Q85 / 91 · KVPY 2018 (SB/SX) · Physics

The potential due to an electrostatic charge distribution is Vr=qe-αr4πε0r, where α is positive. The net charge within a sphere centred at the origin and of radius 1/α is

  • Correct answer
    A
    2q/e
  • B
    1-1/eq
  • C
    q/e
  • D
    1+1/eq

Solution

Electric field due to given charge distribution is

E=-dVdr=-ddrqe-αr4πε0r

=-q4πε0ddre-αrr

=-q4πε0-αre-αr-e-αrr2

=q4πε0·e-αr·αr+1r2

Electric field at r=1α is

Er=1α=q4πε0·e-α×1αα×1α+11/α2

=q/e4πε0·2α2

Flux through a sphere of radius 1α is

ϕ=∫E·dA

For spherical distribution,
E·dA=EdAcos0°=EdA
and E= uniform.
So, we have

∴ϕ=E∫dA

=q/e4πε0·2α2·4π1α2

or ϕ=2qε0e

From Gauss' law, we have ϕ=qenclosed ε0

So, charge enclosed in given sphere is 2qe

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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