CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS WORKSHEET

ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE

1. Can electrostatic potential at a point be zero, when electric field at that point is not
zero? Conversely can electric field be zero at point but electrostatic potential is not
zero?
2. Can there be a potential difference between two neighbouring conductors carrying
equal positive charges?
3. In figure, charge +Q is placed at the centre of a dashed circle. Work done in taking
another charge +q from A to B is W 1 and from B to C is W2. Which one of the following
is correct: W1 > W2, W1 = W2 and W1 < W2?

4. Does the charge given to a metallic sphere depend on whether it is hollow or solid?
Give reason for your answer.
5. What is the justification of choosing the earth as the zero potential in practice?
6. Can we take the potential of earth as +100 V? What effect would such assumption
have on the measured values of (a) potentials at various positions, and (b) potential
difference between two given points?
7. What happens if the plates of a charged capacitor are suddenly connected by a
conducting wire?
8. Is there any kind of material which when placed between the plates of a capacitor
reduces its capacitance?
9. n identical capacitors are joined in series and the combination is given a potential
difference V. If these capacitors be disconnected and joined in parallel, what potential
difference will be obtained across the combination?
10. Figure shows lines of constant potential in a region in which electric field exists. The
values of the potentials are indicated. Out of the points A, B and C, which will be of
greatest electric field strength? Give reason.
11. 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. (i) Calculate the potential difference
between A and C. (ii) At which point (of the two) is the electric potential more and
why?

12. Figure shows some equipotential surfaces. What can you say about the magnitude and
direction of electric field?

13. Three identical parallel plate (air) capacitors C1, C2, C3 have capacitances C each. The
space between their plates is now filled with dielectrics as shown. If all the three
capacitors still have equal capacitances, obtain the relation between the dielectric
constants k1, k2, k3 and k4.
14. As shown in figure, a dielectric material of dielectric constant k is inserted in half
portion between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor. If its initial capacitance is C,
what is the new capacitance?