UNIT-II

ELECTROSTATICS - II

PART-A

1. The electric potential near the origin of a system of co ordinates in V = 5x2 + 8y2 + 10z2. Find the electric
field at (1, 2, 3). (May 2017)

Given, V = 5x2 + 8y2 + 10z2

2. What is a conservative field? (May 2017)

A field which satisfies the equation of the form,

A closed line integral of a field in zero is called conservative field. For such a field no work is done or no energy
is conserved around the closed path. Earth gravitational field and static electric field are examples of conservative
field.

3. Find the capacitance of an isolated spherical shell of radius a. (Dec 2016)

The capacitance of isolated sphere of radius ‘a’. It forms a capacitance with an outer plate which is infinitely large,
hence,

4. Find the magnitude of D for a dielectric material in which E = 0.15 mV/m and r = 5.25 (Dec 2015)

For a dielectric medium,

5. What is a capacitor and capacitance (June 2016)

A capacitor is a passive component that stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field. In its simplest form, a
capacitor consists of two conducting plates separated by an insulating material called dielectric. The property of a
capacitor is to store charge on its plates in the form of an electrostatic field is called capacitance of the capacitor.
Capacitance is also the property of a capacitor which resists the change of voltage across it. Capacitance is the
electrical property of a capacitor and is the measure of a capacitor ability to store electrical charge on its plates and
the unit of capacitance is Farads (F).

6. Write Poisson’s equation in cylindrical co ordinates. (June 2016)

The Poisson’s equation is given by

In cylindrical coordinates

7. Calculate the capacitance per km between a pair of parallel wires each of diameter 1cm at a spacing of 50
cm. (Dec 2015)

The capacitance between a pair of conductors is given by,

8. What is the practical significance of Lorentz’s force? (May 2015) (Dec 2015)

The force acting a particle of charge q with an instantaneous velocity , due to an external electric field
and magnetic field is given by

The solution of Lorenz force equation in useful in determination of electron orbit in magnetron, proton paths in a
cyclotron and plasma characteristics in magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) generator.

9. Give the significant physical differences between poisson’s and laplace equations. (Dec 2014)

The Poisson’s equation is given by

If in certain region, volume charge density is zero (ρv = 0) which is true for dielectric medium, then Poisson’s
equation becomes

This special case of Poisson’s equation is called Laplace’s equation.

10. What is meant by work done?

Suppose we wish to more a point charge ‘Q’ from ‘A’ to ‘B’ in an electric field

as shown in fig. From coulombs law the force on Q is . So workdone in

displaying charge by is . Therefore total workdone

11. Define potential difference.

Potential difference is defined as work done per unit charge. It is denoted by ‘v’.

Here , if it is –ve, implies that work in being done by the field and vice versa.

12. Define potential at a point.

Potential at any point is defined as the work done is transferring a test charge from infinity to that point. Thus

assuming zero potential at infinity, the potential at a distance ‘r’ from the point charge is

13. Define Electric potential due to point, line surface and volume charge densities.

We know that due to a point charge in and

If the point ‘Q’ is not located at the origin, but at a point whose position vector is

. Therefore or at becomes.

For ‘n’ point charge Q1, Q2, ….. Qn

For a line charge

For a surface charge

For a volume charge

14. Obtain the relationship between and V.

The potential difference between points A and B is VAB=-VBA

along a closed path is zero (no work done to move a charge in a closed path)

Applying stoke’s theorem to eqn(a) is

is a conservative field.

Also

In calculus total differentiation given by

Comparing (c) and (d)

The electric field intensity is the gradient of V. Negative sign indicates that is opposite to the direction of V.

15. Define Equipotential surface and Equipotential line.

Any surface on which the potential is the same throughout is known as an equipotential surface. The intersection
of an equipotential surface and a plane results in a path or line known as equipotential line.

16. Define current.

The current (in amperes) through a given area is the electric charge passing through the area per unit time.

17. Define current density.

The current density at a given point is the current through a unit normal area at point (or) current/unit area. It is

denoted by ‘J’.

18. Define convection and conduction current densities.

Convection current is the current which occurs when charges flow in an insulating medium such as liquid, rarefied
gas or vacuum. (e.g. A beam of electron in vacuum to be is convention current, this does not involve conductors

and does not satisfy ohm’s law). If there is a flow of charge with velocity ‘u’ is an insulating medium then the

convection current density ‘J’ is

Conduction current is the current which occurs when charges (free electrons in a conductor) flows in a conductor
due to an impressed electric field. If ‘σ’ is the conductivity of the conductor and ‘E’ the applied electric field then

the conduction current density is .This is Ohm’s law in point form.

19. Brief about the properties of a conductor under the influence of Electric field .

 A conductor has abundance of charge free to move ie(σ>>1)

 As shown in diagram if external field c is applied on a conductor, positive change move in direction of
field and negative charges in opposite direction. They accumulate on the surface producing surface

charge with internal electric field i in opposite direction. Thus the total electric field internally vanishes

ie =0 inside a conductor.

 Alternatively, J=σE, for a perfect n conductor σ→α, hence J/σ=E E=J/α=0 inside a conductor.

 Using Gauss law, ρv=0, hence VAB =0.

 To conclude, A perfect conductor cannot contain an electrostatic field within it, under static conditions. A
conductor is called an equipotential body.

20. Define polarization in Dielectrics.

  Dielectric materials do not have charges which are free to move, since they are bound by finite force.
 An atom with equal negative charge (electron) and positive charge (nucleus) as shown in figure (a) when
subjected to an electric field, the positive charge is displaced from its equilibrium position in direction of

and negative charge in opposite. This displacement causes the formation of dipole as shown in fig(b) .
Then, dielectric is said to be polarized. This phenomenon is said to be polarization in dielectric.

21. Define Dielectric constant and Dielectric strength.

We know that

Here = electric susceptibility, a measure of how much sensitive a given dielectric to electric fields.

0 = permittivity of free space → 8.854x10-12F/m

r = Relative permittivity or delectric constant.

The Dielectric constant r is the ratio of the permittivity of the dielectric to that of free space.

The Dielectric strength is the maximum electric field that a dielectric can tolerate without breakdown.

22. State continuity equation (i.e continuity of current equation)

We know that current coming out of a closed surface is

Using divergence theorem we write,

States that there can be no accumulation of charges for steady current

23. Derive poisson’s and Laplace’s equation.

Poisson’s equation can be derived from Gauss’s law.

If the region is charge free i.e ρv=0.Then the above equation reduces to

24. State Uniqueness Theorem.

Uniqueness theorem states that, if a solution to laplace’s equation can be found that satisfies the, boundary
condition, then the solution is unique.

25. What is Potential Gradient?

The rate of change of potential with respect to the distance is called potential gradient.
dV ∆V
= lim =Potential gradient
dL ∆ L→ 0 ∆ L

26. What is Gradient of V?

The maximum value of rate of change of potential with distance dV /dLis called gradient of V. The mathematical
operation on V by which −E is obtained is called gradient and denoted as, E=−∇ V

27. Define dipole moment.

The term dipole is used for two equal and opposite point charges seperated by a distance which is small compared
to the distance of point 'P' at which we desire the electric field and potential. Dipole is also called doublet.

Dipole moment is denoted by P . If the vector directed from –Q to +Q is d , then the dipole moment is defined as,

P=Q d

28. What is drift current and convection current?

The current constituted due to the drifting of electrons in metallic conductor is called drift current.

While in dielectrics, there can be flow of charges, under the influence of electric field intensity. Such a current is
called convection current.

29. What is Polarization and

The applied field E shifts the charges inside the dielectric to induce the electric dipoles. This process is called
Polarization.

30. What is Polarization of Dielectrics?

Polarization of dielectric means, when an electron cloud has a centre separated from the nucleus. This forms an
electric dipole. The dipole gets aligned with the applied field.

31. State the point form of Ohm’s law.

 The relationship between J∧E can also be expressed in terms of conductivity of the material. Thus for metallic
conductor,
J=σ E

Where σ =¿ conductivity of material

This equation is called point form of Ohm’s law.

32. What do Boundary conditions mean?

The conditions existing at the boundary of the two media when field passes from one medium to other are called
boundary conditions.

33. State the boundary conditions for two different dielectric mediums.

The tangential components are continuous across the boundary o two dielectrics.

E1 t =E2 t
The normal component is continuous across the charge free boundary between two dielectrics.

D 1 n−D 2 n= ρS

D 1 n=D 2 n for ρS=0

34. State the boundary conditions at the interface of conductor and dielectric medium.

The boundary conditions for conductor-dielectric interface

D t =Et =0 ; Dn=ε E n=ρ S

35. State the boundary conditions on a perfect conductor surface.

Under static conditions, the following conditions can be made about a perfect conductor:

No electric field may exist within a conductor. ρ v =0 , E=0

Since E=−∇ V =0 , there can be no potential difference between any two points in the conductor; that is the
conductor is an equipotential body.

36. State Laplace’s equation in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates.

Laplace equation in Cartesian coordinates

∂2 V ∂2 V ∂2 V
+ + =0
∂ x 2 ∂ y2 ∂ z2
Laplace equation in Cylindrical coordinates

1 ∂
ρ (
∂V
+ 2 )
1 ∂2 V ∂2 V
+
ρ ∂ ρ ∂ ρ ρ ∂ ∅ 2 ∂ z2
=0

Laplace equation in Spherical coordinates

r 2 ∂r (
1 ∂ 2 ∂V
r + ) 1 ∂
∂ r r 2 sin θ ∂ θ
sin θ
∂V
(+
1
)∂2 V
∂θ r 2 sin2 θ ∂ ∅2
=0
37. State the applications of Poisson’s equation and Laplace’s equation.

To obtain potential distribution over the region.

To obtain E in the region.

To check whether given region is free of charge or not.

To obtain the charge induced on the surface of the region.

38. How is electric energy stored in a capacitor?

1 2
In a capacitor, the work done in charging a capacitor is stored in the form of electric energy. W E= C V
2
39. Distinguish between Dielectric constant and Dielectric Strength (May 2015)

The dielectric constant is the ratio of the permittivity of a substance to the permittivity of free space. It is an
expression of the extent to which a material concentrates electric flux, and is the electrical equivalent of relative
magnetic permeability. Whereas the minimum value of the applied electric field at which the dielectric beaks
down is called dielectric strength of that dielectric.

40. Determine the electric field intensity at any point between two infinite sheets of charge densities +s
C/m2. (May 2015)

ρs
The Electric field intensity due to a infinite sheet of charge is⃗
E= a.
⃗
2ε n

If two infinite sheets of charge densities with +s C/m2 is present then the Electric field intensity at the midpoint
of the infinite sheets is ⃗
E =( ⃗
E1 + ⃗
E2 ) =¿) = 0 (zero).
 PART - B

1. Two point charges -4μc and 5μc are located at (2,-1,3) and (0,4,-2) respectively. Find the potential at
(1,0,1) assuming zero potential at infinity. (Dec 2014)

2. Given a field Calculate the potential difference given

A(-7,2,1) and B(4,2,1) (May 2011)

Let the path of integration be from

3. Given the potential , (a)Find the electric flux density (b) Calculate
the work done in moving a10μc charge from point A(1,30°,120°) to B(4,90°,60°).

(a) It is well known that

4. Find the Electric field intensity at a point ‘P’(r,θ,φ) due to a dipole . (May 2017)
Let the potential at point ‘P’(r,θ,φ) be given by

Where, r1 → distance between P and +Q

r2→ distance between P and –Q

If r>>d,r2-r1≈ d cosθ ,r1r2≈ r2 ,

If we define as dipole moment, then

(Note dipole moment is directed

from –Q to +Q)

If the dipole centre is not at the origin, but at r’, then

using (a)

Note:

 A point charge is a monopole and its electric field varies inversely as r 2 .

 For a point charge potential varies inversely as ‘r’.
  But due to a dipole varies inversely
as r3.
 V due to a dipole varies inversely as r2.
 For two dipole (Quadrapole) and so on
vary inversely as r4,r5,…
 For two dipole (Quadrapole) and so on
V vary inversely as r3,r4,..

5. Two dipoles with dipole moments are localed at points (0,0,-2) and (0,0,3)
respectively. Find the potential at the origin.

potential due to multiple dipoles using superposition principle can be written as

It is well known that

Here,

6. Derive the expression for energy density in electrostatic fields. (May 2012)(Dec 2015)

To determine the energy present in an assembly of charges, we must first determine the amount of
work necessary to assemble them. Suppose we wish to position three point charges Q 1, Q2 and Q3 in an
initially empty space as shown in figure. No work is required to transfer Q 1. For Q2 work done is product
of Q2 and potential at ‘2’ due to charge Q 1 at ‘1’ . i.e W=Q2V21 . For Q3, work done is product of Q3 and
sum of potential at ‘3’ due to Q1 and Q2 at P1 and P2 respectively i.e W= Q3(V31+V32)

WE = W1+W2+W3 = 0+ Q2V21+Q3(V31+V32) → (a)

If the charges are placed in the reverse direction. Then

WE= 0+Q2(V23) + Q(V13 +V12) → (b)

Adding (a) and (b)

2WE=Q1(V12+V13) + Q2(V21+V23) +Q3(V31+V32)

2WE=Q1V1+Q2V2+Q3V3

WE=1/2 Q1V1+Q2V2+Q3V3

Where V1, V2, V3 are potentials at P1, P2,and P3 respectively. Therefore if there are ‘n’ charges then the
total work done using superposition is

from Gauss’s law. For volume charge distribution

From vector identity

Applying Divergence theorem for I term

In the above equation ‘V’ varies as 1/r as 1/r2 and as r2

If surface is too large

The first term vanishes hence

Electrostatic energy density,

7. Derive the expressions for boundary condition at an interface of Dielectric (εr 1) – Dielectric (εr2)
medium. (Dec 2014)(Dec 2015)(May 2017)

Fig. (a)

Consider the field existing in a region that consists of two different dielectrics ie ε 1 and ε2 as shown in

figure (a) with and fields . and can be decomposed as

If we apply Maxwell’s equation to the closed path abcda assuming the path is very small
with respect to spatial variation of , then.
Note : (tangential component of ) undergoes no change, hence continuous on both medium. But

undergoes a change, hence discontinuous. Similarly we can find the relationship of in the two

mediums using Maxwell’s equation (Gauss law) for the fig(b) shown.

Fig. (b)

Assuming a Gaussian pill box (cylindrical) here = free charge enclosed by the surface. Assuming ‘ρ s’

in the free charge placed deliberately then. , the contribution due to sides vanishes, since ‘ρ s’
is placed on the surface of boundary. Hence

Note: The normal component of in continuous and that of in discontinuous at the boundary.
To find Refraction of electric field, consider or and or making angles θ1 and θ2 with the
normal to the interface as shown in fig (c)

Fig. (c)

Equation (c) is the Law of refraction of Electric field at a boundary free of charge.

8. Derive the expression for boundary condition at an interface of conductor-dielectric boundary.

(May 2012)
In conductor-dielectric case, =0 in conductor (since σ→ ρc→0)

For Consider the closed loop abcda.

Applying . For the diagram shown results in

Note :

 Dt=εEt =0 and Dn=ε =ρs i.e the tangential component is zero, only the normal component
exists.
 Since E=0 inside a conductor, it can act as a shield.
 E=0 E=- V=0, i.e potential difference inside a conductor is zero means conductor is an
equipotential surface.

9. Give the boundary condition at a interface near conductor –free space boundary.

The conditions are similar to Q.No.8 except that here ε=ε 0, εr=1. Therefore to conclude

10. Two extensive homogeneous isotropic dielectrics meet on plane z=0. For z>0, ε r1=4 and for z<0,

εr2=3. A uniform electric field exists for z≥0. Find (a) for z≤0 (b)The
angles E1 and E2 make with the interface (c)The energy densities (in J/m 3) in both dielectrics. (Dec
2011)

Refer to the fig. (a) Shown in Q.No.7 –Dielectric-Dielectric boundary.

(b) Let α1 and α2 be the angles made by E1 and E2

at the interface as shown in fig.

We have to find θ1 and θ2

C) Energy densities are given by

11. Derive the expression for capacitance for a parallel plate capacitor with plate area ‘s’ seperated
by a distance ‘d’ . The plates carry +Q and =-Q charges respectively with dielectric ‘ε’ in between.
(Nov 2010)(May 2017)

Let the parallel plate capacitor be charged as shown in fig. Let ρs = Q/s be the surface charge density of

each plate.The electric field intensity due to plate ‘A’ is

12. Derive the expression for energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor.

It is well known that

13. Derive the capacitance for a coaxial capacitor having inner radius ‘a’ and outer radius ‘b’ separated
by a dielectric ‘ε’ of length ‘l’ (Nov-2011)

Let the coaxial cylindrical capacitor be as shown in figure. Let the inner cylinder with radius ‘a’ carry +Q

and that of the outer with radius ‘b’ carry –Q, from Gauss’s law
Also it is well known that the capacitance of coaxial cylinder

is

14. Derive the capacitance for a spherical capacitor with two concentric spherical conductors of radius
‘a’ (+Q) and radius ‘b’ (-Q). Assume b>a (May 2011) (Dec 2015)

Solution:

Applying Gauss’s law to an arbitrary Gaussian surface with radius ‘r’ (a<r<b) in

Therefore the potential difference between the conductors is

Thus capacitance of the spherical capacitor is

15. Determine the capacitance of each of the capacitors shown in below fig. Take εr 1=4, εr2=6, d=5mm,
s=30cm2. (May-2012) (May 2016)

Fig (a)

In fig (a) two parallel plate capacitors say C1 and C2 are connected in series. Since and are normal
to the interface surface.

In fig. (b) D and E are parallel to the interface surface hence C 1 and C2 are in parallel.
16. A dielectric slab of flat surface with r = 4 is disposed with its surface normal to a uniform field with
flux density 1.5 c/m2. The slab occupies a volume of 0.08 m3 and is uniformly polarized. Determine

i) Polarization in the slab (Dec 2014)

ii) Total dipole moment of slab

Given, 0 = 4 = 1.5 c/m2, v = 0.08 m3

a) Polarization is given by

b) The total dipole moment is

P = |P|  total volume of slab

= 1.125  0.08 = 0.09 cm

17. A capacitor consists of two parallel metal plates 30 xm  30 cm surface area separated by 5 mm in
air. Determine its capacitance. Find the total energy stored by the capacitor and the energy density if
the capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 500V? (Dec 2014)

Given that, A = 30 x 30 = 900 cm2, V = 500 V, d = 5 mm, r = 1

= 19.92 J.
 Energy density =

18. Calculate the potential at point P(0,0) in due to point charges Q1 and Q2. Q1 = 10-12C in located at
(0.5,0) and Q2 = -10-11 C is located at (-0.5,0) m. (May 2016)

The potential at point P due to Q1 and Q2 is given by,

19. Find the potential at rA = 5 m with respect to rB = 15 m due to a

point charge Q = 500 p C at the origin and zero reference at infinity.
(Dec 2016)

The potential at A with reference to B.

20. In spherical coordinates V = -25 V on a conductor at r = 2 cm and V = 150 V at r = 35 cm. The space
between the conductor is a dielectric of r = 3.12 . Find the surface charge densities on the conductor.
(Dec 2016)

V depends only r. Hence the Laplace equation becomes,

 ∇2V = 0

Applying the boundary condition, when r = 2, V = -25V

-25 =

When r = 35, V = 150

Solving eqn (1) and (2)

A = 371.21

B=

Surface charge densities, at r = 2m,

at r = 35 m,