Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 1

CHAPTER 09: CAPACITOR AND CAPACITANCE

Ch09-Q01: Say True (or) False.
1. The capacitor is similar to a rechargeable battery. 1. True
2. Film capacitors are the ones that use plastic film as the conductors. 2. False
3. Film capacitors are available in nearly any value. 3. True
4. Ceramic capacitors are used in high-frequency circuits. 4. True
5. Ceramic capacitors are mainly used for high stability performances with low losses. 5. True
6. The capacitance values of ceramic capacitors are stable with respect to the applied 6. True
voltage, the frequency, and the temperature.
7. Electrolytic capacitors have a wide tolerance capacity. 7. True
8. A supercapacitor is a high-capacity capacitor. 8. True
9. The capacitance value of the supercapacitor is much higher than other capacitors. 9. True
10. The voltage limits of the supercapacitor are much higher than other capacitors. 10. False
11. Supercapacitors can accept and deliver charge much faster than batteries. 11. True
12. Supercapacitors tolerate many more charge and discharge cycles than rechargeable 12. True
batteries.
13. Film capacitors are non-polarized capacitors. 13. True
14. Ceramic capacitors are non-polarized capacitors. 14. True
15. Film capacitors have polarities (positive and negative terminals). 15. False
16. Capacitors are not used in electrical applications. 16. False
17. Capacitors are not used in electronic applications. 17. False
18. Capacitors are used in filters circuit. 18. True
19. Capacitors are used in energy storage systems. 19. True
20. Capacitors are used in engine starters. 20. True
21. Capacitors are used in signal processing devices. 21. True
22. Capacitors can be used in a time-dependent circuit (timer circuit). 22. True
23. The charge of the capacitor is linearly proportional to the potential difference between 23. True
the two conductors of the capacitor.
24. The capacitance of a capacitor remains constant while charging it. 24. True
25. If a conductor is given some charge its potential will also change. 25. True
26. A parallel-plate capacitor is the simplest capacitor. 26. True
27. A parallel-plate capacitor consists of two parallel metal plates separated by an insulating 27. True
material.
28. The farad is a very small unit of capacitance. 28. False
29. When a capacitor is connected to a battery, the two conductors of the capacitor will have 29. True
charges of equal magnitude and opposite signs.
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30. If one conductor of a capacitor has a charge +Q, the other has a charge −Q. 30. True
31. The charge of the capacitor is the magnitude of the charge on each conductor. 31. True
32. The potential difference of the capacitor is twice the potential difference between the two 32. False
conductors of the capacitor.
33. If the plates of a capacitor are very close together, the electric field between the plates is 33. True
uniform.
34. The dielectric constant of an insulating material is the ratio of its permittivity to that of 34. True
vacuum.
35. When a charged capacitor is disconnected from a battery, and the air medium between its 35. True
plates is replaced by an insulating material, the potential difference of the capacitor
decreases.
36. The charge of the capacitor disconnected from the circuit does not change. 36. True
37. The dielectric constant can be expressed using the ratio of the capacitances. 37. True
38. The dielectric constant can be expressed using the ratio of the potential differences. 38. True
39. Insulating materials have values of dielectric constant greater than unity. 39. True
40. A dielectric increases the maximum operating voltage of a capacitor even though the 40. True
physical size of the capacitor doesn't change.
41. The dielectric may be able to withstand a larger electric field (higher potential difference) 41. True
between the plates than air.
42. When the capacitor is charged, the charging process is the transfer of charge from the 42. False
battery to the capacitor.
43. When the capacitor is charged, the charge is transferred from the conductor at lower 43. True
potential to the conductor at higher potential.
44. When the capacitor is charged, work is done for the transfer of charge. 44. True
45. When the capacitor is charged, the magnitude of the charge on the two conductors 45. True
increases gradually.
46. When the capacitor is charged, the potential difference, between the plates decreases 46. False
gradually.
47. Before a capacitor is charged, each of its conductors has no net charge. 47. True
48. The amount of work in charging a capacitor is, in fact, the electrical energy stored by the 48. True
capacitor in the form of an electric field.
49. In the capacitor charging circuit, the greater the values of the resistance and the 49. False
capacitance, the shorter it takes to charge the capacitor.
50. Several capacitors can be connected together to be used in a variety of applications. 50. True
51. When capacitors having different capacitances are connected in parallel, they have the 51. True
same potential difference.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 3

52. When capacitors having different capacitances are connected in parallel, they have the 52. False
same charge.
53. When capacitors having different capacitances are connected in series, they have the same 53. False
potential difference.
54. When capacitors having different capacitances are connected in series, they have the same 54. True
charge.
55. When the capacitors are connected in series, the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance 55. True
is the sum of the reciprocals of their individual capacitances.

Ch09-Q02: Fill in the blanks.

1. A capacitor is used as an electric circuit component to store _______ energy. 1. electrical
2. The capacitor was originally known as a _______. 2. condenser
3. A _______ stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field. 3. capacitor
4. A capacitor consists of two _______ separated by a small distance. 4. conductors
5. In a capacitor, a _______ is inserted between its two conductors. 5. dielectric
6. The insulator between the two conductors of the capacitor is known as the _______. 6. dielectric
7. The working voltages of the film capacitors are up to ________ V. 7. 1500
8. Film capacitors range from _______ in tolerance. 8. 10 % to 0.01 %
9. Ceramic capacitors are the ones that use _______ as the dielectric material. 9. ceramic
10. In ceramic capacitors, the capacitance can be altered by altering the _______ 10. thickness
of the ceramic disc.
11. Electrolytic capacitors are the ones that use the _______ layer as the dielectric 11. oxide
material.
12. The working voltages of the electrolytic capacitors are up to approximately 12. 500
_______ V.
13. The failure of the electrolytic capacitors can be hazardous, resulting in an 13. explosion
_______ or a fire.
14. Variable capacitors mostly use _______ as the dielectric medium. 14. air
15. The capacitance of _______ capacitors can be mechanically adjusted. 15. variable
16. Variable capacitor is used to set the _______ frequency in tuner devices. 16. resonance
17. Variable capacitors are mostly used in _______ circuits especially for high 17. AC
frequency, high power and low loss.
18. _______ capacitors are used in radio tuning applications, antenna tuning and 18. Variable
so on.
19. A supercapacitor is also known as the _______. 19. ultracapacitor
4 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

20. The _______ bridges the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable 20. supercapacitor
batteries
21. _______ typically stores l0 to 100 times more energy than electrolytic 21. Supercapacitor
capacitors.
22. The ________ of the charge on each conductor of the capacitor is called the 22. magnitude
charge of the capacitor.
23. The potential difference between the two _______ of the capacitor is called 23. conductors
the potential difference of the capacitor.
24. The SI units of the capacitance is the _______. 24. farad (F)
25. The unit coulomb per volt is equivalent to _______. 25. farad
26. The unit _________ is named in honor of Michael Faraday. 26. farad
27. The amount of charge given to a conductor to change its potential by one unit 27. electric capacity
is called the _______ of the conductor.
28. Charging a capacitor means connecting the capacitor to a _______. 28. battery
29. If the charge of one plate of a capacitor is +10 µC, the charge on the other 29. -10 µC
plate is _______.
30. The charge per unit area is known as _______ density. 30. surface charge
31. The SI unit of surface charge density is _______. 31. coulomb per square
metre
32. For a given insulating material, the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is 32. directly
_______ proportional to the area of its plates.
33. For a given insulating material, the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is 33. inversely
_______ proportional to the separation of the plates.
34. A capacitor stores _______ energy in the form of an electric field. 34. electrical
35. When the capacitor is charged, the charging process can be viewed as the 35. two conductors
apparent transfer of charge between the _______.
36. Before a capacitor is charged, the potential difference between the two 36. zero
conductors is _______.
37. Placing a _______ in the charging circuit slows down the charging process. 37. resistor
38. The product of the resistance and the capacitance is called the _______ 38. time
constant of a capacitor charging or discharging process.
39. The time constant of capacitor charging is measured in _______. 39. second
40. A capacitor which can replace all the capacitors in parallel or series is called 40. equivalent
_______ capacitor.
41. The equivalent capacitance of the capacitors connected in parallel is the 41. sum
_______ of the capacitances of the individual capacitors.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 5

42. When capacitors are connected in series, each capacitor has the same 42. charge
_______.
6 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

Ch09-Q03: Choose the correct answer.

1. The charge of the capacitor _______ the potential difference between the two conductors of 1. A
the capacitor.
(A. is directly proportional to B. is inversely proportional to C. does not depend on)
2. The capacitance of the capacitor _______ the potential difference between the two conductors 2. C
of the capacitor.
(A. is directly proportional to B. is inversely proportional to C. does not depend on)
3. The capacitance of the capacitor _______ the charge of the capacitor. 3. C
(A. is directly proportional to B. is inversely proportional to C. does not depend on)
4. When the charge on the capacitor is increased, the potential difference _______. 4. B
(A. decreases B. increases C. remain the same)
5. The dielectric constant of vacuum is ______. 5. B
(A. less than 1 B. equal to 1 C. greater than 1)
6. The dielectric constant of glass is ______. 6. C
(A. less than 1 B. equal to 1 C. greater than 1)
7. The dielectric constant of air is ______. 7. C
(A. less than 1 B. equal to 1 C. greater than 1)
8. The equivalent capacitance of the three 12 µF capacitors in parallel is _______. 8. B
(A. 12 µF B. 36 µF C. 4 µF)
9. The equivalent capacitance of the three 12 µF capacitors in series is _______. 9. C
(A. 12 µF B. 36 µF C. 4 µF)
10. In the parallel combination of several capacitors, if the charge of a 10 µF capacitor is 10 µC, 10. B
then the charge of a 20 µF capacitor is _______.
(A. 10 µC B. 20 µC C. 5 µC)
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 7

Ch09-Q04: Short Questions.

1. Q: What is a capacitor?
A: A capacitor is an electrical device that stores electrical energy in the form of an electric field.
2. Q: How many types of electrolytic capacitors are there? Express them.
A: There are mainly two types of electrolytic capacitors; the tantalum and the aluminum.
3. Q: Where and how are electrolytic capacitors used?
A: Electrolytic capacitors are used for filtering and smoothing rectified alternating voltage, buffering
and interim storage for direct voltage supplies, uninterruptible power supplies, and energy storage
in flash devices.
4. Q: Express some uses of supercapacitors.
A: Supercapacitors are used in applications requiring many rapid charge/discharge cycles, rather than
long-term compact energy storage in automobiles, buses, trains, cranes and elevators, where they
are used for regenerative braking and short-term energy storage or burst-mode power delivery.
Smaller units are used as power backup for static random-access memory (SRAM).
5. Q: Express some uses of capacitors.
A: Capacitors are used;
 for storing energy, which can be used by the device for temporary power outages whenever
they need additional power.
 for blocking DC current after getting fully charged but allow the AC current to pass through
it.
 as filters in power supplies and energy-storing devices in electronic flash units.
 to tune the frequency of radio receivers and to eliminate sparking in automobile ignition
systems.
as the sensor for measuring humidity, fuel levels, mechanical strain, etc.
6. Q: Which capacitor is used as tuning capacitor? [p. 139]
A: Variable capacitors.
7. Q: Define the capacitance of the capacitor.
A: The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the charge to the potential difference of the
capacitor.
The capacitance is represented as,
Q
C=
V
where C is the capacitance of the capacitor, Q is the charge of the capacitor, and
V is the potential difference between the two conductors of the capacitor.
8. Q: When the charge on a capacitor is increased, does its capacitance increase? Explain. [p. 140(1)]
A: No.
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Q
C= = constant
V
When the charge on a capacitor is increased, the potential difference also increases proportionally.
The capacitance of a particular capacitor is constant.
9. Q: A capacitor stores charge Q at a potential difference V. What happens if the voltage applied to the
capacitor is doubled? [p. 140(2)]
A: Q
C= = constant
V
If the voltage applied to the capacitor is doubled, the charge will also be doubled.
But, the capacitance does not change.
10. Q: Define dielectric constant.
A: The ratio of the capacitance of a capacitor with an insulating material between its two conductors to
the capacitance of that capacitor with a vacuum between its two conductors is called the dielectric
constant of that insulating material.
11. Q: What are the advantages of dielectric used in capacitors?
A: A dielectric provides the following advantages:
 increase in capacitance,
 increase in maximum operating voltage,
 possible mechanical support between the plates, which allows the plates to be close together
without electrical contact, thereby decreasing d and increasing C.
12. Q: What must be done to increase the capacitance of a capacitor? [p. 151Q04]
A: κε 0 A
We have C = ,
d
where C = the capacitance of the capacitor, κ = the dielectric constant of the insulating material
between the plates of the capacitor, ε0 = the permittivity of vacuum, A = area of each plate of the
capacitor, d = the distance between the plates of the capacitor
1. The area of the plates (conductors) must be increased.
2. The distance between the plates must be reduced.
An insulating material having larger value of κ must be inserted between the plates of the capacitors.
13. Q: When the distance between the two parallel plates of a capacitor is tripled, by what percent does its
capacitance change? [p. 144(1)]
A: d2 = 3 d1
A
Let =C1 κε
= 0 C
d1
A A 1
C2 = κε
= 0 κε
= 0 C
d2 3d1 3
Change in capacitance = C1 – C2
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 9

= C – 1/3 C = 2/3 C
2
C
Change in percent = 3 × 100 % =
66.7 % (decreases)
C
14. Q: When the distance between the two parallel plates having the charges of equal magnitude and
opposite signs is incresed, what will happen to the capacitance and the potential difference between
the plates? [p. 144(2)]
A: A
C1 = κε 0
d1
A
C2 = κε 0
d2
If d2 > d1 then C2 < C1
If the capacitor is disconnected from the battery, the charge of the capacitor cannot change.
Q1 = Q2
C1V1 = C2V2 [because C = Q/V]
Since C2 < C1
V2 > V1
The potential difference will increase.
If the capacitor is being connected to the battery, the potential difference of the capacitor cannot
change.
15. Q: (3) When an insulating material is inserted between the conductors of a capacitor in a vacuum, does
its capacitance increase or decrease? Explain. [p. 144(3)]
A: κ = C/C0
where κ = dielectric constant of the insulating material between the plates of the capacitor, C = the
capacitance of the capacitor with an insulating material,
C0 = the capacitance of the capacitor without an insulating material.
Since κ > 1, we have C > C0.

Thus, the capacitance of a capacitor increases when an insulating material is inserted between the
plates.
16. Q: How does a dielectric affect the maximum operating voltage of a capacitor even though the physical
size of the capacitor does not change? [p. 151Q05]
A: When the dielectric is inserted between the plates of a capacitor, the electric field between the plates
decreases.
Since V = Ed,
and d is not change,
the potential difference between the plates also decreases.
10 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

V0
V= (κ > 1)
κ
V0 = the potential difference between the plates of the capacitor with vacuum between the plates of
the capacitor
V = the potential difference between the plates of the capacitor with dielectric between the plates of
the capacitor
κ = the dielectric constant of the dielectric between the plates of the capacitor
Since κ > 1,
V < V0.
As the potential difference between the plates decreases because of the dielectric, we can still
increase the applied voltage.
The dielectric is able to withstand a larger electric field (higher potential difference) between the
plates than air.
17. Q: In capacitor charging and discharging, why is a resistor required to connect with the capacitor?
[R147(2)]
A: Placing a resistor in the charging and discharging circuits slows down the charging and discharging
processes.
The product of the resistance R and the capacitance C is called the time constant τ of a capacitor
charging or discharging process.
18. Q: How many types of combination of capacitors are there? Express them.
A: There are two types of combination namely; (i) parallel and (ii) series.
19. Q: In which connection of the capacitors has each capacitor the same charge? [p. 151(1)]
A: Series.
20. Q: In which connection of the capacitors is the potential difference of each capacitor the same? [p.
151(2)]
A: Parallel.
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 11

Ch09-Q05: Drawings.
1. Q: Draw Symbols of (a) polarized capacitor, (b) fixed capacitor, (c) variable capacitor
A:
+

Polarized Capacitor Fixed Capacitor Variable Capacitor

2. Q: Draw (a) Parallel-plate capacitor (b) charging a capacitor (c) circuit diagram
A:
separation d surface area A
d
C
+Q −Q
+Q dielectric −Q

+Q −Q

V + −
V (battery)
(a) (b) (c)

3. Q: Draw the graphical analysis of energy stored in a capacitor.

A: voltage

V
charge stored
Q
Figure 9.5 The graphical analysis
of energy stored in a capacitor
12 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

Ch01-Q06: Calculation Questions.

E9.1 A capacitor has a capacitance of 10 µF. How much of the charge should be removed in order that
the potential difference between its plates decreases by 50 V? How can you remove the charge
of a capacitor?
Ans: capacitance of capacitor C = 10 µF = 10.0 × 10-6 F
change in potential difference ∆V = 50 V, the charge to be removed ∆Q =?
∆Q
C=
∆V
∆Q = C ∆V = 10.0 × 10-6 × 50 = 500 × 10-6 C = 500 µC
Q02: When a parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a 12 V battery, each plate receives a charge of
magnitude 0.0012 C. Find its capacitance. If the capacitor is connected to a 24 V battery, does
the capacitance change? Does the charge still remain the same?
Ans: potential difference V = 12 V, charge Q = 0.004 C, capacitance C =?
Q 0.0012
C= = = 100 × 10-6 F = 100 µF
V 12
new potential difference V2 = 24 V
The capacitance does not change.
The capacitance of a particular capacitor is constant.
Q2 = C V2 = 100 × 10-6 × 24 = 2400 µC
No. The charge does not remain the same.
It will increase with increasing potential difference.
E9.2 The area of each plate of a parallel-plate capacitor is 0.4 m2 and the distance between the two
plates is 1 mm. If the potential difference between the plates is 120 V, and the dielectric constant
of the material inserted between them is 3, find (i) the capacitance of the parallel-plate capacitor,
(ii) the magnitude of the charge on each plate, (iii) the electric field intensity between the plates.
[p. 144]
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 13

Ans: area of each plate A = 0.4 m2, distance between the plates d = 1 mm = 1 × 10-3 m,
potential difference between the plates V = 120 V,
dielectric constant κ = 3, ε0 = 8.85 × 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2
(i) capacitance C =?

κε 0 A 3 × 8.85 ×10−12 × 0.4

C= = −3
= 10.62 × 10-9 F = 10.62 nF
d 1×10
(ii) the magnitude of the charge on each plate Q =?
Q = CV = 10.62 × 10-9 × 120 = 1.27 × 10-6 C = 1.27 µC
(iii) the electric field intensity between the plates E =?
V 120
E= = −3
= 1.2 × 105 V m-1
d 1×10
The direction of the electric field is from the positive plate to the negative plate.
Q03: The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C are brought together to a third of their
original separation. The capacitance now is
1 1
A. C B. C C. 3 C D. 9 C [p. 151]
9 3
Ans: 1
d 2 = d1
3
κε 0 A
C1 = = C (given)
d1
κε 0 A κε 0 A
C2 = = =3C
d2 d1 / 3
R147: A parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C is given the charge Q and then disconnected from the
circuit. How much work is required to pull apart the plates of this capacitor to three times of their
original separation? [p. 147(1)]
14 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

Ans: d2 = 3 d1
A
=C1 κε
= 0 C (given)
d1
A A 1
C2 κε
= = 0 κε=
0 C
d2 3d1 3
When the capacitance changes, the charge of the capacitor disconnected from the battery does
not change, but the potential difference will change.
Let W1 = work required to pull apart the plates from d = 0 to d = d1
W2 = work required to pull apart the plates from d = 0 to d = d2
∆W = work required to pull apart the plates from d = d1 to d = d2

1 Q2 1 Q2 d2
=
W1 =
2 C1 2 C d1

1 Q2 1 Q2 1 Q2
W2 = = = 3×
2 C2 2 1 C 2 C
3
W1
W2
1 Q2 1 Q2 Q2
∆W =W2 − W1 =3 × − = ∆W
2 C 2 C C
E9.3 What potential difference must be applied across a 10 µF capacitor if it is to have an energy
content of 0.2 J? [p. 147]
Ans: capacitance C = 10 µF = 10 × 10-6 F, energy of the capacitor W = 0.2 J,
potential difference V =?
1
W= C V2
2
2W 2 × 0.2
=V = = 200 V
C 10 ×10−6
Q06: The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are 40 cm2 in area, 1 mm apart, and the dielectric is
vacuum. (i) What is its capacitance? (ii) When the capacitor is connected to a 12 V battery, what
is the charge on each plate? (iii) What is the energy of the capacitor? [p. 151]
Ans: area A = 40 cm2 = 40 × 10-4 m2, distance d = 1 mm = 10-3 m,
voltage V = 12 V, C = ?, Q =?, W =?
(The medium is vacuum)
A 40 ×10−4
(i) C = κε 0 = 1 × 8.85 × 10 ×
-12
= 35.4 × 10-12 F = 35.4 pF
d 10−3
(ii) Q = CV = 35.4 ×10-12 × 12 = 4.25 × 10-10 C
(iii) W = ½× C V 2 = ½ × 35.4 × 10-12 × 12 × 12 = 2.55 × 10-9 J
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 15

Q07: The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is increased from 8 µF to 40 µF when a sheet of

dielectric is inserted between its plates. What is the dielectric constant of that dielectric? [p.
151]
Ans: C0 = 8 µF = 8 × 10-6 F, C = 40 µF = 40 × 10-6 F, κ =?
C 40 × 10−6
κ
= = =5
C0 8 × 10−6
E9.4 A charged capacitor of capacitance C = 33 µF is discharged through a resistor of resistance RL = 120
Ω . (i) What is the time constant τ of the discharging process? (ii) What is the elapsed time when the
voltage falls to 20 % of its original value? [p. 147]
Ans: capacitance C = 33 µF = 33 × 10-6 F, resistance RL = 120 Ω
(i) The time constant τ = RL C = 120 × 33 × 10-6 = 3.96 × 10-3 s = 3.96 ms
(ii) Since the voltage falls to 20% of its original value, Vc = 0.2 V0

Vc = V0 e ( −t / R LC
)
0.2 V0 = V0 e (
− t /τ
)
e − t /τ = 0.2
t
− = ln 0.2
τ
t = - τ ln 0.2 = - 3.96 × 10-3 × ln 0.2 = 6.38 × 10-3 s = 6.38 ms
Q08: In a capacitor charging RC circuit, C = 56 µF. What is the value of resistance R that would
produce a voltage rise to 30% of supply voltage after l s? [p. 151]
Ans: capacitance C = 56 µF, time t = 1 s, resistance R =?
capacitor voltage Vc = 30 % of V0 = 0.3 V0

Vc = V0 1-e (
− t / RC
)
0.3 V0 = V0 1-e (
− t / RC
)
1-e − t / RC = 0.3
e − t / RC = 0.7
t
− = ln 0.7
RC
t 1
R = − =
− −6
= 50160 Ω = 50 kΩ
C ln 0.7 56 ×10 × ln 0.7
Q09: Three capacitors have capacitances of 10 µF, 12 µF and 15 µF.
(i) Find the equivalent capacitance when they are connected in parallel.
(ii) Find the equivalent capacitance when they are connected in series. [p. 152]
16 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

Ans: C1 = 10 µF, C2 = 12 µF, C3 = 15 µF C1

(i) Let Cp = equivalent capacitance of C1, C2 and C3 in parallel, C2
C3
Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 = 10 + 12 + 15 = 37 µF
(ii) Let Cs = equivalent capacitance of C 1, C2 and C 3 in series C1 C2 C3
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6 + 5 + 4 15 1
= + + = + + = = =
Cs C1 C2 C3 10 12 15 60 60 4
Cs = 2.727 µF
Q10: Find the capacitance that can be obtained by the combination of three 10 µF capacitors in all
possible ways. [p. 152]
Ans: C1 = C 2 = C 3 = 10 µF C1
When all the capacitors are in parallel, C2
C3
let C p = equivalent capacitance of C 1, C 2 and C 3 in parallel,
C p = C 1 + C 2 + C 3 = 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 µF
When all the capacitors are in series, C1 C2 C3
Let C s = equivalent capacitance of C 1, C 2 and C 3 in series
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3
= + + = + + =
Cs C1 C2 C3 10 10 10 10
10
Cs = = 3.33 µF
3
(iii) C1 and C2 in parallel are in series with C3 C1
Let Cab = equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2 in parallel a b C3
C2
Cab = C1 + C2 = 10 + 10 = 20 µF
Let Cx = equivalent capacitance of Cab and C3 in series
a C ab b C3
1 1 1 1 1 3
= + = + =
C x Cab C3 20 10 20
20
Cx = = 6.67 µF
3
(iv) C1 and C2 in series are in parallel with C3 C1 C2
c d
Let C cd = equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2 in series
C3
1 1 1 1 1 2 1
= + = + = =
Ccd C1 C2 10 10 10 5 c Ccd d
Ccd = 5 µF C3
Let Cy = equivalent capacitance of Ccd and C3 in parallel
Cy = Ccd + C3 = 5 + 10 = 15 µF
Q11: The equivalent capacitance is 48 µF when n identical capacitors are connected in parallel, and 3
µF when they are connected in series. Determine n, and the capacitance of each capacitor. [p.
152]
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 17

Ans: Let C1 = C 2 = C 3 = … = C n = x µF
Let the equivalent capacitance in series C s = 3 µF
1 1 1 1 1
= + + + ... +
Cs C1 C2 C3 Cn
1 n
=
3 x
x=3n (1)
Let the equivalent capacitance in parallel = C p = 48 µF
C p = C 1 + C 2 + C 3 + ... + C n
48 = n x (2)
48 = n (3 n)
n=4
From eqn (1) x = 3 n = 4 × 3 = 12
The capacitance of each capacitor is 12 µF
Q12: A 30 µF capacitor is needed, but only 12 µF capacitors are available. How should a minimum
number of 12 µF capacitors be connected so that the combination has a capacitance of 30 µF?
[p. 152]
Ans: C1 = C2 = C3 = C4 = 12 µF C1 C2
a b
Let Cab = equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2
C1 × C2 12 × 12 C3
=
Cab = = 6 μF
C1 + C2 12 + 12
Let C = equivalent capacitance of the circuit C4
C = Cab + C3 + C4 = 6 + 12 + 12 = 30 µF
Q13: Three capacitors have capacitances 10 µF, 12 µF and 15 µF. How should they be connected to get
the equivalent capacitances of (i) 4 µF (ii) 18 µF (iii) 16.67 µF?
Ans: C1 = 10 µF, C2 = 12 µF, C3 = 15 µF
C1 C2 C3
(i) Let Cs = equivalent capacitance of C1, C2 and C3 in series
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 10 + 3 + 2 15 1
= + + = + + = = =
C s C1 C2 C3 10 12 15 30 30 2

Cs = 2 µF
18 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

(ii) Let Cab = equivalent capacitance of C2 and C3 in series a C2 C3 b

C2 × C3 10 ×15
=
Cab = = 6 μF C1
C2 + C3 10 + 15
Let C = equivalent capacitance of Cab and C1 in parallel
C = C1 + Cab = 3 + 6 = 9 µF
(iii) Let Ccd = equivalent capacitance of C1 and C3
c C1 C3 d
C1 × C3 3 ×15
=
Ccd = = 2.5 μF
C1 + C3 3 + 15 C2
Let C = equivalent capacitance of Ccd and C2 in parallel
C = Ccd + C2 = 2.5 + 10 = 12.5 µF
E9.5 If two capacitors having the capacitances of 10 µF and 15 µF are connected in series, find the
equivalent capacitance of the capacitors. If the potential difference of the combination is 200 V,
find the potential difference of the 10 µF capacitor. [p. 150]
Ans: C1= 4 µF, C 2 = 12 µF, V = 200 V
C = equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2 in series C1 C2
+Q +Q1 -Q1 +Q2 -Q2 -Q
C1 × C2 4 × 12 + - + -
=C = = 3 μF V1 V2
C1 + C2 4 + 12
Q = CV = 3 × 10-6 × 200 = 600 µC V = 200 V
Q = Q 1 = Q 2 = 600 µC (series)
Q 600 ×10−6
the potential difference of the 12 µF capacitor = V2 = = = 50 V
C2 12 ×10−6
Q14: Three capacitors of capacitances 3 µF, 10 µF and 15 µF are connected in series with 120 V battery. What
are the charge and the potential difference on each capacitor? [p. 152]
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 19

Ans: C1 = 3 µF, C 2 = 10 µF, C 3 = 15 µF

Let C = equivalent capacitance of C1, C2 and C3 in series
1 1 1 1
= + +
C C1 C2 C3 C1 C2 C3
+Q +Q1 -Q1 +Q2 -Q2 +Q3 -Q3 -Q
1 1 1
= + +
3 10 15 V1 V2 V3
10 + 3 + 2 15 + -
= =
30 30 V = 120 V

C = 2 µF
Q = CV = 2 × 10-6 × 120 = 240 × 10-6 C = 240 µC
Q = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = 240 µC (series)

Q 240 ×10−6
=
V = = 80 V
3 ×10−6
1
C1

Q 240 ×10−6
=
V = = 24 V
C2 10 × 10−6
2

Q 240 ×10−6
=
V = = 16 V
C3 15 ×10−6
3

A capacitor having a capacitance of 4 µF and a charge of 2000 µC is connected in series with

another capacitor having a capacitance of 12 µF and a charge of 2400 µC. (i) Find the potential
difference of the individual capacitors prior to the connection. (ii) Find the potential difference
of the individual capacitors after the connection.
[p. 152]
20 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince

Ans: (i) C1 =4 µF, Q1 = 2000 µC Q1 2 µF Q2 8 µF

−6 + - + -
Q1 2000 ×10
=
V = = 500 V V1 V2
4 ×10−6
1
C1
Figure: Before connection
C2 = 12 µF, Q2 = 2400 µC

Q2 2400 ×10−6
=
V = = 200 V
12 ×10−6
2
C2
(ii) After connection, V = V1 + V2 = 500 + 200 = 700 V
1 1 1 1 1 5
= + = + =
C C1 C2 2 8 8
Q Q 2 µF Q 8 µF
C = 1.6 µF + - + -
V1′ V2′
Q = CV = 1.6 × 10-6 × 1200 = 1920 µC
V = 1200 V
Q 1920 ×10−6
V′1 = = = 960 V Figure: After connection
C1 2 × 10−6

Q 1920 × 10−6
V′2 = = = 240 V
C2 8 × 10− 6
Dr Vince Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions 21
22 Grade 12 Physics Detailed Revisions Dr Vince