Two metal spheres of radius R$R$ and 3R$3R$ have same surface charge density σ$\sigma$. If they are brought in contact and then separated, the surface charge density on smaller and bigger sphere becomes σ₁$\sigma_{1}$ and σ₂$\sigma_{2}$, respectively. The ratio σ₁σ₂$\frac{\sigma_{1}}{\sigma_{2}}$ is:
A.(1)/(9)$\frac{1}{9}$
B.9$9$
C.(1)/(3)$\frac{1}{3}$
D.3$3$
Solution & Explanation
Related Formula
V = (σ r)/(ε₀)$$V = \frac{\sigma r}{\varepsilon_0}$$
where,
V$V$ = electrostatic potential of a conducting sphere
σ$\sigma$ = surface charge density
r$r$ = radius of the sphere
Core Logic
For any conducting sphere, the potential on its surface is related to its surface charge density by:
When the two spheres of radii r₁ = R$r_1 = R$ and r₂ = 3R$r_2 = 3R$ are brought into contact, charge flows between them until they reach an identical electric potential:
V₁ = V₂$V_1 = V_2$
Step 1: Ratio Calculation
Equate the potentials of the two spheres after separation:
Sees: "Conducting spheres brought in contact" → Electric potentials become equal: V₁ = V₂$V_1 = V_2$.
Shortcut: Since V ∝ σ r$V \propto \sigma r$, equal potential directly implies σ₁ r₁ = σ₂ r₂$\sigma_1 r_1 = \sigma_2 r_2$. Thus, the ratio of final densities is simply the inverse ratio of their radii: (σ₁)/(σ₂) = (r₂)/(r₁) = (3)/(1) = 3$\frac{\sigma_1}{\sigma_2} = \frac{r_2}{r_1} = \frac{3}{1} = 3$. This bypasses computing the individual final charges entirely! ✓
Keywords:#Metal spheres in contact surface charge density#JEE Main 2025 Evening Q9#Electrostatics shared potential#Ratio of charge densities separated spheres
More Electrostatics Previous-Year Questions — Page 3
Q40jee_main_2026_23_january_morningElectric Flux and Gauss's Law
Two point charges 2q and q are placed at vertex A and centre of face CDEF of the cube as shown in figure. The electric flux passing through the cube is :
A cube marking vertex A with 2q and face CDEF with q.
By Gauss's law, we consider the fraction of each charge that is geometrically "inside" the cube.
A charge at a vertex is shared equally among 8 adjoining cubes. So its contribution to this specific cube is 1/8$1/8$.
A charge at the center of a face is shared equally between 2 adjoining cubes. So its contribution to this specific cube is 1/2$1/2$.
Step 1: Calculate Enclosed Charge
Charge at vertex A = 2q$2q$. Inside portion = (1)/(8)(2q) = (q)/(4)$\frac{1}{8}(2q) = \frac{q}{4}$.
Charge at face center = q$q$. Inside portion = (1)/(2)(q) = (q)/(2)$\frac{1}{2}(q) = \frac{q}{2}$.
Sees: "flux through cube" + "charges on boundaries" → strictly evaluate solid angle fractions. Vertex = 1/8, Edge = 1/4, Face = 1/2.
Chapter Mix
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Q50jee_main_2026_23_january_morningCapacitors and Capacitance
The space between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C (without any dielectric) is now filled with three dielectric slabs of dielectric constants K₁=2$K_{1}=2$, K₂=3$K_{2}=3$, and K₃=5$K_{3}=5$ (as shown in the figure). If new capacitance is (n)/(3)C$\frac{n}{3}C$ then the value of n is ____.
A capacitor filled with K1 covering half the thickness and full area, and K2, K3 dividing the remaining half thickness across their widths.
Numerical Answer.Answer: 8 to 8
Solution
Related Formula
C = ε₀Ad$$C = \frac{\varepsilon_{0}A}{d}$$Cdielectric = K ε₀A'd'$$C_{\text{dielectric}} = K \frac{\varepsilon_{0}A'}{d'}$$
The original capacitance is C = ε₀Ad$C = \frac{\varepsilon_{0}A}{d}$. We mentally split the system into 4 distinct block capacitors based on area and thickness splits.
Upper half contains K₁$K_{1}$, acting on full Area but half depth. It can be split into two parallel halves to match the lower blocks.
Left branch: Top block C₁$C_{1}$ (area A/2$A/2$, depth d/2$d/2$, K=2$K=2$) in series with Bottom block C₂$C_{2}$ (area A/2$A/2$, depth d/2$d/2$, K=3$K=3$).
Right branch: Top block C₄$C_{4}$ (area A/2$A/2$, depth d/2$d/2$, K=2$K=2$) in series with Bottom block C₃$C_{3}$ (area A/2$A/2$, depth d/2$d/2$, K=5$K=5$).
Step 2: Resolve Left and Right Series Combinations
Wait, the provided solution assigns block C₁ = 5C$C_1 = 5C$ and C₂=2C$C_2=2C$. It splits it differently: upper block Cupper = 2 ε₀ Ad/2 = 4C$C_{upper} = \frac{2 \varepsilon_{0} A}{d/2} = 4C$. Lower left CLL = 3 ε₀ A/2d/2 = 3C$C_{LL} = \frac{3 \varepsilon_{0} A/2}{d/2} = 3C$. Lower right CLR = 5 ε₀ A/2d/2 = 5C$C_{LR} = \frac{5 \varepsilon_{0} A/2}{d/2} = 5C$.
Then Lower parallel CL = 3C + 5C = 8C$C_{L} = 3C + 5C = 8C$.
Then Ceq = (4C × 8C)/(4C + 8C) = (32)/(12)C = (8)/(3)C$C_{eq} = \frac{4C \times 8C}{4C + 8C} = \frac{32}{12}C = \frac{8}{3}C$.
Let's check the PDF solution logic: the solution calculates C₁ = 5C, C₂ = 2C$C_1 = 5C, C_2 = 2C$ in series. It seems it mismatched K values to the variable names but the math output is Ceq = (92)/(35)C ≈ 2.62C = (7.9)/(3)C n ≈ 8$C_{eq} = \frac{92}{35}C \approx 2.62C = \frac{7.9}{3}C \implies n \approx 8$.
Wait, the solution logic says: Ceq = (92)/(35)C ≈ 2.62 C$C_{eq} = \frac{92}{35}C \approx 2.62 C$.
The correct pure method:
Upper block K₁=2$K_1=2$. C₁ = 2 ε₀ Ad/2 = 4C$C_1 = \frac{2 \varepsilon_{0} A}{d/2} = 4C$.
Bottom blocks are parallel: C₂ = 3 ε₀ A/2d/2 = 3C$C_2 = \frac{3 \varepsilon_{0} A/2}{d/2} = 3C$, C₃ = 5 ε₀ A/2d/2 = 5C$C_3 = \frac{5 \varepsilon_{0} A/2}{d/2} = 5C$.
Equivalent bottom = 3C + 5C = 8C$= 3C + 5C = 8C$.
Total Ceq = (4C · 8C)/(4C + 8C) = (32)/(12)C = (8)/(3)C$C_{eq} = \frac{4C \cdot 8C}{4C + 8C} = \frac{32}{12}C = \frac{8}{3}C$.
So exact n = 8$n = 8$.
The PDF solution makes an arithmetic convolution splitting it vertically fully into two branches but correctly arrives at approximately 8. We will use the direct correct layout that yields exactly 8.
Step 3: Final Capacitance
Ceq = (8)/(3) C$$C_{\text{eq}} = \frac{8}{3} C$$
We are given Ceq = (n)/(3) C$C_{\text{eq}} = \frac{n}{3} C$.
Comparing both, we get n = 8$n = 8$.
Pattern Recognition
Sees: "composite dielectrics with splits" → Treat series divisions (depth cuts) as series capacitors and parallel divisions (area cuts) as parallel capacitors. Horizontal boundary = Series. Vertical boundary = Parallel.
Two shorts dipoles(A, B)$(A, B)$ , A having charges ± 2μ C$\pm 2\mu C$ and length 1 cm and B having charges ± 4μ C$\pm 4\mu C$ and length 1 cm are placed with their centres 80 cm apart as shown in the figure. The electric field at a point P, equi-distant from the centres of both dipoles is ____ N/C.
Configuration of two short electric dipoles and an equidistant point P.
Configuration of two short electric dipoles and an equidistant point P.
Point P is at a distance of r = 40 cm = 0.4 m$r = 40 \, \mathrm{cm} = 0.4 \, \mathrm{m}$ from the centre of both dipoles.
For dipole A, point P lies on the axial line.
For dipole B, point P lies on the equatorial line.
Wait, the orientation in the figure sets the directions. From the diagram, A is oriented left-to-right (minus to plus) so E₁$\vec{E}_1$ on its axis is along + i$+\hat{i}$ or - i$-\hat{i}$ depending on precise placement. Based on standard convention:
Identify the relationship of the observation point to each dipole (axial vs equatorial). The axial field has a factor of 2, while the equatorial does not. Vector addition is mandatory since the fields are perpendicular.
Chapter Mix
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Q32jee_main_2026_23_january_eveningElectrostatic Potential Energy
Two charges 7μ C$7\mu C$ and -2μ C$-2\mu C$ are placed at (-9,0,0)$(-9,0,0)$ cm and (9,0,0)$(9,0,0)$ cm respectively in an external field E= Ar² r$E=\frac{A}{r^{2}}\hat{r}$ , where A=9×10⁵ N/C.m²$A=9\times10^{5}\mathrm{N/C.m^{2}}$ . Considering the potential at infinity is 0, the electrostatic energy of the configuration is ____ J.
When an external field is present, total energy is the sum of the potential energies of each charge independently in that external field, plus the mutual interaction energy between the charges themselves.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Electrostatics
Q34jee_main_2026_23_january_eveningCapacitance with Dielectrics
A parallel plate capacitor with plate separation 5 mm is charged by a battery. On introducing a mica sheet of 2 mm and maintaining the connections of the plates with the terminals of the battery, it is found that it draws 25% more charge from the battery. The dielectric constant of mica is ____.
Capacitance with Dielectrics diagram for Q34 - JEE Main 2026 EveningCapacitance with Dielectrics diagram for Q34 - JEE Main 2026 EveningCapacitance with Dielectrics diagram for Q34 - JEE Main 2026 Evening
Initially, capacitance is C = (ε₀ A)/(5)$C = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{5}$. The battery maintains constant voltage V$V$.
Initial charge Q₁ = CV$Q_1 = CV$.
When a 2 mm$2 \, \mathrm{mm}$ mica sheet is introduced, it acts as two capacitors in series: air gap (3 mm$3 \, \mathrm{mm}$) and mica gap (2 mm$2 \, \mathrm{mm}$).
New charge Q₂ = 1.25 Q₁$Q_2 = 1.25 Q_1$ (since it draws 25% more).
Thus, Ceq = 1.25 C$C_{eq} = 1.25 C$.
When a dielectric slab of thickness t$t$ is inserted, equivalent capacitance is directly modeled as C' = (ε₀ A)/((d - t) + t/K)$C' = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{(d - t) + t/K}$. Constant voltage implies Q ∝ C$Q \propto C$, directly yielding the ratio equation.
Chapter Mix
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More Electrostatics Questions — jee_main_2025_08_april_evening
Practice past-year questions one chapter at a time. Pick an exam → subject → chapter and get every PYQ for that topic — pulled together from all past papers — with the chapter's key formulas alongside.