CAPACITORS

Introduction

Capacitor is an electric component that stores electric charge and energy. In general, a capacitor is made of two
close conductors (usually plates) that are separated by a dielectric material. The plates accumulate electric charge
when connected to power source. One plate gains positive charge and the other, negative charge.
Magnitude of the charge on either of the plates is known as the charge on the capacitor.
Potential difference (V) between the two conductors is proportional to the charge on the capacitor (Q).
Q
Q α V; Q = CV or C =
V
Here the proportionality constant C is known as the capacitance of the conductor/capacitor.
The capacitance of a conductor/capacitor is the amount of electric charge that is stored in it at voltage of 1 Volt.
The capacitance is measured in units(SI) of Farad (F).
Farad: Capacitance of a capacitor is said to 1farad if it requires 1coulomb of charge to raise its potential by 1volt.
i.e 1F is equal to 1C/V

TYPES OF CAPACITORS AND THEIR CAPACITANCE

Parallel plate capacitor
A parallel plate capacitor consists of two equal flat parallel metal plates facing each other and
separated by a dielectric. The plates may be square, rectangular or circular in shape.
For calculating the capacity of a capacitor, we first calculate electric field at a point between
 dV 
the plates and then using relation E = −   compute the potential difference between the
 dr 
plates. Finally dividing the magnitude of charge (given to one plate) by the potential difference
between the plates we get the capacity.
In case of parallel plate capacitor, as shown in figure, the field at P is
σ ( −σ ) σ d
E= − = −σ
2ε 2ε ε + σ + −
or, −
dV σ
= [ as E = −
dV
]
+ −
dx ε dx + ε −
0
σ
d
σ
+ −
or, ∫
− dV =dx
ε ∫ i.e., V =
ε
d +
•p −
V 0
σA εA v
+ − v=0
So, =
C
q
= = + −
V ( σd / ε ) d + −
ε0 KA x=0 x=d
or C= [as ε = ε0K ]
d

Fringing field
2 CAPACITORS

Though the field in a capacitor is assumed to be uniform, it is actually non uniform at the
edges of the plates. This is known as the fringing field. This is responsible for the force on a
dielectric, partially placed in the capacitor.

Spherical capacitor
We can derive the capacity of a spherical capacitor in a similar way
− −
− b +q
a +
− +
E −
− + +
−
− +

q 1 1 4πε0 4πε0 ab
V=  − ; C = q = =
4πε0  a b  V 1 1 b−a
−
a b
If the radius of the outer sphere tends to infinity b→ ∞ , the capacitance reduces to
C = 4 πε0a which is the capacitance of the isolated sphere.

Cylindrical capacitor
λ
E= a≤ r ≤ b −λ
2πε0 r
Q
a λ b
V = Va − Vb = - ∫b
Edr or V=
2πε0
ln
a
Q λ 2πε0 
∴ C= = =
V V b l
n
a

COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
Series combination
Capacitors connected as shown in the figure are said to be connected in series. In series
combination the charges on individual condensers are equal and the total p.d across the
combination is to be shared by the capacitors.
Q = C 1 V1 = C 2 V2 = C 3 V3 and V = V1 + V2 + V3
∴ Effective capacitance of the combination C can be found from the relation.
1 1 1 1
= + +
C C1 C 2 C 3 +Q −Q +Q −Q +Q −Q
1 l
Hence =∑ C1 C2 C3
Cs ci
V1 V2 V3
 CAPACITORS 3

Parallel combination
In this combination p.d across each of capacitors is the same but the charge supplied at
points A and B is shared by the capacitors.
Q Q Q
V = 1 = 2 = 3 and total charge
C1 C2 C3 + Q1 - Q1
Q = Q1 + Q 2 + Q 3 −
A + B
Q2 - Q2
C = C1 + C 2 + C 3 −
i.e Cp = ∑C i
+
Q3 - Q3
−
DIELECTRICS
Insulators and Dielectric Material
Insulators are materials with very poor conductivity. Insulators are not very good at
conducting either heat or electricity owing to the absence of loosely bound or freely moving
charges in the atoms of the insulator. When insulators are placed in an electric field,
practically no current flows in them, unlike in metals. Instead in some insulators, electric
polarization occurs. A dielectric is an insulator that undergoes electric polarization on the
application of electric field. The charges in dielectric material do not move but only shifts
slightly from the equilibrium position resulting in the dielectric polarization. In the following
article on: Polar and Non-Polar Material: Dielectric Material and Dipole Moment’, we will
examine the nature of the bonds that decide the polarity of the molecules. Electronegativity
and the structure of the atoms in a molecule decide whether it is a polar or non-polar
molecule.

Dielectric Polarization
Non-Polar Molecule
A non-polar molecule refers to a molecule without a dipole. The charges in a non-polar
molecule are equally distributed. In spite of the lack of a dipole, a dielectric non-polar
material introduced in an electric field will be affected. In an electric field, the positive and
the negative charges in a non-polar molecule experience forces in opposite directions as a
result of their opposite polarities. This force causes the electron cloud of a non-polar
molecule to be displaced in the direction of the attraction. This displacement goes on till the
attraction by the electric field is balanced by the internal forces of the molecule. Thus, in the
presence on an electric field, even a non-polar molecule experiences induced dipole moment.
4 CAPACITORS

This dipole moment is induced in the direction of the field and is directly proportional to the
strength of the electric field the non-polar material is subject to. Both polar and non-polar
molecule experience polarization on exposure to electric field but the difference between a
non-polar and a polar molecule is that, non-polar molecules are induced with a dipole by
current whereas polar molecules have permanent dipoles. Due to the induced nature of
polarity, on the removal of the electric field, a non-polar material loses its polarity and
returns to its original state.

Polar Molecule

Polar molecules undergo Dipolar Polarization which is also referred to as Orientation

Polarization. A polar molecule on the other hand is already blessed with electric dipoles and
this dipole is not induced. This dipole exists due to the bonds and the structure of a polar
molecule. But we cannot utilize this already existing dipole moment right away. Due to
thermal agitation, the dipoles in a polar material are oriented randomly. Therefore the dipole
moment of the molecules in the material cancels out resulting in a net dipole moment of zero.
We need to apply an electric field here as well, albeit for different purposes. When an electric
field is applied, the individual dipole moments align themselves in the direction of the electric
field. This means that the bonds, their nature and their orientation remains constant and the
polar molecule only rotates about its axis minutely to align itself. This alignment when
summed up over all the molecules leads to a net dipole moment in the direction of the
electric field. The extent to which the polar molecules get polarized and align themselves is
related to two factors; the strength of the external field and the thermal energy that breaks
this alignment.
 CAPACITORS 5

Dipolar Polarization: The already existing dipoles rotate to align with the electric field. It is
also known as Orientation Polarization.
Thus, irrespective of whether a material is polar or non-polar, the application of an electric
field results in the creation of a net dipole moment across the material. The dipole moment
per net unit volume is called Polarization. For an ideal dielectric material,
P = χe E
Where χe represents the characteristic property of the dielectric material, known as the
Electric Susceptibility of the dielectric medium. P here represents Polarization due to the
applied electric field ‘E’. Polarization vector, P is defined as the electric dipole moment of
material per unit volume.
Another important parameter is the Relative Permittivity ‘ϵr’ also known as the Dielectric
Constant. The dielectric constant refers to the ability of a dielectric medium to store electrical
energy in an electric field. Dielectric constant is the ratio of the capacitance ‘C’ of the

capacitor with the dielectric medium to the capacitance ‘C0’ of the capacitor in vacuum. If E is
the total field inside the dielectric when it is placed in an external field E0 , if charge in

Q C E
capacitor is ‘Q’ (with dielectric) and ‘Qo’ (in vacuum), ∈
=r = = .
Q 0 C0 E 0

RELATION BETWEEN POLARIZATION VECTOR (P), DISPLACEMENT (D) AND ELECTRIC FIELD (E)
Let us derive the relation between polarization vector (P), displacement (D) and electric field
(E):
Consider a dielectric placed in an external electric field E0 (say between the plates of a
charged capacitor). Due to external field, there will be shifting of the centres of gravity of
positive and negative charges. The positive charges are displaced in the direction of the
applied field whereas the negative charges will get displaced in a direction opposite to the
applied field E0. Therefore, the positive charge is induced on one surface while negative
charge on other.
6 CAPACITORS

This phenomenon of appearance of the charge on the surfaces of dielectric induced by the
external electric field is called polarization or dielectric polarization.
The charge on the plates of the capacitor is called free charge and charge induced on the
surfaces of the dielectric is called bound charge.
We can also say that when the atoms are placed in an electric field, they acquire an induced
electric dipole moment in the direction of the field. This process is called the dielectric
polarization and atoms are said to be polarized. The induced dipole moment p is proportional
to applied electric field E.
From the diagram,
E = E0 – Ep ------------------ (1)
Polarization vector, P is defined as the electric dipole moment of material per unit volume.
P = np (where n is number of molecules per unit volume, p dipole moment of each molecule).
P is also equal to the bound charge per unit area or equal to the surface density of bound
charges (because surface charge density is charge per unit area).
Thus P = qb/A = σp ------------------- (2)
Where qb is bound charge and σp is surface density of bound charges.
Displacement vector, D= D is equal to the free charge per unit area or equal to the surface
density of free charges,
Thus D = q/A = σ --------------- (3)
where q is free charge and σ is surface density of free charges.
As for parallel plate capacitor (already derived in earlier articles):
E = σ /ε0 ---------------- (4)
Ep = σp /ε0 ---------------- (5)
By substituting equations 4 and 5 in equation 1, we get
E = σ /ε0 – σp /ε0
Or ε0E = σ – σ0
By putting equations 2 and 3 in above equation, we get
ε0E = D – P
or D = ε0E + P
This is the relation between D, E and P.

Applications of Dielectric Material

Dielectric material is largely used in the manufacturing of capacitors. We have already
discussed the phenomenon of induced dipole in non-polar materials and the alignment of the
 CAPACITORS 7

dipole in the polar material. The dielectric sample contains a very large number of dipoles
distributed throughout its body. When subjected to an electric field, the positive end of one
dipole sits next to the negative of the neighboring dipole, the positive end of which sits next
to the negative terminal of the other dipole and so on. They form a chain of alternating
positive and negative polarities throughout the material. This is also the case with non-polar
materials and this alignment leads to the creation of an electric field. This electric field which
is set up due to the net dipole moment of the material opposes the external electric field
which reduces the electric field built up by a capacitor during charging. This means that we
can now accumulate more charges to bring back the electric field to its original intensity.
This means that the capacity of a capacitor is effectively increased by introducing a dielectric
medium in between the plates of the capacitor
If a dielectric completely occupies the space between the conductors of a capacitor its
capacitance increases 'K' times. Hence in presence of a dielectric with dielectric constant ' K ',
Kε0 A
the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor = = KC0
d

ENERGY STORED IN A CAPACITOR

The energy stored in a capacitor is equal to the work done to charge it. Let q be the
instantaneous charge on either plate of the capacitor and the potential difference between
q
the plate is V= . The work done to transfer an infinitesimal charge dq from the negative
C

q
plate to the positive plate is dW = Vdq =   dq
C
[The charge moves through the wires, not across the gap between the plates]
Q
q Q2 QV 1
∴W = total work done to transfer charge Q = ∫ C dq =
0
2C
=
2
= C V2
2
 ε0 A  2 2 1
This work done is stored as electrostatic energy ie., U =
1
2
C V2 =
1
2
( ) 2
 d  E d = 2 ε0 E Ad
 
1 2
∴ Energy density (U) = energy per unit volume = ε0 E
2
This energy is stored in a capacitor in the electric field between its plates.

Effect of dielectric on energy stored in a capacitor

If dielectric (K) is introduced, capacitance will be KC,

1
Case-1: If the capacitor is connected to a =
cell: U1 = KCV 2 KU .
2
(V remains same)
8 CAPACITORS

Q2 U
Case-2: If the capacitor is charged and isolated then dielectric is introduced:
= U1 = .
2KC K
(Here Q is invariable)

Self Energy of a conducting sphere

Consider a conducting sphere of radius “R” and is given a charge of “Q”. A conducting sphere
has capacitance of 4 π ∈0 R .

q2 Q2
∴ From=
U =
2C 8π ∈0 R

Self Energy of a spherical volume distribution of charge

Consider a sphere of radius R having a total charge of “Q” with a uniform charge density “ ρ ”
Imaging that the sphere is formed by a number of thin layers of charge during which the size
as well the charge increase. At an instant let the radius of sphere is x and charge contained
4
by it is πx 3ρ =q. An additional charge of dq =
3
( )
4πx 2 dx ρ results in an increment in radius
by dx. The work needed (by external agent) to be performed for this is

q
dw = Vdq = dq
4π ∈0 x
4 3
W Rπx ρ
∫=dw 3
∫
4π ∈0 x
(
4πx 2 dx ρ )
0 0

4πρ2 5 3Q2
= W
U = R =
15 ∈0 20π ∈0 R

FORCE ON A DIELECTRIC IN A CAPACITOR

The fringing field is responsible for force on a dielectric slab that partially fills in a capacitor.
When a dielectric slab in capacitor is slowly moved as shown in the figure, without changing
the kinetic energy,

F
x
dx
∴ We l e c t r o s t a t i c + WF = 0
[Where WF denotes the work done in displacement dx]
∴ WF = - Welec. = ∆U
 CAPACITORS 9

2
Q2 1 Q
⇒ - F dx = d  = − dC
2 C  2C2
Q2 dC
1 2 dC
⇒ F= V =
2C2 dx
2 dx
K ∈0 Lx ∈0 L(L − x)
Here
= C + and
d d
dC ∈0 L
= (K − 1)
dx d
F is a constant for a given scenario.

[Considering capacitor has battery connected to it]

Plates of parallel plate capacitor given different charges

Two identical plates of parallel plate capacitor are given the charges Q1 and Q2 . Let the
charge appearing on the inner surface of Q1 be q, then the charges appearing on other
surfaces are as shown in the figure. If we take a point P inside the plate 1, then electric field
at P should be zero. Suppose surface area of the each surface is A.
− σ
Using the equation E = + + +
+ + − + 2ε0
+ + − +
+ + q − q − +
Q1 − q Q2 + q
+ + − +
+ + − +
→ → → → → + + − +
Ep = E1 + E2 + E3 + E4 ,
→ → → →
E1,E2 ,E3 and E4 are the electric field due to surfaces 1, 2, 3 and 4.

→ Q1 − q ^ q ^ q ^ Q2 + q ^
Ep = i− i+ i− i
2Aε0 2πε0 2πε0 2πε0
 Q − q Q2 − q  ^
=  1 − i
 2Aε0 2πε0 
→
Q1 − Q2
But Ep = 0 , which gives q effective =
2
Hence, charge distribution on each surfaces are shown in figure.
10 CAPACITORS

CR- CIRCUITS
Charging
When a capacitor C is connected to a battery through a resistance R, the plates of capacitor
will acquire equal and opposite charge and the P.D. across it becomes equal to the emf of the
battery. The process (called charging) takes some time and during this time there is an
electric current through the resistance. If at any time t, i is the current through the
resistance R and q is the charge on capacitor C, the equation of emf for the circuit will be

VC + VR =
E,

I (=
dq /dt ) and q CV
q t
dq q dq dt
So, R +
dt C
E or
= ∫
0
= −
( CE − q ) 0 CR ∫

Which on solving for q, gives

= ( )
q q 0 1 − e − t/CR with q 0 = CE ( for t = ∞ ) …. (1)

This is the required result and for this it is clear that:

(1)During charging, charge on the capacitor increases from 0 to q 0 ( = CE ) non-linearly.

(2)The quantity CR is called capacitive time constant τ of the circuit [as it has dimensions of
time] and physically represents the time in which charge on the capacitor reaches 0.63 times
of its maximum value during charging.
One time constant is the time during which the capacitor could have been charged
completely had it been charged at initial rate
(3) During charging current at any time t in the circuit will be

q
q0 = CE

0.632 q0

CR t
 CAPACITORS 11

dq d E
dt dt  (
I ==q 0 1 − e − t/CR  =
 )
I0 e − t/CR with
= I0 =
R
( at t 0 )
i.e., initially it acts as zero resistance or as a simple conducting wire.
If t → ∞, I → 0 , i.e., it acts as infinite resistance or as a
broken wire. C
Discharging + −
+ −
If a charged capacitor C having charge q 0 is discharged
through a resistance R then at any time t,
i
i
V = IR R K
But as I= ( −dq /dt )* and q = CV
q t
dq q dq dt
R +
dt C
0 i.e.,
= ∫
q0
q
= −
0
CR ∫ or q = q 0e − t/CR

This is the required result and from this it is clear that:

1) During discharging, the charge on capacitor decreases exponentially from q 0 to 0.
2) The capacitive time constant τ = CR is the time in which charge becomes (1/e) i.e, 0.369
times of its initial value (q0)
3) During discharging current at any time t in the circuit:
dq d E
I=
−
dt
=
−
dt
( )
I0 e − t/CR with I0 = and its direction is opposite to that of charging.
q 0 e − t/CR =
R

q 0 = (E / R )

q
0.368q 0
t=τ t
4) As in discharging of a capacitor through a resistance.
t
q = q 0e − t/CR i.e. R=
C log e ( q 0 /q )
So resistance R can be determined from the value of t and ( q 0 /q ) , i.e., ( V0 / V ) . Using this
concept, in laboratory we determine the value of high resistances (~ MΩ ) by the so called
'Leakage method'.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
 12 CAPACITORS

LEARN THE SKILLS

1. A parallel plate capacitor has plates of area 200cm2 and separation between the plates
1.00mm. What potential difference will be developed if a charge of 1.00nC (i.e., 1.00 x 10-9C)
is now increased to 2.00mm, what will be the new potential difference?
ε0 A
Sol: The capacitance of the capacitor is C =
d
F 200 x 10-4 m2
= 8. 85 x 10-12 x
m 1 x 10-3 m
= 0.177 x 10-9F
= 0.177nF.
The potential difference between the plates is
Q 1nC
=
V = = 5.65 volts.
C 0.177nF
If the separation is increased from 1.00mm to 2.00mm the capacitance is decreased by a
factor of 2. If the charge remains the same, the potential difference will increase by a factor of
2. Thus, the new potential difference will be 5.65 volts x 2 = 11.3volts.
2. A capacitor stores 50µC charge when connected across a battery. When the gap between the
plates is filled with a dielectric, a charge of 100µC flows through the battery. Find the
dielectric constant of the material inserted.
Sol: Initial charge = 50µC = Q1
Amount of charge flows = 100µC
∴With dielectric total charge = (50+100) =150µC
Q 50µC
Initial capacity C = =
V V
'
Q 150µC
Final capacity C' = =
V V
C '
150 / V
K= = =3
C 50 / V

3. The figure shows a spherical capacitor with inner sphere earthed. The capacitance of the
system is

a b

Sol: Let V be potential on the outer sphere. Thus we can consider two capacitors between the
outer sphere and inner sphere and outer sphere and infinity.
Thus,
 CAPACITORS 13

ab
C1= 4πε0
b−a
C2= 4πε0 b
ab 4πε0 b2
C= 4πε0 + 4πε0 b ⇒C =
b−a b−a

4. In the above circuit, find the potential difference across AB.

Sol: Let us mark the capacitors as 1, 2, 3 and 4 for identification. As is clear, 3 and 4 are in
series, and they are in parallel with 2. The 2,3, 4 combine is in series with 1.
C3 .C4
C34 = = 4µf, C2,3,4 = 8 + 4 = 12µf
C3 + C 4
8 × 12
C=
eq = 4.8µf, q = Ceq V = 4.8 × 10 = 48µC
8 + 12
q  48µc 
The 'q' on 1 is 48µC, thus V=
1 = 6V =  V1 = 6V. ⇒ VPQ = 10 − 6 = 4V
c  8µF 
By symmetry of 3 and 4, we say, VAB = 2V.

5. What is VA − VB in the arrangement shown? What is the condition such that VA − VB =

0
Sol: Let charge be as shown
(Capacitors in series have the same charge)
Take loop containing C1 , C2 and E
q q  CC 
+ −E =0 ⇒q = E 1 2 
C1 C2  C1 + C2 
From loop containing C3 ,C4 and E
Similarly,
q' q'  C C 
+ −E =
0 ⇒q' = E 3 4 
C3 C 4  C3 + C 4 
q q'  C1 C3 
Now, VA − VB = − = E.  − 
C2 C 4  C1 + C2 C3 + C4 
14 CAPACITORS

 C1.C4 − C3 .C2  C1 C3
VA − VB =
E.   For VA − VB =
0 =
⇒C1C 4 C=
2C 3 0 or =
 ( C1 + C2 ) . ( C3 + C4 )  C2 C 4
 CAPACITORS 15

6. Three uncharged capacitors A, B and C are connected as shown in the figure. The charge on
capacitor B, in the steady state is,

7V
2µF 4µF 3µF
A B C
16V

14
Sol: Ceq. = µF; Veff = (16 − 7) = 9V .
9
∴Qtotal = Ceq.× Veff = 14µC, which divides itself between B and C in the ratio of the
capacitances.

7. In the show circuit, all three capacitor are identical and have capacitance C µ F
each. Each resistor has resistance of R Ω . An ideal cell of emf V volts is connected
as shown. Then the magnitude of potential difference across capacitor C 3 in
steady state is:

V V 3 2
(A) (B) (C) V (D) V
3 2 4 9

Sol: No current passes through capacitors in steady state. Assume potential at point
'4' to be zero.
Then points '1' and '2' are at same potential.
Equivalent circuit of all three capacitors is shown

Hence C 1 and C 2 can be taken in parallel.

( V /3 ) 2V
The potential at point 3 is ∴ Vc
= 3 = ×2
3 9
 16 CAPACITORS

8. A constant potential difference between A and B is applied. When the switch is shifted from
position P to position Q then
A P Q
2µF
24 V 1µF 3µF

B
A) charge on 2µF capacitor is approximately 13µC
B) potential difference across 3µF capacitor is approximately 4.3 volt
C) potential difference across 1µF capacitor is approximately 11 volt
D) charge on 1µF capacitor is approximately 11µC.
Sol: Initially Q=
1 24µC

24 24 × 5
Finally=
VC = volt
6 11
+1
5
6 24 × 5
Q′3 =
Q′2 = × 13µC (approx.)
=
5 11
24 × 5
Q1′ =
1× 11µC (approx.)
=
11
V1′ = 11 volt

Q′3 13
=
V3
′ = = 4.3 volt (approx.)
C3 3

9. From the given figure find the value of the capacitance C if the equivalent capacitance
between points A and B is to be 1µF. All the capacitances are in µF.

Sol: The capacitors C3 and C4are in parallel, therefore their resultant capacity C8 is 4. The
capacitors C5 and C6 are in series; therefore, their resultant capacity C9 is 4. These are
shown in figure (A)
8
Now the capacitor C2 and C8 are in series. Their resultant capacity C10 is . Capacitors
3
C7 and C9 are in parallel. Their resultant capacity C11 is 8. These are shown in figure. (B)
C1 and C11 are in series. The equivalent capacitance is 8/9. The parallel combination of 8/3
and 8/9 give a resultant capacitance 32/9 as shown in figure. (C)
 CAPACITORS 17

1 1 9 1 23 32
∴ = + or = ∴C = µF
1 C 32 C 32 23

C1
A
C
C2 8 1 4 4
C9 C7
C8 4

(A ) B

10. When switch is closed, charges on C1 and C2 are

20 µC
2 µF 2 µF
+ −
C1 C2

10 V
Sol: Let q be the charge that flows through the circuit upon closing the switch, then
20 + q q
= + 10 ⇒=q 0
2 2
∴ (A)
Alternatively, let q1 and q2 be the charges on the two capacitor after closing the switch, then
q1 q 2
+ = 10 …(i)
2 2
and −q1 + q 2 =−20 …(ii)
Solving q=
1 20µC and q2 = 0

11. The capacitor shown has square plates of side L and has gap d between the plates.A
dielectric slab fills exactly lower left quarter of the capacitor. If the dielectric constant of the
material of the slab is k, the capacitance of the capacitor is
 18 CAPACITORS

Sol:

1 d d d + dK ε0KA
= + = ⇒=
C
C ε0KA ε0 A ε0KA d (1 + K )
ε0 A ε KA ε0 A (1 + 3K ) ε0L2d (1 + 3K )
ceq = + 0 = =
2d d (1 + K ) 2d (1 + K ) 2d (1 + K )

12. The figure shown a system of parallel conductors. Each plate is of equal area A and equally
separated by d. Find the equivalent capacitance of the system between a and b
1
2 a
3 b
4

Sol: By joining the points of same potential, the arrangement of conductors may be reduced as
ε0 A
shown in figure. If the capacitance between two successive plates is given by C = then,
d
3 C 3 ε0 A
the equivalent capacitance of the system is given by C=
eq =
2 2 d

a
2
1 2
4 3
3
b

13. Five identical conducting plates 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are fixed parallel to and equidistant from
each other as shown in figure. Plates 2 and 5 are connected by a conductor while 1 and 3 are
joined by another conductor. The junction of 1 and 3 and the plate 4 are connected to a
source of constant e.m.f. V0. Find
(i)The effective capacity of the system between the terminals of the source

(ii)The charge on plates 3 and 5

 CAPACITORS 19

Given d = distance between any two successive plates and A = area of either face of each
plate.
Sol:

i) The equivalent circuit is shown in figure (b). The system consists of four capacitors i.e.,
 A
C12 ,C32 C34 and C54 . The capacity of each capacitor is  Kε0  =C0
 d

ii) The effective capacity across the source can be calculated as follow:
The capacitors C12 and C32 are in parallel and hence their capacity is C0 + C0 = 2C0. The
capacitor C54 is in series with effective capacitor of capacity 2C0. Hence the resultant capacity
C0 x 2 C0
will be
C 0 + 2C 0
Further C 34 is again in parallel. Hence the effective capacity
C0 x 2C0 5 5 A
= C0 + = C0 = Kε0
C0 + 2C0 3 3 d

iii) Charge on the plate 5 = charge on the upper half of parallel combination
 2  2 Kε0 AV0
=
∴ Q5 V0  =C0 
3  3 d
Charge on plate 3 on the surface facing 4
Kε0 AV0
V0 C0 =
d
Charge on plate 3 on the surface facing 2
= [Potential difference across (3 - 2)] C0
C AV0
= V0 C0= Kε0
C0 + 2C0 3d
Kε0 AV0 AV0 Kε0 AV0  1 4 A
∴Q= + Kε0 = 1 + 3 = 3 Kε0 d V0
d 3d d  
 20 CAPACITORS

14. A condenser is formed of two concentric sphere al conduction shells of radii a and b. If the
medium between the spherical shells has a dielectric constant K1 from a to r and K 2 from r to
b, find the capacity of spherical condenser.
Sol: The potential difference

Between inner and outer surfaces is given by

a
Va − Vb =
− E.dr ∫
b
a Q
= − ∫
b 4π ε 0 K r 2
.dr

Q  r dr b dr 
= 
4π ε 0  ∫a K1 r 2
+ ∫r

K 2 r2 
 1  1 1  1  1 1 
Q
=   − +  − 
4π ε 0
 K1  a r  K 2  r b  
Q 1  1 1   1 1 
=   − + − 
4π ε0  r  K 2 K1   K1a K 2b  
−1
Q  1 1  1 1 1 
Now C= = 4 π ε0  − +  − 
Va − Vb  K1a K 2b  r  K 2 K1  

15. A parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate separation d is charged to potential
difference V and then the battery is disconnected. A slab of dielectric constant K is then
inserted between the plates of the capacitor so as to fill the space between the plates. If Q, E
and W denote respectively, the magnitude of charge on each plate, the electric field between
the plates (after the slab is inserted), and work done on the system, in question, in the
process of inserting the slab, then:
ε0 AV ε0 KAV
(A) Q = (B) Q =
d d
V ε0 AV 2  1
(C) E = 1 − 
(D) W =
Kd 2d  K
Sol: Battery is removed. Therefore, charge stored in the plates will remain constant.
ε0 A
Q= CV = V = Constant.
d
Now, dielectric slab is inserted. Therefore, C will increase. New capacity will be,
ε0 KA
C′ = KC =
d
V′ V
V′ = =
d K
V′ V
And new electric field E = =
d K ⋅d
Potential energy stored in the capacitor,
 CAPACITORS 21

1 ε AV 2
Initially, Ui = CV2 = 0
2 2d
1
Finally, Uf = C′V′ 2
2
2
1 Kε A V ε AV 2
=  0    = 0
2  d  K  2Kd
ε0 AV 2  1
Work done on the system will be |∆U| = 1 − 
2d  K
∴correct options are (A), (C) and (D).

16. Figure shows two identical parallel plate capacitors connected to a battery through a switch
S. Initially, the switch is closed so that the capacitors are completely charged. The switch is
now opened and the free space between the plates of the capacitors is filled with a dielectric
of dielectric constant 3. The ratio of the initial total energy stored in the capacitors to the
final total energy stored is
S
A B
V C C

1 2
Sol: Initial energy (Ei )= 2 ×  CV 
2 
S
A B
V C C

When switch S is opened and dielectric is introduced the new capacitance (C1) of either
capacitor will be = 3 C and after opening the switch S the potential across capacitor A is V
volt but potential across B will now change. So final potential across capacitor B is V1 is
given by
=
q B = C1V1
CV
V
⇒ V1 = Volt
3
1
Therefore, final energy of A = (3C)V 2
2
2
1 V
And final energy of B = (3C)  
2 3
3 1 5
∴ Total final energy (Ef ) = CV 2 + CV 2 = CV 2
2 6 3
Ei 3
⇒ = .
Ef 5
 22 CAPACITORS

17. Two capacitors of capacitance 20 pF and 50 pF are connected in series with a 6 V battery
find
A) The potential difference across each capacitor
B) The energy stored in each capacitor
C1C2 50x20 100
Sol: A) Equivalent capacitance C= = = pF
C1 + C2 50 + 20 7

20pF 50pF

6V
100 600
∴ Charge on C1 = charge on C2 = x6= pC
7 7
600
∴ Potential difference across C1 ( = 50pC ) = = 1.71 V
7x50
600
And across C2 = ( 20pC ) = = 4.28 V
7x20
1
B) Energy in C1 = E1 = x 50x 1.71 ( 2
)
= 73.5 pJ
2
1
( )
2
Energy in C2 = E2 = x 20 x 4.28 = 184 pJ
2

18. A 5µF capacitor is charged to 12 volt. The positive plate of this capacitor is now connected to
the negative terminal of a 12 V battery and vice versa. Calculate the heat developed in the
connecting wires.
Sol: When capacitor is connected with battery the charge appears on one plate be Q = CV and -
Q on the other plate. If the capacitor is now disconnected and connected to the same battery
again with opposite polarity then - Q appear on first plate and + Q on second plate.
∴Total charge flown from battery is 2Q ∴W= charge x potential = 2QV
∴Q = CV
∴ W = 2C V 2
⇒ W = 2x5x 10−6 x (12)
2

= 1.44 mJ

19. A 8µF capacitor C1 is charged to V0 = 120volt. The charging battery is then removed and the
capacitor is connected in parallel to an unchanged 4µF capacitor C2.
A) What is the potential difference V across the combination?
B) What is the stored energy before and after the switch S is thrown?
Sol: A) Let q 0 be the charge on C1 initially Then q 0 = C1V0 when C1 is connected to C2 in parallel,
the charge q 0 is distributed between C1 and C2 . Let q1 and q 2 be the charges on C1 and C2
respectively. Now let V be the potential difference across each condenser.
Now q=0 q1 + q 2 or C1=
V0 C1V + C2 V
 CAPACITORS 23

C1 8µF
=
∴V = V0 (120V )
C1 + C2 8µF + 4µF
S

V0 C1 C2

= 80 V.
B) Initial energy stored
1 1
=U0 = C1V02 (8 x 10-6) (120)2
2 2
= 5 .76 x 10-2joule
Final energy stored
U = C6
1 1
= (8 x 10-6) (80)2 + (4 x 10-6) (80)2
2 2
= 3.84 x 10-2 J.
Final energy is less than the initial energy. The loss of energy appears as heat in connecting
wires.

20. Consider the situation shown in figure. The width of each plate is b. The capacitor plates are
rigidly clamped in the laboratory and connected to a battery of emf ε. All surfaces are
frictionless. The value of M for which the dielectric slab will stay in equilibrium is

d K

Sol. Suppose at some instant, the length of the slab, inside the cap is X
 The system is equivalent to 2 capacitor in parallel having capacitance
ε [b( − x)] ε (bx)K
C1 = 0 and C2 = 0 .
d d
ε0 b
 Total capacitance (Ceq ) = C1 + C2 = [ + x(K − 1)]
d
1 ε0 bV 2
⇒ PE stored in system
= (U) [ + x(K − 1)]
2 d
du 1 ε0 bV 2
 Electric force on the slab, tending to pull it towards left=
F = (K − 1)
dx 2 d
ε0 bV 2
=Mg (K − 1) .
2d
 24 CAPACITORS

x x
P1
F K
P2

M
Mg
21. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor have surface area ‘A’ and are initially separated by a
distance ‘d’. They are connected to a battery of voltage V . Now, the plates of the capacitor are
pulled apart to a separation 2d. Then, increase in the energy of the battery is
q2
Sol. The force of attraction acting between the plates F =
2 ∈0 A
C2 V 2 ∈ AV 2 2d ∈0 AV 2
=F = 0 2 ; =
2 ∈0 A 2d
W =
d
Fdx ∫
4d
When charge ∆Q leaves the plates of the capacitor it increases the energy of the battery
∈0 AV 2
∆CV 2 =
by ∆QV = .
2d

22. Find capacitance between the inner and outer curved conductor surfaces (Neglect fringing)
(ln 2 = 0.694)

k=5
300

5 cm
b = 10cm

5 cm 5 cm

Sol: Consider a small element of thickness dx at a distance x from ‘O’.

Length of arc PR = xθ
Area of plane = xθb

k ∈0 A k ∈0 ( xθb )
dc = = ( θ = π /6 )
d dx
1 dx 1 b
x2
dx 1 6 x  ∈0 kπb 10
ln  2 =
= =
dc k ∈0 ( xθb )
⇒
c ∈0 kπb ∫ x
=
c k ∈0 πb  x1 
 ⇒C =
 x2  3
PF
x1 , 6 ln  
 x1 

23. In a circuit shown in figure, the capacitance of each capacitor is equal to C and the
resistance equal to R. One of the capacitance was connected to a voltage V0 by closing

switch S1 . Now at t = 0 , the switch S1 is opened and S2 is closed

 CAPACITORS 25
R

v0 C C

S1 S2
V0 −2t/RC
(A) The current in the circuit as a function of time t is I = e
R
CV0
(B) Charge as a function of time=
is q
2
(
1 − e −2t/RC )
CV02
(C) Heat produced in the circuit is
2
CV02
(D) Heat produced in the circuit is
4
Sol: Initially charge on capacitor 1 is Q = CV0
Applying Kirchhoff’s law:
q t
Q−q q  Q − 2q   dq  dt
C
− IR −
C
0⇒
= =IR 
 C 
⇒ 
0
= 
Q − 2q  ∫ ∫ RC
0
CV0 V
⇒
= q
2
(
1 − e −2t/RC ) Hence, I = 0 e −2t/RC
R
I R
(Q-q)
+ 1 + 2
- - q

∞ ∞ 2 ∞
V  V2  e −4t/RC  −CV02 −∞ 1
∫
2

0 0
R 
∫
Heat produced H = i Rdt =  0 e −2t/RC  Rdt = 0
R

 −4 /RC
= 
0 4
e −=
 e −0 
4
CV02

24. Capacitors C1 = 1 µF and C2 = 2 µF are separately charged by the same battery. They are

allowed to discharge separately through equal resistors at t = 0. Then

A) The current in the two discharging circuits at t = 0 is zero
B) The current in the two discharging circuits at t = 0 are equal but not zero
C) The current in the two discharging circuits at t = 0 are unequal
D) C1 loses 50% of its initial charge sooner than C2 loosing 50% of its initial charge

Sol: In case of discharging of a capacitor through resistance

q = q 0e − t/CR
−dq q 0e − t/CR
=i =
dt CR
q0 CV V
i.e., (i)=
t =0 = =
CR CR R
or current at t = 0 will be non-zero and equal in both circuits.
Hence, choice (b) is correct also. Choices (a) and (c) are wrong.
In case of discharging of a capacitor
 26 CAPACITORS

q = q 0e − t/CR
for 50% of charge to leak through resistance
q0 − t/CR
= q=
0e or 2C et/CR
2
t
= ln=2 or t CR ln 2
CR
t1 C1 1
or = =
t 2 C2 2

__________________________________________________________________________________________
 CAPACITORS 27

JOIN THE MAIN

M-1

1. When 1012 electrons are transferred from one plate to the other, the potential difference
across an initially uncharged capacitor reaches 20 V. Its capacitance is:
A) 2 nF B) 4 nF C) 8 nF D) 16 nF

2. To form a composite 16µF,1000V capacitor from a supply of identical capacitors marked

8µF,250V, we require a minimum number of n capacitors where n is:

A) 40 B) 32 C) 8 D) 2

3. N drops of mercury each of radius r and charge q combine to form a big drop. Then the
capacitance of bigger drop as compared to individual drop is:
A) N times B) N2/3 times C) N1/3 times D) N3 times

4. The capacitance of a capacitor does not depend on:

A) The shape of the plates B) the size of the plates
C) The charges on the plates D) the separation between the plates

5. An air filled parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance 1 µF . The separation of the plate is
doubled and wax is inserted between them, which makes the capacitance 2 µF . This implies
that dielectric constant of wax is:
A) 2 B) 3 C) 4 D) 5

6. To form a composite 16µF,1000V capacitor from a supply of identical capacitors marked

8µF,250V, we require a minimum number of n capacitors where n is:
A) 40 B) 32 C) 8 D) 2

7. Six equal capacitors each of capacitance C are connected as shown. The equivalent
capacitance between A and B is:
C C C
A C C B C B
A C
C C

A) ( 2 /3 ) C B) ( 3 /2) C C) 2C D) 6 C

8. Four metallic plates, each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d from
each other.7The alternate plates are connected to points a and b as shown in figure. Then
the capacitance of the system is :

ε0 A 2ε0 A 3ε0 A 4ε0 A

A) B) C) D)
d d d d
 28 CAPACITORS

9. Four metallic plates each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d from
each other. The two outer plates are connected to one point a and the two other inner plates
to another point b as shown in the figure. Then the capacitance of the system is;

a b

ε0 A 2ε0 A 3ε0 A 4ε0 A

A) B) C) D)
2d d d d

10. Four metallic plates, each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d from
each other. The plates are connected as shown in the adjoining figure. Then the capacitance
of the system between a and b is:

3ε0 A 2ε0 A 2ε0 A 3ε0 A

A) B) C) D)
d d 3d 2d

11. A capacitor is to be designed to operate, with constant capacitance, in a environment of

fluctuating temperature. As shown in figure, the capacitor is a parallel-plate type with plastic
‘spacers’ to keep the plates aligned. If the plates are made of aluminium, what should be the
coefficient of thermal expansion of the spacers in order that the capacitance not vary with
temperature? The coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of capacitor is α , (Ignore
the effect of the spacers on the capacitance)

A) α /2 B) α C) 2 α D) 3 α

12. A spherical conductor of radius a is surrounded by a layer of a homogeneous dielectric

having outer radius b and the dielectric constant K. Approximate curves for E(r) and V(r),
where r is the distance from the centre of the sphere, if the sphere is charged positively is

V V V
V
E E E E

a r B) O
A) O a b r C) O a b r D) O a b r
 CAPACITORS 29

13. For the spherical conductor discussed in pervious question capacity is

4πε0Kab 4πε0Kab 4πε0Kab 4πε0Kab
A) B) C) D)
( K − 1) a b + ( K − 1) a a + ( K − 1) a ( K − 1) b
14. The equivalent capacitance between point a and b in the combination of capacitors shown in
figure is

A) 15 μF B) 10 μF C) 11.2 μF D) 7.4 μF

15. Statement-1: A parallel plate capacitor is charged using a battery and then a dielectric slab is
inserted completely filling space between plates without disconnecting battery. Electric field
between plates of capacitor will decrease.
Statement-2: Battery remains connected then charge on plates of capacitor increases as
dielectric slab is inserted.
A) both 1 and 2 are correct and 2 explains 1
B) both 1 and 2 are correct, but 2 doesn’t explain 1
C) 1 is correct and 2 is wrong
D) 1 is wrong and 2 is correct.

16. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The capacitor A has a charge q on it where as B is
uncharged. The charge appearing on the capacitor B a long time after the switch is closed is

A) zero B) q /2 C) q D) 2q

17. In the network shown, we have three identical capacitors. Each of them can withstand a
maximum 100 V p.d. What maximum voltage can be applied across A and B so that no
capacitor gets burnt?

A) 150 V B) 120 V C) 180 V D) 220 V

 30 CAPACITORS

18. A capacitor stores 60µC charge when connected across battery. When the gap between the
plates is filled with a dielectric, a charge of 120µC flows through the battery. The dielectric
constant of the material inserted is
A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) none

19. In the circuit shown in figure, the steady state voltage drop across the capacitor is Vc :

R3

V R2 C

R1
VR1 VR 2 VR1 VR 2
A) VC = B) VC = C) VC = D) VC =
R2 + R3 R1 + R 3 R1 + R 3 R1 + R 2

20. A circuit is connected as shown in the figure with the switch S open. When the switch is
closed, the total amount of charge that flows from Y to X is

A) 0 B) 54µC C) 27µC D) 81µC

21. In the given circuit, with steady current, the potential drop across the capacitor must be

A) V B) V/2 C) V/3 D) 2V/3

22. Statement-1: When a capacitor is charged by a battery, both the plates receive charges equal
in magnitude, no matter whether sizes of plates are identical or not.
Statement-2: The charge distribution on the plates of capacitor is in accordance with charge
A) both 1 and 2 are correct and 2 explains 1
B) both 1 and 2 are correct, but 2 doesn’t explain 1
C) 1 is correct and 2 is wrong
D) 1 is wrong and 2 is correct.
 CAPACITORS 31

23. Find the potential difference Va- Vb between the points a and b shown in the circuit:

A) 8 V B) 12 V C) -8 V D) -12 V

24. The equivalent capacitance between the points X and Y is :

A) 13 /9µF B) 9 /13µF C) 5 /13µF D) 13 /5µF

25. A 5.0µF capacitor is charged to 12 V. The positive plate of this capacitor is now connected to
the negative terminal of a 12 V battery and vice versa. The heat developed in the connecting
wires is:
A) 1.44 mJ B) 1.44 µJ C) 2.88 mJ D) 2.88 µJ

26. A capacitor of capacitance 1µF initially carrying a voltage 300 Volts is connected with an
uncharged capacitor of capacitance 2µF in parallel. Find the increment in electrostatic
energy of the capacitors.
A) 15 mJ B) -15 mJ C) 30 mJ D) -30 mJ

27. Three capacitors of 1µF,2µF and 3µF are initially having a charge of 10µC,20µC and 30µC
respectively. Now these are connected as shown in figure. If switch S is closed, find the
charge which flows through the lead wires on closing the switch-

60
A) µC B) 10µC C) 5µC D) 2.5µC
11
 32 CAPACITORS

28. A and B are the plates of a neutral parallel plate capacitor. Plate A is connected to an
unstretched non conducting spring of spring constant ‘K’.B is connected to an unstretched
inextensible string. Now a change +q and –q are given to the plates A and B respectively and
left freely. Then, the maximum elongation in the spring is

q2 q2 2q 2 q2
A) B) C) D)
KAε0 2KAε0 KAε0 4KAε0

29. The figure shows a conducting sphere ‘A’ of radius ‘a’ which is surrounded by a neutral
conducting spherical shell B of radius ‘b’ (>a). Initially switches S1, S2 and S3 are open and
sphere ‘A’ carries a charge Q. First the switch ‘S1’ is closed to connect the shell B with the
ground and then opened. Now the switch ‘S2’ is closed so that the sphere ‘A’ is grounded and
then S2 is opened. Finally, the switch ‘S3’ is closed to connect the spheres together. Find the
heat (in Joule) which is produced after closing the switch S3. [Consider b =4 cm, a = 2 cm
and Q = 8 µ C]

A) 1.8 B) 2.8 C) 3.8 D) 4.8

30. An air filled parallel plate capacitor with the plate area A is connected to a battery with an
emf E and small internal resistance. One of the plates vibrates so that the distance between
plates varies as d = d0 + a cosωt (a << d0). The capacitor breaks down when the
instantaneous current in the circuit reaches the value I. Maximum possible amplitude of
vibration a is
Id20 Id20 IA IA
A) B) C) 2
D)
EAωε0 2EAωε0 2Ed0 ωε0 Ed20 ωε0
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
 CAPACITORS 33

LET US ADVANCE
A-1

SINGLE CORRECT OPTION TYPE

1. Statement 1: A parallel plate capacitor is connected across battery through a key. A dielectric
slab of constant K is introduced between the plates. The energy which is stored becomes K
times.
Statement 2: The surface density of charge on the plate remains constant.
A) both 1 and 2 are correct and 2 explains 1
B) both 1 and 2 are correct, but 2 doesn’t explain 1
C) 1 is correct and 2 is wrong
D) 1 is wrong and 2 is correct.

2. How must we connect the capacitors = =

C1 2pF,C 2 =
4pF, and C3 6pF to obtain a system
with a capacitance of C = 3pF ?
A) C1 and C2 in series and C3 in parallel B) C1 and C2 in parallel and C3 in series
C) C1 and C3 in series and C2 in parallel D) C1 and C3 in parallel and C2 in series

3. The capacitance of the infinite ladder shown in figure across A and B is

A)
1+ 3
2
C B)
1+ 5
2
C (
C) 1 + 3 C ) (
D) 1 + 5 C)
4. An infinite number of identical capacitors, each of capacitance 1µF are connected in infinite
number of rows having 1,4, 16,64,256….. Capacitors respectively. If these rows are
connected in parallel (figure), the equivalent capacitance between A and B is:

A) 1µF B) 2µF C) 4 /3µF D) ∞

 34 CAPACITORS

5. A parallel plate capacitor of area A, plate separation d is filled with three different dielectric
materials having dielectric constants k1,k 2 and k 3 as shown in figure. The equivalent
capacity is

ε0 A  k1k 3 k k  ε0 A ( k1 + k 2 ) k 3
A)  + 2 3  B)
d  k1 + k 3 k 2 + k 3  d k1 + k 2 + k 3
ε0 A
( k1 + k 2 ) 3k 3
C) d D) none of these
( k1 + k 2 + 2k 3 )
6. The plates of parallel plate capacitors are charged upto 100 volt. A 2mm thick plate is
inserted between the plates, and then to maintain the same potential difference, the distance
between the capacitor plates is increased by 1.6 mm. The dielectric constant of the plate is;
A) 5 B) 1.25 C) 4 D) 2.5

7. Six metallic plates each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d from
each other. The alternate plates are connected to points P and Q as shown in figure. The
capacitance of the system is:

ε0 A 5ε 0 A 6ε0 A ε0 A
A) B) C) D)
d d d 5d

8. In the arrangement shown, all plates have equal area. The amount of spacing between plates
ε0 A
is mentioned. Find the equivalent capacitance of the system between A and B if C =
L
2L A
L
L
L B
2L
5 3 1
A) C B) C C) C D) None of these
7 7 7

MULTIPLE CORRECT OPTION TYPE

 CAPACITORS 35

9. A parallel plate capacitor is completely charged with a battery. The battery is disconnected
and the plates are moves further apart by means of insulating handles.
A) Charge on the plates increase
B) Potential difference between the plate increases
C) The capacitance of the system decreases
D) The electrostatic energy stored in the capacitor increases

10. Each plate of a parallel plate capacitor has a charge q on it. The capacitor is now connected
to a battery. Now,
A) The facing surface of the capacitor have equal and opposite charges
B) The two plates of the capacitor have equal and opposite charges
C) The battery supplies equal and opposite charges to the two plates
D) The outer surfaces of the plates have equal charges

11. Four parallel large plates separated by equal distance d are arranged as shown. The area of
the plate is S. Charge Q is given to plate B. Choose the correct alternatives.

A) Charge on left surface of plate C is –Q/3

Qd
B) Potential difference between B and C is
3ε0S
2Qd
C) Potential difference between A and B is −
3ε0S
D) If we consider plates A,B,C and D as system, conservation of charge is not valid.

12. A capacitor C is charged to a potential V by a battery. The emf of the battery is V. It is then
disconnected from the battery and again connected with its polarity reversed to the battery.
A) The work done by the battery is CV 2
B) The total charge that passes through battery is 2CV.
C) The initial energy of the capacitor is greater than the final energy of the capacitor
D) All are correct

13. The two plates X and Y of a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C are given a charge of
amount Q each. X is now joined to the positive terminal and Y to the negative terminal of a
cell of emf E = Q /C :
A) Charge of amount Q will flow from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the cell
through the capacitor.
B) The total charge on the plate X will be zero.
C) The total charge on the plate Y will be zero.
D) The cell will supply CE2 amount of energy.
14. For the given figure, choose the correct option:
 36 CAPACITORS

= 45µC
A) Q B) Vb − Vc =
5V = 90µC
C) Q D) Vb − Vc =
10V

15. For the given figure, choose the correct option:

A) Va − Vf =
110V B) Vb − Vc =
0 C) Va − Vb =
60V D) Ve − Vd =
0

16. A parallel plate air capacitor is connected to a battery. The quantities charge, voltage, electric
field and energy associated with this capacitor are given by Q0, V0, E0 and U0 respectively. A
dielectric slab is now introduced to fill the space between the plates with the battery still in
connection. The corresponding quantities now given by Q, V, E and U are related to the
previous one as
A) Q > Q0 B) V > V0 C) E > E0 D) U > U0

COMPREHENSION TYPE
Passage-1
The figure shows a diagonal symmetric arrangement of capacitors and a battery

17. Identify the correct statements

A) Both the 4 µF capacitors carry equal charges in opposite sense.
B) Both the 4 µF capacitors carry equal charges in same sense
C) VB − VD = 0
D) VD − VB > 0

18. If the potential of C is zero, then identify the incorrect statement:

A) VA = +15V B) 4 ( VA − VB ) + 2 ( VD − VB ) =
2VB
C) 2 ( VA − VD ) + 2 ( VB − VD ) =
4VD D) V=
A VB + VD
 CAPACITORS 37

19. The value of charge q1,q 2 and q 3 as shown in the figure is:

A) q1 =32 µC; q 2 =24 µC; q 3 =−8 µC B) q1 =48 µC; q 2 =16 µC; q 3 =+8 µC
C) q1 =32 µC; q 2 =24 µC; q 3 =+8 µC D) q1 =3 µC; q 2 =4 µC; q 3 =+2 µC

Passage-2
A parallel plate capacitor is made up of two parallel rectangular plates having length  and
width b. Separation between the plates is d. A dielectric slab is introduced between the
plates as shown in fig.

Dielectric constant of dielectric material is K. During the process the plates are connected to
a battery of p.d.V.

20. The external force required upon dielectric, so that it will move inside with constant speed is:
bε V 2 bε 0 bε bε
A) V 2 0 ( K − 1) B) ( K − 1) C) 0 ( K − 1) D) 2V 2 0 ( K − 1)
d 2 d d d

21. If dielectric slab goes inside with constant speed v, then the rate with which charge increase
on plates of capacitor is :
bε 0 bε 0 2bε0
A) ( k − 1) Vv B) ( k − 1) Vv C) ( k − 1) Vv D)zero
d 2d d

22. Let dielectric slab goes inside by very small distance and a charge dQ comes from battery to
positive plate of capacitor, then change in energy stored in capacitor is
dQ.V −dQ.V
A) dQ.V B) C) D) −dQ.V
2 2
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
 38 CAPACITORS

A-2

SINGLE CORRECT OPTION TYPE

1. Three uncharged capacitors A, B and C are connected as shown in the figure. The charge on
capacitor B is, in the steady state,

7V
2µF 4µF 3µF
A B C
16V

A) 14µC B)8µC C)7µC D)6µC

2. N capacitors, each of capacitance C are connected in series across a battery of emf ε . The
charge on each capacitor is Q. Now a dielectric of dielectric constant k is inserted in M
capacitors keeping the battery connected (M<N) and the new charge happens to be Q’, then
Q kM Q' kN Q' kN Q' kM
A) = B) = C) = D) =
Q' ( N − M ) Q k ( N − M) + M Q ( N + M) Q k ( N − M) + M

3. Two coaxial long cylindrical shells are of radii R and 2 R are connected across a battery of
3R
voltage V as shown in figure. The electric field at a point P situated at a distance from
2
axis of system is:

2V 4V 2V 4V
A) B) C) D)
3R ln 2 3R ln 2 R ln 2 R ln 2

4. When switch is closed, charges on C1 and C2 are

20 µC
2 µF 2 µF
+ −

C1 C2

10 V
A) 20 µC, 0 B) 10 µC, 10 µC C)30µC, 10 µC D)0, 20 µC
 CAPACITORS 39

5. A conducting sphere A of radius rA carries a charge Q. Another conducting sphere B of radius

rB is uncharged initially. Both the spheres are separated by a very large distance. Sphere A is
connected with sphere B through a long conducting wire of zero resistance through a switch
S as shown in the figure. At t = 0 switch S is closed. As soon as the current flow through the
wire vanishes, switch S is opened, sphere A is again charged to a total charge Q and then
switch S is again closed and the process is continued for infinite times. If q is the charge
transferred to sphere B when the switch S is closed for the first time, then total charge on the
sphere B after large number of such processes is

qQ rB
A) Q B) C) Q D) none of these
Q−q rA

6. For the circuit shown, which of the following statements is true?

=
A) with S1 closed =
V1 15V,V2 20V =
B) with S3 closed V1 V=
2 25V
=
C) with S1 & S2 closed V1 V=
2 0 =
D) with S1 & S3 closed, =
V1 30 V,V2 30 V

COMPREHENSION TYPE
Passage-I
Three identical capacitors and two identical batteries of negligible internal resistance are
connected as shown in figure. Neglect the resistance of the wires and all the three switches
are initially open. There is no charge on any capacitor initially

7. S2 and S3 are closed and after some time S1 is also closed. What is work done by battery 1
due to closing of switch S1?
2 4
A) CV2 B) CV 2 C) CV 2 D) 2CV 2
3 3

8. In the above situation, what is work done by battery 2 due to closing of switch S1?
2 2 CV 2
A) Zero B) − CV 2 C) CV 2 D)
3 3 3

9. All the switches are closed for long time. Total energy stored in all the capacitors is U1. Now
S1 is open and total energy stored in all the capacitors is U2. What is the value of
U1 – U 2 ?
4 7 4
A) Zero B) CV 2 C) CV 2 D) − CV 2
3 12 3
 40 CAPACITORS

Passage-II
A capacitor is constructed from two square plates of sides  and separation d, as suggested
in figure. You many assume that d is much less than  . The plates carry charges +Q0 and
−Q0 . A block of metal has width  , length  , and thickness slightly less than d. It is inserted
a distance x into the capacitor. The charges on the plates are not disturbed as the block
slides in. The plates have a thin insulation over it.

10. The stored energy as a function of x is:

A) Q20d (  − x ) / 23 ∈0( ) (
B) Q20d (  − x ) / 3 ∈0 )
C) Q0d 2 ∈0 (  − x )  D) Q0d  ∈0 (  − x ) 
2 2

11. The direction and magnitude of the force that acts on the metallic block is:
(
A) Q20d / 23 ∈0 to the left ) (
B) Q20d / 23 ∈0 ) to the right
C) Q20d / ( 2 ∈0 ) to the left D) Q0 d / ( 2 ∈0 ) to the right
2

12. The area of the advancing front face of the block is essentially equal to d . Considering the
force on the block as acting on this face, then the stress (force per area) on it is:
(
A) Q20 / 2 4 ∈0 ) (
B) Q20 / 22 ∈0 ) C) Q20 / ( 2 ∈0 ) D) 2Q20 / ( 2 ∈0 )
13. If a metal block is released with its  0 length between the plates it starts oscillating. Its period
of oscillation is (mass of block is m, there is no friction between plates) :
4 (  −  0 ) 3 ∈0 m 4 (  −  0 ) 3 ∈0 m
A) 4 B) 2
Q20d Q20d
4 (  −  0 ) 3 ∈0 m 1 4 (  −  0 )  ∈0 m
3
C) D)
Q20d 2 Q20d

MATRIX MATCHING TYPE

14. Initially switch S is open and each of the capacitors are separately charged as shown. Then
they are connected in series with the plates connected as shown. A battery is now connected
and switch is closed. After a long time, when circuit reaches steady state then the following
quantities are observed:
10µ F 20µ F 30µ F

+30µ C, −30µ C +20µ C, −20µ C +10µ C, −10µ C

 CAPACITORS 41

COLUMN-I COLUMN – II
A) Find charge on 10µF capacitor p) −10µC
B) Final charge on 20µF capacitor q) 570
µC
11
C) Final charge on 30µF capacitor r) 680
µC
11
D) Total final charge on plate 4 + s) 790
µC
plate 5 11

INTEGER TYPE

15. A finite ladder is constructed by connecting several selections of 2µF, 4µF capacitor
combinations as shown in figure. It is terminated by a capacitor of capacitance C. What value
should be chosen for C, such that the equivalent capacitance of the ladder between the point
A and B becomes independent of the number if sections in between?

16. A parallel plate capacitor is filled with dielectric and a certain p.d. is applied to its plates. The
energy if the capacitor is 4 × 10−5 J. After the capacitor is disconnected from the power source,
the dielectric is extracted from the capacitor. The work performed against the forces of the
electric field in extracting the dielectric is 8 × 10−5 J. Find the dielectric constant of the
dielectric.

17. Find heat produced in the circuit shown in figure on closing the switch S.

18. When the switch S is closed, the charge which flows from point A to B is____________
 42 CAPACITORS

19. Figure shows two identical parallel plate capacitors connected to a battery through a switch
S. Initially, the switch is closed so that the capacitors are completely charged. The switch is
now opened and the free space between the plates of the capacitors is filled with a dielectric
of dielectric constant 3. The ratio of the initial total energy stored in the capacitors to the
final total energy stored is 3:N.the value of n is
S

V A B

C C

20. In the following figure all capacitors are of capacitance C. The equivalent capacitance across
A and B is _______________
C
C C
C C C

A B
C C C
C C
C
21. The readings of ammeter A in figure is (assuming the instrument to be ideal)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________
 CAPACITORS 43

A-3

SINGLE CORRECT OPTION TYPE

1. A 4µf capacitor holding a charge of 4 x 10-5C is connected to a 20Ω resistor via a switch what
current will flow immediately after the switch is closed

A) zero B) 0.5A C) 1.0A D) 2.0A

2. A DC circuit consisting of two cells of emf V and 2V, having no internal resistance are
connected with two capacitors of capacity C and 2C and four resistors R , R, 2R and 2R as
shown in figure. The ammeter and voltmeter used in the circuit are ideal.
The reading of the ammeter as soon as the switch‘s’ is closed is

V V 3V
A) B) C) D) zero
R 2R R

3. A capacitor is initially connected to a battery of EMF 3 V . At t=0, switch is thrown to B state.

Now charge on capacitor at any instant is given by

=
A) (
q C V + 2Ve − t\RC ) =
B) (
q C V − 2Ve − t\RC )
=
C) q C ( V + 2Ve − t\2RC
) =
D) q C ( V + 2Ve −2t\RC
)
 44 CAPACITORS

4. A capacitor is charged using an external battery with a resistance x in series. The dashed line
shows the variation of n i with respect to time. If the resistance is changed to 2x the new
graph will be
S

R
InI
Q

t
A) P B) Q C) R D)S

COMPREHENSION TYPE
Passage-1

Suppose the switch S has been closed sufficiently long for the capacitor to become fully
charged, Find

5. The steady-state current through each resistor

A) I=
1 I=
2 3mA,I= 3 0 =
B) =
I1 1A,I2 =
2A,I3 3A
1 1
C) I=
1 I=
2 mA,I=
3 0 D) I=
1 I=
2 mA,I=
3 3A
3 3

6. In the above question the switch S is now opened at t=0. Find the time that it takes for the
charge on the capacitor to fall to half its initial value
A) 0.3 s B) 0.1386 s C) 0.693 s D) 0.367 s

7. In the above question, write an equation for the current through R 2 as a function of time.
A) I 0.25 × e −5t mA
= B)
= I 0.45 × e −5t mA
C)
= I 0.25 × e −10t mA D)
= I 0.45 × e −2t mA

Passage-2
The capacitor is initially uncharged, the S is closed at t = 0
A R
S
R C
V
R B
Answer the following question.
 CAPACITORS 45

8. Charge Q on capacitor at time t is

(
A) Cv 1 − e −2t/3RC ) B)
Cv
2
(
1 − e − t/RC ) C)
Cv
2
(
1 − e −2t/3RC ) D)
Cv
2
(
1 − e −3t/RC )
9. The current in the AB is
V −2t/3RC V − t/RC V −2t/3RC V  1 −2t/3RC 
A) e B) e C) e D) 1 − e 
3R 3R 6R 2R  3 

10. Current through AB after a long time

V V V
A) Zero B) C) D)
R 3R 2R

PASSAGE-III
A uniformly charge sphere is connected to earth through the circuit as shown in the figure.
The voltmeter shown in the figure is ideal (i.e., the resistance of voltmeter can be assumed to
be infinite). The switch S shown in the figure is closed at t = 0. The reading of voltmeter at
any time t is given by V = R Q0 e−αt. Now answer the following questions
+++
+
+
+++

+++

+ + ++

R V ←Ideal
voltmeter

11. Initial charge on the sphere is

Q0
A) Q0 B) C) Qα D) None
2

12. Radius of the conducting sphere is

1 R α
A) B) C) D) None
4πε0 αR 4πε0 α 4πε0R

13. Current through the resistance R at any time t is

A) Q0 αe −αt B) −Q0e −αt C) Q0 D) None

14. When t →∞ charge on the conducting sphere is

A) Zero B) Q0e −αt C) Q0 D) None

MATRIX MATCHING TYPE

15. I vs t curves for two series R-C circuits are given in figure (a) and figure (b) . The capacitors
are initially unchanged and battery is connected at t = 0. Figure (a) corresponds to RC circuit
with resistance and capacitance R and C respectively. Figure (b) corresponds to RC circuit
 46 CAPACITORS

with resistance and capacitance R’ and C’ respectively. Column-I gives various relations and
Column-II gives possible values of R’ and C’ . Match respectively.

COLUMN-I COLUMN – II
A) α' > α p) = =
C ' C,R ' 2R
B) α' < α q) = =
C ' 2C,R ' R
C) I'0 > I0 r) C
=
C' =,R ' 2R
4
D) I'0 < I0 s) R
= =
C ' 4C,R '
2
t) C
=C' = ,R ' 2R
8

16. Match the following:-

Column-I Column-II
6Ω

1Ω 3Ω
A) V = 10Volt 2µ F p) 6

When the switch is closed the time

constant of circuit
3Ω
3Ω
1µ F
B) q) 2
1Ω

10Volt 3Ω
Time constant τ = RC
 CAPACITORS 47

6Ω

1µ F 3Ω
C) 5Ω r) 5

2Ω
20V
Time constant of circuit is

3Ω 2Ω
5µ F
D) 0.5Ω s) zero
5V
2Ω 3Ω

Time constant is
t) 15

17. The given figure shows a plated capacitor whose one of the plates is tilted at a very small
angle θ . Determine the capacitance of such a capacitor.

18. Two conducting spheres of radius r and 2r are at very large separation. Each sphere is
having charge Q= 10µc. Take r = 30 cm. There spheres are connected with a conducting wire
of Resistance R = 90 Kilo ohm. The magnitude of current in the wire at t= 2µ sec is of the
i
value 0x (where i0 is current at t=0 sec). Find x.
e

19. Consider the shown network. Initially S2 is open and S1 is closed for a long time. Both the
switches are then closed simultaneously at t=0. If switch S2 is also closed for a long time
interval, find the total heat that would dissipate.
 48 CAPACITORS

20. Three charged capacitors C1,C2 and C3 of capacitances 3µF,3µF & 6µF respectively and
having charge 30µC , each are connected with a resistor of resistance 10Ω through a key k
as shown. The key is closed at t=0. Find
a) Initial current b) Final charge deposited on the capacitors
c) Heat dissipated in the resistors.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
 CAPACITORS 49

REACH THE PEAK

Olympiad

1. a) A metal ball of radius a is surrounded by a thin concentric metal shell of radius b. The
space between these electrodes is filled up with a poorly conduction homogeneous medium of
resistivity ρ . Find the resistance of the inter electrode gap. Analyze the obtained solutions at
b → ∞.
b) The space between two conducting concentric spheres of radii a and b (a<b) is filled up
with homogenous poorly conducting medium . the capacitance of such a system equals C.
Find the resistivity of the medium if the potential difference between the spheres, when they
are disconnected from an external voltage, decreases η -fold during the time interval ∆ t.

2. The given figure shows a capacitor composed of 2 very long conducting cylinders.

a) Find the capacitance per unit length of the system.

b) If a third such cylinder of radius c(c>b) is added to the system and the positive terminal of
the cell is connected to it, what is the capacitance per unit length between cylinders of radii a
and c?
c) Determine the electrostatic energy per unit length stored in the capacitor when v is
attached to cylinders of radii a and c.
d) If the radius of the external cylinder, to which the voltage source is connected, is increased
from c to d, what will be the electrostatic energy per unit length stored in the new capacitor?
e) V is disconnected from cylinder of radius d and its radius is shrunk back to r=c. Find the
electrostatic energy per unit length.

3. At the moment t=0, an electron leaves one plate of a parallel plate capacitor with a negligible
velocity. An acceleration voltage, varying as V=kt, is applied between the plates. The
separation between the plates is L. What is the velocity of the electron at the moment it
reaches the opposite plate?

4. Find the capacitance of a system of two identical metal balls of radius a if the distance
between their centres is equal to b, will b>a. The system is located in a uniform dielectric
with permittivity unity.

5. Prove that the capacitance of two very long, thin parallel wires, each of radius a and
separated by distance d in air, is given by
C = πε0 / log e ( d /a )

6. Five thin rectangular conducting plates with each of constant breadth 1 m are arranged
parallel to each other as shown in the figure. Two consecutive plate are separated by equal
distanced d=1 mm. The plates are arranged in increasing order of height. The height of the
 50 CAPACITORS

height plate is h=5.12 m, and the height of each successive plate decreases by a factor of 2.
Then find the equivalent capacitance of the system between the first and the last plate
assuming that air is present in between the plates.

7. A charge Q is imparted to two identical plane capacitors connected in parallel. Find the
amount of work done by electrostatic field when distance between the plates of the first
capacitor increases according to the law d=1 d0 + vt and that between the plates of the
second capacitor decreases according to the law d=
2 d0 − vt simultaneously by an amount a.

8. A capacitor consists of two circular parallel plated both with radius R separated by distance
d, where d<<R, as shown in fig. (A), the top plate is connected to a constant voltage source at
a potential V while the bottom plate is grounded. Then a thin and small disk of mass m with
radius r (<< R, d) and thickness t(<< r) is placed on the centre of the bottom plate, as shown
in fig.(B)
Let us assume that the space between the plates is in vacuum with the dielectric constant
ε0 ; the plates and the disk are made of perfect conductors; and all the electrostatic edge
effects may be neglected. The inductance of the whole circuit and the relativistic effects can
be safely disregarded. The image charge effect can also be neglected.

Slide view +V

R V d
d

r
t q

mg

Figure schematic drawings of (A) a parallel plate capacitor connected to a constant voltage
source and (B) a side view of the parallel plates with a small disk inserted inside the
capacitor.
a) Calculate the electrostatic force Fp between the plate separated by d before inserting the
disk in between as shown in fig,(A)
 CAPACITORS 51

b) When the disk is placed on the bottom plate, a charge q on the disk of fig(B) is related to
the voltage V by q = χV .Find χ is terms of r, d and ε0 .

c) The parallel plates lie perpendicular to a uniform gravitational field g. To lift up the disk at
rest initially, we need to increases the applied voltage beyond a threshold voltage Vth. Obtain
Vth terms of m,g, d and x.

d) When v> vth, the disk makes an up-and- down motion between the plates. (Assume that
the disk moves only vertically without any wobbling.) The collisions between the disk and
moves only vertically without any wobbling.) The collisions between the disk and the plates
are inelastic with the restitution coefficient η = ( νafter / νbefore ) where ν before and νafter are the
speeds of the disk just before and after the collision respectively. The plates are stationary
fixed in position. The speed of the disk just after the collision at the bottom plate approaches
a “steady –state speed” Vs , which depends of v as follows.

Vs = αv 2 + β

Obtain the coefficients α and β in terms of m,g,x, d and η . Assume that the whole surface of
the disk touches the plates evenly and simultaneously so that the complete charge exchange
happens instantaneously at every collision.

e) After reaching its steady state, the time –averaged current I through the capacitor plates
can be approximated by I = γV 2 when qV>>mgd. Express the coefficient γ in terms of m, x, d
and η .

f) When the applied voltage V is decreased (extremely slowly) to a critical voltage Vc below
which the charge will cease to flow. Find Vc and the corresponding current Ic in terms of m,
g, x, d and η . By comparing Vc with the lift-up threshold Vth discussed in (c), make a rough
sketch of the I-V characteristics when V is increased and decreased in the range from V=0 to
3 Vth.

9. The parallel plate capacitor AB shown in figure has vertical plates, a capacitance of 4.0 pF
and a plate separation of 50 mm. A small attached to plate A. The ball of mass 0.1 g and
capacitance 0.33 pF initially touches plate A. Plate B is grounded while plate A is connected
to a power supply of potential V0 for a short time by closing the switch S and then opening it
again. Due to the charge deposited on the plates and the ball, the now swing s across,
touches plate B, swing back, touches A and finally swings out again so that it almost touches
plate B.
Based on this description, determine the power supply voltage V0 .
 52 CAPACITORS

10. In the given circuit, one of the capacitors was connected to a voltage V0 and then at the
moment t=0 was shorted by means of the switch. Find
a) The current I in the circuit as a function of time t.
b) The amount of heat generated.

11. The shown circuit has cell of total emf V0 , a resistor R, a capacitor C and a switch in series.
The charge on the capacitor is initially zero.

a) Write down the equation that determines the current I at any time t terms of the charge Q
on the capacitor. At time zero, what is the value of the current immediately after closing the
switch?

b) Determine the current I flowing in the circuit at the time t in terms of V0 , R and C.

c) Show that the voltage VR across the resistor decreases exponentially with time t. Hence
obtain a formula for VC , the voltage across the capacitor. Calculated the time taken by VR to
decrease to half of its initial value.
d) A neon lamp is placed in parallel with the capacitor. It has the property that it is non-
conducting provided the potential difference across it is less than 45 V. Above 45 V its acts
as perfect conductors and remains a perfect conductor until the voltage across it has reduced
to zero. It then reverts to a perfect insulator until the voltage across it again rises above 45 V.

During its conduction period, a discharge takes place in the gas which produces its
=
characteristic light. For such a circuit V0 = 90 V, and C 0.200 µF . What is the value of R for
flashing frequency of 2.00 Hz?
 CAPACITORS 53

e) What is the mean power drawn from the battery by the neon circuit under the conditions
specified in (d)?
f) Indicate qualitatively, with the help of graphs, how the voltage across the capacitor would
change. If the neon lamp had a small resistance r, much less than R, during its conduction
period and become non-conducting, when the voltage across the capacitor becomes less than
Vc , where Vc is much less than 45 V.

12. An isolated parallel-plate capacitor has circular plates of radius 4.0 cm. Its gap is filled with

a partially conducting material of dielectric constant K and conductivity 5.0 × 10−4 Ω −1m−1 .

When the capacitor is charged to a surface charge density of 15µC /cm2 , the initial current
between the plates is 1.0µA .
a) Determine the value of the dielectric constant K.
b) If the total joule heating produced is 7500 J, determine the separation of the capacitor
plates.

__________________________________________________________________________________________
 54 CAPACITORS

KEY

JOIN THE MAIN

1. C 2. C 3. C 4. C 5. C 6. C 7. B
8. C 9. B 10. B 11. C 12. B 13. B 14. C
15. C 16. A 17. A 18. C 19. D 20. C 21. C
22. B 23. C 24. B 25. A 26. D 27. A 28. A
29. A 30. B
LET US ADVANCE
A-1

1. C 2. B 3. B. 4. C 5. A 6. A 7. B
8. B 9. BCD 10. ACD 11. ABCD 12. C 13. ABCD 14. AB
15. ABCD 16. AD 17. B 18. C 19. C 20. B 21. A
22. B
A-2

1. B 2. B 3. A 4. A 5. B 6. D 7. D
8. C 9. A 10. A 11. D 12. A 13. A
14. A-s; B-r; C-q; D-p 15. 4 16. 3 17. 0 18. 50µC 19. 5
20. 2.5C 21. 8

A-3

1. B 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. C 6. B 7. B
8. C 9. D 10. D 11. A 12. A 13. A 14. A
A  ∆d 
15. A-pqs; B-rt; C-s; D-prt 16. A-p; B-q; C-p; D-t 17. = Ceq 1 − 
4πd  2d 
18. 1 19. 648 µJ 20. a) 1.5 A b) 12 µC , 12 µC , 48 µC c) 135 µJ

REACH THE PEAK

Olympiad

∆t × 4πab
1. ρ=
C ( b − a ) log e n
1 Q 1
2. =
Cba =
L Vba 2In ( b /a )
Cba 1
=
L 2In ( c /a )
U1 = V 2 / 4In ( c /a )
 CAPACITORS 55

V2
U2 =
4 In ( d /a )
V 2 In ( c /a )
U3 =
4In2 ( d /a )
2πε0a ( b − a )
2/3
1 ek  6mL2  q
3. V=   4. =C =
2 mL  ek  V+ − V− ( b − 2a )
2πQ2 a πQ2a 2
Ad0 ∫0
6. 1.5nF =
7. W = x dx
Ad0
∂U 1 V2
8. FR = + = − ε0 πR 2 2
∂d 2 d
πr 2
q = −ε0E. ( πr 2 ) = −ε0 V= χ
d
πr 2
χ = −ε0
d
2 mgd
Vth =
χ
 η2   2χ   η2 
2 (
=α  = 2   , β  2gd )
1 − η   m  1 + η 
1+ η χ3
γ=
1 − η 2md2
1 + η2
zc =
2 (1 + η2 )
2
 V0 
 R  (e ) R dt 14CV02
∞
−2t/RC 2
9. V0 1.00 × 104 V
= 10.=H ∫=
I2 R dt ∫
0
 
=

Q
11. V=
0 Ri +
C
−1
I = I0e RC
VC V0 (1 − e − t/RC )
=
R = 3.6 × 106 Ω
2 ( 0.2 × 10 )  1 
−6

P0 ( )
=
90  2  1.62mW
0.5  
12. a) K = 4.26 ; b) d = 5mm