back to directory
NEET PHYSICSELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCEEasy

Question

The variation of electrostatic potential with radial distance rr from the centre of a positively charged metallic thin shell of radius RR is given by the graph:

A

Option 1

B

Option 2

C

Option 3

D

Option 4

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Inside the Shell (r<Rr < R): According to the property of electrostatic shielding (mentioned in Class 11 Physics, Points to Ponder [1]), the electric field EE inside a charged hollow conductor is zero. Since the electric field is the gradient of the potential (E=−dV/drE = -dV/dr), a zero field implies that the potential VV is constant throughout the interior. Its value is equal to the potential at the surface: V=14πε0QRV = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{Q}{R}.
  2. Outside the Shell (r≥Rr \geq R): For points outside, the shell behaves as if the entire charge QQ were concentrated at its center (analogous to the gravitational case for a spherical shell discussed in Class 11 Physics [2]). Thus, the potential decreases inversely with distance: V=14πε0QrV = \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{Q}{r}.
  3. Graph Characteristics: The correct graph starts at a positive constant value for rr from 00 to RR, and then decreases as a hyperbola (1/r1/r) for r>Rr > R. This corresponds to the standard behavior described in Option 2.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET PHYSICS syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

PHYSICSELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCEvariationelectrostaticpotentialradialdistance

More ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND CAPACITANCE Questions

View all

Six charges +q, -q, +q, -q, +q and -q are fixed at the corners of a hexagon of side d as shown in the figure. The work done in bringing a charge q₀ to the centre of the hexagon from infinity is: (ε₀ - permittivity of free space)

A.zero
B.\frac{-q^2}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 d}
C.\frac{-q^2}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 d}(3-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})
D.\frac{-q^2}{4\pi\varepsilon_0 d}(6-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}})
EasySolve

A, B and C are three points in a uniform electric field. The electric potential is:

A.maximum at B
B.maximum at C
C.same at all the three points A, B and C
D.maximum at A
EasySolve

The electric potential at a point in free space due to a charge $Q$ coulomb is $Q \times 10^{11}$ V. The electric field at that point is:

A.$4\pi\epsilon_0 Q \times 10^{22} \text{ V/m}$
B.$12\pi\epsilon_0 Q \times 10^{20} \text{ V/m}$
C.$4\pi\epsilon_0 Q \times 10^{20} \text{ V/m}$
D.$12\pi\epsilon_0 Q \times 10^{22} \text{ V/m}$
MediumSolve

Four point charges -Q, -q, 2q and 2Q are placed, one at each corner of the square. The relation between Q and q for which the potential at the centre of the square is zero, is

A.Q = -q
B.Q = -1/q
C.Q = q
D.Q = 1/q
EasySolve

If potential in a region is expressed as $V(x,y,z) = 6xy - y + 2yz$, the electric field at point $(1, 1, 0)$ is:

A.$-(3\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 3\hat{k})$
B.$-(6\hat{i} + 5\hat{j} + 2\hat{k})$
C.$-(2\hat{i} + 3\hat{j} + \hat{k})$
D.$-(6\hat{i} + 9\hat{j} + \hat{k})$
MediumSolve

Two spheres of radius $a$ and $b$ respectively are charged and joined by a wire. The ratio of the electric field at the surface of the spheres is:

A.a/b
B.b/a
C.a²/b²
D.b²/a²
MediumSolve

Two metal spheres, one of radius $R$ and the other of radius $2R$ respectively have the same surface charge density $\sigma$. They are brought in contact and separated. What will be the new surface charge densities on them?

A.$\sigma_1 = \frac{5}{6}\sigma, \sigma_2 = \frac{5}{6}\sigma$
B.$\sigma_1 = \frac{5}{2}\sigma, \sigma_2 = \frac{5}{6}\sigma$
C.$\sigma_1 = \frac{5}{2}\sigma, \sigma_2 = \frac{5}{3}\sigma$
D.$\sigma_1 = \frac{5}{3}\sigma, \sigma_2 = \frac{5}{6}\sigma$
MediumSolve

The effective capacitances of two capacitors are $3 \text{ \mu F}$ and $16 \text{ \mu F}$, when they are connected in series and parallel respectively. The capacitance of two capacitors are:

A.10 \mu F, 6 \mu F
B.8 \mu F, 8 \mu F
C.12 \mu F, 4 \mu F
D.1.2 \mu F, 1.8 \mu F
MediumSolve

Why 32,000+ students choose TopperSquare

Everything you need to crack NEET

15,000+ Chapter MCQs

Physics, Chemistry, Biology — chapter-wise, topic-wise practice

AI Performance Analytics

Know your weak topics. Get a personalised study plan.

Full NEET Mock Tests

180 questions, timed, with detailed score analysis

PYQ Sets 2010–2024

15 years of past papers with solved explanations

Start Practising Free

No credit card · 30-second signup · Free forever plan included

This neet physics practice question is part of the TopperSquare free question bank. TopperSquare offers 15,000+ chapter-wise NEET MCQs across Physics, Chemistry, and Biology with detailed step-by-step explanations, full mock tests, NEET PYQs (2010–2024), and an AI-powered performance analytics dashboard. browse all neet practice questions → · practice physics sets →

Explore more subjects:Physics MCQs•Chemistry MCQs•Biology MCQs•Botany MCQs•Zoology MCQs•NEET Mock Tests•NEET PYQs