Electric Potential and Capacitance

Set – 3

1. Three concentric conducting shells of radius a, b and c

are shown in diagram. If the key k is closed, find the
charges on the innermost and outermost shells

Given that a : b : c = 1: 3: 5
Q  Q Q  Q
a) , b) ,
6 6 4 4
Q  Q
c) , d) Q,  Q
2 2
Answer:
Solution:
When key is closed, the innermost and outermost shells
will be at same potential
Potential on innermost shell is
q Q q
V1   
a b c
Similarly Potential on outermost shell is
q Q q
V2   
c c c
So V1  V2
q Q q q Q q
    
a b c c c c
 q Q q Q
  
a b c c
q q Q Q
  
a c c b
Given a : b : c = 1: 3: 5
 c  5a ; b  3a
  1 1  1 1
q      Q  
 a 5a   5a 3a 
q 1 1 1
1   Q 
a  5   5a 3a 

q 1  Q 1 1 
1   
a  5  a  5 3 

 2   
q  4  Q  2 
   
a  5  a  15 
   3 
Q
2q 
3
Q
q
6
Q
So charges on outermost shell 
6
Q
Charges on innermost shell 
6

2. Three conducting spherical shells have radii a, b and c

such that a<b<c as shown in diagram. Initially the inner
shell is uncharged, the middle shell has a positive charge
Q and the outer shell has a negative charge –Q.

Given that
b  3a

c  7a
Find the electric potential to the three shells
4Q 4Q
a) , ,zero
 0
4  21a  0
4  21a

4Q
b) zero,zero,
 40  21a
4Q
c) ,zero,zero
 40  21a
 4Q
d) zero, , zero
 40  21a
Answer:
Solution:
Potential to shell A
V V V V
A due to chargeas A due to chargeas B due to chargeas C

1 Q 1 Q
0   
40 b 4 0 c

Q 1 1 Q 1 1
   
40  b c  40  3a 7a 

Q 4
VA 
 40  a  21 
Potential of shell B
V V V V
B due to chargeas A due to chargeas B due to chargeas C

1 Q 1 Q
0 
4 0 b 4 0 c
 Q 1 1
 
40  b c 

4Q
VB 
 40  21a

Potential of shell C
1 Q 1 Q
VC  0   0
4 0 c 4 0 c

3. Two small identical metal balls of radius r are at a

distance “a” from each other and are charged, one with a
potential V1 and the other with a potential V2 . The charges
on the balls are:
a) q1  Va,q
1 2  V2a

b) q1  V1r1, q 2  V2r
V1  V2   V1  V2 
c) q1    a, q 2 r
 2   2 
r r
d) q1   rV2  aV1  , q 2   rV1  aV2 
a a
Answer:
Solution:

1  q1 q 2 
V1    ……….(1)
40  r a

1  q 2 q1 
and V2    ……….(2)
40  r a

Solving above equations and neglecting r 2 in comparison

to “a” we get
r
q1   rV2  aV1 
a
r
q2   rV1  aV2 
a
4. Three concentric metallic spherical shells of radii
R1 ,R 2 ,R 3 are given charges Q, 2Q, 3Q respectively. It is
found that the surface charge densities on the outer
surfaces of the shells are equal. Then the ratio of the radii
given to the shells
R1 : R 2 : R 3 is

a) 1:3:5
b) 1: 3 : 6
c) 1:2:3
d) 1: 3 : 5
Answer:
Solution:
Surface charges density is same
Q1 Q1  Q 2 Q1  Q 2  Q3
So    
R12 R 22 R 32

Q 3Q 6Q
 2
 2  2  k(say)
R1 R 2 R 3

Where k is constant
Q
R 12 
k
 3Q
R 22 
k
6Q
R 32 
k
So, R1 : R 2 : R 3

 1: 3 : 6

5. Determine the potential difference between two

insulating plates which are both uniformly charged (plate
2 is at higher potential ). The plates are separated by
d  0.2m and can be treated as infinitely large. An electron
is released from rest on the inner surface of plate 1 hits
plate 2 with a speed 2.65 106 m / s
a) +10V b) -20V c) +20V d) -10V
Answer:
Solution:
1
  q  V2  V1   m2
2

 1.6  1019  V2  V1    9.11031   2.65 106 

1 2

2
1.6 1019  V2  V1   31.9523 1019

 V2  V1  20V.

6. If Energy is supplied at the rate of 10kw to the three

point charges to 0.1c each are placed at the corners of an
equilateral triangle with side L  1m. Determine the time
required to move one to the charges on the midpoint of
the line joining the other two
a) 0.5hr b) 2hr c) 5hr d) 3hr

Answer:
Solution:

1  q1q 2 
U  
40  r 
 1 q2
U1  3  
40 r

3  9  109  (0.1) 2
U1   27  107 J
1

1 q2 1  q2 
U2  2     
40   40  r 
r
 
2

1  4q 2 q 2 
   
40  r r 

5  9  109  (0.1) 2
  45  107 J
1
  U 2  U1  18  107

 18  107
t 
P 104

t  18 103

t  5hr

7. A ball of mass 2 109 kg having a charge 1nc is

suspended by a string of length 0.5m. Another identical
ball having the same charge is kept at the point of
suspension. Determine the minimum horizontal velocity
which should be imparted to the lower ball so that it can
make a complete revolution.

a) 4m/s b) 3m/s c) 5m/s d) zero

Answer:
Solution:
If the ball to complete the circle then the tension must
vanish at top most point
So T2  0
q2 mv 2
T2  mg  
 0
4  l 2
l
 q2 mv 2
mg   ………..(1)
 40  l2 l
Energy at lowest point} = Energy at top most point
1 1
m2  mv 2  mg(2l)
2 2
 V 2  U 2  4gl ……..(2)

So U 2  V 2  4gl ……….(3)
q2 V2
From (1) g  
 0
4  ml 2
l

q2
 V  gl 
2
………..(4)
 40  ml
Substitute (4) in (3)
q2
U  4gl  gl 
2

 40  ml
109   9 109
2

U 2  5  10  0.5 
2  109  0.5
9  1018  109
 U  25 
2

109

U 2  16
 U  4m / s

8. At a point in space, the electric fields points towards

north. In the region surrounding this point, the rate of
change of change of potential will be zero along
a) North b) south c) North-South d) East-west
Answer:
Solution:
Equipotential surfaces are perpendicular to the electric
lines of forces.
9. a solid sphere of radius R is charged uniformly. At
what distance from its surface is the electrostatic potential
one-third of the potential at the centre
a) R b) R/2 c) R/3 d) 2R
Answer:
Solution:
KQ 1  3KQ 
  
x 3  2R 
 1 1
 
x 2R

x  2R

10. Two parallel vertical plates are insulting, have

uniform surface charge densities  and . Such that the
plates are separated by 20cm apart. A sphere of charge
q  9 108 C. Find the potential difference between the
plates will cause the thread to assume an angel 53 with
vertical.

(Given that mass of the sphere is 2.7gm)

a) 20kv b) 80kv c) 40kv d) 160kv
Answer:
Solution:
Fe  mg tan   qE

v
 mg tan   q  
d

 mgd 
V  tan 
 q 
2.7 20
10 
V  1000 100  tan 53
9 108
2.7  10  20 4
 
9  108  105 3
8  100

102

 8 104 Volt

V  80kv

11. Three identical metallic uncharged spheres A, B and

C each of radius 2cm are kept at the corners of an
equilateral triangle of side 10cm as shown in diagram.
The forth sphere of radius 2cm which has a charge ‘q’
touches A and is then removed to a position far away. B
is earthed and then earth connection is removed. C is then
earthed. The charge on C is (Given that q  106 C )

a) -80nc b) -40nc c) +40nc d) +80nc

Answer:
Solution:
Let us consider r is the side of equilateral triangle
r  10cm
x is the radius of sphere
kq1 kq
 0
x 2r
 qx
 q1  0
2r

kq 2 kq kq1
  0
x 2r r

qx  r  a 
 q2   
2r  r 

106  2  102  10  2 
  
2  10  102  10 

106  8 
  
10  10 

 8 108
q 2  80nc

12. In the circuit diagram shown below, find the charge

on each capacitor
a) 36.8c, 38.4c,0
b) 38.4  c, 36.8  c, 9.6  c
c) 0, 38.4  c, 36.8  c
d) 38.4  c, 38.4  c, 0
Answer:
Solution:
Applying KVL for loop (1)
q1 q 3 q 2
  0
8 4 4
q1  2q3  2q 2  0

 q1  2q2  2q3  0 ………(1)

For loop (2)

 q  q  q  q3 q3
 1 3   2  0
 4  8 4

2  q1  q3   q 2  q3  2q3  0
2q1  5q3  q2  0

 2q1  q 2  5q3  0 ……..(2)

For loop ABCEA

q1  q1  q 3 
   12  0
8  4 

q1  2  q1  q3   96  0

3q1  2q3  96  0 ………(3)

Solving (1), (2) and (3)

q1  38.4c, q2  36.8,q3  9.6

13. What should be maximum value of the external emf

of source such that no capacitor breaks down. Three
capacitors with capacitance and breakdown voltage
mentioned.
a) 1v b) 2v c) 1.5v d) 4v
Answer:
Solution:
Q  2cv  4cv  6cv

6c  6c 36c 2
c 
1
  3c
6c  6c 12c
Q 6cv
e   2v
c1 3c

14. In the circuit shown in diagram, find the steady state

charge on capacitor c1
a) 4c b) 16c c) 8 c d) 32 c
Answer:
Solution:
q q
8  2 1   0
4 8
q q
6 
4 8
 12 
 6  q 
 32 
q  16c

15. a capacitor of capacity 3 F and initial charge 160 c is

connected with a switch s and resistors as shown in
diagram. If switch is closed at t  0, then the current
through resistor of 4 at t  16s is
 10 20 10
a) A b) A c) A d) zero
e 3e 3e
Answer:
Solution:
 8 4 
  CR  6  106  
8 4
6  106  32

12

  16 106 sec
i  i0 e t / 


 i    e t / 
R

 160 / 6   16  10 
6
i e 6 
 32 / 12   16  10 
 10
i [given t  16  106 ]
e
10
i1  i 2  and 4i1  8i 2
e
10
3i 2  and  i1  2i 2
e
10 20
i2  A and i1  A
3e 3e