The capacitor

A capacitor is an electrical device for storing quantities of electricity in much the same way that a reservoir i$ a container for storing water or a steel tank is a container for storing gas. The general form of a capacitor is that of two parallel conducting plates as shown in Fig. 12.

Such plates are of relatively large area, close together, and contain between them a nonconducting medium called the dieiectric. Common dielectrics are air, glass, oil and waxed paper.

Quantitatively, the capacitance of a capacitor is a measure of its ability to store-up electricity. To increase the capacitance of a capacitor, one of the following Potential Zero negative II

fig. 12. Demonstration of the prin­ciples of a capacitor.

changes can be made: first, the area of the plates may be increased; second, the plates may be put closer together; and third, a more suitable dielectric may be inserted between the plates. If the plates of a capacitor are small in area and at the same time relatively far apart, the capacitance is small. If the area is large and the plates close together, the capacitance is large.

The principles of the capacitor are illustrated in Fig. 12. One plate of this capacitor is grounded, and the other is insulated but connected to an electroscope or electrometer. If the right-hand plate is now given a negative charge as shown, electrons in the other plate are repelled into the ground, leaving that plate positively charged. If the insulat­ed plate is given a positive charge (not shown), electrons from the ground are attracted to the other plate and it's acquired a negative charge.

In either case the grounded plate is, by definition, at ground potential or zero potential. The right-hand plate is at negative potential, since, if connected to the ground, its electrons would escape into the ground. As shown in the diagram, the capacitor is charged. If the two plates of a capacitor are suddenly connected by a conductor the negative charges can flow through the conductor to the positive charges, thus neutralizing the charges. The capacitor has thus been discharged.

During the time a capacitor is being charged, the plates acquire a greater and greater difference of potential. If in Fig. 12 more electrons are added to the insulated plate, the potential difference is increased. The amount of charge stored-up in this way is limited only by the breakdown of the dielectric between the two plates. When the charge becomes too great, a spark will jump between the plates, thus discharging the capacitor.

The unit of capacitance, the farad, named in honour of Michael Faraday, is defined as the capacitance of a capacitor of such dimensions that a charge of one coulomb will give the plates a difference of potential

of one volt:

l coulomb

1 farad = -----------

1 volt

A capacitance of 1 farad is very large and for practical purposes is not used. The microfarad is more convenient. The smaller unit is one-millionth of the farad and is abbreviated uf. In other words, 1,000,000 microfarads are equivalent to 1 farad. A still smaller unit, the micro-microfarad, is sometimes used. One micromicrofarad is one-millionth of 1 microfarad and is abbreviated uuf.

Capacitors in common use today are of various kinds, sizes and shapes. Perhaps the most common is the so-called "paper capacitor" used commonly in radios and the ignition system of automobiles. Another type of capacitor is the variable capacitor commonly used in tuning radios. The capacitance of such a device can be varied by the turning of a knob. The capacitance of such variable air capacitors is from zero to about 4000 uuf.