CLASS XII PHYSICS

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FROM CHAPTER-2 Electric POTENTIAL &

2 A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance of 8 pF (1pF = 10–12 F). What will
be the capacitance if the distance between the plates is reduced by half and the space between them is
filled with a substance of dielectric constant 6? 3M

3 Three capacitors each of capacitance 9 pF are connected in series: (a) What is the total capacitance of the
combination? (b) What is the potential difference across each capacitor if the combination is connected to
120 V supply? 3M

4 Three capacitors of capacitances 2 pF, 3 pF and 4 pF are connected in parallel. (a) What is the total
capacitance of the combination? (b) Determine the charge on each capacitor if the combination is
connected to a 100 V supply. 3M

5 A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery. How much electrostatic energy is stored in the capacitor?
2M

6 Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is JC–1. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity? 2M

7 Figure shows the field lines on a positive charge. Is the work done by the field in
moving a small positive charge from Q to P positive or negative? Give reason.

8 The field lines of a negative point charge are as shown in the figure. Does the kinetic
energy of a small negative charge increase or decrease in going from B to A?

9 A point charge +Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure.

10 A. Draw the equipotential surfaces corresponding to a uniform electric field in the z-direction.
B. Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system of two identical positive point charges placed a distance
‘d’ apart.
C. Draw an equipotential surface for a system consisting of two charges Q, – Q separated by a distance r
in air. Locate the points where the potential due to the dipole is zero.

11 Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1 mF. What will be their net capacitance if
connected in parallel? Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both connected
to the same source.

12 Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential surfaces [CBSE Central 2016] (i) in the case of a single
point charge and (ii) in a constant electric field in Z-direction. Why the equipotential surfaces about a single
charge are not equidistant? (iii) Can electric field exist tangential to an equipotential surface? Give
reason.5M

13 A parallel plate capacitor each with plate area A and separation ‘d’ is charged to a potential difference V.
The battery used to charge it is then disconnected. A dielectric slab of thickness d and dielectric constant K
is now placed between the plates. What change if any, will take place in [CBSE (F) 2010] (i) charge on the
plates, (ii) electric field intensity between the plates, (iii) capacitance of the capacitor? Justify your answer
in each case 5M

14 A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery, which is then disconnected. A dielectric slab is then
inserted in the space between the plates. Explain what changes, if any, occur in the values of (i) capacitance
(ii) potential difference between the plates (iii) electric field between the plates, and (iv) the energy stored
in the capacitor.5M

15 A parallel plate is charged by a battery. When the battery remains connected, a dielectric slab is inserted in
the space between the plates. Explain what changes if any, occur in the values of (i) potential difference
between the plates (ii) electric field strength between the plates (iii) capacitance (iv) charge on the plates
(v) energy stored in the capacitor. 5M

16 a) Explain briefly, using a proper diagram, the difference in behaviour of a conductor and a dielectric in the
presence of external electric field. (b) Define the term polarization of a dielectric and write the expression
for a linear isotropic dielectric in terms of electric field. 5M

17 Derive an expression for the electric potential at a point due to an electric dipole. Mention the contrasting
features of electric potential of a dipole at a point as compared to that due to a single charge. 5M

18 Briefly explain the principle of a capacitor. Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate
capacitor, whose plates are separated by a dielectric medium. 3M

19 Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor when a dielectric slab of dielectric
constant K and thickness t d 2 = but of same area as that of the plates is inserted between the capacitor
plates. (d = separation between the plates).3M
20 Derive an expression for equivalent capacitance of three capacitors when connected (i) in series and (ii) in
parallel. 3M
21 (a) Explain why, for any charge configuration, the equipotential surface through a point is normal to the
electric field at that point. Draw a sketch of equipotential surfaces due to a single charge (– q), depicting
the electric field lines due to the charge. (b) Obtain an expression for the work done to dissociate the
system of three charges placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side ‘a’ as shown below. 3M
22 In a network, four capacitors C1, C2, C3 and C are connected as shown
in the figure. (a) Calculate the net capacitance in the circuit. (b) If the
charge on the capacitor C1 is 6 mC, (i) calculate the charge on the
capacitors C3 and C4, and (ii) net energy stored in the capacitors C3 and
C4 connected in series.