PHYSICS

CLASS-XII

CAPACITANCE

CONTENTS
THEORETICAL CONCEPT - 2 - 48
EXERCISE-I - 49 - 50
EXERCISE-II - 51
EXERCISE-III - 52 - 53
EXERCISE-IV - 54 - 57
EXERCISE-V - 58 - 60
ANSWER KEY - 61
 CAPACITANCE
Syllabus in IIT-JEE :
Capacitance; Parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectrics; Capacitors in series and parallel; Energy
stored in a capacitor.

1. INTRODUCTION :
A capacitor is a device which stores electric charge. Capacitors vary in shape and size, but the basic
configuration is two conductors carrying equal but opposite charges. Capacitors have many important
applications in electronics. Some examples include storing electric potential energy, delaying voltage changes
when coupled with resistors, filtering out unwanted frequency signals, forming resonant circuits and making
frequency-dependent and independent voltage dividers when combined with resistors. Some of these
applications will be discussed in latter chapters.

+Q –Q

Basic configuration of a capacitor

In the uncharged state, the charge on either one of the conductors in the capacitor is zero. During the
charging process, a charge A is moved from one conductor to the other one, giving one conductor a charge
+Q, and the other one a charge –Q. A potential difference V is created, with the positively charged
conductor at a higher potential than the negatively charged conductor. Note that whether charged or uncharged,
the net charge on the capacitor as a whole is zero.
The simplest example of a capacitor consists of two conducting plates of area ,4, which are parallel to each
other, and separated by a distance d, as shown in Figure.

+Q

–Q
d
A

A parallel-plate capacitor
Experiments show that the amount of charge Q stored in a capacitor is linearly proportional to V, the
electric potential difference between the plates. Thus, we may write
Q = C |V|
where C is a positive proportionality constant called capacitance. Physically, capacitance is a measure of
the capacity of storing electric charge for a given potential difference V. The SI unit of capacitance is the
farad (F) :
1 F = 1 farad = 1 coulomb/volt = 1C/V
A typical capacitance is in the picofarad (1 pF = 10–12 F) to millifarad range, (1 mF = 10–3 F = 1000 F ;
1 F = 10–6 F).

[2]
 Figure (a) shows the symbol which is used to represent capacitors in circuits. For a polarized fixed capacitor
which has a definite polarity, Figure (b) is sometimes used.

+ –

(a) (b)
Capacitor symbols

2. CALCULATION OF CAPACITANCE :
Let’s see how capacitance can be computed in systems with simple geometry.

Ex. Parallel-Plate Capacitor

Consider two metallic plates of equal area A separated by a distance d, as shown in Figure below. The top
plate carries a charge +Q while the bottom plate carries a charge –Q. The charging of the plates can be
accomplished by means of a battery which produces a potential difference. Find the capacitance of the
system.

+Q
+++++++++++++

–––––––––––––
–Q
The electric field between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor
Solution :
To find the capacitance C, we first need to know the electric field between the plates. A real capacitor is
finite in size. Thus, the electric field lines at the edge of the plates are not straight lines, and the field is not
contained entirely between the plates. This is known as edge effects, and the non-uniform fields near the
edge are called the fringing fields. In figure the field lines are drawn by taking into consideration edge
effects. However, in what follows, we shall ignore such effects and assume an idealized situation, where
field lines between the plates are straight lines.
In the limit where me plates are infinitely large, the system has plannar symmetry and we can calculate the
electric field everywhere using Gauss’s law given in Eq.:
qenc
 E · dA  0
By choosing a Gaussian “pillbox” with cap area A’ to enclose the charge on the positive plate (see Figure),
the electric field in the region between the plates is
qene A ' 
EA'   E
0 0 0
The same result has also been obtained in Section 4.8.1 using superposition principle.
Gaussian Surface A'
+Q
++ ++ + ++ ++ ++ + +

A
d

– – – – – – – – – – – – –
–Q
Path of integration

Gaussian surface for calculating the electric Geld between the plates
[3]
 The potential difference between the plates is
–


V  V– – V  – E · ds  –Ed


where we have taken the path of integration to be a straight line from the positive plate to the negative plate
following the field lines (Figure). Since the electric field lines are always directed from higher potential to
lower potential, V– < V+. However, in computing the capacitance C, the relevant quantity is the magnitude of
the potential difference:
|V| = Ed
and its sign is immaterial. From the definition of capacitance, we have

Q  A
C  0 (parallel plate)
| V | d

Note that C depends only on the geometric factors A and d. The capacitance C increases linearly with the
area A since for a given potential difference V, a bigger plate can hold more charge. On the other hand, C
is inversely proportional to the distance of separation because the smaller the value of d, the smaller the
potential difference |V| for a fixed Q.

Ex. : Cylindrical Capacitor

Consider next a solid cylindrical conductor of radius a surrounded by a coaxial cylindrical shell of inner
radius b, as shown in Figure. The length of both cylinders is L and we take this length to be much larger
than b-a, the separation of the cylinders, so that edge effects can be neglected. The capacitor is charged so
that the inner cylinder has charge +Q while the outer shell has a charge –Q. What is the capacitance?

L L

a
a b
b

(a) (b)

(a) A cylindrical capacitor, (b) End view of the capacitor.

The electric field is non-vanishing only in the region a < r < b.
Solution :
To calculate the capacitance, we first compute the electric field everywhere. Due to the cylindrical symmetry
of the system, we choose our Gaussian surface to be a coaxial cylinder with length  < L and radius r where
a < r < b. Using Gauss’s law, we have

 E · dA  EA  E(2r)  E  2 r 0

where  = Q/L is the charge per unit length. Notice that the electric field is non-vanishing only in the region
a < r < b. For r < a, the enclosed charge is qenc = 0 since any net charge in a conductor must reside on its
surface. Similarly, for r > b, the enclosed charge is qenc =  –  = 0 since the Gaussian surface encloses
equal but opposite charges from both conductors.

The potential difference is given by

b b
 dr  b

V  Vb – Va  – E r dr  –
a
2 0 r
a
– ln  
2 0  a 

[4]
 where we have chosen the integration path to be along the direction of the electric field lines. As expected,
the outer conductor with negative charge has a lower potential. This gives
Q L 2 0L
C  
| V |  ln(b / a) / r 0 ln(b / a )
Once again, we see that the capacitance C depends only on the geometrical factors, L, a and b.

Ex.: Spherical Capacitor

As a third example, let’s consider a spherical capacitor which consists of two concentric spherical shells of
radii a and b, as shown in Figure. The inner shell has a charge +Q uniformly distributed over its surface, and
the outer shell an equal but opposite charge –Q. What is the capacitance of this configuration?

Gaussian b
a Surface
+Q a
b
+
V r
–
–Q

(a) spherical capacitor with two concentric spherical shells of radii a and b.
(b) Gaussian surface for calculating the electric field

Solution : The electric Geld is non-vanishing only in the region a < r < b. Using Gauss’s law, we obtain

2 Q 1 Q
 E · dA  E A  E (4r
r r )
0
or Er 
4 0 r 2

Therefore, the potential difference between the two conducting shells is :

b b
Q dr Q  1 1 Q b– a

V  Vb  Va  – E r dr  –
a
4 0 r
a
2
–
4 0
 – –
 a b  4 
 
0  ab 

which yields

Q  ab 
C  4 0  
| V | b –a

Again, the capacitance C depends only on the physical dimensions, a and b.

An ‘isolated” conductor (with the second conductor placed at infinity) also has a capacitance. In the limit
where b , the above equation becomes.

 ab  a
lim C  lim 4 0   lim 4  0  4 0 a
b  b  b –a b    a
1 – 
 b
Thus, for a single isolated spherical conductor of radius R, the capacitance is
C = 40R

The above expression can also be obtained by noting that a conducting sphere of radius R with a charge Q
uniformly distributed over its surface has V = Q/40R, using infinity as the reference point having zero
potential, V() = 0. This gives

Q Q
C   4 0R
| V | Q / 4 0R

[5]
 As expected, the capacitance of an isolated charged sphere only depends on its geometry, namely, the
radius R.

Ex. The conducting spherical shells shown in the figure are connected by a conductor. The capacitance of the
system is

ab a2
(A) 40 (B) 40a (C) 40b (D) 40
b–a b–a

Sol. Hence, the capacitance of the system is the capacitance due to outer sphere of radius b.
 C = 40b

4. STORING ENERGY IN A CAPACITOR :

As discussed in the introduction, capacitors can be used to stored electrical energy. The amount of energy
stored is equal to the work done to charge it. During the charging process, the battery does work to remove
charges from one plate and deposit them onto the other.

+ + + + ++ ++ ++ + ++

dE
E
– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Figure : Work is done by an external agent in bringing +dq from the negative
plate and depositing the charge on the positive plate

Let the capacitor be initially uncharged. In each plate of the capacitor, there are many negative and positive
charges, but the number of negative charges balances the number of positive charges, so that there is no
net charge, and therefore no electric field between the plates. We have a magic bucket and a set of stairs
from the bottom plate to the top plate (Figure).

We start out at the bottom plate, fill our magic bucket with a charge +dq, carry the bucket up the stairs and
dump the contents of the bucket on the top plate, charging it up positive to charge +dq. However, in doing
so, the bottom plate is now charged to –dq. Having emptied the bucket of charge, we now descend the
stairs, get another bucketful of charge +dq, go back up the stairs and dump that charge on the top plate.
We then repeat this process over and over. In this way we build up charge on the capacitor, and create
electric field where there was none initially.

Suppose the amount of charge on the top plate at some instant is +q, and the potential difference between
the two plates is |V| = q/C. To dump another bucket of charge +dq on the top plate, the amount of work
done to overcome electrical repulsion is dW = |V| dq. If at the end of the charging process, the charge on
the top plate is +Q, then the total amount of work done in this process is

[6]
 Q Q
q 1 Q2

W  dq | V |  dq
0

0

C 2 C

This is equal to the electrical potential energy UE of the system : –Q +Q

1 Q2 1 1
UE   Q | V |  C | V |2
2 C 2 2

Energy Density of the Electric Field :

One can think of the energy stored in the capacitor as being stored in the electric field itself. In the case of
a parallel-plate capacitor, with C = 0A/d and |V| = Ed, we have

1 1 0 A 1
UE  C |  V |2  (Ed)2   0E 2 ( Ad)
2 2 d 2

Since the quantity Ad represents the volume between the plates, we can define the electric energy density
as

UE 1
uE    0E 2
Volume 2

Note that uE is proportional to the square of the electric field. Alternatively, one may obtain the energy
stored in the capacitor from the point of view of external work. Since the plates are oppositely charged, force
must be applied to maintain a constant separation between them. From Eq., we see that a small patch of
charge q = (A) experiences an attractive force F = 2(A)/20. If the total area of the plate is A, then an
external agent must exert a force = Fext = 2A/20 to pull the two plates apart. Since the electric field
strength in the region between the plates is given by E = /0, the external force can be rewritten as

0 2
Fext  E A
2
Note that Fext is independent of d. The total amount of work done externally to separate the plates by a
distance d is then

  E2 A 
Wext  F ext · ds  Fext d   0
 d
 2 
 
consistent with Eq. Since the potential energy of the system is equal to the work done by the external
agent, we have uE = W ext / Ad = 0E2 / 2. In addition, we note that the expression for uE is identical to Eq. in.
Therefore, the electric energy density uE can also be interpreted as electrostatic pressure P.

Ex. : Electric Energy Density of Dry Air

The breakdown field strength at which dry air loses its insulating ability and allows a discharge to pass
through is Eb = 3 × 106 V/m. At this field strength, the electric energy density is :

1 1
uE   0E 2  (8.85 × 10–12 C2 / N·m2) (3 × 106 V/m)2 = 40 J/m3
2 2

Ex. : Energy Stored in a Spherical Shell

Find the energy stored in a metallic spherical shell of radius a and charge Q.
Solution : The electric Geld associated of a spherical shell of radius a is (Example 4.3)

 Q
 r̂ , r  a
E   4  0r 2
 0 , r a

[7]
 The corresponding energy density is :

1 Q2
uE  e0E 2 
2 32 2  0r 4

outside the sphere, and zero inside. Since the electric field is non-vanishing outside the spherical shell, we
must integrate over the entire region of space from r = a to r = . In spherical coordinates, with, dV = 4r2dr,
we have

 
 Q2 
4r 2 dr  Q
2
dr Q2 1
UE   r   QV
 32 2  r 4  8 0 2 8 0a 2
a 0  a

where V = Q/40a is the electric potential on the surface of the shell, with V() = 0. We can readily verify
that the energy of the system is equal to the work done in charging the sphere. To show this, suppose at
some instant the sphere has charge q and is at a potential V = q/40a. The work required to add an
additional charge dq to the system is dW = Vdq. Thus, the total work is
Q
 q  Q2
W  dW  Vdq  dq
  

0  4 0 a  8 0a

Force on the Plates of a Capacitor

The plates of a parallel-plate capacitor have area A and carry total charge ±Q (see Figure). We would like to
show that these plates attract each other with a force given by F = Q2(20A).

–Q +Q
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +
– +

(a) Calculate the total force on the left plate due to the electric field of the right plate, using Coulomb’s Law.
Ignore fringing fields.

(b) If you pull the plates apart, against their attraction, you are doing work and that work goes directly into
creating additional electrostatic energy. Calculate the force necessary to increase the plate separation from
x to x + dx by equating the work you do, F · dx to the increase in electrostatic energy, assuming that the
electric energy density is 0E2 / 2 and that the charge Q remains constant.

(c) Using this expression for the force, show that the force per unit area (the electrostatic stress) acting on
either capacitor plate is given by e0E2 / 2. This result is true for a conductor of any shape with an electric
field E at its surface. E

(d) Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 lb/ln2 or 101, 341 N/m2. How large would E have to be to produce this force
per unit area? [Ans : 151 MV/m. Note that Van de Graff accelerators can reach Gelds of 100 MV/m
maximum before breakdown, so that electrostatic stresses are on the same order as atmospheric pressures
in this extreme situation, but not much greater].

[8]
Ex. Each plate of a parallel-plate air capacitor has an area A. What amount of work has to be performed to
slowly increase the distance between the plates from x1 to x2 if
(a) the charge on the capacitor, which is equal to q, or (b) the voltage across the capacitor, which is equal
to V, is kept constant in the process?
Ans. (a) A = q2(x2 – x,)/20A; (b) A = 0AV2(x2 – x1) / 2x1x2]
Sol. (a) Sought work is equivalent to the work performed against the electric field created by one plate, holding
at rest and to bring the other plate away. Therefore the required work,
Aagent = qE(x2 – x1),

where E  is the intensity of the field created by one plate at the location of other..
2 0

 q2
So, A agent  q ( x 2 – x1 )  ( x 2 – x1 )
2 0 2 0 S
Alternate : Aext = U (as field is potential)

q2 q2 q2
= x2 – x ( x 2 – x1 )
2 0 S 2 0 S 2 0 S

(b) When voltage is kept const., the force acting on each plate of capacitor will depend on the distance
between the plates.
So, elementary work done by agent, in its displacement over a distance dx, relative to the other,
dA = –Fx dx
 ( x)   V
But, Fx  –  S( x ) and ( x )  0
 x
 2 0 

1 SV 2  SV 2 1 1
Hence, A  dA  0 2 dx  0
  2 x 2
 – 
 x1 x 2 
Alternate : From energy Conservation,
Uf – Ui = Acell + Aagent

1  0 S 2 1  0S 2   0 S  0 S  2
or V – V  –  V  A agent
2 x2 2 x1  x2 x1 

(as Acell = (qf – qi) V = (Cf – Ci) V2)

 0SV 2 1 1
So, A agent   – 
2  x1 x 2 

3. CAPACITORS IN ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

A capacitor can be charged by connecting the plates to the terminals of a battery, which are maintained at
a potential difference V called the terminal voltage.

+Q –Q

+ –
V

Charging a capacitor
[9]
 The connection results in sharing the charges between the terminals and the plates. For example, the plate
that is connected to the (positive) negative terminal will acquire some (positive) negative charge. The sharing
causes a momentary reduction of charges on the terminals, and a decrease in the terminal voltage. Chemical
reactions are then triggered to transfer more charge from one terminal to the other to compensate for the
loss of charge to the capacitor plates, and maintain the terminal voltage at its initial level. The battery could
thus be thought of as a charge pump that brings a charge Q from one plate to the other.
Parallel Connection :
Suppose we have two capacitors C1 with charge Q1 and C2 with charge 2Q2 that are connected in parallel,
as shown in Figure.
C1 |V1|–|V2|–|V|
+ – C1
Ceq = C1 + C2
Q1
C2
C2
+ –
Q2
+ –
+ – + – |V|
|V| |V|

Capacitors in parallel and an equivalent capacitor

The left plates of both capacitors C1 and C2 are connected to the positive terminal of the battery and have
the same electric potential as the positive terminal. Similarly, both right plates are negatively charged and
have the same potential as the negative terminal. Thus, the potential difference |V| is the same across
each capacitor. This gives
Q1 Q2
C1  , C2 
| V | | V |
These two capacitors can be replaced by a single equivalent capacitor with a total charge Qeq supplied by
the battery. However, since Q is shared by the two capacitors, we must have
Q = Q1 + Q2 = C1 |V| + C2 |V| = (C1 + C2) |V|

The equivalent capacitance is then seen to be given by

Q
C eq   C1  C 2
| V |
Thus, capacitors that are connected in parallel add. The generalization to any number of capacitors is
N
Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3 + ....... + CN = C
i 1
i (parallel)

Series Connection :
Suppose two initially uncharged capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series, as shown in Figure. A
potential difference |V| is then applied across both capacitors. The left plate of capacitor 1 is connected to
the positive terminal of the battery and becomes positively charged with a charge +Q, while the right plate
of capacitor 2 is connected to the negative terminal and becomes negatively charged with charge –Q as
electrons flow in. What about the inner plates? They were initially uncharged; now the outside plates each
attract an equal and opposite charge. So the right plate of capacitor 1 will acquire a charge –Q and the left
plate of capacitor +Q.

[10]
 |V1| C1 |V2| C2 |V1| C1 C2 |V2| Ceq

+Q –Q +Q –Q
+Q –Q +Q –Q

+ –
|V| + – + –
|V| |V|

Capacitor in series and an equivalent capacitor

The potential differences across capacitors C1 and C2 are

Q Q
| V1 |  , | V2 | 
C1 C2

respectively. From figure, we see that the total potential difference is simply the sum of the two individual
potential differences :
|V| = |V1| + |V2|
In fact, the total potential difference across any number of capacitors in series connection is equal to the
sum of potential differences across the individual capacitors. These two capacitors can be replaced by a

Q
single equivalent capacitor C eq.  . Using the fact that the potentials add in series,
| V |

Q Q Q
 
Ceq. C1 C 2

and so the equivalent capacitance for two capacitors in series becomes

1 2 1
 
Ceq. C1 C 2

The generalization to any number of capacitors connected in series is

N
1 1 1 1 1
 
Ceq. C1 C2
 ...... 
CN
 C
i 1 i
(series)

Ex.: Equivalent Capacitance :

Find the equivalent capacitance for the combination of capacitors shown in figure.

C1 C2
|V|
C3

Capacitors connected in series and in parallel

Solution : Since C1 and C2 are connected in parallel, their equivalent capacitance C12 is given by C12 = C1 + C2

C12
|V| |V| C123
C3

Figure (a) and (b) Equivalent circuits

[11]
 Now capacitor C12 is in series with C3, as seen from Figure (b). So, the equivalent capacitance C123 is given
by
1 1 1 C12 C 3 (C1  C 2 )C 3
  or C123  
C123 C12 C3 C12  C3 C1  C 2  C3
Equivalent Capacitance
Consider the configuration shown in figure. Find the equivalent capacitance, assuming that all the capacitors
have the same capacitance C.

Combination of capacitors
Solution :
For capacitors that are connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is
1 1 1
 
Ceq C1 C 2
 ......  C i
i (series)

On the other hand, for capacitors that are connected in parallel, the equivalent capacitance is
C eq  C1  C 2  ......  C
i
i
(parallel)

Using the above formula for series connected, the equivalent configuration is shown in figure.

Now we have three capacitors connected in parallel. The equivalent capacitance is given by
 1 1  11
C eq  C1     C
 2 3 6
Ex. A network of six identical capacitors, each of value C is made as shown in the figure. Equivalent capacitance
between points A and B is :
(A) C/4 (B) 3C/4 (C) 4C/3 (D) 3C
A

B
Ans. (C)
Sol. The network is equivalent to
Therefore equivalent capacitance = [2C series C] // [C series 2C]

 2C  C  4C
= 2 
 2C  C  3

[12]
Ex. The capacitance of the system of parallel plate capacitor shown in the figure is :
A1

A2

20 A1A 2 20 A1A 2  0 A1 0 A 2

(A) (A  A )d (B) (A – A )d (C) (D)
1 2 2 1 d d

+ A1
Sol.

d 0

E
– A2

Since the electric field between the parallel charge plates is uniform and independent of the distance, ne-
glecting the edge effect, the effective area of the plate of area A2 is A1. Thus the capacitance between the
plates is
 0 A1
C=
d
Ex. Find the capacitance of a system of identical capacitors between points A and B shown in (a) in Fig. (a), (b)
in Fig.(b)

Ans. (a) Ctotal = C1 + C2 + C3 ; (b) Ctotal = C

Sol.

(a) Since 1 = B and 2 = A

The arrangement of capacitors shown in the problem is equivalent to the arrangement shown in the fig.

and hence the capacitance between A and B is,

C = C1 + C2 + C3

[13]
 (b) From the symmetry of the problem, there is no. P.d. between D and E. So, the combination reduces to
a simple arrangement shown in the fig. and hence the net capacitance,
C C
C0   C
2 2

Ex. Four identical metal plates are located in air at equal distances d from one another. The area of each plate
is equal to A. Find the capacitance of the system between points A and B if the plates are interconnected
as shown (a) in Fig. (a) (b)inFig.(b)

Ans. (a)C = 20A/3d; (b) C = 30A/2d

0 A
Sol. (a) In the given arrangement, we have three capacitors of equal capacitance C  and the first and third
d

plates are at the same potential.

Hence, we can resolve the network into a simple form using series and parallel grouping of capacitors, as
shown in the figure.
Thus the equivalent capacitance
(C  C)C 2
C0   C
(C  C)  C 3
(b) Let us mentally impart the charges + q and - q to the plates 1 and 2 and then distribute them to other plates
using charge conservation and electric induction (fig.). As the potential difference between the plates 1 and
2 is zero,
q1 q2 q1   A
–  –  0,  where C  0 
C C C  d 
or, q2 = 2q1,
The potential difference between A and B,
V = VA – VB = q2/C,
Hence the sought capacitance,
q q1  q2 3q1 3 3 A
C0     C 0
V q2 / C 2q1 / C 2 2d

[14]
Ex. The equivalent capacitance between A and B is (each of the capacitors obtained is of capacitance equal to
C).
B'

A'

A
1 3 5 2
(A) C (B) C (C) C (D) C
2 5 3 5
Ans. (C)
1
2 1 2 D
B B
Sol. 3 A=E
5 44 33 2
4 A B
D E
5

A
2C  C 5C
 CAB = C 
3C 3

Ex. A capacitor of capacitance C1 = 1.0 F with stands the maximum voltage V1 = 6.0 kV while a capacitor of
capacitance C2 = 2.0 F, the maximum voltage V2 = 4.0 kV. What voltage will the system of these two
capacitors withstand if they are connected in series?
Ans. V  V1(1 + C1/ C2) = 9kV
Sol. Amount of charge, that the capacitor of capacitance C1 can withstand, q1 = C1V1 and similarly the charge,
that the capacitor of capacitance C2 can withstand, q2 = C2V2. But in series combination, charge on both
the capacitors will be same, so, qmax, that the combination can withstand = C1V1,
as C1V1 < C2V2, from the numerical data, given.
Now, net capacitance of the system,
C1C 2 qmax C1V1  C 
C0  and hence, Vmax   V1 1  1   9kV
C1  C 2 C0 C1C 2 / C1  C 2 C
 2 

Ex. Charge Q is given to the upper plate of an isolated parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C. The potential
difference between the plates.
Q

Q Q Q/2
(A) (B) C (C) (D) Zero
C C
2
Ans. (C)
Sol. In general, for charge Q1 and Q2 on upper and lower plate respectively the charge distributions on outer and
inner part of the plates are shown in figure. Q1+Q2
Q1
Here Q1 = Q, Q2 = 0 2
Q Q Q1–Q2
 Charge on inner side of plate are and – respectively. –(Q1+Q2)
2 2 2 2
Q/2 Q2 Q1+Q2
Hence V = 2
C

[15]
Ex. Find the potential difference between points A and B of the system shown in Fig. if the emf is equal to
 = 110 V and the capacitance ratio C2/C1 = 2.0.

Ans. U = 10V
Sol. Let us distribute the charge, as shown in the figure.
Now, we know that in a closed circuit, – = 0
So, in the loop,DCFED,

q1 q2 q2   1 1 
– –   or, q1  C1   q2   
 .....(1)
C1 C1 C 2   C1 C 2 
Again in the loop DGHED,
q1 q1  q2
  .....(2)
C1 C2

q1 + q2

–(q1 + q2)

Using equation (1) and (2), we get

 1 3 C  C
q2    1   – 1
 C1 C 2 C 2  C2

– q2  1
Now, VA – VB   2
C2 C 2 / C1  1 3 C 
   12 
 C1 C 2 C 2 

1 
or VA – VB   2
 10 V
 C 22 3C2    3  1
 2   1
 C1 C1 

[16]
Ex. Find the capacitance of an infinite circuit formed by the repetition of the same link consisting of two identical
capacitors, each with capacitance C.

C( 5 – 1)
Ans. Cx   0.62C . Since the chain is infinite, all the links beginning with the second can be replaced
2
by the capacitance Cx equal to the sought one.
Sol. The infinite circuit, may be reduced to the circuit, shown in figure, where, C0 is the net capacitance of the
combination.

1 1 1
So,  
C  C0 C C0

Solving the quadratic,

CC0 + C02 – C2 = 0,

( 5 – 1)
C0  C, taking only +ve as C0 can not be negative.
2
Ex. A circuit has a section AB shown in Fig. The emf of the source equals E = 10V, the capacitor capacitances
are equal to C1 = 1.0 F and C2 = 2.0 F, and the potential difference VA – VB = 5.0 V. Find the voltage across
each capacitor.

Ans. V1 = q/C1 = 10 V, V2 = q/C2 = 5V, where q = (VA – VB + E)C1C2 / (C1 + C2)

Sol. Let, us make the charge distribution, as shown in the figure.
q q
Now, VA – VB  –
C1 C2

( VA – VB )  
or, q C1C 2
C1  C 2

Hence, voltage across the capacitor C1

q ( V – VB )  
  A C 2  10 V
C1 C1  C 2
and voltage across the capacitor, C2
q ( V – VB )  
  A C1  5 V
C2 C1  C2

[17]
Ex. In the circuit shown in figure potential difference between A and B

E=190V

C 3C

A
B
C 3C

(A) 30 V (B) 60 V (C) 10 V (D) 90 V

Ans. (C)
Sol. Potential difference is divided among two capacitance C1 and C2 in the inverse ratio of their capacities when
it is final in series. Therefore

E=190V

C 3C

A
B
C 3C
Voltage across P and Q is

C
= 190 
C  Capaci tance across P and Q

= 190 × C
3C
P Q
C+
C 3C
equivalent capacitance between P and Q
C
= 190  = 40 volt
15C
C
4
Potential difference between P and Q (i.e. 40 volt)
Will divide between two capacitor C and 3C which is in series. Therefore voltage across 3C capacitance.
C
volt = 40  = 10 Volt
C  3C
Equivalent Capacitance
Consider the configuration shown in figure. Find the equivalent capacitance, assuming that all the capacitors
have the same capacitance C.

Combination of capacitors

[18]
Solution :
For capacitors that are connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is

1 1 1 (series)
 
Ceq C1 C 2
 ......  C i
i

On the other hand, for capacitors that are connected in parallel, the equivalent capacitance is
C eq  C1  C 2  ......  C
i
i
(parallel)

Using the above formula for series connected, the equivalent configuration is shown in figure.

Now we have three capacitors connected in parallel. The equivalent capacitance is given by
 1 1  11
C eq  C1     C
 2 3 6

Useof Kirchof's Laws in Solving capacitor newtorks :

1. Nodal teachnique
2. Energy loss calculation
Ex. In a circuit shown in Fig. find the potential difference between the left and right plates of each capacitor.

Ans. V1 = (2 – 1) / (1 + C1/C2), V2 = (1 – 2) / (1 + C2/C1).

V1 = –4V
V2 = 2V
Sol. Let 2 > 1, then using – = 0 in the closed circuit, (fig.)

–q q
 2 – – 1  0
C1 C2

( 2 – 1 )C1C2
or q
C1  C2

Hence the P.D. across the left and right plates of capacitors,

q ( – 1 )C 2
1   2
C1 C1  C 2

and similarly

– q (1 –  2 )C1
2  
C2 C1  C 2

[19]
Ex. A capacitor of capacitance C1 = 1.0 F charged up to a voltage V = 110V is connected in parallel to the
terminals of a circuit consisting of two uncharged capacitors connected in series and possessing the
capacitances C2 = 2.0 F and C3 = 3.0 F. What charge will flow through the connecting wires?

v
Ans. q  0.06 mC
1/ C1  1/ C2  1/ C 3

Sol. Let, the charge q flows through the connecting wires, then at the state of equilibrium, charge distribution will
be as shown in the fig. In the closed circuit 12341, using – = 0

(C1V – q) q q
–   0
C1 C 2 C3

V
or q  0.06 mC
(1  C1  1/ C 2  1/ C3 )

Ex. What charges will flow after the shorting of the switch S w in the circuit illustrated in fig. through sections 1
and 2 in the directions indicated by the arrows?

Ans. q1 = C2,q2 = –C1C2 / (C1 + C2)

Sol. Initially, charge on the capacitor C1 or C2,

C1C 2
q , as they are in series combination (fig. a)
C1  C 2

when the switch is closed, in the circuit CDEFC from –V = 0, (fig,, (b)
q2
–  0 or q2 = C2 ......(1)
C2
And in the closed loop BCFAB from – = 0
– q1 – q2
 –0 .......(2)
C1 C2

From (1) and (2) q1 = 0

Now, charge flown through section 1 = (q1 + q2) – 0 = C2
C1C2
and charge flown through section 2 = –q1 – q = – C  C
1 2

[20]
Ex. In the above circuit, find the potential difference across AB.

8f 8f
P A
1 3
10V 8f 2 4 8f

Q B
Sol. Let us mark the capacitors as 1, 2, 3 and 4 for identifications. As is clear, 3 and 4 are in series, and they are
in parallel with 2. Then 2, 3, 4 combine is in series with 1.
C3 .C4
C34 = C  C = 4f, C2.34 = 8 + 4 = 12f
3 4

8  12
Ceq = = 4.8f, q = Ceq. V = 4.8 × 10 = 48C
8  12

48c
The ‘q’ on 1 is 48 C, thus V1 = q/c = 6v [v 1 = = 6v]
8f
 VPQ = 10 – 6 = 4V
By symmetry of 3 and 4, we say, VAB = 2V.

Ex. In the circuit shown in fig. the emf of each battery is equal to  = 60 V, and the capacitor capacitances are
equal to C1 = 2.0 F and C2 = 3.0 F. Find the charges which will flow after the shorting of the switch Sw
through sections 1, 2 and 3 in the directions indicated by the arrows.

Ans. q1 = C1(C1 – C2) / (C1 + C2) = –24C, q2 = C2(C1 – C2) / (C1 + C2) = –36C, q3 = (C2 – C1) + 60C
Sol. When the switch is open, (fig (a)
2C1C 2
q0 
C1  C 2

and when the switch is closed,

q1 = C1 and q2 = C2
 C – C2 
Hence section 1  q1 – q0  C1  1   –24C
 C1  C 2 

 C – C2 
through the section 2  – q2 – (q0 )  C 2  1   –36C
 C1  C 2 
through the section 2 = q2 – (q2 – q1) – 0 = (C2 – C1) = –60 C

[21]
Ex. Find the capacitance of the circuit shown in Fig. between points A and B.

2C1C2  C3 (C1  C 2 ) 2  1 2  1(3) 7

Ans. C total    F
C1  C2  2C3 1 2  2 5

Sol. Taking the advantage of symmetry of the problem charge distribution may be made, as shown in the figure.
In the loop, 12561, – = 0
q2 q2 – q1 q1
or  – 0
C2 C3 C1

q1 C1(C3  C 2 )
or  ......(1)
q2 C2 (C1  C3 )

Now, capacitance of the network,

q1  q2 q1  q2
C0  
VA – VB q2 / C 2  q1 / C1

(1  q1 / q2 )

 1 q 
  1  .....(2)
 C 2 q2 C1 
From eqs.(1) and (2)
2C1C2  C3 (C1  C2 )
C0 
C1  C2  2C3

Ex. A capacitor of capacitance C1 = 1.0 F carrying initially a voltage V = 300 V is connected in parallel with an
uncharged capacitor of capacitance C2 = 2.0 F. Find the loss of the electric energy of this system by the
moment equilibrium is reached. Explain the result obtained.
Ans. W = –1/2 V2C1C2 / (C1 + C2) 0.03 mJ
Sol. Charge contained in the capacitor of capacitance C1 is q = C1 and the energy, stored in it :

q2 1
Ui   C1V 2
2C1 2

Now, when the capacitors are connected in parallel, equivalent capacitance of the system, C = C1 + C2 and
hence, energy stored in the system :

C12 V 2
Uf  , as charge remains conserved during the process.
2(C1  C2 )

So, increment in the energy,

C12 V 2  1 1  – C2 C1V 2
U   –   –0.03 mJ
2 C C C1  2(C1  C 2 )
 1 2

[22]
Ex. What amount of heat will be generated in the circuit shown in Fig. after the switch Sw is shifted from
position 1 to position 2?.

Ans. Q = 2CC0 / (2C + C0)

for C0 = 2C

 2C2C  2 2C 2
Q 
( 2C  2C) 4C

C 2
Q
2
Sol. The charge on the condensers in position 1 are as shown. Here
q q0 q  q0
 
C C0 C  C0

 1 1
and (q  q0 )    
 C  C0 C 
C(C  C0 )
or, q  q0 
C0  2C

C2 CC 0 
hence, q  and q0 
C 0  2C C0  2C
After the switch is thrown to position 2, the charges change as shown in (fig. b). A charge q0 has flown in the
right loop through the two condensers and a charge q0 through the cell, Because of the symmetry of the
problem there is no change in the energy stored in the condensers. Thus.
H (Heat produced) = Energy delivered by the cell

CC0  2
 q  q0  
C 0  2C
Ex. What amount of heat will be generated in the circuit shown in Fig. after the switch Sw is shifted from
position 1 to position 2?

Ans. Q = 1/2C22. It is remarkable that the result obtained is independent of 1.

[23]
Sol. Initially, the charge on the right plate of the capacitor q = C (1 – 2) and finally, when switched to the
position, 2. charge on the same plate of capacitor ;
q' = C1
So, q = q' = C2
Now, from energy conservation,
U + Heat liberated = Acell, where U is the electrical energy.
1 2 1
C1 – C(1 –  2 )2 + Heat liberated = C21
2 2
1 2
Hence heat liberated = C 2
2

Ex. The charge flowing across the cell on closing the key k is equal to

C C
1 2

V
(A) CV (B) CV/2 (C) 2CV (D) Zero
Ans. (B)
Sol. When the key is kept open, the charge drawn from the source is

C
Q = CeqV = V
2
When the key is closed the capacitor 2 gets short circuited
And C’eq = C
 Q’ = CV

C
charge flown through cell Q’ – Q = V
2

Ex. Three uncharged capacitors of capacitance C1, C2 and C3 are connected as shown in figure to one another
and to points A, B and D at potentials A , B and D. Determine the potential 0 at point O.

Sol. Taking into account the relation between the capacitance, voltage and charge of a capacitor, we can write
the following equations for the three capacitors :
q1 q q
VA – V0  , VB – V0  2 , VD – V0  3 ,
C1 C2 C3
where C1, C2 and C3 are the capacitances of the corresponding capacitors, and q1, q2 and q3 are the
charges on their plates. According to the charge conservation law, q1 + q2 + q3 = 0, and hence the potential
of the common point O is :

VA C1  VB C 2  VD C 2
V0 
C1  C2  C3

[24]
The work done upon moving capacitor plates apart
A parallel-plate air capacitor has the plates of area S each. Find the work A’ against the electric forces, done
to increase the distance between the plates from x 1 to x2, if (1) the charge q of the capacitor and (2) its
voltage U are maintained constant. Find the increments of the electric energy of the capacitor in the two
cases.

q2
A '  qE1  ( x 2 – x1 )  ( x 2 – x1 )1
2 0 S

Where E1 is the intensity of the field created by one plate (E = /20). It is in this field that the charge located
on the other plate moves. This work is completely spent for increasing the electric energy : W = A’.
(2) In this case, the force acting on each capacitor plate will depend on the distance between the plates. Let
us write the elementary work of the force acting on a plate during its displacement over a distance dx
relative to the other plate :

 0SU2 dx
A'  qE1dx  ,
2 x2

where we took into account that q = CU, E1 = U/2x, and C = e0S/x

After integration, we obtain

 0 SU2  1 1 
A'   – 0
2 x x 
 1 2 

The increment of the electric energy of the capacitor is

(C 2 – C1 )U2  0SU2  1 1
W    –   0 .
2 2 x
 2 x 1

It should be noted that W = –A’.

Thus, by moving the plates apart, we perform a positive work (against the electric forces). The energy of the
capacitor decreases in this case. In order to understand this, we must consider a source maintaining the
potential difference of the capacitor at a constant value. This source also accomplishes the work A. According
to the law of conservation of energy, As + A' = W, where As = W – A' = –2A' < 0.

DIELECTRICS
In many capacitors there is an insulating material such as paper or plastic between the plates. Such
material, called a dielectric, can be used to maintain a physical separation of the plates. Since dielectrics
break down less readily than air, charge leakage can be minimized, especially when high voltage is applied.
Experimentally it was found that capacitance C increases when the space between the conductors is filled
with dielectrics. To sec how this happens, suppose a capacitor has a capacitance when there is no material
between the plates. When a dielectric material is inserted to completely fill the space between the plates,
the capacitance increases to :
C = KeC0
where Ke is called the dielectric constant. In the Table below, we show some dielectric materials with their
dielectric constant. Experiments indicate that all dielectric materials have Ke > 1. Note that every dielectric
material has a characteristic dielectric strength which is the maximum value of electric field before breakdown
occurs and charges begin to flow.

[25]
 Material Ke Dielectric strength (10 6 V / m )
Air 1.00059 3
Paper 3.7 16
Glass 4–6 9
Water 80 –

The fact that capacitance increases in the presence of a dielectric can be explained from a molecular point
of view. We shall show that Ke is a measure of the dielectric response to an external electric Geld. There are
two types of dielectrics. The first type is polar dielectrics, which are dielectrics that have permanent electric
dipole moments. An example of this type of dielectric is water.

Figure : Orientations of polar molecules when (a) E 0  0 and (b) E 0  0

As depicted in Figure, the orientation of polar molecules is random in the absence of an external field.

When an external electric field E 0 is present, a torque is set up and causes the molecules to align with E 0 .
However, the alignment is not complete due to random thermal motion. The aligned molecules then generate
an electric field that is opposite to the applied field but smaller in magnitude.
The second type of dielectrics is the non-polar dielectrics, which are dielectrics that do not possess permanent
electric dipole moment. Electric dipole moments can be induced by placing the materials in an externally
applied electric field.

Figure : Orientations of non-polar molecules when (a) E 0  0 and (b) E 0  0

Figure illustrates the orientation of non-polar molecules with and without an external field E 0 . The induced

surface charges on the faces produces an electric field EP in the direction opposite to E 0 , leading to

E  E0  EP , with | E |  | E | . Below we show how the induced electric field EP is calculated.

Let us now examine the effects of introducing dielectric material into a system. We shall first assume that
the atoms or molecules comprising the dielectric material have a permanent electric dipole moment. If left
to themselves, these permanent electric dipoles in a dielectric material never line up spontaneously, so that
in the absence of any applied external electric field P  0 due to the random alignment of dipoles, and the

average electric field EP is zero as well. However, when we place the dielectric material in an external field

E0 , the dipoles will experience a torque   p  E 0 , that tends to align the dipole vectors P with E 0 .

[26]
 The effect is a net polarization P parallel to E 0 , and therefore an average electric field of the dipoles EP

anti-parallel to E 0 , i.e., that will tend to reduce the total electric field strength below E 0 . The total electric

field E is the sum of these two fields :

E  E0  EP  E 0 – P /  0

In most cases, the polarization P is not only in the same direction as E 0 , but also linearly proportional to

E 0 (and hence E ). This is reasonable because without the external field E 0 there would be no alignment
of dipoles and no polarization P . We write the linear relation between P and E as:

P   0 Xe E
where Xe is called the electric susceptibility. Materials they obey this relation are linear dielectrics. Combing
Eqs. and gives

E 0  (1  X e )E  K e E
where Ke = (1 + Xe)
is the dielectric constant. The dielectric constant e. is always greater than one since Xe > 0. This implies
E0
E  E0
Ke
Thus, we see that the effect of dielectric materials is always to decrease the electric field below what it
would otherwise be.
In the case of dielectric material where there are no permanent electric dipoles, a similar effect is observed

because the presence of an external field E 0 induces electric dipole moments in the atoms or molecules.

These induced electric dipoles are parallel to E 0 , again leading to a polarization P parallel to E 0 , and a
reduction of the total electric field strength.

Dielectrics without Battery :

As shown in Figure, a battery with a potential difference |DV0| across its terminals is first connected to a
capacitor C0, which holds a charge Q0 = C0|V0|. We then disconnect the battery, leaving Q0 = const.

Figure : Inserting a dielectric material between the capacitor plates while keeping the charge Q0 constant

If we then insert a dielectric between the plates, while keeping the charge constant, experimentally it is
found that the potential difference decreases by a factor of Ke.
| V0 |
| DV | 
Ke
This implies that the capacitance is changed to

Q Q0 Q0
C   Ke  K eC 0
| V | | V0 | / K e | V0 |

[27]
 Thus, we see that the capacitance has increased by a factor of Ke. The electric field within the dielectric is
now

| V | | V0 | / K e 1  | V0 |  E 0
E    
d d Ke  d  Ke

We see that in the presence of a dielectric, the electric field decreases by a factor of Ke.

Dielectrics with Battery :

Consider a second case where a battery supplying a potential difference remains connected as the dielectric
is inserted. Experimentally, it is found (first by Faraday) that the charge on the plates is increased by a
factor Ke.
Q = KeQ0
where Q0 is the charge on the plates in the absence of any dielectric.

Figure : Inserting a dielectric material between the capacitor plates

while maintaining a constant potential difference |V0|
The capacitance becomes
Q K Q
C  e 0  K e C0
| V0 | | V0 |
which is the same as the first case where the charge Q0 is kept constant, but nowthe charge has increased.

Calculation of induced charge on dielectric :

However, we have just seen that the effect of the dielectric is to weaken the original field E0 by a factor Ke.
Therefore,
E0 Q Q – QP
E  
K e K e0 A 0A
from which the induced charge QP. can be obtained as

 1 
QP  Q1 – 

 Ke 

In terms of the surface charge density, we have

 1 
P  1 – 
 K e 

Note that in the limit, Ke = 1, QP = which corresponds to the case of no dielectric material.

Substituting Eq. into Eq. we see that Gauss’s law with dielectric can be rewritten as

Q Q
 E · dA  K e 0



where  = Ke0 is called the dielectric permittivity. Alternatively, we may also write

[28]
Ex. Capacitance with Dielectrics :
A non-conducting slab of thickness t, area A and dielectric constant is inserted into the space between the
plates of a parallel-plate capacitor with spacing d charge Q, and area A, as shown in Figure(a). The slab is
not necessarily halfway between the capacitor plates. What is the capacitance of the system?

A A
+ ++ ++ + ++ ++ ++ + ++ ++ + ++ ++ + ++ +
E0
d Ke t d ED Ke t

A E0 A
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Figure : (a) Capacitor with a dielectric, (b) Electric Geld between the plates
Sol. To find the capacitance C, we first calculate the potential difference V. We have already seen that in the
absence of a dielectric, the electric Geld between the plates is given by E0 = Q/0A and ED = E0/Ke when a
dielectric of dielectric constant Ke is present, as shown in Figure (b). The potential can be found by integrating
the electric Geld along a straight line from the top to the bottom plates :
–
Q Q Q   1 
V  – Ed   – V0 – VD  –E 0 (d – t ) – ED t  –
 (d – t ) – t – d – t 1 – 

A 0 A 0K e A 0   Ke 


where VD = EDt is the potential difference between the two faces of the dielectric. This gives
Q 0A
C 
| V |  1 
d – t1 – 
 K e 
It is useful to check the following limits :
(i) As t  0 i.e., the thickness of the dielectric approaches zero, we have C = e0A/d = C0, which is the
expected result for no dielectric.
(ii) As, Ke  1, we again have C  0A/d = C0, and the situation also correspond to the case where the
dielectric is absent.
(iii) In the limit where t  d, the space is filled with dielectric, we have. C  Ke0A/d = KeC0.

We also comment that the configuration is equivalent to two capacitors connected in series, as shown in
Figure.

A
++ ++ + + + ++ ++ ++
d–t E0
– – – – – – – – – – – – –

++ ++ + + + ++ ++ ++
ED Ke t
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
A

Figure : Equivalent configuration

Using Eq. for capacitors connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is

1 d–t t
 
C  0 A K e0 A

[29]
Capacitor filled with two different dielectrics
Two dielectric with dielectric constant k1 and k2 each fill half the space between the plates of a parallel-plate
capacitor as shown in figure.

k2

Capacitor filled with two different dielectrics

Each plate has an area A and the plates are separated by a distance d. Compute the capacitance of the
system.
Sol. Since the potential difference on each half of the capacitor is the same, we may treat the system as being
composed of two capacitors connected in parallel. Thus, the capacitance of the system is
C = C1 + C2
k i  0 ( A / 2)
with Ci  , i  1, 2
d
k 1 0 ( A / 2) k 2  0 ( A / 2)  0 A
we obtain C   (k 1  k 2 )
d d 2d

Ex. A parallel plate capacitor has two layers of dielectrics as shown in figure. This capacitor is connected across
a battery, then the ratio of potential difference across the dielectric layers is :

K1=2 K2=6

d 2d
(A) 4/3 (B) 1/2 (C) 1/3 (D) 3/2
Ans. (D)
Capacitance (for k = 2)

0 kA
C1 =
d

0 A
C1 = 2C Where C =
d

Capacitance (for k = 6)

60 A
C2 =
2d

C2 = 3C
Therefore ratio of potential difference across the dielectric layer is = 3/2

[30]
Ex. A capacitor stores 10C charge when connected across a battery. When the gap between the plates is filled
with a dielectric, a charge of 20C flows through the battery. Find the dielectric constant of the dielectric.
(A) k = 2 (B) k = 4 (C) k = 3 (D) k = 1
Ans. (C)
Sol. In absence of dielectric
Q = CV = 10C .....(1)
With dielectric
Q’ = kCV = 30C .....(2)
From (1) and (2)
k=3
Ex. The capacitance of an filled parallel plate capacitor is 20F. The separation between the plates is doubled
and the space between the plates is then fillded with was giving the capacitance a new value of 40×10–12
farads. The dielectric constant of wax is
(A) 12.0 (B) 10.0 (C) 8.0 (D) 4.2
Ans. (C)
0 A K A
Sol. 10 × 10–12 = .40  10–12  0
d 2d
 K=8
Ex. Capacitor with dielectrics
Consider a conducting spherical shell with an inner radius a and outer radius c. Let the space between two
surfaces be filed with two different dielectric materials so that the dielectric constant is k1 between a and b,
and k2 between b and c, as shown in Figure. Determine the capacitance of this system.

k2
a
b +Q –Q

Spherical capacitor filled with dielectric

Solution
The system can be treated as two capacitors connected in series, since the total potential difference
across the capacitors is the sum of potential differences across individual capacitors. The equivalent
capacitance for a spherical capacitor of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 filled with dielectric with dielectric
constant k is given by

 rr 
C   0k e  1 2 
 r2 – r1 
Thus, the equivalent capacitance of this system is
1 1
1 4 0k1ab 4 0k 2bc k 2 c(b – a)  k 1a(c – b)
  
C (b – a) (c – b ) 4 0k 1k 2 abc

4 0 k1k 2 abc

or C
k 2 c(b – a)  k 1a(c – b)
It is instructive to check the limit where k1, k2  1. In this case, the above expression reduces to
4 0 abc 4 0abc 4 0 ac
C  
c(b – a)  a(c – b) b(c – a) (c – a )

Q  ab 
which agrees with Eq. C   4 0   for a spherical capacitor of inner radius a and outer radius c.
| V | b –a

[31]
Ex. A spherical condenser has 10cm and 12cm as the radii of inner and outer spheres. The space between the
two is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant 3. Find the capacity when the outer sphere is earthed.
q2
q1 R

(A) 4 × 10–10F (B) 1 × 10–10F (C) 2 × 10–10F (D) 6 × 10–10F

Ans. (C)

 ab  3 0.1 0.12
Sol. C = 4k0    9
 = 2 × 10–10 F
 b – a  9  10 0.12 – 0.1

Ex. A spherical condenser has 10 cm and 12 cm as the radii of inner and outer spheres. The space between the
two is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant 3. Find the capacity when the inner sphere is earthed.
q2
q1 R

15 32 32 32
(A) × 10–10 F (B) × 10+10 F (C) × 10–9 F (D) × 10–10 F
32 15 15 15

Ans. (D)
Sol. By choice of reference potential at infinity and the potential of earthed conductor zero, the given system can
be visualised as combination of two spherical capacitors, both being at same potential difference. Connec-
tion wise these may be considered to be in parallel connection.

 ab  32
 C = 40b + 4k0   = × 10–10 F
 b – a  15

Capacitor Connected to a Spring

Consider an air-filled parallel-plate capacitor with one plate connected to a spring having a force constant k,
and another plate held fixed. The system rests on a table top as shown in Figure

a b
Capacitor connected to a spring
If the charges placed on plates a and b are +Q and –Q, respectively, how much does the spring expand?

Sol. The spring force F5 acting on plate a is given by

F5  –kx î

Similarly, the electrostatic force F e due to the electric field created by plate b is

[32]
    Q2
F e  QE î  Q  î 
 î
 2 0  2 A 0

where A is the area of the plate. Notice that charges on plate a cannot exert a force on itself, as required by
Newton’s third law. Thus, only the electric field due to plate b is considered. At equilibrium the two forces
cancel and we have

 Q 
kx  Q 

 2 A 0 

which gives

Q2
x
2kA 0

Problem :
1. The charges on the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are of opposite sign, and they attract each other. To
increase the plate separation, is the external work done positive or negative? What happens to the external
work done in this process?
2. How does the stored energy change if the potential difference across a capacitor is tripled?
3. Does the presence of a dielectric increase or decrease the maximum operating voltage of a capacitor?
Explain.
4. If a dielectric-filled capacitor is cooled down, what happens to its capacitance?
Additional Problems
C1 C2
Capacitors in Series and in Parallel
A12-Volt battery charges the four capacitors shown in figure.
S
Let C1 = F, C2 = 2F, C3 = F, and C4 = 4F.
(a) What is the equivalent capacitance of the group C1 and C2 C3 C4
if switch S is open (as shown)?
(b) What is the charge on each of the four capacitors if switch S is open? + –

(c) What is the charge on each of the four capacitors if switch S is closed?

Capacitors and Dielectrics

(a) A parallel-plate capacitor of area A and spacing d is filled with three dielectrics as shown in Figure. Each
occupies 1/3 of the volume. What is the capacitance of this system? [Hint : Consider an equivalent system
to be three parallel capacitors, and justify this assumption.] Show that you obtain the proper limits as the
dielectric constants approach unity k1  1]

(b) This capacitor is now filled as shown in Figure. What is its capacitance? Use Gauss’s law to find the field
in each dielectric, and then calculate V across the entire capacitor. Again, check your answer as the
dielectric constants approach unity, k1  1. Could you have assumed that this system is equivalent to
three capacitors in series?

[33]
A Capacitor with a Dielectric
A parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance of 112 pF, a plate area of 96.5 cm 2, and a mica dielectric
(ke = 5.40). At a 55 V potential difference, calculate
(a) The electric field strength in a the mica. [Ans. 13.4 kV/m]
(b) The magnitude of the free charge on the plates. [Ans. 6.16 nC]
(c) The magnitude of the induced surface charge. [Ans. 5.02 nC]

Energy Density in a Capacitor with a Dielectric

Consider the case in which a dielectric material with dielectric constant ke completely fills the space
between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor.
(a) Given the electric field and potential of such a capacitor with free charge q on it (problem 4-1 a above),
calculate the work done to charge up the capacitor from q = 0 to, the final charge, q = Q, the final charge.
(b) Find the energy density uE.

Ex. Two parallel-plate air capacitors, each of capacitance C, were connected in series to a battery with emf .
Then one of the capacitors was filled up with slab of dielectric constant k.
(a) What amount of charge flows through the battery?

 Eafter 
(b) Find the factor by which electric field in each capacitor charges during the process.  i.e. E 

 before 
Ans. The strength decreased 1 /2 ( + 1) times;
(a) q = 1/2C( – 1)/(+ 1)
Sol. From the symmetry of the problem, the voltage across each capacitor, V = /2 and charge on each
capacitor q = C/2 in the absence of dielectric.
Now when the dielectric is filled up in one of the capacitors, the equivalent capacitance of the system,
C
C '0 
1 
and the potential difference across the capacitor, which is filled dielectric,
q' C  
V '   
C (1  ) C (1   )
but VE

1
So, as  decreases (1 + ) times, the field strength also decreases by the same factor and flow of charge,
2
q = q' – q
C C 1 ( – 1)
  –   C
(1   ) 2 2 (  1)

Ex. Find the capacitance of a spherical capacitor whose conductors have radii R1 and R2 > R1 which is filled
with material whose dielectric constant varies as k = a/r, where a is a constant, and r is the distance from
the centre of the capacitor.
Ans. C = 40a / n(R2 / R1)
Sol. Let, us mentally impart a charge q to the conductor. Now potential difference between the plates,
R2 R2
q 1 q
V – V–  E · dr
R1
  4 a / r r
R1 0
2
dr 
4 0 a
ln R 2 / R1

Hence, the sought capacitance,

q q4 0 a 4 0 a
C  
V – V– q lnR 2 / R1 ln R 2 / R1

[34]
Ex. Between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor there is a metallic plate whose thickness takes up  = 0.60
of the capacitor gap. When that plate is absent the capacitor has a capacity C = 20 F. The capacitor is
connected to a dc voltage source V = 100 V. The metallic plate is slowly extracted from the gap. Find: (a)
the change in the energy of the capacitor; (b) the mechanical work performed in the process of plate
extraction.
Ans. (a) W = –1/2CV2  / (1 – ) = –0.15 mJ ; (b) A = 1/2 CV2 / (1 – ) = 0.15 mJ
Sol. When the plate is absent the capacity of the condenser is
0S
C
d
 0S C
When it is present, the capacity is C'  
d(1 – ) 1 – 

1 1 C
(a) The energy increment is clearly, U  CV 2 – C' V 2  V2
2 2 2(1 – )

CV
(b) The charge on the plate is qi  initially and qf = CV finally..
1– 

CV CV 2 
A charge has flown thmugh me battery charging it and with drawing units of energy from the
1–  1– 

system into the battery. The energy of the capacitor has decreased by just half of this. The remaining half

1 CV 2 
i.e. must be the work done by the external agent in withdrawing the plate. This ensures conservation
2 1– 

of energy.

Ex. A parallel-plate air capacitor has a plate area of 100cm3 and separation 5mm. A potential difference of 300V
is established between its plates by a battery. After disconnecting a battery, the space between the plates is
filled by ebonite (K = 2.6). Find out initial and final surface-density of charge on the plates.
(A) 5.31 × 10+7 Cm/m2 (B) 6.31 × 10–7 C/m2
(C) 5.31 × 10–7 C/m2 (D) 9.31 × 10–7 C/m2
Ans. (C)
Sol. Capacity of the parallel plate air capacitor

0 A 8.86  10–12  100  10 –4

=  = 1.77 × 10–111F
d 5  10–3

Final capacity of the capacitor with dielectric between the plates is

C’ = KC = 2.6 × 1.77 × 10–11, C’ = 4.6 × 10–11F
Initial charge on the capacitor 1.77 × 10–11 × 300 = 5.31 × 10–9C
Since, the battery has been disconnected, the charge remains the same, therefore the new potential differ-
ence is

q 5.31 10 –9
V’ =  = 115V
C ' 4.6  10 –11

The surface density of charge remains the same in both the cases, i.e.,

q 5.31 10 –9
=  = 5.31 × 10–7 C/m2
A 100  10–4

[35]
Ex. A glass plate totally fills up the gap between the electrodes of a parallel-plate capacitor whose capacitance
‘ in the absence of that glass plate is equal to C = 20 F. The capacitor is connected to a dc voltage source
V = 100 V. The plate is slowly, and without friction, extracted from the gap. Find the change in energy of
capacitor and the mechanical work performed in the process of plate extraction.
Ans. W = –1/2( – 1)CV2 = –0.5mJ, Amech = 1/2( – 1)CV2 = 0.5 mJ
Sol. Initially, capacitance of the system = C.
1
So, initial energy of the system : Ui  (C)V 2
2
1
and finally, energy of the capacitor : Uf  CV 2
2

1 1 1
Hence capacitance energy increment, U  CV 2 – (C )V 2  CV 2 ( – 1)  –0.5 mJ
2 2 2
From energy conservation U = Acell + Aagent
(as there is no heat liberation)
But Acell = (Cf – Ci) V2 = (C – C)V2

1
Hence Aagent = U – Acell = C(1 – )V 2  0.5 mJ
2

Ex. In a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C, a metal sheet is inserted between the plates, parallel to them.
The thickness of the sheet is half of the separation between the plates. The capacitance now becomes.
(A) 4C (B) 2C (C) C/2 (D) C/4
Ans. (B)
Sol. Before the metal sheet is inserted, C = 0A/d
After the sheet is inserted, the system is equivalent to two capacitor in series, each of capacitance C’ =

0 A
= 4C
d/ 4

The equivalent capacity is now 2C.

Ex. The work of an e.m.f. source :

A glass plate completely fills the gap between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor whose capacitance is
equal to C0 when the plate is absent. The capacitor is connected to a source of permanent voltage U. Find
the mechanical work which must be done against electric forces for extracting the plate out of the capacitor.
Sol. According to the law of conservation of energy, we can write
Am + As = w,
where Am is the mechanical work accomplished by extraneous forces against electric forces, As is the work
of the voltage source in this process, and W is the corresponding increment in the energy of the capacitor
(we assume that contributions of other forms of energy to the change in the energy of the system is
negligibly small).
Let us find W and As. It follows from the formula W = Cu2/2 = qU/2 for the energy of a capacitor that for
U = const.
W = C U2 / 2 = q U/2
Since the capacitance of the capacitor decreases upon the removal of the plate (C < 0), the charge of the
capacitor also decreases (q < 0). This means that the charge has passed through the source against the
direction of the action of extraneous forces, and the source has done negative work.
As = q  U

[36]
 Comparing formulas (3) and (2), we obtain
As = 2W
Substitution of this expression into (1) gives
1
Am = –W or Am = ( – 1)C0U2.
2
Thus, extracting the plate out of the capacitor, we (extraneous forces) do a positive work (against electric
forces). The e.m.f. source in this case accomplishes a negative work, and the energy of the capacitor
decreases :
Am > 0, As < 0, W < 0

Energy method for calculating forces.

This method is the most general. It allows us to take into account automatically all force interactions (both
electric and mechanical) ignoring their origin, and hence leads to a correct result.
Let us consider the essence of the energy method for calculating forces. The simplest case corresponds to
a situation when charged conductors are disconnected from the power supply. In this case, the charges on
the conductors remain uncharged, and we may state that the work A of all internal forces of the system
upon slow displacements of the conductors and dielectrics is done completely at the expense of a decrease
in the electric energy W of the system (or its field). Here we assume that these displacements do not cause
the transformation of electric energy into other kinds of energy. To be more precise, it is assumed that such
transformations are negligibly small. Thus, for infinitesimal displacements we can write
A = –W|q,
where the symbol q emphasizes that the decrease in the energy of the system must be calculated when
charges on the conductors are constant.
Equation A = –dWlq, is the initial equation for determining the forces acting on conductors and dielectrics
in the electric field. This can be done as follows. Suppose that we are interested in the force acting on a
given body (a conductor or a dielectric). Let us displace this body by an infinitesimal distance dx in the
direction X we are interested in. Then the work of the required force F over the distance dx is A = Fxdx,
where Fx is the projection of the force F onto the positive direction of the X-axis. Substituting this expression
for A into A = –dW|q, and dividing both parts of A = –dW|q, by dx, we obtain.
W
Fx  –
x q

We must pay attention to the following circumstance. It is well known that the force depends only on the
position of bodies and on the distribution of charges at a given instant. It cannot depend on how the energy
process will develop if the system starts to move under the action of forces. And this means that in order to

W
calculate Fx by formula Fx  – , we do not have to select condition under which all the charges of the
x q

conductor are necessarily constant (q = const). We must simply find the increment dW under the condition
that q = const, which is a purely mathematical operation.
It should be noted that if a displacement is performed at constant potential on the conductors, the
corresponding calculation leads to another expression for the force : Fx = +W / x|. However (and it is

W
important) the result of the calculation of Fx with the help of this formula or Fx  – is the same, as
x q

should be expected. Therefore, henceforth we shall confine ourselves to the application of only formula
W
Fx  – and will use it for any conditions, including those where q  const upon small displacement.
x q
We must not be confused; the derivative W / x will be calculated at q = const in such cases as well.

[37]
Ex. Find the force acting on one of the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor in a liquid dielectric, if the distance
between the plates is h, the capacitance of the capacitor under given conditions is C and the voltage U is
maintained across its plates.
In this case, if we mentally moves the plates apart, the voltage U remains constant, while the charge q of
the capacitor changes (this follows from the relation C = q/U). In spite of this, we shall calculate the force

W
under the assumption that q = const, i.e. with the help of formula Fx  – . Hence the most convenient
x q
X
expression for the energy of the capacitor is
x + dx
q2 q2 –q
W  x, x
2C 2 0 S
+q  F
0
where c is the permittivity of the dielectric, S is the area of each plate, and x is the distance between them

W
(x = h). Next, let us choose the positive direction of the X-axis as is shown in fig. According to Fx  –
x q

the force acting on the upper plate of the capacitor is

W q2
Fx  – –
x q 2 0 S

The minus sign in this formula indicates that vector F is directed towards the negative values on the X-axis,
i.e. the force is attractive by nature. Considering that q = S = DS = 0ES and E = U/h, we transform (1) to
Fx = –CU2 / 2h

Ex. Find the work that must be done against the electric forces in order to remove a dielectric plate of dielectric
constant k from a parallel-plate charged capacitor. It is assumed that the charge q of the capacitor remains
unchanged and that the dielectric fills the entire space between the capacitor plates. The capacitance of
the capacitor in the absence of the dielectric is C.
The work against the electric forces in this system is equal to the increment of the electric energy of the
system :
A = W = W 2 – W 1,
where W 1 is the energy of the field between the capacitor plates in the presence of the dielectric and W 2 is
the same quantity in the absence of the dielectric.

q2  1
A  W2 – W1  1 – 
2C  k 
RC Circuts Charging of Capacitor
Consider the circuit shown below. The capacitor is connected to a DC voltage source of emf E. At time
t = 0, the switch S is closed. The capacitor initially is uncharged, q (t – 0) = 0.

R I R

S –q S
C C
+q
 
+ – + –
(a) RC circuit diagram for t < 0. (b) Circuit diagram for t > 0

[38]
In particular for t < 0, there is no voltage across the capacitor so the capacitor acts like a short circuit.
At t = 0, the switch is closed and current begins to flow according to


e 
R
At this instant, the potential difference from the battery terminals is the same as that across the resistor.
This initiates the charging of the capacitor. As the capacitor starts to charge, the voltage across the capacitor

q(r )
increases in time Vc ( t ) 
C

travel direction travel direction

lower V –q +q higher V higher V +q –q lower V

a b a b
V = Vb – Va = +q/C V = Vb – Va = –q/C

Using Kirchhoff's loop rule shown in for capacitors and traversing the loop clockwise, we obtain

dq q
0 =  – I(t) R – Vc(t)   – R–
dt C

where we have substituted I = +dq /dt for the current. Since /must be the same in all parts of the series
circuit, the current across the resistance is equal to the rate of increase of charge on the capacitor plates.
The current flow in the circuit will continue to decrease because the charge already present on the capacitor
makes it harder to put more charge on the capacitor. Once the charge on the capacitor plates reaches its
maximum value Q, the current in the circuit will drop to zero. This is evident by rewriting the loop law as
I(t)R =  – VC(t)
Thus, the charging capacitor satisfies a first order differential equation that relates the rate of change of
charge to the charge on the capacitor :

dq 1  q
 s – 
dt R  C

This equation can be solved by the method of separation of variables. The first step is to separate terms
involving charge and time, (this means putting terms involving dq and q on one side of the equality sign and
terms involving on the other side),

dq 1 dq 1
 dt  – dt
 q R q – C RC
  – 
 C

Now we can integrate both sides of the above equation,

q t
dq' 1

0
q'– C
–
RC 
dt'
0

 q – Cs  1
which yields ln –
 – Cs  RC

This can now be exponentiated using the fact that exp(lnx) = x to yield
q(t) = Cs(1 – e–t/RC) = Q (1 – e–t/RC)

[39]
where Q = C is the maximum amount of charge stored on the plates. The time dependence of is plotted in
figure below :
q
C
–1
C(1 – e ) = RC

 t

Charge as a function of time during the charging process

Once we know the charge on the capacitor we also can determine the voltage across the capacitor,

q( t )
VC ( t )   (1 – e – t / RC )
C

The graph of voltage as a function of time has the same form as figure. From the figure, we see that after a
sufficiently long time the charge on the capacitor approaches the value.
q(1 – ) = C = Q
At that time, the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the applied voltage source and the charging
process effectively ends,

q( t   ) Q
VC   
CQ C

The current that flows in the circuit is equal to the derivative in time of the charge,

dq    – t / RC
( t )    e   0 e – t / RC
dt  R 

The coefficient in front of the exponential is equal to the initial current that flows in the circuit when the
switch was closed at t = 0. The graph of current as a function of time is shown in figure below :

I

I0 =
R

I0Ie
 t

Current as a function of time during the charging process

The current in the charging circuit decreases exponentially in time, I(t) = I0e–t / RC. This function is often
written as I(t) = I0e–t /  where  = RC is called the time constant. The SI units of are seconds, as can be
seen from the dimensional analysis :
[] [F] = ([V] / [A]) ([C] / [V]) = [C] / [A] = [C] / ([C] / [s]) = [s]
The time constant  is a measure of the decay time for the exponential function. This decay rate satisfies
the following property :
I(t + ) = (t)e–1
which shows that after one time constant has elapsed, the current falls offby a factor of, as indicated in
figure above. Similarly, the voltage across the capacitor (Figure below) can also be expressed in terms of
the time constant .
VC(t) = (1 – e–t/)

[40]
 VC

–1
(1 – e ) = RC

 t

Voltage across capacitor as a function of time during the charging process

Notice that initially at time, t = 0, VC(t = 0) = 0. After one time constant  has elapsed, the potential
difference across the capacitor plates has increased by a factor (1 – e–1) = 632 of its final value :
VC() = (1 – e–1) = 0.632 s

Discharging a Capacitor
Suppose initially the capacitor has been charged to some value Q. For t < 0, the switch is open and the
potential difference across the capacitor is given by VC = Q/C. On the other hand, the potential difference
across the resistor is zero because there is no current flow, that is, I = 0. Now suppose at t = 0 the switch
is closed (Figure). The capacitor will begin to discharge.

R R

–Q S –q S I
C C
+Q +q

t<C t>C
Discharging the RC circuit
The charged capacitor is now acting like a voltage source to drive current around the circuit. When the
capacitor discharges (electrons flow from the negative plate through the wire to the positive plate), the
voltage across the capacitor decreases. The capacitor is losing strength as a voltage source. Applying the
Kirchhoff's loop rule by traversing the loop counterclockwise, the equation that describes the discharging
process is given by

q
– R  0
C

The current that flows away from the positive plate is proportional to the charge on the plate,

dq
–
dt

The negative sign in the equation is an indication that the rate of change of the charge is proportional to the
negative of the charge on the capacitor. This is due to the fact that the charge on the positive plate is
decreasing as more positive charges leave the positive plate. Thus, charge satisfies a first order differential
equation :

q dq
R 0
C dt

This equation can also be integrated by the method of separation of variables

dq 1
– dt
q RC

which yields
[41]
 a t
dq' 1 q 1

Q
q'
–
RC 
dt '  ln   –
0
C RC

or q(t) = Qe–t / RC
The voltage across the capacitor is then

q( t )  Q  – t / RC
VC ( t )    e
C C

A graph of voltage across the capacitor vs. time for the discharging capacitor is shown in figure.

VC
V0 = Q/C

V0Ie
 t

Voltage across the capacitor as a function of time for discharging capacitor

The current also exponentially decays in the circuit as can be seen by differentiating the charge on the
capacitor

dq  Q  – t / RC
  e
dt  RC 

A graph of the current flowing in the circuit as a function of time also has the same form as the voltage graph
depicted in figure.

I
I0 = Q/RC

I0/Ie
 t

Current as a function of time for discharging capacitor.

Illustraction :
In the circuit in figure, suppose the switch has been open for a very long time. At time t=0, it is suddenly
closed.

R1

 S C

R2

(a) What is the time constant before the switch is closed?

(b) What is the time constant after the switch is closed?
(c) Find the current through the switch as a function of time after the switch is closed.

[42]
Sol. (a) Before the switch is closed, the two resistors R1 and R2 are in series with the capacitor. Since the
equivalent resistance is Req = R1 + R2, the time constant is given by
 = ReqC = (R1 + R2)C
The amount of charge stored in the capacitor is
q(t) = C(1 – e–t/)
(b) After the switch is closed, the closed loop on the right becomes a decaying RC circuit with time
constant t' = R2C. Charge begins to decay according to
q'(t) = Ce–t /'
(c) The current passing through the switch consists of two sources: the steady current I1 from the left
circuit, and the decaying current I2 from the RC circuit. The currents are given by


1 
R1

dq'  C  – t / '    – t / R 2C
' ( t )   – e  –  e

dt  '   R2 

The negative sign in I'(t) indicates that the direction of flow is opposite of the charging process. Thus, since
both I1 and I' move downward across the switch, the total current is

    – t / R 2C
( t )  1  ' ( t )   e
R1  R 2 
Does the resistor in an RC circuit affect the maximum amount of charge that can be stored in a capacitor?
Explain.
Problem
Consider the circuit shown in figure. Let  = 40 V. R1 = 8.0. R2 = 6.0. R2 = 4.0 and C = 4.0F. The
capacitor is initially uncharged.
R1

R3
 R2
S C

At t = 0, the which is closed.

(a) Find the current through each resistor immediately after the switch is closed.
(b) Find the final charge on the capacitor.

Ex. In the circuit shown in Fig. the sources have emf's 1 = 1.0V and 2 = 2.5 V the resistances have the values
R1 = 10 and R2 = 20. The internal resistances of the sources are negligible. Find a potential difference
between the plates A and B of the capacitor C.

1 R1

1 C
A B
2
R1

Ans. VA – VB = (1 – 2) R1 / (R1 + R2) = –0.5 V

[43]
Sol. As the capacitor is fully charged, no current flows through it. So, current
 2 – 1
i (as 2 > 1)
R1  R 2
And hence, VA – VB = 1 – 2 + iR2

 2 – 1
 1 –  2  R2
R1  R 2

(1 –  2 )R1
  –0.5 V
R1  R 2

Ex. Find a potential difference between the plates of a capacitor C in the circuit shown in Fig. if the sources have
emf's 1 = 4.0 V and 2 = 1.0 V and the resistances are equal to R1 = 10, R2 = 20, and R3 = 30. The
internal resistances of the sources are negligible.

Ans. A – B = [2R3 (R1 + R2) – 1R1(R2 + R3) / (R1R2 + R2R3 + R3R1) = –1.0 V
Sol. Indicate the currents in all the branches using charge conservation as shown in the figure. Applying the loop
rule (–V = 0) in the loops 12341 and 15781, we get
–1 + i3R1 – (i1 – i3)R2 = 0 .....(1)
and (i2 – i3)R2 – 2 + i1R3 = 0 .....(2)
Solving eqs. (1) and (2), we get

1(R 2  R 3 )   2R 2
i3 
R1R 2  R 2  R 3  R 3R1

Hence, the sought p.d.

VA – VB = 2 – i3R1

 2R 3 (R1  R 2 ) – 1(R 2  R 3 )
  –1V
R1R 2  R 2  R 3  R 3R1

Ex. Find how the voltage across the capacitor C varies with time t (Fig.) after the shorting of the switch Sw at the
moment t = 0.

Ans. V = 1/2(1 – e–2t / RC)

[44]
Sol. Let, at any moment of time, charge on the plates be +q and –q respectively, then voltage across the
capacitor,  = q/C ....(1)
Now, from charge conservation,

dq
i + i1 + i2 where i2 = ....(2)
dt

In the loop 65146, using – = 0

q  dq 
  i1  R –   0 .....(3)
C  dt 

(using (1) and (2))

In the loop 25632, using –V = 0

q q
–  i1R  0 or, i1R  .....(4)
C C

From (1) and (2)

dq dt
dq 2q 
R  1 – or  – 2q R ....(5)
dt C C
On integrating the expression (5) between suitable limits,
2q
q t – q 1
dq 1 C C  t . Thus,  V  (1 – e – 2t / RC )
0 –

2q R
0

dt or – ln
2  R C 2
C
Ex. A capacitor of capacitance C = 5.00 F is connected to a source of constant emf  = 200 V (Fig.). Then the
switch Sw was thrown over from contact 1 to contact 2. Find the amount of heat generated in a resistance
R1 = 500 if R2 = 330.

Ans. Q = 1/2C2R1/(R1 + R2) = 60 mJ

Sol. When switch 1 is closed, maximum charge accumulated on the capacitor, qmax = C ......(1)
and when switch 2 is closed, at any arbitrary instant of time,

 dq  q
(R1  R 2 ) – 
 dt  C

because capacitor is discharging,

q t
1 1
or
qmax
 q
dq  –
(R1  R 2 )
dt
0

Integrating, we get
–t
q –t
ln  or, q  qmax e (R1 R 2 )C
qmax (R1  R 2 )
[45]
 Differentiating with respect to time,
–t
dq  1 
i( t )   qmax e (R1 R 2 )C  – 
dt  (R1  R 2 )C 
–t
C
or i(t )  e (R1 R2 )C
(R1  R 2 )C
Negative sign is ignored, as we are not interested in the direction of the current.

–t

thus, i( t )  e (R1 R 2 )C ......(3)
(R1  R 2 )

When the switch (Sw) is at the position 1, the charge (maximum) accumulated on the capacitor is,
q = C
When the Sw is thrown to position 2, the capacitor starts discharging and as a result the electric energy
stored in the capacitor totally turns into heat energy tho’ the resistors R1 and R2 (during a very long interval
of time). Thus from the energy conservation, the total heat liberated tho* the resistors.

q2 1
H  Ui   C 2
2C 2

During the process of discharging of the capacitor, the current tho’ the resistors R1 and R2 is the same at all
the moments of time, thus
H1  R1 and H2  R2

HR1
So, H1  (as H = H1 + H2)
(R1  R 2 )

1 CR1 2
Hence H1  2 R  R 
1 2

Ex. In a circuit shown in Fig. the capacitance of each capacitor is equal to C and the resistance, to R. One of
the capacitors was connected to a voltage V0 and then at the moment t = 0 was shorted by means of the
switch Sw. Find :

(a) a current I in the circuit as a function of time t;

(b) the amount of generated heat provided a dependence I (t) is known.
Ans. (a) I = (V0/R)e–2t/RC ; (b) Q = 1/4 CV02

dq
Sol. Let, at any moment of time, charge flown be q then current i =
dt

Applying loop rule in the circuit, –V = 0, we get :

dq (CV0 – q) q
R –  0
dt C C

[46]
 dq 1
or,  dt
CV0 – 2q RC

CV0 – 2q 1
So, ln  –2 for 0  t  t
CV0 RC

 –2 t 
CV0 1 – e RC 
or, q
2  
 

dq CV0 2 – 2t / RC V0 – 2 t / RC
Hence, i   e  e
dt 2 RC R
Now, heat liberated,
  –4 t
V02 1
Q  t 2Rdt 
 R e RC dt 
 CV02
0
R2 0
4

Problem
Determine the current through the battery in the circuit shown in figure.

(i) immediately after the key K is closed and

(ii) in a long time interval, assuming that the parameters of the circuit are known.

Problem
A circuit consists of a current source of emf  and internal resistance r, capacitors of capacitance C1 and C2,
and resistors of rsistance R1 and R2.

Determine the voltages U1 and U2 across each capacitor.

Problem
A capacitor of capacitance C1 is discharged through a resistor of resistance R. When the discharge current
attains the value I0, the key K is opened (Figure).

Determine the amount of heat Q liberated in the resistor starting from this moment.

[47]
Ex. Transient processes : A circuit consists of a permanent source of e.m.f. E, and a resistor R and capacitor
C connected in series. The internal resistance of the source is negligibly small. At the moment t = 0, the
capacitance of the capacitor was abruptly (jump-wise) decreased by a factor of . Find the current in the
circuit as a function of time.
Sol. We write Ohm’s law for the inhomogeneous part 1R2 of the circuit (figure).
RI = V1 – V2 –  = U – 
Considering that U = q/C', where C' = C/, we obtain
RI = q/C – 
We differentiate this equation with respect to time,
considering that in our case (q-decreases) dq/dt = –I :

d  d 
R  – ,  – dt
dt C  RC

Integration of this equation gives

 t
In – , I = I0e–t / RC,
0 RC

Where I0 is determined by condition (1). Indeed, we can write

RI0 = q0 / C – ,
where q0 = C is the charge of the capacitor before its capacitance before its capacitance has changed.
Therefore,
I0 = ( – 1)/R

[48]
 EXERCISE-I
ONLY ONE OPTION IS CORRECT
Take approx. 2 minutes for answering each question.
1. If charge on left plane of the 5F capacitor in the circuit segment shown in
the figure is –20C, the charge on the right plate of 3F capacitor is
(A) +8.57 C (B) –8.57 C
(C) +11.42 C (D) –11.42 C

2. In the circuit shown, the energy stored in 1F capacitor is

(A) 40 J (B) 64 J
(C) 32 J (D) none

3. In the circuit shown, a potential difference of 60V is applied across AB. The
potential difference between the point M and N is
(A) 10 V (B) 15 V
(C) 20 V (D) 30 V

4. The plates S and T of an uncharged parallel plate capacitor are connected across a battery. The battery is
then disconnected and the charged plates are now connected in a system as shown in the figure. The
system shown is in equilibrium. All the strings are insulating and massless. The magnitude of charge on
one of the capacitor plates is: [Area of plates = A]

4mgA 0
(A) 2mgA 0 (B)
k

2mgA 0
(C) mgA 0 (D)
k
5. From a supply of identical capacitors rated 8 F, 250 V, the minimum number of capacitors required to form
a composite 16 F, 1000 V is :
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 16 (D) 32

6. Two capacitor having capacitances 8 F and 16 F have breaking voltages 20 V and 80 V. They are
combined in series. The maximum charge they can store individually in the combination is
(A) 160 C (B) 200 C (C) 1280 C (D) none of these

7. What is the equivalent capacitance of the system of capacitors between

A&B
7
(A) C (B) 1.6 C
6
(C) C (D) None

8. A capacitor of capacitance C is initially charged to a potential difference of V volt. Now it is connected to a

battery of 2V Volt with opposite polarity. The ratio of heat generated to the final energy stored in the
capacitor will be
(A) 1.75 (B) 2.25 (C) 2.5 (D) 1/2

[49]
9. Find the equivalent capacitance across A & B
28 15
(A) f (B) F
3 2
(C) 15 F (D) none

10. A parallel plate capacitor has an electric field of 105V/m between the plates. If the charge on the capacitor
plate is 1C, then the force on each capacitor plate is
(A) 0.1 Nt (B) 0.05 Nt (C) 0.02 Nt (D) 0.01 Nt

11. A capacitor is connected to a battery. The force of attraction between the plates when the separation
between them is halved
(A) remains the same (B) becomes eight times
(C) becomes four times (D) becomes two times

12. A parallel plate capacitor has two layers of dielectric as shown in figure.
This capacitor is connected across a battery. The graph which shows
the variation of electric field (E) and distance (x) from left plate.

(A) (B) (C) (D)

13. A capacitor stores 60C charge when connected across a battery. When the gap between the plates is
filled with a dielectric , a charge of 120C flows through the battery. The dielectric constant of the material
inserted is :
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) none

14. A capacitor C = 100 F is connected to three resistor each of resistance

1 k and a battery of emf 9V. The switch S has been closed for long time
so as to charge the capacitor. When switch S is opened, the capacitor
discharges with time constant
(A) 33 ms (B) 5 ms
(C) 3.3 ms (D) 50 ms

15. In the circuit shown, when the key k is pressed at time t = 0, which of the following statements about
current I in the resistor AB is true
(A) I = 2mA at all t
(B) I oscillates between 1 mA and 2mA
(C) I = 1 mA at all t
(D) At t = 0, I = 2mA and with time it goes to 1 mA

16. In the circuit shown, the cell is ideal, with emf = 15 V. Each resistance is
of 3. The potential difference across the capacitor is
(A) zero
(B) 9 V
(C) 12 V
(D) 15 V

17. Two capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series, assume that C1 < C2. The equivalent capacitance of this
arrangement is C, where
(A) C < C1/2 (B) C1/2 < C < C1 (C) C1 < C < C2 (D) C2 < C < 2C2

[50]
 EXERCISE-II
1. In the given network if potential difference between p and q is 2V and
C2 = 3C1. Then find the potential difference between a & b.

2. Find the equivalent capacitance of the circuit

between point A and B.

3. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor are given charges +4Q and –2Q. The capacitor is then connected
across an uncharged capacitor of same capacitance as first one (= C). Find the final potential difference
between the plates of the first capacitor.

4. Find the ratio between the energy stored in 5 F capacitor to the 4 F

capacitor in the given circuit in steady state.

5. In the circuit shown here, at the steady state, the charge on the capacitor is ____.

6. In the circuit shown in figure the capacitance of each capacitor is equal to

C and resistance R. One of the capacitors was charge to a voltage V0 and
then at the moment t = 0 was shorted by means of the switch S. Find:
(a) the current in the circuit as a function of time t.
(b) the amount of generated heat.
7. The connections shown in figure are established with the
switch S open. How much charge will flow through the
switch if it is closed?

8. A parallel plate capacitor has plates with area A & separation d . A battery charges the plates to a potential
difference of V0. The battery is then disconnected & a di-electric slab of constant K & thickness d is introduced.
Calculate the positive work done by the system (capacitor + slab) on the man who introduces the slab.

9. Two square metallic plates of 1 m side are kept 0.01 m apart, like a parallel plate capacitor, in air in such a
way that one of their edges is perpendicular, to an oil surface in a tank filled with an insulating oil. The plates
are connected to a battery of e.m.f. 500 volt . The plates are then lowered vertically into the oil at a speed of
0.001 m/s. Calculate the current drawn from the battery during the process.
[di-electric constant of oil = 11, 0 = 8.85 × 1012 C2/N2 m2]

10. Three identical large metal plates of area A are small at distances d and 2d from each other. Top metal plate
is uncharged, while other metal plates have charges +Q and –Q. Top and bottom metal plates are connected
by switch S through a resistor of unknown resistance. What energy (in mJ) is dissipated in the resistor when
A
switch is closed ?
2d
0 A R
A +Q
(Given : = 6µF , Q = 60µC)
d S d A –Q

[51]
 EXERCISE-III
1. Four metallic plates arearranged as shown in the figure. If the distance between each plate then capacitance
of the given system between points A and B is (Given d << A)

 0A 2 0 A 3 0 A 4 0 A
(A) (B) (C) (D)
d d d d

2. Four identical plates 1, 2, 3 and 4 are placed parallel to each other at equal distance as shown in the figure.
Plates 1 and 4 are joined together and the space between 2 and 3 is filled with a dielectric of dielectric
constant k = 2. The capacitance of the system between 1 and 3 & 2 and 4 are C1 and C2 respectively.
The ratio C1/C2 is :

5 3 5
(A) (B) 1 (C) (D)
3 5 7

3. Two identical capacitors 1 and 2 are connected in series to a battery as shown

in figure. Capacitor 2 contains a dielectric slab of dielectric constant k as shown.
Q1 and Q2 are the charges stored in the capacitors. Now the dielectric slab is
removed and the corresponding charges are Q’1 and Q’2.
Then
Q1 k  1 Q2 k  1 Q2 k  1 Q1 k
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
Q1 k Q2 2 Q2 2k Q1 2
4. A capacitor of capacity C is charged to a steady potential difference V and connected
in series with an open key and a pure resistor 'R'. At time t = 0, the key is closed.
If I = current at time t, a plot of log I against 't' is as shown in (1) in the graph. Later
one of the parameters i.e. V, R or C is changed keeping the other two constant,
and the graph (2) is recorded. Then
(A) C is reduced (B) C is increased (C) R is reduced (D) R is increased

Question No.5 to 6 (2 questions)

The charge across the capacitor in two different RC circuits 1 and 2 are plotted as shown in figure.

5. Choose the correct statement(s) related to the two circuits.

(A) Both the capacitors are charged to the same charge.
(B) The emf's of cells in both the circuit are equal.
(C) The emf's of the cells may be different.
(D) The emf E1 is more than E2

6. Identify the correct statement(s) related to the R1, R2, C1 and C2 of the two RC circuits.
R1 C2
(A) R1 > R2 if E1 = E2 (B) C1 < C2 if E1 = E2 (C) R1C1 > R2C2 (D) <
R2 C1

[52]
7. A parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate seperation d is charged to potential difference V and then
the battery is disconnected. A slab of dielectric constant K is then inserted between the plates of the
capacitor so as to fill the space between the plates. If Q, E and W denote respectively, the magnitude of
charge on each plate, the electric field between the plates (after the slab is inserted) and the work done on
the system, in question, in the process of inserting the slab, then

 0 AV  0 KAV V  0 AV 2  1
(A) Q = (B) Q = (C) E = (D) W = – 1  
d d Kd 2d  K 
8. A parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a cell. Its positive plate A and its negative plate B have charges +Q
and –Q respectively. A third plate C, identical to A and B, with charge +Q, is now introduced midway
between A and B, parallel to them. Which of the following are correct?
3Q
(A) The charge on the inner face of B is now 
2
(B) There is no change in the potential difference between A and B.
(C) The potential difference between A and C is one-third of the potential difference between B and C.
(D) The charge on the inner face of A is now Q/2.
9. In the circuit shown in figure C1 = C2 = 2F. Then charge stored in
(A) capacitor C1 is zero (B) capacitor C2 is zero
(C) both capacitor is zero (D) capacitor C1 is 40 C

10. Column-I Column-II

(A) (P) Potential difference between plates increases.

Removal of dielectric
when battery is present

(B) (Q) Capacitance increases

Insertion of dielectric
when battery is present

(C) Removal of dielectric (R) Stored energy increases

when battery is not
present

(D) Insertion of dielectric (S) Charge present on plates decreases

when battery is not
present

[53]
 EXERCISE-IV
1. A 2F capacitor C1 is first charged to a potential difference of 10V using a battery. Then the battery is
removed and the capacitor is connected to an uncharged capacitor C2 of 8F. The charge in C2 on equilibrium
condition is___________C. (Round off to the Nearest Integer) [JEE-Mains Online-2020]

S1 S2

2F 8F

10V C1 C2

3
2. Four identical rectangular plates with length, l = 2 cm and breadth, b = cm are arranged as shown in figure.
2
x0
The equivalent capacitance between A and C is . The value of x is____________ . (Round off to the
d
Neares Integer) [JEE-Mains Online-2020]

A B C D

d d d

3. A parallel plate capacitor has plate area 100 m2 and plate separation of 10 m. The space between the plates
is filled up to a thickness 5 m with a material of dielectric constant of 10. The resultant capacitance of the
system is ‘x’ pF. [JEE-Mains Online-2020]
–12 –1
The value of 0 = 8.85 × 10 F.m
The value of ‘x’ to the nearest integer is ..........

4. A parallel plate capacitor whose capacitance C is 14 pF is charged by a battery to a potential difference

V = 12 V between its plates. The charging battery is now disconnected and a porcelin plate with k = 7 is
inserted between the plates, then the plate would oscillate back and forth between the plates with a constant
mechanical energy of _______ pJ. [JEE-Mains Online-2020]

5. Seawater at a frequency f = 9 × 102 Hz, has permittivity = 800 and resistivity = 0.25 m. Imagine a parallel
plate capacitor is immersed in seawater and is driven by an alternating voltage source V(t) = V0 sin (2ft).
1
Then the conduction current density becomes 10x times the displacement current density after time t  s.
800
The value of x is___________. [JEE-Mains Online-2020]
1
(Given :  9  109 Nm2C–2 )
40

[54]
6. A parallel-plate capacitor with plate area A has separation d between the plates. Two dielectric slabs of
dielectric constant K1 and K2 of same area A/2 and thickness d/2 are inserted in the space between the
plates. The capacitance will be given by : [JEE-Mains Online-2021]

 0 A  1 K1  K 2  0 A  1 K1K 2 
(A)    (B)    +Q
d 2 K1K 2  d  2 2(K1  K 2 )  K1
d
K2
–Q
0 A  1 2(K1  K 2 )  0 A  1 K1K 2 
(C) d  2  K K  (D) d  2  K  K 
 1 2   1 2 

7. Three capacitors C1 = 2 F, C2 = 6 F & C3 = 12 F are connected as shown in figure. Find the ratio of the
charges on capacitors C1, C2 & C3 respectively : [JEE-Mains Online-2021]
D

A C2 C3 B

C1

V
(A) 2 : 3 : 3 (B) 3 : 4 : 4 (C) 1 : 2 : 2 (D) 2 : 1 : 1

8. The material filled between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor has resistivity 200 m. The value of
capacitance of the capacitor is 2 pF. If a potential difference of 40 V is applied across the plates of the
capacitor, then the value of leakage current flowing out of the capacitor is : (given the value of relative
permitivity of material is 50) [JEE-Mains Online-2021]
(A) 9.0 mA (B) 9.0 A (C) 0.9 mA (D) 0.9 A

9. A capacitor is connected to a 20 V battery through a resistance of 10 . It is found that the potential

difference across the capacitor rises to 2 V in 1 s. The capacitance of the capacitor is_______ F.

 10 
Given In   = 0.105 [JEE-Mains Online-2021]
 9 
(A) 1.85 (B) 9.52 (C) 0.95 (D) 0.105

10. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 200 F is connected to a battery of 200 V. A dielectric slab of
dielectric constant 2 is now inserted into the space between plates of capacitor while the battery remain
conected. The change in the electrostatic energy in the capacitor will be __________ J.
[JEE-Mains Online-2021]

11. Two identical thin metal plates has charge q1 and q2 respectively such that q1 > q2. The plates were brought
close to each other to form a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C. The potential difference between
them is : [JEE-Mains Online-2022]
(q1  q2 ) (q1 – q2 ) (q1 – q2 ) 2(q1 – q2 )
(A) (B) (C) (D)
C C 2C C

12. Two capacitors, each having capacitance 40 F are connected in series. The space between one of the
capacitors is filled with dielectric material of dielectric constant K such that the equivalence capacitance of
the system became 24 F. The value of K will be : [JEE-Mains Online-2022]
(A) 1.5 (B) 2.5 (C) 1.2 (D) 3

[55]
13. A source of potential difference V is connected to the combination of two identical capacitors as shown in
the figure. When key 'K' is closed, the total energy stored across the combination is E1. Now key 'K' is
opened and dielectric of dielectric constant 5 is introduced between the plates of th capacitors. The total
energy stored across the combination is now E2. The ratio E1 / E2 will be [JEE-Mains Online-2022]
K

V C C

1 2 5 5
(A) (B) (C) (D)
10 5 13 26

14. The total charge on the system of capacitance C1 = 1 F, C2 = 2 F, C3 = 4 F and C4 = 3 F connected in
parallel is (Assume a battery of 20V is connected to the combination) [JEE-Mains Online-2022]
(A) 200 C (B) 200 C (C) 10 C (D) 10 C

15. A slab of dielectric constant K has the same crosssectional area as the plates of a parallel plate capacitor
3
and thickness d , where d is the separation of the plates. The capacitance of the capacitor when the slab
4
is inserted between the plates will be :
(Given Co = capacitance of capacitor with air as medium between plates.) [JEE-Mains Online-2022]

4KC0 3KC0 3K K

(A) (B) (C) 4KC (D)
3K 3 K 0 4K

16. The distance between two plates of a capacitor is d and its capacitance is C1 , when air is the medium
2d
between the plates. If a metal sheet of thickness and of the same area as plate is introduced between
3
C2
the plates, the capacitance of the capacitor becomes C2. The ratio C is :[JEE-Mains Online-2023]
1

(A) 4 : 1 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 3 : 1 (D) 1 : 1

17. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. The flux of the electric field through a closed surface
enclosing the positive plate of the capacitor is : [JEE-Mains Online-2023]

CV 2CV CV
(A) 2 (B) 0
(C) Zero (D) 
0 0

18. In the network shown below, the charge accumulated in the capacitor in steady state will be
[JEE-Mains Online-2023]
3v 4
+ –

4F
6

6

(A) 7.2 C (B) 10.3 C (C) 1.8 C (D) 12 C

[56]
19. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 2F is charged to a potential V, the energy stored in the capacitor is
E1. The capacitor is now connected to another uncharged identical capacitor in parallel combination. The
energy stored in the combination is E2. The ratio E2 / E1 is : [JEE-Mains Online-2023]
(A) 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 1 : 4 (D) 2 : 3

20. In this figure the resistance of the coil of galvanometer G is 2. The emf of the cell is 4 V. The ratio of potential
difference across C1 and C2 is : [JEE-Mains Online-2023]
B
6 C2
A D
G

C1 8
C

4V
(A) 1 (B) 3/4 (C) 5/4 (D) 4/5

21. A bulb and a capacitor are connected in series across an ac supply. A dielectric is then placed between the
plates of the capacitor. The glow of the bulb. [JEE-Mains Online-2024]
(A) increases (B) remains same (C) decreases (D) becomes zero

22. A capacitor is made of a flat plate of area A and a second plate having a stair-like structure as shown in

A
figure. If the area of each stair is and the height is d. the capacitance of the arrangement is :
3

[JEE-Mains Online-2024]

13 0 A 18 0 A 110 A 110 A
(A) (B) (C) (D)
17 d 11 d 20 d 18 d

23. A capacitor has air as dielectric medium and two conducting plates of area 12 cm 2 and they are 0.6 cm
apart. When a alab of dielectric having area 12 cm2 and 0.6 cm thickness is inserted between ithe plates,
one of the conducting plates has to be moved by 0.2 cm to keep the capacitance same as in previous case.
The dielectric constant of the slab is : (Given 0 = 8.834 × 10–12 F/m) [JEE-Mains Online-2024]
(A) 1.33 (B) 1.50 (C) 0.66 (D) 1

24. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 12.5 pF is charged by a battery connected between its plates to
potential difference of 12.0 V. The battery is now disconnected and a dielectric slab (r = 6) is inserted
between the plates. The change in its potential energy after inserting the dielectric slab is______ × 10–12 J.
[JEE-Mains Online-2024]
25. Three capacitors of capacitances 25 F, 30 F and 45 F are connected in parallel to a supply of 100 V.
Energy stored in the above combination is E. When these capacitors are connected in series to the same
9
supply, the stored energy is E . The value of x is __________. [JEE-Mains Online-2024]
x

[57]
 EXERCISE-V
1. Two large circular discs separated by a distance of 0.01 m are connected to a battery via a switch as shown
in the figure. Charged oil drops of density 900 kg m–3 are released through a tiny hole at the center of the top
disc. Once some oil drops achieve terminal velocity, the switch is closed to apply a voltage of 200 V across
the discs. As a result, an oil drop of radius 8 × 10–7 m stops moving vertically and floats between the discs.
The number of electrons present in this oil drop is __________.
(neglect the buoyancy force, take acceleration due to gravity = 10 ms–2 and charge on an electron
(e) = 1.6 × 10 –19 C)

[JEE-Advanced-2020]

Switch

0.01 m

Question Stem for Question Nos. 2 and 3

Question Stem
In the circuit shown below, the switch S is connected to position P for a long time so that the charge on the
capacitor becomes q1 µC. Then S is switched to position Q. After a long time, the charge on the capacitor is
q2 µC. [JEE-Advanced-2021]
S 1 2
P
Q
1V 1F 2V

2. The magnitude of q1 is _______.

3. The magnitude of q2 is _______.

4. In the following circuit C1 = 12 F, C2 = C3 = 4 F and C4 = C5 = 2 F. The charge stored in C3 is _______C.
[JEE-Advanced-2022]

C1

C2
6V C5 2V
C3 C4

[58]
5. A medium having dielectric constant K > 1 fills the space between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor. The
plates have large area, and the distance between them is d. The capacitor is connected to a battery of

d
voltage V, as shown in Figure (a). Now, both the plates are moved by a distance of from their original
2
positions, as shown in Figure (b). [JEE-Advanced-2022]

d d/2 d d/2

V V
Figure (a) Figure (b)

In the process of going from the configuration depicted in Figure (a) to that in Figure (b), which of the following
statement(s) is(are) correct?
(A) The electric field inside the dielectric material is reduced by a factor of 2K.
1
(B) The capacitance is decreased by a factor of .
K 1
(C) The voltage between the capacitor plates is increased by a factor of (K + 1).
(D) The work done in the process DOES NOT depend on the presence of the dielectric material.

6. A container has a base of 50 cm × 5 cm and height 50 cm, as shown in the figure. It has two parallel
electrically conducting walls each of area 50 cm × 50 cm. The remaining walls of the container are thin and
non-conducting. The container is being filled with a liquid of dielectric constant 3 at a uniform rate of 250
cm3 s–1. What is the value of the capacitance of the container after 10 seconds?
[Given : Permittivity of free space 0 = 9 × 10–12 C2N–1m–2, the effects of the non-conducting walls on the
capacitance are negligible] [JEE-Advanced-2023]

(A) 27 pF (B) 63 pF (C) 81 pF (D) 135 pF

[59]
7. In a circuit shown in the figure, the capacitor C is initially 15V R
uncharged and the key K is open. In this condition, a
current of 1 A flows through the 1  resistor. The key is
closed at time t = t0. Which of the following statement(s) 5V 1
is(are) correct? [Given: e–1 = 0.36]
[JEE-Advanced-2023]
I1 3
(A) The value of the resistance R is 3.
(B) For t < t0, the value of current I1 is 2A.
(C) At t = t0 + 7.2 s, the current in the capacitor is 0.6A. K
C = 2F 3
(D) For t , the charge on the capacitor is 12C.

8. Four identical thin, square metal sheets, S1, S2, S3 and S4, each of side ‘a’ are kept parallel to each other
with equal distance d(<< a) between them, as shown in the figure. Let C0 = 0a2/d, where 0 is the permittivity
of free space.
S1 S2 S3 S4

d d d
Match the quantities mentioned in List-I with their values in List-II and choose the correct option.
List-I List-II
(P) The capacitance between S1 and S4, with (1) 3C0
S2 and S3 not connected, is
(Q) The capacitance between S1 and S4, with (2) C0/2
S2 shorted to S3, is
(R) The capacitance between S1 and S3, with (3) C0/3
S2 shorted to S4, is
(S) The capacitance between S1 and S2, with (4) 2C0/3
S3 shorted to S1, and S2 shorted to S4, is
(5) 2C0
[JEE-Advanced-2024]
(A) P  3 ; Q  2 ; R  4 ; S  5 (B) P  2 ; Q  3 ; R  2 ; S  1
(C) P  3 ; Q  2 ; R  4 ; S  1 (D) P  3 ; Q  2 ; R  2 ; S  5

[60]
 ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE-I
1. A 2. C 3. D 4. A 5. D 6. A 7. B
8. B 9. B 10. B 11. C 12. A 13. C 14. D
15. D 16. C 17. B

EXERCISE-II
 E 
1. 30 V 2. C 3. 3Q/2C 4. 0.8 5. C   R 3
 R1  R 3 
V0 –2t/Rc 1 1  1
6. (a) I = e ; (b) CV02 7. 12C 8. W= C V 2 1 
R 4 2 0 0  K

9. 4.425 × 109 Ampere 10. 0.10 J

EXERCISE-III
1. B 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. AC 6. D 7. ACD
8. ABCD 9. BD 10. A – S ; B – Q, R ; C – P, R ; D – Q

EXERCISE-IV
1. 16 C 2. 02.00 3. 161 4. 864 5. 06.00 6. D 7. C
8. C 9. C 10. 4.00 11. C 12. A 13. C 14. A
15. A 16. C 17. A 18. A 19. A 20. D 21. A
22. D 23. B 24. 750 25. 86

EXERCISE-V
1. 6 2. 1.30 -1.40 3. 0.60 - 0.72 4. 8 5. B 6. B
7. A,B,C,D 8. C

[61]