Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Engg. - P h y s i c s
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
1. V at a point is work done against electric field in moving a unit positive test charge from infinity to that
r
point, V E. dr .
Kp cos
3. Potential due to dipole at distance r at angle . V
r2
q1 r1
4. Potential due to system of charge VP Kq1 Kq2 Kq3 .
r1 r2 r3
r2 P
x2 q2
r3
If V and E are functions of x, then V2 V1 E dx .
x1
q3
1 1
2. V for two points at a distance r1 and r2 from a point charge Q, V2 – V1 = V = KQ r r
2 1
V V V
2. Ex , Ey , Ez .
x x z
dV
3. If V is a function of single variable r, E .
dr
EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE
An equipotential surface is a surface with a constant value of potential at all points on the surface.
Electric lines of force are always perpendicular to equipotential surface.
r Kq1q2
U
q1 q2 r
r31 r23
1 q1q2 q2q3 q3q1
U
40 r12 r23 r31
q1 q2
r12
CONDUCTORS
Conductor contain large amount of mobile charge carriers.
PROPERTIES :
1. Inside a conductor, electrostatic field is zero.
2. At the surface of charged conductor, electrostatic field must be perpendicular to the surface at every
point.
3. The charge density will remain zero in interior of conductor under static situtation.
4. Conductor is equipotential surface.
5. Electric field at surface of charged conductor is .
0
6. If conductor has a cavity with no charge inside the cavity then electric field inside cavity is zero,
whatever be the charge on or outside conductor (Electrostatic shielding).
CAPACITANCE
Capacitance of a conductor is measure of ability of conductor to store electric charge and hence electric
energy on it.
When charge is given to a conductor its potential increases. It is found that
V Q
or, Q V
Q = CV
where C is the capacitance and its SI unit is farad (F).
CAPACITOR
It is a device used to store electric energy in the form of electric field.
When an earthed conductor is held near an isolated conductor, a capacitor is obtained.
WORKING OF CAPACITOR
A B
If some charge is given to conductor A its potential increases, and soon
becomes maximum. If some more charge is given to it, it leaks out. Now if
an earthed conductor B is placed near A opposite charges induces on B,
hence more charge can be given to A.
Q 2 A QE
4. Force of attraction between the plates = 2A 2 2
0 0
Q
PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR WITH DIELECTRIC SLAB + + + + ++ +
- - - -- - - -- -
(a) Induced charge Qi Q 1 1 , K is dielectric constant. Q
K
++++++++++ i
(b) Capacitance, C 0 A .
- - - - - -- -
t
(d t )
K
0 A
(c) For conducting slab, K = Qi = – Q and C
d t
CYLINDRICAL CAPACITANCE
+Q
1. Potential difference between plates
–Q
2KQ b a
V l n + +
l a + b +
+ +
2KQ + +
2. Field E + + l
lr + +
+ +
3. Potential at any point between plates + +
+ +
2KQ r + +
V l n
l a
4. Capacitance C 20l
b
l n
a
DIELECTRIC POLARISATION
When a dielectre glab is placed between the plates of capacitor it’s polarisation take place. Thus a charge
–Qi, appear on its left face and +Qi appears on its right face.
+Q –Qi +Qi –Q
1
Qi Q 1
k
Q
E0
A 0
0 A
1. C
t1 t2 t t
3 4
K1 K 2 K 3 K 4
+ K1 K2 K3 K4 –
t1 t2 t3 t4
If t1 t 2 d
2
0 A 2 0 A + K1 K2 –
C
d d 1 1
d
2K1 2K 2 K1 K 2
2K1K 2 0 A 2K1K 2
C K eq d/2 d/2
K1 K 2 d K1 K 2
0 [K1A1 K 2 A2 K 3 A3 ] A1 K1
2. C
d
A2
+ K2 –
A3 K3
For two capacitors,
A
If A1 A2
2
A A A/2
0 K1 K 2 K1 A/2
C 2 2
d
K1 K 2 0 A K K2
C K eq 1
2 d 2
A/2 K2 A/2
COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
1. Capacitors in series (three capacitors)
Q Q Q
V1 V2 V3
C1 , C2 and C3
V = V1 + V2 + V3
1 1 1 1 V
Ceq C1 C2 C3
1 1 1
C1 C2
Ceq C1 C2
V
C1C2
Ceq Q = CeqV
C1 C2 V1 V2
C2 C1
V1 V V2 V Potential dividing rule
C1 C2 C1 C2
C1 Q1
3. Capacitors in parallel
Q1 = C1V, Q2 = C2V, Q3 = C3V C2 Q2
V
Þ Q = C 1V + C 2V + C 3V C3 Q3
1 Q2 1
U CV 2 QV
2 2C 2
Sharing of Charge
Case 1 : Two capacitors charged to potentials V1 and V2 are connected end to end as shown
C1C2 V1
(c) Loss of energy = (V1 V2 )2
2(C1 C2 )
2
1 V E
(c) New energy stored = 2 (KC0 ) K0 K0
R n1/ 3r0 R
(b) C = n 1/3C
0
nQ nQ
(d) V C n1/ 3C n V0
0 0 2/3
1 Q2 (nQ )2
(e) Total energy = 2 C 2n1/ 3C = n5/3 U0
0
2. For any charge configuration, equipotential surface through a point is a normal to the electric field. Justify.
3. Two charges 2C and 2C are placed at points A and B, 5 cm apart. Depict an equipotential surface of
the system.
4. Why electrostatic potential is constant throughout the volume of the conductor and has the same value as on
its surface?
5. Why is the potential inside a hollow spherical charged conductor is constant and has the same value as on its
surface?
6. Why there is no work done in moving a charge form one point to another on an equipotential surface?
7. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged such that potential on its surface is 10V. What is the
potential at the centre of the sphere?
8. Can two equipotential surface intersect each other? Justify your answer.
9. A point charge Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure. Is the potential difference VA VB positive,
negative or zero if Q is
Q
(i) postive
O A B
(ii) negative
10. Draw equipotential surfaces due to a single point charge.
11. Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is J/C. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity?
12. What is the work done in moving a test charge q through a distance of 1 cm along the equatorial axis of an
electric dipole?
13. Define the term potential energy for charge q at a distace r in an external field.
14. The potential due to a dipole at any point on its axial line is zero.
15. What is the electric potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point?
16. A 500C charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm. Find the work done in moving a charge of
10C between two diagonally opposite points on the square.
1
and q2 are located at r1 and r2, respectively in an external electric field E. Obtain the
n t c h a r g e s q
23. Two point charges 3C and 3C are placed at points A and B, 5 cm apart.
3 MARKS QUESTIONS
34. A wire AB is carrying a steady current of 12A and is lying on the table. Another wire CD carrying 5A is held
directly above AB at a height of 1mm. Find the mass per unit length of the wire CD, so that it remains
suspended at its position when left free. Give the direction of the current flowing in CD with respect to that
in AB. [Take the value of g = 10 ms-2]
35. (i) Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system of two identical positive point charges placed a distance d
apart.
(ii) Deduce the expression for the potential energy of a system of two point charges q1 and q2 brought from
infinity to the points with positions r1 and r2 respectively, in presence of external electric field E.
36. Calculate the work done to dissociate the system of three charges placed on the q
-4 q +2q
37. (i) Two points charges q1 and q2 initially at infintiy, are brought one by one to points P1 and P2 specified by
position vectors r1 and r2 relative to same origin. What is the potential energy of the this charge
configuration? Define an equipotential surface.
(ii) Draw schematically the equipotential surface corresponding to a field that uniformly increases in
magnitude but remains constant in direction.
V for two capacitors C1 and C2. Both the capacitors have same plate sepa- q B
ration but plate area of C2 is greater than that C1. Which line (A or B)
corresponsds to C1 and why?
V
2. A capacitor has been charged by a DC source. What are the magnitude of conduction and displacement
current when it is fully charged ?
3. Distinguish between a dielectric and a conductor.
4. Define the dielectric constant of a medium. What is its unit?
5. A metal plate is introduced between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor. What is its effect on the
capacitance of the capacitor?
6. In the figure given below X,Y represent parallel plate capacitors having X Y
the same area of plates and the same distance of separation between Air
them. What is the relation between the energies stored in the capaci-
tors? + V -
7. The following graph shows the variation of charge Q with voltage V for two capacitors K and L. In which
capacitor is more electrostatic energy stored ?
Q
L
2 MARKS QUESTIONS
9. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. It is then connected to
another uncharged capacitor having the same capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy stored in the com-
bined system to that stored initially in the single capacitor.
10. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C1 and C2 such that
C1 = 2C2 are connected across a battery of V volt as shwon in the
figure Initially, the key (k) is kept closed to fully charge the capacitors.
The key in now thrown open and a dielectric slab of dielectric con-
stant K is inserted in the two capacitors to completely fill the gap
between the plates. Find the ratio of (i) the net capacitance and (ii) the
energies stroed in the combination before and after the introduction of
the dielectric slab.
13. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of a parallel plate capacitor,
but has the thickness d/2, where d is the saparation between the plates. Find out the expression for its capaci-
tance when the slab is inserted between the plates of the capacitor.
14. Determine the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor C1 of the network shown in the figure.(assume,
E2 > E1)
15. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1F . What will be their net capacitance if connected
in parallel ?Find the ratio of energy store in the two configurations if they are both connected to the same
source.
16. Figure shows two indentical capacitors C1 and C2, each of 2F capacitance, connected to a battery of 5 V..
Initially, switch S is closed. After sometime, S is dielectric constant K = 5 are inserted to fill completely the
space between the plates of the two capacitors. How will the (i) charge and (ii) potential difference between
the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slabs are inserted?
17. Two identical parallel plate (air) capacitors C1 and C2 have capacitance C each. The space between their
plates is now filled with dielectrics as shown in the figure. If the two capacitors still have equal capacitance, they
obtain the relation between dielectric constants K, K1 and K2.
19. Figure shows a sheet of aluminium foil of negligible thickness placed between the
plates of a capacitor. How will its capacitance be affected if
(i) the foil is electrically insulated?
(ii) the foil is connected to the upper plate with a conducting wire?
20. (i) Obtain the expression for the energy stored per unit volume in a charged parallel plate capacitor.
(ii) The electric field inside a parallel plate capacitor is E. Find the amount of work done in moving a charge
q over a closed rectangular loop abcda.
3 MARKS QUESTIONS
21. (i) Derive the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor having plate area A and plate
separation d.
(ii) Two charged spherical conductors of radii R1 and R2 when connected by a conducting plate respectively.
Find the ratio of their surface charge densities in terms of their radii.
22. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates, each plate has an area of 6 × 10-3 m2 and the separtion
between the plate is 3 mm.
(i) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
(ii) If this capacitor is connected to 100 V supply, what would be the change on each plate ?
(iii) How would charge on the plates be affected if a 3 mm thick mica sheet of K = 6 is inserted between the
plates while the voltage supply remains connected?
32. Four capacitors of values 6F, 6F, 6F and 2F are connected to a 6V battery as shown in the figure.
Determine the
34. Three identical capacitors C1, C2 and C3 of capacitances 6F each are connected to a 12V battery as shown
below :
Find
(i) the charge on each capacitor
(ii) the equivalent capacitances of the network
(iii) the energy stored in the network of capacitors
35. The equivalent capacitance of the combination between points A and B in the given figure is 4F .
(i) Calculate the capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent of the combination is 4F .
37. A system of capacitors connected as shown in the figure has a total energy of 160 mJ stored in it. Obtain the
value of the equivalent capacitance of this system and the value of Z.
38. The two plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 4 mm apart. A slab of dielectric constant 3 and thickness 3 mm
is introduced between the plates with its faces parallel to them. The distance between the plates is so adjusted
that the capacitance of the capacitor becomes (2/3 )rd of its original value. What is the new distance between
the plates?
5 MARKS QUESTIONS
39. (i) A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery to a potential. The battery is disconnected and a
dielectric slab is inserted to completely fill the space between the plates.How will
(c) energy stored in the capacitor be affected? Justify your answer giving necessary mathematical
(ii) (a) Draw the electric field lines due to a conducting sphere.
(ii) Show that the effective capacitances C of a series combination of three capacitors C1, C1 and C3 is
C1 C 2 C3
given by C
C1C 2 C 2 C3 C3C1
41. (i) Show that in a parallel plate capacitor if the medium between the plates of a capacitor is filled with an
insulating substance of dielectric constant K, its capacitance increases.
(ii) Deduce the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance C with charge Q.
42. A small sphere of radius a carrying a positive charge q is placed concentrically inside a larger hollow conducting
shell of radius b (b > a). This outer shell has charge Q on it. Show that if these spheres are connected by a
conducting wire, charge will always flow from the inner sphere to the outer sphere irrespective of the magnitude
of the two charges.
43. (i) Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor.
(ii) On charging a parallel plate capacitor to a potential V, the spacing between the plates is halved and a
dielectric medium of r 10 is introduced between the plates without disconnecting the DC source.
(a) capacitance (b) electric field and (c) energy density of the capacitor changes?
(iii) When a dielectric is inserted between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor fully occupying the
intervening region, how does the polarisation of the dielectric medium affect the net electric field? For a
linear dielectric,show that the introduction of the dielectric increases its capacitance by a factor K which is
a characteristic of the dielectric.
1. Two charges 10C and 10C are placed 10 cm apart. Potential at the center of the line joining the two
charges is
(A) Zero (B) 2 V (C) 3 V (D) None of these
2. Four charges 2 C, -3 C, -4 C, and 5 C respectively are placed at the corners of a square. Which of the
following statements is true for the point of intersection of the diagonals?
(A) Electric field is zero but electric potential is nonzero
(B) Electric field is nonzero but electric potential is zero.
(C) Both electric field and electric potential are zero
(D) Neither electric field nor electric potential is zero
3. Two very small balls carrying charges of 1C and 9 C are placed 8 cm apart in vacuum. The minimum
value of electric potential between the two given charges on the line joining them is at a point
(A) 1 cm form 1C (B) 2 cm form 1C (C) 3 cm from 1C (D) 4 cm from 1C
4. Two charges q and -4q are kept at points A and B. Let V be the potential
at any piont on the line joining A and B The correct variation of V along the AB is
(A) (B)
5. Two charges q and -4q are kept on a straight line. At how many points on this line, the electric potential is
zero?
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) Infinite
6. A rod is bent into a semi-circular arc of radius R. The rod has a uniform linear
(A) 2 R (B) 4 (C) 2 (D)
0 0 0 0
L L2 4h 2
Q
0
(A) 4 L In L L 3h
2 2
Q
(B) 4 L In
0 2
Q L L2 4h 2 Q L2 4h 2 L
(C) 4 L
In
(D) 4 L 2
In
L L 4h
2 2 2
0 0 L 4h L
8. Consider a hollow spherical conductor that has a potential of 300 volts at its outside surface. The potential
inside the hollow must be
(A) It depends on the ratio of outer and inner radii (B) Zero everywhere
(C) 300 V everywhere (D) 150 V everywhere
9. Just outside a sharp point on a conductor we will have a larger _________ than just outside gradually
curving places on the conductor.
(A) Electric field (B) Voltage (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) Neither
10. Where is the electric potential due to a charged shell constant?
(A) Outside it (B) Inside it
(C) Both inside and outside it (D) Neither inside nor outsie it
11. Where does the electric potential due to a charged conducting shell vary inversely as the distance from its
centre?
(A) Both inside and outside it (B) Only inside it
(C) Only outside it (D) Neither inside nor outside it
12. A solid conducting sphere having a charge Q is surrounded by an uncharged concentric conducting spherical
shell. the potential difference between the surface of solid sphere and the shell is V. The shell is now given a
charge -3Q. The new potential difference between the smae surfaces will be
(A) V (B) 2 V (C) 4 V (D) -2 V
1 q 1 q 1 q 1 q
(A) 0,0 (B) 0, 4 R (C) 4 r 2 ,0 (D) 4 r 2 , 4 r
0 0 0 0
16. Two insulated charged conducting spheres of radii 20 cm and 15 cm respectively and having an equal
charge of 10C are connected by a copper wire and then they are separated. Then
(A) Both spheres will have equal charges
(B) Surface charge density on the 20 cm sphere will be greater than that on the 15 cm sphere
(C) Surface charge density on the two spheres will be equal
(D) None of these
PARAGRAPH
In an arrangemetn of two concentric conducting shells, with centre at origin and radii a and b(a < b), charges
Q1 and Q 2 are given to the inner and outer shell respectively. Answer the following questions assuming that at
infinite distance from origin, potential is taken as zero.
17. There will be zero potential at any point outside the outer shell for
18. There will be zero potential at any point inside the inner shell for
19. There will be a constant potential at any point outside the outer shell for
20. There will be a constant potential at any point inside the inner shell for
21. There will be a constant potential at any point which is outside the inner shell but inside the outer shell for
23. Let V be the potential at a point P(distance r from origin), then for a < r < b,
24. Let V be the potential at a point P(distance r from origin), then for r > b,
VA = 10 V VB = 20 V
A B
d=1m
(A) 1.6 10 18 J (B) 1.6 10 18 J (C) 1.6 10 19 J (D) 1.6 10 19 J
4ekQ
4ekQ 1
(C) 52 2 (D) 1 2
a a 5
29. A proton is accelerated from rest through a potential of 500 volts. Its final kinetic energy is
(A) 50 eV (B) 500 eV (C) 1000 eV (D) 2000 eV
31. In figure two points A and B are located in a region of electric field. The poitential difference VB VA is
2eV eV eV eV
(A) (B) (C) (D)
m m 2m m
PARAGRAPH
33. If Q1 and Q2 are equal and oppositely charged, what is the potential at point B?
36. If Q1 in the above figure is twice Q2 and both are positive, where can a point of zero potential be found?
38. The electrostatic potential difference between points A and B, VA VB , which are distances rA 2.0 m
and rB 1.0 m from an infinitely long thin wire 1.0 C / m is
(A) 12.47 103 V (B) 12.47 103 V (C) 18 103 V (D) 18 103 V
39. In the previous situation (i.e.30), if an eletron is released from rest at point A, it’s speed at point B will be
(A) 6.6 107 m / s (B) 3.3 107 m / s (C) 1.1 107 m / s (D) 2.2 107 m / s
41. Two point charges are kept at a certain distance from one another figure shows variation of the potential
along the straight line connecting the two charges. At which point is the electric field zero?
45. A uniform electric field having a magnitude E 0 and direction along the positive x-axis exists in a region. If the
potential V is zero at x = 0, then its value at x = +x will be
46. The electric potential V at any point (x, y, z) in space is given by V 4x 2 volt. The electric field at (1, 0, 2)
m in Vm is
1
In an electric field, potential at a point with position vector r is given as v The electric field at
343
47.
|r|
r 3iˆ 2ˆj 6kˆ is
49. The electric potential in space is given by V(x,y,z) = (2xy + y 2 z + x 2 yz ) volt, where x,y and z are in metre
Then y component of electric field at the point (3,-2,1) will be
51.
In any region, if electric field is define as E ˆi 2ˆj kˆ V / m, then the potential difference between two
points A(0, 0, 0) and B(2, 3, 4) in that region, is
(A) 6 V (B) 12 V (C) 8 V (D) 9 V
52. From the follwing graph, find the value of | E | at r = 3.5 m
100
(A) 3.5 V/m (B) (C) V/m (D) Zero
35
1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2
(A) 1 (B) 1 (C) 1 (D) 1
2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 3
56. A particle of mass m and charge q circulates around a fixed charge q in a circle of radius r under electro-
static force. The total energy of the system is
kq 2 kq 2 kq 2
(A) (B) (C) (D) Zero
2r r r
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance|25|
Engg. - P h y s i c s
57. In a region of uniform electric field, as an electron travels from A to B, it slows from U A 6.1 106 m/s to
U B 4.5 106 m/s. What is its potential change V VB VA in volts?
CAPACITANCE
58. Two cylindrical capacitor has radii of inner and outer plates as (a, b) and (c, d) respectively. If they have
same length and same capacitance, then
a c ab cd
(A) (B) a b c d (C) (D) a c b d
b d 2 2
59. Two parallel plates have charges Q1 and Q 2 on them and the capacitance is C. The potenital difference
between them is
Q1 Q 2 Q1 Q 2 Q1 Q 2 Q1 Q 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2C 2C C C
60. In a cylindrical capacitor with plate radii a and b, the potential difference between the plates is V. The
electric field bdtween the plates at a radial distance r from axis is
V b
V In V V
(A) r In b (B) a (C) (D) b a
a r r
61. Two parallel plates have area A and separation d. They are given charges q1 and q 2 . They repel each other
by a force
q2 q2 q2 2q 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4K 0 A 2K 0 A K 0 A 3K 0 A
(A) No change (B) Decreases to zero (C) Becomes infinite (D) None of these
64. A thin metallic sheet is introduced as shown in figure. The sheet is moved parpendicularly to the plates X &
Y of the capacitor. The capacitance of capacitor
(A) Increases (B) Decreases (C) Remains smae (D) Nothing can be said
65. A charge of 1C is given to one plate of a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 0.1 F and a charge of 2
C is given to the other plate. Find the potential difference developed between the plates.
66. A parallel plate air capacitor is to be constructed which can store 12C of charge when operated at 1200
V. If dielectric strength of air is 3 106 V/m, the minimum plate area of the capacitor required is
67. The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor when a very thin metallic sheet is placed in the space between
the plates, parallel to the plates, will
(A) Increase (B) Decrease (C) Remain same (D) Nothing cna be said
COMBINATION OF CAPACITANCE
68. In the given figure, potentials of points A and B are
10 20
(A) 2V, 8V (B) V, V (C) 6V, 4V (D) 4V, 6V
3 3
A 0 4A 0 A 0 3A 0
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4d d 3d 4d
3e e 3e
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
4 3 2
CV 2
(A) (B) CV 2
2
(C) 2CV 2 (D) Zero
77. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery of emf V volts. Work done by battery is W. Gain in energy
of capacitor is U and heat dissipated in lead wires is H. Then
W
(A) U H (B) U H W (C) U 2H W (D) U H 2W
2
78. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential difference V from a cell and then disconnected from it
A charge + Q is now given to its positive plate. The potential difference across the capacitor is now
Q Q Q
(A) V (B) V (C) V (D) V
C 2C C
C
(A) C ' KC (B) C ' (C) C ' C (D) C ' K 2 C
K
q
(A) q ' q (B) q ' k 2 q (C) q ' (D) q ' kq
k
F
(A) F ' KF (B) F' K 2 F (C) F ' F (D) F'
K
83. A capcitor consitsts of two metal plates each 10 cm by 20 cm; they are separated by a 2.0 mm thick insulator
with dielectric constant 4 and dielectric strength 6.0 107 V/m. What is the capacitance in pF 10 F ?
12
C K
(A) C ' 1 K (B) C ' C 1 K (C) C ' C 1 (D) None of these
2 2
86. A parallel pate air capacitor has capacitance C. Half of space between the plates is filled with di-electric of
di-elctric constant K as shown in figure. The new capacitance is C’. Then
K 2K 2C
(A) C ' C (B) C ' C (C) C '
K 1 K 1
(D) None of these
K 1
88. The electrostatic potential difference between points A and B VA VB which are distances rA 2.0m
and rB 1.0m from an infinitely large thin plate with 1.0 C / m 2 is
(A) 18 103 V (B) 18 103 V (C) 36 103 V (D) 36 103 V
89. In a uniform electric field E = 100 V/m, the potential difference VA VB , where AB 10 2m, is
Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4 0 R 2 0 R 8 0 R 0 R
94. In a parallel plate capacitor with plate separation d, the potential difference between plates is V. The electric
field inside it at distance r from positive plate is
V V V V
(A) (B) (C) (D) d r
r d dr dr
95. In a spherical capacitor with plate radii a and b, the potential difference between the plates is V. The electric
field between the plates at a radial distance r from centre is
V r Vr a abV raV
(A) b a r a (C) r 2 b a (D) b b a
(B)
b a
(A) 50 N/C (B) 100 N/C (C) 200 N/C (D) 400 N/C
2. In which of the following case, potential at point O is not zero?
3. If the area of each plate is A and the separation between them is d, then find the equiavalent capacitance
between P and Q
0 A 2 0 A 0 A 3 0 A
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3d d d d
4. Air filled capacitor of capacitance 2F is filled with three dielectric material of dielectric constants
K1 4, K 2 4 and K 3 6 as shown in the figure. The new capacitance of the capacitor is
(A) 1 5 F
(B) 2 1 2 5 F (C) 2 20F (D) 1 2F
6. A parallel plate capacitor, with plate area A and plate separation d, is filled with a dielectric slab as shown.
What is the capacitance of the arrangement?
K d
d
2
A/2
K K 3 0 A 3 K 0 A 4 K 0 A K 1 0 A
(D)
(A) 2 K 1 d
(B)
4 d
(C)
3 d 2 d
7. Find the electrostatic potential energy of the system shown in the figure.
Kq 2 3Kq 2 Kq 2 2Kq 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
a a a a
8. A charge of 5nC is uniformly distributed on a ring of radius 4 cm. Find the potential at the axis at a distance
of 3 cm from the centre.
(A) 0.09 V (B) 600 V (C) 900 V (D) 300 V
9. Two charges q and -q are placed at (a, 0) and (-a, 0) on the x-axis. Another charge 2q is taken from (0, 0)
to (0, a), then the work done to do so
q q
(A) 2 a (B) Zero (C) Infinite (D) 4 a
0 0
10. The graph between the surface charge density and radius of curvature for an isolated conductor at constant
potential is
(A) Straight line with positive slope (B) Parabola
(C) Rectangular hyperbola (D) Straight line negative slope
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance|33|
Engg. - P h y s i c s
11. Which of the following statements is not true regarding a conductor ?
(A) The surface of any charged conductor is an equipotential surface
(B) When a conductor is earthed, charge always flows from conductor to earth
(C) Electrostatic field inside the conductor is zero
(D) Electrostatic potential through out the volume of conductor is constant
12. A air filled parallel plate capcitor having circular plates of diameter D is given a charge Q. The magnitude of
the force acting between plates is
Q2 Q2 Q2 2Q 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
20 2D 2 0 D 2 0 0 D 2
13. Air filled capacitor is charged by a battery and after charging battery is removed. A slab of dielectric material
is inserted in it to fill the space completely. The electric field in the capacitor is
(A) Increased (B) Decreased
(C) Remains Constant (D) First increased then decreased
14. An air filled parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 50F is connected to a battery of 100 V. A slab of
dielectric constant 4 is inserted in it to fill the space completely. Find the extra charge flown through the
battery till it attains the steady state.
(A) 2.5 mC (B) 5 mC (C) 20 mC (D) 15 mC
15. Find the capacitance between A and B
7 12
(A) F (B) 4F (C) F (D) 3.2 F
12 7
Qr QR 2QR
(A) (B) (C) (D) Q
R r r
19. There are two concentric conducting shells. the potential of outer shell is 10 V and that of inner shell is 15 V.
If the outer shell is grounded, the potential of inner shell becomes/remains
(A) 25 V (B) 15 V (C) 10 V (D) 5 V
20. An arrangement of three large metallic parallel plates with a respective charges marked in figure is shown.
What is the charge appearing on the left face of plate B?
Q 2 Q1
(A) Zero (B)
2
(C) Q1 (D) Q 2
21. In the circuit shown, the charges on the capacitors A and B are respectively
CV CV CV CV
(A) CV, CV (B) , (C) CV, (D) , CV
2 2 2 2
22. A uniform electric field of 200 V/m is directed at 45 with x-axis as shown in figure. The co-ordinates of
point P and point Q are (1, 0) and (0, 2) find the potential difference, VP VQ (in volts).
200 200
(A) (B) 200 2 (C) (D) 200 2
2 2
3V V
(A) Zero (B) V (C) (D)
2K K2
24. A capacitor is charged until it stores an energy of 1 J. A second uncharged capacitor is connected to it, so
that charge distributes equally. The final energy stored in the second capacitor is
(A) 1 J (B) 0.5 J (C) 0.25 J (D) 0.125 J
25. The ratio of energy stored by the series combination of two identical capacitors to their parallel combination,
when connected to same supply voltage, is
1 1
(A) 1 (B) (C) 4 (D)
2 4
26. A long, hollow conducting cylinder is kept coaxially inside another long, hollow conducting cylinder of larger
radius. Both the cylinders are initially electrically neutral.
(A)A potential difference appears between the two cylinders when a charge density is given to the inner
cylinder
(B) A potential difference appears between the two cylinders when a charge density is given to the outer
cylinder
(C) No potential difference appears between the two clinders when a uniform line charge is kept along the
axis of the cylinders
(D) No potential difference appears between the two cylinders when same charge density is given to both
the sphere is then,
27. Consider a neutral conducting sphere. A positive point charge is placed outside the sphere. The net charge
on the sphere is then,
(A) Negative and distributed unifromly over the surface of the sphere
(B) Negative and appears only at the point on the sphere closest to the point charge
(C) Negative and distributed non-uniformly over the entrire surface of te sphere
(D) Zero
q q 2q
29. Consider a system of three charges , and placed at points A, B and C, respectively, as shown in
3 3 3
the figure. Take O to be the centre of the circle of radius R and angle CAB = 60
q
(A) The electric field at point O is 8 R 2 directed along the negative x-axis
0
q2
(C)The magnitude of the force between the charges at C and B is
54 0 R 2
q
(D) The potential at point O is 12 R
0
30. Three concentric matallic spherical shells of radii R, 2R, 3R, are given charges Q1 , Q 2 , Q3 , respectively,; It
is found that the surface charge density on the outer surfaces of the shells are equal. Then, the ratio of the
charges given to the shells, Q1 : Q 2 : Q3 , is
31. A 2 F capacitor is charged as shown in the figure. The percentage of its stored energy dissipated after the
switch S is turned to position 2 is
33. In the given circuit, a charge of 80C is given to the upper plate of the 4F capacitor. Then in the steady
state, the charge on the upper plate of the 3F capacitor is
(A) Electric field at O is 2 R k̂ (B) Electric potential at O is 4
0 0
(C) Electric field at P lies completely in x-y plane (D) Electric field at P is along z-axis only
(A) Work done by the electric field, in moving the electron from A to D, is positive
(B) Work done by the electric field, in moving the electron from D to B is same as from B to C
(C) The electric field is directed along + x-axis
(D) As the electron moves from C to E, the potential energy increases
q
(A) When the switch is open, the potential at O is 4 r
0
qR
(D) When switch is closed, sphere acquires a net charge
r
4. A non - conducting sphere has a total charge Q, uniformly distributed throughout its volume. The centre of
the sphere is at origin and its radius is R. Let U1 be the electrostatic potential energy in the region inside the
sphere and U 2 be the electrostatic potential energy in another imaginary spherical shell, having inner radius
R and outer radius infinity, centred at origin . Select the correct alternative(s)
Q2 Q2 3 Q2 3Q 2
(A) U1 (B) U 2 (C) U1 U 2 U
(D) 1
8 0 R 8 0 R 5 4 0 R 20 0 R
q4
(A) q1 q 2 (B) q 3 q 4 (C) q1 q 3 q 4 (D) q 3
2
6. When a dielectric slab is inserted between the plates of one of the two identical
capacitors in figure, which of the following properties increase?
(A) Charge on the first capactior
(B) Charge on the second capacitor
(C) Potential difference across the first capacitor
(D) Potential difference across the second capacitor
7. Figure shows three concentric conducting spherical shells of radii a, b and c (c > b > a).
The innermost and outermost shell are given charges Q1 and Q2 respectively, and the
middle shell has been earthed. Select the correct alternative (s).
(A) The total charge on middle shell is zero
(B) If | Q1 | | Q 2 |, total charge on middle shell has opposite sign as that of Q1
b
(C) The charge on the outer surface of outermost shell is Q 2 1
c
b
1 Q2
(D) The potential at a point outside the outermost shell is c , where r is distance from O
40 r
8. The circuit shows two capacitors, C1 and C 2 , charged so as to have respectively charges q1 and q 2 . The
switch is closed. Which of the following choices are incorrect?
(A) Total electriostatic potential energy of the system is always same before and after closing the switch
(B) Total electrostatic potential energy of the system alsways decreases after closing the switch
(C) The redistribution of charges take splace due to potential difference between them
(D) There may not be a flow of charge on closing the switch
(A) The work done by electric forces upon the expansion of shell from radius R1 to R 2 is
q
q q0
2 1 1
4 0 R1 R 2
(D) The electric field and energy changes is localised only in spherical region of inner radius R1 and outer
radius R 2
10. The field potential inside a charged ball of radius R and centre at O depends only on distance from its
centre as V r r 2 when , are + ve constant. Now choose correct options
(B) Electric flux passing through an imaginary sphere of radius r centre at O will be 2r 4
48
(D) Electric energy of charged ball will be 0 2 R 5
5
3CV
(A) If k1 is closed and k 2 remains open, magnitude of charge flown through k1 will be
2
9CV 2
(B) For case (1), heat dissipated in circuit would be
4
(C) Now k 2 is also closed ( k1 already closed), magnitude of charges flown through k 2 would be 5 CV
Q Q
(A) Equal to 4 R (B) Smaller than 4 R
0 0
Q
(C) Greater than 4 R (D) None of these
0
14. A thick shell with inner radius R and outer radius 3R has uniform charged density . It has a spherical cavity
of radius R as shown in figure. Choose the correct options
R 4R P
O O1
7 R
(A) Electric field at O will be zero (B) Electric field at O1 will be 12
0
11 R 23 R 2
(C) Electric field at P will be 24 (D) Potential at O will be
0 6 0
15. A spherical metal a of radius R A and a solid metal sphere B of radius R B R A are kept far apart and
each is given charge ' Q ' . Now they are connected by a thin metal wire. Then
A R B
(A) E inside
A 0 (B) Q A Q B (C) R (D) E on
A
surface
E on
B
surface
B A
F L E
+q −q
S T
A O D
+ 2q − 2q
B+ q − qC
(A) The charge on the upper plate of C1 is 2 CV0 (B) The charge on the upper plate of C1 is CV0
(C) The charge on the upper plate of C2 is 0 (D) The charge on the upper plate of C2 is CV0
E1 E1 1
(A) E 1 (B) E K
2 2
Q1 3 C 2K
(C) Q K (D) C K
2 1
v0 v0 v 0 2v 0
(A) , (B) 0, v (C) , (D) 0, 0
2 2 3 3
1 q2 1 1 q 2 1 1 q 2 mv02 1 q 2 mv02
(A) mv 02 (B) mv 02 (C) (D)
4 0 r 2 4 0 r 2 4 0 r 4 4 0 r 4
B OA = rA
a rB
O rC q OB = rB
b C
OC = rC
rA
A
Kq Kq Kq Kq Kq Kq
(A) r (B) r a (C) r a b (D) Cannot be calculated
C C C
Kq Kq
(B) CB 2 , towards C (C) , towards B
(A) Zero
CB2
(D) Cannot be determined
1. A : When some charge is given to an irregular shaped conductor, it distributes itself so that charge density is
same everywhere.
R : A conductor has to be equipotential under static condition.
2. The following figure shows three concentric condiucting shells. The two inner
shells are grounded and a charge Q is given to the outermost shell
Qa
A : The net charge appearing on the innermost shell is .
c
Qb
R : The net charge appearing on the central shell is .
c
3. A: Inside an isolated hollow spherical shell of charge, electrostatic potential is constant everwhere.
R : Electric field inside a hollow spherical shell of charge is always zero
1
(A) E (p) Point charge
r2
(B) E r (q) Spherically symmetric charge distribution
1
(C) V (r) Long line charge
r
r2
(D) V2 V1 f (s) Plane sheet of charge
r1
C1V1 C 2 V2
(A) V (p)
C1 C 2
1 C1C 2
(B) U V1 V2
2
(q)
2 C1 C 2
V V1 V2 V
(C) (r)
C2 C1
1 C1C 2
(D) Total enegy = 2 C C V1 V2
2
(s)
1 2
(t)
3. If some charge is given to a conducting object of any shape, then match the following columns, under
electrostatic condion
Column - I Column - II
(a) E at a point within conducting material (p) Must be zero
(b) E at a point outside the material (q) May be zero
(c) E at a point in the cavity having no charge (r) May be uniform but not zero
(d) E at a point in the cavity having some charge (s) May be non-uniform
4. Find the magnitude of electric potential at the origin due to following charge distribution If q 1nC .
5. The bob of mass m, charge q is circulating in a vertical circle of radius R. With the help of a string. If the
maximum speed of the bob is V then the period of revoultion is T1 . If an electric field of magnitude (mg/q) is
setup which makes an angle 60 with upward vertical. Again the bob is circulating in same circle and its
maximum speed is also V, then the period of revolution is T2 . Find then T1 / T2 .
6. A unifrom charged shell is reassembled in the form of a shpere of same radius but charge unifromly distrib-
uted through out of its volume. find the ratio of initial potential energy to work required for it.
7. Three point charges q, q / 3 and 16q have to be arranged on positive x-axis within 20 cm, so that system’ss
potential energy is minimum. find the distance of charge q / 3 from charge q.
8. Two conducting closed surfaced shells are shown in figure. They are connected
by wire through switch S. If q1 and q 2 charges are given to inner and outer shells
respectivley. The switch is closed find the ratio of final charge of inner shell
9. There are three conducting and concentric sphereical shells of radii R, 2R and 3R. The charge on inner and
outer most shells are q and 3q while middle shell is earthed. find the ratio of number of field lines emitted by
outermost shell and inner shell
10. Three charged conducting plates are separated by small distances as shown in
figure. The charges on the plates are shown. Find the ratio of charge on right surface
and left surface of the middle plate.