CBSE Test Paper-05

Class - 12 Physics (Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance)

1. If the charge on a capacitor is increased by 2 coulomb, the energy stored in it

increases by 21%. The original charge on the capacitor (in coulomb) is
a. 30
b. 20
c. 40
d. 40
e. 10
2. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a battery and is charged to a
potential difference V. Another capacitor of capacitance 2C is similarly charged to a
potential difference 2V. The charging battery is then disconnected and the capacitors
are connected in parallel to each other in such a way that the positive terminal of one
is connected to the negative terminal of the other. The final energy of the
configuration is
a.
b.
c.
d. zero
3. when two capacitors are put in series, the equivalent capacitance is
a. the product of the capacitances
b. the reciprocal of the capacitances
c. smaller than both capacitances
d. the sum of the capacitances
4. For a parallel plate capacitor _________ possible potential difference between the
capacitor plates
a. dielectric decreases the minimum
b. dielectric increases the minimum
c. dielectric increases the maximum
d. dielectric decreases the maximum
5. Three capacitors, each of capacitance C = 3 mF, are connected as shown in the figure.

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 The equivalent capacitance between points P and S is

a. 3
b. 9
c. 1
d. 6
6. We know that electric field is discontinuous across the surface of a charged
conductor. Is electric potential also discontinuous there?

7. Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is JC-1. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity?

8. Does the electric potential increase or decrease along the electric line of force?

9. Do electrons tend to go to regions of low potential or high potential?

10. What is the work done by the field of a nucleus in a complete circular orbit of the
electron? What if the orbit is elliptical?

11. Calculate the potential difference and the energy stored in the capacitor C2 in the

circuit shown in the figure. Given potential at A is 90 V, C1 = 20 µF, C2 = 30 µF and C3 =

15µF.

12. A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. Determine the potential and
electric field due to these charges array at the centre of the cube.

13. A cylindrical capacitor has two co-axial cylinders of length 15 cm and radii 1.5 cm and
1.4 cm. The outer cylinder in earthed and the inner cylinder is given a charge of
. Determine the capacitance of the system and the potential of the inner
cylinder. Neglect end effects (i.e. bending of field lines at the ends).

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14. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volt. The
charge stored in it is 360µC. When potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V,
the charge stored in it becomes 120 µC. Calculate (i) the potential V and the unknown
capacitance C. (ii) what will be the charge stored in the capacitor, if the voltage
applied had increased by 120 V?

15. An electrical technician requires a capacitance of in a circuit across a potential

difference of 1kV. A large number of capacitors are available to him each of
which can withstand a potential difference of not more than 400 V. Suggest a possible
arrangement that requires the minimum number of capacitors.

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 CBSE Test Paper-05
Class - 12 Physics (Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance)
Answers

1. b. 20
Explanation: The initial energy of the capacitor of capacitance C and charge Q1

is .

When the charge increases to Q2 the energy of the capacitor

Given percentage increase of energy

But
Solving Q1 = 20C

2. b.
Explanation: The charges Q1 and Q2 on the two capacitors Q1 = CV; Q2 = (2C)

(2V)= 4CV.
The capacitors are connected in parallel in such a way that the positive plate of
one is connected to the negative plate of the other.

The common potential .

The final energy

3. c. smaller than both capacitances

Explanation: When two capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series, the

reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance in series is equal to the sum of the

reciprocals of the two individual capacitances.

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 Cs < C1 and Cs < C2

Thus equivalent capacitance will be less than the individual capacitances.

4. d. dielectric decreases the maximum

Explanation: When a dielectric is introduced between two charged plates of a
capacitor having a charge Q and maintained at a potential difference of V, a
reverse electric field is set up inside the dielectric due to dielectric polarization.

This reduces the electric field in between the plates. The potential is also
reduced. Maximum potential is dependent on the charge on the plates. As the
charge remains constant, the presence of the dielectric decreases the maximum
potential between the plates.

5. b. 9
Explanation: If P is at positive potential, then Q is at negative potential and R is
at positive potential. The system therefore reduces to 3 capacitors in parallel. C=
9μF

6. No, since electric potential is a scalar quantity, it is continuous everywhere.

7. JC-1 is the SI unit of electrostatic potential or electrostatic potential difference.

It is a scalar quantity.

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 8. It decreases

9. Electrons, being negatively charged, tend to go to regions of high potential. This

reduces their potential energy.

10. Whatsoever be the shape of the orbit work done is always zero because electron will
be in the same energy state after it completes an orbit.
11. For a series combination of three capacitors C1, C2 and C3, the equivalent capacitance

Ceq will be

Total charge of the system of three capacitors,

Charge on each capacitor will remain same as they are in series with the battery.
Now, potential drop across the capacitor C2,

Hence stored electrical potential energy U of capacitor C2 is

12. Diagonal DF of cube,

DF

Thus,
Due to one charge q the potential at the centre O is given by

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 Due to eight charges the total potential at the centre O is given as

Remark : Due to two opposite corners D and F electric field intensity at the centre 'O'
are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Therefore, they cancel out each
other. Similarly, all other intensities cancel out each other and the total electric field
at centre is zero.
13. Given,
a = 1.4 cm
b = 1.5 cm
l = 15 cm ,

The potential of inner cylinder will be equal to the potential difference between inner
and outer cylinder as outer cylinder is earthed.
Hence, potential of inner cylinder

14. i. We have initial voltage, V1 =V volt and charge stored, Q1= 360µC(given in the

question)
We know that, Q1 =CV1....(i)

Now changed potential, V2 = V - 120

At that condition, stored charge Q2 = 120µC

Again applying formula, Q2 = CV2 ...(ii)

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 By dividing Eq. (i) by Eq. (ii), we get

V = 180 Volt

Hence, the applied potential, V = 180 Volt and unknown capacitance of the
capacitor is 2µF.
ii. Let Q be the charge stored in the capacitor

Q = CV= 2 10-6 (120+180)

Q=6 10-4C
15. Let possible arrangement requires N capacitors of each is n capacitors in series
and m series arrangement in parallel

Total capacitors
As arrangement works on 1000 V.
P.D. across each capacitor in series arrangement is 400 V given
So
n = 2.5
As number of capacitor cannot be in fraction n = 3 equivalent capacitors in each
row of series.

as the capacitors are in m rows so resultant capacitance of all

capacitors equal to lines = 2

m = 6 rows
n= = 18

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