CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Bank
(2020-2025)
Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields | Chennai Region
Part A: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark each)
Q1. A metal sphere is supported on an insulating stand. A negatively charged rod is
brought near it but does not touch it. The sphere is then grounded while the rod is
still near. After the ground connection is removed, the rod is taken away. The sphere
will have:
(a) A negative charge
(b) A positive charge
(c) No net charge
(d) Charge depends on grounding duration
Correct Answer: (b) A positive charge
Q2. Two identical metallic spheres A and B have charges +Q and -3Q. They are
brought into contact and then separated to the original distance. The ratio of the
initial force to the final force between them is:
(a) 3:1
(b) 1:3
(c) 4:3
(d) 3:4
Correct Answer: (a) 3:1
Q3. An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. The net force (F) and net
torque (τ) on it are:
(a) F = 0, τ may or may not be zero
(b) F ≠ 0, τ = 0
(c) F = 0, τ = 0 always
(d) Both F and τ are never zero
Correct Answer: (a) F = 0, τ may or may not be zero
Q4. The electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depends on:
(a) The size of the surface
(b) The shape of the surface
(c) The position of the charge within the surface
(d) The net charge enclosed
Correct Answer: (d) The net charge enclosed
Q5. A point charge +q is at a distance d/2 directly above the center of a square of side
d. The magnitude of electric flux through the square is:
(a) q/ε₀
(b) q/4ε₀
(c) q/6ε₀
(d) q/8ε₀
Correct Answer: (c) q/6ε₀
Q6. Which graph represents the variation of electric field E with distance r for a
uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R?
(a) E constant for r < R
(b) E = 0 for r < R; E 1/r² for r > R
(c) E r for r < R
(d) E 1/r for all r
Correct Answer: (b) E = 0 for r < R; E 1/r² for r > R
Q7. A charge q is divided into two parts x and (q-x). For the force between them to be
maximum for a given separation, the ratio x/q should be:
(a) 1:1
(b) 1:2
(c) 1:3
(d) 1:4
Correct Answer: (b) 1:2
Q8. The acceleration of an electron in a uniform electric field E is:
(a) eE/m
(b) m/eE
(c) e/mE
(d) Zero
Correct Answer: (a) eE/m
Q9. Three charges +4q, Q, and +q are placed in a straight line at 0, L/2 and L. For net
force on +q to be zero, Q is:
(a) -q
(b) -2q
(c) +q
(d) -4q
Correct Answer: (a) -q
Q10. In a region of constant electric field, the path of a particle entering
perpendicular to the field is:
(a) Straight line
(b) Circle
(c) Parabola
(d) Helix
Correct Answer: (c) Parabola
Q11. An electric dipole consists of charges ±2 μC separated by 2 mm. Its dipole
moment is:
(a) 4 × 10⁻⁹ C·m
(b) 1 × 10⁻⁹ C·m
(c) 2 × 10⁻⁶ C·m
(d) 4 × 10⁻⁶ C·m
Correct Answer: (a) 4 × 10⁻⁹ C·m
Q12. The electric field at a distance r from an infinite line of charge is E. At distance
2r, the field will be:
(a) E/2
(b) E/4
(c) 2E
(d) E
Correct Answer: (a) E/2
Q13. Surface charge density of a conductor is σ. The electric field just outside its
surface is:
(a) σ/ε₀
(b) σ/2ε₀
(c) 2σ/ε₀
(d) Zero
Correct Answer: (a) σ/ε₀
Q14. If E·dS = 0 over a surface, then:
(a) Field inside is zero
(b) Total charge inside is zero
(c) Field on surface is zero
(d) None of these
Correct Answer: (b) Total charge inside is zero
Q15. A proton and an alpha particle are in the same uniform electric field. The ratio of
their accelerations (a_p : a_alpha) is:
(a) 1:1
(b) 2:1
(c) 1:2
(d) 4:1
Correct Answer: (b) 2:1
Part B: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks each)
Q1. How many electrons must be removed from a neutral conductor to give it a
positive charge of 3.2 micro-Coulombs?
Q2. Two point charges q1 = +2 μC and q2 = -2 μC are separated by 10 cm. Calculate the
magnitude of the electric field at the midpoint of the joining line.
Q3. Draw the electric field lines for two identical positive charges placed close to each
other. Mark the neutral point.
Q4. Calculate the electric flux through a square of side 10 cm, if it is held parallel to a
uniform electric field E = 5 × 10³ N/C along the x-axis.
Q5. Define electric dipole moment. Write its SI unit and direction.
Q6. State Gauss's Law. Using it, find the electric field inside a uniformly charged
spherical shell.
Q7. An electric dipole of length 4 cm is placed at 60° to a uniform field E. If it
experiences a torque of 4√3 Nm, find its potential energy.
Q8. Explain why two electric field lines never intersect each other.
Q9. What is the physical significance of the quantization of charge in macroscopic
systems?
Q10. Compare the properties of electrostatic force and gravitational force (two points
of difference).
Part C: Long Answer/Numerical Questions (3 Marks each)
Q1. A thin infinitely long straight wire has a uniform linear charge density λ. Use
Gauss's Law to derive an expression for the electric field at distance r.
Q2. Derive an expression for the electric field intensity at a point on the equatorial
line of an electric dipole. Plot a graph showing variation of E with distance r for r >> a.
Q3. A system has two charges qA = 2.5 × 10⁻⁷ C and qB = -2.5 × 10⁻⁷ C located at (0, 0, -
15 cm) and (0, 0, +15 cm). Calculate the net charge and total electric dipole moment.
Q4. Using Gauss’s Law, find the electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane
sheet. Does the field depend on the distance from the sheet?
Q5. A point charge +10 μC is 5 cm directly above the center of a square of side 10 cm.
Find the magnitude of electric flux through the square. If the charge is moved 10 cm
away, how does flux change?