ELECTROSTATIC FORCE

1. The force between two charges 0.06𝑚 apart is 5𝑁. If each charge is moved towards
the other by 0.01𝑚, then the force between them will become
(a) 7.20𝑁 (b) 11.25𝑁
(c) 22.50𝑁 (d) 45.00𝑁

2. In the given figure two tiny conducting balls of identical mass m and identical charge
q hang from non-conducting threads of equal length L. Assume that  is so small that
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 ≈ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃, then for equilibrium x is equal to

 
L L

q x q

(a) (b)

(c) (d)

3. Two charges of equal magnitudes and at a distance r exert a force F on each other.
If the charges are halved and distance between them is doubled, then the new force
acting on each charge is
(a) F / 8 (b) F / 4
(c) 4 F (d) F / 16

4. Electric charges of 1𝜇𝐶, −1𝜇𝐶 and 2𝜇𝐶 are placed in air at the corners A, B and C
respectively of an equilateral triangle ABC having length of each side 10 cm. The
resultant force on the charge at C is
(a) 0.9 N (b) 1.8 N
(c) 2.7 N (d) 3.6 N

5. Two spherical conductors B and C having equal radii and carrying equal charges in
them repel each other with a force F when kept apart at some distance. A third
spherical conductor having same radius as that of B but uncharged is brought in
contact with B, then brought in contact with C and finally removed away from both.
The new force of repulsion between B and C is
(a) 𝐹/4 (b) 3𝐹/4
(c) 𝐹/8 (d) 3𝐹/8
6. Four charges equal to – Q are placed at the four corners of a square and a charge
q is at its centre. If the system is in equilibrium the value of q is
(a) − (1 + 2√2) (b) (1 + 2√2)

(c) − (1 + 2√2) (d) (1 + 2√2)

7. A total charge Q is broken in two parts 𝑄 and 𝑄 and they are placed at a distance
𝑅 from each other. The maximum force of repulsion between them will occur, when
(a) 𝑄 = , 𝑄 = 𝑄 − (b)𝑄 = , 𝑄 = 𝑄 −
(c) 𝑄 = , 𝑄 = (d) 𝑄 = , 𝑄 =

8. Three charges 4𝑞, 𝑄 and 𝑞 are in a straight line in the position of 0, 𝑙/2 and 𝑙
respectively. The resultant force on 𝑞 will be zero, if 𝑄 =
(a) – q (b) −2𝑞
(c) − (d) 4𝑞

9. Read the assertion and reason carefully to mark the correct option out of the
options given below:
(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 reason is not the correct explanation of
the assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If the assertion and reason both are false.
(e) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Assertion : The coulomb force is the dominating force in the universe.
Reason : The coulomb force is weaker than the gravitational force.
Problem 10.
The electrostatic force on a small sphere of charge 0.4 μ C due to another small sphere
of charge –0.8 μ C in air is 0.2 N.
(a) What is the distance between the two spheres?
(b) What is the force on the second sphere due to the first?

Problem 11.
A free pith-ball A of 8g carries a positive charge of 5 × 10–8 C. What must be the nature
and magnitude of charge that should be given to a second pith-ball B fixed 5 cm
below the former ball so that the upper ball is stationary?
 Problem 12.
(a) Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B have their centers separated by a
distance of 50 cm. What is the mutual force of electrostatic repulsion if the charge
on each is 6.5 × 10–7 C? The radii of A and B are negligible compared to the
distance of separation.
(b) What is the force of repulsion if each sphere is charged double the above
amount, and the distance between them is halved?

Problem 13.
Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B of identical sizes have their centers
separated by a distance of 50 cm. Now a third sphere of the same size but uncharged
is brought in contact with the first, then brought in contact with the second, and finally
removed from both. What is the new force of repulsion between A and B?

Problem 14.
Two small spheres, each of mass m kg and charge q coulombs are suspended from
a point by insulating threads each of length l metre but of negligible mass. If  is the
angle each string makes with the vertical when equilibrium has been reached, show
that
Q2 = (4mgl2 sin2  tan ) 4 π0.

Problem 15.
Two identically charged spheres are suspended in air by strings of equal weights and
make an angle of 30° with each other. When suspended in a liquid of density 800
kg/m3, angle remains the same. What is the dielectric constant of the liquid? The
density of the material of the sphere is 1600 kg/m3.
Problem 16.
Two small balls having equal positive charge Q (coulomb) on each are suspended by
two insulating strings of equal length L (metre) from a hook fixed to a stand. The whole
set-up is taken in a satellite into space where there is not gravity (state of
weightlessness).
(a) What is the angle between the two strings?
(b) What is the tension in each string?
Problem 17.
Four point charges Q, q, Q and q are placed at the corners of a square of side ‘a’ as
shown in the figure.

Find the resultant electric force on a charge Q.

Problem 18.
Three-point charges q, –4q and 2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle
ABC of side ‘l’ as shown in the figure. Obtain the expression for the magnitude of the
resultant electric force acting on the charge q.

Problem 19.
Three point charges are kept at the vertices A, B and C, respectively of an
equilateral triangle of side 20 cm as shown in the figure. What should be the sign
and magnitude of the charge to be placed at the mid-point (M) of side BC so that the
charge at A remains in equilibrium?

ANSWERS
1-b 2- a 3- d 4- b
5- d 6- b 7- d 8- a
9- d
10. a. 0.12m
b. same but in opposite direction
11. 4.35 x 10-7 C 12. a. 1.5 x 10-2 N
b. 0.24 N
13. 5.7 x 10-3 N 15. K=2
√
16. 𝐹= + √2𝑞 17. 𝐹=

18. a. 1800

b. 𝐹 =

19. Q = 3.897 x 10-6 C

 .
1. (b) 𝐹 ∝ ⇒ =  = .
= 𝐹 = 11.25𝑁
2. (a)

T T cos

T sin
Fe
x
mg

In equilibrium Fe = T sin ....... (i)

mg = T cos ....... (ii)
/
𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = = ×
also 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 ≈ 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 =

Hence = ×
/
𝑥 = 𝑥=

3. (d) 𝐹 = 𝑘. . If Q is halved, r is doubled then 𝐹 → times

4. (b) FA = force on C due to charge placed at A

× ×
= 9 × 10 × ( × )
= 1.8𝑁
FB = force on C due to charge placed at B
× ×
= 9 × 10 × ( . )
= 1.8𝑁
FA
+2C
C 120o

FB

+1C – 1 C
A 10 cm B

Net force on C
𝐹 = (𝐹 ) + (𝐹 ) + 2𝐹 𝐹 𝑐𝑜𝑠 1 20 = 1.8𝑁
5. (d) Initially 𝐹 = 𝑘. (fig. A). Finally when a third spherical conductor comes in
contact alternately with B and C then removed, so charges on B and C are Q
/ 2 and 3Q / 4 respectively (fig. B)
Q Q Q/2 3Q/4

B C B C
r r

(A) (B)

Now force 𝐹′ = 𝑘. = 𝐹
6. (b) If all charges are in equilibrium , system is also in equilibrium.
Charge at centre : charge q is in equilibrium because no net force acting on it
corner charge :
If we consider the charge at corner B. This charge will experience following
forces
Q2
FA  k ,𝐹 = ,𝐹 = ( and𝐹 = (
a2 √ ) √ )

FC
FD

FAC
A FA
B
FO
+q
O

D C
a

Force at B away from the centre = 𝐹 +𝐹

𝑘𝑄 𝑘𝑄 𝑘𝑄 1
= 𝐹 + 𝐹 + 𝐹 = √2 + = √2 +
𝑎 2𝑎 𝑎 2
Force at B towards the centre = 𝐹 =
For equilibrium of charge at B, 𝐹 +𝐹 =𝐹
 √2 + = 𝑞= 1 + 2√2
7. (d) 𝑄 +𝑄 =𝑄 ..... (i) and 𝐹 = 𝑘 .....(ii)
( )
From (i) and (ii) 𝐹 =
For F to be maximum = 0 𝑄 = 𝑄 =
×
8. (a) The force between 4q and q; 𝐹 = ⋅
×
The force between Q and q; 𝐹 = ⋅(/ )

We want 𝐹 + 𝐹 = 0 or =−  𝑄 = −𝑞

9. (d) Gravitational force is the dominating force in nature and not coulomb's force.
Gravitational force is the weakest force. Also, Coulomb's force>> gravitational force.