ELECTROSTATICS

Question Bank



EASY QUESTIONS

E
1. In the circuit shown, a potential difference of 60V
is applied across AB. The potential difference
between the points M and N is
(a) 10 V (b) 15 V
(c) 20 V (d) 30 V

A
B
M
N
2 C
C C
2 C
60 V


Sol.: Charge on capacitor C between MN is
2
60
C
=
C 30 =
V 30
30
= =
C
C
V
MN

(d)

A
B
M
N
2 C
C C
2 C
60 V


E
2. A positively charged thin metal ring of radius R is fixed in x y plane with its centre at the
origin O. A negatively charged particle P is released from rest at the point (0, 0, Z
0
). Then
the motion of P is
(a) periodic for all values of Z
0

(b) SHM for all values of Z
0
satisfying 0 <Z
0
<R
(c) approximately SHM, provided Z >>R
(d) cant be said
Sol.: (a)

E
3. A capacitor of capacitance C is connected with a
battery of emf as shown. After full charging a
dielectric of same size of capacitor and dielectric
constant k is inserted then choose correct statements.
(capacitor is always connected to battery)
C
c

(a) electric field between plates of capacitor remain same
(b) charge on capacitor is C
(c) energy on capacitor decreased
(d) electric field between plates of capacitor increased.
Sol.: P.D. same and electric field same
(a)
E
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


4. Shown in the figure is a distribution of charges. The
flux of electric field due to these charges through the
surface is
(a) 3 q / c
0
(b) 2 q / c
0

(c) q / c
0
(d) zero

+q q
q


Sol.: (d)

E
5. Two spherical conductors A and B of radii 1 mm and 2 mm are separated by a distance of
5 cm and are uniformly charged. If the spheres are connected by a conducting wire then in
equilibrium condition, the ratio of the magnitude of the electric fields at the surface of
spheres A and B is
(a) 1 : 4 (b) 4 : 1 (c) 1 : 2 (d) 2 : 1
Sol.:
1
2
= =
A
B
B
A
r
r
E
E

(d)
E
6. A point charge +q is fixed at point B. Another point
charge +q at A of mass m vertically above B at height h
is dropped from rest. Choose the correct statement
(a) It will collide with B
(b) It will execute S.H.M
(c) It will go down only if
0
2
4tc
q
<mgh
2


h
A
B
+q
+q

(d) go down up to a point and then come up.
Sol.: For charge +q at A to come down, F
e
<mg
mg
4
2
0
2
<
tc h
q

(c)
E
7. The electric field intensity at a point at a distance 2 m from a charge q is E. The amount of
work done in bringing a charge of 2 coulomb from infinity to this point will be
(a) 2E joules (b) 4E joules (c)
2
E
joules (d)
4
E
joules
Sol.: Potential at this point, E rE
r
q
V 2
4
0
= =
tc
=
Work done =qV =4E joules.
(b)

E
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


8. A simple pendulum of length l has a bob of mass m, with a charge q on it. A vertical sheet
of charge, with surface charge density o passes through the point of suspension. At
equilibrium, the string makes an angle u with the vertical, then
(a)
mg
q
0
2
tan
c
o
= u (b)
mg
q
0
tan
c
o
= u (c)
mg
q
0
2
cot
c
o
= u (d)
mg
q
0
cot
c
o
= u
Sol.:
mg
qE
mg
F
e
= = u tan

mg
q
mg
q
0
0
2
2 /
tan
c
o
=
c o
= u
(a)


B
T
O

Sheet of charge
E
A
C
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+



E
9. A charged particle of mass m and charge q is released from rest in an electric field of constant
magnitude E. The kinetic energy of the particle after time t will be
(a)
q m
t E
2 2
2
(b)
2
2
2t
m q E
(c)
m
t q E
2
2 2 2
(d)
t
m q E
2

Sol.: (c)

E
10. If a positively charged pendulum is oscillating in a uniform
field as shown, then its time period as compared to that when
it was uncharged will
(a) increase (b) decrease
(c) not change (d) none of these

+
+++++++++++

Sol.: (a)

E
11. A and B are two concentric metallic hollow spheres. If A is
given a charge q while B is earthed as shown in figure, then
(a) charge density of A and B are same
(b) field inside and outside A is zero
(c) field between A and B is not zero
(d) field inside and outside B is zero

q
B
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
A

Sol.: (c)


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
12. A table tennis ball which has been covered with a conducting paint is suspended by a silk
thread so that it hangs between two metal plates. One plate is earthed. When the other plate
is connected to a high voltage generator, the ball
(a) is attracted to the high voltage plate and stays there
(b) hangs without moving
(c) swings backward and forward hitting each plate in turn
(d) is repelled to the earthed plate and stays there
Sol.: (c)
E
13. A spring block system undergoes vertical oscillations above a large horizontal metal sheet
with uniform positive charge. The time period of the oscillation is T. If the block is given a
charge Q, its time period of oscillation
(a) remains same
(b) increases
(c) decreases
(d) increases if Q is positive and decreases if Q is negative
Sol.: (a)

E
14. There is an electric field E in X-direction. If work done in moving a charge 0.2 C through a
distance of 2 m along a line making an angle of 60 with X-axis is 4.0 joule. The value of E
is
(a) 3 N / C (b) 4 N / C (c) 5 N / C (d) 20 N / C.
Sol.: As u = u = cos cos ds qE ds F W
N/C. 20 , 60 cos 2 2 . 0 4 = = E E
(d)

E
15. In electrolysis, the amount of mass deposited or liberated at an electrode is directly
proportional to
(a) amount of charge (b) square of current
(c) concentration of electrolyte (d) square of electric charge
Sol.: (a)

E
16. The ratio of the forces between two small spheres with same charges when they are in air to
when they are in a medium of dielectric constant K is
(a) 1 : K (b) K : 1 (c) 1 : K
2
(d) K
2
: 1
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: In air
2
2
0
1
4
1
r
q
F
tc
=
In medium (k)
2
2
0
2
4
1
r
q
k
F
tc
=
1
2
1
k
F
F
=
(b)

E
17. A charge Q is divided into two parts of magnitude q and Q q. If the coulomb repulsion
between them when they are separated at some distance is to be maximum, the ratio of
q
Q

should be
(a) 2 (b) 1/2 (c) 4 (d) 1/4
Sol.:
( )
2
0
4
1
r
q Q q
F

tc
=
For maximum repulsion force 0 2 = = q Q
dq
dF

2
1
2
= =
q
Q

(a)

E
18. There are two charges +1 C and +5 C. The ratio of the forces acting on them will be
(a) 1 : 5 (b) 1 : 1 (c) 5 : 1 (d) 1 : 25
Sol.:
21 12
F F = then
1
1
21
12
=
F
F

(b)

E
19. The electric potential V is given as a function of distance x (metre) by V =(5x
2

+10x 9)volt.
Magnitude of electric field at x =1 is
(a) 20 V/m (b) 6 V/m (c) 11 V/m (d) 23 V/m
Sol.: ( ) V/m 20 10 10
1
= + = =
= x
x
dx
dV
E
(a)

E
20. If specific resistance of a wire is , its volume is 3m
3
and its resistance is 3 omhs, then its
length will be
(a)

1
(b)

3
(c) 3
1

(d)
3
1

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: Volume =Al =3
l
A
3
=
Now
A
l
R =

=
9
2
l

=
3
l
(b)

E
21. Figure shows the electric lines of force emerging from a
charged body. If the electric field at A and B are E
A
and E
B

respectively and if the displacement between A and B is r
then
(a)
B A
E E > (b)
B A
E E <
(c)
r
E
E
B
A
= (d)
2
r
E
E
B
A
=

A
B
r

Sol.:
(

= =
n
d
g
n
g
g 1 ' ,
( )
n
n R
d
1
=
(b)

E
22. The magnitude of electric field intensity E is such that, an electron of mass m and charge e
placed in it would experience an electrical force equal to its weight is given by
(a) mge (b)
e
mg
(c)
mg
e
(d) g
m
e
2
2

Sol.: eE = mg

e
mg
E =
(b)

E
23. Figure shows three points A, B and C in a region of
uniform electric field E

. The line AB is perpendicular and

BC is parallel to the field lines. Then which of the
following holds good. Where V
A
, V
B
and V
C
represent the
electric potential at points A, B and C respectively
(a)
C B A
V V V = = (b)
C B A
V V V > =
(c)
C B A
V V V < = (d)
C B A
V V V = >

A
B C

Sol.: (b)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
24. ABC is an equilateral triangle. Charges +q are placed at each
corner. The electric field intensity at centroid O will be
(a)
2
0
2
1
r
q

(b)
2
0
3
2
1
r
q

(c)
2
0
3
2
1
r
q

tc
(d) zero


O
+q
A
B C
+q +q
r

Sol.: Electric field due each charge have same magnitude and makes an angle of 120
0
with each
other.
(d)

E
25. A charged particle of mass m and charge q is released from rest in an electric field of
constant magnitude E. The kinetic energy of the particle after a time t is
(a)
m
t q E
2 2 2
(b)
m
t q E
2 2 2
2
(c)
m
t q E
2
2 2 2
(d)
m
t q E
2 2 2
4

Sol.: at u v + = , u =0
t
m
qE
v =

m
t E q
mv
2 2
1
2 2 2
2
=
(c)

E
26. Three charges Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertices
of a right angle triangle (isosceles triangle) as shown.
The net electrostic energy of the configuration is zero,
if Q is equal to
(a)
2 1+
q
(b)
2 2
2
+
q

(c) 2q (d) +q

a
+q
+q
Q



Sol.: 0
2
2
= + +
a
kQq
a
kq
a
Qq
k ,
( ) 2 2
2
+
=
q
Q
(b)

E
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


27. A spherical conductor A of radius r is placed concentrically inside a conducting shell B of
radius R(R >r). A charge Q is given to A, and then A is joined to B by a metal wire. The
charge flowing from A to B will be
(a) Q |
.
|

\
|
+ r R
R
(b) |
.
|

\
|
+ r R
r
Q (c) Q (d) zero
Sol.: When the two are joined by a metal wire, they become a single conductor. As charge can
reside only on the outer surface of a conductor, the entire charge Q must flow to the outer
sphere.
(c)

E
28. An electron moves in a circular orbit at a distance from a proton with kinetic energy E. To
escape to infinity, the energy which must be supplied to the electron is
(a) E (b) 2 E (c) 0.5 E (d) 2E

Sol.: Total energy = kinetic energy =-E
So energy E should be supplied
(a)

E
29. A capacitor is connected to a battery. The force of attraction between the plates when the
separation between them is halved
(a) remains the same (b) becomes eight times
(c) becomes four times (d) becomes two times
Sol.: Distance between plates halved capacitance becomes doubled also charge becomes doubled,
Force of attraction o Q
2

Force becomes four time.
(c)

E
30. The electric E

is given by j b i a E

+ =

(where a and b is constant and j i

are unit vector

along x and y axis respectively), the flux passing through a square area of side l and parallel
to y-z plane is
(a) bl
2
(b) al
2
(c) ( )
2 2 2
l b a + (d) ( )
2 2 2
l b a
Sol.: Area vector i l A

2
=

2
. al A E = = |


(b)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
31. Four charge particle of charges q, q, q and 3q
are placed at the vertices of a square of side a as
shown. The magnitude of dipole moment of the
arrangement is
(a) a q 2 2 (b) a q
(c) 3 qa (d) ( )qa 2 2+
q
3q
q
q

Sol.: p
net
= 2 2 qa
(a)


q q,q,q
q
q
qa p =

2
1
qa p =

qa p =

E
32. A cylinder of radius R and length L is placed in a uniform electric field E parallel to the
axis of cylinder. The total flux through the curved surface of the cylinder is given by
(a) 2 tR
2
E (b) 2 tR
2
/E (c) E2tRL (d) zero
Sol.: (d)

E
33. An uniform electric field in positive x-direction exists in a region. Let A be the origin, B be
the point on the x-axis at x =+1 cm and C be the point on the y-axis at y =+1 cm. The
potential at the points A, B and C are V
A
, V
B
and V
C
respectively, then
(a)
B A
V V < (b)
B A
V V > (c)
C A
V V < (d)
C A
V V >
Sol.: In the direction of electric field potential decreases and perpendicular to electric field it
remain same, hence
B C A
V V V > =
(b)

E
34. The electric field at the origin is along the positive X-axis. A small circle is drawn with the
centre at the origin cutting the axes at points A, B, C and D having coordinates (a, 0) (0, a),
(a, 0), 0, a) respectively. Out of the points on the periphery of the circle, the potential is
minimum at
(a) A (b) B (c) C (d) D
Sol.: Clearly potential decreases along the direction of electric field
V
min
is at A (a, 0)
(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
35. Charge Q is given a displacement j b i a r

+ =

in an electric field j E i E E

2 1
+ =

. The work
done is
(a) Q(E
1
a +E
2
b) (b)
2
2
2
1
) ( ) ( b E a E Q +
(c) Q(E
1
+E
2
)
2 2
b a + (d)
2 2 2
2
2
1
) b a E E Q + +
Sol.: dw =Q

E .

r d =Q ( )

2 1
j E i E + . ( )

i dy i x d +
=Q
} }
+
a b
dy QE x d E
0 0
2 1
=Q (E
1
a +E
2
b)
(a)

E
36. In the circuit shown, the equivalent capacitance between
the points A and B is
(a)
3
10
F (b)
4
15
F
(c)
5
12
F (d)
6
25
F

A B
3 F
2 F
4 F
6 F 5 F

Sol.: Since
4
6
2
3
= The circuit is treated as wheatstone bridge.
C
eq
=
4 2
4 2
6 3
6 3
+

+
+

= 2 +
6
20
6
8
= =
3
10
F
(a)

E
37. A non-conducting ring of radius R has charge Q distributed uniformly over it. If it rotates
with an angular velocity e, the equivalent current will be
(a) zero (b) Qe (c)
t
e
2
Q (d)
R
Q
t
e
2

Sol.: With each rotation, charge Q crosses any fixed point P near the ring. Number of rotations
per second =e/2t.
Charge crossing P per second current =
t
e
2
Q

(c)

E
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


38. A battery consists of a variable number n of identical cells having internal resistance r each.
They are connected in series. The terminal of the battery are joined by a conducting wire
and the current i is measured. Which of the graphs as shown in figure gives correct
relationship between i and n?
(a)

X
Y
O
i
n
(b)

X
Y
O
i
n

(c)

X
Y
O
i
n
(d)

X
Y
O
i
n


E
39. A half ring of radius R has a charge of per unit length. The potential at the center of the
half ring is
(a)
R
k

(b)
R
k
t

(c)
R
k
t
(d) kt
Sol.: dV =
R
Rd k
R
kdQ |
=

} }
t
| =
0 0
d k dv
v

=kt
(d)

E
40. If electric field is given by i
x
E

1
2
|
.
|

\
|
=

V/m, the magnitude of potential difference between

points x =10 cm and x =20 cm is
(a) 1 V (b) 2 V (c) 5 V (d) 10 V
Sol.: dV =
} }
= =
2 . 0
1 . 0
2
5
1
. dx
x
dx E V
(c)
E
41. A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. The electric potential at the centre of
the cube is
(a)
b
q
0
3
4
tc
(b)
b
q
0
3
tc
(c)
b
q
0
2
tc
(d) zero
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
b
q
b
q
V
0
tc
=
|
|
.
|

\
| tc
=
3
4
8
2
3
.
4
1
0

(a)
E
42. Four equal charges Q are placed at the four corners of a square of side a. The work done in
removing a charge Q from the centre of the square to infinity is
(a) zero (b)
a
Q
0
2
4
2
tc
(c)
a
Q
0
2
2
tc
(d)
a
Q
0
2
2tc

Sol.: ( )( ) ( ) ( )
i i f
V Q V V Q V Q W = = A = 0 , W =
a
Q
a
Q
Q
0 0
tc
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
tc
2
2
4
2
.
4
1
.
(c)

E
43. In a regular polygon of n sides, each corner is at a distance r from the center. Identical
charges of magnitude Q are placed at (n 1) corners. The field at the center is
(a)
2
r
Q
k (b)
2
) 1 (
r
Q
k n (c)
2
1 r
Q
k
n
n

(d)
2
1
r
Q
k
n
n

Sol.: From symmetry electric field at the centre is
2
r
Q
k
(a)

E
44. Seven point charges each of charge q is placed at the seven corners of a cube of side a (one
corner is empty). Find the magnitude of electric field at centre of cube.
(a) zero (b)
2
0
4
1
a
q
tc
(c)
2
0
3
1
a
q
tc
(d)
2
0
7
4
1
a
q
tc

Sol.:
2
0
2
3
4
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
tc
=
a
q
E
2
0
3
1
a
q
tc
=
(c)

E
45. A charged sphere of diameter 4 cm has a charge density of 10
-4
coulombs/cm
2
. The work
done in joules when a charge of 40 nano-coulombs is moved from infinity to a point which is
at a distance of 2 cm from the surface of the sphere, is
(a) 14.4 t (b) 28.8 t (c) 144 t (d) 288 t
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
2
4
10
cm
C
A Q

= o = 16 t cm
2
=16t 10
-4
C

r
Q
V
0
4tc
= Work done W =qV =
r
qQ
0
4tc

(a)

E
46. The magnitude of electric intensity at a distance x from a charge q is E. An identical charge is
placed at a distance 2 x from it. Then the magnitude of the force it experience is
(a) qE (b) 2 qE (c)
2
qE
(d)
4
qE

Sol.: Given E =
2
0
4 x
q
tc
.
Hence the magnitude of the electric intensity at a distance 2x from charge q is

4 4
1
4 ) 2 ( 4
'
2
0
2
0
E
x
q
x
q
E =
tc
=
tc
=
Therefore, the force experienced by a similar charge q at a distance 2x is

4
'
qE
qE F = =
(d)

E
47. A conductor of resistance 3 O is stretched uniformly till its length is doubled. The wire is now
bent in the form of an equilateral triangle. The effective resistance between the ends of any
side of the triangle in ohms is
(a)
2
9
(b)
3
8
(c) 2 (d)1
Sol.: R = |
.
|

\
|
=

V l A
l
A
l
2
l
2
, R
AB
= 8/3 O
(b)

4O 4O
4O
A
B


E
48. Eight dipoles of charges of magnitude e are placed inside a cube. The total flux coming out of
the cube equals to
(a)
0
c
e 8
(b)
0
16
c
e
(c)
0
c
e
(d) zero
Sol.: Net charge inside the cube is zero
(d)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
49. Four point charges q
1
, q
2
, q
3
and q
4
are placed at the corners of the square
of side a, as shown in figure. The potential at the centre of the square is
(Given : q
1
=1 10
8
C, q
2
=2 10
8
C, C 10 3
8
3

= q ,
C 10 2
8
4

= q , a =1 m)
(a) 507 V (b) 607 V
(c) 550 V (d) 650 V

a
a a
a
P
q
1
q
2

q
3

q
4


Sol.:
(

+ + +
tc
=
r
q
r
q
r
q
r
q
V
4 3 2 1
0
4
1
=507 V
(a)

E
50. If there are n capacitors in parallel connected to V volt source, then total energy stored is
equal to
(a) CV (b)
2
2
1
nCV (c)
2
CV (d)
2
2
1
CV
n

Sol.: Energy Stored =
2 2
net
2
1
) (
2
1
nCV V C =
(b)

E
51. There is an air-filled 1 pF parallel plate capacitor. When the plate separation is doubled and
the space is filled with wax, the capacitance increases to 2pF. The dielectric constant of wax
is
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8
Sol.: (b)

E
52. For the circuit shown in the adjoining figure, the charge on 4 F
capacitor is
(a) 30 C (b) 40 C
(c) 24 C (d) 54 C


1F
5F
4F
3F
10V

Sol.: 10
6 4
1 1
= +
q q

C 24
1
= q
(c)


4F
3F
10V
q
1

6F
q
2

q
1



E
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


53. Two conducting spheres of radii r
1
and r
2
are at the same potential. The ratio of their charges
is
(a)
|
|
.
|

\
|
2
2
2
1
r
r
(b)
|
|
.
|

\
|
2
1
2
2
r
r
(c)
2
1
r
r
(d)
1
2
r
r

Sol.: Potential (V) =
r
q
0
4
1
tc


2
1
2
1
r
r
q
q
=
(c)
E
54. Six point charges are arranged at the vertices of
regular hexagon of side length a (shown in figure).
The magnitude of electric field at the centre of
regular hexagon is
(a)
2
0
4 a
q
tc
(b) zero
(c)
2
0
2 a
q
tc
(d) none of these


+q
+q
q
+q
+q
+q
O

Sol.: Resultant field =
2
0
0
4
2
2
a
q
E
tc
=
(c)

E
55. In the given figure, find the equivalent capacitance
between A and B.
(a)
3
2C
(b)
4
5C

(c)
2
3C
(d)
5
4C


A B
C C
C
C
C
C
C
C

Sol.: Reduced circuit is
C C
eq
2
3
=
(c)
C C
C
C
C
C


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
56. Two large plate separated by a distance d in vertical plane
and connected to battery as shown. An electron of charge e
and mass m is at rest between the plates. Find the value of
potential difference of battery.
(a)
d
mge
(b)
d
mge 2

(c)
e
mgd
(d)
e
mgd 2



electron d


Sol.: eE mg =
d
V
e mg = ,
e
mgd
V =
(c)

E
57. Two plates are 2 cm apart. A potential difference of 10V is applied between them, the
electric field between the plates is
(a) 20 N/C (b) 500 N/C (c) 5N/C (d) 250N/C
Sol.: d =2cm =2 10
2
m, V =10 volt , =

= =
2
10 2
10
d
V
E 500 N/C
(b)

E
58. Suppose the electrostatic potential at some points in space are given by ( ) x x V 2
2
= . The
electrostatic field strength at x =1 is
(a) zero (b) -2 (c) 2 (d) 4
Sol.:
( )
dx
dv
E
x
= ,
( )
( ) x E
x
2 2 = , at x =1 E
(x=1)
=0
(a)

E
59. A slab of copper of thickness b is inserted in between
the plates of parallel plate capacitor as shown in figure.
The separation between the plates is d if
2
d
b = , then
the ratio of capacities of capacitors after and before
inserting the slab will be
d
b

(a) 1 : 2 (b) 2 : 1 (c) 1 : 1 (d) 1 : 2
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
d
A
C
0
1
c
= ,
( ) t d
A
C

c
=
0
2
,
2
d
b t = = given
1
2
1
2
=
C
C

(b)
E
60. The equivalent capacity of the combination
shown in figure is
(a) C (b) 2C
(c) 3/2C (d) C/2
C
C
C
B A

Sol.: One single capacitor is in short circuit and the remaining two capacitors are in parallel.
(b)
E
61. An electric dipole is placed at an angle of 30
0
to a non-uniform electric field. The dipole
will experience
(a) a translational force only in the direction of the field
(b) a translational force only in a direction normal to the direction of the field
(c) a torque as well as a translational force
(d) a torque only
Sol.: (c)
E
62. Coulombs law is applicable to
(a) point charges (b) spherical charges (c) like charges (d) all of these

Sol.: (a)
E
63. A point charge q and a charge q are placed at x =-a and x =+a respectively. Which of the
following represents a part of E-x graph?


x
E
a
+a O
(a)


x
E
a
O
(b)


x
E
+a
O
(c)

(d) all of these

Sol.: (d)

E
64. The charge on any one of the 2F
capacitors and 1F capacitor will be given
respectively (in C) as
(a) 1 , 2 (b) 2 , 1
(c) 1, 1 (d) 2,2


2F
2F
1F
2V

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: Potential difference across the both
the line is same i.e. 2V.
Hence charge flowing line 2
C 2 2
2
2
= |
.
|

\
|
= Q
So charge on each capacitor in line
(2) is 2 C
(d)

Line (2)
2F
2F
1F
2V
Line (1)

E
65. The electric potential V (in volt) varies with x (in metre) according to the relation
2
4 5 x V + = . The force experienced by a negative charge of 2 10
6
C located at x =0.5 m
is
(a) 2 10
6
N (b) 4 10
6
N (c) 6 10
6
N (d) 8 10
6
N
Sol.: Electric field ( ) x x
dx
d
dx
dV
E 8 4 5
2
= + = =
Force on charge ( ) qx qE q 8 + = =
At x =0.5 m, force =8 2 10
6
0.5 = 8 10
6
N
(d)

E
66. A charge q is placed at the centre of the line joining two equal charges Q. The system of the
three charges will be in equilibrium if q is equal to
(a) (Q/4) (b) (Q/2) (c) (Q/2) (d) (Q/4)
Sol.: Net force on any charge =0. Force on any charge Q at end
0
4
2 2
2
= + =
x
KqQ
x
Q
K F . Hence,
4
Q
q

=
(a)

E
67. The electric potential at a point situated at a distance r on the axis of a short electric dipole
of moment p will be 1/4 (tc
0
) times
(a) p/r
3
(b) p/r
2
(c) p/r (d) none of the above
Sol.: Potential at axial point
2
0
4
1
r
P
V
tc
=
(b)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
68. The charge per unit length for a very long straight wire is . The electric field at points near
the wire (but outside it) and far from the ends varies with distance r as
(a) r (b) 1/r (c) 1/r
2
(d) 1/r
3


Sol.:
r
E
0
2tc

= . Hence
r
E
1

(b)
E
69. A body has a charge of one coulomb. The number of excess (or lesser) electrons on it from
its normal state will be
(a) (b) 1.6 10
19
(c) 1.6 10
19
(d) 6.25 10
18


Sol.: Q =ne,
18
19
10 25 . 6
10 6 . 1
1
=

=

n
(d)
E
70. The net charge on a condenser is
(a) Infinity (b) q/2 (c) 2q (d) zero

Sol.: Net charge ( ) 0 = + = Q Q
(d)
E
71. A conducting hollow sphere of radius 0.1 m is given a charge of 10 C. The electric
potential on the surface of sphere will be
(a) zero (b) 3 10
5
V (c) 9 10
5
V (d) 9 10
9
V
Sol.: V
surface
= V 10 9
10
10 10 10 9
4
1
5
1
6 9
0
=

=
tc

r
Q

(c)
E
72. The effective capacitance between the points x
and y in the will be
(a) 1 F (b) 1.5 F
(c) 2 F (d) 4 F

1F
1F
1F
x
y

Sol.: = |
.
|

\
|
+

+ =
1 1
1 1
1 Ce 1.5 F
(b)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
73. The equivalent capacitance between the points
X and Y in the figure will be
(a) 2C/3 (b) C/3
(c) 3C/2 (d) 3C

C
X
C/2
Y
+


Sol.: Capacitors in series,
3
2 1
2 1
C
C C
C C
Ce =
+
=
(b)

E
74. A charged ball hangs from a silk thread of length l. It
makes an angle u with a large charged conducting sheet P
as shown in the figure. The surface charge density o of the
sheet is proportional to
(a) cos u (b) cot u
(c) sin u (d) tan u

S
+
+
+
+
+
+
u


Sol.:
0
2
sin
c
o
= u
q
T , Mg T = u cos ,
o uo tan
(d)



Tsinu
Tcosu
Mg
0
2
.
c
o
q
u


E
75. 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. The
electric flux through the square surface is
(a) Q/2c
0
(b) Q/c
0

(c) Q/6c
0
(d) Q/8c
0

q
a
a/2
a

Sol.: Complete the cube, adding other five faces.

0
c
= |
q
cube
,
0
6c
= |
q
face

(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
76. In the figure shown (circuit), the capacitance between the
points A and B will be
(a) 1F (b) 2F
(c) 3F (d) 4F

A
B
2F
2F
1F
1F
2F

Sol.: C
eff
=2 F
Simplifying the circuit)
(b)

E
77. Two equal positive charges +q each are fixed a certain distance apart. A third equal positive
charge +q is placed exactly mid-way between them. Then the third charge will
(a) move at an angle of 45
0
to the line joining the two charges
(b) move at an angle of 90
0
to the line joining the two charges
(c) move along the line joining the two charges
(d) stay at rest

Sol.: Mid point will be neutral point, hence third charge will experience no force and will stay at
rest.
(d)
E
79. Two equal negative charges q are fixed at points (0, a) and (0, a) on the y-axis. A positive
charge Q is released from rest at a point (2a, 0) on the x-axis. The charge Q will
(a) execute simple harmonic motion about the origin
(b) move to the origin and remain at rest there
(c) move to infinity
(d) execute oscillatory but not simple harmonic motion
Sol.: Resultant force on Q will be always towards origin. It will undergo oscillatory motion, but
not SHM (amplitude being comparable to other dimension and not small).
(d)

E
80. Two point charges +4q and +q are placed 30 cm apart. At what point on the line joining
them is the electric field zero?
(a) 15 cm from charge 4q (b) 20 cm from charge 4q
(c) 7.5 cm from charge q (d) 5 cm from charge q
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
( ) ( )
2
2
2
1
4
r
q K
r
q K
=
2
2
1
=
r
r
and 30
2 1
= + r r
Hence, r
1
=20 cm

(b)
E
81. The effective capacitance of two capacitors of capacitances C
1
and C
2
(with C
2
>C
1
)
connected in parallel is
6
25
times the effective capacitance when they are connected in
series. The ratio C
2
/C
1
is
(a)
2
3
(b)
3
4
(c)
3
5
(d)
6
25

Sol.: C
parallel
=C
1
+C
2
, C
series
=
2 1
2 1
C C
C C
+

Given C
series

6
25
= C
parallel
and C
2
>C
1

Solving
2
3
1
2
=
C
C

(a)
E
82. A capacitor of capacitance 4 F is charged to 80 V and another capacitor of capacitance
6 F is charged to 30 V. When they are connected together, the energy lost by the 4 F
capacitor is
(a) 7.8 mJ (b) 4.6 mJ (c) 3.2 mJ (d) 2.5 mJ
Sol.: V
common
V
C C
V C V C
50
2 1
2 2 1 1
=
+
+
=
For 4 F capacitor
2
1
2
1
2
1
,
2
1
C f
V C E V C Ei = =
Energy loss ( ) = = =
2 2
2
1
C f i
V V C E E 7.8 10
3
J
(a)
E
83. Two concentric spheres are of radii r
1
and r
2
. The outer
sphere is given a charge q. The charge ' q on the inner
sphere will be (inner sphere is grounded)

r
2

r
1

' q

(a) q (b) q (c)
2
1
r
r
q (d) zero
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: 0
'
2 1
= +
r
q
r
q

(d)
E

84. The equivalent capacitance between points M and N is
(a)
0
11
10
C (b) 2C
0

(c) C
0
(d) none of these

C
0

C
0

C
0

C
0

M N
C
0

C
0


Sol.:
0 0
5
3
2
1 1
C C C
e
+ =

0
11
10
C C
e
=
(a)

2C
0

(5/3)C
0

M N


E
85. As shown in the figure. If value of ' Q is
2
Q
then what is
the value of dielectric constant k is
(a) 3 (b) 1/2
(c) 2 (d)
Q
Q
Metal plate
Dielectric

Sol.: We know |
.
|

\
|
=
k
Q Q
1
1 ' , |
.
|

\
|
=
k
Q
Q 1
1
2
k =2
(c)


E
86. In the given circuit diagram, initially battery was connected.
Find the work done by battery if capacitor is completely
filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant k =3.
(a)
2
2
1
CV (b)
2
CV
(c)
2
2CV (d)
2
2
3
CV

C
V

Sol.: CV CV k CV kCV Q 2 ) 1 ( ) ( = = = A , W =
2
2CV QV = A
(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
87. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a battery of emf V. If a dielectric
slab is completely inserted between the plates of the capacitor and battery remains
connected, then electric field between plates
(a) decreases (b) increases
(c) remains constant (d) may be increase or may be decrease
Sol.: (c)

E
88. A uniform electric field )

(
0
j i E E + = exists in the region. The potential difference
( )
P Q
V V between point P(0, 0) and Q (a, 0) is
(a) a E
0
(b) a E 2
0
(c) a E
0
+ (d) a E 2
0


Sol.: a E i a j i E V V
P Q 0 0
)

( )

( = + = .
(a)

E
89. A long string with a charge of per unit length passes through an imaginary cube of edge
a. The maximum flux of the electric field through the cube will be
(a)
0
/ a c (b)
0
2
c
a
(c)
0
2
6
c
a
(d)
0
3
c
a

Sol.: The maximum length of the string which can fit into the cube is a 3 , equal to its body
diagonal. The maximum charge inside the cube is a 3 , and hence the maximum flux
through the cube is
0
3
c
a

(d)
E
90. The electric potential V at any point x, y, z (all in metres) in space is given by V =4x
2
volts.
The electric field (in V/m) at the point (1 m, 0, 2 m)
(a) i

8 (b) i

8 (c) i

16 (d) i

5 8
Sol.: x
x
V
E
x
8 =
c
c
=
0 = =
z y
E E as V is independent of y and z.
For x =1, i E

8 =

(a)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
91. In a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance C, a metal sheet is inserted between the plates,
parallel to them. The thickness of the sheet is half of the separation between the plate. The
capacitance now becomes
(a) 4C (b) 2C (c) C/2 (d) C/4
Sol.:

d
d/4
A A
d/4
d/2
C'
d/4 d/4
C'
=


Before the metal sheet is inserted, C =
d
A
0
c

After the sheet is inserted, the system is equivalent to two capacitors in series, each of
capacitance C
d
A
C 4
) 4 / (
0
=
c
= ' .
The equivalent capacity is now 2C.
(b)
E
92. Which one of the following statement is incorrect?
(a) A moving charged particle produced electric and magnetic field both.
(b) Equipotential surface is always perpendicular to electric field.
(c) Kirchhoffs junction law follows conservation of charge.
(d) electric field inside the conductor is always zero.
Sol.: (d)
E
93. Two capacitors of capacitance 3 F and 6 F are charged to a potential of 12 V each. They
are now connected to each other, with the positive plate of one to the negative plate of the
other. Then
(a) the potential difference across 3 F is zero
(b) the potential difference across 3 F is 4 V
(c) the charge on 3 F is zero
(d) the charge on 3 F is 10 C
Sol.: (d)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
94. Four charges +2q, 2q, 3q and +3q are kept in
the corners of a square of side a. The total field
at the centre O is,
(a) zero (b)
2
0
4
2 2
a
q
tc

(c)
2
0
4
2
a
q
tc
(d)
2
0
4
2 10
a
q
tc


O
+2q
2q
+3q
3q
a


Sol.:
q q q q
E E E E E
3 3 2 2 + +
+ + + =


( )
q q
E E E
2 3
2
+
+ =

2
0
2
4
5
2
|
.
|

\
|
tc
=
a
q
E

O
+2q
2q
+3q
3q
a
q
E
2 +

q
E
3 +

q
E
3

q
E
2

2
0
4
2 10
a
q
E
tc
=
(d)
E
95. Figure shows some of the electric field lines
corresponding to an electric field. The figure
suggests that (E =electric field, V =potential)
(a) V
A
=V
B
(b) E
A
=E
B

(c) V
A
> V
B
(d) V
A
< V
B


A
-
-
B

Sol.: Potential decreases in the direction of electric field.
V
A
< V
B

(d)
E
96. Two spheres of radii r and R carry charges q and Q respectively. When they are connected
by a wire, there will be no loss of energy of the system if
(a) qr =QR (b) qR =Qr (c) qr
2
=QR
2
(d) qR
2
=Qr
2

Sol.: There will be no loss of energy if the potential of the spheres is the same i.e. if

R
Q
r
q
V
0 0
4 4 tc
=
tc
= or
R
Q
r
q
=
(b)
E
97. If three moles of monatomic gas is mixed with 1 moles diatomic gas, the resultant value of
for the mixture is
(a) 1.66 (b) 1.50 (c) 1.40 (d) 1.57
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: 57 . 1
) 5 ( 1 ) 3 ( 3
) 2 5 ( 1 ) 2 3 ( 3
2 1
2 1
2
2 1
=
+
+ + +
=
+
+
=
v v
p p
C n nC
C n C n

(d)
E
98. Capacitance of a capacitor becomes
3
4
times its original value if a dielectric slab of
thickness t =d/2 is inserted between the plates (d =separation between the plates). The
dielectric constant of the slab is
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8
Sol.:
d
A
C
0
c
= ,
(

+
c
=
k
d d
d
A C
2 2
3
4
0
,
k
d d
d
2 2
3
4
+
= , d
k
d
d 3
2
2 = + , k =2
(a)
E
99. In the figure shown, conducting shells A and B
have charges Q and 2Q distributed uniformly over
A and B .Value of V
A
V
B
is
(a)
R
Q
0
4tc
(b)
R
Q
0
8tc

(c)
R
Q
0
4
3
tc
(d)
R
Q
0
8
3
tc


A
Q
R
2R
2Q
B


Sol.:
R
Q
R
Q
R
Q
V
A
2
4
1
2
2
4
1
0 0
tc
=
(

+
tc
=

R
Q
V
B
2
3
4
1
0
tc
= ,
R
Q
V V
B A
0
8tc
=
(b)
E
100. Three point charges q, 2q and 2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of
side a. The work done by some external force to slowly increase their separation to 2a will
be
(a)
a
q
2
0
2
.
4
1
tc
(b)
a
q
0
2
4tc
(c)
R
q
3
3
.
4
1
2
0
tc
(d) zero
Sol.:
( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
a
q q q q q q
U
i
0
4
2 2 2 2
tc
+ +
= =0

( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )
( )
0
2 4
2 2 2 2
0
=
tc
+ +
=
a
q q q q q q
U
f

W
ext
=AU =0
(d)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
101. Two identical charges are placed at the two corners of an equilateral triangle. The potential
energy of the system is U. The work done in bringing an identical charge from infinity to
the third vertex is
(a) U (b) 2U (c) 3U (d) 4U

Sol.: = = = U U U U W
i f
3 2U
(b)
E
102. A unit positive charge has to be brought from infinity to a midpoint between two charges
20C and 10C separated by a distance of 50 m. How much work will be required?
(a) 10.8 10
4
J (b) 10.8 10
3
J (c) 1.08 10
6
J (d) 0.54 10
5
J
Sol.: Work done in taking unit positive charge from infinity to that point =potential at that point
J
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

=

25
10 10
25
10 20
10 9
6 6
9
J 10 8 . 10
3
=
(b)
E
103. The electric potential at a point (x, y) is given by: V =Kxy. The electric field intensity at a
distance r from the origin varies as
(a) r
2
(b) r (c) 2r (d) 2r
2

Sol.: ( ) j x i y K j
y
V
i
x
V
E

+ =
(

c
c
+
c
c
=

2 2 2 2
) ( ) ( Kx Ky E E E
y x
+ = + = =Kr
i.e., r E
(b)

E
104. The inward and outward electric flux for a closed surface in units of N-m
2
/coulomb are
respectively 8 10
3
and 4 10
3
. Then the total charge inside the surface is
(a) 4 10
3
coulomb (b) 4 10
3
coulomb
(c)
0
3
10 4
c

coulomb (d) (4 10
3
)c
0
coulomb
Sol.:
3 3
10 8 10 4 = | A = 4 10
3
N-m
2
/coulomb
According to Gausss law, q = (4 10
3
)

c
0
coulomb
(d)
E
105. In the circuit shown in the figure, C =6F. The
charge stored in the capacitor of capacity C is
(a) zero (b) 90 C
(c) 40 C (d) 60 C

C 2C
10V


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: Both the capacitors are in series.
Therefore, charge stored on them will be same.
Net capacity C
C C
C C
3
2
2
) 2 (
=
+
= 6
3
2
= F =4 F
Potential difference =10 V q =CV =40 C
(c)
E
106. Two small spheres each having the charge +Q are suspended by insulating threads of length
L from a hook. This arrangement is taken in space where there is no gravitational effect,
then the angle between the two thread and the tension in each will be
(a)
2
2
0
) 2 ( 4
1
, 180
L
Q
tc
(b)
2
2
0
4
1
, 90
L
Q
tc

(c)
2
2
0
2 4
1
, 180
L
Q
tc
(d)
2
2
0
4
1
, 180
L
Q
tc


Sol.: The position of the balls in no gravity space will be
as shown
u =180 and Force =
2
2
0
) 2 ( 4
1
L
Q

tc

(a)


L L
180



E
107. A solid conducting sphere of radius 5 cm is charged so that the potential on its surface is
10V. The potential at the centre of the sphere is
(a) 5 V (b) 10 V (c) 15 V (d) zero
Sol.: Charge resides on the outer surface of a conducting sphere
Therefore, potential at the centre will be same as that on the surface.
(b)
E

108. The distance between the plates of an isolated parallel plate condenser is 4mm and potential
difference is 60 volts. If the distance between the plates is increased to 12mm, then
(a) The potential difference of the condenser will become 180 volts.
(b) The P.D. will become 20 volts.
(c) The P.D. will remain unchanged.
(d) The charge on condenser will reduce to one third
Sol.: For capacitor V
d
V V
V
d
d
V
V
180
4
12 60
1
2 1
2
2
1
2
1
=

= =
(a)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
109. Four condensers each of capacity 4F are connected as
shown in figure. =
Q P
V V 15 volts. The energy stored in
the system is
(a) 2400 ergs (b) 1800 ergs
(c) 3600 ergs (d) 5400 ergs

4F
4F
4F
4F
P
Q

Sol.: Total capacitance of given system F
5
8
=
eq
C
J V C U
eq
6 6 2
10 180 225 10
5
8
2
1
2
1

= = = erg 1800 erg 10 10 180
7 6
= =


(b)
E
110. Three charges 2q, q, q are located at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. At the centre
of the triangle
(a) The field is zero but potential is non-zero
(b) The field is non-zero but potential is zero
(c) Both field and potential are zero
(d) Both field and potential are non-zero

Sol.: Obviously, from charge configuration, at the centre
electric field is non-zero. Potential at the centre due to
2q charge
r
q
V
q
2
2
= .
and potential due to q charge

r
q
V
q
=

(r =distance of centre point)

Total potential 0
2
= + + =
q q
V V q V V
(b)
2q
q q
r
r
r
E
q
E
q
E
2q


E
111. The charge on 4F capacitor in the given circuit is
(a) 12 C (b) 24 C
(c) 36 C (d) 32 C

10V
3F 5F
1F
4F


Sol.: Equivalent capacity between A and B
F =

= 4 . 2
10
4 6

Hence charge across 4F (Since in series
combination charge remains constant)
or 24 10 4 . 2 6 = = F C
(b)


1F
4F
A

B

3F
10V
5F
6F

4F
A

B

3F
10V
6F

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
112. The electric potential V at any point P (x, y, z) in space is given by V =4x
2
(where V is in
volt and x in meter). The electric field at the point (1m, 2m) in volt/metre is
(a) 8 along negative x-axis (b) 8 along positive x-axis
(c) 16 along negative x-axis (d) 16 along positive z-axis

Sol.: The electric potential
2
4 ) , , ( x z y x V = ,
i x i
x
V
E

=
c
c
=

i E

8 ) 2 , 1 ( =

(a)
E
113. A particle A has charge +q and a particle B has charge +4q with each of them having the
same mass m. When allowed to fall from rest through the same electric potential difference,
the ratio of their speed
B
A
v
v
will become
(a) 2 : 1 (b) 1 : 2 (c) 1 : 4 (d) 4 : 1
Sol.: Using
2
1
4
2
= = = =
q
q
Q
Q
v
v
Q v
m
QV
v
B
A
B
A

(b)
E
114. Two infinitely long parallel conducting plates having surface charge densities +o and o
respectively, are separated by a small distance. The medium between the plates is vacuum.
If c
0
is the dielectric permittivity of vacuum, then the electric field in the region between the
plates is
(a) zero (b)
0
2c
o
volts/meter
(c)
0
c
o
volts/meter (d)
0
2
c
o
volts/meter
Sol.: Electric field between the plates is

0 0
2
) (
2 c
o

c
o
=

0
c
o
= volt/meter
(c)


o
o
E E


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


E
115. Two identical capacitors, have the same capacitance C. One of them is charged to potential
V
1
and the other to V
2
. The negative ends of the capacitors are connected together. When the
positive ends are also connected, the decrease in energy of the combined system is
(a) ( )
2
2
2
1
4
1
V V C (b) ( )
2
2
2
1
4
1
V V C +
(c) ( )
2
2 1
4
1
V V C (d)
2
2 1
) (
4
1
V V C +
Sol.: Initial energy of the system
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
CV CV U
i
+ =
When the capacitors are joined, common potential

2 2
2 1 2 1
V V
C
CV CV
V
+
=
+
=
Final energy of the system

2
2 1
2
2 1 2
) (
4
1
2
2
2
1
) 2 (
2
1
V V C
V V
C V C U
f
+ = |
.
|

\
| +
= =
Decreased in energy
2
2 1
) (
4
1
V V C U U
f i
= =
(c)

E
116. If an insulated non-conducting sphere of radius R has charge density . The electric field at
a distance r from the centre of sphere (r <R) will be
(a)
0
3c
R
(b)
0
c
r
(c)
0
3c
r
(d)
0
3
c
R

Sol.: For non-conducting sphere
0
3
3
.
c

= =
r
R
Qr k
E
in

(c)
E
117. Two spheres A and B of radius 4cm and 6cm are given charges of 80C and 40C
respectively. If they are connected by a fine wire, the amount of charge flowing from one to
the other is
(a) 20 C from A to B (b) 16 C from A to B
(c) 32 C from B to A (d) 32 C from A to B
Sol.: Total charge . 120 40 80 C Q = + = By using the formula .
2 1
1
1 (

+
= '
r r
r
Q Q
New charge on sphere A is . 48
6 4
4
120 C
r r
r
Q Q
B A
A
A
=
(

+
=
(

+
=
Initially it was 80C i.e., 32C charge flows from A to B.
(d)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank



MODERATE QUESTIONS

M
118. A point charge q is placed at a height a from vertex of square
of side a as shown. The electric flux through the square is
(a)
0
c
q
(b) zero
(c)
0
6c
q
(d)
0
24c
q


a
a
a
a
a
q

Sol.: (d)

M
119. In the given circuit, find the heat generated if switch
S is closed.
(a)
2
2
3
CV (b)
2
2
1
CV
(c)
2
CV (d)
2
3
1
CV

C
C
C
S
V
Sol.: C
eq
=C
So, work done by battery =CV
2

Heat generated =
2
2
1
CV
(b)

M
120. If net electric field E due to dipole at point P
makes an angle 30 with the line OP as shown,
then find the value of angle u.
(a) |
.
|

\
|

2
1
tan
1
(b) ( ) 2 tan
1

(c) |
.
|

\
|

3
2
tan
1
(d)
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
3
tan
1

E
P
30
q
u
O
q

Sol.: tan 30 = u tan
2
1
, tan u =
3
2

(c)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
121. Let V and E be the potential and the field respectively at a point. Which of the following
assertion is correct?
(a) If V =0, E must be zero (b) If V = 0, E cannot be zero
(c) If E = 0, V cannot be zero (d) none of these
Sol.: (d)

M
122. A charge q is placed at the axis of a charged ring
of radius r at a distance of r 2 2 as shown in
figure. If ring is fixed and carrying a charge Q, the
kinetic energy of charge q when it is released and
reaches the centre of ring will be,
(a)
r
qQ
0
4tc
(b)
r
qQ
0
12tc

(c)
r
qQ
0
6tc
(d)
r
qQ
0
2tc



Q
r
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r 2 2
q


Sol.: K.E. of q at O = ( )
P O
V V q
=
(
(

+ tc

tc
2 2
0
0 ) 2 2 ( 4
4
r r
Q
r
Q
q
=
r
qQ
r
qQ
0 0
6 4 3
2
tc
=
tc

(c)

Q
r
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r 2 2
q
O P

M
123. Figure shown in five capacitors connected across a
12 V power supply. What is the potential drop
across the 2F capacitor?
(a) 2 V (b) 4 V
(c) 8 V (d) 10 V

6F
1F
2F 3F
6F
12V


Sol.: 1 F, 2 F and 3F are in parallel and their
equivalent capacitance is 6F.
Hence, each 6 F capacitor has potential difference
of 4V.

6F
6F 6F
12V


(b)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
124. A parallel plate capacitor is maintained at a certain potential difference. When a dielectric
slab of thickness 3 mm is introduced between the plates, the plate separation had to be
increased by 2 mm in order to maintain the same potential difference between the plates.
The dielectric constant of the slab is
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 5
Sol.:
A
K
t d Q
C
Q
V
0
1
1
1 '
'
c
(

|
.
|

\
|

= = ,
A
Qd
C
Q
V
0
c
= =
Now, V V = ' |
.
|

\
|
' =
K
t d d
1
1
mm 2 ' = d d , mm 3 = t |
.
|

\
|
=
K
1
1 3 2 K =3
(b)
M
125. A point charge q is placed inside a conducting spherical shell of inner radius 2R and outer
radius 3R at a distance of R from the centre of the shell. The electric potential at the centre
of shell will be
0
4
1
tc
times (potential at infinity is zero)
(a)
R
q
2
(b)
R
q
3
4
(c)
R
q
6
5
(d)
R
q
3
2


Sol.: V
C
=
(

+
tc R
q
R
q
R
q
3 2 4
1
0
= |
.
|

\
|
tc R
q
6
5
4
1
0

(c)

M
126. Two conducting plates X and Y, each having large surface area A
(on one side) are placed parallel to each other. The plate X is
given a charge Q whereas the other is neutral. The electric field at
a point in between the plates is given by
(a)
A
Q
2
(b)
0
2 c A
Q
towards left
(c)
0
2 c A
Q
towards right (d)
0
2c
Q
towards right

Q


Sol.: Charge on inner face, q =
2 2
0 Q Q
=

Electric field =
0
2 c A
Q

(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
127. Two concentric conducting shells A and B are of radii R and 2R. A charge q is placed at the
centre of shells. Shell B is earthed and a charge q is given to shell A. If charges on outer
surface of A and B are Q
A
and Q
B
respectively, then
(a) Q
A
=q, Q
B
=0 (b) Q
A
=2q, Q
B
=q
(c) Q
A
=2q, Q
B
=0 (d) Q
A
=q, Q
B
=q
Sol.: (c)
M
128. A solid hemispherical uniform charged body
having charge Q is kept symmetrically along the
y-axis as shown in figure. The electric potential at
a distance d from the origin along the x-axis at
point P will be


y
(0,0,0) (d,0,0)
x
P

(a)
d
Q
0
4
1
tc
(b) less than
d
Q
0
4
1
tc

(c) more than
d
Q
0
4
1
tc
and less than
d
Q
0
4
2
tc
(d) more than
d
Q
0
4
2
tc


Sol.: Assuming sphere is complete then charge on it =2Q
So potential at point P due to this spherical charge =
d
Q 2
4
1
0
tc

Hence potential due to hemisphere =
d
Q
0
4
1
tc

(a)
M
129. Two large conducting parallel plates having equal
charge Q are placed very close to each other and
distance between the plates is d. Find the work done
by external agent to increase the separation between
plates by d (area of plate is A)
Q Q
d

(a)
0
2
2 c A
d Q
(b)
0
2
2 c

A
d Q
(c)
0
2
2
3
c

A
d Q
(d)
0
2
c

A
d Q

Sol.: Force on first plate due to second plate Q
A
Q
|
|
.
|

\
|
c
0
2

W
ext
= W
electric field

0
2
2 c
=
A
d Q

(b)
Q Q
d


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
130. A capacitor of capacitance C having initial charge
2Q
0
, is connected to a battery of potential
difference
C
Q
V
0
= as shown, then work done by the
battery is
(a)
C
Q
2
2
0
(b)
C
Q
2
3
2
0

(c)
C
Q
2
0
3
(d)
C
Q
3
2
2
0



+
+
+
+




2Q
0

V
S


Sol.: Charge through the battery ( )
0 0 0
3 2 Q Q Q = = . Work done by battery
( )
C
Q Q
0 0
3
=
(c)

M
131. Two point charges +8q and -2q are located at x =0 and x =L respectively. The location of a
point on the x-axis at which the net electric field due to these two point charges is zero, is
(a) 2 L (b)
4
L
(c) 8 L (d) 4 L
Sol.:
( )
0
4
8
4
2
2
0
2
0
=
tc
+
tc

x
q
L x
q
or x =2 L
(a)

M
132. Four conducting plates are placed parallel to each
other. Separation between them is d and area of
each plate is A. Plate number 1 and 3 are
connected to each other and plate number 2 and 4
are connected to a battery of emf c. Charge
flowing through the battery is
1
2
3
4
c

(a) c
c
d
A
0
(b) c
c
d
A
0
2
3
(c) c
c
d
A
0
2
(d) c
c
d
A
0
3
2


Sol.: There are three capacitors C
1 2 ,
C
2 3
, C
3 4

equivalent capacitance is
d
A
0
3
2c
.
So charge flown through battery is
d
A
0
3
2c
c
(d)




2 1 2 3 3 4
c

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
133. In the given circuit the value of charge across
capacitor AB as a function of time is
(a)
|
|
.
|

\
|

RC
t
e CE
2
1 (b)
|
|
.
|

\
|

RC
t
e CE
2
1 2
(c)
|
|
.
|

\
|

RC
t
e CE
2
1 2 / (d)
|
|
.
|

\
|

RC
t
e CE
2
1 2

A
E
B
C
C
C
D
R


Sol.: Charge flow through battery as a function of time , ) 1 ( 2
2CR
t
e CE Q

=
(b)
M
134. Two identical conducting spheres having unequal charges q
1
and q
2
separated by distance r.
If they are made to touch each other and then separated again to the same distance. The
electrostatic force between the spheres in this case will be (neglect induction of charges)
(a) less than before (b) same as before (c) more than before (d) zero

Sol.: Since the two spheres are identical, the final charges on each of the sphere after they are
made to touch will be |
.
|

\
| +
2
2 1
q q

Change in electrostatic force between them

2
2 1
2
2
2 1
1 2
2
r
q Kq
r
q q
K
F F
|
.
|

\
| +
= = ( ) | |
2 1
2
2 1
2
4
4
q q q q
r
K
+ = ( ) 0
4
2
2 1
2
> = q q
r
K


1 2
F F >
(c)
M
135. A small ball of mass m and charge +q tied with an
insulating string of length l, is rotating on a vertical
circular path under gravity and in a uniform horizontal
electric field E as shown. The tension in the string will be
minimum for

E
u
m,q

(a)
|
|
.
|

\
|
= u

mg
qE
1
tan (b) t = u
(c)
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

mg
qE
1
tan
2

(d)
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ t = u

mg
qE
1
tan

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: The g
effective
will be directed along the resultant force of mg and
qE. The angle made by the direction of g
eff
with
vertical
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

mg
qE
1
tan .
The tension in the string will be minimum when the bob is just
opposite to the direction of g
eff
.

qE
g
eff
mg

Hence the required angle u
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ t =

mg
qE
1
tan
(d)
M
136. A dipole of dipole moment p is kept at the centre of a ring of radius R and charge q. The
dipole moment has direction along the axis of the ring. The resultant force on the ring due to
the dipole is
(a) zero (b)
3
0
4 R
pq
tc

(c)
3
0
2 R
pq
tc
(d)
3
0
4 R
pq
tc
only if the charge is uniformly distributed on the ring.
Sol.: The electric field due to the dipole on the circumference of the ring
3
0
4 R
p
E
tc
= and it is
directed normal to the plane of charged ring.
Hence force on the charged ring
3
0
4 R
pq
qE F
tc
= =
(b)
M
137. An electric field given by j y i E

) 2 ( 3

4
2
+ =

pierces Gaussian cube of side 1m placed at

origin such that its three sides represents x, y and z axes. The net charge enclosed within the
cube is
(a)
0
4c (b)
0
3c (c)
0
5c (d) zero

Sol.: Net flux in x-direction =0
Net flux in y-direction
] 2 ) 0 ( 3 [ ] 2 ) 1 ( 3 [
2
+ + = A A
A
q
3
0
=
c


0 0
3 3 e = e = A q , (as ) 1
2
m A =
(b)

x
y
z


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
138. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged with a battery of potential V. The
battery is then disconnected and electromagnetic waves are incident on negative plate of the
capacitor. As a result the negative plate starts emitting electrons towards the positive plate.
The current which flows between the plates remains constant till time t
1
and then starts
decreasing. The potential difference between the plates at time t
1
is (Assume plates of
capacitor are close to each other)
(a) V (b) V/2 (c) 2V (d) zero

Sol.: The current starts decreasing when the potential difference between the plates becomes
zero.
(d)
M
139. n identical charge particle are placed on the vertices of a regular polygon of n sides of side
length a. One of the charge particle is released from polygon. When this particle reaches a
far of distance, another particle adjacent to the first particle is released. The difference of
kinetic energies of both the particles at infinity is k. Magnitude of charge is
(a) ak
0
4tc (b)
a
k
0
4tc
(c)
a
k
(d) ka
Sol.: k
a
q
=
tc
0
2
4

(a)
M
140. A dielectric slab of thickness d is inserted in a parallel plate capacitor whose negative plate
is at x =0 and positive plate is at x =3d. The slab is equidistant from the plates. The
capacitor is given some charge. As x goes from 0 to 3d.
(a) the magnitude of the electric field remains the same
(b) the direction of the electric field changes continuously
(c) the electric potential increases continuously
(d) the electric potential increases at first, then decreases and again increases
Sol.: (c)
M
141. A circular ring carries a uniformly distributed positive charge and lies in XY plane with
centre at origin of co-ordinate system. If at a point (0, 0, z), the electric field is E, then
which of the following graphs is correct?

(a)


O
Z
Y
T
E
z

(b)


O
Z
Y
T
E
z


(c)


O
Z
Y
T
E
z

(d)


O
Z
Y
E
z

Sol.: (c)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
142. Four metallic plates, each with surface area of one side
A, are placed at a distance d from each other. The plates
are connected as shown in figure. Then the capacitance
of the system between P and Q is
1
2
3
4
P(+)
Q()

(a)
d
A
0
3c
(b)
d
A
0
2c
(c)
d
A
3
2
0
c
(d)
d
A
2
3
0
c

Sol.:
d
A
C
C C
C C
C
PQ
3
2
3
2
2
2
0
c
= =
+

=
(c)

P(+)
2 3
3 4
Q()
2 1

M
143. A semi-circular arc of radius a is charged uniformly and the charge per unit length is . The
electric field at its centre is
(a)
a
0
4tc

(b)
a
0
4c

(c)
a
0
2c

(d)
a
0
2tc

Sol.: (d)

M
144. Two identical parallel plate capacitors are placed in series and connected to a constant voltage
source of V
0
volt. If one of the capacitors is completely immersed in a liquid with dielectric
constant K, the potential difference between the plates of the other capacitor will change to
(a)
0
1
V
K
K +
(b)
0
1
V
K
K
+
(c)
0
2
1
V
K
K +
(d)
0
1
2
V
K
K
+

Sol.: (b)
M
145. The equivalent capacitance of the network (with all
capacitors having the same capacitance C) is
(a) (b) zero
(c)
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
1 3
C (d)
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
2
1 3
C
A
B
Upto


Sol.:
) (
2 3 2 1 1
C C C
C C
C C C C +
+
= +
+
=

0 2 2
2 2
= +

C CC C
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=

2
3 1
C C
(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
146. A hollow conducting sphere is placed in an electric field
produced by a point charge placed at P as shown in figure.
Let V
A
, V
B
, V
C
be the potentials at points A, B and C
respectively. Then
(a)
B C
V V > (b)
C B
V V >
(c)
B A
V V > (d)
C A
V V =

A
C
P
B

Sol.: (a)

M
147. A current I is passing through a wire having two sections P and Q of uniform diameters d
and d/2 respectively. If the mean drift velocity of electrons at P and Q is denoted by v
p
and
v
Q
respectively, then
(a)
Q p
v v = (b)
Q p
v v
2
1
= (c)
Q p
v v
4
1
= (d)
Q p
v v 2 =
Sol.: Drift velocity
neA
i
v
d
=
A
v
d
1
or
2
1
d
v
d

Then
2
2
2 /
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
d
d
d
d
v
v
P
Q
Q
P

Q P
v v
4
1
=
(c)

M
148. Three large thin sheets with surface charge
density o, 2o and o are placed as shown in
figure. Electric field intensity at the point P is
(a) k

4
0
c
o
(b) k

4
0
c
o

(c) k

2
0
c
o
(d) k

2
0
c
o


o
2o
o
P
k

= z 3a
= z a
= z 0

Sol.: ( ) k k E
P

2 2
2
2
0 0 0 0
c
o
=
(

c
o
+
c
o
+
c
o
=
(c)

M
149. Two charges, each of magnitude q =2 C are placed
at the vertices Q and R of the triangle as shown in
the figure. The sum of the sides PQ and PR is 12 cm
and their product is 32 cm
2
. The potential at point P
would be
P
Q R

(a) 6.00 10
5
V (b) 6.25 10
5
V (c) 6.50 10
5
V (d) 6.75 10
5
V
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: 12 = + y x , 32 = xy

xy
y x
kq
y
kq
x
kq
V
p
+
= + = = 6.25 10
5

(b)

M
150. A particle carrying a charge q is moving with a
speed v towards a fixed particle carrying a charge Q
at large distance. It approaches Q up to a certain
distance r and then returns as shown in the figure. If
charge q were moving with a speed 2v at large
distance , the distance of the closest approach would
be


q Q
v
r

(a) r (b) 2r (c)
2
r
(d)
4
r

Sol.:
r
KqQ
mv =
2
2
1

( )
1
2
2
2
1
r
KqQ
v m =
4
1
r
r =
(d)

M
151. Three infinitely long charge sheets are placed as
shown in figure. The electric field at point P is
(a) k

0
c
o
(b) k

2
0
c
o

(c) k

4
0
c
o
(d) k

4
0
c
o

z
o
2o
x
o
Z=3a
Z=0
Z=a
P

Sol.: ( ) ( ) ( ) k k k E
p

2
2

2
0 0 0

c
o
+
c
o
+ +
c
o
=

, ( ) k E
p

0

c
o
=

(a)
M
152. Three concentric conducting spherical shells have
radii r, 2r and 3r and charges q
1
, q
2
and q
3

respectively appeared on the shells when innermost
and outermost shells are earthed as shown in the
figure. Then
(a)
2 3 1
q q q = + (b)
4
2
1
q
q =
(c) 3
1
3
=
q
q
(d)
3
1
2
3
=
q
q


r
2r
3r
q
1

q
2

q
3


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
( )
= +
+
r
kq
r
q q k
3 3
3 2 1
voltage of outersurface. Which is connected to the earth

( )
= +
+
r
kq
r
q q k
3 3
3 2 1
0 0
3 2 1
= + + q q q
(a)
M
153. The electric field in a region is given by ( ) j i E

4 + =

N/kg. Work done by this field is zero

when a particle is moved along the line
(a) y +4x =2 (b) 4y +x =6 (c) x +y =5 (d) x y =5
Sol.: Work done will be zero when displacement is perpendicular to the field. The field makes an
angle
|
.
|

\
|
= u

4
1
tan
1
1
with positive x-axis
while the line y +4x =2 makes an angle
( ) 4 tan
1
2
= u

with positive x-axis

0
2 1
90 = u + u
i.e. the line y +4x =2 is perpendicular to E

.
(a)
M
154. A charge +q is fixed at each of the points x =x
0
, x =3x
0
, x =5x
0
.. on the x-axis and a
charge q is fixed at each of the points x =2x
0
, x =4x
0
, x =6x
0
. Here, x
0
is a positive
constant. Take the electric potential at a point due to charge Q at a distance r from it to be
Q/4tc
0
r. Then the potential at the origin due to the above system of charges is
(a) zero (b)
2 ln 8
0 0
x
q
tc
(c) (d)
( )
0 0
4
2 ln
x
q
tc

Sol.: ..... ..........
4 3 2
0 0 0 0
+ +
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
x
kq
x
kq
x
kq
x
kq
V ,
0 0
4
2 ln
x
q
V
tc
=
(d)
M
155. Figure shows three spherical and equipotential surfaces
1, 2 and 3 round a point charge q. The potential
difference V
1
V
2
=V
2
V
3
. If t
1
and t
2
be the distance
between them. Then
(a) t
1
=t
2
(b) t
1
>t
2
(c) t
1
<t
2
(d) t
1
s t
2


3
2
1
q
t
1

t
2


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
(

=
(

=
2 1
1 2
2 1
2 1
1 1
r r
r r
Kq
r r
Kq V V
so, ( )
2 1 1 2
r r r r o [ potential difference is constant]
t
2
>t
1

(c)

M
156. If the capacitance of each capacitor is C , then effective
capacitance of the shown network across any two
junctions is
(a) 2C (b) C

(c) C/2 (d) 5C



Sol.: The given network is a balanced wheatstone bridge with one capacitor in parallel with this
bridge.
(a)

M
157. For the given diagram which of the following
statement is true? (V
1
and V
2
are the potential
difference across capacitor C
1
and C
2
respectively)
(a) with S
1
closed, V
1
=15V, V
2
=20V
(b) with S
3
closed, V
1
=V
2
=25V
(c) with S
1
and S
2
closed, V
1
=V
2
=0
(d) with S
1
and S
3
closed, V
1
=20 V, V
2
=20V
Sol.: (d)


S
2

S
1

V
1
=20V V
2
=20V
C
2
=3pF
C
1
=2pF
S
3



M
158. A part of the circuit is shown in the figure. All the
capacitors have capacitance of 2F. Then
(a) charge on capacitor C
1
is zero.
(b) charge on capacitor C
2
is zero.
(c) charge on capacitor C
3
is zero.
(d) charge on capacitors cannot be determined.

2V
3V
2V
2V
C
1

C
2

C
3



ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: ( ) ( ) ( ) 0 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 = + + X X X
18 6 = X
V 3 = X
Potential difference across C
3
is zero.

2V
3V
2V
X
(X2)
2V
C
1

C
2

C
3


Hence charge on C
3
is zero.
(c)

M
159. A parallel plate capacitor has two layers of dielectrics
as shown in figure. This capacitor is connected across
a battery, then the ratio of potential difference across
the dielectric layers is
(a) 4/3 (b) 1/2
(c) 1/3 (d) 3/2

K
1
=2
K
2
=6
d 2d

Sol.: Electric field in dielectrics are E
1
and E
2


2
3
2
2
1
2
1
= =
A
A
d E
d E
V
V


|
|
.
|

\
|
= = 3
1
2
2
1
K
K
E
E

(d)

K
1
=2
K
2
=6
d 2d
E
2

E
1



M
160. An air capacitor consists of two parallel plates A and B as
shown in the figure. Plate A is given a charge Q and plate B
is given a charge 3Q. P is the median plane of the capacitor.
If C
0
is the capacitance of the capacitor, then
(V
P
, V
A
and V
B
are potential at P, A and B respectively)
(a)
0
4C
Q
V V
A P
= (b)
0
2C
Q
V V
A P
=
(c)
0
C
Q
V V
A P
= (d)
0
4C
Q
V V
B P
=

A
P B
Q
3Q

Sol.:
0
C
Q
V V
A B
=

0
2C
Q
V V
P B
=

0
2C
Q
V V
A P
=

A
B
Q 3Q
Q
2Q
2Q
Q
P

(b)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
161. An electric field is given by ( ) N/C

j x i y E + =

. The work done by electric field in moving a

1C charge from position vector ( )m

2 j i r
A
+ =

to ( )m

4 j i r
B
+ =

is
(a) +4 J (b) 4 J (c) +8 J (d) zero
Sol.: W
electric field
= ( ) k dz j dy i dx E q

. + +
}

( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
0
1 , 4
2 , 2
1 , 4
2 , 2
1 , 4
2 , 2
= = = + =
} }
xy xy d xdy dx y
(d)
M
162. A ball of mass 2 kg having charge 1 C is dropped from the top of a high tower. In space
electric field exist in horizontal direction away from tower which varies as
( )
6
10 2 5 = x E V/m (where x-is horizontal distance from tower), the maximum
horizontal distance ball can go from the tower is
(a) 5m (b) 2.5m (c) 10m (d) 15m
Sol.: F
x
( )( ) x x 2 5 10 2 5 10 1
6 6
= =



2
2 5
,
2
2 5 x
dx
dv
v
x
a
x
x x

=
( )dx x dv v
X
x x
2 5 2
max
0
0
0
=
} }
0 5
2
max max
= X X
M
163. The maximum electric field intensity on the axis of a uniformly charged ring of charge q
and radius R will be
(a)
2
0
3 3 4
1
R
q
tc
(b)
2
0
3
2
4
1
R
q
tc
(c)
2
0
3 3
2
4
1
R
q
tc
(d)
2
0
2 2
2
4
1
R
q
tc

Sol.: E at axis of ring
( )
2
3
2 2
x R
Kqx
+
=
For E
max
, 0 =
dx
dE
,
2
R
x =
E
maximum

2
0
2
3
2
2
0
3 3
2
4
1
2
2 /
4
1
R
qR
R
R
R q
tc
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
tc
=
(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
164. Two capacitors of capacitances 3 F and 6 F are charged to a potential of 12 V each. They
are now connected to each other, with the positive plate of each joined to the negative plate
of the other. The potential difference across each will be
(a) zero (b) 3 V (c) 4 V (d) 6 V
Sol.: Charge stored in capacitor 3F =36 C
charge stored on capacitor 6 F =72 C

6
72
3
36 Q Q
=
+

i.e., 72 +2Q =72 Q
3Q =2 72
Q =48
V
common
=
3
36 48
=4 V
(c)






+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+





72
36



M
165. Two identical metal plates are given positive charges Q
1
and Q
2
(<Q
1
) respectively. If they
are brought close together to form a parallel plate capacitor with capacitance C, the potential
difference between them is
(a)
C
Q Q
2
2 1
+
(b)
C
Q Q
2 1
+
(c)
C
Q Q
2 1

(d)
C
Q Q
2
2 1


Sol.: Within the plates electric fields due to charges Q
1
and Q
2
are

A
Q
E and
A
Q
E
0
2
2
0
1
1
2 2 c
=
c
=
) (
2
1
2 1
0
2 1
Q Q
A
E E E
c
= =
V =Ed =
C
Q Q
Q Q
A
d
2
) (
2
2 1
2 1
0

=
c

(d)

M
166. Two identical thin rings, each of radius R are coaxially placed at a distanceR apart. If Q
1
and
Q
2
are the charges uniformly spread on the two rings, the work done by the electric field in
moving a charge q from the centre of first ring to the centre of the second ring is
(a) zero (b) ) 1 2 )( (
2 4
2 1
0

tc
Q Q
R
q

(c)
R
q
0
4
2
tc
(Q
1
+Q
2
) (d)
R
Q Q q
0
2 1
4 2
) ( ) 1 2 (
tc
+ +

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: V
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
tc
R
Q
R
Q
2
4
1
2 1
0
, V
2
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
tc
R
Q
R
Q
2
4
1
1 2
0

Work done =q (V
1
V
2
) =
(
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
tc
R
Q
R
Q
R
Q
R
Q q
2 2
4
1 2 2 1
0

=
R
q
2 4
0
tc
(Q
1
Q
2
) ) 1 2 (
(b)

M
167. Two equal point charges are fixed at x =-a and x =+a on the x-axis. Another point charge Q
is placed at the origin. The change in the electrical potential energy of system, when it is
displaced by a small distance x along the x-axis, is approximately proportional to
(a) x (b) x
2
(c) x
3
(d) 1/x
Sol.: Potential energy of the system when charge Q is at O is
a
qQ
a
qQ
a
qQ
U
2
0
= + =
When chargeQ is shifted to position O, the potential energy will be

1
2
2
2 2
1
2
) (
) 2 (
) ( ) (

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

+
+
=
a
x
a
qQ
x a
a qQ
x a
qQ
x a
qQ
U
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
2
2
1
2
a
x
a
qQ
) ( a x <<
AU =U U
0
= ) (
2 2
1
2
2
3 2
2
x
a
qQ
a
qQ
a
x
a
qQ
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
Hence AU
2
x U A .
(b)

M
168. A charge q is placed at the midpoint of the line joining two equal charges Q. The system of
three charges will be in equilibrium when q has the value
(a) Q/4 (b) Q/2 (c) Q/4 (d) Q/2

Sol.: Net force on a charge placed at A is zero
0
4
4
4
2
0
2
0
2
=
tc
+
tc d
Qq
d
Q


4
Q
q

=
(c)


A
B
C
Q Q q
d


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
169. A fully charged capacitor has a capacitance C. It is discharged through a small coil of
resistance wire embedded in a thermally insulated block of specific heat capacity s and mass
m. If the temperature of the block is raised by AT, the initial potential difference V across the
capacitance is
(a)
s
T mCA 2
(b)
s
T mCA
(c)
C
T msA
(d)
C
T msA 2

Sol.: Energy Stored = Loss of Heat , T ms CV A =
2
2
1
,
C
T ms
V
A
=
2

(d)
M
170. Three large conducting parallel plates are separated by a
small distance. A charge 1.0 C is given to middle plate.
Find the charge on outer surface of the upper plate.
(a) 1 C (b) C
2
1

(c) C
3
1
(d) C
6
1





Sol.: (b)

M
171. Two concentric spherical shell of radius R and 2R having
initial charges Q and 2Q respectively as shown. On closing
the switch S charge flow from outer sphere to earth is
(a) Q (b) Q
(c) 3Q (d) 3Q

2R
Q
R
2Q
S


Sol.: On closing the switch potential of outer shell is zero
0
2 2
1
= +
R
KQ
R
KQ
, Q
1
=Q charge flow =3Q
(d)

M
172. Three unchanged capacitor of capacitance 1F,
2F and 3F are connected as shown in figure.
If potentials at point P, Q and R are 1V, 2V, 3V
respectively. Then potential at O is
(a)
11
18
V (b)
18
11
V
(c) 5 V (d) none of these

1 F
P
2 F
3 F
Q
R
O


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: ( ) ( ) ( ) 0 3 3 2 2 1 1 = + + v v v

6
7
= v V
(d)


1 F
P
2 F
3 F
Q
R
1V
O
2V
3V

M
173. A positively charged ball hangs from a silk thread. We put a positive test charge q
0
at a
point and measure
0
q
F
, then it can be predicted that the electric field strength E becomes
(a) greater than
0
q
F
(b) Equal to
0
q
F

(c) less than
0
q
F
(d) cannot be estimated
Sol.: (a)
M
174. Two point charges +4e and e are kept at distance x apart. At what distance a charge q must
be placed from charge +e, so that q is in equilibrium
(a)
2
x
(b)
3
2x
(c)
3
x
(d)
6
x

Sol.:
( )
( )
2 2
4
y
Kqe
y x
q e K
=

,
3
x
y =
(c)
M
175. Consider two concentric metal spheres. The outer sphere is
given a charge Q >0, then
(a) the inner sphere will be polarized due to field of the
chargeQ.
(b) the electrons will flow from inner sphere to the earth if
S is shorted.
(c) the shorting of S will produce a charge of Qb/a on the
inner sphere
(d) none of the above
A
B
b
a
S


Sol.: When S is open, spheres A and B have same +ve potential.
When S is closed, potential of B becomes zero.
So, the potential of B decreases.
This decreases of potential takes place due to flow of electrons from earth to inner sphere B.
(c)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
176. In the given diagram, the potential
difference between A and B is V
1
, when
switch is open. The potential difference
between A and B when switch is closed
is V
2
. Then

S
Q
0

A
C
+
+
+
+





B
Q
0

2C




+
+
+
+

(a)
C
Q
V
2
0
1
= ,
C
Q
V
0
2
= (b) =
1
V zero , =
2
V zero
(c)
C
Q
V
2
0
1
= , =
2
V zero (d)
C
Q
V
2
0
1
= ,
C
Q
V
2
0
2
=
Sol.: Charge flow is zero after closing the switch, so,
C
Q
V V
2
0
2 1
= =
(d)

M
177. Two concentric hollow spherical shell of radius R
and 2R having charges Q and 2Q as shown. Find
the total electric potential energy of arrangement.
(a)
R
KQ
2
2
5
(b)
R
KQ
2

(c)
R
KQ
2
3
(d)
R
KQ
2
2


R
2R
2Q
Q

Sol.: Self energy
( )
( ) R
KQ
R
Q K
R
KQ
2 2 2
2
3
2 2
2
2
= + =
Interaction energy
( )
R
KQ
R
Q KQ
2
2
2
= =
Total
R
KQ
2
2
5
=
(a)

M
178. The dielectric strength of air is 3.0 10
6
NC
1
. The largest charge that a 0.30 cm radius
metal sphere can hold without sparking is
(a) 9 nC (b) 8.2 nC (c) 6 nC (d) 3 nC
Sol.: | |E

on the surface, should be less than 3 10

6
N/C
Hence,
6
2
10 3
.
s
r
Q K
,
6
6
9
10 3
10 9
10 9 s

Q


9
10 3

s Q , nC Q 3
max
=
(d)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
179. If each capacitor has capacitance C then find
C
AB

(a) C (b) C/2
(c) 3C/2 (d) none of these


A B

Sol.: Effective circuit

2
3C
C
eff
=
(c)

A B
=
A
B
C C
C
C
C
C
C
C

M
180. Two insulating plates are both uniformly charged in
such a way that the potential difference between them
is V
2
V
1
=20 V. (i,e, plate 2 is at a higher potential).
The plates are separated by d =0.1m and can be treated
as infinitely large. An electron is released from rest on
the inner surface of plate 1. What is its speed when it
hits plate 2? ( e =1.6 10
19
C, m
0
=9.11 10
31
kg)
(a) 2.65 10
6
m/s (b) 7.02 10
12
m/s
(c) 1.87 10
6
m/s (d) 32 10
19
m/s

0.1m
Y
X
1 2

Sol.: ( ) V e V m A =
2
0
2
1
,
6
10 65 . 2 = V m/s
(a)
M
181. A condenser of capacitance C
1
is charged to V
0
volt. The energy stored in it is U
0
. It is
connected in parallel to another uncharged condenser of capacitance C
2
. The energy loss in
the process is
(a)
( )
2 1
0 2 1
2 C C
U C C
+
(b)
0
2
2 1
2 1
U
C C
C C
|
|
.
|

\
|
+

(c)
2 1
0 1
C C
U C
+
(d)
2 1
0 2
C C
U C
+

Sol.: C
final
=C
1
+C
2,
V
common

|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
2 1
0 1
C C
V C

E
final
( )
2
2 1
0 1
2 1
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ =
C C
V C
C C
( )
2 1
0 1
2 1
2
0
2
1
2 C C
U C
C C
V C
+
=
+
=

0
2
0 1
2
1
U V C E
initial
= = , E
loss
=E
initial
-E
final
=
2 1
0 2
C C
U C
+

(d)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
182. In the adjoining figure. A section of a complicated circuit
is shown in which E =10 volt, C
1
=2F, C
2
=3F and
(V
B
V
A
) =10 volt. The potential on C
1
will be
(a) 0 volt (b) 4 volt
(c) 12 volt (d) 16 volt

A
B
C
1

C
2

10V
+


Sol.:
5
20 3
2 1
2
1

=
+
=
C C
V C
V
net
=12 Volt
(V
net
=V
1
+V
2
=20 V)

A
B
V
1

V
2

10V
+
C
1

10V
C
2


(c)

M
183. If n drops, each of capacitance C and charged to a potential V, coalesce to form a big drop,
the ratio of the energy stored in the big drop to that in each small drop will be
(a) n : 1 (b) n
4/3
: 1 (c) n
5/3
: 1 (d) n
2
: 1
Sol.: Charge on big drop =n (CV) (charge conservation)
Radius of big drop r n R
3 / 1
= (volume conservation)
Energy of small drop
r
q
E
s
0
2
4 2
1
tc
=
Energy of big drop
3 / 1
0
2 2
4 2
1
n
q n
E
b
tc
=

1
3 / 5
n
E
E
s
b
=
(c)
M
184. Two concentric spheres of radii r
1
and r
2
carry charges q
1
and q
2
respectively. If the surface
charge density (o) is the same for both spheres, the electric potential at the common centre
will be
(a)
2
1
0
.
r
r
c
o
(b)
1
2
0
.
r
r
c
o
(c) ( )
2 1
0
r r
c
o
(d) ( )
2 1
0
r r +
c
o

Sol.: V
common

2 0
2
1 0
1
4 4 r
q
r
q
tc
+
tc
=

2
2
2
2
1
1
4 4 r
q
r
q
t
=
t
= o
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


V
common
= ( )
2 1
0
2
2
2 2
2
1
1 1
0
4 4
1
r r
r
r q
r
r q
+
c
o
=
(

t
+
t c

(d)

M
185. A solid conducting sphere having a charge Q is surrounded by an uncharged concentric
conducting hollow spherical shell. The potential difference between the surface of solid
sphere and the outer surface of the hollow shell is V. If the shell is now given a charge of
3Q , the new potential difference between the same two surfaces is
(a) V (b) 2 V (c) 4 V (d) 2 V
Sol.: In the given situation potential difference is independent of charge on outer shell.
(a)

M
186. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C and 2C are connected in parallel and
charged to a voltage V with the help of a battery. The battery is then disconnected and the
space between the plates of the first capacitor is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant
k. The voltage across the combination now will be
(a) V (b)
k
V
3
(c)
1
3
+ k
V
(d)
2
3
+ k
V

Sol.: Total charge CV CV CV 3 2 = + =
Final capacitance ( ) 2 2 + = + = K C C KC
Common voltage across combination
( ) 2
3
2
3
+
=
+
=
K
V
K C
CV
V
C

(d)
M
187. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The
capacitor A has a charge q on it whereas B is un
charged. The charge appearing on the capacitor B a
long time after the switch is closed is
(a) zero (b)
2
q

(c) q (d) 2q

+
+
+
+
+
+
+







B
A
q

Sol.: When switched is closed, inner plates of two capacitor get connected with each other. But
outer plates are not connected. It means circuit is not completed. Therefore, no current will
flow or no charge will appear on B.
(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
188. A thin, metallic spherical shell contains a charge Q on it.
A point charge q is placed at the centre of the shell
another charge q
1
is placed out side as shown. All three
charges are positive. The electrostatic force on the charge
at the centre is

q
Q
q
1


(a) towards left (b) towards right (c) upward (d) zero
Sol.: (d)

M
189. Four positive charges of same magnitude Q are placed at
the four corners of a rigid square frame as shown in the
figure. The plane of the frame is perpendicular to z-axis. If
a negative charge q is placed at a distance z away from
the centre above frame (z <<L) then
(a) negative charge oscillates along the z-axis
(b) it moves away from the frame
(c) it moves slowly towards the frame and stay in the plane
of the frame
(d) it passes through the frame only once

Q
L
Q
Q Q
z-axis
q

Sol.: It will only oscillate about the centre along the z-axis.
(a)

M
190. Find the work done by the battery of the system as shown
in the figure
(a)
2
2
0
CV
(b)
4
2
0
CV

(c)
3
0
2
V C
(d)
3
2
0
CV

C
C/2
V
0



Sol.: Charge flown by the battery
3
0
0
CV
q =
W
battery
=
3
2
0
0 0
CV
V q =
(d)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
191. Two thin wire rings each having a radius R are placed at a distance d apart with their axis
coinciding. The charges on the two rings are +Q and Q. The potential difference between
the centres of the two rings is
(a) zero (b)
(

tc
2 2
0
1 1
4
d R
R
Q

(c)
2
0
4 d
QR
tc
(d)
(

tc
2 2
0
1 1
2
d R
R
Q

Sol.:
2 2
0
0 4
4
d R
Q
R
Q
V
A
+ tc

tc
=

2 2
0
0 4
4
d R
Q
R
Q
V
B
+ tc
+
tc
=

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

tc
=
2 2
0
1 1
2
d R
R
Q
V V
B A

(d)

A B
A
R
R
d
Q -Q


M
192. Two concentric spheres A and B having radii a and b respectively are
having a potential difference of V, when the switch S is open. The
potential difference when switch is closed
(a) is less than V (b) is greater than V
(c) is equal to V (d) cannot be determined.

a
b
S

Sol.: (c)

M
193. A parallel plate condenser with a dielectric of dielectric constant K between the plates has a
capacity C and is charged to a potential V volt. The dielectric slab is slowly removed from
between the plates and then reinserted. The net work done by the system in the process is
(a) ( )
2
1CV K (b) zero (c) ( )
2
1
2
1
CV K (d)
( )
K
K
CV
1
2


Sol.: (c)

M
194. 8 drops of equal radius coalesce to form a bigger drop. By what factor the charge and
potential change?
(a) 8, 4 (b) 8, 8 (c) 6, 8 (d) 8, 10

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: Charge on each drop =q
8
8
= =
q
q
q
q
f
,
3 3
3
4
3
4
8 R r t = t r R 2 = ,
r
q
V
0
4tc
= ,
r
q
V
2 4
8
'
0
tc
= , 4
'
=
V
V

(a)
M
195. A and B are similarly charged bodies which repel with force F. Another uncharged sphere C
of same size and material is touched with B and removed. It is kept at mid-point of distance
between A and B. Force on C is
(a)
2
F
(b) 2F (c) F (d) F
3
2


Sol.:
2
0
2
4 r
Q
F
tc
=
F
r
Q
r
Q
r
Q
F
C
=
tc
=
|
.
|

\
|
tc

|
.
|

\
|
tc
=
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
0
2
4
2
4
4 /
2
4
2 /

(c)
A B
Q
Q
r
A B
Q
r/2
r/2
Q/2
Q/2
C


M
196. A unit positive charge moves in an electric field E
along the path PQR. The potential difference between
points R and P will be
(a) zero (b) E. r
(c)
2
.r E
(d) 2 .r E

R
V
P
E
Q
E
E
45
0

r

Sol.:
2
.
r
E V V
P R
=
(c)

M
197. The distance between plates of a parallel plate
capacitor is 5d. The positively charged plates is at x =
0 and negatively charged plate is at x =5d. Two slabs
one of conductor and the other of a dielectric of same
thickness d are inserted between the plates as shown in
figure. Potential (V) versus distance x graph will be


C
O
N
D
U
C
T
O
R

D
I
E
L
E
C
T
R
I
C
+q q
O
d 3d 2d 4d 5d
x

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank



V
O
d 3d
2d 4d 5d
x
(a)

V
O
d 3d
2d 4d 5d
x
(b)


V
O
d 3d
2d 4d 5d
x
(c)

V
O
d 3d
2d 4d 5d
x
(d)

Sol.: E = slope of V-x graph
E inside a conductor =0
slope of V-x graph between
x =d to x =2d should be zero and E in air >E in dielectric
|slope in air| >| slope in dielectric|
(b)
M
198. For circuit the equivalent capacitance
between points P and Q is
(a) 6C (b) 4C
(c) 3C/2 (d) 3C/4

P
Q
C
C
C
C C
C

Sol.:
C C C
eff
1
3
1 1
+ =
4
3C
C
eff
=
(d)

M
199. Seven capacitors, a switch S and a source of e.m.f.
are connected as shown in the figure. Initially, S is
open and all capacitors are uncharged. After S is
closed and steady state is attained, the potential
difference in volt across the plates of the capacitor
A is

21F
7F
28F
59V
4F
1F
2F
3F
A

(a) 12 (b) 15 (c) 17 (d) 19
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: The equivalent circuit is
If q be the charge on each capacitor, then
59
7 3 28 7 21
= + + + +
q q q q q

or q =84 C
Potential difference across A
12
7
84
7
= = =
q
volt.
(a)

21F
7F
28F
59V
4F
1F 2F
3F
S
A



21F
7F
28F
59V
7F
3F
S
A

M
200. Two spherical conductors A and B of radii a and b
(b >a) are placed concentrically in air. The two are
connected by a copper wire as shown in figure.
Then the equivalent capacitance of the system is

a
b
A

B


(a)
a b
ab

tc
0
4
(b) ) ( 4
0
b a + tc (c) b
0
4tc (d) a
0
4tc
Sol.: All the charge given to inner sphere will pass on to the outer one.
So, capacitor of that outer one =4tc
0
b.
(c)

M
201. Two charges q
1
and q
2
are placed 30 cm apart as
shown. A third charge q
3
is moved along the arc of a
circle of radius 40 cm from C to D. The change in the
potential energy of the system is k
q
0
3
4tc
, where k is
(a) 8q
2
(b) 8q
1

(c) 6q
2
(d) 6q
1


C
A
B
D
40cm
30cm
q
3

q
2

q
1



Sol.: Change in potential energy
i f
U U U = A ) (

(

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
+
tc
= A
5 . 0 4 . 0 1 . 0 4 . 0 4
1
3 2 3 1 3 2 3 1
0
q q q q q q q q
U
) 8 (
4
] 8 [
4
1
2
0
3
3 2
0
q
q
q q U
tc
=
tc
= A

2
8q k =

D
40cm
q
3

q
2

q
1

50cm
30cm 10cm
40cm

(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


M
202. The plates of parallel plate capacitor are charged upto 100V. A 2mm thick dielectric plate is
then inserted between the plates of capacitor. Then to maintain the same potential
difference, the distance between the plates is increased by 1.6 mm. The dielectric constant
of the plate is
(a) 5 (b) 1.25 (c) 4 (d) 2.5

Sol.: In air the potential difference between the plates
d V
air
.
0
c
o
= (i)
In the presence of partially filled medium potential difference between the plates
) (
0
K
t
t d V
m
+
c
o
= (ii)
Potential difference between the plates with dielectric medium and increased distance is

)
`

+ ' +
c
o
= '
K
t
t d d V
m
) (
0
(iii)
According to question ' =
m air
V V which gives
'
=
d t
t
K
Hence 5
6 . 1 2
2
=

= K
(a)

M
203. Four metallic plates, each with a surface area of
one side A, are placed at a distance d from each
other. The plates are connected as shown in the
figure. Then the capacitance of the system
between a and b is

a
b

(a)
d
A
0
3c
(b)
d
A
0
2c

(c)
d
A
3
2
0
c
(d)
d
A
2
3
0
c

Sol.:


a
b
1
2
3
4

Equivalent circuit diagram is

a
b
2 3
2 1 4 3


d
A
C
eq
0
2
3c
=
(d)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank



DIFFICULT QUESTIONS

D
204. Half part of ring is uniformly positively charged and other
half is uniformly negatively charged. Ring is in
equilibrium in uniform electric field as shown and free to
rotate about an axis passing through its centre and
perpendicular to plane. The equilibrium is
(a) stable (b) unstable
(c) neutral (d) can be stable or unstable
E
0

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+










Sol.: Assuming ring as dipole, then dipole moment P

and E

are in same direction, so potential

energy U =PE
(a)
D
205. In the arrangement shown all the plates have equal area
A and spacing d between them. The equivalent
capacitance between point P and Q will be,
(a)
d
A
0
c
(b)
d
A
3
0
c

(c)
d
A
2
0
c
(d)
d
A
0
2c

P
Q

Sol.:


P
Q
1
2
3
4
5
6
1 2
3 2
4 3 5 4
5 6
P
P
Q
d
A
C
0
c
=


C C C C C 2
4
2
1 1
2
1 1
eq
= + + =

d
A C
C
2 2
0
eq
c
= =
(c)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
206. A solid sphere of radius R, and dielectric constant k has spherical cavity of radius R/4. A
point charge q
1
is placed in the cavity. Another charge q
2
is placed outside the sphere at a
distance of r from q
1
. Then Coulombic force of interaction between them is found to be
F
1
. When the same charges are separated by same distance in vacuum then the force of
interaction between them is found to be F
2
, then
(a)
k
F
F
2
1
= (b)
k
F
F
1
2
= (c)
k
F F
1
2 1
= (d)
2 1
F F =

Sol.: Coulombic force between them remains same.
(d)
D
207. The magnitude of electric field intensity at point B (2, 0, 0) due to a dipole of dipole
moment, j i P

+ =

kept at origin is (assume that the point B is at large distance from the
dipole and
0
4
1
tc
= k )
(a)
8
13k
(b)
4
13k
(c)
8
7k
(d)
4
7k



Sol.: The dipole moment makes an angle 60
0
with x-axis and
lies in x-y plane as shown.
The electric field a point B due to dipole is
u + =
2
3
cos 3 1
r
kP
E where u =60
0


8
7k
E =
(c)

u =60
0

B(2,0,0)
P

D
208. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are
connected in series through a battery of potential
difference V (see figure). Area of each plate is a and
initially plates of capacitors are separated by a
distance d. Now, separation between plates of
capacitor B starts increasing at constant rate v, find
the rate by which work is done on the battery when
separation between plates of capacitor B is 2d.

A
V
B

(a)
2
2
0
d
vV ac
(b)
2
2
0
2d
vV ac
(c)
2
2
0
9d
vV ac
(d)
2
2
0
2
d
vV ac

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: Let at any instant separation between plates of capacitor B is x, then

) (
) (
.
0
0 0
0 0
x d dx
dx a
x
a
d
a
x
a
d
a
C
eq
+
c
=
c
+
c
c c
=
x d
a
+
c
=
0

V
x d
a
V C Q
eq
+
c
= =
0

v V
x d
a
dt
dx
V
x d
a
dt
dQ
2
0
2
0
) ( ) ( +
c
=
+
c
=
Rate of work done on the battery V
dt
dQ
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
2
0
9d
vV ac
= (when x =2d)
(c)
D
209. For spherical charge distribution given as

> =
s |
.
|

\
|
=
3 when , 0
3 when ,
3
1
0
r
r
r

(where r is the distance from the centre of spherical charge distribution)
The electric field intensity is maximum for the value of
(a) 5 . 1 = r (b) 2 = r (c) 5 . 4 = r (d) at infinity
Sol.: By Guass theorem,
} }
c
= dq EdS
0
1

dx x
x
r E
r
2
0
0
0 2
3
1
4
4
}
|
.
|

\
|

c
t
= t
(

=
12 3
2
0
0
r r
E
for max. electric field, 0 =
dr
dE

0
6 3
1
=
r
2
3
6
= = r
(b)
D
210. Four concentric conducting shells A, B, C and D are
arranged as shown in figure. A charge +q is given to the
outer most shell D. Shell B and C are connected by
conducting wire while Shell A and C is earthed. The
equivalent capacitance of system is
(a) a
0
64tc (b) a
0
16tc
(c) a
0
4tc (d) none of these


4a
3a 2a
a
A
B
C
D
+q


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: The equivalent capacitance
) 4 ( 4
) 3 4 (
) 4 3 ( 4
0
0
a
a a
a a
C tc +

tc
=
a
0
64tc =
(a)
D
211. A bob of mass m =100 gm having charge q =50C
connected with a non-conducting string of length l =1m
is whirled in vertical plane with minimum speed such that
it can complete a circular path in space where electric
field of strength E = 2 10
4
N/C is switched on as
shown in figure. The velocity of bob at the point where
tension in string become zero is
(a) )

5 ( j i v + =

(b) i v

10 =

(c) )

(
2
5
j i v + =

(d) )

3 (
2
5
j i v =

1m
m
+q
u
E
x
y
30


Sol.: The centripetal force,

l
mv
qE mg T
2
60 cos 60 cos = + +

l
mv
mg
2
= (as 0 = T and ) mg qE =
gl v =
10 = m/sec
the velocity vector
j v i v v

60 sin

60 cos =

[
2
5
j i v + =

(c)

30
60
60
V
mg
qE

D
212. An electric field line emerges from a positive point charge
+q at angle o to the straight line connecting it to a negative
point charge q 2 as shown in figure. At what angle | will
the field line enter the charge q 2 ?

+
|
o
q
2q

(a) o (b) |
.
|

\
| o

2
sin
2
1
sin 2
1
(c) |
.
|

\
| o

2
sin
2
1
sin
1
(d) |
.
|

\
| o

2
sin
2 2
1
sin
1

Sol.: The electric field lines connect the two charges of equal magnitude, the number of lines
emerging from the charge q + within the angle o 2 is equal to the number of lines entering
the charge q 2 at an angle | 2 . Consequently,
), cos 1 ( | 2 | ) cos 1 ( | | | = o q q
hence
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank



| 2 |
| |
2
sin
2
sin
q
q o
=
|
=
2
sin
2
1 o


2
sin
2
1
sin 2
1
o
= |


(b)
D
213. A cavity of radius r is made inside a solid sphere. The
volume charge density of the remaining sphere is . An
electron (charge e, mass m) is released inside the cavity
from point P as shown in figure. The centre of sphere and
centre of cavity are separated by a distance a. The time
after which the electron again touches the sphere is



P 45
a

(a)
a e
m r

c
0
2 6
(b)
a e
m r

c
0
2
(c)
a e
m r

c
0
6
(d)
a e
m r

c
0

Sol.:
0
3c

= =
a e
eE F

2
2
1
2 t
m
F
r =

a e
m r
t

c
=
0
2 6


(a)


P 45
a


D
214. A parallel plate capacitor having square plate of area a and
separation between plates d is completely filled with a dielectric
of dielectric constant k. Capacitor is connected with a battery of
potential difference V. Now dielectric is pulled with constant
speed u. Find the initial value of current.
u
V

(a) ) 1 (
2
0

c
k
d
u a
(b) ) 1 (
0

c
k
d
u a
(c) zero (d) ) 1 (
2
0

c
k
d
u a


Sol.:
d
x a
d
x a a k
C
0 0
) ( c
+
c
=
CV Q =

(

c
+
c
= = = u
d
a
u
d
a k
dt
dC
V
dt
dQ
I
0 0

u
V

= ) 1 (
0

c
k
d
u a

(b)
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
215. A charge q is placed at some distance along the axis of a uniformly charged disc of surface
charge density o. The flux due to the charge q through the disc is |. The electric force on
charge q exerted by the disc is
(a) o| (b)
t
o|
4
(c)
t
o|
2
(d)
t
o|
3

Sol.: Electric field due to disc at position of q is
q
E
| o
= , o| = = qE F
(a)

D
216. The diagram shows an arrangement of identical metal
plates placed parallel to each other and the variation of
potential between the plates by dotted line. Using the
details given in diagram, the equivalent capacitance
connected across the battery is equal to
(Separation between the plates =L, area of each plate =A)

Y
X
10V
0V
10V
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(a)
L
A
0
3c
(b)
L
A
4
3
0
c
(c)
L
A
5
6
0
c
(d)
L
A
0
c

Sol.: Circuit can be redrawn as
C
eq
=
L
A C
5
6
5
6
0
c
=
(c)


10V
10V
0V 1 2
2 3
7 6
6 5
3 4

D
217. A cylindrical conductor AB of length l and area of
cross-section a is connected to a battery having emf
E and negligible internal resistance. The specific
conductivity of cylindrical conductor varies as
x
l
0
o = o , where o
0
is constant and x is distance
from end A. What is the electric field just near the
end B of cylinder?
A B
E

(a)
l
E
(b)
l
E
2
3
(c)
l
E
3
2
(d)
l
E
2

Sol.: Resistance of cylinder
}
o
=
l
a
dx
R
0
1
0
3
2
o
=
a
l


R
E
I =
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Electric field
l Ra
x
a
I J
0
o
E
=
o
=
o
=
l a
a
l
l E
0
0
3
2
) (
o
o
=
l
E
2
3
=
(b)
D
218. A uniform electric field E is present horizontally along
the paper throughout region but uniform magnetic field
B
0
is present horizontally (perpendicular to plane of
paper in inward direction) right to the line AB as shown.
A charge particle having charge q and mass m is
projected vertically upward and crosses the line AB after
time t
0
. Find the speed of projection if particle moves
after t
0
with constant velocity. (given qE =mg)


B
B
0

q, m
E
A


(a) gt
0
(b) 2gt
0

(c)
2
0
gt

(d) particle cant move with constant velocity after crossing AB

Sol.: When crosses AB
mg qvB = u cos
0


0
qvB sinu =qE
1 tan = = u
mg
qE


4
t
= u
along horizontal
0
cos t
m
qE
v = u
u = sin
0
v gt u

mg
v
qE
qvB
u
A
B


0
t
m
qE
g u |
.
|

\
|
+ = =2gt
0

(b)

D
219. A conducting disc of radius R is rotating with an angular velocity . e Allowing the fact that
electrons are the current carries in conductor, the potential difference between the centre of
the disc and edge is (mass and charge of electron is m and e and neglect gravity)
(a)
e
R m
V
2
2
e
= (b)
e
R m
V
2
2 2
e
= (c)
e
R m
V
2
e
= (d)
e
R m
V
4
2 2
e
=
Sol.: Centripetal force on electron at distance r from centre of disc.
eE r m = e
2

e
r m
E
2
e
=
ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank



e
r m
dr
dV
2
e
=

}
e
=
e
=
R
e
R m
rdr
e
m
V
0
2 2 2
2

(b)

D
220. A capacitor is to be designed to operate, with constant
capacitance, in an environment of fluctuating
temperature. As shown in the figure, the capacitor is a
parallel plate capacitor with spacer to change the
distance for compensation of temperature effect. If o
1

be the co-efficient of linear expansion of plates and o
2

that of spacer, the condition for no change in
capacitance with change of temperature is (The
capacitance of the capacitor is equal to C and spacer
have insulated ends)


spacer

(a)
2 1
o = o (b)
2 1
2o = o (c)
2 1
2 o = o (d)
2 1
3 2 o = o
Sol.:
L
A
C
0
c
=
L A C log log log log
0
+ c =

L
dL
A
dA
C
dC
=
0 2
2 1
= o o = dT dT
C
dC


2 1
2 o = o
(c)
D
221. An electric dipole is placed along the x-axis at the origin O. A point P is at a distance of
20cm from the origin such that OP makes an angle
3
t
with the x-axis. If the electric field at
P makes an angle u with the positive direction of x-axis, the value of u would be
(a)
3
t
(b)
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
t

2
3
tan
3
1
(c)
3
2t
(d)
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
3
tan
1


Sol.: o +
t
= u
3
where
3
tan
2
1
tan
2
1
tan
t
= u = o

2
3
tan
1
= o so,
2
3
tan
3
1
+
t
= u
(b)


Q
Y
E
P
o
o
u
X
P
+Q t/3
O


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
222. In the given figure two semicircular wire is connected
which are in x-y and x-z plane respectively. And +2q
0

charge is distributed over it, then what will be the
magnitude of electric field intensity at the origin.
(a)
2
0
0
R
q
tc
(b)
2
0
2
0
4
R
q
tc

(c)
2
0
2
0
2 R
q
c t
(d)
2
0
0
2 R
q
tc


+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
x
z
y

Sol.:
2
0
2
0
2 R
q
E
y
c t
= ,
2
0
2
0
2 R
q
E
z
c t
= ,
2
0
2
0 2 2
2 R
q
E E E
z y net
c t
= + =
(c)

D
223. There is uniform electric field i E E

0
=

as shown in
figure. Two charged particles q
1
and q
2
and masses m
1

and m
2
are projected from point O with velocities
2 1
andv v

at t =0. At t =2t
0
their velocities become
' and '
2 1
v v

. Then find | ) ( ) (
2 2 1 1
'
2 2
'
1 1
v m v m v m v m

+ + |
(gravity is absent)
(a) (q
1
+q
2
) E
0
t
0
(b) 2(q
1
+q
2
) E
0
t
0

(c)
2
1
(q
1
+q
2
) E
0
t
0
(d) zero

E

x
y
z
O


Sol.:
t
P
F
A
A
= , F =(q
1
+q
2
) E
0,
At =2t
0,
(q
1
+q
2
) E
0
=
0
2t
P A
, AP =2 (q
1
+q
2
) E
0
t
0

(b)



D

224. If the area of each plate is A and the successive
separation are d, 2d and 3d. Then find the equivalent
capacitance across A and B in the given figure.

3d
2d
d
A
A


(a)
d
A
4
0
c
(b)
d
A
4
3
0
c
(c)
d
A
0
c
(d)
d
A
0
4c

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.:
d
A
C
0
1
c
= ,
d
A
C
2
0
2
c
=
and
d
A
C
3
0
3
c
=

3d
2d
d
A
A

C
2
is short-circuited. C
1
and C
3
are in series.
Hence,
3 1
3 1
C C
C C
C
AB
+
=
Substituting the values, we get
d
A
C
AB
4
0
c
=
(a)

D
225. One brass plate is inserted between two charges. The force between two charges will
(a) remain the same (b) increase (c) decrease (d) fluctuate
Sol.: (b)



D
226 There is an air-filled 1 pF parallel plate capacitor. When the plate separation is doubled and
the space is filled with wax, the capacitance increases to 2pF. The dielectric constant of wax
is
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 8

Sol.: (b)
D
227. Two charges q
1
and q
2
are placed 30 cm apart as
shown. A third charge q
3
is moved along the arc of a
circle of radius 40 cm from C to D. The change in the
potential energy of the system is k
q
0
3
4tc
, where k is
(a) 8q
2
(b) 8q
1

(c) 6q
2
(d) 6q
1


C
A
B
D
40cm
30cm
q
3

q
2

q
1


Sol.: Change in potential energy
i f
U U U = A ) (

(

|
.
|

\
|
+ |
.
|

\
|
+
tc
= A
5 . 0 4 . 0 1 . 0 4 . 0 4
1
3 2 3 1 3 2 3 1
0
q q q q q q q q
U
) 8 (
4
] 8 [
4
1
2
0
3
3 2
0
q
q
q q U
tc
=
tc
= A

2
8q k =

D
40cm
q
3

q
2

q
1

50cm
30cm 10cm
40cm

(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
228. Four plates of equal area A, are separated by equal
distances d and are arranged as shown in the
figure. The equivalent capacity between x and y is
(a)
d
A
0
2c
(b)
d
A
0
4c

(c)
d
A
0
3c
(d)
d
A
0
c


x y

Sol.: The equivalent circuit is as shown in figure,

d
A
C C
eff
0
2
2
c
= =

x
y

(a)

D

229. Charges Q, 2Q and Q are given to three concentric
conducting spherical shells A, B and C respectively, as
shown in the figure. The ratio of charges on the inner and
the outer surfaces of the shell C will be

A
Q
B
2Q
C
Q

(a)
4
3
+ (b)
4
3
(c)
2
3
(d)
2
3

Sol.: The electric field inside a conductor is zero. So if we take a Gausian spherical surface just
covering the inner surface of the shell C, the flux on it will be zero.
Hence from Gausss law, the charge on the inner surface of shell C should be 3Q, and from
conservation of charge, charge on the outer surface of C will be +2Q.
(d)

D
230. A point charge +Q is projected with velocity V from a
distance R from an infinitely long fixed line charge of
linear charge density . What is the tangential velocity of
the point charge when its radial distance from the line
charge becomes eR ?


R
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Q
V

(a)
e
V
(b) eV (c) V e
2
(d) V/e
2

Sol.:
2 2 1 1
R V R V =
(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
231. In the diagram shown, the charge +Q is fixed. Another
charge +2q, is projected from a distance R from the fixed
charge. Minimum separation between the two charges if the
velocity becomes half of the projected velocity, at this
moment is (Assume gravity to be absent)

+Q M, +2q
V
60
R

(a) R 3 (b) R
2
3
(c) R
2
1
(d) 4R
Sol.: d Mv R Mv ' =
2
3
d
v
R v
2 2
3
=
R d 3 =
(a)


D
232. Thesemicircular ring shown in the figure has radius R
and carries a charge Q distributed uniformly over it. A
point charge Q is taken from the point (0, 0, 2R) to the
point (0, 2R, 0). The work done in doing this is equal to
W. After fixing the charge at its new position, the ring
is rotated in anticlockwise sense about x-axis through
an angle t/2. The work done in rotating the ring is

Q
z
x
y

(a) W (b) W (c)
R
Q
W
0
2
4tc
+ (d)
R
Q
W
0
2
4tc
+
Sol.: Work done to rotate the ring is equal to work done to return the charge at its initial position.
(b)

D
233. n identical charge particle are placed on the vertices of a regular polygon of n sides of side
length a. One of the charge particle is released from polygon. When this particle reaches a
far of distance, another particle adjacent to the first particle is released. The difference of
kinetic energies of both the particles at infinity is k. Magnitude of charge is
(a) ak
0
4tc (b)
a
k
0
4tc
(c)
a
k
(d) ka
Sol.: k
a
q
=
tc
0
2
4

(a)

ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


D
235. A point charge is placed at a distance r from center of
a conducting neutral sphere of radius R (r > R). The
potential at any point P inside the sphere at a distance
r
1
from point charge due to induced charge of the
sphere is given by [k =
0
4
1
tc
]
(a) kq/r
1
(b) kq/r
(c) kq/r kq/r
1
(d) kq/R


C
R
P
r
1

r
q


Sol.: Potential of centre of sphere =
r
Kq
V
r
Kq
i
= +
where V
i
=potential due to induced charge at centre =0 [ Eq
i
=0 and all induced charges
are equidistance from centre]
potential at point P =
i
V
r
Kq
r
Kq
+ =
1
(For conductor all points are equipotential)

|
|
.
|

\
|
=
1
r
q
r
q
K V
i

(c)
D
236. In the circuit shown in figure if switch S is closed, the
charge that flows through battery is equal to
(a) 5 C (b) 7.5 C
(c) 10 C (d) 15 C


+
+
+
_
_
_
10 V
S
3F
15C, 3F

Sol.: C
eq
=3/2 F
Charge flow Aq =C
eq
(10
3
15
) =
2
3
5 =7.5 C
(b)

D
237. Four concentric conducting shells A, B, C and D are
arranged as shown in figure. A charge +q is given to the
outer most shell D. Shell B and C are connected by
conducting wire while Shell A and C is earthed. The
equivalent capacitance of system is
(a) a
0
64tc (b) a
0
16tc
(c) a
0
4tc (d) none of these


4a
3a 2a
a
A
B
C
D
+q


ELECTROSTATICS
Question Bank


Sol.: The equivalent capacitance
) 4 ( 4
) 3 4 (
) 4 3 ( 4
0
0
a
a a
a a
C tc +

tc
=
a
0
64tc =
(a)

D
238. In the circuit shown, the capacitors
1
C and
2
C have
capacitance C each. The switch S is closed at time . 0 = t
Taking CE Q =
0
and , RC = t the charge on
2
C after time t
will be
(a) ) 1 (
2 /
0
t

t
e Q (b) ) 1 (
/
0
t

t
e Q
(c) ) 1 (
2
2 / 0 t

t
e
Q
(d) ) 1 (
/ 2
0
t

t
e Q


R
C
1
C
2
E
S


Sol.: Rearranging the circuit, we observed that C
1
is
joined directly to the cell and acquires its full
charge when S is closed. It plays no part in the
charging of C
2
through R.
So, ) 1 (
/
0 2
t
=
t
e Q q
(b)

R
C
1
C
2
E


D
239. Two large identical plates are placed in front of each
other at x =d and x =2d as shown in figure. If charges
on plates are Q and -5Q, the potential versus distance
graph for region x =0 to x =3d is (d is very small
and potential at x =0 is v
0
)

Q
0
d
2d
3d
-5Q
x



2d
(a)
x
v
0

V
d
3d


2d
(b)
x
v
0

V
d
3d


2d
(c)
x
v
0

V
d
3d


2d
(d)
x
v
0

V
d
3d

Sol.; Slope of potential from x =0 to x =d is
A
Q
A
Q
0 0
2
2
4
c
=
c

Slope of potential from x =d to x =2d is
A
Q
0
3
c

Slope of potential from x =2d to x =3d is
A
Q
0
2
c

(d)