Class 12 Physics

Previous Year Questions

Chapter-2 : Electrostatic
Potential and Capacitance

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 1. ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL

Objective Qs (1 mark)

1. Which of the following is NOT the property of equipotential surface?

(a) They do not cross each other.

(b) The rate of change of potential with distance on them is zero.

(c) For a uniform electric field they are concentric spheres.

(d) They can be imaginary spheres.

[CBSE SQP 2023]

2. 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 never be equally spaced.

(d) both (a) and (b) are correct.

[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]

3. The electric potential on the axis of an electric dipole at a distance ' 𝑟 ' from it's centre is 𝑉. Then
the potential at a point at the same distance on its equatorial line will be:
(a) 2𝑉
𝑉
(c)
2
(b) −𝑉
(d) Zero
[CBSE SQP 2022]

4. If a unit positive charge is taken from one point to another over an equipotential surface:

(a) work is done on the charge

(b) work is done by the charge

(c) work done is constant

(d) no work is done

[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]

5. The electric potential 𝑉 as a function of distance 𝑋 is shown in the figure.

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 The graph of the magnitude of electric field intensity 𝐸 as a function of 𝑋 is:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

[CBSE SQP 2022]

6. The electric potential 𝑉 at any point (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) is given by 𝑉 = 3𝑥 2 where 𝑥 is in metres and 𝑉 in
volts The electric field at the point (1 m, 0.2 m) is:
(a) 6 V/m along (−𝑥)-axis

(b) 6 V/m along (+𝑥)-axis

(c) 1.5 V/m along (−𝑥)-axis

(d) 1.5 V/m along (+𝑥)-axis

[CBSE Term-1 2021]

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 7. An electric dipole of moment 𝑝 is placed parallel to the uniform electric field. The amount of
work done in rotating the dipole by 90∘ is:
(a) 2𝑝𝐸
(b) 𝑝𝐸
𝑝𝐸
(c)
2
(d) zero
[CBSE SQP Term-1 2021]
8. Three charges 2𝑞, −𝑞 and - 𝑞 lie at vertices of a triangle. The value of 𝐸 and 𝑉 at centroid of
triangle will be:
(a) E ≠ 0 and V ≠ 0
(b) 𝐸 = 0 and 𝑉 = 0
(c) E ≠ 0 and V = 0
(d) 𝐸 = 0 and 𝑉 ≠ 0
[CBSE SQP Term-1 2021]

9. A solid spherical conductor has charge +𝑄 and radius 𝑅. It is surrounded by a solid spherical
shell with charge −𝑄, inner radius 2R, and outer radius 3R.

Which of the following statements is true?

(a) The electric potential has a maximum magnitude at C and the electric field has a maximum
magnitude at A.

(b) The electric potential has a maximum magnitude at 𝐷 and the electric field has a maximum
magnitude at 𝐵.

(c) The electric potential at 𝐴 is zero and the electric field has a maximum magnitude at D.

(d) Both the electric potential and electric field achieve a maximum magnitude at 𝐵.

[CBSE SQP Term-1 2021]

10. Two charges 14𝜇C and −4𝜇C are placed at (−12 cm, 0,0) and (12 cm, 0,0) in an external electric
B
field, E = � 2 �, where B = 1.2 × 106 N/cm2 and 𝑟 is in metres.
𝑟

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 The electrostatic potential energy of the configuration is:
(a) 97.9 J
(b) 102.1 J
(c) 2.1 J
(d) −97.9 J
[CBSE Term-1 2021]

11. Equipotentials at a large distance from a collection of charges whose total sum is not zero are:
(a) spheres
(b) planes
(c) ellipsoids
(d) paraboloids
[CBSE Term-1 2021]

12. Four charges −𝑞, −𝑞, +𝑞 and +𝑞 are placed at the corners of a square of side 2 L is shown in
figure. The electric potential at point 𝐴 midway between the two charges +𝑞 and +𝑞 is:

1 2𝑞 1 1 2𝑞 1
(a) �1 − � (b) �1 + �
4𝜋𝜀0 L √5 4𝜋𝜀0 L √5

1 𝑞 1
(c) �1 − � (d) zero [CBSE Term-1 2021]
4𝜋𝜀0 𝐿 √5

For Questions 13-14, two statements are given -one labelled Assertion (A) and other
labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the options as given
below.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are true and Reason is correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
(c) If Assertion is true but Reason is false.
(d) If both Assertion and Reason are false.

13. Assertion (A): An electron has a higher potential energy when it is at a location associated with a
more negative value of potential, and a low potential energy when at a location associated with a
more positive potential.
Reason (R): Electrons move from a region of higher potential to region of lower potential.
[CBSE SQP 2023]
5
 Two charges +q each are kept 2a distance apart. A third charge −2q is placed midway
between them. The potential energy of the system is -
q2
(a) 8πϵ a
0
6q 2
(b) − 8π ϵ a
0
7q 2
(c) − 8π ϵ a
0
9q 2
(d) 8πϵ a
0
(2024)

 Two identical small conducting balls B and B are given −7 pC and +4 pC charges
1 2
respectively. They are brought in contact with a third identical ball B3 and then separated. If
the final charge on each ball is −2 pC, the initial charge on B3 was:

(a) −2 pC
(b) −3 pC
(c) −5 pC
(d) −15 pC
(2024)

16. Assertion (A): Work done in moving a charge around a closed path, in an electric field is always
zero.
Reason (R): Electrostatic force is a conservative force.
[CBSE 2023]

17. An experiment was set up with the circuit diagram shown in figure.
Given that 𝑅1 = 10Ω, 𝑅2 = 𝑅3 = 5Ω, 𝑟 = 0Ω and 𝐸 = 5 V

(A) The points with the same potential are:

(a) b, c, d
(b) f, h, j
(c) 𝑑, 𝑒, 𝑓
(d) 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑗
 (B) The current through branch bg is:
(a) 1 A
1
(b) A
3
1
(c) A
2
2
(d) A
3

(C) The power dissipated in 𝑅1 is:

(a) 2 W
(b) 2.5 W
(c) 3 W
(d) 4.5 W

(D) The potential difference across 𝑅3 is:

(a) 1.5 V
(b) 2 V
(c) 2.5 V
(d) 3 V
[CBSE Term-2 2021]

Very Short & Short Qs (1-3 marks)

18. Charges (+𝑞) and (−𝑞) are placed at the points 𝐴 and 𝐵 respectively, which are at distance 2 L
apart. 𝐶 is the midpoint between 𝐴 and 𝐵. What is the work done in moving a charge +𝑄 along
the semicircle CRD.

[CBSE SQP 2023]

19. Two charges 5 × 10−8 C and −3 × 10−8 C are located 16 cm apart. At what point 𝑃 ( lies
somewhere in between the charges) on the line joining the two charges is the electric potential
zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]
20. The physical quantity having SI unit NC −1
m is

[CBSE 2020]

21. Find the expression for the potential energy of a system of two point charges 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 located at
system 𝑟1 and 𝑟2, respectively in an external electric field 𝐸.
[CBSE 2020]

22. (A) Two point charges +𝑄1 and −𝑄2 are placed 𝑟 distance apart. Obtain the expression for the
amount of work done to place a third charge 𝑄3 at the midpoint of the line joining the two
charges.

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 (B) At what distance from charge +𝑄1 on the line joining the two charges (in terms of 𝑄1 , 𝑄2 and
) will this work done be zero.
[CBSE 2020]
23. A cube of side 20 cm is kept in a region as shown in the figure. An electric field 𝐸 exists in the
region such that the potential at a point is given by 𝑉 = 10𝑥 + 5, where 𝑉 is in volt and 𝑥 is in 𝑚.
Find the:

(A) electric field E and,

(B) total electric flux through the cube

[CBSE 2020]

24. Write two important characteristics of equipotential surfaces.

[CBSE 2020]

25. Draw equipotential surfaces due to an isolated point charge (−𝑞) and depict the electric field lines
[CBSE 2020]
26. (A) Draw the equipotential surfaces corresponding to a uniform electric field in the 𝑧-direction.
(B) Derive an expression for the electric potential at any point along the axial line of an electric
dipole.

27. (A) Three point charges 𝑞, −4𝑞 and 2𝑞 are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle 𝐴𝐵𝐶 of
side 𝑙 as shown in the figure. Obtain an expression for the magnitude of the resultant electric force
acting on the charge 𝑞.

(B) Find out the amount of the work done to separate the charges at infinite distance.

[CBSE 2018]
28. Four point charges 𝑄, 𝑞, 𝑄 and 𝑞 are placed at the corners of a square of side 𝑎 as shown in figure.
Find the:
(A) resultant electric force on a charge 𝑄, and

(B) potential energy of this system.

[CBSE 2018]

29. Derive the expression for the electric potential due to an electric dipole at a point on its axial line.
[CBSE 2017]
30. Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential surfaces:
(A) in the case of a single point charge and

(B) in a constant electric field in Z - direction. Why the equipotential surface about a single charge
are not equidistant?
(C) Can electric field exist tangential to an equipotential surface? Give reason.
[CBSE 2016]

31. Figure shows the field lines on a positive charge. Is the work done by the field in moving a small
positive charge from 𝑄 to 𝑃 positive or negative? Give reason.

[CBSE 2014]
32. Two closely spaced equipotential surfaces 𝐴 and 𝐵 with potentials 𝑉 and 𝑉 + 𝛿𝑉, (where 𝛿V is
the change in V, are kept 𝛿𝑙 distance apart as shown in the figure. Deduce the relation between the
electric field and the potential gradient between them. Write the two important conclusions
concerning the relation between the electric field and electric potentials.

[CBSE 2014]
33. Two point charges 𝑞 and −2𝑞 are kept 𝑑 distance apart. Find the location of the point relative to
charge 𝑞 at which potential due to this system of charges is zero.
[CBSE 2014]
34. Obtain an expression for the electric potential due to a small dipole of dipole moment � 𝑃 ,
at a point 𝑟 from its centre, for much larger distances compared to the size of the dipole.
(2024)
35. Three point charges q, 2q and nq are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. If the
potential energy of the system is zero, find the value of n.
(2024)

2. ELECTROSTATIC OF CONDUCTORS, DIELECTRICS AND CAPACITANCE

Objective Qs (1 mark)
36. When a dielectric material is introduced between the plates of a charged condenser, then electric
field between the plates:
(a) decreases

(b) remains constant

(c) increases

(d) first increases then decreases

[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]

37.

In the given figure equivalent capacitances of the given combination of five capacitors is:
(a) 4𝜇F
(b) 10𝜇F
(c) 8𝜇F
(d) 120𝜇F

[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]

38. When air is replaced by a dielectric medium of dielectric constant 𝐾 the force of attraction
between two charges 𝑄1 and 𝑄2 separated by a finite distance 𝑑 :
(a) decreases 𝐾 times

(b) increases 𝐾 times

(c) remains unchanged

(d) decreases 2𝐾 time [Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]

39. Two parallel plate capacitors 𝑋 and 𝑌, have the same area of plates and same separation between
plates. 𝑋 has air and 𝑌 with dielectric of constant 2 , between its plates. They are connected in
series to a battery of 12 V. The ratio of electrostatic energy stored in 𝑋 and 𝑌 is:
(a) 4: 1
(b) 1: 4
(c) 2: 1
(d) 1: 2

[CBSE SQP Term-1 2021]

40. A capacitor plates are charged by a battery with ' V ' volts. After charging battery is disconnected
and a dielectric slab with dielectric constant ' 𝐾 ' is inserted between its plates, the potential across
the plates of a capacitor will become:
(a) zero
𝑉
(b)
2
V
(c)
K
(d) KV

[CBSE SQP Term-1 2021]

41. A car battery is charged by a 12 V supply, and energy stored in it is 7.20 × 105 J. The charge
passed through the battery is:
(a) 6.0 × 104 C
(b) 5.8 × 103 J
(c) 8.64 × 106 J
(d) 1.6 × 105 C
[CBSE Term-1 2021]
42. A variable capacitor is connected to a 200 V battary. If its capacitance is changed from 2𝜇F to
𝑋𝜇F, the decrease in energy of the capacitor is 2 × 10−2 J. The value of 𝑋 is:
(a) 1𝜇F
(b) 2𝜇F
(c) 3𝜇F
(d) 4𝜇F
[CBSE Term-1 2021]

Very Short & Short Qs (1 - 3 marks)

43. Two charged conducting spheres of radii 𝑎 and 𝑏 are connected to each other by a wire. Find the
ratio of the electric fields at their surfaces.
[CBSE 2020]

44. A parallel plate capacitor (A) of capacitance 𝐶 is charged by a battery to voltage 𝑉. The battery is
disconnected and an uncharged capacitor (B) of capacitance 2𝐶 is connected across 𝐴. Find the
ratio of:
(A) final charges on 𝐴 and 𝐵.

(B) total electrostatic energy stored in A and 𝐵 finally and that stored in A initially.

[CBSE 2023]
45. (A) Draw equipotential surfaces for (i) an electric dipole and (ii) two identical positive charges
places near each other.

(B) In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates each plate has an area of 6 × 10−3
m2 and the separation between the plates is 3 mm.
(i) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.

(ii) If the capacitor is connected to 100 V supply, what would be the charge on each plate?

(iii) How would charge on the plate be affected if a 3 mm thick mica sheet of 𝐾 = 6 is inserted
between the plates while the voltage supply remains connected?
[CBSE SQP 2022]

46. The space between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor is completely filled in two ways. In the
first case, it is filled with a slab of dielectric constant 𝐾. In the second case, it is filled with two
slabs of equal thickness and dielectric constants 𝐾1 and 𝐾2 respectively as shown in the figure.
The capacitance of the capacitor is same in the two cases. Obtain the relationship between 𝐾,𝐾1
and 𝐾2.

[CBSE 2020]
47. When a parallel plate capacitor is connected across a dc battery, explain briefly how the capacitor
gets charged.
[CBSE 2019]

48. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery to a potential difference 𝑉. It is disconnected

form battery and then connected to another uncharged capacitor of the same capacitance.
Calculate the ratio of the energy stored in the combination to the initial energy on the single
capacitor.
[CBSE 2019]

49. (A) Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with air present between
the two plates.
(B) Obtain the equivalent capacitance of the network shown in figure. For a 300 V supply,
determine the charge on each capacitor.
[Delhi Gov. SQP 2022]
 [CBSE SQP 2023]

50. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance ' 𝐶 ' is charged to ' 𝑉 ' volts by a battery. After some time
the battery is disconnected and the distance between the plates is doubled. Now a slab of dielectric
constant, 1 ≤ 𝑘 < 2, is introduced to fill the space between the plates. How will the following be
affected?
(A) The electric field between the plates of the capacitor

(B) The energy stored in the capacitor

(C) Justify your answer by writing the necessary expressions.

[CBSE 2019]

51. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor. On charging a parallel
plate capacitor to a potential V, the spacing between the plates is halved and a dielectric medium
of 𝜀𝑟 = 10 is introduced between the plates. Explain, using suitable expression, how the (A)
capacitance, (B) electric field.

[CBSE 2018]
52. An infinitely large thin plane sheet has a uniform surface charge density +𝜎. Obtain the
expression for the amount of work done in bringing a point charge 𝑞 from infinity to a point,
distant 𝑟, in front of the charged plane sheet.
[CBSE 2017]
53. (A) Explain, using suitable diagrams, the difference in the behaviour of a (i) conductor and (ii)
dielectric in the presence of external electric field. Define the terms polarisation of a dielectric and
write its relation with susceptibility.
𝑄
(B) A thin metallic spherical shell of radius 𝑅 carries a charge 𝑄 on its surface. A point charge
2
is placed at its centre 𝐶 and an other charge +2𝑄 is placed outside the shell at a distance 𝑥 from
the centre as shown in the figure. Find (i) the force on the charge at the centre of shell and at the
point 𝐴, (ii) the electric flux through the shell.

[CBSE 2015]
 54. Two capacitors of unknown capacitances 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 are connected first in series and then in
parallel across a battery of 100 V. If the energy stored in the two combinations is 0.045 J and
0.25 J respectively, then determine the value of 𝐶1 and 𝐶2 . Also, calculate the charge on each
capacitor in parallel combination.
[CBSE 2015]

Numerical Qs (1 - 5 marks)
55 In the figure given below, find the
(A) equivalent capacitance of the network between points 𝐴 and 𝐵.

Given: 𝐶1 = 𝐶5 = 4𝜇, 𝐹, 𝐶2 = 𝐶3 = 𝐶4 = 2𝜇𝐹.

(B) maximum charge supplied by the battery, and

(C) total energy stored in the network.

[CBSE 2020]

56. Two identical capacitors of 12pF each are connected in series across a battery of 50 V. How
much electrostatic energy is stored in the combination? If these were connected in parallel across
the same battery, how much energy will be stored in the combination now? Also find the charge
drawn from the battery in each case.
[CBSE 2017]

57. (A) Find equivalent capacitance between 𝐴 and 𝐵 in the combination given below. Each capacitor
is of 2𝜇F capacitance.

(B) If a dc source of 7 V is connected across 𝐴𝐵, how much charge is drawn from the source and
what is the energy stored in the network?
[CBSE 2017]
 Energy Stored in a Capacitor:

MCQ:

58. Ten capacitors, each of capacitance 1 µF, are connected in parallel to a source of 100 V. The total
energy stored in the system is equal to :
(a) 10-2
(b) 10-3
(c) 0.5×10-3
(d) 5.0×10-2
(2024)