Spring 2024 Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence 27/02/2024

Department of Physics

PHY102: Introduction to Physics-II, Mid-Sem Examination, Full Marks: 25

Time: 2 hours

Answer all questions.

1. (a) Show that one of the followings is a possible electrostatic field while other is not.
(i) 𝐸⃗1 = 3[(𝑥𝑦)𝑖̂ + (2𝑦𝑧)𝑗̂ + (3𝑥𝑧)𝑘̂] (ii) 𝐸⃗2 = 3[(𝑦 2 )𝑖̂ + (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + (2𝑦𝑧)𝑗̂]

Solution: Question #1(a)

(b) Show that the force experienced by a plate carrying the charge
𝑞2
+q of an isolated air-filled parallel plate capacitor is − 2𝜖 , where
0𝐴
A is the plate area.
Solution: Question#1(b)
 (c) Explain that the bulk and surface of a conductor forms a equipotential region.
[3+3+2 =8]
Solution: Question#1(c)
Since the Electric field inside the conductor is zero.

𝑟
2. The volume charge density of a solid sphere of radius 𝑅 varies as 𝜌 = 𝜌0 (𝑅), where
𝜌0 is a constant (of appropriate unit) and 𝑟 is the radial distance measured from the
center of the sphere. Using Gauss’s law, calculate and plot the electric field at a distance
𝑟 from the centre of the sphere. [Note: No charge is outside of the sphere]. [3]
Solution: Question#2

+ Similarly do calculation for electric field outside the sphere(𝑟 > 𝑅).

3. Two spherical cavities, of radii a and b, are hollowed out from the
interior of a (neutral) conducting sphere of radius 𝑅 as shown in
figure. At the center of each cavity, a point charge is placed, call
these charges 𝑞𝑎 and 𝑞𝑏 .

(i) Find the surface charge density 𝜎𝑎 , 𝜎𝑏 , and 𝜎𝑅 at surface

of cavities a, and b and the surface of sphere.
(ii) What is the field outside the conductor?
(iii)What is the field within each cavity?
(iv) What is the force on 𝑞𝑎 and 𝑞𝑏 ?
(v) Which of these answers would change if a third charge 𝑞𝑐 , were brought near
the conductor? [0.5+1+1+1+0.5=4]
 Solution: Question#3
Following are the answers but need to give explanation.

4. Two point charges 𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 are placed at locations

(0,0, 𝑑1 ) , and (0,0, 𝑑2 ) as shown in figure. Imagine a
spherical region of radius 𝑅 and centre at (0, 𝐶, 0), using the
properties of electric field and potential give the answers of
the following questions.

i. What is the divergence of electric field due to

charges 𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 at the follwing points (0,0, 𝑑1 ),
(0,0, 𝑑2 ), (0, 𝐶, 𝑅), and (0, 𝐶, −𝑅)?

ii. What is the value of surface integration of the potential V due to point charges
𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 over the surface of the sphere shown in figure, ∮𝑆 𝑉𝑑𝑠 , where S is
the surface of the sphere of radius 𝑅 and centre at (0, 𝐶, 0)?

iii. How much work is required to change the location of charge 𝑞1 , at (0,0, 𝑑1 ) to
(0,0,0) ?

iv. We want to construct an infinitesimal thin charged spherical shell of radius 𝑅

and centre at (0, 𝐶, 0) by bringing charge from infinity such that charge is
uniformly distributed over the surface with surface charge density 𝜎, If we have
only two options,

a) First bring point charges 𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 and place it at locations (0,0, 𝑑1 ) ,

and (0,0, 𝑑2 ) and then construct the charged spherical shell.

b) First construct this charged spherical shell and then bring point charges
𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 and place it at locations (0,0, 𝑑1 ) , and (0,0, 𝑑2 ) one by one.

Explain: Which option required more work to do?

v. Starting from electric field due to a spherical shell described above at a distance
𝑟, (𝑟 > 𝑅), find the potential due to this spherical shell using the relation
between electric field and potential.
 vi. Calculate the total work done in constructing the system of charged sphere and
point charges 𝑞1 , and 𝑞2 for any one of the options a) and b) described above.
[1+1+1+1+1+2=7]
Solution: Question#4
𝜌 𝑞1 3 𝑞2 3
(i) ⃗ ∙ 𝐸⃗ =
∇ ⇒at (0,0, 𝑑1 ), 𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑑1 𝑘̂) , at (0,0, 𝑑2 ), 𝛿 (𝑟 − 𝑑2 𝑘̂ ) , at (0, 𝐶, ±𝑅), 0
𝜖0 𝜖0 𝜖0
2
(ii) In the region of sphere 𝛻 𝑉 = 0, for Laplace equation using the avarage property of the

4𝜋𝑅2 𝑞1 𝑞2
solution of 𝛻 2 𝑉 = 0 ⇒ ∮𝑆 𝑉𝑑𝑠 = 4𝜋𝜖0
( + )
√𝐶 2 +𝑑12 √𝐶 2 +𝑑22

1 2 𝑞 𝑞 1 1
(iii) Work done = 𝑞1 ∆𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜖 (𝑑 − 𝑑 )
0 2 1 −𝑑2
1
(iv) Expression of work done in construction of charged system is 2 ∑𝑁
𝑖=1 𝑞𝑖 𝑉𝑖 (𝒓𝒊 ) where
𝑉𝑖 (𝒓𝒊 ) is potential due to other charges 𝑞𝑗 leaving the 𝑞𝑖 . The expression is symmetric in
𝑞𝑖 and 𝑞𝑗 . Hence work in inconstructing the system of charges does not depend on the
sequence of charges introduced in system. This implies that the two case will have same
work. Or Work done in constructing the charge configuration total work done is
1
2
𝜖0 ∫ 𝐸 2 𝑑𝜏, where 𝐸⃗ is the electric field in the final construction which does not depend
on the sequence of charged construction.
𝑟 𝑟 4𝜋𝑅2 𝜎 4𝜋𝑅2 𝜎
(v) 𝑉 = − ∫∞ 𝐸⃗ ∙ 𝑑𝑟 = − ∫∞ 4𝜋𝜖 2 𝑟̂ ∙ 𝑑𝑟𝑟̂ =
0𝑟 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
1
(vi) For spherical shell in absence of 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 work in construction is 𝑊𝑠 = 2 ∮𝑆 𝑉𝜎𝑑𝑠 =
1 2𝜋𝜎 2 𝑅3 𝜎4𝜋𝑅 2 𝑞𝑑𝑞 1
(𝜎4𝜋𝑅2 )2 = . or 𝑊𝑠 = ∫0 = (𝜎4𝜋𝑅2 )2
8𝜋𝜖0 𝑅 𝜖0 4𝜋𝜖0 𝑅 8𝜋𝜖0 𝑅
4𝜋𝑅2 𝜎
Potential due to spherical shell at distance 𝑟 = 4𝜋𝜖 𝑟 , where 𝑟 > 𝑅
0

4𝜋𝑅2 𝜎 𝑞2
Now for bringing 𝑞2 work done is= 𝑊𝑞2 𝑠 = 𝑞2 ∆𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜖0
( )
√𝐶 2 +𝑑22

4𝜋𝑅2 𝜎 𝑞1
Now for bringing 𝑞1 work done is= 𝑊𝑞1 𝑠 +𝑊𝑞1 𝑞2 = 𝑞1 ∆𝑉 = 4𝜋𝜖0
( )+
√𝐶 2 +𝑑12
𝑞1 𝑞2 1
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑑1 −𝑑2
Total work is 𝑊𝑠 + 𝑊𝑞2 𝑠 + 𝑊𝑞1 𝑠 +𝑊𝑞1 𝑞2

5. A point charge (−2𝑞) and another point charge (+𝑞) is placed at a distance ‘𝑑’ and ‘3𝑑’
from the origin above the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane. If the 𝑥 − 𝑦 plane has an infinitely long
grounded conducting plane, calculate the force on +𝑞 charge. [Apply the concept of
first uniqueness theorem and results of a point charge in front of a grounded conductor]
[3]
Solution: Question#5