Hamza Army Public School & College(BOYS)

Solution of Exercise

Chapter 11: Electrostatics

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

01 c 02 B 03 b 04 c
05 b 06 C 07 None 08 a
4.5×105 N
09 d 10 A 11 b 12 b
13 b
SHORT QUESTIONS

1. The electric potential is constant through a given region of space. Is the electric field
zero or non-zero in this region? Explain.
The electric field will be zero in a region of space where electric potential is constant. As we
know that
∆V
E=−
∆r
The electric potential is constant so ΔV=0. So from above equation
0
E=− =0
∆r
Hence electric field will be zero in a region where electric potential is constant.
2. If a point charge q of mass m is released in a non-uniform electric field with field
lines pointing in the same direction, will it make a rectilinear motion?
When the charge q is released in an electric field, a force F=qE acts on it in the direction of
electric filed. The charge will move in a rectilinear path along a field line. As the field is non-
uniform field lines will not be parallel and equispaced. Hence the field in which the charge is
moving is radial field may be due to a point charge.
3. What is the relation between voltage and energy? More precisely, what is the
relationship between potential difference and electric potential energy?
Potential energy of charge is defined as work done per unit charge and potential difference
or voltage is defined as change in potential energy per unit charge. Both are related by a
formula
∆U
∆V =
qo
Electric potential energy is possessed by the charge and potential difference is the property
of electric field.
4. How are the units volt and electron volt related? How they differ?
Volt: One volt is the potential difference between two points in an electric field if one joule
of work is done in moving one coulomb of charge from one point to another.
Electron Volt: One electron volt is the amount of energy acquired or lost by an electron
when it is displaced across two points between which potential difference is one volt.
They are related by formula as
1 eV
1V =
1.6 × 10−19 C
Volt is the unit of potential difference and electron volt is the unit of energy.
5. How can electric potential be high when the electric potential energy is relatively
low?
If a source charge Q has greater magnitude of charge then electric potential at a point in its
electric field can be high and is given by formula:
𝐾𝑄
𝑉=
𝑟
Where r is the distance of point from charge Q.
If a test charge q of negligible magnitude is moved from infinity to a point at a distance r
from source charge Q then electric potential energy is given by formula:
𝑘𝑞𝑄
𝑈=
𝑟
Due to very small/negligible magnitude of test charge q magnitude of electric P.E will
become relatively low at the same point where electric potential is high.
6. Can the potential of a non-uniformly charged sphere be the same as that of a point
charge? Explain.
The electric potential of a non-uniformly charged sphere is not the same as a point charge.
Because the different parts of a sphere has different value of electric charge, so the electric
field inside the sphere is not zero and electric potential is not constant. It is not like a point
charge also. Outside the sphere the electric potential is not like a point charge. But as a
special case if we consider a point very far from sphere, the electric potential will be like a
point charge.
7. Will the energy stored in three capacitors be greater when they are connected in
series or in parallel?
Energy stored in a capacitor is given by formula:
1
𝑈 = 𝐶𝑉 2
2
Energy stored depends upon capacitance and potential difference. In parallel combination
potential difference across each capacitor will be same and equivalent capacitance will be
greater as compare to series combination. Hence energy stored will be greater when
capacitors are connected in parallel.
8. Can different equipotential lines cross each other? Explain.
Two equipotential lines never cross each other because if the lines cross each other it
means that at point of intersection there are two values of electric potential which is not
possible. Secondly if the equipontial lines cross each other than the electric field lines which
are perpendicular on these lines will also cross each other. Which is also not possible.
9. Water has a large dielectric constant, but it is rarely used in capacitors. Explain why?
Water molecules become polar in electric field between the plates of a capacitor. But they
are not static therefore the capacitance of capacitor keeps on changing. It has many
impurities dissolved in it. Water can produce corrosion on the plates. It can ionize the plates
or any salts within the capacitor.
10. How can you increase the capacitance of a capacitor?
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor is:
𝐴𝜀𝑜 𝜀𝑟
𝐶=
𝑑
Capacitance can be increased by:
a) Increasing area of plates (A).
b) Decreasing distance between the plates.
c) Inserting dielectric of higher relative permittivity 𝜀𝑟 between the plates.