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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 50 nF50 \text{ nF} between adjacent plates. When a charge of 1.0μC1.0 \mu\text{C} is deposited on the upper plate, what is the resulting potential difference between the middle plate and the lower plate?

Options

  1. A0 V0 \text{ V}
  2. B5 V5 \text{ V}
  3. C10 V10 \text{ V}
  4. D20 V20 \text{ V}

Correct answer

C. 10 V10 \text{ V}

Step-by-step solution

Let the three parallel plates be P1P_1 (upper), P2P_2 (middle), and P3P_3 (lower).

The total charge given to the system is Q=1.0μCQ = 1.0 \mu\text{C} on the upper plate, while the middle and lower plates are uncharged (Q2=0Q_2 = 0, Q3=0Q_3 = 0).

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 =Qtotal2=1.0μC+0+02=0.5μC= \dfrac{Q_{total}}{2} = \dfrac{1.0 \mu\text{C} + 0 + 0}{2} = 0.5 \mu\text{C}.

Thus, the top surface of P1P_1 has a charge of 0.5μC0.5 \mu\text{C}.
Since the total charge on P1P_1 is 1.0μC1.0 \mu\text{C}, the charge on its bottom surface is:
q1,bottom=1.0μC−0.5μC=0.5μCq_{1, \text{bottom}} = 1.0 \mu\text{C} - 0.5 \mu\text{C} = 0.5 \mu\text{C}.

Facing surfaces of adjacent conducting plates always carry equal and opposite charges.
Charge on the top surface of P2=−0.5μCP_2 = -0.5 \mu\text{C}.
Since P2P_2 is isolated and has zero net charge, the charge on its bottom surface is:
q2,bottom=0−(−0.5μC)=+0.5μCq_{2, \text{bottom}} = 0 - (-0.5 \mu\text{C}) = +0.5 \mu\text{C}.

Similarly, the charge on the top surface of P3P_3 will be −0.5μC-0.5 \mu\text{C}.

The middle and lower plates form a capacitor with capacitance C=50 nFC = 50 \text{ nF} and charge q=0.5μC=500 nCq = 0.5 \mu\text{C} = 500 \text{ nC} on their facing surfaces.

The potential difference VV between the middle and lower plates is:
V=qC=500×10−9 C50×10−9 F=10 VV = \dfrac{q}{C} = \dfrac{500 \times 10^{-9} \text{ C}}{50 \times 10^{-9} \text{ F}} = 10 \text{ V}.
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