ELECTRONIC PRINCIPLES - OD1647 - LESSON 1/TASK 1
the electrons, pulling the electrons closer to the positive
charge. The negative charge repels the electrons, pushing them
further from the negative charge. It is this ability of an
electrostatic field to attract and repel charges that allows the
capacitor to store energy.
FIGURE 28. DISTORTION OF AN ELECTRON'S ORBIT DUE TO
b. The Simple Capacitor. A simple capacitor consists of two
metal plates separated by an insulating material called a
dielectric, as illustrated in figure 29 on the following page.
Note that one plate is connected to the positive terminal of a
battery; the other plate is connected through a closed switch
(S1) to the negative terminal of the battery. Remember, an
insulator is a material whose electrons cannot easily 'escape
their orbits. Due to the battery voltage, plate A is charged
positively and plate B is charged negatively. Thus an
electrostatic field is set: lip between the positive and
negative plates. The electrons on the negative plate (plate B)
are attracted to the positive charges on the positive plate
(plate A).
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