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BOOKLET 12

PHYSICS Electrostatics & Gauss Law

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THEORY / KEY CONCEPTS

NOTE :
The ‘’Charge’’ of a body refers to its excess charge only. The excess charge is always a very small fraction of the total positive
or negative charge in the body.
CONDUCTORS & INSULATORS :
Conductors permit the passage of charge through them, while insulators do not. Metals in
general are good conductors, while most of non metals are insulators. Within a metallic
conductor, a few outer electrons become detached from each atom and can move freely
throughout the metal in the same way that the molecule of a gas can move through the
spaces between grains of sand in sand-filled container. In fact, these free electrons are often
referred to an electron gas. The positive nucleus and the remainder of the electrons remain fixed in position. On the other
hand, there are no or at most very few free electrons with in insulator,.
Charge given to conducting body spreads over its surface, because of
repulsion between the like charges. It happens because of high
mobility of charge carriers in metals. When some charge is put any
where on or in the conducting body, it ultimately will speed over its
surface.
When charge is given to insulator, it remains at its position. Because there are no or very few charge carriers in an insulator.

IMPACT ON BODY AFTER CHARGING :

(A) When body is charged positively, it means removal of electrons
from the body, resulting decreasing of mass of the body.
(B) When body is charged negatively, it means addition of electrons
on the body, resulting increase of mass of the body.
(C) Body either positively charged or negatively charged, it will
increase in size because of repulsion between the like charges.

PROPERTIES OF CHARGE :
1. Charge always be associated with mass.
2. It can be transferred from one body to another.
3. Charge is conserved. It can neither be created nor be destroyed.
4. Charge is quantized. That is, any body can have charge in integral multiple of smallest charge called electronic charge

5. Charge is relativistically invariant. That is,

6. Moving charge products magnetic field in addition to electric field.
7. Accelerating charge radiates energy.
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CHARGE VERSUS MASS :

Charge Mass
1. Electric Charge can be positive or
negative. 1. Mass of body is always positive.
2. Charge is conserved. 2. Mass is not conserved as it can be converted
3. Charge is quantized. Into energy and vice versa by 𝐸 𝑚𝑐
4. Charge is relativistically invariant , 3. Quantization of mass is yet to be established.
4. Mass is relativistically variant. Mass in
𝑚0
5. Force between charges may be attractive motion 𝑚 2 2
where 𝑚 is rest
𝑣 /𝑐
or repulsive. mass object.
5. Force between masses always be attractive.
COULOMB’S LAW:
The force between two point charges q1 and q 2 at rest and placed at a separation r in vacuum or free space is given by
1 | q1 || q2 |
F
4 0 r2
If the space of thickness t between the charges is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant k then
1 | q1 || q2 |
F
4 0 [(r  t )  t k ] 2
ELECTRIC FIELD:
 
The electric field E at any point is defined as the force experiences by an unit test charge placed at that point. Thus if F be
the force on charge q0 , then

 F
E .
q0

Field due to a point charge E set up by point charge at a distance r from the charge is
1 q.
E
4 0 r 2
CONCEPT :
The force between charged particles was originally thought of as direct and instantaneous interaction between the charges.
That is :

Today, we think of the electric field in the interaction between charged objects. Thus have two tasks :
1. Calculating the electric field produced by a given charge.
2. Calculating the force that a given field exerts on a charge placed in it.
⃗

That is ⃗𝑭 𝟐𝟏 ⃗𝑬𝟏 𝒒𝟐

and ⃗𝑭 𝟏𝟐 ⃗ 𝟐 𝒒𝟏
𝑬

ELECTRIC FIELD LINES (EFL) :

A very nice way to visualize electric field, is the lines of force, now usually
called electric field lines. The idea of lines of force was introduced by
Micheal Faraday. These are the imaginary lines, but can be visualized by
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the motion of the test charge.

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PROPERTIES OF ELECTRIC LINES OF FIELD :

(A) Every line of field is a continuous and smooth curve originating from a positive
charge and ending on a negative charge.
(B) The tangent to a line of field to any point gives the direction of ⃗ at that point.
(C) They do not path but leave or end on a charged conductor normally when
the charges on the conductor are in equilibrium.
(D) Lines of fields are never intersect. If it happens then we say that at the
point of intersection the electric intensity is zero, otherwise it would have to
be tangential to two different curves at the same instant which is not possible.
(E) The number per unit area crossing a surface at right angle to the field direction at every point is proportional to the
electric intensity. Hence lines of field are closely spaced where the intensity is large and are widely separated where
the intensity is small.

NOTE :
We define unit field (1 N/C) arbitrarily as corresponding to unit density of lines of force
( n n /m ) To determine the number of lines per unit charge let us draw a spherical
surface of radius around the charge 𝑞, at its center. The electric field 𝐸 at t he
𝑞
surface is given by 𝐸 As the density of lines of force is 𝐸 the total numbers of
4𝜋 ϵ0 𝑟 2
𝑞
lines of force originating at 𝑞 and crossing the spherical surface will be 𝜋𝑟 𝐸 . Hence the number of lines
∈0
originating from a unit charge is ( / ∈ ).

NEUTRAL POINT :
It means the net electric field, at the point due to all the charges is zero.
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY:
The change in electric potential energy U of the system of charges is defined as
U  Welectric force  Wagent
also U  U  [ Welectric force ]any

position

as U  0,
 U  [ Welectric force ]any

position

For two charges q1 and q 2 placed at a separation r,

1 q1q2
U
4 0 r
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE:
We can define the potential difference V between two points f and i in an electric field as:
 [ Welectric force ]if
V  Vf  Vi 
q0

Similarly  [ Welectic force ]BA

VA  VB 
q0
Direction of free motion
At At r 
r 0 
EPE   q EPE  0

Q
At r 0  At 
EPE   q EPE  0
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Direction of free motion

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The free motion is always in a direction so as to minimize the potential energy.

Potential at any point defined as:
 [ Welectric force ]P
VP 
q0
Potential due to a point charge q at a distance r is given by
1 q
V .
4 0 r

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN E AND V:
We can get
A 
 B 
VA  VB   E d r   E d r  
B A
A B E

Also E cos  
 dV  Potential gradient is maximum if the
dr
direction of motion is along the E – field.
 If we move perpendicular to E – field   90, V  0
For constant field, VA  VB  Ed .

ELECTRIC FLUX:

The electric flux of field E can be defined as :  
e   E  dA
For constant field E over the area A,   EA cos .
GAUSS’S LAW:
According to it, the total electric flux through a Gaussian surface is equal to  1  times the charge inside the close surface.
 
 0 
   1
Thus
 E  dA   qin.
 0 
MORE ABOUT :
1. We may take positive out of surface.
2. Electric flux is a scalar quantity. It may be negative. Its unit is -m.
3. In finding flux to charge, place the value of charge with the sign in the formula of flux.

4.

θ ϕ 𝐸𝐴c s ϕ 𝐸𝐴c s 9 ϕ 𝐸𝐴c s 8

𝐸𝐴 −𝐸𝐴

This is called emerging flux This is called entering flux

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NOTE :
(A) The net charge is the algebraic sum of all the enclosed positive and negative charges, and it can be positive, negative,
or zero.
(B) The electric field appearing in the Gauss’s law is the net electric field due to all the charges present inside as well as
outside the closed surface. On the other hand, the charge 𝑞 appearing in the law is only the charge inside the
closed surface.

THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS ARE USEFUL IN CALCULATING TOTAL FLUX :

(A) If ⃗ is perpendicular to a surface area ( ) at all points,
and has the same magnitude at all points of the surface,

then ∮ ⃗ ∮ c s
For spherical surface .

(B) If ⃗ is parallel to a surface at all points, 9

and therefore

∮⃗ ∫ c s9
(C) If ⃗ is zero at all points of a surface, the integral is zero.
(D) The surface to which Gauss’s law is applied need not be a real
physical surface, such as the surface of a solid body. Indeed,
in most applications of this law, one considers an imaginary or
geometrical surface that may be in empty space, embedded in
a solid body, or partly in space and partly within a body.
APPLICATION OF GAUSS’S LAW:
Using Gauss’s law we can derive the following results.
(i) An excess charge on a conductor is located entirely on outer surface of the conductor.

(ii) The electric field due to an infinite nonconducting sheet with uniform surface charge density  is
perpendicular to the plane of the sheet and has magnitude

E
2 0
(iii) The external electric field near the surface of a charged conductor is perpendicular to the surface and
has magnitude

E
0
Field E  0 inside the conductor.
(iv) The electric field at any point due to an infinite line of charge with uniform linear charge density 
is perpendicular to the line of charge and has magnitude
 E
E 
2 0 r r
        

(v) The electric field due to a spherical shell of radius R with charge q
1 q for r  R
E
6

,
2
4 0 r
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0 , for r  R .
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CONDUCTING SPHERE OF RADIUS R WITH CHARGE Q (SOLID OR HOLLOW) :

1 q (r  R)
E
E 4 0 r 2

1 q (r  R)
E
4 0 R 2
d
R R
E0 (r  R)

1 q (r  R)
V
V 4 0 r

1 q (r  R)
V
d 4 0 R
R R
1 q (r  R)
V
4 0 R
Potential energy of the spherical conductor of radius R with charge q
1 q2
U
8 0 R
NON CONDUCTING SPHERE OF RADIUS R WITH CHARGE Q :
1 q
E E (r  R)
4 0 r 2
1 q
E (r  R)
d
4 0 R 2
R R
1 qr
E (r  R)
4 0 R 3
V
E0 (r  0)
1 q
V (r  R)
4 0 r
d
R R
1 q
V (r  R)
4 0 R

1 q(3R 2  r 2 )
V (r  R)
4 0 2R 3

3 1 q
V   (r  0)
2  4 0 R 

Potential energy of charged sphere of radius R with charge q

7

3 q2
U .
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20 0 R
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RING OF RADIUS R WITH A UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED CHARGE Q :

1 qr
E

4 0 R  r 2
2
 3/2

E 0, (r  0)
q  R 
E max   r  
6 3 0 R 2  2
1 q
V (r  0)
4 0 R2  r 2
1 q
V (r  0)
4 0 R
CONDUCTOR OF ANY SHAPE :
Consider a charged conductor of irregular shape. Surface charge
Density on it varies from point to point. Take a small element of
area with surface charge density . Let us construct a
Gaussian surface in the shape of a cylinder. Electric field is
Directed outward and perpendicular to the surface at that point.
So curved surface does not contribution to the flux is through the
end cap only, which is
From Gauss’s Law
∮⃗

This agrees with the results already obtained for spherical and plane surfaces and is known as Coulomb’s theorem.
MECHANICAL FORCE ON THE CHARGED CONDUCTOR :
It is known to us that similar charges repel each other, hence the charge
on any part of surface of the conductor is repelled by the charge on its
remaining part. The surface of the conductor thus experiences a force as
the charge is bound to the surface.
Let us consider a small element of conductor of era If ⃗ n ⃗
are the fields produced by the element and rest of the conductor, then
resultant field at point outside the conductor
()

and field at point inside the conductor

− ( )
On solving above equations, we get

Force exerted by rest part of the conductor on the element,

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( )

(
)
For medium of dielectric constant

𝐹/ 𝐴 ϵ 𝑘𝐸

Thus the mechanical force per unit area on the charged conductor is /
ENERGY DENSITY :
The electrostatic energy due to a charge on a conductor remains in the medium surrounding the conductor. The charge on the
conductor simply defines the surface condition existing in the electric field. So the energy is due to electric filed which
surrounds the medium. The force on the area of the charged surface
( )
If the surface is displaced along the direction of force, then
The work done force displacement

( )
This work done is stored as energy in the medium. Here ( ) is the volume swept, and so energy per unit volume or energy
density
𝑢 ϵ 𝐸

FORCE ON AN UNCHARGED CONDUCTOR PLACED IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD :

Let a small sphere of volume is placed at a distance from a point charge . The dotted lines show the direction
of the lines of the force before the introduction of the sphere, while the full lines show the direction of lines of force when
sphere is placed in the field. Assuming no distortion of the filed occurs due to the presence of the sphere, the intensity of
electric field at the center of the sphere
( )
where is the dielectric constant of the medium between n . The potential energy which is confined in volume

Let be the force that the sphere experiences due to the field, then

− [ 4
]
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𝑞 𝑉
or 𝐹
8𝜋 ϵ 𝑘𝑟 5

ELECTRIC DIPOLE :
A system of two equal and opposite charges fixed at a small distance constitutes a dipole.
If l is the distance between the charges and − then dipole moment is defined as :

⃗𝑷
⃗ 𝒒𝒊
It is a vector quantity and its direction is from negative to positive charge. E res
Er
ELECTRIC FIELD AT ANY POSITION(r, θ )
: 
E
1 P 3 cos3   1
E
4 0 r3
1 P cos  r
V
4 0 r 2
  
tan  q  q
tan  
2
(i) Along the axis of the dipole, 0  
P E
1 2P 1 P r
E V
4 0 r 3 4 0 r 2

(ii) Along the equator of the dipole,   90 E
1 P,
E r
4 0 r 3
V  0. 
P
A DIPOLE IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD :
Consider an electric dipole placed in an uniform field of intensity
⃗ . The ends of the dipole experience equal and opposite forces,
each of magnitude .
Thus, because of uniform field, the net force on the dipole
Becomes zero and so the center of mass of the dipole does not
Move. However, the forces of the charged ends do produce a net
Torque on the dipole about its center of mass. The magnitude
of this torque
[ magnitude of either force] [distan
ce between lines of action of the forces]
sn
sn ( )s n
sn
In vector notation, it can be written as :
⃗ sn ( )
Work done by the agent to increase the angle from :
The torque exerted by the agent to increase the angle
sn
2

n ∫
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or 𝑊 𝑃𝐸(c s θ − c s θ ) ( )

POTENTIAL ENERGY OF AN ELECTRIC DIPOLE :

We know that the change in of the dipole in an electric field is equal to the work done by the agent, and so

In any situation involving , we are free to choose the zero potential energy configuration.
Thus if we choose the potential energy to be zero, when the angle 9 . Therefore
−
(c s − c s )
For 9 n

∴ 𝑈 −𝑃𝐸 c s θ ( )
In vector notation it can be written as
−⃗ ⃗
EQUILIBRIUM OF A DIPOLE IN ELECTRIC FIELD :
When a dipole is placed along the direction of electric field and disturb slightly from this position, it will return towards initial
position. Such a configuration of the dipole is corresponding to stable equilibrium.
When a dipole is placed anti parallel to the electric field and disturb slightly from this position, it will align in the direction of
field. Such a configuration of the dipole is corresponding to unstable equilibrium.
Force between two short dipoles placed on the same axis

Force between two short dipoles placed parallel on different axes

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SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example - 1
Two small equally charged spheres, each of mass are suspended from the same point by silk threads of length l . The
distance between the spheres l . Find the rate with which the charge leaks off each if their approach velocity as ,
√
where a is a constant.
Sol :
Considering equilibrium of either ball, we have
n
/
sm n sn l
( )
∴

()
Differentiating above equation time, we have
l

( )
√
/
( )( ) ( )
Now from equations (i) and (ii), we have

√ l
Example - 2
There is an infinite straight chain of alternating charges n − The distance between neighbouring charges is equal to
Find the interaction energy of each charge with all the others.
Sol :

The interaction energy of charge at 0 due to charges on right of 0 :

(− ) (− )
[ ]

2 2
[− − ] − l
4 0 4 4 0

The same interaction energy due to charges on left of so

∴
12

4
l
0
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Example - 3
A point charge is placed on the apex of a cone of semi-vertex angle Show that the electric flux through the base of the cone
is ( −c s )
0

Sol :
Consider a Gaussian surface with its center at the apex of the cone. The flux through the whole sphere is , so the flux through
0
the base of the cone .
0 0
Where area of sphere below the base of the cone and area of whole sphere which is .
The find , choose a surface element confined in angle at an angle
The area of the element strip
( )
sn ( ) sn
sn

Surface area ∫ sn

or ( −c s )
2( )
Thus desired flux 2 .
0 0 4 0

( −c s )

Example - 4
Two charged rings, each of radius with the charges, n are placed parallel with separation between their centers.
Find electric field ⃗ and potential at the centers of the rings.

Sol :
Electric field at the center due to own charge is zero, while due to charge of other ring will be

( )
( ) /

Thus field at the center of the ring 1,

( )
( ) /

( )
( ) /

and field at the center of the ring 2

( )
( ) /

( )
( ) /

c c n ( )[ ]
√
13

2
n ( )[ 2 2
]
4 0
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Example - 5
A ball of radius carries a positive charge whose volume density depends only on a separation from the ball’s center as
( − ) where is a constant. Assuming the permitivities of the ball and the environment to be equal to unity. Find
(A) The magnitude of the electric field strength as a function of the distance both inside and out side the ball :
(B) The maximum intensity and the corresponding distance

Sol :
(A) Given that ( − )

Choose an element dr at a distance from the center of the ball.

The charge on this element will be

( − ) ( )

The total charge enclosed in the sphere of radius

∫ ( − ) ( )

4
( − )
Electric field at a point ( ) is given by

( − )
For we have

∫ ( − ) ( )

( /4 )
(B)
0
For electric field to be maximum ,

( − / )
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Example - 6
A point charge is within an electrically neutral shell whose outer surface has spherical shape (see fig). Find the potential at the
point lying outside the shell at a distance from the center of the outer surface.

Sol :

The filed at the point is determined only due to induced charges on the outer spherical surface. The field of the point charge
and of the induced charges on the inner surface of the sphere is equal to zero everywhere outside the cavity. Also, the charge
on the outer surface of the shell is distributed uniformly and hence potential at

Example – 7
A point charge is at a distance from an infinite extend earthed conductor. Find force between them.

Sol :

The electrical image of charge is − at a distance equal to the distance of from conductor.
The force between the charge and earthed conductor will be same as the force between and its image (− )
∴ ( )
( )
Work done :
Let charge is to displaced from from earthed conductor, then work done

∫
( )
2
(− )
2
( − )
15

2
If n
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CLASS ASSIGNMENT - 1
q q 2q
1. Consider a system of three charges , and  placed at points A,
3 3 3
B and C, respectively, as shown in figure. Take O to be the circle of
radius R and angle CAB  60 .
(a) The electric field at point O is q directed along the negative x-axis.
8 0 R 2
(b) The potential energy of the system is zero.
(c) The magnitude of the force between the charges at C and B is q2
54  0 R 2

(d) The potential at point O is q

12 0 R
2. The equipotential surfaces of a certain field are shown in figure. It is know

that V1  V2 . The direction of electric field is correctly represents in

3. Four similar point charges q are located at the vertices of a tetrahedron

with an edge a. The energy of the interaction of charges is:

6q 2 4q 2 3q 2 q2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 0 a 4 0 a 4 0 a 4 0 a

4. Four equal charges Q are placed at the four corners of a square of each side is a. Work done in removing a charge
 Q from its canter to infinity is:
2Q 2 2Q 2 Q2
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d)
4 0 a  0 a 2 0 a
5. Figure shows the electric lines of force emerging from a charged body.
If the electric field at A and B are E A and E B respectively and if the
displacement between A and B is r then
EB EB
(a) E A  EB (b) E A  EB (c) E A  (d) E A 
r r2
6. Figure shows three points A, B and C in a region of uniform electric field

E . The line AB is perpendicular and BC is parallel to the field lines.
Then which of the following holds good. Where VA , VB and VC
represent the electric potential at points A, B and C respectively
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(a) VA  VB  VC (b) VA  VB  VC (c) VA  VB  VC (d) VA  VB  VC

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7. A thin rod is bent into a semicircular shape of radius R. A charge  Q is

uniformly distributed along the upper half and a charge  Q is uniformly
distributed along the lower half as shown in the figure. The electric field
at the Centre P, is:

Q Q Q Q
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 0R 2 2 0R 2 ( 4 0R) 2   0R 2
2

8. Two small equally charged spheres, each of mass m, are suspended from the same point by silk threads of length  .
dq
The distance between the spheres x  . Find the rate with which the charge leaks off each sphere if their
dt
a
approach velocity as v , where a is a constant.
x
9. Discuss the equilibrium of charge q 0 as shown in figure.

10. Point charges q and  q are located at the vertices of a square with diagonals 2 as shown in figure. Find the
magnitude of the electric field at a point located symmetrically with respect to the vertices of the square at a distance
x from its canter.

11. A thin non conducting ring of radius R has linear charged density    0 cos  , where  0 is a constant  is the

azimuthal angle. Find the magnitude of the electric field strength

(a) at the center of the ring;

(b) on the axis of the ring as a function of the distance r from its canter. Investigate the obtained
function at r  R
12. A ball of radius R carries a positive charge whose volume density depends only on a separation r from the ball’s center
as    0 (1  r / R). where  0 is a constant. Assuming the permittivities of the ball and the environment to be

equal to unity, find:

(a) the magnitude of the electric field strength as a function of the distance r both inside and outside the ball;
(b) the maximum intensity E max and the corresponding distance rm .
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CLASS ASSIGNMENT - 2
1. In which of the following cases is the potential energy of an electric dipole maximum?

(A) (B) ( C) (D)

2. The equation of an equipotential line in an Electric-Field is y  2x, the x electric field strength vector at (1,
2) may be:
(A) 4 î  3 ĵ (B) 4 î  8 ĵ (C) 8 î  4 ĵ (D)  8 î  4 ĵ

In a certain region of space, the potential is given by: V  k [2x  y  z ] . The electric field at the point
2 2 2
3.
(1, 1, 1) has magnitude equal to:
(A) k 6 (B) 2k 6 (C) 2k 3 (D) 4k 3

4. Uniform electric field of magnitude 100 v/m in the space is directed along the line y  x  3 . Find the
potential difference between points A(3, 1) and B(1, 3)
(A) 100V (B) 200 2 V (C) 200V (D) 0V

5. Variation of electrostatic potential along the x-direction is shown

in the graph. The correct statement about electric field is:
(A) x-component at B is maximum
(B) x-component at A is towards +ve x-axis
(C) x-component at C is towards –ve x-axis
(D) x-component at C is towards +ve x-axis

6. Electric Flux through a surface of area 100 m 2 in the x-y plane is (in v - m) is E  î  2 ĵ  3 k̂
(A) 100 (B) 141.4 (C) 173.2 (D) 200

7. Non-conducting disc of radius ‘a’ and uniform the charge distribution  is placed on ground with its axis
vertical. A particle of mass ‘m’ with charge ‘q’ is dropped along the axis from height  , with zero initial

velocity. q / m  4  0 g /  . Find the value of  if the particle just reaches the disc.

8. Find the electric field intensity E in the region of intersection of
two spheres uniformly charge by unlike charges of volume density
  and   , if the distance between the centers of spheres is
18


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9. Six particles A 1, ... A 6 carry equal charges ‘q’ and have same

mass ‘m’ at six corners of hexagon of side ‘a’. Charges are joined
together by massless rods & held fixed as shown. The whole S/M is
then released. Find speeds of particles when they are infinitely for

10. Potential energy of s/m of 2 identically charged spheres as shown

in the figure is equal to?
Assume charge distribution to be uniform.

27 3 3 27
11. Four point charges  8 C,  1C,  1C,  8 C are fixed at points  , m,  m, m
2 2 2 2
4
respectively on the y-axis. A particle of mass 6  10 kg and charge  0.1C moves along  x direction.
Its speed at x   is v 0 . Find the least value of v 0 for which the particle will cross the origin. Find also
the kinetic energy of the particle at the origin. Assume gravity free space.


12. A point electric dipole with a moment p is placed in the external uniform field with strength E 0 and p || E 0 .
In this case one of the equipotential surfaces enclosing the dipole forms a sphere. Find the radius of the
sphere.
13. Find the potential at the edge of a thin disc of radius R carrying uniform charge distribution with surface
density  .

The electric field strength depends only on x & y co-ordinates as per E  a ( x î  y ĵ) / ( x  y ) . Find the
2 2
14.

flux of vector E , through a sphere of radius R and center as origin.

15. Two infinite planes separated by a distance ' ' carry a uniform
surface charge of densities  and . The planes have round co-
axial holes of radius R, with   R . Taking origin as O and x
co-ordinates as shown, find potential and E-Field and the
projection of its vector E x on the axes of the s/m as function of x

co-ordinates. 19
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HOME ASSIGNMENT - 1
Paragraph for Q. No. 1 to 3
Three charged particles each of are fixed at the corners of an
equilateral triangle of side ‘a’. A fourth particle of charge – and
mass m is placed at a point on the line passing through centroid
of triangle and perpendicular to the plane of triangle at a distance
from the centre of triangle.
1. Magnitude of resultant force on the fourth charged particle is
9√ √
( ) ( )
∈ ( ) / ∈ ( ) /

√ √
( ) ( )
∈ ( ) / ∈ ( ) /

2. Value of for which the force is maximum is

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
√ √ √ √

3. For small oscillation the period of oscillation of fourth particle is

∈ ∈ ∈ ∈
( ) √ ( ) √ ( ) √ ( ) √
9√ 9√ √ √

4. A spherical metallic conductor has a spherical cavity. A positive charge is placed inside the cavity at its centre.
Another positive charge is placed outside it. The conductor is initially electrically neutral.

(Cause) (Effect)
(A) If outside charge is shifted to other position. (P) distribution of charge on inner surface of
cavity changes.
(B) If inside charge is shifted to other position (Q) distribution of charge on outer surface of
within cavity. conductor changes
(C) If magnitude of charge inside cavity is (R) electric potential at centre of conductor
increased. due to charges present on outer surface of
conductor changes.
(D) If conductor is earthed (S) Force on the charge placed inside cavity
changes .

5. Three charged particles are in equilibrium under their electrostatic forces only
(A) The particles must be collinear. (B) All the charges cannot have the same magnitude
(C) All the charges cannot have the same sign. (D) The equilibrium is unstable.
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6. Two plates and are placed one above the other in the gravitational
field and a block of mass m is connected to the upper plate by a spring of
spring constant Its time period is found to be Now the space between
the plates is made gravity free and a charge is given to the block of
mass m and an electric field is produced in the direction shown. The
new time period is

( ) ( ) √ ( ) √ (D) None of the above

7. An electroscope is given a positive charge, causing its foil leaves to separate. When an object is brought near
the top plate of the electroscope, the foils separate even further. We could conclude
(A) that the object is positively charged.
(B) that the object is electrically neutral.
(C) that the object is negatively charged.
(D) only that the object is charged.

8. Four point charges are placed at the corners of a square with diagonal
as shown. What is the total electric field at the center of the square?
(A) / at an angle above the axis
(B) / at an angle below the − axis
(C) / at an angle above the − axis
(D) / at an angle above the axis

9. The electric field intensity at the centre of a uniformly charged

hemispherical shell is Now two portions of the hemisphere
are cut from either side and remaining portion is shown in
figure. If / , then electric field intensity at centre
due to remaining portion is

( ) √ ( ) ( ) ( )
( )
√
10. The figure shows, two point charges ( ) and − . The charges divide the line joini9ng them in
three parts n
(A) Region has a local maxima of electric field.
(B) Region has a local minima of electric field.
(C) Equilibrium position for a test charge lies in region
21

(D) The equilibrium for constrained motion along the line joining the charges is stable for a negative charge.
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11. An electron is placed just in the middle between two long fixed line charges of charge density each. The
wires are in the plane (Do not consider gravity)
(A) The equilibrium of the electron will be unstable along -direction
(B) The equilibrium of the electron will be neutral along y-direction
(C) The equilibrium of the electron will be stable along z-direction
(D) The equilibrium of the electron will be stable along y-direction

12. Consider Gauss’s Law ∮ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗̇ / Which of the following is true?

⃗
(A) must be the electric field due to the enclosed charge
(B) If net charge inside the Gaussian surface then ⃗ must be zero everywhere
over the Gaussian surface.
(C) If the only charge inside the Gaussian surface is an electric dipole, then the integral is zero
(D) ⃗ is parallel to ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗̇ everywhere over the Gaussian surface

13. point charge is positioned at the center of the base of a square pyramid
As shown. The flux through one of the four identical upper faces of the pyramid
Is
( ) ( )

( ) ( ) n s
8

14. The diagram given shows how the net interaction force between two particles n is related to the
distance between them varies from 4 Then :
(A) potential energy of the system increases from
(B) potential energy of the system increases from
(C) potential energy of the system increases from 4

(D) increases from and decreases from

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HOME ASSIGNMENT - 2
1. Electric field due to an infinite line of charge, as shown in figure at a point at a distance from the line is . If
one half of the line of charge is removed from either side of point then -
(A) Electric field at will have magnitude

(B) Electric field at in direction will be

(C) Electric field at in direction will be

(D) None of these

2. The electric potential at any point ( ) (all in meters) in space is given by volt. The electric field
at the point ( m m) n /m is -
(A) 8 along negative -axis (B) 8 along positive -axis
(C) 16 along negative -axis (D) 16 along positive -axis

3. Two point charges are placed at point a and b. The filed strength to the right of the charge on the line that
passes through the two charges varies according to a law that is represented graphically in the figure. Find the
signs of the charges and ratio of magnitudes of charges / and the distance of the point from where
the field is maximum, in terms of l and .

4. A total charge is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radii n ( ) such a way that
their surface charge densities are equal . The potential at the common centre is given by-
( ) ( − ) ( ) ( − )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

5. A solid sphere of radius has a cavity of radius which has a uniformly charge distributed with density – and
the remaining part of the sphere has charge density Find the electric potential at the centre of the sphere
and cavity. The centre of the cavity is at a distance c (c ) from the centre of the sphere.

6. A spherical balloon of radius charged uniformly on its surface with surface density Find work done against
electric forces in expanding it upto radius
23

( ) ( ) − ( ) ( ) −
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7. A very large sphere having charge uniformly distributed on the surface is compressed uniformly till its radius
reduces to . The work done by electric forces in this process is-
−
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
8 8

8. Which of the following is false for a closed Gaussian surface?

(A) If the electric field is zero everywhere on the surface, then there can be no net charge enclosed
by the surface.
(B) If the total electric flux through the surface is zero, then the total charge enclosed by the surface
is zero.
(C) If the electric field is zero everywhere on the surface, then the total electric flux through the
Surface is zero.
(D) If the total electric flux through the surface is zero, then the electric field must be zero
everywhere on the surface.

9. A metal sphere of radius has a total charge ( ) on it. Due to thermal agitation or photoelectric
effect, an electron is ejected from the sphere’s surface with a small velocity at the angle with the tangent
to the sphere’s surface. Find the farthest distance of the electron from the sphere’s surface.

10. Two isolated conducting spheres each of radius and carrying charges n They are connected by a
wire. Find the amount of heat produced during the transfer of charge from one sphere to other sphere.

Paragraph for Question 11 to 13

A charged particle is suspended at the center of two thin concentric spherical charged shells, made of non
conducting material. Figure shows cross section of the arrangement. Figure gives the net flux through a
Gaussian sphere centered on the particle, as a function of the radius of the sphere.

11. What is the charge on the central particle?

(A) (B) (C) (D)

12. What is the charge on shell

( ) ( )− ( )− ( )−

13. In which range of the values of is the electric field zero ?

(A) (B)
24

(C) for (D) for no range of electric field is zero.

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Paragraph for Question 14 to 16

A solid sphere is made by 3 materials taken as shown. Total charge on system is . If magnitude of it electric
field at every boundary point is same then
14. Ratio of charges in material 1, material 2 and material 3.
(A) (B) (C) 9 (D)

15. Charge density of material 1 will be

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
8

16. Electric field at distance / from centre will be

( ) ( ) ( ) ( )

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HOME ASSIGNMENT - 3
1. An insulating long light rod of length pivoted at is centre
and balanced with a weight at a distance from the left
end as shown in figure. Charges and are fixed to the
ends of the rod. Exactly below each of these charges at a
distance a positive charge is fixed. Then is

( ) ( )

( ) ( )
8 8

2. The fig. shows the distribution of three charges – n − on the -axis. Which of the following figures shows the
possible electric field lines for the distribution ?

Paragraph for Question No. 3 & 4

The figure applies to the following two questions. Positive and
negative charges of equal magnitude lie along the symmetry axis
of a cylinder. The distance from the positive charge to the left
end-cap of the cylinder is the same as the distance from the
negative charge to the right end-cap.
3. What is the flux of the electric field through the closed cylinder?
( ) ( ) / ( ) / ( )− /
4. What is the sign of the flux through the right end-cap of the cylinder ?
(A) Positive (B) Negative
(C) There is no flux through the right end-cap. (D) None of these

Paragraph for Question No. 5 to 7

An electric dipole ( ) consisting of two particles of equal
and opposite charge and same mass is released in an
electric field. In the figure are shown field lines without
26

considering effect of field of dipole.

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5. The mass centre of the dipole

(A) Has no acceleration
(B) Has acceleration with positive and components
(C) Has acceleration with positive component and negative −component
(D) Has acceleration with negative − component and positive −component

6. Angular acceleration of the dipole, immediately after it is released

(A) is zero (B) is clockwise.
(C) is anticlockwise. (D) cannot be determined from the given information

7. Read the following statement

() Presence of the dipole affects the total electric field at points and therefore to calculate force on
it the new value of electric field at points and should be used
( ) Presence of the dipole affects the total electric field at points and It does not matter while
calculating force on it because this effect is negligible.
( ) Presence of the dipole affects the total electric at points and . It does not matter while
calculating force on it because a body cannot exert force on itself.
Correct statement is / are
(A) ( ) (B) ( ) (C) ( ) (D) ( ) n ( )

Paragraph for Question No. 8 to 10

A small insect crawls in the direction of electron drift along bare copper wire that carries a current of It
travels with the drift speed of the electron in the wire of uniform cross section area mm . Number of free
electrons for copper 8 /cc & resistivity of copper m

8. How much time would the insect take to crawl cm if it crawls at the drift speed of the electrons in the
wire?
(A) 50 sec (B) 5 sec (C) 5000 sec (D) None of these

9. What is order of the average time of collision for free electrons of copper ?
4 4 4 4
( ) s c ( ) s c ( ) s c ( ) s c

10. If the insect starts from the point of zero potential at it reaches a point of ______ potential after 10 sec.
( )8 ( ) −8 ( ) ( ) −
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Question Bank

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ELECTROSTATICS & GAUSS LAW

EXERCISE - 1

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EXERCISE - 2

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BOARD PATTERN QUESTIONS

PART - I

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PART - II

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HOME ASSIGNMENT ANSWER KEY

HOME ASSIGNMENT - 1
1. A 2. C 3. A 4. (A-Q)(B-P,S)(C-P,Q,R)(D-Q,R) 5. ABCD
6. A 7. A 8. B 9. C 10. AD 11. ABC 12. C
13. C 14. BCD

HOME ASSIGNMENT - 2
1. D 2. A l l 4. A
3. ( ) (− ) ( ) l 2/
( )

2
5. ∈0
[ − ] ∈0
[ − − ] 6. B 7. B 8. D
2 2 2 2
9. 0
10. 11. C 12. B
4
13. D 14. B 15. A 16. B

HOME ASSIGNMENT - 3
1. D 2. D 3. A 4. A 5. B
6. B 7. C 8. A 9. A 10. A

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QUESTION BANK ANSWER KEY

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