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COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

MCQ (1mark)

1. Two positive ions each carrying a charge q are separated by a distance d. If F is the force of
repulsion between the ions , the number of electrons missing from each ion

2. The total electric flux emanating from an alpha particle is

(a) 2e/𝞮0 ( b)e/ 𝞮0 ( c ) 4e/ 𝞮0 (d) e2 / 𝞮0

3. A charge Q is placed at each of the opposite corners of a sphere. A charge q is placed at each of the
other corners .If the net electrical force on Q is zero then Q/q is equal to
(a) -2√2 (b) -1 (c) 1 (d) -1/√2

4. A cylinder of radius r and length l is placed in a uniform electric field parallel to the axis of the
cylinder. The total flux for the surface of the cylinder is given by
(a) zero (b) π r2 (c) π E r2 (d) 2E(π r2 )

5. 𝑞1, 𝑞2, 𝑞3 and q4are point charges located at points as shown in the figure and S is a spherical
Gaussian surface of radius R. Which of the following is true according to the Gauss’s law

6. Seven charges of equal magnitude q are placed at the corners of a cube of side b. The force
experienced by another charge Q placed at the center of the cube is
(a) Zero (b) KQq/ 3b (c) 7KQq/3b (d) 2KQq/3b
7. Electric charge is uniformly distributed along a long straight wire of radius 1mm. The charge per cm
of the wire is Q coulomb. Another cylindrical surface of length L meter encloses the wire
symmetrically, The total flux through the surface is
(a) Q/𝞮0 (b) LQ/ 𝞮0 (c) QL/ 10-3𝞮0 (d) Q/L 10-3𝞮0

8 A hemisphere is uniformly charged positively. The electric field at a point on the diameter away from
the centre is directed
(a) perpendicular to the diameter (b) parallel to the diameter.
(c) at an angle tilted towards the diameter (d) zero
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ANSWERS

1.(a) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5.(b) 6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (a)

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

2 MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Calculate the electric field strength required to just support a water drop of mass 10-7 kg and having
a charge 1.6x 10-19 C.

Ans. Force on water drop due to electric field = Weight of water drop.
qE =mg E
= 6.125x1012N/C

2. A spherical rubber ballon carries some charge distributed uniformly over its surface. The balloon is
blown up to increase in its size. How does the total electric flux coming out of the surface change?

Ans. The total electric flux coming out of the surface of ballon remains unchanged. This is because total
charge enclosed by the balloon is independent of size of the ballon.

3. Two dipoles, made from charges and have equal dipole moments. Give the
(i) Ratio between the separations of these two pairs of charges
(ii) Angle between the dipole axes of these two dipoles

Ans. As the two dipoles have equal dipole moments

(i) Qx 2a’ =q X 2a, 2a’/2a=q/Q
() =
4. The electrostatic force (F) acts between two point charges in a vacuum. If a brass plate is placed
between the two charges. What would be the value of the electrostatic force?

Ans. For any metal , =∞, Fbrass=Fvac/ K=F/∞=0

5. A uniformly charged conducting sphere of diameter 24m has a surface charge density of 80μc/m2.
Find the charge on the sphere and the total electric flux leaving the sphere.

6. Two-point charges Q and -3Q are placed at some distance apart at some distance apart. If electric
field at location of Q is E Find the field in the location of -3Q

Ans.

7. Why do the electrostatic field lines not form closed loops?

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Ans. Electric field lines do not form closed loops because the direction of an electric field is from positive
to negative charge. So one can regard a line of force starting from a positive charge and ending on a
negative charge. This indicates that electric field . lines do not form closed loops.

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

3 MARKS QUESTIONS

1. Five point charges, each of value +q are placed on five vertices of a regular hexagon of side Lm.
What is the magnitude of the force on a point charge of value -q coulomb placed at the centre of the
hexagon?
Ans. If there had been a sixth charge +q at the remaining vertex of hexagon due to all the six charges on -
q at O will be zero (as the forces due to individual charges will balance each other).

The resultant force , F = ( 1/4π ε0 ) q/ L2

2. Given is a line of charge of uniform linear density. A charge +q is distributed uniformly between y
= 0 and y = a and charge –q is distributed uniformly between y = 0 and y = -a.
Explain how the direction of the resultant electric field at point P can be obtained. Represent using a
vector diagram

Ans.

The x-components of E1 and E2, due to two equidistant points on either side of
O, cancel each other.The resultant electric field is due to the superposition of the y-components of
E1
and E2.The direction of the net electric field is along the negative y-axis.
This is true for all pairs of equidistant points on either side of O.
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3. A positively charged ball A hangs from a string. A non-conducting ball B is brought

near ball A. Ball A is seen to be attracted to ball B.

(a) Give reason why it is NOT possible to determine whether ball B is negatively
charged or neutral for sure from the above experiment alone.
(b) Suggest any ONE additional experiment with ball B required to determine whether ball B is
negatively charged or neutral for sure.
Ans. (a) The attraction between A and B could be due to the following reasons:
- B is negatively charged and hence A and B attract each other.
- B is neutral. The two balls attract each other due to the polarization of
molecules in neutral ball B.
It is not possible to determine for sure that ball B is negative or neutral from this
experiment alone.
(b) Possible additional experiments:
- A known neutral ball can be brought near ball B (without ball A nearby).
If the neutral ball is attracted to ball B, then ball B is negatively charged for sure.
If there is no interaction between the two balls, then ball B is neutral for sure.

4. A spherical Gaussian surface encloses a positive charge q.

Explain with a reason what happens to the net electric flux through the Gaussian
surface if:
(a) the charge is tripled
(b) the volume of the sphere is tripled
(c) the shape of the Gaussian surface is changed into a cuboid.
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Ans. (a) The net flux is also tripled because as per Gauss law the net flux is
proportional to the net charge enclosed.
(b) Regardless of the volume of the enclosed surface, if the net charge enclosed
is the same, the net flux remains the same as per Gauss law.
(c) No change in the net flux as it doesn’t depend upon the shape of the closed
surface.

5. Two small identical electric dipoles AB and CD each of dipole moment P are kept at an angle 120 0
to each other in an electric field E pointing along the X axis. Find the dipole moment of the
arrangement and the magnitude and direction of torque acting on it.

Ans.

Dipole moment of AB is P j Dipole moment of CD = pcos30 i – pcos60 j= p√3/2 i -p/2 j

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

5 MARKS QUESTIONS

1. a). Define electric flux. Is it a scalar or vector quantity?

b).A point charge Q is placed at a distance a/2 above the centre of the square surface of edge a as shown in the
figure. What is the electric flux through the square surface?
c. If the point charge is now moved to a distance ‘d’ from the centre of the square and the side of the square
is doubled, explain how the electric flux will be affected.

Ans. (a) No. of electric lines of force passing normal to the surface. It is a scalar quantity.
(b) Draw an imaginary square enclosing that point charge at the centre.
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Then from gauss law,

ϕ=Q/ϵo
Electric flux through one face=1/6 (Q/ϵo)
No change

2. a). Derive an expression for electric field at a point outside and inside for a uniformly charged spherical
shell
b).An early model for an atom considered it to have a positively charged point nucleus of charge Ze,
surrounded by a uniform density of negertive charge up to a radius R. The atom as a whole is neutral. For
this model, what is the eletric field at a distance r from the nucleus?

Ans.
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According to Gauss’s law,

3. (a) Find the electric field due to an electric dipole on a point in an equatorial plane.
(b) Two similar balls, each of mass m and charge q, are hung from a common point by two slik
threads, each of length l. Prove that separation between the ball is

if θ is small. Find the rate dq/dt with which the charge should leak off each sphere if
thevelocity of approach varies as v=a/√x, where a is a constant.
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Ans.
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1 MARK QUESTIONS

1. Two charges q1 and q2 are placed at the centres of two spherical conducting shells of radius r1 and r2
respectively. The shells are arranged such that their centres are
d [> (r1+r2) ] distance apart. The force on q2 due to q1 is

(a) (1/4Πε0) q1q2/d2 (b) (1/4Πε0) q1q2/(d –r1)2

( c) Zero (d) (1/4Πε0) q1q2/[d –(r1-r2)]2

2. When a negative charge (-Q) is brought near one face of a metal cube, the
(a) cube becomes positively charged
(b) cube becomes negatively charged.

(c) face near the charge becomes positively charged and the opposite face becomes
negatively charged.
(d)face near the charge becomes negatively charged and the opposite face becomes
positively charged.

3. Let F1 be the magnitude of the force between two small spheres, charged to a constant potential
in free space and F2 be the magnitude of the force between them in a medium of dielectric
constant K, Then F1/F2 is
(a) 1/K (b) K (c ) K2 (d) 1/ K2
4. A charge Q is placed at the centre of the line joining two charges q and q. The system of the three
charges will be in equilibrium if Q is
(a) q/3 (b) – q/3 (c ) q/4 (d) – q/4
5. A point charge situated at a distance r from a short electric dipole on its axis, experience a force
F. If the distance of the charge is 2r, the force on the charge will be
(a) F/16 (b) F/8 (c ) F/4 (d) F/2
6. The magnitude of the electric field due to a point charge, object at a distance of 4m is 9 N/C.
From the same charged object the electric field of magnitude, 16 N/C will be at a distance of
(a) 1m (b) 2m (c ) 3m (d) 6m
7. An isolated point charge particle produces an electric field E at a point 3m away from it. The
distance of the point at which the field is E/4
(a)2m (b) 3m (c ) 4m (d) 6m
8. Which one of the following is not a scalar quantity ?
(a)Electric field (b) Voltage (c ) Resistivity (d) Power
9. An electric dipole of length 2cm is placed at an angle of 30˚ with an electric field of 2x105 N/C. If
the dipole experiences a torque of 8x10-3 Nm, the magnitude of either charge of the dipole , is
(a) 4 µC (b) 7 μC ( c ) 8 mC (d) 2mC
10. An electric dipole placed in a non-uniform electric field will experience
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(a) Only a force (b) only a torque

(c ) both force and torque (d) neither force nor torque
ANSWER KEY

(1) C ( 2) C (3) B (4) D (5) B (6) C (7) D (8) A (9) A (10) C

ASSERSION- REASON QUESTIONS

Two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select
the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B) Both A and R are true and R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C) A is true but R is false

D) A is false and R is also false.

1. Assertion: The charge on anybody can be increased or decreased in terms of e.
Reason: Quantization of charge means that the charge on a body is the integral multiple of e.
2. Assertion : A Charge, which is less than charge of one electron is not possible
Reason : Charge is quantized.
3. Assertion: The properties that the force with which two charges attract or repel each other are not
affected by the presence of a third charge.
Reason: Force on any charge due to a number of other charges is the vector sum of all the forces on
that charge due to other charges, taken one at a time.
4. Assertion(A) : A metallic shield in the form of a hollow shell, can be built to block an electric field.
Reason(R): In a hollow spherical metallic shell, electric field inside is zero at every point.
5. Assertion: Coulomb force is the dominating force in the universe.
Reason: Coulomb force is weaker than the gravitational force.
6. Assertion (A): The range of gravitational force and coulomb force is infinity.
Reason(R): The Coulomb force is stronger than the gravitational force.
7. Assertion (A): The range of gravitational force and coulomb force is infinity.
Reason(R): The Coulomb force is stronger than the gravitational force.
8. Assertion (A): Positive electric flux indicates that electric lines of force are directed outwards
Reason (R): Positive electric flux is due to a positive charge.
9. Assertion (A): Electric field inside a metallic charged conductor is always zero whatever of amount
of charge.
Reason (R): Electric field lines are always perpendicular to surface of the metal.
10. . Assertion (A): Charge on a body is 2.3x10-19C is not possible.

Reason (R): Electric charge on a body is quantized and integral multiple of charge of an electron.
ANSWER KEY
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(1) A ( 2) B (3) B (4) A (5) D (6) C (7) C (8) B (9) B (10) A

2 MARKS QUESTIONS
1. Derive the expression for the torque acting on an electric dipole, when it is held in a uniform
electric field
Ans.

Force on +q charge = + q E along

the direction of E
Force on –q charge = -q E
opposite to the direction of E
Net force on the dipole is F
Net = +qE- qE =0
But the two force act at different
point on the dipole. They form a
couple and exerts torque.
Torque = Force X perpendicular distance between lines
of action of forces. τ = qE X 2a Sin θ
τ = pE sin θ
2. Use Gauss’s law to obtain the expression for electric field due to an infinitely long straight
uniformly charged wire
Ans. The surface area of the curved part =2πrl

Flux through the Gaussian surface= 𝜑 = 𝐸 × 2𝜋𝑟𝑙

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3. Use Gauss’s law to obtain the expression for the elctric field due to a uniformly charged infinite
plane thin sheet.
Ans.

4.

Ans. Let 𝑥 be the distance of 𝑄 from either charge. Let us assume the following figure:

5.
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Ans.

6.

Ans.

7.

Ans.

8.

Ans. (i) Electric flux , φ = q/ε 0

Φ = 8.85 x 10-8 / 8.85 x 10-12
Φ = 104 Nm2 /C
(ii) Electric flux remains the same as the charge enclosed is same.
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9.

Ans.

10. What is the electric flux through one face of a cube enclosing a dipole of dipole moment 2x10-7
Cm? Justify your answer.
Ans. Net charge of dipole is zero. Hence flux is zero.
3 MARKS QUESTIONS
1. Using Gauss’s law, derive an expression for the electric field intensity at any point outside a
uniformly charged thin spherical shell of radius R and charge density σ C/m2. Draw the graph of
electric field E versus distance r.

Draw the field lines when the charge density of the sphere is
(i)positive (ii) negative
Ans.

Electric field outside the shell:

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Consider a point P outside the shell with the radial vector r. Let P be the point
on the Gaussian surface to be a sphere of radius R with the centre O passing
through P. The electric field at each point of Gaussian surface has the same
magnitude E
and is along the radius vector at each point.
Thus E and ΔS at every point are
parallel. Flux = E ΔS. The total
flux over the Gaussian surface=
E * 4π r2
Charge q = σ X 4 πR2 ,From Gauss Law,

Φ = q / ε0

E x 4 Π r 2 = σ x 4 Π R2

E = σ R2 / ε0 r 2
But charge q = σ 4π R2,

The direction of the field is radially out ward, if the charge on the shell is +ve.

field lines when the charge density of the sphere is

(i) Positive

(ii) Negative
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2. Derive the expression for electric field at a point on the equatorial plane of an electric dipole.
Ans.

3.
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Ans.

CASE STUDY QUESTIONS ( 4 MARKS EACH)

1. Observe the figure, read the data given below and answer the following questions
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Ans. (i) d (ii) b (iii) b (iv) d

2. When a charged particle is placed in an electric field, it experiences an electrical force. If this is the
only force on the particle, it must be the net force. The net force will cause the particle to accelerate
according to Newton’s second law. So, F=qE= ma.

If E is uniform, then a is constant and a= q E /m . If the particle has a positive charge, its
acceleration is in the direction of the field. If the particle has a negative charge, its acceleration is
in the direction opposite to the electric field. Since the acceleration is constant, the kinematic
equations can be used.
(i) An electron of mass m, charge e falls through a distance h metre in a uniform electric
field E. then time of fall,

(ii) The electric flux through a closed surface area S enclosing charge Q is f. If the surface area is
doubled, then the flux is

(iii)A Gaussian surface encloses a dipole. The electric flux through this surface is

(iv) In an electric field directed upwards, an electron will experience a force directed
(a) Downward force of magnitude e E
(b)Upward force of magnitude e E
(c )Downward force of magnitude e/E
(d)Upward force of magnitude e/E
Ans. (i) a (ii) d (iii) d (iv) a
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3. Electric field strength is proportional to the density of lines of force i.e., electric field strength at a
point is proportional to the number of lines of force cutting a unit area element placed normal to the
field at that point. As illustrated in the given figure, the electric field at P is stronger that at Q.

(i) Electric lines of force about a positive point charge are

(a) radially outwards
(b) circular clockwise
(c) radially inwards
(d) parallel straight lines.
(d) parallel straight lines.
(ii) Which of the following is false for electric lines of force?
(a) They always start from positive charges and terminate on negative charges.
(b) They are always perpendicular to the surface of a charged conductor.
(c) They always form closed loops.
(d) They are parallel and equally spaced in a region of uniform electric field.
(iii) Which one of the following patterns of electric line of force in not possible in filed
due to stationary charges?

(iv)The figure below shows the electric field lines due to two positive charges. The
magnitudes EA, EB and EC of the electric fields at points A, B and C respectively
are related as
(a) EA > EB > EC (b) EB > EA > EC (c) EA = EB > EC (d) EA > EB = EC

Ans. (i) a (ii) c (iii) c (iv) a

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5 MARKS QUESTIONS
1.

Ans.
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2.

Ans.
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3.

Ans.
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iii.

p 1= q X 2 along OA
p2= q X 2 along OD

ASSIGNMENTS

2 MARKS QUESTIONS
1 An attractive force of 5N is acting between two charges of +2.0 μC & -2.0 μC placed at some
distance. If the charges are mutually touched and placed again at the same distance, what will
be the new force between them?
2. A spherical balloon carries a charge that is uniformly distributed over its surface. As the
balloon is blown up and increases in size, how does the total electric flux coming out of the
surface change? Give reason
3. Two point charges placed at a distance r in air exert a force F on each other. At what distance
will these charges experience the same force F in a medium of dielectric constant k?
4. A force F is acting between two charges placed some distance apart in vacuum. If a brass rod
is placed between these charges, how does the force change?
5. Define electric lines of force and give its two important properties
3 MARKS QUESTIONS
1. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field.
(i)Using suitable diagram, show that it does not undergo any translator motion.
(ii)Derive an expression for the torque acting on it and specify its direction.
2. A charge is distributed uniformly over a ring of radius a. Obtain an expression for the electric
intensity E a point on the axis of the ring. Hence show that for points at large distances from the
ring, it behaves like a point charge.
3. A long charged cylinder of linear charge density λ1 is surrounded by a hollow co-axial conducting
cylinder of linear charge density – λ2 . Use Gauss’s law to obtain expressions for the electric field at
a point
(i) In the space between the cylinders.
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(ii) Outside the larger cylinder.

4. (a) State Gauss’s law. Using this law, obtain the expression for the electric field due to an infinitely
long straight conductor of linear charge density λ .
(b)A wire AB of length L has linear charge density λ = kx where x is measured from the end A of
the wire. This wire is enclosed by a Gaussian hollow surface. Find the expression for the electric
flux through the surface.
5. Two large parallel thin metallic plates are placed close to each other. The plates have surface
charge densities of opposite signs and of magnitude 20 x 10 -12 C/ m2.
Calculate the electric field intensity
(i) in the outer region of the plates
(ii) in the interior region between the plates
5 MARKS QUESTIONS
1. (a) Derive an expression for the electric field at any point on the axial line of an electric dipole.
(b)Two identical point charge q each are kept 2m apart in air. A third point charge Q of unknown
magnitude and sign is placed on the line joining the charges such that the system remains in
equilibrium. Find the position and nature of Q.
2. (a) Derive an expression for the electric field E due to a dipole of length ‘2a’at a
point distant r from the centre of the dipole on the axial line
(b) Draw a graph of E versus r for r>>a.
(c) If this dipole were kept in a uniform external electric field Eo diagrammatically
represent the position of the dipole in stable and unstable equilibrium and write the
expressions for the torque acting on the dipole in both the cases.
3. .(i) Use Gauss’s law to obtain the expression for the electric field due to an infinitely
long thin straight wire with uniform linear charge density λ .
(ii)An infinitely long positively charged straight wire has a linear charge density λ.
An electron is revolving in a circle with a constant speed v such that the wire
passes through the centre, and is perpendicular to the plane, of the circle. Find the
kinetic energy of the electron in terms of magnitudes of its charge and linear
charge density λ on the wire.
(iii) Draw a graph of kinetic energy as a function of linear charge density λ.

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