AQ

3.7.4
Capacitance
Turnbull’s
sics
A-Level
 Lesson 1 AQ
Introduction to Capacitance

3.7.4
Capacitance
Turnbull’s
sics
A-Level
 Content Review
Mathematical Skills
To assess your mathematical ability, answer the following question in your
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES.
A1. Air pressure is represented by the formula:

Where P is the pressure at height h and P0 is the air pressure at sea level.
A1.1 Simplify the formula using logarithms and make h the subject of the formula.

A1.2 Calculate the value of h when P = 70 x 10 3 Pa, P0 = 100 x 103 Pa, and k = –8150

Reference: EdExcel Engineering Paper 1 January 2020 Examination

 Content Review
Mark your own work.
A1. Air pressure is represented by the formula:

Where P is the pressure at height h and P0 is the air pressure at sea level.
A1.1 Simplify the formula using logarithms and make h the subject of the formula.
P = Poeh/k
eh/k = P / Po
h/k = ln (P/Po)
h = k ln (P/Po)
A1.2 Calculate the value of h when P = 70 x 10 3 Pa, P0 = 100 x 103 Pa, and k = –8150
h = -8150 x ln(70000/100000)
h = -8150 x ln(0.7)
h = 2906.9

Reference: EdExcel Engineering Paper 1 January 2020 Examination

 Content Review
To assess your understanding on fields, answer the following
questions.

ANSWER ON THE WORKSHEET AND THEN

STICK THIS INTO YOUR APPLICATION
BOOK.
YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES.

Show full working out in your

answers.
Give your answers with the
correct number of
significant figures and with
the correct units.
 Content Review
1.1 State what is represented by gravitational field lines.

[1 Mark]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.2 Figure 1 shows the gravitational field above a small horizontal region on the surface of the Earth.

Figure 1

Suggest why the field lines converge over a small area at K.

[2 Marks]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.3 A ball travelling at constant speed passes position J moving towards position K in Figure 1.

Assume friction is negligible.

Explain any change in the speed of the ball as it approaches K.

[2 Marks]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Content Review
.4 Figure 2 shows lines of force for the electric field surrounding two charged objects L and M.

Figure 2

Explain why the lines of force shown in Figure 2 cannot represent a gravitational field.
[2 Marks]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.5 State which object L or M has a charge with the greater magnitude.
[1 Mark]

object ____________________

State which object L or M has a positive charge.

object ____________________

1.6 Draw, on Figure 2, an equipotential line that passes through point N.

Do not extend your line beyond the given field lines.
[2 Marks]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Mark your own work.
Content Review
1.1 State what is represented by gravitational field lines.

[1 Mark]
1.1 Gravitational field lines show the direction (and relative magnitude) of force on a mass
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(placed in the force field) ✔
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Or
1.2 Figure 1 shows the gravitational field above a small horizontal region on the surface of the Earth.
The direction a stationary/placed mass would (initially) move.
Figure 1 1

Suggest why the field lines converge over a small area at K.

1.2 (Lines are closer together so) the field is stronger ✔ [2 Marks]
(Material forming the Earth) at K has a high(er) density (than the surrounding material) ✔
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
For second mark allow more mass at K.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
‘Force is stronger’ does not gain first mark.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.3 A ball travelling at constant speed passes position J moving towards position K in Figure 1.

Assume friction is negligible.

Explain any change in the speed of the ball as it approaches K.

1.3 The ball will speed up/accelerate (when moving towards K) ✔
[2 Marks]
(because) the potential is lower at K ✔
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Or…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
the angled field lines between J and K have a component towards the right ie towards K) ✔
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Mark your own work.
Content Review
.4 Figure 2 shows lines of force for the electric field surrounding two charged objects L and M.

Figure 2

1.4 A gravitational field should only show attraction to a body / lines of force should only
Explain why the lines of force shown in Figure 2 cannot represent a gravitational field.
be going to an object / arrow heads (on the left) should point towards L.[2✔Marks] (owtte)
Reference to positive or negative almost always will lose the mark.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1.5object =L
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

object 1.5
= State
L✔ which object L or M has a charge with the greater magnitude.
[1 Mark] 1

object ____________________
1.6 The drawn line should approximately cross the field lines at right angles
State which object L or M has a positive charge.

object ____________________

1.6 Draw, on Figure 2, an equipotential line that passes through point N.

Do not extend your line beyond the given field lines.
[2 Marks]
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Introduction
We are going to start a new topic in A-Level Physics.
We are starting Topic 8: Capacitance

Topic 8: Capacitance

Task
On the next clean page of your application book, draw a title page for the topic
‘Capacitance.

This acts as a divider for the topics and should take up most of the page.

This is not a title for the lesson.

It should be on more than just the top line.

YOU HAVE 1 MINUTE.

 Introduction
We are going to start a new topic in A-Level Physics.
We are starting Topic 8: Capacitance

Topic 8: Capacitance

Topic
This topic continues to build on the physics covered in electrical fields.

This topic looks at how the phenomena of charge can be stored and
discharged at will.

This links very closely with the topic of electrical fields as it uses the principles
associated with electric fields.
 Introduction
To assess your understanding, answer the following question as a
class. Class Discussion
A. What links the following objects?

All of these objects are ways

to store things in the
Universe.
 Introduction
To assess your understanding, answer the following question as a
class. Class Discussion
A. What links the following objects?

This storage unit can This warehouse can This USB stick can
store things in a store materials not store electronic data.
classroom. being used.

This device can store

electrical charge.

This object is a
capacitor.
 Introduction
In the previous topic of electrical fields, we consider charged
objects moving due to being in an electrical field.

Electrical Field

Charged Particle
 Introduction
In the previous topic of electrical fields, we consider charged
objects moving due to being in an electrical field.

However, electrically charged

particles can also be stored in
containers.
Capacitor
These containers are called
CAPACITORS.
 Introduction
In the previous topic of electrical fields, we consider charged
objects moving due to being in an electrical field.

However, electrically charged

particles can also be stored in
containers.
Capacitor
These containers are called
CAPACITORS.

In today’s lesson, we are going

to look at the principles behind
capacitors and capacitance.
 Introduction
In the previous topic of electrical fields, we consider charged
objects moving due to being in an electrical field.

However, electrically charged

particles can also be stored in
containers.
Capacitor
These containers are called
CAPACITORS.

In today’s lesson, we are going

to look at the principles behind
capacitors and capacitance.
A Level Physics Unit 3.7.3: Capacitance

Title: Introduction to Capacitance

Learning Objective:
To Be Able To Understand What is Meant By
Capacitance
 Learning Outcomes
If I have been successful and learnt in this lesson, I am able to:

Basic Demand

1. Know the definition of capacitance.

Moderate Demand
2. Calculate values of capacitance.
Advanced Demand
3. Know what a capacitor is and how it stores
charge.

Learning
Outcomes
 Specification
In this lesson, we are going to carry out the following parts of the
specification.

SPEC
CHECK
 Notes
In today’s lesson, you must make detailed notes on:

1. Capacitance.
2. How Capacitors Store Charge.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

These are all examples of

capacitors found in the real
world.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

These are all examples of

capacitors found in the real
world.

A capacitor can store electric

energy when it is connected
to its charging circuit. And
when it is disconnected from
its charging circuit, it can
dissipate that stored energy.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

These are all examples of

capacitors found in the real
world.

Capacitors can be used like a

temporary battery.

Capacitors are commonly

used in electronic devices to
maintain power supply while
batteries are being changed.

This prevents loss of

information in volatile
memory.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Even though they both store

electrical charge, capacitors
and batteries are not the
same components.

Capacitor Battery
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Even though they both store

electrical charge, capacitors
and batteries are not the
same components.

Capacitor Battery

Stores electrical Stores chemical

potential energy in potential energy as a
the electric field. chemical store.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Even though they both store

electrical charge, capacitors
and batteries are not the
same components.

Capacitor Battery

Stores electrical Stores chemical

potential energy in potential energy as a
the electric field. chemical store.
Stores relatively Stores relatively large
little charge amounts of charge.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Even though they both store

electrical charge, capacitors
and batteries are not the
same components.

Capacitor Battery

Stores electrical Stores chemical

potential energy in potential energy as a
the electric field. chemical store.
Stores relatively Stores relatively large
little charge amounts of charge.
Charges and Charges and
discharges quickly. discharges slowly.
 Key Information
Since capacitors only store small amounts of charge at once but
can discharge it quickly, that makes them very useful in situations
where a quick burst of charge is needed.
A use of a capacitor can be in a defibrillator.
The capacitor will discharge leading to an electric shock.
 Key Information
Since capacitors only store small amounts of charge at once but
can discharge it quickly, that makes them very useful in situations
where a quick burst of charge is needed.
A use of a capacitor can be in a camera flash.
The capacitor will discharge leading to a flash of the camera.
 Key Information
Since capacitors only store small amounts of charge at once but
can discharge it quickly, that makes them very useful in situations
where a quick burst of charge is needed.
A use of a capacitor can be in a camera flash.
The capacitor will discharge leading to a flash of the camera.

The charged capacitor in a camera flash

released around 1 joule of energy in about 1
millisecond, giving a power output of 1 kW.
The small battery can not produce this
power output.
This is why it takes a few seconds for the
battery to recharge the capacitor between
photographs.
 Key Information
Since capacitors only store small amounts of charge at once but
can discharge it quickly, that makes them very useful in situations
where a quick burst of charge is needed.
A use of a capacitor can be in an ignition switch.
The capacitor will discharge leading to the starter circuit of a motor.
 Key Information
Since capacitors only store small amounts of charge at once but
can discharge it quickly, that makes them very useful in situations
where a quick burst of charge is needed.
A use of a capacitor can be as an emergency back-up.
The capacitor will discharge leading to the electrical circuits not losing complete
power.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

As mentioned previously, a
capacitor can store electrical
charge using the electrical
field.
Class Discussion
A. But what is a capacitor?
A. How does it work?
A. How can we quantify a
capacitor?
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
The capacitance of an object is a measure of the
amount of charge stored in the object per
potential difference used to store it.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
The capacitance of an object is a measure of the
amount of charge stored in the object per
potential difference used to store it.

This definition comes from the idea that

the electric field (produced by a
potential difference) is used to store the
electrical charge.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
The capacitance of an object is a measure of the
amount of charge stored in the object per potential
difference used to store it.

We can use this definition to find an

equation for the capacitance.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor
Potential Difference Across the Capacitor

This equation comes from the definition of capacitance.

 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor
Potential Difference Across the Capacitor

Capacitance can be thought of as how much charge is

held in an object due to a potential difference being
applied across the object.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
The standard units of charge are coulombs (C).
The standard units of potential difference are volts (V).
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
C V-1 Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
The standard units of charge are coulombs (C).
The standard units of potential difference are volts (V).

This gives the capacitance the units of C V-1.

 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
The standard units of charge are coulombs (C).
The standard units of potential difference are volts (V).

This gives the capacitance the units of C V-1.

This capacitance unit is given the name, the FARAD (F).

 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
The standard units of charge are coulombs (C).
The standard units of potential difference are volts (V).

This gives the capacitance the units of C V-1.

This capacitance unit is given the name, the FARAD (F).

Where 1 F = 1 C V-1.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This capacitance unit is given the name, the FARAD (F).

Where 1 F = 1CV-1.

This is named after Michael Faraday, who was the

first to develop capacitors effective enough for
practical applications, and to measure the effect of
different variables on their capacitance.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.

For example, a capacitance of 20 F would mean

that 20 C of charge would be stored for every 1 V
of potential difference across a capacitor.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.

For example, a capacitance of 40 F would mean

that 40 C of charge would be stored for every 1 V
of potential difference across a capacitor.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
We assume for a capacitor that the capacitance of a capacitor remains
unchanged throughout its use.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
We assume for a capacitor that the capacitance of a capacitor remains
unchanged throughout its use.
In reality, charge will leak in a capacitor over time and the capacitance will
change.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
We assume for a capacitor that the capacitance of a capacitor remains
unchanged throughout its use.
For A-Level, we only consider the minimum capacitance of a
capacitor, which occurs when the potential difference is a
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
In this equation, the potential difference is the potential difference across
the capacitor – not the circuit.
Be mindful of this when answering questions where you have to
consider the potential difference of the entire circuit/branch.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
In this equation, the charge is the charge of the capacitor – however charge can not
be created or destroyed.
This charge will also be the charge of the circuit as the capacitor is charging
or discharging (or the charge of the original energy source).
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential
difference of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
In this equation, the charge is the charge of the capacitor – however charge can not
be created or destroyed.
This charge calculated in this equation can be used to calculate the current
flow of a circuit.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1
This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential difference
of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.

The farad is a large unit when considering

electrons have charges on the order of ~10-19.
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1 This means that the capacitance of 1 farad is when 1
coulomb of charge is stored due to a potential difference
It is more common to see
of 1 V being applied across a capacitor.
capacitances expressed in
terms of microfarads (x10-6)
The farad is a large unit when considering
μF, nanofarads (x10-9) nF or
electrons have charges on the order of ~10-19.
picofarads (x10-12).
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1 Interestingly, batteries have stored charges on the order
of 6000 farads.
It is more common to see
capacitances expressed in
This is because they store energy via chemical
terms of microfarads (x10-6)
means as opposed to using the electrical field.
μF, nanofarads (x10-9) nF or
picofarads (x10-12).
 Key Information
Before the mechanism of a capacitor is considered, we must look
at we can measure the effect of a capacitor.
All capacitors (and all objects) have a capacitance.

All capacitors (and all objects) have a

capacitance.
Capacitance = Charge Stored in the Capacitor (C)
F Potential Difference Across the Capacitor (V)
C V-1 Interestingly, batteries have stored charges on the order
of 6000 farads.
It is more common to see
capacitances expressed in This is because they store energy via chemical
terms of microfarads (x10-6) means as opposed to using the electrical field.
μF, nanofarads (x10-9) nF or The battery can store much more energy than the
picofarads (x10-12). capacitor, but it much harder to convert this
energy into other forms compared to the
capacitor.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Capacitor Battery

Stores electrical Stores chemical

potential energy in potential energy as a
the electric field. chemical store. We discussed this concept
earlier when we compared
Stores relatively Stores relatively large batteries and capacitors.
little charge amounts of charge.
Charges and Charges and
discharges quickly. discharges slowly.
 Key Information
Capacitors are electrical components which can be used to store
electrical charge in a circuit.
They can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Capacitor Battery
However, capacitors are much
Stores electrical Stores chemical more dangerous than
potential energy in potential energy as a batteries as they discharge
the electric field. chemical store. very quickly, so would deposit
charge into an object in a
Stores relatively Stores relatively large fraction of a second.
little charge amounts of charge.
Charges and Charges and A discharging capacitor
discharges quickly. discharges slowly. can easily kill a human.
 CheckPoint
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK.
YOU HAVE 7 MINUTES.
A1. A capacitor has a capacitance of 40 μF. What does this mean?
A2. State three differences between a capacitor and a battery.
A3. A capacitor stores a charge of 660 μC when there is a potential difference
of 3.0 V applied over it. What is the capacitance of the capacitor?
A4.1 A 100 μF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 12 V. How much
charge is stored by the capacitor?
A4.2 The voltage rating of the capacitor is 60 V. What is the maximum charge
that the capacitor can store?
A5. A 0.10 F capacitor is used in a circuit as a back-up in the case of a power
cut. It is connected to the mains. How much charge can the capacitor store?
A6. Explain why a capacitor would not be a good source for powering an
iPhone.
A7. Why can capacitors kill human beings easily?
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.

A1. A capacitor has a capacitance of 40 μF. What does this mean?

This means that the capacitor can store charge of 40 μC for every volt of potential difference
placed over the capacitor.

A2. State three differences between a capacitor and a battery?

A battery stores charge via chemical means, a capacitor stores charge via the electrical field. A
battery stores a lot of charge, but it takes a long time to discharge. A capacitor stores little charge
but can discharge it quickly.
A3. A capacitor stores a charge of 660 μC when there is a potential difference
of 3.0 V applied over it. What is the capacitance of the capacitor?
Capacitance = Q / V = 660 x 10 -6 / 3.0 = 2.2 x 10-4 F

A4.1 A 100μF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 12 V. How much

charge is stored by the capacitor?
Charge = C x V = 100 x 10 -6 x 12 = 1.2 x 10-3 C
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.
A4.1 The voltage rating of the capacitor is 60 V. What is the maximum charge that the
capacitor can store?
Charge = C x V = (100 x 10 -6) x 60= 6.0 x 10-3 C
A5. A 0.10F capacitor is used in a circuit as a back-up in the case of a power cut. It is
connected to the mains. How much charge can the capacitor store?
Charge = C x V = 0.10 x 230 = 23 C
A6. Explain why a capacitor would not be a good source for powering an iPhone?
The capacitor would need to be very large to provide enough power, so it may not be portable.
It would only power the device for a short time, so would need recharging often and there would
not be a constant potential difference output.
A7. Why can capacitors kill human beings easily?
Capacitors can humans easily as they will discharge their stored charge very quickly.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
A capacitor is an application of a uniform electrical field in the real world.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

This is shown with

the circuit symbol
for a capacitor.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.

The plate connected to the

negative terminal of the power
supply gains electrons – this
makes it negatively charged.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.

Negatively Charged
The plate connected to the
negative terminal of the power
supply gains electrons – this
makes it negatively charged.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
Positively Charged positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
Positively Charged positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.

This happens as they are

repelled by the negative
plate and attracted to the
positive terminal.
Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
Positively Charged positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.

This happens as they are

repelled by the negative
plate and attracted to the
positive terminal.
Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
When the capacitor is placed to a
direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
The plate connected to the
Positively Charged positive terminal of the power
supply loses electrons – this
makes it positively charged.
This will only happen if the current which
flows through the capacitor is direct. This happens as they are
repelled by the negative
plate and attracted to the
positive terminal.
Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

When the capacitor is placed to a

direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
Positively Charged This causes a potential difference
to formed between the plates.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

When the capacitor is placed to a

direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
Positively Charged This causes a potential difference
to formed between the plates.

Potential Difference

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

When the capacitor is placed to a

direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
Positively Charged This causes a potential difference
to formed between the plates.
This means a charged
Potential Difference
object would have to do
work to move between
the plates (as there is a
PD).
Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

When the capacitor is placed to a

direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
Positively Charged
This causes a potential difference
to formed between the plates.
Air Gap Electrons can not travel between
plates as the air gap is a poor
conductor.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

When the capacitor is placed to a

direct current source, charge
builds up on its plates.
Positively Charged
This causes a potential difference
to formed between the plates.
Air Gap Electrons can not travel between
plates as the air gap is a poor
conductor.

Negatively Charged The better the insulator between

the plates, the greater the charge
imbalance that can form.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

Positively Charged
The gap between the plates
prevent the electrons from
moving between the plates.
Air Gap
This creates a charge imbalance
over the two plates.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

This effect can be increased if we

fill the space between the plates
with a material which is a worse
Positively Charged conductor than air.

This material is called the DIELECTRIC.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

This effect can be increased if we

fill the space between the plates
with a material which is a worse
Positively Charged conductor than air.

The dielectric must be a

better insulator than the air
This material is called the DIELECTRIC. (or a vacuum).

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.
This means that the capacitor
has stored charge on its plates
which it can discharge later.

Positively Charged This is how the capacitor stores

electric charge.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

A capacitor consists of two conducting parallel plates separated by a gap.

These parallel plates will produce a uniform electrical field between them.

As this effect produces two

parallel plates with a potential
difference, there is a uniform
electric field produced between
Positively Charged the parallel plates.

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

electrical charge as when they
Technically, no extra charge is discharge, electrons are released
stored in a capacitor when it is into the circuit.
charged compared to when it is
uncharged.

Positively Charged

Negatively Charged
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

electrical charge as when they
When the capacitor is charged, discharge, electrons are released
electrons have left the positive into the circuit.
plate and electrons have gone
onto the negative plate.

Positively Charged Lost Electrons.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

electrical charge as when they
The number of electrons leaving discharge, electrons are released
the positive plate is the same as into the circuit.
the number of electrons gained by
the negative plate.

Positively Charged Lost Electrons.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

The number of electrons leaving electrical charge as when they
the positive plate is the same as discharge, electrons are released
the number of electrons gained by into the circuit.
the negative plate.

This means overall capacitors

when charged do not gain charge,
rather they remainPositively
electrically Charged Lost Electrons.
neutral.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge, electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

Positively Charged Lost Electrons.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge, electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

Positively Charged Lost Electrons.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge, electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

This means any charged

Positively Charged
particle in the dielectric Lost Electrons.
medium will experience a
force and become an electrical
potential store.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

This means any charged

Positively Charged
particle in the dielectric Lost Electrons.
medium will experience a
force and become an electrical
potential store. Electrical
Potential
Energy Store

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

Technically, a capacitor stores electrical charge as when they
electrical potential energy discharge, electrons are released
produced by the imbalance of into the circuit.
charge in its plates interacting with
the medium between the plates.

However, this energy is released in

the form of movingPositively
charge – so it Charged Lost Electrons.
appears to storing charge. Rather
it is moving charge already
present. Electrical
Potential
Energy Store

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

It could be argued that the electrical charge as when they
negatively charged plate discharge, electrons are released
stores charge – but the overall into the circuit.
capacitor does not store charge.

Positively Charged Lost Electrons.

Electrical
Potential
Energy Store

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge, electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

This capacitor stores electrical

potential energyPositively
in the Charged Lost Electrons.
dielectric (or air).

This energy can then be

released in the circuit in the
forming of moving electrons
when it is discharged.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

However, as this movement of electrical charge as when they
charged particles creates a discharge, electrons are released
potential difference across the into the circuit.
plates, this produces a uniform
field between the plates.

This capacitor stores electrical

potential energyPositively
in the Charged Lost Electrons.
dielectric (or air).

This process means that little

energy can be stored in a
capacitor compared to a
battery but it can released
(changed store) quickly.
Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.
 Key Information
A capacitor is a device which stores electrical charge – it has a capacitance.

It is stated that capacitors store

This means that when a capacitor electrical charge as when they
is discharged, the current in the discharge, electrons are released
circuit goes up as there are more into the circuit.
electrons flowing (with greater
energy) but the potential
difference across the capacitor
decreases as there is less
electrical potential Positively Charged
energy stored in Lost Electrons.
the dielectric.

Negatively Charged Gained Electrons.

 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A1. What is happening for a capacitor plate to become negatively charged?

Electrons are flowing

through the circuit
and then being
Positively Charged deposited onto the
negatively charged
plate.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A2. Why do electrons move onto the negatively charged plate?

The electrons are

repelled by the
negative charge found
Positively Charged at the terminal of the
power supply.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A3. What is happening for a capacitor plate to become positively charged?

Electrons are flowing

off the plate and not
being replenished as
Positively Charged the current flows.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A4. Why do electrons leave the positively charged plate?

The electrons on the

positively charged
plate are attracted to
Positively Charged the positive terminal
of the power supply.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A5. Why does the charging of a capacitor generate a uniform electrical field in the
capacitor?

As the charging
process causes a
potential difference to
Positively Charged be formed over the
two plates.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A6. Why does the current start to fall in the circuit as the capacitor is charging?

As the charging of a
capacitor reduces the
flow of charge around
Positively Charged the circuit.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A7. Why does charging a capacitor not immediately reduce the current to zero?

As the electrons must

flow around the circuit
to reach the positively
Positively Charged charged plate – this
takes a long time as
charge flows slowly.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A8. How could the capacitance of a capacitor be increased?

The plates could be

moved closer together,
there could be a
Positively Charged strong insulator placed
between the plates or
the plates could be
larger.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A9. How could the rate of charging a capacitance be increased?

The rate of charging

could be increased by
having a large charge
Positively Charged flowing or by
decreasing the
resistance of the
circuit.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A10. How could a capacitor fail when charging?

If the insulator
between the two
plates breaks down
Positively Charged and the charge can
flow between the
plates as this will
complete the circuit.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A11. Why does the rate of charge decrease as a capacitor
charges?

As there is already a
charge on the plates,
adding further charge
Positively Charged of the same type is
repulsive, so it is
harder to do, so takes
longer to complete.

Negatively Charged
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
PAIRS. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.
A12. What is the current flow when the capacitor is fully charged?
Why?

The current flow is

zero as the capacitor
is fully charged, so
Positively Charged there is no flow of
charge around the
circuit anymore.

Negatively Charged
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What is capacitance?
Capacitance is the amount of charge stored in a component per
the potential difference placed over it.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What does a capacitance of 20 nF mean?
The component can store a charge of 20 nC for every 1 V placed
across it.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What does a capacitance of 400 μF mean?
The component can store a charge of 400 μC for every 1 V placed
across it.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. How do you calculate capacitance?
Capacitance = Charge Stored / Potential Difference
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What are the units of capacitance?
The units of capacitance are farads or CV-1.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor stores 12mC when there is a potential
difference of 10V placed across it. What is the
capacitance?
C = Q / V = (12 x 10-3) / 10 = 1.2 x 10-3 C
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor has a capacitance of 4700μF and is
connected to a battery of 6.0V.
How much charge has been stored on the capacitor?
Q = C x V = 4700 x 10-6 x 6 = 0.0282 C
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor has a capacitance of 900 μF and is
connected to a battery of 12.0 V.
How much charge has been stored on the capacitor?
Q = C x V = 900 x 10-6 x 12 = 0.0108 C
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor has a capacitance of 20 μF and is
connected to a battery of 3.0 V. How many electrons
have been stored on the capacitor?
Q = C x V = 20 x 10-6 x 3 = 6.0 x 10-5 C

Number of Electrons = Q / Charge of e-

Number of Electrons = 6.0 x 10-5 / 1.60 x 10-19 = 3.8 x 1014 electrons
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor has a capacitance of 1.2 mF and is
connected to a battery of 1.2 V. How many electrons
have been stored on the capacitor?
Q = C x V = 1.2 x 10-3 x 1.2 = 1.4 x 10-3 C

Number of Electrons = Q / Charge of e-

Number of Electrons = 1.4 x 10-3 / 1.60 x 10-19 = 9.0 x 1015 electrons
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What is the structure of a capacitor?
A capacitor consists of two parallel plates separated by an
insulator.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What type of electrical field is produced by a
capacitor?
A uniform electric field.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. Why does one plate become negatively charged?
On one plate electrons are deposited onto the plate from the
negative terminal.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. Why does one plate become positively charged?
On one plate electrons are removed from the plate as they are
attracted to the positive terminal.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What is a dielectric? What does it do the capacitance
of a capacitor?
This is an insulating material placed in between the plates.
A dielectric increases the capacitance of the capacitor.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. What is stored across the plates of the capacitor?
Electrical potential energy is stored across the plates of the
capacitor.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. How does a capacitor store electrical potential
energy?
The uniform field produced by the plates makes the dielectric
particles become electrical potential stores as they are charged.
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. An uncharged 4.7 nF capacitor is connected to a
1.5 V supply and becomes fully charged.
How many electrons are transferred to the negative
plate of the capacitor during this charging process?
Capacitance = Charge / Potential Difference
Charge = Capacitance x Potential Difference
Charge = 4.7 x 10-9 x 1.5 = 7.05 x 10-9
Number of Electrons = Total Charge/Charge of 1 electron
Number of Electrons = 7.05 x 10-9 /1.60 x 10-19 = 4.4 x 1010 electrons

Past Paper Multiple

Choice Question
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A capacitor stores a charge of 600 μC when charged
to a potential difference (pd) of 6.0 V. What will be the
pd across the plates if the charge stored increases by
50%?
Capacitance = Charge / Potential Difference
Capacitance = 600 x 10-9 / 6.0 = 1 x 10-7 F
Capacitance is unchanged
Potential Difference = Charge / Capacitance = 900 x 10-9 /1 x 10-7
Potential Difference = 9 V

Past Paper Multiple

Choice Question
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.
A. A 400 μF capacitor is charged so that the voltage
across its plates rises at a constant rate from 0 V to 4.0
V in 20 s. What current is being used to charge the
capacitor?
Capacitance = Charge / Potential Difference
Charge = Capacitance x Potential Difference
Charge = 400 x 10-6 x 4
Charge = 1.6 x 10-3 C
Current = Charge / Time = 1.6 x 10-3 / 20
Current = 8 x 10-5 A = 80 μΑ

Past Paper Multiple

Choice Question
 Knowledge Checker
To assess your understanding, answer the following question on
capacitance.

A. The graph shows how the potential difference across

a capacitor varies with the charge stored by it. What
does the gradient show?
Capacitance = Charge / Potential Difference

This means the gradient of this graph is the reciprocal of the capacitance of the
capacitor (1/capacitance).

Past Paper Multiple

Choice Question
 Notes
To complete your notes, complete the following questions IN
YOUR APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 8 MINUTES.
The capacitance of a capacitor is given by the equation:
C=Q/V

Symbol C
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Units ………………………

Symbol Q
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Units ………………………

Symbol V
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Units ………………………

What does it mean if a capacitor has a capacitance of 370 μF?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Notes
Mark your own work.

The capacitance of a capacitor is given by the equation:

C=Q/V

Symbol C
Capacitance
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Farads
Units ………………………

Symbol Q
Charge Stored
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Coulombs
Units ………………………

Symbol V
Potential Difference
Quantity ………………………………………………………… Volts
Units ………………………

What does it mean if a capacitor has a capacitance of 370 μF?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………
It can store 370 x 10-6 C of charge for every unit volt.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. A 470 μF capacitor is connected across the terminals of a battery of e.m.f. 9 V. Calculate the charge on the
plates of the capacitor.

A2. Calculate the p.d. across the terminals of a 2200 μF capacitor when it has a charge of 0.033 C on its plates.

A3. Calculate the capacitance of a capacitor if it stores a charge of 2.0 C when there is a potential difference of
5000 V across its plates

Source: Cambridge International A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
Mark your own work.
A1. A 470 μF capacitor is connected across the terminals of a battery of e.m.f. 9 V. Calculate the charge on the
plates of the capacitor.

Q = CV = 470 × 10–6 × 9.0 = 4.2 × 10–3 C

A2. Calculate the p.d. across the terminals of a 2200 μF capacitor when it has a charge of 0.033 C on its plates.

V = Q / C = 0.033 / 2200 × 10–6 = 15 V

A3. Calculate the capacitance of a capacitor if it stores a charge of 2.0 C when there is a potential difference of
5000 V across its plates

C = Q / V = 2.0 / 5000 = 4.0 × 10–4 = 400 μF

Source: Cambridge International A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. A student inserts two bare copper wires into a lump of wet clay. The clay is dried out. The student suggests
that he has made a capacitor. Explain whether this is correct.

A2. The charge stored by a capacitor connected to a 12 V battery is 2.4 x 10 -5 C. Calculate its capacitance in
farads and microfarads.

A3. A capacitor stores a charge of 30 pC when the p.d. across it is 3.2 V. Calculate the charge stored in pC when
the p.d. is increased to 8.7 V.

A4. A capacitor of capacitance 200 μF is connected to a 10 V supply. Calculate the number of electrons removed
from the positive plate of the capacitor.

Source: OCR A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
Mark your own work.
A1. A student inserts two bare copper wires into a lump of wet clay. The clay is dried out. The student suggests
that he has made a capacitor. Explain whether this is correct.

Yes, it is a capacitor because it consists of two metallic electrodes which are separated by insulation.

A2. The charge stored by a capacitor connected to a 12 V battery is 2.4 x 10 -5 C. Calculate its capacitance in
farads and microfarads.
C = Q / V = 2.4 x 10-5 / 12 = 2.0 × 10–6 = 2.0 μF

A3. A capacitor stores a charge of 30 pC when the p.d. across it is 3.2 V. Calculate the charge stored in pC when
the p.d. is increased to 8.7 V.
Q∝V
Q = (8.7 / 3.2) x 30 = 81.6 pC

A4. A capacitor of capacitance 200 μF is connected to a 10 V supply. Calculate the number of electrons removed
from the positive plate of the capacitor.
Q = CV = 10 x 200 x 10-6 = 2.0 × 10–3 C
Number of electrons = 2.0 × 10–3 / 1.6 × 10–19 = 1.3 × 1016

Source: OCR A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. A capacitor of capacitance 0.010 F is connected to a 1.5 V cell. Calculate the number of electrons delivered
by the cell to the capacitor.

A2. An uncharged capacitor of capacitance 1500 μF is connected in a circuit. The current in the circuit has a
constant value of 80 μA. The capacitor is charged for a time of 60 seconds.

A2.1 Calculate the charge and the p.d. across the capacitor after a time of 60 seconds.

A2.2 Sketch a graph of p.d. across the capacitor against the time over a period of 60 seconds.

Source: OCR A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
Mark your own work.
A1. A capacitor of capacitance 0.010 F is connected to a 1.5 V cell. Calculate the number of electrons delivered
by the cell to the capacitor.
Q = CV = 1.5 x 0.010 = 1.5 × 10–2 C
Number of electrons = 1.5 × 10–2 / 1.6 × 10–19 = 9.4 × 1016

A2. An uncharged capacitor of capacitance 1500 μF is connected in a circuit. The current in the circuit has a
constant value of 80 μA. The capacitor is charged for a time of 60 seconds.

A2.1 Calculate the charge and the p.d. across the capacitor after a time of 60 seconds.
Q = It = 80 × 10–6 × 60 = 4.8 × 10–3 C
V = Q / C = 4.8 × 10–3 / 1500 × 10–6 = 3.2 V

A2.2 Sketch a graph of p.d. across the capacitor against the time over a period of 60 seconds.

A straight-line graph passing through the origin.

Graph shows V = 3.2 V at t = 60 s.

Source: OCR A-Level Physics Course Book

 General Check
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. A 22 μF capacitor is charged by using a constant current of 2.5 μA to a pd of 12.0 V. Calculate:

A1.1 The charge stored on the capacitor at 12.0 V

A1.2 The time taken.

A2. A capacitor is charged by using a constant current of 0.5 μA to a pd of 5.0 V in 55 seconds. Calculate:

A2.1 The charge stored.

A2.2 The capacitance of the capacitor.

Source: Oxford A-Level Physics Textbook

 General Check
Mark your own work.
A1. A 22 μF capacitor is charged by using a constant current of 2.5 μA to a pd of 12.0 V. Calculate:
A1.1 The charge stored on the capacitor at 12.0 V
Q = CV = 22 x 10-6 x 12 = 2.64 × 10–4 C

A1.2 The time taken.

Q = It
t = Q / I = 2.64 x 10-4 / 2.5 x 10-6 = 105.6 seconds

A2. A capacitor is charged by using a constant current of 0.5 μA to a pd of 5.0 V in 55 seconds. Calculate:
A2.1 The charge stored.
Q = It = 0.5 x 10-6 x 55 = 2.75 × 10–5 C

A2.2 The capacitance of the capacitor.

C = Q / V = 2.75 x 10-5 / 5 = 5.5 × 10–6 F

Source: Oxford A-Level Physics Textbook

 Glossary
To complete your glossary, complete the following keywords IN YOUR APPLICATION
BOOK. YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES.

The amount of charge it is possible to store per unit of potential

difference.
This is created in between the plates of a capacitor when the plates are
charged

A unit equal to one coulomb stored for every volt.

 Glossary
Mark your own work.

The amount of charge it is possible to store per unit of potential

Capacitance
difference.
Electric Field This is created in between the plates of a capacitor when the plates are
charged

Farad A unit equal to one coulomb stored for every volt.

 CheckPoint
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK.
YOU HAVE 7 MINUTES.
A1. A capacitor is charged using a steady current of 20.0 μA, from a 5.0 V supply. After
55 seconds it is fully charged.
A1.1 Calculate the charge on the capacitor.
A1.2 Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
A2. When a capacitor is charged from a 12 V supply, 6.0 μC moves on to its plates.
What is its capacitance?
A3. Some computer chips use a capacitor to provide energy for short time if there is a
power failure. A 100 μF capacitor is charged to 9.0 V.
A3.1 What is the charge on the capacitor?
A3.2 How long would it be able to supply a steady current of 50 μA
Extension
A4. How can there be a current in a circuit containing a capacitor, since no charge is
able to pass through the insulator between the capacitor plates?
A5. Why does the current in a capacitor discharge circuit decrease with time?
A6. Why is there a maximum limit to the potential difference that can be placed across
a capacitor?
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.
A1. A capacitor is charged using a steady current of 20.0 μA, from a 5.0 V supply. After
55 seconds it is fully charged.
A1.1 Calculate the charge on the capacitor.
Q = I x t = 20.0 x 10-6 A x 55 s = 1.1 x 10-3 C

A1.2 Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.

C = Q / V = 1.10 x 10-3 C / 5.0 V = 220 x 10-6 F

A2. When a capacitor is charged from a 12 V supply, 6.0 μC moves on to its plates.
What is its capacitance?
C = Q / V = 6.0 x 10-6 C / 12.0 V = 5.0 x 10-7 F

A3. Some computer chips use a capacitor to provide energy for short time if there is a
power failure. A 100 μF capacitor is charged to 9.0 V.
A3.1 What is the charge on the capacitor?
Q = C x V = 100 x 10-6 F x 9.0 V = 9.0 x 10-4 C
A3.2 How long would it be able to supply a steady current of 50 μA
t = Q / I = 9.0 x 10-4 C / 50 x 10-6 A = 18 seconds
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.
Extension
A4. How can there be a current in a circuit containing a capacitor, since no charge is
able to pass through the insulator between the capacitor plates?
A current can only flow in a circuit when a capacitor is charging as at this point charge is
moving in the circuit.
A5. Why does the current in a capacitor discharge circuit decrease with time?
As a capacitor loses its charge, the potential difference across the plates lowers, causing
the current to fall.
A6. Why is there a maximum limit to the potential difference that can be placed across
a capacitor?
If the potential difference increases too much, it can cause the insulator in between the
plates (the dielectric) to break down – the attraction between the charges is too much
and it flows over the dielectric.
 CheckPoint
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. Calculate the charge on a 220 μF capacitor charged up to 15 V. Give your answer in microcoulombs (μC)
and in coulombs (C).

A2. A charge of 1.0 × 10 −3 C is measured on a capacitor with a potential difference across it of 500 V.
Calculate the capacitance in farads (F), microfarads (μF) and picofarads (pF).

A3. Calculate the average current required to charge a 50 μF capacitor to a p.d. of 10 V in a time interval
of 0.01 s.

Source: Cambridge International A-Level Physics Course Book

 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.

A1. Calculate the charge on a 220 μF capacitor charged up to 15 V. Give your answer in microcoulombs (μC)
and in coulombs (C).

Q = CV = 220 × 10–6 × 15 = 3300 μC (or 3.3 × 10–3 C)

A2. A charge of 1.0 × 10 −3 C is measured on a capacitor with a potential difference across it of 500 V.
Calculate the capacitance in farads (F), microfarads (μF) and picofarads (pF).

C = Q/V = 1.0 × 10–3/ 500 = 2.0 × 10–6 F (or 2.0 μF, 2.0 × 106 pF)

A3. Calculate the average current required to charge a 50 μF capacitor to a p.d. of 10 V in a time interval
of 0.01 s.

I = CV/ t = 50 × 10–6 × 10 / 0.01 = 0.050 A (50 mA)

Source: Cambridge International A-Level Physics Course Book

 CheckPoint
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in your
APPLICATION BOOK. YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES.
Q1.1 A 0.10F capacitor is used in a circuit as a back-up in case of a short interruption in
the mains power supply. The p.d. supplied to the circuit is 230V. How much charge can
the capacitor store?
[2 Marks]

Q1.2 Explain why a capacitor would not be a good source for powering a portable
media player.
[2 Marks]

Q2. A 12V potential difference is applied to a capacitor. The capacitor stores 144μC of
charge on each plate. What is the capacitance of the capacitor.
[1 Mark]
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.

Q1.1 A 0.10F capacitor is used in a circuit as a back-up in case of a short interruption in

the mains power supply. The p.d. supplied to the circuit is 230V. How much charge can
the capacitor store?
Charge = Capacitance x Potential Difference [2 Marks]
Charge = 0.10 x 230 (1 mark)
Charge = 23 C (1 mark)

Q1.2 Explain why a capacitor would not be a good source for powering a portable
media player.
[2 Marks]
The media player would have to be very large to provide enough power, so it would not
be portable (1 mark).
It could only power the device for a short time (1 mark).
There would not be a constant power output for the player (1 mark).
Q2. A 12V potential difference is applied to a capacitor. The capacitor stores 144μC of
charge on each plate. What is the capacitance of the capacitor.
[1 Mark]
Capacitance = Charge / Potential Difference
Capacitance = 144 x 10-6 / 12
Capacitance = 1.2 x 10-5 F = 12 μF (1 mark)
 CheckPoint
To assess your understanding, answer the following questions in YOUR
APPLICATION BOOK.
YOU HAVE 4 MINUTES.
A1. Define electric potential.
A2. An isolated conducting sphere in a vacuum has radius r and is initially uncharged. It
is then charged by friction so that it carries a final charge Q. This charge can be acting
at the centre of the sphere.
By considering the electric potential at its surface, show that the capacitance C of the
sphere is given by:
C = 4πε0r
where ε0 is the permittivity of free space.
A3. The dome of an electrostatic generator is a spherical conductor of radius 13 cm. It
is initially charged so that the electric potential at the surface is 4.5 kV.
A smaller isolated sphere of radius 5.2 cm, initially uncharged, is brought near to the
dome.
Sparking causes a current between the two spheres until they reach the same potential.
Assume that any charge on a sphere may be considered to act as a point charge at its
centre.
Calculate the charge that is transferred between the two spheres.
 CheckPoint
Mark your own work.
A1. work
The Definedone
electric
per potential.
unit charge in moving positive charge from infinity.

A2. An isolated conducting sphere in a vacuum has radius r and is initially uncharged. It
is then charged by friction so that it carries a final charge Q. This charge can be acting
at the centre of the sphere.
By considering the electric potential at its surface, show that the capacitance C of the
sphere is given by:
C = 4πε0r
where ε0 is the permittivity of free space.
C=Q/V
V = Q / (4πε0r) and so C = Q / [Q / (4πε0r)] = 4πε0r
A3. The dome of an electrostatic generator is a spherical conductor of radius 13 cm. It
is initially charged so that the electric potential at the surface is 4.5 kV.
QA smaller
= 4πε0rVisolated
= 4π ×sphere
8.85 ×of10radius
–12 5.2 cm,
× 0.13 initially uncharged, is brought near to the
× 4500
dome.
Q = 6.5 ×causes
Sparking 10–8 C a current between the two spheres until they reach the same potential.
(Q – q) /that
Assume 13 =any
q /charge
5.2 on a sphere may be considered to act as a point charge at its
centre.
5.2Q – 5.2q = 13q, so q = (5.2 / 18.2)Q
qCalculate
= (5.2 / the charge
18.2) × 6.5that is –8transferred between the two spheres.
× 10
q = 1.9 × 10–8 C
 Content Review
To assess your understanding on capacitance, answer
the following questions.

ANSWER ON THE WORKSHEET AND THEN

STICK THIS INTO YOUR APPLICATION
BOOK.
YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES.

Show full working out in your

answers.

Give your answers with the

correct number of
significant figures and with
the correct units.
 Content Review
A1. In an experiment a capacitor is charged from a constant current supply by a 100 mA current
pulse which lasts 25 s.
A1.1 Calculate the charge on the capacitor after this time.

A1.2. The pd across the capacitor is 6 V when it has been charged.

Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.

A2. A capacitor is charged at a constant current of 2.0 mA until the charge on the capacitor is
0.010 C.
A2.1 How long did it take the capacitor to charge to this value?

A2.2 The capacitance of the capacitor is 100 microfarads. To what pd had it been charged?
 Content Review
A3. This question allows you to practise using the equation Q = C V. Fill in the gaps in the table.

C Q V
1000 μF 12 V
2 mC 250 V
32 μF 0.64 mC
33 mF 6V
1.25 C 25 kV
10 mF 2.5 C
 Content Review
A4. In this circuit the capacitor is initially uncharged.

6V

470 k

2 F

A4.1 Calculate the current through the resistor when the switch is first closed.

A4.2 What is the current after the switch has been closed for a long time? Explain your answer.

A4.3 Calculate the current through the resistor when the pd across the capacitor is 2.0 V.
Mark your own work.
Content Review
A1. In an experiment a capacitor is charged from a constant current supply by a 100 mA current
pulse which lasts 25 s.
A1.1 Calculate the charge on the capacitor after this time.

Q  It  100  10 3 A  25 s  2.5 C

A1.2. The pd across the capacitor is 6 V when it has been charged.

Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
Q 2 .5 C
C   0.42 F
V 6.0 V

A2. A capacitor is charged at a constant current of 2.0 mA until the charge on the capacitor is
0.010 C.
A2.1 How long did it take the capacitor to charge to this value?

A2.2QThe capacitance
0.010 C of the capacitor is 100 microfarads. To what pd had it been charged?
V   6
 100 V
C 100  10 F
Mark your own work.
Content Review
A3. This question allows you to practise using the equation Q = C V. Fill in the gaps in the table.

C Q V
Q  CV  1000  10 6 F  12 V  0.012 C

1000
C  μF
Q 2  10 3 C
  8  10 6 F 12 V
V 250 V
3
2 mC 250
V V 
Q 0.64  10
6
C
 20 V
C 32  10 F

32 μF 0.64 mC
33Q mF
C 
1.25 C
 50  10  6 F 6V
V 3
25  10 V
1.25 C 25 kV
10 mF 2.5 C
 Mark your own work.
Content Review
A4. In this circuit the capacitor is initially uncharged.

6V

470 k

2 F

A4.1 Calculate
V 6the
.0 Vcurrent through 5
the resistor when the switch is first closed.
I   3
 1 . 3  10 A
R 470  10 

A4.2 What is the current after the switch has been closed for a long time? Explain your answer.
Zero, because when capacitor is fully charged, the pd across the resistor is zero and so no current flows through it.

A4.3 Calculate the current through the resistor when the pd across the capacitor is 2.0 V.
The pd across the resistor is 4.0 V, therefore
4 .0 V
I  3
 8.5  10  6 A.
470  10 
 What is Your Understanding?
THUMBS UP?
THUMBS DOWN?
THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE?

Can I recall the definition of capacitance?

Can I calculate values of capacitance?
Can I state what a capacitor is and how it
stores electrical charge?
 LESSON SUMMARY
Definition of capacitance:

SUMMARY
 Learning Outcomes
If I have been successful and learnt in this lesson, I am able to:

Basic Demand

1. Know the definition of capacitance.

Moderate Demand
2. Calculate values of capacitance.
Advanced Demand
3. Know what a capacitor is and how it stores
charge.

Learning
Outcomes
 AQ

3.7.4
Capacitance
Turnbull’s
sics
A-Level