Physics 9

CHAPTER 02

Electrostatic Potential
and Capacitance
1. Electric Potential The electric potential or electrostatic 1 p cos q 1 p × r$
V= 2
or V =
potential at any point in the region of electric field is equal 4pe 0 r 4pe 0 | r|2
to the amount of work done in bringing the unit positive where, q is the angle between r$ and p.
test charge from infinity to that point, against electrostatic 8. Relationship between electric field and potential gradient
forces without acceleration. Electric potential dV
Work done (W) E=-
(V ) = . dr
Charge (q) or E = Ex $i + Ey $j + Ezk$
Its SI unit is volt (V) and 1V = 1 J/C ¶V ¶V ¶V
i.e. Ex = - , Ey = - , Ez = -
2. Electric Potential Difference The difference of potential ¶x ¶y ¶z
between two points in an electric field is defined as the where, negative sign indicates that the direction of
amount of work done in moving an unit positive test electric field is from high potential to low potential.
charge from one point to the other against electrostatic 9. Electric potential at any point P due to a system of n point
force without any acceleration. (i.e. the difference of charges q1, q 2 , ¼, q n whose position vectors are
electric potentials of the two points in the electric field.) r1, r 2 , K , r n , respectively is given by
W
VB - VA = AB 1 n qi
q0 V= S
4pe 0 i = 1 |r - ri|
where, WAB is work done in taking charge q 0 from point A
where, r is the position vector of point P w.r.t. the origin.
to point B against electrostatic force i.e. work done by
external force. 10. Electric potential due to a thin charged spherical shell
carrying charge q and radius R, respectively at any point
3. Electric potential due to a point charge q at any point P lying
lying at a distance r from it, is given by 1 q
(i) inside the shell is, V = for r < R
1 q 4pe 0 R
V=
4pe 0 r 1 q
(ii) On the surface of shell is, V = for r = R
4. The potential at a point due to a positive charge is 4pe 0 R
positive while due to negative charge is negative. 1 q
(iii) Outside the shell is, V = for r > R
4pe 0 r
5. When a positive charge is placed in an electric field, it
experiences a force which drives it from points of higher where, r is the distance of the point from the centre of
the shell.
potential to points of lower potential.
11. Electrostatic potential energy of a system of two point
On the other hand, a negative charge experiences a force charges
driving it from lower to higher potential. 1 q1 q 2
U=
6. The electric potential on the perpendicular bisector i.e. in 4pe 0 r
equatorial plane due to an electric dipole is zero. [putting the values of charges with their signs]
7. Electric potential due to an electric dipole at any point P Electrostatic potential of a system of n point charges,
n n q j qi
whose position vector is r with respect to mid-point of 1
dipole is given by
U= å å
4pe 0 j = 1 i = 1 r ji
j ¹ i and ij = ji
12. Equipotential Surface A surface which has same Þ q1 : q 2 : q 3 = C1 : C2 : C3
electrostatic potential at every point on it, is known as (v) The equivalent capacitance of n identical
equipotential surface. capacitors connected in parallel combination is
13. Capacitor A capacitor is a device which is used to store Cp = nC.
electrostatic potential energy or charge. It comprises of
two conductors separated by an insulating medium. 19. The most common among all capacitors is parallel plate
capacitor. It comprises of two metal plates of area A and
14. Capacitance of a Conductor If charge q is given to a
separated by distance d. The capacitance of air filled
pair of insulated conductors, then it leads to increase its
parallel plate capacitor is given by
electric potential by V, then e A
q µ V Þ q = CV C0 = 0
d
where, C is known as capacitance of conductor. It is the
When a dielectric medium of dielectric constant K is filled
ability of capacitor to store the charge and energy. The
fully between the plates of capacitor then capacitance
capacitance depends on shape, size and geometry of
KA e 0
conductor, nature of surrounding medium and presence C=
of other conductor in the neighbourhood of it. d
Its SI unit is farad (F). Farad is very large unit of 20. The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor partially
capacitance. So, mF is usually taken, 1mF = 10 - 6 F, filled with a dielectric medium of dielectric constant K is
e0 A
1nF = 10 - 9 ,1pF = 10 - 12 F given by C =
(d - t + t / K )
15. Principle of Capacitor The capacitance of an insulated where, A = area of each plate,
conductor is increased significantly when an earthed
uncharged conductor is placed near it. d = separation between two plates,
t = thickness of dielectric medium and
16. Capacitance of an isolated spherical conductor of radius
K = dielectric constant of dielectric medium.
r is given by C = 4pe 0 r .
21. Electrostatic energy stored in capacitor (parallel plate) is
17. Series Combination of Capacitors given by,
(i) Charge on each capacitor is same for any value of 1
capacitance and equal to the charge across the U = CV 2
2
combination.
1 q2
(ii) The potential difference across the combination is equal = qV =
to the algebraic sum of potential difference across each 2 2C
capacitor,
A
i.e. V = V1 + V2 + V3
(iii) The potential divides across capacitors in inverse ratio K
of their capacitances, i.e.
1 1 1
V1 : V2 : V3 = : :
C1 C2 C3
(iv) The equivalent capacitance is given by t
1 1 1 1 d
= + +
C C1 C2 C3 where, q = charge on capacitor,
(v) If n identical capacitors are connected in parallel C = capacitance and
C V = potential difference across capacitor.
combination then equivalent capacitance is CS =
n
22. Energy Density The energy stored per unit volume of
18. Parallel Combination of Capacitors
space in a capacitor is known as energy density. It is
(i) The potential difference across each capacitor 1
is same for any value of capacitance and equal to the given by, U E = e 0 E 2 where, E is the electric field
2
potential difference across the combination. intensity between two plates of capacitor.
(ii) The total charge on the combination is equal to the
23. Dielectric Constant If Cvacuum be the capacity of a
algebraic sum of charges on each capacitor, i.e.
q = q1 + q 2 + q 3 condensor (capacitor) with vacuum or air between its
plates and Cdielectric be the capacity with dielectric
(iii) The equivalent capacitance (C ) is given by
between the plates, the dielectric constant K is defined as
C = C1 + C2 + C3 C
K = dielectric
(iv) The total charge on the capacitors is divided in the ratio Cvacuum
of their capacitances, i.e.
Dielectric constant is also known as specific inductive
q µC capacity of the dielectric or relative permittivity.
 Physics 11

Practice Questions
1 Work done by external forces in moving a charge q from R 9 What is the work done in moving a 2 mC point charge from
to P as shown in figure is corner A to corner B of a square ABCD in figure, when a
10 mC charge exists at the centre of the square?
R
A B
q 2 µC
P
Q
P P 10 µC
(a) - òR FE × dr (b) òR FE × dr
P P F
òR 2 FE × dr òR 2 × dr
E
(c) (d) D C

2 While bringing the unit positive charge as shown in the (a) Zero (b) 5
figure below, potential energy difference between points R (c) 2 (d) 20
and P is equal to 10 Two charges of equal magnitude q are placed in air at a
(a) DU = - WRP R distance 2a apart and third charge - 2q is placed at
(b) DU = WRP mid-point. The potential energy of the system is
(c) DU = 2WRP Unit charge (1 C) (e 0 = permittivity of free space)
P
(d) DU = 4 WRP q2 3q 2
Q (a) - (b) -
3 To find the value of potential at a point, the external force 8pe 0a 8 pe 0a
at every point of the path is to be equal and opposite to the 5q 2 7q 2
(c) - (d) -
(a) work done 8 pe 0a 8 pe 0a
(b) electrostatic force on the test charge at that point 11 Three point charges + q1, - 2q and - 2q are placed at the
(c) potential energy vertices of an equilateral triangle of side a. The work done
(d) None of the above by some external force to increase their separation to 2a
4 The variation of electric potential of an electric dipole will be
with distance r is 1 2q 2 1 q2
1 1 1 (a) (b)
(a) E µ 3 (b) E µ 2 (c) E µ (d) E µ r 4 pe 0 a 4 pe 0 2a
r r r 1 dq
(c) (d) zero
5 The potential in the equatorial plane of a dipole of a dipole 4 pe 0 a 2
moment p is
12 The potential difference between a cloud and the earth is
(a) infinite (b) zero
107 V. Calculate the amount of energy dissipated when the
(c) maximum (d) equal to p
charge of 100 C is transferred from the cloud to the ground
6 Two charges 3 ´ 10 -8 C and - 2 ´ 10 -8 C located 15 cm due to lightning bolt.
apart. At what point on the line joining the two charges is (a) zero (b) 10 9 J (c) 60 J (d) 10 7 J
the electric potential zero?
13 What happens when a conductor is placed in an external
(a) 9 cm (b) 42 cm (c) 18 cm (d) 20 cm
electric field?
7 A charge 2 Q is placed at each corner of a cube of (a) The electric field due to induced charge opposes the
side a. The potential at the centre of the cube is external field within the conductor
8Q 4Q (b) In the static situation, the two fields cancel each
(a) (b)
pe 0a 4 pe 0a other and the electrostatic field in the conductor is
8Q 2Q zero
(c) (d)
3 pe 0a pe 0a (c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
8 For a uniform electric field E, along the X-axis, the
equipotential surfaces are plane 14 If a conductor is given an excess of charge, then it
(a) perpendicular to Z-axis (a) resides on its surface
(b) parallel to the yz-plane (b) move to its centre
(c) perpendicular to yz-plane (c) escape from its surface
(d) perpendicular to Y-axis (d) distributes equally inside it
15 Two metal spheres, one of radius R and the other of radius 22 van de graaff generator is based on the
2R respectively have the same surface charge density s. phenomenon of corona discharge, which is used for
They are brought in contact and separated. What will be developing
the new surface charge densities on them? (a) electric current of order of 10 ´ 10 6 A
5 5
(a) s P = s , s Q = s (b) electric potential of order of 10 ´ 10 6 V
6 2
5 5 (c) electric power of order of 10 ´ 10 6 W
(b) s P = s , s Q = s (d) electric charge of order of 10 ´ 10 6 C
2 6
5 5 23 In van de graaff generator, charge is moved
(c) s P = s , s Q = s
2 3 from one place to other, which creates a potential
5 5 difference between two points. The potential produces
(d) s P = s , s Q = s
3 6
(a) accelerated charged particles
16 The total dipole moment of dielectric with polar (b) heating in generator
molecules in absence of an external electric field is (c) decelerated charged particles
(a) zero (b) negative (d) None of the above
(c) infinite (d) None of these 24 Two charges 5 × 10 -8 C and –3 × 10 -8 C are
17 If dielectric constant and dielectric strength be denoted by located 16 cm apart. At what point from positive charge on
K and X respectively, then a material suitable for using it as the line joining the two charges is the electric potential
a dielectric in a capacitor must have zero? (Take, the potential at infinity to be zero).
(a) high K and high X (b) high K and low X (a) 6 cm (b) 8 cm (c) 10 cm (d) 30 cm
(c) low K and high X (d) low K and low X 25 A regular hexagon of side 10 cm has a charge 5 mC at each
18 The extent of polarisation depends on of its vertices. Calculate the potential at the centre of the
hexagon.
(a) the dipole potential energy in the external field
tending to align the dipoles with the field (a) 3.7 ´ 10 - 6 V (b) 2.7 ´ 10 6 V
(b) thermal energy tending to disrupt the alignment (c) 2.7 ´ 10 - 4 V (d) 3.7 ´ 10 4 V
(c) Both (a) and (b) 26 A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a
(d) Neither (a) nor (b) capacitance of 8 pF (1 pF = 10 - 12 F). What
will be the capacitance, if the distance between the plates
19 The maximum electric field that a dielectric medium of a
is reduced by half and the space between
capacitor can withstand without breakdown
them is filled with a substance of dielectric constant 6?
(of its insulating property) is called its
(a) 24 pF (b) 96 pF (c) 8 pF (d) 12 pF
(a) polarisation (b) capacitance
(c) dielectric strength (d) None of these
27 Three capacitors each of capacitance 9 pF are connected
in series. What is the potential difference across each
20 Find the capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor as capacitor, if the combination is connected to a 120 V
shown in the figure below. supply?
d/2 (a) 40 V (b) 60 V (c) 80 V (d) 50 V
28 In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates,
each plate has an area of 6 × 10 - 3 m2 and the distance
between the plates is 3 mm. If this capacitor is connected
to a 100 V supply, what is the charge on each plate of the
capacitor?
(a) 1.77 ´ 10 - 9 C (b) 2.77 ´ 10 - 9 C
d (c) 1 ´ 10 - 8 C (d) 4.7 ´ 10 - 6 C
2KAe 0 2KAe 0 (K + 1)Ae 0 2 KA e 0 29 A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply, then it is
(a) (b) (c) (d) disconnected from the supply and is connected to another
(K + 1) d d 2d (K 2 + 1) d
uncharged 600 pF capacitor. How much electrostatic
21 A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a 5V battery and energy is lost in the process?
charged. The battery is then disconnected and a glass slab (a) 12 ´ 10 - 6 J (b) 8 ´ 10 - 6 J
is introduced between the plates, then the quantities that (c) 6 ´ 10 - 6 J (d) 4 ´ 10 - 6 J
decrease are
30 A charge of 8 mC is located at the origin. Calculate the work
(a) charge and potential difference done in taking a small charge of – 2 × 10 - 9 C from a point
(b) charge and capacitance P(0, 0, 3) (in cm) to a point Q (0, 4, 0) (in cm), via a point R
(c) capacitance and potential difference (0, 6, 9) (in cm).
(d) energy stored and potential difference (a) 2.4 J (b) 1.2 J (c) 2 J (d) 3.6 J
 Physics 13

ANSWERS
1 (a) 2 (b) 3 (b) 4 (b) 5 (b) 6 (a) 7 (c) 8 (b) 9 (a) 10 (d)
11 (d) 12 (b) 13 (c) 14 (a) 15 (d) 16 (a) 17 (a) 18 (c) 19 (c) 20 (a)
21 (d) 22 (b) 23 (a) 24 (c) 25 (b) 26 (b) 27 (a) 28 (a) 29 (c) 30 (b)

Hints & Solutions

1 (a) According to the question, a charge q is brought from a
x
point R to a point P against the repulsive force on it due to
O 15 cm A P
charge Q. In bringing the charge q from R to P, an external
3×10–8 C –2×10–8 C
force Fext is applied just to counter the repulsive electric
force FE (i.e. Fext = - FE ). In this situation, work done by which gives x = 45 cm
the external force is negative of the work done by the Thus, electric potential is zero at 9 cm and 45 cm away from
electric force. Thus, the work done by external force in the positive charge on the side of the negative charge.
moving the charge q from R to P is 8 (b) For a uniform electric field E say, along the X -axis, the
P P equipotential surfaces are planes perpendicular to the X-axis,
WRP = ò Fext × dr = - ò FE × dr i.e. planes parallel to the yz-plane.
R R
9 (a) As charges at A and B are at equal distance from 10 mC at
2 (b) Here, the potential energy difference between two points
the centre. So, potential at A and B due to 10 mC charge are
is defined as the work required to be done by an external equal.
force in moving (without accelerated) charge of + 1C from
point R to P for electric field of any arbitrary charge \ Potential difference,
configuration. (V A - VB ) = 0
i.e. DU = U final - U initial = U P - U R = WRP Thus, work done, W AB = q (VB - V A ) = 0.
10 (d) Here, potential energy of the system,
Hence, option (b) is correct.
q –2q q
5 (b) The potential due to an electric dipole is
1 p× r 1 prcosq a a
V = = ×
4 pe 0 r2 4 pe 0 r2 1 é q1 q2 q1 q3 q2 q3 ù
U= + +
æpö 4 pe 0 êë r12 r13 r23 úû
prcos ç ÷
1 è 2ø é pù 1 é qq q ( -2q ) q ( -2q ) ù
= × êë\ q = 2 úû = + +
4 pe 0 r2 4 pe 0 êë 2a a a úû
=0 1 é q 2 -2q 2 2q 2 ù
Thus, the potential in the equatorial plane of a dipole of = ê + - ú
4 pe 0 ë 2a a a û
dipole moment p is zero.
1 é -4 q 2 q 2 ù -7q 2
6 (a) Let P be the point on line joining two charges at a = +
ê ú=
distance x from positive charge 4 pe 0 ë a 2a û 8pe 0 a

O x P A 11 (d) Work done in increasing the separation from a to 2a is

3×10–8 C –2×10–8 C W = U f - Ui …(i)
15 cm +q +q

According to question,
a a ⇒ 2a 2a
1 é 3 ´ 10-8 2 ´ 10-8 ù
ê -2
- ú=0
4 pe 0 ë x ´ 10 (15 - x ) ´ 10-2 û
3 2 –2q a –2q –2q 2a –2q
Þ - =0
x 15 - x Here,
which gives x = 9 cm 1 é q ( - 2q ) q ( - 2q ) ( - 2q ) ( - 2q ) ù
Ui = + +
If x lies on the extended line OA, the required condition is 4 pe 0 êë a a a úû
 =
1
[ - 2q 2 - 2q 2 + 4 q 2 ] = 0 2 20psR 2
= ´
4 pe 0 a 3 4 p ( 2R )2
1
Similarly, U f = ( -2q 2 - 2q 2 + 4 q 2 ) = 0 2 5 5
4 pe 0 ( 2a ) = ´ s= s
3 4 6
Hence, from Eq. (i)
20 (a) This combination is same as the two capacitors are
W = U f -Ui = 0
connected in series and distance between plates of each
12 (b) Given, q = 100 C capacitor is d/2.
and potential difference between the cloud and the earth, Ke A e A
So, C1 = 0 and C 2 = 0
V = 107 V d/2 d/2
Thus, energy dissipated, W = qV = 100C ´ 107 V = 109 J æ 2 Ke 0 A ö æ 2 e 0 A ö
ç ÷ç ÷
15 (d) The surface charge density of a closed surface area C1C 2 è d øè d ø 2 KAe 0
Hence, C net = = =
having charge Q is given by C1 + C 2 æ 2 Ke A 2 e A ö ( K + 1)d
ç
0
+ 0 ÷
Charge Q è d d ø
s= = or Q = sA
Area A 21 (d) The quantities, energy stored and potential difference
Thus, the charges on spheres P and Q having same charge 1 q2 q
density as shown in the figure below is given by decreases, because U = and V = decreases.
2 KC KC
σ Because on inserting a dielectric, the capacitance will
σ
increase ( KC 0 ), where C 0 is the capacitance when no
glass slab is present and K is dielectric constant, q is
R 2R constant here.
23 (a) A van de graaff generator consists of a large spherical
P
Q conducting shell. By mean of a moving belt and suitable
brushes, charge is continuously transferred to the shell and
QP = s ´ 4 pR 2 = 4 psR 2 …(i) potential difference of the order of several million volt is
and 2
QQ = s ´ 4 p ( 2R ) = 16psR 2
…(ii) built up, which can be used for accelerating charged
particles.
When they are brought in contact with each other, the total
charge will be 24 (c) Let C be the point at which potential is zero.
Q t = QP + QQ 16 cm B
A
= 4 psR 2 + 16psR 2 [from Eqs. (i) and (ii)] q1 C x q2
(16 – x)
= 20psR 2 …(iii)
In connection of two charged conducting bodies, the Given, q1 = 5 ´ 10-8 C, q2 = -3 ´ 10-8 C and
potential will become same on both, i.e. distance, AB = 16 cm
QP QQ The potential at point C due to charge q1 ,
=
4 p e 0 R 4 p e 0 2R 1 q 9 ´ 109 ´ 5 ´ 10- 8
VA = × 1 = …(i)
QP QQ Q 1 4 pe 0 AC (16 - x ) ´ 10- 2
Þ = Þ P =
R 2R QQ 2 The potential at point C due to charge q2 ,
So, the charges on the sphere P and Q after separation will 1 q - 9 ´ 109 ´ 3 ´ 10- 8
be distributed as VB = × 2 = …(ii)
4 pe 0 BC x ´ 10- 2
QP 1
Þ QP¢ = ´ Qt = Qt As, V A + VB = 0
QP + QQ 3
9 ´ 109 ´ 5 ´ 10- 8 æ - 9 ´ 109 ´ 3 ´ 10- 8 ö
QQ 2 Þ +ç ÷=0
and QQ¢ = ´ Qt = Qt (16 - x ) ´ 10- 2 è x ´ 10- 2 ø
QP + QQ 3
5 3
After separation, the new surface charge densities on P and Þ - =0
Q will be 16 - x x
Þ x = 6 cm
Q¢ 1 Qt 1 20psR 2 5
sP = P = = = s 25 (b) Given, q = 5mC = 5 ´ 10-6 C
Area 3 Area 3 4 pR 2 3
QQ¢ 2 Qt and r = 10 cm = 10 ´ 10-2 m
and s Q = =
Area 3 Area
 The regular hexagon is shown as follows 28 (a) Given, A = 6 ´ 10-3 m2 , d = 3 mm andV = 100 V
E D e 0 A 8.854 ´ 10- 12 ´ 6 ´ 10- 3
q q C= =
d 3 ´ 10- 3

F O C . ´ 10- 11 F
C = 177
q q
When the capacitor is connected to a 100 V supply, charge
on each plate of the capacitor
q
A 10 cm B
q q = CV = 177. ´ 10-11 ´ 100

i.e. OA = OB = OC = OD = OE = OF = 10 cm Thus, . ´ 10- 9 C

q = 177
Potential at point O = Sum of potential at centre O due to 29 (c) Given, capacitance of capacitor, C1 = 600 pF
individual point charges = 600 ´ 10- 12 F, supply voltage, V1 = 200 V,
\ VO = V A + VB + VC + VD + VE + VF C 2 = 600 pF = 600 ´ 10- 12 F andV2 = 0
æ 1 qö
çQ V = × ÷ C1C 2 (V1 - V2 )2
è 4 pe 0 r ø Loss in energy, E =
2 (C1 + C 2 )
As charge is same, so
600 ´ 10- 12 ´ 600 ´ 10- 12 ( 200 - 0 )2
9 ´ 109 ´ 5 ´ 10-6 ´ 6 Þ E=
VO = V A ´ 6 = 2 ( 600 + 600 ) ´ 10- 12
10 ´ 10-2
= 6 ´ 10- 6 J
= 2.7 ´106 V
26 (b) It is given that, capacitor with air between the plates has Thus, the 6 ´ 10- 6 J amount of electrostatic energy is lost in
a capacitance of 8 pF, i.e. initially, the sharing of charges.
e0 A 30 (b) According to question, charge at origin O is
C0 = = 8 pF
d qO = 8 mC = 8 ´ 10- 3 C
When dielectric is inserted and the distance between the Charge qP at point P = - 2 ´ 10 - 9 C
plates is reduced by half (d = d / 2),then
Ke A
C= 0 Z R (0, 6, 9)
d¢ qP
6e 0 A ´ 2 æe Aö P
= = 6ç 0 ÷´2
d è d ø (0, 0, 3)

= 6( 8 ) ´ 2 = 96 pF qQ
O Y
1 1 1 1 qO Q
27 (a) In series, = + +
C s C1 C 2 C 3 (0, 4, 0)
X
1 1 1
=
+ +
9 9 9 Distance OP = rP = 3 cm = 0.03 m
1 3 Distance OQ = rQ = 4 cm = 0.04 m
= Þ C s = 3 pF
Cs 9 Work done in bringing the charge qP from P to Q
Charge, q = C sV = 3 ´ 120 = 360 pC = qP ´ Potential difference between P and Q
C1 C2 C3 WPQ = qP (VQ - VP )
æ 1 q 1 q ö
= - 2 ´ 10- 9 ç × O - × O÷
è 4 pe 0 OQ 4 pe 0 OP ø
q
æ 9 ´ 109 ´ 8 ´ 10- 3 ö
120 V ç ÷
WPQ = - 2 ´ 10- 9 ç 0.04 ÷
Potential difference across C1 , ç 9 ´ 109 ´ 8 ´ 10- 3 ÷
ç - ÷
è 0.03 ø
q 360
V1 = =
C1 9 = 1.2 J
Thus, the work done is 1.2 J.
= 40 V =V2 = V3