Electrodynamics Questions

Ayyappn J
Assitance Professor in Physics
Government College of Engineering
Sengipatti
Tanjavur

1. The electrostatic potential V (x, y) is free space in a region where the charge density ρ is zero is
given by V (x, y) = 4e2x + f (x) − 3y 2 . Given that the x− component of the electric field Ex and V
are zero at the origin, f (x) is [June-2011, 3.5m]

1. 3x2 − 4e2x + 8x 2. 3x2 − 4e2x + 16x

3. 4e2x − 8 4. 3x2 − 4e2x

2. For constant uniform electric and magnetic fields E~ =E~ 0 and B

~ =B ~ 0 , it is possible to choose a
~
gauge such that the scalar potential φ and vector potential A are given by [June-2011, 3.5m]

~= 1 B ~= 1 B
   
1. φ = 0 and A ~0 × ~
r ~ 0 .~
2. φ = −E r and A ~0 × ~
r
2 2
~ 0 .~
3. φ = −E ~=0
r and A ~ = −E
4. φ = 0 and A ~ 0t

3. Circularly polarized light with intensity I0 is incident normally on a glass prism as shown in the
figure. The index of refraction of glass is 1.5. The intensity I of light emerging from the prism is
[June-2011, 3.5m]

45o

I0 I

90o
45o

1. I0 2. 0.96I0

3. 0.92I0 4. 0.88I0

4. A plane electromagnetic wave is propagating √ in
a lossless dielectric. The electric field is given
by E(x, y, z, t) = E0 (x̂ + Aẑ) exp ik0 {−ct + x + 3z } , where c is the speed of the light in vacuum,
E0 , A and k0 are constants x̂ and ẑ are unit vectors the x− and z− axes. The relative dielectric
constant of the medium εr and the constant A are [June-2011, 3.5m]
1 1
1. εr = 4 and A = − √ 2. εr = 4 and A = √
3 3
√ √
3. εr = 4 and A = 4 4. εr = 4 and A = − 3

A
5. A static, spherically symmetric charge distribution is given by ρ(r) = e−kr where A and k are
r
positive constants. The electrostatic potential corresponding to this charge distribution varies
with r as [June-2011, 5m]
1 −kr
1. re−kr 2. e
r
1 −kr 1
1 − e−kr


3. e 4.
r2 r

1
 6. The magnetic field of the T11 mode of a rectangular waveguide of dimensions a × b as shown in
the figure is given by Hz = H0 cos(0.3πx) cos(0.4πy), where x and y are in cm. [June-2011, 5m]

(A). The dimensions of the waveguide are

1. a = 3.33cm, b = 2.50cm 2. a = 0.40cm, b = 0.30cm

3. a = 0.80cm, b = 0.60cm 4. a = 1.66cm, b = 1.25cm

(B). The entire range of frequencies f for which the T E11 mode will propagate is

1. 6.0GHz < f < 7.5GHz 2. 7.5GHz < f < 9.0GHz

3. 7.5GHz < f < 12.0GHz 4. 7.5GHz < f

7. Consider three polarizers P1 , P2 and P3 placed along an axis as shown in the Figure

P1 P2 P3

I0

(U npolarised)

The pass axis of P1 and P3 are right angles to each other while the pass axis of P2 makes an angle
θ with that of P1 . A beam of unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on P1 as shown. The
intensity of light emerging from P3 is [Dec-2011, 3.5m]

I0
1. 0 2.
2
I0 I0
3. sin2 2θ 4. sin2 2θ
8 4

8. A point particle of mass m carrying an electric charge q is attached to a spring of stiffness constant
k. A constant electric
p field E along the direction of the spring is switched on for a time interval
T (where T  m/k). Neglecting radiation loss, the amplitude of oscillation after the field is
switched off is [Dec-2011, 3.5m]

qE qET 2
1. 2.
k m
√
qE m qET
3. 4. √
T k3/2 mk

9. The potential of a diatomic molecule as a function of the distance r between the atoms is given
a b
by V (r) = − 6 + 12 . The value of the potential at equilibrium separation between the atoms is
r r
[Dec-2011, 3.5m]

4a2 2a2
1. − 2. −
b b

a2 a2
3. − 4. −
2b 4b

Electrodynamics Questions 2 Collections by Ayyappan J

 10. Four equal point charges are kept fixed at the four vertices of a square. How may neutral points
(i.e., points where the electric field vanishes) will be found inside the square ? [Dec-2011, 3.5m]

1. 3 2. 4

3. 5 4. 7

~ = α 1 − e−r/R r̂ , where


11. A static charge distribution gives rise to an electric field of the form E
r2
α and R are positive constants. The charge contained within a sphere of radius R, centred at the
origin is [Dec-2011, 3.5m]

e e2
1. παε0 2. παε0
R2 R2

R R2
3. 4παε0 4. παε0
e e

12. In a Young’s double slit interference experiment, the slits are at a distance 2L from each other
and the screen is at a distance D from the slits. If a glass slab of refractive index µ and thickness
d is placed in the path of one of the beams, the minimum value of d for the central fringe to be
dark is [Dec-2011, 3.5m]

λD λD
1. √ 2.
(µ − 1) D2 + L2 (µ − 1)L

λ λ
3. 4.
(µ − 1) 2(µ − 1)

13. Consider a solenoid of radius R with n turns per unit length, in which a time dependent current
I = I0 sin ωt (where ωR/c  1) flows. The magnitude of the electric field at a perpendicular
distance r < R from the axis symmetry of the solenoid, is [Dec-2011, 5m]

1
1. 0 2. ωµ0 nI0 R2 cos ωt
2r
1 1
3. ωµ0 nI0 r sin ωt 4. ωµ0 nI0 r cos ωt
2 2

14. A constant electric current I in an infinitely long straight wire is suddenly switched on at t = 0.
√
 
~ = k̂µ0 I ln 1 ct + c2 t2 − r2 .


The vector potential at a perpendicular distance r from the wire is given by A
2π r
The electric field at a distance r(< ct) is [Dec-2011, 5m]

µ0 I 1  
1. 0 2. √ î − ĵ
2πt 2

cµ0 I 1   cµ0 I
3. √ √ î + ĵ 4. − √ k̂
2π c2 t2 − r2 2 2π c2 t2 − r2

15. The minimum energy of an electron (the rest mass of which is 0.5M eV ) that can emit Cherenkov
radiation while passing through water (of refractive index 1.5) is approximately [Dec-2011, 5m]

1. 1.0M eV 2. 3.0M eV

3. 0.6M eV 4. 0.5M eV

16. The magnetic field corresponding to the vector potential

~ = 1 F~ × ~r + 10 ~r
A
2 r3

where F~ is a constant vector, is [June-2012, 3.5m]

~
1. F ~
2. −F

~ + 30 ~
3. F r ~ − 30 ~
4. F r
r4 r4

Electrodynamics Questions 3 Collections by Ayyappan J

 17. An electromagnetic wave is incident on a water-air interface. The phase of the perpendicular
component of the electric field, E⊥ , of the reflected wave into the water is found to remain the
same for all angles of incidence. The phase of the magnetic field H [June-2012, 3.5m]

1. does not change 2. changes by 3π/2

3. changes by π/2 4. changes by π

18. The magnetic field at a distance R from a long straight wire carrying a steady current I is
proportional to [June-2012, 3.5m]

1. IR 2. I/R2

3. I 2 /R2 4. I/R

19. Which of the following quantities is Lorentz invariant? [June-2012, 5m]

1. |E × B|2 2. |E|2 − |B|2

3. |E|2 + |B|2 4. |E|2 |B|2

20. Charges Q, Q and −2Q are placed on the vertices of an equilateral traingle ABC of sides of length
a, as shown in the figure

−2Q
ĵ C

a a

A a B
Q Q

î

The dipole moment of this configuration of charges, irrespective of the choice of origin, is [June-
2012, 5m]
√
1. +2aQî 2. + 3aQĵ
√
3. − 3aQĵ 4. 0

m×r
21. The vector potential A due to a magnetic moment m at a pooint r is given by A = . If m
r3
is directed along the positive z−axis, the x−component of the magnetic field, at the point r, is
[June-2012, 5m]

3myz 3mxy
1. 2. −
r5 r5

3m z 2 − xy


3mxz
3. 4.
r5 r5

22. Three charges are located on the circumference of a circle of radius 0 R0 as shown in the figure
below. The two charges Q subtend an angle 90o at the centre of the circle. The charge 0 q 0 is
symmetrically placed with respect to the charges Q. If the electric field at the centre of the circle
is zero, what is the magnitude of Q? [Dec-2012, 3.5m]

Q Q

Electrodynamics Questions 4 Collections by Ayyappan J

 √ √
1. q/ 2 2. 2q

3. 2q 4. 4q

23. Consider a hollow charged shell of inner radius 0 a0 and outer radius 0 b0 . The volume charge density
k
is ρ(r) = 2 (where k is a constant) in the region a < r < b. The magnitude of the electric field
r
produced at distance r > a is [Dec-2012, 3.5m]

k(b − a) k(b − a) kb
1. f or r > a 2. f or a < r < b and f or r > b
0 r2 0 r2 0 r2

k(r − a) k(b − a) k(r − a) k(b − a)

3. f or a < r < b and f or r > b 4. f or a < r < b and f or r > b
0 r2 0 r2 0 a2 0 a2

24. Consider the interference of two coherent electromagnetic waves whose electric field vectors are
given by E~ 1 = îE0 cos ωt and E
~ 2 = ĵE0 cos(ωt + φ) where φ is the phase difference. The intensity of
0 2
the resulting wave is given by hE i, where hE 2 i is the time average of E 2 . The total intensity
2
is [Dec-2012, 3.5m]

1. 0 2. 0 E02

3. 0 E02 sin2 φ 4. 0 E02 cos2 φ

25. Four charges (two +q and two −q) are kept fixed at the four vertices of a square of side 0 a0 as
shown
q −q

a P
R

−q q

At the point P which is at a distance R from the centre (R  a), the pontential is proportional
to [Dec-2012, 3.5m]
1 1
1. 2.
R R2
1 1
3. 4.
R3 R3

26. A point charge 0 q 0 of mass 0 m0 is kept at a distance 0 d0 below a grounded infinite conducting sheet
which lies in the xy−plane. What is the value of 0 d0 for which the charge remains stationary?
[De-2012, 3.5m]
q q
1. √ 2. √
4 mgπ0 mgπ0
√
mgπ0
3. There is no finite value of d 4.
q

27. An infinite solenoid with its axis of symmetry along the z− direction carries a steady current I.

ẑ

Electrodynamics Questions 5 Collections by Ayyappan J

 ~ at a distance R from the axis
The vector potential A [Dec-2012, 5m]

1. Is constant inside and varies as R outside the solenoid 2. Varies as R inside and is constant outside
the solenoid

3. Varies as 1/R inside and as R outside the solenoid 4. Varies as R inside and as 1/R outside the
solenoid

28. Consider an infinite conducting sheet in the xy−plane with a time dependent current density
Ktî, where K is a constant. The vector potential at (x, y, z) is given by

~ = µ0 K (ct − z)2 î
A
4c
~ is
The magnetic field B [Dec-2012, 5m]
µ0 Kt µ0 Kz
1. ĵ 2. − ĵ
2 2c
µ0 K µ0 K
3. − (ct − z)î 4. − (ct − z)ĵ
2c 2c

~ and the Poynting

29. When a charged particle emits electromagnetic radiation, the electric field E
~= 1 ~ ×B
~ at a large distance r from the emitter vary as 1 1
vector S E and m respectively. Which
µ0 rn r
of the following choices for n and m are correct? [Dec-2012, 5m]

1. n = 1 and m = 1 2. n = 2 and m = 2

3. n = 1 and m = 2 4. n = 2 and m = 4

30. A particle of charge e and mass m is located at the midpoint of the line joining two mixed collinear
dipoles with unit charges as shown in the figure. (The particle is constrained to move only along
the line joining the dipoles). Assuming that the length of the dipoles is much shorter than their
separation, the natural frequency of oscillation of the particle is [June-2013, 3.5m]
R R

e, m

2d 2d

s s
6e2 R2 6e2 R
1. 2.
πε0 md5 πε0 md4
s s
6e2 d2 6e2 d
3. 4.
πε0 mR5 πε0 mR4

31. A current I is created by a narrow beam of protons moving in vaccum with constant velocity ~u.
~ outside the beam at a radial
The direction and magnitude, respectively, of the Poynting vector S
distance r (much larger than the width of the beam) from the axis, are [June-2013, 3.5m]

~⊥~ ~ = I ~ k (−~ ~ = I2
1. S u and |S| 2. S u) and |S|
4π 2  0 u|r2
|~ 4π 2 0 |~
u|r4

~k~ ~ = I2 ~k~ ~ = I2
3. S u and |S| 4. S u and |S|
4π 2 0 |~
u|r2 4π 2 0 |~
u|r4

32. If the electric and magnetic fields are unchanged when the vector potential A ~ changes (in suitable
~ ~
units) according to A → A + ~r, where ~r = r(t)r̂, then the scalar potential φ must simultaneously
change to [June-2013, 3.5m]

1. Φ − r 2. Φ + r

∂r ∂r
3. Φ − 4. Φ +
∂t ∂t

Electrodynamics Questions 6 Collections by Ayyappan J

  r 2
0
33. Consider an axially symmetric static charge distribution of the form, ρ = ρ0 e−r/r0 cos2 φ.
r
The radial component of the dipole moment due to this charge distribution is [June-2013, 3.5m]

1. 2πρ0 r04 2. πρ0 r04

πρ0 r04
3. ρ0 r04 4.
2

34. The components of a vector potential Aµ ≡ (A0 , A1 , A2 , A3 ) are given by Aµ = k(−xyz, yzt, zxt, xyt)
where k is a constant. The three components of the electric field are [June-2013, 5m]

1. k(yz, zx, xy) 2. k(x, y, z)

3. (0, 0, 0) 4. k(xt, yt, zt)

35. An oscillating current I(t) = I0 exp(−iωt) flows in the direction of the y−axis through a thin metal
sheet of area 1.0cm2 kept in the xy−plane. The rate of total energy radiated per unit area from
the surface of the metal sheet at a distance of 100m is [June-2013, 5m]

I0 ω I02 ω 2
1. 2.
12πε0 c3 12πε0 c3

I02 ω I0 ω 2
3. 4.
12πε0 c3 24πε0 c3

36. The conductors in a 0.75km long two-wire transmission line are separated by a centre-to-centre
distance of 0.2m. If each conductor has a diameter of 4cm, then the capacitance of the line is
[June-2013, 5m]

1. 8.8µF 2. 88.5µF

3. 8.85pF 4. 8.85pF

37. A horizontal metal disc rotates about the vertical axis in a uniform magnetic field pointing up
as shown in the figure. A circuit is made by connecting one end A of a resistor to the center of
the disc and other end B to its edge through a sliding contact S. The current that flows through
the resistor is [Dec-2013, 3.5m]

R
A B
B

1. zero 2. DC from A to B

3. DC from B to A 4. AC

38. The force between two long and parallel wires carrying currents I1 and I2 and separated by a
distance D is proportional to [Dec-2013, 3.5m]

I1 I2 (I1 + I2 )
1. 2.
D D

I1 I2 2
 
I1 I2
3. 4.
D D2

39. Let (V, A) and (V 0 , A0 ) denote two sets of scalar and vector potentials, and ψ a scalar func-
tion. Which of the following transformations leave the electric and magnetic fields (and hence
Maxwell’s equations) unchanged? [Dec-2013, 3.5m]

Electrodynamics Questions 7 Collections by Ayyappan J

 ∂ψ ∂ψ
1. A0 = A + ∇ψ and V 0 = V − 2. A0 = A − ∇ψ and V 0 = V + 2
∂t ∂t
∂ψ ∂ψ
3. A0 = A + ∇ψ and V 0 = V + 4. A0 = A − 2∇ψ and V 0 = V −
∂t ∂t

40. The physical phenomenon that cannot be used for memory storage application is [Dec-2013,
3.5m]

1. large variation in magnetoresistance as a function of applied magnetic field

2. variation in magnetization of a ferromagnet as a function of applied magnetic field
3. variation in polarization of a ferroelectric as a function of applied electric field
4. variation in resistance of a metal as a function of applied electric field

~ = E0 cos[π(0.3x + 0.4y − 1000t)]k̂. The

41. The electric field of an electromagnetic wave is given by E
associated magnetic field B~ is [Dec-2013, 5m]
 
1. 10−3 E0 cos[π(0.3x + 0.4y − 1000t)]k̂ 2. 10−4 E0 cos[π(0.3x+0.4y−1000t)] 4î − 3ĵ
   
3. E0 cos[π(0.3x + 0.4y − 1000t)] 0.3î + 0.4ĵ 4. 102 E0 cos[π(0.3x + 0.4y − 1000t)] 3î + 4ĵ

42. A point charge q is placed symmetrically at a distance d fromt two perpendicularly placed
grounded conducting infinite plates as shown in the figure. The net force on the charge (in
units of 1/4π0 ) is [Dec-2013, 5m]

q
d

q2  √  q2  √ 
1. 2
2 2 − 1 away from the corner 2. 2
2 2 − 1 towards the corner
8d 8d

q2 3q 2
3. √ towards the corner 4. away from the corner
2 2d2 8d2

43. Let four point charges q, −q/2, q and −q/2 be placed at the vertices of a square of side a. Let
another point charge −q be placed at the centre of the square (see the figure)

−q/2 q

−q

q −q/2

Let V (r) be the electrostatic potential at a point P at a distance r  a from the centre of the
square. Then V (2r)/V (r) is [Dec-2013, 5m]
1
1. 1 2.
2
1 1
3. 4.
4 8

44. If the electrostatic potential V (r, θ, φ) in a charge free region has the form V (r, θ, φ) = f (r) cos θ,
then the functional form of f (r) (in the following a and b are constants) is [Dec-2013, 5m]
b b
1. ar2 + 2. ar +
r r2
b r
3. ar + 4. a ln
r b

Electrodynamics Questions 8 Collections by Ayyappan J

 45. The inner shield of a triaxial conductor is driven by an (ideal) op-amp follower circuit as shown.
The effective capacitance between the signal-carrying conductor and ground is [June-2014,
3.5m]

Signal

1. unaf f ected 2. doubled

3. halved 4. made zero

46. A charged particle is at a distance d from an infinite conducting plane maintained at zero poten-
tial. When released from rest, the particle reaches a speed u at a distance d/2 from the plane.
At what distance from the plane will the particle reach the speed 2u? [June-2014, 3.5m]

1. d/6 2. d/3

3. d/4 4. d/5

47. Consider an electromagnetic wave at the interface between two homogeneous dielectric media of
the dielectric constants ε1 and ε2 . Assuming ε2 > ε1 and non charges on the surface, the electric
~ and the displacement vector D
field vector E ~ in the two media satisfy the following inequalities
[June-2014, 3.5m]

~ 2 | > |E
1. |E ~ 1 | and |D
~ 2 | > |D
~ 1| ~ 2 | < |E
2. |E ~ 1 | and |D
~ 2 | < |D
~ 1|

~ 2 | < |E
3. |E ~ 1 | and |D
~ 2 | > |D
~ 1| ~ 2 | > |E
4. |E ~ 1 | and |D
~ 2 | < |D
~ 1|

48. If the electrostatic potential in spherical polar coordinates is φ(r) = φ0 e−r/r0 where φ0 and r0 are
constants, then the charge density at a distance r = r0 will be [June-2014, 3.5m]

ε 0 φ0 eε0 φ0
1. 2.
er02 2r02

ε 0 φ0 2eε0 φ0
3. − 4. −
er02 r02

49. A current ip flows through the primary coil of a transformer. The graph of ip (t) as a function of
time t is shown in figure below

ip (t)

1 2 3 t

Which of the following graph represents the current is in th esecondary coil? [June-2014, 3.5m]

is (t) is (t)

1 2 3 1 2 3
t t

1. 2.

ip (t) ip (t)

1 2 3 1 2 3
t t

3. 4.

Electrodynamics Questions 9 Collections by Ayyappan J

 50. A time-dependent current I(t)~ = Ktẑ (where K is a constant) is switched on at t = 0 in an infinite
current-carrying wire. The magnetic vector potential at a perpendicular distance a from the wire
is given (for time t > a/c) by [June-2014, 3.5m]
√ √
c2R
t2 −a2
µ0 K ct − a2 + z 2 µ0 K Rct t
1. ẑ dz 2. ẑ dz
4πc √ (a2 + z 2 )1/2 4π −ct (a + z 2 )1/2
2
− c2 t2 −a2

√ √
c2R
t2 −a2
µ0 K Rct ct − a2 + z 2 µ0 K t
3. ẑ dz 4. ẑ dz
4πc −ct (a2 + z 2 )1/2 4π √ (a2 + z 2 )1/2
− c2 t2 −a2

51. A charge (−e) is placed in vacuum at the point (d, 0, 0)where d > 0. The region x ≤ 0 is filled
d
uniformly with a metal. The electric field at the point , 0, 0 is [June-2014, 5m]
2

10e 10e
1. − (1, 0, 0) 2. (1, 0, 0)
9πε0 d2 9πε0 d2
e e
3. (1, 0, 0) 4. − (1, 0, 0)
πε0 d2 πε0 d2

52. A beam of light of frequency ω is reflected from a dielectric-metal interface at normal incience.
The refractive index of the dielectric medium is n and that of the metal is n2 = n(1 + iρ). If the
beam is polarized parallel to the interface, then the phase change experienced by the light upon
reflection is [June-2014, 5m]
   
2 1
1. tan 2. tan−1
ρ ρ
 
2
3. tan−1 4. tan−1 (2ρ)
ρ

53. A thin infinitely long solenoid placed along the z−axis contains a magnetic flux φ. Which of
the following vector potentials corresponds to the magnetic field at an arbitrary point (x, y, z)?
[June-2014, 5m]
 
φ y φ x
1. (Ax , Ay , Az ) = − , , 0
 2π x2 + y 2 2π x2 + y 2 
φ y φ x
2. (Ax , Ay , Az ) = − , , 0
 2π x2 + y 2 + z 2 2π x2 +  y2 + z2
φ x+y φ x+y
3. (Ax , Ay , Az ) = − , ,0
 2π x2 + y 2 2π x2 + y 2 
φ x φ y
4. (Ax , Ay , Az ) = − , ,0
2π x2 + y 2 2π x2 + y 2

54. A double slit interference experiment uses a laser emitting light of two adjacent frequencies ν1
and ν2 (ν1 < ν2 ). The minimum path difference between the interfering beams for which the
interference pattern disappears is [June-2014, 5m]
c c
1. 2.
ν1 + ν2 ν2 − ν1
c c
3. 4.
2 (ν2 − ν1 ) 2 (ν2 + ν1 )

 ar 
55. A solid sphere of radius R has a charge density, given by ρ(r) = ρ0 1 − , where r is the radial
R
coordinate and ρ0 , a and R are positive constants. If the magnitude of the electric field at r = R/2
is 1.25 times that at r = R, then the value of a is [Dec-2014, 3.5m]

1. 2 2. 1

1 1
3. 4.
2 4

56. The electrostatic lines of force due to a system of four point charges is sketched below

Electrodynamics Questions 10 Collections by Ayyappan J

 At a large distance r, the leading asymptotic behaviour of the electrostatic potential is propor-
tional to [Dec-2014,
3.5m]

1. r 2. r−1

3. r−2 4. r−3

57. A charged particle moves in a helical path under the influence of a constant magnetic field. The
initial velocity is such that the component along the magnetic field is twice the component in
the plane normal to the magnetic field. The ratio l/R of the pitch l to the radius R of the helical
path is [Dec-2014, 3.5m]

π
1. 2. 4π
2

3. 2π 4. π

58. A parallel beam of light of wavelength λ is incident normally on a thin polymer film with air
on both sides. If the film has a refractive index n > 1, then second-order bright fringes can be
observed in reflection when the thickness of the film is [Dec-2014, 3.5m]

λ λ
1. 2.
4n 2n
3λ λ
3. 4.
4n n

59. When laser light of wavelength λ falls on a metal scale with 1mm engravings at a grazing angle of
incidence, it is diffracted to form a vertical chain of diffraction spots on a screen kept perpendic-
ular to the scale. If the wavelength of the laser is increased by 200nm, the angle of the first-order
diffraction spot changes from 5o to [Dec-2014, 5m]

1. 6.60o 2. 5.14o

3. 5.018o 4. 5.21o

60. A plane electromagnetic wave incident normally on the surface of a material is partially reflected.
Measurements on the standing wave in the region in front of the interface show that the ratio
of the electric field amplitude at the maxima and the minima is 5. The ratio of the reflected
intensity to the incident intensity is [Dec-2014, 5m]

1. 4/9 2. 2/3

3. 2/5 4. 1/5

~ x, t) are determined up to a gauge transformation

61. The scalar and vector potentials φ(~x, t) and A(~
∂ξ ~→A~0 = A
~ + ∇ξ
~ where ξ is an arbitrary continuous and differentiable function
φ → φ0 = φ − and A
∂t

Electrodynamics Questions 11 Collections by Ayyappan J

 of ~x and t. If we further impose the Lorenz gauge condition ∇. ~ A~ + 1 ∂φ = 0 then a possible choice
c ∂t
for the gauge function ξ(~x, t) is (where ω, ~k are nonzero constants with ω = c|~k|) [Dec-2014, 5m]

1. cos ωt cosh ~k.~

x 2. sinh ωt cos ~k.~
x

3. cosh ωt cos ~k.~

x 4. cosh ωt cosh ~k.~
x

62. A non-relativistic particle of mass m and charge e, moving with a velocity ~v and acceleration ~a,
emits radiation of intensity I. What is the intensity of the radiation emitted by a particle of
mass m/2, charge 2e, velocity ~v /2 and acceleration 2~a? [Dec-2014, 5m]

1. 16I 2. 8I

3. 4I 4. 2I

63. A plane electromagnetic wave is travelling along the positive z−direction. The maximum electric
field along the x−direction is 10V /m. The approximate maximum values of the power per unit
area and the magnetic induction B, respectively, are [June-2015, 3.5m]

1. 3.3 × 10−7 watts/m2 and 10 tesla 2. 3.3 × 10−7 watts/m2 and 3.3 × 10−8 tesla

3. 0.265 watts/m2 and 10 tesla 4. 0.265 watts/m2 and 3.3 × 10−8 tesla

64. Suppose the yz− plane forms a chargeless boundary between two media of permittivities  lef t and
~
right where lef t : right = 1 : 2. If the uniform electric field on the left is Elef t = î + ĵ + k̂ (where
~ right is
c is a constant), then the electric field on the right E [June-2015, 3.5m]
   
1. c 2î + ĵ + k̂ 2. c î + 2ĵ + 2k̂
   
1
3. c 2
î + ĵ + k̂ 4. c î + 12 ĵ + 12 k̂

65. A proton moves with a speed of 300m/s in a circular orbit in the xy−plane in a magnetic field
1 tesla along the positive z−direction. When an electric field of 1 V /m is applied along the positive
y−direction, the centre of the circular orbit [June-2015, 3.5m]

1. remains stationary
2. moves at 1m/s along the negative x− direction
3. moves at 1m/s along the positive z−direction
4. moves at 1m/s along the positve x−direction

 
66. Which of the following transformations V, A ~ → (V 0 , A
~ 0 ) of the electrostatic potential V and the
~ is a gauge transformation?
vector potential A [June-2015, 3.5m]
   
1. ~0 = A
V 0 = V + ax, A ~ + atk̂ 2. ~0 = A
V 0 = V + ax, A ~ − atk̂

   
3. ~0 = A
V 0 = V + ax, A ~ + atî 4. ~=A
V 0 = V + ax, A ~ − atî

67. Consider a rectangular wave guide with transverse dimensions 2m × 1m driven with an angular
frequency ω = 109 rad/s. Which transverse electric (T E) modes will propagate in this wave guide?
[June-2015, 5m]

1. T E10 , T E01 and T E20 2. T E10 , T E11 and T E20

3. T E01 , T E10 and T E11 4. T E01 , T E10 and T E22

68. A rod of length L carries a total charge Q distributed uniformly. If this is observed in a frame
moving with a speed v along the rod, the charge per unit length (as measured by the moving
observer) is [June-2015, 5m]
r
v2 v2
 
Q Q
1. 1− 2. 1−
L c2 L c2

Q Q
3. 4.
v2
r  
v2
L 1− 2 L 1−
c c2

Electrodynamics Questions 12 Collections by Ayyappan J

 69. The electric and magnetic fields in the charge free region z > 0 are given by
~ r, t) = E0 e−k1 z cos(k2 x − ωt)ĵ
E(~

~ r, t) = E0 e−k1 z k1 sin(k2 x − ωt)î + k2 cos(k2 x − ωt)k̂

h i
B(~
ω
where ω, k1 &k2 are positive constants. The average flow in the x− direction is [June-2015, 5m]

E02 k2 −2k z E02 k2 −2k z

1. e 1 2. e 1
2µ0 ω µ0 ω

E02 k1 −2k z 1
3. e 1 4. cε0 E02 e−2k1 z
2µ0 ω 2

70. A uniform field in the positive z−direction passes through a circular wire loop of radius 1cm and
resistance 1Ω lying in the xy− plane. The field strength is reduced from 10 tesla to 9 tesla in 1s.
The charge trasferred across any point in the wire is approximately [June-2015, 5m]

1. 3.1 × 10−4 coulomb 2. 3.4 × 10−4 coulomb

3. 4.2 × 10−4 coulomb 4. 5.2 × 10−4 coulomb

71. A hollow metallic sphere of radius a, which is kept at a potential V0 , has a charge Q at its centre.
The potential at a point outside the sphere, at a distance r from the centre, is [Dec-2015, 3.5m]

Q V0 a
1. V0 2. +
4π0 r r

Q V0 a2 V0 a
3. + 2 4.
4π0 r r r

72. Consider a charge Q at the origin of 3−dimensional coordinate system. The flux of the electric
field through the curved surface of a cone that has a height h and a circular base of radius R (as
shown in the figure ) is [Dec-2015, 3.5m]

Q
R

Q Q
1. 2.
0 20

hQ QR
3. 4.
R0 2h0

73. Given a uniform magnetic field B = B0 k̂ (where B0 is a constant), a possible choice for the
magnetic vector potential A is [Dec-2015, 3.5m]

1. B0 y î 2. −B0 y î
   
3. B0 xĵ + y î 4. B0 xî − y ĵ

74. A beam of unpolarized light in a medium with dielectric constant 1 is reflected from a plane
interface formed with another medium of dielectric 2 = 31 . The two media have identical
magnetic permeability. If the angle of incidence is 60o , then the reflected light [Dec-2015, 3.5m]

1. is plane polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence 2. is plane polarized parallel to the plane of
incidence

3. is circularly polarized 4. has the same polarization as the incident

light

Electrodynamics Questions 13 Collections by Ayyappan J

 75. A small magnetic needle is kept at (0,0) with its moment along the x−axis. Another small
magnetic needle is at the point (1,1) and is free to rotate in the xy− plane. In equilibrium the
angle θ between their magnetic moments is such that [Dec-2015, 5m]

1. tan θ = 1/3 2. tan θ = 0

3. tan θ = 3 4. tan θ = 1

76. A dipole of moment p~, oscillating at frequency ω, radiates spherical waves. The vector potential
ikr
~ r) = µ0 iω e p~. To order (1/r) the magnetic field B
at large distance is A(~ ~ at a point ~r = rn̂ is
4π r
[Dec-2015, 5m]

µ0 ω 2 eikr µ0 ω 2 eikr
1. − (n̂.~
p) n̂ 2. − (n̂ × p
~)
4π c r 4π c r

µ0 2 eikr µ0 ω eikr
3. − ω k (n̂.~
p) p
~ 4. − p
~
4π r 4π c r

A
77. The frequency dependent dielectric constant of a material is given by ε(ω) = 1 +
− ω 2 − iωγ ω02
where A is a positive constant, ω0 the resonant frequency and γ the damping coefficient. For an
electromagnetic wave of angular frequency ω  ω0 , which of the following is true?(Assume that
γ
 1) [Dec-2015, 5m]
ω0

1. There is negligible absorption of the wave

2. The wave propagation is highly dispersive
3. There is strong absorption of the electromagnetic wave
4. The group velocity and the phase velocity will have opposite sign

78. Four equal charges of +Q each are kept at the vertices of a square of side R. A particle of mass
m and charge +Q is placed in the plane of the square at a short distance a( R) from the centre.
If the motion of the particle is confined to the plane, it will undergo small oscillations with an
angular frequency [June-2016, 3.5m]
s s
Q2 Q2
1. 2.
2π0 R3 m π0 R3 m
s √ s
2Q2 Q2
3. 4.
2π0 R3 m 4π0 R3 m

79. Two parallel plate capacitors, separated by distances x and 1.1x respectively, have a dielectric
material of dielectric constant 3.0 inserted between the plates, and are connected to a battery of
voltage V . The difference in charge on the second capacitor compared to the first is [June-2016,
3.5m]

1. +66% 2. +20%

3. −3.3% 4. −10%

80. The half space regions x > 0 and x < 0 are filled with dielectric media of dielectric constants 1
and 2 respectively. There is a uniform electric field in each part. In the right half, the electric
field makes an angle θ1 to the interface. The corresponding angle θ2 in the left half satisfies
[June-2016, 3.5m]

Electrodynamics Questions 14 Collections by Ayyappan J

 1. 1 sin θ2 = 2 sin θ1 2. 1 tan θ2 = 2 tan θ1

3. 1 tan θ1 = 2 tan θ2 4. 1 sin θ1 = 2 sin θ2

81. The x− and z−components of a static magnetic field in a region are Bx = B0 x2 − y 2 and Bz = 0,
respectively. Which of the following solutions for its y−component is consistent with the Maxwell
equations? [June-2016, 3.5m]

1. Bx = B0 xy 2. By = −2B0 xy

1 3
3. By = −B0 x2 − y 2 − xy 2



4. By = B0 3
x

82. A magnetic field B is B ẑ in the region x > 0 and zero elsewhere. A rectangular loop, in the
xy−plane, of sides l (along the x−direction) and h (along the y−direction) is inserted into the
x > 0 region from the x < 0 region at a constant velocity v = vx̂. Which of the following values of
l and h will generate the largest EMF [June-2016, 3.5m]

1. l = 8, h = 3 2. l = 4, h = 6

3. l = 6, h = 4 4. l = 12, h = 2

83. Consider a sphere S1 of radius R which carries a uniform charge of density ρ. A smaller sphere
S2 of radius a < R/2 is cut out and removed from it. The centres of the two spheres are separated
by the vector ~b = n̂R/2, as shown in the figure

P
S2

~b
~r

S1

The electric field at a point P inside S2 is [June-2016, 5m]

ρR ρR
1. n̂ 2. r − n̂a)
(~
3ε0 3ε0 a

ρR ρa
3. n̂ 4. ~
r
6ε0 3ε0 R

84. The values of the electric and magnetic fields in a particular reference frame (in Gaussian units)
are E = 3x̂ + 4ŷ and B = 3ẑ, respectively. An inertial observer moving with respect to this frame
measures the magnitude of the electric field to be |E 0 | = 4. The magnitude of the magnetic field
|B 0 | measured by him is [June-2016, 5m]

1. 5 2. 9

3. 0 4. 1

85. A loop of radius a, carrying a current I, is placed in a uniform magnetic field B. If the normal
to the loop is denoted by n̂, the force F and the torque T on the loop are [June-2016, 5m]
µ0
1. F = 0 and T = πa2 I n̂ × B 2. F = I × B and T = 0
4π
µ0 1
3. F = I × B and T = I n̂ × B 4. F = 0 and T = IB
4π µ0 ε0

86. A waveguide has a square cross-section of side 2a. For the T M modes of wavevector k, the
transverse electromagnetic modes are obtained in terms of a function ψ(x, y) which obeys the
equation  2
∂2
 2 
∂ ω 2
+ + − k ψ(x, y) = 0
∂x2 ∂y 2 c2
with the boundary condition ψ(±a, y) = ψ(x, ±a) = 0. The frequency ω of the lowest mode is given
by [June-2016, 5m]

Electrodynamics Questions 15 Collections by Ayyappan J

 4π 2 π2
   
1. ω 2 = c2 k2 + 2. ω 2 = c2 k2 +
a2 a2

π2 π2
   
3. ω 2 = c2 k2 + 4. ω 2 = c2 k2 +
2a2 4a2

87. A conducting circular disc of radius r and resistivity ρ rotates with an angular velocity ω in a
magnetic field B perpendicular to it. A voltmeter is connected as shown in the figure below

Assuming its internal resistance to be infinite, the reading on the voltmeter [Dec-2016, 3.5m]

1. depends on ω, B, r and ρ 2. depends on ω, B and r. But not on ρ

3. is zero because the flux through the loop is not changing 4. is zero because a current flows in the direc-
tion of B

88. The charge per unit length of a circular wire of radius a in the xy−plane, with its centre at the
origin, is λ = λ0 cos θ, where λ0 is a constant and the angle θ is measured from the positive x−axis.
The electric field at the centre of the circle is [Dec-2016, 3.5m]

~ = − λ0 î
1. E ~ = λ0 î
2. E
40 a 40 a

~ = − λ0 ĵ
3. E ~ =
4. E
λ0
k̂
40 a 4π0 a

89. A screen has two slits, each of width w, with their centres at a distance 2w apart. It is illuminated
by a monochromatic plane wave travelling along the x−axis.

The intensity of the interference pattern, measured on a distant screen, at an angle θ = nλ/w to
the x−axis is [Dec-2016, 3.5m]

1. zero for n = 1, 2, 3 2. maximum for n = 1, 2, 3, ....

1 3 5
3. maximum for n = , , , ....
2 2 2
4. zero for n = 0 only

~ t) = E0 cos(kz + ωt)î + 2E0 sin(kz + ωt)ĵ, where

90. The electric field of an electromagnetic wave is E(z,
ω and k are positive constants. This represents [Dec-2016, 3.5m]

1. a linearly polarised wave travelling in the positive z−direction

2. a circularly polarised wave travelling in the negative z−direction
3. an elliptically polarised wave travelling in the negative z−direction
4. an unpolarised wave travelling in the positive z−direction

91. A pair of parallel glass plates separated by a distance d is illuminated by white light as shown in
the figure below. Also shown is the graph of the intensity of the reflected light I as a function of
the wavelength λ recorded by a spectrometer

Electrodynamics Questions 16 Collections by Ayyappan J

 (a) (b)

Assuming that the interference takes place only between light reflected by the bottom surface of
the top plate and the top surface of bottom plate, the distance d is closest to [Dec-2016, 3.5m]

1. 12m 2. 24m

3. 60m 4. 120m

92. Suppose that free charges are present in a material of dielectric constant  = 10 and resistivity
ρ = 1011 Ω − m. Using Ohm’s law and the equation of continuity for charge, the time required for
the charge density inside the material to decay by 1/e is closest to [Dec-2016, 5m]

1. 10−6 s 2. 106 s

3. 1012 s 4. 10s

93. A particle with charge −q moves with a uniform angular velocity ω in a circular orbit of radius a
in the xy−plane, around a fixed charge +q, which is at the centre of the orbit at (0, 0, 0). Let the
intensity of radiation at the point (0, 0, R) be I1 and at (2R, 0, 0) be I2 . The ratio I2 /I1 , for R  a,
is [Dec-2016, 5m]

1
1. 4 2.
4
1
3. 4. 8
8

94. A parallel plate capacitor is formed by two circular conducting plates of radius a separated by a
distance d, where d  a. It is being slowly charged by a current that is nearly constant. At an
instant when the current is I, the magnetic induction between the plates at a distance a/2 from
the centre of the plate, is [Dec-2016, 5m]

µ0 I µ0 I
1. 2.
πa 2πa
µ0 I µ0 I
3. 4.
a 4πa

95. Two uniformly charged insulating solid sphere A and B, both of radius a, carry total charges +Q
and −Q respectively. The spheres are placed touching each other as shown in the figure

If the potential at the centre of the sphere A is VA and that at the centre of B is VB , then the
difference VA − VB is [Dec-2016, 5m]

Q Q
1. 2. −
4πε0 a 2πε0 a

Q Q
3. 4. −
2πε0 a 4πε0 a

Electrodynamics Questions 17 Collections by Ayyappan J