Chapter

4
Capacitance
Conductors and Insulators
A conductor contains a large number of free charge carriers to conduct electricity, while
insulator does not contain any free charge carriers to conduct electricity. Examples of
conductors are metals and the earth. Plastic, rubber, mica, wood, etc. are the examples of
insulator.
Free Charges and Bound Charges Inside a Conductor
(i ) In a metal, the outer (valence) electrons are free to move. These electrons are free within the
metal but not free to leave the metal. These free electrons are free charges inside a conductor
and cause of electricity conduction by conductor.
(ii ) The bound charges are those positive ions which are made up of the nuclei and the bound
electrons remain held in their fixed positions.
Some important results regarding electrostatic of conductors are
(i ) Inside a conductor, electric field is zero.
(ii ) The interior of a conductor can have no excess charge in static situation.
(iii ) Electric field just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular to the surface of the
conductor at every point.

Dielectrics and Electric Polarisation

When a conductor is placed in an external electric field, the free charge carriers adjust
themself in such a way that the electric field due to induced charges and external field cancel
each other and the net field inside the conductor is zero. In case of dielectrics, however the
opposing field so, induced does not exactly cancel the external field.
E0 E0
Ein E0 Ein E0
E0+Ein=0 E0+Ein=0
Conductor Dielectrics
Behaviours of a conductor and dielectrics in an external electric field
38 Chapterwise ISC Solved Papers Physics (Class XII)

A net dipole moment is developed by an external field in either case, whether polar or
non-polar dielectric. The dipole moment unit volume is called polarisation and is denoted by p.
p = χ ε 0E
where, χ is called electric susceptibility of the dielectric medium.

Capacitor and Capacitance

A capacitor is a device which is used to store electrostatic potential energy or charge. It
comprises of two conductors separated by an insulating medium. Capacitance of a conductor
is the ability to store the electric charge.
Capacitance of a Conductor
If charge q is given to an isolated conductor, it leads to increase its potential by V , such that
q ∝V ⇒ q = CV
where, C is known as capacitance of conductor. The capacitance depends on shape, size and
geometry of conductor, nature of surrounding medium and presence of other conductors in the
neighbourhood of it.
l
Its SI unit is farad (F).
1 Coulomb
Here, 1 Farad = ⇒ 1 F = 1 CV −1
1 Volt
l
Farad is a very large unit of capacitance. So, µF is usually taken.
 1C 1C 2 1(As)2 
l
The dimensions of capacitance are [M −1L−2 T 4 A 2 ].  Q 1F = = = 
 1V 1J 1Nm 

Connection of Conductors
Whenever two conductors having some charges on it are connected by a conducting wire,
then potential of each conductor will be same after the connection. So, the redistribution of
charge takes place and charge is redistributed is such that, they acquire common potential as
shown in the figure.
Common potential (V)
Q1 + + + + + +
+ +
+ + + +
+ + Q2
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
+ + + +
Conducting wire
Two conductors connected by a wire
Capacitance 39

Parallel Plate Capacitor

The most common among all capacitors is parallel plate K
capacitor. It consists of two metal plates of same area A A
and separated by distance d filled with air or some other
medium. Air

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor partially

filled with a dielectric medium of dielectric constant K is
d t
given by
Air filled capacitor Partially filled capacitor
ε 0A
C =
(d − t + t/K )
where, A = area of each plate
d = separation between two plates
t = thickness of dielectric medium
K = dielectric constant of dielectric medium.
Special Cases
l
The capacitance of air filled (i.e., K = 1) parallel plate capacitor is given by
ε 0A
C0 =
d
l
When a dielectric or insulator of dielectric constant K is filled fully between the plates,
t = d, then
KAε 0
C = = KC 0
d
l
If there is a slab of metal (K = ∞) of thickness t between the plates, then capacitance
is given by
ε A
C = 0
d −t
So, we can say that capacitance of parallel plate capacitor increases on the insertion of
insulator inside it.

Dielectric Constant
If C vacuum be capacity of a capacitor with vacuum or air between its plates and C dielectric be
the capacity with dielectric between the plates, the dielectric constant K is defined as
C
K = dielectric .
C vacuum
Dielectric constant is also known as relative permittivity (ε r = ε / ε 0 ) of the dielectric.
When a dielectric slab is introduced between the plates of charged capacitor or in the
region of electric field, an electric field E p induces inside the dielectric due to induced charge
on dielectric in a direction opposite to the direction of applied external electric field.
40 Chapterwise ISC Solved Papers Physics (Class XII)

Hence, net electric field inside the dielectric gets reduced to E 0 − E p , where, E 0 is external
electric field. This process is called electric polarisation and the ratio of applied external
electric field and reduced electric field is known as dielectric constant (K) of dielectric medium
i.e.,
E0
K =
E0 − Ep
l
The introduction of dielectric medium into the (battery disconnected) parallel plate
capacitor leads to change in physical quantities are as listed below.
Before Introduction of Dielectric Slab After Introduction of Dielectric Slab
Charge (q) No change (charge q)

Electric field (E) E

Decreases  E ′ = 
 K
Potential difference (V) V
Decreases  V ′ = 
 K
Capacitance (C) Increases (C ′ = KC )
Electrostatic energy (U) U
Decreases  U ′ = 
 K

l
The introduction of dielectric medium in charged capacitor connected with a battery
leads to charge in physical quantities are as listed below:
Before Introduction of Dielectric Slab After Introduction of Dielectric Slab
Potential difference (V ) No change in potential difference (V)
Capacitance (C) Increases capacitance (C ′ = KC )
Charge (q) Increases charge (q ′ = qK )
Electric field No change in electric field (E ′ = E )
Electrostatic potential energy (U ) Increases electrostatic energy (U ′ = KU )

Equivalent Capacitance For:

(i) Series Combination of Capacitors
The charge on each capacitor is same for any value of capacitance and equal to the charge
across the combination.
C1 C2 C3
+– +– +–
+– +– +–
q q q
V1 V2 V3

+ -
V
A series combination of capacitors
Capacitance 41

(i ) The potential difference across the combination is equal to the algebraic sum of potential
differences across each capacitor i.e.,
V = V1 + V 2 + V 3
(ii ) The potential is divided across capacitors in inverse ratio of their capacitances i.e.,
1 1 1
V 1 :V 2 :V 3 = : :
C1 C 2 C 3
1 1 1 1
(iii ) The equivalent capacitance is given by = + +
C C1 C 2 C 3
C1 C 2
Note For two capacitors, C = .
C1 + C 2
(iv ) The equivalent capacitance of n identical capacitors connected in series each of capacitance
C
C , is given by C s = .
n

(ii) Parallel Combination of Capacitors

The potential difference across each capacitor is same for any q1 + – C1
value of capacitance and equal to the potential difference across the +–
combination. V
(i ) The total charge on combination is equal to the algebraic sum of
charges on each capacitor i.e., q2
+–
C2
q = q1 + q 2 + q 3 +–
(ii ) The equivalent capacitance (C ) is given by V

C = C1 + C 2 + C 3 q3 C3
q q
(iii ) The total charge on the capacitors is divided in the ratio of their +–
+–
capacitances i.e., V
q ∝C ⇒ q1 : q 2 : q 3 = C1 :C 2 :C 3
+ –
(iv ) The equivalent capacitance of n identical capacitors connected in V
parallel combination is C p = nC . A parallel combination of
capacitors
Energy Stored in a Capacitor
The energy of a charged capacitor is the measure of total work done in charging the
capacitor to a given potential. The electrostatic energy stored in a capacitor (parallel plate) is
given by

1 1 q2
U = C V 2 = qV =
2 2 2C
where, q = charge on capacitor, C = capacitance,
V = potential difference across capacitor.
42 Chapterwise ISC Solved Papers Physics (Class XII)

Energy Loss of Capacitors

When a charged capacitor is connected with another uncharged capacitor of same capacity,
then energy loss of system of capacitors is given by
1 q2
∆U =
4 C
where, q = charge on capacitor primarily, C = capacitance of the capacitors.

Energy Density
The energy stored per unit volume in an electric field E is known as energy density.
U
i.e. UE =
Ad
1
UE = ε 0E 2
2

Capacitance of Different Capacitors

According to their different geometrical constructions, their capacitors are
 ab 
l
The capacitance of a spherical capacitor, C = 4πε 0K  .
b − a 

l
Where, a is the radius of hollow sphere a and b is the radius of
concentric conducting spherical shell. b

l
The capacitance of an isolated spherical capacitor of radius r is
given by C = 4πε 0r . L
r
2πε 0L
l
The capacitance of a co-axial cylindrical capacitor, C =
log e (b/a ) +Q
a
l
Where, L is the length of co-axial cylinder, a and b are inner and –Q
outer radius of the cylinder respectively.
 Previous Years’
Examinations & Other Important Questions

1 Mark Question
1. A parallel plate air capacitor has a capacitance of 5 µF. It becomes 50 µF when a dielectric
medium occupies the entire space between its two plates. What is the dielectric constant of the
medium? (2014)

2 Marks Questions
2. Three capacitors C 1 = 3 µF, C 2 = 6 µ F and C 3 = 10 µF are connected to a 50 V battery as
shown in the figure below.
C1 C2

3µF 6µF
A B
C3

10µF

50 V

Calculate
(i) the equivalent capacitance of the circuit between points A and B.
(ii) the charge on C 1 . (2017)

3. Obtain an expression for equivalent capacitance C when three capacitors having capacitance
C 1 , C 2 and C 3 are connected in series. (2016, 2012)

4. You are provided with 8µF capacitors. Show with the help of a diagram how you will arrange
minimum number of them to get a resultant capacitance of 20 µF. (2014)

5. Three capacitors C 1 = 6 µF, C 2 = 12 µF and C 3 = 20 µF are connected to 6 µF 12 µF

a 100 V battery as shown in figure below. C1 C2
20 µF
Calculate
(i) charge on each plate of capacitor C 1 . C3
+ –
(ii) electrostatic potential energy stored in capacitor C 3 . (2013) 100 V

6. Three capacitors each of capacitance C are connected in series. Their equivalent capacitance is
C s . The same three capacitors are now connected in parallel. Their equivalent capacitance
becomes C p . Find the ratio (C p /C s ) . (2011)
44 Chapterwise ISC Solved Papers Physics (Class XII)

7. An isolated 16 µF parallel plate air capacitor has a 16 µF Dielectric slab

potential difference of 1000 V [shown in Fig. (a)]. + + + –
+ + + –
A dielectric slab having relative permittivity –
+ + +
(i.e., dielectric constant) = 5 is introduced to fill the +
Air
+ + –
space between the two plates completely [shown in + + + –
Fig. (b)]. Calculate + + + –
V = 1000 V
(i) the new capacitance of the capacitor. (a) (b)
(ii) the new potential difference between the
two plates of the capacitor. (2010)

8. Find the electric charge Q 1 on plates of capacitor C 1 , shown in figure below. (2009)
C1 C2 C3

8 µF 16 µF 24 µF

+ −
110 V

9. Find the equivalent capacitance of the following circuit between the junctions A and B given
C 1 = C 2 = C 3 = C 4 = 10 µF and C 5 = 5 µF. (2008)
C
C1 C2
A B
C5

C3 C4
D
+ –
30 V

10. Four capacitors C 1 , C 2 , C 3 and C 4 are connected as shown in figure below. Calculate the
equivalent capacitance of the circuit between points X and Y. (2007)
C1=10 µF C2=30 µF C3=20 µF

X Y

C4=28 µF
 Solutions
1. Given, capacitance in air, C 0 = 5 µF C C C
+ 1– + 2– + 3–
Capacitance with dielectric, C = 50 µF V1 V2 V3
C 50 µF
∴ Dielectric constant K = = = 10
C0 5 µF
2. (i) C1 C2 + –
V
3µF 6µF Q Q Q
A B
⇒ V = + +
C3 C1 C 2 C 3
1 1 1
10µF ⇒ V =Q  + + 
C1 C 2 C 3 
Q
50 V But V =
C eq
From the above figure, as C1 and C 2 are
where, C eq is equivalent capacitance of the
connected in series,
combination.
1 1 1
hence = + 1 1 1 1
C eq C1 C 2 ⇒ = + +
C eq C1 C 2 C 3
1 1 1
⇒ = + 4. For getting a capacitance of 20 µF, the combination
C eq 3 6
should be as shown in the diagram.
⇒ C eq = 2µF
8 µF 8 µF
Now, C eq is in parallel with C 3 , hence
equivalent capacitance of the circuit 8 µF
between points A and B will be 10 + 2
= 12µF 8 µF
(ii) Capacitors C1 and C 2 are in series. Thus,
charge on equivalent capacitance of C1 4 µF
andC 2 will be same as charge onC1 andC 2 The series combination of
is dividually. 8 µF capacitors will give
8 µF
equivalent capacitance of
∴ Charge on C1 = q1 = (C eq ) (V )
4 µF .
= ( 2 µF ) ( 50 V ) = 100 µ C 8 µF
Now, capacitors 4 µF , 8 µF
3. In series combination, charge on each and 8 µF are in parallel.
capacitor will be same. The potential will
Hence, C eq = 4 µF + 8 µF + 8 µF = 20 µF
be divided across the individual capacitors.
Let a battery of emf V is connected with the 5. We have to apply the concept of series and
series combination of capacitors and let V1 , parallel combination to find equivalent
V 2 and V 3 are potential difference across capacitance.
each capacitor, then (i ) It is clear from the diagram that C1 and C 2 are
Q Q Q in series.
V1 = , V 2 = and V 3 =
C1 C2 C3 1 1 1 1 1 2+1 3 1
= + = + = = =
But, V = V1 + V 2 + V 3 C eq C1 C 2 6 12 12 12 4
∴ C eq = 4 µF
46 Chapterwise ISC Solved Papers Physics (Class XII)

Charge on 4 µF capacitor, 8. According to the diagram, capacitors are in

q = CV = 4 × 10 − 6 × 100 = 4 × 10 − 4 C series.
−4 1 1 1 1
Charge on positive plate of C 1 is + 4 × 10 C. = + +
C eq C1 C 2 C 3
and on negative plate of C1 is − 4 × 10 − 4 C.
1 1 1 1
Note that charge on C1 and C 2 will be same. ⇒ = + +
C 8 16 24
(ii ) Electric potential difference across the plate 1 6 + 3 + 2 11
of C 3 capacitor = 100 V ⇒ = =
C 48 48
1
∴ Electrostatic energy = CV 2 48
2 ∴ C = µF
11
1
= × 20 × 10 × 100 × 100 = 10 − 1 = 0.1 J
−6
Charge on each capacitor,
2
48
6. Let n capacitors each of capacitance C are Q =C V = × 110 = 480 µC
11
connected in series to a battery of voltage V as
shown below. 9. For a Wheatstone bridge to be balanced,
1 2 3 n the ratio of capacitances of adjacent arms
must be equal.
Clearly, from the given circuit
C1C 4 = 100 µF and C 3C 2 = 100 µF
⇒ C1C 4 = C 2C 3
+ – C1 C 3
V ⇒ =
C2 C4
Let CP and C S be the equivalent capacitance
in parallel and series combination So, it is a balanced Wheatstone bridge.
respectively. The equivalent capacitance of Now, we can remove C 5 from the given
the series combination circuit. C
C
C S = C eq1 = C1 C2
n
A B
For the parallel combination,
CP = C eq 2 = nC C3 C4
C eq 2 C nC D
⇒ = P = = n2
C eq 1 CS C /n + –
30 V
According to the question, n = 3
So, C1 and C 2 are in series,
CP
⇒ = n 2 = ( 3) 2 = 9 1 1 1 1
CS = + =
C ′ 10 10 5
7. Given, V 0 = 1000 V, C 0 = 16 µF = 1.6 × 10 −5 F , ⇒ C ′ = 5 µF
K =5 and C 3 and C 4 are in series, C ′′ = 5 µF
ε0A
(i ) We know that C 0 = Now, C′ and C′′ are in parallel,
d
∴ Net capacitance,
The new capacitance
C = C ′+C ′′ = 5 + 5 = 10 µF
. × 10 − 5 = 8 × 10 − 5 F
C = KC 0 = 5 × 16
Caution The capacitor C5 is
(ii ) New potential removed because potential of
V 1000 its terminals is same and
V = 0 = = 200 V hence, potential difference is
K 5
zero across it.
Electric Potential and Potential Energy 47

10. Given, C1 = 10 µF, Substituting the values of C 2 and C 3 , we get

1 1 1 20 + 30
C 2 = 30 µF, = + =
C′ 30 20 30 × 20
C 3 = 20 µF,
30 × 20
C 4 = 28 µF ⇒ C′ = = 12µF
50
The resultantC′ ofC 2 andC 3 is in the parallel with
X Y
C1 C2 C3 C 4 . So,
C ′′ = C ′ + C 4 = 12 + 28 = 40 µF
C4
Now, the resultant C ′′ of C′ and C 4 is in the series
with C1 .
In the figure, C 2 and C 3 are in series, so the So, the total equivalent capacitance is given by
equivalent capacitance is given by 1 1 1 1 1 1+ 4
= + = + =
1 1 1 CT C ′′ C1 40 10 40
= +
C′ C2 C3 40
⇒ CT = = 8 µF
5
 Chapter Practice
Q
1 Mark Questions L

1. The following graph shows the variation of charge Q with voltage V for K
two capacitors K and L, which capacitor stores more electrostatic
energy?
V
2. A metal plate is introduced between the plates of a charged parallel
plate capacitor. What is its effect on the capacitance of the capacitor?

2 Marks Questions C1
+q – q
3. Determine the potential difference across the plates of the
capacitor C1 of the network shown in the figure (assume
E1 > E2 ) E1 E2

–q +q
C2

4. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of a
parallel plate capacitor but has the thickness d /2, where d is the separation between
the plates. Find out the expression for its capacitance when the slab is inserted
between the plates of the capacitor.

3 Marks Questions
5. The two plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 4 mm apart. A slab of dielectric
constant 3 and thickness 3 mm is introduced between the plates with its faces
parallel to them. The distance between the plates is so adjusted that the capacitance
of the capacitor becomes ( 2 /3) rd of its original value. What is the new distance
between the plates?
6. (i) Deduce the expression for the energy stored in a charged capacitor.
(ii) Show that the effective capacitance C of a series combination of three capacitors
C1 , C2 and C3 is given by
C1 C2 C3
C= .
(C1 C2 + C2 C3 + C3 C1 )

Answers
 1 1 2 Kε 0 A q2
1. U L > U K 2. C = ∞ 3. E 1 − E 2 = q  +  4. C = 5. d = 5 mm 6. (i) U =
 C1 C 2  d( K + 1) 2C