Question:

216 identical spherical drops each having a positive charge of \[ 10\,\text{nC} \] combine to form a big spherical drop. If the radius of each small drop is \[ 3\,\text{mm}, \] then the capacitance and electric potential of the big drop are respectively

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When \(n\) identical drops combine: \[ R=n^{1/3}r, \qquad Q=nq. \] For a spherical conductor: \[ C=4\pi\varepsilon_0R, \qquad V=\frac{Q}{C}. \] The potential increases as \(n^{2/3}\).
Updated On: Jul 29, 2026
  • \(20\,\text{pF},\ 1.08\times10^6\,\text{V}\)
  • \(20\,\text{pF},\ 1080\,\text{V}\)
  • \(2\,\text{pF},\ 1.08\times10^6\,\text{V}\)
  • \(2\,\text{pF},\ 1080\,\text{V}\)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept: For an isolated spherical conductor, \[ C=4\pi\varepsilon_0R \] and \[ V=\frac{Q}{C}. \] When \(n\) identical drops combine, \[ R=n^{1/3}r. \]

Step 1: Find the radius of the big drop. Given, \[ n=216, \qquad r=3\,\text{mm}. \] Since \[ 216=6^3, \] \[ R=216^{1/3}\times3\,\text{mm}. \] \[ R=6\times3\,\text{mm}. \] \[ R=18\,\text{mm}. \] \[ R=0.018\,\text{m}. \]

Step 2: Calculate the capacitance of the big drop. \[ C=4\pi\varepsilon_0R. \] Using \[ 4\pi\varepsilon_0=\frac1{9\times10^9}, \] \[ C=\frac{0.018}{9\times10^9}. \] \[ C=2\times10^{-12}\,\text{F}. \] \[ \boxed{C=2\,\text{pF}}. \]

Step 3: Find the total charge on the big drop. Each drop carries \[ q=10\,\text{nC}=10\times10^{-9}\,\text{C}. \] Hence, \[ Q=216q. \] \[ Q=216\times10\times10^{-9}. \] \[ Q=2.16\times10^{-6}\,\text{C}. \]

Step 4: Calculate the potential of the big drop. \[ V=\frac{Q}{C}. \] \[ V = \frac{2.16\times10^{-6}} {2\times10^{-12}}. \] \[ V = 1.08\times10^6\,\text{V}. \] Therefore, \[ \boxed{V=1.08\times10^6\,\text{V}} \] \[ \boxed{ \text{Capacitance}=2\,\text{pF}, \qquad \text{Potential}=1.08\times10^6\,\text{V} } \] \[ \boxed{\text{Answer = (C)}} \]
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