ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL

AND
CAPACITANCE
Numerical Examples From Board 93

e11001 f100 J of
Examinatlons
letric charge of 4C work
Example has to be
done in
an
Jroma place, where moving the work
potential is from doneto in bringing a charge oof 2 10C
10 V to another place, vhere a

the value of V.
potential is V volt, find infinity the point Pis x

Himachal 981 W9 V =2x

10
Solution. Here
WAB=100 J,
x
105j4x 10 =8x
4o 4C, No, the answer does not
VA10V, V, =V. along which the charge is depend on the path
As Vs-VA WAB Example 4 The electric fieldbrought.
at a
point due to
0 charge is 20
NC and the electric
a
point
point is 10
JC,Calculate
potential at that
V--10) 25 from the charge and the
the distance of the point
magnitude of the charge.
or
V25 -10 15 V CBSE D 06]
Solution. Electric field of
Example 2 Determine the electric
potential at the
a
point charge,
surface of gold nucleus. The radius is
a
6.6 x 10-15 m
E- - 2 0 NC
and the atomic number Z =79. Given
proton =1.6x 10 C. charge on a
Electric
[Himachal 96] potential of point charge,
a

Solution. As nucleus is V = 1 0 JC1

ike spherical, it behaves
a
point charge for external points.
Here =ne =79 x 1.6x 10 10
Clearly, distance r ===0.5 m
V
C,
T=6.6 x10l m E20
Magnitude of charge,
9x 10x 79 1.6 x10-19 10 x 0.5
.V= x
q 47 eV.r= 9x100.55x 10 c
6.6 x 10-15
=
1.7x 10 v Example5 A charge of 24 uC is given to a hollow
metallic sphere of radius 0.2 m Find the
Example 3 (i) Calculate the potential at a point P due potential
to a
(i) at the surface of the sphere, and
charge of 4x 10 C located 9 cm away. (i) Hence
obtain the work done in (i) at a distance of 0.1 cm from the centre of the sphere
bringing a charge of2 10C x
ICBSE D95
from infinity to the point P. Does the answer depend on
the path along which the charge is brought ? [NCERT] Solution. () q=24 C=24 x 10° C,
Solution. () Here q=4x 10 C, r=0.2 m

T=9 cm =0.09 m
Potential at the surface of the sphere is
9x10x x 24x 10
V= E
0.2
g=4x10 c = 1.08 x 10° v

9 cm (i) As potential at any point inside the sphere

Figure 2.35 = Potential on the surface

Potential at a distance of 0.1 cm from the centre

Electric potential at point P is
1.08 x 10 v
4x 1077
V= 1 9x 10 0.09 Example 6 Twenty seven drops of same size are
charged at 220 V each. They coalesce to form a bigger
drop. Calculate the potential of the bigger drop.
=
4x 10 V Punjab 01]
i) By definition, electric potential at point P small drop = r
Solution. Let radius of each
qual to the work done in bringing a unit
n v e charge from infinity to the point P. Hence Radius of large drop
= R
 T e oler teir grtiontial is sor st3m
r y from the peonitive charge on the stle
1 ctm harp
he egtve chargo

Potential f lrge drop Example Caleliee the olnctorie potontial st the

e sgumef eido2 ering hurges 10
4 90 e 20 C md 640 Cat the
fnur curmpre f

-220 19R0 Selutien. DHagonai of the square

Eample Te herypee 3 10 a n d 2 10
ar iootted 15 om ap A uhat omnt om the line
23 -1m
Omig thr fu cheryes s thr electra potrntial zeo Distance of each charge from the centre t h
Takr the petenta at mfinity fo he 2ero NCERT quare is

Solution As shown in Fig 236, suppose the Half diagonal -I m

two point charges are plaued on X-axis with the
positive harge located on the onigin O Potential at the centre of the qaare

..4

100 10 . 10
V-w1o
Pigure 2.36
20 10
Let the potential be zero at the point P and
OP For a <0(0 to the lett of O the potentials
of the two harges cannot add
up Clearly
to zero 910.1010-9.10
must be positive if a lies between O and A then Erample9 Calculute the voltage needed to buiance
a dnu carryng t0 electrons when located betrueen the
V, V,-
pates of capacitor which are mn p
-10ms The mass of asl drup is3 to
0.15

Solution -ne -1o La 10"C

9103 0 ?.o
u 15 -310g
or d 5. V
Fo the changed oul
whudh Ives & =t.U9 - ca daop tu remain siala
eletic tieid,
The uthet posailiity io tthal & iay ak le
o
OA produced a: stuwn n fag 2 37

hgue 2 3 47 V
 efgrre

Seletienn
egipotertinl mrta
ige he arge tem
rD etweer AameC-D w A n
we chare
haolete ery
ar

t
eewipotente u pd
Solution tectn tcid a n ubrit pla
seet of darg

poentalsuriace tavue pana dif

ti
96 MOVE FAST WITH PHYSICS-Xl

Ex.ample14 Two positive point charges ofO.2 uC and (i) Extra work needed to
0.01 C are placed 10 cmapart. Calculate the work done centre E bring charp
arge to
in reducing the distance to 5 cm ICBSE D 92C]| W gox Electrostatic potential at
Solution. Here q, =0.2 x 10C, E
due to the four
charges
420.01x 10C
Initial separation () =10 cm =0.10 m =90 4TtE (d/2) 4te (d/2)
Final
separation (r) 5 cm =0.05 m
Work done Change in -9
potential energy
=

4Te (d/ V2) 47e (d/2)0

Final P.E. -Initial P.E.
Example 16 An electric
dipole of length 4 cm, when
112 19142492. 11 placed with its axis
making an angle of 60° witha
4TTE f 4TTE uniform electric field experiences a torque of 4 3
Calculate the (i) Nm
(ii)
magnitude of the electric field
0.2 x 10- x 0.01 x 10x9x 11 potential energy of the dipole, if the dipole has
100.05
LO.05 0.10
0.10 charges of 8 nC.
[CBSE OD 04; D 06C
=1.8x 10* J Solution. Here 2a 4
=
cm =0.04 m, 0 =60,
Example 15 Four charges are
arranged at the corners T=4 3 Nm, q =8 nC =8 10C x

of a square ABCD of side d as shown in

(i) Find the work Fig. 2.40. Dipole moment, p=qx 2a =8 x
10 x 0.04
required to put together this arrange-
ment. (ii) A charge
q is brought to the centre E of the
=
0.32 x
10- Cm
square, the four charges being held fixed at its corners. (i) As t = pE sin 6
How much extra work is needed to T 43
do this ? [NCERT] . E =
p sin 0 0.32x 107x sin 60°
4
D 4 3 x

0.32x 3
10x22.5 x 1010 NC
d (ii) U =-pE cos
-0.32 10x 2.5 10
x
cos 60° x x

:-4 J
Example 17 An electric dipole consists of two opposite
+ charges each of magnitude 1 uC separated by 2 cm
Ine
Figure 2.440 dipole is placed in an external electric fre
of 10° NC, Find (i) the maximum torque exerted
Solution. (i) Given the field on the oy
AB =BC =
CD =
AD =d dipole (ii) the work which the externa
agent will have to do in turning the dipole through
AC BD =yd2 d =2d 180
+
starting from the position 0 =0. [GNDU 81)
Work required to put the four charges together Solution. Here q =1 C, uC=10°
=
Total electrostatic P.E. of the four 2a 2 cm =0.02 m, E=105 NC*
charges
Dipole moment,
4Tt E L AB AC AD BC P=qx 2a = 106 x 0.02 =2 x 10* Cm
(i) Maximum torque,
BD CD x1
maxpE sin 90° =2 10 x x 10
2 _ 2x 10 Nm
1 (ii) Here 0, =0° and 0, =180°
2d d d 2d d
4n E0
4T W
pE (cos 0, - cos )
4-2)
4t Eo
2 x 105
2
105 (cos 0° cos 180
x

10 (1+1) =4x 10 J
x
-
 CHAPTER 2 ELECTRSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE 97

Example18 molecule of a substance has permanent Charge on bigger dropP4

ectric dipole
moment equal to 10-29 Cm. A mole of 27 x Charge on a small drop
(at low temperature) by
Hhis Substance is polarized 27 x 10-12c
applying
a strong electrostatic field of magnitude
a0 V). The direction of the field is suddenly Potential of bigger drop is
changed by an angle of60°, Estimate the heat released
10-12
7x2
in aligning its dipoles along the new VV1
20 =27 V
hy the substance
etion of the field. For simplicity assume 100% Example 21 Two capacitors of capacitance of 6 uk ana
polarization of the sample. NERT 12 uF are connected in series with a battery. The voltage
Solution. Here p=10- Cm, across the 6 uF capacitor is 2V. Compute the total
battery voltage. CBSE OD 06]
E=10° Vm,
Solution. As the two capacitors are connec
=60, N =6x 1023
ted in series, the charge on each capacitor must be
Work required to bringg one dipole from Same.
0 is
position 6=0°to position . Charge on 6 uF = Charge on 12 pF
W= pE-pE cos pE(1-cos 6) capacitor capacitor
= 102x10(1-cos 60°)J =0.5 x 103J
Or 6 uFx2 volt =12 uFx V volt
Work required for one mole of dipoles
Wx N =0.5 x102 x 6x 1023 =3.0 J
P.D. across 12 uF capacitor = 6x1
12
volt
Heat released Loss in P.E. = Work done Battery voltage V + V, =2 V +1 V =3 V
=

3.0 J Example 22 Two capacitors of capacitances 3 uF and

Example 19 Assuming the earth to be a spherical
Conductor ofradius 6400 km, calculate its capacitance.
Himachal 98C, Haryana 98C]
Solution. Here R =6400 km =6.4 x 10° m
1=9x 10° Nm2 C-2
4T E0
The capacitance of a spherical conductor,
C 4T R= 1 1064x 10
6 uF, are charged to potentials of 2 V and 5V respec-
tively. These two charged capacitors are connected in
series. Find the potential across each of the two
capacitors now. ICBSE Sample Paper 04]
Solution. Total charge on the two capacitors
=
CV+CV, =(3x2 +6x 5)uC=36uC
In series combination, charge is conserved.
. Charge on either capacitor, q =36 uC
Potential on 3 uF capacitor

36 H
HC 12 V
= 0.711x10 F=711 uF. 3 HF
Example20 Twenty seven spherical drops of radius Potential on 6 uF capacitor
mm and carrying 10 Cof charge are combined to
asingle drop. Find the capacitance and the
36 6 uFH=6V
potential of the bigger drop. [Haryana 01
uion. Let r and R be the radii of the small Example 25 1hree capacitors of equal capacitance,
and when connected in series have net capacitance C, and
bigger drops, respectively. when connected in parallel have net
Volume of the bigger drop capacitance C2
What is the value of C,
/C2? [CBSEOD 95]
27x Volume of a small drop Solution. Let
1.e.,

Or
R-27
3
C capacitance of each capacitor
For series combination,
R=3r=3x 3 mm =9x 10 m 1
**Capacitance of the bigger drop 1S or

1 For parallel combination,

C=4Te R = 9 x10 F
10
C
10 F=1 pF C=C+C+C=3C 3C9
 98 MOVE FAST WITH PHYSICS-XII

Examle 24 Find the equivalent capacitance of the Given V =100 V

avmbination ofcapacitors between the points A and Bas
shon in Fig. 2.41. A/so calculate the total charge that
. Charge, q =
CV =20 uFx 1000v
floas in the circuit when a 100 V battery is connected =2000 C =2 mC
beturen the points A and B. ICHSE D 021 Example 25 IfC, =3 pF and C2 =2 pf,cal
40 F 60 uF equivalent capacitance of the given
points A and B. networklculate
bet w
- (CBSE Sample
Paper y
60 uF
C C
Ao

10 uF 60 uF

Figure 2.41 C C
Solution. Here three capacitors of 60 uF each Figure 2.43
are connected in series. Their
equivalent capa-
Solution. Clearly, capacitors 2, 3 and 4
itance C is given by
series combination. Their total capacitancefom
Ci
+ 60
1 given by

or C 20 uF

The
given arrangement now reduces
equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 2.42(«).
to the C-pF
The capacitance C forms a paralle
40 uF combination with capacitor 5, so their
capacitance is equivalent

10 uF The
C-C+G+2pF
10 uF 20 F capacitance C" forms a series comb
nation with
capacitors 1 and 6. The equivalent
OB capacitarnce C of the entire network is given by
(a)
40 uF 40 uF
A H HH
B

(b) C 60 pF
61
Figure 2.42
EXample 26 From the netvork shown in Fig. 2.*
Clearly, the three find the value of the capacitance C if the eguti valent
capacitors of
10 uF, 10 uF F.Al
and 20 uF are in parallel. Their equivalent capacitance beween A points
is to De and B
the
capacitance is capacitances are in u.
C2 10+10 +20 40uF C
C,

Now the circuit reduces to the

40-
equivalent
circuit shown in Fig. 2.42(b). We have two
capacitors of 40 uF each connected in series. The
equivalent capacitance between A and Bis
40x 40
C = 20 uF
40 +40 Figure 2.44
 CHAPTER 2: ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE
99
and
Solution. Capacitors C2 Ca form a
C
combination of equivalent capacitance, A o-
paral.
C C2+Cs =2 +2 =4uF
and
C5 form a series combi- C10
Capacitors C4
nation of capacitance C, given by B
1.1,1.1,1.3 1
C CCs 12 6 12 4 Figure 2.45(c)
Finally, the capacitors C and Ca form a series
C 4uF
combination of capacitance1 uF as shown in
The equivalent circuit can be shown as in Fie. 2.45(d).
Fig. 2.45(a)
C Ca
Ao-
HH- B

Figure 2.45(d)
32
OB : or
C-9
Figure 2.45(a) Fourcapacitors are connected as shown in
Example 27
series combi- Fig. 2.46. Calculate the equivalent capacitance between
Capacitors C and C form a

nation of capacitance C10 given by the points X and Y. [CBSE D 2000]

Cy0 CC8x
C+Cs 8+4432 8
12uF
10 uF
Capacitors C and Cg form a parallel combi
nation of capacitance.
Figure 2.46
C1 C + C =4 +4 =8 uF
The given network reduces to the equivalent Solution. Clearly, the first plate of 2 uF capa
circuit 2.45(6). citor, the second plate of 3 uF capacitor and the
C C first plate of 5 uF capacitor are connected to the
point A. On the other hand, the second plate of
2 uF capacitor, the first plate of 3 uF capacitor ánd
the second plate of 5 uF capacitor are connected to
the point B. Thus the capacitors of 2 uE, 3 uF and
Co
5 HF are connected in parallel between points A
and B as shown in the equivalent circuit diagram
of Fig. 2.47.
oB
2 uF
Figure 2.45(b)
HE
Again, capacitors C7 and C1 form a series 3 uF

Combination of capacitance C12 given by

Xo-
B
10 uF

C - -uF H
C7 +C 1+8 9

NOw Co and C, form a parallel combination

Figure 2.47
Or
Capacitance C as shown in Fig. 2.45{0). Total capacitance of the parallel combination
of capacitances 2uF, 3 uF and 5 uF is
32
C2 +3+5 =10 uF
 PHYSICS-XII
100 MOVE FAST WITH

As shown in Fig. 2.48,

the parallel com- +4
of 10uF.
bination is in series with capacitance

Y
C
10 uF 10 uF

Fiqure 2.48

Equivalent capacitance between X and Y +q-4

10x 10
= 5 uF
10+10 4

Example 28 Find the equivalent capacitor of the ladder

(Fig. 2.49) between points A and B. 500 V-

2 uF 2 uF 2 uF Figure 2.51
A
Solution. (a) In the given network, C, C
C3 are connected in series. Their
capacitance C' is given by equivale
T 1 uF 1 uF

B
10
Figure 2.49 or
Solution. Let C be the
of the infinite network. It equivalent capacitance Now C and C, form
units of two
consists of
repeating Therefore, the equivalent
a
parallel combinatin
capacitors of 1 uF and 2 uF. The capacitance of the whok
addition of one such more unit will not network is
affect the
equivalent capacitance. But then the network C=C 10 40
would appear as shown in
Fig. 2.50.
+C +10 =uF =13.3 F
2 uF (6) It is clear from Fig. 2.51 that the
each of the
charge
A capacitors C, C, and C is same. Let
be q. Let the
chargeon be C .
I uF
P.D. across AB, V,-
Bo-

Figure 2.50 P.D.across BC, V

The
C
equivalent
capacitance of the P.D.
arrangement must be equal to C. new
across CD, V,=
But
C=lt2.c V,+V2 +Vi =V
or C-C-2 =0 5C20C 0
C
r C2 uF or -1 uF
or C'5
As the capacitance cannot be negative, so the
equivalent capacitance of the ladder is 2 uF.
or
Example 29 A network of four 10uF capacitors is 500
connected to a 500 V supply as shown in Fig. 2.51. 10
'q= 500 x C" =
500 x
C
Determine (a) the equivalent capacitance of the 3
5000
network, (b) the charge on each capacitor, INCERT] x 10° C = 1.7 x 10 C
3
 CHAPTER 2 ELECTROSTATIC 101
POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE

Also, P.D.
across AD=1 =500 v Combination C is in parallel with C
Total capacitance,
500x C =500 x10uC C=C+C =2 +4 =6uF =6x10-F
= 5000x 10- C=5x 10 c Energy stored,
Evample 30 A capacitor is charged through a potential
when 0.1 C charge is stored in it. u- 6x 10-x 62
diference of 200 V,
will it release, when it is
How much energy 1.08x 10* J
discharged ? [ISCE 98] 50V
Solution. Here V =200 V, q =0.1C
Example 33 A 80 uF capacitor is charged by a
battery. The capacitor is disconnected from the battery
and then connected across another uncharged 320 uF
Energy stored,
capacitor. Calculate the charge on the second capacitor.
u-qV=x0.1x200 =100J ICBSE D94C]

When the capacitor is discharged, it releases

Solution. Here C =80 F =80 x 10 FE
the same amount of energy i.e., 10 J. V =50 V, C =320 uF =320 x10 E,
Example31 A parallel plate capacitor of 300 uF is
V =0
charged to 200 V. If the distance between its plates is
halved, what will be the potential difference between the Common potential,
plates and what will be the change in stored energy?
Total charge
Punjab 99 V -Gh+GL
Solution. Here C =300 uF =3 x 10E,
Total capacitance C+C2
80 10x 50
V=200 V -
x
+010V
(80 +320) x10-
4 CV =3 x 10* x 200 6 x 10 C
Charge on 320 uF capacitor
When the distance between the plates is
= C,V =320x10 x10o
halved, capacitance is doubled.
C =2C=2 x 300 =600 uF =6 x 10 F = 3.2 10C x

The potential difference between the plates Example 34 (i) A 900 pF capacitor is charged by a
becomes 100 V battery. How much electrostatic energy is stored

V
_6x 102
610
=100 V
by thecapacitor?
(ii) The capacitor is disconnected from the battery
and connected to another 900 pF capacitor. What is the
Initial energy stored in the capacitor,
electrostatic energy stored by the systerm ?

U- cv 3x 10x(200) -6J (ii) Where has the remainder ofthe energy gone?
[NCERT, CBSE OD 90]
Final energy stored in the capacitor, Solution. () The charge on the capacitor is

r-c.v2-x6x10 x(a00 =3J q= CV =900 x 10-1 Fx 100 V =9 x10 C

LOss in energy = U - u =6-3 =3 The energy stored by the capacitor is
Example32 Two capacitors of capacitances =3 HF
6 F arranged in series are connectedin
U-cv-4v =x9x 10-5cx 100 V
paralilel with a third capacitor C =4 uF. The
=
4.5 x 10b J
gemient
netotal
is connected to a 6.0 V battery. Calculate
energy stored in the capacitors.
ICBSE Sample Paper 98]
Solution. Equivalent capacitance of the series
combinatiom of C, and C, is given by
C-
C+C2
-3x6 -2 uF
3+6
100 V
L
Figure 2.52
 102

n In the trad ethuatm th tw apacitors Now the

have theit meitir piatee at the same
potential difference bet.
and thesr negativ piatet at the same otential let
petential plates will be
3d
etween he
V-F
the cmmon pyatential difterenee he 1 The charge 4
n eah apaith i thn TBy harge
seratton 2 -F A
Total eergr of the syetem Thus the potential difference
factor of (x 3)/ 4x, while the
+ decreases by
free charge
plates remains same. The 4, t
a new value
capacitance increase
ases
given by
C- 4x 4x
3
and-v Exatmple 37 Tuo
V
+3
parallel plate capacitors,
x

4510 have the same X and

J -2.25 10 J area of
plates and same
between them. X has atr between separation
() the plates
There is a transient period before the contains a dielectric medium of
4.
whie
system setties to the situation (i). E, =

a
transient current flows from
During this period,
the first
Energy is lost during this capacitor
the second to

form of heat and time in the

electromagnetic radiation.
Example 35 A parallel plate capacitor with betueen air
the plates has a
capacitance of 8 u. The separation
between the plates is now Figure 2.53
reduced by half and the
between them is filled with a medium
space () Calculate capacitance of each
equtvalent capacitance of the capactor
constant 5 Calculate the of dielectric
value
capacitor in the second case
of
capacitance of the 4uF combinatiom s
ICBSE OD 06]
Solution. (11) Calculate the potential
air between
Capacitance of the
capacitor with the difference betueen
its
plates plates of X andY
(111) What is the
ratio of
C 8 p stored in X and Y
electrostatu ener
CBSE D
When the
capacitor dielectric
is filled with Solution. ) Let Cy C
(K =
5) between its
plates and the distance between
the plates is seduced
by
Then C, =t, C-4C
halt. capacitance becomes Now X and Y
A 4 are connected in senes
d/2 10 C C.4C
2
or C- 10 8-
80 pt C . C+4C
Example 36 A slat
af mater ial uf dicles tru 4u or C=5uF
has the same ath coustant k
as the plates of paraliel
capacitor bul has plate ience
ration of thr plates tl.hw
1ickicas
Sl/ 4 wcre d is the sepa
thc and
C-C-5u
apva. itariue hun ged
when the slat is nbeY ird teTuce: tic plates 4C-45-20F
NCERT (u) Let
V be the p.d. across X
Solution. if
the putential ditterenee aTUSS Y will be Ie
V/4
when there is no dieleitri ten the eletu tield 12
between the apa itur plates wili be

9.6 V
Hence 9.6V
After the dieletr is T t e i the clevtric and
field in t h e dieletne reduves t
V/4 2.4 V
C(96)
Energy stored in X
nergy stored in Y 4 C(24)