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Electrostatics question

2020 · Shift 2 · Q47
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Electrostatics question

2020 · Shift 2 · Q47

JEE AdvancedPhysicsElectrostaticsMultiple correct+4 / −2
Two identical non-conducting solid spheres of same mass and charge are suspended in air from a common point by two non-conducting, massless strings of same length. At equilibrium, the angle between the strings is α\alphaα. The spheres are now immersed in a dielectric liquid of density 800 kg m −-− 3 and dielectric constant 21. If the angle between the strings remains the same after the immersion, then
  1. A
    electric force between the spheres remains unchanged
  2. B
    electric force between the spheres reduces
  3. C
    mass density of the spheres is 840 kg m −-− 3
  4. D
    the tension in the strings holding the spheres remains unchanged
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: B, C

  1. Initial equilibrium in air

Let each string make angle θ\thetaθ with the vertical. Then α=2θ.\alpha = 2\theta.α=2θ.

For one sphere, in air:

  • Weight downward: mgmgmg
  • Tension: TTT
  • Electrostatic repulsion horizontally: FFF

Equilibrium gives Tcos⁡θ=mg,T\cos\theta = mg,Tcosθ=mg, Tsin⁡θ=F.T\sin\theta = F.Tsinθ=F.

Hence, tan⁡θ=Fmg.(1)\tan\theta = \frac{F}{mg}. \qquad (1)tanθ=mgF​.(1)


  1. After immersion in dielectric liquid

Now two things change:

  • The electrostatic force reduces by dielectric constant K=21K=21K=21: F′=FK=F21.F' = \frac{F}{K} = \frac{F}{21}.F′=KF​=21F​.

  • There is buoyant force upward.

If density of sphere material is ρ\rhoρ, sphere volume is VVV, then m=ρV.m = \rho V.m=ρV.

Weight of sphere: mg=ρVg.mg = \rho V g.mg=ρVg.

Buoyant force in liquid of density ρl=800 kg m−3\rho_l = 800\,\text{kg m}^{-3}ρl​=800kg m−3: B=ρlVg=800Vg.B = \rho_l V g = 800 V g.B=ρl​Vg=800Vg.

So effective downward force is mg−B=(ρ−800)Vg.mg - B = (\rho - 800)Vg.mg−B=(ρ−800)Vg.

Let tension in liquid be T′T'T′. Equilibrium gives T′cos⁡θ=mg−B,T'\cos\theta = mg - B,T′cosθ=mg−B, T′sin⁡θ=F′.T'\sin\theta = F'.T′sinθ=F′.

Therefore, tan⁡θ=F′mg−B.(2)\tan\theta = \frac{F'}{mg-B}. \qquad (2)tanθ=mg−BF′​.(2)


  1. Given angle remains the same

Since the angle remains same, θ\thetaθ remains same. So from (1) and (2), Fmg=F′mg−B.\frac{F}{mg} = \frac{F'}{mg-B}.mgF​=mg−BF′​.

Substitute F′=F/21F' = F/21F′=F/21: Fmg=F/21mg−B.\frac{F}{mg} = \frac{F/21}{mg-B}.mgF​=mg−BF/21​.

Cancel FFF: 1mg=121(mg−B).\frac{1}{mg} = \frac{1}{21(mg-B)}.mg1​=21(mg−B)1​.

So, 21(mg−B)=mg.21(mg-B)=mg.21(mg−B)=mg.

21mg−21B=mg21mg - 21B = mg21mg−21B=mg 20mg=21B.20mg = 21B.20mg=21B.

Now substitute mg=ρVg,B=800Vg.mg = \rho V g, \qquad B = 800Vg.mg=ρVg,B=800Vg.

Then 20ρVg=21(800Vg).20\rho V g = 21(800Vg).20ρVg=21(800Vg).

Cancel VgVgVg: 20ρ=1680020\rho = 1680020ρ=16800 ρ=840 kg m−3.\rho = 840\,\text{kg m}^{-3}.ρ=840kg m−3.

So option C is correct.


  1. Check each option

Option A: electric force between the spheres remains unchanged

In a dielectric medium, F′=F21,F' = \frac{F}{21},F′=21F​, so the electric force does not remain unchanged. It reduces.

So A is false.

Option B: electric force between the spheres reduces

Yes, in dielectric liquid, F′=F21<F.F' = \frac{F}{21} < F.F′=21F​<F. So B is true.

Option C: mass density of the spheres is 840 kg m−3840\,\text{kg m}^{-3}840kg m−3

Derived above. So C is true.

Option D: tension in the strings holding the spheres remains unchanged

Initially, T=mgcos⁡θ.T = \frac{mg}{\cos\theta}.T=cosθmg​. After immersion, T′=mg−Bcos⁡θ.T' = \frac{mg-B}{\cos\theta}.T′=cosθmg−B​. Since B>0B>0B>0, T′<T.T' < T.T′<T. So tension does not remain unchanged.

Thus D is false.


  1. Final derived answer

Correct options are: B, C\boxed{B,\ C}B, C​


  1. Comparison with stored answer

Stored correct answer: C,AC, AC,A

My derivation shows that option A is false and option B is true. Hence I disagree with the stored answer.

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