CAPACITANCE

INDEX

CONTENTS

CAPACITANCE .......................................................................... Page – 2-21

EXERCISE (1) ............................................................................ Page –22-30

EXERCISE (2) ............................................................................ Page –31-42

EXERCISE (3) ............................................................................ Page –43-43

EXERCISE (4 A) ........................................................................ Page –44-46

EXERCISE (4 B) ........................................................................ Page –47-48

EXERCISE (5) ............................................................................ Page –49-51

ANSWER KEY ............................................................................ Page –52

 CAPACITANCE
CAPACITANCE
CAPACITANCE :
(1) Charge given to a conductor increases it's potential Q  V  CV
where C is a proportionality constant, called capacity or capacitance of conductor. Hence capacitance
is the ability of conductor to hold the charge.

Coulomb
(2) It's S.I. unit is  Farad (F)
Volt
Smaller S.I. units are mF, µF and pF (1mF = 10–3F, 1µF = 10-6F, 1nF = 10–9F, 1pF = 1µµF=10–12F)
(3) It's C.G.S. unit is Stat Farad 1F = 9 × 1011 Stat Farad.
(4) It's dimension : [C] = [M–1L–2T4A2].
(5) Capacity of a body is independent of charge given to the body or it's potential raised and depends
on shape and size only.

CAPACITY OF AN ISOLATED SPHERICAL CONDUCTOR :

When charge Q is given to a spherical conductor of radius R, then potential at the surface of sphere
is
+ + Q
1 Q Q + +
V   40 R + R
40 R V +
+
+
O
+ +
+ + +
1
C  40 R  .R
9 109

If earth is assumed to be a conducting sphere having radius R = 6400 km. It's theoretical capacitance
C = 711 µF. But for all practical purpose capacitance of earth is taken infinity and its potential
V = 0.
Illustration :
Can a sphere of radius 1 cm, placed in air be given a charge of 1 coulomb.
Sol. Potential of sphere of 1 cm radius is

q
Vk
r

1
= 9 × 109 × 2
 9  1011 volt
10
This potential is so high that the surrounding air gets ionized, thereby charge leaks to the
medium. [air gets ionized at 3 × 106 volt]
Ans. [No]
 CAPACITANCE
COMBINATION OF CHARGED DROPS :
Suppose we have n identical drops each having Radius (r), Capacitance (c), Charge (q), Potential
(v) and Energy (u).
If these drops are combined to form a big drop of Radius (R), Capacitance (C), Charge (Q),
Potential (V) and energy (U) then
(1) Charge on big drop : Q = nq
(2) Radius of big drop : volume of big drop = n × volume of a single drop i.e.,

4 3 4
R = n × r 3 , R = n1/3 r
3 3
(3) Capacitance of big drop : C = n1/3c

Q nq
(4) Potential of big drop : V   1/ 3  V = n2/3v
C n c

1 1
(5) Energy of big drop : U  CV 2  (n1/ 3c)(n 2 / 3 v) 2
2 2
(6) Energy difference : Total energy of big drop is greater than the total energy all smaller drop.
Hence energy difference

U  1 
U = U – nu = U – n × 5/3 = U
1  2 / 3 
n  n 

q
(7) Surface charge density of big drop (') :  
4r 2

Q nq q 1 
 '  2 
'  1/ 3 2 = 2 × 2/3 = .n
4R 4  ( n r ) 4r n n2/3
 ' = n1/3
Illustration :
64 water drops having equal charges and equal radius combine to form one bigger drop. The
capacity of bigger drop, as compared to that of smaller drop will be :
(1) 8 times (2) 64 times (3) 4 times (4) 16 times

4 4
Sol.  R 3  64  r 3
3 3
 R = 4r
CR
Hence Ans. [3]
 CAPACITANCE
CAPACITOR OR CONDENSER :
(1) A capacitor is a device that stores electric energy or a capacitor is a pair of two conductors of
any shape, which are close to each other and have equal and opposite charge.
(2) The capacitance of a capacitor is defined as the magnitude of the charge Q on the positive plate
Q
divided by the magnitude of the potential difference V between the plates i.e., C 
V

++ –
+ ++ + –
–
++ –
–
+ ++ –
–
++ –
–

(3) A capacitor get's charged when a battery is connected across the plates. Once capacitor get's fully
charged, flow of charge carriers stops in the circuit and in this condition potential difference across
the plates of capacitor is same as the potential difference across the terminals of battery.
(4) net charge on a capacitor is always zero, but when we speak of the charge Q on a capacitor, we
are referring to the magnitude of the charge on each plate.
(5) energy stored : When a capacitor is charged by a voltage source (say battery) it stores the
electric energy. If C = Capacitance of capacitor ; Q = Charge on capacitor and V = Potential

1 1 Q2
difference across capacitor then energy stored in capacitor U  CV  QV 
2

2 2 2C
In charging capacitor by battery half the energy supplied is stored in the capacitor and remaining
half energy (1/2QV) is lost in the form of heat.
DIELECTRIC :
Dielectric are insulating (non-conducting) materials which transmits electric effect without conducting.
Dielectrics are of two types :

(1) Polar dielectrics : A polar molecule has permanent electric dipole moment ( p) in the absence of
electric field also. But a polar dielectric has net dipole moment zero in the absence of electric field
because polar molecules are randomly oriented as shown in figure.

– + – +
– + –
+
– + – +
+ – + –

In the presence of electric field polar molecules tends to line up on the direction of electric field,
and the substance has finite dipole moment e.g. water, Alcohol, CO2 NH3, HCl etc. are made of
polar atoms/molecules.
(2) Non polar dielectric : In non-polar molecules, Each molecule has zero dipole moment in its
normal state.
When electric field is applied, molecules becomes induced electric dipole e.g. N2, O2, Benzene,
Methane etc. are made of non-polar atoms/molecules.
In general, any non-conducting material can be called as a dielectric but broadly non-conducting
 CAPACITANCE
material having non-polar molecules are referred to as dielectric.
(3) Polarization of a dielectric slab : It is the process of inducing equal and opposite charges on
the two faces of the dielectric on the application of electric field.

+ – + – +
–
+ – + – + –
+ – +
E– + –
+ – – –
+ +
+ –
– + – +

(i) Electric field between the plates in the presence of dielectric medium is E' = E – Ei where E = Main
field, E' = Induced field.
(ii) dielectric constant of dielectric medium is defined as
E Electric field between the plate in vaccum / air
 K
E ' Electric field between the plates with medium
(iii) K is also known as relative permittivity (r) of the material
(4) Dielectric breakdown and dielectric strength : If a very high electric field is created in a
dielectric ,. The dielectric then behaves like a conductor. This phenomenon is known as dielectric
breakdown.
The maximum value of electric field (or potential gradient) that a dielectric material can tolerate
without it's electric breakdown is called it's dielectric strength.
V kV
S.I. unit of dielectric strength of a material is but practical unit is
m mm

CAPACITY OF VARIOUS CAPACITOR

PARALLEL PLATE CAPACITOR :
It consists of two parallel metallic plates (may be circular, rectangular, square) separated by a small
distance. If A = Effective overlapping area of each plate.
 Q
(i) Electric field between the plates : E  
 0 A0

d
(ii) Potential difference between the plates : V = E × d = 
0

0 A
(iii) Capacitance : C 
d
(iv) If a dielectric medium of dielectric constant K is filled completely between the plates then capacitance
 CAPACITANCE

K0 A
increases by K times i.e. C'   C' = KC
d

 1
(v) The capacitance of parallel plate capacitor depends on A (C  A) and d  C   . It does not
 d
depend on the charge on the plates or the potential difference between the plates.
(vi) If a dielectric slab is partially filled between the plates

+ –
+ t –
+
0 A –
C'  A + –
  t 
d  t   +
K –
 K
E
d

(vii) If a number of dielectric slabs are inserted between the plate as shown.

A K1 K2 K3

t1 t2 t3
d

0A
C' 
 t t t 
d  ( t1  t 2  t 3  ......)   1  2  3  ........ 
 K1 K 2 K 3 
(viii) When a metallic slab is inserted between the plates

t
–
–
–
A
A –
C'  0 –
(d  t ) K=

If metallic slab fills the complete space between the plates (i.e. t = d) or both plates are joined
through a metallic wire then capacitance becomes infinite.
 CAPACITANCE
(ix) Force between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor.

2A Q2 CV 2
| F |  
20 20 A 2d
(x) Energy density between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor

Energy 1
Energy density =  0E 2
Volume 2
Illustration :
The capacitance of a capacitor is C when the distance between the plates is halved, the
capacitance will becomes :
(1) half (2) twice (3) one-fourth (4) four-times

1
Sol. C
d

C1 d 2 d1 / 2
 
C 2 d1 d1

C1 1
 C  2  C2  2C1 Ans. [2]
2

Illustration :
If the distance between the plates of a capacitor is made half and the area of plates is
doubled, then the capacitance will becomes :
(1) Twice (2) Four times (3) Half (4) One-Fourth

1
Sol. C and C  a
d

A
 C
d

C1 A1 d 2 A1 d1 / 2 1
 C  A . d  2A d  4
2 2 1 1 1

 C2 = 4C1 Ans.[2]

Illustration :
If 50µF be the capacity of a capacitor in air, and 110µF in oil then the dielectric constant
oil will be :
(1) 0.45 (2) 0.55 (3) 1.10 (4) 2.20
 CAPACITANCE

C1 K1
Sol. C K C K
2 2

50 106 1
 6
 [for air K1 = 1]
110 10 K2

 K2 = 2.20 Ans. [4]

VARIATION OF DIFFERENT VARIABLE (Q, C, V, E AND U) OF PARALLEL PLATE
CAPACITOR WHEN DIELECTRIC IS INTRODUCED :
Initial Condition Battery is Removed Battery Remains connected

E E' –Q' E'

Q –Q Q' Q' –Q'

A A K A K

d d d

Capacity V C' = KC C' = KC V

Charge Q' = Q Q'= KQ

Potential V' = V/K V' = V
Electric field E' = E/K E' = E
Energy U' = U/K U'' = KU
pherical capacitor :
It consists of two concentric conducting spheres of radii a and b (a < b). Inner sphere is given charge
+ Q, while outer sphere is earthed
(i) Potential difference : Between the spheres is –Q

Q Q a
V 
40a 40 b
b
+Q

 ab 
(ii) Capacitance : C = 40  
ba 
(iii) If outer sphere is given a charge + Q while inner sphere is earthed
Induced charge on the inner sphere
a
a
Q'   .Q and capacitance of b +Q
b
b2
the system C'  40 .
ba
This arrangement is not a capacitor. But it's capacitance is equivalent to the sum of capacitance
b2 ab
of spherical capacitor and spherical conductor i.e. 40 .  40  40 b
ba ba
 CAPACITANCE
CYLINDRICAL CAPACITOR :
It consists of two co-axial cylinders of radii a and b (a < b), inner cylinder is given charge + Q
while outer cylinder is earthed. Common length of the cylinders is l then
b a Q–Q

20
C l
b
log e  
a

Grouping of capacitors
SERIES GROUPING :

(i) Charge on each capacitor remains same and equals to the main charge supplied by the battery but
potential difference distributes i.e. V = V1 + V2 + V3
(ii) Equivalent capacitance
1 1 1 1
  
Ceq C1 C 2 C3
C1 C2 C3
+Q –Q +Q –Q +Q –Q
+ – + – + –
+ – + – + –
+ – + – + –
+ – + – + –
V1 V2 V3

+ –
V
(iii) In series combination potential difference and energy distributes in the reverse ratio of capacitances
i.e.

1 1
V and U 
C C
(iv) If two capacitors having capacitances C1 and C2 are connected in series then

C1C2 Multiplication
Ceq  
C1  C2 Addition

 C2   C1 
V1   .V and V2   .V
 1
C  C 2   1
C  C 2 

(v) If n identical capacitors each having capacitances C are connected in series with supply voltage
C V
V then Equivalent capacitance Ceq  and potential difference across each capacitor V ' 
n n
(vi) If n identical plates are arranged as shown below, they constitute (n – 1) capacitors in series. If
 CAPACITANCE

0A 0A
each capacitor has capacitance then Ceq 
d (n  1)d

+ – + – +– + –
+ + – + – +– + – –
+ – + – +– + –
+ – + – +– + –

In this situation except two extreme plates each plate is common to adjacent capacitor.

(vii) Here, effective capacitance Ceq is even less than the least of the individual capacitance.
PARALLEL GROUPING :
(i) Potential difference across each capacitor remains same and equal to the applied potential difference
but charge distributes
i.e. Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3
+Q1 + – –Q1
+–
+–
Q1 +–
+Q2 –Q2
Q2 + –
+
–
+–
+–
Q Q3 +Q3 ––Q3
+
+–
+–
+–

V
(ii) Ceq = C1 + C2 + C3
(iii) In parallel combination charge and energy distributes in the ratio of capacitance i.e. Q  C and
UC
(iv) If two capacitors having capacitance C1 and C2 respectively are connected in parallel then
Ceq = C1 + C2

 C1   C2 
Q1   .Q and Q2   .Q
 C1  C2   C1  C2 
(v) If n identical capacitors are connected in parallel, then Equivalent capacitance Ceq = nC and
Q
Charge on each capacitor Q' 
n
If n identical plates are arranged such that even numbered plates are connected together and odd
numbered plates are connected together, then (n – 1) capacitors will be formed and they will be
in parallel grouping.

2 4 6

1 3 5 7

Equivalent capacitance C' = (n – 1) C

 CAPACITANCE
0A
where C = capacitance of a capacitor =
d
(vi) This type of combination is used when high capacity is required.
(vii) If Cp is the effective capacity when n identical capacitors are connected in parallel and Cs is their
Cp
effective capacity when connected in series, then C  n
2

Illustration :
The capacitor of capacitance 4 µF and 6 µF are connected in series. A potential difference
of 500 volts is applied to the outer plates of the two capacitor system. Then the charge on
each capacitor is numerically :
(1) 6000 C (2) 1200 C (3) 1200 µC (4) 6000 µC

C1C 2
Sol. CR   2.4µF
C1  C 2

Charge flown through the circuit

= 2.4 × 500 × 10–6C = 1200 µC Ans. [3]
Illustration :
Three capacitors each of capacitance 1µF are connected in parallel. To this combination, a
fourth capacitor of capacitance 1µF is connected in series. The resultant capacitance of the
system is :
(1) 4µF (2) 2 µF (3) 4/3 µF (4) 3/4 µF

1µF

1µF 1µF
3µF 1µF
Sol. A B A B
1µF

1 1 1 3
   C  µF Ans. [4]
C 3 1 4
Illustration :
In the circuit diagram shown in the adjoining figure, the resultant capacitance between P
and Q is:

12µF

P
2µF
3µF Q

20µF

(1) 47 µF (2) 3 µF (3) 60 µF (4) 10 µF

 CAPACITANCE
Sol. The given circuit can be drawn as
12µF
Where C = (3 + 2) µF = 5µF
P
1 1 1 1 20 1
     5µF Q
CPQ 5 20 12 60 3
20µF
 CPQ = 3 µF Ans. [3]

Illustration :
Four capacitor each capacity 4µF are connected as shown in figure VP – VQ = 15 volts. The
energy stored in the system is :
4µF
(1) 2400 erg 4µF 4µF
P Q
(2) 1800 erg
(3) 3600 erg 4µF

(4) 5400 erg

4µF 8µF 4µF

Sol. P Q

1 1 1 1
  
C 4 8 4

1 2 1 2 8
  C  µF
C 8 5

1
Energy stored = C V2
2 R

1 8
= × × 10–6 × 225
2 5

= 180 × 10–6 joule

= 180 × 10–6 × 107 erg
= 1800 erg Ans. [2]
Illustration :
Two capacitors each of 0.5 µF capacitance are connected in parallel and are then charged
by 200 volts. D.C. supply. The total energy of their charges (in joules) is :
(1) 0.01 (2) 0.02 (3) 0.04 (4) 0.06
 CAPACITANCE
0.5µF
1
Sol. CR = 1µF, ER = C V2
2 R C=C1+C2
A B CR = 1µF
1
 ER = × 1 × 10–6 × 200 × 200 0.5µF
2

= 2 × 10–2 = 0.02 J Ans. [2]

Illustration :
An infinite number of identical capacitors each of capacitance 1µF are connected as in
adjoining figure. Then the equivalent capacitance between A and B is :
1µF

8 cap.

16cap.

A B
(1) 1 µF (2) 2 µF (3) 1/2 µF (4) 
Sol. This combination forms a G.P.,
C
1 1 1
 Sum = S = 1 + + + + ......
2 4 8 C/2

1 C/4
Sum of infinite G.P. is S 
1 r
1
Here a = first term = 1 and r = common ratio =
2

1
 S  2  CR = 2µF Ans. [2]
1 1/ 2
Illustration :
Four capacitors of each capacity 3µF are connected as shown in the adjoining figure. The
ratio of equivalent capacitance between A and B and between A and C will be :
A B

3µF
3µF 3µF
3µF

C
(1) 4 : 3 (2) 3 : 4 (3) 2 : 3 (4) 3 : 2
 CAPACITANCE

A 3µF B 3/2µF

CAB=4µF CAC = 3µF

Sol. A C
1µF 3/2µF

 CAB : CAC = 4 : 3 Ans. [1]

Illustration :
Four plates of the same area of cross-section are joined as shown in the figure. The distance
between each plates is d. The equivalent capacity across AB will be :

A
B

2 0 A 3 0 A 3 0 A 0A
(1) (2) (3) (4)
d d 2d d

Sol. The arrangement shown in the figure is equivalent to three capacitance in parallel hence
30 A
resultant capacitance  Ans. [4]
d

Illustration : 6 F
In the connection shown in the adjoining figure.
The equivalent capacity between A and B will be–
12 F
(1) 8 F (2) 12 F A B
9 F 24 F
(3) 20 F (4) 10 F

18 F
Sol. Given circuit can be drawn as C

Here C, D are equipotential points 6

12
 24 F capacitor holds no charge as
A 24
B
12  6 9  18
 V = 0  Ceq = + = 10 F 9 18
12  6 9  18
Ans.[4] D

3 F 3 F 3 F
Illustration :
A
The resultant capacitance between A and B the
following figure is equal to –
(1) 1 F (2) 3 F 2 F 2 F 3 F

(3) 2 F (4) 1.5 F

Sol. Total series capacitance across Ef = 3 F B
3 F 3 F 3 F
Capacitance across EF = 2 + 1 = 3 F
This capacitor is in series with 3 F capacitance at CD.
 CAPACITANCE
Hence total series capacitance 3 F 3 F 3 F
C E
A
1 1 1 1
C' = 3 + 3 + 3 = 1 ;
2 F 2 F 3 F
 C' = 1 F

B D 3 F F 3 F
3 F
This capacitance is in parallel with capacitance of 2 F across CD.
Hence CT(AB) = 2 + 1 = 3 F
This capacitance is in series with 3 F capacitance across AB. Hence total capacitance
across AB.
1 1 1 1
C" = + + =1 ;
3 3 3
 C" = 1 F Ans. [1]

Illustration :
Two capacitor of capacities 2C and C joined in parallel and charged upto potential V. The
battery is removed and the capacitor of capacity C is filled completely with a medium of
dielectric constant K. The p.d. across the capacitor will now be –
3V 3V V V
(1) (2) (3) (4)
K2 K K2 K
Sol. q1 = 2 CV, q2 = CV
Now condenser of capacity C is filled with dielectric K, therefore C2 = KC
As charge is conserved,
 q1 + q2 = (C + 2C)V
3CV 3V
 V' =
K  2C K  2
= Ans. [1]

Illustration :
In the circuit shown in the figure, the potential  F
difference across the 4.5F capacitor is – 4.5 F
8
(1) volts (2) 4 volts
3
8 F
(3) 6 volts (4) 8 volts
1 1 1
Sol.   12V
Cequ 4.5 9
 Cequ = 3 µF
The charge through the circuit
= 3 × 12 = 36 C
 Potential difference across 4.5 F capacitor
q 36
V= = = 8 volts Ans. [4]
C 4 .5
 CAPACITANCE
Illustration :
Five identical plates each of area A are joined as shown
in the figure. The distance between the plates is d. The
plates are connected to a p.d. of V volts. The charge on 1 3
5
plates 1 and 4 will be–
2 4
 AV 2 0 AV   0 AV 2 0 AV
(1) 0 , (2) ,
d d d d V
+ –
 0 AV  2 0 AV   0 AV  2 0 AV
(3) , (4) ,
d d d d
Sol. The capacity C12 of the parallel plate capacitor formed
by 1 and 2 is given by 1 2
3 2
0A
C12 = 3 4
d
5 4
 AV
Charge on plate 1, q1 = C12V = 0
d
Since the plate 1 is connected to +ve terminal the source of emf, therefore charge q1 is +ve.
The capacity C23 of the parallel plate capacitor formed by plates 2 & 3 is given by
0A
C23 =
d
Similarly, the capacity C34 of the parallel plate capacitor formed by plates 3 and 4 is given
0A
by C34 =
d
It may be noted here that the plates 1 & 3 constitute no capacitor because these plates are
connected together.
Since capacitors C23 & C34 are connected in parallel, therefore the net capacitance between
2 0 A
the plates 1 and 4 is given by C14 =
d
2 0 A
Charge on plate 4, q1 = V Ans. [3]
d
The charge on plate 4 is negative because the plate is connected to the negative terminal
of the source of emf.

Illustration :
A parallel plate capacitor is charged and the charging battery is then disconnected. If the
plates of the capacitor are moved further apart by means of insulating handles, then –
(1) The charge on the capacitor increase
(2) The voltage across the plates decreases
(3) The capacitance increases
(4) The electrostatic energy stored in the capacitor increases
Sol. When the battery is disconnected, the charge will remains same in any case.
0A
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by C =
d
 CAPACITANCE
When d is increases, capacitance will decreases and because the charge remains the same.
 Q2 

So hence the electrostatic energy stored in the capacitor will increases.  U  
 2C 
Ans [4]

Illustration :
(1) Find the effective capacitance between points X and Y in the given figure. Assuming that
C2 = 10µF and other capacitors are 4µF each.
C4

C3
X Y
C1 C2

C5

(2) Find the capacitance of a system of identical capacitors between points A and B shown
in figure.

C
A B
C C

Sol. The circuit is redrawn. As the two arms are balanced, no current flows through C2,
4µF 4µF
C4 2µF
C3
X C2 Y X Y X Y
C1 C5 2µF
4µF 4µF

equivalent capacitance = 2 + 2 = 4µF

(2) The arrangement of capacitor shown in figure is equivalent to the arrangement show in
figure.
The arrangement is connected in parallel.
Hence equivalent capacitance C is given by A B
Cequ = C + C + C = 3C

Illustration :
(1) Two dielectric slabs of dielectric constant K1 and K2 have been filled in between the
plates of a capacitor as shown in fig. What will be the capacitance in each case.

K1
K2

(2) A capacitor if filled with two dielectric of same dimensions but of dielectric constant
2 and 3 respectively.
 CAPACITANCE

K1 K2

Sol. (1) The arrangement shown in fig is equivalent to two capacitors joined in series. Let
their capacitance be C1 and C2 respectively. The
K1A K 2A
C1  0 and C 2  0
d/2 d/2
1 1 1 d d
Now C  C  C  2 K A  2 K A
1 2 0 1 0 2

d  K 2  K1 
  
20 A  K1K 2 

2 0A  K 2 K1 
C
d  K 2  K1  ...(2)

(2) Let A be the area of each plate of the capacitor and d be the distance between the two
K1A / 2 K 2A / 2
plates. If the capacitance be C1 and C2 respectively, then C1   0 and C 2  0
d d
Let C be the equivalent capacitance, then C
K1A KA
= C1 + C2 =  0  0 2
2d 2d

0A
Cequ  (K 1  K 2 )
2d

{ Two condensers are in parallel}

RC Circuit
Charging a capacitor :
Let the capacitor be initially uncharged.As soon as the circuit completes, the charge begins to flow.
Let 'q' be the charge on the capacitor at certain instance & i be the current in the circuit. Then,
q dq
iR+ V & i= R
C dt
V C
dq CV – q
 R 
dt C
q t
– dq – dt
  CV – q   C R
0 0
 CAPACITANCE

CAPACITANCE BASICS
Q.1 The capacity of a spherical conductor is 1µF. Then its diameter would be :
(1) 1.8 metre (2) 1.8 × 104 metre (3) 1.8 × 103 metre (4) 18 metre

Q.2 A parallel plate capacitor has a capacity C. The separation between the plates is doubled and
a dielectric medium is introduced between the plates. If the capacity now becomes 2C, the
dielectric constant of the medium is :
(1) 2 (2) 1 (3) 4 (4) 8

Q.3 The capacity of a conductor does not depend upon :

(1) charge (2) voltage
(3) nature of the material (4) all of these

Q.4 If the distance between parallel plates of a capacitor is halved and dielectric constant is
doubled then the capacitance :
(1) decreases two times (2) increases two time
(3) increases four times (4) all of these

Q.5 Which of the following expressions represents a farad ?

(1) joule/volt (2) volt / coulomb (3) coulomb/volt (4) coulomb/joule

Q.6 A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After charging the capacitor, battery is
disconnected and the distance between the plates is decreased. Then which following
statement is correct ?
(1) electric field is not constant (2) potential difference is increased
(3) the capacitance is decreased (4) the stored energy is decreased

Q.7 The capacitance of a parallel plate condenser does not depend upon
(1) the distance between the plates (2) area of the plates
(3) medium between the plates (4) metal of the plates

Q.8 Two spherical conductors A and B of radii R and 2R respectively are each given a charge
Q. When they are connected by a metallic wire. The charge will
(1) flow from A to B (2) flow from B to A
(3) remain stationary on conductor (4) none of these
 CAPACITANCE
Q.9 In the circuit shown in the figure, the potential difference across the 4.5 µF capacitor is :

3µF
4.5µF

6µF
12V

8
(1) V (2) 4 V (3) 6 V (4) 8 V
3

Q.10 The radii of two metallic spheres are 5 cm and 10 cm and both carry equal charge of 75C. If the
two spheres are shorted then charge will be transferred–
(1) 25 C from smaller to bigger (2) 25 C from bigger to smaller
(3) 50 C from smaller to bigger (4) 50 C from bigger to smaller

Q.11 Two isolated charged metallic spheres of radii R1 and R2 having charges Q1 and Q2 respectively
are connected to each other, then there is:
(1) No change in the electrical energy of the system
(2) An increase in the electrical energy of the system
(3) Always a decrease in the electrical energy of the system
(4) A decrease in electrical energy of the system until Q1 R2 = Q2 R1

Q.12 In a charged capacitor the energy is stored in-

(1) The edges of the capacitor plates
(2) The electric field between the plates
(3) Both in positive and negative charges
(4) Positive charges

Q.13 Capacity of a conductor depends upon-

(1) Size of conductor (2) Thickness of conductor
(3) Material of conductor (4) All of these

Q.14 Metallic sphere of radius R is charged to potential V. Then charge q is proportional

to-
(1) V (2) R (3) Both (4) None

Q.15 The capacity of a parallel plate capacitor depends upon-

(1) Nature of the metal
(2) Distance between the plates
(3) Thickness of the plates
(4) Potential difference between the plates
 CAPACITANCE
CAPACITANCE CIRCUIT
Q.16 Total capacity of the system of capacitors shown in the following figure between the points A and
B is :
2µF
A

1µF 2µF
1µF
B
2µF
(1) 1 µF (2) 2 µF (3) 3 µF (4) 4 µF

Q.17 Four capacitors are connected in a circuit as shown in figure. The effective capacitance between
points A and B will be :

2µF 12µF
2µF B
A

2µF

28
(1) µF (2) 5 µF (3) 4 µF (4) 18 µ F
9

Q.18 The resultant capcitance between A and B in the figure is :

3µF 3µF 3µF 3µF
e c a
A

2µF 2µF 2µF 3µF

f d b
B
3µF 3µF 3µF 3µF

(1) 1µF (2) 10 µF (3) 50 µF (4) 1.5

Q.19 Four metallic plates, each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d
from each other. The plates are connected as shown in the adjoining figure. Then the
capacitance of the system between a and b is :
1
a
2
3
4 b

3 0 A 2 0 A 2 0A 3 0A
(1) (2) (3) (4)
d d 3 d 2 d
 CAPACITANCE
Q.20 Four metallic plates each with a surface area of one side A, are placed at a distance d
from each other. The two outer plates are connected to one point A and the two other
inner plates to another point B as shown in the figure. Then the capacitance of the
system is :

A B

0A 2 0 A 3 0 A 4 0 A
(1) (2) (3) (4)
d d d d

Q.21 The effective capacitance between A and B in the figure shown is (all capacitances are in
µF) :

3 6

A B
2

4 8

3 14
(1) 21 µF (2) 23 µF (3) µF (4) µF
14 3

Q.22 To obtain 3 µF capacity from three capacitors of 2µF each, they will be arranged :
(1) all the three in series
(2) all the three in parallel
(3) two capacitors in series and the third in parallel with the combination of first two
(4) two capacitors in parallel and the third in series with the combination of first two

Q.23 A metallic plate of thickness (t) and face area of one side (A) is inserted between the plates
of a parallel plate air capacitor with a separation (d) and face area (A). Then the equivalent
capacitance is :
0 A 0 A 0 A 0 A
(1) (2) (d x t ) (3) (d  t ) (4) (d  t )
d

Q.24 In the adjoining circuit, the capacity between the points A and B will be -

(1) C (2) 2C (3) 3C (4) 4C

 CAPACITANCE
Q.25 The charge on the condenser of capacitance 2F in the following circuit will be –

(1) 4.5 C (2) 6.0 C (3) 7 C (4) 30 C

Q.26 How to adjust three capacitors to get high energy on same potential difference
(1) Two parallel and one in seires (2) three in series
(3) three in parallel (4) None of these

Q.27 Five capacitors of 10F capacity each are connected to a d.c. potential difference of 100 volts
as shown in the figure. The equivalent capacitance between the points A and B will be equal
to-

(1) 40F (2) 20F (3) 30F (4) 10F

Q.28 Two capacitors of 1F and 2F are connected in series, the resultant capacitance will be
2 3
(1) 4F (2) F (3) F (4) 3F
3 2

Q.29 Equivalent capacity between A and B is :

(1) 2 F (2) 3 F (3) 4 F (4) 0.5 F

 CAPACITANCE
Q.30 The effective capacitance between the points A and B in the circuit shown (in µF) is- (Capaci-
tance of each capacitor is 1 µF)
A
(1) 2
(2) 4
(3) 3
(4) 0.4 B

Q.31 What is the equivalent capacitance of the following circuit-

1.5mF
3mF 3mF

1.5mF

(1) 1 µF (2) 2 µF (3) 1.5 µF (4) 3 µF

Q.32 The capacitors A and B are connected in series with a battery as shown in the figure. When
the switch S is closed and the two capacitors get charged fully, then-

2mF 3mF
A B

10V
S

(1) The potential difference across the plates of A is 4V and across the plates of B is 6V
(2) The potential difference across the plates of A is 6V and across the plates of B is 4V
(3) The ratio of electric energies stored in A and B is 2 : 3
(4) The ratio of charges on A and B is 3 : 2

Q.33 Three condenser of capacity C each are joined first in series and then in parallel. The capacity
becomes n times, where n is-
(1) 3 (2) 6 (3) 9 (4) 12

Q.34 Two capacitors are joined as shown in figure. Potentials at points A and B are V1 and V2 re-
spectively. The potential of point D is-
A D B
V1 C1 C2 V2

1 C1V2  C2 V1 C1V1  C2 V2 C2 V1  C1V2

(1) ( V1  V2 ) (2) (3) (4)
2 C1  C2 C1  C2 C1  C2
 CAPACITANCE

[REASONING TYPE]
Direction for Assertion & Reason Questions
A. If both Assertion & Reason are True and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.
B. If both Assertion and Reason are True but Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion
C. If Assertion is True but the Reason is False.
D. If both Assertion and Reason are False.
Q.1 Assertion: Increasing the charge on the plates of a capacitor means increasing the capacitance.
Reason : Because Q = CV  Q  C.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Q.2 Assertion: The capacitance of a capacitor depends on the shape, size and geometrical placing
of the conductors and its medium between them.
Reason : when a charge q passes through a battery of emf E from the negative terminal to
an positive terminal, an amount qE of work is done by the battery.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Q.3 Assertion: a dielectric slab is inserted between the plates of an isolated charged capacitor.
The charge on the capacitor will remains the same.
Reason : Charge on a isolated system is conserved.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D

Q.4 Assertion : A domestic electrical appliance working on a three pin, will continue working
even if the top pin is removed
Reason : The third pin is used only as a safety device.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Q.5 Assertion : If the potential difference across a plane parallel plate capacitor is doubled then
the potential energy of the capacitor becomes four times under all conditions.
1
Reason : The potential energy U stored in the capacitor is U = VC2, where C and V have
2
usual meaning.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Q.6 Assertion : The circuits containing capacitor be handled cautiously even when there is no
current.
Reason : A charged capacitor, can discharge through our body and harm us.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
Q.7 Assertion : A charged capacitor is disconnected from a battery. Now if its plate are separated
farther, the potential energy will fall.
Reason : Energy stored in a capacitor is not equal to the work done in charging it.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (4) D
 CAPACITANCE

(CBSE Previous Year's Questions)

Q.1 Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor. A parallel plate capacitor
with air as dielectric is charged by a d.c. source to a potential 'V'. Without disconnecting the
capacitor from the source, air is replaced by another dielectric medium of dielectric constant 10.
State with reason, how does (i) electric field between the plates, and (ii) energy stored in the
capacitor change.
[5; CBSE-2002]

Q.2 Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor. Three capacitors of
capacitances C1, C2 and C3 are connected (i) in series, (ii) in parallel. Show that the energy stored
in the series combination is the same as that in the parallel combination. [5; CBSE-2003]

Q.3 Give the principle of working of a Van de Graff generator. With the help of a labelled diagram,
describe construction and working. How is the leakage of charge minimised from the generator?
[5; CBSE-2003]

Q.4 A 10 µF capacitor is charged by a 30 V d.c. supply and then connected across an uncharged 5Op1
capacitor. Calculate (i) the final potential difference across the combination, and (ii) the initial
and final energies. How will you account for the difference in energy? [3; CBSE-2004]

Q.5 A parallel capacitor is to be designed with a voltage rating 1 kV using a material of dielectric
constant 3 and dielectric strength about 107 Vm–1 . For safety we would like the field never to
exceed say, 10% of the dipole strength. What minimum area of the plats is required to have a
capacitance of 50 PF?
[2; CBSE-2005]

Q.6 A 4µF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. The supply is then disconnected and the charged
capacitor is connected to another uncharged 2 µF capacitor. How much electrostatic energy of the
first capacitor is lost in the process of attaining the steady situation? [2; CBSE-2005]

Q.7 Two capacitors of capacitance of 6µF and 12µF are connected in series with a battery. The
voltage across the 6µF capacitor is 2 V. Compute the total battery voltage. [2; CBSE-2006]

Q.8 A parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates has a capacitance of 8 pF. The separation
between the pates is now reduced by half and the space between them is filled with a medium of
dielectric constant 5. Calculate the value of capacitance of the capacitor in the second case.
[2; CBSE-2006]

Q.9 The equivalent capacitance of the combination between A and B in the given figure is 4F.

(i) Calculate capacitance of the capacitor C.

(ii) Calculate charge on each capacitor if a 12 V battery is connected across terminals A and B.
(iii) What will be the potential drop across each capacitor? [3; CBSE-2009]
 CAPACITANCE
Q.10 A network of four capacitors each of 12 µF capacitance is connected to a 500 V supply as shown
in the figure. Determine (a) equivalent capacitance of the network and (b) charge on each capacitor.
C2

C1 C3
[3; CBSE-2010]
C4
500V

Q.11 Net capacitance of three identical capacitor in series is 1 µF. What will be their net capacitance if
connected in parallel ? Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both
connected to the same source. [2; CBSE-2011]

Q.12 Deduce the expression for the electrostatic energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance 'C' and
having charge 'Q'.
How will the (i) energy stored and (ii) the electric field inside the capacitor be affected when it is
completely filled with a dielectric material of dielectric constant K? [3; CBSE-2012]

Q.13 A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of a parallel plate
capacitor but has the thickness d/2, where d is the separation between the plates. Find out the
expression for its capacitance when the slab is inserted between the plates of the capacitor.
[CBSE-2013]

Q.14 A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. It is then connected to

another uncharged capacitor having the same capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy stored
in the combined system to that stored initially in the single capacitor. [CBSE-2014]

Q.15 Define dielectric constant of a medium. What is its S.I. unit? [1; CBSE-2015]

Q.16 Three circuits, each consisting of a switch 'S' and two capacitors, are initially charged, as shown
in the figure. After the switch has been closed, in which circuit will the charge on the left-hand
capacitor (i) increase, (ii) decrease and (iii) remain same? Give reasons. [3; CBSE-2015]
S S S
6Q 3Q
(a) 6Q 3Q (b) (c) 3Q
2C C C C 6Q 3C C

Q.17 (a) Distinguish, with the help of a suitable diagram, the difference in the behaviour of a conductor
and a dielectric placed in an external electric field. How does polarised dielectric modify the
original external field ?

(b) A capacitor of capacitance C is charged fully by connecting it to a battery of emf E. It is then

disconnected from the battery. If the separation between the plates of the capacitor is now doubled,
how will the following change ?
(i) charge stored by the capacitor.
(ii) field strength between the plates.
(iii) energy stored by the capacitor.
Justify your answer in each case. [3; CBSE-2016]
 CAPACITANCE
Q.18 Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are connected to a battery of V volts with the
switch S closed. The switch is now opened and the free space between the plates of the capacitors
is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K. Find the ratio of the total electrostatic energy
stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction of the dielectric. [3; CBSE-2017]
S

E A B
 CAPACITANCE
ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE-1
Q.1 2 Q.2 3 Q.3 3 Q.4 3 Q.5 3
Q.6 4 Q.7 4 Q.8 1 Q.9 4 Q.10 1
Q.11 4 Q.12 2 Q.13 1 Q.14 3 Q.15 2
Q.16 2 Q.17 2 Q.18 1 Q.19 4 Q.20 2
Q.21 4 Q.22 3 Q.23 3 Q.24 2 Q.25 2
Q.26 3 Q.27 4 Q.28 2 Q.29 4 Q.30 4
Q.31 1 Q.32 2 Q.33 3 Q.34 3 Q.35 3
Q.36 1 Q.37 2 Q.38 3 Q.39 2 Q.40 3
Q.41 3 Q.42 2 Q.43 2 Q.44 3 Q.45 1
Q.46 1 Q.47 3 Q.48 3 Q.49 1 Q.50 2
Q.51 2 Q.52 3

EXERCISE-2
Q.1 4 Q.2 1 Q.3 1 Q.4 2 Q.5 3
Q.6 1 Q.7 2 Q.8 2 Q.9 2 Q.10 3
Q.11 4 Q.12 3 Q.13 3 Q.14 4 Q.15 1
Q.16 4 Q.17 1 Q.18 4 Q.19 4 Q.20 4
Q.21 4 Q.22 1 Q.23 1 Q.24 (i) 2 ; (ii) 3 ; (iii) 1
Q.25 3
Q.26 1 Q.27 3 Q.28 3 Q.29 1 Q.30 2
Q.31 1 Q.32 2 Q.33 2 Q.34 4 Q.35 3
Q.36 4 Q.37 1 Q.38 4 Q.39 3 Q.40 1
Q.41 1 Q.42 1 Q.43 3 Q.44 1 Q.45 2
Q.46 1 Q.47 4 Q.48 3 Q.49 2 Q.50 2
Q.51 2 Q.52 3 Q.53 1 Q.54 3

EXERCISE-3
Q.1 4 Q.2 2 Q.3 1 Q.4 1 Q.5 4
Q.6 1 Q.7 4

EXERCISE-4 (A)
Q.1 1 Q.2 3 Q.3 3 Q.4 2 Q.5 2
Q.6 2 Q.7 1 Q.8 2 Q.9 4 Q.10 3
Q.11 3 Q.12 4 Q.13 3 Q.14 1 Q.15 3
EXERCISE-4 (B)
Q.1 3 Q.2 1 Q.3 1 Q.4 3 Q.5 2
Q.6 2 Q.7 3 Q.8 1 Q.9 1 Q.10 2
Q.11 4 Q.12 3 Q.13 3