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Most Repeated MDCAT Physics: Electrostatics MCQs
The most repeated Electrostatics questions in MDCAT Physics, measured from 377 real past papers. Electrostatics contributed 482 questions across those papers, and 12 distinct questions recurred with the same verified answer across 2 or more different exam years — listed below (ranked by how many years each recurs in), with the answer, an explanation, and the exact years.
Measured from 377 real past papers · updated July 2026
- 1Repeated in 3 yearsElectrostatics
A capacitor of capacitance C has charge Q and stored energy is W. lf the charge is increase to 2Q. The stored energy will be:
- AW/4
- BW/2
- C2W
- D4W✓
Explanation
The energy stored in a capacitor is given by the equation: W = Q2 / 2C When the charge Q is increased to 2Q, the new energy W' is: W' = (2Q)2 / 2C = 4Q2 / 2C = 4W Thus, the stored energy becomes four times the original energy, making Option D (4W) the correct choice. The other options misrepresent the relationship between charge and stored energy, as they do not account for the square relationship.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023, 2024
- 2Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The energy supplied by the cell to the charge carriers is derived from the conversion of:
- AHeat energy into chemical energy
- BChemical energy into electrical energy✓
- CSolar energy into electrical energy
- DMechanical energy into electrical energy
Explanation
The correct answer is that the energy supplied by the cell to the charge carriers is derived from the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. This process occurs in both primary and secondary cells, where chemical reactions within the cell generate electrical energy that can be used to power devices. Option A is incorrect because endothermic reactions and the conversion of heat energy into chemical energy are not the processes occurring in conventional electrical cells. Option C is incorrect as it describes the function of solar cells, which are distinct from the electrochemical cells typically used in circuits.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2016
- 3Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The capacitance of capacitor depends upon
- Aarea of the plates
- Bdistance between the plates
- Cdielectric between them
- DAll✓
Explanation
The capacitance (C) of a capacitor depends on three main factors:1. *Area of the plates (A)*: Increasing the area of the plates increases the capacitance, as more charge can be stored.2. *Distance between the plates (d)*: Decreasing the distance between the plates increases the capacitance, as the electric field between them becomes stronger.3.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2000, 2023
- 4Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The minimum charge on any object cannot be less than:
- A1 coulomb
- B1.6 x 10-19 coulomb✓
- CThe minimum net charge that an object can get is one electron’s charge,which is 1.6x10-19 C
Explanation
It is the amount of electricity that a 1-ampere (A) current carries in one second (s). A quantity of 1 C is equal to the electrical charge of approximately 6.24 x 1018 electrons or protons. He, therefore, concluded that this minimum value of the charge is the charge on an electron. A given droplet between the two plates could be suspended in air if the gravitational force F = mg acting on the drop is equal to the electrical force F, =qE. The F can be adjusted equal to F, by adjusting the voltage. In this case, we can write, Fe=Fg or qE=mg If V is the value of p.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2001, 2010
- 5Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
Two capacitors C1 = 2µ and C2 = 4µ F are connected in series across in a 100V supply. Find the effective capacitance.
- A½ µF
- B3/2 µF
- C5/2 µF
- D4/3 µF✓
- E2 µF
Explanation
Recall that the effective capacitance of capacitors in series is the reciprocal of the sum of reciprocals of individual capacitors (just like resistors in parallel)Therefore,1/Ceffective = 1/C1 + 1/C21/Ceffective = ½ +¼ 1/Ceffective = ¾C effective= 4/3 µF Hence option D is the correct answer.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2010
- 6Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The change in electric potential with respect to distance equals to:
- APotential gradient✓
- BAmount of the charge
- CPotential difference
- DSurface charge density
Explanation
The change in electric potential with respect to distance is ΔV/Δr which represent s potential gradient. Hence, option A is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 7Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The amount of energy required to move an electron of charge (e) by the application of a 1-volt potential difference is equal to
- A1 keV
- B1 MeV
- C1 GeV
- D1 eV✓
Explanation
The amount of energy required in moving an electron of charge by application of 1V potential difference equals to 1 eV. STB Pg-64 Hence, option D is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 8Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
Which law explains the relation between the amount of charges and the force between them?
- AOhm's law
- BLenz's law
- CCoulomb's law✓
- DAmpere's law
Explanation
Coulomb's law represents the relation between amount of charges and force between them. STB Pg-40 Hence, option C is correct.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024
- 9Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
The potential difference between a pair of similar and parallel conducting plates is known. What additional information is needed in order to find the electric field strength between the plates?
- ASeparation of the plates✓
- BSeparation and area of the plates
- CPermittivity of the medium; separation of the plates
- DPermittivity of the medium; separation and area of the plates
Explanation
The correct answer is Option A: Separation of the plates. The electric field strength between parallel conducting plates can be calculated using the formula E = V/d, where V is the potential difference and d is the distance between the plates. Therefore, knowing the separation of the plates is the additional information needed to determine the electric field strength in this scenario.Options B, C, and D include unnecessary information such as the area of the plates and permittivity of the medium, which are not directly required to find the electric field strength between the plates.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2014
- 10Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
A capacitor which has a capacitance of 1 farad (F) will:
- ABe fully charged in 1 second by a current of 1 Ampere
- BStore 1 coulomb of charge at potential difference of 1 volt✓
- CGain 1 joule of energy when 1 coulomb of charge is stored on it
- DDischarge in 1 second when connected across a resistor of resistance 3 ohms
Explanation
A capacitance of 1F produces 1V of potential difference for an electric charge of one coulomb (1C). This statement also fully agrees with the formula C=Q/V.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2014
- 11Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
In the direction indicated by an electric field line:
- AThe electric field strength must increase
- BThe electric field strength must decrease
- CThe potential must decrease✓
- DNone of these
Explanation
The correct answer is that the potential must decrease (Option C). Electric field lines are oriented from higher to lower electric potential, indicating that potential decreases along the direction of the field. Options A and B are incorrect because electric field lines do not provide information about the magnitude of the electric field; thus, strength may vary in any direction. Option D is incorrect because Option C accurately describes the relationship between electric field lines and potential.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2017
- 12Repeated in 2 yearsElectrostatics
Two capacitors 𝐶1 = 2𝑢 F and 𝐶1 = 4𝑢 F are connected series across a 100 V supply. Find the effective capacitance.
- A1/2𝑢 F
- B3/2𝑢 F
- C4/3𝑢 F✓
- D7/2𝑢 F
- E9/2𝑢 F
Explanation
The total capacitance of capacitors in series is found using the formula: 1/Ctotal = 1/C1 + 1/C2. For C1 = 2μF and C2 = 4μF, we get:1/Ctotal = 1/2 + 1/4 = 2/4 + 1/4 = 3/4So, Ctotal = 4/3 μF.This shows that the correct answer is 4/3 μF, making Option C correct. The other options result from incorrect calculations or misunderstandings of the series capacitor formula.
Appeared in the past papers of: 2013, 2016