Class JEE Physics ALL Q #1164
COMPETENCY BASED
APPLY
4 Marks 2026 JEE Main 2026 (Online) 21st January Morning Shift MCQ SINGLE
An air-filled capacitor of capacitance $C$ is filled with a dielectric $(k=3)$ of width $\frac{d}{3}$, where $d$ is the separation between the plates. The new capacitance is:
(A) $C$
(B) $\frac{9}{7}C$
(C) $\frac{12}{7}C$
(D) $\frac{3}{7}C$

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Step-by-Step Solution

Let $A$ be the area of the plates and $d$ be the separation between them. The original capacitance is $C = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{d}$.

When a dielectric of width $\frac{d}{3}$ is introduced, we can consider the capacitor as two capacitors in series: one with dielectric and one without.

The thickness of the dielectric slab is $\frac{d}{3}$, and its dielectric constant is $k=3$. The capacitance of this part is $C_1 = \frac{k \epsilon_0 A}{d/3} = \frac{3k \epsilon_0 A}{d} = \frac{9 \epsilon_0 A}{d} = 9C$.

The remaining part has a thickness of $d - \frac{d}{3} = \frac{2d}{3}$. The capacitance of this part is $C_2 = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{2d/3} = \frac{3 \epsilon_0 A}{2d} = \frac{3}{2}C$.

The equivalent capacitance $C'$ of the series combination is given by $\frac{1}{C'} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} = \frac{1}{9C} + \frac{1}{\frac{3}{2}C} = \frac{1}{9C} + \frac{2}{3C} = \frac{1 + 6}{9C} = \frac{7}{9C}$.

Therefore, $C' = \frac{9}{7}C$.

Correct Answer: $\frac{9}{7}C$

AI Suggestion: Option B

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Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an APPLY question because it requires the student to apply the formula for capacitance with a dielectric and series combination of capacitors.
Knowledge Dimension: PROCEDURAL
Justification: The question requires a step-by-step calculation using the formula for capacitance and the concept of series combination.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of JEE, this is classified as COMPETENCY. It requires application of the formula for capacitance with dielectrics, making it competency-based.