SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1 Derive an expression for the electric potential due to a point charge.

Answer

Electrostatic potential at any point in a region of electrostatic field is the work done in bringing a unit positive
charge from infinity to that point against the electric field.
Potential due to a point charge:
1. Consider a point charge 𝒒 is at point 𝑶.
2. Charge proded electric field around it.
3. Let A be the point at a distance x from O.
𝟏 𝒒
4. The intensity of electric field is 𝑬 = 𝟐
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒙
𝟏 𝒒𝒒𝒐
5. Let 𝒒𝒐 be the test charge placed at A, the force acting on test charge is 𝑭 = 𝑬𝒒𝒐 𝟏 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒙𝟐
6. The test charge 𝒒𝒐 is displaced towards +𝒒 from A to B through a displacement of 𝒅𝒙 against the electric
field.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1 Derive an expression for the electric potential due to a point charge.

Answer

7. The work done in moving the test charge is 𝒅𝒘 = −𝑭𝒅𝒙

8. The total amount of work done in moving the test charge from ∞ to 𝑷.
𝒓
‫ ∞׬ = 𝒘𝒅 ׬‬−𝑭𝒅𝒙
𝒓
𝟏 𝒒𝒒𝒐 𝒒𝒒𝒐 𝟏 𝒓
𝑾 = −න 𝟐
𝒅𝒙 = − −
∞ 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒙 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒙 ∞
𝟏 𝒒𝒒𝒐
𝑾=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓
𝑾
→ The potential at point 𝑷 is 𝑽 =
𝒒𝒐
𝟏 𝒒
𝑽=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

2 Derive an expression for the electrostatic potential energy of a system of two point charges and find
its relation with electric potential of a charge.
Answer
1. Electrostatic potential energy is the energy possessed by a system of electric charges by virtue of their
positions.
2. It is the work done in keeping their respective positions.
3. Let is consider two charges separated by a distance 𝒓𝟏𝟐 .
𝟏 𝒒𝟏
4. The potential at B at a distance 𝒓_𝟏𝟐 from 𝒒𝟏 is 𝑽𝑩 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓𝟏𝟐
5. The work done in bringing the charge 𝒒𝟐 from infinity to B at a distance 𝒓𝟏𝟐 from 𝒒𝟏 is 𝑾 = 𝑽𝑩 𝒒𝟐 =
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓𝟏𝟐
6. This work done is stored in the form of potential energy.
𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
∴ The potential energy of the system of charges is, 𝑼 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓𝟏𝟐
𝒒𝟏
ii) The electric potential due to charge 𝒒𝟏 is 𝑽𝑩 =
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝒐 𝒓𝟏𝟐
∴ Potential energy (U) of system of charges 𝒒𝟏 and 𝒒𝟐 = 𝑽𝑩 𝒒𝟐 .
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

3 Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field.

Answer

1. “Two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance is called an electric dipole”.
2. Let 𝒒 be the charge and 𝟐𝒂 separation between them, then the dipole moment 𝑷 = 𝟐𝒂𝒒
3. Figure shows as electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field of strength E.
4. Torque acting on it is give by Torque 𝝉 =Force × Perpendicular distance between two charges.
𝑭
𝝉 = 𝑭 × 𝑩𝑪 ∵ 𝑬 = ⇒ 𝑭 = 𝑬𝒒
𝒒
𝑩𝑪
𝝉 = 𝑬𝒒 × 𝟐𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 ∵ 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 =
𝟐𝒂
𝝉 = 𝑷𝑬𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽 → 𝟏 ∵ 𝑷 = 𝟐𝒂𝒒
Suppose the dipole is rotated through an angle 𝒅𝜽.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

3 Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field.

Answer

5. The work done 𝒅𝑾 is given by 𝒅𝑸 = 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒒𝒖𝒆 × 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 = 𝝉 × 𝒅𝜽 = 𝑷𝑬𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝒅𝜽 → (𝟐)

6. Total work done (W) in rotating the dipole from an initial position 𝜽𝒐 to 𝜽𝟏
𝜽𝟏
𝜽𝟏 𝜽𝟏
𝑾 = ‫ = 𝜽𝒅𝜽𝒏𝒊𝒔𝑬𝑷 𝜽׬ = 𝑾𝒅 𝜽׬‬−𝑷𝑬 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽
𝒐 𝒐
𝜽𝒐
𝑾 = −𝑷𝑬 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝟏 − 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽𝒐 → (𝟑)
7. This work done is stored in the form of potential energy (U)
𝝅
A natural choice is to take 𝜽𝒐 = , 𝜽𝟏 = 𝜽
𝟐
𝑼 𝜽 = −𝑷𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜽 > 𝟒
∴ 𝑼 𝜽 = −𝑷. 𝑬
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

4 Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.

Answer
1. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two large plane parallel conducting plates separated by a small
distance.
2. The medium between the plates be vacuum.
3. Let A be the area of plate and d is the separation between the plates.
4. The charge on the plates are +𝑸 and −𝑸.
𝑸 𝑸
5. Then the surface charge density on the plate 𝟏 is 𝝈 = + and on plate 𝟐 is −𝝈 = −
𝑨 𝑨
𝝈 𝝈
The electric field in the region above the plate 𝟏 is 𝑬 = − =𝟎
𝟐𝜺𝒐 𝟐𝜺𝒐
𝝈 𝝈
6. The electric field in the region below the plate 𝟐 is 𝑬 = − =𝟎
𝟐𝜺𝒐 𝟐𝜺𝒐
𝝈 𝝈 𝝈 𝑸
7. The electric field between the plates 𝟏 and 𝟐 is 𝑬 = + = =
𝟐𝜺𝒐 𝟐𝜺𝒐 𝜺𝒐 𝜺𝒐 𝑨
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

4 Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.

Answer
8. The direction of electric field is from the positive to the negative plate and is uniform between the plates.
𝑸𝒅 𝑸 𝜺𝒐 𝑨
9. We know that the potential difference between the plates, 𝑽 = 𝑬. 𝒅 = ⇒ =
𝜺𝒐 𝑨 𝒗 𝒅
𝑸 𝜺𝒐 𝑨
10. The capacitance C of the parallel plate capacitor is, 𝑪 = =
𝑽 𝒅
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

5 Explain the behaviour of dielectrics in an external field.

Answer
1. In polar dielectric substances charge is not distributed symmetrically i.e., centres of positive and negative
charges do not coincide even in the absence of electric field.
2. In non polar dielectric substances charge is distributed symmetrically i.e., centres of positive and negative
charges coincide even in the absence of electric field.
3. When non-polar dielectric substances are placed in an external field 𝑬𝒐 , in each molecule the centre of
positive charge will be displaced in the direction of the field, the centre of negative charge in the opposite
direction.
4. Each molecule is said to get polarized. Let the magnitude of external electric field be 𝑬𝒐 .
5. As the molecule are polarized in an electric field then surface charge will develop on each molecule and
these induced charges are in opposite direction to the applied field.
6. These induced charges will develop electric field 𝑬𝒊 in the opposite direction.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

5 Explain the behaviour of dielectrics in an external field.

Answer
7. Resultant electric field in the dielectric 𝑬 = 𝑬𝟎 − 𝑬𝒊
8. Due to charge polarization, intensity of electric field in a dielectric reduces.
𝑬
9. The value of actual intensity 𝑬 = 𝒐 . So, capacity increases by 𝑲 times.
𝑲
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

6 Derive the formula for equivalent capacitance in series combination.

Answer
In series combination, second plate of the first capacitor connected to first plate of the second capacitor, the second
plate of the second capacitor connected to the first plate of the third capacitor and soon. Finally the first plate of
the first capacitor and the second plate of the last capacitor are connected to the opposite terminals of the battery.
Let 𝑪𝟏 , 𝑪𝟐 , 𝑪𝟑 … 𝑪𝒏 be the capacitances of the capacitors. 𝑽𝟏 , 𝑽𝟐 , 𝑽𝟑 … 𝑽𝒏 be the potential differences across the
capacitors.

If 𝑽 is the potential difference across the series combination 𝑽 = 𝑽𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 +

𝑽𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑽𝒏
𝒒 𝒒 𝒒 𝒒 𝒒
But 𝑽𝟏 = , 𝑽𝟐 = , 𝑽𝟑 = , 𝑽𝒏 = ∵𝑽=
𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑 𝑪𝒏 𝑪
𝒒 𝒒 𝒒 𝒒 𝒒 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + + + ⋯ ⇒ = + + + ⋯+
𝑪 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑 𝑪𝒏 𝑪 𝑪𝟏 𝑪𝟐 𝑪𝟑 𝑪𝒏

In series combination of capacitors, charge is same but potential differences are

different at each capacitor.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

7 Derive the formula for equivalent capacitance in parallel combination.

Answer
“If number of capacitors are connected between two points across the same potential
difference, such arrangement is called parallel combination of capacitors.”
In parallel combination all the positive plates are connected to one terminal and all the
negative plates are connected to the other terminal.
Let 𝑪𝟏 , 𝑪𝟐 , 𝑪𝟑 … 𝑪𝒏 be the capacitors of the capacitors. 𝒒𝟏 , 𝒒𝟐 , 𝒒𝟑 … 𝒒𝒏 be the charges
across each capacitor.

Total charge 𝒒 = 𝒒𝟏 + 𝒒𝟐 + 𝒒𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝒒𝒏 → (𝟑)

𝒒 = 𝑪𝑽, 𝒒𝟏 = 𝑪𝟏 𝑽𝟏 , 𝒒𝟐 = 𝑪𝟐 𝑽𝟐 … 𝒒𝒏 = 𝑪𝒏 𝑽
𝑪 = 𝑪𝟏 + 𝑪𝟐 + 𝑪𝟑 + ⋯ + 𝑪𝒏
In parallel combination of capacitors charge is different at each capacitor but potential difference is same.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
8 Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. What is the energy stored when the space
between the plates is filled with a dielectric.
a) With charging battery disconnected? B) With charging battery connected in the circuit?

Answer
Energy stored in a capacitor:
When the battery is connected between the plates of a capacitor work is done by the battery in charging the
capacitor.
Let q be the charge and V be the potential difference between the plates of the condenser. Let C be the capacity
of the condenser. If a small charge 𝒅𝒒 is further transferred, then the amount of work done 𝒅𝒘 = 𝑽𝒅𝒒
𝒒 𝒒
𝒅𝑾 = 𝒅𝒒 ∵ 𝑽 =
𝑪 𝑪
Total work done in charging the capacitor to charge q is given by
𝒒 𝒒 𝒒
𝒒 𝟏 𝒒 𝟏 𝒒𝟐 𝒏
𝒙𝒏+𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑾 = න 𝒅𝑾 = න 𝒅𝒒 = න 𝒒𝒅𝒒 = න 𝒙 𝒅𝒙 = =
𝟎 𝟎 𝑪 𝑪 𝟎 𝑪 𝟐
𝟎
𝒏+𝟏 𝟐𝑪
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
8 Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. What is the energy stored when the space
between the plates is filled with a dielectric.
a) With charging battery disconnected? B) With charging battery connected in the circuit?

Answer
𝒒𝟐
𝑾=
𝟐𝑪
This work done is stored in the form of potential energy (U).
𝒒𝟐
∴ Energy stored in the capacitor 𝑼 =
𝟐𝑪
𝒒 𝟏
But 𝑪 = , ∴ 𝑼 = 𝒒𝑽
𝑽 𝟐
𝟏
𝒒 = 𝑪𝑽 ∴ 𝑼 = 𝑪𝑽𝟐
𝟐
Effect of dielectric on energy stored:
Case (i): When the charging battery is removed from the circuit:
We know that a dielectric is placed between the plates of a capacitor increases its capacitance. (𝑪 = 𝒌𝑪).
Where k is dielectric constant.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
8 Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. What is the energy stored when the space
between the plates is filled with a dielectric.
a) With charging battery disconnected? B) With charging battery connected in the circuit?

Answer
𝒒𝟐
Energy stored in a capacitor 𝑼𝒐 = → (𝟏)
𝟐𝑪
After charging battery is removed, energy stored is
𝒒𝟐 𝒒𝟐 𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑼= = =
𝟐𝑪 𝟐𝒌𝑪 𝒌 𝟐𝑪
𝑼𝒐
𝑼 = (From 1)
𝒌
∴ Energy stored in a capacitor decreases by a factor K.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
8 Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. What is the energy stored when the space
between the plates is filled with a dielectric.
a) With charging battery disconnected? B) With charging battery connected in the circuit?

Answer
Case (ii): When the charging battery is not disconnected in the circuit:
Let a capacitor is charged by connecting to a battery, by introducing a dielectric of dielectric constant k. The
capacity increases 𝑪′ = 𝒌𝑪
𝟏
Energy stored in the capacitor 𝑼𝒐 = 𝑪𝑽𝟐 → (𝟐)
𝟐
When the charging battery is not disconnected energy stored is given
𝟏 𝟏
By 𝑼 = 𝑪′ 𝑽𝟐 = 𝒌𝑪𝑽𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
𝑼 = 𝑪 𝑽 = 𝒌𝑪𝑽𝟐
′ 𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟐
𝑼 = 𝒌 × 𝑪𝑽
𝟐
𝑼 = 𝒌𝑼𝒐 (from 2)
Energy stored in a capacitor increases by k times.