UNIT 1, ELECTROSTATICS

1. Is the force acting between two point charges q1 and q2 kept at some distance apart in air attractive or
repulsive when (i) q1q2 > 0, (ii) q1q2 < 0, (iii) q1 + q2 > 0 and (iv) q1 + q2 < 0?
2. Define electric field strength. What is its unit? Is it scalar or vector quantity?
3. Why do the electric field lines never intersect
4. Derive an expression for the electric field intensity due to an electric dipole, of dipole moment 𝑃⃗ and length
2a, at a point distant r from the centre of the dipole on:
(i) the axial line.
(ii) the equatorial line.
(iii) What is the direction of this field?
(iv) Draw a graph of E versus r for r >> a.
5. A right circular cylinder of length ‘a’ and radius ‘r’ has its centre at the origin and its axis along the x-axis so
that one face is at x = + a/2 and the other at x = – a/2, as shown in the figure. A uniform electric field is acting
parallel to the x-axis such that 𝐸⃗ = 𝐸𝑜 𝑖̂ for x > 0 and 𝐸⃗ = −𝐸𝑜 𝑖̂ for x < 0.

6. Find out the flux (i) through the flat faces, (ii) through the curved surface of the cylinder. What is the net
outward flux through the cylinder and the net charge inside the cylinder?
7. An atom was earlier assumed to be a sphere of radius ‘a’ having a positively charged point nucleus of charge
+Ze at its centre. This nucleus was believed to be surrounded by a uniform density of negative charge that
made the atom neutral as a whole.
Use this theorem to find the electric field of this ‘atom’ at a distance r (r<a) from the centre of the atom.
8. Two charges of magnitude -2Q and +Q are located at points (a,0) and (4a,0) respectively. What is the electric
flux due to these charges through a sphere of radius ‘3a’ with its centre at the origin?
9. A cube with each side ‘a’ is kept in an electric field given by 𝐸⃗ = 𝐶𝑥𝑖̂, (as shown in the figure) where C is a
positive dimensional constant. Find out

(i) the electric flux through the cube, and

(ii) the net charge inside the cube.
11. Show that the potential energy of a dipole making angle  with the direction of the field is given by 𝑈() =
−𝑃⃗. 𝐸⃗.
12. Can electric potential at a point be zero, while the electric field intensity is not zero? Justify by giving
example.
13. Define the capacitance of a capacitor. Obtain the expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
in vacuum in terms of plate area A and separation d between the plates.
14. A network of four 10 F capacitors is connected to a 500 V supply as shown in the figure. Determine the (i)

equivalent capacitance of the network and (ii) Charge on each capacitor.

15.

16. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V by a battery. Without disconnecting the
battery, the distance between the plates is tripled and a dielectric medium of k = 10 is introduced between
the plates of the capacitor. Explain giving reasons, how will the following be affected:
(i) Capacitance of the capacitor
(ii) Charge on the capacitor, and
(iii) Energy density of the capacitor.
17. In the following arrangement of capacitors, the energy stored in the 6 F capacitor is E. Find the value of the
following:

(i) Energy stored in 12 F capacitor.

(ii) Energy stored in 3 F capacitor.
(iii) Total energy drawn from the battery.
18. Find the ratio of the potential differences that must be applied across the parallel and the series
combination of two identical capacitors so that the energy stored, in the two cases, become the same.
19. Two isolated metal spheres A and B have radii R and 2R respectively, and same charge q. Find which of the
two spheres have greater: (i) Capacitance and (ii) energy density just outside the surface of the spheres.
20. If N drops of same size each having the same charge, coalesce to form a bigger drop. How will the following
vary with respect to single small drop?
(i) Total charge on bigger drop, (ii) Potential on the bigger drop and (iii) Capacitance.
21. A 600 pF capacitor is charged by a 200 V supply. It is then disconnected from the supply and is connected to
another uncharged 300 pF capacitor. Calculate how much electrostatic energy is lost in the process. What is
the source of energy loss?