02_Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Electrostatic potential
1. Work done per unit positive charge.
𝑊 𝑈
𝑉𝑃 = 𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 𝑃
𝑞 𝑞
Formula for the electrostatic potential due to a point charge

𝑉𝑃 = 𝑊∞𝑃/𝑒𝑥𝑡
∞
= 𝑊𝑃∞/𝑒𝑙 = ∫𝑟 𝐹⃗𝑒𝑙 . 𝑑𝑟⃗
𝐾𝑄.1
𝐹⃗𝑒𝑙 = 2 𝑟̂
𝑟
Put it into above eqn;
∞ 𝐾𝑄.1
𝑉𝑃 = ∫𝑟 2 𝑟̂ . 𝑑𝑟⃗
𝑟
∞ 1
= 𝐾𝑄 ∫𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟
𝑟
1 ∞
= 𝐾𝑄 [− ]
𝑟 𝑟
𝐾𝑄
=
𝑟
Formula for the electrostatic potential due to a dipole
1. Electric potential at an axial point due to a dipole: -

Electric potential at point P due to the dipole is

𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2
𝐾𝑞 𝐾𝑞
= − (𝑟+𝑎) + (𝑟−𝑎)
1 1
= 𝐾𝑞 [(𝑟−𝑎) − (𝑟+𝑎)]
(𝑟+𝑎)−(𝑟−𝑎)
= 𝐾𝑞 [ (𝑟 2 −𝑎2 )2
]
𝐾𝑞.2𝑎
= (𝑟 2
−𝑎2 )2
𝐾𝑝
= (𝑟 2
−𝑎2 )2
For a short dipole; 𝑟 ≫ 𝑎,
𝐾𝑝
𝑉~ 2
𝑟
2. Electric potential at an equatorial point: -
Electric potential at point P due to the dipole is
𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2

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 𝐾𝑞 𝐾𝑞
=− 2 2+ 2 2=0
√𝑟 +𝑎 √𝑟 +𝑎
3. Electric potential at a general point due to a dipole: - Consider a dipole and a point
𝑃 (𝑟, 𝜃) where we find electric potential due to dipole.

By the principal of superposition the electric potential at P due to dipole is the sum
of the potentials due to charges 𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 𝑞. So;
𝑞 1 1
𝑉= [ − ] − − − −(1)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟2
Where 𝑟1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑟 are the distances of point P from q and –q respectively.
By geometry;
𝑟12 = 𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑟 cos 𝜃
𝑟22 = 𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑟 cos(𝜋 − 𝜃) = 𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑟 cos 𝜃
Let 𝑟 ≫ 𝑎 and retain first order term in 𝑎/𝑟;
2𝑎 cos 𝜃 𝑎2 2𝑎 cos 𝜃
𝑟12 = 𝑟 2 (1 − + ) ~𝑟 2 (1 − )
𝑟 𝑟2 𝑟
Similarly;
2𝑎 cos 𝜃 𝑎2 2𝑎 cos 𝜃
𝑟22 = 𝑟 2 (1 + + 2 ) ~𝑟 2 (1 + )
𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
Using the Binomial theorem and retaining terms up to the first order in 𝑎/𝑟; we
obtain,
1 1 2𝑎 cos 𝜃 −1/2 1 𝑎 cos 𝜃
= (1 − ) ~ (1 + )
𝑟1 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
Similarly;
1 1 𝑎 cos 𝜃
~ (1 − )
𝑟2 𝑟 𝑟
Putting these values in eqn (1);
𝑞 1 𝑎 cos 𝜃 1 𝑎 cos 𝜃
𝑉= [ (1 + ) − (1 − )]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟 𝑟
𝑞 2𝑎 cos 𝜃
=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟2
𝑝 cos 𝜃
=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
2
 Now as 𝑝⃗. 𝑟̂ = 𝑝 cos 𝜃 so;
1 𝑝⃗.𝑟̂
𝑉= ; (𝑟 ≫ 𝑎)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
From above eqn, potential on the dipole axis (𝑐) will be;
1 𝑝
𝑉=± 2
; [positive sign for 𝜃 = 0 and negative sign for 𝜃 = 𝜋]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
Potential in the equatorial plane (𝜃 = 90°) will be zero.
Equipotential Surface
1. Same potential at all points on the surface.
2. Properties: -
a. Zero done in moving a charge on the surface.
W = q × ∆V = q × 0 = 0
b. Electric lines of force are always perpendicular to an equipotential surface.
This is because if they are not normal then there will be a component of electric
field parallel to the equipotential surface which means there will be a potential
gradient along the surface. Hence electric lines of force will be perpendicular to
the equipotential surface.
c. Crowded surfaces represent stronger the field.
d. No two equipotential surfaces can intersect each other. If they do so, there will be
two values of potential at point of intersection.
e. EPS for
a) a point charge are concentric spheres with charge at the centre.

b) a uniform electric field, are parallel planes;

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 c) For a dipole;

d) For two identical positive charges;

Relation between field and potential

𝑑𝑉
1. 𝐸 = − = −𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑑𝑟
Negative sign shows that electric field is in the direction of decreasing potential.
2. Computing electric potential from electric field
𝑟
𝑉 = − ∫∞ 𝐸⃗⃗ . 𝑑𝑟⃗

Electrostatic potential energy

1. Work done in bringing a charge from infinity to within a field.
The electrostatic force between the two charges will be
𝑞 𝑞
𝐹⃗𝑒𝑙 = 𝑘 1 2 2 𝑟̂
𝑟
The work done by the external force
𝑅
𝑊𝑒𝑥𝑡 = ∫∞ 𝐹⃗𝑒𝑥𝑡 . 𝑑𝑟⃗
It is the same as the work done by the electric force in carrying the charge 𝑞2 from
𝑅 𝑡𝑜 ∞
Hence
∞
𝑊𝑒𝑥𝑡 = ∫𝑅 𝐹⃗𝑒𝑙 . 𝑑𝑟⃗
∞ 𝑞1 𝑞2
= ∫𝑅 𝑘 𝑟̂ . 𝑑𝑟⃗
𝑟2
∞ 1
= 𝑘𝑞1 𝑞2 ∫𝑅 𝑑𝑟
𝑟2

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 1 ∞
= 𝑘𝑞1 𝑞2 [− ]
𝑟 𝑅
1 1
= 𝑘𝑞1 𝑞2 [ − ]
𝑅 ∞
𝑞1 𝑞2
=𝑘
𝑅
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑈=𝑘
𝑅
Potential energy in an external field
1. The potential energy of a point charge q at any location 𝑟⃗ is given by the formula;
𝑈 = 𝑞 𝑉(𝑟⃗)
Potential energy of a system of two charges in an external field
1. Work done in bringing 𝑞1 from infinity to 𝑟⃗1 ;
𝑞1 𝑉(𝑟⃗1 ).
Work done in bringing 𝑞2 from infinity to 𝑟⃗2 ;
Work done on 𝑞2 against the external field
= 𝑞2 𝑉(𝑟⃗2 )
Work done on 𝑞2 against the field due to 𝑞1
𝑞 𝑞
=𝑘 1 2
𝑟12
Thus the total work done in bringing 𝑞2 to 𝑟⃗2 ;
𝑞 𝑞
= 𝑞2 𝑉(𝑟⃗2 ) + 𝑘 1 2
𝑟12
The potential energy of the system;
𝑞 𝑞
𝑈 = 𝑞1 𝑉(𝑟⃗1 ) + 𝑞2 𝑉(𝑟⃗2 ) + 𝑘 1 2
𝑟12
Potential energy of a dipole in an external field
𝜏⃗ = 𝑝⃗ × 𝐸⃗⃗
𝜃 𝜃
𝑈 = ∫𝜃 𝜏 𝑑𝜃 = ∫𝜃 𝑝𝐸 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 = 𝑝𝐸 (− cos 𝜃)𝜃𝜃0 = −𝑝𝐸(cos 𝜃 − cos 𝜃0 )
0 0
We can choose arbitrarily any position as zero of potential energy. Let us choose
𝜃0 = 90° as zero of PE.
𝑈(𝜃) = −𝑝𝐸 cos 𝜃 = −𝑝⃗. 𝐸⃗⃗
Electrical capacitance of a conductor
1. It is a measure of the ability of a conductor to hold electric charge.
2. 𝑄 ∝ 𝑉
Or 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉
𝑄
Or 𝐶 =
𝑉
If 𝑉 = 1 𝑉, 𝐶 = 𝑄
Numerically the capacitance is equal to the amount of charge require to increase the
potential of a conductor by 1 V.
3. Factors affecting the capacitance of a conductor are as follows;
(a) Size and shape of the conductor
(b) Nature (permittivity) of the surrounding medium
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 (c) Presence of the other conductors in its neighborhood
4. SI unit is farad (𝐶/𝑉).
Capacitance of an isolated conductor
1 𝑄
1. 𝑉 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
𝑄
=
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
𝑄
Comparing with 𝑉 =
𝐶
We get;
𝐶 = 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
𝐶∝𝑅
2. By increasing the size of a conductor, its capacitance cannot be increased that much.
3. If we tend to have a single conductor of large capacitance, it will be of practically
inconvenient larger size.
Concept of a capacitor and its basic principle
1. Capacitance of an isolated conductor can be increased considerably when we place
an earthed conductor near it. Such a system of two conductors is called a capacitor.

2. A system of two equal and oppositely charged conductors separated by an insulator

is called a capacitor.
Parallel plate capacitor
1. It consists of two large plane parallel conducting plates separated by a small distance.
2. Electric field within the plates;
𝜎 −𝜎 𝜎
𝐸= −( )=
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 𝜀0
For uniform field;
𝑉 = 𝐸𝑑
𝜎𝑑
=
𝜀0
𝑄𝑑
=
𝐴𝜀0
𝐴𝜀0
𝑄 = ( )𝑉
𝑑
Comparing with 𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉;
𝐴𝜀
𝐶= 0
𝑑

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Effect of dielectric on capacitance
1. When a dielectric slab is introduced between the plates of a capacitor, the slab gets
polarized creating an electric field opposite to the externally applied field. The net
electric field is less than the field before introduction of the slab, thereby the capacity
increases.
2. Suppose a dielectric slab of thickness 𝑡 < 𝑑 is placed between the plates.
𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2
𝜎 𝜎
= (𝑑 − 𝑡) + 𝑡
𝜀0 𝜀0 𝜀𝑟
𝜎 𝑡
= [𝑑 − 𝑡 + ]
𝜀0 𝜀𝑟
𝑄 1
= [𝑑 − 𝑡 (1 − )]
𝐴𝜀0 𝜀 𝑟
𝐴𝜀0
𝑄= 1 𝑉
[𝑑−𝑡(1−𝜀 )]
𝑟
Obviously;
𝐴𝜀0
𝐶= 1
[𝑑−𝑡(1−𝜀 )]
𝑟

3. If the dielectric fills the whole space between the plates;

𝐴𝜀 𝜀
𝐶= 0𝑟
𝑑
4. If instead of a dielectric a metal plate is inserted then;
𝐶=∞

Grouping of capacitors
1. Series grouping
a)
𝑉 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 V2
𝑉1 = , 𝑉2 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉 = V1
𝐶1 𝐶2 𝐶𝑆
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
= +
𝐶𝑆 𝐶1 𝐶2
1 1 1
= + C1 C2
𝐶𝑆 𝐶1 𝐶2
𝐶1 𝐶2 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡
𝐶𝑆 = =
𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝑆𝑢𝑚
In general;
1 1
= ∑𝑛𝑖=1
𝐶𝑆 𝐶𝑖
b) The resultant capacitance is smaller than the smallest individual.
c) As 𝑞 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
1
So 𝑉 ∝
𝐶

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 𝑉1 𝐶2
I.e. =
𝑉2 𝐶1
𝐶2 𝐶1
Or 𝑉1 = 𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉2 = 𝑉
𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝐶1 +𝐶2

d) If n capacitor of same capacitance 𝐶0 are connected in series then the resultant

capacitance will be;
𝐶
𝐶= 0
𝑛
2. Parallel grouping
a)
𝑞 = 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 C1
𝑞1 = 𝐶1 𝑉, 𝑞2 = 𝐶2 𝑉 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 = 𝐶𝑃 𝑉
𝐶𝑃 𝑉 = 𝐶1 𝑉 + 𝐶2 𝑉
C2
𝐶𝑃 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2
In general;

V
𝐶𝑃 = ∑𝑛𝑖=1 𝐶𝑖

b) The resultant capacitance is greater than the greatest individual.

c) As 𝑉 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
So 𝑞 ∝ 𝐶
𝑞 𝐶
I.e. 1 = 1
𝑞2 𝐶2
𝐶1 𝐶2
𝑞1 = 𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2 = 𝑞
𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝐶1 +𝐶2
e) If n capacitor of same capacitance 𝐶0 are connected in series then the resultant
capacitance will be;
𝐶 = 𝑛𝐶0
Potential energy stored in a capacitor.
𝑄
1. 𝑊 = ∫0 𝑉𝑑𝑞
𝑞
Putting 𝑉 =
𝐶
𝑄𝑞
𝑊= ∫0 𝐶 𝑑𝑞
1 𝑄
= ∫ 𝑞𝑑𝑞
𝐶 0
𝑄
1 𝑞2
= [ ]
𝐶 2 0
𝑄2
=
2𝐶
𝑄2
𝑈=
2𝐶
𝑄2 1 1
𝑈= = 𝐶𝑉 2 = 𝑄𝑉
2𝐶 2 2

Sharing charges between two capacitors

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1. If there are two capacitors with capacitances 𝐶1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶2 and potential V1 and V2 .
Charge on them will be,
𝑞1 = 𝐶1 𝑉1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2 = 𝐶2 𝑉2
Now if they are connected, charge will flow from capacitor at higher potential to that
at lower potential till both acquires the same potential (V).
By the law of conservation of charge,
𝑞1 + 𝑞2 = 𝑞1′ + 𝑞2′
𝐶1 𝑉1 + 𝐶2 𝑉2 = 𝐶1 𝑉 + 𝐶2 𝑉
𝐶 𝑉 +𝐶 𝑉
𝑉= 11 22
𝐶1 +𝐶2
𝑉1 𝑅1 +𝑉2 𝑅2
=
𝐶1 +𝐶2
2. Charges divide in the ratio of the capacities of the capacitors i.e.
𝑞1′ 𝐶1 𝑅1
= =
𝑞2′ 𝐶2 𝑅2
𝐶1 𝑅1 𝐶2 𝑅2
𝑞1′ = 𝑞= 𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2′ = 𝑞= 𝑞
𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝑅1 +𝑅2 𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝑅1 +𝑅2

Loss of energy when two capacitors are connected with each other
1. The common potential;
𝐶 𝑉 +𝐶 𝑉
𝑉= 11 22
𝐶1 +𝐶2
1 1
𝑈𝑖 = 𝐶 𝑉2 + 𝐶2 𝑉22
2 1 1 2
1 𝐶1 𝑉1 +𝐶2 𝑉2 2
𝑈𝑓 = (𝐶1 + 𝐶2 ) ( )
2 𝐶1 +𝐶2
1 𝐶1 𝐶2
∆𝑈 = 𝑈𝑖 − 𝑈𝑓 = (
2 𝐶
) (𝑉1 − 𝑉2 )2
1 +𝐶2

**********************************************************************

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