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ELECTRIC CHARGES AND FIELDS

➢ Atoms are building blocks of matter

➢ Atoms are made up of three elementary particles namely 1. Electrons 2.
Protons 3. Neutrons
➢ Mass, Electric Charge, and Spin are intrinsic Properties of elementary
Particles.
➢ Mass is an intrinsic Property which is a measure of quantity of matter present
in a substance.
➢ Like mass, Electric charge is intrinsic Property of elementary particles due to
which they exert electrostatic force on each other through electric field.
➢ Electrons possess negative charge.
➢ Protons Possess positive charge.
➢ Neutrons have no or zero charge.
➢ Atoms in their element state are neutral i,e their net electric charge is zero
because they have equal number of protons and electrons.
➢ When an atom loses electrons, it becomes positively charged due to excess
number of protons and it is called CATION or POSITIVE ION.
➢ When an atom gains electrons it becomes negatively charged due to excess
number of electrons and it is called ANION or NEGATIVE ION
➢ S I Unit of electric charge is Coulomb (C)
Elementary particle Mass (kg) Electric charge (C)

Electron (e) 9.1 x 10 – 31 kg -1.6 x 10 – 19 C

Proton (p) 1.673 x 10 – 27 Kg + 1.6 x 10 – 19 C

Neutron (n) 1.675 x 10 – 27 Kg zero

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➢ Net electric charge of charged object is integral multiple of basic quantity of

electric charge (e)
➢ Net charge of charged object is q = ± ne
where e = 1.6 x 10 – 19 C
and n = 1, 2, 3, .........

➢ Properties of Electric Charge

1. Electric Charge is a scalar quantity
2. Electric charge is quantised i,e, Net charge of charged object is q = ± ne
where e = 1.6 x 10 – 19 C and n = 1, 2, 3, ..............
3. Electric charge is conserved i,e total electric charge during any Physical
or Chemical Process remain same
4. Additive Property of electric charge. The net charge Q of a system of
different number ±q1, ±q2, ±q3, ±q4, ±q5 .......of charges is the algebraic sum
of individual charges.
Q = (±q1) +( ±q2) + (±q3) + (±q4) + (±q5) ......
5. Electric charge resides only on the outer surface of a hallow charged object.
6. Electric charge is uniformly distributed on the surface of an object of
uniform surface area
7. Electric charge density is more at the pointed sharp ends of an object of
non-uniform surface area.
8. Similar electric charges repel each other and Opposite electric charges
attract each other with a force called ELECTROSTATIC FORCE

➢ Methods of charging an object

1. Charging by frictional method
2. Charging by induction method
3. Charging by conduction method
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4. Charging by thermionic ionisation method

5. Charging by field emission method
6. Charging by Photoelectric effect method

➢ 1. Charging an object by frictional method

In charging an object when any two suitable objects when rubbed against each
other they get electrically charged due to transfer of electrons from one object
to the other.
When any two objects in the list of materials given below are rubbed against
each other the object occurring earlier in the list get positively charged while
the object occurring later in the list get negative charge.
1. Fur, 2. Flannel, 3. Sealing wax, 4. Glass, 5. Cotton, 6. Paper, 7. Silk 8.
Human body, 9. Wood, 10. Metals, 11. Rubber, 12. Resin, 13. Amber,
14. Sulphur, 15. Ebonite, 16. Guta parcha.
Example: 1. When a glass rod is rubbed with fur then glass rod gets
negatively charged and fur get positively charged
2. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk then glass rod gets positively
charged and fur get negatively charged

➢ 2.Charging on object by induction method

1. When a charged object is brought closer to an uncharged object
opposite charge is produced at the near end and like charge is produced
at far end.
2. Magnitude of induced charge is less than inducing charge.
3. Large number of charges can be charged at the same time by induction
method of charging.
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➢ 3. Charging by Conduction method.

When electrically charged, object is connected to an uncharged object electric
charge flows until the two objects get equally charged.
➢ 4. Charging by thermionic emission method.
When a metal is heated some metals emit electrons and the metal gets ionised.
➢ 5.Charging by field emission method
When large electric field is applied near a metal surface electron are emitted
from its surface.
➢ 6. Charging by photoelectric effect
When light or radiation of high frequency is incident on the metal surface
electrons are emitted from its surface and the metal becomes positively
charged.

Question: How to detect the presence of charge and nature of charge?

Gold leaf electroscope is used to 1) detect the presence of electric charge 2)
nature of electric charge
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COULOUMB’S LAW OF ELECTROSTATIC FORCE

➢ It states that the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between any two
electric charges is directly proportional to the product of magnitude of electric
charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
charges and permittivity of medium between charges.

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑭=
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐
F=Electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion

𝜖0 = 8.854 𝑋10− 12 𝐶 2 𝑚− 2 𝑁 − 1 ;

𝑞1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠

r=distance between the electric charge

1
= 9 𝑋 109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 − 2
4𝜋𝜀0

COULOUMB’S LAW IN VECTOR FORM

𝟏 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
⃗𝑭 = 𝒓̂𝟏𝟐
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐 𝟏𝟐

𝑟12
𝑟̂12 = = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑞1 𝑡𝑜 𝑞2
𝑟

𝑟12 = 𝑟1 − 𝑟2

𝑟21 = 𝑟2 − 𝑟1

𝑟12 = − 𝑟21

𝐹12 = − 𝐹21
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𝐹12 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑞1 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑞2 ;

𝐹21 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑞2 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑞1

FORCES BETWEEN MULTIPLE CHARGES: PRINCIPLE OF

SUPERPOSITION

It states that the electrostatic force between two electric charges is

independent of presence of third charge. So, the net electrostatic force on a
given electric charge in a system of different charges is the resultant vector
sum of electrostatic force exerted by each charge on the given charge.
𝐹1 = 𝐹12 + 𝐹13 + 𝐹14 + 𝐹15 + … … … … ..

ELECTRIC FIELD (E):

E of an electric charge “q “is the space around the charge where another electric
charge experiences an electrostatic force

E at a point due to an electric charge “q” is electrostatic force (F) per unit electric
charge placed at that point.

⃗𝑭
⃗⃗ =
𝑬
𝒒
𝟏 𝒒
⃗⃗⃗
𝑬 = 𝒓̂ ( 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎)
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟐

1 𝑞
𝐸 = ( 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
S I UNIT OF ELECTRIC FIELD (E) is newton per coulomb (NC – 1)
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Electric field is a characteristic of the system of charges and is independent of

the test charge that you place at a point to determine the field.

➢ PROPERTIES OF ELECTRIC FIELD (E)

1. Electric field is a vector quantity.
2. The direction of electric field at a point is same as the direction of
electrostatic force at that point.
3. The direction of electric field due to a positive charge is radially away
from it and the direction of electric field due to a negative charge is
radially towards it.

4. Electric field obeys principle of superposition i,e the net electric field at
a given point due to a system different charges is the vector sum of
electric field due to each charge at that point.
𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2 + 𝐸⃗3 + 𝐸⃗4 + 𝐸⃗5 + ⋯ … … … ..

➢ ELECTRIC LINE OF FORCE OF AN ELECTRIC CHARGE is the curve

along which a free positive electric charge tends to move in the electric field
and the tangent to the electric line of force at any point give the direction of
electric field at that point.

➢ PROPERTIES OF ELECTRIC LINE OF FORCE

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1. Electric field lines are smooth curves without breaks.

2. The tangents at any point to electric filed line curve give the direction of
electric field at that point.

3. The electric field lines of a positive charge are radially outward or away from
positive charge.

4. The electric field lines of a negative charge are radially inward or towards
negative charge.

5. Electric field lines of force do not form closed loops. They emerge from
positive charge and tend towards negative charge.

6. No two electric field line of force cross or intersect each other because at any
electric field has a unique direction at any given point in the electric field. If any
two electric field lines intersect two tangents can be drawn at the point of
intersection indicating two directions for electric field at a point which is not
possible.

7. Electric field line density is proportional to electric field intensity i,e electric
field density is large at strong electric fields and less at weak electric field.
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8. Electric field lines of uniform electric field are parallel and equidistant or
equally spaced.

9. The electric field lines are always normal to the surface of a charged conductor
on which the electric charges are in equilibrium. (REASON: if electric field lines
of a charged conductor are not normal to the surface, then a parallel component
of electric field line arise which cause surface charges to
move producing surface electric current which does not
occur when the electric charges on surface are in
equilibrium.)

10. Electric field lines do not pass through a conductor because electric field
inside a charged conductor is zero.

ELECTRIC DIPOLE:
➢ it is an arrangement of two equal and opposite electric charges separated by a
distance “2a” between them.

➢ ELECTRIC DIPOLE MOMENT (P) is a vector quantity which is product of

magnitude of electric charge (q) and the distance between the electric charges of
electric dipole (2a)
⃗⃗ = 𝒒 (𝟐𝒂) 𝒑
𝑷 ̂ ( 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒊𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎)
⃗⃗ is electric dipole moment vector in the direction from negative charge
𝑷
towards positive electric charge of electric dipole.
𝑝̂ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
SI unit of electric dipole moment is Coulomb meter (Cm)
Example of electric dipole: NaCl, NaOH, all ionic compounds.

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD AT A POINT ON THE AXIAL LINE OF ELCTRIC

DIPOLE
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Axial line of electric dipole is the line the joining along the electric charges of
electric dipole.

Let q = magnitude of electric charge of an electric dipole

2a = distance between charges of an electric dipole
r = distance of a point on the axial line of electric dipole from its centre
𝑝̂ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
1 𝑞
𝐸⃗+𝑞 = 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎)2

E+q is electric field due to positive charge (+q) at point on axial line of electric
dipole

1 𝑞
𝐸⃗−𝑞 = 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 + 𝑎)2

E-q is electric field due to positive charge (- q) at point on axial line of electric
dipole

𝐸⃗𝑎 = 𝐸⃗+𝑞 + (− 𝐸⃗−𝑞 ) is electric field at a point on the axial line of electric
dipole.

1 𝑞 1 𝑞
𝐸⃗𝑎 = 𝑝̂ − 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎)2 4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 + 𝑎)2

𝑞 1 1
𝐸⃗𝑎 = [ − ] 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎)2 (𝑟 + 𝑎)2
𝑞 4𝑎𝑟
𝐸⃗𝑎 = [ 2 ] 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎2 )2
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1 2𝑞(2𝑎)𝑟
𝐸⃗𝑎 = [ 2 ] 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎2 )2
1 2𝑃𝑟
𝐸⃗𝑎 = [ 2 ] 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 − 𝑎2 )2
𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑃 = 𝑞(2𝑎) = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐼𝑓 𝑟 ≫ 𝑎 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛( 𝑟 2 − 𝑎2 ) ≈ 𝑟 2

𝟏 𝟐𝐏
⃗𝐚 =
𝐄 ̂
[ 𝟑] 𝐩
𝟒𝛑𝛆𝟎 𝐫
= 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐞

1 2P 2P 1
⃗a=
E [ 3 ] p̂ = [K 3 ] p̂ where K = = 9 x 109 Nm2 C− 2
4πε0 r r 4πε0

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD AT A POINT ON THE EQUITORIAL LINE OF

ELCTRIC DIPOLE

Equatorial line of electric dipole is the line passing through the centre and
perpendicular to the line joining the electric charges of electric dipole.

Let q = magnitude of electric charge of an electric dipole

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2a = distance between charges of an electric dipole

r = distance of a point on the EQUITORIAL LINE of
electric dipole from its centre
𝑝̂ 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

1 𝑞
𝐸⃗+𝑞 = 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 )2

1 𝑞
𝐸⃗−𝑞 = 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 )2

The electric field 𝐸⃗+𝑞 due to positive charge and 𝐸⃗−𝑞 electric field due to negative
charge at a point on the equatorial line of electric dipole at a distance “r” from the
centre are resolved in to vertical and horizontal components.

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 ⃗⃗⃗𝐸+𝑞 sin 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸⃗−𝑞 sin 𝜃 𝑜𝑓 𝐸⃗+𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸⃗−𝑞 𝑎𝑟𝑒

𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑙 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟

𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 ⃗⃗⃗𝐸+𝑞 cos 𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸⃗−𝑞 cos 𝜃 𝑜𝑓 𝐸⃗+𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸⃗−𝑞

𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

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⃗⃗⃗𝐸𝑒 = Net electric field at a point on equatorial line at distance “ r ” from centre
of electric dipole.

⃗⃗⃗𝐸𝑒 = ⃗⃗⃗𝐸+𝑞 cos 𝜃 + 𝐸⃗−𝑞 cos 𝜃

1 𝑞
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐸⃗+𝑞 = ⃗⃗⃗𝐸−𝑞 = 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 )2

𝐸⃗𝑒 = 2⃗⃗⃗𝐸+𝑞 cos 𝜃

1 𝑞
𝐸⃗𝑒 = 2 ( 𝑝̂ ) cos 𝜃
4𝜋𝜀0 (√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 )2

𝑎
𝐵𝑢𝑡 cos 𝜃 =
√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2

2 𝑞 𝑎
⃗⃗⃗𝐸𝑒 = − 𝑥 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 ) 2
√𝑟 2 + 𝑎2

1 𝑞(2𝑎)
⃗⃗⃗𝐸𝑒 = − 𝑝̂
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 )3/2

𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑃 = 𝑞(2𝑎) = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝟏 𝑷
⃗⃗⃗𝑬𝒆 = − ̂
𝒑
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝟑
(𝒓𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐 )𝟐
= 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒅𝒊𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒕 𝒂 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆

𝐼𝑓 𝑟 ≫ 𝑎 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛( 𝑟 2 + 𝑎2 ) ≈ 𝑟 2

𝟏 𝑷 𝑷
⃗⃗⃗𝑬𝒆 = − ̂
𝒑 = −𝑲 ̂
𝒑
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓𝟑 𝒓𝟑
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1
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐾 = = 9 𝑥 109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 − 2
4𝜋𝜀0

The negative sign in the equation of ⃗⃗⃗Ee indicates that the direction of electric
field at any point on the equatorial line of electric dipole is opposite to direction
dipole moment.

➢ IMPORTANTNOTE
⃗⃗⃗Ea = − 2 ⃗⃗⃗Ee

➢ TORQUE ON AN ELECTRIC DIPOLE IN UNIFORM ELECTRIC

FIELD (3*MARKS)
Consider an electric dipole of dipole moment (P) in uniform electric field ( E)
with its axial line making an angle with the electric field.
𝐹+𝑞 = 𝑞 𝐸⃗ = 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
+𝑞 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐹−𝑞 = − 𝑞 𝐸⃗ = 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
− 𝑞 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒
These two equal and opposite forces form a couple and produce torque
2a = distance between charges of electric dipole
P = q (2a) = electric dipole moment
TORQUE ( τ) = force (F) x perpendicular distance between the two forces
𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝜏) = 𝐹 ( 2𝑎 sin 𝜃 ) = 𝑞𝐸 (2𝑎 sin 𝜃 ) = 𝑞 (2𝑎)𝐸 sin 𝜃
𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒒𝒖𝒆 (𝝉) = ⃗𝑷
⃗ 𝑿 ⃗𝑬
⃗ = 𝑷 𝑬 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽

; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝜃 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝑃⃗ 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐸⃗

⃗⃗ 𝑿 𝑬
⃗ =𝑷
𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 = 𝝉 ⃗⃗

❖ The direction of torque is perpendicular to the plane containing 𝑃⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸⃗

❖ 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝜏)𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑀𝐼𝑁𝐼𝑀𝑈𝑀 𝑜𝑟 𝑍𝐸𝑅𝑂 𝑖𝑓 𝑃⃗ 𝐼𝐼 𝐸⃗
 15

𝑖, 𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃 = 0
❖ 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒 (𝜏)𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑜𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑀𝐴𝑋𝐼𝑀𝑈𝑀 𝑖𝑓 𝑃⃗ ⊥
𝐸⃗ 𝑖, 𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃 = 900
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹+𝑞 + 𝐹−𝑞 = 𝑞 ⃗⃗⃗
𝐸 + (− 𝑞 𝐸⃗ ) = 0
Hence net force on an electric dipole in uniform electric field is ZERO

➢ ELECTRIC DIPOLE IN NON-UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD

In non-uniform electric field if electric field (E) is PARALLEL or
ANTIPARALLEL to electric dipole moment (P) then TORQUE ON
ELECTRIC DIPOLE IS ZERO but NET FORCE ACT ON DIPOLE.
If ⃗P parallel to ⃗E then force on dipole is in the direction of
⃗
increasing E
If ⃗P antiparallel to ⃗E then force on dipole is in the direction of
decreasing ⃗E
➢ AREA VECTOR ( ⃗S ) is the area of a surface expressed in
vector form.
➢ The direction of area vector is along unit normal vector (n̂)
PEPENDICULAR and OUTWARD TO the surface. ⃗S =
S n̂ ; where S magnitude of surface area
➢ ELEMENTARY AREA VECTOR d(S⃗) is the elementary unit of area vector
⃗S whose direction is along n̂ is given by d(S⃗) = ds n̂ ;

where ""ds ""is magnitude of elemenatary area vector

ELECTRIC FLUX (φ)

 16

➢ Flux through a given area held inside electric field is a measure of total
number of electric field lines passing through that area.
𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒙 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 ∆𝑆 𝑖𝑠 ∆𝝓𝑬
∆𝜙𝐸 = 𝐸. ∆𝑆 cos 𝜃 = 𝐸⃗ . ∆S⃗⃗
⃗⃗
where θ angle between 𝐸⃗ 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∆S
𝑛

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 = 𝜙𝐸 = ∑ 𝐸⃗ . ∆S⃗⃗

𝑖=1

𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝐸⃗ . dS⃗⃗ = ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑆 cos 𝜃

Electric flux (∅) is maximum if 𝐸⃗ 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑙 𝑡𝑜 ∆S⃗⃗ then θ = 00

Electric flux (∅) is minmum or zero if 𝐸⃗ 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 ∆S⃗⃗ is θ
= 900
Electric flux (∅) is positive and outward to surface if θ < 900
Electric flux (∅) is negative and inward to surface if θ > 900
Electric flux is a Scalar quantity
SI unit of electric flux is Nm2C – 1 (or) Vm

➢ Linear charge density ( λ)

𝑑𝑞
𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜆)𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ = 𝜆 =
𝑑𝑙
𝑞
=
𝑙
𝑆𝐼 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜆)𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑚− 1

➢ Surface charge density ( σ)

𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜎)𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝜎
𝑑𝑞 𝑞
= =
𝑑𝑠 𝐴
𝑆𝐼 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜎)𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑚− 2
 17

➢ Volume charge density ( ϱ)

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜚)𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑙𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 = 𝜚
𝑑𝑞 𝑞
= =
𝑑𝑣 𝑉
𝑆𝐼 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝜚)𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑚− 3

GAUSS LAW OF ELECTROSTICS

1
It states that the total electric flux (φ) through a closed surface is times the
𝜖0

total electric charge (q) enclosed by the surface.

𝑞
𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝐸⃗ . dS⃗⃗ = ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑆 cos 𝜃 =
𝜀0

𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑠

𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠

GAUSSIAN SURFACE

➢ It is a closed surface drawn symmetrically a point charge or charged object is

called the Gaussian surface of that charge or charged object

➢ PROOF OF GAUSS LAW OF ELECTROSTATICS

Let q = point charge
r = radius of spherical Gaussian surface with electric charge at its centre
dS = elementary surface area on spherical Gaussian surface
 18

1 𝑞
𝐸 = = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝜙𝐸 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆 = E dS cos θ = EdS cos 0
𝑑𝜙𝐸 = E dS
1 𝑞
𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝐸𝑑𝑆 = E ∮ dS = ∮ 𝑑𝑆
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
1 𝑞
= (𝑆)
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
1 𝑞
𝜙𝐸 = ( 4𝜋𝑟 2 )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝑞
𝜙𝐸 =
𝜀0
𝑞
𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝐸⃗ . dS⃗⃗ = ∮ 𝐸. 𝑑𝑆 cos 𝜃 =
𝜀0

COULOUMB’S LAW FROM GAUSS LAW

Let q = point charge
r = radius of spherical Gaussian surface with electric charge at its centre
dS = elementary surface area on spherical Gaussian surface
1 𝑞
𝐸 = = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒

𝑑𝜙𝐸 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆 = E dS cos θ = EdS cos 0 = EdS

𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝐸 = ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆 = E ∮ dS = E ( S) = E ( 4𝜋𝑟 2 )
𝑞
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝜙𝐸 = 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠
𝜀0
𝑞
𝜙𝐸 = = E ( 4𝜋𝑟 2 )
𝜀0
 19

1 𝑞
𝐸 = = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝐹 = 𝑞0 𝐸 = = 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑞0 𝑜𝑛
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑞
1 𝑞𝑞0
𝐹= = 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠

APPLICTIONS OF GAUSS LAW OF ELECTROSTATICS

➢ 1. ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO INFINITLY LONG CHARGED WIRE

(5*MARKS)
𝑞
𝑳𝑒𝑡 𝜆 = = 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦
𝑙
𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒
Construct a finite cylindrical Gaussian surface around infinitely long charged
wire passing through its centre along its length
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑆𝑡 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑝 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝑆𝑏 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑟 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝜙𝐿 , 𝑑𝜙𝑅 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝜙𝑐 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦
 20

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑆𝐿 , 𝑑𝑆𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑆𝑐

𝑑𝜙𝐿 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝑡 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑡 cos 𝜃
𝑑𝜙𝐿 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑡 cos 900 = 0

𝜙𝐿 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝑡 = 0

𝑑𝜙𝑅 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝑏 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑏 cos 𝜃

𝑑𝜙𝑅 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑏 cos 900 = 0

𝜙𝑅 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝑏 = 0

𝑑𝜙𝑐 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 cos 𝜃 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 cos 00 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐

𝜙𝑐 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝑐 = ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝐸 𝑆𝑐 = 𝐸 ( 2𝜋𝑟𝑙)

𝜙𝐸 = 𝜙𝑡 + 𝜙𝑏 + 𝜙𝑐 = 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ

𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝜙𝐸 = 0 + 0 + 𝐸 ( 2𝜋𝑟𝑙)
𝜙𝐸 = 𝐸 ( 2𝜋𝑟𝑙)
𝑞
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝜙𝐸 = 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞 = 𝜆 𝑙
𝜀0
𝑞 𝜆𝑙
𝜙𝐸 = =
𝜀0 𝜀0
𝜆𝑙
𝜙𝐸 = = 𝐸 ( 2𝜋𝑟𝑙)
𝜀0
𝜆 1 2𝜆 2𝐾𝜆 1
𝐸= (𝑜𝑟 )𝐸 = (𝑜𝑟)𝐸 = ; 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐾 =
2𝜋𝑟𝜀0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0
𝟏 𝟐𝝀
𝑬= = 𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒓𝒆
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO INFINETLY LARGE CHARGED SHEET

Consider an infinitely large charged sheet.
 21

𝑞
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝜎 = = 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦
𝑠
𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡
Construct a cylindrical or cuboid Gaussian surface on either side of the
charged sheet

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑆𝐿 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝑆𝑅 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑦𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐺𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
𝑑𝜙𝐿 , 𝑑𝜙𝑅 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝜙𝑐 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑦
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑆𝐿 , 𝑑𝑆𝑅 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑆𝑐
𝑑𝜙𝐿 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝐿 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝐿 cos 𝜃 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝐿 cos 00 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝐿

𝜙𝐿 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝐿 = 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑆𝐿 = 𝐸𝑆

𝑑𝜙𝑅 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝑅 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑅 cos 𝜃

𝑑𝜙𝑅 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑅 cos 00 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑅

𝜙𝑅 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝑅 = 𝐸 ∮ 𝑑𝑆𝑅 = 𝐸𝑆

𝑑𝜙𝑐 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 cos 𝜃 = 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 cos 900 = 0

𝜙𝑐 = ∮ 𝑑𝜙𝑐 = ∮ 𝐸 𝑑𝑆𝑐 = 0
 22

ϕE = ϕL + ϕR + ϕc = total electric flux through

gaussian surface
ϕE = E S + E S + 0
ϕE = 2E S
q
But ϕE = From Gauss law and q = σ S
ε0
q σS
ϕE = 2ES = =
ε0 ε0
σS
2ES =
ε0
𝛔
𝐄= = 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐭
𝟐𝛆𝟎
❖ If σ > 0 or q > 0 electric field is normally away from plane sheet
❖ If σ < 0 or q < 0 electric field is normally in to the plane sheet
❖ Electric field due charged sheet is independent of position of point.

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO SIMILARLY CHARGED PLANE

SHEETS
Consider two similarly charged plane sheets separated by a gap between them
 23

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝜎1 = 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐴

𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝜎2 = 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐵
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑟̂ = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓
𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐴 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐵
𝜎1
𝐸⃗1 = 𝑟̂ = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐴
2𝜀0
𝜎2
𝐸⃗2 = 𝑟̂ = 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐵
2𝜀0
𝐸⃗𝐿 = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒
𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
𝐸⃗𝐿 = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸⃗𝐿 = (− 𝑟̂ ) + (− 𝑟̂ )
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
(𝜎1 + 𝜎2 )
𝐸⃗𝐿 = − 𝑟̂ = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒
2𝜀0
𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠
𝐸⃗𝑅 = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑
𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
𝐸⃗𝑅 = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸⃗𝑅 = ( 𝑟̂ ) + ( 𝑟̂ )
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
(𝜎1 + 𝜎2 )
𝐸⃗𝑅 = 𝑟̂ = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒
2𝜀0
𝑜𝑓 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠
𝐸⃗𝑏 = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑
𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵
𝐸⃗𝑏 = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸⃗𝑏 = ( 𝑟̂ ) + (− 𝑟̂ )
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
 24

( σ1 − σ2 )
⃗b=
E r̂ = net electric field in between
2ε0
similarly charged sheets
❖ SPECIAL CASE:

If σ1 = σ2 = σ then

σ
⃗EL = (− r̂)
ε0
⃗EL = Net electric field on left end of similarly and equally charged plane sheets
σ
⃗R=
E r̂
ε0
⃗ R = Net electric field on right end of similarly and equally charged plane
E
sheets
⃗ b = 0 = Net electric field in between similarly and equally charged plane
E
sheets
❖ Electric field due charged sheet is independent of position of point.

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO OPPSITELY CHARGED PLANE

SHEETS

Consider two similarly charged plane sheets

separated by a gap between them

Let σ1 = surface charge density of charged plne sheet A

 25

Let σ2 = surface charge density of charged plne sheet B

Let r̂ = unit vector pointing from left to right of plane
sheet A to sheet B
σ
⃗E+q = 1 r̂ = electric field due to positive charged
2ε0
plane sheet A
σ
⃗E−q = 2 r̂ = electric field due to negative charged
2ε0
plane sheet B
⃗EL = net electric field in left side of charged plane
sheets A and B
⃗EL = ⃗E+q + ⃗E−q
σ1 σ2
⃗ L = (−
E r̂) + ( r̂)
2ε0 2ε0
σ2 − σ1
⃗L=
E r̂ = net electric field in the left side of
2ε0
charged sheets
⃗ R = net electric field in right side of charged plane
E
sheets A and B
⃗R= E
E ⃗ +q + E
⃗ −q
σ1 σ2
⃗ER = ( r̂) + (− r̂)
2ε0 2ε0
(σ1 − σ2 )
⃗ER = r̂ = net electric field in the right side of
2ε0
charged sheets
⃗Eb = net electic field in between charged plane sheets A and B
⃗Eb = ⃗E+q + ⃗E−q
σ1 σ2
⃗Eb = ( r̂) + ( r̂)
2ε0 2ε0
 26

( 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 )
𝐸⃗𝑏 = 𝑟̂ = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦
2𝜀0
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠
❖ SPECIAL CASE:
❖ 𝐼𝑓 𝜎1 = 𝜎2 = 𝜎 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
❖ 𝐸⃗𝐿 = 𝐸⃗𝑅 = 0
𝜎
𝐸⃗𝑏 = 𝑟̂
𝜀0
𝐸⃗𝐿 = Net electric field on left end of equally and oppositely charged plane
sheets
𝐸⃗𝑅 = Net electric field on right end of equally and oppositely charged plane
sheets
𝐸⃗𝑏 = Net electric field in between equally and oppositely charged plane sheet.

➢ ELECRIC FIELD DUE TO UNIFORMLY CHARGED SPHERICAL

SHELL OR SOLID CODUCTING SPHERE
q
Let σ = = surface charge density of unifolmly
4πR2
charged shell
R = radius of uniformly charged spherical shell
r > R = radius of spherical gaussian surface drawn
around shell
dS⃗ = dS n̂ = elementary area vector on spherical
gaussian surface

ϕE = ∮ dϕE = ∮ ⃗E. dS⃗⃗ = ∮ E. dS cos θ = ∮ E. dS cos 0 = ∮ E dS

 27

ϕE = ∮ dϕE = ∮ E dS = E ∮ dS = E ( S) = E ( 4πr 2 )
q
But ϕE = From Gauss law of electrostatics
ε0
q
ϕE = = E ( 4πr 2 )
ε0
1 q
E =
4πε0 r 2
E = Electric field on spherical Gaussian surface of a uniformly charged
spherical shell
❖ SPECIAL CASE:
1 q
1. If r ≫ R then E = = elecrtic field out side
4πε0 r 2
charged shell
1 q
2. If r = R then E = = elecrtic field on thesurface
4πε0 R2
charged shell

3. If r < R then E = 0 = elecrtic field inside charged

spherical shell
❖ Graph of variation of electric field of a charged
spherical shell or hallow sphere

➢ ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO UNIFORMLY CHARGED NON-

CONDUCTING SPHERE
q
𝑳et σ = = surface charge density of unifolmly
4πR2
charged shell
R = radius of uniformly charged spherical shell
r > R = radius of spherical gaussian surface
 28

drawn around shell

dS⃗ = dS n̂ = elementary area vector on spherical
gaussian surface

ϕE = ∮ dϕE = ∮ ⃗E. dS⃗⃗ = ∮ E. dS cos θ = ∮ E. dS cos 0 = ∮ E dS

ϕE = ∮ dϕE = ∮ E dS = E ∮ dS
ϕE = E ( S) = E ( 4πr 2 )
q
But ϕE =
ε0
From Gauss law of electrostatics
q
ϕE = = E ( 4πr 2 )
ε0

1 q
E =
4πε0 r 2

❖ SPECIAL CASE:

1 q
1. If r ≫ R then Eo = = elecrtic field out side charged sphere
4πε0 r 2

1 q
2. If r = R then Es =
4πε0 R2

Where Es = elecrtic field on thesurface charged

non coducting sphere

3. If r < R then Ei = elecrtic field inside charged

non coducting sphere

 29

1 qi
Ei =
4πε0 r 2

q 4 3
qi = x πr
4 3 3
3 πR

where r = radius of inner sphere

qr 3
qi = 3
R
1 qi 1 qr
Ei = =
4πε0 r 2 4πε0 R3

1 qr
Ei = = electric field inside charged
4πε0 R3
non conducting sphere

➢ Graph of variation of electric field

of a charged non – conducting
sphere with distance from its
centre.

*********************
 30

PREVIOUS YEAR CBSE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

PROBLEM – 1 – CBSE – 2020 – S1

SOLUTION – P – 1

PROBLEM – 2 – CBSE – 2020 – S1

SOLUTION – P – 2
 31

PROBLEM – 3 – CBSE – 2020 – S2

SOLUTION – P – 3

PROBLEM – 4 – CBSE – 2020 – S2

 32

SOLUTION – P – 4
 33

PROBLEM – 5 – CBSE – 2020 – S2

SOLUTION – P – 5
 34

PROBLEM – 6 – CBSE – 2020 – S2

 35

SOLUTION – P – 6

PROBLEM – 7 – CBSE – 2020 – S3

SOLUTION – P – 7
 36

PROBLEM – 8 – CBSE – 2020 – S3

SOLUTION – P – 8
 37

PROBLEM – 9 – CBSE – 2020 – S4

SOLUTION – P – 9

PROBLEM – 10 – CBSE – 2020 – S4

SOLUTION – P – 10
 38

PROBLEM – 11 – CBSE – 2020 – S4

PROBLEM – 12 – CBSE – 2020 – S5

PROBLEM – 13 – CBSE – 2020 – S5

SOLUTION – P – 13

PROBLEM – 14 – CBSE – 2020 – S5

 39

SOLUTION – P – 14

PROBLEM – 15 – CBSE – 2020 – SQP

SOLUTION – P – 15
 40

PROBLEM – 16 – CBSE – 2020 – SQP

SOLUTION – P – 16
 41

PROBLEM – 18– CBSE – 2021 – SQP

SOLUTION – P –18
42
 43

PROBLEM – 19 – CBSE – 2021 – SQP

SOLUTION – P – 19

PROBLEM – 20 – CBSE – 2019 – S3

 44

SOLUTION – P – 20

PROBLEM – 21 – CBSE – 2019 – S4

SOLUTION – P – 21
 45

PROBLEM – 22 – CBSE – 2018 – S1

SOLUTION – P – 22
46
 47

PROBLEM – 23 – CBSE – 2018 – S1

SOLUTION – P – 23
48
 49

PROBLEM – 24 – CBSE – 2017 – COM

SOLUTION – P – 24

PROBLEM – 25 – CBSE – 2019 – S3

SOLUTION – P – 25
 50

PROBLEM – 26 – CBSE – 2019 – S3

SOLUTION – P – 26

PROBLEM – 27 – CBSE – 2019 – S3

SOLUTION – P – 27
 51

PROBLEM – 28 – CBSE – 2018 – COM

 52

SOLUTION – P – 28

PROBLEM – 29 – CBSE – 2019 – S1

SOLUTION – P – 29
 53

PROBLEM – 30 – CBSE – 2019 – COM

SOLUTION – P – 30
 54

PROBLEM – 31 – CBSE – 2019 – COM

SOLUTION – P – 31
 55

PROBLEM – 32 – CBSE – 2019 – S4

SOLUTION – P – 32

PROBLEM – 33 – CBSE – 2019 – S2

SOLUTION – P – 33
 56

PROBLEM – 34 – CBSE – 2019 – S2

 57

SOLUTION – P – 34

PROBLEM – 35 – CBSE – 2018 – S1

 58

SOLUTION – P – 35
 59

PROBLEM – 36 – CBSE – 2018 – S1

 60

SOLUTION – P – 36
 61

PROBLEM – 37 – CBSE – 2018 – COM

SOLUTION – P – 37

PROBLEM – 38 – CBSE – 2018 – COM

 62

SOLUTION – P – 38

PROBLEM – 39 – CBSE – 2017 – F

 63

SOLUTION – P – 39

PROBLEM – 40 – CBSE – 2017 – COM

SOLUTION – P – 40

a) DERIVATION
 64

PROBLEM – 41 – CBSE – 2016 – D

SOLUTION – P – 41

PROBLEM – 42 – CBSE – 2016 – E

SOLUTION – P – 42
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