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The electric field due to a uniformly charged solid sphere of radius R as a function of the distance from its centre is represented graphically by -

A

Option 1

B

Option 2

C

Option 3

D

Option 4

Step-by-Step Solution

For a uniformly charged solid non-conducting sphere of radius RR carrying a total charge QQ:

  1. Inside the sphere (r<Rr < R): The electric field is directly proportional to the distance from the center. Using Gauss's Law, the field is given by E=14πε0QR3rE = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{R^3} r. Thus, ErE \propto r, which represents a straight line passing through the origin.
  2. At the surface (r=Rr = R): The field reaches its maximum value, E=14πε0QR2E = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{R^2}.
  3. Outside the sphere (rRr \ge R): The sphere behaves like a point charge concentrated at the center. The electric field follows the inverse square law: E=14πε0Qr2E = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \frac{Q}{r^2}. Thus, E1r2E \propto \frac{1}{r^2}, which represents a hyperbola.

The correct graph must show a linear increase from the origin to r=Rr=R and a hyperbolic decrease for r>Rr > R.

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