MADE BY ASHISH PATTNAYAK 10.

How much work is done in moving a 500 µC charge

PHONE NUMBER-7008938243
between two points on an equipotential surface ?
ELECTROSTIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE
Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each) 11. Draw equipotential surfaces for a uniform electric field
−1
[Link] the physical quantity whose SI unit is J 𝐶 . Is it a scalar along z-axis.
or vector quantity ?
12. Draw equipotential surfaces for a single point charge Q>
2. Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is
0.
(i) coulomb/volt,(ii) newton/coulomb, (iii) joule/coulomb.
3. Can there be a potential difference between two adjacent 13. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged such that

conductors carrying the same charge ? the potential on its surface is 10 V. What is the potential at the

4. Is electrostatic potential necessarily zero at a point where centre of the sphere ?

electric field is zero ? Illustrate your answer. 14. Can the potential function have a maximum or minimum
5. A point charge Q is placed at point O as shown in the in free space ?
figure. Is the potential difference 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 positive, negative or 15. Why must electrostatic field be normal to the surface at
zero, if Q is (i) positive (it) negative ? every point of a charged conductor ?
6. The electric field inside a parallel plate capacitor is E. What 16. What is the direction of the electric field at the surface of a
would be the work done in moving a charge q along the charged conductor having charge density 𝜎 <0?
closed rectangular path ABCDA ?
17. A metal sphere with a charge Q is surrounded by an
7. What is the amount of work done in moving a point charge
uncharged concentric thin spherical shell. The potential
𝑞0 around a circular arc of radius ' at the centre of which
difference between them is V. If the shell is now given an
another point charge q is located ?
additional charge Q. what is the new potential difference
8. Why should electrostatic field be zero inside a conductor ?
between them ?
9. Why is electrostatic potential constant throughout the
18. A 500 µC charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm.
volume of the conductor and has the same value (as inside)
Find the work done in moving a charge of 10 µC between two
on its surface ?
diagonally 24. What is the work done in moving a test charge q through

opposite points on the square. a distance of 1 cm along the equatorial axis of an electric
dipole ?
19. A test charge q is made to move in the electric field of a
point charge +Q along a closed path as shown in Fig. 2.22. 25. A charge 𝑞0 is moved from a point A above a dipole of

What is the work done? dipole moment p to a point B below the dipole at equatorial
plane without acceleration. Find the work done in the
process.

26. Show on a plot the nature of variation of the (i) electric

field (E) and (ii) potential (V) of a small electric dipole with the
distance (r) of the field point from the centre of the dipole.

27. For any charge configuration equipotential surface

through a point is normal to the electric field. Justify.

28. In which orientation, a dipole placed in a uniform electric

20. Do free electrons travel to region of higher potential or
field is in (i) stable (ii) unstable equilibrium ?
lower potential ?
29. Draw an equipotential surface for a system, consisting of
21. A positive charge is moved in an electrostatic field from a
two charges Q, - Q separated by a distance ' r’ in air.
point at high potential to a point at low potential. How does its
30. Write the expressiond for the work done on an electric
kinetic energy and potential energy change ?
dipole of dipole moment 𝑝⃗ in turning it from its position of
22. Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each other ?
stable equilibrium to a position of unstable equilibrium in a
Justify your answer.
uniform electric field⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐸.
23. What is the electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole
31. Define the term 'potential energy' of charge 'q' at a
at an equatorial point ?
distance 'r’ in an external electric field.
32. What is the dielectric constant of a metal ? 41. Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is F𝑚−1

33. What will be the effect on potential if the medium of (farad/metre).

dielectric constant K is introduced ? 42. Define dielectric strength of a dielectric.

34. Define capacitance of a capacitor. 43. The distance between the plates of a parallel plate
𝑑
35. In a parallel plate capacitor the potential difference of 100 capacitor is d. A metal plate of thickness is placed between
2
V is maintained between the plates. If distance between the the plates, without touching either of the two plates. What will
plates be 5 mm, what will be the electric field at points A and be the new capacity ?
B? 44. What would be the effect on the capacitance of a
36. Define the term 'dielectric constant of a medium in terms capacitor if distance between the parallel plates is reduced to
of capacitance. one-third of its original value ?

37. Why does the electric field inside a dielectric decrease 45. Give one example each of polar and non-polar dielectrics.
when it is placed in an external electric field ? 46. The giren graph [Fig. 2.28] shows variation of charge 'q'
38. The graph shown here [Fig. 2.271, shows the variation of versus potential difference V for two capacitors 𝐶1 and𝐶2 . Both
the total energy (E) stored in a capacitor against the value of the capacitors have same plate separation but plate area of
the capacitance (C) itself. Which of the two - the charge on 𝐶2 is greater than that of 𝐶1 . Which line (A or B) corresponds to
the capacitor or the potential used to charge it is kept 𝐶1 and why ?
constant for this graph ?

39. The dielectric constant of a medium is unity. What is its

electrical permittivity ?

40. We have two metal spheres of same radius R but one is

solid and other is hollow. Which sphere has higher electric
capacitance and why?
47. Write two properties by which electric potential is related along the axial line of an electric dipole.
to the electric field. 6. Deduce an expression for the electric potential due to an
48. Where does the energy of a capacitor reside ? electric dipole at any point on its axis. Mention one
49. Two insulated metal spheres of different capacitances contrasting feature of electric potential at a point due to
charged to different potentials are joined together by a wire dipole as compared to that due to a single charge.
so as to share their charges. What happens to the total 7. Show mathematically that the potential at a point on the
electrical energy of the system? equatorial line of an electric dipole is zero.
50. Write two uses of capacitors. 8. Derive an expression for the work done in rotating an
51. Define the SI unit of capacitance. electric dipole of dipole moment 'p' in a uniform electric field

Short Answer Questions (2 marks each) 'E' from an orientation 𝜃1 𝑡𝑜𝜃2.

1. Find an expression for the potential at a point due to a point 9. A dipole is present in an electrostatic field of

charge Q. magnitude106 𝑁 𝐶 −1 . If the work done in rotating it from its

position of stable equilibrium to its position of unstable
2. How does electric potential vary from point to point due to
equilibrium equals 2× 10−23 J, find the magnitude of the dipole
a thin charged spherical shell ? Draw a graph showing
moment of this dipole.
variation of potential with distance.
10. Calculate the amount of work done in turning an electric
[Link] spherical conductors of radii 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 (𝑅2 > 𝑅1 ) are
dipole of dipole moment 2 x 10−8 C-m from its position of
charged .if they are connected by a conducting wire , find out
unstable equilibrium to the position of stable equilibrium, in a
the ratio of the surface charge densities on them.
uniform electric field of 103 𝑁 𝐶 1 .
[Link] a plot showing the variation of (i)electric field E, and
11. The electric field and electric potential at any point due to
(ii)electric potential V with distance ‘r’ due to a point charge
a point charge kept in air is 20 N 𝐶 −1 and 10 J 𝐶 −1
Q.
respectively. Compute the magnitude of this charge.
[Link] an expression for the electric potential at any point
12. Calculate the electric potential at the surface of a gold the electric potential more and why ?
nucleus. Given, the radius of nucleus = 6.6 x 10−15m and 15. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
atomic number of gold =79
(i) Show that the net force acting on it is zero.
13. The following data was obtained for the dependence of
(ii) The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Find the work
the magnitude of the electric field, with distance, from a
done in rotating it through the angle of 180°.
reference point o, within the charge distribution in the shaded
16. What is an equipotential surface ? Show that the electric
region (Fig. 2.34].
field at a point on the surface of a charged conductor or just
(i) Identify the charge distribution and justify your answer.
outside it is perpendicular to the surface ?
(ii) If the potential due to this charge distribution, has a value
17. State main characteristics of an equipotential surface.
V at the point A, what is its value at the point A'?
18. (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)?

19. 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 ?

14. A test charged ‘q’ is moved without acceleration from A to 20. Draw the equipotential surfaces due to an electric dipole.
C along the path from A to B and then from B to C in electric Locate the points where potential due to the dipole is zero.

field E as shown in the figure. (i) Calculate the potential 21. Two uniformly large parallel thin plates having charge
difference between A and C. (ii) At which point( of the two) is 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 them. Write the two important conclusions
between the plates. If a particle of mass m and charge'- q' concerning the relation between the electric field and the
remains stationary between the plates, what is the magnitude electric potential.
and direction of this field ?

22. Two point charges + 10 µC and -10 µC are separated by a

distance of 40 cm in air.

(i) Calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system,

assuming the zero of the potential energy to be at infinity.

(ii) Draw an equipotential surface of the system.

23. Two point charges + 4 µC and -2 µC are separated by a 26. Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric
distance of 1 m in air. Calculate at what point on the line ⃗⃗⃗⃗in an electric field 𝐸⃗⃗.
dipole of dipole moment 𝑝
joining the two charges is the electric potential zero
27. An electric dipole of length 4 cm, when placed with its axis
24. Two point charges, 𝑞1 = 10 × 10−8 𝐶 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2 = −2 × making an angle of 60° with a uniform electric field,
10−8 𝐶, are separated by a distance of 60 cm in air. experiences a torque of 4√3N-m. Calculate the potential
(i) Find at what distance from the 1st charge q would the energy of the dipole if it has charge ± 8 nC.
electric potential be zero. 28. Calculate the amount of work done to dissociate a system
(ii) Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the of three charges of 1 𝜇c, 1 𝜇c and - 4 𝜇C placed on the
system. vertices of an equilateral triangle of side 10 cm.
25. Two closely spaced equipotential surfaces A and B with 29. In a quark model of elementary particles, a neutron is
potentials V and V + 𝛿 V (where 𝛿 V is the change in V) are 2
made of one up quark ( charge =3 𝑒) and two down quarks
kept 𝛿 Ɩ distance apart as shown in the Fig. 2.41. Deduce the 1
charges =- 𝑒. Assume that they have a triangle configuration
3
relation between the electric field and the potential gradient
with side length of the order of 10−15 m. Calculate
electrostatic potential energy of neutron. charge is drawn from the source and what is the energy

30. Explain the working principle of a parallel plate capacitor. stored in the network ?

31. Define dielectric constant of a medium. Briefly explain why 37. Fig. 2.48 shows two identical capacitors, 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 , each of
the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor increases, on 1 𝜇F capacitance connected to a battery of 6 V. Initially switch
introducing a dielectric medium between the plates. 'S' is closed. After sometime 'S’ is left open and dielectric

32. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a charged slabs of dielectric constant K = 3 are inserted to fill completely

parallel plate capacitor. the space between the plates of the two capacitors. How will
the (i) charge and (ii) potential difference between the plates
33. Obtain the expression for the energy stored per unit
of the capacitors be affected after the slabs are inserted ?
volume in a charged parallel plate capacitor.

34. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1

𝜇F. 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.

35. Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be 38. Two capacitors of capacitance of 6 𝜇F and 12 𝜇F are

applied across the parallel and series combination of two connected in series with a battery. The voltage across the 6

capacitors 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 with their capacitances in the ratio 1:2 so 𝜇F capacitor is 2 V. Compute the total battery voltage.

that the energy stored in the two cases becomes the same. 39. A network of four capacitors, each of capacitance 15 𝜇F, is

36. (i) Find equivalent capacitance between A and B in connected across a battery of 100 V as shown in the Fig. 2.50.

combination given below. Each capacitor is of 2𝜇𝐹 Find the net capacitance and the charge on the capacitor 𝑐4 .

capacitance.

(i) If a d.c. source of 7 V is connected across AB, how much

 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.

43. Determine the potential difference across the plates of the

capacitor 𝑐1 , of the network shown in the fig 2.52 Assume 𝜖1 >
𝜖2 .

40. Two dielectric slabs of dielectric constants 𝐾1, and 𝐾2 , are

filled in between the two plates, the capacitor. each of area A,
of the parallel plate capacitor as shown in the Fig. 2.51. Find
the net capacitance of the capacitor.

41. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a

potential V. It is then connected to another uncharged 44. (a) Two point charges 𝑞1 , 𝑞2 initially at infinity are brought

capacitor having the same capacitance. Find out the ratio of one by one to points 𝑝1, and 𝑝2 , specified by position vectors

the electrostatic energy stored in the combined system to that 𝑟⃗⃗⃗⃗and

1 ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗,
𝑟2 relative to some origin. What is the potential energy

stored initially in the single capacitor. of this charge configuration ?

42. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same (b)Define an equipotential [Link] schematically the
equipotential surface corresponding to a field that uniformly
increase in magnitude but remains constant in direction.

45. Calculate the electrostatic potential energy of a system of

three point charges 𝑞1 , 𝑞2 and 𝑞3 located respectively at
⃗⃗⃗⃗,
𝑟1 ⃗⃗⃗⃗and
𝑟2 𝑟3
⃗⃗⃗⃗with respect to a common origin O. 49. (a) Three point charges q,- 4q and 2q are placed at the
46. (a) Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system of two vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC of side 'Ɩ' as shown in
identical positive point charges placed a distance 'd' apart. the Fig. 2.58. Obtain the expression for the magnitude of the

(b) Deduce the expression for the potential energy of a resultant electric force acting on the charge q.

system of two point charges 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 brought from infinity to (b) Find out the amount of the work done to separate the
the points𝑟⃗⃗⃗⃗1 and ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑟2 respectively in the presence of external charges at infinite distance.

electric field 𝐸⃗⃗ .

47. Define the term electric potential due to a point

[Link] the electric potential at the centre of a
square, of side √2 m, having charges 100 µC, - 50µ C ,20 µC
and - 60 µC at the four corners of this square.

48. Four point charges Q,q, Q and q are placed at the corners
of a square of side 'a' as shown in the Fig. 2.56. Find the 50. Establish a relation for electric potential due to a short
(a) resultant electric force on a charge Q, and dipole at a point distant 'r' from the dipole along a line

(b) potential energy of this system. inclined at an angle 𝜃 from the dipole axis. Hence obtain
value of electric potential at a point lying along (i) axial line, (ii)
equatorial line of the dipole.
51. Explain the underlying principle of working of a parallel medium of dielectric constant 10 is introduced between the
plate capacitor. plates of the capacitor. Explain giving reasons, how will the

If two similar plates, each of area A, having surface charge following be affected :

densities +𝜎 and -𝜎 are separated by a distance 'd' in air, write (i) capacitance of the capacitor,
expressions for : (ii) charge on the capacitor, and
(i) the electric field at points between the plates, (iii) energy density of the capacitor.
(ii) the potential difference between the plates,
57. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After
(iii) the capacitance of the capacitor so formed. sometime the battery is disconnected and a dielectric slab
52. Find an expression for the equivalent capacitance of a with its thickness equal to the plate separation is inserted
combination of three capacitors in series. between the plates. How will (i) the capacitance of the

53. Deduce an expression for the capacitance of a parallel capacitor, (ii) potential difference between the plates and (iii)

plate capacitor having plate area 'A' and plate separation 'd' . the energy stored in the capacitor be affected ? Justify your
answer in each case.
54. Obtain an expression for the capacitance of a
combination of three capacitors in parallel. 58. A parallel plate capacitor, each with plate area A and
separation d, is charged to a potential difference V. The
55. Deduce an expression for the electrostatic energy stored
battery used to charge it remains connected. A dielectric slab
in a capacitor of capacitance 'C' and having charge 'Q'.
of thickness d and dielectric constant K is now placed
How will the (i) energy stored, and (ii) the electric field inside
between the plates. What change, if any, will take place in :
capacitor be affected when it is completely filled with a
(i)charge on plates ?
dielectric material of dielectric constant K?
(ii) electric field intensity between the plates ?
56. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a
potential V by a battery. Without disconnecting the battery, the (iii) capacitance of the capacitor ?

distance between the plates is tripled and a dielectric justify your answer in each case
59. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across Find
a battery of V volts. The charge stored in it is 360 𝜇C. When (i)charge on each capacitor
potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge
(ii)equivalent capacitance of the network
stored in it becomes 120 𝜇C. Calculate :
(iii) energy stored in the network of capacitors.
(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 ?

60. 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 . 63. Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y have the same area

Also calculate the charge on each capacitor in parallel of plates and same separation between them, X has air

combination. between the plates while Y contains a dielectric medium of

∈𝑟 =4.
61. Find the total energy stored in the capacitors in the given
network of Fig. 2.65. (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) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y.

64. Two identical capacitors of 12 pF each are connected in

series across a battery of 50 V. How much electrostatic
62. Three identical capacitors 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 and 𝐶3 of capacitance 6 𝜇F
energy is stored in the combination ? If these were connected
each are connected to a 12 V battery as shown in Fig. 2.66.
in parallel across the same battery, how much energy will be 67. Calculate the potential difference and the energy stored in
stored in the combination now ? Also find the charge drawn the capacitor𝐶2 in the circuit shown in the Fig. 2.70 Given
from the battery in each case. potential at A is 90 V, 𝐶1 = 20 µF, 𝐶2 = 30 µF and 𝐶3 = 15 µF.

65. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances 𝐶1 and𝐶2 ,

such the 𝐶2 = 2 𝐶1 ,are connected across a battery of V volts
as shown in the Fig. 2.69. Initially the key K is kept closed to 68. The equivalent capacitance of the combination between A
fully charge the capacitors. The key K is now thrown open and B in the given figure is 4 𝜇F.
and dielectric slabs of dielectric constant 𝐾0 are inserted in the
(i) Calculate capacitance of the capacitor C.
two capacitors to completely fill the gap between the plates.
(ii) Calculate charge on each capacitor if a 12 V battery is
Find the ratio of (i) the net capacitance, and (ii) the energies
connected across terminals A and B.
stored in the combination before and after the introduction of
dielectric slabs. (iii) What will be the potential drop across each capacitor ?

69. 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
66. A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery. How
of the capacitors is filled with dielectric of dielectric constant
much electrostatic energy is stored in the capacitor ? If
K. Find the ratio of the total electrostatic energy stored in both
another capacitor of 6 pF is connected in series with it with
capacitors before and after the introduction of the dielectric.
the same battery connected across the combination, find the
charge stored and potential difference across each capacitor. 70. Find the equivalent capacitance of the network shown in
the Fig. 2.74, when each capacitor is of 1 𝜇F. When the ends X
 2
and Y are connected to a 6 V battery, find out (i) the charge capacity of the capacitor becomes 3rd of its original value.
and (ii) the energy stored in the network. What is the new distance between the plates ?

75. Fig. 2.79 (a) and (b) show the field lines of a single positive
and negative charges respectively.

(a) Give the signs of the potential difference : 𝑉𝑃 - 𝑉𝑄 ; 𝑉𝐵 -𝑉𝐴

(b) Give the sign of the potential energy difference of a small

negative charge between the points Q and P; A and B.

71. Two metallic spheres of radii R and 2R are charged so that (c) Give the sign of the work done by the field in moving a
both of these have same surface charge density 𝜎. If they are small positive charge from Q to P.
connected to each other with a conducting wire, in which (d) Give the sign of the work done by an external agency in
direction will the charge flow and why? moving a small negative charge from B to A.
72. A conducting slab of thickness 't is introduced without (e) Does the kinetic energy of a small negative charge
touching between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor increase or decrease in going from B to A?
separated by a distance d' (t <d). Derive an expression for the
capacitance of the capacitor.

73. A dielectric slab of thickness ‘t’ is kept between the plates

of a parallel plate capacitor separated by a distance 'd' (t < d).
Derive the expression for the capacity of the capacitor.

74. The two plates of a parallel plate capacitor are 4 mm

apart. A slab of dielectric constant 3 and thickness 3 mm is
introduced between the plates with its faces parallel to them.
The distance between the plates is so adjusted that the
 78. A network of four capacitors each of 12 𝜇F capacitance is
connected to a 500 V supply as shown in the Fig. 2.81.
Determine (a) equivalent capacitance of the network and (b)
charge on each capacitor.

76. Find an expression for loss of electrical energy when two

capacitors (or conductors) maintained at different potentials
are allowed to share their charges.

77. A system of capacitors, connected as shown, has a total 79. Find the capacitance of the infinite ladder of capacitors
energy of 160 mJ stored in it. Obtain the value of the shown in Fig. 2.82 between points A and B.
equivalent capacitance of this system and the value of z.
Long Answer Questions (5 marks each) spacing between the plates is halved and a dielectric

1.(a)Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential medium of ∈𝑟 = 10 is introduced between the plates, without

surfaces in the case of (i) a single point charge, and (ii) a disconnecting the d.c. source. Explain, using suitable

constant electric field in the Z-direction. expressions, how the

b) Why are the equipotential surfaces about a single charge (i) capacitance, (ii) electric field, and (iii) energy density of the

are not equidistant ? capacitor change.

c)Can electric field exist longitudinal to an equipotential 4. (a) Derive the expression for the energy stored in a parallel

surface ? Give reason. plate capacitor. Hence, obtain the expression for the energy
density of the electric field.
2. (a) Obtain the expression for the potential due to an electric
dipole of dipole moment 𝑝⃗ at a point situated at a distance 'x' (b) A fully charged parallel plate capacitor is connected

on the axial line. across an uncharged identical capacitor. Show that the
energy stored in the combination is less than that stored
(b) Two identical capacitors of plate dimensions l x b and
initially in the single capacitor.
plate separation ‘d' have dielectric slabs filled in between the
space of the plates as shown in Fig. 2.84. Obtain the relation 5. A capacitor of capacitance 𝐶1 , is charged to a potential 𝑉1,

between the dielectric constants K, 𝐾1 and 𝐾2 . while another capacitor of capacitance 𝐶2 is charged to a
potential difference 𝑉2 . The capacitors are now disconnected
from their respective charging batteries and connected in
parallel to each other.

(a) Find the total energy stored in the two capacitors before
3. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel they are connected.
plate capacitor. (b) Find the total energy stored in the parallel combination of
On charging a parallel plate capacitor to a potential V, the the two capacitors.
(c) Explain the reason for the difference of energy in parallel potential energy
combination in comparison to the total energy before they are 3. Three charges of 2 x 10−8 C each are placed at the vertices
connected. of an equilateral triangle of sides √3 m each. Calculate the
6. (a) Explain, using suitable diagrams, the difference in the electric potential at the point of intersection of the medians of
behaviour of a (i) conductor and (ii) dielectric in the presence the triangle. What is the electric field intensity at that point ?
of external electric field. Define the terms polarisation of a 4. A charge of 12 𝜇C is given to a hollow metallic sphere of
dielectric and write its relation with susceptibility. radius 0.1 m. Find the potential at (i) the surface of the sphere,
(b) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a charge and (ii) the centre of the sphere
𝑄
Q on its surface. A point charge is 2 placed at its centre C and 5. Two point charges 3 x 10−8 C and - 2 x 10−8 C are located

other charge +2Q is placed outside the shell at a distance x 15 cm apart in air. Find at what point on the line joining these

from the centre as shown in the Fig. 2.85. Find (i) the force on charges the electric potential is zero.

the charge at the centre of shell and at the point A, (ii) the 6. Calculate the potential at the centre of a square, of side
electric flux through the shell. √4.5 m, which carries at its four corners charges of + 5 x
10−9 C, + 2 x 10−9C, -5 x 10−9C and - 7 x 10−9 C, respectively.

7. Two charges of 5 nC and - 2 nC are placed at points (5 cm,

0, 0) and (23 cm, 0, 0) in a region of space where there is no
other external electric field. Calculate the electric potential
PROBLEMS FOR PRACTICE
energy of this system.
[Link] electric potential at a point 1 m apart from a point 8. A deutron placed in a uniform electric field of magnitude
charge of 1 𝜇𝐶.
2000 N/C moves between two points in the direction of
+ −
2. In a HCl molecule, the separation between 𝐻 and 𝐶𝑙 is electric field. If the distance between the points be 0.2 m, find
°
1.28 𝐴 Find its dipole moment as well as electrostatic the value of (i) potential difference between the points, and (ii)
work done. right angled isosceles triangle as shown in Fig. 2.88. Find the

9. Two point charges 4 Q and Q are separated by 1 m in air. At value of Q, so that potential energy of the system is zero.

what point on the line joining the charges is the electric field
intensity zero ? Also calculate the electric potential energy of
the system of charges, taking the value of charge, Q = 2 x 10−7

10. Calculate the amount of work done in rotating an electric

dipole of dipole moment 3 x 10−8 C-m from its position of 15. A 20 𝜇F capacitor is charged by a 30 V d.c. supply and

stable equilibrium to the position of unstable equilibrium in a then connected across an unchanged 50 𝜇F capacitor.

uniform electric field of 104 𝑁 𝐶 −1 . Calculate (i) the final potential difference across the
combination, and (ii) the initial and final energies
11. At a point due to a point charge, the value of electric field
and potential are 25 N/C and 10 J/C, respectively. Calculate 16. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 100 𝜇F is charged

(i) magnitude of the charge, and (ii) distance of the charge to 200 V. After disconnecting it from the battery, using an

from the point of observation. insulated handle, the distance between the plates is doubled.
Find (i) potential difference between the plates, and (ii) energy
12. Two charged particles having equal charges of 4.0 x
stored in the capacitor, after the separation between the
10−6 C each are brought from infinity to within a separation of
plates has been increased.
0.1 m. Calculate the increase in electrostatic potential energy
during the process. 17. Find the equivalent capacitance of the arrangement of
capacitors shown in Fig. 2.89. If a battery of 20 V emf is
13. Two charges of magnitude 5 nC and - 2 nC, are placed at
connected across the combination, what is the total charge
points (2 cm, 0, 0) and (x cm, 0, 0) in a region of space where
drawn from the battery?
there is no other electric field. If the electrostatic potential
energy the system is -0.5 𝜇𝐽, what is the value of x ?

14. Three charges Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertices of a

 20. A 900 pF capacitor is charged by a 100 V battery. How
much electrostatic energy is stored by the capacitor ? The
capacitor is disconnected from the battery and then
connected to another 900 pF capacitor, which is uncharged
one ? What is the electrostatic energy stored by the system
18. A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a
now? Where has the remainder of the energy gone ?
capacitance of 8 𝜇F. The separation between the plates is
21. Two capacitors of unknown capacitance 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 are
reduced by half and the space between them is filled with a
medium of dielectric constant 5. Calculate the value of connected first in series and then in parallel across a battery

capacitance in the second case. of 200 V. If the energy stored in the two combinations is 0.04 J
and 0.18 J respectively, determine the values of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2
19. Four capacitors of values 6 𝜇F, 6 𝜇F, 6 𝜇F and 2 𝜇F are
connected to a 6 V battery as shown in the Fig. 22. Find the equivalent capacitance of the combination of

[Link] capacitors between the points A and B as shown in the Fig.

2.91. Also calculate the total charge that flows in the circuit
the
when a 100 V battery is connected between the points A and
(i) equivalent capacitance of the network, (ii) the charge on
B.
each capacitor.