Electric Potential and Capacitance

Basic Concepts
• Electrostatic Potential (V)

• The electrostatic potential at any point in an electric field is equal to the

amount of work done in moving a unit positive test charge from infinity to that
point, against the electrostatic force.
Electrostatic potential = Work done/ Charge
• V= W/q
SI unit: volt (V) or J/C Dimensional Formula: [𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −3 𝐴−1 ].
It is a scalar quantity
• It can also defined as the negative line integral of electric field from infinity to
the given point.
𝑟
• ̅
V= − ∫∞ 𝐸̅ . 𝑑𝑙

• Electrostatic Potential difference (VAB)

• The electrostatic potential difference between two points in an electric field is

defined as the amount of work done in moving a unit positive test charge from
one point to the other point against electrostatic force.
𝑊𝐵𝐴
VAB = VA – VB =
𝑞

SI unit: volt (V) or J/C Dimensional Formula: [𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −3 𝐴−1 ].

It is a scalar quantity
• It can also defined as the negative line integral of electric field from position B
to position A along any path.
𝐴
̅
VAB = VA – VB = − ∫𝐵 𝐸̅ . 𝑑𝑙

• Electrostatic Potential Energy (U)

• The electrostatic potential energy at any point in an electric field is equal to
the amount of work done in moving a positive test charge q from infinity to that
point, against the electrostatic force.
Electrostatic potential Energy = q (Electrostatic Potential)
• U=qV
SI unit: joule J Dimensional Formula: [𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ].
It is a scalar quantity

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 • It can also defined as the negative line integral of electrostatic force from
infinity to the given point.
𝒓
̅̅̅
̅ . 𝒅𝒍
U= − ∫∞ 𝑭

• Electrostatic Potential Energy difference (UAB)

• The electrostatic potential energy difference between two points in an electric
field is defined as the amount of work done in moving a positive test charge q
from one point to the other point against electrostatic force.
UAB = UA – UB = 𝒒(VA – VB)
SI unit: joule J Dimensional Formula: [𝑀𝐿2 𝑇 −2 ].
It is a scalar quantity
• It can also defined as the negative line integral of electrostatic force from
position B to position A along any path.
𝑨
• ̅ . ̅̅̅
UAB = UA – UB = − ∫𝑩 𝑭 𝒅𝒍

Electric potential due to a point charge:

Consider a point charge +q which is located at the origin O. Let P be a point at

a distance r, where the potential is to be calculated.
Consider a point B at a distance x from O.
Work done to displace a unit positive test charge from B to A through a small
̅̅̅̅
displacement dx is dW = 𝐹̅ . 𝑑𝑥
̅̅̅̅
dW = 𝐸̅ . 𝑑𝑥
= E (dx) cos 180 = -E dx
𝟏 𝒒
= − dx
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒙𝟐

The total workdone in displacing the unit positive charge from x= ∞ 𝑡𝑜 𝑥 = 𝑟 is given
by
𝒓 𝟏 𝒒
W=∫ 𝒅𝒘 = ∫𝒙=∞ − 𝒅𝒙
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒙𝟐

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 𝒒 𝟏
W=− [− ]𝒓∞
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒙

𝒒 𝟏 𝟏
W= [ − ]
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓 ∞

𝟏 𝒒
W=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓

According to the definition of potential, we can write W = V(r)

𝟏 𝒒
Thus Electric Potential, V(r) =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓

Electric Potential due to positive charge is +ve and due to negative charge is –ve

Show that Electric field is a conservative force OR show that the line
integral of an electric field along a closed path in an electric field is
always zero.

Consider a closed path AP1BP2B in the electric field of point charge +q.
The line integral of electric field between points A and B along the path P1 is
given by
𝑩 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
∫𝑨 𝑬. 𝒅𝒍 =𝟒𝝅𝜺 q (𝒓 − 𝒓 )
𝟎 𝑨 𝑩

Similarly, line integral of electric field between points B and A along path P2 is
given by
𝑨 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
∫𝑩 𝑬. 𝒅𝒍 =𝟒𝝅𝜺 q (𝒓 − 𝒓 )
𝟎 𝑩 𝑨

𝑩 𝑨 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
∫𝑨 𝑬. 𝒅𝒍 +∫𝑩 𝑬. 𝒅𝒍= 𝟒𝝅𝜺 q (𝒓 − 𝒓 ) + 𝟒𝝅𝜺 q (𝒓 − 𝒓 ) = 𝟎
𝟎 𝑨 𝑩 𝟎 𝑩 𝑨

ie;∮ 𝑬. 𝒅𝒍 = 𝟎

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Electric potential due to a system of charges
For a number of charges present in space, the total potential at a point due to all
those charges will be equal to the sum of individual potential of each charge at that
point.

𝟏 𝒒𝒊
V= ∑𝒏𝒊=𝟏
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝒊𝒑

Electric Potential at a point due to an Electric dipole

Consider an electric dipole AB having charge –q at point B and charge + q at point A

separated by a distance 2a. Let O be the centre of the dipole and P be any point at a

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distance r from its centre, Where the electric potential is to be calculated. Let the
<POA be 𝜃
𝟏 𝒒
The potential at P due to +q V1=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏

1 −𝑞
The potential at P due to –q V2= =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2

The net potential at P is

V = V1 + V2
𝟏 𝒒 𝟏 −𝒒 𝒒 𝟏 𝟏
= + = ( − )
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏 𝒓𝟐

Since r1= r- acos𝜃 and r2= r+ acos𝜃

𝒒 𝟏 𝟏
V= ( − )
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 r− a cos𝜃 r+ a cos𝜃

𝒒 (r+ a cos𝜃)−(r− a cos𝜃)

V= ( )
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 (𝒓𝟐 −𝒂𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽)

𝒒 (2 a cos𝜃)
V= ( )
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 (𝒓𝟐 −𝒂𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽)

𝟏 (p cos𝜃)
V= ( ) [since p = q (2a)]
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 (𝒓𝟐 −𝒂𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽)

For a short dipole, r >> a, hence a2cos2 𝜃 can be neglected when compared with r2
𝟏 𝒑 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
Then, V= ( )
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐

Special cases-
 When the point P lies on the axial line of the dipole
 𝜃 =0 or 1800 cos 𝜃 = ±1
1 ±𝑝
𝑉𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 = ( 2)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
 When the point P lies on the equatorial line of the dipole
 𝜃 =900 cos 𝜃 = 0
𝑉𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 = 0

Equipotential surfaces: An equipotential surface is a surface with a constant value

of potential at all points on the surface.

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Equipotential Surfaces - Properties.
 No work is done in moving a test charge from one point to another point on an
equipotential surface.
The work done to move a test charge between two points A and B on an
equipotential surface is given by VB-VA= WAB/q
Since VA=VB WAB=0
 The electric field is perpendicular to the equipotential surface.
As no work is done in moving a test charge on the equipotential surface, then
dw=0
̅̅̅=0 ⟹ E dr cos𝜃=0 or 𝜃 =900
𝐸̅ . 𝑑𝑟
Thus E is perpendicular to dr (equipotential surface).
 Equipotential surfaces will be closer in the region of strong electric field and
are farther apart in the region of weak electric fields.
 Two equipotential surfaces cannot intersect.
Reason: If the two equipotential surfaces intersect, then at the point of intersection,
there will be two values of the electric potential at a point which is impossible.

Relationship between Electric field and Potential

Consider two closely spaced equipotential
surfaces A and B with potential values V and
V –dV.
• Let P be a point on the surface B. dr is
the perpendicular distance of the
surface A from P.
• The work done in moving a unit positive
charge from surface B to surface A
along dr against the electric field is
WBA = - E dr ------ (1)

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But according to definition, this should be equal to potential difference between A
and B
- E dr = VAB = VA- VB
- E dr = V – (V-dV) = dV
𝒅𝑽
E=−
𝒅𝒓

The negative sign shows that electric field intensity is in the direction of decreasing
electric potential gradient.
Potential Energy of system of charges – with out External Field.
Two Charge System:
Let us assume initially both the charges are
at infinity.
Work done to bring the charge q1 from
infinity to its position A is W1= 0
1 𝑞1
Potential at point B due to q1 is V1 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12

Work done against electric field to bring the charge q2 from infinity to position B is W2
= q2 V1
1 𝑞1 𝑞2
W2 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12

Total work done against electric field in assembling the system is W = W1 + W2

1 𝑞1 𝑞2
W=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
W=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

This work done will be stored as potential energy of the system

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
Hence U =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

the potential energy expression is unaltered whatever way the charges are brought
to the specified locations, because of path-independence of work for electrostatic
force.
Note: Work done to dissociate the system = - U
Three Charge System
Let us assume initially all the three charges are at infinity.
Work done to bring the charge q1 from infinity to its position
A is W1= 0
𝟏 𝒒𝟏
Potential at point B due to q1 is VB q1 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

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 𝟏 𝒒𝟏
Potential at point C due to q1 is VC q1 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟑

Work done against electric field to bring

the charge q2 from infinity to position
B is W2 = q2 VB q1
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
W2 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

𝟏 𝒒𝟐
Potential at point C due to q2 is VC q2 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐𝟑

Net potential at C is VC = VC q1 + VC q2
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝟏 𝒒𝟐
= +
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟑 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐𝟑

Work done against electric field to bring the charge q3 from infinity to position C is
W3 = q3 VC
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟑 𝟏 𝒒𝟐 𝒒𝟑
W3 = +
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟑 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐𝟑

Total work done against electric field in assembling the system is W = W1 + W2 + W3

1 𝑞1 𝑞2 1 𝑞1 𝑞3 1 𝑞2 𝑞3
W= + +
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟13 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟23

1 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
W= [ + + ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 𝑟13 𝑟23

This work done will be stored as potential energy of the system

1 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
Hence U = [ + + ]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟12 𝑟13 𝑟23

Note: Work done to dissociate the system = - U

Potential Energy of system of charges – in External Field.
• PE of a single charge
Consider a point P in external Field E. Let 𝑟̅ be the position vector of the point
Electric potential at point P is given V(r)
Work done against electric field to bring a charge q from infinity to point P is W = q
V(r)
This work done will be stored as potential energy of the system.
Thus U = q V(r)
• PE of system of two point charges in external field
Consider two points A and B in external field E separated by a distance r12
The Electric potentials at points A and B is given by V(r1) and V(r2) respectively.

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Let us assume initially both the charges q1 and q2 are
at infinity.
Work done against electric field to bring a charge q1
from infinity to point A is W1= q1 V(r1)
𝟏 𝒒𝟏
Potential at point B due to q1 is VB q1 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

𝟏 𝒒𝟏
Total potential at B is VB = V(r2)+
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

𝟏 𝒒𝟏
Total potential at B is VB = V(r2)+
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

Work done against electric field to bring charge q2 from infinity to point B is W2= q2
VB
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
W2 = q2 V(r2)+
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

The total work done in assembling the system in external field is W = W1 + W2

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
W = q1 V(r1) + q2 V(r2)+
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

This work will be stored as Potential energy

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
U = q1 V(r1) + q2 V(r2)+
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟏𝟐

Potential Energy of a dipole in an external field

• Consider an electric dipole of dipole moment P be placed in an electric

field E making an angle 𝜃 with the direction of electric field intensity E.
• The torque acting on the dipole is given by 𝜏 = PEsin𝜃
• Work done to rotate the dipole through an angle d𝜃 is given by
dw= 𝜏 d𝜃 = PEsin𝜃 d𝜃
• The work done in rotating the dipole from an angle 𝜃1 𝑡𝑜 𝜃2 is given by W=
𝜃2
∫𝜃 𝑑𝑤
1

𝜃
= ∫𝜃 2 𝑃𝐸 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 d𝜃
1

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 W = -PE ⌈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1 ⌉
If 𝜃1 = 900 and 𝜃2 = 𝜃
W= -PE cos𝜃
This work done is stored as potential energy.
U= -PE cos𝜃 U= -𝑃̅.𝐸̅
When 𝜃 =00 ;
𝜏 = 0, U= -PE ie, the dipole will be in the stable equilibrium.
When 𝜃 =1800 ;
𝜏=0 U= PE ie, the dipole will be in the unstable equilibrium.
When 𝜃 =900
𝜏 = PE ; U= 0
Behaviour of conductors in the Electrostsic field
1. Netelectric field intensity in the interior of a conductor is zero.

When a conductor is placed in an electrostatic field (E0) each electron

experiences a force F=-eE0 in a direction opposite to the direction of
applied field E0. It causes the free electron in the conductor to move in a
direction opposite to the direction of applied field E0. The redistribution
of charges will create its own additional field called induced electric
field. The induced electric field acts in a direction opposite to the
direction of external field E0 but its magnitude is equal to the magnitude
of the external field inside the conductor. Hence, the net electrostatic
field inside the conductor is zero.
2. At the surface of a charged conductor, electrostatic field must be normal to
the surface at every point
If the electric field is not perpendicular to the surface of the conductor the
tangential component of electric field will cause flow of charges. But there is no
surface current in electrostatics because the conductor placed in the electrostatic
field finally has only static charges. Thus electric field just outside the surface can
only have normal component

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3. Net charge in the interior of a conductor is zero.
𝑞
By Gauss’ theorem, ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑠 =
𝜀0

Since electric field E= 0 in the interior of a conductor,

so the net electric charge in the interior of a conductor is zero.
𝝈
4. Electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is E=
𝜺𝟎

Consider acharged conductor of irregularshape. Let 𝜎 bethe surface charge

densityof the conductor. Consider a guassian surface in the from of a cylinder whose
half portion is inside the conductor and half portion outside the conductor. The
guassian cylinder has three parts.The electric flux passes only through the circular
end of the cylinder of the Guassian cylinder which is outside the conductor.
• Flux through the surface ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑠=∫ 𝐸 𝑑𝑠1 𝑐𝑜𝑠0 + 𝐸𝑑𝑠2 𝑐𝑜𝑠180 + ∫ 𝐸𝑑𝑠3 cos 90
= E(A) + 0 + 0 = E(A)
𝑞
According to Gauss’s Law, ∅=
𝜀0

𝜎𝐴
• EA=
𝜀0
𝝈
E=
𝜺𝟎
𝝈
E= ̂
𝒏
𝜺𝟎

6. Electrostatic Shielding:
Whatever be the charge and field configuration outside, any cavity in a conductor
remains shielded from outside electric influence: the field inside the cavity is always
zero. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
This effect can be made use of in protecting sensitive instruments from outside
electrical influence.
Faraday cage works under the principle of electrostatic shielding.

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Dielectrics- The non- conducting insulating
materials in which equal and opposite bound
charges are produced on their opposite faces
due to the application of electric field are
called dielectrics.

Two types of Dielectrics

 Non - Polar Dielectrics: In non -
polar dielectrics the centre of
mass of positive and negative
charges coincide. As a result, the
material has no permanent
dipole moment.
Eg: H2 , CO2 etc
 Polar Dielectrics: In polar
dielectrics the centre of mass of
positive and negative charges don’t
coincide. As a result, the material
has permanent dipole moment.
Eg: HCl, H2O, NH3 etc.

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Polarisation of Dielectrics in Electric Field

Polarisation Vector (𝑷 ̅)
• The net dipole moment per unit volume is known
as Polarisation vector
𝑃̅ ∝ 𝐸̅
𝑃̅ = 𝜒𝑒 𝐸̅
Where, 𝜒𝑒 is electric susceptibility of the dielectric medium
which depends on the nature of dielectric material

Dielectric Breakdown Strength

• The maximum electric field that a dielectric medium can withstand without
break-down (losing its insulating property) is called its dielectric breakdown
strength
for air it is about 3 × 106 V m–1
Capacitors and Capacitance:
A capacitor is a system of two conductors separated
by an insulator used to store charges.

• Charge stored in the capacitor = Magnitude of

charge on one of the conductors = Q
• Potential difference of the capacitor is
V = V1 – V2
• Electric field in the region between the conductors is proportional to the
charge Q
• A single conductor can be considered as capacitor with other conductor at
infinity.
Capacitance (C): It is defined as the charge required to increase the potential
difference of the capacitor by 1 unit
𝑸
C=
𝑽
SI unit : farad (F) or C/V
• The Capacitance C is independent of Q or V.
• The capacitance C depends only on the
 geometrical configuration (shape, size, separation) of the system of two
conductors.
 it also depends on the nature of the insulator (dielectric) separating the two
conductors.
Symbolic Representation:

13
Principle- A capacitor works on the principle that the capacitance of a conductor
increases appreciably when an earthed conductor brought near it.
Capacitance of a Spherical Conductor:
Consider a spherical conductor of radius r having charge q
• The potential of the spherical conductor is given by
𝑄
V=
4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑅
𝑄
We know that capacitance C =
𝑉
By substituting V value, we get C = 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝑹

Capacitance of a Parallel Plate Capacitor

A parallel plate capacitor consists of two large plane parallel conducting plates
separated by a small distance (d2 << A). Let us consider air as the intervening
medium.
Plate 1 has surface charge density σ = Q/A
and plate 2 has a surface charge density –σ.
• Electric field in region I (region above
𝜎 𝜎
plate A) = − =0
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
• Electric field in region II (region above
𝜎 𝜎
plate A) = − =0
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
• Electric field between the plates is
𝜎 𝜎 𝜎
E0 = + =
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 𝜀0
𝑄
E0 = -------- (1) which is uniform in the
𝐴 𝜀0
regions far away from the edges
The potential difference between the plates is given by
V0 = E0 d
𝑄
V0 = d ------- (2)
𝐴 𝜀0
The capacitance C0 of the capacitor is given by
𝑄
C0 =
𝑉0
By substituting eq(2) we get
𝜺𝟎 𝑨
C0 =
𝒅
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with dielectric:
Consider a parallel plate capacitor with plate separation d and area of
cross section A. Let a dielectric slab of thickness t (<d) having
dielectric constant K is introduced between the plates.
The potential difference between the plates is given by, V= E0
(d-t) + Et
𝐸0
• Since = K the equation becomes
𝐸
𝐸0 𝑡
V= E0 (d-t) + t = E0{d − t + )}
𝐾 𝐾

14
 𝜎 𝑡
= (d − t + )
𝜀0 𝐾
𝑄 𝑡
V = (d − t + )
𝐴𝜀0 𝐾
𝑄 𝑄
• We know that, Capacitance C= = 𝑄 𝑡
𝑉 (d−t+ 𝐾)
𝐴𝜀0
𝜀0 𝐴
• C= 𝑡 Here (t < d)
(d−t+ 𝐾)

If the distance between the plates is completely filled with dielectric, then t = d
𝜀0 𝐴
• Then C= 𝑑
(d−d+ 𝐾)
𝐾 𝜀0 𝐴
• C=
𝑑
• Thus C = K Co

Combination of capacitors:
Series Combination:
When two or more capacitors are connected end to end consecutively, they are said
to be in series combination
• The total potential difference is given by V=
V1+ V2+ V3
• V1= q/C1 V2= q/C2 and V3= q/C3
• V= q/C1 + q/C2 + q/C3
• Let Cs be the equivalent capacitance, V= q/ Cs
• q/ Cs = q/C1 + q/C2 + q/C3
• 1/ Cs = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3
if ‘n’ identical capacitors are connected in series the
equivalent capacitance is given by Cs = C/n
Parallel Combination:
When two or more capacitors are connected together
between common points, then they are said to be in
parallel combination
• The total charge stored is given by Q= q1+ q2+ q3
If CP is the total capacitance of the combination, then
CP V = C1 V + C2 V + C3 V
On simplifying, we get
CP = C1 + C2 + C3

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if ‘n’ identical capacitors are connected in parallel the equivalent capacitance is given
by CP = n C
Energy Stored in a capacitor:
Consider a parallel plate capacitor having
plate area A and separation d between the
plates. To determine the energy stored in
this configuration, consider initially two
uncharged conductors 1 and 2. Imagine
next a process of transferring charge from
conductor 2 to conductor 1 bit by bit, so
that at the end, conductor 1 gets charge Q.
By charge conservation, conductor 2 has
charge –Q at the end.
In transferring positive charge from conductor 2 to conductor 1, work will be
done externally, since at any stage conductor 1 is at a higher potential than
conductor 2.
• The work done to displace the small increment of charge ‘dq’ is given by,
𝑞
• dw= v’dq= dq
𝐶

• The work done against electric field in charging the capacitor from 0 to Q is
𝑸 𝑸𝒒 𝟏 𝑸 𝑸𝟐 𝑪𝑽𝟐 𝑸𝑽
• W = ∫𝟎 𝒅𝑾 = ∫𝟎 𝒅𝒒= ∫𝟎 𝒒𝒅𝒒 = = =
𝑪 𝑪 𝟐𝑪 𝟐 𝟐

• This work done will be stored as energy

𝑸𝟐 𝑪𝑽𝟐 𝑸𝑽
U= = =
𝟐𝑪 𝟐 𝟐

Energy density(u): The energy stored per unit volume is called energy density.
𝑈
Energy density (u) =
𝑉0𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
1
𝐶𝑉 2
2
=
𝐴𝑑
𝜀0 𝐴 𝑉 2
=½ ( )
𝑑 𝐴𝑑
𝑉2
= ½ 𝜀0
𝑑2
2
u = ½ 𝜀0 E

Loss of energy on sharing the charges: When two capacitors, charged to different
potentials, are brought in contact with each other, charge flows from the capacitor at
higher potential to the other at lower potential till a common potential is achieved. It

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is found that this redistribution of charge is always associated with a loss of energy.
However, it should be kept in mind that charge is conserved in the process.
• Let C1 and C2 be the capacitances of two capacitors charged to potentials V1
and V2 respectively. Let V be the common potential on joining the two
conductors
• According to law of conservation of charge,
C1V + C2V = C1V1 + C2 V2
𝑪𝟏 𝑽𝟏 +𝑪𝟐 𝑽𝟐
Common potential 𝑽 =
𝑪𝟏 +𝑪𝟐
• Total Potential energy of the system before contact is
Ui = ½ C1V12 + ½ C2V22
Total potential energy of the system after contact is
Uf = ½ (C1 + C2) V2
Loss in energy in the form of heat and sparking effect is given by ∆𝑈= Ui – Uf

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