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Q.2) If the radius of the Gaussian surface enclosing a charge is halved, how does the electric flux
through the Gaussian surface change ?
Answer:
Electic flux ϕE is given by
∴ SI unit is Cm.
Q.4) In which orientation, a dipole placed in a uniform electric field is in
stable,
unstable equilibrium ? (Delhi 2010)
Answer:
For stable equilibrium, a dipole is placed parallel to the electric field.
For unstable equilibrium, a dipole is placed antiparallel to the electric field.
Q.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‘
(Delhi 2010)
Answer:
Q.6) Name the physical quantity whose S.I. unit is JC-1. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity? (All
India 2010)
Answer:
Physical quantity whose S.I. unit is JC-1 is Electric potential.
It is a Scalar quantity.
Q.7) Define electric dipole moment. Write its S.I. unit. (All India 2011)
Answer:
Electric dipole moment of an electric dipole is defined as the product of the magnitude of
either charge and dipole length.
Q.11) A charge ‗q‘ is placed at the centre of a cube of side l. What is the electric flux passing
through two opposite faces of the cube? (All India)
Answer:
Q.12) Depict the direction of the magnetic field lines due to a circular current carrying loop.
(Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Direction of the magnetic field lines is given by right hand thumb rule.
Q.13) What is the direction of the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor having
charge density σ < 0? (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
The direction of electric field is normal and inward to the surface.
Q.14) Why do the electric field lines not form closed loops? (Comptt. All India 2012)
Answer:
Electric field lines do not form closed loops because the direction of an electric field is from
positive to negative charge. So one can regard a line of force starting from a positive charge
and ending on a negative charge. This indicates that electric field lines do not form closed
loops.
Q.15) Is the electric field due to a charge configuration with total charge zero, necessarily zero?
Justify. (All India 2012)
Answer:
No, it is not necessarily zero. If the electric field due to a charge configuration with total
charge is zero because the electric field due to an electric dipole is non-zero.
Q.16) 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? (All India 2013)
Answer:
Q.17) Two charges of magnitudes -3Q and + 2Q are located at points (a, 0) and (4a, 0)
respectively. What is the electric flux due to these charges through a sphere of radius ‗5a‘
with its centre at the origin?
Answer:
Q.18) Write the expression for the work done on an electric dipole of dipole moment p in turning
it from its position of stable equilibrium to a position of unstable equilibrium in a uniform
electric
field E. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Torque, acting on the dipole is, τ = pE sin θ
Q.19) Why do the electrostatic field lines not form closed loops? (All India 2014)
Answer:
Electric field lines do not form closed loops because the direction of an electric field is from
positive to negative charge. So one can regard a line of force starting from a positive charge
and ending on a negative charge. This indicates that electric field . lines do not form closed
loops.
Q. 20) Why do the electric field lines never cross each other? (All India)
Answer:
The electric lines of force give the direction of the electric field. In case, two lines of force
intersect, there will be two directions of the electric field at the point of intersection, which is
not possible.
Q. 21)
distance ‗d‘ apart as shown in the figure. The electric field intensity is zero at a point ‘P‘ on
the line joining them as shown. Write two conclusions that you can draw from this. (Comptt.
Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Two point charges ‗ q1‗ and ‗ q2 should be of opposite nature.
Magnitude of charge ql must be greater than that of charge q2.
Q.22) What is the electric flux through a cube of side 1 cm which encloses an electric dipole?
(Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Zero because the net charge of an electric dipole (+ q and – q) is zero.
Q.23) Why are electric field lines perpendicular at a point on an equipotential surface of a
conductor? (Comptt. All India 2015)
Answer:
If the electric field lines were not normal to the equipotential surface, it would have a non-
zero component along the surface. To move a unit test charge against the direction of the
component of the field, work would have to be done which means this surface cannot be
equipotential surface.
Hence, electric field lines are perpendicular at a point on an equipotential surface of a
conductor.
Q.24)
Q.27) Does the charge given to a metallic sphere depend on whether it is hollow or solid? Give
reason for your answer. (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
No, it does not, because the charge resides only on the surface of the conductor.
Q.28) Draw a plot showing variation of electric field with distance from the centre of a solid
conducting sphere of radius R, having a charge of +Q on its surface. (Comptt. Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Plot between E and r
Q.29) A point charge +Q is placed in the vicinity of a conducting surface. Draw the electric field
lines between the surface and the charge.
( Outside Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Q.30) Derive an expression for the torque experienced by an electric dipole kept in a uniform
electric field. (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Consider an electric dipole consisting of charges + q and – q and of length 2a placed in a
uniform electric field making an angle θ with it. It has a dipole moment of magnitude,
Hence the net translating force on a dipole in a uniform electric field is zero. But the two
equal and opposite forces act at different points of the dipole. They form a couple which
exerts a torque.
Torque = Either force × Perpendicular distance between the two forces
x = qE × 2a sin θ
X = pE sin θ [ ∵ p = q × 2a; p is dipole moment]
As the direction of torque is perpendicular to and , so we can write
Q.31) Define electric flux. Write its S.I. 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? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Electric flux over an area in an electric field is the total number of lines of force passing
through the area. It is represented by ϕ . It is a scalar quantity. Its S.I unit is Nm2 C-1 or Vm.
(b) Electric field at a point x > r2 from the centre of the shell will be E =
Q.33) Show that the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is given by ,
where σ is the surface charge density and h is a unit vector normal to the surface in the
outward direction. (All India 2010)
Answer:
Electric field at a point on the surface of charged conductor, E =
For simplicity we consider charged conductor as a sphere of radius ‗R‘. If ‗σ‘ is in surface
charge density, then
Q.35) Plot a graph showing the variation of coulomb force (F) versus , where r is the
distance between the two charges of each pair of charges : (1µC, 2µC) and (2µC, – 3µC).
Interpret the graphs obtained. (All India 2010)
Answer:
Here positive slope depicts that force is repulsive in nature and negative slope depicts that
the force is attractive in nature.
Q.36) A hollow cylindrical box of length 1m and area of cross-section 25 cm2 is placed in a
three dimensional coordinate system as shown in the figure. The electric field in the region is
given by where E is in NC-1 and x is in metres. Find Net flux through the cylinder.
Charge enclosed by the cylinder. (Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Q.37) Given a uniform electric field , find the flux of this field through a
square of 10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the y-z plane. What would be the flux
through the same square if the plane makes a 30° angle with the x-axis? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Given :
A = 10 × 10 × 10-4m2,
Flux (ϕ) = EA cos θ
(i) For first case, θ = 0, cos 0 = 1
∴ Flux = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4)
(ii) Angle of square plane with x-axis = 30°
Hence the 0 will be 90° – 30° = 60°
EA cos θ = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4) × cos 60
= 50 ×
= 25 Nm2C-1
Q.38) Given a uniform electric field = 2 × 103 N/ C, find the flux of this field through a
square of side 20 cm, whose plane is parallel to the y-z plane. What would be the flux
through the same square, if the plane makes an angle of 30° with the x-axis? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Given :
A = 10 × 10 × 10-4m2,
Flux (ϕ) = EA cos θ
(i) For first case, θ = 0, cos 0 = 1
∴ Flux = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4)
(ii) Angle of square plane with x-axis = 30°
Hence the 0 will be 90° – 30° = 60°
EA cos θ = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4) × cos 60
= 50 ×
= 25 Nm2C-1
Hint : (i) 80 Nm2C-1
(ii) 40 Nm2C3
Q.39) Given a uniform electric field N/C. Find the flux of this field through a
square of 5 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the Y-Z plane. What would be the flux
through the same square if the plane makes a 30° angle with the x-axis? (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Given :
A = 10 × 10 × 10-4m2,
Flux (ϕ) = EA cos θ
(i) For first case, θ = 0, cos 0 = 1
∴ Flux = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4)
(ii) Angle of square plane with x-axis = 30°
Hence the 0 will be 90° – 30° = 60°
EA cos θ = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4) × cos 60
= 50 ×
= 25 Nm2C-1
Hint:
(i) 10 Nm2C-1
(ii) 5 Nm2C-1
Q.40) A small metal sphere carrying charge +Q is located at the centre of a spherical cavity in a
large uncharged metallic spherical shell. Write the charges on the inner and outer surfaces of
the shell. Write the expression for the electric field at the point P 1 (Comptt. Delhi)
Answer:
1. Charge on inner surface : – Q
2. Charge on outer surface : + Q
(ii) τ = = pE sin θ
For θ = , sin θ = 1 and τ is maxximum
Q.42) A sphere S1 of radius r1 encloses a net charge Q. If there is another concentric sphere
S2 of radius r2 (r2 > r,) enclosing charge 2Q, find the ratio of the electric flux through S 1 and
S2. How will the electric flux through sphere S1 change if a medium of dielectric constant K is
introduced in the space inside S2 in place of air? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
Therefore, there will be no change in the flux through S1 on introducing dielectric medium
inside the sphere S2.
Q.43) Define the term ‗electric flux‘. Write its S.I. units. What is the flux due to electric
field N/C through a square of side 10 cm, when it is held normal to if? (Comptt.
All India 2015)
Answer:
Electric flux over an area in an electric field is the total number of lines of force passing
through the area. It is represented by ϕ . It is a scalar quantity. Its S.I unit is Nm 2 C-1 or Vm.
Electric flux ϕ by qenclosed
Hence the electric flux through the surface of sphere remains same.
Electric Charges and Fields Class 12 Important Questions Short Answer Type
Q.44) A thin conducting spherical shell of radius R has charge Q spread uniformly over its
surface. Using Gauss‘s law, derive an expression for an electric field at a point outside the
shell.
Draw a graph of electric field E(r) with distance r from the centre of the shell for 0 ≤ r ≤ ∞
Answer:
Electric field at a point outside the shell :
(a) (i) To find out electric field at a point outside a spherical charged shell we imagine a
symmetrical Gaussian surface in such a way that the point lies on it.
Graph of electric field E(r) :
Q.45) State Gauss‘ law in electrostatics. Using this law derive an expression for the electric
field due to a uniformly changed infinite plane sheet.
Answer:
Gauss‘ Law states that ―the total flux through a closed surface is times the net charge
enclosed by
Let σ be the surface charge density (charge per unit area) of the given sheet and let P be a
point at distance r from the sheet where we have to find
Choosing point P‘, symmetrical with P on the other side of the sheet, let us draw a Gaussian
cylindrical surface cutting through the sheet as shown in the diagram. As at the cylindrical
part of the Gaussian surface, and are at a right angle, the only surfaces having
and parallel are the plane ends
This value is independent of r. Hence, the electric field intensity is same for all points near
the charged sheet. This is called uniform electric field intensity.
Q.46) State ‗Gauss law‘ in electrostatics. Use this law to derive an expression for the electric
field due to an infinitely long straight wire of linear charge density λ cm-1
Answer:
Gauss‘s law in electrostatics : It states that ―the total electric flux over the surface S in
vaccum is times the total charge (q).‖
Electric field due to an infinitely long straight wire : Consider an infinitely long straight line
charge having linear charge density X to determine its electric field at distance r. Consider a
cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length l coaxial with the charge. By symmetry,
the electric field E has same magnitude at each point of the curved surface S1 and is directed
radially outward.
Total flux through the cylindrical surface,
Q.47) 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.
Derive the expression for the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor. (All India)
Answer: Representation of electric field, (due to a positive charge)
Answer:
Representation of electric field. (due to a positive charge)
Q.48) Use Gauss‘s law to derive the expression for the electric field between two uniformly
charged large parallel sheets with surface charge densities a and -a respectively. (All India)
Answer:
Gauss‘ Law states that ―the total flux through a closed surface is times the net charge
enclosed by
Let σ be the surface charge density (charge per unit area) of the given sheet and let P be a
point at distance r from the sheet where we have to find
Choosing point P‘, symmetrical with P on the other side of the sheet, let us draw a Gaussian
cylindrical surface cutting through the sheet as shown in the diagram. As at the cylindrical
part of the Gaussian surface, and are at a right angle, the only surfaces having
and parallel are the plane ends
This value is independent of r. Hence, the electric field intensity is same for all points near
the charged sheet. This is called uniform electric field intensity.
Q.49) State Gauss‘s law.
A thin straight infinitely long conducting wire of linear charge density ‗X‘ is enclosed by a
cy¬lindrical surface of radius V and length ‗l‘—its axis coinciding with the length of the wire.
Obtain the expression for the electric field, indi¬cating its direction, at a point on the surface
of the cylinder. (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Gauss‘s law. Gauss law states that ―Total flux (electric flux) over the closed surfaces in
vacuum is He0 times the total charge (Q) contained inside S.‖
Since the field is everywhere radial, flux through the two ends of the cylindrical Gaussian
surface is zero. At the cylindrical part of the surface, E is normal to the surface at every point,
and its magnitude is constant, since it depends only on r. The surface area of the curved part
is 2πrl, where l is the length of the cylinder.
Flux through the Gaussian surface = Flux through the curved cylindrical part of the surface is
zero. At the cylindrical part of the surface, E is normal to the surface at every point, and its
magnitude is constant, since at every point, and its magnitude is constant, since it depends
only on r. The surface area of the cylinder.
Flux through the Gaussian surface = Flux through the curved cylindrical part of the surface
= E × 2πrl
(a) Electric field due to an infinitely long thin straight wire is radial.
(b) The Gaussian surface for a long thin wire of uniform linear charge density
The surface includes charge equal to λl.
Gauss‘s law then gives
Q.51) Two charged spherical conductors of radii R1 and R2 when connected by a conducting
wire acquire charges q1 and q2 respectively. Find the ratio of their surface charge densities in
terms of their radii. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Two charged spherical conductors of radii R1 and R2 when connected by a conducting wire
acquire charges q1 and q2 respectively. Thus these two conductors have a common potential
V.
Two charged spherical conductors of radii R1 and R2 when connected by a conduction wire
acquire charges q1 and q2 respectively. Thus these two conductors have a common
potential V
Q.52) Two point charges + q and -2q are placed at the vertices ‗B‘ and ‗C‘ of an equilateral
triangle ABC of side as given in the figure. Obtain the expression for (i) the magnitude and (ii)
the direction of the resultant electric field at the vertex A due to these two charges.
Q.53) Two point charges + 3q and – 4q are placed at the vertices ‗B‘ and ‗C‘ of an equilateral
triangle ABC of side ‗a‘ as given in the figure. Obtain the expression for
Q.54) An electric dipole of dipole moment is placed in a uniform electric field ?. Obtain the
expression for the torque experienced by the dipole. Identify two pairs of perpendicular
vectors in the expression. (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(i) (a) Torque on electric dipole. Consider an electric dipole consisting of two equal and
opposite point charges separated by a small distance 2a having dipole moment
So net force on the dipole is zero
Since is uniform, hence the dipole does not undergo any translatory motion.
These forces being equal, unlike and parallel, from a couple, which rotates the dipole in
clock-wise direction
∴ Magnitude of torque = Force × arm of couple
[The direction of is given by right hand screw rule and is normal to ] and
Special cases
(i) when θ = 0 then τ = PE sin θ = 0
∴ Torque is zero and the dipole is in stable equilibrium
(ii) When θ = 90 then τ = PE sin 90 = PE
∴ The Torque is maximum
(b) Ratio of flux
∴ Electric flux through the sphere S1 decreases with the introduction of dielectric inside it.
(ii) Two pairs of perpendicular vectors are,
(a) is perpendicular to
(b) is perpendicular to
Q.55) (a) Two spherical conductors of radii Ra and R2 (R2 > R1) are charged. If they are
connected by a conducting wire, find out the ratio of the surface charge densities on them.
(b) A steady current flows in a metallic conductor of non-uniform cross-section. Which of
these quantities is constant along the conductor : current, current density, electric field, drift
speed? (Comptt. Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(a) When two charged spherical conductors of Radii R1 and R2 respectively (R2 > R1) are
connected by a conducting wire, we know that the common potential (V) is given by,
Q.56) A charge is distributed uniformly over a ring of radius ‗a‘. Obtain an expression for the
electric intensity E at a point on the axis of the ring. Hence show that for points at large
distances from the ring, it behaves like a point charge. (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Electric Intensity on the axis of a ring:
E(x) =
Q.58) A charge +Q, is uniformly distributed within a sphere of radius R. Find the electric field,
due to this charge distribution, at a point distant r from the centre of the sphere where :
(i) 0 < r < R and
(ii) r > R (Comptt. Outside Delhi )
Answer:
We have
Q.59)(i) Derive the expression for electric field at a point on the equatorial line of an electric dipole.
(ii) Depict the orientation of the dipole in
(a) stable,
(b) unstable equilibrium in a uniform electric field. (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
(i)Electric dipole moment: It is the product of the magnitude of either charge and distance
between them.
∴ Electric flux through the sphere S1 decreases with the introduction of dielectric inside it.
(ii) If the electric field is non uniform, the dipole experiences a translatory force as well as a
torque.
Q.61) State Gauss‘s law in electrostatics. Derive an expression for the electric field due to an
infinitely long straight uniformly charged wire. (Comptt. Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Gauss Theorem : The surface integral of electric field over a closed surface is equal to
times the charge enclosed by the surface.
Electric Charges and Fields Class 12 Important Questions Long Answer Type
Q.62) (a) Using Gauss‘ law, derive an expression for the electric field intensity at any point outside
a uniformly charged thin spherical shell of radius R and charge density a C/m2. Draw the
field lines when the charge density of the sphere is
(i) positive,
(ii) negative.
(b) A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.5 m in diameter has a surface charge density
of 100 µC/m2. Calculate the
(i) charge on the sphere
(ii) total electric flux passing through the sphere (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
(a) (i) To find out electric field at a point outside a spherical charged shell we imagine a
symmetrical Gaussian surface in such a way that the point lies on it.
Q.63) (a) Define electric flux. Write its SI units.
(b) The electric field components due to a charge inside the cube of side 0.1 m are as shown
:
Ex = ax, where α = 500 N/C-m
Calculate
(i) the flux through the cube, and
(ii) the charge inside the cube. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(a) Electric flux through a surface represents the total number of electric lines of force
crossing the surface.
∴ S.I. unit is Nm2 C-1.
(b) (i) Flux through R.H.S. of the cube is
Q.64) (a) Define electric flux. Write its S.I. units.
(b) Using Gauss‘s law, prove that the electric field at a point due to a uniformly charged
infinite plane sheet is independent of the distance from it.
(c) How is the field directed if
(i) the sheet is positively charged,
(ii) negatively charged? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
(a) Electric flux: The electric flux through a given area held inside an electric field is the
measure of the total number of electric lines of force passing normally through that area.
(b) Consider a thin, infinite plane sheet of charge with uniform surface charge density 0. We
wish to calculate its electric field at a point P at distance r from it.
By symmetry, electric field E points outwards normal to the sheet. Also, it must have same
magnitude and opposite direction at two points P anel F equidistant from the sheet and on
opposite sides. We choose cylindrical Gaussian surface of cross¬sectional area A and length
2r with its axis perpendicular to the sheet.
As the lines of force are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the flux through the
curved surface is zero. The flux through the plane-end faces of the cylinder is :
Answer:
(a) Electric flux: The electric flux through a given area held inside an electric field is the
measure of the total number of electric lines of force passing normally through that area.
(b) Consider a thin, infinite plane sheet of charge with uniform surface charge density 0. We
wish to calculate its electric field at a point P at distance r from it.
By symmetry, electric field E points outwards normal to the sheet. Also, it must have same
magnitude and opposite direction at two points P anel F equidistant from the sheet and on
opposite sides. We choose cylindrical Gaussian surface of cross-sectional area A and length
2r with its axis perpendicular to the sheet.
As the lines of force are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the flux through the
curved surface is zero. The flux through the plane-end faces of the cylinder is :
(i) For positively charged sheet ➝ away from the sheet
(ii)For negatively charged sheet ➝towards the sheet
(b) Calculation of electric field at point Pt:
Net charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is +Q
As electric field of positive charge is radially outwards, it is parallel to the area vector on the
surface chosen.
As point P2 lies inside the metal, therefore electric field at point P2 is zero.
Q.66) Define electric dipole moment. Is it a scalar or a vector? Derive the expression for the
electric field of a dipole at a point on the equatorial
plane of the dipole. (All India 2013)
Answer:
Electric dipole moment: It is the product of the magnitude of either charge and distance
between them.
Q.68) Using Gauss‘s law, derive the expression for the electric field at a point
(i) outside and
(ii) inside a uniformly charged thin spherical shell. Draw a graph showing electric field E as a
function of distance from the centre. (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
Electric field due to a uniformly charged spherical shell:
Suppose a thin spherical shell of radius R and centre O
Let the charge + q be distributed over the surface of sphere
Electric field intensity is same at every point on the surface of sphere directed directly
outwards
Let a point P be outside the shell with radius vector
Q.69) (a) Deduce the expression for the torque acting on a dipole of dipole moment 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 the sphere S1 change if a medium of dielectric constant
‗εr‗ is introduced in the space inside S1, in place of air? Deduce the necessary expression.
(All India 2014)
Answer:
(a) Torque on electric dipole. Consider an electric dipole consisting of two equal and opposite
point charges separated by a small distance 2a having dipole moment
So net force on the dipole is zero
Since is uniform, hence the dipole does not undergo any translatory motion.
These forces being equal, unlike and parallel, from a couple, which rotates the dipole in
clock-wise direction
∴ Magnitude of torque = Force × arm of couple
[The direction of is given by right hand screw rule and is normal to ] and
Special cases
(i) when θ = 0 then τ = PE sin θ = 0
∴ Torque is zero and the dipole is in stable equilibrium
(ii) When θ = 90 then τ = PE sin 90 = PE
∴ The Torque is maximum
(b) Ratio of flux
∴ Electric flux through the sphere S1 decreases with the introduction of dielectric inside it.
Q.70) (a) An electric dipole of dipole moment consists of point charges + q and – q
separated by a distance 2a apart. Deduce the expression for the electric field due to the
dipole at a distance x from the centre of the dipole on its axial line in terms of the dipole
moment ?. Hence show that in the limit x >> a, —>2 (4πε0x3).
(Delhi 2015)
Answer:
(a) Expression for magnetic field due to dipole on its axial lane:
(b)Only the faces perpendicular to the direction of x-axis, contribute to the Electric flux. The
remaining faces of the cube given zero
Q.71) (a) Define electric flux. Write its S.I. unit. ―Gauss‘s law in electrostatics is true for any
closed surface, no matter what its shape or size is‖. Justify this statement with the help of a
suitable example.
(b) Use Gauss‘s law to prove that the electric field inside a uniformly charged spherical shell
is zero. (All India)
(a) Electric flux. The electric lines of force passing through that area, when held normally to
the lines of force.
Answer:
Electric flux. The electric lines of force passing through that area, when held normally to the
lines of force.
The law implies that the total electric flux through a closed surface depends on the quantity
of total charge enclosed by the surface, and does not depend on its shape and size.
For example, net charge enclosed by the electric dipole (q, -q) is zero, hence the total electric
flux enclosed by a surface containing electric dipole is zero.
(b) Electrical field inside a uniformly charged spherical shell. Let us consider a point ‗P‘ inside
the shell. The Gaussian surface is a sphere through P centred at O.
The flux through the Gaussian surface is E × 4πr2.
However, in this case, the Gaussian surface encloses no charge. Gauss‘s law then gives
E × 4πr2 = 0
or E = 0
(r < R)
that is, the field due to a uniformly charged thin shell is zero at all points inside the shell.
Q.72) (a) Derive the expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor. Hence obtain
the expression for the energy density of the electric field.
(b) A fully charged parallel plate capacitor is connected across an uncharged identical
capacitor. Show that the energy stored in the combination is less than that stored initially in
the single capacitor. (All India 2015)
Answer:
(a) (i) Energy of a parallel plate capacitor. Consider a capacitor of capacitance C. Initial
charge on plates is zero. Initial potential difference between the capacitor plates is zero. Let
a charge Q be given to it in small steps. When charge is given to capacitor, the potential
difference between its plates increases. Let at any instant when charge on capacitor be q,
the potential difference between its plates be,
The total work done in giving charge from 0 to Q will be equal to the sum of all such
infinitesimal works, which may be obtained by integration. Therefore total work
This work is stored as electrostatic potential energy of capacitor i.e., Electriostatic potential
energy,
(ii) Expression for Energy Density.
Consider a parallel plate capacitor consisting of plates, each of area A, separated by a
distance d. If space between the plates is filled with a medium of dielectric constant K, then
Capacitence of Capacitor,
If σ is the surface charge density of plates, then electric field strength between the plates.
This is the expression for electrostatic energy density in medium of dielectric constan K. In air
of free space (K = 1), therefore energy density,
When this charged capacitor is connected to an identical capacitor C, then the charge will be
distributed equally, on each of the capacitors, then
Hence, the total energy stored is half of that stored initially in one capacitor which means the
energy stored in combination is less than that stored initially in the single capacitor.
Q.73) (i) Use Gauss‘s law to find the electric field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet.
What is the direction of field for positive and negative charge densities?
(ii) Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be applied across the parallel and
series combination of two capacitors Cj and C2 with their capacitances in the ratio 1 : 2 so
that the energy stored in the two cases becomes the same. (All India 2016)
Answer:
(i) (a) Electric flux: The electric flux through a given area held inside an electric field is the
measure of the total number of electric lines of force passing normally through that area.
(b) Consider a thin, infinite plane sheet of charge with uniform surface charge density 0. We
wish to calculate its electric field at a point P at distance r from it.
By symmetry, electric field E points outwards normal to the sheet. Also, it must have same
magnitude and opposite direction at two points P anel F equidistant from the sheet and on
opposite sides. We choose cylindrical Gaussian surface of cross¬sectional area A and length
2r with its axis perpendicular to the sheet.
As the lines of force are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the flux through the
curved surface is zero. The flux through the plane-end faces of the cylinder is :
Q.74)(a) Derive an expression for the electric field E due to a dipole of length ‗2a‘ at a point distant
r from the centre of the dipole on the axial line. (b) Draw a graph of E versus r for r >> a.
(c) If this dipole were kept in a uniform external electric field 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. (Outside Delhi 2017)
Answer:
(a) Expression for magnetic field due to dipole on its axial lane:
(b)Only the faces perpendicular to the direction of x-axis, contribute to the Electric flux. The
remaining faces of the cube given zero
Q.75) (a) Use Gauss‘s theorem to find the electronic field due to a uniformly charged infinitely
large plane thin sheet with surface charge density a.
(b) An infinitely large thin plane sheet has a uniform surface charge density +a. 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. (Outside Delhi 2017)
Answer:
(a) Electric flux: The electric flux through a given area held inside an electric field is the
measure of the total number of electric lines of force passing normally through that area.
(b) Consider a thin, infinite plane sheet of charge with uniform surface charge density 0. We
wish to calculate its electric field at a point P at distance r from it.
By symmetry, electric field E points outwards normal to the sheet. Also, it must have same
magnitude and opposite direction at two points P anel F equidistant from the sheet and on
opposite sides. We choose cylindrical Gaussian surface of cross¬sectional area A and length
2r with its axis perpendicular to the sheet.
As the lines of force are parallel to the curved surface of the cylinder, the flux through the
curved surface is zero. The flux through the plane-end faces of the cylinder is :
Electric field due to an infinitely long straight wire : Consider an infinitely long straight line
charge having linear charge density X to determine its electric field at distance r. Consider a
cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length l coaxial with the charge. By symmetry,
the electric field E has same magnitude at each point of the curved surface Sj and is directed
radially outward.
Total flux through the cylindrical surface,
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