ELECTROSTATICS 1

EXERCISE - 1 : BASIC OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

Electric charge and its properties and Force between charges

Q1Q2 9  109  2  2
1. F  = k. =
10   particles (nuclei of helium) fall per second on a
12
d2 9  109
neutral sphere. Calculate the time (in second) in which
the sphere gets charged by 2 C . F  = 4 N (Attractive)
Ans.(6.25) 4. Two point charges repel each other with a force of 100 N.
One of the charges is increased by 10% and other is
Sol. Number of   particles falling in t second  1012 t decreased by 10%. The new force of repulsion at the same
Charge on   particle  2e distance will be
(a) 55 N (b) 77 N
12

So, charge incident on the sphere in time t  10 t  (2e)  (c) 99 N (d) 100 N
Given: Charge on sphere  2 C Ans. (c)
Q1 Q2
1018 Sol. F = 100 N = k. ... (i)
 2  10 6
 
 10 t  (2e)  t 
12

1.6  1019
 6.25 s R2
New charges
2. The ratio of the electric force between two electrons to the 10 11
gravitational force between them is of the order of Q1 = Q1 + Q1 = Q1
100 10
(a) 1042 (b) 1040
(c) 1036 (d) 1032 10 9
Q2 = Q2 - Q2 = Q2
Ans. (a) 100 10
Q1Q2
Sol. Fe = 9  109 
1.6 10  -19 2 F  = k.
R2
d2
 11  9 
 Q1  Q2 
FG = 6.67  10-11 
9.110  -31 2
F  = k. 
10  10 
R2
d2
99 kQ1 Q2
Fe F = .
 1042 100 R 2
FG
From Equation (i)
3. Two point charges +2 coulomb and +6 coulomb repel each
other with a force of 12 N. If a charge of –4 coulomb is 99
F =  100  F   99 N .
given to each of these charges then the force will be 100
(a) 4 N (repulsive) (b) 4 N (attractive) 5. A charge q1 exerts some force on a second charge q2. If a
(c) 8 N (repulsive) (d) 8 N (attractive) third charge q3 is brought near, the force of q1 exerted on
q2 will :
Ans. (b)
Sol. Initially (a) increase (b) decrease
(c) remain unchanged (d) none of these
Q1 = 2C, Q2 = 6C, F = 12N
Ans. (c)
12 Sol. Force due to q1 exerted on q2 will remains same, but net
12 = 9  109  force exerted on q2 due to q1 and q3 will change.
d2
6. Two pith balls each of mass 1 gm and each carrying a
d 2 = 9  109 m2 charge of 1C are attached to ends of silk threads 1m long
the other ends of which are attached to a fixed point in
Finally
gravity free space.The force between them will be
Q1 = 2 - 4 = -2C , Q2 = 6 - 4 = 2C (a) 2.25 × 10–5 N (b) 6.1 × 10–3 N
(c) 4.25 × 10 N
–3
(d) 12.25 × 10–3 N
Ans. (b)
ELECTROSTATICS 2

Sol. 8. If a charge q is placed at the centre of the line joining two

equal charges Q each such that the system is in equilibrium,
then the value of q is
(a) Q/2 (b) – Q/2
(c) Q/4 (d) – Q/4
Ans. (d)

Sol.

mg  T cos   F
 dividing, we get tan  
F  T sin   mg
When the system of three charges is in equilibrium,
9 12
F x F 9 10 10 Fnet on any Q  0
tan     x
mg 1 mg 4 x 2 .103 10
Qq QQ Q
3 3
 x  2.25  0.1  x  0.225  4 d 2 + 4 (2d )2 = 0 or q = - 4
0 0
x = 0.61 m 9. Two point charges q1 = + 2C and q2 = – 1C are separated by
F = mg x a distance d. The position on the line joining the two
F = 10–3 × 10 × 0.61 N = 6.1 × 10–3 N charges where a third charge = + 1C will be in equilibrium
7. Two free charges q and 4q are placed at a distance d apart. is at a distance
A third charge Q is placed between them at a distance x
(a) d / 2 from q1 between q1 & q2
from charge q such that the system is in equilibrium. Then,
(a) Q = –4q/9, x = d/3 (b) Q = –4q/9, x = d/4 (b) d / 2 from q1 away from q2
(c) Q = –4q/3, x = d/3 (d) Q = –4q/3, x = d/4
(c) d / 2 – 1 from q2 between q1 & q2
Ans. (a)
(d) d / 2 – 1 from q2 away q1
Ans. (d)
Sol.

Sol.
Conditions for system to be in equilibrium.
(i) must be in equilibrium
As q1 and q2 opposite polarity, so third charge will be in
equilibrium near the charge having smaller magnitude.
Qq 4Qq
k. = k. Condition for equilibrium of charge ‘q’
d - x
2 2
x
q1 q q2 .q 2 1
k. = k.  =
 d + x  d + x
2
x2 2
x2
1 2
=
x d-x 2 1 d
= x= .
d - x = 2x d+x x 2 -1
d = 3x 10. 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
d corners. If the net electrical force on is zero, then the Q/q
x=
3
(ii) Net force on q will be zero. (a) 2 2 (b) –1
2
Qq 4q 2 Qq 4q d 1
k. + k . 2 = 0  k . 2  9 = -k . 2 Since x 
x 2
d d d 3 (c) 1 (d) 
2
-4q Ans. (a)
Q= .
9
ELECTROSTATICS 3

5  10 6  5  10 6
  4.5 N / m
2 0  (0.1)
12. Three charges – q1, + q2 and – q3 are placed as shown in
the figure. The x-component of the force on – q1 is
Sol. proportional to

The force of repulsion by must get cancelled by the

resultant attracting force due to and at A and B. Hence ,
and must be of opposite signs and Q/must be negative.
Force of repulsion,

1 Q2
F= .
4 0 2a 2
Total force of attraction along the diagonal q2 q3 q2 q3
(a)  cos  (b)  sin 
(taking cos components) b 2
a 2
b 2
a2

1  Qq 1 Qq  1  Qq 2  q2 q3 q2 q3
=  . + 2 =  2  (c)  cos  (d)  sin 
4 0  a 2 2 a 2 4 0  a  b2 a2 b2 a2
Ans. (b)
q1 q2
  Q2 Qq 2 Q Sol. Force on (-q1 ) due to +q 2 = along +ve x axis
F attraction  F repulsion  =  2 2 4 0 b2
2a 2 a2 q
(-q1 )(- q3 )
Force on (-q1 ) due to (-q 3 ) =
Q 4 0 a 2
Since Q and q are of opposite sings, q  2 2
q1 q3
F2 = as shown
4 0 a 2
Q
 2 2
q F2 makes an angle of (900 -  ) with  ve x axis

11. Two infinite linear charges are placed parallel to each other
at a distance 0.1m from each other. If the linear charge
density on each is 5 C / m, then the force (in N / m)
acting on a unit length of each linear charge will be
Ans. (4.50)
Sol. Electric field at 2 due to 1

Resolved part of F2 along along +ve x axis

= F2 cos (900 -  )
qq
= 1 3 2 sin 
4 0 a
5  106
E q1q3 q1q2
2 0 (0.1)  Fx1q1  sin  
2
4 0 a 4 0b 2
Force per unit length on wire 2 F  E  Charge on unit
length of wire 2  E  5  106
ELECTROSTATICS 4

q1  q3 q  14. Two charges, each equal to q, are kept at x = –a and x = a

  sin   22 
4 0  a 2
b  q
on the x–axis. A particle of mass m and charge q 0  is
2
q q 
 x-component of force   22 + 23 sin   . placed at the origin. If charge q 0 is given a small
b a  displacement y (y << a) along the y –axis, the net force
13. Two identical charged spheres suspended from a common acting on the particle is proportional to
point by two massless strings of length l are initially a (a) y (b) –y
distance d (d << l) apart because of their mutual repulsion.
The charge begins to leak from both the spheres at a 1 1
constant rate. As a result charges approach each other (c) y (d)  y
with a velocity v. Then as a function of distance x between
them, Ans. (a)
(a) v  x–1 (b) v  x1/2 Sol. The situation is as shown in the figure.
(c) v  x (d) v  x–1/2
Ans. (d)
Sol.

 q
When a particle of mass m and charge q 0  =  placed at
 2
the origin is given a small displacement along the y-axis,
then the situation is shown in the figure.

Figure shows equilibrium positions of the two sphere.

q2 1
 T cos  = mg and T sin  = F =
4 0 d 2
When charge begins to leak from both the spheres at a
constant rate, then By symmetry, the components of forces on the particle of
2 charge q0 due to charges at A and B along x-axis will cancel
1 q each other where along y-axis will add up
tan  =
4 0 x mg
2
 The net force acting on the particle is
x q2 1 qq 0 y
 Fnet = 2 F cos  = 2
2l 4 0 x 2 mg Since d  ,   small 4 0
 
2
2
y +a 2 ( y + a2 )
2

 tan   sin 
q
x/2 x q 
  2 2 y  q 
 2 =  q 0 = (Given) 
4 0 ( y + a ) ( y + a 2 )
2 2 2
 2 
x q2
or  2
2l x 1 q2 y
=
1 4 0 (y + a 2 )3/2
2

dq 3 2 dx
or q2  x 3  q  x 3/2   x
As y < < a  0,1
dt 2 dt
3 12 1 q2 y
 x V  constant =c (say)  Fnet = or Fnet  y
2 4 0 a 3
2c 1/ 2
V  x  V  x 1/ 2
3
ELECTROSTATICS 5
Electric field Sol.
4
15. A charged oil drop is suspended in uniform field of 3×10
V/m, so that it neither falls nor rises. The charge on the
drop will be
–15 2
(take the mass of the charge = 9.9 × 10 kg and g = 10 m/s )
–18 –18
(a) 3.3 × 10 C (b) 3.2 × 10 C
–18 –18
(c) 1.6× 10 C (d) 4.8 × 10 C
Ans. (a)
Sol. Net force = 0 OA = OB = OC = OD
qE = mg  5 2 cm
mg 9.9  10  10

15
 3.3 1018 C
 5 2  10-2 m
q
E 3  104
 
16. Two point charges q1 = 4 C & q2 = 9 C are placed 20 cm E OA = E OC directions are opposite
apart. The electric field due to them will be zero on the line
joining them at a distance of
5
(a) 8 cm from q1 (b) 8 cm from q2 9  109  2   10-9
 1 2q 3
E OB = . = N / C  towards OD 
(c) 80/13 cm from q1 (d) 80/13 cm from q2 4 0  OB 2 25  2  10-4
Ans. (a)
5
Sol. q1  4  C q2  9  C 9 109 1 10-9
 1 q 3
E OD = . = N / C  towards OD 
4 0  OD 2 25  2  10-4

  
E net = E OB + E OD

Let ‘O’ is a point where Electric field due to both charges is

zero. 1 1
= 9  109   10-5 + 9  10 9   10-5
q1 q 15 30
E A  EB k. 2
= k. 2 2
OA OB 1
= 9  10 9   10-5 = 0.9  10 4 N / C
4  10-6 9  10-6 2 3 10
= =
x2  20 - x 
2
x 20 - x
OR 0.9  104 Vm-1 .
40 – 2x = 3x 18. Two point charges + 8q and –2q are located at x = 0 and x
40 = 5x = L respectively. The location of a point on the x-axis at
X = 8 cm from q1 which the net electric field due to these two point charges
is zero is
17. Charge of +q, +2q, + and –are placed at the corners of a (a) 2L (b) L/4
square ABCD, calculate the electric field at the intersection (c) 8L (d) 4L
of the diagonals of the square when q = 5/3 × 10–9 C and
each side square of is 10 cm. Ans. (a)

Sol.

Resultant intensity = 0
1 8q 1 2q
- =0
4 0 (L + d)2 4 0 d2
(a) 2.1 × 103 Vm–1 (b) 9.1 × 10-2 Vm–1 or (L + d)2 = 4d2 or d = L
(c) 1.8 × 104 Vm–1 (d) 0.9 × 104 Vm–1  Distance from origin = 2L
Ans. (d)
 ELECTROSTATICS 6
19. An infinite number of charges, each equal to q, are placed [Given 0 = 8.85 × 10–12 C2/Nm2, RE = 6.37 × 106 m]
along the x  axis at x  1, x  2, x  4, x  8, etc. The (a) +670 kC (b) – 670 kC
electric field at the point x  0 due to the set of charges (c) – 680 kC (d) + 680 kC
Ans. (c)
q
is n . Find n . Sol.
0

Ans. (3)
Sol. Electric field,
1 q q q q 
E     .
4 0  1 22 42 82 

1 q q
  If C/m2 (–ve) is the surface charge density on earth surface
4 0  1  3 0
1   then we use.
 4 
E
20. A charged particle enters at point A and comes out from 0
point B. Its velocity vector makes angle  and  with = E
electric field at these two points, respectively. The ratio The total surface area of earth = 4 Re2
of kinetic energy of the charged particle at these two points
= –× 4Re2
 KB 
  will be (Given   60 and   30  = –E0 4Re2
 KA  = –8.854 × 10-12 × 150 × 4 × 3.14 × (6.37×106)2
= –676.55×103 C = –680 kC.
22. In a uniformly charged sphere of total charge Q and radius
R, the electric field E is plotted as function of distance
from the centre. The graph which would correspond to the
above will be
(a) (b)

Ans. (3)
Sol.

(c) (d)

u sin   v sin 

1 2
mv 2 2
KB 2  sin    sin 60 
     3
K A 1 mu 2  sin    sin 30  Ans. (c)
2 Sol.

Electric field due to continuous charge distribution

21. The magnitude of the average electric field normally
present in the atmosphere just above the surface of the
Earth is about 150 N/C, directed inward towards the center
of the Earth. This gives the total net surface charge carried
by the Earth to be:
ELECTROSTATICS 7
For uniformly charged sphere
1 q
1 Qr (a) Zero (b) 4  r
E= (For r < R) 0
4 0 R 3
1 Q
1 qR 1 qr 2
E= (For r = R 2 ) (c) 4  2 (d)
4 0 R 2 0 r 4 0 R
Ans. (b)
1 Q
E= (For r > R) Sol.
4 0 r 2
The variation of E with distance r from the centre is as
shown in figure.
23. The electric field strength due a uniformly charged ring of
radius R at a distance x from its centre on its axis carrying
charge has somewhere maximum value on the axis. This is
Since in a conducting sphere, potential at centre and
at distance
surface is always same.
(a) x = R (b) x   2 R  Potential due to at ‘O’

R q 1 q
 k.  .
(c) x   (d) x   3 R r 4 0 r
2
Ans. (c) 25. A charged ball B hangs from a silk thread S, which makes
Sol. an angle with a large charged conducting sheet P, as
shown in the figure. The surface charge density  of the
sheet is proportional to

1 2x
EP = .
4 0 3

R 2
+ x2  2 (a) cos (b) cot 
(c) sin  (d) tan 
dE Ans. (d)
E is maximum when 0
dx Sol.
3 1


2k R 2  x 2 2  2kx.2 x.
2

3 2
R  x2  2 0

 R 2
 x2   3x 2
0

 R 2  2 x2
R2
 x2 
2
R
x
2 q q
T sin  = ; T cos  = mg  tan  =
24. A point charge is placed at a distance r from the centre of 0  0 mg
an uncharged conducting sphere of radius R (< r). The
  mg 
potential at any point on the sphere is    0  tan 
 q 
  is proportional to tan  .
ELECTROSTATICS 8
26. A thin semi-circular ring of radius r has a positive charge q ^
 =- j
distributed uniformly over it. The net field E at the centre 2  0 r
2 2

O is 27. A spherically symmetric charge distribution is

characterised by a charge density having the following
variation:

 r 
(r)  O 1   for r  R
 R 
(r)  0 for r > R
q q ˆj Where r is the distance from the centre of the charge
(a) ĵ (b)  distribution and O is a constant. The electric field at an
4  0 r 2
2
4 2  0 r 2
internal point (r < R) is:
q ˆj q
(c)  (d) ĵ O  r r 2  O  r r 2 
2  0 r 2
2
2  0 r 2
2
(a) 3   3  4R  (b) 4   3  4R 
O   O  
Ans. (c)
Sol. O  r r 2  O  r r2 
(c)   3  4R  (d) 12    
O   O  3 4R 
Ans. (c)

Sol.

q
Linear charge density,  =
r
consider a small element AB of length dl subtending an
angle dat the centre O at position as  show in figure
The charge contained in the elemental layer of radius x and width
 charge on the element,
dx is d= (x) . dV = (x) . 4x2dx
dq =  dl Total charge in spherical region from x = 0 to x = r (r < R) is
 dl 
=  rd  d =  r
 x
 r  q   dq   0 1   .4 x 2 dx
The electric field at the centre O due to the charge element 0  R
1 dq  rd
is dE = 4 2 = r
 x3 
0 r 4 0 r 2  q  40   x 2   dx
 R 
Resolving dE into two rectangular components By 0
symmetry, component dE cos  will cancel out due to other
r
symmetrically located element.  x3 x 4  3 1 r 
 q  40    dx  40 r   
The net electric field at O thus, will only be due to dE sins   3 4 R  0  3 4R 
 
 ^  rd ^
Electric force strength at point P (x = r) is given as
E =  dE sin  (- j) =  sin  (- j)
0 4 0 r
2
0
Kq

EP 
qr sin  d ^  q  r2
= - j   =
0 4  0 r
2 3
  r  (for spherically symmetric distribution of charge)

q sin  d ^ q ^
= - j=- [- cos  ]0 j
0 4  0 r 4  0 r
2 2 2 2
ELECTROSTATICS 9
29. A uniformly charged sphere is placed inside a charged
1 1 r  3
 EP  2
.40 r    hollow sphere as shown in the figure. O is the centre of
4 0 r  3 4R  hollow sphere and C is the centre of solid sphere. The

0  r  3
r2 
 EP     magnitude of charge on both the spheres is 4  7   C .
0  3 4 R   
The electric field at point P which lies just outside the
Q hollow sphere is given by 3 K N / C . Find the value of
28. Let (r)  r be the charge density distribution for a
R 4
solid sphere of radius R and total charge Q. For a point P 1 
 . (Here, K  4 
inside the sphere at distance r1 from the centre of the sphere, 0 
the magnitude of electric field is
Q
(a) zero (b)
40 r12

Qr12 Qr12
(c) (d)
4 0 R 4 3 0 R 4
Ans. (c)
Sol. Ans. (1)
Sol.

Q
If the charge density,  = r,  
 R4 Er  E1  E2
The electric field at the point p distant r1 from the centre,
according to Gauss’s theorem is Er  E12  E22  2 E1 E2 cos 
E. 4 r12 = ch arg eenclosed /  0
kQ KQ
1 Where, E1  12 , E2  and   60
( 4) 2
E . 4 r12 =
0   dV
Electric potential energy
r1 r1 30. Two equal charges are placed at a distance of ‘2 a’ and a

1  Qr 
 0 0   R 4 

4 r 2 dr   4Q
 0 R 4 0
r 3 dr third charge – 2is placed at the midpoint. The potential
energy of the system is
4Q  r14  Qr14 q2 6 q2
  
 0 R 4  4   0 R 4 (a) (b)
80 a 80 a
Qr14

 E 4 r12   0 R 4
(c) 
7 q2
(d)
9 q2
80 a 80 a
Qr12 Ans. (c)
E= .
4 0 R 4
ELECTROSTATICS 10
centre of square, its kinetic energy at the centre of square
is
Sol.
1 2qQ  1 
(a) 1   (b) zero
40 a  5
-k.2q2 k .2q2 k .q2 1 2qQ  1  1 2qQ  2 
U= - +
a a 2a (c) 1   (d) 1  
40 a  5 40 a  5
-k.4q2 k .q 2 Ans. (a)
U= +
a 2a
Sol.
k.q2  1 -7 q 2
U=  -4 + =
a  2  8 0 a
31. Uniform electric field of intensity 5 volt/m acts parallel to x
axis. A charge of 2C is moved from 0 to A (1,1), to B
(2, 1) and finally to D (3,0) in this field. Work done in this
process is :
(a) 60 joule (b) 40 joule
(c) 30 joule (d) zero
Ans. (c) Total initial energy = Total final energy
Sol.
KEi  PEi  K .E f  P.E f

KqQ KqQ KQ  q  KQ  q 
0   
a a 5a 5a
 KE f  0

2 KQq  1 
KE f  1  .
a  5
 
v = E× r
34. Two charge particles having charges 1C and –1C and
E  5iˆ V/ m of mass 50 gm each are held at rest while their separation
 is 2 meter. Find the speed of the particles when their
r  OD  3iˆ separation is 1 meter.
    (a) 0.20 m/s (b) 0.6 m/s
=  5 i  .  3 i  = 15 V
   (c) 0.3 m/s (d) 0.4 m/s
W = V.q = 15× 2 = 30J . Ans. (c)
32. An electron of 100 eV is fired directly towards a metal plate 1 
having surface charge density of –2 × 10–6 Cm–2. What is Sol. Change in electrostatic P.E = 2  mv2 
2 
the distance from where the electron be projected so that
its just fails to strike the plate. 1 1 10–12 1 1  10 –12
. – . = 50  10 –3 v 2
(a) 0.22 mm (b) 0.33 mm 4 0 1 4 0 2
(c) 0.44 mm (d) 0.66 mm
9  109  10-12
Ans. (c) = 50  10-3 v 2
2
Sol. K.E of e– = P.E KE = eV
eV = e E.r Er = 100 9  10-3
v2 =
100 10-3
 100  8.854  1-12
. r = 100 , r = = 0.44  10-3 m 9
0 2  10-6 v2 =  v = 0.3 m / s
100
33. Two positive charges of magnitude q are placed at the 35. A charged particle with charge q is shot towards another
ends of a side 1 of a square of side 2a. Two negative charges charged particle with charge Q which is fixed, with a speed
of the same magnitude are kept at the other corners. Starting v. it approaches upto a closest distance r and then returns.
from rest, if a charge moves from the middle of side 1 to the
ELECTROSTATICS 11
If q was given a speed 2v, the closest distance of approach Sol. When the particle is closest its KE = 0
would be Let distance of closest approach be r
Applying conservation of energy
KEi  PEi  KE f  PE f

(a) r (b) 2r 1 2 K  2e  Ze 
mv 
(c) r/2 (d) r/4 2 
Ans. (d) K  2e  Ze 
Sol. Energy is conserved in the phenomenon  0
r
1 kqQ
Initially, mv2 =
2 r
...(i) 1 2 K  2e  Ze 
mv 
2 r
1 kqQ
Finally, m(2v)2 = ...(i i)
2 r1 4kZe 2
r
From equation (i) and (ii), we get mv2
1 r1 r 1
=  r1 = r
4 r 4 .
m
36. Three charges  q,  q and Q are located at the vertices Electric potential
of a right-angled isosceles triangle as shown in the fig- 38. Four charges +q, +q, –q and –q are placed respectively at
q the corners A, B, C & D of a square of side a. The potential
ure. If the total interaction energy is zero, then Q   . and field at the centre O of the square are respectively
p r
Find r2 ? 1
4 0 times

Ans. (4)
Sol. Therefore,

1  Qq Qq q 2 
U  U Qq  U Qq  U qq     0
4 0  a a 2a  4 2q
(a) zero, 4q/a2 (b) zero ,
Therefore, a2

 2Qq q 2  2Qq q2 (c) 4 2q / a ; 4q / a 2 (d) 4 2 q ; 4 2q / a 2

    0 or –
 a 2a  a 2a Ans. (b)
q
Q –
2 2
Sol.
1
37. An alpha nucleus of energy mv2 bombards a heavy nuclear
2
target of charge Ze. Then the distance of closest approach for
the alpha nucleus will be proportional to
2 k.q k.q k .q k .q
(a) v (b) 1/m VO = VA + VB + VC + VD = + - -
4 OA OB OC OD
(c) 1/v (d) 1/Ze
Ans. (b)
ELECTROSTATICS 12

a Sol.
OA = OB = OC = OD =
2
VO  0
    k .q 2q
E A = E B = EC = ED = 2
= k.
 a  a2
 
 2  ^ ^
  r1 = 2 i + 2 j
E A and E C are along C.
 2 + 2
 2 2
  k .4q r1 = r1 = =2
E AC = 2. E A = 2
a
 ^ ^ 
  r2 = 2 i + 0 j or r2 = 2
E B and E D are along D.
  k .4q q
E BD = 2. E B = Potential at point A is VA =
a2 4 0 r1


 4q   4q 
2
4 2q
2 1 10-3  10-6
2
E net = EAC 2
+ EBD =  k . 2  +  k . 2  = k. 2 =
 a   a  a 4 0 2
Potential at point B is
39. Two charges of 4 C each are placed at the corners A and 1 q 1 10-3  10-6
VB = =
B of an equilateral triangle of side length 0.2 m in air. The 4 0 r2 4 0 2
 1 N  m2   VA - VB = 0.
electric potential at C is   9  109 
 40 C2  41. Two concentric, thin metallic spheres of radii R1 and R2 (R1 >
R2) bear charges Q1 and Q2 respectively. Then the potential
(a) 9 × 104 V (b) 18 × 104 V
 1 
(c) 36 × 104 V (d) 72 × 104 V at radius r between R1 and R2 will be  K  4  
Ans. (c)  0
(a) K (Q1 + Q2) / r (b) K (Q1/r + Q2/R2)
(c) K (Q2/r + Q1/R1) (d) K (Q1/R1 + Q2/R2)
Ans. (c)

Sol.
Sol.

VC = VCA + VCB

4  10-6 4  10-6
= k. + k .
2  10-1 2  10-1
Potential at point P = Potential due to charger Q2 on inner
= 2  9  109  2  10-5 = 36  104 V sphere + Potential due to change Q1.
–3 Q2 Q
40. An electric charge 10 C is placed at the origin (0, 0) of X- On Outer surface = k . + k. 1
Y coordinate system. Two points A and B are situated at r R1

( 2, 2) and (2, 0) respectively. The potential difference 42. A hollow hemisphere of radius R is charged uniformly with
surface density of charge . What will be the potential at
between the points A and B will be centre ?
(a) 9 V (b) zero
(c) 2 V (d) 4.5 V R 
(a) 2  (b) 4 
Ans. (b) 0 0
ELECTROSTATICS 13
Ans. (c)
 4R
(c) 2  (d) 3  Sol. Potential at any internal point diue to q
0 0

Ans. (a) q
of charged shell  4 R
0

Sol. 1 2Q
Potential at P due to at centre = 4 R
0

 Total potential point

Q 1 2 R 
2
q 2Q 1
Potential at Centre V = k V= . = + = (q + 2Q)
R 4 0 R 4 0 R 4 0 R 4 0 R
R 45. A hexagon of side 8 cm has a charge 4 C at each of its
V=
2 0 vertices. The potential at the centre of the hexagon is
43. A solid sphere of radius R is charged uniformly through
y  106 volt . Find y .
out the volume. At what distance from its surface is the
electric potential 1/4 of the potential at the centre ? Ans. (2.70)
(a) 8R/3 (b) R/3 Sol.
(c) 5R/3 (d) 2R/3
Ans. (c)

Sol.

As shown in the figure, O is the centre of hexagon

ABCDEF of each side 8 cm . As it is a regular hexagon,
1 Q 3
Vsurface = . Vcentre = Vsurface OAB , OBC , etc. are equilateral triangles.
4 0 R 2
OA  OB  OC  OD  OE  OF  8 cm  8  10 2 m
3 Q
Vcentre = k.
2 R 6KQ
The potential at O is = = 4 C = 4 × 10–6 C
1 r
Let Potential at point P =  Vcentre
4 r = 8 × 10–2m
Q 1 3 kQ 6  9  109  4 10 –6
k. =   V0 
R 4 2 R 8  10 –2
1 3 8R
= r= Also, V0  2.7 106 V
r 8R 3
Electric field and potential
5
Distance of point P from surface of sphere r - R = R 46. In uniform electric field
3
(a) All points are at same potential
44. A thin spherical conducting shell of radius R has a charge
q. Another charge is placed at the centre of the shell. The (b) no two points can have same potential
electrostatic potential at a point P at a distance R/2 from (c) pair of points separated by same distance must have
the centre of the shell is same difference of potential
(d) none of these
2Q 2Q q
(a) 4 R (b) 4 R  4 R Ans. (d)
0 0 0
Sol Considering below figure,
2Q q q  Q q
(c) 4 R  4 R (d)
0 0 4 0 R

Electric field (E)

ELECTROSTATICS 14
(a) b and c are not at same potential, because potential Ans. (d)
decrease in direction of E Sol.
(b) Not correct a and b have same potential.
(c) If distance between a and b is equal to that between
b&c clearly potential diff. between them are not same
Hence ,(d).
47. The variation of potential is maximum if one goes
(a) along the field line
(b) Perpendicular to field line
(c) in any direction “Unit positive charge” will be repelled by A and B and
attracted by -and -downwards in the same direction. If
(d) at 45° with the direction of field line they are exchanged, the direction of the field will be
Ans. (a) opposite. In the case of potential, as it is a scalar, they
Sol. dV = Edr cos  cancel each other whatever may be their position.
Field is affected but not the potential.
 = 00  cos 00 = 1 50. Three charges 2q, –q, –are located at the vertices of an
dV = Edr (maximum) equilateral triangle. At the circumcentre of the triangle
48. Which of the following may be discontinuous across a (a) field is zero but potential is non-zero
charged conducting surface ?
(b) field is non-zero but potential is zero
(a) Electric potential
(c) both field and potential are zero
(b) Electric intensity
(d) both field and potential are non-zero
(c) Both electric intensity and potential
Ans. (b)
(d) None of these Sol.
Ans. (b)
Sol. For a spherical shell
Einside  0
KQ
Einside 
r2

Hence at the boundary E -is discontinuous, while
  ENet  EBC  E A
VA  VB   E.dr
Potential is an integral of a non infinite quantity, it cannot Vnet  VA  VB  Vc
be discontinuous.
49. Charges are placed on the vertices of a square as shown. 2q q q
 Vnet = k. - k. - k = 0 .
Let E be the electric field and V the potential at the centre. a a a
If the charges on A and B are interchanged with those on 
51. Assume that an electric field E  30x 2 ˆi exists in space.
D and C respectively, then
Then the potential difference VA – VO’ Where VO is the
potential at the origin and VA the potential at x = 2 m is :
(a) –120 J/C (b) – 80 J/C
(c) 80 J/C (d) 120 J/C
Ans. (b)
2
Sol. VA  V0    Edx
0

(a) E remains unchanged, V changes

(b) both E and V change

(c) E and V remain unchanged

(d) E changes, V remains unchanged
ELECTROSTATICS 15
As along the direction of E.F potential decreases
 VA  V0 , So VA  V0  Ve (c)
K
243

3 ˆi  2 ˆj  6 kˆ  (d)
K
343

6 ˆi  2 ˆj  3 kˆ 
2 Ans. (b)
VA  V0    30 x dx
2
dV
0 Sol. E=-
dr

 x3 
2 k
V=
VA  V0  30    10 8  0 r
 3  0
 k 
E= r
VA–V0 = -80V = -80 J/C 3

52. The electric potential in a certain region of space is given r

by V = –3x2 + 2x, where x is in meter and V is in volt, in this
region the equipotential surface are  k    
E= . 2 i + 3 j+ 6 k 
3
(a) plane parallel to XY plane   2 2 +  32 +  6 2   
(b) planes parallel to YZ plane  
(c) concentric cylinders with axis as x–axis  k    
(d) concentric spheres concentrated at origin. E=  2 i + 3 j+ 6 k 
343  
Ans. (b)
55. The potential at a point x (measured in m) due to some
Sol. V = -3x2 + 2x, Here potential is functional of x only, i.e., charges situated on the x-axis is given by :
value of V does not varies in y-z plane. So, equipotential 2
surface are parallel to Y-Z plane V (x) = 20/(x – 4) volt
53. Let V and E be the potential and electric field respectively The electric field E at x = 4m is given by
at a point due to charge distribution. Which of the following
5
assertion in true. (a) V / m and in the –ve x direction
3
(a) if V = 0 then E must be zero
(b) V  0, then E can not be zero 5
(b) V / m and in the +ve x direction
(c) if E  0, V can not be zero 3
(d) if V = 0, E may be zero
10
Ans. (d) (c) V / m and the –ve x direction
9
 dv
Sol. (a) E  10
dx (d) V / m and in the +ve x direction
9
if V =0, E may or may not be zero as potential is determines
at only point Ans. (d)
(b) Let v = 2 20
Sol. Given : Potential V(x) = 2
 dv x -4
E 0
dx -dV -d  20  40x
Electric field E = =  2 = 2
 dx dx  x - 4  (x - 4)2
(c) VA  VB   E .dl
At x = 4  m
E may not be zero but its integration can be zero.
40  4 160 10
Hence (d) is correct E= = = V/ m
[16 - 4]2 144 9
54. Electric potential in an electric field is given as V  K , (K
r 56. An electric field (30iˆ  20 ˆj )Vm1 exists in space. If the
 potential at the origin is zero, then find the potential (in
being constant), if position vector r  2 ˆi  3 ˆj  6 k,
ˆ then
volt) at (5 m,3 m).
electric field will be
Ans. (90)


(a) 2 ˆi  3 ˆj  6 kˆ K
243

(b) 2 ˆi  3 ˆj  6 kˆ  K
343 Sol.
 
dV   E  dr  (30iˆ  20 ˆj )  (dxiˆ  dyjˆ  dzkˆ)
ELECTROSTATICS 16

 30dx  20dy AP = PB = a 2 + x2
 5,3 -k.q
V1  Pot. at po int P due to A  =
v

 dV    30dx – 20dy  a2 + x2
0  0,0 
k.q
V2  Pot. at po int P due to charge at B  =
V    5,3
 0,0  30 x – 20 y  a2 + x2
V = (30 × 5 – 20 × 3) – (30 × 0 – 20 × 0) Vp = V1 + V2 = 0
59. The distance between H+ and Cl– ions in HCl molecule is
V = 150 – 160 = 90 V 1.28Å. What will be the potential due to this dipole at a
Electric dipole distance of 12Å on the axis of dipole.
57. Two short dipoles each of dipole moment p are placed at (a) 0.13 V (b) 1.3 V
origin. The dipole moment of one dipole is along x axis, (c) 13 V (d) 130 V
while that of other is along y axis. The electric field at point Ans. (a)
(a, 0) is given by Sol Potential due to dipole at axis of dipole
2p p kP 9  109  1.6  10-19  1.28 10-10
(a) 4 a (b) V= =  0.13V
0 40 a 3 r2 12  12  10-20
p
5p 60. Two short dipoles pkˆ and kˆ are located at  0, 0,0 
(c) (d) zero 2
40 a 3
and (1 m, 0, 2 m), respectively. The resultant electric field
Ans. (c)
np ˆ
due to the two dipoles at the point (1m, 0, 0) is 32 k .
0

Find n.
Sol.
Ans. (7)
Sol.

(k- coulomb’s constant)

2kP kP
Ex = 3
, Ey = 3 E = Ex2 + E2y
a a
2
 kp  kP
E =  3  (4 +1) E= 5
a  a3 
p
The given point is at axis of dipole and at equatorial
2
58. Electric potential at equatorial point of a small dipole with 
dipole moment p (At r, distance from the dipole) is line of p dipole.
So, the total field at the given point is
p
(a) Zero (b)    
4 0 r 2 kp 2k ( p / 2)  1  7 p
E 3   kp  1   
(1) (2)3  8  32 0
p 2p
(c) 3 (d) 61. An electric dipole is fixed at the origin of coordinates. Its
4 0 r 4 0 r 3 moment is directed in the positive x–direction. A positive
Ans. (a) charge is moved from the point (r, 0) to the point (–r, 0) by
external agent. In this process, the work done by the agent is
(a) Positive and inversely proportional to r
(b) Positive and inversely proportional to r2.
(c) negative and inversely proportional to r
Sol. (d) Negative and inversely proportional to r2.
Ans. (d)
ELECTROSTATICS 17
Ans. (c)
Sol.
2

Sol. W   .d
1

 
 2kP  
E = 3 rˆ F = Q.E   PE sin  d
r 0

 2kPQ 
 PE   cos  0
 
F = 3 rˆ dW = F . dr
r
 
2k PQdr W = PE  cos 1 - cos 2 
dW =
r3  1 = 00 ,  2 = 
-r
 4kPQ  4kPQ 4kPQ
W = + 2  = - 2 - 2 W = PE 1 - cos  
 r r r r 64. An electric dipole is placed at an angle of 30º to a non-
8kPQ uniform electric field. The dipole will experience
W = - 2  -ve 
r (a) a translational force only in the direction of the field
1 (b) a translational force only in a direction normal to the
W direction of the field
r2
Dipole in electric field (c) a torque as well as a translational force
62. A charge q is placed at (1, 2, 1) and other charge –q is (d) a torque only
placed at (0, 1, 0) such that they form an electric dipole. Ans. (c)

There exist a uniform electric field E  2iˆ  3jˆ . What is Sol. In a non-uniform electric field, the dipole will experience a
torque as well as a translational force.
torque experienced by the dipole.
65. There exists a non-uniform electric field along x-axis as

(a) q 3iˆ  2jˆ  kˆ N.m   
(b) q 3iˆ  2ˆj  kˆ N.m shown in figure. The field increases at a uniform rate along
positive x-axis. A dipole is placed inside the field as shown.

(c) q 3iˆ  2ˆj  kˆ N.m   
(d) q ˆi  2ˆj  kˆ N.m
For the dipole which one of the following statement is correct

Ans. (b)

Sol.

  
 = pE (a) Dipole moves along positive x-axis and undergoes a
clockwise rotation
  
E = 2i  3 j (b) Dipole moves along negative x-axis after undergoing a
clockwise rotation

    (c) Dipole moves along positive x-axis after under going
p = q  i + j+ k 
  an anticlockwise rotation
(d) Dipole moves along negative x-axis and undergoes an
 = q  -3 i + 2 j + k  N .m
   

anticlockwise rotation
 
 Ans. (d)
63. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in uniform Sol. Due to greater force on the negative charge the dipole
   moves towards the neagtive x- axis and undergoes a
electric field E , with p parallel to E . It is then rotated by anticlockwise rotation.
an angle of . The work done is
Electric flux
(a) pE sin  (b) pE cos 
(c) pE (1 – cos ) (d) pE (1 – sin)
 ELECTROSTATICS 18
66. The electric field in a region of space is given by, Ans. (a)
 Sol. According to Gauss theorem,
E  E 0 ˆi  2E 0 ˆj where E0 = 100 N/C. The flux of this field
through a circular surface of radius 0.02 m parallel to the Q
(2 - 1 ) =  Q = (2 - 1 ) 0
Y–Z plane is nearly : 0
(a) 3.14 Nm2/C (b) 0.02 Nm2/C 70. A positive point charge is placed just outside the centre of
(c) 0.005 Nm2/C (d) 0.125 Nm2/C the flat face of a hemispherical surface in air. The electric
Ans. (d) flux through the flat face is

Sol. E  100 iˆ  200 ˆj

A   r 2  3.14   0.02  iˆ  12.56 104 m 2iˆ
2

[Actually, Circular surface is parallel to the YZ plane so,

area v e c t o r
perpendicular to YZ plane. eg., along x-axis)
 
 
  E. A  100iˆ  200 ˆj 12.56  104 iˆ  (a) 
q q
(b) 2
= 0.1256 Nm2/C. 0 0

67. A uniform electric field E  500 N / C passes through a q

hemispherical surface of radius R  1.2 m as shown in (c) zero (d) 2
0
the figure. The net electric flux (in SI units) through the
Ans. (b)
hemispherical surface only is N  . Find the value of N .
qenclosed
Sol. = = Zero  through body 
0
Total = Zero i.e., in = -ve
out = +ve

Ans. (576)

Sol.    E sin 53   R 2   576

q
68. A cube of side 10 cm encloses a charge of 0.1 C at its
out = +ve qenclosed =
2
centre. What is number of fields lines through each face
-q
of the cube. in =
(a) 1.13 × 1011 (b) 1.13 × 106 2 0 .
(c) 1.13 × 1013 (d) 1883 71. The electric field in the region is radially outwards and has
Ans. (d) the magnitude of E = kr. The charge contained in a sphere
of radius a is
Sol. No. of fields lines through each face of the cube
q 4
= = 1883.3  1833 (a)  0 a 3 (b) 4 k0 a 3
6 0 3
Gauss's law 2
69. If the electric flux entering and leaving an enclosed surface (c) k 0 a 3 (d) 4 k0 a 2
3
respectively is 1 and 2, the electric charge inside the
surface will be Ans. (b)
q
 1  2  Sol. E. A   gauss law
(a) (2 – 1) 0 (b) 0
0
q
E.4 a 2 
 2  1  0
(c) (d) (1 + 2) 0
0
ELECTROSTATICS 19

 q  E.4 0 .a 2 Ans. (3)

Sol. Net flux in x  direction  0
 q  ka 4 0 a 2
Net flux in y  direction   A 3(1)  2   A[3(0)  2]
2
3
 q  4 0 ka
 q  3 0 (As A  1 m 
2
72. Two large conducting plates parallel to each other are
placed close to each other. The inner surfaces of two plates
75. The field at a distance r from a long string of charge per
have surface charge densities  and –. The other surfaces
unit length  is
are without charge. The electric field has the magnitude.
2 k k
(a) (b)
(a)  in the region between the plates r2 r
0

k 2k
 (c) (d)
(b)  in the region between the plates 2r r
0
Ans. (d)
 Sol. Consider a wire and clindrical gaussian surface
(c)  in the region outside the plates Using gauss’s law
0

(d) zero in the region between the plates

Ans. (b)

Sol.

Net E. field between the plates = E1 - E2 q

E. A 
0
  -  
= - =
2 0  2 0  0 q 2q
E 
73. A charge of 5 × 10–10 C is given to a metal cylinder of length  0 .2 r  4 0 r 
10 m, placed in air. The electric intensity at a distance of 0.2 2kq 2k
m from its axis is E  .
r r
(a) 4.5 V/m (b) 45 V/m
q
(c) 450 V/m (d) 100 V/m Since  

Ans. (a)
Conductors and its properties
2kq 76. A metal sphere of radius 10 cm is given a charge of 12C.
Sol. E= = 4.5 V / m
r The force acting on unit area of its surface due to its own
 charge is
An electric field given by E  4iˆ   3 y  2  ˆj pierces
2
74. (a) 5.157 × 102 N/m2 (b) 5.15 × 103 N/m2
Gaussian’s cube of side 1m placed at origin such that its (c) 5.15 × 10–2 N/m2 (d) 5.15 × 10–3 N/m2
three edgesrepresents x, y and z axes. The net charge Ans. (a)
enclosed within the cube is given by n 0 . Find the value 2 q
Sol. P= =
of n . 2 0 4 r 2
1 1 q2
P= . . P = 5.15  102 N / m2
2 4 0 4 r 4
r = 0.1 m= 12 × 10–6 C
1
 9  109
4 0
ELECTROSTATICS 20
77. The outward pull on a metal plate of an area 0.01m2 having density.
a charge density of 50 C/m2 is
1 r2 1 r1
(a) 1.4 N (b) 2.4 N (a)   r (b)   r
2 1 2 2
(c) 0.4 N (d) 1.8 N
Ans. (a) 1 1 r2 r1
(c)   1 (d)   r  r
 50 10 
2
-6
2 2 2 1 2
Sol. F= .A =  0.01 = 1.4 N
2 0 2  8.854  10-12 Ans. (a)
 Q1 - x  k  Q2 + x 
Sol. Common potential VC = k. =
78. A conducting sphere of radius R and carrying charge Q is r1 r2
joined to an uncharged conducting sphere of radius 2R.
Q1 - x r1
The charge flowing between them would be =
Q2 + x r2
Q Q
(a) (b) Q1 - x
2 3
 1 4 r12 Q1 - x r22 r1 r22
= =  = 
2Q Q  2 Q2 + x Q2 + x r12 r2 r12
(c) (d)
3 4 4 r22
Ans. (c)
 1 r2
Sol. =
 2 r1
80. What is the largest charge a metal ball of 1mm radius can
hold? Dielectric strength of air is 3×106 Vm–1.
(a) 3nC (b) 2nC
(c) 1/2 nC (d) 1/3nC
Potential become equal and charge remains conserved. Ans. (d)
When joined together, Q
Sol. E = k.
r2
Q
3  106 = 9  109 
10-6
3 1
Q= 9
= nC
9  10 3
Q1 r2 - Q2 r1
x=
r1 + r2
Q  2 R - 0 2Q
x= =
3R 3
C A   4 0 RA  for spherical conductors after
“ spheres attain a common” potential V.
79. Two charged metallic spheres of radii r1 and r2 are touched
and separated. What is the ratio of their surface charge