Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Solutions Chapter 1

Electrostatics
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Tamilnadu Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Solutions Chapter 1

Electrostatics

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Textual Evaluation Solved

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Two identical point charges of magnitude -q are fixed as shown in the figure below. A third
charge +q is placed midway between the two charges at the point P. Suppose this charge
+q is displaced a small distance from the point P in the directions indicated by the arrows,
in which direction(s) will +q be stable with respect to the displacement?

(a) A1 and A2
(b) B1 and B2
(c) both directions
(d) No stable
Answer:
(b) B1 and B2

Question 2.
Which charge configuration produces a uniform electric field?
(a) point charge
(b) the infinite uniform line charge
(c) uniformly charged infinite plane

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(d) uniformly charged spherical shell
Answer:
(c) uniformly charged infinite plane

Question 3.
What is the ratio of the charges ∣∣q1q2∣∣ for the following electric field line pattern?

(a) 15
(b) 2511
(c) 5
(d) 1225
Answer:
(d) 1225

Question 4.
An electric dipole is placed at an
alignment angle of 30° with an
electric field of 2 x 105 N C-1. It experiences a torque equal to 8 N m. The charge on the
dipole if the dipole length is 1 cm is-
(a) 4 mC
(b) 8 mC
(c) 5 mC
(d) 1 mC
Answer:
(b) 8 mC

Question 5.
Four Gaussian surfaces are given below with charges
inside each Gaussian surface. Rank the electric flux
through each Gaussian surface in increasing order-

(a) D < C < B < A

(b) A < B = C < D
(c) C < A = B < D
(d)D > C > B > A
Answer:
(a) D < C < B < A

Question 6.
The total electric flux for the following closed
surface which is kept inside water-

(a) 80qε0
(b) q40ε0
(c) q80ε0

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(d) q40ε0
Answer:
(b) q40ε0

Question 7.
Two identical conducting balls having positive charges
q1 and q2 are separated by a center to center distance
r. If they are made to touch each other and then
separated to the same distance, the force between
them will be- (NSEP 04-05)
(a) less than before
(b) same as before
(c) more than before
(d) zero
Answer:
(c) more than before

Question 8.
Rank the electrostatic potential energies for the given system of charges in increasing
order

(a) 1 = 4 < 2 < 3

(b) 2 = 4 < 3 < 1
(c) 2 = 3 < 1 < 4
(d) 3 < 1 < 2 < 4
Answer:
(a) 1 = 4 < 2 < 3

Question 9.
An electric field E⃗ = 10xi^ exists in a certain region of space. Then the potential
difference V = V0 – VA, Where V0 is the potential at the origin and VA is the potential at x
= 2 m is-
(a) 10 J
(b) -20 J
(c) + 20 J
(d) – 10 J
Answer:
(a) 10 J

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Question 10.
A thin conducting spherical shell of radius R has a charge Q which is uniformly distributed
on its surface. The correct plot for electrostatic potential due to this spherical shell is-

Answer:

Question 11.
Two points A and B are maintained at
a potential of 7 V and -4 V
respectively. The work done in moving
50 electrons from A to B is-
(a) 8.80 x 10-17 J
(b) -8.80 x 10-17 J
(c) 4.40 x 10-17 J
(d) 5.80 x 10-17 J
Answer:
(a) 8.80 x 10-17 J

Question 12.
If voltage applied on a capacitor is increased from
V to 2V, choose the correct conclusion.
(a) Q remains the same, C is doubled
(b) Q is doubled, C doubled
(c) C remains same, Q doubled
(d) Both Q and C remain same
Answer:
(c) C remains same, Q doubled

Question 13.
A parallel plate capacitor stores a charge Q at a voltage V. Suppose the area of the
parallel plate capacitor and the distance between the plates are each doubled then which
is the quantity that will change?
(a) Capacitance
(b) Charge
(c) Voltage
(d) Energy density
Answer:
(d) Energy density

Question 14.
Three capacitors are connected in a triangle as shown in the figure. The equivalent
capacitance between points A and C is

(a) 1 μF
(b) 2 μF
(c) 3 μF

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(d) 14 μF
Answer:
(b) 2 μF

Question 15.
Two metallic spheres of radii 1 cm and 3 cm are
given charges of -1 x 10-2 C and 5 x 10-2 C
respectively. If these are connected by a
conducting wire, the final charge on the bigger
sphere is (AIIPMT 2012)
(a) 3 x 10-2 C
(b) 4 x 10-2 C
(c) 1 x 10-2 C
(d) 2 x 10-2 C
Answer:
(a) 3 x 10-2 C

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by quantisation of charges?
Answer:
The charge q on any object is equal to an integral multiple of the fundamental unit of
charge ‘e’.
q = ne
Where ‘n’ is an integer e
e = charge of an electron =1.6 × 10-19 C.

Question 2.
Write down Coulomb’s law in vector form and mention what each term represents.
Answer:
The force on a charge q1 exerted by a point charge q1 is given by
F⃗ 12 = 14πε0 q1q2r2 r^21
Here r^21 is the unit vector from charge q1 to q1.
But r^21 = –r^12,

Therefore, the electrostatic force obeys Newton’s third law.

Question 3.
What are the differences between the Coulomb force and the gravitational force?
Answer:

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 Coulomb force Gravitational force

1. It can be attractive or repulsive depends 1. It is always attractive

on the nature of the charge

2. The value of Proportionality constant K = 2. The value of Gravitational constant G

9 x 109 Nm2 C-2 = 6.626 x 1011 Nm2 Kg-2

3. It depends on the medium which it exists. 3. It is independent of the medium which

it exists.

Question 4.
Write a short note on the superposition principle.
Answer:
According to this superposition principle, the total force acting on a given charge is equal
to the vector sum of forces exerted on it by all the other charges.
F⃗ tot1 = F⃗ 12 + F⃗ 13 + F⃗ 14 + F⃗ 1n

Question 5.
Define ‘Electric field’.
Answer:
It is defined as the force experience by a unit positive charge, kept at that point
It is a Vector quantity.
Unit: NC-1

Question 6.
What is mean by ‘Electric field lines’?
Answer:
Electric field vectors are visualized by the concept of electric field lines. They form a set of
continuous lines which are the visual representation of the electric field in some region of
space.

Question 7.
The electric field lines never intersect. Justify.
Answer:
If two lines cross at a point, then there will be two different electric field vectors at the
same point which is not possible. hence, they do not intersect.

Question 8.
Define ‘Electric dipole’
Answer:
Two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance constitute an electric
dipole.

Question 9.
What is the general definition of electric dipole moment?
Answer:

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The electric dipole moment for a collection of ‘n point charges is given by
P→=∑ni=1qiri
where r̂i is the position ofvector of change qi from origin.

Question 10.
Define “electrostatic potential”.
Answer:
The electric potential at a point P is equal to the work done by an external force to bring a
unit positive charge with constant velocity from infinity to the point P in the region of the
external
electric field E⃗ .

Question 11.
What is an equipotential surface?
Answer:
An equipotential surface is a surface on which all the points are at the same electric
potential.

Question 12.
What are the properties of an equipotential surface?
Answer:
Properties of equipotential surfaces
(i) The work is done to move a charge q between any two points A and B,
W = q (VB – VA). If the points A and B lie on the same equipotential surface, work done is
zero because of VA = VB.

(ii) The electric field is normal to an equipotential surface. If it is not normal, then there is
a component of the field parallel to the surface. Then work must be done to move a
charge between two points on the same surface. This is a contradiction. Therefore the
electric field must always be normal to the equipotential surface.

Question 13.
Give the relation between electric field and electric potential.
Answer:
The electric field is the negative gradient of the electric potential.
E=−dvdx

Question 14.
Define electrostatic potential energy?
Answer:
The potential energy of a system of point charges may be defined as the amount of work
done in assembling the charges at their locations by bringing them in from infinity.

Question 15.
Define ‘electric flux’.
Answer:

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 1. The number of electric field lines crossing a given area kept normal to the electric
field lines is called electric flux.
2. Scalar quantity.
3. Unit: Nm2C-1

Question 16.
What is meant by electrostatic energy density?
Answer:
The energy stored per unit volume of space is defined as energy density uE = UVolume
From equation uE = 12 (ε0A)d (Ed)2 = 12 ε02 or uE = 12 ε0E2

Question 17.
Write a short note on ‘electrostatic shielding’.
Answer:

1. The process of isolating a certain region of space from the external field. It is based
on the fact that the electric field inside a conductor is zero.
2. Whatever the charges at the surfaces and whatever the electrical disturbance
outside, the electric field inside the cavity are zero.

Question 18.
What is Polarisation?
Answer:
Polarisation P⃗ is defined as the total dipole moment per unit volume of the dielectric.
P⃗ = Xe P⃗ ext

Question 19.
What is dielectric strength?
Answer:

1. The maximum electric field the dielectric can withstand before it breakdowns is
called dielectric strength.
2. The dielectric strength of air 3 × 106 Vm-1

Question 20.
Define ‘capacitance’. Give its unit.
Answer:
The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of charge on
either of the conductor plates to the potential difference existing between the conductors.
C = qV or Q ∝ V.
The SI unit of capacitance is coulomb per volt or farad (F).

Question 21.
What is corona discharge?
Answer:
The total charge of the conductor near the sharp edge gets reduces due to ionization of
surrounding air. It is called corona discharge.

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Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the basic properties of electric charges.
Answer:
The electric charge is an inherent property of particles.
Conservation of electric charge:

1. Total electric charge in the universe is constant.

2. Charge can be neither created nor destroyed.
3. In any physical process, the net change in charge will always be zero.
4. The charge ‘q’ of any object is equal to an integral multiple of the fundamental unit
of charge ‘e’.
q = ne
5. n is any integer
6. e is charge of an electron = 1.6 × 10-19C.

Question 2.
Explain in detail Coulomb’s law and its various aspects.
Answer:
Consider two point charges q1 and q2 at rest in vacuum, and separated by a distance of r.
According to Coulomb, the force on the point charge q2 exerted by another point charge
q1 is
F⃗ 21 = Kq1q2r2 r^12,
where [/latex] r^12 is the unit vector directed from charge q1 to charge q2 and k is the
proportionality constant.

Important aspects of Coulomb’s law:

(i) Coulomb’s law states that the electrostatic
force is directly proportional to the product of
the magnitude of the two point charges and
is inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between the two point charges.

(ii) The force on the charge q2exerted by the

charge q1 always lies along the line joining
the two charges. r^21is the unit vector
pointing from charge q1 to q2 Likewise, the
force on the charge q1 exerted by q2 is along – (i.e., in the direction opposite to r^21).

(iii) In SI units, k = 14πε0 and its value is 9 x 109 Nm2C-2. Here e0 is the permittivity of
free space or vacuum and the value of ε0 = 14πε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2

(iv) The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two charges each of one coulomb
and separated by a distance of 1 m is calculated as follows:
[F] = 9×109×1×112 = 9 x 109N. This is a huge quantity, almost equivalent to the weight of

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one million ton. We never come across 1 coulomb of charge in practice. Most of the
electrical phenomena in day-to-day life involve electrical charges of the order of pC (micro
coulomb) or nC (nano coulomb).

(v) In SI units, Coulomb’s law in vacuum takes the form F⃗ 21 = 14πε0 q1q2r2 r^12. sin
Since ε > ε0, the force between two point charges in a medium other than vacuum is
always less than that in vacuum. We define the relative permittivity for a given medium as
ε = \frac { ε }{{ ε }_{0}} .For vacuum or air, εr = 1 and for all other media εr > 1

(vi) Coulomb’s law has same structure as Newton’s law of gravitation. Both are inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between the particles. The electrostatic force is
directly proportional to the product of the magnitude of two point charges and gravitational
force is directly proportional to the product of two masses.

(vii) The force on a charge q1 exerted by a point charge q2 is given by \vec { F } 12 = \frac
{ 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{q_{1} q_{2}}{r_{2}} \hat{r} 12 Here \hat{r} 21 is sthe unit vector from
charge q2 to q1.

Therefore, the electrostatic force obeys

Newton’s third law.

(viii) The expression for Coulomb force is

true only for point charges. But the point
charge is an ideal concept. However we
can apply Coulomb’s law for two charged objects whose sizes are very much smaller than
the distance between them. In fact, Coulomb discovered his law by considering the
charged spheres in the torsion balance as point charges. The distance between the two
charged spheres is much greater than the radii of the spheres.

Question 3.
Define ‘Electric field’ and discuss its various aspects.
Answer:
The electric field at the point P at a distance r from the point charge q is the force
experienced by a unit charge and is given by

Here \hat{r} is the unit vector pointing from q to the point

of interest P. The electric field is a vector quantity and its
SI unit is Newton per Coulomb (NC-1).

Important aspects of the Electric field:

(i) If the charge q is positive then the electric field points away from the source charge
and if q is negative, the electric field points towards the source charge q.

(ii) If the electric field at a point P is \vec { E } , then the force experienced by the test
charge qo placed at the point P is \vec { F } = q0 \vec { E } . This is Coulomb’s law in
terms of the electric field. This is shown below Figure.

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(iii) The equation implies that the electric field is independent of the test charge q0 and it
depends only on the source charge q.

(iv) Since the electric field is a vector quantity, at every point in space, this field has a
unique direction and magnitude as shown in Figures (a) and (b). From the equation, we
can infer that as distance increases, the electric field decreases in magnitude. Note that
in Figures (a) and (b) the length of the electric field vector is shown for three different
points. The strength or magnitude of the electric field at point P is stronger than at the
point Q and R because the point P is closer to the source charge.

(v) In the definition of the electric field, it is assumed that the test charge q0 is taken
sufficiently small, so that bringing this test charge will not move the source charge. In
other words, the test charge is made sufficiently small such that it will not modify the
electric field of the source charge.

(vi) The expression is valid only for point charges. For continuous and finite-size charge
distributions, integration techniques must be used. However, this expression can be used
as an approximation for a finite-sized charge if the test point is very far away from the
finite-sized source charge.

(vii) There are two kinds of electric field: uniform (constant) electric field and non-uniform
electric field. A Uniform electric field will have the same direction and constant magnitude
at all points in space. The non-uniform electric field will have different directions or
different magnitudes or both at different points in space. The electric field created by a

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point charge is basically a non-uniform electric field. This non-uniformity arises, both in
direction and magnitude, with the direction being radially outward (or inward), and the
magnitude changes as distance increases.

Question 4.
How do we determine the electric field due to a continuous charge distribution? Explain.
Electric field due to continuous charge distribution.
Answer:
The electric charge is quantized microscopically. The expressions of Coulomb’s Law,
superposition principle force and electric field are applicable to only point charges. While
dealing with the electric field due to a charged sphere or a charged wire etc., it is very
difficult to look at individual charges in these charged bodies. Therefore, it is assumed
that charge is distributed continuously on the charged bodies, and the discrete nature of
charges is not considered here. The electric field due to such continuous charge
distributions is found by invoking the method of calculus.

Consider the following charged object of irregular shape.

The entire charged object is divided into a large number
of charge elements ∆q1, ∆q2, ∆q3 ……..∆qn,…… and
each charge element Δq is taken as a point charge.
The electric field at a point P due to a charged object is
approximately given by the sum of the fields at P due to
all such charge elements.

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Here ∆ qi is the ith charge element, rip is the distance of the point P frome the ith charge
element, rip is the unit vector from ith charge element to the pont P.
However the equation is only an approximation. To incorporate the continuous distribution
of charge, we take the limit ∆q → 0(= dq). In this limit, the summation in the equation
becomes an integration and takes the following form

Here r is the distance of the point P from the infinitesimal charge dq

and \hat{r} is the unit vector from dq to point P. Even though the
electric field for a continuous charge distribution is difficult to
evaluate, the force experienced by some test charge q in this electric field is still given by
\vec { F } = q\vec { E } .

(a) Line charge distribution: If the charge Q is uniformly distributed along the wire of
length L, then linear charge density (charge per unit length) is λ = \frac { Q }{ L }. Its unit is
colomb per meter (Cm-1). The charge present in the infinitestimal length dl is dq = λdl.

The electric field due to the line of

total charge Q is given by

(b) Surface charge distribution: If the

charge Q is uniformly distributed on a
surface of area A, then surface
charge density (charge per unit area)
is σ = \frac { Q }{ A }. Its unit is
coulomb per square meter (C m-2).
The charge present in the infinitesimal
area dA is dq = σdA. The electric field due
to a of total charge Q is given by

(c) Volume charge distribution: If the

charge Q is uniformly distributed in a
volume V, then volume charge density
(charge per unit volume) is given by ρ
= \frac { Q }{ V }. Its unit is coulomb per cubic meter (Cm-3) The charge present in the
infinitesimal volume element dV is dq = ρdV. The electric field due to a volume of total
charge Q is given by

Question 5.
Calculate the electric field due to a dipole on its
axial line and the equatorial plane.
Answer:
Case (I) :
Electric field due to an electric dipole at points on the axial line. Consider an electric
dipole placed on the x-ax is as shown in the figure. A point C is located at a distance of r
from the midpoint O of the dipole along the axial line. Axial line

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The electric field at a point C due to +q is

Since the electric dipole moment vector \vec {

P } is from -q to +q and is directed along BC,
the above equation is rewritten as

where \hat{p} is the electric dipole moment unit vector

from -q to +q. The electric field at a point C due to -q is

Since +q is located closer to the point C

than -q, \vec { E } _. \vec { E } + us
stronger than \vec { E } . Therefore, the
length of the E + vector is drawn large
than that of \vec { E } _vector.
The total electric field at point C is calculated
using the superposition principle of the electric
field.

Note that the total electric field is

along \vec { E } +, since +q is closer
to C than -q.

The direction of \vec { E } tot is

shown in Figure
If the point C is very far away from
the dipole then (r >> a). Under this
limit the term(r2 – a2)2 ≈ r4
Substituting this into equation, we
get

If point C is chosen on the left side of the dipole,

the total electric field is still in the

Case (II) :
Electric field due to an electric dipole at a
point on the equatorial plane
Consider a point C at a distance r from
the midpoint O of the dipole on the
equatorial plane as shown in Figure.
Since point C is equidistant from +q and
-q, the magnitude of the electric fields of
+q and -q are the same. The direction of

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E+ is along with BC and the direction of E is along with CA. E+ and E_ are resolved into
two components; one component parallel to the dipole axis and the other perpendicular to
it.

The perpendicular components \left|\vec{E}_{+}\right| sin θ and \left|\vec{E}_{-}\right| sin θ

are oppositely directed and cancel each other. The magnitude of the total electric field at
point C is the sum of the paralle component of \vec { E } + and \vec { E } – and its direction
is along \hat{-p} .

The magnitudes \vec { E } + and \vec { E } –

are the same and are given by

By substituting equation (1) into equation

(2), we get

At very large distances (r >> a), the

equation becomes
\vec { E } tot \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}}
\frac { p }{{ r }^{3}} (r >>) …… (4)

Question 6.
Derive an expression for the torque
experienced by a dipole due to a
uniform electric field.
Answer:
Torque experienced by an electric
dipole in the uniform electric field:
Consider an electric dipole of
dipole moment \vec { p } placed in
a uniform electric field E whose
field lines are equally spaced and point in the same

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direction. The charge +q will experience a force q\vec { E } in the direction of the field and
charge -q will experience a force -q\vec { E } in a direction opposite to the field.

Since the external field \vec { E } is uniform, the total force acting on the dipole is zero.
These two forces acting at different points will constitute a couple and the dipole
experience a torque. This torque tends to rotate the dipole. (Note that electric field lines of
a uniform field are equally spaced and point in the same direction). The total torque on
the dipole about the point O
\vec { τ } = \overrightarrow{\mathrm{OA}} × (-q\vec { E } ) + \overrightarrow{\mathrm{OB}}
× q\vec { E }
Using the right-hand corkscrew rule, it is found that total torque is perpendicular to the
plane of the paper and is directed into it.

The magnitude of the total torque

\vec { τ } = |\overrightarrow{\mathrm{OA}}|(-q\vec {
E } ) sin θ + |\overrightarrow{\mathrm{OB}}| |q
\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}| sin θ
where θ is the angle made by \vec { P } with \vec {
E } . Since p = 2aq, the torque is written in terms of
the vector product as
\vec { τ } = \vec { p } x \vec { E }
The magnitude of this torque is τ = pE sin θ and is
maximum Torque on dipole
when θ =90°.
This torque tends to rotate the dipole and align it with the electric field \vec { E } . Once
\vec { E } is aligned with \vec { E } , the total torque on the dipole becomes zero.

Question 7.
Derive an expression for electrostatic potential due to a point charge.
Answer:
Electric potential due to a point charge:
Consider a positive charge q kept fixed at the origin. Let P be a point at distance r from
the charge q.
The electric potential at point P is

Electric field due to positive point

charge q is

The infinitesimal displacement

vector, d\vec { r } = dr\hat{r} and
using \hat{r} . \hat{r} = 1, we have

After the integration,

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Hence the electric potential due to
a point charge q at a distance r is
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { q
}{ r } …… (2)
Important points (If asked in the
exam)
(i) If the source charge q is positive, V > 0.
If q is negative, then V is negative and
equal to
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { q }{ r }
(ii) The description of the motion of objects using
the concept of potential or potential energy is
simpler than using the concept of field.
(iii) From expression (2), it is clear that the potential due to positive charge decreases as
the distance increases, but for a negative charge, the potential increases as the distance
are increased. At infinity (r = ∞) electrostatic potential is zero (V = 0).
(iv) The electric potential at a point P due to a collection of charges q1,q2,q3… qn is equal
to the sum of the electric potentials due to individual charges.

Where r1, r2,r3,…..rn are the distances of q1,q2,q3… qn

respectively from P

Question 8.
Derive an expression for electrostatic potential due to
an electric dipole.
Answer:
Electrostatic potential at a point due to an electric
dipole:
Consider two equal and opposite charges separated
by a small distance 2a. The point P is located at a
distance r from the midpoint of the dipole. Let 0 be the
angle between the line OP and dipole axis AB.
Let r1 be the distance of point P from +q and r1 be the
distance of point P from -q.
Potential at P due to charge +q = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { q }{{ r }_{1}}
Potential at P due to charge -q = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { q }{{ r }_{2}}
Total Potential at the point P,
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}}q \left(\frac{1}{r_{1}}-\frac{1}{r_{2}}\right) ….. (1)
Suppose if the point P is far away from the dipole, such that r >> a, then equation can be
expressed in terms of r. By the cosine law for triangle BOP,

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r_{1}^{2} = r2 + a2 – 2ra cos θ = r2
\left(1+\frac{a^{2}}{r^{2}}-\frac{2 a}{r} \cos
\theta\right)
Since the point P is very far from dipole, then r
>> a. As a result the term \frac {{ a }^{ 2 }}{{ r }^{
2 }} is very small and can be neglected.
Therefore

since \frac { a }{ r } << 1, we can use binominal theorem and retain the terms up to first
order
\frac { 1 }{{ r_{1}} } = \left(1+\frac{a}{r} \cos \theta\right) ……. (2)
Similarly applying the cosine law for triangle AOP,
r_{2}^{2} = r2 + a2 – 2ra cos (180 – θ)
Since cos (180 – θ) = cos θ we get
r_{2}^{2} = r2 + a2 + 2ra cos θ
Neglecting the term \frac {{ a }^{ 2 }}{{ r }^{ 2 }} (because r >> a)
r_{2}^{2} = r2 \left(1+\frac{2 a \cos \theta}{r}\right) (or) r2 = r \left(1+\frac{2 a \cos \theta}
{r}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}
Using Binomial theorem, we get
\frac { 1 }{{ r_{2}} } = \frac { 1 }{ r } \left(1-a \frac{\cos \theta}{r}\right)
Substituting equations (3) and (2) in equation (1)

But the electric dipole moment p = 2qa

and we get,
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \left(\frac{p
\cos \theta}{r^{2}}\right)
Now we can write p cos θ = \vec { P } ,
\hat{r} where \hat{r} is the unit vector
from the point O to point P. Hence the
electric potential at a point P due to an
electric dipole is given by
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{\vec{p}
\cdot \hat{r}}{r^{2}} (r >> a) ….. (4)

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Equation (4) is valid for distances very large compared to the size of the dipole. But for a
point dipole, the equation (4) is valid for any distance.
Special cases:

Case (I):
If the point P lies on the axial line of the dipole on the side of +q, then θ = 0. Then the
electric potential becomes
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { p }{{r}^{ 2 }}

Case (II):
If the point P lies on the axial line of the dipole on the side of -q, then θ = 180°, then
V = – \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { p }{{r}^{ 2 }}

Case (III):
If the point P lies on the equatorial line of the dipole, then θ = 90°. Hence, V = 0.

Question 9.
Obtain an expression for potential energy due to a collection of three-point charges which
are separated by finite distances.
Answer:
Electrostatic potential energy for a collection of point charges:
The electric potential at a point at a distance r from point charge ql is given by
V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac {{ q }_{ 1 }}{r} …… (1)
This potential V is the work done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to the point.
Now if the charge q2 is brought from infinity to that point at a distance r from qp the work
done is the product of q2 and the electric potential at that point. Thus we have W = q2V
…… (2)
This work done is stored as the electrostatic potential energy U of a system of charges q1
and q2 separated by a distance r. Thus we have
U = q2 V = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{q_{1} q_{2}}{r} …… (3)
The electrostatic potential energy depends only on the distance between the two point
charges. In fact, the expression (3) is derived by assuming that q1 is fixed and q2 is
brought from infinity. The equation (3) holds true when q2 is fixed and q1 is brought from
infinity or both q2and q2 are simultaneously brought from infinity to a distance r between
them.
Three charges are arranged in the following configuration as shown in Figure.

To calculate the total electrostatic potential energy, we use the following procedure. We
bring all the charges one by one and arrange them according to the configuration.
(i) Bringing a charge q1 from infinity to point A requires no work, because there are no
other charges already present in the vicinity of charge q1

(ii) To bring the second charge q2 to point B, work must be done against the electric field
created by the charge q1 So the work done on the charge q1 is W = q2V1B. Here V1B is
the electrostatic potential due to the charge q1 at point B.

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U = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{q_{1} q_{2}}{{r}_{12}}
….. (4)
Note that the expression is the same when q2 is
brought first and then q1 later.

(iii) Similarly to bring the charge q3 to point C, work

has to be done against the total electric field due to
both charges q1 and q2. So the work done to bring the
charge q3 is = q3 (V1C + V2C). Here V1C is the
electrostatic potential due to charge q1 at point C and
V2C is the electrostatic potential due to charge q2 at
point C. The electrostatic potential is

(iv) Adding equations (4) and (5), the

total electrostatic potential energy for
the system of three charges q1,q2, and
q3 is

Note that this stored potential energy U is equal to the total external work done to
assemble the three charges at the given locations. The expression (6) is the same if the
charges are brought to their positions in any other order. Since the Coulomb force is a
conservative force, the electrostatic potential energy is independent of the manner in
which the configuration of charges is arrived at.

Question 10.
Derive an expression for the electrostatic potential
energy of the dipole in a uniform electric field.
Answer:
The electrostatic potential energy of a dipole in a uniform electric field:
Consider a dipole placed a torque when kept in an uniform electric field \vec { E } . A
dipole experiences a torque when kept in an uniform electric field \vec { E } . This torque
rotates the dipole to align it with the direction of the electric field. To rotate the dipole (at
constant angular velocity) from its initial angle θ’ to another angle θ against the torque
exerted by the electric field, an equal and opposite external torque must be applied on the
dipole.

The work done by the external torque to rotate the dipole from angle θ’ to θ at constant
angular velocity is

Since τext is equal and opposite to τE = \vec { P } x \vec { E } , we have

\left|\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}_{\mathrm{ext}}\right| =
\left|\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}_{\mathrm{E}}\right|= |\overrightarrow{\mathrm{P}} \times

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\overrightarrow{\mathrm{E}}| …. (2)
Substituting equation (2) in equation (1) We get,

This work done is equal to the potential energy

difference between the angular positions θ and θ’.
U(θ) – (Uθ’) = AU = -pE cos θ +PE cos θ’.
If the initial angle is = θ’ = 90° and is taken as
reference point, then U(θ’) + pE cos θ’ = θ.
The potential energy stored in the system of dipole
kept in the uniform electric field is given by El = -pE
cos θ = –\vec { P } . \vec { E } ….. (3)
In addition to p and E, the potential energy also
depends on the orientation θ of the electric dipole with respect to
the external electric field.
The potential energy is maximum when the dipole is aligned anti-
parallel (θ = π) to the external electric field
and minimum when the dipole is aligned
parallel (θ = 0) to the external electric field.

Question 11.
Obtain Gauss law from Coulomb’s law.
Answer:
Gauss law: Gauss’s law states that if a charge Q is enclosed by an arbitrary closed
surface, then the total electric flux ΦE through the closed surface is
ΦE = \oint { \vec { E } } .d \vec { A } = \frac{\mathrm{Q}_{\mathrm{end}}}{\varepsilon_{0}}
A positive point charge Q is surrounded by an imaginary sphere of radius r as shown in
the figure. We can calculate the total electric flux through the closed surface of the sphere
using the equation.

ΦE = \oint { \vec { E } } .d \vec { A } = \oint { EdA }

cos θ …… (1)
The electric field of the point charge is directed
radially outward at all points on the surface of the
sphere. Therefore, the direction of the area
element d \vec { A } is along the electric field \vec {
E } and θ = 0°.
ΦE = \oint { EdA } since cos 0° = 1 ….. (2)
E is uniform on the surface of the sphere,
ΦE = \oint { EdA } ….. (3)
Substituting for
\oint { dA } = 4π2 and E = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} Q
in equation 3, we get
ΦE = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac { q }{{ r }^{2}} ×
4π2 = 4π \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} = \frac { q }{{ ε
}_{0}} ……. (4)

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The equation (4) is called as Gauss’s law. The remarkable point about this result is that
the equation (4) is equally true for any arbitrary shaped surface which encloses the
charge Q.

Question 12.
Obtain the expression for electric field due to an infinitely long charged wire.
Answer:
Electric field due to an infinitely long charged wire:
Consider an infinitely long straight wire having uniform linear charge density λ. Let P be a
point located at a perpendicular distance r from the wire. The electric field at the point P
can be found using Gauss law. We choose two small charge elements A1 and A1 on the
wire which are at equal distances from the point P.

The resultant electric field due to these two charge elements points radially away from the
charged wire and the magnitude of electric field is same at all points on the circle of
radius r. From this property, we can infer that the charged wire possesses a cylindrical
symmetry.

Let us choose a cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and length L. The total electric
flux in this closed surface is

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It is seen that for the curved surface, \vec { E } is parallel to \vec { A } and \vec { E } .d
\vec { A } = EdA. For the top and bottom surface, \vec { E } is perpendicular to \vec { A }
and \vec { E } .d\vec { A } = 0
Substituting these values in equation (2) and applying Gauss law

Since the magnitude of the electric field for

the entire curved surface is constant, E is
taken out of the integration, and Qencl is
given by Qencl = λL.

Here,

dA = total area of the curved surface =

2πrL. Substituting this in
equation (4), We get

The electric field due to the infinite charged

wire depends on \frac { 1 }{ r } rather than
\frac { 1 }{{r}^{ 2 }} for a point charge.
Equation (6) indicates that the electric field
is always along the perpendicular direction
(\hat{r} ) to wire. In fact, if λ > 0 then E
points perpendicular outward (\hat{r} ) from
the wire and if λ < 0, then E points
perpendicular inward (- \hat{r} ).

Question 13.
Obtain the expression for the electric field
due to a charged infinite plane sheet.
Answer:
Electric field due to the charged infinite plane
sheet: Consider an infinite plane sheet of charges
with uniform surface charge density o. Let P be a
point at a distance of r from the sheet. Since the
plane is infinitely large, the electric field should be
the same at all points equidistant from the plane and
radially directed at all points. A cylindrical shaped
Gaussian surface of length 2r and area A of the flat surfaces is chosen such that the

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infinite plane sheet passes perpendicularly through the middle part of
the Gaussian surface.

Applying Gauss law for this cylindrical surface,

The electric field is perpendicular to the are

element at all points on the curved surface
and is parallel to the surface areas at P and
P’. Then,

Since the magnitude of the electric

field at these two equal surfaces is
uniform, E is taken out of the
integration, and Qencl is given by Qencl
= σA, we get

The total area of surface either at P or

P’

Hence 2EA = \frac { σA }{{ ε }_{0}} or E

= \frac { σ }{{ 2ε }_{0}} …… (3)
In vector from, E = \frac { σ }{{ 2ε }_{0}}
\hat{n} ….. (4)
Hence \hat{n} is the outward unit
vector normal to the plane. Note that
the electric field due to an infinite
plane sheet of the charge depends
on the surface charge density and is
independent of the distance r.

The electric field will be the same at

any point farther away from the
charged plane. Equation (4) implies
that if o > 0 the electric field at any
point P is outward perpendicular n to
the plane and if σ < 0 the electric field points inward perpendicularly
(\hat{n} ) to the plane. For a finite charged plane sheet, equation (4) is
approximately true only in the middle region of the plane and at points
far away from both ends.

Question 14.
Obtain the expression for the electric field due to a
uniformly charged spherical shell.
Answer:

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Electric field due to a uniformly charged spherical shell:
Consider a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R and total charge Q. The electric
field at points outside and inside the sphere is found using Gauss law.

Case (a):
At a point outside the shell (r > R): Let us choose a point P outside the shell at a distance
r from the center as shown in figure (a). The charge is uniformly distributed on the surface
of the sphere (spherical symmetry). Hence the electric field must point radially outward if
Q > 0 and point radially inward if Q < 0. So we choose a spherical Gaussian surface of
radius r and the total charge enclosed by this Gaussian surface is Q. Applying Gauss law,
\oint { \vec { E } } .d\vec { A } = \frac { Q }{{ ε }_{0}} …….(1)
The electric field \vec { E } and d\vec { A } point in the same direction (outward normal) at
all the points on the Gaussian surface. The magnitude of \vec { E } is also the same at all
points due to the spherical symmetry of the charge distribution.

But

dA = total area of Gaussian surface = 4πr2. Substituting this value in equation (2).

The electric field is radially outward if Q > 0 and radially inward if Q < 0. From equation
(3), we infer that the electric field at a point outside the shell will be same as if the entire
charge Q is concentrated at the center of the spherical shell. (A similar result is observed
in gravitation, for gravitational force due to a spherical shell with mass M)

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Case (b):
At a point on the surface of the spherical
shell (r = R): The electrical field at points
on the spherical shell (r = R) is given by
\vec { E } = \frac{\mathrm{Q}}{4 \pi
\varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{R}^{2}} \hat{r}
…… (4)

Case (c):
At a point inside the spherical shell (r < R): Consider a point P inside the shell at a
distance r from the center. A Gaussian sphere of radius r is constructed as shown in the
figure (b). Applying Gauss law

Since Gaussian surface encloses no charge, So Q = 0. The

equation (5) becomes E = 0 (r < R) …(6)
The electric field due to the uniformly charged spherical shell is
zero at all points inside the shell.

Question 15.
Discuss the various properties of conductors in electrostatic
equilibrium.
Answer:
Properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium:
(i) The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor. This is true regardless of
whether the conductor is solid or hollow. This is an experimental fact. Suppose the
electric field is not zero inside the metal, then there will be a force on the mobile charge
carriers due to this electric field.

As a result, there will be a net motion of the mobile charges, which contradicts the
conductors being in electrostatic equilibrium. Thus the electric field is zero everywhere
inside – the conductor. We can also understand this fact by applying an external uniform
electric field on the conductor.

Before applying the external electric field, the

free electrons in the conductor are uniformly
distributed in the conductor. When an electric
field is applied, the free electrons accelerate to
the left causing the left plate to be negatively
charged and the right plate to be positively
charged.

Due to this realignment of free electrons, there

will be an internal electric field created inside the
conductor which increases until it nullifies the external electric field. Once the external

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electric field is nullified the conductor is said to be in electrostatic equilibrium. The time
taken by a conductor to reach electrostatic equilibrium is in the order of 10-6s, which can
be taken as almost instantaneous.

(ii) There is no net charge inside the conductors. The charges must reside only on the
surface of the conductors. We can prove this property using Gauss law. Consider an
arbitrarily shaped conductor. A Gaussian surface is drawn inside the conductor such that
it is very close to the surface of the conductor.

Since the electric field is zero everywhere inside the

conductor, the net electric flux is also zero over this
Gaussian surface. From Gauss’s law, this implies
that there is no net charge inside the conductor.
Even if some charge is introduced inside the
conductor, it immediately reaches the surface of the
conductor.

(iii) The electric field outside the conductor is

perpendicular to the surface of the conductor and
has a magnitude of \frac { σ }{{ ε }{0}} where a is the
surface charge density at that point. If the electric
field has components parallel to the surface of the
conductor, then free electrons on the surface of the conductor would experience
acceleration. This means that the conductor is not in equilibrium. Therefore at
electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field must be perpendicular to the surface of the
conductor.

We now prove that the electric field has magnitude \frac { σ

}{{ ε }{0}} just outside the conductor’s surface. Consider a
small cylindrical Gaussian surface. One half of this cylinder
is embedded inside the conductor. Since electric field is
normal to the surface of the conductor, the curved part of
the cylinder has zero electric flux. Also inside the conductor,
the electric field is zero. Hence the bottom flat part of the
Gaussian surface has no electric flux. Therefore the top flat
surface alone contributes to the electric flux. The electric
field is parallel to the area vector and the total charge inside
the surface is σA. By applying Gauss’s law,
EA = \frac { σA }{{ ε }{0}}
In vector from, \vec { E } = \frac { σ }{{ ε }{0}} \hat{n}
Here n represents the unit vector outward normal to the
surface of the conductor. Suppose σ < 0, then electric field
points inward perpendicular to the surface.

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(iv) The electrostatic potential has the same value on the surface and inside of the
conductor. We know that the conductor has no parallel electric component on the surface
which means that charges can be moved on the surface without doing any work. This is
possible only if the electrostatic potential is constant at all points on the surface and there
is no potential difference between any two points on the surface. Since the electric field is
zero inside the conductor, the potential is the same as the surface of the conductor. Thus
at electrostatic equilibrium, the conductor is always at equipotential.

Question 16.
Explain the process of electrostatic induction.
Answer:
Whenever a charged rod is touched by another conductor, charges start to flow from the
charged rod to the conductor. This type of charging without actual contact is called
electrostatic induction:

(i) Consider an uncharged (neutral) conducting sphere at rest on an insulating stand.

Suppose a negatively charged rod is brought near the conductor without touching it, as
shown in figure (a). The negative charge of the rod repels the electrons in the conductor
to the opposite side.

Various steps in electrostatic

induction
As a result, positive charges are
induced near the region of the
charged rod while negative charges
on the farther side. Before
introducing the charged rod, the
free electrons were distributed
uniformly on the surface of the
conductor and the net charge is
zero. Once the charged rod is
brought near the conductor, the
distribution is no longer uniform with
more electrons located on the
farther side of the rod and positive
charges are located closer to the
rod. But the total charge is zero.

(ii) Now the conducting sphere is connected to the ground through a conducting wire.
This is called grounding. Since the ground can always receive any amount of electrons,
grounding removes the electron from the conducting sphere. Note that positive charges
will not flow to the ground because they are attracted by the negative charges of the rod
(figure (b)).

(iii) When the grounding wire is removed from the conductor, the positive charges remain
near the charged rod (figure (c)).

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(iv) Now the charged rod is taken away from the conductor. As soon as the charged rod is
removed, the positive charge gets distributed uniformly on the surface of the conductor
(figure (d)). By this process, the neutral conducting sphere becomes positively charged.

Question 17.
Explain dielectrics in detail and how an electric field is
induced inside a dielectric.
Answer:
Induced Electric field inside the dielectric:
When an external electric field is applied to a conductor, the charges are aligned in such
a way that an internal electric field is created which cancels the external electric field. But
in the case of a dielectric, which has no free electrons, the external electric field only
realigns the charges so that an internal electric field is produced.

The magnitude of the internal electric field is smaller than that of the external electric field.
Therefore the net electric field inside the dielectric is not zero but is parallel to an external
electric field with a magnitude less than that of the external electric field. For example, let
us consider a rectangular dielectric slab placed between two oppositely charged plates
(capacitor) as shown in the figure.

The uniform electric field between the plates Induced electric field lines inside the
dielectric acts as an external electric field \vec { E } ext which polarizes the dielectric
placed between plates. The positive charges are induced on one side surface and
negative charges are induced on the other side of the surface But inside the dielectric, the
net charge is zero even in a small volume. So the dielectric in the external field is
equivalent to two oppositely charged sheets with the surface charge densities +σb and
-σb. These charges are called bound charges. They are not free to move like free
electrons in conductors. This is shown in the figure.

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(a) Balloon sticks to the wall
(b) Polarisation of the wall due to the
electric field created by the balloon
For example, the charged balloon
after rubbing sticks onto a wall. The
reason is that the negatively charged
balloon is brought near the wall, it
polarizes opposite charges on the
surface of the wall, which attracts the
balloon.

Question 18.
Obtain the expression for capacitance for a parallel plate capacitor.
Answer:
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor:
Consider a capacitor with two parallel plates each of cross-sectional area A and
separated by a distance d. The electric field between two infinite parallel plates is uniform
and is given by E = \frac { σ }{{ ε }{0}} where σ is the surface charge density on the plates
σ = \frac { Q }{ A } .If the separation distance d is very much smaller than the size of the
plate (d2 << A), then the above result is used even for finite-sized
parallel plate capacitor.

The capacitance of a parallel plate

capacitor
The electric field between the plates is
E = \frac { Q }{{ Aε }{0}} ….. (1)
Since the electric field is uniform, the
electric potential between the plates
having separation d is given by
V = Ed = \frac { Qd }{{ Aε }{0}} ….. (2)
Therefore the capacitance of the
capacitor is given by
C = \frac { Q }{ V } = \frac{\mathrm{Q}}
{\left(\frac{\mathrm{Q} d}{\mathrm{A}
\varepsilon_{0}}\right)} =
\frac{\varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{A}}{d}
….. (3)
From equation (3), it is evident that
capacitance is directly proportional to
the area of cross-section and is
inversely proportional to the distance
between the plates. This can be
understood from the following.

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 If the area of cross-section of the capacitor plates is increased, more charges can
be distributed for the same potential difference. As a result, the capacitance is
increased.
If the distance d between the two plates is reduced, the potential difference between
the plates (V = Ed) decreases with the E constant.

Question 19.
Obtain the expression for energy stored in the parallel plate capacitor.
Answer:
Energy stored in the capacitor:
Capacitor not only stores the charge but also it stores energy. When a battery is
connected to the capacitor, electrons of total charge -Q are transferred from one plate to
the other plate. To transfer the charge, work is done by the battery. This work done is
stored as electrostatic potential energy in the capacitor. To transfer an infinitesimal charge
dQ for a potential difference V, the work done is given by
dW = VdQ ….. (1)
Where V = \frac { Q }{ C }
The total work done to charge a capacitor is

This work done is stored as electrostatic

potential energy (UE) in the capacitor.
UE = \frac {{ Q }^{2}}{ 2C } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 }
CV2 (∴ Q = CV) ….. (3)
where Q = CV is used. This stored energy is thus directly proportional to the capacitance
of the capacitor and the square of the voltage between the plates of the capacitor. But
where is this energy stored in the capacitor? To understand this question, the equation (3)
is rewritten as follows using the results
C = \frac{\varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{A}}{d} and V = Ed
UE = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } \left(\frac{\varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{A}}{d}\right) (Ed)2 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } ε02
…… (4)
where Ad = volume of the space between the capacitor plates. The energy stored per unit
volume of space is defined as energy density \overline { Volume } . Frome equation (4)
we get
uE = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } ε0E2
From equation (5), we infer that the energy is stored in the electric field existing between
the plates of the capacitor. Once the capacitor is allowed to discharge, the energy is
retrieved.

Question 20.
Explain in detail the effect of a dielectric placed in a parallel plate capacitor.
Answer:
(i) When the capacitor is disconnected from the battery:
Consider a capacitor with two parallel plates each of cross-sectional area A and are
separated by a distance d. The capacitor is charged by a battery of voltage V0 and the
charge stored is Q0. The capacitance of the capacitor without the dielectric is

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C0 = \frac {{ Q }_{0}}{{ V }_{0}} ….. (1)
The battery is then disconnected from the capacitor and the dielectric is inserted between
the plates. The introduction of dielectric between the plates will decrease the electric field.
Experimentally it is found that the modified electric field is given by

(a) Capacitor is charged with a

battery
(b) Dielectric is inserted after the
battery is disconnected
E = \frac {{ E }_{0}}{{ ε }_{r}} …… (2)
Here E0 is the electric field inside
the capacitors when there is no
dielectric and εr is the relative
permeability of the dielectric or
simply known as the dielectric
constant. Since εr > 1, the electric
field E < E0. As a result, the
electrostatic potential difference
between the plates (V = Ed) is also
reduced. But at the same time, the charge Q0 will remain constant once the battery is
disconnected. Hence the new potential difference is
V = Ed = \frac {{ E }_{0}}{{ ε }_{r}}d = \frac {{ V }_{0}}{{ ε }_{r}} ….. (3)
We know that capacitance is inversely proportional to the potential difference. Therefore
as V decreases, C increases. Thus new capacitance in the presence of a dielectric is
C = \frac {{ Q }_{0}}{ V } = εr \frac {{ Q }_{0}}{{ V }_{0}} = εr C0 …… (4)
Since εr > 1, we have C > C0. Thus insertion of the dielectric constant εr increases the
capacitance. Using equation,
C = \frac { { \varepsilon }_{ 0 }A }{ d }
C = \frac{\varepsilon_{r} \varepsilon_{o} A}{d} = \frac { εA }{ d } …… (5)
where ε = εrε0 is the permittivity of the dielectric medium. The energy stored in the
capacitor before the insertion of a dielectric is given by U0 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 }
\frac{\mathrm{Q}_{0}^{2}}{\mathrm{C}_{0}} ….. (6)
After the dielectric is inserted, the charge Q0 remains constant but the capacitance is
increased. As a result, the stored energy is decreased.

Since εr> 1 we get U < U0. There is a

decrease in energy because, when the
dielectric is inserted, the capacitor spends
some energy in pulling the dielectric inside.

(ii) When the battery remains connected to the capacitor: Let us now consider what
happens when the battery of voltage V0 remains connected to the capacitor when the
dielectric is inserted into the capacitor.
The potential difference V0 across the plates remains constant. But it is found
experimentally (first shown by Faraday) that when the dielectric is inserted, the charge

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stored in the capacitor is increased by a factor εr.

(a) Capacitor is charged through a

battery
(b) Dielectric is inserted when the
battery is connected.
Q = εrQ0 ….. (1)
Due to this increased charge, the
capacitance is also increased. The
new capacitance is
C = \frac {{ Q }_{0}}{ V } = εr \frac {{
Q }_{0}}{{ V }_{0}} = εr C0 …… (2)
However, the reason for the
increase in capacitance in this case
when the battery remains
connected is different from the case
when the battery is disconnected before introducing the dielectric.
Now, C0 = \frac {{ ε }{_0}A}{ d } and, C = \frac { εA }{ d } …… (3)
U0 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } C0 { V }_{ 0 }^{ 2 } ….. (4)
Note that here we have not used the expression
U0 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 }{{ V }_{ 0 }^{ 2 }}{{C}_{0}}
because here, both charge and capacitance are changed, whereas in equation 4, V0
remains constant. After the dielectric is inserted, the capacitance is increased; hence the
stored energy is also increased.
U = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } { CV }_{ 0 }^{ 2 } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } εr { CV }_{ 0 }^{ 2 } = εr U0
Since er > 1 we have U > U0
It may be noted here that since voltage between the capacitor V0 is constant, the electric
field between the plates also remains constant.

Question 21.
Derive the expression for resultant capacitance, when capacitors are connected in series
and in parallel.
Answer:
capacitors in series and parallel:
(i) Capacitors in series:
Consider three capacitors of capacitance C1, C2 and C3 connected in series with a battery
of voltage V as shown in figure (a).
As soon as the battery is connected to the capacitors in series, the electrons of charge -Q
are transferred from the negative terminal to the right plate of C3which pushes the
electrons of the same amount -Q from left plate of C3 to the right plate of C2 due to
electrostatic induction. Similarly, the left plate of C2 pushes the charges of Q to the right
plate of which induces the positive charge +Q on the left plate of C1 At the same time,
electrons of charge -Q are transferred from the left plate of C1 to the positive terminal of
the battery.

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By these processes, each capacitor stores the same amount of charge Q. The
capacitances of the capacitors are in general different so that the voltage across each
capacitor is also different and are denoted as V1, V2 and V3 respectively.
The total voltage across each capacitor must be equal to the voltage of the battery.
V = V1 + V2 + V3 ….. (1)
Since Q = CV, we have V = \frac { Q }{{ C }_{1}} + \frac { Q }{{ C }_{2}} + \frac { Q }{{ C
}_{3}}
Q = \left( \frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ 1 } } +\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ 2 } } +\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ 3 } } \right) …..
(2)
If three capacitors in series are considered to form an equivalent single capacitor Cs
shown in figure (b), then we have V = \frac { Q }{{ C }_{s}}
Substituting this expression into equation (2) we get
V = \frac { Q }{{ C }_{s}} = Q\left( \frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ 1 } } +\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ 2 } } +\frac { 1 }{
{ C }_{ 3 } } \right)
\frac { 1 }{{ C }_{s}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{1}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{2}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{3}} …..
(3)
Thus, the inverse of the equivalent capacitance Cs of three capacitors connected in series
is equal to the sum of the inverses of each capacitance. This equivalent capacitance Cs is
always less than the smallest individual capacitance in the series.

(ii) Capacitance in parallel:

Consider three capacitors of capacitance C1,C2 and C3 connected in parallel with a
battery of voltage V as shown in figure (a).

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Since corresponding sides of the capacitors are connected to the same positive and
negative terminals of the battery, the voltage across each capacitor is equal to the
battery’s voltage. Since the capacitance of the capacitors is different, the charge stored in
each capacitor is not the same. Let the charge stored in the three capacitors be Q1,Q2,
and Q2 respectively. According to the law of conservation of total charge, the sum of
these three charges is equal to the charge Q transferred by the battery,
Q = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 ….. (1)
Now, since Q = CV, we have
Q = C1V + C2 V + C3 V ….. (2)
If these three capacitors are considered to form a single capacitance CP which stores the
total charge Q as shown in figure (b), then we can write Q = CPV. Substituting this in
equation (2), we get
Cp V = C1 V + C2 V + C3 V
Cp = C1 + C2 + C3
Thus, the equivalent capacitance of capacitors connected in parallel is equal to the sum
of the individual capacitance. The equivalent capacitance Cp in a parallel connection is
always greater than the largest individual capacitance. In a parallel connection, it is
equivalent as an area of each capacitance adds to give a more effective area such that
total capacitance increases.

Question 22.
Explain in detail how charges are distributed in a conductor, and the principle behind the
lightning conductor.
Answer:
Distribution of charges in a conductor: Consider two conducting spheres A and B of radii
r1 and r2 respectively connected to each other by a thin conducting wire as shown in the
figure. The distance between the spheres is much greater than the radii of either sphere.

If a charge Q is introduced into any one of the spheres, this charge Q is redistributed into
both the spheres such that the electrostatic potential is same in both the spheres. They
are now uniformly charged and attain electrostatic equilibrium. Let q1 be the charge
residing on the surface of sphere A and q2 is the charge residing on the surface of sphere
B such that Q = q1 + q2 The charges are distributed only on the surface and there is no

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net charge inside the conductor. The
electrostatic potential at the surface of
sphere A is given by
VA = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac {{ q }_{ 2
}}{{ r }_{ 2 }} …. (1)
The electrostatic potential at the surface
of sphere B is given by
VB = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac {{ q }_{ 2
}}{{ r }_{ 2 }} ….. 2)
The surface of the conductor is an equipotential. Since the spheres are connected by the
conducting wire, the surfaces of both the spheres together form an equipotential surface.
This implies that
VA = VB or \frac {{ q }_{ 1 }}{{ r }_{ 1 }} = \frac {{ q }_{ 2 }}{{ r }_{ 2 }} ….. (3)
Let us take the charge density on the surface of sphere A is σ1 and charge density on the
surface of sphere B is σ1. This implies that q1 = { 4\pi r }_{ 1 }^{ 2 }σ1 and q1 = { 4\pi r }_{
1 }^{ 2 }σ2. Substituting these values into equation (3), we get
σ1 r1 = σ2r2 ….. (4)
from which we conclude that
σr = constant …. (5)
Thus the surface charge density o is inversely proportional to the radius of the sphere.
For a smaller radius, the charge density will be larger and vice versa.

Lightning arrester or lightning conductor:

This is a device used to protect tall buildings from lightning strikes. It works on the
principle of action at points or corona discharge. The device consists of a long thick
copper rod passing from top of the building to the ground. The upper end of the rod has a
sharp spike or a sharp needle.

The lower end of the rod is connected to the copper plate which is buried deep into the
ground. When a negatively charged cloud is passing above the building, it induces a
positive charge on the spike. Since the induced charge density on thin sharp spike is
large, it results in a corona discharge.

This positive charge ionizes the surrounding air which in turn neutralizes the negative
charge in the cloud. The negative charge pushed to the spikes passes through the copper
rod and is safely diverted to the Earth. The lightning arrester does not stop the lightning;
rather it divers the lightning to the ground safely.

Question 23.
Explain in detail the construction and working of a Van
de Graaff generator.
Answer:
Principle: Electrostatic induction and action at points.
Construction:
A large hollow spherical conductor is fixed on the insulating stand. A pulley B is mounted

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at the center of the hollow sphere and another pulley C is fixed at the bottom. A belt made
up of insulating materials as silk or rubber runs over both pulleys. The pulley C is driven
continuously by the electric motor.

Two comb-shaped metallic conductors E and D are fixed near the pulleys. The comb D is
maintained at a positive potential of 104 V by a power supply. The upper comb E is
connected to the inner side of the hollow metal sphere.

Working:
Due to the high electric field near comb D, the air between the belt and comb D gets
ionized. The positive charges are pushed towards the belt and negative charges are
attracted towards the comb D. The positive charges stick to the belt and move up. When
the positive charges reach the comb E, a large amount of negative and positive charges
are induced on either side of comb E due to electrostatic induction. As a result, the
positive charges are pushed away from the comb E and they reach the outer surface of
the sphere. Since the sphere is a conductor, the positive charges are distributed uniformly
on the outer surface of the hollow sphere. At the same time, the negative charges nullify
the positive charges in the belt due to corona discharge before it passes over the pulley.

When the belt descends, it has almost no net

charge. At the bottom, it again gains a large positive
charge. The belt goes up and delivers positive
charges to the outer surface of the sphere. This
process continues until the outer surface produces
the potential difference of the order of 107 which is
the limiting value. We cannot store charges beyond
this limit since the extra charge starts leaking to the
surroundings due to the ionization of air. The
leakage of charges can be reduced by enclosing the
machine in a gas-filled steel chamber at very high
pressure. Uses: The high voltage produced in this
Van de Graaff generator is used to accelerate
positive ions (protons and deuterons) for nuclear disintegrations and other applications.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Numerical Problems

Question 1.
When two objects are rubbed with each other, approximately a charge of 50 nC can be
produced in each object. Calculate the number of electrons that must be transferred to
produce this charge.
Solution:
Charge produced in each object q = 50 nC
q = 50 x 10-9 C
Charge of electron (e) = 1.6 x 10-9 C
Number of electron transferred, n = \frac { q }{ e } = \frac {{ 50 × 10 }^{-9}}{{ 1.6 × 10
}^{-19}}

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=31. 25 × 10-9 × 1019
n = 31.25 x 1010 electrons
Ans. n = 31.25 x 1010 electrons

Question 2.
The total number of electrons in the human body is typically in the order of 1028.
Suppose, due to some reason, you and your friend lost 1% of this number of electrons.
Calculate the electrostatic force between you and your friend separated at a distance of 1
m. Compare this with your weight. Assume the mass of each person is 60 kg and use
point charge approximation.
Solution:
Number of electrons in the human body = 1028
Number of electrons in me and my friend after lost of 1% = 1028 x 1%
= 1028 x \frac { 1 }{ 100 }
n = 1026 electrons
Separation distance d = 1 m
Charge of each person q = 1026 x 1.6 x 10-19
q = 1.6 x 107 C
Electrostatic force, F = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{q_{1} q_{2}}{r^{2}} = \frac{9 \times
10^{9} \times 1.6 \times 10^{7} \times 1.6 \times 10^{7}}{1^{2}}
F = 2.304 x 1024N
Mass of the person, M = 60 kg
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 ms-2
Weight (W) = mg
= 60 x 9.8
W = 588 N
Comparison: Electrostatic force is equal to 3.92 x 1021 times of weight of the person.

Question 3.
Five identical charges Q are placed equidistant on a
semicircle as shown in the figure. Another point
charge q is kept at the center of the circle of radius R. Calculate the electrostatic force
experienced by the charge q.

Solution:
Force acting on q due to Q1 and Q5 are opposite direction, so
cancel to each other.
Force acting on q due to Q3 is F3 = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac
{{ qQ }_{3}}{{ R }^{2}}
Force acting on q due to Q2 and Q4

Resolving in two-component method:

(i) Vertical Component:
Q2 Sin θ and Q4 Sinθ are equal and opposite directions, so they cancel to each other.

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(ii) Horizontal Component:
Q2 Sin θ and Q4 cos θ are equal and same direction, so they can get added.
F24 = F2q + F4q = F2 cos 55° + F4 cos 45°
F24 = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac {{ qQ }_{2}}{{ R }^{2}} cos 45° + \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}}
\frac { qQ 4}{{ R }^{2}} cos 45°
Resultant net force F

Question 4.
Suppose a charge +q on Earth’s surface
and another +q charge is placed on the
surface of the Moon, (a) Calculate the
value of q required to balance the
gravitational attraction between Earth and
Moon (b) Suppose the distance between
the Moon and Earth is halved, would the
charge q change? (Take mE = 5.9 x 1024
kg, mM = 7.348 x 1022 kg)
Solution:
Mass of the Earth, ME = 5.9 x 1024 kg
Mass of the Moon, MM = 7.348 x 1022 kg
Charge placed on the surface of Earth and Moon = q
(a) Required charge to balance the FG between Earth
and Moon
FC = FG (or) \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac {{ q }^{2}}{{ r
}^{2}} = \frac{\mathrm{G} \mathrm{M}_{\mathrm{E}}
\times \mathrm{M}_{\mathrm{M}}}{r^{2}}
q2 = G × ME × MM × 4πε0 = 320.97 × 1025
q = \sqrt { 320.97\times { 10 }^{ 25 } } = 5.665 x 1013 =
5.67 x 1013 C

(b) The distance between the Moon and Earth is

so q = 5.67 x 1013 C
There is no change.

Question 5.
Draw the free body diagram for the following
charges as shown in figure (a), (b) and (c).

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Solution:

Question 6.
Consider an electron travelling with a
speed VΦ and entering into a uniform
electric field \vec { E } which is
perpendicular to
\overrightarrow{\mathrm{V}_{0}} as
shown in the Figure. Ignoring gravity,
obtain the electron’s acceleration,
velocity and position as functions of
time.
Solution:

Speed of an electron = V0
Uniform electric field = \vec { E }
(а) Electron’s acceleration:
Force on electron due to uniform electric
field, F = Ee
Downward acceleration of electron due to
electric field, a = \frac { F }{ m } = – \frac {
eE }{ M }
Vector from, \vec { a } = – \frac { eE }{ M }
\hat{j}

(b) Electron’s velocity:

Speed of electron in horizontal direction, u
= V0 From the equation of motion, V = u +
at
V = V0 \frac { eE }{ M } t
Vector from \vec { V } = V0 \hat{j} – \frac { eE }{ M } t \hat{j}

(c) Electron’s position:

Position of electron, s = r
From equation of motion, r = V0 t + \frac { 1 }{ 2 } \left(-\frac{e \mathrm{E}}
{\mathrm{M}}\right) t2

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r = V0 t + \frac { 1 }{ 2 } \frac { eE }{ M } t2 \hat{j}
Vector from,
\vec { r } = V0 t \hat{j} \frac { 1 }{ 2 } \frac { eE }{ M } t2 \hat{j}

Question 7.
A closed triangular box is kept in an electric field of
magnitude E = 2 × 103 N C-1 as shown in the figure.

Calculate the electric flux through the

(a) vertical rectangular surface
(b) slanted surface and
(c) entire surface.
Answer:
Electric field of magnitude E = 2 × 103
NC-1
(a) Vertical rectangular surface:
Rectangular area A= 5 × 10-2 × 15 ×
10-2
A = 75 × 10-24 m2
θ = 180°
⇒ cos 180° = -1

Electric flux, Φv.s = EA cos θ

= 2 × 103 × 75 × 10-4 × cos 180°
= -150 × 10-1
Φv.s = -15 Nm2 C-1

(b) Slanted surface:

cos θ = cos 60° = 0.5
sin θ = sin 30° = \frac { Opposite }{ hyp }

hyp = \frac {{ 5 × 10 }^{2}}{ 0.5 }

hyp = 0.1m
Area of slanted surface A2 = (0.1 × 15 × 10-2)
A2 = 0.015 M2
Electric flux, Φv.s = EA = cos θ
= 2 × 103 × 0.015 × cos 60°
= 2 × 103 × 0.015 × 103
= 0.015 × 103
Φv.s = 15 Nm2 C-1
Horizontal surface
θ = 90° ; cos 90° = 0
Electric flux, ΦH.S = E. A3 Cos 90° = 0

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(c) Entire surface:
ΦTotal = ΦV.S + ΦS.S + ΦH.S = -15 + 15 + 0
ΦTotal = 0

Question 8.
The electrostatic potential is given as a function of x in figure (a) and (b). Calculate the
corresponding electric fields in regions A, B, C and D. Plot the electric field as a function
of x for the figure (b).

Answer:
The relation between electric field and potential
E = – \frac { dv }{ dx }

(a) Region A :
dv = -3V ; dx = 0.2 m
Electric field, EA = \frac { (-3) }{ 0.2 } = 15 V m-1
Region B:
dv = 0V ; dx = 0.2 m
Electric field, EB = \frac { 0 }{ 0.2 } = 0
Region C:
dv = 2V ; dx = 0.2 m
Electric field, EC = \frac { -2 }{ 0.2 } = 10 V m-1
Region D:
dv = -6V ; dx = 0.2 m
Electric field, ED = -\left(\frac{-6}{0.2}\right) = 10 V m-1 = 30 V m-1

Electric field, EA = 15 V m-1

Electric field, EB = 0
Electric field, EC = \frac { (-3) }{ 0.2 } = 10 V m-1
Electric field, ED = 30 V m-1

(b)

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Question 9.
A spark plug in a bike or a car is used to ignite
the air-fuel mixture in the engine. It consists of
two electrodes separated by a gap of around 0.6
mm gap as shown in the figure.

To create the spark, an electric field of

magnitude 3 x 106Vm-1 is required, (a) What
potential difference must be applied to produce
the spark? (b) If the gap is increased, does the
potential difference increase, decrease or
remains the same? (c) find the potential
difference if the gap is 1 mm.
Answer:
Separation gap between two electrodes, d = 0.6
mm
d = 0.6 × 10-3 m
Magnetude of electric field Electric field = E = 3
× 106 V m-1
Electric field E = \frac { V }{ d }
(a) Applied potential difference, V = E . d
= 3 × 106 × 0.6 10-13 = 1.8 × 103
V = 1800 V

(b) From equation, V = E . d

If the gap (distance) between the electrodes increased, the potential difference also
increases.

(c) Gap between the electrodes, d = 1mm = 1 x 10-3 m

Potential difference, V = E.d
= 3 × 106 × 1 × 10-3 = 3 × 103
V = 3000 V

Question 10.
A point charge of +10 μC is placed at a distance of 20
cm from another identical point charge of +10 μC. A
point charge of -2 μC is moved from point a to b as shown in the figure. Calculate the
change in potential energy of the system? Interpret your result.

q1 = 10μC = 10 x 10-6 C
q2 = 2μC = -2 x 10-6 C
distance, r = 5cm = 5 x 10-2 m
Answer:
Change in potential energy,

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= -36 × 1 × 109 × 10-12 × 102 = -36
× 10-1
∆ U = -3.6 J

Negative sign implies that to move

the charge -2pC no external work
is required. System spends its
stored energy to move the charge
from point a to point b.
Ans:
∆ U = -3.6 J, negative sign implies that to move
the charge -2μC no external work is required.
System spends its stored energy to move the
charge from point a to point b.

Question 11.
Calculate the resultant capacitances for each of the following combinations of capacitors.

Answer:

Parallel combination of capacitor 1

and 2
Cp = C0 + C0 = 2C0
Series combination of capacitor Cp
and 3
\frac { 1 }{{ C }_{S}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C
}_{p}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{3}} = \frac
{ 1 }{{ 2C }_{0}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C
}_{0}} = (or) \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{S}} =
\frac { 3 }{ 2 } C0 (or)CS = \frac { 2 }
{ 3 } C0

\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } } =

\frac { 1 }{{ C }_{1}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C
}_{2}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{0}} + \frac
{ 1 }{{ C }_{0}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{0}} (or)
\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } } = \frac { 2 }{{ C
}_{0}} (or) { C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } = \frac {{ C }_{0}}{
2}
Similarly 3 and 4 are series combination
\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } } = \frac { 1 }{{ C
}_{3}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{4}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{0}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{0}} = \frac { 2 }{{ C
}_{0}} (or) { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } = \frac {{ C }{0}}{ 2 }

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{ C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } and { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } are in parallel
combination
Cp = { C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } + { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } = \frac {{ C
}_{0}}{ 2 } + \frac {{ C }_{0}}{ 2 } (or) Cp = \frac {{ 2C }_{0}}{
2 } Cp = C0

(c) Capacitor 1, 2 and 3 are in parallel combination

Cp = C0 + C0 + C0 = 3C0
Cp = 3C0

(d) Capacitar C1 and C2 are in combination

Similarly C3 and C4 are in series combination

{ C }_{ { S }_{ 1 } } and { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } are in parallel

combination across RS:

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(e) Capacitor 1 and 2 are series combination

Similarly 3 and 4 are series combination

\frac { 1 }{ { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } } = \frac { 2 }{{ C }_{0}} (or) { C }_{ { S }_{ 2 } } = \frac {{ C
}_{0}}{ 2 }
Three capacitors are in parallel combination

Question 12.
An electron and a proton are allowed
to fall through the separation
between the plates of a parallel plate
capacitor of voltage 5 V and
separation distance h = 1 mm as
shown in the figure.

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(a) Calculate the time of flight for both electron and proton
(b) Suppose if a neutron is allowed to fall, what is the time of flight?
(c) Among the three, which one will reach the bottom first?
(Take mp = 1.6 x 10-27 kg, me= 9.1 x 10-31 kg and g = 10 m s-2)
Answer:
Potential difference between the parallel plates V = 5 V
Separation distance, h = 1 mm =1 x 10-3 m
Mass of proton, mp = 1.6 x 10-27 kg
Mass of proton, m =9.1 x 10-31 kg
Charge of an a proton (or) electron, e— 1.6 x 10-19 C
[u = 0; s = h]
From equation of motion, S = ut + \frac { 1 }{ 2 } at2
From equation of motion, h = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } at2
t = \sqrt { \frac { 2h }{ a } }
Acceleration of an electron due to electric field, a = \frac { F }{ m } = \frac { eE }{ m }
[E = \frac { V }{ d }]

(a) Time of flight for both electron and proton,

tp = 63 ns……. (2)

(b) time of flight of neutron tn = \sqrt { \frac { 2h }{ g } } = \sqrt{\frac{2 \times 1 \times

10^{3}}{10}} = \sqrt{0.2 \times 10^{-3}}
tn = 0.0141 s = 14.1 x 10-3 s
tn = 14.1 x 10-3 ms ……. (3)
(c) Compairision of values 1,2 and 3. The electron will reach the bottom first.

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Question 13.
During a thunderstorm, the movement of water
molecules within the clouds creates friction, partially
causing the bottom part of the clouds to become negatively charged. This implies that the
bottom of the cloud and the ground act as a parallel plate capacitor. If the electric field
between the cloud and ground exceeds the dielectric breakdown of the air (3 x 106 Vm-1
), lightning will occur.

(a) If the bottom part of the cloud is 1000 m

above the ground, determine the electric
potential difference that exists between the
cloud and ground.
(b) In a typical lightning phenomenon,
around 25C of electrons are transferred
from cloud to ground. How much
electrostatic potential energy is transferred
to the ground?
Answer:
(a) Electric field between the cloud and
ground,
V = E.d
V= 3 x 106 x 1000 = 3 x 109V
(a) Electrons transfered from cloud to
ground,
q = 25 C
Electron static potential energy,
U = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2
[C = \frac { q }{ V }]
= \frac { 1 }{ 2 } qV = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 25 x 3 x 109
U = 37.5 x 109 J

Question 14.
For the given capacitor configuration
(a) Find the charges on each capacitor
(b) potential difference across them
(c) energy stored in each capacitor.

Answer:
Capacitor b and c in parallel combination
Cp = Cb + Cc = (6 + 2) μF = 8 μF
Capacitor a, cp and d are in series combination, so the resulatant copacitance
\frac { 1 }{{ C }_{s}} = \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{a}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{cp}} + \frac { 1 }{{ C }_{d}} =
\frac { 1 }{ 8 } + \frac { 1 }{ 8 } + \frac { 1 }{ 8 } = \frac { 3 }{ 8 }
Cs = \frac { 8 }{ 3 } μF

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(a) Charge on each capacitor,
Charge on capacitor a, Qa = Cs V = \frac { 8 }{ 3 } x 9
Qa = 24 μC
Charge on capacitor, d, Qd = Cs V = \frac { 8 }{ 3 } x 9
Qd = 24 μC
Capacitor b and c in parallel
Charge on capacitor, b, Qb = \frac { 6 }{ 3 } x 9 = 18
Qb = 18 μC
Charge on capacitor, c, Qc = \frac { 2 }{ 3 } x 9 = 6
Qc = 6 μC

(b) Potential difference across each capacitor, V = \frac { q }{ C }

Capacitor Ca, Va = \frac{ { q }_{a}}{{ C }_{a}} = \frac {{ 24 × 10 }^{6}}{{ 8 × 10 }^{6}} = 3 V
Capacitor Cb, Vb = \frac{ { q }_{b}}{{ C }_{b}} = \frac {{ 18 × 10 }^{6}}{{ 6 × 10 }^{6}} = 3 V
Capacitor Cc, Vc = \frac{ { q }_{c}}{{ C }_{c}} = \frac {{ 6 × 10 }^{6}}{{ 2 × 10 }^{6}} = 3 V
Capacitor Cd, Vd = \frac{ { q }_{d}}{{ C }_{d}} = \frac {{ 24 × 10 }^{6}}{{ 8 × 10 }^{6}} = 3 V

(c) Energy stores in a capacitor, U = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2

Energy in capacitor Ca, Ua = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } Ca { V }_{ a }^{ 2 } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 8 x 10-6 x
(3)2
Ua = 36 μJ
Capacitor Cb, Ub = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } Cb { V }_{ b }^{ 2 } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 6 x 10-6 x (3)2
Ua = 27 μJ
Cc, Uc = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } Cc { V }_{ c }^{ 2 } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 2 x 10-6 x (3)2
Ua = 9 μJ
Cd, Ud = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } Cd { V }_{ d }^{ 2 } = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 8 x 10-6 x (3)2
Ua = 36 μJ

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Question 15.
Capacitors P and Q have identical cross-sectional areas A and separation d. The space
between the capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant as shown in the
figure. Calculate the capacitance of capacitors P and Q.

Answer:
Cross-sectional area of parallel
plate capacitor = A
Each area of different medium
between parallel plate capacitor =
\frac { A }{ 2 }
Separation distance = d
Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor, C = \frac { εA }{ d }
Air medium of dielectric constant, εr = 1
dielectric medium of dielectric constant = εr

Case 1:
Capacitance of air filled capacitor

Capacitance of dielectric-filled capacitor

Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor

Case 2:
Each distance of different medium between the parallel
plate capacitor = \frac { d }{ 2 }
Capacitance of dielectric-filled capacitor

Capacitance of air filled capacitor,

Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor,

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Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
When a solid body is negatively charged by friction, it means that the body has
(a) acquired excess of electrons
(b) lost some, problems
(c) acquired some electrons and lost a lesser number of protons
(d) lost some positive ions
Answer:
(a) acquired excess of electrons

Question 2.
A force of 0.01 N is exerted on a charge of 1.2 x 10-5 G at a certain point. The electric
field at that point is
(a) 5.3 x 104 NC-1
(b) 8.3 x 10-4 NC-1
(c) 5.3 x 102 NC-1
(d) 8.3 x 104 NC-1
Answer:
(d) 8.3 x 104 NC-1
Hint:
E = \frac { F }{ q } = \frac { 0.01 }{{ 1.2 × 10 }^{-5}} = 8.3 x 102 NC-1

Question 3.
The electric field intensity at a point 20 cm away from a charge of 2 x 10 5 C is
(a) 4.5 x 106 NC-1
(b) 3.5 x 105 NC-1
(c) 3.5 x 106 NC-1
(d) 4.5 x 105 NC-1
Answer:
(a) 4.5 x 106 NC-1

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Hint:
E = \frac{q}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0} r^{2}} = \frac{9 \times 10^{9} \times 2 \times 10^{-5}}
{(0.2)^{2}} = 4.5 x 106 NC-1

Question 4.
How many electrons will have a charge of one coulomb?
(a) 6.25 x 1018
(b) 6.25 x 1019
(c) 1.6 x 1018
(d) 1.6 x 1019
Answer:
(a) 6.25 x 1018
Hint:
Number of electron, n = \frac { q }{ e } = \frac { 1 }{{ 1.6 × 10 }^{-19}} = 6.25 × 1018

Question 5.
The ratio of the force between two charges in air and that in a medium of dielectric
constant K is
(a) K : 1
(b) 1 : K
(c) K2 : 1
(d) 1 : K2
Answer:
(a) K : 1

Question 6.
The work done in moving a positive charge on an
equipotential surface is
(a) finite and positive
(b) infinite
(c) finite and negative
(d) zero
Answer:
(d) zero

Question 7.
If a charge is moved against the Coulomb force of an electric field.
(a) work is done by the electric field
(b) energy is used from some outside source
(c) the strength of the field is decreased
(d) the energy of the system is decreased
Answer:
(b) energy is used from some outside source

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Question 8.
No current flows between two charged bodies when connected
(a) if they have the same capacitance
(b) if they have the same quantity of charge
(c) if they have the same potential
(d) if they have the same charge density
Answer:
(c) if they have the same potential

Question 9.
Electric field lines about a negative point charge are
(a) circular, anticlockwise
(b) circular, clockwise
(c) radial, inwards
(d) radial, outwards
Answer:
(c) radial, inwards

Question 10.
Two plates are 1 cm apart and the potential difference between them is 10 V. The electric
field between the plates is
(a) 10 NC-1
(b) 250 NC-1
(c) 500 N-1
(d) 1000 NC-1
Answer:
(d) 1000 NC-1
Hint:
E = \frac { V }{ d } = \frac { 10 }{{ 1 × 10 }^{-2}} = 8.3 x 102 NC-1

Question 11.
At a large distance (r), the electric field due to a dipole
varies as
(a) \frac { 1 }{ r }
(b) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{2}}
(c) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3}}
(d) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{4}}
Answer:
(c) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3}}

Question 12.
Two thin infinite parallel plates have uniform charge densities +c and -σ. The electric field
in the space between then is
(a) \frac { σ }{{ 2ε }_{0}}
(b) \frac { σ }{{ ε }_{0}}
(c) \frac { 2σ }{{ 2ε }_{0}}

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(d) Zero
Answer:
(b) \frac { σ }{{ ε }_{0}}

Question 13.
Two isolated, charged conducting spheres of radii R1, and R2 produce the same electric
field near their surfaces. The ratio of electric potentials on their surfaces is-
(a) \frac {{ R }_{1}}{{ R }_{2}}
(b) \frac {{ R }_{2}}{{ R }_{1}}
(c) \frac { { R }_{ 1 }^{ 2 } }{ { R }_{ 2 }^{ 2 } }
(d) \frac { { R }_{ 2 }^{ 2 } }{ { R }_{ 1 }^{ 2 } }
Answer:
(b) \frac {{ R }_{2}}{{ R }_{1}}

Question 14.
A 100 μF capacitor is to have an energy content of 50 J in order to operator a flash lamp.
The voltage required to charge the capacitor is
(a) 500 V
(b) 1000 V
(c) 1500 V
(d) 2000 V
Answer:
(b) 1000 V
Hint:

Question 15.
A 1 μF capacitor is placed in parallel
with a 2 μF capacitor across a 100 V
supply. The total charge on the
system is
(a) \frac { 100 }{ 3 } μC
(b) 100 μC
(c) 150 μC
(d) 300 μC
Answer:
(d) 300 μC
Hint:
Equivalent capacitor = 1 + 2 = 3 μF
Total charge, q = CV = 3 x 100 = 300 μF

Question 16.
A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 100 μF is
charged to 500 V. The plate separation is then
reduced to half its original value. Then the potential on the capacitor becomes
(a) 250 V
(b) 500 V

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(c) 1000V
(d) 2000 V
Answer:
(a) 250 V
Hint:
Here, C’ = 2C, since the charge remains the same.
q = C’V’ = CV ⇒ V = \frac { CV }{ 2C } = \frac { 500 }{ 2 } = 250 V

Question 17.
A point charge q is placed at the midpoint of a cube of side L. The electric flux emerging
from the cube is ‘
(a) \frac { q }{{ ε }_{0}}
(b) \frac { q }{{ 6Lε }_{0}}
(c) \frac { 6Lq }{{ ε }_{0}}
(d) zero
Answer:
(a) \frac { q }{{ ε }_{0}}

Question 18.
The capacitor C of a spherical conductor of radius R is proportional to
(a) R2
(b) R
(c) R-1
(d) R0
Answer:
(b) R

Question 19.
Energy of a capacitor of capacitance C, when subjected to a potential V, is given by
(a) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2
(b) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } C2V
(c) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV
(d) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } \frac { C }{ V }
Answer:
(a) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2

Question 20.
The electric field due to a dipole at a distance r from its centre is proportional to
(a) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3/2}}
(b) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3}}
(c) \frac { 1 }{ r }
(d) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3}}
Answer:
(b) \frac { 1 }{{ r }^{3}}

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Question 21.
A point charge q is rotating around a charge Q in a
circle of radius r. The work done on it by the Coulomb
force is
(a) 2πrq
(b) 2πQq
(c) \frac { Q }{{ 2ε }^{0}r}
(d) zero
Answer:
(d) zero

Question 22.
The workdone in rotating an electric dipole of moment P in an electric field E through an
angle 0 from the direction of the field is
(a) pE (1 – cos θ)
(b) 2pE
(c) zero
(d) -pE cos θ
Answer:
(a) pE (1 – cos θ)
Hint:
W = pE(cos θ0 – cos θ)
[θ0 = cos 0, cos 0 = 1]
W = pE(1 – cos θ)

Question 23.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor can be increased by
(a) increasing the distance between the plates
(b) increasing the thickness of the plates
(c) decreasing the thickness of the plates
(d) decreasing the distance between the plates
Answer:
(d) decreasing the distance between the plates

Question 24.
Two charges are placed in vacuum at a distance d apart. The force between them is F. If
a medium of dielectric constant 2 is introduced between them, the force will now be
(a) 4F
(b) 2F
(c) F/2
(d) F/4
Answer:
(d) F/4

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Question 25.
An electric charge is placed at the centre of a cube of side a. The electric flux through one
of its faces will be
(a) \frac { q }{{ 6ε }^{0}}
(b) \frac { q }{ { ε }_{ 0 }{ a }^{ 2 } }
(c) \frac { q }{ { 4πε }_{ 0 }{ a }^{ 2 } }
(a) \frac { q }{{ ε }^{0}}
Answer:
(a) \frac { q }{{ 6ε }^{0}}
Hint:
According to Gauss’s law, the electric flux through the cube is \frac { q }{{ ε }^{0}}. Since
there are six faces, the flux through one face is \frac { q }{{ 6ε }^{0}}.

Question 26.
The electric field in the region between two concentric
charged spherical shells-
(a) is zero
(b) increases with distance from centre
(c) is constant
(d) decreases with distance from centre
Answer:
(d) decreases with distance from centre

Question 27.
A hollow metal sphere of radius 10 cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is
80V. The potential at the centre of the sphere is-
(a) 800 V
(b) zero
(c) 8 V
(d) 80 V
Answer:
(d) 80 V

Question 28.
A 4 μF capacitor is charged to 400 V and then its plates are joined through a resistance of
1 K Ω. The heat produced in the resistance is-
(a) 0.16 J
(b) 0.32 J
(c) 0.64 J
(d) 1.28 J
Answer:
(b) 0.32 J
Hint:
The energy stored in capacitor is converted into heat
U = H = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 4 x 10-6 x (400)2 = 0.32 J

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Question 29.
The work done in carrying a charge Q, once round a circle of radius R with a charge Q2 at
the centre is-
(a) \frac{\mathrm{Q}_{1} \mathrm{Q}_{2}}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{R}^{2}}
(b) zero
(c) \frac{\mathrm{Q}_{1} \mathrm{Q}_{2}}{4 \pi \varepsilon_{0} \mathrm{R}}
(d) infinite
Answer:
(b) zero
Hint:
The electric field is conservative. Therefore, no work is done in moving a charge around a
closed path in an electric field.

Question 30.
Two plates are 2 cm apart. If a potential difference of 10 V is applied between them. The
electric field between the plates will be
(a) 20 NC-1
(b) 500 NC-1
(c) 5 NC-1
(d) 250 NC-1
Answer:
(b) 500 NC-1
Hint:
\frac { V }{ d } = \frac { 10 }{{ 2 ×10 }^{-2}} 500 NC-1

Question 31.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor does not
depend on
(a) area of the plates
(b) metal of the plates
(c) medium between the plates
(d) distance between the plates
Answer:
(b) metal of the plates

Question 32.
A capacitor of 50 μF is charged to 10 volts. Its energy in joules is
(a) 2.5 x 10-3
(b) 5 x 10-3
(c) 10 x 10-4
(d) 2.5 x 10-4
Answer:
(a) 2.5 x 10-3
Hint:
U = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV2 = \frac { 1 }{ 2 } x 50 x 10-6 x (10)2 = 2.5 x 10-3 J

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Question 33.
A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. The electric field due to this
charge distribution at the centre of the cube is
(a) \frac { q }{{b}^{ 2 }}
(b) \frac { q }{{2b}^{ 2 }}
(c) \frac { 32q }{{b}^{ 2 }}
(d) zero
Answer:(d) zero
Hint:
There
is an equal charge at diagonally opposite comer. The fields due the these at the centre
cancel out. Therefore, the net field at the centre is zero.

Question 34.
Total electric fulx coming out of a unit positive charge put in air is
(a) ε0
(b) { \varepsilon }_{ 0 }^{ -1 }
(c) (4πε0)-1
(d) 4πε0
Answer:
(b) { \varepsilon }_{ 0 }^{ -1 }

Question 35.
Electron volt (eV) is a unit of
(a) energy
(b) potential
(c) current
(d) charge
Answer:
(a) energy

Question 36.
A point Q lies on the perpendicular bisector of an electric dipole of dipole moment P. If the
distance of Q from the dipole is r, then the electric field at Q is proportional to-
(a) p-1 and r-2
(b) p and r-2
(c) p and r-3
(d) p2 and r-3
Answer:
(c) p and r-3

Question 37.
A hollow insulated conducting sphere is given a positive charge of 10 μC. What will be the
electric field at the centre of the sphere is its radius is 2 metres?
(a) zero
(b) 8 μCm-2

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(c) 20 μCm-2
(d) 5 μCm-2
Answer:
(d) zero

Question 38.
A particle of charge q is placed at rest in a uniform electric field E and then released. The
kinetic energy attained by the particle after moving a distance y is-
(a) qE2y
(b) q2Ey
(c) qEy2
(d) qEy
Answer:
(d) qEy
Hint:
Force on the particle = qE
KE = Work done by the force = F.y = qEy

Question 39.
Dielectric constant of metals is-
(a) 1
(b) greater then 1
(c) zero
(d) infinite
Answer:
(d) infinite

Question 40.
When a positively charged conductor is earth connected
(a) protons flow from the conductor to the earth
(b) electrons flow from the earth to the conductor
(c) electrons flow from the conductor to the earth
(d) no charge flow occurs
Answer:
(b) electrons flow from the earth to the conductor

Question 41.
The SI unit of electric flux is
(a) volt metre2
(b) newton per coulomb
(c) volt metre
(d) joule per coulomb
Answer:
(c) volt metre

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Question 42.
Twenty seven water drops of the same size are charged to the same potential. If they are
combined to form a big drop, the ratio of the potential of the big drop to that of a small
drop is-
(a) 3
(b) 6
(c) 9
(d) 27
Answer:
(c) 9
Hint:
V’ = n2/3 V
⇒ \frac { V’ }{ V } = (27)2/3 = 9

Question 43.
A point charge +q is placed at the midpoint of a cube of side l. The electric flux emerging ’
from the cube is-
(a) \frac { q }{{ ε }^{0}}
(b) \frac {{ 6ql }^{2}}{{ ε }^{0}}
(c) \frac { q }{ { 6l }^{ 2 }{ { ε }^{ 0 } } }
(d) \frac { { C }^{ 2 }{ V }^{ 2 } }{ 2 }
Answer:
(a) \frac { q }{{ ε }^{0}}

Question 44.
The energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance C, having a potential difference V
between the plates, is-
Answer:
(c)

Question 45.
The electric potential at the centre of a charged conductor is-
(a) zero
(b) twice that on the surface
(c) half that on the surface
(d) same as that on the surface
Answer:
(d) same as that on the surface

Question 46.
The energy stored in a capacitor is given by
(a) qV
(b) \frac { 1 }{ 2 }qV
(c) \frac { 1 }{ 2 } CV

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(d) \frac { q }{ 2C }
Answer:
(b) \frac { 1 }{ 2 }qV

Question 47.
The unit of permitivity of free space so is
(a) coulomb/newton-metre
(b) newton-metre2/coulomb2
(c) coulomb2/newton-metre2
(d) coulomb/(newton-metre)2
Answer:
(c) coulomb2/newton-metre2

Question 48.
An electric dipole has the magnitude of its charge as q and its dipole moment is p. It is
placed in a uniform electric field E. If its dipole moment is along the direction of the field,
the force on it and its potential energy are, respectively.
(a) 2qE and minimum
(b) qE and pE
(c) zero and minimum
(d) qE and maximum
Answer:
(c) zero and minimum
Hint:
Potential energy, U = -pE cos θ
For q = 0°; U = -pE, which is minimum.

Question 49.
An electric dipole of moment \vec { P } is lying along a uniform electric field \vec { E } .
The workdone in rotating the dipole by 90° is
(a) \frac { pE }{ 2 }
(b) 2pE
(c) pE
(d) √2pE
Answer:
(c) pE

Question 50.
A parallel plate air capacitor is charged to a potential difference of V volts. After
disconnecting the charging battery the distance between the plates of the capacitor is
increased using an insulating handle. As a result the potential difference between the
plates
(a) does not charge
(b) becomes zero
(c) increases

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(d) decreases
Answer:
(c) increases

Question 51.
When air is replaced by a dielectric medium of constant K, the maximum force of
attraction between two charges separated by a distance
(a) increases K times
(b) increases K-1 times
(c) decreases K times
(d) remains constant
Answer:
(c) decreases K times

Question 52.
A comb runs through one’s dry hair attracts small bits of paper. This is due to the fact that
(a) comb is a good conductor
(b) paper is a good conductor
(c) the atoms in the paper get polarised by the charged comb
(d) the comb posseses magnetic properties
Answer:
(c) the atoms in the paper get polarised by the charged comb

Question 53.
Which of the following is not a property of
equipotential surfaces?
(a) they do not cross each other
(b) they are concentric spheres for uniform electric field
(c) the rate of change of potential with distance on them is zero
(d) they can be imaginary spheres.
Answer:
(b) they are concentric spheres for uniform electric field

Question 54.
A charge Q is enclosed by a Gaussian spherical surface of radius R. If the radius is
doubled, then the outward electric flux will be
(a) reduced to half
(b) doubled
(c) becomes 4 times
(d) remains the same
Answer:
(d) remains the same

Question 55.
If the electric field in a region is given by \vec { E } = 5\hat{j} + 4\hat{j} + 9\hat{k} , then the
electric flux through a surface of area 20 units lying in the y-z plane will be-

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(a) 20 units
(b) 80 units
(c) 100 units
(d) 180 units
Answer:
(c) 100 units
Hints:
The area vector \vec { A } = 20\hat{j} ; \vec { E } = (5\hat{j} + 4\hat{j} + 9\hat{k} )
Flux (Φ) = \vec { E } – \vec { A } = 5 x 20 =100 units

Question 56.
A, B and C are three points in a uniform electric field. The electric potential is-

(a) maximum at A
(b) maximum at B
(c) maximum at B
(d) same at all the three points A, B, and C
Answer:
(b) maximum at B
Hint:
The potential decreases in the direction of the field. Therefore VB > VC>CA.

Question 57.
A conducting sphere of radius R is give a charge Q. The electric potential and the electric
field at the centre of the sphere are, respectively-
(a) zero, \frac { Q }{ { 4\pi ε }_{ 0 }{ R }^{ 2 } }
(b) \frac { Q }{ { 4\pi ε }_{ 0 }{ R } }
(c) \frac { Q }{ { 4\pi ε }_{ 0 }{ R } } , zero
(d) zero,zero
Answer:
(c) \frac { Q }{ { 4\pi ε }_{ 0 }{ R } } , zero.

II. Fill in the blanks

Question 1.
A dipole is placed in a uniform electric field with its axis parallel to the field. It experiences
…………………
Answer:
neither a net force nor a torque

Question 2.
The unit of permittivity is…………………
Answer:
C2N-1m-2

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Question 3.
The branch of physics which deals with static electric charges or charges at rest is
…………………
Answer:
electrostatics

Question 4.
The charges in an electrostatic field are analogous to ………………… in a gravitational
field.
Answer:
mass

Question 5.
The substances which acquire charges on rubbing are
said to be …………………
Answer:
electrified

Question 6.
Electron means …………………
Answer:
amber

Question 7.
A glass rod rubbed with a silk cloth. Glass rod and silk cloth acquire…………………
Answer:
positive and negative charge respectively

Question 8.
When ebonite rod is rubbed with fur, ebonite rod and fur acquires …………………
Answer:
negative and positive charge respectively

Question 9.
………………… termed the classification of positive and negative charges.
Answer:
Franklin

Question 10.
Applications such as electrostatic point spraying and powder coating, are based on the
property of ………………… between charged bodies.
Answer:
attraction and repulsion

Question 11.
Bodies which allow the charge to pass through them are called …………………
Answer:

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conductor

Question 12.
Bodies which do not allow the charge to pass through them are called …………………
Answer:
insulators

Question 13.
The unit of electric charge is …………………
Answer:
coulomb

Question 14.
Total charge in an isolated system …………………
Answer:
remains a constant

Question 15.
The force between two charged bodies was studied by …………………

Answer:
coulomb

Question 16.
The unit of permittivity in free space (s0) is …………………
Answer:
C2N-1m-2

Question 17.
The value of s, for air or vacuum is …………………
Answer:1

Question 18.
Charges can neither be created nor be destroyed is the statement of the law of
conservation of …………………
Answer:
charge

Question 19.
The space around the test charge, in which it experiences a force is known as field
…………………
Answer:
electric

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Question 20.
Electric field at a point is measured in terms of …………………
Answer:
electric field intensity

Question 21.
The unit of electric field intensity is …………………
Answer:
NC-1.

Question 22.
The lines of force are far apart, when electric field E is …………………
Answer:
small

Question 23.
The lines of force are close together when electric field E is …………………
Answer:
large

Question 24.
Electric dipole moment …………………
Answer:
P = 2qd

Question 25.
Torque experienced by electric dipole is …………………
Answer:
x = PE sin θ

Question 26.
An electric dipole placed in a non-uniform electric field at an angle θ experiences
…………………
Answer:
both torque and force

Question 27.
When thee dipole is aligned parallel to the field, its
electric potential energy is …………………
Answer:
u = -PE

Question 28.
Change of potential with distance is known as …………………
Answer:
potential distance

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Question 29.
The number of electric lines of force crossing through the given area is …………………
Answer:
electric flux

Question 30.
The process of isolating a certain region of space from the external field is called
…………………
Answer:
electrostatic shielding

Question 31.
A capacitor is a device to store …………………
Answer:
charge

Question 32.
The charge density in maximum at …………………
Answer:
pointed

Question 33.
The principle made use of lightning arrestor is …………………
Answer:
action of points

Question 34.
Van de Graaff generator producers large electrostatic potential difference of the order of
…………………
Answer:
107 V

III. Match the following

Question 1.

Answer:
(i) → (d)
(ii) → (a)
(iii) → (b)
(iv) → (c)

Question 2.

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Answer:
(i) → (c)
(ii) → (d)
(iii) → (a)
(iv) → (b)

Question 3.

Answer:
(i) → (b)
(ii) → (d)
(iii) → (a)
(iv) → (c)

Question 4.

Answer:
(i) → (b)
(ii) → (d)
(iii) → (a)
(iv) → (c)

IV. Assertion and reason type

(a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not correct explanation of the
assertion.
(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.
(d) If the assertion and reason both are false.
(e) If the assertion is false but the reason is true.

Question 1.
Assertion: Electric lines of force cross each other.
Reason: Electric field at a point superimposed to give one resultant electric field.
Answer:
(e) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the
assertion.
Explanation: If electric lines of forces cross each other, then the electric field at the point
of intersection will have two directions simultaneously which is not possible physically.

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Question 2.
Assertion: Charge is quantized.
Reason: Charge, which is less than 1 C is not possible.
Answer:
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
Explanation: Q = ±ne and charge lesser than 1 C is possible.

Question 3.
Assertion:
A point charge is brought in an electric field. The field
at a nearby point will increase, whatever be the nature of the charge.
Reason: The electric field is independent of the nature of the charge.
(d) If the assertion and reason both are false.
Explanation: Electric field at the nearby-point will be resultant of the existing field and field
due to the charge brought. It may increase or decrease if the charge is positive or
negative depending on the position of the point with respect to the charge brought.

Question 4.
Assertion: The tyre’s of aircraft are slightly conducting.
Reason: If a conductor is connected to the ground, the extra charge induced on the
conductor will flow to the ground.
Answer:
(b) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of the
assertion.
Explanation: During take-off and landing, the friction between treys and the runway may
cause electrification of treys. Due to conducting to a ground and election sparking is
avoided.

Question 5.
Assertion: The lightning conductor at the top of a high building has sharp ends.
Reason: The surface density of charge at sharp points is very high, resulting in the setting
up of electric wind.
Answer:
(a) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the
assertion.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by triboelectric charging?
Answer:
Charging the objects through rubbing is called triboelectric charging.

Question 2.
What is meant by the conservation of total charges?
Answer:

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The total electric charge in the universe is constant and the charge can neither be created
nor be destroyed. In any physical process, the net change in charge will always be zero.

Question 3.
State Gauss’s Law?
Answer:
Definition:
Gauss’s law states that if a charge Q is enclosed by an arbitrary closed surface, then the
total electric flux OE through the closed surface is
ΦE = \oint { \vec { E } } .d\vec { A } = \frac {{ q }_{encl}}{{ ε }_{0}}

Question 4.
What is meant by electrostatic shielding?
During lightning accompanied by a thunderstorm, it is
always safer to sit inside a bus than in open ground or under a tree. The metal body of
the bus provides electrostatic shielding, since the electric field inside is zero. During
lightning, the charges flow through the body of the conductor to the ground with no effect
on the person inside that bus.

Question 5.
What is meant by dielectric?
Answer:
A dielectric is a non-conducting material and has no free electrons. The electrons in a
dielectric are bound within the atoms. Ebonite, glass and mica are some examples of
dielectrics.

Question 6.
What are non-polar molecules? Give examples.
A non-polar molecule is one in which centers of positive and negative charges coincide.
As a result, it has no permanent dipole moment. Examples of non-polar molecules are
hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) etc.

Question 7.
What are polar molecules? Give examples.
Answer:
In polar molecules, the centers of the positive and negative charges are separated even
in the absence of an external electric field. They have a permanent dipole moment.
The net dipole moment is zero in the absence of an external electric field. Examples of
polar molecules are H2O, N2O, HCl, NH3.

Question 8.
What is a capacitor?
Answer:
A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge and electrical energy. Capacitors are
widely used in many electronic circuits and have applications in many areas of science
and technology.

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Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Derive an expression for the electric field due to the system of point charges?
Answer:
Electric field due to the system of point charges:
Suppose a number of point charges are distributed in space. To find the electric field at
some point P due to this collection of point charges, the superposition principle is used.
The electric field at an arbitrary point due to a collection of point charges is simply equal
to the vector sum of the electric fields created by the individual point charges. This is
called the superposition of electric fields.
Consider a collection of point charges q1, q2, q3,…., qn located at various points in space.
The ‘ total electric field at some point P due to all these n charges is given by

Here r1p, r2p, r3p,…., rnp, are the distance of the charges 1, q2, q3,…., qn from the point
respectively. Also \hat{r} 1p + \hat{r} 2p + \hat{r} 3p,…., \hat{r} np are the corresponding unit
vectors directed from q1, q2, q3,…., qn tpo P.

Equation (2) can be re-written as,

For example in figure, the resultant electric field due to three point charges q1, q2, q3 at
point P is shown. Note that the relative lengths of the electric field vectors for the charges
depend on relative distantes of the charges to the point P.

Question 2.
Derive an expression for the electric flux of rectangular
area placed in a uniform electric field.

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Answer:
(i) Electric flux for uniform Electric field:
Consider a uniform electric field in a region of space. Let us choose an area A normal to
the electric field lines as shown in figure (a). The electric flux for this case is
ΦE = EA ….. (1)
Suppose the same area A is kept parallel to the uniform electric field, then no electric field
lines pierce through the area A, as shown in figure (b). The electric flux for this case is
zero.
ΦE = 0 ….. (2)
If the area is inclined at an angle θ with the field, then the component of the electric field
perpendicular to the area alone contributes to the electric flux. The electric field
component parallel to the surface area will not contribute to the electric flux. This is
shown in figure (c). For this case, the electric flux
ΦE = (E cosθ) A …(3)
Further, θ is also the angle between the electric field and the direction normal to the area.
Hence in general, for uniform electric field, the electric flux is defined as
ΦE= \vec { E } .\vec { A } = EA cos θ …(4)

Here, note that \vec { A } is the area vector \vec { A } = A\hat{n} . Its magnitude is simply
the area A and the direction is along the unit vector h perpendicular to the area. Using
this definition for flux, ΦE= \vec { E } .\vec { A } , equations (2) and (3) can be obtained as
special cases.
In figure (a), θ = 0° so ΦE= \vec { E } .\vec { A } = EA
In figure (b), θ = 90° so ΦE= \vec { E } .\vec { A } = 0

(ii) Electric flux in a non uniform electric field and an arbitrarily shaped area: Suppose the
electric field’is not uniform and the area A is not flat, then the entire area is divided
into n small area segments ∆\vec { A } 1 ∆\vec { A } 2, ∆\vec { A } 3,…..∆\vec { A } n, such
that each area element is almost flat and the electric field over each area element is
considered to be uniform.
The electric flux for the entire area A is approximately written as

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By taking the limit ∆\vec { A } 1 → 0
(for all i) the summation in equation
(5) becomes integration. The total
electric flux for the entire area is
given by
ΦE = ∫\vec { E } .d\vec { A } ….. (6)
From Equation (6), it is clear that the electric flux for a given surface depends on both the
electric field pattern on the surface area and the orientation of the surface with respect to
the electric field.

(iii) Electric flux for closed surfaces: In the previous section, the electric flux for any
arbitrary curved surface is discussed. Suppose a closed surface is present in the region
of the non-uniform electric field as shown in figure (a).

The total electric flux over this closed surface is written

as
ΦE = \oint { \vec { E } } .d\vec { A } …… (7)
Note the difference between equations (6) and (7). The
integration in equation (7) is a closed surface
integration and for each areal element, the outward
normal is the direction of d\vec { A } as shown in figure
(b).
The total electric flux over a closed surface can be
negative,
positive or zero. In figure (b), it is shown that in one
area element, the angle between d\vec { A } and \vec {
E } is less than 90°, then the electric flux is positive and in another areal element, the
angle between dA and E is greater than 90°, then the electric flux is negative. In general,
the electric flux is negative if the electric field lines enter the closed surface and positive if
the electric field lines leave the closed surface.

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Numerical Problems

Question 1.
Electrons are caused to fall through a potential difference of 1500 volts. If they were
initially at rest. Then calculate their final speed.

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Solution:
The electrical potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. If v is the final speed then

Question 2.
Small mercury drops of the same size are charged to the same potential V. If n such
drops coalesce to form a single large drop, then calculate its potential.
Solution:
Let r be the radius of a small drop and R that of the large drop. Then, since the volume
remains conserved,
\frac { 1 }{ 2 } πR2 = \frac { 4 }{ 3 } πR3n
⇒ R3 = r3n
R = r3(n)1/3
Further, since the total charge remains conserved, we have, using Q = CV
Clarge V = n Csmall v
Where V is the potential of the large drop.
4πε0 RV = n (4πε0r)v
V = \frac { nrv }{ R } = \frac { nrv }{{ r(n) }^{1/3}}
V = vn2/3

Question 3.
Two particles having charges Q1 and Q2 when kept at
a certain distance, exert a force F on each other. If the
distance between the two particles is reduced to half and the charge on each particle is
doubled. Find the force between the particles.
Solution:
F = \frac { 1 }{{ 4πε }_{0}} \frac{\mathrm{Q}_{1} \mathrm{Q}_{2}}{r^{2}}
If the distance is educed by half and two particles of charges are doubled.

Question 4.
Two charged spheres, separated by a
distance d, exert a force F on each other. If
they are immersed in a liquid of dielectric
constant 2, then what is the force.
Solution:
Force between the charges (vacuum)

Force between the charges (medium)

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Question 5.
Find the force of attraction between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor.
Solution:
Let d be the distance between the plates. Then the capacitor is
C = \frac { { \varepsilon }_{ 0 }A }{ d }
Energy stored in a capacitor,

Energy magnitude of the force is,

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