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\Which orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric feld would correspond to stable equilibrium?
Answer: [2008]
The dipole is in stable equilibrium when direction of electric dipole moment of electic dipoles in the direction
of electric feld
Inthe radius of the Gaussian surface enclosing a charge is halved, how does the electric flux through the
Gaussian surface change?
Answer: [2009, 2008}
Electric fux dp is given by
where Q Is total charge inside the closed surface.
On changing the radius of sphere, the electric flux through the Gaussian surface remains same as the net
charge enclosed within the surface is same.
‘Athin conducting spherical shell of radius R has charge +q spread uniformly over its surface, Using Gauss's
law, derive an expression for an electric field at a point outside the shell, Draw a graph of electric field E(r)
with distance r from the centre of the shell for 0 R). According to
Gauss's law.
feds = 2 $Bads= 4
3 E
Efds= £3 E-4n?= +
Baa t
‘Atany point on the surface ofthe shell, ¢=
2 ER ae Fe
Ifcris charge density,
1.q= 4B
aero
Ae ae
Therefore, Ep = = Graph: As the charge on shell reside on the outer surface, so there is no charge inside the shell, so electric
field by Gauss's law will be zero.
So inside shell, r +
racially outward. So angle at surfaces between dS and E'is zero, and angle of dS2, dS3 with Eat S) and
S) are 90°.
‘Total flux through the cylindrical surface,
So oo
fE-ds = §B-dd)+ fE-d5,+ fE- dy
e & 3
= $ BdS; -cos0" + f EdSy-cos 90° + § BdSy- e090"
a Se St
= Bf aS — Bx 2nrl
‘Since ) is the charge per unit length and | is the length of the wire,
‘Thus, the charge enclosed
aM
fecorn 0 Gaus in
a
{Eas
8
1. An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field cannot have sudden
breaks. Why not?
2. Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point?
Answer: [2014]
1. An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve because a charge experiences a
continuous force when traced in an electrostatic field. The field line cannot have sudden
breaks because the charge moves continuously and does not jump from one point to the
other.
2. If wo field lines cross each other at a point, then electric field intensity will show two.
directions at that point. This is not possible. Hence, two field lines never cross each other Charges of magnitudes 2¢ and -q are located at points (a, 0, 0) and (4a, 0, 0). Find the ratio ofthe flux of
electric eld due to these charges through concentric spheres of radii 2a and 8a centered at the origin.
Answer: [2011]
The locations of the charges are shown in the figure.
NS
‘The electric fux through the sphere of radius 2a,
a= 420)
The electric flux through the sphere of radius 8a
= Z2q-a) = (0)
$3
Why do the electrostatic fied ines not form closed loop?
Answe (2014, 2012]
The electrostatic field lines do not form a closed loop because electric fied lines can not reside under the
conductor. If they form close loop like magnetic feld there must be existence of another pole which Is nat the
case with the electric charges.
Two equal balls having equal postive charge q coulombs are suspended by two insulating strings of equal
length. What would be the effect on the force when a plastic sheet Is Inserted between the two charges and
angle between them?
Answer: (2014)
‘According to the question, both the balls have the same charge g. Let the balls be separated by a distance r.
Hence, according to Coulomb's law, if F and F' are the force of attraction between balls in the alr and in
medium respectively
Then, P= oe
In the second case, when plastic sheet is inserted,
P= ake F
“oP =F/K
‘where Kis a dielectric constant of the material and K > 1 for insulators like plastic, hence the force is reduced
‘when a plastic sheet Is inserted between them.
AAs the angle between them is directly proportional to repulsive force, so angle will also decrease when plastic.
sheet Is Inserted between them. Why do the electric field lines never cross each other?
Answer: [2014]
Ate intersection point, i electric feld lines cross each other, then there would be two directions of the
electric field, So any test charge placed at that point can move in any two directions simultaneously which is
not possible, so lines of forces never cross each other.
Two point charges having equal charges separated by 1 metre distance experience a force of 8 N. What will
be the force experienced by them, If they are held in water at the same distance?
(Given, Kyatar = 80).
Answer: (2010)
‘When two point charges system Is moved from air to another medlum(in this case itis water) Keeping other
variable (e.g. distance, the magnitude of charge) unchanged, so, the only factor which may affect the
interacting force isa dlelectric constant of medium(é).
Force acting between two point charges can be calculated using Coulomi law is
Fot
So the force between two point charges will be 0.1 N instead of 8 N when system Is moved from alr to water.
dipole of dipole moment 'p'is present in a uniform electric field E. Write the value of the angle between p
and E for whieh the torque experienced by the dipole, Is minimum.
Answer: [2009]
‘Since, torque (7) on the dipole placed in an electric fled E Is given by the cross product of dipole moment
and electric field -
7=pxE
= |r| =pEsing
For minimum torque,
|r| =0 + pE sind =0
= sind=0
= 0 =0°orl80”
So, we can say the angle between p and E Is 0* or 160° respectively for which the torque experienced by the
dipole is minimum or equal to zero. An electic dipole of length 4 em when placed with its axis making an angle of 60° with a uniform electric fled,
experiences a torque of 41/3 Nm. Calculate the potential energy of the dipole if it has a charge of + 8nC.
Answer: (2014)
Given,
Length ofthe dipole (2a)= 4 m= 4 x 10m
Torque, r= 4V/3Nm
Charge, Q= 8 x 10-°C
We know that.
Torque, 7 = pEsind = Q(2a) Esind
Thus, Electric fels
ayaa
Potential energy of a dipole placed in an electric field is given by -
U = —pE cos 6 = —Q(2a) Ecos 0
U = 8x10 x4 x 10°? x 25 x 10! cos 60°
4 Joule
So, the potential energy of the dipole will be ~4 Joule and negative sign shows that interaction between
electric fled and dipole will be attractive in nature and work must be done to overcome this attraction.
‘An electric dipole is placed ina uniform electric flelé E with its dipole moment p parallel to the fleld. Find
1. the work done in turning the dipole til its dipole moment points in the direction opposite to
E.
2. the orientation of the dipole for which the torque acting on it becomes maximum.
Answer: [2014]
4. If dipole is placed in an electric fiold, then in order to rotate it we have to do the work
against electric field lines which can be found as:
Work done in rotating the dipole, W — f° rd0
If the dipole is tured from direction parallel to electric field to direction opposite to electric
field, then angle 6 will change from 0 to 7.
2. We know that, r — pE'sin@
110 =m /2,, then ris maximum
ie. r= pEsin § = 7 = pE (maximum)
‘Maximum torque will be experienced by the dipole when its dipole moment is perpendicular to electric
field lines. Calculate the amount of work done in turing an electric dipole of dipole moment 3 x 10-* Cm from is
position of unstable equilibrium to the position of stable equilibrium in a uniform electric feld of intensity
10NCt
Answer: [2011, 2009]
‘According to the question, for unstable equllbrium, the angle between p and E is because potential energy at
‘is orientation is maximum 8; = 180°
Finally, fr stable equilisrium, 0» = 0°
Required work done can be found by calculating the difference in potential energy ofthe dipole in these two
ions. Thus,
pE (cos0; — cos®2)
3.x 10-8 x 10° (cos 180°
6x 10d
his work done is negative which shows thatthe decrease in potential energy ofthe dipole will be converted
into work
Ww
030°)
“Two Identical metalic spherical shells A and B having charges +4@ and -10Q are kept a certain distance
apart. A third identical uncharged sphere C is frst placed in contact with sphere A and then with sphere B,
‘Then spheres A and B are brought in contact and then separated. Find the charge on the spheres Aand B.
Answer [2011, 2009]
‘When two identical conducting charged spheres are brought in contact then redistribution of charges takes
place, Le. the charge is equally divided on both the spheres if they are of same radius
‘When C and Aare placed in contact, charges will be equally divided in two spheres. Therefore, charge on
each sphere And C will be = +20.
Now, C is placed in contact with B, then charge on B will become
25091 ag
While this time charge on A= +20 charge on C = 40
‘When A and B are placed in contact, then charge on each A and B becomes
20410) _ 9
So both will have charge -@ after the process.
A.ipole is present in an electrostatic field of magnitude 10® NC". If the work done in rotating it from its
position of stable equilibrium to its position of unstable equilibrium is 2 x 109 J, then find the magnitude of
the dipole moment of this dipole.
Answe' [2010, 2009]
Given: Electric eld intensity, € = 10°NC*
Work done, W=2 x 10% Joule
‘Work was done in ratating the dipole from a stable equilibrium position to unstable equllisrium position which
increases its potential energy.
W = pE (cos; — cos@2)
W = pE (cos 0° — cos 180°) — 2pE
‘As 2pE work was done in rotating the dipole against the electric field, magnitude of dipole moment can be
found using below formula -
a
a0
Bl
10 Cm, ‘An infrite numberof charges, each of coulomb, are placed along x-axs atx = 1m, 8m, 9m, and so on
Calculate the electric field at the point x = 0, due to these charges if all the charges are of the same nature.
Answer: [2009]
‘According to a principle of superposition of electric fields, E (electric field) at a point due to the system of
three charges will be the superpostion ofall he electric Tek due to all the charges and can be calcuiated as
B= qh, [ fiw + Ria + Lisp]
Hete, ry = 11m, f= 8m and ra = 9 mand soon
‘Thus, Electric field,
a fe ooh pin
B= ak [et et ate +e]
Here all the terms are in G.P with common ratio } which can be solved as-
a [rh]
B=7oxd=-4NCO
rea * 8 = Tree
This electric field will be directed away from the charges if charges are positive or towards them if they are
Given a uniform electric field B = 5 x 10° NC". Find the flux of this field through a square of 10cm on a
side whose plane Is parallel to the YZ-plane. What would be the flux through the same square ifthe plane
makes an angle of 30° with the X-axis?
Answer: [2014, 2008),
Given, electric fleld intensity
E=5x103iNC?
Magnitude of elecri field intens
\E|=5 x 10°NC!
Side of square, S = 10.cm= 0.1 m
‘Area of square, A= (0.1)? = 0.01 m?
The plane of the square Is parallel to the YZ-plane.
Hence, the angle between the unit vector normal to the plane and electric field is zero,
12,0
-*. Flux through the plane isthe scalar product of the Electric field vector and Area vector.
@ =|B| x Acos0 => ¢ =5 x 108 x 0.01.c080°
= 50NmeC 1
Ifthe plane makes an angle of 30° with the X-axis, then the angle between area vector and electri field will
be, 0 = 60°
Flux through the plane,
$= |B) x Ax cos60”
=5 x 10* x 0.01 x cos60° = 25Nm?C >
Here the positive value of electric flux denotes that electric field lines are coming out of the loop.
Asphere &; of radius r; encloses a charge Q. If there is another concentric sphere S» of radius rp (fp > ri) and
there are no additional charges between S; and Sp, find the ratio of electric lux through S} and Sz,
Answer: [2009]
‘According to Gauss’ theorem, total uc passing through a closed surface, = 1 = f EdS
‘As, Si and S2 are concentric spheres of radii ry and rp respectively, then we have
mi =au/eo~ ~()
2 = @/e0 w
7.On dividing Ea. (i) wth Eq, (i), we get
otya a Q_
$= bxe-t-g-
Hence, bd: 2 =1:1
