Electricity and Magnetism conceptual questions Notes

S.N Question Answers

1 Give two 1. Spherical Shell with Uniform Charge
examples of • The dipole moment is also zero because, for every infinitesimally small charge
charge element on one side of the shell, there is an equal and opposite charge element on
distribution the opposite side, resulting in a cancellation of dipole moments.
whose 2. Linear Charge Distribution with Symmetry:
monopole and • The dipole moment is zero because, for any small segment of the wire, the positive
dipole and negative charges contribute equally to the dipole moment, cancelling each other
moments are out.
both zero. In both cases, the arrangement of charges is such that the system is overall neutral (zero monopole
moment) and exhibits symmetry that leads to the cancellation of the dipole moment.

2 The total An infinite wire with a uniform charge density carries an infinite total charge, the electric field
charge on an produced by this infinite charge distribution does not necessarily become infinite.
infinite wire
charged
uniformly is
infinite. Why
does this
infinite charge Therefore, even though the total charge is infinite, the electric field at a finite distance from the wire
not give rise to can still be finite. This is because the effect of the infinite charge is spread over an infinitely long
an infinite distance, and the electric field diminishes as you move away from the wire.
electric field?
3 Calculate the
total charge
enclosed by a
closed surface
if the number
of lines
entering it is
10000 and
leaving is
30000

4 Why does not Whether the surface is small or large, the electric flux is determined by the total charge enclosed.
the electric The size or shape of the surface doesn't affect the total charge inside it. The key point is that Gauss's
flux through a Law relates the total charge within a closed surface to the flux through that surface.
closed surface Therefore, the electric flux through a closed surface is independent of the size or shape of the
depend on the surface and is solely determined by the total charge enclosed by that surface.
size of the
surface?
5 Show that In electrostatic equilibrium, there is no net motion of charges within the conductor. This means that
there is no the charges have come to rest, and there is no current. In such a situation, the electric field inside the
electric field conductor must be zero.
inside the
conductor in
electrostatic
equilibrium.
6 The electric
field in a
certain region
is directed
outward and is
proportional to
the distance r
from the
origin, How
will electric
potential vary
with distance r
assuming it to
be zero at the
origin?

7 A point charge
q=27.7µC is
located at the
centre of cube
of side 3 cms.
Find the
electric flux
through the
whole cube.
8 Show that the
electric field
due to point
charge is
conservative.

[Curl of (1/rn) = 0]
Therefore, curl E=0, which represents the conservative nature of electric field due to a point charge.

10 Write Poisson
and Laplace
equations in
electrostatics.

11 Define Polarization Charge:

Polarization Polarization charge refers to the charge that arises within a dielectric material (insulator) when it is
Charge. How it subjected to an external electric field. When an external electric field is applied, the positive and
is different negative charges within the atoms or molecules may be displaced, leading to the creation of
from free polarization charge.
charge?
Differences between Polarization Charge and Free Charge:
1. Source:
• Polarization Charge: Originates from the displacement of charges within the atoms
or molecules of a dielectric material when subjected to an external electric field.
• Free Charge: Represents mobile charges that can move freely within a conductive
material.
 2. Mobility:
• Polarization Charge: Typically, polarization charges are associated with the
displacement of bound charges within the dielectric, which may not move freely as
in conductors.
• Free Charge: Can move freely within a conductive material under the influence of an
electric field.

3. Contribution to Total Charge:

• Polarization Charge: Contributes to the total charge within a dielectric but is
localized within the material.
• Free Charge: Contributes to the total charge in a material and can move throughout
the material.

12 Derive the The differential form of Gauss Law in dielectric is given by:
differential
form of Gauss
law in
Dielectric.
K is dielectrc constant of the medium.
13 Explain why The Coulomb force is given by:
the force
between two
charges placed
in water is less the electric permittivity of a medium influences the force between charges. Higher permittivity leads
than force to a weaker force, and since water generally has a higher permittivity than air, the force between
between same charges in water is less than in air.
charges in air?
14 Show that the
electric field E
=6xyi+(3x^2-
3y^2)j is
conservative.
15 Define Equipotential Surface:
equipotential An equipotential surface is a surface in a region of space where the electric potential has the same
surface and constant value at every point. The electric potential difference between any two points on an
describe the equipotential surface is zero.
atleast two
characteristics Characteristics of Equipotential Surfaces:
of 1. Perpendicular to Electric Field Lines
equipotential 2. No work is required to move a charge along or between points on an equipotential surface.
surface. 3. Two equipotential surfaces can never intersect.

16 Derive the
integral form
of Gauss law
for dielectrics.
17 A parallel plate
capacitor of
area 20cm^2 is The capacitance (C) of a parallel plate capacitor is given by the formula:
filled with mica
(k=6). The
distance
between the
• 𝜀0 is the permittivity of free space = 8.85×10-12
plate is 1 cm
K=6, A = 20cm^2, d = 1cm
and the
capacitor is
Put all these values and solve.
connected to a
100V battery.
Find the
capacitance of
this capacitor.

𝜎
18 Find the For non-conducting (insulated) infinite plane sheet of charge, E =
2𝜀0
electric field
Here:
intensity due
• E is the magnitude of the electric field,
to an infinite
• σ is the surface charge density (charge per unit area) on the sheet,
(Non-
• 𝜀0 is the permittivity of free space.
conducting
)plane sheet of
Note: Don’t do derivation in two marks questions.
charge.
19 A circular
plane sheet of
radius 10 cm is
placed in
electric field of
100N/C
making angle
60 degree with
the field.
Calculate the
electric flux
through the
sheet.
20 Derive the
Coulomb's law
from the Gauss
's Law.

21 Show that
electric field as
the gradient of
electric
potential.
22 A region is
specified by
the potential
function
Ø=4x^2+3y^2-
9Z^2
Calculate
electric field
strength at any Hence, Ex = 8x = 8 (3) = 24
point (3,4,5) in Ey = 6y = 6(4) = 24
this region. Ez = -18z = -18(5) -90
E = -24i - 24j + 90k

23 Deduce the
formula for
capacitance of
parallel plate Where k is dielectric constant of medium.
capacitor with
dielectric.
Don’t do any derivation in 2 marks.
24 A capacitor has
a capacitance
of 100
picofarad.
What it is filled
with a
dielectric ,its
capacitance
increases to
250picofarad.
What is
dielectric
constant of
dielectric.