ELECTROSTATICS

1
· PART A: ELECTRIC FIELD AND ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
A.1 ELECTRIC CHARGE
A.2 COULOMB’S LAW
A.3 ELECTRIC FIELD
· PART B: GAUSS LAW
B.1 ELECTRIC FLUX
CONTENTS B.2 GAUSS'S LAW
B.3 APPLICATION OF GAUSS LAW
· PART C: ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
C.1 CONSERVATIVE NATURE OF ELECTRIC FIELD (ANY
CENTRAL FORCE/FIELD)
C.2 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
C.3 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AS LINE INTEGRAL OF
ELECTRIC FIELD
C.4 POTENTIAL DUE TO CONTINUOUS CHARGE
DISTRIBUTION
C.5 ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
C.6 RELATION BETWEEN ELECTRIC FIELD
INTENSITY AND ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
 Theory C.7 EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE
· PART D: ELECTRIC DIPOLE
 Drill D.1 DEFINITION
D.2 ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY DUE TO DIPOLE
D.3 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A SMALL DIPOLE
 Exercises D.4 DIPOLE IN EXTERNAL ELECTRIC FIELD
· PART E: CONDUCTOR
E.1 PROPERTIES OF CONDUCTORS
 Single Correct Type Questions
E.2 ELECTRIC FIELD JUST OUTSIDE A CONDUCTOR
E.3 ELECTROSTATIC PRESSURE AT THE SURFACE OF A
 Integer Type Questions CONDUCTOR
E.4. SOME OTHER IMPORTANT RESULTS FOR A CLOSED
CONDUCTOR
 Previous Years Questions E.6 SHARING OF CHARGES

 Answer Key
 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

INTRODUCTION
Electrostatics is a branch of physics that deals with study of the electric charges at rest.
Since classical physics, it has been known that some materials such as amber attract lightweight
particles after rubbing. Electrostatic phenomena arise from the forces that electric charges
exert on each other. Such forces are described by Coulomb's law. Even though electrostatically
induced forces seem to be rather weak, some electrostatic forces such as the one between an
electron and a proton, that together make up a hydrogen atom, is about 36 orders of magnitude
stronger than the gravitational force acting between them.
The study of electrostatics has been divided into 4 parts:

PART A: Electric field - In this part the fundamental ideas of field is defined which is
indispensible for the following parts.
PART B: Gauss Law- Here we will see a new formulation which is more useful and necessary
to understand conductors.
PART C: Electric potential - In this part the fundamental ideas of potential is defined which
is indispensible for the following parts.
PART D: Electric dipole-Using the concepts defined in the previous part we understand “elec-
tric dipole”
PART E: Conductors-This is the prize for understanding electrodynamics , probably the most
thrilling and spellbinding part of [Link] wait for it and make sure you
clearly understand the first three parts .

PART A: ELECTRIC FIELD

A.1 ELECTRIC CHARGE

Charge of a material body or particle is the property (acquired or natural) due to which it
produces and experiences electrical and magnetic effects. Some of naturally charged particles
are electron, proton, -particle etc.
Charge is a derived physical quantity. Charge is measured in coulomb in S.. unit. In practice
we use mC (10–3 C), C (10–6 C), nC(10–9 C) etc.
C.G.S. unit of charge = electrostatic unit (esu)
1 coulomb = 3 × 109 esu of charge
Dimensional formula of charge = [MºLºT 1 1 ]
1.1 Properties of Charge
(i) Charge is a scalar quantity : It adds algebraically and represents excess, or deficiency
of electrons.
(ii) Charge is of two types : (i) Positive charge and (ii) Negative charge Charging a body
implies transfer of charge (electrons) from one body to another. Positively charged body
means loss of electrons, i.e., deficiency of electrons. Negatively charged body means
excess of electrons. This also shows that mass of a negatively charged body > mass of
a positively charged identical body.
(iii) Charge is conserved : In an isolated system, total charge (sum of positive and negative)
remains constant whatever change takes place in that system.
(iv) Charge is quantized : Charge on any body always exists in integral multiples of a
fundamental unit of electric charge. This unit is equal to the magnitude of charge on
electron (1e = 1.6 × 10 –19 coulomb). So charge on anybody Q = ± ne, where n is an
integer and e is the charge of the electron. Millikan's oil drop experiment proved the
quantization of charge or atomicity of charge.
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Note :
1 2
Recently, the existence of particles of charge ± e and ± e has been postulated. These particles
3 3
are called quarks but still this is not considered as the quantum of charge because these are
unstable (they have very short span of life).
(v) Like point charges repel each other while unlike point charges attract each other.
(vi) Charge is always associated with mass, i.e., charge can not exist without mass though
mass can exist without charge. The particle such as photon or neutrino which have no
(rest) mass can never have a charge.
(vii) Charge is relativistically invariant: This means that charge is independent of frame of
reference, i.e., charge on a body does not change whatever be its speed. This property is
worth mentioning as in contrast to charge, the mass of a body depends on its speed and
increases with increase in speed.
(viii) A charge at rest produces only electric field around itself; a charge having uniform
motion produces electric as well as magnetic field around itself while a charge having
accelerated motion emits electromagnetic radiation.
1.2 Charging of a body
A body can be charged by means of (a) friction, (b) conduction, (c) induction, (d) thermionic
ionization or thermionic emission (e) photoelectric effect and (f) field emission.
(a) Charging by Friction :
When a neutral body is rubbed against other neutral body then some electrons are transferred
from one body to other. The body which can hold electrons tightly, draws some electrons and the
body which can not hold electrons tightly, looses some electrons. The body which draws electrons
becomes negatively charged and the body which looses electrons becomes positively charged.

For example : Suppose a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth. As the silk can hold electrons more
tightly and a glass rod can hold electrons less tightly (due to their chemical properties), some
electrons will leave the glass rod and gets transferred to the silk. So in the glass rod their will be
deficiency of electrons, therefore it will become positively charged. And in the silk there will be
some extra electrons, so it will become negatively charged.
(b) Charging by conduction (flow): There are three types of material in nature
(i) Conductor : Conductors are the material in which the outer most electrons are very
loosely bounded, so they are free to move (flow). So in a conductors, there are large
number of free electrons.
Ex. Metals like Cu, Ag, Fe, Al.............
(ii) Insulator or Dielectric or Nonconductor : Non-conductors are the materials in which
outer most electrons are very tightly bounded, so they cannot move (flow). Hence in
a non-conductor there is no free electrons. Ex. plastic, rubber, wood etc.
(iii) Semi conductor : Semiconductor are the materials which have free electrons but very
less in number.
Now lets see how the charging is done by conduction. In this method we take a charged conductor
'A' and an uncharged conductor 'B'. When both are connected some charge will flow from the
charged body to the uncharged body. If both the conductors are identical & kept at large distance,
if connected to each other, then charge will be divided equally in both the conductors otherwise
they will flow till their electric potential becomes same. Its detailed study will be done in last sec-
tion of this chapter.

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(c) Charging by Induction : To understand this, lets have introduction to induction.

We have studied that there are lot of free electrons in the conductors. When a charge particle +Q is
brought near a neutral conductor. Due to attraction of +Q charge, many electrons (–ve charges)
come closer and accumulate on the closer surface.
On the other hand a positive charge (deficiency of electrons) appears on the other surface. The
flow of charge continues till there is resultant force on free electrons of the conductor becomes
zero. This phenomena is called induction, and charges produced are called induced charges.
A body can be charged by induction in the following two ways :
Method  
Step 1. Take an isolated neutral conductor..

Step 2. Bring a charged rod near to it. Due to the charged rod, charges will induce on the
conductor.

Step 3. Connect another neutral conductor with it. Due to attraction of the rod, some free
electrons will move from the right conductor to the left conductor and due to defi-
ciency of electrons positive charges will appear on right conductor and on the left
conductor there will be excess of electrons due to transfer from right conductor..

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Step 4. Now disconnect the connecting wire and remove the rod.

The first conductor will be negatively charged and the second conductor will be positively charged.
Method 
Step 1. Take an isolated neutral conductor..

Step 2. Bring a charged rod near to it. Due to the charged rod, charges will induce on the
conductor.

Step 3. Connect the conductor to the earth (this process is called grounding or earthling).
Due to attraction of the rod, some free electrons will move from earth to the conduc-
tor, so in the conductor there will be excess of electrons due to transfer from the
earth, so net charge on conductor will be negative.

Step 4. Now disconnect the connecting wire. Conductor becomes negatively charge.

(d) Thermionic emission : When the metal is heated at a high temperature then some electrons
of metals are ejected and the metal becomes positively charged.

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(e) Photoelectric effect : When light of sufficiently high frequency is incident on metal surface
then some electrons gains energy from light and come out of the metal surface and remain-
ing metal becomes positively charged.

(f) Field emission : When electric field of large magnitude is applied near the metal surface
then some electrons come out from the metal surface and hence the metal gets positively
charged.

Illustration
If a charged body is placed near a neutral conductor, will it attract the conductor or repel it?
Sol. If a charged body (+ve) is placed leftside near a neu-
tral conductor, (–ve) charge will induce at left sur-
face and (+ve) charge will induce at right surface.
Due to positively charged body –ve induced charge
will feel attraction and the +ve induced charge will
feel repulsion. But as the –ve induced charge is nearer,
so the attractive force will be greater than the repul-
sive force. So the net force on the conductor due to
positively charged body will be attractive. Similarly
we can prove for negatively charged body also.
From the above example we can conclude that. "A charged body can attract a neutral body."
If there is attraction between two bodies then one of them may be neutral. But if there is repulsion
between two bodies, both must be charged (similarly charged).
So "repulsion is the sure test of electrification".
Illustration
Five styrofoam balls A, B, C, D and E are used in an experiment. Several experiments are
performed on the balls and the following observations are made :
(i) Ball A repels C and attracts B.
(ii) Ball D attracts B and has no effect on E.
(iii) A negatively charged rod attracts both A and E.
For your information , an electrically neutral styrofoam ball is very sensitive to charge
induction, and gets attracted considerably, if placed nearby a charged body. What are the
charges, if any, on each ball ?
A B C D E
(A) + – + 0 +
(B) + – + + 0
(C) + – + 0 0
(D) – + – 0 0
Sol. (C) From (i), As A repels C, so both A and C must be charged similarly. Either both are
+ve or both are –ve. As A also attract B, so charge on B should be opposite of A or B may
be uncharged conductor.
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From (ii) As D has no effect on E, so both D and E should be uncharged, and as B attracts
uncharged D, so B must be charged and D must be on uncharged conductor.
From (iii) a –ve charged rod attract the charged ball A, so A must be +ve, and from exp. (i)
C must also be +ve and B must be –ve.
Note : Major differences between two methods of charging are as follows :
(i) In induction, two bodies are close to each other but do not touch each other while in
conduction they touch each other. (or they are connected by a metallic wire)
(ii) In induction, total charge of a body remains unchanged while in conduction it changes.
(iii) In induction, induced charge is always opposite in nature to that of source charge while
in conduction charge on two bodies finally is of same nature.

A.2 COULOMB’S LAW (INVERSE SQUARE LAW)

On the basis of experiments Coulomb established the following law known as Coulomb's law.
The magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the
product of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
1 q 1q 2 Kq 1q 2
i.e. F  q1 q2 and F 2  F 2  F=
r r r2
Important points regarding Coulomb's law :
 It is applicable only for point charges.
1
 The constant of proportionality K in SI units in vacuum is expressed as 4 and in any
0
1
other medium expressed as . If charges are dipped in a medium then electrostatic
4
1 q 1q 2
force on one charge is 4  .  0 and  are called permittivity of vacuum and
0 r r2
absolute permittivity of the medium respectively. The ratio  /  0 =  r is called relative
permittivity of the medium, which is a dimensionless quantity.
 The value of relative permittivity r is constant for medium and can have values between
1 to . For vacuum, by definition it is equal to 1. For air it is nearly equal to 1 and may
be taken to be equal to 1 for calculations. For metals the value of r is  and for water is
81. The material in which more charge can induce r will be higher.
1
 The value of 4 = 9 × 109 Nm 2 C –2  0 = 8.855 × 10 –12 C 2 /Nm 2 .
0
Dimensional formula of  is M –1 L–3 T4 A2
 The force acting on one point charge due to the other point charge is always along the
line joining these two charges. It is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction on two
charges, irrespective of the medium, in which they lie.
 The force is conservative in nature i.e., work done by electrostatic force in moving a
point charge along a close loop of any shape is zero.
 Since the force is a central force, in the absence of any other external force, angular
momentum of one particle w.r.t. the other particle (in two particle system) is conserved,
 In vector form formula can be given as below.

 1 q 1q 2  1 q 1q 2
3 r =
F = 40 r |r|  r̂ (q 1 & q2 are to be substituted with sign.)
40 r |r|2

here r is position vector of the test charge (on which force is to be calculated) with respect to
the source charge (due to which force is to be calculated).

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Note : Electrostatics force between two point charges placed in air (each of +1 C) if they are separated
by 1m is 9×109 N. It implies 1 C charge is too large to realize. In nature, charge is usually of the
order of C

Illustration .
Two particles having charges q 1 and q 2 when kept at a certain distance, exert a force F on each
other. If the distance between the two particles is reduced to half and the charge on each
particle is doubled then what will be the force between the particles :
Ans. 16 F
kq1 q 2
Sol.  F=
r2
r kq'1 q'2 k(2q 1 )(2q 2 ) 16kq1q 2
If q’1 = 2q1 , q’2 = 2q2 & r’ = , then F’ = 2 = =  F’ = 16F
2 r' r
2
r2
 
2
Illustration
A particle of mass m carrying charge q 1 is revolving around a fixed charge –q 2 in a circular
path of radius r. Calculate the period of revolution and its speed also.

1 q 1q 2
2
42 mr
Sol. 4 0 r 2 = mr = T 2

(40 )r 2 (42 mr) 0 mr

2
T = or T = 4r q 1q 2 and also we can say that
q 1q 2
q 1q 2 mv2 q1 q 2
2 =  V= 4  0 mr
4 0 r r
Illustration
A point charge q A = + 100 µC is placed at point A (1, 0, 2) m and an another point charge
qB = +200µc is placed at point B (4, 4, 2) m. Find :
(i) Magnitude of Electrostatic interaction force acting between them
 
(ii) Find FA (force on A due to B) and FB (force on B due to A) in vector form

Sol. (i)

kqA q B (9  10 9 )(100  10 6 )(200  10 6 )

Value of F : F  = = 7.2 N
r2 (4  1)2  (4  0)2  (2  2)2

kq A q B  (9  10 9 )(100  10 6 )(200  10 6 )
 r (4  1)iˆ  (4  0) ˆj  (2  2)kˆ 
(ii) Force on B FB =  3 = 2 2 2  
|r| (4  1)  (4  0)  (2  2)

 3 ˆ 4 ˆ   3 ˆ 4 ˆ
= 7.2  i  j  N . Similarly FA = 7.2   i  j  N [Action-reaction pair]
5 5   5 5 
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 Principle of Superposition
The electrostatic force is a two body interaction, i.e., electrical
force between two point charges is independent of presence or
absence of other charges and so the principle of superposition is
valid, i.e., force on charged particle due to number of point
charges is the resultant of forces due to individual point charges,
therefore, force on a point charge due to many charges is given
   
by F  F1  F2  F3  ........... .

Illustration
Three equal point charges of charge +q are moving along a
circle of radius R and a point charge –2q is also placed at the
centre of circle as (shown in figure), if charges are revolving
with constant and same speed then calculate speed
mv2
Sol. F 2 – 2F 1 cos 30 =
R

K(q)(2q) 2(Kq 2 ) mv2 kq 2  1 

 – cos 30 =  v  2 
R2 ( 3R)2 R Rm  3
Illustration
Two equally charged identical small metallic spheres A and B repel each other with a force 2
× 10–5 N when placed in air (neglect gravitation attraction). Another identical uncharged sphere
C is touched to B and then placed at the mid point of line joining A and B. What is the net
electrostatic force on C?
Sol. Let initially the charge on each sphere be q and separation
between their centres be r; then according to given
problem.

1 qq
F = 4 2 = 2 × 10–5 N
0 r

When sphere C touches B, the charge of B, q will distribute equally on B and C as sphere are
identical conductors, i.e., now charges on spheres;
qB = qC = (q/2)
So sphere C will experience a force
1 q(q / 2)
F CA = 4 2 = 2F along AB due to charge on A
0 (r / 2)

1 (q / 2)(q / 2)
and, F CB = 4 = F along BA due to charge on B
0 (r / 2)2
So the net force F C on C due to charges on A and B,

F C = F CA – F CB = 2F – F = 2 × 10 –5 N along AB .
Illustration
Five point charges, each of value q are placed on five vertices of a regular hexagon of side L.
What is the magnitude of the force on a point charge of value – q coulomb placed at the centre
of the hexagon?

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Sol. Method : I
If there had been a sixth charge +q at the remaining vertex of hexagon force due to all the six
charges on –q at O would be zero (as the forces due to individual charges will balance each
other), i.e.,

FR  0
 
Now if f is the force due to sixth charge and F due to remaining five charges.
   
F + f =0 i.e. F =–f

1 qq 1 q2
or, |F| = |f| = 4 =
0 L
2 4 0 L2

  1 q2
FNet = FCO = along CO
4  L2
Method : II
In the diagram we can see that force due to
charge A and D are opposite to each other
 
FDO + FAO = 0 ....(i)
 
Similarly FBO + FEO = 0 ....(ii)
     
So FAO + FBO + FCO + FDO + FEO = FNet

  1 q2
Using (i) and (ii) FNet = FCO = along CO.
4  L2
Illustration
Two equal positive point charges 'Q' are fixed at points B(a, 0) and A(–a, 0). Another test
charge q0 is also placed at O(0, 0). Show that the equilibrium at 'O' is
(i) stable for displacement along X-axis. (ii) unstable for displacement along Y-axis.

Sol. (i)

    KQq 0
Initially FAO + FBO = 0  |FAO | = |FBO | =
a2
When charge is slightly shifted towards + x axis
by a small distance x, then.
 
|FAO | < |FBO |
Therefore the particle will move towards origin
(its original position) hence the equilibrium is stable.

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(ii) When charge is shifted along y axis

After resolving components net force will be along y axis so the
particle will not return to its original position so it is unstable
equilibrium. Finally the charge will move to infinity.

Illustration
Two point charges of charge q 1 and q 2 (both of same sign) and each of mass m are placed such
that gravitation attraction between them balances the electrostatic repulsion. Are they in stable
equilibrium? If not then what is the nature of equilibrium?
Sol. In given example :

K q1 q 2 Gm 2
=
r2 r2
We can see that irrespective of distance between them charges will remain in equilibrium. If
now distance is increased or decreased then there is no effect in their equilibrium. Therefore it
is a neutral equilibrium.
Illustration
Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal length. Each string makes an
angle  with the vertical. When suspended in a liquid of density  = 0.8 gm/cc, the angle
remains the same. What is the dielectric constant of the liquid? (Density of the material of
sphere is  = 1.6 gm/cc.)
Sol. Initially as the forces acting on each ball are tension T,
weight mg and electric force F, for its equilibrium along vertical,
T cos  = mg ...(1)
and along horizontal
T sin  = F ...(2)
Dividing Eqn. (2) by (1), we have

F
tan  = mg ... (3)

When the balls are suspended in a liquid of density  and dielectric constant K, the electric
force will become (1/K) times, i.e., F' = (F/K) while weight
mg' = mg – F B = mg – Vg [as F B = Vg, where  is density of material of sphere]
   m
i.e., mg' = mg  1    as V   
   
So for equilibrium of ball,
F' F
tan ' = mg ' = Kmg[1  (  / )] ... (4)

According to given information ' = ; so from equations (4) and (3), we have
 1.6
K= =
(   ) (1.6  0.8) = 2
Illustration
A particle of mass m and charge q is located midway between two fixed charged particles
each having a charge q and a distance 2  apart. Prove that the motion of the particle will be
SHM if it is displaced slightly along the line connecting them and released. Also find its time
period.

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Sol. Let the charge q at the mid-point the displaced slightly to the left.
The force on the displaced charge q due to charge q at A,

1 q2
F 1 = 4 2
0 (   x)

The force on the displaced charge q due to charge at B,

1 q2
F 2 = 4 2
0 (   x)

Net restoring force on the displaced charge q.

1 q2 1 q2
F = F 2 – F 1 or F = 4 2 – 4 2
0 (   x) 0 (   x)

q2  1 1  q2 4x
or F=   
2 =
4 0  (  x) 2
(   x)  4 0 (   x2 )2
2

q 2 x q2 x
Since  >> x,  F = or F =
0  4 0 3
We see that F  x and it is opposite to the direction of displacement. Therefore, the motion is
SHM.

m q2 m 0 3
T = 2 , here k = = 2
k  0  3 q2
************************

DRILL - 1
1. Two identical point charges each Q are placed at a distance ‘a’ part. Find the magnitude of third
charge which can be placed at mid point the line joining the charge, so that system is in
equilibrium.
2. Four charges each equal to – Q are placed at the four corners of a square and a charge q is at its
centre. If the system is in equilibrium. Find the value of q.
3. Find dimensional formula of the permittivity of vaccum[ 0 ].
4. What is the force between two small charged spheres having charges of 2 × 10–7C and 3 × 10–7C
placed 30 cm apart in air?
5. Four point charges qA = 2 µC, qB = –5 µC, qC = 2 µC, and qD = –5 µC are located at the corners of
a square ABCD of side 10 cm. Find the force on a charge of 1 µC placed at the centre of the
square.
6. Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B have their centres separated by a distance of 50
cm. A third sphere of the same size but uncharged is brought in contact with the first, then
brought in contact with the second, and finally removed from both. If initial force between two
sphere (A & B) was F then find the final force between them.
7. A charge Q is placed at each of the opposite corners of a square. A charge q is placed at
each of the other two corners. If the net electrical force on Q is zero, Find Q/q.

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8. Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal lengths. The strings make an
angle of 30° with each other. When suspended in a liquid of density 0.8 g cm-3, the angle remains
the same. If density of the material of the sphere is 1.6 g cm–3, Find the dielectric constant of the
liquid .
9. Two identical insulated metal spheres charged with 10 and 50 units are placed some distance
apart. They are made to touch each other and then separated by the same distance. Find the ratio
of force between the sphere before and after contact.
10. Two identical balls, each of mass 0.1  10 3 kg, carry identical charges and are suspended by two
threads of equal length. At equilibrium, they position themselves as shown in Fig. Calculate the
charge on either ball.

************************
A.3 ELECTRIC FIELD
Electric field is the region around charged particle or charged body in which if another charge
is placed, it experiences electrostatic force.
3.1 Electric Field
(a) Definition:

Electric field intensity E : Electric field intensity at a point is equal to the electrostatic force
experienced by a unit positive point charge both in magnitude and direction.

If a “test charge” q 0 is placed at a point in an electric field and experiences a force F due to
some charges (called source charges), the electric field intensity at that point due to source

 F
charges is given by E 
q0

If the E is to be determined practically then the test charge q 0 should be small otherwise it will
affect the charge distribution on the source which is producing the electric field and hence
modify the quantity which is [Link] the following situation,
A positively charged ball hangs from a long silk thread. We wish to measure E at a point P in
the same horizontal plane as that of the hanging charge. To do so, we put a positive test
charge q 0 at the point and measure F/q 0 . Will F/q 0 be less than, equal to, or greater than E at
the point in question?
When we try to measure the electric field at point P then after placing the test charge at P it
repels the source charge (suspended charge) and the measured value of electric field
F
Emeasured = q will be less than the actual value E act that we wanted to measure.
0


 F
Therefore, Electric field at a point is defined as E  lim
q 0 q

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(b) Properties :
 Electric field is defined at a point unlike force which acts between two charges.
 It is a vector quantity. Its direction is the same as the direction of force experienced by
positive charge kept at that point.
 Direction of electric field due to positive charge is always away from it while due to
negative charge always towards it.
 Its S.. unit is Newton/Coulomb.
 Its dimensional formula is [MLT –3 A–1 ]

FACT:
 Electric field propogates at speed of light in [Link],if a charge is moved then
electric field due to it at a general point will change with time .
 Electric field carries both energy and momentum.

3.2 Superposition of Electric field

It states that ,
(i) the electric field vector due to a charge at given point is unaffected by presence of other
charges
(ii) the electric field vector at a point due to a system of charges is vector sum of the field
vector due to individual point charges in the absence of all other charges.
   
E  E1  E 2  E 3 + .....
Task: Show that superposition of field follows from superposition of force.

Note: Electric force on a charge q placed at a point where the net electric field is E is given by
 
F  qE .So, electric force on point charge is in the same direction of electric field on positive
charge and in opposite direction on a negative charge.

Note :Earlier we defined electric field in terms of electric force i.e we held force as more fundamental.
But for force to exist there should be atleast 2 charges but electric field exists at a point even
due to a single [Link], it is more convinient and useful (as we will see) to hold
  
electric field as fundamental and define force on a charge ,using field, as F  qE .Here E is the
electric filed at the “seat” or location of the given charge.

Illustration
Electrostatic force experienced by -3µC charge placed at point 'P' due to a system 'S' of fixed


point charges as shown in figure is F  21iˆ  9ˆj N 
(i) Find out electric field intensity at point P due to S.
(ii) If now, 2µC charge is placed and -3µC is removed at point P then force experienced by it
will be.

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    µN
Sol. (i) F  qE  (21iˆ  9 ˆj)µN = -3µC (E)  E = – 7 î – 3 ĵ
C
(ii) Since the source charges are not disturbed the electric field intensity at 'P' will remain
same.
 
F 2C = +2( E  = 2(–7 î – 3 ĵ ) = –14 î – 6 ĵ µN
Illustration
Calculate the electric field intensity which would be just sufficient to balance the weight of a
particle of charge –10 c and mass 10 mg. (take g = 10 ms 2 )

Sol. As force on a charge q in an electric field E is
 
Fq = qE Fe

So according to given problem

  E
|Fq |  |W| i.e., |q|E = mg A q

mg
i.e., E = |q| = 10 N/C., in downward direction.
W

 Electric field due to point charge

 kq  kq 
E  2 rˆ  E  3 r ,
r r
  
where r = position vector of test point with respect to source charge i.e r  r test po int – r source ch arg e .
Illustration
Find out electric field intensity at point A (0, 1m, 2m) due to a point charge –20C situated at
point B( 2 m, 0, 1m).

KQ  KQ 
 3 r =  2 r̂
Sol. E = |r|  r = P.V. of A – P.V. of B (P.V. = Position vector)
|r|

= (- 2 î + ĵ + k̂ ) |r | = ( 2 )2  (1)2  (1)2 = 2
9  10 9  ( 20  10 6 )
E= (– 2 î + ĵ + k̂ ) = – 22.5 × 10 3 (– 2 î + ĵ + k̂ ) N/C.
8

Illustration
Six equal point charges are placed at the corners of a regular hexagon of side ‘a’. Calculate electric
field intensity at the centre of hexagon?
Sol. Zero
Similarly electric field due to a uniformly charged ring at the centre of ring is zero.

3.3 Electric field Lines

The line of force in an electric field is an imaginary curve, the tangent to which at any point
on it represents the direction of electric field at the given point.
Properties :
(i) Line of force originates out from a positive charge and terminates on a negative charge.
If there is only one positive charge then lines start from positive charge and terminate
at . If there is only one negative charge then lines start from  and terminates at
negative charge.
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Note: Moreover,number of lines originating (terminating) is proportional to the magnitude of

charge.


(ii) Two lines of force never intersect each other because there cannot be two directions of E at
a single Point

impossilble

(iii) Electric lines of force produced by static charges do not form close loop.
If lines of force make a closed loop, then work done to move a +q charge along the loop will
be non-zero. So it will not be conservative field. So these type of lines of force are not possible
in electrostatics.
(iv) The Number of lines per unit area (line density) represents
the magnitude of electric field.
If lines are dense  E will be more
If Lines are rare  E will be less
Note: The purpose of electric field lines is to graphically
represent electric field i.e both its direction and
[Link] field pattern should be drawn follow-
ing above convention to ensure that it properly conveys
information regarding magnitude of field.

Fact: In electrostatic situation,

i) Electric lines of force end or start perpendicularly on the surface of a conductor.
ii) Electric lines of force never enter into conductors.
Illustration
A
Some electric lines of force are shown in figure, for point A and B
Where is electric field strength more? B
Sol.: lines are more dense at B so EA > EB In the direction of Electric field,
potential decreases so VA > VB

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Illustration
If a charge is released in electric field, will it follow lines of force?
Sol. Case I :
If lines of force are parallel (in uniform electric field) :
In this type of field, if a charge is released, force on it will be qoE

and its direction will be along E .So the charge will move in a
straight line , along the lines of force.
Case II :
If lines of force are curved (in non-uniform electric field) :-

The charge will not follow lines of force +Q

Task: Sketch electric field lines for the given charge configuration.
+Q +Q
(a) (b)
+Q +Q

DRILL - 2
1. Two point charges qA = 3 µC and qB = –3 µC are located 20 cm apart in vacuum.
(a) What is the electric field at the midpoint O of the line AB joining the two charges?
(b) If a negative test charge of magnitude 1.5 × 10–9 C is placed at this point, what is the force
experienced by the test charge?
2. A charged oil drop is suspended in a uniform field of 3 × 104 V/m so that it neither falls nor rises.
Find the charge on the drop. (Take the mass of the charge = 9.9 × 10–15 kg and g = 10 m/s2)
3. Two point charges +8q and –2q are located at x = 0 and x = L respectively. Find the location of a
point on the x axis at which the net electric field due to these two point charges is zero.
4. A charge q  2.0C is placed at origin. Find the value of electric field at (3m, 4m, 0).
5. Determine the magnitude of an electric field that will balance the weight of an electron.
6. Point charges having values 1C,  5C and 2C are placed at the corner A, B and C respec-
tively of an equilateral triangle of side 2 m in free space. Determine the magnitude of intensity at
the point D midway between A and C.

7. Charges 2q and -q are placed at (a, 0) and (-a, 0) as shown in the figure. The coordinates of the
point at which electric field intensity is zero will be (x, 0), Find the value of x.

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8. Five point changes (+q each) are placed at the five vertices of a regular hexagon of side 2a. What
is the magnitude of the net electric field at the centre of the hexagon ?
9. Two point charges q and -2q are placed some distance d apart. If the electric field at the locatiion
of q is E, Find the electric field at the location of -2q.
10. Two point charges 2c and – 2c are placed at point A and B as shown in figure. Find out
electric field intensity at points C and D. [All the distances are measured in meter].

************************

3.4 Electric field due to a Continuous charge distribution

(a) Uniformly charged ring and arc :
 = linear charge density.
The arc is the collection of large no. of point charges.
Consider a part of ring as an element of length Rd which subtends
an angle d at centre of ring and it lies between  and  + d

dE = dEx î + dEy ĵ Ex =  dE x  0 (due to symmetry)


K  2K
Ey =  dE y =  dE sin  = R  sin .d =
0
R
0

Task: Find out electric field intensity at the centre of uniformly charged quarter ring of radius
R and linear charge density .
K ˆ ˆ
Sol. Refer to the previous derivation dE = dEx î + dEy ĵ on solving Enet =  (i  j) ,
R

(b) Electric field due to ring on its axis :

dq
dE sin
y
dE
a  dE cos
Q
x  dE cos
dE x
dE sin

Consider a ring of uniform charge density  . If a is the radius of the ring and Q is the total
charge on the ring, then
Q

2 a
Consider two elements of length dl placed symmetrically on the two diametrically opposite ends. If
dE is the field due to each such element, then dE sin  components will cancel out such that the net
field is just due to dE cos  components summed up over the entire ring.

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So,
2 a
dq  cos 
E net  E x   dE cos    cos  Ex 
4  0 ( a 2  x 2 )

4  0 (a 2  x 2 )  dl
0

Qx Qx
 Ex   Enet = 4  [a 2  x 2 ]3/2 (along + x axis)
4 0 (a2  x 2 )3/2 0

Note:
KQ
i) If x>>a , E = .
x2
Hence the ring will act like a point charge

KQ x
ii) If x<<a , E = .
a3
Varies linearly around center of ring along axis of ring.
dE a 2KQ
iii) E will be max. when = 0, that is at x= and E max 
dx 2 3 3 a2

(c) Electric field due to uniformly charged wire

(i) Line charge of finite length : Derivation of expression for intensity of electric field at a
point due to line charge of finite size of uniform linear charge density . The perpendicular
distance of the point from the line charge is r and lines joining ends of line charge distribution
make angle 1 and 2 with the perpendicular line.

 r 1
2 P

EY

K K
Ex = [sin 1 + sin 2 ] & Ey = [cos 2 - cos 1 ]
r r

Net electric field at the point: Enet = E 2x  E2y

(ii) Infinitely long line charge

In above equations , if we put 1 = 2 = 90º we can get required result.
2K
Enet = Ex =
r 1
E E
r


r
(iii) For Semi- infinite wire
1 = 90º and 2 = 0º so
K K
Ex = , Ey = Ex
r r r
Ey

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(d) Electric field due to uniformly charged infinite sheet

Field due to a uniformly charged infinite sheet can be calculated by integrating the contributions of

infinite line-like charged [Link] result is, Enet = 2  toward normal direction
o

Note: (1) By symmetry, the direction of electric field is always perpendicular to the
sheet.
(2) The magnitude of electric field is independent of distance from sheet.

(e) Electric field due to uniformly charged spherical shell (Shell Theorem)
(i) Inside ( r < R ) : E = 0

KQ
(ii) Outside (r  R ): E =
r2
Note: For the outside points & point on the surface, the uniformly charged spherical shell
behaves as a point charge placed at the centre (an astounding result !).So,Electric
field due to spherical shell out side it is always along the radial direction.

(f) Electric field due to uniformly charged solid sphere

Assume an elementry concentric shell of charge dq dq
(i) r  R: Due to this shell the electric field at the
point (r > R) will be

Kdq KQ
dE =
r2
 Enet =  dE =
r2
[from above result of hollow sphere]
(ii) r  R: For r < R, there will be no electric field due to shell of radius greater than r, so
electric field at the point will be present only due to shells having radius less than r.

KQ´ KQr
E´net =  3 ,away from the centre
r2 R
 
 Q  4 3 Qr 3
[here, Q' =  4   r = ]
 R 3  3 R3
 3 
Note : The electric field inside and outside the spherically symmetric charge distribution is always
in radial direction.

3.5 Motion of a Charged Particle in Uniform Electric Field

(a) When charged particle, Initially at Rest is placed in the Uniform Field
Consider a charged particle of charge q, mass m situated in a uniform electric field E. Force on the
particle is ,
F qE
F = qE (in the direction of field)  a  
m m
Since, initially the particle is at rest, so u = 0

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 qE 
 v = 0 + at  v t
m
If s is the distance travelled by the particle in time t, then

1 2 1  qE  2
s at s  t
2  m 

2
If K is the kinetic energy gained by the particle then

1 q 2 E2 t 2
K  mv 2  K
2 2m

(b) When a charged Particle Enters with an Initial Velocity at Right angle to the Uniform Field

Consider a charged particle of charge q, mass m entering uniform electric field E with initial
velocity u at right angles to the field. Vectorially,
 
ˆ
u  uiˆ and E  Ej
 
 F qE qE ˆ
a   j
m m m
Applying equations of motion in vector form we have

  1 2  1  qEt 2  ˆ
r  ut  at  r  (ut)iˆ   j
2 2 m 

 1  qE  2
Comparing with r  xiˆ  yjˆ , we have x = ut & y  t
2  m 
 qE  2
By eliminating time we get equation of trajectory y   2  x which is the equation of a parabola
 2mu 

     qEt  ˆ
Also, v  u  at  v  uiˆ   j
 m 
 qEt
Comparing with , v  v x ˆi  v y ˆj we have, vx = u & v y 
m
 2 2 q2E2 t2
Since, v |v| v x  v y  v  u2 
m2
vy qEt
If  is the angle made by v with x-axis, then tan   
vx mu
Illustration
Figure shows a uniformly charged sphere of radius R and total charge Q. A point charge q is
situated outside the sphere at a distance r from centre of sphere. Find out the following :
(i) Force acting on the point charge q due to the sphere.
*(ii) Force acting on the sphere due to the point charge.
Sol. (i) Electric field at the position of point charge
 KQ  KqQ  KqQ
E  2 rˆ  F  2 rˆ  |F|  2
r r r
(ii) Since we know that every action has equal and opposite reaction so
 KqQ  KqQ
F sphere =  2 r̂  | F sphere| = 2 .
r r
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Illustration
Figure shows a uniformly charged thin (insulating) sphere of total charge Q and radius R. A
point charge q is also situated at the centre of the sphere.
Find out the following :
(i) Force on charge q
(ii) Electric field intensity at A.
(iii) Electric field intensity at B.
Sol. (i) E at the centre of the uniformly charged hollow sphere = 0. So, force on charge q = 0.
(ii) Electric field at A

   Kq
EA = E Sphere  E q = 0 + 2 ; r = CA
r
E due to sphere = 0 , because point lies inside the charged hollow sphere.
  
(iii) Electric field EB at point B = E Sphere  E q
KQ Kq K(Q  q)
= 2
.rˆ  2 .rˆ = .rˆ ; r = CB
r r r2
Note : Here we can also assume that the total charge of sphere is concentrated at the centre,
for calculation of electric field at B.
Illustration
Two concentric uniformly charged spherical shells of radius R1 and R2 (R2 > R1) have total charges
Q1 and Q2 respectively. Derive an expression of electric field as a function of r for following posi-
tions.
(i) r < R1 (ii) R1  r < R2 (iii) r  R2
Sol. (i) for r < R1 ,
therefore point lies inside both the spheres
Enet = EInner + Eouter =0+0
(ii) for R1  r < R2 ,
therefore point lies outside inner sphere but inside outer sphere:
KQ 1 KQ 1
Enet = Einner + Eouter = r̂ + 0 = r̂
r2 r2
(iii) for r  R2
point lies outside inner as well as outer sphere therefore.
KQ 1 KQ K(Q1  Q 2 )
ENet = Einner + Eouter = 2
r̂  2 2 r̂ = r̂
r r r2
Illustration
A spherical shell having charge +Q (uniformly distributed) and a point charge + q0 are placed as
shown. Find the force between shell and the point charge(r>>R).

  KQ  KQq 0
(i) Force on the point charge + q0 due to the shell = q0 E shell = (q0)  2  r̂ = r̂ where r̂
 r  r2
is unit vector along OP.
From action - reaction principle, force on the shell due to the point charge will also be
KQq 0 ( r)
ˆ
Fshell =
r2
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Note : To find the force on a hollow sphere due to outside charges , we can replace the sphere by a
point charge kept at centre.
Illustration
Find force acting between two shells of radius R1 and R2 which have uniformly distributed charges
Q1 and Q2 respectively and distance between their centre is r.
+ Q1, R1 + Q2, R2

Sol. The shells can be replaced by point charges

KQ 1 Q 2
kept at centre so force between them F =
r2

Illustration
A point charge q is placed at a distance r from a very long charge thread of uniform linear
charge density . Find out total electric force experienced by the line charge due to the point
charge. (Neglect gravity).
Sol. Force on charge q due to the thread,
 2K 
F=   .q
 r 
By Newton's  law, every action has equal and
2K
opposite reaction so force on the thread = .q
r
(away from point charge)
*Illustration
In free space, positive charge Q is distributed uniformly over a circular ring of radius R. A point
particle having a mass m and a negative charge –q, is placed on its axis at a distance x from the
centre. Find the force on the particle. Assuming x << R, find the time period of oscillation of the
particle if it is released from there.
Sol. When the negative charge is shifted at a distance x from the centre of the ring along its axis then
force acting on the point charge due to the ring:
FE = qE (towards centre)
 KQx 
= q  (R 2  x2 )3/2 
 
if R >>x then
R2 + x2 ~ R2
1 Qqx
FE = 4 (Towards centre)
0 R3
Since restoring force FE  x, therefore motion of charge the particle will be S.H.M.
Time period of SHM.
m 1/2
m  Qq   16 3 0 mR 3 
T = 2 = 2  3 
=  
k  Qq 
 4  0 R 

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Illustration
A block having mass m and charge –q is resting on a
frictionless plane at a distance L from fixed large non-
conducting infinite sheet of uniform charge density  as
shown in Figure. Discuss the motion of the block assuming
that collision of the block with the sheet is perfectly elastic.
Is it SHM?
Sol. : The situation is shown in Figure. Electric force produced
by sheet will accelerate the block towards the sheet
producing an acceleration. Acceleration will be uniform
because electric field E due to the sheet is uniform.

F qE
a  , where E = /20
m m
As initially the block is at rest and acceleration is constant, from second equation of motion,
time taken by the block to reach the wall

1 2L 2mL 4mL0
L= at2 i.e., t= = =
2 a aE a
As collision with the wall is perfectly elastic, the block will rebound with same speed and as
now its motion is opposite to the acceleration, it will come to rest after travelling same distance
L in same time t. After stopping it will be again accelerated towards the wall and so the block
will execute oscillatory motion with 'span' L and time period.
2mL 4mL0
T = 2t = 2 =2
aE a
However, as the restoring force F = qE is constant and not proportional to displacement x, the
motion is not simple harmonic.
Illustration
An infinitely large plate of surface charge density + is lying in horizontal xy plane. A particle
having charge –qo and mass m is projected from the plate with velocity u making an angle  with
sheet. Find :

(i) the time taken by the particle to return on the plate..

(ii) maximum height achieved by the particle.
(iii) At what distance will it strike the plate (Neglect gravitational force on the particle)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

Sol.

  
Electric force acting on the particle Fe = qoE : Fe = (qo)  2   downward
 o

Fe qo 
So acceleration of the particle : a= = 2 m = uniform
m o

this acceleration will act like ‘g’ (acceleration due to gravity)

So the particle will perform projectile motion.

2u sin  2u sin  u 2 sin 2  2u 2 sin 2  u 2 sin 2 u2 sin 2

(i) T = = (ii) H= = (iii) R= =
g  q o  2g 2  qo 
g  q o 
     
 2 o m   2 o m   2 o m 

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List of formula for Electric Field Intensity due to various types of charge distribution

is the unit vector

perpendicular to the suface

to

direction

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DRILL - 3

1. A conducting sphere of radius 10 cm has an unknown charge. If the electric field 20 cm from the
centre of the sphere is 1.5 × 103 N/C and points radially inward, what is the net charge on the
sphere?
2. Figure shows tracks of three charged particles in a uniform electrostatic field. Give the signs of the
three charges. Which particle has the highest charge to mass ratio?

3. An infinite line charge produces a field of 9 × 104 N/C at a distance of 2 cm. Calculate the linear
charge density.
4. Two large, thin metal plates are parallel and close to each other. On their inner faces, the plates
have surface charge densities of opposite signs and of magnitude 17.0 × 10–22 C/m2.
What is E: (a) in the outer region of the first plate, (b) in the outer region of the second plate, and
(c) between the plates?
5. An oil drop of 12 excess electrons is held stationary under a constant electric field of
2.55 × 104 NC–1 (Millikan’s oil drop experiment). The density of the oil is 1.26 g cm–3. Estimate the
radius of the drop. (g = 9.81 m s–2; e = 1.60 × 10–19 C).
6. A spherical conductor of radius 12 cm has a charge of 1.6 × 10–7C distributed uniformly on its
surface. What is the electric field
(a) inside the sphere(b) just outside the sphere(c) at a point 18 cm from the centre of the sphere?
7. A mass m carrying a charge q is suspended from a string and placed in a uniform horizontal
electric field of intensity E. Find the angle made by the string with the vertical in the equilibrium
position.
8. (a) A thin spherical shell of radius R has charge Q spread uniformly over its surface. Draw graphs
most closely represents the electric field E (r) produced by the shell in the range 0 < r < R, where
r is the distance from the centre of the shell?
(b) In a uniformly charged sphere of total charge Q and radius R, the electric field E is plotted as
a function of distance from the centre. Draw the graph which would represent electric field
9. A proton of mass ‘m’ charge ‘e’ is released from rest in a uniform electric field of strength
‘E’. Find the time taken by it to travel a distance ‘d’ in the field .
10. The linear charge density on upper half of a segment of ring shown in the figure is  and at
lower half, it is –  . What is the direction of electric field at centre O of ring ?

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

PART B : GAUSS’S LAW

B.1 ELECTRIC FLUX

Consider some surface in an electric field E . Let us select a small area element dS on this

surface. The electric flux of the field over the area element is given by dE = [Link]
The SI unit of electric flux is Nm 2 C –1 (gauss) or J m C –1 .
Direction of dS is normal to the surface. It is along n̂ dS E
or dE = EdS cos  = (E cos ) dS = En dS
where En is the component of electric field in the direction of dS .

The electric flux over the whole area is given by E = S
[Link] =  E dS
S
n

 
If the electric field is uniform over that area then E = E  S
Electric flux is a scalar quantity. (It can be positive, negative or zero).

1.1 Special Cases : S

(a) If the electric field is normal to the surface, E


then angle of electric field E with normal will be zero
So  = ES cos 0 = ES

(b) If electric field is parallel of the surface (glazing),


then angle made by E with normal is 90º.
So  = ES cos 90º = 0
S

E
(c) Curved surface in uniform electric field
Suppose a circular surface of radius R is placed in a uniform electric field as shown.
ds

E
E

R R
Flux passing through the surface  = E (R2).Now suppose, a hemispherical surface is placed in the
electric field flux through hemispherical surface ,  =  Eds cos  = E  ds cos 
where  ds cos  is projection of the spherical surface area on base i.e cos ds = R2 
So,  = E(R2) = same
(d) Flux through a closed surface :
Suppose there is a spherical surface and a charge 'q' is placed at centre.
flux through the spherical surface
   
=  E . ds =  E ds as E is along ds (normal)

1 Q
 = 4
 R
2  ds where  ds = 4R 2

 1 Q Q
=  2 2 
 4R R 
 4R 
2
 = 


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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

Illustration
 3  4 
The electric field in a region is given by E  E 0 i  E0 j with E0 = 2.0 × 103 N/C. Find the flux of
5 5
this field through a rectangular surface of area 0.2m2 parallel to the Y–Z plane.
   3  4  N  m2
Sol. E = E  S = 
5
E 0 i 
5
E j  
0  . 0 .2 î

= 240
C

2.2 Physical Meaning :

The electric flux through a surface inside an electric field represents the total number of electric
lines of force crossing the surface.
If the number of electric field lines passing through two surfaces are same, then flux passing
through these surfaces will also be same, irrespective of the shape of surface

1 = 2 =3 = E(R2)
If the charge Q is enclosed by any other closed surface, still same lines of force will pass through the
Q
surface. So here also flux will be  =  .


Q Q
=   = 
 

Illustration
A point charge Q is placed at the corner of a square of side a,
then find the flux through the square.
Sol. The electric field due to Q at any point of the square will be along the plane of
square and the electric field line are perpendicular to square ; so  = 0.
In other words we can say that no line is crossing the square so flux = 0.
B.2 GAUSS'S LAW
This law was stated by a mathematician Karl F. Gauss. This law gives the relation between
the electric field at a point on a closed surface and the net charge enclosed by that surface.
This surface is called Gaussian surface. It is a closed hypothetical surface. Its validity is shown
by experiments. It is used to determine the electric field due to some symmetric charge
distributions.

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

2.1 Statement
Gauss's law states:
The surface integral of the electric field vector over any closed hypothetical surface (called
1
Gaussian surface) in free space is equal to  times the total charge enclosed within the
0
surface. Here, 0 is the permittivity of free space.
n

If S is the Gaussian surface and q

i 1
i is the total charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface,
then according to Gauss's law,
  1 n

E =  E  dS =
0
q
i 1
i .

The circle on the sign of integration indicates that the integration is to be carried out over the
closed surface.
Note: (i) Flux through gaussian surface is independent of its shape.
(ii) Flux through gaussian surface depends only on total charge present inside gaussian
surface.
(iii) Flux through gaussian surface is independent of position of charges inside gaussian
surface.
(iv) Electric field intensity at the gaussian surface is due to all the charges present inside as
well as outside the gaussian surface.
(v) In a close surface,by convention, incoming flux is taken negative while outgoing flux is
taken positive, because n̂ is taken positive in outward direction.
(vi) In a gaussian surface  = 0 does not imply E = 0 at every point of the surface but E = 0
at every point implies  = 0.
Illustration
A point charge +q is placed at the centre of curvature of a hemisphere.
Find flux through the hemispherical surface.
Sol. Lets put an upper half hemisphere.
q
Now flux passing through the entire sphere =
0

As the charge q is symmetrical to the upper half and lower half hemispheres , so half flux will emit
from both the surfaces.

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

Illustration
If a point charge q is placed at the centre of a cube then find out flux through any one surface
of cube.
q
Sol. Flux through 6 surfaces = . Since all the surfaces are symmetrical ,so flux through one
0
1 q
surfaces = .
6 0
Illustration
A charge Q is placed at a distance a/2 above the centre of a horizontal, square surface of edge a
as shown in figure. Find the flux of the electric field through the square surface.
•
a a/2

Sol. We can consider imaginary faces of cube such that the charge lies at the centre of the cube. Due to
Q
symmetry we can say that flux through the given area (which is one face of cube)  = 6
0

Illustration
Find flux through the hemispherical surface
Sol. (i) Flux through the hemispherical surface due to
q
+q = (we have seen in previous examples)
20
(ii) Flux through the hemispherical surface due to +q0 charge = 0, because due to +q0 charge
field lines entering the surface = field lines coming out of the surface.

B.3 APPLICATION OF GAUSS’S LAW

  qin
Gauss law states,  [Link] =  net
= 0
Although it is valid in general but it is not always useful in calculating the electric field .
To be able to calculate electric field ,the integral representing flux should get simplified and electric
field E should come out of integral and moreover that component should be the net electric field
(other components must be necessarily zero).Therefore, the role of symmetry is critical while find-
ing electric field using gauss law.
(a) Field due to a spherical shell
q,R
+ +
(i) Electric field outside the Sphere : +
+
+
Since, electric field due to a shell will be radially outwards. + +
+ r
So lets choose a spherical Gaussian surface . Applying + +
+ +
+
Gauss`s theorem for this spherical Gauss`s surface,
 qin q
 E ds =  net
=  = 
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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

 

|E||ds|cos0 because the E is normal to the surface due to symmetry

E  ds (because value of E is constant at the surface due to symmetry)
E (4r2) ( ds total area of the spherical surface = 4 r2)

qin q
 E (4r2) =   Eout =
0 4  r 2
(ii) Electric field inside a spherical shell :
Lets, choose a concentric spherical gaussian surface inside the shell.
Applying Gauss`s theorem for this surface
 qin
 E ds = net = =0 q,R
0 +
+ +
+ r +
 + +
  + r
|E||ds|cos0 due to symmetry
+ +
 + +
+

E ds


E (4r2)  E (4r2) = 0  Ein = 0
Teaser: Will the above chain of argument be valid if a spherical gaussian surface is considered with
its center not coinciding with the center of sphere.

(b) Electric field due to solid sphere (having uniformly distributed charge Q and radius R) :
(i) Electric field outside the sphere :
Q
Exactly same derivation as for uniformly charged shell i.e Eout = .
4  r 2
(ii) Electric field inside a solid sphere :
For this choose a spherical gaussian surface inside the solid sphere Applying gauss`s
theorem for this surface
  + + Q,R + +
+ ++ + r
 Q 4 3 + + + +
 4  r + + ++
+ + ++
++
3 3 + + + + ++
  qin  R  Qr 3 ++
+
+ ++ +
 3  + +

 [Link] = net =  = 
=
 R 3
++
+ +
+ + +
+ +
+ ++ + + + + +
+

+ ++

  qr 3 q r kQ
 [Link]   E ds  E (4r ) 
2
E(4r2) = E=  Ein = r
 R 3 4  R 3 R3
(c) Electric field due to infinite line charge (having uniformly
distributed charged of charge density  ) :
Electric field due to infinite wire is radial so
we will choose cylindrical Gaussian surface as shown is figure.

 
3 =  E .ds =  E ds = E  ds = E (2r)

  2k
E (2r) =   E = 2  r =
  r
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(d) Electric field due to infinity long charged tube (having uniform surface charge density  and
radius R)):
r

(i) Outside tube :- choose a cylindrical gaussian surface + + +

+ + +
+ + +
qin  2 R   2 R  R +
+
+
+
+
+
net =  =
   Eout × 2r =  E= r
0
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ + +

(ii) Inside tube :- choose a cylindrical gaussian surface inside the tube
qin
By Gauss law, net =  = 0  Ein = 0


(e) E due to infinitely long solid cylinder of radius R (having uniformly distributed charge in
volume(charge density )) :
(i) E at outside point :-
r
Lets choose a cylindrical gaussian surface.
Applying gauss`s theorem

qin  R 2 
E × 2r =  =
 

R 2
Eout =
2r 0

(ii) E at inside point :

lets choose a cylindrical gaussian surface inside the solid
cylinder. Applying gauss`s theorem

qin   r 2  r
E × 2r =  =  Ein = 2
  0

e) Electric field due to uniformly charged infinite sheet

Field due to a uniformly charged infinite sheet can be calculated by taking a cuboid as Gaussian

surface placed symmetrically .The result is, Enet = 2  toward normal direction
o

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DRILL - 4

1. Consider a uniform electric field E = 3 × 103 î N/C.

(a) What is the flux of this field through a square of 10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the
yz plane?
(b) What is the flux through the same square if the normal to its plane makes a 60° angle with the
x-axis?
2. What is the net flux of the uniform electric field in above question through a cube of side 20 cm
oriented so that its faces are parallel to the coordinate planes?
3. Careful measurement of the electric field at the surface of a black box indicates that the net
outward flux through the surface of the box is 8.0 × 103 Nm2/C. (a) What is the net charge inside
the box? (b) If the net outward flux through the surface of the box were zero, could you conclude
that there were no charges inside the box? Why or Why not?
4. A point charge +10 µC is a distance 5 cm directly above the centre of a square of side 10 cm, as
shown . What is the magnitude of the electric flux through the square? (Hint: Think of the square
as one face of a cube with edge 10 cm.)

5. A point charge causes an electric flux of –1.0 × 103 Nm2/C to pass through a spherical Gaussian
surface of 10.0 cm radius centred on the charge.
(a) If the radius of the Gaussian surface were doubled, how much flux would pass through the
surface?
(b) What is the value of the point charge?
6. A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r 1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q.
(a) A charge q is placed at the centre of the shell. What is the surface charge density on the inner
and outer surfaces of the shell?
(b) Is the electric field inside a cavity (with no charge) zero, even if the shell is not spherical, but
has any irregular shape? Explain.
7. Two large sized charged plates have a charge density of + and -. Find the resultant force on the
proton located (i) midway between them (ii) outside the plates.
8. A long charged cylinder of linear charged density  is surrounded by a hollow co-axial conducting
cylinder. What is the electric field in the space between the two cylinders?

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9. A cone lies in a uniform electric field E. Determine the electric flux entering the cone

10. If Coulomb’s law involved 1/r3 (instead of 1/r2) , would gauss’s law still be true ? Explain
************************

PART C ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
C.1 Conservative nature of electric field (any central force/field)
The idea of potential difference is defined (&meaningful)
for conservative forces only. Here is a beautiful proof that
electrostatic force (or any central force) is conservative.
Consider a fixed point charge q and an elementary loop
,with vertices A,B,C & D, having
(i) two of its sides along electric field lines coming out
radially out from point charge
(ii) remaining two sides as part of concentric circles with
center at the point charge

Now, if a test charge is taken from A to B or from C to D ,then work done by electrostatic force
will be zero because force is radially out while elementary displacement is always perpen-
   
dicular to it i.e [Link]  0 or [Link]  0 .So, WAB  WCD  0 .
Moreover,by definition WBC   WDA .

Hence, WA B  WB C  WC D  WD A  0 i.e work done in round trip is [Link], any central

force/field is conservative .

Note: Mathematically,a central field is represented as F  f(r)rˆ , where r is radial distance/
[Link] above prove is based on only on the direction of a central force/field not on
how the force/field depends on radial distance/separation i.e its independent of f(r) .

Teaser: Which of the following diagrams represent a possible electrostatic field pattern

(a) (b) (c) (d)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

C.2 Electric potential difference

Definition: The potential difference between two points A and B is defined as the negative of
the work done by (internal conservative) electric field in taking a unit positive charge from A
to B
Mathematically, B  
  [Link]
Wel A
B  
V  VB  VA       [Link]
q q A

Note:It is also equal to work done by external agent against electric field in taking a unit positive
charge from A to B without acceleration (because accelerated charge radiates/loses energy)
If (WA  B )ext = work done by external agent against electric field in taking the unit charge from
A to B .
  B
  Fe .dr B  
 (WA B )ext  (WA B )electric
a  0  Wext   Wel  VB – VA =
q
 = q = A =  [Link]

K 0 q A

*Take W and q both with sign

Properties :
(i) Potential difference is a scalar quantity. Its S.I. unit is also volt.
(ii) Potential difference between two points is independent of reference point.
(iii) The work done by external agent in slowly shifting charge q is Wext  q  V   q  Vf  Vi  .
Moreover, work done by electrostatic forces Wel  Wext  q V  q  Vi  Vf  .
(iv) Graphically, potential difference is equal to area under field vs position graph.

(a) Potential difference in a uniform electric field :


VB – VA = – E  AB = – |E| |AB| cos  = – |E| d = – Ed
d = projection of distance between A and B along electric field.

V
or we can also say that E = –
d
Special Cases :
Case 1. Line AB is parallel to electric field.

 VA – VB = Ed
Case 2. Line AB is perpendicular to electric field.
 VA – VB = 0  VA = VD
Note : In the direction of electric field potential decreases at greatest rate.

Illustration
1C charge is shifted from A to B and it is found that work done by an external force is 40J in
doing so against electrostatic forces then, find potential difference V A – VB
Sol. (WAB )ext = q(VB – VA)  40 J = 1C (VB – VA)  VA – VB = – 40

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

Illustration
A uniform electric field is present in the positive x-direction. f the intensity of the field is 5N/C
then find the potential difference (VB –VA) between two points A (0m, 2 m) and B (5 m ,3 m)
 
Sol. VB – VA = – E . AB = – (5 î ) . (5 î + ĵ ) = –25V.

Illustration
Find out following
(i) VA – VB
(ii) VB – VC (iii) VC – VA (iv) VD – VC (v) VA – VD
(vi) Arrange the order of potential for points A, B, C and D.
Sol. (i) VAB  Ed = 20 × 2 × 10 –2 = 0.4
so, VA – VB = 0.4 V
because In the direction of electric field potential always decreases.
(ii) VBC  Ed = 20 × 2 × 10 –2 = 0.4 so, VB – VC = 0.4 V

(iii) VCA  Ed = 20 × 4 × 10 –2 = 0.8 so, VC – VA = – 0.8 V

because In the direction of electric field potential always decreases.
(iv) VDC  Ed = 20 × 0 = 0 so, VD – VC = 0

because the effective distance between D and C is zero.

(v) VAD  Ed = 20 × 4 × 10 –2 = 0.8 so, VA – VD = 0.8 V
because In the direction of electric field potential always decreases.
(vi) The order of potential
VA > VB > VC = VD .

(b) Potential difference due to a point charge :

Q r P
from definition potential,
r r
 kq   kq 1 1
f f

V  Vf  Vi     2 rˆ .dr    2 dr  kq   
ri 
r  ri
r  rf ri 
Note: Electric potential decreases with distance from a positive charge and increases with distance
from a negative charge.
************************

C.3 Electric Potential as line integral of electric field

In previous section , we defined potential [Link] value of potential at a point depends
on where the reference is taken (like coordinates). In principle,we can work solely with potential
difference without taking any reference but it would be very clumsy as there wouldn’t be a
unique value of potential associated with a [Link], it is convenient to choose a
reference point i.e the point where potential is assumed to be zero (like origin).

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Usually, we take reference at infinity i.e potential at infinity to be zero.

So,potential at a point VP is,
P  
V  VP  V  VP  0  VP    [Link]

Electric potential at a point
(i) is equal to the negative of the work done by the electric field in taking a unit positive
charge from reference point (i.e. infinity) to the given point.
(ii) is also equal to the work done by the extrenal agent in taking a unit positive charge
from reference point (i.e. infinity) to that point.
Moreover, it follows superposition principle (as field or force follows it)
V = V1 + V2 + V3 + .......

Illustration
A charge 2C is taken from infinity to a point in an electric field, without changing its velocity.
If work done against electrostatic forces is –40J then find the potential at that point.

Wext 40J
Sol. V = q = = –20 V
2C
Illustration
A charge 3C is released at rest from a point P where electric potential is 20 V then its kinetic
energy when it reaches to infinite is :
Sol. Wel = K = Kf – 0
Wel)P = qVP = 60 J
so, Kf = 60 J

 Potential due to a point charge :

Derivation of expression for potential due to point charge Q, at a point which is at a distance
r from the point charge.

Q r P
from definition potential,
rf r
 kq   kq 1 1
f

V  Vf  Vi     2 rˆ .dr    2 dr  kq   
ri  r  ri r  rf ri 
And if potential at infinity is taken to be zero, then potential at a point at distance r from
point charge,
 1 1  kq kq
V(r)  V( )  kq      V(r) 
r  r r
Illustration
Four point charges are placed at the corners of a square
of side  calculate potential at the centre of square.
Sol. V = 0 at 'C'.

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Illustration
Two point charges 2C and – 4C are situated at points (–2m, 0m) and (2 m, 0 m) respectively. Find
out potential at point C. (4 m, 0 m) and. D (0 m, 5 m).

Sol. Potential at point C

K(2C) K( 4C) 9  109  2  10 6 9  109  4  10 6

VC = Vq1  Vq2 = + = – = –15000 V.
6 2 6 2
K(2C) K( 4C) K(2C) K( 4C)
Similarly, VD = Vq1  Vq 2 = + = + = – 6000 V.
( 5 )2  2 2 ( 5 )2  2 2 3 3

************************
DRILL - 5

1. Two charges 5 × 10–8 C and –3 × 10–8 C are located 16 cm apart. At what point(s) on the line
joining the two charges is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
2. A regular hexagon of side 10 cm has a charge 5 µC at each of its vertices. Calculate the potential
at the centre of the hexagon.
3. A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. Determine the potential and electric field
due to this charge array at the centre of the cube.
4. An electric charge 10-3 C is placed at the origin (0,0) of X - Y co-ordinate system. Two points A
and B are situated at ( 2 , 2 ) and (2, 0) respectively. Find the potential difference between the
points A and B.

5. Charges are placed on the vertices of a square as shown. Let E be the electric field and V
the potential at the centre. If the charges on A and B are interchanged with those on D and

C respectively, then E __________, V remains _________ .
q q
A B

-q D C -q

6. What is the potential at the centre of a square of each side 1.0 metre, when four charges and
 1  108 C,  2  108 C,  3  108 C and  2  108 C are placed at the four corners of the square.

7. A point charge of 108 C is situated at the origin of co-oridnate system. Find the potential differ-
ence between the points A (4, 4, 2) and B (1, 2, 2).
8. The electric field at a point due to a point charge is 20 NC 1 and electric potential at that point is
10 JC 1 . Calculate the distance of the point from the charge and the magnitude of the charge.

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9. Two point charges q and  2 q are kept ‘d’ distance apart. Find the location of the point relative
to charge q at which potential due to the system of charges is zero.
10. An infinite number of charges of equal magnitude q, but alternate charge of opposite sign are
placed along the x-axis at x = 1, x = 2, x = 4, x =8,... and so on. Find the electric potential at
the point x = 0 due to all these charges.

*********************
C.4 Potential due to continuous charge distribution
To find the potential due to continuous charge distribution we use superposition principle ie
a) we can find potential by summing potential due to point like elements.
b) we can integrate electric field

Note: If formula of E is tough, then we take If formula of E is easy then we use

r  r 
a small element and integrate OR V=  E· d r

–
r 

V (i.e. for sphere, plate infinite wire etc)

(a) Potential due to a ring :

(i) Potential at the centre of uniformly charged ring :
Kdq
Potential due to the small element dq dV =
R

K dq K Kq
Net potential: V =  R
=V =
R  dq =
R

Kqtotal
Note: Even for non-uniformly charged ring potential at the center is V =
R

(ii) Potential due to half ring at center is :

Kq
V
R
(iii) Potential at the axis of a ring:

KQ
V=
R 2  x2

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(b) Potential due to uniformly charged disc :


V
2 0
 
R 2  x2  x , where  is the charged density and x is the distance of the point on

the axis from the center of the disc, R is the radius of disc.
(c) Potential Due To Uniformly Charged Spherical shell :
(i) At outside point (r > R):
r r
K Q KQ KQ
Vout = – 
  2  dr  Vout = r  Dis tan ce from centre 
r  r 

For outside point, the hollow sphere act like a point charge.
(ii) Potential at the centre of the sphere (r=0) :
As all the charges Are at a distance R from the centre ,

KQ KQ
So Vcentre = 
R  Radius of the sphare 
(iii) Potential at inside point ( r<R ) :
Suppose we want to find potential at point P , inside the sphere.
+Q, R

P
r
O

Because electric field inside the shell is zero ,the potential difference between any two
points (say P and O) is zero
P 
 KQ KQ
VP - VO =  Ein· dr = 0  VP = VO = R 
–
O
 Radius of the sphere 
(d) Potential due to uniformly charged solid sphere :

KQ
(i) At outside point (r > R): V(r) =
r
KQ
(ii) Potential at inside point ( r<R ) : V(r) = (3R2 – r2)
2R 3

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(e) Potential difference due to infinitely long wire :

Derivation of expression for potential difference between two points, which have perpen-
dicular distance rA and rB from infinitely long line charge of uniform linear charge density .

From definition of potential difference

rB
  rB
2 K 
VAB = VB – VA 
=  E  dr    r r̂  dr
rA rA

 rB 
VAB = –2K n  r 
 A

(f) Potential difference due to infinitely long thin sheet :

Derivation of expression for potential difference between two points, having separation d in
the direction perpendicularly to a very large uniformly charged thin sheet of uniform surface
charge density .
Let the points A and B have perpendicular distance r A and rB respectively then from definition
of potential difference.
rB
 
rB
 
VAB = VB – VA =   E  dr   r̂  dr
rA
20
rA

 d
 VAB = – (rB – rA) =–
2 o 2 o

Note : For infinitely large charge distirbution, “potential at infinity” is meaningless. Therefore,
only potential difference is relevant.
************************

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Electric Potential due to various charge distributions are given in table

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DRILL - 6
1. Figure shows two rings having charges Q and – 5 Q. Find Potential at points A and B .

2. Two concentric spherical shells of radius R1 and R2 (R2 > R1) are having uniformly distributed
charges Q1 and Q2 respectively. Find out potential

(i) at point A
(ii) at surface of smaller shell (i.e. at point B)
(iii) at surface of larger shell (i.e. at point C)
(iv) at r  R1 (v) at R1  r  R2 (vi) at r  R2
3. The potential difference between two isolated spheres of radii r1 and r2 is zero. Find the ratio
of their charges Q1 /Q2 .
4. 64 charged drops coalesce to from a bigger charged drop. Find the ratio of potential of bigger
drop to that of smaller drop.
5. If a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius 10 cm has a potential V at a point distant 5
cm from its centre, What is the potential at a point distant 15 cm from the centre ?
6. Electric potential at a point P, r distance away due to a point charge q kept at point A is V. ,If
twice of this charge is distributed uniformly on the surface of a hollow spehere of radius 4r with
centre at point A, Find the potential at P.
7. A thin spherical conducting shell of radius R has a charge q. Another charge Q is placed at the
centre of the shell. Find the electrostatic potential at a distance point P a distance R/2 from the
centre of the shell.
8. Two thin wire rings each having a radius R are placed at a distance d apart with their axes
coinciding. The charges on the two rings are +q and –q. Find the potential difference between the
centres of the two rings is
9. A charge Q is uniformly distributed over a long rod AB of length L as shown in the figure. Find
the electric potential at the point O lying at a distance L from the end A .

10. Find the potential on the edge of uniformly charged disc  and radius R

************************

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C.5 ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

By definition, the change in electrostatic potential energy of a system over transition from
initial configuration/state to final is negative of total work done by internal conservative
forces (here it is electrostatic forces) i.e
f   

f
 f  
U  U f  U i    Fe .dr    [Link]  q    [Link]   qV  q(Vf  Vi )
i i  i 
Note:
(a) Electric potential energy is a scalar quantity but may be positive, negative or zero.
(b) Its unit is same as unit of work or energy that is joule (in S.. system).Some times energy
is also given in electron-volts: 1eV = 1.6 × 10 –19 J.
(c) Electric potential energy depends on reference configuration (for finite charge distribution
its convenient to choose potential energy at infinite separation to be zero).
(d) Also,it is equal to the work done by an external agent against the internal electric field
required to make a system of charges in a particular configuration from infinite separa-
tion without accelerating it.

5.1 Electrostatic potential energy of a pair of point charges

For the simplest system i.e a pair of point charges,
 kQ kQ   1 1
U  q(Vf  Vi )  q     kQq   
 rf ri   rf ri 
kQq
Moreover, if potential energy is assumed to be zero at infinite separation then U sys 
r

kQq
Note: Potential energy U is always defined for a system .So, is the potential energy of system
r
i.e the pair.
Illustration
A particle of mass 40 mg and carrying a charge 5 × 10 –9 C is moving directly towards a fixed
positive point charge of magnitude 10 –8 C. When it is at a distance of 10 cm from the fixed
point charge it has speed of 50 cm/s. At what distance from the fixed point charge will the
particle come momentarily to rest? Is the acceleration constant during the motion?
Sol. If the particle comes to rest momentarily at a distance r form the fixed charge, then from
conservation of energy' we have

1 1 Qq 1 Qq
mu2 + =
2 4 0 a 40 r

Substituting the given data, we get

1 1 1 1 
× 40 × 10–6 × × = 9 × 109 × 5 × 10–8 ×10–9   10
2 2 2 r 
6
1 5  10 100 1 190 9
or, –10 = 8
  =  r= m
r 9  5  10 9 r 9 190
or, r = 4.7 × 10–2 m

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1 Qq F 1
As here, F = 4 so acc. =  2
0 r2 m r
i.e., acceleration is not constant during the motion.
Illustration
A proton moves from a large distance with a speed u m/s directly towards a free proton originally
at rest. Find the distance of closet approach for the two protons in terms of mass of proton m and
its charge e.
Sol. As here the particle at rest is free to move, when one particle approaches the other, due to
electrostatic repulsion other will also start moving and so the velocity of first particle will
decrease while of other will increase and at closest approach both will move with same velocity.
So, if v is the common velocity of each particle at closest approach, then by 'conservation of
momentum' of the two protons system.
1
mu = mv + mv i.e., v= u
2
And by conservation of energy'
2
1 1 1 1 e2 1 u 1 e2 u
2 2 2 2
mu = mv + mv + 4  mu – m   = 4 [as v = ]
2 2 2 0 r 2 2 0 r 2
2
1 e e2
 mu2 =  r=
4 4 0 r m 0 u 2
5.2 Electrostatic potential energy of a system of charges
(a) Derivation for a system of point charges:
(i) Consider all the charges at infinity. Now, bring the charges one by one to its
corresponding position and find work required. PE of the system is algebric sum of all
the works.
Let W1 = work done in bringing first charge
W2 = work done in bringing second charge against force due to 1 st charge.
W3 = work done in bringing third charge against force due to 1 st and 2nd charge.
n(n  1)
PE = W1 + W2 + W3 + ...... . (This will contain = n C2 terms)
2
(ii) By adding interaction energies
U = sum of the interaction energies of the charges.
= (U12 + U13 + ........ + U 1n) + (U23 + U24 + ........ + U 2n) + (U34 + U35 + ........ + U 3n) ....
OR
If U1 = PE of interaction between the first charge & all other charges= (U 12 + U13 + ........ + U 1n)
U2 = PE of interaction between the second charge & all other charges (including first
charge) = (U 21 + U23 + ........ + U 2n).
U1  U 2  ....U n
then , U = PE of the system =
2

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Illustration
Figure shows an arrangement of three point charges. The total potential
-Q
q +q +q
energy of this arrangement is zero. Calculate the ratio Q . r
2r
1  qQ ( q)(q) Q(q) 
Sol. Usys = 4    =0
0  r 2r r 

q q q 4
–Q + –Q=0 or 2Q = or =
2 2 Q 1
Illustration
Two charged particles each having equal charges 2 × 10 –5 C are brought from infinity to
within a separation of 10 cm. Calculate the increase in potential energy during the process
and the work required for this purpose.
Sol. U = Uf – Ui = Uf – 0 = U f
We have to simply calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the given system of charges

1 q1 q 2 9  109  2  10 5  2  105  100

U = Uf = 4 = J = 36 J
0 r 10
work required = 36 J
Illustration
The four identical charges q each are placed at the corners of a square of side a.
Find i) interaction energy of one of the charges with the remaining charges.
ii) total potential energy of system
Sol. Method 1 : By counting interaction energy of each pair
U = U12 + U13 + U14 + U23 + U24 + U34

Kq 2 Kq 2 Kq 2 Kq 2 Kq 2 Kq 2
= + + + + +
a a 2 a a a 2 a

 4Kq 2 2Kq 2  2Kq 2  1 

=  a   =
a 2  
 a 2   2
Method 2 :
U1 = total P.E. of charge at corner 1 due to all other charges
U2 = total P.E. of charge at corner 2 due to all other charges
U3 = total P.E. of charge at corner 3 due to all other charges
U4 = total P.E. of charge at corner 4 due to all other charges
Since due to symmetry U1 = U2 = U3 = U4
Now, there are 4 such charges as A with same charge distribution around [Link] one may
think that the potential energy of system is four times the valure obtained above i.e

1  1  q2
U sys = 2  4
4 0  
2 a
But its wrong , because we are counting each interaction (energy) exactly [Link], correct

U1  U 2  U 3  U 4 1  1  1
value is Usys = => U sys = 4  2    4
2 0  2 2

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Illustration
Six equal point charges q are placed at six corners of a hexagon of side a.
Find out potential energy of charge system

U1  U 2  U 3  U 4  U 5  U 6
Sol. Usys =
2
3Kq 2  2 1
Due to symmetry U1 = U2 = U3 = U4 = U5 = U6 so Unet = 3U1 =  2  
a  3 2

Illustration
Two point charges each of mass m and charge q are released when they are at a distance r
from each other. What is the speed of each charge particle when they are at a distance 2r?
Sol. According to momentum conservation both the charge particles will V V
move with same speed now applying energy conservation.
2r
2 2 2
Kq 1 Kq Kq
0+0+ =2 mv2 +  v=
r 2 2r 2rm
Illustration
Three equal charges q are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side a. A q

(i) Find out potential energy of charge system.

(ii) Calculate work required to decrease the side of triangle to a/2. B
q qC
(iii) If the charges are released from the shown position and each of them a

has same mass m then find the speed of each particle when they lie on triangle of side 2a.

Kq 2 Kq 2 Kq 2 3Kq 2
Sol. (i) U = U12 + U13 + U23 = + + =
a a a a
(ii) Work required to decrease the sides

3Kq 2 3Kq 2 3Kq 2

W = Uf – Ui = – =
a /2 a a
(iii) Work done by electrostatic forces = change is kinetic energy of particles.

3Kq 2 3Kq 2 1 Kq 2
Ui – Uf = Kf – Ki  – = 3( mv2) – 0  v=
a 2a 2 am

5.3 Electric potential energy for continues charge system :

This energy is also known as self energy.
KQ 2
(i) P.E. (Self Energy) of a uniformly Charged spherical shell :- Uself =
2R
3 KQ 2
(ii) Self energy of uniformly charged solid sphere : Uself =
5 R

Illustration
A spherical shell of radius R with uniform charge q is expanded to a radius 2R. Find the work
performed by the electric forces and external agent against electric forces in this process.

q2 q2 q2 q2
Sol. Wext = Uf – Ui = – =–  Wel = –Wext =
16 0 R 8 0 R 160 R 160 R

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Illustration
Two nonconducting hollow uniformly charged spheres of radii R 1 and R 2 with charge Q1
and Q2 respectively are placed at a distance r. Find out total energy of the system.

Q 21 Q 22 Q1Q2
Sol. Utotal = Uself + UInteraction = + + 4  r
80 R 1 80 R 2 0

Illustration
Two concentric spherical shells of radius R1 and R2 (R2 > R1 ) are having uniformly distributed
charges Q1 and Q2 respectively. Find out total energy of the system.

R2

R1
Q1 Q2

Q 21 Q 22 Q1Q2
Sol. Utotal = Uself 1 + Uself 2 + UInteraction = + + 4  R
80 R 1 80 R 2 0 2

5.4 Energy density :

Energy density is defined as energy stored in unit volume in any electric field. Its mathematical
formula is given, without proof,

dUe 1 2
Energy density , = E where , E = electric field intensity at that point
dV 2
 = 0r electric permittivity of medium
Illustration
Find out energy stored in an imaginary cubical volume of side a in front of a infinitely large non-
conducting sheet of uniform charge density .
Sol. Energy stored

1 2 1 2
1 2 2 a 3
E dV E  [ E is constant ]
U= 2 0
 =
2
 0 
dV = 0
2 4 20
. a 3
=
8 0
************************
DRILL - 7

1. A charge of 8 mC is located at the origin. Calculate the work done taking a small charge of
–2 × 10–9 C from a point P (0, 0, 3 cm) to a point Q (0, 4 cm, 0), via a point R (0, 6 cm, 9 cm).
2. Two identical particles, each having a charge of 2  104 C and mass of 10 gm, are kept at a
separation of 10 cm and then released. What would be the speeds of particles when the separa-
tion becomes large?
3. Two point charges A and B of value + 15  C and + 9  C are kept 18 cm apart in air. Calculate
the work done when charge B is moved by 3 cm towards A.

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4. Three point charges 1C, 2C amd 3C are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side 1m.
Calculate the work required to move these charges to the corners of a smaller equilateral triangle
of side 0.5 m.

5. Three point charges q, 2q and 8q are to be placed on a 9 cm long straight line. Determine the
position where the charges should be placed such that the potential energy of the system is
minimum . In this situation what will be the electric field at the position of charge q due to other
two charges ?
6. A circular ring of radius R with uniform positive charge density  per unit length is located in the
YZ plane with its centre at the origin O, A particle of mass m and positive charge q is projected
from the the point P(R 3 ,0,0) on the positive x-axis directly towards O, with initial velocity v ,
Find the smallest (non-zero) value of the v such that the particle does not return to P.
7. Two electrons, each moving with a velocity of 106 ms1 are projected towards each other. What
will be the closest distance of approach between them?
8. Set up an arrangement of three point charges: +q, + 2 q and x q separated by equal finite dis-
tances so that electric potential energy of the system is zero. What is x?
9. There is an electric field E in x-direction . If the work done on moving a charge of 0.2 C through
a distance of 2 m along a line making an angle 60o with x-axis is 4J, then what is the value of E ?
10. A radioactive source in the form of a metal spahere of radius 10-2m emits beta particle at the rate
of 5  1010 particles per second. The source is electrically insulated. How long will it take for its
potential to be raised by 2 volt assuming that 40% of the emitted beta particles escape the source?
{  - particle is a fast moving electron}

C.6 RELATION BETWEEN ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY AND ELECTRIC

POTENTIAL
(a) For uniform electric field :
Potential difference between two points A and B
 
VB – VA = – E . AB

(b) Non uniform electric field

V V V
Ex = – , Ey = –
x y , Ez = –
z

 ˆ  ˆ  ˆ  
 E = Ex î + Ey ĵ + Ez k̂ = – i V  j V  k V
 x y z 
V
Where, = derivative of V with respect to x (keeping y and z constant)
x

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V
y = derivative of V with respect to y (keeping z and x constant)
V
= derivative of V with respect to z (keeping x and y constant)
z

Note:If electric potential and electric field depends only on one coordinate, say r
 V
(i) E =– r̂ , where r̂ is a unit vector along increasing r
r
  rB
 
(ii)  dV = –  E  dr  VB – VA =   E. dr [* dr is along the increasing direction of r]
rA

Illustration
A uniform electric field is along x – axis . The potential difference VA– VB = 10 V between two points
A (2m , 3m) and B (4m, 8m). Find the electric field intensity.

V 10
Sol. E = = = 5 V / m. It is along + ve x-axis.
d 2
Illustration

V = x2 + y , Find E .

V V  ˆ V ˆ V ˆ V 
 0  E = – 
V
Sol. = 2x ,  1 and i j k  = –(2x î + ĵ ) [ E is non-uniform]
x y z  x y z 

Illustration

For given E = 2 x î  3 y ĵ find the potential at (x, y) if V at origin is 5 volts.
v  x y

Sol.  dV    E  dr E
=–  x dx –  E ydy
5 0 0

2x 2 3y 2 2x 2 3y 2
 V–5=–   V(x,y) = –  + 5.
2 2 2 2

C.7 EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE

Definition : If potential of a surface (imaginary or physically existing) is same throughout then
such surface is known as a equipotential surface.
(a) Properties of equipotential surfaces :
(i) When a charge is shifted from one point to another point on an equipotential surface then
work done against electrostatic forces is zero.
(ii) Electric field is always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
(b) Examples of equipotential surfaces :
(i) Point charge : v2
v1
Equipotential surfaces are concentric and spherical as
q
shown in figure. In figure we can see that sphere of
radius R1 has potential V1 throughout its surface and
similarly for other concentric sphere potential is same.

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(ii) Line charge :

Equipotential surfaces have are curved surfaces as that of coaxial cylinders of different radii.

(iii) Uniformly charged large conducting / non conducting sheets

Equipotential surfaces are parallel planes.

Note : “Number of equipotential surfaces” phrase is [Link],by convention, the equipo-

tential surfaces are drawn such that the number density of equipotential surfaces (around a point
) is directly proportional to the field strength at the given [Link], we say “equipotential sur-
faces corresponding to uniform electric field (vector) are equally spaced”.

Illustration
Some equipotential surfaces are shown in figure. What can you say about the magnitude and the
direction of the electric field ?

Sol. Here we can say that the electric will be perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
 V
Also |E| =
d
where V = potential difference between two equipotential surfaces.
d = perpendicular distance between two equipotential surfaces.
 10
So |E| =
(10 sin 30º )  10 2 = 200 V/m
Now there are two perpendicular directions either direction 1 or direction 2 as shown in figure,
but since we know that in the direction of electric field electric potential decreases so the correct
direction is direction 2.
Hence , E = 200 V/m, making an angle 120° with the x-axis.
Illustration
Figure shows some equipotential surface produce by some charges. At which point the value of
electric field is greatest?
(50 V)
(40 V)
(30 V)
(20 V)

C
A

Sol. E is larger where equipotential surfaces are closer. Electric line of forces are perpendicular to
equipotential surfaces. In the figure we can see that for point B they are closer so E at point B is
maximum
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DRILL - 8

1. An electric field of 20 N/C exists along the X-axis in space. Calculate the potential difference
(VB  VA ) where the co-ordinates of A and B are given by (i) A (0, 0) ; B (4 m, 2 m) (ii) A (4 m, 2 m)
; B (6 m, 5 m).

2 An electric field E  (20iˆ  30 ˆj) N/C exists in the space. If the potential at the origin is taken to be
zero, find the potential at (2 m, 2 m).

3. If the potential in the region of space around the point (  1m, 2m, 3m) is given by

V  (10 x 2  5 y 2  3 z 2 ) , calculate the three components of electric field at this point.

4. Some equipotential surfaces are shown in the figure. Find the magnitude and direction of the
electric field .

20V 30V 40V

0   
10 20 30 (cm)
 = 30º


5. An electric field is expressed as E  2 i  3 j . Find the potential defference VA  VB  between
 
two points A and B whose position vectors are given by rA  i  2 j and rB  2i  j  3k
6. The electrical potential function for an electrical field directed parallel to the x-axis is shown
in the given graph

Draw the graph of electric field strength

7. Two spherical conducors A and B of radii 1 mm and 2 mm are separated by a distance of 5 cm
and are uniformly charged. If the sphere are connected by a conducting wire then in equilibrium
condition, the ratio of the magnitude of the electric fields at the surfaces of spheres A and B is

8. Assume that an electric field E  30 x 2 iˆ exists in space. Then the potential difference VA – VO,
where VO is potential at the origin and VA the potential at x = 2 m is
9. Two charges q and -2q are placed at a distance 6 m apart on a horizontal plane. Find the locus of
point on this plane where the potential has a value zero. Taking postion charge q as origin.
 A
10. The electric field in a region is given by E  3 iˆ . Write an expression for the potential in the
x
region assuming the potential at infinity is zero.
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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

PART D : ELECTRIC DIPOLE

D.1 DEFINITION
If two point charges equal in magnitude q and opposite in sign separated by a distance a such
that the distance of field point r>>a, the system is called a dipole. The electric dipole moment
is defined as a vector quantity having magnitude p = (q × a) and direction from negative
charge to positive charge.
Note:In chemistry, the direction of dipole moment is assumed to be from positive to negative charge
S.I. Unit is coulomb × metre = C . m & the C.G.S unit of electric dipole moment is debye .

Illustration
A system has two charges q A = 2.5 × 10–7 C and q B = – 2.5 × 10–7 C located at points A :
(0, 0, – 0.15 m) and B ; (0, 0, + 0.15 m) respectively. What is the net charge and electric dipole
moment of the system ?
Sol. Net charge = 2.5 × 10 –7 – 2.5 × 10–7 = 0
Electric dipole moment,
P = (Magnitude of charge) × (Separation between charges)
= 2.5 × 10–7 [0.15 + 0.15] C m = 7.5 × 10 –8 C m
The direction of dipole moment is from B to A.

D.2 ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY DUE TO DIPOLE

(i) At the axial point :-

 Kq Kq Kq (2ra)
E  along the pˆ = p̂
2 2 2
 a  a  2 a2 
r   r   r  
 2  2  4 


 Kq 2ra 2Kp̂  2Kp̂ 

If r >> a , then E = p̂ =  E axial = 3 [along the dipole moment P ]
r4
3
r r
(ii) At Equitorial Position (perpendicular Bisector )
Enet = 2 E cos  (along – P̂ )

 
  a
   Kqa
=2  Kq 2 ˆ
Enet  ˆ =2
( p) 3/2
( p)
 2 
2  2  2  a 2 
  r 2   a    r 2   a   r    
      2  2 
2  
 

If r >> a then

 KP
Enet = ˆ
( p) 
[E 
at equitorial position is opposite of P ]
r3
(iii) Electric field at general point (r, ) :To find field at a general point we can use the vector nature
of dipole moment and resolve the dipole moment vector into two parts (or two dipoles) such that
one part is along line joining and other perpendicular to it .Then we can use the relations derived
above.

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 Kp tan 
Enet  3 1  3cos 2  ; tan  =
r 2
Note:  is measured w.r.t the position vector in increasing direction of  .

Illustration
The electric field due to a short dipole at a distance r, on the axial line, from its mid point is the
same as that of electric field at a distance r', on the equatorial line, from its mid-point. Determine
r
the ratio .
r´

1 2p 1 p 2 1 r3 r
Sol. 4 0 r 3 = 40 r'3 or 3 = or =2 or = 21/3
r r´3 r´3 r´
Illustration
Two charges, each of 5 C but opposite in sign, are placed 4 cm apart. Calculate the electric
field intensity of a point that is at a distance 4 cm from the mid point on the axial line of the
dipole.
Sol. We can not use formula of short dipole here because distance of the point is comparable to the
distance between the two point charges.
q = 5 × 10–6 C, a = 4 ×10–2 m, r = 4 × 10–2 m

K(5C) K(5C) 144

Eres = E+ + E– = 2 – 6 cm 2 = NC –1 = 108 N C –1
 2cm    144  10 8
Illustration
Two charges ± 10 C are placed 5 × 10–3 m apart. Determine the electric field at a point Q
which is 0.15 m away from O, on the equatorial line.
Sol. In the given problem, r >> a

1 p 1 q(a)
 E = 4 3 = 40 r 3
0 r

10  106  5  10 3
or E = 9 × 109 NC–1
0.15  0.15  0.15
= 1.33 ×105 NC–1

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D.3 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO A SMALL DIPOLE

(i) Potential at axial position

Kq K( q)  Kqa
V=  V=
 a  a  2  a 2 
r   r    r    
 2  2  2 

Kqa Kp
If r >> a , then V = , where qa = p  Vaxial =
r2 r2
(ii) Potential at equitorial position

Kq K( q)
V=  = 0  Veqt = 0
2 2
2 a 2 a
r   r  
2 2

(iii) Potential at general point (r,) :

  
K  P. r 
V  3 
r

D.4 DIPOLE IN EXTERNAL ELECTRIC FIELD

4.1 Dipole in uniform electric field
(a) Force on the dipole :

Suppose an electric dipole is placed in a uniform external field E where the dipole moment makes
an angle  with the field. The forces on the two charges are equal and opposite as shown, each
having a magnitude F = qE .Thus, we see that the net force on the dipole is zero.
Note:Net force on dipole in uniform field is always zero irrespective of its orientation(translational
equilibrium).So,its center of mass does not accelerate (usually fixed).
(b) Torque on the dipole :
However, the two forces produce a net torque on the dipole, and the dipole tends to rotate such
that its axis gets aligned with the field.
The torque due to the force on the positive charge about an axis through O is given by Fa sin 
where, a sin  is the moment arm of F about O. This force tends to produce a clockwise rotation.
Likewise, the torque on the negative charge about O is also Fa sin  , and so that magnitude of net
torque  about O is given by net  2Fasin

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Since F = qE and p = 2aq    2aqE sin     pEsin 

 
It is convenient to express the torque in vector from as the cross product of the vectors p and E ,
so vectorially,

ˆi ˆj kˆ
  
  p  E  px py pz
Ex Ey Ez

(c) Potential Energy of a dipole

(i) corresponding to internal interaction (Binding Energy of a Dipole)
The energy required to be supplied to the dipole so that the charges forming it become separated
from each other’s electrostatic influence.
1 q2
U
40 2a
(ii) corresponding to external electric Field
Work must be done by an external agent to rotate the dipole through a given angle in the field. This
work done is then stored as potential energy in the system, that is, the dipole and the external field.
The work dW required to rotate the dipole through an angle d is given by
dW  d  Since,   pE sin 
This work is transformed into potential energy U. We find this for a rotation from  0 to  , So,
  
U   d   pE sin  d  pE  sin  d  U  pE(  cos)|0  pE(cos  0  cos  )
0 0 0

The term involving cos 0 is a constant that depends on the initial orientation of the dipole. It is
convenient to choose  0  90  , so that cos 0  cos 90   0 . In this case, we can express U as
U  pE cos 
  
This is equivalent to the dot product of the vector p and E . So , U  p.E  (p x Ex  py E y  pz Ez )
Note: Dipole in unifrom electric field :

(i) In this case Fnet = 0, net = 0 .So , it is an equilibrium state.

(ii) at  = 0, there is minimum of P.E. so it is a stable equilibrium position.
at = 180° , there is maxima of P.E. so it is a position of unstable equilibrium.

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Illustration
A dipole is formed by two point charge –q and +q, each of mass m, and both the point charges are

connected by a rod of length  and mass m1. This dipole is placed in uniform electric field E . If the
dipole is disturbed by a small angle  from stable equilibrium position, prove that its motion will be
almost SHM. Also find its time period.
Sol. If the dipole is disturbed by  angle,
net = –PE sin
(here – ve sign indicates that direction
of torque is opposite of )
If  is very small, sin = 
net = –(PE)
net  (–) so motion will be SHM.


T = 2
K
4.2 Dipole in non-uniform electric field
The electric field vector doesn’t vary appreciable in vicinity of a [Link],the expression of
torque and potential energy derived in previous section holds true in [Link], the net force is
obviously non zero.
 U ˆ U ˆ U ˆ
In general , it can be calculated by F   i j k.
x y z

 Electric Force Between Two Dipoles

Electrostatic force between two dipoles of dipole moments p1 and p2 lying at a
separation r is

 1 6p1 p2 when dipolesare placed

 , coaxially to each other
 40 r4
F
 1 3p1 p2
, when dipoles are placed
 40 r4 perpendicular to each other

Electric Force Between Two Dipoles

In a situation when the potential energy is known but electric field isn’t known or very
 U ˆ U ˆ U ˆ
complicated , the force should be calculated using F   i j k , as illustrated.
x y z
Illustration
Find the nature and magnitude of force of interaction between two short dipoles are situated
(a) parallel to each other & (b) along the same axis , separated by a distance x (as shown).

Sol: (a) As the like charges are much closer than unlike charges the dioples will repel each other .

The potential energy of p2 placed in the electric field of p1 is U  p 2 .E21
Kp1
E21 is for equatorial position of p1, hence E21 =
x3

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 Kp1  o Kp1 p2 dU 3Kp1 p2

 U  p2  3  cos180  U   F 
 x  x3 dx x4

 
(b) The potential energy of p2 placed in the axial field of a p1 is

    2Kp1  2Kp1 p2 2Kp1 p2
U  p2 .E 21  p2  3  = 3
.cos0 
 x  x x3
dU 6Kp1p 2
 F  & the -ve sign indicates the force is attractive
dx x4

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DRILL - 9

1. A system has two charges qA = 2.5 × 10–7 C and qB = –2.5 × 10–7 C located at points A: (0, 0, –15
cm) and B: (0,0, +15 cm), respectively. What is the total charge and electric dipole moment of the
system?
2. An electric dipole with dipole moment 4 × 10–9 C m is aligned at 30° with the direction of a
uniform electric field of magnitude 5 × 104 NC–1. Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on
the dipole.
3. In a certain region of space, electric field is along the z-direction throughout. The magnitude of
electric field is, however, not constant but increases uniformly along the positive z-direction, at
the rate of 105 NC–1 per metre. What are the force and torque experienced by a system having a
total dipole moment equal to 10–7 Cm in the negative z-direction ?
4. The force on a charge situated on the axis of a dipole is F. If the charge is shifted to double
the distance, Find the force acting now on the dipole.
5. An electric dipole is made up of two equal and opposite charges of 2 x 10–6 coulomb at a distance
of 3 cm. This is kept in an electric field of 2 x 105 N/C. Calculate the maximum torque acting
on the dipole.
6. An electric dipole is placed at an angle of 60o with an electric field of magnitude 4  10 5 NC1 .
It experience a torque of 8 3Nm . If the length of the dipole is 4 cm, determine the magnitude
of either charge of the dipole.
7. Two charges 10C are placed 5.00 mm apart . Determine the electric field at (a) a point P
on the axis of the dipole 15 cm away from it centre O on the side of the positive charge, (b)
a point,15 cm away from O on aline passing through O and normal to the axis of the dipole.
8. An electric dipole consists of two opposite charges of magnitude 2  10 6 C each and seperated
by a distance of 3 cm. It is placed in an electric field of 2  10 5 NC1 . Determine the maximum
torque on the dipole. Through what angle should it be rotated so that the torque be half of
its maximum value ?
9. If Ea be the electric field intensity due to a short dipole at a point on the axis and Er be that on
the perpendicular bisector at the same distance from the dipole, Find the relation between Ea
and Er .
10. Four dipoles each of magnitude of charges  e are placed inside a sphere. Find the total flux of E
coming out of the sphere.
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PART E : CONDUCTOR

E.1 PROPERTIES OF CONDUCTORS

In an insulator, such as glass or rubber, each electron is on a short leash, attached to a
particular atom. In a metallic conductor, by contrast, one or more electrons per atom are free to
roam. (ln liquid conductors such as salt water, it is ions that do the moving.) A perfect
conductor would contains an unlimited supply of free charges. In real life there are no perfect
conductors, but metals come pretty close, for most purposes.


(i) E  0 inside a conductor: Because if there were any field, those free charges would move, and
it wouldn’t be electrostatics any more. Hmm... that’s hardly a statisfactory explanation; may be
all it proves is that you can’t have electrostaics when conductors are present. We had better

examine what happens when you put a conductor into an external electric field E0 (figure).
lnitially, the field will drive any free positive charges to the right, and negative ones to the left
(in practice, it’s the negative charges-electrons-that do the moving, but when they depart, the
right side is left with a net positive charge - the statinoary nuclei so it doesn’t really matter
which charges move; the effect is the same) .When they come to the edge of the material, the
charges pile up; plus on the right side, minus on the left. Now, these induced charges produce a
 
field of their own E1 , which as you can see from the figure, it in the opposite direction to E0 .
That’s the crucial point, for it means that the field of the induced charges tends to cancel the
original field. Charge will continue to flow until this concellation is complete, and the resultant
field inside the conductor is precisely zero.” The whole process is practically instantaneous.

(ii)   0 inside a conductor: This follows from Gauss’s law . If E is zero, so also is  . There is still
charge around, but exactly as much plus as minus, so that net charge density in the interior is
zero.
(iii) Any net charge resides on the surface: That ‘s the only place left.

(iv) E is perpendicular to the surface, just outside a conductor: Otherwise as in (i), charge will
immediately flow around the surface until the tangential component at every point of surface of
conductor becomes zero (fig). (Perpendicular to the surface , charge cannot flow, of course,
since it is confined to the conducting object)
(v) A conductor is an equipotential: If a and b are any two points within (or at the surface of) a
b  
given conductor, V(b) – V(a) =  E . dl  0 because (a) inside bulk of conductor E =0 ,so
a

b   
a E . dl  0 (b) at surface dl is along surface but E is perpendicular to surface , so again

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b 
a E . dl  0 .Hence, V(a) = V(b) any two points within or at the surface a conductor under
electrostatic situation.

It may seem astonishing that the charge on a conductor flows to the surface. Because of their
mutual repulsion, the charges naturally spread out as much as possible, but for all of them to go
the surface seems like a waste of the interior space. From the point of view of making each charge
as far as possible from its neighbors, to sprinkle some of them throughout the volume..... Well, it
simply is not so. All the charges appear on the surface and this is true regardless of the size or
shape of the conductor.
The problem can also be phrased in terms of energy. Like any other free dynamical system,
the charge on a conductor will seek the configuration that minimize system, the charge on a
conductor will seek the configuration that minimze its potential energy. What property (iii) asserts
is that the electrostatic energy of a solid object (with specified shape and total charge) is a minimum
when that charge is spread over the surface. For instance, the energy of a sphere is

 1 /80   q 2 / R  if the charge is uniformly distributed over the [Link] it is greater,

 3 / 20 0   q 2 /R  , if the same charge is uniformly distributed throughout the volume .

E.2 ELECTRIC FIELD JUST OUTSIDE A CONDUCTOR

Suppose we have a conductor, and at any 'A', local surface charge

density =  . We have to find electric field just outside the conductor
surface.

For this lets consider a small cylindrical gaussian surface, which is

partly inside and partly outside the conductor surface, as shown in
figure. It has a small cross section area ds and negligeable height.
Applying gauss's theorem for this surface
  dA 
So, [Link]  EdA  E
0 0
 
In vector form : E   n̂
0

(here n̂ = unit vector normal to the conductor surface)

Note:  = “local” surface charge density.
E.3 ELECTROSTATIC PRESSURE AT THE SURFACE OF THE CONDUCTOR
2
Electrostatic pressure at the surface of the conductor P =
2 o
Note:  = “local” surface charge density.

Illustration
Prove that if an isolated (isolated means no charges are near the sheet) large conducting sheet is
given a charge then the charge distributes equally on its two surfaces.

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Sol.
Let there is x charge on left side of sheet and
Q–x charge on right side of sheet.
Since point P lies inside the conductor so
EP = O
x Qx 2x Q Q Q
– =0  =  x= 2  Q–x= 2
2A O 2A  O 2A O 2A O
So charge in equally distributed on both sides
Illustration
If an isolated infinite sheet contains charge Q1 on its one surface and charge Q2 on its other surface
Q
then prove that electric field intensity at a point in front of sheet will be 2A , where Q = Q1 +
O
Q2
Sol.. Electric field at point P :
  
E = EQ1  EQ 2

Q1 Q2 Q1  Q 2 Q
= 2A n̂ + 2A n̂ = 2A n̂ = 2A n̂
0 0 0 0

[This shows that the resultant field due to a sheet depends only on the total charge of the sheet and
not on the distribution of charge on individual surfaces].
Illustration
Two large parallel conducting sheets (placed at finite distance ) are given charges Q and 2Q re-
spectively. Find out charges appearing on all the surfaces.

Sol. Let there is x amount of charge on left side of first plate, so on

its right side charge will be Q–x, similarly for second plate there
is y charge on left side and 2Q – y charge is on right side of
second plate
Ep = 0 ( By property of conductor)

x Q  x y 2Q  y 
 2A –  2A  2A  2A  = 0
o  o o o 

we can also say that charge on left side of P = charge on right side of P
x = Q – x + y + 2Q – y

3Q Q
x= ,Q–x=
2 2
Similarly for point Q:
x + Q – x + y = 2Q – y
 y = Q/2 , 2Q – y = 3Q/2
Final charge distribution of plates is shown.

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Illustration
An isolated conducting sheet of area A and carrying a charge Q is
placed in a uniform electric field E, such that electric field is per
pendicular to sheet and covers all the sheet. Find out charges ap-
pearing on its two surfaces.

Sol. Let there is x charge on left side of plate and Q – x charge on right side of plate
EP = 0
x Qx
2A0 + E = 2A0
x Q
 A0 = 2A0 – E

Q Q
 x = – EA0 and Q – x =  EA0
2 2
Q Q
So charge on one side is – EA  o and other side + EA  o
2 2
Note : Solve this question for Q = 0 without using the above answer and match that answers with the
answers that you will get by putting Q = 0 in the above answer.

E.4. SOME OTHER IMPORTANT RESULTS FOR A CLOSED CONDUCTOR.

(i) f a charge q is kept in the cavity then –q will be induced on

the inner surface and +q will be induced on the outer surface
of the conductor (it can be proved using gauss theorem)

(ii) If a charge q is kept inside the cavity of a conductor and con-

ductor is given a charge Q then –q charge will be induced on
inner surface and total charge on the outer surface will be q +
Q. (it can be proved using gauss theorem)

(iii) Resultant field, due to q (which is inside the cavity) and

induced charge on S1, at any point outside S1 (like B,C) is zero.
Resultant field due to q + Q on S2 and any other charge outside S2,
at any point inside of surface S2 (like A, B) is zero

(iv) Resultant field in a charge free cavity in a closed conductor is zero.

There can be charges outside the conductor and on the surface also.
Then also this result is true. No charge will be induced on the
inner most surface of the conductor.

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(v) Charge distribution for different types of cavities in conductors

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

(e) (f)

S2

C
· ·q
S1
(g) (h)

charges is not at the geometrical centre

Note : In all cases charge on inner surface S1 = –q and on outer surface S2 = q. The distribution of charge
on ‘S1’ will not change even if some charges are kept outside the conductor (i.e. outside the surface
S2). But the charge distribution on ‘S2’ may change if some charges(s) is/are kept outside the con-
ductor.

Case A B C D E F G H

S1 Uniform Nonuniform Nonuniform Nonuniform Uniform Nonuniform Nonuniform Nonuniform

S2 Uniform Uniform Uniform Uniform Nonuniform Nonuniform Nonuniform NonUniform

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E.6 SHARING OF CHARGES

Two conducting hollow spherical shells of radii R 1 and R2 having charges Q1 and Q2 respectively
and seperated by large distance, are joined by a conducting wire Let final charges on spheres
are q1 and q2 respectively.

Potential on both spherical shell become equal after joining, therefore

Kq1 Kq 2 q1 R1
R1 = R2  q2 = R2 ......(i)

and, q1 + q2 = Q1 + Q2 ......(ii)
(Q 1  Q 2 )R 1 (Q 1  Q 2 )R 2
From (i) and (ii) q1 = R1  R 2 q2 = R1  R 2
q1 R1 1 4R 12 R1
Ratio of charges =  = R
q2 R2 2 4R 22 2
1 R2
Ratio of surface charge densities 2 = R1

************************
DRILL - 10

1. A hollow charged conductor has a tiny hole cut into its surface. Show that the electric field in the
hole is   / 20  nˆ , where n̂ is the unit vector in the outward normal direction, and  is the
surface charge density near the hole.
2. Two charges 2 µC and –2 µC are placed at points A and B 6 cm apart.
(a) Identify an equipotential surface of the system.
(b) What is the direction of the electric field at every point on this surface?
3. Two charged conducting spheres of radii a and b are connected to each other by a wire. What is
the ratio of electric fields at the surfaces of the two spheres? Use the result obtained to explain
why charge density on the sharp and pointed ends of a conductor is higher than on its flatter
portions ?
4. Three concentric conducting spherical shells carry charges +4Q on the linear shell -2Q on the
middle shell and +6Q on the outer shell. Find the charge on the inner surface of the outer shell.
5. Charges Q, 2Q and -Q are given to three concetric conducting spherical shells A, B and C
respectively as shown in figure. Find the ratio of charges on the inner and outer surface of shell C.

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6. A and B are two concentric spherical shells. If A is given a charge + q while B is earthed as shown
in figure, then find
(i) Find the charge on the outer surface of shell B
(ii) Find the ratio of magnitude of charge on B to that of A

7. Three concentric metallic shells A, B and C of radii, a, b and c(a < b < c) have surface charge
densities, ,  and  respectively.

(a) Find the potential of three shells A, B and C

(b) It is found that no work is required to bring a charge q from shell A to shell C, then obtain the
relation between the radii a, b and c
8. A charge Q is placed at the centre of an uncharged, hollow metallic sphere of radius a,
(a) Find the surface charge density on the inner surface and on the outer surface
(b) if a charge q is out on the sphere, what would be the surface charge densities on the inner and
the outer surfaces ?
(c) Find the electric field inside the sphere at a distance x from the centre in the situations (a) and
(b)
9. Figure shows three concentric thin spherical shells A, B and C of radii a,b and c respectively. The
shells A and C are given charges q and "-q" respectively and the shell B is earthed. Find the
charges appearing on the surface of B and C.

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10. A solid sphere of radius R has a charge +2Q. A hollow spherical shell of radius 3R placed concentric
with the first sphere that has net charge -Q.

(a) Find the electric field between the sphere at a distance r from the centre of the inner sphere [R
< r < 3R]
(b) Calculate the potential difference between the spheres
(c) What would be the final distribution of charges, if a conducting wire joins the spheres ?
(d) Instead of (c), if the inner sphere is earthed, what is the charge on it ?

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***************************MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS **************************

1. Tw o charges of Q each are placed at tw o opposite corners of a square. A charge q is placed at
each of the other tw o corners.
(a) f the resultant force on Q is zero, how are Q and q related ?
(b) Could q be chosen to make the resultant force on each charge zero ?
Sol. (a) Let at a square ABCD charges are placed as shown
Now forces on charge Q (at point A) due to other
 
charge are FQQ , FQq and FQq respectively shown in figure.
   
Fnet on Q = FQ.Q  FQq  FQq (at point A)

KQ 2 1 KQq Q
But Fnet = 0  Fx = 0  Fx = – FQQ cos45° – FQq  2
.  2 = 0 q = – Ans.
( 2a) 2 a 2 2
(b) For resultant force on each charge to be zero :

Q
From previous data, force on charge Q is zero when q = – if for this value of charge q, force
2 2
on q is zero then and only then the value of q exists for which the resultant force on each charge
is zero.
Force on q :-
  
Forces on charge q (at point D) due to other three charges are FqQ , Fqq and FqQ respectively
shown in figure.
For net force on charge q to be zero :-
   
Fnet  Fqq  FqQ  FqQ = 0  Fx = 0

Kq 2 1 KQq
 Fx = – . – q =– 2 2Q
( 2a)2 2 (a)2

Q
But from previous condition, q = – .
2 2
So, no value of q makes the resultant force on each charge zero.

2. Figure shows a uniformly charged thin non-conducting sphere of total charge Q and radius
R. If point charge q is situated at point ‘A’ which is at a distance r < R from the centre of the
sphere then find out following
(i) Force acting on charge q.
(ii) Electric field at centre of sphere.
(iii) Electric field at point B.
Sol.: (i) Electric field inside a hollow sphere = 0  Force on charge q, F = qE = q × 0 = 0
 
(ii) Net electric field at centre of sphere : Enet = E1 + E 2

Kq Kq
E1 = field due to sphere = 0 & E2 = field due to this charge = 2  Enet =
r r2

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 KQ  Kq
(iii) Electric field at B due to charge on sphere , E1 = 2 r̂1 & due to charge q at A , E 2 = 2 r̂2
r1 r2

   KQ Kq
So, Enet = E1 + E 2 = 2
r̂1 + r̂2 , where r1 = CB and r2 = AB
r1 r2 2

3. Figure shows two concentric sphere of radius R1 and R2 (R2 > R1 ) which contains uniformly
distributed charges Q and –Q respectively. Find out electric field intensities at the following posi-
tions :
(i) r < R1
(ii) R1  r < R2
(iii) r  R2

Sol.: Net electric field = E1 + E2

E1 = field due to sphere of radius R1
E2 = field due of sphere of radius R2
(i) E1 = 0, E2 = 0  Enet = 0

KQ  Kq
(ii) E1 = 2 , E2 = 0  E  2 rˆ
r r

 Kq 
Kq   
(iii) E1 = r̂ E
2 = 2 (– r̂ )  E net = E 1 + E 2 = 0
2
r r
4. Three identical spheres each having a charge q (uniformly distributed) and radius R, are kept in
such a way that each touches the other two. Find the magnitude of the electric force on any
sphere due to other two.
Sol.: Given three identical spheres each having a charge q and radius R are kept as shown :-
For any external point ; sphere behaves like a point [Link] it becomes a triangle having point
charges on its corner.

 kq 2 kq 2 60 kq 2 3 3 kq
2
| Fqq | =  So net force (F) = 2. . cos = 2. = .
2
4R 4R 2 2 4R 2 2 4 R2
5. A point charge of charge –q and mass m is released (at A) with negligible speed from a distance
3 R on the axis of fixed uniformly charged ring of charge Q and radius R. Find out its velocity
when it reaches at the centre of the ring (B) .

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Sol. : As potential due to uniform charged ring at its axis (at x distance) , V = kQ
R 2  x2
kQ kQ
So, potential at point A due to ring , V 1 = 2 2 =
R  3R 2R
kQq
So, potential energy of charge system when charge –q is at point A :P.E. 1 =
2R
kQq
& potential energy of charge system when charge –q is at center :P.E. 2 =
R
Now by energy conservation: P.E. 1 + K.E. 1 = P.E2 + K.E2

kQq kQq 1 kQq kQq

+0= + mv2  v2 = v = Ans.
2R R 2 mR mR
6. (i) Find potential at point A and B due to the small charge system fixed near origin.(distance
between the charges is negligible).
(ii) Find work done to bring a test charge q0 from point A to point B, slowly. All parameters
are in S.I. units.

+q

+q
-2q


Sol. (i) Dipole moment of the system is p = (qa) î + (qa) ĵ
Potential at point A due to the dipole
 
(P· r) K [(qa) î  (qa ) ĵ] ·( 4 î  3 ĵ ) k(qa)
VA = K 3 = 3 = 7 
r 5 125


K (qa) iˆ  (qa) ˆj · 3 iˆ – 4 ˆj  K(qa)
 VB = 3 =
(5) 125

 K(qa)  K(qa)(7)   K q q0a

(ii) WA B = UB – UA = q0 (VB – VA) =  – –   WA   B = (8)
 125  125   125
7. Two point masses of mass m and equal and opposite charge of magnitude q are attached on the
corners of a non-conducting uniform rod of mass m, length  and the system is released from
rest in uniform electric field E as shown in figure from q = 53°.

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(i) Find its angular acceleration of the rod just after releasing
(ii) What will be its angular velocity of the rod when it passes through stable equilibrium.
(iii) Find work required to rotate the system it by 180°.
Sol.

4
(q )E  
(i)  net = PE sin53° = I    = 5 48qE

m 2

2

2
35 m
 m   m 
12 2 2

(ii) From energy conservation : Ki + Ui = Kf + Uf

1 2 1 7m 2 2 3 48qE
0 + (– PE cos 53°) =  + (–PE cos 0°)   = PE (1– )   =
2 2 12 5 35 m
(iii) Wext = Uf – Ui  Wext = (–PE cos(180° + 53°)) – (–PEcos 53°) 

4 4 8

Wext = (q)E   + (q)E    Wext =   qE
5 5  5
8. The figure shows four orientation of an electric dipole in an external electric field. The correct
ranking of the magnitude of the torque and the potential energy of the dipole is

(a) 1  3  2   4 and U 1  U 2  U 3  U 4 (b) 1  2  3   4 and U 1  U 2  U 3  U 4

(c) 1  2  3   4 and U 2  U 4  U 1  U 3 (d) 1  2  3   4 and U 1  U 3  U 2  U 4
Sol.: 1  3  pE sin(180  )  pEsin  2  4  pE sin   pE sin 
 1  2  3   4 and U  p.E , hence,
U 1  pE cos(180  )  pE cos  U 2  pE cos   pE cos 
U 3  pE cos  180     pE cos 
U 4  pE cos   pE cos   U 1  U 3  U 2  U 4
 (d) is correct

9. An isolated conducting sphere of charge Q and radius R is grounded by using a high

resistance wire. What is the amount of heat loss ?
Sol. Since the conductor is spherical and isolated ,the surface charge density over it is [Link], its

kQ 2
self energy will be . When sphere is grounded it's potential become zero which means all
2R
charge goes to earth (due to sphere is conducting and isolated ).So, all energy in sphere is

kQ 2
converted into heat loss =
2R

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10. Two uncharged and parallel conducting sheets each of area A are placed in a uniform electric
field E at a finite distance from each other. Such that electric field is perpendicular to sheets and
covers all the sheets. Find out charges appearing on its two surfaces.
Sol. Plates are conducting so net electric field inside these plates should be zero. So, electric field due
to induced charges (on the surface of the plate) balance the outside electric field.


Here Ei = induced electrid field
   
for both plates Ei + E = 0  Ei = – E
Let charge induced on surfaces are +Q and – Q

 Q
then , | Ei | = A  Q = AE0 Ans.
0

11. Three large conducting parallel sheets are placed at a finite distance from each other as
shown in figure. Find out electric field intensity at point A, B, C & D.
Q –2Q 3Q
y
A B C D

Sol. For point A :

Q –2Q 3Q
    Q 3Q 2Q Q
E–2Q = + + = – – + =  î
E net E Q E 3Q E –2Q 2A0 î 2A0 î 2A0 î A0
EQ E3Q A

For point B :

Q –2Q 3Q
    3Q 2Q Q
E–2Q E net = E 3Q + E –2Q + E Q = – 2A î + 2A î + 2A î = 0
0 0 0
E3Q B EQ

For point C :

Q –2Q 3Q

E3Q EQ     Q 3Q 2Q 2Q
E net = E Q + E 3Q + E –2Q = + 2A î – 2A î – 2A î = – A î
E–2Q C 0 0 0 0

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For point D :

Q –2Q 3Q

EQ E3Q
E–2Q D
    Q 3Q 2Q Q
E net = E Q + E 3Q + E –2Q = + 2A î + 2A î – 2A î = A î
0 0 0 0

12. Three point charges q, 2q and 8q are to be placed on a 9 cm long straight line. Find the positions
where the charges should be placed such that the potential energy of this system is minimum. In
this situation, what is the electric field at the charge q due to the other two charges ?

Sol. The maximum contribution may come from the charge 8q forming pairs with others. To reduce
its effect, it should be placed at a corner and the smallest charge q in the middle. This arrange-
ment shown in figure ensures that the charges in the strongest pair 2q, 8q are at the largest
separation.
q2  2 16 8 
The potential energy is U   
40  x 9cm 9cm  x 


2 8
This will be minimum if A   is minimum.
x 9cm  x
dA 2 8
For this, dx   2  0  9 cm – x = 2x  x = 3 cm
x 9cm  x 2
q  2 8 
The electric field at the position of charge q is 4πε    = 0.
 x 2 9cm  x 2 
0  
13. Four point charges +8  C, -1  C, -1  C and +8  C are fixed at the points - 27 / 2 m, - 3/ 2
-4
m, + 3 / 2 m and + 27 / 2 m respectively on the y-axis. A particle of mass 6 x 10 kg and charge
+ 0.1  C moves along the –x direction. Its speed at x =  is v0 .Find the least value of v0 for
which the particle will cross the origin. Find also the kinetic energy of the particle at the origin.
Assume that space is gravity free. 1/(4   0) = 9 x 109 Nm2 / C2.
Sol. in the figure
q = 1  C = 10-6 C,
q0 = + 0.1  C = 10-7 C
and m = 6 x 10-4 kg
Q = 8  C = 8 x 10-6 C.
Let P be any point at a distance x from origin. Then
AP = CP = 3/ 2  x2

BP = DP = 27 / 2  x 2
Electric potential at point P will be:
2KQ 2Kq 1
V  , where K  9x10 9 Nm 2 / C 2
BP AP 4πε 0

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 
 8  10 6 106 
V  2  9.0  109    
 27 2 3 2 
… (1)
 2 x 2
x 
 
 Electric field at P is :
3/2
dV 4
  1  27 2  1  3  
E  1.8  10  8     x   2x  1     x 2   2x 
dx   2  2   2  2  
E = 0 on x-axis where

8

1 43 / 2 
1
3/ 2 3/ 2
 27  3 2   27 
3/ 2
3 2
3/ 2
  x2   x    x2   x 
 2  2   2  2 

 27  3  5
   x 2   4  x 2   x  m
 2  2  2
The least value of kinetic energy of the particles at infinity should be enough to take the particles
5
upto x   m because
2

At x   5 / 2 m; E = 0 Fe = 0

For x > 5 / 2 m Fe is repulsive (towards positive x-axis)

and For x < 5 / 2 m ; Fe is attractive (towards negative x-axis)

Now, from equation (1), potential at
x= 5/ 2m ,

 
 
 8 1 
4

V = 1.8 x 10  27 5 3 5  V = 2.7 x 104 volt.
   
 2 2 2 2
Applying energy conservation at x =  and x = 5 / 2 m,

1 2
mv0  q 0 V …. (2)
2

2q 0 V 2  107  2.7  104

v0    v0 = 3 m/s
m 6  104
 Minimum value of v0 is 3 m/s.

From equation (1) potential at origin (x = 0) is

 8 1 
V0 = 1.8 x 104     V0 = 2.4 x 104 V.
 27 / 2 3/ 2 

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Let K be the kinetic energy of the particle at origin.

Applying energy conservation at x = 0 and at x =  .
1
K + q0 V0 = m 0 v02
2
1
But from equation (2), m 0 v02 = q0V.
2
 K = q0 (V – V0) K = 10-7 (2.7 x 104-2.4 x 104)  K = 3 x 10-4 J.

14. Figure shows three concentric thin spherical shells A, B and C of radii a, b and c respectively. The
shells A and C are given charges q and – q respectively and the shell B is earthed. Find the
charges appearing on the surfaces of B and C.

q`q

q`
q
q`
b
a q q q
A A

c
B B

C C
(a) (b)

Sol. As shown in the previous worked out example, the inner surface of B must have a charge – q
from the Gauss’s law. Suppose, the outer a surface of B has a charge q  . The inner surface of C
must have a charge – q  from the Gauss’s law. As the net charge on C must be – q, its outer
surface should have a charge q   q . The charge distribution is shown in figure. Potential of shell
q
B due to the charge q on the surface of A 
4 0 b ,
q
due to the charge – q on the inner surface of B  4 b ,
0
q
due to the charge q  on the outer surface of B  4 b ,
0

 q
due to the charge  q  , on the inner surface of C 
4 0 c

q  q
and due to the charge q   q on the outer surface of C  4 c .
0

q q
The net potential is , VB  4 b  4 c .
0 0

b
This should be zero as the shall B is earthed. Thus, q   q.
c
15. A cube of edge a metres carries a point charge q at each corner. Calculate the resultant force on
any one of the charges.
Sol. Let us take one corner of cube as origin O(0, 0, 0) and the opposite corner as P(a, a, a). We will
calculate the electric field at P due to the other seven charges at corners.

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

 q
Expressing the field of a point charge in vector form E  r
4 0 r 3
(i) Field at P due to A, B, C

E1 
q
4 0 a 3
AP  BP  CP 
q
4 0 a 3
aĵ  ak̂  aî 
(ii) Field at P due to D, E, F
Now that DP = EP = FP = a 2
q
E2  DP  EP  FP
 
4 0 a 2
3


q
4 0 (2 2a )
aĵ  ak̂   aî  aĵ  aî  ak̂ 
3

q
4 0 2a 2
î  ĵ  k̂ 
(iii) Field at P due to O
OP  a 3

q q q
E3  OP  E 3  (aî  aĵ  ak̂ )  E 3  î  ĵ  k̂ 
 
4 0 a 3
3
4 0 (3 3a 2 ) 4 0 (3 3a 2 )
Resultant Field at P

q( î  ĵ  k̂ )  1 1 
E  E1  E 2  E 3  E  2 1    outward along OP
4 0 a  2 3 3

2  1 1 
Force on charge at P is F = q E  F  q 3 1    , outwards along OP.
40 a 2  2 3 3
Note: In this problem, we have non-coplanar point charges and hence it is best to use vector approach
in general form.

16. A system consists of a ball of radius R carrying a spherically symmetric charge and the surround-
ing space filled with a charge of volume density   a / r where a is a constant, r is the distance
from the centre of ball. Find the ball’s charge at which the magnitude of the electric field is
independent of r outside the ball . How high is this strength?
Sol.
Consider a spherical surface of radius r ( r  R ) concentric with the ball and apply Gauss’s Law.
Let Q= total charge of the ball .Then , by Gauss law:
r r
2 a 2
0 E(4r 2 )  Q   4x 2 dx   0 E( 4r )  Q  4  x x dx
R R

 Q  2aR 2  1 2a
 2
 0 E( 4r )  Q  2a ( r  R ) 2 2
 E    
 4  r 2 4
 0  0

a
For E to be independent of r, Q  2aR 2  and the value of E is E  2 .
0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

17. A charge Q is uniformly distributed over a spherical volume of radius R. Obtain an expression
for the energy of the system.
Sol. In this case, the electric field exists from centre of the sphere to infinity. Potential energy is stored
1
in electric field with energy density : u  ε 0 E 2 (energy / volume)
2
(i) Energy stored within the sphere (r  R)
2
1 Q   1 Q 
E . 3 .r  u  0  . r
4 πε 0 R 2  4 0 R 3 

Volume of element, dV = ( 4r 2 )dr

2
ε0  1 Q 
 Energy stored in this volume, dU = u(dV) = 4πr dr
2
 2
  . 3 r
 4 πε 0 R 

1 Q2 4 Q2 R
1 Q2
 dU = 8πε . R 6 .r dr  
40 πε 0 R 6
r 
5

0
U 
 1 40πε R.
0 0

(ii) Energy stored outside the sphere (r  R) ε 2

0  1 Q 
Energy stored in spherical volume of radius r and thickness dr , dU = (4  r2 dr)   . 2  
 2  4 πε 0 r  
2 2

2
Q dr  Q  dr Q
 dU  .
8 0 r 2
 0

 U2 = R dV  8πε R r 2  U2 = 8πε R
0

Q2 Q2 3 Q2
Therefore, total energy of the system is :U = U1 + U2 =  = .
40πε 0 R 8πε 0 R 20 πε 0 R
18. Two particles of mass m and 2m carry a charge q each. Initially the heavier particle is at rest on
a smooth horizontal plane and the other is projected along the plane directly towards the first
from a distance d with speed u. Find the closest distance of approach.
Sol. As the mass 2m is not fixed, it will also move away from m due to repulsion. The distance
between the particles is minimum when their relative velocity is zero i.e., when they have equal
velocities.
m 2m m 2m
u V1 V1
at rest

d x

Hence at closest approach,

v1  v 2
By conservation of momentum
mu  mv 1  2mv 2
v 2  v1  u / 3
By conservation of energy
Loss in KE = gain in PE

1 1 1  q2 1 1 1 1 u2 q2 1 1
mu 2   mv 12  2mv 22      ; mu 2  m (1  2)    
2 2 2  4 0 x d 2 2 9 4 0 x d

1 q2  1 1  1 1 4 0 mu 2 3q 2 d
mu 2     ;   ; x
3 4 0  x d  x d 3q 2 3q 2  40 mu 2 d
************************
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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

EXERCISE I
SINGLE CORRECT TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Two identical conducting spheres, having charges of opposite sign, attract each other with a force
of 0.108N when separated by 0.5 m. The spheres are connected by a conducting wire, which is
then removed, and thereafter, they repel each other with a force of 0.036N. The initial charges on
the spheres are

(a) 5  10 6 C and  15  10 6 C (b) 1.0  106 C and  3.0  106 C

(c) 2.0  106 C and  6.0  10 6 C (d) 0.5  10 6 C and  1.5  10 6 C

2. Two identical point charges are placed at a separation of L. P is a point on the line joining the
charges, at a distance x from any one charge. The field E at P is plotted against x for values of x
from close to zero to slightly less than L. Which of the following best represents the resulting
curve?

E E E E

x
L L
(a) (b) (c) O x (d) O x

O x O
L L

3. Six charges are placed at the corner of a regular hexagon as shown. If an electron is placed at its
centre O, force on it will be:

(a) Zero (b) Along OF (c) Along OC (d) None of these

4. The charge per unit length of the four quadrant of the ring is 2 , 2 ,  and  respectively. The
electric field at the centre is
  + +
2  + 2
   +
(a)  î (b) ĵ  +
2 0 R 2 0 R  +
+ 
+
R  X

+ 
2 + + +  
î  
(c) (d) None
4  0 R

5. The direction    of E at point P due to uniformly charged finite rod will be E y

(a) at angle 30º from x-axis d 

x
+ 90
o  P E
+
(b) 45 º from x–axis +
+
(c) 60º from x-axis + 30
o

+
(d) none of these +

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6. Two equal negative charges are fixed at the points  0,a and [0, –a] on the y-axis. A positive
charge is Q released from rest at the points [2a, 0] on the x-axis. The charge Q will
(a) execute simple harmonic motion about the origin
(b) move to the origin and remain at rest
(c) move to infinity
(d) execute oscillatory but not simple harmonic motion
7. If the electric potential of the inner metal sphere is 10 volt & that
of the outer shell is 5 volt, then the potential at the centre will be: a

(a) 10 volt (b) 5 volt b

(c) 15 volt (d) 0

8. Three concentric metallic spherical shell A,B and C of radii a, b and c(a < b < c) have surface
charge densities  ,  and  respectively. The potential of shell A is:

(a)   0   a  b  c  (b)   0   a  b  c  (c)   0   b  a  c  (d) none

9. In a regular polygon of n sides, each corner is at a distance r from the centre. Identical charges are
placed at ( n – 1) corners. At the centre, the intensity is E and the potential is V. The ratio V/E has
magnitude
(a) r n (b) r(n – 1) (c) (n – 1)/r (d) r(n – 1)/n
10. The equation of an equipotential line in an electric field is y = 2x, then the electric field strength
vector at (1, 2) may be

(a) 4 iˆ  3 ˆj (b) 4 iˆ  8 ˆj (c) 8 iˆ  4 ˆj (d) 8 iˆ  4 ˆj

11. Uniform electric field of magnitude 100V/m in space is directed along the line y = 3 + x. Find the
potential difference between point A  3,1  & B  1, 3 

(a) 100V (b) 200 2V (c) 200V (d) 0

12. Figure shows the electric field lines around an electric dipole. Which of the arrows best represents
the electric field at point P?
+P

 +

(a) (b) (c) (d)

13. Two short electric dipole are placed as shown. The energy of electric interaction between these
dipoles will be P 1

2kP1 P2 cos  2kP1 P2 cos 

(a) (b)
r3 r3 r

2kP1 P2 sin  4kP1 P2 cos 

(c) (d) 
r3 r3 P2

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14. 4 charges are placed each a distance ‘a’ from origin. y

The dipole moment of configuration is 3q

(a) 2 qajˆ (b) 3qajˆ x

2q 2q

(c) 2 aq ˆi  ˆj  (d) none q

15. A dipole of 2C charges each consists of the positive charge at the point P (1,-1) and the negative
charge is placed at the point Q(-1,1). The work done in displacing a charge of 1C from point
A(-3, -3) to B (4, 4) is
(a) 1.6 × 10–19 J (b) 3.2 × 10–19 J (c) zero (d) 4.8 eV
16. A and B are two concentric spheres if A is given a charge Q while B is earthed, then
(a) the charge densities of A and B are same (b) the field inside and outside A is zero
(c) the field between A and B is not zero (d) the field inside and outside B is zero.
17. The maximum electric field intensity on the axis of uniformly charged ring of charge q and radius
R will be
1 q 1 2q 1 2q 1 3q
(a) 4  0 3 3R 2 (b) 4 0 3R 2 (c) 4  0 3 3R 2 (d) 4  0 2 2R 2
18. Consider the situation as shown in the adjacent figure. The work done in taking a point charge
from P to A is WA. from P to B is WB and from P to C is WC. Therefore,
+q A
C
(a) WA  WB  WC (b) WA  WB  WC P

(c) WA  WB  WC (d) WA  WB  WC
B
19. A charge Q is fixed at a distance d in front of an infinite metal plate. The lines of force are
represented by

(a) (b) (c) (d)

20. A thin metallic shell contains charge Q on it. A point charge q is Q

placed at the centre of the shell and another charge q1 is placed R

outside it as shown in the adjacent figure. All charges are positive. q1
q
The force on the charge at the centre just after the release is.
(a) towards left (b) towards right
(c) upward (d) zero
21. If charges q/2 and 2q are placed at the centre of face and at the corner of a cube respectively, then
the total flux through the cube will be

q q q q
(a) 20 (b) 0 (c) 60 (d) 80

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22. Three charge Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertical of a right – Q

angled isosceles triangle as shown in the adjacent figure. The net

electrostatic energy of the configuration will be zero if Q is equal to
a

q 2q
(a) (b)
1 2 2 2 +q
+q a
(c) -2q (d) +q
23. Find the charge on an iron particle of mass 2.24 mg, if 0.02% of electrons are removed from it
(a) -0.01996 C (b) 0.01996 C (c) 0.02 C (d) 2.0 C
24. A Gaussian surface in the figure is shown by dotted line. The electric field on the surface will be

q1 q2
q1

(a) due to q1 and q2 only (b) due to q2 only

(c) zero (d) due to all
25. A uniform electric field exists in x – y plane. The potential of points A(2m, 2m), B(–2m, 2m) and
C(2m, 4m) are 4V, 16V and 12V respectively. The electric field is

V V V V
(a) (4iˆ  5 ˆj ) (b) (3iˆ  4 ˆj ) (c) (3iˆ  4 ˆj ) (d) (3iˆ  4 ˆj )
m m m m

26. A point charge q = 50 C is located in the x – y plane at the point of position vector r0  2iˆ  3ˆj

What is the electric field at the point of position vector r  8iˆ  5 ˆj ?

v V V V
(a) 1200 (b) 4  10–2 (c) 900 (d) 4500
m m m m
27. A very long uniformly charged circular cylinder (radius R) has a surface charge density . A very
long uniformly charged line charge (linear charge density ) is placed along the cylinder axis. If
electric field intensity vector outside the cylinder is zero, then :
(a)   R (b)   –R   RR (c) (d)   –2 R 
28. In a certian region of space, the potential is given by V = k[2x2 – y2 + z2]. The electric field at the
point (1, 1, 1) has magnitude

(a) k 6 (b) 2k 6 (c) 2k 3 4k 3 (d)

29. 1 C charge is uniformly distributed on a spherical shell given by equation x2 + y2 + z2 = 25. What
will be intensity of electric field at a point (1, 1, 2)?
y

5 3
(a) 5 N/C (b) 45 N/C (c) N /C (d) Zero
2

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30. Two identical point charges each Q are placed at a distance apart. Find the magnitude of third
charge which can be placed at mid point the line joining the charge, so that system is in equilibrium

Q Q Q
(a)  (b)  (c)  (d) – Q1
4 2 3
31. On moving a charge of 20 coulombs by 2 cm, 2J of work is done, then the potential difference
between the points is
(a) 0.1 V (b) 8 V (c) 2 V (d) 0.5 V
32. A charged particle q is placed at the centre O of cube of length L (ABCDEFGH). Another same
charge q is placed at a distance L from O. Then the electric flux through BCFG is

q q q
(a) 4  L (b) zero (c) 2  L (d) 3  L
0 0 0

33. Three charges –q1, +q2 and –q3 are placed as shown in figure. The x-component of the force on –q1
is proportional to

q2 q3 q2 q3
(a) 2 + 2 sin  (b) 2 + cos 
b a b a2

q2 q3 q2 q3
(c) 2 – 2 sin  (d) 2 – cos 
b a b a2
34. If the electric flux entering and leaving an enclosed surface respectively is 1 and 2, the electric
charge inside the surface will be
(a) (1 +2)/0 (b) (2 –1)/0 (c) (1 + 2)0 (d) (2 – 1)0
35. A thin spherical conducting shell of radius R has a charge q. Another charge Q is placed at the
centre of the shell. The electrostatic potential at a point P a distance R/2 from the centre of the shell
is

2Q 2q 2Q q (q  Q ) 2 2Q
(a) 4  R – 4  R (b) 4  R + 4  R (c) 4 (d) 4  R
0 0 0 0 0 R 0

36. Two spherical conductors B and C having equal radii and carrying equal charges on them repel
each other with a force F when kept apart at some distance. A third spherical conductor having
same radius as that of B but uncharged is brought in contact with B, then brought in contact with
C and finally removed away from both. The new force of repulsion between B and C is
(a) F/4 (b) 3F/4 (c) F/8 (d) 3F/8
37. A charged particle ‘q’ is shot towards another charged particle ‘Q’, which is fixed, with a speed ‘v’.
It approaches ‘Q’ upto a closest distance r and then returns. If q were given a speed of ‘2v’, the
closest distances of approach would be
(a) r (b) 2 r (c) r/2 (d) r/4
38. Four charges each equal to – Q are placed at the four corners of a square and a charge q is at its
centre. If the system is in equilibrium the value of q is

Q Q Q Q
(a) – (1 + 2 2 ) (b) (1 + 2 2 ) (c) – (1 + 2 2 ) (d) (1 + 2 2 )
4 4 2 2

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39. A charged oil drop is suspended in a uniform field of 3 × 104 v/m so that it neither falls nor rises.
The charge on the drop will be (Take the mass of the charge = 9.9 × 10–15 kg and g = 10 m/s2)
(a) 3.3 × 10–18 C (b) 3.2 × 10–18 C (c) 1.6 × 10–18 C (d) 4.8 × 10–18 C
40. A charged ball B hangs from a silk thread S which makes an angle  with a large charged conducting
sheet P, as shown in the figure. The surface charge density  of the sheet is proportional to

(a) cos 
(b) cot 
(c) sin 
(d) tan 
41. Two point charges +8q and –2q are located at x = 0 and x = L respectively. The location of a point
on the x axis at which the net electric field due to these two point charges is zero is
(a) 2 L (b) L/4 (c) 8 L (d) 4 L
42. Two thin wire rings each having a radius R are placed at a distance d apart with their axes coinciding.
The charges on the two rings are +q and –q. The potential difference between the centres of the
two rings is

q 1 1  q 1 1 
(a) qR/40d2 (b)   2  (c) zero (d) 4   R  2 2 
20  R R  d2  0  R d 

43. An electric dipole is placed at an angle of 30º to a non-uniform electric field. the dipole will experience
(a) a torque as well as a translational force
(b) a torque only
(c) a translational force only in the direction of the field
(d) a translational force only in a directin normal to the direction of the field
44. Two insulating plates are both uniformly charged in such a way that the potential difference
between them is V2 – V1 = 20 V. (i.e. plate 2 is at a higher potential). The plates are separated by d
= 0.1 m and can be treated as infinitely large. An electron is relaeased from rest on the inner
surface of plate 1. What is its speed when it hits plate 2 ? (e = 1.6 × 10–19 C, me = 9.11 × 10–31 kg)

(a) 1.87 × 106 m/s (b) 32 × 10–19 m/s (c) 2.65 × 106 m/s (d) 7.02 × 1012 m/s
45. Two spherical conducors A and B of radii 1 mm and 2 mm are separated by a distance of 5 cm and
are uniformly charged. If the sphere are connected by a conducting wire then in equilibrium
condition, the ratio of the magnitude of the electric fields at the surfaces of spheres A and B is
(a) 2 : 1 (b) 1 : 4 (c) 4 : 1 (d) 1 : 2
46. An electric charge 10-3 C is placed at the origin (0,0) of X - Y co-ordinate system. Two points
A and B are situated at ( 2 , 2 ) and (2, 0) respectively. The potential difference between the
points A and B will be
(a) 9 volt (b) zero (c) 2 volt (d) 4.5 volt

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1


47. Charges are placed on the vertices of a square as shown. Let E be the electric field and V the
potential at the centre. If the charges on A and B are interchanged with those on D and C
respectively, then

(a) E remains unchanged, V changes q q
A B

(b) Both E and V change

(c) E and V remain unchanged
 -q D C -q
(d) E changes, V remains unchanged
48. The potential at a point x (measured in m) due to some changes situated on the x-axis is
given by V (x) = 20 /(x 2 - 4) volts. The electric field E at x = 4 m is given by
(a) 5/3 Volt/m and in the –ve x direction
(b) 5/3 Voltm and in the +ve x direction
(c) 10/9 Volt/m and in the -ve x direction
(d) 10/9 Volt/m and in the +ve x direction
49. If g E and g m are the accelerations due to gravity on the surfaces of the earth and the moon
respectively and if Millikan’s oil drop experiment could be performed on the two surfaces,
one will find the ratio (electronic charge on the moon/ electronic charge on the earth) to be
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) gE/gM (d) gM/gE
50. A thin spherical shell of radius R has charge Q spread uniformly over its surface. Which of
the following graphs most closely represents the electric field E (r) produced by the shell in
the range 0  r < , where r is the distance from the centre of the shell?
E(r) E(r) E(r)
E(r)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

r r r
O R r O
O R O R
R
51. This question contains Statement-1 and Statement-2. Of the four choices given after the statements,
choose the one that best describes the two statements.
Statement-1 :
For a mass M kept at the centre of a cube of side ‘a’, the flux of gravitational field passing through
its sides is 4 GM.
and
Statement-2 :
If the direction of a field due to a point source is radial and its dependence on the distance ‘r’ from
1
the source is given as , its flux through a closed surface depends only on the strength of the
r2
source enclosed by the surface and not on the size or shape of the surface.
(a) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
Statement-1
(b) Statement-1 is true. Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is not a correct explanation for
Statement-1

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

(c) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false.

(d) Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true.
52. Statement-1 : For a charged particle moving from point P to point Q, the net work done by an
electrostatic field on the particle is independent of the path connecting point P to point Q.
Statement-2 : The net work done by a conservative force on an object moving along a closed loop
is zero.
(a) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for
Statement-1
(b) Statement-1 is true. Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is not a correct explanation for
Statement-1
(c) Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false.
(d) Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true.

Q
53. Let  (r) = r be the charge density distribution for a solid sphere of radius R and total
R 4
charge Q. For point 'p' inside the sphere at distance r1 from the centre of the sphere, the
magnitude of electric field is

Q Qr12 Qr12
(a) 0 (b) 4  r 2 (c) (d)
0 1 4 0 R 4 3 0 R 4

54. Two points P and Q are maintained at the potentials of 10 V and –4V, respectively. The work
done in moving 100 electrons from P to Q is
(a) –9.60 × 10–17 J (b) 9.60 × 10–17 J
(c) –2.24 × 10–16 J (d) 2.24 × 10–16 J
55. A charge Q is placed at each of the opposite corners of a square. A charge q is placed at each
of the other two corners. If the net electrical force on Q is zero, then Q/q equals
1
(a) – 2 2 (b) – 1 (c) 1 (d) –
2
56. A thin semi-circular ring of radius r has a positive charge q distributed uniformly over it. The net
field E at the centre O is
q q
(a) ĵ (b)  ĵ
4  0 r 2
2
4  0 r 2
2

q q
(c)  ĵ (d) ĵ
2  0 r 2
2
2  0 r 2
2

57. Let there be a spherically symmetric charge distribution with charge density varying
5 r 
as (r)  0    upto r = R, and  (r) = 0 for r > R, where r is the distance from the origin. The
4 R
electric field at a distance r(r < R) from the origin is given by

40 r  5 r  0 r  5 r  40 r  5 r  0 r  5 r 
(a)    (b)    (c)    (d)   
3 0  3 R  4 0  3 R  3 0  3 R  30  3 R 

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58. Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal lengths. The strings make an
angle of 30° with each other. When suspended in a liquid of density 0.8 g cm-3, the angle remains
the same. If density of the material of the sphere is 1.6 g cm–3, the dielectric constant of the liquid
is
(a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 1
59. Two identical charged spheres suspended from a common point by two massless strings of length
l are initially a distance d(d<< l) apart because of their mutual repulsion. The charge begins to leak
from both the spheres at a constant rate. As a result the charges approach each other with a
velocity v. Then as a function of distance x between them,
(a) VX-1 (b) VX1/2 (c) V X (d) VX-1/2

60. The electrostatic potential inside a charged spherical ball is given by    r 2  b where r is the
distance from the centre; a, b are constants. Then the charge density inside ball is
(a) 60 r (b) 240 r (c) 60 (d)  240 r
61. In a uniformly charged sphere of total charge Q and radius R, the electric field E is plotted as a
function of distance from the centre. The graph which would correspond to the above will be

(a) (b) (c) (d)

62. This question has statement 1 and statement 2.

Of the four choices given after the statements, choose the one that best describes the two statements.
An insulating solid sphere of radius R has a uniformly positive charge density  . As a result of this
uniform charge distribution there is a finite value of electric potential at the centre of the sphere, at
the surface of the sphere and also at a point out side the sphere. The electric potential at infinity is
zero.
Statement 1 : When a charge q is taken from the centre to the surface of the sphere, its potential
q
energy changes by
3 0
r
Statement 2 : The electric field at a distance r(r < R) from the centre of the sphere is
3 0

(a) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is true, Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for statement1.
(b) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false
(c) Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 is true
(d) Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is the correct explanation for statement 1
63. Let [0] denote the dimensional formula of the permittivity of vaccum. If M = mass, L = length,
T = time and A = electric current, then:
(a) [0] = [M-1 L-3 T2 A] (b) [0] = [M-1 L-3 T4 A2]
(c) [0] = [M-1 L2 T-4 A-2] (d) [0] = [M-1 L2 T-1 A]
64. Two charges, each equal to q, are kept at x =  a and x = a on the x-axis. A particle of mass m and
charge q0 = (q / 2) is placed at the origin. If charge q0 is given a small displacement (y << a) along
the y-axis, the net force acting on the particle is proportional to
(a) y (b) –y (c) (1/y) (d) – (1/y)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

65. A charge Q is uniformly distributed over a long rod AB of length L as shown in the figure. The
electric potential at the point O lying at a distance L from the end A is

(a) (Q / 80L) (b) (3Q / 40L)

(c) (Q / 40L In 2) (d) (Q ln2 / 40L)

66. Assume that an electric field E  30 x 2 iˆ exists in space. Then the potential difference VA – VO,
where VO is potential at the origin and VA the potential at x = 2 m is
(a) –80 J (b) 80 J (c) 120 J (d) –120 J
67. A uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R has potential V0 (measured with respect to  ) on its
3V0 5V0 3V0 V
surface. For this sphere the equipotential surfaces with potentials , , and 0 have
2 4 4 4
radius R1, R2 ,R3 and R4 respectively. Then

(a) R1  0 and  R 2  R1    R 4  R 3  (b) R1  0 and R 2   R 4  R1 

(c) 2R < R4 (d) R1 = 0 and R2 > (R4 – R3)
68. A long cylindrical shell carries positive surface charge  in the upper half and negative surface
charge –  in the lower half. The electric field lines around the cylinder will look like figure given
in: (figures are schematic and not drawn to scale)

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

EXERCISE II
INTEGER TYPE QUESTIONS

1. A charge situated at a certain distance from an electric dipole (small), in the end – on position,
experience a force F. The force acting on the same charge due to same dipole if its distance
from the centre of dipole is doubled F/N, then N is
2. For the electrostatic charge system shown in this figure. Then the net force on the electric dipole
if q 1  q 2  q 3  q.
q2

a 2 a 2

45o p 45o
q1 q3
a a
3. A solid spherical region, having concentric a spherical cavity whose diameter ‘R’ is equal to the
radius of the spherical region, has a total change ‘Q’. The electric potential at a point P as shown
1 NQ
4  0 7R then N is equal to R

R/2
r
P

4. The length of each side of a cubical closed surface is l. If charge q is situated on one of the vertices
q
of the cube, then the flux passing through shaded face of the cube N , then N is equal to
0

q
5. A point charge Q is located on the axis of a disc of radius R at a distance a from the plane of the
disc. If one fourth (1/4th) of the flux from the charge passes through the disc, then the relation
R
between a & R. a  , then N is equal to
N

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6. A charge Q is uniformly distributed over a rod of length l. Consider a hypothetical cube of edge
l with the centre of the cube at one end of the rod. The maximum possible flux of the electric field
NQ
through the entire surface of the cube , then N is equal to
2 0
7. A thin charged ring of radius R , charge Q and an infinitely long uniformly charged w i r e ,
charge density  , oriented along the axis of the ring with one of its ends coinciding with the
Q
centre of the ring, form a system. The force of interaction between the ring and wire , N R , N
0

is equal to


8. Positive charge Q is distributed uniformly over a circular ring of radius R. A particle having a
mass m and a negative charge q, is placed on its axis at a distance x from the centre. The force on
the particle, assuming x < < R, the time period of oscillations of the particle if it is released from
N3 0 mR 3
there T  , N is equal to
Qq
9. Two identically charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal length. The string make an
angle of 30° with each other when suspended in air. If they are suspended in a liquid of density
0.8 gm/cc, the angle remains the same. What is the dielectric constant of the liquid? The density of
the material of the sphere is 1.6 gm/cc. X  10 5 N towards A, then X is equal to
10. Two similar & equally charged identical metal sphere A & B repel each other with a force
2 x 10-5 N. A third identical, uncharged sphere C is touched with A & then placed at the midpoint
5
between A & B. net force on C is X  10 find X
11. The bob of a pendulum has mass m = 1 kg and charge q = 40 C. Length of pendulum is L = 0.9
m. The point of suspension also has the same charge 40 C. What the minimum speed u should be
imparted to the bob so that it can complete vertical circle? [Tak e g =10 m/ s2]
q

u
q
m
12. A solid sphere having uniform volume charge density  and radius R is shown in figure.
A spherical cavity of radius R/2 hollowed out. The potential difference between the centre of
R 2
V
sphere O and centre of cavity O1. (As shown in figure) 0  V01  , then N is equal to
N 0

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13. A rings of insulating material is situated at one end of a semi-infinite long line of charge. If  is
charge per unit length for ring as line-charge and R is radius of ring. Plane of ring is perpendicu-
2
lar to line charge. The tension in ring. T  find value of N
N 0

14. A rod AB of length a and mass m is positively charge with charge Q. It is pivoted at end and is
handing freely in uniformly charged ( charge per unit volume) spherical region. Centre of spheri-
cally charged region is O which is at a distance a from point of suspension of rod. The initial
a 2 Q
torque on the rod about A.   , then N is equal to
N0

15. A thick shell with inner radius R and outer radius 3R has a uniform charge density  C /m 3 . It
has a spherical cavity of radius R as shown in figure. The electric field at the centre of the cavity
nR
is 12 . Find n
0

16. A thin half ring of radius R = 20 cm is uniformly charged with a total charge q = 0.70 nC. Find the
magnitude of electric field strength (in V/m) at the curvature centre of this half ring.
17. A pendulum bob of mass 80 mg and carrying a charge of 2 × 10-8 coulomb is at rest in a horizontal
uniform electric field of 20,000 volt/metre. Find the tension (in milli newton) in the thread of the
pendulum.
18. A thin fixed ring of radius 1 metre has a positive charge 1 × 10-5 coulomb uniformly distributed
over it. A particle of mass 0. 9 gm and having a negative charge of 1 × 10-6 coulomb is placed on
the axis at a distance of 1 cm from the centre of the ring. Calculate the time period (in second) of
oscillations.

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

19. Two fixed, equal, positive charges, each of magnitude 5 ×10-5 C are located at points A and B
separated by a distance of 6 m. An equal and opposite charge moves towards them along the line
COD, the perpendicular bisector of the line AB.

The moving charge, when it reaches the point C at a distance of 4 m from O, has a kinetic energy
of 4 joules. Calculate the distance (in metre) of the farthest point D which the negative charge will
reach before returning towards C.
20. Four point charges +8µC, –1µC, –1µC, and +8µC are fixed at the points

27 3 3 27
 m, m,  m and  m respectively on the y-axis. A particle of mass 6 × 10-4 kg and
2 2 2 2
charge +0.1 mC moves along the x-direction. Its speed at x   is v0 . Find the least value of v0 (in
m/s) for which the particle will cross the origin. Assume that space is gravity free. Given
1
 9  10 9 Nm 2 / C 2
4 0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

EXERCISE III
QUESTIONS ASKED IN PREVIOUS JEE MAIN

1. The region between two concentric spheres of radii ‘a’ and ‘b’, respectively (see figure), has
A
volume charge density   where A is a constant and r is the distance from the centre. At the
r
centre of the spheres is a point charge Q. The value of A such that the electric field in the region
between the spheres will be constant, is : [JEE MAIN 2016]

Q Q Q 2Q
(A) 2 (B) 2 2 (C) 2 2 (D)
2a 2(b  a ) (a  b ) a2

2. An electric dipole has a fixed dipole moment P , which makes angle  with respect to x-axis. When
  
subjected to an electric field E1  Eiˆ , it experience a torque T1  kˆ . When subjected to another
  
electric field E 2  3E i ˆj it experiences torque T2  T1 . The angle  is : [JEE MAIN 2017]
(A) 60º (B) 90º (C) 30º (D) 45º
3. Three concentric metal shells A, B and C of respective radii a, b and c (a < b < c) have surface
charge densities  ,  and   respectively. The potential of shell B is :- [JEE MAIN 2018]

  a2  b 2    b 2  c2 
(A)   b  c  (B)   b  a 
0   0  

  b 2  c2    a2  b 2 
(C)   a (D)   a  c 
0  c  0  

4. Two point charges q 1  

10C and q 2  25 C  are are placed on the x-axis at x = l m and x = 4
m respectively. The electric field (in V/m) at a point y = 3 m on y-axis is,
 1 
 take  9  109 Nm 2 C 2  [JEE MAIN 2019]
 4 0 

(A)  63iˆ  27 ˆj   10 2
(B)  81iˆ  81jˆ   10 2

(C)  63iˆ  27ˆj   10 2


(D) 81iˆ  81jˆ  102

A 2r/a
5. Charge is distributed within a sphere of radius R with a volume charge density (r)  e
r2
where A and a are constants. If Q is the total charge of this charge distribution, the radius R is
[JEE MAIN 2019]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

a  Q   Q 
(A) log  1   (B) a log  1  
2  2 aA   2 aA 
   
 1  a  1 
a log  log 
(C) Q  (D) 2 Q 
 1   1 
 2 aA   2 aA 
6. Three charges +Q, q, + Q are placed respectively, at distance, 0, d/2 and d from the origin,
on the x-axis. If the net force experienced by + Q, placed at x = 0, is zero, then value of q is
[JEE MAIN 2019]
(A) +Q/2 (B) –Q/2 (C) –Q/4 (D) +Q/4
7. For a uniformly charged ring of radius R, the electric field on its axis has the largest
magnitude at a distance h from its centre. Then value of h is : [JEE MAIN 2019]

R R
(A) (B) R (C) (D) R 2
5 2
8. Charges –q and +q located at A and B, respectively, constitute an electric dipole. Distance AB = 2a,
O is the mid point of the dipole and OP is perpendicular to AB. A charge Q is placed at P where
OP = y and y >> 2a. The charge Q experiences and electrostatic force F. If Q is now moved along the
y y 
equatorial line to P' such that OP'    , the force on Q will be close to :   2a 
3 3 
[JEE MAIN 2019]

F
(A) (B) 3F
3
(C) 9F (D) 27F
9. Four equal point charges Q each are placed in the xy plane at (0, 2), (4, 2), (4, –2) and (0, –2). The
work required to put a fifth charge Q at the origin of the coordinate system will be
[JEE MAIN 2019]

Q2 Q2  1  Q2  1  Q2
(A) (B)  1  (C)  1  (D)
2 2  0 40  5 40  3 40

10. A charge Q is distributed over three concentric spherical shells of radii a, b, c (a < b < c ) such that
their surface charge densities are equal to one another. The total potential at a point at distance r
from their common centre, where r < a, would be : [JEE MAIN 2019]

Q Q(a  b  c) Q ab  bc  ca Q (a 2  b 2  c 2 )
(A) 4 (a  b  c) (B) 4 (a 2  b 2  c 2 ) (C) 12  (D)
0 0 0 abc 40 (a 3  b 3  c 3 )
 
11. Two electric dipoles, A, B with respective dipole moments dA  4qaiˆ and d B  2qaiˆ placed on
the x-axis with a separation R, as shown in the figure [JEE MAIN 2019]

The distance from A at which both of them produce the same potential is :

2R R 2R R
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

12. An electric field of 1000 V/m is applied to an electric dipole at angle of 45°. The value of
electric dipole moment is 10-29 C.m. What is the potential energy of the electric dipole ?
[JEE MAIN 2019]

(A) 9  10 20 J (B) 7  10 27 J (C) 10  10 29 J (D) 20  10 18 J
13. The charges Q + q and +q are placed at the vertices of a right-angle isosceles triangle as
shown below. The net electrostatic energy of the configuration is zero, it the value of Q is:
[JEE MAIN 2019]

 2q q
(A) (B) -2q (C) (D) +q
2 1 1 2

14. The given graph shows variation (with distance r from centre) of : [JEE MAIN 2019]
(A) Potential of a uniformly charged sphere
(B) Potential of a uniformly charged spherical shell

(C) Electric field of uniformly charged spherical shell

(D) Electric field of uniformly charged sphere
15. Determine the electric dipole moment of the system of three charges, placed on the vertices of an
equilateral triangle, as shown in the figure: [JEE MAIN 2019]

iˆ  ˆj ˆj  iˆ
(A) (q ) (B) 3 q (C)  3 q ˆj (D) 2qˆj
2 2
16. There is a uniform spherically symmetric surface charge density at a distance R0 from the origin.
The charge distribution is initially at rest and starts expanding because of mutual repulsion. The
figure that represents best the speed V(R(t)) of the distribution as a function of its instantaneous
radius R (t) is : [JEE MAIN 2019]

(A) (B) (C) (D)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

17. If electric field in the space is given by E  4xiˆ  (y 2  1) ˆj and electric flux through ABCD is 1

and electric flux through BCEF is 2 , then find  1  2  [JEE MAIN 2020]

18. There are two infinite plane sheets each having uniform surface charge density  C /m 2 .
They are inclined to each other at an angle 30° as shown in the figure. Electric field at any arbitrary
point P is: [JEE MAIN 2020]

  3 1    3 1 
(A) 2   1   yˆ  xˆ  (B) 2   1   yˆ  xˆ 
o  2  2  o  2  2 

  3 1    3 1 
(C)  1   yˆ  xˆ  (D) 2   1   yˆ  xˆ 
2 o  2  2  o  2  2 

19. Two uniformly charged solid spheres are such that E1 is electric field at surface of 1st sphere
due to itself. E2 is electric field at surface of 2nd sphere due to itself. r1, r2 are radius of 1st
E1 r1
and 2nd sphere respectively . If E  r then ratio of potential at the surface of spheres 1st and
2 2

2nd due to their self charges is : [JEE MAIN 2020]

2 2
r1  r1  r2  r2 
(A) r (B)   (C) r (D)  
2  r2  1  r1 
20. A charge particle of mass m and charge q is released from rest in uniform electric field. Its
graph between velocity (v) and distance travelled (x) will be : [JEE MAIN 2020]

(A) (B)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

(C) (D)

21. A solid sphere having radius R and Uniform charge density  has a cavity of radius R/2

EA
as shown in figure. Find the ratio of magnitude of electric field at point A and B i.e. E .
B

[JEE MAIN 2020]

18 11 9 9
(A) (B) (C) (D)
19 17 17 19
22. 3 charges are placed on circumference of a circle of radius 'd' as shown in figure. The
electric field along x-axis at centre of circle is: [JEE MAIN 2020]

q q 3 q 3 q 3
(A) 4  d 2 (B) (C) (D)
0 4  0d 2 0 d 2 2  0d 2

 Q in
23. If electric field around a surface is given by E   A where 'A' is the normal area of surface and Qin
o

is the charge enclosed by the surface. This relation of gauss's law is valid when
(A) Surface is equipotential [JEE MAIN 2020]
(B) Magnitude of electric field is constant
(C) Magnitude of electric field is constant & the surface is equipotential
(D) For all Gaussian surfaces.
24. Consider the force F on a charge ‘q’ due to a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R carrying
charge Q distributed uniformly over it. Which one of the following statements is true for F, if ‘q’ is
placed at distance r from the centre of the shell? [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

1 Qq 1 qQ
(A) F  4 R 2 for r  R (B) 4 R 2  F  0 for r  R
0 0

1 Qq 1 Qq
(C) F  4 r 2 for r  R (D) F  4 r 2 forall r
0 0

25. A charge Q is distributed over two concentric conducting thin spherical shells of radii r and R
(R > r). If the surface charge densities on the two shells are equal, the electric potential at the
common centre is: [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

1 (R  r) 1 (R  2r)Q 1 (R  r) 1 (2R  r)
(A) 4   R 2  r 2  Q (B) 4  2  R 2  r 2  (C) 4 2  R 2  r 2  Q (D) 4   R 2  r 2  Q
0 0 0 0

26. A small point mass carrying some positive charge on it, is released from the edge of a table.
There is a uniform electric field in this region in the horizontal direction. Which of the following
options then correctly describe the trajectory of the mass? (Curves are drawn schematically
and are not to scale) [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

27. Concentric metallic hollow spheres of radii R and 4R hold charges Q1 and Q2 respectively.
Given that surface charge densities of the concentric spheres are equal, the potential difference
V (R) – V (4R) is: [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

3Q 2 Q2 3Q 1 3Q 1
(A) 4 R (B) 4 R (C) 16  R (D) 4 R
0 0 0 0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

d d
28. A two point charges 4q and –q are fixed on the x-axis at x   and x  respectively. If a
2 2
third point charge ‘q’ is taken from the origin to x = d along the semicircle as shown in the
figure, the energy of the charge will: [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

4q 2 2q 2
(A) decrease by (B) increase by
3 0 d 3 0 d

3q 2 q2
(C) increase by (D) decrease by
4 0 d 4 0 d

29. A particle of charge q and mass m is subjected to an electric field E = E0(1 – ax2) in the x-direction,
where a and E0 are constants. Initially the particle was at rest at x = 0. Other than the initial position
the kinetic energy of the particle becomes zero when the distance of the particle from the origin is
[JEE MAIN_2_2020]

3 1 2
(A) (B) (C) a (D)
a a a
30. A solid sphere of radius R carries a charge Q + q distributed uniformly over its volume. A very
small point like piece of it of mass m gets detached from the bottom of the sphere and falls
down vertically under gravity. This piece carries charge q. If it acquires a speed v when it has
fallen through a vertical height h , then: (assume the remaining portion to be spherical)
[JEE MAIN_2_2020]

2  qQ 
(A) v  y  4 R 2 ym  g 
 0 
 qQ 
(B) v 2  2y   g
 40 R(R  y)m 

2  qQ 
(C) v  y  4 R(R  y)m  g 
 0 

2  QqR 
(D) v  2y  4 (R  y)3 m  g 
 0 
31. Ten charges are placed on the circumference of a circle of radius R with constant angular
separation between successive charges. Alternate charges 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 have charge (+ q) each,
while 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 have charge (– q) each. The potential V and the electric field E at the centre of the
circle are respectively: (Take V = 0 at infinity) [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

10q 10q 10q

(A) V  4  R ;E  4   R 2 (B) V  0;E  4  R 2
0 0 0

10q
(C) V = 0; E = 0 (D) V  4 R ;E  0
0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

32. Charge Q1 and Q2 are at point A and B of a right angle triangle OAB (see figure). The resultant
Q1
electric field at point O is perpendicular to the hypotenuse, then Q is proportional to:
2

[JEE MAIN_2_2020]

x13 x2 x1 x22
(A) (B) x (C) (D)
x32 1 x2 x21

 
33. Two identical electric point dipoles have dipole moments p 1  piˆ and p 2  piˆ and are held on the
x axis at distance ‘a’ from each other. When released, they move along the x-axis with the direc-
tion of their dipole moments remaining unchanged. If the mass of each dipole is ‘m’, their
speed when they are infinitely far apart is: [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

p 1 p 1 p 2 p 3
(A) a 0 ma (B) a 2  ma (C) a  ma (D) a 2  ma
0 0 0

34. Two charged thin infinite plane sheets of uniform surface charge density + and –, where
|+| > |–|, intersect at right angle. Which of the following best represents the electric field
lines for this system. [JEE MAIN_2_2020]

(A) (B) (C) (D)

35. An infinite number of point charges, each carrying 1 µC charge, are placed along the y-axis at y
= 1 m, 2 m, 4 m, 8 m.................. The total force on a 1 C point charge, placed at the origin, is x × 103
N. The value of x, to the nearest integer, is________.

1 9 2 2
[Take 4   9  10 Nm /C ] [JEE MAIN 2021]
0


36. A cube is placed inside an electric field E  150y 2 ˆj . The side of the placed in the field as shown in the
given figure. The charge inside the cube is : [JEE MAIN 2021]
y

(A) 3.8  1011 C (B) 8.3  10 11 C (C) 3.8  10 12 C (D) 8.3  10 12 C

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1
37. The two thin coaxial rings, each of radius 'a' and having charges +Q and –Q respectively are sepa-
rated by a distance of 's'. The potential difference between the centres of the two rings is :

Q 1 1  Q 1 1 
(A) 2   a  2 2  (B) 4   a  2 2  [JEE MAIN 2021]
0  s a  0  s a 

Q 1 1  Q 1 1 
(C)   2  (D) 2   a  2 2 
4  0  a 2
s a  0  s a 

38. A solid metal sphere of radius R having charge q is enclosed inside the concentric spherical shell
of inner radius a and outer radius b as shown in figure. The approximate variation electric
field E as a function of distance r from centre O is given by [JEE MAIN 2021]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

39. Figure shows a rod AB, which is bent in a 120º circular arc of radius R. A charge (–Q) is
uniformly distributed over rod AB. What is the electric field E at the centre of curvature O?

[JEE MAIN 2021]

3 3W ˆ 3 3Q ˆ 3 3Q ˆ 3 3Q ˆ
(A) (i) (B) (i) (C) (i) (D) (i)
80 R 2 8 2  0 R 2 162  0 R 2 8 2  0 R 2
40. A uniformly charged disc of radius R having surface charge density  is placed in the xy
plane with its center at the origin. Find the electric field intensity along the z-axis at a distance
Z from origin :- [JEE MAIN 2021]

  Z 
   Z 

(A) E 1 1 /2 (B) E 1 1 /2
2 0 
 Z  R2 
2 

2 0 
 Z  R2 
2 


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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

  1    1 1 
(c0 E 1 /2  Z E
(D) 2   2 1 /2 
2 0   Z 2  R 2   0 Z  R 
2 Z2 
   

41. Two particles A and B having charges 20C and –5 C respectively are held fixed with a
separation of 5 cm. At what position a third charged particle should be placed so that it does
not experience a net electric force? [JEE MAIN 2021]

(A) At 5 cm from 20 C on the left side of system

(B) At 5 cm from – 5 C on the right side
(C) At 1.25 cm from – 5 C between two charges
(D) At midpoint between two charges
42. A cube of side ‘a’ has point charges +Q located at each of its vertices except at the origin where the
charge is–Q. The electric field at the centre of cube is: [JEE MAIN 2021]

2Q
(A)  xˆ  yˆ  zˆ 
3 3 0 a 2

Q
(B)  xˆ  yˆ  zˆ 
3 3 0 a 2

–2Q
(C)  xˆ  yˆ  zˆ 
3 3 0 a 2

Q
(D)  xˆ  yˆ  zˆ 
3 3 0 a 2

43. A point charge of 12 C is at a distance 6 cm vertically above the centre of a squareof side 12 cm
as shown in figure. The magnitude of the electric flux through the square will be _____×103Nm2/C.
[JEE MAIN 2021]

 3
ˆ 4 ˆ N
44. The electric field in a region is given by E   E0 i  E 0 j  . The ratio of flux of reported field
5 5 C
2
through the rectangular surface of area 0.2 m (parallel to y-z plane) to that of the surface of area
0.3 m2 (parallel to x-z plane) is a : b, where a = ________ [JEE MAIN 2021]

[Here ˆi, ˆj and kˆ are unit vectors along x, y and z-axes respectively]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

45. 512 identical drops of mercury are charged to a potential of 2 V each. The drops are joined to form
a single drop. The potential of this drop is ____ V. [JEE MAIN 2021]
46. Find the electric field at point P (as shown in figure) on the perpendicular bisector of a uniformly
charged thin wire of length L carrying a charge Q. The distance of the point P from the centre of the
3
rod is L. [JEE MAIN 2021]
2

Q 3Q Q Q
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 3 0 L 2
4  0 L2 30 L2 4  0 L2

47. Given below are two statements : [JEE MAIN 2021]

Statement–I: An electric dipole is placed at the centre of a hollow sphere. The flux of electric field
through the sphere is zero but the electric field is not zero anywhere in the sphere.
Statement–II: If R is the radius of a solid metallic sphere and Q be the total charge on it. The electric
field at any point on the spherical surface of radius r ( < R) is zero but the electric flux passing
through this closed spherical surface of radius r is not zero.
In the light of the above statements. Choose the correct answer from the option given below :
Option :
(A) Statement I is true but Statement II is false
(B) Statement I is false but Statement II is true
(C) Both Statement I and Statement II are true
(D) Both Statement I and Statement II are false
48. 27 similar drops of mercury are maintained at 10 V each. All these spherical drops combine into a
single big drop. The potential energy of the bigger drop is _________________ times that of a smaller
drop. [JEE MAIN 2021]

49. A charge 'q' is placed at one corner of a cube as shown in figure. The flux of electrostatic field E
though the shaded area is: [JEE MAIN 2021]

q q q q
(A) 48 (B) 8 (C) 24 (D) 4
0 0 0 0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

 2 3 N
50. The electric field in a region is given by E  E0 iˆ  E0 ˆj , E0 = 4.0 × 103 The flux of this field
5 5 C
through a rectangular surface parallel to the Y – Z plane is........ Nm2C–1. [JEE MAIN 2021]

51. A vertical electric field of magnitude 4.9 × 10 5 N/C just prevents a water droplet of a mass 0.1 g
from falling. The value charge on the droplet will be (Given g = 9.8 m/s2). [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 1.6 × 10 -9
C (B) 2.0 × 10 -9 C (C) 3.2 × 10 -9 C (D) 0.5 × 10-9 C

52. Two identical charged particles each having a mass 10 g and charge 2.0 × 10 -7 C are placed on a
horizontal table with a separation of L between them such that they stay in limited equilibrium. If
the coefficient of friction between each particle and the table is 0.25, find the value of L.
[Use g = 10 ms -2 ] [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 12 cm (B) 10 cm (C) 8 cm (D) 5 cm
53. A long cylindrical volume contains a uniformly distributed charge of density p. The radius of
cylindrical volume is R. A charge particle (q) revolves around the cylinder in a circular path. The
kinetic energy of the particle is [JEE MAIN 2022]

pqR 2 pqR 2 qp 4  0R 2
(A) (B) (C) 4 R 2 (D)
40 20 0 pq

54. In the figure, a very large plane sheet of positive charge is shown. P1 and P2 are two points at distance
l and 2l from the charge distribution. If  is the surface charge density, then the magnitude of
electric fields E 1 and E 2 and P1 and P2 respectively are [JEE MAIN 2022]

  2 
(A) E1   , E2  2  (B) E1  ,E 2 
0 0 0 0

 
(C) E1  E2  2 (D) E1  E 2 
0 0
55. 27 identical drops are charged at 22 V each. They combine to form a bigger drop. The potential of
the bigger drop will be ______ V. [JEE MAIN 2022]
56. Sixty four conducting drops each of radius 0.02 m and each carrying a charge of 5 µC are combined
to form a bigger drop. The ratio of surface density of bigger drop to the smaller drop will be:
[JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 1 : 4 (B) 4 : 1 (C) 1 : 8 (D) 8 : 1

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

57. If a charge q is placed at the centre of a closed hemispherical non-conducting surface, the total flux
passing through the curved surface would be: [JEE MAIN 2022]

q q q q
(A)  (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 2
0 0 0 0

58. Three identical charged balls each of charge 2 C are suspended from a common point P by silk
threads of 2 m each (as shown in figure). They form an equilateral triangle of side 1 m. The ratio of
net force on a charged ball to the force between any two charged balls will be:[JEE MAIN 2022]

(A) 1 : 1 (B) 1 : 4 (C) 3:2 (D) 3 :1

59. Given below are two statements [JEE MAIN 2022]
Statement-I: A point charge is brought in an electric field. The value of electric field at a point near
to the charge may increase if the charge is positive.
Statement-II: An electric dipole is placed in a non-uniform electric field. The net electric force on the
dipole will not be zero.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(A) Both statement-I and statement-II are true
(B) Both statement-I and statement-II are false
(C) Statement-I is true but statement-II is false
(D) Statement-I is false but statement-II is true
60. The three charges q/2, q and q/2 are placed at the corners A, B and C of a square of side ‘a’ as
shown in figure. The magnitude of electric field (E) at the corner D of the square is]

q  1 1 q  1 
(A)    (B) 2 
1  [JEE MAIN 2022]
40 a 2  2 2  4 0 a  2
q  1  q  1 1
(C) 2 
1  (D)   
4 0 a  2 40 a 2  2 2 
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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

61. Two point charges A and B of magnitude +8 × 10 -6 C and -8 × 10 -6 C respectively are placed at a
distance d apart. The electric field at the middle point O between the charges is 6.4 × 10 4 NC -1 . The
distance ‘d’ between the point charges A and B is: [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 2.0 m (B) 3.0 m (C) 1.0 m (D) 4.0 m
62. A positive charge particle of 100 mg is thrown in opposite direction to a uniform electric field of
strength 1 × 105 NC -1 . . If the charge on the particle is 40 µC and the initial velocity is 200 ms -1 , how
much distance it will travel before coming to the rest momentarily? [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 1 m (B) 5 m (C) 10 m (D) 0.5 m
63. If the electric potential at any point (x, y, z)m in space is given by V = 3x2 volt. The electric field at
the point (1, 0, 3)m will be [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 3 Vm -1 , directed along positive x-axis (B) 3 Vm -1 , directed along negative x-axis

(C) 6 Vm -1 , directed along positive x-axis (D) 6 Vm -1 , directed along negative x-axis

64. The volume charge density of a sphere of radius 6 m is 2µC cm -3 . The number of lines of force per
unit surface area coming out from the surface of the sphere is _______ × 10 10 NC -1 .

[Given: Permittivity of vacuum 0  8.85  10 12 C2 N1m  22 ] [JEE MAIN 2022]

65. Two uniformly charged spherical conductors, A and B of radii 5 mm and 10 mm are separated by
a distance of 2 cm. If the spheres are connected by a conducting wire, then in equilibrium condition,
the ratio of the magnitude of the electric fields at surface of the spheres A and B will be
[JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 1:2 (B) 2:1 (C) 1:1 (D) 1:4
66. Three point charges of magnitude 5 µC, 0.16µC and 0.3µC are located at the vertices, B, C of a
right angled triangle whose sides are AB = 3 cm, BC = 3 2 cm and CA = 3 cm and point A is the
right angle corner. Charge at point A, experiences ______N of electrostatic force due to the other
two charges. [JEE MAIN 2022]

67. A long cylindrical volume contains a uniformly distributed charge of density  Cm -3 . The electric
2 0
field inside the cylindrical volume at a distance x= m [JEE MAIN 2022]


from its axis is _______ Vm -1

68. A charge of 4 µC is to be divided into two. The distance between the two divided charges is constant.
The magnitude of the divided charges so that the force between them is maximum, will be:
(A) 1 µC and 3 µC (B) 2 µC and 2 µC [JEE MAIN 2022]

(C) 0 and 4 µC (D) 1.5 µC and 2.5 µC

69. Two electric dipoles of dipole moments 1.2  10 -30C - m and 2.4  10 -30 C-m are placed in two different
uniform electric fields of strength 5  10 4 NC -1 and 15  10 4 NC -1 respectively. The ratio of maximum
torque experienced by the electric dipoles will be 1/x. The value of x is _______.[JEE MAIN 2022]
70. A spherically symmetric charge distribution is considered with charge density varying as

 0  34  Rr  for r R

  r    Zero for r  R [JEE MAIN 2022]


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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

Where, r(r < R) is the distance from the centre O (as shown in figure) The electric field at point P will
be :

0 r  3 r  0 r  3 r  0 r  r 0 r  r
(A)   
4 0  4 R  (B) 3  4  R  (C) 4  1  R  (D) 5  1  R 
0   0   0  
71. Given below are two statements.
Statement I : Electric potential is constant within and at the surface of each conductor.
Statement II : Electric field just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular to the surface of the
conductor at every point.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given
below. [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) Both statement I and statement II are correct
(B) Both statement I and statement II are incorrect
(C) Statement I is correct but statement II is incorrect
(D) Statement I is incorrect but statement II is correct
72. Two identical metallic spheres A and B when placed at certain distance in air repel each other with
a force of F. Another identical uncharged sphere C is first placed in contact with A and then in
contact with B and finally placed at midpoint between spheres A and B. The force experienced by
sphere C will be [JEE MAIN 2022]
(A) 3F/2 (B) 3F/4 (C) F (D) 2F
73. If two charges q1 and q2 are separated with distance ‘d’ and placed in a medium of dielectric con-
stant K. What will be the equivalent distance between charges in air for the same electrostatic force
? [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) d k (B) k d (C) 1.5d k (D) 2d k

q 11 C 
74. A stream of a positively charged particle having m  2  10 kg and velocity v 0  3  10 7 iˆ m / s is

deflected by an electric field 1.8 ˆjk V / m . The electric field exists in a region of 10 cm along x the
charge. Due to the electric field, the deflection of the charge particle in the y direction is ____ mm.
[JEE MAIN 2023]
75. The electric potential at the centre of two concentric half rings of radii R1 and R2 , having same
linear charge density  is [JEE MAIN 2023]

2   
(A)  (B) 2  (C) 4  (D) 
0 0 0 0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

76. A uniform electric field of 10 N/C is created between two parallel charged plates (as shown in
figure). An electron enters the field symmetrically between the plates with a kinetic energy 0.5 eV.
The length of each plate is 10 cm. The angle () of deviation of the path of electron as it comes out of
the field is ___ (in degree). [JEE MAIN 2023]

77. A point charge of 10 C is placed at the origin. At what location on the X-axis should a point
charge of 40 C be placed so that the net electric field is zero at x = 2 cm on X-axis ?
[JEE MAIN 2023]
(A) x = 6 cm (B) x = 4 cm (C) x = 8 cm (D) x = -4 cm
78. In a cuboid of dimensions 2L  2L  L , a charge q is placed at the centre of the surface ‘S’ having
area of 4 L2. The flux through the opposite surface to ‘S” is given by [JEE MAIN 2023]

q q q q
(A) 12 (B) 6 (C) 2 (D) 4
0 0 0 0

79. A point charge q1 = 4q0 is placed at origin. Another point charge q2 = -q0 is placed at x = 12 cm.
Charge of proton is q0. The proton is placed on x-axis so that the electrostatic force on the proton in
zero. In this situation, the position of the proton from the origin is _____ cm [JEE MAIN 2023]
80. A point charge 2 × 10-2 C is moved from P to S in a uniform electric field of 30 NC-1 directed along
positive x-axis. If coordinates of P and S are (1, 2, 0) m and (0, 0, 0) m respectively, the work done by
electric field will be [JEE MAIN 2023]
(A) 1200 mJ (B) 600 mJ (C) -600 mJ (D) -1200 mJ
81. For a charged spherical ball, electrostatic potential inside the ball varies with r as V = 2ar2 + b.
Here, a and b are constant and r is the distance from the center. The volume charge density inside
the ball is  a . The value of  is ________. e = permittivity of medium. [JEE MAIN 2023]
82. Two isolated metallic solid spheres of radii R and 2R are charged such that both have same charge
density . The spheres are then connected by a thin conducting wire. If the new charge density of
'
the bigger sphere is ' . The ratio is [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) 9/4 (B) 4/3 (C) 5/3 (D) 5/6
83. As shown in the figure, a point charge Q is placed at the centre of conducting spherical shell of
inner radius a and outer radius b. The electric field due to charge Q in three different regions I, II
and III is given by : (I : r < a, II : a < r < b, III : r > b) [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) EI = 0, EII = 0, EIII  0

(B) EI  0, EII = 0, EIII  0
(C) EI  0, EII = 0, EIII = 0
(D) EI = 0, EII = 0, EIII = 0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

84. A point source of 100 W emits light with 5% efficiency. At a distance of 5 m from the source, the
intensity produced by the electric field component is [JEE MAIN 2023]

1 W 1 W 1 W 1 W
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 m2 40  m 2 10 m 2 20 m 2

85. As shown in figure, a cuboid lies in a region with electric field E  2x2 ˆi  4yjˆ  6kˆ N / C . The magni-
tude of charge within the cuboid is n 0 C . The value of n is _____
(if dimension of cuboid is 1 × 2 × 3 m3) [JEE MAIN 2023]

86. Which of the following correctly represents the variation of electric potential (V) of a charged spherical
conductor of radius (R) with radial distance(R) from the centre ? [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

 2 V
87. Expression for an electric field is given by E  4000 x ˆi .
m
The electric flux through the cube of side 20 cm when placed in electric field (as shown in the figure)
is ________ V cm. [JEE MAIN 2023]

88. Considering a group of positive charges, which of the following statements is correct?
(A) Net potential of the system cannot be zero at a point but net electric field can be zero at that
point.
(B) Net potential of the system at a point can be zero but net electric field can't be zero at that point.
(C) Both the net potential and the net field can be zero at a point. [JEE MAIN 2023]
(D) Both the net potential and the net electric field cannot be zero at a point
89. Let  be the uniform surface charge density of two infinite thin plane sheets shown in figure. Then
the electric field in three different region EI, EII and EIII are [JEE MAIN 2023]

 2   2    
ˆ E II  0, EIII 
(A) E1   n, nˆ ˆ EIII  0
(B) E1  0, E II   n,
0 0 0

         
(C) E1  ˆ EII  0, EIII 
n, nˆ (D) E1   n,ˆ EII  0, E III  nˆ s
2 0 2 0 0 0

90. Two equal positive point charges are separated by a distance 2a. The distance of a point from the
centre of the line joining two charges on the equatorial line (perpendicular bisector) at which force
a
experienced by a test charge q0 becomes maximum is . The value of x is [JEE MAIN 2023]
x
91. A cubical volume is bounded by the surfaces x = 0, x = a, y = 0, y = a, z = 0, z = a. The electric field

in the region is given by E  E0 xiˆ . Where E 0  4  10 4 NC 1m 1 . If a = 2 cm, the charge contained in

the cubical volume is Q × 10–14C. The value of Q is____. (Take 0  9  10 12 C 2 /Nm 2 ).
[JEE MAIN 2023]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

92. For a uniformly charged thin spherical shell, the electric potential (V) radially away from the center
(O) of shell can be graphically represented as [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

93. A dipole comprises of two charged particles of identical magnitude q and opposite in nature. The
mass ‘m’ of the positive charged particle is half of the mass of the negative charged particle. The two

charges are separated by a distance ‘l’. If the dipole is placed in a uniform electric field ‘ 'E' ’ ; such

a way that dipole axis makes a very small angle with the electric field, 'E' . The angular frequency of
the oscillations of the dipole when released is given by [JEE MAIN 2023]
8qE 4qE 3qE 8qE
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3ml ml 2 ml ml
94. Experimentally it is found that 12.8 eV energy is required to separate a hydrogen atom into a proton
9
and an electron. So the orbital radius of the electron in a hydrogen atom is  10 10 m . The value of
x
the x is _____. [JEE MAIN 2023]

1 9 2 2
(1eV = 1.6 x 10-19J, 4  9  10 NM /C and electronic charge = 1.6 x 10-19JC)
0

95. Graphical variation of electric field due to a uniformly charged insulating solid sphere of radius R,
with distance r from the centre O is represented by [JEE MAIN 2023]

(A) (B) (C) (D)

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

96. An electric dipole of dipole moment is 6.0 x 10-6 Cm placed in a uniform electric field of 1.5  10 3 NC -1
in such a way that dipole moment is along electric field. The work done in rotating dipole by 180º in
this field will be _____mJ. [JEE MAIN 2023]
97. Electric potential at a point 'P' due to a point charge of 5  10 9 C is 50 V. The distance of 'P' from the

1 9 2 2
point charge is (Assume, 4  9  10 N m C ) [JEE MAIN 2023]
0

(A) 3 cm (B) 9 cm (C) 90 cm (D) 0.9 cm

98. Three concentric spherical metallic shells X, Y and Z of radius a, b and c respectively [a < b < c] have
surface charge densities , - , and , respectively. The shells X and Z are at same potential. If the
radii of X & Y are 2 cm and 3 cm, respectively. The radius of shell Z is ________ cm.
[JEE MAIN 2023]
99. An electron revolves around an infinite cylindrical wire having uniform linear change density
2×10 -8 Cm -1 in circular path under the influence of attractive electrostatic field as shown in the
figure. The velocity of electron with which it is revolving is______× 106 ms-1. Given mass of electron
= 9 x 10-31 kg. [JEE MAIN 2023]

100. As shown in the figure. a configuration of two equal point charges (q0 = +2µC) is placed on an
inclined plane. Mass of each point charge is 20 g. Assume that there is no friction between charge
and plane. For the system of two point charges to be in equilibrium (at rest) the height h = x × 10-3

 1 
m The value of x is___.  Take  9  109 N m 2 C 2 ,g  10 ms 2  . [JEE MAIN 2023]
 4  0 

101. If V is the electrical potential due to sphere of uniform density on its surface, then its value at the
centre of sphere will be: [JEE MAIN 2023]

4 4 3V
(A) V (B) (C) V (D)
3 2 2
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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

102. Given below are two statement: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A : If an electric dipole of dipole moment 30 x 10-5 Cm is enclosed by a closed surface, the
net flux coming out of the surface will by zero.
Reason R : Electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges. [JEE MAIN 2023]
In the light of above, statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) A is true but R is false
(C) Both A and R true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(D) A is false but R is true
103. Two charges each of magnitude 0.01 C and separated by a distance of 0.4 mm constitute an electric
 
dipole. If the dipole is placed in an uniform electric field E of 10 dyne/C-1 making 30° angle with E ,
the magnitude of torque acting on dipole is [JEE MAIN 2023]
(A) 4.0 x 10-10 Nm (B) 2.0 x 10-10 Nm (C) 1.0 x 10-8 Nm (D) 1.5 x 10-9 Nm
104. A thin infinite sheet charge and an infinite line charge of respective charge densities + and + are
placed parallel at 5 m distance from each other. Points ‘P’ and ‘Q’ are at 3/ m and 4/ m perpen-
dicular distance from line charge towards sheet charge, respectively. ‘EP’ and ‘EQ’ are the magni-
tudes of resultant electric field intensities at point ‘P’ and ‘Q’, respectively. If Ep/EQ = 4/ for
2|| = ||. Then the value of  is _______. [JEE MAIN 2023]
105. A 10 µC charge is divided into two parts and placed at 1 cm distance so that the repulsive force
between them is maximum. The charges of the two parts are [JEE MAIN 2023]
(A) 9 µC, 1 µC (B) 5 µC, 5 µC (C) 7 µC, 3 µC (D) 8 µC, 2 µC
106. Three point charges q, –2q and 2q are placed on x-axis at a distance x = 0, x = 3/ 4 R and x = R
respectively from origin as shown. If q = 2 × 10-6 C and R = 2 cm, the magnitude of net force
experienced by the charge –2q is ________ N. [JEE MAIN 2023]

107. The electric field due to a short electric dipole at a large distance (r) from center of dipole on the
equatorial plane varies with distance as [JEE MAIN 2023]
(A) r (B) 1/r (C) 1/r 3 D) 1/r 2
108. Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal lengths. The strings make an angle
 with each other. When suspended in water the angle remains the same. If density of the material
of the sphere is 1.5 g/cc, the dielectric constant of water will be_____ (Take density of water = 1g/
cc) [JEE MAIN 2024]
109. C1 and C2 are two hollow concentric cubes enclosing charges 2Q and 3Q respectively as shown in
figure. The ratio of electric flux passing through C1 and C2 is: [JEE MAIN 2024]

(A) 2 : 5 (B) 5 : 2 (C) 2 : 3 (D) 3 : 2

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

110. Suppose a uniformly charged wall provides a uniform electric field of 2  10 4 N /C normally. A
charged particle of mass 2 g being suspended through a silk thread of length 20 cm and remain
1
stayed at a distance of 10 cm from the wall. Then the charge on the particle will be C where
x
x = _____. [use g = 10 m/s2] [JEE MAIN 2024]
111. An electric charge 10-6C is placed at origin (0, 0) of X - Y co-ordinate system. Two points P and Q
are situated at  
3 , 3 m and  
6 , 0 m respectively. The potential difference between the points
P and Q will be : [JEE MAIN 2024]

(A) 3V (B) 6V (C) 0 V (D) 3 V

112. A thin metallic wire having cross sectional area of 10-4 m2 is used to make a ring of radius 30 cm. A
positive charge of 2C is uniformly distributed over the ring, while another positive charge of 30
pC is kept at the centre of the ring. The tension in the ring is ______ N; provided that the ring does
1
not get deformed (neglect the influence of gravity). (given,  9  109 SI units)[JEE MAIN 2024]
4 0

113. Given below are two statements : one is labelled a [JEE MAIN 2024]
Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason(R)
Assertion (A) : Work done by electric field on moving a positive charge on an equipotential surface
is always zero.
Reason (R) : Electric lines of forces are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given
below :
(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(B) ((A) is correct but (R) is not correct
(C) (A) is not correct but (R) is correct
(D) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
114. Two charges of -4C and +4C are placed at the points A(1, 0, 4)m and B(2, -1, 5)m located in an

electric field E  0.20 iˆ V /cm . The magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole is 8   10 5 Nm ,
Where   [JEE MAIN 2024]
115. The electric potential at the surface of an atomic nucleus (z = 50) of radius 9  10 13 cm is
_____ 106 V [JEE MAIN 2024]
116. Two charges of 5Q and -2Q are situated at the points (3a, 0) and (-5a, 0) respectively. The electric
flux through a sphere of radius '4a' having center at origin is : [JEE MAIN 2024]

2Q 5Q 7Q 3Q
(A) 0 (B)  (C)  (D) 
0 0 0

117. An electron is moving under the influence of the electric field of a uniformly charged infinite plane
sheet having surface charge density  . The electron at t = 0 is at a distance of 1 m from S and has
 m 0  C
a speed of 1 m/s . The maximum value of  if the electron strikes S at t = 1 is   2 the value
 e  m
of  is [JEE MAIN 2024]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

 
118. An electric field is given by 6iˆ  5ˆj  3kˆ N /C . The electric flux through a surface area 30im
ˆ 2 lying
in YZ- plane (in SI unit) is : [JEE MAIN 2024]
(A) 90 (B) 150 (C) 180 (D) 60
119. The electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at a distance ' r ' varies as:[JEE MAIN 2024]

1 1 1
(A) r (B) (C) (D)
r2 r3 r
120. A particle of charge '-q' and mass 'm' moves in a circle of radius 'r' around an infinitely long line
charge of linear density '+'. Then time period will be given as:(Consider k as Coulomb's constant)
[JEE MAIN 2024]

4 2 m 3 m 1 m 1 2kq
(B) T  2 r 2kq (C) T  2 r 2kq
2
(A) T  r (D) T 
2k 2 r m

121. Two identical charged spheres are suspended by string of equal lengths. The string make an angle
of 37o with each other. When suspended in a liquid of density 0.7 g/cm3, the angle remains same.
If density of material of the sphere is 1.4 g/c 3 , the dielectric constant of the liquid is_____
 o 3
 tan 37   . [JEE MAIN 2024]
 4
122. Two charges q and 3q are separated by a distance ' r ' in air. At a distance x from charge q, the
resultant electric field is zero. The value of x is : [JEE MAIN 2024]

r r
(A)
1  3  (B) 3 1  3 (C) 
(D) r 1  3 
r   1  3 
123. Force between two point charges q1 and q2 placed in vacuum at 'r ' cm apart is F. Force between
them when placed in a medium having dielectric K = 5 at 'r/5 ' cm apart will be:

F F
(A) (B) 5F (C) (D) 25 F[JEE MAIN 2024]
25 5
124. The distance between charges +q and -q is 2l and between +2q and -2q is 4l. The electrostatic
 ql  9
potential at point P at a distance r from centre O is   2   10 V where the value of  is_____.
r 
1 9 2 2
(Use 4   9  10 Nm C ) [JEE MAIN 2024]
0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

125. An infinitely long positively charged straight thread has a linear charge density Cm 1 . An elec-
tron revolves along a circular path having axis along the length of the wire. The graph that cor-
rectly represents the variation of the kinetic energy of electron as a function of radius of circular
path from the wire is : [JEE MAIN 2024]

(A) (B) (C) (D)

126. An infinite plane sheet of charge having uniform surface charge density  s C /m 2 is placed on

x - y plane. Another infinitely long line charge having uniform linear charge density   C /m is

placed at z = 4 m plane and parallel to y-axis. If the magnitude values s  2  e then at point (0,
0, 2) , the ratio of magnitudes of electric field values due to sheet charge to that of line charge is
 n : 1 . The value of n is_______. [JEE MAIN 2024]

127. A charge q is placed at the center of one of the surface of a cube. The flux linked with the cube is:

q q q
(A) 2  (B) 8  (C) zero (D) 4  [JEE MAIN 2024]
0 0 0

128. The vehicles carrying inflammable fluids usually have metallic chains touching the ground :
(A) To protect tyres from catching dirt from ground [JEE MAIN 2024]
(B) To alert other vehicles
(C) It is a custom
(D) To conduct excess charge due to air friction to ground and prevent sparking
129. The electric field at point p due to an electric dipole is E. The electric field at point R on equitorial
E
line will be . The value of x : [JEE MAIN 2024]
x

130.  is the uniform surface charge density of a thin spherical shell of radius R. The electric field at any
point on the surface of the spherical shell is : [JEE MAIN 2024]
(A)  / 0 R (B)  / 0 (C)  /40 (D)  /20

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131. Three infinitely long charged thin sheets are placed as shown in figure. The magnitude of electric
x
field at the point P is  . The value of x is _______ (all quantities are measured in SI units).
0

[JEE MAIN 2024]

132. Two identical conducting spheres P and S with charge Q on each, repel each other with a force 16
N . A third identical uncharged conducting sphere R is successively brought in contact with the
two spheres. The new force of repulsion between P and S is : [JEE MAIN 2024]
(A) 1 N (B) 6 N (C) 12 N (D) 4 N
133. Two charged conducting spheres of radii a and b are connected to each other by a conducting
wire. The ratio of charges of the two spheres respectively is: [JEE MAIN 2024]

a b
(A) (B) ab (C) (D) ab
b a

 2iˆ  6ˆj  8kˆ

134. An electric field, E  passes through the surface of 4m 2 area having unit vector
6

 2iˆ  ˆj  kˆ 
n̂    . The electric flux for that surface is ______ Vm [JEE MAIN 2024]
 6 
 

q2 8
135. If the net electric field at point P along Y axis is zero, then the ratio of is , where x = _____.
q3 5 x
[JEE MAIN 2024]

136. At the centre of a half ring of radius R = 10 cm and linear charge density 4 Cm-1, the potential is
xV . The value of x is _______ [JEE MAIN 2024]

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

137. Five charges +q, +5q, -2q, +3q and -4q are situated as shown in the figure. The electric flux due to
this configuration through the surface S is : [JEE MAIN 2024]

4q 5q q 3q
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
0 0 0 0


 
138. An electric field E  2xiˆ NC exists in space. A cube of side 2 m is placed in the space as per figure
1

given below. The electric flux through the cube is ______ Nm2/C. [JEE MAIN 2024]

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ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

ANSWER KEY

DRILL - 1
Q Q
1.  2. (1 + 2 2 ) 3. [0] = [M-1 L-3 T4 A2] 4. 6  10 3 N
4 4

3F
5. zero 6. 7. –2 2 8. 2
8
9. 5:4 10. 0.1C
DRILL 2

1. (a) 5.4  106 N / C along OB (b) 8.1  103 N along OA

2. 3.3 × 10–18 C 3. 2L

4. (4.32iˆ  5.76 ˆj)  10 2 N / C 5. 5.57  1011 NC 1 (Verically downward)

6. 1.75  10 4 NC 1 7. 
a 2 2  3 
q
8. 160 a 2 9. E/2

10. Electric field at point C = 8000 (– î ) N/C

K  106 9000
Electric field at point D = = î N/C.
2 2

DRILL 3
1. -6.67 nC
2. Charges 1 and 2 are negative, charge 3 is positive. Particle 3 has the highest charge to mass
ratio.
3. 0.1 C/m 4. (a) zero, (b) zero (c) 1.9×10-10 N/C
5. 9.8 9.81  10 4 mm 6. (a) Zero, (b) 105 N C–1, (c) 4.4 × 104 N C–1

E(r)

Eq
7.   tan 1 8. (a) (b)
mg
r
O R

2dm
9. 10. along OC
Ee

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

DRILL 4

1. (a) 30Nm2/C, (b) 15 Nm2/C

2. Zero. The number of lines entering the cube is the same as the number of lines leaving the
cube.
3. (a) 0.07 µC, (b) No, only that the net charge inside is zero.
5 2
4. 1.9 × 10 N m /C
5. (a) –103 N m2/C; because the charge enclosed is the same in the two cases.
(b) –8.8 nC

(a) q /  4 r1  ,  Q  q  /  4 r2 

2 2
6. (b) 0

e
7. (a)  (b) 0
0


8. 2 0 r 9. ERh 10. No

DRILL 5
1. 10 cm, 40 cm away from the positive charge on the side of the negative charge.
2. 2.7 × 106 V

3. Potential 4q /  
3 0 b field is zero, as expected by symmetry.

4. zero 5. changes , unchanged 6. 5.1  10 2 V

7. (i) e / 0 (ii) zero 8. 0.5m ;0.55  109 C

2kq
9. d/3 from charge q 10.
3
DRILL 6

KQ 
K  5Q  
K  5Q + K  Q
1. VA = + 2 2 =0 & VB = 2 2
R  2R   R  2R R   R 

KQ 1 KQ 2 KQ 1 KQ 2
2. (i) VA = R + R (ii) VB = R + R
1 2 1 2

KQ 1 KQ 2 KQ 1 KQ 2
(iii) VC = R + R (iv) for r  R1 , V = R1 + R2
2 2

KQ 1 KQ 2
(v) for R1  r  R2 V = + R
r 2

KQ 1 KQ 2
(vi) for r  R2 V= +
r r
2V
3. r2 /r 1 4. 16 5. 6. V/2
3

2Q q 1 1  R
7. 8.   2  9. (Q ln2 / 40L) 10. 
4  0 R 20  R 2
R d  0

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 ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

DRILL 7

1. 1.2 J; the point R is irrelevant to the answer.

2. 600 ms-1 3. 1.35 J 4. 9.9  1010 J
5. 2q and 8q and the ends of the given line and charge q at a distance of 3 cm from 2q towards 8q,0

 q 
6.   7. 2.53  10 10 m 8. -2/3
 2  0 m 
9. 20 N/C 10. 694 µs

DRILL 8

1
1. -80 V , -40 V 2. -100 V 3. E x  20V m 1 ; E y  20V m ; Ez  18V m 1
4. 200 V/m making angle 1200 with the x-axis

5. [-1V] 6.

2 A
7. 2:1 8. -80 J 9.  x  2  y2  16 10.
2x 2
DRILL 9

1. Total charge is zero. Dipole moment = 7.5 × 10–8 C m along z-axis.

2. 10-4 N m.
3. The force is 10–2 N in the negative z-direction, that is, in the direction of decreasing electric field.
You can check that this is also the direction of decreasing potential energy of the dipole; torque is
zero.
4. F/8 5. 12 x 10–3 Nm 6. 103 C
7. (a) 2.66  10 5 NC 1 (b) 1.33  10 5 NC 1 8. 12  103 Nm

9. Ea  2Er 10. zero

DRILL 10


1. n̂
2 0
2. (a) An equipotential surface is the plane on which total potential is zero. It is at the midpoint
of the line AB and perpendicular to it.
(b) The direction of the electric field at every point on this surface is normal to the plane in
direction of AB.

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ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

3. The ratio of electric fields at the surface is b/a

A sharp and pointed end can be treated as a sphere of very small radius and a flat portion
behaves as a sphere of much larger [Link], charge density on sharp and pointed ends
of the conductor is much higher than on its flatter portions.
4. -2Q

3
5. 6. (a) zero (b) 1
2

   a2    a2 b2 
7. (a) A  
V  a  b  c  B
, V  
0  b
 b  c ,
 C V   
0  c c
 c
0  
(b) c = a + b

Q Q Q Q  q Q
8. (a) 2
, 2 (b)
, (c) 4 x2 in both situations
4 a 4 a 4 a 2 4a2 0

b  bq 
9. Inner surface of B  q , outer surface of B  q , inner surface of C    , outer surface
c  c 

b 
of C    1  q
 c 

Q Q Q
10. (a) 2  r 2 (b) 3 R (c) zero on inner and Q on outer (d)
0 0 3

EXERCISE I
SINGLE CORRECT TYPE QUESTIONS

1. b 2. d 3. c 4. a 5. a
6. d 7. a 8. c 9. b 10. d
11. d 12. b 13. b 14. a 15. c
16. c 17. c 18. c 19. a 20. d
21. a 22. b 23. b 24. d 25. d
26. d 27. d 28. b 29. d 30. a
31. a 32. b 33. a 34. d 35. b
36. d 37. d 38. b 39. a 40. d
41. a 42. b 43. a 44. c 45. a
46. b 47. d 48. d 49. a 50. d
51. a 52. b 53. c 54. d 55. a
56. c 57. b 58. c 59. d 60. c
61. c 62. c 63. b 64. a 65. d
66. a 67. bc 68. d

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ELECTROSTATICS PHYSICS PART - 1

EXERCISE II
INTEGER TYEP QUESTIONS

1. 8 2. 0 3. 9 4. 24 5. 3
6. 3 7. 4 8. 16 9. 2 10. 2
11. 6 12. 12 13. 4 14. 6 15. 7
16. 100 17. 0.9 18. 0.63 19. 8.48 20. 3

QUESTIONS ASKED IN PREVIOUS JEE MAIN

1. A 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. D
6. C 7. C 8. D 9. B 10. B
11. A 12. B 13. A 14. B 15. C
16. A 17. -48 18. A 19. B 20. A
21. C 22. C 23. C 24. C 25. A
26. A 27. C 28. A 29. A 30. B
31. C 32. C 33. B 34. D 35. 12
36. B 37. D 38. A 39. B 40. A
41. B 42. C 43. 226 44. 0.5 45. 128
46. A 47. A 48. 243 49. C 50. 640
51. B 52. A 53. A 54. C 55. 198
56. B 57. B 58. D 59. A 60. A
61. B 62. D 63. D 64. 45 65. B
66. 17 67. 1 68. B 69. 6 70. C
71. A 72. B 73. A 74. 2 75. B
76. 45 77. A 78. D 79. 24. 80. C
81. 12 82. D 83. B 84. B 85. 12
86. C 87. 640 88. A 89. D 90. 2
91. 288 92. A 93. C 94. 16 95. A
96. 18 97. C 98. 5 99. 8 100. 300
101 D 102. A 103. B 104. 6 105. B
106. 5440 107. C 108. 3 109. A 110. 3
111. C 112. 3 113. D 114. 2 115. 8
116. B 117. 8 118. C 119. B 120. B
121. 2 122. C 123. B 124. 27 125. C
126. 16 127. A 128. D 129. 16 130. B
131. 2 132. B 133. A 134. 12 135. 5
136. 36 137. A 138. 16

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