Arihant_NEET_Objective_Physics_Volume_2_By_DC_Pandey_2022_Edition.pdf

2. NEET
PHYSICS
OBJECTIVE
Volume02

3. ARIHANT PRAKASHAN (Series), MEERUT
[B.Tech, M.Tech, Pantnagar, ID 15722]
DC Pandey
NEET
PHYSICS
OBJECTIVE
Volume02

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5. Preface
Medical offers the most exciting and fulfilling of careers. As a doctor you can find satisfaction from
curing other persons. Although the number of medical colleges imparting quality education and training has
significantly increased after independence in the country but due to the simultaneous increase in the number of
serious aspirants, the competition is no longer easy for a seat in a prestigious medical college today.
For success, you require an objective approach to your study in the test subjects. This does not mean you
'prepare' yourself for just 'objective questions'. Objective Approach means more than that. It could be defined
as that approach through which a student is able to master the concepts of the subject and also the skills
required to tackle the questions asked in different formats in entrances such as NEET (National Eligibility
cum Entrance Test). These two-volume books, Objective Physics (Vol.1 & 2) are borne out of my experience of
teaching physics to medical aspirants, fill the needs of such books in the market.
The plan of the presentation of the subject matter in the books is as follows
— The whole chapter has been divided under logical topic heads to cover the whole syllabi of NEET developing the
concepts in an easy going manner, taking the help of suitable examples.
— Important points of the topics have been highlighted in the text under notes, some extra points regarding the
topics have been given in Notes to enrich the students.
— The Solved Examples given with different concepts of the chapter make the students learn the basic problem
solving skills in Physics. It has been ensured that given examples cover all aspects of a concepts comprehensively.
— Check Point Exercises given in between the text of all chapter help the readers to remain linked with the text
given as they provide them an opportunity to assess themselves while studying the text.
— Exercises at the end of the chapters have been divided into three parts:
Part A- ‘Taking it together’ has Objective Questions of the concerned chapter. The special point of this exercise
is, all the questions have been arranged according to level of difficulty, providing students a systematics practice.
Part B- ‘Medical Entrance Special Format Question’ this section covers all special type of questions, other than
simple MCQs, generally asked in NEET & other Medical Entrances. Here Assertion-Reason, Statement Based
and Matching Type Questions have been given.
Part C- ‘Medical Entrances Gallery’ covering all questions asked in last 11 years’ (2021-2011) in NEET & other
Medical Entrances.
— The answers / solutions to all the questions given in different exercises have been provided.
At the end I would like to say that suggestions from the respected Teachers & Students for the further
improvement of the book will be welcomed open heartedly.
DC Pandey
This book is dedicated to my honourable grandfather
(Late) Sh. Pitamber Pandey
a Kumaoni poet, and a resident of village Dhaura (Almora), Uttarakhand
DEDICATION

6. Syllabus
UNIT I Electrostatics
Electric charges and their conservation. Coulomb's law-force between two point charges, forces between
multiple charges, superposition principle and continuous charge distribution. Electric field, electric field due
to a point charge, electric field lines, electric dipole, electric field due to a dipole, torque on a dipole in a
uniform electric field. Electric flux, statement of Gauss's theorem and its applications to find field due to
infinitely long straight wire, uniformly charged infinite plane sheet and uniformly charged thin spherical
shell (field inside and outside).
Electric potential, potential difference, electric potential due to a point charge, a dipole and system of
charges, equipotential surfaces, electrical potential energy of a system of two point charges and of electric
diploes in an electrostatic field. Conductors and insulators, free charges and bound charges inside a
conductor, Dielectrics and electric polarization, capacitors and capacitance, combination of capacitors in
series and in parallel, capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with and without dielectric medium between
the plates, energy stored in a capacitor, Van de Graaff generator.
UNIT II Current Electricity
Electric current, flow of electric charges in a metallic conductor, drift velocity and mobility and their relation
with electric current, Ohm's law, electrical resistance, V-I characteristics (linear and non-linear), electrical
energy and power, electrical resistivity and conductivity. Carbon resistors, colour code for carbon resistors,
series and parallel combinations of resistors, temperature dependence of resistance. Internal resistance of a
cell, potential difference and emf of a cell, combination of cells in series and in parallel. Kirchhoff's laws and
simple applications. Wheatstone bridge, metre bridge. Potentiometer-principle and applications to measure
potential difference, and for comparing emf of two cells, measurement of internal resistance of a cell.
UNIT III Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
Concept of magnetic field, Oersted's experiment. Biot-Savart’s law and its application to current carrying
circular loop. Ampere's law and its applications to infinitely long straight wire, straight and toroidal
solenoids. Force on a moving charge in uniform magnetic and electric fields. Cyclotron. Force on a current-
carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field. Force between two parallel current-carrying conductors-
definition of ampere. Torque experienced by a current loop in a magnetic field, moving coil galvanometer-
its current sensitivity and conversion to ammeter and voltmeter. Current loop as a magnetic dipole and its
magnetic dipole moment. Magnetic dipole moment of a revolving electron. Magnetic field intensity due to a
magnetic dipole (bar magnet) along its axis and perpendicular to its axis. Torque on a magnetic dipole (bar
magnet) in a uniform magnetic field, bar magnet as an equivalent solenoid, magnetic field lines, Earth's
magnetic field and magnetic elements. Para-, dia-and ferro-magnetic substances with examples.
Electromagnetic and factors affecting their strengths. Permanent magnets.
UNIT IV Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
Electromagnetic induction Faraday's law, induced emf and current, Lenz's Law, Eddy currents. Self and
mutual inductance.
Alternating currents, peak and rms value of alternating current/ voltage, reactance and impedance, LC
oscillations (qualitative treatment only), LCR series circuit, resonance, power in AC circuits, wattles current.
AC generator and transformer.

7. UNIT V Electromagnetic Waves
Need for displacement current. Electromagnetic waves and their characteristics (qualitative ideas only).
Transverse nature of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic spectrum (radiowaves, microwaves, infrared,
visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) including elementary facts about their uses.
UNIT VI Optics
Reflection of light, spherical mirrors, mirror formula. Refraction of light, total internal reflection and its
applications optical fibres, refraction at spherical surfaces, lenses, thin lens formula, lens-maker's formula.
Magnification, power of a lens, combination of thin lenses in contact combination of a lens and a mirror.
Refraction and dispersion of light through a prism. Scattering of light- blue colour of the sky and reddish
appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.
Optical instruments Human eye, image formation and accommodation, correction of eye defects (myopia
and hypermetropia) using lenses. Microscopes and astronomical telescopes (reflecting and refracting) and
their magnifying powers. Wave optics: Wave front and Huygens' principle, reflection and refraction of plane
wave at a plane surface using wave fronts. Proof of laws of reflection and refraction using Huygens'
principle. Interference, Young's double hole experiment and expression for fringe width, coherent sources
and sustained interference of light. Diffraction due to a single slit, width of central maximum. Resolving
power of microscopes and astronomical telescopes. Polarisation, plane polarised light, Brewster's law, uses of
plane polarised light and Polaroids.
UNIT VII Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation
Photoelectric effect, Hertz and Lenard's observations, Einstein's photoelectric equation- particle nature of
light. Matter waves- wave nature of particles, de-Boglie relation. Davisson-Germer experiment
(experimental details should be omitted, only conclusion should be explained).
UNIT VIII Atoms and Nuclei
Alpha- particle scattering experiments, Rutherford's model of atom, Bohr model, energy levels, hydrogen
spectrum. Composition and size of nucleus, atomic masses, isotopes, isobars, isotones. Radioactivity- a, b
and g particles/ rays and their properties decay law.
Mass-energy relation, mass defect, binding energy per nucleon and its variation with mass number, nuclear
fission and fusion.
UNIT IX Electronic Devices
Energy bands in solids (qualitative ideas only), conductors, insulators and semiconductors, semiconductor
diode- I-V characteristics in forward and reverse bias, diode as a rectifier, I-V characteristics of LED,
photodiode, solar cell and Zener diode, Zener diode as a voltage regulator. Junction transistor, transistor
action, characteristics of a transistor, transistor as an amplifier (common emitter configuration) and
oscillator. Logic gates (OR, AND, NOT, NAND and NOR). Transistor as a switch.

8. 1. ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS 1-66
1.1 Electric charges
Conductors and insulators
Ÿ
Methods of charging
Ÿ
1.2 Coulomb’s law
Force between multiple charges
Ÿ
(Superposition Principle)
Applications of electric force (Coulomb’s law)
Ÿ
1.3 Electric field
Electric field lines
Ÿ
Continuous charge distribution
Ÿ
Electric field of a charged ring
Ÿ
1.4 Electric dipole
Ÿ The field of an electric dipole or dipole field
Force on dipole
Ÿ
Torque on an electric dipole
Ÿ
Work done in rotating a dipole in a
Ÿ
uniform electric field
1.5 Electric Flux
Gauss’s law
Ÿ
Applications of Gauss’s law
Ÿ
2. ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL
AND CAPACITANCE 67-179
2.1 Electric potential
Electrostatic potential due to a point charge
Ÿ
Electrostatic potential due to a system of charges
Ÿ
Electric potential due to a continuous
Ÿ
charge distribution
Electric potential due to electric dipole
Ÿ
2.2 Equipotential surfaces
Variation of electric potential on the axis
Ÿ
of a charged ring
Potential due to charged sphere
Ÿ
Motion of charged particle in electric field
Ÿ
2.3 Electric potential energy
Potential energy of a system of charges
Ÿ
2.4 Electrostatic of conductors
Dielectrics and polarisation
Ÿ
Capacitors and capacitance
Ÿ
Parallel plate capacitor
Ÿ
2.5 Combination of capacitors
Special method to solve combination of capacitors
Ÿ
Kirchhoff’s law for capacitor circuits
Ÿ
Energy stored in charged capacitor
Ÿ
Common potential
Ÿ
van de graaff generator
Ÿ
3. CURRENT ELECTRICITY 180-269
3.1 Electric current
Current density
Ÿ
Electric current in conductors
Ÿ
3.2 Ohm's law
Resistance and resistivity
Ÿ
Colour code for carbon resistor
Ÿ
Combination of resistances
Ÿ
Cells, emf and internal resistance
Ÿ
Grouping of cells
Ÿ
3.3 Kirchhoff’s laws
Electrical energy and power
Ÿ
Heating effects of current
Ÿ
Power consumption in a combination of bulbs
Ÿ
3.4 Measuring instruments for current and voltage
Wheatstone’s bridge
Ÿ
Meter bridge
Ÿ
Potentiometer
Ÿ
4. MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT
AND MOVING CHARGES 270-341
4.1 Magnetic field
Biot-Savart’s law (magnetic field due to a
Ÿ
current carrying conductor)
Applications of Biot-Savart’s law
Ÿ
4.2 Ampere’s circuital law
Applications of ampere’s circuital law
Ÿ
4.3 Force on a moving charge in a uniform
magnetic field
Ÿ Motion of a charged particle in combined
electric and magnetic fields
Cyclotron
Ÿ
4.4 Force on a current carrying conductor in
a magnetic field
Force between two parallel current
Ÿ
carrying conductors
Magnetic force between two moving charges
Ÿ
Magnetic dipole moment
Ÿ
The moving coil galvanometer (MCG)
Ÿ
Contents

9. 5. MAGNETISM AND MATTER 342-396
5.1 Magnet
Magnetic field lines
Ÿ
Magnetic dipole
Ÿ
Coulomb’s law for magnetism
Ÿ
Magnetic field strength at a point due to
Ÿ
magnetic dipole or bar magnet
Current carrying loop as a magnetic dipole
Ÿ
Bar magnet in a uniform magnetic field
Ÿ
5.2 Earth’s magnetism
Elements of earth’s magnetism
Ÿ
Neutral points
Ÿ
Vibration magnetometer
Ÿ
5.3 Magnetic induction and Magnetic materials
Classification of substances on the basis of
Ÿ
magnetic behaviour
Curie’s law
Ÿ
Atomic model of magnetism
Ÿ
Hysteresis
Ÿ
6. ELECTROMAGNETIC
INDUCTION 397-462
6.1 Magnetic flux
Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction
Ÿ
Lenz’s law and conservation of energy
Ÿ
6.2 Motional electromotive force
Induction of field
Ÿ
6.3 Self-induction
Kirchhoff’s second law with an inductor
Ÿ
Self inductance of a coil
Ÿ
Self inductance of solenoid
Ÿ
Energy stored in an inductor
Ÿ
Combination of self-inductances
Ÿ
6.4 Mutual induction
Mutual inductances of some important
Ÿ
coil configurations
Coefficient of coupling
Ÿ
Growth and decay of current in L-R circuit
Ÿ
Application of EMI : eddy current
Ÿ
7. ALTERNATING CURRENT 463-535
7.1 Types of current
Mean or average value of an alternating current
Ÿ
Root mean square value of an alternating current
Ÿ
Form factor
Ÿ
Peak factor
Ÿ
7.2 Representation of I or V as rotating vectors
Different types of alternating current circuits
Ÿ
Inductor as low pass filter
Ÿ
AC voltage applied to a series L-C-R cicruit
Ÿ
Parallel circuit (Rejector circuit)
Ÿ
7.3 Power in an AC circuit
Half power points in series L-C-R circuit
Ÿ
Wattless current
Ÿ
L-C oscillations
Ÿ
7.4 Choke coil
Transformer
Ÿ
Electric generator or dynamo
Ÿ
8. ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES 536-556
8.1 Displacement current
Maxwell’s equations
Ÿ
8.2 Electromagnetic waves
Physical quantities associated with EM waves
Ÿ
8.3 Electromagnetic spectrum
9. RAY OPTICS 557-661
9.1 Reflection of light
Reflection by a plane mirror
Ÿ
9.2 Spherical mirrors
Image formation by spherical mirrors
Ÿ
Mirror formula
Ÿ
Magnification
Ÿ
Uses of spherical mirrors
Ÿ
9.3 Refraction of light
Refractive index
Ÿ
Image due to refraction at a plane surface
Ÿ
Refraction through a glass slab
Ÿ
Critical angle and total internal reflection (TIR)
Ÿ
9.4 Refraction at spherical surfaces
Lenses
Ÿ
Image formation by lens
Ÿ
9.5 Prism
Dispersion of light by a prism
Ÿ
Combination of prisms
Ÿ
9.6 Optical instruments
9.7 Defects of vision
Ÿ Defects of images

10. 10. WAVE OPTICS 662-715
10.1 Nature of light
Wavefront
Ÿ
Huygens’ principle of secondary wavelets
Ÿ
Principle of superposition of waves
Ÿ
Interference of light wave
Ÿ
Necessary conditions for interference of light
Ÿ
10.2 Young’s double slit experiment
Intensity of the fringes
Ÿ
Lloyd’s mirror
Ÿ
10.3 Diffraction of light
Fraunhofer diffraction of light due to a single
Ÿ
narrow slit
Width of central maxima
Ÿ
Fresnel's distance
Ÿ
10.4 Polarisation of light
Malus's law
Ÿ
Polarisation of transverse mechanical waves
Ÿ
11. DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION
AND MATTER 716-759
11.1 Photoelectric effect
Experimental study of photoelectric effect
Ÿ
Ÿ Laws of photoelectric emission
11.2 Einstein’s photoelectric equation
11.3 Planck’s quantum theory
(Particle nature of light : the photon)
11.4 Photocell
11.5 Compton effect
11.6 Dual nature of radiation
Matter waves : de-Broglie waves
Ÿ
11.7 Davisson and Germer experiment
11.8 Electron microscope
12. ATOMS 760-807
12.1 Rutherford's a-particle scattering experiment
Ÿ Rutherford's atomic model
12.2 Bohr’s atomic model
12.3 Energy of electron in nth orbit
Energy of atom
Ÿ
12.4 Hydrogen spectrum
12.5 X-rays
Moseley's law for characteristic spectrum
Ÿ
Absorption of X-rays
Ÿ
Bragg’s law
Ÿ
13. NUCLEI 808-852
13.1 Nucleus
Isotopes, isobars and isotones
Ÿ
13.2 Mass-energy relation
Binding energy of nucleus
Ÿ
Binding energy curve
Ÿ
Nuclear forces
Ÿ
Nuclear stability
Ÿ
Nuclear reaction
Ÿ
13.3 Nuclear energy
Ÿ Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
Ÿ
13.4 Radioactivity
Ÿ Radioactive decay
Pair production and pair annihilation
Ÿ
Rutherford and Soddy's law
Ÿ
Applications of radioactivity
Ÿ
14. SOLIDS AND SEMICONDUCTOR
DEVICES 853-932
14.1 Energy bands in solids
Energy band formation in solids
Ÿ
Classification of solids on the basis of
Ÿ
energy bands
1 .2 Types of semiconductors
4
Electrical conduction through semiconductors
Ÿ
Effect of temperature on conductivity of
Ÿ
semiconductor
14.3 p-n junction
p-n
Ÿ Semiconductor diode or junction diode
p-n junction diode as a rectifier
Ÿ
Special types of p-n junction diode
Ÿ
14.4 Junction transistors
Ÿ Transistor circuit configurations
Transistor as an amplifier
Ÿ
Transistor as an oscillator
Ÿ
Transistor as a switch
Ÿ
14.5 Analog and digital circuits
Binary system
Ÿ
Decimal and binary number system
Ÿ
14.6 Logic gates
Logic system
Ÿ
Combination of logic gates
Ÿ
NAND and NOR gates as digital building blocks
Ÿ
NEET
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12. ELECTRIC CHARGES
Electric charge can be defined as an intrinsic property of elementary particles of
matter which give rise to electric force between various objects. It is represented
by q. The SI unit of electric charge is coulomb (C). A proton has positive charge
( )
+e and an electron has negative charge (−e), where e = × −
1.6 10 C
19
.
Important points regarding electric charge
The following points regarding electric charge are worthnoting
(i) Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.
(ii) The property which differentiates two kinds of charge is called the polarity
of charge. If an object possesses an electric charge, then it is said to be
electrified or charged. When its net charge is zero, then it is said to be
neutral (just like neutron).
(iii) Charge is a scalar quantity as it has magnitude but no direction. It can be of
two types as positive and negative. When some electrons are removed from
the atom, it acquires a positive charge and when some electrons are added
to the atom, it acquires a negative charge.
(iv) Charge can be transferred from one body to another.
(v) Charge is invariant, i.e. it does not depend on the velocity of charged
particle.
(vi) A charged particle at rest produces electric field. A charged particle with
unaccelerated motion produces both electric and magnetic fields but does not
radiate energy. But an accelerated charged particle not only produces an
electric and magnetic fields but also radiates energy in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
(vii) 1 coulomb = ×
3 109
esu =
1
10
emu of charge, where esu is electrostatic unit
of charge. Its CGS unit is stat coulomb.
(viii) The dimensional formula of charge is [ ] AT
q = [ ].
01
Electric Charges
and Fields
CHAPTER
Inside
1
2
3
Electric charges
Coulomb’s law
Electric field
Conductors and insulators
Force between multiple charges
(Superposition principle)
Applications of electric force
(Coulomb’s law)
Applications of Gauss’s law
Electric dipole
Methods of charging
Electric field lines
Continuous charge distribution
Electric field of a charged ring
Electric flux
Gauss’s law
The field of an electric dipole
or dipole field
Torque on an electric dipole
Force on dipole
Work done in rotating a dipole
in a uniform electric field
4
5

13. Properties of an electric charge
If the size of charged bodies is very small as compared to
the distance between them, we treat them as point
charges. In addition to being positive or negative, the
charges have the following properties
Additivity of charges
Additivity of charges is the property by virtue of which
total charge of a system is obtained simply by adding
algebraically all the charges present on the system.
If a system contains two point charges q1 and q 2, then the
total charge of the system is obtained simply by adding
algebraically q1 and q 2, i.e. charges add up like real
numbers. Proper signs have to be used while adding the
charges in a system.
q q q
net = +
1 2
Charge is conserved
The total charge of an isolated system is always conserved.
It is not possible to create or destroy net charge carried by
any isolated system. It can only be transferred from one
body to another body. Pair production and pair
annihilation are two examples of conservation of charge.
Quantisation of charge
The charge on any body can be expressed as the integral
multiple of basic unit of charge, i.e. charge on one electron
(e). This phenomenon is called quantisation of electric
charge. It can be written as q ne
= ± , where n = ⋅⋅⋅
1 2 3
, , , is
any integer (positive or negative) and e is the basic unit of
charge.
Charge is said to be quantised because it can only have
discrete values rather than any arbitrary value, i.e. free
particle can have no charge of any values, i.e. a charged
particle can have a charge of +10 e or − 6 e but not a
charge of, say 3.57 e.
Note The protons and neutrons are combination of other entities
called quarks, which have charges of ±
1
3
e and ±
2
3
e. However,
isolated quarks have not been observed, but quantum of charge
is still e.
Example 1.1 What is the total charge of a system containing
five charges + + − +
1 2 3 4
, , , and −5 in some arbitrary unit?
Sol. As charges are additive in nature, i.e. the total charge of a
system is the algebraic sum of all the individual charges
located at different points inside the system, i.e.
q q q q q q
net = + + + +
1 2 3 4 5
∴Total charge = + + − + − = −
1 2 3 4 5 1 in the same unit.
Example 1.2 How many electrons are there in one coulomb of
negative charge?
Sol. The negative charge is due to the presence of excess
electrons. An electron has a charge whose magnitude is
e = × −
16 10 19
. C, the number of electrons is equal to the charge
q divided by the charge e on each electron.
Therefore, the number n of electrons is
n
q
e
= =
× −
10
16 10 19
.
.
= ×
6 25 1018
. electrons
Example 1.3 A sphere of lead of mass 10 g has net
charge − × −
2 5 10 9
. .
C
(i) Find the number of excess electrons on the sphere.
(ii) How many excess electrons are per lead atom? Atomic
number of lead is 82 and its atomic mass is 207 g/mol.
Sol. (i) The charge on an electron = − × −
1.6 10 19
C
Net charge on sphere = − × −
2.5 10 9
C
So, the number of excess electrons
=
− ×
− ×
= ×
−
−
2.5 10 C
1.6 10 C
1.56 10
9
19
10
electrons
(ii) Atomic number of lead is 82.
Atomic mass of lead is 207 g/mol.
∴10 g of lead will have
10 g
207 g/mol
6.02 1023
× × atoms/mol
= ×
2.91 1022
atoms
∴The number of excess electrons per lead atom
=
×
×
1.56
2.91
10
10
10
22
= × −
5.36 10 13
electrons
Conductors and insulators
The quantisation of electric charge is the property by
virtue of which all free charges are integral multiple of a
basic unit of charge represented by e.
Conductors The substances through which electric
charges can flow easily are called conductors.
Metals, human body and animal bodies, graphite, acids,
etc. are examples of conductors.
Insulators The substances through which electric charges
cannot flow easily are called insulators.
Most of the non-metals like glass, diamond, porcelain,
plastic, nylon, wood, mica, etc. are examples of insulators.
Methods of charging
There are mainly three methods of charging a body, which
are given below
1. Charging by rubbing
When two bodies are rubbed together, some electrons
from one body gets transferred to the another body. The
positive and negative charges appear on the bodies in
equal amount simultaneously due to the transfer of
electrons.
2 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2

14. The body that donates the electrons becomes positively
charged while that which receives electrons becomes
negatively charged, e.g. when a glass rod is rubbed with a
silk cloth, the glass rod acquires some positive charge by
losing electrons and the silk cloth acquires negative charge
of the same amount of gaining electrons as shown in
figure.
Ebonite rod on rubbing with wool becomes negatively
charged making the wool positively charged.
2. Charging by contact or conduction
Take two conductors, one is charged and other is
uncharged. Bring the conductors in contact with each
other. The charge (whether negative or positive) under its
own repulsion will spread over both the conductors. Thus,
the conductors will be charged with the same sign. This is
called as charging by conduction (through contact).
3. Charging by induction
If a charged body is brought near an uncharged body, then
one side of neutral body (closer to charged body) becomes
oppositely charged while the other side becomes similarly
charged as shown in figure.
In this process, charging is done without actual contact of
bodies.
Electric Charges and Fields 3
+ + +
Silk cloth
Glass rod
Positive charge
Electrons
Fig. 1.1 A glass rod rubbed with a silk cloth
1. One metallic sphere A is given positive charge whereas
another identical metallic sphere B of exactly same mass as
of A is given equal amount of negative charge. Then,
(a) mass of A and mass of B still remain equal
(b) mass of A increases
(c) mass of B decreases
(d) mass of B increases
2. When1014
electrons are removed from a neutral metal
sphere, then the charge on the sphere becomes
(a) 16 µC (b) −16 µC (c) 32µC (d) −32µC
3. A conductor has14.4 10 19
× −
C positive charge. The conductor
has (charge on electron = × −
1.6 10 19
C)
(a) 9 electrons in excess (b) 27 electrons in short
(c) 27 electrons in excess (d) 9 electrons in short
4. Charge on α-particle is
(a) 4.8 10 19
× −
C (b) 1.6 10 19
× −
C
(c) 3.2 10 19
× −
C (d) 6.4 10 19
× −
C
5. A body has −80µC of charge. Number of additional
electrons in it will be
(a) 8 10 5
× −
(b) 80 10 17
× −
(c) 5 1014
× (d) 1.28 10 17
× −
6. Which of the following is correct regarding electric charge?
(i) If a body is having positive charge, then there is
shortage of electrons.
(ii) If a body is having negative charge, then there is excess
of electrons.
(iii) Minimum possible charge = ± × −
1.6 10 C
19
.
(iv) Charge is quantised, i.e. Q ne
= ± , where n = 1, 2, 3, 4,K
(a) Both (i) and (ii) (b) Both (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i), (ii), (iii) (d) All of these
7. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk, it
(a) gains electrons from silk (b) gives electrons to silk
(c) gains protons from silk (d) gives protons to silk
8. A comb runs through one’s dry hair attracts small bits of
paper. This is due to
(a) comb is a good conductor
(b) paper is a good conductor
(c) the atoms in the paper get polarised by the charged comb
(d) the comb possesses magnetic properties
9. When a positively charged body is earthed electrons from
the earth flow into the body. This means the body is
(a) uncharged (b) charged positively
(c) charged negatively (d) an insulator
10. Consider a neutral conducting sphere. A positive point
charge is placed outside the sphere. The net charge on the
sphere is
(a) negative and distributed uniformly over the surface of the
sphere
(b) negative and appears only at the point on the sphere closest
to the point charge
(c) negative and distributed non-uniformly over the entire
surface of the sphere
(d) zero
+Q Q¢ +Q
+Q
Charged rod is brought
near the neutral ball
Ball is connected
to earth
Remaining charge on
ball is uniformly distributed
Positive charge goes
into ground
Fig. 1.2 Charging by induction
CHECK POINT 1.1

15. COULOMB’S LAW
Coulomb’s law is a quantitative statement about the force
between two point charges. It states that ‘‘the force of
interaction between any two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of the charges and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance between them”.
The force is repulsive, if the charges have the same signs
and attractive, if the charges have opposite signs.
Suppose two point charges q1 and q 2 are separated in
vacuum by a distance r, then force between two charges is
given by
F
k q q
r
e =
| |
1 2
2
The constant k is usually put as k =
1
4πε0
, where ε0 is
called the permittivity of free space and has the value
ε0
12 2 2
8854 10
= × −
. /
C N m
- . For all practical purposes, we
will take
1
4
9 10
0
9 2 2
πε
~ /
− × N-m C .
Coulomb’s law in vector form
Consider two point charges q1 and q 2 placed in vacuum at a
distance r from each other, repel each other.
In vector form, Coulomb’s law may be expressed as
F12 = Force on charge q1 due to q 2 = ⋅
1
4 0
1 2
2 12
πε
q q
r
$
r
where, $
r
r
12
12
=
r
is a unit vector in the direction from q1 to q 2.
Similarly, F21 = force on charge q 2 due to q1
= ⋅
1
4 0
1 2
2 21
πε
q q
r
$
r
where, $
r
r
21
21
=
r
is a unit vector in the direction from q 2 to q1.
Similar case arises for attraction between two charges.
Important points related to
Coulomb’s law
Important points related to Coulomb’s law are given below
(i) The electric force is an action reaction pair, i e
. . the
two charges exert equal and opposite forces on
each other. Thus, Coulomb’s law obeys Newton’s
third law. F F
12 21
= −
(ii) The electric force is conservative in nature.
(iii) Coulomb’s law as we have stated above can be used
for point charges in vacuum. When a dielectric
medium is completely filled in between charges,
rearrangement of the charges inside the dielectric
medium takes place and the force between the
same two charges decreases by a factor of K
(dielectric constant).
′ = = ⋅ = ⋅
F
F
K K
q q
r
q q
r
e
e 1
4
1
4
0
1 2
2
1 2
2
πε πε
(in medium)
Here, ε = ε0K is called permittivity of the medium.
(iv) The electric force is much stronger than
gravitational force, F F
e g
>> . As value of
1
4
9 10
0
9
πε
= × N-m2 2
/C , which is much more
than the value of gravitational constant,
G = × − −
667 10 11 2 2
. N m kg
- .
Example 1.4 A proton and an electron are placed 1.6 cm
apart in free space. Find the magnitude and nature of
electrostatic force between them.
Sol. Charge on electron = − × −
16 10 19
. C
Charge on proton = × −
16 10 19
. C
Using Coulomb’s law,
F
q q
r
= 1 2
0
2
4πε
, where r is the distance between proton and
electron.
=
× × × − ×
×
= − ×
− −
−
−
9 10 16 10 16 10
16 10
9 10
9 19 19
2 2
25
( . ) ( . )
( . )
N
Negative sign indicates that the force is attractive in nature.
4 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
r
F12 F21
+q1
+q2
r12 r21
Fig. 1.4 Repulsive Coulombian forces for q q
1 2 0
>
r
+q1
-q2
F12 F21
r12 r21
^ ^
Fig. 1.5 Attractive Coulombian forces for q q
1 2 0
<
r
q1
q2
(Vacuum)
Fig. 1.3 Two charges separated by distance r

16. Example 1.5 The electrostatic force on a small sphere of
charge 0.4 µC due to another small sphere of charge
−0 8
. µC in air is 0.2 N. (i) What is the distance between the
two spheres? (ii) What is the force on the second sphere due
to the first?
Sol. (i) Using the relation, F
q q
r
= ⋅
1
4 0
1 2
2
πε
, we get
r
q q
F
2
0
1 2
1
4
= ⋅
πε
Here, q1
6
0 4 0 4 10
= = × −
. . ,
µC C
q2
6
10
= = × −
0.8 C 0.8 C
µ
and F = 0.2 N
⇒ r2 9
6 6
9 10
0 4 10 0 8 10
02
= × ×
× × ×
− −
. .
.
= × −
144 10 4 2
m
Therefore, distance between the two spheres,
r = × =
−
12 10 012
2
m m
.
(ii) Electrostatic forces always, appear in pairs and follows
Newton’s third law of motion.
∴| |
F21 = Force on q2 due to q1 0 2
= . N and is attractive in
nature.
Note In the Coulomb’s expression for finding force between two
charges, do not use sign of charge because this is magnitude of
force.
Example 1.6 Nucleus of 92
238
U emits α-particle ( )
2
4
He .
α-particle has atomic number 2 and mass number 4. At any
instant, α-particle is at distance of 9 10 15
× −
m from the
centre of nucleus of uranium. What is the force on α-particle
at this instant?
92
238
2
4
90
234
U He Th
→ +
Sol. Force, F
q q
r
=
1
4 0
1 2
2
πε
92
238
U has charge 92e. When α-particle is emitted, charge on
residual nucleus is 92 2 90
e e e
− = .
∴ q e q e
1 2
90 2
= =
, , and r = × −
9 10 15
m
∴ F
e e
= × ×
× −
9 10
90 2
9 10
9
15 2
( )( )
( )
Force on α-particle,
F =
× × × × ×
×
=
−
−
9 10 90 16 10 2
9 10
512
9 19 2
15 2
( . )
( )
N
Example 1.7 Two identical spheres having positive charges
are placed 3m apart repel each other with a force
8 10 3
× −
N. Now, charges are connected by a metallic wire
and they begin to repel each other with a force of 9 10 3
× −
N. Find initial charges on the spheres.
Sol. Let charges are q1 and q2 placed 3 m apart from each other.
∴ F
q q
r
=
1
4
1 2
2
πε0
(Coulomb’s law)
⇒ 8 10
9 10
3
3
9
1 2
2
× =
×
− q q
( )
⇒ q q
1 2
12
8 10
= × −
When the spheres are touched or connected by a metallic
wire, charge on each sphere will be
q q
1 2
2
+





.
q q
1 2
2
+






q q
1 2
2
+






According to given condition in the question,
⇒ 9 10
9 10
2
3
3
9 1 2
2
2
× =
×
+






−
q q
( )
⇒
q q
1 2
2
12
2
9 10
+





 = × −
⇒ q q
1 2
6
6 10
+ = × −
…(i)
Now, ( ) ( )
q q q q q q
1 2
2
1 2
2
1 2
4
− = + −
= × − × ×
− −
( )
6 10 4 8 10
6 2 12
= × −
4 10 12
⇒ q q
1 2
6
2 10
− = × −
…(ii)
Solving Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
q1
6
4 10
= × −
C = 4µC, q2
6
2 10
= × −
C = 2µC
Therefore, initial charges on the sphere are 4 µC and 2 µC.
Example 1.8 Two protons are placed at some separation in
vacuum. Find the ratio of electric and gravitational force
acting between them.
Sol. Let the distance between two protons having charge +e and
mass m is placed at a distance r from each other as shown
in figure.
From Coulomb’s law, F
q q
r
e =
1
4 0
1 2
2
πε
=
×
1
4 0
2
π ε
e e
r
From gravitation law, F G
m m
r
g = 1 2
2
=
×
G
m m
r2
where, Fe and Fg are electric and gravitational force
respectively. On putting the values, we get
F
F
e
r
Gm
r
e
m G
e
g
= = ⋅
1
4 1
4
1
0
2
2
2
2
0
2
2
πε
πε
=
× ×
×
×
×
−
− −
( )( )
( ) ( )
9 10 10
10
1
10
9 19 2
27 2 11
1.6
1.67 6.67
= × −
1.2 10 10
36 36
~
Thus, F F
e g
>>
Electric Charges and Fields 5
q1
q2
3 m
3 m
Fe Fg
( )
e, m ( )
e, m
r

17. Force between multiple charges
(Superposition principle)
According to the principle of superposition, ‘‘total force on
a given charge due to number of charges is the vector sum
of individual forces acting on that charge due to all the
charges’’. The individual forces are unaffected due to the
presence of other charges.
Suppose a system contains n point charges q1, q 2,K, qn .
Then, by the principle of superposition, the force on q1
due to all the other charges is given by
F F F F
1 12 13 1
= + + …… + n
F
r r r
1
1
0
2 12
12
2
3 13
13
2
1
1
2
4
= + + ……






q q
r
q
r
q
r
n n
n
πε
$ $ $
=
=
q q
r
i
n
i i
i
1
0 2
1
1
2
4πε
Σ
$
r
Example 1.9 Equal charges each of 20 µC are placed at
x = 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 cm on X-axis. Find the force experienced
by the charge at x = 2 cm.
Sol. Force on charge at x = 2 cm due to charge at x = 0 cm and
x = 4 cm are equal and opposite, so they cancel each other.
Net force on charge at x = 2 cm is resultant of repulsive forces
due to two charges at x = 8 cm and x = 16 cm.
∴ F
q q
=
×
−
+
−






1 2
0
2 2
4
1
0 08 0 02
1
016 0 02
πε ( . . ) ( . . )
= × × +






−
9 10 20 10
1 1
014
9 6 2
2
[ ]
( . )
(0.06)2
= 1.2 ×103
N
Example 1.10 Five point charges each of value +q are
placed on five vertices of a regular hexagon of side a metre.
What is the magnitude of the force on a point charge of
value −q coulomb placed at the centre of the hexagon?
Sol. Let the centre of the hexagon be O. When the centre is
joined with the vertices of a hexagon, then six triangles are
formed. Consider ∆ODE
a
r
/
cos
2
60
1
2
= ° =
∴ a r
=
Given, q q q q q q
1 2 3 4 5
= = = = =
Net force on −q is due to q3 because forces due to q1 and q4
are equal and opposite, so cancel each other. Similarly, forces
due to q2 and q5 also cancel each other. Hence, the net force
on −q is
F
q q
r
= ⋅
1
4 0
2
π ε
( ) ( )
(towards q3)
or F
q
a
= ⋅
1
4 0
2
2
π ε
Example 1.11 Two fixed charges +4q and +q are at a
distance 3 m apart. At what point between the charges, a
third charge +q must be placed to keep it in equilibrium?
Sol. Remember, if Q1 and Q2 are of same nature (means both
positive or both negative), then the third charge should be
placed between (not necessarily at mid-point) Q1 and Q2 on
the straight line joining them. But, if Q1 and Q2 are of opposite
nature, then the third charge will be put outside and close to
that charge which is lesser in magnitude.
Here, Q1 and Q2 are of same nature that of third charge q, so it
will be kept in between at a distance x from Q1 (as shown in
figure). Hence, q will be at a distance ( )
3 − x from Q2. Since, q
is in equilibrium, so net force on it must be zero. The forces
applied by Q1 and Q2 on q are in opposite direction, so as to
just balance their magnitudes.
Force on q by Q
kQq
x
1
1
2
= and that by Q
kQ q
x
2
2
2
3
=
−
( )
Now,
kQq
x
kQ q
x
1
2
2
2
3
=
−
( )
or
Q
x
Q
x
1
2
2
2
3
=
−
( )
or
4 1
3
2 2
x x
=
−
( )
Take the square root,
2 1
3
x x
=
−
( )
or 6 2
− =
x x (after cross multiplication) or x = 2 m. So, q will
be placed at a distance 2 m from Q1 and at 1m from Q2.
Note If q q
1 2 0
> , then
x
r
q
q
1
0
2
1
1
=
+
(x1 is distance from q1 between q1 and q2)
If q q
1 2 0
< , then
x
r
q
q
1
0
2
1
1
=
−
(x1 in this case is not between the charges)
Example 1.12 Three charges q C
1 1
= µ , q C
2 2
= – µ and
q C
3 3
= µ are placed on the vertices of an equilateral
triangle of side 1.0 m. Find the net electric force acting on
charge q1.
6 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
F1n
F13
F12
q1
q2
q3
qn
Fig. 1.6 Force between the charges q q q qn
1 2 3
, , , ,
K
Aq1 B q2
E q5 Dq4
F C q3
–q
r
a
E D
O
60°
a/2
r
O
x (3 )
- x
q
Q q
1 = +4 Q q
2 = +

18. Sol. Charge q2 will attract charge q1 (along the line joining them)
and charge q3 will repel charge q1. Therefore, two forces will
act on q1, one due to q2 and another due to q3. Since, the force
is a vector quantity both of these forces (say F
1 and F2) will be
added by vector method. Following are two methods of their
addition.
Method I. In the figure,
Magnitude of force between and
q q
1 2,
| |
F
1 1
0
1 2
2
1
4
= = ⋅
F
q q
r
πε
where, q1
6
1 1 10
= = × −
µC C
and q2 2
= = × −
µ C 2 10 C
6
.
⇒ F1 =
× × ×
− −
(9.0 10 ) (1.0 10 ) (2.0 10 )
(1.0)
9 6 6
2
= × −
1.8 10 N
2
Similarly, magnitude of force between and
1 3
q q ,
| |
F2 2
0
1 3
2
1
4
= = ⋅
F
q q
r
πε
where, q3
6
3 3 10
= = × −
µC C.
⇒ F2 =
× × ×
− −
(9.0 10 ) (1.0 10 ) (3.0 10 )
(1.0)
9 6 6
2
= × −
2.7 10 N
2
Now, net force, | | cos
F
net = + + °
F F F F
1
2
2
2
1 2
2 120
= + + −













(1.8) (2.7) 2 (1.8) (2.7)
1
2
2 2
 × −
10 N
2
= × −
2.38 10 N
2
and tan
sin
cos
α =
°
+ °
F
F F
2
1 2
120
120
=
×
× + × −
−
− −
(2.7 10 ) (0.87)
(1.8 10 ) (2.7 10 )
2
2 2 1
2






or α = °
79.2
Thus, the net electric force on charge q1 is 2.38 10 N
2
× −
at an
angle α = °
79.2 with a line joining q1 and q2 as shown in the
figure.
Method II. In this method, let us assume coordinate axes
with q1 at origin as shown in figure. The coordinates of q q
1 2
,
and q3 in this coordinate system are (0, 0, 0), (1 m, 0, 0) and
(0.5 m, 0.87 m, 0), respectively. Now,
F
1 1 2
= Force on due to charge
q q
= ⋅
1
4 0
1 2
1 2
3 1 2
πε
q q
| – |
( – )
r r
r r
=
× × ×
(9.0 10 ) (1.0 10 ) (–2.0 10 )
(1.0)
9 –6 –6
3
× + +
[( – ) $ ( – ) $ ( – ) $ ]
0 1 0 0 0 0
i j k
= × −
(1.8 10 ) N
2 $
i
and F2 1 3
Force on due to charge
= q q
= ⋅
1
4 0
1 3
1 3
3 1 3
πε
q q
| – |
( – )
r r
r r
=
× × ×
(9.0 10 ) (1.0 10 ) (3.0 10 )
(1.0)
9 –6 –6
3
× − + − + −
[( $ ( ) $ ( ) $]
0 0.5 0 0.87 0 0
) i j k
= − − × −
( $ $)
1.35 2.349
i j 10 2
N
Therefore, net force on q1 is
F F F
= +
1 2
= × −
(0.45 2.349
– ) 10
$ $
i j 2
N
| | ( . ) .
F = + × = ×
− −
(0.45) N N
2 2 2 2
2 349 10 2 39 10
If the net force makes an angle α from the direction of X-axis,
then
α =
−





 = − °
−
tan
.
.
.
1 2 349
0 45
79 2
Negative sign of α indicate that the net force is directed
below the X-axis.
Example 1.13 Four charges Q q Q
, , and q are kept at the
four corners of a square as shown below. What is the
relation between Q and q, so that the net force on a charge q
is zero?
Sol. Here, both the charges q will have same sign either positive
or negative. Similarly, both the charges Q will have same sign.
Let us make the force on upper right corner q equal to zero.
Electric Charges and Fields 7
q1 1 C
= µ q2 2 C
= − µ
q3 = 3 C
µ
q1 q2
q3
α
120°
F1
F2 Fnet
Q q
q Q

19. Lower q will apply a repelling force F
1 on upper q because
both the charges have same sign. To balance this force both
Q must apply attractive forces F2 and F3 of equal magnitude,
hence Q and q will have opposite signs. Now, the resultant of
F2 and F3 will be F 2 (Parallelogram law of vector addition),
if | | | |
F F
2 3
= = F. Also note that F 2 will be exactly opposite
to F1.
So, F F
1 2
=
From Coulomb’s law,
F
kq
d
1
2
2
2
=
( )
and F
kQq
d
= 2
Q F F
1 2
=
∴
q
d
Qq
d
2
2 2
2
2
( )
=
∴ Q
q
=
2 2
But as we said Q and q have opposite sign, so q Q
= − 2 2 .
Applications of electric force
(Coulomb’s law)
1. For solving problems related to string
Let us consider two identical balls, having mass m and
charge q. These are suspended from a common point by
two insulating strings each of length L as shown in figure.
The balls repel and come into equilibrium at separation r.
The ball is in equilibrium under the following forces
(i) Weight of the ball, w mg
= and, (ii) Electric force,
F
q q
r
q
r
e =
⋅
=
1
4 4
0
2
2
0
2
πε πε
…(i)
(iii) Tension in the string For this, let us draw FBD of a
ball under consideration.
It is clear from FBD that,
T Fe
sin θ = …(ii)
T mg
cos θ = …(iii)
On dividing Eq. (ii) by Eq. (iii), we get
⇒ tan θ =
F
mg
e
…(iv)
or T T T
= +
( sin ) ( cos )
θ θ
2 2
= +
F mg
e
2 2
( ) …(v)
From geometry of the figure,
tan θ =
/2
r
L
r
2
2
4
−
If θ is small, tan ~ sin
/
θ θ =
−
r
L
2
.
Now, let us solve some problems related to this to make
our concepts more clear.
Example 1.14 Two identical pith balls, each of mass m and
charge q are suspended from a common point by two strings
of equal length l. Find charge q in terms of given quantities,
if angle between the strings is 2θ in equilibrium.
Sol. Let x be the separation between balls in equilibrium.
According to the question, following figure can be drawn
Each ball is in equilibrium under the action of the following
forces
8 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
F2
F3
F1
d√2
d
F1
√2 F
( )
q, m
r/2
r/2
r
( )
q, m
L
θ θ
Fig. 1.7 Two identical charged balls are suspended from same point
T
T sin q
T cos q
q
mg
Fe
Fig. 1.8 FBD of one of the balls
θ
L
r
2
r2
4
√L –
2
Fig. 1.9 Formation of a
triangle through r/2 and L
θ θ
x
x/2
Tsinθ B
F
F
Tcosθ
A
T T
mg mg
θ

20. (a) Weight of the ball, mg
(b) Repulsive electric force, F
q
x
=
1
4 0
2
2
π ε
(c) Tension in the string, T
Resolving T in the horizontal and vertical direction,
since ball is in equilibrium,
T F
sin θ = …(i)
T mg
cos θ = …(ii)
By Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get
tan θ =
π ε
F
mg
q
x
mg
=
1
4 0
2
2
…(iii)
Form figure,
x
l
2
= sin θ ⇒ x l
= 2 sin θ
Put value of x in Eq. (iii), we get
q mgx
2
0
2
4
= πε θ
tan
= 4 2
0
2
πε θ θ
mg l
( sin ) tan
q mgl
= [ sin tan ]/
16 0
2 2 1 2
πε θ θ
Example 1.15 Two identical balls, each having a charge q
and mass m, are suspended from a common point by two
insulating strings each of length L. The balls are held at a
separation x and then released. Find
(i) the electric force on each ball.
(ii) the component of the resultant force on a ball along and
perpendicular to string.
(iii) the tension in the string.
(iv) the acceleration of one of the balls. Consider the situation
only for the instant just after the release.
Sol. When the separation between the balls is x in equilibrium
condition, then according to question, the following figure can
be drawn
(i) Electric force between balls, F
q
x
e =
1
4 0
2
2
πε
.
(ii) Resolving forces along and perpendicular to string.
Resultant force on ball along the string,
T mg Fe
− + =
( cos sin )
θ θ 0 [the string is unstretchable]
Similarly, force perpendicular to the string
= −
| cos sin |
F mg
e θ θ
θ can be obtained from geometry.
(iii) Since, the net force on the ball along string is zero,
hence
T mg Fe
= cos sin
θ + θ
(iv) Acceleration of ball, a
F mg
m
e
=
−
| cos sin |
θ θ
Example 1.16 A particle A having charge q and mass m is
placed at the bottom of a smooth inclined plane of
inclination θ. Where should a block B, having same charge
and mass, be placed on the incline plane, so that it may
remain in equilibrium?
Sol. The following figure can be drawn in accordance with the
question
Let block B be placed at distance d. The block B is in
equilibrium. So, mg cos θ is balanced by normal reaction and
mg sin θ by repulsive electric force, i.e.
F mg
e = sin θ
⇒
1
4 0
2
2
π ε
θ
q
d
mg
= sin
⇒ d q
mg
=
1
4 0
πε θ
sin
2. Lami’s theorem
In few problems of electrostatics, Lami’s theorem is very
useful. According to this theorem, if three concurrent
forces F F
1 2
, and F3 as shown in figure are in equilibrium
or if F F F
1 2 3 0
+ + = , then
F F F
1 2 3
sin sin sin
α β γ
= =
Electric Charges and Fields 9
q
x
T
L
Fe
mg
q
Fe cos θ
mg sin θ Fe sin θ
mg cos θ
T
L2–
x2
—
4
x
—
2
L
θ
q
mg sin
q
N
mg
mg cos q
d
A q m
( , )
Fe
B
q
Fig. 1.10 Three forces passing through a point

21. Example 1.17 Two identical balls each having a density ρ
are suspended from a common point by two insulating strings
of equal length. Both the balls have equal mass and charge.
In equilibrium, each string makes an angle θ with vertical.
Now, both the balls are immersed in a liquid. As a result, the
angle θ does not change. The density of the liquid is σ. Find
the dielectric constant of the liquid.
Sol. Each ball is in equilibrium under the following three forces
(i) tension, (ii) electric force and
(iii) weight.
So, by applying Lami’s theorem,
In the liquid, F
F
K
e
e
′ =
where, K = dielectric constant of liquid
and w w
′ = − upthrust
Applying Lami’s theorem in vacuum,
w Fe
sin ( ) sin ( )
90 180
° +
=
° −
θ θ
or
w Fe
cos sin
θ θ
= …(i)
Similarly in liquid,
w Fe
′
=
′
cos sin
θ θ
…(ii)
On dividing Eq. (i) by Eq. (ii), we get
w
w
F
F
e
e
′
=
′
or K
w
w
=
– upthrust
as
F
F
K
e
e
′
=








=
V g
V g V g
ρ
ρ σ
–
(QV = volume of ball)
or K =
−
ρ
ρ σ
10 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
In vacuum
Fe
θ
θ
w
T
In liquid
Fe′
θ
θ
w ′
T ′
1. A metallic sphere having no net charge is placed near a
finite metal plate carrying a positive charge. The electric
force on the sphere will be
(a) towards the plate (b) away from the plate
(c) parallel to the plate (d) zero
2. Two charges each equal to 2µC are 0.5 m apart. If both of
them exist inside vacuum, then the force between them is
(a) 1.89 N (b) 2.44 N (c) 0.144 N (d) 3.144 N
3. There are two charges + 1µC and +5µC. The ratio of the
forces acting on them will be
(a) 1 : 5 (b) 1 : 1 (c) 5 : 1 (d) 1 : 25
4. The force between two charges 0.06 m apart is 5 N. If each
charge is moved towards the other, so that new distance
becomes 0.04 m, then the force between them will become
(a) 7.20 N (b) 11.25 N (c) 22.50 N (d) 45.00 N
5. The charges on two spheres are +7µC and −5µC,
respectively. They experience a force F. If each of them is
given an additional charge of −2µC, then the new force
attraction will be
(a) F (b) F/2 (c) F / 3 (d) 2F
6. Two charges of equal magnitudes and at a distance r exert a
force F on each other. If the charges are halved and distance
between them is doubled, then the new force acting on each
charge is
(a) F/8 (c) F /4 (c) 4F (d) F/16
7. Two charges placed in air repel each other by a force of
10 4
−
N. When oil is introduced between the charges, then the
force becomes 25 10 5
. × −
N.
The dielectric constant of oil is
(a) 2.5 (b) 0.25 (c) 2.0 (d) 4.0
8. Two point charges placed at a certain distance r in air exert
a force F on each other. Then, the distance ′
r at which these
charges will exert the same force in a medium of dielectric
constant K is given by
(a) r (b) r K
/
(c) r K
/ (d) r K
9. Fg and Fe represent gravitational and electrostatic force
respectively between electrons situated at a distance of
10 cm. The ratio of F F
g e
/ is of the order of
(a)1042
(b)10 21
−
(c)1024
(d)10 43
−
10. Two particles of equal mass m and charge q are placed at a
distance of 16 cm. They do not experience any force. The
value of
q
m
is
(a) l (b)
πε0
G
(c)
G
4 0
πε
(d) 4 0
πε G
11. A charge q1 exerts some force on a second charge q2. If a third
charge q3 is brought near q2, then the force exerted by q1 on q2
(a) decreases
(b) increases
(c) remains the same
(d) increases, if q3 is of same sign as q1 and decreases, if q3 is of
opposite sign as q1
12. Electric charges of1 1
µ µ
C C
, − and 2µC are placed in air at
the corners A B
, and C respectively of an equilateral triangle
ABC having length of each side 10 cm. The resultant force
on the charge at C is
(a) 0.9 N (b) 1.8 N
(c) 2.7 N (d) 3.6 N
CHECK POINT 1.2

22. ELECTRIC FIELD
The region surrounding a charge or distribution of charge
in which its electrical effects can be observed or
experienced is called the electric field of the charge or
distribution of charge.
Electric field at a point can be defined in terms of either a
vector function E called electric field strength or a scalar
function V called electric potential.
Electric field strength
The electric field strength (often called electric field) at a
point is defined as the electrostatic force Fe per unit
positive test charge. Thus, if the electrostatic force
experienced by a small test charge q 0 is Fe , then field
strength at that point is defined as
E
F
=
→
lim
q
e
q
0 0 0
The electric field is a vector quantity and its direction is
the same as the direction of the electrostatic force Fe on a
positive test charge.
The SI unit of electric field is N/C. The dimensions for E
is [ ]
MLT A
− −
3 1
. For a positive charge, the electric field
will be directed radially outwards from the charge. On the
other hand, if the source charge is negative, the electric
field vector at each point is directed radially inwards.
Note Suppose there is an electric field strength E at some point, then the
electrostatic force acting on a charge +q is qE in the direction of E,
while on the charge –q it is qE in the opposite direction of E.
Example 1.18 An electric field of 105
N/C points due west
at a certain spot. What are the magnitude and direction of the
force that acts on a charge of + 2 µC and − 5 µC at this spot?
Sol. Electrostatic force, F qE
=
where, q = charge
and E = electric field.
Here, q1
6
2 2 10
= + = × −
µC C
and q2
6
5 5 10
= − = − × −
µC C
∴Force on charge q F
1 1
, = ×
( ) ( )
–
2 10 10
6 5
= 0.2 N (due west)
and force on charge q F
2 2
,
(5 10 ) (10 )
–6 5
= × = 0.5 N (due east)
Example 1.19 Calculate the magnitude of an electric field
which can just suspend a deuteron of mass 32 10 27
. × −
kg
freely in air.
Sol. Upward force (qE) on the deuteron due to electric field E is
equal to weight mg of deuteron, qE mg
=
∴ E
mg
q
= =
× ×
×
−
−
3.2
1.6
10 9 8
10
27
19
.
= × −
19.6 10 8
NC−1
Electric field due to a point charge
The electric field produced by a point charge q can be
obtained in general terms from Coulomb’s law. The
magnitude of the force exerted by the charge q on a test
charge q 0 is
F
qq
r
e = ⋅
1
4 0
0
2
πε
Therefore, the intensity of the electric field at this point is
given by E
F
q
e
=
0
E
q
r
= ⋅
1
4 0
2
πε
Note Suppose a charge q is placed at a point whose position vector is
rq and to obtain the electric field at a point P whose position
vector is rp, then in vector form the electric field is given by
E = ⋅
1
4 0
3
πε
q
p q
p q
| – |
( – )
r r
r r
Here, r i j k
p p p p
x y z
= + +
$ $ $
and r i j k
q q q q
x y z
= + +
$ $ $
Example 1.20 Find the electric field strength due to a point
charge of 5µC at a distance of 80 cm from the charge.
Sol. Given, q = 5µC = × −
5 10 C
6
r = 80 cm = × −
80 10 2
m
Electric field strength,
E =
1
4 0
πε
⋅
q
r2
⇒ E = × ×
×
×
−
−
9 10
5 10
(80 10 )
9
6
2 2
⇒ E = ×
7.0 104
N/C
Example 1.21 Two point charges q C
1 16
= µ and q C
2 4
= µ ,
are separated in vacuum by a distance of 3.0 m. Find the
point on the line between the charges, where the net electric
field is zero.
Sol. Between the charges, the two field contributions have
opposite directions and the net electric field is zero at a point
(say P), where the magnitudes of E1 and E2 are equal.
However, since, q q
2 1
< , point P must be closer to q2, in order
Electric Charges and Fields 11
r q0
Fe
q
E
q
q
E
+
+
–
q0
q0
Fig. 1.11 Direction of electric field due to
positive and negative charges

23. that the field of the smaller charge can balance the field of the
greater charge.
At P, E E
1 2
= or
1
4
1
4
0
1
1
2
0
2
2
2
πε πε
q
r
q
r
= ⋅
∴
r
r
q
q
1
2
1
2
= = =
16
4
2 …(i)
Also, r r
1 2
+ = 3.0 m …(ii)
Solving these equations, we get
r1 = 2 m and r2 1
= m
Thus, the point P is at a distance of 2 m from q1
and 1 m from q2.
Example 1.22 A charge q C
= 1µ is placed at point
( , , )
1 2 4
m m m . Find the electric field at point
P m m m
( , – , )
0 4 3 .
Sol. Here, rq = + +
$ $ $
i j k
2 4
and rp = +
– $ $
4 3
j k
∴ r r
p q
– – $ – $ – $
= i j k
6
or | – | (– ) (– ) (– )
r r
p q = + +
1 6 1
2 2 2
= 38 m
Now, electric field, E = ⋅
1
4 0
3
πε
q
p q
p q
| – |
( – )
r r
r r
Substituting the values, we get
E i j k
=
× ×
(9.0 10 ) (1.0 10 )
(38)
9 –6
3/2
(–$ – $ – $ )
6
E i j k
= ( $ $ $ )
– – –
38.42 230.52 38.42 N/C
Example 1.23 A ball having charge q and mass m is
suspended from a string of length L between two parallel
plates, where a vertical electric field E is established. Find
the time period of simple pendulum, if electric field is
directed (i) downward and (ii) upward.
Sol. (i) When electric field is downward
For simple pendulum,
Time period, T
L
a
= 2π
where, a is the effective acceleration.
a =
net externalforce on the ball
mass of the ball
⇒ a
mg qE
m
g
qE
m
=
+
= +
∴ Time period, T
L
g
qE
m
=
+
2π
(ii) When electric field is upward
Effective acceleration, a
mg qE
m
g
qE
m
=
−
= −
∴ Time period, T
L
g
qE
m
=
−
2π
Example 1.24 A ball of mass m having a charge q is released
from rest in a region where a horizontal electric field E
exists.
(i) Find the resultant force acting on the ball.
(ii) Find the trajectory followed by the ball.
Sol. The forces acting on the ball are weight of the ball in
vertically downward direction and the electric force in the
horizontal direction.
(i) Resultant force, F mg qE
= +
( ) ( )
2 2
(ii) Let the ball be at point P after time t.
As, F ma qE
= =
∴ a
qE
m
=
x x
qE
m
t
y y gt
-direction,
-direction,
=
=





1
2
1
2
2
2
y
x
g
qE m
=
/
⇒ y
mgx
qE
=
Hence, trajectory is a straight line.
Example 1.25 A block of mass m having charge q is attached
to a spring of spring constant k. This arrangement is placed in
uniform electric field E on smooth horizontal surface as shown
in the figure. Initially, spring in unstretched. Find the
extension of spring in equilibrium position and maximum
extension of spring.
12 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
P
E2
q1
E1
q2
+ +
r1 r2
E
T0
+q
qE
mg
E
T0
+q
qE
mg
E
mg
y
P x y
( , )
x
q m
E
x = 0
A
k

24. Sol. Method I. Force due to electric field E acting on the
charged block results in extension of spring. Let at some
instant, extension in spring be x.
Net force on block, F qE kx
net = −
In equilibrium, F qE kx
net = − = 0 ⇒ x x
qE
k
= =
0
where, k is the spring constant.
In equilibrium, extension of spring, x
qE
k
0 =
Maximum extension = =
2
2
0
x
qE
k
Method II.
Let the body is displaced from position A to position B. Let
the maximum extension produced be x ′, then from
conservation of energy,
1
2
2
kx qEx
′ = ′ ⇒ x
qE
k
′ =
2
In fact, the block is executing SHM of time period,
T
m
k
= 2π and amplitude of oscillation =
qE
k
.
Electric field due to a system of charges
Consider a system of charges q q qn
1 2
, , ,
K with position
vectors r r r r
p p p pn
1 2 3
, , , ... , relative to some origin P as
shown in the figure.
By the principle of superposition, the electric field E at
point P due to system of charges will be given by
E E E E
= + +
1 2 ... n
where, E E E
1 2
, , ..., n be the electric field at P due to
charges q q qn
1 2
, , ,
K , respectively.
E r r r
= + +
1
4
1
4
1
4
0
1
2
0
2
2
0
2
1
1
2
2
πε πε πε
q
r
q
r
q
r
p
p
p
p
n
p
p
n
n
$ $ $
K
E r
=
=
1
4 0 1 2
πε
Σ
i
n
i
p
p
q
r i
i
$
Example 1.26 An infinite number of charges each equal to q
are placed along X-axis at x = 1, x = 2, x = 4, x = 8 and so
on. Find the electric field at the point x = 0 due to this set
up of charges.
Sol. At the point x = 0, the electric field due to all the charges
are in the same negative x-direction and hence get added up.
E =
1
4 0
πε
q q q q
1 2 4 8
2 2 2 2
+ + + +






K
= + + + +






q
4
1
1
4
1
16
1
64
0
πε
K
=
−





 =
q q
4
1
1 1 4 3
0 0
πε πε
/
This electric field is along negative X-axis.
Example 1.27 Four charges are placed at the corners of a
square of side 10 cm as shown in figure. If q is 1µC, then
what will be the electric field intensity at the centre of the
square?
Sol. Side of square, a = 01
. m and magnitude of charge, q = × −
1 10 6
C
Half of diagonal of the square = =
a
2 2
0.1
m
Electric field due to charge q,
E =
× × ×






−
9 10 1 10
9 6
2
0.1
2
=
× ×
9 10 2
3
0.01
= ×
18 105
NC−1
At centre there are two electric field which are perpendicular
to each other, so net electric field can be calculated using
superposition principle.
∴ E E E E
net = + =
2 2
2
= × ×
18 10 2
5
= ×
2.54 106
NC−1
Electric field lines
An electric field line is an imaginary line or curve drawn
through a region of space, so that its tangent at any point
is in the direction of the electric field vector at that point.
Electric field lines were introduced by Michael Faraday to
visualise electric field.
Electric Charges and Fields 13
m
kx
x
A
qE
m m
E
u = 0 v = 0
A B
x′
En E1
qn
q2
q1
rp1
rp2
rpn
E2
P
Fig. 1.12 Electric field due to system of charges q q qn
1 2
, , ...,
q –2q
–q +2q
A B
C
D
q –2q
–q +2q
A B
C
D
A B
+q
D
–q
E E
O
C
⇒

25. The electric field lines have the following properties
(i) The tangent to a field line at any point gives the
direction of E at that point.
In the given figure, electric points P and Q are along
the tangents (EP and EQ ). This is also the path on which
a positive test charge will tend to move, if free to do so.
(ii) Electric field lines always begin from a positive
charge and end on a negative charge and do not start
or stop in mid-space.
(iii) The number of lines leaving a positive charge or
entering a negative charge is proportional to the
magnitude of the charge. e.g. if 100 lines are drawn
leaving a + 4 µC charge, then 75 lines would have to
end on a –3 µC charge.
(iv) Two lines can never intersect. If it happens, then two
tangents can be drawn at their point of intersection,
i.e. intensity at that point will have two directions
which is not possible.
(v) In a uniform field, the field lines are straight,
parallel and uniformly spaced.
(vi) The electric field lines can never form closed loops as a
field line can never start and end on the same charge.
(vii) In a region, where there is no electric field, electric field
lines are absent. This is why inside a conductor (where,
electric field is zero), no electric field lines exist.
(viii) Electric field lines of force ends or starts normally
from the surface of a conductor.
(ix) The relative closeness of the electric field lines of
force in different regions of space indicates the
relative strength of the electric field in different
regions. In regions, where electric field lines of force
are closer, the electric field is stronger, whereas in
regions, where line of force are further apart, the
field is weaker.
Therefore, in the given figure | | | |.
E E
A B
>
Continuous charge distribution
In most of the cases, we deal with charges having
magnitude greater than the charge of an electron. For this,
we can imagine that the charge is spread in a region in a
continuous manner. Such a charge distribution is known as
continuous charge distribution.
Consider a point charge q 0 lying near a region of
continuous charge distribution which is made up of large
number of small charges dq as shown in figure.
According to Coulomb’s law, the force on a point charge
q 0 due to small charge dq is
F r
= ∫
q dq
r
0
0
2
4πε
$ …(i)
14 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
EQ
EP
P
Q
Fig. 1.13 Electric field at points P and Q
(a) (b)
q –q
(c)
q q
(d)
q
q +
+
+ –
(e)
–q q q
2q
(f)
–
+
–
–
Fig. 1.14 Electric field lines associated with a single as well
as combination of charges
A
| | | |
E E
A B
>
B
Fig. 1.15 Electric field strength at points A and B
dq
r
q0
Fig. 1.16 Force on a point charge q0 due to
a continuous charge distribution

26. where, $
r
r
=
r
There are three types of continuous charge distribution
1. Line charge distribution (λ)
It is a charge distribution along a one-dimensional curve or
line, L in space as shown in figure.
The charge contained per unit length of the line at any
point is called linear charge density. It is denoted by λ.
i.e. λ =
dq
dL
Its SI unit is Cm−1
.
Electric field due to the line charge distribution at the
location of charge q 0 is
E r
L L r
dL
= ∫
1
4 0
2
πε
λ
$
2. Surface charge distribution ( )
σ
It is a charge distribution spread over a two-dimensional
surface S in space as shown in figure.
The charge contained per unit area at any point is called
surface charge density. It is denoted by σ.
i.e. σ =
dq
dS
Its SI unit is Cm−2
.
Electric field due to the surface charge distribution at the
location of charge q 0 is
E r
S S r
dS
= ∫
1
4 0
2
πε
σ
$
3. Volume charge distribution ( )
ρ
It is a charge distribution spread over a three-dimensional
volume or regionV of space as shown in figure.
The charge contained per unit volume at any point is
called volume charge density. It is denoted by ρ.
i.e. ρ =
dq
dV
Its SI unit is Coulomb per cubic metre ( )
Cm−3
.
Electric field due to the volume charge distribution at the
location of charge q 0 is
E r
V V r
dV
= ∫
1
4 0
2
πε
ρ
$
Example 1.28 What charge would be required to electrify a
sphere of radius 25 cm, so as to get a surface charge
density of
3
π
Cm−2
?
Sol. Given, r = 25 cm = 025
. m and σ
π
=
3
Cm−2
As, σ
π
=
q
r
4 2
∴ q r
= = × × =
4 4 025
3
0 75
2 2
π σ π
π
( . ) . C
Example 1.29 Sixty four drops of radius 0.02 m and each
carrying a charge of 5µC are combined to form a bigger
drop. Find how the surface charge density of electrification
will change, if no charge is lost?
Sol. Volume of each small drop =
4
3
0 02 3
π( . ) m3
Volume of 64 small drops = ×
4
3
0 02 64
3
π( . ) m3
Let R be the radius of the bigger drop formed, then
4
3
4
3
0 02 64
3 3
π π
R = ×
( . )
or R3 3 3
0 02 4
= ×
( . )
∴ R = × =
0 02 4 0 08
. . m
Charge on small drop = = × −
5 5 10 6
µC C
Surface charge density of small drop,
σ
π π( )
1 2
6
2
4
5 10
4 0 02
= =
× −
q
r .
Cm−2
Surface charge density of bigger drop,
Electric Charges and Fields 15
Fig. 1.17 Line charge distribution
r
q0
dq
= σ
+ +
+ +
+ + + +
+ +
+ +
+
dS
Fig. 1.18 Surface charge distribution
r
q0
dq dV
= r
dV
Fig. 1.19 Volume charge distribution

27. σ
π( )2
2
6
5 10 64
4 0 08
=
× ×
−
.
Cm−2
∴
σ
σ π( . )
π
1
2
6 2
6
5 10
4
4 0 08
5 10 64
=
×
×
× ×
−
−
0 02 2
( . )
= =
1
4
1 4
:
Electric field of a charged ring
Electric field at distance x from the centre of uniformly
charged ring of total charge q on its axis is given by
E
qx
x R
x =






+
1
4 0
2 2 3 2
πε ( ) /
Direction of this electric field is along the axis and away
from the ring in case of positively charged ring and
towards the ring in case of negatively charged ring.
Special cases
From the above expression, we can see that
(i) Ex = 0 at x = 0, i.e. field is zero at the centre of the
ring. This would occur because charges on opposite
sides of the ring would push a test charge at the
centre, in the opposite directions with equal effort
and so the forces would add to zero.
(ii) E
q
x
x = ⋅
1
4 0
2
πε
for x R
>> , i.e. when the point P is
much farther from the ring, its field is the same as
that of a point charge. To an observer far from the
ring, the ring would appear like a point and the
electric field reflects this.
(iii) Ex will be maximum, where
dE
dx
x
= 0. Differentiating
Ex w.r.t. x and putting it equal to zero, we get
x
R
= ±
2
and Emax comes out to be,
2
3 3
1
4 0
2
πε
⋅






q
R
.
Example 1.30 A charge of 4 10 9
× −
C is distributed uniformly
over the circumference of a conducting ring of radius 0.3 m.
Calculate the field intensity at a point on the axis of the ring
at 0.4 m from its centre and also at the centre.
Sol. Given, q = × −
4 10 9
C , x = 0 4
. m and R = 03
. m
Electric field intensity at 0.4 m from its centre,
E
qx
R x
=
+
4 0
2 2 3 2
πε ( ) /
=
× × × ×
+
−
9 10 4 10 0 4
03 0 4
9 9
2 2 3 2
.
( . . ) /
E = =
14 4
0 5
1152
3
.
( . )
. N/C
At the centre of the ring, x = 0
∴ Electric field intensity, E = 0
16 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
+
+
+
+
Ex P
Ex
x x
R R
Fig. 1.20 Electric field of positively and negatively charged rings
R
2
Ex
Emax
x
–
2
R
Fig. 1.21 Variation of electric field on the axis of a ring
1. A charged particle of mass 5 10 5
× −
kg is held stationary in
space by placing it in an electric field of strength10 NC
7 1
−
directed vertically downwards. The charge on the particle is
(a) − × −
20 10 5
µC (b) − × −
5 10 5
µC
(c) 5 10 5
× −
µC (d) 20 10 5
× −
µC
2. Electric field strength due to a point charge of 5µC at a
distance 80 cm from the charge is
(a) 8 104
× NC−1
(b) 7 104
× NC−1
(c) 5 104
× NC−1
(d) 4 104
× NC−1
3. The electric field due to a charge at a distance of 3 m from it,
is 500 NC−1
. The magnitude of the charge is
Take, 9 10 -m /C
9 2 2
1
4 0
πε
= ×






N
(a) 2.5 µC (b) 2.0 µC (c) 1.0 µC (d) 0.5 µC
4. Two charges +5µC and +10µC are placed 20 cm apart.
The net electric field at the mid-point between the two
charges is
(a) 4.5 106
× NC−1
directed towards +5µC
(b) 4 5 106
. × NC−1
directed towards +10 µC
(c) 135 106
. × NC−1
directed towards +5µC
(d) 13.5 ×106
NC−1
directed towards +10 µC
5. Two point charges +8q and −2q are located at x = 0 and
x L
= , respectively. The location of a point on the X-axis at
which the net electric field due to these two point charges is
zero, is
(a) 8L (b) 4L
(c) 2L (d) L / 4
CHECK POINT 1.3

28. 6. A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. The
electric field due to this charge distribution at the centre of
this cube will be
1
4 0
πε
times
(a) q/b2
(b) q/ 2 2
b (c) 32 2
q b
/ (d) zero
7. The figure shows some of the electric field lines
corresponding to an electric field. The figure suggests
(a) E E E
A B C
> > (b) E E E
A B C
= =
(c) E E E
A C B
= > (d) E E E
A C B
= <
8. An uncharged sphere of metal is placed in between two
charged plates as shown. The lines of force look like
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
Electric Charges and Fields 17
ELECTRIC DIPOLE
A pair of equal and opposite point charges, that are
separated by a short distance is known as electric dipole.
Electric dipole occurs in nature in a variety of situations,
e.g. in HF H O
, 2 , HCl etc, the centre of positive charge
does not fall exactly over the centre of negative charge.
Such molecules are electric dipoles.
Dipole moment
The product of magnitude of one charge and the distance
between the charges is called the magnitude of the electric
dipole moment p. Suppose the charges of dipole are −q
and +q and the small distance between them is 2a.
Then, the magnitude of the electric dipole moment is
given by
p a q
= ( )
2
The electric dipole moment is a vector p whose direction is
along the line joining the two charges pointing from the
negative charge to the positive charge.
Its SI unit is Coulomb-metre.
Example 1.31 Charges ± 20 nC are separated by 5 mm.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of dipole moment.
Sol. Given, q1 = q2 = ± 20 nC = ± × −
20 10 9
C
Distance = =
2 5
a mm = × −
5 10 3
m
Dipole moment, p = q a
( )
2
= × × ×
− −
20 10 5 10
9 3
= −
10 10
cm
The direction of p is from negative charge to positive charge.
Example 1.32 A system has two charges, qA = × −
2 5 10 7
. C
and qB = − × −
2 5 10 7
. C located at points A( , , )
0 0 15
− cm
and B( , , )
0 0 15
+ cm respectively. What is the electric dipole
moment of the system?
Sol. Electric dipole moment,
p = magnitude of either charge × dipole length
= × = × ×
−
q AB
A 2 5 10 0 30
7
. . = × −
7 5 10 8
. C-m
The electric dipole moment is directed from B to A, i.e. from
negative charge to positive charge.
Example 1.33 Three charges are placed as shown. Find
dipole moment of the arrangements.
Sol. (i) Here, two dipoles are formed. These are shown in
diagram below
Resultant dipole moment, p p qd
r = =
2 2
and θ = °
45
A B C
+ + + + + + +
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
+ + + + + + +
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
– – – – – – –
+++++++ + + + + + + +
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(A) (B)
(C) (D)
2a
p
-q +q
+
-
Fig. 1.22 Electric dipole
B qB = –2.5 10 C
´ -7
A qA = 2.5 10 C
´ -7
O
X
Y
Z¢
Z
(0,0,15)
(0,0,–15)
d
d
2q -q
-q
d
d
2q -q
-q
d
(i) (ii)
-q
+q
p
+q -q
p
p
pr
p
q
⇒

29. (ii) The two dipoles formed are as shown below
∴The resultant dipole moment,
p p p qd
r = ° = =
2 30 3 3
cos and θ = °
30
The field of an electric dipole
or dipole field
The electric field produced by an electric dipole is called a
dipole field. The total charge of the electric dipole is zero
but dipole field is not zero. It can be found using
Coulomb’s law and the superposition principle. We will
find electric field of an electric dipole at two points as
discussed below.
1. Electric field at an axial point of an
electric dipole
Let us calculate electric field at the point P at a distance r
from the centre of the dipole on the axial line of the dipole
on the side of the charge q as shown in figure.
E− =
−
+
q
q
r a
4 0
2
π ε ( )
E+ =
−
q
q
r a
4 0
2
π ε ( )
The total field at P is E E E
= +
+ −
q q
=
−
−
+






q
r a r a
4
1 1
0
2 2
π ε ( ) ( )
=
−
q ar
r a
4
4
0
2 2 2
π ε ( )
( )
Q 2aq p
=
∴ E =
−
2 2
4 0
2 2 2
( )
( )
aq r
r a
πε
=
−
2
4 0
2 2 2
r
r a
p
π ε ( )
For short dipole, i.e. for r a
r
> > =
, E
p
2
4 0
3
πε
Direction of E is same as p.
2. Electric field at an equatorial point of
an electric dipole
The magnitude of the electric fields due to the two charges
+q and −q are given by
E
q
r a
q
+ =
+
4 0
2 2
πε ( )
and E
q
r a
q
− =
+
4 0
2 2
π ε ( )
and they
are equal in magnitude. The directions of E q
+ and E q
− are
as shown in the figure.
The components of electric field normal to the dipole axis
cancel away. The components of electric field along the
dipole axis add up. The total electric field E at P is
opposite to dipole moment vector p. So, we have
E = − +
+ −
[( ) cos ]
E E
q q θ
=
−
+
⋅
+
2
4 0
2 2 2 2 1 2
q
r a
a
r a
π ε ( ) ( ) /
Q cos
( )
θ
a
r a
2 2
1
2
+










⇒ E
p
=
−
+
=
−
+
2
4 4
0
2 2 3 2
0
2 2 3 2
aq
r a r a
π ε πε
( ) ( )
/ /
[Q 2aq p
= ]
For short dipole, r a
>>
∴ E
p
=
−
4 0
3
π ε r
Note The electric field due to short dipole at large distance ( )
r a
> > is
proportional to
1
3
r
. If we take the limit, when the dipole size 2a
approaches zero, the charge q approaches infinity in such a way
that the product, p q a
= × 2 is finite. Such a dipole is referred to
as a point dipole (ideal dipole).
Example 1.34 Two opposite charges each of magnitude 2µC
are 1cm apart. Find electric field at a distance of 5 cm from
the mid-point on axial line of the dipole. Also, find the field
on equatorial line at the same distance from mid-point.
Sol. Electric field ( )
E on axial line is given by
2
4 0
2 2 2
pr
r a
π ε ( )
−
where, p is dipole moment = either charge × dipole length
Thus, p q a
= ⋅2 = × ×
−
( ) ( . )
2 10 0 01
6
Also, r = × −
5 10 2
m
∴ Ea =
× × × × × ×
× − ×
− − −
− −
9 10 2 2 10 10 5 10
5 10 0 5 10
9 6 2 2
2 2 2
( )
[( ) ( . ) ]
2 2
18 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
-q
+q
p
+q -q
p
60°
30°
pr p
p
⇒
E+q E-q 2a
p
P q -q
r
Fig. 1.23 Electric field at an axial point of the dipole
q -q
q p
r
E-q
E at P
E+q
P
2a
Fig. 1.24 Electric field at an equatorial point of the dipole

30. = × −
2 93 106 1
. NC
Similarly, electric field ( )
E on equatorial line is given by
E
p
r a
e =
+
4 0
2 2 3 2
πε ( ) /
The symbols have the same meaning as above,
Ee =
× × × ×
× + ×
− −
− −
9 10 2 10 10
5 10 0 5 10
9 6 2
2 2 2 2 3 2
( )
[( ) ( . ) ] /
∴ Ee = × −
146 106 1
. NC
3. Electric field at the position (r, θ)
Due to the positive charge of the dipole, electric field at
point P will be in radially outward direction and due to
the negative charge it will be radially inward. Now, we
have considered the radial component ( )
Er and transverse
component ( )
Eθ of the net electric field ( )
E as shown in
figure.
∴ E
p
r
r = ⋅
1
4
2
0
3
πε
θ
cos
and E
p
r
θ
πε
θ
= ⋅
1
4 0
3
sin
∴ Net electric field at point P is E E E
r
= +
2 2
θ
⇒ E
p
r
= +
1
4
1 3
0
3
2
πε
θ
cos
Direction of the electric field, tan α θ
= =
E
Er
1
2
tan θ
Example 1.35 What is the magnitude of electric field
intensity due to a dipole of moment 2 10 8
× −
C-m at a point
distance 1 m from the centre of dipole, when line joining the
point to the centre of dipole makes an angle of 60° with
dipole axis?
Sol. Given, p = × −
2 10 8
C-m, r = 1 m and θ = 60°
∴ Electric field intensity, E
p
r
=
4 0
3
πε
3 1
2
cos θ +
=
× × ×
×
−
2 10 9 10
1
8 9
3
( )
3 60 1
2
(cos )
° +
= 2381
. N/C
Force on dipole
Suppose an electric dipole of dipole moment | |
p = 2aq is
placed in a uniform electric field E at an angle θ, where
θ is the angle between p and E. A force F E
1 = q will act
on positive charge and F E
2 = – q on negative charge.
Since, F1 and F2 are equal in magnitude but opposite in
direction.
Hence, F F
1 2 0
+ =
or Fnet = 0
Thus, net force on a dipole in uniform electric field
is zero. While in a non-uniform electric field, it may
or may not be zero.
Torque on an electric dipole
The two equal and opposite forces shown in the above
diagram act at different points of the dipole. They form a
couple which exerts a torque. This torque has a
magnitude equal to the magnitude of either force
multiplied by the arm of the couple, i.e. perpendicular
distance between the two anti-parallel forces.
Magnitude of torque = ×
q E a
2 sin θ = 2qaE sin θ
τ θ
= pE sin [Qp a q
= ( )
2 ]
or τ = ×
p E
Thus, the magnitude of torque is τ θ
= pE sin . The
direction of torque is perpendicular to the plane of paper
inwards. Further this torque is zero at θ = 0° or θ = 180°,
i.e. when the dipole is parallel or anti-parallel to E and
maximum at θ = 90°.
Thus, variation of τ with θ is as shown in graph below
Electric Charges and Fields 19
–q +q
O p
q
r
P
E
Eq
Er
a
Fig. 1.25 Radial and transverse component of the
electric field E of the dipole at point P r
( , )
θ
a
a
+q
F E
1=q
F E
2 =–q
B
C
E
E
A
q
E
p
q
–q
Fig. 1.26 Electric dipole in a uniform electric field
pE
π/2
pE
π 3 /2
π 2π
τ
θ
Fig. 1.27 Variation of τ with θ

31. Example 1.36 An electric dipole with dipole moment
4 10 9
× −
C-m is aligned at 30° with the direction of a
uniform electric field of magnitude 5 104 1
× −
NC . Calculate
the magnitude of the torque acting on the dipole.
Sol. Using the formula, τ = θ
pE sin …(i)
Here, dipole moment, p = × −
4 10 9
C m and E = × −
5 104 1
NC
Angle between E and p, θ = 30°.
Substituting these values in Eq (i), we get
τ = × × × × °
−
4 10 5 10 30
9 4
sin
= × ×
−
20 10
1
2
5
= −
10 4
N-m
Work done in rotating a dipole in a
uniform electric field
When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric
field E, [Fig. (a)] a torque, τ = p E
× acts on it. If we rotate
the dipole through a small angle dθ as shown in Fig. (b),
the work done by the torque is
dW d
= τ θ ⇒ dW pE d
= − sin θ θ
The work is negative as the rotation dθ is opposite to the
torque.
Total work done by external forces in rotating a dipole
from θ θ
= 1 to θ θ
= 2 [Figs. (c) and (d)] will be given by
W pE d
= ∫
θ
θ
θ θ
1
2
sin
W pE
external force = −
(cos cos )
θ θ
1 2
and work done by electric forces,
W W
electric force external force
= −
= −
pE (cos cos )
θ θ
2 1
Taking θ θ
1 = and θ2 90
= °, we have
W p E pE
electric dipole = ⋅ ° − = −
(cos cos ) cos
90 θ θ
= − ⋅
p E
Note If dipole is placed in non-uniform electric field, then magnitude
and direction of electric field is different at every point and it will
experience both net force and net torque.
Example 1.37 An electric dipole of dipole moment
p C m
= × −
5 10 18
- lying along uniform electric field
E NC
= × −
4 104 1
. Calculate the work done is rotating the
dipole by 60°.
Sol. It is given that, electric dipole moment,
p = × −
5 10 18
C-m
Electric field strength, E = × −
4 104 1
NC
When the electric dipole is placed in an electric field E, a
torque τ = ×
p E acts on it. This torque tries to rotate the
dipole through an angle θ.
If the dipole is rotated from an angle θ1 to θ2, then work done
by external force is given by
W pE
= −
(cos cos )
θ θ
1 2 …(i)
Putting θ1 0
= °, θ2 60
= ° in the Eq. (i), we get
W pE
= ° − °
(cos cos )
0 60
= − =
pE
pE
( / )
1 1 2
2
=
× × ×
=
−
−
5 10 4 10
2
10
18 4
13
J
⇒ W = × −
0.1 J
10 12
= 0.1 pJ
20 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
p
E
θ
θ
dθ
(a) (b)
p
E
p
θ1 θ2
(c) (d)
p
E E
p
Fig. 1.28 Dipole at different angles with electric field
1. The electric dipole moment of an electron and a proton
4.3 nm apart, is
(a) 6.8 × −
10 28
C-m (b) 2.56 × −
10 29
C2
/m
(c) 3.72 × −
10 14
C/m (d) 11 × −
10 46
C2
/m
2. If Ea be the electric field strength of a short dipole at a point
on its axial line and Ee that on the equatorial line at the
same distance, then
(a) E E
e a
= 2 (b) E E
a e
= 2
(c) E E
a e
= (d) None of these
3. Electric field at a far away distance r on the axis of a dipole
is E0. What is the electric field at a distance 2r on
perpendicular bisector?
(a)
E0
16
(b) −
E0
16
(c)
E0
8
(d) −
E0
8
4. The electric field due to an electric dipole at a distance r
from its centre in axial position is E. If the dipole is rotated
through an angle of 90° about its perpendicular axis, then
the magnitude of electric field at the same point will be
(a) E (b) E/4 (c) E/2 (d) 2E
CHECK POINT 1.4

32. 5. When an electric dipole p is placed in a uniform electric
field E, then at what angle between p and E the value of
torque will be maximum?
(a) 90° (b) 0°
(c) 180° (d) 45°
6. An electric dipole of moment p is placed normal to the lines
of force of electric intensity E, then the work done in
deflecting it through an angle of180° is
(a) pE (b) +2pE
(c) −2pE (d) zero
7. A molecule with a dipole moment p is placed in an electric
field of strength E. Initially, the dipole is aligned parallel to
the field. If the dipole is to be rotated to anti-parallel to the
field, then the work required to be done by an external
agency is
(a) −2pE (b) −pE
(c) pE (d) 2pE
8. Two opposite and equal charges of 4 10 8
× −
C are placed
2 10 2
× −
cm away from each other. If this dipole is placed in an
external electric field of 4 108
× NC−1
, then the value of
maximum torque and the work done in rotating it through
180° will be
(a) 64 10 4
× −
N-m and 64 10 4
× −
J
(b) 32 10 4
× −
N-m and 32 10 4
× −
J
(c) 64 10 4
× −
N-m and 32 10 4
× −
J
(d) 32 10 4
× −
N-m and 64 10 4
× −
J
Electric Charges and Fields 21
ELECTRIC FLUX
Electric flux over an area in an electric field is a measure
of the number of field lines crossing a surface. It is
denoted by φE . Let E be electric field at the location of the
surface element d S. The electric flux through the entire
surface is given by
φE
S
d
= ⋅
∫ E S ⇒ φ θ θ
E
S S
E dS E dS
= =
∫ ∫
cos cos
Here, θ is smaller angle between E and d S.
For a closed surface, θ is the angle between E and outward
normal to the area element.
Electric flux is a scalar quantity having SI unit V-m or
N-m2
C−1
.
Note An electric flux can also be defined as the flow of the electric
field lines through a surface. When field lines leave or flow out
of a closed surface, φE is positive and when they enter or flow
into the surface, φE is negative.
Area vector
Area is a vector quantity. The direction of a planar area
vector is specified by normal to the plane, e.g. in case of
closed surface like cube, sphere, etc., direction of area
vector S in outward direction is considered to be positive.
In case of open surface, any normal direction can be
considered positive.
The flux of electric field passing through an area is the dot
product of electric field vector and area vector.
i.e. φ θ
= ⋅ =
E S ES cos
Example 1.38 The electric field in a region is given by
E i j
= +
a b
$ $ , here, a and b are constants. Find the net flux
passing through a square area of side l parallel to yz-plane.
Sol. A square area of side l parallel to yz-plane in vector form
can be written as S i
= l2 $
Given, E i j
= +
a b
$ $
∴ Electric flux passing through the given area will be
φE = ⋅
E S
= + ⋅
( $ $) ( $)
a b l
i j i
2
= al2
Example 1.39 A rectangular surface of sides 10 cm and
15 cm is placed inside a uniform electric field of 25 NC−1
,
such that normal to the surface makes an angle of 60° with
the direction of electric field. Find the flux of electric field
through the rectangular surface.
Sol. Here, E = electric field = 25 NC−1
S = surface area of rectangle
= × = ×
l b 010 015
. . m2
Flux, φ θ
= ES cos = × °
(25)(0.15 0.10) (cos 60 )
= 01875
. N-m2
C−1
dS
dS
E
q
Fig. 1.29 Electric flux over an area dS
S
S
(b) Open surface
(a) Closed surface
S S
S
Fig. 1.30 Direction of area vector

33. Example 1.40 The electric field in a region is given by
E i
=
E
a
x
0 $. Find the electric flux passing through a cubical
volume bounded by the surfaces x x a y y a
= = = =
0 0
, , , ,
z = 0 and z a
= .
Sol. The given situation is shown below
On four faces, electric field and area vector are perpendicular,
hence there will be no flux. One face is at origin, i.e. x = 0
⇒ E = 0, hence there will be no flux. On the sixth face, x a
=
∴Net electric flux, φ = ⋅ = ⋅ =
E S i i
E a E a
0
2
0
2
$ $
Example 1.41 A cylinder is placed in a uniform electric field
E with axis parallel to the field. Find the total electric flux
through the cylinder.
Sol. The dircetion of E and d S on different sections of cylinder
are shown below
Flux through the entire cylinder,
φE d d d
= ⋅ + ⋅ + ⋅
∫ ∫
E S E S E S
Right plane face Left plane face
∫
curved surface
⇒ φE d d d
= ⋅ °+ ⋅ ° + ⋅ °
∫ ∫ ∫
E S E S E S
cos cos cos
180 0 90
= − ∫ ∫
E S + E S + 0
d d
= − × ×
E + E
π π
r r
2 2
= 0
Gauss’s law
According to Gauss’s law, ‘‘the net electric flux through
any closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed by it
divided by ε0 ’’. Mathematically, it can be written as
φ
ε
E
S
d
q
= ⋅ =
∫ E S
0
Gauss’s theorem in simplified form can be written as under
ES
q
= in
ε0
…(i)
But this form of Gauss’s law is applicable only under the
following two conditions
(i) the electric field at every point on the surface is
either perpendicular or tangential.
(ii) magnitude of electric field at every point where it is
perpendicular to the surface has a constant value (sayE).
Here, S is the area, where electric field is perpendicular to
the surface. Unit of electric flux is Nm C
2 1
−
.
Important points regarding Gauss’s law in
electrostatics
Important points regarding Gauss’s law in electrostatics are
given below
(i) Gauss’s law is true for any closed surface, no matter
what its shape or size.
(ii) The term q on the right side of Gauss’s law includes
the sum of all charges enclosed by surface. The
charges may be located anywhere inside the surface.
(iii) In the situation, when the surface is so taken that
there are some charges inside and some outside, the
electric field (whose flux appears on the left side of
Gauss’s law) is due to all the charges, both inside and
outside S. However, the term q on the right side of
Gauss’s law represents only the total charge inside S.
(iv) The surface that we choose for the application of
Gauss’s law is called the Gaussian surface. You may
choose any Gaussian surface and apply Gauss’s law.
However, do not let the Gaussian surface pass
through any discrete charge, because electric field is
not well defined at the location of discrete charge.
However, the Gaussian surface can pass through a
continuous charge distribution.
(v) Gauss’s law is often useful towards a much easier
calculation of the electrostatic field, when the
system has some symmetry. This is achieved by the
choice of a suitable Gaussian surface.
(vi) Finally, Gauss’s law is based on the inverse square
dependence on distance as taken in the Coulomb’s
law. Any violation of Gauss’s law will indicate
departure from the inverse square law.
22 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
Z
X
Y
O
a
a
a
E i
x
=
E
a
0
—— ^
E =
E
—
a
0 a E
i i
= 0
^
^
S i
a
= 2 ^
dS
dS
dS E
E
E

34. Special cases
Some points related to calculation of electric flux in
different cases
(i) If surface contains number of charges, as shown in
figure, then qin can be calculated as
q q q q
in = − +
1 2 3
∴ φ
ε ε
= =
− +
q q q q
in
0
1 2 3
0
(ii) If a charge q is placed at the centre of a cube, then
the flux passing through cube,
φ
ε ε
= =
q q
in
0 0
The flux passing through each face of cube,
φ
φ
ε
′ = =
6 6 0
q
(by symmetry)
(iii) To calculate flux passing through open surface, first
make surface close in such a manner that point
charge comes at the centre and then apply symmetry
concept, e.g.
(a) A charge q is placed at the centre of an imaginary
hemispherical surface.
First, make the surface close by placing another
hemisphere.
Flux through sphere, φ
ε ε
= =
q q
in
0 0
By symmetry, flux through hemisphere,
φ
φ
ε
′ = =
2 2 0
q
(b) A charge Q is placed at a distance a/2 above the
centre of a horizontal square of edge a.
First, make the surface close by placing five square
faces ( )
a a
× , so that a cube is formed and charge Q
is at centre of a cube.
Flux through the cube, φ
ε ε
= =
q Q
in
0 0
By symmetry, flux through each square face,
φ
φ
ε
′ = =
6 6 0
Q
Note In case of closed symmetrical body with charge q at its centre,
the electric flux linked with each half will be
φ
ε
E q
2 2 0
= . If the
symmetrical closed body has n identical faces with point charge
at its centre, flux linked with each face will be
φ
ε
E
n
q
n
=
0
.
Example 1.42 An uniformly charged conducting sphere of
2.4 m diameter has a surface charge density of 80.0 µC/m2
.
(i) Find the charge on the sphere. (ii) What is the total
electric flux leaving the surface of the sphere?
Sol. (i) Using the relation σ
π
=
q
R
4 2
, we get
q R
= ×
4 2
π σ = × × × × −
4
22
7
80 10
2 6
(1.2)
= × −
1.45 C
10 3
(ii)Using Gauss’s theorem, we get
φ
ε
= =
×
×
−
−
q
0
3
12
10
10
1.45
8.854
= ×
1.64 108
N-m2
C−1
Example 1.43 A point charge causes an electric flux of
− ×
10 103
. N-m2
C−1
to pass through a spherical Gaussian
surface of 10.0 cm radius centred on the charge. (i) If the
radius of the Gaussian surface is doubled, how much flux
will pass through the surface? (ii) What is the value of the
point charge?
Electric Charges and Fields 23
q
Fig. 1.32 Charge at the centre of a hemisphere
q
Fig. 1.33 Assume another symmetrical hemisphere to form a sphere
q1
−q2
q3
Fig. 1.31 Charges enclosed by a surface
a/2
a
a
Q
Fig. 1.34 Charge at a distance a/2 from square
Q
Fig. 1.35 A cube

35. Sol. (i) According to Gauss’s law, the electric flux through a
Gaussian surface depends upon the charge enclosed
inside the surface and not upon its size. Thus, the
electric flux will remain unchanged,
i.e. − ×
10 103
. N-m2
C−1
.
(ii) Using the formula φ
ε
=
q
0
(Gauss’s theorem), we get
⇒ q = = × × − ×
−
ε φ
0
12 3
10 10
8.854 1.0
( )
= − × −
8.854 C
10 9
= − 8.8 C
n
Example 1.44 A point charge q is placed at the centre of a
cube. What is the flux linked
(i) with all the faces of the cube?
(ii) with each face of the cube?
(iii) if charge is not at the centre, then what will be the answers
of parts (i) and (ii)?
Sol. (i) According to Gauss’s law, φ = =
total
in
q q
ε ε
0 0
(ii) The cube is a symmetrical body with 6 faces and the
point charge is at its centre, so electric flux linked with
each face will be
φ =
φ
=
each face
total
6 6 0
q
ε
(iii) If charge is not at the centre, the answer of part (i) will
remain same while that of part (ii) will change.
Example 1.45 A point charge Q is placed at one corner of a
cube. Find flux passing through a cube.
Sol. First, make the surface close by placing three identical
cubes at three sides of given cube and four cubes above. Now,
charge comes at the centre of 8 cubes.
The flux passing through each cube will be (1/8)th of the flux
Q/ε0. Hence, flux passing through given cube is Q/8 0
ε .
Example 1.46 A hemispherical body of radius R is placed in
a uniform electric field E. What is the flux linked with the
curved surface, if the field is
(i) parallel to the base (ii) and perpendicular to the base?
Sol. We know, flux passing through closed surface,
φ
ε
= ⋅ =
∫ E S
d
qin
0
(i)
Charge inside hemisphere, qin = 0,
i.e. E S
⋅ =
∫ d 0
⇒ φ φ
curved plane
+ = 0
⇒ φcurved + ° =
E S cos 90 0
⇒ φcurved = 0
(ii)
Also, φ φ
curved plane
+ = 0
⇒ φcurved + ° =
E S cos 0 0
⇒ φ π
curved + =
E R2
0
⇒ φ π
curved = − E R2
Applications of Gauss’s law
To calculate electric field by Gauss’s theorem, we will draw
a Gaussian surface (either sphere or cylinder, according to
the situation) in such a way that electric field is
perpendicular at each point of surface and its magnitude is
same at every point and then apply Gauss’s law. Let us start
with some simple cases.
1. Electric field due to an infinitely long
straight uniformly charged wire
Consider a long line charge with a linear charge density
(charge per unit length), λ. To calculate the electric field
at a point, located at a distance r from the line charge, we
construct a Gaussian surface, a cylinder of any arbitrary
length l of radius r and its axis coinciding with the axis of
the line charge. This cylinder have three surfaces. One is
curved surface and the two plane parallel surfaces.
Field lines at plane parallel surfaces are tangential, so flux
passing through these surfaces is zero. The magnitude of
electric field is having the same magnitude (say E ) at
24 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
A
E
F
Q
H
G
D
C
B
d S
E
d S
E
E E
l
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r
Gaussian surface
Fig. 1.36 Cylindrical Gaussian surface around a line charge

36. curved surface and simultaneously the electric field is
perpendicular at every point of this surface.
Hence, we can apply the Gauss’s law as
E S
q
= in
ε0
Here, S = area of curved surface = ( )
2πrl
and q in = net charge enclosing this cylinder = λl.
∴ E rl
l
( )
2
0
π
λ
ε
=
∴ E
r
=
λ
πε
2 0
i.e. E
r
∝
1
So, E-r graph is a rectangular hyperbola as shown in figure.
Note Electric field due to a finite length of straight charged wire,
E
r
=
ε
+
1
4 0
1 2
π
λ
θ θ
(sin sin )
Example 1.47 An infinite line charge produces a field of
9 104
× NC−1
at a distance of 2 cm. Calculate the linear
charge density.
Sol. As we know that, electric field due to an infinite line
charge is given by the relation, E
r
= ⋅
1
2 0
πε
λ
where, λ is linear charge density and r is the distance of a
point where an electric field is produced from the line charge.
or λ πε
= 2 0 r E
Here, E = ×
9 104
NC−1
and r = 2 cm = 0 02
. m
∴ Linear charge density,
λ =
×
×
× ×
= −
1
9 10
0 02 9 10
2
10
9
4
7
.
Cm−1
Example 1.48 A long cylindrical wire carries a positive
charge of linear density λ. An electron ( , )
−e m revolves
around it in a circular path under the influence of the
attractive electrostatic force. Find the speed of the electron.
Sol. Electric field at perpendicular distance r,
E
r
=
λ
π ε
2 0
The electric force on electron, F e E
=
To move in circular path, necessary centripetal force is
provided by electric force.
F
mv
r
c =
2
⇒
mv
r
eE
e
r
2
0
2
= =
λ
πε
⇒ v
e
m
=
λ
πε
2 0
∴ Speed of the electron, v
e
m
=
λ
π ε
2 0
2. Electric field due to a plane sheet of
charge
Consider a flat thin sheet, infinite in size with constant
surface charge density σ (charge per unit area).
Let us draw a Gaussian surface (a cylinder) with one end
on one side and other end on the other side and of cross-
sectional area S 0 . Field lines will be tangential to the
curved surface, so flux passing through this surface is zero.
At plane surfaces, electric field has same magnitude and
perpendicular to surface. Hence, using
Electric Charges and Fields 25
E
r
Fig. 1.38 E-r graph for a long charged wire
+
P
q2 q1
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
r
l
+
+
+
+
+
+
(– , )
e m
E
v
λ
r
E
Curved surface Plane surface
E
Fig. 1.37 Electric flux through different surfaces
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
E E
S0
Gaussian surface
Fig. 1.39 Cylindrical Gaussian surface for a plane charged sheet

37. ES
q
= in
ε0
∴ E S
S
( )
( ) ( )
2 0
0
0
=
σ
ε
∴ E =
σ
ε
2 0
Thus, we see that the magnitude of the field due to plane
sheet of charge is independent of the distance from the
sheet.
Important point
Suppose two plane sheets having charge densities + σ and
− σ are placed at some separation.
Electric field at A, EA = + =
σ
ε
σ
ε
σ
ε
2 2
0 0 0
Electric field at B, EB = −
σ
ε
σ
ε
2 2
0 0
⇒ EB = 0
Similarly, EC = 0
If two plane sheets having opposite charges are kept close
to each other, then electric field exists only between them.
Example 1.49 A large plane sheet of charge having surface
charge density 5 10 6
× −
Cm− 2
lies in XY-plane. Find the
electric flux through a circular area of radius 0.1 m, if the
normal to the circular area makes an angle of 60° with the
Z-axis.
Sol. Given, σ = × −
5 10 6
Cm−2
, r = 01
. m and θ = °
60
Flux, φ = E S cos θ =






σ
ε
π θ
2 0
2
r cos
=
×
× ×
−
−
5 10
2 8 85 10
6
12
.
× × °
22
7
01 60
2
( . ) cos
∴ φ = 4 44 103
. × N-m2
/C
Example 1.50 Two large, thin metal plates are placed
parallel and close to each other. On their inner faces, the
plates have surface charge densities of opposite signs and of
magnitude177 10 11
. × −
coulomb per square metre. What is
electric field
(i) to the left of the plates, (ii) to the right of the plates
(iii) and in between the plates?
Sol. (i) Electric fields due to both the plates outside them, will
be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so net
field will be zero.
(ii) Electric field outside the plates will be equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction so net electric field
will be zero.
(iii) In between the plates, the electric fields due to both the
plates will be adding up, so net field will be
σ
ε
σ
ε
σ
ε
2 2
0 0 0
+ = from positive to negative plate.
∴ E = =
×
×
=
−
−
σ
ε0
2
1.77 10
8.85 10
11
12
N/C
3. Electric field near a charged
conducting surface
When a charge is given to a conducting plate, it
distributes, itself over the entire outer surface of the
plate. The surface charge density σ is uniform and is the
same on both surfaces, if plate is of uniform thickness
and of infinite size. This is similar to the previous one,
the only difference is that, this time charges are on both
sides. Hence, applying, E S
q
= in
ε0
Here, S S
= 2 0 and q S
in = ( ) ( )
σ 2 0
∴ E S
S
( )
( ) ( )
2
2
0
0
0
=
σ
ε
∴ E =
σ
ε0
The electric field near a charged conducting surface of any
shape is σ / ε0 and perpendicular to the surface.
4. Electric field due to a uniformly
charged thin spherical shell
Let O be the centre and R be the radius of a thin, isolated
spherical shell or solid conducting sphere carrying a charge
+q which is uniformly distributed on the surface. We have
to determine electric field intensity due to this shell at
points outside the shell, on the surface of the shell and
inside the shell.
26 OBJECTIVE Physics Vol. 2
+σ –σ
σ
2ε0
σ
2ε0
A
σ
2ε0
σ
2ε0
σ
2ε0
σ
2ε0
B C
Fig. 1.40 Plane charged sheets placed close to each other
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
E E
S0
Gaussian surface
Fig. 1.41 Cylindrical Gaussian surface for a conducting surface