Chapter: 2 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Q.1, How does the electrostatic potential remain uniform within a conductor's volume and maintain equivalence to its value on the surface? Ans. Within a conductor, charges redistribute themselves to achieve equilibrium. Ina conductive material, electrons move freely, rearranging until the electric field inside becomes zero. This rearrangement ensures the electrostatic potential remains uniform within the conductor's volume. At equilibrium, excess charge congregates on the surface due to repulsion, creating a uniform potential throughout the volume, equating the potential at any point within the conductor to the potential at its surface, maintaining electrostatic equilibrium Q.2. What defines an equipotential surface? What are some characteristics associated with i Ans. An equipotential surface is where every point shares the same electric potential in a given field, meaning no work is done moving charges within it. Equipotential surfaces illustrate the nature of the electric field, aiding in visualizing field patterns around charges or in a uniform field. They help define regions of equal potential in analyzing and understanding electric fields and their behavior. Characteristics of equipotential surface are: © Perpendicularity to electric field lines © Uniform potential across the surface ¢ No net flow of charge within the surface Q.3 A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The charge stored in it is 360 1C. When the potential is reduced by 120V, the charge stored in it becomes 120 uC. Calculate the potential V and capacitance C. Ans. Given, Q = CV = 360 UC. ....cssssali) On reducing the voltage by 120V, Q’=C (V-120) = 120 pC ..........(ii) On solving eqn(i) & (ii) ; V= 180V Then unknown capacitance, C = QNV = 2 uF Q.4. What is the amount of work done in moving a point charge Q around a circular arc of radius 'r' at the center of which another point charge 'q’ is located?Q.5 Define the SI unit of capacitance. Ans. The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F), denoting the ability of a capacitor to. store an electric charge per unit of voltage applied across it. Another way to put it: The farad (F) is the standard unit of capacitance in the International System of Units, representing the capacity of a capacitor to hold electric charge relative to the applied voltage. Q.6. Two capacitors have a capacitance of 5yF when connected in parallel and 1.2HF when connected in series. Calculate their capacitances. Ans. 5 = C1 +02 (1st equation) 1.2=C102/(C1 + C2)........(2nd equation) On solving we get C1 = 2mF and 3mF. Q.7. Two identical parallel plate (air) capacitors C1 and C2 have capacitances C each. The space between their plates is now filled with dielectrics as shown. If the two capacitors still have equal capacitance, obtain the relation between dielectric constants K, K1 and K2.Let A > area of each plate i) Q.8. Define potential energy of a system of two charges. Ans. The potential energy of a system of two charges is the amount of work done in assembling the charges at their locations by bringing them in, from infinity. Q.9. (a) While regular rubber is an insulator, why are specialized aircraft tires made slightly conductive? What's the purpose behind this modification? (b) A comb run through one's dry hair attracts small bits of paper. Why? Ans. (a) To enable them to conduct charge produced by friction to the ground. (b) This is because the comb gets charged by friction