Electrostatics

1. What is meant by quantisation of charges?

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

2. Write down Coulomb’s law in vector form and mention what

each term represents.
Answer:
The force on a charge q1 exerted by a point charge q1 is given by
F⃗ 12 = 1/4πε0 q1q2/r2 r^21
Here r^21 is the unit vector from charge q1 to q1.
But r^21 = –r^12,

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

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

Coulomb force Gravitational force

1. It can be attractive or
repulsive depends on the nature
of the charge 1. It is always attractive

2. The value of Gravitational

2. The value of Proportionality constant G = 6.626 x
constant K = 9 x 109 Nm2 C-2 1011 Nm2 Kg-2

3. It depends on the medium 3. It is independent of the

which it exists. medium which it
4. Write a short note on the superposition principle.
Answer:
According to this superposition principle, the total force acting on
a given charge is equal to the vector sum of forces exerted on it
by all the other charges.
F⃗ tot1 = F⃗ 12 + F⃗ 13 + F⃗ 14 + F⃗ 1n
5. Define ‘Electric field’.
Answer:
It is defined as the force experience by a unit positive charge,
kept at that point
It is a Vector quantity.
Unit: NC-1
6.What is mean by ‘Electric field lines’?
Answer:
Electric field vectors are visualized by the concept of electric field
lines. They form a set of continuous lines which are the visual
representation of the electric field in some region of space.
7. The electric field lines never intersect. Justify.
Answer:
If two lines cross at a point, then there will be two different
electric field vectors at the same point which is not possible.
hence, they do not intersect.
Question 8.
Define ‘Electric dipole’
Answer:
Two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance constitute an electric
dipole.

Question 9.
What is the general definition of electric dipole moment?
Answer:
The electric dipole moment for a collection of ‘n point charges is given by
P→=∑ni=1qiri
where r̂ i is the position ofvector of change qi from origin.
Question 10.
Define “electrostatic potential”.
Answer:
The electric potential at a point P is equal to the work done by an external force to
bring a unit positive charge with constant velocity from infinity to the point P in
the region of the external
electric field E⃗ .

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

Question 12.
What are the properties of an equipotential surface?
Answer:
Properties of equipotential surfaces
(i) The work is done to move a charge q between any two points A and B,
W = q (VB – VA). If the points A and B lie on the same equipotential surface, work
done is zero because of VA = VB.
(ii) The electric field is normal to an equipotential surface. If it is not normal, then
there is a component of the field parallel to the surface. Then work must be done to
move a charge between two points on the same surface. This is a contradiction.
Therefore the electric field must always be normal to the equipotential surface.

Question 13.
Give the relation between electric field and electric potential.
Answer:
The electric field is the negative gradient of the electric potential.
E=−dvdx
Question 14.
Define electrostatic potential energy?
Answer:
The potential energy of a system of point charges may be defined as the amount of
work done in assembling the charges at their locations by bringing them in from
infinity.

Question 15.
Define ‘electric flux’.
Answer:

1. The number of electric field lines crossing a given area kept normal
to the electric field lines is called electric flux.
2. Scalar quantity.
3. Unit: Nm2C-1
Question 16.
What is meant by electrostatic energy density?
Answer:
The energy stored per unit volume of space is defined as energy density
uE = UVolume
From equation uE = 12 (ε0A)d (Ed)2 = 12 ε0 (Ad) E2 or uE = 12 ε0E2
Question 17.
Write a short note on ‘electrostatic shielding’.
Answer:

1. The process of isolating a certain region of space from the external

field. It is based on the fact that the electric field inside a conductor is
zero.
2. Whatever the charges at the surfaces and whatever the electrical
disturbance outside, the electric field inside the cavity are zero.
Question 18.
What is Polarisation?
Answer:
Polarisation P⃗ is defined as the total dipole moment per unit volume of the
dielectric.
P⃗ = Xe P⃗ ext
Question 19.
What is dielectric strength?
Answer:

1. The maximum electric field the dielectric can withstand before it

breakdowns is called dielectric strength.
2. The dielectric strength of air 3 × 106 Vm-1
Question 20.
Define ‘capacitance’. Give its unit.
Answer:
The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined as the ratio of the magnitude of charge
on either of the conductor plates to the potential difference existing between the

C = qV or Q ∝ V.
conductors.

The SI unit of capacitance is coulomb per volt or farad (F).

Question 21.
What is corona discharge?
Answer:
The total charge of the conductor near the sharp edge gets reduces due to ionization
of surrounding air. It is called corona discharge.
Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Discuss the basic properties of electric charges.
Answer:
The electric charge is an inherent property of particles.
Conservation of electric charge:

1. Total electric charge in the universe is constant.

2. Charge can be neither created nor destroyed.
3. In any physical process, the net change in charge will always be zero.
4. The charge ‘q’ of any object is equal to an integral multiple of the
fundamental unit of charge ‘e’.
q = ne
5. n is any integer
6. e is charge of an electron = 1.6 × 10-19C.
Question 2.
Explain in detail Coulomb’s law and its various aspects.
Answer:
Consider two point charges q1 and q2 at rest in vacuum, and separated by a distance
of r. According to Coulomb, the force on the point charge q2 exerted by another
point charge q1 is
F⃗ 21 = Kq1q2/r2 r^12,
where r^12 is the unit vector directed from charge q1 to charge q2 and k is the
proportionality constant.

Important aspects of Coulomb’s law:

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

(ii) The force on the charge q2exerted by the charge q1 always lies along the line
joining the two charges. r^21is the unit vector pointing from charge q1 to
q2 Likewise, the force on the charge q1 exerted by q2 is along – (i.e., in the direction
opposite to r^21).
(iii) In SI units, k = 14πε0 and its value is 9 x 109 Nm2C-2. Here e0 is the
permittivity of free space or vacuum and the value of ε0 = 14πε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-
1
m-2
(iv) The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two charges each of one
coulomb and separated by a distance of 1 m is calculated as follows:
[F] = 9×109×1×112 = 9 x 109N. This is a huge quantity, almost equivalent to the
weight of one million ton. We never come across 1 coulomb of charge in practice.
Most of the electrical phenomena in day-to-day life involve electrical charges of
the order of pC (micro coulomb) or nC (nano coulomb).
(v) In SI units, Coulomb’s law in vacuum takes the form F⃗ 21 = 14πε0 q1q2r2 r^12.
sin Since ε > ε0, the force between two point charges in a medium other than
vacuum is always less than that in vacuum. We define the relative permittivity for
a given medium as ε = εε0 .For vacuum or air, εr = 1 and for all other media εr > 1
(vi) Coulomb’s law has same structure as Newton’s law of gravitation. Both are
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the particles. The
electrostatic force is directly proportional to the product of the magnitude of two
point charges and gravitational force is directly proportional to the product of two
masses.

(vii) The force on a charge q1 exerted by a point charge q2 is given

by F⃗ 12 = 14πε0 q1q2r2 r^12 Here r^21 is sthe unit vector from charge q2 to q1.

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

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

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

Here r^ is the unit vector pointing from q to the point of interest P. The electric
field is a vector quantity and its SI unit is Newton per Coulomb (NC-1).
Important aspects of the Electric field:
(i) If the charge q is positive then the electric field points away from the source
charge and if q is negative, the electric field points towards the source charge q.

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

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

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

(v) In the definition of the electric field, it is assumed that the test charge q0 is taken
sufficiently small, so that bringing this test charge will not move the source charge.
In other words, the test charge is made sufficiently small such that it will not
modify the electric field of the source charge.
(vi) The expression is valid only for point charges. For continuous and finite-size
charge distributions, integration techniques must be used. However, this expression
can be used as an approximation for a finite-sized charge if the test point is very far
away from the finite-sized source charge.

(vii) There are two kinds of electric field: uniform (constant) electric field and non-
uniform electric field. A Uniform electric field will have the same direction and
constant magnitude at all points in space. The non-uniform electric field will have
different directions or different magnitudes or both at different points in space. The
electric field created by a point charge is basically a non-uniform electric field.
This non-uniformity arises, both in direction and magnitude, with the direction
being radially outward (or inward), and the magnitude changes as distance
increases.

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

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

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

Here r is the distance of the point P from the infinitesimal charge dq and r^ is the
unit vector from dq to point P. Even though the electric field for a continuous
charge distribution is difficult to evaluate, the force experienced by some test
charge q in this electric field is still given by F⃗ = qE⃗ .
(a) Line charge distribution: If the charge Q is uniformly distributed along the wire
of length L, then linear charge density (charge per unit length) is λ = QL. Its unit is
colomb per meter (Cm-1). The charge present in the infinitestimal length dl is dq =
λdl.

The electric field due to the line of total charge Q is given by

(b) Surface charge distribution: If the charge Q is uniformly distributed on a

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

(c) Volume charge distribution: If the charge Q is uniformly distributed in a

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

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

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

Since the electric dipole moment vector P⃗ is from -q to +q and is directed along

BC, the above equation is rewritten as

where p^ is the electric dipole moment unit vector from -q to +q. The electric
field at a point C due to -q is

Since +q is located closer to the point C than -q, E⃗ _. E⃗ + us stronger than E⃗ .

Therefore, the length of the E + vector is drawn large than that of E⃗ _vector.
The total electric field at point C is calculated using the superposition principle of
the electric field.

Note that the total electric field is along E⃗ +, since +q is closer to C than -q.

The direction of E⃗ tot is shown in Figure

If the point C is very far away from the dipole then (r >> a). Under this limit the
term(r2 – a2)2 ≈ r4 Substituting this into equation, we get
If point C is chosen on the left side of the dipole, the total electric field is still in
the
Case (II) :
Electric field due to an electric dipole at a point on the equatorial plane
Consider a point C at a distance r from the midpoint O of the dipole on the
equatorial plane as shown in Figure. Since point C is equidistant from +q and -q,
the magnitude of the electric fields of +q and -q are the same. The direction of E+
is along with BC and the direction of E is along with CA. E+ and E_ are resolved
into two components; one component parallel to the dipole axis and the other
perpendicular to it.

The perpendicular components ∣∣E⃗ +∣∣ sin θ and ∣∣E⃗ −∣∣ sin θ are oppositely
directed and cancel each other. The magnitude of the total electric field at point C
is the sum of the paralle component of E⃗ + and E⃗ – and its direction is
along −p^.

The magnitudes E⃗ + and E⃗ – are the same and are given by

By substituting equation (1) into equation (2), we get

At very large distances (r >> a), the equation becomes
E⃗ tot 1/4πε0 pr3 (r >>) …… (4)

Question 6.
Derive an expression for the torque experienced by a dipole due to a uniform
electric field.
Answer:
Torque experienced by an electric dipole in the uniform electric field:
Consider an electric dipole of dipole moment p⃗ placed in a uniform electric field
E whose field lines are equally spaced and point in the same direction. The charge
+q will experience a force qE⃗ in the direction of the field and charge -q will
experience a force -qE⃗ in a direction opposite to the field.
Since the external field E⃗ is uniform, the total force acting on the dipole is zero.
These two forces acting at different points will constitute a couple and the dipole
experience a torque. This torque tends to rotate the dipole. (Note that electric field
lines of a uniform field are equally spaced and point in the same direction). The
total torque on the dipole about the point O
τ⃗ = OA−→− × (-qE⃗ ) + OB−→− × qE⃗
Using the right-hand corkscrew rule, it is found that total torque is perpendicular to
the plane of the paper and is directed into it.

The magnitude of the total torque

τ⃗ = |OA−→−|(-qE⃗ ) sin θ + |OB−→−| |qE→| sin θ
where θ is the angle made by P⃗ with E⃗ . Since p = 2aq, the torque is written in
terms of the vector product as
τ⃗ = p⃗ x E⃗
The magnitude of this torque is τ = pE sin θ and is maximum Torque on dipole
when θ =90°.
This torque tends to rotate the dipole and align it with the electric field E⃗ .
Once E⃗ is aligned with E⃗ , the total torque on the dipole becomes zero.

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

Electric field due to positive point charge q is

The infinitesimal displacement vector, dr⃗ = drr^ and using r^ . r^ = 1, we

have
After the integration,

Hence the electric potential due to a point charge q at a distance r is

V = 1/4πε0 qr …… (2)
Important points (If asked in the exam)
(i) If the source charge q is positive, V > 0. If q is negative, then V is negative and
equal to
V = 1/4πε0 qr
(ii) The description of the motion of objects using the concept of potential or
potential energy is simpler than using the concept of field.
(iii) From expression (2), it is clear that the potential due to positive charge
decreases as the distance increases, but for a negative charge, the potential
increases as the distance are increased. At infinity (r = ∞) electrostatic potential is
zero (V = 0).
(iv) The electric potential at a point P due to a collection of charges q1,q2,q3… qn is
equal to the sum of the electric potentials due to individual charges.

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

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Additional Questions Solved

I. Multiple Choice Questions

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

Question 2.
A force of 0.01 N is exerted on a charge of 1.2 x 10-5 G at a certain point. The
electric field at that point is
(a) 5.3 x 104 NC-1
(b) 8.3 x 10-4 NC-1
(c) 5.3 x 102 NC-1
(d) 8.3 x 104 NC-1
Answer:
(d) 8.3 x 104 NC-1
Hint:
E = Fq = 0.011.2×10−5 = 8.3 x 102 NC-1
Question 3.
The electric field intensity at a point 20 cm away from a charge of 2 x 10 5 C is
(a) 4.5 x 106 NC-1
(b) 3.5 x 105 NC-1
(c) 3.5 x 106 NC-1
(d) 4.5 x 105 NC-1
Answer:
(a) 4.5 x 106 NC-1
Hint:
E = q4πε0r2 = 9×109×2×10−5(0.2)2 = 4.5 x 106 NC-1
Question 4.
How many electrons will have a charge of one coulomb?
(a) 6.25 x 1018
(b) 6.25 x 1019
(c) 1.6 x 1018
(d) 1.6 x 1019
Answer:
(a) 6.25 x 1018
Hint:
Number of electron, n = qe = 11.6×10−19 = 6.25 × 1018
Question 5.
The ratio of the force between two charges in air and that in a medium of dielectric
constant K is
(a) K : 1
(b) 1 : K
(c) K2 : 1
(d) 1 : K2
Answer:
(a) K : 1

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

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

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

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

Question 10.
Two plates are 1 cm apart and the potential difference between them is 10 V. The
electric field between the plates is
(a) 10 NC-1
(b) 250 NC-1
(c) 500 N-1
(d) 1000 NC-1
Answer:
(d) 1000 NC-1
Hint:
E = Vd = 101×10−2 = 8.3 x 102 NC-1

Question 11.
At a large distance (r), the electric field due to a dipole varies as
(a) 1r
(b) 1r2
(c) 1r3
(d) 1r4
Answer:
(c) 1r3
Question 12.
Two thin infinite parallel plates have uniform charge densities +c and -σ. The
electric field in the space between then is
(a) σ2ε0
(b) σε0
(c) 2σ2ε0
(d) Zero
Answer:
(b) σε0
Question 13.
Two isolated, charged conducting spheres of radii R1, and R2 produce the same
electric field near their surfaces. The ratio of electric potentials on their surfaces is-
(a) R1R2
(b) R2R1
(c) R21R22
(d) R22R21
Answer:
(b) R2R1
Question 14.
A 100 μF capacitor is to have an energy content of 50 J in order to operator a flash
lamp. The voltage required to charge the capacitor is
(a) 500 V
(b) 1000 V
(c) 1500 V
(d) 2000 V
Answer:
(b) 1000 V

Question 15.
A 1 μF capacitor is placed in parallel with a 2 μF capacitor across a 100 V supply.
The total charge on the system is
(a) 1003 μC
(b) 100 μC
(c) 150 μC
(d) 300 μC
Answer:
(d) 300 μC
Hint:
Equivalent capacitor = 1 + 2 = 3 μF
Total charge, q = CV = 3 x 100 = 300 μF

Question 16.
A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance 100 μF is charged to 500 V. The plate
separation is then reduced to half its original value. Then the potential on the
capacitor becomes
(a) 250 V
(b) 500 V
(c) 1000V
(d) 2000 V
Answer:
(a) 250 V
Hint:

q = C’V’ = CV ⇒ V = CV2C = 5002 = 250 V

Here, C’ = 2C, since the charge remains the same.

Question 17.
A point charge q is placed at the midpoint of a cube of side L. The electric flux
emerging from the cube is ‘
(a) qε0
(b) q6Lε0
(c) 6Lqε0
(d) zero
Answer:
(a) qε0
Question 18.
The capacitor C of a spherical conductor of radius R is proportional to
(a) R2
(b) R
(c) R-1
(d) R0
Answer:
(b) R
Question 19.
Energy of a capacitor of capacitance C, when subjected to a potential V, is given
by
(a) 12 CV2
(b) 12 C2V
(c) 12 CV
(d) 12 CV
Answer:
(a) 12 CV2
Question 20.
The electric field due to a dipole at a distance r from its centre is proportional to
(a) 1r3/2
(b) 1r3
(c) 1r
(d) 1r3
Answer:
(b) 1r3

Question 21.
A point charge q is rotating around a charge Q in a circle of radius r. The work
done on it by the Coulomb force is
(a) 2πrq
(b) 2πQq
(c) Q2ε0r
(d) zero
Answer:
(d) zero
Question 22.
The workdone in rotating an electric dipole of moment P in an electric field E
through an angle 0 from the direction of the field is
(a) pE (1 – cos θ)
(b) 2pE
(c) zero
(d) -pE cos θ
Answer:
(a) pE (1 – cos θ)
Hint:
W = pE(cos θ0 – cos θ)
[θ0 = cos 0, cos 0 = 1]
W = pE(1 – cos θ)
Question 23.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor can be increased by
(a) increasing the distance between the plates
(b) increasing the thickness of the plates
(c) decreasing the thickness of the plates
(d) decreasing the distance between the plates
Answer:
(d) decreasing the distance between the plates

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

Question 25.
An electric charge is placed at the centre of a cube of side a. The electric flux
through one of its faces will be
(a) q/6ε0
(b) q/ε0a2
(c) q/4πε0a2
(a) q/ε0
Answer:
(a) q/6ε0
Hint:
According to Gauss’s law, the electric flux through the cube is qε0. Since there are
six faces, the flux through one face is q6ε0.

Question 26.
The electric field in the region between two concentric charged spherical shells-
(a) is zero
(b) increases with distance from centre
(c) is constant
(d) decreases with distance from centre
Answer:
(d) decreases with distance from centre
Question 27.
A hollow metal sphere of radius 10 cm is charged such that the potential on its
surface is 80V. The potential at the centre of the sphere is-
(a) 800 V
(b) zero
(c) 8 V
(d) 80 V
Answer:
(d) 80 V

Question 28.
A 4 μF capacitor is charged to 400 V and then its plates are joined through a
resistance of 1 K Ω. The heat produced in the resistance is-
(a) 0.16 J
(b) 0.32 J
(c) 0.64 J
(d) 1.28 J
Answer:
(b) 0.32 J
Hint:
The energy stored in capacitor is converted into heat
U = H = 12 CV2 = 12 x 4 x 10-6 x (400)2 = 0.32 J
Question 29.
The work done in carrying a charge Q, once round a circle of radius R with a
charge Q2 at the centre is-
(a) Q1Q24πε0R2
(b) zero
(c) Q1Q24πε0R
(d) infinite
Answer:
(b) zero
Hint:
The electric field is conservative. Therefore, no work is done in moving a charge
around a closed path in an electric field.
Question 30.
Two plates are 2 cm apart. If a potential difference of 10 V is applied between
them. The electric field between the plates will be
(a) 20 NC-1
(b) 500 NC-1
(c) 5 NC-1
(d) 250 NC-1
Answer:
(b) 500 NC-1
Hint:
Vd = 102×10−2 500 NC-1

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

Question 32.
A capacitor of 50 μF is charged to 10 volts. Its energy in joules is
(a) 2.5 x 10-3
(b) 5 x 10-3
(c) 10 x 10-4
(d) 2.5 x 10-4
Answer:
(a) 2.5 x 10-3
Hint:
U = 12 CV2 = 12 x 50 x 10-6 x (10)2 = 2.5 x 10-3 J
Question 33.
A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. The electric field due to this
charge distribution at the centre of the cube is
(a) q/b2
(b) q2/b2
(c) 32q/b2
(d) zero
Answer:(d) zero
Hint:
There
is an equal charge at diagonally opposite comer. The fields due the these at the
centre cancel out. Therefore, the net field at the centre is zero.
Question 34.
Total electric fulx coming out of a unit positive charge put in air is
(a) ε0
(b) ε−10
(c) (4πε0)-1
(d) 4πε0
Answer:
(b) ε−10
Question 35.
Electron volt (eV) is a unit of
(a) energy
(b) potential
(c) current
(d) charge
Answer:
(a) energy

Question 36.
A point Q lies on the perpendicular bisector of an electric dipole of dipole moment
P. If the distance of Q from the dipole is r, then the electric field at Q is
proportional to-
(a) p-1 and r-2
(b) p and r-2
(c) p and r-3
(d) p2 and r-3
Answer:
(c) p and r-3
Question 37.
A hollow insulated conducting sphere is given a positive charge of 10 μC. What
will be the electric field at the centre of the sphere is its radius is 2 metres?
(a) zero
(b) 8 μCm-2
(c) 20 μCm-2
(d) 5 μCm-2
Answer:
(d) zero
Question 38.
A particle of charge q is placed at rest in a uniform electric field E and then
released. The kinetic energy attained by the particle after moving a distance y is-
(a) qE2y
(b) q2Ey
(c) qEy2
(d) qEy
Answer:
(d) qEy
Hint:
Force on the particle = qE
KE = Work done by the force = F.y = qEy
Question 39.
Dielectric constant of metals is-
(a) 1
(b) greater then 1
(c) zero
(d) infinite
Answer:
(d) infinite

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

Question 41.
The SI unit of electric flux is
(a) volt metre2
(b) newton per coulomb
(c) volt metre
(d) joule per coulomb
Answer:
(c) volt metre
Question 42.
Twenty seven water drops of the same size are charged to the same potential. If
they are combined to form a big drop, the ratio of the potential of the big drop to
that of a small drop is-
(a) 3
(b) 6
(c) 9
(d) 27
Answer:
(c) 9
Hint:

⇒ V′V = (27)2/3 = 9
V’ = n2/3 V

Question 43.
A point charge +q is placed at the midpoint of a cube of side l. The electric flux
emerging ’ from the cube is-
(a) qε0
(b) 6ql2ε0
(c) q6l2ε0
(d) C2V22
Answer:
(a) qε0
Question 44.
The energy stored in a capacitor of capacitance C, having a potential difference V
between the plates, is-
Answer:
(c)

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

Question 46.
The energy stored in a capacitor is given by
(a) qV
(b) 12qV
(c) 12 CV
(d) q2C
Answer:
(b) 12qV

Question 47.
The unit of permitivity of free space so is
(a) coulomb/newton-metre
(b) newton-metre2/coulomb2
(c) coulomb2/newton-metre2
(d) coulomb/(newton-metre)2
Answer:
(c) coulomb2/newton-metre2
Question 48.
An electric dipole has the magnitude of its charge as q and its dipole moment is p.
It is placed in a uniform electric field E. If its dipole moment is along the direction
of the field, the force on it and its potential energy are, respectively.
(a) 2qE and minimum
(b) qE and pE
(c) zero and minimum
(d) qE and maximum
Answer:
(c) zero and minimum
Hint:
Potential energy, U = -pE cos θ
For q = 0°; U = -pE, which is minimum.

Question 49.
An electric dipole of moment P⃗ is lying along a uniform electric field E⃗ . The
workdone in rotating the dipole by 90° is
(a) pE2
(b) 2pE
(c) pE
(d) √2pE
Answer:
(c) pE
Question 50.
A parallel plate air capacitor is charged to a potential difference of V volts. After
disconnecting the charging battery the distance between the plates of the capacitor
is increased using an insulating handle. As a result the potential difference between
the plates
(a) does not charge
(b) becomes zero
(c) increases
(d) decreases
Answer:
(c) increases

Question 51.
When air is replaced by a dielectric medium of constant K, the maximum force of
attraction between two charges separated by a distance
(a) increases K times
(b) increases K-1 times
(c) decreases K times
(d) remains constant
Answer:
(c) decreases K times
Question 52.
A comb runs through one’s dry hair attracts small bits of paper. This is due to the
fact that
(a) comb is a good conductor
(b) paper is a good conductor
(c) the atoms in the paper get polarised by the charged comb
(d) the comb posseses magnetic properties
Answer:
(c) the atoms in the paper get polarised by the charged comb
Question 53.
Which of the following is not a property of equipotential surfaces?
(a) they do not cross each other
(b) they are concentric spheres for uniform electric field
(c) the rate of change of potential with distance on them is zero
(d) they can be imaginary spheres.
Answer:
(b) they are concentric spheres for uniform electric field

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

Question 55.
If the electric field in a region is given by E⃗ = 5j^ + 4j^ + 9k^ , then the
electric flux through a surface of area 20 units lying in the y-z plane will be-
(a) 20 units
(b) 80 units
(c) 100 units
(d) 180 units
Answer:
(c) 100 units
Hints:
The area vector A⃗ = 20j^; E⃗ = (5j^ + 4j^ + 9k^)
Flux (Φ) = E⃗ – A⃗ = 5 x 20 =100 units
Question 56.
A, B and C are three points in a uniform electric field. The electric potential is-

(a) maximum at A
(b) maximum at B
(c) maximum at B
(d) same at all the three points A, B, and C
Answer:
(b) maximum at B
Hint:
The potential decreases in the direction of the field. Therefore VB > VC>CA.
Question 57.
A conducting sphere of radius R is give a charge Q. The electric potential and the
electric field at the centre of the sphere are, respectively-
(a) zero, Q4πε0R2
(b) Q4πε0R
(c) Q4πε0R, zero
(d) zero,zero
Answer:
(c) Q4πε0R, zero.
II. Fill in the blanks
Question 1.
A dipole is placed in a uniform electric field with its axis parallel to the field. It
experiences …………………
Answer:
neither a net force nor a torque

Question 2.
The unit of permittivity is…………………
Answer:
C2N-1m-2
Question 3.
The branch of physics which deals with static electric charges or charges at rest is
…………………
Answer:
electrostatics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 13.
The unit of electric charge is …………………
Answer:
coulomb
Question 14.
Total charge in an isolated system …………………
Answer:
remains a constant

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

Answer:
coulomb

Question 16.
The unit of permittivity in free space (s0) is …………………
Answer:
C2N-1m-2
Question 17.
The value of s, for air or vacuum is …………………
Answer:1

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

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

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

Question 21.
The unit of electric field intensity is …………………
Answer:
NC-1.
Question 22.
The lines of force are far apart, when electric field E is …………………
Answer:
small

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question 29.
The number of electric lines of force crossing through the given area is
…………………
Answer:
electric flux
Question 30.
The process of isolating a certain region of space from the external field is called
…………………
Answer:
electrostatic shielding

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

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

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

Question 34.
Van de Graaff generator producers large electrostatic potential difference of the
order of …………………
Answer:
107 V
IV. Assertion and reason type
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of
the assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not correct explanation of
the assertion.
(c) If the assertion is true but the reason is false.
(d) If the assertion and reason both are false.
(e) If the assertion is false but the reason is true.

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

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

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

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

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

Samacheer Kalvi 12th Physics Electrostatics Short Answer Questions

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

Question 2.
What is meant by the conservation of total charges?
Answer:
The total electric charge in the universe is constant and the charge can neither be
created nor be destroyed. In any physical process, the net change in charge will
always be zero.

Question 3.
State Gauss’s Law?
Answer:
Definition:
Gauss’s law states that if a charge Q is enclosed by an arbitrary closed surface,
then the total electric flux OE through the closed surface is
ΦE = ∮E⃗ .dA⃗ = qenclε0

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

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

Question 6.
What are non-polar molecules? Give examples.
A non-polar molecule is one in which centers of positive and negative charges
coincide. As a result, it has no permanent dipole moment. Examples of non-polar
molecules are hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) etc.
Question 7.
What are polar molecules? Give examples.
Answer:
In polar molecules, the centers of the positive and negative charges are separated
even in the absence of an external electric field. They have a permanent dipole
moment.
The net dipole moment is zero in the absence of an external electric field.
Examples of polar molecules are H2O, N2O, HCl, NH3.
Question 8.
What is a capacitor?
Answer:
A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge and electrical energy.
Capacitors are widely used in many electronic circuits and have applications in
many areas of science and technology.