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COMEDK · Physics · 17. Electrostatics

A bob of a simple pendulum has a mass of 4 g and a charge of \(20 \mu \mathrm{C}\). If it is at rest in a uniform horizontal electric field of intensity \(1000 \mathrm{Vm}^{-1}\), the angle that the pendulum makes with the vertical at equilibrium is:

  1. A \(60^{\circ}\)
  2. B \(\tan ^{-1} 2\)
  3. C \(\tan ^{-1} \dfrac{1}{2}\)
  4. D \(30^{\circ}\)
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(C) \(\tan ^{-1} \dfrac{1}{2}\)

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

The forces acting on the bob at equilibrium are the gravitational force \(mg\) acting vertically downwards, the electric force \(qE\) acting horizontally, and the tension \(T\) in the string. Let \(\theta\) be the angle the string makes with the vertical. At equilibrium, the…