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JEE Important Chapter - Electrostatics

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Electrostatics

Last updated date: 21st Mar 2023

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Electrostatics is the branch of physics that deals with the study of charges at rest and their interaction with other charges. This section consists of concepts and advanced problems related to electrostatics. It is a very important chapter for JEE in terms of weightage.

The chapter Electrostatics begins by introducing what is electrostatics, what is electrostatic charge, Coulomb’s law of electrostatics and then problems related to Coulomb's law of electrostatics. Then, we will see the electric potential and electric field due to point charges and continuous charge distribution of different shapes such as rings, discs, cylinders etc. We can see many examples of electrostatic effects in our life.

The torque experienced by an electric dipole and its potential energy is discussed in this chapter along with applications of Gauss law to calculate the net electric flux linked with a closed surface. Frequent questions are asked for JEE about types of capacitors and problems related to capacitors in series and parallel combinations. The effect of the dielectric medium in a capacitor is also discussed in this section.

Let us see what electrostatics is and define electrostatic force. We will also cover the important formulas needed for JEE Main and JEE Advanced related to Electrostatics with solved examples.

JEE Main Physics Chapter-wise Solutions 2022-23

JEE Main Physics Chapter-wise Solutions
1	Units and Measurement	11	Electrostatics
2	Kinematics	12	Current Electricity
3	Laws of Motion	13	Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
4	Work, Energy and Power	14	Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
5	Rotational Motion	15	Electromagnetic Waves
6	Gravitation	16	Optics
7	Properties of Solids and Liquids	17	Dual Nature of Matter
8	Thermodynamics	18	Atoms and Nuclei
9	Kinetic Theory of Gases	19	Electronic Devices
10	Oscillations and Waves	20	Communication Systems

Important Topics in Electrostatics

Coulomb’s Law.
Electric field and electric lines of force.
Electric field due to continuous charge distribution.
Electric dipole and dipole moment.
Gauss Law.
Electric potential and Equipotential surface.
Electric potential due to the various charge distributions.
Capacitance of a capacitor.
Grouping of Capacitance.

Important Concepts of Electrostatics

Name of the Concept	Key Points of the Concept
Coulomb’s Law	Coulomb’s law gives us the magnitude of the force acting between two charges placed at a distance. Coulomb's law defines the magnitude of electrostatic force acting between point charges. Coulomb’s law states that force acting between two charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitude of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. $F\propto\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$ $F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$ Where q1 and q2 are the two charges placed at a distance r between them. $k=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon}$ K is the Coulomb’s constant and ε is the permittivity of the medium and the value of permittivity of vacuum is 8.85 × 10-12 Nm2/kg2
Electric field and electric lines of force	Electric field intensity (E) at a point is the electrostatic force acting on a unit test charge placed in the electric field. $E=\dfrac{F}{q}$ $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon}\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$ Electric lines of force are the lines that represent the electric field at that point. Electric field lines never intersect each other and the tangent to the electric field lines at a point gives the direction of the electric field at that point.
Electric field due to continuous charge distribution	Electric field due to infinitely long charged wire having linear charge density 𝜆 at a distance r is $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon}\dfrac{2\lambda}{r}$ Electric field due to a uniformly charged disc having radius R and surface charge density 𝜎 along its axis is $E=\dfrac{\sigma}{2\pi\epsilon_0}\left(1-\dfrac{z}{\sqrt{z^2+r^2}}\right)$ Electric field due to a charged infinite thin plane sheet having surface density 𝜎 $E=\dfrac{\sigma}{2\pi\epsilon_0}$
Electric dipole and dipole moment	Electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance. Magnetic dipole moment (P) is the product of the magnitude of one charge(q) and the distance between them(d). $\vec P=q\times \vec d$ It is a vector quantity and its direction is from negative charge to positive charge. Torque experienced by a dipole in a uniform electric field is $\vec\tau=\vec P\times \vec E$ Potential energy of dipole in a uniform electric field is $U=-\vec P\cdot \vec E$ $U=-P E\cos\theta$
Gauss Law	According to Gauss Law, the net flux linked with a closed surface is equal to 1/ε0 times the net charge enclosed inside the surface. $\oint\vec E\cdot d\vec s=\dfrac{q_{enclosed}}{\epsilon_0}$
Electric potential and Equipotential surface	Electric potential at a point is the amount of work done (W) in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point along any arbitrary path. It is a scalar quantity. $V=\dfrac{W}{q}$ Electric potential due to a point charge (q) at a distance r is $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{q}{r}$ Electric potential energy of two charge systems at a distance r between them is $U=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r}$ In an equipotential surface, every point has the same potential. Example: Surface of a charged surface
Electric potential due to various charge distribution	Electric potential due to a charged ring of radius R along its axis at a distance x from its centre $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\left(\dfrac{Q}{\sqrt{x^2+R^2}}\right)$ Electric potential due to a charged sphere having radius R and charge Q At any point Inside the sphere: $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{R}$ On the surface of the sphere: $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{R}$ At a point outside the sphere at a distance r from the centre of the sphere. $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{r}$
Capacitance of a capacitor	The ability to store charge is called capacitance. Its unit is farad. The capacitance of a capacitor is given by $C=\dfrac{Q}{V}$ Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor having area A and distance between the plate d is $C=\dfrac{kA\epsilon_0}{d}$ Increase in dielectric constant (k) of a dielectric medium increases the capacitance.
9. Grouping of Capacitance	Capacitors in series: The charge stored in capacitors in series combination is the same but the potential difference across each capacitor is different. $\dfrac{1}{c_{eq}}=\dfrac{1}{c_1}+\dfrac{1}{c_2}+\dfrac{1}{c_3}$ Capacitors in parallel The potential across each capacitor in parallel is the same and the charge will be different. $c_{eq}=c_{1}+c_{2}+c_{3}$

List of Important Formulae

Sl. No	Name of the Concept	Formula
1.	Relation between electric field and electric potential	$\vec E=\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial x} \hat i+\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial y} \hat j+\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial z} \hat k$ $\vec E=E_x \hat i+E_y \hat j+E_z \hat k $ $V=\int_{x_1}^{x_2} E_x +\int_{y_1}^{y_2} E_y +\int_{z_1}^{z_2} E_z $
2.	Electric field due to a charged conducting sphere having charge (Q) and radius R	At a point inside the sphere, $E_{inside}=0$ At a point on the surface of the sphere, $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{R^2}$ At a point outside the sphere at a distance r from the centre of the sphere, $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{Q}{r^2}$
3.	Electric field due to a charged non-conducting sphere having volume charge density (⍴) and radius R	At a point inside the sphere and at a distance r from the centre $E=\dfrac{\rho r}{3\epsilon_0}$ At a point on the surface of the sphere $E=\dfrac{\rho R}{3\epsilon_0}$ At a point outside the sphere and at a distance r from the centre of the sphere $E=\dfrac{\rho R^3}{3\epsilon_0r^2}$
4.	Electric field due to a dipole having dipole moment P	Electric field due to a dipole at an axial point at a distance r from its centre $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{2P}{r^3}$ Electric field due to a dipole at an equatorial point at a distance r from its centre $E=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{P}{r^3}$
5.	Electric potential due to a dipole	Electric potential due to a dipole having dipole moment (P) at a distance r from the centre is $V=\dfrac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\dfrac{P\cos(\theta)}{r^2}$
6.	Energy stored in a capacitor	$U=\dfrac{1}{2}CV^2$ $U=\dfrac{1}{2}QV$ $U=\dfrac{Q^2}{2C}$ Where Q is the charge stored, V is the potential difference and C is the capacitance.
7.	Energy density of a capacitor	$E.D=\dfrac{1}{2}\varepsilon_0E^2$ Where E is the electric field.
8.	Work done in rotating a dipole in an electric field from θ1 to θ2	$W=PE(\cos\theta_1-\theta_2)$

Solved Examples

1. The electric potential in a region is given by V=(6x-8xy2-8y+6yz-4x2) volt. Then the electric field acting on a point charge of 2C placed at the origin will be …

Ans: Given,

The electric potential in a region , V=(6x-8xy2-8y+6yz-4x2) volt

The electric field in the region can be obtained from the electric potential using the formula

$\vec E=\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial x} \hat i+\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial y} \hat j+\dfrac{\partial V}{\partial z} \hat k$

$\vec E=(6-8y^2-8x) \hat i+(-16xy-8+6z) \hat j+6y \hat k$...(1)

To find the electric field at origin, put x=0, y=0 and z=0 in equation (1)

$\vec E=6 \hat i+-8 \hat j+0 \hat k$

$|\vec E|=\sqrt{6^2+(-8)^2}$

$|\vec E|=10~N/C$

The force acting on the charge q due to electric E is given by

$F=qE$

$F=2C\times 10~N/C=20~N$

Key point: Electric field at a point can be obtained by the differentiation of electric potential with respect to distance.

2. A parallel plate capacitor with oil between plates (dielectric constant of oil k=2) has a capacitance C. If the oil is removed, then the capacitance of the capacitor becomes…

Ans: Let A be the area of the capacitor and d be the distance between the plates of the capacitor.

The formula for the capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor with oil as a dielectric is given by,

$C=\dfrac{kA\epsilon_0}{d}$...(1)

The capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor when oil is removed is

$C'=\dfrac{A\epsilon_0}{d}$...(2)

Divide equation (2) by (1) to obtain the new capacitance C’ when oil is removed in terms of initial capacitance C.

$\dfrac{C'}{C}=\dfrac{\left(\dfrac{A\epsilon_0}{d}\right)}{\left(\dfrac{kA\epsilon_0}{d}\right)}$

$\dfrac{C'}{C}=\dfrac{1}{k}$

$C'=\dfrac{C}{k}$

When the oil is removed from the parallel plate capacitor, its capacitance is reduced by a factor of k.

Key point: The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor depends on the dielectric medium and the dimensions of the capacitor. It does not depend on the charge and potential difference across the capacitor.

Previous Year Questions from JEE Paper

1. Two equal capacitors are first connected in series and then in parallel. The ratio of equivalent capacitances in the two cases will be (JEE 2021)

Sol:

Let the capacitances of each capacitor be C.

In the series connection of two capacitors, the equivalent capacitances is given by

$\dfrac{1}{C_{eq}}=\dfrac{1}{C_1}+\dfrac{1}{C_2}$

$\dfrac{1}{C_{12}}=\dfrac{1}{C}+\dfrac{1}{C}$

$C_{12}=\dfrac{C}{2}$...(1)

For the capacitors in parallel connection, the equivalent capacitance is given by

$C_{eq}=C_{3}+C_{4}$

$C_{34}=C+C$

$C_{34}=2C$...(2)

The ratio of the equivalent capacitances in series and the parallel connection is obtained by dividing equation (1) and equation (2).

$\dfrac{C_{12}}{C_{34}}=\dfrac{\left(\dfrac{C}{2}\right)}{2C}$

$\dfrac{C_{12}}{C_{34}}=\dfrac{1}{4}$

The ratio of the equivalent capacitances of series and parallel connection is 1:4

Key point: In series connection, equivalent capacitance is equal to the reciprocal of the sum of the reciprocal of each capacitance. For parallel connection, equivalent capacitance is equal to the sum of each individual capacitance.

2. A point charge of +12 μC is at a distance 6 cm vertically above the centre of a square of side 12 cm as shown in the figure. The magnitude of electric flux through the square will be _____ ✕ 103 Nm2/C. (JEE 2021 Feb)

Sol. To find the electric flux, we use Gauss law and assume a Gaussian surface in the form of a cube of side length 12 cm in such a way that charge is located at the centre of the cube.

Applying Gauss law, total flux linked with the cube is given by

$\phi_{total}=\dfrac{q}{\epsilon_0}$

The electric flux(ɸ) through the square we want to find is 1/6 times the total flux.

$\phi=\dfrac{q}{6\epsilon_0}$

$\phi=\dfrac{12\times10^{-6}}{6\times8.85\times10^{-12}}$

$\phi=226\times10^{3}~Nm^2/C$

Therefore, the flux through the square will be 226 × 103 Nm2/C.

Key point: Gauss Law is applicable to any Gaussian surface irrespective of size and shape.

Practice Questions

1. There is 10 mC of charge at the centre of a circle of radius 10 cm. The work done in moving a charge of 1mC around the circle once is

Answer: 0 J

2. A parallel plate capacitor having a plate separation of 2 mm is charged by connecting it to a 300 V supply. The energy density is

Ans: 0.1 J/m3

Conclusion

In this article, we define electrostatic force, related definitions and formulae. We also solved some JEE numeral problems to understand the types of questions asked in the exam. You should memorise all the formulae to solve numerical problems. Numerical problems will help you to score good marks in JEE exams.

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FAQs on JEE Important Chapter - Electrostatics

FAQ

1. What is the weightage of the electrostatics in JEE?

Electrostatics is a vast chapter compared to others. Around 2-3 questions covering about 8-12 marks are asked in JEE from various parts of the chapter.

2. Which section has to be given more importance in the chapter on electrostatics?

Since electrostatic is a vast topic, there are many important concepts here in this chapter. However, more focus should be given to the electric fields of various charge distribution, Gauss law and capacitance to score better marks in JEE

3. How to score good marks in JEE from the chapter electrostatics?

If we go through the last 20 years’ question papers, we can understand the important concepts of the chapter from where the questions are asked frequently. Understanding these concepts in-depth and then solving practice problems is the best way to score good marks in JEE for the chapter electrostatics.

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