Capasitors

Chapter # 31 Capacitors
Page # 1
manishkumarphysics.in
SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example 31.1
A capacitor gets a charge of 60 C when it is connected to a battery of emf 12 V. Calculate the
capacitance of the capacitor.
Sol.
The potential difference between the plates is the same as the emf of the battery which is 12 V. Thus, the
capacitance is
C =
V
Q
=
V 12
C 60
= 5 F..
Example 31.2
Show that the SI unit of c
0
may be written as farad/metre.
Sol.
We have C =
d
A
0
c
or , c
0
=
A
Cd
As the SI units of C, d and Aare farad, metre and metre
2
respectively, the SI unit of c
0
is farad/metre.
Example 31.3
Calculate the capacitance of a parallelplate capacitor having 20 cm 20 cm square plates sepa-
rated by a distance of 1.0 mm.
Sol.
The capacitance is
C =
d
A
0
c
=
m 10 1
10 400
m
10 8.85
3
2 4 12 -
m
F
= 3.54 10
10
F ~ 350 pF..
Example 31.4
Calculate the charge on each capacitor shown in figure .
10 F
20 F
30 V
Sol.
The two capacitors are joined in series. Their equivalent capacitance is given by
C
1
=
1
1
C
+
2
1
C
or , C =
2 1
2 1
C
C C
C
+
=
F 30
F) (20 F) (10

=
3
20
F..
The charge supplied by the battery is
Q = CV
=
|
.
|
\
|
F
3
20
( 30 V ) = 200 C.
Page # 2
In series combination, each capacitor has equal charge and this charge equals the charge suppled by the
battery. Thus, each capacitor has a charge of 200 C.
Example 31.5 Find the equivalent capacitance of the combination shown in figure between the points P and N.
P
N
Q
30 F
20 F
10 F
Sol. The 10 F and 20 F capacitance are connected in parallel. Their equivalent capacitance is 10 F + 20 F =
30 F. We can replace the 10 F and the 20 F capacitors by a single capacitor of capacitance 30 F
between P and Q. This is connected in series with the given 30 F capacitor. The equivalent capacitance C
of this combination is given by
1
1
C
=
F 30
1
+
F 30
1
or , C = 15 F..
Example 31.6 Find the equivalent capacitance of the combination shown in the figure between the points P and N.
C
1
C
1
P P N N
C
2
C
2
C
3
C
3
V O A
1
A
2
A
3
A
4
-Q
1
-
Q
1
Q
Q
1
-Q
V
1
A
5
A
6
Q
(
)
-
(
Q
-
Q
)
1
Sol. Let us connect a battery between the points Pand N. The charges and the potentials are shown in figure.The
positive terminal of the battery supplies a charge +Qwhich appears on the plateA
1
. The facing plateA
2
gets
a charge Q. The plates A
2
, A
3
andA
5
taken together form an isolated system. The total charge on these
three plates should be zero. Let a charge Q
1
appear onA
3
, then a charge Q Q
1
will appear onA
5
to make
the total charge zero on the three plates. The plateA
4
will get a charge Q
1
(facing plate of A
3
) andA
0
will
get a charge ( QQ
1
) (facing plate of A
5
). The total charge Q on A
4
and A
6
is supplied by the negative
terminal of the battery. This completes the charge distribution.
Next, suppose the potential at the point N is zero and at P it is V. The potential of the plateA
4
andA
6
is also
zero. The potential of the plateA
1
is V. The plates A
2
, A
3
andA
5
are at the same potential. Let this common
potential be V
1
. This completes the potential distribution.
Applying the capacitor equation Q = CV to the three capacitors ,
Q = C
1
( V V
1
) .........(i)
Q
1
= C
2
V
1
.........(ii)
and Q Q
1
= C
3
V
1
. ........ (iii)
Adding (ii) and (iii) ,
Q
2
= ( C
2
+ C
3
) V
1
or ,
3 2
C C
Q
+
= V
1
. .........(iv)
From (i) ,
1
C
Q
= V V
1
. .........(v)
Adding (iv) and (v) ,
3 2
C C
Q
+
+
1
C
Q
= V
or ,
) (
) (C
3 2 1
3 2 1
C C C
Q C C
+
+ +
= V
or , C =
V
Q
=
3 2 1
3 2 1
) ( C
C C C
C C
+ +
+
.
Page # 3
Example 31.7 Find the energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance 100F when it is charged to a potential differ-
ence of 20 V.
Sol. The energy stored in the capacitor is
U =
2
1
CV
2
=
2
1
(100 F) (20 V)
2
= 0.02 J.
+ +
+ +
+ +
- -
- -
- -
E E
d
1
d
2
The energy stored in a capacitor is electrostatic potential energy. When we pull the plates of capacitor apart,
we have to do work against the electrostatic attraction between the plates. In which region of space is energy
stored ? When we increase the separation between the plates from d
1
to d
2
, an amount
0
2
2
Q
c A
(d
2
d
1
) of
work is performed by us and this much energy goes into the capacitor. On the other hand, newelectric field
is created in a volumeA(d
2
d
1
) figure. We conclude that the energy
0
2
2
Q
c A
(d
2
d
1
) is stored in the volume
A(d
2
d
1
) which is nowfilled with the electric field. Thus, an electric field has energy associated with it. The
energy stored per unit volume in the electric field is
u =
) (
2
) ( Q
1 2
0
1 2
2
d d A
A
d d
c
=
0
2
2
2
Q
c A
=
2
1
c
0
2
0
Q
|
|
.
|
\
|
c A
=
2
1
c
0
E
2
where E is the intensity of the electric field.
Example 31.8 Two parallelplate capacitors, each of capacitance 40 F, are connected in series. The space be-
tween the plates of one capacitor is filled with a dielectric material of dielectric constant K = 4. Find the
equivalent capacitance of the system.
Sol. The capacitance of the capacitor with the dielectric is
C
1
= KC
0
= 4 40 F = 160 F.
The other capacitor has capacitance C
2
= 40 F. As they are connected in series , the equivalent capaci-
tance is
C =
2 1
2 1
C
C C
C
+
=
F
F F

200
) 40 )( 160 (
= 32 F..
Example 31.9
A parallelplate capacitor has plate area A and plate separation d. The space between is filled up to a
thickness x (< d) with a dielectric constant K. Calculate the capacitance of the system.
Sol.
b
c
a
d
x
The situation is shown in figure. The given systemis equivalent to the series combination of two capacitors,
one between a and c and the other between c and b. Here c represents the upper surface of the dielectric.
This is because the potentialat the upper surface of the dielectric is constant and we can imagine a thin
metal plate being placed there.
The capacitance of the capacitor between a and c is
C
1
=
x
A K
0
c
Page # 4
and that between c and b is
C
2
=
x d
A
0
c
The equivalent capcaitance is
C =
2 1
2 1
C C
C C
+
=
) 1 K ( x Kd
A K
0

c
QUESTIONS FOR SHORT ANSWER
1. Suppose a charge +Q
1
is given to the positive plate and a charge Q
2
to the negative plate of a capacitor.
What is the "Charge on the capacitor" ?
2. As C =
|
.
|
\
|
V
1
Q, can you say that the capacitance C is proportional to the charge Q ?
3. A hollowmetal sphere and a solid metal sphere of equal radii are given equal charges. Which of the two will
have higher potential ?
4. The plates of a parallelplate capacitor are given equal positive charges. What will be the potential difference
between the plates ? What will be the charges on the facing surface ? On the outer surfaces ?
5. A capacitor has capacitance C. Is this information sufficient to know what maximum charge the capacitor
can contain ? If yes, what is this charge ? If no, what other information is needed ?
6. The dielectric constant decreases if the temperature is increased. Explain this in terms of polarization of the
material.
7. When a dielectric slab is gradually inserted between the plates of an isolated parallelplate capacitor, the
energy of the system decreases. What can you conclude about the force on the slab exerted by the electric
field ?
Objective - I
1. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a pontential V. The flux of the electric field through a closed
surface enclosing the capacitor is
Ciil-i +i (+ = iilzi Vli -+ ~i lzi- l+i ni t = iilzi +i lz +- in < a = il- - +n+=
t
(A) CV/c
o
(B) 2CV/c
o
(C) CV/2c
o
(D*) zero
2. Two capacitors each having capacitance C and breakdown voltage V are joined in series. The capacitance
and the breakdown voltage of the combinate will be
C iil-i + + <i = iilzi. l-+i i - i --i Vt . ii+n n i i- t = i - +i iil-i ( i - i --i
tini -
(A) 2 C and 2 V (B) 2/C and 2/V (C*) 2 C and 2/V (D) 2/C and 2 V
3. If the capacitors in the previous question are joined in paralle, the capacitance and the breakdown voltage of
the combination will be
l< z- n =iilzi =ni-- +n n i i( -i =i - +i iil-i ( i - i --i ti ni -
(A) 2 C and 2 V (B*) C and 2 V (C) 2 C and V (D) C and V
4. The equivalent capacitance of the combination shown in figure is -
l-zi n <zii ( = i - +i - - iil-i t -
(A) C (B*) 2 C (C) C/2 (D) none of these
Page # 5
5. Adielectric slab is inserted between the plates of an isolated capacitor. The force between the plated will
(+ lnln- = iilzi +i -n i + n (+ i - <ii +i l+i ii i-i t -n i + n n -
(A) increase (B) decrease (C*) remain unchanged (D) become zero
(A) cni (B) ini (C*) ~ll-- tni (D) zi - ti i(ni
6. The energy density in the electric field created by a point charge falls off with the distance from the point
charge as
(+ l-< ~i zi ,ii --- l - -i zi n -i i- l-< ~i zi = < i + =ii i-i t -
(A) 1/r (B) 1/r
2
(C) 1/r
3
(D*) 1/r
4
7. A parallel-plate capacitor has plates of unequal of unequal area. The large plate is connected to the positive
terminal of the battery and the smaller plate to its neagtive terminal. Let Q
+
and Q
be the charges apperaing

on the positive and the negative plates respectively.
(+ =ni-- = iilzi +i -n i +i -i zi+n =ni- -ti t i -n +i i + i- ln -n -ii zi i -n +i < =
+i ln -n = i i i-i t ni-i Q
+
Q
+nzi i- +i -n ~i zi t -i -
(A) Q
+
> Q
. (B*) Q
+
= Q
. (C) Q
+
< Q
.
(D) The infromation is not sufficent to decide the relation between Q
+
and Q
-
.
Q
+
-ii Q
+ i- = i ai- +- + ln( =--i ~i-- t

8. A thin metal plate P is inserted between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C in such a
way that its edges touch the two plates (fig.). The capacitance now becomes -
C iil-i + =ni-- = iilzi +i -n i + n (+ -ni ii- +i -n P := -t lzi- +i: i-i t l+ :=+
l+-i <i -i -n i +i -zi + iil-i ~ ti i-i t -
(A) C/2 (B) 2 C (C) 0 (D*)
9. Fig. shows two capacitors connected in series and joined to a bettery. The graph shows the variation in
pontential as one moves from left to right on the branch containing the capacitors -
l-zii- =i <i = iilzi +i ii+n n i + (+ i = i i i-i t = iilzii ini ziii n i = <i -n- li
n l-- n i+ ,ii <ziii ni t -
(A) C
1
> C
2
. (B) C
1
= C
2
. (C*) C
1
< C
2
.
(A) (B)
(D) The information is not sufficient to decide the relation between C
1
and C
2
.
(D) C
1
C
2
+ n = i ai- +- + ln( = --i ~i -- t
10. Two metal plates having charges Q, - Qface each other at some separation and are dipped into an oil tank.
If the oil is pumped out, the electric field between the plates will -
(A*) increase (B) decrease (C) remain the same (D) become zero
<i iil+ -n . l- ~i zi Q, - Qt . (+ < = = + z < i ~in- =in- t :-t - n + (+ + n i i ni
t l< - n it l-+in l<i i-i t . -i -n i + n l - -i zi -
(A*) cni (B) ini (C) ti t ni (D) zi - ti i(ni
11. Two spheres of capacitances C
1
and C
2
carry some charges. They are put in contact and then separated.
The final charges Q
1
and Q
2
on them will satisfy.
C
1
C
2
iil-i + <i iil+ ni ni + z ~i zi t --t (+ < = = =l+ - + l+ ~nn + l<i i-i t --
~ l-n ~izi Q
1
Q
2
l--- = i +i = - + n -
Page # 6
(A)
Q
Q
C
C
1
2
1
2
<
(B*)
Q
Q
C
C
1
2
1
2
=
(C)
Q
Q
C
C
1
2
1
2
>
(D)
Q
Q
C
C
1
2
2
1
=
12. Three capacitors of capacitances 2F each are available. The minimumand maximumcapacitances, which
may be obtained are - [HCV_Chp_31_Capacitors/OBJ-1_12]
-i- =iilzi l-n + +i iil-i 2F t -== i-- - --n ~li+-n iil-i ti ni -
(A) 6F, 18F (B) 3F, 12F (C) 2F, 12F (D*) 2F, 18F
Objective - II
1. The capacitance of a capacitor does not depend on
(A) the shape of the plates (B) the size of the plates
(C*) the charges on the plates (D) the separation between the plates.
(+ = iilzi +i iil-i l-i -ti +-i t -
(A) -n i +i ~i|l- (B) -n i + ~i+i
(C*) -n i + ~i zi (D) -ni + n <i
2. A dielectric slab is inserted between the plates of an isolated charged capacitor. Which of the following
quantites will remain the same ?
(A) The electric field in the capacitor (B*) the charge on the capacitor
(C) the potential differencr between the plates (D) the stored energy in the capacitor
(+ lnln- ~i lzi- = iilzi +i -n i + n (+ i - l +i ii i-i t l--- n = +i -=i ilzii -ti <n ni
(A) = iilzi n l - -i zi (B*) = iilzi ~i zi
(C) -n i + n lii-- (D) =iilzi n = nlt- -i
3. A dielectric slab is inserted between the plates of a capacitor. The charge on the capacitor is Q and the
magnitude of the induced charge on each surface of the dielectric is Q.
(A) Q may be larger than Q. (B) Q must be large than Q.
(C) Q must be equal than Q. (D*) Q must be smaller than Q.
(+ = iilzi +i -n i + n (+ i - l +i lzi+i +i: i-i t = iilzi ~i zi Qt -ii i - l +i
+ + a l- ~izi +i lnii Q t -
(A) Q , Q = i<i ti =+-i t (B) Q , Q = i<i ti-i -ilt(
(C) Q , Q + i ti-i -ilt( (D*) Q , Q = +n ti-i -ilt(
4. Each plate of a parallel plate capacitor has a charge q on it. The capacitor is now connected to a battery.
Now,
(A*) the facing surfaces of the capacitor have equal and opposite charges.
(B) the two plates of the capacitor have equal and opposite charges.
(C*) the battery supplies equal and oppostie charges to the two plates.
(D*) the outer surface of the plates have equal charges.
(+ =ni-- = iilzi +i + -n q ~i zi t = iilzi +i ~ (+ i = i i i-i t ~ -
(A*) = iilzi + ~in- =in- + ai i ( ll- ~i zi t
(B) = iilzi +i <i -i -n i i ( ll- ~i zi t
(C*) i <i -i -n i +i i ( ll- ~i zi <-i t
(D*) -n i + iti ai =ni- ~i zi t
5. The separation between the plates of a charged parallelplate capacitor is increased. Which of the following
quantities will charge ?
(A) charge on the capacitor (B*) potential difference across the capacitor
(C*) energy of the capacitor (D) energy density between the plates.
(+ ~ilzi- =ni-- =iilzi +i -ni + n < i ci: i-i t :-n = +i -=i ilzii ll-- tini -
(A) = iilzi ~i zi (B*) = iilzi lii--
(C*) = iilzi +i -i (D) -n i + n -i i-
6. Aparallel-plate capacitor is connected to a battery. Ametal sheet of negligable thickness is placed between
the plates. The sheet remains parallel to the plates of the capacitor.
(A) The battery will supply more charge
(B) The capacitance will increase.
Page # 7
(C) The potnetial difference between the plates will increase
(D*) Equal and opposite charges will appear on the two faces of the metal plate.
(+ =ni-- = iilzi (+ i = i i i-i t -n i + n (+ -n ni i: +i iil+ i ii i-i t i
= iilzi +i -n i + =ni-- t-i t -
(A) i ~li+ ~i zi < ni
(B) iil-i c i(ni
(C) -n i + n lii-- c i(ni
(D*) ii- +i -n +i <i -i =-ti i ( ll- ~i zi ~i i(ni
7. Following operations can be performed on a capacitor:
X - connect the capacitor to a battery of emf w.
Y - disconnect the battery
Z - reconnect the battery with polarity reversed
W - insert a dilectric slab in the capacitor
(A) In XYZ (peroform X, then Y, then Z) the stored electric energy remains unchanged and no termal
energy is developed.
(B*) The charge appearing on the capacitor is greater after the action XWY than after the action XYW
(C*) The electric energy stored in the capacitor is greater after the action WXY than after the action XYW.
(D*) The electric field in the capacitor after the action XW is the same as that after WX.
(+ = iilzi l--- = l+i( +i i =+-i t :
X - = iilzi +i c l - it+ n +i i = i -i
Y - i +i ti-i
Z - i +i li- i i-i = - i-i
W - = iilzi n (+ i- l+i i=i-i
(A) XYZ n (tn X + , l+ Y, l+ Z) =nlt- - -i ~ll-- t-i t ( +i: -ii -i --- -ti ti-i
(B*) l+i XYW + z-i- = iilzi ~ii ~i zi. l+i xyw+ z-i- ~i ~i zi = i<i t
(C*) l+i XWY+ z-i- =iilzi n =nlt- -i. l+i xyw+ z-i- =nlt- -i = i<i t
(D*) l+i XW + z-i- = iilzi n - -i zi. l+i WX+ z-i- - -i zi + i t
WORKED OUT EXAMPLES
1. A parallel-plate capacitor has plates of area 200 cm
2
and separation between the plates 1.00 mm. What
potential difference will be developed if a charge of 1.00 nC(i.e., 1.00 10
9
C) is given to the capacitor? If the
plate separation is now increased to 2.00 mm, what will be the newpotential difference?
Sol. The capacitance of the capacitor is
d
A
C
0
c
=
= 8.85 10
12
m
F
m 10 1
m 10 200
3
2 4
= 0.177 10
9
F =0.177 nF.
The potential difference between the plates is
nF 177 . 0
nC 1
C
Q
V = =
= 5.65 volts.
If the separation is increased from 1.00 mmto 2.00 mm, the capacitance is decreased by a factor of 2. If the
charge remains the same, the potential difference will increase by a factor of 2. Thus, the new potential
difference will be
5.65 volts 2 = 11.3 volts
2. An isolated sphere has a capacitance of 50 pF. (a) Calculate its radius. (b) How much charge should be
placed on it to raise its potential to 10
4
V?
Sol. (a) The capacitance of an isolated sphere is C = 4tc
0
R. Thus,
50 10
12
F =
F / m 10 9
R
9
or, R = 50 10
12
9 10
9
m = 45 cm.
(b) Q = CV
= 50 10
12
F 10
4
V = 0.5 C.
Page # 8
3. Consider the connections shown in figure (a) Find the capacitance between the points Aand B. (b) Find the
charges on the three capacitors. (c) Taking the potential at the point B to be zero, find the potential at the
point D.
Sol. (a) The 12F and 6Fcapacitors are joined in series. The equivalent of these two will have a capacitance
given by
F 6
1
F 12
1
C
1
=
or,
The combination of these two capacitors is joined in parallel with the 2F capacitor. Thus, the equivalent
capacitance between Aand B is
4F + 2F = 6F.
(b) The charge supplied by the battery is
Q = CV = 6F 24 V = 144 C.
The potential difference across the 2 F capacitor is 24 V. The charge on this capacitor is, therefore,
2F 24 V = 48 C
The charge on the 12 F and 6F capacitor is, therefore
144 C 48 C = 96 C.
(c) The potential difference across the 6F capacitor is
V 16
F 6
C 96
=
.
As the potential at the point B is taken to be zero, the potential at the point D is 16 V.
4. If 100 volts of potential difference is applied between a and b in the circuit of figure, find the potential difference
between c and d.
Sol. The charge distribution on different plates is shown in figure. Suppose charge Q
1
+ Q
2
is given by the positive
terminal of the battery, out of which Q
1
resides on the positive plate of capacitor (1) and Q
2
on that of (2). The
remaining plates will have charges as shown in the figure.
Take the potential at the point b to be zero. The potential at a will be 100 V. Let the potentials at points c and
d be V
c
and V
d
respectively. Writing the equation Q = CV for the four capacitors, we get,
Q
1
= 6 F 100 V = 600 C ..............(i)
Q
2
= 6 F (100 V V
c
) ..............(ii)
Q
2
= 6 F (V
c
V
d
) ..............(iii)
Q
2
= 6 F V
d
..............(iv)
From (ii) and (iii),
100 V V
c
= V
c
V
d
or, 2V
c
V
d
= 100 V ..............(v)
and from(iii) and (iv),
V
c
V
d
= V
d
or, V
c
= 2V
d
. ..............(vi)
From(v) and (vi),
Vd =
3
100
V and
3
200
V
c
=
V
so that V
c
V
d
=
V
3
100
.
Page # 9
5. Find the charges on the three capacitors shown in figure
Sol. Take the potential at the junction of the batteries to be zero. Let the left battery supply a charge Q
1
and the
right battery of a charge Q
2
. The charge on the 5F capacitor will be Q
1
+ Q
2
. Let the potential at the junction
of the capacitors be V
1
. The charges at different plates and potentials at different point are shown in figure
Note that the charges on the three plates which are in contact add to zero. It should be so, becasue, these
plates taken together forman isolated system which cannot receive charges from the batteries. Applying the
equation Q = CV to the three capacitors, we get,
Q
1
= 2 F (6 V V
1
) ...........(i)
Q
2
= 4 F (6V V
1
) ...........(ii)
and Q
1
+ Q
2
= 5 F (V
1
0). ...........(iii)
From (i) and (ii),
2Q
1
Q
2
= 0 or, Q
2
= 2Q
1
From (ii) and (iii),
5Q
2
+ 4(Q
1
+ Q
2
) = 20 F 6V
or, 4(Q
1
+ 9Q
2
) = 120 C
or, 4Q
1
+ 18Q
1
= 120 C
or, Q
1
= 5.45 C and Q
2
= 10.9 C.
Thus, the charges on the 2F, 4F and 5F capacitors are 5.45 C, 10.9 C and 16.35 C respectively.
6. Find the charges on the three capacitors connected to a battery as shown in figure. Take C
1
= 2.0 F, C
2
=
4.0 F, C
3
= 6.0 mF and V = 12 volt.
[Q.6, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise]
Ans. 24 C, 48 C, 72 C
Sol. Suppose, the capacitor C
3
is removed from the given system and a battery is connected between a and b.
The remaining sustem is shown in figure. Fromthe symmetry of the figure, the potential at c will be the same
as the potential at d. Thus, if the capacitor C
3
is connected between c and d, it will have no charge. The
charge of all the remaining four capacitors will remain unchanged. Thus, the systemof capacitors in figure is
equivalent to that in the figure. The equivalent capacitance of the system in figure can be calculated by
applying the formulaefor series and parallel combinations. C
1
and C
2
are connected in series. Their equivalent
capacitance is
2 1
2 1
C C
C C
C
+
=
Page # 10
The such capacitors are joined in parallel. So the equivalent capacitanceof the given system is
2 1
2 1
C C
C C 2
C 2
+
=
7. Find the equivalent capacitance between the point Aand B in figure
C
1
C
3
C
2
C
2
C
1
A B
Sol. Let us connect a battery between the pointsAand B. The change distribution is shown in figure. Suppose the
positive terminal of the battery supplies a charge +Qand the negative terminal a charge Q. The charge Qis
divided between plates a and e. Acharge Q
1
goes to the plate a and the rest Q Q
1
goes to the plate e. The
charge Q supplied by the negative terminal is divided between plates d and h. Using the symmetry of the
figure, charge Q
1
goes to the plate h and (QQ
1
) to the plate d. This is because if you look into the circuit
fromAor from B, the circuit looks identical. The division of charge on the other plates may be written easily.
The charge on the plate i is 2Q
1
Qwhich ensures that the total charge on plates b, c and i remains zero as
these three plates form an isolated system.
Wehave,
V
A
V
B
= (V
A
V
0
) + (V
D
V
B
)
2
1
1
1
C
Q Q
C
Q
+ =
...........(i)
Also V
A
V
B
= (V
A
V
D
) + (V
D
V
E
) + (V
E
V
B
)
1
1
3
1
1
1
C
Q
C
Q Q 2
C
Q
+
+ =
............(ii)
We have to eliminate Q
1
from these equations to get the equivalent capacitance Q/(V
A
V
B
).
The first equation may be written as
V
A
V
B
= Q
1
|
|
.
|
\
|
2 1
C
1
C
1
+
2
C
Q
or,
1 2
2 1
C C
C C
(V
A
V
B
) = Q
1
+
1 2
1
C C
C
Q. ..............(iii)
The second equation may be written as
V
A
V
B
= 2Q
1
3 3 1
C
Q
C
1
C
1
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
or,
) C C ( 2
C C
3 1
2 1
+
(V
A
V
B
) = Q
1

) C C ( 2
C
3 1
+
Q. .........(iv)
Subtracting (iv) from(iii),
(V
A
V
B
) (
) C C ( 2
C C
C C
C C
3 1
3 1
1 2
2 1
=
Q
) C C ( 2
C
C C
C
3 1
1
1 2
1
(
+
+
Page # 11
or, (V
A
V
B
) [2 C
1
C
2
(C
1
+ C
3
) C
1
C
3
(C
2
C
1
)]
= C
1
[2(C
1
+ C
3
) + (C
2
C
1
)] Q
or,
3 2 1
1 3 3 2 2 1
B A
C 2 C C
C C C C C C 2
V V
Q
C
+ +
+ +
=
=
8. Twelve capacitors, each having a capacitance C, are connected to form a cube figure. Find the equivalent
capacitance between the diagonally opposite corners such as Aand B.
Sol. Suppose the points Aand B are connected to a battery. The charges appearing on some of the capacitors
are shown in figure. Suppose the positive terminal of the battery supplies a charge + Qtherough the point A.
The charge is divided on the three plates connected toA. Looking fromA, the three sides of the cube have
identical properties and hence, the chargewill beequallydistributed on thethree plates. Each of thecapacitors
a, b and c will receive a charge Q/3.
The negative terminal of the battery supplies a charge Q through the point B. This is again divided equally
on the three plates connected to B. Each of the capacitors d, e and f gets equal equal charge Q/3.
Nowconsider the capacitors g and h. As the three plates connected to the point E form an isolated system,
their total charge must be zero. The negative plate of the capacitor a has a charge Q/3. The two plates of g
and h connected to E should have a total charge Q/3. By symmetry, these two plates should have equal
charges and hence each of these has a charge Q/6.
The capacitors a, g and d have charges Q/3, Q/6 and Q/3 respectively.
Wehave
V
A
V
B
= (V
A
V
E
) + (V
E
V
F
) + (V
F
V
B
)
=
C 6
Q 5
C
3 / Q
C
6 / Q
C
3 / Q
= + +
or, C
eq
=
. C
5
6
V V
Q
B A
=
9. The negative plate of a parallel plate capacitor is given a charge of 20 10

8
C. Find the charge appearing on
the four surfaces of the capacitor plates.
Sol.
Let the charge appearing on the inner surface of the negative plate be Q. The charge on its outer surfaces
will be Q 20 10
8
C.
The charge on the inner surfaceof the positive plate will be + Q from Gausss law and that on the outer
surface will be Q as the positive plate is electrically neutral. The distribution is shown in figure.
To obtain the value of Q consider the lectric field at a point P inside the upper plate.
Field due to surface (1) =
A 2
Q
0
c
upward,
due to surface (2) =
A 2
Q
0
c
upward,
due to surface (3) =
A 2
Q
0
c
downward
Page # 12
and due to surface (4) =
A 2
C 10 20 Q
0
8
c

upward.
As P is a point inside the conductor, the field here must be zero. Thus,
Q= Q+ 20 10
8
C
or, Q = 10 10
8
C.
The charge on the four surfaces may be written immediately from figure.
10. Three capacitors of capacitances 2 F, 3 F and 6 F are connected in series with a 12 V battery. All the
connecting wires are disconnected, the three positive plates are connected together and the three negative
plates are connected together. Find the charge on the three capacitors after the reconnection.
Sol. The equivalent capacitance of the three capacitors joined in series is given by
F 6
1
F 3
1
F 2
1
C
1
=
or, C = 1 F.
The charge supplied by the battery = 1 F 12 V
= 12 C.
As the capacitors are connected in series, 12 Ccharge appears on each of the positive plates and 12 C
on each of the negative plates. The charged capacitors are nowconnected as shown in figure.
The 36 C charge on the three positive plates now redistribute as Q
1
, Q
2
and Q
3
on the three connected
positive plates. Similarly, 36 C redistributes as Q
1
, Q
2
and Q
3
. The three positive plates are now at a
common potential and the three negative plates are also at a common potential. Let the potential difference
across each capacitor be V. Then
Q
1
= (2 F) V,
Q
2
= (3 F) V,
and Q
3
= (6 F) V,
Also, Q
1
+ Q
2
+ Q
3
= 36 C.
Solving these equations,
Q
1
=
11
72
C, Q
2
=
11
108
C and Q
3
=
11
216
C.
11. The connections showin figure are established with the switch S open. How much charge will flowthrough
the switch if it is closed?
Sol. When the Switch is open, capacitors (2) and (3) are in series. Their equivalent capacitance is
3
2
F. The
charge appearing on each of these capacitors is, therefore, 24 V
3
2
F = 16 C.
The equivalent capacitance of (1) and (4), which are also connected in series, is also
3
2
F and the charge
on each of these capacitors is also 16 C. The total charge on the two plates of (1) and (4) connected to the
switch is, therefore, zero.
The situation when the switch S is closed is shown in figure. Let the charges be distributed as shown in the
figure. Q
1
and Q
2
are are arbitrarily chosen for the positive plates of (1) and (2). The same magnitude of
charges will appear at the negative plates of (3) and (4). Take the potential at the negative terminal to be zero
and at the switch to be V
0
.
Writing equations for the capacitors (1), (2), (3) and (4),
Q
1
= (24V V
0
) 1 F ..........(i)
Q
2
= (24 V V
0
) 2 F ..........(ii)
Page # 13
Q
1
= V
0
1 F ..........(iii)
Q
2
= V0 2 F ..........(iv)
From (i) and (iii), V
0
= 12 V.
Thus, from(iii) and (iv),
Q
1
= 12 C and Q
2
= 24 C.
The change on the two plates of (1) and (4) which are connected to the swtich is, therefore, Q
2
Q
1
= 12 C
When the switch was open, this change was zero. Thus, 12 C of change has passed through the switch
after if was closed.
12. Each of the three plates shown in figure has an area of 200 cm
2
on one side and the gap between the
adjacent plates is 0.2 mm. The emf of the battery is 20 V. Find the distribution of change on various surfaces
of the plates. What is the equivalent capacitance of the system between the terminal points?
Sol. Suppose the negative terminal of the battery gives a change Qto the plate B. As the situation is symmetric
on the two sides of B, the two faces of the plate B will share equal changes Q/2 each. From Gausss law,
the facing surfaces will have changes Q/2 each. As the positive terminal of the battery has supplied just thus
much change (+Q) toAand C, the outer surfaces of Aand Cwill have no change. The distribution will be as
shown in figure.
The capacitance between the plates Aand B is
8.85 10
12
F/m
m 10 2
m 10 200
4
2 4
= 8.85 10
10
F = 0.885 nF.
Thus,
2
Q
= 0.885 nF 20 V = 17.7 nC.
The distribution of change on various surfaces may be written fromfigure.
The equivalent capacitance is
nF 77 . 1
V 20
Q
=
13. Find the capacitance of the infinite ladder shown in figure
Sol. As the ladder is infinitely long, the capacitance of the ladder to the right of the points P, Qis the same as that
of the ladder to the right of the points A, B. If the equivalent capacitance of the ladder is C
1
, the given ladder
may be replaced by the connections shown in figure
The equivalent capacitance between A and B is easily found to be C+
1
1
C C
CC
+
. But being equivalent to the
original ladder, the equivalent capacitance is also C
1
.
Page # 14
Thus, C
1
= C +
1
1
C C
CC
+
or, C
1
C + C
1
2
= C
2
+ 2CC
1
or, C
1
2
CC
1
C
2
= 0
giving C
1
= . C
2
5 1
2
C 4 C C
2 2
+
=
+ +
Negative value of C
1
is rejected
14. Find the energy stored in the electric field produced by a metal sphere of radius R containing a charge Q.
Sol. Consider a thin spherical shell of radius x(>R) and thickness dx concentric with the given metal sphere. The
energy density in the shell is
u =
2
1
c
0
E
2
=
2
1
c
0
2
2
0
x 4
Q
|
|
.
|
\
|
tc
.
The volume of the shell is 4tx
2
dx. The energy contained in the shell is, therefore,
dU =
2
1
c
0
2
2
0
x 4
Q
|
|
.
|
\
|
tc
4tx
2
dx =
2
0
2
x 8
dx Q
tc
.
The energy contained in the whole space outside the sphere is
R 8
Q
x 8
dx Q
U
0
2
R
2
0
2
tc
=
tc
=
}
.
As the field inside the sphere is zero, this is also the total energy stored in the field.
Alternative Method
Considering a concentric spherical shell at infinity, we have a spherical capacitor. The capacitance is C =
4tc
0
R. The energy stored in this capacitor is the energy stored in the entire electric field. This energy is
R 8
Q
C 2
Q
U
0
2 2
tc
= =
15. Acapacitor of capacitanceCis chargedbyconnectingit toabatteryof emf c. Thecapacitor is nowdisconnected
and reconnected to the battery with the polarity reversed. Calculate the heat developed in the connecting
wires.
Sol. When the capacitor is connected to the battery, a charge Q= Cc appears on one plate and Qon the other.
When the polarity is revered, a charge Q appears on the first plate and +Q on the second. Acharge 2Q,
therefore passes through the battery form the negative to the positive terminal. The battery does a work.
W = (2Q)c = 2 Cc
2
in the process. The energy stored in the capacitor is the same in the two cases. Thus, the work done by the
battery as heat in the connecting wires. The heat produced is ,therefore, 2Cc
2
.
16. An uncharged capacitor is connected to a battery. Show that half the energy supplied by the battery is lost
as heat while charging the capacitor.
Sol. Suppose the capacitance of the capacitor is C and the emf of the battery is V. The charge given to the
capacitor is Q = CV. The work done by the battery is
W = QV
The battery supplies this energy. The energy stored in the capcitor is
U =
2
1
CV
2
=
2
1
QV..
The remaining energy QV
2
1
CV
2
=
2
1
QV is lost as heat.
Thus, half the energy supplied by the battery is lost as heat.
17. A parallel-plate capacitor having plate area 100 cm
2
and separation 10 mm holds a charge of 0.12 Cwhen
connected to a 120 V battery. Find the dielectric constant of the material filling the gap.
Sol. The capacitors of the capacitor is
Page # 15
V 120
C 12 . 0
=1.010
9
F..
If K be the dielectric constant, the capacitance is also given by
d
A K
0
c
. Thus
m 10 0 . 1
m 10 100 m / F 10 85 . 8 K
3
2 4 12

= 1.0 10
9
F
or K = 11.3.
18. A parallel-plate capacitor is formed by two plates, each of area 100 cm
2
, separated by a distance of 1 mm.
A dielectric constant 5.0 and dielectric strength. 1.910
7
V/m is filled between the plates. Find the maximum
charge that can be stored on the capacitor without causing any dielectric breakdonw.
Sol. If Qbe the charge on the capacitor, the surface charge density is o = Q/Aand the electric field is
0
KA
Q
c
. This
should not exceed the dielectric strength 1.910
7
V/m. Thus the maximum charge is given by
0
KA
Q
c
= 1.9 10
7
V/m
or Q = KAe
0
1.9 10
7
V/m
= (5.0) (10
2
m
2
) (8.85 10
12
F/m) (1.9 10
7
V/m)
= 8.4 10
8
C.
19. The space between the plates of a parallel capacitor of capacitance C is filled with three dielectric slabs of
identical size as shown in figure. If the dielectric constants of the thres slabs are K
1
,K
2
and K
3
, find the new
capacitance.
Sol. Consider each one third of the asembly as a separate capaacitor. The three positive plates are connected at
Aand The three negative plates are connected at B. Thus, the three capacitors are joined in parallel. As the
plate area is one third of the original for each part, the capaitances of these parts will be K
1
C/3, K
2
C/3 and
K
3
C/3. The equivalent capacitors is, therefore
C
eq
= (K
1
+ K
2
+ K
3
)
3
C
.
20. Showa parallel-plate capacitor having square plates of edge a and plate-separation d. The gap between the
plates is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K which varies parallel to an edge as K = K
0
+ ax.
where K and a are constants and x is the distance from the left end. Calculate the capacitance.
Sol. Consider a small strip of width dx at a separation x from the left end. This strip forms a small capacitors of
plate area axdx. Its capacitance is
dC =
d
adx ) x K (
0 0
c o +
The given capacitor may be divided into such strips with x varying from 0 to a. All these strips are connected
in parallel. The capacitance of the given capacitor is,
C =
}
c o +
a
0
0 0
d
adx ) x K (
Page # 16
=
|
.
|
\
| o
+
c
2
a
K
d
a
0
2
0
21. A parallel-plate capacitance 100F is connected to a power supply of 200 V. A dielectric slab of dielectric
constant 5 is nowinserted into the gap between the plates. (a) Find the extra charge flown through the power
supply and work done by the supply. (b) Find the change in the electrostatic energy of the electric field in the
capacitor.
Sol. (a) The original capacitance 100 F, The charge on the capacitor before the insertion of the dielectric was,
therefore,
Q
1
= 100 mF 200 V = 20 C.
After the dielectric slab is introduced, the capacitance is increased to 500 F. The newcharge o the capacitor
is, therefore, 500 F 100F 200 V = 20 mC.
After the dielectric slab is introudced, the capacitance is increased to 500 mF. The newcharge o the capcitor
is, therefore 500 F 200 V = 100 mC. The charge flown through the power supply is, therefore, 100 mC
20 mC = 80 mC. The work done by the power suply is 200 V 80 mC = 16 J.
(b) The electrostatic field energy of the capacitor without the dielectric slab is
U
1
=
2
1
CV
2
=
2
1
(100 F) (200 V)
2
= 2 J
and that after the slab is inseted is
U
2
=
2
1
(500F) (200 V)
2
= 10 J
Thus the energy is increased by 8J.
22. Figure shows a parallel-plate capacitor with plates of width b and length l. The separation between the plates
is d. The plates are rigidly clamped and connected to a battery of emf V. Adielectric slab of thickness d and
dielectric constant K is slowly inserted between the plates. (a) Calculate the energy of the system when a
length x of the slab is introduced into the capacitor. (b) What force should be applied on the slab to ensure
that it goes slowly into the capacitor? Neglect any effect of friction or gravity.
Sol. (a) The plate area of the part with the dielectric is bx. Its capacitance is
d
bx K
C
0
1
c
=
Similarly, the capacitance of the part without the dielectric is
d
) x l ( b
C
0
2
c
=
These two parts are connected in parallel. The capacitance of the system is, therefore.
C = C
1
+ C
2
=
d
b
0
c
[l + x(K 1)] ..... (i)
The energy of the capacitor is
2
1
U = CV
2
=
d 2
bV
2
0
c
[l + x(K 1)]
(b) Suppose, the electric field attracts the dielectrc slab with a force F. An external force of equal magnitude
F should be applied in opposite direction so that the plate moves slowly (no acceleration).
Consider the part of motion in which the dielectrc moves a distance dx further inside the capacitor. The
capacitance increases to C + dC. As the potential difference remains constant at V, the battery has to
supply a further charge
dQ = (dC) V
to the capacitor. The work done by the battery is, therefore,
dW
b
= VdQ = (dC) V
2
.
Page # 17
The external force F does a work
dW
e
= (F dx)
during the displacement. The total work done on the capacitor is
dWb + dWe = (dC) V
2
Fdx.
The should be equal to the increase dU in the stored energy. Thus,
2
1
(dC)V
2
= (dC)V
2
Fdx
or, F =
2
1
V
2
dx
dC
Using equation (i)
d 2
) 1 K ( bV
F
2
0
c
=
Thus, the electric field attracts the dielectric into the capacitor with a force
d 2
) 1 K ( bV
2
0
c
and this much force
should be applied in the opposite direction.
23. A parallel-plate capacitor is placed in such a way that its plates are horizontal and the lower plate is dipped
into a liquid of dielectric constant K and density . Each plate has an areaA. The plates are nowconnected
to a battery which supplies a positive change of magnitude Q to the upper plate. Find the rise in the level of
the liquid in the space between the plates.
Sol. The situation is shown in figure. A charge
|
.
|
\
|

k
1
1 Q
is induced on the upper surfae of the liquid and
|
.
|
\
|

k
1
1 Q
at the surface in contact with the lower plate. The net charge on the lower plate is
k
Q
k
1
1 Q Q = |
.
|
\
|
+
. Consider the equillibrium of the liquid in the volume ABCD. The forces on this liquid
are
(A) the force due to the electric field at CD,
(B) the weight of the liquid.
(C) the force due to atmospheric presurre and
(D) the force due to the pressure of the liquid belowAB.
AsABis in the same horizontal level as the outside surface, the pressure here in the same as the atmospheric
pressure. The forces in (C) and (D), therefore, balance each other. Hence, for equilibrium, the forces in (A)
and (B) should balance each other.
The electric field at CD due to the charge Q is
0
1
A 2
Q
E
c
=
in the downward direction the field at CD due to charge
k
Q
is E
2
=
k a 2
Q
0
c
also in down
direction the net field at CD is
K A 2
Q ) 1 K (
E E
0
2 1
c
+
= +
.
Therefore on the charge
|
.
|
\
|

k
1
1 Q
at CD is F =
K A 2
Q ) 1 K (
k
1
1 Q
0
c
+
|
.
|
\
|

=
2
0
2 2
K A 2
Q ) 1 K (
c
in the upward direction. The weight of the liquid considered is hAg. Thus,
=
2
0
2 2
K A 2
Q ) 1 K (
g hA
c
=
or h =
g K A 2
Q ) 1 K (
0
2 2
2 2
c
Page # 18
EXERCISE
1. When 1.0 10
12
electron are transferred fromone conductor to another, a potential of 10 V appears between
the conductors. Calculate the capacitance of the two-conductor system. [Ans. 1.6 10
8
F]
1.0 10
12
:n + i- (+ -in+ = < = +i -ii-i -l- l+ i- t -i -in+i + n 10 V lii-- --- ti-i
t := l,-in+ - zi +i iil-i +i ni-i +il(
[Ans. 1.6 10
8
F]
2. The plates of a parallel capacitor are made of circular discs of radii 5.0 cm each. If the separation between
the plates is 1.0 mm, what is the capacitance ? [Ans. 6.95 10
5
F]
(+ =ni-- =iilzi +i -n 5.0 =ni lzii +i -ii+i -+l-i = -i t l< -n i + n <i 1.0 mm t .
-i iil-i l+--i t` [Ans. 6.95 10
5
F]
3. Suppose, one wishes to contruct a 1.0 F capacitor using circular discs. If the separation between the discs
be kept at 1.0 mm, what would be the radius of the discs ? [Ans. 6 km]
ni- nil( l+ -ii+i -+l-i +i -i n +- t ( 1.0 + i =iilzi +i l-ni i +-i t l< -+l-i + n < i
1.0 mm ii i( -i -+l-i +i lzii +i ti ni` [Ans. 6 km]
4. A parallel-plate capacitor having plate area 25 cm
2
and separation 1.00 mm is connected to a battery of 6.0
V. Calculate the charge flown through the battery. How much work has been done by the battery during the
process ? [Ans. 1.33 10
10
C, 8.0 10
10
J]
(+ =ni-- = iilzi. l=+i -ni + n < i 1.00 lnni ( -n -i zi+n 25 cm
2
t . +i 6.0 i- +i i =
i i i-i t i = ilt- ~izi +i ni-i +il( := l+i n i ,ii l+--i +i l+i ni`
[Ans. 1.33 10
10
C, 8.0 10
10
J]
5. A parallel-plate capacitor has plate area 25.0 cm
2
and a separation of 2.00 mm between the plates. The
capacitor is connected. The capacitor is connected to a battery of 12.0 V. (a) Find the charge on the
capacitor. (b) The plate separation is decreased to 1.00 mm. Find the extra charge given by the battery to the
positive plate. [Ans. (a) 1.33 10
10
C, (b) 1.33 10
10
C ]
(+ =ni-- = iilzi +i -n -i zi+n 25.0 = ni
2
t -ii -n i + n < i 2.00 mmt = iilzi +i 12.0 i - +i
(+ i = i i i-i t (a) = iilzi ~i zi ai- +il( (b) -n i + n < i ii + 1.00 lnni + <i i-i t
i + ,ii i-in+ -n +i l<i ni ~l-l+- ~i zi ai- +il(
[Ans. (a) 1.33 10
10
C, (b) 1.33 10
10
C ]
6. Find the charges on the three capacitors connected to a battery as shown in figure. Take
C
1
= 2.0 F, C
2
= 4.0 F, C
3
= 6.0 F and V = 12 volt. [Ans. 24 C, 48 C, 72 C]
l-zi n <zii ( ~- =i (+ i = -i- = iilzii ~i zi ai- +il(
C
1
= 2.0 F, C
2
= 4.0 F, C
3
= 6.0 F V = 12 i- ni- nil( [Ans. 24 C, 48 C, 72 C]
7. Three capacitors having capacitances 20F, 30F and 40F are connected in series with a 12 Vbattery. Find
thecharge oneachof the capacitors. Howmuchwork has beendoneby the batteryin charging the capacitors?
20F, 30F 40F iil-i + -i- = iilzi 12 V+i (+ i + =ii ii+n n i i- t + = iilzi ~i zi
ai- +il( =iilzii +i ~i lzi- +- n i + ,ii l+--i +i l+i i-i t `
[Ans. 110 C on each, 1.33 10
3
J]
8. Find the charge appearing on each of the three capacitors shown in figure.
l-zi n l<ii( -i- = iilzii n + ~i zi +i ni- ai- +il(
[Ans. 48 C on the 8 F capacitor and 24 C on each of the 4 F capacitors]
Page # 19
9. Take C
1
= 4.0 F and C
2
= 6.0 F as shown in the figure. Calculate the equivalent capacitance of the
combination between the points indicated.
l--- l-zi n C
1
= 4.0 F C
2
= 6.0 F nil( <zii ( n( l-< ~i + n = i - +i - - iil-i +i ni-i +il(
Ans. (a) 5 F (b) 10 F
10. Find the charge supplied by the battery in the arrangement shown in figure.
l-zi n <zii ( li n i + ,ii l<i ni ~i zi ai- +il(
Ans. 110 C
11. The outer cylinder of two cylindrical capacitors of capacitors 2.2 F each, are kept in contact and the inner
cylinder are connected through a wire. Abattery of emf 10 V is connected through a wire. Abattery of emf 10
V is connected as shown infigure. Find th toal charge supplied by the battery to the cylinder.
[Ans. 44 C]
2.2 F iil-i + <i n-i+i = iilzii + in n- (l=n ) (+ < = = -zi +- i n( t . l+ ~i -l+ n-
(l=n ) (+ -i + ,ii i n t l-zii- =i 10 i - l - it+ n +i (+ i i i n: t i ,ii ~i -l+
n-i +i l<i ni + n ~i zi ai- +il(
[Ans. 44 C]
12. Two conducing spheres of radii R
1
and R
2
are kept widely separated fromeach other. What are their individual
capacitances ? If the spheres are connected by a metal wire, what will be the capacitance of the combination?
Think in terms of series-parallel connections.
R
1
R
2
lzii + <i -in+ nin (+ < = = +i+i < i n( t --+i ~nn~nn iil-i( l+--i t ` l< nini
+ (+ iil+ -i ,ii i l<i i-i t -i =i- +i iil-i l+--i tini` ii =ni-- = i- + n =i l-(
[Ans. 4tc
0
R
1
, 4tc
0
R
2
; 4tc
0
(R
1
+ R
2
)]
13. Each of the capacitors shown in figure has a capacitance of 2 F. Find the equivalent capacitance of the
assembly between the point Aand B. Suppose, a battery of emf 60 volts is connected betweenAand B. Find
the potential difference appearing on the individual capacitors.
l-zi n <zii ( + = iilzi +i iil-i 2 F t l-< A B+ n - - iil-i ai- +il( ni- nil( l+ A B
+ n 60 i - l - it+ n +i i i i i-i t . -i + = iilzi lii-- ai- +il(
Page # 20
[Ans. 2 F, 20 V]
14. It is required to construct a 10 F capacitor which can be connected across a 200 V battery. Capacitors of
capacitance 10 F are available but they can withstand only 50V. Design a combination which can yield the
desired result. [Q.14, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise]
(+ 10 F +i = iilzi -i-i t i 200V+i i = i i i =+ 10 F iil-i + = iilzi -ni t . n l+- + n
50V ti =t- + =+- t (=i =i- -i:( i :l-z- liin < =+
[Q.14, HCV-2/Capacitors/Ex.]
15. Take the potential of the point B as shown in figure to be zero. (a) Find the potentials at the point Cand D. (b)
If a capacitor is connected between C and D, what charge will appear in this capacitor?
l< n l-zi n l-< B+i li zi - nil( (a) l-< C D li ai- +il( (b) l< C D+ n (+ =
iilzi i i i-i t -i := l+--i ~i zi --- ti ni`
[Ans. (a) 50/3 V at each point (b) zero]
16. Find the equivalent capacitance of the system shown in figure between the point a and b.
l-zi n <lzi- l-+i +i. l-<~i a -ii b + n - - iil-i ai- +il(
Ans. C
3
+
2 1
2 1
C C
C C 2
+
17. Acapacitor is made of a flat plate of areaAand a second plate having a stair-like structure as shown in figure.
The width of each stair is a and the height is b. Find the capacitance of the assembly.
(+ = iilzi l-zii- =i A-i zi+n +i (+ =n-n -n ( (+ =ic i- ni = --i ini < =i -n = -i t + =i i-
+i -ii: a -ii - -i: b t := -ii +i - - iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans.
) b 2 d )( b d ( d 3
) b 2 bd 6 d 3 ( A
2 2
0
+ +
+ + c
]
18. A cylindrical capacitor is constructed using two coaxial cylinders of the same length 10 cm and radii 2 mm
and 4 mm.(a) Calculate the capacitance. (b) Another capacitor of the same length is constructed with
cylinder of radii 4mm and 8 mm. Calculate the capacitance.
(+ n-i+i = iilzi 10 = ni =ni- n-i: ( 2 lnni 4 lnni lzii~i + <i =ni-ii l=n i + ,ii -ii i-i
t (a) iil-i +i ni-i +il( (b) =ni- n-i: +i (+ < =i = iilzi 4 lnni 8 lnni. lzii~i + l=n i ,ii -ii
i-i t iil-i +i ni-i +il(
[Ans. (a) pF (b) same as in (a)]
Page # 21
19. A 100 pF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 24 V. It is concected an uncharged capacitor of
capacitance 20 pF. What will be the new potential difference across the 100 pF capcitor ?
100 pF +i (+ = iilzi 24V+ lii-- -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t := 20 pF + (+ ~-i lzi- = iilzi = i i i-i
t 100 pF + = iilzi -i- lii-- l+--i ti ni
[Ans. 20 V]
20. Each capacitor shown in figure has a capacitance of 5.0 F. The emf of the battery is 50V. Howmuch charge
will flow through AB if the switch S is closed?
l-zi n l<ii( + = iilzi +i iil-i 5.0 F t i +i l - it+ n 50Vt l< l-- S < l+i i-i t -i
AB = l+--i ~i zi ilt- ti ni
[Ans. 3.3 10
4
C]
21. The particle Pshown in the figure has a mass of 10 mg and a charge of 0.01 C. Each plate has a surface
area 100 cm
2
one side. What potential difference V should be applies to the combination to hold the particle
P in equilibrium?
l-zi n l<ii( +i P+i < ni- 10 lnn i -ii ~i zi 0.01 Ct + -n + (+ -+ +i ai -i zi+n100 = ni
2
t =i- l+--i lii-- V nnii i-i -ilt( -il+ +i P =i-i-ii n t
[Ans. 43 m V]
22. Both the capacitor shown in figure are made of square plates of edge a. The separations between the plates
of the capacitors are d
1
and d
2
as shown in the figure. Apotential difference V is applied between the points
a and b. An electron is projected between the plates of the upper capacitor along the central line. With what
minimumspeed should the electron be projected so that it does not collide with any plate? Consider only the
electric forces.
l-zi n <zii ( <i -i = iilzi a i i +i ni +i -n i = - t = iilzii +i -n i + n < i l-zii- =i d
1
d
2
t l-<
a b + n (+ lii-- Vnnii i-i t (+ :n + i- -i = iilzi +i -n i + n. + -< i ii + ~- l<zi.
-i l- l+i i-i t :n + i - +i l+= - --n n = -i l- l+i i-i -ilt( -il+ t l+=i -n = -i +i(` + n
- ni +i ii ti nil(
[Ans.
2 / 1
2 1 1
2
) d d ( d m
Vea
|
|
.
|
\
|
+
]
23. The plates of a capacitor are 2.00 cm apart. An electron-proton pair is released somewhere in the gap
between the plates and it is found that the proton reaches the negative plates at the same time as the
electron reaches the positive plates. At what distance from the negative plate was the pair released?
(+ = iilzi +i -n (+ < = = 2.00 = ni < t (+ :n + i - i i - n -n i + n -ii- n l+=i nt zi i i-i
t t <ii i-i t l+ i i- +iin+ -n ( :n+i- i-in+ -n (+ ti =n t-- t +iin+
-n (+ ti =n t -- t +iin+ -n = l+--i <i := n +i zii ni ii`
Page # 22
[Ans. 1.08 10
8
cm]
24. Convince yourself that parts (a), (b) and (c) of figure are identical. Find the capacitance between the point A
and B of the assembly. [Q.24, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise]
l-lz-- + n l+ l-zi + iin (a), (b) (c) =n t = i - + l-< A B + n iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans. 2.25 F]
25. Find the potential difference V
b
V
a
between the points a and b shown in each part of the figure.
l-zi n + iin n l-< a b + n lii-- V
b
V
a
ai- +il( -
[Ans. (a)
11
12
V (b) 8 V (c) zero (d) 10.3 V]
26. Find the equivalent capacitances of the combinations shown in the figure between the indicated points.
l-zi n <zii = i - +i. : ln- l-<~i + n. -- iil-i ai- +il(
Page # 23
[Ans. (a)
6
11
F (b)
4
11
F (c) 8 F (d) 8 F]
27. Find the capacitance of the combination as shown in the figure between Aand B.
l-zi n <zii ( = i - +i. l-< A B + n iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans. 1 F]
28. Find the equivalent capacitance of the infinite ladder shown in the figure between the points Aand B.
l-zi n <zii ( ~-- =ici +i. l-< A B+ n. - - iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans. 2 F]
29. Afinite ladder is constructed by connecting several sections of 2 F, 4 F capacitor combinations as shown
in the figure. It is terminated by a capacitor of capacitance C. What value should be chosen for C, such that
the equivalent capacitance of the ladder between the pointsAand Bbecomes independent of the number of
sections in between?
l-zii-=i 2 F 4 F =iilzii + =i- + +: ii +i i+ (+ lln- =ici-i: n: t :=+ ~- n C
iil-i +i (+ = iilzi i i ni t C+i ni- l+--i ti -i -ilt( l+ l-< A B+ n - - iil-i. n n l-i- ii
+i =i l-i -ti +`
[Ans. 4 F]
30. A charge of +2.0 10
8
C is placed on the positive plate and a charge of 1.0 10
8
C on the negative plate
of a parallel-platecapacitor of capacitance 1.2 1.0
3
F. Calculatethe potential differencedevelopedbetween
the plates. [Ans. 12.5 V]
1.2 1.0
3
F iil-i + (+ =ni-- -n = iilzi -n = iilzi +i i- -n +2.0 10
8
+ nin -ii +i -n
1.0 10
8
+nin ~i zi l<i i-i t -n i + n --- lii-- ai- +il(
31. Acharge of 20 Cis placed on the positive plate of an isolated parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance 10 F.
Calculate the potential difference developed between the plates. [Ans. 1 V]
10 F iil-i + (+ lnln- =ni-- -n =iilzi +i i- -n +i 20 C~izi l<i i-i t -ni + n ---
lii-- ai- +il( [Ans. 1 V]
32. A charge of 1 Cis given to one plate of a parallel-plate capacitance 0.1 F and a charge of 2 Cis given to
the other plate,. Find the potential differnece developed between the plates. [Ans. 5 V]
0.1 F iil-i + (+ =ni-- -n = iilzi +i (+ -n +i 1 C-ii < =i -n +i 2 C~i zi l<i i-i t -n i
+ n --- lii-- ai- +il(
[Ans. 5 V]
33. Each of the plates shown in figure has surface area (96/c
0
) F mon one side and the separation between the
consecutive plates is 4.0 mm. The emf of the battery connected is 10 volts. Find the magntitude of the
charge supplied by the battery to each of the plates connected to it. [Ans. 0.16 C]
l-zi n <zii : + -n +i (+ -+i ai -i zi+n (96/c
0
) F mt -ii +nin- -n i + n < i 4.0 mmt i i
n: i +i l - it+ n 10 i - t i + ,ii :== i + -n +i l<i ni ~izi ai- +il(
Page # 24
34. The capacitance bewteen the adjacent plates shown in figure is 50 nF. Acharge of 1.0 C is placed on the
middle plate.(a) What will be the charge on the outer surface of the upper plate ? (b) Find the potential
difference developed between the upper and the middle plates.
l-zi n l<ii: =ni-i -n i + n iil-i 50 - -i + i t n -n 1.0 C~i zi l<i i-i t (a) - -n
+i in =-t ~i zi +i ti ni` (b) -i ( n -n + i- --- lii-- ai- +il(
[Ans. (a) 5.50 C (b) 10 V]
35. Consider the situation of the previous problem. If 1.0 mCis placed on the upper plate instead of the middle,
what will be the potential difference between (a) the upper and the middle plates and (b) the middle and the
lower plates ? [Ans. (a) 10 V (b) 10 V]
z- +i l-il- l-i +il( l< n -n +i nt - -n +i 1.0 C ~i zi l<i i( -i (a) - (
n -n + i- (b) n ( l--ni -n + i- lii-- l+--i ti ni` [Ans. (a) 10 V (b) 10 V]
36. Two capacitances 20.0 pF and 50.0 pF are connected in series with a 6.00 V battery. Find (a) the potential
difference across each capacitor and (b) the energy stored in each capacitor.
20.0 pF 50.0 pF iil-i + <i = iilzi 6.00 V i + =ii ii+n n i n( t ai- +il( (a) + = iilzi
lii-- ( (b) + = iilzi n = n lt- -i
[Ans. (a) 1.71 V, 4.29 V (b) 184 pJ, 735 pJ]
37. Two capacitors of capacitances 4.0F and 6.0 F are connected in sereis with a 20.00 Vbattery. Find (a) the
potential difference across each capacitor and (b) the energy stored in each capacitor.
4.0 F ( 6.0 F iil-i + <i = iilzi 20 V+i i + =ii ii+n n i n( t i ,ii <i- +i n: -i ai-
+il(
[Ans. 960 J]
38. Each capacitor in the figure has a capacitance of 10 F. The emf of the battery is 100V. Find the energy
stored in each of the four capacitors.
l-zi n + = iilzi +i iil-i 10F t i +i l - it+ n100 Vt + = iilzi n = nlt- -i ai- +il(
[Ans. 8 mJ in (a) and (d), 2 mJ in (b) and (c)]
39. A capacitor with stored energy 4.0 J is connected with and identical capacitor with no electric field in
between. Find the total energy stored in the two capacitors.[Q.39, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise]
(+ = iilzi. l=n 4.0 n -i = n lt- t (+ =ni- = iilzi = l=+ n +i : l - -i zi -ti t . i i i-i t
<i-i = iilzii n + n =n lt- -i ai- +il( [Q.39, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise]
[Ans. 2.0 J]
Page # 25
40. A capacitor of capacitance 2.0 F is charged to a poential difference of 12 V. It is then connected to an
uncharged capactor of capacitance 4.0 F as shown in figure. Find
(a) the charge on each of the two capacitors after the connection,
(b) the electrostatic energy stored in each of the two capacitors and
(c) the heat produced during the charge transfer from one capacitor to the other.
2.0 F iil-i +i (+ = iilzi 12 V+ lii-- -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t := l+ 4.0 F iil-i + (+ ~-i lzi-
= iilzi = l-zii- =i i l<i i-i t ai- +il(
(a) = i - + z-i- + = iilzi ~i zi
(b) + =iilzi n =nlt- l-i - -i
(c) (+ =iilzi = < = n ~izi -ii-i--i + <ii- --- -ni
[Ans. (a) 8 C, 16 C (b) 16 J, 32 J, (c) 96 J]
41. A point charge Qis placed at the origin. Find the electrostatic energy stored outside the spherical surface of
radius R centred at the origin.
(+ l-< ~i zi Qn n l-< ii t n n l-< + -< + Rlzii + (+ ni ni =-t + it = n lt- l-i - -i
ai- +il(
[Ans.
R 8
Q
0
2
tc
]
42. Ametal sphere of radius R is charged to a poential V. (a) Find the electrostatic energy stored in the electric
field within a concentric sphere of radius 2R. (b) Showthat the eleactrostatic field energy stored outside the
sphere of radius 2R equals that stored within it. [Ans. (a) tc
0
RV
2
]
Rlzii + (+ iil+ ni n +i Vli -+ ~i lzi- l+i ni t (a) 2Rlzii + = + -< i ni n + ii- l - -i zi n
= nlt- l-i - -i ai- +il( (b) +- +il l+ 2Rlzii + ni n + it = nlt- l-i - -i . :=+
ii- =nlt- -i + i t [Ans. (a) tc
0
RV
2
]
43. A large conducting plane has a surface charge density 1.0 10
4
C/m
2
. Find the electrostatic energy stored
in a cubical volume of edge 1.0 cm infront of the plane. [Ans. 5.6 10
4
J]
(+ lziin -in+ -n +i a ~i zi i- 1.0 10
4
+ nin/ni
2
t -n + =in- 1.0 = ni i i + (+ i-i ~i--
n =nlt- l-i - -i ai- +il( [Ans. 5.6 10
4
J]
44. Aparallel-plate capacitor having plate area 20 cm
2
and seperation between the plates 1.00 mmis connected
to a battery of 12.0 V. the plates are pulled apart to increase the separation to 2.0 mm.
(a) Calculate the charge flown through the circuit during the process.
(b) How much energy is absorbed by the battery during the process ?
(c) Calculate the stored energy in the electric field before and after the process.
(d) Using the expression for the force between the plates, find the work done by the person pulling the plates
apart.
(e) Show and justify that no heat is produced during this transfer of charge as the separation is increased.
[Ans. (a) 1.06 10
10
C (b) 12.7 10
10
J (c) 12.7 10
10
J, 6.35 10
10
J (d) 6.35 10
10
J]
(+ =ni-- -n = iilzi. l=+i -n -i zi+n 20 = ni
2
( -n i + n < i 1.00 lnni t . 12.0 V+i (+ i = i i
i-i t -ni +i (+ < = = ii - + < i 2.0 lnni + <i i-i t
(a) := l+i n li n ilt- ~izi +i ni-i +il(
(b) := l+i n i ,ii l+--i -i ~ziili- +i n:`
(c) := l+i + ( z-i- l - -i zi n =n lt- -i +i ni-i +il(
(d) -n i + n n + + +i i n +- t(. -n i +i (+ <= = ii -- in l+- ,ii l+i ni +i
ai- +il(
(e) l<ii:( ( ~i l- -i:( l+ -n i + n < i c i- + =ii ~i zi + := -ii-i -i n +i : -ni --- -ti ti -i
[Ans. (a) 1.06 10
10
C (b) 12.7 10
10
J (c) 12.7 10
10
J, 6.35 10
10
J (d) 6.35 10
10
J] i
Page # 26
45. Acapacitor having a capacitance of 100 F is charged to a potential difference of 24V. The charging battery
is disconnected and the capacitor is connected to another battery of emf 12V with the positive plate of the
capacitor joined with the positive terminal of the battery.
(a) Find the charges on the capacitor before and after the reconnection.
(b) Find the charge flown through the 12 V battery
(c) Is work done by the battery or is it done on the battery? Find its magnitude.
(d) Find the decrease in electrostatic field energy.
(e) Find the heat developed during the flowof charge after reconnection.
[Q.45, HCV-2/Capacitors/Ex]
100 F iil-i + (+ = iilzi +i 24 i - + lii-- -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t ~ := ~i zi- i +i ti l<i
i-i t ( = iilzi +i 12 i - l - it+ n +i (+ < =i i = = iilzi i- -n +i i + i- ln -n = i -
t (. =i l- l+i i-i t
(a) = iilzi - = i- = ( z-i- ~izi ai- +il(
(b) 12 V i = ilt- ~izi ai- +il(
(c) i ,ii +i l+i i-i t i i +i l+i i-i t :=+i lnii ai- +il(
(d) l-i - -i zi -i n +ni ai- +il(
(e) -=i- + z-i- ~izi + it + <ii- --- -ni ai- +il(
Sol.
(a) before reconnection Q
i
= CV = (100 F) (24 V) = 2400 C
after reconnection Q
f
= (12 V) (100 F) = 1200 C.
(b) charge flowing through the battery
q = Q
i
Q
f
= 1200 C
(c) |W
Battry
| = |q.c| = (1200 C) (12 V) = 14.4 mJ. Work is done on the battery.
(d) U
i
=
2
1
(100 F) (24 V)
2
= 28.8 mJ
AU = U
i
U
f
= 21.6 mJ
(e) Heat developed = DU Work done on the battery = (21.6 mJ) (14.4 mJ) = 7.2 mJ
Ans. (a) 2400 C, 1200 C (b) 1200 C (c) 14.4 mJ (d) 21.6 mJ (e) 7.2 mJ
46. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The switch S is open for a long time and then closed. (a) Find the
charge flown through the battery when the switch S is closed. (b) Find the work done by the battery. (c) Find
the change in energy stored in the capacitors. (d) Find the heat developed in the system.
l--- l-zi l-i +il( l-- S+i n =n -+ i ni ii i-i t :=+ i< < + l<i i-i t (a) l--
S < l+i i-i t -i i = ilt- ~i zi ai- +il( (b) i + ,ii l+i ni +i ai- +il( (c) = iilzii
n =nlt- -i n l-- ai- +il( (d) l-+i n --- -ni ai- +il(
[Ans. (a) Cc/2, (b) Cc
2
/2 (c) Cc
2
/4 (d) Cc
2
/4]
47. A capacitor of capacitance 5.00 F is charged to 24.0 V and another capacitor of capacitance 6.0 F is
charged to 12.0 V. (a) Find the energy stored in each capacitor. (b) The positive plate of the first capacitor is
nowconnected to the negative plate of the second and vice versa. Find the newcharges on the capacitors.
(c) Find the loss of electrostatic energy during the process. (d) Where does the energy go?
5.00 F iil-i + (+ = iilzi +i 24.0 i - -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t -ii 6.0 Fiil-i + (+ < = = iilzi +i 12.0
i - -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t (a) + = iilzi n = n lt- -i ai- +il( (b) ~ tn = iilzi +i i- -n < =
+i +i -n < = = iilzi +i i- -n = i <i i-i t = iilzii -i- ~i zi ai- +il( (c) := l+i n l-i
Page # 27
- -i n +ni ai- +il( (d) t -i +ti i-i t ?
[Ans. (a) 1.44 mJ, 0.432 mJ (b) 21.8 C, 26.2 C, (c) 1.77 mJ]
48. A5.0 F capacitor is charged to 12 V. The positive plate of this capacitor is now connected to the negative
terminal of a 12 V battery and vice versa. Calculate the heat developed in the connecting wires.
5.0 F+i (+ = iilzi 12i - -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t ~ := = iilzi +i i- -n 12i - +i i + +i ln -n
= i <i i-i t =i- -ii n --- -ni +i ni-i +il(
[Q.48, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise] [Ans. 1.44 mJ]
50. If the above capacitor is connected across a 6.0 V battery, find (a) the charge supplied by the battery, (b) the
induced charge on the dielctric and (c) the net charge appearing on one of the coated surfaces.
l< - +- = iilzi +i 6.0 V i = i l<i i-i t . -i ai- +il( - (a) i ,ii l<i ni ~i zi (b) i -
l+i l- ~i zi. ( (c) iil+ - -ci( ai n = l+=i (+ + n ~i zi
[Ans. (a) 8.5 nC (b) 6.4 nC (c) 2.1 nC]
51. The sepeation between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor is 0.500 cm and its paltea rea is 100 cm
2
. A0.
400 cmthick metal plate is inserted into the gap with its faces parallel to the plates. Showthat the capacitance
of the assembly is independent of the position of the metal plate within the gap and find its value.
(+ =ni-- -n = iilzi +i -n i + n < i 0.500 = ni t ( :=+i -n -i zi+n 100 = ni
2
t (+0.400 = ni ni i
iil+ -n . :=+ +n+i +i -ni + =ni-- i. -n i + n l +i: i-i t <zii :( l+ l-+i +i iil-i.
iil+ -n +i l-il- l-i -ti +-i t -ii :=+i ni- ai- +il(
[Ans. 88 pF]
52. Acapacitor stores 50 Ccharge when connected across a battery. When the gap between the plates is filled
with a dielectric, a charge of 100 C flows through the battery. Find the dielectric constant of the material
inserted. [Ans. 3]
(+ = iilzi 50 ni:+i + nin ~i zi = n lt- +-i t := (+ i = i i i-i t -n i + n -ii- +i
i - <ii = i l<i i-i t . -i i = 100 ni:+i + nin ~i zi ilt- ti -i t in n( <ii +i i -i +
ai- +il( [Ans. 3]
53. Aparallel-plate capacitor of capacitance 5 F is connected to a battery of emf 6 V. The separation between
the plates is 2 mm. (a) find the electric field between the paltes. (b) Find the electric field between the plates.
(c) Adielectric slab of thickness 1 mm and dielectric constant 5 is inserted into the gap to occupy the lower
half of it. Find the capacitance of the newcombination. (d) Howmuch charge has flown through the battery
after the slab is inserted ?
5 F iil-i +i (+ =ni-- -n = iilzi 6 i - l - it+ n +i (+ i = i t -n i + n < i 2 lnni.
t (a) i- -n ~i zi ai- +il( (b) -n i + n l - -i zi ai- +il( (c) 5 i -i + ( 1 lnni ni i: +i
(+ i - l +i -n i + i- ii i-i t i -n i + n +i l--ni ~iii iin i -i t -i- iil-i ai- +il(
(d) l+i in- + z-i- i = l+--i ~i zi ilt- t ~i`
[Ans. (a) 30 C (b) 3 10
3
V/m (c) 8.3 F (d) 20C]
54. A parallel-plate capacitor has plate are 100 cm
2
and plate separation 1.0 cm. A glass plate (dielectric
constant 6.0) of thickness 6.0 mm and an ebonite plate (dielectric constant 4.0) are inserted to fill the space
between the plates of the capacitor. Find the new capacitance.
(+ =ni-- -n = iilzi +i -n -i zi+n 100 = ni
2
( -n i + n < i 1.0 = ni t 6.0 lnni ni i: +i (+ +i - +i
-n (i -i + 6.0) ( (i -i: +i -n (i -i + 4.0 ) (+ < = + - i+ -n i + i- ini i-i t . t
-ni + n +i i -ii- i <-i t -i- iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans. 44 pF]
55. Aparallel-plate capacitor having plate area 400 cm
2
and separation between the plates 1.0 mmis connected
to a power supply of 100 V. Adielectric slab of thickness 0.5 mm and dielectric constant 5.0 is inserted into
the gap. (a) Find the increase in electrostatic energy. (b) If the power supply is now disconnected and the
dielectric slab is taken out, find the further increase in energy. (c) Why does the energy increase in inserting
the slab as well as in taking it out ? [Ans. (a) 7.1 J (b) 35.4 J]
(+ =ni-- -n = iilzi. l=+i -n -i zi+n 400 = ni
2
( -n i + n < i 1.0 lnni t . 100 i - + (+ zil+- = i -
= i i i-i t 5.0 i -i + ( 0.5 lnni ni i: +i (+ i - l+i -n i + n ini i-i t (a) l-i -
Page # 28
-i n lz ai- +il( (b) ~ l< zil+- = i - +i ti lnii-i t ( i - l +i +i it l-+in lni i-i
t -i -i n ~i l+--i lz ti -i t (c) l+i +i -n i + n in- ( it l-+in- <i -i l+i n -i +i
c-i t [Ans. (a) 7.1 J (b) 35.4 J]
56. Find the capacitances of the capacitors shown in figure. The plates area is Aand the separation between the
plates is d. Different dielectric slabs in a particular part of the figure are of the same thickness and the entire
gap between the plates is field with the dielectric slabs.
l-zi n <zii ( = iilzii +i iil-i ai- +il( -n -i zi+n A( -n i + n < i d t l-zi + l+=i ii iin n
~nn~nn i - l+i( =nini i: +i t -ii -n i + n +i =n-- -ii- i - l+i~i ,ii ii i-i
t
[Ans. (a)
) K K ( d
A K K 2
2 1
0 2 1
+
c
(b)
) K K K K K K ( d
K K K A 3
1 3 3 2 2 1
3 2 1 0
+ +
c
(c)
d 2
A
0
c
(K
1
+ K
2
) ]
57. Acapacitor is formed by two square metal-plates of edge a, separted by a distance d. Dielectrics of dielectric
constants K
1
and K
2
are filled in the gap as shown in figure. Find the capacitance.
(+ = iilzi. a i i +i <i ni +i iil+ -n i = . l-+ n < i d t . -i t -n i + n K
1
K
2
i -i + +
i - <ii l-zii- =i i i- t iil-i ai- +il(
[Ans.
d ) K K (
K
K
n a K K
2 1
2
1 2
2 1 0
c
]
58. As shown in figure two identical parallel plate capacitors connected to a battery through a switch S. Initially,
the switch is closed so that the capacitors are completely charged. The switch is now opened and the free
space between the plates of the capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant 3. Find the ratio of
the initial total energy stored in the capacitors to the final total energy stored.
l-zi n <zii ( ~- =i <i =n =ni - -n = iilzi (+ i = (+ l-- S,ii t i-i n . l-- < l+i i-i
t -il+ = iilzi i - ~i lzi- ti i( l-- +i ~ ii n l<i i-i t ( = iilzii +i -n i + n +i n +- -ii-
i -i + 3 + i - <ii ,ii i l<i i-i t = iilzii n il-i+ + n = n lt- -i ( ~ l-n + n = n lt- -i
+i ~-i- ai- +il(
[Q.58, HCV-2/Capacitors/Exercise] [2]
Sol. initial energy sored =
i
A
U
=
2
1
CV
2
=
i
B
U
= U(say)
final energy stored
f
A
U
=
2
1
(KC) V
2
= KU
f
B
U
=
) CK ( 2
Q
2
=
K
U
in f
in
U
U
=
K
U
UK
U U
+
+
=
K
1
K
2
+
=
3
1
3
2
+
=
5
3
Ans. 3 : 5
Page # 29
59. Aparallel-plate capacitor of plate areaAand plate separation d is charged to a 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. Find the work done on the system in the process of
inserting the slab.
(+ =ni-- = iilzi l=+i -n -i zi+n A( -n i + n < i d t . lii-- V-+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t (
:=+ i< i +i ti l<i i-i t ~ i -i + K+i (+ l +i -n i + n ini i-i t i --+ n -ii-
+i i -t i < -i t l+i in- +i l+i n l-+i l+i ni +i ai- +il(
Ans.
d 2
AV
2
0
c
|
.
|
\
|
1
K
1
60. A capacitor having a capacitance of 100 F is charged to a potential difference of 50 V. (a) What is the
magntidue of the charge on each plate ? (b) The charging battery is disconnected and a dielectric of dielectric
constant 2.5 is inserted. Calculate the new potential difference between the plates. (c) What charge would
have produced this potential difference in absence of the dielectric slab. (d) Find the charge induced at a
surface of the dielectric slab.
100 F iil-i +i (+ = iilzi 50 Vlii-- -+ ~i lzi- l+i i-i t (a) + -n ~i zi +i lnii +i t ?
(b) ~i zi- i +i ti l<i i-i t ( 2.5 i -i + +i (+ -n i + n -i- lii-- ai- +il( (c) i -
l+i + l-i := lii-- +i --- +- + ln( l+-- ~i zi +i - ti ni` (d) i - l+i +i =-t
l- ~i zi ai- +il(
Ans. (a) 5 mC (b) 20V (c) 2 mC (d) 3 mC
61. A spherical capacitor is made of two conducting spherical shells of radii a and b. The space between the
shells is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K upto a radius c as shown in figure. Calculate the
capacitance.
(+ ni ni = iilzi. lzii~i a b + <i -in+ ni ni +i zii = -i t +i zii + n +i -ii- l-zii- =i lzii c -+
K i -i + in (+ i - <ii = i l<i i-i t iil-i +i ni-i +il(
Ans.
) a c ( b ) c b ( Ka
Kabc 4
0
+
tc
62. Consider an assembly of three conducting concentric spherical shells of radii a, b and c as shown in figure.
Find the capacitance of the assembly between the points A and B.
l-zi n l<ii( a, b c lzii~i + -i- -in+ = + -< i ni ni +i zii + l-+i l-i +il( l-< A B + n
l-+i +i iil-i ai- +il(
Ans.
a c
ac 4
0
tc
63. Suppose the space between the two inner shells of the previous problemin filled with a dielectric of dielectric
constant K. Find the capacitance of the system between A and B.
ni- nil( l+ z- n <i ~i -l+ +i zii + n +i -ii- i -i + K+ (+ i - <ii = i l<i i-i t
A B+ n l-+i +i iil-i +il(
Ans.
) a b ( c ) b c ( Ka
Kabc 4
0
+
tc
64. An air-filled parallel-plate capacitor is to be constructed which can store 12 C of charge when operated at
1200 V. What can be the minimum plate area of the capacitor? The dielectric strength of air is 3 10
6
V/m.
(+ =ni-- -n i = iilzi -i-i t i 12 ni:+i + ni n ~i zi = n lt- + =+ -= 1200 i - -ln- l+i
i( = iilzi +i - --n -n -i zi+n l+--i ti =+-i t ti +i i - -in-i l+--i ti =+-i t ti +i i -
-in-i 3 10
6
i-/ni. t
Ans. 0.45 m
2
Page # 30
65. A parallel-plate capacitor with the plate area 100 cm
2
and the separation between the plates
1.0 cm is connected across a battery of emf 24 volts. Find the force of attraction between the plates.
(+ =ni-- -n = iilzi l=+i -n -i zi+n 100 = ni
2
( -n i + n < i 1.0 = ni t . 24 i - l - it+ n +i
(+ i = i i i-i t -n i + n ~i+ii n ai- +il(
Ans. 2.5 10
7
N
66. Consider the situation shown in figure. The width of each plate is b. The capacitor plates are rigidly clamped
in the laboratory and connected to a battery of emf c. All surface are frictionless. Calculate the value of Mfor
which the dielectric slab will stay in equilibrium.
l-zi n <lzi - l-il- l-i +il( + -n +i -i i: b t = iilzi +i -n i +i i nziini n n -i = +=i
ni t ( (+ i = i i ni t . l=+i l - it+ n c t =n-- =-t ii i lt- t M+i ni- ai- +il(
l=+ ln( i - l+i =i-i-ii n t
Ans.
dg 2
) 1 K ( b
2
0
c c
67. Figure shown two parallel plate capacitors with fixed plates and connected to two batteries. The separation
between the plates is the same for the two capacitors. The plates are rectangular in shape with width b and
lengths
1
and
2
. The left half of the dielectric slab has a dielectric constant K
1
and the right half K
2
.
Neglecting any friction, find the ratio of the emf of the left battery to that of the right battery for which the
dielectric slab may remain in equilibrium.
l-zi n <i =ni - -n = iilzi l-+i -n l-i t ( <i li = t . <zii ( n( t <i -i = iilzii + ln( -n i
+ n +i < i=ni- t -n ~i-i+i t . l-+i -i i: b ( n-i:
1

2
t i - l+i + i ~ii iin +i
i -i + K
1
t . -ii <i ~ii iin +i K
2
t ii i +i -n ni-- t (. ii i ( <ii i + l - it+ ni
+i ~-i- ai- +il( l=+ ln( i- l+i =i-i-ii n t
Ans.
1 K
1 K
1
2
68. Consider the situation shown in figure. The plates of the capacitor have plate areaAand are clamped in the
laboratory. The dielectric slab is released from rest with length a inside the capacitor. Neglecting any effect
of friction or gravity, show that the slab will execute periodic motion and find its time period.
l-zi n <zii i n: l-il- l-i +il( = iilzi +i -n i +i -n -i zi+n At ( i nziini n +=i t : t i -
l+i l=+i a n-i: = iilzi + ii- t . +i lini-ii = zi i i-i t ii i i n + ii +i -n ni--
t( <zii : l+ l+i ~i- nl- +ni -ii :=+i <in- +in ai- +il(
K
a
c
Ans. 8
) 1 K ( A
md ) a (
2
0
c c

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Chapter # 31 Capacitors

be the charges apperaing

+ i- = i ai- +- + ln( =--i ~i-- t

9. The negative plate of a parallel plate capacitor is given a charge of 20 10

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