CHAPTER 24 Electrostatic potential energy of a collection

of charges:
ELECTROSTATIC ENERGY B
and CAPACITANCE q1 r12 From
A ∞
r23 q2
• Electrostatic potential energy r13
C
† Collection of charges
The potential energy of an ensemble of charges
• Capacitance and capacitors is equal to the work done in bringing the
† Storage of electrical energy charges together. Assume charge q 1 is in
position A and bring in charge q 2 to B from ∞ .
• Energy density of an electric field
The potential at B due to a charge q 1 at A is:
• Combinations of capacitors q
VB = k 1 .
r12
† In parallel
† In series So, the work done (by you) in bringing a charge
q 2 from ∞ to B is:
• Dielectrics
W2 = − q 2 ∆V = − q 2 ( V∞ − VB ) = − q 2 (0 − VB )
† Effects of dielectrics q q
= k 1 2.
r12
• Examples of capacitors

1
Electrostatic potential energy of a collection Electrostatic potential energy of a collection
of charges: (continued) of charges: (continued)
B q1 r12 q2
q1 r12
r23
A r23 r13
r13 From q3
C q3 ∞ So, the electrostatic potential energy, U, of a
The work done in bringing charge q 3 from ∞ to system of point charges is the total work done
C is: to assemble the charges from ∞ to their final
W3 = − q 3 ( V∞ − VC ), positions. Now,
q q q q q q
where VC is the potential at C due to the U=k 1 2 +k 1 3 +k 2 3
r12 r13 r23
charges at A and B.
1  q2 q  1  q q 
 q q  q q q q
∴ W3 = − q 3  0 − (k 1 + k 2 ) = k 1 3 + k 2 3 . = q 1 k + k 3  + q2  k 3 + k 1 
 r13 r23  r13 r23 2  r12 r13 2  r23 r12

So, the total work done = W2 + W3 1  q q 

+ q3  k 1 + k 2 
q q q q q q 2  r13 r23 
= k 1 2 + k 1 3 + k 2 3.
r12 r13 r23 1 N
= ∑ q i Vi ,
This is the electrostatic potential energy, U, of 2 i=1
to the three charges at A, B and C, i.e., the total where Vi is the potential at the position of the
work done assembling the charges. ith charge due to all the other charges.

2
 The electrostatic potential energy of a charged
Problem 24-18(c) page 778:
conducting sphere is equal to the amount of
+4.2µC
work we do in putting the charge onto the
2.5m 2.5m
dq sphere. If the sphere
q
−4.2µC 2.5m −4.2µC R already has a charge
q, the work done in
1 3
The electrostatic potential energy: U = ∑ q i Vi bringing a charge dq from ∞ onto the sphere is
2 i=1
dW = −dq( V∞ − V ), where V is the potential of
1  q q  1  q q  1  q q 
= q 1 k 2 + k 3  + q 2 k 3 + k 1  + q 3 k 1 + k 2  q
2  r12 r13  2  r23 r12  2  r13 r23  the sphere. But V∞ = 0 and V = k ,
R
1 (−4.2 × 10−6 ) (+4.2 × 10−6 ) 
= (−4.2 × 10−6 ) × (9 × 109 ) +  q
2  2.5 2.5  ∴ dW = k dq .
R
1 (+4.2 × 10−6 ) (−4.2 × 10−6 ) 
+ (−4.2 × 10−6 ) × (9 × 109 ) +  So, the total work done to charge the sphere
2  2.5 2.5 
from 0 → Q is:
1 (−4.2 × 10−6 ) (−4.2 × 10−6 ) 
+ (+4.2 × 10−6 ) × (9 × 109 ) +  Q
2  2.5 2.5 
Q
q k q 2  1 Q2 1
W = ∫ k dq =   = k = QV ,
0 R R 2
 0 2 R 2
(−4.2 × 10−6 )
= (+4.2 × 10−6 ) × (9 × 109 )
2.5
where V ( = kQ R ) is the potential of the fully
= −0.0635 J
charged sphere.
?
1
What does the negative sign mean? ∴U = W = QV .
2

3
Problem 24.19 page 778: CAPACITANCE:

Q Q When an object has a charge Q, it will have a

R V=k
R potential V (= U Q), because work is done (= U)
We’ve just shown that the electrostatic potential to assemble the charge. (Conversely, if an
energy of a charged sphere is: object has a potential V it will have a charge Q.)
1 The capacitance (C) of the object is the ratio
U = QV .
2 Q V.
VR Example: A charged spherical
But, by re-arrangement, we find Q = . +
k + + conductor carrying a charge Q.
R
1  VR  V 2R + +
The potential of the sphere is
∴U = V=
2 k  2k + Q
V=k .
R
(2 × 103 )2 × 0.1
= 9
= 2.22 × 10−5 J . Therefore, the capacitance of the sphere is
2 × 9 × 10
Q Q R
C= = = = 4π
πε oR
This is the amount of work we do in charging V kQ R k
the sphere to a potential of 2kV. UNITS: Capacitance ⇒ Coulombs/Volts
• What is the charge on the sphere? ⇒ Farad (F).
3
RV 0.1 × 2 × 10 Example: A sphere with R = 10 cm (= 0.1m)
Q= = 9
= 2.22 × 10−8 C ( 22.2nC).
k 9 × 10 C = 1.11 × 10−12F (= 1.11pF).

4
 Capacitance of two parallel plates:

+Q −Q

+ −
Capacitance is a measure of the “capacity” Area = A
that an object has for charge, i.e., given two d
objects at the same potential, the one with the We can use a battery or a
greater capacitance will have more charge. generator to move charge
Q from one plate to the
other. The electric field between the plates is:
DISCUSSION PROBLEM [24.1]: σ Q
E= = . (From ch. 22)
εo εo A
The Earth is a conductor of radius 6400km. If Also, the potential difference (voltage) between
it were an isolated sphere what would be its the two plates is:
capacitance? σ
V = E.d = d. (From ch. 23)
εo
So the capacitance of this pair of plates is
Q σA A
C= = = εo .
V V d

5
Two parallel plates (continued):
Two parallel plates:
Practical considerations
A
Example: A = 5.0cm × 5.0cm C = εo
d
d = 0.5cm .
How can we increase the capacitance, i.e, get
A
∴ C = εo = 4.4 × 10−12F = 4.4 pF . more charge per unit of potential difference?
d
• increase A
Maximum possible value of E in air (from
• decrease d
earlier) ≈ 3 × 106 V/m. Therefore, the maximum
Metal foil
potential difference (voltage) we can get
between this pair of plates is:
Insulating spacer
Vmax = Emax .d ≈ 3 × 106 × 0.005 ≈ 15,000V (dielectric)
Note: it depends only on the spacing.
Also,
Q max = CVmax = 4.4 × 10−12 × 15 × 103 = 66 nC
1 The capacitor is rolled up into a cylindrical
∴ U max = Q max Vmax = 4.95 × 10−4 J .
2 shape.
__________________________________ • increase εo
To have a 1F capacitance the area would have to be by changing the medium between the plates,
A ≈ 5.6 × 108 m 2 , i.e., the length of each side of the plates would i.e., εo ⇒ ε = κε o (later).
be ≈ 23.8km (i.e., about 14 miles!) with a spacing of 0.5cm.

6
 A cylindrical (coaxial) capacitor (continued):

Example: coaxial (antenna) wire.

A cylindrical (coaxial) capacitor:
copper
−Q wire
- - - insulation
- - - ra copper
++ braid
- - - ++
+ +
rb Assume an outer conductor (braid) radius
- - - +Q
rb ≈ 2.5mm , and an inner conductor (wire)
- - -
radius ra ≈ 0.5mm , with neoprene insulation
L
( εo ⇒ κε o = 6.9ε o ).
The capacitance of a coaxial capacitor of The capacitance per meter is:
length L is: C 2ππκε o
=
2πε oL L ln(rb ra )
C=
ln(rb ra )
2 × π × 6.9 × 8.85 × 10−12
= = 2.384 × 10−10 F/m
1.609
= 238.4 pF/m

7
 Storing energy in a capacitor:

+q + + + + + + + B To store energy in a
capacitor we “charge”
+ dq
it, producing an electric
−q - - - - - - - A
field. We do work
moving charges from plate A to plate B. If the
plates already have charge ± q and dq is then
moved from A to B, the work done is
EFM10VD2.MOV
dW = −dq(v A − v B ),
where v A and v B are the potentials of plates A
Because work is done to charge a capacitor, and B, respectively. This, then is the
the capacitor stores energy, electrostatic incremental increase in potential energy, dU, of
potential energy. The energy is released when the capacitor system. If v = v B − v A ( v B > v A )
the capacitor is discharged. then dU = vdq .
q
But v= , (by definition)
Where is the energy stored? C
so the incremental increase in energy when dq
... in the electric field (between the plates)! of charge is taken from A → B is:
q
∴ dU =   dq.
 C

8
Energy stored in a capacitor (continued)
Potential Energy density of an electric field ...
difference
Slope = V Q = 1 C
V Assume we have a parallel plate capacitor,
Area = dU = v.dq
q then stored energy is:
v=
C 1
dq Charge U = CV 2 .
2
q Q A
But C = εo and V = E.d ,
So, in charging a capacitor from 0 → Q the total d
increase in potential energy is: 1 A 1
∴U = εo (E.d)2 = ε o ( A .d)E2 .
Q Q 2 2 d 2
q 1 1Q
U = ∫ dU = ∫   dq = [ ]
q2 =
 
0 C 2C 0 2 C
But A .d ⇒ volume of
 = 1 QV = 1 CV 2 
 2 2  the electric field. So
the energy density is:
i.e., the area under the V − Q plot. This Area = A
1
potential energy can be recovered when the u e = U volume = εoE2 .
d 2
capacitor is discharged, i.e., when the stored
charge is released.
This result is true for all electric fields.
(NOTE: this is the same we obtained earlier for
a charged conducting sphere.)

9
 Combining capacitors (series):
Combining capacitors (parallel):
VB +Q
VB C1
C1 C2 Ceq −Q Ceq
V = VB − VA Vm V
V = VB − VA V +Q
C2 −Q
VA
VA
Equivalent
Equivalent capacitor
capacitor
The charge on the capacitors is the same: ±Q .
The charges on the capacitors are: The individual potential differences are:
Q1 = C1V and Q 2 = C2 V Q Q
V1 = ( VB − Vm ) = and V2 = ( Vm − VA ) = .
and the total charge stored is: C1 C2
Q = Q1 + Q 2 = (C1 + C2 )V = Ceq V . Therefore, the total potential difference is:
Q Q  1 1 Q
∴ V = V1 + V2 = + = Q + = ,
So, this combination is equivalent to a single C1 C2  C1 C2  Ceq
capacitor with capacitance
1 1 1
Ceq = C1 + C2. providing = + .
Ceq C1 C2
When more than two capacitors are connected
With more than two capacitors:
in parallel:
1 1
Ceq = ∑ i Ci . = ∑i
Ceq Ci

10
Problem 24.39 page 779 : Problem 24.58 page 781:

C1
200V C3 C12 Ceq + Q1 2µ
µF C2 + Q 2
+Q 2µ
µF
C2 12V 4V
−Q −Q1 −Q 2
(a) C1 and C2 are in series:
1 1 1 1 1 Initially, the charge on the 2µ
µF capacitor is
∴ = + = + = 0.3167 × 106
C12 C1 C2 4µF 15µF Q = C1V = 2 × 10−6 × 12 = 24 × 10−6 C .
∴ C12 = 3.16µF When connected across the second capacitor,
C12 and C3 are in parallel: this charge is redistributed (none is lost!!). The
∴ Ceq = C12 + C3 = 3.16µF + 12µF = 15.16µF . “new” charges are
(b) We have: Q1 = Q 2 (= Q) Q1 = C1V ′ = 2 × 10−6 × 4 = 8 × 10−6 C.
Q Q  1 1 Q 2 = C2 V ′ = C2 × 4 = 4C2 .
and V = V1 + V2 = + = Q + 
C1 C2  C1 C2  But total charge is conserved ... where could it
go? So, Q1 + Q 2 = Q . ∴ Q 2 = Q − Q1.
∴ 200 = 0.3167 × 106 Q ,
i.e., 4C2 = (24 × 10−6 ) − (8 × 10−6 ) = 16 × 10−6 .
i.e., Q = 0.63 × 10−3 C
∴ C2 = 4 × 10−6 F = 4µ
µF.
Q 3 = C3 V = 12 × 10−6 × 200 = 2.4 × 10−3 C
1 1
(c) U = Ceq V 2 = × 15.16 × 10−6 × 200 2 = 0.30 J What about stored energy before and after?
2 2

11
Problem 24.58 page 781: continued ... Further analysis ...

+ Q 2µ
µF + Q1 2µ
µF C2 + Q 2 + Q C1 +Q1 C1 C2 + Q 2
12V 4V V V′
−Q −Q1 −Q 2 −Q −Q1 −Q 2

What about energy before and after? If C2 is uncharged initially ...

1 1
• Energy before ⇒ C1V 2 • Initial energy U i = QV .
2 2
1 1 1
= × 2 × 10−6 × 122 = 1.44 × 10−4 J • Final energy U f = Q1V ′ + Q 2 V ′
2 2 2
1 1 1 1
• Energy after ⇒ C1V ′ 2 + C2 V ′ 2 = (Q1 + Q 2 )V ′ = QV ′ .
2 2 2 2
1 1 Uf V′
= × 2 × 10−6 × 4 2 + × 4 × 10−6 × 4 2 ∴ = .
2 2 Ui V
= 0.48 × 10−4 J But Q1 + Q 2 = C1V ′ + C2 V ′ = (C1 + C2 )V ′ .
i.e, a loss of 0.96 × 10−4 J ! V′ C1
Also Q1 + Q 2 = Q = C1V ... i.e., = .
What? Where V C1 + C2
has it gone?
Uf C1
∴ = always < 1.
U i C1 + C2

12
Dielectrics: Dielectrics (continued):
+Q +Q Dielectric
d Three main advantages:
−Q −Q
(a) (b)
Q Q • maintains plate separation when small,
Co = C=
Vo V
(a) The electric field in an isolated charged • increased capacitance for a given size.
σ
parallel plate capacitor (in vacuum) is: Eo = .
εo • dielectric increases the max. electric
σ field possible (dielectric strength), and
∴ Vo = Eod = d.
εo hence potential difference, between the
(b) When a dielectric is inserted, εo ⇒ κε o , where plates before breakdown, Vmax = Emax .d .
σ
κ is the dielectric constant, so E = .
κε o Material κ Dielectric
σ V Strength ( Emax )
∴ V = E.d = d = o,
κε o κ Air 1.00059 3 × 106 V/m
i.e., the potential difference is reduced. Paper 3.7 16 × 106 V/m
Q κQ A
∴C = = = κCo  = κε o  Neoprene 6.9 12 × 106 V/m
V Vo  d
Polystyrene 2.55 24 × 106 V/m
i.e., the capacitance increases by κ .

13
How does a dielectric work? ...
+σ −σ −σ i +σ i
+ - - + + -

+ - - + + -

+ - - + + -
no dielectric σ
σ Ei = i
Eo = εo
εo
- -+ -+ -+ -+ +
- +
-+ -+ -+ -+ A variety of (fixed value) capacitors
- +
polarized dielectric

Hence the electric field in the presence of a

dielectric is reduced to:
σ σi σ − σi
E = Eo − Ei = − = .
εo εo εo
Therefore, the potential difference V (= E.d) is
reduced also. Consequently, C > Co .

(κ − 1)
** Show that the induced charge: σ i = σ.
κ A simple variable (air) capacitor

14
 + - “charged”
1 Conceptual problem [1]:
+ -

“uncharged”
0
(a) (b)
+ - “charged”
A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a
+ - 1
generator. The generator is then disconnected
+ - “charged” (a). If the spacing between the plate is

1 decreased (b), what happens to:

+ -
Binary [1 0 1 1] ⇒ Decimal 11 [1] the charge on the plates
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is [2] the potential across the plates
composed of banks of capacitors. A “charged” [3] the energy stored by the capacitor.
capacitor represents the binary digit “1” and
“uncharged” capacitor represents the binary The choices in each case are:
digit “0”. A: the same
B: it increases
A 32MB DRAM chip contains 256 million C: it decreases
capacitors!

15
Conceptual problem [2]:

(a) (b)
A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a
generator (a). When fully charged, and while
the generator is still connected, the spacing
between the plate is decreased (b), what
happens to:

[1] the potential across the plates

[2] the charge on the plates
[3] the energy stored by the capacitor.

The choices in each case are:

A: the same
B: it increases
C: it decreases

16