Questions having one mark each:

1. Write the S.I unit of

i. electric field intensity
ii. Electric dipole moment.
iii electric Potential
2. How does the coulomb force between two point charges depend upon the dielectric constant of the
ntervening medium?
3. Draw an equipotential surface for a system, consisting of two charges Q, -Q separated by a distance r apart.
4. Show graphically the variation of charge q with timet when a condenser is charged.
5. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?
6. The potential energy of an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field is minimum . What is the
orientation of vectors p and E ?
7. State one situation in where potential is not zero but electric field intensity is zero .
8. Does the electric potential increase or decrease along an electric line of force ?
9. A Gaussian surface encloses no charge . Does it mean that E = 0 on its surface ?
10. At what point is the electric dipole field intensity (i) parallel and (ii) antiparallel to dipole moment of the
dipole ?
11. A 10C charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm . Find the work done in moving the charge of 4 C
between two diagonally opposite points on the square .
12. A charged air capacitor has stored energy U . What will be the energy stored when air is replaced by a
dielectric of dielectic constant K , charge Q remains the same ?
13. The sequence of bands marked on carbon resistor are Red , Red , Red , Silver . Write the value of resistance
with tolerance .
14. 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.
15.. The force of attraction between two point charges placed at distance d apart in a medium is F. What should
be the distance apart in the same medium so that the force of attraction between them becomes F/4 ?
16.Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is (i) coulomb/ volt (ii) newton/coulomb(iii) joule/coulomb.
17. What is the amount of work done in moving a 56 nC charge between two points 1 cm apart on an
equipotential surface ?
18.What would be the work done if a point charge +q, is taken from a point A to the point B on the
circumstance of a circle drawn with another point charge +q at the center ?

19.Two test charges are brought separately near a charge +Q.

Case 1: Test charge +q are brought to within a distance r from the charge +Q (i.e. to point A).
Case 2: Test charge +2q are brought to within a distance 2r from the charge +Q (i.e. to point B).
1. In which situation is the Electric Potential Energy of the system the greatest?
2. At which position is the Electric Potential the greatest

Questions having two mark each

1. Two point charges, q =810-8 C and Q= -210-8 C are separated by a distance of 10 cm in air.
a) Find at what distance from the Q, would the electric potential be zero.
b) What is the net electric field at the mid point between the charges
2). Two capacitors of capacitance 10F and 12F are connected in series with a battery. The voltage across the
12F capacitor is 10V. Compute the total battery voltage..

3) Electric charge is distributed uniformly on the surface of a spherical shell. Explain the variation Of Electric
potential and electric Field intensity
i. on the surface
ii. inside and
iii. outside
4)Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor C , charged to potential difference V .
5)Two equally charged identical metal spheres X and Y repel each other with a force of F N. Another identical
uncharged sphere Z is touched to X and then placed at the mid point between X and Y. What is the net force on
Z?
6)The total capacitance of two capacitors is 4?F when connected in series and 18 ?F
when connected in parallel. Find the capacitance of each capacitor ?
7)A parallel plate capacitor is charged to a certain potential difference. When a 3 mm thick slab is slipped
between the capacitor plates then to maintain the same Potential difference between the plates, the plate
separation has to be increased by 2.4 mm. Find the dielectric constant of the slab

5 marks

1. Explain the principle on which Van-de-Graaff generator operates. Draw a labeled schematic sketch and write
briefly its working.
2. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
i. Show that no translatory force acts on it.
ii. Derive an expression for the torque acting on it.
iii. The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Calculate the work done in rotating it through 180 degree

3)A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After sometime the battery is disconnected and a dielectric
slab with its thickness equal to the plate separation is inserted between the plates.
What is the impact on these quantities?
(i) The capacitance of the capacitor
(ii) Potential difference between the plates
(iii) The energy stored in the capacitor

4. Use Gauss theorem to derive an expression for the electric field at a point due to

a. an infinite plane sheet of charge of uniform charge density ?

b. a thin infinitely long straight line of charge of uniform charge density ?

5.There are two identical particles each of mass m and carrying charge Q. Initially one of them is at rest and
another charge moves with velocity v directly towards the particle at rest. Find the distance of closest
approach.

1. Explain the principle on which Van-de-Graaff generator operates. Draw a labeled schematic sketch and write
briefly its working.
2. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
i. Show that no translatory force acts on it.
ii. Derive an expression for the torque acting on it.
iii. The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Calculate the work done in rotating it through 180 degree

3)A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery. After sometime the battery is disconnected and a dielectric
slab with its thickness equal to the plate separation is inserted between the plates.
What is the impact on these quantities?
(i) The capacitance of the capacitor
(ii) Potential difference between the plates
(iii) The energy stored in the capacitor

4. Use Gauss theorem to derive an expression for the electric field at a point due to

a. an infinite plane sheet of charge of uniform charge density ?

b. a thin infinitely long straight line of charge of uniform charge density ?
5.There are two identical particles each of mass m and carrying charge Q. Initially one of them is at rest and
another charge moves with velocity v directly towards the particle at rest. Find the distance of closest approach.

Question 1) Can we give any amount of charge to a capacitor?

Answer: No, on giving charge continuously to a capacitor, the p.d across its plates will go on rising and
ultimately the insulation of the medium between the plates will break. Then the capacitor will be discharged
giving sparking
Question 2) A capacitor is connected to a battery. If we move its plates further apart, work will be done against
the electrostatic attraction between the plates. What will be the effect on the energy of the capacitor?
Solution: Since the battery remains connected, the potential difference V between the plates of the capacitor will
remain constant.
Now Since Capacitance depends on the distance between the plates, it will decrease with the movement.
Now we know that
Q=CV
Now C is decreasing and V remains constant, the charge will decrease on the capacitor.
Some charges from plates passing through the connecting wire will charge the battery.
Thus some energy of the capacitor will be transferred to the battery. So energy of the capacitor will decrease.
The work done done in moving apart the plates will be used up in this transference and dissipated in the form of
heat in the connecting wires
Question 3) two identical metallic spheres A and B of exactly equal masses are taken. Sphere A is given positive
charge of Q coulomb and B is given an equal negative charge.So initially before the charge is given

What will be the masses after the charging?

a)
b)
c)
d) Nothing can be said
Solution:
The process of giving positive charge involves removal of electrons and that of negative charge involves addition
of electrons. Hence the mass of the positively charged sphere will be less than that of negatively charged sphere
Question 4) Two statements
Statement I: A small metallic sphere is placed at the center of a large charged spherical shell and two are the
connected by a wire. The charge will not flow from outer sphere to inner sphere
Statement II: A charged conductor is placed inside the hollow conductor and two are connected by the wire. The
whole charge will flow on the outer surface of the outer conductor
1) Both the statement I and II are correct
2) Statement I is correct only
3) Statement II is correct only
4) Both the statement is true
Solution (a)
Question 5) Superposition principle can not be applied to these quantities in electrostatics
a) Electrostatic energy
b) Electric Field
c) Electric Potential
d) Electric force
Solution (a)
It can be applied to electric Field, electric potential and electric force
Question 6) What is electrostatic Shielding?
Solution The absence of electric field inside the charged conductors means that electric lines of force cannot
enter the empty space of any hollow conductor. Thus hollow conductor can be used to acts as electrostatic shield.
So sensitive electric instruments can be saved from external electric fields by covering them with hollow
conductor.
Question 7)
Consider the electric field at the points A, B, C

List the points in increasing order of electric field strength

a) C> B>A
b) C>A>B
c) A>B>C
d) None of the
Solution (a)
 Very Short Answer type Questions (1 mark)
1. What is frictional electricity?
2. What is the cause of frictional electricity?
3. What is electrostatics?
4. Write two devices based on electrostatics.
5. Why static electricity is called so?
6. How did electricity get its name?
7. Which are the two kinds of charges?
8. State the principle of conservation of charge. State the principle of quantization of charge. What do you
mean by additive nature of charges? State Coulombs law of electrostatics. Define unit charge. Define
relative permitivity of a medium. Define dielectric constant of a medium State the principle of
superposition of electrostatic forces. Define linear density of charge Define surface density of charge
What do you mean by annihilation of matter? Quarks are the building blocks of nucleons and possess
fractional electronics charge. Does this discovery violate the principle of quantization of charge? Why the
special tyres of aircrafts are made slightly conducting though ordinary tyres are insulators? Why vehicles
carrying inflammable materials are earthed before transferring the fuels or other inflammable materials to
or from the vehicle?
Short Answer type Questions (2 and 3 marks) State Coulombs law of electrostatics and express it in vector form.
Explain the origin of frictional electricity on the basis of atomic structure. Describe an experiment to show that
there are two kinds of charges and that like charges repel and unlike charges attract. Write the differences
between mass and charge. Calculate the point between a proton and a helium nucleus kept 1 mm apart where a
third proton will remain in equilibrium. Is the equilibrium stable or unstable?
Bank ElectroStatics (At present all the questions are posted together; soon we will be categorizing according to
marks) You can either browse these questions online or download them by clicking on the link save as pdf.
You can also send the link to your own email or your friends email address by clicking on the link send to
friend. What is Frictional electricity? (1) When can we say that a body is charged?(1) What is electric charge?
Is it a scalar or a vector quantity? (1) What is electrostatics? (1) Describe an experiment to show that there are
two kinds of charges. (2) Describe an experiment to show that like charges repel and unlike charges attract. (2)
Describe the electronic theory of frictional electricity. (2) Write the differences between conductors and
insulators. (2) What is meant by electrostatic induction? Distinguish charging by induction and charging by
conduction. (2) How can you charge a piece of metal positively without touching it? (2) Explain the additive
nature of electric charge. (2) What do you mean by quantization of electric charge? (1) Calculate the number of
electrons missing in a body with 1 coulomb positive charge. (1) If a body loses 109 electrons every secon,
calculate the time required by it to acquire 1 C positive charge. Estimate the charge constituted by the total
number of electrons present in a cup of water. Determine the total charge of 1 kg of electrons. State the law of
conservation of charge. (1) Write the difference between mass and charge. (2) State Coulombs law in
electrostatics. (1) Define one coulomb. (1) Express Coulombs law in vector form. (1) Express coulombs law in
terms of position vectors. State the principle of superposition of electrostatic forces. Show that coulombs force
obeys Newtons III law. Define permitivity of a medium. Define relative permitivity of a medium Define relative
permitivity of a medium on the basis of Coulombs law. The electrostatic force of repulsion between two
positively charged bodies is 3.7 x 10-9 N, when they are separated by a distance of 5 Ao How many electrons are
missing in each?

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1. Obtain an expression for the electric field intensity due to a uniformly charged ring of radius r at a point
on the axis of the ring. Express Coulombs law in vector for. Derive an expression for the electric field
due to an electric dipole at a point on (a) the axial line (b) the equatorial line. Derive an expression for the
torque acting on an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric field. Show that the work done in rotating
an electric dipole of dipole moment p in a uniform electric field E by an angle from the equilibrium
postition W = PE(1-cos ) Derive Coulombs law from Gauss law. Use Gauss theorem to derive an
expression for the electric field at a point due to an infinite plane sheet of charge of uniform charge
density Use Gauss theorem to derive an expression for the electric field at a point due to a thin
infinitely long straight line of charge of uniform charge density Derive an expression for the electric
field at a point due to uniformly charged spherical shell using Gauss law. Derive an expression for the
capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor. Find the equivalent capacitance of three capacitors of
capacitances C1, C2 and C3 connected in (1) series (2) parallel Derive an expression for the electric
potential due to a point charge q at a distance r from it. Giving a labeled diagram explain the principle and
working of a Van de Graaff generator. A dielectric slab of thickness t introduced between the plates of a
parallel plate capacitor separated by a distance d. (t < d). DEerive an expression for the capacitance of the
capacitor

Questions having one mark each:

a. Write the S.I unit of

i. electric field intensity
ii. Electric dipole moment.
b. How does the coulomb force between two point charges depend upon the dielectric constant of the
intervening medium?
c. Draw an equipotential surface for a system, consisting of two charges Q, -Q separated by a distance r
apart.
 d. Show graphically the variation of charge q with timet when a condenser is charged.
e. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?

Questions having 2 marks each:

a. Two point charges, q1 =1010-8 C and q2 = -210-8 C are separated by a distance of 60 cm in air.
i. Find at what distance from the 1st charge, q1, would the electric potential be zero.
ii. Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system.
b. Two capacitors of capacitance 6F and 12F are connected in series with a battery. The voltage across
the 6F capacitor is 2V. Compute the total battery voltage.
c. An electric dipole is free to move in a uniform electric field. Explain its motion when it is placed
i. parallel to the field,
ii. perpendicular to the field.
d. An electric dipole of length 10 cm having charges 610-3 C, placed at 300 with respect to a uniform
electric field experiences a torque of 63 N-m. Calculate
i. magnitude of electric field
ii. the potential energy of the dipole.
e. Electric charge is distributed uniformly on the surface of a spherical rubber balloon. Show how the value
of electric intensity and potential vary
i. on the surface
ii. inside and
iii. outside?

Questions having 3 mark each:

a. State Gausss theorem in electrostatics. Apply this theorem to derive an expression for electric field
intensity at a point near an infinitely long straight charged wire.
b. Explain the underlying principle of working of a parallel plate capacitor.
If two similar plates, each of area A having surface charge densities + and are separated by a
distanced in air, write the expressions for
i. The electric field at points between the two plates.
ii. The potential difference between the plates.
iii. The capacitance of the capacitor so formed.
c. A 20 F capacitor is charged by a 30 V d.c. supply and then connected across an uncharged 50 F
capacitor. Calculate
i. the final potential difference across the combination.
ii. Initial and final energies. How will you account for the difference in energies?
d. The battery remains connected to a parallel plate capacitor and a dielectric slab is inserted between the
plates. What will be the effect on its
i. capacity
ii. charge
iii. potential difference
iv. electric field
v. energy stored?
e. Define the term electric potential due to a point charge. Calculate the electric potential at the centre of a
square of side 2 m, having charges 100 C, -50C, and 20C and-60C at the four corners of a square.

Questions having 5 marks each:

 a. Explain the principle on which Van-de-Graaff generator operates. Draw a labeled schematic sketch and
write briefly its working. A Van-de- Graaff type generator is capable of building up potential difference
of 15106 V. The dielectric strength of the gas surrounding the electrode is 5107 Vm-1. What is the
minimum radius of the spherical shell required?
b. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
i. Show that no translatory force acts on it.
ii. Derive an expression for the torque acting on it.
iii. The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Calculate the work done in rotating it through 1800 .
c. Derive an expression for the electric field at a point on the axial position of an electric dipole.
d. Derive an expression for the electric field at a point on the equatorial position of an electric dipole.
e. Describe the Principle construction an working of Van de Graff generator.
f. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. Show that whenever two conductors share
charges by bringing them into electrical contact, there is a loss of energy.
g. Derive an expression for the effective capacitance when capacitors are connected in (a) series and (b)
parallel
h. Explain the principle of a capacitor and derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate
capacitor.

1. Derive an expression for the electric field at a point on the axial position of an electric dipole.
2.
Derive an expression for the electric field at a point on the equatorial position of an electric dipole.
Describe the Principle construction an working of Van de Graff generator.
Derive an expression for the energy stored in a capacitor. Show that whenever two conductors share charges
by bringing them into electrical contact, there is a loss of energy.
Derive an expression for the effective capacitance when capacitors are connected in (a) series and (b) parallel
Explain the principle of a capacitor and derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor.
State Gauss theorem and apply it to find the electric field at a point due to (a) a line of charge (b) A plane sheet
of charge (c) A Charged spherical conducting shell
State Coulomb's law and express it in vector form. Derive it using Gauss theorem.
Derive an expression for the torque on an electric dipole in a uniform electric field.
Deriva an expression for the work done in rotating an electric dipole in a unifor electric field
Derive an expression for the energy stored (Potential Energy) in a dipole in a uniform electric field.
Derive an expression for the electrostatic potential energy of a system of point charges
Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with (a) a dielectric slab (b) a metallic
plate in between the plates of the capacitor.
Define electric potential at a point. Derive an expression for the electric potential at a point due to (a) a point
charge (b) a system of point charges (c) a dipole.
Show that the work done in an electric field is independent of path.
What are dielectrics? Distinguish polar and nonpolar dielectrics. Define the term Polarization vector.

Questions having one mark each:

a. Write the S.I unit of

i. electric field intensity
ii. Electric dipole moment.
 b. How does the coulomb force between two point charges depend upon the dielectric constant of the
intervening medium?
c. Draw an equipotential surface for a system, consisting of two charges Q, -Q separated by a distance r
apart.
d. Show graphically the variation of charge q with timet when a condenser is charged.
e. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field would correspond to stable equilibrium?

Questions having 2 marks each:

a. Two point charges, q1 =1010-8 C and q2 = -210-8 C are separated by a distance of 60 cm in air.
i. Find at what distance from the 1st charge, q1, would the electric potential be zero.
ii. Also calculate the electrostatic potential energy of the system.
b. Two capacitors of capacitance 6F and 12F are connected in series with a battery. The voltage across
the 6F capacitor is 2V. Compute the total battery voltage.
c. An electric dipole is free to move in a uniform electric field. Explain its motion when it is placed
i. parallel to the field,
ii. perpendicular to the field.
d. An electric dipole of length 10 cm having charges 610-3 C, placed at 300 with respect to a uniform
electric field experiences a torque of 63 N-m. Calculate
i. magnitude of electric field
ii. the potential energy of the dipole.
e. Electric charge is distributed uniformly on the surface of a spherical rubber balloon. Show how the value
of electric intensity and potential vary
i. on the surface
ii. inside and
iii. outside?

Questions having 3 mark each:

a. State Gausss theorem in electrostatics. Apply this theorem to derive an expression for electric field
intensity at a point near an infinitely long straight charged wire.
b. Explain the underlying principle of working of a parallel plate capacitor.
If two similar plates, each of area A having surface charge densities + and are separated by a
distanced in air, write the expressions for
i. The electric field at points between the two plates.
ii. The potential difference between the plates.
iii. The capacitance of the capacitor so formed.
c. A 20 F capacitor is charged by a 30 V d.c. supply and then connected across an uncharged 50 F
capacitor. Calculate
i. the final potential difference across the combination.
ii. Initial and final energies. How will you account for the difference in energies?
d. The battery remains connected to a parallel plate capacitor and a dielectric slab is inserted between the
plates. What will be the effect on its
i. capacity
ii. charge
iii. potential difference
iv. electric field
v. energy stored?
e. Define the term electric potential due to a point charge. Calculate the electric potential at the centre of a
square of side 2 m, having charges 100 C, -50C, and 20C and-60C at the four corners of a square.
Questions having 5 marks each:

a. Explain the principle on which Van-de-Graaff generator operates. Draw a labeled schematic sketch and
write briefly its working. A Van-de- Graaff type generator is capable of building up potential difference
of 15106 V. The dielectric strength of the gas surrounding the electrode is 5107 Vm-1. What is the
minimum radius of the spherical shell required?
b. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
i. Show that no translatory force acts on it.
ii. Derive an expression for the torque acting on it.
iii. The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Calculate the work done in rotating it through 1800 .

Q1.Two identical balls A and B are having the charges +3e and e respectively placed at adistance d
apart experience the force F.Both the balls are touched and again placed at same distance apart.find
the nature and magnitude of new force?(1)

Q2.Charges 2Q and Q are placed inside the inner and outer spheres S and S respectively. Find the
ratio of electric flux through the given spheres.(1)

Q3.The plate of a charged capacitor are connected by a voltmeter.If the plate of the capacitor
are moved further apart,what will be the effect on the reading of voltmeter?(1)

Q4.A hollow sphere is charged up to +Q. Find the work done on placing a charge q from its surface
up to its centre.(1)

Q5.Draw electric lines of force for (a)an electric dipole (b)q1q2>0 (1)

Q6.Moment of an electric dipole is 2x10-4c m.Find the work done in rotating the dipole from position of
stable equilibrium to the position of unstable position in a uniform electric field of 10-3N/C.(2)

Q7.Explain why the potential on the surface of conductor remains same all over its surface? What
about the potential inside it?(2)

Q8.Three electric charges -1c,+2c and +1c are placed at the three vertices of an
equilateral triangle of side 10cm.Find (a) the energy of the system (b) find the workdone in separating
the charges.(2)

Q9.A capacitor is fully charged and battery is disconnected,then distance between its two plates is
increased to twice and a dielectric (K=4) completely filled between its two plates,find the change in
(a)charge (b)energy(c)potential(d)electric field between its two plates?(2)

Q1.Chrge q is placed at the centre of a cube. Find the flux passing through the two opposite faces of
the cube.(1)

Q2.Potential on the surface of a thin charge spherical shell is 10V.Find the potential at the centre of
the shell.(1)

Q3. Q A Two capacitors C1 and C2 having equal distance B between the plates and area of one is
twice of other V identify the corresponding graph.(1)

Q4.Draw the equipotential surfaces for q>0.Are they equidistance ,if not write the reason.(2)
Q5.A capacitor of 4f is charged by 200V.It is then disconnected from supply and is connected to
another uncharged capacitor of 2f.How much electrostatic energy of the first capacitor is lost in the
form of heat and electromagnetic radiation?(2)

Q6.If there is an arc of radius R makes an angle at its centre having the linear charge density . Find
the potential at the centre of arc.(2)

Q7.There is an oil drop of radius R in equilibrium between the two plates of the capacitor which are
having surface charge densities + and respectively and at distance d apart. Density of oil is .
Find an expression for excess number of electrons in oil drop.(2)

Q8.A capacitor is charged and then it is disconnected from the source and then distance between its
two plates is increased to twice and then a dielectric of constant K is filled between the plates. Find the
change in energy stored in the capacitor.(2)

Q9.Find the frequency of oscillations of a dipole of dipole moment p and having rotational inertia I, in a
uniform electric field E.(2)