General Physics 2
Activity Sheet
TOPIC Effects of simple capacitors
LEARNING Deduce the effects of simple capacitors (e.g., parallel-plate, spherical, cylindrical) on
COMPETENCY the capacitance, charge, and potential difference when the size, potential difference,
or charge is changed (STEM_GP12EM-IIId-23)
OBJECTIVES Describe a capacitor
Infer the effects of simple capacitors on the capacitance, charge and potential
difference when the size, potential difference or charge is changed
In a basic electric circuit, there is a power source, conducting wires and resistors. In more complex circuits, we
have other electric components such as capacitors.
A capacitor is composed of two conductors and an insulator in between them. Some applications of capacitors
are mainly in communication (radio transmitters and receivers). They are also used in regulating the outputs of flash
units in our cameras. A capacitor is defined as a component that has the capacity to store energy in the form of electric
charge that produces a potential difference across its plate.
There are many types of capacitors which are available from the very small capacitor beads that are mainly used
in resonance circuits to large factor correction capacitors. These kinds of capacitors may differ in size, but they have the
same function, to store charge.
In circuit diagrams, a capacitor is represented using this symbol:
A capacitor has a certain measure we called the capacitance. The capacitance of a capacitor is given off with the
equation
Q
C=
V
Where C is the capacitance expressed in C/V or Farad (F)
Q is the charge expressed in Coulombs (C); and
V is the potential difference between conductors expressed in voltage (V)
The most commonly studied capacitors is composed of two parallel conducting
plates. These are separated by a distance which is very small in contrast with their true
dimensions. The region in between them has a uniform field and charges are uniformly
distributed. This is known as parallel plate capacitors.
The electric field in this case can be expressed as:
σ 1 Q
E= =
ϵ0 ϵ0 A
2
9 C
Where Q is the charge and ϵ 0 is the electric constant equal to 8.854 × 10 2 or also
Nm
known as permittivity of space; and A is the area in m2.
To solve for the capacitance given different types of capacitors, here are the following equations:
Parallel-plate capacitor Spherical capacitor Cylindrical capacitor
ε0 A ra rb 2 π ε0 L
C= C=4 π ε 0 C=
d r b −r a rb
ln ( )
ra
r is for radius r is for radius
Sample Problem 1. The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor in vacuum are 5.00 mm apart and 2.00 m 2 in area. A 10.0-kV
potential difference is applied across the capacitor. Compute (a) the capacitance.
Solution:
a. Since it is a parallel-plate capacitor we will solve the problem using the equation
( 2.00 m2 )
( )
ε0 A −12 F −9
C= = 8.85 ×10 −3
=3.54 ×10 F
d m 5.00× 10 m
Activity 1. Solve the given problems below. The type of capacitor is highlighted in each problem. Identify the equation to
be used in each problem then substitute the given values. Write your answers in a whole sheet of paper.
1. Two concentric spherical conducting shells are separated by vacuum. The inner shell has total charge +Q and
outer radius ra=9.5 cm, and outer shell charge –Q and inner radius r b=10.5 cm. Find the capacitance of this
spherical capacitor.
2. The parallel plates of a 1.0-F capacitor are 1.0 mm apart. What is their area?
