Electrostatics

MCQ
1.The net electric flux through a closed Gaussian surface depends upon (2020)
a) Net charge enclosed and permittivity of the medium
b) Net charge enclosed and permittivity of the medium ad size of the Gaussian surface
c) Net charge enclosed only
d) permittivity of the medium only
2. An electric charge in a non uniform electric field will experience: (22)
(a) only a force (b) Only a torque
(c ) both force and torque (d) neither force nor torque
3. The electric potential at a point on the axis of a short electric dipole, at a distance x from the mid-point
of the dipole is proportional to : (22)
4 3/2 3 2
(a) 1/x (b) 1/x (c ) 1/x (d) 1/x
4. Let F1 be the magnitude of force between two small spheres, charged to a constant potential in free
space and F2 be the magnitude of the force between them in a medium of dielectric constant k. Then
(F1/F2) is : (22)
(a) 1/k (b) k (c ) k2 (d) 1/k2
5. A charge Q is placed at the centre of the line joining two charges q and q. The system of the three
charges will be in equilibrium if Q is : (22)
(a) + q/3 (b) – q/3 (c ) + q/4 (d) - q/4
6. The electric flux of an electric field E through an are dA is given by : (22)
(a) E X dA (b) ( E X dA)/ ε0 (c ) E . dA (d) ( E . dA)/ ε0
7. The speed acquired by a free electron when accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 100
V is : (22)
6 6 5 3
(a) 6 x 10 m/s (b) 3 x 10 m/s (c ) 4 x 10 m/s (d) 2 x 10 m/s
8. Two point charges + 16 q and – 4 q are located at x = 0 and x = L. The location of position on X axis at
which the resultant electric field due to these charges is zero is : (22)
(a) 8 L (b) 6 L (c ) 4 L (d) 2 L
9. An electric dipole of dipole moment 4 x 10- Cm, kept in a uniform electric field of 10 -3 NC-1,
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experiences a torque of 2 x 10-8 Nm. The angle which the dipole makes with the electric field is : (22)
(a) 30o (b) 45o (c )60o (d) 90o
10. Three identical charges are placed on X-axis from left to right with adjacent charges separated by a
distance d. The magnitude of the force on a charge from its nearest neighbour charge is F. Let i be
the unit vector along + X - axis, then the net force on each charge from left to right is : (22)
(a) ( 2 Fi, -2 Fi, 2Fi ) (b) ( Fi, 0, Fi ) (c ) ( -5/4 Fi, 0, +5/4 Fi ) (d) ( 2 Fi, 0, 2Fi )
11. In the given network all capacitors are identical and each one is of capacitance C. Which of the
following is the equivalent capacitance between the points A and B? (22)

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 (a) 6C (b) 5/2 C (c ) 3/2 C (d) 5/6 C
12. If a charge is moved against a coulomb force of an electric field, then the (22)
(a) Intensity of electric field increases
(b) Intensity of electric field decreases
(c) work is done by the electric field
(d) work is done by the external source
13. A charge Q is located at the centre of a circle of radius r. The work done in moving a test charge q0
from point A to point B ( at opposite ends of diameter AB) so as to complete a semicircle is [ k =
1/(4πε0)] : (22)
2
(a) k(q0Q)/r (b) k(q0Q)/r (c ) kq0Qr (d) zero
14. Two charged spheres A and B having their radii in the ratio 1 : 2 are connected together with a
conducting wire. The ratio of their surface charge densities (σA/σB) will be (22)
(a) ½ (b) 2 (c ) ¼ (d) 4
15. Let N1 be the number of electric field lines going out of an imaginary cube of side a that encloses an
isolated point charge 2q and N2 be the corresponding number for an imaginary sphere of radius a that
encloses an isolated point charge 3q. Then (N1/N2) is : (22)
(a) 1/π (b) 2/3 (c) 9/4 (d) π
16. Two charges q1 and q2 are placed at the centres of two spherical conducting shells of radii r 1 and r2
respectively. The shells are arranged such that their centres are d [ > r 1 + r2 ] distance apart. The force
on q2 due to q1 is : (23)
1 q1q2 1 q1q2
a) b)
4 πε 0 d 2 4 πε 0 ( d−r 1 ) 2
1 q1q2
c) Zero d)
4 πε 0 [d−( r 1+r 2 ) 2]
17. A point charge q is kept at a distance r from an infinitely long straight wire with a charge density λ.
The magnitude of the electrostatic force experienced by the charge q is :
(23)
qλ qλ qλ
a) Zero b) c) d)
2 π ϵ0 r 4 π ϵ0 r ϵ 0r
18. A thin plastic rod is bent into a circular ring of radius R. It is uniformly charged with charge density λ.
The magnitude of electric field at its centre is : (24)

2
 λ λ λ
a) b) Zero c) d)
2ε 0R 4 πε 0 R 4 ε 0R
19. Three small charged spheres X,Y and Z carrying charges +q, -q and +q respectively are placed
equidistant from each other, as shown in the figure. The spheres Y and Z are held in place.. Initially X
is also held in place, but is otherwise is free to move. When X is released, the path followed by it will
be
a) A b) B c) C d) D (24)
20. Ten capacitors , each of capacitance 1 μF, are connected in parallel to a source of 100 V. The total
energy stored in the system is equal to : (24)
-2 -3 -3 -2
a) 10 J b) 10 J c) 0.5 x 10 J d) 5 x 10 J
21. A charged sphere is of radius r has surface density σ. The electric field on its surface is E. If the
radius of the sphere is doubled, keeping charge density same, the ratio of electric field on the old
sphere to that on the new sphere will be :
a) 1 b) 1/2 c) 1/4 d) 4 (24)

Fill in the blanks

1.The physical quantity having SI unit N/C is _________. (2020)

2.A point charge is placed at the centre of a hollow conducting sphere of internal radius ‘r’ and outer
radius ‘2r’ . The ratio of their surface charge density of the inner surface to that of the outer surface
will be __________.

One Mark questions. (Answer in one or two sentences)

1. What kind of charges are produced on each when

a) glass rod is rubbed with silk.
b) An ebonite rod is rubbed with wool. (1990)
2. State the basic properties of electric charges. (91)
3. What is quantization of electric charge ? (92)
4. State Coulomb`s law of force in electrostatics (94)
5. Define S.I. Unit of capacitance. (94)
6. Obtain the energy in joule acquired by an electron beam when accelerated through a p.d. of 2000 V.
7. Draw lines of force to represent a uniform electric field. (95)
8. What is the shape of equipotential surface for a given point charge? (95)
9. In a parallel plate capacitor, the capacitance increases from 6 μF to 60 μF
on introducing a dielectric medium between the plates. What is the dielectric constant of the
medium? (96)
10. Define dielectric constant in terms of force between electric charges. (97)

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11. In a medium, the force between two point electric charges, at a distance ‘d’ is F. What distance
apart should they be kept in the same medium, so that the force between them is 3F?
12. How does the force between two point charges change, if the dielectric constant of the medium in
which they are kept increases? (99,05)
13. What is the amount of work done in moving a 100 μC charge between two points 5 cm apart on an
equipotential surface? (2000,2001)
14. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field corresponds to its stable equilibrium?
(2001,08)
15. Two charges, one +5 μC and another –5 μC are placed 1 mm apart. Calculate the dipole moment.
16. Name the physical quantity which has its unit J/C . Is it a scalar or vector quantity ? (2010)
17. Define one coulomb charge. (Comp 02)
18. Sketch to equipotential surfaces for uniform electric field. (Comp 97)
19. In a parallel plate capacitor the p.d of 100V is maintained between the plates. What will be the
electric field at points A and B ?

( comp )

20.Two point charges 20 C and 40 C are separated by a distance ‘r’ in air. If an additional charge of
–16 C is given to each, by what factor does the force between the charges change ? (Comp 98)
21. Write the S.I. unit of ( 1 ) electric field intensity ( 2 ) electric dipole moment. (03)
22.Two point charges qA = +3 C and qB = -3C are located 20 cm apart in vacuum.
(1) Find the electric field at the mid point of the line AB joining the two charges. (2) if a negative test
charge of magnitude 1.5 x 10-9 C is placed at the center, find the force experienced by the test
charge. (03)
23. An electrostatic field line cannot be discontinuous. Why ? (05)
24. Two electric lines of force never cross each other. Why ? (05)
25. Define the term electric dipole moment. Is it a scalar or vector quantity ?What is its unit? (06,11)
26. What is electrostatic potential due to an electric dipole at an equatorial point? (09)
27. A hollow metal sphere of radius 10 cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is 5V. What is
the potential at the centre of the sphere?
28. A charge q is placed at the centre of a cube of side l. What is the electric flux passing through two
opposite sides of the cube? (12)

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29. Two charges of magnitudes -2Q and +Q are located at points (a,0) and (4a,0) respectively. What is
the electric flux due to these charges through a sphere of radius ‘3a’ with its centre at the origin?
(13)
30.Two balls having equal positive charge ‘q’ C are suspended by two insulating strings of equal length.
What would be the effect on the force when a plastic sheet is inserted between the two? (14)
31. Depict the electric field lines due to two positive charges kept at a certain distance apart. (15)
32.Two identical conducting balls A and B have charges –Q and +3Q respectively. They are brought in
contact with each other and then separated by a distance d apart. Find the nature of Coulomb force
between them. (19)
33.A metallic sphere has an inner radius R1 and outer radius R2.A charge Q is placed at the centre of the
shell. What will be the surface charge density on the (i) inner surface , and (ii) outer surface of the
shell ? (19)

Two marks each. ( Answer in about 30 words )

1. Derive an expression for the electric field intensity at a distance ‘r’ from a point charge ‘q’. (94)
2.Two identical point charges ‘Q’ are kept at a distance ‘r’ from each other. A third point charge is placed
on the line joining the above two charges such that all the three charges are in equilibrium. What is
the magnitude ,sign and position of the third charge ?
3.Show that the net force on an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is zero. Derive an expression for
the total work done in rotating an electric dipole through an angle ‘’ in uniform electric field.
(95,12)
4. Three capacitors of equal capacitance when connected in series have a net capacitance C 1 and when
connected in parallel have a capacitance C2.What will be the value of C1/C2 ?
5. Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor C in figure. The equivalent capacitance of the combination
between p and Q is 30F.

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 (95)
6.The electric field at a point due to a point charge is 30 N/C and the electric potential at that point is
15J/C. Calculate the distance of the point from the charge and the magnitude of the charge. (96)
7. Define intensity of electric field at a point . At what points is the electric dipole intensity parallel to the
line joining the charges? (97)
8. Capacitors P, Q and R have each a capacity ‘C’ .A battery can charge capacitor to a p.d ‘V’. If after
charging P, the battery is disconnected from it and the charged capacitor P is connected in the
following separate instances to Q and R.
( i ) to Q in parallel.
( ii ) R in series.
What will be the p.d between the plates of P in each case ?
9. An infinite plane sheet of charge density 10-8 C/m2 is held in air. In this situation how far apart are
two equipotential surfaces, whose p.d is 5 V ? (99)
0
10. An electric dipole of length 2 cm is placed with its axis making an angle of 60 to a uniform electric
field of 105 N/C. If it experiences a torque
of 8√3 Nm, calculate
( i ) magnitude of the charge on the dipole.
( ii ) potential energy of the dipole.
11.Two point charges 4 C and - 2 C are separated by 1 m in air. At what point on the line joining the
charges is the electric potential zero ? (2001,07)
12. S1 and S2 are two hollow concentric spheres enclosing charges 2Q and 4Q respectively as shown in
the figure.

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 ( i ) What is the ratio of electric flux through S1 and S2 ?
( ii ) How will the electric flux through the sphere S1 change , if a medium of dielectric constant 6 is
introduced in the space inside S1 in place of air ? (2002)
12. State Coulomb’s law of forces between two electric charges. Write down the relation between electric
field and electric potential at a point.
13. Two point charges A and B of values +5 x 10-9 C and +3 x 10-9 C are kept 6cm apart in air.
Calculate the work done when charge B is moved by 1cm towards charge A.
14. Define the term ‘ electric field intensity ’.Electric field inside a conductor is zero. Explain.
15. Two equal charges of +2 x 10 -16C are kept 20cm apart in air. At a point midway between them find
(i) electric field intensity and ( ii ) force acting on a charge of +2 x 10-16 C. (comp 02)
16. What is an equipotential surface ? Show that no work is done in moving a test charge from one
point to another over an equipotential surface. (Comp 02)
17. A square of side ‘a’ has a charge ‘q’ at each of its corners. Calculate the ( i ) electric potential ( ii )
electric field intensity due to these charges at the center of the square. (Comp 97)

18. What is a dipole ? Give the unit of dipole moment. Draw electric lines of force for an electric dipole.
( Comp )
19. A metal wire is bent in a circle of radius 10 cm. It is given a charge of 200 C which spreads on it
uniformly. Calculate the electric potential at its centre. ( Comp )
20. A charge of +1x10-6 C is placed at a distance of 0.1m from another charge of +4 x 10 -6 C in air. At
what point on the line joining the charges , is the electric field intensity zero ?
21. A proton, placed in a uniform electric field of magnitude of 4000 N/C, moves from a point A to B in the
direction of electric field. If AB = 25 cm, calculate the ( a ) p.d. between A and B ( b ) work done in
moving the proton from A to B. (Comp98)
0
22. An electric dipole of length 4 cm , when placed with its axis making an angle of 30 with a uniform
electric field experiences a torque of 4 Nm. Calculate (a) magnitude of electric field, (b) potential
energy of the dipole, if the dipole has charges of +/- 10nC. (2004)
23.Define electric field intensity. Write its S.I. unit. Write the magnitude and direction of electric field
intensity due to an electric dipole of length 2a at the mid point of the line joining the two charges.(05)
24.A parallel plate capacitor is to be designed with a voltage rating 1kV using a material of dielectric
constant 3 and dielectric strength of about 107 V/m. For safety we would like never the field to exceed

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 say, 10% of the dipole strength. What minimum area of the plates is required to have a capacitance
of 50pF ? (05)
25. A 4F capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. This supply is then disconnected and the charged
capacitor is connected to another uncharged 2 F capacitor. How much electrostatic energy of the
first capacitor is lost in the process of attaining the steady situation ? (05)
26. A charge q is placed at the centre of the line joining two equal charges Q. Show that the system of
three charges will be in equilibrium if q = - Q/4. (05)
27. Two fixed point charges +4e and +e units are separated by a distance ‘a’. Where should the third
point charge be placed for it to be in equilibrium ? (05)
28. Two capacitors of capacitance 6F and 12F are connected in series with a battery. The voltage
across 6 F is 2V. Compute the total battery voltage. (06)
29. A parallel plate capacitor with air in between the plates has a capacitance of 8 pF. The separation
between the plates is now reduced by half and the space between them filled with a medium of
dielectric constant 5. Calculate the value of the capacitance of the capacitor in the second case. (06)
30. A point charge ‘q’ is placed at O as shown in the figure.

Is VP – VQ positive or negative when (i) q > 0 (ii) q < 0 ? Justify your answer. (06)
31. Two point charges, q1 = 10 x 10-8 C and q2 = -2 x 10-8 C are separated by a distance of 60cm in air.
(i) find at what distance from the first charge, q1, would the electric potential be zero ?
(ii) Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system. (08)
32.Draw three equipotential surfaces corresponding to a field that uniformly increases in magnitude but
remains constant along Z- direction. How are these surfaces different from that of a constant electric
field along Z-direction? (09)
33. Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.
A charge Q is enclosed by a spherical surface of radius R. If the radius is reduced to half, how would
the electric flux through the surface change? (09)
34. A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q. A charge q is
placed at the centre of the shell.
a) What is the surface charge density on the (i) inner surface,(ii) outer surface of the shell?
b) Write the expression for the electric field at a point x>r2 from the centre of the shell. (10)
σ
E=
35. Show that the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is given by
ε0 n where σ is
the surface charge density and n is a unit vector normal to the surface in the outward direction.

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36. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 2 F. What will be their net capacitance if
connected in parallel? Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both
connected to the same source. (11)
2
37. Plot the variation of coulomb force(F) versus 1/r where r is the distance between the two charges of
each pair of charges : (1C, 2C) and (2C, -3C). Interpret the graphs obtained. (11)
38. A thin straight infinitely long conducting wire having charge density λ is enclosed by a cylindrical
surface of radius r and length l , its axis coinciding with the length of the wire. Find the expression for
the electric flux through the surface of the cylinder. (11)
39. A capacitor of capacitance C is being charged by connecting it across a dc source along with an
ammeter. Will the ammeter show a momentary deflection during the process of charging? If so how
would you explain this and the resulting continuity of current in the circuit ? Write the expression for
the current inside the capacitor. (12)

40.

A test charge q is moved without acceleration without acceleration from A to B and then from B to C
in the electric field E as shown in the figure. (i) calculate the potential difference between A and C.
(ii) at which point ( of the two) is the electric potential more and why? (12)
41. A slab of material of dielectric constant K has the same area as that of the plates of the parallel
plate capacitor but has the thickness d/2 where d is the separation between the plates. Find out the
expression for its capacitance when the slab is inserted between the plates of the capacitor. (13)
42 . Why do electrostatic field lines not form closed loops ? (14)
43. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. It is then connected to
another uncharged capacitor having the same capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy stored
in the combined system to that stored initially in the single capacitor. (14)
44. Consider the case of a parallel plate capacitor being charged, show how one is required to
generalize Ampere’s circuital law to include the term displacement current.(14)
45. What is electrostatic shielding? How is this property used in actual practice? Is the potential in the
cavity of a charged conductor zero? (16)
46.Apply Gauss law to show that for a charged spherical shell , the electric field outside the shell is, as if
the entire charge were concentrated at the centre. (19)

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 47. Two large parallel plane sheets have uniform charge densities +σ and – σ . Determine the electric
field (i) between the sheets , and (ii) outside the sheets. (19)
48. Derive the expression for the torque acting on an electric dipole , when it is held in a uniform electric
field. Identify the orientation of the dipole in the electric filed, in which it attains a stable equilibrium.
(20)
49. Obtain the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor connected across a DC battery. Hence
define energy density of a capacitor. (20)
50. Two identical dipoles are arranged in XY plane as shown in the figure. Find the magnitude and
direction of net electric field at the origin O. (23)

51. (a) Obtain an expression for electrostatic potential energy of a system of three charges q, 2q and -3q
placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side a. (23)
52. Two small conducting balls A and B of radii r1 and r2 have charges q1 and q2 respectively. They are
connected by a wire. Obtain the expression for charges A and B, in equilibrium. (23)
53. Use Gauss’ law to obtain the expression for electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane thin
sheet. (23)

Three marks each. ( Answer should not exceed 40 words.)

1. State Gauss’ theorem in electrostatics. Apply this theorem to calculate the electric field due to an
infinite plane sheet of charge. (95,96,02)
2. State Gauss’ theorem. Using the theorem derive an expression for electric field intensity at any point
inside/outside a hollow charged sphere. (Comp,97,04)
3. Sketch a graph to show how charge Q given to a capacitor of capacity C varies with the potential
difference V. Prove that the total energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor is ½ CV2 .
4. A 10F capacitor is charged by a 30 V dc supply and then connected across an uncharged 50F
capacitor. Calculate (a) the final potential difference across the combination, and (b) the initial and
final energies. How will you account for the difference in the energy ? ( 2004 )
5. State Gauss’ theorem in electrostatics. Apply this theorem to calculate the electric field due to an
infinitely long thin , uniformly charged straight wire. (05,07)
6. Using Gauss’ theorem show mathematically that for any point outside the shell, the field due to a
uniformly charged thin spherical shell is the same as if the entire charge of the shell is concentrated

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 at the centre. Why do you expect the electric field inside the shell to be zero according to this
theorem ? (06)
7. Explain the underlying principle of working of a parallel plate capacitor. If two similar plates each or
area A having surface charge densities +σ and -σ are separated by a distance d in air, write
expressions for
(i) the electric field at a point between two plates.
(ii) the potential difference between the two plates.
(iii) the capacitance of the capacitor so formed. (07)
8. A positive charge (+q) is kept in the vicinity of an uncharged conducting plate. Sketch electric field
lines originating from the point on the surface of the plate.
Derive the expression for the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor. (09)
9. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After some time the battery is disconnected and a
dielectric slab of dielectric constant K is inserted between the plates. How would (i) the capacitance,
(ii) the electric field between the plates and (iii) the energy stored in the capacitor, be affected ?
Justify your answer. (09)
10. A network of four capacitors each of 12 F capacitance is connected to a 500V supply as shown in
the figure. Determine (a) equivalent capacitance of the network and (b) charge on each capacitor.
(10)

C2

C3
C1

C4

500 V

11. Deduce the expression for the electrostatic energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance C and having
a charge Q. How will (i) the energy stored and (ii) the electric field inside the capacitor be affected
when it is completely filled with a dielectric material of dielectric constant K? (12)

11
12. A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. It is then disconnected from the supply and is
connected to another uncharged 300 pF capacitor. Calculate how much electrostatic energy is lost in
the process What is the source of energy loss ? (15)
13.(i) A parallel plate capacitor (C1) having charge Q is connected , to an identical uncharged capacitor
C2 in series. What would be the charge accumulated on the capacitor C2 ?
(ii) Three identical capacitors each of capacitance 3 F are connected, in turn in series and in parallel
combination to the common source of V volt. Find out the ratio of charges stored in the two
configurations. (16)
14. Derive an expression for the electric field intensity at a point on the equatorial line of an electric dipole
of dipole moment p and length 2a. What is the direction of this field? (16)
15. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are connected to a battery of V volt with the switch S
closed. The switch is now opened and the free space between the plates of the capacitors is
filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K. Find the ratio of the total electrostatic energy
stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction of the dielectric.(17)

16. Four point charges Q,q,Q and q are placed at the corners of a square of side ‘a’ as shown in the
figure.

Find the

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 (i) Resultant electric force on a charge Q, and
(ii) Potential energy of this system.
17. (a)Three point charges q,- 4q and 2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC of side
‘l’ as shown in the figure. Obtain the expression for the magnitude of the resultant electric force
acting on the charge q.

(b) Find out the amount of work done to separate the charges at infinite distance. (18)
18. a) Two point charges q1and q2 are kept at a distance r 12 in air. Deduce the expression for the
electrostatic potential energy of this system.
b) If an external electric field E is applied on the system, write the expression for the total energy of
this system. (20)
19.An air filled parallel plate capacitor with plate separation 1mm has a capacitance of 20 pF. It is
charged to 4.0 μC. Calculate the amount of work done to pull its plates to a separation of 5mm.
Assume the charge on the plates remains the same. (24)
20. A cube of side 0.1 m is placed, as shown in the figure in a region where electric field E = 500 x I
exists. Here x is in meters and E in NC-1. Calculate : (24)
a) the flux passing through the cube, and
b) the charge within the cube

21. Three point charges Q1, Q2 and Q3are located in X-Y plane at points (- d,0), (0,0)and (d,0)
respectively. Q1 and Q3 are identical and Q2 is positive. What will be the nature and value of Q1 so
that the potential energy of the system is zero? (24)

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 Five marks each. (Answer should not exceed 70 words)

1. An electric dipole is held at an angle `Θ` in a uniform external electric field `E` . Will there be any (i)
net translating force. (ii) torque acting on it? Explain what happens to the dipole on being released.
(Comp 97, 1994)
2. Define electric dipole moment. Derive an expression for the electric field intensity at any point along
the equatorial line of the dipole. (94)
3. Define capacitance of a capacitor. Give it S.I. Unit. For a parallel plate capacitor, prove that the total
energy stored in a capacitor is 1/2CV2 and hence derive the expression for the energy density.
(96,Comp 98)
4. Derive an expression for the energy stored in between its plates of a capacitor. How does the total
energy stored by the capacitor change when the medium of air is replaced by a medium of dielectric
constant K? Explain. (98)

5. Define dipole moment of an electric dipole. Show mathematically that the electric field intensity due to
a short dipole at a distance `d` along its axis is twice the intensity at the same distance along the
equatorial axis.
6. Explain the principle, construction and working of a Van de Graff generator.
How is leakage of charge minimized from the generator ? (Comp 97,99,03)
7. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor.
Assuming the capacitor is disconnected from the charging battery, explain how the
a. Capacitance,
b. p.d across the plates and
c. energy stored in the parallel plate capacitor change, when a medium of dielectric
constant k is placed between the plates.
8. Derive the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric medium of
dielectric constant ‘ k ‘ between its plates. How does the capacitance change when the dielectric
medium completely fills the space between the plates?. Obtain also the expression for the energy
stored in the above case. (Comp 97,2001)
9. Derive an expression for the potential along the axial line of an electric dipole.
At a point due to a point charge , the values of electric field intensity and potential are 30 N/C and 15
J/C respectively. Calculate ( i ) the magnitude of the charge , and ( ii ) distance of the charge from the
point of observation.
10. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor.
A parallel plate capacitor with air as dielectric is charged by a d.c. source to a potential ‘V’. Without
disconnecting the capacitor from the source, air is replaced by another dielectric medium of
dielectric constant 10.State with reasons how does ( i ) electric fields between the plates , and (ii)
energy stored in the capacitor change ? (08)

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11. An electric dipole is held at an angle ‘’ in an external electric field ‘E‘. Will there be any ( i ) net
translating force? ( ii ) torque acting on it ? Explain what happens to the dipole on being released ?
12. Define capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor. Two parallel plates PQ and RS are kept at distance
‘d ‘ apart. Area of each plate is ‘ A ‘. T he space between them is filled with three dielectric slabs of
identical size having dielectric constants K1, K2 and K3 respectively as shown in the figure. Find the
capacitance if the capacitor. (comp 02)

13. Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor. Three capacitors of C 1, C2
and C3 are connected (1) in series,(2) in parallel. Show that the energy stored in the series
combination is the same as that in the parallel combination. (03)

14. (a) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.

(b) The electric field components due to a charge inside the cube of side 0.1m are as shown.

0.1m

0.1m
m

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 Ex = αx, α = 500N/Cm, Ey = 0, Ez = 0.
Calculate the flux through the cube. (08)

15. a) Define electric dipole moment. Is it a scalar or vector? Derive the expression for the electric field
of a dipole at a point on the equatorial plane of the dipole.
b) Draw the equipotential surfaces due to an electric dipole. Locate the points where potential due
to the dipole is zero. (13)
16. Using gauss law deduce the expression for the electric field due to a uniformly charged spherical
conducting shell of radius R at a point (i) outside and (ii) inside the shell.
Plot a graph showing variation of electric field as a function of r > R. ( r being the distance from the
centre of the shell).
17. Draw a labeled diagram of a Van de Graaff generator. State its working principle to show how by
introducing a small charged sphere into a larger sphere, a large amount of charge can be
transferred to the outer sphere. State the use of this machine and also point out its limitations.(14)
18. (a) Deduce an expression for the torque acting on a dipole moment ⃗p in the presence of a uniform
electric field ⃗
E.
(b) Consider two hollow concentric spheres S1 and S2, enclosing charges 2Q and 4Q respectively as
shown in the figure.(i) Find out the ratio of the electric flux through them. (ii) How will the electric flux
through S1change if a medium of dielectric constant ‘εr’ is introduced in the space inside S1 in place
of air? Deduce necessary expression.(14)

19.Aright circular cylinder of length ‘a’ and radius ‘r’ has its cetre at the origin and its axis along the x –
axis so that one face is at x = + a/2 and the other at x = - a2, as shown in the figure. A uniform electric
field is acting arallel to the x axis such that E = E0 i for x > 0 and E = - E0 i for x < 0 .

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 Find out the flux ( i ) through the flat faces ( ii ) through the curved surface of the cylinder. What is the
net outward flux through the cylinder and the net charge inside the cylinder ? (15)
20.(a) Show, using Gauss law, that for a parallel plate capacitor consisting of two large plane parallel
conductors having surface charge densities +σ and – σ ,separated by a small distance in vacuum, the
electric field
( i ) the outer regions of both the plates is zero,
( ii ) is σ/ε0 in the inner region between the charged plates.
Hence obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
(b) Explain what is the effect of inserting a dielectric slab of dielectric constant k in the intervening
space inside the plates on
( i ) the electric field,
( ii ) the capacitance of the capacitor. (15)
21. (a) Derive an expression for the electric field E due to dipole of length 2a at a point distant r from the
centre of the dipole on the axial line.
(b) Draw the graph of E versus r for r >> a.
(c) If this dipole were kept in a uniform external electric field E0, diagrammatically represent the
position of the dipole in stable and unstable equilibrium and write the expressions for the torque
acting on the dipole in both the cases. (17)
22. (a) Use Gauss’s theorem to find the electric field due to a uniformly charged infinitely large plane thin
sheet with surface charge density σ.
(b) An infinitely large thin plane sheet has a uniform surface charge density +σ . Obtain the
expression for the amount of work done in bringing a point charge q from infinity to a point ,
distant r, in front of the charged plane sheet. (17)
23.(a) Define electric flux. Is it a scalar or vector quantity?
A point charge q is placed at a distance of d/2 directly above the centre of a square of side d, as
shown in the figure. Use Gauss law to obtain the expression for electric flux through the square.

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 (b) If the point charge is now moved to a distance ‘d’ from the centre of the square and the side of the
square is doubled, explain how the electric flux will be affected? (18)
24.(a) Use Gauss law to derive the expression for the electric field E due to a straight uniformly charged
infinite line of charge density λ C/m.
(b) Draw a graph to show the variation of E with perpendicular distance r from the line of charge.
(c) Find the work done in bringing a charge q from perpendicular distance r1 to r2 (r2 > r1). (18)
25. (a) When a parallel plate capacitor is connected across a dc battery, explain briefly how the capacitor
gets charged ?
(b) A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to V volt by a battery. After some time the
battery is disconnected and the distance between the plates is doubled. Now a slab of dielectric
constant 1<k<2 is introduced to fill the space between the plates. How will the following be affected
(i) The electric field between the plates of the capacitor.
(ii) The energy stored in the capacitor.
Justify your answer in each case.
(c) The electric potential as a function of distance x is shown in the figure. Draw a graph of the electric
field E as a function of x.

26. (a) Write two important characteristics of equipotential surfaces.

(b) A thin circular ring of radius r is charged uniformly so that its linear charge density becomes λ.
Derive an expression for the electric field at a point P at a distance x from it along the axis of the
ring. Hence prove that at large distances (x >> r),the ring behaves as a point charge. (20)
27. (a) State Gauss’s law on electrostatics and derive an expression for the electric field due to a long
straight thin uniformly charged wire (linear density λ) at a point lying at a distance r (in m) from thr
wire.
(b) The magnitude of electric field (in N/C) in a region varies with distance r ( in m) as

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 E = 10 r + 5
By how much does the electric potential increase in moving from point at r = 1 m to a point at r =
10m. (20)
28. (i) Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole p in an external uniform electric
field E. When is the PE of the dipole(i) maximum, and (2) minimum.
(ii) An electric dipole of point charges – 1.0 pC and + 1.0 pC located at (0,0) and (3mm, 4mm)
1000V
respectively in X-Y plane. An electric field E = ( ¿ i is switched on in the region. (24)
m
29. (i) An electric dipole (dipole moment p = p i), consisting of charges -q and +q, separated by
a distance 2a, is placed along the X axis, with its centre at the origin.. Show that the
1 p.i
potential V, due to this dipole, at a point x, (x >> a) is equal to .
4 πϵ 0 x 2
(ii) Two isolated metallic spheres S1 and S2 of radii 1cm and 3cm respectively are charged
2
such that both have the same charge density ( x 10-9) C/m2 . They are placed far away
π
from each other and connected by a thin wire. Calculate the new charge on S1. (24)
CASE STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Electrostatics deals with the study of forces, fields and potentials arising from static
charges. Force and electric field, due to a point charge is basically determined by
Coulomb’s law. For symmetric charge configurations, Gauss’ law, which is also based
on Coulomb’s law , helps us to find the electric field. A charge/ system of charges like a
dipole experience a force/ torque in an electric field. Work is required to be done to

provide a specific orientation to a dipole with respect to an electric field.

Answer the following questions based on the above.
(a) Consider a uniformly charged thin conducting shell of radius R. Plot a graph showing
the variation of |E| with distance r from the centre, for points 0 ≤ r ≤ 3R.
(b) The figure shows the variation of potential V with 1/r for two point chargesQ 1 and Q2,
where V is the potential at a distance r due to a point charge. Find Q1/Q2.

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(c ) An electric dipole of dipole moment of 6 x 10 -7 Cm is kept in a uniform electric field
of 104 N/C such that the dipole moment and the electric field are parallel. Calculate
the potential energy of the dipole. (2)
OR
An electric dipole of dipole moment p is initially kept in an electric field E such that p
is perpendicular to E. Find the amount of work done in rotating the dipole to a
position at which p becomes anti parallel to E. (2)

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