980 Electrostatics

6. Two equal charges q of opposite sign separated by a

distance 2a constitute an electric dipole of dipole moment
p . If P is a point at a distance r from the centre of the
dipole and the line joining the centre of the dipole to this
point makes an angle  with the axis of the dipole, then the
potential at P is given by (r  2a) (Where p  2qa )
1. Two equal negative charge – q are fixed at the fixed points
[MP PET 1997]
(0, a) and (0,  a) on the Y-axis. A positive charge Q is
p cos  p cos 
released from rest at the point (2a, 0) on the X-axis. The (a) V  (b) V
4  0 r 2 4 0 r
charge Q will [IIT 1984; Bihar MEE 1995; MP PMT 1996] p sin  p cos 
(c) V  (d) V 
(a) Execute simple harmonic motion about the origin 4  0 r 2 0 r 2
(b) Move to the origin and remain at rest 7. A point charge q is placed at a distance a/2 directly above
the centre of a square of side a. The electric flux through the
(c) Move to infinity square is [MP PMT 1997; AMU 1999]
(d) Execute oscillatory but not simple harmonic motion q q
(a) (b)
0  0
2. An electric line of force in the xy plane is given by equation
q q
x 2  y 2  1 . A particle with unit positive charge, initially at (c) (d)
4 0 6 0
rest at the point x  1, y  0 in the xy plane [IIT 1988]
8. Two infinitely long parallel wires having linear charge
(a) Not move at all densities 1 and  2 respectively are placed at a distance of
R metres. The force per unit length on either wire will be
(b) Will move along straight line
 1 
(c) Will move along the circular line of force K   [MP PMT/PET 1998; DPMT 2000]
 4 0 

(d) Information is insufficient to draw any conclusion 2  2 
(a) K 1 2 2 (b) K 1 2
3. A positively charged ball hangs from a silk thread. We put a R R
positive test charge q 0 at a point and measure F / q 0 , then 1  2 1  2
(c) K (d) K
it can be predicted that the electric field strength E R2 R
9. Two identical thin rings each of radius R meters are
[CPMT 1990]
coaxially placed at a distance R meters apart. If Q1 coulomb
(a)  F / q 0 (b)  F / q 0 and Q2 coulomb are respectively the charges uniformly
spread on the two rings, the work done in moving a charge
(c)  F / q 0 (d) Cannot be estimated qfrom the centre of one ring to that of other is
[MP PMT 1999; AMU (Engg.) 1999]
4. A solid metallic sphere has a charge  3 Q . Concentric with
q(Q1  Q 2 )( 2  1)
this sphere is a conducting spherical shell having charge (a) Zero (b)
Q . The radius of the sphere is a and that of the spherical 2 .4 0 R
shell is b(b  a) . What is the electric field at a distance q 2 (Q1  Q 2 ) q(Q1  Q 2 )( 2  1)
(c) (d)
R(a  R  b) from the centre [MP PMT 1995] 4  0 R 2 .4 0 R
Q 3Q 10. An ellipsoidal cavity is carved within a perfect conductor. A
(a) (b)
2 0 R 2 0 R positive charge q is placed at the centre of the cavity. The
points A and B are on the cavity surface as shown in the
3Q 4Q figure. Then [IIT-JEE (Screening) 1999]
(c) (d)
4  0 R 2 4  0 R 2

5. If on the concentric hollow spheres of radii r and R ( r) A

the charge Q is distributed such that their surface densities q B
are same then the potential at their common centre is
[IIT 1981; MP PMT 2003]
2 2
(a) Electric field near A in the cavity = Electric field near
Q(R  r ) QR B in the cavity
(a) (b)
4 0 (R  r) R r (b) Charge density at A  Charge density at B
Q ( R  r) (c) Potential at A  Potential at B
(c) Zero (d) (d) Total electric field flux through the surface of the cavity
4  0 (R 2  r 2 )
is q /  0
 Electrostatics 981
11. A charge q is fixed at each of the points 17. Electric potential is given by
x  x 0 , x  3 x 0 , x  5 x 0 ..... infinite, on the x  axis and a
V  6 x  8 xy 2  8 y  6 yz  4 z 2
charge q is fixed at each of the points
Then electric force acting on 2C point charge placed on
x  2 x 0 , x  4 x 0 , x  6 x 0 ,..... infinite. Here x 0 is a positive
origin will be [RPET 1999]
constant. Take the electric potential at a point due to a
charge Q at a distance r from it to be Q /(4 0 r) . Then, (a) 2 N (b) 6 N
the potential at the origin due to the above system of (c) 8 N (d) 20 N
charges is [IIT 1998]
18. The electric field in a region is radially outward with
q
(a) 0 (b) magnitude E  A 0 . The charge contained in a sphere of
8 0 x 0 ln 2
radius  0 centered at the origin is [AMU 1999]
q ln 2
(c)  (d)
4 0 x 0 (a)
1
A  03 (b) 4  0 A  03
4 0
12. A positively charged thin metal ring of radius R is fixed in
the xy  plane with its centre at the O . A negatively 4 0 A 1 A
(c) (d)
charged particle P is released from rest at the point 0 4  0  03
(0, 0, z 0 ) , where z 0  0 . Then the motion of P is
19. Charge q is uniformly distributed over a thin half ring of
[IIT 1998] radius R . The electric field at the centre of the ring is
(a) Periodic for all values of z 0 satisfying 0  z 0   [Roorkee 1999]
(b) Simple harmonic for all values of satisfying 0  z 0  R q q
(a) (b)
(c) Approximately simple harmonic provided z 0  R 2 2  0 R 2 4 2 0 R 2

(d) Such that P crosses O and continues to move along q q

(c) (d)
the negative z  axis towards z   4 0 R 2 2 0 R 2
13. A non-conducting solid sphere of radius R is uniformly 20. In the given figure two tiny conducting balls of identical
charged. The magnitude of the electric field due to the mass m and identical charge q hang from non-conducting
sphere at a distance r from its centre threads of equal length L. Assume that  is so small that
[IIT-JEE 1998; DPMT 2000] tan   sin , then for equilibrium x is equal to
(a) Increases as r increases for r  R [AMU 2000]
(b) Decreases as r increases for 0  r  
 
(c) Decreases as r increases for R  r  
L L
(d) Is discontinuous at r  R
14. A non-conducting ring of radius 0.5 m carries a total
charge of 1 . 11  10 10 C distributed non-uniformly on its q x q

circumference producing an electric field E everywhere in
l 0 1 1
space. The value of the line integral 
l 
 E.dl (l  0 being  q2L
(a) 
3


 qL 2
(b) 
3


centre of the ring) in volt is [IIT 1997 Cancelled]  2 0 mg   2 0 mg 
(a) + 2 (b) – 1 1 1
(c) – 2 (d) Zero  q 2 L2 3  q2L 3
(c)  
 (d)  

15. A negatively charged plate has charge density of  4  0 mg   4  0 mg 
2  10 6 C / m 2 . The initial distance of an electron which is
21. Consider two points 1 and 2 in a region outside a charged
moving toward plate, cannot strike the plate, if it is having
energy of 200 eV [RPET 1997] sphere. Two points are not very far away from the sphere. If
E and V represent the electric field vector and the electric
(a) 1.77 mm (b) 3.51 mm
potential, which of the following is not possible
(c) 1.77 cm (d) 3.51 cm
[AMU 2001]
16. The charge on 500 cc of water due to protons will be
[RPET 1997] (a) | E 1 | | E 2 |, V1  V2 (b) E1  E 2 , V1  V2
(a) 6 .0  10 27 C (b) 2.67  10 7 C
(c) E1  E 2 , V1  V2 (d) | E 1 | | E 2 |, V1  V2
(c) 6  10 23 C (d) 1.67  10 23 C
 982 Electrostatics
22. Three positive charges of equal value q are placed at the The Change in the electrical potential energy of Q, when it is
vertices of an equilateral triangle. The resulting lines of displaced by a small distance x along the x-axis, is
approximately proportional to [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2002]
force should be sketched as in [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2001]
(a) x (b) x 2
(c) x 3 (d) 1 / x
(a) (b) 28. An elementary particle of mass m and charge e is
projected with velocity v at a much more massive particle
of charge Ze, where Z  0. What is the closest possible
approach of the incident particle [Orissa JEE 2002]

Ze 2 Ze
(a) (b)
2 0 mv 2 4 0 mv 2
(c) (d) Ze 2 Ze
(c) (d)
8 0 mv 2 8 0 mv 2
29. An electric dipole is situated in an electric field of uniform
intensity E whose dipole moment is p and moment of inertia
is I. If the dipole is displaced slightly from the equilibrium
23. A uniform electric field pointing in positive x-direction position, then the angular frequency of its oscillations is
exists in a region. Let A be the origin, B be the point on [MP PET 2003]
the x-axis at x  1 cm and C be the point on the y-axis 1/2 3/2
at y  1 cm. Then the potentials at the points A, B and  pE   pE 
(a)   (b)  
 I   I 
C satisfy [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2001]
1/2 1/2
(a) VA  VB (b) VA  VB  I   p 
(c)   (d)  
 pE   IE 
(c) VA  VC (d) VA  VC
30. A metallic shell has a point charge ‘q’ kept inside its cavity.
Which one of the following diagrams correctly represents
24. There is a uniform electric field of strength 10 3 V/ m along the electric lines of forces [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2003]
y-axis. A body of mass 1g and charge 10–6C is projected into
the field from origin along the positive x-axis with a velocity
10m/s. Its speed in m/s after 10s is (Neglect gravitation)
(a) (b)
[EAMCET 2001]

(a) 10 (b) 5 2

(c) 10 2 (d) 20

25. The electric potential at a point (x , y) in the x  y plane is (c) (d)

given by V  kxy . The field intensity at a distance r from
the origin varies as [UPSEAT 2002]

(a) r 2 (b) r
31. An infinite number of electric charges each equal to 5 nano-
1 1 coulomb (magnitude) are placed along X-axis at x  1 cm,
(c) (d)
r r2 x  2 cm, x  4 cm x  8 cm ………. and so on. In the setup
if the consecutive charges have opposite sign, then the
26. Two equal charges are separated by a distance d. A third
electric field in Newton/Coulomb at x 0 is
charge placed on a perpendicular bisector at x distance will
 1 
 9 2 2

experience maximum coulomb force when [MP PET 2002]  4  9  10 N  m / c  [EAMCET 2003]
 0 
d d
(a) x  (b) x  (a) 12  10 4 (b) 24  10 4
2 2
(c) 36  10 4 (d) 48  10 4
d d
(c) x  (d) x 
2 2 2 3 32. A small sphere carrying a charge ‘q’ is hanging in between
two parallel plates by a string of length L. Time period of
27. 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.
 Electrostatics 983
pendulum is T0 . When parallel plates are charged, the time 37. A piece of cloud having area 25  10 6 m 2 and electric
period changes to T . The ratio T / T0 is equal to potential of 10 5 volts. If the height of cloud is 0.75 km ,
[UPSEAT 2003] then energy of electric field between earth and cloud will be
+ + + + + + + + +
L [RPET 1997]
m (a) 250 J (b) 750 J
– – – – – – – – – (c) 1225 J (d) 1475 J

1/2 3/2
38. Two point charges ( Q ) and (2Q) are fixed on the X-axis
 qE    at positions a and 2a from origin respectively. At what
g   g 
(a)  m  (b)   positions on the axis, the resultant electric field is zero
 g   qE 
  g  [MP PET 2001]
   m 
1/2 (a) Only x  2 a (b) Only x   2 a
 
 g  3a
(c)  (d) None of these (c) Both x   2 a (d) x  only
 qE  2
g 
 m  39. Six charges, three positive and three negative of equal
33. Three charges q1 ,  q 2 and q 3 are placed as shown in magnitude are to be placed at the vertices of a regular
the figure. The x-component of the force on q 1 is hexagon such that the electric field at O is double the
electric field when only one positive charge of same
proportional to [AIEEE 2003]
magnitude is placed at R. Which of the following
q2 q3 arrangements of charges is possible for P, Q, R, S, T and U
(a)  sin 
b 2 a2 – q3 Y respectively
q 2 q3 [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2004]
(b) 2  2 cos 
b a (a) , , , , ,  P Q
q2 q3 
a
(c) 2
 2 sin  b (b) , , , , , 
b a X U R
q2 q3 – q1 +q2 (c) , , , , ,  O
(d) 2  2 cos 
b a
(d) , , , , ,  T S
34. A solid conducting sphere having a charge Q is surrounded
by an uncharged concentric conducting hollow spherical 40. A charged particle q is shot towards another charged
shell. Let the potential difference between the surface of the particle Q which is fixed, with a speed  . It approaches Q
solid sphere and that of the outer surface of the hollow shell upto a closest distance r and then returns. If q were given a
be V. If the shell is now given a charge of –3Q, the new speed 2 , the closest distances of approach would be
potential difference between the same two surfaces is
[AIEEE 2004]
[IIT 1989] v
q Q
(a) V (b) 2V r

(c) 4V (d) – 2V (a) r (b) 2r

35. Two point charges q and q are held fixed at (d, 0) and (c) r/2 (d) r/4
(d, 0) respectively of a (X , Y ) coordinate system. Then
41. Four charges equal to – Q are placed at the four corners of a
[IIT 1995]
square and a charge q is at its centre. If the system is in
(a) E at all points on the Y  axis is along î equilibrium the value of q is [AIEEE 2004]
(b) The electric field E at all points on the X  axis has Q Q
the same direction (a)  (1  2 2 ) (b) (1  2 2 )
4 4
(c) Dipole moment is 2 qd directed along î
(d) Work has to be done in bringing a test charge from Q Q
(c)  (1  2 2 ) (d) (1  2 2 )
infinity to the origin 2 2
36. A point charge of 40 stat coulomb is placed 2 cm in front of 42. A parallel plate air capacitor has a capacitance of 100 F .
an earthed metallic plane plate of large size. Then the force
of attraction on the point charge is The plates are at a distance d apart. If a slab of thickness
t(t  d ) and dielectric constant 5 is introduced between the
(a) 100 dynes (b) 160 dynes
parallel plates, then the capacitance will be [MP PMT 2003]
(c) 1600 dynes (d) 400 dynes
(a) 50 F (b) 100 F

(c) 200 F (d) 500 F

 984 Electrostatics
43. A dielectric slab of thickness d is inserted in a parallel plate 48. To form a composite 16 F, 1000 V capacitor from a supply
capacitor whose negative plate is at x  0 and positive of identical capacitors marked 8 F, 250 V , we require a
plate is at x  3d . The slab is equidistant from the plates. minimum number of capacitors
The capacitor is given some charge. As one goes from 0 to
[MP PET 1996; AIIMS 2000]
3d
(a) 40 (b) 32
[IIT-JEE 1998]
(c) 8 (d) 2
(a) The magnitude of the electric field remains the same
49. An infinite number of identical capacitors each of
(b) The direction of the electric field remains the same capacitance 1F are connected as in adjoining figure. Then
(c) The electric potential increases continuously the equivalent capacitance between A and B is
(d) The electric potential increases at first, then decreases [EAMCET 1990]
and again increases (a) 1F
44. Capacitance of a capacitor made by a thin metal foil is 2 F . (b) 2 F
8 capacitors
If the foil is folded with paper of thickness 0.15 mm , 16 capacitors
1
dielectric constant of paper is 2.5 and width of paper (c) F
2 
is 400 mm , then length of foil will be [RPET 1997]
(d)  A B
(a) 0.34 m (b) 1.33 m
50. Two condensers of capacities 2C and C are joined in
(c) 13 .4 m (d) 33 .9 m parallel and charged upto potential V. The battery is
removed and the condenser of capacity C is filled
45. A parallel plate capacitor is charged to a potential difference completely with a medium of dielectric constant K. The p.d.
of 50 V. It is discharged through a resistance. After 1 second, across the capacitors will now be [IIT 1988]
the potential difference between plates becomes 40 V. Then
3V 3V
[Roorkee 1999] (a) (b)
K2 K
(a) Fraction of stored energy after 1 second is 16/25
V V
(b) Potential difference between the plates after 2 seconds (c) (d)
K2 K
will be 32 V
51. In the figure below, what is the potential difference between
(c) Potential difference between the plates after 2 seconds the point A and B and between B and C respectively in
will be 20 V steady state [IIT 1979]
3F 1F
(d) Fraction of stored energy after 1 second is 4/5 B

46. A parallel plate capacitor is connected to a battery. The 3F 1F

plates are pulled apart with a uniform speed. If x is the
separation between the plates, the time rate of change of 1F
electrostatic energy of capacitor is proportional to 10
20 100V
[CPMT 2002]
A C
(a) x–2 (b) x
(a) VAB  VBC  100 V (b) VAB  75 V, VBC  25 V
(c) x–1 (d) x2
(c) VAB  25 V, VBC  75 V (d) VAB  VBC  50 V
47. Five identical plates each of area A are joined as shown in
the figure. The distance between the plates is d. The plates 52. Figure given below shows two identical parallel plate
are connected to a potential difference of V volts . The capacitors connected to a battery with switch S closed. The
switch is now opened and the free space between the plate
charge on plates 1 and 4 will be [IIT 1984]
of capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant
 0 AV 2 0 AV 3. What will be the ratio of total electrostatic energy stored
(a) .
d d in both capacitors before and after the introduction of the
dielectric [IIT 1983]
 0 AV 2 0 AV
(b) .
– (a) 3 : 1
d d 1 2 3 4 5 V
 0 AV 2 0 AV + (b) 5 : 1
(c) . V A B
d d (c) 3 : 5
 0 AV 2 0 AV (d) 5 : 3
(d) .
d d
 Electrostatics 985
53. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a
battery and is charged to a potential difference V. Another 4F 4F 4F
(a) 4 F
A
capacitor of capacitance 2C is connected to another battery
and is charged to potential difference 2V. The charging (b) 2 F
batteries are now disconnected and the capacitors are 2F 2F 2F C
connected in parallel to each other in such a way that the (c) 18 F
positive terminal of one is connected to the negative
terminal of the other. The final energy of the configuration (d) 6 F B
is 58. In an isolated parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C, the
[IIT 1995] four surface have charges Q1 , Q 2 , Q 3 and Q 4 as shown.
The potential difference between the plates is
25 CV 2
(a) Zero (b) [IIT-JEE 1999]
6
Q1  Q 2  Q 3  Q 4
(a)
3 CV 2 9 CV 2 2C
(c) (d) Q1 Q3
2 2 Q2  Q3
(b)
54. Condenser A has a capacity of 15 F when it is filled with 2C Q2 Q4
a medium of dielectric constant 15. Another condenser B Q2  Q3
has a capacity of 1 F with air between the plates. Both are (c)
2C
charged separately by a battery of 100 V . After charging,
Q1  Q 4
both are connected in parallel without the battery and the (d)
2C
dielectric medium being removed. The common potential
now is [MNR 1994]
59. For the circuit shown, which of the following statements is
true [IIT-JEE 1999; UPSEAT 2003]
(a) 400 V (b) 800 V
V1=30V V2=20V
S1 + – S3 + – S2
(c) 1200 V (d) 1600 V

55. Four metallic plates each with a surface area of one side A C1=2pF C2=3pF
are placed at a distance d from each other. The plates are
connected as shown in the circuit diagram. Then the
(a) With S 1 closed, V1  15 V, V2  20 V
capacitance of the system between a and b is
(b) With S 3 closed V1  V2  25 V
3 0 A
(a) (c) With S 1 and S 2 closed V1  V2  0
d
2 0 A a (d) With S 1 and S 3 closed, V1  30 V, V2  20 V
(b)
d 60. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The capacitor A
2 0 A has a charge q on it whereas B is uncharged. The charge
(c) appearing on the capacitor B a long time after the switch is
3d b
closed is [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2001]
3 0 A
(d) q
2d
+ –
56. In the given circuit if point C is connected to the earth and a
+ –
potential of  2000 V is given to the point A, the potential s
+ –
at B is [MP PET 1997; Pb. PET 2003] + –
\ (a) 1500 V + –
10F 10F
A B
(b) 1000 V 5F
C (a) Zero (b) q / 2
A
(c) 500 V B (c) q (d) 2 q
(d) 400 V 10F
61. A capacitor of capacitance C1 = 1F can with stand
maximum voltage V1 = 6kV (kilo-volt) and another capacitor
57. A finite ladder is constructed by connecting several sections of capacitance C2 = 3F can withstand maximum voltage V2
of 2 F, 4 F capacitor combinations as shown in the figure. = 4 kV. When the two capacitors are connected in series, the
combined system can withstand a maximum voltage of
It is terminated by a capacitor of capacitance C. What value
should be chosen for C such that the equivalent capacitance (a) 4 kV (b) 6 kV
of the ladder between the points A and B becomes (c) 8 kV (d) 10 kV
independent of the number of sections in between
[MP PMT 1999; KCET (Engg./Med.) 1999]
 986 Electrostatics
62. In the given figure each plate of capacitance C has partial (c) 7 s (d) 14 s
value of charge [MP PMT 2003]

(a) CE E r
CER 1
(b)
R2  r
R2
CER 2
(c)
R2  r C 1. Point charge q moves from point P to point S along the
R1
CER 1 path PQRS (figure shown) in a uniform electric field E
(d)
R1  r
pointing coparallel to the positive direction of the X  axis.
63. The plates of a capacitor are charged to a potential The coordinates of the points P, Q, R and S are
difference of 320 volts and are then connected across a
resistor. The potential difference across the capacitor (a, b, 0), (2a, 0, 0), (a,  b, 0) and (0, 0, 0) respectively. The
decays exponentially with time. After 1 second the potential work done by the field in the above process is given by the
difference between the plates of the capacitor is 240 volts,
then after 2 and 3 seconds the potential difference between expression [IIT 1989]

the plates will be [MP PET 1996] E
(a) 200 and 180 V (b) 180 and 135 V P
(c) 160 and 80 V (d) 140 and 20 V
X
64. The plates of a parallel plate condenser are pulled apart with S Q
a velocity v . If at any instant their mutual distance of
separation is d , then the magnitude of the time of rate of
R
change of capacity depends on d as follows [MP PET 1991]
(a) qEa (b) qEa
1 1
(a) (b)
d d2 (c) qEa 2 (d) qE [(2 a) 2  b 2 ]
2. The variation of potential with distance R from a fixed
(c) d 2 (d) d
point is as shown below. The electric field at R  5 m is
65. A fully charged capacitor has a capacitance ‘C’. It is [NCERT 1975; MP PMT 2003]
discharged through a small coil of resistance wire 5
Potential in volts

embedded in a thermally insulated block of specific heat

4
capacity ‘s’ and mass ‘m’. If the temperature of the block is
raised by ‘ T ’, the potential difference ‘V’ across the 3

capacitance is  2

[AIEEE 2005] 1

msT 2msT 0
(a) (b) 1 2 3 4 5 6
C C Distance R in metres
2mC T mC T (a) 2.5 volt / m (b) 2.5 volt / m
(c) (d) 
s s
66. A network of four capacitors of capacity equal to (c) 2 / 5 volt / m (d) 2 / 5 volt / m
C1  C, C 2  2C, C 3  3C and C 4  4 C are conducted in
3. The figure gives the electric potential V as a function of
a battery as shown in the figure. The ratio of the charges on distance through five regions on x -axis. Which of the
C 2 and C 4 is [CBSE PMT 2005] following is true for the electric field E in these regions
22 [AMU 2000]
(a) C2 = 2C
3
3 V
(b)
22 C1 = C C3 = 3C
C4 = 4C
7
(c)
4
4 1 2 3 4 5
(d) V
7
x
67. A 4 F capacitor, a resistance of 2.5 M is in series with 12 V (a) E1  E2  E3  E4  E5
battery. Find the time after which the potential difference
across the capacitor is 3 times the potential difference across (b) E1  E3  E5 and E2  E4
the resistor. [Given ln(2)= 0.693] [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2005]
(c) E2  E4  E5 and E1  E3
(a) 13.86 s (b) 6.93 s
(d) E1  E2  E3  E4  E5
 Electrostatics 987
4. Which of the following graphs shows the variation of (b) Kinetic energy v/s velocity of a particle
electric field E due to a hollow spherical conductor of radius
R as a function of distance from the centre of the sphere (c) Capacitance v/s charge to give a constant potential
[AMU 2001] (d) Potential v/s capacitance to give a constant charge
E E 8. Between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor a dielectric
(a) (b) plate is introduced just to fill the space between the plates.
The capacitor is charged and later disconnected from the
battery. The dielectric plate is slowly drawn out of the
R r R x capacitor parallel to the plates. The plot of the potential
difference across the plates and the length of the dielectric
(c) E (d) E plate drawn out is [MP PET 1997]

V V
(a) (b)
R r R r

5. In a hollow spherical shell potential (V) changes with

respect to distance (r) from centre [DCE 2001, 03] X X
V V V
V
(c) (d)
(a) (b)

r r
X X
V 9. Figure (a) shows two capacitors connected in series and
V
(c) (d) joined to a battery. The graph in figure (b) shows the
variation in potential as one moves from left to right on the
branch containing the capacitors, if [MP PMT 1999]
r
Y
r

6. The electric field due to a uniformly charged sphere of (a) C1  C2

radius R as a function of the distance from its centre is
(b) C1  C2 X
represented graphically by [AIIMS 2004]
C1 C2
E E (a) (b)
(c) C1  C2
(a) (b)
(d) The information is not sufficient to decide the relation
between C1 and C2
R r R r 10. During charging a capacitor variation of potential V of the
capacitor with time t is shown as [MP PET 2003]

E E

(c) (d)
V V
(a) (b)

R r O R r
O t O t

7. What physical quantities may X and Y represent ? ( Y

represents the first mentioned quantity)
Y [NCERT 1978; MP PMT 2003] V V
(c) (d)

O t O t

X 11. Change Q on a capacitor varies with voltage V as shown in

(a) Pressure v/s temperature of a given gas (constant volume) the figure, where Q is taken along the X-axis and V along the
Y-axis. The area of triangle OAB represents
 988 Electrostatics
[Kerala (Engg.) 2001] (a) (b)
Y Y
Y
A
(a) Capacitance
V E E
(b) Capacitive reactance
X X
(c) Magnetic field between the plates O x O x
X
(d) Energy stored in the capacitor O B
Q
12. Equipotential surfaces are shown in figure. Then the electric (c) Y (d) Y
field strength will be
E E
Y 10V 20V 30V
x x
X X
O O
(cm)

30°
O X
10 20 30 (cm) 16. In an RC circuit while charging, the graph of in i versus time
is as shown by the dotted line in the diagram figure, where i
is the current. When the value of the resistance is doubled,
(a) 100 Vm–1 along X-axis
which of the solid curve best represents the variation of in i
(b) 100 Vm–1 along Y-axis
versus time [IIT-JEE (Screening) 2004]
(c) 200 Vm–1 at an angle 120o with X-axis
Y
(d) 50 Vm–1 at an angle 120o with X-axis
S
13. Three identical capacitors are given a charge Q each and
R
they are then allowed to discharge through resistance R1, R2

log i
and R3. Their charges, as a function of time shown in the Q
graph below. The smallest of the three resistance is
P
X
Q t

R3
(a) P (b) Q
R2 (c) R (d) S
R1
t 17. Two concentric conducting thin spherical shells A, and B
(a) R3 (b) R2 having radii rA and rB ( (rB  rA ) are charged to Q A and
(c) R1 (d) Cannot be predicted QB (| QB | | QA |) . The electrical field along a line,
14. A condenser of 2F capacitance is charged steadily from 0
(passing through the centre) is [
to 5 Coulomb. Which of the following graphs correctly
represents the variation of potential difference across its
plates with respect to the charge on the condenser
(a) E (b) E
(a) (b)
V ( 106 V) V ( 106 V)
2.5 x x
5 0 rA rB 0 rA rB

(c) (d)
5 Q 5 E E
Q
(c) (d)
V ( 106 V)
5 V ( 106 V) x
0 0 rB x
rA rB rA
2.5

5 Q 5 Q
15. Two identical point charges are placed at a separation of d.
P is a point on the line joining the charges, at a distance x
from any one charge. The field at P is E, E is plotted against x
for values of x from close to zero to slightly less than d.
Which of the following represents the resulting curve
 Electrostatics 989
Read the assertion and reason carefully to mark the correct option 11. Assertion : Annihilation of electron and positron is an
out of the options given below : example of decay of charges.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the Reason : In the process of annihilation an electron and
correct explanation of the assertion. a positron combine to give a gamma particle.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the 12. Assertion : Surface of a symmetrical conductor can be
correct explanation of the assertion. treated as equipotential surface.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If the assertion and reason both are false. Reason : Charges can easily flow in a conductor.
(e) If assertion is false but reason is true. 13. Assertion : The capacity of a given conductor remains
same even if charge is varied on it.
1. Assertion : The coulomb force is the dominating force in
the universe. Reason : Capacitance depends upon nearly medium as
well as size and shape of conductor.
Reason : The coulomb force is weaker than the
gravitational force. [AIIMS 2003] 14. Assertion : A charged capacitor is disconnected from a
battery. Now if its plate are separated
2. Assertion : If three capacitors of capacitance C1 < C2 < C3 farther, the potential energy will fall.
are connected in parallel then their
equivalent capacitance Cp > Cs Reason : Energy stored in a capacitor is equal to the
work done in charging it.
1 1 1 1
Reason :    [AIIMS 2002] 15. Assertion : Charge is invariant.
C p C1 C 2 C 3
Reason : Charge does not depends on speed of frame
3. Assertion : A metallic shield in form of a hollow shell of reference.
may be built to block an electric field. 16. Assertion : Mass of ion is slightly differed from its
Reason : In a hollow spherical shield, the electric field element.
inside it is zero at every point. [AIIMS 2001] Reason : Ion is formed, when some electrons are
4. Assertion : Electrons move away from a low potential to removed or added so mass changes.
high potential region. 17. Assertion : Charge is quantized
Reason : Because electrons has negative charge Reason : Charge, which is less than 1 C is not possible
[AIIMS 1999] 18. Assertion : If a point charge q is placed in front of an
5. Assertion : If the distance between parallel plates of a infinite grounded conducting plane surface,
capacitor is halved and dielectric constant is the point charge will experience a force.
made three times, then the capacitor Reason : This force is due to the induced charge on the
becomes 6 times. conducting surface which is at zero potential.
Reason : Capacity of the capacitor does not depend 19. Assertion : The surface charge densities of two spherical
upon the nature of the material. [AIIMS 1997] conductors of different radii are equal. Then
6. Assertion : A parallel plate capacitor is connected across the electric field intensities near their surface
battery through a key. A dielectric slab of are also equal.
constant K is introduced between the plates. Reason : Surface charge density is equal to charge per
The energy which is stored becomes K times. unit area.
Reason : The surface density of charge on the plate 20. Assertion : Three equal charges are situated on a circle
remains constant or unchanged. of radius r such that they form on equilateral
[AIIMS 1996] triangle, then the electric field intensity at the
7. Assertion : Electric lines of force cross each other. centre is zero.
Reason : Electric field at a point superimpose to give Reason : The force on unit positive charge at the
one resultant electric field. [AIIMS 1995] centre, due to the three equal charges are
8. Assertion : If a proton and an electron are placed in the represented by the three sides of a triangle
same uniform electric field. They experience taken in the same order. Therefore, electric
different acceleration. field intensity at centre is zero.
Reason : Electric force on a test charge is independent 21. Assertion : On going away from a point charge or a small
of its mass. [AIIMS 1994] electric dipole, electric field decreases at the
same rate in both the cases.
9. Assertion : Dielectric breakdown occurs under the
Reason : Electric field is inversely proportional to
influence of an intense light beam.
square of distance from the charge or an
Reason : Electromagnetic radiations exert pressure. electric dipole.
10. Assertion : When charges are shared between any two 22. Assertion : The whole charge of a conductor cannot be
bodies, no charge is really lost, but some loss transferred to another isolated conductor.
of energy does occur. Reason : The total transfer of charge from one to
Reason : Some energy disappears in the form of heat, another is not possible.
sparking etc. 23. Assertion : Conductors having equal positive charge and
volume, must also have same potential.
 990 Electrostatics
Reason : Potential depends only on charge and volume 61 c 62 d 63 b 64 a 65 a
of conductor.
66 d 67 a `68 d 69 b 70 a
24. Assertion : At a point in space, the electric field points
towards north. In the region, surrounding 71 a 72 b
this point the rate of change of potential will
be zero along the east and west. Electric Field and Potential
Reason : Electric field due to a charge is the space
around the charge. 1 b 2 a 3 d 4 c 5 b
25. Assertion : A point charge is brought in an electric field. 6 a 7 a 8 b 9 d 10 c
The field at a nearby point will increase,
whatever be the nature of the charge. 11 b 12 b 13 b 14 a 15 c

Reason : The electric field is independent of the nature 16 c 17 b 18 d 19 c 20 c

of charge. 21 b 22 a 23 d 24 b 25 b
26. Assertion : The force with which one plate of a parallel 26 a 27 c 28 c 29 a 30 c
plate capacitor is attracted towards the other
31 b 32 c 33 b 34 b 35 a
plate is equal to square of surface density per
 per unit area. 36 c 37 c 38 d 39 c 40 b
Reason : The electric field due to one charged plate of 41 c 42 c 43 a 44 b 45 d
the capacitor at the location of the other is 46 a 47 c 48 d 49 d 50 a
equal to surface density per . 51 c 52 d 53 a 54 b 55 a
27. Assertion : The lightening conductor at the top of high 56 b 57 a 58 c 59 c 60 c
building has sharp pointed ends.
61 d 62 a 63 a 64 b 65 a
Reason : The surface density of charge at sharp points is
very high resulting in setting up of electric wind. 66 a 67 b 68 c 69 b 70 c

28. Assertion : Circuit containing capacitors should be handled 71 a 72 b 73 d 74 c 75 a

cautiously even when there is no current. 76 d 77 c 78 c 79 a 80 b
Reason : The capacitors are very delicate and so 81 a 82 a 83 b 84 d 85 b
quickly break down. 86 c 87 b 88 b 89 c 90 a
29. Assertion : The tyres of aircraft's are slightly conducting. 91 d 92 c 93 b 94 b 95 c
Reason : If a conductor is connected to ground, the
96 b 97 a 98 b 99 c 100 a
extra charge induced on conductor will flow
to ground. 101 d 102 b 103 a,d 104 b 105 b
30. Assertion : A bird perches on a high power line and 106 c 107 c 108 b 109 c 110 c
nothing happens to the bird. 111 c 112 c 113 c 114 a 115 c
Reason : The level of bird is very high from the ground. 116 a 117 c 118 d 119 d 120 a
121 b 122 a 123 c 124 c 125 a
126 b 127 a 128 a 129 a 130 a
131 d 132 c 133 c 134 b 135 a
136 a 137 b 138 b 139 c 140 c
141 d 142 c 143 d 144 c 145 b

Charge and Coulombs Law 146 c 147 c 148 c 149 d 150 d

151 c 152 c 153 a 154 b 155 b
1 d 2 d 3 b 4 c 5 d 156 b 157 d 158 a 159 c 160 d
6 b 7 b 8 c 9 c 10 a 161 c 162 d 163 a 164 b 165 b
11 c 12 c 13 d 14 a 15 a 166 a 167 d 168 b 169 b 170 a

16 a 17 a 18 d 19 a 20 c 171 c 172 b 173 a 174 a 175 a

21 c 22 b 23 c 24 b 25 d 176 c 177 a 178 c 179 d 180 a

181 a 182 c 183 a 184 a 185 b
26 a 27 a 28 a 29 d 30 c
186 c 187 a 188 b 189 c 190 b
31 c 32 a 33 b 34 a 35 b
191 c 192 a 193 a 194 c 195 b
36 d 37 b 38 a 39 a 40 b
196 c 197 b 198 a 199 a 200 b
41 b 42 c 43 b 44 c 45 c
201 c 202 d 203 b 204 c 205 a
46 a 47 c 48 a 49 a 50 d
206 c 207 d 208 b 209 b 210 b
51 c 52 d 53 b 54 c 55 c
56 c 57 b 58 c 59 c 60 c Electric Dipole
 Electrostatics 991
156 b 157 b 158 c 159 d 160 a
1 c 2 d 3 b 4 d 5 a
6 b 7 d 8 d 9 b 10 b 161 b 162 b 163 a 164 b 165 b
11 c 12 c 13 b 14 c 15 b 166 b 167 d 168 b 169 d 170 a
16 b 17 d 18 b 19 d 20 d 171 c 172
21 d 22 c 23 a 24 a 25 a
26 d 27 d 28 c 29 b 30 b
Grouping of Capacitor
31 c 32 d 33 a 34 b 35 a
36 a 37 b 38 c 39 c
1 d 2 a 3 c 4 a 5 a
6 c 7 c 8 d 9 b 10 d
Electric Flux and Gauss's Law
11 d 12 a 13 b 14 c 15 c
1 d 2 c 3 a 4 b 5 c 16 b 17 b 18 b 19 c 20 c
6 a 7 d 8 a 9 c 10 b 21 c 22 c 23 a 24 c 25 d
11 d 12 b 13 c 14 b 15 b 26 a 27 a 28 c 29 b 30 c
16 d 17 d 18 a 19 b 20 a 31 c 32 a 33 d 34 b 35 b
21 b 22 c 23 b 24 c 25 b 36 d 37 c 38 d 39 b 40 b
26 a 27 c 28 c 41 d 42 c 43 a 44 d 45 d
46 d 47 c 48 a 49 d 50 b
Capacitance 51 a 52 a 53 b 54 b 55 d
56 b 57 a 58 a 59 d 60 c
1 c 2 c 3 a 4 a 5 d
61 c 62 b 63 c 64 c 65 b
6 ad 7 c 8 b 9 b 10 c
66 c 67 d 68 b 69 c 70 c
11 c 12 a 13 b 14 d 15 c
71 d 72 d 73 a 74 a 75 a
16 d 17 a 18 d 19 b 20 b
76 b 77 c 78 b 79 d 80 a
21 b 22 b 23 d 24 a 25 b
81 d 82 d 83 b 84 b 85 b
26 d 27 c 28 b 29 c 30 b
86 b 87 b 88 b 89 d 90 a
31 b 32 a 33 c 34 d 35 c
91 d 92 d 93 c 94 a 95 b
36 a 37 a 38 d 39 d 40 c
96 b 97 d 98 d 99 c 100 d
41 c 42 b 43 b 44 a 45 d
101 b 102 b 103 b 104 a 105 b
46 d 47 c 48 b 49 c 50 a
106 c 107 d 108 b 109 d 110 a
51 b 52 a 53 b 54 a 55 d
111 c 112 c 113 a 114 b 115 a
56 c 57 d 58 c 59 b 60 c
116 c 117 c 118 d 119 c 120 b
61 a 62 b 63 d 64 b 65 d
121 b 122 d 123 b 124 d 125 d
66 d 67 b 68 c 69 d 70 d
126 d 127 c
71 a 72 c 73 b 74 c 75 a
76 d 77 b 78 c 79 d 80 a Critical Thinking Questions
81 d 82 a 83 c 84 c 85 c
86 a 87 c 88 a 89 b 90 d 1 d 2 c 3 a 4 c 5 d
91 a 92 b 93 d 94 b 95 c 6 a 7 d 8 b 9 b 10 cd
96 c 97 c 98 c 99 a 100 b 11 d 12 ac 13 ac 14 a 15 a
101 b 102 a 103 c 104 b 105 a 16 b 17 d 18 b 19 a 20 a
106 a 107 b 108 d 109 d 110 a 21 d 22 c 23 b 24 c 25 b
111 c 112 d 113 c 114 a, b 115 a 26 c 27 b 28 a 29 a 30 c
116 c 117 b 118 d 119 b 120 a 31 c 32 c 33 c 34 a 35 a
121 d 122 d 123 d 124 c 125 a 36 a 37 d 38 b 39 d 40 d
126 a 127 b 128 c 129 b 130 d 41 b 42 c 43 bc 44 d 45 ab
131 b 132 c 133 a 134 a 135 b 46 a 47 c 48 b 49 b 50 a
136 c 137 c 138 d 139 a 140 d 51 c 52 c 53 c 54 b 55 d
141 d 142 d 143 c 144 c 145 d 56 c 57 a 58 c 59 d 60 a
146 d 147 c 148 a 149 a 150 d 61 c 62 c 63 b 64 b 65 b
151 a 152 c 153 b 154 c 155 b 66 b 67 a
 992 Electrostatics
Graphical Questions For F to be maximum
dF
 0  Q1  Q 2 
Q
dQ1 2
1 b 2 a 3 b 4 a 5 b 1 4q  q
6 b 7 d 8 b 9 c 10 a 14. (a) The force between 4q and q; F1   2
4 0 l
11 d 12 c 13 c 14 a 15 d
1 Qq
16 b 17 a The force between Q and q; F2  
4 0 (l / 2)2
2
Assertion and Reason We want F1  F2  0 or
4q 4 Qq
  2  Q  q
l2 l
1 d 2 c 3 a 4 a 5 b 15. (a) The charge given to a sphere will be distributed
6 c 7 e 8 b 9 b 10 b uniformly over the surface.
11 e 12 a 13 a 14 e 15 a 16. (a) The position of the balls in the satellite will become as
shown below
16 a 17 c 18 a 19 b 20 a o 180
L L
21 d 22 d 23 d 24 b 25 d +Q +Q
26 d 27 a 28 c 29 b 30 c 1 Q2
Thus angle  = 180° and Force  
4 0 (2 L)2
2
kQ 1
17. (a) F  2
 9  10 9  1 2   9  10 3 N
r (1000 )2
18. (d) Resultant charges after adding the – 2C be ( 2  2)  0
k Q1Q2 04
and ( 2  6)   4 C  F  2
k 2 0
r r
Charge and Coulombs Law
19. (a)   K 0  81  8 .854  10 12  7 .17  10 10 MKS units
1. (d) Coulomb's law is used to calculate the force between 20. (c) Because in case of metallic sphere either solid or
charges. hollow, the charge will reside on the surface of the
1 sphere. Since both spheres have same surface area, so
2. (d) F  2 ; so when r is halved the force becomes four times. they can hold equal maximum charge.
r
21. (c) For providing path to charge induced on the surface of
3. (b) The same force will act on both bodies although their
the carriers which take inflammable material.
directions will be different.
q1q 2 1 q2 1 q2 F
4. (c) The force will still remain 22. (b) F12   and F13    12  2
4  0 r 2 4 0 a 2
4 0 (a 2 )2 F13

G(m e )2 23. (c) Net force on B Fnet  FA2  FC2

5. (d) Gravitational force between electrons FG 
r2 +15 esu
A
e2
Electrostatics force between electrons Fe  k . 2
r
3 cm
FG G(m e )2 6.67  10 11  (9.1  10 31 )2
   2 . 39  10 43
Fe k .e 2 9  10 9  (1.6  10 19 )2 B FC C
+12 esu – 20 esu
qq q1q 2 4 cm
6. (b) Fa  1 2 2 , Fb   Fa : Fb  K : 1
4 0 r K 4 0 r 2 Fnet 
2
FA  FC
2
FA
7. (b) Due to mutual repulsion of charges distributed on the
15  12 12  20
surface of bubble. FA   20 dyne , FC   15 dyne
8. (c) We put a unit positive charge at O. Resultant force due to
3  2
4 2
the charge placed at A and C is zero and resultant charge  Fnet  FA2  FC2  (20 )2  (15 )2  25 dyne
due to B and D is towards D along the diagonal BD.
q
9. (c) Surface charge density  
A
10. (a) Excess of electron gives the negative charge on body.
11. (c) All other charges are its integral multiple.
12. (c) Gravitational force and nuclear force both are
attractive in nature.
QQ
13. (d) Q1  Q2  Q ..... (i) and F  k 1 2 2 .....(ii)
r
kQ1 (Q  Q1 )
From (i) and (ii) F 
r2