JEE MainPhysicsElectrostaticsMCQ+4 / −1
Find the electric field at point P (as shown in figure) on the perpendicular bisector of a uniformly charged thin wire of length L carrying a charge Q. The distance of the point P from the centre of the rod is a = . 

- A
- B
- C
- D
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Correct answer: C
- Set up the rod and charge density
A uniformly charged thin rod has:
- length
- total charge
- linear charge density
Let the rod lie along the -axis from to , with its centre at the origin.
Point lies on the perpendicular bisector at distance
So the coordinates of are .
- Consider a small charge element
Take an element of length at position on the rod. Then
Distance from this element to point is
The field due to is
Because of symmetry, horizontal components cancel. Only the vertical components add.
Vertical component:
since
Thus,
Substitute :
- Integrate over the rod
Using symmetry,
Now use the standard integral:
So,
Since ,
- Substitute
First,
Then,
Hence,
So,
Now put :
- Match with options
This is exactly:
So the correct option is:
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