DPUE

PHYSICS
Questions & Answers

Chapter-1
Electric Charges and Fields
1. Who discovered that amber rubbed with wool or silk clothe attracts light objects?
Ans: Thales of Miletus, Greece.
2. A glass rod is rubbed with silk. By convention, what kind of charge is acquired by glass
rod?
Ans: Positive.
3. A plastic rod is rubbed with fur. By convention, what kind of charge is acquired by
plastic rod?
Ans: Negative.
4. What is meant by polarity of charges?
Ans: The property which differentiates the two kinds of charges is called the polarity of
charge.
5. Who named negative and positive kind of charges?
Ans: Benjamin Franklin.

6. With a neat diagram Explain gold-leaf

electroscope.
Ans: It consists of a vertical metal rod
fixed in a box. Two thin gold leaves are
attached to its bottom end. When a
charged object touches the metal knob
at the top of the rod, charge flows on to
the leaves and they diverge due to
repulsion. The degree of divergence is
an indicator of the amount of charge.

7. How do you charge a body positively?

Ans: By removing electrons.
8. How do you charge a body negatively?
By adding electrons.
9. Ans: What are conductors?
Materials which allow electricity to pass through them are called conductors.
10. What are insulators?
Ans: Materials which do not allow electricity to pass through them easily are called
insulators.
11. What are semiconductors?
Ans: Semiconductors are materials whose resistivity lies between those of the
conductors and insulators.
12. What is the minimum amount of charge that can be added or removed from a body?
Ans: Charge of an electron or 1.602192 × 10–19 C
13. What is the charge of an electron?
Ans: charge of an electron = 1.602192 × 10–19 C.
14. What is the mass of an electron?
Ans: me = 9.1  1031 kg
15. Explain how two conductors can be charged by induction.
Ans: (i) A and B are two metal spheres kept on insulating stands. They are brought in
contact. A B

Fig (1)

(ii) A positively charged body is kept near A. Now, negative charges are induced in A and
positive charges are induced on B.
A B
_
_ +
+
+ + _ +
+ +++
_ +

Fig (2)

(iii) Separate the spheres by small distance.

A B
_
_ +
+
++
+ ++ +
_ +
_ +

Fig (3)

(iv) Remove the rod. The charges on spheres rearrange themselves.

Now, A and B are charged.
A B
_ +
_ _ + +
_ +

Fig (4)
16. Give three properties of electric charge. March-2018 – 3 Marks.
Write any two basic properties of charge. March-2019 – 2 Marks.
Ans:
(i) Like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
(ii) Charges are scalars.
(iii) Charge of a body is not affected by motion.
(iv) Charges are additive in nature.
(v) Charges are always quantized.
(vi) Total charge in an isolated system is always conserved.
17. What do you mean by quantization of charge? Explain
Ans Total charge (q) of a body is always an integral multiple of magnitude of charge of
an electron (e).
 q=ne, where n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±3, ....
18. What do you mean by property of additivity of charges? Explain.
Ans: Total charge of a system is the algebraic sum of all individual charges in the system.
Explanation: If q1, q2, q3, …, qn are charges in a system, then the total charge of the
system is q = q1 + q2 + q3 + … + qn .
19. What is meant by conservation of electric charges? Explain
Ans: Total charge of the isolated system is always conserved.
When two bodies are rubbed against each other, there is a transfer of electric charge
from one body to another. But total amount of charge remains constant.
20. Write the SI unit of charge. March-2014 – 1 Mark.
Ans: coulomb.
21. Calculate the number of electrons required to make 1C of charge.
Ans: q = ne
1C = n x 1.6x1019C
1
n  19
 6x1018
1.6x10
Thus, there are about 6 × 1018 electrons in a charge of –1C.

22. State and explain Coulomb’s law in electrostatics.

March-2014 – 2 Marks
1
March-2020 – 2 Marks.
State Coulomb’s law. March- 2017 – 1 Mark . March- 2019 – 1 Mark .
Hence define the SI unit of charge.
Ans: Statement: “Electrostatic force between any two point charges at rest is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the charges and directly
proportional to the product of the magnitude of the two charges and acts along the line
joining the two charges”.
Explanation: q1, q2 are two point charges separated by a distance ‘r’ in vacuum.
qq
Force between them is given by , F  k 1 2 2
r
 1
k= is proportionality constant and ε0 is called the permittivity of free space
4π o
1 q1q2
F
4π o r2
Definition of one coulomb:
SI unit of charge is coulomb.
In SI units, k= 9 × 109. If q1 = q2 =1C, r=1m, then,
1 1x1
F  9 x10 9 N
4π o 12

Hence 1 C is that charge when placed at a distance of 1 m from another charge of the
same magnitude in vacuum experiences an electrical force of repulsion of magnitude
9 × 109N.

23. What is the value of permittivity of free space in SI system?

Ans: ε0=8.854×10–12C2 N–1m–2

24. Define S.I unit of charge. March-2015 – 1 Mark

Ans: 1 C is that charge when placed at a distance of 1 m from another charge of the
same magnitude in vacuum experiences an electrical force of repulsion of magnitude
9 × 109N.

Home work
1. How many electrons will make one milli coulomb of charge? Ans: 6.2x1015 electrons
2. 1019 electrons are removed from a body every second. What will be the charge on the
body after 109 seconds? Ans: 1.6x109C
3. Exercise-1.1: What is the force between two small charged spheres having charges of 2
× 10–7C and 3×10–7C placed 30 cm apart in air? (Ans: 6x103N, repulsive)
4. Exercise-1.2: The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge 0.4 μC due to another
small sphere of charge – 0.8 μC in air is 0.2 N.
(a) What is the distance between the two spheres?
(b) What is the force on the second sphere due to the first?
(Ans: (a) 12cm, (b) same=0.2N attractive)

5. Two charges are separated by certain distance in air. What happens to the force
between them if one of the charges is doubled and distance between them is halved?
Answer : Force becomes 8 times the previous value.
 Electric Field
25. Define electric field. Obtain an expression for it.
Ans: Definition: Electric field due to a charge Q at a point is the force that a unit positive
charge would experience when placed at that point.

Q is the charge kept at O. Another charge q is placed at a distance r.

Q
q
O

 1 Qq
Using Coulomb’s law, this force between them is given by, F  rˆ
4 o r 2

 F 1 Qq 1 1 Q
Force per unit charge, E  = r̂ x  r̂
q 4o r 2
q 4o r 2

 1 Q
Hence electric field E(r)  rˆ
4  o r 2
where r̂ is a unit vector in the direction of force. o is the permittivity of free space.

26. What is the SI unit of electric field?

Ans: N C-1 or V m-1.
27. Is electric field a vector or scalar?
Ans: Vector
28. What is the direction of electric field around a positive charge?
Ans: Radially outwards
29. What is the direction of electric field around a negative charge?
Ans: Radially inwards.
30. Who introduced the concept of electric field?
Ans: Faraday.
Home Work
31. Two identical small spheres charged to 20nC and –15nC are placed 0.1m apart in air.
Find the force between them. Then they are brought into contact and again separated
by the same distance. Find the new force between them. Ans:5.62x106N (repulsive)
32. 1019 electrons are transferred from object A to object B. Calculate the charge gained by
A and B.
33. A particle A of mas of 3mg is balanced by keeping another object of B of charge +30nC
below it at a depth of 5cm. What should be the charge on A in order to balance it
against gravity?
34. Two positive charges 4x106C and 6x106C are placed at the corners A and B of an
equilateral triangle of side 3m. Find the electric intensity at the corner C.
35. What are electric field lines?
Ans: Electric field line is a curve drawn in such a way that the tangent at each point on
the curve gives the direction of electric field at that point.
36. Write any two properties of electric field lines. March-2017 – 2 Marks.
Ans:
(a) They are continuous curves without any breaks.
(b) They never cross each other.
(c) They cannot form closed loops.
(d) They start from positive charges and end at negative charges.
(e) They start from a positive charge and end at infinity.
(f) The start from infinity and end at negative charge.
(g) If the field lines are crowded, then the field at that point is stronger.
(h) If the field lines are far apart, then the field at that point is weak.
(i) If the field lines are parallel straight lines and equidistant, then the field is
uniform
(j) Around a single positive charge are they radially outward
Around a single negative charge they are radially inward.

37. Why don’t two electric field lines cross each other?
Ans: If they cross each other, the field at the point of intersection will have two
directions. This is not possible.

38. Draw the electric field lines around a single positive (q>0) and single
negative charge (q<0).
Ans:

q>0 q<0

39. Draw the electric field lines around a dipole.

Ans:

+ 
40. Draw the electric field lines for a system of two positive point charges.
I-MQP: 1 Mark.
Ans:

+ +

41. Draw the electric field lines around a system of two negative charges.
Ans:

 

42. Draw the electric field lines representing a uniform electric field.
Ans:

Problems:
6. ABC is a right angled triangle with sides AB=0.3m, BC=0.4m and angle B=90 o.Point
charges +18nC and +32nC are placed at the corners A and C respectively. Find the force
acting on a charge 2µC placed at B. Answer: 5.08x103N. making an angle 45o with BC.
7. Calculate the force acting on a point charge +4nC placed in an electric field of intensity
7x105N/C. Answer: 28x104N
8. Two fixed point charges 4C and 1C are separated from each other by 1m in air. Find
the point on the line joining charges where resultant electric intensity is zero.
Answer: 1m from 1C and 2m from 4C.
 Electric Dipole:
43. What is an electric dipole? March-2016 – 1 Mark.
Ans: Pair of equal and opposite point charges +q and –q, separated by a distance 2a is
called electric dipole
44. Define dipole moment of an electric dipole. Write an expression for it.
Ans: Product of one of the charges of the dipole and perpendicular distance between
them is called dipole moment.
Dipole moment, p=2aq
2a-distance between the charges.
q-magnitude of charges of dipole.
45. Is dipole moment a vector or scalar?
Ans vector.
46. What is the direction of dipole moment?
Ans: From negative charge to positive charge.
47. What is the SI unit of dipole moment?
Ans: Cm.
48. What is the net charge of a dipole?
Ans: Zero
49. What are Non polar molecules?
Ans: If the effective centers of positive charges and negative charges coincide then it is
called non-polar molecules.
50. What are Polar molecules?
Ans: If the effective centers of negative charges and positive charges do not coincide,
then it is called a polar molecule.
51. Derive an expression for electric field due to an electric dipole at a point on the axial
line. MARCH-2016: 5 Marks.
Ans: P is a point at a distance ‘r’ from the centre of the dipole on the axial line.

p is a unit vector along the dipole axis from q to +q.
Dipole moment, p=2aq. dipole moment ‘p’
2a
E+q P Eq +q q
  

r
 1 q
Electric field at P due to q is E-q   pˆ
4Π o r  a2
 1 q
Electric feld at P due to +q is Eq   pˆ
4Π o r  a2
    1 q  1 q 
The total field at P is, E  Eq  E-q  pˆ    pˆ 
4Π o r  a2
 4Π o r  a 
2

 1 1   q  r  a  r  a 
2 2
 q
E   pˆ  E  pˆ
4Π o  r  a r  a 
2 2 
4Π o  r  a2 r  a2 

E 
  
q  r 2  a2  2ra  r 2  a2  2ra  
pˆ
4Π o  r  ar  a2 
 q  4ar 
E pˆ
 
But 2aq=p
4Π o  r 2  a2 2 
 1  2pr 
E pˆ
 
4Π o  r 2  a2 2 
 q  4ar 
For r > > a E  pˆ
4Π o  r 4 
 1  4qa   1  2x2qa 
E  3 pˆ  E  pˆ
4Π o  r  4Π o  r 3 
  
1  2p  1  2p 
E  pˆ  E  
4Π o  r 3  4Π o  r 3 

52. Derive an expression for the Electric field due to a dipole at a point on the equatorial
plane March-2015 – 5 Marks
Ans: Consider a dipole of moment p=2aq.
P is a point at a distance ‘r’ from the centre of the dipole on the equatorial plane.
1 q
Electric field at P due to q, E-q 
4Π o r  a2 
2

1 q
Electric field at P due to +q, E q 
4Π o r  a2 
2

P E+q Cos
Components of electric fields along the normal to
dipole axis cancel away.  E-q Cos
Components along the dipole axis add up.

Hence Total electric field is opposite to p .
  

Total field at P is E  EqCosθ  E-qCosθ (pˆ ) r

E  Eq  E-q Cos θ(p)
ˆ
  1 2q 
E   Cos pˆ  

 4Π o r  a
2 2
 
+q  q
  1 2q a 
E   pˆ 2a
 
 4Π o r 2  a2  
r a 
2 2 
 Dipole moment,
   1 2aq 
E   pˆ

 4Π o r 2  a2  2 
3
 
  1 p 
Since 2aq  p, we get E   pˆ

 4Π o 2
 2 2 
3
 r a 
 1 2aq 

At large distances i.e. For r>>a E   pˆ   1 2aq pˆ
 4Π  r 3 
  
 4Π o 2 2 
r
3
  o 
  1 p 
E   pˆ
3 
 4Π o r  
53. What is the direction of electric field at a point on the equatorial plane of a dipole as
compared to dipole moment?
Ans: Opposite to the direction of dipole moment.
54. What are the factors on which electric field at a point due to a dipole depends?
Ans:
(i) distance of the point
 
(ii) Angle between position vector ( r ) and dipole moment ( p )

Problems:
9. What is the force between two small charged spheres having charges of 2 × 10–7C and
3×10–7C placed 30 cm apart in air? (Ans: 6x103N, repulsive)

10. Two charges 5C and 5C are placed at points A and B, which are separated by a
distance of 0.06m. Find the electric field intensity at a point P on the perpendicular
bisector of AB at a distance of 0.04m from its middle point.
Answer: 21.6x106N/C along AB.

11. Charges 5nC, 3nC, 2nC and 6nC are placed at the corners A,B,C and D of a square of side
2m. Find the magnitude of force acting on a charge 4nC placed at the centre of the
square. Answer: 341.5x109N.
55. Define linear density of charge. Write an expression for it.
Ans: Charge per unit length is called linear charge density.
Q
If ΔQ is the charge distributed over a length  , then,  

Q
9Diagram is only for reference)
+++
+++++ +++++++++ +++++

56. What is the SI unit of linear density of charge?

Ans: C m1.
57. Define surface density of charge. Write an expression for it.
Ans: Charge per unit area is called surface charge +++++ Area=S
density. ++++++
If a charge ΔQ is distributed over an area element ΔS, + + + + Q
Q
then,   (Diagram is only for reference)
S
58. What is the SI unit of surface density of charge?
Ans: Cm2.
59. Define volume density of charge. Write an expression for it.
Ans: Charge per unit volume is called volume charge density.
Q
If ΔQ is the charge included in the small volume element ΔV then  
V
Charge=Q ++++
+ +++++ volume=V
++++++
+ ++++
Q
(Diagram is only for reference)
60. What is the SI unit of volume density of charge?
Ans: Cm3.
61. Write an expression for electric field in terms of volume charge density.
 1 V
Ans: Electric field, E  
4o all V r 2
r̂

 is the volume charge density.

ΔQ is the charge
ΔV volume of a small element.
r is the distance from the point to the volume element.
o is permittivity of vacuum.
62. Derive an expression for the torque acting on a dipole placed in an electric field.

Ans: =q

C
B +q

a

A
-q  a
Dipole moment, p

=q

AC is a dipole. Its dipole moment is p .

It is placed in a uniform external field E at an angle .
 
Force on +q is F=q E . Force on –q is F= –q E .
Torque =Force x perpendicular distance between forces= FxBC
But BC/AC = Sin  BC = AC Sin
 BC = 2a Sin
Hence, = qE×2asinθ = p Esinθ
  
In vector form,  = p × E

63. What is the direction of torque acting on a dipole placed in an electric field?
Ans: Normal to the plane containing the directions of electric field (E) and dipole
moment (p)
64. What is the net force acting on a dipole placed at any angle in a uniform electric field?
Ans: Net force = 0
65. What is the amount of force and torque acting on a dipole placed in a uniform electric
field at an angle =0 or =180o?
Ans: Net force = 0 and net torque = 0.
66. When does a dipole placed in a uniform electric field experience maximum torque?
Write an expression for maximum torque.
Ans: When =90. Where  is the angle between electric field and dipole moment.
max= pE=2aqE
67. Mention the condition under which a dipole experiences torque but no force.
Ans: When the dipole is placed in a uniform electric field at angle 0 or 180o.
Where  is the angle between electric field and dipole moment.
68. Define electric flux. Write an expression for it.
Ans: Definition: Number of electric field lines cutting the area element normally is called
electric flux.
 
Formula:  = E . S .= E S Cos.

 is the angle between E and
outward normal to area element.

69. Write the SI unit of electric flux. March-2019 – 1 Mark.

Ans: N C–1 m2.
70. Is electric flux a scalar or vector?
Ans: Scalar.
71. State Gauss’s Law. Write an expression for it.
1
Ans: Statement: The flux of electric field through any closed surface is times the
o
total charge enclosed by the surface.
Explanation: If q is the charge enclosed by a surface. Flux,  through the surface is
1
= q. where o is the permittivity of free space.
o

72. Obtain a mathematical expression for Gauss’s Law.

Ans: A charge q is enclosed by a sphere of radius r. Consider a small area S.
Flux through an area element S is
  1 q 
Δφ  E.ΔS  ΔS. rˆ
4  o r 2

1 q
Δφ  ΔS.rˆ .Cos r̂ is a unit vector.
4  o r 2
Here =0 and Cos=Cos0=1. Also r̂ =1,
Hence Δφ  1 q
ΔS
4  o r 2
 1 q 
The total flux through the sphere φ    4  ΔS 
r 2 

all S o
 1 q
φ
4  o r 2
 ΔS
all S

 ΔS= S= 4  r , surface area of sphere.

2

all S

1 q q
φ  4 r 2 
4  o r 2
o
q
φ 
o
1
Hence, Gauss’s law may be stated as: Electric flux through a closed surface S is times
o
the total charge enclosed by the surface.

73. Obtain an expression for electric field due to an infinitely long straight uniformly
charged wire using Gauss’s law.
1
Ans: Gauss’s law: The flux of electric field through any closed surface is times the
o
total charge enclosed by the surface.
q is the charge distributed uniformly over length  .
q +
Linear charge density, λ = OR, q = λ
 +
Electric field at different points of distance r +
from the charge is radially symmetrical. +
P +
Imagine a cylindrical Gaussian surface +
of length  and radius r. +
+
+
Flux through the two circular ends of the + r
+
Gaussian surface is zero.

Hence total flux through the Gaussian surface= flux through the curved cylindrical part
of the surface,
= Es Cos=E 2πr  Cos0 = E × 2πr  ……………(1)
q 
According to Gauss’s law,     ………….(2)
o o
 λ
From (1) and (2) , E × 2πr  =  E
o 2Π o r
 λ
In vector form, E  n̂ where n̂ is the radial unit vector.
2Π o r
74. Obtain an expression for field due to a uniformly charged infinite plane sheet using
Gauss’s law.
1
Ans: Gauss’s law: The flux of electric field through any closed surface is times the
o
total charge enclosed by the surface.
Consider a charged infinite plane sheet.
q
Surface charge density,    q  A
A
Here a cylindrical surface is Gaussian surface.
Electric field lines are parallel to the curved
surface and flux through it is zero.
 
Flux E S through the surfaces 1 and 2 is =2(Ecos0)A=2EA……….(1)
The charge enclosed by the closed surface is q=σA.
q A
By Gauss’s law,  =  ………….(2)
o o
From (1) and (2), 2 EA= σA/ ε0

E
2 o
 
In vector form, E  n̂ where n̂ is a unit vector normal to the plane.
2 o

75. State Gauss law in electrostatics. Using the law derive an expression for electric field
due to a uniformly charged thin spherical shell at a point outside the shell.
March-2014 – 5 Marks March-2019 – 5 Marks
1
Ans: Gauss’s law: The flux of electric field through any closed surface is times the
o
total charge enclosed by the surface.
Q be the charge over the spherical shell of radius R.
Field outside the shell:

P
s


P is a point outside the shell with radius vector r .
A sphere of radius r and centre O, passing through P is the Gaussian surface.
The electric field on the Gaussian surface is along the radius vector.
 
Thus, E and ΔS at every point are parallel.
Flux through each element is,  = E ΔS.cos0
Flux through the Gaussian surface is  = E ΔS. = E  ΔS= E 4 π r2
 = E × 4 π r2…….(1)
 q q 
The charge enclosed by the Gaussian surface is q =σ×4πR2     
 A 4 R 2 
By Gauss’s law  = σ×4πR2/ ε0 ………..(2)
From (1) and (2)
σ4 ΠR 2 R 2
Ex4 Πr = E 
2

∈o o r 2
q
Since  
4 R 2
q R2 1 q
At the point P, we have E  
4R o r
2 2
4 o r 2
 1 q
E rˆ
4 o r 2
Thus for points outside the shell, the field is as if the entire charge is concentrated at its
centre.

(ii) Field inside the shell:

The point P is inside the shell.
The Gaussian surface is a sphere through P
centered at O.
The flux through the Gaussian surface,  = E×4πr2.
But here the Gaussian surface encloses no charge.
E×4πr2 = 0  E=0.
 the field due to a uniformly charged thin shell is zero
at all points inside the shell.
 Problems:
12. A point charge q=1/4 nano coulomb is at the centre of a hollow cube of edge 0.1m.
What is the total electric flux through the surface of the cube? Answer: 9C1m2N.

13. Two point charges +5µC and 20µC are separated by a distance of 0.15m. Find the
position of the point on the line joining the charges where the resultant electric field is
zero. Answer: 0.05m from 5C.
14. Exercise 1.21: A conducting sphere of radius 10 cm has an unknown charge. If the
electric field 20cm from the centre of the sphere is 1.5 × 103 N/C and points radially
inward, what is the net charge on the sphere? Answer: -6.67 nC.

Solved Problems
1. Two point charges qA=5C and qB=-5C are located at A and B separated by 0.2m in
vacuum.
(a) What is the electric field at the midpoint O of the line joining the charges?
(b) If a negative test charge of magnitude 2nC is placed at O, what is the force
experienced by the test charge? March-2020 – 5 Marks.

EA EB -5C
+5C
A B
0.1m 0.1m
1 Q
Formula: E  : F  EQ
4 o r 2
5x106
Field due to A is E A  9x109 x  45x105 NC 1 along AB
(0.1) 2
5x106
Field due to B is E B  9 x109 x 2
 45x105 NC 1 along AB
(0.1)
The two fields are in same direction and hence add up.
Total electric field at mid-point, E B  2x 45x105  90x105 NC 1 along AB
Force acting on a -2nC placed at the centre is
F=EQ= 90x105x2x10-9=180x10-4N along BA (since charge is negative)
2. Three charges each equal to +4nC are placed at the three corners of a square of side
2cm. Find the electric field at the fourth corner. March-2018 – 5 Marks.

1 q A 4nC B 4nC
Formula: E 
4o r2
AB=BC=CD=AD=2cm
Ac=BD=2 2 cm
AO=BO=CO=DO=2 cm
Field at D due to charge at A, 2 cm O
1 4x109
EA   90000NC 1 along AD

4o 2x102 2 D
EC
Field at D due to charge at C,
2 cm C 4 nC
1 4x109
Ec   90000NC 1 along CD
4o 2x10 
 2 2
EB
EA
9
1 4 x10
Field at D due to charge at B, E B   45000NC 1 along BD.

4o 2 2 x10 
2 2

Angle between EB and EC is 45o : Component of EB along CD is

45000
E X  E BSin 45o   3182.46NC 1
2
45000
Similarly component of EB along AD is E Y  E BCos45o   3182.46NC 1
2
Net electric field along horizontal direction is E1  (90000  31824. 6) NC 1  121824.6 NC 1
1 1
Net electric field along vertical directions is E 2  (90000  31824. 6) NC  121824.6 NC
Hence net field at D is E  E12  E 22  2E1 E 2 cos
E  (121824.6) 2  (121824.6) 2  2(121824.6)(121824.6) cos90
E  2x 121824.6  17.22x104 NC1 along BD

3. Two point charges qA=3C and qB= -3C are located 20cm apart in vacuum.
(a) What is the electric field at the midpoint O of the line AB joining the two charges?
(b) If a negative test charge of magnitude 1.5x10-9C is placed at this point, what is the
force experienced by the test charge? March-2017 – 5 Marks.
1 q
Formula: E 
4 o r 2
Field at the mid-point

3x106C A EA B - 3x106C
 EB
O
 (a) AB = 20cm.
AO=OB=10cm=0.1m
To find the field at O, keep a unit positive charge at O.
It experiences two forces.
EA is the electric field at O due to A along OB
EB is the electric field at O due to B along OB
3x10 6
E A  9 x109  27x105 NC 1
0.1 2

3x106
E B  9 x109  27x105 NC 1
0.12

Net field at O is E= EB+EA along OB.

E  54x105 NC 1 along OB.
(b) Force acting on a charge -1.5x10-9C is placed at this point is
F=Eq = 54 x 105 (-1.5x10-9 ) = 81x10-4 N along OA

4. The electrostatic force on a metal sphere of charge 0.4 μC due to another identical
metal sphere of charge 0.8 μC in air is 0.2N. Find the distance between the two
spheres and also the force between the same two spheres when they are brought into
contact and then replaced in their initial positions.
1 q 1q 2
Formula: F 
4πε o r 2
9x10 9 x 0.4x10 6 x 0.8x10 6
0.2  (Attractive)
r2
9x10 9 x 0.4x10 6 x 0.8x10 6
r  r=0.12m
0.2 ,
q1  q 2 (0.4  0.8)10 6
After contact, charge on both spheres, q    0.2 x10 6 C
2 2
9x10 9 x (0.2x10 6 ) x (0.2x10 6 )
F (Repulsive) F=0.025N
(0.12) 2
5. Two positive charges 4x106C and 6x106C are placed at
the corners A and B of an equilateral triangle of side 3m. A: 4C
Find the electric intensity at the corner C.

1 Q
Formula : E 
4 o r 2
4x10 6 EB C
E A  9x10 9 x 2
 4x10 3 NC 1
3 B: 6C
6x10 6 E
E B  9x10 9 x 2
 6x10 3 NC 1 EA
3
Since the triangle is equilateral, angle ACB=60o
Hence the resultant electric intensity is given by the formula
E  E 2A  E 2B  2E A E B cos 
E 4x10   6x10 
3 2 3 2
 24 x10 3 6 x10 3 cos 60
E  103 16  36  24  8.72x103 NC1
E A sin 
Let the resultant make an angle  with EB (or line BC), then tan  
E B  E A cos 
4x10 3 sin 60 2 3
tan    tan    0.433   = 23o25I.
6x10  4x10 cos 60
3 3
8
Hence resultant electric intensity is 8.72x103 NC1 which makes an angle of 23o25| with
BC
6. Calculate the electric intensity due to a uniformly charged conducting sphere of
surface charge density 4 x 109Cm2 and radius 0.1m (a) at the centre of the sphere, (b)
on the sphere and (c) at a distance of 0.1m from the surface of the sphere.
1 q Ch arg e
Formula: E  and σ 
4 o r 2 area
Hence, ch arg e, q  σxarea  σx4πR 2  4x109 x4πx(0.1) 2
(a) At the centre of the sphere, electric intensity is zero.
(b) On the sphere, r=R.
9
9 4 x10 x 4x (0.1)
2
1 q
Hence E   9x10 x  452.16 N / C
4 o R 2 (0.1) 2
(c) At a distance of 0.1m from the surface, r=R+0.1=0.1+0.1=0.2m
9
9 4 x10 x 4x (0.1)
2
1 q
E  9 x10 x  113.04 N / C
4 o r 2 (0.2) 2
7. The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge 0.4µC due to another small sphere
of charge – 0.8µC in air is 0.2 N
(a) What is the distance between the two spheres?
(b) What is the force on the second sphere due to the first?
(c) What is the force between the same two spheres when they are brought into
contact and then replaced in their initial positions.
1 q 1q 2
Formula: F 
4πε o r 2
0.4 x 0.8x10 12 9 x10 9 x 0.4 x 0.8x10 12
0.2  9 x10 9 x r  0.12m
r2 0 .2
(b) 0.2N. (Electrostatic force obeys Newton’s third law)

q1  q 2 (0.4  0.8)10 6
(c) After contact, charge on both spheres, q    0.2 x10 6 C
2 2
9x10 9 x (0.2x10 6 ) x (0.2x10 6 )
F (repulsive)  F=0.025N repulsive.
(0.12) 2

8. Four point charges 2C, 5C, 2C and 5C are located at the corners ABCD of a
square of side 10cm. What is the force on the charge 2C placed at the centre of the
square? A:2C B:5C

1 q
Formula: E  and F  Eq EB
4πε o r 2
AC  10 2  10 2  10 2cm EA
ED O
AC 10 2 10
AO    cm
2 2 2 EC
D:5C C:2C
Let us find the net electric field at O.
6
1 q 2x10
EA   9x10 9 x  36 x10 5 NC 1
4πε o OA 2
 10 
2

 x10  2  along OC
 2 
1 q 5x10 6
EB   9 x10 9
x  90 x10 5 NC 1
4πε o OA 2
 10 
2

 x10  2  along OB
 2 
6
1 q 2x10
EC   9x10 9 x  36 x10 5 NC 1
4πε o OA 2
 10 
2

 x10  2  along OC
 2 
 1 q 5x10 6
ED   9x10 x
9
 90 x10 5 NC 1
4πε o OA 2
 10 
2

 x10  2  along OD
 2 
ED and EB are equal and opposite. They cancel each other.
EA and EC are in the same direction. Hence they add up.
Hence resultant electric field at O is E=(36+36)105=72x105NC1 along OC
Hence force acting on 2C charge placed at O is F=Eq=72x105 x2x106=14.4N.

9. Exercise 1.11: A polythene piece rubbed with wool is found to have a negative charge
of 3×10–7 C.
(a) Estimate the number of electrons transferred (from which to which?)
(b) Is there a transfer of mass from wool to polythene?
(c) what is the mass transferred from wool to polythene?
Formula: q = ne
(a) When polythene is rubbed against wool, a number of electrons get transferred from
wool to polythene. Hence, wool gets positively charged and polythene negatively
charged.
Amount of charge on the polythene piece, q = −3 × 10−7 C
Charge on an electron, e = −1.6 × 10−19 C
Number of electrons transferred from wool to polythene (n) can be calculated using the
relation, q = ne  −3 × 10−7 = n x (−1.6 × 10−19 )
3x10 7
n 19
 1.875x1012
1.6x10
Therefore, number of electrons transferred from wool to polythene is n =1.87 × 1012.
(b) Yes. Mass is transferred from wool to polythene.
(c) Total mass transferred to polythene from wool,
m = mass of each electron x number of electrons = me × n
m = 9.1 × 10−31 × 1.85 × 1012
m = 1.706 × 10−18 kg
Hence, a negligible mass of 1.706×10−18 kg is transferred from wool to polythene.

10. Two pint charges 3C and 6C are placed 20cm apart. Find the electric field at the
centre of the line joining them.
1 q
Formula: E 
4 o r 2
Field at the mid-point
Diagram for the above problem and different forces are shown below.
(3x106C) A EB EA B (6x106C)

AB = 20cm. O
AO=OB=10cm=0.1m
To find the field at O, keep a unit positive charge at O.
 It experiences two forces.
EA is the electric field at O due to A along OB
EB is the electric field at O due to B along OA
3x10 6
 E A  9x109 x  27 x105 N / C
0.1 2

6x10 6
E B  9x109 x  54 x105 N / C
0.1 2

Net field at O is E= EBEA along OB

 E  E B  E A  54  27 10 5  27 x10 5 N / C along OB

11. Two pint charges 2C and +4C are placed 10cm apart. Find the electric field at a
point of 5 cm away from 4C (i.e.15cm away from 2C).
1 q
Formula: Electric field, E 
4 o r 2
Diagram for the above problem and different forces are shown below.
EA EB
6
(2x10 C) A

B (4x106C) O C
A
10cm 5cm

To find the field at O, keep a unit positive charge at O.

It experiences two forces.
EA is electric field at O due to A along OA (unit positive charge is attracted by A)
EB is the electric field at O due to B along OC (or along AO)
2x10 6
 E A  9x109 x  800 x103 N / C
0.15 2

4x10 6
E B  9x10 9 x  14,400 x10 3 N / C
0.05 2

Net field at O is E= EBEA along OC

 E  E B  E A  14,400  800 10 3  13,600 x10 3 N / C along OC