CAPACITORS
By: Ms. Rhenz Marielle Pasion
Capacitor
Is a device for storing charges. The standard symbols
for capacitor are shown in figure 2.6:
There are several types of capacitors. One
of the simplest types of capacitors consists
of two equally but oppositely charged
parallel conducting plates separated from
each other by thin sheet of insulating
material or dielectric.
When connected to a source of charge,
such as a battery, the positive terminal of
the source removes electrons from the plate
connected to it and transfers them to the
other plate. As a result, the two plates are
equally but oppositely charged.
(Figure 2-7 shows the basic parts of a parallel
plate capacitor)
A capacitor is usually named
after the dielectric material
used. Common dielectric
materials used in a capacitor are
mica, glass, air, ceramic, and
paper.
(Some commercially available
capacitors are shown in Figure 2-
8.)
Capacitance
It is the ability of a capacitor to store charges. The capacitance C of a
capacitor is mathematically defined as the ratio of the amount of charge q
in one plate to the potential difference V between the plates. In symbols:
C=q/V
THE SI UNIT OF CAPACITANCE IS THE FARAD (F)
NAMED AFTER MICHAEL FARADAY.
FARADAY. NOTE THAT 1
IS EQUAL TO 1 COULOMB PER VOLT.
THE CAPACITANCE OF A PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR IS
AFFECTED BY THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
THE DEPENDENCE OF THE CAPACITANCE OF A
PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR ON THE FACTORS
CITED ABOVE IS MATHEMATICALLY EXPRESSED AS:
Where A is the area of
one plate, d is the
C = Ꞓ A/d distance between the
plates, and Ꞓ is the
permittivity of
the insulating material
or dielectric.
TRIVIA
Table 2-1 lists the permittivity of
some common dielectrics.
Sometimes, the relative
permittivity or dielectric
constant of the dielectric
material is given instead of its
permittivity.
The relative permittivity or
dielectric constant Ꞓ R is the
ratio of the permittivity Ꞓ of the
dielectric to the permittivity Ꞓ0
of vacuum or air.
Ꞓ R = Ꞓ/Ꞓ0
Note that Ꞓ R has no unit. Also the relative permittivity is greater than
or equal to one. Rewritting:
C = Ꞓ A/d = Ꞓ R Ꞓ0 A/d
Note that C0 = Ꞓ0 A/d (capacitance with air or vacuum as the
dielectric). Therefore,
C = Ꞓ RꞒ0
Inserting a dielectric other than
air or vacuum increases the
capacitance to an amount equal
to Ꞓ R times its original value
There is a limit to the potential difference between
the plates of the capacitor. When the maximum
potential difference is exceeded, the dielectric
becomes a conductor, allowing the flow of charges.
These moving charges form sparks or discharge. This
condition is known as dielectric breakdown.
Lightning is an example of dielectric breakdown.
QUESTION:
WHAT IS CAPACITANCE?
ON WHAT FACTORS DOES
THE CAPACITANCE OF A
PARALLEL PLATE
CAPACITOR DEPEND?
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
COMBINATION OF
CAPACITORS
Capacitors may be connected in series or in parallel. Figure 2-11 shows these
connections.
QUESTION:
WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR
SERIES AND PARALLEL
COMBINATIONS OF
CAPACITORS?
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
ENERGY STORED IN
CAPACITOR
In charging a capacitor, the charges simply move Recalling: W = U = ½ qV
from one plate directly onto the other plate. The Based on the definition of capacitance,
charges move against a potential difference V the equation may be written in the
between the plates, such that has +q on it, while following alternative forms.
the other plate has –q. This potential difference U = ½ qV = ½ CV^2 = ½ q^2/C.
increases as more charges are transferred. If the capacitor is initially uncharged, the
If the capacitor is initially uncharged, the potential difference is zero. Assuming that
potential difference is zero. Assuming that after a after a total charge q has been
total charge q has been transferred, the final transferred, the final difference between
difference between the plates is V; thus, the the plates is V; thus, the average potential
average potential difference that the total charge difference that the total charge q was
q was moved is V/2. moved is V/2.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
THANK YOU!
