Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance: Solutions

Chapter 2
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
Solutions
SECTION - A
Objective Type Questions
1. Three isolated equal charges are placed at the three corners of an equilateral triangle as shown in figure. The
statement which is true for net electric potential V and net electric field intensity E at the centre of the triangle
is
q
q q
(1) E = 0, V = 0 (2) V = 0, E  0 (3) V  0, E = 0 (4) V 0, E  0

Sol. Answer (3) q
Enet = 0 l
E O E
3
⎛k q 3⎞ kq
Vnet 3
⎜ l ⎟ 3 3 l
⎝ ⎠ q q
E
2. The potential at a point 0.1 m from an isolated point charge is + 100 volt. The nature of the point charge is
(1) Positive (2) Negative (3) Zero (4) Either positive or zero
Sol. Answer (1)
As potential is +ve, so point charge is also +ve.
3. A charge of 10C is placed at the origin of x-y coordinate system. The potential difference between two points
(0, a) and (a, 0) in volt will be
9  10 4 9  10 4 9  10 4
(1) (2) (3) (4) Zero
a a 2 2a
Sol. Answer (4)
A
kq
VA  a
a a B
kq 10  C
VB 
a
V = VA – VB = 0
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116 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Solution of Assignment (Set-2)
4. Four charges of same magnitude q are placed at four corners of a square of side a. The value of electric potential
1
at the centre of the square will be (Where k  4 )
0
4kq kq 4kq kq
(1) (2) 4 2 (3) (4)
a a 2a a 2
Sol. Answer (2)
q a q
P a
2
q q
⎛ kq 2 ⎞ kq
VP 4
⎜ a ⎟ 4 2 a
⎝ ⎠
5. Two identical positive charges are placed on the y-axis at y = – a and y = + a. The variation of V (electric
potential) along x-axis is shown by graph
V V V V
(1) (2) (3) (4)

x x x x
Sol. Answer (1)
q
a x
a
q
2kq
V 
a2  x 2
6. Which graph best represents the variation of electric potential as a function of distance from the centre of a uniformly
charged solid sphere of charge of radius R?
V V V V
(1) (2) (3) (4)
R r R r R r R r
Sol. Answer (3)
⎡ 1 Q ⎤
⎢V
4 
. 3 3R 2  r 2 ⎥
2R
 
⎣ 0 ⎦
Solution of Assignment (Set-2) Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 117
7. A hollow charged metal sphere has radius r. If the potential difference between its surface and a point at a distance
3r from the centre is V, then the electric field intensity at distance 3r from the centre is
V V V V
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3r 4r 6r 2r
Sol. Answer (3)
kq kq q
VA  VP  r
r 3r A P
2kq 3r
V = VA – VP =
3r
3Vr
kq 
2
kq 3Vr V

E  
9r 2
 
2 9r 2
6r
8. Two concentric hollow conducting spheres of radius r and R are shown. The charge on outer shell is Q. What
charge should be given to inner sphere so that the potential at any point P outside the outer sphere is zero?
x P
r
R
Qr QR 2QR
(1)  (2)  (3) –Q (4) 
R r r
Sol. Answer (3) Q
q
kq KQ P
VP   0 x
r
x x
R
q = –Q
9. The potential gradient is a

(1) Vector quantity (2) Scalar quantity (3) Conversion factor (4) Constant
Sol. Answer(1)
dV
Potential gradient =  E (Vector)
dr
10. The electric potential V at a point P(x, y, z) in space is given by V = 4 x2 volt. Electric field at a point (1m,
0, 2m) in V/m is
(1) 8 along –ve x-axis (2) 8 along +ve x-axis (3) 16 along –ve x-axis (4) 16 along +ve x-axis
Sol. Answer (1)
V = 4x2
dV
Ex   8 x
dx
Ex = –8
11. Figure shows the variation of electric field intensity E versus distance x. What is the potential difference between
the points at x = 2 m and at x = 6 m from O?
E
(N/C)
10
5
O 2 4 6 x (m)
(1) 30 V (2) 60 V (3) 40 V (4) 80 V
Sol. Answer(1)
V2  V6 ∫ Edr E 10
5
1
V2 
V6 10 2  10
2 30 2 4 6x
2
12. Figure shows a set of equipotential surfaces. The magnitude and direction of electric field that exists in the
region is
y
135º
x(m)
O 1 2 3 10 V
20 V
30 V
40 V
(1) 10 2 V/m at 45º with x-axis (2) 10 2 V/m at –45º with x-axis
(3) 5 2 V/m at 45º with x-axis (4) 5 2 V/m at –45º with x-axis
Sol. Answer (1) E
10 2 1
E 90° 135°
1 2 45°
0 1 2 3 10
20
E  10 2 at 45° with x-axis 30
40
13. Determine the electric field strength vector if the potential of this field depends on x, y coordinates as V = 10
axy
(1) 10 a ( yiˆ  xˆj ) (2)  10 a [ yiˆ  xˆj ] (3)  a [ yiˆ  xˆj ] (4)  10a [ xiˆ  ykˆ ]
Sol. Answer (2)

V = 10axy
dV dV
Ex  
10ay , Ey  
10ax
dx dy

E 
10a yiˆ  xjˆ 
14. If on the x-axis electric potential decreases uniformly from 60 V to 20 V between x = –2 m to x = +2 m, then the
magnitude of electric field at the origin
(1) Must be 10 V/m (2) May be greater than 10 V/m
(3) Is zero (4) Is 5 V/m
Sol. Answer (2)
Ey
40 V

E x  10
4 m 60 20
Ey  0 –2 –1 0 1 2
E E x2  E y2  10 Ex
15. An infinite conducting sheet has surface charge density . The distance between two equipotential surfaces
is r. The potential difference between these two surfaces is
r r  
(1) 2 (2)  (3)  r (4) 2 r
0 0 0 0
Sol. Answer (2)

r
V  Ed 
0
r
V 
0
16. Two small spheres each carrying a charge q are placed, distance r apart. If one of the spheres is taken around
the other in a circular path, the work done will be equal to
(1) Force between them × r (2) Force between them

2r
(3) Force between them × 2r (4) Zero

Sol. Answer (4)
r
q q
W = 0 as whole path is equipotential.
17. Work done in moving a charge q coulomb on the surface of a given charged conductor of potential V is
V q
(1) joule (2) Vq joule (3) joule (4) Zero
q V
Sol. Answer (4)

As the surface of a conductor is equipotential, So w = 0.
18. If an -particle and a proton are accelerated from rest by a potential difference of 1 megavolt then the ratio of
their kinetic energy will be
1
(1) (2) 1 (3) 2 (4) 4
2
Sol. Answer (3)
KE = qV
KE  qV q
   2
KE P q pV q p
19. When a test charge is brought in from infinity along the perpendicular bisector of an electric dipole, the work
done is
(1) Positive (2) Zero (3) Negative (4) None of these
Sol. Answer (2)
W = q(Vf – Vi ) = q(0 – 0) = 0
20. The work done in moving an electric charge q in an electric field does not depend upon
(1) Mass of the particle (2) Potential difference between two points
(3) Magnitude of charge (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
Work done does not depend on mass of the particle.
21. A particle A has charge +q and particle B has charge +4q with each of them having the same mass m. When
VA
allowed to fall from rest through the same electric potential difference, the ratio of their speeds V will become
B
(1) 1 : 2 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 1 : 4 (4) 4 : 1

Sol. Answer (1)
1 8qV
qV  mVA2 VB 
2 m
2qV
VA 
m
VA 1

VB 2
22. If 50 joule of work must be done to move an electric charge of 2 C from a point, where potential is –10 volt
to another point, where potential is V volt, the value of V is
(1) 5 V (2) – 15 V (3) + 15 V (4) + 10 V
Sol. Answer (3)
50 = 2(V – (–10))
25 = V + 10
V = 15 V
23. A proton has a mass 1.67 × 10–27 kg and charge +1.6 × 10–19 C. If the proton is accelerated through a
potential difference of million volts, then the kinetic energy is
(1) 1.6 × 10–15 J (2) 1.6 × 10–13 J (3) 1.6 × 10–21 J (4) 3.2 × 10–13 J
Sol. Answer (2)
1
(1.6 × 10–19) (106) = (1.67 × 10–27) v2
2
1.67
1.6  10 13   10 27 v 2  KE
2
KE = 1.6 × 10–13 J
24. Calculate the work done in taking a charge –2 × 10–9 C from A to B via C (in diagram)
z(cm)
C(0,6,9)
A(0,0,3)
B y(cm)
q = 8 mC
O (0,4,0)
x(cm)
(1) 0.2 joule (2) 1.2 joule (3) 2.2 joule (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (2)
z
9  109  8  10 3 C(0,6,9)
V
A  24  108 V
3  10 2
9  109  8  103 A(0,0,3)

V
B  18  108 V y
4  102  MC B(0,4,0)
W = –2 × 10–9 (–6 × 108 ) x
W = 12 × 10–1 J
W = 1.2 J
25. The electric potential at a distance of 3 m on the axis of a short dipole of dipole moment
4 × 10–12 coulomb-meter is
(1) 1.33 × 10–3 V (2) 4 mV (3) 12 mV (4) 27 mV
Sol. Answer (2)
9  109  4  1012
V 4  103 V 
 4 mV
9
26. The electric potential in volts due to an electric dipole of dipole moment 2 × 10–8 coulomb-metre at a distance
of 3m on a line making an angle of 60° with the axis of the dipole is
(1) Zero (2) 10 (3) 20 (4) 40
Sol. Answer (2)
1
9  109  2  10 8 
V  10 V 2
9
27. An electric dipole of length 2 cm is placed with its axis making an angle of 30° to a uniform electric field 105
N/C. If it experiences a torque of 10 3 Nm, then potential energy of the dipole
(1) – 10 J (2) – 20 J (3) – 30 J (4) – 40 J
Sol. Answer (3)
1
10 3  P105
2
2 3  10 4 
P
3
2 3  104  105 
U
2
U = –3 × 10
U = –30 J
28. Two electrons are moving towards each other, each with a velocity of 106 m/s. What will be closest distance
of approach between them?
(1) 1.53 × 10–8 m (2) 2.53 × 10–10 m (3) 2.53 × 10–6 m (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (2)
 
2
1 9  109  1.6  10 19
  
2
2. 9.1  10 31 106 
2 r
9  10 9  2.56  10 38
9.1  10 19 
r
r = 2.56 × 10–10 m
29. Three charges –q, Q and –q are placed respectively at equal distances on a straight line. If the potential energy
of the system of three charges is zero, then what is the ratio of Q : q ?
(1) 1 : 1 (2) 1 : 2 (3) 1 : 3 (4) 1 : 4
Sol. Answer (4)
x
x
 kqQ kqQ kq 2
U    0 –q Q –q
x x 2x 2x
kq 2 2kqQ

2x x
Q 1
q = 4Q, 
q 4
30. A point charge q is surrounded by eight identical charges at distance r as shown in figure. How much work
is done by the forces of electrostatic repulsion when the point charge at the centre is removed to infinity?
q
q
q
q
q q
O
q
q
q
8q 2 8q 64q 2
(1) Zero (2) (3) 4 r (4)
40 r 0 40 r
Sol. Answer (2)
W = –q (Vf – Vi) = –q(V – Vi) = +qVi
kq 2 8q 2
 
V i 8.
r 4  0 r
 8q 2
W 
4  0 r
31. 1000 small water drops each of capacitance C join together to form one large spherical drop. The capacitance
of bigger sphere is
(1) C (2) 10 C (3) 100 C (4) 1000 C
Sol. Answer (2)
C = 40r
4 4
1000. r 3  R 3
3 3
R = 10r
C = 40R = 10 (40r)
C = 10C
32. Two parallel plate capacitors have their plate areas 100 cm2 and 500 cm2 respectively. If they have the same
charge and potential and the distance between the plates of the first capacitor is 0.5 mm, then the
distance between the plates of the second capacitor is
(1) 0.10 cm (2) 0.15 cm (3) 0.20 cm (4) 0.25 cm
Sol. Answer (4) 0.5

d
100 0 500 0

0.5 d
q –q q –q
d = 2.5 cm = 0.25 cm A1 = 100 cm
2
A2 = 500 cm
2
33. A dielectric slab of dielectric constant K is placed between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor carrying
charge q. The induced charge q' on the surface of slab is given by
q q ⎡1 ⎤ ⎛ 1⎞
(1) q   q  (2) q   q  (3) q   q ⎢  1⎥ (4) q   q ⎜1  ⎟
K K ⎣ K ⎦ ⎝ K ⎠
Sol. Answer (2)
1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
⎛ q ⎜ 1 ⎟
q ⎜ 1 ⎟ ⎝ K⎠
⎝ K⎠
q –q
⎛ 1⎞
q' 
q ⎜ 1  ⎟
⎝ K⎠
34. Two charged capacitors have their outer plates fixed and inner plates connected by a spring of force constant
‘k’. The charge on each capacitor is q. Find the extension in the spring at equilibrium
+ – + –
k
smooth
q2 q2 q2
(1) (2) (3) (4) Zero
2A 0 k 4 A 0 k A 0 k
Sol. Answer (1)
q2
 
F kx
2 A 0
q2
x 
2 A0k
35. A battery does 200 J of work in charging a capacitor. The energy stored in the capacitor is
(1) 200 J (2) 100 J (3) 50 J (4) 400 J
Sol. Answer (2)
1 2
U Cv
2
W = Cv2
W
U= = 100 J (half of work is lost in heat)
2
36. The following arrangement consists of five identical metal plates parallel to each other. Area of each plate is
A and separation between the successive plates is d. The capacitance between P and Q is
P
Q
5 0 A 7 A 4 0 A 5 0 A
(1) (2) 0 (3) (4)
d 3 d 3 d 3 d
Sol. Answer (4)
1 P Q Q
2 R 1 2 23 3 4 R 4 5
P Q
3 P Q Q
4
Q
5 R R
P C R 2C Q
5C
Cnet 
3
C
37. Two similar conducting balls having charges +q and –q are placed at a separation d from each other in air.
The radius of each ball is r and the separation between their centres is d(d >>r). Calculate the capacitance
of the two ball system
+q + + + + –q
+ +
r + r
+ +
+ +
++ +
+ + d
0r r
(1) 40r (2) 20r (3) 4 loge (4) 4 loge
d d
Sol. Answer (2) q –q
+ + ++
kq k  q  + r +
V
A  + d
r d r + +
+ +A B
kq kq + +

VB  + + +
r d r
2kq 2kq 2q ⎡1 1 ⎤
V  VA  VB    ⎢r  d  r ⎥
r d  r 4  0 ⎣ ⎦
q ⎡ d  2r ⎤
V  ⎢ ⎥
2 0 ⎣  r  d  r  ⎦
d >> r
q
V 
2  0
q
 2 0 r  C
V
38. A capacitor is half filled with a dielectric (K = 2) as shown in figure A. If the same capacitor is to be filled
with same dielectric as shown, what would be the thickness of dielectric so that capacitor still has same
capacity?
+ +
d d
t
– –
Fig. A Fig. B
(1) 2d/3 (2) 3d/2 (3) 3d/4 (4) 4d/3

Sol. Answer (1)
A 0 A 0
k  1 A 0 Cnet 
⎛ 1 ⎞ t
Cnet  d  t ⎜1  ⎟ d 
2 d ⎝ 2⎠ 2
3A0
Cnet 
2d
3 A 0 A 0

2d t
d
2
3t
3d  
2d
2
3t
d
2
2d
t
3
39. Capacitors C1(10 F) and C2(20 F) are connected in series across a 3 kV supply, as shown. What is the
charge on the capacitor C1?
3 kV
C1 C2
10 F 20 F
(1) 45000 C (2) 20000 C (3) 15000 C (4) 10000 C

Sol. Answer (2)
1 1 1 3
  
C 10 20 20
20

C F
3
20
q  20000  10 6
.3000
3
q = 2 × 10–4 C
40. The charge on the 6 F capacitor in the circuit shown is

A
90 V 9 F 6 F 12  F
B
(1) 540 C (2) 270 C (3) 180 C (4) 90 C

Sol. Answer (3)
A A
1 1 1 3 90 V 9  F 6  F 12  F
   X 540  C 540  C
C 18 9 18 B X q1 A A B
C = 6 F 18 X 9
X X
q = 6 × 90 = 540 C
q1 6

540  q1 12
2q1 = 540 – q1
3q1 = 540
q1 = 180 C
41. In the circuit below C
1 20 F , C
2 40 F and C 3 50 F. If no capacitor can sustain more than 50 V, then
maximum potential difference between X and Y is
X Y
C1 C2 C3
(1) 95 V (2) 75 V (3) 150 V (4) 65 V

Sol. Answer (1)
X Y
qmax = 1000 C, 2000 C, 2500 C
20  F, 40  F, 50  F
q = 1000 C, 1000 C, 1000 C
V = 50 V, 25 V, 20 V
Vnet = 50 + 20 + 25
Vnet = 95 V
42. In the circuit shown below C1 = 10 F, C2 = C3=20 F, and C4 = 40 F. If the charge on C1 is 20 C then potential
difference between X and Y is
C1 C3
X Y
C2 C4
(1) 2 V (2) 3 V (3) 6 V (4) 3.5 V

Sol. Answer (2)
10  F 20 F
q
3 20 C
20  F
20c qq33
q
4 q
4 40 C
20 20
V    3V 20 F 40 F
10 20
q2 q3
43. A parallel plate capacitor after charging is kept connected to a battery and the plates are pulled apart with the help
of insulating handles. Now which of the following quantities will decrease ?
(1) Charge (2) Capacitance (3) Energy stored (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
V remains constant
A 0
C ⇒ d increases
d
C decreases
q = CV
1
q decreases U  CV
2
2
U decreases
44. In the circuit below, if a dielectric is inserted into C2 then the charge on C1 will
C1 C2
V
(1) Increase (2) Decrease (3) Remain same (4) Be halved
Sol. Answer (1)
C1 C2
C1C2V KC1C2V
q1  q1' 
C1  C2 C1  KC2
q1'  q1 , so charge increases. V
45. A capacitor with plate separation d is charged to V volts. The battery is disconnected and a dielectric slab of
d
thickness and dielectric constant ‘2’ is inserted between the plates. The potential difference across its terminals
2
becomes
4V 3V
(1) V (2) 2V (3) (4)
3 4
Sol. Answer (4)
q = CV
A 0 4 A 0 4C

C  
d⎛ 1⎞ 3d 3
d  ⎜1  ⎟
2⎝ 2⎠
4CV 
q
3
4CV 
CV 
3
3V
V 
4
46. An uncharged parallel plate capacitor having a dielectric of constant K is connected to a similar air cored parallel
capacitor charged to a potential V. The two capacitors share charges and the common potential is V. The
dielectric constant K is
V  V V V V V V V 
(1) (2) (3) (4)
V V V V V
Sol. Answer (4) KC, 0
V 
 KC  0  C V 
KC  C
CV
V 
KC  C C,V
KV + V = V
KV = V – V
V V 
K
V
47. Two identical capacitors are connected in parallel across a potenial difference V. After they are fully charged, the
positive plate of first capacitor is connected to negative plate of second and negative plate of first is connected to
positive plate of other. The loss of energy will be
1 1
(1) CV 2 (2) CV2 (3) CV 2 (4) Zero
2 4
Sol. Answer (2)
1 1 + –V
Ui  CV 2  CV 2  CV 2
2 2
⇒ CV –CV
Uf = 0
+ –
U = CV2 V
–CV CV
SECTION - B
Objective Type Questions
1. As in the figure, if a capacitor of capacitance ‘C’ is charged by connecting it with resistance R, then energy given
by the battery will be
C
V
1 1
(1) CV 2 (2) Less than CV
2
(3) CV2 (4) More than CV2
2 2
Sol. Answer (3)
C
t
⎛ ⎞
q CV ⎜ 1  e RC ⎟
⎝ ⎠
t= q = CV
V R
Battery gives CV charge
W = CV2
2. Figure shows a solid conducting sphere of radius 1 m, enclosed by a metallic shell of radius 3 m such that their
centres coincide. If outer shell is given a charge of 6 C and inner sphere is earthed, find magnitude charge on the
surface of inner shell
3m
1m
(1) 1 C (2) 2 C (3) 4 C (4) 6 C

Sol. Answer (2) 6+q
–q
kq k 6 q
V   0 o
1 3 1m
6 C
q = –2 C
3m
3. A positively charged ring is in y – z plane with its centre at origin. A positive test charge q0, held at origin is released
along x-axis, then its speed
(1) Increases continuously (2) Decreases continuously
(3) First increases then decreases (4) First decreases then increases
Sol. Answer (1)
kq
V
x  a2
2
V decreases x
So, U decreases
So, K increases
4. Three point charges q, q and –2q are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side ‘L’. Calculate work done
by external force in moving all the charges far apart without acceleration
1 3q 2 1 3q 2 1 5q 2 1 5q 2
(1) (2)  (3) (4) 
40 L 40 L 40 L 40 L
Sol. Answer (1)

q
k  q  2q  k  q  q  k  q  2q 
U  
L L L
3kq 2 L L
U
L
U  0
q L –2q
2
3kq
Wext  U   U 
L
5. There is a uniformly charged non conducting solid sphere made of material of dielectric constant one. If electric
potential at infinity be zero, then the potential at its surface is V. If we take electric potential at its surface to be
zero, then the potential at the centre will be
3V V
(1) (2) (3) V (4) Zero
2 2
Sol. Answer (2)
Vsurface = V + V
If V = 0, Vsurface = V
If V = –V, Vsurface = 0
3V 3V V
Vcen   V  V 
2 2 2
3x 2 y 2
6. Electric potential in a region is varying according to the relation V   , where x and y are in metre and V
2 4
is in volt. Electric field intensity (in N/C) at a point (1 m, 2 m) is
(1) 3iˆ  ˆj (2)  3iˆ  ˆj (3) 6iˆ  2 ˆj (4)  6iˆ  2 ˆj
Sol. Answer (2)
3x 2 y 2

V 
2 4
dV
Ex  3 x 3
dx
dV y
Ey    1
dy 2

E 3iˆ  jˆ
7. There exists a uniform electric field E = 4 × 105 Vm–1 directed along negative x-axis such that electric potential at
origin is zero. A charge of –200 C is placed at origin, and a charge of +200 C is placed at (3 m, 0). The electrostatic
potential energy of the system is
(1) 120 J (2) – 120 J (3) – 240 J (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (1)
V3  4  105  3  12  105 E
–200 C 200 C
kq1 q2
U  q1V2  q2V2 V0 = 0 V3 = 12 × 10
5
r
3
9  109  200  200  1012
U + (–200)(0) + 200 (12 ×105) ×10–6
3
U = –120 + 240
U = 120 J
8. If the electric potential on the axis of an electric dipole at a distance ‘r’ from it is V, then the potential at a point on
its equatorial line at the same distance away from it will be
V
(1) 2 V (2) (3) 0 (4) – V
2
Sol. Answer (3)
Potential at any point on the equatorial line due to an electric dipole is 0.
9. Three identical charged capacitors each of capacitance 5 F are connected as shown in figure. Potential difference
across capacitor (3), long time after the switches K1 and K2 are is closed, is
100C 100C
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
K2
+
+
+
+ K1
100C 3
(1) 20 V (2) 10 V (3) 5 V (4) Zero

Sol. Answer (4)
In the wires, the charge is 0, Thus final charge = 0
100 –100 100 –100
Thus V = 0
–100 100
10. A positive point charge q is placed at a distance 2R from the surface of a metallic shell of radius R. The electric
field at centre of shell due to induced charge has magnitude
2R q
1 q 1 q 1 q
(1) Zero (2) 4 2 (3) 4 2 (4) 4 2
0 9R 0 4R 0 R
Sol. Answer (2)

Eint  E ext 
0
++
+ R 2R q
+
E int  E ext
+ Eext Eind
++
kq
E int 
9R 2
11. Six point charges are placed at the vertices of a regular hexagon of side a as shown. If E represents electric field
and V represents electric potential at O, then
–q q
q –q
O
–q q
a
(1) E  0 but V  0 (2) E  0 but V  0 (3) E  0 and V  0 (4) E  0 and V  0
Sol. Answer (3)
–q q
3kq 3kq
V   0
r r
q –q
from the figure
2E
–q q
2E
2E
Enet = 0
12. A point charge q is held at the centre of a circle of radius r. B, C are two points on the circumference of the circle
and A is a point outside the circle. If WAB represents work done by electric field in taking a charge q0 from A to B
and WAC represents the workdone from A to C, then
B
r
q
A
C
(1) WAB > WAC (2) WAB < WAC (3) WAB = WAC  0 (4) WAB = WAC  0
Sol. Answer (3)
B
WAB  UB  U A  q0 VB  VA 
WAC  UC  U A  q0 VC  VA  A
As VB – VC C
WAB = WAC
13. Three charged particles having charges q, –2q and q are placed in a line at points (–a, 0), (0,0) and (a, 0)
respectively. The expression for electric potential at P(r, 0) for r >> a is
1 qa 2 1 2qa 2 1 4qa 2 1 8qa 2

(1) (2) (3) (4)
40 r 4 40 r 3 40 r 2 40 r
Sol. Answer (2)

r P
2kp 2kp P1 P2
E1  3
E2 3
⎛ a ⎞ ⎛ a⎞
⎜⎝ r  ⎟ ⎜⎝ r  ⎟
2⎠ 2⎠ q –2q q E1 E2
2kp 2kp
E2 
 E1 3
 3
⎛ a⎞ ⎛ a⎞
⎜⎝ r  ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ r  ⎟⎠
2 2
⎡ ⎤
⎢ ⎥
2kp ⎢ 1 1 ⎥

r 3 ⎢⎛ a⎞
3
⎛ a⎞ ⎥
3
⎢ ⎜1  ⎟ ⎜⎝ 1  ⎟⎠ ⎥
⎣⎝ 2r ⎠ 2r ⎦
2kp ⎡ 3a ⎛ 3a ⎞ ⎤
1  ⎜1  ⎟ ⎥
r 3 ⎢⎣ 2r ⎝ 2r ⎠ ⎦
2kp ⎡ 3a ⎤
r 3 ⎢⎣ r ⎥⎦
3
6 kpa 6 pa 3 pa
E  
r4 2 4  0 r 4
2  0 r 4
 kp kp kp ⎡ 2a 2a ⎤ 2kpa

V   1  1 
⎛ a⎞
2
⎛ a⎞
2
r 2 ⎢⎣ 2r 2r ⎥⎦ r3
⎜⎝ r  ⎟⎠ ⎜⎝ r  ⎟
2 2⎠
14. Two metal spheres A and B of radii a & b (a < b) respectively are at a large distance apart. Each sphere carries a
charge of 100 C. The spheres are connected by a conducting wire, then
(1) Charge will flow from A to B (2) Charge will flow from B to A
(3) No charge flows in the wire (4) All charges will reside on the connecting wire
Sol. Answer (1)
k 100 k 100
VA  VB
a b
a<b
Va > VB
Charge flows from A to B.
15. Three different dielectrics are filled in a parallel plate capacitor as shown. What should be the dielectric constant
of a material, which when fully filled between the plates produces same capacitance?
A
K1=6 2
K2=3
K3=6
A
2
d d
2 2
(1) 4 (2) 6 (3) 5 (4) 9

Sol. Answer (3)
6 A 0 3 A 0

C1  A
2d d 6
2
A 0
C2  A
⎛ d⎛ 1⎞ d ⎛ 1⎞ ⎞ 3 6
2⎜d  ⎜1  ⎟  ⎜1  ⎟ ⎟ 2
⎝ 2⎝ 3⎠ 2 ⎝ 6⎠ ⎠
A 0
C2 
⎛d d ⎞
2⎜  ⎟
⎝ 6 12 ⎠
A 0
C2 
⎛d⎞
2⎜ ⎟
⎝ 4⎠
2A 0
C2 
d
5A 0
C  C1  C2 
d
16. Consider a sphere of radius R having charge q uniformly distributed inside it. At what minimum distance from its
surface the electric potential is half of the electric potential at its centre?
R 4R R
(1) R (2) (3) (4)
2 3 3
Sol. Answer (4)
3kQ
VC 
2R
kQ 3kQ q

VS 
Rx 4R R
4R = 3R + 3x
3x = R
R
x
3
17. There are two identical capacitors, the first one is uncharged and filled with a dielectric of constant K while the
other one is charged to potential V having air between its plates. If two capacitors are joined end to end, the
common potential will be
V KV KV V
(1) (2) (3) (4)
K 1 K 1 K 1 K 1
Sol. Answer (4)
KC
KC  0   CV
V 
KC  C
CV
V 
Cl  K C, V
V
V 
l K
18. Seven identical plates each of area A and successive separation d are arranged as shown in figures.
The effective capacitance of the system between P & Q is
P Q
7 0 A 6 0 A 5 0 A 3 0 A
(1) (2) (3) (4)
d d d d
Sol. Answer (2)
Q
1
2 12 23 34 45 56 67
P 3 Q
4
5
6
7
P
All are in parallel
6 A 0
C
net 6
C
d
19. In a certain region of space, variation of potential with distance from origin as we move along x-axis is given
by V = 8x2 + 2, where x is the x-coordinate of a point in space. The magnitude of electric field at a point
(– 4, 0) is
(1) – 16 V/m (2) 16 V/m (3) – 64 V/m (4) 64 V/m
Sol. Answer (4)
V = 8x2 + 2
dV
Ex   16 x
dx
x = –4
Ex = 64 V/m
20. Four charges +q, –q, +q, –q are placed in order on the four consecutive corners of a square of side L. The
work done in inter changing the position of any two neighbouring charges of the opposite sign is
(1)
q2
40L

–4  2  (2)
q2
40L

42 2  (3)
q2
40L

4–2 2  (4)
q2
40L
4 2 
Sol. Answer (3)
+q –q q –q
4kq 2 2kq 2
U1 
a a 2
2kq 2
U2 
a 2
–q +q q –q
2 2
4kq 4kq
U U2  U1  
a 2 a
kq 2 ⎡⎣ 4  2 2 ⎤⎦
W
a
21. The charge q is fired towards another charged particle Q which is fixed, with a speed v. It approaches Q upto
a closest distance r and then returns. If q were given a speed 2v, the closest distance of approach would be
v
r
q Q
r r
(1) r (2) 2r (3) (4)
2 4
Sol. Answer (4)
v
1 kqQ
mv 2 
2 r q Q
1 kqQ
m  2v  
2
2 r
1 r

4 r
r
r 
4
22. Three charges are placed along x-axis at x = – a, x = 0 and x = a as shown in the figure. The potential energy
of the system is
(q ) –q ( q)
x = –a x=0 x=a
⎛ 1 ⎞ q2 ⎛ 1 ⎞ 3q 2 ⎛ 1 ⎞ q2 ⎛ 1 ⎞ 3q 2
(1) – ⎜ (2) – ⎜ (3)  ⎜ (4)  ⎜
⎝ 4 0 ⎟⎠ a ⎝ 4 0 ⎟⎠ 2a ⎝ 4 0 ⎟⎠ a ⎝ 4 0 ⎟⎠ 2a
Sol. Answer (2)
 kq 2 kq 2 ka 2 q –q q
U  
a a 2a x = –a x=0 x=a
3kq 2
U
2a
23. Find the charge on capacitor C3
C1 C2
C3 C4
V
Given, that C1 = C2 = C and C3 = C4 = 3C.
3 CV
(1) CV (2) (3) 3CV (4) 2CV
2 2
Sol. Answer (1)

q1 C1 C2
Cnet  2C
C C
q = 2CV 3C 3C
q2 C3 C4
q1 1

q2 3 V
3q1 = q2
q1 + q2 = 2CV
CV
q1 
2
3CV
q2 
2
24. If initial charge on all the capacitors were zero, work done by the battery in the circuit shown is
4 F 4 F
2 F
10 V
(1) 0.2 mJ (2) 200 mJ (3) 0.4 mJ (4) 400 mJ
Sol. Answer (3)
Cnet = 4F 4 F 4 F
q = 40 F 2 F
W = qV = 40 × 10–6 × 10
10 V
W = 400 J
25. While working on a physics project at school physics lab, you require a 4 F capacitor in a circuit across a
potential difference of 1 kV. Unfortunately, 4 F capacitors are out of stock in your lab but 2 F capacitors
which can withstand a potential difference of 400 V are available in plenty. If you decide to use the 2 F
capacitors in place of 4 F capacitor, minimum number of capacitors required are
(1) 16 (2) 18 (3) 20 (4) 12
Sol. Answer (2)

2
CAB 
3 A B
4 3
2

Total number of benches  6
2
Total number of capacitors = 6 × 3 = 18
26. A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance C. If the distance between the plates
is doubled and the space between the plates is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant 6, then the
capacitance will become
C C
(1) 3C (2) (3) 12C (4)
3 6
Sol. Answer (1)
A 0
C
d
6 A 0 2 A 0

C 
2d d
C = 3C
27. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged with the help of a 200 V battery. It is then discharged through a small
coil of resistance wire embedded in a thermally insulated block of specific heat capacity 2.5 × 102 J/kg and
mass 0.1 kg. If the temperature of the block rises by 0.4 K, the value of C is
(1) 500 F (2) 500 F (3) 50 F (4) 50 F
Sol. Answer (2)
1
 C   200  2.5  102  0.1  0.4
2
2
2  104 C 
1  10
1

C  500 F
2  103
28. Electric charges having same magnitude of electric charge 'q ' coulombs are placed at x = 1 m, 2 m, 4 m,
8m ....... so on. If any two consecutive charges have opposite sign but the first charge is necessarily positive,
what will be the potential at x = 0?
1 ⎛ 2q ⎞ 1
(1) Infinity (2) Zero (3) ⎜ ⎟ (4) 4  2q 
4 0 ⎝ 3 ⎠ 0
Sol. Answer (3)

kq kq kq kq q –q q
    ......
1 2 4 8 x=0 1 2 3 4
⎡ 1 1 1 ⎤
kq ⎢1     .....⎥
⎣ 2 4 8 ⎦
kq.1
V
⎛ 1⎞
1 ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2⎠
2kq
V
3
29. A pellet carrying a charge of 0.5 coulomb is accelerated through a potential of 2000 volts. It attains some kinetic
energy equal to
(1) 1000 erg (2) 1000 joule (3) 1000 kWh (4) 500 erg
Sol. Answer (2)
KE = qV
KE = (0.5) (2000) = 1000 J
30. A cylindrical capacitor has two co-axial cylinders of length 20 cm and radii 2r and r. Inner cylinder is given a
charge 10 C and outer cylinder a charge of –10 C. The potential difference between the two cylinders will
be
0.1 In 2 In 2 10 In 2 0.01 In 2
(1) mV (2) 4 m V (3) mV (4) mV
4 0 0 4 0 4 0
Sol. Answer (1)
2  0 l
C 
⎛ b⎞
ln ⎜ ⎟
⎝ a⎠
⎛ 20 ⎞
2  0 ⎜
⎝ 100 ⎟⎠
C
ln 2
10  106 ln3
V 
⎛ 20 ⎞
20 ⎜
⎝ 100 ⎟⎠
10 4 ln2
V 
4 0
0.1ln2
V  mV
40
31. A charge q is distributed uniformly on the surface of a sphere of radius R. It is covered by a concentric hollow
conducting sphere of radius 2R. Charge on the outer surface of the hollow sphere will be, if it is earthed
q
(1) (2) 2q (3) 4q (4) Zero
2
Sol. Answer (4)
If outer surface is earthed its charge becomes 0.
32. There exists an electric field of magnitude E in x-direction. If the work done in moving a charge of 0.2 C through
a distance of 2 m along a line making an angle 60° with x-axis is 4 J, then the value of E is
(1) 3 N/C (2) 4 N/C (3) 5 N/C (4) 20 N/C
Sol. Answer (4)

E
W = qEd cos
1
4   0.2  E  2 
2
E = 20 N/C
⎛ V ⎞
33. In a region of space, suppose there exists a uniform electric field E  1 0 iˆ ⎜ . If a positive charge moves
⎝ m ⎟⎠

with a velocity v  –2 ˆj , its potential energy
(1) Increases (2) Decreases

(3) Does not change (4) Initially increases then decreases
Sol. Answer (3)
>
2 j
E = 10

As charge moves perpendicular to E , no change in energy occurs.

34. ABC is a right angled triangle situated in a uniform electric field E which is in the plane of the triangle. The
points A and B are at the same potential of 15 V while the point C is at a potential of 20 V. AB = 3cm and
BC = 4 cm. The magnitude of electric field is (in S.I. Units)
3 cm
B 4 cm C
(1) 100 (2) 125 (3) 167 (4) 208
Sol. Answer (2) 15 V
⎛ 4 ⎞
5  E⎜ 3
⎝ 100 ⎟⎠
20 V
E = 125 N/C 15 V 4
35. A hollow spherical conductor of radius r potential of 100 V at its outer surface. The potential inside the hollow
r
at a distance of from its centre is
2
(1) 100 V (2) 50 V (3) 200 V (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (1)
Inside the conductor, the field is 0 and potential is constant V = 100 V.
36. A spherical conductor having charge q and radius r is placed at the centre of a spherical shell of radius R
and having charge Q (R > r). The potential difference between the two is
(1) Proportional to Q (2) Proportional to q
(3) Dependent on both Q and q (4) Independent of both Q and q
Sol. Answer (2)
R
⎡1 1 ⎤ r
VA  VB kq ⎢  ⎥
⎣r R ⎦
V  q q
37. The work which is required to be done to make an arrangement of four particles each having a charge +q such
that the particles lie at the four corners of a square of side a is
(1)  4 2  kq 2
a
(2) 4
kq 2
a
(3)  2 2  kq 2
a
(4) 2
kq 2
a
q q
Sol. Answer (1)
4kq 2 2kq 2
U 
a a 2
W=U q q
38. The net capacitance of a system of capacitance as shown in the figure between points A and B is
1 F 1 F
A B
1 F
1 F 1 F
(1) 1 F (2) 2 F (3) 3 F (4) 4 F

Sol. Answer (2)
1 1
It is balanced W.S.B
1
Cnet = 2 F
A B
1 1
SECTION - C
Previous Years Questions
1. A parallel-plate capacitor of area A, plate separation d and capacitance C is filled with four dielectric materials
having dielectric constants k1, k2, k3 and k4 as shown in the figure below. If a single dielectric material is to
be used to have the same capacitance C in this capacitor, then its dielectric constant k is given by
[NEET (Phase-2)-2016]
2
(1) k = k1 + k2 + k3 + 3k4 (2) k (k1  k2  k3 )  2k 4
3
2 3 1 1 1 1 1 3

(3)  (4)    
k k1  k2  k3 k 4 k k1 k2 k3 2k 4
Sol. Answer (3)

k1, k2 and k3 are in parallel so Arithmetic mean.
k1  k2  k3
keq 
3
keq is in series with k4. So harmonic mean.
2 1 1

k keq

k4
2 3 1

 k 
k1  k2  k3 k 4
2. A capacitor of 2 F is charged as shown in the diagram. When the switch S is turned to position 2, the
percentage of its stored energy dissipated is [NEET-2016]
1 2
S
V
2 F 8 F
(1) 80% (2) 0% (3) 20% (4) 75%
Sol. Answer (1)
1 2
Initial energy stored = (2 F)  V
2
Energy dissipated on connection across 8 F
1 C1C2 2
= 2 C C V
1 2
1 2 F  8 F 2
= 2  10 F  V
1 2
=  (1.6 F) V
2
1.6
% loss of energy =  100 
80%
2
3. A parallel plate air capacitor has capacity C, distance of separation between plates is d and potential difference
V is applied between the plates. Force of attraction between the plates of the parallel plate air capacitor is
[Re-AIPMT-2015]
C 2V 2 C 2V 2 CV 2 CV 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2d 2 2d 2d d
Sol. Answer (3)
Force between the plates
q2 1
F  qE
2 A0 2
1 V 1 V2
F  CV C
2 d 2 d
4. A conducting sphere of radius R is given a charge Q. The electric potential and the electric field at the centre of
the sphere respectively are [AIPMT-2014]
Q Q Q Q
(1) Zero and (2) and zero (3) and (4) Both are zero
4 0 R 2 40 R 40 R 40 R 2
Sol. Answer (2)
Electric field inside a conductor is always zero and conductor is a equipotential body. The value of electric
potential at the surface will be at the centre.
5. In a region, the potential is represented by V (x, y, z) = 6x – 8xy – 8y + 6yz, where V is in volts and x, y, z are
in meters. The electric force experienced by a charge of 2 coulomb situated at point (1, 1, 1) is
[AIPMT-2014]
(1) 6 5 N (2) 30 N (3) 24 N (4) 4 35 N

Sol. Answer (4)
Electric force F = qE
V ⎡ V ˆ  V ˆ  V ⎤
E  ⎢ i  j kˆ⎥
r ⎣ x y z ⎦
V 
 6 x  8 xy  8 y  6 yz 6  8 y
x x
V
8 x  8  6z
y
V
 6y
z
E(1, 1, 1)  ⎡⎣(6  8)iˆ  ( 8  8  6) ˆj  (6)kˆ⎤⎦
 ⎡⎣2iˆ  10 ˆj  6kˆ⎤⎦

| E |  2 35 N/C
  (2)(2 35)
F qE  4 35 N
6. Two thin dielectric slabs of dielectric constants K1 and K2 (K1 < K2) are inserted between plates of a parallel
plate capacitor, as shown in the figure. The variation of electric field E between the plates with distance d as
measured from plate P is correctly shown by [AIPMT-2014]
P+ – Q
+ –
K1 K2
E E E E
(1) (2) (3) (4)
0 d 0 d 0 d 0 d
Sol. Answer (3)

In vacuum electric field between parallel plate capacitor is given by
Q
E
A 0
In medium,
Q
E 
kA0
as K2 > K1
 Electric field will be less in K2.
7. A, B and C are three points in a uniform electric field. The electric potential is [NEET-2013]
B A
E
C
(1) Maximum at B (2) Maximum at C

(3) Same at all the three points A, B and C (4) Maximum at A
Sol. Answer (1)
B A
VB > VC > VA
8. An electric dipole of moment p is placed in an electric field of intensity E . The dipole acquires a position such
that the axis of the dipole makes an angle  with the direction of the field. Assuming that the potential energy
of the dipole to be zero when  = 90°, the torque and the potential energy of the dipole will respectively be
[AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
(1) pE sin, 2pE cos (2) pE cos, –pE sin (3) pE sin, –pE cos (4) pE sin, –2pE cos
Sol. Answer (3) 
P
I pE sin 

E
U – pE cos 
9. Four point charges –Q, –q, 2q and 2Q are placed, one at each corner of the square. The relation between Q
and q for which the potential at the centre of the square is zero is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2012]
1 1
(1) Q = q (2) Q = (3) Q = – q (4) Q = –
q q
Sol. Answer (3)
–Q –q
k  –Q  k  –q  k  2q  k  2Q  r
Vp      0 r
r r r r
kQ kq r P r
 
0
r r
2Q 2q
q = –Q
10. A parallel plate capacitor has a uniform electric field E in the space between the plates. If the distance between
the plates is d and area of each plate is A, the energy stored in the capacitor is
[AIPMT (Mains-2012 & Prelims-2011)]
1 2 Ad 1
(1) 0 E 2 (2) E  (3) 0 E 2 Ad (4) 0EAd
2 0 2
Sol. Answer (3)
d
A0
C
d
1
U  E 2 ·Ad A
2 0
11. Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 3 cm are given charges of –1 × 10–2 C and 5 × 10–2 C, respectively. If
these are connected by a conducting wire, the final charge on the bigger sphere is [AIPMT (Mains)-2012]
(1) 2 × 10–2 C (2) 3 × 10–2 C (3) 4 × 10–2 C (4) 1 × 10–2 C
Sol. Answer (2)
q 4  10 –2 – q

3 1
q = 12 × 10–2 – 3q
4q = 12 × 10–2
q = 3 × 10–2
12. Four electric charges +q, +q, –q and –q are placed at the corners of a square of side 2L (see figure). The
electric potential at point A, midway between the two charges +q and +q, is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
+q –q
+q –q
1 2q
(1) Zero (2) (1 5 )
40 L
1 2q ⎛ 1 ⎞ 1 2q ⎛ 1 ⎞
1 1–
40 L ⎜⎝
⎟
40 L ⎜⎝ ⎟
(3) (4)
5⎠ 5⎠
Sol. Answer (4)
q 2L –q
kq kq kq kq

V  – – L
L L L 5 L 5
L
kq ⎡⎣2 5 – 2⎤⎦
 q 2L –q
L 5
13. Three charges, each +q, are placed at the corners of an isosceles triangle ABC of sides BC and AC, 2a. D and
E are the mid points of BC and CA.The work done in taking a charge Q from D to E is [AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
A
B C
D
3qQ 3qQ qQ
(1) Zero (2) (3) (4)
40 a 80 a 40 a
Sol. Answer (1)
q
a
2a
E
a
q q
a a
D
2a
VD = VE
W = q(VD – VE) = 0
14. The electric potential V at any, point (x, y, z), in metres in space is given by V = 4x2 volt. The electric field at
the point (1, 0, 2) in volt/metre, is [AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) 16 along positive x-axis (2) 8 along negative x-axis
(3) 8 along positive x-axis (4) 16 along negative x-axis
Sol. Answer (2)
V = 4x2
dV

Ex – –8x
dx
Ex = –8 N/C
15. A series combination of n1 capacitors, each of value C1, is charged by a source of potential difference 4 V.
When another parallel combination of n2 capacitors, each of value C2, is charged by a source of potential
difference V, it has the same (total) energy stored in it, as the first combination has. The value of C2, in terms
of C1, is then [AIPMT (Prelims)-2010]
2C1 n2 n2 16C1
(1) n n (2) 16 n C1 (3) 2 n C1 (4) n1n2
1 2 1 1
Sol. Answer (4)
C1
Cnet 
n1
1 C1 2 2
U ·4 V
2 n1
8C1V 2
U
n1
Cnet = n2C2
1
U n2C2V 2
2
8C1V 2 n2C2V 2

n1 2
16C1
C2 
n1n2
16. A condenser of capacity C is charged to a potential difference of V1. The plates of the condenser are then
connected to an ideal inductor of inductance L. The current through the inductor when the potential difference
across the condenser reduces to V2 is [AIPMT (Mains)-2010]
  ⎞⎟
1/2 1/2
⎛ C V  V 2
(1) ⎜⎜
1 2
⎞
⎟ (2)

C V12  V22  (3)

C V12  V22  ⎛ C V12  V22
⎜
(4) ⎜
L ⎟ L ⎟
⎝ ⎠ L L ⎝ ⎠
Sol. Answer (4)
17. Two parallel metal plates having charges +Q and –Q face each other at a certain distance between them. If the
plates are now dipped in kerosene oil tank, the electric field between the plates will [AIPMT (Mains)-2010]
(1) Become zero (2) Increase (3) Decrease (4) Remain same
Sol. Answer (3)
q =C V
constant increases decreases

E decreases
18. Three concentric spherical shells have radii a, b and c (a < b < c) and have surface charge densities , – and
 respectively. If VA, VB and VC denote the potentials of the three shells, then for c = a + b, we have
(1) VC = VB  VA (2) VC  VB  VA (3) VC = VB = VA (4) VC = VA  VB
Sol. Answer (4)
k  4a2 k  4b2 k  4c 2 –

VA –  
a b c
a b
VA = 4k(a – b + c) 
c
2 2 2
k  4a k  4b k  4c
VB – 
b b c
⎡ a2 ⎤
VB  k 4 ⎢ – b  c ⎥
⎣⎢ b ⎦⎥
k 4a 2 k 4b 2 k 4c 2

VC – 
c c c
⎡ a2 – b2 ⎤
VC  k 4 ⎢  c⎥
⎣⎢ c ⎥⎦
If VA = VC
a2 – b2
a – b
c c
c
c=a+b
19. Three capacitors each of capacitance C and of breakdown voltage V are joined in series. The capacitance and
breakdown voltage of the combination will be [AIPMT (Prelims)-2009]
V C C V
(1) 3C, (2) , 3V (3) 3C, 3V (4) ,
3 3 3 3
Sol. Answer (2)
C V V V
Net capacitance 
3
C C C
Breakdown voltage = 3 V

20. The electric potential at a point (x, y, z) is given by V = –x2y – xz3 + 4. The electric field E at that point is

(1) E iˆ(2 xy  z3 )  ˆjxy 2  kˆ 3z 2 x ˆ 3  ˆjxyz  kz
(2) E iz ˆ 2

(3) E iˆ(2 xy  z3 )  ˆjx 2  kˆ 3 xz 2 (4) E  iˆ2 xy  ˆj ( x 2  y 2 )  kˆ(3 xz  y 2 )
Sol. Answer (3)

V = –x2y – xz3 + 4
dV
Ex 
–  2xy  z3

dx
dV
Ey – x 2

dy
Ez = + 3xz2

 
E  2 xy  z 3 i  x 2 j  3 xz 2
k
21. The mean free path of electrons in a metal is 4 × 10–8 m. The electric field which can given on an average 2 eV
energy to an electron in the metal will be in units of V/m [AIPMT (Prelims)-2009]
(1) 5 × 10–11 (2) 8 × 10–11 (3) 5 × 107 (4) 8 × 107
Sol. Answer (3)
2 = E (4 × 10–8)
2
E  108
4
E = 0.5 × 108 N/C
E = 5 × 107
22. The energy required to charge a parallel plate condenser of plate separation d and plate area of cross-section
A such that the uniform electric field between the plates is E, is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2008]
1 1
(1)  0 E 2 Ad (2)  0 E 2 / A.d (3)  0 E 2 / Ad (4)  0 E 2 Ad
2 2
Sol. Answer (1)
1
U CV 2
2
1 A 0
U
2 d
 Ed 2
A0E 2d
U
2
23. The electric potential at a point in free space due to a charge Q coulomb is Q × 1011 volts. The electric field at
that point is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2008]
(1) 12 0Q × 1022 volt/m (2) 4 0Q × 1022 volt/m
(3) 12 0Q × 1020 volt/m (4) 4 0Q × 1020 volt/m
Sol. Answer (2)
9  109 Q
 Q  1011
r
r = 9 × 10–2
9  109  Q
E
81 10 –4
1
E  1013 Q
9
KQ
 Q  1011
r
k
r
1011
kQ
E 2
1022
k
E = 4Q × 1022
24. Charges +q and –q are placed at points A and B respectively which are a distance 2L apart, C is the midpoint
between A and B. The work done in moving a charge +Q along the semicircle CRD is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
A C B D
qQ qQ qQ qQ
(1)  6 L (2)  4 L (3) 2 L (4)  2 L
0 0 0 0
Sol. Answer (1)

R +Q
2L
A C B D
(+q) (–q)
kq kq
VC  – 0
L L
kq kq –2kq
VD  –
3L L 3L
W = +Q(VC – VD)
2kq
W Q·
3L
25. Two condensers, one of capacity C and other of capacity C/2 are connected to a V-volt battery, as shown. The
work done in charging fully both the condensers is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
C C/2
V
1 1 3
(1) CV2 (2) 2CV2 (3) CV2 (4) CV2
2 4 4
Sol. Answer (4)
1 1C 2 C/2
W CV 2  V V
2 2 2 C
3
W  CV 2
4
26. A parallel plate air capacitor is charged to a potential difference of V volts. After disconnecting the charging battery
the distance between the plates of the capacitor is increased using an insulating handle. As a result the potential
difference between the plates [AIPMT (Prelims)-2006]
(1) Decreases (2) Does not change (3) Becomes zero (4) Increases
Sol. Answer (4)
1
U CV 2
2
q =C V d increases, C decreases
constant decreases increases
27. A network of four capacitors of capacity equal to C1 = C, C2 = 2C, C3 = 3C and C4 = 4C are connected to a battery
as shown in the figure. The ratio of the charges on C2 and C4 is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2005]
C2
C3 C1
C4
V
22 3 7 4
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 22 4 7
Sol. Answer (2) 2C q2
q1 24C·11
 3C C
q2 36C
4C
q1 22 q1

q2 3
28. As per this diagram a point charge +q is placed at the origin O. Work done in taking another point charge –Q
from the point A [Coordinates (0, a)] to another point B [Coordinates (a, 0)] along the straight path AB is
y
O x
B
⎛ qQ 1 ⎞ ⎛ qQ 1 ⎞ a ⎛ qQ 1 ⎞
(1) Zero (2) ⎜ 4 2 ⎟ 2a (3) ⎜ 4 2 ⎟  (4) ⎜ 4 2 ⎟ 2a
⎝ 0 a ⎠ ⎝ 0 a ⎠ 2 ⎝ 0 a ⎠
y
Sol. Answer (1)
VA = VB A
(0, a)
W = –Q(VB – VA) | VA = VB
x
W=0 (+q)O B
(a, 0)
29. Two charges q1 and q2 are placed 30 cm apart, as shown in the figure. A third charge q3 is moved along the arc
q3
of a circle of radius 40 cm from C to D. The change in the potential energy of the system is 4 k , where k
0
is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2005]
q3
C
40 cm
q1 q2
A 30 cm B D
(1) 8q2 (2) 8q1 (3) 6q2 (4) 6q1
Sol. Answer (1) q3

C
k  q1   100 k  q2  100
VC 
40 50
40 cm
VC k  2.5q1  2q2  q2

q1 10
D
30
kq1 100  kq2 100 
cm cm
VD 
40 10
VD = k (2.5q1 + 10q2)
U = q3 (VD – VC)
U = q3 (8kq2)
U = kq3 (8q2)
30. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is aligned parallel to a uniform electric field E. The energy required to
rotate the dipole by 90° is
(1) pE2 (2) p2E (3) pE (4) Infinity
Sol. Answer (3)

P

P E Ui  – pE U  0
W = U = 0 – (–pE)
W = pE
31. Which of the following is not true?

(1) For a point charge, the electrostatic potential varies as 1/r
(2) For a dipole, the potential depends on the position vector and dipole moment vector
(3) The electric dipole potential varies as 1/r at large distance
(4) For a point charge, the electrostatic field varies as 1/r2
Sol. Answer (3)
1
Option (3) is wrong for dipole, potential varies as .
r2
32. How many 1 F capacitors must be connected in parallel to store a charge of 1 C with a potential of 110 V
across the capacitors?
(1) 990 (2) 900 (3) 9090 (4) 909
Sol. Answer (3)
For n capacitors
Cnet = nC
1 = n(10–6)(110)
1000000
n  9090
110
33. A hollow metallic sphere of radius 10 cm is charged such that potential of its surface is 80 V. The potential
at the centre of the sphere would be
(1) 80 V (2) 800 V (3) Zero (4) 8 V
Sol. Answer (1)
B
VA = VB = 80 V
34. Charge q2 is at the centre of a circular path with radius r. Work done in carrying charge q1 once around this
equipotential path, would be
1 qq 1 qq
(1)  122 (2)  1 2 (3) Zero (4) Infinite
4 0 r 4 0 r
Sol. Answer (3)
r
W = q(Vf – Vi)
q2
kq2
V
f V
i
r
W=0
35. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in the position of stable equilibrium in uniform electric field of
intensity E. This is rotated through an angle  from the initial position. The potential energy of the electric dipole
in the final position is
(1) – pE cos  (2) pE (1 – cos ) (3) pE cos  (4) pE sin 
Sol. Answer (1)
P

 E
P
E
U = –pEcos
36. There is an electric field E in x-direction. If the work done on moving a charge of 0.2 C through a distance of
2 m along a line making an angle 60° with x-axis is 4 J, then what is the value of E?
(1) 5 N/C (2) 20 N/C (3) 3 N/C (4) 4 N/C
Sol. Answer (2)
q = 0.2 C
2m
r=2m E
 = 60°
⎛ 1⎞
4   0.2 E  2  ⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠
E = 20 N/C
37. Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 2 cm are given charges 10–2 C and 5 × 10–2 C respectively. If they
are connected by a conducting wire, the final charge on the smaller sphere is
(1) 3 × 10–2 C (2) 2 × 10–2 C (3) 1 × 10–2 C (4) 6 × 10–2 C
Sol. Answer (2)
10–2 5 × 10–2
–2
q 6  10 – q
 1 2
1 2
2q = 6 × 10–2 – q
q = 2 × 10–2 C q 6 × 10–2 –q
38. The energy stored in a capacitor of capacity C and potential V is given by
CV C 2V 2 C 2V CV 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 2 2 2
Sol. Answer (4)
1
U CV 2
2
39. An electron of mass m and charge e is accelerated from rest through a potential difference V in vacuum. Its
final velocity will be
2eV eV eV eV
(1) (2) (3) (4)
m m 2m m
Sol. Answer (1)
1
eV  mv 2
2
2eV
 v2
m
2eV
v
m
40. When a proton is accelerated through 1 V, then its kinetic energy will be
(1) 1 eV (2) 13.6 eV (3) 1840 eV (4) 0.54 eV
Sol. Answer (1)
KE = 1 × 1 = 1 eV
41. A parallel plate condenser with oil between the plates (dielectric constant of oil K = 2) has a capacitance C.
If the oil is removed, then capacitance of the capacitor becomes
C C
(1)
2
(2) 2C (3) 2C (4)
2
Sol. Answer (4)
C
KC = C, C 
2
42. In bringing an electron towards another electron, the electrostatic potential energy of the system
(1) Becomes zero (2) Increases (3) Decreases (4) Remains same
Sol. Answer (2)
As 'r' decreases so, PE increases.
43. What is the effective capacitance between points X and Y?
C1= 6  F
C3= 6  F C5=20  F C2= 6  F

X A C B D Y
C4= 6  F
(1) 12 F (2) 18 F (3) 24 F (4) 6 F

Sol. Answer (4)
B
6 F
6 F 6 F
C 20 6
⇒ X Y 
VB = VC
X 6 B Y
6 6 F 6 F
C
Above is the diagram of a balanced W0B0
Cnet = 6 F
44. A capacitor is charged with a battery and energy stored is U. After disconnecting battery another capacitor
of same capacity is connected in parallel to the first capacitor. Then energy stored in each capacitor is
(1) U/2 (2) U/4 (3) 4U (4) 2U
Sol. Answer (2)
q2
U q/2
2C
2
⎛ q⎞
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠
2
U 
2C
q/2
q2 U

U 
8C 4
45. Energy per unit volume for a capacitor having area A and separation d kept at potential difference V is given by
1 V2 1 V2 1 CV 2 Q2
(1) (2) 2 (3) (4)
2 0 d2 0 d
2 2 2C
Sol. Answer (1)
2
1 1 ⎛V ⎞ 1 V2
Energy density 0E 2  0 ⎜ ⎟  
2 2 ⎝d⎠ 2 0 d2
46. Some charge is being given to a conductor. Then its potential is

(1) Maximum at surface (2) Maximum at centre
(3) Remain same throughout the conductor (4) Maximum somewhere between surface and centre
Sol. Answer (3)
The potential of a conductor is same throughout its interior and at its surface.
47. A capacitor of capacity C1 is charged upto V volt and then connected to an uncharged capacitor of capacity
C2. The final potential difference across each will be
C 2V C1V ⎛ C ⎞ ⎛ C ⎞
(1) C  C (2) C  C (3) ⎜⎜1  2 ⎟⎟ V (4) ⎜⎜1  2 ⎟⎟ ·V
1 2 1 2
⎝ C1 ⎠ ⎝ C1 ⎠
Sol. Answer (2)
C1, V
C2, 0
C1V
Vnet 
C1  C2
48. Identical charges (–q) are placed at each corners of cube of side b then electrostatic potential energy of charge
(+q) which is placed at centre of cube will be
 8 3q 2  8 2 q2  4q 2 8 2 q2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
40 b  0 b 3  0 b 4 0 b
Sol. Answer (3)
3b
r  –q –q
2
⎡ ⎤ r
⎢ k  q  – q  ⎥ –q
–q q –q
U  8⎢ ⎥ –q
⎢ b 3 ⎥
⎢⎣ 2 ⎥⎦
–q –q
2
–16 q
U 
4  0 3 b
–4 q 2
U 
 0 3 b
49. Three capacitors each of capacity 4 F are to be connected in such a way that the effective capacitance is
6 F. This can be done by
(1) Connecting all of them in series (2) Connecting them in parallel
(3) Connecting two in series and one in parallel (4) Connecting two in parallel and one in series
Sol. Answer (3)
4 F
A B
4 F 4 F
Cnet = 6 F
50. An electric dipole has the magnitude of its charge as q and its dipole moment is p. It is placed in a uniform
electric field E. If its dipole moment is along the direction of the field, the force on it and its potential energy
are respectively
(1) 2qE and minimum (2) qE and pE (3) Zero and minimum (4) qE and maximum
Sol. Answer (3)
E
F=0
P
U = –pE

Minimum
51. A bullet of mass 2 kg is having a charge of 2 mC. Through what potential difference must it be accelerated,
starting from rest, to acquire a speed of 10 m/s?
(1) 5 kV (2) 50 kV (3) 5 V (4) 50 V
Sol. Answer (2)
 2  10 V 
–3 1
2
· 2 ·10 2
 2  10 V 
–3
100
V = 50 × 103 = 50 kV
SECTION - D
Assertion-Reason Type Questions
1. A : For a given potential function, electric intensity function can be uniquely derived.
R : For a given electric intensity function, electric potential function can be uniquely derived.
Sol. Answer (3)
Reason is wrong. Electric potential difference can be derived but not electric potential function.
2. A : An equipotential surface is normal to electric field lines.

R : Potential increases in the direction of electric field.
Sol. Answer (3)
Reason is wrong. Electric potential decreases in the direction of electric field.
3. A : One may have zero potential but non-zero electric field at a point in space.
R : Potential is a scalar quantity.
Sol. Answer (2)
Both are correct but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
4. A : Absolute value of potential is not defined.

R : Two equipotential lines cannot intersect each other.
Sol. Answer (2)
5. A : Two large conducting spheres carrying charges Q1 and Q2 are brought close to each other. The magnitude
of electrostatic force between them is exactly given by Q1 Q2/40r2, where r is the distance between their
centres.
R : Here charges Q1 and Q2 can be assumed to be concentrated at the centres of their respective spheres.
Sol. Answer (4)
Both are wrong.
6. A : Work done by the field of a nucleus in a complete orbit of the electron is zero even if the orbit is elliptical.
R : Electrostatic force is conservative in nature.
Sol. Answer (1)
Both are correct and reason is correct explanation of assertion.
7. A : Electric field is discontinuous across the surface of a charged conductor.

R : Electric potential is discontinuous across the surface of a charged conductor.
Sol. Answer (3)
Reason is wrong. Potential is continuous across the surface of charged conductor.
8. A : Water has a much greater dielectric constant than any other ordinary substance.
R : Water has permanent dipole moment.
Sol. Answer (1)
Both are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
9. A : Electric potential of a positively charged body may be negative.

R : The potential of a conductor does not depend on the charge of the conductor.
Sol. Answer (3)
Reason is wrong. Potential of a conductor depends on the charge of the conductor.
10. A : The potential difference between two concentric spherical shells depends only on the charge of inner shell.
R : The electric field in the region in between two shells depends on the charge of inner shell and electric field
is the negative of potential gradient.
Sol. Answer (1)
Both are correct and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
1
11. A : If E be electric field at a point, in free space then energy density at that point will be  0E 2 .
2
R : Electrostatic field is a conservative field.
Sol. Answer (2)
12. A : A capacitor is a device which stores electric energy in the form of electric field.
R : Net charge on the capacitor is always zero.
Sol. Answer (2)
13. A : When two conductors charged to different potentials are connected to each other, the negative charge
always flows from lower potential to higher potential.
R : In the charging process, there is always a flow of electrons only.
Sol. Answer (2)


Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance: Solutions

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Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance: Solutions

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Chapter 2

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

(1) E = 0, V = 0 (2) V = 0, E  0 (3) V  0, E = 0 (4) V 0, E  0

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Sol. Answer (1)

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Sol. Answer (3)

9. The potential gradient is a

Sol. Answer (1) E

Sol. Answer (2)

Sol. Answer (2)

(1) Force between them × r (2) Force between them

(3) Force between them × 2r (4) Zero

W = 0 as whole path is equipotential.

Sol. Answer (4)

(1) 1 : 2 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 1 : 4 (4) 4 : 1

9  109  8  103 A(0,0,3)

(1) 0.10 cm (2) 0.15 cm (3) 0.20 cm (4) 0.25 cm

Sol. Answer (4) 0.5

(1) 2d/3 (2) 3d/2 (3) 3d/4 (4) 4d/3

(1) 45000 C (2) 20000 C (3) 15000 C (4) 10000 C

40. The charge on the 6 F capacitor in the circuit shown is

(1) 540 C (2) 270 C (3) 180 C (4) 90 C

(1) 95 V (2) 75 V (3) 150 V (4) 65 V

(1) 2 V (2) 3 V (3) 6 V (4) 3.5 V

q1'  q1 , so charge increases. V

(1) 1 C (2) 2 C (3) 4 C (4) 6 C

(1) Increases continuously (2) Decreases continuously

Sol. Answer (1)

Sol. Answer (1)

(1) 3iˆ  ˆj (2)  3iˆ  ˆj (3) 6iˆ  2 ˆj (4)  6iˆ  2 ˆj

(1) 20 V (2) 10 V (3) 5 V (4) Zero

Sol. Answer (2)

1 qa 2 1 2qa 2 1 4qa 2 1 8qa 2

Sol. Answer (2)

(1) 4 (2) 6 (3) 5 (4) 9

Sol. Answer (2)

Sol. Answer (1)

Sol. Answer (2)

Sol. Answer (3)

(1) 3 N/C (2) 4 N/C (3) 5 N/C (4) 20 N/C

Sol. Answer (4)

(1) Increases (2) Decreases

(1) 100 (2) 125 (3) 167 (4) 208

Sol. Answer (2) 15 V

(1) 1 F (2) 2 F (3) 3 F (4) 4 F

Previous Years Questions

Sol. Answer (3)

(1) 80% (2) 0% (3) 20% (4) 75%

Sol. Answer (1)

(1) 6 5 N (2) 30 N (3) 24 N (4) 4 35 N

E(1, 1, 1)  ⎡⎣(6  8)iˆ  ( 8  8  6) ˆj  (6)kˆ⎤⎦

(1) (2) (3) (4)

Sol. Answer (3)

(1) Maximum at B (2) Maximum at C

Sol. Answer (1)

Sol. Answer (4)

Sol. Answer (4)

constant increases decreases

k  4a2 k  4b2 k  4c 2 –

k 4a 2 k 4b 2 k 4c 2

Sol. Answer (3)

Sol. Answer (1)