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प्रश्न
The top of the atmosphere is at about 400 kV with respect to the surface of the earth, corresponding to an electric field that decreases with altitude. Near the surface of the earth, the field is about 100 Vm−1. Why then do we not get an electric shock as we step out of our house into the open? (Assume the house to be a steel cage so there is no field inside!)
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उत्तर
We do not get an electric shock as we step out of our house because the original equipotential surfaces of open-air change, keeping our body and the ground at the same potential.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Two charges 2 μC and −2 µC are placed at points A and B 6 cm apart.
- Identify an equipotential surface of the system.
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The discharging current in the atmosphere due to the small conductivity of air is known to be 1800 A on an average over the globe. Why then does the atmosphere not discharge itself completely in due course and become electrically neutral? In other words, what keeps the atmosphere charged?
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Define equipotential surface.
Write two important characteristics of equipotential surfaces.
Statement - 1: For practical purpose, the earth is used as a reference at zero potential in electrical circuits.
Statement - 2: The electrical potential of a sphere of radius R with charge Q uniformly distributed on the surface is given by `Q/(4piepsilon_0R)`.
S1 and S2 are the two imaginary surfaces enclosing the charges +q and -q as shown. The electric flux through S1 and S2 are respectively ______.

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Reason: Electric potential is continuous across the surface of a spherical charged shell.
Consider the following statements and select the correct statement(s).
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- No two equipotential surfaces can intersect each other.
- Electric field lines are in the direction of tangent to an equipotential surface.
Equipotentials at a great distance from a collection of charges whose total sum is not zero are approximately.
The diagrams below show regions of equipotentials.
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A positive charge is moved from A to B in each diagram.
Which of the following is NOT the property of equipotential surface?
Can two equipotential surfaces intersect each other?
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- cannot be defined as `- int_A^B E.dl`
- must be defined as `- int_A^B E.dl`
- is zero.
- can have a non-zero value.
Find the equation of the equipotentials for an infinite cylinder of radius r0, carrying charge of linear density λ.
Equipotential surfaces are shown in figure. Then the electric field strength will be ______.

What is meant by an equipotential surface?




