ELECTRIC CAPACITY

the amount of water is added in any pot then the level of liquid in the container increases and
water will be accumulated in the container up to a certain level after wards it will overflow.
similarly if change is given to any conductor then it s level of charging or say potential will
increase . More the charge more the potential.
Thus we can conclude potential of any conductor and amount of change present on the conductor and
proportional to each other. If we give Q change to any conductor and increase in its potential is V then
Q V
Q =VC Where, C is the electric capacity of the conductor . or Capacitance of the
conductor of the conductor

CAPACITY OF ANY CONDUCTOR IS CONSTANT WHICH DEPENDS ON -->
(1) Shape of the conductor (3) Medium around the conductor.
(2) Area of the conductor. (4) Presence of any other conductor close to the charged conductor
Q=CV
(i) C=Q/V
(ii) If V =Unit increase in potential

C=Q
DEFINATION OF ELECTRIC CAPACITY =>
Electric capacity of any conductor is the ratio of charge given to the conductor and
increase in the potential of the conductor. OR . Electric capacity of any conductor is numerically equal to the
amount of charge required to increase its potential by unit.
Unit of capacity C=Q/V 1 Farad =10
6
Micro Farad 1 Micro Farad= 10
-6
Farad
1 Farad=10
12
Pico Farad 1 Pico Farad =10
-12
Farad

Volt
Coulomb
= Farad (f)
Definition of One Farad =>If the increase in potential of any conductor is one volt due to the charge of one
coulomb then the capacity of the conductor will be one Farad .
CAPACITY OF ANY ISOLATED SPERICAL CONDUCTOR
Consider any spherical conductor having radius R center O and charge given will be uniformly distributed
over the surface of the conductor so its surface will be equipotent surface and electric lines of force will be
along the radius now potential on the conductor will be V-

V=
R
Kq
=
o
4
1

R
q

So capacity C=Q/V

C=
R 4 R 4 x
q
q
o o

or C R
Thus the capacity of the conductor is proportional to its radius or say more the surface area more the capacity.
Question:- If the above conductor is kept is medium having di-electric constant
r

then
Pot V
1
=
R 4
q
r o

Capacity C
'
=
R 4
r o


C
1
> C
Ques:-If we take a conductor having capacity. one Farad then find its radius or surface area of can conductor.


R
0
4 C

R =
o
4
1

= 9 x 10
9
m. Thus radius of conductor will be more than earth.
Energy Of Charged Conductor =>
Energy of any charged conductor is equal to the amount of work done in charging the conductor .we
take a conductor charge zero and potential is zero. If a small amount of charge dq is given to it no work is
done on it ;but if more charge is given to conductor then the charge present on conductor. will repel other
charge coming to conductor to work is to be done in charging .
Let the value consider that any Q charge is to be given to any conductor this Q charge will be given
in n small parts. let the value of one small part is dq then
n x dq = Q.
Let the initial charge and initial potential are zero. Take a case when charge present on conductor is q(q is
between O&Q) and potential is V
1
V
1
=
c
q
Where c is the capacity of the conductor
if dq charge is further added or charge is made q to q+dq then the amount of work done in giving this small
charge will be dw-
dw = dq x V
1
If
V
dw = dq x
c
q
Now the work done in charging the conductor for o to Q will be W-
W =

Q
o
dw
=

Q
o
c
q
dq
=
q q d
c

0
0
1
=
Q
O
2
2
q
c
1
1
]
1

W =
1
]
1

2
O
2
Q
c
1
2 2
= C 2
Q
2
If final potential or say potential after the charge Q is V then
Q = CV

W =
2
2 2
2
1
2
CV
C
V C

U =
2
CV
2
1
Shearing Of Charge Between The Charged Conductors And Common Potential :-->
Consider two conductors A&B having capacity C
1
&C
2
,potentialV
1
&V
2
and charges on them are
Q
1
&Q
2
, respectively. if these conductor s A&B are kept in contact or joined by any conducting wire or body
then the charge from the conductor having higher potential will go to the conductor having low potential and
lastly potential of both the conductors will be equal. this equal potential is said to be common potential and this
process is said to be Redistribution of charge.

1
Q
Q
1
Q
2

2
Q
A B
V
1
V
2
C
1
(Common Potential) C
2
Let the charge after shearing are
1
Q
&
2
Q
on A & B respectively now the total charge before and after the
redistribution will remain same so
Q
1
+ Q
2
=
1
Q
+
2
Q
Q
1
= C
1
V
1
Q
2
= C
2
V
2


1
Q
= C
1
V
2
Q
= C
2
V
C
1
V
1
+ C
2
V
2
= C
1
V+ C
2
V
C
1
V
1
+ C
2
V
2
= V(C
1
+ C
2
)

V =
2 1
2 2 1 1
C C
V C V C
+
+
=
2 1
2 1
C C
Q Q
+
+
Common potential =
capacity
e arg ch
Total
Total
Charge after shearing will be
1
Q
= C
1
V

1
Q
= C
1
(C
2 2 1 1
v c v +
)
2
Q
= C
2
( C
2 2 1 1
V C C + ) then
2
1
Q
Q

=
2
1
C
C

C
1
+C
2
C
1
+C
2


Thus the charge present after shearing will be proportional to the capacity of the conductor .
Ques :- Two conductor having capacity C
1
& C
2
their potentials are V
1
& V
2
are joined by conducting
wire .if change in their potentials are
1
V &
2
V then prove


1
2
2
1
C
C
V
V

Consider two conductors A& B having capacity C
1
& C
2
charges are Q
1
& Q
2
and their
potentials are V
1
& V
2
. Let these conductors are joined by a conducting wire. let change in the potentials of
conductors A & B are
1
V &
2
V respectively. Consider that they come to a common potential V then-

1
V = V
1
-V :
2
V = V -V
2

Common potential (V) = (C
1
V
1
+ C
2
V
2
)
(C
1
+ C
2
)

1
V
= V
1

_
1
]
1

+
+
2 1
2 2 1 1
C C
V C V C


1
V = C
1
V
1
+ C
2
V
1
- C
1
V
1
- C
2
V
2

C
1
+ C
2

1
V = C
2
( V
1
- V
2
)

C
1
+ C
2


2
V =
1
]
1

+
+
2 1
2 2 1 1
C C
V C V C
- V
2


2
V = C
1
V
1
+ C
2
V
2
- C
1
V
2
- C
2
V
2

C
1
+ C
2


2
V = C
1
( V
1
- V
2
)
C
1
+ C
2
So
) V V ( C
C C
X
C
C
V
V
2 1 1
2 1
1
2
2
1

1
2
2
1
C
C
V
V

Question :- If two conductors having capacities C
1
and C
2
potential V
1
&V
2
are joined by conducting wire then
the ratio of charge change in their charges will be


1
q
q
2
1

To Calculate The Loss In P. E. Due Shearing Of Charge :--
Consider two conductors A&B having charges Q
1
&Q
2
potential V
1
&V
2.
Let their capacity are C
1
&C
2
If
they are joined by any conducting wire the charge from the conductor having higher potential will flow to the
conductor having low potential and lastly the potentials of the both conductors will be same let the common
potential is V-
Total P.E. with A &B before shearing will be = U
1
+ U
2
= U
U =(1/ 2) C
1
V
1
2
+1/ 2 (C
2
V
2
2
)
Total P. E. after shearing will be
U =
2 1
U U +

U = (1 / 2) C
1
V
2
+ (1 /2) C
2
V
2
U = (1 / 2) V
2
(C
1
+ C
2
) = ) (
2
1
2 1
2
2 1
2 2 1 1
C C
C C
V C V C

,
_

+
+
U
'
=
2 1
2
2 2 1 1
C C
) V C V C (
2
1
+
+
Loss in P.E. due to shearing will be .

1
U U U
U =
2 1
2
2 2 1 1
2
2 2 1 1
C C
) V C V C (
2
1
V C
2
1
V C
2
1
+
+
+


U = ]
) C C (
) V C V C ( ) C C ( V C ) C C ( V C
[
2
1
2
2 1
2 2 1 1 2 1
2
2 2 2 1
2
1 1
+
+ + + +
U =
1
]
1

+
+ + +
2 1
2 1 2 1
2
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
2 2 1
2
1 2 1
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
C C
V V C C V C V C V C V C C V C C V C
U =
] V V 2 V V [ C C
) C C ( 2
1
2 1
2
2
2
1 2 1
2 1
+
+


2
2 1
2 1
2 1
) V V (
) C C ( 2
C C
U
+

In this equation C
1
C
2
& C
1
+C
2
will be always positive As (V
1
-V
2
)
2
being square will be positive. So U
will be positive.
Hence we can say there will be loss in potential energy due to shearing. This energy may appear in the
form of heat energy being the resistance of the conducting wire.
Capacitor or Condenser :->
The arrangement of the conductors in which capacity of any conductor is increased without increasing
its size is said to be capacitor.
X +q
Principle of Condenser :--> + +
1.charge on X conductor = +q + +
potential on X conductor = V
1
+ +

capacity of X conductor = C
1
+ +
2. We place other conductor of Y close to the charged conductor X then the potential of X reduces as the
diversion in the leaves of gold leaf electroscope.
X Y
+q + - q +q
- + + - + ( Charges on the y conductor are induced charges .shearing
+ + - +
+ + - + of charge with X conductor is not there

(Diversion is slightly less .)
1. As Y is kept close to X the inner surface of it will be negatively charged and outer surface will be
positively charged .These negative and positive charges are induced charges they are equal in magnitude.
2. Diversion of the leaves reduces slightly because q and +q charges of y will produce potential on x that s
why resultant potential of x will reduce slightly .let the potential of x in this condition is V
2
then-

Charge on x = +q
Potential on x = V
2
> V
1 X Y

Capacity on x = C
2
> C
1
+q + - -q
+ + -

(C= Q/V) + + -

+ + -

Earthed

(

Diversion will be less )
(1). As Y

Conductor is connected to earth its +ve charge will go to earth and Y will be having only ve
charge on it .
(2). Potential of X will decrease due to the potential of Y .Let Potential of X in this condition is V
3
then
charge on X = q
Potential of X = V
3
< V
2
< V
1
Capacity of X is C
3
> C
2
> C
1
In this way capacity of conductor X is increased without increasing its size by keeping other conductor
Y close to it and outer end of Y

is outer surface of

Y

is connected to earth .The arrangement of conductor
decreases the potential of X and capacity of X increases.
Parallel Plates Capacitor :-
Consider any parallel plate capacitor having two metallic plates X and Yin rectangular shape or in
spherical shape. These two plates are parallel and are kept on insulting stands. the plates are parallel and are
kept at a small distance. If +q charge is given to plate X and Y plate is connected to earth.
X Y
-
+q + - -q
+ -
+ -
+ -

As +q charge is given to plate X due to induction inner surface of plate Y will be having q charge on it and
outer surface of Y will be having +q charge on it . As outer surface of Y is connected to earth so +q charge of
Y will go to earth and there will be q charge only on Y plate .let the area of each plate is A and they are kept
at a distance of d in between now charge density on each plate is

A
q
Now E.F. is between the plate is E. , E =
0

=
0
A
q

The E.F. is uniformly up to the plates outside the plates the field will be in decreasing order thats why line of
force are parallel and equidistance up to the plate and outside the plates they are curved.
Potential difference between the plates will be V-
V = E x d =
A
q
0

x d So capacity of parallel plate capacitor C C=

d
A
0

The factors effecting the capacity of parallel plate capacitor

(1.)
More the area of plates more the capacity of capacitor. If X or Y plates is displaced upwards or downwards,
effective area between the plates will reduce and capacity will reduce.
(2.)
d
1
C
More the distance between the plates less the capacity.
(3.) Medium between the plates
If we keep any dielectric medium between the plates in place of air them capacity will be more
C
air
=
d
A
0

C
md
=
d
A
r 0

As
1
r
>
So C
md
. > C
air
. C
air
=
r
md
C

, r air md
X C C
(4.) If the plate Y is disconnected from the earth then the capacity of condenser reduces.
(5.)The energy with the capacity is with the medium between the plates, it is not with the plates. Energy per unit
Volume between the plates will be
.
2
1
2
0
E U

,
_

(6). Net charge on the capacitor will be zero.

(7). If any capacitor is connected to the battery and its plates are taken away then capacity will reduce and
potential difference will remain constant because connected to the battery.
Q = CV.
C =
V
Q

d
V
E

2
CV
2
1
U
(i) C will reduce.
(ii) Potential difference(V) Will remain constant.
(iii) Charge will reduce.
(iv) Electric field between the plates will the reduce.
(v) Potential energy will reduce.
,
_

2
2
1
CV U
.
(8.) When capacity is charged (not connected to battery) and plates are taken away
(i) Cwill reduce.
(ii) Change will be constant. ( Q=CV )
(iii) V will increase. ( =Q/C )
(iv) E.F will be constant.
(v) P.E. will increase.
(9.) There is a charged parallel plate capacitor (not connected to the battery) then a slab of di-electric medium
having di-electric constant
r

introduced between the plates of capacitor.

(i) C will increase.
(ii) Charge will be constant.
(iii) P. diff. will be less.
(iv) E. field will be less.
(v) Energy will be less.
(10). A parallel plate condenser is connected to a battery and any di-electric slab having di-electric constant
r

is introduced between plates

(i) Capacity will be more
(ii) Potential different will be same.
(iii) Charge will be more.
(iv) E. f. will be constant.
(v) P.E.will be more.
(11.) To Find Capacity Of A Parallel Plate Condenser Having Partly Di-Electric And Partly Air Between
The Plates
Consider any capacitor having two plates X and Y which are at a distance of d in between. Let area of
each plate is A and X plate is given charge and Y is connected to earth. Let the charge on plate X is +q
and charge on Y plate will be q. Between the plates a dielectric medium having width t is kept and in the
distance (r-t) air is present.
Now the E.F. between the plates where air is present will be E
air

A
q
E
air
0

E.F. between the plates where dielectric is kept

A
q
E
r o
Di

The P. difference between the (d-t) distance where air is present will be V
air

) t d ( X E V
Di aie

) t d ( X
A
q
0

Similarly P. difference where the dielectric is kept V

Di
Xt E V
Di Di


Xt
A
q
V
r 0
Di

Total Potential different

V=V
air
+V
Di
.
. Xt
A
q
) t d (
A
q
r 0 0

+

V
]
t
) t d [(
A
q
r 0

+

So capacity of the condenser or capacitor in the case when partially di-electric is kept will be

( )
1
]
1

,
_

1
]
1

,
_

,
_

r
0
r 0

t
t d
A

t
t d
A
q
q
V
q
C

d t +

r
t

< d
So value of capacity
( )
1
]
1

,
_

+
r
0

t
t d
A
will be more then
d
A
C
air
0

Thus capacity of parallel plate capacitor increases in the case when di-electric is kept partially between the
plates.
Different cases: -
1. When t = d
Di-electric is kept completely between the plates or say up to the full distance
d
A
d
d d
A
C
r
r

0 0

(2). If t=d/2 ) 1 (
2
2 2 2
2 /
2
0 0 0 0
r
r
r
r
r r
d
A
d d
A
d d
A
d d
d
A
C

(3.) It conducting plate is kept of the thickness t in plate of di-electric plates (for conducting plate
r
= )

t d
A
/ t t d
A
C
0 0

The value is more in comparison to when air was present between the plates
.
(4.) When several plates of di-electric medium is kept between the plates -
t
1
+t
2
+t
3
+....+t
6
==d

.
t
...
t t
) t ... t t t ( d
A
)
t
( t d
A
C
6
6
2
2
r
1
6 3 2 1
0
r
0
1

+ +

+ + + + +

.
t t t t t t
A
C
6 5 4 3 2 1
r
6
r
5
r
4
r
3
r
2
r
1
0

Spherical Condenser or Spherical Capacitor :
Consider any spherical condenser having two hollow spheres A & B of centre O radius r
1
& r
2
where
r
2
>r
1
. The inner sphere A is given +q charge and outer sphere B is connected to earth. Due to induction
there will be q charge on the inner surface of B and +q charge on the outer surface of B .The +q charge of
B will go to the earth because it is connected to earth, thus sphere B will be having q charge only.
+q

As the sphere A is inside the sphere B so potential on surface of A will be V
1
1.Due to its own charge.
2.Due to the charge of B or because it is present inside B there will be a potential on A as on the
surface of B potential on surface of A due to its
own charge will be V
1-
V
1=
1
r
kq

Potential on surface of A because of B-
V
2
=
2
r
kq

; So
not potential on surface of A will be
V V V
1
+
2

V
]
r
1
r
1
[ kq
2 1

=
]
r r
r r
[ kq
2 1
1 2


So capacity of capacitor or condenser will be
1 2
2 1 0
1 2
2 1
r r
r r 4
) r r (
r r
x
kq
q
V
q
C

(1)
>
2 1
r r C
If r
1
or r
2
increases or say size of hollow sphere increases C will increase but according to
the principle of condenser we want smaller size so we do not use this concept in condenser -
(2)
1 2
1
r r
C

The value of C will increase if r

2
r
1
will decrease
(3) If outer sphere is given charge and inner sphere is connected to earth then capacity will increase and it will
be -
. r 4
r r
r r 4
C
2 0
1 2
2 1 0
+

Combination of condenser or capacitors:-

When capacitor of required capacity is not available then we obtain it by combining capacitors. The
combination is made in two ways
(1) In series => In this combination current passing or charge on each plate remains same
In this combination the plates are connected as -The 2
nd
plate of first condenser is connected to the 1
st
plate
of second condenser is connected to the 1
st
plate of 3
rd
condenser and process we continue and in last we
connect the last plate of last condenser to earth. First plate of first condenser is given charge and every plate of
the combination will be having q charge on it.
let there are three condensers having capacities C
1
,C
2
,C
3
are connected in series .let the charge on each
plate is q and potential difference between X ,Y&Z are V
1
V
2
&V
3
respectively

1 1
C / q V

2 2
C / q V
3
3
C
q
V
Total potential difference across the capacitors V = V
1
+V
2
+V
3

V = q
1
]
1

+ +
2 2 1
1 1 1
C C C
1
Let the combination is like a capacitor having equivalent capacity C
s
and charge an each plate of the equivalent
capacitor will be Q and potential deference across the equivalent capacitor will be V then
Potential on the surface of B
sphere V
B
=
2 2
r
Kq
r
Kq

Potential on the surface of A

sphere V
A
=
2 1
r
Kq
r
Kq

V = s
q/C
. 2
By equation 1 & 2
2 2 1
1 1 1 1
C C C C
s
+ +
Thus the reciprocal of the equivalent capacity will be equal to the sum of reciprocal of capacities.
(1) Ratio of charge on each condenser will 1 :1 in series combination .
(2) Potential difference across different condenser will be different V will be more with the condenser
having less capacity .
(3) Equivalent capacity will be less then the minimum in the combination.
eq . C
1
= 1F, C
2
= 5F, C
3
= 10 F.


10
13
10
1
5
1
1
1 1
+ +
s
C
so
13
10 1

s
C
which is less then the minimum in combination say 1F
(4) This combination is used when voltage applied is higher to divide the potential difference among the
different condensers.
Parallel Combination: In this combination potential difference across each capacity will be same +ve plate
of all capacitors are at a point and ve plates of all capacitors are at the other point .
Consider three condensers having capacity C
1
,C
2
,C
3
are connected in parallel combination +ve plate of all the
three capacitors are at a plate A and point ve plates are at B .let total charge given is +Q and charge on the
capacitors are q
1
,q
2
,&q
3
respect Potential difference each condense will be as applied between A & B let it is v
Now q
1
= C
1
V , q
2
= C
2
V , q
3
= C
3
V
Total charge is Q = q
1 +
q
2+
q
3
= V(C
1+
C
2+
C
3
) ...(I)
Let the combination is like a condenser having capacity C
P
charge on each plate will be Q and Potential
difference will be V
So Q = C
P
x V (II)
By I & II C
P
= C
1+
C
2+
C
3

Thus the equivalent capacity will be equal to the sum of capacities
1. In this combination ratio of potential difference on different capacitors will be 1:1.
2. Ratio of charges will be different more capacity more charge.
3. Equivalent capacity will be more than the maximum in combination.
4. This combination is used when potential difference is less and capacity required is very large.
5. Charge accumulated in this combination will be very large.
Question 1. When any condenser is charged energy stored is U and energy dissipated in the form of heat is
also U & energy consumed form battery is 2U
Question 2. In the circuit shown figure initially key is open and capacitor is uncharged. After key is closed and
during the charging of capacitor completely heat dissipated in the resistor is
(1) 10
4
J (2) 10
3
J
(3) 2 X 10
4
J (4) Information insuff .
Energy dissipated =
2
1
1 CV
2
=
2
1
x 2 x 10
-6
x 100 = 10
4
J
Question 3. Find total capacity between A and B


. .......... ..........
8
1
4
1
2
1
1
1 1
+ + +
s
C
S =
r
a
1
a = I term , r = Ratio of terms
1
2
2
1
1
1 1

s
C
r
2
r
1
O
A
B
2
1

s
C
Question 4. Potential difference between A and B does not depend on the charge of B
Question 5. Find the total capacity between A & B
Ans. Let the eq. Capacity in parallel arms are C
1+
C
2+
C
3.

C
1
=
F C F C F F
8
1
,
4
1
,
2
1
C , 1
4 3 2


C
Total
= C
1
+C
2
+C
3
+..
= 1 +
8
1
4
1
2
1
+ +
C
T
=
2
2
1
1
1

Question .6
.
Question 7.
Question 8.

Question 9.
Question 10.
3 2 1
2 1 3 2 1
2
) ( 2
C C C
C C C C C
C
T
+ +
+ +

Question 11.
3 2 2 1
) 2 1 ( 3 ) 2 x 1 ( 2
+ + +
+ +

T
C