Chapter 8

Electrostatics

Learning objectives
At the end of the unit, students will be able to

• State Coulomb’s law and solve problems based on it

• Define an electric field and calculate it due to point charges,

• Distinguish between the direction of the Electric Field of positive and negative charges

• Draw Electric Field Lines

• Discuss the Electrostatics field of the conductor

• Define electric potential and electric potential energy

• Derive an expression for the potential at appoint p at a distance r from the charge

• Find the potential di↵erence between the two points

• calculate capacitance

8.1 Coulomb’s law

Coulombs law gives a relation between two charges Q1 and Q2 which are at a separation r
apart. Experiments show that the forces between two bodies obey an inverse square law and
that the Force is proportional to the product of the charges. Simply, Coulomb’s law states

89
90 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

The Force between two charges at a distance, r apart, is directly proportional to the product
of the two charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them
Mathematically this is written as

Q1 Q2 1 Q1 Q2
F =K =
r2 4⇡✏0 r2

1
Where K= 4⇡✏0 = 9.0 ⇥ 109 N m2 /C 2 = a constant and is the permittivity of free space. ✏0
is a constant called the permittivity of free space (or vacuum permittivity). It has a value
of 8.85 ⇥ 10 12 F/m. This constant is fundamental to the study of electric fields. It links
electrical concepts such as electric charge to mechanical quantities such as length.

Along with the permittivity of free space, there is a similar constant relating to magnetic
fields. This is called the permeability of free space (µ0 ).

The Force between similar charges is repulsive, and the Force between unlike charges is
attractive. In the case of gravitational Force, we can have only attractive Force due to masses.
When two charges exert forces simultaneously

on a third charge, the total Force acting on that charge is the vector sum of the forces that
the two charges would exert individually. This important property, called the principle of
superposing, holds for any number of charges.

F = F1 + F2 + F3 + Fn

Example
A test charge of q = +1 ⇥ 10 6c is placed halfway between a charge of q1 = +5 ⇥ 10 6c and
a charge of q2 = +3 ⇥ 10 6c that are 20cm apart in the figure below. Find the magnitude
and direction of the Force on the test charge Solution
8.2. ELECTRIC FIELD (E) 91

The Force exerted on the test charge

qq1 ( 1 ⇥ 10 6 c)(+5 ⇥ 10 6 c)
F1 = K 2 = (9 ⇥ 109 N m2 /c2 ) = +4.5N
r1 (0.1)2

This Force is to the right and taken as positive. The Force exerted by the charge q2 on q is

qq2 (1 ⇥ 10 6 c)(+3 ⇥ 10 6 c)
F2 = K 2 = (9 ⇥ 109 N m2 /c2 ) = +2.7N
r2 (0.1)2

This Force is to the left. If the right is taken as positive, F2 is taken as negative

F~net = F~1 + F~2 = 4.5N 2.7N = 1.8N

and it acts to the right, that is, towards the +3 ⇥ 10 6c charge

Exercise

1. Two charges, one of +5 ⇥ 10 7c and the other 2 ⇥ 10 7c attract each other with a
force of 100N. How far apart are they?

2. 3c and 5c charges are separated by 2m. Where between these charges is a third charge
placed, in order for the net Force on it to be zero?

3. Three identical charges of 2µc are placed at (-3, 0) m, (3, 0) m, and (0, 4) m in
a rectangular coordinate system. What is the resultant Force on the charge that is
placed at (0, 4) m

8.2 Electric Field (E)

The concept of an electric field is used to visualize how a charge, or a collection of charges,
influences the region around it. The electric field E is analogous to g, which we call the
acceleration due to gravity, but which is the gravitational field. Everything we learned about
gravity, and how masses respond to gravitational forces can help us understand how electric
charges respond to electric forces.

The electric field concept arose to explain action-at-a-distance forces. All charged objects
create an electric field that extends outward into the surrounding space. The charge alters
that space, causing any other charged thing that enters the space to be a↵ected by this field.
The strength of the electric field is dependent upon how charged the object creating the field
and upon the distance of separation from the charged objects
92 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

8.2.1 Electric Field Intensity

Electric field strength is a vector quantity; it has both magnitude and direction. The magni-
tude of the electric field strength is defined in terms of how it is measured. Let’s suppose that
an electric charge can be denoted by the symbol Q. This electric charge creates an electric
field; since Q is the source of the electric field, we will refer to it as the source charge. The
strength of the source charge’s electric field could be measured by any other charge placed
somewhere in its surroundings. The charge used to measure the electric field strength is
referred to as a test charge since it is used to test the field strength. The test charge has a
quantity of charge denoted by the symbol q. When placed within the electric field, the test
charge will experience an electric force that is either attractive or repulsive. As is usually the
case, this Force will be denoted by the symbol F. The electric field’s magnitude is defined as
the Force per charge on the test charge.

F orce
Electric..F ield =
Charge

If the symbol E denotes the electric field strength, then the equation can be rewritten in
symbolic form as
~
~ = F r̂
E
q

Where r̂ is a unit vector

~ at a point in space is defined as the electric force F~
The Electric field E
acting on a positive test charge q placed at the point divided by the test charge

The standard metric units of electric field strength arise from its definition. Since the
electric field is defined as a force per charge, its units would be force units divided by charge
units. In this case, the standard metric unit is Newton/Coulomb (N/C)

The electric field strength is not dependent upon the quantity of the test charge. Now we
will investigate a new equation that defines electric field strength in terms of the variables
which a↵ect the electric field strength. To do so, we will have to revisit the Coulomb’s Law
equation When applied to our two charges - the source charge (Q) and the test charge (q).

qQ
F~ = K 2 r̂
r

The formula for electric Force can be written as A new equation can be derived if the expres-
sion for electric Force given by Coulomb’s law is substituted for Force in the above E = F/q
8.2. ELECTRIC FIELD (E) 93

equation.
~ = K Q r̂ = 1 Q r̂ = Q r̂
E
r2 4⇡✏0 r2 4⇡✏0 r2

The electric field strength depends upon the quantity of charge on the source charge Q and
the distance of separation r from the source charge.

The strength of an electric field created by source charge Q is inversely related to the square
of the distance from the source. This is known as an inverse square law.

Electric field strength is location dependent, and its magnitude decreases as the distance
from a location to the source increases. By whatever factor the distance changes, the electric
field strength will change inversely by the square of that factor

If a number of point charges Q1 , Q2 , Q3 , . . . .Qn are at a distance r1 , r2 , r3 , . . . rn from a

given point P. each exerts a force on a test charge q placed, and the resultant Force on the
test charge is the vector of some of these forces.

n
X
~ = E1 + E2 + E3 + ...En =
E ~i
E
i=1

Because each term to be summed is a vector, the sum is a vector sum. The fact that the
fields that would be caused by the individuals charge is a direct result of the principle of
super position.

Activity 8 .1

Explain what happens to the magnitude of the electric field created by a point charge
as r approaches zero

Activity 8 .2

Consider two equal positive or negative point charges separated by the distance d. At
what point (other than) would a third test charge experience no net force?

Example

1 What are the magnitude and direction of the electric field 1.5cm from a fixed point
charge of +1.2 ⇥ 10 10 C? Solution The magnitude of the electric field is computed
from
~ = Q Q +1.2 ⇥ 10 10 C
E 2
r̂ = K 2 r̂ = 9 ⇥ 109 N m2 /c2 ⇥
4⇡✏0 r r (0.015m)2
~ = 4.8 ⇥ 103 N/c
E
94 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

• Notice that r was expressed in the SI unit of meters

• The direction of the field is outward from the point charge because the charge is positive

1 Point charge Q1 and Q2 of 12 ⇥ 10 9C and 12 ⇥ 10 9C respectively, are placed 0.1m

apart as shown Compute the electric fields due to the charge at point a, b, and c

Solution: At point a, the vector due to the positive charge Q, is directed toward the
right, And the magnitude is

~1 = Q 9 2 2 12 ⇥ 10 9 C
E r̂ = 9 ⇥ 10 N m /c ⇥ = 3 ⇥ 104 N/c..to..the..right
4⇡✏0 r2 (0.06m)2

The vector due to the negative charge Q2 is toward the right, And the magnitude is

9
~2 = Q 9 2 2 12 ⇥ 10 C
E r̂ = 9⇥10 N m /c ⇥ = 6.75⇥104 N/c..to..the..right..to..the..right
4⇡✏0 r2 (0.04m)2

Hence at point a
~ = (3 + 6.75) ⇥ 104 N/c = 9.75 ⇥ 104 N/c
E

At point b

The vector due to q1 , is directed toward the left, with magnitude

~1 = Q 9 2 2 12 ⇥ 10 9 C
E r̂ = 9 ⇥ 10 N m /c ⇥ = 6.75 ⇥ 104 N/c..to..the..right
4⇡✏0 r2 (0.04m)2

The vector due to the negative charge Q2 is toward the right, And the magnitude is

9
~2 = Q 9 2 2 12 ⇥ 10 C
E r̂ = 9⇥10 N m /c ⇥ = 0.55⇥104 N/c..to..the..right..to..the..lef t
4⇡✏0 r2 (0.14m)2
8.3. ELECTRIC FIELD LINES 95

Hence at point b

~ = (6.75
E 0.55) ⇥ 104 N/c = 9.75 ⇥ 104 N/c..to..the..lef t

At point C, the magnitude of each vector is

~ = Q 9 2 2 12 ⇥ 10 9 C
E r̂ = 9 ⇥ 10 N m /c ⇥ = 1.08 ⇥ 104 N/c
4⇡✏0 r2 (0.10m)2
✓ ◆
~x = Q1 Q2
E K 2 cos(600 ) K 2 cos(600 )
r r
2KQ
= cos(600
r2
2 ⇥ 9 ⇥ 109 ⇥ 12 ⇥ 10 9
= ⇥ 0.5N/c = 1.08 ⇥ 104 N/c..to..the..right
(0.1)2

E~y = (E1 )y + (E2 )y = 0

~ = Ea + Eb + Ec = 9.75 ⇥ 104 N/c

E 6.20 ⇥ 104 N/c + 1.08N/c = 4.63 ⇥ 104 N/c..to..the..right

8.3 Electric Field Lines

A more useful means of visually representing the vector nature of an electric field is through
the use of electric field lines of Force. These patterns of lines, sometimes referred to as electric
field lines, point in the direction which a positive test charge would accelerate if placed upon
the line. As such, the lines are directed away from positively charged source charges, and
toward negatively charged source charges.

The electric field can be represented graphically by field lines. These lines are drawn in
such a way that, at a given point, the tangent of the line has the direction of the electric
field at that point. The density of lines is proportional to the magnitude of the electric field.
Each field line starts on a positive point charge and ends on a negative point charge. Since
the density of field lines is proportional to the strength of the electric field, the number of
lines emerging from a positive charge must also be proportional to the charge.

Electric field lines provide a means to visualize the electric field. Since the electric field
is a vector, electric field lines have arrows showing the direction of the electric field. Lines
of Force are also called field lines. The direction of the field line at a point tells you what
direction the Force experienced by a charge will be if the charge is placed at that point. If the
96 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

charge is positive, it will experience a force in the same direction as the field; if it is negative
the Force will be opposite to the field. The density of lines surrounding any given source

(a) (b)

Figure 8.1: Electric field from an isolated, (a) Posative Charge (b) Negative Charge

charge is proportional to the quantity of a charge on that source charge. If the quantity of
charge on a source charge is not identical, the pattern will take on an asymmetric nature
as one of the source charges will have a greater ability to alter the electrical nature of the
surrounding space.

There are a number of principles which will assist in such predictions .These principles are

• Electric field lines always extend from a positively charged object to a negatively
charged object, from a positively charged object to infinity, or from infinity to a nega-
tively charged object

• Electric field lines never cross each other

• Electric field lines are most dense around objects with the greatest amount of charge.

• At locations where electric field lines meet the surface of an object, the lines are per-
pendicular to the surface.

Activity 8.3

A charge 4q is at a distance r from a charge -q. Compare the number of electric

field Lines leaving the charge 4q with the number entering the charge -q
where do the extra lines beginning on 4q end.

Activity 8.4

A test charge is released in the field due to two point charges. Do the
field lines indicate the possible path traveled by the test charge?
8.4. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OF A POINT CHARGE 97

Conductors in Electrostatic Fields

In general a conductor can be defined as a region in space where charges are free to move
(e.g. a metal). In a static situation the charges don’t move. This implies that there is no
field within then conductor. Thus, inside a conductor:

E(r) = 0

A conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium when the charge distribution (the way the charge
is distributed over the conductor) is fixed. Basically, when you charge a conductor the charge
spreads itself out. At equilibrium, the charge and electric field follow these guidelines:

• the excess charge lies only at the surface of the conductor

• the electric field is zero within the solid part of the conductor

• the electric field at the surface of the conductor is perpendicular to the surface

• charge accumulates, and the field is strongest, on pointy parts of the conductor

8.4 Electric potential of a point charge

The electric potential of a point charge is

V = kQ/r

. where k is a constant equal to 9.0 ⇥ 109 N m2 /C 2 . Electric field is a vector while electric
potential is a scalar. The voltage resulting from a combination of point charges is obtained by
adding voltages as integers, whereas the overall electric field is obtained by adding individual
fields as vectors.

Point charges, such as electrons, are among the fundamental building blocks of matter.
Furthermore, spherical charge distributions (like on a metal sphere) create external electric
fields exactly like a point charge. The electric potential due to a point charge is, thus, a case
we need to consider. Using calculus to find the work needed to move a test charge q from
a large distance away to a distance of r from a point charge Q , and noting the connection
between work and potential
W = q V
98 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

, we can define the electric potential V of a point charge:

Electric potential

Consider a charge q placed in an electric field E. Let us chose some arbitrary reference point
A in the field at this point the electric potential energy of the Charge is defined be zero.
This defines the electric potential energy of the charge at every other point in the field.
For instance, the electric potential energy UB at some point B is simply the work W done in
moving the charge from A to B along any path: It is clear that depends on both the particular
charge q which we place in the field and the magnitude and direction of the electric field along
some arbitrary route between points A and B. We can exploit this fact to define a quantity
known as the electric potential. The di↵erence in electric potential between two points B and
A in an electric field is simply the work done in moving some charge between the two points
divided by the magnitude of the charge. Thus,

W U
VB VA = =
q q

The general expression for the electrical potential of a point charge Q can be obtained by
referencing to a zero of potential at infinity. The expression for the potential di↵erence then.

rB goese to infinity is gives simply

KQ Q
V = =
r 4⇡✏0 r

The zero of electric potential (voltage) is set for convenience, but there is usually some
physical or geometric logic to the choice of the zero point. For a single point charge or
localized collection of charges, it is logical to set the zero point at infinity. If there are n
number of charges in space , the potential at apoint is found by superposition principles that
is the electric potential due to a number of charges is the algebraic sum of the individuals
8.4. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OF A POINT CHARGE 99

potentials. The total electric potential point p is the sum of the potential due to charges

Q1 , Q2 , Q3 , ..., Qn

n
KQ1 KQ2 KQn X Qi
V = + + ... + =
r1 r2 rn ri
i=1

Note; potential a scalar quantity

Activity 8.5

In a certain region of space the electric field is zero From this we can conclude that the
electric potential in this region is A) zero B) constant C) positive D) negative

The dimensions of electric potential are work (or energy) per unit charge. The units of electric
potential are, therefore, joules per Coulomb (J/c). A joule per Coulomb is usually referred
to as a volt (V)
1J/c = 1V

Consider a charge q which is slowly moved a small distance +x along the x-axis. Suppose that
the di↵erence between the electric potential at the final and initial positions of the charge is
+V. By definition, the change +U in the charge’s electric potential energy is given by

+U = q + V = W

q V = qE r

V =E r

V
E=
r

Where E is the electric field strength According to equation electric field strength has the
dimension of potential di↵erence over the length. It follows that the unit of electric field is
volt per mete (Vm).

8.4.1 Motion of charged particles in an electric field

When a particle of charge of and mass m is placed in an electric field E, the electric Force
exerted on the charge is qE. If this is the only Force exerted on the particle it must be the
net Force and cause the particle to accelerated according to Newton’s second law

Fe = qE = am
100 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

qE
a=
m

If E is uniform the acceleration is constant. If the particle has a positive charge, its ac-
celeration is in the directing of the electric field. If the particle has a negative charge, its
acceleration is in the direction of opposite the electric field.
Example

1. As shown in the figure below, a positive point charge q of mass m is released from rest
in a uniform electric field E directed along the x-axis. Describe its motion

Solution
The acceleration a is constant and is given by q E/m. The motion is simple linear motion
along the x axis. Therefore we can apply the equation of kinematics in one dimension

1
xf = xi + vi t + at2
2

vf = vi + at

vf2 = vi2 + 2a(xf xi )

Choosing the initial position of the charge as xi = 0 and assigning Vi = 0 because the particle
starts from rest, the position of the particle as a function of time is

1 qE 2
xf = at2 = t
2 m

The speed of the particle is given by

qE
vf = t
m
8.5. CAPACITANCE AND CAPACITOR NETWORKS 101

The third kinematics equation gives us

✓ ◆
2qE
vf2 = 2axf = xf
m

from which we can find the kinetic energy of the charge after it has moved a distance
✓ ◆
1 1 2qE
KE = mvf2 = m (xf xi ) = qE x
2 2 m

2 An electron entrees the region of a uniform electric field as shown with Vi = 3 ⇥ 106
m/s and E = 200N/C. The horizontal length of the plare, L = 0.100 m

i) Find the acceleration of the electron while it is in the electric field

ii) If the electron enters the field at t = 0 find the time at which it leaves the field

iii) If the vertical position of filed the electron as enters field is yi = 0. What the
vertical position when it leaves the fields

Solution
i) The charge on the electron has 1.6 ⇥ 10 19 C and mc = 9.11 ⇥ 10 31 kg

✓ 19 c
◆
qE 1.6 ⇥ 10
a= j= 31 kg
me 9.11 ⇥ 10

a= 3.51 ⇥ 1013 m/s2

ii) The horizontal distance across the field is L = 0.1m. We find that the time at which the
electron exists the electric field is
L = 0.1m
L 0.1m 8
t= = = 3.33 ⇥ 10 s
vi 3 ⇥ 106 m/s

iii) Using the results from part A and B we find that

1 1
y f = a y t2 = 3.51 ⇥ 1013 m/s2 (3.33 ⇥ 10 8
s)2 = 0.0195m = 1.95cm
2 2

8.5 Capacitance and Capacitor networks

A capacitor is a devise that is used to store electric charge. It is usually made up of two plates
separated by a thin insulating material known as the dielectric. The capacitance of a system
depends only on its shape and on the insulators it contains. One plate of the capacitor
is positively charged, while the other has a negative charge. The charge in a capacitor is
102 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

proportional to the potential di↵erence between the plates. For a capacitor with charge Q
on the positive plate and -Q on the negative plate, the capacitance measures the amount of
charge a capacitor can store. A convenient measure of the ability of a device to store electric
charge is its capacitance C.

A battery will transport charge from one plate to another until the voltage produced by
the charge buildup is equal to the battery voltage. The capacitance of an object is defined
as being equal to the charge required to raise the potential of that object by one V

Q
C=
V

Or
Q = CV

Where C is the capacitance in Farad Q is the charge in Coulomb stored in each plate V is
the potential in Volts applied to the plate

The capacitor’s capacitance (C) is a measure of the amount of charge (Q) stored
on each plate for a given potential difference or voltage (V) which appears between
the plates.

The SI unit of capacitance is the farad F The circuit symbol for a capacitor is 1farad=1Coulomb/1Volt

Figure 8.2: The circuit symbol for a capacitor

Activity

A 25µF capacitor is charged to a potential of 18V. How much charge stored

on capacitor?
8.6. THE PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR 103

8.6 The Parallel Plate Capacitor

Consider two large flat plates placed near one another. The plates are parallel, and have equal
and opposite charges uniformly distributed. This configuration is known as a parallel-plate
capacitor. A parallel-plate capacitor is a great way to create a uniform field.

Consider a capacitance C in vacuum consisting of two parallel plates, each with area A
separated by a distance d as shown in figure 1. One plate carries acharge Q, and the other
carries a charge-Q. The amount of a charge that can be stored on a plate for a given potential
increases as a plate area increased. Thus ,we expect the capacitance to be proportional to
the plate area A.

Figure 8.3: The Parallel Plate Capacitor

Now consider the region that separates the plate. The electric field between the plates must
increase as d decreased. Moving the plates together causes the charge on the capacitor to
increases. If d is increased, the charge deceases. As a result, we expect the capacitance of the
pair of the plates to be inversely proportional to d. We can verify these physical arguments
with the following derivation. The surface charge density on either plate is

Q
=
A

The magnitude of the Electric field has a very simple relation to the voltage between the
plates and their separation d.
V
E=
d
104 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

Using the definition of capacitance we can determine the capacitance C of an ideal capacitor
as a function of its structure.
Q Q Q
C= = =
V Ed ✏0 d

Q
= ✏0 Q
Ad

A
C = ✏0
d

This equation for the capacitance of a parallel capacitor shows that C is a constant indepen-
dent of the charge stored in on the plates or the voltage across the capacitor.The capacitance
of a system depends on its shapes, dimensions and separation of the conductors that make
up the capacitor

Figure 8.4: TThe Parallel Plate Capacitor

Example

1) The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are 5mm apart and 2m 2 in area. The plates
are in vacuum. A potential di↵erence 10, 000v is applied across the capacitor compute

A) The capacitance

B) The charge on the plate

C) The electric intensity in the space b/n them

Solution A) ✓ ◆
A 8.85 ⇥ 10 12 c2 /N m2
C = ✏0 = (2m2 )
d 5 ⇥ 10 3 m
9
C = 3.54 ⇥ 10 C 2 /N m = 3.54 ⇥ 10 9
F

B) The charge on the plate

9
Q = CVab = (3.54 ⇥ 10 C/V )(102 V ) = 3.54 ⇥ 105 c
8.6. THE PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR 105

C) The electric intensity in the space b/n them

Q 3.54 ⇥ 105 C
E= = =
d ✏0 A 8.85 ⇥ 10 12 c2 /N m(2m2 )

= 20 ⇥ 105 N/c

Since the electric field equals the potential gradient

Vab 104 V
E= = = 20 ⇥ 105 v/m
d 5 ⇥ 10 3 m

N V
=
C m

2 Parallel-plate capacitor is designed to have a capacitance of 1.00F when the plates

are separated by 1.00mm in vacuum what must be the arch of the plates. (Ans A =
1.13 ⇥ 108 m2 )

8.6.1 Energy Stored in a Capacitor

The energy stored in a capacitor is the same as the work needed to build up the charge on
the plates. As the charge increases, the harder it is to add more. Potential energy is the
charge multiplied by the potential, and as the charge builds up the potential does too. If the
potential di↵erence between the two plates is V at the end of the process, and 0 (zero) at the
start, the average potential is V/2. Multiplying this average potential by the charge gives
the potential energy.
P E = 1/2QV

. Substituting in for Q, Q = CV, gives: The energy stored in a capacitor is: intermes of C
and V.
1
W = U = CV 2
2
Q
Substituting Q = CV and V = C
1
U = QV
2

This is U intermes of Q and V

Q2
U=
2C

intermes of Q and C Where U=Electric potential energy in joule Q=Charge in Coulomb.

V=Potential in volt C = Capacitance in farad These formulae are valid for any type of
capacitor, since the arguments we used to derive them do not depend on any special property
106 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

of parallel plate capacitors. The potential di↵erence between the plates is V = Ed and
✏0 A
C= d Thus, the energy stored in the capacitor can be written as

CV 2
U =W =
2

✏0 A
V = Ed, C = d
✏0 AE 2 d2
U=
2d
✏0 AE 2 d
U=
2

Now, Ad is the volume of the field filled region between the plates, so if the energy is stored
in the electric field then the energy per unit volume, or energy density, of the field must be

U 1 CV 2
u= =
V 2 Ad

Substituting
A
C = ✏0
D
V2
= E2
d2
1 V2 1
u = ✏0 2 = ✏0 E 2
2 d 2

1) Air filled parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance of 5.0 pF. Apotential of 100V is
applied across the plates, which are 1.0 cm apart, using astorage battery.

a) What is the energy stored in the capacitor? Suppose that the battery is discon-
nected and the plates are moved until they are 2.0 cm apart.

b) What is the energy stored in the capacitor now?

c) Suppose, instead, that the battery is left connected and the plates are again moved
until they are 2.0 cm apart. What is the energy stored in the capacitor in this
case?

Solution
The initial energy stored in the capacitor is

CV 2 5 ⇥ 10 12
U= = (1000)2 J = 2.58 ⇥ 10 8
J
2 2
8.7. CAPACITANCE NET WORK 107

When the spacing between the plates is doubled, the capacitance of the cpacitor is halved
to 2.5 pF. If the battery is disconnected then this process takes Place at constant charge Q.
Thus, it is obvious from the formula
Q2
U=
2C

That in this case the energy stored in the capacitor doubles. So, the new energy is

8
U = 2(2.58 ⇥ 10 )J

8
= 5.16 ⇥ 10 J

8.7 Capacitance net work

Parallel Combination

Capacitors are one of the standard components of electronic circuits. Complicated combi-
nations of capacitors often occur in practical circuits. It is, therefore, useful to have a set
of rules for finding the equivalent capacitance of some general arrangement of capacitors.
It turns out that we can always find the equivalent capacitance by repeated application of
two simple rules. These rules related to capacitors connected in series and in parallel. In a
parallel combination, the capacitors are usually drawn side by side. If we imagine them as
parallel-plate capacitors with the same gap, snuggling them right up next to each other, the
combination seems to become a single capacitor with an area equal to the sum of the areas.
Then from the equation for capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor, we have.

✏0 Aeq ✏0 (A1 + A2 )
Ceq = =
d d

✏0 A1 ✏0 A2
= +
d d

Ceq = C1 + C2

Or consider two capacitors connected in parallel; i.e. with the positively charged Plates
connected to a common ”input” wire and the negatively charged plates attached to a common
”output” wire. What is the equivalent capacitance between the input and output wires? In
this case, the potential di↵erence V across the two Capacitors is the same, and is equal to
the potential di↵erence between the input and output wires.
108 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

The total charge Q, however, stored in the two capacitors is di-vided between the capacitors,
since it must distribute itself such that the voltage across the two is the same. Since the
capacitors may have di↵erent ,C 1 and C 2 , the charges Q 1 and Q 2 may also be di↵erent.
The equivalent capacitance Ceq of the pair of capacitors is simply the ratio Q/V

Q Q1 Q2
Ceq = = +
V V V

Ceq = C1 + C2

When a number of capacitors are connected in parallel, the total or e↵ective capacitance

Figure 8.5: Capacitors connected in Parallel

of the group is equal to the sum of the individual capacitances The equation for calculating
the total capacitance C obtained by capacitances C1 , C2 , C3 etc..The formula for parallel
capacitor is same as the resistance in series. The working voltage of parallel capacitors is
equal to the lowest working voltage rating in the combination. Parallel connected Capacitors

Figure 8.6: Capacitors connected in Parallel

always have the same voltage drop across each of them. They do not have the same charge
unless they have the same capacitance C. The charge on the equivalent capacitor C eq is the
8.7. CAPACITANCE NET WORK 109

sum of the charges on both capacitors. The Voltage on the equivalent capacitor C eq is the
same as the voltage across either capacitor.

The equivalent capacitance of capacitors connected in parallel is the sum of

the individual capacitances

Series Combination

In a series combination, the capacitors are connected head-to-tail. We want to replace the
pair or more by a single equivalent capacitor. To do this, we must understand how the charge
is distributed on the plates.

Consider the inner pair of plates, one from each capacitor, connected by a conductor.
These three objects are electrically isolated from the remainder of the circuit; they form a
single isolated conductor. Since the net charge on the capacitors is zero before the battery
is connected, the net charge on the inner pair of plates must also be zero. After the battery
is connected, the plates of the capacitors will hold some charge, but the inner pair of plates
will still have zero net charge. Therefore, the charges on the inner pair of plates are equal
and opposite, and we see that both capacitors will hold the same charge. We don’t add these
charges together, as in the parallel case. The quantity that adds is the voltage across each
capacitor. consider capacitors arranged so that the potential across the combination is equal
to the sum of the potential di↵erence across each as shown in fig

Figure 8.7: Capacitors connected in Series

V = V1 + V2

The voltege acrossacrs sthecapacitor is releated totheir ch arg es

Q
V1 =
C1
110 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

and
Q
V2 =
C2

The definetion of equvalent capacitor is

Q
Ceq =
V

Or
Q
V =
Ceq

Therfore
Q Q Q
= +
Ceq C1 C2
1 1 1
= +
Ceq C1 C2

For more than two Capacitor

X 1 n
1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ... + =
Ceq C1 C2 C3 Cn Ci
i=1

Series connected Capacitors always have the same charge. They do not the same voltage

Figure 8.8: Capacitors connected in Series

unless the capacitors have the same Capacitance C. The charge on the equivalent capacitor
Ce is the same as the charge on either capacitor. The Voltage across the equivalent capacitor
Ce q is the sum of the voltage across both capacitors. If two or more capacitors are connected
in series as shown above, the total capacitance is less than that of the smallest capacitor in
the group
8.7. CAPACITANCE NET WORK 111

Example

1) Let C1 = 6µF and C2 = 3µF , Vab = 18V

A. What is the equivalent capacitance of the series combination

B. What is the charge on each capacitor

C. Find the potation di↵erence across the capacitor.

Figure 8.9: Capacitors connected in Series

Solution
a) for series combination
1 1 1
= +
Ceq C1 C2
1 1 1
= + =
6µF 3µF 2µF

Ceq = 2µF

b) The charge Q is
Q1 = Q2 = Ceq Vab = (2µF )(18V ) = 36µC

c) The potential di↵erence across the capacitor are

Q 36µF
Vac = V1 = = 6V
C1 6µF

Q 36µF
Vcb = V2 = = = 12V
C2 3µF

1) A 1µF and a 2µF capacitor are connected in parallel and this pair of capacitors is then
connected in series with a 4µF capacitor.

i) What is the equivalent capacitance of the whole combination?

112 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

ii) What is the charge on the 4µ F capacitor if the whole combination is connected
across the terminals of a 6V battery?

iii) What are the charges on the 1µF and 2µF capacitors?
Answer:
The equivalent capacitance of the 1µF and a 2µF capacitors connected in parallel
is 1µF + 2µF = 3µF . When a 3µF capacitor is combined in series with 4µF
capacitor the equivalent capacitance of the whole combination is given by

Figure 8.10: Capacitors connected in Series

1 1 1
= +
Ceq 3µF 4µF
7 1
= 6
F
12 ⇥ 10
12 ⇥ 10 6
Ceq = F = 1.71µC
7

The charge delivered by the 6 V battery is Q = Ceq , V = (1.71 ⇥ 10 6 )(6) = 10.3µc. This
is the charge on the 4µF capacitor, since one of the terminals of the battery is connected
directly to one of the plates of this capacitor. The voltage drop across the 4µF capacitor is

Q 10 ⇥ 10 6 C
VA = = = 2.57V
C4 4 ⇥ 10 6 F

Thus, the voltage drop across the 1µF and 2µF combination must be

V12 = 6V 2.57V = 3.43

The charge stored on the 1µF is given by

Q1 = C1 V12 = (1µF )(3.43) = 3.42µF

8.7. CAPACITANCE NET WORK 113

Likewise, the charge stored on the 2µF capacitor is

Q2 = C2 V12 = (2µF )(3.43) = 6.84µF

Note that the total charge stored on the 1µF and 2µF combination is

Q12 = Q1 + Q2 = 10.3µC

In fig C1 = 6µF and C 2 = 3µF and V ab 18V find

a Equivalent capacitance

b The charge on each capacitor

c The potential di↵erence on each capacitor

Solution
A) The equivalent capacitance of the parallel combination is Ceq = C1 + C2 = 6µF + 3µF =
9µF B) The charge Q1 andQ2 are

Q1 = C1 V = (6µF )(18V ) = 108µC

Q2 = C2 V = (3µF )(18V ) = 54µC

C) The potential is the same for each capacitor. Because they are connected unparallel
Solution
A 12
C0 = ✏0 8.85 ⇥ 10 C 2 /N m2
d
11
= 17.7 ⇥ 10 F = 177P F

Unit Exercise
114 CHAPTER 8. ELECTROSTATICS

1) What is the magnitude and direction of the electric field that will balances the weight
of?
a) an electron and
b) a proton

2) In figure determine the point (other than infinity) at which the electric field is zero

3) Two point charges are located on the X axis.The first is a charge to Q at X = - a. The
second is an unknown charge located at X = 3a. The net electric field these charges
2KQ
produce at the origin has a magnitude of a2
. What are the two possible values of
the known charge?

4) Determine the point at which the electric field zero.

5 Three equal positive charges are at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side a as
shown.

A Three Charges together create an electric field. Sketch the field lines in the plane of
the charge

B Find the location of the point (other than infinity) where the electric field is zero
8.7. CAPACITANCE NET WORK 115

6 Find the potential at a distance 1cm from a proton (B) What is the potential di↵erence
between two points that are 1cm and 2cm from a proton? (c) What if ? Repeat part
(a) and (b) for an electron

7 At a certain distance from point charge, the magnitude of the electric field is 500v/m
and the electric potential is -3.00kv

a) What is the distance to the charge?

b) What is the magnitude of the charge?8)

8) A proton accelerates from rest in a uniform electric field 640N/C its speed is 1.2x10 6
m/s

a) Find the acceleration of the proton

b) How long does it take the proton to reach the speed?

c) How far has it moved in this time?

REFERENCES
1. Serway, R. A. and Vuille, C., 2018, College Physics, 11th ed., Cengage Learning,
Boston, USA

2. University Physics with Modern Physics by Young, freedman and Lewis Ford

3. Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics by Douglas C. Giancoli

4. Fundamentals of physics by David Halliday, Robert Resnick and Gearl Walker

5. College Physics by Hugh D. Young Sears Zemansky, 9 th edition

6. Herman Cember and Thomas A. Johnson, Introduction to Health Physics, 4th ed.,
(2008).