Electrostatic Potentidl,

ge,
Potential Due to a System of Charges, Potential Due to an Electric
Dipole, Equipotential Surfaces, Electrostatic Potential Energy

Questions
MCO Multiple Choice (1 Mark
A point P lies at a distance x
from the mid point of
potential (c) (d)
an electric dipole on its axis. The electric
2
[2023| 8rega'
at point P is proportional to 3. Acharge is located at the centre of a
(a)
1 (6)
1
radius r. The work done n moving a test cichaoe
rcle of
q, from point A to point B (at opposite ends of
1 diameter AB) so as to complete a semicirce i
(c) (d) 1
[2021)
2. A point charge qo is moving along a circular path (4ne0)|]
of radius a,with apoint charge -Q at the centre
of the circle. The kinetic energy of q, is [2023] (a) k (b) Q40
(a) (b)
(c) k g, or (d) Zero

SA Short Answer Type [J] Questions (2 Marks)

4. Obtain an expression for electrostatic potential (i) the electrostatic potential energy of the
energy of a system of three charges q, 2q and -3q arrangement? and
placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of [2023)
side a. [2023]
(ü) the potential at point D?
5. Depict the orientation of an electric dipole in (a) 7. A uniform electric fieldE of 500 N/Cis directed
stable and (b) unstable equilibrium in an external along +x axis. O, B and A are three points in the
uniform electric field. field having x and ycoordinates (in cm) (0, 0)
Write the potential energy of the dipole in each (4,0) and (0,3) respectively. Calculate the potential
case.
difference between the points (i) O and A, and
[2023| (ü) O and B. [2023(C))
6. Three point charges Q, q and -g are
vertices of an equilateral triangle ofkept at the 8. Three point charges 1 uC, -1 uCand 2 uC are
side L as kept at the vertices A, B and C respectively
shown in figure. What is an equilateral triangle of side 1 m. A,, B, and
A
are the midpoints of the sides AB, BC and CA
respectively. Calculate the net amount of wo
done in isplacing the charge from A to [2023(C))
A,, ro
B to B, and from CtÍ CË.
9. An electric dipole of length 4 cm, when placed
B with its axis making an angle of 60° with a uniforn
Nnt.
LI2
C
electric field, experiences atorque of 4/3
Calculate the potential energy of the dipole,[2014/
has charge +8 nC.
SA Short Answer Type (ll]
Questions (3Marks)
10. Three point
(4 cm, 3 cm)charges Q, (-15 uC), Q, (10 uC) and Q. (16 and
uC) are located at (0 cm, 0 cm), (0cm,3 cm)
respectivély. Calculate the electrostatic potential (20231
energy of this system of cnai3
 IL. (a) Two point Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 33
r charges
distance apart.
+ Q,
and -Q, are placed
amount of Obtain the expression for the is the electric field at (i) x = 3and (ii)x = 5?
Q, at the work done to place a third
charge [2019]
charges. midpoint the line joining the two
of 5
(b) At what
distance from charge + Q, on the
line joining
4
the two charges (in 3
work done beterms
Q, and r) will this of Q,,
12. (a) Draw the zero. [2020] (volt) 2
equipotential
to a uniform
electric surfaces
field in thecorresponding
1

(b) Derive an
expression for the
z-direction. 3 4 5 6 X (cm)
at any point along the electric potential 16. Acharge is distributed uniformly over a metallic
axial line of an electric sphere of radius R. Obtain the expressions for the
dipole.
13. Three concentric [2019] electric field (E) and electric potential () at a
metallic shells
radii a, band c (a <b < c) have A, B and C of point 0<x<R.
surface charge
densities + o, -G and + ¡ respectively
Show on a plot the variation ofE and Vwith x
as shown for 0<r< 2R.
in the figure. [2017]
17. (a) Write two properties by which electric potential
If shells A andCare at the
same is related to the electric field.
obtain the relation between thepotential, then
radii a, b, c. (b) Two point charges q, and q, separated by a
[2019] distance of r,, are kept in an external electric
field. Derive an expression for the potential
energy of the system of two charges in the
field. [2017(C)]
18. Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential
surfaces:
a (i) in the case of a single point charge and
(iü) in a constant electric field in Z-direction.
Why the equipotential surfaces about a single
charge are not equidistant?
(iiü) can electric field exist tangential to an
14. Two metal spheres A and B of radius r and 2, equipotential surface? Give reason. [2016]
whose centres are separated by a distance of 6r, 19, Four charges tq,-g, tq and-gare to be arranged
are given charge Q each and are at potential V, respectively at the four corners of a square ABCD
and V,. Find the ratio of V/V,. These spheres of side a.
are connected to each other with the help of a (a) Find the work required to put together this
connecting wire keeping the separation unchanged, arrangement.
what is the amount of charge that will flow through (b) A charge qo is bought to the centre of the
the wire? [2019] square, the four charges being held fixed. How
distance
15. The variation of electric potential with much extra work is needed to do this? [20151
figure. What
from a fixed point is shown in the

(5 Marks)
LA Long Answer Type Questions
(ii) State the significance of negative value of
charges located
20. () Consider two identical point electrostatic potential energy of asystem of
at points (0, 0) and (a, 0). joining them
the line
charges.
1. Is there a point on field is zero? Three charges are placed at the corners of
at which the electric an equilateral triangle ABC of side 2.0 m as
line joining them
2. Is there a point on thepotential is zero? shown in figure. Calculate the electricpotential
at which the clectric energy of the system of three charges. (20231
each case.
Justify your answers for
 L (20
Chapterwise CBSE PYQs (Physics)-12
34
+4.0 uC energy of the
charge system in its
A of unstable, equilibrium?
Justify your answer in each case. [2018(
orientatin,
22. (a) Deduce the expression for the potential
of a system of two charges q, and q, energy
at r and r, respectively in an external located
B
field. electric
-4.0 uC +2.0 uC
(b) Three point charges, +Q, + 2Q and -30 ar
placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangl.
21. Two point charges q and q are located at points ABC of side l. If these charges are displacei
(0, 0, -a) and (0, 0, a) respectively. to the mid-points A,, B, andC,
(a) Find the electrostatic potential at (0, 0, z) and find the amount of the work donerespectively,
in shiftins
(x, y, 0) the charges to the new locations. [2015]
(b) How much work is done in moving a small A(+Q)
test charge from the point (5, 0, 0) to (-7, 0,
0) along the x-axis?
(c) How would your answer change if the path
of the test charge between the same points
is not along the x-axis but along any other
random path?
(d) If the above point charges are now placed
in the same positions in a uniform external B(+2Q) B, C(-3Q)
electric field E, what would be the potential

Capacitor and Capacitance, Parallel Plate Capacitor, Combination of

Capacitors, Electrostatics of Conductors, Dielectrics and Polarisation,
Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance, Energy stored in aCapacitor

10
MCQ Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)
1. A capacitor is charged by a battery. Betwcen the (d) Two of them connected in parallel and tht
plates, during process of charging : |2023| combination in series to the third.
(a) only displacement current exists. 3. In the given network all capacitors used
(b) onty conduction current exists.
identical and each one is of capacitance C.
(c) both displacement current and conduction Capacitan
of the following is the equivalent (2021
current exist.
between the points A and B?
(d) no current cxísts.
2.
The capacitors, cach of 4 uF are to be -oB
in such a way that the connected
cffective
the combination is 6 uF. This capacitance of 1
can be achicved by
connecting. (a) 6 C (6) c
|20231
(a) All three in parallel
(b) All three in series
(c) Two of then (c) C
connected in series and the 2 6

combination in parallel to the

third.
 Electrostatic Poterntial and Capacitance 35

SA Short Answer Type | Questions

(2 Marks)
Tv small
conducting balls A
and r, have charges q and q, and B of radius r, (i) capacitance of the capacitor
are connected by a wire. respectively. Thcy
Obtain the (ii) charge on thc capacitor, and
for charges on A and B, in
cquilibrium. expression
|20231
(m) cnergy density of the capacitor.
7. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is
E Obtain the
expression for the energy stored in a charged to a potential . It is then connected
capacitor connected acrOSs ade battery.
define energy density of the capacitor. Hence to another uncharged capacitor having the same
capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy stored
(2020)
6 Aparallel plate capacitor of in the combined system to that stored initially in
charged to a potential V by a capacitance
C is
the single capacitor. (2014]
battery. Without
disconnecting the battery, the distance between 8. Find the charge on the capacitor as shown in the
circuit.
the plates is tripled and a dielectric [2014]
k = 10 is introduced medium of
between the plates of the
capacitor. Explain giving reasons, how will the
following be affected: (2017(C)1
102 20 2

SA Short Answer Type [] Questions

9. A parallel plate capacitor (A) of capacitance C is
charged by a battery to voltage V. The battery is
disconnected and an uncharged capacitor (B) of
capacitance 2C is connected across A. Find the
ratio of
(i) final charges on A and B.
(ü) total electrostatic energy stored in A and B
finally and that stored in A initially. (2023]
16. Explain briefly the process of charging a parallel
plate capacitor when it is connected across a de
battery.
A capacitor of capacitance Cis charged to V
volts by a battery. After some time the battery is
disconnected and the distance between the plates
Is doubled. Now a slab of dielectric constant,
1<k< 2, is introduced to fill the space bctween
the plates. How will the following be affected:
(3 Marks)
12. 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 isconnected
in series with it with the same battery connected
across the combination, find the charge stored and
potential difference across each capacitor. [2017]
13. 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. |2017)
E A

(a) The electric field between the plates of the

capacitor.
14.
t) The energy stored in the capacitor. Justify your
answer by writing the necessary CxpressiOns.
|2019)
What is polarization of charge? With the help of
a diagram show why the electric field between
e plates of capacitor reduces on introdueing a
dielectric slab. Define the dielectrie constant on
the basis of these fields. (20191
A
capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected
ACross a battery of V volt. A charge of 300 uC
iN stored in it. Vhen the potential across the
capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge stored
in the capacitor becomes 120 C. Calculate V
and the unknown capacitance, What would have
been the charge on the capacitor ifthe voltage were
incrcascd by 120 V? |2017(C)
 (Physics)-12
36 Chapterwise CBSE PYQs
A R
15.

15 V
have the
Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y between
same area of plates andsame separationYcontains 2V 2R
them. Xhas air between the plates while 19. (a) Obtain the expression for the
adielectric medium of e, = 4. per unit volume in a energy
stored
charged parallel
) Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if capacitor. pla;
equivalent capacitance of the combination is (6) The electric field inside a parallel plat:
4 uF. capacitor is E. Findthe amount of
(ü) Calculate the potential difference between in movinga charge q over a closed work done
the plates of XandY. loop a b cda. rectangu;
(ui) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy (2014
stored in X and Y. |2016]
16. In the following arrangement of capacitors, the
energy stored in the 6 uF capacitor is E.

20. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the

plates, each plate has an area of 6 X 10 mand
6uF
the separation between the plates is 3 mm.

3uF
12uF
Find the value of the
following:
(i) Energy stored in 12 A B
uF
(ü) Energy stored in 3 uf capacitor
(i) Total energy drawn capacitor
from the battery. |2016)
1A 600 pf
It is then capacitor charged by a 200V supply.
is
Connected todisconnected from the
another uncharged 300supply and is
pF capacitor.
() Calculate the
(iü) Ifthe capacitance of the capacitol.
Calculate how much
the process. What is electrostatic energy is lost in capacitor is connected to 100 Vsuppl
what would be the
the source of
energy loss? charge on each plate?
(iüi) How would charge on the plates be aaffected.i
In the given (20151 a 3 mm thick mica sheet of K = 6is inserted
the expressionscircuit in the
steady state, obtain between the plates while the voltage supp
charge and () for (u) the potential drOp (b)
(( the cnergy stored in the the remains connected? [2014
capacitor
120151
LA
Long Answer Type
() Defne Questions
(u) Two clectric potential at a point and (5Marks)
capacitors are
combination.
write its SI
connected in series. Derive anunit.
(ui) Two point
charge 0 ischarges tq expression of the ht
 (Physics)-12
36
ChapterwiseCBSE PYQs 22.
H
15.
B

15 V
have the
capacitors X and Y between
C
plate 2V 2R
Twoparallel plates and same separation
Ycontains the expression for the
same area of 19. (a) Obtain volume
charged energy
plates while
them.Xhasair between the= 4,
[,
per unit in a parallelstoplredat
a dielectric medium of capacitor if capacitor.
Calculate capacitance of each
() the combination is (b) The electric field inside a parallel
equivalent capacitance of capacitor is E. Find the amount of work plat, 2
4 uF. difference between
done
in moving a charge q over a closed rectangu.
(ü) Calculate the potential loop a b cda.
the plates of XandY. [2014,
electrostatic energy
(üi) Estimate the ratio of [2016]
stored in X and Y.
capacitors, the
16 In the following arrangement of
energy stored in the 6 uF capacitor is E.

20. In aparallel plate capacitor with air between the

plates, each plate has an area of 6 x 103 mand
the separation between the plates is 3 mm.
6uF

3uF
12uF
B
Find the value of the following:
(i) Energy stored in 12 uF capacitor
b
(ü) Energy stored in 3 uF capacitor
(ui) Total energy drawn from the battery. F
(2016)
17 A600pF capacitor is charged by a la
It is then 200 V supply. ) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitot.
disconnected from the supply and is S
cConnected to another uncharged 300 pF capacitor. (ü) If the capacitor is connected to 100 V supp (
Calculate how much electrostatic what would be the charge on each plate?
the process. What is the source energy is lost in
of energy loss? (iii) How would charge on the platesstbeaffected.i
120151 a 3 mm thick mica sheet of K = 6is inserted
In the given circuit in Supph
the steady state, between the
thecxpressions for (u) the obtain plates while the voltage
charge and (c) thc potential drop (b) the remains connected? [2014
energy stored in the capacitor
20151
LA Long Answer Type
Questions
() Deine clcctric potential at (5Marks)
(u) Two apoint
and write its SI
capacitors
COmbinalion.
are
connected in series.
unit.
() Two point Derive an
charge Oischarges tq and -q are expression of the equivalent capacitance ofthe
kept at the located at
origin. Find the value points
energy of he system i
Zero. of Q, in(3a, 0) and (0, 4a) thid
terms of g respectively electrostatic
and a, so that the A
in xy plane.potential
|20231
 (Physics)-12
PYQs 22.
36
ChapterwiseCBSE A
R

15.
B

15 V
have the
capacitors X and Y between 2V
2R
Two parallel plate separation
19, (a) Obtain the expression for the energy stored
plates and same Ycontains
same area of betweenthe plateswhile
them.Xhas air per unit volume in a charged parallel plat.
medium of [, = 4. capacitor.
a dielectric capacitance of each capacitor if
(b) The electric field inside a parallel plate
() Calculate capacitance of the combination is 23
equivalent capacitor is E. Find the amount ofiwork done
4 uF. between in moving a charge q over a closed rectangulk:
potential difference
(ü) Calculate the loop ab cda. [2014
and Y.
the plates of X energy
+ + + + + ++
ratio of electrostatic b
(üi) Estimate the [2016)
stored in X and Y.
of capacitors, the
16. In the following arrangement
capacitor is E.
energy stored in the 6 uF
H 20. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between th:
10 mand
plates, each plate has an area of 6 X
the separation between the plates is 3 mm.
6uF

12uF
B C
Find the value of the following:
() Energy stored in 12 uF capacitor
(ü) Energy stored in 3 pF capacitor
Fo
(üi) Total energy drawn from the battery. (2016]
A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. lat
It is then disconnected from the supply and is () Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor. Se
Connected to another uncharged 300 pF (u) If the capacitor is connected to 100 V supp (a
Calculate how much electrostatic energycapacitor.
is lost in what would be the charge on each plate' (
the process. What is the source of (i) How would Icharge onthe plates be affected.i
energy loss? a 3 mm thick mica sheet of K = 6is inserted
|20151
In the given circuit in the steady Suppi
the state, obtain between the plates while the voltage [2014
cxpressions for (u) the potential drop (b) the remains connected?
charge and () the energy stored in the capacitor
120151

LA Long Answer Type

Questlons (5Marks)
() Defne
clectric potential at a point and
(u) Iwo
capacitors are connected in series.write its SI unit.
(u) combination.
Two point charges tq
Derive an expression of the ofthe
charge Q is kept at the and -q are located at points (3a, 0) equivalent capacitance
energy of the system is origin. Find the value of Q, and (0, 4a) third
Zero. in terms of g and a, so respectively
that the
A
in xy plane.Potential
electrostatic (2023
 () Describe briefly the Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance (37
charge between theprocess
two
of
transferring the 24.
plate capacitor when plates of a parallel (a) Define the capacitance of a
capacitor. Obtain
connected
Derive an expression for the
to a battery. theexpression for the capacitance of a parallel
plate capacitor in vacuum in terms of plate
a capacitor. energy stored in area A and separation d between the plates.
(b) A parallel plate (b) A slab of material of dielectric constant K has
a battery to a capacitor is charged by the samne area as the plates of a parallel plate
potential difference V. It is
disconnected from battery and then
capacitor but has a thickness 3d
.Findthe ratio
to another
uncharged capacitor ofconnected
4
of the capacitance with dielectric inside it to
the same
capacitance.
stored in the Calculate the ratio of the energy its capacitance without the dielectric. (2017]
combination to the initial energy 25. (a) Explain, using suitablediagrams, the difference
on the single
capacitor. in the behaviour of a (i) conductor and
23. A capacitor of |20191 (iü) dielectric in the presence of external
potential V,whilecapacitance
C, is charged to a electric field. Define the terms polarisation
another capacitor of capacitance of a dielectric and write its relation with
C, is charged to a potential
difference V,. The susceptibility.
capacitors are now disconnected from their (b) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R
respective charging batteries and connected in carries a charge Q on its surface. A point
parallel to each other. Q
charge 2 is placed at its centre Cand an
(a) Find the total energy stored in the two
other charge +20Q is placed outside the shell
capacitors before they are connected. at a distance x from the centre as shown in
(b) Find the total energy stored in the parallel figure. Find (1) the force on the charge at the
combination of the two capacitors. centre of shell and at the point A, (ü) the
electric fiux through the shell. (2015)
(c) Explain the reason for the difference of energy A
in parallel combination in comparison to the 2Q
total energy before they are connected.
[2018(CI 2

AR Assertion and Reason Question

(c) A is true but R is false.
For the following question, two statements are given-one (d) A is false and R is also false.
labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R).
from the codes 1. Assertion (A): Work done in moving a charge
Select the correct answer to these questions around a closed path, in an electric field is always
(a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below. zero.
explanation
(a) Both A and Rare true and R is the correct Reason (R): Electrostatic force is a conservative
of A. force.
|20231
NOT the correct
(6) Both A and R are true but R is
explanation of A.

CBQ Case Based Questions

field. Work is required to be done to provide a
fields respect to an
specific orientation to a dipole with(2023Modified)}
1. Electrostatics deals with the study of forces,
from static charges. Force electric field.
and potentials arising is basically (i) Consider a uniformly charged thin conducting
due to a point charge symmetric
and electric field.,Coulomb's law. For spherical shell of radius R. the
determined by
Gauss's law, which is also Which of the following graph showing
Charge configurations, law. helps us to find the variation of |E|with distance
from the
based on Coulomb's system of charges like centre, for points 0 srs
3R
electric field, A charge/aforce/torque in an electric
dipole experience a
a
 38

Chapterwise
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(a) E
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10 x 10"Cand be force field. is l/r CBSE
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chargescharge torque torque 'r
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() (iv) 2.
(i) (ü) capacitance. of
(ivalue
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resistors,
can
conductors.
parallel size between
the depends insulator.
theopposite and an by
(d) (C) (0) (a) are The (c) in combination
(a2V the Q Ae A
(a) 0 What (c) expression
) capacitor A(decreases
d) (c)increases
(b) It (a) It to of A(c2C
) (a) A
Find capacitor
part is
capacitor dielectric
the nature the ofand
potential
thepotential
potentialpullcdplates 20 2 connected It It a and
(c) wil remains
becomes parallel
electric
2 C the orseparation) them. on
apacitance B a is
apart. of above? be equivalentcombination
in Theyare
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Now charge across
capacitance
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wil potential same inserted used capacitance
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increase. wil wil wil
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