(PHYSICS-XII )

ELECTRIC CHARGE AND FIELD

CHAPTER-1
Very Short answer Questions
1. Sketch the electric field lines due to a point charge (a) q > 0 and (b) q < 0 .
2. Sketch the electric field lines due to two point charges + q1 and − q2 , for q1 = q2 and q1 > q2 separated
by a small distance.
3. Sketch the electric field lines due to two point charge + q1 and + q2 for q1 = q2 and q1 > q2 separated
by a small distance.
4. Draw electric field lines for a system of two charges q1 and q2 such that
(i) q1q2 > 0 ; q1 > q2 > 0
(ii) q1q2 < 0 ; q1 > −q2 < 0 , q1 > −q2 .
Eaxis
5. What is the value of for a short electric dipole ?
Eeq
R
6. Figure show a point charge +Q , located at a distance from the centre of a spherical metal shell.
2
Draw the electric field lines for the given system.

R/2
O +Q

7. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field corresponds to its (i) stable
equilibrium and (ii) unstable equilibrium ?

−q E
+q p
(a)
E
p −q +q
(b)

9. Draw the pattern of electric field lines, when a point charge −Q is kept near an uncharged conducting
plate.
10. Figure shows two large metal plates P1 and P2 tightly held against each other and placed between two
equal and unlike point charges perpendicular to the line joining them. Draw the pattern of the electric
field lines for the system.

-Q
+Q

11. Two metallic spheres A and B kept on insulating stands are in contact with each other. A positively
charged rod P is brought near the sphere A as shown in the figure. The two spheres are separated from
each other, and the rod P is removed. What will be the nature of charges on spheres A and B?
2

P
A B

12. A metal sphere is kept on an insulating stand. A negatively charged rod is brought it, then the sphere is
earthed as shown. On removing the earthing, and taking the negatively charged rod away, what will be
the nature of charge on the sphere ? Give reason for your answer.

Ground

13. 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 centre ?

-2Q +Q
0,0

14. What does the additive nature of electric charge mean?

15. What are the cause of quantization of electric charge ?
16. What do you mean by conservative nature of the electric force ?
17. If a body contains n1 electrons and n2 protons, then what will be the total amount of charge on the
body ?
18. What is the limitation of coulomb’s law ?
19. Why can a Gaussian surface not pass through any discrete charge ?
20. Sketch the electric field lines for the following system of charges.
+Q

-2Q

+Q

21. Two equal ball having equal positive charge q coulombs are suspended by two insulated string of
equal length. What would be the effect on the force when a plastic sheet is inserted between the two ?
22. Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B of identical size have q A and qB respectively. A third
sphere C of the same size but uncharged is brought in contact with the first and then in contact with the
second and finally removed from both. What are the new charges on A and B ?
1
23. Plot the graph showing the variation of coulomb force ( F ) versus  2  , where r is the distance
r 
between the two charges of each pair of charges: (1µC , 2 µ C ) and ( 2 µ C , − 3µ C ) .
Short Answer Questions(2-marks)
1. (a) Define electric field lines and write its properties.
(b) Why do the electrostatic field lines not form closed loops ?
 3
Sol: (b) Electric field lines start from positive charge and terminate at negative charge. If there is a single
positive charge, the field lines start from the charge and terminate at infinity. So the electric field lines
do not form closed loops.

2. (a) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks.
Why is it so ?
(b) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at a point.
SoL: (a) A moving charge experience a continuous force in an electrostatic field, so an electrostatic filed
line is always a continuous curve.
(b) Two electric lines of force can never cross each other because if they cross, there will be two
directions of electric field at the point of intersection, which is not possible.
3. What is the nature of electrostatic force between two point electric charges q1 and q2 if (a) q1 + q2 > 0
? (b) q1 + q2 < 0 ?
Sol:
4. Represent graphically the variation of electric field with distance, for a uniformly charged plane sheet.
1
5. The two graphs are drawn below, show the variation of electrostatic potential V with ( r being the
r
distance of field point from the point charge) for two point charges q1 and q2 .
(i) What are the signs of the two charges ?
(ii) Which of the two charges has the larger magnitude and why ?

O
1_
r

6. (a) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.

(b) “ Gauss’s law in electrostatic is true for any closed surface, no matter what its shape or size is “
Justify this statement with the help of a suitable example.
Long Answer Questions( 3-marks)
1. (a) An infinitely long positively charged straight wire has a linear charge density λCm −1 . An electron
is revolving around the wire as its centre with a constant velocity in a circular plane perpendicular to
the wire. Deduce the expression for its kinetic energy.
(b) Plot a graph of the kinetic energy as a function of charge density λ .
(c) Find the work done in moving the electron perpendicularly towards the wire from r = r1 to r = r2 .
eλ
Ans: (a) (b) self (c) self
4πε 0
2. Two small identical electrical dipoles AB and CD, each of dipole moments ' p ' Y
D A +q
are kept at an angle of 120° as shown in the figure. What is the resultant dipole −q
moment of this combination? If this system is subjected to electric field E ( ) 120°
directed along +X direction, what will be the magnitude and direction of the
X
torque acting on this?
−q B C
+q
4
1
Ans: pE
2

3. Two infinitely large plane thin parallel sheets having surface charge densities σ1 and σ2 ( σ1 > σ 2 ) are
shown in the figure. Write the magnitude and directions of the net electric fields in the regions marked
I, II and III.
σ1 σ2

I II III

1 1
Ans: (i) ( σ1 − σ2 ) (ii) ( σ1 + σ2 )
2ε0 2ε0
Q
4. A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a charge Q on its surface. A point charge is
2
placed at the centre C and another charge +2Q is placed outside the shell at A a distance x from the
centre as shown in the figure. A
x +2Q
Q
C
(i) Find the electric flux through the shell. Q/2
(ii) State the law used.
(iii) Find the force on the charges at the centre C of the shell and at the point A.
q 1 3Q 2
Ans: (i) 0 (ii) (iii)
ε0 4πε0 x 2
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 sell.
−q Q+q 1 Q+q Q1
Ans: (a) (i) (ii) (b)
4πr12
4πr22
4πε0 x 2 r2

O
r1

6. 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. What is the flux through the surface of radius
(i) 0 < r < r1 (i) r1 < r < r2 and (iii) r > r2 Q1
−q Q+q 1 Q+q r2
Ans: (a) (i) (ii) (b)
4πr12 4πr22 4πε0 x 2 O
r1
q q+Q
Ans: (i) (ii) 0 (iii)
ε0 ε0
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Long Answer Questions( 5-marks)
1. (a) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.
(b) State Gauss theorem in electrostatics.
(c) Find the expression for electric field due to a point charge and show the graphical variation of the
field with distance ( r ) .
2. (a) Apply Gauss’s theorem to obtain the expression for the electric field at a point due to an infinitely
long, thin, uniformly charged straight wire of linear charge density λ Cm −1 and show the graphical
variation of electric field E with r .
(b) Find the work done in bringing a charge q from perpendicular distance r1 to r2 ( r2 > r1 ) in the
field of line charge.
3. (a) Using Gauss’s law, prove that the electric field at a point due to a uniformly charged infinite plane
sheet is independent of the distance from it.
(b) How is the field directed if (i) the sheet is positively charged, (ii) negatively charged ?
(c) An infinitely large thin plane sheet has a uniform surface charge density +σ . Obtain an expression
for the amount of work done in bringing a point charge q from infinity to a point, distance r , in front
of the charged plane sheet.
σ
4. Show that the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is E = nˆ where σ is surface
∈0
density and n̂ is a unit vector normal to the surface in the outward direction.
5. (a) Define an electric dipole and its dipole moment.
(b) Find an expression for the electric field strength at a distant point situated (i) on the axis and (ii)
along the equatorial line of an electric dipole.
(c) Derive an expression for the work done in rotating a dipole from the angle θ1 to θ 2 in a uniform
electric field E .
(d) Find the expression for force and torque on an electric dipole in a uniform electric field.
(e) Derive an expression for the electric potential at a point due to an electric dipole. Mention the
contrasting features of electric potential of a dipole at a point as compared to that due to a single
charge.
(f) Draw a graph of E versus r for r >> a .
(g) Draw a graph of V versus r for r >> a .
(h) Draw the equipotential surface due to an electric dipole. Locate the points where the potential due
to the dipole is zero.
6. (a) State electric field. Write its SI unit.
(b) Find the expression for electric field due to a point charge.
(c) State the principle of superposition of electrostatic forces. Hence write an expression for the force
on a point charge due to a distribution of N − 1 point charge in terms of their position vectors.
(d) Plot the graphical variation of electric field due to a point charge.
NUMERICALS
1. In a medium the force of attraction between two point electric charges, distance d apart is F. What
distance apart should these be kept in the same medium so that the force between them becomes (i) 3F
(ii) F/3 ?
d
Ans: (i) (ii) 3d
3
2. The sum of two point charges is 7µC . They repel each other with a force of 1N when kept 30cm apart
in free space. Calculate the value of each charge.
Ans: 2µC
6
3. Two concentric metallic spherical shells of radii R and 2R are given charges Q1 and Q2 respectively.
The surface charge densities on the outer surfaces of the shells are equal. Determine the ratio Q1 : Q2 .
Ans: 1/4
4. Two identical point charges, q each, are kept 2m apart in air. A third point charge Q of unknown
magnitude and sign is placed on the line joining the charges such that the system remains in
equilibrium. Find the position and nature of Q.
5. Two bodies A and B carry charges −3.00µC and −0.44µC . How many electrons should be
transferred from A to B that they acquire equal charges?
Ans: 8 × 1012
6. Two identical conducting spheres, one that has an initial charge +Q and the other is initially
uncharged, are brought into contact. (a) What is the new charge on each sphere? (b) While the spheres
are in contact, a positively charged rod is moved close to one sphere, causing a redistribution of the
charges on the two spheres so the charge on the sphere closest to the rod has a charge −Q . What is the
charge on the other sphere?
Ans. (a) +Q / 2 , This is due to the reason that the spheres are identical and they share the total charge
equally.
(b) +2Q , This is due to the conservation of charge. Since initial charge on the two spheres is Q, the
final charge is Q only if the charges on the spheres are −Q and +2Q .
7. Two identical conducting spheres are charged by induction and then separated by a large distance :
sphere-1 has charge +Q and sphere-2 has charge −Q . A third sphere is initially uncharged. If sphere-
3 is touched to sphere-1 and separated, then touched to sphere-2 and separated, what is the final
charge on each of the three spheres?
Ans. +Q / 2, − Q / 4, − Q / 4
8. Figure shows that a positively charged rod is brought near two
+++
uncharged metal spheres. A and B attached with insulated stands and +++ A B
placed in contact with each other.
(i) What would happen if the rod was removed before the spheres are
separated?
(ii) Would the induced charges be equal in magnitude even if the spheres had different sizes or
different conductors?
(iii)What will happen if the spheres are separated first and then the rod is removed far away.
Ans. (i) both the spheres will becomes uncharged.
(ii) Yes, net charge is conserved.
(iii) A will have − ve charge and B will + ve charge. Of same magnitude.
9. Object A, B and C are three identical, insulated, spherical conductors. Originally A and B both have
Charge of +3C , while C has a charge of −6C . Object A and C are allowed to touch, then they are
moved apart. Then objects B and C are allowed to touch before they are moved apart.
(i) If objects A and B are now held near each other, they will :
(a) attract (b) repel (c) have no effect on each other
(ii) If distinct objects A and C are held near each other, they will :
(a) attract
Ans. (i) repel (ii) repel
10. A metal sphere has a charge of −6.5 µC . When 5 ×1013 electrons are removed from the sphere, what
would be the net charge on it?
Ans: 1.5µC
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11. Two bodies A and B carry charges −3.00µC and −0.44µC . How many electrons should be
transferred from A to B that they acquire equal charges?
Ans: 8 × 1012
12. If an object made of substance A is rubbed with on object made of substance B, then A becomes
positively charged and B becomes negatively charged. If however, an object made of substance A is
rubbed against an object made of substance C , then A becomes negatively charged. What will be
characteristics of charge on B and C if an object made of substance B is rubbed against an object
made of substance C ?
Ans. B becomes negative charged and C becomes positively charged
13. Two point charges q1 and q2 are 3m apart and their combined charge is 20 µ C . If one repels the other
with a force of 0.075 N, what are the two charges?
Ans. 5µ C and 15µ C
14. Two fixed point charges +4e and +e units are separated by a distance a . What should a their point
charge be placed for it to be in equilibrium?
Ans. 2a / 3 from +4e charge
15. The force between two charges when separated by a distance of 50 cm in air is 40 Newton. What will
be the force between them if the distance becomes 25?
Ans. 160 N
16. The force between two point charges is F in air. What will be the force between them if the distance
between them becomes double?
F
Ans.
4
17. A charge of 120µC is to be divided into two parts so that when kept at certain distance the force
between them may be maximum. How should we divide it?
Ans. 60µC and 60µC
18. Two identical metal spheres charged with +12 µ C and –8 µ C are kept at certain distance in air. They
are brought into contact and then kept at the same distance. What is the ratio of the magnitudes of
electrostatic forces between them before and after contact.
Ans. 24 : 1
19. Two identical spheres with charges 4q , –2q kept some distance apart exert a force F on each other. If
they are made to touch each other and replaced at their old positions, then find the force between them.
1
Ans. F
8
20. Force between two identical charges placed at a distance of r in vacuum is F . Now a slab of dielectric
of dielectric constant 4 is inserted between these two charges. If the thickness of the slab is r / 2, then
find the force between the charges.
Ans. F/4
21. In the given figure calculate the force on the charge Q , if ‘O’ is the middle point of the line AB.
 2   qQ  −q +Q +q
Ans.    2  along BA A B
 πε 0   r 
O
r

22. In the given figure calculate the force on the charge Q kept at ‘O’ which is the middle point of the line
AB.
+q +Q +q
A B
O
8
Ans. Zero
23. In the given figure calculate the force on a charge Q placed at the centre of the circle of radius r .
1 qQ −q A
Ans.
2 πε 0 r
2

+q −q
B D
O

+q C

24. Three identical point charges of magnitude q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle
having side L . Find the force (i) at any one charge due to rest two charges. (ii) on fourth charge q if it
is placed at geometrical centre of triangle. (iii) on fourth charge q if it is placed at mid point of any
one side.
3q 2 q2
Ans. (i) (ii) zero (iii)
4π ∈0 L2 3π ∈0 L2
25. Three point charges q , −4q and 2q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC of the
side ' a ' as shown in the figure. Obtain the expression for the magnitude of the resultant electric force
acting on the charge q .
A
q

-4q 2q
B C
1  2 3q 2 
Ans:  
4πε0  l 2 
26. A cube has sides of length L . It is placed with one corner at the origin as shown in figure.
The electric field is uniform and given by E = − Bi + Cj − Dk , where B, C and D are positive
constants.
(a) Find the electric flux through each of the six cube faces S1 , S 2 , S3 , S 4 , S5 and S6 .
(b) Find the electric flux through the entire cube.

z S 2 ( top )

S6 ( back )
S3 ( right side )
S1 ( left side ) y
L
x
S5 ( front )
S 4 ( bottom )

Ans. (a) φS1 = −CL2 , φS2 = − DL2 , φS3 = CL2 , φS4 = DL2 , φS5 = − BL2 , φS6 = BL2 (b) φ = zero

3 4
27. The electric field in a region is given by E = E0 i + E0 j with E0 = 2.0 × 103 N/C . Find the flux of
2 3
this field through a rectangular surface of area 0.2 m 2 parallel to the y-z plane.
 9
2
Ans. 240 N-m / C
28. Calculate the electric flux over the surface of a sphere if it is charged with 10 µC of charge.
Ans. 36π × 104
29. Find the flux of the electric field through each of the five surfaces of the inclined plane as shown in
figure 2.3. What is the total flux through the entire closed surface?
Y
D
E
A
a
E
C X
F
θ B b
Z

Ans. φ ABCD = Eab sin θ , φE ADEF , − Eab sin θ , (φE ) ABF = 0, (φE ) BCEF = 0, φtotal = 0.
30. For enclosed Gaussian surfaces, S1 , S 2 , S3 and S4 together with the charges + q, − q and −2q as
shown in figure.
Find the flux of E through each surface.

S4 S1
−q
S2
+q

−2 q
S3

−2q −q
Ans: Surface S1 : φ = ; S 2 : φ = 0 ; S3 : φ = ; S4 : φ = 0
ε0 ε0
31. Find the flux through the hemispherical surface due to the charge q placed as shown in figure.

q
q q
(a) (b) (c)

Ans (a) φ = q / ε 0 ; (b) φ = 0 ; (c) φ = q / 2ε 0

32. Consider a closed surface of arbitrary shape as shown in figure. Suppose a single charge Q1 is located
at some point with in the surface and second charge Q2 is located outside
the surface.
(a) What is the total flux passing through the surface due to charge Q1 ? Q1 Q2
(b) What is the total flux passing through the surface due to charge Q2 ?
Ans (a) Q1 / ε 0 ; (b) zero
10
33. A charge Q is placed at a distance a / 2 above the centre of a horizontal square Q
surface of edge a as shown in figure. Find the flux of the electric filed through a/2
the square surface.
a
Q
Ans φ =
6ε 0
a

34. A charge Q is placed at the centre of an imaginary hemispherical surface.

Q
Using symmetry arguments and the Gauss’s law, find the flux of the
electric field due to this charge through the surface of the hemisphere.
Q
Ans φ =
2ε 0
35. A point charge q is placed at the centre of the cubical box. Find :
(a) total flux associated with the box.
(b) flux emerging through each face of the box.
q
(d) flux through shaded area of surface.
Ans (a) φ = q / ε 0 ; (b) φ = q / 6ε 0 ; (c) φ = q / 24ε 0

36. Figure shows a charge q is placed at one of the edges of a cube of d c

edge l on a line of symmetry along diagonal. b
a
q
(a) What is flux through each of the faces containing the point a ?
h
g
(b) What is the flux through the other three faces? e f
q
Ans (a) φ = 0 ; (b) φ =
24ε 0
E0 x
37. The electric field in a region is given by E = i . Find the charge contained inside a cubical volume
l
bounded by the surfaces x = 0, x = a, y = 0, y = a, z = 0 & z = a. Take E0 = 5 ×103 N/C, l = 2 cm
and a = 1 cm.
Ans 2.2 ×10 −12 C
38. The position of two point charges q1 and q2 are r and r2 respectively. Find the position of the point
where net field is zero due to these charges.
r1 q2 + r2 q1
Ans; r =
q1 + q2
39. Three point electric charges + q each are kept at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side a .
Determine the magnitude and sign of the charge to be kept at the centroid of the triangle so that the
charges at the vertices remain in equilibrium.
q
Ans: −
3
40. Give a uniform electric field E = 5 × 103 iˆ N/C, find the flux of this field through a square of 10cm on a
side whose plane is parallel to the Y-Z plane. What would be flux through the same square if the plane
makes a 30° angle with the X-axis ?
Ans: 25 NC −1m 2
 11
41. State Gauss’s law in electrostatics. A cube with each side ' a ' is kept in an electric field given by
E = C × rˆ , ( as is shown in the figure) where C is a positive dimensional constant. Find out
(i) the electric flux through the cube, and
(ii) the net charges inside the cube.

Ans: a 3C ε0
42. Two parallel uniform charged infinite plane sheets, ‘1’ and ‘2’, have charge densities +σ and −2σ
respectively. Give the magnitude and direction of the net electric field at a point (i) in between the two
sheets and (ii) outside near the sheet ‘1’.
3σ σ
Ans: (i) i (ii) − i
2ε 0 2ε 0
43. A hollow cylindrical box of length 1m and area of cross-section 25 cm 2 is placed in a three
dimensional coordinate system as shown in the figure. The electric field in the region is given by
E = 50 xiˆ , where E is in NC-1 and x is in meters.

L R
E E
n n
O
1m
1m

(i) net flux through the cylinder.

(ii) charge enclosed by the cylinder.
Ans: (i) 0.125Nm 2C-1 (ii) 1.107 ×10 −12 C
44. A right circular cylinder of length ' a ' and radius ' r ' has its centre at the origin and its axis along the x-
axis so that one face is at x = + a / 2 and the other at x = − a / 2 , as shown in the figure. A uniform
electric field is acting parallel to the x-axis such that E = E0iˆ for x > 0 and E = − E0i for x > 0 .
Find the flux (i) through the flat faces, (ii) through the curved surface of the cylinder. What is the net
outward flux through the cylinder and the net charge inside the cylinder ?

O
−i i

a/2 a/2
Ans: (i) E0 πr (ii) 2πε0 r E0
2 2
12
45. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
(i) Show that the net force acting on it is zero.
(ii) The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Find the work done in rotating it through the angle of
180° .
Ans: (i) 0 (ii) 2 pE
46. A simple pendulum consists of a small sphere of mass m suspended by a thread of length l . The
sphere carries a positive charge q . The pendulum is placed in a uniform electric field of strength E
directly downwards. Find the period of oscillation of the pendulum due to the electrostatic force acting
on the sphere, neglecting the effect of the gravitational force.
ml
Ans: 2π
qE
47. 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 field on a charge Q .

Q q

q
Q

1 Q Q 
Ans: 2 
+ 2q 
4ε0 π a  2 
48. Three point charges, each of charge q are placed on vertices of a triangle ABC, with AB = AC = 5 L ,
BC = 6 L . Find the electrostatics potential at midpoint of side BC.
11 q
Ans:
48 πε 0 L
49. A thin spherical conducting shell of radius R has charge q . A point charge Q is placed at the centre of
the shell. Find (i) The energy density on the outer surface of the shell and (i) The charge density on the
outer surface of the shell and (ii) the potential at a distance of ( R / 2 ) from the centre of the shell.
q+Q 1
Ans: (i) (ii) V = ( q + 2Q )
4πε0 R 2
4πε0
50. Electric field E in a region is given by E = ( 5 x 2 + 2 ) iˆ , where E in N/C and x is in metres.
A cube of side 10cm is placed in the region as shown in figure.

O i

Calculate (i) the electric flux through the cube, and (ii) the net charge enclosed by the cube.
Ans: (i) 5 ×10−4 Nm 2C-1 (ii) 4.43 ×10−15 C