Two charges q₁ and q₂ are separated by a distance of 30 cm. A third charge q₃ initially at 'C' as shown in the figure, is moved along the circular path of radius 40 cm from C to D. If the difference in potential energy due to movement of q₃ from C to D is given by (q₃ K)/(4π ε₀) , the value of K is:
Electrostatic configuration with circular path for Q20 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
A charges layout with q1 at the center of the arc, q2 at 30 cm from q1, and q3 moving along the circular boundary of radius 40 cm.

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

The change in potential energy Δ U of a charge q moved between two points of potentials VC and VD is:

Δ U = q₃ (VD - VC)

Potential due to a point charge q at distance r is:

V = (1)/(4πε₀) (q)/(r)
Core Logic

Let point A hold charge q₁ and B hold q₂ separated by 30 ~cm = 0.3 ~m.

  • The path of q₃ is a circular arc of radius R = 40 ~cm = 0.4 ~m centered at A. Thus, distance of C and D from q₁ is constant:
r1C = r1D = 0.4 ~m
  • Distance of C from q₂ (B):
r2C = √(AC² + AB²) = √(40² + 30²) = 50 ~cm = 0.5 ~m
  • Distance of D from q₂ (B):
r2D = AD - AB = 40 cm - 30 cm = 10 cm = 0.1 m
Step 1: Calculate Potentials

Potential at C due to q₁ and q₂:

VC = (1)/(4πε₀) ( (q₁)/(0.4) + (q₂)/(0.5) )

Potential at D due to q₁ and q₂:

VD = (1)/(4πε₀) ( (q₁)/(0.4) + (q₂)/(0.1) )
Step 2: Difference in Potential Energy

The potential difference is:

VD - VC = (1)/(4πε₀) ( (q₂)/(0.1) - (q₂)/(0.5) ) = (q₂)/(4πε₀) [10 - 2] = (8q₂)/(4πε₀)

(Notice that the potential contribution of q₁ cancels out because C and D are equidistant from q₁).

The change in potential energy is:

Δ U = q₃ (VD - VC) = (q₃ (8q₂))/(4πε₀)

Comparing with (q₃ K)/(4πε₀) yields K = 8q₂.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Arc path centered on one of the charges. Shortcut: Since the path is circular about q₁, q₁ contributes nothing to the potential difference between the end points. The entire change in potential energy is due to q₂. The distance difference translates to potential difference Δ V = q₂ ((1)/(0.1) - (1)/(0.5)) = 8q₂, so K = 8q₂.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

More Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Previous-Year Questions — Page 9

Q1 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Energy Stored in a Capacitor
Two capacitors C₁ and C₂ are connected in parallel to a battery. Charge-time graph is shown below for the two capacitors. The energy stored with them are U₁ and U₂ , respectively. Which of the given statements is true?
Energy Stored in a Capacitor diagram for Q1 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
The graph shows the variation of charge with time for two different capacitors connected in parallel.
  • A. C₁ > C₂, U₁ > U₂
  • B. C₂ > C₁, U₂ < U₁
  • C. C₁ > C₂, U₁ < U₂
  • D. C₂ > C₁, U₂ > U₁

Solution

Related Formula
V = same U = (1)/(2) CV² q = CV
Core Logic

Since both capacitors are connected in parallel across the same battery, their potential difference V is identical.

From the given charge-time graph, at any specific instant of time, the charge accumulated on the second capacitor is greater than that on the first:

q₂ > q₁

Using the relation q = CV, since V is identical, we get:

C₂ > C₁

Now, the electrostatic energy stored in a capacitor is given by:

U = (1)/(2) CV²

Since C₂ > C₁ and V is constant, the stored energy satisfies:

U₂ > U₁
Step 1: Final Conclusion

Thus, the correct relationships are C₂ > C₁ and U₂ > U₁.

Pattern Recognition

Sees parallel connection → Immediately lock potential difference V as constant. This simplifies q ∝ C and U ∝ C, creating a direct linear bridge from graph height to energy capacity.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Q4 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Equipotential Surfaces
Three infinitely long wires with linear charge density λ are placed along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis respectively. Which of the following denotes an equipotential surface?
  • A. xy + yz + zx = constant
  • B. (x + y)(y + z)(z + x) = constant
  • C. (x² +y²)(y² +z²)(z² +x²) = constant
  • D. xyz = constant

Solution

Related Formula
V = -∫ E r = 2kλ ln r + c
Core Logic

The potential at a point due to a line charge on an axis is proportional to the logarithm of its perpendicular distance.

For the wire along the z-axis: Vz = -kλ ln(x² + y²)

For the wire along the x-axis: Vₓ = -kλ ln(y² + z²)

For the wire along the y-axis: Vy = -kλ ln(z² + x²)

Summing the individual potentials to find the net configuration potential:

Vₙₑₜ = -kλ [ ln(x²+y²) + ln(y²+z²) + ln(z²+x²) ] + C' Vₙₑₜ = -kλ ln [ (x²+y²)(y²+z²)(z²+x²) ] + C'

For an equipotential surface, set Vₙₑₜ = constant:

Step 1: Final Expression
(x² + y²)(y² + z²)(z² + x²) = constant

This maps perfectly to option (3).

Pattern Recognition

Logarithmic combination rules transform scalar potential additions into products inside the functional argument: Σ ln(rᵢ²) = ln(Π rᵢ²).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Q17 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Motion of a Charged Particle in an Electric Field
A particle of mass m and charge q is fastened to one end A of a massless string having equilibrium length , whose other end is fixed at point O . The whole system is placed on a frictionless horizontal plane and is initially at rest. If uniform electric field is switched on along the direction as shown in figure, then the speed of the particle when it crosses the x-axis is
Motion of a Charged Particle in an Electric Field diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
A charge constraint tracking loop under electrostatic vector field forces on a horizontal surface.
Motion of a Charged Particle in an Electric Field diagram for Q17 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
A charge constraint tracking loop under electrostatic vector field forces on a horizontal surface.
  • A. 2qE m
  • B. qE 4m
  • C. q E m
  • D. qE 2m

Solution

Core Logic

Applying the work-energy balance for the system as the particle moves from its initial position to the x-axis:

Wall = Δ k Wₑ = kf - kᵢ

Work calculation loop geometry tracking for Q17
A charge constraint tracking loop under electrostatic vector field forces on a horizontal surface.

The displacement parallel to the uniform electric field lines equals ( )/(2). Therefore, computing the work done by the electrostatic field:

qE ( )/(2) = (1)/(2) m v² - 0
Step 1: Final Expression
v = qE m

This matches option (3).

Pattern Recognition

Keep your focus on displacement along the field lines. Work relies entirely on the parallel displacement component (dₓ = 60°), completely ignoring any vertical movement components.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electric Charges and Fields

Q jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Capacitor with Multiple Dielectrics
A parallel plate capacitor is filled equally (half) with two dielectrics of dielectric constant ε₁ and ε₂, as shown in figures. The distance between the plates is d and area of each plate is A. If capacitance in first configuration and second configuration are C₁ and C₂ respectively, then (C₁)/(C₂) is:
First configuration of dielectrics stacked vertically for Q8
Illustrates two parallel plate configurations: stacked horizontally (series) and stacked vertically (parallel).
  • A. (ε₁ε₂²)/((ε₁ + ε₂)²)
  • B. (4ε₁ε₂)/((ε₁ + ε₂)²)
  • C. (ε₁ε₂)/(ε₁ + ε₂)
  • D. (ε₀(ε₁ + ε₂))/(2)

Solution

Related Formula

Capacitance with dielectric:

C = (εᵣ ε₀ A)/(d)

Series Capacitors:

Ceq = (Cₐ Cb)/(Cₐ + Cb)

Parallel Capacitors:

Ceq = Cₐ + Cb
Core Logic

Let C₀ = (ε₀ A)/(d) be the capacitance without any dielectric.

  • First Configuration (Series connection):
  • The dielectrics split the gap vertically, so the effective thickness of each slab is d/2, and the area remains A.

Cₐ = (ε₁ ε₀ A)/(d/2) = 2ε₁ C₀ Cb = (ε₂ ε₀ A)/(d/2) = 2ε₂ C₀

Since they are in series:

C₁ = (Cₐ Cb)/(Cₐ + Cb) = ((2ε₁ C₀)(2ε₂ C₀))/(2ε₁ C₀ + 2ε₂ C₀) = (4ε₁ε₂ C₀²)/(2C₀(ε₁ + ε₂)) = (2ε₁ε₂)/(ε₁ + ε₂) C₀
  • Second Configuration (Parallel connection):
  • The dielectrics split the area horizontally, so the effective area of each slab is A/2, and the distance remains d.

Cc = (ε₁ ε₀ (A/2))/(d) = (ε₁ C₀)/(2) Cd = (ε₂ ε₀ (A/2))/(d) = (ε₂ C₀)/(2)

Since they are in parallel:

C₂ = Cc + Cd = (ε₁ + ε₂) (C₀)/(2)

Series equivalent circuit of dielectric capacitor for Q8
Illustrates two parallel plate configurations: stacked horizontally (series) and stacked vertically (parallel).
Series equivalent circuit of dielectric capacitor for Q8
Illustrates two parallel plate configurations: stacked horizontally (series) and stacked vertically (parallel).

Step 1: Calculating the Ratio

Now, compute (C₁)/(C₂):

(C₁)/(C₂) = (((2ε₁ε₂)/(ε₁ + ε₂)) C₀)/(((ε₁ + ε₂)/(2)) C₀) = (4ε₁ε₂)/((ε₁ + ε₂)²)
Pattern Recognition

For dielectric-filled capacitors: splitting the gap (d/2) leads to a series combination, while splitting the plate area (A/2) leads to a parallel combination. Shortcut: Cₛₑᵣᵢₑₛ = harmonic mean, Cparallel = arithmetic mean. The ratio (C₁)/(C₂) is always the ratio of the harmonic mean of the dielectric constants to their arithmetic mean!

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Q14 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Potential of a Charged Spherical Shell
The electrostatic potential on the surface of uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R = 10~cm is 120~V. The potential at the centre of shell, at a distance r = 5~cm from centre, and at a distance r = 15~cm from the centre of the shell respectively, are:
  • A. 120~V, 120~V, 80~V
  • B. 40~V, 40~V, 80~V
  • C. 0~V, 0~V, 80~V
  • D. 0~V, 120~V, 40~V

Solution

Related Formula

For a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R and charge Q:

  • Inside and on the surface of the shell (r ≤ R):
Vᵢₙ = Vsurface = (kQ)/(R)
  • Outside the shell (r > R):
Vout = (kQ)/(r) = Vsurface ((R)/(r))
Core Logic

Let's calculate the potentials at the specified positions:

  • Given surface potential at R = 10~cm is 120~V.
  • At the center (r = 0):
  • Since the center lies inside the shell (0 < 10~cm), the potential equals the surface potential:

Vcentre = 120~V
  • At r = 5~cm:
  • Since 5~cm is also inside the shell (5 < 10~cm), the potential remains constant at the surface value:

Vr=5 = 120~V
  • At r = 15~cm:
  • Since 15~cm is outside the shell (15 > 10~cm), the potential decreases inversely with distance:

Vr=15 = Vsurface ((R)/(r)) = 120 × (10)/(15) = 80~V

Therefore, the potentials are 120~V, 120~V, and 80~V respectively.

Pattern Recognition

The electric field inside a uniformly charged conducting spherical shell is zero, meaning that no work is done moving a charge inside it. Consequently, the potential remains absolutely uniform/constant from the surface all the way to the center!

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

More Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Questions — jee_main_2025_07_april_morning

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