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dr
dV
E compute the potential difference
between the 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
( )
E
2 2
or,
dx
dV
[ as
dx
dV
E ]
or,
d
0
0
V
dx dV
i.e., d V
So,
( ) d
A
/ d
A
V
q
C
or
d
KA
C
0
[as
0
K ]
SPHERICAL CAPACITOR :
We can derive the capacity of a spherical capacitor in a similar
S Y L L A B U S
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
0 x d x
V 0
V
P
+
d
q +
+
b
a
E
+
+
+
+
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2
way V=
0
4
q
,
_
b
1
a
1
;
C =
V
q
=
b
1
a
1
4
0
=
a b
ab 4
0
If the radius of the outer sphere tends to infinity, b, the capacitance reduces to
C = 4 a
0
which is the capacitance of the isolated sphere.
CYLINDRICAL CAPACITOR :
E =
r 2
0
a b r
V =
b a
V V = -
a
b
Edr or V =
0
2
ln
a
b
C =
V
q
=
V
=
a
b
n
2
0
ILLUSTRATION : 01
A parallel plate capacitor has plates of area 200cm
2
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
-9
C) is given to it. Now if separation between the plates is increased to 2.00mm, what
will be the new potential difference?
SOLUTION : The capacitance of the capacitor is
d
A
C
0
= 8. 85 x 10
-12
m 10 x 1
m 10 x 200
x
m
F
3 -
2 -4
= 0.177 x 10
-9
F
= 0.177nF.
The potential difference between the plates is
65 . 5
nF 177 . 0
nC 1
C
Q
V volts.
If the separation is increased from 1.00mm to 2.00mm the capacitance is decreases
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 5.65volts x 2 = 11.3 volts.
COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
SERIES COMBINATION :
Q + Q Q + Q Q + Q
1
C
2
C
3
C
1
V
2
V
3
V
l
Q
a
b
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3
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 shared by the capacitors.
Q =
3 3 2 2 1 1
V C V C V C and V =
3 2 1
V V V + +
Effective capacitance of the combination C can be found from the relation.
C
1
=
1
C
1
+
2
C
1
+
3
C
1
PARALLEL COMBINATION :
In this combination p.d. across each of capacitors is same but the charge supplied
at points A and B is shared by capacitors.
V =
1
1
C
Q
=
2
2
C
Q
=
3
3
C
Q
and total
charge
Q =
1
Q +
2
Q +
3
Q
C =
1
C +
2
C +
3
C
ILLUSTRATION : 02
Find the equivalent capacitance
between points A and B of the circuit
shown, each capacitance = C
SOLUTION : Equivalent circuit is
Each branch equivalent capacitance is
2
C
.
There are four branches in parallel
eq
C
=
2
C
+
2
C
+
2
C
+
2
C
= 2C
ILLUSTRATION : 03
The figure shown is 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
SOLUTION : By joining the points of same potential, the
arrangement of conductors may be reduced as shown in
figure. If the capacitance between two successive plates is
given by
d
A
C
0
1
Q -
2
Q
2
Q -
+
3
Q
3
Q -
+
A B
A
B
A
B
a
b
2
2
1
4
3
3
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4
DIELECTRICS :
When a dielectric is introduced between conductors of a capacitor, its capacitance
increases. A dielectric is characterized by a constant 'K' called dielectric constant.
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT :
When a dielectric is placed in an external electric field, polarization occurs and it
develops an electric field in opposition to the external one. As a result total field inside it
decreases. If E is the total field inside the dielectric when it is placed in an external field
0
E , then its dielectric constant 'K' is given as K =
E
E
0
( k > 1)
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 ', the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor =
d
A K
0
C
q
dq
[The charge moves through the wires, not across the gap between the plates]
W = total work done to transfer charge Q =
Q
0
C
q
dq =
C 2
Q
2
=
2
QV
=
2
1
C
2
V
This work done is stored as electrostatic energy ie.,
U =
2
1
C
2
V
=
2
1
,
_
d
A
0
( )
2 2
d E =
2
1
0
2
E
(Ad)
Energy density (u) = energy per unit
Volume =
2
1
0
2
E
If dielectric is introduced then U =
2
1
K
0
2
E
This energy is stored in a capacitor in the electric field between its plates.
FORCE ON A DIELECTRIC IN A CAPACITOR :
a
b
1
2
3
4
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5
Let us consider a small displacement dx of the dielectric as shown in figure,
keeping the net force on it always zero.
Welectrostatic +
F
W = 0
[Where
F
W denotes the work done in
displacement dx]
F
W = -
. elec
W = U
- F dx =
2
Q
2
d
1
]
1
C
1
=
2
2
C 2
Q
dc
F=
2
2
C 2
Q
dx
dc
=
2
1
2
V
dx
dc
[Considering capacitor has battery connected to it, i.e., V = Q/C ]
ILLUSTRATION : 04
Two capacitors of capacitances 20pf and 50pf are connected in series with a 6-volt
battery, find
(A) The potential difference across each capacitor
(B) The energy stored in each capacitor
SOLUTION :
(A) Equivalent capacitance C =
2 1
2 1
C C
C C
+
=
20 50
20 x 50
+
=
7
100
pF
Charge on
1
C = charge on
2
C =
7
100
x 6 =
7
600
pC
Potential difference across ( ) pC 50 C
1
=
50 x 7
600
=
1.71 V
and across ( ) pC 20 C
2
=
20 x 7
600
= 4.28 V
(B) Energy in
1
C =
1
E =
2
1
x 50x ( )
2
71 . 1 = 73.5 pJ
Energy in
2
C =
2
E =
2
1
x 20 x ( )
2
28 . 4 = 184 pJ
ILLUSTRATION : 05
A 5F 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.
SOLUTION :
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.
dx
x
F
20pF
50pF
6V
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6
Total charge flown from battery is 2Q W= charge x potential = 2QV
Q = CV
W = 2C
2
V
W = 2x5x
6
10
x ( )
2
12
= 1.44 mJ
ILLUSTRATION : 06
A capacitor stores 50C charge when connected across a battery. When the gap
between the plates is filled with a dielectric, a charge of 100C flows through the battery.
Find the dielectric constant of the material inserted.
SOLUTION :
Initial charge = 50C =
1
Q
Amount of charge flows = 100C
With dielectric total charge = (50+100) =150C
Initial capacity C =
V
Q
=
V
C 50
Final capacity
'
C
=
V
Q
'
=
V
C 150
K =
C
C
'
=
V / 50
V / 150
= 3
ILLUSTRATION : 07
In the above circuit, find the potential difference
across AB.
SOLUTION :
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 combination is in series with 1.
, f 4
C C
C . C
C
4 3
4 3
34
+
f 12 4 8 C
4 , 3 , 2
+
, f 8 . 4
12 8
12 8
C
eq
+
C . V C q
eq
48 10 8 4
The 'q' on 1 is 48C, thus V 6
c
q
V
1
1
]
1
. V 6
F 8
c 48
V
1
V V
PQ
4 6 10
By symmetry of 3 and 4, we say, . V V
AB
2
ILLUSTRATION : 08
q
q'
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7
What is
B A
V V in the arrangement shown? What is the condition such that
0 V V
B A
SOLUTION :
Let charge be as shown
(Capacitors in series have the same charge)
Take loop containing
1
C ,
2
C and
E
0 E
C
q
C
q
2 1
+
1
]
1
2 1
2 1
C C
C C
E q
From loop containing
4 3
C , C and E
Similarly,
0 E
C
' q
C
' q
4 3
+
1
]
1
4 3
4 3
C C
C C
E ' q
Now,
4 2
B A
C
' q
C
q
V V
=
1
]
1
+
4 3
3
2 1
1
C C
C
C C
C
. E
( ) ( )
1
]
1
+ +
4 3 2 1
2 3 4 1
B A
C C . C C
C . C C . C
. E V V
For 0
B A
V V
0 C C C C
3 2 4 1
or
4
3
2
1
C
C
C
C
ILLUSTRATION : 09
A 8F capacitor C
1
is charged to
0
V = 120volt. The
charging battery is then removed and the capacitor is connected
in parallel to an uncharged 4F capacitor C
2
.
(A) What is the potential difference V across the combination?
(B) What is the stored energy before and after the switch S is
thrown ?
SOLUTION :
(A) Let
0
q be the charge on
1
C initially Then
0 1 0
V C q when
1
C is connected to
2
C in parallel, the charge
0
q is distributed between
1
C and
2
C . Let
1
q and
2
q be the
charges on
1
C and
2
C respectively. Now let V be the potential difference across each
condenser.
S
1
C
2
C
0
V
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8
Now
2 1 0
q q q + or V C V C V C
2 1 0 1
+
( ) V 120
F 4 F 8
F 8
V
C C
C
V
0
2 1
1
+
+
= 80volt.
(B) Initial energy stored
2
1
V C
2
1
U
2
0 1 0
(8 x 10
-6
) (120)
2
= 5 .76 x 10
-2
joule
Final energy stored
U =
2 2
1 2
1 1
C V C V
2 2
+
=
2
1
(8 x 10
-6
) (80)
2
+
2
1
(4 x 10
-6
) (80)
2
= 3.84 x
10
-2
joule.
Final energy is less than the initial energy. The loss of
energy appears as heat in connecting wires.
ILLUSTRATION : 10
From the given figure find the value of the
capacitance C if the equivalent capacitance between
points A and B is to be 1F. All the capacitances are in
F.
SOLUTION :
The capacitors C
3
and C
4
are in parallel, therefore
their resultant capacity C
8
is 4. The capacitors C
5
and C
6
are in series, therefore, their resultant capacity C
9
is 4.
These are shown in figure (A)
Now the capacitor C
2
and C
8
are in series. Their
resultant capacity
10
C is
3
8
. Capacitors
7
C and
9
C are
in parallel. Their resultant capacity C
11
is 8. These are
shown in figure. (B)
C
1
and C
11
are in series. The equivalent capacitance is 8/9.
The parallel combination of 8/3 and 8/9 gives a resultant
capacitance 32/9 as shown in figure. (C)
32
9
C
1
1
1
+ or
32
23
C
1
B
A
2
C
8
C
1
C
7
C
9
C
1
8
4
4
4
C
( )
A
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9
F
23
32
C
ILLUSTRATION : 11
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.
0
V . Find
(i) The effective capacity of the system between the
terminals of the source
(ii) The charge on plates 3 and 5
Given d = distance between any two successive plates and
A = area of either face of each plate.
SOLUTION :
(i) The equivalent circuit is shown in figure (B). The system consists of four
capacitors i.e.,
32 12
, C C
34
C and
54
C . The capacity of each capacitor is
0 0
C
d
A
K
,
_
The
effective capacity across the source can be calculated as follow:
The capacitors C
12
and C
32
are in parallel and hence their capacity is C
0
+ C
0
= 2C
0
.
The capacitor C
54
is in series with effective capacitor of capacity 2C
0
. Hence the resultant
capacity will be
0 0
0 0
2C C
C 2 x C
+
Further
34
C is again in parallel. Hence the effective capacity
=
d
A
K
3
5
C
3
5
C 2 C
2C x C
C
0 0
0 0
0 0
0
+
+
(ii) Charge on the plate 5 = charge on the upper half of parallel combination
d
AV K
3
2
C
3
2
V Q
0 0
0 0 5
,
_
Charge on plate 3 on the surface facing 4
d
AV K
C V
0 0
0 0
=
0 0
0 0
V
d
A
K
3
4
3
1
1
d
AV K
1
]
1
ILLUSTRATION : 12
(A) Find the effective capacitance between points X and Y in
the given figure. Assume that 10
2
C F and other
capacitors are 4F each.
(B) Find the capacitance of a system of identical capacitors
between points A and B shown in figure.
SOLUTION :
(A) The circuit is redrawn in figure as the two arms are
balanced, no current flows through
2
C ,
3
C and
4
C are in
series, hence their equivalent capacitance = 2F Similarly the
equivalent capacitance of
1
C and
5
C = 2F. Corresponding to
points X and Y these two are in a parallel combination. Hence the
effective capacitance between X and Y is 2 + 2 = 4F.
(B) The arrangement of capacitors shown in figure is
equivalent to the arrangement shown in figure. The arrangement
is connected in parallel. Hence equivalent capacitance C is given
by C = C
1
+ C
2
+ C
3
WORKED OUT OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS :
EXAMPLE : 01
A parallel plate capacitor is connected across a 2V battery and charged. The battery
is then disconnected and glass slab is introduced between the plates. Which of the
following pairs of quantities decrease?
(A) Charge and potential difference (B) potential difference and energy
stored
(C) energy stored and capacitance (D) capacitance and charge
Ans: (B)
SOLUTION :
The introduction of a dielectric slab increases the capacitance. The charge remains
unchanged. Potential difference and energy stored decreases.
EXAMPLE : 02
Three capacitors of capacitances 3F, 9F and 18F are connected once in series
and then in parallel. The ratio of equivalent capacitances in the two cases(C
S
/C
P
) will be
(A) 1 : 15 (B) 15 : 1 (C) 1 : 1 (D) 1 : 3
Ans: (A)
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11
SOLUTION :
F 30 18 9 3 C
P
+ +
2
1
18
1
9
1
3
1
C
1
S
+ +
F 2 C
S
Now
15
1
F 30
F 2
C
C
P
S
EXAMPLE : 03
A number of capacitors each of capacitance 1F and each one of which get
punctured if a potential difference just exceeding 500volt is applied, are provided. Then an
arrangement suitable for giving a capacitor of capacitance 2F across which 3000 volt may
be applied requires at least
(A) 18 component capacitors (B) 36 component capacitors
(C) 72 component capacitors (D) 144 component capacitors
Ans: (C)
SOLUTION :
Number of capacitors required in series = 6
500
3000
11
10
F. Which of the following combination is possible.
(A) 5 in parallel 2 in series (B) 4 in parallel 3 in series
(C) 3 in parallel 4 in series (D) 2 in parallel 5 in series
Ans: (A)
SOLUTION :
5 capacitors in parallel gives 5 x 2 F = 10F capacity. Further, two capacitors in
series gives a capacity 1F. When the two combinations are connected in series, they give
a resultant capacitance
,
_
+1 10
1 x 10
=
,
_
11
10
F.
EXAMPLE : 06
Condenser A has a capacity of 15F when it is filled with a medium of dielectric
constant 15. Another condenser B has a capacity 1F with air between the plates. Both are
charged separately by a battery of 100V. After charging, both are connected in parallel
without battery and the dielectric material being removed. The common potential now is
(A) 400V (B) 800V (C) 1200V (D) 1600V
Ans: (B)
SOLUTION :
Charge on capacitor A is given by V x C q
1 1
= (15 x 10
-6
) (100) = 15 x 10
-4
C
Charge on capacitor B is given by q
2
= C
2
x V
= (1 x 10
-6
) (100) = 10
-4
C
Capacity of condensers A after removing dielectric
1
15
10
x 15
K
C
' C
-6
1
,
_
,
_
F
Now when both condenser are connected in parallel their capacity will be
1F + 1F = 2F
Common potential V =
C
q
=
( )
V 800
10 x 2
) 10 x 1 ( 10 x 15
6 -
4 - 4 -
+
.
EXAMPLE : 07
Two capacitors 2F and 4F are connected in parallel. A third capacitor of 6 F
capacity is connected in series. The combination is then connected across a 12V battery.
The voltage across 2F capacity is
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13
(A)2V (B) 6V (C) 8V (D) 1V
Ans: (B)
SOLUTION :
Resultant capacitance of condensers of capacity 2F and 4F when connected in
parallel.
6 4 2 ' C + F
This is connected in series with a capacitor of capacity 6F in series. The resultant capacity
C is given by
3
1
6
1
6
1
C
1
+ or 3 C F
Charge on combination q = (3 x 10
-6
) x (12) = 36 x 10
-6
C
Let the charge on 2F capacitor be
1
q , then
4
q q
2
q
1 1
or
3
q
q
1
1
q 12 x 10
-6
C
Now potential across 2F condenser =
6 -
-6
6 -
1
10 x 2
10 x 12
10 x 2
q
6V
EXAMPLE : 08
The capacitance of the system of parallel plate capacitor shown in the figure is
(A)
( ) d A A
A A 2
2 1
2 1 0
+
(B)
( ) d A A
A A 2
1 2
2 1 0
(C)
d
A
1 0
(D)
d
A
2 0
Ans : (C)
SOLUTION :
Since the electric field between the parallel charge plates is
uniform and independent of the distance, neglecting the fringe
effect, the effective area of the plate of area A
2
is A
1
. Thus the
capacitance between the plates is
d
A
C
1 0
(C)
EXAMPLE : 9
The charge flowing across the circuit on closing the
key K is equal to
(A) CV (B) V
C
2
(C)2CV (D) Zero
SOLUTION :
1
A
2
A
d
1
A
2
A
d 0
+
E
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IIT- PHY - CP
14
When the key K is kept open the charge drawn from the source is
V C Q '
Where C' is the equivalent capacitance given by
2
C
' C
Therefore Q = V
2
C
,
_
Whey the key K is closed, the capacitor 2 gets short circuited and the charge in the
circuit
1
Q CV
Charge flowing is
1
C
Q Q Q V
2
(B)
EXAMPLE : 10
The figure shows a spherical capacitor with inner sphere earthed.
The capacitance of the system is
(A)
a b
ab 4
0
(B)
a b
b 4
2
0
(C) ( ) a b +
0
4 (D) None of these
SOLUTION :
Let V be potential of the outer sphere. Thus we can consider two capacitors, one between
the outer sphere and inner sphere and the other between outer sphere and infinity.
Thus,
a b
ab
4 C
0 1
b 4 C
0 2
b 4
a b
ab
4 C
0 0
+
a b
b 4
C
2
0
(B)
EXAMPLE : 11
A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential difference V from a cell and
then disconnected from it. A charge +Q is now given to its positive plate. The potential
difference across the capacitor is now
(A) V (B)
C
Q
V + (C)
C 2
Q
V + (D) ,
C
Q
V if V <
CV
SOLUTION :
a
b
a
b
1
C
2
C
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In the figure given below, left X and Y be positive and negative plates. After charging from
the cell, the inner faces of X and Y have charges
, CV t
as shown in (A). The outer
surfaces have no charge.
When charge Q is given to X, let the inner faces of X and Y have charges tq Then, by the
principle of charge conservation, the outer faces have charges ( ) q CV Q + for X and
( ) CV q for Y, as shown in (B). Now, the outer faces must have equal charges.
CV q q CV Q +
or
Q CV 2 q 2 +
or
2
Q
CV q +
Potential difference
C 2
Q
V
C
q
+
(C)
EXAMPLE : 12
In an isolated parallel - plate capacitor of capacitance
C, the four surfaces have charges
3 2 1
Q Q Q , , and
4
Q as
shown. The potential difference between the plates is
(A)
C 2
Q Q Q Q
4 3 2 1
+ + +
(B)
C 2
Q Q
3 2
+
(C)
C 2
Q Q
3 2
(D)
C 2
Q Q
4 1
+
SOLUTION :
Plane conducting surfaces facing each other must have equal and opposite charge
densities. Here, as the plate areas are equal, Q
2
= - Q
3
The charge on a capacitor means the charge on the inner surface of the positive
plate-(in this case Q
2
)
Potential difference between the plates
= charge on the capacitor capacitance.
Potential difference =
( )
C 2
Q Q
C 2
Q Q
C 2
Q 2
C
Q
3 2 2 2 2 2
(C)
* * *
1
Q
3
Q
2
Q
4
Q
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SINGLE ANSWER OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS :
LEVEL - 1 :
1. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to potential difference V
0
from a cell and
then disconnected from it. A charge +Q is now given to its positive plate. The
potential difference across the capacitor is now
A) V
0
B) V
0
+ (Q/C) C) V
0
+ (Q/2C) D) V
0
- (Q/C)
2. A dielectric of dielectric constant 3 fills up three fourths of the space between the
plates of a parallel plate capacitor. The percentage of energy stored in the
dielectric is
A) 25% B) 50% C) 75%
D) 100%
3. A parallel plate capacitor having capacitance C
0
is connected to a battery of emf E.
It is then disconnected from the battery and a dielectric slab of dielectric constant k
completely filling the air gap of the capacitor is inserted in it. If U indicates the
change in energy, then
A) U = 0 B) U =
2
1
0
E
2
(k - 1) C) U =
2
1
0
E
2
,
_
k
1
1
D)U
2
1
0
E
2
,
_
1
k
1
4. The work done in increasing the voltage across the plates of the capacitor from 5V
to 10V is W. The work done in increasing the voltage from 10V to 15V will be
A) W B) 4/3 W C) 5/3 W D) 2W
5. 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 questions, in the process of inserting the
slab, then
A)
0
AV
Q
d
B)
0
KAV
Q
d
C) E =
Kd
V
D)
_
,
2
0
AV 1
W 1
2d K
6. When the capacitance in an oscillator circuit of frequency f is increased nine times,
the frequency of the oscillator is reduced to:
A) f/9 B) f/6 C) f/4 D) f/3
7. 64 small drops of water having the same charge & same radius are combined to
form one big drop. The ratio of capacitance of big drop to small drop is:
A) 4 : 1 B) 1 : 4 C) 2 : 1
D) 1 : 2
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8. A parallel plate condenser is connected to a battery. The plates are pulled apart
with a uniform speed. If x is the separation between the plates, then the time rate
of charge of the electrostatic energy of the condenser is proportional to
A) x
2
B) x C) 1/x D) 1/x
2
9. A spherical condenser has inner and outer spheres of radii a and b respectively. The
space between the two is filled with air. The difference between the capacities of
two condensers formed when outer sphere is earthed and when inner sphere is
earthed will be
A) zero B) 4
0
a C) 4
0
b D) 4
0
a [b/(b -
a)]
10. The sphere shown in the figure are connected by a conductor. The
capacitance of the system is:
A) 4
0
a b
ab
B) 4
0
a C) 4
0
b
D) 4
0
a b
a
2
2)
0
2 A
3d
3)
0
2 A
d
4)
0
A
2d
5. Two spherical conductors of radii 3cm and 6cm are in contact. A charge 10
-9
is
given to them. The potential of the smaller sphere is
1) 67V 2) 33V 3) 50V 4) 100V
6. A parallel plate condenser is charged and isolated. The energy stored by the
condenser is E. The separation of the plate is doubled and then the space is
completely filled with a dielectric of constant 5. The energy stored by the
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condenser now is
1) E 2) 0.8E 3) 0.4E 4) 2.5E
7. Two condensers charged to potentials 50V and 80V are connected in parallel, the
common potential is 60V. The capacities of the condensers are in the ratio of
1) 2 : 1 2) 1 : 2 3) 3 : 4 4) 4 : 3
8. The capacitor of 4F charged to 50V is connected to another capacitor of 2F
charged to 100V. The total energy of the combination is
1)
2
4
x10 J
3
2)
2
3
x10 J
2
3)
2
3 x10 J
4)
2
8
x10 J
3
9. The radii of two charged metal spheres are 5cm and 10cm both having same
charge 75c. If they are connected by a wire, the quantity of charge transferred
through the wire is
1) 75c 2) 50c 3) 25c
4) 15c
10. Two identical capacitors have equivalent capacity of 2F when they are connected
in series. If they are connected in parallel and charged to a potential of 200V, the
energy stored in the system is
1) 18 x 10
-4
J 2) 18 x 10
-4
J 3) 0.16 J 4) 0.36
11. The capacity of a parallel plate condenser is C. When half the space between the
plates is filled with a slab of dielectric constant K as shown in the figure. If the slab
is removed from the condenser, then the capacity of the condenser becomes
1)
2KC
K 1 +
2)
( ) K 1 C
2K
+
3)
( ) K 1 C
2K
+
4)
KC
2K 1 +
12. Two parallel plate capacitors C and 2C are connected in parallel and charged to P.D
V. The battery is then disconnected and the region between the plates of the
capacitor C is completely filled with a material of dielectric constant 3. The P.D.
across the capacitors now becomes
1) V 2) 3V 3) 3V/5 4) 4V/5
13. A condenser of capacity 10F is connected between the terminals of a battery of
potential difference 100V and is charged. The amount of work done by the battery
to charge the condenser is
1) 0.05 J 2) 0.025 J 3) 0.1 J 4) 0.0125 J
14. Two condensers of capacities C
1
= 5 F 100V and C
2
= 10F 100V are connected
in series. The maximum potential difference that may be applied between them
without damaging the condensers is
1) 200 V 2) 175 V 3) 150 V
4) 300 V
15. n identical charged spheres combine together to form a large sphere. The ratio of
the potential of small sphere to potential of large sphere is 1 : 9. The ratio of the
energy stored in small sphere to the energy stored in the large sphere is
1) 1 : 3 2) 1 : 27 3) 1 : 81 4) 1 :
243
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16. The capacity of parallel plate condenser with air between the plates is 10F. If the
space between the plates is completely filled with two dielectric slabs each of
thickness is equal to half of the separation between the plates, whose dielectric
constants are 3 and 2. What will be the percentage change in capacity of the
condenser?
1) 133.3 % 2) 140 % 3) 166.6 % 4) 280 %
17. The work done in charging a capacitor from 5V to 10V is W. The work done in
charging the
capacitor from 10V to 15V is
1) 4 W/3 2) 5 W/3 3) 2 W/5 4) 5 W/2
18. The voltages across C
1
and C
2
are in the ratio 2 : 3. When C
2
is
completely filled with paraffin, the voltage ratio became 3 : 2.
The dielectric constant of paraffin is
1) 2.25 2) 13/6
3) 27/8 4) 6
19. A parallel plate capacitor of capacity 5F and plate separation
6cm is connected to a 1V battery and is charged. A dielectric of dielectric constant
4 and thickness 4cm is introduced into the capacitor. The additional charge that
flows into the capacitor from the battery is
1) 2C 2) 3C 3) 5C 4) 10C
20. A metal sphere A of radius a is charged to a potential V. What will be its potential
if it is enclosed by a spherical conducting shell B of radius b and the two are
connected by a conducting wire?
1) V 2) (a/b) V 3) (b/a) V 4) zero
21. The capacity of a parallel plate capacitor is 5F. When a glass plate of same area
as the plates but thickness half of the distance between the plates is placed
between the plates of the capacitor, its potential difference reduces to 2/5 of the
original value. The dielectric constant of the glass is
1) 1.5 2) 2.5 3) 5 4) 2s
Hint:
0 0
0
0
Qd
V E d
A
Qd t 1
V 1 1
A d k
1
_
1
,
]
0
2 V t 1 1 1 3
1 1 ; 1
5 V d k 2 k 5
_ _
, ,
22. Two spheres A and B of radii 4cm and 6cm are given charges of 80C and 40C. If
they are connected by a wire, the amount of charge flowing from one to other is
1) 20C from A to B 2) 16C from A to B
3) 24C from B to A 4) 32C from A to B
Hint: Q = (C
1
C
2
)V =
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 2
1 2 1 2
C C C V C V C C Q Q
C C C C
+ +
+ +
i.e. Q =
( ) ( )
2 1 1 2
1 2
r r Q Q
2 x 120
r r 10
+
+
24C from B to A
23. Three capacitor of capacitance 10F, 15F, 20F are in series with a cell. The
charge drawn from the cell is 60C. If they are connected in parallel with the same
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cell, then the charge drawn from the cell is
1) 385 C 2) 485 C 3) 585 C 4) 685 C
Hint:
p p p
p
s s s
q C E C
45
q 6 x x13 585 C
q C E C 60
24. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are horizontal and parallel. A thin
conducting sheet P is initially placed parallel to both the plates and nearer to the
lower plate. From t = 0 onwards, the sheet P is moved at constant speed vertically
upwards so that it is always parallel to the capacitor plates. At t = 20 milli seconds,
it is nearer to the upper plates. Then during the time interval from t = 0 to t = 20
milli seconds, the capacity of the capacitor will
1) increase gradually 2) decrease gradually
3) remains constant 4) first increases and then decreases
Hint: Since the thickness of conducting plate is constant through out, capacity
remains constant
25. A capacitor is charged to 200V. A dielectric slab of thickness 4mm is inserted. The
distance between the plates is increased by 3.2mm to maintain the same potential
difference. Find the dielectric constant of the slab
1) 3 2) 4 3) 5 4) 6
Hint: V
1
= V
2
;
1 2 1
2
0 0
Qd d d Q 1 1
d t 1 1
A A k k t
1
_
1
,
]
26. A capacitor is charged with a dielectric to V volts. If the dielectric of constant K is
removed then ___ is true
a) capacity decreases by k times
b) electric field intensity decreased by k times
c) potential increases by k times
d) charge increases by k times
1) a, b, c 2) a, b, c, d 3) a, c 4) b, d
27. The capacitance of a capacitor becomes 7/6 times its original value if a dielectric
slab of thickness t = 2/3d is introduced in between the plates d is the distance
between the plates. The dielectric constant of dielectric field is
1) 14/11 2) 11/14 3) 7/11 4) 11/7
Hint:
0 0
C C t 1 6
C 1 1
t 1 d k C 7
1 1
d k
_
_ ,
,
28. Between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor of capacity C, two parallel plates of
the same material and area same as the plate of the original capacitor are placed.
If the thickness of these plates is equal to I/5
th
of the distance between the plates of
the original capacitor, then the capacity of the new capacitor is
1) 5/3 C 2) 3/5 C 3) 3C/10 4) 10C/3
Hint: d
1
= d, d
2
=
3
5
d, t =
2
5
d &
2 1
2
1 2
C d 5 5
C C
C d 3 3
29. A parallel plate capacitor of capacity Co is charge to a potential V
0
.
A) The energy stored in the capacitor when the battery is disconnected and the
plate separation is double is E
1
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B) The energy stored in the capacitor when the charging battery is kept connected
and the separation between the capacitor plates is doubled is E
2
, the E
1
/E
2
value is
1) 4 2) 3/2 3) 2 4)
30. A capacitor of capacity of 10F is charged to 40V and a second capacitor of capacity
15F is charged to 30V. If they are connected in a parallel the amount of charge
that flows from the smaller capacitor to higher capacitor in C is
1) 30 2) 60 3) 200 4) 250
Hint: V =
1 1 2 2
1 2
C V C V
&
C C
+
+
Q = (V
1
V)C
1
= 60C
31. A parallel plate capacitor of capacity 100F is charged by a battery of 50 volts. The
battery remains connected and if the plates of the capacitor are separated so that
the distance between them becomes half the original distance, the additional
energy given by the battery to the capacitor in joules is
1) 125 x 10
-3
2) 12.5 x 10
-3
3) 1.25 x 10
-3
4) 0.125 x 10
-3
Hint: V = (C
2
C
1
)V
2
& C
2
= 2C
32. A parallel plate capacitor of capacity 5F and plate separation 6cm is connected to
a I volt battery and is charged. A dielectric of dielectric constant 4 and thickness
4cm introduced into the capacitor. The additional charge that flows into the
capacitor from the battery is
1) 2C 2) 3C 3) 5C 4) 10C
Hint:
1 0
Q C
V = 5C; Q
2
= C
2
V =
0
C V
t 1
1 1
d k
_
,
= 10C; Q = Q
2
Q
1
33. A 20F capacitor is charged to 5V end isolated. It is then connected in parallel with
an uncharged 30F capacitor. The decrease in the energy of the system will be
1) 25 J 2) 100 J 3) 125 J 4)
150 J
Hint:
2 1 1 2
1 1 1 1
1 2 1 2
C V C 1
V & U C V U U
C C 2 C C
+ +
34. A dielectric of thickness 5cm and dielectric constant 10 is introduced in between the
plates of a parallel plate capacitor having plate area 500 sq cm and separation
between plates 10cm. The capacitance of the capacitor is (
0
=8.8 x 10
-12
SI units)
1) 8 PF 2) 6PF 3) 4PF 4) 20PF
Hint: C =
0
A
1
d t 1
k
_
,
35. A 4F capacitor is charged by 200V battery. It is then disconnected from the supply
and is connected to another uncharged capacitor of 2F capacity. The loss of
energy during this process is _____
1) 0 2) 5.33 x 10
-2
3) 4 x 10
-2
4) 2.67 x 10
-2
Hint: U = ( )
2
1 2 1 1
1 2 2
1 2 1 2
C C C V 1
V V ; V
2 C C C C
+ +
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36. Energy E is stored in a parallel plate capacitor C
1
. An identical uncharged capacitor
C
2
is connected to it kept in contact with it fro a while and then disconnected. The
energy stored in C
2
is ___
1) E/2 2) E/3 3) E/4 4) 0
Hint: U
1
=
2
1
1
C V
2
, Potential on second capacitor in contact with the first one V
2
=
V/2; U
2
=
2
1 V E
C
2 2 4
_
,
37. If the capacity of a spherical conductor is 1PF, then its diameter is
1) 9 x 10
-15
m 2) 9 x 10
-3
m 3) 9 x 10
-5
m 4) 18 x 10
-7
m
38. A 700PF capacitor is charged by a 50V battery. The electrostatic energy stored by
it is
1) 17 x 10
-5
J 2) 13.6 x 10
-9
J 3) 9.5 x 10
-9
J 4) 8.75 x 10
-
7
J
39. Two equal capacitors are first connected in parallel and then in series. The ratio of
the total capacities in the two cases will be
1) 2 : 1 2) 1 : 2 3) 4 : 1 4) 1 : 4
40. Two condensers of capacity 2C and C are joined in parallel and charged up to
potential V. The battery is removed and the condensor of capacity C is filled
completely with a medium of dielectric constant K. The potential difference across
the capacitors will now be
1)
3V
K
2)
3V
K 2 +
3)
V
K 2 +
4)
V
K
41. Two condensers C
1
and C
2
in a circuit are joined
as shown in figure. The potential at A is V
1
and
that of B is V
2
. The potential of point D will be
1)
1 1 2 2
1 2
C V C V
C C
+
+
2)
1 2 2 1
1 2
C V C V
C C
+
+
3)
1 2
V V
2
+
4)
1 2 2 1
1 2
C V C V
C C
+
42. A number of capacitors are connected as
shown in figure. The equivalent capacity is
given by
1) nC 2) n(n + 1)C
3) 2n(n + 1)C 4)
( ) n n 1 C
2
+
43. Three capacitors of capacitances 3F, 10F and 15F are connected in series to a
voltage source of 100V. The charge on 15F is
1) 50C 2) 100C 3) 200C 4) 280C
44. In a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C, a metal sheet is inserted between
the plates parallel to them. If the thickness of the sheet is half of the separation
between the plates, the capacitance will be
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1) C/2 2) 3C/4 3) 4C 4) 2C
45. A 10 micro farad capacitor is charged to 500 V and then its plates are joined
together through a resistance of 10 ohm. The heat produced in the resistance is
1) 500 J 2) 250 J 3) 125 J
4) 1.25 J
46. A capacitor is charged to 200 volt. It has a charge of 0.1C. When it is discharged,
energy liberated will be
1) 1 J 2) 10 J 3) 14 J 4) 20 J
47. Half of the separation between two parallel plates of a capacitor is filled with a
dielectric medium. The capacitance of the capacitor becomes 5/3 times its original
value with full space dielectric. The dielectric constant of the medium K is
1) K = 2 2) K = 3 3) K = 4
4) K = 5
48. A 10F capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 50 V and is connected to
another uncharged capacitor in parallel. Now the common potential difference
becomes 20 V. The capacitance of second capacitor is
1) 10 F 2) 20 F 3) 30 F
4) 15 F
49. Capacity of a spherical capacitor having two spheres of radii a and b (a > b)
separated by a medium of dielectric constant K is given by
1)
Kab
a b
in SI system 2)
0
4 Kab
a b
in CGS system
3)
( )
0
4 Kab
a b
in SI system 4)
( ) K a b
ab
in CGS system
50. A capacitor of capacity C has charge Q. The stored energy is W. If the charge is
increased to 2Q, the stored energy will be
1) 2W 2) W/2 3) 4W 4) W/4
51. A D.C. potential of 100 volt is connected to the
combination as shown in figure. The equivalent capacity
between A and B will be equal to
1) 40 F 2) 20 F
3) 30 F 4) 10 F
52. The capacitance of four plates, each of area A arranged as
shown in figure as
1)
0
2 A
d
2)
0
3 A
d
3)
0
4 A
d
4)
0
5 A
d
3)
V
V V
4)
V
V V
71. Two condensers each having capacitance C and breakdown voltage V are joined in series. The
capacitance and the breakdown voltage of the combination will be
1) 2C and 2V 2) C/2 and V/2 3) 2C and V/2 4) C/2 and 2V
72. Two identical metal plates are given positive charges Q1 and Q2 (< Q1) respectively. If they are now
brought close together to form a parallel plate capacitor with capacitance C, the potential difference
between them is
1)
C 2
) Q Q (
2 1
+
2)
C
) Q Q (
2 1
+
3)
C
) Q Q (
2 1
4)
C 2
) Q Q (
2 1
73. Three very large plates are given charges as shown in the figure. If the cross
sectional area of each plate is the same, the final charge distribution on plate C
is:
1) +5 Q on the inner surface, +5 Q on the outer surface
2) +6 Q on the inner surface, +4 Q on the outer surface
3) +7 Q on the inner surface, +3 Q on the outer surface
4) +8 Q on the inner surface, +2 Q on the outer surface
74. Two identical sheets of metallic foil are separated by d and capacitance of the system is C and is charged
to a potential difference E. Keeping the charge constant, the separation is increased by l. Then the new
capacitance and potential difference will be:
1)
d
A
0
,E 2)
) d (
A
0
l +
,E 3)
,
_
+
+
d
1 ,
) d (
A
0
l
l
E4)
,
_
d
1 ,
d
A
0
l
E
75. n conducting plates are placed face to face as shown in
figure. Distance between any two plates is d. Area of
the plates is A,
(n 1)
A A A A
, , ......
2 4 8 2
. The equivalent
capacitance of the system is
1)
d 2
A
n
0
2)
d ) 1 2 (
A
n
0
3)
d ) 2 2 (
A
n
0
4)
d ) 1 2 (
A
n
0
2)
d
A 3
0
3)
d
A
2
3
0
4)
d
A 2
0
83. A dielectric slab of dielectric constant K = 5 is covered from all sides with a metallic foil. This system is
introduced into the space of a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 10 F. The slab fills almost the
entire space between the plates, but does not touch the plates. The capacitance will become nearly:
1) 2) zero 3) 2 pF 4) 50 Pf
84. A capacitor of capacitance 1 F can withstand the maximum voltage 6 kV while a capacitor of
capacitance 2.0 F can withstand the maximum voltage 4 kV. If the two capacitors are connected in
series, then the two capacitors combined can take up a maximum voltage of:
1) 2.4 kV 2) 5 kV 3) 9 kV 4) 10 kV
85. A spherical conductor of radius 2m is charged to a potential of 120 V. It is now placed inside another
hollow spherical conductor of radius 6 m. Calculate the potential of bigger sphere if the smaller sphere is
made to touch the bigger sphere:
1) 20 V 2) 60 V 3) 80 V 4) 40 V
1
k 2
2
k 6
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86. A parallel plate capacitor has two layers of dielectrics as shown in figure. Then the ratio of potential
difference across the dielectric layers when connected to the battery is:
1)
2
1
K
K
2)
b K
a K
2
1
3)
a K
b K
1
2
4)
b K
a K
1
2
LEVEL - III :
1. A parallel plate capacitor C is connected to a battery and it is charged to a potential
difference of V. Another capacitor of capacitance 2C is similarly charged to a
potential difference of 2V. The charging battery is now disconnected and the
capacitors are connected in parallel to each other in such a way that the positive
terminal of one is connected to positive of the other. The final energy of the
configuration is
A) zero B) 3/2 CV
2
C) 25/6 CV
2
D) 9/2 CV
2
2. The amount of heat liberated when a capacitor of C farads charged to a potential
difference of V volts is discharged through a resistor of R ohms is H joules. The same
capacitor is now charged to a potential difference of 2V and discharged through a
resistor of 2 R ohms, then heat liberated is
A) 4H B) 2H C) H D) H/2
3. A capacitor of capacity C
1
is charged to a potential V
0
. The electrostatic energy
stored in it is U
0
. It is connected to another uncharged capacitor of capacitance C
2
in parallel. The energy dissipated in the process is
A)
0
2 1
2
U
C C
C
+
B)
0
2 1
1
U
C C
C
+
C)
0
2
2 1
2 1
U
C C
C C
,
_
D)
0
2 1
2 1
U
) C C ( 2
C C
+
4. In the circuit shown in figure, if the key is turned so
that instead of 1, 2 terminals 1, 3 are connected,
then the heat liberated in resistor R is
A)
2
2 1
) ~ ( C
2
1
B)
2
2 1
) ( C
2
1
+
C)
2
2
2
1
C
2
1
C
2
1
D)
2
2
2
1
C
2
1
C
2
1
+
5. Three capacitors C
1
, C
2
, C
3
are connected as
shown in figure to one another and to points
P
1
, P
2
, P
3
at potentials V
1
, V
2
and V
3
. If the
total charge on the capacitors is zero, the
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IIT- PHY - CP
30
potential of the point O is
A)
3 2 1
3 3 2 2 1 1
C C C
V C V C V C
+ +
+ +
B) V
1
+ V
2
+ V
3
C) 0 D)
2
1
3
1
3
2
3
2
1
C
C
V
C
C
V
C
C
V + +
6. A parallel plate capacitor having capacitance C has two
plates of same area A and thickness t. Figure shows the
charges available on the four surfaces of the plates. The
potential difference V between the two plates is given by
A)
,
_
C
q q
2
1
3 2
B)
,
_
C
q q
3 2
C)
,
_
C
q q
2
1
4 2
D)
,
_
C
q q
4 2
7. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are separated by d cm. A plate of thickness
t cm with dielectric constant k
1
is inserted and the remaining space is filled with a
plate of dielectric constant k
2
. If Q is the charge on the capacitor and area of plates
is A cm
2
each, then potential difference between the plates is
A)
,
_
2 1 0
k
t d
k
t
A
Q
B)
,
_
2 1
k
t d
k
t
A
Q 4
C)
,
_
t d
k
t
k
A
Q 4
2 1
D)
,
_
2
1
0
k
t d
t
k
A
Q
8. Find the capacitance of a system of three parallel plates each of area A separated
by distances d
1
and d
2
. The space between them is filled with dielectrics of relative
dielectric constants
1
and
2
. The dielectric constant of free space is
0
A)
1 2 2 1
0 2 1
d d
A
+
B)
2 2 1 1
0 2 1
d d
A
+
C)
2 1 2 1 0
2 1
d d ) (
A
+
D)
) d d (
A
2 2 1 1 0 2 1
+
9. Two identical capacitors, have the same capacitance C, One of them is charged to
potential V
1
and the other to V
2
. The negative ends of the capacitors are connected
together. When the positive ends are also connected, the decrease in energy of the
combined system is
A) ( )
2
2
2
1
V V C
4
1
B) ( )
2
2
2
1
V V C
4
1
+ C) ( )
2
2 1
V V C
4
1
D) ( )
2
2 1
V V C
4
1
+
10. One plate of a capacitor is connected to a spring as shown in the
figure. Area of both the plates is A. In steady state, separation
between the plates is 0.8 d (spring was unstretched and the
distance between the plates was d when the capacitor was
uncharged). The force constant of the spring is approximately.
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IIT- PHY - CP
31
A)
3
2
0
Ad
E 6
B)
3
2
0
d
AE 4
C)
3
3
0
d 2
AE 4
D)
2
0
d
AE 2
11. A slab of copper of thickness b is inserted in between the
plates of parallel plate capacitor as shown in figure. The
separation of the plates is d. If b = d/2, then the ratio of
capacities of the capacitor after and before inserting the slab
will be:
A)
2
: 1 B) 2 : 1 C) 1 : 1 D) 1 :
2
12. Consider a parallel plate capacitor of capacity 10 F with air
filled in the gap between the plates. Now one-half of the space
between the plates is filled with a dielectric of dielectric
constant 4, as shown in the figure. The capacity of the
capacitor changes to:
A) 25 F B) 20 F
C) 40 F D) 5 F
13. Consider the arrangement of three plates X, Y and Z each of area A and separation
d. The energy stored when the plates are fully charged is:
A)
d 2
AV
2
0
B)
d
AV
2
0
C)
d
AV 2
2
0
D)
d 2
AV 3
2
0
2
(K - 1) D) The change in energy is
2
1
C
0
,
_
K
1
1
10. When a charged capacitor is connected with an uncharged capacitor, then flows
A) the change always flows from the changed to the unchanged capacitor
B) a steady state is obtained after which no further charge flow occurs
C) the total potential energy stored in the capacitors remains conserved
D) the charge conservation always holds true
MATCHING TYPE QUESTIONS :
A parallel-plate air capacitor of capacitance C
0
is connected to a cell of emf and
then disconnected from it. A dielectric slab of dielectric constant K, which can just
fill the air gap of the capacitor, is now inserted in it
A) The potential difference between the plates decreases K times
B) The energy stored in the capacitor decreases K times
C) The change in energy is
2
1
C0
2
(K - 1)
1.
List I List II
a) energy stored in capacitor by external
source
a) remain same
b) field inside the dielectric when is placed
in between plates of capacitor battery still
connected
b) half of energy supplied by battery
c) charge on capacitor by placing dielectric
and battery connection is removed
c)
C
Q
2
1
d) force between two parallel plates when
separation is increased
d) decreases
2.
List I List II
a) Energy stored in capacitor e) 4
0
R
b) Capacity of spherical capacitor
f)
2
0
q
2 AK
c) Force between plates of capacitor
g)
1
2
0
E
2
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IIT- PHY - CP
34
d) Energy density of electric field h) q
2
/2C
PREVIOUS YEAR IIT QUESTIONS :
1. A dielectric slab of thickness d is inserted in a parallel plate capacitor whose
negative plate is at 0 x and positive plate is at d x 3 . The slab is equidistant
from the plates. The capacitor is given some charge. As one goes from 0 to d 3
[IIT-JEE 1998]
(a) The magnitude of the electric field remains the same
(b) The direction of the electric field remains the same
(c) The electric potential increases continuously
(d) The electric potential increases at first, then decreases and again increases
2. A parallel plate capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 50 V. It is discharged through a
resistance. After 1 second, the potential difference between plates becomes 40 V. Then [Roorkee 1999]
(a) Fraction of stored energy after 1 second is 16/25
(b) Potential difference between the plates after 2 seconds will be 32 V
(c) Potential difference between the plates after 2 seconds will be 20 V
(d) Fraction of stored energy after 1 second is 4/5
3. Five identical plates each of area A are joined as shown in the figure. The distance
between the plates is d. The plates are connected to a
potential difference of
volts V
. The charge on plates 1
and 4 will be [IIT 1984]
(a)
d
AV
d
AV
0 0
2
.
(b)
d
AV
d
AV
0 0
2
.
(c)
d
AV
d
AV
0 0
2
.
(d)
d
AV
d
AV
0 0
2
.
4. In the figure below, what is the potential difference between the point
A and B and between B and C respectively in steady state [IIT 1979]
(a)
V V V
BC AB
100
(b)
V V V V
BC AB
25 , 75
(c)
V V V V
BC AB
75 , 25
(d)
V V V
BC AB
50
5. Figure given below shows two identical parallel plate
capacitors connected to a battery with switch S closed.
The switch is now opened and the free space between
the plate of capacitors is filled with a dielectric of
dielectric constant 3. What will be the ratio of total
electrostatic energy stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction of
the dielectric [IIT 1983]
(a) 3 : 1 (b) 5 : 1
(c) 3 : 5 (d) 5 : 3
1 2 3 4 5
+
V
B A
V
3F
3F 1F
1F
B
10
20
100V
A C
1F
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IIT- PHY - CP
35
6. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a battery and is charged
to a potential difference V. Another capacitor of capacitance 2C is connected to
another battery and is charged to potential difference 2V. The charging batteries
are now disconnected and the capacitors are connected in parallel to each other in
such a way that the positive terminal of one is connected to the negative terminal
of the other. The final energy of the configuration is [IIT 1995]
(a) Zero (b)
6
25
2
CV
(c)
2
3
2
CV
(d)
2
9
2
CV
7. In an isolated parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C, the four
surface have charges
1
Q
,
2
Q
,
3
Q
and
4
Q
as shown. The
potential difference between the plates is [IIT-JEE 1999]
(a)
C
Q Q Q Q
2
4 3 2 1
+ + +
(b)
C
Q Q
2
3 2
+
(c)
C
Q Q
2
3 2
(d)
C
Q Q
2
4 1
+
8. For the circuit shown, which of the following statements is true [IIT-JEE 1999]
(a) With
1
S
closed,
V V V V 20 , 15
2 1
(b) With
3
S
closed
V V V 25
2 1
(c) With
1
S
and
2
S
closed
0
2 1
V V
(d) With
1
S
and
3
S
closed,
V V V V 20 , 30
2 1
9. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The capacitor
A has a charge q on it whereas B is uncharged. The
charge appearing on the capacitor B a long time after
the switch is closed is
[IIT-JEE (Screening) 2001]
(a) Zero (b) 2 / q (c) q (d)
q 2
10. Point charge
q
moves from point P to point S along
the path
PQRS
(figure shown) in a uniform electric field
E pointing co-parallel to the positive direction of the
X axis. The coordinates of the points
R Q P , ,
and
S are
) 0 , , ( ), 0 , 0 , 2 ( ), 0 , , ( b a a b a
and
) 0 , 0 , 0 (
respectively. The work done by the field in the above
process is given by the expression [IIT 1989]
(a)
qEa
(b)
qEa
(c) 2 qEa (d) ] ) 2 [(
2 2
b a qE +
S
1
S
3
S
2
+ +
V
1
=30V V
2
=20V
C
1
=2pF C
2
=3pF
A B
s
q
+
+
+
+
+
Q
1
Q
2
Q
3
Q
4
X
R
Q
S
P
E
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IIT- PHY - CP
36
ASSERTION & REASON :
Read the assertion and reason carefully to mark the correct option out of the
options given below :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of the
assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
1. Assertion : If three capacitors of capacitance C
1
< C
2
< C
3
are connected in parallel
then their equivalent capacitance C
p
> C
s
Reason :
3 2 1
1 1 1 1
C C C C
p
+ +
2. Assertion : If the distance between parallel plates of a capacitor is halved and
dielectric constant is made three times, then the capacitor becomes 6 times.
Reason : Capacity of the capacitor does not depend upon the nature of the
material.
3. Assertion : Dielectric breakdown occurs under the influence of an intense light
beam.
Reason : Electromagnetic radiations exert pressure.
4. Assertion : The capacity of a given conductor remains same even if charge is
varied on it.
Reason : Capacitance depends upon nearly medium as well as size and shape of
conductor.
5. Assertion : The whole charge of a conductor cannot be transferred to another
isolated conductor.
Reason : The total transfer of charge from one to another is not possible.
6. Assertion : Conductors having equal positive charge and volume, must also have
same potential.
Reason : Potential depends only on charge and volume of conductor.
7. Assertion : The lightening conductor at the top of high building has sharp pointed
ends.
Reason : The surface density of charge at sharp points is very high resulting in
setting up of electric wind.
8. Assertion : Circuit containing capacitors should be handled cautiously even when
there is no current.
Reason : The capacitors are very delicate and so quickly break down.
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IIT- PHY - CP
37
9. Assertion : The tyres of aircraft's are slightly conducting.
Reason : If a conductor is connected to ground, the extra charge induced on conductor will flow to
ground.
10. Assertion : A bird perches on a high power line and nothing happens to the bird.
Reason : The level of bird is very high from the ground.
11. Assertion : Two capacitors are connected in series to a battery. If the dielectric
medium is inserted between the plates of one of the capacitors, the energy stored
in the system will increase
Reason : On inserting the dielectric medium, the capacity of the capacitor
increases
* * * * *
K E Y S
SINGLE ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
LEVEL I
LEVEL II
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1
0
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
2
0
2 2 1 2 4 3 1 1 3 3 2 3 3 3 4 2 2 1 3 2
2
1
2
2
2
3
2
4
2
5
2
6
2
7
2
8
2
9
3
0
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
4
3
5
3
6
3
7
3
8
3
9
4
0
3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 3 2 1 3 3 1 4 3 2 4 3 4
4
1
4
2
4
3
4
4
4
5
4
6
4
7
4
8
4
9
5
0
5
1
5
2
5
3
5
4
5
5
5
6
5
7
5
8
5
9
6
0
3 4 3 4 4 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 2 4 2 3 2 2 4 3
6
1
6
2
6
3
6
4
6
5
6
6
6
7
6
8
6
9
7
0
7
1
7
2
7
3
7
4
7
5
7
6
7
7
7
8
7
9
8
0
4 3 4 3 4 1 2 1 1 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 4 4 2 2
8
1
8
2
8
3
8
4
8
5
8
6
1 4 1 3 1 4
LEVEL III
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
B A A B A A B A C B B B B
MULTIPLE ANSWER OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ABC ABD AC BC AC ABCD ABCD AD ABD ABD
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IIT- PHY - CP
38
MATCH THE COLUMN :
01. a-bc, b-a, c-a, d-a 02. a h, b
e, c f, d g
PRIVIOUS YEAR IIT QUESTIONS
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
BC AB C C C C C D A B
ASSERTION & REASON
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
C B B A D D A C B C C
* * *