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Electrostatics MCQs 2026

50 questions with detailed answers · 20 from past papers · 5 quiz batches available

📚 Physics Mcqs 📄 20 Past-Paper Qs ✓ Free · No Login Needed
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Read each question, think about the answer, then click Show Answer to reveal the correct option and explanation. Load 10 at a time so it stays manageable — perfect for one-topic study sessions on the bus or during a break.

Page 1 of 1 Questions 1–10 of 50
  1. Q1 easy

    The smallest unit of electric charge that exists independently is the charge of

    1. A An electron (elementary charge e)
    2. B A neutron
    3. C An atom
    4. D A molecule
    💡 Explanation:

    The electron carries the smallest known indivisible unit of free electric charge, denoted e.

  2. Q2 easy

    The SI unit of electric potential is the

    1. A Coulomb
    2. B Farad
    3. C Volt
    4. D Newton
    💡 Explanation:

    Electric potential and potential difference are measured in volts (V), where 1 volt = 1 joule per coulomb.

  3. Q3 medium

    Electric field lines never intersect because

    1. A They are always parallel
    2. B The field at a point can have only one direction
    3. C They are too weak to cross
    4. D They repel each other
    💡 Explanation:

    If field lines crossed, the field would have two directions at that point, which is physically impossible.

  4. Q4 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    The region around a charged object where its influence (force) can be experienced is called

    1. A Electric potential
    2. B Electric flux
    3. C Electric field
    4. D Electric current
    💡 Explanation:

    An electric field is the region surrounding a charge in which another charge experiences an electrostatic force.

  5. Q5 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    The SI unit of electric charge is the

    1. A Volt
    2. B Farad
    3. C Ampere
    4. D Coulomb
    💡 Explanation:

    Electric charge is measured in coulombs (C) in the SI system.

  6. Q6 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Coulomb's law states that the electrostatic force between two point charges is

    1. A Directly proportional to the product of charges and inversely proportional to the square of distance
    2. B Directly proportional to distance
    3. C Inversely proportional to the product of charges
    4. D Independent of distance
    💡 Explanation:

    Coulomb's law: F = k q1 q2 / r^2, force is proportional to the product of charges and inversely proportional to the square of separation.

  7. Q7 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Unlike charges

    1. A Repel each other
    2. B Attract each other
    3. C Cancel to zero charge always
    4. D Have no interaction
    💡 Explanation:

    Opposite charges (one positive, one negative) attract each other due to electrostatic force.

  8. Q8 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Like charges

    1. A Attract each other
    2. B Neutralize each other
    3. C Have no effect on each other
    4. D Repel each other
    💡 Explanation:

    Charges of the same sign (both positive or both negative) exert a repulsive force on each other.

  9. Q9 medium

    Electric field lines around an isolated negative point charge point

    1. A Radially inward toward the charge
    2. B Radially outward from the charge
    3. C Parallel to each other
    4. D In closed loops
    💡 Explanation:

    For a negative charge, field lines converge radially inward, ending at the charge.

  10. Q10 medium

    Work done in moving a unit positive charge from infinity to a point in an electric field is called

    1. A Electric field intensity
    2. B Electric potential
    3. C Electric flux
    4. D Electric current
    💡 Explanation:

    Electric potential at a point is defined as the work done per unit positive charge in bringing it from infinity to that point.

  11. Q11 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Electric field lines around an isolated positive point charge point

    1. A Toward the charge
    2. B In circles around the charge
    3. C Parallel to each other
    4. D Radially outward from the charge
    💡 Explanation:

    Field lines originate from positive charges and point radially outward, showing the direction of force on a positive test charge.

  12. Q12 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    According to the law of conservation of charge, the total charge in an isolated system

    1. A Increases with time
    2. B Decreases with time
    3. C Can be created but not destroyed
    4. D Remains constant
    💡 Explanation:

    The law of conservation of charge states that electric charge can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred, so total charge stays constant.

  13. Q13 medium

    The electric potential energy of a system of two point charges is defined as the work done in

    1. A Moving one charge to infinity
    2. B Separating the two charges completely
    3. C Assembling the charges from infinity to their given positions
    4. D Rotating the charges around each other
    💡 Explanation:

    Electric potential energy of a charge configuration equals the work done in bringing the charges from infinite separation to their current positions.

  14. Q14 easy

    Rubbing an ebonite (rubber) rod with fur makes the rod

    1. A Negatively charged
    2. B Positively charged
    3. C Neutral
    4. D Magnetized
    💡 Explanation:

    Ebonite gains electrons from fur during rubbing, leaving it negatively charged.

  15. Q15 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Rubbing a glass rod with silk makes the glass rod

    1. A Negatively charged
    2. B Neutral
    3. C Magnetized
    4. D Positively charged
    💡 Explanation:

    In the standard triboelectric charging example, glass loses electrons to silk, leaving the glass rod positively charged.

  16. Q16 medium

    The direction of the electric field at a point is defined as the direction of force experienced by

    1. A A negative test charge
    2. B Any neutral object
    3. C The source charge itself
    4. D A small positive test charge placed at that point
    💡 Explanation:

    By convention, the electric field direction is defined as the direction of the force on a small positive test charge placed at that point.

  17. Q17 medium

    A parallel plate capacitor's capacitance can be increased by

    1. A Increasing the separation between plates
    2. B Decreasing the plate area
    3. C Decreasing the separation between plates or increasing plate area
    4. D Removing the dielectric
    💡 Explanation:

    Capacitance C = epsilon A / d increases when plate area A increases or plate separation d decreases.

  18. Q18 hard

    The energy stored in a 2 microfarad capacitor charged to 100 volts is

    1. A 0.02 J
    2. B 0.2 J
    3. C 2 J
    4. D 0.01 J
    💡 Explanation:

    E = 1/2 C V^2 = 0.5 x 2x10^-6 x 100^2 = 0.01 J.

  19. Q19 medium

    Two capacitors of 2 microfarad and 3 microfarad connected in series give an equivalent capacitance of approximately

    1. A 5 microfarad
    2. B 2.5 microfarad
    3. C 1.2 microfarad
    4. D 6 microfarad
    💡 Explanation:

    For series capacitors, 1/C = 1/2 + 1/3 = 5/6, so C = 6/5 = 1.2 microfarad.

  20. Q20 medium

    Two capacitors of 2 microfarad and 3 microfarad connected in parallel give an equivalent capacitance of

    1. A 1.2 microfarad
    2. B 2.5 microfarad
    3. C 0.6 microfarad
    4. D 5 microfarad
    💡 Explanation:

    In parallel, capacitances simply add: 2 + 3 = 5 microfarad.

  21. Q21 hard

    The electric potential at the surface of an isolated charged sphere is directly proportional to

    1. A The square of the radius
    2. B The inverse of the charge
    3. C The charge and inversely proportional to the radius
    4. D The volume of the sphere
    💡 Explanation:

    For a charged sphere, the surface potential V = kQ/R, proportional to charge Q and inversely proportional to radius R.

  22. Q22 hard

    A conductor placed in an external electric field experiences a redistribution of free charges, resulting in the field inside the conductor becoming

    1. A Zero
    2. B Doubled
    3. C Equal to the external field
    4. D Reversed in direction
    💡 Explanation:

    In electrostatic equilibrium, free charges rearrange on a conductor's surface so that the net electric field inside the conductor is zero.

  23. Q23 medium

    When two similar conductors, one charged and one uncharged, are brought into direct contact, charge is shared through

    1. A Induction
    2. B Conduction
    3. C Friction
    4. D Polarization
    💡 Explanation:

    Charging by conduction occurs when charge flows directly through physical contact between conductors until they reach the same potential.

  24. Q24 easy

    Charging a neutral body by rubbing it with another material, causing transfer of electrons, is called charging by

    1. A Induction
    2. B Conduction
    3. C Grounding
    4. D Friction
    💡 Explanation:

    Charging by friction (triboelectric charging) transfers electrons between two different materials rubbed together, leaving one positively and the other negatively charged.

  25. Q25 medium

    The product of the magnitude of either charge and the separation distance in a dipole is called the

    1. A Electric dipole moment
    2. B Electric field strength
    3. C Electric flux
    4. D Electric potential energy
    💡 Explanation:

    Dipole moment p = q x d, where q is the charge magnitude and d is the separation between the two charges.

  26. Q26 medium

    Two point charges kept close together, equal in magnitude but opposite in sign, form what is called an

    1. A Electric dipole
    2. B Electric monopole
    3. C Electric quadrupole
    4. D Isolated charge
    💡 Explanation:

    An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance.

  27. Q27 medium

    Electric flux through a surface is defined as a measure of

    1. A The charge stored on the surface
    2. B The potential difference across the surface
    3. C The resistance of the surface
    4. D The number of electric field lines passing through the surface
    💡 Explanation:

    Electric flux quantifies the total number of electric field lines passing through a given surface.

  28. Q28 medium

    Gauss's law relates the total electric flux through a closed surface to the

    1. A Total charge enclosed within the surface
    2. B Surface area of the enclosure
    3. C Distance between charges
    4. D Magnetic field inside the surface
    💡 Explanation:

    Gauss's law states that the electric flux through a closed surface equals the enclosed charge divided by the permittivity of free space.

  29. Q29 hard

    The permittivity of free space (epsilon-naught) is a measure of

    1. A The magnetic property of vacuum
    2. B The resistance of a conductor
    3. C How much electric field is permitted to exist in vacuum
    4. D The charge stored in a capacitor
    💡 Explanation:

    Permittivity of free space quantifies the ability of vacuum to permit electric field lines, appearing in Coulomb's law and Gauss's law.

  30. Q30 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    The value of Coulomb's constant k in vacuum is approximately

    1. A 6.674 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2
    2. B 9 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2
    3. C 1.6 x 10^-19 C
    4. D 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m
    💡 Explanation:

    Coulomb's constant k = 1/(4 pi epsilon0) is approximately 9 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2.

  31. Q31 hard

    The phenomenon in which the pointed ends of a charged conductor lose charge rapidly due to concentrated field strength is called

    1. A Grounding
    2. B Induction
    3. C Polarization
    4. D Action at points (corona discharge)
    💡 Explanation:

    Charge density and electric field are highest at sharply pointed conductors, causing rapid charge leakage known as action at points or corona discharge.

  32. Q32 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Photocopiers and laser printers use electrostatic principles mainly to

    1. A Attract toner particles to charged regions on a drum to form the image
    2. B Heat the paper for printing
    3. C Generate the ink color
    4. D Cool the printing drum
    💡 Explanation:

    A charged drum attracts toner particles electrostatically to the pattern of the image, which is then transferred and fused onto paper.

  33. Q33 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS hard

    The force between two charges of 1 coulomb each placed 1 meter apart in vacuum is approximately

    1. A 9 x 10^-9 N
    2. B 9 x 10^9 N
    3. C 9 x 10^19 N
    4. D 1 N
    💡 Explanation:

    Using Coulomb's law F = k q1 q2 / r^2 with k = 9x10^9, q1=q2=1 C, r=1 m, the force is 9 x 10^9 N.

  34. Q34 medium

    The work done in moving a charge between two points at the same potential is

    1. A Maximum
    2. B Zero
    3. C Infinite
    4. D Negative
    💡 Explanation:

    Since work depends on the potential difference, no work is done when moving a charge between two points at equal potential.

  35. Q35 medium

    A surface on which all points have the same electric potential is called

    1. A A field line
    2. B A conductor surface only
    3. C A Gaussian surface
    4. D An equipotential surface
    💡 Explanation:

    An equipotential surface is one where the electric potential is the same at every point, and field lines are always perpendicular to it.

  36. Q36 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    The ability of a conductor to store electric charge is called its

    1. A Capacitance
    2. B Resistance
    3. C Conductance
    4. D Potential
    💡 Explanation:

    Capacitance is defined as the charge stored per unit potential difference, measuring a conductor's charge-storing ability.

  37. Q37 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    The SI unit of capacitance is the

    1. A Volt
    2. B Farad
    3. C Coulomb
    4. D Ohm
    💡 Explanation:

    Capacitance is measured in farads (F), named after Michael Faraday.

  38. Q38 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    A capacitor consists of

    1. A A single charged conductor
    2. B A coil of wire only
    3. C Two conductors separated by an insulator (dielectric)
    4. D A resistor and a battery
    💡 Explanation:

    A capacitor is made of two conducting plates separated by an insulating dielectric material, storing energy in the electric field between them.

  39. Q39 medium

    Inserting a dielectric material between capacitor plates generally

    1. A Decreases its capacitance
    2. B Increases its capacitance
    3. C Has no effect on capacitance
    4. D Converts it into a resistor
    💡 Explanation:

    A dielectric reduces the effective electric field, increasing the capacitor's ability to store charge for the same voltage, thus increasing capacitance.

  40. Q40 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    For capacitors connected in parallel, the equivalent capacitance is

    1. A The sum of individual capacitances
    2. B Less than the smallest individual capacitance
    3. C The reciprocal sum of individual capacitances
    4. D Always equal to zero
    💡 Explanation:

    In a parallel combination, the total capacitance simply adds up: C_total = C1 + C2 + ...

  41. Q41 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    For capacitors connected in series, the equivalent capacitance is found using

    1. A Direct sum of capacitances
    2. B Product of capacitances only
    3. C The reciprocal sum formula 1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ...
    4. D The average of capacitances
    💡 Explanation:

    For capacitors in series, the reciprocals of the individual capacitances add to give the reciprocal of the equivalent capacitance.

  42. Q42 medium

    The energy stored in a charged capacitor is given by

    1. A E = QV^2
    2. B E = 1/2 QV
    3. C E = Q/V
    4. D E = 2QV
    💡 Explanation:

    The energy stored in a capacitor is E = 1/2 QV = 1/2 CV^2 = Q^2/(2C).

  43. Q43 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    The process of charging a conductor without direct contact with another charged body is called

    1. A Conduction
    2. B Grounding
    3. C Friction
    4. D Electrostatic induction
    💡 Explanation:

    Electrostatic induction is the redistribution of charge in a conductor caused by a nearby charged object, without direct contact.

  44. Q44 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Materials that allow electric charge to flow freely through them are called

    1. A Insulators
    2. B Conductors
    3. C Dielectrics
    4. D Semiconductors only
    💡 Explanation:

    Conductors, such as metals, have free electrons that allow electric charge to move easily through them.

  45. Q45 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Materials that do not allow electric charge to flow through them easily are called

    1. A Conductors
    2. B Insulators
    3. C Superconductors
    4. D Electrolytes only
    💡 Explanation:

    Insulators have tightly bound electrons and resist the flow of electric charge.

  46. Q46 easy

    Connecting a charged conductor to the earth to remove excess charge is called

    1. A Induction
    2. B Polarization
    3. C Grounding (earthing)
    4. D Conduction only
    💡 Explanation:

    Grounding or earthing provides a path for excess charge to flow to the earth, neutralizing the conductor.

  47. Q47 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    A device used to build up very high electrostatic potentials for physics experiments is the

    1. A Van de Graaff generator
    2. B Transformer
    3. C Capacitor bank
    4. D Electric motor
    💡 Explanation:

    The Van de Graaff generator uses a moving belt to accumulate large amounts of charge, producing very high voltages.

  48. Q48 medium

    Lightning conductors (rods) installed on tall buildings work by

    1. A Absorbing all electrical energy from clouds
    2. B Blocking electric fields completely
    3. C Providing a safe path for lightning current to reach the ground
    4. D Repelling lightning strikes away from the building
    💡 Explanation:

    A lightning rod provides a low-resistance path that safely conducts a lightning strike's current into the ground, protecting the structure.

  49. Q49 medium

    Electrostatic force between two point charges compared to gravitational force between two masses of similar magnitude is generally

    1. A Much weaker
    2. B Much stronger
    3. C Exactly equal
    4. D Zero
    💡 Explanation:

    The electrostatic force is many orders of magnitude stronger than the gravitational force for comparable particle charges and masses, as seen in the electron-proton system.

  50. Q50 medium

    An electrostatic precipitator is used mainly to

    1. A Generate high voltage
    2. B Store electric charge
    3. C Remove dust and particulate pollutants from industrial exhaust gases
    4. D Measure electric field strength
    💡 Explanation:

    Electrostatic precipitators charge particulate matter in exhaust gases so it is attracted to collector plates, removing pollutants before release.

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