SUBJECT:PHYSICS

CLASS:XII TERM I 2021MCQ

CHAPTER:2 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE
1. A positively charged particle is released from rest in an uniform electric field. The electric
potential energy of the charge [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) remains a constant because the electric field is uniform.
(b) increases because the charge moves along the electric field.
(c) decreases because the charge moves along the electric field.
(d) decreases because the charge moves opposite to the electric field.Answer: c
Explanation: (c) The positively charged particle experiences electrostatic force along the
direction of electric field, hence moves in the direction of electric field. Electric potential
decreases in the direction of electric field. Thus, positive work is done by the electric field on
the charge. We = -ΔU = -qΔV = q(Vin – Vf) Hence electrostatic potential energy of the
positive charge decreases.

2. Figures show some equipotential lines distributed in space. A charged object is moved
from point A to point B. [NCERT Exemplar]

(a) The work done in Fig. (i) is the greatest.

(b) The work done in Fig. (ii) is least.
(c) The work done is the same in Fig. (i), Fig.(ii) and Fig. (iii).
(d) The work done in Fig. (iii) is greater than Fig. (ii) but equal to that in Fig.
(i).AnswerAnswer: c
Explanation: (c) The work done by the electric field on the charge will be negative.
Welectrical = -ΔU = – qΔV— q( Vinitial – Vfinal) Here initial and final potentials are same
in all three cases and the same charge is moved, so work done is same in all three cases.

3. Equipotentials at a great distance from a collection of charges whose total sum is not zero
are approximately [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) spheres
(b) planes
(c) paraboloids
(d) ellipsoidsAnswer: a
Explanation: (a) The collection of charges at great distance is considered as a single point
charge. The equipotential surfaces due to a point charge are spherical.

4. Two small spheres each carrying a charge q are placed r metre apart. If one of the spheres
is taken around the other one in a circular path of radius r, the work done will be equal to
(a) force between them × r
(b) force between them × 2πr
(c) force between them/2πr
(d) zeroAnswer: d
Explanation: (d) The force is perpendicular to the displacement.

5. The electric potential V at any point O (x, y, z all in metres) in space is given by V = 4x²
volt. The electric field at the point (1 m, 0, 2 m) in volt/metre is
(a) 8 along negative x-axis
(b) 8 along positive x-axis
(c) 16 along negative x-axis
(d) 16 along positive z-axis

Answer: a
Explanation: (a) The electric field E = \frac{-dV}{dx} = -8x V/m

6. If a unit positive charge is taken from one point to another over an equipotential surface,
then
(a) work is done on the charge.
(b) work is done by the charge.
(c) work done is constant.
(d) no work is done.Answer: d
Explanation: (d) On the equipotential surface, electric field is normal to the charged surface
(where potential exists) so that no work will be done.

7. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged so that the potential on its surface is 10 V.
The potential at the centre of the sphere is
(a) 0 V
(b) 10 V
(c) Same as at point 5 cm away from the surface
(d) Same as at point 25 cm away from the surface

Answer: b
Explanation: (b) Since potential inside the hollow sphere is same as that on the surface.

8. The electrostatic force between the metal plates of an isolated parallel plate capacitor C
having a charge Q and area A, is
(a) proportional to the square root of the distance between the plates.
(b) linearly proportional to the distance between the plates.
(c) independent of the distance between the plates.
(d) inversely proportional to the distance between the plates.

Answer: c Explanation: (c) For isolated capacitor Q = Constant, force between plate =
Q2/2Aε0
9. A capacitor is charged by a battery. The battery is removed and another identical
uncharged capacitor is connected in parallel. The total electrostatic energy of resulting system
(a) increases by a factor of 4.
(b) decreases by a factor of 2.
(c) remains the same.
(d) increases by a factor of 2.

Answer: b
Explanation: (b) Using, Vc = \frac{V}{2}, U = \frac{1}{2}CV².

10. A conductor with a positive charge

(a) is always at +ve potential.
(b) is always at zero potential.
(c) is always at negative potential.
(d) may be at +ve, zero or -ve potential.

Answer: d
Explanation: (d) May be at positive, zero or negative potential, it is according to the way one
defines the zero potential.

11 v Figure shows the electric lines of force emerging from a charged body. If the electric
field at A and B are EA and EB respectively and if the displacement between A and B is r
then

(a) EA > EB
(b) EA < EB
(c) EA = EB/r
(d) EA = EB /r²

Answer: a
Explanation: (a) In non-uniform electric field, intensity is more, where the lines are more
denser.

12. Which of the following options are correct? If a conductor has a potential V 4- 0 and
there are no charges anywhere else outside, then [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) there must not be charges on the surface or inside itself.
(b) there cannot be any charge in the body of the conductor.
(c) there must be charges only on the surface.
(d) there must be charges inside the surface.
Answer: b
Explanation: (b) The charge resides on the outer surface of a closed charged conductor.
Hence there cannot be any charge in the body of the conductor. Hence option (b) is correct.

13. Which of the following options is correct? In a region of constant potential [NCERT
Exemplar]
(a) the electric field is uniform.
(b) the electric field is zero.
(c) there can be charge inside the regiofi.
(d) the electric field shall necessarily change if a charge is placed outside the region.

Answer: b Explanation: (b) as E = -dV/dr Since, V = constant, -dV/dr = 0 this implies that
electric field intensity E=0. If some charge is present inside the region then electric field
cannot be zero at that region, for this V=constant is not valid.

14. 64 drops each having the capacity C and potential V are combined to form a big drop. If
the charge on the small drop is q, then the charge on the big drop will be
(a) 2q
(b) 4q
(c) 16q
(d) 64q

Answer: d
Explanation: (d) By using Q = nq or Q = 6Aq

15. The radii of two metallic spheres A and B are r1 and r2 respectively (r1 > r2). They are
connected by a thin wire and the system is given a certain charge. The charge will be greater
(a) on the surface of the sphere B.
(b) on the surface of the sphere A.
(c) equal on both.
(d) zero on both.

Answer: b
Explanation: (b) After connection of wire, potential becomes equal, i.e, Q1/r1 = Q2/r2 or
Q1/Q2 = r1/r2 when r1 > r2, then Q1 > Q2.

16. A parallel plate condenser is connected with the terminals of a battery. The distance
between the plates is 6mm. If a glass plate (dielectric constant K = 9) of 4.5 mm is introduced
between them, then the capacity will become
(a) 2 times.
(b) the same.
(c) 3 times.
(d) 4 times.

Answer: c
Explanation:
17. Three charges Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side l as
shown in the figure. If the net electrostatic energy of the system is zero, then Q is equal to

(a) -q
(b) +q
(c) zero
(d) –

Answer: d
Explanation:

18. Two metal plates form a parallel plate capacitor. The distance between the plates is d. A
metal sheet of thickness   and of the same area is introduced between the plates.
What is the ratio of the capacitance in the two cases?
(a) 2 : 1
(b) 3 : 1
(c) 2 : 1
(d) 5 : 1

Answer: d
Explanation:

19. Acapacitor of 4 pF is connected as shown in the circuit. The internal resistance of the
battery is 0.5 Q. The amount of charge on the capacitor plates will be [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) 0
(b) 4
(c) 16 μC
(d) 8 μC

Answer: d
Explanation:

20. A capacitor is charged by using a battery which is then disconnected. A dielectric slab
then slipped between the plates, which results in
(a) reduction of charge on the plates and increase of potential difference across the plates.
(b) increase in the potential difference across the plate, reduction in stored energy, but no
change in the charge on the plates.
(c) decrease in the potential difference across the plates, reduction in the stored energy, but
no change in the charge on the plates.
(d) none of these

Answer: c
21. Which of the following statement is true?
(a) Electrostatic force is a conservative force.
(b) Potential at a point is the work done per unit charge in bringing a charge from any point to
infinity.
(c) Electrostatic force is non-conservative
(d) Potential is the product of charge and work.
Answer: a

22. 1 volt is equivalent to

Answer: c

23. The work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinite distance to a point at
distance x from a positive charge Q is W. Then the potential at that point is

Answer: b

24. Consider a uniform electric field in the z-direction. The potential is a constant
(a) for any x for a given z
(b) for any y for a given z
(c) on the x-y plane for a given z
(d) all of these

Answer: d

25. Equipotential surfaces

(a) are closer in regions of large electric fields compared to regions of lower electric fields.
(b) will be more crowded near sharp edges of a conductor.
(c) will always be equally spaced.
(d) both (a) and (b) are correct.

AnswerAnswer: d
26. In a region of constant potential
(a) the electric field is uniform.
(b) the electric field is zero.
(c) there can be no charge inside the region.
(d) both (b) and (c) are correct.
Answer: d

27. A test charge is moved from lower potential point to a higher potential point. The
potential energy of test charge will
(a) remain the same
(b) increase
(c) decrease
(d) become zero

Answer: c

28. An electric dipole of moment   is placed in a uniform electric field   . Then
(i) the torque on the dipole is 
(ii) the potential energy of the system is 
(iii) the resultant force on the dipole is zero. Choose the correct option.
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) are correct
(b) (i) and (iii) are correct and (ii) is wrong
(c) only (i) is correct
(d) (i) and (ii) are correct and (iii) is wrong

Answer: b

29. If a conductor has a potential V ≠ 0 and there are no charges anywhere else outside, then
(a) there must be charges on the surface or in¬side itself.
(b) there cannot be any charge in the body of the conductor.
(c) there must be charges only on the surface.
(d) both (a) and (b) are correct.

Answer: c

30. Which of the following statements is false for a perfect conductor?

(a) The surface of the conductor is an equipoten-tial surface.
(b) The electric field just outside the surface of a conductor is perpendicular to the surface.
(c) The charge carried by a conductor is always uniformly distributed over the surface of the
conductor.
(d) None of these.

Answer: d

31. Dielectric constant for a metal is

(a) zero
(b) infinite
(c) 1
(d) 10

Answer: b

32. When air is replaced by a dielectric medium of constant K, the maximum force of
attraction between two charges separated by a distance
(a) increases K times
(b) remains unchanged
(c) decreases K times
(d) increases K-1 times

Answer: c

33. In a parallel plate capacitor, the capacity increases if

(a) area of the plate is decreased.
(b) distance between the plates increases.
(c) area of the plate is increased.
(d) dielectric constantly decreases.
Answer: c

34. A parallel plate air capacitor is charged to a potential difference of V volts. After
disconnecting the charging battery the distance between the plates of the capacitor is
increased using an insulating handle. As a result the potential difference between the plates
(a) increases
(b) decreases
(c) does not change
(d) becomes zero
Answer: a

35. Two identical capacitors are joined in parallel, charged to a potential V, separated and
then connected in series, the positive plate of one is connected to the negative of the other.
Which of the following is true?
(a) The charges on the free plated connected to-gether are destroyed.
(b) The energy stored in ths system increases.
(c) The potential difference between the free plates is 2V.
(d) The potential difference remains constant.

Answer: c

36. A capacitor has some dielectric between its plates, and the capacitor is connected to a dc
source. The battery is now disconnected and then the dielectric is removed, then
(a) capacitance will increase.
(b) energy stored will decrease.
(c) electric field will increase.
(d) voltage will decrease.

Answer: c
37. Two spherical conductors each of capacity C are charged to potential V and -V. These are
then connected by means of a fine wire. The loss of energy is
(a) zero
(b)  CV2
(c) CV2
(d) 2 CV2

Answer: c

ASSERTION AND REASON

Directions: These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason.
While answering these questions, you are required to choose any one of the following four
responses.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
(d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

Q.1. Assertion : If the distance between parallel plates of a capacitor is halved and dielectric
constant is three times, then the capacitance becomes 6 times.
Reason : Capacity of the capacitor does not depend upon the nature of the material.

Answer c
Q.2. Assertion : A parallel plate capacitor is connected across battery through a key. A
dielectric slab of dielectric constant K is introduced between the plates. The energy which is
stored becomes K times.
Reason : The surface density of charge on the plate remains constant or unchanged.

Answer c
Q.3. Assertion : The total charge stored in a capacitor is zero.
Reason : The field just outside the capacitor is σ/ε0 . (σ is the charge density).

Answer c
Q.4. Assertion : The electrostatic force between the plates of a charged isolated capacitor
decreases when dielectric fills whole space between plates.
Reason : The electric field between the plates of a charged isolated capacitance increases
when dielectric fills whole space between plates.

Answer d
Q.5. Assertion : Two concentric charged shells are given. The potential difference between
the shells depends on charge of inner shell.
Reason : Potential due to charge of outer shell remains same at every point inside the sphere.

Answer a

Q.6. Assertion : Two equipotential surfaces cannot cut each other.

Reason : Two equipotential surfaces are parallel to each other.

Answerc
Q.7. Assertion: The potential difference between any two points in an electric field depends
only on initial and final position.
Reason: Electric field is a conservative field so the work done per unit positive charge does
not depend on path followed.

Answer a

Q.8. Assertion : Electric field inside a conductor is zero.

Reason: The potential at all the points inside a conductor is same.

Answer b

Q.9. Assertion : Electric field is discontinuous across the surface of a spherical charged
shell.
Reason : Electric potential is continuous across the surface of a spherical charged shell.

Answer b

Q.10. Assertion : Work done in moving a charge between any two points in an electric field
is independent of the path followed by the charge, between these points.
Reason: Electrostatic force is a non conservative force.

Answer c

Q.11. Assertion : Two adjacent conductors of unequal dimensions, carrying the same
positive charge have a
potential difference between them.
Reason : The potential of a conductor depends upon the charge given to it.

Answer b

Q.12. Assertion : Electric potential and electric potential energy are different quantities.
Reason : For a system of positive test charge and point charge electric potential energy =
electric potential.
Answer(c) Potential and potential energy are different quantities and cannot be equated.

Q.13. Assertion : For a non-uniformly charged thin circular ring with net charge is zero, the
electric field at any point on axis of the ring is zero.
Reason : For a non-uniformly charged thin circular ring with net charge zero, the electric
potential at each point on axis of the ring is zero.

Answer(d) For a non-uniformly charged thin circular ring with net zero charge, electric
potential at each point on its axis is zero. Hence electric field at each point on its axis must be
perpendicular to the axis. Therefore Assertion is false and Reason is true.

Q.14. Assertion : For a charged particle moving from point P to point Q, the net work done
by an electrostatic field on the particle is independent of the path connecting point P to point
Q.
Reason : The net work done by a conservative force on an object moving along a closed loop
is zero.

Answera

Q.15. Assertion : Polar molecules have permanent dipole moment.

Reason : In polar molecules, the centres of positive and negative charges coincide even when
there is no external field.

Answerc

Q.16. Assertion : Dielectric polarisation means formation of positive and negative charges
inside the dielectric.
Reason: Free electrons are formed in this process.

Answerc

Q.17. Assertion : In the absence of an external electric field, the dipole moment per unit
volume of a polar dielectric is zero.
Reason : The dipoles of a polar dielectric are randomly oriented.
Answera

Q.18. Assertion : For a point charge, concentric spheres centered at a location of the charge
are equipotential surfaces.
Reason : An equipotential surface is a surface over which potential has zero value.

Answerc

Q.19. Assertion : Electric energy resides out of the spherical isolated conductor.
Reason : The electric field at any point inside the conductor is zero.

Answer(a) As these is no electric field inside the conductor, and so no energy inside it.

Q.20. Assertion : Two equipotential surfaces cannot cut each other.

Reason : Two equipotential surfaces are parallel to each other.

Answer(c) Reason is false because the work done in bringing a unit positive charge from
infinity to a point in equatorial plane is equal and opposite for the two charges of the dipole.

Q.21. Assertion: Two equipotential surfaces can be orthogonal.

Reason: Electric field lines are normal to the equipotential surface.

Answer(d) Two equipotential surfaces never intersect each other so they cannot be
orthogonal.

Q.22. Assertion: The equatorial plane of a dipole is an equipotential surface.

Reason: The electric potential at any point on equatorial plane is zero.

Answer b
Q.23. Assertion: The electric potential at any point on the equatorial plane of a dipole is
zero.
Reason: The work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point in
equatorial plane is equal for the two charges of the dipole.

Answer d

Q.24. Assertion : A parallel plate capacitor is connected across battery through a key. A
dielectric slab of dielectric constant k is introduced between the plates. The energy stored
becomes k times.
Reason : The surface density of charge on the plate remains constant.

Answer c

Q.25. Assertion : Two metal plates having charges Q, –Q face each other at some separation
and are dipped into an oil tank. If the oil is pumped out, the electric field between the plates
increases.
Reason : Electric field between the plates, Emed = Eair/K

Answer c

Q.26. Assertion : When a dielectric slab is gradually inserted between the plates of an
isolated parallel-plate capacitor, the energy of the system decreases.
Reason : The force between the plates decreases.

Answer c

Q.27. Assertion : A dielectric is inserted between the plates of a battery connected capacitor.
The energy of the capacitor increases.
Reason : Energy of the capacitor, U=CV2/2

Answer a

CASE BASED QUESTIONS

Case Study Question 1:

When an insulator is placed in an external field, the dipoles become aligned. Induced surface
charges on the insulator establish a polarization field Ē i in its interior. The net field Ē in the
insulator is the vector sum of Ē, and Ēi as shown in the figure.

On the application of external electric field, the effect of aligning the electric dipoles in the
insulator is called
polarisation and the field Ē; is known as the polarisation field.
The dipole moment per unit volume of the dielectric is known as polarisation (P).
For linear isotropic dielectrics, P =χE, where χ = electrical susceptibility of the dielectric
medium.

(i) Which among the following is an example of polar molecule?

(2) O₂
(b) H
(c) N2
(d) HCI

(ii) When air is replaced by a dielectric medium of constant K, the maximum force of
attraction between two charges separated by a distance
(a) increases K times
(b) remains unchanged
(c) decreases K times
(d) increases 2K times.

(iii) Which of the following is a dielectric?

(a) Copper
(b) Glass
(c) Antimony (Sb)
(d) None of these

(iv) For a polar molecule, which of the following statements is true ?

(a) The centre of gravity of electrons and protons coincide.
(b) The centre of gravity of electrons and protons do not coincide.
(c) The charge distribution is always symmetrical.
(d) The dipole moment is always zero.

(v) When a comb rubbed with dry hair attracts pieces of paper. This is because the
(a) comb polarizes the piece of paper
(b) comb induces a net dipole moment opposite to the direction of field
(c) electric field due to the comb is uniform
(d) comb induces a net dipole moment perpendicular to the direction of field

Answers: (i) (d)

Explanation: In polar molecules the centre of positive and negative charges are separated
even when there is no external field. Such molecule are have a permanent dipole moment.
Ionic molecule like HCl is an example of polar molecule.
(ii) (c)
Explanation: As F’=F/K, Therefore the maximum force decreases by K times.
(iii) (b)
(iv)(b)
Explanation: A polar molecule is one in which the centre of gravity for positive and negative
charges are separated.
(v) (a)

Vivek was studying in his room. Suddenly he observed that the speed of his fan was
going on decreasing from last two days. His father explained that there is a device in
fan which maintain the speed. Read the following questions and answer:
Question No.1: Name the device used.
Question No.2: Explain the principle of device.
His father also explained that how the device is connected in circuit. His father also told
that AC circuit becomes inductive when this device is connected in circuit. A phase
difference arises due to which leads to generate rotating magnetic fields and hence
produce torque to rotor for rotating.
Question No.3: How capacitor is connected in circuit?
Question No.4: What is the function of capacitor in ceiling fan?
Question No.5: why capacitor start motors are not available in large size?

Case Study Questions 2:

Answer1: Capacitor
Answer2: A capacitor works on the principle that the capacitance of a conductor increases
appreciably when an earthed conductor is brought near it. Hence, a capacitor has two plates
separated by a distance having equal and opposite charges.
Answer3: Two phases are needed to produce the rotating magnetomotive force (MMF) but
we have only one phase due to single phase AC supply in our homes. Therefore, we need an
additional phase to start these kind of motors. We obtain the second phase by adding a
capacitor in series with the starting wind of a ceiling fan motor.
Answer4: We add a capacitor in series with the starting wind. Current lags 45° behind the
current (or voltage leads by 45 degree from the current) in the running winding due to
capacitance. The starting winding has high resistance and low inductive reactance and the
resultant AC resistance equal to the capacitive reactance (XC).
This way, the resultant current flowing in the circuit is 90° out of phase. It means we got two
different alternating phases which leads to generate a rotating magnetic fields and the
produced torque start rotating the rotor.
Answer5: Starting wind, small in size only helps to produce the phase shift (low torque) to
start the motor, therefore capacitor start motors are not available in large sizes.