Electrostatic Potential and capacitance

1. Line Integral of Electric Field

2. Electric Potential and Potential Difference
3. Electric Potential due to a Single Point Charge
4. Electric Potential due to a Group of Charges
5. Electric Potential due to an Electric Dipole
6. Equipotential Surfaces and their Properties
7. Electrostatic Potential Energy
8. Behaviour of Conductors in Electrostatic Field
9. Electrical Capacitance
10. Principle of Capacitance
11. Capacitance of a Parallel Plate Capacitor
12. Series and Parallel Combination of Capacitors
13. Energy Stored in a Capacitor and Energy Density
 14. Energy Stored in Series and Parallel
Combination of Capacitors
15. Loss of Energy on Sharing Charges Between
Two Capacitors
16. Polar and Non-polar Molecules
17. Polarization of a Dielectric
18. Polarizing Vector and Dielectric Strength
19. Parallel Plate Capacitor with a Dielectric Slab

Created by: SONWANE SACHIN SHASHIKANT, K V No.1, KPA, KOLKATA

Line Integral of Electric Field (Work Done by Electric Field):
Negative Line Integral of Electric Field represents the work done by the electric
field on a unit positive charge in moving it from one point to another in the
electric field. B
Y
WAB = dW = - E . dl
A F
Let q0 be the test charge in place of the unit A
positive charge. rA +q0
r B
The force F = +q0E acts on the test charge rB
due to the source charge +q. +q
O X
It is radially outward and tends to accelerate
the test charge. To prevent this
acceleration, equal and opposite force –q0E Z
has to be applied on the test charge.

Total work done by the electric field on the test charge in moving it from A to B
in the electric field is
B
qq0 1 1
WAB = dW = - E . dl =
4πε0
[r B
-
rA
]
A
 B
qq0 1 1
WAB = dW = - E . dl =
4πε0
[r
B
-
rA
]
A
1. The equation shows that the work done in moving a test charge q0 from
point A to another point B along any path AB in an electric field due to +q
charge depends only on the positions of these points and is independent of
the actual path followed between A and B.
2. That is, the line integral of electric field is path independent.
3. Therefore, electric field is ‘conservative field’.
4. Line integral of electric field over a closed path is zero. This is another
condition satisfied by conservative field.
B

E . dl = 0
A
Note:
Line integral of only static electric field is independent of the path followed.
However, line integral of the field due to a moving charge is not independent of
the path because the field varies with time.
Electric Potential:
Electric potential is a physical quantity which determines the flow of charges
from one body to another.
It is a physical quantity that determines the degree of electrification of a body.
Electric Potential at a point in the electric field is defined as the work done in
moving (without any acceleration) a unit positive charge from infinity to that
point against the electrostatic force irrespective of the path followed.
B
qq0 1 1 WAB q 1 1
WAB = - E . dl =
4πε0
[r -
rA
] or
q0 = 4πε0
[r -
rA
]
A B B

According to definition, rA = ∞ and rB = r

(where r is the distance from the source charge
and the point of consideration)

W∞B q W∞B
=V V=
q0 = 4πε0 r q0

SI unit of electric potential is volt (V) or J C-1 or Nm C-1.

Electric potential at a point is one volt if one joule of work is done in moving
one coulomb charge from infinity to that point in the electric field.
Electric Potential Difference:
Electric Potential Difference between any two points in the electric field is
defined as the work done in moving (without any acceleration) a unit positive
charge from one point to the other against the electrostatic force irrespective
of the path followed.
B
qq0 1 1 WAB q 1 1
WAB = - E . dl =
4πε0
[r -
rA
] or
q0 = 4πε0
[r -
rA
]
A B B

WAB q 1 q 1
- = VB - VA
q0 = 4πε0 rB 4πε0 rA

WAB
VB - VA = ∆V =
q0

1. Electric potential and potential difference are scalar quantities.

2. Electric potential at infinity is zero.
3. Electric potential near an isolated positive charge (q > 0) is positive and that
near an isolated negative charge (q < 0) is negative.
4. cgs unit of electric potential is stat volt. 1 stat volt = 1 erg / stat coulomb
Electric Potential due to a Single Point Charge:
Let +q0 be the test charge
placed at P at a distance x E dx +q0 q0E
from the source charge +q. B ∞
+q Q P
The force F = +q0E is r
radially outward and tends x
to accelerate the test charge.

To prevent this acceleration, equal and opposite force –q0E has to be applied
on the test charge.
Work done to move q0 from P to Q through ‘dx’ against q0E is

dW = F . dx = q0E . dx or dW = q0E dx cos 180° = - q0E dx

q q0 q
dW = - dx E=
4πε0 x2 4πε0 x2
W∞B q
Total work done to move q0 from A to B (from ∞ to r ) is q0
=
B 4πε0 r
r r
q q0 q q0 1 q
W∞B = dW = - dx =- dx
∞ 4πε0 x2 4πε0 x2 V =
∞ ∞ 4πε0 r
Electric Potential due to a Group of Point Charges:
The net electrostatic potential at a point in the
q1
electric field due to a group of charges is the
algebraic sum of their individual potentials at that r1
point. qn q2
+1 C r2
VP = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 + …………+ Vn rn
P
r4 r3
1 n qi
V= ∑ ri
4πε0 i=1
q4 q3
1 n qi ( in terms of
V= ∑ position vector )
4πε0 i=1 │ r - ri │

1. Electric potential at a point due to a charge is not affected by the presence

of other charges.
2. Potential, V α 1 / r whereas Coulomb’s force F α 1 / r2.
3. Potential is a scalar whereas Force is a vector.
4. Although V is called the potential at a point, it is actually equal to the
potential difference between the points r and ∞.
Electric Potential due to an Electric Dipole:
i) At a point on the axial line:

1 q
VP =
q+
4πε0 (x – l)
A B +1 C
1 -q
VP = -q O +q P
q-
4πε0 (x + l) p

l l
VP = VP + VP x
q+ q-

q 1 1
VP =
4πε0 [ (x – l)
-
(x + l)
]
1 q . 2l
VP =
4πε0 (x2 – l2)

1 p
VP =
4πε0 (x2 – l2)
ii) At a point on the equatorial line:
1 q
VQ =
q+ 4πε0 BQ Q

1 -q
VQ =
q-
4πε0 AQ y
A θ θ B
VQ = VP + VP -q O +q
q+ q-
p

q 1 1 l l
VQ =
4πε0 [ BQ
-
AQ
]
VQ = 0 BQ = AQ

The net electrostatic potential at a point in the electric field due to an electric
dipole at any point on the equatorial line is zero.
iii) At any general point due to a dipole :
Let an electric dipole consist of two equal and unlike point charges –q at
A and +q at B, separated be a small distance AB = 2a with centre O.
The dipole moment is, 𝒑 = 𝒒 × 𝟐𝒂 P
Let us take the origin at the centre of the
dipole.
r1 r2
OP = r and BOP = θ
r
Electrostatic potential at P due to +q
A θ B
charge at B is
𝟏 𝒒 -q O
O +q
𝑽𝟏 = p
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟐
Electrostatic potential at P due to -q charge at A is
𝟏 −𝒒
𝑽𝟐 =
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟏
Applying superposition principle, potential at P due to the dipole is

𝒒 𝟏 𝟏
𝑽 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 = −
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟐 𝒓𝟏
By geometry, 𝒓𝟏 𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 and

𝒓𝟐 𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟏𝟖𝟎 − 𝜽
𝒓𝟐 𝟐 = 𝒓𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐 − 𝟐𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝟐 𝒂𝟐 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
Or 𝒓𝟏 = 𝒓𝟐 𝟏+ +
𝒓𝟐 𝒓
𝒂 𝒂𝟐
If a<<r, is small, can be neglected
𝒓 𝒓𝟐

𝟐
𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝒓𝟏 = 𝒓𝟐 𝟏+
𝒓
𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 1/2
𝒓𝟏 = 𝒓 𝟏 +
𝒓
𝟏
−𝟐
𝟏 𝟏 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
= 𝟏+
𝒓𝟏 𝒓 𝒓
𝟏
𝟏 𝟏 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 −𝟐
Similarly, = 𝟏−
𝒓𝟐 𝒓 𝒓
𝟏 𝟏
−𝟐 −𝟐
𝒒 𝟏 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝟏 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑽= 𝟏+ − 𝟏−
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓
Using Binomial theorem,
𝒒 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑽= 𝟏+ − 𝟏−
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓
𝒒 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑽= 𝟏+ −𝟏+
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓 𝒓 𝒓

𝒒 𝟐𝒂𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑽= ×
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟐
𝟏 𝒑𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝑽= ×
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟐

Electrostatic potential at P due to a short dipole (a<< r), then 𝜽 ≈ 𝟎𝟎

𝟏 𝒑
𝑽= ×
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝟎 𝒓𝟐
Equipotential Surfaces:
A surface at every point of which the potential due to charge distribution is
the same is called equipotential surface.
i) For a uniform electric field:

V1 V2 V3
E

Plane Equipotential Surfaces +

Spherical Equipotential Surfaces

ii) For an isolated charge:

Properties of Equipotential Surfaces:
1. No work is done in moving a test charge from one point to another on an
equipotential surface.
WAB
VB - VA = ∆V =
q0

If A and B are two points on the equipotential surface, then VB = VA .

WAB
=0 or WAB = 0
q0

2. The electric field is always perpendicular to the element dl of the

equipotential surface.
Since no work is done on equipotential surface,
B

WAB = - E . dl = 0 i.e. E dl cos θ = 0

A
As E ≠ 0 and dl ≠ 0, cos θ = 0 or θ = 90°
3. Equipotential surfaces indicate regions of strong or weak electric fields.
Electric field is defined as the negative potential gradient.
dV dV
E=- or dr = -
dr E
Since dV is constant on equipotential surface, so
1
dr α
E
If E is strong (large), dr will be small, i.e. the separation of equipotential
surfaces will be smaller (i.e. equipotential surfaces are crowded) and vice
versa.
4. Two equipotential surfaces can not intersect.
If two equipotential surfaces intersect, then at the points of intersection,
there will be two values of the electric potential which is not possible.
(Refer to properties of electric lines of force)
Note:
Electric potential is a scalar quantity whereas potential gradient is a vector
quantity.
The negative sign of potential gradient shows that the rate of change of
potential with distance is always against the electric field intensity.
Electrostatic Potential Energy:
The work done in moving a charge q from infinity to a point in the field
against the electric force is called electrostatic potential energy.

W=qV

i) Electrostatic Potential Energy

Y
of a Two Charges System:
A (q1)
1 q1q 2 r2 - r1
U = r1
4πε0 │ r2 - r1 │ B (q2)
r2
or
O X
1 q1q 2
U=
4πε0 r12 Z
ii) Electrostatic Potential Energy
Y C (q3)
of a Three Charges System:
r3 - r1
A (q1)
1 q1q2 1 q1q3 r3 - r2
U= + r1 r2 - r 1
4πε0 │ r2 - r1 │ 4πε0 │ r3 - r1 │ r3 B (q2)
r2
1 q2q3
+ O X
4πε0 │ r3 - r2 │
Z

1 q1q2 q1q3 q2q3

or U=
4πε0 [ r12
+
r13
+
r23 ]
iii) Electrostatic Potential Energy of an n - Charges System:

n qi qj
U=
1
2
[ 1
4πε0
∑ ∑
i=1
n

j=1 │ rj - ri │
]
i≠j
Electrostatic of Conductors :
1. Net electric field intensity in the interior of
E0
a conductor is zero.
When a conductor is placed in an
electrostatic field, the charges (free EP
electrons) drift towards the positive plate
leaving the + ve core behind. At an
equilibrium, the electric field due to the
polarisation becomes equal to the applied Enet = 0
field. So, the net electrostatic field inside
the conductor is zero.
2. Electric field just outside the charged
conductor is perpendicular to the surface
of the conductor.
E cos θ E
Suppose the electric field is acting at an
angle other than 90°, then there will be a θ
component E cos θ acting along the
tangent at that point to the surface which •+ q n
will tend to accelerate the charge on the
surface leading to ‘surface current’. But
there is no surface current in
electrostatics. So, θ = 90° and cos 90°= 0.
3. Net charge in the interior of a conductor is zero.
The charges are temporarily separated. The total
charge of the system is zero.
q
ΦE = E . dS = ε
0
S
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore q = 0.
4. Charge always resides on the surface of a
conductor.
Suppose a conductor is given some excess
charge q. Construct a Gaussian surface just q q
inside the conductor.
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore q = 0 inside the conductor. q=0

5. Electric potential is constant for the entire

conductor.
dV = - E . dr
Since E = 0 in the interior of the conductor,
therefore dV = 0. i.e. V = constant
6. Surface charge distribution may be different
at different points. q
σ=
dS σmin σmax
Every conductor is an equipotential volume
(three- dimensional) rather than just an
equipotential surface (two- dimensional).

Electrostatic Shielding :
Electrostatic shielding is the phenomenon of protecting a certain region
of space from external electric field.
Electrical Capacitance:
The measure of the ability of a conductor to store charges is known as
capacitance or capacity (old name).
q
q α V or q =CV or C =
V
If V = 1 volt, then C = q

Capacitance of a conductor is defined as the charge required to raise its

potential through one unit.
SI Unit of capacitance is ‘farad’ (F). Symbol of capacitance:
Capacitance is said to be 1 farad when 1 coulomb of charge raises the
potential of conductor by 1 volt.
Since 1 coulomb is the big amount of charge, the capacitance will be usually
in the range of milli farad, micro farad, nano farad or pico farad.
Capacitance of an Isolated Spherical Conductor:
Let a charge q be given to the sphere which
is assumed to be concentrated at the centre.
Potential at any point on the surface is r
O•
q +q
V =
4πε0 r
q
C=
V

C = 4πε0 r

1. Capacitance of a spherical conductor is directly proportional to its radius.

2. The above equation is true for conducting spheres, hollow or solid.
3. IF the sphere is in a medium, then C = 4πε0εr r.
4. Capacitance of the earth is 711 μF.
Principle of Capacitance: A B
Step 1: Plate A is positively charged and B is neutral.
Step 2: When a neutral plate B is brought near A,
charges are induced on B such that the side near A is
negative and the other side is positive.
The potential of the system of A and B in step 1 and 2
remains the same because the potential due to positive
and negative charges on B cancel out. Potential = V
Step 3: When the farther side of B is earthed the
positive charges on B get neutralised and B is left only
with negative charges. A B
Now, the net potential of the system decreases due to
the sum of positive potential on A and negative
potential on B.
To increase the potential to the same value as was in
step 2, an additional amount of charges can be given to
plate A.
Potential = V
This means, the capacity of storing charges on A Potential E
increases. decreases to v
The system so formed is called a ‘capacitor’.
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor:
Parallel plate capacitor is an arrangement of two
parallel conducting plates of equal area separated σ E σ
by air medium or any other insulating medium
such as paper, mica, glass, wood, ceramic, etc. A A

σ
V=Ed= d
ε0
qd
or V=
A ε0
q A ε0
But C= C= d
V d

If the space between the plates is filled with dielectric medium of relative
permittivity εr, then
A ε0 εr
C=
d
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
(i) directly proportional to the area of the plates and
(ii) inversely proportional to the distance of separation between them.
Series Combination of Capacitors:
C1 C2 C3
In series combination,
Q Q Q
i) Charge is same in each capacitor
ii) Potential is distributed in inverse V1 V2 V3
proportion to capacitances

i.e. V = V1 + V2 + V3 V
Q Q Q Q
But V = , V1 = , V2 = and V3 =
CS C1 C2 C3
Q Q Q Q (where C is the equivalent capacitance or
= + + effective capacitance or net capacitance or
CS C1 C2 C3
total capacitance)
1 1 1 1 n 1
1
or = + + = ∑
CS C1 C2 C3 CS i=1 Ci

The reciprocal of the effective capacitance is the sum of the reciprocals of the
individual capacitances.
Note: The effective capacitance in series combination is less than the least of
all the individual capacitances.
Parallel Combination of Capacitors: C1
In parallel combination, V q1

i) Potential is same across each capacitor

ii) Charge is distributed in direct proportion to C2
capacitances V q2

i.e. Q= q1 + q2 + q3

But q1 = C1 V , q2 = C2 V , q3 = C3 V and Q = CP V C3
V q3

CP V = C1V + C2 V + C3 V (where C is the equivalent

capacitance)

n
V
or CP = C1 + C2 + C3 CP = ∑ Ci
i=1

The effective capacitance is the sum of the individual capacitances.

Note: The effective capacitance in parallel combination is larger than the
largest of all the individual capacitances.
Energy Stored in a Capacitor:
The process of charging a capacitor is
equivalent to transferring charges from one
plate to the other of the capacitor.
The moment charging starts, there is a potential
difference between the plates. Therefore, to
transfer charges against the potential difference
some work is to be done. This work is stored as
electrostatic potential energy in the capacitor.
If dq be the charge transferred against the
potential difference V, then work done is
dU = dW = V dq V
q
= dq
C
The total work done ( energy) to transfer charge q is
Q
q 1 Q2 1 1
U= dq or U= or U= C V2 or U = QV
C C 2 2 2
0
Energy Density:

Energy density is generalised as energy per unit volume of the field.

1 A ε0
U= C V2 But C= and V=Ed
2 d

1 U 1 1
U= ε0 Ad E2 or = ε0 E2 or U = ε0 E2
2 Ad 2 2
SI unit of energy density is J m-3.

Energy Stored in a Series Combination of Capacitors:

1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ………. +
CS C1 C2 C3 Cn

1 Q2 1 1 1 1 1
U= U=
2
Q2 [ C1
+
C2
+
C3
+ ………. +
Cn
]
2 CS
U = U1 + U2 + U3 + ………. + Un
The total energy stored in the system is the sum of energy stored in the
individual capacitors.
Energy Stored in a Parallel Combination of Capacitors:
CP = C1 + C2 + C3 + ……….. + Cn

1 1
U= CP V2 U= V2 ( C1 + C2 + C3 + ……….. + Cn )
2 2

U = U1 + U2 + U3 + ………. + Un
The total energy stored in the system is the sum of energy stored in the
individual capacitors.

COMMON POTENTIAL:
When two capacitors charged to different potentials are connected by a
conducting wire, charges flows from the one at higher potential to the
other at lower potential. This flow of charges continues till their potentials
become equal. The equal potential of the two capacitors is called common
potential.

No charge is lost in the process of sharing of charges by the two

capacitors.
 Suppose C1, C2 are capacities of two capacitors charged to potential V1 and
V2 respectively.
Total charge before sharing = C1V1+ C2V2
If V is the common potential on sharing charges, then
Total charge after sharing = C1V + C2V =(C1 + C2) V
As no charge is lost in the process of sharing.
(C1 + C2) V = C1 V1 + C2 V2
C1 V1 + C2 V2
V=
C1 + C2

i.e.

LOSS OF ENERGY ON SHARING CHARGES :

Consider two capacitors of capacitances C1, C2, charges q1, q2 and
potentials V1,V2.
The common potential reached is given by,
C1 V1 + C2 V2
V=
C1 + C2
 The total energy before sharing is

1 1
C1 V1 2 C2 V22
Ui = +
2 2
The total energy after sharing is

1 (C1 V1 + C2 V2)2
Uf = (C1 + C2) V2
2 (C1 + C2)2

C1 C2 (V1 – V2)2
Ui– Uf =
2 (C1 + C2)

Ui – Uf > 0 or Ui > Uf
Therefore, there is some loss of energy when two charged capacitors are
connected together.
The loss of energy appears in the form of sparking and heat produced in the
wire connecting the two capacitors. (become hot)
Polar Molecules:
A molecule in which the centre of positive charges does O
not coincide with the centre of negative charges is called
a polar molecule.
105°
Polar molecule does not have symmetrical shape. p
H H
Eg. HCl, H2O, NH3, CO2, alcohol, etc.
Effect of Electric Field on Polar Molecules:
E=0 E

p
p=0
When electric field is applied, the
In the absence of external electric
dipoles orient themselves in a
field, the permanent dipoles of the
regular fashion and hence dipole
molecules orient in random
moment is induced. Complete
directions and hence the net dipole
allignment is not possible due to
moment is zero.
thermal agitation.
Non - polar Molecules:
A molecule in which the centre of positive charges coincides with the centre of
negative charges is called a non-polar molecule.
Non-polar molecule has symmetrical shape.
Eg. N2 , CH4, O2, C6H6, etc.

Effect of Electric Field on Non-polar Molecules:

E=0 E

p=0 p
In the absence of external When electric field is applied, the positive
electric field, the effective charges are pushed in the direction of electric
positive and negative centres field and the electrons are pulled in the
coincide and hence dipole is direction opposite to the electric field. Due to
not formed. separation of effective centres of positive and
negative charges, dipole is formed.
Dielectrics:
Generally, a non-conducting medium or insulator is called a ‘dielectric’.
Precisely, the non-conducting materials in which induced charges are produced
on their faces on the application of electric fields are called dielectrics.
Eg. Air, H2, glass, mica, paraffin wax, transformer oil, etc.
Polarization of Dielectrics:
When a non-polar dielectric slab is
subjected to an electric field, dipoles
are induced due to separation of
effective positive and negative centres.
E0 is the applied field and Ep is the
induced field in the dielectric.
EE=0 0 Ep
The net field is E = E0 – Ep
i.e. the field is reduced when a
dielectric slab is introduced.

or

Where P is total dipole moment density.

 It is found that the ratio of external field applied (E0) to the reduced value
of electric field (E) is constant for the material.
This constant is denoted by K and is called dielectric constant of the
material of the slab.

E0
K=
E

Electric susceptibility :
It is found that the electric polarization P is directly proportional to the
reduced value of electric field (E)

or
Polarization Vector:
The polarization vector measures the degree of polarization of the dielectric. It
is defined as the dipole moment of the unit volume of the polarized dielectric.
If n is the number of atoms or molecules per unit volume of the dielectric, then
polarization vector is

P=np or Dipole moment per unit volume = total dipole

moment density
Total dipole moment density P is called electric polarization.
SI unit of polarization vector is C m-2.
Dielectric Strength: Dielectric Dielectric strength (kV / mm)

Dielectric strength is the maximum Vacuum ∞

value of the electric field intensity Air 0.8 – 1
that can be applied to the dielectric
without its electric break down. Porcelain 4–8
Pyrex 14
Its SI unit is V m-1.
Paper 14 – 16
Its practical unit is kV mm-1.
Rubber 21
Mica 160 – 200
Capacitance of Parallel Plate Capacitor with Dielectric Slab:

P.D. between the two plates is

𝑽 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐
E0 Ep t d
E = E0 - Ep
V = E0 (d – t) + Emt
E0 E0
K= or Em =
Em K
E0
V = E0 (d – t) + t A ε0
K C=
t
t [d – t + ]
V = E0 [d–t+ K
] K
A ε0
or C=
σ q 1
But E0 =
ε0
=
A ε0
(
d - t 1- )
K
q C > C0. i.e. Capacitance increases with
and C= introduction of dielectric slab in between
V the plates of a capacitor.
 A ε0
C=
1
d-t (1- K
)
Case I : If t = d, i.e. dielectric slab fits in completely between the plates of
capacitor, then
A ε0
C= Capacity becomes K times.
1
(
d - d 1-
K
)
Case II : If t = d/2, then
A ε0
C=
1
( 1-
K
)

C
Dielectric Constant K=
C0
 WITH DIELECTRIC SLAB

Physical Quantity With Battery With Battery

disconnected connected
Charge Remains the same Increases (K C0 V0)

Capacitance Increases (K C0) Increases (K C0)

Electric Field Decreases Remains the same

EN = E0 – Ep
Potential Difference Decreases Remains the same

Energy stored Remains the same Increases (K U0)