Parallel Plate Capacitor

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Fazal Abbas | FA24-BCS-127
Muhammad Talha | FA24-BCS-130
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Mohammad Bin Mohsin | FA24-BCS-055

Applied Physics

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DR. KASHIF CHAHDURY

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Table Of Contents
Parallel Plate Capacitor....................................................................................................................................1
Table Of Contents ...............................................................................................................................................2
Definition....................................................................................................................................................................3
Description .................................................................................................................................................................3
Formula for Capacitance ...........................................................................................................................................4
Capacitance in a Vacuum ..........................................................................................................................................4
Capacitance and Dielectrics .......................................................................................................................................5
Graphical Illustration .................................................................................................................................................5
Capacitance in Relation to Distance and Area .........................................................................................................6
Energy Stored in a Capacitor ....................................................................................................................................7
Electric Field Between Plates .....................................................................................................................................7
Applications of Parallel Plate Capacitors ..................................................................................................................8
Factors Affecting Capacitance ...................................................................................................................................9
Types of Dielectric Materials .....................................................................................................................................9
Comparison with Other Capacitors ........................................................................................................................ 10
Capacitor Networks ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Capacitors in Real Circuits ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Limitations of Parallel Plate Capacitors ................................................................................................................. 11
Challenges and Practical Considerations ............................................................................................................... 11
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
References ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Parallel Plate Capacitor: Basic Electrical
Component

Definition
“A capacitor is defined as a passive electrical device that stores
electrical energy in the form of an electric field.”
In the case of a parallel plate capacitor, the charge accumulates on
the two plates when a voltage is applied across them. One plate
acquires a positive charge, while the other acquires a negative charge, and the electric field exists
between the plates due to this separation of charges.

Description
A parallel plate capacitor is a basic electrical component used to store energy in the form of an electric
field. It consists of two conductive plates, usually metal, placed parallel to each other, with a dielectric
material in between. The plates are separated by a small distance, and the dielectric prevents direct current
flow between them while allowing the capacitor to store charge when connected to a power source.

Capacitance (C) is the measure of a capacitor's ability to store an electric charge for a given potential
difference across its plates. The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F), where one farad is equivalent to
one coulomb of charge per volt.

➢ Components:

• Two parallel conducting plates: Typically made from conductive materials like aluminum or
copper.
• Dielectric material: An insulating material (like air, glass, mica, or a synthetic polymer) placed
between the plates.
 • Distance (d): The separation between the
plates.
• Area (A): The surface area of the plates.

The capacitance depends on several factors

including

• The area of the plates

• The separation between them
• The dielectric constant of the material
between the plates.

Formula for Capacitance

The capacitance C of a parallel plate capacitor can be
derived using the formula

C=ε0εrA/d

Where:

• C = Capacitance in Farads (F)

• ε0 = Permittivity of free space (8.854×10−12F/m)
• εr = Relative permittivity (dielectric constant) of the material between the plates.
• A = Area of the plates (m²)
• d = Distance between the plates (m)

Capacitance in a Vacuum
For a vacuum, where the dielectric is simply space, the
capacitance is:

C = ε0 A/d
The formula shows that capacitance is directly proportional to
the area of the plates and inversely proportional to the distance
between them.
Capacitance and Dielectrics
When a dielectric material is inserted between the plates, it increases the capacitance by reducing the
electric field between the plates. The dielectric constant εr is a
measure of how well the material can store electrical energy.

The new capacitance with the dielectric is:

C′=εr⋅C0

Where C0 is the original capacitance without the dielectric, and

εr is the relative permittivity of the dielectric material.

Graphical Illustration
Graph : Parallel Plate Capacitor Structure

The diagram consists of two large, flat, metallic plates placed parallel to each other, separated by a
dielectric. The electric field lines between the plates are uniform and perpendicular to the plates.

• X-axis: Plate Separation (d).

• Y-axis: Capacitance (C).
As the distance between the plates increases, the capacitance decreases, showing an inverse relationship.
Meanwhile, as the surface area of the plates increases, the capacitance increases, illustrating a direct
relationship.

The basic structure of a parallel plate capacitor is given below:

________ ________
| | | |
| | | |
| +Q | | -Q |
|________| |________|
Plate 1 Plate 2
(+ Charge) (- Charge)

-------------------
Dielectric Material
-------------------

The electric field E between the plates is uniform and directed from the positively charged plate to the
negatively charged plate.

Capacitance in Relation to Distance and Area

The capacitance is directly proportional to the area of the plates and inversely proportional to the
separation between them. As the area increases, the capacitor can store more charge because there is more
surface area for the charges to accumulate. Conversely, as the distance between the plates increases, the
capacitance decreases because the electric field strength between the plates is reduced.

Key relationships:

• Larger plate area A → More capacitance

• Smaller distance d→ More capacitance
• Higher dielectric constant εr → More capacitance
Energy Stored in a Capacitor
The energy U stored in a parallel plate capacitor is given by:

U=1/2 CV2

Where:

• U = Energy in Joules (J)

• C = Capacitance (F)
• V = Voltage applied across the plates (V)

Electric Field Between Plates

The electric field E between the plates of a parallel plate

capacitor is uniform and is given by:

E=V/d

Where:

• E= Electric field strength (V/m)

• V = Voltage (V)
• d = Distance between the plates (m)
Applications of Parallel Plate Capacitors

Parallel plate capacitors are widely used in various applications due to their ability to store electrical
energy efficiently. Some common applications include:

• Energy storage: Capacitors are used to store

energy in power systems and electronic devices for
short-term power supply.
• Filter circuits: Capacitors can filter out unwanted
frequencies in electronic circuits, such as in audio
systems.
• Tuning circuits: Capacitors, often in conjunction
with inductors, are used in tuning circuits such as
radios. By adjusting the capacitance in a circuit,
it’s possible to select different frequencies for
signals, like tuning a radio to the correct station.
• Coupling and decoupling: Capacitors are used to allow AC signals to pass between stages of a
circuit while blocking DC components.
• Power Conditioning:
Capacitors are used in power supplies to smooth out voltage fluctuations and maintain a constant
voltage. In AC systems, capacitors help to reduce noise, and in DC systems, they help to stabilize
the power supply.
• Sensors: Capacitors are used in certain sensor technologies, such as touchscreens and pressure
sensors, where capacitance changes due to proximity or applied force.
• Signal Filtering
In signal processing, capacitors are used in filters to allow or block certain frequencies. They can
be used in combination with resistors to create high-pass or low-pass filters in audio or RF circuits.
• Timing Circuits
Capacitors are key components in timing circuits where they help in controlling the charging
and discharging processes. For instance, in oscillators, capacitors and resistors define the time
constants, thus controlling the timing.

• Camera Flashes
In devices like cameras, capacitors are used to store electrical energy, which is rapidly released
to power the camera's flash.
Factors Affecting Capacitance

Several factors can affect the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor, including:

• Plate material: Conductive materials with low resistance increase the efficiency of the capacitor.

• Dielectric material: The type of dielectric

affects the permittivity and thus the overall
capacitance. For example, ceramics,
polymers, and air have different dielectric
constants.

• Temperature: Changes in temperature can

affect the dielectric material’s properties,
impacting capacitance.
• Plate Separation (d): Capacitance is
inversely proportional to the distance
between the plates. If the distance increases,
the capacitance decreases because the
electric field strength diminishes, and less
charge can be stored for a given voltage.
• Plate Area (A): The larger the surface area of
the plates, the greater the capacitance. This is because a larger area allows more charge to be
distributed across the plates.

Types of Dielectric Materials

Various materials can be used as the dielectric in a capacitor. Common examples include:

• Air: Often used in small capacitors where precision is less critical.

• Glass: Used in high-voltage applications.
• Ceramics: Offer high permittivity and are used in compact capacitors.
• Plastic Films: Used in modern capacitors for high stability and low loss. Each of these materials
has different properties, such as dielectric
constant and breakdown voltage, which
influence the capacitor's performance in
various applications.
Comparison with Other Capacitors

The parallel plate capacitor is only one type of capacitor. Other common types include:

• Cylindrical Capacitors: Where the plates are arranged in a cylindrical shape.

• Spherical Capacitors: Where the plates are spherical, with one inside the other.
• Variable Capacitors: Used where tunable capacitance is needed, such as in radios.

While parallel plate capacitors are simple and easy to understand, they form the basis for
understanding more complex capacitor geometries.

Capacitor Networks
In practice, capacitors are often connected in series or
parallel configurations to adjust the total capacitance for a
circuit:

• In series: The total capacitance decreases.

1/Ctotal=1/C1+1/C2+⋯+1/Cn

• In parallel: The total capacitance increases.

Ctotal=C1+C2+⋯+Cn

Capacitors in Real Circuits

In real-life circuits, capacitors are used in power supplies to smooth out
voltage, in tuning circuits for radios, and even in memory storage for
digital systems. Parallel plate capacitors, with their ability to store and
release charge quickly, are essential for these applications.
Limitations of Parallel Plate Capacitors
While they are widely used, parallel plate capacitors have some limitations:

• Limited capacitance: For very high capacitances, other capacitor designs (e.g., cylindrical or
spherical) may be more effective.
• Physical size: Large capacitance requires larger plates or very small separation, which may not be
feasible for all applications.

Challenges and Practical Considerations

Though the formula for capacitance appears simple, real-world applications introduce various challenges:

• Leakage Current: Dielectric materials are not perfect insulators, and some current may leak
between the plates, reducing efficiency.
• Breakdown Voltage: Dielectric materials have a maximum electric field they can withstand
before they break down and conduct electricity.
• Parasitic Inductance: Capacitors in circuits also have inductive properties that can affect their
performance, especially at high frequencies.

Conclusion

A parallel plate capacitor is fundamental in electronics, physics, and engineering, with applications
spanning across different fields. From energy storage to signal processing and sensing, these capacitors
play an integral role in modern technology. Understanding the basic principles, formula, and
applications of parallel plate capacitors opens up avenues for deeper exploration of advanced
capacitive systems and their real-world applications.

References
1. Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2014). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics.
Cengage Learning.
2. Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of Physics. Wiley.
3. Alexander, C. K., & Sadiku, M. N. O. (2017). Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. McGraw-Hill.