Gist Electromagnetism

Class 12 Electrostatics
 Introduction to
Electromagnetism
Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Electric Force and Electric Field
 What is a Field?
What is Electromagnetism?
Electromagnetism
Let us recall theisgravitational
the study offorce
Electric
andand Magnetic field
gravitational Fields

������ . ������
�=�
��

Both the apple and Earth are regarded as point objects and r
is the distance between those two points
 �3 = � �3 ,�3 ,�3
Gravitational Field
� �����ℎ
�= =�
������ �2

�1 = � �1 ,�1 ,�1

������ . ������
�=�
��
�2 = � �2 ,�2 ,�2
 Electric Field
You haveWhat
The
seensource
is the
that of
source
What
the anisElectric
source of
of an Electric
Field is ‘charge’
‘charge’? Field?
a Gravitational Field is ‘mass’
Let us see a simulation
 What is ‘charge’?
Let us recall the ‘atom’

- +
 - + - + - + - + - + - +

- + - + - + - + - + - +

In any material number of negatively charged electrons

Soisthe material
same as thebody is neutral,
number and charge
of positive appearsoftothe
beprotons
chargeless
When does a neutral body become positively charged?

When a neutral body looses electrons it becomes positively charged.

Likewise, when a neutral body receives electrons

it becomes negatively charged
 Let us see the simulation once again

Similar charges repel one another and dissimilar charges attract one another.
How do we calculate that force of attraction or repulsion?
 Coulomb’s Law
�1 �2
+ +
r
�1 . �2
�=� 2
�
Like masses in gravitation, charges �1 and �2 are point charges
 Let us compare Electric and Gravitational forces
Electric Force: Coulomb’s law Gravitational Force: Newton’s law

• Two types of charges • Only one kind of mass

• Force may be either attractive or • Force is only attractive
repulsive • Force between two protons
• Force between two protons separated by 1m:
separated by 1m: −11 1.67×10−27 ×1.67×10−27
• ��� = 6.67 × 10
1.6×10−19 ×1.6×10−19 12
• ��� = 9 × 109 12 = 1.860 × 10−64 N
= 2.30 × 10−28 N

Electric force is many times stronger than the Gravitational force

Coulomb’s law: Measurement of Charge and the constant k

The constant k Unit of Charge

• For vacuum in S.I. system • In C.G.S. system, unit of charge is

1 defined from Coulomb’s law:
k In vacuum, if �1 = �2 , � = 1��,
4 0
and � = 1 ����, then,
• For vacuum in C.G.S. system k=1
�1 = �2 = 1�. �. � of charge
• ε0 is called the permittivity
of vacuum
• In S.I. system, unit of charge is
• In vacuum the value of constant ‘coulomb’, derived from ‘ampere’, the
1
 9  10 9
unit of electric current,
4 0 as � ������� = � ������ � ����
Two charged balls each having charge q are
suspended from a fixed support by insulated threads.
Let us see what happens. Let us write the force equations:

�cos � = ��
1 �. � 1 �2
���� � = 2 =
θ 4��0 � 4��0 �2

T Therefore,
�cos �
�2
���� � =
+
���� �
+ ��� =
1 �. � 4��0 �2 ��
+
4��0 �2 We can use
�

�� ��� � = 2
�

r
 If these
For chargesto
the charges are moving
remain at along
rest inthe
their positions,
circumcircle
what kind andwith a velocity
amount v what
of charge should
is to be at
be placed If the1charge
��
′
′ at c is � we
1 �2 can
3 write
��2
the centre
value of ′
the C?� ? �
1 ��′ −
=0 � 22 where
34�� 4��0 �2
=
�
4��0 �
3 3
� � �
v + �cos 30� =
1 � i.e.
3 �′ = ��2
Or, 2 2 � 3 - 3� = �
4��0 �
3

r v So,
1 �2 3
=
1 ��′
� � Or, �′ =
2
4��0 � 1 4��
4��
0 ���
0 2� 2
3+ �
r C r �
Or, �′ = �3 3 /3 (negative)
� 30� � 1 �2
+ + �=
4��0 �2
� 30�

30� �2 + �2 + 2�2 cos 60� = � 3

v
1 �2
�=
4��0 �2

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 ′ 1 ��′
Force on � towards right:
4��0 �+� 2

1 ��′
2 ��′ Force on �′ towards left: :
sin � 4��0 �−� 2
4��0 �2 + �2 1 ��′
4��0 �2 + �2

1 ��′
Net force towards left :
�
+ 4��0 �2 + �2
cos � 1 ��′ 1 ��′
�′ �= −
4��0 �−� 2 4��0 �+� 2
0, �

′ ��′ 4�� ��′ 4��

−�, 0 � �� �, 0 = 2 = 2
+ + + 4��0 �2 − �2 4��0 �2
�4 1− 2
+� +� �
�
�2
If � is very small compared to �, ≪1
�2
4��′
Then, � = �
4��0 �3
8/6/2024
It is simple harmonic motion
PPR SOUTH POINT
 Net force towards the origin:
2 ��′
�= sin �
4��0 �2 + �2

From the diagram,

�, 0 1 ��′ �
�′ cos � sin � = 2 2
4��0 �2 + �2 � +�
�
′
Therefore,
1 �� 2 ��′ �
4��0 �2 + �2 �=
4��0 �2 + �2 3 2

−�, 0 � � �, 0
+ - +
=
2 ��′ �
� +� 3 2
+� 4��0 3 �2
� 1+ 2
�
�2
If � ≪ �, ≪1
�2
2 ��′
Then � = �
4��0 �3
So the motion is simple harmonic
8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT
 +
Electric Field +
F q1
E 
q0 40r2 �3 = � �3 , �3 , �3

+
+ -
�1 = � �1 , �1 , �1

�2 = � �2 , �2 , �2
+

+
 Electric Field
Phet simulation

Definition:
Electric field at a point is the force experienced by a unit +ve charge placed at that point
 -
Electric Field -
F q1
E 
q0 4 0 r 2
�3 = � �3 , �3 , �3

-
- +
�1 = � �1 , �1 , �1

�2 = � �2 , �2 , �2
-

-
8/6/2024
 y
y ��
+ 21
=
�2
−
�1 �1
P

P −�, 0 �2 x
+�
0,0
0,0

What
Whatisisthe
theelectric
electricfield
fieldatatPPdue
�2 todue
a point
to a charge � placed
point charge at theat
� placed origin?
�1 ?
1 � 1 � �21 11 � . �21
Applying
ApplyingCoulomb’s
Coulomb’slaw,law,the
theelectric
electricfield
fieldatatthe
P ispoint
� = P due to2a�point
21 = charge �
2
is �== 2 −�
4��0 �21 4��0 �21 �21 4��00 � �21 3
4��

8/6/2024
How do we find out the electric field at a y �5
point due to two or more charges? +
�2
�1
Say, we want to find out the electric field +
+
at a point P due to five point charges �1 ,
�2 , �3 , �4 , �5
+
�3
If the individual fields at the point, due to
these individual point charges are �1 , �2 , �4

�3 , �4 , �5 respectively, then the electric

P x
field at that point due to these of five �3
charges is � = �1 + �2 + �3 + �4 + �5 + �5 �2 �1
�4

So, if there is a distribution of � charges,

the electric field at a point due to this
distribution can be written as �= ��=1 �� Principle of superposition
8/6/2024
 If the charges in a distribution are not
discrete, so that you can not count + + + +
them as two, three or � charges, how + + + +
��
+ + +
do we find out the field at a point due + + +
to such a distribution? + + +
+ +
P
For a continuous distribution of charge,
we have to start from the field �� due ��
to an elementary point charge �� and
integrate over �� for the whole
distribution.

So, � = ��

8/6/2024
 SUPERPOSITION OF
ELECTRIC FIELD(CONTINUED)
The electric dipole
• When two equal and opposite charges are separated by a small
distance, the distribution is called a dipole.

+q -q
Field on the axis of a dipole
a a
E- P
E+
O X
r


E 
q
iˆ

E 
q
 
 iˆ
4 0 r  a  4 0 r  a 
2 2

q  1 1 ˆ
 4qra
 iˆ
  
E  E  E    i 
2
40  r  a r  a 
2

40 r 2  a2 
2
 Field on the perpendicular bisector
(broad side on position)
 q
cos  iˆ  sin ˆj 
Y
E 
E+ 
4 0 r 2  a 2 
 q
E  (cos iˆ  sin ˆj )
P θ
θ

4 0 r 2  a 2 
 q ˆ
E 2 cos  i
√(r2 +a2)
r √(r2+a2)

4 0 r 2  a 2 
 2 qa
E iˆ
θ θ E-
X

4 0 r  a
2 2

3
2

O
a a
 The dipole moment

p
+q -q X

2a


p  2aq(iˆ)
The dipole moment is defined as the product of the magnitude of each charge and their
distance of separation. Its direction is taken from negative to positive charge.
Field due to dipole in terms of dipole moment at
large distance
• On the axis: • On the broad side on position
4 qra
  2 aq
 
E  iˆ E  iˆ

4 0 r 2  a 2 
2
4  0 r 2
 a2  3
2

 
 2 rp  p
E  E
4  0 r 2
a 
2 2

4 0 r  a 2 2
3
2

r  a r  a 

 2 p 
E 
 p
E 
4  3 4  0 r 3
0r
1
E  3
r
Field due

to dipole at any point at a large distance
E 
E E||
 2 p cos   p sin 
α E ||  rˆ axial point E   nˆ broad side on point
4  0 r 3
4 0 r 3

2 2
E E||  E 
p
E 4 cos 2   sin 2 
4 0 r 3
r
p
E 3 cos 2   1
4 0 r 3
pcosθ
θ
 p sin 
p psinθ E 4  0 r 3
tan    2 p cos 
E || 4  0 r 3
1
tan   tan 
2
Let's see simulation of electric dipole
SUPERPOSITION OF FIELDS
 Electric field due to a continuous linear distribution of charge of uniform density �

To infinity To infinity
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 Electric field at a point on the axis of a uniformly charged ring of charge +Q

+ +
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+

+
+
+ P
+
+ +

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 + +
+
+
+
+ +
+
-q +
+

+
+
+ +
+ +

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

Electric field at a distance from a uniformly charged infinite sheet of surface charge density �

+ +
+ + +
+ + + + + +

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 Electric field due to an infinite sheet of charge of uniform charge density: an alternative method

+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 P

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 �� 1 1
�= − For � >> �
2�0 � �2 + �2

For � << �
�� 1 1
�= −
� 2�0 �
�= �2
2�0 � 1+ 2
�

1
2 − 2
�� 1 �
�= × 1− 1+ 2
2�0 � �
The disk appears as an infinite plane sheet of charge
for a point close to the disk. � 1 �2
�= 1− 1− +⋯
2�0 2 �2

��2 ���2 �
�= �= =
4�0 �2 4��0 �2 4��0 �2
 Electric field due to a uniformly charged solid sphere

+ ++
+ +
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
P

8/6/2024 PPR SOUTH POINT

 R'

R
P

q
q
 How many lines are cutting through unit length of the circumference? Call it n

How many lines would be cutting through unit area of the sphere? Call it n

N N
n n
2 R 4 R 2
E ds

 
d   E .d s
 
   E .d s
 Flux through the elementary area ds
 
d  E.ds
 
   E.ds
E ds
q    Eds
  E  ds
q
  4r 2

4 0 r 2

q

0
• Identify the symmetry of the charge distribution and hence the field.
• Choose a suitable gaussian surface
1. Surface should be such that the point in question lies on the
surface.
2. The magnitude of electric field should be same throughout the
surface or a part thereof and perpendicular to the other parts.
• Find the flux through the gaussian surface.
• Equate it to 1/ε0 times the charge enclosed by the chosen
surface.
• Cylindrical symmetry: Coaxial cylinder with point in question
on the curved surface.

• Plane symmetry: Pill box extending equally on both sides

with the point in question lying on one of the flat surfaces.

• Spherical symmetry: Concentric sphere with the point in

question on the surface.
 λ According to Gauss' law   q
ds  E . d s  enc
0
L
 Eds 
0 
 
E .d s 
L
ds curved  0
L   L
E  ds 
P    
L  E .d s   E .d s   E .d s 
z 0 0
curved top bot curved
   
L  E .d s  0  E  d s
E 2 zL  top
0    
 E .d s  0  E  d s
 bot

ds
E
2 0 z
 Charge density Field inside

r  R
r  
r
R
  dv
ρ 0r  R E  ds  0

curved
0
r
 R 2 1
P E  E 2rL    2xLdx
2  0 r 0 0
R 2 x r
E  dx E
2 0r 2 0

  0 rr  R 
 (r )     0  const
 0r  R 
 According to Gauss' law
  q
 E . d s  enc
0
      A
σ  E .d s 
front
 E .d s 
back
 E .d s 
curved
0
ds    
 E .d s  0  E  d s
ds ds curved

A
E
front
 ds  E  ds 
back
0
r
A
2 EA 
0

E
2 0
 Field outside
ds   q enc
According to Gauss' law
 E .d s 
0
R q
ρ r Field inside E  ds 
0
qenc q
r E  ds  E 4 r 2

0 0
1 q
E 4r 2    4r 2 dr E 
0 4  0 r
2

r
E
3 0
qr
E
4 0 R 3
 q
E q
4 0 R 2 E
Er 1
4 0 R 2
E
r2
1
E
r2
E0
 1
g
q r2
E  gr
4  0 R 2

Me
g  G
R2
• Calculation of electric field by superposition
• Involves vector addition and involvement of components
• Integrals involved for each component
• Calculation of field by Gauss' law
• Involves stringent symmetry conditions to be satisfied
• Without the specified symmetry cannot be used for this purpose
• Need for potential formulation
• A scalar quantity for superposition hence components not involved
• Possible to obtain the field by finding potential gradient (differentiation)
 q0 Work done in displacing the charge by dr towards q quasi
dr r1 statically  
dW  F ( r ). d r
r  qq 0
r2 F (r )  2
rˆ
4  0 r
q 
d r  dr   rˆ 
 
 F .d r   Fdr

r2
Work done in bringing the charge from r1 to r2
W    Fdr
r1
r2
qq 0
qq0  1 1  W   dr
U     r1
4  0 r 2
4 0  r2 r1  r1
qq 0 dr
W 
4  0 
r2
r2
qq 0  1 1
W    
4  0  r2 r1 
Here q0 is replaced by unity, work done in moving the unit positive charge by dr,
 
dV   E . d r
r
 
V ( r )    E .d r R is the point at which the potential is assigned a value 0 and is called the reference point
R

For a finite charge distribution the reference point is taken as infinity. Hence in general,
r
 
V    E.dr Using the expression for field due to a point charge  q
E 2
rˆ

4 0 r

dr  dr  rˆ 

Potential at a point due to a point charge q q

V 
4  0 r
 q1 r1 Potential at P due to point charge q1 V1 
q1
4  r
0 1

P
r2 Due to q2 V2 
q2
q2 4  0 r2
r3
r4 q3
q3 Due to q3 V3 
4 0 r3
q4
q4
Due to q4 V4 
4 0 r4

Potential at P VP  V1  V2  V3  V4

dq
For continuous charge distributions V   4 0 r

 dV
Electric field is now calculated by E nˆ
dr
 r
 
Potental at a point distant r from the center V   E .d r


R
 
work done in bringing a unit +ve charge from infinity to the surface V1    Eout .dr
R 

r
 
Work done in bringing the charge from the surface to the required point V   Ein .dr
 r R
r R r
     
V   E.dr   Eout .dr   Ein .dr
  R

q r
qr q  R2  r 2 
V1  V    dr   
4 0 R R
4 0 R 3
4 0 R 3  2 

V  V1   V
q  3R 2  r 2 
V   
4  0 R 3  2 
q  r2 
V   3  2 
8  0 R  R 
 When the 1st charge of amount dq is brought in, no work is done. When the next dq
charge is brought from infinity, work is done against the field of the already present charge
r and distributed uniformly over the 1st charge to construct a small sphere of density 

 When a sphere of radius r is formed, we seek to increase the radius by dr by bringing

dr
dq amount of charge from infinity and distribute it uniformly over the sphere.

Work done in increasing the radius by dr dW  Vdq V being the potential at the surface of the sphere
R R
r 2
q  43  r 3  r 2 W   Vdq   3 0
 4  r 2 dr
V    0 0
4 0 r 4 0 r 3 0 4  2
R

r
4
W  dr
dq   dv   4 r dr
2
3 0 0

4  2 R 5
W 
15  0
Consider a dipole Potential at P =0
P
Potential at P'=0

Potential at any point on

the equatorial plane =0

Equatorial plane is an

P'
The surface on which potential is constant
Equatorial plane
 Find the equipotential surface having a potential of 1 kV due to a point charge of +2mC

How would the surface look like? Spherical surface with the charge at the center

What would be the radius of that sphere? q 92 106

V  9 10
40 r r
3 92 106
10  9 10
r
r  18m
18m Any two equipotential surfaces with
24m every 250 V potential difference is Potential of 750 V? 24m
36m separated by increasing distance
72m between the surfaces as the potential Potential of 500 V? 36m
decreases.
Potential of 250 V? 72m
 Two charges 2μC and -2μC are placed at (-4.5, 0, 0) and (4.5, 0, 0) cm respectively in an external electric field of
given by (9 x 106)r-2N/C. Find the potential energy of the system in the electric field.

SOLUTION: q1  2  10 6 C
q2  2  10 6 C
r1  0.045m, r2  0.045m
r12  0.09m
The potential energy of a system in an external field

q1 q 2
U  q1V ( r1 )  q 2V ( r2 ) 
4 0 r12
and dV
E or dV  Edr
dr
q1 q 2
 U  q1 Er1  q 2 Er 2 
4 0 r12
 9  10 6   9  10 6  2  (  2 )  10 12  9  10 9
U  2  10  6
2
 r1  (  2  10 )

6
 r2
 r2 

 r1   2  r12

2  9  10 6  10 6 2  9  10 6  10 6 2  2  9  10 9  10 12
U  
0.045 0.045 0.09
U   0 .4 J
A charge Q is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radii r and R, where R>r such that the surface charge
densities are equal. Find the potential at the common center. Take Coulomb's constant as k.

SOLUTION If q is the charge on the smaller sphere then Q-q will be the charge on the larger one
 A  B

q Q  q
 
4 r 2 4 R 2
R
or Qr 2 and QR 2
Q-q q 2 2 Qq  2
r R r R  r2
q
A kq kQr
Potential of small sphere   2
r R  r2
B
Qq kQR
Potential of large sphere  k  2
R R  r2

kQr kQR kQ R  r 
Potential at the common center   
R2  r 2 R2  r 2 R2  r 2
n small drops of same size are charged to a potential of V volt each. They coalesce to form a bigger drop. Calculate the
potential of the larger drop.
SOLUTION: Let r be the radius of small drop and R is the radius of larger drop. When n small drops coalesce to form
a bigger drop, volume remains same.
Volume of big drop = Volume of n small drops
4 4
or R 3
 n r 3
3 3
1
or R  n 3r
q
Charge on big drop, Q=nq, where q is the charge on each small drop. Potential of a small drop, V 
4  0 r

Potential of big drop, Q

Vb 
4 0 R
nq 2  q 
Vb   n 3

 
 4 0 r 
1
4 0 n r3

2
 V b  n 3V
• Identify the location of charges under static condition
• Field inside the conductor and conductor as an equipotential domain
• Calculation of field just outside the charged conductor
• Electrostatic shielding
• Point effect (working of lightning arrester)
 Consider a conductor of arbitrary shape

Give it some positive charge from outside

Consider a Gaussian surface of arbitrary shape

  qenc
 E.ds   0
E=0, else the charges would move qenc=0

There only one place left for the charges to reside

• Charges reside on the + + +
+
outer surface of conductor. + +

• Electric field inside a E=0 +

conductor is zero. + +

• A conductor is +
+ + +
+

characterised by surface
charge density.
• Surface of a conductor is
an equipotential surface.
It is decided by
• The conductor itself is an
equipotential domain.
 +
+ + Potential at the surface New potential
R
+ + Q  1  4R 2  1R Q' ' R
V1    V '1   1
+ + 4 0 R 4 0 R 0 4 0 R 0
+

Total charge=Q q'  '2 r

V '2  
4 0 r 0

Total charge=q
V '1  V '2 R  r
+  '1 R   '2 r  '1   '2
+
+
r
q  2  4r 2  2 r
V2   
+ + 4 0 r 4 0 r 0
+

No relation between V1 and V2

 is higher at sharp edges or place with more curvature
 +q The conductor with a cavity is given some charge, which is distributed on
the outer surface.
-q
Inner surface is also an equipotential surface, hence if a wire is connected
q between two points on the inner surface, there is no transfer of charge

If a charge is enclosed in the cavity, outside the conductor only the charge is
revealed. The nature of distribution is concealed. The inner surface acquires a
-ve charge due to induction and an equal amount of + charge appears outside.
The field inside the conductor is still zero. The distribution outside (not the charge)
is not influenced by the charge inside the cavity.
This is called
 A +vely charged conductor of arbitrary shape is considered. The surface charge
density is non-uniform. Consider a point outside and very close to the surface.

The local surface is almost flat and local charge density is . A pill box is taken
as Gaussian surface.
  q enc A
 E .d s  
0 0
      A
E=0  E .d s   E .d s  E .d s 
0
Only front surface would
front back curved contribute

A Strength of electric field depends on the

EA 
0 local charge density

E
0
 Working of a lighninig arrester

+ + + +
+ + + +

- -- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
• An insulator placed in an external electric field
• Development of bound charges
• Effect of free charges, the electric displacement vector
• Linear dielectrics
• Permittivity of material
• Modification of electric field and potential
  
E Force on the positive charge F  q E
F+  
a Force on negative charge F  qE
O
a  
F- 
Torque about O due to F+    apˆ  F  aqpˆ  E
  
Torque about O due to F-     a pˆ  F   aq pˆ  E

  
Total Torque   p E

This torque tries to align the dipole moment vector along the direction of E
2
 
You may calculate the energy of orientation of the dipole using  U     .d 
1
 E
- +
- + E
- + E +
bound charges - + - + - +
- + -
dp

dipole moment developed due to bound charges = p

The dipole moment is an extensive quantity. Hence it will be larger for a sample of larger size

To make it intensive, define the dipole moment per unit volume  p
P 
V
The electric field inside the insulator would be due to free charges and bound charges.
The contribution from bound charges is through the polarisation vector and that from
free charges is given by electric displacement vector. It is defined as
  
D   0E  P
 
In vacuum their is nothing to be polarised. Hence D  0E
 q
Hence for a point charge in vacuum D 2
rˆ
4r

There is no Coulomb's law for D, however Gauss' law may be used to calculate it
 
It is our intention to write the displacement vector in matter as D  E

where  is permittivity of the material

The simplest possible relation between polarisation vector and electric field is

PE
The materials obeying this relation are called linear dielectrics

P  0eE 
r   1  e  K
Here  is called the electric susceptibility 0
  
 D   0E   0e E
  r iscalled the relative permittivity
D   0 1   e E
  also
D  E
    0 1   e 
What is a capacitor?

Purpose?

The simplest capacitor would contain two conductors in which the charge is distributed.
The arrangement as a whole is electrically neutral.

The charge stored is taken as the amount of charge acquired by each conductor
If q be the charge stored when the potential difference between the conductors is V, then
q  V
q  CV

Here C is the constant of proportionality and is called the of the arrangement

The capacitance of an arrangement is dependent on

 
E
0
I II A capacitor consisting of two plane sheets each of area A and separated by a small distance d
+q III
-q
One plate has a +ve charge and the other an equal amount of -ve charge

E- The plates may be considered infinite plane sheets of charge with surface density =q/A
A
Work done in moving a unit +ve charge from -ve to +ve plate = PD between two plates
E+ E+ 0
E=0 : If a charge of 1 coulomb is stored
V   E.dx
E=0 E- d against a potential difference of 1 volt, then the capacitance
 of the system is said to be
d V d
0 Problem: A parallel plate capacitor with capacitance 1 farad has a plate
separation of 1 mm. Find the plate area.
qd
V
A 0 Ans: 113 sq km
A 0 Practical unit of capacitance: mf or pf
C
d
Series combination Parallel combination

V  V1  V 2
q

q

q q  q1  q2
C eq C1 C 2
CeqV  C1V  C2V
1 1 1
 
C eq C1 C 2 Ceq  C1  C2
 -q Two concentric metal spherical shells of inner and outer radius r1 and r2
respectively are considered. Outer sphere being grounded (-ve charge).
+q
r1
The conductors store a charge q as shown
r1
 
r Potential difference between the two conductors: V    E .dr
r2 r2
Considering the Gaussian surface of radius r, the field:
r1
q
  q V   dr
 E .d s 
0
r2
4  0 r 2
q  1 1 
V    
q 4  r r
E  ds  0  2 1 

0 4  0 r1 r 2
q  V
q r 2  r1
E  4  0 r1 r 2
4  0 r 2 C 
r 2  r1
 Charges are being transferred from one plate to another. As more charge accumulates
the P.D. across the plates builds up. At some time the charge stored is q against a P.D of
V. The work done in transfering charge dq across the plate is:
+-
+-
dW  Vdq
+-
Total work done in charging it with Q would be:
Q

W   Vdq
0
Q
q
W   dq
0
C
Q2 1 1
W  CV 2  QV
2C 2 2
If the space between the plates of a charged capacitor is completely filled with a dielectric with constant K, then the
potential difference becomes V/K. If the charge remains constant, then, capacitance becomes KC
q  CV
V
q  KC
K
What if a parallel plate capacitor is partly filled with dielectric?
0
The potential difference between the plates:  
V    E .d x
d
x xt d
  
V  
0
0
dx  x
K0
dx  
xt
0
dx

  t 
V  d t  
0  K 
x V 
q 
d t 
t 

A 0  K 
d C 
A 0
 t 
d t  
 K 
 Consider a dielectric slab partially inserted between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor
q2
+q The energy stored in a charged capacitor is given by: U 
2C
Since C would be greater with the dielectric inside, energy stored
would be less. Since every system tries to acquire a configuration
of lower energy, it is expected that the configuration with the
-q dielectric inside would be preferred.
x
dU dU d  q2 
Force on the dielectric: F  F     
dx dx dx  2C 
q 2 d  1  dC
F   
2 dC  C  dx
q 2 dC
F This is the force with which the dielectric
2C 2 dx
1 2 dC is sucked inside the capacitor when charge
F V in the capacitor is fixed
2 dx