ?
Electrical capacitance of a conductor. The electrical
capacitance ofa conductor is the measure of its ability to
hold
electric charge.When an insulated conductor is
given some charge,it acquires a certain
potential.If we increase the charge on a
conductor,its potential also increases.If a charge Q
put on an insulated conductor increases its potential
by V,then
QxV r
Q=CV
The proportionality constant C is called the
capacitance of the conductor.Thus

Hence the capacitance of a conductor may be

defined as the charge required to increase the potential of the
conductor by unit amount.
The capacitance of a conductor is the measure of
its capacity to hold a large amount of charge without
running a high potential.It depends upon the following
factors:
1.Size and shape of the conductor.
2.Nature (permittivity)of the surrounding medium.
3.Presence of the other conductors in its
neigh- bourhood.
It is worth-noting that the capacitance of a
con- ductor does not depend on the nature of its
material and the amount of charge existing on the
conductor.
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polarized aluminum aluminum
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In electricity(electromagnetism),the electric
susceptibility(;Latin:susceptibilis
"receptive")is a dimensionless proportionality
constant that
indicates the degree of polarization of a
dielectric material in response to an applied
electric field.
 28.Define the unit of capacitance for a
conductor. Give its dimensions.
Units of capacitance.The SI unit of capacitance is
farad (F),named in the honour of Michael Faraday
The capacitance of conductor is 1 farad if the addition
ofa charge of1 coulomb to it,increases its potential by 1
volt.

or

One farad is a very large unit of

capacitance.For practical purposes,we use its
following submultiples:
1 millifarad =1mF=10-3F 1 microfarad =1μF
1 picofarad =1pF=10-12 F

Dimensions of capacitance.The unit of capacitance is

:Dimensions of capacitance
 Principle of a capacitor .Consider a positively
charged metal plate A and place an uncharged plate
B close to it,as shown in Fig.2.45.Due to
induction,the closer face of plate Bacquires negative
charge and its farther face acquires a positive
charge.The negative charge on plate Btends to reduce
the potential on plate A,while the positive charge
on plate B tends to increase the potential on A.As
the negative charge of plate Bis closer to plate A
than its positive charge,so the net effect is that the
potential of A decreases by a small amount and
hence its capacitance increases by a
small amount.
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十
十
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十
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十
十
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十
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十
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Fig.2.45 Principle of a capacitor.

 Now if the positive face of plate B is earthed,its
positive charge gets neutralised due to the flow of
electrons from the earth to the plate B.The negative
charge on B is held in position due to the
positive charge on A.The negative charge on B
reduces the potential of A considerably and hence
increases its capacitance by a large amount.
Hence we see that the capacitance of an insulated
conductor is considerably increased when we place
an
earthed connected conductor near it.Such a system of
two conductors is called a capacitor.
32. What is a capacitor ?Define capacitance of a
capacitor.On what factors does it depend ?
Capacitor. A capacitor is an arrangement of two
conductors separated by an insulating medium that is
used to store electric charge and electric energy.
A capacitor,in general,consists of two conductors
of any size and shape carrying different potentials
and charges,and placed closed together in some
definite positions relative to one another.
Pictorial representation of a capacitor.The pictorial
symbol for a capacitor with fixed capacitance is
as shown in Fig.2.46(a)and for that with a variable
capa- citance is as shown in Fig.2.46(b).

(a) (b)
Fig.2.46 Symbols for a capacitor with
(a)fixed,(b)variable capacitance.
 Capacitance of a capacitor. As shown in
Fig.2.47, usually a capacitor consists of two
conductors having charges+Q and -Q.The potential
difference between them isV=V+-V.Here Qis called
the charge on the capacitor.Note that the charge on
capacitor does not
mean the total charge given to the capacitor which
is +Q-Q=0.

Fig.2.47Two conductors separated by an

insulator form a capacitor.

For a given capacitor,the charge Q on the

capacitor is proportional to the potential difference
V between the two conductors.Thus,
QcV or Q=CV
 The proportionality constant C is called the capa-
citance of the capacitor.Clearly,

The capacitance of a capacitor may be defined as the

charge required to be supplied to either of the
conductors of the capacitor so as to increase the potential
difference between them by unit amount.
The capacitance of a given capacitor is a
constant and depends on the geometric factors,such
as the shapes,sizes and relative positions of the
two cond- uctors,and the nature of the medium
between them.
SI unit of capacitance is farad (F).A capacitor has a
capacitance of 1farad if 1 coulomb of charge is
transferred from its one conductor to another on
applying a potential difference of 1 volt across the two
conductors.
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1-44 Electrostatics

GENERAL CONCEPTS OF A CAPACITOR AND CAPACITANCE

Consider a conductor A which is given a charge +Q (Fig.1.24.(a))

Let V be the increase in
potential of the conductor.
VxQ.or Q≈V,Q=CV
where C is a constant called
capacity of the conductor,

ie,
Fig.1.24.(a)”Fig.1.24.(b)Fig.1.24.(c|
The capacity(C)of a

the ratlo of can

conductor charge
be (Q)on the conductor to the increase in potential (V).
defined

Bring another conductor B near to A as shown in the fig.(b).Negative

charges will be induced on B at the near side of A and positive charges on the
other side of B.When we earth the conductor B,the positive charges on B will
be neutralized by the flow of electrons from the earth.The negative charges
remain on B because of force of attraction due to the positive charges on A.
But the presence.of negative charges on B reduce the positive potential V of A.

Therefore capacity C will increase. ·hus the presence of thu

earthed metal plate B increases the capacity of the conductor A.This is
the principle of capacitor.
CAPACITOR

capacitor is an arrangement of two conductors to store

electrical chargesCapacitance C of a capacitor is a measure of its ability to
store electrical charges.

Capacitance, .When V-1 volit,C -Q coulomb.Thus the

capacitance is defined as the amount of charge required to raise the
potentlal by I'volt.The unit of capacitance is farad)

ecpaeittaneeefa capacttor is 1farad t

1 coulomb of charge given to the capacitor increases its potential by
1 volt
1 micro farad or 1μF =10~6 F 1 pico farad or 1pF =10~12 F
S S⁰57 Ecplain how the earthed plate nearby a conductor increases the capacity of the
conductor.

polsxu
 Electrostatics 1 -45

PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR

1wo conducting plates Pi and Pz separated by a

small distance d'constitute a parallel plate
capacitor. The plate Pi is charged with +Q and Pz is
earthed.The charge induced on the inner side of the
plate Pz will be -
If A is the area of each plate and o the
surface charge density,then Q=σA.
Fig.1.25
The electric field at a point very close to a plane charged sheet is given

b .The resultant electric feld E at any point in between the paralel

plates is the sum of fields due to the individual plates.

·
: t:the felds are in the same direction).So the
electic field intensity at any point between the plates is given by ,

where eo is the dielectric constant of free space.

But the clectrie field,

or
or

The capacity will increase if.there is dielectric medium in

between the parallel plates.If e is the permittivity of the medium,then the
:
capacitance of the paralel plate capacitor,

If e,is the relative permittivity of the medium (or dielectric constant),

then capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor, · (:e=e₀e)

SQ58)Why is a dielectric used in a capacitor?
Ans:A dielectric is used to increase the capacitance of a capacitor.
SQ59)How does a single conductor acquire a capacitance?
Ans:A single conductor is equivalent to a parallel plate capacitor with the second
plate
assumed to be situated at infinity and dielectric as air.
 Factors on which the capacitance of a
parallel plate capacitor depends
1.Area of the plates (Cc A).
2.Distance between the plates (Cc1/d)
3. Permittivity of the medium between the
plates CE
 1—42、

1-46 Electrostatics

Problem 34:Two plates having area 1 mm²in a parallel plate capacitor separated
by 0.5 mm.Calculate the capacitance.eo=8.85×10-12 C²N-¹m-² .

Ans:A=1mm²=(10³}²m²=10⁶m²,d=0.5mm=5×10⁴m.

Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor,

Problem 35:Find the capacitance of a capacitor which stores a charge of 3 mC

with a p.d of 6V between the plates.
(Ans:500μF)

Problem 36:The area of each plate of a parallel plate capacitor is 100 cm2 and
the distance between them is 0.05cm.It is filled with a dielectric substance and
its capacitance becomes 3.54 ×104 μF.Find the dielectric constant of the
substance.

Ans: A=100×10+m²
C=3.54×10μF =3.54×10-

d=0.05×10~²m

Problem 37:What distance should the two plates each of area 0.2mx0.1m of an
air capacitor be placed in order to have the same capacitance as a spherical
conductor of radius of 0.5 m?

Ans:Capacitance of a spherical conductor,C=4neor

Capacity of a parallel plate capacitor filled partially with a dielectric slak
JIk a dielectric slab of relative
permittivity e, is introduced in
·between the plates of parallel plate
capacitor,then the capacity,

distance between the plates and

d t is
the thickness of the dielectrie.

Advantages of introducing dielectric medium between the plates of a

capacitor

1 capacitance increases to e,times the capacity with air as the medium,

2.Plates of the capacitor can be kept very close without touching,
using a dielectric of small thickness in between the plates.This will increase
the capacity as d is small.
k.Dielectric medium avoids sparking between the plates
S060)A capacitor is charged using a battery to a potential V,Removing the battery the
v) the plates is reduced. What change is produced in-i Q nii)C iil V iv)o

g/n
stance between
E? g b y “
Ans:i]Charge Q remains constant il capacity C increases when d decreases iil V
C: decreases nt s . h as
E o i s a r? u
= Cd / e increases(:V=B/C)iv) w s
=Q/A,is a constant o t bast Q pnd A are
u) c ed a&or istant , valtage What
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The capacitance of a spherical
conductor with radius1 m is:

A.9×109F

B.1μf

C.1.1×10-10 F

D.1×10-8F

October 15,2019 Sunny Pahariya

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ANSWER

The capacitance of spherical conductor is given by

C=4πEor

Here,r=1m,

C=1.1×10-10F
1-48 Electrostatics

Uses of capacitofs
b store charges,2To generate electromagnetic oscillations.
3)To tune radio circuits,4)To reduce voltage fluctuation in power
supply and 5)To eliminate sparking in the ignition system of
automobile engines.

Problem 38:A parallel plate air capacitor has capacity 2μF.If a metal block is
introduced between the plates to cover the half the space,find the new
capacitance.

.But the metal block reduces d to

:.The new capacitance ie.,

 Electrostatics 1 -49

COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS

1.Capacitors in series:

Fig.1.27.(a)

In series combination the capacitors are connected end to end

connection as shown in figure.Cl,Cz and C are the capacitances of the
capacitors.Let V be the potential difference applied across the series
combination.Each capacitor carries the same amount of charge Q.This
is the property of series combination.
C
Let V₁,V₂and V₃be the potential differences A B
across +
+
the capacitors Ci,Cz and C₃respectively. V

∴Applied potential V=V₁+V₂+V₃ ……(1)

Fhe potential difterence across cach capacitors are given Fig.1.27.(b)

by
,
and …………………(2)
If the combination is replaced by a single capacitor with the effective

capacitance C,then ………………(3)

Substitute equations (2)and (3)in (1).

Thus the reciprocal of the effective capacitance is equal to the

sum of the reciprocal of the individual capacitances.

体 there are n capacitors connected in series,then effective capacitance

c is gven by,
……………… yu
xdouhicalcapcilun
A series combination is used to reduce the effective capacitance.The
effective capacitance will be less than the lowest capacitance in the
combination.

awe coonucled in sesies.

Ife chpzive ‫ﮮ‬ ‫ﺩﺻﻊ‬ ‫ﻣﻨﻌﻌﻤﻢ‬ N
2.Capacitors in parallel

In parallel combination of
capacitors,one plate of each capacitor is
connected to a common point A and all
other plates of the capacitors are
connected to another common point B.Ci,
C₂and C₃are capacitances of
three capacitors.Let V is the potential
difference applied between A and B.

The charges on each capacitor are different.This is the property of

parallel combination.

Total charge Q=Q₁+Q₂+Q₃ … … ……(1)

…

The charges on the capacitors are Q₁=C₁V,Q₂=C₂V and Q₃=C₃V………

(2)

If the combination is replaced by a single capacitor of effective

capacitance C,then Q=CV … ……(3)

Substituting equations (2)and (3)in (1), CV=C₁V+C₂V+C₃V

i.e., C=C₁+C₂+C₃

The effective capacitance is equal to the sum of individual capacitance.

If there are n capacitors connected in parallel,then effective capacitance,C is
given by C=C₁+C₂+C₃+…………+Cn
Parallel combination is used to increase the effective capacitance.The
effective capacitance is higher than the highest value of capacitance in
the combination.

Capacitor with n parallel plates Lsx

CConsider a capacitor of n parallel plates with
alternate plates connected to one terminal and all other
plates connected to another terminal.This is a parallel

combination of (n-1)capacitors.Hence the capacity

SQ64)N identical capacitors are available,each with capacitance C'. What is the
ratio of maximum capacitance to minimum capacitance using all of them?
Ans:We get maximum capacitance when all of them are connected in parallel and the
maximum capacitance is CN. We get minimum capacitance when all of them
are connected is series and the minimum capacitance is C/N.
 Electrostatics 1-51

Energy stored in a capacitor

Work has to be done to store charges in a capacitor.This work done will

be stored in the capacitor as electrostatic potential energ This energy can be
recovered when the capacitor is allowed to discharge)

Cet V be the potential difference and Q be the charge on a

capacit6F When,an additional charge dQ is given to the plate,work done is
dW =V d

Eut .
.The total work done to charge the capacitor.
from 0 to Q is given by integration.

potential energy U when a charge Q is

i.e.
-.his k the cletrostatir
stored in the capacitor.

The other two forns of energy, and vt;Q=cvn.

Loss of energy due to sharing

Two capacitors with capacitances Ci and Cz,charged to potentials V₁

and Vz,are connected in paraliel so that there is a sharing of charges.Let V be
the common potential.

8Q65)Draw the graph between energy (U)stored in a capacitor and U↑

the p.d(V)between its plates.
Ans:The energy(U)stored in a capacitor,U=CV2/2.
This gives a parabolic variation as shown in fig. -V O +V
2.25 ENERGY DENSITY OF
AN ELECTRIC FIELD
40.Where is the energy stored in a capacitor?Derive
an expression for the energy density of an electric
field.
Energy density of an electric field. When a
capacitor is charged,an electric field is set up in the
region between its two plates.We can say that the
work done in the charging process has been used in
creating the electric field.Thus the presence of
an
electric field implies stored energy or the energy is
stored
in the electric field.
ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE

Consider a parallel plate capacitor,having plate fr

area A and plate separation a.Capacitance of the p
arallel plate capacitor is given bi
cl
T

If o is the surface charge density on the capacitor r

plates,then electric field between the capacitor plates s
a
will be t!

Or
σ=E₀E
Charge on either plate of capacitor is
C
Q=σA=e₀EA
Energy stored in the capacitor is

But Ad =volume of the capacitor between its two

plates.Therefore,the energy stored per unit volume or the
energy density of the electric field is given by

Although we have derived the above equation for a

parallel plate capacitor,it is true for electric field due
to
any charge configuration.In general,we can say that
an electric field E car led as a seat of energy with
nergy dority egual! .Similarly,energy is also
associated with a magnetic field.
 1-52 Electrostatics

VAN de GRAFF GENERATOR

Yan de Graff designed an

electrostatic generator which can produce
large potential 107
difference
Volts.The
of the order of
generator is based on the
principle that if a hollow conductor is
made into
conductor, contact charges
the with a on charged
the
conductor will be transferred to the
hollow conductor irrespective of its

own potential)

A large)sphericalconducting shell
with the radius of few meters is Supported
an insulating column of several meters
high.Therecare two pulleys one at the
centre of the shell and the other at the
ground)An insulating belt passes over the
pulley metallic brush connected to a
high voltage source is kept at the lower pull

moved by a motor driving the lower pulley.The positive charge continuously

transferred to the belt is moved upward with the belt.The charges are
removed by a metallic brush connected to the shell.The charges build up to a
r

Use:The high voltage from the(Van de Graff generator is used to accelerate

SQ66)Two identical metal spheres are charged oppositely with the same quantity of'
charge.Wil the spheres have the same masses even after charged?Explain.
Ans:No.The negatively charged body will have a slightly heavier mass than the
positively charged body.This is because the positively charged body becomes positive
by loosing electrons while the negatively charged body becomes negative by
electrons.
SQ67)It is diffcult to charge just one end of a metal rod.Why?
Ans:When a metal is charged,because of the conducting nature of the rod all the
charges will distribute over the entire surface of the rod.
SQ68)What is the electric field needed to balance the weight of an electron?
Ans:If E is the field to be applied on an electron of charge e and mass m,then,Exe=mg.

·
: .This feld is to be appliet in the doumward direction.Oniy then the
electrostatic force on electron will balance the weight.
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