Unit 1 · Chapter 2P1 · Very ImportantAverage· 62 min

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Potential, potential difference, dipole potential, equipotential surfaces, potential energy, conductors, dielectrics, capacitors, combinations and energy stored.

HPBOSE / NCERT Class 12 Physics, Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance notes with 19 important questions and full answers, 33 MCQs with answers — exam tips, common mistakes and one-minute revision for the 2026 board exam. Complete chapter notes include short-answer preparation, derivations, numericals and one-shot revision.

Cross-referenced with HPBOSE 2026 Model Paper Daftro Verified

Electric potentialPotential differenceElectron voltDipole potentialPotential gradientEquipotential surfacePotential energyConductorsElectrostatic shieldingDielectricsPolarizationCapacitanceParallel plate capacitorCombination of capacitorsEnergy stored

Study time: 62 min
Expected marks: 8–12 marks
Difficulty: Average
Revision status: —

Reading progress0/19 · 0%

Q1 · Define electric potential. Derive the expression for potential due to a point charge.

Portion 1

Subjective Questions

Foundations: Definitions, SI units & dimensions

Q01P1 · Very Important3 MarksEasy Very High3 min read

DefinitionFrequently AskedPYQ

Q02P1 · Very Important2 MarksEasy Very High2 min read

DefinitionFrequently Asked

Q03P2 · Important2 MarksEasy High2 min read

Concept

Q04P1 · Very Important2 MarksEasy High2 min read

DefinitionFrequently Asked

Q05P2 · Important1 MarkEasy Medium1 min read

Definition

Q06P2 · Important2 MarksEasy Medium2 min read

DefinitionConcept

Q07P1 · Very Important2 MarksEasy Very High3 min read

DefinitionFrequently Asked

Q08P1 · Very Important1 MarkEasy Very High2 min read

Definition

Priority 1: Potential derivations

Q09P1 · Very Important5 MarksAverage Very High6 min read

TheoryFrequently AskedPYQ

Q10P3 · Concept2 MarksEasy Medium1 min read

Concept

Q11P1 · Very Important3 MarksAverage Very High3 min read

HPBOSE Model Paper 2022-23 · Q3 (E–V relation)

TheoryPYQModel Paper

Q12P1 · Very Important3 MarksEasy Very High3 min read

DefinitionTheoryFrequently AskedDiagram

Q13P1 · Very Important3 MarksAverage High5 min read

TheoryFrequently Asked

Priority 2: Conductors & dielectrics

Q14P2 · Important3 MarksEasy High3 min read

TheoryFrequently Asked

Q15P2 · Important5 MarksAverage High5 min read

DefinitionTheory

Priority 1: Capacitors

Q16P1 · Very Important3 MarksEasy Very High3 min read

DefinitionFrequently Asked

Q17P1 · Very Important5 MarksDifficult Very High7 min read

TheoryFrequently AskedPYQDiagram

Q18P1 · Very Important3 MarksAverage Very High4 min read

TheoryFrequently AskedPYQ

Q19P1 · Very Important5 MarksAverage Very High5 min read

TheoryFrequently AskedPYQ

Portion 2 · MCQ Master Portion 3 · Quick Revision

Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance

Subjective Questions

Foundations: Definitions, SI units & dimensions

Define electric potential. Derive the expression for potential due to a point charge.

Define electric potential difference and one volt.

Write the potential due to a system of point charges (superposition).

Define electrostatic potential energy and electron volt.

What is potential gradient?

Differentiate between conductors, insulators and dielectrics. What are polar and non-polar dielectrics?

Define capacitor, capacitance, permittivity and dielectric constant.

Formula and units sheet — Chapter 2

Priority 1: Potential derivations

Electric potential due to an electric dipole — axial line, equatorial line and any point.

Compare electric potential due to an isolated charge and an electric dipole.

Prove that electric field intensity is the negative potential gradient: E = −dV/dr.

What is an equipotential surface? Write its properties.

Derive the potential energy of a system of two and three point charges.

Priority 2: Conductors & dielectrics

Explain the behaviour of conductors in an electric field. What is electrostatic shielding?

Explain dielectrics and polarization. Define dielectric constant, polarization vector, susceptibility and dielectric strength. Prove K = 1 + χₑ.

Priority 1: Capacitors

Define electrical capacitance. Find the capacitance of an isolated spherical conductor. Is a 1 F conductor possible?

Parallel plate capacitor: principle, capacitance, with dielectric slab and with conducting slab.

Derive the equivalent capacitance for series and parallel combination of capacitors.

Derive the energy stored in a capacitor and energy density. Explain the effect of a dielectric on energy stored.