Chapter # 30 Gausss Law

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manishkumarphysics.in
SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example 30.1
Asquare frame of edge 10 cmis placed with its positive normal making an angle of 60
0
with a uniform
electric field of 20 V/m. Find the flux of the electric field through the surface bounded by the frame.
Sol.
The surface considered is plane and the electric field is uniform figure. Hence, the flux is
Au =
E

. A
S

= E AS cos 60
0
= (20 V/m) (0.01 m
2
)
|
.
|

\
|
2
1
= 0.1 Vm.
field
normal
10 cm
10 cm
60
0
Example 30.2
Achange q is placed at the centre of a sphere. Taking outward normal as positive, find the flux of the
electric field through the surface of the sphere due to the enclosed charge.
Sol.
q
r
As
E
Let us take a small element ASon the surface of the sphere figure. The electiric field here is radially outward
and has the magnitude
,
4
q
2
0
r tc
where r is the radius of the sphere. As the positive normal is also outward, u = 0 and the flux through this part
is
Au =
S .

A E
=
S.
4
q
2
0
A
r tc
Summing over all the parts of the spherical surface,
u = 2
0
4
q
r tc

AS = 2
0
4
q
r tc
4tr
2
=
0
q
c
.
Example 30.3
Auniform electric field exists in space. Find the flux of this field through a cylindrical surface with the
axis parallel to the field.
Sol.
AS
Normal
E
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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Consider figureandtakeasmall areaASonthecylindrical surface. Thenormal tothis areawill beperpendicullar
to the axis of the cylinder. But the electric field is parallel to the axis and hence
Au =
S .

A E
= E AS cos (t / 2) = 0.
This is true for each small part of the cylindrical surface. Summing over the entire surface, the total flux is
zero.
Example 30.4
Acharge Qis distributed uniformly on a ring of radius r. Asphere of equal radius r is constructed with
its centre at the periphery of the ring figure. Find the flux of the electric field through the surface of the sphere.
Ring
0
0
1
A
B Sphere
Sol.
From the geometry of the figure, OA = OO
1
and O
1
A = O
1
O Thus, OAO
1
is an equilateral triangle.Hence
AOO
1
= 60
0
or AOB = 120
0
.
The are AO
1
B of the ring subtends an angle 120
0
at the centre O. Thus, one third of the ring is inside the
sphere.
The charge enclosed by the sphere =
3
Q
. From Gausss law, the flux of the electrical field through the
surface of the sphere is
0
3
Q
c
.
WORK OUT EXAMPLES
1. A uniform electric field of magnitude E = 100 N/C exist in the space in X-direction. Calculate the flux of
this field through a plane square area of edge 10cm placed in the YZ plane. Take the normal along the
positive X-axis to be positive
Sol. The flux
u
=
}
E cos u dS. As the normal to the area points along the electric field, u = 0. Also E is
uniform, so
u
= EAS
= (100 N/C) (0.10 m)
2
= 1.0
C
m N
2

.
2. A large plane charge sheet having having surface charge density o = 2.0 106/Cm
2
lies in the X-Y
plane. Find the flux of the electric field through a circular area of radius 1 cm lying completely in the
region where x, y, z are all positive and with its normal making an angle of 60 with the Z-axis.
Sol. The electric field near the plane charge sheet is E = o/2c
0
in the direction away from the sheet. At the
given area, the field is along the Z-axis.
The area = tr
2
= 3.14 1cm
2
= 3.14 10
4
ms
2
.
The angle between the normal to the area and the field is 60
Hence, the flux = S . E

A = EAS cos u =
0
ec
o
tr
2
cos 60
=
2 2 12
2 6
m N / C 10 85 . 8 2
m / C 10 0 . 2

(3.14 10
4
m
2
)
2
1
= 17.5 Nm
2
/C.
3. A charge of 4 10
8
C is distributed uniformly on the surface of a sphere of radius 1 cm. It is covered by
a concentric, hollow conducting sphere of radius 5cm. (a) Find the electric field at a point 2 cm away
from the centre. (b) A charge of 6 10
8
C is placed on the hollow sphere. Find the surface charge
density on the outer surface of the hollow sphere.
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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(a) Let us consider figure. Suppose, we have to find the field at the point P. Draw a concentric spherical
surface through P. All the points on this surface are equvalent and by symmetry, the field at all these
points will be equal in magnitude and redial in direction.
The flux through this surface =
}
S d . E

=
}
dS . E
=
}
dS E
= 4tx
2
E,
where x = 2cm = 2 10
2
m.
From Gausss law, this flux is equal to the charge q contained inside the surface divided by c
0
. Thus,
4tx
2
E = q/c
0
or, 2
0
x 4
q
E
tc
=
=
2 4
8
2
2
9
m 10 4
C 10 4
C
m N
10 9

|
|
.
|

\
|

= 9 10
5
N/C.
(b) See figure. Take a Gaussian surface through the material of the hollow sphere. As the electric field
in a conducting material is zero, the flux
}
S d . E

through this Gaussian surface is zero. Using Gausss
law, the total charge enclosed must be zero. Hence, the charge on the inner surface of the hollow
sphere is 4 10
8
C. But the total charge given to this hollow sphere is 6 10
8
C.Hence, the charge
on the outer surface will be 10 10
8
C.
4. Figure shows three concentric thin spherical shells A, B and C of radii a, b and c respectively. The
shells A and C are given charges q and q respectively and the shell B is earthed. Find the charged
appearing on the surfaces of B and C.
Sol. As shown in the previous worked out example, the inner surface of B must have a charge q from the
Gausss law. Suppose, the outer surface of B has a charge q. The inner surface of C must have a
charge q from the Gausss law. As the net charge on C must be q, its outer surface sould have a
charge q q. The charge distribution is shown in figure.
The potential at B due to the charge q on A
=
,
b 4
q
0
tc
due to the charge q on the inner surface of B
=
,
b 4
q
0
tc

due to the charge q, on the inner surface of C

Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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=
,
c 4
' q
0
tc

and due to the charge q q on the outer surface of C

=
c 4
q q
0
tc
'
The net potential is
c 4
q
b 4
q
V
0 0
B
tc

tc
'
=
.
This should be zero as the shell B is earthed. Thus,
q
c
b
q = '
.
The charge on various surfaces are as shown in figure
5. An electric dipole consists of charges 2.0 10
8
C separated by a distance of 2.0 10
3
m. It is placed
near a long line charge of linear charge density 4.0 10
4
C/m as shown in figure, such that the
negative charge is at a distance of 2.0 cm from the line charge. Find the force acting on the dipole.
Sol. The electric field at a distance r from the line charge of linear density is given by
r 2
E
0
tc

=
Hence, the field at the negative charge is
m 02 . 0
) C / m N 10 9 2 )( m / C 10 0 . 4 (
E
2 3 9 4
1

=

The force on the negative charge is
F
1
= (3.6 10
8
N/C) (2.0 10
8
C) = 7.2 N
towards the line charge.
Similarly, the field at the positive charge, i.e., at r = 0.022 m is
E
2
= 3.3 10
8
N/C.
The force on the positive charge is
F
2
= (3.3 10
8
N/C) (2.0 10
8
C)
= 6.6 M away from the line charge.
Hence, the net force on the dipole = (7.2 6.6) N
= 0.6 N towards the line charge.
6. The electric field in a region is radially outward with magnitude E = Ar. Find the charge contained in a
sphere of radius a centred at the origin. Take A = 100 V/m
2
and a = 20.0 cm.
Sol. The electric field at the surface of the sphere is Aa and being radial it is along the outward normal. flux
of the electric field is, therefore,
u
=
}
dS E cos u = Aa (4t a
2
).
The charge contained in the sphere is, from Gausss law,
Q
inside
= c
0
u
= 4tc
0
Aa
3
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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|
|
.
|

\
|

=
2
2
9
m N
C
10 9
1
|
.
|

\
|

2
m
V
100
(0.20 m)
2
= 8.89 10
11
C.
7. A particle of mass 5 10
6
g is kept over a large horizontal sheet of charge of density 4.0 106 C/m
2
figure. What charge should be givento this particle so that if released, it does not fall down? How many
electrons are to be removed to give this charge? How much mass is decreased due to the removal of
these electrons?
Sol. The electric field in front of the sheet is
2 2 12
2 6
0
m N / C 10 85 . 8 2
m / C 10 0 . 4
2
E


=
c
o
=

= 2.26 10
5
N/C.
If a charge q is given to the particle, the electric force qE acts in the upward direction. It will balance the
weight of the particle if
q 2.26 10
5
N/C = 5 10
9
kg 9.8 m/s
2
or,
C
10 26 . 2
10 9 . 4
q
5
8

=

= 2.21 10
13
c.
The charge on one electron is 1.6 10
19
C. The number of electrons to be removed
=
C 10 6 . 1
C 10 21 . 2
19
13

= 1.4 10
6
.
Mass decreased due to the removal of these electrons
= 1.4 10
6
9.1 10
31
kg
= 1.3 10
24
kg.
8. Two conducting plates Aand B are placed parallel to each other. Ais given a charge Q
1
and B a charge
Q
2
. Find the distribution of charges on the four surfaces.
Sol. Consider a Gaussian surface as shown in figure. Two faces of this closed surface lie completely inside
the conductor where the electric field is zero. The flux through these faces is, therefore, zero. The other
parts of the closed surface which are outside the conductor are parallel to the electric field and hence
the flux on these parts is also zero. The total flux of the electric field through the closed surface is,
therefore zero. From Gausss law, the total charge inside this closed surface should be zero. The
charge on the inner surface of A should be equal and opposite to that on the inner surface of B.
The distribution should be like the one shown in figure. To find the value of q, consider the field at a
point P inside the plate A. Suppose, the surface area of the plate (one side) is A. Using the equation E
= o / (2c
0
), the electric field at P
due to the charge Q
1
q =
0
1
A 2
q Q
c

(downward)
due to the charge + q =
0
A 2
q
c
(upward),
due to the charge q =
0
A 2
q
c
(downward),
and due to the charge Q
2
+ q =
0
2
A 2
q Q
c
+
n (upward).
The net electric field at P due to all the four charged surfaces is (in the downward direction)
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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0
2
0 0 0
1
A 2
q Q
A 2
q
A 2
q
A 2
q Q
c
+

c
+
c

As the point P is inside the conductor, this field should be zero. Hence,
Q
1
q Q
2
q 0
or,
2
Q Q
q
2 1

=
Thus,
2
Q Q
q Q
2 1
1
+
= ..............(i)
and
2
Q Q
q Q
2 1
2
+
= + ..............(ii)
using these equation, the distribution dhown in the figure can be redrawn as in figure
This result is a special case of the following result. When charged conducting plates are placed parallel
to each other, the two outermost, surfaces get equal charges and the facing surfaces get equal and
opposite charges.
QUESTIONS FOR SORT ANSWERS
1. A small plane area is rotated in an electric field. In which orientation of the area is the flux of electric
field through the area maximum? In which orientation is it zero?
2. A circular ring of radius r made of a nonconducting material is placed with its axis parallel to a uniform
electric field. The ring is rotated about a diameter through 180 . Does the flux of electric field change?
If yes, does it decrease or increase?
3. A charge Q is uniformly distributed on a thin spherical shell. What is the field at the centre of the shell?
If a point charge is brought close to the shell, will the field at the centre change? Does your answer
depend on whether the shell is conducting or nonconducting?
4. A spherical shell made of plastic, contains a charge Q distributed uniformly over its surface. What is
the electric field inside the shell? If the shell is hammered to deshape it without altering the charge, will
the field inside be changed? What happens if the shell is made of a metal?
5. A point charge q is placed in a cavity in a metal block. If a charge Q is brought outside the metal, will
the charge q feel an electric force?
6. A rubber balloon is given a charge Q distributed uniformly over its surfaces. Isthe field inside the
balloon zero everywhere if the balloon does not have a spherical surface?
7. It is said that any charge given to a conductor comes to its surfaces. Should all the protons come to
the surface? Should all the electrons come to the surface? Should all the free electrons come to the
surface?
OBJECTIVE I
1. A charge Q is unifromly distributed over a large plastic plate. The electric field at a point P close to the
centre of the plate is 10 V/m. If the plastic plate is replaced by a copper plate of the same geometrical
dimensions and carrying the same charge Q, the electric field at the point P will become
-nil-+ +i (+ i -n ~izi Q =ni- n l-l- t -n + +-< + l-+-i l-< l- -izi 10
V/m t l< -nil-+ +i nt =ni- iln-i lni~i +i (+ -i +i -n ni i(. l= ~izi Q ti ti -i
P l- -izi +i ni- ti ini -
(A) zero (B) 5 V/m (C*) 10 V/m (D) 20 V/m
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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2. A metallic particle having no net charge is placed near a finite metal plate carrying a positive charge.
The electric force on the particle will be
(+ iil+ +i. l= +i: liini ~izi -ti t. (+ i- ~ilzi- lln- ii- +i -n +i =ni ii i-i
t +i - n tini -
(A*) towards the plate (B) away from the plate (C) parallel to the plate (D) zero
(A*) -n +i -+ (B) -n + =ni-- (C) -n + =ni-- (D) zi-
3. Athin, metallic spherical shell contains a chrage Q on it. Apoint charge q is placed at the centre of the
shell and another charge q
1
is placed outside it as shown in fig. All the three charges are positive. The
force on the charge at the centre is -
(+ -n iil+ ni ni+i +izi Q ~izi t (+ l-< ~izi q +izi + + -< ii i-i t -ii <=i ~i zi
q
1
:=+ it l-zii-=i ii i-i t =ii -i-i ~izi i-in+ t +-< l-i- ~izi - n t -
(A) towards left (B) towards right (C) upward (D*) zero
(A) i i -+ (B) <i i -+ (C) - +i -+ (D*) zi-
4. Consider the situation of the previous problem. The force on the centre charge due to the shell is
(A) towards left (B*) towards right (C) upward (D) zero
z- n +-<i ~izi +izi + +ii nn- ini n t -
(A) i i -+ (B*) <i i -+ (C) - +i -+ (D) zi-
5. Electric charges are distributed in a small volume. The flux of the electric field through a spherical
surface of radius 10cm surrounding the total charge is 25 V-m. The flux over a concentric sphere of
radius 20cm will be
(+ zi = ~i-- n l- ~izi l-l- t +n ~izi +i lz +- in 10=ni lzii + (+ nini a
= l-n- - +n+= 25 V-m t 20 = ni lzii + (+ =+ -< i nin = l-n- +n+= tini -
(A*) 25 V-m (B) 50 V-m (C) 100 V-m (D) 200 V-m
6. Fig. shows an imaginary cube of edge L/2. Aunifromly charged rod of length L moves towards left at a
small but constant speed v. At t = 0, the left end just touches the centre ot the face of the cube
opposite it. Which of the graphs shown in fig. represents the flux of the electric filed through the cube
at the rod goes through it ? )
<lzi - l-zi (a) L/2 i i + (+ +i-l-+ i- +i <zii -i t L n-i: +i (+ =ni- = ~i lzi- (+ z ii
-+ iin nl+- l-- n v = nl- +-i t t = 0, z +i ii l=i i- + :=+ =in- in +n+ + +-<
+i ai+ -zi +-i t == z :=n= n-i t. -i l-zi (b) n <zii( niil-zii n= +i-=i i- l-n- -
+n+= +i <zii-i t -
(a) (b)
(Ans : d
7. A charge q is placed at the centre of the open end of a cylindrical vessel as shown in fig. The flux of the
electric field through the surface of the vessel is - HCV_Ch-30_Obj.I_7
l-zi n <zii ( ~- =i n-i+i izi + i n l= (+ ~i zi q ii t ~i t izi + =-t = il- l - -i zi +i +n+=
tini
(A) zero zi - (B) q/c
0
(C*) q/2c
0
(D) 2q/c
0
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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OBJECTIVE II
1. Mark the correct options : =ti l+- - l- -
(A) Gaussss law is valid only for symmetrical charge distributions
(B) Gausss law is valid only for charges placed in vacuum
(C) The electric field calculated by Gausss law is the field due to the charges inside the Gaussian
surface
(D*) The flux of the electric field through a closed surface due to all the charge is equal to the flux
due to the charges enclosed by the surface.
(A) ni-= +i l-n +n =nln- ~izi l-ii + ln( i t
(B) ni-= +i l-n +n l-i- n i ~izii + ln( i t
(C) ni-= + l-n = =nli- l- -izi. ni-=i a + ii-i ~izii + +ii --- -izi t
(D*) (+ < a = =ii ~i zii + +ii l-n - - +n+= a + ,ii lz ~izii + +ii +n+= + i t
2. A positive point charge Q is brought near an isolated metal cube.
(A) The cube becomes negatively charged
(B) The cube becomes positively charged
(C) The interior becomes positively charged and the surface becomes negatively charged.
(D*) The interior becomes remai ns charged f ree and the surface gets nonuniform charge
distribution.
(+ i-in+ l-< ~izi Q (+ lnln- iil+ i- + l-+ nii i-i t. -i -
(A) i- +iilzi- ti i-i t
(B) i- i-ilzi- ti i-i t
(C) ~i-l+ iin i-ilzi- -ii a +iilzi- ti i-i t
(D*) ~i-l+ iin ~izi n+- t-i t -ii a ~=ni- l-i ti i-i t
3. Alarge nonconducting sheet M is given a uniform charge density. Two uncharged small metal rods Aand B
are placed near the sheet as shown in fig.
(+ i ~-in+ - +i (+~=ni- = ~i zi i- l<i i-i t <i ~-i lzi- ii- +i zi i z A B l-zii- =i
- + -<i+ ii i-i t -
(A*) M attracts A (B*) M attracts B (C*) A attracts B (D*) B attracts A
(A*) M, A+i ~i+li - +-i t (B*) M, B +i ~i+li - +-i t
(C*) A attracts B (D*) B, A +i ~i+li - +-i t
4. If flux of the electric field through a closed surface is zero,
(A) the electric field must be zero everywhere on the surface
(B*) the electric field may be zero everywhere in the surface
(C*) the charge inside the surface must be zero
(D) the charge in the vicinity of the surface must be zero.
l< (+ < a = l-n- - +n+= zi - t. -i -
(A) a t nt l- -izi zi- ti-i -ilt(
(B*) a t nt l- -izi zi- ti =+-i t
(C*) a + ii- ~izi zi- ti-i -ilt(
(D) a + :< ln< ~i zi zi- ti-i -ilt(
5. An electric dipole is placed at the cnetre of a sphere, Mark the correct options.
(A*) The flux of the electric filed through the sphere is zero
(B) The electric field is zero at every point of the sphere
(C*) The electic field is not zero anywhere on the sphere
(D) The electric field is zero on a circle on the sphere.
(+ - l,i (+ nin + +-< ii t. =ti l+- -l- -
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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(A*) nin = l-n- - +n+= zi- t
(B) nin + + l-< l- -izi zi- t
(C*) nin +ti ii l- -izi zi- -ti t
(D) nin l-i- (+ -i - -izi zi- t
6. Figure (30-Q5) shows a charge q placed at the centre of a hemisphere. Asecond charge Q is placed at one
of the positions A, B, C and D. In which position(s) of this second charge, the flux of the electric field
through the hemisphere remains unchanged ?
(+ ~izi q l-zii-=i (+ ninii + +-< ii ni t (+ <=i ~izi Q l-il-i A, B, C D n= (+ ii
t <= ~izi +i l+= l-il-l-il-i n ninii = l-n- +n+= ~ll- - tni -
(A*) A (B) B (C*) C (D) D
7. A closed surface S is constructed around a conducting wire connected to a battery and a switch (fig.) As
the switch is closed, the free electrons in the wire start moving along the wire. In any time interval, the
number of electrons entering the closed surface S is equal to the number of electorns leaving it. On
closing the switch, the flux of the electric field through the closed surface.
(+ i ( (+ l-- = (+ -in+ -i + l- (+ < a +i --i (l-zii-=i) +i i-i t = ti l--
< l+i i-i t -i n n+- :n+i- -i + ~-l<zi nl- +-i i-i + <- t l+=i ii =ni--in n <
a S n zi +- in :n+i-i+i =i :== it l-+n- in :n+i-i +i =i :== it l-+n- in
:n + i -i +i = i + i ti -i t l-- < +- < a = il- - +n+= -
(A) is increased (B) is decreased (C*) remains unchanged (D*) remains zero
(A) c -i t (B) i-i t (C*) ~ll- - t-i t (D*) zi- t-i t
8. Fig. shows a closed surface which intersects a conducting sphere. If a positive charged is placed at the
point P, the flux of the electic field through the closed surface
l-zi n (+ < a <ziii ni t i (+ -in+ nin +i l--z< +-i t l< l-< P (+ i-in+ ~izi ii
i( -i < a = il- - +n+=
(A) will remain zero (B*) will become positive (C) will become neagative (D) will become undefined
(A) zi - tni (B*) i-in+ ti i(ni (C) +iin+ ti i(ni (D) ~liili- tini
EXERCISE
1. The electric field in a region is given by
j E
5
4
i E
5
3
E
0 0

+ =
with E
0
= 2.0 10
3
N/C. Find the flux of this
field through a rectangular surface of area 0.2m
2
parallel to the YZ plane. [Ans.
C
m N
240
2

]
(+ -izi n l- -izi +i ni- j E
5
4
i E
5
3
E
0 0

+ = ,ii l<i i-i t. ti E
0
= 2.0 10
3
N/C t :=+ Y-Z -n
+ =ni-- 0.2m
2
+ (+ ~i-i+i a = l-n - - +n+= ai- +il(
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
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2. A charge Q is uniformy distributed over a rod of length . Consider a hypothetical cube of edge with
the centre of the cube at one end of the rod. Find the minimum possible flux of the electric field through
the entire surface of the cube. [Ans. Q/(ec
0
)]
(+ ~i zi Q, n-i: +i (+ z =ni- = l-l- t i i + (+ +i-l-+ i- l-i +il(. l=+i
+ -< z + (+ l= t i- + =- i a = l-n - ---n =i - +n+= ai- +il(
[Ans. Q/(ec
0
)]
3. Show that there can be no net charge in a region in which the electric field is uniform at all points.
l<ii: l+ (+ -izi n. l=n l- -izi =ii l-<~i =ni- ti. +i: liini ~izi -ti ti =+-i
4. The electric field in a region is given by i
x E
E
0

= . Find the charge contained inside a cubical volume

bounded by the surface x = 0, x = a, y = 0, y = a, z = 0 and z = a. Take E
0
= 5 10
3
N/C, = 2 cm and
a = 1 cm. [Ans. 2.2 10
12
C]
(+ -izi n l- -izi i
x E
E
0

= ,ii l<i i-i t x = 0, x = a, y = 0, y = a, z = 0 -ii z = a aii ,ii lz

(+ i-i ~i-- + ii- ~i zi ai- +il( E
0
= 5 10
3
N/C, = 2 cm -ii a = 1 cm.
[Ans. 2.2 10
12
C]
5. A charge Q is placed at the centre of a cube. Find the flux of the electric field through the six surfaces
of the cube. [Ans. Q/c
0
]
(+ ~izi Q (+ i- + +-< ii t i- + z ai = l-n- - +n+= ai- +il( [Ans. Q/c
0
]
6. A charge Q is placed at a distance a/2 above the centre of a horizontal, square surface of edge a as
shown in figure. Find the flux of the electric field through the square surface. [Ans. Q/(6c
0
)]
(+ ~izi Q l-zi n <zii( ~-=i a ii + (+ -il- ii+i -izi+n + +-< = a/2 <i ii t ni+i
-izi+n = il- - +n+= ai- +il( [Ans. Q/(6c
0
)]
7. Find the flux of the electric field through a spherical surface of radius R due to a charge of 10
7
C at the
centre and another equal charge at a point 2R away from the centre
+ -< i 10
7
C + ~izi ( +-< = 2R < i l-i- l-< i <= =ni- ~izi + +ii R lzii + nini
a = il- - +n+= ai- +il( -
[Ans. 1.1 104
C
m N
2

]
8. A charge Q is placed at the centre of an imaginary hemispherical surface. Using symmetry arguments
and the Gausss law, find the flux of the electric field due to this charge through the surface of the
hemisphere
(+ ~izi Q (+ +i-l-+ ~z nini a + +-< ii t ni-= +i l-n ( ilnl- -+ in +- t(.
:= ~izi + +ii ~zni ni a = l- - +n+= ai- +il(
[Ans. Q/(2c
0
)]
9. A spherical volume contains a uniformly distributed charge of density 2.0 10
4
C/m
3
. Find the electric
field at a point inside the volume at a distance 4.0 cm from the centre.
(+ nini ~i-- n 2.0 10
4
C/m
3
i- +i ~izi =ni- = l-l- t ~i-- + ii- +-< = 4.0 =ni
< l-i- l-< l- -izi ai- +il(
[Ans. 3.0 10
5
N/C]
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
Page # 11
manishkumarphysics.in
10. The radius of a gold nucleus (Z = 79) is about 7.0 10
15
m. Assume that the positive charge is
distributed uniformly throughout the nuclear volume. Find the strength of the electric field at (a) the
surface of the nucleus and (b) at the middle point of a radius. Remembering that gold is a conductor, is
it justified to assume that the positive charge is uniformly distributed over the entire volume of the
nucleus and does not come to the outer surface?[Ans. (a) 2.32 10
21
N/C (b) 1.16 10
21
N/C]
=i- + -ili+ (Z = 79) +i lzii nnin 7.0 10
15
m t ni- nil( l+ i- ~izi =i -ili+i ~i-- n
=ni- = l-l- t l- -izi +i -i-i ai- +il(
[Ans. (a) 2.32 10
21
N/C (b) 1.16 10
21
N/C]
11. A charge Q is distributed uniformly within the material of a hollow sphere of inner and outer radii r
1
and
r
2
figure. Find the electric field at a point P a distance x away from the centre for r
1
< x < r
2
. Draw a
rough graph showing the electric field as a function of x for 0 < x < 2r
2
. [Ans.
) r r ( x 4
) r x ( Q
3
1
3
2
2
0
3
1
3
tc

]
(+ ~izi Q, r
1
~i-l+ r
2
in lzii~i + (+ iiin nin + <ii n =ni- = l-l- t +-< = x
<i l-i- l-< P l- -izi ai- +il(. ti r
1
< x < r
2
t - -izi ( x (ti 0 < x < 2r
2
) + n (+
ni+ iil-( [Ans.
) r r ( x 4
) r x ( Q
3
1
3
2
2
0
3
1
3
tc

]
12. A charge Q is placed at the centre of an uncharged, hollow metallic sphere of radius a (a) Find the
surface charge density on the inner surface and on the outer surface. (b) If a charge q is put on the
sphere, what would be the surface charge densities on the inner and the outer surfaces? (c) Find the
electric field inside the sphere at a distance x from the centre in the situations (a) and (b).
(+ ~i zi Q, a lzii + (+ ~-i lzi- ii in ni n + + -< ii t (a) ii-i a in a a ~i zi
i- ai- +il( (b) l< (+ ~i zi q ni n ii i( -i ii-i in a a ~izi i- l+--i ti ni`
(c) l-il-i (a) (b) n nin + ii- +-< = x <i l- -izi ai- +il(
[Ans. (a)
2 2
a 4
Q
,
a 4
Q
t t

, (b)
2 2
a 4
q Q
,
a 4
Q
t
+
t

, (c) 2
0
x 4
Q
tc
in both situations]
13. Consider the following very rough modle of a beryllium atom. The nucleus has four protons and four
neutrons confined to a small volume of radius 10
15
m. The two 1s electrons make a spherical charge
cloud at an average distance of 1.3 10
11
m from the necleus, whereas the two 2s electrons make
another spherical cloud at an average distance of 5.2 10
11
m from the nucleus. Find the electric field
at (a) a point just inside the 1 s cloud and (b) a point just inside the 2s cloud.
(+ ilnn nii + ~- + ni n l-i +il( -ili+ n -i ii - ( -i -i - t. i 10
15
m
lzii + (+ zi = ~i-- n =iln- t <i 1s :n+i - -ili+ = 1.3 10
11
m +i ~i=- <i (+ nini
~izi ~i -i- t l+ <i 2s :n+i- -ili+ = 5.2 10
11
m +i ~i=- <i <=i ni ni ~i zi ~i -i-
t l- -izi ai- +il( : (a) 1 s ~i + ai+ ~-< (+ l-< (b) 2s ~i + ai+ ~-< (+ l-<
[Ans. (a) 3.4 10
13
N/C, (b) 1.1 10
12
N/C]
14. Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point 4cm away from a line charge of density 2 10
6
C/m.
2 10
6
c/m i- + (+ ii ~izi = 4cm < l-< l- -izi +i lnii ai- +il(
[Ans. 9 10
5
N/C]
15. A long cylindrical wire carries a positive charge of linear density 2.0 10
8
C/m. An electron revolves
around it in a circular path under the influence of the attractive electrostatic force. Find the kinetic
energy of the electron. Note that it is independent of the radius. [Ans. 2.88 10
17
J]
(+ n- n-i+i -i 2.0 10
8
c/m ii i- +i i-in+ ~izi t (+ :n+i- :=+ -ii ~i l-i
l- ~i+ii n + ii n. (+ -ii+i i -++ nni-i t :n+i - +i nl- -i ai- +il( i-
<il( l+ t lzii l-i -ti +-i t [Ans. 2.88 10
17
J]
16. A long cylindrical volume contains a uniformly distributed charge of density . Find the electric field at
a point P inside the cylindrical volume at a distance x from its axis figure. [Ans. x/(2c
0
)]
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
Page # 12
manishkumarphysics.in
(+ n- n-i+i ~i-- n i- +i =ni- ~izi l-l- t n-i+i ~i-- + ii- :=+ ~-i = x <i
l-i- l-< P l- -i zi ai- +il( [Ans. x/(2c
0
)]
17. A nonconducting sheet of large surface area and thickness d contains uniform charge distribution of
density . Find the electric field at a point P inside the plate, at a distance x from the central plane.
Draw a qualitative graph of E against x for 0 < x < d. [Ans. x/c
0
]
(+ ai -izi+n ( d nii: +i (+ ~-in+ zii i- +i =ni- ~izi l-i t -n + ii-
+ -< i -n = x < i l-i- l-< P l- -i zi ai- +il( E +i x + =ii niin+ n i+ ii l-(
[Ans. x/c
0
]
18. A charged particle having a charge of 2.0 10
6
C is placed close to a nonconducting plate having a
surface charge density 4.0 10
6
C/m
2
. Find the force of attraction between the particle and the plate.
[Ans. 0.45 N]
2.0 10
6
+nin ~izi +i (+ ~ilzi- +i 4.0 10
6
+nin/ni
2
a ~izi i- ini (+ +-in+ -n +
=ni ii t -n +i + n ~i+ii n ai- +il( [Ans. 0.45 N]
19. One end of a 10cm long silk thread is fixed to a large vertical surface of a charged nonconducting plate
and the other end is fastened to a small ball having a mass of 10g and a charge of 4.010
6
C. In
equilibrium, the thread makes an angle of 60 with the vertical. Find the surface charge density on the
plate. [Ans. 7.5 10
7
C/m
2
]
10 =ni n- l=-+ + iin +i (+ l=i (+ ~i lzi- +-in+ -n + (+ -i i a = i t < =i l=i
10nin <ni- 4.010
6
+ni n ~izi +i (+ zii n< = i i ni t =i-i-ii n iini -ii n 60
+i +ii -i-i t -n a ~izi i- ai- +il( [Ans. 7.5 10
7
C/m
2
]
20. Consider the situation of the previous problem. (a) Find the tension in the string in equilibrium. (b)
Suppose the ball is slightly pushed aside and released. Find the time period of the small oscillations.
z- +i l-il- l-i +il( : (a) =i-i-ii n ii n --i ai- +il( (b) ni- nil( l+ n< +i ii i
=i (+ -+ n i+ zi l<i i-i t zi <i n-i +i ~i- +in ai- +il(
[Ans. (a) 0.20 N (b) 0.45 s]
21. Two large conducting plates are placed parallel to each other with a separation of 2.00 cm between
them. An electron starting from rest near one of the plates reaches the other plate in 2.00 microseconds.
Find the surface charge density on the inner surfaces. [Ans. 0.505 10
12
C/m
2
]
<i i -in+ -n (+ < = + =ni-- (+ < = = 2.00 = ni < ii t (+ :n+ i - (+ -n + i= =
lini-ii = i-i + <=i -n 2.00 ni:+i =+ n t--i t ~i-l+ ai a ~izi i- ai-
+il( [Ans. 0.505 10
12
C/m
2
]
22. Two large conducting plates are placed parallel to each other and they carry equal and opposite charges
with surface density o as shown in figure. Find the electric field (a) at the left of the plates , (b) in
between the plates and (c) at the right of the plates. [Ans. (a) zero (b) o/c
0
(c) zero]
<i i -in+ -n (+ <= + =ni-- ii t -ii -- l-zii-=i i ( li- ~izi i- o t l-
-izi ai- +il( (a) -ni + ii ~i (b) -n i + n -ii (c) -n i + <ii ~i
[Ans. (a) zero (b) o/c
0
(c) zero]
23. Two conducting plates X and Y, each having large surface area A (on one side), are placed parallel to
each other as shown in figure. The plate X is given a charge Q whereas the other is neutral. Find (a) the
surface charge density at the inner surface of the plate X, (b) the electric field at a point to the left of the
Chapter # 30 Gausss Law
Page # 13
manishkumarphysics.in
plates, (c) the electric field at a point in between the plates and (d) the electric field at a point to
the right of the plates.
<i -in+ -n X Y l-+i + +i a -izi+n ((+ -+ +i) At. l-zii-=i (+ <= + =ni-- ii t
X -n Q ~izi l<i ni t l+ <=i -<i=i- t-i t ai- +il( (a) -n X +i ~i-l+ =-t a
~izi i- (b) -n + ii -+ (+ l-< l- -izi , (c) -n + n (+ l-< l- -izi (d) -n +
<ii -+ (+ l-< l- -izi
Ans. (a)
A 2
Q
(b)
0
A 2
Q
c
towards left (c)
0
A 2
Q
c
towards right (d)
0
A 2
Q
c
towards right
24. Three identical metal plates with large surface areas are kept parallel to each other as shown in figure.
The leftmost plate is given a charge Q, the rightmost a charge 2Q and the middle one remains
neutral. Find the charge appearing on the outer surface of the rightmost plate.
ai -i zi+n +i ii- +i -i- =ni- -n l-zii-=i (+ < = + =ni-- ii t == i i -n +i Q ~izi
== <ii +i 2Q ~izi l<i i-i t. l+ n -n ~izi lt- t-i t <ii -n +i iti =-t
-l-il- ~i zi ai- +il(
[Ans. Q/2]
Ans.
2
Q