Electrostatics Ques 181

  1. There is uniform spherically symmetric surface charge density at a distance $R_{0}$ from the origin. The charge distribution is initially at rest and starts expanding because of mutual repulsion. The figure that represents best the speed $v[R(t)]$ of the distribution as a function of its instantaneous radius $R(t)$ is

(Main 2019, 12 Jan I)

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Show Answer

Answer:

Correct Answer: 181.(c)

Solution:

Formula:

Electrostatic Potential Energy

  1. Key Idea As, electrostatic force is conserved in nature so, total energy of charge distribution remains constant in absence of any external interaction.

Let radius of distribution at some instant $t$ is $R$. At $t=0$, radius is given $R_{0}$

Now by conservation of energy, we have

$$ 0+\frac{k Q^{2}}{2 R_{0}}=\frac{1}{2} m v^{2}+\frac{k Q^{2}}{2 R} $$

( $\because$ The distribution starts from rest, so, initial kinetic energy is zero.)

Differentiating this equation with respect to $R$, we get

$$ \frac{1}{2} m 2 v \frac{d v}{d R}-\frac{k Q^{2}}{2 R^{2}}=0 \text { or } \frac{d v}{d R}=\frac{k Q^{2}}{2 m v R^{2}} $$

Here, $\frac{d v}{d R}=$ slope of $v$ versus $R$ graph. It decreases with increasing $v$ and $R$.

Also, slope $\quad \longrightarrow 0$ as $R \quad \longrightarrow \infty$.

From above conclusions, we can see that the best suited graph is given in option (c).



Table of Contents