UNIT: 2

ELECTROSTATICS
Short questions with Answers.
1. State coulombs law.
Coulombs law states that the force (F) between any two point charges (Q1 and Q2) is
directly proportional to the product of their magnitudes and inversely proportional to the square
of the distance R between them. It is directed along the line joining the two charges.

1 𝑄1 𝑄2
F =4𝜋𝜖 𝒂𝑹
0 𝑅2
2. State Gauss law for electric fields
The total electric flux passing through any closed surface is equal to the total charge
enclosed by that surface.
∯ 𝑫. 𝒅𝒔 = 𝑄𝑒𝑛𝑐

3. Define electric flux.

The total number of lines of force in any particular electric field is called
electric flux. It is
represented by the symbol ψ. Similar to the charge, unit of electric flux is
also Coulomb.

4. Define electric flux density.

Electric flux density is defined as electric flux per unit area.

Electric flux density=ɸ/A

5. Define electric field intensity.

Electric field intensity is defined as the electric force per unit charge.
E =F/ Q
1 𝑄
E =4𝜋𝜖 𝒂𝑹 N/m2
0 𝑅2
6 . Name few applications of Gauss law in electrostatics.
Gauss law is applied to find the electric field intensity from a symmetrical charge
distribution. Ex: Electric field can be determined for shell, two concentric shell or cylinders, live
charge surface charge etc.

7 . What is electrostatic force?

The force between any two particles due to existing charges is known as electrostatic
force, repulsive for like and attractive for unlike.

8. Define electric potential.

Potential at any point is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive charge from
𝑄
infinity to that point in an electric field. 𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜖𝑅

Where, V=ElectricPotential
Q=Charge
ε= Relative permittivity R=Distance between charge.

9. Give the relation between electric field intensity (E) and electric flux density (D).
D=εE C/m2
10. Write the expression for energy density in electrostatic field.
1
𝑤 = 𝜖𝐸 2
2
Where, E = electric field in tensity.
W=Energy Density.
11. What is an equipotential surface?
An equipotential surface is an imaginary surface in an electric field of a
given charge distribution, in which all points on the surface are at the same
electric potential.

12. What are the significant physical differences between Poisson’s and Laplace’s
equations?
Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations are useful for determining the electrostatic potential V in
regions whose boundaries are known.
When the region of interest contains charges Poisson’s equation can be used to find the potential.
When the region is free from charge Laplace’s equation is used to find the potential.

13. What is an electric dipole?

When two equal and opposite charges are separated by a very small distance they form a dipole.

14. What is principle of superposition for electrostatic force.

It states that force on a charge Q due to N no. of charges Q 1,Q2,……….QN place at positions r1,
r2,……..rNis equal tothe algebraic sum of all the forces due to individual charge.
𝑄 𝑄𝑘
i.e 𝑭 = 4𝜋𝜀 ∑𝑁 𝑘=1 |𝒓−𝒓 |3 (𝒓 − 𝒓𝒌 ).
0 𝒌
15. Write the expression for electric field intensity for line charge.

The expression for electric field intensity for line charge is

𝜌 1
𝐸𝐿 = 2𝜋𝜀𝐿 𝜌 𝒂𝝆 .
0
Where 𝜌𝐿 is line charge density in c/m.
𝜌is the perpendicular distance from axis of line element to field point.

16. Write the expression for electric field intensity for surface charge.
The expression for electric field intensity for surface charge is
𝜌
𝑬𝑠 = 2𝜀𝑠 𝒂𝒏 .
0
Where 𝜌𝑠 is surface charge density in c/m2.

17. Define relaxation time.

The relaxation time τ is defined as the time required by the charge density
to decay to 36.8%
of its initial value.

18. What is Gaussian surface? What are the conditions to be satisfied in

special Gaussian
surface?
The surface over which is the Gauss’s law is applied is called Gaussian
surface.
Obviously such a surface is a closed surface and it has to satisfy the
following conditions.
1) The surface may be irregular but should be sufficiently large so as to
enclose the entire
charge.
2) The surface must be closed.
3) At each point of the surface D is either normal or tangential to the
surface.
4) The electric flux density D is constant over the surface at which D is
normal.

19. What is Potential Gradient?

The rate of change of potential with respect to the distance is called
potential gradient.

20. Write the relationship between field and the potential in electrostatics.

Electric field is the –ve gradient of the potential i.e. 𝑬 = −∇𝑉

21. Write the expression for electric field due to volume charge distribution.
∭ 𝜌𝑣 𝑑𝑣
𝑬= 𝒂
4𝜋𝜖𝑅2 𝑹
22. State the application of Gauss’s law.
1) The Gauss’s law can be used to find E and D for symmetrical charge
distributions.
2) It is used to find the charge enclosed or the flux passing through the
closed surface.

23 . Define potential difference.

Potential difference is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive charge from
one point to another point in an electric field.