1

(4) C is a point of unstable equilibrium

CHALLENGER (a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3

SERIES (c) 1, 2 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

3. A point charge q1  q is placed at point P.

LEVEL-1 Another point charge q2  q is placed at

point Q. At some point R (R ≠ P, R ≠ Q), electric
 ONE CORRECT ANSWER
potential due to q1 is V1 and electric potential
TYPE-I: Potential due to Point Charge due to q2 is V2. Which of the following is
and Dipole: correct?

1. Two conducting spheres each of radius (a) Only for some points V1> V2
R carry charge q. They are placed at a distance
(b) Only for some points V2> V1
r from each other, where r >> 2R. The neutral
(c) For all points V1> V2
point lies at a distance r/2 from either
sphere. If the electric field at the neutral point (d) For all points V2> V1
due to either sphere be E, then the total 4. The electrostatic potential due to the
electric potential at that point will be due charge configuration at point P as shown in
to two spheres figure for b << a is
(a) rE/2 (b) rE

(c) RE/2 (d) RE

2. The curve represents the distribution of

potential along the straight line joining the
two charges Q1 and Q2 (separated by a distance
r) then which of the following statements are 2q 2 qb2
(a) (b)
correct? 4  0 a 4  0 a3

qb2
(c) (d) Zero
4  0 a3

SOLUTION

q  q 
1. (b) E  k and V   k 2
  r / 2 
 r / 2
2
(1) |Q1 ||Q2 |  

(2) Q1 is positive in nature V

 r  V rE
E
(3) A and B are equilibrium points
 2
2. (a) →In the neighbourhood of Q1 (just of (a) r2 (b) r
right) potential is positive.  Q1 = positive (c) 1/r (d) 1/r2

→In neighbourhood of Q2 (just of left but down 2. Two identical positive charges are placed
word) potential is positive.  Q2 = positive at x = - a and x = a. The correct variation of

→ At A and B potential is zero but not force. potential V along the x-axis is given by

 A and B are not equilibrium points.

Now, at point B potential is zero. Let B is at

distance x from Q2.

Q1 Q Q1 rx
k k 2 0  
rx x Q2 x

Q1 rx rx  r
       1  | Q1 | | Q2 |
Q2 x  x  x

3. (c) V1 is positive and V2 is negative.

SOLUTION
Hence at all points, V1> V2
1. (b) Given: V  k x y
 1 q  1 q 
4. (c) Vp  2   2  V V
 4 0 a   4 0 b  a 
2 2  Ex    k y and E y   kx
x y
Y
q  b2  
1/2
 P (x, y)
 VP  2  2 1  2  
4 0a   a  
  r
y
Apply binomial expansion: b <<a X
O x
q   b2   qb2
 Vp  2  2 1  2     Er  Ex2  E 2y  k2 y2  k2 x2  k x2  y2  kr
4  0 a   2a   4  0 a3

So, Er  r
  
 r2  x 2  y 2 

TYPE-II: Relation between Electric
Field & Electric Potential: 2. (c) On both sides of the positive charge
V = + ⍺ just over the charge.
1. The electric potential at a point (x, y) in xy
plane is given by V  k xy . The field intensity
TYPE-III: Relation between ΔV, ΔW
at a distance r from the origin varies as (i.e.
and a charge bringing from One Point
proportional)
to Other Point:
 3
1. An infinite line of charge  per unit length of the string is fixed to the point O. The whole
is placed along the y-axis. The work done in system lies on a frictionless horizontal
moving a charge q from A (a, 0) to B (2a, 0) plane. Initially, the mass is at rest at A. A
is uniform electric field in the direction shown in
then switched on. Then,
q q 1
(a) log2 (b) log  
2  0 2  0 2

q q
(c) log 2 (d) log2
4  0 4  0

2. Two identical charges are placed at the

two corners of an equilateral triangle. The
potential energy of the system is U. The 2qE l
(a) Speed of particle when it reaches B is
work done in bringing an identical charge m

from infinity to the third vertex is qEl

(b) Speed of particle when it reaches B is
(a) U (b) 2U m

(c) 3U (d) 4U (c) The tension in the string when the particle
reaches at B is qE
SOLUTION
(d) The tension in the string when the particle
1. (b)  WA B  q  VB  VA  reaches at B is zero

SOLUTION
 WAB  q    Edr   q  Edr
B A

 A  B

1. (b) WFe   Fe  (displacement in the direction of

a  q 1
 WA  B  q  dr  log   force) = Kinetic energy of the particle
2a 2  0 r 2  0 2
1 2 l l  qEl
1  q2   mv  qE   cos 60o   v
2. (b)  U    (Here, a  sideof triangle) 2 2 2  m
4 0  a 

 1 q2  Case-II: Potential Energy:

W  U f  U i  3   U  3U  U  2U
 4  0 a 
1. Three identical charges are placed at
corners of an equilateral triangle of side l.
TYPE-VI: Energies of Charges: If force between any two charges is F, the

Case-I: Kinetic Energy: work required to double the dimensions of

triangle is
1. A particle of mass m and charge q is fastened
to one end of a string of length l. The other end (a) – 3 Fl (b) 3 Fl
 4
(c) (-3/2) Fl (d) (3/2) Fl

SOLUTION

q2
1. (c) Force between two charges: F  k
l2

 Work done between the charges

 qq   qq  3
W1  3 k   3 Fl and W2  3 k   Fl
 l   2 l  2

3 3  q2 
 W2  W1  F l  3F l   F l  Fl  k 
2 2  l 

Case-III: Mechanical Energy:

1. A charge +Q is uniformly distributed in a

spherical volume of radius R. A particle of
charge +q and mass m projected with velocity vo
from the surface of the spherical volume to
its centre inside a smooth tunnel dug across
the sphere. The minimum value of v0 such
that it just reaches the centre (assume that
there is no resistance on the particle except
electrostatic force) of the spherical volume is

Qq Qq
(a) (b)
2 0mR   0mR

2Qq Qq
(c) (d)
  0 mR 4  0mR

SOLUTION

1
1. (d)  Ui  Ki  U f  K f  qVi  mv2min  qVf  0
2

 1  Q  1 2 3 Q 
 q    mv min  q   
 4 0  R  2 2 4 0R 

From here, we can find vmin

 1
3. On an imaginary planet the acceleration
CHALLENGER due to gravity is same as that on Earth but

SERIES there is also a downward electric field that is

uniform close to the planet’s surface. A ball of
mass m carrying a charge q is thrown
upward at a speed v and hits the ground
LEVEL-2
after an interval t, what is the magnitude of
 ONE CORRECT ANSWER potential difference between the starting
TYPE-I: Potential due to Point Charge point and top point of the trajectory?

and Dipole: mv  gt  mv  gt 
(a) v   (b) v  
2q  2  q  2 
1. A long, hollow conducting cylinder is
kept coaxially inside another long, hollow mv 2mv
(c)  v  gt  (d)  v  gt 
conducting cylinder of larger radius. Both 2q q
the cylinder is initially electrically neutral.
4. Two very small identical metal balls of
Which of the following statement is correct:
radius r are at a distance a (a>>r) from each
(a) A potential difference appears between the other and are charged, one with a potential V1
two cylinders when a charge density is given to and the other with a potential V2. The charges
the inner cylinder on the balls are:

(b) A potential difference appears between two (a) q1  V1a , q2  V2a

cylinders when a charge density is given to the (b) q1  V1r , q2  V2r
outer cylinder.
V V  V V 
(c) q1   1 2  a , q2   1 2  r
(c) No potential difference appears between the  2   2 
two cylinders when a uniform line charge is kept r r
(d) q1    rV2  aV1  , q2   r V1  aV2 
along the axis of the cylinders. a a

(d) No potential difference appears between the SOLUTION

two cylinders when same charge density is given
1. (a) When charge is given to inner cylinder,
to both the cylinders.
an electric field will exist in between the
2. Charge Q and -2Q are placed at some cylinder. So, there is potential difference
distance. The locus of points in the plane of between the cylinders.
the charges where the potential is zero will
be: 2. (a) The potential of this system of charges
(a) A straight line (b) A circle will be zero at any point on the line
perpendicular to the line joining the charges as
(c) A parabola (d) A ellipse
 2
all points on the line are equidistant from both TYPE-II: Relation between electric
the charges. field & electric potential:

1. In a certain region of space, the potential

field depends on x and y coordinates as

 
V  x2  y 2 . The corresponding electric field

lines in x-y plane re correctly represented by

(a) (b)

3. (b) Net downwards acceleration (or)

 qE 
effective gravity on body mass: geff   g  
 m

For upward motion: v '  v  geff t  v  geff t (d)

(c)

2v
If it hits ground after a time t : t 
qE
g
m
qE 2 v m  2v 
g   E    g
m t q t 
2. In an electric field region, the electric
v
For height  h  vav  t  h    t potential varies along the x axis as shown
2 in the graph. The x components of the electric
V between ground and highest point is field in the regions for the intervals PQ and QR
as marked on the graph are given as:
m  2v  v  mv  gt 
 V   E  h  V    g  t   v  2 
qt 2  q  

4. (d) Potential of the two balls are given in

terms of their charges q1 and q2 :

1  q1 q2  1  q2 q1 
V1     and V2  
4  0  r a  4  0  r a 
(a) 5.0 N/C along negative x-direction and 20.0
 After solving above equations, and
N/C along positive x-direction
neglecting r 2 in comparison to a :
(b) 5.0 N/C along positive x-direction and 20.0
r r
q1    rV2  aV1  and q2    rV1  aV2  N/C along negative x-direction
a a
 3
(c) 5.0 N/C along negative x-direction and 20.0 1. (d) In the space electric field and potential
N/C along negative x-direction   V V ˆ 
are related as E    iˆ  i
(d) 5.0 N/C along positive x-direction and 20.0 x  y 

 E    2x iˆ  2 y iˆ   E  2 x 2  y 2

N/C along positive x-direction

3. The grid (each square of 1 m  1m),

2. (d) The electric field in the region is
represents a region in space containing a
uniform electric field. If potentials at point
E PQ  
dVPQ

VQ  V P

  0  5
5 N /C
O, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are respectively 0, -1, dX PQ X PQ 1.0
-2, 1, 2, 0, -1, 1 and 0 volts. Find the electric
field intensity: and EQR  
 10  0  20 N /C
0.5

3. (b) From the grid, the potential gradient

along x and y directions separately as

VO  VA 0   1
Ex    1 V /m
x 1

 
(a) i  j V/ m  
(b) i  j V/ m and E y 
Vo  VB 0  1
y

1
 1 V /m

 
(c) i  j V/ m  
(d) i  j V/ m Thus, net electric field strength vector is

 

4. A conducting rod of length l rotates about E  E x iˆ  E y ˆj  iˆ  ˆj V /m
its one end with angular velocity  . Potential
4. (c) During rotation free electrons of the rod
difference between A and B points of rod is
drift outward due to centrifugal force which is
VAB. Find VAB. Take m as mass of electron and e
balanced by the induced electric field caused by
is the charge of electron:
drifting of free electrons. At a distance x from
the axis of rotation if induced field is Ei then

m 2 x
m x  e E i  E i 
2

e
m  2l 2 3m 2l 2
(a) (b)
e 4e → Potential difference between points A and B:
m 2
l l
3m 2l 2
(c) (d) Zero VAB   E dx   e x .dx
8e l /2 l /2

SOLUTION m 2 2 l m  2  2 l 2  3 m  2l 2
 VAB  [ x ] l /2  l   
2e 2e  4 8e
 4
in a uniform electric field E acting in the plane of

TYPE-III: ENERGIES of CHARGES: paper as shown in the fig. The rod is released
from rest when it makes an angle  with the
1. A positively charged disc is placed on a
electric field direction. Determine the speed of
horizontal plane. A charged particle is released
the particle when the rod becomes parallel
from a certain height on its axis. The particle
to the electric field:
just reaches the centre of the disc. Select the
correct alternative:

(a) Particle has negative charge on it

(b) Total potential energy (gravitational +

electrostatics) of the particle first increases then
decreases
 2qEL 1  cos    2qE L 1  sin  
1/2 1/2

(a)   (b)  
(c) Total potential energy of the particle first  m   m 
decreases then increases
 2qEL 1  cos    2qE L  cos  
1/2

(d) Total potential energy of the particle (c)   (d)  

 2m   m 
continuously decreases
4. Consider shown uniform solid insulating
2. Four similar points charges q are located
sphere of mass m with a short and light electric
at the vertices of a tetrahedron with an edge
a. The energy of interaction of charge is dipole moment p j embedded at its centre

given as: placed at rest on a horizontal surface. An

electric field Ei is suddenly switched on in

the region such that the sphere starts rolling
without sliding. Speed of the sphere when
the dipole becomes horizontal for the first
time is given as:
2 2
6q 4q
(a) (b)
4  0a 4  0 a

3 q2 q2
(c) (d)
4  0 a 4  0 a

3. A particle of mass m and charge q is attached 5pE 10pE

(a) (b)
to a light rod of length L. the rod can rotate m 7m
freely in the plane of paper about the other end,
5pE
which is hinged at P, the entire assembly lies (c) (d) Zero
2m
 5
5. A block of mass m and charge q is → Work done by electric field  qE  L
connected to a point O with help of an
1 2qEL 1  cos 
inextensible string. The system in on a  mv 2  qE L 1  cos   v 
2 m
horizontal table. An electric field is switched on
in direction perpendicular to string. What will be 4. (b) Work along electric field: W   pE
tension in string when it becomes parallel
Law of conservation of energy
to electric field?
1  K2 
 W  K.E. of rotation  pE  mv2 1  2 
2 R  

1 2 10pE
 pE  mv 2 1    v
2  5 7m

5. (b) Using work energy theorem

(a) qE / 2 (b) 3pE
1 2Eql
(c) qE / l (d) 3pE / 5  Eql  mv 2  0  v 2 
2 m
SOLUTION
If T –mg provides centripetal force at height
1. (c) When the particle released it falls and till point.
it reaches the centre of disc it comes to rest
mv 2
means it was first accelerating then retarding  T  qE   T  qE  2 qE  3 qE
l
thus in between there is a point, where speed of
the particle should attain a maximum value.
Thus, its kinetic energy increases then decreases.

2. (a) For the six pair of charges the interaction

energy is given by sum of energy of all the pair of
 1 q2 
charges given as U  6  2 
 4  0 a 

3. (a)  PM  L cos  L '  L  L cos