Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Capacitors
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Capacitors
Three parallel plates are arranged one above the other, with a...
Three parallel plates are arranged one above the other, with a capacitance of between adjacent plates. When a charge of is deposited on the upper plate, what is the resulting potential difference between the middle plate and the lower plate?
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
C.
Step-by-step solution
Let the three parallel plates be (upper), (middle), and (lower).
The total charge given to the system is on the upper plate, while the middle and lower plates are uncharged (, ).
For a system of parallel conducting plates, the charge appearing on the outermost surfaces is half of the total charge of the system.
Charge on the outermost surfaces .
Thus, the top surface of has a charge of .
Since the total charge on is , the charge on its bottom surface is:
.
Facing surfaces of adjacent conducting plates always carry equal and opposite charges.
Charge on the top surface of .
Since is isolated and has zero net charge, the charge on its bottom surface is:
.
Similarly, the charge on the top surface of will be .
The middle and lower plates form a capacitor with capacitance and charge on their facing surfaces.
The potential difference between the middle and lower plates is:
.
The total charge given to the system is on the upper plate, while the middle and lower plates are uncharged (, ).
For a system of parallel conducting plates, the charge appearing on the outermost surfaces is half of the total charge of the system.
Charge on the outermost surfaces .
Thus, the top surface of has a charge of .
Since the total charge on is , the charge on its bottom surface is:
.
Facing surfaces of adjacent conducting plates always carry equal and opposite charges.
Charge on the top surface of .
Since is isolated and has zero net charge, the charge on its bottom surface is:
.
Similarly, the charge on the top surface of will be .
The middle and lower plates form a capacitor with capacitance and charge on their facing surfaces.
The potential difference between the middle and lower plates is:
.