ELECTROSTATICS

ELECTROSTATICS

EXERCISE-1
PART (1) : PROPERTIES OF CHARGE AND COULOMB'S LAW
OBJECTIVE
1. A charged particle q1 is at position (2, - 1, 3). The electrostatic force on another charged particle
q2 at (0, 0, 0) is :

q1 q2 q1 q 2
(A) 56   (2 î  ĵ  3 k̂ ) (B) 56 14   (2 î  ĵ  3 k̂ )
0 0

q1 q2 q1 q 2
(C) 56   ( ĵ  2 î  3 k̂ ) (D) 56 14   ( ĵ  2 î  3 k̂ )
0 0

2. Three charges +4q, Q and q are placed in a straight line of length  at points at distance
0, /2 and  respectively from one end of line. What should be the value of Q in order to make the
net force on q to be zero?

(A) –q (B) –2q (C) –q/2 (D) 4q

3. Two point charges placed at a distance r in air exert a force F on each other. The value of
distance R at which they experience force 4F when placed in a medium of dielectric constant
K = 16 is :

(A) r (B) r/4 (C) r/8 (D) 2r

SUBJECTIVE
4. Two point charges q1 = 2 × 10–3 C and q2 = –3 × 10–6C are separated by a distance x = 10cm.
Find the magnitude and nature of the force between the two charges.

5. 20 positively charged particles are kept fixed on the X-axis at points x = 1 m, 2 m,

3 m, ....., 20 m. The first particle has a charge 1.0 × 10–6 C, the second 8 × 10–6 C, the third
27 × 10–6 C and so on. Find the magnitude of the electric force acting on a 1 C charge placed at
the origin.

6. Two identical conducting spheres (of negligible radius), having charges of opposite sign, attract
each other with a force of 0.108 N when separated by 0.5 meter. The spheres are connected by
a conducting wire, which is then removed (when charge stops flowing), and thereafter repel
each other with a force of 0.036 N keeping the distance same. What were the initial charges on
the spheres?

7. The distance between two fixed positive charges 4e and e is  . How should a third charge ‘q’ be
arranged for it to be in equilibrium? Under what condition will equilibrium of the charge ‘q’ be
stable (for displacement on the line joining 4e and e) or will it be unstable?

8. Two charged particles A and B, each having a charge Q are placed a distance d apart. Where
should a third particle of charge q be placed on the perpendicular bisector of AB so that it
experiences maximum force? Also find the magnitude of the maximum force.

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PART (2) : ELECTRIC FIELD

OBJECTIVE
1. Four charges are arranged at the corners of a square ABCD as
shown in the figure. The force on the charge kept at the centre O

will be :

(A) perpendicular to side AB (B) along the diagonal BD

(C) along the diagonal AC (D) zero

2. The charge per unit length of the four quadrant of the ring is
2  –  ,  and–  respectively. The electric field at the centre

is :

(A) (B)

(C) (D) None

3. A simple pendulum has a length  & mass of bob m. The bob is

given a charge q coulomb. The pendulum is suspended in a uni-
form horizontal electric field of strength E as shown in figure, then
calculate the time period of oscillation when the bob is slightly dis

placed from its mean position.

 
   
(A) 2 (B) 2  
g  g  qE 
 m 

 
   
(C) 2   (D) 2
 g  qE   qE 
2

 m  g2   
m

4. The maximum electric field intensity on the axis of a uniformly charged ring of charge q and
radius R will be :

1 q 1 2q 1 2q 1 3q
(A) 4 2 (B) 4 2 (C) 4 2 (D) 4 2
0 3 3R 0 3R 0 3 3R 0 2 3R

5. A non-conducting solid sphere of radius R is uniformly charged. The magnitude of the electric
field due to the sphere at a distance r from its centre.

(A) increases as r increases, for r  R (B) decreases as r increases, for 0 < r <  .

(C) is discontinuous at r = R (D) None of these

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6. A positively charged pendulum is oscillating in a uniform electric
field as shown in Figure. Its time period of SHM as compared to

that when it was uncharged. (mg > qE)

(A) Will increase (B) Will decrease

(C) Will not change (D) Will first increase then decrease
SUBJECTIVE
7. A uniform electric field E = 91 × 10–6 V/m is created between two parallel, charged plates as
shown in figure. An electron enters the field symmetrically between the plates with a speed
v0 = 4 × 103 m/s. The length of each plate is  = 1m. Find the angle of deviation of the path of the
electron as it comes out of the field. (Mass of the electron is m = 9.1 × 10–31 kg and its charge is
e = –1.6 × 10–19 C).

8. Two point particles A and B having charges of 4 × 10–6 C and – 64 × 10–6 C respectively are held
at a separation of 90 cm. Locate the point(s) on the line AB or on its extension where the electric
field is zero

9. Two point charges 3 C and 2.5 C are placed at point A (1, 1, 2)m and B (0, 3, –1)m
respectively. Find out electric field intensity at point C(3, 3, 3)m.

10. (i) Two infinitely long line charges each of linear charge density  are placed at an angle  as
shown in figure. Find out electric field intensity at a point P, which is at a distance x from point O
along angle bisector of line charges.

(ii) Repeat the above question if the line charge densities are  and –as shown in figure.

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11. If three infinite charged sheets of uniform surface charge densities , 2 and –4 are placed as
shown in figure, then find out electric field intensities at points A, B, C and D.

PART (3) : ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

OBJECTIVE
1. The figure shows a nonconducting ring which has positive and
negative charge non uniformly distributed on it such that the total

charge is zero. Which of the following statements is true?

(A) The potential at all the points on the axis will be zero.

(B) The electric field at all the points on the axis will be zero.

(C) The direction of electric field at all points on the axis will be along the axis.

(D) If the ring is placed inside a uniform external electric field then net torque and force acting
on the ring would be zero.

2. Figure represents a square carrying charges +q, +q, –q, –q at its P +q

four corners as shown. Then the potential will be zero at points : +q

(A, C, P and Q are mid points of sides) A C

B
(A) A, B, C, P and Q (B) A, B and C
–q –q
Q
(C) A, P, C and Q (D) P, B and Q

3. Two equal positive charges are kept at points A and B. The electric potential, while moving from
A to B along straight line :

(A) continuously increases (B) remains constant

(C) decreases then increases (D) increases then decreases

4. The potential difference between points A and B in the given uni

a
C B
form electric field is :
E
b
(A) Ea (B) E (a 2  b 2 )
A
E
(C) Eb (D) (Eb / 2 )

5. If a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius 10 cm has a potential V at a point distant 5 cm

from its centre, then the potential at a point distant 15 cm from the centre will be :

V 2V 3
(A) (B) (C) V (D) 3V
3 3 2

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 ELECTROSTATICS
6. A hollow uniformly charged sphere has radius r. If the potential difference between its surface
and a point at distance 3r from the centre is V, then the electric field intensity at a distance 3r
from the centre is:

(A) V/6r (B) V/4r (C) V/3r (D) V/2r

........
7. The particle of mass m and charge q will touch the infinitely large 
plate of uniform charge density  if its velocity v is more than: v
q,m
{Given that q > 0} d

........
2qd qd
(A) 0 (B) m0 (C) m0 (D) none of these

8. A charge +q is fixed at each of the points x = x0, x = 3x0, x = 5x0, ...... upto infinity on the x-axis and
a charge -q is fixed at each of the points x = 2x0, x = 4x0, x = 6x0, ..... upto infinity. Here x0 is a
positive constant. Take the electric potential at a point due to a charge Q at a distance r from it
Q
to be 4 r . Then the potential at the origin due to the above system of charges is:
0

q q n 2
(A) 0 (B) (C)  (D)
8  0 x 0 n 2 4  0 x 0

SUBJECTIVE
9. A point charge 20 C is shifted from infinity to a point P in an electric field with zero acceleration.
If the potential of that point is 1000 volt, then

(i) Find out work done by external agent against electric field?

(ii) What is the work done by electric field?

(iii) If the kinetic energy of charge particle is found to increase by 10 mJ when it is brought
from infinity to point P, then what is the total work done by external agent?

(iv) What is the work done by electric field in the part (iii)

(v) If a point charge 30 C is released at rest at point P, then find out its kinetic energy at
a large distance?

10. Six equal point charges 'q0' each are placed at six corners of a regular hexagon of side 'a'. Find
out work required to take a point charge 'q' slowly :

(i) From infinity to the centre of hexagon.

(ii) From infinity to a point on the axis which is at a distance ' 3 a ' from the centre of
hexagon.

(iii) Does your answer to part (i) and (ii) depends on the path followed by the charge.

11. A charge of 8 mC is located at the origin. Calculate the work done by external agent in taking a
small charge of –2 × 10–9 C from a point A(0, 0, 0.03 m) to a point B(0, 0.04 m, 0) via a point
C( 0, 0.06 m, 0.09 m).

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12. An electric field of 20 N/C exists along the negative x-axis in space. Calculate the potential
difference VB – VA, where the points A and B are given by :

(a) A = (0, 0) ; B = (0, 4m) (b) A = (2m, 1m) ; B = (4m, 3m)

13. A particle of charge + 3 x 10-9 C is in a uniform field directed to the left. It is released from rest
and moves a distance of 5 cm, after which its kinetic energy is found to be 4.5 x 10-5 J.

(a) What work was done by the electrical force?

(b) What is the magnitude of the electrical field?

(c) What is the potential of the starting point with respect to the end point?

14. A positive charge Q = 50  C is located in the xy plane at a point having position vector

r0 = 2î 3 ĵ m where î and ĵ are unit vectors in the positive directions of X and Y axis respectively..
Find:

(a) The electric intensity vector and its magnitude at a point having co-ordinates (8 m, - 5 m).

(b) Work done by external agent in transporting a charge q = 10 C from (8 m, 6 m) to the point
(4 m, 3 m).

15. A charge Q is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radius r and R (R > r), such that
the surface densities of charge are equal. Find the potential at the common centre.

PART (4) : ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY OF A POINT CHARGE

OBJECTIVE
1. If a charge is shifted from a high potential region to low potential region, the electrical potential
energy:

(A) Increases (B) Decreases

(C) May increase or decrease. (D) Remains constant

2. A particle of mass 2 g and charge 1C is held at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface at a
distance of 1 m from a fixed charge of 1 mC. If the particle is released it will be repelled. The
speed of the particle when it is at distance of 10 m from the fixed charge is:

(A) 100 m/s (B) 90 m/s (C) 60 m/s (D) 45 m/s

SUBJECTIVE
3. An  particle is placed in an electric field at a point having electric potential 5V. Find its potential
energy ?

4. A solid uniformly charged fixed non-conducting sphere of total charge Q and radius R contains a
tunnel of negligible diameter. If a point charge '–q' of mass 'm' is released at rest from point P as
shown in figure then find out its velocity at following points

(i) At the surface of sphere (ii) At the centre of the sphere

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 ELECTROSTATICS

PART (5) : POTENTIAL ENERGY OF A SYSTEM OF POINT CHARGES

OBJECTIVE
1. When the separation between two charges is decreased, the electric potential energy of the
charges

(A) increases (B) decreases

(C) may increase or decrease (D) remains the same

2. Six charges of magnitude + q and –q are fixed at the corners of a

regular hexagon of edge length a as shown in the figure. The electro

static potential energy of the system of charged particles is :

q2  3 15  q2  3 9 
(A)   a  8  4  (B)   a  2  4 
0   0  

q2  3 15  q2  3 15 
(C)    (D)   
 0 a  4 2   0 a  2 8 

SUBJECTIVE
3. Two positive point charges 15 C and 10 C are 30 cm apart. Calculate the work done in bringing
them closer to each other by 15 cm.

4. Eight equal point charges each of charge 'q' and mass 'm' are placed at eight corners of a cube
of side ‘a’.

(i) Find out potential energy of charge system

(ii) Find out work done by external agent against electrostatic forces and by electrostatic
forces to increase all sides of cube from a to 2a.

(iii) If all the charges are released at rest, then find out their speed when they are at the
corners of cube of side 2a.

(iv) If keeping all other charges fixed, charge of corner 'A' is released then find out its
speed when it is at infinite distance? a
q q
(v) If all charges are released simultaneously from rest then q
q
find out their speed when they are at a very large distance
q q
from each other.
q q
A
PART (6) : SELF ENERGY AND ENERGY DENSITY
OBJECTIVE
1. A uniformly charged sphere of radius 1 cm has potential of 8000 V at surface. The energy
density near the surface of sphere will be:

(A) 64 × 105 J/m3 (B) 8 × 103 J/m3 (C) 32 J/m3 (D) 2.83 J/m3

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 ELECTROSTATICS
2. If ' n ' identical water drops (assumed spherical each) each charged to a potential energy U
coalesce to form a single drop, the potential energy of the single drop is(Assume that drops are
uniformly charged):

(A) n1/3 U (B) n2/3 U (C) n4/3 U (D) n5/3 U

SUBJECTIVE
3. A spherical shell of radius R with a uniform charge q has point charge q0 at its centre. Find the
work performed by the electric forces during the shell expansion slowly from radius R to 2R.
Also find out work done by external agent against electric forces.

4. In a solid uniformly charged sphere of total charge Q and radius R, if energy stored out side the
sphere is U0 joules then find out self energy of sphere in term of U0?

PART (7) : QUESTIONS BASED ON RELATION BETWEEN E AND V :
OBJECTIVE
1. The variation of potential with distance r from a fixed point

is shown in Figure. The electric field at r = 5 cm, is :

(A) (2.5) V/cm

(B) (–2.5) V/cm

(C) (–2/5) cm

(D) (2/5) V/cm

2. The electric potential V as a function of distance x (in metre) is given by
V = (5x2 + 10x – 9) volt.
The value of electric field at x = 1 m would be :
(A) – 20 volt/m (B) 6 volt/m (C) 11 volt/m (D) –23 volt/m
3. A uniform electric field having a magnitude E0 and direction along positive X-axis exists. If the
electric potential V is zero at x = 0, then its value at x = +x will be :
(A) Vx = xE0 (B) Vx = –xE0 (C) Vx = x2E0 (D) Vx = –x2 E0

4. A non-conducting ring of radius 0.5 m carries a total charge of 1.11x 1010 C distributed non-

uniformly on its circumference producing an electric field E every where in space. The value of
 0
 
the line integral


 E . d  (  = 0 being centre of the ring) in volts is : (Approximately)

(A) + 2 (B)  1 (C)  2 (D) zero

SUBJECTIVE

5. If E = 2y î + 2x ĵ , then find V (x, y, z)
 
6. If V = 2r2 then find out (i) E (1, 0, –2) (ii) E(r  2)

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 ELECTROSTATICS

PART (8) : DIPOLE

OBJECTIVE
1. The dipole moment of a system of charge +q distributed uniformly on an arc of radius
R subtending an angle /2 at its centre where another charge –q is placed is

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

2. Point P lies on the axis of a dipole. If the dipole is rotated by 90° anticlock wise, the electric field

vector at P will rotate by :

(A) 90° clockwise (B) 180° clockwise (C) 90° anticlock wise (D) 180° anticlockwise

3. Due to an electric dipole shown in fig., the electric

field intensity is parallel to dipole axis :

(A) at P only

(B) at Q only

(C) both at P and at Q

(D) neither at P nor at Q

4. An electric dipole of dipole moment 

p is placed at the origin along the x-axis. The angle made
by electric field with x-axis at a point P, whose position vector makes an angle  with x-axis, is
1
:(where, tan = tan  )
2

(A)  (B)  (C)  +  (D)  + 2

5. A dipole of electric dipole moment P is placed in a uniform electric field of strength E. If  is the
angle between positive directions of P and E, then the potential energy of the electric dipole is
largest when  is :

(A) zero (B)  /2 (C)  (D)  /4

6. Two opposite and equal charges of magnitude 4 × 10–8 coulomb each when placed 2 × 10–2 cm
apart form a dipole. If this dipole is placed in an external electric field of 4 × 108 N/C, the value of
maximum torque and the work required in rotating it through 180º from its initial orientation which
is along electric field will be : (Assume rotation of dipole about an axis passing through centre of
the dipole):

(A) 64 × 10–4 N-m and 44 × 10–4 J (B) 32 × 10–4 N-m and 32 × 10–4 J

(C) 64 × 10–4 N-m and 32 × 10–4 J (D) 32 × 10–4 N-m and 64 × 10–4 J

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 ELECTROSTATICS
7. At a point on the axis (but not inside the dipole and not at infinity) of an electric dipole

(A) The electric field is zero

(B) The electric potential is zero

(C) Neither the electric field nor the electric potential is zero

(D) The electric field is directed perpendicular to the axis of the dipole

8. The force between two short electric dipoles separated by a distance r is directly proportional to:

(A) r2 (B) r4 (C) r–2 (D) r–4

SUBJECTIVE

9. Three charges are arranged on the vertices of an equilat-

eral triangle as shown in figure. Find the dipole moment of
the combination.

10. A charge ' q ' is carried slowly from a point A (r, 135º) to a
point B (r, 45º) following a path which is a quadrant of circle

of radius ' r '. If the dipole moment is P , then find out the
work done by external agent.

11. Find out the magnitude of electric field intensity and electric potential due to a dipole of dipole

moment P = î  3 ĵ kept at origin at following points.

(i) (2, 0, 0) (ii) (–1, 3 , 0)

PART (9) : ELECTRIC LINES OF FORCE, FLUX CALCULATION AND GAUSS'S LAW
OBJECTIVE
1. A square of side 'a' is lying in xy plane such that two of its sides are lying on the axis. If an electric

field E  E0 xk̂ is applied on the square. The flux passing through the square is :–

E 0a3 E 0a3 E0a 2

(A) E0a3 (B) (C) (D)
2 3 2

2. The figure shows the electric lines of force emerging from a charged
body. If the electric fields at A and B are EA and EB respectively and
A
if the distance between A and B is r, then

(A) EA < EB (B) EA > EB B

EB EB
(C) E A  (D) E A 
r r2

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3. An electric dipole is placed at the centre of a sphere. Mark the correct options.

(A) The electric field is zero at every point of the sphere.

(B) The flux of the electric field through the sphere is non-zero.

(C) The electric field is zero on a circle on the sphere.

(D) The electic field is not zero anywhere on the sphere.

4. Figure (a) shows an imaginary cube of edge length L. A uniformly charged rod of length 2L
moves towards left at a small but constant speed v. At t = 0, the left end of the rod just touches
the centre of the face of the cube opposite to it. Which of the graphs shown in fig.(b) represents
the flux of the electric field through the cube as the rod goes through it ?

Flux d
b a

c
(a) (b)
time

(A) a (B) b (C) c (D) d

5. Figure shows two large cylindrical shells having uniform linear

charge densities + and – . Radius of inner cylinder is ‘a’ and that
of outer cylinder is ‘b’. A charged particle of mass m, charge q
revolves in a circle of radius r. Then, its speed ‘v’ is : (Neglect
gravity and assume the radii of both the cylinders to be very small

in comparison to their length.)

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

SUBJECTIVE
6. Find out the electric flux through an area 10 m2 lying in XY plane due to an electric field

E  2 î  10 ĵ  5k̂ .

7. Find the flux of the electric field through a spherical surface

of radius R due to a charge of 8.85 x 10 –8 C at the centre and
another equal charge at a point 3R away from the centre

(Given :  0 = 8.85 × 10 –12 units)

8. What do you predict by the given statement about the nature of charge (positive or negative)
enclosed by the closed surface. "In a closed surface, lines which are leaving the surface are
double than the lines which are entering it".

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PART (10) : CONDUCTOR, IT'S PROPERTIES & ELECTRIC PRESSURE

OBJECTIVE
1. A neutral spherical metallic object A is placed near a finite metal plate B carrying a positive
charge. The electric force on the object will be :

(A) away from the plate B (B) towards the plate B

(C) parallel to the plate B (D) zero

2. Three concentric conducting spherical shells carry charges as follows : + 4Q on the inner shell,
- 2 Q on the middle shell and – 5 Q on the outer shell. The charge on the inner surface of the
outer shell is:

(A) 0 (B) 4 Q (C) - Q (D) - 2 Q

3. An uncharged sphere of metal is placed in a uniform electric field produced by two large con-
ducting parallel plates having equal and opposite charges, then lines of force look like:

+ + + + +

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

– – – – –

4. A positively charged body 'A' has been brought near a neutral brass sphere B mounted on a
glass stand as shown in the figure. The potential of B will be:

(A) Zero (B) Negative (C) Positive (D) Infinite

5. Figure shows a closed surface which intersects a conducting sphere. If a positive charge is
placed at the point P, the flux of the electric field through the closed surface:

(A) will become positive (B) will remain zero

(C) will become undefined (D) will become negative

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6. An ellipsoidal cavity is carved within a perfect conductor . A posi-
tive charge q is placed at the center of the cavity. The points A and

B are on the cavity surface as shown in the figure . Then :

(A) Electric field near A in the cavity = electric field near B in the cavity

(B) Charge density at A = Charge density at B

(C) Potential at A = Potential at B

(D) Total electric field flux through the surface of the cavity is q/0 .

SUBJECTIVE
7. Two conducting plates X and Y, each having large surface area A (on one side), are placed
parallel to each other as shown in figure. The plate X is given a charge Q whereas the other is
neutral. Find:

(a) The surface charge density at the inner surface of the plate X,

(b) The electric field at a point to the left of the plates,

(c) The electric field at a point in between the plates and

(d) The electric field at a point to the right of the plates.

8. Figure shows two conducting spheres separated by large distance and of radius 2cm and 3cm
containing charges 10C and 20C respectively. When the spheres are connected by a conducting
wire then find out following :

(i) Ratio of the final charge. (ii) Final charge on each sphere.

(iii) Ratio of final charge densities. (iv) Heat produced during the process.

9. There are two concentric metal shells of radii r1 and r2 (> r1). If initially, the outer shell has a
charge q and the inner shell is having zero charge and then inner shell is grounded. Find :

(i) Charge on the inner surface of outer shell.

(ii) Final charges on each sphere.

(iii) Charge flown through wire in the ground.

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EXERCISE-2
PART - I : ONLY ONE OPTION CORRECT TYPE
1. Three concentric conducting spherical shells have radius r, 2r and
3r and Q1, Q2 and Q3 are final charges respectively. Innermost
and outermost shells are already earthed as shown in figure.
choose the wrong statement.

(A) Q1 + Q3 = –Q2 (B) Q1 = (C) (D)

2. 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 at a distance R/2 from the centre of the
shell is :

2Q 2Q 2q 2Q q (q  Q) 2
(A) 4 R (B) 4 R  4 R (C) 4 R  4 R (D) 4 R
0 0 0 0 0 0 R

3. If the electric flux entering and leaving an enclosed surface respectively is 1 and 2, the electric
charge inside the surface will be :
(A) (2 – 1)0 (B) (1 + 2)/0 (C) (2 – 1)/0 (D) (1 + 2) 0
4. Two points P and Q are maintained at the potentials of 10 V and –4 V respectively. The work
done in moving 100 electrons from P to Q is :
(A) 9.60 × 10–17 J (B) –2.24 × 10–16 J (C) 2.24 × 10–16 J (D) –9.60 × 10–17 J
5. Five balls, numbered 1 to 5, are suspended using separate threads. Pairs (1, 2), (2, 4),
(4, 1) show electrostatic attraction, while pairs (2, 3) and (4, 5) show repulsion. Therefore
ball 1 :
(A) Must be positively charged (B) Must be negatively charged
(C) May be neutral (D) Must be made of metal
6. A particle A has charge +q and particle B has charge + 4q with each of them having the
same mass m. When allowed to fall from rest through same electrical potential difference,
the ratio of their speed vA : vB will be :
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : 2 (C) 4 : 1 (D) 1 : 4
7. A charge ' q ' is placed at the centre of a conducting spherical
shell of radius R, which is given a charge Q. An external charge
Q is also present at distance R (R > R) from ' q '. Then the
resultant field will be best represented for region r < R by: [where
r is the distance of the point from q]

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

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8. The volume charge density as a function of distance X from
one face inside a unit cube is varying as shown in the figure.
Then the total flux (in S.I. units) through the cube if
(0 = 8.85  1012 C/m3) is:
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2
(C) 3/4 (D) 1
9. A point charge q is brought from infinity (slowly so that heat
developed in the shell is negligible) and is placed at the centre
of a conducting neutral spherical shell of inner radius a and
outer radius b, then work done by external agent is:

k q2 k q2 k q2 k q2 k q2
(A) 0 (B) (C) – (D) -
2b 2b 2a 2a 2b

10. A solid sphere of radius R has a volume charge density  = 0 r2 ( Where 0 is a constant and
r is the distance from centre). At a distance x from its centre (for x < R), the electric field is
directly proportional to :
(A) 1/x2 (B) 1/x (C) x3 (D) x2
11. A total charge of 20 C is divided into two parts and placed at some distance apart. If the
charges experience maximum coulombian repulsion, the charges should be :

40 20
(A) 5 C , 15 C (B) 10 C , 10 C (C) 12 C , 8 C (D) C, C
3 3
F
12. The magnitude of electric force on 2  c charge placed at
the centre O of two equilateral triangles each of side 10 cm, E A
as shown in figure is P. If charge A, B, C, D, E & F are 2  c, O
D B
2  c, 2  c, - 2 c, - 2  c, - 2  c respectively, then P is:
C
(A) 21.6 N (B) 64.8 N (C) 0 (D) 43.2 N
13. The net charge given to a solid insulating sphere:
(A) must be distributed uniformly in its volume
(B) may be distributed uniformly in its volume

(C) must be distributed uniformly on its surface

(D) the distribution will depend upon whether other charges are present or not.
14. Two short electric dipoles are placed as shown (r is the distance
between their centres). The energy of electric interaction between
these dipoles will be: (C is centre of dipole of moment P2)

2k P1P2 cos 2k P1P2 cos

(A) 3 (B)
r r3
C

 2kP1P2 sin  4kP1P2 cos

(C) 3 (D)
r r3

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 ELECTROSTATICS
15. A solid conductor sphere having a charge Q is surrounded by an uncharged concentric
conducting hollow spherical shell. Let the potential difference between the surface of the
solid sphere and that of the outer surface of the hollow shell be V. If the shell is now given a
charge –3Q, the new potential difference between the same two surfaces is :

(A) V (B) 2V (C) 4V (D) –2V

16. In an electron gun, electrons are accelerated through a potential difference of V volt. Taking
electronic charge and mass to be respectively e and m, the maximum velocity attained by
them is :

2eV 2eV
(A) (B) (C) 2 m/eV (D) (V2 /2em)
m m

17. A dipole having dipole moment p is placed in front of a solid

uncharged conducting sphere as shown in the diagram.
The net potential at point A lying on the surface of the

sphere is :

kp cos  k p cos 2  2kp cos 2 

(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) zero (D)
r r r2

18. Two uniformly charged non-conducting hemispherical shells each having uniform charge
density  and radius R form a complete sphere (not stuck together) and surround a concen-
tric spherical conducting shell of radius R/2. If hemispherical parts are in equilibrium then
minimum surface charge density of inner conducting shell is:

(A) –2  (B) /2 (C)  (D) 2 

PART - II : ONE OR MORE THAN ONE OPTIONS CORRECT TYPE

1. X and Y are large, parallel conducting plates closed to each other. Each face has an area A. X is
given a charge Q. Y is without any charge. Points A, B and C are as shown in figure :

(A) The field at B is

(B) The field at B is

(C) The fields at A, B and C are of the same magnitude

(D) The field at A and C are of the same magnitude, but in opposite directions

2. A wh ee l h avin g ma ss m h a s c ha r g es + q a nd – q on
diametrically opposite points. It remains in equilibrium on a
rough inclined plane in the presence of uniform vertical

electric field E. The value of E is :

(A) (B) (C) (D) None

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 ELECTROSTATICS
3. A uniform electric field of strength E exists in a region. An electron (charge –e, mass m)
enters a point A with velocity V ĵ . It moves through the electric field & exits at point B.Then:
y V
2
2amv
(A) E   î .
2 V B(2a,d)
ed

x
(0,0) A(a,0)
4ma 2 v 3
(B) Rate of work done by the electric field at B is .
d3

(C) Rate of work by the electric field at A is zero.

2av
(D) Velocity at B is î  v ĵ .
d

4. At distance of 5cm and 10cm outwards from the surface of a uniformly charged solid sphere,
the potentials are 100V and 75V respectively. Then :

(A) Potential at its surface is 150V.

(B) The charge on the sphere is (5/3) × 109C.

(C) The electric field on the surface is 1500 V/m.

(D) The electric potential at its centre is 225V.

5. Select the correct alternative :

(A) The charge gained by the uncharged body from a charged body due to conduction is
equal to half of the total charge initially present.

(B) The magnitude of charge increases with the increase in velocity of charge

(C) Charge cannot exist without matter although matter can exist without net charge

(D) Between two non–magnetic substances repulsion is the true test of electrification
(electrification means body has net charge)
PART - III : COMPREHENSION & MATCH THE COLUMN
Comprehension

Electric potential is a scalar quantity. Due to a point charge q at distance r, the potential is given

by V = .

A point charge q is placed at (3a, 0) and another charge –2q is placed at (–3a 0).

1. At how many points on the x–axis, (at finite distance) electric potential will be zero ?

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

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 ELECTROSTATICS
2. If we plot a graph of potential (V) on x–axis it will be like :

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

Comprehension

A leaf electroscope is a simple apparatus to detect any charge on a body. It consists of two
metal leaves OA and OB, free to rotate about O. Initially both are very slightly separated.
When a charged object is touched to the metal knob at the top of the conducting rod, charge
flows from knob to the leaves through the conducting rod. As the leaves are now charged
similarly, they start repelling each other and get separated, (deflected by certain angle).

Metal knob
Metal rod ++
++
++

Rubber
O O

+
+ A B A B
+
Glass Gold leaves ++
+ ++
++

window

The angle of deflection in static equilibrium is an indicator of the amount of charge on the
charged body.

3. When a + 20 C rod is touched to the knob, the deflection of leaves was 5°, and when an
identical rod of – 40 C is touched, the deflection was found to be 9°. If an identical rod of
+30 C is touched, then the deflection may be :

(A) 0 (B) 2° (C) 7° (D) 11°

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 ELECTROSTATICS
4. If we perform these steps one by one.

++++
++

(i) A positively charged rod is brought closer to initially uncharged knob (A)

+
++ +
++

(ii) Then the positively charged rod is touched to the knob (B)

-
-- -
--

(iii) Now the +vely charged rod is removed, and a negatively charged. (C)

rod of same magnitude is brought closer at same distance

In which case, the leaves will converge (come closer), as compared to the previous state ?

(A) (i) (B) (i) and (iii)

(C) only (iii) (D) In all cases, the leaves will diverge

5. In an electroscope, both leaves are hinged at the top point O. Each leaf has mass m, length
 and gets charge q. Assuming the charge to be concentrated at ends A and B only, the small
angle of deviation () between the leaves in static equilibrium, is equal to :

1/ 3 1/ 3 1/ 2 1/ 3
 4 kq2   k q2   2k q2   64 k q2 
(A)  2  (B)  2  (C)  2  (D)  2 

  mg    mg    mg    mg 

Comprehension

A solid conducting sphere of radius ‘a’ is surrounded by a thin uncharged concentric conducting
shell of radius 2a. A point charge q is placed at a distance 4a from common centre of conducting
sphere and shell. The inner sphere is then grounded.

2a 4a
a q

6. The charge on solid sphere is :

q q q q
(A) – (B)  (C) – (D) –
2 4 8 16

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 ELECTROSTATICS
7. Pick up the correct statement.

(A) Charge on surface of inner sphere is non-uniformly distributed.

(B) Charge on inner surface of outer shell is non-uniformly distributed.

(C) Charge on outer surface of outer shell is non-uniformly distributed.

(D) All the above statements are false.

8. The potential of outer shell is.

q q q q
(A) 32 a (B) 16  a (C) 8 a (D) 4 a
o o o o

9. Column  gives certain situations involving two thin conducting shells connected by a conducting
wire via a key K. In all situations, one sphere has net charge +q and other sphere has no net
charge. After the key K is pressed, column  gives some resulting effects. Match the figures in
Column  with the statements in Column  .

Column  Column 

initially no
net charge
+q
K

(A) (p) Charge flows through connecting wire

shell 
shell 

+q initially no
K net charge

(B) (q) Potential energy of system of spheres decreases.

shell 
shell 

initially no
net charge

+q
K
(C) (r) No heat is produced.
shell 

shell 

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 ELECTROSTATICS
+q

initially no
net charge
K

(D) (s) The shell  has no charge after equilibrium is reached.

shell 

shell 

(A) (A) p, q (B) p, q, r (C) p, q (D) r, s (B) (A) p, q (B) p, q (C) p, q, s (D) r, s

(C) (A) p, r (B) p, q (C) p, q, s (D) q, s (D) (A) p, s (B) p, q (C) p, q, s (D) q, s

10. Column  gives a situation in which two dipoles of dipole moment p î and 3 p ĵ are placed at
origin. A circle of radius R with centre at origin is drawn as shown in figure. Column  gives
coordinates of certain positions on the circle. Match the statements in Column  with the statements
in Column  .
y

3 p ĵ
x
pî
R

Column  Column 

R 3 R
(A) The coordinate(s) of point on circle (p)  , 

2 2 

where potential is maximum :

 R 3 R 
(B) The coordinate(s) of point on circle where potential is zero :(q)   ,  
 2 2 

 3 R R 
(C) The coordinate(s) of point on circle where (r)   ,

 2 2

1 4p
magnitude of electric field intensity is 4 3 :
0 R
 3R R 
(D) The coordinate(s) of point on circle where (s)  2 ,  2 
 
1 2p
magnitude of electric field intensity is 4 3 :
0 R

(A) (A) p (B) r,s (C) p,q (D) r,s (B) (A) q (B) r,s (C) p,q (D) r,q

(C) (A) r (B) r,p (C) p,q (D) r,s (D) (A) s (B) r,s (C) p,r (D) r,q

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 ELECTROSTATICS

ANSWERS
EXERCISE - 1
PART (1)
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. 5400 N, attractive.

q q q 
5. q0K  21  22 ....... 220  = 1.89 × 106 N 6. ± 1.0 x 10-6 C,  3 x 10-6 C
 r1 r2 r20 

2
7. from charge 4 e ( If q is positive stable, If q is negative unstable)
3

d 4Qq
8. ,
2 2 3 3 πε 0 d2

PART (2)
1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (A)
6. (A) 7. 45º 8. 30 cm from A along BA

9. 2540 î  2000 ĵ  1720k̂ N/C.

4K 4K 
10. (i) ; along OP.. (ii) cot ; Perpendicular to OP..
x x 2

   3  7  
11. E A = 2 0 ĵ , EB = 2  0 ĵ , EC = 2  0 ĵ , ED = 2 0 ĵ ,

PART (3)
1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (B)
6. (A) 7. (C) 8. (D)
9. (i) q(V) = 20 mJ. (ii)– 20 mJ (iii) q(V) +K.E. = 30 mJ (iv) –20mJ (v) 30 mJ

6Kqq0 3Kqq0 1 1
10. (i) (ii) (iii) No 11. W = Kqq 0    = 1.2 J
a a  rB rA 

12. (a) 0 (b) E.d = 40 V

13. (a) + 4.5 × 10-5 J (b) 3 × 105 N/C (c) 1.5 x 104 V


1 1 
14. 
(a) 450 6 i  8 j V/m, 4.5 k V/m (b) 4.5  2 –

 = 1.579 J
45 

Q (Rr )
15. V = 4 .R 2 r 2
0

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 ELECTROSTATICS

PART (4)
1. (C) 2. (B) 3. 10 eV

qQ qQ
4. (i) v surface  4  mR (ii) v centre  2  mR
0 0

PART (5)
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. 4.5 J

4Kq 2  3 1  2Kq2  3 1 
4. (i) 3    (ii) W ext = – 3   ,
a  2 3 a  2 3

2Kq2 3  3  1  Kq 2  3 1 
W el =   (iii) 3   
a  2 3 2ma  2 3

2Kq 2  3 1  Kq 2  3 1 
(iv) 3    (v) 3   
ma  2 3 ma  2 3

PART (6)

q(q0  q / 2) q(q0  q / 2)
1. (D) 2. (D) 3. W el = 8 0R
, W ext
=– 8 0R

6U0
4. Joules
5

PART (7)
1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (A)

5. – 2xy + C 6. (i) – 4( î – 2 k̂ ) (ii) E  8r̂

PART (8)
1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (C)

6. (D) 7. (D) 8. (D)

9. Qa 3 , along the bisector of the angle at –2Q, towards the triangle

2 qP  7K K  K 7 K
10. 2 11. (i) E = ,V= (ii) E = ,V= [where K = 1/4 0]
4  0 r 8 4 8 4

PART (9)
1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (D) 5. (A)

N  m2
6. 50 Nm2/C. 7. 104 , 0 8. There is net positive charge in the close surface.
C

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 ELECTROSTATICS

PART (10)

1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (A)

6. (C)

Q Q Q Q
7. (a) (b) 2A towards left (c) 2A towards right (d) 2A towards right
2A 0 0 0

Q'1 2 2 3 '1 3  r1r2 

        v 1  v 2 2 = 3/2 Joules
8. (i) (ii) = 12 C, = 18 C(iii) ' 2 2 (iv) 2 0
3 30 30
Q' 2 5 5 r 
 1 2r

9. (i) (r1/r 2)q

(ii) Charge on inner shell= –(r1/r 2)q and charge on the outer shell =q
(iii) Charge flown in to the earth =(r1/r 2)q

EXERCISE - 2
PART - I
1. (C) 2. (C) 3. (A) 4. (C) 5. (C)

6. (B) 7. (A) 8. (C) 9. (C) 10. (C)

11. (B) 12. (D) 13. (B) 14. (B) 15. (A)

16. (B) 17. (B) 18. (A)

PART - II
1. (ACD) 2. (B) 3. (ABCD) 4. (ABCD) 5. (CD)
PART - II
1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (A)

6. (B) 7. (C) 8. (A) 9. (B) 10. (A)

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