Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QPages 140-141: Q2: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Gauss's Law Pages 140-141: Q2 Solution: A positive point charge Q is brought near an isolated metal cube.

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often incorrectly assume that the entire metal cube acquires a net negative charge or that the interior develops a uniform charge density. Remember that in electrostatic equilibrium, the electric field inside a conductor is zero, meaning all induced charge resides on the surface with a non-uniform distribution (negative on the near side, positive on the far side) while the interior remains charge-free.

A positive point charge Q is brought near an isolated metal cube.

Multiple Choice Options

  • A The cube becomes negatively charged.
  • B The cube becomes positively charged.
  • C The interior becomes positively charged and the surface becomes negatively charged.
  • D The interior remains charge free and the surface gets non-uniform charge distribution.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (d) The interior remains charge free and the surface gets non-uniform charge distribution. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** When a positive charge is brought near a metal cube, negative charge is induced on the near surface and positive on the far surface. The interior remains neutral.

All Questions in this Chapter

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