Electricity and Magnetism Sample

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Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT-JAM, JEST, TIFR and GRE in PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Chapter - 1
Electrostatics
The electric field at any point due to stationary source charges is called as electrostatic field.
1.1 Coulomb’s Law and Superposition Principle
The electric force on a test charge Q due to a single point charge q , which is at rest and a
distance R apart is given by Coulomb’s law Q
 1 Qq ˆ
F R. R
4 0 R 2
The constant  0 is called the permittivity of free space.

q
2
C
In mks units,  0  8.85  1012
N .m 2
     
R is the separation vector from r (the location of q ) to r (the location of Q ): R  r  r  ;
R is its magnitude, and R̂ is its direction. The force points along the line from q to Q ; it is
repulsive if q and Q have the same sign, and attractive if their signs are opposite.
1.1.1 Electric Field
If we have many point charges q1 , q2 ,...... at distances R1 , R2 , R3 ...... from test charge Q ,
then according to the principle of superposition the total force on Q is

   Q  q1 ˆ q2 ˆ 
F  F1  F2  ............  Source point
 2 R1  2 R2  .........  y
4 0  R1 R2 
  q1
q  
 F  QE P
i Ri 
q  Field point
 1 n qi 
2

where E  P    Ri '
4 0 i 1 Ri2 ri 
r

E is called the electric field of the
 x
source charges. Physically E  P  is the
force per unit charge that would be

z
exerted on a test charge placed at P .
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If charge is distributed continuously over some region, then

 1 1 ˆ
E r   Rdq .
4 0 line
R2
The electric field of a line charge is  dq   dl  

 1  (r ) ˆ
E r   Rdl  where  is charge per unit length.
4 0 line
R2
For surface charge  dq   da 

 1  (r ) ˆ
E r   Rda where  is charge per unit area.
4 0 surface
R2
For a volume charge  dq   d  

 1  (r ) ˆ
E r   2
Rd  where  is charge per unit volume.
4 0 volume
R
P
 
R  P R

dq
dl '
 a  Continuous distribution  b  Line charge,
 P
 R
da ' R  P
d '
 c  Surface charge,   d  Volume charge, 

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Example: (a) Find the Electric a distance z above the mid point between two
P
equal charges, q , a distance d apart.
z
(b) Repeat part (a) after replacing right hand charge to  q .
1 q q d d q
Solution: (a) E1  E2 
4 0 r 2 2 2
E2 E E1
Horizontal components cancels and
P z
E z  E 1 cos   E2 cos   2 E1 cos 
  r
d2 z r x
Since r 2  z 2  , cos   z
4 r
 1 2qz
E zˆ 
4 0  2 3 / 2 q d /2 d /2 q
2 d
z  
 4 
 1 2q
When z  d , E  (looks like a single charge 2q ).
4 0 z 2
1 q E1
(b) E1  E2 
4 0 r 2 z
E
Component along z-direction cancel out. 
r E2
 d z x
Thus E  2 E1 sin  xˆ , sin  
2r
 1 qd
E xˆ q d /2 d /2 q
4 0  2 3 / 2
2 d
z  
 4 
 1 qd
When z  d , E  xˆ (field of a dipole)
4 0 z 3

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Example: Find the electric field a distance z above the midpoint of a straight line segment of
length 2L , which carries a uniform line charge  .
Solution: Horizontal components of two field cancels and the field of the two segment is
1 dq dE2 dE1
dE1  dE2  
4 0 r 2 z
P
 1   dx 
Net field is dE  2dE1 cos  zˆ  2 cos  zˆ r
4 0  r 2  r
z x
z 1 L 2 z
Here, cos   , r  z 2  x 2  E  0 dx  dq dq
r 4 0  2 3/ 2
2
z x
  L  L dx
x
L
2 z  x   1 2 L
Thus E    E zˆ
4 0  z 2 z 2  x 2  4 0 z z 2  L2
0
1 2 L 1 2
For z  L , E  and when L    E 
40 z 2 4 0 z
Example: Find the electric field a distance z above the center of a circular loop of radius r , which
carries a uniform line charge  .
Solution: “Horizontal” components cancel, leaving:
 1   dl 
E   2 cos   zˆ  r
40  r  z
z R
Here r 2  R 2  z 2 , cos   (both constants),
r
 1  (2 R) z
E zˆ   dl  2 R
4 0 ( R 2  z 2 )3 / 2

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1.2 Gauss’s Law

1.2.1 Field Lines and Electric Flux
Consider that a point charge q is situated at the origin:
 E
1 q 
E
4 0 r 2 r
This field is represented by the field line as shown in figure below.
The magnitude of the field is indicated by the density of the field
lines: it's strong near the center where the field line are close together, and weak farther out,
where they are relatively far apart.
The field strength E is proportional to the number of field lines per unit area (area
 
perpendicular to the lines). The flux of E through a surface S, E   E .d a is a measure of
S
the “number of field lines” passing through S.
da


For the case of point charge at the origin, the flux of E through a sphere of radius r is
  1  q   2 
 1 q
 E .d a   r
 2 .
4 0  r  
r sin  d  d  r 
 0
.
Note that, any surface whatever its shape, would trap the same number of field lines. So the
q
flux through any surface enclosing the charge is .
0
Now suppose that instead of a single charge at the origin, we have a bunch of charges
scattered about. According to the principle of superposition, the total field is simply the
 n 
(vector) sum of all the individual fields: E   E i .
i 1

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The flux through any surface that encloses them all, then, is
n n
 
   1 
 E .d a  i   E i .d a    qi  .

 i  0 
A charge outside the surface would contribute nothing to the total flux, since its field lines
go in one side and out the other. It follows, then, that for any closed surface,
  1
 E .d a  0
Qenc
where Qenc is the total charge enclosed within the surface. This is Gauss’s law in integral
form.
We can convert Gauss’s law in integral form to differential form, for continuous charge
distributions, by applying the divergence theorem:
 
 

surface
E .d a     . E d .
volume 
We can write Qenc in terms of the charge density  , we have Qenc    d .

volume
  1 
So Gauss’s law becomes    . E d     d .
volume    
volume  0
Since this holds for any volume, the integrands must be equal:
  1
.E  .
0

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1.2.2 Applications of Gauss’s Law

Gauss's law is always true, but it is not always useful. Gauss's law is useful for only three
kinds of symmetry:
1. Spherical Symmetry. Make your Gaussian surface a concentric sphere.
2. Cylindrical Symmetry. Make your Gaussian surface a coaxial cylinder.
3. Plane Symmetry. Make your Gaussian surface a “pillbox,” which extends equally
above and below the surface.
Gaussian
surface Gaussian pillbox
r R
Gaussian surface

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Example: Find the field inside and outside a uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R and total
charge q .
Solution: Draw a spherical surface of radius r  R , which is called as “Gaussian surface”.
According Gauss’s Law
Gaussian
  1    1 surface
S E .d a  Qenc   E da  E  da  E  4 r 2  Qenc
0 S S 0
r R
 
 1  q 4 
| E | 4 r 2     r3 
 0  4  R3 3 
3 
 1 qr  1 qr Gaussian
 E  E rˆ surface
4 0 R 3 4 0 R3
For outside point, draw a spherical surface of radius r  R , R r
 1  1 q
| E | 4 r 2  q  E  rˆ
0 4 0 r 2
Example: A long cylinder carries a charge density that is proportional to the distance from the axis;
  kr , for some constant k . Find the electric field inside this cylinder.
Solution: Draw a Gaussian cylinder of length l and radius r .
Gaussian surface
E
l
E
  1
For this surface, Gauss’s Law states:  E .d a 
S
0
Qenc
2
Now, Qenc    d   (kr ')(r ' dr ' d dz )  2 kl 0r r '2 dr '  klr 3 .
3

Symmetry dictates that E must point radially outward and the two ends contribute nothing
 
to electric flux as E  da .

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   1 2
For curved portion  E.da   | E | da | E |  da | E | 2 rl  klr 3
0 3
 1
E kr 2rˆ .
3 0
Example: Find the electric field a distance r from an infinitely long straight wire, which
carries a uniform line charge  .
Solution: Draw a Gaussian cylinder of length l and radius r .
r

l

 1 1
For this surface, Gauss’s Law state:  E .d a  Qenc  E  2 rl  l
S
0 0
 
E rˆ
2 0 r
Example: An infinite plane carries a uniform surface charge  . Find its electric field.
Solution: Draw a “Gaussian pill box”, extending equal distances above and below the plane.
E 
E
  1
Apply Gauss’s Law to this surface:  E .d a 
S
0
Qenc

In this case, Qenc   A , where A is the area of the pill box. By symmetry, E points away
from the plane (upward for the points above, downward for points below).
    1
Thus  E.da  2 A | E | whereas sides contribute nothing. Thus 2 A | E |  A
0
 
  E  nˆ where n̂ is the unit vector pointing away from the surface
2 0

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
Example: Suppose the electric field in some region is found to be E  Ar 3rˆ , in spherical
coordinates ( A is some constant).
(a) Find the charge density  .
(b) Find the total charge contained in a sphere of radius R , centered at the origin.
Solution:
  1  2 1  1 E 
(a)    0 .E   0  (r Er )  (sin  E )  
2
 r r r sin   r 2 sin   
1
 Er  Ar 3 , E  0, E  0     0 A(5r 4 )  5 0 Ar 2
2
r
 
(b) By Gauss's Law, Qenc   0  E.da   0 ( AR3 )(4 R 2 )  4 0 AR5
Also, Qenc    d  0R (5 0 Ar 3 )(4 r 2dr )  20 0 A 0R r 4 dr  4 0 AR 5
Example: A charge q sits at the back corner of a cube as shown in figure. What is the flux of

E through the shaded side?
Solution: Think of this cube as one of 8 surrounding the charge. Each of the 24 squares which
make up the surface of this larger cube gets the same flux as every other one.
  1   q
 E.da   E.da 
one face 24 whole 24 0
large
cube

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1.3 Electric Potential

1.3.1 Curl of Electric field
Consider a point charge at the origin, then electric field at a distance r is given by
 1 q 
E r.
4 0 r 2
Now we will calculate the line integral of this field from some point a to some other point
b  z

b :  E .d l .
a
   
In spherical coordinates, d l  dr r  rd   r sin   b
rb
  b b
1 q   1 q
 E .d l  2
dr   E .d l   2
dr , q y
4 0 r a
4 0 a r
ra
a
b  x

1 1 1
  E .d l  q    where ra is the distance from the origin to point a and rb is
a
4 0  ra rb 
the distance to b .
 
Then integral around a closed path is zero i.e.  E .d l  0  ra  rb 
This line integral is independent of path. It depends on two end points.
 
Applying stokes theorem, we get   E  0 . The electric field is not just any vector but only
those vector whose curl is zero.
If we have many charges, the principle of superposition states that the total field is the
vector sum of their individual fields:
  
E  E1  E 2  ............
     
So,  E   E1   E2  ...........  0
 
Since  E .d l  0 , the line integral is independent of path.
P  
So, we can define a function V  r     E .d l


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where  is some standard reference point V then depends only on the point r . It is called the
electric potential.
Evidently, the potential difference between two points a and b is
b   a  
V  b   V  a     E .d l   E .d l ,
 
b      b  
V  b   V  a     E .d l   E .d l  V  b   V  a     E .d l .
 a a
Now, the fundamental theorem for gradients states that

b b
    
V  b   V  a      .V  .d l    E .d l
a  a
 
 E  V .
Potential obeys the superposition principle.
1.3.2 Potential of localized charges
1 q
Potential of a point charge q is V  where R is the distance from the charge.
4 0 R
n
1 qi
The potential of a collection of point charge is V 
4 0
R
i 1
.
i
1  (r )
For continuous volume charge distribution V (r )   d 
4 0 R
1  (r )
The potential of line and surface charges are V (r )  dl 
4 0  R
1  (r )
and V (r )  da .
4 0  R

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Example: Which one of these is an impossible electrostatic field?


(a) E  k[ xyxˆ  2 yzyˆ  3 xzzˆ]

(b) E  k[ y 2 xˆ  (2 xy  z 2 ) yˆ  2 yzzˆ ]
xˆ yˆ zˆ
    
Solution: (a)   E1  k  k  xˆ (0  2 y )  yˆ (0  3 z )  zˆ(0  x )   0
x y z
xy 2 yz 3zx

So, E1 is an impossible electrostatic field.
  
(b)   E2  0 so E2 is a possible electrostatic field.
Example: Find the potential inside and outside a spherical shell of radius R , charge q .
Solution: From Gauss's law the field
 q
  E1  rˆ; outside thesphere (r  R)
E 4 0 r 2

 E2  0; inside thesphere (r  R)
  q q
Potential outside  r  R  is: V (r )   r E1.dl   r rˆ.drrˆ 
4 0 r 2 4 0r
      q
Potential inside  r  R  is: V (r )   r E.dl   R E1.dl - Rr E2 .dl 
4 0 R
So potential inside the spherical shell is constant.
q q
Thus V  r   ; r  R and V  r   ; r  R.
4 0 R 4 0 r
Example: Find the potential inside and outside a uniformly charged solid sphere whose radius is R
and whose total charge is q .
Solution: From Gauss's law the field
 q
 E1  rˆ; outside thesphere ( r  R)
  4 0 r 2
E

 E  qr rˆ; inside thesphere (r  R)
 2 4 R3
 0

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  q q
Potential outside  r  R  is: V (r )   r E1.dl   r dr 
2 4 0 r
4 0 r
     
Potential inside  r  R  is: V (r )   r E.dl   R E1.dl - Rr E2 .dl
 1 q   1 qr   q  1 1  r 2  R 2 
 V (r )   R   dr   Rr   dr      
2
 4 0 r  
3
 4 0 R  4 0  R R3  2  

q 1  r2 
 V (r )  3 2 
4 0 2 R  R 
Example: Find the potential a distance r from an infinitely long straight wire that carries a
uniform line charge  .
 
Solution: since E  rˆ . In this case we cannot set the reference point at  , since the charge
2 0 r
itself extends to  . Let’s set it at r  a
 1   r
Then V (r )   ar   dr    ln  
 2 0 r   2 0  a 
1.4 Laplace’s and Poisson Equations

     
Since E  V and .E    2V  
0 0
This is known as Poisson's equation.
In regions where there is no charge, so that   0 , Poisson's equation reduces to Laplace's
equation,  2V  0 .

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Example: Consider two concentric spherical conducting shells centered at the origin. The outer
radius of the inner shell is ra and the inner radius of the outer shell is rb .The charge ensity
  0 in the region ra  r  rb . If V  0 at r  ra and V  V0 at r  rb , then find V in the

region ra  r  rb .
Solution: Since voltage is varying only with r, the Laplace’s equation takes the form
1 d  dV 
 2V  r 0
r dr  dr 
Integrate twice to get the solution V  r   A ln  r   B
and the boundary conditions are

(i) V  0 at r  ra (ii) V  V0 at r  rb
Substituting these boundary conditions, we get

At r  ra , 0  A ln ra  B  B   A ln ra
r 
At r  rb , V0  A ln rb  B  V0  A ln rb  A ln ra  A ln  b 
 ra 
V0 V0
 A and B   ln ra
r  r 
ln  b  ln  b 
 ra   ra 
r
V0 ln  
Thus V 
V0 V ln ra
ln r  0 
V0
ln r  ln ra   V   ra 
r  r  r  r 
ln  b  ln  b  ln  b  ln  b 
 ra   ra   ra   ra 
2
Example: Potential in a region of space is given by,    0 e  ax where 0 and a is constant. Then
find the charge density in this region.

Solution:  2       0  2   2a 0 1  2ax 2 
0
Example: If the electrostatic potential were given by   0 ( x 2  y 2  z 2 ) , where 0 is constant, then
find the charge density giving rise to the above potential.


Solution:  2      60 0
0

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1.5 Electrostatic Boundary Condition

The boundary between two medium is a thin sheet of surface charge  . Consider a thin
Gaussian pillbox, extending equally above and below the sheet as shown in figure below:
  Q
The Gauss's law states that  E.d a  enc . E
S 0 above
 A
  A 
E above AE
below A
0
   E
 Eabove  Ebelow  .
0 below
 
The normal component of E is discontinuous by an amount at any boundary. If there is
0
no surface charge, E  is continuous.


The tangential component of E is always
 E ||
continuous.  l above
 
Apply  E.dl  0 to the thin rectangular loop,
E ||
|| || || ||
Eabove l  Ebelow l  0  Eabove  Ebelow below
 || 
where E stands for the components of E parallel to the surface.

The boundary conditions on E can be combined into single formula:
  
E above  E below  nˆ
0
where n̂ is unit vector perpendicular to the surface, pointing upward.
b  
The potential is continuous across any boundary, since Vabove  Vbelow    E.d l ; as the path
a
shrinks to zero.
b
 Vabove  Vbelow .  
    
Since E  V  Vabove  Vbelow   n , a
0

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Vabove Vbelow 
  
n n 0
V
where  V  nˆ denotes the normal derivative of V (that is the rate of change in the
n
direction perpendicular to the surface.)
Example: Assume that z  0 plane is the interface between two linear and homogenous dielectrics
(see figure). The relative permittivities are  r  5 for z  0 and  r  4 for z  0 . The

 
electric field in the region z  0 is E 1  3iˆ  5 ˆj  4kˆ k V m . If there are no free charges
on the interface, then find electric field in the region z  0 .

z
r  5
z0
r  4
Solution:  E1  E 2  E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj
1  5
and  f  0  D1  D2  E 2 
2 4
 
E1   4kˆ  5kˆ
 
 E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ k V m
1.6 Work and Energy in Electrostatics
The work done in moving a test charge Q in an external field E , from point a to b is
b   b   a
W   F  d l   Q  E  d l  Q V  b   V  a   q1 
a a 

If a   and b  r   Q
qi 
q2  
 W  Q V  r   V      QV  r  since V     0  b
In this sense potential is potential energy (the work it takes to create the system) per unit
charge (just as the field is the force per unit charge).

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1.6.1 The Energy of Point Charge Distribution

q3
When the first charge q1 is placed, no work has
been done. When q2 is placed work done r3

 
W2  q2V1 where V1 is the potential due to q1 so,  R23
R13 r q2
1  q  2
W2  q2  1 . 
4 0  R12  R12
r1
q1
1  q q 
Similarly when third charge q3 is placed W3  q3  1  2 
4 0  R13 R23 
1  q1q2 q1q3 q2 q3 
The work necessary to assemble the first three charges is W     
4 0  R12 R13 R23 
1 n n qi q j 1 n n qi q j 1 n
In general, W 
4 0

i 1 j 1 Rij

8 0

i 1 j 1 Rij
  qiV  ri  , where V  ri  is the
2 i 1
j i j i
potential at point ri (the position of qi ) due to all other charges.
Example: Four charges are situated at the corners of a square (side a ) as shown in figure. How
much work does it take to assemble the whole configuration of four charges?
q q
a
q q
a
Solution: Work done in placing first charge (  q charge upper left corner) W1  0
1  q2 
Work done in placing second charge (  q charge lower left corner) W2   
4 0  a 
Work done in placing third charge (  q charge lower right corner)
1  q2 q2 
W3    
4 0  a 2a 

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Potential at fourth corner (  q charge upper right corner)
1 qi 1  q q q q  1 
V
4 0
r    
4 0  a
  
2a a  4 0 a 
2  
2
i
q2  1 
 W4  qV   2  
4 0 a  2
1 2q 2  1  q2  1 
Total work done  W1  W2  W3  W4   2     2  
4 0 a  2  2 0 a  2
1.6.2 Energy of Continuous Charge Distribution
1
For a volume charge density W  Vd ,
2
  0         
 
Since    0 .E  W 
2   .E Vd  W  2   E. V  d   . V E  d 
0
 V V 
0  2     
W  
2 V
E d   

S
V E .d a  Since E  V

The above equation gives the correct energy W , whatever volume we use as long as it
encloses all the charges, but the contribution from the volume integral goes up, and that of
the surface integral goes down, as we take larger and larger volumes. In particular, if we
integrate over all space, then the surface integral goes to zero, and we have
0
W  E 2 d
2 all space
Example: Energy of a uniformly charged spherical shell of total charge q and radius R.
  1 q
Solution: E inside  0, Eoutside  rˆ
4 0 r 2
  R 2   2 0  q2  2
W 0  E 2 d  0  Ein d  0  Eout d     (r sin  drd d )
2 all space 2 0 2 R 2(4 0 ) 2 outside  r 4 
1 1 q2
W q 2 4 R dr  W  .
32 2 0 r2 8 0 R

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Example: Find the energy stored in a uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R and charge q.
 1 qr  1 q
Solution: E  rˆ; r  R and E rˆ; r  R
4 0 R3 4 0 r 2
 1 2 
 q2  2 R r  2 1 q2  1 1 
W 0 R 4 (r 4 dr )  0  3  (4 r dr )     ,
2 (4 0 )2  r R   4 0 2  R 5 R 
1 3q 2
W
4 0 5 R
1.7 Basic Properties of Conductors

1. E  0 inside a conductor.
2.   0 inside a conductor.
3. Any net charge resides on the surface.
4. A conductor is an equipotential.
5. E is perpendicular to the surface, just outside a conductor.
Because the field inside a conductor is zero, boundary condition
  
E above  E below  nˆ requires that the field immediately outside is
0
 
E  nˆ .
0
Vabove Vbelow 
In terms of potential equation   yields
n n 0
V
   0 .
n
These equations enable us to calculate the surface charge on a conductor, if we can

determine E or V .
 1 2
Force per unit area on the conductor is f   nˆ .
2 0

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This amounts to an outwards electrostatic pressure on the surface, tending to draw the
conductor into the field, regardless the sign of  . Expressing the pressure in terms of the
field just outside the surface,
0 2
P E .
2
Example: A spherical conductor of radius a is placed in a uniform electric field E  E0 kˆ . The
potential at a point P  r ,  for r  a , is given by

P
3
E0 a
  r ,   constant – E0 r sin   sin  r
r2

where r is the distance of P from the centre O of the sphere O k̂
and  is the angle OP makes with the z -axis. Then the

charge density on the sphere at   600 is
V  2E a3 
Solution:    0   0   E0 sin   03 sin  
r r a  r  r a
3 3
   0   E0 sin   2 E0 sin      3E0 0 sin   3E0 0 sin 600   0 E0
2
Example: Two spherical cavities, of radii a and b , are hollowed out from the interior of a
conducting sphere of radius R . At the center of each cavity a point charge is placed, call
these charges qa and qb .
(a) Find the surface charges  a ,  b and  R .

qa a
R
(b) What is the field outside the conductor?
(c) What is the field within each cavity?
(d) What is the force on qa and qb ? qb b
(e) If a third charge qc , were brought near the conductor, which of
the above answers will change.

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 qa  qb q q
Solution: (a)  a  2
, b  2
,  R  a 2b .
4 a 4 b 4 R
 1 qa  qb
(b) E  rˆ; r  R
4 0 r 2
 1 qa  1 qb
(c) E  2
rˆ; r  a and E  rˆ; r  b.
4 0 r 4 0 r 2
(d) Zero.
(e)  R will change and hence electric field outside the conductor will also change.
1.8 Multipole Expansions

1.8.1 The Electric Potential and Field of a Dipole

If we choose coordinates so that p (dipole moment) z
lies at the origin and points in the z direction, then

potential at (r , ) is: r
 
 p
rˆ. p p cos  y
Vdip  r ,    2
 .
4 o r 4 o r 2 
 
Since E  V x
V 2 p cos  1 V p sin  1 V
 Er    3
, E    3
, E    0.
r 4 o r r  4 o r r sin  
The electric field of a dipole:
 p
E dip  r ,  
4 0 r 3 
2cos  rˆ  sin ˆ . 
  
   
We can express p  p.rˆ rˆ  p.ˆ ˆ  p cos  rˆ  p sin ˆ .
 
 
Thus 3 p  rˆ rˆ  p  2 p cos  rˆ  p sin ˆ
 1   
 E dip  r ,   
4 0 r 3 
 
3 p  ˆ
r ˆ
r  p


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Note:

(a) When a dipole is placed in a uniform electric field ( E ), net force on the dipole is zero
    
and it experiences a torque  p  E where p  qd .
      
 
(b) In non-uniform field, dipoles have net force F  p   E and torque  p  E .
  
(c) Energy of an ideal dipole p in an electric field E is U   p.E .
(d) Interaction energy of two dipoles separated by a distance r is
U
1
4 0 r 3
  
p1  p 2  3 p1  rˆ p 2  rˆ 

Example: A “pure” dipole p is situated at the origin, pointing in the z-direction
(a) What is the force on a point charge q at  a, 0, 0  ?
(b) What is the force on q at  0, 0, a  ?
(c) How much work does it take to move q from  a, 0, 0  to  0, 0, a  ?
  p p ˆ
Solution: (a) At (a, 0, 0), r  a,  
2
; E
4 0 r 3 
2 cos  rˆ  sin ˆ  
4 0 a3

 p   pq
E 3
ˆ
z  F  qE  zˆ
4 0 a 4 0 a 3
 p 2p
(b) At (0, 0, a ), r  a,   0; E 
4 0 r 32 cos  rˆ  sin ˆ 4 0 a 3
rˆ
 2p   2 pq
E 3
zˆ  F  qE  zˆ
4 0 a 4 0 a 3
p cos  p
(c) Vdip  r ,   2
 V (a, 0, 0)  0 and V (0, 0, a)  ,
4 o r 4 o a 2
p
W  q  V (0, 0, a)  V (a, 0, 0)  
4 o a 2

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 
Example: In figure p1 and p 2 are (perfect) dipoles a distance r apart. What is the torque
   
on p1 due to p 2 ? What is the torque on p 2 due to p1 ?
r
P1 P2
    p2  2 p2
Solution:  1  p1  E 2 , where E 2 
4 0 r 3 
2cos  rˆ  sin ˆ 
4 0 a3
rˆ, 
2 p1 p2
1  (inward)
4 0 a 3
    p1    ˆ p2 ˆ
 2  p 2  E1 , where E1   2cos rˆ  sin    ,
4 0 r 3  2 2  4 0 a 3
p1 p2
2  (inward)
4 0 a 3
1.8.2 Approximate potential at large distances
Approximate potential at large distances due to arbitrary localized charge distribution

R P
d '

r
r ' 

1 1 1 ' 1 2 3 1 
V r  
4 0
 
' ' ' ' '
 r   r d  r 2  r cos   r d  r 2    r 
' 2 '
 
' '
 cos     r d  ...
2 2
 
1
The first term  n  0  is the monopole contribution (it goes like ). The second term  n  1 is
r
1
the dipole term (it goes like ). The third term is quadrupole; the fourth octopole and so
r2
on.
The lowest nonzero term in the expansion provides the approximate potential at large r and
the successive terms tell us how to improve the approximation if greater precision is
required.

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The Monopole and Dipole Terms

Ordinarily, the multipole expansion is dominated (at large r) by the monopole term:
1 Q
Vmon  r   .
4 0 r
where Q   d is the total charge of the configuration.
If the total charge is zero, the dominant term in the potential will be the dipole (unless, of
course, it also vanishes):

1 1 1 1  1 rˆ. p
Vdip  r  
4 0 r 2 
' ' '
 
'
r cos   r d 
4 0 r 2 
' '
 
'
rˆ. r  r d 
4 0 r 2
,
 
 
where dipole moment p   r '  r ' d '
The dipole moment is determined by the geometry (size, shape and density) of the charge
distribute. The dipole moment of a collection of point charge is
 n '
p   qi ri
i 1
Note: Ordinarily, the dipole moment does change when we shift the origin, but there is an
important exception: If the total charge is zero, then the dipole moment is independent of
the choice of origin.
Example: Find the approximate potential for points on the z
z –axis, far from the sphere. Four particles of charges
3a
q , 3q , 2q and 2q are placed as shown in figure,
a
each a distance a from the origin. Find a simple a a y
approximate formula for the potential, valid at points  2q a  2q
far from the origin.
x q

Solution: Net dipole moment p  (3qa  qa) zˆ  (2qa  2q   a) yˆ  2qazˆ

1 p.rˆ  1 2qa cos 
Therefore V  and p.rˆ  2qazˆ.rˆ  2qa cos    V 
4  r 2 4  r2

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Example: An insulating sphere of radius R carries a charge density



 r    R 2  r 2  cos 2  ; r  R
Find the leading order term for the electric field at a distance d , far away from the charge
distribution.
1 1
Solution:  
Q    d    R 2  r 2 cos2   r 2 sin  dr d d  0  V 
d
E
d2
Example: A sphere of radius R , centered at the origin, carries charge density
R
 (r , )  k ( R  2r ) sin  , where k is a constant, and r ,  are the usual spherical
r2
coordinates.
1 
Solution: Monopole term: Q    d  kR   ( R  2r )sin   r 2 sin  dr d d  0
2
r 
R
Since the r integral is 0 ( R  2r )dr  0 .
Dipole term:
 
1 
 
p   r '  r ' d '   r cos   d  KR (r cos  )  2 ( R  2r ) sin   r 2 sin  dr d d  0 ,
r 
3

 2 sin 
Since the integral is 0 sin  cos  d  3 0.
0
Quadrupole term:
3 1 1 1 
 r 2  cos 2     d  kR  r 2 (3cos 2   1)  2 ( R  2r ) sin   r 2 sin  dr d
2 2 2 r 
R
R 2  r3 r4  R4 R4  R4
r integral : 0 r ( R  2r )dr  R  
 3 2  3

2

6

 0
    3 
 integral: 0 (3cos 2   1)sin 2  d  20 sin 2  d  30 sin 4  d  2   3    
2 8 8
2
 integral: 0 d  2 
1   R 4     k  2 R5
whole integral = kR     2  .
2  6   8 
 48
 
1 k 2 R 5
For point P on the z –axis  r  z  the approximate potential is V ( z )  .
4 0 48 z 3

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1.9 Polarization
When a piece of dielectric material is placed in an external field and if the substance
consists of neutral atoms, the field will induce in a tiny dipole moment, pointing in the same
direction as the field. If the material is made up of polar molecules each permanent dipole
will experience a torque, tending to line it up along the field direction. (Random thermal
motions compete with this process, so the alignment is never complete, especially at higher
temperatures, and disappears almost at once when the field is removed.)

(Polarization) P  dipole moment per unit volume
1.9.1 The Field of a Polarized Object (Bound Charges)
Suppose we have a piece of polarized material with
  
polarization vector P containing a lot of microscopic R
dipoles lined up. 

p

For a single dipole of dipole moment p we have

 1 p.Rˆ 
V (r )  2
where R is the vector from the dipole
4 0 R
to the point at which we are evaluating the potential.

 1 Rˆ .P (r ')  
Thus V (r )   p  P (r )d '
4 0 V R 2
d ' ; since
 1 1   1  1   
By solving the above equation, we get V r   
4 0 S R
P .d a '  
4 0 V  R 
 '.P d '

The first term looks like the potential of a surface bound charge  b  P.nˆ (where n̂ is the
normal unit vector)
 
The second term looks like the potential of a volume bound charge  b  .P
Thus potential (and hence also the field) of a polarized object is the same as that produced
  
by a volume charge density  b  .P plus a surface charge density  b  P.nˆ .

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  
Example: A sphere of radius R carries a polarization P (r )  Kr where K is a constant and r is
the vector from the center.
(a) Calculate the bound charges  b and b .
(b) Find the field inside and outside the sphere.

Solution:
     2
(a)  b  P.nˆ  kRrˆ.rˆ  kR;
b  .P   (r kr )  3k
r 2 r
 r   kr
(b) For r  R ; E rˆ  E  rˆ
3 0 0
For r  R ; same as if all charge at center; but
3 
Qtotal  (kR )  4 R 2  (3k )   R 3  0  E  0
4
Example: A thick spherical shell (inner radius a and outer radius b ) is made of
P b
 k P
dielectric material with a polarization P (r )  rˆ , where k is a constant (i ) a (ii ) (iii )
r
P
and r is the distance from the center. Find the electric field in all three P
regions.
  ˆ k 
  1   2 k  k   P. r  b (at r  b) 
Solution: b  .P   2  r  and  b  P.nˆ   
r r  r  r 2 
 P. rˆ   k (at r  a) 
 a 

For r  a ; Qenc  0  E  0
      
  
For r  b ; Qenc  S  da  v b d  s P. da  v . P d  0  s P. da  v  .P d


E 0
 k  r  k 
For a  r  b ; Qenc     4 a 2  a   4 r 2 dr  4 ka  4 k  r  a   4 kr
 a  r2 
 1 Qenc  k
E  E rˆ
4 0 r 2  0r

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1.10 The Electric Displacement

1.10.1 Gauss Law in the Presence of Dielectrics
Within the dielectric, the total charge density can be written as   b   f where  b is
volume bound charge  f free charge density.

       
 
From Gauss Law; .E    0 .E   b   f   .P   f where E is now the total
0
field, not just that portion generated by polarization.
       
 
 .  0 E  P   f  .D   f where D   0 E  P is known as the electric
displacement.
 
Thus Gauss’ law reads, .D   f
 
or, in integral form  D.d a  Q fenc , where Q fenc denotes the total free charge enclosed in the
volume.
1.10.2 Linear Dielectrics (Susceptibility, Permittivity, Dielectric Constant)

For any substances, the polarization is proportional to the field provided  is not too
   
strong: P  E  P   0  e E
(Materials that obey this relation are called linear dielectrics)
The constant of proportionality,  e is called the electric susceptibility of the medium. The
value of  e depends on the microscopic structure of the substance and also on external
conditions such as temperature.

In linear media we have
      
D   0 E  P   0 E   0  e E   0 E (1   e )   E , where    0 (1   e )
This new constant  is called the permittivity of the material.

Also  r   (1   e ) is called relative permittivity or dielectric constant, of the material.
0

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
1.10.3 Boundary Condition on D
The boundary between two medium is a D1

thin sheet of free surface charge  f . a
The Gauss's law states that
1
 
 D.d a  Q free  Dabove
S
 
 Dbelow  f
2
      
Since D   0 E  P    D    P
|| || || ||
f
 D above  D below  P above  P below D2
 

  E  0 
1.10.4 Energy in dielectric system
1  
W  D  E d .
2 all space
 
Example: A metal sphere of radius a carries a charge Q . It is surrounded, out to radius b , by
linear dielectric material of permittivity  . Find the potential at the center.
   Q
Solution:  D.d a  Q fenc 
D
4 r 2
rˆ ; for all points r  a
   
(Inside the metal sphere, E  P  D  0 ). Once we know D , it is a trivial matter to obtain
  
E by D   E ).
 Q
 rˆ for a  r  b
2
 4 r
  Q
E rˆ for r  b
2
 4 0 r
0 for r  a.


Potential at the center is therefore
0   b Q  a Q  0 Q  1 1 1 
V    E.dl      dr  b   dr  a (0)dr  V     
 4 r 2   4 r 2  4   0b  a  b 
 0 

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1.11 Image Problems

1.11.1 The Classic Image Problem
Suppose a point charge q is held a distance d above an infinite grounded conducting
plane. We can find out what is the potential in the region above the plane.
z z
 q
 q
d d
y y
V 0 d
x  q
x
Forget about the actual problem; we are going to study a complete different situation.
The new problem consists of two point charges  q at  0,0, d  and  q at  0,0,  d  and no
conducting plane. For this configuration we can easily write down the potential:
 
1  q q 
V  x, y, z   
40  x 2  y2  z  d 2 x 2  y2   z  d 
2 
   
(The denominators represent the distances from  x, y , z  to the charges  q and  q ,
respectively.) It follows that

1. V  0 when z  0 and
2. V  0 for x 2  y 2  z 2  d 2 ,
and the only charge in the region z  0 is the point charge  q at  0,0, d  . Thus the second
configuration produces exactly the same potential as the first configuration, in the upper
region z  0 .

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1.11.2 Induced Surface Charge

The surface charge density  induced on the conductor surface can be calculated by
V
   0 ,
n
V
where is the normal derivative of V at the surface. In this case the normal direction is
n
the z -direction, so
V
   0
z z 0
 
V 1  q  z  d  qz  d 
   3
 3 
z 4 0   2 2 2
 2
 2 2 2
 2

x  y z  d x  y  z  d
     
 qd
   x, y   3

2 x 2  y 2  d 2  2
As expected, the induced charge is negative (assuming q is positive) and greatest at

x  y  0.
The total induced charge Q    da .
This integral, over the xy -plane, could be done in Cartesian coordinates, with da  dx dy ,
but its easier to use polar coordinates  r ,   , with r 2  x 2  y 2 and da  rdrd .
Then
 qd
  R  3
2 r 2  d 2  2
 
2  qd qd
and Q    3
rdrd   q
0
0  2
2 r  d 2
 2 r2  d 2
0

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1.11.3 Force and Energy

The charge q is attracted towards the plane, because of the negative induced surface
charge. The force:
 1 q2
F  zˆ .
4 0  2d  2
One can determine the energy by calculating the work required to bring q in from infinity.
d
d  1
d
q2 1  q2  1 q2
W   F .dl  dz     

4 0  4 z 2 4 0  4 z   4 0 4d
Example: Find the force on the charge  q as shown in figure (The xy – plane is a grounded
conductor).
z z
Solution: 3d   q 3d   q
d  2q d  2q

y y
d  2q
x x
3d   q
Place image charges 2q at z   d and  q at z  3d .
Total force on  q is
 q  2 q 2q q  1  29q 2 
F     ˆ
z     zˆ
4 0  (2d )2 (4d )2 (6d ) 2  4 0  72d 2 
 1  29q 2 
F    zˆ
4 0  72d 2 

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1.11.4 Other Image Problem

The method just described is not limited to a single point charge; any stationary charge
distribution near a grounded conducting plane can be treated in the same way, by
introducing its mirror image. 

R
R r 
a R'
 q

  q
V 0 b q'
a
Let us examine the completely different configuration, consisting of the point charge q
together with another point charge
R
q'   q
a
placed at a distance
R2
b
a
to the right of the centre of sphere. No conductor, now-just two point charges. The potential
of this configuration is
1  q q' 
V (r , )    
4 0  R R 
where R  r 2  a 2  2ra cos  , R  r 2  b2  2rb cos 
1  q q' 
 V (r, )    
4 0 2 2
r 2  b 2  2rb cos 
 r  a  2ra cos  
 
q  1 1 
V (r , )    
4 0  r 2  a 2  2ra cos  R 2  (ra / R )2  2ra cos  
Clearly when r  R, V  0

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Induced charge
V V V
   0 . In this case  at the point r  R .
n n r
V  r , 
       0
r rR
q 
2 2 3 / 2 2 2
 2
3 / 2 a
 
   ( R  a  2 Ra cos  ) ( R  a cos  )  ( R  a  2 Ra cos  )   a cos   
4  R 
   
q  a2 
 ( R 2  a 2  2 Ra cos  )3 / 2  R  a cos    a cos  
4  R 
q
 ( )  ( R 2  a 2 )( R 2  a 2  2 Ra cos  ) 3 / 2
4 R
q
qincluded  q    da  ( R 2  a 2 ) ( R 2  a 2  2 Ra cos  ) 3 / 2 R 2 sin  d d
4 R

q  1 
q  ( R 2  a 2 )2 R 2   ( R 2  a 2  2 Ra cos  ) 1/ 2 
4 R  Ra 0
q 2  1 1 
q  (a  R 2 )   
2a  R 2  a 2  2 Ra R 2  a 2  2 Ra 
But a > R (else q would be inside), so R 2  a 2  2 Ra  a  R
q 2  1 1  q
q  (a  R 2 )     R
2a  (a  R) (a  R)  a
q
 q'   R
a
Force
The force on q, due to the sphere, is the same as the force of the image charge q, thus:
1 qq ' 1  R 2 1 1 q 2 Ra
F    q   
4 0 (a  b)2 4 0  a   2 4 0 (a 2  R 2 ) 2
R2 
a  
 a 
 

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Energy
To bring q in from infinity to a, we do work
a
q2R a a q2 R  1 1  1 q2 R
W  da      
4 0  (a 2  R 2 )2 4 0  2 (a 2  R 2 )   4 0 2( a 2  R2 )
1 q2 R
W 
4 0 2(a 2  R 2 )

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MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

Q1. Two point charges Q1  1n C and Q2  2nC are kept in free space such that the distance
between them is 0.1m .

(a) The force on Q2 is along the direction from Q2 to Q1 .
(b) The force on Q2 is the same in magnitude as that on Q1 .
(c) The force on Q1 is attractive.
(d) A point charge Q3  3nC , placed at the midpoint between Q1 and Q2 , experiences no
net force.
Q2. 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 x  x  R  from the centre of the ring and released
from rest. Then particle executes:

(a) a S.H.M. along the axis of ring (b) a S.H.M. along the circular path
(c) a motion along parabolic path (d) a motion along a hyperbolic path
Q3. Three charges, each equal to Q , are placed at the three corners
Q
 A, B and C  of a square of side L . Then the magnitude of D C
electric field at the fourth corner D is: L

Q
(a)
2 2 0 L2

(b) 2 2  1  8Q L0
2
Q Q
A L B

(c) 2 2  1  8Q L
0
3 
(d) 2 2  1  8Q L0
2
Q4. Three charges are located on the circumference of a circle of radius R as shown in the figure
below. The two charges q subtends an angle 90° at the centre of the circle. The charge Q is
symmetrically placed with respect to the charges q. If the electric field at the centre of the
circle is zero, what is the magnitude of Q? q q
(a) q / 2 (b) 2q
(c) 2q (d) 4q
Q
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Q5. A loop of diameter d is rotated in a uniform electric field until the position of maximum
electric flux is found. The flux in this position is measured to be  . What is the electric
field strength?
4 2   d 2
(a) (b) (c) (d)
d2 d2 d2 4
Q6. A charge q is placed symmetrically with respect to three faces of equal area as shown in the
figure. What is the total electric flux through the faces?
q q
(a) (b)
0 2 0
q
q
(c) (d) zero
3 0

Q7. ˆ / m . Which of the
The electric field in a certain region of space is given by E  200 xV
following is a correct combination of the flux passing through an area A (in square metre)
lying in
(i) x–y plane, (ii) x–z plane & (iii) y–z plane respectively?
(a) 0, 200 A, 0 (b) 200 A, 0, 0
(c) 0, 0, 200 A (d) 0, 0, 0
Q8. A sphere of radius R carries charge density  proportional to the square of distance from the
center such that   Ar 2 , where A is a positive constant. At a distance R/2 from the center,
the magnitude of electric field is
A AR3 AR3 AR3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 0 40 0 24 0 5 0
Q9. Three infinitely long charge sheets are placed as shown in figure. The electric field at point
P is
2 4  z  3a
(a) ẑ (b) ẑ
0 0 P
 2 za
2
(c)  ẑ (d) zero
0  z  a

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Q10. A cylindrical rod of length l and radius R, made of an inhomogeneous dielectric, is placed
with its axis along the z-direction with one end x
at the origin as shown in figure below. If the
volume charge density  = 10z, then the total
R
charge inside the dielectric is z
2
(a)zero   (b) 10 R l l
2 2 2
(c) 5 R l (d) 5 R l y
 Q
Q11. Given that electric field   1  cos 3r  rˆ in spherical polar coordinates. The charge
 0 r 2
density associated with it is:
Q  2  3Q
(a) 2  3
 3sin 3r  (b) sin 3r
2 0 r  r   0 r 2
3Q 3Q
(c) sin 3r (d) cos 3r
 r2  0 r 2
 0 Ab br
Q12. The charge density in spherical polar coordinate is    e  4 0 A (r ) . Then the
r2
   
total charge contained in a sphere of infinite radius is:  use   (r )4 r 2 dr  1
 0 
(a) 0 (b) 4 0 A (c) 4 0 A (d)  0 Abe br
 rˆ
Q13. A static charge distribution gives rise to an electric field of the form E   e  r / R 2 , where α
r
and R are positive constants. The charge contained within a sphere of radius R, centred at
the origin is
e e2 R 4 0
(a)  0 2 (b)  0 2 (c) 4 0 (d)
R R e e
Q14. A sphere of radius 2 R has a uniform charge density  . The difference in electrostatic
potential at r  R and r  0 is: (where r is the distance from center)
R 2 2 R 2  R 2
(a)  (b)  (c)  (d) 
0 0 6 0 R 6 0

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Q15. A charge Q is distributed over two concentric hollow spheres of radii r and R R  r
such that the surfaces charge densities are equal. Then the potential at the common center is
Q Q r  R
(a) (b)
4 0  r  R  
4 0 r 2  R 2 
Q r  R Q r  R
(c) (d)

4 0 r  R 2 2
 
4 0 r 2  R 2 
Q16. The plates of a parallel plate capacitor (which are normal to the x-axis) are located at x  0
and x  L . The plate at x  0 is grounded while the other plate is at a potential V0 . The
space between the plates has uniform volume charge density  . The potential V  x 
between the plates is given by
 2  V0 L   2  V0 L 
(a)  x     x (b) x     x
2 0  L 2 0  2 0  L 2 0 
 2  V0 L   2  V0 L 
(c)  x     x (d) x     x
2 0  L 2 0  2 0  L 2 0 
Q17. If the electrostatic potential in spherical polar coordinates is

  r   0e  r / r0
where 0 and r0 are constants, then the charge density at a distance r  r0 will be
 00 e 00  00 2e 00

(a) (b) (c)  (d) 
er02 2r02 er02 r02
Q18. Three charges are situated at the corners of a square (side a) as  q
shown in figure. How much work does it take to bring in another
a
charge, +q, from far away and place it in the fourth corner?
q q
q2  1  q2  1  a
(a)  2  (b)  2  
4 0 a  2 4 0 a  2
q  1  q  1 
(c)  2  (d)  2  
4 0 a  2 4 0 a  2

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Q19. A spherical conductor of radius a is placed in a uniform electric field E  E0 kˆ . The
potential at a point P  r ,   for r  a , is given by

P
3
E0 a
  r ,   constant – E0 r sin   sin  r
r2

where r is the distance of P from the centre O of the sphere and O k̂
θ is the angle OP makes with the z-axis. The charge density on

the sphere at   300 is
(a) 3 3 0 E 0 / 2 (b) 3 0 E 0 / 2 (c) 3 0 E 0 / 2 (d)  0 E 0 / 2

Q20. Eight charges +q and –q are located alternatively at the corners of a cube of side a. The
work done to separate the charges to infinite distance is:
q2 q2
(a) 
 0 a
3 6 3 3  2  (b)
 0 a

3 6 3 3  2 
q2  3  q2  1 
(c) 3   (d)  3  
 0 a  2  0 a  3
Q21. A point charge q moves from point P to point S along the path PQRS (as shown in

figure) in a uniform electric field E pointing parallel to the positive direction of the X-axis.
The coordinates P, Q, R and S are  a, b, 0  ,  2a, 0, 0  ,   a, b, 0  and  0, 0, 0  respectively.
The work done by the field in the above process is

(a) zero (b) qEa 2 (c) qEa (d)  qEa 2
Q22. A solid spherical conductor has a conical hole made at one end, ending in a A
point B , and a small conical projection of the same shape and size at the
opposite side, ending in a point A . A cross-section through the centre of the
conductor is shown in the figure on the right. If, now, a positive charge Q is B
transferred to the sphere, then
(a)  A   B (b)  A   B (c)  A   B (d)  A  2 B

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Q23. Consider two concentric conducting spherical shells with inner and outer radii a, b and c, d
as shown in the figure. Both the shells are given q amount of positive charges. The
electric fields in different regions are
q
(a)   0 for r  a ;   rˆ for a  r  b .
4 0 r 2
q
  0 for b  r  c ;   rˆ for r  d .
4 0 r 2
d
q
(b)   rˆ for r  a ;   0 for a  r  b . c
4 0 r 2 b
a
q q
 2
rˆ for b  r  c ;   rˆ for r  d . q
4 0 r 4 0 r 2 q
q
(c)   rˆ for r  a ;   0 for a  r  b .
4 0 r 2
2q
  0 for b  r  c ;   rˆ for r  d .
4 0 r 2
(d)   0 for r  a ;   0 for a  r  b .

q 2q
 2
rˆ for b  r  c ;   rˆ for r  d .
4 0 r 4 0 r 2

Q24. A “pure” dipole with dipole moment p  po zˆ is situated at the origin. A point charge Q is
moved from the point (a, 0, 0) to (0, 0, a) then the work done will be
p0Q p0 p0Q
(a) zero (b) (c) (d)
4 0 a 3 4 0 a 2 4 0 a 2
Q25. Four point charges are placed in a plane at the following positions:
+Q at (1, 0), – Q at (–1, 0) +Q at (0, 1) and –Q at (0, –1).
At large distances the electrostatic potential due to this charge distribution will be
dominated by the
(a) Monopole moment (b) Dipole moment
(c) Quadrupole moment (d) Octopole moment

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Q26. Three point charges q, q and –2q are located at (0,–a, a), (0, a, a) and (0, 0,–a) respectively.
The net dipole moment of this charge distribution is
(a) 4qakˆ (b) 2qakˆ (c)  4qaiˆ (d)  2qaˆj

Q27. Four charges are placed at the four corners of a square of side a as shown in the figure. The
electric dipole moment of this configuration is y
(a) p  qaiˆ  qaˆj

q  2q
(b) p  qaiˆ  qaˆj
(c) p  qaiˆ  qaˆj a

q
(d) p  qaiˆ  qaˆj O a q
x
  
Q28. A sphere of radius R carries a polarization P  k r , where k is a constant and r is measured
from the centre of the sphere. The bound surface and volume charge densities are given,
respectively, by
 
(a)  k r and 3k (b) k r and  3k
 
(c) k r and  4 kr (d) k r and 4 kr
  
 
from the centre of the sphere. The electric field E at a point r outside the sphere is given
by
  kR( R 2  r 2 )
(a) E  0 (b) E  rˆ
 0r 3
 kR( R 2  r 2 )   kr
(c) E  ˆ
r (d) E rˆ
 0r 5 0
Q30. A dielectric sphere of radius R , permittivity  is charged throughout its volume by a charge
A
density   , where A is some constant and r being the distance from the center of the
r
sphere. Then the electrostatic energy of the system is proportional to:
(a) R  (b) R 3 (c) R 4 (d) R 5

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  
 
from the centre of the sphere. The electric field E at a point r inside the sphere is given by
  kR( R 2  r 2 )
(a) E  0 (b) E  rˆ
 0r 3
 kR( R 2  r 2 )   kr
(c) E  rˆ (d) E  rˆ
 0r 5 0
Q32. A spherical conductor of radius R1 carries a charge Q. It is surrounded by linear dielectric
material of relative permittivity  r , out to radius R2 . The energy of this configuration is:
Q2  1  r 1 Q2  1 r 
(a)    (b)   
8 0 r  R1 R2  8 0 r  R1 R2 
Q2   r 1 1 
(c)    (d) zero.
8 0 r  R1 R2 
NAT (Numerical Answer Type)

Q33. A uniform line charge, infinite in extent, having charge per unit length 20 nc / m lies along

the z-axis. The electric field E at  6,8,3 m is………… rˆ V / m
Q34. The electric field at 20 cm from the centre of a uniformly charged dielectric sphere of radius
10 cm is E. Then, at a distance 5 cm from the center, it will be………. E
 q2
Q35. The energy stored in a uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R and charge q is .
4 0 R
Then the value of  is ………….
Q36. Two electric dipoles P1 and P2 are placed at  0, 0, 0  and  a, 0, 0  respectively with both of
them pointing in the  z direction. Without changing the orientations of the dipoles P2 is
moved to  0, 2a, 0  . The ratio of the electrostatic potential energy of the dipoles before
moving to that after moving is……………

Q37. Four equal point charges are kept fixed at the four vertices of a square. How many neutral
points (i.e. points where the electric field vanishes) will be found inside the square?

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Q38. If the electrostatic potential at a point  x, y  is given by V   2 x  4 y  volts, the electrostatic
energy density at that point is………  0 J / m3

d
Q39. Consider two concentric conducting spherical shells with inner and c
b
outer radii a, b and c, d as shown in the figure. Both the shells are
a
given q amount of positive charges. In order to have equal surface
q
d q
charge densities on the outer surface of both the shells, the ratio is
b
…………
Q40. The electric field at a point due to an electric dipole is perpendicular to the dipole axis, the
angle between the dipole axis and the line joining the point with the centre of the dipole
is tan 1    . Then the value of  is ……..
Q41. Let four point charges q,  q / 2, q and  q / 2 be placed at the vertices of a square of
side a . Let another point charge  q be placed at the cnetre of the square (see the figure).
q/2 q
q
q q/2
Let V r  be the electrostatic potential at a point P at a distance r  a from the centre of
the square. Then V  3r  / V  r  is………………

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MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)


Q42. For given electrostatic field E  k  y 2 xˆ   2 xy  z 2  yˆ  2 yzzˆ  , which of the following does
not represent the possible potential for the given field (use the origin as your reference
point?)
  
(a) V  x, y , z    k xy 2  yz (b) V  x, y , z    k xy  yz 2 

(c) V  x, y , z   k xy 2  yz 2  (d) V x, y, z   k xy 2
 yz 2 

Q43. Which of the following statements regarding the electric fields E 1  xxˆ  yyˆ and

E 2  xy 2 xˆ  y 2 yˆ are NOT correct?
 
(a) Both E1 and E 2 represents an electrostatic field
 
(b) Neither E1 nor E 2 can represent electrostatic field

(c) Only E1 can represent electrostatic field

(d) Only E 2 can represent an electrostatic field
Q44. If the electrostatic potential were given by   0 ( x 2  y 2  z 2 ) , where 0 is constant then
which of the following statements are correct


(a) The electric fields E  20  xxˆ  yyˆ  zzˆ 

(b) The electric fields E  20  xxˆ  yyˆ  zzˆ 
(c) Charge density   20 0
(d) Charge density   60 0
Q45. An ellipsoidal cavity is carved within a perfect conductor as shown in figure. A Positive
charge ‘q’ is placed at the center of the cavity. The points A & B are on the cavity surface as
shown in figure. Then which of the following statements are true?
(a) Electric field near A in the cavity  electric field near B in
A
the cavity
(b) Charge density at A  charge density at B q B
(c) Potential at A = Potential at B
q
(d) Total electric flux through the surface of the cavity is
0

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Q46. A point charge q is imbedded at the center of a sphere of linear dielectric material (with
susceptibility  e and radius R ). Then which of the following statements are true?
qe
(a) The total bound charge on the surface is
1  e
q e
(b) The total bound charge on the surface is 
1  e
q e
(c) The total volume bound charge 
1  e
qe
(d) The total volume bound charge
1  e
  

from the centre of the sphere. Then which of the following are true for electric field E :

(a) Electric field inside the sphere is E  0
  kr
(b) Electric field inside the sphere is E  rˆ
0

(c) Electric field outside the sphere is E  0
  kr
(d) Electric field outside the sphere is E  rˆ
0
Q48. A charge Q is uniformly distributed in spherical linear dielectric material. The radius of the
sphere is R and its dielectric constant is  r . Which of the following statements are true
 r
(a) The electric E  rˆ for r  R
3 0 r
  R3
(b) The electric E  rˆ for r  R
3 0 r 2
Q  1 
(c) The potential at the center of sphere is 1  
4 0 R  2 r 
Q  1 
(d) The potential at the center of sphere is 1  
4 R  3 0 r 

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Q49. Assume that z  0 plane is the interface between two linear and homogenous dielectrics
(see figure). The relative permittivities are  r  5 for z  0 and  r  4 for z  0 . The
 
electric field in the region z  0 is E 1  3iˆ  5 ˆj  4kˆ k V m . If there are no free charges on
the interface, then which of the following is true for the electric field in the region z  0 is
z
given by r  5
z0
r  4
 
 
(a) D 2  12iˆ  20 ˆj  20kˆ k V m  
(b) D 2  15iˆ  25 ˆj  25kˆ k V m
(c) E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ k V m  

(d) E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ k V m

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Solutions
MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)
Ans. 1: (b)
Ans. 2: (a)
Solution: q

x
R
1 Qx 1 Qx
Field along the axis of ring E  E since x  R
4 0  R 2  x 2 3/ 2 4 0 R 3
 F   qE   kx (Charge will execute S.H.M.)

Ans. 3: (b)
Q
Solution: Electric field due to charge at A , E A  along AD
4 0 L2
Q
Electric field due to charge at C , EC  along CD
4 0 L2
Q
Electric field due to charge at D , ED  2
along BD
4 0  2L 

Thus resultant field E  E A2  EC2  EB  2 2  1  8Q L 0
2
Ans. 4: (b)
1 q 1 Q
Solution: E1  E2  2
and E3  (upward)
4 0 R 4 0 R 2
Resultant of E1 and E 2 is E  E12  E22  2E1 (downward)
Thus for E3  E  Q  2q
Ans. 5: (a)
2
d  d2 4
Solution: Maximum flux   EA  E    E E
2 4 d2

fiziks
Ans. 6: (b)
q
Solution: Electric flux through a cube (6 faces) when charge is at its center 
0
q
Flux through three faces 
2 0
Ans. 7: (c)
 
Solution: Electric flux  E.A   200 xˆ  . Axˆ   200 A .
Ans. 8: (b)
  Q
enc 1 2
 2 21 4 Ar 5 R
 E.d s       d  E .4 r    Ar .4 r dr  5 r
0 0 0 0
 Ar 3 R  AR3
E   at r  , E  Gaussian surface
5 0 2 40 0
Ans. 9: (c)
     2   2
Solution: E P  E   E 2  E   ( zˆ)  ( zˆ )  ( zˆ )  E P  zˆ
2 0 2 0 2 0 0
Ans. 10: (d)
l
Solution: qinside    d      rdrd dz    10 z  R 2 dz  5 R 2l 2
0
Ans. 11: (c)

  1   2 Q  3Q
2 
Solution:    0 (.E )   0 2 r 1  cos 3r    2 sin 3r
r r   0 r  r
Ans. 12: (a)
Solution: The total charge is

 0 Abe  br
Q   d    2
4 r 2 dr   4 0 A  r  d
all space 0
r all space

 Q  4 0 A  e br 0  4 0 A  Q  4 0 A  4 0 A  0

fiziks
Ans. 13: (d)

   r / R rˆ
 2
Solution: Qenc   0  E  da   0  e 2
2

 r sin  d d r   0    e  r / R sin  d d
ˆ
r 0 0
4 0
at r  R , Qenc 
e
Ans. 14: (d)
R R
r R 2
Solution: V R   V 0     E.d l    dr  
0 0
3 0 6 0
Ans. 15: (c)

Solution: Let charge on inner and outer shell be q1 and q2 then Q  q1  q2
1  q1 q2  1  q 1
Potential at common centre is V     q2  1  
4 0  r R  4 0  q2 r R 
q1 q2 q1 r 2
Since  1   2    
4 r 2 4 R 2 q2 R 2
q1  q2 r 2  R 2 QR 2 Qr 2 Q r  R
   q 2  and q1  V 
q2 R 2 2
r R 2 2
r R 2
4 0 r 2  R 2  
Ans. 16: (a)
Solution: The Laplace’s equation in Cartesian coordinates system is
 2V  2V  2V 
 2V  2
 2  2 
x y z 0
d 2V 
as V is only function of x, we have the differential equation, 2

dx 0
by integrating we have the solution of this equation as
dV   2
  x  A  V x    x  Ax  B where A and B are constants.
dx 0 2 0
The two equations need to be solved for the following boundary conditions:
(i) x  0 ; V  0 (ii) x  L ; V  V0
Substituting these boundary conditions, we get

fiziks
At x  0 , V 0  0  0  0  B  B = 0
 2 V L  2  V0 L 
At x  L , V L   V0   L  AL  A  0   V x    x     x
2 0 L 2 0 2 0  L 2 0 
Ans. 17: (a)


Solution:   2       0   2 
0
1   2   1   2 0  r / r0  1 0  2  r / r0
 2  2 r  2
r r  r  r r 
r  e
r0
 2
r r0 r

r e 

1   1    1 2 
  2 0  r 2   e r / r0  2re  r / r0    2   0   e  r / r0  e r / r0 
r r0  r0  r0  r0 r 
0  1 1 2 1  0  0  0 0
At a distance r  r0 ,  2    e  e    2     0   2   2
r0  r0 r0  r0 e  r0 e  r0 e
Ans. 18: (b)
Solution: Potential at fourth corner
1 qi 1  q q q q  1 
V
4 0
r    
4 0  a
  
2a a  4 0 a 
2  
2
i
q2  1 
W  qV   2  
4 0 a  2
Ans. 19: (b)
V  2E a3 
Solution:    0   0   E0 sin   03 sin  
r r a  r  r a
3
   0   E0 sin   2 E0 sin      3E0 0 sin   3E0 0 sin 300   0 E0
2
Ans. 20: (b)
8 7
Solution: The charge pairs are 8C 2   28 . Out of these 28 pairs, we have
1 2
(i) 12 pairs of dissimilar charges placed at a mutual separation of a. Thus

fiziks
q  q 12q 2
Wa  12  .
4 0 a 4 0 a
(ii) 12 pairs of similar charges placed at a mutual separation of 2a . Thus

qq 12q 2
W 2a
 12  .
4 0  2a 4 2 0 a
(iii) 4 pairs of dissimilar charges placed at a mutual separation of 3a . Thus
q  q 4q 2
W 3a
4  .
4 0  3a 4 3 0 a
q2  12 4 
Total work done W  Wa  W 2a
W 3a
   12   
4 0 a  2 3
q2  12 4  q2
W    12 
4 0 a 
   3 6 3 3  2  
2 3   0 a
Ans. 21: (c)
Solution: Work done in a closed path in an electrostatic field is zero.
 
WPS  WSP  0  WPS  WSP   F .SP    qExˆ  .  axˆ  byˆ    qEa 2
Ans. 22: (c)

Solution:  A B
Ans. 23: (d)
Ans. 24: (d)
Solution: W  Q V  0, 0, a   V  a, 0, 0 
p0 cos  p0 
V  r ,   2
 V  0, 0, a     0 and V  a, 0, 0   0  
4 0 r 4 0 a 2 2
p0 Q
W 
4 0 a 2
Ans. 25: (b)

 
Solution: Qmono  0 , p  Qiˆ  Q iˆ  Qjˆ  Q  ˆj  0  

fiziks
Ans. 26: (a)


Solution: p   q  0  q  0   2q  0   iˆ   q   a  q  a   2q  0  ˆj
  q  a  q  a   2q   a   kˆ

 p  4qakˆ
Ans. 27: (c)
  
Solution: p  qi ri  q  0  qaxˆ  2q  axˆ  ayˆ   qayˆ  p   qaxˆ  qayˆ
Ans. 28: (b)

   1 
Solution:  b  P.nˆ   kR  rˆ.rˆ  kR at r  R and  b  .P   2  r 2 .kr   3k
r r
Ans. 29: (a)
     
Solution:  b  .P    xˆ  yˆ  zˆ  .  kxxˆ  kyyˆ  kzzˆ    k  k  k  3k
 x dy dz 
 
The electric field E at a point r outside the sphere is zero, since total bound charge is zero.
    r  kr
The electric field E at a point r inside the sphere is E  b rˆ  rˆ .
3 0 0
Ans. 30: (b)
 AR 2  A
Solution: E  ˆ
r when r  R and D  rˆ where r  R
2 0 r 2 2
1  
Total energy of the system W   D.Ed
2 all space
2
1 R A AR 2 2 1   AR 
2
W   2
 4 r dr   0 R  2 
 4 r 2 dr  W  R 3
2 2 2 0 r
0 2  2 0 r 
Ans. 31: (d)
     
Solution:  b  .P    xˆ  yˆ  zˆ  .  kxxˆ  kyyˆ  kzzˆ    k  k  k  3k
 x dy dz 
    r  kr
3 0 0
 

fiziks
Ans. 32: (a)

0 ; r  R1 
  Q 
Solution: 
E 2
ˆ
r ; R1  r  R2 
 4 r 
 Q 
 2
ˆ
r ; r  R2 
 4 0 r 
1   1 Q2  1 R2 1 2 1  1 
W  D.Ed  2  4 2  R1 4 4 r dr   4
4 r 2 dr 
2 all space  r 0 r
R2

Q2  1  1  R2 1  1    Q2  1 r 1 
W        W  R  R 
8   r  R1  0  r  R  8 0 r  1 2 
 2 
NAT (Numerical Answer Type)

Ans. 33: 36
   2  9 109  20  109
Solution: E  rˆ  rˆ   36 rˆ V / m
2 0 r 2 0 x 2  y 2 62  82
Ans. 34: 2
2
1 q 1 qri Ei ri ro2 E 5  20 
Solution: Eo  2
and Ei  3
  3  i  3
 Ei  2 E
4 0 ro 4 0 R Eo R E 10 
Ans. 35: 0.6
 1 qr  1 q
Solution: E  rˆ; r  R and E rˆ; r  R
4 0 R3 4 0 r 2
 1 2 
 q2  2 R r  2 1 q2  1 1 
W 0  R 4 ( r 4 dr )  0  3  (4 r dr )     ,
2 (4 0 )2 r  R  4 2  R 5 R 
  0
1 3q 2
W
4 0 5 R

fiziks
Ans. 36: 8
1 U1 r23
Solution: Electrostatic potential energy U    8
r3 U 2 r13
Ans. 37: 1
Solution: Inside the square, there is only one point where field vanishes.
Ans. 38: 10
Solution: E  V  2 xˆ  4 yˆ  E  20 V / m
1 2 1
Electrostatic energy density   0 E   0  20 10 0 J / m 3
2 2
Ans. 39: 1.41
Q 2Q
Solution:  b   d  2
  d  2b
4b 4d 2
Ans. 40: 1.41
 p 
E  r ,   2cos  rˆ  sin ˆ 
4 0 r 3
  E
E 1 1 p
tan     tan         cot   tan 
Er 2 2
 tan 2   2    tan 1 2
Ans. 41: 0.037
q q
Solution: According to multipole expansion Qmono   q qq 0
2 2
q
p  qaxˆ  ayˆ   axˆ  ayˆ   qaxˆ  ayˆ   q axˆ  ayˆ   q  axˆ  ayˆ   0  0
2 2
1 V  3r  1
Thus V     0.037
r3 V  r  27

fiziks
MSQ (Multiple Select Questions)

Ans. 42: (a), (b) and (c)
Solution: Check: E  V

Ans. 43: (a), (b) and (d)
xˆ yˆ zˆ
    
Solution:   E 1   xˆ  0  0   yˆ  0  0   zˆ  0  0   0
x y z
x y 0
xˆ yˆ zˆ
    
 E2   xˆ  0  0   yˆ  0  0   zˆ  0  2 xy   2 xyzˆ
x y z
xy 2 y2 0
Ans. 44: (b), (d)

  
Solution: E  V  20  xxˆ  yyˆ  zzˆ  and  2      60 0
0
Ans. 45: (a), (b), (c) and (d)
Ans. 46: (a) and (c)
 q q rˆ   qe rˆ
E 2
ˆ
r  2
 P   0  e E 
4 r 4 0 1   e  r 4 1   e  r 2
 q e q e
  b  P.nˆ  2
 Q b   b  4 R 2 
4 1   e  R 1  e
qe
 Qb  Q b  
1  e
Ans. 47: (b) and (c)
 
Solution:  b  .P  3k
    r  kr
3 0 0
 

fiziks
Ans. 48: (a), (b) and (c)

 r   R3
Solution: E  rˆ for r  R and E  rˆ for r  R
3 3 0 r 2
0  
3
R R 0 r  R3  R2  R2  1 
V  0     E.dl    dr   dr  V  0     1
  3 r
0
2 R 3 3 0 3 2 3 0  2 r 

Q  1  Q
 V 0   1  , since   4
4 0 R  2 r   R3
3
Ans. 49: (a) and (d)
Solution:  E1  E 2  E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj
1  5
and  f  0  D1  D2  E 2 
2 4
 
E1   4kˆ  5kˆ

   
 E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj  5kˆ k V m  D 2  12iˆ  20 ˆj  20kˆ k V m


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The constant  0 is called the permittivity of free space.

then according to the principle of superposition the total force on Q is

force per unit charge that would be

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If charge is distributed continuously over some region, then

The electric field of a line charge is  dq   dl  

For surface charge  dq   da 

For a volume charge  dq   d  

 c  Surface charge,   d  Volume charge, 

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1.2 Gauss’s Law

the “number of field lines” passing through S.

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We can write Qenc in terms of the charge density  , we have Qenc    d .

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1.2.2 Applications of Gauss’s Law

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Also, Qenc    d  0R (5 0 Ar 3 )(4 r 2dr )  20 0 A 0R r 4 dr  4 0 AR 5

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1.3 Electric Potential

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Now, the fundamental theorem for gradients states that

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Example: Which one of these is an impossible electrostatic field?

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1.4 Laplace’s and Poisson Equations

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  0 in the region ra  r  rb . If V  0 at r  ra and V  V0 at r  rb , then find V in the

and the boundary conditions are

Substituting these boundary conditions, we get

Example: If the electrostatic potential were given by   0 ( x 2  y 2  z 2 ) , where 0 is constant, then

find the charge density giving rise to the above potential.

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1.5 Electrostatic Boundary Condition

no surface charge, E  is continuous.

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on the interface, then find electric field in the region z  0 .

Solution:  E1  E 2  E 2  3iˆ  5 ˆj

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1.6.1 The Energy of Point Charge Distribution

been done. When q2 is placed work done r3

potential at point ri (the position of qi ) due to all other charges.

Work done in placing third charge (  q charge lower right corner)

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Potential at fourth corner (  q charge upper right corner)

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Example: A spherical conductor of radius a is placed in a uniform electric field E  E0 kˆ . The

potential at a point P  r ,  for r  a , is given by

and  is the angle OP makes with the z -axis. Then the

(a) Find the surface charges  a ,  b and  R .

the above answers will change.

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1.8 Multipole Expansions

lies at the origin and points in the z direction, then

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(d) Interaction energy of two dipoles separated by a distance r is

(a) What is the force on a point charge q at  a, 0, 0  ?

(b) What is the force on q at  0, 0, a  ?