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Lakshya JEE 2.0 2024

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Boards Corner

Very Short Answer Type Questions :

Q.1. Which physical quantity has SI unit NmC–1 ?
Ans. Potential.

Q.2. A charged particle (+q) moves in a uniform electric field E in the direction opposite to E . What will be the effect
on its electrostatic potential energy during its motion ?
Ans. Potential energy increases.

Q.3. A point charge Q is placed at point ‘O’ as shown in figure. Is the potential at point A, i.e., VA, greater, smaller or equal
to potential, VB at point B, when Q is (i) positive, and (ii) negative charge ?

Ans. (i) VA > VB

(ii) VA < VB
Detailed Answer :
Let rA is the distance of point A from point charge Q and rB is the distance of point B from point charge Q.

Potential at point A :
1 Q
V (rA ) = 
4 0 rA
Potential at point B :
1 Q
V (rB ) = 
4 0 rB
Since rA  rB , so when :
charge Q is positive; V A  VB
charge Q is negative; V A  VB

Q.4. A point charge +Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure. Is the potential difference VA – VB positive, negative
or zero ?

Ans. Positive.

Q.5. A charge ‘q’ is moved from a point A above a dipole of dipole moment ‘p’ to a point B below the dipole in equatorial
plane without acceleration. Find the work done in the process.
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Ans. No work is done,

W = qV AB = q  0 = 0

Q.6. Why are electric field lines perpendicular at a point on an equi-potential surface of a conductor ?
Ans. If it were not so, the presence of a component of the field along the surface would violate its equi-potential nature.
Detailed Answer :
kQ
In an equi-potential surface, the potential for a point charge is given by V = . As electric field lines point radially
r
away from the charge, they are perpendicular to equi-potential surface. If the electric field lines are not perpendicular
to the surface of conductor, there exists a non-zero component of electric field along the surface of conductor where
charges could not be at rest.

Q.7. On moving a charge 20 C by 2 cm, 2 J work is done. What is the potential difference between the points ?
W 2
Ans. Potential = = = 0.1 J
Q 20

Q.8. What is the angle between electric field and equipotential surface ?
Ans. 90° always.
Detailed Answer :
Electric field is always perpendicular to the equi-potential surface at any point. If the electric field lines are not
considered as perpendicular, there would be a non-zero component of electric field along the surface of conductor
and charges could not be considered at rest.

Q.9. The electric potential is constant in a given region. What is the electric field in that region ?
Ans. Electric field is zero.

Q.10. Why the electric potential at a point on the equatorial line of an electric dipole is zero ?
Ans. Since the electric dipole is a scalar quantity and the distance of the point from each charge is same. So, the net
potential at the point will be zero because of the same magnitude and the opposite sign.

Q.11. Can two equi-potential surfaces intersect each other ? Justify your answer.
Ans. The normal drawn at any point on the equi-potential surface will give the direction of electric field at that point. If
the two surfaces intersect each other, there will be two directions of the electric field at that point which is not possible.
So, the two equi-potential surfaces cannot intersect each other.

Q.12. Define the term potential energy for a charge ‘q’ at a distance ‘r’ in an external field.
Ans. The electric potential energy at a point which is at a distance ‘r’ from charge ‘q’ is defined as the amount of work
done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point without any acceleration against the electrostatic
force.
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Short Answer Type Questions-I :

Q.1. Deduce an expression for the potential energy of a system of two points charges q1 and q2 located at positions r1 and
r2 respectively in an external field E .
Ans. Derivation including both terms electrostatic energy in system and in external field.
Detailed Answer :
V1 = Electric potential at the point having position vector r1.
V2 = Electric potential at the point having position vector r2.
q1V1 = Work done in bringing q1 from infinity to r1 against the external field
q2V2 = Work done in bringing q2 from infinity to r2 against the external field
1 qq
 1 2 2 = Work done on q2 against the force exerted by q1
4 0 r
(r12 is the distance between q1 and q2)
1 qq
So, the total potential energy of the system = q1V1 + q 2V2 +  1 22
4 0 r

Q.2. Establish the relation between electric field and electric potential at a point.
Draw the equi-potential surface for an electric field pointing in + Z direction with its magnitude increasing at constant
rate along – Z direction.
dV
Ans. Derivation of relation E = −
dr
Diagram of equi-potential surfaces.
Detailed Answer :
A and B are two points separated by a small distance dr in an electric field E.
dr being small, the electric field E may be assumed uniform along AB. By definition, the force acting on a unit positive
charge at A is equal to E.
The work done to move a unit positive charge from A to B against the electric field is dW = – Edr.
The negative sign indicates that the work is done against the direction of the field.
Again the work done = potential difference dV between A and B
i.e. dV = – Edr
 E = –dV/dr
Magnitude of electric field increasing at constant rate along –Z direction means it is decreasing along +Z direction.
So, along +Z direction, the distance between the equipotential surfaces increases for same potential difference.

Q.3. Calculate the amount of work done to dissociate a system of three charges 1 C, 1 C and –4 C placed on the
vertices of an equilateral triangle of side 10 cm.
Ans. Given : q A = 1  10 −6 C = q B
q C = −4  10 −6 C
r = 10 cm = 0.1 m
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W = W AB + WBC + W AC
1
W= [q Aq B + q BqC + qC q A ]
4 0r
1
W = 9  10 9  [1 1 − 4  1 − 4 1] 10 −12 J
0.1
−9 10 9  7 10 −12
W= J
0.1
W = – 0.63 J

Q.4. Draw a plot showing the variation of (i) electric field (E) and (ii) electric potential (V) with distance r due to a point
charge Q.
Ans.

Detailed Answer :
Due to point charge :
1 Q
Electric field, E=  2
4 0 r
1
⸪ E
r2

1 Q
Electric potential, V = 
4 0 r
1
⸪ V
r
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Now on plotting electric field and electric potential with distance r.

Q.5. Two point charges q and –2q are kept d distance apart. Find the location of the point relative to charge q at which
potential due to this system of charges is zero.
Ans.

Let P be the required point at a distance x from charge q

1 q 1 (−2q)
  +  =0
4 0 x 4 0 (d − x)
1 2
=
x d−x
d
 x=
3
d
 The required point is at a distance from the charge q.
3

Q.6. Find the potential energy associated with a charge q if it were present at the point P with respect to the ‘set-up’ of
two charged spheres, arranged as shown. Here O is the mid-point of the line O1O2.

Ans. r1 = O1P = r 2 + (2a + b) 2

r2 = O2 P = r 2 + (a + 2b) 2
1  Q1 Q2 
 V=  + 
4 0  r1 r2 
 The potential energy of charge q, at P = qV
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q  Q1 Q2 
=  + 
4 0  [r 2 + (2a + b) 2 ] 1 2 [ r 2 + ( a + 2b) 2 ] 1 2 
 

Q.7. Derive an expression for the electric potential at any point along the axial line of an electric dipole.
Ans.

Potential at point P
V p = V− q + V+ q
1 −q 1 q
= +
4 0 (r + a) 4 0 (r − a)
q  1 1 
=  − 
4 0  (r − a) (r + a) 
q  r +a−r +a 
=  
4 0  (r − a)(r + a) 
q 2a q  2a
=  2 =
4 0 (r − a ) 4 0 (r 2 − a 2 )
2

1 p
=
4 0 (r − a 2 )
2

where, p is the dipole moment.

Q.8. Two charges –q and +q are located at point (0, 0, –a) and (0, 0, a). What is the electrostatic potential at the points
(0, 0,  z) and (x, y, 0) ?
Ans. Electric potential at (0, 0,  z) :
1 p 1 (q  2a)
V= or V =
4 0 z − a
2 2 4 0 z 2 − a 2
Electric potential at (x, y, 0), V = 0
Detailed Answer :

Potential at pt. (0, 0, z)

kq k ( −q )
Vz = + if z > a
( z − a) ( z + a)
 1 1  2a
= kq  −  = kq 2
z −a z + a z − a2
Potential at pt. (0, 0, –z)
kq k ( −q )
V(− z ) = +
( z − a) ( z + a)
 1 1  2a
= kq  −  = kq 2
z −a z + a z − a2
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⸪ r for the point is x2 + y2 + a2

kq k (−q)
 V( x, y ,0) = 1
+ 1
=0
(x 2 + y 2 + a 2) 2 (x 2 + y 2 + a 2 ) 2

Short Answer Type Questions-II

Q.1. (a) Two point charges q1 and q2 are kept at a distance of r12 in air. Deduce the expression for the electrostatic
potential energy of the system.
(b) If an external electric field (E) is applied on the system, write the expression for total energy of this system.
Ans. (a)

q1
When q1 is placed, potential at r2 = V2 = k
r12
q1
Potential energy when q2 is placed at r2 = U1 = q 2V2 = kq 2
r12
q2
When q2 is placed, potential at r1 = V1 = k
r12
q2
Potential energy when q1 is placed at r1 = U 2 = q1V1 = kq1
r12
 q q  qq
Potential energy of the system = 1  kq 2 1 + kq1 2  = k 1 2
2
 r12 r12  r12
(b) An external field E is applied on the system :
q1 and q2 are two charges located at r1 and r2 in an external electric field (E).
Work done in bringing q1 from infinity to r1 = W1 = q1Vr1
qq
Work done on q2 against the field due to q1 = W12 = 1 2 (r12 = distance between q1 and q2)
4 0r12
So, the potential energy of the system = W1 + W2 + W12
qq
U = q1Vr1 + q 2Vr2 + 1 2
4 0r12

Q.2. Four point charges Q, q, Q and q are placed at the corners of a square of side ‘a’ as shown in the figure.

Find the :
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(i) resultant electric force on a charge Q, and

(ii) potential energy of this system.
Ans. (i) Find the resultant force on a charge Q
(ii) Potential Energy of the system
(i) Let us find the force on the charge Q at the point C
Force due to the other charge Q,
1 Q2
F1 = 
(
4 0 a 2
)
2

1  Q2 
F1 =   (along AC)
4 0  2a 2 
Force due to the charge q (at B),
1 qQ
F2 =  along BC
4 0 a 2
Force due to the charge q (at D),
1 qQ
F3 =  along DC
4 0 a 2
Resultant of these two equal forces F2 & F3 ,
1 qQ( 2)
F23 =  (along AC)
4 0 a2
 Net force on charge Q (at point C)
1 Q Q 
F = F1 + F23 =  2  + 2q 
4 0 a  2 
This force is directed along AC.
(For the charge Q, at the point A, the force will have the same magnitude but will be directed along CA)

[Note : Don’t deduct marks if the student does not write the direction of the net force, F]
(ii) Potential energy of the system
1  qQ q 2 Q2 
=  4 + + 
4 0  a a 2 a 2 

1  q2 Q2 
=  4qQ + + 
4 0a  2 2 

Q.3. (i) Three point charges q, –4q and 2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC of side ‘l’ as shown
in the figure. Obtain the expression for the magnitude of the resultant electric force acting on the charge q.
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(ii) Find out the amount of the work done to separate the charges at infinite distance.
Ans. (i) Finding the magnitude of the resultant force on charge q.
(ii) Finding the work done.
(i) Force on charge q due to the charge –4q
1  4q 2 
F1 =   , along AB
4 0  l 2 
Force on the charge q, due to the charge 2q
1  2q 2 
F2 =   , along CA
4 0  l 2 
The forces F1 and F2 are inclined to each other at an angle of 120°.
Hence, resultant electric force on charge q
F = F12 + F22 + 2F1F2 cos 

= F12 + F22 + 2F1F2 cos120

= F12 + F22 − F1F2

 1 q2 
=  16 + 4 − 8
 4 l 2 
 0 
1  2 3q 2 
=  
4 0  l 2 
(ii) Net P.E. of the system
1 q2
=  [−4 + 2 − 8]
4 0 l
(−10) q 2
= 
4 0 l
10q 2 5q 2
 Work done = =
4 0l 2 0l
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Detailed Answer :
(ii) The amount of work done to separate the charges at infinite distance is equal to the (–ve) potential energy of
the given system. Now we know that the potential energy of three charges at the corners of an equilateral
triangle ABC of side l is given by,
1  q1q 2 q1q 3 q 2q 3 
U PE =  + + 
4 0  r12 r13 r23 
given q1 = q, q2 = –4q, q3 = 2q, r12 = r13 = r23 = l
1  q(−4q) q.2q 2q(−4q) 
 U PE = + +
4 0  l l l 

1 q2
=  [−4 + 2 − 8]
4 0 l
10q 2
U PE = −
4 0l
 −10q 2 
Therefore work done, W = −U PE = − 
 4 l 
 0 

5q 2
 W =+
2 0l

Q.4. (i) Derive the expression for the electric potential due to an electric dipole at a point on its axial line.
(ii) Depict the equi-potential surfaces due to an electric dipole.
Ans. (i) Derivation of expression for the electric potential due to an electric dipole at a point on the axial line.
(ii) Depiction of equi-potential surfaces due to an electric dipole.
Potential due to charge at A,
1 −q
VA =
4 0 (r + a)
(i) Potential due to charge at B,
1 +q
VB =
4 0 (r − a)

 Potential at point P,
V = VB + V A
 Net Potential at P
q  −1 1 
=  + 
4 0  (r + a) (r − a) 
[Note : Also accept any other alternative correct method.]

(ii)
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Very Short Answer Type Questions :

Q.1. Can the dielectric constant of an insulator be infinite ?
Ans. No.

Q.2. Two capacitors of capacitance C are connected in series. If one of them is filled with dielectric substance K, what is
the effective capacitance ?
Ans. We have now two capacitors of capacitance C and KC connected in series.
C ( KC ) KC
C eq = =
C + KC 1 + K

Q.3. What is the effective capacitance between points X and Y ?

Ans. Reconstruction of the circuit results

The equivalent capacitance is equal to 3 F + 3 F = 6 F.

Q.4. How will you define the ratio of electrical flux density to electric field intensity ?
Ans. Dielectric constant.

Q.5. What amount of charge can be stored in a 1 farad capacitor ?

Ans. 1 coulomb.

Q.6. Can we give any desired charge to the capacitor ?

Ans. No, we cannot give any desired charge to the capacitor. As we increase the charge after a certain amount, the air near
the capacitor gets ionized and the leakage of the charge starts from it. The electric field between the two plates attains
the breakdown value of the air.

Q.7. Sketch the graph to show how a charge Q acquired by a capacitor of capacitance C varies with the increase in potential
difference.
Ans. As the charge Q is directly proportional to the potential difference, the graph between Q and V will be a straight line
Q
having slope = C .
V
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Q.8. By what factor does the capacitance of a metal sphere increase if its volume is tripled ?
Ans. Let the initial radius of the sphere be r
Capacitance of the sphere C1 = 4 0r
4
Now volume of the sphere, V = r 3
3
Let R be the radius of the sphere having volume 3V
4
So, 3V = R 3
3
4 3 4 3
3  r = R
3 3
1 1
R = (3r )
3 3
= r (3) 3
Capacitance of the sphere having radius R will be
C 2 = 4 0 R
1
C 2 = 4 0r (3) 3
1
C 2 = 3 3 C1
1
C2
= 3 3 = 1.44
C1

Short Answer Type Questions-I :

Q.1. Obtain the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor connected across a d.c. battery. Hence, define energy density
of the capacitor.
Ans. A capacitor is connected across the terminals of a d.c. battery.
The energy stored on a capacitor is equal to the work done by the battery.

Work done to move a small amount of charge dQ from the negative plate to the positive plate of the capacitor is equal
to V dQ, where V is the voltage across the capacitor.
Q
dU = VdQ = dQ
C
1 1 Q2 1
 Energy stored = U = VdQ =  QdQ = = CV 2 …(i)
C 2 C 2
Energy density is defined as the total energy per unit volume of the capacitor.
For a parallel plate capacitor,
A
C= 0
d
Putting in eqn. (i)
2
1 A 0 2  V 
U= V = = 0 Ad  
2 d 2 d
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0  V 
U= Ad E 2  putting = E 
2  d 
A × d = Volume of space between plates
So, energy stored per unit volume.

Q.2. Find the total charge stored in the network of capacitors connected between A and B as shown in figure :

Ans. 6 F and 3 F are connected in series. Hence their equivalent capacitance is 2 F.
4
4 F and 2 F are connected in series. Hence their equivalent capacitance is F .
3
4
2 F and F capacitors are connected in parallel.
3
10 10
So, the equivalent capacitance = F =  10 −6 F
3 3
We know Q = CV
10
C =  10 −6 F
3
V=3V
10
 Q =  10 −6  3 = 10 −5 C
3

Q.3. You are given three capacitors of 2 F, 3 F and 4 F, respectively.
33
(a) Form a combination of all these capacitors of equivalent capacitance F .
3
(b) What is the maximum and minimum value of the equivalent capacitance that can be obtained by connecting
these capacitors ?
Ans. (a) 2F and 4F capacitors are to be connected in series. So, the effective capacitor will be
2 4 4
C eff = = F
2+4 3
With C eff , the 3F capacitor is to be connected in parallel. So, the equivalent capacitor will be
4 13
C eqv = + 3 = F
3 3
(b) Maximum value of capacitance may be obtained by connecting the capacitors in parallel. In that case, the
equivalent capacitance will be, (2 + 3 + 4) = 10 F.
Minimum value of capacitance may be obtained by connecting the capacitors in series. In that case, the
equivalent capacitance will be CS.
1 1 1 1 13
= + + =
C S 2 3 4 12
 14

12
 CS = F
13

Q.4. A capacitor made of two parallel plates, each of area ‘A’ and separation ‘d’ is charged by an external dc source. Show
that during charging, the displacement current inside the capacitor is the same as the current charging the capacitor.
Ans. For writing expression for total current
For showing that displacement current is the same as the current charging the capacitor i = ic + i d
where, ic is conduction current and id is displacement current.
Outside the capacitor, id = 0 so i = ic
Inside the capacitor, ic = 0 so i = id

Q.5. Why does current in a steady state not flow in a capacitor connected across a battery ? However momentary current
does flow during charging or discharging of the capacitor. Explain.
Ans. (a) Reason for no flow of current
(b) Reason for momentary current
In the steady state, the displacement current and hence the conduction current, is zero as E , between the plates, is
constant.
During charging / discharging, the displacement current and hence the conduction current is non zero as E , between
the plates, is changing with time.
Alternatively
(i) In the steady state, no current flows because we have two sources (battery and fully charged capacitor) of
‘equal potential’ connected in opposition.
(ii) During charging/discharging, there is a momentary flow of current as the ‘potentials’ of the two ‘sources’ are
not equal to each other.

(iii) During steady state :  = 0

 Xc → 
Hence current is zero.
(iv) During charging/discharging :   0
 Xc is finite.
Hence, current can flow.

Q.6. Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be applied across the parallel and series combination of two
capacitors C1 and C2 with their capacitances in the ratio 1 : 2 so that the energy stored in the two cases becomes the
same.
Ans. Formula
Calculation and result
1
U s = C sVs2
2
 15

1
U p = C pV p2
2
Vseries C equivalent parallel
 =
Vparallel C equivalent series

C1 + C 2
C1C 2 C + C2 3
= = 1 =
C1 + C 2 C1C 2 2

Q.7. A parallel plate 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 combined system to that of stored
initially in the single capacitor.
Ans. Energy stored in a capacitor
1 1 q2
U = CV 2 or
2 2C
Capacitance of the (parallel) combination = C + C = 2C
Here, the total charge, Q, remains the same :
1 q2
 Initial energy = 
2 C
1 q2
and Final energy =
2 2C
final energy
 Ratio of energies =
initial energy
1 q2
2 1
= 4 C2 = =
1q 4 2
2 C

Q.8. The given graph shows variation of charge q versus potential difference V for two capacitors C1 and C2. Both the
capacitors have same plate separation but plate area of C2 is greater than that of C1. Which line (A or B) corresponds
to C1 and why ?

Ans. For C1
Line B
Since slope (q/V) of Line B is lesser than that of Line A.

Short Answer Type Questions-II :

Q.1. A 200 F parallel plate capacitor having plate separation of 5 mm is charged by a 100 V dc source. It remains
connected to the source. Using an insulated handle, the distance between the plates is doubled and a dielectric slab of
thickness 5 mm and dielectric constant 10 is introduced between the plates. Explain with reason, how the
(i) capacitance
 16

(ii) electric field between the plates,

(iii) energy density of the capacitor will change ?
Ans. (i) Change in capacitance
(ii) Change in electric field
(iii) Change in electric density
5
Dielectric slab of thickness 5 mm is equivalent to an air capacitor of thickness = mm
10
Effective separation between the plates with air in between is = (5 + 0.50)mm = 5.5 mm
(i) Effective new capacitance
5mm 200
= 200F  = F
5.5mm 11
 182F
(ii) Effective new electric field
100V 20000
= −3
=
5.5  10 m 11
 18182 V/m
1
New energy stored C 'V 2 C ' 10
(iii) =2 = =
Original energy stored 1 CV 2 C 11
2
2
 10  100
New Energy density will be   of the original energy density = of the original energy density.
 11  121
A
[Note : If the student writes C = 0
d
KA 0
Cm =
d
V
E' =
d
1
U =  0 E 2 Award full marks]
2
Detailed Answer :
Given : Capacitance of the capacitor, C = 200 F
Potential of dc source, V = 100 V
Let ‘A’ be the area of the plate and ‘d’ be the separation between the plates,
The capacitance of the capacitor is given as,
 A
C= 0
d
or,  0 A = Cd …(i)
When the capacitor remains connected with the dc source, then there will be no change in potential difference.
(i) Now, according the problem
Separation between the plates = 2d
Thickness of dielectric slab, t = 5 mm = 5.0 × 103 m.
Dielectric constant, K = 10
New capacitance of the capacitor
 17

A 0
C' =
t
(d '− t ) +
K
Here, d = 2d and t = d
A 0 A 0 Cd CK
C' = = = =
(2d − d ) +
d  1  1  K +1
d 1 +  d 1 + 
K  K  K
10  200 F
= = 182 F
(10 + 1)
Hence, new capacitance of the capacitor will decrease.
(ii) Since, there in no change in the potential difference, Hence, there would not be any change in electric field. It
100
will be = 18182 V/m .
5.5  10 −3
(iii) The Energy will decrease because
1
E = CV 2
2
or, EC [V is constant]
Hence, the energy density will also decrease.

Q.2. (a) Define the term ‘conductivity’ of a metallic wire. Write its SI unit.
(b) Using the concept of free electrons in a conductor, derive the expression for the conductivity of a wire in terms
of number density and relaxation time. Hence obtain the relation between current density and the applied
electric field E.
Ans. (a) Definition and SI unit of conductivity.
(b) Derivation of the expression for conductivity. Relation between current density and electric field.
(a) The conductivity of a material equals to the reciprocal of the resistance of its wire of unit length and unit area
of cross section.
Alternatively :
The conductivity (s) of a material is the reciprocal of its resistivity ()
1
(Also accept s = )

 1  –1 –1 –1 –1
Its SI unit is   /ohm m /(mho m )/siemen m
 ohm-metre 
e
(b) The acceleration, a = − E
m
The average drift velocity, vd, is given by
eE
vd = − 
m
( = average time between collisions/ relaxation time)
If n is the number of free electrons per unit volume, the current I is given by
e2A
I = neA v d = n E
m
But I = j A (j = current density)
We, together, get
 18

ne 2
j = E,
m
ne 2
The term  is conductivity
m
ne 2
 =
m
 J = E

Q.3. (i) Find equivalent capacitance between A and B in the combination given below. Each capacitor is of 2F
capacitance.

(ii) If a DC source of 7 V is connected across AB, how much charge is drawn from the source and what is the
energy stored in the network ?
Ans. (i) Calculation of equivalent capacitance
(ii) Calculation of charge and energy stored
(i) Capacitors C2, C3 and C4 are in parallel
 C234 = C2 + C3 + C4
 C234 = 6F
Capacitors C1, C234 and C5 are in series
1 1 1 1
 = + +
C eq C1 C 234 C 5
1 1 1 7
= + + = F
2 6 2 6
6
C eq = F
7
(ii) Charge drawn from the source
Q = C eqV
6
=  7C = 6C
7
Q2
Energy stored, U =
2C eq

6  6 10 −12  7
= J = 21 J
2  6 10 −6

Q.4. A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery. How much electrostatic energy is stored in the capacitor ? If another
capacitor of 6 pF is connected in series with it with the same battery connected across the combination, find the charge
stored and potential difference across each capacitor.
Ans. Calculation of electrostatic energy in 12 pF capacitor.
Total charge stored in combination.
Potential difference across each capacitor.
Energy stored, in the capacitor of capacitance 12 pF,
1
U = CV 2
2
 19

1
=  12  10 −12  50  50 J
2
= 1.5 × 10–8 J
C = Equivalent capacitance of 12 pF and 6 pF, in series, is given by
1 1 1 1+ 2
= + =
C 12 6 12
 C = 4 Pf
Charge stored across each capacitor
q = CV
= 4 × 10–12 × 50 C
= 2 × 10–10 C
Charge on each capacitor 12 pF as well as 6 pF
 Potential difference across capacitor C1
2  10 −10 50
 V1 = −12
=
V
12  10 3
 Potential difference across capacitor C2
2  10 −10 100
 V2 = −12
= V
6  10 3

Q.5. Two identical capacitors of 12 pF each are connected in series across a battery of 50 V. How much electrostatic
energy is stored in the combination ? If these were connected in parallel across the same battery, how much energy
will be stored in the combination now ?
Also, find the charge drawn from the battery in each case.
Ans. Equivalent capacitance in series
Energy in series combination
Charge in series combination
Equivalent capacitance in parallel combination
Energy in parallel combination
Charge in parallel combination

In series combination :
1 1 1
=  +  (pF) −1
C s  12 12 
Cs = 6 × 10–12 pF
1
U s = C sV 2
2
1
U s =  6  10 −12  50  50 J
2
U s = 75  10 −10 J
q s = C sV
 20

= 6 × 10–12 × 50
= 300 × 10–12 C = 3 × 10–10 C

In parallel combination :
C p = (12 + 12)pF
 Cp = 24 × 10–12 F
1
U p =  24  10 −12  2500 J
2
Us = 3 × 10–8 J
qp = CpV
qp = 24 × 10–12 × 50 C
qp = 1.2 × 10–9 C

Q.6. Two identical parallel capacitors A and B are connected to a battery of V volts with the switch S closed. The switch
is now opened and the free space between the plates of the capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant
. Find the ratio of the total electrostatic energy stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction of the
dielectric.

Ans. Formula for energy stored

Energy stored before
Energy stored after
Ratio
1  1 Q2 
Energy stored = CV 2 = 
2  2 C 
 
Net capacitance with switch S closed = C + C = 2C
1
 Energy stored =  2C  V 2 = CV 2
2
After the switch S is opened, capacitance of each capacitor =  × C
 Energy stored in capacitor A
1
A = CV 2
2
For capacitor B,
1 Q 2 1 C 2V 2 1 CV 2
Energy stored = = =
2 C 2 C 2 
 21

1 1 CV 2
 Total Energy stored = CV 2 +
2 2 
1  1 1  2 +1
= CV 2   +  = CV 2 
2   2   
 
2CV 2  2
 Required ratio = =
CV (  + 1)
2 2
(  2 + 1)

Q.7. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volt. A charge of 360 C is stored in it. When
the potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge stored in the capacitor becomes 120 C. Calculate
V and the unknown capacitance. What would have been the charge on the capacitor if the voltage were increased by
120 V ?
Ans. Calculation of V and unknown capacitance
Calculation of charge when voltage is increased by 120 V
Q
Capacitance, C= 1
V1
Q2 Q
Also, C= and C = 3
V2 V3
360C 120C
=
V (V − 120)
So, 3V – 360V = V
V = 180 V
360 V
C= = 2 F
180 V
Q3
2 F =
300
Q3 = 600 C
Detailed Answer :
(i) Let the initial voltage = V volts
Charge stored, Q1 = 360 C
Q1 = CV1 = CV
Now the changed potential
V2 = (V – 120) volts
Charge stored, Q2 = 120 C
Q2 = CV2
Now divide equation (i) by (ii), we have :
Q1 CV1
=
Q2 CV2
360 C V
=
120 C V − 120
On solving, we get V = 180 volts
Now value of unknown capacitance C can be calculated as.
Q1 360 10 −6
C= = F
V 180
= 2 × 10–6 F = 2 F
 22

(ii) When the voltage applied increases to 120 V, then

V3 = 180 + 120 = 300 V
Finally the charge stored in the capacitor will be :
Q3 = CV3
= 2 × 10–6 × 300 C = 600 C

Q.8. In the given circuit, with steady current, calculate the potential difference across the capacitor and the charge stored
in it.

Ans. Value of current

Value of voltage
Value of charge
In the loop ACDFA,
12 − 6
I= = 2A
(1 + 2)
V AF = VBE
= 6 + 2 = 6 + VC
VC = 2V
Charge Q = CVC = 5 F × 2 V = 10 C

Q.9. Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y have the same area of plates and same separation between them. X has air
between the plates while Y contains a dielectric medium of r = 4.

(i) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent capacitance of the combination is 4 F.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y.
(iii) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y.
Ans. (i) Calculation of capacitance of each capacitor
(ii) Calculation of potential difference
(iii) Estimation of ratio of electrostatic energy
(i) Let CX = C
CY = 4C (as it has a dielectric medium of r = 4)
For series combination of two capacitors
1 1 1
= +
C C X CY
 23

1 1 1
 = +
4 F C 4C
1 5
=
4 F 4C
 C = 5 F
Hence, CX = 5 F
CY = 20 F
(ii) Total charge, Q = CV
= 4 F × 15 V = 60 C
Q 60 C
VX = = = 12 V
CX 5 F
Q 60 C
VY = = = 3V
CY 20 F
Q2
Ex C
2C X
(iii) = 2
= Y
Ey Q CX
2CY
20
= = 4 :1
5
(Also accept any other correct alternative method)

Q.10. (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 a b c d a.

Ans. (i) Work done by the source of potential, in storing an additional charge (dq), is
dW = V.dq
q
But V=
C
q
 dW = dq
C
Total work done in storing the charge q,
qq
 dW = 0 C dq
q
1  q2  q2
W=   =
C  2  2C
0
This work is stored as electrostatic energy in the capacitor.
1
 U = CV 2 (⸪ q = CV)
2
 24

1
CV 2
Energy stored per unit volume = 2
Ad
1  0A  2
  ( Ed )
2 d 
U=
Ad
1
U =  0E 2
2
(ii) Work done in moving the charge q from a to b and from c to d is zero because electric field is perpendicular
to the displacement.
Work done from b to c = – Work done from d to a
 Total work done in moving a charge q over the closed loop = 0

Q.11. (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 wire acquire charges q1
and q2 respectively. Find the ratio of their surface charge densities in terms of their radii.
Ans. (i)

Electric field between the plates of capacitor,

 Q
E= =
 0 A 0
Qd
 V = Ed =
A 0
Q 0A
Capacitance, C= =
V d
(ii) When the two charged spherical conductors are connected by a conducting wire, they acquire the same
potential.
Kq1 Kq 2 q R
i.e., =  1= 1
R1 R2 q 2 R2
Hence, ratio of surface charge densities,
1 q1 / 4R12
=
 2 q 2 / 4R 22

1 q1R 22
=
 2 q 2 R12
 25

1 R1 R 22 R 2
=  =
 2 R 2 R12 R1

Q.12. The capacitors C1 and C2 having plates of area A each, are connected in series, as shown. Compare the capacitance
of this combination with the capacitor C3, again having plates of area A each, but ‘made up’ as shown in the figure.

A 0 1
Ans. We have C1 =
d
A 
And C2 = 0 2
d
C1C 2 A    
 C eq = = 0 1 2 
C1 + C 2 d  1 +  2 
Now, capacitor C3 can be considered as made up of two capacitors C1 and C2, each of plate area A and separation d,
connected in series.
A 
We have C1' = 0 1
d
A 
and C 2' = 0 2
d
C1'C 2' A 0  1 2 
 C3 = =  
C1' + C 2' d  1 +  2 
C3
 =1
C eq
Hence, the net capacitance of the combination is equal to that of C3.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Q.1. (a) Describe briefly the process of transferring the charge between the two plates of a parallel plate capacitor when
connected to a battery. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor.
(b) A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery to a potential difference V. It is disconnected from battery and
then connected to another uncharged capacitor of the same capacitance. Calculate the ratio of the energy stored
in the combination to the initial energy on the single capacitor.
Ans. (a) Description of the process of transferring the charge.
Derivation of the expression of the energy stored.
(b) Calculation of the ratio of energy stored.
 26

(a)

The electrons are transferred to the positive terminal of the battery from the metallic plate connected to the
positive terminal, leaving behind positive charge on it. Similarly, the electrons move on to the second plate
from negative terminal, hence it gets negatively charged. Process continuous till the potential difference
between two plates equals the potential of the battery.
[Note : award this ½ mark, If the student writes, there will be no transfer of charge between the plates.]
Let ‘dw’ be the work done by the battery in increasing the charge on the capacitor from q to (q + dq).
dw = V dq
q
Where V=
C
q
 dw = dq
C
Total work done in changing up the capacitor
Q
q
W =  dw =  dq
0
C

Q2
 W=
2C
Hence energy stored,
Q2  1 1 
W=  = CV = QV 
2
2C  2 2 
(b) Charge stored on the capacitor q = CV
When it is connected to the uncharged capacitor of same capacitance, sharing of charge takes place between
V
the two capacitor till the potential of both the capacitor becomes .
2
Energy stored on the combination,
2 2
1 V  1 V  CV 2
U2 = C  + C  =
2 2 2 2 4
Energy stored on single capacitor before connecting
1
U 1 = CV 2
2
Ratio of energy stored in the combination to that in the single capacitor
U 2 CV 2 /4
= = 1: 2
U 1 CV 2 /2

Q.2. A capacitor of capacitance C1 is charged to a potential V1 while another capacitor of capacitance C2 is charged to a
potential difference V2. The capacitors are now disconnected from their respective charging batteries and connected
in parallel to each other.
(i) Find the total energy stored in the two capacitors before they are connected.
(ii) Find the total energy stored in the parallel combination of the two capacitors.
 27

(iii) Explain the reason for the difference of energy in parallel combination in comparison to the total energy before
they are connected.
Ans. (i) Finding the total energy before the capacitors are connected.
(ii) Finding the total energy in the parallel combination.
(iii) Reason for difference
(i) We have
1
Energy stored in a capacitor = CV 2
2
 Energy stored in the charged capacitors,
1
E1 = C1V12
2
1
And E 2 = C 2V 22
2
1 1
 Total energy stored = C1V12 + C 2V22
2 2
(ii) Let V be the potential difference across the parallel combination.
Equivalent capacitance = (C1 + C2)
Since charge is a conserved quantity, we have
(C1 + C2)V = C1V1 + C2V2
 C V + C 2V2 
 V = 1 1 
 (C1 + C 2 ) 
 Total energy stored in the parallel combination
1
= (C1 + C 2 )V 2
2
1 (C1V1 + C 2V 2 ) 2
=
2 (C1 + C 2 )
(iii) The total energy of the parallel combination is different (less) from the total energy before the capacitors are
connected. This is because some energy gets used up due to the movement of charges.

Q.3. (i) Define the capacitance of a capacitor. Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor in
vacuum in terms of plate area A and separation d between the plates.
(ii) A slab of material of dielectric constant  has the same area as the plates of a parallel plate capacitor but has a
3d
thickness . Find the ratio of the capacitance with dielectric inside it to its capacitance without the dielectric.
4
Ans. (i) Definition of capacitance
Obtaining capacitance
(ii) Ratio of capacitances
(i) Capacitance equals the magnitude of the charge on each plate needed to raise the potential difference between
the plates by unity.
(ii) Capacitance without dielectric,
A
C= 0
d
3d
Capacitance when filled with dielectric having thickness
4
 28

A 0
C' =
 t
d −t + 
 
A 0 3d
= [As t = ]
 3d 3d  4
d − + 
 4 4 
4 0 A
=
d (  + 3)
C ' A 0 4 d 4
Ratio =  =
C d (  + 3) A 0 (  + 3)

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