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All questions of Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance for Class 12 Exam

Three capacitors, each of capacitance C = 3 mF, are connected as shown in the figure. The equivalent capacitance between points P and S is
  • a)
    9 μF
  • b)
    6 μF
  • c)
    3 μF
  • d)
    1 μF
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Dr Manju Sen answered
If P is at positive potential, then Q is at negative potential and R is at positive potential. The system therefore reduces to 3 capacitors in parallel. C= 9μF

The amount of work done in moving a charge from one point to another along an equipotential line or surface charge is
  • a)
    Zero
  • b)
    Infinity
  • c)
    One
  • d)
    Two
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Om Desai answered
Since Potential difference between two points in equipotential surfaces is zero, the work done between two points in equipotential surface is also zero.

A hollow metal sphere of radius 5cm is charged so that the potential on its surface is 10V. The potential at a distance of 2cm from the centre of the sphere is
  • a)
    4V
  • b)
    zero
  • c)
    10/3V
  • d)
    10V
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Ayush Joshi answered
In the case of a hollow metal sphere (spherical shell), the electric field inside the shell is zero. This means that the potential inside the shell is constant. Therefore the potential at the centre of the sphere is the same as that on its surface, i.e. 10 V. 

1 microfarad is equal to​
  • a)
    10-6F
  • b)
    10-12F
  • c)
    10-15F
  • d)
    10-9F
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Lavanya Menon answered
The microfarad (symbolized µF) is a unit of capacitance, equivalent to 0.000001 (10 to the -6th power) farad. 

Work done in carrying 2C charge in a circular path of radius 2m around a charge of 10C is​
  • a)
    6.67J
  • b)
    60J
  • c)
    Zero
  • d)
    15J
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Iyer answered
The overall work performed in carrying a 2coulomb charge in a circular orbit of radius 3 m around a charge of 10 coulomb is calculated below.
It is a well-known fact that W=qdv.
Here dV is the change in overall potential. In the circular orbit of r potential at each point is similar.
Most significantly, the value of r is 3.  
The value of dv=0 and hence W=q0=0.

If 100 J of work has to be done in moving an electric charge of 4C from a place where potential is -5 V to another place, where potential is V volt. The value of V is
  • a)
    15 V
  • b)
    20 V
  • c)
    25 V
  • d)
    10 V
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Iyer answered
From the definition, the work done to a test charge ‘q0’ from one place to another place in an electric field is given by the formula
W=q0x[vfinal-vinitial ]
100=4x[v-(-5)]
v+5=25
v=20V
 

When a positive charge is moved in an electrostatic field from a point at high potential to a low potential, its kinetic energy
  • a)
    Remains constant
  • b)
    Decreases
  • c)
    Increases
  • d)
    Either increase or remain constant
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

You can generalise it by assuming a positive charge moving away from another positive charge. now both of them are repelling each other with some force. so that positive charge will accelerate which results in the increase in K.E.

Two capacitors of 20 μƒ and 30 μƒ are connected in series to a battery of 40V. Calculate charge on each capacitor.​
  • a)
    480 C
  • b)
    478 C
  • c)
    450 C
  • d)
    500 C
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Nikita Singh answered
C1= 20×10µf
and C2= 30×10µf
in series Ceq = C1C2/(C1+C2)
Ceq = 20×10^(-6)×30×10^(-6)/20×10^(-6)+30^×10(-6)
Ceq= 12×10^(-6)f
As we know that Q = CV
Putting the values of C and V= 40V, we get
Q = (12 * 10^-6) * 40
= 480µC

The shape of equipotential surface for an infinite line charge is:​
  • a)
    Coaxial cylindrical surfaces
  • b)
    Parallel plane surfaces
  • c)
    Parallel plane surfaces perpendicular to lines of force
  • d)
    None of above
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Rajesh Gupta answered
The shape of equipotential surface for an infinite line charge is coaxial cylindrical because A curved surface on which potential is constant is equipotential curve . If we consider the line charge then the focus of the point should have the same potential hence it is a coaxial cylinder.

Calculate the equivalent capacitance for the following combination between points A and B
  • a)
    12/5 μƒ
  • b)
    5 μƒ
  • c)
    40/9 μƒ
  • d)
    37/5 μƒ
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Divey Sethi answered
4μf and 6μf are in series (right side of AB) so 6x(4/6)+4=24/10μf
And now 5 μf and the resulting of above two are in parallel (as on different sides of AB) so 5+(24/10) =50+(24/10)=74/10=37/5μf

Electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is proportional to
  • a)
    Surface charge density
  • b)
    Volume of the sphere
  • c)
    Volume charge density
  • d)
    Area of the sphere
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Ciel Knowledge answered
Electric field at the surfaces of charged conductors is σ/ε0​.n, where n is a unit vector normal to the surface.
We clearly see that the electric field is perpendicular to surface charge density (σ).
 

Electric potential is
  • a)
    scalar and dimensionless
  • b)
    vector and dimensionless
  • c)
    scalar with dimension
  • d)
    vector with dimension
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Pooja Mehta answered
He electric potential due to a system of point charges is equal to the sum of the point charges' individual potentials. This fact simplifies calculations significantly, since addition of potential (scalar) fields is much easier than addition of the electric (vector) fields.

Can you explain the answer of this question below:

The potential energy of a system containing only one point charge is

  • A:

    Zero

  • B:

    Infinity

  • C:

    Nonzero finite

  • D:

    None of the above

The answer is a.

.mie. answered
Answer is 0 as there are no other sources of electrostatic potential .... against which an external agent must do work.... in moving the point charge.... from infinity to its final location.... therefore correct opt is A

The dipole moment per unit volume is called
  • a)
    Polarization
  • b)
    Surface charge density
  • c)
    Linear charge density
  • d)
    Volume charge density
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Preeti Iyer answered
The electric dipole moment per unit volume is called polarization or polarization density (vector p).
It is always directed from negative charge to positive charge.
If there are N atoms per unit volume than
vector p = N (vector p)

where p is the electric dipole moment of individual atom.

In bringing an electron towards another electron, the electrostatic potential energy of the system
  • a)
    becomes zero
  • b)
    decreases
  • c)
    remains same
  • d)
    increases
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Nandini Patel answered
The electron has negative charge. When an electron is bringing towards another electron, then due to same negative charge repulsive force is produced between them. So, to bring them closer a work is done against this repulsive force. This work is stored in the form of electrostatic potential energy. Thus, electrostatic potential energy of system increases.                 

Alternative: Electrostatic potential energy of system of two electrons                
U=[1/4πε0][(−e)(−e)/r] = [1/4πε0](e^2/r)                
Thus, as r decreases, potential energy U increases. 

If a unit charge is taken from one part to another part over an equipotential surface, then what is the change in electrostatic potential energy of the charge?
  • a)
    10 J
  • b)
    100 J
  • c)
    1 J
  • d)
    0 J
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Equipotential surface means the potential on every. point on that surface is constant. it means the change in potential on equipotential surface is zero we know that... ( electrostatic potential energy = change in potential × charge.)... ... according to this electrostatic potential energy is zero

If the potential difference between the plates of a capacitor is increased by 0.1%, the energy stored in the capacitor increases by very nearly
  • a)
    0.1%
  • b)
    0.144%
  • c)
    0.11%
  • d)
    0.2%
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Amar Shah answered
**Explanation:**

To understand why the correct answer is option 'D', let's consider the equation for the energy stored in a capacitor:

**Energy (E) = 1/2 * C * V^2**

where E is the energy, C is the capacitance, and V is the potential difference (voltage) across the capacitor plates.

According to the question, the potential difference between the plates of the capacitor is increased by 0.1%. Let the initial potential difference be V1 and the increased potential difference be V2.

**Change in Potential Difference = (V2 - V1) = 0.1% of V1**

Using this information, we can write the new potential difference as:

**V2 = V1 + (0.1/100) * V1 = V1 + 0.001 * V1 = (1 + 0.001) * V1 = 1.001 * V1**

Next, we need to find the change in energy stored in the capacitor. Let the initial energy be E1 and the increased energy be E2.

**Change in Energy = (E2 - E1) = ?**

Using the equation for energy, we can write the new energy as:

**E2 = 1/2 * C * V2^2 = 1/2 * C * (1.001 * V1)^2 = 1/2 * C * (1.001^2) * V1^2**

Now, let's calculate the change in energy:

**Change in Energy = (E2 - E1) = 1/2 * C * (1.001^2) * V1^2 - 1/2 * C * V1^2**

Simplifying this expression:

**Change in Energy = 1/2 * C * V1^2 * (1.001^2 - 1) = 1/2 * C * V1^2 * (1.001^2 - 1)**

To find the percentage increase in energy, we need to divide the change in energy by the initial energy and multiply by 100. Let's calculate:

**Percentage Increase in Energy = (Change in Energy / E1) * 100**

Substituting the expression for change in energy:

**Percentage Increase in Energy = [1/2 * C * V1^2 * (1.001^2 - 1)] / [1/2 * C * V1^2] * 100**

Simplifying this expression:

**Percentage Increase in Energy = (1.001^2 - 1) * 100 = (1.001 * 1.001 - 1) * 100 = (1.002001 - 1) * 100 = 0.2001 * 100 = 0.2%**

Therefore, the energy stored in the capacitor increases by approximately 0.2% when the potential difference between the plates is increased by 0.1%. Hence, the correct answer is option 'D' (0.2%).

Dimensional formula for potential difference is
  • a)
    [ML2 T-2 A-1]
  • b)
    [ML2 T-3 A-1]
  • c)
    [ML T-1 A-1]
  • d)
    [M2L T-2 A-1]
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Rohit Shah answered
Potential Diff = Volts = V = Workdone/Charge(Q)

Workdone = [Mass][Length]^2/[Time]^2 

Hence, Potential Diff = [Mass][Length]^2[Time]^−2[Charge(Q)]^−1

Hence, The correct answer is Option A. 

You can learn all the concepts of Physics for JEE by going through the link:

Equipotential surfaces cannot
  • a)
    be parallel
  • b)
    be spherical
  • c)
    Intersect
  • d)
    be irregularly shaped.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Krishna Iyer answered
The electric field lines are perpendicular to the equipotential surface. The field lines can not intersect each other because the electric force can not have two directions at a point.

What is the direction of the lines of force at any point on the equipotential surface?
  • a)
    Parallel to it
  • b)
    Perpendicular to it.
  • c)
    Inclined at 45 degrees
  • d)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Anjali Iyer answered
When electric lines of force get perpendicular to equipotential surface then area vector and electric lines of force are parallel to each other.so angle between them is zero. due to that reason they get perpendicular to each other.

Find the band gap energy when a light of wavelength 1240nm is incident on it.
  • a)
    1eV
  • b)
    2eV
  • c)
    3eV
  • d)
    4eV
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Khushi Singh answered
Find the band gap energy when a light of wavelength 1240nm is incident on it. Explanation: The band gap energy in electron volt when wavelength is given is, Eg = 1.24(μm)/λ = 1.24 x 10-6/1240 x 10-9 = 1eV.

The dielectric Constant of a metal is
  • a)
    infinite
  • b)
    zero
  • c)
    equal to one
  • d)
    less than one
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Nabanita Sen answered
An electric field (E) is generated both inside the metal and outer (plates) which are equal in magnitude but opposite, making the net resultant field (Er) in the metal to be zero. Hence, the derived dielectric constant (K) of the metal is (E/Er = E/0) which is infinity. This is why the dielectric constant is infinity.

When a conductor is placed in an electric field; its free charge carriers adjust itself in order to oppose the electric field. This happen until
  • a)
    Both the fields cancel out each other
  • b)
    Induced field become more than external field
  • c)
    External field reach the maximum value
  • d)
    Induced field reach the maximum value
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Lavanya Menon answered
  • When an external electric field is applied to the conductor, the free electrons in the conductor move in an opposite direction to that of the applied electric field.
  • This movement of electrons induces another electric field inside the conductor which opposes the original external electric field.
  • This continues until the induced electric field cancels out the external field. 

when two capacitors are put in series, the equivalent capacitance is 
  • a)
    the reciprocal of the capacitances
  • b)
    smaller than both capacitances
  • c)
    the sum of the capacitances
  • d)
    the product of the capacitances 
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Explanation:

When two capacitors are put in series, the equivalent capacitance is smaller than both capacitances.

Why is this so? Let's look at the equation for capacitance in series:

1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2

Where Ceq is the equivalent capacitance and C1 and C2 are the capacitances of the individual capacitors. From this equation, we can see that the sum of the reciprocals of the capacitances is equal to the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance.

Now, let's consider what happens when we put two capacitors in series. In this case, the capacitors share the same charge, so the voltage across each capacitor is different. This means that the capacitances are not simply added together, but rather combine in a way that reduces the overall capacitance.

To see why this is the case, let's take a simple example. Suppose we have two capacitors, each with a capacitance of 1 microfarad. If we put these capacitors in series, the equivalent capacitance is:

1/Ceq = 1/1 + 1/1 = 1/2

Ceq = 2 microfarads

As we can see, the equivalent capacitance is smaller than the capacitance of either capacitor alone. This is because the capacitors effectively "cancel out" some of each other's capacitance due to the shared charge and differing voltages.

Overall, when two capacitors are put in series, the equivalent capacitance is smaller than both capacitances because the capacitors "cancel out" some of each other's capacitance.

Which of the following statements is not true for polar molecules?
  • a)
    permanent dipole moment
  • b)
    examples are oxygen and hydrogen molecules
  • c)
    the centres of positive and negative charges are separated
  • d)
    examples are HCl or water molecules
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Gaurav Kumar answered
  • Polar molecules occur when two atoms do not share electrons equally in a covalent bond.
  • The oxygen side of the molecule has a slight negative charge, while the side with the hydrogen atoms has a slight positive charge.
  • Ethanol is polar because the oxygen atoms attract electrons because of their higher electronegativity than other atoms in the molecule.

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