Electrostatics – Electrostatic Potential, Potential Energy and Capacitance Quiz - ICSE Class 12 Physics

Free practice quiz: Electrostatics – Electrostatic Potential, Potential Energy and Capacitance (ICSE Class 12 Physics). 14 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. Play online, no sign-up needed.

This ICSE Class 12 Physics practice quiz has 14 multiple-choice questions on Electrostatics – Electrostatic Potential, Potential Energy and Capacitance, and 14 of them come with an explanation. Try the 5 sample questions below (tap an option to check yourself), then play the full quiz online. No sign-up needed.

Sample questions

1. Two point charges, +q and -q, are separated by a distance d. The electric potential at the midpoint of the line joining them is:

   1. kq/d
   2. -kq/d
   3. 0
   4. 2kq/d
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 0

   The potential due to +q at the midpoint is V1 = kq/(d/2) = 2kq/d. The potential due to -q at the midpoint is V2 = k(-q)/(d/2) = -2kq/d. The total potential at the midpoint is V_total = V1 + V2 = 2kq/d - 2kq/d = 0.

2. When a dielectric material is inserted between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor, its capacitance:

   1. Decreases
   2. Increases
   3. Remains unchanged
   4. Becomes zero
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Increases

   When a dielectric material with dielectric constant K is inserted between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor, the capacitance becomes C' = KC, where C is the original capacitance. Since K > 1 for dielectric materials, the capacitance increases.

3. The electric field inside a hollow conducting sphere with a charge Q on its surface is:

   1. kq/r^2
   2. kq/r
   3. Zero
   4. kQ/(4πr^2)
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Zero

   For a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside the conductor is always zero. This is because charges on a conductor redistribute themselves until the net electric field inside is zero.

4. The work done to move a charge q from infinity to a point with electric potential V is:

   1. qV
   2. -qV
   3. V/q
   4. q/V
   Show answer

   Answer: A. qV

   The electric potential V at a point is defined as the work done per unit charge to bring a positive test charge from infinity to that point. Therefore, the work done (W) to move a charge q from infinity to that point is W = qV.

5. Which of the following statements about equipotential surfaces is incorrect?

   1. Electric field is perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
   2. Electric field is parallel to equipotential surfaces.
   3. Equipotential surfaces are closer where the electric field is stronger.
   4. No work is done in moving a charge along an equipotential surface.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Electric field is parallel to equipotential surfaces.

   The electric field is always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces. This is because the potential difference along an equipotential surface is zero, and the component of the electric field parallel to the surface would do work if a charge were moved along it. The other statements are correct.

More questions in this quiz

Answers and explanations are in the full quiz.

1. A parallel plate capacitor has plates of area A and separation d. If the distance between the plates is doubled, the capacitance:
2. The potential energy stored in a capacitor with capacitance C and charge Q is:
3. A sphere of radius R carries a charge Q. The electric potential at its surface is proportional to:
4. If the distance between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor is halved, and the battery supplying the charge remains connected, the stored energy:
5. Consider a system of three identical capacitors, each of capacitance C. If they are connected in parallel, the equivalent capacitance is:
6. A capacitor of capacitance 10 µF is charged to 100 V. The energy stored in the capacitor is:
7. A system of two charges +q and -q separated by a distance d forms an electric dipole. The work done in rotating the dipole from an angle θ1 to θ2 in a uniform electric field E is:
8. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to voltage V. If the distance between the plates is doubled, while the charge remains constant, the potential difference:
9. Consider a Van de Graaff generator. The electric field inside the conducting shell is:

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