Prepared By: SM_Uzaid (HOD Physics)

UNIT 11: ELECTROSTATICS

1. The electric potential is constant through a given region of space. Is the
electric field zero or non zero in this region? Explain.
Ans: As the electric field strength can be defined as the negative of potential
gradient.
E = -∆V / ∆r ……………..(1)
Since the potential is consant in given region for example inside hollow
charged sphere.
V = constant
So potential difference is zero.
∆V = 0
And eq (1) becomes
E = ∆V / ∆r = 0 / ∆r = 0
E=0
At the surrounding region of a point charge, the potential is constant at equal
distance from the charge but electric field is not zero at those points.
2. If a point charge of mass m is released in a non uniform electric field
with field lines pointing in same direction, will it make a rectilinear
motion?
Ans: If a point charge ‘q’ of mass ‘m’ is placed at end at a non uniform field
of a positive charge, it will follow straight or rectilinear path along the field
line due to repulsive force.
OR
In case of field due to two or more charges, the point charge will move along
a curved path.
 Prepared By: SM_Uzaid (HOD Physics)

3. What is the relationship between potential difference and electric

potential energy?
Ans: Both of them are closely related to each other.
Explanation:
 Let the two plates A and B are oppositely charged. A positive test
charge of very small magnitude and dimension is displaced from A to
B.
 So, the work is done in bringing it from A to B, and it increases the
electric potential energy of the charge.
 This work done per unit charge is called potential difference.
∆V = WAB / qo
WAB = ∆U
∆V = ∆U / qo
 Hence change in potential energy per unit test charge is called potential
difference.
 Electric potential energy is possessed by the charge whereas the potential
difference is the property associated with electric field.
4. How are units of volts and electron volts related? How do they differ/
Ans: Volt is the unit of potential difference whereas electron volt is the unit
of energy.
Explanation:
Volts: If 1J work is done in moving unit positive charge from one point to
another, keeping electrostatic equilibrium then potential difference between
the two points is one volt(1V).
1 volt = 1 joule / 1 coulomb (∆V = W / qo)
Electron Volt: The energy acquired or lost by the electron as it moves
between two points having a potential difference of one volt is called one
electron volt energy.
1 eV = (1e)(1V) (∆U = q∆V)
-19
1eV = (1.6x10 C)(1V)
1 eV = 1.6x10-19J
Difference:
Electron volt is the unit of energy, whereas volt is the unit of change in
electric potential energy per unit test charge i.e. Potential difference (P.D).
5. How can electric potential be high when electric potential energy is
relatively low?
 Prepared By: SM_Uzaid (HOD Physics)

Ans: Electric potential can be high when electric potential energy is

relatively low if the charge is low as well.
V=U/q
Explanation: The electric potential does not increase because if you
increases both the electric potential energy and the charge , then the increase
in each cancels out resulting in the same electric potential.
6. Can the potential of a non uniformly charged sphere be same as that of
point charge? Explain?
Ans: The electric potential due to non uniformly charged sphere is same as
that the electric potential due to point charge.
Explanation:
E= V / d and E = σ / εo
V / d = σ /εo
V = σxd / εo
V∝σ
According to above relation V depends on
 Surface charge density
 Distance from the charge\
 Medium V∝σ
If σ is no uniform, so V is not constant, same as point charge.

7. Will the energy stored in three capacitors be greater when they are
connected in series or in parallel?
Ans: The energy storing formula of a capacitor is
U = CV2
Parallel:
 Prepared By: SM_Uzaid (HOD Physics)

If three identical capacitors are connected in parallel then equivalent

capacitance is
Cp = 3C
Energy stored in parallel combination of three identical capacitors
Up = CpV2
2
= ( )
2
Up = ………………..(1)
Series:
If three identical capacitors are connected in series then equivalent
capacitance is
Cs =
Energy stored in series combination of three identical capacitors.
Us = s V2
2
= ( )
2
= ……………….(2)
Divide equation (1) by (2)
= =9
Uparallel = Useries
8. Can different equipotential lines cross each other?
Ans: No, it is not possible for two different equipotential lines to cross.
This is because they are a line of constant potential. The equipotential at a
given point in space can only have a single value. If they were to cross then
it would create two different values which are meaningless.
So equipotential lines at different potential can never cross either.
9. Water has a large dielectric constant, but it is rarely used in capacitors
why?
Ans: Water has very high value of dielectric constant of 78.5. it is rarely
used in capacitors as a dielectric.
This is because of the following reasons:
 Water molecules have dipole moments, so it can be easily polarized
under a given electric field. This decreasing the effect of the electric
field between a capacitor’s plates.
 Water can conduct electricity because it contains H+ and OH- ions.
 Prepared By: SM_Uzaid (HOD Physics)

 Water have H+ and OH- ions which are mobile that may leak charge
between the plates of the capacitor and will discharge the capacitor.
 The value of dielectric constant of water varies with temperature.
10.How can you increase the capacitance of capacitor?
Ans: There are three ways to increase the capacitance of capacitor:
C=
 Decreasing the separation between the plates will increase the
capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
 Increasing the area of the plates will increase the capacitance of a
parallel plate capacitor.
 The capacitance of parallel plate capacitor directly proportional to the
dielectric constant of a medium present between two plates.
If medium of dielectric constant is placed between the plates of
capacitor, capacitance increases.