ROUTERA


Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Class 12th Physics Chapter Case Study


Case Study 1: Electrostatic Potential Due to a Point Charge

The electrostatic potential V due to a point charge Q at a distance rrr from the charge is given by the formula:

\(\ V = \frac{kQ}{r} \)​

where k is Coulomb's constant. The electrostatic potential is a scalar quantity and depends on the position of the point charge. It is positive for a positive charge and negative for a negative charge.

Questions:

  1. The electrostatic potential V is:
    • a) A vector quantity
    • b) A scalar quantity
    • c) Zero everywhere
    • d) Dependent on the medium
  2. If the distance from the point charge is halved, the potential at that point will:
    • a) Double
    • b) Halve
    • c) Quadruple
    • d) Remain the same
  3. What happens to the potential due to a negative charge as the distance increases?
    • a) It increases
    • b) It decreases
    • c) It remains constant
    • d) It becomes zero
  4. The unit of electrostatic potential is:
    • a) Coulomb
    • b) Joule
    • c) Volt
    • d) Farad

Answers:

  1. b) A scalar quantity
  2. c) Quadruple
  3. b) It decreases
  4. c) Volt

Case Study 2: Work Done in Moving a Charge in an Electric Field

When a charge q is moved from point A to point B in an electric field, work W is done by the electric field. The work done is related to the electrostatic potential difference \(\Delta V \) between the two points:

\(\ W= \Delta V \)

If the electric field is uniform, the work done can also be expressed as:

\(\ W = F \cdot d \cdot \cos \theta \)

where F is the force, d is the distance moved, and \(\ \theta \) is the angle between the force and the displacement.

Questions:

  1. The work done in moving a charge in an electric field is dependent on:
    • a) The charge only
    • b) The distance only
    • c) The potential difference
    • d) All of the above
  2. If a positive charge moves against the electric field, the work done is:
    • a) Positive
    • b) Negative
    • c) Zero
    • d) Undefined
  3. When moving a charge in a uniform electric field, if the angle \(\ \theta\) is \(\ 90^\circ \) , the work done is:
    • a) Maximum
    • b) Minimum
    • c) Zero
    • d) Infinite
  4. The electrostatic potential energy of a charge in an electric field is:
    • a) Directly proportional to the charge and the potential
    • b) Inversely proportional to the distance
    • c) Independent of the field strength
    • d) Always negative

Answers:

  1. c) The potential difference
  2. a) Positive
  3. c) Zero
  4. a) Directly proportional to the charge and the potential

Case Study 3: Capacitance and Capacitors

A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge. The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the charge Q stored on one plate to the potential difference V across the plates:

\(\ C= \frac{Q}{V}\)​

Capacitance is measured in farads (F) and depends on the physical characteristics of the capacitor, such as the area of the plates, the distance between them, and the dielectric material used.

Questions:

  1. The capacitance of a capacitor depends on:
    • a) The area of the plates
    • b) The distance between the plates
    • c) The dielectric material
    • d) All of the above
  2. If the area of the plates of a capacitor is doubled while keeping the distance constant, the capacitance will:
    • a) Double
    • b) Halve
    • c) Quadruple
    • d) Remain the same
  3. A capacitor stores energy given by the formula:
    • a) \(\frac{1}{2} CV^{2}\)
    • b) CV
    • c) QV
    • d) \(\frac{1}{2} QV\)
  4. What effect does inserting a dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor have?
    • a) Increases the capacitance
    • b) Decreases the capacitance
    • c) No effect on capacitance
    • d) Changes the charge on the plates

Answers:

  1. d) All of the above
  2. a) Double
  3. a) \(\frac{1}{2} CV^{2}\)
  4. a) Increases the capacitance

Case Study 4: Energy Stored in a Capacitor

When a capacitor is charged, work is done to move charge against the electric field. The energy stored in a capacitor can be calculated using the formula:

\(\ U= \frac{1}{2} CV^{2}\)

where U is the stored energy, C is the capacitance, and VVV is the potential difference across the capacitor.

Questions:

  1. The energy stored in a capacitor is directly proportional to:
    • a) The charge alone
    • b) The potential difference alone
    • c) The capacitance alone
    • d) The square of the potential difference
  2. If the voltage across a capacitor is tripled, the energy stored in the capacitor will increase by a factor of:
    • a) 3
    • b) 6
    • c) 9
    • d) 12
  3. In a series circuit, the total capacitance is:
    • a) Greater than the smallest capacitance
    • b) The sum of individual capacitances
    • c) Less than the smallest capacitance
    • d) The average of individual capacitances
  4. In a parallel circuit, the total capacitance is:
    • a) The sum of the reciprocals of individual capacitances
    • b) The product of individual capacitances
    • c) Greater than the largest capacitance
    • d) The sum of individual capacitances

Answers:

  1. d) The square of the potential difference
  2. c) 9
  3. c) Less than the smallest capacitance
  4. d) The sum of individual capacitances

Case Study 5: Applications of Capacitors

Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits for various applications such as filtering, timing, and energy storage. In audio equipment, capacitors can smooth out signals and reduce noise. In power supply circuits, they can store energy and release it when needed to maintain a stable voltage.

Questions:

  1. Which of the following is a common application of capacitors?
    • a) Amplifying signals
    • b) Filtering noise
    • c) Storing energy
    • d) All of the above
  2. In timing circuits, capacitors are used in conjunction with:
    • a) Resistors
    • b) Inductors
    • c) Diodes
    • d) Transistors
  3. In power supply circuits, capacitors help to:
    • a) Increase voltage
    • b) Stabilize voltage
    • c) Decrease current
    • d) Reduce resistance
  4. What happens to the energy stored in a capacitor when it is discharged?
    • a) It is converted to heat
    • b) It is dissipated as sound
    • c) It is released as electrical energy
    • d) It remains in the capacitor

Answers:

  1. d) All of the above
  2. a) Resistors
  3. b) Stabilize voltage
  4. c) It is released as electrical energy