ELECTRIC CHARGES

AND FIELDS 1
NCERT EXERCISES
1.1. What is the force between two small charged spheres having charges of
2 x 10 C and 3 x 10- C placed 30 cm apart in air?
Ans. Given that 4 , = 2 x 10°C; q2 = 3 x 10C;r = 0.3 m

Using the formula, F = 192 ..0)

4TtE0
where = 9 x 10" Nm/C?
where 4TtE0
Substituting the given values in formula (), we get

F =9xl10x2x10x3x107
(0.3)
or F 6 X 103 N
As q, and q, are like charges, the force between them is repulsivve.
0.4 uC due to another
1.2.The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge
small sphere of charge -0.8 HC in air is 0.2 N.
the two spheres?
(a) What is the distance between
due to the first?
(6) What is the force on the second sphere
0.4 x 10° C; q2 0.8 uC 0.8 x 10-C
= -
= -

Ans. (a) Given that q, 0.4 C= =

F 0.2 N; r ? =

Using the formula, |F|

=
192
4tE
9x10"x0.4x10 x 0.8x 10-6
0.2 =

(Taking L = 9x 10°)
= 16x 9 x 10
4 x 3 x 10
=
0.12 m
r =

the same, i.e. 0.2 N, as the electrostatic

The force on the second sphere is
b)
attraction is mutual.

Electric Charges and Fields

 1.8, Check that the ratio ke/G m.m, is dimensionless. Look up a Table at
Physical Constants and determine the value of this ratio. What does the
ratio signify?
Ans. Let us check the dimensions of the given ratio, where
k = Nm'c-2
4TE0
e =
Charge of an electron and a proton
G Universal gravitational constant, Nm* kgz
m, and m, = The masses of electron and proton respectively.

ke (NmCxC?
(NmC)xC* =
[M° L' T'],
the units of numerator andas
Gm (N m kg)x kg denominator cancel out.
Using the table of physical constants, we find that
k 9x 10 Nm2 C-,e 1.6 10-19 C; G 10- Nm2kg
= =
x =
6.67 x

m, =
9.1 x
103 kg; m, =
1.67 x 102 kg
Substituting these values in the given ratio, we have

kes 9x10x(1.6 x 10-ls2

Gm mp
CGmm, 6.67 x10x9.1x103x1.67x107
= 2.4x 1039
This is the ratio of the electric force to the gravitational force between a
proton and an electron kept at a certain distance. The electric force, hence,
is much stronger force in comparison to the gravitational force.
14. (a) Explain the meaning of the statement 'electric charge of a body is
quantised.
(6) Why can one ignore quantisation of electric charge when dealing with
macroscopic, i.e. large scale charges?
Ans. (a) The
quantisation of an electric charge means that any charged body has
a total charge which is an integral multiple of an elementary charge e,
1.e. q= ne, where n is an integer and e is the charge of an electron.

(6) When we deal with macroscopic charges, the value of n is very large (as
el is very small). Hence for large scale charges, the quantisation has
no significance.

1.5. When a glass rod is rubbed with a silk cloth, charges appear on both. A
similar phenomenon is observed with many other pairs of bodies. Explain
how this observation is consistent with the law of conservation of charge.
10 NCERT Textbook Solutions
(Physics)-12
 Ans. Charge can neitheT be created nor
destroved. It is merely transferred from
one body to another. A glass rod rubbed
with silk cloth becomes
charged and the silk cloth turns negatively
a
positively
rod acquiring electrons from cat's charged. Similarly, an ebonite
skin becomes negatively
consequently, the cat's skin turns positively charged. The charged of
and,

charges occurs due to friction between the two bodies. Hence,exchange

there is n0
new charge created or
destroyed. This observation is, therefore, consistent
with the law of conservation of
charge.
1.6. Four point charges q4 2 uC, =
-5 uC, g¢=
q, 2 HC and =
5 uC are =

located atthe corners of 4, -

square ABCD of side 10 cm. What is the force

a
on a charge of 1 uCplaced at the centre of the square?
Ans. In the given square ABCD, we notice that the
charges 2 HC -5 uC
kept at the corners A and C are each equal to 2uC
and the charges kept at the corners B and D are
again equal to -5 uC. As 1 uC charge kept at O 0.1 m
HC
isequidistant from the corners of the square, the Fo
forces F and Fc and Fp and F,
being equal and
opposite, will cancel out. Hence, the net force at -5 HC 2
O is zero.
1.7. (a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line
cannot have sudden breaks. Why not?
(6) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point.
Ans. () An electrostatic field line is an imaginary path adopted by unit
positive
charge in the neighbourhood of a charged body. It is a continuous
curve because the moving unit charge cannot jump from one position
to another and the path cannot have sudden breaks.
(6) Two field lines do not intersect. If they do so, then it would mean two
directions of an electric field at the point of intersection of the field
lines as two tangents can be drawn at the point of intersection. But two
directions of an electric field are not possible at a point.
1.8. Two point charges q, = 3 HC and q, = -3 HC are located 20 cm apart in

vacuumn.

is the electric field at the mid-point 0 of the line AB joining the

(a) What
two charges?
(6) Ifa negative test charge ofmagnitude 1.5 x 10Cis placed at this point,

what is the force experienced by

the test charge?
Electric Charges and Fields 11
 +1C
Ans. A 3 x 10C
O 9-3x 10-c
A B
0.1 m

0.2 m

(a) Given that q, = 3uC = 3 x 10*" C; qn = -3uC = - 3 x 10 C ;

AB =
20 cm =
0.2 m; AO = OB =
10 cm =
0.1 m

Assuming a unit positive charge, placed at 0, we see that, both E, and E.

are
equal in magnitude and act in the same direction Oß.
E 2E, =
2xkA 2 2 x 9 x 10 x 3x10
along OB
(OA)2 (0.1)
E = 5.4x 10h NC along OBB

(6) If charge g, = -
1.5 x 10-C is placed at O then
F% = Go E, = - 1.5 x 10-3 x 5.4 x 10 = - 8.1 x 10- N.

The sign of F, is negative, it is

as
along OA.
1.9. A system has two charges q= 2.5 x -2.5 x 10 C located 10- C and q
at points (0, 0, -15 cm) and B: (0, 0, +15 cm), respectively. What are
A:
the total charge and electric
dipole moment of the system?
Ans. Given that q 2.5 x 10 C; q= -2.5 x 10" C;
Coordinates of A (0, 0, 15 cm); Coordinates of B
= -

=
(0, 0, + 15 cm)
Hence, equal and opposite charges are kept 30 cm away from each other
two
along Z axis. The system acts as an electric dipole, i.e. p = q(21) and is
directed from A to B. The total
charge on the system is q +9B =
0.
The electric dipole moment is calculated as
=
2.5 x 10- x 0.3 =0.75 x 10-7
=
7.5 x
10** Cm along AAB
1.10. An electric dipole with
dipole moment 4x 10- Cm is aligned at 30° with
direction of a uniform electric field of
magnitude 5 x 10* NC. Calculate
the magnitude of the torque acting the
on
dipole.
Ans. Using the formula, T pE sin 0

Given that p 4x 10 cm; E = 5 x 10 NC-

and 30, sin 30° =
The torque acting the
on
dipole,
4x 10 x5 x 10 x= 10 N-m
12 NCERT Textbook Solutions (Physics)-12
1.11. A polythene piece rubbed with wool is found to have a negative charge
of 3x10 C.
(a) Estimate the number of electrons transferred (from which to which?).
(6) Is there a transfer of mass from wool to polythene?
Ans. (a) Given that q = - 3 x 10- C,

Charge on an electron, e =
-1.6 x 10- C

As we know that 4 ne n
e

.
-1.6x10-191.8x
=3 x10-7 1012

n 2 x 10 electrons
transfer of
(6) Yes, as an electron has a definite mass (m, =
9.1 x 103 kg), a
mass takes place from wool to polythene.
The mass transferred, m = nm,

10 x 9.1 x 10-31
m =2 x

m = 1.82 x 10-l8 kg
m 2 x 10- kg
amount.
It is a negligible
have their centres separated
1.12. (a) Two insulated charged copper spheresA and B
c m . What is the
mutual force of electrostatic
distance of 50
by a x 10 C? The radii of A and
on each is 6.5
repulsion if the charge
to the distance of separation.
B a r e negligible compared double the above
force of repulsion if each sphere is charged
(6) What is the
distance between them
is halved?
amount, and the
50 cm = 0.5 m
6.5 x 10/ C; r
=

Given that 6.5 x 10

= C; qp
=

Ans. (a) q,

Using the formula, F =Ais

9x10 x(6.5x10) - 1,.52 x 10*N
F =
(0.5)
and = r/2, then
() If q' =
244 q'
=
24
(q)X4
(24)(24p_4k - 16 F
F

1.52 x 102 N
i.e.
F =16 x

F =0.24 N

Electric Charges and Fields 13

 A and B in Exercise 1.12
have identical sizes. A thir
Suppose the spheres with the
1.13. is brought in c o n t a c t first,
same size but uncharged
sphere of the second, and finally
removed from both.
in c o n t a c t with the
then brought
force of repulsion between A and B?
What is the new
o n the spheres A and
B a r e equal to 6.5 10 C each
The initial charges C has no
Ans. a distance 0.5 m.
An identical sphere
thev are separated by
and
charge then the total charge
will he
and brought in contact,
Case I: When A
are

between spheres A and C.

shared equally
107+ 0 = 6.5 x 10C
= 6.5 x
Total charge, q
As 9 9 +9, and
3.25 x 107 C:q,
= 3.25 x 10 C
We have 9
6 . 5 x 10-7C
and
Case II: Now spheres B and C arebrought in contact.
+ 6.5x 107 + 3.25 x 107
= 9.75x 10 C

charge q'
=
Total
=
qn 9
shared equally betweenB and C
This charge is

g'n gc = 75x10
2
=4.875x 10C
B 3.25 x 10'C and
charges o n spheres A and
are
Therefore, the new

4.875x 10 C respectively.

Hence
9x10x3.25x 10x4.875x10 = 5.7x 10- N
(0.5)
in a uniform electrostatic
1.14.
1.14. Figure 1.33 shows tracks ofthree charged particles
field. Give the signs of the three charges. Which particle has the highest

charge to mass ratio?

Fig. 1.33

Ans. Let E be the uniform electric field between the

oppositely charged parallel
plates. The force acting on a charge q will be F = qE. If the charge is positive,
force will be
along the direction of E and it negative, then opposite to E.

14 NCERT Textbook Solutions

(Physics-12
 Let m be the mass of the particle, then the acceleration of the particle will
be qE/m. Also using y = t + a t ? , the displacement of the charge will be

,as u =
0, i.e. the charge may be initially at rest.

Ift is the same for all particles,y. then q/m

The particle having maximum vertical displacement y will have the highest
charge to mass ratio,. According to the given diagram, the particles I and2
are negatively charged and particle 3 is positively charged and also has the
highest charge to mass ratio, as its vertical displacement, y, is maximum.
1.15. Consider a uniform electric field E = 3x 10 iNc.
(a) What is the flux of this field through a square of 10 cm on a side whose
plane is parallel to the y - z plane?
(6) What is the ffux through the same square if the normal to its plane makes
a 60 angle with the x-axis?
Ans. Given that E = 3 x 103i NC-; S = (0.12 i m?
(a) E S = 3 x 10 x 0.1 x 0.1 (i i )
F 30 V-m (asi i = 1)

(b) E S cos e(As 6 =60°, cos 60°= ) (1 V-m = 1 Nm'C-l

d 30 x 15 V-m
2
1.16. What is the net flux of the uniform electric field of Exercise 1.15 through a
cube of side 20 cm oriented so that its faces are parallel to the coordinate
planes?
Ans. As no net charge is enclosed inside the cube, and all the faces of the cube are
parallel to the coordinate planes, the number of field lines entering the cube
will be equal to the number of field lines leaving the cube. Consequently,
the net flux through the cube due to uniform electric field along x-axis will
be zero.
1.17. 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 x 10 Nm/C.
(a) What is the net charge inside the box?
6) If the net outward fAux through the surface of the box were zero, could
you conclude that there were no charges inside the box? Why or Why
not?
Ans. (a) Given that ¢ = 8.0 x 10* Nm/C

Using Gauss's theorem, net

net& = 8.85 X 107 x 8.0 x 10' = 0.07 uC

Elecric Charges and Fields 15

 (6) If ¢ is then we can only conclude that the net
zero,
charge enclose
inside the box is zero. There may be equal and opposite charges
the box, making the net charge zero or there
inside
may be no charge inside
the box.

1.18. A point charge + 10 C is at a distance 5 cm directly above 5 cm

the centre of square of side 10 cm as shown in

1.34. What is the magnitude of the electric flux
figure
the square?
through
[Hint: Think of the square as one face of a cube with edge
10 cm. -10 cm
Fig. 1.34
Ans. A cube has 6 faces and the
given square is one of the faces of a cube.
square = cube)

Also
cube
10x10-
uare
8.85 x10-1.88
x
10 Nm?/

square 2 x 10° Nm/C

1.19. A point charge of 2.0 uC is at the centre of a cubic Gaussian
on
edge. What is the net electric flux through the surface?surface 9.0 cm
Ans. Given that q =
2.0 x 10- C
Using the formula,
&o
The net flux through the surface of the cube is
given by
2.0x10 2.2x10° Nm?/c
8.85x 10-12
1.20. A point charge causes an electric flux of -1.0 x 10*
a Nm/C to pass through
spherical Gaussian surface of 10.0 cm radius centred
on the
(a) Ifthe radius of the Gaussian surface charge.
pass through the surface?
were
doubled, how much flux would
6) What is the value of the
point charge?
Ans. (a) As o
depends only on the net charge enclosed by the
and not by the
shape, radius or surface area of the Gaussian surface
in this case, the
doubling of the radius of the GaussianGaussian surface,
change the electric flux, i.e. ¢ remains surface will not
equal to -1.0 x 10 Nm?/C
16 NCERT Textbook Solutions
(Physics)-12
 b) As we know that
q/t, >
q = dEo
= (-1.0 x 105) x 8.85 x 10-12
-8.8 x 10-C
1.21. 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 x 10" N/C and points
radially inward, what is the net charge on the sphere?
Ans. The unknown charge will apparently reside at the centre of the conducting
sphere of radius 10 cm. The distance of the point from the centre is 0.2 m
and E 1.5 x 10" N/C at that point.
=

E =
=4te,r.E or q
4TE2
or
Igl = (0.2)x1.5x 10* = 6.67 x 10- C
9x10
As the field is inward (radially), the charge is negative.
- 6.67 nC
1.22. A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.4 m diameter has a surface
charge density of 80.0 uC/m2
(a) Find the charge on the sphere.
(6) What is the total electric flux leaving the surface of the sphere?
Ans. (a) Given that, diameter of sphere =
2.4 m
.Radius of sphere = 1.2 m
Surface charge density, o = 80.0 uC/m; o = 80 x, 10- C/m
We know that q o X surface area

0 X 4tr
q 8 0 x 10 x 4 x 3.14 x (1.2)
1 . 4 5 x 10 C
6) The total electric flux leaving the surface of the sphere is given by
L = 145x10-3 =
1.6 x 10* Nm/C
PTotal 8.85x1o-12

1.23. An infinite line charge produces a field of 9 x 10' N/C at a distance of

2 Calculate the linear charge density.
cm.

Ans. Given that E = 9 x 10' N/C; r = 2 cm = 2 x 10 m

We know that, a linear charge produces a field, i.e. E = ,where is linear
2 TE
charge density and r is the distance of the point at which E is determined.

Electric Charges and Fields 17

 values in the formula, we get
Substituting the given
2
4 TtE
9 x 10=2XAx9x10"
2x10
=10' C/m = 0 . 1 uC/m

other. On their
parallel and close to each
large, thin metal plates
are

1.24
1.24. Two
surface charge densities
of opposite signs and
faces, the plates have
inner
C/m2. What is E : (a) in the
outer region of the
of magnitude
17.0x 10 and (c) between the
the outer region of the second plate
first plate, (6) in
plates?
Ans. We know that E.I= |E-| =

(a) and b): In regions I and 11, both

fields E
and E due to two charged thin metal plates,
0. -E.| E.
cancel each other. Hence E, =
E,, =

(c)In region I11, lying between the two plates, E E E

fields E and E- are added up, being in the

same direction.

= 17x10-2
2 x 2E0
=

8.85 x 10-12

of E= 1.9 x 107" N'C, from left to right.

electric
1.25 An oil drop of 12 excess electrons is held stationary under a constant

feld of 2.55 x 10 Nc- in Millikan's oil drop experiment. The density

of the oil is 1.26 g cm. Estimate the radius of the drop.
g = 9.81l msi; e = 1.60 x 10- C).
Ans. In Millikan's oil drop experiment, the weight of the oil drop is balanced by
the upward electric force acting on it.

1.e. mg
=
neE r pg =
neE ...)
Given that n = 12; e = 1.6 x 107 C; E = 2.55 x 10t N/C,

P= 1.26 x 10° kg/m°; g = 9.8 m/s;r = ?

Substituting the given values in equation (), we get

3.14 x x 1.26 x 10' x 9.8 = 12 x 1.6 x 109 x 2.35 x 10

= 9.8 x 10 n

18 NCERT Textbook Solutions (Physics)-12

1.26. Which among the curves shown in figure 1.35 cannot possibly represent
electrostatic field lines?

Conductor

(a) (6) ()

d) ()
Fig. 1.35
Ans. (a) As the field lines must be normal to the surface of the conductor. the
field lines showed in (a) do not represent electrostatic field lines.
(b) As the field lines cannot start from a negative charge and end at a positive

charge, the field lines showed in (b) do not represent electrostatic field
lines.
field lines, because
(c) The field lines showed in (c) represent electrostatic
and repel each
the field lines are emerging from tlhe positive charges
other.
intersect each other, hence figure (d) does not
(d) The field lines cannot

represent electrostatic field lines.

loops, hence field lines un (e) do not
(e) The field lines cannot form closed
represent electrostatic field
lines.
.27. In a certain region ofspace, electric field is along the z-direction throughout.
The magnitude of electric field is, however, not constant but increases
the rate of 10° NC metre.
uniformly along the positive z-direction, at per
having total
What are the force and torque experienced by a system a

dipole moment equal to

10 Cm in the negative z-direction?
Electric Charges and Fields 199
 Ans. The force experienced by a system in non-uniform electric field is given bu
y
F P +Py, + , d
Given that =
10 NC- m; d = =
0; p, =
P, 0; P,
= =

-10* cm
Substituting the given values in equation (?), we get
F =

P.= -107 x
10 = -102 N
z
The negative sign shows that the force is acting along the negative z-direction.
As both p and E along z-axis and the angle between them is T.
T p E sin 0 = 0 ('Sin T = 0)
1.28. (a) A conductor A with cavity as
shown in figure 1.36(i) is given a
a
charge
Q. Show that the entire charge must appear on the outer surface of
the conductor.
(6) Another conductor B with charge q is inserted into the cavity
insulated from A. Show that the total
keeping B
charge on the outside surface of Ais
Q+ [Figure 1.36(ii)].
(c) A sensitive instrument is to be shielded from the
strong electrostatic
fields in its environment.
Suggest a
possible way.
Q Q+q

i) (ii)
Fig. 1.36
Ans. (a) Consider a Gaussian surface lying completely within the conductor and
encircling the cavity. Let q be the charge inside the conductor. Using
Gauss's theoremn,
b= f E ds =
As E inside conductor is zero, it
a
implies that 1 =
0 or q =
0.
Hence, the charge inside the conductor is zero.
Consequently, the given charge
Qshould reside on the outer surface
of the conductor.
(b) When another conductor B having charge '+f is placed into the cavity
keeping B insulated from A, an induced charge comes to the inner

20 NCERT Textbook Solutions

(Physics)-12
 surface of conductor A and "+g charge goes to the outer surface of
conductor A. As a result, the total charge on the outer surface of A
becomesQ+ q.
(c To shield a sensitive instrument from the strong electrostatic field, it
should be kept within a closed metallic body, which keeps zero electric
field inside it.

129, A hollow charged conductor has a tiny hole cut into its surface. Show that
the electric field in the hole is (o/2s0) i where i is the unit vector in the
outward normal direction and o is the surface charge density near the

hole.
Assume that there is no hole in the conductor. Then the field just outside is
Ans.
i and inside is zero. Let this field be the superposition of the two fields,
one due to the filled up hole and second due to the rest of the charged
conductor. Inside the conductor, these two fields are equal and opposite

giving the net field inside the

conductor zero. But outside, they are equal
both in magnitude and direction.
E, + E = , as E, = Ez
Or

we have 2E i E =
where E, is the field due to the rest of the conductor that is ( 9 .

1.30. Obtain the formula for the electric field due to a long thin wire of uniform
linearcharge density using Gauss's law.
without
the necessary integral.]
[Hint: Use Coulomb's law directly and evaluate
a. P is any point at
Ans. Let RS be a thin wire having a linear charge density
normal distance r from the mid-point of wire RS, R

i.e. T. Let AB be a small elementary length, i.e. dl.

The charge on AB is dq = a dl. dEsin
dE
Let AP BP =
x Let AC be the
(as dl is very small). dE cos
perpendicular from A on BP meeting it at C. dÙ be
theangle subtended by elementary length dl at P. 8/C
The elementary electric field dE at P due to charge s
on AB will be

dE = k = k A
and a t si
can in
be resolvedmutually perpendicular components dE cos o
t charge n
shown. As there will be symmetrically opposite elementary
ds will be canceneu,
ne
upper half of the wire (TR), the component dE sin ¢
and Fields 21
Electric Charges
 while dE cos o will be added up for each pair of symmetrically opposit.
te
elementary lengths.
Hence E at P will be E = JdE cos
.)
In A4BC, sin 0= AC
dl
d l = A C or AC dl =
sin 6
sin 6
In AACP do= AC = dlsin 0
X
In AAPT, sin 0 =

do = d or dl = do

2
dE = ka
Substituting this value in
equation (?), we
get

If the wire is
E =

f RAcos do
infinitely large, then the limits of
integral on R.H.S. will be
from -t/2 to t/2.
. For infinitely
large, charged and thin wire, the
P will be intensity of electric field at
T2
E=
R -Tt/2
cos do =
[sin ] -r/2
E = 1-(-1)1 =

1.31. It is
now believed that protons and neutrons E 2tE
matter) are themselves built out of (which constitute nuclei of
proton and a neutron consist of three more ordinary
elementary units called quarks. A
called 'up'
quark (denoted by u) of quarks each. Two
types of
(denoted by d) of charge (-1/3) charge + (2/3) e, and the quarks, the so
'down' quark
matter. e, together with
(Quarks of other electrons build
different unusual varieties types have also been found which up ordinary
Suggest a possible quark give rise to
of a of matter.)
proton and neutron.
Ans. Given that composition
q, =
+ 2/3; q =
-1/3
The possible
it is +1. composition of a
proton is (u, u, d) so that the total
i.e.
charge on

+1

22 NCERT Textbook Solutions

(Physics)-12
 composition for
a neutron is (u, d, d) so that thee total
The possible quark
on it is zero.
charge
i.e. -0
configuration. A small test charge
electrostatic field
132. (a) Consider an arbitrary where E = 0) of the configuration. Show
is placed at a null point
(i.e.
of the test charge is necessarily unstable.
that the equilibrium
the simple configuration of two charges of the same
(6)Verify this result for
a certain distance apart.
magnitude and sign placed
(a) This may be proved by contradiction.
Let us assumethat the equilibrium
Ans. condition if the test charge is slightly displaced
is stable. Under this
it will experience a restoring force
towards the
in any direction, then
if all the field lines n e a r the null
null point. It will only be possible
toward the null point. Alternately, we may
point are directed inwards
electric field through a closed
say that
there is a net inward flux of
But according to Gauss's law, the lux
surface around the null point.
surface,
not charge (q
enclosing any 0), is zero. Hence,=

through a
the initial assumption is not correct.
the equilibrium is unstable and
The mid-point of the line joining
the two equal charges is a null point.
(b)
this line, then a restoring force starts
If a test charge is displaced along
the test charge normally to the line,
a net
acting on it. On displacing
it away from the null point.
force starts acting o n the test charge taking
The stability of equilibrium requires
the application of restoring force
in all directions.

1.33. A particle of charge (-q) enters

mass m and the region between the two
x-axis with speed v, (like particle
charged plates initially moving along electric field E
I in Figure 1.33). The length of plate is L and a uniform
deflection of the
is maintained between the plates. Show that the vertical
particle at the far edge of the plate is qEL-/(2m v,).
field
Compare this motion with motion of a projectile in gravitational
discussed in Section 4.10 of Class XI Textbook of Physics.
Ans.
+
+

-q
a

2
and Fields 23
Electric Charges
 Let E be the uniform electric field between the
plates. Let m the mass
and
b e the charge of a particle, then
F= ma =
qE
a=
m
This acceleration from
acts plate 1 to 2 as shown in the diagram.
The time taken by particle in
a
crossing the field of.length L along x-axis is

During this time, the particle moves vertically and is displaced by

y. As initial vertical velocity is zero,
displacement
therefore,

This is the vertical deflection of the particle at the far edge of the
1.34.
plate.
Suppose that the particle in Exercise in 1.33 is electron
velocity v, 2.0 x 10 ms, If E between the
=
an
projected with
9.1 10 N/C, where will the electron
x
plates separated by 0.5 cm is
strike the upper plate?
x
101 C, m, = 9.1 x 1031 kg.) (lel=1.6
Ans. Given that v, 2.0 x 10°=
m/s; y =
0.5 cm =
5 x 103m; E =
9.1 x 102NC;
q = 1.6x 10-13 C; m, =
9.1 x 10-3 kg
qEL?
Using the result, y =

2m72 we have, L =, 2ym,v

eE
Substituting the given values, we get
L = 2x5X10-x9.1x10X(2X10 =
1.6x 10
1.6x1019x9.1x102 m

Therefore, the electron will strike the upper plate after

distance equal to 1.6 x 10 m or 1.6 cm. covering a horizontal