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Q.166 Physics ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
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NEET 2020 Physics Question 166 Solution

Topic: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance · Official NTA Booklet Code E1
NEET 2020 Physics Question 166: Determination of Permittivity of a Dielectric Medium from Capacitance Change

Question

The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with air as medium is 6 μF. With the introduction of a dielectric medium, the capacitance becomes 30 μF. The permittivity of the medium is: (ε₀ = 8.85×10⁻¹² C² N⁻¹ m⁻²)

✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (3) : 0.44 x 10^-10 C^2 N^-1 m^-2
📚 Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Medium
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Capacitance with Air C0 = 6 μF
Capacitance with Dielectric C = 30 μF
Free Space Permittivity ε0 = 8.85 × 10^-12 C^2 N^-1 m^-2
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ "Dielectric constant K = C / C0 = 30 / 6 = 5. Permittivity ε = K ε0 = 5 × 8.85 × 10^-12 = 44.25 × 10^-12 = 0.44 × 10^-10 C^2 N^-1 m^-2!"

⏱️ 20 seconds

The dielectric constant is the capacitance ratio K = C / C0 = 30 / 6 = 5. The absolute permittivity of the medium is ε = K · ε0 = 5 × 8.85 × 10^-12 = 44.25 × 10^-12 = 0.4425 × 10^-10 ≈ 0.44 × 10^-10 C^2 N^-1 m^-2. Takes under 10 seconds!

1 Compute dielectric constant: K=CC0=30 μF6 μF=5K = \frac{C}{C_0} = \frac{30\ \mu\text{F}}{6\ \mu\text{F}} = 5.
2 Compute permittivity of medium: ε=Kε0=5×(8.85×10−12)=44.25×10−12 C2N−1m−2\varepsilon = K \varepsilon_0 = 5 \times (8.85 \times 10^{-12}) = 44.25 \times 10^{-12}\text{ C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}.
3 Shift decimal to match scientific options: 44.25×10−12=0.44×10−10 C2N−1m−244.25 \times 10^{-12} = 0.44 \times 10^{-10}\text{ C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}.
4 Select Option (3).
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Physics · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance (Dielectric Constant & Permittivity)
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Definition of Capacitance with Dielectric

For a parallel plate capacitor, capacitance with air (vacuum) is C0=ε0AdC_0 = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d}. When the space between plates is filled with a dielectric medium of absolute permittivity ε\varepsilon, the capacitance becomes: C=εAdC = \frac{\varepsilon A}{d}.

Step 2

Determine Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity)

The relative permittivity (dielectric constant KK) is the ratio of capacitances: K=εr=CC0=30 μF6 μF=5K = \varepsilon_r = \frac{C}{C_0} = \frac{30\ \mu\text{F}}{6\ \mu\text{F}} = 5.

Step 3

Calculate Absolute Permittivity of Medium

ε=Kε0=5×(8.85×10−12 C2N−1m−2)=44.25×10−12 C2N−1m−2\varepsilon = K \varepsilon_0 = 5 \times (8.85 \times 10^{-12}\text{ C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}) = 44.25 \times 10^{-12}\text{ C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}.

Step 4

Format Notation to Match Options

44.25×10−12=0.4425×10−10≈0.44×10−10 C2N−1m−244.25 \times 10^{-12} = 0.4425 \times 10^{-10} \approx 0.44 \times 10^{-10}\text{ C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}. Matches Option 3.

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 A
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; power-of-ten error (10^-13 instead of 10^-10).

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Shifting decimal in the wrong direction.
2 B
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; calculates ε0 / K = 8.85 × 10^-12 / 5 = 1.77 × 10^-12.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Dividing by dielectric constant instead of multiplying.
3 C
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Accurate value; ε = K ε0 = 5 × 8.85 × 10^-12 = 44.25 × 10^-12 = 0.44 × 10^-10 C^2 N^-1 m^-2.

💡
Why this is airtight: None; exact application of dielectric relations.
4 D
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect; this is the dimensionless dielectric constant K = 5, not the absolute permittivity ε.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing relative permittivity (dimensionless) with absolute permittivity.
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Relative Permittivity vs Absolute Permittivity

Dielectric constant K = 5 is dimensionless. Absolute permittivity ε = K ε0 has physical units and numerical value ~ 4.4 × 10^-11.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Read the units in the question carefully: C^2 N^-1 m^-2 signals absolute permittivity ε, not relative K.
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

Physics · Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

""

Syllabus Focus: Determination of Permittivity of a Dielectric Medium from Capacitance Change
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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