Electrostatics - NEET Physics Questions
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Electrostatics

Question 31: easy

Assertion (A): Distance of closest approach for free target is more than that for fixed target.


Reason (R): Total energy is conserved for free target but not for fixed target.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

For a free target, kinetic energy is shared, reducing the effective kinetic energy, leading to a larger closest approach distance (A is true). For a free target, mechanical energy of interacting particles is conserved. For a fixed target, external forces do work, so mechanical energy of the interacting particles is not conserved (R is true). This difference explains (A).

Question 32: easy

Assertion (A): When an isolated charged body is connected to earth, all its charge flows to earth and it becomes electrically neutral.


Reason (R): Electric potential of earth is non zero, so the body connected to earth should also attain zero potential.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A) is true as charges flow to earth. Reason (R) is false because earth's potential is considered zero.

Question 33: easy

Assertion (A): Potential difference between two points in space is zero if electric field at all points in space is zero.


Reason (R): Electric field E at a point P is zero if potential at that point is zero.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: Relation between electric field and potential.
Formula: \( \Delta V = -\int \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l} \). If \( \vec{E} = 0 \), then \( \Delta V = 0 \).
Solution: If \( \vec{E} = 0 \) everywhere, then potential is constant, so \( \Delta V = 0 \) (A is true). If \( V=0 \) at a point, \( \vec{E} \) is not necessarily zero (e.g., center of a dipole) (R is false).

Question 34: easy

Assertion (A): Electrostatic field inside a conducting shell is always zero.


Reason (R): The electrostatic potential is always same from center to surface of a conducting shell.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Concept: Properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium.
Formula: \( \vec{E} = -\nabla V \).
Solution: In a conductor, free charges redistribute to make \( \vec{E} = 0 \) inside (A is true). If \( \vec{E} = 0 \) inside, then \( V \) must be constant (R is true) and thus (R) correctly explains (A).

Question 35: easy

Assertion (A): When an isolated charged body is connected to earth, all its charge flows to earth and it becomes electrically neutral.


Reason (R): Electric potential of earth is non zero, so the body connected to earth should also attain zero potential.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Earth is considered to have a zero potential. When a charged body is connected to Earth, charges flow until the body also attains zero potential, making it electrically neutral. Thus (A) is true and (R) is false.

Question 36: easy

Assertion (A): Potential difference between two points in space is zero if electric field at all points in space is zero.


Reason (R): Electric field \( \vec{E} \) at a point \( P \) is zero if potential at that point is zero.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

If \( \vec{E} = \vec{0} \) everywhere, then \( \vec{E} = -\nabla V = \vec{0} \), implying \( V \) is constant, so \( \Delta V = 0 \). However, \( V = 0 \) at a point does not imply \( \vec{E} = \vec{0} \) (e.g., at the center of an electric dipole). Thus (A) is true and (R) is false.

Question 37: easy

The electrostatic potential on the surface of a charged solid conducting sphere is \( 100 \text{ volts} \). Two statements are made in this regard :


Assertion (A): At any point inside the sphere, electrostatic potential is \( 100 \text{ volt} \).


Reason (R): At any point inside the sphere, electric field is zero.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

For a charged solid conducting sphere, the electric field inside is zero \( (\vec{E} = \vec{0}) \). Consequently, the potential \( V \) inside is constant and equal to the potential on its surface. Therefore, both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) correctly explains (A).

Question 38: easy

Assertion (A): If electric field in x-y plane is given by \( \vec{E} = y \hat{i} + x \hat{j} \) then equipotential curve is given by \( xy = \text{constant} \).


Reason (R): Electric field may not be perpendicular to equipotential surface/curve/line.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

For \( \vec{E} = y \hat{i} + x \hat{j} \), we have \( dV = -\vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l} = -(y dx + x dy) = -d(xy) \). Integrating, \( V = -xy + C \). Thus, equipotential lines are \( xy = \text{constant} \). Electric field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces. Thus (A) is true and (R) is false.

Question 39: easy

Assertion (A): Distance of closest approach for free target is more than that for fixed target.


Reason (R): Total energy is conserved for free target but not for fixed target.


 

1. Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

For a free target, the target can recoil, sharing kinetic energy with the projectile, leading to less relative kinetic energy converted into potential energy, hence a larger distance of closest approach. Total energy is always conserved if only conservative forces are present for both free and fixed targets. Thus (A) is true and (R) is false.

Question 40: easy

Assertion (A): When two positive point charges move away from each other, their electrostatic potential energy decreases.


Reason (R): Change in potential energy between two points is equal to the work done by electrostatic forces.


 

1. (1) Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
2. (2) Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
3. (3) (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (4) Both (A) and (R) are false
View Answer

Assertion (A): Electrostatic potential energy between two positive charges is \(U = k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r}\). If they move away, \(r\) increases, thus \(U\) decreases. So (A) is true.


Reason (R): The change in potential energy is defined as the negative of the work done by conservative forces (like electrostatic force): \(Delta U = -W_{electrostatic}\). So (R) is false.nTherefore, (A) is true and (R) is false.