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manipulating the flow of charges.
This is achieved through several types
discrete circuit components.
Capacitors can store electric charge (and
therefore electric potential energy) for a
certain period of time.
Two
Potential
conductors Electric difference
with equal field between
but opposite
the
charges
charges
f
q
0 E dA q V f Vi E ds C
i
V
0 EA q V Eds
Increased area results in
increased charge storage for
a constant voltage.
V Ed V V Ed V
The potential difference between the battery terminals and the
plates will create a field and charges will flow from the battery
to the plates until the potential difference is zeroed.
Capacitance is inversely proportional to the
distance between the plates.
Q
Surface charge density on the plates:
A
Q
The field (assuming d<<A1/2): E
0 0 A
Qd
The potential difference: V Ed
0 A
Q 0 A
The capacitance: C
V d
Q l
C
V b
2ke ln
a
l
C
b
2k e Q l
2ke ln
E a
r
C 1
b
b b
dr b l
Vb Va Edr 2ke 2ke ln 2ke ln
r a
a a
a
A battery drives
charges to accumulate
on the capacitor plates.
A switch controls the
flow of charge.
C,Q
V
Q Q1 Q2
V V1 V2
Q1 C1V1 C1V
Q2 C2 V2 C2 V
Q Ceq V
Ceq C1 C2
This is not
V V1 V2
Q Q1 Q2
Q1 Q
V1
C1 C1
Q2 Q
V2
C2 C2
Q
V
Ceq
1 1 1
Ceq C1 C2
n
1 1
For series capacitors
Ceq j 1 C j
0 A
C
d a
Ceq = ?
1 1
2
C1 = 3C
C2 = C Rank the voltages.
∆ ∆ ∆
C3 = 5C
Since capacitors can carry charge after a battery
is disconnected, they can store energy.
To calculate this energy, consider the work done to
move a small amount of charge from one plate of
the capacitor to the other.
As more and more charges are moved, the work
required increases.
q
dW Vdq dq
C Q2 1 1
Q Q
U QV C (V ) 2
q 1 Q2 2C 2 2
W dq qdq
0
C C0 2C
Consider a simple parallel-plate capacitor whose plates
are given equal and opposite charges and are separated
by a distance d. Suppose the plates are pulled apart until
they are separated by a distance D > d. The electrostatic
energy stored in the capacitor is
1. greater than
2. the same as
3. smaller than
1 1
U C (V ) 2 U ( 0 Ad ) E 2
2 2
0 A
2 ( 0 Ad ) E
2
(Ed ) 2
U 1
d uE
Vol Ad
1
uE 0 E 2
2
Dielectrics are insulators like glass, rubber or
wood.
They are used to increase the charge storage
capacity and/or maximum voltage in
capacitors while providing mechanical
support.
They are characterized by a dielectric
constant, , and are limited by their dielectric
strength.
As we apply a voltage to the plates, the dielectric in between is
polarized.
The dielectric constant is a measure of the polarizability of the material.
This creates a field in the opposite direction to the applied field and
therefore reduces the effective voltage or under constant voltage allows
a larger charge to be collected on the plates.
The dielectric strength is the maximum electric field the material can
withstand before breaking down (becoming a conductor).
V0 Q0 Q0
V C C C0
V V0
A parallel-plate capacitor is attached to a
battery that maintains a constant potential
difference V between the plates. While the
battery is still connected, a glass slab is
inserted so as to just fill the space between the
plates. The stored energy
1. increases.
2. decreases.
3. remains the same.
0 A
C C0
1 3 1 1 3 d 1 3 2 3
Capacitors are geometries that can hold
charges.
Use Gauss’ Law symmetries to calculate
capacitance.
Series and parallel connections.
Dielectrics increase capacitance.
Reading Assignment
Chapter 27 – Current and Resistance
WebAssign: Assignment 4