1

GENERAL PHYSICS 2
SUPPLEMENTARY SELF-LEARNING
MATERIAL

Semester 2
Week 3-4

REFERENCES:

Websites:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z2b9hv4/revision/2
https://nustem.uk/activity/
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/
Books
Beiser, A. Fundamentals of Modern Physics. Fourth Edition
Resnick, R. H. (n.d.). Physics, 5th Edition. USA.
Halliday, D., Resnick, R. at al., Fundamentals of Physics Extended. 6th
Edition. Wiley. USA
Serway, R., Hewett,J. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern
Physics.6th Edition.USA
Simpson, D. (2019, September 11). General Physics I: Classical
Mechanics. Largo, M
Recommended videos: I f internet connection is available, you can
watch the topics discussed and further explanations in videos by Michel
van Biezen on: http:www.ilectureonline.com/lectures/subject/PHYSICS
( by Michel van Biezen)
Or you may w atch through Y outube by keying a keyw ord and M i-
chael van Biezen Ex. “Vectors Michael van Biezen”

INSTRUCTIONS

Activity Sheets and Assessment pages (page 14-15) must be answered,

filed neatly and submitted after two weeks.
 2

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors

WEEK 3 DAY 1-4

(240 MINS)

Most Essential Learning Competencies ( MELCs)

1. Infer the direction and strength of 4. Deduce the effects of simple

electric field vector, nature of the capacitors )e.g., parallel-plate,
electric field sources and electrostatic spherical, cylindrical) on the
potential surfaces given the capacitance, charge, and potential
equipotential lines difference when the size, potential
difference or charge is changed
2. Calculate the electric field in the
region given a mathematical function 5. Calculate the equivalent capacitance
describing its potential in a region of of a network of capacitors connected
space in series/parallel
3. Solve problems involving electric
potential energy and electric
potentials in contexts such as, but not
limited to, electron guns in CRT TV
picture tubes and Van de Graff
generators

WEEK 3 DAY 1-2

(120 mins)

Objectives: After this lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Define equipotential surfaces 4. Solve problems involving electric po-

tentials
2. Calculate electric potential from the
electric field
3. Calculate the electric field from the
electric potential

Concepts:
 Electric potential (V)
Electric potential is a property of an
electric field, regardless of whether a
charged object has been placed in that
field.
Equal to the potential energy per unit
charge and is expressed in Joules per
Coulomb (J/C) or volt.
V= U/q
 Electric Potential energy (U)
The energy of charged object in an
external electric field ( or more
precisely, the energy of the system
consisting of the object and the
external electric field); measured in
Joules (J) or in electron volt (eV)
where 1eV=1.60 x10-19 J
 Equipotential surfaces
Any surface with the same electric
potential at every point is termed as
an equipotential surface.
 Equipotential Points
If the points in an electric field are all
at the same electric potential, then
they are known as the equipotential
points. If these points are connected
by a line or a curve, it is known as an
equipotential line. If such points lie on
a surface, it is called an equipotential
surface.
 Relationship Between Electric
Potential and Electric Field
ΔV=-EL
 Electric field vs Electric
Potential
The electric field, E, is a measure
of force per unit charge ( E=F/q);
the electric potential ,V, is a
measure of energy per unit
charge (V=U/q)
 3

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors

Electric Potential Energy

Electric potential energy, like the

gravitational potential energy, may be
defined using a reference point.
Commonly, we define the electric potential
energy to be zero when all charges are
infinitely far apart.
If we take the initial potential energy, Ui, to
be zero, then we can say that
ΔU= Uf-0=Uf=U; and then again
ΔU=-W
For electric potential energy, this follows
that,
If the electric field, E, does positive work,
then U<0 and
If the electric field, E, does negative work,
then U>0.
Now let’s look at the electric potential
energy when we move a charge, q, by a
distance, L, in a constant electric field.
If the displacement is in the same
direction as the electric field,
W=qEL cos 00 = qEL, so
ΔU=-qEL
Here, a positive charge loses
potential energy when it moves in the
direction of the electric field.
If the displacement is in the direction
opposite to the direction of the electric
field,
W= qEL cos 1800 =-qEL, so
ΔU=qEL
Here, a positive charge gains
potential energy when it moves in the
direction opposite to the electric field.
The potential energy of a charged
particle in an electric field depends
not only in the electric field but on the
charge of the particle.

Recall that: The work, W, done by the field,

E, is Try this: Given the illustration
W= FL cos θ below:

For a constant electric field, E, the force, F,

is
F=qE
So the work done by the electric field on a
charge, q, is

W= qEL cos θ
where;
At which point (A or B) is the potential
W-work done energy larger,
q– magnitude of the charge a) For a positive charge +q ?
d or L– displacement of the charge b) For a negative charge –q ?
θ– angle between E and L

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors
Electric Potential and Electric
Potential Difference
The electric potential, V, is the electric
potential energy per unit charge.
V=U/q
Unlike the electric field which is a vector,
the electric potential is a scalar quantity. It it is known as an equipotential line. If such
is expressed in Joules per Coulomb (J/C) or points lie on a surface, it is called
volt, where
1 volt=1 J/C
The electric potential can be positive,
negative or zero but it has no direction.
The electric potential difference, ΔV, is the
difference in the electric potential of a
charge, q, between the initial point, i, and
the final point, f, in an electric field.
ΔV= Vf-Vi
ΔV=Uf/q-Ui/q
ΔV=ΔU/q
and since : ΔU=-W
then; ΔV=-W/q
We can also relate the potential difference
ΔV to the electric field, E.
Since ΔU=qEL; and ΔV=ΔU/q, then
ΔV=qEL/q cancelling q,
ΔV=EL and then,
E=ΔV/L
From this equation, we can also define a
new unit for electric field, the volt per
meter (V/m). Now, we can prove that the
units N/C is equal to volt/meter.
Since 1 volt=1 J/C
Watch more of this on YouTube:
Physics - Electrical Potential and Electrical
Potential Energy by Michel van Biezen
Part 1 is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=eZPmIKneSBk&t=16s
4
Equipotential points and surfaces
We know that when an electric field is
present, the electric potential has a given
value anywhere in space.
If the points in an electric field are all at
the same electric potential, then they are
known as the equipotential points. If these
points are connected by a line or a curve,
an equipotential surface.
Equipotential surfaces and lines must
always be perpendicular to electric field
lines.
For a charged particle that moves in
equipotential lines, no work is done.
W= qEL=0 w hen E and L are
perpendicular to each other.
Thus, if a charged particle moves
perpendicular to electric field lines, then, no
work is done.
If the work done by the electric field is zero,
then, from ΔV=-W/q , ΔV=0. This
means that there is no change in the
potential or we can say that the
potential is constant or equal.
For a constant electric field, the electric
field lines are shown as straight lines
parallel to E in a 2D illustration below:
High potential
Low potential
Equipotential lines
In this illustration, the
electric field lines are shown emanating
from a positive charges ( right plate) and
terminating in the negative charges ( left
plate) . Electric field lines are also shown
starting from high potential and ending in a
low potential. Dashed lines shown
perpendicular to the electric field lines are
equipotential lines. Work done along these
lines is zero.
Let : F=qE
W=Fd cos θ
W=qEd cos θ; if E and d are
perpendicular, then θ=900
W=Fd cos 900 =0
 5

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors

Sample problem:
1. A particle with a charge , q=3.0x10-9 C
moves from point a to point b along a
straight line, a total distance, d= 0.50m.
The magnitude of the electric field, E=200
N/C. Determine the (a) force on q (b) work
done on it by the field and (c) the potential
difference Va-Vb .
E=200 N/C
q=3x10-9 C
2. Dry air will support a maximum
electric field strength of about
3.0 × 106 V/m. Above that value, the
field creates enough ionization in the
air to make the air a conductor. This
allows a discharge or spark that
reduces the field. What, then, is the
maximum voltage, Vab, between two
parallel conducting plates separated
by 2.5 cm of dry air?
Given: E=3.0 × 106 V/m
d=2.5 cm =0.025 m

a d=0.50 m b Solution: The potential difference

or voltage, Vab, between the plates is
Va-Vb = Vab = Ed
Given: E=200 N/ C
Vab = (3.0 × 106 V/m) ( 0.025 m)
q=3.0 x10-9 C
Vab = 75,000 V; 1 kV=1000 volts
d= 0.50 m
Vab= 75 kV

Solution:
3. A solid conducting sphere with radius,
A.) The force is in the same direction as the
R, has a total charge Q, find the
electric field and its magnitude is given by:
potential, both outside and inside the
F=qE sphere.
F=(3.0 x10-9 C ) ( 200 N/C ) Solution: Let r-radius inside
-7 sphere and R –radius outside
F= 6.0 x10 N
sphere

B.) The work done by this force is

W=Fd= (6.0 x10-7 N) (0.50 m)
W= 3.0 x10-7 J
C.) The potential difference is the work per
unit charge, which is
Va-Vb = W/q=3.0 x10-7 J / 3.0 x10-9 C
Va-Vb =100 J/C=1.0 x102 J/C
Va-Vb =1.0 x102 V

Alternatively, E is force per unit charge, and

we can obtain the work per unit charge by
Here, we must recall Gauss’ law to
multiplying E and d:
point that all points outside the
Va-Vb =Ed sphere the field is the same as that of
a point charge, and the potential, V, is
Va-Vb = (200 N/C) (0.50 m)
Voutside=kQ/r
Va-Vb = 1.0 x102 V
Inside the sphere, the field is zero
everywhere. Thus the potential is the
same at every point inside the
sphere and is equal to its value at the
surface.
V inside= Voutside=kQ/R
where k= 1/4∏ε0
 6

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors

WEEK 3 DAY 3-4

(120 mins)

Objectives: After this lesson, learners should be able to:

1. describe a capacitor 5. define the capacitance of simple

capacitors ( parallel-plate, spherical,
2. define capacitance and its unit
cylindrical)
3. define the factors that affect the
6. calculate the equivalent capacitance
capacitance of a capacitor
of a network of capacitors connected
4. explain how the capacitance, charge in series/parallel
and potential difference in a capacitor
is affected by the change in size,
potential difference and charge

During ventricular fibrillation, a common

type of heart attack, the chambers of the
heart fail to pump blood because their
muscle fibers randomly contract and
relax. A medical defibrillator is needed to
save a victim; this medical device requires
100 kW of power. What can provide the
power needed for defibrillation at remote
locations?
See: Capacitors: Physics Concept Trailer™
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=COKBImkkJKw

Concepts:
 Capacitors  Charging a Capacitor
An electronic device that can store When a capacitor is charged, its plates
energy as a potential energy in an have equal but opposite charges of +
electric field. Q and –Q.

 Capacitance A capacitor is charged by connecting it

Capacitance is the electrical property
of a capacitor and is the measure of a
capacitors ability to store an electrical
charge onto its two plates.
 Farad (F)
The unit of capacitance named after
the British physicist Michael Faraday.
to a DC voltage source. This may be a
battery or a DC power supply. Once
the capacitor is connected to the DC
voltage source, it will charge up to the
voltage that the DC voltage source is
outputting.
 Capacitors in Combination

 Parallel-Plate Capacitors Electrical circuits often contain two or

more capacitors grouped together and
Two parallel metal plates (conductors) attached to an energy source, such as
isolated from each other and from
their surroundings form a capacitor a battery.

Each of the conductor is called plates. Capacitors may be connected in series

or in parallel circuits.
The capacitance of a capacitor is
related to its area, A and the distance,
d, between its plates.

 Spherical capacitors
A spherical capacitor consists of two
concentric conducting spheres of radii,
R1 and R2 .

 Cylindrical Capacitors
A cylindrical capacitor consists of two
concentric, conducting cylinders of
length, L.

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors
Capacitors
A capacitor is a device used to store
electric charge. Capacitors have
applications ranging from filtering static out
of radio reception to energy storage in
heart defibrillators. Typically, commercial
capacitors have two conducting parts close
to one another, but not touching. When
battery terminals are connected to an
initially uncharged capacitor, equal amounts
of positive and negative charge, +Q and
–Q, are separated into its two plates. The
capacitor remains neutral overall, but we
refer to it as storing a charge Q in this
circumstance.
The amount of charge Q a capacitor can
store depends on two major factors—the
voltage applied and the capacitor’s physical
characteristics, such as its size. And we can
say that,
Q=CV
Where: Q-amount of charge
C-capacitance of the capacitor
V– voltage applied
Parallel– Plate Capacitors
Two parallel metal plates (conductors)
isolated from each other and from their
surroundings form a capacitor. The
parallel-plate capacitor is the simplest type.
The parallel plate capacitor shown in the
figure above has two identical conducting
plates, each having a surface area A,
separated by a distance d (with no material
between the plates). When a voltage V is
applied to the capacitor, it stores a
charge Q, as shown. We can see how its
capacitance depends on A and d . We also
know that like charges repel, unlike charges
attract, and the force between charges
7
increases with the magnitude
(amount) of charge and decreases
with distance between charges. Thus,
the bigger the plates are, the more
charge they can store—because the
charges can spread out more.
Thus, C should be greater for larger
area, A. Similarly, the closer the
plates are together, the greater the
attraction of the opposite charges on
them. So, C should be greater for
smaller distance, d. It is clear then
that for a parallel- plate capacitor
there are only two factors (A and d)
that affect its capacitance C. The
capacitance of a parallel plate
capacitor in equation form is given by
C=ε0A/d
Where: ε0– permittivity of free space
=8.85 × 10−12 F/m
A– area of the plates
d– distance between plates
The Farad (F) is the unit of
capacitance. Other smaller multiples
are also used such as: nano Farad
(nF), micro Farad (μF) and the millli
Farad (mF).
Sample Problem:
(a) What is the capacitance of a
parallel plate capacitor with metal
plates, each of area 1.00 m2,
separated by 1.00 mm?
(b) What charge is stored in this
capacitor if a voltage of 3.00
×103 V is applied to it?
(a) Given: A=1.00 m 2,
d=1.00 mm= 1.00 x10-3 m
Solution:
C=ε0A/d
C= (8.85 × 10−12 F/m )(1.00
m2) /1.00 x10-3 m
C=8.85 × 10−9 F=8.85 nF
This capacitance is very
small for a 1m2 capacitor!
(b) Q=CV
Q= (8.85 × 10−9 F) (3.00
×103 V )
Q=2.66×10-5 C= 26.6 μC

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors
Cylindrical and Spherical
Capacitors
A co-axial cable is a cylindrical capacitor
is made up of two collinear conducting
cylinders of length, L.
L series or in parallel.
Let:
The inner cylinder radius be R1
and the outer cylinder radius be R2
The capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor is
given by
C= 2∏ε0 L/ ln ( R2/R1)
And the electric field, E is given by
E=q/ 2∏ε0 L R
Where R is the radius of the Gaussian
surface.
A spherical capacitor is formed by two
concentric conducting spheres with radii R1
and R2 .
Let:
The inner sphere radius be R1
and the outer sphere radius be R2
The capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor is
given by
C= 4∏ε0 (R1R2 )/ ( R2-R1)
And the electric field, E is given by
E=q/ 4∏ε0 L R2
Where R is the radius of the Gaussian
surface.
8
Capacitors in Combination
Several capacitors may be connected
together in a variety of applications.
Multiple connections of capacitors act like
a single equivalent capacitor. The total
capacitance of this equivalent single
capacitor depends both on the individual
capacitors and how they are connected– in
Capacitors in Series
Figure 1. (a) Capacitors connected in series.
The magnitude of the charge on each plate
is Q. Connected one after the other in a
single path, it is equivalent to a capacitor
having a larger plate separation, d. Series
connections produce a total capacitance
that is less than that of any of the individu-
al capacitors.
Now, let us define the charge, voltage and
capacitance for capacitors in series.
Charge: The charge is the same
anywhere in the connection.
QT = Q1 = Q2 =Q3 ... where Q1=C1V1 …
and QT= CTVT
Voltage: The total voltage is the sum
of individual voltages.
VT = V1 + V2 + V3... where V1=Q1/C1…
and VT= QT/CT
Capacitance: The total capacitance is
the inverse of the sum of the inverses of
each individual capacitances.
1/CT = 1/C1+1/C2+1/C3…
where “…” indicates that the expression is
valid for any number of capacitors
connected in series. An expression of this
form always results in a total
capacitance CT that is less than any of the
individual capacitances.

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors
Capacitors in Parallel
Capacitors which are all connected to the
same source of potential are said to be
connected in parallel.
Figure 2. (a) Capacitors in parallel. Each is
connected directly to the voltage source
just as if it were all alone, and so the total
capacitance in parallel is just the sum of
the individual capacitances. This is just
equivalent to a capacitor which has a
larger plate area and can therefore hold
more charge than the individual capacitors.
Now, let us define the charge, voltage and
capacitance for capacitors in parallel.
Charge: The total charge is the sum of
the individual charges
QT =Q1 + Q2 + Q3 ... where
Q1=C1V1 …and QT= CTVT
Voltage: The total voltage is the same as
the individual voltages.
VT = V1 = V2 = V3... where V1=Q1/C1…
and VT= QT/CT
Capacitance: The total capacitance is the
sum of the individual capacitances.
CT = C1+C2+C3…
Sample problem:
(a) Find the equivalent capacitance of three
capacitors, 2.0 μF, 4.0μF and 6.0 μF con-
nected in series with a 24-V battery.
Solution:
1/CT = 1/C1+1/C2+1/C3
1/CT = 1/2.0 μF+1/4.0 μF+1/6 .0μF
1/CT =0.917
CT =1.09 μF=1.1 x 10 F -6
As a way of checking your answer, for a
series combination, the total capacitance is
lower than the value of the least
capacitance.
9
Capacitors in Series- Parallel
More complicated connections of capacitors
can sometimes be combinations of series
and parallel. To find the total capacitance of
such combinations, we identify series and
parallel parts, compute their capacitances,
and then find the total.
Figure 3. (a) This circuit contains both
series and parallel connections of
capacitors. (b) C1 and C2 are in series; their
equivalent capacitance CS is less than either
of them. (c) Note that CS is in parallel
with C3. The total capacitance is, thus, the
sum of CS and C3. For the series part, use
the equations in series and for the parallel
part, use the equations in parallel. Start
simplifying the complex circuit into either a
simple series or parallel circuit and then
apply the corresponding equations.
(b) What is the total charge and the charge
on each capacitor?
QT = CTVT
QT = (1.09 x 10-6 F) (24 V)= 2.62 x 10-6 C
QT = 26.2 μC = 26 μC = Q1 = Q2 =Q3
(c) What is the voltage across each
capacitor?
V1=Q1/C1=26.2 μC /2.0 μF=13.1 V
V2=Q2/C2=26.2 μC /4.0 μF=6.55 V
V3=Q3/C3=26.2 μC /6.0 μF=4.37 V
To check, we can add the individual voltag-
es to see if we get 24 V.
VT = V1 + V2 + V3=(13.1+6.55 +4.37) V
VT =24 V– correct!
 10

Week 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

WEEK 4 DAY 1-4

(240 MINS)

Most Essential Learning Competencies ( MELCs)

1. Determine the total charge, the 3. Describe the effects of inserting

charge on, and the potential difference
across each capacitor in the network
given the capacitors connected in se-
ries/parallel
4.
2. Determine the potential energy stored
inside the capacitor given the geome-
try and the potential difference across
the capacitor
dielectric materials on the
capacitance , charge and the electric
field of a capacitor
Solve problems involving capacitors
and dielectrics in contexts such as but
not limited to, charged plates,
batteries and camera flash lamps

WEEK4 DAY 1-2

(120 mins)

Objectives: After this lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Solve for the total charge, the charge 2. Solve for the potential energy
on and the potential difference stored inside the capacitor given the
across each capacitor in a network of geometry and the potential difference
capacitors across the capacitor

Concepts :
A table of equations summarizing
capacitance, charge and voltage in
series and parallel capacitance circuits
 The potential energy, U,
Quantity Series Parallel of a charged capacitor
U=1/2 QV ; since Q=CV
Capacitance 1/CT = 1/ CT =
C1+1/C2+1/ C1+C2+C3… Then,
(C)
C3 ... U=1/2 (CV)V
Unit: Farad
(F) U=1/2 CV2

VT = V1 + V2 + VT = V1 = V2 =
V3… V3…  Some basic circuit
Voltage (V) symbols
VT= QT/CT VT= QT/CT
Unit: volt (V) In making a schematic diagram
Q1=C1V1 …. Q1=C1V1 …. of electronic circuitry, the
following symbols are used:
Q T = Q1 = Q2 QT = Q1 + Q2
=Q3 ... +Q3 … wire
Charge (Q)
QT= CTVT QT= CTVT
Unit: cell
Coulomb (C) Q1=C1V1 … Q1=C1V1 …

capacitor
Note: Do not confuse the
Capacitance, C with the Coulomb (C).
Capacitance is a quantity and Coulomb Earth ( ground)
is a unit.
 11

Week 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

Sample Problem:
Three capacitors, C1, C2, and C3 whose QT = Q1 + Q2 +Q3
values are indicated in the illustration after we have computed the charge in each
below are connected in parallel with a capacitor.
24-V battery.

(c) First w e must remember that:

VT = V1 = V2 = V3 =24 V
The charge in each capacitor can be
solved using
Q1=C1V1 , Q2=C2V2 and so on
Starting with the charge in capacitor 1
Q1=C1V1= (2 x 10-6 F) (24 V)
Q1=4.8 x 10-5 C
Find:
(a) the total capacitance in the
circuit Q2=C2V2= (4 x 10-6 F) (24 V)

(b) the total charge in the circuit Q2=9.6 x 10-5 C

(c) the charge in each capacitor

Q3=C3V3= (6 x 10-6 F) (24 V)
Given:
Q2=1.44 x 10-4 C
C1= 2μF=2 x 10-6 F
Now we can try to check our answer in (b)
C2= 4μF=4 x 10-6 F by using the equation:
C3 = 6μF=6 x 10-6 F QT = Q1 + Q2 +Q3
VT= 24V QT = 4.8 x 10-5 C+ 9.6 x 10-5 C
+ 1.44 x 10-4 C
Solution:
QT =2.88 x 10-4 C
Since the capacitors are connected in
parallel, we know that the voltage in each QT =2.9 x 10-4 C - our answer is
capacitor is just equal to the total voltage, the same as in (b)!
that is, VT = V1 = V2 = V3 .
(a) The total capacitance is given by
Try This: Given the circuit
CT = C1+C2+C3 diagram below:
CT = (2+4+6) μF

CT = 12 μF=12 x 10-6 F
Or CT = 1.2 x 10-5 F
One way to check your answer is to
remember that since you are adding the
individual capacitances, your total capaci-
tance should be greater than the greatest
value in the given capacitances.
Find :
(b) The total charge can be solved
using (a) the total capacitance ( 6 μF)

QT= CTVT (b) the total charge ( 144 μF)

QT= (1.2 x 10-5 F) (24 V) (c) the charge in capacitor 1 (96 μC)

QT= 2.88 x 10-4 C (d) the voltage , V2, and V3 in the 3μF
and 6μF capacitors ( 16 V and 8 V
QT= 2.9 x 10-4 C
respectively ( assume all digits in
This answer can be verified later using the answer to be significant)
the equation
 12

Week 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics

WEEK 4 DAY 3-4

(120 mins)

Objectives: After this lesson, learners should be able to:

1. Describe a dielectric 3. Solve problems involving capacitors

and dielectrics in contexts such as but
2. Describe the effect of using a
not limited to, charged plates,
dielectric material on the
batteries and camera flash lamps
capacitance , charge and the electric
field of a capacitor

Concepts:

 Dielectric
An insulating material which when
placed in an electric field significantly
reduces the electric field than with
nothing ( vacuum) between them.
 Dielectric constant, k
A measure of how effective a material
is in reducing an electric field set up
across it.
 Dielectric and Capacitance
Inserting an insulator between the
plates reduces the electric field
flow within the gap separation.
This in turn reduces the voltage in
the capacitor and increases the
capacitor’s capacitance.
 Dielectric and Electric field
Inserting an insulator between the
plates reduces the net electric
field between the plates.
 Dielectric breakdown
A process that occurs when
an electrical insulating material,
subjected to a high enough voltage,
suddenly becomes an electrical
conductor and electric current flows
through it. All insulating materials
undergo breakdown when the electric
field caused by an applied voltage
exceeds the material's dielectric
strength.

Dielectrics and Capacitance

By this time, we know that the capacitance
of a capacitor is affected by its area, A, and
the distance between its plates.
One of the difficulties in storing a large
amount of charge in a capacitor is
making it large enough to accommodate
more charges and bringing the plates close
to each other while avoiding electrical
breakdown.
In our sample problem in page 7 for
example, we noted that for a parallel-plate
capacitor with a plate area of 1m2 and a
separation distance of 1mm, its capacitance
is of the order 10-9 F!
An important solution to this difficulty is to
put an insulating material, called
a dielectric, between the plates of a
capacitor and allow, distance between the
plates, d, to be as small as possible.
Not only does the smaller d make the
capacitance greater, but many
insulators can withstand greater
electric fields than air before
breaking down.
There is another benefit to using a
dielectric in a capacitor.
Depending on the material used, the
capacitance is greater than that given
by the equation C=ε0 A/d by a
factor κ, called the dielectric constant.
A parallel plate capacitor with a
dielectric between its plates has a
capacitance given by C=κε0A/d.

Week 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics
Capacitance with a Dielectric
The table below, shows some materials and
their corresponding dielectric constant, K.
If we let Co to be the capacitance of the
capacitor with no dielectric where
Co=ε0 A/d
and C is the capacitance of the capacitor
with a dielectric having a dielectric
constant, k, where
C=Kε0 A/d
Then, we can also say that
C=KCo ; K=C/Co
Which means that that capacitance of the
capacitor with a dielectric is increased K
times its capacitance with no dielectric.
For example, say, a parallel-plate capacitor
with no dielectric has a capacitance Co=10
nF. If paper, having a dielectric constant,
K=3.5 is inserted between the plates of this
conductor its new capacitance value will
increase 3.5 times or we can say that
C=(3.5) ( 10 nF)
C= 35 nF
For the same capacitor area and distance of
separation between plates, a capacitor with
a dielectric can have 3.5 times higher
capacitance!
we can also guess that the capacitance of
the capacitor increased 3 times its Co .
13
Inserting an insulator between the
capacitor plates reduces the electric
field flow within the gap separation.
This in turn reduces the voltage , V,
in the capacitor and increases the
capacitor’s capacitance.
Since; V=Ed, and C=Q/V; then
Q/C=Ed
This equation shows the inverse
relationship between electric field, E,
between the plates and the
capacitance, C, of the capacitor.
The voltage, V can also be computed
using these relationships. Since V and
C are inversely proportional, then
from
K=C/Co we can also deduce
that
K =Vo/V
where
Vo-voltage with no dielectric
V– voltage with a dielectric
Sample problem:
The parallel plates in a capacitor have
an area of 2000 cm2 (2.00 x 10-1 m2 )
and are 1.00 cm (1.00 x10-2 m)
apart. The original potential difference
Vo between the plates is 3000 V and it
decreases to 1000 V when a sheet of
a dielectric is inserted between the
plates. (a) What is the original
capacitance Co of the capacitor ? (b)
What is the dielectric constant of the
dielectric material used?
Given:
Plate area = 2000 cm2
Distance between plates=1.00 cm
Vo =3000 V
V=1000 V
Solution:
(a) Co= εo A/d
Co= 8.85 x10 –12 F/m (2.00 x
10-1 m2 ) /1.00 x10-2 m
Co=1.77 x10-10 F
(b) K= Vo/V
K= 3000 V/ 1000V
K= 3 – From this answer
 14

Week 3: Electric Potential and Capacitors

WEEK 3 DAY 4
(60 mins)

Assessment: Solve the following problems. Show your solutions.

Name:________________________Section:_________Score:________

A. Electric Potential
1. What is the electric potential at B. Capacitors
Point P, located at the center of 1. How large should a capacitor be
the square of point charges. The for it to have a capacitance of 1F
distance d= 1.3 m and the charges
are: if the distance between its plates
is 1mm?
q1=+12 nC q2=-24 nC
q3=+31 nC q4=+17 nC

2. Compare the amount of charges

stored in a 5µF and a 40 µF
capacitor when connected across
a 20V supply .

2. The figure below shows a family of

parallel equipotential surfaces ( in
cross section) and five paths along
which we shall move an electron from
one surface to another. (a) What is the
direction of the electric field
associated with the surfaces? (b) For
each path, is the work done positive,
negative or zero? (c) Rank the paths
according to the work we do, greatest
first.
Path Work done Rank
1
2 average current that passes
3
3. A heart attack often leads to a
condition called fibrillation in
which the heart’s action lose their
synchronization and is unable to
pump blood effectively. This
condition can often be corrected
by an electric shock to the heart
that completely stops it for the
moment; the heart may then
again start spontaneously in its
normal rhythm.
An appropriate such shock can be
provided by a discharge of a 10 µF
capacitor that has been charged
to a potential difference of
6000V. (a). What energy is
released as a current pulse? (b)
How much charge passes
through the patient’s body? (c) If
the pulse lasts 5ms, what is the
through the patient’s body?

5

Week 4: Capacitance and Dielectrics
WEEK 4 DAY 4
(60 mins)
Assessment: Solve the following problems. Show your solutions.
Name:________________________Section:_________Score:________
A. Capacitors in Combination
Three capacitors, C1=12.0 μF, C2=5.30
μF and C3=4.50 μF are connected in
combination as shown in figure a be-
low. The input terminals are connected
to a 12.5 V battery.
Find:
(a) the total capacitance
(b) the total charge
(c) the charge in each capacitor
(d) the voltage in each capacitor
(e) the total potential energy
stored in the circuit
15
B. Capacitors and dielectrics
1. The parallel plates in a capacitor
have an area of 2000 cm2 (2.00 x
10-1 m2 ) and area 1.00 cm (1.00
x10-2 m) apart. The original
potential difference Vo between
the plates is 3600 V and it
decreases to 1000 V when a sheet
of a dielectric is inserted between
the plates. Find
(a) the original capacitance Co of
the capacitor
(b) the magnitude of the charge,
Q, in each plate?
(c) the capacitance, C, after the
dielectric is inserted
(d) the dielectric constant of the
dielectric
(e) the permittivity ε of the
dielectric
(f) the original electric field, Eo ,
between the plates
(g) the electric field, E , after the
dielectric is inserted