Home Physics Electrostatics Potential & Capacitance Capacitance In Fig., the capacitors have plate area A = …
Physics Electrostatics Potential & Capacitance Capacitance Subjective Type
Published on: September 12, 2026

In Fig., the capacitors have plate area A = l × b, separation 'd'.

If the slab is displaced slightly, find the time period of the oscillation. Is it simple harmonic? Given mass of the dielectric = m.

Share this question

For Instagram sharing, use “Apps” on mobile or copy the link.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts
The correct answer is:
A
Step 1: Analyzing the System
The system consists of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric slab of mass 'm' that can oscillate. When the slab is displaced by a distance 'x' from its equilibrium position, the distance between the plates changes, which affects the capacitance.

Step 2: Expression for Capacitance
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is given by:
$C = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A}{d - x}$
where $A = l \times b$ is the area of the plates and $d$ is the separation. Here, we denote $\\varepsilon_0$ as the permittivity of free space.

Step 3: Force on the Slab
The electric field $E$ between the plates is given by:
$E = \frac{V}{d - x}$
where V is the voltage applied across the capacitor.
The force F acting on the slab due to the electric field is:
$F = qE = C(V^2)\frac{1}{d - x}$
Substituting the value of capacitance, we have:
$F = \frac{\varepsilon_0 A V^2}{d - x}.$

Step 4: Equation of Motion
The upward force on the slab leads to a restoring force when it is displaced, which can be modeled as:
$F = m g + k x$
where k is the effective spring constant.
For small displacements (assuming SHM), we can write:
$m a = -k x,$
which is the form of Hooke's law.

Step 5: Finding the Time Period
The angular frequency $\omega$ of the oscillator is:
$\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}$
The time period T is:
$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$
This confirms that the oscillation is simple harmonic as it follows the form $F = -kx$. Thus, the system indeed oscillates with SHM, and the time period is confirmed to be:
$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$

Therefore, the time period of the oscillation is $T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{K}}$ where K represents the effective spring constant determined from the system's parameters.

Prepare Smarter with CGP Edu

Get practice questions, solutions, and test series in one place.

Write a Review

Share your experience with this question and solution.

Commentary

Send your comment, doubt, correction, or feedback to admin.

Student Reviews

What students say about this solution

No reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

CG
CGP Question Assistant Question Bank + AI Help
Hi! Type your question or upload one screenshot. First I will search related questions from CGP Edu Question Bank. If none match, type YES and I will solve it with AI.
Upload only one screenshot at a time. Flow: Question Bank first → If not matched, type YES for AI solution.