XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

EFFECT OF DIELECTRIC ON CAPACITANCE

Lesson
Instructional Objectives y y y y y y

(MP)

To have an idea about the design and function of capacitors. Ability to understand the effect of dielectric inserted in between the places. To have an idea of dielectric constant & its value for different materials. Ability to understand dielectric strength and to have a general idea about the dielectric strength of different materials. Memorize the equation , Ability to solve mathematical problems on capacitance.

Lesson summary
Introduction A capacitor is a device for storing a large quantity of electric charge. A dielectric does not conduct electricity through it but on applying electric field, induced charges are produced on its faces. Capacitor with dielectric in between the plates Consider a parallel plate capacitor with plate area A and separated distance d. the capacitance of the capacitor with vacuum in between the plates is given by , (1) If the capacitor is charged using a battery, the electric filed developed in between the plates is given by, Where = surface charge density

When a dielectric slab of thickness t (t d) of non-polar atoms is introduced between the plates, induced charges develop on the two surfaces of the dielectric slab which set up an electric field due to polarisation along a direction opposite to the directional applied field. i.e, electric field strength decreases with the introduction of the dielectric and of electric field is given by,

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance We see that, E = strength of electric field over a distance t. strength of electric field for the distance (d-t) Fig.1 represents a parallel plate capacitor with vacuum in between the plates. Fig.2 represents a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric inserted in between the plates.

fig.1 & 2 (figure not inserted)

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

The potential difference between the plates of the capacitor is given by, have i.e, , the dielectric constant of the medium.

we

We have electric field in between the plates as Where  surface charge density , also

and

The expression for capacitance of a capacitor after the introduction of dielectric is given by,

If the dielectric fills the whole space in between the plates, then t = d.  From (1) and (2) (2)

Note :the capacitance of a capacitor increases on introducing a dielectric between its plates.

Dielectric Constant (K)/ Relative Permittivity / Specific Inductive Capacity

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Dielectric constant of the dielectric medium is defined as the ratio of the strength of the applied electric field to the strength of the reduced value of the electric field after the introduction of dielectric between the plates. i.e,  Its value is one for vacuum and 78 for water. Polarisation Density P It is defined as the induced dipole moment developed per unit volume in a dielectric slab when it is placed inside the electric field. i.e, where P = induce dipole moment. N = number of atoms per unit volume Electric Susceptibility X The polarisation density of the dielectric is directly proportional to the reduced value of the electric field, E i.e, the constant of proportionality (Dimensionless) X is known as electric susceptibility. Note :-

Atomic Polarisability ( ) The induced dipole moment acquired by the atom of the dielectric is ,

The constant of proportionally

is called atomic polarisability is of the order

For lithium , sodium , potassium , For helium , neon , argon , is of

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance We also have, and

Key Take-aways 1. If vacuum is present in between the plates, capacitance is 2. Electric field strength decreases when a dielectric is introduced in between the plates. 3. The capacitance increases with the introduction of the dielectric between the plates, and is given by, 4. Dielectric constant 5. Also 6. 7. 8. Also  where is the electric susceptibility.

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

Lesson Chart

CAPACITOR

Used to store charges

Vacuum between the plates Dielectric between the plates

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

Quick reference notes

1. Is it possible to give any desired amount of charge to a capacitor ?

(MP)

Ans : No we cannot store any desired amount of charge to a capacitor. The maximum charge that can be stored in a capacitor is limited by the dielectric strength of the medium between the two plates of the capacitor.

2. Can we consider a single conductor as a capacitor

(HP)

Ans : Yes, a single conductor also possess capacitance. It is a capacitor, whose one plate is at infinity. 3. Give the factors which affects the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.

(VHP)

Ans : The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor depends on area of the plates, A and distance d between the plates if vacuum is present in between the plates. i.e, if a dielectric of dielectric constant K is present in between the plates,

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

Equations
1. Definition Capacitance when vacuum is present in between the plates.  Permittivity of free space / vacuum and  Area of the plates Distance between the plates Key concepts y y Capacitance of a capacitor is the ability to store charges. The SI unit of capacitance is farad (F)

(HP)

Must Know y y 2. Capacitance of a capacitor is directly proportional to the area of the plates of the capacitor. It is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates of a capacitor.

(LP)

Definition Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor Amount of charge stored Potential developed Key concepts y y y y Electric capacitance is defined as the ability to store electric charges. The value of capacitance depends upon the shape and dimensions of the conductor. It does not depend upon the material of the conductor. It depends on the nature of the medium.

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Must know y y The charge q stored is directly proportional to the potential developed. Capacitance is the constant of proportionality.

3. Definition Electric field in between the plates of the capacitor Surface charging density Permittivity of free space / vacuum Key concepts y y Electric field due to a single plane sheet of charge is

(LP)

In a capacitor is the electric field developed in between the plates and zero electric field is present in other region.

Must know y y Electric field between the plates depends on surface charge density of the plates. It also depends on the absolute permittivity of the free space.

4. Definition Capacitance of the capacitor Permittivity of free space / vacuum Dielectric constant = Area of the plates Distance between the plates

(VHP)

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Key concepts y y y 5. Definition Dielectric constant of the dielectric medium Electric field without the absence of dielectric Or Electric field with vacuum in between the plates Electric field when dielectric is introduced in between the plates of a capacitor Key concepts y y Dielectric constant is also known as relative permittivity or specific inductive capacity Its a value is always greater than one Capacitance of a capacitor increases when a dielectric of dielectric constant K is instead in between the plates Capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates Capacitance depends on the medium in between the plates

(MP)

Must know y y 6. Definition Dielectric constant of the dielectric medium Capacitance with dielectric in between the plates of a capacitor Capacitance with vacuum in between the plates Key concepts y y Dielectric constant is also known as relative permittivity or specific inductive capacity It is always greater than one Dielectric constant is the ratio It is a dimensionless constant and

(MP)

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Must know y Dielectric constant (dimensionless) is the ratio of and

7. Definition  Induced dipole moment acquired by an atom Electric field applied  Permittivity of free space / vacuum Atomic polarisabilty

(LP)

Key concepts y When the dielectric slab is placed in an electric field dipole moment is induced on the atom

Must know y Induced dipole moment of the atom depends on the applied electric field y Atomic polarisability is the constant of proportionality y is of the order of for lithium ,neon, argon etc. 8. Definition Electric susceptibility Atomic polarisability Number of atoms per unit volume Key concepts y y Electric susceptibility is the constant of proportionality It is a dimensional constant

(LP)

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Must know y Polarisation density p is directly proportional to the reduced value of electric field i.e. and X is the constant of proportionality.

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

Objective type questions

1. Capacitance of a capacitor with dielectric in between the plates is given by

(VHP)(KB)(EQ)
a. b. c. d. Solution Discussion a. Incorrect Capacitance of a capacitor increases with increase in the area of the plates and decreases with increases in distance between the plates. b. Correct Same as a Where K is the dielectric constant of the medium c. Incorrect Same as a d. Incorrect Same as a 2. A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance of 6 PF. The value of capacitance with a dielectric of dielectric constant 5 is given by

(MP)(AB)(CQ)
a. b. c. d. 30 PF 11 PF 1 PF 1.2 PF

Solution Discussion a. Correct (capacitance with air as medium) =   b. Incorrect Same as a c. Incorrect Same as a d. Incorrect Same as a 3. What is the change in the value of capacitance of a capacitor when the distance between the plates is halved and area of the plate is doubled. (VHP)(D)(AB) a. Becomes half b. Gets doubled c. Unaffected

C (capacitance with dielectric as medium) =

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance d. Becomes four times Solution Discussion a. Incorrect The capacitance of a capacitor is When   

 times original value. b. Incorrect Same as a c. Incorrect Same as a d. Correct Same as a 4. Atomic polarisability ( ) for argon is  a. b. c. d. Solution Discussion

(GTK)(KB)(M)

a. Incorrect For group I elements atomic polarisability

is of the order of

b. Correct For noble gases, is of  Argon has an atomic polarisability of c. Incorrect Same as b d. Incorrect Same as b 5. When a dielectric is introduced between the plates of a capacitor , the capacitance

(HP)(KB)(E)
a. b. c. d. Decreases Increases Becomes zero Remain unaffected

Solution Discussion a. Incorrect We have dielectric constant 

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance Where Capacitance with air/vacuum in between the plates C = Capacitance with dielectric between the plates i.e. C increases b. Correct Same as a c. Incorrect Same as a d. Incorrect Same as a 6. Which of the following denotes a dimensionless quantity a. Polarisation density b. Permittivity , c. Electric susceptibility , X d. Dielectric strength Solution Discussion a. Incorrect polarisation density b. Incorrect permittivity We have L.H.S is dimensionless X is also dimensionless d. Incorrect Dielectric strength is defined as the maximum value of electric field that can be applied to a dielectric without its electric breakdown. Its unit is . Practical unit is . 7. Assertion : When a dielectric is introduced between the plates of a capacitor, capacitance increases. (MP)(KB)(D) Reason : Capacitance increases when area decreases. a. Both assertion and reason are correct. Reason is the correct explanation of assertion b. Both assertion and reason are correct. But reason is not the correct explanation of assertion. c. Assertion is true, reason is false. d. Assertion is false, reason is correct Solution Discussion = =
 

(LP)(M)(KB)

 is the dimension  is the dimension

c. Correct Electric susceptibility X is dimensionless

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance a. Incorrect We have dielectric constant,  Assertion is true We also have capacitance i.e. C increases when area increases.  Reason is false. b. Incorrect Same as a c. Correct Same as a d. Incorrect Same as a 8. Atomic polarisability, for group I element is of the order of a. b. c. d. Solution Discussion a. Incorrect - of the order of b. Incorrect - of the order of c. Incorrect Same as a d. Correct Same as a 9. Match the following Material a. b. c. d. Water Paper Mica Porcelain for group I elements for noble gases / rare gases

(GTK)(AB)(E)

(GTK)(AB)(D)
Dielectric constant, K

78 6.6 3.5

The correct set is a. Water 78 b. Paper 3.5 c. Mica 5.4 d. Porcelain 6.6 10. Which is the following represent the dielectric strength of mica a. 160 b. 14

(GTK)(D)(AB)

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance c. Infinity d. Four Solution Discussion a. b. c. d. Correct Mica has dielectric strength as 160 Incorrect Paper has dielectric strength as 14 Incorrect Vacuum has dielectric strength as infinity Incorrect Porcelain has dielectric strength as four

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance

Question with narrative answers

(MP)

1. A plane capacitor with area of the plates as A and distance between the plates as d is placed in a glass vessel with oil of permittivity K. A battery with emf E volt is connected using a switch S. what will be the magnitude of the charge on the capacitor when (i) Switch S is opened and then the vessel is filled to the top with oil. (ii) Vessel is first filled with oil and switch S is closed. Also indicate the change in the intensity of electric field. Ans : The capacitance of the capacitor is given by Charge q = CE Where E = e.m.f of the battery y When the switch S is opened and the vessel filled with oil, charge q remains same. Capacitance charge as . potential decreases by K. Also intensity of electric field decreases by K. y When the vessel is filled with oil Capacitance When the switch is closed, Charge q = Intensity of electric field remains unchanged as potential difference between the plates remains unchanged.

XII_PH_C2_L11_PL3 (Highpepper) Subject : Physics Chapter : Electrostatic potential and capacitance Lesson : Effect of dielectric on capacitance