Pre-Requisites

Differential and integral calculus

Dealing with differential element
WPE
Gradient form of force
Parallelogram law of vector addition
Real Life Applications of Electrostatics

Static Electricity

Lightning

Electrostatic Precipitators, lightning Rods

Copier and Laser Printers, Charging Devices

Van de Graaff Generator, Electrostatic Motors

Capacitors, Particle Accelerators

Dusting and Cleaning: Electrostatic dusters and cleaning cloths are

designed to attract and trap dust and particles using static charges

Haircare Products, Electrostatic Toys

What we Learn
Electric Charge and its properties.
Coulomb’s Law.
Electric force and Equilibrium.
Electric Field (due to various geometries).
Electric Lines of Forces and Electric Flux.
Gauss’ Law & its Applications.
Electric Potential energy.
Electric Potential & Equipotential Surfaces.
Electric Dipole.
Conductors.
Earthing.
Weightage of Electrostatics

JA (last five years) – 15 to 18 %

JM (last three years) - 10 to 12 %

COULOMB’S LAW
Force between two charges

q1q2 r
F∝ 2
r q1 q2

kq1q2 Where k is proportionality constant

F= 2
r 1 9
Nm2
And k = = 9 × 10
4πϵ0 C2

kq1q2 1 q1q2
F= =
r2 4πϵ0 r2

𝛜𝟎 = 𝟖. 𝟖𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 𝐂𝟐/𝐍𝐦𝟐
= absolute permittivity of vacuum or free space.
Electrostatics Force In Medium

If medium is present up to infinity then,

1 q1q2
Fm =
4πϵ r2
r

1 q1q2 𝐪𝟏 𝐪𝟐
Fm =
4πϵ0K r2

F ϵ = permittivity of medium.
Fm =
K
Here, ϵ = ϵ0ϵr = ϵ0K
ϵr= relative permittivity of medium or
The value of K ≥ 𝟏, i.e. Fm ≤ 𝐅 Dielectric constant of medium (K).
VECTOR FORM OF COULOMB’S LAW
y F12
q1
𝐫Ԧ𝟐 − 𝐫Ԧ𝟏
kq1 q2 𝐫Ԧ𝟏
F21 = 2 rො21 𝐫Ԧ𝟏 − 𝐫Ԧ𝟐
r21
q2
𝐫Ԧ𝟐 F21
O x
kq1 q2
F21 = 3 𝑟Ԧ21 Where
r21 𝐫Ԧ21 = 𝐫Ԧ𝟐 − 𝐫Ԧ𝟏

rԦ1 → position vector of q1

rԦ2 → position vector of q2

F 21 → Force on charge q2 due

to charge q1
F 12 → Force on charge q1 due
to charge q2
EXAMPLE Charge A and charge B are placed at (2, 7, –3) and (4, 5, –4) respectively.

Charge on A and B are 300 mC and –900 mC respectively.

Find force on B due to A ?

Solution

Ans. 90 −2iƸ + 2jƸ + k෠ N

PITH BALL PROBLEMS
Two identical charged pith balls are suspended by insulated strings of
equal length, by a common point of suspension, if each ball has mass m
then the problem related to it can be treated as,

a a
θ θ
T
Tcosθ Tcosθ

θ θ
Tsinθ Tsinθ

Fe Fe
r
mg mg
PITH BALL PROBLEMS
If q1 = q2, m1= m2, then θ1 = θ2

If q1 ≠ q2, m1= m2, then θ1 = θ2

θ θ
If q1 = q2, m1 ≠ m2, then θ1 ≠ θ2 Tcosθ T Tcosθ
T
θ θ
q T sinθ T sinθ q
Fe Fe

mg mg
If m1 > m2 If m1 < m2
Fe
then θ1 < θ2 then θ1 > θ2 tanθ =
mg
PITH BALL PROBLEMS
If q1 = q2, m1= m2, then 𝛂 = 𝛃 If q1 ≠ q2, m1= m2, then 𝛂 = 𝛃

αβ a β
T T T T
q q q1 q2
Fe Fe Fe2 Fe2
mg mg mg mg

If q1 = q2, m1 ≠ m2, then 𝛂 ≠ 𝛃

T1 α β T2
q 𝐦 𝟏 > 𝐦𝟐
q Fe
Fe 𝛂<𝛃
m2g
m1g
PITH BALL PROBLEMS
If whole system placed in gravity free space. (g = 0)

kq2 kq2 a
Fe = 2 = 2 Fe Fe
r 4a q q
1800
kq2 𝐫
Tension in thread T= 2
4a
q q
EXAMPLE Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings of equal length. Each
string makes an angle θ with the vertical. When suspended in a liquid of
density ρ, the angle remains the same. What is the dielectric constant of the
liquid? (Density of the material of sphere is σ)

Solution

θ θ

q q
EXAMPLE Two identical charged spheres are suspended by strings
of equal length. Each string makes an angle θ with the
vertical. When suspended in a liquid of density ρ, the
angle remains the same. What is the dielectric constant
Tcosθ Tcosθ
of the liquid? (Density of the material of sphere is σ) T
θ θ T

Solution θ θ
Fe q T sinθ T sinθ q Fe
k k

Mg Mg

σ
Ans. K =
K
σ−=2ρ
EXAMPLE What should be the value of charge which should be placed at center of
square so that system will remains in equilibrium.
a
Q Q

a a
Solution
Q Q
a

Ans. 2 2 + 1 Q
4
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO POINT CHARGE

rԦ qo
Kqqo F
F= 2 q
r

F
E=
q0

Kq
E=
r2

Kq
E= rԦ
r3
 Electric Force on Charge Particle

Direction of electric field is away from positive charge and towards negative
charge

–q
q

Force on positive charge is in direction of Electric field.

Force on negative charge is in opposite direction of Electric field.

E E
+ F = qE F = qE -
EXAMPLE Charge Q is uniformly distributed over a ring of radius R. If now a small
portion of length d is removed from ring, then electric field at centre of ring
becomes.

Solution 𝐝

KQd
Ans. E=
2πR3
EXAMPLE Particle having mass ‘m’ and charge ‘q’ is projected at an angle 37° with
horizontal. Find the value of electric field along x axis such that range
becomes zero.

Solution

4mg
Ans.
3q
VARIATION OF ELECTRIC FIELD

Graphical problems

Electric field v/s distance

For point charge

kQ 1
E= 2 or E∝ 2
r r

Near point charge, r is very small so magnitude of E is very high.

At very large distance from point charge, value of r is very high so
magnitude of E is very small (almost zero).
Graph for pair of positive charges

+𝐄 +𝐄

+𝐐 +𝐐
−𝐫 +𝐫

−𝐄 −𝐄
Graph for pair of negative charges

+𝐄 +𝐄

−𝐐 −𝐐
−𝐫 +𝐫

−𝐄 −𝐄
Graph for pair of positive and negative charges

+𝐄 +𝐄

+𝐐 −𝐐
−𝐫 +𝐫

−𝐄 −𝐄
Graph for pair of positive charges

+𝐄 +𝐄

+𝐐 +𝟒𝐐
−𝐫 +𝐫

−𝐄 −𝐄
Graph for pair of positive and negative charges

+𝐄 +𝐄

−𝐐 +𝟒𝐐
−𝐫 +𝐫

−𝐄 −𝐄
 ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY OF CHARGED WIRE

kλdl kλrsec 2 θdθ kλ

+

kdq +
+

dE = 2 = 2 = 2 = dθ d𝒍
+
+
𝑥
dq
r sec 2 θ
+
x x r +
+
+
+
+
(l)𝒍
θ1 q
+
+
q1
kλ
+
+
+
dEX
Ex = න dE cosθ = න cosθdθ +
+ r q2
r dE
+
+
+

−θ2 +
+
+
+
+ dEy
kλ +
+

Ex =
+

sinθ1 + sinθ2 +

r
θ1 r
kλ kλ θ1 = cosθ l = rtanθ
Ey = න dE sinθ = න sinθdθ = −cosθ −θ2 x
r r
−θ2 x = rsecθ dl = rsec 2 θdθ
kλ
Ey = cosθ2 − cos θ1 (in − j)Ƹ
r
kλ kλ
E= sinθ1 + sin θ2 iƸ + cosθ1 − cosθ2 jƸ
r r
ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY OF CHARGED WIRE

kλ
Ey = E∥ = (cos θ1 − cos θ2)
r

θ1 kλ
Ex = E⊥ = (sin θ1 + sin θ2)
𝐫 θ2 r

Enet = Ex 2 + Ey 2

Ey
tanα =
Ex
Special cases

(1) If length of wire is infinite (both ends goes to infinite).

kλ kλ
E= sinθ1 + sin θ2 iƸ + cosθ1 − cosθ2 jƸ
r r

α = β = 90°
𝛌
2kλ
Ex = ; Ey = 0
r 𝐫
Special cases

(2) If one end of wire is at infinite and second end is at foot of

perpendicular dropped from given point on wire.

kλ kλ
E= sinθ1 + sin θ2 iƸ + cosθ1 − cosθ2 jƸ
r r

α = 90° ; β = 0°
𝛌
kλ kλ
Ex = ; Ey =
r r

𝐫
Special cases

(3) Electric field due to charged wire of finite length at symmetric point.
kλ kλ
E= sinθ1 + sin θ2 iƸ + cosθ1 − cosθ2 jƸ
r r

2kλ
Ex = sinα 𝛌
r
a
Ey = 0
𝐫 a
Special cases

(4) Foot of perpendicular dropped on wire from given point is not on wire.

kλ kλ
E= sinθ1 + sin θ2 iƸ + cosθ1 − cosθ2 jƸ
r r
Limit of integration from +β to + α
or
θ2 to θ1 λ

Replace θ2 by −θ2

kλ
Ex = (sinθ1 – sinθ2 )
r a β
r
kλ a = θ1
Ey = [cosθ1 – cosθ2 ]
r β = θ2
EXAMPLE Four uniformly charged wires of length a are arranged to form a square.
Linear charge density of each wire is as shown. Electric field intensity at

centre of square is
nkλ
then find value of n. +4λ
a
a
Solution
+λ 𝐎 +3λ

+2λ

Ans. (n = 8)
Electric field due to uniformly charged arc

Kdq dx = Rdα
ER = නdE cosα = ඲ 2 . cosα
R
a
Kλ. Rdα q/2 q/2
=඲ . cosα da
R2
dEsina O
θ a
2 Q=lL
Kλ dE dEcosa
ER = න cosα dα Q=l(Rq)
R 2Kλ θ
−θ
2 E = sin
R 2
Kλ θ/2 2K Q θ
= [sinα]−θ/ E = sin
R 2
R Rθ 2
Kλ θ KQ sin(θ/2)
=
R
2 sin
2 E = 2
R (θ/2)
CASE 01 Semicircular Charged Ring (𝛉 = 𝛑) +
+ +
+ + +
+
+ +
+ +
2kλ + +
E= +
R + +

+ + +
+ + +
CASE 02 Complete Circle (𝛉 = 𝟐𝛑 ) + +
+ +
E=0
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ + +
+ + +

CASE 03 Quarter Circle θ = π + +

2 +
+
2kλ π 2kλ +
E= sin =
R 4 R +
 l
EXAMPLE Find net electric field at point ‘O’.
+ + + + + + + +
+ 
+ R
l+ O
+
Solution + +
+ + + + + + +

l

Ans. 0
 
EXAMPLE Find net electric field at point ‘O’.

+ + + + + +
Solution l

+ +
R

+
l + + 
+ + + + + +
l

2Kλ 2Kλ
Ans. iƸ + jƸ
R R
Electric field due to uniformly charged ring at its axis
Q/2
ER = න 2dE cosθ
0

Q/2
2kdq x
= න ×
0 (R2 + x 2 ) R2 + x 2
2dEcosθ
kQx
E= 3
R2 + x 2 2

at x = 0; E = 0
+E
dE
For Emax ; =0 R E0
dx –
2
R −x +x
x=± R
2 2
2 kQ
Emax = −E
3 3 R2
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO A UNIFORMLY CHARGED DISC AT ITS AXIS

K dq x
ER = න dE = න 3
dq = σ2πrdr
r2 2
+x 2

Kσ2πrxdr 𝐫
න 3 p
θ
r2 + 2
x 2
𝐱 dE
rdr ER
= 2kσxπ න 3
r2 + 2
x 2

R
1
= 2kσxπ −
r2 + x2 0

2σπ x σ x
E= 1−  E= 1−
4π ∈0 R2 + x 2 2 ∈0 R2 + x 2
EXAMPLE Charge –q is kept at center of uniformly charged fixed ring in gravity free
space. If –q is displaced slightly along axis of ring and released, find time
period of oscillation of particle. Charge on ring is Q. + +Q +
Solution + +

+ R +
(Released)
+ + -q
F = qE
+ +

+ +
+

mR3
Ans. T = 2π
KQq
 ELECTRIC FLUX
No. of electric field lines passing through an area perpendicular to surface is
known as electric flux.

Electric Flux is given by 𝛟 = 𝐄. 𝐝𝐀

Where, 𝐝𝐀 = 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫

If electric field is constant then

𝛟 = 𝐄. 𝐀 = 𝐄𝐀𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉

𝛉 is angle between 𝐄 & 𝐀.

If electric field is variable then

f =  𝐄. 𝐝𝐀
Area vector is always perpendicular to the surface.
CASE 𝛉 f
Exiting flux
01 𝟎 EA

02 0 < 𝛉 < 900 +ve A

E

03 900 0 𝐀
𝐄
E
04 900 < 𝛉 < 1800 –ve A

05 𝛉 = 1800 –EA
Entering flux
EXAMPLE Find flux through hemispherical surface of radius R?
𝐄

Solution

Ans. ϕ = EπR2
EXAMPLE Outgoing flux through cone?

𝐄 𝐡
Solution
𝐑

𝐄 𝐡

Ans. ϕ = ERh
EXAMPLE An uniform electric field 𝐸 = 10𝑖Ƹ + 5𝑗Ƹ V/m is present in space. find out flux
passing through the area 10m2. if area lies in,
(1) x-y plane (2) x-z plane (3) y-z plane
y
Solution

z
Ans. 1 ϕ(x−y plane)=0

Ans. 2 ϕ(x−z plane)=50 V-m

Ans. 3 ϕ(y−z plane)=100 V-m

EXAMPLE A square of side 'a' is lying in y-z plane such that two of its sides are lying on
the axis. If an electric field E = 7yiƸ exist in space. Find net flux though given
surface. y

Solution

y
z

y E = 7yiƸ

𝑧
z

7a3
Ans.
2
SOLID ANGLE (Ω)

It is a three dimensional angle subtended by any area of a spherical

surface of unit radius at its centre.

It is a dimensionless quantity. Its SI Unit is Steradian (sr). It is denoted by

Ω (Omega).
Area of part of spherical surface A⊥
Solid Angle (Ω ) = = 2
radius 2 r

r
A
O
Ω
SOLID ANGLE SUBTENDED BY A RING / DISC AT A POINT
rԦ
ds cosθ R
Ω=න θ
dq ds
r2

(2πy. dy) cosθ a q

Ω=න W
r2 a

2πa tanθ. a sec 2 θdθ. cosθ

Ω=න
a2 sec 2 θ

α y
= tanθ
Ω = 2π න sinθdθ a
0 dy = a sec 2 θ dθ
a
a = cosθ
Ω = 2π 1 − cosα = 2π 1 − r
R2 + a2 r = a secθ
 GAUSS'S LAW

Gauss's law is stated as given below:

The surface integral of the electric field intensity over any closed
1
hypothetical surface (called Gaussian surface) in free space is equal to ε0

times the total charge enclosed within the surface. Here, ϕ is the
permittivity of free space.
+q1 –q4
qinside
ϕ = රE ⋅ dS =
ε0 –q2
+q5
+q3

(q1 − q2 + q3 )
ϕnet =
ϵ0
Gaussian Surface

Outside charges –q4 and +q5 does not play any role in net flux passing.
 Note

This law is used to determine the electric field due to some symmetric charge
distributions.

(i) Flux through Gaussian surface depends only on total charge present
inside Gaussian surface but Electric field intensity at any point inside
the Gaussian surface is due to all the charges present inside as well as
outside the Gaussian surface.

(ii) In a Gaussian surface, f = 0 does not imply E = 0 at every point of the

surface but E = 0 at every point implies f = 0.
FLUX THROUGH DISC
EXAMPLE Find the electric flux due to a point charge 'Q' through the circular region of
radius R, if the charge is placed on the axis of ring at a distance 3R/4.

Solution R
+Q

Q
Ans. ϕ =
5ε0
EXAMPLE A charge q is surrounded by a closed surface consisting of an inverted cone of
height h and base radius R, and a hemisphere of radius R as shown in the
nq
figure. The electric flux through the conical surface is (in SI units). The
6∈0

value of n is ________. [JEE-Advanced 2022]

Solution
R
q

Ans. (3)
 +q
EXAMPLE Find flux passing through sheet.
a/2 a

+q

a/2

+q

a/2
Solution
q
Ans ∶ ϕo =
6ε0
EXAMPLE Find total flux through cube and flux through each face of cube.
+q

Solution
Solution

+q
+q
Flux passing through face 1, 2 and 3 will be zero as all the field lines
passes parallel to these faces.
+q
+q 1

3
2
4
6

𝝓𝟒 = 𝝓𝟓 = 𝝓𝟔 = 𝝓𝒐 𝝓𝟏 = 𝝓𝟐 = 𝝓𝟑 = 𝟎
𝒒 𝑞
𝝓𝟒 + 𝝓𝟓 + 𝝓𝟔 = 𝟑𝝓𝒐 = 𝑜𝑟 𝜙𝑜 =
𝟖𝜺𝟎 24𝜀0
EXAMPLE A charge ‘q’ is placed at one corner of a cube as shown in figure. The flux of
electrostatic field through the shaded area is: [JEE-Main-2021]

q q q q
1 2 3 4
4εo 24εo 48εo 8εo

Solution
q

q
Ans.
24εo
EXAMPLE Find ϕ through curved surface
2R

Solution R
q

𝐪
𝐀𝐧𝐬.
𝛆𝟎 𝟐
Applications of Gauss's law
Electric field due to Uniformly Charged Spherical shell / Hollow sphere
(a) EF at the point outside the shell (For r > R)
G.S.

kQ
Eout =
r2
R

(b) EF at the point inside the sphere (For r < R)

𝐄
Ein = 0
G.S.

𝐫
𝐑
Electric field due to uniformly charged nonconducting solid sphere
(a) EF at a point outside the sphere (For r > R)

kQ Q 1
E = = ∝ G.S.
r2 4π ∈0 r 2 r2

kQ R
Eout = 2
r

(b) EF at the point inside the sphere (r < R)

𝐄 G.S.
kQ ρr
Ein = 3 r =
R 3ℇo

ρԦr
E=
3ℇo
R
𝐫
𝐑
Electric field due to infinite line charge having uniform linear density λ

q𝑖𝑛 +
+
ර E. ds = +
ε0 +
+
+
+
+
+
λ 2kλ 1 G.S. +
E= = ⇒ E∝ +
+ d P
2πε0 r r r +
+
+
+
+
λ λԦr E
+
+
E= rො = +
2πε0 r 2πε0 r 2 +
+
+
+
+

r
Electric field due to infinite uniformly charged cylindrical shell

(a) EF at the point outside the cylinder (For r > R) R

+ +
+ +
+ +
Gaussian + +
σR surface +
+
+
+
Eout = + r + P
ε0 r +
+
+
+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ σ +

(b) EF at the point inside the Hollow cylinder (For r < R)

R
𝐄 + +
Ein = 0 + σ +
Gaussian + +
+ +
surface + +
+ +
+ +
+ r P +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
𝐫 + +
𝐑 + +
Electric field due to infinite uniformly charged solid cylinder R

(a) EF at the point outside the cylinder (For r > R) +++ + ++

+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
G.S. + + r P
+ +
ρ R2 + +
Eout = +
+
+
+
2rε0 + +
+ 𝛒+
+ + + ++ +

(b) EF at the point inside the Solid cylinder (For r < R)

R
𝐄
ρr + + + + + +++
Ein = + +
2ε0 +
+
+
+
+ G.S. +
+ +
+ r P+
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
𝐫 + +
+
𝐑 +
+ + + + + +
Electric field intensity due to uniformly charged infinite sheet
s
+++++
+++++
Gaussian +++++
surface +++++
+++++
+++++
s +++++
+++++
+ +++++
+ +++++
+ +++++
+
+
E + E
A + A (a) Front view
+
+
+
+

(b) Side view

E
s
𝟐𝛜𝟎

𝐫
EXAMPLE A non-conducting solid sphere has volume charge density that varies as
r
ρ = ρ0 1 − R , where r0 is a constant and r is distance from centre. Find out

electric field intensities at following positions .

(i) r < R (ii) r ≥ R
P

Solution CASE 01

ρ0 Rr r2
Ans.(i)E = −
ε0 R 3 4
Solution CASE 02 P

ρ 0 R3
Ans. (ii)E = ε0 r2 12
EXAMPLE A non-conducting solid cylinder has volume charge density that varies as ρ =
ρ0 r, where r0 is a constant and r is distance from centre. Find out electric field
intensities at following positions.
(i) r < R (ii) r ≥R

Solution CASE 01

ρ0 r 2
Ans. E =
3ε0
Solution CASE 02

ρ0 R3
Ans. E =
3rε0
ELECTRIC FIELD IN A CAVITY

EA = E+ρ + E−ρ

ρԦr1 ρԦr2
= −
3ε0 3ε0

ρ(Ԧr1 − rԦ2 )
=
3ε0
direction ⇒ EA parallel to a
ρa
EA =
3ε0 ρa
Magnitude ⇒ EA = = Constant
3ε0

Clearly, electric field is along the line joining the centres of the
sphere and the spherical cavity.
 ρ
EXAMPLE A cavity is present inside a uniformly
charged non conducting solid sphere as

Solution shown. Find the distance AB (g=0)

q,m 370
A B

144mu2 ε0
Ans.
25qρR
EXAMPLE Two non-conducting spheres of radii R1 and R2 and carrying uniform volume
charge densities +r and –r, respectively, are placed such that they partially
overlap, as shown in the figure. At all points in the overlapping region :-
(A) the electrostatic field is zero [JEE-Advanced 2013]
(B) the electrostatic potential is constant
r -r
(C) the electrostatic field is constant in magnitude
(D) the electrostatic field has same direction R1 R2

Solution

𝐀𝐧𝐬. (CD)
EXAMPLE Consider a uniform spherical distribution of radius R1 centred at the origin O.
In this distribution, a spherical cavity of radius R2, centred at P with distance
OP = a = R1 – R2 (see figure) is made. If the electric field inside the cavity at
position rԦ is E rԦ , then the correct statement(s) is(are): [JEE-Advanced 2015]

(A) E is uniform, its magnitude is independent of R2 but

its direction depends on rԦ
R2
(B) E is uniform, its magnitude depends on R2 and its
R1
direction depends on rԦ O
(C) E is uniform, its magnitude is independent of a but its
direction depends on a
(D) E is uniform and both its magnitude and direction
depend on a

Solution

𝐀𝐧𝐬. (D)
EXAMPLE Find EA, EB and EC s -2s

Solution
A B C

s
Ans. (1) EA =
2ϵ0

3s
(2) EB =
2ϵ0
s
(3) EC =
2ϵ0
EXAMPLE Find EA, EB and EC s –s

A B C
Solution

Ans. (1) EA=0

s
(2) EB =
ϵ0

(3) EC = 0
 Q1 Q2
EXAMPLE Find charge on all faces.

Solution

Q1 + Q 2 Q1 − Q 2
Ans. , ,
2 2

Q1 − Q 2 Q1 + Q 2
− ,
2 2
Trick
In parallel plates with no external field, the charges on
first and last faces are equal and are given by σ Qi
2
EXAMPLE Find charge on all faces. 3Q –Q 2Q

Solution

σ Qi
Ans.
2
EXAMPLE Find charge on all faces. –2Q Q 0 3Q –6Q

Solution

Ans. –2Q, 0, 0, Q, –Q, Q, –Q, 4Q, –4Q, –2Q

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DUE TO CONTINUOUS CHARGE

"Finding
potential due
to continuous
charges"

If formula of E is tough, If formula of E is easy

then we take then, we use
a small element and r=r
integrate V=−න E. dԦr
r→∞
kdq (i.e. for sphere, plate,
V = නdV = න
r infinite wire etc.)
EXAMPLE A rod of length  is uniformly charged with charge q. Calculate potential at
point P. q
r
+ + + + + + + + P
Solution
ℓ

kq ℓ+r
Ans. log e
ℓ r
Potential due to a ring Q,R

(i) Potential at the centre of uniformly charged ring: dq

k kQ R
\ V= නdq =
R R

kQ
V=
R

The same formula holds even if charge distribution is non uniform.

Q + ++
+ ++ + +
+
+ +
+
R + R +

+ +
Potential due to a ring

(iv) Potential at the axis of a ring: dq

k(dq) R
dV = P
R2 + x2 x

kQ
V = න dV =
R2 + x 2
EXAMPLE Find VA – VB . Q 2Q

R R
Solution
A B
3R

kQ
Ans. −
2R
Potential on the axis of a uniformly charged disc

Kdq
dV = P
r 2 + x2 x

σ
V= R2 + x 2 − x
2ε0
r
σ p
U = q0 R2 + x2 −x x
2ε0 v

σR
VMax =
2ε0

x=o x
 Potential due to a Hollow Sphere Q,R

A) Inside the surface (r < R)

r R r A B C
V = − න E. dr = − න E. dr – න E . dr r ∞
∞ ∞ R

R
kQ KQ
=−න dr – න 0 dr = = Constant
r2 R
∞ V
in
KQ on
B) On the surface(r = R) R
R R KQ
kQ
V = – න E. dr = – න dr = out
∞ ∞ r2 R
R r
C) outside the surface (r > R)
R KQ 1
kQ
V = – න 2 dr = ∝
∞ r r r

Note For outside points sphere behaves like a point charge.

 Q
Potential due to a Solid Sphere

A) Inside (r < R) A B C
∞
r
r R r
V = – න E . dr = − න E . dr − න E . dr KQ
∞ ∞ ∞ V 1.5
R
R r
kQ kQr
V = − න 2 . dr – න 3 . dr
∞ r ∞ R

KQ KQ
V= 3R2 − r2
R
2R3 R R
r
3 KQ 3 KQq
at centre, VC = = 1.5 Vsurface and U = U=q×V
2 R 2 R
R
KQ
B) On the surface (r= R) : - V = – න E .dr =
∞ R
r
KQ 1
C) outside r (r > R) : - V = – න E .dr = ∝
∞ r r
EXAMPLE A positive charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout the volume of a
nonconducting sphere of radius R. A point mass having charge +q and mass m
is fired towards the centre of the sphere with velocity v from a point at
distance 2R from the centre of the sphere. Find the minimum velocity v so that
it can penetrate R/2 distance of the sphere. Neglect any resistance other than
electric interaction. Charge on the small mass remains constant throughout
the motion.

Solution

Ans. 7Qq
16πℰomR
ELECTROSTATIC P.D. AROUND LONG WIRE
Net potential at a point due to infinite geometry cannot be obtained but
potential difference between two nearby points can be obtained.

VB rB +λ
2kλ
න dV = − න dr
r 2kλ
VA rA E=
r

rB A B
(VA −VB ) = 2kλ ln
rA
rA
rB
ELECTROSTATIC P.D. AROUND LARGE PLANE SHEET

Here electric field is uniform so, σ

E=
2ϵ0
(VA −VB ) = Ed
A B
σ
(VA −VB ) = (r − rA ) rA
2ϵ0 B
rB
large sheet (σ)
EXAMPLE Find the speed of the charge particle when it reaches centre of the ring.
+
+ +
+ +
Solution + R +
P (released)
+ +
x = 3R (–q,m)
+ +
+ +
+

kQq
Ans. v =
mR
EXAMPLE Find p.d. between points A and B as shown in figure.

Solution
+λ

A B

rA = a
rB = 2a

Ans. (VA −VB ) = 2kλ ln(2)