Example 2.

(i) Calculate the potential at a point P due to a

charge of 4 x 10-7 C located 9 cm away. (ii) Hence obtain
the work done in bringing a charge of 2 x 10-9 C from
infinity to the point P. Does the .answer depend on the path
along which the charge is··brought ? [NCERT]
Solution. (i) Here q = 4 x 10-7 C, r = 9 cm =0.09 m
Electric potential at point P is
.· -· . -7
4
V= 1 . ·q=9x10 9 x xlO =4x10 4 V. I
41t e0 r 0.09
s
-7 e
q =4 x 10 C
•----------.~~-
0 p
-------~~ oo
M 9m------.a

Fig. 2.10
(ii) By definition, electric potential at point P is
equal to the work done in bringing a unit positive
charge from infinity to the point P. Hence the work
done in bringing a charge of 2 x 10- 9 Cfron1 infinity to E~
the point Pis
sr,
9 4 5
W = q0 V =2 x 10- x 4 x 10 = 8 x 10- J
No, the answer does not depend on the path along
which the charge is brought. ·
Example 6 . A charge of24 µC is given to a hollow metallic
sphere of radius 0.2 m Find the potential [CBSE D 95]
(i) at the surface of the sphere, and
(ii) at a distance of 0.1 cm from the centre of the sphere.
6
Solution. (i) q =24 µC =24 x 10- C, R =0.2 m
Potential at the surface of the sphere is

V = l . q - 9 X 109 X 24 X 10-6 V = 1.08 X 106 v.

4nE 0 R 0.2
(ii) As potential at any point insid~ the sphere
= Potential on the surface
:. Potential at a distance of 0.1 cm from the centre
= 1.08 x 10 6 V.
Example 7. Twenty seven drops of same size are charged at
220 V eac~. They combine to form a bigger drop. Calculate
the potential of the bigger drop. [NEET 21]
Solution. Let radius of each small drop = r
Radius of large drop =R
As the volume remains constant,
4 3 4
31tR ==27x-nr3 ⇒ R=3r
7
 8
Example 9. Two charges 3 x 10- C and -2 x 10-B car e
located 15 cm apart. At what point on the line joining the
two charges is the electric potential zero ? Take the potential
at infinity to be z~ro. [NCERT]

Solution. As sho wn in Fig. 2.11, sup pos e the two

point .charges are pla ced on X-axis wit h the pos itiv e
charge located on the orig in 0. ·
8 _: 8
ql = 3 X 10- C q2= - 2 X 10 C
o-- --- --_ ..,,.- - - -o
0 P A
f..-4- - X --~ •~1 4.- 0.15 - X --.f

Fig. 2.11 Zero of electric potential for two charges.

Let the potential be zero at the poi nt P and OP = x.
For x < 0 (Le., to the left of 0), the potentials of the two
charges cannot add up to zero. Clearly, x mu st be
positive.
If x lies between 0 and A, then
½ +½ = 0
1 ql + q2 =0
4n Eo x 0.15 - x
 Example 13. Two point charges of +3µC and-3 µCare
3
placed 2 x 10- mapart from ·each other. Calculate (i) electric
field and electric potential at a distance of 0.6 m from the
dipole in broad-side-on position (ii) electric field and electric
potential at the same point after rotating the dipole through
90°.
Solutio n. Dipole moment,
p = q X 2[ =3 X 10-6 X2 X 10-3 =6x 10-9 Cm
(i) Electric field in broad-side-on position is
9 9
E= 1 .L = 9 x 1o x 6 x 10- = 250 N c-1
E] 41t e0 r3 (0.6 )3
Electric potential in broad-side-on position, V =0.
(ii) When the dipole is rotated through 90°, the
same point is now in end-on-position with respect to
the dipole.
2
. . E = l . p = 500 N c-t
4ne 0 r3
9 9
V = 1 . _E_ = 9 x 10 6 x 10-
x = 150 V.
41t Eo r2 (0.6 )2

Example 14. Two charges -q and+ q are located at points

A(0,0,-a) .and B(0,0,+a) respectively. How much work is
done in moving a test charge from point P(7,0,0) to
.S [CBSE D 09]
Q(-3,0,0) ?
Solution. Points P and Q are located on the equa-
LS
torial line of the electric dipole and potential of the
dipole at any equatorial point is zero .
.·. Work done in moving a test charge q0 from P to Q,
W = q0·(VQ- Vp) = q0 (0-0) = 0.

tx P(7, 0, 0)
t of
the
1ole
'On -q +q
◄ •
B(0, 0, a)
► Z
A(O, 0, - a)

r (- 3, 0, 0)

y
 ' , , - - - - . I
'
9. Two small spheres of radius 'a ' each carrying
charges + q and - q are placed at points A and B,
distance 'd' apart. Calculate the potential difference
between points A and B. (Ans. 2q/4ne0 d)
10. A charge of 8 mC is located at the origin. Calculate
the work done in taking a small charge of-2 x 10-9 c
from a point P(O, 0, 3 cm) to a point Q(O, 4 cm, 0) via
a point R (0, 6 cm, 9 cm). (Ans. 1.2 J)
11. (a) Twelve negative charges of same magnitude
are equally spaced and fixed on the circum-
ference of a circle of radius R as shown in
Fig. 2.16(a) . Relative to potential being zero at
infinity, find the electric potential and electric
field at the centre C of the circle.

(a) (b)

Fig. 2.16

(b) If the charges are unequally spaced and fix~d

on an arc of 120° of radius R as shown in
Fig. 2.16(b), find electric potential at the
centre C. [CBSE OD 23]
 Example 18. Three points A, Ban d C lie in a uniform
electric field ( E) of 5 x 103 Nc -1 as shown in the Fig. 2.25.
Find the potential difference between A and C. [CBSE F 09]

A'.' :- - - - - - CB
' ' 1
3cm
5 cm' I
- - - - - -'- ---~ E
' I
''c I

Fig. 2.25 E
Solution. Poin ts B and C lie on an equ ipot enti al P
surface, so Ve = V8 . v
.·. P.O. betw een A and C = P.O. betw een A and B
=-E ~x

= -20 0 V. [~x =AB = ✓5 2 -3 2 = 4 cm]

Exa mpl e 19. A uniform electric field E of 500 NIC is
directed along +x-axis. O, Band A are three points in the
field having x- and y-coordinates (in cm) (0, 0), (4, 0) and
(0, 3) respectively. Calculate the potential difference between
the points (i) 0 and A, and (ii) 0 and R
fCBSE 23
Example 21 . If the potential in the region ofspace around the
2 2
point (-1 m, 2 m, 3 m) is given by V =(10x + Sy -.:3z2)
volt, calculate the three components ofelectric field at this point.
Solution. Here x = - l lll, y =2 lll, z =3 Ill
As V = 10x2 + Sy 2 ...:. 3z2
:. E
X
= - av=-
ax ax a (lOx 2 + Sy 2 -3z2 )
.
= - 20x = - 20 x ( -1) = 20 Vm -t

E =av=- a (l0x + Sy 2 -3z2 )=-10y

2
Y ay dy
= - 10 x 2 = - 20 V tn - l
E = - av=_ j_ (lOx 2 + Sy 2 -3z2 ) =6Z
z az dz \
= 6 X 3 = 18 Vm - t.
~ Example 22
(a) Determine the electrostatic potential energy of a
system consisting of two charges 7 µC and - 2 µC
(and with no external field) placed at (-9 cm, 0, 0)
and (9 cm, 0, 0) respectively.
(b) How much work is required to separate the two
charges infinitely away from each other ?
(c) Suppose the same system of charges is now placed in
an exterial _flectric field E = A (1 / r2) ;
A = 9 x 10 Cm . What would the electrostatic
energy of the configuration be ? [NCERTJ
Solution. (a) q1 = 7 µC = 7 x 10- C, q = - 2 x 10- 6 c,
6
2
r =18 cm =0.18 m
Electrostatic potential energy of the two charges is
U =-1 -. ql q2
41tE
0 r
9 X 10 9 7 X 10-6
X (-2) X 10-
X 6
=- - - - - - - ' - - - = -0.7 J.
0.18
(b) Work requir ed to separa te two charge s infinitely
away from each other,
w = u2 - u1 = o- u = -(-0.7 ) = 0.1 J.
(c) Energy of the two charges in th~ external electric field
= Energ y of interaction of two charges with the
extern al electric field
+ Mutua l interac tion energy of the two charge s
= ql V (r1) + q2V (r2) + _1_ q1~2
4nE 0 r
= ql A+ q2 A+ _1_ qlq2
r1 r2 41tE 0 r2
[v =Er= Ar]
= [ 7µC + - 2 µC] x 9 x 10 5 Cm - 2 -0.7 J
0.09 m 0.09 m
= (70-2 0)-0.7 = 50 -0.7 = 49.3 J.
Example 23. Three charges - q, + Q and - q are placed at
equal distances on a straigh~ line. If the p_otential ~nergy of
the system of three charges zs zero, what zs the ra tw Q: q ?
[CBSE SP 23]
Soluti on. As shown in Fig. 2.37, suppo se the three
charge s are placed at points A Band C respectively on
a straigh t line, such that AB = BC = r.
-q -q
.--- -- -.--- -- --•
A
+Q
B C
i+-1•- - r - - - i + - - - r - -~
Fig . 2.37
As the total p. E. of the system is zero, so
1 [-qQ (-q)(- q) + Q(-q) ] =0
--+ r
4n E r 2r
O Q 1_ .
q 2 Q = i or - = - - 1 . 4. C
or - Q + - Q = O or 2 q 4
2
Example 30. An electric dipole of length 4 cm, when placed
with its axis making an angle of 60° with a uniform electric
field experiences a torque of 4 J3 Nm Calculate the (i) magni-
tude of the electric field, (ii) potential energy of the dipole, if
the dipole has charges of± 8 nC. [CBSE OD 04; D 06C, 14]
Solution. Here 2a = 4 cm =0.0 4 m, 0 =60°,
t ~ 4 J3 Nm, q =8 nC =8 x 10-9 C
Dipo le mom ent,
p = q x 2a =8 x 10-9 ; 0.04 =0.32 x 10-9 Cm.
(i)· As t = pE sin 0
t 4 -J3
:. E= p sin 0 = 0.32 x 10-9 x sin 60°
4 ,fj X 10 9 X 2
-
0.32 X -J3
= 2.s x 1010 Nc-1 .
(ii) U = - pE cos 0
= - 0.32 X 10- 9 X 2.5 X 10 10 X cos 60° =- 4 J.
 consis t ot nuclei and electrons
1n~ pu::u 11 ui:: w 11.::, w1 u~u
charges are induced on the left end . . ,,.
of mn~r shel~s remain held in their fixed positions. charges are induced on the right end f thand positive
These unmobile charges constitute the bound charges. o e conductor.
In electrolytic conductors, both positive and The process continues till the electr·ic fi e Id E➔. set up
negative ions act as charge carriers. However, their by the induced charges becomes equal and opposite md .
to
➔
movements are restricted by the external electric field the field £ex t· The net field E(== E - E➔ind ) [Link]
. 'd th
and the electrostatic forces between them. ex t e e
conductor will be zero.
In insulators, the electrons are tightly bound to the
2. Just outside the surface of a charged conductor
nuclei and cannot be detached from the atoms, i.e., charges
electric field is normal to the surface. If the electri~
in insulators are bound charges. Due to the absence of
field is not normal to the surface, it will have a
free cl1arges, insulators are poor conductors of electricity. component tangential to the surface which will
For Your Knowledge immediately cause the ·flow of charges, producing
surface currents. But no such currents can exist under
► A third important category of materials is the static conditions. Hence electric field is normal to the
semiconductors which we shall discuss in chapter 14. surface of the conductor at every point.
► In metallic conductors, electrons of outer shells of the 3. The net charge in the interior of a conductor is
atoms are the free charges while the immobile zero and any excess charge resides at its surface. As
positive ions are the bound charges. shown in Fig. 2.48, consider a conductor carrying an
► In electrolytic conductors, both positive and negative excess charge q with no currents flowing in it. Choose a
ions are the free charges. Gaussian surface inside the conductor just near its
► In insulators, both electrons and the positive ions are outer boundary. As the field E
=0 at all points inside
the bound charges. the conductor, the flux '% through the Gaussian surface
► There is no clear cut distinction between conductors must be zero. According to Gauss's theorem,
and insulators - their electrical properties vary q
continuously within a very large range. For example, f
➔
'% = E. dS=-
➔

Eo
the ratio of the electrical properties between a metal
and glass may be as high as 10 .
20 As <l>t:=0, so q=O
➔

2.15 BEHAVIOUR OF CONDUCTORS IN + + + + +

+ - - -- - - ' q +
ELECTROSTATIC FIELDS ' +
25. State and prove the various electros~ati~ properties ➔

E =0
shown by conductors placed in electrostatic fields .
Electrostatic properties of a cond uctor. When
placed in electrostatic fields, the conductors show the Gaussian
surface
following properties : . _ ➔

E
1. Net electrostatic field is zero in the interior of _a
conductor. As shown in Fig. 2.47, when a cond uctor is Fig. 2.48
Hence there can be no charge in the interior of the
placed in an electric field (xt' its free electrons begin to
➔ . conductor because the Gaussian surface lies just near
. d' ti. of £ext· Negative the outer boundary. The entire excess charge q must
move in the opposite uec on
reside at the surface of the conductor.
4. Potential is constant within and on the surface
➔ + 1-----1~
£ind of a conductor. Electric field at any point is equal to the
1--....--t- ~ + negative of the potential gradient,
➔
i. e., E=_ dV
+ E == 0 + ➔ dr
£ ext
+ But inside a conductor E =0 and moreover, E has
+ no tangential component on the surface, so
dV =O or V = constant
Conductor dr
. 'd a conductor is zero.
i-ig. 2.41 Electric field msi e
~ I I 1 1 J I \....J - / \1 1

Hence electric potential is constant througho ut theinside the cavity. Imagine a Gau~sian surface inside the
: 01:ime of a conducto r and has the same value (as conductor quite close to the cavity. Everywhere inside
mside)o nitssurfa ce. Thusthesurfaceofaconductorisan the conductor, E=0. By GausS's ~heorem, charge
equipotential surface. enclosed by this Gaussian surface 1s zero (E =0 ==>
If a conducto r is charged, there exists an electric q =0). Consequently, the ~lectric field must be zero at
field normal to its surface. This indicates that the every point inside the cavity (q = O⇒ E = 0). The
entire
potential on the surface will be different from the excess charge + q lies on its surface.
potential at a point just outside the surface. E

5. Electric field at the surface of a charged Gaussian

surface
conductor is proportional to the surface charge + + q
density. Consider a charged conducto r of irregular
shape. Let cr be the surface charge density at any point +
-- - - +
➔
I E=O
E E----1 \ V= const
+ +
E =O
- Gaussia n-
surface -- + + + +
I Surface of
E
l-- -J
--- conductor

Fig. 2.50 Electric field vanishes in the cavity of a conductor.

Fig. 2.49 A small pill box as a Gaussian surface _2.16

ELECTROSTATIC SHIELDING
of a charged conductor. 26. What is electrostatic shielding ? Mention its few
of its surface. To determin e Eat this point, we choose a
applications.
short cylinder (pill box) as the Gaussian surface about Electrostatic shielding. Conside r a conducto r with a
this point. The pill box lies partly inside and partly cavity, with no charges placed inside the cavity.
outside the conducto r (Fig. 2.49). It has a cross- Whateve r be the size and shape of the cavity and
sectional area .1S and negligible height. whatever be the charge on the conducto r and the
Electric field is zero inside the conducto r and just external fields in which it might be placed, the electric
field inside the cavity is zero, i.e., the cavity inside the
outside, it is normal to the surface. The contribution to
conducto r remains shielded from outside electric
the total flux through the pill box comes only from its
influence. This is known as electrostatic shielding.
outer cross-section.
Such a field free region is called a Faraday cage.
~ = E .1S
The phenomenon of making a region free from any
Charge enclosed by pill box, q = a .1S
electric field_is called electrostatic shielding. It is based on
By Gauss's theorem, the fact that electric field vanishes inside the cavity of a
~ = __q__ hollow conductor.
Eo
Applications of electrostatic shielding
or ' E = -
E..1S = cr .1S cr
1. In a thunders torm accompa nied by lightning, it
➔
is safest to sit inside a car, rather than near a tree
As E points normally outward, so we write or on the open ground. The metallic body of the
➔ CJ /\ car becomes an electrostatic shielding from
E= - n
Eo lightning.
/\
2. Sensitive components of electronic devices are pro-
where n is a unit vector normal to the surface in the
tected or shielded from external electric distur·
outer direction. bances by placing metal shields around them.
6. Electric field is zero in the cavity ~f a hollow 3. In a coaxial cable, the outer conducto r connec·
charged conductor. As shown in Fig. 2.50, consider a ted to ground provides an electrical shield to
charged conducto r having a cavity, with no charges the signals carried by the central conductor.
, Example 70. Three identical capacitors C1, C2 and C3 of
capacitance 6 µF each are connected to a 12 V battery as
shown. Find :
(i) charge on each capacitor.
(ii) equivalent ,, ____ _ __
capacitance of the
network. +
(iii) energy stored in
12V I_
the network of
capacitors.
[CBSE D 09] . Fig. 2.118

Solution. (i) C1 .and C2 are connected in series across

12 bat tery whi le C3 is in parallel wit h this com bin atio n.
Equivalent capacitance of C1 and C2is
C = clc2 =6 x6= 3µF
nA i2 c1 + c2 6+6
~ach Charge on either of the capacitors C1 and C2 is same.
q1 = q2 = c12v = 3 µF x 12 v = 36 µC
Charge on C3, q3 =6µFx 12 V = 72 µC
(ii) Equivalent capacitance of the net wor k,
C = ½z + ~ = 3 µF + 6 µF = 9 µF.
much (iii) Energy stored in the network,
nergy 1 2 1 6
J.
In 171 U = ,, CV = ,, x 9 x 10- x(12)2 = 6.48 xto-4
_
Example 77. A capacitor of capacitance 6 µf is charged to
a pote_ntial of150 V. ~ts potential falls to 90 V, when another
capacitor is connected to it. Find the capacitance of the second
capacitor and the amount ofenergy lost due to the conn~ction.
Solution. Here cl =6 µF, vl =150 v; . v2 -=0,
V =90 V, _·C2 =? .
Common potential,

-
c1 v 1 + c2 v2-
V --'------ or
6 x 10-6 x
90 ·v =
1so·
+o
~ 1 + c2 6 x 10- + c2
6

or c + 6 x ·10-6 = 6 x w-6 ~ 150 =10 x 10-6 .

2
90
or
Initial energy stored,
ui = u1 = } c1 v1 2 = Jx 6 x 10-6 x (150)2
= 6.75 X 10-2 J
Final energy stored,
uf = J(Cl+ C2) V 2 = J(6 + 4)x 10- x (90)2
6

= 4.05 10-2 J
X

The loss of energy on connecting the two capacitors,

11u = ui - u1 =(6.75 - 4.05) x 10- 2
= 2.7 X 10- 2 J = 0.027 J.
 11 molecule in which the centr
d 1arges coincides with the centre oif e of mass of positive
· call ed a non-polar molecul 'Thmass. oifnegatzve • charges
....... /"\ l 'l U

agitation·
CAPACITANCE
. 2.57-
I
,s
non-polar molecules are tll de dielectrics made of
Non-polar molecules have a e non-polar dielectrics
th ~ the material a .
. e total dipole momen; i s shown m Fig. 2.131(b)(i). So
15
applied, the dipole m s zero ..Whe~ an external field
h ave normally zero dipole SYirunetrical h · tend to align With th fiomen ts of different molecules ,
mom s apes. They
non-polar molecules are 14 N ent. Examples of dipole moment in th e . eld: As a result, there is a net
•
4

"'2' 2' O 2' CO2, CH4, etc.

Fig. 2.131(b)(ii) Th e direction of the field, as shown in
44. How does a dzelectric develo . depends on reiati e ex~ent of polarisation of a dielectric
in an external electric field whe,; i~ 1;:t dz~ole moment ve va ues of two opposing energies :
1. The potential .
molecules and (ii) polar molecul ? as (z) non-polar field Which energy ?f the dipoles in the external
es.
tends to align the dipoles with the field.
Polarization of a non-polar dielect . . 2
e ectri.c fi e Id . In the absence of
1 nc
1 m .an .external · ~ermal energy of the dipoles which tends to
.. any e ectric field the isrupt the alignment of the dipoles.
centres of positive and negative ch '
arges of the H~nce both polar and non-polar dielectrics develop a
mo Iecules of a non-polar dielectric c . 'd
. p· omc1 e, as shown net dipo~e mo~ent in the presence of an external electric
m 1g. 2.131(a)(z). The dipole moment of ch
. ea mo1ecule field. This fact is called polarization of the dielectric.
is zero. In the presence of an external electric fi Id E
~e c~ntres of positive charges are displaced ein J; The polarization P is defined as the dipole moment per
direction of e~temal ~eld while the centres of negative unit volume and its magnitude is usually referred to as
charges are displaced m the opposite direction. The dis- the polarization density. The direction of Pis same as
placement of the charges stops when the force exerted on
them by the exte~ field ~ balanced by the restoring
that of the external field E0.
for~ due to the mternal fields in the molecules. This 45. Explain why the polarization of dielectric reduces the
induces dipole moment in each molecule i.e., each electric field inside the dielectric. Hence define dielectric
non-polar molecule becomes an induced dipole. The constant.
induced dipole moments of different molecules add up Reduction of electric field by the polarization of a
giving a net dipole moment to the dielectric in the dielectric. Consider a rectangular dielectric slab placed
direction of the external field, as shown in Fig. 2.131(a)(iz).
E0 =0 E0 ,,.0
in a uniform electric field fa
acting parallel to two of its
faces, as sh9wn in Fig. 2.132(a). ~ts molecular dipoles
G / Dielectric slab
•-r ----------- --------- ·----.
+
8 +
(~~+) E±> (- ~) (-:+)
+
C3) C3) G
+
c~:±) c- +) c~ +) c-:+)
(=}) (a)
-Eo
+ (-;+)
(1)
(i1)
+
+ c-l+)
. ti.
Fig. 2.131 (a) Polanza on °
f •a non-polar dielectric
in an external electric field. +
···y·········--- ----·····--- L.
1
dielectric in an external \_ Region of zero charge density
P olarization of a po ar . f lar dielectric have
electric field. The molecules ~ 1:e absence of any
O

permanent dipole mome:s. le moments of different + +

external electric field, the P~ ted due to thermal +
molecules are randomly onen Eo,,. o
+
+
+ (b)
+
+
+
-E
+
(i1) O
(1) •
. . of a polar dielectnc Fig. 2.132 (a) Polarization of a dielectric.
Polanzation
Fig. 2.131 (b) l electric field. (b) Reduced field in a dielectric, E = E - EP.
in an externa O
'\ r PHYSICS-XII
a ign themselves in th d.
u .£ e irection of E Thi
m orm polarization of th . o· s results in moment per unit volume or the polarisation density
volume f th e slab has ead1electr· · w"ll b
o ct· IC, i.e., every small I e
•
direction ➔ ipole mo . dipole moment of dielectric
of E The .. ment m the
o· positive charge Of th p= volume of dielectric
fir st vertical column s e dipoles of
dip 1 f cancel the ne ti QP d QP
o es o second column an ga ve charges of the ---=-=cr
charge density in the int ~ so on. Thus the volume
- Ad A P

However, there is a net un enor of the slab is zero Thus the polarisation density may be [Link] as the charge
~e left face and uncance~~elle~ ~egative charge 0 ~ induced per unit surface area.
nght face of the slab. positive charge on the Obviously, a uniformly polarised dielectric with
The uncancelled char uniform polarisation density P can be replaced by two
ges are the induced surface f I ( d · 1 t P) of surf ace charge
charges due to the external field E . sur ace ayers perpen 1cu ar o
whole remain . o· Smee the slab as a densities± cr P , and zero charge density in the interior.
1
the positive in~~c:~~:c;eu tral, !he magnitude of 47. Define electric susceptibility. Deduce the relation
the negative induced s f charge 1s equal to that of between dielectric constant and electric susceptibility.
ur ace charge. ➔
Thus the polarized dielectric is . Electric susceptibility. If the field E is not large,
charged surfaces with induc d ,f. equivalent to two then the polarisation Pis proportional to the resultant
. e sur;ace charge densities± a . ➔ .
Reduced field inside a d ' l · and dielectric P · · in the d 1e
fi eId E existing " 1ectric, .
· i.e.,
constant In f 1e ectr1c
. case o a homoge d
dielectric the ind d neous an isotropic
. , ➔ uce surface charges set up an PocE or P➔ = Bo X ➔E
electric field EP (field due to polarization) inside the where x (chi) is a proportionality constant called
dielectric in a direction opposite to that of external electric susceptibility. The multiplicative factor B0 is used
➔
to keep x dimensionless. Clearly,
field E0 , thus tending to reduce the original field in the ➔
p
dielectric. The resultant field E in the dielectric will be
➔
x=-- ➔
➔ ➔
equal to E0 - EP and directed in the direction of E0 . Bo E
7!1us the ratio of t~e polarisation to Bo times the electric
➔
The ratio of the original field E0 and the reduced fiel~ zs called th~ electric susceptibility of the dielectric. Like
➔ ➔
P,_ it also d~srnb~s the electrical behaviour of a dielec-
field E0 - EP in the dielectric is called dielectric constant tric. The dielectrics with
.
die. 1ec trzcs. constant X are called linear
( K) or relative permittivity (B, ) . Thus
➔
Relation between K and Th
E polarised dielectric is X- e net electric field in a
K =_Q
➔ ➔ ➔
"f E=Eo-Ep
46. Define polarisation dens~ty. How is it related to
the induced surface charge density ?
Polarisation density . The induced dipole moment
developed per unit volume of a dielectr_ic ~hen plac_ed in a~
external electric field is called polarzsatzon density. It 1s
denoted by P. Suppose a dielectric slab of surfac~ area A ➔ ➔ 6 ➔
d thickness d acquires a surface charge density ± cr i or E == Eo - oX E ➔ ➔

: e to its polarisation in the electric field and its twb 60 [P = Bo X EJ

faces acquire ch arges ± QP. Then Dividing both sides b E
➔ .
Y , we get
Qp
cr P==A
£.
l == _Q_ -x
W consider the whole dielectric slab as a large E
. ehcan·ng dipole moment equal to Q11 d. The dipole or 1 == 1<-x
d1 po1e avr or l<==l + x
Example 81 . Figure 2.136 shows two identical capacitors,
C1 and C2,,each of 1 µF capacitance connected to a battery of
6 V. Initially switch 'S' is closed. After some time '$' is left
open and dielectric slabs of dielectric constant K =3 are
s

6 V -:: 1 µF _,.... C1 1 µF -.- C2

Fig. 2.136

inserted to fill completely the space between the plates of the

two capacitors. How will the (i) charge and (ii) potential
difference between the plates of the capacitors be affected
after the slabs are inserted ? [CBSE D 11]
So lut ion . Wi th sw itc h S closed, V = V = 6 V
1 2
:. q1 =·q2 = l _µFx 6 V =6 µC
Wh en qielectric slabs (K =3) are ins ert ed, capaci-
tan ce of e~ch cap aci tor bec om es 3 µF .
.
P .D. across C1, VI = 6 V

Ch arg e,
.,
q1 =3 µF x 6 V = 18 µC
Wi th switch S open, the p.d . on C att ain s a new
value bu t cha rge q is still 6 µC 2
2

:. V~ = 6 µC = 2 V.
3µ F
Example 83. Two parallel plate
capacitors, X and Y, have the same
area of plates and same separation
+-
between them. X has air between
15 V
the plates while Y contains a
dielectric medium of e, = 4. Fig. 2.137

(i) Calculate capacitance .of each capacitor if equivalent

capacitance of the combination is 4 µF.
(ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates
of X and Y.
(iii) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X
and Y. [CBSE D 04, 09, 16]

Solution. (i) Let Cx = C. Then Cy = e, C = 4 C

Now X and Y are conne cted in series.
. C = CxCy = C. 4C
•. eq Cx + Cy C + 4C

or 4 µF = §C or C = 5 µF

Henc e Cx =C=S µF and Cy =4C= 4x5= 20µF .

(ii) Total charg e, Q = CV =4µF x 15V =60µC
- Q--- -
Vx- - -12·V
60µC -
Cx SµF .

V = _g_ = 60µC = 3 V.
y Cy 20µF .

... Energ y stored in X _ 1 2

C(l )
2
4
(uz) . - 1 4C(3)2 = -1 = 4 : 1.
Energ y stored m Y 2
 2~74
... PHYSICS-XII
(111) Not necessarily Th
along th lin . e small test charge ill
. e e of force only if it . . w move (ii) P.E. of two point charges,
line offorce gives the directio IS a straight line. The 1 q1q2
. that of velocity. n of acceleration, and not U=----
4rt E
0 r
(zv) Zero. But when the orbit is elli .
moving the electro fro ptical, work is done in The p E of a positive charge and a negative charge is
n monepo· t th negative. The potential energy of a negative charge will be
ever, net work done o m to e other. How-
(v ) N o, potential is eve ver ah complete cye1e is
.
zero. more negative at P than at Q, so
. scalar quantity. ryw ere constant as it is a (P.E.)Q-(P.E.)p > 0
(vz) A single conductor is a ca ac· . The P.E. of two negative charges is positive. So the
.. infinity. It also possesses ~a ::; with one plate at P.E. of a negative charge will be more positive at A than at
(vu) Becaus f . P ance. B, hence
e o its bent shape d h
two highly polar O - H bonan t e presence of (P.E.)A -(P.E.) 8 > 0
possesses a lar e e d_s, a water molecule (iii) As VP > VQ , if a small positive charge is moved by
0.6 x 10- 29 c g Hp rmanent dipole moment about
. m. ence water h 1 . an external agency from Q to P, the work done will be
constant. as a arge dielectric positive. The work done by the electric field in moving a
Problem 2 Fi small positive charge from Q to P will be negative.
field lines of a ~res [Link](a) and [Link](b) show the
single positive and (iv) The negative charge will experience less repulsion
respectively. negative charge at B than at A, so the work done by the external agency in
[NCERT] moving a negative charge from B to A is positive.
(v) As the negative charge moves from B to A, it
experiences more repulsion, its velocity decreases, and so
its kinetic energy decreases.
Problem 3. Answer carefully :
(i) A comb run through one's dry hair attracts small
bits of paper. Why ? What happens if the hair is
•B wet or if it is a rainy day ?
(a) (b) (ii) Ordinary rubber is an insulator. But the special
rubber tyres of aircrafts are made slightly
Fig. 2.155
conducting. Why is this necessary ?
(i) Give the signs of the potential differences, (iii) Vehicles carrying inflammable materials usually
Vp - VQ ; V8 - VA. have metallic ropes touching the ground during
(ii) Give the sign of the potential energy difference motion. Why ?
of a small negative charge between the points Q (iv) A bird perches on a bare high power line and
and P; A and B. nothing happens to the bird. A man standing on
(iii) Give the sign of the work done by the field in the ground touches the same line and gets a fatal
moving a small positive charge from Q to P. shock. Why? [NCERT]
(iv) Give the sign of the work done by an external Solution. (i) Refer answer to Problem 12 on page 1.62.
agency in moving a small negative charge from B (ii) I{efer answer to Problem 13 on page 1.62.
to A. (~ii) ~efer answer to Problem 14 on page 1.63.
(v) Does the kinetic energy of a small negative (iv) Bird's whole body is at same potential. No charge
charge increase or decrease in going from B to A ? flows and ~o ~hock is produced. The man touching the
Solution. (i) Potentials at both the points P and Q are groun~ :amtams a potential difference between different
positive. Pis nearer to the source charge than Q. Also, we ~rtsdo dlS body. A large current flows, which electrolysis
00 an causes death.
know that the electrostatic potential at a point is inversely
proportional to the distance of the point from the charge Problem 4 Why el tri
negative char.g e • ec c potential in the field of a
i.e. V oc 1 / r, therefore is 1ower at near . t d
distant points ? pom s an higher at
VP > VQ or V p - VQ > 0
Solution. For a negati h
Potentials at both the points A and B are negative. ve c arge the electric potential is
1
Point Bis farther from the charge than the point A. So, V == - - q
4nc0 · ;
potential at B is less negative than at A.
For near po· t .
VB > V A or V a - VA > 0 ms, r1s less and V •
For distant points . , is more negative (lower).
' r IS more and V is less negative (higher).
 - - .--- ... .._u_, equipotential surfaces cones-
iv. LJJ:d w ~
pond1_ng to a field that uniformly increases in
mag nitu de but remains constant along Z-direction.
How are thes e surfaces different from that of a
' cons tant electric field alon g Z-direction ?
[CBSE OD 09, D 19]
Solu tion . The equi pote ntial surfa ces corres-
pon ding to an elec tric field that unif orm ly incre ases in
mag nitu de but rema ins in a cons tant Z-di recti on are
plan es para llel to XY- plan e show n in Fig. 2.164. But as
field incr ease s, such plan es get closer.

t
•z·
Ul I

1tial : /
: / - - -~E quip otent ials

l.

ude
)llS.

ally
Fig. 2.164
.
:ion,
nes, In case of a cons tant electric field alon g Z-direction,
the equi pote ntial surfaces are equi dista nt plan es parallel to
XY-planes, as show n in Fig. 2.163.
ll be
 Probl~ 23. A parallel plate capacitor A of capa-
citanceC 1s charged by a battery to voltage v. The battery
is disconn~cted and an uncharged capacitor B of capa-
citance 2 C 1s connected across A. ·
Find the ratio of
(a) final charges on A and B.
(b) total electrostatic energy stored in A and B
finally and that stored in A initially.
[CBSE OD 23]
Solution. (a) Let V be the common potential after
redistribution of charges on A and B. Then the final
charges will be
qA = CA v = CV and q13 = CBV = 2CV
, 1
... 1A = - = 1: 2.
qB z
qA + qB _ CV + 0 _ V
(b) Common potential, V' = cA + CB - C + 2C - 3
VJ2
1 C V'2 3C ( - 1
U f - 2 eq - == 32 = - :::: 1 : 3.
ui - I cv 2 cv 3
2
 Qi (iii) A sensitive instrument is to be shielded from the
,,.
(ii) Char ge on the capac itor plate s incre ases from
a
to Q. strong electrostatic fields in its environmenl Suggest
= K(¼i possi ble way.
Q = CV = KCo V
,
( iii) As the poten tial differ ence V rema ins unch anged
the electric field also rema ins unch ange d.
Q+q
Q
E= ~ = Gi
Probl em 32. A para llel plate capacitor of capacitanc
e
c is charged to a poten tial V by a battery. Without
the
disco nnec ting the battery, the distance betw een
plates is triple d and a dielectric medi um of K =10
is (b)
in (a)
introduced betw een the plate s of the capacitor. Expla
givin g reaso ns, how will the follo wing be affec ted : Fig. 2.173

(i) capacitance of the capacitor Ans. (i) Refer answ er to Q.25(6) on page 2.26.
(ii) charge on the capacitor, and (ii) Cons ider a Gaus sian surfa ce insid e the cond uctor
(i ii) energ y dens ity of the capacitor. [CBSE OD 17C] but quite close to the cavity.
Solut ion. As the batte ry rema ins connected, the Insid e the condu ctor, E = 0.
Q+q
poten tial diffe rence V rema ins unch anged .
£ A
(i) Origi nal capac itanc e, ½ = d0
New capac itanc e,
- Kf:oA = lOxf: oA = toe .
C- d' 3d 3 o
10 10 ·
(ii) Q= CV= ½V =3 Qo ·
3
V Gi Fig . 2.174
V
(iii) New field, E = d' = 3d =3 ·
By Gaus s's theor em,
1 2
! ➔ ➔ Total charg e
Orig inal energ y densi ty, Uo =2 6 oEo cl>E =:r E . d S = - - - - = 0
Eo
New energ y densi ty, i.e., the total charg e enclo sed by the Gaus sian surfa ce must
ced
l £2 - _!K,. ( Eu)2 = 10 _.!Eo ,=2 = 10 "o. be zero. This requi res a charg e of - q units to be indu
u = 2£ -2 .,o3 9 2 ~ 9
on inner surfa ce of cond uctor ' A. But an equa
l and
ce
Probl em 33. (i) A cond uctor A with a ca~ty oppo site charg e of+ q units must appe ar on oute r surfa
e A so that charg e on the surfa ce of A is Q + q.
[Fig. 2 _173(a)] is given a charg e Q. Show that the entir
charg e must appe ar on the outer surfa ce of the condu ctor. Henc e the total charg e on the surfa ce of A is Q + q.
llic
(ii) Anot her cond uctor B with charg e q is inser ted
into (iii) The instr umen t shou ld be enclo sed in a meta
to the
the cavity keep ing B insul ated fro~ A. Sho" : that the total ~ase. This will prov ide an elect rosta tic shiel ding
instru ment .
charg e on the outsi de surfa ce of A is Q + q [Fig. 2.173(b)J.
~ 82 ===::.-=._-=._-:_-:_=-:_--.:._-:_~-:_'":_-:_.-:_~--:__~--:-=--_ PHYSICS-XII
. Solution. At any point, we have Solution. We krtow that

E = _ dV = Negative slope- of V-x graph

E =- -dV = Negative slope of V-x graph dx
dx
At point A, d,V =0 For0 < x <1,
dx dV = +ve constant, so field =- E
dx
At point a dV <0
dx For 1 < x <2,

At point C, dV >O dV = O, so-field =0

dx dx

Therefore, (1) Eis zero at-puint A For 2 < x <3,

(ii) Eis-maximum at-point R _dV = -ve constant, so fl-eId.=+ E
dx
Problem-2: Two identical plane metallic surfaces A and
Consequently, we get:the E-x graphas-shown below:
Bare kept parallel to each other in air, separated by a distance
of 1 cm, as shown in Fig. 2.176. ·
+E

0 1 - - - --r-
1- - ~2--~3~--.x

1cm
-E i----

Fig. 2.178 E-x graph.

Fig. 2.176
Ptob'lem 4. The two graphs drawn here, show the
Surface A is given [Link] potential of 10 V, and the variation of electrostatic potential (V) with llr (r being
outer surface of B;isoeavthed.. distance of the field point from the point charge) for two
(1) Wmzt. is., the-magnitude and,direction1of the uniform point charges q and q .
1 2
electric field, between points Y and Z ? (i) Wfcat·are the signS: of the. two·charges ?
(ii) Wfmt is-the•[Link]. in:moving [Link] ofZO ·µC (ii) Which of the two charges hzts:a-largermagnitudeand
from·point-X to-point-Y'. [€B'SE$P. '08]:
why ? [CBSCS'P~T
dV lO'V
Solution. (i) E~= - - =--- -
dr. l cm
lOV -1
=---=--=-[Link]
2
.
10- m·
[Link] the uniform .electric fieldtbetween1 X
and.•Y = 1000 ·vm!- 1 .
Th~, direction' ofthe-electric field~i~from·plate A to
plate R
(iz) Zero. This-is-because the. points -X and.Y are at Fig. 2.179
the. same potential.
Problem 3; The electric potential V as a function of Solution. (i) Charge q is-ve while·chargeq2is +ve.
1
distance xis shown in Fig. 2.177. Draw a graph of the electric 1
(ii) As V =--_!l. =_q_}
field strength E as a function of x. [CBSE OD 19 ; SR 23) 4ne 0 r 41te 0 r
V
.·. Slope- of V vs. ! graph =_q_
r 4-rrs0
. • de"
As-the graph·for q· has;a1slop-e:-o-f largeritla-grutu
• h a.t•forqz, so q 1has•a ,larger magrutu
thant · de than qr
1
0 1 . d for t/le
2 3 X
Problem:S: TI1e fiollowing data was obtaine t ce
Fig. 2.177 . Wl·th d1stan '
dependence of the magnitude of electric. field,
 V = Vo = lOO - ·1616' V.
K 6
2.10. A· 12 p f capacit-0r is connected
a 50 V [Link].-How
to·
electrostatic energy is stored in the·capacitor ?
muc-h
:...12 F, V = ·50 V
Ans. H er e. C = 12 --pF =·· 12~x 10.
En er gy st or ed ;
LJ = 1.c.\1
2
=j X 12 x 10-
12 x(50)2 ='1,5 ·x t(J• 8 J,
2- 2~
pf ~a pa cito r is- chatge d by -a 20 0 V su pp ly.-It is·
2.11. A· 600
ne cted from th e su pp ly and is co nn ec ted to another
then discon t'ic energy is-
pF ca paci to r. H ow muc h eltc trosfa
uncharged~600
lost in the process ?
A ns . H ~r e <; =-600 pF, ½ ~--200 V,
½ = :-6QO ·pF, V2 _ . -·O
C om m on·po te nt ia l,
1
V = ½_ ½.:+~
: ~ V2 _. 6~ 0x 1
_ 0~ ~ -~ 2Q O ±_ Q
12.
= 100 V
½ +- <; (600 +- 600) ·x 10:

ln itiitl -e ne tg y st or ed ,
s
ui = U1 = }Ci ½ =
2
ix x 600 10 -
12 x
x(200) = 12 10-6 J
2

Fi na l en er gy st or ed ,

uf 1( 2
l<
= Ci + ½) v = 600 + 600) X 10-
12
x(100)
2

= 6 X 10- 6 J
El ec tro static en er gy lo st,
6J
~U = Ui - U f = l2 x1 0
-6 - 6xl o-6
= 6 x 10--