32 Chapterwise CBSE PYQs (Physics)-12

Potential, Electrostatic Potential due to a Point Charge,

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

(1 Mark
MCQ Multiple Choice Questions
point of
1. point Plies at a distance x from the midpotential
A (c) (d) 8ea?
an electric dipole on its axis. The electric
at point P is proportional to
[20231 (3, A charge is located at the centre of a circle of
1 radius r. The work done in moving a test charge
(b) ends of
g, from point A to point B (at opposite
(a)
diameter AB) so as to complete a semicircle is
1 1
(c) (d) 1 [20211

2. A point charge q, is moving along a circular path

(4ne0)
of radius a, with a point charge -Q at the centre (a)2o0
of the circle. The kinetic energy of 4, is [2023] (6)

(b) (d) Zero

(a) (c) k go Or

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

4. Obtain an expression for electrostatic potential

(i) the electrostatic potential energy of the
arrangement? and
energy of a system of three charges q, 2q and-3g [2023]
placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of (ii) the potential at point D?
[2023] 7. A uniform electric field E of 500 N/C is directed
side a.
along +x axis. O, Band A are three points in the
5. Depict the orientation of an electric dipole in (a)
stable and (b) unstable equilibrium in an external field having x and y coordinates (in cm) (0, 0),
uniform electric field. (4, 0)and (0,3) respectively. Calculate the potential
difference between the points (i) OandA, and
Write the potential energy of the dipole in each (ü) Oand B. [2023(C)]
case. [2023]
8. Three point charges 1 uC, -1 uC and 2 uC are
6. Three point charges Q, q andq are kept at the kept at the vertices A, B and C respectively of
vertices of an equilateral triangle of side L as an equilateral triangle of side 1 m. A,, B, andC;
shown in figure. What is
are the midpoints of the sides AB, BC and CA
respectively. Calculate the net amount of work
A, from
done in displacing the charge from A to [2023(C))
Bto B, and from Cto C,.
9. An electric dipole of length 4 cm, when placed
with its axis making an angle of 60° with a uniform
Nm.
4/3
D C electric field, experiences a torque of dipole,ifit
LI2 Calculate the potential energy of the [2014)
has charge ±8 nC.
Short Answer Type [ll] Questions (3 Marks)
SA

10. Three point charges , (-15 uC), Q, (10uC) and Q, (16 uC) are located at (0 cm.0cm). (0 cm, 3 cm)(2023)
(4 cm, 3 cm) respectively. Calculate the electrostatic potential energy of this system of charges.
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 33

11. (a) Tivo point charges + Q, and - Q, are placed is the electric field at (i) x = 3and (ii) x = 5?
rdistance apart. Obtain the expression for the [2019|
amount of work done to place a third charge 5
Q, at the midpoint of the line joining the two
4
charges.
(b) At what distance from charge + Q, on the 3
line joining the two charges (in terms of Q (volt) 2
0, and r) will this work done be zero. [2020] 1
12. (a) Draw the equipotential surfaces corresponding 2 5 6 X (cm)
to a uniform electricfield in the z-direction.
16. A charge is distributed uniformly over a metallic
(6) Derive an expression for the electric potential sphere of radius R. Obtain the expressions for the
at any point along the axial line of an electric
electric field (E) and electric potential () at a
dipole. [2019] point 0<x< R.
13. Three concentric metallic shells A, Band C of Show on a plot the variation of E and V with x
radii a, b and c(a < b < c) have surface charge
for 0<x< 2R. [2017]
densities + o, -o and + respectively as shown
in thefigure. (17) (a) Write two properties by which electric potential
is related to the electric field.
If shells A and C are at the same potential, then
obtain the relation between the radii a, b, c. (b) Two point charges g, and q,, separated by a
distance of r, are kept in an external electric
[2019]
field. Derive an expression for the potential
energy of the system of two charges in the
field. [2017(C)]
18) Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential
surfaces:
() in the case of a single point charge and
(iü) in a constant electric field in Z-direction.
Why the equipotential surfaces about a single
charge are not equidistant?
(iü) can electric field exist tangential to an
14. Two metal spheres A and B of radius r and 2r, equipotentialsurface? Give reason. [2016]
whose centres are separated by a distance of 6r, 19. Four charges tq, -q, tq andq are to be arranged
are given charge Qeach and are at potential V,
respectively at the four corners of a square ABCD
and V,. Find the ratio of V,/V,. These spheres of side a.
are connected to each other with the help of a
(a) Find the work required to put together this
connecting wire keeping the separation unchanged,
arrangement.
what is the amount of charge that will flow through
the wire? [2019] (b) A charge q, is bought to the centre of the
15. The variatíon of electric potential with distance
square, the four charges being held fixed. How
much extra work is needed to do this? (2015])
from a fixed point is shown in the figure. What

LA Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)

20. (i) Consider two identical point charges located (ii) State the significance of negative value of
at points (0, 0) and (a, 0). electrostatic potential energy of a system of
1. Is there a point on the line joining them charges.
at which the electric field is zero? Three charges are placed at the corners of
2. Is there a point on the line joining them an equilateral triangle ABC of side 2.0 m as
at which the electric potential is zero? shown in figure. Calculate the electric potential
Justify your answers for each case. energy of the system of three charges. (2023]
 (Physics)-12
34 Chapterwise CBSE PYQs
cnergy of the charge system in its
+4.0 uC of unstable cquilibrium?
Justify your answer in each case.
orientatioN
22. (a) Deduce the cxpressionfor the potential
of asystem of two charges 4, and q, locate
(2018(enerCgy)|
at ; andn respectively in an external electric
field.
BO Oc (b) Three point charges, +Q, + 20 and -30 o
+2.0 uC
4.0 C placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle
ABC of side I. If these charges are displaced
21. Two point charges q and g are located at points
(0. 0, a) and (0, 0, a) respectively. to the mid-points A, B, and C, respectively,
find the amount of the work done in shifting
(a) Find the electrostatic potential at (0, 0, z) and
(. y, 0) the charges to the new locations. [2015)
(b) How much work is done in moving asmall A(+Q)
test chargefrom the point (5, 0, 0) to (-7, 0,
0) along the x-axis?
(c) How would your answer change if the path
of the test charge between the same points A.

is not along the X-axis but along any other

random path?
(d) If the above point charges are now placed
in the same positions in a uniform external B(+2Q) B, C(-30)
electricfield E, what would be the potential

Capacitor and Capacitance, Parallel Plate Capacitor, Combination of

Capacitors, Electrostatics of Conductors, Dielectrics and Polarisation,
Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance, Energy stored ina Capacitor

MCQ Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark)

1. A capacitor is charged by a battery. Between the Two of them connected in parallel and the
plates, during process of charging: (2023]
combination in series to the third.
(a) only displacement current exists.
3. In the given network all capacitors used are
(b) only conduction current exists.
(c) both displacement current and conduction
identical and each one is of capacitance C. Which
Current exist.
of the following is the equivalent capacitance
(d) no current exists. between the points A and B? (2021)

2. The capacitors, each of 4 uF are to be connected

in such a way that the effective B
capacitance of
the combination is 6 uE This can be
achieved by
connecting. (a) 6 C 5
(20231
(a) Ali three in parallel (b)All three in
series
(b) C

3
(o Two of them connected in series and (c) 5
the (d) C
combination in parallel to the third, 6
 (2 Marks)
SA Short Answer Type [I] Questions

A and B of radius r,
(i) capacitance of the capacitor
4 Two small conducting balls They (ii) charge on the capacitor, and
respectively.
and r, have charges q, and q, the cxpression (i) energy density of the capacitor.
are connected by a wire. Obtain 7. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is
cquilibrium. |2023|
for charges on A and B, in charged to a potential V. It is then connected
theenergy stored in a to another uncharged capacitor having the same
5. Obtain the expression for battery. Hence
capacitor connected across adc capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy stored
define energy density of the capacitor.
[20201 in the combined system to that stored initially in
the single capacitor. [2014|
of capacitance C is
6. A parallel plate capacitor Without 8. Find the charge on the capacitor as shown in the
charged to a potential V by a battery. between circuit. [2014]
disconnecting the battery, the distance
dielectric medium of
the plates is tripled and a
k= 10is introduced between the plates of the
capacitor. Explain giving reasons, how will the 10S2 20 S2

following be affected: [2017(C)] 2v

(3 Marks)
SA Short Answer Type [ll] Questions

12. A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery.

9. A parallel plate capacitor (A) of capacitance Cis How much electrostatic energy is stored in the
charged by a battery to voltage V. The battery
disconnected and an uncharged capacitor (B) of capacitor? If another capacitor of 6 pF is connected
capacitance 2C is connected across A. Find the in series with it with the same battery connected
ratio of across the combination, find the charge stored and
potential difference across each capacitor. [2017]
(i) final charges on A and B.
13. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are
(ü) total electrostatic energy stored in A and B connected to a battery of V volts with the switch
finally and that stored in A initially. [20231] Sclosed. The switch is now opened and the free
10. Explain briefly the process of charging a parallel
dc space between the plates of the capacitors is filled
a
plate capacitor when it is connected across with a dielectric of dielectric constant K. Find the
battery. ratio of the total electrostatic energy stored in
to V
A capacitor of capacitance C is charged both capacitors before and after the introduction
volts by a battery. After some time the battery is of the dielectric. [2017]
disconnected and the distance between the plates
is doubled. Now a slab of dielectric constant,
1<k< 2, is introduced to fill the space between
the plates. How will the following be affected: E
(a) The electric field between the plates of the
capacitor.
(b) The energy stored in the capacitor. Justify your 14. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected
answer by writing the necessary expressions. across a battery of Vvolt. A charge of 360 uC
[2019] is stored in it. When the potential across the
11. What is polarization of charge? With the help of capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge stored
a diagram show why the electric field between in the capacitor becomes 120 C. Calculate V
the plates of capacitor reduces on introducing a and the unknown capacitance. What would have
dielectric slab. Define the dielectric constant on been the charge on the capacitor if the voltage were
the basis of these fields. [2019] increased by 120 V? [2017(C)]
 (Physics)-12
36 Chaptervwise CBSE PYQs
A
15.

15 V
X and Y have the C
Two parallel plate capacitors separation between 2V
2R

same areaof plates and same while Ycontains

them. Xhas air between the plates 19. (a) Obtain the expression for the energy stored
per unit volume in a charged parallel plate
a dielectric medium of E, = 4.
capacitor if capacitor.
(i) Calculate capacitance of each
equivalent capacitance of the combination is (b) The electric field inside a parallel plate
4 uF. capacitor is E. Find the amount of work done
(ü) Calculate the potential difference between in moving acharge q over a closed rectangular
the plates of X and Y. loop a bcda. [2014)
(üi) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy
stored in X and Y. [2016]
16. In the following arrangement of capacitors, the
energy stored in the 6 Fcapacitor is E.

with air between the

20. In a parallel plate capacitor 10 m and
plates, each plate has an areaof 6 X
3 mm.
the separation between the plates is
6uF

12uF A B C

Find the value of the following:

(i) Energy stored in 12 uF capacitor
(ü) Energy stored in 3 uF capacitor
(iüü) Total energy drawn from the battery. [2016]
17. A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply.
(i) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
It is then disconnected from the supply and is (ü) If the capacitor is connected to 100 V supply,
connected to another uncharged 300pF capacitor. what would be the charge on each plate?
Calculate how much electrostatic energy is lost in
(iüi) How would charge on the plates be affected, it
the prOcess. What is the source of energy loss? a 3 mmn thick mica sheet of K=6 is inserted
[2015]
between the plates while the voltage supPly
18. In the given circuit in the steady state, obtain remains connected? [2014)
the expressions for (a) the potential drop (b) the
charge and (c) the energy stored in the capacitor
C. [2015]

LA Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks)

21. (i) Define electric potential at a point and write its SI unit.
(ii) Two capacitors are connected in series, Derive an expression of the equivalent capacitance ot t
combination.
(iii) Two point charges +q and -q are located at points (3a, 0) and (0, 4a) respectively in xy plane. A third
charge Qis kept at the origin. Find the value of 0, in terms of gand a, so that the electrostatic potential
energy of the system is zero. [2023)
 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance 37

22. (a) Describe briefly the process of transferring the 24. (a) Define the capacitance of a capacitor. Obtain
charge between the two plates of a parallel the expression for the capacitanite ofa parallel
plate capacitor in vacuum in terms of plate
plate capacitor when connected to a battery. area A and separation d between the plates.
Derive an expression for the energy stored in
(b) A slab of materialof dielectric constant K has
a capacitor.
thesame area as the plates of a parallel plate
(b) A parallel plate capacitor is charged by capacitor but has a thickness
3d
.Find the ratio
a battery to a potential difference V. It is 4
disconnected from battery and then connected of the capacitance with dielectric inside it to
to another uncharged capacitor of the same its capacitance without the dielectric. [2017]
capacitance. Calculate the ratio of the energy 25. (a) Explain, using suitable diagrams, the difference
stored in the combination to the initial energy in the behaviour of a (i) conductor and
on the single capacitor. [2019] (iü) dielectric in the presence of external
electric field. Define the terms polarisation
23. A capacitor of capacitance C, is charged to a of a dielectric and write its relation with
potential V, while another capacitor of capacitance susceptibility.
C, is charged to a potential difference V,. The
capacitors are now disconnected from their
(b) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R
carries a charge Q on its surface. A point
respective charging batteries and connected in an
parallel to each other. charge 2 is placed at its centre C and
(a) Find the total energy stored in the two other charge +2Qis placed outside the shell
at a distance x from the centre as shown in
capacitors before they are connected.
figure. Find (i) the force on the charge at the
(b) Find the total energy stored in the parallel centre of shell and at the point A, (it) the
combination of the two capacitors. electric flux through the shell. [2015]
(c) Explain the reason for the difference of energy A
in parallel combination in comparison to the 20

total energy before they are connected.

[2018(C)]

AR Assertion and Reason Question

For the following question,two statements are given-one (c) A is true but R is false.
labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). (d) A is false and R is also false.
Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes Assertion (A): Work done in moving a charge
(a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below. around a closed path, in an electric field is always
(aBoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation zero.
of A. Reason (R): Electrostatic force is a conservative
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct force. [2023]
explanation of A.

CBO Case Based Questions

1. ElectrOstatics deals with the study of forces, fields field. Work is required to be done to provide a
and potentials arising from static charges. Force specificorientation to a dipole with respect to an
and electric field, due to a point charge is basically electric field. [2023 (Modified) ]
determined by Coulomb's law. For symmetric (i) Consider a uniformlycharged thin conducting
charge configurations, Gauss's law, which is also spherical shellof radius R.
based on Coulomb's law, helps us to find the Which of the following graph showing the
electric field. A charge/a system of charges like variation of |E| with distance 'r from the
a dipole experience a force/torque in an electric centre, for points 0<rs 3R
 (Physics)-12
Chapterwise CBSE PYQs two conductors
2. A capacitor is a system of conductors
38

(a) E
(b) E by an insulator. The
two
and opposite charges with a potential
Sseparaequae
have
between them. The capacitance of a
depends on the geometrical configuration
dcapaci
if erenctor
size and separation) of the system and also on
insullator separating
(Shape.
the nature of the the
conductors. They are used to store charges. twLike
o
(d) E
A resistors, capacitors can be arranged in serie
obtain des
parallel or a combination of bothto
value of capacitance. [2023(Modified)
(i) Find the equivalent capacitance between point
A and B in the given diagram.
(ü) The figure shows the variation of potential
Vwith 1/r for two point charges , and
where V is the potential at a distance ' due
A
to a point charge.

30° C (6) C
1/r (a) 2
The value of 2,/0, is (c) 2C (d) 3C
(a) 1 (b) 2 (ii)) A dielectric slab is inserted between the plates
(c) 3 (d) 4 of aparallel plate capacitor. What happens
to the electric field between the plates?
(ü) An electric dipole is placed ina non-uniform (a) It increases
electric field. The net
(a) force experienced is zero whereas torque (b) It decreases
is not zero. e I t remains the same
(b) force experienced is zero and torque is (d) It becomes zero
also zero. (i") Acapacitor Aof capacitance C, having charge
(c) both force and torque are not zero. Qis connected across another uncharged
(dy force experienced is not zero while torque capacitor B of capacitance 2C. Find an
expression for the potential difference across
may be zero depending on its orientation. the combination
(iv) In an electric dipole, value of electric (a) 2V (b) V
is 3.2 × 10 Cand distance charge
V
is 2.4 . It is placed in an between charges (c)
4 x 10° V/m, then dipole electric field of 2 3
moment of dipole is: (iv) What will be the charge lost by capacitor A
(a) 9.6 >x 10 C-m (b) 12.8× 10+C-m in part (c) above?
e 7.68 x 10Cm (d) 30 x
10-2 C-m (a) Q (b)
Or 3
(iv) Two equal and opposite {e)
20
are placed at a charges of 2x 10"C (d)
distance of 1
dipole and are placed in an cm forming a Or capacitor
2 x 10 NJC.
The maximum electric field of ((iv)) The plates of acharged parallel plate
dipole is torque on the are pulled apart. Now
(a) 2/2 x 10 Nm unchange.
(b) 8 x 10 Nmn (a) potential difference willremain
(c) 4 x 10 Nm (b) potential difference will decrease.
tet 4x 10 Nm
(c) potential difference will increase.
(d) the capacitance will increase.