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Revision: Electrostatics >> Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Physics Science (English Medium) Class 12 CBSE

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Definitions [31]

Definition: Equipotential Surface

The surface at which electric potential is the same at each point is called an equipotential surface.

Definition: Electrostatic Shielding

The phenomenon in which the electric field inside a cavity of a conductor is zero, irrespective of external charges or fields, is called electrostatic shielding.

Definition: Capacity of Conductor

The ability of a conductor to store charge is called the capacity of conductor.

Definition: Capacitor

A system consisting of two conductors having equal and opposite charges separated by an insulator or dielectric is called a capacitor.

Definition: Dielectric Strength

The maximum electric field that a dielectric medium can withstand without breakdown (of its insulating property) is called its dielectric strength.

Definition: Parallel Plate Capacitor

A capacitor that consists of two large plane parallel conducting plates separated by a small distance is called a parallel plate capacitor.

Definition: Capacitance

The ratio of the charge Q given to one of the conductors of a capacitor to the potential difference V between the conductors is called its capacitance, given by C = Q/V.

Definition: Energy Stored in Capacitor

The work done while charging a capacitor, which is stored in the form of electrostatic energy between the plates and can later be recovered by discharging the capacitor, is called the energy stored in a capacitor.

Definition: Permittivity of a Medium

The product of vacuum permittivity and dielectric constant of the medium.

ε = ε₀K

Definition: Dielectric Constant

The ratio of the permittivity of a medium to the permittivity of vacuum.

K = ε / ε₀

OR

Dielectric constant is the factor by which the capacitance of a capacitor increases when a dielectric is completely inserted between its plates.

Definition: Energy Stored in a Capacitor

The work done in the transfer of charge q between the two plates of a capacitor, which gets stored in the form of potential energy of the system, is called the energy stored in a capacitor.

Obtain the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor connected across a dc battery. Hence define energy density of the capacitor

A capacitor is connected across the terminals of a d.c. battery.

The energy stored on a capacitor is equal to the work done by the battery.

The work required to transport a small amount of charge (dQ) from the negative to positive plates of a capacitor is equal to V dQ, where V represents the voltage across the capacitor.

dU = V dQ

= `Q/C dQ`

∴ Energy stored (U) = ∫V dQ

= `1/C int Q dQ`

= `1/2 Q^2/C`

= `1/2 CV^2`    ...(i)

Energy density is defined as the total energy per unit volume of the capacitor.

For a parallel plate capacitor,

C = `(A epsilon_0)/d`

Putting in eqn. (i),

U = `1/2 (A epsilon_0)/d V^2`

= `epsilon_0/2 Ad(V/d)^2`

= `epsilon_0/2 Ad E^2`    ...[Putting `V/d` = E]

A × d = Volume of space between plates

So, energy is stored per unit volume.

Definition: Van de Graaff Generator

A device used to develop very high potentials of the order of 107 volts is called a Van de Graaff generator.

Definition: Parallel Plate Capacitor with Dielectric Medium

A parallel plate capacitor in which a dielectric slab is inserted between the plates to increase its capacitance by reducing the electric field between the plates is called a capacitor with a dielectric medium.

Definition: Electric Potential Energy

The electric potential energy of a system of charges is the work that has been done in bringing those charges from infinity to near each other to form the system.

OR

The total work done by an external agency in assembling the charges from infinity to their specified positions (without acceleration), is called the electrostatic potential energy of the system.

Definition: Potential Gradient

The rate of change of potential with distance in the electric field is called the 'potential gradient'.

Definition: Electric Potential at a Point

The work done by an external agent in carrying a unit positive test charge from infinity to a point in the electric field is called the electric potential at that point.

OR

The work done in bringing a unit positive charge (without acceleration) from infinity to a given point in an electric field, is called electrostatic potential at that point.

Definition: Electric Dipole Moment

The product of the magnitude of one charge and the separation vector directed from negative to positive charge, is called the electric dipole moment.

\[\vec p\]= q × (2\[\vec a\])

Definition: Electric Dipole

An electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite point charges, placed at a small distance. Its moment, known as electric dipole moment.

OR

A system of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance, is called an electric dipole.

Definition: Electron-volt

1 electron-volt is the work done in taking one electron from one point to the other, when the potential difference between these points is 1 volt.

OR

1 electron-volt is the (kinetic) energy which an electron acquires when accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt.

Definition: Equipotential Surface

Any surface over which the electric potential is same everywhere is called an equipotential surface.

OR

A surface on which the electric potential has the same value at every point, is called an equipotential surface.

Definition: Polar Dielectric Molecule

A ‘polar' molecule is one in which the centre of gravity of the positive charges (protons) is separated from the centre of gravity of the negative charges (electrons) by a finite distance.

OR

A molecule in which the centres of positive and negative charges are separated, giving it a permanent dipole moment, is called a polar molecule.

Definition: Capacitance of a Conductor

The capacitance of a conductor is defined as the ratio of the charge given to the rise in the potential of the conductor.

Mathematical definition: C = \[\frac {Q}{V}\]

Definition: Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor

“The total amount of work in charging the capacitor is stored up in the capacitor in the form of electric potential energy.”

Definition: Dielectric

The dielectric constant (or specific inductive capacity) of a material is the ratio of the capacitance of a given capacitor completely filled with that material to the capacitance of the same capacitor in vacuum.

OR

A non-conducting substance that has no (or negligible) free charge carriers and can be polarised in an external electric field, is called a dielectric.

Definition: Parallel Plate Capacitor

A capacitor consisting of two large parallel conducting plates separated by a small distance is called a parallel plate capacitor.

Definition: Capacitor

A capacitor is a pair of two conductors of any shape which are close to each other and have equal and opposite charges. These conductors are called the 'plates' of the capacitor.

OR

A system of two conductors separated by an insulator, is called a capacitor.

Definition: Electric Polarisation

To sum up, an electric field produces in a dielectric (non-polar or polar) a net dipole moment in the direction of the field. This phenomenon is known as 'dielectric polarisation' or 'electric polarisation of matter'.

Definition: Capacitance of a Capacitor

The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the charge given to a plate of the capacitor to the potential difference produced between the plates.

Definition: Dielectric Strength

Dielectric strength is defined as the maximum value of the electric field that it can tolerate without its electric breakdown.

Definition: Non-polar Dielectric Molecule

The Molecules in which the centres of positive and negative charges coincide and so the molecules have zero electric dipole moment. Such molecules are called ‘non-polar' molecules.

OR

A molecule in which the centres of positive and negative charges coincide and has no permanent dipole moment, is called a non-polar molecule.

Formulae [22]

Formula: Electric Field on a Charged Conductor Surface

\[\vec{E}=\frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}\hat{n}\]

where
σ = surface charge density
\[\hat n\] = outward normal unit vector

Magnitude form:

E = \[\frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_0}\]

Formula: Capacitors in Parallel

Ceq = C₁ + C₂ + C₃

Formula: Capacitors in Series

\[\frac {1}{C_{eq}}\] = \[\frac {1}{C_1}\] + \[\frac {1}{C_2}\] + \[\frac {1}{C_3}\]

Formula: Basic Capacitance

C = Q/V

Formula: Parallel plate capacitor

C = \[\frac {kε_0A}{d}\]; Cm = k · Cair

Formula: Spherical Capacitor

C = 4πkε₀ · [\[\frac {ab}{(b − a)}\]]

Formula: Cylindrical Capacitor

C = \[\frac {2πkε₀ l}{2.303 log(b/a)}\]

Formula: Energy Stored / Work Done in a Capacitor

W = \[\frac {1}{2}\]qV

Formula: Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges

U = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{r}joule\]

Formula: Potential at any Point

V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{p\cos\theta}{r^{2}}\] volt.

Formula: Dipole Potential on Axial Line

V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{P}{r^2-l^2}\]

Far-field, r ≫ 2l: V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{p}{r^{2}}\] volt.

Formula: Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge

V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\] volt

Formula: Work Done in Rotating an Electric Dipole

W = pE (cos θ1 – cos θ2)

Formula: Potential Due to a System of Charges

Potential due to a continuous charge distribution:

\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\int\frac{\rho dV}{r}\]

Potential outside a uniformly charged spherical shell:

\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\quad(r\geq R)\]

Potential inside a uniformly charged spherical shell:

\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{R}\quad(r<R)\]

Formula: Relation between Electric Field and Potential

E = -\[\frac {dV}{dl}\]

Formula: Electric Potential

V = \[\frac {W}{q_0}\]

  • Dimensions: [V] = [ML2T−3A−1]
  • SI unit is volt (V), where 1 V =1 J C−1

OR

\[V=\frac{W_{\infty\to P}}{q}\]

Unit: 1 volt=1 joule per coulomb (J/C)

Formula: Potential Difference between Two Points

\[V_A-V_B=\frac{W}{q_0}\]

OR

\[V_P-V_R=\frac{U_P-U_R}{q}\]

Formula: Electron-volt

1 electron-volt = 1.6 × 10-1 joule.

Formula: Potential Energy of a Charged Conductor

U = \[\frac {1}{2}\] C V2

Formula: Capacitance of an Isolated Spherical Conductor

C = 4 π ε0a farad

Formula: Capacitance of a Parallel-Plate Capacitor

C = \[\frac{K\varepsilon_0A}{d}\] farad

If there is vacuum (or air) between the plates, then K = 1

C0 = \[\frac {ε_0 A}{d}\] farad

Formula: Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor

\[U=\frac{1}{2}\frac{Q^{2}}{C}=\frac{1}{2}CV^{2}joule.\]

Theorems and Laws [1]

Law: Van de Graaff Generator

Works on:

  • Corona discharge
  • Charge distribution on a hollow conductor (outer surface)
  • A continuous supply of charge increases potential
  • Can generate potentials of order 107 volts.

Key Points

Key Points: Capacitors
  • Capacitance depends on the geometry (shape, size, separation) of the conductors and on the dielectric between them.
  • In a series, the charge on each capacitor is the same, but the voltage across each is different.
  • A series combination divides high voltage — the capacitor with the smallest capacitance gets the largest P.D., and it cannot store much charge.
  • In parallel, the voltage across each capacitor is the same, but the charge on each is different, and it handles only low voltage.
  • A parallel combination is used when a large capacitance at low potential is needed, as it can store a large amount of charge.
Key Points: Electric Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole at Electrostatic Field
  • The potential energy of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is
    U = − p ⋅ E = − pE cos ⁡θ
  • When the dipole is parallel to the field (θ = 0),
    U = − pE
    This is the minimum potential energy (stable equilibrium).
  • When the dipole is perpendicular to the field (θ = 90),
    U = 0
  • When the dipole is anti-parallel to the field (θ = 180),
    U = +pE
    This corresponds to an unstable equilibrium.
  • Work done in rotating the dipole through an angle θ\thetaθ is W = pE(1 − cos⁡θ) and this work equals the increase in potential energy.
Key Points: Properties of Equipotential Surfaces
  • Zero Work: No work is done in moving a charge along an equipotential surface because the potential difference is zero.
  • Relation with Electric Field: The electric field is always perpendicular to an equipotential surface; there is no electric field component along the surface.
  • Spacing and Field Strength: Equipotential surfaces are closer where the electric field is strong and farther apart where the field is weak.
  • Non-intersection: Equipotential surfaces never intersect, since that would imply two directions of the electric field at one point, which is impossible.
Key Points: Combinations of Capacitors
  • Series combination: All capacitors connected in series carry the same charge Q, while the total potential difference is the sum of individual potential differences.
  • Equivalent capacitance in series is given byand is less than the smallest individual capacitance.
  • In a series combination, the potential difference across each capacitor is inversely proportional to its capacitance, and the capacitor with the least capacitance has the highest voltage.
  • Parallel combination: All capacitors connected in parallel have the same potential difference, while the charge distributes according to capacitance.
  • Equivalent capacitance in parallel is given byand is greater than any individual capacitance.
Key Points: Electric Polarisation of Matter
  • An electric field produces dipoles in non-polar dielectrics and aligns them in polar dielectrics, resulting in a net dipole moment along the field.
  • Polarisation causes bound charges to appear only on the surfaces of the dielectric slab; the interior remains electrically neutral.
  • The polarisation charges create an electric field opposite to the applied field, reducing the field inside the dielectric.
  • When a dielectric is inserted in an isolated capacitor, the electric field and potential difference decrease, while capacitance increases.
  • A dielectric can withstand the electric field only up to a certain limit, beyond which electrical breakdown occurs.
Key Points: Dependence of the Capacitance of a Capacitor
  • Capacitance is directly proportional to the area of the plates
    C ∝ A
    Increasing the effective overlapping area increases capacitance.
  • Capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates
    C ∝ \[\frac {1}{d}\]Reducing the separation between plates increases capacitance.
  • Capacitance depends on the medium between the plates
    It increases when a dielectric is introduced and is directly proportional to the dielectric constant K:
    C ∝ K
Key Points: Conductors and Insulators (or Dielectrics)
  • In metals, electric current is due to the drift of free electrons; positive ions remain fixed in the lattice and do not move.
  • Valence electrons in the outermost orbit are loosely bound and can become free (conduction) electrons, especially at room temperature.
  • When an external electric field is applied to a conductor, free electrons acquire a drift velocity opposite to the field, producing current.
  • The electrical conductivity of a solid depends on the number of free electrons available for conduction.
  • In dielectrics, an applied electric field causes electric polarisation; charges appear on the surface, but no charge flows through the material.

Important Questions [106]

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