2 - Capacitance - Solved Example Module-4
2 - Capacitance - Solved Example Module-4
Ex. 1 The capacitor of capacitance 4F and 6F Total capacitance of combination is
are connected in series. A potential difference
of 500 volts is applied to the outer plates of 1 1 4
Cr
= 6 = × 106
the two capacitor system. Then the charge 3 10 3
on each capacitor is numerically-
3
(A) 6000 C (B) 1200C Cr = F Ans.[D]
(C) 1200 C (D) 6000C 4
Ex. 4 In the circuit diagram shown in the adjoing
C1C 2 figure, the resultant capacitance between P
Sol. CR =
C1 C 2
= 2.4 F and Q is-
12F
Charge flown through the circuit
= 2.4 × 500 × 10–6C = 1200 C
Ans.[C] 2F P 1500V
Q
Ex. 2 Three capacitors are connected to D.C. 3F
source of 100 volts as shown in the adjoining
figure. If the charge accumulated on plates of 20 F
C1, C2 and C3 are qa , qb , qc , qd , qe
(A) 47 F (B) 3F
and qf respectively, then
(C) 60 F (D) 10 F
2F 3F 4F
Sol. The given circuit can be drawn as
a, b c, d e, f 12F
P
Q
100 volts 5F
100 20 F
(A) qb + qd + qf = C
2
Where C = (3 + 2) F = 5F
(B) qb + qd + qf = 0
1 1 1 1 20 1
(C) qa + qc + qe = 50 C = =
CPQ 5 20 12 60 3
(D) qb = qd = qf
CPQ = 3F Ans.[B]
Sol. In series combination, charge is same on
Ex.5 Four condensers each capacity 4 F are
capacitor. Ans.[D]
connected as shown in figure VP – VQ = 15
volts. The energy stored in the system is-
Ex.3 Three capacitors each of capacitance 1F
(A) 2400 ergs (B) 1800ergs
are connected in parallel. To this combination,
(C) 3600 ergs (D) 5400 ergs
a fourth capacitor of capacitance 1 F is
connected in series. The resultant 4F
capacitance of the system is-
4F 4F
(A) 4F (B) 2F
(C) 4/3 F (D) 3/4 F P Q
1
Energy stored = × 2 × 10–6 (900)2 = 0.81 J
2
Ans.[D]
Ex.9 Four capacitors of each capacity 3F are
8 cap.
connected as shown in the adjoining figure.
16 cap. The ratio of equivalent capacitance between
A and B and between A and C will be-
A B
A B
3F
(A) 1F (B) 2F
3F 3F
(C) 1/2 F (D)
Sol. This combination forms a G.P., 3F
1 1 1 C
Sum = S = 1 + + + +...........
2 4 8 (A) 4 : 3 (B) 3 : 4
a (C) 2 : 3 (D) 3 : 2
Sum of infinite G.P. is S =
1 r 3 3 3
Here a = first term = 1 and r = common ratio Sol. CAB = 3 + = 4, CAC = + = 3
3 2 2
1
= CAB : CAC = 4 : 3 Ans.[A]
2
Ex.10 A capacitor of capacity C1 is charged to the A
potential of V0. On disconnecting with the
battery, it is connected with a capacitor of
90 vols
capacity C2 as shown in the adjoining figure.
The ratio of energies before after the
connection of switch S will be- B
9F 6F C 12F
C1 V0 C2 9 18
Sol. Ceq = = 6F
9 18
VAC . CAC = CCB . VCB
and VAC + VCB = 90
(A) (C1 + C2)/C1 (B) C1 / (C1 + C2)
VAC = 30V ,
(C) C1C2 (D) C1/C2
hence q6 = 30 × 6 = 180C
q2
Sol. Energy =
2C
6F
E before q2 / 2C1
E = 2 B 9F A
after q /[2(C1 C 2 )]
( q remains same)
12F
EB C1 C 2
E = Ans.[A] 90V Ans.[C]
A C1
Ex.13 In the connection shown in the adjoining
Ex.11 Four plates of the same area of cross-section figure. the equivalent capacity between A and
are joined as shown in the figure. The B will be-
distance between each plate is d. The
equivalent capacity across AB will be-
6F
A 12F
B B
A 9F 24F
2 0 A 3 0 A
(A) (B)
d d
(A) 8F 18F (B) 12F
3 0 A 0 A
(C) (D) (C) 20F (D) 2 F
2d d
Sol. The arrangement shown in the figure is Sol. Given circuit can be drawn as
equivalent to three capacitors in parallel hence
3 0 A
resultant capacitance = Ans.[B]
d C
Ex.12 The capacity of the capacitors are shown in 6 12
the adjoining fig. The equivalent capacitance
between the points A and B and the charge A 24 B
on the 6F capacitor will be-
9 18
(A) 27F, 540C (B) 15F, 270C
D
(C) 6F, 180 C (D) 15F, 90C
Here C , D are equipotential points Ex.15 Two condensers of capacities 2C and C are
24 F capacitor holds no charge as joined in parallel and charged upto potential
V. The battery is removed and the condenser
V = 0 of capacity C is filled completely with a
12 6 9 18 medium of dielectric constant K. The p.d.
Ceq = + = 10F across the capacitor will now be-
12 6 9 18
Ans.[D] 3V 3V
(A) (B)
Ex.14 The resultant capacitance between A and B K2 K
the following figure is equal to- V V
(C) (D)
3F 3F 3F K2 K
A Sol. q1 = 2CV , q2 = CV
Now condenser of capacity C is filled with
2F 2F 3F dielectric K, therefore C2 = KC
As charge is conserved,
q1 + q2 = (C2 + 2C) V
B
3F 3F 3F 3CV 3V
V '= = Ans.[A]
(A) 1F (B) 3F (K 2)C K2
(C) 2F (D) 1.5 F Ex.16 In the figure below, what is the potential
difference between the point A and B and
Sol. Total series capacitance across EF = 3F
between B and C respectively in steady
Capacitance across EF = 2 + 1 = 3F
state-
Thic capacitance is in series with 3F
3F B 1F
capacitances at CD.
3F 3F 3F
C E 3F 1F
A
B F
A
3F D 3F 3F C
20 100V
Hence total series capacitance (A) VAB = 100volts , VBC = 100 volts
1 1 1 1 (B) VAB = 75 volts , VBC = 25volts
= + + = 1 ;
C' 3 3 3
(C) VAB = 25volts , VBC = 75volts
C' = 1F
This capacitance is in parallel with (D) VAB = 50Volts , VBC = 50volts
capacitance of 2µ across CD.
(3 3) (1 1)
Hence CT (AB) = 2 + 1 = 3F Sol. Cequivalent = + 1
(3 3) (1 1)
This capacitance is in series with 3 F
capacitances across AB. Hence total (6 2) 12 5
capacitance across AB. = + 1 = + 1 = F
62 8 2
1 1 1 1 5
= + + = 1 ; Q=CxV= × 100 = 250C
C" 3 3 3 2
C'' = 1F
Ans.[A]
B
32
6 C
2 8 8 32 9
= and Ceq = 1 =
9 3 9 32
C
1 9
32 32
A C + C = C
9 9
1 1 1
Sol. = + C = 2pF 1
C 3 6 2 3 5
4
Total charge = 2 × 10–12
× 5000 = C 10–8
The new potential when the capacitors are
connected in parallel is
V
10 8
V = = 1111V + -
(3 6) 10 12
Ans.[B] 0 AV 2 0 AV 0 AV 2 0 AV
(A) , (B) ,
Ex.21 Three condensers are connected in series d d d d
across a 75 volt supply. The voltages across
0 AV 2 0 AV 0 AV 2 0 AV
them are 20, 25 and 30 volts respectively (3) , (D) ,
and the charge on each is 3 x 10-3 C. Find d d d d
the capacity of each condenser and also the Sol. The capacity C 12 of the parallel plate
combination.- capacitor formed by 1 and 2 is given by
0 A
Sol. Here Q = 3 × 10–3 C C12 =
d
V = 70V , V1 = 20 V , V2 = 25V , V3 = 30V
Let C1 , C2 and C3 be the capacities of the 0 AV
Charge on plate 1, q1 = C12V =
condensers respectively and c be the capacity d
of the combination. Since the plate 1 is connected to +ve
Q
terminal the source of emf, therefore charge
since C = q1 is +ve. The capacity C23 of the parallel
V
plate capacitor formed by plates 2 & 3 is
3 10 3 0 A
C1 = =1.5 × 10–4 F given by C23 =
20 d
Similarly, the capacity C34 of the parallel plate
= 15 × 10–5 F capacitor formed by plates 3 and 4 is given
0 A
3 10 3 by C34 =
C2 = = 1.2 × 10–4 F d
25
It may be noted here that the plates 1 & 3
= 12 × 10–5 F
constitute no capacitor because these plates
are connected together.
Since capacitors of capacities C23 & C34 are Ex. 24 A parallel plate capacitor is charged and the
charging battery is then disconnected. If the
connected in parallel, therefore the net
plates of the capacitor are moved further apart
capacitance between the plates 1 and 4 is
by means of insulating handles, then-
2 0 A
given by C14 = (A) The change on the capacitor increases
d
(B) The voltage across the plates decreases
2 0 A (C) The capacitance increases
Charge on plate 4, q1 = V
d (D) The electrostatic energy stored in he
The charge on plate 4 is negative because capacitor increases
the plate is connected to the negative terminal Sol. When the battery is disconnected, the charge
of the source of emf. Ans.[C] will remains same in any case.
Ex. 23 The capacities of two conductors are C1 and Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is
C2 and their respective potentials are V1 and 0 A
V2 . If they are connected by a thin wire, given by C =
d
then the loss of energy will be given by-
W hen d is increased, capacitance will
C1C2 ( V1 V2 ) C1C2 ( V1 V2 ) decreases and because the charge remains
(A) 2(C C ) (B) 2(C C )
1 2 1 2 the same. So hence the electrostatic energy
stored in the capacitor will increases.
C1C 2 ( V1 V2 )2 (C1 C 2 )( V1 V2 )
(C) (D) 1
2(C1 C 2 ) C1C2 Change in stored energy = Q (V2 – V1)
2
Sol. (i) Looking directly at dimensions (C) is = + ve ( We know that V2 > V1)
correct. Ans.[D]
(ii) As total charge conserves, therefore Ex.25 (a) Find the effective capacitance between
charge redistributes such that both the points X and Y in the given fig. Assuming
capacitors are finally the same potential
that C2 = 10F and other capacitors are 4F
(C1 + C2)V = C1V1 + C2V2 = Total charge each.
C4
C1V1 C 2 V2
V =
C1 C 2 C3
2 Y
C1V1 C 2 V2 x C
1 C1
E = (C1 + C2)
2 C1 C 2
C3
1 1
– C V 2– C V 2 (b) Find the capacitance of a system of
2 1 1 2 2 2 identical capacitors between points A and B
shown in fig
1 C12 V12 C 22 V22 2C1C 2 V1V2
E = 2 (C1 c 2 )
1
B
A C2 2
C12 V22 C1C 2 V12 C1C 2 V22 C1 C3
–
(C1 C 2 ) Sol. (a) The circuit is redrawn. As the two arms
are C4 C3
C1C 2 ( V1 V2 )2 balanced,
= no
2(C1 C 2 ) x C2 y
current
The final energy is lesser than the initial flows C1
C5
energy stored in the capacitors. through
Ans.[C] C2, C3 and C4 are in series, hence their
equivalent capacitance = 2F
C1C 2 20 A 2K / t(d t )
Similarly the equivalent capacitance of C1 given by C = (C C ) = KA
0 A
and C5 = 2F. Corresponding to points X
1 2
0
t (d t )
and Y there two are in a parallel combination.
Hence the effective capacitance between X
0 A
and Y is 2 + 2 = 4F On simplification, we have] C=
d ( t / 2)
(b) The arrangement of capaction shown in
fig is equivalent to the arrangement show in The capacitance Ca of air condenser with
fig. C 0 A
1
thickness d is Ca =
d
2 C2 1
3 0 A 3 0 A
B Now C = C or =
A 2 a d ( t / 2) 2 d
t 2
C2 Solving we have =
d 3
The arrangement is connected in paralle. If q = charge on the condenser (remains
Hence equivalent capacitance C is given by unchanged), then initial energy Ei in the air
C = C1 + C2 + C3 condenser = (q2/2Ca) and final energy Ef after
Ex.26 A parallel plate condenser consists of two introducing dielectric = (q2/2C)
metal plates of area A d
and separation d. A Ei 3
E =
slab of thickness t and f 2
dielectric constant K is When a dielectric is intorduced, it decreases
inserted between the the potential energy of the condenser. The
plates with its faces loss is used to polarise the dielectric.
K
parallel to the plates
Ex.27 (a) Two dielectric slabs of dielectric
and having the same
constant K1 and
surface are as that of
K 2 hav e been
the plates. Find the
f illed in
capacitance of the
between the
system. if K = 2, for t d-t K1
plates of a
what value of t/d will the
capacitor as K1
capacitance of the system be 3/2 times that
shown in f ig.
of the air condenser alone ? Calculate the
What will be the
energy in the two cases and account for the
capacitance in
energy change.-
each case.
Sol. We know that the capacitance of a capacitor (b) A capacitor if filled with two dielectric of same
with a dielectric of dimensions but
of dielectric
0KA
dielectric constant K is given by constant 2 and
d 3 respectively.
Hence the capacitance C1 of the capacitor Find the ratio of K1 K2
with dielectric constant K is given by the capacitances
0KA in the two
C1 = where t is its thickness possible
t
The capacitance C2 of remaining capacitor is arrangements
Sol. (a) Let A be
0 A the area of each plate of the capacitor and d
C2 =
(d t ) be the distance between the two plates. If
Effective capacitance C of C1 and C2 is the capacitance be C1 and C2 respectively,
K 1A / 2 1 1
then C1= 0 and W = CV2 = × (400 × 10–12) (1500)2
d 2 2
= 4.5 × 10–4 Joules
K 2A / 2
C2 = 0 (ii) We know that the capacity of parallel
d
plate condenser C = 0A/d. When d is
Let C be the equivalent capacitance, then C doubled, the new capacity. C' becomes halved
K 1A K 2A 1 1
= C1 + C2 = 0 + 0 i.e. C' = C = × 400 × 10–12
2d 2d 2 2
0 A = 200 × 10–12 farad
= (K1 + K2 )
2d Charge on the capacitor
{ Two condensers are in parallel} q = CV = 400 × 10–12 × 1500
The arrangement shown in fig is equivalent to = 6 × 10–7 coul.
two capacitors joined in series. Let their Let the new potential difference be V' then for
capacitance be C1 and C2 respectively. The the same charge q, we have
K 2A q = C' V' = 6 × 10-7 or 200 x 10-12 × V'
C1 = 0 K 1A and C2 = 0 = 6 × 10–7 V' = 3000 volts
d/2 d/2
(iii) The energy required to double the
1 1 1 d d distance between the plate = Final energy -
Now = C C = 2 K A + 2 K A
C 1 2 0 1 0 2 1 1
initial energy = C'V'2 – CV2
2 2
d K 2 K1
= 2 A K K 1
0 1 2 = (200 × 10–12) (3000)2 – (4.5 × 10–4)
2
2 0 A K 1K 2 = 9 × 10–4 – 4.5 × 10–4
C = .....(2)
d K 2 K1 = 4.5 × 10–4 joules Ans.
Ex.29 A condenser has capacitance 10 micro -
(b) The ratio of capacitances in the two
possible arrangement is given by [from eqs. farad and is charged to a potential 150 V.
(1) and (2)] Calculate the charge. A second condenser
has a capacitance of 20 micro farad and is
2 0 A charged t a potential of 300 volts. If after
(K 1 K 2 ) (K K )2 charging, the two condensers are connected
2d 1 2 ( 2 3) 2
= = = in parallel by wires of negligible capacitance,
2 0 A K 1K 2 4K 1K 2 4 23
how much energy is dissipated ?
d K 1 K 2
Sol. Charge on 10F condenser
= 25 : 24 Ans.
Ex.28 The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor = 10 × 10–6 × 150 = 1.5 × 10–3 C
is 400 pico farad and its plates are separated Charge on 20F condenser
by 2mm in air (i) What will be the energy = 20 × 10–6 × 300C = 6 × 10–3 C
when it is charged to 1500 volts. (ii) What
When the two condensers are connected in
will be the potential difference with the same
parallel, the total charge
charge if plate separation is doubled ? (iii)
How much energy is needed to doubled the = (1.5 × 10–3 + 6 × 10–3) = 7.5 × 10–3 C
distance between its plates? If V be the potential, then 30 × 10–6 V
Sol. Here C = 400 pico-farad = 400 x 10–12 farad = 7.5 × 10–3
and d = 2mm = 0.002 metere
7.5 10 3
(i) The capacitor is charged to a potential V = = 250 volts
V = 1500 volts. The energy W of the 30 10 6
capacitor is given by
Energy of first condenser before connection The free charge on the plate is the same as
= 1/2 × (1.5 × 10–3) 150 before. The capacitance with dielectric
present is
Energy of second condenser bef ore
connection = 1/2 × (6 × 10–3) 300 q 8.9 10 10 C
Totally energy of condensers bef ore C= = = 16 × 10–12 farad
V 57 V
connection
= 16 F Ans.
1 1
= (1.5 × 10–3) 150 + (6 × 10–3) 300 Ex.31 The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 1
2 2 cm apart and 2m 2 in area. A potential
= 1.0125J difference of 6000 volts is applied across the
Energy after connection capacitor. When a sheet of dielectric is
inserted between the plates ; the potential
1 difference decreases to 2000 volts. Calculate
= × (7.5 × 10–3) 250 = 0.9375 J
2 (i) the original capacitance C0, (ii) the charge
Energy dissipated = 1.0125 - 0.9325 = 0.075 J Q on each plate, (iii) the capacitance C after
Ans. insertion of the dielectric (iv) the dielectric
Ex.30 A parallel plate capacitor of plate area coefficient K of the dielectric, (v) the
A = 10 –2 metere 2 metre is charged to permitivity of the dielectric, (vi) the induced
V0 = 100 volts. Then after removing the charge Q1 on each face of the dielectric, (vii)
charging battery, a slab of insulating material the original electric intensity E0 between the
of thickness b = 0.5 × 10–2 metre and plates, (viii) the electric intensity after
dielectric constant K = 7 is inserted between insertion of the dielelctric-
the plates. Calculate the free charge on the Sol. (i) The original capacitance
plates of the capacitor, electric field intensity C0 = 0A/d
in air, electric field intensity in the dielectric
potential difference between the plates and (8.85 10 12 )
capacitance (with dielectric present, if the C0 = × 2
1 10 2
distance between plates is 1 cm.
= 1.77 × 10–9 farad
Sol. The capacitance C 0 before the slab is
(ii) The charge Q on each plate = CV
introduced
Q = 1.77 × 10–9 × 6000
12 2
0 A (8.9 10 )(10 ) = 1.062 × 10–5 coulomb
C0 = =
d 10 2 (iii) When the dielectric is inserted, the new
= 8.9 × 10–12 farad capacitance becomes
Free charge] q = C0V0 Q 1.062 10 5
C1 = = = 5.31 × 10–9 farad
= (8.9 × 10–12) × 100 = 8.9 × 10–10 C V 2000
Now, electric field intensity (iv) We know that dielectric constant
100
E0 = = 1.0 × 104 volt/metre. C1 5.31 10 9
10 2 K = C = = 3.
0 1.77 10 9
Electric field intensity in dielectric
(v) The permitivity = 3 × 8.85 × 10–12
E0 1.0 10 4 = 26.5 × 10–12 coulomb2/nt-m 2
E= = = 1.43 × 103 volt/metre
K 7 (vi) Induced charge on each face of dielectric
Potential difference between the plates with Q K 1
dielectric present is given by Q1 = Q – = Q
R K
V = E0 (d – b) + Eb
= (1.0 × 104) (10–2 – 0.5 × 10–2) 3 1
= (1.062 × 10–5)
+ (1.43 x 103) (0.5 × 10–2) = 57 volts 3
= 7.08 ×10–6 coulomb
(vii) Initially, electric intensity between tha plates (3) C C
V 6000 volts
E = = 5 1
2 = 6 × 10 3
d 10 metre
A 2 4 B
(viii) Final, electric intensity C C C C C
2000 volts C
E1 = 2 = 2 × 105
10 metre
2
C C
Sol. Ceq = (3/5) C C C
POINT POTENTIAL THEORY
C B
This theory is used to convert a complicated A 1 4
circuit in to a simpler circuit containing only
series and, parallel combination of capacitors.
3
We just have to bring out all the points with
the same potentials at the same point. C
(4) C4
Ex. 2 4
C A B
1 C 3
C
C
1 C C3
(1) C
A 2 4 B
C
2
Sol. Ceq = C C
C
C
C B
2 1 4
Sol. Ceq = C/2 + C/2 = C C
C C
C
1 4 3
C B
C
(5) 1
C C
A 2 B
3 3
(2)
2 0 A
2 4 Sol. Ceq =
B d
A 3
1
1 2
A (1,3) B (2)
Sol. Ceq = C + C + C = 3C
3 2
2
C
1
1 4 (6)
A C B 2 B
C A 3
3
4
3 0 A
Sol. Ceq = (7)
d
(n – 1)
n
1 2 3 4 5 6
A (2, 4) B (1, 3)
q 2
0 A 0 A
(A) Plate no. 1 = – V V Sol. Ceq = (n – 1)
d
d
A
(B) Plate no. 2 = 2 0 V
d
0A
(C) Plate no. 3 = 2 V
d
0 A
(D) Plate no. 4 = V
d