GROUP 1 - QUESTION BANK

CLASS XII PHYSICS - ELECTROSTATICS

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (MCQ)
1 A glass rod rubbed with silk acquires a charge of +8 × 10 −12C. The number of electrons it has
gained or lost
(a) 5 × 10−7 (gained) (b) 5 × 107 (lost) (c) 2 × 10−8 (lost) (d) –8 × 10−12 (lost)
2 The electrostatic force between two point charges kept at a distance d apart, in a medium ε r = 6, is
0.3 N. The force between them at the same separation in vacuum is
(a) 20 N (b) 0.5 N (c) 1.8 N (d) 2 N
3 Electric field intensity is 400 V m −1 at a distance of 2 m from a point charge. It will be 100 V m −1 at
a distance?
(a) 50 cm (b) 4 cm (c) 4 m (d) 1.5 m
4 Two point charges +4q and +q are placed 30 cm apart. At what point on the line joining them the
electric field is zero?
(a) 15 cm from the charge q (b) 7.5 cm from the charge q (c) 20 cm from the charge 4q (d) 5 cm from
the charge q
5 A dipole is placed in a uniform electric field with its axis parallel to the field. It experiences
(a) only a net force (b) only a torque (c) both a net force and torque (d) neither a net force nor a
torque
6 If a point lies at a distance x from the midpoint of the dipole, the electric potential at this point is
proportional to

7 Four charges +q, +q, −q and –q respectively are placed at the corners A, B, C and D of a square of
side a. The electric potential at the centre O of the square is

8 Electric potential energy (U) of two point charges is

9 The work done in moving 500 µC charge between two points on equipotential surface is
(a) zero (b) finite positive (c) finite negative (d) infinite
10 Which of the following quantities is scalar?
(a) dipole moment (b) electric force (c) electric field (d) electric potential
11 The unit of permittivity is
(a) C2 N−1 m−2 (b) N m2 C−2 (c) H m−1 (d) N C−2 m−2
12 The electric potential at any point inside a charged hollow sphere
(a) increases with distance from centre b) is zero c) is a constant d) decreases with distance from
centre
13 The electric field outside the plates of two oppositely charged plane sheets of charge density σ is
14 The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor increases from 5 µf to 60 µf when a dielectric is filled
between the plates. The dielectric constant of the dielectric is
(a) 65 (b) 55 (c) 12 (d) 10
15 A hollow metal ball carrying an electric charge produces no electric field at points
(a) outside the sphere (b) on its surface
(c) inside the sphere (d) at a distance more than twice

16. Two identical point charges of magnitude –q are fixed as shown in the figure below. A third
charge +q is placed midway between the two charges at the point P. Suppose this charge +q is
displaced a small distance from the point P in the directions indicated by the arrows, in which
direction(s) will +q be stable with respect to the displacement?

(a) A1 and A2 (b) B1 and B2 (c) both directions (d) No stable

17. Which charge configuration produces a uniform electric field?

(a) point Charge (b) infinite uniform line charge (c) uniformly charged infinite plane (d) uniformly
charged spherical shell

18. What is the ratio of the charges for the following electric field line pattern?

19. An electric dipole is placed at an alignment angle of 30 o with an electric field of 2 × 105 N C-1. It
experiences a torque equal to 8 N m. The charge on the dipole if the dipole length is 1 cm is
(a) 4 mC (b) 8 mC (c) 5 mC (d) 7 mC
20. Four Gaussian surfaces are given below with charges inside each Gaussian surface. Rank the
electric flux through each Gaussian surface in increasing order.
(a) D < C < B < A (b) A < B = C < D (c) C < A = B < D (d) D > C > B > A

21. The total electric flux for the following closed surface which is kept inside water

22. Two identical conducting balls having positive charges q1 and q2 are separated by a center to
center distance r. If they are made to touch each other and then separated to the same distance, the
force between them will be
(a) less than before (b) same as before (c) more than before (d) zero
23. Rank the electrostatic potential energies for the given system of charges in increasing order.

(a) 1 = 4 < 2 < 3 (b) 2 = 4 < 3 < 1 (c) 2 = 3 < 1 < 4 (d) 3 < 1 < 2 < 4
24. An electric field exists in a certain region of space. Then the potential difference
V = Vo – VA, where Vo is the potential at the origin and VA is the potential at x = 2 m is:
(a) 10 J (b) – 20 J (c) +20 J (d) -10J
25. A thin conducting spherical shell of radius R has a charge Q which is uniformly distributed on its
surface. The correct plot for electrostatic potential due to this spherical shell is

26. Two points A and B are maintained at a potential of 7 V and -4 V respectively. The work done in
moving 50 electrons from A to B is
(a) 8.80 × 10-17 J (b) -8.80 × 10-17 J (c) 4.40 × 10-17 J (d) 5.80 × 10-17 J
27. If voltage applied on a capacitor is increased from V to 2V, choose the correct conclusion.
(a) Q remains the same, C is doubled (b) Q is doubled, C doubled (c) C remains same, Q doubled
(d) Both Q and C remain same
28. A parallel plate capacitor stores a charge Q at a voltage V. Suppose the area of the parallel plate
capacitor and the distance between the plates are each doubled then which is the quantity that
will change?
(a) Capacitance (b) Charge (c) Voltage (d) Energy density
29. Three capacitors are connected in triangle as shown in the figure. The equivalent capacitance
between the points A and C is

(a) 1µF (b) 2 µF (c) 3 µF (d) 1/4µF

30. Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 3 cm are given charges of -1 x 10 -2 C and 5 x 10-2 C
respectively. If these are connected by a conducting wire, the final charge on the bigger sphere is
(a) 3 × 10-2 C (b) 4 × 10-2 C (c) 1 × 10-2 C (d) 2 × 10-2 C
Answers:

1) b 2) c 3) b 4) c 5) d 6) c 7) d 8) b 9) a 10) d 11) a 12) c 13) d 14) c 15) c

16) b 17) c 18) d 19) b 20) a 21) b 22) c 23) a 24) b 25) b 26) a 27) c 28) d 29) b 30) a

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS ( 2 MARKS)

Q1.Two charges Q1 and Q2 are separated by distance d. Under what conditions will the electric field
be zero on the line joining them (i) between the charges (ii) outside the charge?
Ans: (i)When Q1 and Q2 both are having same sign.
(ii) When Q1 and Q2 both are having different sign.

Q2. An electric field line cannot have sudden makes and breaks .Explain Why?
Ans: An electric field line is pictorial representation of the electric field. If a field line has a
sudden break, it would indicate the absence of electric field in that region. Therefore, an electric field
line cannot have sudden breaks.

Q3. What is the magnitude of an electric field intensity that will balance the weight of an electron?
(Given : e =1.6 x 10-19 C, m =9x 10-31kg.
Ans:Force on electron due to electric field balances the weight of electron. That is
eE=mgor E=mg/e= 9.1x10-31x9.8/1.6x10-19 =5.6x10-11N/C
This field acts in the upward direction.
Q4. Show that there is always a loss of energy when two charged conductors having different
capacities and different potentials are joined?
Ans: Let us consider two capacitor of capacitance C1&C2 and potential V1&V2 respectively.
Electrostatic potential energy of two capacitors before sharing
U = 1/2 C1 V12 + 1/2 C2 V22
Electrostatic potential energy of two capacitors after sharing
UI =1/2 C1 V2 + 1/2 C2 V2 V=common potential
V=(C1V1+ C2 V2 )/( C1 + C2 )
UI = 1/2 ( C1 + C2 )[ (C1V1+ C2 V2 )/( ( C1 + C2 )]2
On sharing of charge , change in energy , ∆U=U- UI= C1 C2(V1- V2)2/2( C1 + C2)
On solving , Since U- UI > 0 , U > UI
Hence ∆U is positive. It means there is a loss of energy
Q5. Two concentric metallic spherical shells of radius r and R (R>r) are given charges qand Q
respectively. Show that the inner shell will always be at higher potential
Ans:

V inner=k (q/r +Q/R) (1)

V outer = k (q/R+Q/R) (2)
Since R >r , hence V inner> V outer

Q6. What is meant by dielectric polarisation? Why does the electric field inside a dielectric decrease
when it in placed in an external electric field?
Ans: Polarisation of a dielectric is the process of inducing equal & opposite charges on the two
opposite faces of the dielectric on the application of electric field.
In an external electric field the field inside the dielectric decreases due to formation of polarized field
inside the dielectric in the direction on opposite to the external electric fieldE net= EO-EP.

Q7.A point charge 2 micro coulomb is at the centre of a cubic Gaussian surface 9cm on edge.What is
the net electric flux through the square?
Ans:Using Gausses theorem ɸ=q/ε0

Q8. Two charges 2µC and -2µC are placed at points A and B , 6cm apart.
a) Identify an equipotential surface of the system
b) What is the direction of electric field at every point on this surface?
Ans: a)The equpotential surface is the plane perpendicular to the line AB joining the two charges and
passing through the mid point.On this plane potential is zero everywhere.
b).From A to B.

Q9.A 12pf capacitor is connected to 50 V battery.How much electrostatic energy is stored in the
capacitor.
Hint: E=1/2CV2

Q10.Show that the net electric field inside a charged conductor is zero.
Hint:As the net induced field inside the conductor is equal and opposite to the applied field.

Q11.Give possible reason why water has a much greater dielectric constant (80) than say Mica(=6).
Ans:A waer molecule has permanent dipole moment so its dielectric constant is high.Mica does not
have polar molecules.

Q12.Two large conducting spheres Q1 and Q2 are brought close to each other.Is the magnitude of
electrostatic force between them exactly given by Q1.Q2/4Πεr2.Where r is the distance beween their
centre.
Ans: No, because the distribution of charge on he conducting spheres emains on their surface only so
it can not be uniform.Culomb law is valid only for point charges.

Q13. A point charge is placed at the centre of spherical Gaussian surface. How will electric flux Ф E
change if i)The sphere is replaced by a cube of different volume.
ii) The original charge is replaced by an electric dipole.
Hint:i) No change ii) Zero
Q14.Two point charges q1=+0.2 C and q2= +0.4 C are placed 0.1 m apart. Calculate the electric field
at the midpoint between the charges.
Hint:Let O be the midpoint.
E1=kq1 /r12 =7.2 x 1011 N/C
E2=14.4 X 1011 N/C
Net electric field at O = E2-E1 =7.2 X 1011 along B
Q15. A point charge q is placed at O, as shown in the fig. Is VA – VB positive, negative or zero, if q is
[i] positive [ii] negative charge?

Q
O A B
Hint: i) If q is positive, VA-VB is positive
ii) If q is negative, VA-VB is negative
Q16. The sum of two point charge is 7×10-6C .They repel each other with a force of 1N when kept
30cm apart in free space. Calculate the value of each charge.
Sol. F=K q1q2/r2
=>q1q2=10×10-12
=>q1(7-q1)=10
q1=5µC or 2µC.
q2=2µC OR 5µC
Q17. Define electric flux. Write it’s SI unit . A charge q is enclosed by a spherical surface of radius
R.If the radius is reduced to half,how would the electric flux through the surface change?
Sol. Defination and SI unit of electric flux
Flux will remain unchanged if the radius is reduced to half.
Q18. A regular hexagon of side 10cm has a charge 5 micro coulomb at each of its verticies.Calculate
the potential at the centre of hexagon.
Ans: V=6X kq1 /r1=2.7x106V
Q19.Four point charges qA=2µC ,qB=-5µC,qC=-2µC and qD=-5µC are located at the coners of a square
ABCD of side 10cm.What is the force on a charge of 1µC placed at the centre of the square?
Ans: Zero
Q20.An infinite line charge produces afield of 9x104N/C a a distance of 2cm.Calculate linear charge
density.
Hint: Use the formula:E=λ/2Πε0r
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS( 3 Marks)
1.why is the electric field inside a hollow sphere is zero? eventhough we consider gaussian surface
where Q=0 won`t the charge on the surface of hollow sphere cause electric field inside hollow
sphere? why??
2.Why field inside a unifomly charged thin spherical is zero
3.Why does the charge inside the closed surface of a gaussian surface contribute to electric flux. Why
doesnt it pass through as in the case of electric flux due to a charge that is situated outside?

4.Using Gauss's law obtain the expression for the electric field due to a uniformly charged thin
spherical shell of radius R a point outside the shell. Draw a graph showing the variation of electric
field with r, for r > R and r < R.

5.Derive the expression for electric field intensity due to a uniformly charged thin spherical shell

6.Prove that total electric flux over the closed surface S in vacuum is 1/ε0 times the total charge (Q)
contained inside S.
7.A hollow conducting sphere of radius 10 cm is given a charge of 20 μC. What is the electric field
intensity? a. At the centre of the sphere, and b. On the outer surface of the sphere?
8.Draw a graph showing variation of electric field intensity E with distance from the centre of a
uniformly charged spherical shell.
9.Why gauss law is valid only when coulombs law obeys inverse square law?
10.A uniform electric field of magnitude E = 100 N/C exists in the space in X-direction. Using the
Gauss theorem calculate the flux of this field through a plane square area of edge 10 cm placed in the
Y-Z plane. Take the normal along the positive X-axis to be positive.
11.A large plane charge sheet having surface charge density σ = 2.0 × 10-6 C-m-2 lies in the X-Y
plane. Find the flux of the electric field through a circular area of radius 1 cm lying completely in the
region where x, y, z are all positive and with its normal making an angle of 600 with the Z-axis
12.A charge of 4×10-8 C is distributed uniformly on the surface of a sphere of radius 1 cm. It is
covered by a concentric, hollow conducting sphere of radius 5 cm
13.The figure shows three concentric thin spherical shells A, B and C of radii a, b, and c respectively.
The shells A and C are given charges q and -q respectively and the shell B is earthed. Find the
charges appearing on the surfaces of B and C
14.Two conducting plates A and B are placed parallel to each other. A is given a charge Q1 and B a
charge Q2. Find the distribution of charges on the four surfaces
15.A point charge c is placed in a metal block having a cavity. If the charge C is kept or brought
outside the metal, will charge c experience any electric force?
16.A nonconducting material is used to make a circular ring of radius r and is placed with its axis
parallel to a uniform electric field. The ring is then rotated about a diameter through 180°. What will
happen to the flux of the electric field? Will it increase or decrease?
17.There is no net charge in a metallic particle which is placed beside a finite metal plate having a
positive charge. State where the electric force will be present on the particle?
18.What is the angle between the electric field vectors at points A and B because of an infinitely long
line charge
19.Find the potential due to a charged ring of density 2 units with radius 2m and the point at which
potential is measured is at a distance of 1m from the ring
20.What happens when an electric dipole is kept at the centre of a sphere.The electric field is not zero
anywhere on the sphere.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS ( 5 MARKS)
1.Define electric flux. Write its S.I. unit. State and explain Gauss’s law. Find out the outward flux due
to a point charge + q placed at the centre of a cube of side ‘a’. Why is it found to be independent of
the size and shape of the surface enclosing it ? Explain.
2. State the theorem which relates the enclosed charge, inside a closed surface, with the electric flux
through it. Use this theorem to obtain the electric field due to a uniformly charged thin spherical shell
at an (i) outside point (ii) inside point.
3. State Gauss’s theorem in electrostatics. Using this theorem, derive an expression for the electric
field intensity due to a charged metallic spherical shell. Write the special cases. Draw the graph
showing the variation of the field with distance from the centre of the conductor.
4. Define Capacity. Name the factors on which the capacity of a parallel plate capacitor depends.
Derive the expression for the capacity of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric slab between the
plates. A parallel plate capacitor has a capacity of 100 μF with air in between the plates. What
happens to the capacity when the plates are introduced in a medium of dielectric constant 80 without
changing the plate separation?
5. Explain the effect of introducing a dielectric slab between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor on
its capacitance. Derive an expression for its capacitance with a dielectric as the medium between the
plates.
6. Show mathematically that the electric field intensity due to a short dipole at a distance `d’ along its
axis is twice the intensity at the same distance along the equatorial axis.
7.Derive the expression for ‘Energy Density’ in a parallel plate capacitor.
8.State Gauss’ Theorem in electrostatics? Using this theorem define an expression for the field
intensity due to an infinite plane sheet of charge density σ C/m2 ?
9. (a) What is equipotential surface? Show that electric field is always perpendicular to the
equipotential surface.
(b)Draw equipotential surfaces for an isolated point charge

(c) Show that work done in carrying electric charge on an equipotential surface is zero.
10. (a) Define 'electric line of force' and give its two important properties.
(b) Sketch electric lines of force due to (i) isolated positive change (ie q>0) and (ii) isolated
negative charge ( ie q<0)
11.(a) An electric dipole is held at an angle θ with a uniform electric field. What is the torque acting
on it? Explain what happens to the dipole on being released.
(b) Find the work done in rotating an electric dipole from stable equilibrium to unstable equilibrium
position.
12. (a) Two identical point charges `Q’ are kept at a distance `r’ from each other. A third point charge
is placed on the line joining the two charges such that all the three charges are in equilibrium. What is
the magnitude, sign and position of the third charge?
(b)A conducting stab of thickness ‘t’ is introduced without touching between the plates of a parallel
plate capacitor separated by a distance d (t<d). Derive an expression for the capacitance of a
capacitor?
13. (a)Three hollow concentric spheres A, B and C having radii a, b and c respectively (a<b<c) have
uniform surface charge densities +σ, -σ and +σ respectively. Compute the electric potential at the
surface of the spheres.
(b)P&Q are two conducting spheres of the same radii, P being solid and Q hollow. Both are charged
to the same potential. What will be the relation between the charges on the two spheres?
14. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in a uniform electric field E. Write the expression
for the potential energy of the dipole in the field. Show diagrammatically the orientation of the dipole
in the field for which the potential energy is - (i) minimum (ii) maximum (iii) Half the maximum (iv)
Zero
15. (a) Derive the expression for the potential due to a dipole. Find the ratio of potential along the
equatorial and axial line of a dipole.
(b)Derive an expression for the potential energy of a system of two electric charges in an external
electric field.
NUMERICALS
 LEVEL1
1.Two point charges of 2.0 x 10-7 C and 1.0 x 10-7C are 1.0m apart. What is the magnitude of the field
produced by either charge at the site of other?
Ans: Given q1 = 2.0 x 10-7C, q2 = 2.0 x 10-7C, r = 1m, k = 9 x109, E =?

E= , E = 1.8 x 10-7NC-1.
2. A charge of 6µF is placed at the centre of a cube what would be the flux through one face?
Ans.: Given q = 6 x 10-6F, Electric flux =?

Electric flux = , electric flux = = = 1.129 x105 NC-1m-2.

3. A conducting sphere of radius 10cm has an unknown charge. If the electric field 20cm from the
centre of the sphere is 1.5 x 103 NC-1 and radially inward, what is the net charge on the sphere.
Ans: Given r = 20 cm, E = 1.5 x 103 NC-1, q =?

E= ,q= = 6.67 x 10-9C

4.What distance must separate two charges of + 5.6×10-4C and -6.3×10-4 C in order to have an electric
potential energy with a magnitude of 5.0 J in the system of the two charges?
Ans.: Given q1 = + 5.6×10-4C, q2 = -6.3×10-4 C, k = 9.00×109, U = 5 J, r=?

Electric potential energy, U = ,r=

r = 6.35×102 m.
5.Two charges +3.2×10−19C and −3.2×10−19C kept 2.4 Å apart forms a dipole. If it is kept in uniform
electric field of intensity 4×105volt/m then what will be its electrical energy in equilibrium?
Ans.: Given q = 3.2×10−19C, 2a = 2.4 x10-10, E = 4×105volt/m, θ = 00, U=?
Potential energy of electric dipole U=−PEcosθ =− (q×2l)Ecosθ
U=−(3.2×10−19×2.4×10−10)4×105cosθ U=−3×10−23 J.
6.An electric dipole consisting of two opposite charges of 2×10−6C each separated by a distance of
3cm is placed in an electric field of 2×105 N/C. Calculate the maximum torque on the dipole.
Ans.: Given, q = 2×10−6C, 2a = 3cm, E = 2×105 N/C, torque =?
Maximum torque = PE = 2aqE = 2×106×3×102×2×105= 12×103Nm.
7. A charge of 24 µC is given to a hollow metallic sphere of radius 0.2 m. Find the potential at the
surface of sphere.
Ans: Given q = 24 x10-6C, r = 0.2m, V=?

V= ,V =1.08 x 10-6V.
8. Three capacitors each of capacitance 9pF are connected in series. What is the total capacitance of
the combination?
Ans: Given C1 = 9 PF, C2 = 9pF, C3 = 9pF, Cs=?
 ,

Then Cs = 3pF
9. A 12pF capacitor is connected to a 50V battery. How much electrostatic energy is stored in the
capacitor?
Ans: Given C = 12pF, V =50V, U=?

U= , U= , U = 1.5 x 10-8J
10. An air capacitor is given a charge 2µC raising its potential to 200V. If on inserting a dielectric
medium, its potential falls to 50V, what is the dielectric constant of the medium?
Ans: Given q = 2µC, V1 = 200V, V2 = 50V, K = ?

K= , K= , K= 4

Level – 2
1.Calculate the electric field strength required to just support a water drop of mass 10 -7kg and having
a charge 1.6x 10-19C.
Ans.: Given m = 10-7kg, q = 1.6x 10-19C, E=?
Let E be the strength of the electric field required to just support the water drop. Then force on water
drop due to electric field = weight of water drop
qE = mg
E = mg/q

E= = 6.125 x 10-12NC-1
2.Two point charges of 3 x10 -8C and -2 x10 -8 Care placed 15 cm apart in air. At what point on the
line joining the two charge is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
Ans. Given, q1 = 3 x10 -8C, q2 = -2 x10 -8C, r = 15 cm, x=?
Let O be the point, where the electric potential is zero due to the two charges (fig.)

Suppose that the distance AO = x and OB = 15-x

Electric potential at point O due q1

V1 = = =
Electric potential at point O due q2

V2 = = =
 Since the electric potential at point O is zero, we have

V1 + V2 = 0, =
x = 9cm from q1
Q. 3Determine the electrostatic potential energy of a system consisting of two charges 7 µC and -2
µC ( and with no external field ) placed at (-9cm, 0, 0) and (9cm, 0, 0) respectively. And how much
work is required to separate the two charges infinitely away from each other.
Ans: r = 0.9 + 0.9 = 0.18m, work=?

U= ,

U= = - 0.7J
Work = U2- U1 = 0 – (-0.7) =0.7J
4. A charge of 17.7 x10-4C is distributed uniformly over a large sheet of area 200m2. Calculate the
electric field intensity at a distance of 20cm from it.
Ans: Surface charge density of the sheet

σ= = = 8.85 x 10 -6 Cm-2
Electric field at a distance of 20cm from it in air,

E= = = 10-6 NC-1
5. An electron and proton in an atom are bound at a distance of 53pm. Find the potential energy of the
system. If the zero of potential energy is shifted to 106 x 10-12 m separation. Find the potential energy
of system.
Ans: Given, q1 = - 1.6 x 10-19C, q2 = 1.6 x 10-19C, r1 = 53 x 10-12 m, r2 = 106 x 10-12 m, U=?

U1 = , U1 = -27.17 eV,

U2= , U2 = -13-.588eV.
if -13.588 is taken as zero of potential energy, then P. E. of the system is
U = U2-U1 = -13.582eV.
Q. 6 Two capacitor of capacitances 5µF and 10µFare charge to 16V respectively. What is the
common potential when they are connected in parallel?
Ans: Given C1 = 5 x 10-6, C2 = 10 x 10-6, V1 = 16V, V2 =13V
Charge on the capacitor C1, q1 = C1V1= 5 x 10-6 x16 = 80 x 10-6 C
Charge on the capacitor C2, q2 =C1V2= 10 x 10-6 x13 = 130 x 10-6 C

V= = = 14V
Q. 7 There capacitor C1, C2 and C3 of capacitance 3µF, 2µF and 5µF respectively are connected as
shown in fig. find the equivalent capacitor of the combination between point X and Y.

Ans: The given circuit is like below fig.

Given C1 = 3µF, C2 = 2µF, C3 =5µF

So C1, C2 and C3 are in parallel, so that equivalent capacitance between X and Y

Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 = 3 +2 +5 = 10µF
Q8. A 800 pF capacitor is charged by a 100V battery. After sometime, the battery is disconnected.
The capacitor is then connected to another 800pF capacitor. What is the electrostatic energy stored.
Ans: Given C1 = 800 x 10-12, 800 x 10-12, V1 = 100V, C2= 800 x 10-12C, V2 = 0, U=?

V= = = 50V

Electric energy (U) = = = 2 x 10-6 J.

Q9. What is the area of the plate of a 2F parallel plate air capacitor given that the separation between
the plates.

Ans: Given C = 2F, d = 0.5 x 10-3, = 8.85 x 10-12 C2N-1m-2, A=?

C= , A= = = 1.13 x 109m2.
10. Three capacitor of 1µF, 2µF and 3µF are joined in series. How many times will the capacity
become when they are joined in parallel.
Ans: Given C1 = 1µF, C2 = 2µF, C3 = 3µF
When connected in series

= , =
When connected in parallel
Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 = 1 +2+3 = 6

= 11
 Cp =11

LEVEL 3
1. Two capacitors are once connected in parallel and then in series, if the equivalent capacity in
two cases are 16 farad and 3 farad respectively. Then calculate the capacity of each
capacitor(ans 12F and 4F).

Hint- C1+C2=16, =3

2. Two capacitors of unknown capacitances C1 and C2 are connected first in series and then in
parallel across a battery of 100V. if the energy stored in the two combination is 0.045 J and
0.25 J respectively. Determine the value of C1 and C2 (ans-C1=38.2F and C2=11.8F) .

Hint- ½ (C1+C2)*(100)2 = 0.045

½ (C1+C2)*(100)2 = 0.25

3. 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.

Hint- common potential V=

= = =

4. In a parallel platecapacitor with air between the plates ,each plate has an area of 5*10 -3 m2 and
the separation between the plates is 2.5mm.
I) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
II) If this two capacitor is connected to 100V supply what would be the charge in each plate
(ans 17.7 10-12 F,17.7 *10-10C).

5. A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance of 8PF. What will be
the capacitance if the distance between the plates is reduced by half, and the space between
them is filled with a substance of dielectric constant 6 .
Hint-NCERT numerical
6. A 600PF capacitor is charged by a 200V supply. It is then disconnected from the supply and is
connected to another uncharged 600PF capacitor. How much electrostatic energy is lost in the
process.
Hint-NCERT numerical

7. Two plates of a parallel plate capacitor have 4mm distance between them. A slab of dielectric
constant 3 and thickness 3mm is introduced between the plates with its faces parallel to them.
 The distance between the plates is so adjusted that the capacitance becomes 2/3 rd of its
original value. What is the new distance between the plates.(ans-8mm).

8. Calculate the equivalent capacity in the given figure across M & N.

(Ans. 6F)

Hint-top two capacitors are in series, their equivalent capacitance is =2F

Now 2F and 4F are in parallel

9. Calculate the equivalent capacity in the given figure across

i)M & N
ii)M & B
(Ans (a)6F (b)8F)

10. Calculate the equivalent capacity in the given figure …….across the point.
i)M & N
ii)M & C
(Ans. i) 12F ii) 12F)
Hint- Capacitance between MD and DC are in series

Their equivalent capacitance C1= = 4F

Equivalent capacitance across MC= = 4F

Therefore C2=4F
Now C1 and C2 are in parallel so its equivalent capacitance C3=C1+C2=8F
Now c3+8F are in series

Therefore C4= =4F

Therefore equivalent capacitance across MN =(4+8) F
=12F

11. Calculate the equivalent capacity between points M & N.

(Ans.5C/3)

12. In the given figure calculate the capacity between the

points A and C.
(Ans.4F)
Hint- in this case capacitance across AB and BC are in series
similarly across AD and DC are in series Finally they are in parallel.
13.In the given figure calculate the equivalent capacity
Between the points M and N.
(Ans 16F)

14. Calculate the equivalent capacity between the points M

And N.
(Ans 12F)
15. Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the infinite chain between the points M and N.
(Ans. 1F)

Let the total capacity of the infinite chain is C. Since the chain is infinitely long hence the total
capacity to the right of the first chain can also be assumed to be equal to C.
Therefore the above figure can be redrawn as shown.

From this figure we have,

C ,
C2+C-2=0 or (C+2)(C-2)=0
C=1F

16. In the figure shown calculate the potential difference across the capacitor C2 if C1=20F; C2=30F;
C3=15F and the potential of point A is 90V.
(Ans.20V)
Since the condensers are in series hence,

or C F
Therefore, charge q=CV=(20/3)*90=600 coulomb.

Hence, P.D across the condenser C2,V2 = = 20V

17. In the given figure calculate the equivalent capacity between M and N.
(Ans.2.4F)
Hint: total capacity

C= = 2.4F

18. Obtain an expression for the capacitance of the capacitor shown.

Ans. 30A/ 2d
19. Calculate the equivalent capacity between the points M & N.

(ans 5C/3)
In the above figure A and C are points of common potential but N and B are at different potential.
Hence the above figure can be redrawn as follows. Therefore total capacity

+C=
21. 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
1)Magnitude of the electric field
2)Potential energy of the dipole, if the dipole has charges of ±8nC
( ans- 1)2.5*1010 N/C) 2)-4J)
Hint-  = (q.2a)E Sin
PE= -PEcos = -(q.2a) Ecos

22 .Twenty seven spherical drops of radius 3mm and carrying 10-12 C of charge are combined to form
a single drop. Find the capacitance and potential of the bigger drop.
( ans-1pF,27V)

23. ABCD is a square of side 5m charges of 50 C, -50 C and 50C are placed at A,C, and D
respectively. Find the resultant electric field at B.
( ans 2.7*1010 N/C)

24. The sum of two point charges is 7C they repel each other with a force of 1N when kept 30cm
apart in free space. Calculate the value of each charge.
( ans-2C,5C)
Hint- q1+q2 = 7*10-7 C ,
r = 30cm =30*10-2m
q2 = (7*10-7-q1)
1N = 9*109.q1*(7*10-7-q1)/(30 * 10-2)2
25. Two point charges 4C and +1C are separated by a dielectric of 2m in air. Find the point on the
line joining charges at which the net electric field of the system is zero.
(ans - x=4/3 m)

Hint- k*4/x2=k.1/(2-x)2
26. Consider a uniform electric field E=3*10 i N/C. calculate the flux of this field through a square
surface of area 10cm when
1)its plane is parallel to the y-z plane
2)the normal to its plane makes a 60 angle with x axis
1) flux=E.S
2)flux=E.S cos 60

HOTS
1) A metal plate is introduced between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor. What is the
effect on the capacitance of the capacitor?
The introduction of a metal plate of thickness ‘t’ in a parallel plate capacitor increases its capacitance
by a factor of , where ‘d’ is the plate separation of the capacitor.

2) Show that equipotential surfaces are close together in the regions of strong field and far apart in
regions of weak field.

For the same value of ‘dV’,

. Here ‘dr’ represents the distance between the equipotential surfaces.

3) N drops of the same size coalesce to form a bigger drop. How will the potential on the bigger drop
vary with respect to the single drop?
Ans:
Volume of the big drop = N X volume of a small drop.

4) A capacitor is made of a flat plate of area A and second plate having a stair like structure as shown
in figure below. If width of each stair is A/3 and height is ‘d’, find capacitance of the arrangement.
Ans: , , ,

5) Two isolated metal spheres A and B have radii R and 2R respectively and same charge ‘q’. Find
which of the two spheres have greater ( i ) capacitance ( ii ) energy density just outside the surface of
the spheres.
Ans : ( i ) ,

( ii ) , , ,

6) Given two parallel conducting plates of area A and charge densities + σ & -σ. A dielectric slab of
constant K and a conducting slab of thickness ‘d’ each are inserted in between them as shown. Find
the potential difference between the plates.

Ans :

7) How many electrons must be added to one plate and removed from the other so as to store 25J of
energy in a 5nF parallel plate capacitor?
Ans:

8) 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 2d/3, 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?
Ans:
9) Two charged spherical conductors of radii R1 and R2 when connected by conducting wire acquire
charges q1 and q2 respectively. Find the ratio of their charge densities in terms of their radii.
Ans: when connected by a wire, they share charges till they attain a common potential.

10) A dielectric material is inserted in half portion between the plates of a capacitor touching both the
plates. If the initial capacitance is ‘C’, what is the new capacitance?

11) A hollow conductor has a tiny hole cut into its surface. Show that the electric field in the hole is
σ/2ε0. Where σ is the surface charge density. Ans. First consider conductor with hole filled up and
point P is just outside the conductor and Q is just inside the conductor.

Let the electric field at P is due to filled up hole(E1) and rest of the charged conductor(E2) is
=E1+E2= σ/ε0. And electric field at Q is = E1-E2=0
So E2= σ/2ε0.
12) A charge Q sits at the back corner of a cube. What is the flux of electric field through the shaded
surface?
Ans. Net flux through is (Q/8)/ ε0 because the contribution of charge placed at the corner is 1/8 th of
total charge but three face joining this charge are parallel to this charge so flux through them will be
zero so only remaining three faces perpendicular to it will pass the flus so flux through one face=Q/24
ε0.
13) Plot a graph showing the variation of coulomb force F versus 1/r 2 , where r is the distance
between the two charges of each pair of charges (1µC, 2µC) and (2µC , -3µC).

14) A charge q is placed at the center of the line joining two equal charges Q. Show that the system of
three charges will be in equilibrium if q=-Q/4.
Ans. For equilibrium of charge Q at B;
FCB + FAB=0

qQ/(l/2)2+ qQ/(l)2=0
q=-Q/4
15) A metallic spherical shell has an inner radius R 1 and outer radius R2. A charge Q is placed at the
center of the spherical cavity. What will be the surface charge density on (i) the inner surface, and
(ii) the outer surface.?
Ans. When a charge +Q is placed at the center of spherical cavity, the charge induced on the inner
surface is –Q and outer surface is +Q so the surface charge density on inner surface is = -Q/4πR12
and on outer surface is +Q/4πR22.
16) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a charge Q on its surface. A point charge Q/2 is
placed at the centre ‘C’ and another charge +2Q is placed outside the shell at A at a distance X from
the centre as shown in figure:
(i) Find the electric flux through the shell.
(ii) Find the force on the charge C of the shell and at the point A.

Ans.(i) Electric flux through the shell ф = (Q+Q/2)/ ε0

(ii) Force at C is zero and force at A = (3Q/2)x(2Q)/X2

17) Consider three charged bodies P,Q and R. If P and Q repel each other and P attracts R, what is the
nature of force between Q and R.?
Ans. Attractive because Q and R carry opposite charges.
18) Can ever the whole excess charge of a body P be transferred to the other Q.? If yes , how and if
not, why?
Ans, Yes , the whole charge of the body P can be transferred to a conducting body Q., when P is
enclosed by Q and is connected to it. This is because charge always resides on the surface of the
conductor.
19) Ordinary rubber is an insulator. But the special rubber tyres of aircrafts are made of slightly
conducting. Why.?
Ans. During landing or take off , the tyres of aircraft get charged due to friction between tyres and the
ground. In case the tyres are slightly conducting, the charge developed on the tyres will not stay on
them and it finds its way to the earth.
20) Two identical metallic spheres , having unequal opposite charges are placed at a distance of 0.5m
apart in air. After bringing them in contact with each other they are again placed at the same distance
apart. Now the force of repulsion between them is 0.108 N. Calculate the final charge on each of
them.
Ans. When identical spheres comes in contact then let us suppose that charge on both of them
becomes equal to q then force between them is

F=( )qxq/r2
q2= (0.108x(0.5)2)/(9x109)
q = 1.732µC