Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

1. A 500 µC charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm. Find the work done in
moving a charge of 10 µC between two diagonally opposite points on the square. (Delhi
2008)
Answer:
The work done in moving a charge of 10 µC between two diagonally opposite points on
the square will be zero because these two points will be at equipotential.

2. What is the electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point? (All
India 2009)
Answer:
Electric potential at any point in the equatorial plane of dipole is Zero.

3. What is the work done in moving a test charge q through a distance of 1 cm along the
equatorial axis of an electric dipole? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Since potential for equatorial axis
V=0
∴ W = qV = 0

4. Define the term ‘potential energy’ of charge ‘q’ at a distance V in an external electric
field. (All India 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.

5. A point charge Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure. Is the potential

difference VA – VB positive, negative or zero, if Q is
(i) positive
(ii) negative? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Clearly,

As OA < OB, so the quantity within bracket is negative.

(i) If q is positive charge, VA – VB = negative
(ii) If q is negative charge, VA – VB = positive

6. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged such that the potential on its surface
is 10 V. What is the potential at the centre of the sphere?
(All India 2011)
Answer:
The electric field inside the shell is zero. This implies that potential is constant inside the
shell (as no work is done in moving a charge inside the shell) and, therefore, equals its
value at the surface, which is 10 V.

7. A hollow metal sphere of radius 10 cm 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:
Hollow metal sphere behaves as an equipotential surface, so the potential at its centre
will be 5 V.

8. Why is electrostatic potential constant throughout the volume of the conductor and
has the same value (as inside) on its surface? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Electric field inside the conductor = 0

9. Distinguish between tor. dielectric and a conductor (Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
 Dielectric Conductor

Conductors are the substances which can be

Dielectrics are the insulating materials which
used to carry or conduct electric charge from
transmit electric effects without conducting.
one place to the other.

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.

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 ∝1r

12. Two charges 2µC and – 2µC are placed at points A and B 5 cm apart. Depict an
equipotential surface of the system. (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:

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. All India 2013)
Answer:
Being an equipotential surface, work done will be zero.

14. Two charges 4µC and -4µC are placed at points A and B 3 cm apart. Depict an
equipotential surface of the system. (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:

15. “For any charge configuration, equipotential surface through a point 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 θ ∴ cos θ = 0 or θ = 90o

16. Two equal balls having equal positive charge ‘q’ coulumbs are suspended by two
insulating strings of equal length. What would be the effect on the force when a plastic
sheet is inserted between the two ? (All India 2014)
Answer:
The force would be reduced by a factor ‘K’ (equal to the value of dielectric constant of
plastic sheet)

17. The given graph shows variation of charge ‘q’ versus potential difference ‘V’ for two
capacitors C1 and C2. Both the capacitors have same plate seperation but plate area of
C2 is greater than that of C1. Which line (A or B) corresponds to C1 and why? (Comptt.
All India 2014)

Answer:
Line B corresponds to C1
Reason: Since slope (qv) of ‘B’ is less than that of ‘A’
18. A charge ‘q’ is moved from a point A above a dipole of dipole movement ‘p’ to a
point B below the dipole in equitorial plane without acceleration. Find the work done in
the process. (All India 2016)
Answer:
No work is done
[W = q VAB = q × 0 = 0, since potential remains constant]

19. Derive the expression for the electric potential at any point along the axial line of an
electric dipole (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Consider an electric dipole consisting of two points charged -q and +q and seperated by
distance 2a. Let P be a point on the axis of the dipole at a distance r from its centre O.

Electric potential at point P due to dipole is,

V = V1 + V 2

20. Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole of dipole
movement p⃗ in the electric field E⃗
(Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Consider a dipole with charges +q and -q placed in a uniform electric field E→ such that
AB = 2a as shown in the figure

Since the dipole experiences no net force in a uniform electric field but experiences a
torque (τ) is given by

It tends to rotate the dipole in clockwise direction. To rotate the dipole anti-clock wise
has to be done on the dipole.

21. Two point charges, q1 = 10 × 10-8C, q2 = -2 × 10-8C are seperated by a distance of 60

cm in air.
(i) Find at what distance from the 1st charge, q1 would the electric potential be zero.
(ii) Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(i) Given : q1 = 10 × 10-8C, q2 = -2 × 10-8C
AB = 60 cm = 0.60 = 0.6m
Let AP = x
∴ Distance from first charge = 0.5 m = 50 cm.
(ii) Electrostatic energy of the system is

22. Two point charges 4Q, Q are separated by lm 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 × 10-7C
Answer:
(ii) Electrostatic potential energy of the system is

23. Two point charges 20 x 10-6 C and -4 X 10-6 C are separated by a distance of 50
cm in air.
(i) Find the point on the line joining the charges, where the electric potential is zero.
(ii) Also find the electrostatic potential energy of the system. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(i) Here q1 = 20 × 10-6C, q2 = -4 × 10-6C
and AB = 50 cm = 0.50 m = 0.5 m Let AP = x then PB = 0.5 – x
Potential at P due to charge q1 = Kq1AP
Potential at P due to charge q2 = Kq2PB
Potential at P = 0 ⇒Kq1AP+Kq2PB=0

24. Calculate the work done to dissociate the system of three charges placed on the
vertices of a triangle as shown. (Delhi 2008)

Answer:
Initial P.E. of the three charges
Final P.E, uf = 0
∴ Work required to dissociate the system of three charges,
W = uf – ui = -2.304 × 10-8 J

25. (i) Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each other? Give reasons.
(ii) Two charges -q and + q are 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:
(i) No, if they intersect, there will be 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. This is not possible and hence two equipotential surfaces
cannot intersect.
(ii) Since both the points P and Q are on the equatorial line of the 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.

26. Draw 3 equipotential surfaces corresponding to a field that uniformly increases in

magnitude but remains constant along Z-direction. How are these surfaces different
from that of a constant electric field along Z-direction? (All India 2009)
Answer:
d2 < d1 for increasing field
and d2 = d1 for uniform field.

27. Two uniformly large parallel thin plates having charge densities + σ and – σ are kept
in the X-Z plane at a distance ‘d’ apart. Sketch an equipotential surface due to electric
field 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? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
The equipotential surface is at a distance d/2 from either plate in X-Z plane. For a
particle of charge (- q) at rest between the plates, then

(i) weight mg acts, vertically downward

(ii) electric force qE acts vertically upward
so mg = qE
E = mgq vertically downward,
i.e., along (-) Y-axis.

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 (E→) directed along + X
direction, what will be the magnitude and direction of the torque acting on this? (Delhi
2011)

Answer:
Resultant dipole moment of both dipoles is

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

29. Figure shows two identical capacitors C1 and C2, each of 2 µF capacitance,
connected to a battery of 5 V. Initially switch ‘S’ is left open and dielectric slabs of
dielectric constant K = 5 are inserted to fill completely the space between the plates of
the two capacitors. How will the charge and

(ii) potential difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slabs
are inserted? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
(i) When switch S is open and dielectric is introduced, charge on each capacitor will be
q1 = C1 V, q2 = C2V
q1 = 5CV
= 5 × 2 × 5 = 50 µC, q2 = 50 µC
Charge on each capacitor will become 5 times
(ii) P.d. across C1 is still 5V and across C2,
q = (5C) V

30. Figure shows two identical capacitors C1 and C2 each of 1.5 µF 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 fill completely the space
between the plates of the two capacitors. How will the
(i) charge and
(ii) potential difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected after the slabs
are inserted? (Delhi)

Answer:
(i) When switch S is open and dielectric is introduced, charge on each capacitor, will be
q1 = C1V,
q2 = C2V,
q1 = 2CV = 2 × 1.5 × 2 = 6 µC, q2 = 6 µC
Charge on each capacitor will become twice.
(ii) P.d. across C1 is still 2V and across C2,
q = (2C) V’

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. (All India 2011)
Answer:
Let C be the capacitance of a capacitor
Given : C1 = C2 = C3 = C When connected in series:

32. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 3 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. (All India 2011)
Answer:
Let C1, C2 and C3 be the capacitances of three capacitors. But these three capacitors
are of same capacitance, so C is the capacitance of each capacitor.
33. Draw a plot showing the variation of
(i) electric field (E) and
(ii) electric potential
(iii) with distance r due to a point charge Q. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:

34.A test charge ‘q’ is moved without acceleration from A to C along the path from A to
B and then from B to C in electric field E as shown in the figure.

(i) Calculate the potential difference between A and C.

(ii) At which point (of the two) is the electric potential more and why? (All India)
Answer:
(i) P.D does not depend upon the path along which the test charge q moves
(ii) At point C, electric potential will be more as potential decreases in the direction of
electric field.

35. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.

(i) Show that the net force acting on it is zero.
(ii) The dipole is alligned parallel to the field.
Find the work done in rotating it through the angle of 180°. (All India 2012)
Answer:
(i) Force acting on point A due to charge -q is -qE
Force acting on point B due to charge +q. is + qE
Net force acting on
= -qE + qE = 0 (zero)

Hence, the net force acting on electric dipole held in a uniform electric field is zero.
(ii) W = -pE(cos 02 — cos θ2)
W = -pE(cos 180° – cos 0°)
=> W = -pE(-1 – (1)) = +2pE

36. Determine the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor ‘C1‘ of the
network shown in the figure.

[Assume E2 > E1] (Comptt. Delhi 2012)

Answer:
Net E = E2 – E1
Both capacitors are in series
∴ V1, (Potential difference across the plates of the capacitor C1) = qC1

37. A network of four capacitors, each of capacitance 15 µF, is connected across a

battery of 100 V, as shown in the figure. Find the net capacitance and the charge on the
capacitor C4. (Comptt. Delhi & All India 2012)
Answer:
C1, C2 and C3 are in series as shown in the figure, we have

38. A network of four capacitors, each of capacitance 30 pF, is connected across a

battery of 60 V as shown in the figure.
Find the net capacitance and the energy stored in each capacitor. (Comptt. All India
2012)
Answer:

39. An electric dipole of length 4 cm, when placed with its axis making an angle of 60°
with a uniform electric field, experiences a torque of 4√3 Nm. Calculate the potential
energy of the dipole, if it has charge ± 8 nC. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
1st method Given : 2a = 4 cm = 4 × 10-2 m, θ = 60°
τ = 4 × √3 Nm, q = ±8 nC = ±8 x 10-9 C
P.E. = |p| |E| cos θ, τ = |p| |E| sin θ
(Note: However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lot of time for
unnecessary calculations)

40. An electric dipole of length 2 cm, when placed with its axis making an angle of 60°
with a uniform electric field, experiences a torque of
8 √3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole, if it has a charge of ± 4 nC. (Delhi
2014)
Answer:
1st method Given : 2a = 4 cm = 4 × 10-2 m, θ = 60°
τ = 4 × √3 Nm, q = ±8 nC = ±8 x 10-9 C
P.E. = |p| |E| cos θ, τ = |p| |E| sin θ
(Note: However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lot of time for
unnecessary calculations)
Answer:
8 Joules

41. An electric dipole of length 1 cm, which placed with its axis making an angle of 60°
with uniform electric field, experiences a torque of
6√3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole, if it has a charge of ± 2 nC. (Delhi
2014)
Answer:
1st method Given : 2a = 4 cm = 4 × 10-2 m, θ = 60°
τ = 4 × √3 Nm, q = ±8 nC = ±8 x 10-9 C
P.E. = |p| |E| cos θ, τ = |p| |E| sin θ
(Note: However, the first method is preferred because it saves a lot of time for
unnecessary calculations)
Answer: 6 Joules

42. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is 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’ = q2
Hence total energy stored in the capacitors,

43. Two point charges q1 and q2 are located at r1→ and r2→ respectively in an external
electric field E→ .
Obtain the expression for the total work done in assembling this configuration. (Comptt.
Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Work done in bringing the charge q1 from infinity to position r1
W1 = q1V(r1)
Work done in bringing charge q2 to the position r2

Hence, total work done in assembling the two charges

w = W1 + W2

Question 44.
Two point charges q and -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:
At distance’d’ towards left of charge ‘q’

Question 45.
Two closely spaced equipotential surfaces A and B with potentials V and V + δV, (where
δV is the change in V), are kept δl distance apart as shown in the figure.

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 δl

Two important conclusions :

(i) Electric field is in the direction in which the potential decreases steepest.
(ii) Magnitude of electric field is given by the change in the magnitude of potential per
unit displacement, normal to the equipotential surface at the point.

46. Why does current in a steady state not flow in a capacitor connected across a
battery? However momentary current does flow during charging or discharging of the
capacitor. Explain. (All India 2017)
Answer:
In the steady state, the displacement current and hence the conduction current, is zero
as | |E→| | between the plates, is constant.
During charging and discharging, the displacement current and hence the conduction
current is non zero as | |E→| | between the plates, is changing with time.
Current is non zero as | |E→| | between the plates, is changing with time.
Short Answer Type Questions-ll tSA-ll) (3 Marks)

47. Three identical capacitors C1 C2 and C3 of capacitance 6 µF each are connected to a

12 V battery as shown.
Find
(i) charge on each capacitor
(ii) equivalent capacitance of the network
(iii) energy stored in the network of capacitors. (Delhi 2009)

Answer:
C1 and C2 in series, make C4 = 3µF
using 1C4=1C1+1C2
(i) 12V of potential is available in C4 and C3.
Charge in C3 = Q3 = C3V
= 6 × 10-6 × 12 = 72 µC
Charge in C4 = Q4 = C4V
= 3 × 10-6 × 12 = 36 µC
∴ Charge on C1 and C2 will also be 36 μC
(ii) C4 and C3 are in parallel to the source
∴ Ceq = 3 + 6 = 9 μF
(iii) Energy stored = 12CeqV2

= 648 × 10-6 = 6.48 × 10-4 joule

48. The equivalent capacitance of the combination between A and B in the given figure
is 4 μF.

(i) Calculate capacitance of the capacitor C.

(ii) Calculate charge on each capacitor if a 12 V battery is connected across terminals A
and B.
(iii) What will be the potential drop across each capacitor? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
Ceq = 4 μF
(i) Since 20 μF and C are in series, we have
(ii) Charge drawn from 12 V battery is Q
= Ceq.V = 4 × 12 = 48 μC
So charge on each capacitor = 48 pC
(iii) Potential drop across

49. Two parallel plate X and Y capacitors, X and Y, have the same area of plates and
same separation between them. X has air between the plates while Y contains a
dielectric medium of εr = 4.
(i) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent capacitance of the combination
is 4 μF.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y.
(iii) What is the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y? (Delhi)
Answer:
Since area A and separation d are same, if Cx = C then Cy = 4C
(i) Since they are in series, 14=1C+14C

The two capacitors are therefore 5 μF and 20 μF.

(ii) Since the capacitance of capacitors are in the ratio 1 : 4,
the potential drop across them should be in the ratio of 4 : 1 making them (4×125)125
(iii) Since they carry same charge, the ratio of the electrostatic energy is,

50. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After some time the battery is
disconnected and a dielectric slab of dielectric constant K is inserted between the
plates. How would
(i) the capacitance,
(ii) the electric field between the plates and
(iii) the energy stored in the capacitor, be affected? Justify your answer. (All India 2009)
Answer:
Let C be the capacitance and V be the potential difference.
The charge on the capacitor plates will then be Q = CV.
The electric field between the plates, E = Vd and the energy stored,

As the dielectric (K) is introduced after disconnecting the battery

We have the new values of charge, Q’ = Q Capacitance C’ = KC
Potential V’ = QKC=VK
(i) New capacitance is K times its original.

51. (a) A charge +Q is placed on a large spherical conducting shell of radius R. Another
small conducting sphere of radius r carrying charge ‘q’ is introduced inside the large
shell and is placed at its centre. Find the potential difference between two points, one
lying on the sphere and the other on the shell.
(b) How would the charge between the two flow if they are connected by a conducting
wire? Name the device which works on this fact. (All India 2009)
Answer:
Potential inside conducting spherical shell of radius R carrying charge,
q = constant = 14πε0QR
Let us suppose that in some way we introduce a small sphere of radius r, carrying
charge q, into the large one, and place it at the centre.

The potential due to this new charge clearly has the following values at the radii
indicated :
Potential due to small sphere of radius r carrying charge q

of radius R
Taking both charges q and Q into account, we have for the two potentials :
(b) If we connect the smaller and larger sphere by a wire, the charge will flow from the
conducting sphere of radius r to the large spherical shell of radius R. Van de Graaff
generator works on this fact.

52. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After sometime the battery is
disconnected and a dielectric slab with its thickness equal to the plate separation is
inserted between the plates. How will
(i) the capacitance of the capacitor,
(ii) electric field between the plates and
(iii) the energy stored in the capacitor be affected? Justify your answer in each case.
Answer:
Let C be the capacitance and V be the potential difference.
The charge on the capacitor plates will then be Q = CV.
The electric field between the plates, E = Vd and the energy stored,

As the dielectric (K) is introduced after disconnecting the battery

We have the new values of charge, Q’ = Q Capacitance C’ = KC
Potential V’ = QKC=VK
(i) New capacitance is K times its original.

53. (a) Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system of two identical positive point
charges placed a distance ‘d’ apart.
(b) Deduce the expression for the potential energy of a system of two point charges
q1 and q2 brought from infinity to the points r1→and r2→ respectively in the presence of
external electric field E→. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
(a)
Equipotential surfaces of two identical point charges
(b) Let E→ be the external field
∴ Work done on q2 against the external field = q2.V( r2→ )
Work done on q2 against the field due to

..where [r12 is the distance between q1 and q2

By the superposition principle for fields, we add up the work done on q2 against the two
fields (E→ and that due to q1).

Thus, potential energy of the system = Total work done in assembling the configuration.

54. A parallel plate capacitor, each with plate area A. and separation d, is charged to a
potential difference V. The battery used to charge it remains connected. A dielectric slab
of thickness d and dielectric constant k is now placed between the plates. What change,
if any, will take place in :
(i) charge on plates?
(ii) electric field intensity between the plates?
(iii) capacitance of the capacitor?
Justify your answer in each case. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Given : Plate area of either plate of parallel plate capacitor = A
Distance between the plates = d and
potential difference between the plates = V
∴ Initially capacitance, C = ε0Ad,
Charge on plate, Q = CV
As the battery remains connected throughout, the potential difference between the
plates remains unchanged (V’ = V) on placing, a dielectric slab of thickness ‘d’ and
dielectric constant ‘k’ between the plates.
(i) New charge on plates, Q’ = C’ V’ = kCV = kQ
Thus, charge changes to k times of its original value.
(ii) Electric field intensity between the plates, E’

Thus, electric field intensity between the plates of capacitor remains unchanged.
(iii) New capacitance of the capacitor,

55. A parallel plate capacitor is charged to a potential difference V by a d.c. source. The
capacitor is then disconnected from the source. If the distance between the plates is
doubled, state with reason how the following will change;
(i) electric field between the plates,
(ii) capacitance, and
(iii) energy stored in the capacitor. (Delhi 2010)
Answer:

On disconnecting the battery, the charge q on the capacitor plates remains unchanged.
If the distance d is doubled, then

56. A network of four capacitors each of 12μF capacitance is connected to a 500 V

supply as shown in the figure.
Determine
(a) equivalent capacitance of the network and
(b) charge on each capacitor. (All India)

Answer:
(a) Equivalent capacitance of the network,
57. A network of four capacitors each of 15 μF capacitance is connected cf to a 500 V
supply as shown in the figure.
Determine
(a) equivalent capacitance of the network and
(b) charge on each capacitor. (All India 2010)
Answer:

Now CS and C4 are in parallel

∴ Equivalent capacitance of the network,
C = CS + C4 = 15 + 5 = 20 μF
(b) Charge on capacitor, C4 is
q = C4V = (15 × 10-6) × 500 = 7500 μC … [V =500
Charge on each capacitor, C1, C2 and C3 will be, q = CSV = (5 × 10-6) × 500 = 2500 μC

58. Deduce the expression for the electrostatic energy stored in a capacitor of
capacitance ‘C’ and having charge ‘Q’.
How will the
(i) energy stored and
(ii) the electric field inside the capacitor be affected when it is completely filled with a
dielectric material of dielectric constant ‘K’? (All India 2012)
Answer:
Potential of capacitor = qC
Small amount of work done in giving an additional charge dq to the capacitor,

Total work done in giving a charge Q to the capacitor

As electrostatic force is conservative, thus work is stored in the form of potential energy
(U) of the capacitor.

∴ Electric field will become 1K times its initial value.

59. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The

charge stored in it is 360 μC. 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? (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
(i) Let the capacitance be C
∴ Charge on Q1 = CV or 360 μC = CV …(i)
In second case,
Q2 = C(V – 120)
⇒ 120 μC = C(V – 120) …(ii)
From equation (i) and (ii)

3V – 360 = V ⇒ 2V = 360
By putting this value of V in (ii)
120 × 10-6 = C(180 – 120)

(ii) Charge stored when voltage is increased by 120 V

Q’ = 2μF × (180 + 120) V = 600 μC

60. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of
a parallel plate capacitor but has the thickness d/2, where d is the separation between
the plates. Find out the expression for its capacitance when the slab is inserted between
the plates of the capacitor.
(All India 2012)
Answer:
Total potential difference between the plates
61. Calculate the amount of work done to dissociate a system of three charges 1 μC, 1
μC and -4 μC placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side 10 cm. (Comptt. All
india)
Answer:

Hence, 0.63 Joules of energy is required to dissociate the system.

62. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The

charge stored in it is 300 µC. When potential across the capacitor is reduced by 100 V,
the charge stored in it becomes 100 V. Calculate the potential V and the unknown
capacitance. What will be the charge stored in the capacitor if the voltage applied had
increased by 100 V? (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
(i) Charge stored, Q = CV
300 µC = C × V ,
When potential is reduced by 100 V
100 µC = C(V – 100) = CV – 100 C
100 µC = 300 µC – 100 C
⇒ 100 C = 300 µC – 100 µC
⇒ 100 C = 200 µC
Therefore, capacitance C = 2µF

(ii) Charge stored when voltage applied is increased by 100 V

Q’ = 2µF × (150 + 100) = 500µC
63. Draw the equipotential surfaces due to an electric dipole. Locate the points where
the potential due to the dipole is zero. (All India 2013)
Answer:
Potential at all points in equatorial plane is zero everywhere

64. Two thin concentric shells of radii r1 and r2 (r2 > r1) have charges q1 and q2. Write the
expression for the potential at the surface of inner and outer shells. (Comptt. All India
2013)
Answer:
(i) Potential at the surface of inner shell,

(Since the charge on inner shell will also con-tribute)

65. (a) Obtain the expression for the energy stored per unit volume in a charged parallel
plate capacitor.
(b) The electric field inside a parallel plate capacitor is E. Find the amount of work done
in moving a charge q over a closed rectangular loop a b c d a.(Delhi 2013)

Answer:
(a) Energy of a parallel plate capacitor.

Potential of capacitor = qC
Small amount of work done in giving an additional charge dq to the capacitor,
Total work done in giving a charge Q to the capacitor

As electrostatic force is conservative, thus work is stored in the form of potential energy
(U) of the capacitor.

∴ Electric field will become 1K times its initial value.

[Read answer only upto U = 12 CV2
(b) The amount of work done in moving a charge Y over a closed rectangular loop
abcda is zero, because net displacement is zero.
W = qE→⋅d⃗

66. Derive the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor having plate
area A and plate separation d. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Capacity of a parallel plate capacitor. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two large
plane parallel conducting plates separated by a small distance. We first take the
intervening medium between the plates to be vaccum. Let A be the area of each plate
and d the separation between them. The two plates have charges Q and – Q. Since d is
much smaller than the linear dimension of the plates (d2 << A), we can use the result on
electric field by an infinite plane sheet of uniform surface charge density. Plate 1 has
surface charge density σ = Q/A and Plate 2 has a surface charge density -σ, the electric
field in different region is:

In the inner region between the plates 1 and 2, the electric fields due to the two charged
plates add up, giving

The capacitance C of the parallel plate capacitor is then

67. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C1 and C2 such that C1 = 3C2 are
connected across a battery of V volts as shown in the figure. Initially the key (k) is kept
dosed to fully charge the capacitors. The key is now thrown open and a dielectric slab of
dielectric constant ‘K’ is inserted in the two capacitors to completely fill the gap between
the plates,

Find the ratio of

(i) the net capacitance and
(ii) the energies stored in the combination, before and after the introduction of the
dielectric slab. (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
(i) Net capadtance before filling the gap with dielectric slab
Energy stored in the combination before introduction of dielectric slab,

68. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C1 and C2 such that C1 = 2C2 are
connected across a battery of V volts as shown in the figure. Initially the key (k) is kept
closed to fully charge the capacitors. The key is now thrown open and a dielectric slab
of dielectric constant ’K’ is inserted in the two capacitors to completely fill the gap
between the plates.

Find the ratio of

(i) the net capacitance and
(ii) the energies stored in the combination, before and after the introduction of the
dielectric slab. (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
(i) Net capacitance before filling the gap with dielectric slab

(ii) Energy stored in the combination before introduction of dielectric slab

Energy stored in the combination after introduction of dielectric slab

69. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C1 and C2 such that C1 = (C2)/2 are
connected across a battery of V volts as shown in the figure. Initially the key (k) is kept
closed to fully charge the capacitors. The key is now thrown open and a dielectric slab
of dielectric constant ‘K’ is inserted in the two capacitors to completely fill the gap
between the plates.

Find the ratio of

(i) the net capacitance and
(ii) the energies stored in the combination, before and after the introduction of the
dielectric slab. (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
(i) Net capacitance before filling the gap with dielectric slab
(ii) Energy stored in the combination before introduction of dielectric slab

70. Two capacitors of unknown capacitances C1 and C2 are connected first in series and
then in parallel across a battery of 100 V. If the energy stored in the two combinations is
0.045 J and 0.25 J respectively, determine the value of C1 and C2. Also calculate the
charge on each capacitor in parallel combination. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Energy stored in a capacitor is given by,
71. Calculate the potential difference and the energy stored in the capacitor C 2 in the
circuit shown in the figure. Given potential at A is 90 V, C1 = 20 µF, C2 = 30 µF and C3 =
15 µF. (All India 2015)

Answer:
Given VA = 90 V, C1 = 20 µF, C2 = 30 µF and C3 = 15 µF
Since these capacitors are connected in series, net capacitance (C) will be,

72. Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y have the same area of plates and same
separation between them. X has air between the plates while Y contains a dielectric
medium of εr = 4.

(i) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent capacitance of the combination

is 4 pF.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y.
(iii) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(i) Let Cx = C

73. Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential surfaces :

(i) in the case of a single point charge and
(ii) in a constant electtic field in Z-direction. Why the equipotential surfaces about a
single charge are not equidistant?
(iii) Can electric field exist tangential to an equipotential surface? Give reason. (All India
2015)
Answer:
A surface with a constant value of potential at all points of the surface is defined as
‘equipotential surface’ „
(i) Equipotential surface for a single point charge.

(ii) Equipotential surface in a constant electric field as shown in the adjoining diagram.
Equipotential surface are not equidistant, because V ∝1r
(iii) No, If the field lines are tangential, work will be done in moving a charge on the
surface which goes against the definition of equipotential surface.

74. A parallel plate capacitor, of capacitance 20pF, is conneted to a 100 V supply. After
sometime the battery is disconnected, and the space, between the plates of the
capacitor is filled with a dielectric, of dielectric constant 5. Calculate the energy stored in
the capacitor
(i) before
(ii) after the dielectric has been put in between its plates. (Comptt. Outside Delhi 2015)
Answer:

75. (i) Find equivalent capacitance between A and B in the combination given below.
Each capacitor is of 2 µF capacitance

(ii) If a dc source of 7 V is connected across AB, how much charge is drawn from the
source and what is the energy stored in the network? (Delhi 2015)
Answer:

76. A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery. How much electrostatic energy is

stored in the capacitor? If another capacitor of 6 pF is connected in series with it with
the same battery connected across the combination, find the charge stored and
potential difference across each capacitor. (Delhi 2015)
Energy stored, in the capacitor of capacitance 12 pF,

∴ Charge stored across each capacitor

q = CV = (4 × 10-12) × 50 C = 2 × 10-10C
Charge on each capacitor 12 pF as well as on 6 pF is 2 × 10-10 C
∴ Potential difference across capacitor C1

77. (i) Derive the expression for the electric potential due to an electric dipole at a point
on its axial line.
(ii) Depict the equipotential surfaces due to an electric dipole. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(i) The potential due to the dipole is the sum of potentials due to the charges q and – q

where r1 and r2 are the distances of the point P from q and – q, respectively.
Now, by geometry,

Using the Binomial theorem and retaining terms upto the first order in a/r; we obtain,
where γ^ is the unit vector along the position vector OP.
The electric potential of a dipole is then given by

From the above equation (iv), potential on the dipole axis (θ = 0, n) is given by

(ii) Equipotential surface for an electric dipole

78. Two identical capacitors of 12 pF each are connected in series across a battery of
50 V. How much electrostatic energy is stored in the combination ? If these were
connected in parallel across the same battery, how much energy will be stored in the
combination now? Also find the charge drawn from the battery in each case. (Delhi
2015)

Answer:
79. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are connected to a battery of V volts
with the switch S closed. The switch is now opened and the free space between the
plates of the capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K. Find the ratio of
the total electrostatic energy stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction
of the dielectric.

Answer:
80. (a) Write two properties by which electric potential is related to the electric field.
(b) Two point charges q1 and q2, separated by a distance of r12 are kept in an external
electric field. Derive an expression for the potential energy of the system of two charges
in the field. (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(a) Two properties which relate electric potential to electric field—
(i) Electric field is in the direction in which potential decreases at the maximum rate.
(ii) Magnitude of electric field is given by change in the magnitude of potential per unit
displacement normal to a charged conducting surface, or E =
(b) Work done in bringing the charge q1 to a point against external electric field,
Work done in bringing the charge q2 against the external electric field and the electric
field produced due to charge q1

Therefore, Total work done = Electrostatic potential energy

81. A capacitor of unknown connected across a battery of V volt. A charge of 360 pC is

stored in it. When the potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge
stored in the capacitor becomes 120 pC. Calculate V and the unknown capacitance.
What would have been the charge on the capacitor if the voltage were increased by 120
V? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:

q3 = 600 µC would be charge on the capacitor if voltage were incresed by 120 V.

82. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volt. A

charge of 240 pC is stored in it. When the potential across the capacitor is reduced by
80 V, the charge stored in the capacitor becomes 80 pC. Calculate V and the unknown
capacitance. What would have been the charge in the capacitor if the voltage were
increased by 80 V? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:

q3 = 600 µC would be charge on the capacitor if voltage were incresed by 120 V.

[Answer : V = 120 V, c = 2 μF, Q = 400 μC]

83. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volt. A

charge of 120 μC is stored in it. When the potential across the capacitor is reduced by
40 V, the charge stored in the capacitor becomes 40 μC. Calculate V and the unknown
capacitance. What would have been the charge in the capacitor if the voltage were
increased by 40 V? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
 >
q3 = 600 µC would be charge on the capacitor if voltage were incresed by 120 V.
[Ans : V = 60 V, c = 2 pF, Q3 = 200 μC].

84. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V by a battery.

Without disconnecting the battery, the distance between the plates is tripled and a
dielectric medium of k = 10 is introduced between the plates is tripled and a dielectric
medium of k = 10 is introduced between the plates of the capacitor. Explain giving
reasons, how will the following be affected:
(i) capacitance of the capacitor
(ii) charge on the capacitor, and
(iii) energy density of the capacitor. (Comptt. Outside Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Given : d’ = 3d, K = 10, C = ?, Q’ = ?, U’d= ?
(i) For parallel plate capacitor
85. Derive the expression for the electric potential at any point P, at distance r from the
centre of an electric dipole, making angle a, with its axes. (Comptt. All India 2015)
Answer:
The potential due to the dipole is the sum of potentials due to the charges q and – q

where r1 and r2 are the distances of the point P from q and – q, respectively.
Now, by geometry,

If r is much greater than a (r >> a) then,

Using the Binomial theorem and retaining terms upto the first order in air; we obtain,
86. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor.
On charging a parallel plate capacitor to a potential V, the spacing between the plates is
halved, and a dieletric medium of εr = 10 is introduced between the plates, without
disconnecting the d.c. source. Explain, using suitable expressions, how the
(i) capacitance,
(ii) electric field and
(iii) energy density of the capacitor change. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(a) Consider a parallel plate capacitor with plate area ‘A’ and separation between the
plates equal to ‘d’. Suppose at any instant of time charge on the capacitor plate is ‘q’
and potential difference due to this charge is V. To supply a charge ‘dq’ further to the
capacitor amount of work required is
87. (a) Write two properties of equipotential surfaces. Depict equipotential surfaces due
to an isolated point charge. Why do the equipotential surfaces get closer as the distance
between the equipotential surface and the source charge decreases?
(b) An electric dipole of dipole moment p⃗ , is placed in a uniform electric field E⃗ ,.
Deduce the expression for the torque ‘x acting on it. (Comptt. All India 2008)
Answer:
(a) Properties of equipotential surfaces:
(i) No work is done in moving a test charge over an equipotential surface.
(ii) No two equipotential surfaces can inter-sect each other.
(iii) Equipotential surface due to an isolated point charge is spherical.
(iv) The electric field at every point is normal to the equipotential surface passing
through that point. (any two)

For the same charge in the value, V, i.e., when dV = constant,

we have dr ∝1E
Hence, equipotential surface gets closer as the distance between the equipotential
surface and the source charge decreases.

Equipotential surface due to an isolated charge

(b) Consider a dipole with charges +q and -q placed in a uniform electric field E→ such
that AB = 2a as shown in the figure

Since the dipole experiences no net force in a uniform electric field but experiences a
torque (τ) is given by

It tends to rotate the dipole in clockwise direction. To rotate the dipole anti-clock wise
has to be done on the dipole.

88. (a) Obtain the expression for the potential due to an electric dipole of dipole moment
p at a point V on the axial line.
(b) Two identical capacitors of plate dimensions l × b and plate separation d have di-
electric slabs filled in between the space of the plates as shown in the figure.

Obtain the relation between the dielectric constants K, K1 and K2.(Comptt. All India
2013)
Answer:
(a) Potential at a point due to an electric dipole : Let us consider an electric dipole
consisting of two equal and opposite charges -q at A and +q at B, separated by a
distance 21 with centre at O. We have to calculate potential at a point P, whose polar
co-ordinates are (r, 0); i.e. OP = r and ∠BOP = θ, as shown in the figure.
Here AP = r1, and BP = r2, we can easily calculate potential as P due to point charges at
A and B using V = 14πε0qr.

Total potential at P due to both the charges of the dipole is given by

v = v1 + v2

To put this result in a more convenient form, we draw normals from A and B on the line
joining O and P. From ∆BOD, we note that OD = l cos θ and from ∆OAC we note that
OC = l cos θ. For a small dipole (AB << OP), from the figure, we can take PB = PD and
PA = PC.
Hence r1 = r + l cos θ,
Using these results in equation (1), we get
where we have neglected the term containing second power of l since l << r
In terms of dipole (p = q × 21), we can express this result as

This result shows that unlike the potential due to a point charge, the potential due to a
dipole is inversely proportional to the square r of the distance.
Let us now consider its special cases.
Special Cases
Case I : When point P lies on the axial line of the dipole on the side of positive charge,
θ = 0 and cos θ = 1
Then equation (ii) reduces to

Case II : When point P lies on the axial line of the dipole but on the side of negative
charge,
θ = 180° and cos θ = 1

Case III :When point P lies on the equatorial line of the dipole (perpendicular bisector of
AB), θ = 90° and cos θ = 0
Then Vequitorial = 0 … (i)
Thus, electric potential due to a dipole is zero at every point on the equatorial line of the
dipole.
In second case, these two apartments are in parallel, their net capacity would be the
sum of two individual capacitances
C2 = C’2 + C”2

Since these are identical capacitors, comparing (i) and (ii),

We have C1 = C2

89. (a) Explain, using suitable diagrams, the difference in the behaviour of a
(i) conductor and
(ii) dielectric in the presence of external electric field. Define the terms polarization of a
dielectric and write its relation with susceptibility.
(b) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a charge Q on its surface. A point
charge Q2 is placed at its centre C and another charge +2Q is placed outside the shell
at a distance x from the centre as shown in the figure.

Find
(i) the force on the charge at the centre of shell and at the point A,
(ii) the electric flux through the shell. (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(a) (i) Behaviour of conductor in an external electric field :

(ii) Behaviour of a dielectric in an external electrical field :

Explanation: In the presence of electric field, the free charge carriers in a conductor
move the charge distribution and the conductor readjusts itself so that the net Electric
field within the conductor becomes zero.
In a dielectric, the external electric field induces a net dipole moment, by stretching /
reorienting the molecules. The electric field, due to this induced dipole moment,
opposes, but does not exactly cancel the external electric field.

Polarisation: Induced Dipole moment, per unit volume, is called the polarisation. For
Linear isotropic dielectrics having a susceptibility xc, we have polarisation (p) as:
p = XcE
(b) (i) Net Force on the charge y, placed at the centre of the shell, is zero.
Force on charge ‘2Q’ kept at point A,

90. (i) If two similar large plates, each of area A having surface charge densities +a and
-a are separated by a distance d in air, find the expressions for
(a) field at points between the two plates and on outer side of the plates. Specify the
direction of the field in each case.
(b) the potential difference between the plates.
(c) the capacitance of the capacitor so formed.
(ii) Two metallic spheres of radii R and 2R are charged so that both of these have same
surface charge density a. If they are connected to each other with a conducting wire, in
which direction will the charge flow and why? (All India 2016)
Answer:
(i) Given :
From (i) and (ii), we know that V2R > VR
Hence, the bigger sphere will be at a higher potential, so charge will flow from bigger
sphere to smaller sphere.

91. (a) Obtain the expression for the potential due to a point charge.
(b) Use the above expression to show that the potential, due to an electric dipole (length
2a), varies as the ‘inverse square’ of the distance r of the ‘field point’ from the centre of
the dipole for r > a. (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
(a) Consider a point charge ‘Q’ kept at point O. Let P be the field point at distance r.
At some point p’, the electrostatic force on the unit positive charge is
92. (a) Define the SI unit of capacitance.
(b) Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
(c) Derive the expression for the affective capacitance of a series combination of n
capacitors. (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
(a) When a charge of one coulomb produces a potential difference of one volt between
the plates of capacitor, the capacitance is one farad.

(b)
Capacity of a parallel plate capacitor. A parallel plate capacitor consists of two large
plane parallel conducting plates separated by a small distance. We first take the
intervening medium between the plates to be vaccum. Let A be the area of each plate
and d the separation between them. The two plates have charges Q and – Q. Since d is
much smaller than the linear dimension of the plates (d2 << A), we can use the result on
electric field by an infinite plane sheet of uniform surface charge density. Plate 1 has
surface charge density σ = Q/A and Plate 2 has a surface charge density -σ, the electric
field in different region is:

In the inner region between the plates 1 and 2, the electric fields due to the two charged
plates add up, giving

The capacitance C of the parallel plate capacitor is then

(c) In series combination, charge on each capacitor is same.