Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions

2.2 Electrostatic Potential SA I (3 marks)

VSA (1 mark) 7. Derive the expression for the electric
potential
Name the due to an electric dipole at a point on its axial
1. physical quantity whose S.I. unit is
line. (2/3, Delhi 2017)
JC Is it a
scalar or a vector quantity?
8. Deduce an expression for the electric potential
(AI 2010)
2.3 Potential due toa Point Charge due to an electric dipole at any point on its axis.
Mention one contrasting feature of electric
VSA (1 mark) potential of a dipole at a point as compared to
2. A point charge +Q is placed at point O as shown that due to a single charge. (Delhi 2007)
in the figure. Is the potential difference
positive, negative or zero?
V V» -

LA (5 marks)
9. Obtain the expression for the potential due to an
A B electric dipole of dipole moment p at a point 'x
(Delhi 2016, Foreign 2016, Delhi 2011) on the axial line.
(2/5, AI 2013C)
SAL (2 marks)
2.5 Potential due to a System of
3. Draw a plot showing the variation of (i) electric
field (E) änd (ii) electric potential (V) with
Charges
distance r due to a point charge Q. SAT (2 marks)
(Delhi 2012) 10. Two point charges q and -2gare kept'd' distance
apart. Find the location of point relative to
SAIL (3 marks)
charge q at which potential due to this system
4. Plot a graph comparing the variation of potential of charges is zero. (AI 2014C)
Vand electric field E dueto a point charge Q' as
I1. Two point charges 4 4C and -2 4C are separated
function of distance "R from the point charge.
by a distance of 1 m in air. Calculate at what
(1/3, Foreign 2010) point on the line joining the two charges is the
2.4 Potential due to an Electric electric potential zero.
(AI 2007)
Dipole
2.6 Equipotential Surfaces
VSA (1 mark)
5. What is the electrostatic potential due to an VSA (1 mark)
electric dipole at an equatorial point? 12. Why are electric field lines perpendicular at a

conductor?
(AI 2009) point on an equipotential surface ofa
(AI 2015C)
SAI (2 marks)
13. "For any charge configuration, equipotential
6, Derive the expression for the electric potential is normal to the electric
surface through a point
at any point along the axial line of an electric
field" Justify. (Delhi 2014)
dipole?
(Delhi 2008)
14. igure shows the field lines on a positive charge. (2, 3)
Is the work done by the field in moving a small
positive charge from Q to P positive or negative?
Give reason.
(2.0) .6 ,0)
A

(AI 2012)
20. Two uniformly large parallel thin plates having
densities +0 and -o are kept in the X-Z plane
at a distance d apart. Sketch an equipotential
surface due to electric field between the plates.
(Foreign 2014)
If a particle of mass m and charge -q remains
15. What is the geometrical shape of equipotential
surfaces due to a single isolated charge? stationary between the plates, what is the
(Delhi 2013, AI 2010C) magnitude and direction of this field?
(Delhi 2011)
16. Two charges 2 uC and -2 uC are placed at points
A and B, 5 cm apart. Depict an equipotential 21. (a) Draw equipotential surfaces due to point
surface of the system. Q>0.
(Delhi 2013C) (b) Are these surfaces equidistant from each
17. What is the amount of work done in moving a other? If no, explain why?
point charge around a circular arc of radius r (Delhi 2011C)
at the centre of which another point charge is 22. Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each
located? other? Give reasons. (Delhi 2011C)
(AI 2013C) 23. Two point charges 2 uC and -21uC are placed at
SAI (2 marks) points A and B, 6 cm apart.
(i) Draw equpotential surfaces of the system.
18. Two closely spaced equipotential surfaces A and
Bwith potentials Vand V+8V, (whereôVis the Gi) Why do the equipotential surfaces get closer
to each other near the point
change in V), are kept 8l distance apart as shown charges?
in the figure. Deduce the relation between the (AI 2011C)
electric field and the potential gradient between 24. Draw 3 equipotential surfaces corresponding to
them. Write the two important conclusions a field that uniformly increases in magnitude but
concerning the relation between the electric remains constant along Z-direction. How are
field and electric potentials. these surfaces different from that of a constant
V+ôV electric field along Z-direction? (AI 2009)
**************

SA IL (3 marks)
25. Depict the equipotential surfaces due to an
electric dipole. (2/3, Delhi 2017)
26. Define an equipotential surface. Draw
(Delhi 2014C) equipotential surfaces:
19. A test charge 'q is moved without acceleration (i) in the case of a single point charge and
from A to C along the path from A to B and (ii) in a constant electric field in Z-direction.
then from B to C in electric field E as shown in Why the equipotential surface about a
the figure. (i) Calculate the potential difference single charge are notequidistant?
between A and C. (i) At which point (of the (ii) Can electric field exist tangential to an
two) is the electric potential .1ore and equipotential surface? Give reason.
why? (AI 2016)
27. Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system
Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy
of wo dentical powitive point charges placed a ofthe system of charges, ) 2x 10 C.
distance l apart (1/3, Delhi 2010) (AI 2008)

LA| (5 marks) 2.8 Potential Energy in an External

N, Draw the equipotential surfaces due to an Field
electric dipole. Locate the points where the
potential due to the dipole is zero SAL (2 marks)
(2/5, Al 2013) 36. A dipole, with its charges, -q and *q. located
o Write two properties of cquipotential surfaces at the points (0, -b, 0) and (0, +b, 0). is present
Depict equipotential surfaces due to an isolated in a uniform electric field E. The equipotential
point charge.
surfaces of this field, are planes parallel to the
Why do the cquipotential
surfaces get cdoser as the distance between the
equipotential surface and the source charge yz planes.
(i) What is the direction ofthe electric field E?
decreases? (AI 2012C)
(ii) How much torque would the dipole
experience in this field?
2.7 Potential Energy of a System of (Delhi 201OC)
Charges
SA L (3 marks)
VSA (1 mark)
37. Deduce the expression for the potential energy
30. A 500 uC charge at the centre of a square of side of a system of two point charges q and q
10 cm. Find the work done in moving a charge the points and
of 10 mC between two diagonally opposite
brought from infinity to
respectively in the presence of external electric
points on the square. (Delhi 2008)
field E.
(2/3, Delhi 2010)
S A I (2 marks)
31. Calculate the amount of work done to dissociate LA (5 marks)
a system of three charges 1uC, 1uC and -4uC
38. An infinitely large thin plane sheet has a uniform
placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle
(AI 2013C) surface charge density +a. Obtain the expression
of side 10 cm.
for the amount ofwork done in bringinga point
32. Two charges -q and +q are located at point
A(0, 0, -a) and B(0, 0, +a) respectively. How charge q from infinity to a point, distant r. in
front of the charged plane sheet. (3/5, AI 201)
much work is done in moving a test charge from
point P7, 0, 0) to Q-3, 0,0)?
(1/2, Delhi 2011C) 2.9 Electrostatics of Conductors
33. Find out the expression for the potential ener8Y
located VSA (1 mark)
of a system of three charges qu 4 and q,
and
39. Why is the potential inside a hollow spherical
respectively at . i with respect to the
Common origin O. (Delhi 2010C) charged conductor constant and has the same
value as on its surtace? (Foreign 2012)
= x
54. Two point dharges, q 10 10 C and 5 is charged
are a 40. A hollow metal sphere ot radius cm
4 -2 10 C separated by distance ot 10 V
60 cm in air such that the potential on its surtace is
of the sphere?
at
what distance from the lst charge, What is the potential at the centre
(i) Find (AI 201)
be z e r .
1. would the electric potential
(ii) Also calculate the electrostatic pulenlial SAII (3 marks)
(AI 2009)
energy of the system. of a
41. Show that the capacitance
spherical
are separated byY of the
35. Two points charges 4Q. radius
the conductor is 4nE, times the
I m in air. At what point on the line joining spherical conductor. (Delhi 201OC)
zero?
charges is the electric field intensity
 VBQ (4 marks) (ii) Define the term dielectric strength. What
does this term signify?
42. While travelling back to his residence in the car,
Dr. Pathak was caught up in a thunderstorm. It (AI 2015C)
became very dark. He stopped driving the car
and waited for thunderstorm to stop. Suddenly
LA (5 marks)
he noticed a child walking alone on the road. 46. Explain, using suitable diagrams, the difference
He asked the boy to come inside the car till the in the behaviour of a (i) conductor and (ii)
thunderstorm stopped. Dr. Pathak dropped dielectric in the presence of external electric
the boy at his residence. The boy insisted that field. Define the terms polarization ofa dielectric
Dr. Pathak should meet his parents. The parents and write its relation with susceptibility.
expressed their gratitude to Dr. Pathak for his
concern for safety of the child.
(Delhi 2012C)
Answer the following questions based on the 2.11 Capacitors and Capacitance
above information:
(a) Why is it safer to sit inside a car during a VSA (1 mark)
thunderstorm?
(b) Which two values are displayed by Dr. 47. The given graph shows variation of charge 'q
Pathak in his action? versus potential difference 'V for two capacitors
(c) Which values are reflected in parents C and C. Both the capacitors have same plate
response to Dr. Pathak? separation but plate area of C is greater than
(d) Give an example of similar action on your that of C. Which line (A or B) corresponds to
part in the past from everyday life.
C and why?
(Delhi 2013)
2.10 Dielectrics and Polarisation
B
VSA (1 mark)
43. Distinguish between a dielectric and a
conductor? (Delhi 2012C)
(AI 2014C)
SAL (2 marks)
SAL (2 marks)
44. Distinguish between polar and non-polar
dielectric. 48. Determine the potential difference the
(AI 2010C) across
plates of the capacitor"'G of the network shown
VBQ (4 marks) in the figure. [Assume E,> E;l
45. Immediatly after school hour, as Bimla with C+
her friends came out, they noticed that there
was a sudden thunderstorm
accompanied by
the lightening. They could not find any suitable
place for shelter. Dr. Kapoor who was passing E
thereby in his car noticed these children and
offered them to come in their car. He even took
care to drop them to the C2
locality where they (Delhi 2012C)
were staying. Bimlas parents, who were
saw this and expressed their
waiting,
gratitude to Dr. 2.12 The Parallel Plate Capacitor
Kapoor.
(i) What values did Dr. Kapoor and Bimla's SAL (2 marks)
parents displayed?
(ii) Why is it considered safe to be inside 49. What is the area of the plates of 2 F parallel plate
a car especially during lightening and capacitor having separation between the plates
thunderstorm? is 0.5 cm? (AI 2011)
SA I (3 marks) 54. Two identical parallel plate (air) capacitor C
and C, have capacitances C each. The area
50. Explain the underlying principle of working of a between their plates in now filled with dielectrics
parallel plate capacitor. as shown.
If two similar plates, each of area A having
surface charge densities + and -o are separated
/2
by a distance d in air, write expressions for
(G) the electric field at points between the two
plates.
(ii) the potential difference between the plates.
(iii) the capacitance of the capacitor so formed.
(AI 2007)
If the two capacitors still have equal capacitance,
LA(5 marks) obtained the relation between dielectric
51. If two large plates, each of area A
similar constants K, K, and K.
(Foreign 2011)
having surface charge densities + o and - o
are separated by a distance d in air,
find the
expressions for SA I (3 marks)
between the
(a) field at points between the two plates and on 55. In parallel plate capacitor with air
a
area of 6 x 10 m2 and
outer side of the plates. Specify the direction plates, each plate has an
is 3 m m .
of the field in each case. the separation between the plates
the plates. of the capacitor.
(b) potential difference between
the i) Calculate the capacitance
formed. connected to 100V supply,
(c) the capacitance of the capacitor
so
(ii) Ifthis capacitor is
(3/5, Al 2016) what would be the charge on each plate?
the plates be affected,
(ii) How would charge on
2.13 Effect of Dielectric on mica sheet of K 6 is inserted
ifa 3 mm thick
=

between the plates while the voltage supply

Capacitance remains connected?
(Foreign 2014)
S A L (2 marks)
How is the electric field
due to a charged
of radius r, encloses a net charge Q. 56. (a)
52. A sphere S affected when a
concentric sphere S of radius parallel plate capacitor
If there is another dielectric slab is inserted
between the plates
2Q, find the ratio
rzr2>r) enclosing charge region?
of the electric flux through S,
and S2. How will fully occupying the intervening
dielectric constant K
S, change if a (b) A slab of material of
the electric flux through sphere the plates of a parallel
introduced in has the same area as
constant 5 is
medium of dielectric
where
the space inside S, in place
of air?
plate capacitor but
has thickness d,
2
plates. Find
between the
20 d is the separation
when the
the capacitance
the expression for
between the plates.
slab is inserted
(AI 2014C) (Foreign 2010)

K has
material of dielectric constant
53. A slab of LA (5 marks)
a parallel
the s a m e area as that
of the plates of of plate
dimensions

d/2, where identical capacitors

has the thickness 57. Two dielectric slabs
plate capacitor but Find out
Ixb and plate
separation have d
between the plates. as shown
d is the separation of the plates
when the slab hlled in between the space
its capacitance
the expression for
capacitor.
is inserted between
the plates of the in the figures.
(AI 2013)
 SA IL(3 marks)
each of 12 uF
60. A network of four capacitors
to a 500 V supply as
capacitance is connected
shown in the figure. Determine (a) equivalent
**

and (b) charge on

capacitance of the network
each capacitor.
C2

K ***

/2- G/2
Obtain the relation between the dielectric C
constants K, K, and K2. 500 V
(AI 2013C) (AI 2010)

2.14 Combination of Capacitors L A (5 marks)

61. Show that the effective capacitance, C, of a series
SAI(2 marks) combination, of three capacitors, Ci, C2 and C
58. A network of four capacitors, each of capacit e
is given by
15 uE is connected across a battery of 100 V, as
shown in the figure. Find the net capacitance C GC2C3
(CC2 +C2C3 +C3C)
and the charge on the capacitor C (AI 2010C)

2.15 Energy Stored in a Capacitor

CT SAI(2 marks)
62. Calculate the potential difference and the
in the circuit
energy stored in the capacitor C,
shown in the figure. Given potential at A is 90 V,
C 20 uE, C2 = 30 uF and C3 = 15 uE
100 V
A
(AI 2012C
(AI 2015)
59. 1 mF capacitance connected to a battery of 6
V. Initially switch S is closed. After sometime 63. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is
to
S is left open and dielectric slabs of dielectric charged to a potential V. It is then connected
constant K=3 are inserted to fill completely the another uncharged capacitor having the same
Find out the ratio of the energy
space between the plates of the two capacitors. capacitance.
How will the (i) charge and (ii) potential stored in the combined system to that stored
difference between the plates of the capacitors initially in the single capacitor.
(AI 2014)
be affected after the slabs are inserted?
64. A parallel plate capacitor, each of plate areaA
is
and separation 'd' between the two plates,
the two
6 VE C1 charged with charges +Q and -Q on
plates. Deduce the expression for the energy
stored in capacitor.
(Delhi 2011) (Foreign 2013)
65. Deduce the expression for the electrostatic
energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance 'C"
and having charge 'Q. (AI 2017)
How will the (i) energy stored and (ii) the
electric field inside the capacitor be affected 71. Two parallel plate
when it is completeBly filled with a dielectric capacitors Xand Yhave
material of dielectric constant 'K'? (AI 2012) the same area of plates
three identical capacitors in and same separation
66. Net capacitance of between them. X has
series is 1 uF. What will be their net capacitance to -
air between the plates 15V
if connected in parallel? while Y contains a
Find the ratio of energy stored in the two dielectric of e, = 4.
configurations if they are both connected to the () Calculate capacitance of each capacitor if
same source. (AI2011) equivalent capacitance of the combination is

SAII (3 marks) difference between

(ii) Calculate the potential
67. (i) Find the equivalent capacitance between the plates of X and Y.
A and B in the combination given below. Each (ii) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy
capacitor is of 2 uF capacitance. stored in X and Y. (Delhi 2016)
the
72. In the following arrangement of capacitors,
is E. Find the
energy stored in the 6 uF capacitor
value of the following
(i) Energy stored in 12 uF capacitor
AB,
(i) If a dc source of7 V is connected
across (ii) Energy stored in 3 uF capacitor
and
how much charge is drawn from the source ii) Total energy drawn from the battery
what is the energy stored in the network?
(Delhi 2017)
to a 50 V battery.
68. A 12 pF capacitor is connected 6 uF
stored in
How much electrostatic energy is
is
the capacitor? If another capacitor of pF
6
connected in series with it with the same battery 3 uF

connected across the combination,

find the 12 uF
difference across (Foreign 2016)
charge stored and potential
each capacitor. (Delhi 2017 73. Two capacitors of unknown capacitances C
then in
69. Two identical capacitors of 12 pf
each are and G are connected first in series and
the energy
connected in series across a battery
of 50 V. parallel across a battery of 100 V. If and
in the the two combinations is 0.045 J
How much electronstatic energy is stored stored in
and
combination? If these were connected in parallel 0.25 respectively, determine the value of C,
across the same battery, how much energy
will C. Also calculate the charge on each capacitor
be stored in the combination now? in parallel combination (Delhi 2015)

Also find the charge drawn from the battery in 74. (a) Obtain the expression for the energy
stored

each case. (Delhi 2017)

per unit volume in a charged
parallel plate
70. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and capacitor.
B are connected to a battery of V volt with the
switch S closed. The switch is now opened and
the free space between the plates of the capacitors
is filled withdielectric of dielectric constant K.
a
Find the ratio of the total electrostatic energy
stored in both capacitors before and after the
introduction of the dielectric.
 (iii) energy stored in the network of capacitors
(b) The electric field inside a parallel plate
(Delhi 2009)
capacitor is E. Find the amount of work done
in moving a charge q over a closed rectangular
(Delhi 2014) L A ( 5 marks)
loopa b c da.
80. Find the ratio of the potential differences that
75. A capacitor of unknown capacitance
and series
connected across a battery of V volts. The charge must be applied across the parallel
combination of two capacitors Ci and C with
stored in it is 360 uC. When potential across the
ratio 1: 2 so that the
capacitor isreduced by 120 V, the charge stored their capacitances in the
the two cases becomes the
in it becomes 120 uC. energy stored in
(3/5, AI 2016)
Calculate: same.
(i) The potential V and the unknown 81. (a) Derive the expression
tor the energy stored
capacitance C. Hence obtain the
in a parallel plate capacitor.
(ii) What will be the charge stored in the expression for the energy density
of the electric
capacitor, if the voltage applied had field.
increased by 120 VN? (Delhi 2013) A fully charged parallel plate capacitor
(b)
identical
76. A capacitor of 200 pF is charged by a 300 V is connected across an uncharged
the energy stored in the
battery. The battery is then disconnected and capacitor. Show that
the charged capacitor is connected to another combination is less than that stored initially in
uncharged capacitor of 100 pF. Calculate the the single capacitor. (AI 2015)
difference between the final energy stored in the the energy stored in
combined system and the initial energy stored 82. Derive expression for
an
a

parallel plate capacitor.

in the single capacitor. (Foreign 2012)
On chargingparallel plate capacitor to a
a
77. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. between the plates
potential V, the spacing
After sometime the battery is disconnected and is halved, and a dielectric medium of e, =
10
a dielectric slab with its thickness equal to
the
is introduced between the plates, without
plate separation is inserted between the plates. disconnecting the d.c. source. Explain, using
How will (i) the capacitance of the capacitor, (ii)
suitable expressions, how the (i) capacitance,
potential difference between the plates and (ii)
(ii) electric field and (ii) energy density of the
the energy stored in the capacitor be affected? (AI 2008)
capacitor change.
Justify your answer in each case.
(Delhi 2011C, 2010, AI 2009, Delhi 2007) 2.16 Van de Graaff Generator

78. Find the ratio of the the potential difference that

must be applied across the parallel and
the series L A (5 marks)
combination of two identical capacitors so that
83. Draw a labelled diagram of Van de Graatt
the energy stored in the two cases, becomes the
generator.State its working principle to show
same. (2/3, Foreign 2010)
how by introducing a small charged sphere into
79. Three identical capacitors C, C2 and C, of
capacitance 6 uF each are connected to a 12 V
a larger sphere, a large amount of charge can be
battery as shown. transterred to the outer sphere. State the use or
this machine and also point out its limitations.
(AI 2014)
84. Explain the principle of a device that can build
12V up high voltages of the order of a few million
olts.
C Draw a schematic diagram and explain thne

working of this device.

Find Is there any restriction on the upper limit of the
(i) charge on the capacitor high voltages set up in this machine? Explain.
(ii) equivalent capacitance of the network (Delhi 2012)