Electrostatics - NEET Physics Questions
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Electrostatics

Question 11: moderate

The work done required to change the structure (1) into structure (2) ?

1. \[ -\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q^{2}}{l}\]
2. \[ +\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q^{2}}{2l}\]
3. \[ -\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q^{2}}{2l}\]
4. \[ +\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q^{2}}{l}\]
View Answer

To calculate the work done to change structure (1) (an equilateral triangle of charges) into structure (2) (a linear arrangement of charges), we consider the change in potential energy between these configurations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 1: Potential energy of structure (1)
For an equilateral triangle with charges \(+q\) at each corner and side length \(\ell\), the potential energy \(U_1\) is:

\[
U_1 = \frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \left[ \frac{q^2}{\ell} + \frac{q^2}{\ell} + \frac{q^2}{\ell} \right] = \frac{3q^2}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell}
\]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Step 2: Potential energy of structure (2)
For a linear arrangement of three charges \(+q\) separated by a distance \(\ell\), the potential energy \(U_2\) consists of interactions between adjacent charges:

\[
U_2 = \frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \left[ \frac{q^2}{\ell} + \frac{q^2}{2\ell} \right] = \frac{q^2}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell} \left(1 + \frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell}
\]

---

Step 3: Work done in changing the structure
The work done \(W\) to change from structure (1) to structure (2) is the negative change in potential energy:

\[
W = -(U_2 - U_1)
\]

Calculating \(U_2 - U_1\):

\[
U_2 - U_1 = \frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell} - \frac{3q^2}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell} = \frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell} - \frac{6q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell} = -\frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell}
\]

Therefore, the work done:

\[
W = -\left(-\frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell}\right) = \frac{3q^2}{8 \pi \varepsilon_0 \ell}
\]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Correct Answer:
\[
W={-\frac{1}{4 \pi \varepsilon_0} \frac{q^2}{2\ell}}
\]

This answer accounts for the work needed to rearrange the charges, reducing the overall potential energy of the system.

Question 12: moderate

Two identical particles of mass m carry a charge Q each. Initially one is at rest on a smooth horizontal plane and the other is projected along the plane directly towards first particle from a large distance with speed v. The closest distance of approach is

1. \[ \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{Q^{2}}{mv}\]
2. \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{4Q^{2}}{mv^{2}}\]
3. \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{2Q^{2}}{mv^{2}} \]
4. \[ \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{3Q^{2}}{mv^{2}}\]
View Answer

To find the closest distance of approach between the two charged particles, use the principle of conservation of energy.

Initially, the total energy is kinetic energy \( \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \) of the moving particle, and there is no potential energy as the particles are initially far apart. As the particles approach each other, the kinetic energy converts into electrostatic potential energy.

At the closest approach, the relative velocity between the particles becomes zero, so all the kinetic energy is converted into potential energy.

The potential energy between two charges \( Q \) separated by a distance \( r \) is:

\[
U = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{Q^2}{r}
\]

At the closest approach, the total energy is:

\[
\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{Q^2}{r}
\]

Solving for \( r \):

\[
r = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{4Q^2}{mv^2}
\]

Thus, the closest distance of approach is:

\[
{\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{4Q^2}{mv^2}}
\]

Question 13: moderate

Electric charges are distributed in a small volume. The flux of the electric field through a spherical surface of radius 10 cm surrounding the total charge is 25 V-m. The flux over a concentric sphere of radius 20 cm will be :

1. 25 V-m
2. 50 V-m
3. 100 V-m
4. 200 V-m
View Answer

The electric flux through a spherical surface depends only on the total enclosed charge, as per Gauss's law:

\[
\Phi = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\epsilon_0}
\]

Since the total charge enclosed remains the same regardless of the sphere's radius, the flux through the concentric sphere of radius 20 cm will also be 25 V-m.

Question 14: moderate

A square surface of side L metres is in the plane of the paper. A uniform electric field \(\overrightarrow{E} \)(volt/m), also in the plane of the paper, is limited only to the lower half of the square surface (see figure). The electric flux in SI units associated with the surface is :

1. EL²
2. \[ EL^{2}/2\varepsilon_{0}\]
3. EL²/2
4. zero
View Answer

Angle between area vector and Electric field is 90º. So Flux is zero.

Question 15: difficult

Consider the situation shown in figure. A point charge q is placed at a depth h= √3R exactly below the centre of mouth of a vessel whose open end is circular having a radius R. Calculate the electric flux through the lateral surface of this vessel.

1. \[ \frac{q}{2\epsilon_{0}}\left( 1-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \right)\]
2. \[ \frac{q}{2\epsilon_{0}}\left( 1+\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \right)\]
3. \[ \frac{q}{\epsilon_{0}}\]
4. \[ \frac{q}{2\epsilon_{0}}\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \right)\]
View Answer

To calculate the electric flux through the lateral surface of the vessel, we apply Gauss's law and consider the symmetry of the system.

---=====================================

Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Total Flux from the Charge \(q\):
The total flux emitted by the point charge \(q\) in all directions is:
\[
\Phi_{\text{total}} = \frac{q}{\varepsilon_0}.
\]

2. Flux Through the Circular Mouth:
Using the geometry of the vessel, the charge \(q\) is placed at a depth \(h = \sqrt{3}R\). The flux through the circular mouth of radius \(R\) can be calculated as:
\[
\Phi_{\text{mouth}} = \frac{q}{2\varepsilon_0}.
\]

3. Flux Through the Lateral Surface
By symmetry, the flux through the lateral surface is the remaining flux from the total flux after subtracting the flux through the mouth:
\[
\Phi_{\text{lateral}} = \Phi_{\text{total}} - \Phi_{\text{mouth}}.
\]

4. Simplify:
Substitute the values:
\[
\Phi_{\text{lateral}} = \frac{q}{\varepsilon_0} - \frac{q}{2\varepsilon_0}.
\]
\[
\Phi_{\text{lateral}} = \frac{q}{2\varepsilon_0} \left(1 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right).
\]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Final Answer:
The electric flux through the lateral surface of the vessel is:
\[
{\frac{q}{2\varepsilon_0} \left( 1 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \right)}.
\]

Question 16: moderate

The electric field components in the given figure are \(  E_{x}=\alpha x^{1/2}, E_{y}=E_{z}=0 \) in which \( \alpha=800NC^{-1}m^{-1/2}.\) The charge within the cube is if net flux through the cube is 1.05 N m²C–¹
(assume a = 0.1 m)

 

1. \[ 9.27\times 10^{-12}C\]
2. \[ 9.27\times 10^{12}C\]
3. \[ 6.97\times 10^{-12}C\]
4. \[ 6.97\times 10^{12}C\]
View Answer

We are tasked with finding the charge enclosed within the cube using Gauss's Law:

\[
\Phi_{\text{net}} = \frac{q_{\text{enc}}}{\varepsilon_0}.
\]

Given:
- Net flux through the cube: \(\Phi_{\text{net}} = 1.05 \, \text{Nm}^2\text{C}^{-1}\),
- \(\varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}^2\text{N}^{-1}\text{m}^{-2}\),
- \(\alpha = 800 \, \text{N}\text{C}^{-1}\text{m}^{-1/2}\),
- Cube side length: \(a = 0.1 \, \text{m}\).

Steps:

1. Use Gauss's Law:
The enclosed charge \(q_{\text{enc}}\) is related to the flux by:
\[
q_{\text{enc}} = \varepsilon_0 \Phi_{\text{net}}.
\]

2. Substitute the values:
\[
q_{\text{enc}} = (8.85 \times 10^{-12}) \cdot (1.05).
\]

3. Calculate:
\[
q_{\text{enc}} = 9.27 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}.
\]

Final Answer:
The enclosed charge is:
\[
{9.27 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}}.
\]

Question 17: moderate

Two parallel plates of infinite dimensions are uniformly charged. The surface charge density on one is \(\sigma_{A} \)and on the other is \(\sigma_{B}\), field intensity at point C will be

1. Proportional to \[\left( \sigma_{A}-\sigma_{B} \right)\]
2. Proportional to \[\left( \sigma_{A}+\sigma_{B} \right)\]
3. zero
4. \[2\sigma_{A}\]
View Answer

Net Electric Point at Point C will be directed downwards

\[ \overrightarrow{E}=\frac{\sigma_{A}}{2\varepsilon_{0}} + \frac{\sigma_{B}}{2\varepsilon_{0}}\]

Question 18: moderate

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 magnitude 27\times 10^{-22}Cm^{-2}. The electric field \overrightarrow{E} in region II in between the plates is :

1. \[ 4.25\times 10^{-8}NC^{-1}\]
2. \[ 6.28\times 10^{-10}NC^{-1}\]
3. \[ 3.05\times 10^{-10}NC^{-1}\]
4. \[ 5.03\times 10^{-10}NC^{-1}\]
View Answer

Electric field at Point II will be due to both the sheets so,

\[\overrightarrow{E}=\frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_{0}} + \frac{\sigma}{2\varepsilon_{0}}=\frac{\sigma}{\varepsilon_{0}}\]

Question 19: moderate

A point charge +20 μC is at a distance 6 cm directly above the centre of a square of side 12 cm as shown is figure. The magnitude of electric flux through the square is :

 

1. \[ 2.5\times 10^{6}Nm^{2}C^{-1}\]
2. \[ 3.8\times 10^{5}Nm^{2}C^{-1}\]
3. \[ 4.2\times 10^{5}Nm^{2}C^{-1}\]
4. \[ 2.9\times 10^{6}Nm^{2}C^{-1}\]
View Answer

To calculate the electric flux through the square, we use Gauss's law and symmetry principles.

The total flux from a point charge \(q = +20 \, \mu\text{C}\) is:

\[
\Phi_{\text{total}} = \frac{q}{\epsilon_0}
\]

Here:
- \(q = 20 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{C}\),
- \(\epsilon_0 = 8.854 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{C}^2/\text{N·m}^2\).

The square is part of an imaginary cube with the charge at its center. The flux through one face of the cube (the square in question) is:

\[
\Phi_{\text{square}} = \frac{\Phi_{\text{total}}}{6} = \frac{q}{6\epsilon_0}
\]

Substitute the values:

\[
\Phi_{\text{square}} = \frac{20 \times 10^{-6}}{6 \times 8.854 \times 10^{-12}}
\]

Simplify:

\[
\Phi_{\text{square}} = 3.77 \times 10^5 \, \text{N·m}^2/\text{C}
\]

Thus, the flux through the square is approximately:

\[
{3.8 \times 10^5 \, \text{N·m}^2/\text{C}}
\]

Question 20: moderate

An electric dipole of moment ‘p’ is placed in an electric field of intensity ‘E’. The dipole acquires a position such that the axis of the dipole makes an angle θ with the direction of the field. Assuming that the potential energy of the dipole to be zero when θ = 90°. the torque and the potential energy of the dipole will respectively be :

1. pE sin θ, 2pE cos θ
2. pE cos θ, – pE sin θ
3. pE sin θ, –pE cos θ
4. pE sin θ, –2pE cos θ
View Answer

The  torque acting on the dipole in an electric field is given by:

\[
\tau = pE \sin\theta
\]

The potential energy of the dipole is defined as:

\[
U = -pE \cos\theta
\]

Here, the potential energy is zero when \( \theta = 90^\circ \), which aligns with the condition provided.