Chapter 1 Electric Charges and Fields

Q1. Derive an expression for the torque experienced by an electric dipole kept in a uniform electric
field.
Answer:
Consider an electric dipole consisting of charges + q and – q and of length 2a placed in a uniform
electric field ⃗
E making an angle θ with it. It has a dipole moment of magnitude,

Hence the net translating force on a dipole in a uniform electric field is zero. But the two equal and
opposite forces act at different points of the dipole. They form a couple which exerts a torque.
Torque = Either force × Perpendicular distance between the two forces

X = pE sin θ [ ∵ p = q × 2a; p is dipole moment]

x = qE × 2a sin θ

As the direction of torque τ⃗ is perpendicular to p⃗ and E⃗ , so we can write τ⃗ =p⃗ ×⃗

E
Q 2. (a)A thin 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 ≤ ∞
Answer:
Electric field at a point outside the shell :
(a) (i) To find out electric field at a point outside a spherical charged shell we imagine a
symmetrical Gaussian surface in such a way that the point lies on it.

3 .State ‘Gauss law’ in electrostatics. Use this law to derive an expression for the electric field due
to an infinitely long straight wire of linear charge density λ cm-1
b) A wire AB of length L has linear charge density λ = kx, where x is measured from the end A of
the wire. This wire is enclosed by a Gaussian hollow surface. Find the expression for the electric
flux through this surface.
Answer:
Gauss’s law in electrostatics : It states that “the total electric flux over the surface S in vaccum
is 1ε0 times the total charge (q).”

Electric field due to an infinitely long straight wire : Consider an infinitely long straight line charge
having linear charge density X to determine its electric field at distance r. Consider a cylindrical
Gaussian surface of radius r and length l coaxial with the charge. By symmetry, the electric field E
has same magnitude at each point of the curved surface S1 and is directed radially outward.
Total flux through the cylindrical surface,

b) Given : Length of wire = L, Charge density (λ) = kx, ϕ = ?

We know

Q 4.Use Gauss’s law to derive the expression for the electric field between two uniformly charged
large parallel sheets with surface charge densities a and -a respectively.
Answer:
Gauss’ Law states that “the total flux through a closed surface is 1ε0 times the net charge enclosed
by
Let σ be the surface charge density (charge per unit area) of the given sheet and let P be a point at
distance r from the sheet where we have to find E→

Choosing point P’, symmetrical with P on the other side of the sheet, let us draw a Gaussian
cylindrical surface cutting through the sheet as shown in the diagram. As at the cylindrical part of
the Gaussian surface, E and dS are at a right angle, the only surfaces having E→ and dS→ parallel
are the plane ends

…[As E is outgoing from both plane ends, the flux is positive.

This is the total flux through the Gaussian surface.

This value is independent of r. Hence, the electric field intensity is same for all points near the
charged sheet. This is called uniform electric field intensity.

Q 5. A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge ‘Q’. A charge
‘q’ is placed at the centre of the shell.
(a) What is the surface charge density on the
(i) inner surface,
(ii) outer surface of the shell?
(b) Write the expression for the electric field at a point x > r2 from the centre of the shell.
Answer:
(a) Surface charge density on the :
(b) Electric field at a point x > r2 from the centre of the shell will be E = 1/4πε0(q+Q/x2)
Q 6. (a) Define electric flux. Write its SI units.
(b) The electric field components due to a charge inside the cube of side 0.1 m are as shown :E x =
ax, where α = 500 N/C-m

Calculate
(i) the flux through the cube, and
(ii) the charge inside the cube.
Answer:
(a) Electric flux through a surface represents the total number of electric lines of force crossing the

∴ S.I. unit is Nm2 C-1.

surface.

(b) (i) Flux through R.H.S. of the cube is

Q7.Two point charges 4 µC and 1 µC are separated by a distance of 2 m in air. Find the point on
the line-joining charges at which the net electric field of the system is zero.
Answer:
q1 = 4 µC, q2 = 1 µC, r = 2 m
 At this point, the net electric field of the system is zero.

8. Given a uniform electric field ⃗ E =4×103 i^ N/C. Find the flux of this field through a square of 5 cm
on a side whose plane is parallel to the Y-Z plane. What would be the flux through the same square if
the plane makes a 30° angle with the x-axis?
Ans
Answer:
Given : E→=5×103i^N/C
A = 10 × 10 × 10-4m2,
Flux (ϕ) = EA cos θ

∴ Flux = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4)

(i) For first case, θ = 0, cos 0 = 1

(ii) Angle of square plane with x-axis = 30°

Hence the 0 will be 90° – 30° = 60°
EA cos θ = (5 × 103) × (10 × 10 × 10-4) × cos 60
= 50 × 12
= 25 Nm2C-1
Hint:
(i) 10 Nm2C-1
(ii) 5 Nm2C-1
9. A sphere S1 of radius r1 encloses a net charge Q. If there is another concentric sphere S2 of radius
r2 (r2 > r,) enclosing charge 2Q, find the ratio of the electric flux through S1 and S2. How will the
electric flux through sphere S1 change if a medium of dielectric constant K is introduced in the
space inside S2 in place of air?

Ans
No change in the flux through S1 with dielectric medium inside the sphere S2.
10. Two positive charges q1 and q2 lie along a straight line separated by a distance of 2 m as shown.
(a) Find a location along the straight line joining the two charges, where if a positive charge q 3 is
placed, it experiences a zero-resultant force.
(b) Will the resultant force on q3 placed at the location of part (a) still be zero, if it is negatively
charged? Explain
Ans, (a) For a resultant force at the location of q3 to be zero, the net electrostatic force on q3 due to
q1 and q2 has to be zero. Since q3 is positive, it will be under the effect of repulsive force by both q1
and q2 as represented by F13 and F23.

So q3 placed at 0.83 m away from q1 along the straight line joining q1 and q2 experiences a zero
resultant force.
(b) Yes, the negative charge at the location of q3 will experience zero resultant force.
11. Define electric flux. Write its SI units. A spherical rubber balloon carries a charge that is
uniformly distributed over its surface. As the balloon is blown up and increases in size, how does
the total electric flux coming out of the surface change? Give reason.
Ans: The total number of electric lines of force passing through a given area normally is called
electric flux through that area.
φ E =⃗
E⃗A
 .
Its SI unit is N m2 C–1
As electric flux does not depend upon the shape and size of the closed surface. The electric flux
coming out of the surface will remain same as long as the charge enclosed by it remains same.
12. The figure given below shows a uniformly charged non-conducting rod. What is the direction of
electric field at point P due to the charge on the rod?

Ans: From the figure, we see that x-axis components of electric field due to upper and lower
halves of the rod will get cancelled out. Therefore, net electric field will be in – y-axis.

13. A small metal sphere carrying the charge +Q is located at the centre of a spherical cavity in a
large uncharged metal sphere as shown in the figure. Use the Gauss’s theorem to find the electric
flux at points P1 and P2.

Ans. Let us draw a Gaussian sphere of radius r, passing through point P1, then net electric flux
through the sphere

Now, we draw another Gaussian sphere of radius r2 passing through point P2.
As we can see, –Q charge will be induced on the inner side of the cavity of metal sphere.
Net electric charge enclosed = Q – Q = 0

14. (a) A point charge (+Q) is kept in the vicinity of uncharged conducting plate. Sketch electric
field lines between the charge and the plate.
(b) Two infinitely large plane thin parallel sheets having surface charge densities σ 1 and σ2 (σ1 >
σ2) are shown in the figure. Write the magnitudes and directions of net fields in the regions
marked II and III.

Ans(a) The lines of force due to a positive charge placed near a metal plate are as shown in the
figure.

15. Three charges Q1, Q2 and Q3 are placed inside and outside a closed Gaussian surface as shown in
the figure.

Answer the following:

(a) Which charges contribute to the electric field at any point on the Gaussian surface?
(b) Which charges contribute to the net flux through this surface?
(c) If Q1 = –Q2, will electric field on the surface be zero?
Ans: (a) All three charges Q1, Q2 and Q3 will contribute to the electric field.
(b) Only the enclosed charges, i.e. Q1 and Q2.
(c) No, the electric field will exist on the surface.
16. Two identical metallic spheres A and B having charges +4Q and –10Q are kept a certain
distance apart. A third identical uncharged sphere C is first placed in contact with sphere A and
then with sphere B. Spheres A and B are then brought in contact and then separated. Find the
charges on the spheres A and B.
Ans.
Initial charge on the sphere A = + 4 Q
Initial charge on the sphere B = – 10 Q
Since, all the three spheres are identical, they have the same capacity. When uncharged sphere C is
placed in contact with A, the total charge is equally shared between them.
4+ 0
∴ Charge on C after contact with A = Q and charge on A after contact with C = 2 Q.
2
When sphere C carrying a charge 2 C is placed in contact with B, again charges are equally
2−10
shared between C and B. Charge on C after it is in contact with B = = -4 Q
2
Now, when sphere A with a charge of 2 Q is placed in contact with B, with charge – 4 Q.
2−4
Charge on A = = - 1Q
2
and Charge on B = – 1 Q
17. A point charge of +10 μC is placed just above the centre of the given square surface as shown in the
figure. Calculate the total electric flux passing through the surface.

Ans. The square can be considered as one face of a cube of edge 10 cm with a centre where charge q is
placed. According to Gauss‘s theorem for a cube, total electric flux is through all its six faces.
18. Two charges of magnitudes – 2Q and + Q are located at points (a, 0) and (4a, 0) respectively. What
is the electric flux due to these charges through a sphere of radius ‗3a‘ with its centre at the origin?
Ans.
ii) By Gauss's law, the flux ϕ = Qenclosed/ε0
Here the charge enclosed by sphere of radius 3a is Qenclosed = −2Q
Thus, ϕ = −2Q/ε0

19. A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a charge Q on its surface. A point charge Q 2 is
placed at the centre C and another charge +2Q is placed outside the shell at A at a distance x from the
centre as shown in the figure. (i) Find the electric flux through the shell. (ii) Find the force on the
charges at the centre C‘ of the shell and at the point A‘.

the shell, qnet = Q + Q/2 = 3Q/2 ∴ Electric flux through the shell = 3Q/2ϵ0
Ans(i) Electric flux through a Gaussian surface, υ = Total enclosed charge/ϵ 0 Net charge enclosed inside

(ii)We know that electric field or net charge inside the spherical conducting shell is zero. Hence, the
force on charge Q/2 is zero. Now the force on the charge placed at A , is given by
FA = (1/4πϵ0) × [(Q + Q/2) 2Q]/𝑥2 = (1/4πϵ0)×(3Q2/𝑥2)