Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Capacitance in Electrostatics

In course

PHYS-201(c): General physics : electromagnetism

Introduction à la mécanique des fluides, à l'électromagnétisme et aux phénomènes ondulatoires. ...

Description

This lecture covers the concept of capacitance in electrostatics, starting with the definition of self-capacity and Gauss's law. It then explores the capacitance of single-conductor and two-conductor capacitors, including parallel plate capacitors. Examples of calculating the capacity of different geometries, such as conductive spheres and discs, are provided. The lecture also introduces the concept of mutual capacity and discusses the capacitance of capacitors with parallel plates and spherical conductors.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructor

Giovanni Boero

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Physics

Electromagnetism: Electrostatics

Related concepts (21)

Capacitor types

Capacitors are manufactured in many styles, forms, dimensions, and from a large variety of materials. They all contain at least two electrical conductors, called plates, separated by an insulating layer (dielectric). Capacitors are widely used as parts of electrical circuits in many common electrical devices. Capacitors, together with resistors and inductors, belong to the group of passive components in electronic equipment.

Tantalum capacitor

A tantalum electrolytic capacitor is an electrolytic capacitor, a passive component of electronic circuits. It consists of a pellet of porous tantalum metal as an anode, covered by an insulating oxide layer that forms the dielectric, surrounded by liquid or solid electrolyte as a cathode. Because of its very thin and relatively high permittivity dielectric layer, the tantalum capacitor distinguishes itself from other conventional and electrolytic capacitors in having high capacitance per volume (high volumetric efficiency) and lower weight.

Electrolytic capacitor

An electrolytic capacitor is a polarized capacitor whose anode or positive plate is made of a metal that forms an insulating oxide layer through anodization. This oxide layer acts as the dielectric of the capacitor. A solid, liquid, or gel electrolyte covers the surface of this oxide layer, serving as the cathode or negative plate of the capacitor. Because of their very thin dielectric oxide layer and enlarged anode surface, electrolytic capacitors have a much higher capacitance-voltage (CV) product per unit volume than ceramic capacitors or film capacitors, and so can have large capacitance values.

Polymer capacitor

A polymer capacitor, or more accurately a polymer electrolytic capacitor, is an electrolytic capacitor (e-cap) with a solid conductive polymer electrolyte. There are four different types: Polymer tantalum electrolytic capacitor (Polymer Ta-e-cap) Polymer aluminium electrolytic capacitor (Polymer Al-e-cap) Hybrid polymer capacitor (Hybrid polymer Al-e-cap) Polymer niobium electrolytic capacitors Polymer Ta-e-caps are available in rectangular surface-mounted device (SMD) chip style.

Gauss's law

In physics and electromagnetism, Gauss's law, also known as Gauss's flux theorem, (or sometimes simply called Gauss's theorem) is a law relating the distribution of electric charge to the resulting electric field. In its integral form, it states that the flux of the electric field out of an arbitrary closed surface is proportional to the electric charge enclosed by the surface, irrespective of how that charge is distributed.

Related lectures (50)

Dielectrics and Capacitors

Explores Gauss's law with dielectrics, ideal capacitors, and screening of charges.

Comsol: Parallel plate capacitor

Focuses on modeling a parallel plate capacitor using Comsol, emphasizing clear project ideas and group collaboration.

Electrostatics: Basics and Applications

Introduces the basics of electrostatics, covering Coulomb's law, electric fields, capacitance, dielectrics, and more.

Electrostatics: Basis and Applications

Explores Coulomb's law, electric fields, capacitance, conductors, and dielectrics in electrostatic systems.

Electric Fields and Currents Log in to Mediaspace to watch this video