127

ELECTROSTATICS
Fill in the Blank
2
1. The electric potential V at any point x, y, z (all in metres) in space is given by V = 4x volts. The
electric field at the point (1m, 0, 2m) is ……………V/m. (1992)

2. Five point charges, each of value +q C, are placed on five q q

vertices of a regular hexagon of side L m. The magnitude of 5 q 4
the force on the point charge of value –q C placed at the
6 q
centre of the hexagon is ……………... N. 3
1
2
q q
Lq
(1992)
Y
3. A point charge q moves from point P to point S along the
path PQRS in a uniform electric field E pointing parallel to
P
the positive direction of the x-axis. The coordinates of the
Q X
points P, Q, R and S are (a, b 0); (2a, 0, 0), (a, b, 0) and (0, S
E
0, 0) respectively. The work done by the field in the above R

process is given by the expression ……………. (1989)

4. Two parallel plate capacitors of capacitances C and 2C are connected in parallel and charged to
a potential difference V. The battery is then disconnected and the region between the plates of
the capacitor C is completely filled with a material of dielectric constant K. The potential
differences across the capacitors now becomes ……… (1988)

5. Two small balls having equal positive charges Q on each are suspended by two insulating strings
of equal length L from a hook fixed to a stand. The whole set up is taken in a satellite into space
where there is no gravity (state of weightlessness). The angle between the two strings is …….
and the tension in each stings is………… newtons (1986)

True/false

1. An electric line of force in the x-y plane is given by the equation x 2 + y2 = 1. A particle with unit
positive charge, initially at rest at the point x =1, y = 0 in the x-y plane will move along the circular
line of force. (1988)

2. A ring of radius R carries a uniformly distributed charge +Q. A point charge –q is placed on the
axis of the ring at a distance 2R from the centre of the ring and released from rest. The particle
executes a simple harmonic motion along the axis of the ring. (1988)

3. Two protons A and B are placed in between the two plates of a + –

parallel plate capacitor charged to a potential V as shown in the + –
figure. The forces on the two protons in the figure are identical. + –
B
+ –
+ –
+ A –
+ –
+ –
+ –
V (1986)

4. A small metallic ball is suspended in a uniform electric field with the help of an insulated thread. If
high energy X-ray beam falls on the ball, the ball will be deflected in the direction of the field.
(1983)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
128
5. Two identical metallic spheres of exactly equal masses are taken. One is given a positive charge
Q coulombs and the other an equal negative charge. Their masses after charging are different.
(1983)

6. The work done in carrying a point charge from one point to another in an electrostatic field
depends on the path along which the point charge is carried. (1981)

MCQ-Single Correct

1. A thin spherical insulating shell of radius R carries a uniformly distributed charge such that the
2
potential at its surface is V0. A hole with a small area 4R ( << 1) is made on the shell without
affecting the rest of the shell. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(A) The magnitude of electric field at a point, located on a line passing through the hole and
V0
shell’s center, on a distance 2R from the center of the spherical shell will be reduced by
2R
V0
(B) The magnitude of electric field at the center of the shell is reduced by
2R
1
(C) The ratio of the potential at the center of the shell to that of the point at R from center
2
1 
towards the hole will be
1  2
(D) The potential at the center of the shell is reduced by 2V0 (2019)

2. A parallel plate capacitor having d/2

plates of area S and plate
separation d, has capacitance C1
in air. When two dielectrics of
different relative permittivities
(1 = 2 and 2 = 4) are introduced S/2
between the two plates as shown 2
in the figure, the capacitance
C
becomes C2. The ratio 2 is
C1 S/2 –
+
(A) 6/5
(B) 5/3
1
(C) 7/5
(D) 7/3
d (2015)

3. Consider a uniform spherical charge distribution of R2

radius R1 centred at the origin O. In this distribution, a P
spherical cavity of radius R2, centred at P with distance a
R1
OP = a = R1 – R2 (see figure) is made. If the electric field
   O
inside the cavity at position r is E(r ), then the correct
statement(s) is(are) (2015)
 
(A) E is uniform, its magnitude is independent of R2 but its direction depends on r
 
(B) E is uniform, its magnitude depends on R2 and its direction depends on r
 
(C) E is uniform, its magnitude is independent of a but its direction depends on a
 
(D) E is uniform and both its magnitude and direction depend on a

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 129
4. The figures below depict two situations in
which two infinitely long static line charges    

of constant positive line charge density 

x x
are kept parallel to each other. In their +q –q
resulting electric field, point charges q and
q are kept in equilibrium between them.
The point charges are confined to move in (2015)
the x direction only. If they are given a
small displacement about their equilibrium
positions, then the correct statement(s)
is(are)
(A) Both charges execute simple harmonic motion.
(B) Both charges will continue moving in the direction of their displacement.
(C) Charge +q executes simple harmonic motion while charge q continues moving in the
direction of its displacement.
(D) Charge q executes simple harmonic motion while charge +q continues moving in the
direction of its displacement.

5. Charges Q, 2Q and 4Q are uniformly distributed in three dielectric solid spheres 1, 2 and 3 of
radii R/2, R and 2R respectively, as shown in figure. If magnitudes of the electric fields at point P
at a distance R from the centre of spheres 1, 2 and 3 are E1, E2 and E3 respectively, then
P
P P
R R R
Q 2Q 4Q
R/2

2R

Sphere 1 Sphere 2 Sphere 3

(A) E1 > E2 > E3 (B) E3 > E1 > E2

(C) E2 > E1 > E3 (D) E3 > E2 > E1 (2014)

6. Let E1(r), E2 (r) and E3 (r) be the respective electric fields at a distance r from a point charge Q,
an infinitely long wire with constant linear charge density , and an infinite plane with uniform
surface charge density . If E1(r0 )  E2 (r0 )  E3 (r0 ) at a given distance r0, then

(A) Q  4r02 (B) r0 
2
(C) E1(r0 / 2)  2E2 (r0 / 2) (D) E2 (r0 / 2)  4E3 (r0 / 2) (2014)

7. Two large vertical and parallel metal plates having a separation of 1 cm are connected to a DC
voltage source of potential difference X. A proton is released at rest midway between the two
plates. It is found to move at 450 to the vertical JUST after release. Then X is nearly
(A) 1  10-5 V (B) 1  10-7 V
-9
(C) 1  10 V (D) 1  10-10 V (2012)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
130
8. Consider a thin spherical shell of radius R with centre at the origin, carrying uniform positive

surface charge density. The variation of the magnitude of the electric field | E(r) | and the electric
potential V(r) with the distance r from the centre, is best represented by which graph? (2012)
(A)  (B) 
|E(r)| V(r) |E(r)| V(r)

O R r O R r

(C)  (D) 
|E(r)| V(r) |E(r)| V(r)

O R r O R r

9. In the given circuit, a charge of +80 C is given to the upper +80 C

plate of the 4 F capacitor. Then in the steady state, the charge 4 F
on the upper plate of the 3 F capacitor is
(A) +32 C (B) +40 C 3 F
2 F
(C) +48 C (D) +80 C

(2012)

10. A wooden block performs SHM on a frictionless surface with E

frequency, 0. The block carries a charge +Q on its surface.
 +Q
If now a uniform electric field E is switched-on as shown, then
the SHM of the block will be
(A) of the same frequency and with shifted mean position.
(B) of the same frequency and with the same mean position
(C) of changed frequency and with shifted mean position.
(D) of changed frequency and with the same mean position. (2011)
 z
11. Consider an electric field E  E0 xˆ where E0 is a constant. The
flux through the shaded area (as shown in the figure) due to (a,0,a) (a,a,a)
this field is
(A) 2E0a2 (B) 2E0 a2
y
(0,0,0) (0,a,0)
2 E 0a2 x
(2011)
(C) E0 a (D)
2

12. A uniformly charged thin spherical shell of radius R carries

uniform surface charge density of  per unit area. It is F F
made of two hemispherical shells, held together by
pressing them with force F (see figure). F is proportional to (2010)
1 2 2 1 2
(A) R (B)  R
0 0
1 2 1 2
(C) (D)
0 R 0 R 2

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 131

13. A tiny spherical oil drop carrying a net charge q is balanced in still air with a vertical uniform
81
electric field of strength  105 Vm1. When the field is switched off, the drop is observed to
7
fall with terminal velocity 2  103 ms1. Given g = 9.8 ms2, viscosity of the air = 1.8  105 Ns m2
and the density of oil = 900 kg m3, the magnitude of q is (2010)
(A) 1.6  1019 C (B) 3.2  1019 C
(C) 4.8  1019 C (D) 8.0  1019 C

14. A disk of radius a/4 having a uniformly distributed charge 6C is y

placed in the x-y plane with its centre at (a/2, 0, 0). A rod of
length a carrying a uniformly distributed charge 8C is placed on
the x-axis from x = a/4 to x = 5a/4. Two point charges 7C and
x
3C are placed at (a/4, a/4, 0) and (3a/4, 3a/4, 0), respectively.
Consider a cubical surface formed by six surfaces x =  a/2, y = 
a/2, z =  a/2. The electric flux through this cubical surface is
2C 2C
(A) (B)
0 0
(2009)
10C 12C
(C) (D)
0 0

15. Three concentric metallic spherical shells of radii R, 2R, 3R, are given charges Q1, Q2, Q3,
respectively. It is found that the surface charge densities on the outer surfaces of the shells are
equal. Then, the ratio of the charges given to the shells, Q1 : Q2 : Q3, is (2009)
(A) 1 : 2 : 3 (B) 1 : 3 : 5
(C) 1 : 4 : 9 (D) 1 : 8 : 18

16. Under the influence of the coulomb field of charge +Q, a charge q is moving around it in an
elliptical orbit. Find out the correct statement(s). (2009)
(A) The angular momentum of the charge q is constant
(B) The linear momentum of the charge q is constant
(C) The angular velocity of the charge q is constant
(D) The linear speed of the charge q is constant

q q 2q y
17. Consider a system of three charges , and  placed at points
3 3 3 B
A, B and C, respectively, as shown in the figure. Take O to be the
C
centre of the circle of radius R and angle CAB = 60 x
60 O
q
(A) The electric field at point O is directed along the
80R2 A
negative x-axis
(2008)
(B) The potential energy of the system is zero
q2
(C) The magnitude of the force between the charges at C and B is
540R2
q
(D The potential at point O is
120R

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
132
 a  a 
18. Positive and negative point charges of equal magnitude are kept at  0, 0,  and  0, 0, ,
 2  2 
respectively. The work done by the electric field when another positive point charge is moved
from (a, 0, 0) to (0, a, 0) is (2007)
(A) positive
(B) negative
(C) zero
(D) depends on the path connecting the initial and final positions

19. A spherical portion has been removed from a solid sphere having a charge
distributed uniformly in its volume as shown in the figure. The electric field inside
the emptied space is
(A) zero everywhere (B) non-zero and uniform
(C) non-uniform (D) zero only at its center
(2007)

20. Consider a neutral conducting sphere. A positive point charge is placed outside the sphere. The
net charge on the sphere is then, (2007)
(A) negative and distributed uniformly over the surface of the sphere
(B) negative and appears only at the point on the sphere closest to the point charge
(C) negative and distributed non-uniformly over the entire surface of the sphere
(D) zero

21. A long, hollow conducting cylinder is kept coaxially inside another long, hollow conducting
cylinder of larger radius. Both the cylinders are initially electrically neutral.
(A) A potential difference appears between the two cylinders when a charge density is given to
the inner cylinder.
(B) A potential difference appears between the two cylinders when a charge density is given to
the outer cylinder.
(C) No potential difference appears between the two cylinders when a uniform line charge is kept
along the axis of the cylinders.
(D) No potential difference appears between the two cylinders when same charge density is given
to both the cylinders. (2007)
22. Three infinitely charged sheets are kept parallel to x – y plane z
Z=3a
having charge densities as shown. Then the value of electric field at 
P
‘P’ is Z=2a
4 4 -2
(A) k̂ (B) k̂
0 0 -
Z=0
2 2
(C) k̂ (D) k̂
0 0 (2005)

23. A Gaussian surface in the figure is shown by dotted line. The electric
field on the surface will be
(A) due to q1 and q2 only (B) due to q2 only
q1 q2
(C) zero (D) due to all -q1
(2004)
24. Six charges of equal magnitude, 3 positive and 3 negative are to P Q
be placed on PQRSTU corners of a regular hexagon, such that
field at the centre is double that of what it would have been if only
U R
one +ve charge is placed at R O
(A) +, +, +, -, -, - (B) -, +, +, +, -, -
(C) -, +, +, -, +, - (D) +, -, +, -, +, - T S (2004)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 133
25. A positive point charge is placed inside a spherical metallic shell. The electric field lines are
represented by (2003)
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

26. Two equal point charges are fixed at x = a and x = +a on the x-axis. Another point charge Q is
placed at the origin. The change in the electrical potential energy of Q, when it is displaced by a
small distance x along the x-axis, is approximately proportional to
(A) x (B) x2
1
(C) x3 (D) (2002)
x

27. Two identical capacitors, have the same capacitance C. One of them is charged to potential V1
and the other to V2. The negative ends of the capacitors are connected together. When the
positive ends are also connected, the decrease in energy of the combined system is
1 1

(A) C V12  V22
4
 
(B) C V12  V22
4

1 2 1 2
(C) C  V1  V2  (D) C  V1  V2  (2002)
4 4

28. A uniform electric field pointing in positive x-direction exists in a region. Let A be the origin, B be
the point on the x - axis at x = +1 cm and C be the point on the y - axis at y = +1 cm. Then the
potentials at the points A, B and C satisfy
(A) VA  VB (B) VA  VB
(C) VA  VC (D) VA  VC (2001)

29. Consider the situation shown in the figure. The capacitor A has q
a charge q on it whereas B is uncharged. The charge +–
+–
appearing on the capacitor B a long time after the switch is +– S
closed is +–
A B
(A) zero (B) q/2 (2001)
(C) q (D) 2q

30. Three positive charges of equal value q are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The
resulting lines of force should be sketched as in
(A) (B)

(C) ` (D)

(2001)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
134

31. A parallel plate capacitor of area A, plate separation d A/2 A/2

and capacitance C is filled with three different dielectric k1 k2 d/2
materials having dielectric constants k1, k2 and k3 as d
shown. If a single dielectric material is to be used to k3
have the same capacitance C in this capacitor, then its
dielectric constant k is given by (2000)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(A)    (B)  
k k1 k 2 2k 3 k k1  k 2 2k 3
k1k 2
(C) k   2k 3 (D) k  k1  k 2  2k 3
k1  k 2

32. Three charges Q, +q and +q are placed at the vertices of a right- Q

angled isosceles triangle as shown. The net electrostatic energy
of the configuration is zero if Q is equal to
q 2q
(A) (B)
1 2 2 2 +q
+q a
(C) – 2q (D) +q (2000)

33. For the circuit shown in figure, which of the S1 V1 = 30V S3 V2 = 20V S2
following statement is true? C1 = 2F C2 = 3F
(A) with S1 closed, V1 = 15 V, V2 = 20 V
(B) with S3 closed, V1 = V2 = 25 V
(C) with S1 and S2 closed, V1 = V2 = 0
(D) with S1 and S3 closed, V1 = 30 V, V2 = 20 V (1999)

34. Two identical metal plates are given positive charge Q1 and Q2 (<Q1) respectively. If they are
now brought close together to form a parallel plate capacitor with capacitance C, the potential
difference between them is
(A) (Q1 + Q2)/ 2C (B) (Q1 + Q2)/C
(C) (Q1 – Q2)/C (D) (Q1 – Q2) / (2C) (1999)

35. A charge +q is fixed at each of the points x = x 0, x = 3x0, x = 5x0,. . . .  on the x-axis and a
charge q is fixed at each of points x = 2x 0, x = 4x0, x = 6x0,. . . . . Here x0 is a positive quantity.
Q
Take the electric potential at a point due to charge Q at a distance r from it to be . Then, the
40r
potential at origin due to above system of charges is
q
(A) 0 (B)
80 x0 ln2
qln2
(C)  (D) (1998)
40 x0

36. A non conducting ring of radius 0.5 m carries a total charge of 1.11  1010 C distributed non-
uniformly on its circumference producing an electric field E everywhere in space. The value of the
I 0
integral  E.dl (l = 0 being centre of the ring) in volts is
I
(A) +2 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) zero (1997)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 135
37. An electron of mass m e, initially at rest, moves through a certain distance in a uniform electric
field in time t1. A proton of mass m p, also, initially at rest, takes time t2 to move through an equal
distance in this uniform electric field. Neglecting the effect of gravity, the ratio t2/t1 is nearly equal
to
(A) 1 (B)(mp/me)1/2
1/2
(C) (me/mp) (D) 1836 (1997)

38. A metallic solid sphere is placed in a E

uniform electric field. The lines of force 1
follow the path(s) shown in Fig. P-1 as 2
(A) 1
3
(B) 2
(C) 3 4
(1996)
(D) 4

39. The magnitude of electric field E in the annular region of a charged cylindrical capacitor,
(A) is same throughout
(B) is higher near the outer cylinder than near the inner cylinder
(C) varies as 1/r where r is the distance from the axis
(D) varies as 1/r2 where r is the distance from the axis (1996)

40. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C is connected to a battery and is charged to a potential
difference V. Another capacitor of capacitor 2C is similarly charged to a potential difference2V.
The charging battery is now disconnected and the capacitors are connected in parallel to each
other in such a way that the positive terminal of one is connected to the negative terminal of the
other. The final energy of the configuration is
(A) zero (B) (3/2)CV2
2
(C)25/6CV (D) (9/2)CV2 (1995)

41. Two identical thin rings, each of radius R metres, are coaxially placed a distance R metres apart.
If Q1 coul, and Q2 coul are respectively the charges uniformly spread on the two rings, the work
done in moving a charge q from the centre of one ring to that of the other is

(A) zero (B)

q  Q1  Q2   2 1  (1992)
 240R 
(C)
q 2  Q1  Q2 
(D)
q  Q1  Q2   2 1 
 40R   240R 
42. Seven capacitors each of capacitance 2F are to be connected in a configuration to obtain an
effective capacitance of (10/11)F. Which of the combination(s) shown in the figure will achieve
the desired result? (1990)
(A) (B)

(C) (D)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
136
43. A solid conducting sphere having a charge Q is surrounded by an uncharged concentric
conducting hollow spherical shell. Let the potential difference between the surface of the solid
sphere and that of the outer surface of the hollow shell be V. If the shell is now given a charge of
 3Q, the new potential difference between the same two surfaces is
(A) V (B) 2V
(C) 4V (D)  2V (1989)

44. A charge ‘q’ is placed at the centre of the line joining two equal charges Q. The system of the
three charges will be in equilibrium if ‘q’ is equal to (1987)
(A) Q/2 (B) –Q/4
(C) Q/4 (D) Q/2

45. A hollow metal sphere of radius 5 cm is charged such that the potential on its surface is 10 volts.
The potential at the centre of the sphere is (1983)
(A) zero
(B) 10 volts
(C) same as at a point 5 cm away from the surface.
(D) same as at a point 25 cm away from the surface.

Assertion-Reasoning

1. STATEMENT-1 (2008)
For practical purposes, the earth is used as a reference at zero potential in electrical circuits.
and
STATEMENT-2
The electrical potential of a sphere of radius R with charge Q uniformly distributed on the surface
Q
is given by .
40R
(A) STATEMENT-1 is True, STATEMENT-2 is True; STATEMENT-2 is a correct explanation for
STATEMENT-1
(B) STATEMENT-1 is True, STATEMENT-2 is True; STATEMENT-2 is NOT a correct
explanation for STATEMENT-1
(C) STATEMENT -1 is True, STATEMENT-2 is False
(D) STATEMENT -1 is False, STATEMENT-2 is True

Comprehension -1

The nuclear charge (Ze) is non-uniformly distributed within a nucleus of (r)

radius R. The charge density  (r) [charge per unit volume] is dependent
d
only on the radial distance r from the centre of the nucleus as shown in
figure The electric field is only along rhe radial direction.

o a R r

1. The electric field at r = R is (2008)

(A) independent of a (B) directly proportional to a
(C) directly proportional to a2 (D) inversely proportional to a

2. For a = 0, the value of d (maximum value of  as shown in the figure) is (2008)

3Ze 3Ze
(A) (B)
4R3 R3
4Ze Ze
(C) 3
(D)
3R 3R3

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 137
3. The electric field within the nucleus is generally observed to be linearly dependent on r. This
implies. (2008)
R
(A) a = 0 (B) a =
2
2R
(C) a = R (D) a =
3

MCQ-Multi Correct

p0 ˆ ˆ y
1. An electric dipole with dipole moment
2
 
i  j is held fixed at
B A
the origin O in the presence of an uniform electric field of
magnitude E0. If the potential is constant on a circle of radius R 45 45
centered at the origin as shown in figure, then the correct O
statement(s) is/are : x
R
( 0 is permittivity of free space. R >> dipole size)


 
(A) Total electric field at point A is E A  2E0 ˆi  ˆj

(B) Total electric field at point B is EB  0
1/ 3
 p0 
(C) R   
 4 0 E0 
(D) The magnitude of total electric field on any two points of the circle will be same. (2019)

2. A charged shell of radius R carries a total charge Q. Given  as the flux of electric field through a
closed cylindrical surface of height h, radius r and with its center same as that of the shell. Here,
center of the cylinder is a point on the axis of the cylinder which is equidistant from its top and
bottom surfaces. Which of the following option(s) is/are correct? (2019)
[0 is permittivity of free space]
(A) If h < 8R/5 and r = 3R/5 then  = 0
(B) If h > 2R and r > R then  = Q/0
(C) If h > 2R and r = 4R/5 then  = Q/50
(D) If h > 2R and r = 3R/5 then  = Q/50

3. An infinitely long thin non-conducting wire is parallel to the z-

axis and carries a uniform line charge density . It pierces a thin 
Z
non-conducting spherical shell of radius R in such a way that
the arc PQ subtends an angle 120 at the centre O of the
spherical shell, as shown in the figure. The permittivity of free
P
space is 0. Which of the following statements is (are) true?
R

(A) The electric flux through the shell is 3R / 0 120 O

(B) The z-component of the electric field is zero at all the points
on the surface of the shell
(C) The electric flux through the shell is 2R / 0 Q
(D) The electric field is normal to the surface of the shell at all
points

(2018)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
138

4. A point charge +Q is placed just outside an imaginary +Q

hemispherical surface of radius R as shown in the figure. Which
of the following statements is/are correct?
(A) The electric flux passing through the curved surface of the
R
Q  1 
hemisphere is  1  
20  2
Q
(B) Total flux through the curved and the flat surfaces is
0 (2017)
(C) The component of the electric field normal to the flat surface
is constant over the surface
(D) The circumference of the flat surface is an equipotential

5. A parallel plate capacitor has a dielectric slab of dielectric constant K between its
plates that covers 1/3 of the area of its plates, as shown in the figure. The total Q1 E1
capacitance of the capacitor is C while that of the portion with dielectric in between
is C1. When the capacitor is charged, the plate area covered by the dielectric gets Q2 E2
charge Q1 and the rest of the area gets charge Q2. The electric field in the dielectric
is E1 and that in the other portion is E2. Choose the correct option/options, ignoring (2014)
edge effects.
E E 1
(A) 1  1 (B) 1 
E2 E2 K
Q1 3 C 2K
(C)  (D) 
Q2 K C1 K

6. In the circuit shown in the figure, there are two parallel plate S1 S2 S3
capacitors each of capacitance C. The switch S1 is pressed first
to fully charge the capacitor C1 and then released. The switch C1 C2
S2 is then pressed to charge the capacitor C2. After some time,
2V0 V0
S2 is released and then S3 is pressed. After some time,
(A) the charge on the upper plate of C1 is 2CV0.
(B) the charge on the upper plate of C1 is CV0.
(C) the charge on the upper plate of C1 is 0.
(2013)
(D) The charge on the upper plate of C2 is CV0.

7. Two non-conducting solid spheres of radii R and 2R, having uniform volume charge densities 1
and 2 respectively, touch each other. The net electric field at a distance 2R from the centre of
the smaller sphere, along the line joining the centre of the spheres is zero. The ratio 1/2 can be
32
(A) – 4 (B) - (2013)
25
32
(C) (D) 4
25

8. Two non-conducting spheres of radii R1 and R2 and carrying uniform volume

 –
charge densities +  and –, respectively, are placed such that they partially
overlap, as shown in the figure. At all points in the overlapping region, R2
R1
(A) the electrostatic field is zero
(B) the electrostatic potential is constant
(C) the electrostatic field is constant in magnitude (2013)
(D) the electrostatic field has same direction

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 139
9. A cubical region of side a has its centre at the z
origin. It encloses three fixed point charges, q
at (0, a/4, 0), +3q at (0, 0, 0) and q at (0, a
+a/4, 0). Choose the correct options(s)
(A) The net electric flux crossing the plane
x = +a/2 is equal to the net electric flux –q
crossing the plane x = a/2 y
(B) The net electric flux crossing the plane –q 3q
y = +a/2 is more than the net electric flux
crossing the plane y = a/2.
(C) The net electric flux crossing the entire x
q (2012)
region is .
0
(D) The net electric flux crossing the plane z = +a/2 is equal to the net electric flux crossing the
plane x = +a/2.

10. Six point charges are kept at the vertices of F L E

+q –q
a regular hexagon of side L and centre O,
as shown in the figure. Given that P
1 q
K= , which of the following
40 L2
statement(s) is (are) correct? A S T D
O
(A) The electric field at O is 6K along OD. +2q –2q
(B) The potential at O is zero.
(C) The potential at all points on the line
PR is same. R
(D) The potential at all points on the line
B +q –q C
ST is same.
(2012)

11. A spherical metal shell A of radius RA and a solid metal sphere B of radius RB (<RA) are kept far
apart and each is given charge ‘+Q’. Now they are connected by a thin metal wire. Then
(A) Einside
A 0 (B) QA > QB
 A RB
(C)  (D) Eon
A
surface
 EBon surface (2011)
B R A

12. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

(A) If the electric field due to a point charge varies as r2.5 instead of r2, then the Gauss law will
still be valid.
(B) The Gauss law can be used to calculate the field distribution around an electric dipole
(C) If the electric field between two point charges is zero somewhere, then the sign of the two
charges is the same.
(D) The work done by the external force in moving a unit positive charge from point A at potential
VA to point B at potential VB is (VB  VA). (2011)

13. A few electric field lines for a system of two charges Q1 and Q2
fixed at two different points on the x-axis are shown in the figure.
These lines suggest that
Q1
(A) Q1  Q2 Q2

(B) Q1  Q2
(C) at a finite distance to the left of Q1 the electric field is zero
(2010)
(D) at a finite distance to the right of Q2 the electric field is zero

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
140

14. The electrostatic potential (r) of a spherical symmetric system, kept at

origin, is shown in the adjacent figure, and given as r
q
r   r  R0 
4  0 r
q R0
r   r  R0  r
4  0 R0
Which of the following option(s) is/are correct?
(A) For spherical region r  R0, total electrostatic energy stored is zero. (2006)
(B) Within r = 2R0, total charge is q.
(C) There will be no charge anywhere except at r = R0.
(D) Electric field is discontinuous at r = R0.

15. An ellipsoidal cavity is made within a perfect conductor. A positive

charge q is placed at the centre of the cavity. The points A and B are on A
q B
the cavity surface as shown in the figure. Then
(A) electric field near A in the cavity=electric field near B in the cavity.
(B) change density at A = charge density at B
(C) potential at A = potential at B
(D) total electric field flux through the surface of the cavity is q/0 (1999)

16. A positively charged thin metal ring of radius R is fixed in the xy - plane with its centre at the
origin O. A negatively charged particle P is released from rest from the point (0, 0, zo) where zo >
0. Then the motion of P is (1998)
(A) periodic, for all values of zo satisfying 0 < zo < 
(B) simple harmonic, for all values of zo satisfying 0 < zo  R
(C) approximately simple harmonic, provided zo << R
(D) such that P crosses O and continues to move along negative z-axis towards z = 

17. A dielectric slab of thickness d is inserted in a parallel plate capacitor whose negative plate is at
x = 0 and positive plate is at x = 3d. The slab is equidistant from the plates. The capacitor is given
some charge. As x goes from 0 to 3d, (1998)
(A) the magnitude of the electric field remains the same
(B) the direction of the electric field remains the same
(C) the electric potential increases continuously
(D) the electric potential increases at first, then decreases and again increases

18. A non-conducting solid sphere of radius R is uniformly charged. The magnitude of electric field
due to the sphere at a distance r from its centre.
(A) increases as r increases for r < R. (B) decreases as r increases for 0 < r < .
(C) decreases as r increases for R < r <  (D) is discontinuous at r = R. (1998)

19. Two point charges +q and q are held fixed at (d, 0) and (d, 0) respectively of a x-y coordinate
system. Then
(A) The electric field E at all points on the x-axis has the same direction
(B) work has to be done in bringing a test charge from  to the origin
(C) Electric field at all points on y-axis is along x-axis
(D) The dipole moment is 2qd along the x-axis (1995)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 141
20. A parallel plate capacitor of plate area A and plate separation d is charged to potential difference
V and then the battery is disconnected. A slab of dielectric constant K is then inserted between
the plates of the capacitor so as to fill the space between the plates, If Q, E and W denote
respectively, the magnitude of charge on each plate, the electric field between the plates (after
the slab is inserted), and work done on the system, in question, in the process of inserting the
slab, then (1991)
0 AV 0KAV
(A) Q  (B) Q 
d d
V 0 AV 2  1
(C) E  (D) W  1  K 
Kd 2d  

21. A parallel plate capacitor is charged and the charging battery is then disconnected. If the plates of
the capacitor are moved further apart by means of insulating handles (1987)
(A) The charge on the capacitor increases.
(B) The voltage across the plate increases.
(C) The capacitance increases.
(D) The electrostatic energy stored in the capacitor increases.

22. A parallel plate air capacitor is connected to a battery. The quantities charge, voltage, electric
field and energy associated with this capacitor are given by Q0, V0, E0 and U0 respectively. A
dielectric slab is now introduced to fill the space between the plates with the battery still in
connection. The corresponding quantities now given by Q, V, E and U are related to the previous
one as
(A) Q > Qo (B) V > Vo
(C) E > Eo (D) U > Uo (1985)

Match the following

1. The electric field E is measured at a point P(0, 0, d) generated due to various charge distributions
and the dependence of E on d is found to be different for different charge distributions. List-I
contains different relations between E and d. List-II describes different electric charge
distributions, along with their locations. Match the functions in List-I with the related charge
distributions in List-II.
LIST–I LIST–II
P. E is independent of d 1. A point charge Q at the origin
1 A small dipole with point charges Q at (0, 0,
Q. E 2.
d ) and Q at (0, 0, ). Take 2 ≪ d
1 An infinite line charge coincident with the x-
R. E 3.
d2 axis, with uniform linear charge density 
Two infinite wires carrying uniform linear
charge density parallel to the x- axis. The
1 one along (y = 0, z = ) has a charge
S. E 4.
d3 density + and the onealong (y = 0, z =  )
has a charge density . Take 2 << d
Infinite plane charge coincident with the xy-
5.
plane with uniform surface charge density
(A) P → 5; Q → 3, 4; R → 1; S→2 (2018)
(B) P → 5; Q → 3; R → 1, 4; S→2
(C) P → 5; Q → 3; R → 1, 2; S→4
(D) P → 4; Q → 2, 3; R → 1; S→5

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
142
2. Four charges Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of same magnitude are fixed along the x axis at x = -2a, a, +a
and +2a, respectively. A positive charge q is placed on the positive y axis at a distance b > 0.
Four options of the signs of these charges are given in List I. The direction of the forces on the
charge q is given in List II. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code
given below the lists.
List I List II (+0, b)
q
P. Q1, Q2, Q3 Q4 all positive 1. +x
Q. Q1, Q2 positive; Q3, Q4 negative 2. x
R. Q1, Q4 positive ; Q2, Q3 3. +y
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
negative (2a, 0) (a, 0) (+a, 0) (+2a, 0)
S. Q1, Q3 positive; Q2, Q4 negative 4. y
Code:
(A) P-3, Q-1, R-4, S-2 (B) P-4, Q-2, R-3, S-1
(C) P-3, Q-1, R-2, S-4 (D) P-4, Q-2, R-1, S-3 (2014)

Subjective

1. A parallel plate capacitor of capacitance C has spacing d between two plates having area A. The
region between the plates is filled with N dielectric layers, parallel to its plates, each with
d  m
thickness   . The dielectric constant of the mth layer is K m  K 1   . For a very large
N  N
 K A 
 
N 103 , the capacitance C is   0  . The value of  will be ___________.
 dln 2 
[ 0 is the permittivity of free space] (2019)

2. Three identical capacitors C1 , C2 and C3 have a

capacitance of 1.0 F each and they are uncharged V0 S2
C3
initially. They are connected in a circuit as shown in the
figure and C1 is then filled completely with a dielectric C1
material of relative permittivity r . The cell electromotive C2
S1
force (emf) V0 = 8V. First the switch S1 is closed while the
switch S2 is kept open. When the capacitor C3 is fully
charged, S1 is opened and S2 is closed simultaneously.
(2018)
When all the capacitors reach equilibrium, the charge on C3
is found to be 5C. The value of r =_________.

3. A particle, of mass 103 kg and charge 1.0 C, is initially at rest. At time t = 0, the particle comes

under the influence of an electric field E(t)  E0 sin t ˆi , where E0 = 1.0 NC1 and
3
 = 10 rad s1 . Consider the effect of only the electrical force on the particle. Then the maximum
speed, in m s1, attained by the particle at subsequent times is ____________. (2018)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 143
4. An infinitely long uniform line charge z
distribution of charge per unit length  lies
parallel to the y-axis in the y-z plane at
3
z= a (see figure). If the magnitude of D L
2
the flux of the electric field through the
C 3
a
rectangular surface ABCD lying in the x-y 2
a
plane with its center at the origin is
L y
(0 = permittivity of free space), then O
n0
the value of n is
A B

x (2015)

5. An infinitely long solid cylinder of radius R has a uniform z

volume charge density . It has a spherical cavity of radius
R/2 with its centre on the axis of the cylinder, as shown in
the figure. The magnitude of the electric field at the point P,
which is at a distance 2R from the axis of the cylinder, is R
R/2
23R P
given by the expression . The value of k is y
16k0 2R

x
(2012)

6. A solid sphere of radius R has a charge Q distributed in its volume with a charge density
 = kra, where k and a are constants and r is the distance from its centre. If the electric field at
r = R/2 is 1/8 times that at r = R, find the value of a. (2009)

7. A conducting liquid bubble of radius a and thickness t (t <<a) is charged to potential V. If the
bubble collapses to a droplet, find the potential on the droplet. (2005)

8. Two infinitely large sheets having charge densities 1 and 2 respectively 1 2

(1 > 2) are placed near each other separated by distance ‘d’. A charge
a B
‘q’ is placed in between two plates such that there is no effect on charge
distribution on plates. Now this charge is moved at an angle of 450 with 450
A
the horizontal towards plate having charge density 2 by distance ‘a’
(a < d). Find the work done by electric field in the process.
d (2004)

9. Point charges +q and q are kept alternately at the q +q

corners of a cube of side ‘a’ as shown in the figure.
Write an expression for the work done in removing q
all the charges far away from each other. +q

q
+q

q
a +q
(2003)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
144

10. A charge +Q is fixed at the origin. Far away from it an electric dipole of dipole moment P pointing
away from the origin is released from rest. The length of the dipole is negligible. Find
(i) the kinetic energy of the dipole at a distance d from the origin, and
(ii) the magnitude of the force on charge +Q due to the dipole when it is at this position. (2003)

11. A small ball of mass 2 x 103 Kg having a charge of 1C is suspended by a string of length 0.8 m.
Another identical ball having the same charge is kept at the point of suspension. Determine the
minimum horizontal velocity which should be imparted to the lower ball so that it can make
complete revolution. (2001)

12. Four point charges +8C, 1C 1C and + 8C are fixed at the points  27 / 2 m,  3 / 2 m,
+ 3 / 2 m and 27 / 2 m respectively on the y-axis. A particle of mass 6104 kg and of charge
+ 0.1 C moves along the –x direction. Its speed at x = + is v0. Find the least value of v 0 for
which the particle will cross the origin. Find also the kinetic energy of the particle at the origin .
Assume that space is gravity free.
9 2 2
Given 1/(40) = 9  10 Nm /C . (2000)

13. A non-conducting disc of radius a and uniform positive surface charge density  is placed on the
ground, with its axis vertical. A particle of mass m and positive charge q is dropped, along the
axis of the disc, from a height H with zero initial velocity. The particle has q/m=4 0g/ (1999)
(a) Find the value of H if the particle just reaches the disc.
(b) Sketch the potential energy of the particle as a function of its height and find its equilibrium
position.

14. A conducting sphere S1 of radius r is attached to an insulating handle. Another conducting sphere
S2 of radius R is mounted on an insulating stand. S2 is initially uncharged. S1 is given a charge Q,
brought into contact with S2, and removed. S1 is recharged such that the charge on it is again Q;
and it is again brought into contact with S2 and removed. This procedure is repeated n time.
(a) Find the electrostatic energy of S2 after n such contact with S1.
(b) What is the limiting value of this energy as n  ? (1998)

15. Two capacitors A and B with capacities 3 F and 2 F are 2F C

charged to a potential difference of 100 V and 180 V
respectively. The plates of the capacitors are connected as
shown in the figure with one wire from each capacitor free. The + 3F 2F _
100 V 180 V B
upper plate of A is positive and that of B is negative. An A
uncharged 2 F capacitor C with lead wires falls on the free
ends to complete the circuit. Calculate
(i) the final charges on the three capacitors and
(ii) the amount of electrostatic energy stored in the system before and after the completion of the
circuit. (1997)

A
16. (a) The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with plate area
A and separation d is C. The space between the plates is
d K
filled with two wedges of dielectric constants K1 and K2 K 1
2

respectively. Find the capacitance of the resulting capacitor. (1996)

(b) Two isolated metallic solid spheres of radial R and 2R are charged such that both of these
have same charge density . The spheres are located far away from each other, and
connected by a thin conducting wire. Find the new charge density on the bigger sphere.

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
 145
17. Two parallel plate capacitors A and B have the same separation
d = 8.85104 m between the plates. The plate area of A and B A A B
are 0.04 m2 and 0.02 m2 respectively. A slab of dielectric B
constant (relative permittivity) K = 9 has dimensions such that it
can exactly fill the plates of capacitor B
(a) (b (c)
)
(a) (i) The dielectric slab is placed inside A as shown in figure (a). A is then charged to a
potential difference of 110 V. Calculate the capacitance of A and the energy stored in it.
(ii) The battery is disconnected and then the dielectric slab is removed from A. Find the work
done by the external agency in removing the slab from A.
(iii) The same dielectric slab is now placed inside B, filling it completely. The two capacitors A
and B are then connected as shown in figure. Calculate the energy stored in the system
(b) A circular ring of radius R with uniform positive charge density  per unit length is located in
the y-z plane with its centre at the origin O. A particle of mass m and positive charge q is
projected from the point P (R 3,0,0) on the positive x-axis directly towards O, with an initial
speed v. Find the smallest (nonzero) value of the speed v such that the particle does not
return to P. (1993)

18. (a) A charge of Q is uniformly distributed over a spherical volume of radius R. Obtain an
expression for the energy of the system.
(b) If the same charge of Q as in part (a) above is given to a spherical conductor of the same
radius R, what will be the energy of the system? (1992)

19. Two fixed charges – 2Q and Q are located at the points with coordinates (3a,0) and (+3a,0)
respectively in the x-y plane.
(a) Show that all points in the x-y plane where the electric potential due to the two charges is
zero, lie on a circle. Find its radius and the location of its centre.
(b) Give the expression V(x) at a general point on the x-axis and sketch the function V (x) on the
whole x-axis.
(c) If a particle of charge +q starts from rest at the centre of the circle, show by a short qualitative
argument that the particle eventually crosses the circle. Find its speed when it does so. (1991)

20. Three concentric spherical metallic shells A, B and C of raddi a, b 

and c (a < b< c) have surface charge densities ,  and  

respectively.
a OA c
(a) find the potential of the three shells A, B and C. 3
(b) If the shells A and C are at the same potential, obtain the b C
m
B
relation between the radii a, b and c.
(1990)

21. A point particle of mass M is attached to one end of a

massless rigid non-conducting rod of length L. Another point +q
particle of the same mass is attached to the other end of the q 
rod. The two particles carry charges +q and – q respectively.
This arrangement is held in a region of a uniform electric field
(1989)
E such that the rod makes a small angle  (say of about 5)
with the field direction as shown in the figure. Find the expression for the minimum time needed
for the rod to become parallel to the field after it is set free.

22. Three particles, each of mass 1 gm and carrying a charge q, are suspended from a common
point by insulated massless string, each 100 cm long. If the particles are in equilibrium and are
located at the corner of an equilateral triangle of side length 3 cm. Calculate the charge q on each
2
particle. (Take g = 10 m/s ) (1988)

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS
146
23. Three point charges q, 2q and 8q are to be placed on a 9 cm long straight line. Find the positions
where the charges should be placed such that the potential energy of this system is minimum. In
this situation what is the electric field at the position of the charge ‘q’ due to the other two
charges. (1987)

24. Two fixed, equal, positive charges, each of magnitude 5105 C A +q

are located at point A and B separated by a distance 6 m. An O
-q
D
equal and opposite charge moves towards them along the line C
COD, the perpendicular bisector of the line AB. The moving
charge, when it reaches the point C at a distance of 4 m from O, B +q
has a kinetic energy of 4 Joules. Calculate the distance of the (1985)
farthest point D which the negative charge will reach before
returning towards C.

25. The figure shows two identical parallel plate capacitors connected
to a battery 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 (or relative permittivity) 3. Find the VA CB C
ratio of the total electrostatic energy stored in both capacitors
before and after the introduction of the dielectric. (1983)

26. A thin fixed ring of radius 1 m has a positive charge 1  105 C uniformly distributed over it. A
particle of mass 0.9 gm and having a negative charge of 1  106 C is placed on the axis at a
distance of 1 cm from the centre of the ring. Show that the motion of the negatively charged
particle is approximately simple harmonic. Calculate the time period of oscillations. (1982)

27. A charge Q is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radii r and R (>r) such that the
surface densities are equal. Find the potential at the common centre. (1981)

1
28. The electrostatic field due to a point charge depends on the distance r as . Similarly indicate
r2
how each of the following quantities depends on r: (1980)
(i) intensity of light from a point source.
(ii) electrostatic potential due to a point charge.
(iii) electrostatic potential at a distance r from the centre of a charged metallic sphere.
Given r < radius of the sphere.

ARCHIVE-1920-JEE(Advanced)-PHYSICS