2

Data

speed of light in free space c = 3.00 × 108 m s−1

permeability of free space μ0 = 4π × 10−7 H m−1

permittivity of free space ε0 = 8.85 × 10−12 F m−1

1
( = 8.99 × 109 m F−1)
4πε0
elementary charge e = 1.60 × 10−19 C

the Planck constant h = 6.63 × 10−34 J s

unified atomic mass unit 1 u = 1.66 × 10−27 kg

rest mass of electron me = 9.11 × 10−31 kg

rest mass of proton mp = 1.67 × 10−27 kg

molar gas constant R = 8.31 J K−1 mol−1

the Avogadro constant NA = 6.02 × 1023 mol−1

the Boltzmann constant k = 1.38 × 10−23 J K−1

gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2 kg−2

acceleration of free fall g = 9.81 m s−2

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Formulae

1
uniformly accelerated motion s = ut + 2 at 2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

work done on/by a gas W = p ΔV

Gm
gravitational potential φ =−
r

hydrostatic pressure p = ρgh

1 Nm 2
pressure of an ideal gas p = 3 〈c 〉
V
simple harmonic motion a = − ω 2x

velocity of particle in s.h.m. v = v0 cos ωt

v = ± ω (x 02 - x 2)
fsv
Doppler effect fo =
v ± vs

Q
electric potential V =
4πε0r

capacitors in series 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + . . .

capacitors in parallel C = C1 + C2 + . . .

1
energy of charged capacitor W = 2 QV

electric current I = Anvq

resistors in series R = R1 + R2 + . . .

resistors in parallel 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + . . .

BI
Hall voltage VH =
ntq

alternating current/voltage x = x0 sin ω t

radioactive decay x = x0 exp(−λt)

0.693
decay constant λ =
t 1
2

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7 (a) Define capacitance.

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) Three capacitors of capacitances C1, C2 and C3 are initially uncharged. They are then
connected in series to a battery, as shown in Fig. 7.1.

C1 C2 C3

Fig. 7.1

The battery applies a potential difference V across the three capacitors.

Show that the combined capacitance C of the capacitors is given by

1 1 1 1
= + + .
C C1 C2 C3

[2]

(c) A battery of e.m.f. 12 V and negligible internal resistance is connected to a network of two
capacitors and a resistor, as shown in Fig. 7.2.

200 F

A B
12 V

600 F

Fig. 7.2

The capacitors have capacitances of 200 μF and 600 μF. The switch has two positions,
A and B.

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(i) The switch is moved to position A.

Calculate

1. the combined capacitance of the two capacitors,

combined capacitance = ..................................................... μF [1]

2. the charge on the 600 μF capacitor,

charge = ....................................................... C [1]

3. the potential difference across the 600 μF capacitor.

potential difference = ....................................................... V [1]

(ii) The switch is now moved from position A to position B.

Calculate the potential difference across the 600 μF capacitor when it has discharged
50% of its initial energy.

potential difference = ....................................................... V [3]

[Total: 9]

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6 (a) Explain what is meant by the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[3]

(b) Three parallel plate capacitors each have a capacitance of 6.0 μF.

Draw circuit diagrams, one in each case, to show how the capacitors may be connected
together to give a combined capacitance of

(i) 9.0 μF,

[1]

(ii) 4.0 μF.

[1]

(c) Two capacitors of capacitances 3.0 μF and 2.0 μF are connected in series with a battery of
electromotive force (e.m.f.) 8.0 V, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

3.0 μF 2.0 μF

8.0 V

Fig. 6.1

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6 (a) Define the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(b) A student has three capacitors. Two of the capacitors have a capacitance of 4.0 μF and one
has a capacitance of 8.0 μF.

Draw labelled circuit diagrams, one in each case, to show how the three capacitors may be
connected to give a total capacitance of:

(i) 1.6 μF

[1]

(ii) 10 μF.

[1]

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(c) A capacitor C of capacitance 47 μF is connected across the output terminals of a bridge

rectifier, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

bridge C
R
rectifier 47 μF

Fig. 6.1

The variation with time t of the potential difference V across the resistor R is shown in Fig. 6.2.

10

8
V/V
6

0
0 t1 t2 time t

Fig. 6.2

Use data from Fig. 6.2 to determine the energy transfer from the capacitor C to the resistor R
between time t1 and time t2.

energy = ......................................................... J [3]

[Total: 7]

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6 Two capacitors P and Q, each of capacitance C, are connected in series with a battery of e.m.f.
9.0 V, as shown in Fig. 6.1.

switch S
9.0 V
X Y
P T
R
C C

Fig. 6.1

A switch S is used to connect either a third capacitor T, also of capacitance C, or a resistor R, in

parallel with capacitor P.

(a) Switch S is in position X.

Calculate

(i) the combined capacitance, in terms of C, of the three capacitors,

capacitance = ......................................................... [2]

(ii) the potential difference across capacitor Q. Explain your working.

potential difference = ..................................................... V [2]

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(b) Switch S is now moved to position Y.

State what happens to the potential difference across capacitor P and across capacitor Q.

capacitor P: ..............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

capacitor Q: .............................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[4]

[Total: 8]

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7 A student sets up the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1 to measure the charge on a capacitor C for different
values of potential difference across the capacitor.

C meter to
V
measure charge

Fig. 7.1

The variation with potential difference V of the charge Q stored on the capacitor is shown in
Fig. 7.2.

15

Q / mC

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
V/V

Fig. 7.2

(a) State and explain how Fig. 7.2 indicates that there is a systematic error in the readings of one
of the meters.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. [2]

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(b) Use Fig. 7.2 to determine the capacitance, in μF, of capacitor C.

capacitance = .................................................... μF [3]

(c) Use your answer in (b) to determine the additional energy stored in the capacitor C when the
potential difference across it is increased from 6.0 V to 9.0 V.

energy = ...................................................... J [3]

[Total: 8]

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4 (a) Define capacitance. For

Examiner’s
.......................................................................................................................................... Use

...................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) An isolated metal sphere has a radius r. When charged to a potential V, the charge on
the sphere is q.
The charge may be considered to act as a point charge at the centre of the sphere.

(i) State an expression, in terms of r and q, for the potential V of the sphere.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) This isolated sphere has capacitance. Use your answers in (a) and (b)(i) to show
that the capacitance of the sphere is proportional to its radius.

[1]

(c) The sphere in (b) has a capacitance of 6.8 pF and is charged to a potential of 220 V.

Calculate

(i) the radius of the sphere,

radius = ........................................... m [3]

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(ii) the charge, in coulomb, on the sphere. For

Examiner’s
Use

charge = ........................................... C [1]

(d) A second uncharged metal sphere is brought up to the sphere in (c) so that they touch.
The combined capacitance of the two spheres is 18 pF.

Calculate

(i) the potential of the two spheres,

potential = ............................................ V [1]

(ii) the change in the total energy stored on the spheres when they touch.

change = ........................................... J [3]

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(a) The switch is in position X so that the capacitor is fully charged.

Calculate the energy E stored in the capacitor.

E = ....................................................... J [2]

(b) The switch is now moved to position Y.

(i) Show that the time constant of the discharge circuit is 3.3 s.

[2]

(ii) The fully charged capacitor in (a) stores energy E.

Determine the time t taken for the stored energy to decrease from E to E / 9.

t = ....................................................... s [4]

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(c) A second identical capacitor is connected in parallel with the first capacitor.

State and explain the change, if any, to the time constant of the discharge circuit.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 10]

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7 (a) Explain what is meant by the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[3]

(b) A parallel plate capacitor C is connected into the circuit shown in Fig. 7.1.

X Y

120 V A
C

Fig. 7.1

When switch S is at position X, the battery of electromotive force 120 V and negligible internal
resistance is connected to capacitor C.
When switch S is at position Y, the capacitor C is discharged through the sensitive ammeter.

The switch vibrates so that it is first in position X, then moves to position Y and then back to
position X fifty times each second.

The current recorded on the ammeter is 4.5 μA.

Determine

(i) the charge, in coulomb, passing through the ammeter in 1.0 s,

charge = ....................................................... C [1]

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(ii) the charge on one plate of the capacitor, each time that it is charged,

charge = ....................................................... C [1]

(iii) the capacitance of capacitor C.

capacitance = ....................................................... F [2]

(c) A second capacitor, having a capacitance equal to that of capacitor C, is now placed in series
with C.

Suggest and explain the effect on the current recorded on the ammeter.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................[2]

[Total: 9]

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4 (a) State two functions of capacitors in electrical circuits. For

Examiner’s
1. ...................................................................................................................................... Use

..........................................................................................................................................

2. ......................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Three uncharged capacitors of capacitance C1, C2 and C3 are connected in series, as
shown in Fig. 4.1.

plate A

C1 C2 C3

Fig. 4.1

A charge of +Q is put on plate A of the capacitor of capacitance C1.

(i) State and explain the charges that will be observed on the other plates of the
capacitors.
You may draw on Fig. 4.1 if you wish.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [2]

(ii) Use your answer in (i) to derive an expression for the combined capacitance of the
capacitors.

[2]

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(c) A capacitor of capacitance 12 μF is charged using a battery of e.m.f. 9.0 V, as shown in For
Fig. 4.2. Examiner’s
Use

S1 S2

12 μF 20 μF
9.0 V

Fig. 4.2

Switch S1 is closed and switch S2 is open.

(i) The capacitor is now disconnected from the battery by opening S1.
Calculate the energy stored in the capacitor.

energy = ............................................. J [2]

(ii) The 12 μF capacitor is now connected to an uncharged capacitor of capacitance

20 μF by closing S2. Switch S1 remains open.
The total energy now stored in the two capacitors is 1.82 × 10–4 J.

Suggest why this value is different from your answer in (i).

..................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................. [1]

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5 (a) State two functions of capacitors in electrical circuits. For

Examiner’s
1. ..................................................................................................................................... Use

2. .....................................................................................................................................
[2]

(b) Three capacitors, each marked ‘30 μF, 6 V max’, are arranged as shown in Fig. 5.1.

A B

Fig. 5.1

Determine, for the arrangement shown in Fig. 5.1,

(i) the total capacitance,

capacitance = ......................................... μF [2]

(ii) the maximum potential difference that can safely be applied between points A
and B.

potential difference = ........................................... V [2]

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(c) A capacitor of capacitance 4700 μF is charged to a potential difference of 18 V. It is then For

partially discharged through a resistor. The potential difference is reduced to 12 V. Examiner’s
Calculate the energy dissipated in the resistor during the discharge. Use

energy = ........................................... J [3]

© UCLES 2010 9702/42/M/J/10 [Turn over