CLASS: XII PHYSICS

Ch. 1 & 2 —> Electrosta cs

❖ Electric charge & its proper es:

1. If 109 electrons move out of a body to another body every second, how much time is required to
get a total charge of 1 C on the other body? [Ans: 198 years (approx)]

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2. How much positive and negative charge is there in a cup of water? [NCERT]

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[Ans: 1.34 × 107 C]

3. A polythene piece rubbed with wool is found to have a negative charge of 3 × 10–7 C.
(a) Estimate the number of electrons transferred (from which to which?). (b) Is there a transfer
of mass from wool to polythene? [NCERT]

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12 -18
[Ans: (i) 1.875 × 10 electrons, (ii) 1.706 × 10 Kg ]

4. Does the charge given to a metallic sphere depend on whether it is hollow or solid? Give reason
for your answer. [CBSE Delhi 2017]
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5. Is the force acting between two point charges q1 and q2 kept at some distance apart in air
attractive or repulsive when (i) q1q2 > 0 (ii) q1q2 < 0?

6. What is the nature of electrostatic force between two point electric charges q1 and q2 if
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(a) q1 + q2 > 0? (b) q1 + q2 < 0?

7. Can two balls, both carrying same type of charge, be attracted to each other?
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❖ Methods of Charge Transfer:

1. How can you charge a metal sphere positively without touching it? [NCERT]

2. Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B of identical size have charges qA and –3qA
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respectively. When they are brought in contact with each other and then separated, what are the
new charges on them? [CBSE (F) 2011]. [Ans: (-qA) on each sphere]

3. Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B of identical size have charges qA and qB
respectively. A third sphere C of the same size but uncharged is brought in contact with the first
and then in contact with the second and finally removed from both. What are the new charges
on A and B? [CBSE (F) 2011] [Ans: (-qA/2) on sphere A & (qA/4) + (qB/2) on sphere B]

4. Two metallic spheres A and B kept on insulating stands are in contact with each other. A
positively charged rod P is brought near the sphere A as shown in the figure. The two spheres

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 are separated from each other, and the rod P is
removed. What will be the nature of charges on
spheres A and B? [CBSE 2019] [Ans: Sphere A
negative & sphere B positive]

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5. A comb run through one’s dry hair attracts small bits of
paper. Why? What happens if the hair is wet or if it is a rainy day? (Remember, a paper does not
conduct electricity.). [NCERT]

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6. Ordinary rubber is an insulator. But special rubber tyres of aircraft are made slightly conducting.
Why is this necessary? [NCERT]

7. Vehicles carrying inflammable materials usually have metallic ropes touching the ground during

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motion. Why? [NCERT]

8. A bird perches on a bare high power line, and nothing happens to the bird. A man standing on
the ground touches the same line and gets a fatal shock. Why? [NCERT]
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❖ Coulomb’s Law & Superposi on principle:
1. What is the relevance of large value of K (=81) for water?
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2. Electrostatic forces are much stronger than gravitational force. Give one example.

3. Two equal balls having equal positive charge ‘q’ coulombs are suspended by two insulating
strings of equal length. What would be the effect on the force when a plastic sheet is inserted
between the two? [CBSE (AI) 2014] [Ans: Force between charged balls will decrease]
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4. Plot a graph showing the variation of coulomb force (F) versus (1/r2) , where r is the distance
between the two charges of each pair of charges: (1 µC, 2 µC) and (2 µC, – 3 µC). Interpret the
graphs obtained. [CBSE (AI) 2011]
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5. The sum of two point charges is 7 µC. They repel each other with a force of 1 N when kept 30cm
apart in free space. Calculate the value of each charge.
[CBSE (F) 2009]. [Ans: 5 µC, 2 µC]

6. Two point charges of +2 µC and +6 µC repel each other with a force of 12 N. If each is given an
additional charge of -4 µC, what will be the new force? [Ans: 4 N(Attractive)]

7. (a) Two insulated charged copper spheres A and B have their centres separated by a distance of
50 cm. What is the mutual force of electrostatic repulsion if the charge on each is 6.5 × 10-7 C?
The radii of A and B are negligible compared to the distance of separation.

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 (b) What is the force of repulsion if each sphere is charged double the above amount, and the
distance between them is halved? [NCERT] [Ans: (a) 1.52 × 10-2 N, (b) 0.243 N]

8. A charge Q is to be divided on two small objects. What should be the value of the charge on the
objects so that the force between the objects will be maximum. [Ans: Q/2 on each]

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9. Two fixed point charges 4Q and 2Q are separated by a distance ‘x’. Where should a third point

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charge q be placed for it to be in equilibrium?

10. Two free charges +q and +4q are placed at a distance ‘a’ apart. Find the magnitude, sign &
location of a third charge which makes the system in equilibrium.
[Ans: at a/3 from charge q and Q = - 4q/9]

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[Link] charges q and –3q are placed fixed on x-axis separated by distance ‘d’. Where should a
third charge 2q be placed such that it will not experience any force? [NCERT Exemplar].
[Ans: ——>
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12. A charge q is placed at the centre of the line joining two equal charges Q. Show that the system
of three charges will be in equilibrium if q = -Q/4

13. How far apart must two protons be if the electrical repulsive
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force acting on either one is equal to its weight? Given: mass of

proton = 1.66 × 10-27 Kg [Ans: 0.12 m]

14. Consider three charges q1, q2, q3 each equal to q at the

vertices of an equilateral triangle of side l. What is the force on
a charge Q (with the same sign as q) placed at the centroid of
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the triangle, as shown in Figure. [NCERT]. [Ans: Zero]

[Link] point charges qA =2µC, qB = –5 µC, qC =2µC, and qD = –

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5µC are located at the corners of a square ABCD of side 10 cm. What is the force on a charge
of 1 µC placed at the centre of the square? [NCERT] [Ans: Zero]

[Link] point charges Q, q, Q and q are placed at the corners of a square

of side ‘a’ as shown in figure. Find the resultant electric force on a
charge Q

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 [Link] point charges q, -4q and 2q are placed at the vertices of
an equilateral triangle ABC of side ‘l’ as shown in figure. Obtain
the expression for the magnitude of the resultant electric force
acting on the charge q. [CBSE 2018]

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[Ans: (√3q2 / 2πε0 l2 ) ]

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18. Three point electric charges +q each are kept at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side
‘a’. Determine the magnitude and sign of the charge to be kept at the centroid of the triangle so
that the charges at the vertices remain in equilibrium. [CBSE (F) 2015] [HOTS]

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[Ans: Q = -q/√3]

19. Four charges each equal to q, are placed at the four vertices of a regular pentagon. The
distance of each corner from the centre is ‘a’. Find the electric force on a charge ‘Q’ placed at
the centre O of the pentagon.
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20. The force between two point charges kept at a distance r apart in air is F. If the same charges
are kept in water at the same distance, how does the force between them change?
[Ans: force becomes (1/81) times]

21. An infinite number of charges, each equal to 4µC, are placed along x-axis at x= 1m, 2m, 4m,
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8m and so on. Find the total force on a charge of 1 C placed at the origin. [Ans: 4.8 × 104 N ]

❖ Concept of Electric Field & Electric Field Lines:

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1. Two point charges q1 and q2 are placed at a distance ‘d’ apart as shown in figure. The electric
field intensity is zero at the point P on the line joining them as shown. Write two conclusions that
you can draw from this. [CBSE 2014]
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2. Two point charges qA = 3 µC and qB = –3 µC are located 20 cm apart in vacuum.

(a) What is the electric field at the midpoint O of the line AB joining the two charges?

(b) If a negative test charge of magnitude 1.5 × 10-9 C is placed at this point, what is the force
experienced by the test charge?[NCERT] [Ans: (a) 5.4 × 106 N/C along OB, (b) 8.1 × 10-3 N]
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 3. Two point charges 4Q and Q are separated by 1 m in air. At what point on the line joining of
charges is the electric field intensity zero? [CBSE 2008] [Ans: At 2/3 m from charge 4Q]

4. Two point charges of + 5 × 10–19 C and +20 × 10–19 C are separated by a distance of 2 m.
Find the point on the line joining them at which electric field intensity is zero.

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[Ans: At 2/3 m from the first charge]

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5. Two charges +Q and -Q are kept at points (-x2, 0) and (+x1, 0) respectively, in the XY-plane. Find
the magnitude and direction of the net electric field at the origin (0, 0). [CBSE 2009]

6. Two point charges q1 and q2, of magnitude +10-8 C

and –10-8 C, respectively, are placed 0.1 m apart.

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Calculate the electric fields at points A, B and C
shown in Figure. [NCERT]

[Ans: 7.2 × 104 N/C, 3.2 × 104 N/C, 9 × 103 N/C]

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7. Two point charges +q and -2q are placed at the vertices B and C of an equilateral triangle ABC
of side ‘a’ as shown in the figure. Obtain the expression for (i) the magnitude and (ii) the
direction of the resultant electric field at the vertex A due to these two charges [CBSE 2014]

[Ans: (i) (√3q/ 4πε0 a2 ) (ii) At 300 with side AC ]

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8. A positive point charge +q is kept in the vicinity of an uncharged conducting plate. Sketch
electric field lines originating from the point on the surface of the plate. [CBSE (AI) 2009]

9. Why do the electrostatic field lines not form closed loops? [CBSE 2014,
2015]
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10. Figure shows a point charge + Q, located at a distance from the centre of
a spherical metal shell. Draw the electric field lines for the given system.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2016]

11. Sketch the electric field lines for a uniformly charged

hollow cylinder shown in figure. [NCERT Exemplar]

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 12. A metallic sphere is placed in a uniform electric field. Which one of paths a, b, c and d shown in
the figure will be followed by the field lines and why?

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13. What is electrostatic shielding? How is this property used in actual practice? Is the potential in
the cavity of a charged conductor zero? [CBSE South 2016]

14. Figure shows two large metal plates P1 and P2, tightly held against
each other and placed between two equal and unlike point charges
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perpendicular to the line joining them.

(i) What will happen to the plates when they are

released?

(ii) (ii) Draw the pattern of the electric field lines for the
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system. [CBSE (F) 2009]

15. Answer the following questions.

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(i) An electrostatic field line is a continuous curve. That is, a field line cannot have sudden breaks.
Why is it so?

(ii) Explain why two field lines never cross each other at any point.
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Ans: (i) An electrostatic field line is the path of movement of a

positive test charge (q0 → 0). A moving charge experiences a
continuous force in an electrostatic field, so an electrostatic
field line is always a continuous curve.

(ii) Two electric lines of force can never cross each other
because if they cross, there will be two directions of electric
field at the point of intersection (say A); which is impossible.

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 16. The given figure shows the electric field lines
around three point charges A, B and C.

(i) Which charges are positive?

(ii) Which charge has the largest magnitude? Why?

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(iii) In which region or regions of the picture could
the electric field be zero? (a) near A (b) near B

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(c) near C (d) nowhere. Justify your answer.
[NCERT Exemplar] [HOTS]

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17. The electric field E due to any point charge near it is defined as where q is the

test charge and F is the force acting on it. What is the physical significance of in this
expression?
Draw the electric lines of point charge Q when (i) Q > 0 and (ii) Q < 0.
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18. Which among the curves shown in figure cannot possibly represent electrostatic field lines?
[NCERT] [Ans: Only (c) is correct]
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❖ Electric Poten al & Work Done in moving the charges:

1. Name the physical quantity whose SI unit is JC–1. Is it a scalar or a vector

quantity? [CBSE Delhi 2010]

2. Figure shows the field lines on a positive charge. Is the work done by the
field in moving a small positive charge from Q to P positive or negative?
Give reason. [CBSE (F) 2014] [Ans: negative]

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 3. A point charge +Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure. Is the potential difference VA–VB
positive, negative or zero?
[CBSE Delhi 2016]

[Ans: positive]

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4. A point charge Q is placed at point O as shown in the figure. The potential difference VA–VB is
positive. Is the charge Q negative or positive? [CBSE (F) 2016] [Ans: Q is positive]

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5. A point charge Q is placed at point ‘O’ as shown in figure. Is the potential at point A, i.e., VA,
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greater, smaller or equal to potential, VB, at point B, when Q is (i) positive, and (ii) negative
charge? [Ans: (i) VA > VB , (ii) VA < VB]
[CBSE (F) 2017]
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6. A 500 µC charge is at the centre of a square of side 10 cm. Find the work done in moving a
charge of 10 µC between two diagonally opposite points on the square. [CBSE Delhi 2008]
[Ans: Zero]

7. What is the amount of work done in moving a point charge Q around a circular arc of radius ‘r’ at
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the centre of which another point charge ‘q’ is located? [CBSE North 2016] [Ans: Zero]

8. Plot a graph comparing the variation of potential ‘V’ and electric field
‘E’ due to a point charge ‘Q’ as a function of distance ‘R’ from the
point charge. [CBSE Delhi 2012]

9. The two graphs are drawn below, show the variations of electrostatic
potential (V) 1/r (r being the distance of field point from the point
charge) for two point charges q1 and q2.

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 (i) What are the signs of the two charges?
(ii) Which of the two charges has the larger magnitude and why? [HOTS]

[Ans: (i) q1 -> Positive, q2 -> Negative (ii) q2 has larger magnitude]

10. (a) Calculate the potential at a point P due to a charge of 4 × 10-7 C located 9 cm away.

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(b) Hence obtain the work done in bringing a charge of 2 × 10-9 C from infinity to the point P.

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Does the answer depend on the path along which the charge is brought? [NCERT].
[Ans: (a) 4 × 104 V, (b) 8 × 10-5 J, No, work done will be path independent ]

11. Two charges 3 × 10-8 C and –2 × 10-8 C are located 15 cm apart. At what point on the line

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joining the two charges is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
[NCERT] [Ans: electric potential is zero at 9 cm and 45 cm away from the positive
charge on the side of the negative charge]

12. Two charges 5 × 10–8 C and –3 × 10–8 C are located 16 cm apart. At what point(s) on the line
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joining the two charges is the electric potential zero? Take the potential at infinity to be zero.
[NCERT] [Ans: Potential is zero at 10 cm from positive charge]

13. A regular hexagon of side 10 cm has a charge 5 µC at each of its vertices. Calculate the
potential at the centre of the hexagon. [NCERT] [Ans: 2.7 × 106 V]
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14. A cube of side b has a charge q at each of its vertices. Determine the potential and electric field
due to this charge array at the centre of the cube. [NCERT]

[Ans: V = (4q/√3πε0 b ) ]
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[Link] charges having the values shown in figure, are arranged

symmetrically on a circle of radius 0.4 m in air. Calculate the
potential at the centre O. [Ans: 6.075 × 105 V]
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16. If a point charge +q0 is taken first from A to C and then from C to B of a
circle drawn with another point charge +q at centre, then along which
path more work will be done? [Ans: Work done will be equal]

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 [Link] the situation of given figure, the work done in taking a point charge from P to A is WA ,
from P to B is WB and from P to C is WC. What is the relation between WA , WB and WC

[Ans: WA = WB = WC]

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[H.C. Verma Book]

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18. A charge of 8 mC is located at the origin. Calculate the work done in taking a small charge of
–2×10-9 C from a point P (0, 0, 3cm) to a point Q (0, 4 cm, 0), via a point R (0, 6 cm, 9 cm).
[Ans: 1.27 J]
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19. A point charge q moves from point P to point S along the path PQRS in a uniform electric field
E pointing parallel to the positive direction of x-axis. The co-ordinates of points P, Q, R, S are (a,
b, 0), (2a, 0, 0), (a, -b, 0) and (0, 0, 0) respectively. Calculate the work done by the field in the
above process. [Ans: W = -qEa]
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20. Four point charges are placed at the four corners of a square in the two ways (i) and (ii) as
shown below. Will the (i) electric field (ii) electric potential, at the centre of the square, be the
same or different in the two configurations and why? [CBSE Sample Paper 2009, 2010]
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21. Can electric potential at a point be zero, while the electric field is not zero?

22. Can electric field at a point be zero, while electric potential is not zero?

23. Figures show the field lines of a positive and negative point charge respectively.

(a) Give the signs of the potential difference VP – VQ; VB – VA.

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 (b) Give the sign of the potential energy
difference of a small negative charge
between the points Q and P; A and B.

(c) Give the sign of the work done by the

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field in moving a small positive charge
from Q to P.

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(d) Give the sign of the work done by the
external agency in moving a small
negative charge from B to A.

(e) Does the kinetic energy of a small

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negative charge increase or decrease in going from B to A? [NCERT]

[Ans: (a) Both VP – VQ & VB – VAis positive; (b) Positive for both; (c) negative; (d) positive;
(e) K.E. decreases ]
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24. A uniform electric field exists between two charged plates as
shown in the fig. What should be the work done in moving a
charge q along the closed rectangular path ABCDA?

[Ans: Zero]
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❖ Electrosta c poten al Energy:

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1. Two protons are brought nearer; what will be the effect on potential energy of system?

Ans. A repulsive force acts between protons, if they are brought nearer, work must be done by
external force; hence the potential energy of system increases.

2. An electron and a proton are brought nearer; how does the potential energy of system change?

Ans. There is attractive force between an electron and a proton, therefore when they come nearer,
the work is done by the system itself and so the potential energy of system decreases.

3. Four charges are arranged at the corners of a square ABCD of side d, as shown in Fig.

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 (a) Find the work required to put together this arrangement.
(b) A charge q0 is brought to the centre E of the square, the four
charges being held fixed at its corners. How much extra work is
needed to do this? [NCERT]

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[Ans: (a)

(b) No work has to be done ]

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4. (a) Determine the electrostatic potential energy of a system consisting of two charges 7 µC and
–2 µC (and with no external field) placed at (–9 cm, 0, 0) and (9 cm, 0, 0) respectively.
(b) How much work is required to separate the two charges infinitely away from each other?
(c) Suppose that the same system of charges is now placed in an external electric field
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E = A (1/r2); A = 9 × 105 C m-2 . What would the electrostatic energy of the configuration be?

[NCERT] [Ans: (a) -0.7 J, (b) +0.7 J, (c) 49.3 J]

5. Three point charges +Q, –2Q and –3Q are placed at the
vertices of an equilateral triangle ABC of side ‘l’. If these
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charges are displaced to the mid points A1, B1 and C1

respectively, calculate the amount of work done in shifting
the charges to the new locations. [HOTS]

[Ans: W = (-2Q2/4πε0 l ) ]
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6. Two charges 5 nC and –2 nC are placed at points (5 cm, 0,

0) and (23 cm, 0, 0) in a region of space where there is no
other external field. Calculate the electrostatic potential
energy of this charge system. [HOTS] [Ans: 5 × 10-7J ]
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7. Obtain an expression for the work done to dissociate the

system of three charges placed at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle of side ‘a’ as shown alongside.
[CBSE North 2016]

8. Two positive point charges 15 µC and 10 µC are 30 cm apart.

Calculate the work done in bringing them closer to each other
by 15 cm. [Ans: 4.5 J]

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 9. You are given an arrangement of 3 point charges q, 2q and xq separated by equal finite
distances so that electric potential energy of the system is zero. Calculate the value of x.
[Ans: x = (-2/3)]

[Link] equal point charges of 3 × 10-7 C are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle

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whose side is 1 m. What is the potential energy of the system? Take as zero potential energy of
the three charges when they are infinitely far apart. [Ans:

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2.43 × 10-3 J]

[Link] charges Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertices of a

right-angled isosceles triangle as shown below. The net
electrostatic energy of the configuration is zero, then find the

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value of Q [JEE Main 2019]

[Ans:

❖ Equipoten al Surfaces:
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1. Depict the equipotential surfaces for a system of two identical positive point charges placed a
distance ‘d’ apart. [CBSE Delhi 2010]

2. Draw an equipotential surface for a system consisting of two charges Q, – Q separated by a

distance r in air. Locate the points where the potential due to the dipole is zero.
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[CBSE Delhi 2017, (AI) 2008, 2013]

Ans:- The equipotential surface for the system is as shown. Electric potential is zero at all points in
the plane passing through the dipole equator AB.
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3. Why do the equipotential surfaces due to a uniform electric field not intersect each other?
[CBSE (F) 2012]

Ans. This is because, at the point of intersection there will be two values of electric potential, which
is not possible.

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 4. “For any charge configuration, equipotential surface through a point is normal to the electric
field.” Justify. [CBSE Delhi 2014]

5. Why do the equipotential surfaces due to a uniform electric field not intersect each other?
[CBSE (F) 2012]

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Ans. This is because, at the point of intersection there will be two values of electric potential, which
is not possible.

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6. “For any charge configuration, equipotential surface through a point is normal to the electric
field.” Justify. [CBSE Delhi 2014]

7. Define an equipotential surface. Draw equipotential surfaces:

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(i) In the case of a single point charge and

(ii) In a constant electric field in Z-direction.

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Why the equipotential surfaces about a single charge are not equidistant?

(iii) Can electric field exist tangential to an equipotential surface? Give reason. [CBSE 2016]

8. Why is there no work done in moving a charge from one point to another on an equipotential
surface? [CBSE (F) 2012]
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9. Two uniformly large parallel thin plates having charge densities +σ and – σ are kept in the X-Z
plane at a distance‘d’ apart. Sketch an equipotential surface due to electric field between the
plates. If a particle of mass m and charge ‘–q’ remains stationary between the plates, what is the
magnitude and direction of this field? [CBSE 2011] [Ans: F = mg/q, vertically downwards]
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10. Draw 3 equipotential surfaces corresponding to a field that uniformly increases in magnitude
but remains constant along Z-direction. How are these surfaces different from that of a constant
electric field along Z-direction? [CBSE (AI) 2009]

11. Two point charges 3 µC and -3 µC are placed at points A and B, 5 cm apart.\
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(i) Draw the equipotential surfaces of the system

(ii) Why do equipotential surfaces get close to each other near the point charge? [CBSE 2011]

12. (i) Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each other? Give reason.

(ii) Two charges -q and +q are located at the points A (0, 0, -a) and B(0, 0, +a) respectively.
How much work is done in moving a test charge from point P(7, 0, 0) to Q(-3, 0, 0) ?
[Delhi 2009]. [Ans: (ii) Zero]

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 ❖ Rela on between E and V ( i.e. Poten al Gradient):
1. Concentric equipotential surfaces due to a charged body placed at
the centre are shown in figure. Identify the polarity of the charge and
draw the electric field lines due to it.

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[HOTS][CBSE Sample Paper 2016]

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2. Three points A, B and C lie in a uniform electric field (E) of 5 × 103
NC–1 as shown in the figure. Find the potential difference between A
and C. [CBSE (F) 2009]

[Ans: 200 volt]

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3. A test charge ‘q’ is moved without acceleration from A to C along the path from A to B and then
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from B to C in electric field E as shown in the figure.

(i) Calculate the potential difference

between A and C.

(ii) At which point (of the two) is the

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electric potential more and why?

[CBSE (AI) 2012].

[Ans: (i). -4E, (ii) At point C ]

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4. If the potential in the region of space around the point (-1m, 2m, 3m) is given by V = 10x2 + 5y2 -
3z2. Calculate the 3 components of electric field at this point.

5. If the potential (in Volts) in a region is expressed as V (x, y, z) = 6xy - y + 2yz, find the electric
field (in N/C) at point (1, 1, 0). [CBSE AIPMT 2015]

[Ans:

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 6. Two identical plane metallic surfaces A & B are kept parallel to each other in air separated by a
distance of 10 cm as shown in figure:-

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(i) What is the magnitude and direction of the uniform electric field between Y and Z?
(ii) What is the work done in moving a charge of 10 µC from X to Y?
[CBSE Sample Paper 2010]
[Ans: (i) 100 V/m from plate A to B; (ii) Zero ]
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7. The electric potential as a function of distance ‘x’ is shown in the figure. Draw a graph of the
electric field E as a function of x. [CBSE 2019]
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8. Figure shows some equipotential surfaces. What can you say about the magnitude and direction
of the electric field? [Ans: 200 V/m at 1200 with +ve X-axis]
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 ❖ Electric Dipole:
1. What orientation of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field corresponds to its (i) stable and
(ii) unstable equilibrium? [CBSE Delhi 2010][HOTS]

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2. What is the angle between the directions of electric field at any

(i) Axial point and

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(ii) Equatorial point due to an electric dipole? [Ans: 1800 ]

3. An arbitrary surface encloses a dipole. What is the electric flux through this surface?

as
[NCERT Exemplar]

4. Answer the following questions:

(i) Write SI unit of electric field intensity

Cl
(ii) Write SI unit of electric dipole moment.

5. What is the work done in moving a test charge q through a distance of 1 cm along the equatorial
axis of an electric dipole? [CBSE (AI) 2009]
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6. Define electric dipole moment. Is it a scalar or a vector quantity? What are its SI unit?
[CBSE (AI) 2011, 2013, (F) 2009, 2012, 2013]

7. Calculate the amount of work done in rotating a dipole, of dipole moment 3 × 10–8 Cm, from its
position of stable equilibrium to the position of unstable equilibrium, in a uniform electric field of
sp

intensity 104 N/C. [CBSE (F) 2011] [Ans: 6 × 10–4 J]

8. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field. (i) Show that the net force acting on it is zero.
(ii) The dipole is aligned parallel to the field. Find the work done in rotating it through the angle of
180°. [CBSE (AI) 2012]
In

9. Two small identical electrical dipoles AB and CD, each of

dipole moment ‘p’ are kept at an angle of 120° as shown in the
figure. What is the resultant dipole moment of this
combination? If this system is subjected to electric field
directed along + X direction, what will be the magnitude and
direction of the torque acting on this? [CBSE Delhi 2011]
[Ans: p, Torque = pE/2 (Direction of torque is along
positive Z-direction)]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 17

 10. An electric dipole of dipole moment p is placed in a uniform electric field E. Write the

expression for the torque experienced by the dipole. Identify two pairs of perpendicular
vectors in the expression. Show diagrammatically the orientation of the dipole in the field for
which the torque is (i) Maximum (ii) Half the maximum value (iii) Zero.

s
11. Given two parallel conducting plates of area A and charge densities +σ and –σ . A dielectric

se
slab of constant K and a conducting slab of thickness d each are inserted in between them as
shown.

as
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(a) Find the potential difference between the plates.
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(b) Plot E versus x graph, taking x = 0 at positive plate and x = 5d at negative plate.
[CBSE Sample Paper 2016]

12. Find an expression for the electric field strength at a distant point situated (i) on the axis and (ii)
along the equatorial line of an electric dipole.
sp

[CBSE (AI) 2013, (F) 2015]

13. An electric dipole is held in a uniform electric field. (i) Using suitable diagram show that it does
not undergo any translatory motion, and (ii) derive an expression for torque acting on it and
specify its direction.
In

(b) Derive an expression for the work done in rotating a dipole from the angle θ0 to θ1 in a
uniform electric field E. [CBSE East 2016]

14. (i) Define torque acting on a dipole of dipole moment p placed in a uniform electric field E.
Express it in the vector form and point out the direction along which it acts.

(ii) What happens if the field is non-uniform?

(iii) What would happen if the external field E is increasing (a) parallel to p and (b) anti-parallel to
p? [CBSE (F) 2016]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 18

 15. Two charges ±10 µC are placed 5.0 mm apart. Determine the electric field
at

(a) a point P on the axis of the dipole 15 cm away from its centre O on the
side of the positive charge, as shown in Fig. (a)

s
(b) a point Q, 15 cm away from O on a line passing through O and normal
to the axis of the dipole, as shown in Fig. (b).

se
as
Cl
[NCERT] [Ans: (a) 2.6×105 N/C, (b) 1.33 × 105 N/C]
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16. 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 are the total charge and electric dipole moment of
sp

the system? [NCERT]. [Ans: Total Charge is zero; 7.5 × 10 -8 C-m]

-9
17. An electric dipole with dipole moment 4 × 10 C m is aligned at 30° with the direction of a
uniform electric field of magnitude 5 × 104 N/C. Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on
the dipole. [NCERT] [Ans: 10 —4 N-m]
In

18. A dipole with its charge -q and +q located at the points (0, -b, 0) and (0, +b, 0) is present in a
uniform electric field E. The equipotential surfaces of this field are planes parallel to the Y-Z
plane.

(i) What is the direction of the electric field E?

(ii) How much torque would the dipole experience in this field?

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 19

 19. An electric dipole is placed at an angle of 300 with an electric field intensity 2 × 105 N/C. It
experiences a torque equal to 4 N-m. If the length of the dipole is 2 cm, then find the charge on
the dipole. [NEET 2016] [Ans: 2mC]

20.

s
(a) Derive an expression for the potential energy of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field.
Explain conditions for stable and unstable equilibrium.

se
(b) Is the electrostatic potential necessarily zero at a point where the electric field is zero? Give
an example to support your answer. [CBSE 2019]

as
❖ Gauss’ Law:
1. Fig. shows three point charges +2q, – q and +3q. The
Cl
charges +2q and –q are enclosed within a surface
‘S’. What is the electric flux due to this configuration
through the surface ‘S’?
[CBSE Delhi 2010]. [Ans: q/ε0]
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2. What is the electric flux through a cube of side 1 cm which encloses an electric dipole?
[CBSE Delhi 2015] [Ans: Zero]

3. Two charges of magnitudes – 2Q and + Q are located at points (a, 0) and (4a, 0) respectively.
What is the electric flux due to these charges through a sphere of radius ‘3a’ with its centre at
sp

the origin? [CBSE (AI) 2013] [Ans: -2Q/ε0]

4. How does the electric flux due to a point charge enclosed by a spherical Gaussian surface get
affected when its radius is increased? [CBSE Delhi 2016]
In

5. A charge Q µC is placed at the centre of a cube. What would be the flux through one face?
[CBSE (F) 2010, (AI) 2012] [Ans: (Q/6ε0) µVm ]

6. Answer the following questions:

(a) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.

(b) “Gauss’s law in electrostatics is true for any closed surface, no matter what its shape or size
is.” Justify this statement with the help of a suitable example. [CBSE Allahabad 2015]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 20

 7. Answer the Following Questions:

(i) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.

(ii) A spherical rubber 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

s
surface change? Give reason. [CBSE (F) 2016]

se
8. Consider a uniform electric field E = 3 × 103 N/C. (a) What is the flux of this field through a
square of 10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the yz plane? (b) What is the flux through
the same square if the normal to its plane makes a 60° angle with the x-axis? [NCERT]
[Ans: (a) 30 Nm2/C, 15 Nm2/C]

as
9. What is the net flux of the uniform electric field in above problem through a cube of side 20 cm
oriented so that its faces are parallel to the coordinate planes? [NCERT] [Ans: Zero]

10. Given a uniform electric field E = (5 × 10–3 ) î N/C, find the flux of this field through a square of
Cl
10 cm on a side whose plane is parallel to the Y-Z plane. What would be the flux through the
same square if the plane makes a 30° angle with the X-axis? [CBSE Delhi 2014]
[Ans: (i) 50 N-m2/C, (ii) 25 N-m2/C]

11. Careful measurement of the electric field at the surface of a black box indicates that the net
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outward flux through the surface of the box is 8.0 × 103 Nm2/C. (a) What is the net charge inside
the box? (b) If the net outward flux through the surface of the box were zero, could you conclude
that there were no charges inside the box? Why or Why not? [NCERT] [Ans: (a) 0.007 µC;
(b)No,The body may have equal amount of positive and negative charges. ]

12. A point charge +10 µC is a distance 5 cm directly above

sp

the centre of a square of side 10 cm, as shown in Fig. 1.34.

What is the magnitude of the electric flux through the
square? [NCERT]

[Ans: 1.88 × 105 N-m2/C ]

In

13. A point charge of 2.0 µC is at the centre of a cubic

Gaussian surface 9.0 cm on edge. What is the net electric
flux through the surface? [NCERT]
5 2
[Ans: 2.26 × 10 N-m /C ]

14. A point charge causes an electric flux of –1.0 × 103 N-m2/C to pass through a spherical
Gaussian surface of 10.0 cm radius centred on the charge. (a) If the radius of the Gaussian
surface were doubled, how much flux would pass through the surface? (b) What is the value of
Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 21
î
 the point charge? [NCERT]. [Ans: (a) flux passing through the surface remains the same;
(b) -8.854 nC]

15. Represent graphically the variation of electric field with distance, for a uniformly charged plane
sheet. [CBSE Sample Paper 2017]

s
16. Why is the potential inside a hollow spherical charged conductor constant and has the same
value as on its surface? [CBSE (F) 2012]

se
17. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is 10 V.
What is the potential at the centre of the sphere?[CBSE (AI) 2011]

18. Two concentric metallic spherical shells of radii R and 2R are given charges Q1 and Q2

as
respectively. The surface charge densities on the outer surfaces of the shells are equal.
Determine the ratio Q1 : Q2. [CBSE (F) 2013]
Cl [Ans 1 : 4]

Ans: (i) Charges induced on outer surfaces of P1 and P2 are – Q and + Q respectively. When
plates are released, they will tend to move away from one another; plate P1 moving towards + Q
and P2 towards – Q due to attraction.

19. A metallic spherical shell has an inner radius R1 and outer radius R2. A charge Q is placed at
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the centre of the spherical cavity. What will be surface charge density on (i) the inner surface,
and (ii) the outer surface? [NCERT Exemplar]

[Ans: (i) , (ii) ]

sp

20. A point charge is placed at the centre of a closed Gaussian spherical surface of radius r.
Electric flux passing through the surface is φ How is the electric flux φ through the surface
affected when the following changes are made in turn:

(i) The spherical surface is replaced by a cylindrical surface of the same radius? (ii) The point
In

charge is replaced by an electric dipole?Justify your answer in each

case.[Ans: (i) No change in Flux, (ii) Flux becomes Zero]

21. In the figure shown, calculate the total flux of the electrostatic field
through the spheres S1 and S2. The wire AB shown here has a linear
charge density λ given by. λ = kx where x is distance measured
along the wire, from the end A. [HOTS]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 22

 [Ans: ]

s
22. Consider two hollow concentric spheres, S1 and S2, enclosing

se
charges 2Q and 4Q respectively as shown in the figure. (i) Find out
the ratio of the electric flux through them. (ii) How will the electric
flux through the sphere S1 change if a medium of dielectric constant
‘εr’ is introduced in the space inside S1 in place of air? Deduce the
necessary expression. [HOTS] [Ans: (i) 1 : 3

(ii)

as ]
Cl
23. A conducting sphere of radius 10 cm has an unknown charge. If the electric field 20 cm from
the centre of the sphere is 1.5 × 103 N/C and points radially inward, what is the net charge on
the sphere? [NCERT] [Ans: 6.67nC]

24. A uniformly charged conducting sphere of 2.4 m diameter has a surface charge density of 80.0
ire

µC/m2. (a) Find the charge on the sphere. (b) What is the total electric flux leaving the surface of
the sphere? [NCERT] [Ans: (a) 1.447 × 10-3 N/C ; (b) 1.63 × 108 Nm2/C]

25. An infinite line charge produces a field of 9 × 104 N/C at a distance of 2 cm. Calculate the linear
charge density. [NCERT]
sp

26. Two large, thin metal plates are parallel and close to each other. On their inner faces, the
plates have surface charge densities of opposite signs and of magnitude 17.0 × 10-22 C/m2.
What is E: (a) in the outer region of the first plate, (b) in the outer region of the second plate, and
(c) between the plates? [NCERT]
In

27. Apply Gauss’ law to show that for a charged spherical shell, the electric field outside the shell
is, as if the entire charge were concentrated at the centre. [CBSE 2019]

28. Two large parallel plane sheets have uniform charge densities. Determine the electric field (i)
between the sheets and (ii) outside the sheets. [CBSE 2019]

29. The electric field components in given figure are Ex = αx1/2 , Ey = Ez = 0, in which α = 800 N/C
m1/2 . Calculate (a) the flux through the cube, and (b) the charge within the cube. Assume that a
= 0.1 m [NCERT]
Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 23
 s
se
as
[Ans: (a) Net Flux = 1.05 N m2 /C, (b) q = 9.27 ×10-12 C ]

30. State Gauss’s law in electrostatics. A cube with each side ‘a’ is kept in an electric field given by
E = Cx î (as is shown in the figure) where C is a
Cl
positive dimensional constant. Find out

(i) The electric flux through the cube,

and

(ii) The net charge inside the cube

ire

[CBSE (F) 2012]

[Ans:(i) (a3C) N-m2 C-1 , (ii) a3Cε0 Coulomb]

31. An electric field is uniform. It is given that E = 200

sp

î N/C for x>0 and E= –200 î N/C for x<0.

A right circular cylinder of length 20 cm and radius 5 cm has its centre at the origin and its axis
along the x-axis so that one face is at x = +10 cm
and the other is at x = –10 cm (Fig. 1.28).
In

(a) What is the net outward flux through each flat

face?

(b) What is the flux through the side of the cylinder?

(c) What is the net outward flux through the

cylinder?

(d) What is the net charge inside the cylinder?

[NCERT]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 24

 [Ans: (a) +1.57 Nm2 / C, (b) Zero, (c) 3.14 Nm2 / C, (d) q = 2.78 ×10-11 C]

32. A hollow cylindrical box of length 1 m and area of cross-section 25 cm2 is placed in a three
dimensional coordinate system as shown in the figure. The electric field in the region is given by
E = 50x î where E is in NC–1 and x is in metres. Find

s
(i) Net flux through the cylinder.

se
(ii) Charge enclosed by the cylinder. [CBSE Delhi 2013]

as
Cl
[Ans:(i) 0.125 N-m2 C-1 , (ii) 1.107 × 10–12 C]
ire

33. Two parallel uniformly charged infinite plane sheets, ‘1’ and ‘2’, have charge densities + σ and
–2 σ respectively. Give the magnitude and direction of the net electric field at a point.

(i) In between the two sheets and

(ii) Outside near the sheet ‘1’.
sp

34. A thin metallic spherical shell of radius R carries a

charge Q on its surface. A point charge Q/2 is placed at
the centre C and another charge +2Q is placed outside
the shell at A at a distance x from the centre as shown in
the figure. (i) Find the electric flux through the shell.
In

State the law used.

(ii) Find the force on the charges at the centre C of the

shell and at the point A.

[CBSE East 2016]

[Ans: (i) Q/2ε0 , Gauss’ Law is used (ii) Zero Force on charge at Point C,
and Force on charge at A is ——————————-—>

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 25

 35. (a) A conductor A with a cavity as shown in Fig.
1.36(a) is given a charge Q. Show that the
entire charge must appear on the outer surface
of the conductor. (b) Another conductor B with
charge q is inserted into the cavity keeping B

s
insulated from A. Show that the total charge on
the outside surface of A is Q + q [Fig. 1.36(b)].

se
(c) A sensitive instrument is to be shielded from
the strong electrostatic fields in its environment.
Suggest a possible way. [NCERT]

as
36. Show that the electric field at the surface of a charged conductor is given by E = (σ/ε0 ) n̂ ,
where n̂ is the unit vector in the outward normal direction, and σ is the surface charge density.
[CBSE 2010]
Cl
37. A hollow charged conductor has a tiny hole cut into its [Link] that the electric field in the
hole is (σ/2ε0 ) n̂ , where n̂ is the unit vector in the outward normal direction, and σ is the
surface charge density near the hole. [NCERT]

38. Two isolated metal spheres A and B have radii R and 2R respectively, and same charge q. Find
which of the two spheres have greater energy density just outside the surface of the spheres.
ire

[CBSE Sample Paper 2016] [Ans: Sphere A]

39. A thin conducting spherical shell of radius R has charge Q spread uniformly over its surface.
Using Gauss’s theorem, derive an expression for the electric field at a point outside the shell.

Draw a graph of electric field E(r) with distance r from the centre of the shell for 0 ≤ r ≤∞.
sp

[CBSE Delhi 2009]

40. Answer the following questions: (i) Define electric flux. Write its SI unit.

(ii) Using Gauss’s law, prove that the electric field at a point due to a uniformly charged infinite
In

plane sheet is independent of the distance from it.

(iii) How is the field directed if (i) the sheet is positively

charged, (ii) negatively charged?
[CBSE Delhi 2012, Central 2016]

41. Given a uniformly charged plane/sheet of surface

charge density, σ = 2 × 1017 C/m2.

i) Find the electric field intensity at a point A, 5 mm away

from the sheet on the left side.
Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 26
 (ii) Given a straight line with three points X, Y and Z placed 50 cm away from the charged sheet
on the right side. At which of these points, the field due to the sheet remain the same as that of
point A and why? [CBSE Sample Paper 2016]

[Ans: (i) E = 1.1×1028 N/C Directed away from the sheet , (ii) Point Y, Because at 50 cm,

s
the charge sheet acts as a finite sheet and thus the magnitude remains same towards
the middle region of the planar sheet.]

se
42. Three concentric metallic shells A, B and C of radii a, b
and c (a < b < c) have surface charge densities +σ, –σ and
+σ respectively as shown in the figure. If shells A and C
are at the same potential, then obtain the relation between

as
the radii a, b and c. [CBSE (F) 2014]

[Ans: a + b = c] Cl
❖ Capacitor:
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1. A metal plate is introduced between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor. What is its
effect on the capacitance of the capacitor?
[Ans: Net Capacitance increases] [CBSE (F) 2009]

2. Sketch graph to show how charge Q given to a capacitor of capacitance C varies with the
potential difference.
sp

3. Express dielectric constant of a medium in terms of capacitance. What is its SI unit?

4. What is the function of a dielectric in a capacitor?

Ans. Dielectric reduces the effective potential on plates and hence increases the capacitance.
In

5. The graph shows the variation of voltage ‘V’ across the plates
of two capacitors A and B versus increase of charge ‘Q’ stored
on them. Which of the two capacitors has higher capacitance?
Give reason for your answer. [HOTS]

6. Why does current in a steady state not flow in a capacitor

connected across a battery? However momentary current does
flow during charging or discharging of the capacitor. Explain.
[CBSE (AI) 2017]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 27

 Ans: (i) In the steady state no current flows through
capacitor because, we have two sources (battery and fully
charged capacitor) of equal potential connected in
opposition.

s
(ii) During charging or discharging there is a momentary
flow of current as the potentials of the two sources are not
equal to each other

se
7. Figure shows a sheet of aluminium foil of negligible thickness placed
between the plates of a capacitor.

How will its capacitance be affected if:

as
(i) The foil is electrically insulated?
(ii) The foil is connected to the upper plate with a conducting wire?
[CBSE (F) 2009]
Cl
8. Find the charge on the capacitor as shown in the circuit.
[CBSE (F) 2014]

[Ans: 4 µC]
ire

9. Figure shows two identical capacitors, C1 and

C2, each of 1 mF capacitance connected to a
sp

battery of 6 V. Initially switch ‘S’ is closed. After

sometimes ‘S’ is left open and dielectric slabs
of dielectric constant K = 3 are inserted to fill
completely the space between the plates of
the two capacitors. How will the (i) charge
In

and (ii) potential difference between the plates

of the capacitors be affected after the slabs
are inserted? [CBSE Delhi 2011] [Ans: (i)
Charge on C1 : 18 µC and on C2 : 6 µC, (ii)
p.d. across C1: 6 V and across C2: 2 V]

10. Answer the following questions

(i) A parallel plate capacitor (C1) having charge Q is connected, to an identical uncharged
capacitor C2 in series. What would be the charge accumulated on the capacitor C2?

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 28

 (ii) Three identical capacitors each of capacitance 3 µF are connected, in turn, in series and in
parallel combination to the common source of V volt. Find out the ratio of the energies stored in
two configurations. [CBSE South 2016]. [Ans: (i) Zero, (ii) 1 : 9]

11. Net capacitance of three identical capacitors in series is 1 µF. What will be their net

s
capacitance if connected in parallel?

Find the ratio of energy stored in the two configurations if they are both connected to the same

se
source. [CBSE (AI) 2011] [Ans: 9 µF, 1 : 9]

12. Find the equivalent capacitance of the network shown in the figure, when each capacitor is of 1
µF. When the ends X and Y are connected to a 6 V battery, find out

as
(i) The charge and
(ii) The energy stored in the network.

[Ans: (i) 6 µC, (ii) 18 µJ]

Cl
13. A network of four capacitors each of 15 µF
capacitance is connected to a 500 V supply
as shown in the figure. Determine:-

(a) Equivalent capacitance of the network and (b) Charge

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on each capacitor. [CBSE (AI) 2010]

[Ans: (a) 20 µF, (b) Charge on C4 = 7500µC and

Charge on C1, C2 & C3 = 2500 µC]
sp

[Link] given graph shows the variation of charge q versus potential

difference V for two capacitors C1 and C2. The two capacitors
have same plate separation but the plate area of C2 is double
than that of C1. Which of the two graphs P and Q correspond to
In

capacitors C1 and C2 and why? [Ans: Q represents C2 and P

represents C1

15. A very thin plate of metal is placed exactly in the middle of the
two plates of a parallel plate capacitor. What will be the effect on the capacitance of the system?

16. A parallel plate capacitor each with plate area A and separation‘d’ is charged to a potential
difference V. The battery used to charge it is then disconnected. A dielectric slab of thickness d
and dielectric constant K is now placed between the plates. What change if any, will take place
in

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 29

 (i) Charge on the plates
(ii) Electric field intensity between the plates, (iii) Capacitance of the capacitor

Justify your answer in each case. [CBSE (F) 2010] [Ans: (i) No change in Charge (ii) E
becomes 1/K times (iii) C becomes K times]

s
17. A parallel plate capacitor is charged by a battery, which is then disconnected. A dielectric slab is
then inserted in the space between the plates. Explain what changes, if any, occur in the values

se
of:

(i) Capacitance
(ii) Potential difference between the plates (iii) Electric field between the plates, and (iv) The
energy stored in the capacitor. [CBSE Delhi 2010, (AI) 2009, 2012] [Ans: (i) C becomes K times,

as
(ii) V becomes 1/K times, (iii) E becomes 1/K times, (iv) Energy becomes 1/K times ]

18. A parallel plate is charged by a battery. When the battery remains connected, a dielectric slab
is inserted in the space between the plates. Explain what changes if any, occur in the values of
Cl
(i) Potential difference between the plates (ii) Capacitance
(iii) Charge on the plates
(iv) Energy stored in the capacitor? (v)
Electric field strength between the plates. [CBSE Delhi 2010]
ire

19. Answer the following questions

(i) Find equivalent capacitance between A and B in the combination given below. Each capacitor is
of 2µF capacitance.
sp
In

(ii) If a dc source of 7V is connected across AB, how much charge is drawn from the source and
what is the energy stored in the network? [CBSE Delhi 2017].
[Ans: (i) 6/7 µF , (ii) 6 µC, 21 µJ]

20. Two parallel plate capacitors X and Y have the same area of
plates and same separation between them. X has air between
the plates while Y contains a dielectric medium εr = 4.

(i) Calculate the capacitance of each capacitor if equivalent

capacitance of the combination is 4 µF.

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 30

 (ii) Calculate the potential difference between the plates of X and Y.

(iii) Estimate the ratio of electrostatic energy stored in X and Y. [CBSE Delhi 2016].
[Ans: (i) 5 µF & 20 µF (ii) 12 V & 3 V, (iii) 4 : 1]

21. In a parallel plate capacitor with air between the plates, each plate has an area of 5 × 10–3 m2

s
and the separation between the plates is 2.5 mm.

se
(i) Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
(ii) If this capacitor is connected to 100 V supply, what would be the charge on each plate?

(iii) How would charge on the plates be affected, if a 2.5 mm thick mica sheet of K = 8 is

as
inserted between the plates while the voltage supply remains connected? [CBSE (F) 2014]
[Ans: (i) 17.7 × 10–12 F, (ii) 17.7 × 10–10 C, (iii) 1.416 × 10–8 C ]

22. A capacitor of unknown capacitance is connected across a battery of V volts. The charge
stored in it is 360 µC. When potential across the capacitor is reduced by 120 V, the charge
Cl
stored in it becomes 120 µC. Calculate:

(i) The potential V and the unknown capacitance C.

(ii) What will be the charge stored in the capacitor, if the voltage applied had increased by 120
ire

V? [CBSE Delhi 2013] [Ans: (i) 180 V, 2 µF (ii) 600 µC]

23. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. It is then connected to

another uncharged capacitor having the same capacitance. Find out the ratio of the energy
stored in the combined system to that stored initially in the single capacitor. [CBSE (AI) 2014]
sp

[Ans- 1 : 2 ]

24. Calculate the equivalent capacitance between points A and B in the circuit below. If a battery of
10 V is connected across A and B, calculate the charge drawn from the battery by the circuit.
[CBSE East 2016]
In

[Ans: 100 µC ]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 31

 25. A 12 pF capacitor is connected to a 50 V battery. How much electrostatic energy is stored in the
capacitor? If another capacitor of 6 pF is connected in series with it with the same battery
connected across the combination, find the charge stored and potential difference across each
capacitor. [CBSE Delhi 2017] [Ans: 1.5 × 10–8 J , 2 × 10–10 C, (50/3)V and (100/3)V]

s
26. In the given circuit in the steady state, obtain the expression for (a) the potential drop (b) the
charge and (c) the energy stored in the capacitor, C. [CBSE (F) 2015]

se
as
Cl
[Ans: (i) V/3 , (ii) CV/3, (iii) CV2 /18]

27. Calculate the potential difference and the energy stored in the capacitor C2 in the circuit shown
in the figure. Given potential at A is 90 V, C1 = 20 µF, C2 = 30 µF, C3 = 15 µF.
[CBSE Allahabad 2015]
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[Ans: 20 V and 6000 µJ]

28. In the following arrangement of capacitors, the energy stored in the 6 µF capacitor is E. Find
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the value of the following:

(i) Energy stored in 12 µF capacitor.

(ii) Energy stored in 3 µF capacitor.
(ii) Total energy drawn from the battery
In

[CBSE (F) 2016]

[Ans: (i) 2 E, (ii) 18 E, (iii) 21 E]

29. Two identical parallel plate (air) capacitors C1 and C2 have capacitances C each. The space
between their plates is now filled with dielectrics as shown. If the two capacitors still have equal

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 32

 capacitance, obtain the relation between dielectric constants K, K1 and K2.
[HOTS] [CBSE (F) 2011]

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as
[Ans: K = (2K1K2 )/(K1 + K2)]

30. You are given an air filled parallel plate capacitor C1. The space between its plates is now filled
with slabs of dielectric constants K1 and K2 as shown in C2. Find the capacitances of the
capacitor C2. if area of the plates is A and distance
between the plates is d.
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[HOTS] [CBSE (F) 2011]

[Ans: K = (K1 + K2)/2]]

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31. Two identical parallel plate capacitors A and B are connected to a battery of V volts with the
switch S closed. The switch is now opened and the free space between the plates of the
capacitors is filled with a dielectric of dielectric constant K. Find the ratio of the total electrostatic
energy stored in both capacitors before and after the introduction of the dielectric.
[CBSE (AI) 2017]
In

[Ans: 2K/(K2 +1)]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 33
 32. A spherical conducting shell of inner radius r1 and outer radius r2 has a charge ‘Q’. A charge ‘q’
is placed at the centre of the shell.

(a) What is the surface charge density on the (i) inner surface, (ii) outer surface of the shell?
(b) Write the expression for the electric field at a point x > r2 from the centre of the shell.

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[CBSE (AI) 2010]

33. Derive an expression for the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor when a

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dielectric slab of dielectric constant K and thickness but of same area as that of the plates is
inserted between the capacitor plates. (d = separation between the plates). [CBSE (F) 2010]

34. Derive an expression for the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor C, charged to a

as
potential difference V. Hence derive an expression for the energy density of a capacitor.
[CBSE (AI) 2012, (F) 2013, Allahabad 2015]

36. A parallel plate capacitor (A) of capacitance C is charged by a battery to voltage V. The battery
is disconnected and an uncharged capacitor (B) of capacitance 2C is connected across A. Find
the ratio of
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(i) final charges on A and B

(ii) total electrostatic energy stored in A and B finally and that stored in A initially.
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[CBSE 2023]
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Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 34

 ❖ MCQs

❖ From H.C. Verma Book :

1. If a body is charged by rubbing it, its weight

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(a) remains precisely constant (b) increases slightly

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(c) decreases slightly (d) may increase slightly or may decrease slightly

2. Figure shows some of the electric field lines corresponding to an electric field.
The figure suggests that

as
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(a) EA > EB > EC (b) EA = EB = EC (c) EA = EC > EB (d) EA = EC < EB
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3. When the separation between two charges is increased, the electric potential
energy of the charges

(a) increases (b) decreases

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(c) remains the same (d) may increase or decrease

4. If a positive charge is shifted from a low-potential region to a high-potential

region, the electric potential energy
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(a) increases (b) decreases

(c) remains the same (d) may increase or decrease

5. An electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric field. The net electric force on
the dipole

(a) is always zero

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 35

 (b) depends on the orientation of the dipole

(c) can never be zero

(d) depends on the strength of the dipole

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6. A point charge q is rotated along a circle in the electric field generated by another

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point charge Q. The work done by the electric field on the rotating charge in one
complete revolution is

(a) Zero (b) positive (c) negative

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(d) zero if the charge Q is at the centre and non-zero otherwise

7. A metallic particle having no net charge is placed near a finite metal plate carrying
a positive charge. The electric force on the particle will be

(a) towards the plate

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(c) parallel to the plate (d) zero

8. A thin, metallic spherical shell contains a charge Q on it. A point charge q is

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placed at the centre of the shell and another charge q1 is placed outside it as
shown in figure. All the three charges are positive. The force on the charge at
the centre is
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(a) towards left (b) towards right (c) upward (d) zero

9. A charge q is placed at the centre of the open end of a cylindrical vessel.

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 36

 The flux of the electric field through the surface of the vessel is

(a) zero (b) q/ε0 (c) q/2ε0 (d) 2q/ε0

10. A positive point charge Q is brought near an isolated metal cube.

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(a) The cube becomes negatively charged

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(b) The cube becomes positively charged

(c) The interior becomes positively charged and the surface becomes negatively
charged

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11. A capacitor of capacitance C is charged to a potential V. The flux of the electric
field through a closed surface enclosing the capacitor is

(a) CV/ε0 (b) 2CV/ε0 (c) CV/2ε0

Cl (d) zero

12. A dielectric slab is inserted between the plates of an isolated capacitor. The
force between the plates will

(a) increase (b) decrease (c) remain unchanged (d) become zero
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13. The energy density in the electric field created by a point charge falls off with the
distance from the point charge as

(a) 1/r (b) 1/r2 (c) 1/r3 (d) 1/r4

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14. Two metal plates having charges Q, -Q face each other at some separation and
are dipped into an oil tank. If the oil is pumped out, the electric field between the
plates will
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(a) increase (b) decrease (c) remain the same (d) become zero

15. Two metal spheres of capacitances C1 and C2 carry some charges. They are
put in contact and then separated. The final charges Q1 and Q2 on them will
satisfy

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 37

 16. Three capacitors of capacitances 6 µF each are available. The minimum and
maximum capacitances, which may be obtained are

(a) 6 µF, 18 µF (b) 3 µF, 12 µF (c) 2 µF, 12 µF (d) 2 µF, 18 µF

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17. The equivalent capacitance of the combination shown in figure is :

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(a) C (b) 2 C

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(c) C/2 (d) none of these
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❖ From NCERT Exemplar Book :
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18. A point positive charge is brought near an isolated conducting sphere (Fig. 1.2).
The electric field is best given by
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(a) Fig(i) (b) Fig(ii) (c) Fig(iii) (d) Fig(iv)

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 38

 19. The Electric flux through the surface

(a) in Fig.(iv) is the largest.

(b) in Fig.(iii) is the least.

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(c) in Fig.(ii) is same as Fig.(iii) but is smaller than Fig. (iv)

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(d) is the same for all the figures.

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20. Figure shows electric field lines in which an electric dipole p is placed as shown.
Which of the following statements is correct?

(a) The dipole will not experience any force.

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(b) The dipole will experience a force towards

right.

(c) The dipole will experience a force towards left.

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(d) The dipole will experience a force upwards.

21. A point charge +q, is placed at a distance d

from an isolated conducting plane. The field at
a point P on the other side of the plane is

(a) directed perpendicular to the plane and away from the plane

(b) directed perpendicular to the plane but towards the plane.

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 39

 (c) directed radially away from the point charge.

(d) directed radially towards the point charge.

22. A hemisphere is uniformly charged positively. The electric field at a point on a

s
diameter away from the centre is directed

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(a) perpendicular to the diameter

(b) parallel to the diameter

(c) at an angle tilted towards the diameter

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(d) at an angle tilted away from the diameter.

23. A positively charged particle is released from rest in an uniform electric field. The
electric potential energy of the charge
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(a) remains a constant because the electric field is uniform.

(b) increases because the charge moves along the electric field.
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(c) decreases because the charge moves along the electric field.

(d) decreases because the charge moves opposite to the electric field.

24. Figure shows some equipotential lines distributed in space. A charged object is
moved from point A to point B.
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In

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 40

 (a) The work done in Fig.(i) is the greatest.

(b) The work done in Fig.(ii) is least.

(c) The work done is the same in Fig. (i), Fig. (ii) and Fig. (iii).

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(d) The work done in Fig. (iii) is greater than Fig. (ii) but equal to that in Fig. (i)

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25. A parallel plate capacitor is made of two dielectric blocks in series. One of the
blocks has thickness d1 and dielectric constant k1 and the other has thickness

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d2 and dielectric constant k2 as shown in Fig. 2.3. This arrangement can be
thought as a dielectric slab of thickness d (= d1 + d2) and effective dielectric
constant k. The k is
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[Ans: 1. (d), 2. (c), 3. (d), 4. (a), 5. (a), 6. (a), 7. (a), 8. (d), 9. (c), 10. (d), 11. (d), 12. (c),
13. (d), 14. (a), 15. (b), 16. (d), 17. (b), 18. (a), 19. (d), 20. (c), 21. (a), 22. (a), 23. (c),
24. (c), 25. (c) ]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 41

 ❖ Asser on-Reason Ques ons:
The following ques ons consist of two statements — Asser on (A) and Reason (R).
Answer these ques ons selec ng the appropriate op on given below :

(a) Both A and B are true and R is the correct explana on of A.

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(b) Both A and B are true but R is NOT the correct explana on of A.

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(c) A is true but R is false.

(d) A is false and R is also false.

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1. Asser on (A) : Work done in moving a charge around a closed path, in an electric eld
is always zero.
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Reason (R) : Electrosta c force is a conserva ve force. [CBSE 2023]

2. Asser on (A) : If there exists coulomb a rac on between two bodies, both of them
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may not be charged.

Reason (R) : In coulomb a rac on two bodies are oppositely charged.

3. Asser on (A) : No two electric lines of force can intersect each other.
sp

Reason (R) : Tangent at any point of electric line of force gives the direc on of electric
eld.

4. Asser on (A) : As force is a vector quan ty, hence electric eld intensity is also a vector
In

quan ty.

Reason (R) : The unit of electric eld intensity is newton per coulomb.

5. Asser on (A) : Sharper is the curvature of spot on a charged body higher will be the
surface charge density at that point.

Reason (R) : Electric eld is non-zero inside a charged conductor.

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 42

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 6. Asser on (A) : Charging is due to transfer of electrons.

Reason (R) : Mass of a body decreases slightly when it is nega vely charged.

7. Asser on (A) : Range of Coulomb force is in nite.

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Reason (R) : Coulomb force acts between two charged par cles.

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8. Asser on (A) : If a point charge be rotated in a circle around a charge, the work done
will be zero.

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Reason (R) : Work done is equal to dot product of force and distance.

9. Asser on (A) : If a conduc ng medium is placed between two charges, then electric
force between them becomes zero.
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Reason (R) : Reduc on in a force due to introduced material is inversely propor onal
to its dielectric constant.

10. Asser on (A) : In electrosta cs, electric lines of force can never be closed loops, as a
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line can never start and end on the same charge.

Reason (R) : The number of electric lines of force origina ng or termina ng on a

charge is propor onal to the magnitude of charge.
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11. Asser on (A) : Charge is quan sed.

Reason (R) : Charge which is less than 1 C is not possible.

In

12. Asser on (A) : In a non-uniform electric eld, a dipole will have translatory as well as
rotatory mo on.

Reason (R) : In a non-uniform electric eld, a dipole experiences a force as well as

torque.

13. Asser on (A) : Using Gauss law, it is possible to nd electric eld at any point.

Reason (R) : Gauss law is applicable for any type of charge distribu on.
Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 43
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 14. Asser on (A) : Posi ve charge always moves from a higher poten al point to a lower
poten al point.

Reason (R) : Electric poten al is a vector quan ty.

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15. Asser on (A) : The whole charge of a conductor cannot be transferred to another

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isolated conductor.

Reason (R) : The total transfer of charge from one to another is not possible.

16. Asser on (A) : Capacity of a parallel plate capacitor increases when distance between

as
the plates is decreased.

Reason (R) : Capacitance of capacitor is inversely propor onal to distance between

them.
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17. Asser on (A) : When air between the plates of a parallel plate condenser is replaced
by an insula ng medium of dielectric constant its capacity increases.
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Reason (R) : Electric eld intensity between the plates with dielectric in between it is
reduced.

18. Asser on (A) : The dielectric constant for metals is in nity.

sp

Reason (R) : When a charged capacitor is lled completely with a metallic slab, its
capacity becomes very large.

19. Asser on (A) : Two adjacent conductors, carrying the same posi ve charge have no
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poten al di erence between them.

Reason (R) : The poten al of a conductor does not depend upon the charge given to it.

20. Asser on (A) : Charge on all the capacitors connected in series is the same.

Reason (R) : Capacitance of capacitor is directly propor onal to charge on it.

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 44

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 21. Asser on (A) : Increasing the charge on the plates of a capacitor means increasing the
capacitance.

Reason (R) : Capacitance is directly propor onal to charge.

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22. Asser on (A) : The surface of a conductor is an equipoten al surface.

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Reason (R) : Conductor allows the ow of charge.

23. Asser on (A) : An applied electric eld will polarise the polar dielectric material.

as
Reason (R) : In polar dielectrics, each molecule has a permanent dipole moment but
these are randomly oriented in the absence of an externally applied
electric eld.
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24. Asser on (A) : Lines of force are perpendicular to conductor surface.

Reason (R) : Generally electric eld is perpendicular to equipoten al surface.

25. Asser on (A) : Electric poten al and electric poten al energy are two di erent
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quan es.

Reason (R) : For a test charge q and a point charge Q, the electric poten al energy
becomes equal to the poten al.
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[Ans: 1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (a), 4. (b), 5. (c), 6. (c), 7. (b), 8. (a), 9. (a), 10. (b), 11. (c),
12. (a), 13. (c), 14. (c), 15. (d), 16. (a), 17. (a), 18. (c), 19. (d), 20. (c), 21. (d),
22. (a), 23. (b), 24. (a), 25. (c) ]

Er. Ayush Jain- 8410847133 Page 45

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