Dk SHUKCA

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Class 12 lmportant Questions VeryShort Answer Type
Question 1.
A500 uC charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm. Find the work done in moving a charge of
10uC between two diagonally opposite points on the square. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
The work done in moving a charge of 10 C between two diagonally opposite points on the square will
be zero because these two points will be at equipotential.
Question 2.
What is the electrostaticpotential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Electric potentialat any point in the equatorial plane of dipole is Zero.
Question 3.
What is the work done in moving a test charge qthrough a distance of 1 cm along the equatorial axis
of an electric dipole? (AllIndia 2009)
Answer:
Since potential for equatorial axis
V= 0
: W=qV= 0
Question 4.
Define the term 'potential energy' of charge 'q' at adistance Vin an external electric field. (AllIndia
2009)
Answer:
It is defined as the amount of work done in bringing the charge from infinity to its position in the
system in the electric field of another charge without acceleration.
V= Er.
Question 5.
Apoint charge Qis placed at point Oas shown in the figure. Is the potential difference V. - Va positive,
negative or zero, if Qis
)positive
(i) negative? (Delhi 2011)

A B
Answer:
Clearly,

1
OB
AsOA <OB, so the quantity within bracket is negative.
()lfq is positive charge, Va -Vs= negative
(ii) Ifqis negative charge, VA -Vs=positive
Question 6.
Ahollow metal sphere of radius 5cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is 10 [Link] is
the potential at the centre of the sphere?
(AllIndia 2011)
Answer:
The electric field inside the shell is zero. This implies that potential is constant inside the shell (as no
work is done inmoving acharge inside the shell) and,therefore, equals its value at the surface, which
is 10V.
Question 7.
Ahollow metal sphere of radius 10cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is 5 V. What is
the potential at the centre of the sphere? (All India 2011)
Answer:
centre will be 5 V.
Hollow metal sphere behaves as an equipotential surface, so the potential at its
Question 8.
and has the same
Why is electrostatic potentialconstant throughout the volume of the conductor
value (as inside) on its surface? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Electric field inside the conductor = 0
dV
= 0 :: V= constant
dr dr
Question9.
Distinguish between tor. dielectric and a conductor (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Dielectric Conductor

Dielectrics are the in Conductors are the sub

sulating materials stances which can be

which transmit electric used to carry or conduct

effects without con electric charge from one

ducting. place to the other.

Question 10.
Why must the electrostatic potential inside a hollow charged conductor be the same at every point?
(Comptt. All India 2012)
Answer:
Inside the hollow charged conductor, electric field is zero therefore no work is done in moving a small
test charge within the conductor. Hence electrostatic potential inside a hollow charged conductor is
same at every point.
Question 11.
What is the geometrical shape of equipotential surfaces due to a single isolated charge? (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Concentric spheres with a gap between them not being uniform as V\(\propto \frac{1}Yr)
Question 12.
Two charges 2uC and - 2uC are placed at points Aand B5 cm apart. Depict an equipotential surface of
the system. (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:

Equipotential surfaces of the system

Question 13.
What is the amount of work done in moving a point charge around a circular arc of radius r at the
centre of which another point charge is located? (Comptt. AIl India 2013)
Answer:
Being an equipotential surface, work done willbe zero.
Question 14.
Two charges 4uC and -4uC are placed at points Aand B3 cm apárt. Depict an equipotential
the system. (Comptt. All India 2013) surface of
Answer:

Equipotential surfuces of the systen

Question 15.
"For any charge configuration,equipotential surface through apoint is normal to the electric field."
Justify. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Work done in moving a charge over an equipotential surface is zero, hence a point on it will be normal
to the electric field.
W= FS cos .:. cos = 0 or =900
Question 16.
Two equal balls having equal positive charge 'q' coulumbs are suspended by two insulating
equal length. What would be the effect on the force when a plastic sheet is inserted betweenstrings of
the two ?
(AllIndia 2014)
Answer:
The force would be reduced by a factor 'K (equalto the value of dielectric constant of plasticsheet)

K
Question 17.
The given graph shows variation of charge 'q' versus potential difference "V' for two capacitors Ci and
Cz. Both the capacitors have same plate seperation but plate area of C2 is greater than that of C,. Which

line (A or B) corresponds to C1 and why?

Answer:
Line B corresponds to Ci
Reason:Since slope \(\left(\frac{q}{v}\right) \)of 'B'is less than that of 'A'
Question 18.
Acharge 'g' is moved from a point Aabove a dipole of dipole movement 'p' toa point Bbelow the
dipole in equitorial plane without acceleration. Find the work done in the process. (All India 2016)
A!

Bi
Answer:
 No work is done
[W=q VAB =q x0 = 0, since potential remains constant]
Question 19.
Derive the expression for the electric potential at any point along the axial line
of an electric dipole
(Delhi2008)
Answer:
Consider an electric dipole consisting of twopoints charged -qand +q and seperated by distance Za.
Let P be a point onthe axis of the dipole at a distancer from its centre 0.
2

A
-

Electric potential at point P due to dipole is,

V= V, +V:
-- ij-
1
or V =
TE AP 4RE BP
V l 1
or
47En r+a 4nEn r-a

or V

or V=

or V qx 2a

or V -

..where lp is dipole moment lp = x 2n]

For ideal dipole : a <<r

Question 20.
Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole of dipole movement \avec{p}\) in
the electric field \(\vec{E})
(Delhi2008)
Answer:
Consider adipole with charges +q and -q placed in auniform electric field
\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}\) such that AB =2a as shown in the figure

21
 Since the dipole experiences no net force in a
given by uniform electric field but experiences a torque (T) Is

. I= pE sin 9
It tends to rotate the dipole in clockwise direction. To
rotate thé dipole anti-clock wise has to be done
on the dipole.

W= or W Í pEsin de
or
W =pE (- cos
W=-pE [cos ,- cos ,J
Question 21.
Two point charges, qi = 10 x 10+C, q2 = -2 x 10-C are seperated by a distance of 60 cm in air.
()Find at what distance from the 1s charge, gi would the
electric
(ii) Also calculate the electrostatic potentialenergy of the system. potential be zero.
Answer:
(All India 2008)
(i) Given:gi =10 x 10-C, qz =-2 x 10:C
AB = 60 cm = 0.60 = 0.6m
Let AP =X
Let AP = X then PB=0.6-x

A P B

Potential P due to charge q,= AP

Potential Pdue to charge 42 = Ko2
BP
: Potential at P=0

AP BP AP PB
10x 108 -(-2 x 10-8)
0.6 - x
2 + 10r =6 12 =6
= 0.5m
2
: Distance from first charge =0.5 m=50 cm.
(i) Electrostatic energy of the system is
K4142 -9x 10 x 10-7 ×2x10-8
60 x 10-2
. - 1 8 x 10-6
60 x 10-2
-3
10
x 10+ =-3x 10- Joule
Uor E,=-3x 10-5 Joule
Question 22.
Twopoint charges 4Q, Qare separated by Im in air. At what point on the line joining the charges is the
electric field intensity zero?
Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system of charges, taking
the value of charge, Q
=2 x 10C
Answer:
(i) Given :r= lm, 9, = 40,

4
A P 1-1

1m
Ep, = E
K(4Q) KQ
(1- x)
2 1
2-2r=x

(ii) Electrostatic potential energy of the system is

U=K 9192
9x 10 x 4QxQ
1
- 36 x 10 x (2 x 10-) = 1.44 x 10J
Question 23.
Twopoint charges 20x 10-6 Cand -4 X10-6 Care separated by adistance of 50cm in air.
() Find the point on the line joining the charges, where the electric potential is zero.
(i)Also find the electrostatic potential energy of the system. (AllIndia 2008)
Answer:
() Here q = 20 x 10 C, q: =-4 x 10+C
and AB = 50 cm = 0.50 m = 0.5 m Let AP = x then PB = 0.5 - x
Potential at Pdue to charge q=\\frac{\mathrm{K} q{1}\mathrm{AP}) AP
Potential at Pdue to charge q =\Afrac{\mathrm{K}-q-f2H\mathrm{PB}}\)
Potential atP= 0\|Rightarrow \frac{\mathrm{K) q(1}mathrm{AP}}+\fracf\mathrm{K}
q(2}\mathrm{PB})}=0\9
Kg1
AP PB
20 x 10-6 (4x 10)
0.5- x
20 4
0.5 - x
5
141 = 5

9x 10°(20 10)\4 x10)

(i) U = KA192 50x 10-2
= 1.45 J
Question 24.
Calculate the work done todissociate the system of three charges placed on the vertices of a triangle
as shown. (Delhi2008)

10 cn
10 cm

10 cm +2 4
Answer:
Initial P.E. of the three charges
41924243

104 -9x 10 x 10x (1.6x 10-10)2

4RE 0.10

-9x 10 x 10 x2.56 x10-20 x 100

10
= -23.04 ×10= -2.304 x 10-*J
Final P.E, u, = 0
: Work required to dissociate the system of three charges,
W= u u, = -2.304 x 10- |
Question 25.
()Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each other? Give reasons.
(i) Two charges -q and + qare located at points A(0, 0, - a) and B(0, 0, +a) respectively. How much
work is done in moving a test charge from point P(7, 0, 0) to Q(-3,0,0)? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
()No, if they intersect, there willbe two different directions of electric field at that point which is not
correct. If they intersect, then at the same point of intersection, there will be two values of potential.
Thisis not possible and hence two equipotential surfaces cannot intersect.
(i) Since both the points PandQ ar on the equatorial line ofthe dipole and V=0 at every point on it,
work done will be zero. Also the force on any charge is perpendicular to the equatorial line, so work
done is zero.
Question 26.
Draw 3equipotential surfaces corresponding to a field that uniformly increases in magnitude but
remains constant along Z-direction. How are these surfaces diffrent from that of a constant electric
field along Z-direction? (All India 2009)
Answer:
d: <di for increasing field
and d, = d, for uniform field.

Question 27.
Twouniformly large parallel thin plates having charge densities +o and - o are kept in the X-Z plane
at adistance 'd' apart. Sketch an equipotential surface due to electricfield between the plates. If a
particle of mass m and charge q' remains stationary between the plates, what is the magnitude and
direction of this field? (Delhi2011)
Answer:
The equipotential surface is at a distance d/2 from either plate in X-2 plane. For a particle of charge (
g) at rest between the plates, then
 +o/+ + + + + t + +/4
Equipotential
surface
Ve0
di2

()weight mg acts, vertically downward

(ii)electric force qE acts vertically upward
so mg= qE
E-\(\frac{m g}{a}\) vertically downward,
i.e., along () Y-axis.
Question 28.
Two small identical electrical dipoles AB and CD, each of dipole moment 'p' are kept at an angle of
120° as shown in the figure. What X' is the resultant dipole moment of this combination? If this system
is subjected to electric field (\0overrightarrow{\mathbf(E}})))directed along +Xdirection, what will
be the magnitude and direction of the torque acting on this? (Delhi 2011)

X -’X

+iC

Answer:
Resultant dipole noment of both dipoles is
= p+p'+2p' cos Y

2p* +2p cos 120° 120*,

+
Resultant dipole moment (p) makes an angle of 60° with each dipole and 30 with x-axis as shown in
the figure.
Now ? = pE sin 30°

Question 29.
Figure shows two identical capacitors Ci and Ca, each of 2 uF capacitance, connected to a battery of 5V.
Initially switch 'S is left open and dielectric slabs of dielectricconstant K= 5 are inserted to fill
completely the space between the plates of the two capacitors. How will the charge and
Czpaieiwe storage devaee
 C.
5 V
T2 uf J2 uf

(i) potential difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slabs are inserted?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer:
()When switch Sis open and dielectric is introduced, charge on each capacitor will be q1 = Ci V, qz =
CzV
qi= 5Cy
=5 x 2 x 5= 50 uC, q2 =50 uC
Charge on each capacitor will become 5 times
(ii) P.d. across Cis still 5V and across Ce,
q= (5C) V
V'= = 1V

Question 30.
Figure shows two identical capacitors C: and C²each of 1.5 uF capacitance, connected to a battery of 2
V. Initially switch 'S' is closed. After sometime 'S' is left open and dielectric slabs of dielectric constant
K=2 are inserted to fillcompletely the space between the plates of the two capacitors. How will the
(i) charge and
ü) potential difference between the plates ofthe capacitors be affected after the slabs are inserted?
(Delhi)
S

2V
1.5 F 1.5 uF

Answer:
(1) When switch Sis open and dielectric is introduced, charge on each capacitor, will be
qi = CV,
q2 = C2V,
qi= 2CV= 2 x 1.5 x 2 =6 uC, qz = 6 uC
Charge on each capacitor will become twice.
(ii) P.d. across C, is still 2V and across Cz,
q= (2C) V
V
= 1V

Question 31.
Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1 pF. What will be their net capacitance if
connected in parallel?
Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both connected to the same
source. (AllIndia 2011)
Answer:
Let C be the capacitance of a capacitor
Given : C,= C = C, = CWhen connected in series:
When connected in series:
C
Cs = 3 1uF .C=3 uF
When connected in parallel:
C, = C + C+C-3 +3 + 3 =9 uF
Energy stored in capacitor
E= CV2
2

E =1:9
1

Question 32.
Net capacitance of three identical capacitorsin series is 3 [Link] will be their net capacitance if
connected in parallel?
Findthe ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both connected to the same
source. (AIl India 2011)
Answer:
Let Gi, C and C, be the capacitances of three capacitors. But these three capacitors are of same
capacitance, so Cis the capacitance of each capacitor.
When C, C, and C, are connected in series:

C
Cg = =3 uF ...l: G= 3 uF
C=9 uF
When C C, and Care connected in parallel
C,= 3C=3 x9 uF = 27 F

Energy stored in capacitor is, E =

3 1
. Ratio=1:9

Question 33.
Draw a plot showing the variation of
()electric field (E) and
(ii)electric potential
(ii) with distance r due to a point charge Q. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:

E=
E, 4Ze0 ,2
V=9
4ZEo r

Question 34.
Atest charge 'q' is moved without acceleration from Ato Calong the path from Ato Band then from B
 to C in electric field E as shown in the figure.
(2.3)
E

(2. 0) . 6. 0)
(i)Calculate the potential difference between Aand C.
() At which point (of the two) is the electric potential more and why? (All India)
Answer:
() P.D does not depend upon the path along which the test charge q moves

dr

: dc = 4 So V, - V, =Ex 4 = 4E
() Atpoint C,electric potential will be more as potential decreases in the direction of electric field.
Question 35.
An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
()) Show that the net force acting on it is zero.
(ü) The dipole is alligned parallel to the field.
Find the work done in rotating it through the angle of 180°. (AlIndia 2012)
Answer:
() Force acting on point Adue to charge -q is -qE
Force acting on point Bdue to charge +q. is + qE
Net force acting on
= -qE + qE = 0 (zero)
E

Hence, the net force acting on electric dipole held in a uniform electric field is zero.
(ii) W=-pE(cos 0: - cos 0:)
W= -pE(cos 180° - cos 0°)
=> W= -pE(-1 - (1)) = +2pE
Question 36.
Determine the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor C' of the network shown in the
figure.

E E

[Assume E, > EJ(Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
Net E = E,- E
Both capacitors are in series
 1 1 1

::Vi, (Potential difference across the plates of the capacitor C) =\(\frac{q}{C_{1J)

Question 37.
Anetwork of four capacitors, each of capacitance 15 uF, 0s connected across a battery of 100 V,as
shown in the figure. Find the net capacitance and the charge on the capacitor Ca. (Comptt. Delhi &All
India 2012)
Answer:
C, Ca and C are in series as shown in the figure, we have

100 V
Question 38.
Anetwork of four capacitors, each of capacitance 30 pF, is connected acrossa battery of 60 Vas
shown in the figure.
Find the net capacitance and the energy stored in each capacitor. (Compt. All India 2012)
Answer:

...* C,C, and C, are in series

or
1 1 3 1
C30 30 3030 10
C= 10 uF
C, and C are in parallel
Ciet = C + C, = 10 + 30 = 40uF

Energy stored inC,, and C,=Cy2

=
x 10 x 10-6 x 3600 J = 18 x 10* ]
Energy stored in cach of the capacitor C, Cz
and C =6X 10-3j

Energy stored in capacitor CA

= 1/2x (30 x 10 x3600)J
= 54000 x 10:6 = 5.4 x 10j
Question 39.
An electricdipole of length 4 cm, when placed with its axis making an angle of 60 with a uniform
electric field, experiences a torque of 4V3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole, if it has
charge + 8nC. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
1 method Given:2a = 4 cm =4 x 10:2 m, = 60°
T=4xV3 Nm, q= +8 nC = t8x 10-9 C
P.E. = |p| |E]cos , T= |p| |E] sin 0
Ipl IElcose = cot = cot 60°
IE sin6
1
PE, = T cot 0 = 4 X

.. P.E. -4 Joules
2nd method
t= pE sin 9

psinð p=4x 2a

4x3
E= =4 x10 I
8x10x4x10xY
2
Now PE. = lp| TE cOs 0
= (q x 2a) (E) cos
(8 x10* x 4x 10) xx10" }*
1
= -4 Joules (: cos 60° = 2
(Note: However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lotof time for unnecessary
calculations)
Question 40.
Anelectric dipole of length 2 cm, when placed with itsaxis making an angle of 60° with a uniform
electric field, experiences a torque of
8 V3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole, if it has a charge of t 4 nC. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
1s method Given: 2a = 4 cm = 4 x 102 m, 0= 60°
T=4x V3 Nm, q = t8 nC= t8 x10 C
P.E. = |p| |E]Cos 0, = |pl |E|sin 0
PEpliElcose = (ot @ = cot 60°
IpllElsine
1
PE. = Tcot = 4 x 3 x
.. P.E. =-4 Joules
2nd method
T =pE sin 0
E= p=qx 2a
psin

4x3
.. = x10!
8x 10° 4x10 2
Now P.E. = Ipl IEI cOs 0
= (g x 2a) (E) cos
(8 x 10 x 4 x 10-2) ×

=-4 Joules (:cos 60° =

(Note:However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lot of time for unnecessary
calculations)
Answer:
8 Joules
Question 41.
An electric dipole of length 1cm, which placed with its axis making an angle of 60° with uniform
electric field, experiences a torque of
6v3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole, if it has acharge of +2nC. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
1= method Given:2a = 4 cm =4 x 10:2 m, 0 = 60°
T=4x V3 Nm, q = +8 nC= +8 x 10-9 C
P.E. = |pl |E|Cos 0,t= |p| |E| sin 0
 P.E. Ipl IElcos
Ip|TEsinê = Cot = cot 60°

P.E. = t cot 0 = 4 x 3 x 1

.:. P.E. =-4 Joules

2nd method
t= pE sin 0
E= p=qx 2a
psin
4x3 x10!"
4
8x 10x4x 10*
Now P.E. = Ipl IEICos 0
= (9 x 2a) (E) cos 0
= (8 x 10 x 4 x 10-2) ×
1
= -4 Joules [::cos 60° =
(Note: However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lot of time for unnecessary
calculations)
Answer:6 Joules
Question 42.
Aparallel plate capacitor of capacitance Cis 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 stored initially in the single capacitor. (All India 2014)
Answer:
Let us say that capacitor has an initial energy

When the first capacitor is connected across the second capacitor, let the common potential be V'

Then charge on each capacitor q' = CV'

By charge conservation
q'=\(\frac{q}{2)\)
Hence total energy stored in the capacitors,

U, =

q= CV

=
cv)
1

Question 43.
Two point chargesq1 and g are located at \(\overrightarrow{r-{1])\) and \(\overrightarrow(r (2}}
respectively in an external electric field \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{E}}\).
Obtain the expression for the total work done in assembling this configuration. (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Work done in bringing the charge qi from infinity toposition r1
W;=qV(r)
Work done in bringing charge qz to the position r:
992
W, = 4,V(r,) + 4TE12
Hence, total work done in assembling the two charges
W = W, + Wa
=4,Vr,) +4,Vr,) +
Question 44.
Two point charges qand -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. (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:

(d + x)
1 1:
At distance'd' towards left of charge 'q'
Question 45.
Two closely spaced equipotential surfaces Aand Bwith potentials Vand V+8, (where SV is the
change in V), are kept &l distance apart as shown in the figure..
B V+8V

Deduce the relation between the electric field and the potential gradient between them. Write the two
important conclusions concerning the relation between the electric field and electric potentials.
(Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Work done in moving a unit positive charge along distance &l
IE) 8 = V- V = V - (V+ SV) = -8V
SV
E
Two important conclusions:
() Electric field is in the direction
in
(i) Magnitude of electric field is givenwhich the potential decreases steepest.
by the change in the magnitude
displacement, normal to the equipotential surface at of potential per unit
Question 46. the point.
Why does current in asteady state not flow in a
momentary current does flowduring charging orcapacitor connected acrossa battery? However
discharging of the capacitor. Explain. (All India
2017)
Answer:
In the steady state, the displacement current and
hence the conduction current, is zero as |
\(I\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}|)-| between the plates, is constant.
During charging and discharging, the displacement current and hence the conduction
zero as |\(I\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}|\) | between the plates, is changing with [Link] is non
Current is non zeroas | \(\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}|\) | between the plates, is changing with
time.