Fundamentals Physics
Twelfth Edition
Halliday
Chapter 25
Capacitance
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Section 25.1 Capacitance
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Capacitance: Definition
A capacitor consists of two isolated conductors (the
plates) with charges +q and −q. Its capacitance C is
defined from
q  CV .
Equation 25.1.1
where V is the potential difference between the plates.
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Parallel Plate Capacitor
A parallel-plate capacitor,
made up of two plates of
area A separated by a
distance d. The charges on
the facing plate surfaces
have the same magnitude q
but opposite signs
Figure 25.1.3 (a)
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Electric Field Lines in a Capacitors
As the field lines show, the
electric field due to the
charged plates is uniform in
the central region between
the plates. The field is not
uniform at the edges of the
plates, as indicated by the
“fringing” of the field lines
there.
Figure 25.1.3 (b)
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Charging a Capacitor
When a circuit with a battery, an open switch, and an
uncharged capacitor is completed by closing the switch,
conduction electrons shift, leaving the capacitor plates
with opposite charges.
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Circuits with Capacitors
Figure 25.1.4
In Fig. 25.1.4 (a), a battery B, a switch S, an uncharged capacitor C, and
interconnecting wires form a circuit. The same circuit is shown in the schematic
diagram of Fig. 25.1.4 (b), in which the symbols for a battery, a switch, and a
capacitor represent those devices. The battery maintains potential difference V
between its terminals. The terminal of higher potential is labeled + and is often
called the positive terminal; the terminal of lower potential is labeled − and is
often called the negative terminal.
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Section 25.2 Calculating the Capacitance
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Calculating Electric Field vs. Potential
Difference
To relate the electric field E between the plates of a capacitor to the
charge q on either plate, we shall use Gauss’ law:
𝜀0
𝐸 ⋅ 𝑑 𝐴 = 𝑞.
Equation 25.2.1
the potential difference between the plates of a capacitor is related
to the field E by
f
V f  Vi    E  ds,
Equation 25.2.3
i
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Calculating the Capacitance for
Parallel Plate Capacitors
Letting V represent the difference V f  Vi , we can then recast the
above equation as:

V   E ds Equation 25.2.3

A charged parallel-plate capacitor. A
Gaussian surface encloses the charge
on the positive plate. The integration is
taken along a path extending directly
from the negative plate to the positive
plate.
Figure 25.2.1
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Gauss’ Law for Calculating
Capacitance (part one)
We assume, in Fig. 25.2.1, that the plates of our parallel-plate
capacitor are so large and so close together that we can neglect
the fringing of the electric field at the edges of the plates,
taking E to be constant throughout the region between the plates.
We draw a Gaussian surface that encloses just the charge q on the
positive plate
q   0 EA
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Equation 25.2.5
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Gauss’ Law for Calculating
Capacitance (part two)
where A is the area of the plate. And therefore,

d

0
V   E ds  E  ds  Ed .
Now if we substitute q in the above relations to q = CV, we get,
C
0 A
d
 parallel-plate capacitor  .
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Equation 25.2.7
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Gaussian Surface in Parallel Plate
Capacitor
Figure 25.2.1
A charged parallel-plate capacitor. A Gaussian surface encloses the
charge on the positive plate. The integration is taken along a path
extending directly from the negative plate to the positive plate.
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Capacitance for Cylindrical
Capacitors
Figure 25.2.2 shows a cross section of a
cylindrical capacitor of length L formed
by two coaxial cylinders of radii a and
b. We assume that L>>b so that we can
neglect the fringing of the electric field
that occurs at the ends of the cylinders.
Each plate contains a charge of
magnitude q. Here, charge and the field
magnitude E are related by:
Figure 25.2.1
q   0 EA   0 E  2 rL 
Cross section of a long cylindrical capacitor,
showing a cylindrical Gaussian surface of
radius r (that encloses the positive plate) and
the radial path of integration.
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Calculating Capacitance from
Cylindrical Electric Field
Solving for E field:

V   E ds   2 0 L  drr  2q0 L ln  ba 
q

a
b
From the relation C  Vq , we then have
C  2 0
L
ln  
b
a
 cylindrical capacitor .
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Figure 25.2.12
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Capacitance for Spherical Electric
Fields
For spherical capacitor the capacitance is:
C  4 0
ab
ba
 spherical capacitor .
Figure 25.2.15
Capacitance of an isolated sphere:
C  4 0 R
 isolated sphere .
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Figure 25.2.16
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Section 25.3 Capacitors in Parallel and In
Series
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Net Capacitance for Capacitors in
Parallel (part one)
When a potential difference V is applied across several capacitors
connected in parallel, that potential difference V is applied across
each capacitor. The total charge q stored on the capacitors is the sum
of the charges stored on all the capacitors.
q1  C1V , q2  C2V , and q3  C3V .
The total charge on the parallel
combination of Figure. 25.3.1 (a) is
then:
q  q1  q2  q3   C1  C2  C3 V .
Figure 25.3.1 (a)
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Net Capacitance for Capacitors in
Parallel (part two)
The equivalent capacitance, with the same total charge q and
applied potential difference V as the combination, is then
Ceq  Vq  C1  C2  C3 ,
a result that we can easily extend to any number n of capacitors, as
n
Ceq   C j
 n capacitors in parallel  .
Equation 25.3.1
j 1
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Net Capacitance for Capacitors in
Series (part one)
When a potential difference V is applied across several capacitors
connected in series, the capacitors have identical charge q. The sum
of the potential differences across all the capacitors is equal to the
applied potential difference V.
q
q
q
V1  , V2  , and V3  .
C1
C2
C3
The total potential difference V due
to the battery is the sum:
1 1 1 
V  V1  V2  V3  q     .
 C1 C2 C3 
Figure 25.3.1 (b)
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Net Capacitance for Capacitors in
Series (part two)
The equivalent capacitance is then:
q
1
Ceq   1 1 1 ,
V C1  C2  C3
or
1
1 1 1
   .
Ceq C1 C2 C3
n
1
1

Ceq j 1 C j
 n capacitors in series  .
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Equation 25.3.2
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Section 25.4 Energy Stored in an Electric
Field
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Electric Potential Energy vs.
Capacitance
The electric potential energy U of a charged capacitor,
q2
U
2C
 potential energy  .
Equation 25.4.1
U  12 CV 2
 potential energy  .
Equation 25.4.2
and
is equal to the work required to charge the capacitor. This energy
can be associated with the capacitor’s electric field E.
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Energy Stored in an Electric Field
The potential energy of a charged capacitor may be viewed as
being stored in the electric field between its plates.
Every electric field, in a capacitor or from any other source,
has an associated stored energy. In vacuum, the energy
density u (potential energy per unit volume) in a field of
magnitude E is
u  12  0 E 2
 energy density .
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Equation 25.4.5
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Section 25.5 Capacitor with a Dielectric
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Definition of a Dielectric
If the space between the plates of a capacitor is completely
filled with a dielectric material, the capacitance C in vacuum
(or, effectively, in air) is multiplied by the material’s dielectric
constant  , (Greek kappa) which is a number greater than 1.
In a region completely filled by a dielectric material of
dielectric constant  , all electrostatic equations containing
the permittivity constant ε0 are to be modified by replacing ε0
with  0 .
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Dielectric In a Parallel Plate
Capacitor
Figure 25.5.2
If the potential difference between the plates of a capacitor
is maintained, as by the presence of battery B, the effect of
a dielectric is to increase the charge on the plates.
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Effect of Increased Capacitance on
Voltage
Figure 25.5.2
If the charge on the capacitor plates is maintained, as in this case by
isolating the capacitor, the effect of a dielectric is to reduce the
potential difference between the plates. The scale shown is that of a
potentiometer, a device used to measure potential difference (here,
between the plates). A capacitor cannot discharge through a
potentiometer.
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Molecular View of Dielectric
Materials
Figure 25.5.3 (a)
Molecules with a permanent electric dipole moment,
showing their random orientation in the absence of an
external electric field.
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Induced Dipoles In Dielectric
Materials
An electric field is applied,
producing partial alignment
of the dipoles. Thermal
agitation prevents complete
alignment.
Figure 25.5.3 (b)
Creation of induced
dipoles by applied electric
field and resultant net
electric field strength
Figure 25.5.4
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Section 25.6 Dielectrics and Gauss’ Law
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Dielectrics and Gauss’ Law
•
Inserting a dielectric into a capacitor causes induced charge
to appear on the faces of the dielectric and weakens the
electric field between the plates.
• The induced charge is less than the free charge on the
plates.
When a dielectric is present, Gauss’ law may be generalized to
 0   E  dA  q (Gauss’ Law with dielectric) Equation 25.6.7
where q is the free charge. Any induced surface charge is
accounted for by including the dielectric constant 
inside the integral.
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Dielectric Constant in Flux Integral
The flux integral now involves  E not just E. The vector
 0 E is sometimes called the electric displacement D
so that the above equation can be written in the form
 D  dA  q
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Effect of Dielectric on Gaussian Surface in
Parallel Plate Capacitors
Figure 25.6.1
A parallel-plate capacitor (a) without and (b) with a dielectric
slab inserted. The charge q on the plates is assumed to be the
same in both cases.
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Chapter 25 Summary: Capacitors and
Calculating Capacitance
Capacitor and Capacitance
• The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as:
q  CV
Equation (25.1.1)
Determining Capacitance
• Parallel-plate capacitor:
C
•
0A
d
Equation (25.2.7)
.
Cylindrical Capacitor:
C  2 0
L
ln  
b
a
.
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Equation (25.2.12)
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Chapter 25 Summary: Spherical
Capacitors and Parallel Combination
• Spherical Capacitor:
•
ab
C  4 0
.
ba
Equation (25.2.15)
C  4 0 R.
Equation (252.16)
Isolated sphere:
Capacitor in parallel and series
• In parallel:
n
C eq   C j
j 1
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Equation (25.3.1)
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Chapter 25 Summary: Series Combination
and Energy
• In series
n
1
1

Ceq j 1 C j
Equation (25.3.2)
Potential Energy and Energy Density
• Electric Potential Energy (U):
q2 1
U
 2 CV 2
2C
•
Equation (25.4.1 & 25.4.2)
Energy density (u)
u  12  0 E 2 .
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Equation (25.4.5)
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Chapter 25 Summary: Effect of Dielectrics
Capacitance with a Dielectric
• If the space between the plates of a capacitor is completely
filled with a dielectric material, the capacitance C is
increased by a factor  , called the dielectric constant, which
is characteristic of the material.
Gauss’ Law with a Dielectric
• When a dielectric is present, Gauss’ law may be
generalized to
 0   E  dA  q
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Equation (25.6.7)
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Biomedical Application
The ability of a capacitor to store potential energy is the
basis of defibrillator devices, which are used by
emergency teams to stop the fibrillation of heart attack
victims (Fig. 25.40). In the portable version, a battery
charges a capacitor to a high potential difference, storing
a large amount of energy in less than a minute. The
battery maintains only a modest potential difference; an
electronic circuit repeatedly uses that potential different
to greatly increase the potential difference of the
capacitor. The power, or rate of energy transfer, during
this process is also modest. Conducting leads (“paddles”)
are placed on the victim’s chest. When a control switch is
closed, the capacitor sends a portion of its stored energy
from paddle to paddle through the victim. (a) If a 70F
capacitor in a defibrillator is charged to 5.0 kV, what is
the stored potential energy? (b) If 23% of that energy is
sent through the chest in 2.0 ms, what is the power of the
pulse?
Answers: (a) 875 J, (b) 100 kW
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