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# 19.5: Capacitors and Dielectrics

A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge. Capacitors have applications ranging from filtering static out of radio reception to energy storage in heart defibrillators. Typically, commercial capacitors have two conducting parts close to one another, but not touching, such as those in Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$. (Most of the time an insulator is used between the two plates to provide separation—see the discussion on dielectrics below.)

Figure $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Both capacitors shown here were initially uncharged before being connected to a battery. They now have separated charges of $$+Q$$ and $$-Q$$ on their two halves. (a) A parallel plate capacitor. (b) A rolled capacitor with an insulating material between its two conducting sheets.

Definition: CAPACITOR

A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge.

When battery terminals are connected to an initially uncharged capacitor, equal amounts of positive and negative charge, $$+Q$$ and $$-Q$$, are separated into its two plates. The capacitor remains neutral overall, but we refer to it as storing a charge $$Q$$ in this circumstance. The amount of charge $$Q$$ a capacitor can store depends on two major factors—the voltage applied and the capacitor’s physical characteristics, such as its size.

A system composed of two identical, parallel conducting plates separated by a distance, as in Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$, is called a parallel plate capacitor. It is easy to see the relationship between the voltage and the stored charge for a parallel plate capacitor, as shown in Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$. Each electric field line starts on an individual positive charge and ends on a negative one, so that there will be more field lines if there is more charge. (Drawing a single field line per charge is a convenience, only. We can draw many field lines for each charge, but the total number is proportional to the number of charges.) The electric field strength is, thus, directly proportional to $$Q$$.

Figure $$\PageIndex{2}$$: Electric field lines in this parallel plate capacitor, as always, start on positive charges and end on negative charges. Since the electric field strength is proportional to the density of field lines, it is also proportional to the amount of charge on the capacitor.

The field is proportional to the charge:

$E\propto Q,$

where the symbol $$\propto$$ means “proportional to.” From the discussion in Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field, we know that the voltage across parallel plates is $$V=Ed$$. Thus,

$V\propto E.$

It follows, then, that $$V \propto Q$$, and conversely,

$Q\propto V.$

This is true in general: The greater the voltage applied to any capacitor, the greater the charge stored in it.

Different capacitors will store different amounts of charge for the same applied voltage, depending on their physical characteristics. We define their capacitance $$C$$ to be such that the charge $$Q$$ stored in a capacitor is proportional to $$C$$. The charge stored in a capacitor is given by

$Q=CV.$

This equation expresses the two major factors affecting the amount of charge stored. Those factors are the physical characteristics of the capacitor, $$C$$, and the voltage, $$V$$. Rearranging the equation, we define the capacitance $$C$$ of a capacitor.

Definition: CAPACITANCE

Capacitance $$C$$ is the amount of charge stored per volt, or

$C=\dfrac{Q}{V}.$

The unit of capacitance is the farad (F), named for Michael Faraday (1791–1867), an English scientist who contributed to the fields of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Since capacitance is charge per unit voltage, we see that a farad is a coulomb per volt, or

$1\: \mathrm{F}=\dfrac{1\: \mathrm{C}}{1\: \mathrm{V}}.$

A 1-farad capacitor would be able to store 1 coulomb (a very large amount of charge) with the application of only 1 volt. One farad is, thus, a very large capacitance. Typical capacitors range from fractions of a picofarad $$(1\: \mathrm{pF}=10^{-12}\mathrm{F})$$ to millifarads $$(1\: \mathrm{mF}=10^{-3}\mathrm{F})$$.

Figure $$\PageIndex{3}$$ shows some common capacitors. Capacitors are primarily made of ceramic, glass, or plastic, depending upon purpose and size. Insulating materials, called dielectrics, are commonly used in their construction, as discussed below.

Figure $$\PageIndex{3}$$: Some typical capacitors. Size and value of capacitance are not necessarily related. (credit: Windell Oskay)

## Parallel Plate Capacitor

The parallel plate capacitor shown in Figure $$\PageIndex{4}$$ has two identical conducting plates, each having a surface area $$A$$, separated by a distance $$d$$ (with no material between the plates). When a voltage $$V$$ is applied to the capacitor, it stores a charge $$Q$$, as shown. We can see how its capacitance depends on $$A$$ and $$d$$ by considering the characteristics of the Coulomb force. We know that like charges repel, unlike charges attract, and the force between charges decreases with distance. So it seems quite reasonable that the bigger the plates are, the more charge they can store—because the charges can spread out more. Thus $$C$$ should be greater for larger $$A$$. Similarly, the closer the plates are together, the greater the attraction of the opposite charges on them. So $$C$$ should be greater for smaller $$d$$.

Figure $$\PageIndex{4}$$: Parallel plate capacitor with plates separated by a distance $$d$$. Each plate has an area $$A$$.

It can be shown that for a parallel plate capacitor there are only two factors ($$A$$ and $$d$$) that affect its capacitance $$C$$. The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor in equation form can be defined:

Definition: CAPACITANCE OF A PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor in equation form is given by

$C=\varepsilon _{0} \dfrac{A}{d}.$

$$A$$ is the area of one plate in square meters, and $$d$$ is the distance between the plates in meters. The constant $$\varepsilon _{0}$$ is the permittivity of free space; its numerical value in SI units is $$\varepsilon _{0}=8.85\times 10^{-12} \mathrm{F/m}$$. The units of F/m are equivalent to $$\mathrm{C^{2}/N\cdot m^{2}}$$. The small numerical value of $$\varepsilon _{0}$$ is related to the large size of the farad. A parallel plate capacitor must have a large area to have a capacitance approaching a farad. (Note that the above equation is valid when the parallel plates are separated by air or free space. When another material is placed between the plates, the equation is modified, as discussed below.)

Example $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Capacitance and Charge Stored in a Parallel Plate Capacitor

1. What is the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with metal plates, each of area $$1.00 \mathrm{m^{2}}$$, separated by 1.00 mm?
2. What charge is stored in this capacitor if a voltage of $$3.00\times 10^{3} \mathrm{V}$$ is applied to it?

Strategy

Finding the capacitance $$C$$ is a straightforward application of the equation $$C=\varepsilon _{0} A/d$$. Once $$C$$ is found, the charge stored can be found using the equation $$Q=CV$$.

Solution for (a)

Entering the given values into the equation for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor yields

\begin{align*} C&=\varepsilon \dfrac{A}{d} \\[4pt] &=(8.85\times 10^{-12} \mathrm{\dfrac{F}{m}}) \dfrac{1.00 \mathrm{m^{2}}}{1.00\times 10^{-3} \mathrm{m}} \\[4pt] &=8.85\times 10^{-9} \mathrm{F} =8.85 \mathrm{nF}. \end{align*}

Discussion for (a)

This small value for the capacitance indicates how difficult it is to make a device with a large capacitance. Special techniques help, such as using very large area thin foils placed close together.

Solution for (b)

The charge stored in any capacitor is given by the equation $$Q=CV$$. Entering the known values into this equation gives

\begin{align*} Q &=CV\\[5pt] &=(8.85 \times 10^{-9}\mathrm{F})(3.00\times 10^{3}\mathrm{V}) \\[5pt] &=26.6 \mathrm{ \mu C}. \end{align*}

Discussion for (b)

This charge is only slightly greater than those found in typical static electricity. Since air breaks down at about $$3.00\times 10^{6} \mathrm{V/m}$$, more charge cannot be stored on this capacitor by increasing the voltage.

Membrane Potential

Another interesting biological example dealing with electric potential is found in the cell’s plasma membrane. The membrane sets a cell off from its surroundings and also allows ions to selectively pass in and out of the cell. There is a potential difference across the membrane of about $$-70 \mathrm{mV}$$. This is due to the mainly negatively charged ions in the cell and the predominance of positively charged sodium ($$\mathrm{Na}^{+}$$) ions outside. Things change when a nerve cell is stimulated. $$\mathrm{Na}^{+}$$ ions are allowed to pass through the membrane into the cell, producing a positive membrane potential—the nerve signal. The cell membrane is about 7 to 10 nm thick. An approximate value of the electric field across it is given by

\begin{align*} E&=\dfrac{V}{d} \\[5pt] &=\dfrac{-70\times 10^{-3}\mathrm{V}}{8\times 10^{-9} \mathrm{m}} \\[5pt] &= -9\times 10^{6} \mathrm{V/m}. \end{align*}

This electric field is enough to cause a breakdown in air.

## Dielectric

The previous example highlights the difficulty of storing a large amount of charge in capacitors. If $$d$$ is made smaller to produce a larger capacitance, then the maximum voltage must be reduced proportionally to avoid breakdown (since $$E=V/d$$). An important solution to this difficulty is to put an insulating material, called a dielectric, between the plates of a capacitor and allow $$d$$ to be as small as possible. Not only does the smaller $$d$$ make the capacitance greater, but many insulators can withstand greater electric fields than air before breaking down.

There is another benefit to using a dielectric in a capacitor. Depending on the material used, the capacitance is greater than that given by the equation $$C=\varepsilon \dfrac{A}{d}$$ by a factor $$\kappa$$, called the dielectric constant. A parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric between its plates has a capacitance given by

$C=\kappa \varepsilon _{0} \dfrac{A}{d} (\mathrm{parallel\: plate\: capacitor\: with\: dielectric}).$

Values of the dielectric constant $$\kappa$$ for various materials are given in Table $$\PageIndex{1}$$. Note that $$\kappa$$ for vacuum is exactly 1, and so the above equation is valid in that case, too. If a dielectric is used, perhaps by placing Teflon between the plates of the capacitor in Example $$\PageIndex{1}$$, then the capacitance is greater by the factor $$\kappa$$, which for Teflon is 2.1.

TAKE-HOME EXPERIMENT: BUILDING A CAPACITOR

How large a capacitor can you make using a chewing gum wrapper? The plates will be the aluminum foil, and the separation (dielectric) in between will be the paper.

Table $$\PageIndex{1}$$: Dielectric Constants and Dielectric Strengths for Various Materials at 20ºC
MaterialDielectric constant ($$\mathbf{\kappa}$$)Dielectric Strength ($$\mathbf{\mathrm{V/m}}$$)
Vacuum$$1.00000$$$$-$$
Air$$1.00059$$$$3\times 10^{6}$$
Bakelite$$4.9$$$$24\times 10^{6}$$
Fused quartz$$3.78$$$$8\times 10^{6}$$
Neoprene rubber$$6.7$$$$12\times 10^{6}$$
Nylon$$3.4$$$$14\times 10^{6}$$
Paper$$3.7$$$$16\times 10^{6}$$
Polystyrene$$2.56$$$$24\times 10^{6}$$
Pyrex glass$$5.6$$$$14\times 10^{6}$$
Silicon oil$$2.5$$$$15\times 10^{6}$$
Strontium titanate$$233$$$$8\times 10^{6}$$
Teflon$$2.1$$$$60\times 10^{6}$$
Water$$80$$$$-$$

Note also that the dielectric constant for air is very close to 1, so that air-filled capacitors act much like those with vacuum between their plates except that the air can become conductive if the electric field strength becomes too great. (Recall that $$E=V/d$$ for a parallel plate capacitor.) Also shown in Table $$\PageIndex{1}$$ are maximum electric field strengths in V/m, called dielectric strengths, for several materials. These are the fields above which the material begins to break down and conduct. The dielectric strength imposes a limit on the voltage that can be applied for a given plate separation. For instance, in Example, the separation is 1.00 mm, and so the voltage limit for air is

\begin{align*} V&=E\cdot V \\[4pt] &=(3\times 10^{6} \mathrm{V/m})(1.00\times 10^{-3}\mathrm{m}) \\[4pt] &=3000\mathrm{V}. \end{align*}

However, the limit for a 1.00 mm separation filled with Teflon is 60,000 V, since the dielectric strength of Teflon is $$60\times 10^{6} \mathrm{V/m}$$ V/m. So the same capacitor filled with Teflon has a greater capacitance and can be subjected to a much greater voltage. Using the capacitance we calculated in the above example for the air-filled parallel plate capacitor, we find that the Teflon-filled capacitor can store a maximum charge of

\begin{align*} Q&=CV \\[4pt] &=\kappa C_{air}V \\[4pt] &=(2.1)(8.85\mathrm{nF})(6.0\times 10^{4} \mathrm{V}) \\[4pt] &=1.1 \mathrm{mC}. \end{align*}

This is 42 times the charge of the same air-filled capacitor.

DIELECTRIC STRENGTH

The maximum electric field strength above which an insulating material begins to break down and conduct is called its dielectric strength.

Microscopically, how does a dielectric increase capacitance? Polarization of the insulator is responsible. The more easily it is polarized, the greater its dielectric constant $$\kappa$$. Water, for example, is a polar molecule because one end of the molecule has a slight positive charge and the other end has a slight negative charge. The polarity of water causes it to have a relatively large dielectric constant of 80. The effect of polarization can be best explained in terms of the characteristics of the Coulomb force. Figure $$\PageIndex{5}$$ shows the separation of charge schematically in the molecules of a dielectric material placed between the charged plates of a capacitor. The Coulomb force between the closest ends of the molecules and the charge on the plates is attractive and very strong, since they are very close together. This attracts more charge onto the plates than if the space were empty and the opposite charges were a distance $$d$$ away.

Figure $$\PageIndex{5}$$: (a) The molecules in the insulating material between the plates of a capacitor are polarized by the charged plates. This produces a layer of opposite charge on the surface of the dielectric that attracts more charge onto the plate, increasing its capacitance. (b) The dielectric reduces the electric field strength inside the capacitor, resulting in a smaller voltage between the plates for the same charge. The capacitor stores the same charge for a smaller voltage, implying that it has a larger capacitance because of the dielectric.

Another way to understand how a dielectric increases capacitance is to consider its effect on the electric field inside the capacitor. Figure $$\PageIndex{5}$$(b) shows the electric field lines with a dielectric in place. Since the field lines end on charges in the dielectric, there are fewer of them going from one side of the capacitor to the other. So the electric field strength is less than if there were a vacuum between the plates, even though the same charge is on the plates. The voltage between the plates is $$V=Ed$$, so it too is reduced by the dielectric. Thus there is a smaller voltage $$V$$ for the same charge $$Q$$; since $$C=Q/V$$, the capacitance $$C$$ is greater.

The dielectric constant is generally defined to be $$\kappa =E_{0}/E$$, or the ratio of the electric field in a vacuum to that in the dielectric material, and is intimately related to the polarizability of the material.

THINGS GREAT AND SMALL: The Submicroscopic Origin of Polarization

Polarization is a separation of charge within an atom or molecule. As has been noted, the planetary model of the atom pictures it as having a positive nucleus orbited by negative electrons, analogous to the planets orbiting the Sun. Although this model is not completely accurate, it is very helpful in explaining a vast range of phenomena and will be refined elsewhere, such as in the Chapter on Atomic Physics. The submicroscopic origin of polarization can be modeled as shown in Figure $$\PageIndex{6}$$.

Figure $$\PageIndex{6}$$: Artist’s conception of a polarized atom. The orbits of electrons around the nucleus are shifted slightly by the external charges (shown exaggerated). The resulting separation of charge within the atom means that it is polarized. Note that the unlike charge is now closer to the external charges, causing the polarization.

We will find in Atomic Physics that the orbits of electrons are more properly viewed as electron clouds with the density of the cloud related to the probability of finding an electron in that location (as opposed to the definite locations and paths of planets in their orbits around the Sun). This cloud is shifted by the Coulomb force so that the atom on average has a separation of charge. Although the atom remains neutral, it can now be the source of a Coulomb force, since a charge brought near the atom will be closer to one type of charge than the other.

Some molecules, such as those of water, have an inherent separation of charge and are thus called polar molecules.Figure $$\PageIndex{7}$$ illustrates the separation of charge in a water molecule, which has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom ($$\mathrm{H_{2}O}$$). The water molecule is not symmetric—the hydrogen atoms are repelled to one side, giving the molecule a boomerang shape. The electrons in a water molecule are more concentrated around the more highly charged oxygen nucleus than around the hydrogen nuclei. This makes the oxygen end of the molecule slightly negative and leaves the hydrogen ends slightly positive. The inherent separation of charge in polar molecules makes it easier to align them with external fields and charges. Polar molecules therefore exhibit greater polarization effects and have greater dielectric constants. Those who study chemistry will find that the polar nature of water has many effects. For example, water molecules gather ions much more effectively because they have an electric field and a separation of charge to attract charges of both signs. Also, as brought out in the previous chapter, polar water provides a shield or screening of the electric fields in the highly charged molecules of interest in biological systems.

Figure $$\PageIndex{7}$$: Artist’s conception of a water molecule. There is an inherent separation of charge, and so water is a polar molecule. Electrons in the molecule are attracted to the oxygen nucleus and leave an excess of positive charge near the two hydrogen nuclei. (Note that the schematic on the right is a rough illustration of the distribution of electrons in the water molecule. It does not show the actual numbers of protons and electrons involved in the structure.)

PHET EXPLORATIONS: CAPACITOR LAB

Explore how a capacitor works! Change the size of the plates and add a dielectric to see the effect on capacitance. Change the voltage and see charges built up on the plates. Observe the electric field in the capacitor. Measure the voltage and the electric field.

Figure $$\PageIndex{8}$$: Capacitor Lab

# Summary

• A capacitor is a device used to store charge.
• The amount of charge $$Q$$ a capacitor can store depends on two major factors—the voltage applied and the capacitor’s physical characteristics, such as its size.
• The capacitance $$C$$ is the amount of charge stored per volt, or $$C=\dfrac{Q}{V}.$$
• The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is $$C=\varepsilon _{0} \dfrac{A}{d}$$, when the plates are separated by air or free space. $$\varepsilon _{0}$$ is called the permittivity of free space.
• A parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric between its plates has a capacitance given by $$C=\kappa \varepsilon _{0} \dfrac{A}{d},$$ where $$\kappa$$ is the dielectric constant of the material.
• The maximum electric field strength above which an insulating material begins to break down and conduct is called dielectric strength.

# Glossary

capacitor
a device that stores electric charge
capacitance
amount of charge stored per unit volt
dielectric
an insulating material
dielectric strength
the maximum electric field above which an insulating material begins to break down and conduct
parallel plate capacitor
two identical conducting plates separated by a distance
polar molecule
a molecule with inherent separation of charge

# Contributors

Paul Peter Urone (Professor Emeritus at California State University, Sacramento) and Roger Hinrichs (State University of New York, College at Oswego) with Contributing Authors: Kim Dirks (University of Auckland) and Manjula Sharma (University of Sydney). This work is licensed by OpenStax University Physics under a Creative Commons Attribution License (by 4.0).