ISC Class 12 Physics – Unit I (Electrostatics) 5-Mark

Questions: Worked Solutions

Q1. State Gauss’s theorem in electrostatics. Using it, derive an expression for the electric field
intensity at a point outside a uniformly charged spherical shell of radius R carrying a total
charge Q.
Gauss's theorem: The net electric flux through any closed surface is equal to the net charge enclosed
divided by ε■.

Derivation:
Consider a thin spherical shell of radius R with total charge Q distributed uniformly. Choose a concentric
spherical Gaussian surface of radius r (r > R).

By symmetry E is radial and same at every point on Gaussian surface. Flux Φ = E(4πr²). Enclosed charge =
Q.
By Gauss's law, E(4πr²) = Q/ε■ ⇒ E = Q/(4πε■ r²).

Result: Outside the shell, the field is same as that of a point charge Q located at centre:
\(E=\dfrac{Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r^2}\).

Q2. Two charges +6 µC and -2 µC are placed 30 cm apart in air. Find: (a) The electric field at a
point P, 20 cm from +6 µC along the line joining the charges. (b) The potential at point P due to
both charges. (k = 9×10■ Nm²/C²)
Given: q1=+6 µC, q2=-2 µC, separation=0.30 m. Point P lies on the line, 0.20 m from q1 towards q2.

Positions: Distance from q1 to P, r1 = 0.20 m. Distance from q2 to P, r2 = 0.30 - 0.20 = 0.10 m.

Electric field due to q1 at P (away from q1):

E1 = k q1 / r1² = (9×10■)(6×10■■)/(0.20)² = (9×10■×6×10■■)/0.04 = (54×10³)/0.04 = 1.35×10■ N/C
(directed away from q1, to the right).

Electric field due to q2 at P:

q2 = -2 µC; field due to a negative charge points towards the charge. At P (left of q2), direction is towards q2
(to the right).
E2 = k |q2| / r2² = (9×10■)(2×10■■)/(0.10)² = (18×10³)/0.01 = 1.8×10■ N/C (to the right).

Net field: Both fields are to the right, so E = E1 + E2 = 1.35×10■ + 1.8×10■ = 3.15×10■ N/C (to the right).

Potential at P: V = k(q1/r1 + q2/r2) = 9×10■[(6×10■■)/0.20 + (-2×10■■)/0.10]

Compute terms: (6×10■■)/0.20 = 30×10■■; (2×10■■)/0.10 = 20×10■■.

V = 9×10■[(30 - 20)×10■■] = 9×10■×10×10■■ = 9×10■×10■■ = 9×10■ V = 90,000 V.

Answers: E = 3.15×10■ N/C (to the right), V = 9.0×10■ V.

Q3. Derive an expression for the potential energy of a system of two point charges q1 and q2
separated by a distance r in vacuum. Also, find the work done in bringing a charge +3 µC from
infinity to a point 1 m away from a fixed charge +2 µC.
Potential energy: Work done to assemble two charges from infinity = potential of q1 at position of q2 times
q2.
U = k q1 q2 / r = (1/(4πε■)) (q1 q2 / r).

Numerical: q_fixed = +2 µC, q_brought = +3 µC, r = 1 m.

U = k (2×10■■)(3×10■■)/1 = 9×10■ × 6×10■¹² = 54×10■³ J = 0.054 J.

Work done by external agent (to bring slowly) = increase in potential energy = +0.054 J.

Q4. Draw the variation of electric potential V with distance r from the centre of a uniformly
charged spherical conductor. Explain the nature of the curve for the regions: (i) inside the
sphere (ii) on the surface (iii) outside the sphere
Graph description: For r < R (inside): potential V is constant and equal to V_surface. At r = R (on surface):
V has same constant value. For r > R (outside): V decreases as 1/r.

Explanation:
(i) Inside conductor electrostatic field E = 0 ⇒ potential is constant (no change) so V is flat for r < R.
(ii) On surface r = R, value V = kQ/R (continuous). (iii) Outside, V = kQ/r, so it falls as inverse of r (hyperbolic
curve).

Note: V is continuous at r = R; derivative (slope) changes because field (−dV/dr) is zero inside and finite
outside.

Q5. Derive an expression for the torque acting on an electric dipole placed in a uniform electric
field. Under what condition will the potential energy of the dipole be minimum? Explain.
Dipole in E-field: Consider dipole moment p = q·2a (from negative to positive) placed in uniform field E
making angle θ with p.
Forces on two charges are equal and opposite; they form a couple producing torque τ.

Magnitude of torque τ = pE sinθ. Vector form: \(\vec{\tau}=\vec{p}\times\vec{E}\).

Potential energy: U = −p·E = −pE cosθ. This is minimum when cosθ is maximum (i.e., cosθ = +1) ⇒ θ = 0°
(p aligned with E). So minimum U = −pE.

Interpretation: Dipole is most stable when aligned with E (positive end in direction of field).

Q6. Using Gauss’s theorem, derive an expression for the electric field due to an infinitely long
straight uniformly charged wire. Also, write the nature of electric field lines for this distribution.
Setup: Let linear charge density = λ (C/m). Choose a coaxial cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius r and
length L.
By symmetry E is radial and same on curved surface. Flux Φ = E (2π r L). Enclosed charge = λ L.
Gauss: E(2π r L) = λ L / ε■ ⇒ E = λ/(2π ε■ r).

Result: Electric field varies as 1/r, directed radially outward for positive λ.

Field lines: Straight radial lines in plane perpendicular to wire; in 3D they are radial cylinders outward from
wire (symmetry circle cross-section).

Q7. A parallel plate capacitor has plate area 0.5 m² and plate separation 2 mm. It is connected
to a 100 V battery. (a) Find the capacitance and charge stored. (b) If the separation between
plates is increased to 4 mm without disconnecting the battery, calculate the new capacitance
and charge.
Given: A = 0.5 m², d1 = 2 mm = 2×10■³ m, V = 100 V, ε■ = 8.854×10■¹² F/m.

Capacitance: C = ε■ A / d = (8.854×10■¹² × 0.5) / (2×10■³)

= (4.427×10■¹²) / 2×10■³ = 2.2135×10■■ F ≈ 2.21 nF.

Charge stored (connected to battery): Q = C V = 2.2135×10■■ × 100 = 2.2135×10■■ C ≈ 2.21×10■■ C.

When d2 = 4 mm (battery still connected):

C' = ε■ A / d2 = previous C × (d1/d2) = 2.2135×10■■ × (2/4) = 1.10675×10■■ F ≈ 1.11 nF.
Since battery connected, V remains 100 V ⇒ Q' = C' V = 1.10675×10■■ × 100 = 1.10675×10■■ C ≈
1.11×10■■ C.

Answers: C ≈ 2.21 nF, Q ≈ 2.21×10■■ C; after increase C' ≈ 1.11 nF, Q' ≈ 1.11×10■■ C.

Q8. Explain the concept of electric field lines. State any three properties of electric field lines.
Draw the field pattern for: (i) Two like charges (ii) A positive and a negative charge of equal
magnitude.
Concept: Field lines are imaginary lines that show direction of electric field; tangent at any point gives field
direction; density indicates field strength.

Properties (three):
1. Field lines begin on positive charges and end on negative charges (or at infinity).
2. They never intersect.
3. Density of lines is proportional to magnitude of field.

Patterns:
(i) Two like charges: lines repel each other; no lines go from one to the other; there is a region of neutral
point between them. (ii) Opposite equal charges (dipole): lines start on positive and end on negative,
showing curved lines joining them; symmetric pattern.

Exam tip: You may draw simplified diagrams showing arrows and symmetry; label charges and indicate
direction of field.

Prepared: Concise, exam-style 5-mark solutions. For detailed derivations with full diagrams, request 'detailed'
and I will include step-by-step figures.