Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM24Ph4256: JEE Main 2024 Physics - Class 12 JEEM24Ph4256 Solution: A parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance . It is connected…

A parallel plate capacitor has a capacitance C=200 pF\mathrm{C}=200~ \mathrm{pF} . It is connected to 230 V230 \mathrm{~V} ac supply with an angular frequency 300 rad/s300~ \mathrm{rad} / \mathrm{s} . The rms value of conduction current in the circuit and displacement current in the capacitor respectively are :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A 14.3 μA14.3 ~\mu \mathrm{A} and 143 μA143 ~\mu \mathrm{A}
  • B 13.8 μA13.8 ~\mu \mathrm{A} and 13.8 μA13.8 ~\mu \mathrm{A}
  • C 13.8 μA13.8 ~\mu \mathrm{A} and 138 μA138 ~\mu \mathrm{A}
  • D 1.38 μA1.38 ~\mu \mathrm{A} and 1.38 μA1.38 ~\mu \mathrm{A}

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

To solve this problem, we need to understand how to calculate the rms current in an AC circuit containing a capacitor, as well as the concept of displacement current.

First, the rms (root mean square) value of the current ( IrmsI_{\text{rms}} ) in a capacitor when connected to an AC supply is given by:

Irms=Vrms⋅ωCI_{\text{rms}} = V_{\text{rms}} \cdot \omega C

where VrmsV_{\text{rms}} is the rms voltage, ω\omega is the angular frequency, and CC is the capacitance.

For an AC supply, the rms voltage is related to the peak voltage ( V0V_0 ) by:

Vrms=V02V_{\text{rms}} = \frac{V_0}{\sqrt{2}}

However, we've been given the rms voltage directly, which is 230 V230\, \text{V} . Therefore, we can use this value directly in our calculations.

Given:

C=200 pF=200×10−12 FC = 200\, \text{pF} = 200 \times 10^{-12}\, \text{F}

ω=300 rad/s\omega = 300\, \text{rad/s}

Vrms=230 VV_{\text{rms}} = 230\, \text{V}

Substitute these values into the equation for rms current:

Irms=Vrms⋅ωC=230×300×200×10−12=13.8×10−6 AI_{\text{rms}} = V_{\text{rms}} \cdot \omega C = 230 \times 300 \times 200 \times 10^{-12} = 13.8 \times 10^{-6}\, \text{A}

Therefore, the rms value of the conduction current is 13.8 μA13.8\, \mu \text{A} .

Now, for the displacement current (which is essentially the current that would "flow" through the dielectric of the capacitor as a result of the changing electric field). In an AC circuit, the displacement current and the conduction current are the same. That's because the displacement current is necessary to sustain the changing electric field between the plates of the capacitor, and this changing field is what causes the conduction current in the leads and the rest of the circuit.

Hence, the rms value of the displacement current is the same as the conduction current, which is 13.8 μA13.8\, \mu \text{A} .

So, the correct option is:

Option B

13.8 μA13.8\, \mu \text{A} and 13.8 μA13.8\, \mu \text{A}

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