Electric Field Intensity

Level - I
Chapter 1
Electric Charges and Fields
Solutions (Set-1)
SECTION - A
School/Board Exam. Type Questions
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. An electrostatic field line cannot be discontinuous. Why?
Sol. An electrostatic line is a continuous curve, because tangent to it at any point represents the direction in which
a test charge kept at that point will experience force. It cannot have sudden breaks, because no abrupt force
acts on a test charge.
2. The distance of the point on the equatorial plane of a small electric dipole is halved. By what factor will the
electric field due to the dipole at the point charge?
Sol. E  1 . Since distance is halved so electric field E will become 8 times.

r3
3. In an electric field an electron is kept freely. If the electron is replaced by a proton, what will be the relationship
between the forces experienced by them?

Sol. F = qE, so force on electron Fe  – eE and force on proton Fp  eE

 Fe  – Fp
4. Which orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?

Sol. When p and E are parallel, dipole remains at stable equilibrium.
5. Figure shows three point charges, +2q, –q and +3q. Two charges +2q and –q are enclosed within a surface S.
What is the electric flux due to this configuration through the surface ‘S’?
+2q
+3q
–q S
q
Sol. Electric flux = (charge enclosed)/0 =
0
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2 Electric Charges and Fields Solutions of Assignment (Set-1) (Level-I)
6. A metallic sphere is placed in uniform electric field as shown in the figure. Which path is followed by electric field
lines and why?
a
b
c
d
Sol. Line d is correctly drawn, because it is not passing through conductor and it is perpendicular to the surface
from where it starts or meets the conductor.
7. When two electrically charged particles having charges of different magnitude are placed at a distance d from
each other, they experience a force of attraction F. These two particles are put in contact and again placed at the
same distance from each other. What is the nature of new force between them?
Sol. In such cases final force will always be repulsive.
8. Can a charged body attract an uncharged body?
Sol. Yes. By induction.

9. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in a uniform electrostatic field E . For what angle between p and

E will the potential energy of the electric dipole be half of its maximum value?
pE
Sol.  – pE cos    = 120º
2
10. What is the line of symmetry of a dipole field?
Sol. About axial line.
11. Find the value of electric field that would exactly balance the weight of electron.
mg
Sol. E  = 5.67 × 10–11 N/C (m = 9.1 × 10–31 kg and e = 1.6 × 10–19 C)
e
12. A small test charge is released at rest at a point in an electrostatic field. Will it travel along the field line
passing through that point?
Sol. If electric line is straight, then it will move on the line. If line is curved then charge will move tangential to it.
1 1
13. If Coulomb’s law involved dependence  instead of 2  , where r is distance between two point changes
r3  r 
would Gauss’s law still be true?
Sol. No
14. A glass rod is rubbed with silk. Will its mass increase or decrease?
Sol. Mass will decrease because it loses electrons.
Solutions of Assignment (Set-1) (Level-I) Electric Charges and Fields 3
15. Repulsion is the sure test of electric charge. Explain
Sol. Because if two bodies repel, then they surely have charges and that too of similar nature.
Short Answer Type Questions :
16. A system has two electric charges qA = 2.5 × 10–7C and qB = –2.5 × 10–7 C located at points A(0, 0, –15 cm)
and B(0, 0, +15 cm) respectively. Calculate the electric dipole moment of the system. What is its direction?
Sol. Magnitude of dipole moment p = ql = (2.5 × 10–7C)(30 × 10–2 m).

= 7.5 × 10–8 Cm
Its direction is from –ve to +ve charge i.e., along positive z-axis.
17. Three point charges of +2 C, –3 C and –3 C are kept at the vertices A, B and C respectively of an
equilateral triangle of side 20 cm as shown in figure. What should be the sign and magnitude of the charge
to be placed at the mid-point (M) of side BC so that the charge at A remains in equilibrium?
A 2 C
B C
–3 C M –3 C

Sol. It should be positive. Resultant force on A by charges at B and C are along AM . Force by charge at M should
have a repulsive force on A along MA.
18. The flux of the electrostatic field through the closed spherical surface S is found to be four times that through
the closed spherical surface S. Find magnitude of charge Q. Given : q1 = 1C, q2 = –2 C and q3 = 9.854 C
Q
q1
1m
S q2
S q3
2m
q1  q2  q3 1
Sol. Q  q  q  q  4
1 2 3
 Q = 3(q1 + q2 + q3)
19. A charge of 17.7 × 10–4C is distributed uniformly over a large sheet of area 200 m2. Calculate the electric
field intensity at a distance 20 cm from it in air.
 Q
Sol. E  
20 2 A0
17.7  10 –4
=
2  200  8.85  10 –12
 5  105 N/C
20. Two similar and equally charged identical metal spheres A and B repel each other with a force of 2 × 10–5 N.
A third identical uncharged sphere C is touched with A and then placed at the mid-point between A and B.
Calculate the net electric force on C.
Q2 A B
Sol. F1  F2  F  F1 F2
4 0 d 2 Q d Q
  Q 2 Q 
  Q·  2 Q
1  2  2   –Q Q/2 F4 Q/2 F3
F   F3  F4  – F1 F2
40   d 2  d 2  40 d 2 A d/2 C d/2 B
  2 
  2    

= | F  | F  2  10–5 N
21. Four point charges of qA = 2 C, qB = –5 C, qC = 2 C and qD = –5C are located at the corners of a square
ABCD of side 10 cm. Find the force on a charge of 1 C placed at the centre of the square.
qA qB
q = 1 C
qD qC
Sol. By symmetry, net force on central charge will become zero.
22. A charged wire AB of length l is placed inside a sphere, as shown in figure. Linear charge density of wire is
 = kx, where x is the distance measured along the wire from end A and K is constant. Calculate the flux
through the sphere.
A l
B
x
l l
Q kl 2
Sol.   where Q   dx   kx dx 
0 0 0 2
Q kl 2
  
0 20
23. Two plane sheets of charge densities + and – are kept in air, as shown in figure. What are the electric
field intensities at points A and B?
A
+
B
–
Sol. Consider vertically upward direction as positive y-axis
 ˆ  ˆ A
E at A = j– j 0 +
20 20
B
 ˆ  
E at B = –
20
j
20
(– ˆj ) 
0
 
– ˆj
–
24. A charge particle of charge +q, mass m and moving with a velocity of uiˆ enters a uniform electric field of

strength E  Ejˆ . Find magnitude of velocity and magnitude of displacement of the particle after time t.

Sol. Initial velocity of the charge u  uiˆ

F qE qE ˆ
acceleration of the charge a    j
m m m
velocity at time t

v  u  at
qEt ˆ
= uiˆ  j
m
2
 qEt 
∴ Magnitude of velocity = V  u 2   
 m 
Displacement at time t,
1
S  ut  at 2
2
1 qE 2 ˆ
= (ut )iˆ  t j
2 m
2
 1 qEt 2 
ut 
2
 Magnitude of displacement = S   
2 m 
25. A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.5 m in diameter has a surface charge density of 100 C/m2.
Calculate the
(i) Charge on the sphere.
(ii) Total electric flux coming out a Gaussian surface just enclosing the outer surface of the sphere.
Q
Sol. (i) Surface charge density    Q = ·4R2
4R 2
C 22
= 100 × 10–6 2
4  (2.5)2
m 7
= 7.9 × 10–3C = 7.9 mC
charge enclosed Q
(ii) Net flux coming out of the sphere = ⇒ 
0 0
26. A positive point charge (+q) is kept in the vicinity of an uncharged conducting plate. Sketch electric field lines
originating from the point on to the surface of the plate.
Conducting
plate
Sol. +q
27. A spherical conducing shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge Q. Another 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) Derive the expression for the electric field at a point x > r2 from the centre of the shell.
Sol. (a) (i) Let the charge on the inner surface of spherical shell is q0. Applying Gauss law to Gaussian surface
S1, intermediate to outer and inner surface.
q  q

s1
E·ds  0
0 S2
S1
q0 r1
q0  q
⇒ 0 [ E  0 because S1 is inside metal] q
0 r2 q1
 q0 = –q
x
–q
 Surface charge density on inner surface 1 =
4r12
(ii) Let the charge on the outer surface is q1

Applying conservation of charge q1 + q0 = Q
 q1 = Q – q0 = Q + q
Qq
 Surface charge density on outer surface 2 =
4r22
Q  q
(b) Applying Gauss law to the Gaussian surface S2 at distance x from centre 
S2
E·ds 
0
Qq
⇒ E·4x2 =
0
Qq
 E 
4  0 x 2

28. Show that the electric field at the surface of a charged conducting sphere is given by E  nˆ , where  is
0
the surface charge density and n̂ is a unit vector normal to the surface in the outward direction.
Sol. If  is the surface charge density on the sphere, then charge on the sphere,
Q =  × 4R2 = 4R2
Consider a Gaussian surface S coincident with the outer ––––
– –+++++ – E ds
surface of metal sphere. –+–+++ +
S
– –++++++++– –
– ++
+
+
– –++++++++
Applying Gauss law to the surface R

–––––
––––––
Q
 E·ds  in
0
– ++
S ++ +
–
– –++ +–+–
Q –+ ++++
 E ds cos0  
––– –

S 0
Q

 E ds 
S
0
Q
 E 4R 2 
0
Q 
 E 
4R 2 0 0
Electric field is directed radially outward so
nˆ
E
0
29. Two small identical electric dipoles AB and AC, each of dipole moment p are kept at an angle of 120º as
shown in figure. What is the resultant dipole moment of this combination? If this system is subjected to electric

 
field E directed along +x direction, what will be the magnitude and direction of torque acting on this?
y
B
120º
x
A
C
Sol. Resultant dipole moment

y
B
p  p1  p2
Using parallelogram law of vector addition, resultant dipole moment p1 p

D
30º E
p is directed along 30º with positive x-axis (∵ BAD = DAC = 60º) A x
30º
p2
C
Magnitude of p  p12  p22  2 p1p2 cos120
 1
= p2  p2  2p2  – 
 2
=p
Electric field is acting along positive x-axis

So angle between E and p = 30º

Torque on the dipole,   p  E = pEsin (Normally into the paper (i.e., along negative z-axis))
= pEsin30
pE
= normally into the paper or along negative z-axis.
2
30. Charges of magnitudes 2Q and –Q are located at points (a, 0,0) and (4a, 0, 0). Find the ratio of the electric
flux due to these charges through concentric spheres of radii 2a and 5a centered at the origin.
Sol. Electric flux through sphere S1 of radus 2a

1  
S1
E·ds
S2
Qin 2Q S1
 
0 0
x = –2a 2Q x = 2a –Q
Electric flux through sphere S2 of radius 5a x = –5a x=0x=a x = 4a x = 5 a


2  E·ds
S1
Qin 2Q – Q Q
  
0 0 0
Long Answer Type Questions :

31. (i) State Coulomb’s law and write the formula of electrostatic force between two charges, separated by certain
distance. Under which condition this formula is applicable?
(ii) Two positive point charges which are 0.1m apart repel each other with a force of 18 N. If the sum of the
charges be 9 C, calculate their separate values of charges.
Sol. (i) Scalar form:
Coulomb’s law is a quantitative statement about the force between two point charges. Coulomb measured
the force between two point charges and found that it varied inversely as the square of the distance between
the charges and was directly proportional to the product of magnitude of the two charges and acted along the
line joining the two charges.
If two point charges Q1 and Q2 at rest are separated by a distance r in vacuum, the magnitude of force
k Q1Q2 1
between them is given by F  . The constant k is usually put as k  , where 0 is called the
r 2
40
permittivity of free space and has the value 0 = 8.854 × 10–12 C2/Nm2. For all practical purposes we will take
1
 9  109 Nm2 / C2 . The choice of k determines the size of the unit of charge. SI unit of charge is
40
defined to be 1C. So 1C is the charge that when placed at a distance of 1 m from another charge of the same
magnitude in vacuum experience an electrical force of repulsion of magnitude 9 × 109 N.
Coulomb’s law is strictly applicable for point charges.
kQ1Q2
(ii) Using Coulomb’s law, F 
r2
9  109  Q1Q2  10 –12

or, 18 
(0.1)2
 Q1Q2 = 20, again Q1 + Q2 = 9
 Q1 = 4 C and Q2 = 5 C
32. (i) Express Coulomb’s law in vector form.
(ii) Two point charges q1 = 5 × 10–6 C and q2 = 3 × 10–6 C are located at (3, 5, 1) m and (1, 3, 2) m. Find

F12 and F21 using vector form of Coulomb’s law.
Sol. (i) Coulomb’s law in vector form

Since force is a vector, Coulomb’s law in the vector notation will be written as follows. Let the position vector

of charges q1 and q2 be r1 and r2 respectively (figure). We denote force on q1 due to q2 by F12 and force or

q2 due to q1 by F21 .
y
F12 q1 r
2 =r
2 –r
1
q2 F21
r2
r1
x
O
The two point charges q1 and q2 have been numbered 1 and 2 and the vector leading from 1 to 2 is denoted by

r21, i .e., r2 – r1 . In the same way, the vector leading from 2 to 1 is denoted by r12 . So, r12  r 1 – r2  – r21 . The

magnitude of the vectors r21 and r12 is denoted by r21 and r12, respectively and they are equal, i.e., r12 = r21.
To denote the direction from 1 to 2 (or from 2 to 1), we define the unit vectors:

r21 r12
rˆ21  and rˆ12  where rˆ21  – rˆ12
r21 r12

So Coulomb’s force law between two point charges q1 and q2 located at r1 and r2 is then expressed as
1 q1q2
F21  · rˆ21 .
40 r212
The equation above is valid for any sign of q1 and q2 whether positive or negative. If q1 and q2 are of the same

sign (either both positive or both negative), F21 is along rˆ21 , which denotes repulsion, as it should be for like

charges. If q1 and q2 are of opposite signs, F21 is along –rˆ21   rˆ12  , which denotes attraction, as expected
for unlike charges. Thus, we do not have to write separate equations for the cases of like and unlike charges.
Above equation takes care of both cases correctly
q1 r21 q2
(Like charges i.e., q1q2 > 0)
F12 F21
r21
(Unlike charges i.e., q1q2 < 0)
F12 F21

Also note that the force F12 on charge q1 due to charge q2 is obtained from above equation by simply
1 q1q2
interchanging 1 or 2, i.e., F12  rˆ12  – F21
40 r12
2
Thus, Coulomb’s law agrees with the Newton’s third law.

(ii) r12  r1 – r2
  
= 3iˆ  5 jˆ  kˆ – iˆ  3 ˆj  2kˆ 
= 2iˆ  2 jˆ – kˆ
kq q
F12  12 2 rˆ12
r12
kq1q2
= 3  r12 
r12
9  109  5  10 –6  3  10 –6  (2iˆ  2 jˆ – kˆ )
3
N
=
(2  2  1 )
2 2 2 2
27  5  10–3 ˆ
=
27

2i  2 ˆj – kˆ N 

= 10iˆ  10 jˆ – 5kˆ N 

Again F12  – F21


 F21  – 10iˆ  10 jˆ – 5kˆ N 
33. (i) Show that path of a charge particle projected normal to an uniform electrostatic field is a parabola.
(ii) A particle of mass m and charge +q is thrown at a speed u against a uniform electric field E. How much
distance will it travel before coming to rest?
Sol. (i) Consider a charge +q of mass m is projected with speed u normal to uniform electric field as shown in
figure.
y
Electric field, E  – Ejˆ

Initial velocity, u  uiˆ +q u
m x
90º
– qE ˆ
acceleration, a  j
m
E
Instantaneous position of charge, is
1
r  ut  at 2
2
1  – qE 
= (ut )iˆ   jˆ  t 2
2 m 
 qEt 2 
= (ut )iˆ –   jˆ
 2m 
= xiˆ – yjˆ
x
x-co-ordinate of position x = ut  t 
u
qEt 2
y-co-ordinate of position y = –
2m
2
qE  x 
2m  4 
=–
qE
 y  x2 = – cx2
2mu 2
Above equation represent equation of parabola, so path of the charge is a parabola.
v=0 u m
(ii) E
S +q

Initial velocity of charge u  – uiˆ

qE qEiˆ qEiˆ
acceleration of charge a    , displacement S  – Siˆ
m m m

Instantaneous velocity v at displacement S

v 2  u 2  2a ·S
 qE ˆ 
 0  u2  2  i ·(–Siˆ)
m 
2  qES 
 0 = u  2 –
 m 
mu 2
 S
2qE
34. (i) Derive an expression for electric field due to a point charge at a distance r from the charge and express
it in vector form.
(ii) Four identical point charges of 4 C each are placed at the corners of a square of each side 0.1m.
Calculate the electric field at the centre of the square.
(iii) Calculate the electric field intensity at the centre, when one of the corner charges is removed.
Sol. (i) Consider a charge Q at orgin O, as shown in figure
Q r P E
q0 F
O

Electric field at point P, at position vector r due to charge Q at origin.

F
E (q0 = test charge at P)
q0
 Qq0 
 rˆ
2 
 0
4 r   Qrˆ
=  q0  4 r 2
0
 
 
rˆ indicates the electric field is radially outward from charge Q.

(ii) EA , EB , EC and ED are electric fields by charges at corners A, B, C and D respectively. O is equidistant
from all charges
So EA = EB = EC = ED A 0.1 m 4C
4C B

and E A  –EC and EB  –ED EC ED
Net electric field at O, 0.1 m EB 0.1 m

0 EA

E  E A  EB  EC  ED  0
D 4C
(iii) If all charges are present 0.1 m C
4C

E A  EB  EC  ED  0

 E A  EB  EC  –ED
If charge at D is absent, then electric field will be

E A  EB  EC  –ED
Q
 EB = along OD
40 r 2
9  109  4  10 –6
=
 0.1 
 
 2
= 36 2  10–4 N/C
35. (i) Two charges of a dipole –4 C and +4 C are placed at the points A(1, 0, 4)m and B(2, –1, 5)m located

in an electric field E  0.20iˆ V/cm . Calculate the torque acting on the dipole.
(ii) A Gaussian surface is shown in figure. Charges q1 and q2 are inside and charge q3 is outside the surface.
q
Indicate the charges which contributes the electric field appearing in the formula  E ·ds  in .
0
q2
q1
q3
3 4
(iii) The electric field in a region is given by E  E0 iˆ  E0 ˆj with E0  2  103 NC –1. Find the flux of this field
5 5
through a rectangular surface of area 0.2 m2 parallel to y-z plane.
Sol. (i) Dipole moment

p  q  2l

–6
= 4  10 C  AB  
= 4  10 C (2 – 1)iˆ  (–1– 0) ˆj   5 – 4  kˆ 
–6
= 4  10 iˆ – ˆj  kˆ  Cm
–6

 p  4  iˆ – ˆj  kˆ   10 Cm
–6

Electric field E  0.2iˆ V/Cm, 0.2iˆ  102 V/m

 
   p  E = 4  10 iˆ – ˆj  kˆ  (0.2  10 )iˆ Nm
–6 2
= 8  10 kˆ  ˆj  Nm
–5
(ii) E is due to all the charges q1, q2 and q3.
3 4
(iii) E  E0 iˆ  E0 ˆj
5 5

A  0.2m 2 iˆ (Area vector is normal to surface)

  E ·A
3
= E0  0.2
5
3
=  0.2  2  103 Vm
5
= 240 Vm
36. Derive an expression of electric field due to uniformly charged infinite plane sheet.
Sol. Z
E E
1 2
Y
Let  be the uniform surface charge density on the sheet.
We take the X axis normal to the given plane. By symmetry the electric field will not depend on Y and Z
coordinates and its direction is always parallel to the X-coordinate. We can take the Gaussian surface to be
a rectangular parallelopiped of cross-section area A. The electric flux is non zero for surface 1 and 2 as shown
in figure and for other surfaces the flux is zero.
qin
Flux = , by Gauss’s law
0
A
So 2 EA = 
0

E = 2
0
37. Three charges of same magnitude q are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side length a. Find
the net force on any one of charges.
q
Sol. Net force on charge is = F02  F02  2F02 cos 60

a a
1 q2
where F0 = 60°
40 a 2
F0 q
q a
3 q2 F F0
net force F = 3 F0 = 4 2
0 a
38. Find electric field inside a uniformly charged thin spherical shell having charge Q. If a charge q is placed at
the centre of this shell, how the electric field will change?
Sol. For thin spherical shell charge is always on the outer surface.
+ + +
Q
+ + +
+ + +
O r
+ +
+
Consider a Gaussian spherical surface at distance r
qin
 E · dS   0
2 qin
 E 4r  
0
but qin = 0
E=0
but when we put a charge at the centre
qin = q
qin
 E=
4r 2  0
39. Derive an expression for torque acting on a dipole of dipole moment p , when it is placed in uniform external
field E .
Sol. Electric field is in upward direction as shown in figure force on positive charge is in upward direction and that
on negative charge is in downward direction.
qE
E
+q
a

a
–q
qE
Magnitude of torque = qE × 2a sin= 2qaE sin

Its direction is normal to the plane of the paper coming out
of it.
The magnitude of p  E is also pEsin and its direction is

normal to the paper, coming out of it
Therefore, in vector form the torque can be given as
   p E
40. (a) Explain the invariant property of charge.

(b) Draw the electric field lines for a dipole.
Sol. (a) The magntidue of charge on a body is independent of its velocity, it is invariant for all frames of reference
in relative motion. This is not always true for every scalar.
+q –q
(b)
41. Derive an expression for electric field inside a solid non-conducting sphere of charge Q, when the charge is
distributed uniformly. Also calculate electric field at the centre of sphere and electric field on the surface of
sphere.
Sol. R is radius of sphere and we want to calculate field at r. Consider a spherical Gaussian surface at distance r
from the centre. By symmetry electric field at this closed surface is always radially outwards.
Flux through this surface is
q in
+
E 4r 2  + +
+ +r+ +
0 ...(1)
+
+ O +
charge Q is distributed uniformly + + + +
+ R
+ +
Q +
charge per unit volume =
4
R 3
3
charge in sphere of radius r is
Q 4 3
qin = r
4 3
R 3
3
Qr 3
qin =
R3
Put value of qin in equation 1
Qr 3
E4r2 =
0R 3
1 Qr
E=
40 R 3
At the centre r = 0 E=0
Q
On the surface, r = R  E
4 0 R 2
42. Derive the expression for electric field on the axis of an electric dipole.
Sol. Let the point P be at distance r from the centre of the dipole on the side of the charge q as shown in figure.
Then
2a
P
r
–q p +q
–q
E– q = pˆ
4 0 (r  a )2
where p̂ is the unit vector along the dipole axis (from –q to +q). Also
q
E q = pˆ
4 0 (r – a )2
Total field

E = E+q + E– q
q 4ar
= pˆ
4 0 ( r 2 – a 2 )2
For r >> a
4qa
E = pˆ
4 0 r 3
 2p 
 3
pˆ
 40 r 
43. What is meant by the statement that the electric field of a point charge has spherical symmetry whereas that
of a linear charge of large length is cylindrically symmetrical?
Sol. Consider a charge q at the centre of a sphere of radius r. The magnitude of electric field at all points on the
surface of the sphere is given by
1 q
E= .
4 0 r 2
So the electric field due to a point charge is spherically symmetric.
In the case of a line charge of large length the magnitude of electric field at a distance r from the line is given
by

E= , where  is linear charge density.
20 r
Now, imagine a cylinder of radius r drawn with the line charge as axis. The electric field, due to the line charge,
at all points on the surface of the cylinder will be the same. So the electric field due to the linear charge has
cylindrical symmetry.
44. (a) A copper sphere of mass 2 g contains nearly 2 × 1022 atoms. The charge on the nucleus of each atom is
29 e. What fraction of the electrons must be removed from the sphere to give it a charge of +2.9 C?
(b) What is an electric line of force? What is its importance?
Sol. (a) Total number of electrons = 29 × 2 × 1022
2.9  10 –6
The number of electrons removed =
1.6  10 –19
2.9  10 –6
 Fraction of electrons removed = = 3.125 × 10–11
1.6  10 –19  29  2  10 22
(b) An electric line of force is an imaginary straight or curved line drawn in such a way that the tangent on it
gives the direction of electric force experienced by a positive charge at all points.
The tangent at a point on an electric line of force also gives the direction of the electric field at that point.
The relative closeness of electric lines of force in a certain region provides us an estimate of the electric
field strength in that region.
45. (a) Two infinite parallel planes have uniform charge densities +and –. What is the electric field between
the planes?
(b) How can you charge an ‘uncharged insulated conductor’ negatively by electrostatic induction?
Sol. (a) At a point P between the two planes, the electric fields due +ve and –ve charged planes are respectively
 
E  ; E– 
2 0 2 0 both are in the same direction.
 –
P
  
 Net field = 2  2   .
0 0 0
(b) First of all, bring a positively charged glass rod near the given conductor AB. The end A of the conductor
will be charged negatively while the end B will be charged positively as shown in figure.
+
–– +
––
– +
+
++ A + B
++
Keeping the glass rod near the conductor, the conductor is earthed as shown in figure.
– –– – – ––
++ – – ––
++ – – –––
++ A A – B
Finally, the glass rod and earth-connection are removed. The conductor AB acquires a negative charge.
SECTION - B
Model Test Paper
1. Is the force between two point electric charges q1 and q2 kept at some distance apart in air, attractive or repulsive
when (i) q1q2 > 0, (ii) q1q2 < 0?
Sol. (i) Repulsive, like charges repel each other.
(ii) Attractive, unlike charges attract each other.
2. Name the physical quantity which has its S.I. unit volt-metre
Sol. Electric flux,  = EA
V
=  m2  Vm
m
3. If F is the magnitude of force experienced by a charge of 2C at a distance of 1 cm from an infinitely large charged
sheet, then what will be the force experienced by the same charge placed at a distance of 2 cm from the same
sheet?

Sol. Same force, F  qE  q nˆ . It is independent of distance.
20
4. A charge Q is placed at the centre of a cube. What is the electric flux coming out from any one face?
Q
Sol. Total flux through cube = 6(flux through each surface) =
0
Q
 6 

Q
 
6 0
5. What is the angle between the directions of electric fields due to a dipole, at a point on axial line and a point on
equatorial line?

2p –p
Sol. 180º ; as, Ea  and Ee 
40 r 3 40 r 3
6. What is an electric field line? sketch field lines due to two equal positive charges placed at a small distance
in air.
Sol. It is an imaginary line drawn in electric field such that tangent drawn to it at a point represent the direction
of electric field at that point or tangent drawn to it at a point represent the direction of force on a positive test
charge at that point
7. An electric dipole is free to move in a uniform electric field. Explain its motion when it is placed (i) parallel to the
field, and (ii) perpendicular to the field.
Sol. (i) –qE qE

E
–q +q

When the dipole is placed parallel ( = 0º) to electric field as shown in figures then net force = qE – qE  0
Net torque   pE sin 
=0
So the dipole will remain stationary.
+q qE
(ii) E
90º
–qE –q
When dipole is kept perpendicular ( = 90º) with electric field, as shown in figure

Net force = qE  (– qE )0

But the forces qE and –qE produce a couple as a result it start rotate clockwise about axis normal to

E and P as shown in figure.
8. Two point charges of +10 C and +40 C respectively are placed 12 cm apart. Find the position of the point, where
electric field is zero.
10 C E E1 40 C
2
Sol. 1 2
x 12 – x
12 cm

E1 electric field due to 10 C and E2 is due to 40 C. At equilibrium E1  E2  0

 E1  E2
10 40
2

x (12 – x )2
12
 x  cm
3
 x = 4 cm
9. Four point charges are placed at the four corners of a square in two ways (i) and (ii) as shown in figure. Will the
electric field at the centre of the squares be the same or different in the two configurations and why?
–q –q –q +q
–q +q +q –q
(i) (ii)
–q
Sol. (i) E0  E A  EB  EC  ED –q
A B
EA
EC
= E A  EC  EB  ED  O
EB
ED

= 2E A · EB  – ED  D
–q
C
+q

(ii) E0  E A  EB  EC  ED
–q +q
A B
  
= E A  EC  EB  ED  EA
ED
EB O


= 0  0 E A  – EC and EB  – ED  D
EC
C
+q –q

= 0
10. Calculate the total charge enclosed by a closed surface, if the number of electric field lines entering it is 10,000
and leaving is 20,000.
Sol. Flux = Net number of lines leaving = 20,000 – 10,000 = 10,000
 Q = 0(10,000) = 104 × 8.854 × 10–12C = 8.854 × 10–8C
11. Three charges are placed on the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side length l. Find the sign and magnitude of
charge q placed at centroid so that system of charges will be in equilibrium.
+Q
+Q +Q
Sol. For system of charges to be equilibrium net force on all individual charges q and Q are zero.
From symmetry force on the charge q, C
Q

= FA  FB  FC  0
(as FA = FB = FC and angle between them are 120º each)

so, q is at equilibrium. FB FA
q 0
Consider the charge at corner B
Force on charge at corner B = 0 FC
Q Q
A B
 FA  FC  F0  0


 F0  – FA  FC 
 q should be negative

Now F0  FA  FC
CQ
kQ | q |
 2
 2FA cos30
 l 
 
 3 O
F0
q FA
Q
3kQ | q | 2kQ 2 3 30
  AQ B 30 º
l2 l2 2 º
FA + FC
FC
Q
 | q |
3
–Q
 q
3
12. Write two basic properties of charge.
Sol. (i) Additivity of charges

If a system contains two point charges q1 and q2, then the total charge of the system is obtained simply by
adding algebraically q1 and q2, i.e., charges add up like real numbers or they are scalars like the mass of a
body. Charge has magnitude but no direction, similar to the mass. However there is one difference between
mass and charge. Mass of a body is always positive whereas a charge can be either positive or negative.
Proper signs have to be used while adding the charges in a system.
(ii) Charge is conserved

The total charge of the isolated system is always conserved. It is not possible to create or destroy net charge
carried by any isolated system although the charge carrying particles may be created or destroyed in a
process. For example, a neutron is unstable and after few minute it turns into a proton and an electron. The
proton and electron thus created have equal and opposite charges and the total charge is zero before and
after the creation.
(iii) Quantization of charge
All experiments so far have shown that all free charges are integral multiples of a basic unit of charge
denoted by e. Thus charge Q on a body is always expressed by Q = ne, where n is any integer, positive or
negative.
This basic unit of charge is the charge that an electron or proton carries. By convention, the charge on an
electron is taken to be negative, therefore charge on an electron is written as –e and that on a proton as +e.
The fact that electric charge is always an integral multiple of e is termed as ‘quantization of charge’. The
quantization of charge was first suggested by the experimental laws of electrolysis discovered by Michael
Faraday. It was experimentally demonstrated by Millikan in 1912. In the international system (SI) of units, a
unit of charge is called a ‘coulomb’ and is denoted by the symbol C.
13. What is the relation between electric field intensity and the force? What determines the direction of the force in an
electric field?

Sol. F  qE . Direction of force is determined by direction of E and nature of charge.
14. Electric field in the given figure is directed along +x direction and given by E = 50x + 10, where E is in NC–1 and x
is in meter. Calculate, (i) the electric flux through the cube (ii) the net charge enclosed within the cube
y
10 cm
z
y
G B
C A2
F
Sol. (i) E2
A1 E1
A
x
O
E D
z

Here E  (50 x  10)iˆ NC–1 is tangential to surfaces BCFG, CFED, ADEO and ABGO. So electric flux
through these surfaces is zero BCFG  CFED   ADEO   ABGO  0 .

Electric field at surface OEFG, E1  (50  0)  10  iˆ  10iˆ N/C and area of OEFG

 
A1  (10  10 –2 )2 – iˆ m2  –10 –2 iˆ m2
Nm2
OEFG  E1·A1  –10 –1  –0.1 Nm2 C–1
C

Electric field at ABCD, E2   50  0.1  10  i NC–1
= 15iˆ NC –1

Area of ABCD, A2  (10  10 –2 )2 iˆ m2  10 –2 iˆ m2

ABCD  E2 ·A2  15  10–2 Nm2C–1  0.15 Nm2C–1
Net flux through cube  =  ABCD  OEFG  BCFG  CFED   ADEO   ABGO  (0.15 – 0.1)Nm2C–1
= 0.05 Nm2C–1 = 5 × 10–2 Nm2C–2

(ii) Q = 0 = 8.85 × 10–12 × 5 × 10–2 = 4.425 × 10–13 C
15. Define the term electric dipole moment, and derive an expression for electric field intensity due to a dipole
on its axial line.
p
–q +q
Sol.
2a

The dipole moment vector p of an electric dipole is defined as p  2aq ; i.e., it a vector whose magnitude is
charge q times the separation 2a (between the pair of charges q, –q) and the direction is along the line from –q
to +q. Its unit is coulomb-metre.
Let us calculate electric field at the point P at a distance r from the centre of the dipole on the axial line of the
dipole on the side of the charge q as shown in figure.
E+q E–q 2a
P q p –q
r
–q
E– q  pˆ , where p̂ is the unit vector along the dipole moment vector.
40 (r  a )2
q
E q  pˆ
40 (r – a )2

The total field at P is E  E  q  E – q
q  1 1 
=  –  pˆ
40  (r – a)
2
( r  a )2 
q 4ar
= 4 2 2 2
pˆ
0 (r – a )

2(2aq )rpˆ 2rp
 E 
40 (r 2 – a 2 )2 40 (r 2 – a 2 )2
16. An electric dipole with dipole moment 4 × 10–9 Cm is aligned at 30º with the direction of a uniform electric field
of magnitude 5 × 104 NC–1. Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on dipole and also indicate its
direction.
Sol.  = pEsin = 4 × 10–9 × 5 × 104 × sin30º
P
= 10–4 Nm

E
Direction is along p  E , i.e., normally into the plane of paper
17. Derive an expression for the magnitude of electric field intensity at any point along the equatorial line of a short
electric dipole. Give the direction of intensity at that point. For a short dipole what is the ratio of magnitude of
electric field intensities at two equidistant points from the centre of dipole, one along the axial line and another on
the equatorial line?
E +q
P E at P
E –q
r
Sol.
 p
q –q
2a
The magnitudes of the electric fields due to the two charges +q and –q are given by
q q
Eq  and E – q  and they are equal.

40 r  a 2 2
 
40 r 2  a 2 
The directions of E+q and E–q are as shown in the figure.
The components normal to the dipole axis cancel away. The components along the dipole axis add up.

The total electric field E at P is opposite to dipole moment vector p . So, we have

E  –  E  q  E – q  cos 
 
–2q a ∵ cos   a 
 ·  
40 (r 2  a 2 ) 1

1

(r 2  a 2 ) 2  (r 2  a 2 ) 2 

–2aq pˆ –p
= E 
40 (r 2  a 2 )3/2 40 (r 2  a 2 )3/2
2p
For short dipole Ea 
40 r 3
p
and Ee 
40 r 3
Ea 2
   2 :1
Ee 1
18. (i) State Gauss’s law in electrostatics and express it mathematically. Using it derive an expression for electric
field at a point near a thin infinite plane sheet of electric charge.
(ii) Two plane sheets of charge having charge densities 1 and 2 are normal to each other. What will be the
magnitude of electric field at point O?
+
1
O
+
2
Sol. (i) It states that the electric flux through a closed surface S is equal to q where q is total charge enclosed
0
by S.
q
Mathematically :

S
E·ds 
0
Electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet
z
y
x
1 2
E A E
surface
charge density 
Fig. : Gaussian Surface for a Uniformly Charged Infinite Plane Sheet
Let  be the uniform surface charge density of an infinite plane sheet. We take the x-axis normal to the given
plane. By symmetry, we assume that the electric field will not depend on y and z co-ordinates and its direction
at every point must be parallel to the x-direction.
We have taken the Gaussian surface as a cylinder (a rectangular parallolepiped will also do) of cross-sectional

area A as shown. As seen from the figure, only the two faces 1 and 2 will contribute to the flux (as  between E

and A is zero on these faces). Electric field lines are parallel to other curved surface ( = 90º) and they,
therefore, do not contribute to the total flux.
The unit vector normal to surface 1 is in –x direction while the unit vector normal to surface 2 is in the +x

direction. Therefore, flux E·S through both the surfaces are equal and add up. Hence, the net flux through the
Gaussian surface is 2EA. Now the charge enclosed by the closed surface is A. Therefore by Gauss’s law
A
2EA =
0

or, E =
20

vectorially, E  nˆ
20
where n̂ is a unit vector normal to the plane and going away from it.

(ii) Field at O, E  E1  E2 + 1
E2= j
20
1 ˆ 2 ˆ 1 E
= 2 i  2 j
0 0
1
E1= i
Magnitude of electric field O 20
+
2
E  E12  E22
1
 E 12  22 .
20 +

Solutions (Set-2)
Objective Types Questions
(Electric Charges, Conductors and Insulators, Charging by Induction, Properties of Electric Charge)
1. If a body has positive charge on it, then it means it has
(1) Gained some protons (2) Lost some protons
(3) Gained some electrons (4) Lost some electrons
Sol. Answer (4)
Due to lack of electron body get positive charge.
2. Sure check for presence of electric charge is

(1) Process of induction (2) Repulsion between bodies
(3) Attraction between bodies (4) Frictional force between bodies
Sol. Answer (2)
Due to similar (like charge), repulsion force is possible but attraction force may be due to uncharged body.
3. If a solid and a hollow conducting sphere have same radius then

(1) Hollow sphere will hold more maximum charge
(2) Solid sphere will hold more maximum charge
(3) Both the spheres will hold same maximum charge
(4) Both the sphere can’t hold charge
Sol. Answer (3)
Excess charge spread on outer surface only from their property.
4. Five balls marked a to e are suspended using separate threads. Pairs (b, c) and (d, e) show electrostatic
repulsion while pairs (a, b), (c, e) and (a, e) show electrostatic attraction. The ball marked a must be
(1) Negatively charged (2) Positively charged
(3) Uncharged (4) Any of the above is possible
Sol. Answer (3)
5. When a plastic rod rubbed with wool is brought near the knob of a negatively charged gold leaf electroscope,
the gold leaves
(1) Contract (2) Dilate
(3) Start oscillating (4) Collapse completely
Sol. Answer (2)
6. Which of the following is not true about electric charge?

(1) Charge on a body is always integral multiple of certain charge known as charge of electron
(2) Charge is a scalar quantity
(3) Net charge on an isolated system is always conserved
(4) Charge can be converted into energy and energy can be converted into charge
Sol. Answer (4)
A rest charge cannot be converted into energy.
7. What is the amount of charge possessed by 1 kg of electrons?

(1) 1.76 × 1011 C (2) 1.76 × 10–9 C
(3) 1.76 × 10–7 C (4) 1.76 × 10–5 C
Sol. Answer (1)
∵ me  9.1  10 31kg
qe  1.6  10 19 C
So charge due to 1 kg electron
1.6  10 19
Q  1.76  1011C
9.1  10 31
8. Which of the following processes involves the principle of electrostatic induction?

(1) Pollination (2) Chocolate making (3) Xerox copying (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
These are properties of electrostatic induction.
(Coulomb's Law, Forces between Multiple Charges)
9. When a conducting soap bubble is negatively charged then

(1) Its size starts varying arbitrarily (2) It expands
(3) It contracts (4) No change in its size takes place
Sol. Answer (2)
Due to repulsion force between diametrically opposite wall, it expands.
10. Coulomb’s law is analogous to

(1) Charge conservation law (2) Newton’s second law of motion
(3) Law of conservation of energy (4) Newton’s law of gravitation
Sol. Answer (4)
Coulomb’s law and Newton’s law of gravitation are inverse square law.
11. Two point charges Q1 and Q2 exert a force F on each other when kept certain distance apart. If the charge
on each particle is halved and the distance between the two particles is doubled, then the new force between
the two particles would be
F F F F
(1) (2) (3) (4)
2 4 8 16
Sol. Answer (4)
Given
KQ1Q2
F …(i)
r
Q1
if, Q1 
2
Q2
Q2 
2
& r = 2r
F
Then = F1 
16
12. Two equally charged identical small balls kept some fixed distance apart exert a repulsive force F on each
other. A similar uncharged ball, after touching one of them is placed at the mid-point of line joining the two
balls. Force experienced by the third ball is
F
(1) 4F (2) 2F (3) F (4)
2
Sol. Answer (3)
First case : Q Q
r
KQ 2
F1  F  …(i)
r2
Q
Q F1 2 F2
Second case : Q
2 r r
2 2
FNet  F2  F1
K Q2 4 K Q2 4
 
4.r 2 2r 2
KQ 2
F
r2
Force remain’s constant
13. Two equal point charges A and B are R distance apart. A third point charge placed on the perpendicular
bisector at a distance ‘d’ from the centre will experience maximum electrostatic force when
R R
(1) d  (2) d  (3) d  R 2 (4) d  2 2R
2 2 2
Sol. Answer (1)
F
F2 F1
KQ 2  
F1  F2 
 2 R2  R2 a
d2 
d  4  4 
  R
2 d
FN = F1 cos + F2 cos (+)Q R (+)Q
= 2F1 cos =
KQ 2 d 1
FN  2. .
 2 R   2 R 2
2 2
 d  4  d  4 
 
dF
If F = Maximum than 0
dd
R
So we get  
2 2
14. A charged gold leaf electroscope has its leaves apart by certain amount having enclosed air. When the
electroscope is subjected to X-rays, then the leaves
(1) Further dilate (2) Start oscillating
(3) Collapse (4) Remain unaltered
Sol. Answer (3)
15. Two equal positive charges Q are fixed at points (a, 0) and (–a, 0) on the x-axis. An opposite charge –q at
rest is released from point (0, a) on the y-axis. The charge –q will
(1) Move to infinity
(2) Move to origin and rest there
(3) Undergo SHM about the origin
(4) Execute oscillatory periodic motion but not SHM
Sol. Answer (4)

–q
In question
F2 F1
Net force on q is not proportional to (x) 
x
as F  (–x) [For SHM]
(+)Q (+)Q
but Net force on q is x = –a x = +a
K q. Q x
F 1
x 2
 a2  2
This is condition for periodic motion
16. Four charges each equal to Q are placed at the four corners of a square and a charge q is placed at the
centre of the square. If the system is in equilibrium then the value of q is
Q –Q Q –Q
(1) (1  2 2) (2) (1  2 2) (3) (1  2 2) (4) (1  2 2)
2 4 4 2
Sol. Answer (2)
Net force on Q due to other corner charge is Q Q
F123 = F3  F12  F22

F4
2l
= F3  2 F1
F1
Q
F2
KQ 2 2KQ 2 Q
= 2
 F3
2l l2
Force on Q1 due to centre charge –q
KQq
F4  .2
l2
If net force on corner charge Q is zero
Then
F123 + F4 = 0
Q
So q   1  2 2 
4
17. According to Coulomb’s Law, which is correct relation for the following diagram?
q1 F12 F21 q2
(1) q1 q2 < 0 (2) q1 q2 > 0 (3) q1 q2 = 0 (4) q1 q2 >> 100 C

Sol. Answer (1)
Both charge should be unlike charge
q1 = +Q , q2 = –Q
So q1 q2 = –Q2
So q1 q2 = Negative
So q1 q2 < 0
18. A charge q is to be distributed on two conducting spheres. What should be the value of the charges on the
spheres so that the repulsive force between them is maximum when they are placed at a fixed distance from
each other in air?
q q q 3q q 2q q 4q
(1) and (2) and (3) and (4) and
2 2 4 4 3 3 5 5
Sol. Answer (1)
Force between both is
K Q  q  Q
F
r2
dF
If F = maximum then, 0
dQ
q
So Q 
2
q q
So both charge be ,
2 2
19. A point charge q1 exerts an electric force on a second point charge q2. If third charge q3 is brought near, the
electric force of q1 exerted on q2
(1) Decreases
(2) Increases
(3) Remains unchanged
(4) Increases if q3 is of same sign as q1 and decreases if q3 is of opposite sign
Sol. Answer (3)
Electric force between ‘2’ charge do not depend on the ‘3’rd charge.

20. Three charges +4q, Q and q are placed in a straight line of length l at points 0,and distance away from
2
one end respectively. What should be Q in order to make the net force on q to be zero?
q
(1) –q (2) 4q (3) – (4) –2q
2
Sol. Answer (1)
FNet on q is l
x
K .4q 3
KQq.4 x=0 2 x=l
F 2

l l2 +4q Q q
If F = 0 then
Q = –q
21. A particle of mass m and carrying charge –q1 is moving around a charge +q2 along a circular path of radius
r. Find period of revolution of the charge –q1
163 0 mr 3 83 0 mr 3 q1 q2
(1) (2) (3) (4) Zero
q1 q2 q1 q2 163 0 mr 3
Sol. Answer (1)

mv 2 1 q1 q2 
 .
r 4 0 r 2 q2
m
1 r (–q)
 1 q1 q 2  2
v  
 4  0 rm 
For 1 trip,
2 r 1
T   2r  4  0 mr   q1 q 2  2
v
16 3  0 mr 3
T 
q1 q2
22. Consider three point objects P, Q and R. P and Q repel each other, while P and R attract. What is the nature
of force between Q and R?
(1) Repulsive force (2) Attractive force (3) No force (4) None of these
Sol. Answer (2)
(Electric Field and Electric Field Lines)

23. The electric field intensity at a point in vacuum is equal to
(1) Zero
(2) Force a proton would experience there
(3) Force an electron would experience there
(4) Force a unit positive charge would experience there
Sol. Answer (4)
This is defination of electric field.
24. A sphere of radius r has electric charge uniformly distributed in its entire volume. At a distance d from the
centre inside the sphere (d < r) the electric field intensity is directly proportional to
1 1
(1) (2) (3) d (4) d 2
d d2
Sol. Answer (3)
q
Electric field inside volume charge is given by
d
1 qd
E  r
4  0 r 3
Ed
25. The electric field at 2R from the centre of a uniformly charged non-conducting sphere of radius R is E. The
R
electric field at a distance from the centre will be
2
(1) Zero (2) 2E (3) 4E (4) 16E
Sol. Answer (2)
Kq
Given E  2R 2
  …(i)
R
Kq.
Then E '  2 …(ii)
R3
Find E' = 2E
26. In a uniform electric field if a charge is fired in a direction different from the line of electric field then the
trajectory of the charge will be a
(1) Straight line (2) Circle (3) Parabola (4) Ellipse
Sol. Answer (3)
F = qE = m ax y
(+q)
 qE  y
ax   
m x
1 (E)
Then, x  0  ax t
2
…(i)
2 x
y
But y = uxt then t 
ux
1 qE y 2
So, x  . , so x  y2 for parabola
2 m u2
27. A positively charged pendulum is oscillating in a uniform electric field pointing upwards. Its time period as
compared to that when it oscillates without electric field
(1) Is less (2) Is more
(3) Remains unchanged (4) Starts fluctuating
Sol. Answer (2)
Effective g decreases.
28. How many electrons should be removed from a coin of mas 1.6 g, so that it may float in an electric field of
intensity 109 N/C directed upward?
(1) 9.8 × 107 (2) 9.8 × 105
(3) 9.8 × 103 (4) 9.8 × 101
Sol. Answer (1)
qE = mg
neE = mg
mg
Use n 
eE
29. ABC is an equilateral triangle. Charges +q are placed at each corner. The electric field intensity at the centroid
of triangle will be
A +q
O r
+q +q
B C
1 q 1 3q
(1)  2 (2)  2
40 r 40 r
1 q
(3)  (4) Zero
40 r
Sol. Answer (4)

FN = 0
30. A charge Q is placed at the centre of a square. If electric field intensity due to the charge at the corners of
E
the square is E1 and the intensity at the mid point of the side of square is E2, then the ratio of 1 will be
E2
1
(1) (2) 2
2 2
1
(3) (4) 2
2
Sol. Answer (3)
1 Q2
E1  …(i)
4  0 l 2
1 Q4
E2 
4  0 l 2
E2 = 2E1
E1 1

E2 2
31. Point charges each of magnitude Q are placed at three corners of a square as shown in the diagram. What
is the direction of the resultant electric field at the fourth corner?
B C
D +Q
A
O E
+Q –Q
(1) OC (2) OE (3) OD (4) OB

Sol. Answer (4)
Resultant force act along OB
32. Two charges e and 3e are placed at a distance r. The distance of the point where the electric field intensity
will be zero is
r r
(1) from 3e charge (2) from e charge
(1  3 ) (1  3 )
r r
(3) from 3e charge (4) from e charge
(1– 3 ) 1
1
3
Sol. Answer (2)

Net electric field at P is zero then e P 3e
O = E1 – E2 x r
E1 = E2
ke k 3e

x 2
 r  x 2
1 3
so, 
x r x
r  x  3x
r  x 1  3 
r
x

1 3 
33. If electric lines of force in a region are represented as shown in the figure, then one can conclude that, electric
field is
(1) Non-uniform (2) Uniform

(3) Both uniform and non-uniform (4) Zero everywhere
Sol. Answer (1)
Diverging electric line of force denote non-uniform electric field.
34. An uncharged sphere of metal is placed in a uniform electric field produced by two oppositely charged plates.
The lines of force will appear as
+
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Sol. Answer (3)
35. An electron released on the axis of a positively charged ring at a large distance from the centre will
(1) Not move (2) Do oscillatory motion (3) Do SHM (4) Do non periodic motion
Sol. Answer (2)
k Q x
FN  q. 3
x 2
 r2  2
For SHM, F  (–x)
36. Figure shows electric lines of forces due to charges Q1 and Q2. Hence
Q1 Q2
(1) Q1 and Q2 both are negative (2) Q1 and Q2 both are positive
(3) Q1 > Q2 (4) Both (2) & (3)
Sol. Answer (4)
37. Figure shows electric lines of force. If Ex and Ey are the magnitudes of electric field at points x and y
respectively, then
x
y
(1) Ex > Ey (2) Ex = Ey

(3) Ex < Ey (4) Any of these
Sol. Answer (1)
(Electric Flux, Electric Dipole, Dipole in a Uniform External Field)

38. Electric charge Q, Q and –2Q respectively are placed at the three corners of an equilateral triangle of side
a. Magnitude of the electric dipole moment of the system is
(1) 2Qa (2) 3Qa (3) Qa (4) 2Qa
Sol. Answer (2)
P1 = Q.a Q
P2 = Q.a
P  P12  P22  2P1P2 cos  q

P1
PN  3 Q.a P2 
Q q –2Q
39. An electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field experiences maximum moment of couple when the dipole
is placed
(1) Against the direction of the field (2) Towards the electric field
(3) Perpendicular to the direction of the field (4) At 135° to the direction of the field
Sol. Answer (3)
 = PE sin
For  = 90°
 = Max.
40. Force of interaction between two co-axial short electric dipoles whose centres are R distance apart varies as
1 1 1 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
R R2 R3 R4
Sol. Answer (4)
–Q +Q –Q +Q
K 6P1 P2
F
r4 r
41. Two charges of +25 × 10–9 coulomb and –25 × 10–9 coulomb are placed 6 m apart. Find the electric field
intensity ratio at points 4 m from the centre of the electric dipole (i) on axial line (ii) on equatorial line
1000 49 500 49
(1) (2) (3) (4)
49 1000 49 500
Sol. Answer (1)
k.2Pr
Eaxial 
r 
2 …(i)
2
 l2
k.p
Eeq.  3
r 2
 l2  2
…(ii)
Eaxial 1000
Find E  49
eq
42. The electric force on a point charge situated on the axis of a short dipole is F. If the charge is shifted along
the axis to double the distance, the electric force acting will be
F F F
(1) 4F (2) (3) (4)
2 4 8
Sol. Answer (4)
1  1
F F  r 3 
r3  
If r1 = 2r
F
Then force become
8
43. An electric dipole is placed at an angle 60° with an electric field of strength 4 × 105 N/C. It experiences a
torque equal to 8 3 Nm . Calculate the charge on the dipole, if dipole is of length 4 cm
(1) 10–1 C (2) 10–2 C (3) 10–3 C (4) 10–4 C

Sol. Answer (3)
 = PE sin
8 3  q  4  102  . 4  105 sin60
find q = 10–3
44. A charge q is situated at the centre of a cube. Electric flux through one of the faces of the cube is
q q q
(1)  (2) 3 (3) 6 (4) Zero
0 0 0
Sol. Answer (3)

q
Total  of 6 surface 
0
q
 One surface 
60
45. A charge Q is placed at the centre of the open end of a cylindrical vessel. Electric flux through the surface
of the vessel is
q q 2q
(1) 2 (2)  (3) 0 (4) Zero
0 0
Sol. Answer (1)

q
If charge Q is surrounded with two cylinder then flux of ‘2’ cylinder is   
0
q
Flux of one cylinder = 2 
0
46. A hemispherical surface of radius R is kept in a uniform electric field E as shown in figure. The flux through
the curved surface is
E
R
(1) E2R2 (2) ER2 (3) E4R2 (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (2)
qNet = 0 So Net = 0
in +out = 0
out = –in = –[E.R2cos180°]
= E.R2
47. Total electric flux associated with unit positive charge in vacuum is
1 1
(1) 40 (2) 4 (3)  (4) 0
0 0
Sol. Answer (3)

q

 0 for q = 1
1

0
48. A charged body has an electric flux F associated with it. Now if the body is placed inside a conducting shell
then the electric flux outside the shell is
(1) Zero (2) Greater than F (3) Less than F (4) Equal to F
Sol. Answer (4)
Charge remains constant so flux remains constant.
49. A cylinder of radius R and length L is placed in a uniform electric field E parallel to the cylinder axis. The
outward flux over the surface of the cylinder is given by
R 2E
(1) 2R2E (2) (3) 2RLE (4) R2E
2
Sol. Answer (4)
Not net flux only outward flux
φ = ER2
50. A rectangular surface of sides 10 cm and 15 cm is placed inside a uniform electric field of 25 V/m, such
that the surface makes an angle of 30° with the direction of electric field. Find the flux of the electric field
through the rectangular surface
(1) 0.1675 N/m2C (2) 0.1875 Nm2/C (3) Zero (4) 0.1075 Nm2/C
Sol. Answer (2)
25 V/m
30°
15 cm A
10 cm
φ = EAcos30° = 0.1875 Nm2/C
51. If an electric field is given by 10iˆ  3 ˆj  4kˆ , calculate the electric flux through a surface of area 10 units lying
in yz plane
(1) 100 units (2) 10 units (3) 30 units (4) 40 units
Sol. Answer (1)

E  10lˆ  3 jˆ  4kˆ

A  10lˆ

So,   E.A  100 unit
52. There is uniform electric field of 8  103 iˆ N/C. What is the net flux (in SI units) of the uniform electric field
through a cube of side 0.3 m oriented so that its faces are parallel to the coordinate plane?
(1) 2 × 8 × 103 (2) 0.3 × 8 × 103 (3) Zero (4) 8 × 106 × 6
Sol. Answer (3)

E  8  103 iˆ N/C (Uniform) here q = 0
So = 0
53. A charge Q is kept at the corner of a cube. Electric flux passing through one of those faces not touching
that charge is
Q Q Q Q
(1) 24 (2) 3 (3) 8 (4) 6
0 0 0 0
Sol. Answer (1)

q
 Net 
8  0 (Of 3 surface)
q
 One surface 
24  0
(Continuous charge distribution, Gauss's law, Applications)
54. The electric field in a region is radially outward and at a point is given by E = 250 r V/m (where r is the
distance of the point from origin). Calculate the charge contained in a sphere of radius 20 cm centred at the
origin
(1) 2.22 × 10–6 C (2) 2.22 × 10–8 C (3) 2.22 × 10–10 C (4) Zero
Sol. Answer (3)
1 Q
E  .
4  0 r 2
9  109.Q
250r 
r2
Use r = 20 × 10–2 m
Find Q = ?
Q = 2.22 × 10–10 C
55. An isolated solid metal sphere of radius R is given an electric charge. Which of the graphs below best shows
the way in which the electric field E varies with distance x from the centre of the sphere?
E E E E
(1) (2) (3) (4)
O R x O R x O R x O x
Sol. Answer (3)
kq
E outside 
r2
Einside = 0
56. The electric field intensity at P and Q, in the shown arrangement, are in the ratio
q
r P
a 3q
2r
b Q
Fig.: Hollow concentric shell
(1) 1 : 2 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 1 : 1 (4) 4 : 3

Sol. Answer (3)
kq
EP  …(i)
r2
kq k.3q
EQ  
 2r  2
 2r 2
k q k .3q
 
4 r 2 4r 2
kq
 …(ii)
r2
EP : EQ = 1 : 1
57. Consider an atom with atomic number Z as consisting of a positive point charge at the centre and surrounded
by a distribution of negative electricity uniformly distributed within a sphere of radius R. The electric field at
a point inside the atom at a distance r from the centre is
Ze  1 r  Ze  1 1  2Ze
(1)  – 3 (2)  2
 3 (3) (4) Zero
40  r 2
R  40  r R  4 0 r 2
Sol. Answer (1)

E = E1 – E2
k.ze k zer
E= 
r2 R3
58. An electron is rotating around an infinite positive linear charge in a circle of radius 0.1 m, if the linear charge
density is 1 C/m, then the velocity of electron in m/s will be
(1) 0.562 × 107 (2) 5.62 × 107 (3) 562 × 107 (4) 0.0562 × 107
Sol. Answer (2)
mv 2
qE
r
mv 2 
 e.
r 2 0 r
v  5.62  107 m/s

59. A dipole with an electric moment p is located at a distance r from a long thread charged uniformly with a

linear charge density . Find the force F acting on the dipole if the vector p is oriented along the thread
p p p
(1) (2) (3) (4) Zero
20 r 2 20 r 20 r 
Sol. Answer (4) + +

F1 = F2
+ + F1
So, FN = 0 +
F2
–
+ +
 
60. For two infinitely long charged parallel sheets, the electric field at P will be
+ +
+ +
+ +
    + +
(1) – (2)  + +
2 x 2(r – x ) 20 x 2(r – x )0 + x +
+ P +
+ +
+ +
 + +
(3)  (4) Zero r
0
Sol. Answer (4)
 
EN = E1 – E2   =0
2 0 2 0


Electric Field Intensity

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Level - I

Electric Charges and Fields

Sol. E  1 . Since distance is halved so electric field E will become 8 times.

Sol. In such cases final force will always be repulsive.

8. Can a charged body attract an uncharged body?

Sol. Yes. By induction.

10. What is the line of symmetry of a dipole field?

Sol. About axial line.

Sol. Mass will decrease because it loses electrons.

Short Answer Type Questions :

Sol. Magnitude of dipole moment p = ql = (2.5 × 10–7C)(30 × 10–2 m).

= 7.9 × 10–3C = 7.9 mC

(ii) Let the charge on the outer surface is q1

Applying Gauss law to the surface R

Electric field is directed radially outward so

Sol. Resultant dipole moment

Using parallelogram law of vector addition, resultant dipole moment p1 p

Long Answer Type Questions :

Sol. (i) Scalar form:

Coulomb’s law is strictly applicable for point charges.

9  109  Q1Q2  10 –12

Sol. (i) Coulomb’s law in vector form

Thus, Coulomb’s law agrees with the Newton’s third law.

Above equation represent equation of parabola, so path of the charge is a parabola.

Sol. (i) Consider a charge Q at orgin O, as shown in figure

rˆ indicates the electric field is radially outward from charge Q.

Net electric field at O, 0.1 m EB 0.1 m

If charge at D is absent, then electric field will be

(ii) E is due to all the charges q1, q2 and q3.

Let  be the uniform surface charge density on the sheet.

Sol. Net force on charge is = F02  F02  2F02 cos 60

Consider a Gaussian spherical surface at distance r

Magnitude of torque = qE × 2a sin= 2qaE sin

The magnitude of p  E is also pEsin and its direction is

40. (a) Explain the invariant property of charge.

Flux through this surface is

charge in sphere of radius r is

At the centre r = 0 E=0

Sol. (i) –qE qE

Net torque   pE sin 

(as FA = FB = FC and angle between them are 120º each)

12. Write two basic properties of charge.

Sol. (i) Additivity of charges

(ii) Charge is conserved

= 0.05 Nm2C–1 = 5 × 10–2 Nm2C–2

Electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet

2. Sure check for presence of electric charge is

3. If a solid and a hollow conducting sphere have same radius then

6. Which of the following is not true about electric charge?

7. What is the amount of charge possessed by 1 kg of electrons?

8. Which of the following processes involves the principle of electrostatic induction?

9. When a conducting soap bubble is negatively charged then

10. Coulomb’s law is analogous to

(1) Further dilate (2) Start oscillating

(3) Collapse (4) Remain unaltered

Sol. Answer (3)

(1) Move to infinity

(2) Move to origin and rest there

(3) Undergo SHM about the origin

(4) Execute oscillatory periodic motion but not SHM

Sol. Answer (4)

This is condition for periodic motion

Sol. Answer (2)