SHS

General Physics 2
Quarter 3 – Week 4 Module 4
Capacitors
General Physics 2
Grade 12 Quarter 1 –Week 4: Module 4: Capacitors
First Edition, 2021

Copyright © 2020

La Union Schools Division

Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form without
written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Chris Jan C. Nonan

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team
Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II
Management Team:

Atty. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

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Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, Ph.D, CID Chief

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Rominel S. Sobremonte, Ed.D, EPS in Charge of Science

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

 Target

Capacitors are simple passive device that can store an electrical charge on
their plates when connected to a voltage source. The capacitor is a component
which has the ability or “capacity” to store energy in the form of an electrical
charge producing a potential difference (Static Voltage) across its plates, much like
a small rechargeable battery.
In your previous lesson on the introduction of capacitors, you have learned
that different types of capacitor have different effects on capacitance and also
considering its size and shape.
In this learning material you will learn what are the effects on the total
charge and the potential energy on a capacitor.

After going through this Learning Material, you are expected to:
1. Determine the total charge, the charge on, and the potential difference
across each capacitor in the network given the capacitors connected in
series/parallel (STEM_GP12EMIIId-25)

2. Determine the potential energy stored inside the capacitor given the
geometry and the potential difference across the capacitor
(STEM_GP12EMIIId-26)

3. Describe the effects of inserting dielectric materials on the capacitance,

charge, and electric field of a capacitor (STEM_GP12EMIIId-29)
 Jumpstart

“Like a battery, the human mind and body must be fully discharged to
stretch their capacity.”

― Haresh Sippy

a
What I know

Compare and contrast battery and capacitor using a Venn Diagram

BATTERY CAPACITOR
 Discover

Like any other elements in a circuit, capacitor serve no purpose when used
alone in a circuit. They are connected to other elements in a circuit in one of two
ways: either in series or in parallel

The amount of energy stored by a capacitor is dependent on the capacitance

and the voltage of the capacitor and is expressed as:

• is the voltage between the plates, measured in volts (V)

• is the capacitance of the capacitor, measured in farads (F)
• is the energy stored in the capacitor, measured in joules (J)

LESSON 1 CAPACITORS CONNECTED IN SERIES AND PARALLEL

Capacitors in Series
Capacitors are connected together in
series when they are daisy chained
together in a single line.
There are three important rules for
capacitors in series. These are:
1. The reciprocal of the total capacitance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals
of the individual capacitance. It should be noted that adding a capacitor in
series decreases the total capacitance of the combination.

1 1 1 1
= + + +⋯
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶3

2. The total potential difference or total voltage is the sum of the potential
differences across each capacitor.

𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + ⋯

3. The total charge is equal to the individual charge stored in each capacitor.

𝑞𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑞1 =𝑞2 = 𝑞3 = ⋯
Capacitors in Parallel
Capacitors are connected together in
parallel when both of its terminals are
connected to each terminal of another
capacitor

For the parallel capacitor, the following rules apply:

1. The total capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitances.

𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 + 𝐶3 + ⋯

2. The voltage across all capacitors is equal to the voltage across each
capacitor.

𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 =𝑉2 = 𝑉3 = ⋯

3. The total charge is equal to the sum of the individual charges.

𝑞𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 + 𝑞3 + ⋯

LESSON 2 GEOMETRY OF CAPACITOR

Parallel-Plate Capacitor
The parallel-plate capacitor has two identical conducting plates, each having
a surface area A, separated by a distance d. When a voltage V is applied to
the capacitor, it stores a charge q, as shown. We can see how its capacitance may
depend on A and d by considering characteristics
of the Coulomb force.

The force between the charges increases

with charge values increases and decreases when
the distance between them increases. We should
expect that the bigger the plates are, the more
charge they can store. Thus, C should be greater
for a larger value of A. Similarly, the closer the
plates are together, the greater the attraction of
the opposite charges on them.
Therefore, C should be greater for a smaller d.

We define the surface charge density σ on the plates as

𝑄
σ=
𝐴
 We know from previous chapters that when dd is small, the electrical field
between the plates is fairly uniform (ignoring edge effects) and that its magnitude
is given by
σ
𝐸=
ϵ0
where the constant ϵ0 is the permittivity of free space, ϵ0=8.85×10−12F/m The SI
unit of F/m is equivalent to C2/N⋅m2. Since the electrical field E→ between the
plates is uniform, the potential difference between the plates is
σd Qd
𝑉 = 𝐸𝑑 = =
ϵ0 ϵ0A
Therefore, Equation gives the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor as
𝑄 𝑄 𝐴
𝐶= = Qd = ϵ0𝑑
𝑉 ⁄ϵ0A

Notice from this equation that capacitance is a function only of the

geometry and what material fills the space between the plates (in this case,
vacuum) of this capacitor. In fact, this is true not only for a parallel-plate
capacitor, but for all capacitors: The capacitance is independent of Q or V. If the
charge changes, the potential changes correspondingly so that Q/V remains
constant.

EXAMPLE. CAPACITANCE AND CHARGE STORED IN A PARALLEL PLATE

CAPACITOR
1. What is the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with metal plates,
each of area 1.00 m2, separated by 1.00 mm?
2. What charge is stored in this capacitor if a voltage of 3.00 × 10 3 V is
applied to it?

Strategy
Finding the capacitance C is a straightforward application of the equation
𝐴
𝐶 = ϵo
𝑑
Once C is found, the charge stored can be found using the equation Q = CV.

Solution for Part 1

Entering the given values into the equation for the capacitance of a parallel plate
capacitor yields
𝐴
𝐶 = ϵo
𝑑
1.00𝑚2
𝐶 = (8.85 𝑋 10−12 𝐹⁄𝑚)
1.00𝑥10−3 𝑚

𝐶 = 8.85 𝑥 10−9 𝐹
Discussion for Part 1
This small value for the capacitance indicates how difficult it is to make a
device with a large capacitance. Special techniques help, such as using very large
area thin foils placed close together.

Solution for Part 2

The charge stored in any capacitor is given by the equation Q = CV. Entering the
known values into this equation gives
Q=CV
Q = (8.85×10−9 F) (3.00×103 V)
Q=26.6μC

Discussion for Part 2

This charge is only slightly greater than those found in typical static electricity.
Since air break down at about 3.00 × 106 V/m, more charge cannot be stored on
this capacitor by increasing the voltage

Spherical Capacitor
A spherical capacitor is another set of conductors whose capacitance can be
easily determined (See Figure Below). It consists of two concentric conducting
spherical shells of radii R1 (inner shell) and R2 (outer shell). The shells are given
equal and opposite charges +Q and −Q, respectively. From symmetry, the electrical
field between the shells is directed radially outward. We can obtain the magnitude
of the field by applying Gauss’s law over a spherical Gaussian surface of
radius r concentric with the shells. The enclosed charge is +Q; therefore, we have

Thus, the electrical field between the conductors is

We substitute this E⃗ into Equation and integrate along a radial path between the
shells:

In this equation, the potential difference between the plates is

We substitute this result into Equation to find the capacitance of a

spherical capacitor:
A spherical capacitor consists of two concentric conducting spheres. Note that
the charges on a conductor reside on its surface.
Cylindrical Capacitor

A cylindrical capacitor consists of two concentric, conducting cylinders. The

inner cylinder, of radius R1, may either be a shell or be completely solid. The outer
cylinder is a shell of inner radius R2. We assume that the length of each cylinder
is l and that the excess charges +Q and −Q reside on the inner and outer cylinders,
respectively.

A cylindrical capacitor consists of two concentric, conducting cylinders.

Here, the charge on the outer surface of the inner cylinder is positive (indicated
by +) and the charge on the inner surface of the outer cylinder is negative
(indicated by −).

With edge effects ignored, the electrical field between the conductors is
directed radially outward from the common axis of the cylinders. Using
the Gaussian surface shown in Figure, we have
Therefore, the electrical field between the cylinders is

where r^ is the unit radial vector along the radius of the cylinder. We can
substitute into Equation and find the potential difference between the cylinders:

Thus, the capacitance of a cylindrical capacitor is

As in other cases, this capacitance depends only on the geometry of

the conductor arrangement. An important application of Equation is the
determination of the capacitance per unit length of a coaxial cable, which is
commonly used to transmit time-varying electrical signals. A coaxial cable consists
of two concentric, cylindrical conductors separated by an insulating material.
(Here, we assume a vacuum between the conductors, but the physics is
qualitatively almost the same when the space between the conductors is filled by
a dielectric.) This configuration shields the electrical signal propagating down the
inner conductor from stray electrical fields external to the cable. Current flows in
opposite directions in the inner and the outer conductors, with the
outer conductor usually grounded. Now, from Equation, the capacitance per unit
length of the coaxial cable is given by

In practical applications, it is important to select specific values of C/l. This

can be accomplished with appropriate choices of radii of the conductors and of the
insulating material between them.
 Coaxial cable

LESSON 3 CAPACITOR WITH DIELECTRIC

A dielectric is a nonconducting material that, when placed between the

plates of a capacitor, increases the capacitance.
➢ Dielectrics include rubber, glass, and waxed paper
➢ With a dielectric, the capacitance becomes C = κC o.
➢ The capacitance increases by the factor κ when the dielectric
completely fills the region between the plates.
➢ κ is the dielectric constant of the material.
If the capacitor remains connected to a battery, the voltage across the
capacitor necessarily remains the same.
If the capacitor is disconnected from the battery, the capacitor is an isolated
system and the charge remains the same.
For a parallel-plate capacitor, C = κ (εoA) / d
In theory, d could be made very small to create a very large capacitance. In
practice, there is a limit to d.
➢ d is limited by the electric discharge that could occur though the
dielectric medium separating the plates.
For a given d, the maximum voltage that can be applied to a capacitor
without causing a discharge depends on the dielectric strength of the material.
Dielectrics provide the following advantages:
➢ Increase in capacitance
➢ Increase the maximum operating voltage
➢ Possible mechanical support between the plates
▪ This allows the plates to be close together without touching.
▪ This decreases d and increases C
 Explore

Practice Exercise 1
When a cylindrical capacitor is given a charge of 0.500 nC, a potential difference of
20.0 V is measured between the cylinders. What is the capacitance of this system?
Practice Exercise 2
The radius of the outer sphere of a spherical capacitor is five times the radius of its
inner shell. What are the dimensions of this capacitor if its capacitance is 5.00 pF?

Deepen

Find connections
You have five 10.0 F capacitors. Show all possible connections of all five
capacitors to produce an equivalent capacitance of (a) 50 F, (b) 0.5 F and (c) 35 F
(a) 50 F
(b) 0.5 F

(c) 35 F

Gauge
Multiple Choice
Answer the following question, write your answer on your answer sheet.
1. How can we increase the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor?
A. increasing the charge B. decreasing the charge
C. increasing the plate separation D. decreasing the plate separation

2. What is the voltage across the plates of the capacitor if the capacitance is 10
uF and the Charge stored is 30 uC?
A. 0.333 V B. 3 V C. 30 V D. 300 V

3. What is created out of two metal plates and an insulating material called a
dielectric?
A. An inductor B. A capacitor
C. A fixed resistor D. A variable resistor
4. In the capacitor, the dielectric can be made out of all sorts of ----------
materials and the plates are made of a -------------- material.
A. conductive, insulating B. conductive, conductive
B. insulating, conductive D. insulating, insulating
5. What does the figure to the right represents:
A. Capacitor
B. Diode
C. Inductor
D. Resistor
6. With respect to the capacitor, which relationship is true? •
A. C = Q×V B. V = C×Q
C. V = Q/C D. Q = C/V
7. With respect to the capacitor, which relationship is true?
A. C = Q/V B. V = C×Q
C. Q = C/V D. Q = V/C
8. How is the capacitance (C) of a parallel-plate capacitor affected by the charge on
the plates ?
A. C depend on the charge on the plates
B. C is vanished when there are plates
C. C does not depend on the charge on the plates
D. C is accumulated on one side only
9. How is the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor affected by the area of each
plate?
A. C is directly proportional to the area A of each plate
B. C is inversely proportional to the area A of each plate
C. C is partially proportional to the area A of each plate
D. C is fully proportional to the area A of each plate
10. How is the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor affected by the distance
between the plates ?
A. C is directly proportional to the area A of each plate
B. C is inversely proportional to the distance d between the plates
C. C is partially proportional to the area A of each plate
D. C is not affected by the area A of each plate
11. If C is the capacitance in Farads, ϵ permittivity of the dielectric, A area of plate
overlap in square meters and d distance between plates in meters, then:
A. C = ϵd/A
B. C = A/ϵd
C. C = ϵA/d
D. C = d/ϵA
12-15. The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are 2.50mm apart, and each carries
a charge of magnitude 80.0nC. The plates are in vacuum. The electric field
between the plates has a magnitude of 4.00x106V/m. What is the potential
difference between the plates? (SHOW YOUR SOLUTIONS)
A. 2.00x104V
B. 1.75x104 V
C. 1.00x10-4 V
D. 1.00x104V
 3.59 cm, 17.98 cm
Practice Exercise 2
2.5 x 10 -10 F
Practice Exercise 1
Explore:
BATTERY CAPACITOR
• aligns the charges of an
electrolyte on either side of • aligns the molecules of
an insulator to store a a dielectric across an
double-layer charge electric field to store
• contains three main parts; energy
a positive terminal called both store
• capacitor consists of
the in rechargeable and release
two or more conductive
batteries, the chemical electrical
plates separated by a
energy that is converted energy
dielectric
into electricity can be
• When a capacitor is
reversed using an outside
connected to an
electrical energy to restore
external circuit, a
the charge cathode,
current will rapidly
• negative terminal called the discharge
anode, and the electrolyte
Jumpstart (Answer may vary)
Answer Key
1. A/D
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. C
7. A
8. C
9. A
10.B
11.C
12. D (1.00x104V)
Gauge
(c)
(b) 0.5 F
(a) 50 F
Deepen:
References:
Published

Angelina A. Silverio, 2007, Exploring Life through Science PHYSICS

Philippines, Phoenix Publishing House, pp. 272-273
eBook
Quex Book

Websites

Capacitors and Capacitance (2020, November 6) Retrieved January 2,

2020 from
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ermodynamics_Electricity_and_Magnetism_(OpenStax)/08%3A_Capa
citance/8.02%3A_Capacitors_and_Capacitance

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