Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

This print-out should have 12 questions.

Multiple-choice questions may continue on
the next column or page find all choices
before answering.
001 10.0 points
1) Two uncharged metal balls, X and Y,
stand on glass rods and are touching.
X

2) A third ball, carrying a negative charge, is

brought near the first two.

3) Then the first two balls are separated from

each other,

When a negative ball is moved near a metallic object (Y and X), the negative charge will
attract positive charges, causing Y to have
excess negative charge and X to have excess
positive charge (Y and X are in contact, so
the total net charge on Y and X should be
zero).

Later, Y and X are separated, retaining

their charges, so when the third ball is finally
removed, Y will have net negative charge and
X will have net positive charge.
002 10.0 points
Consider a long, uniformly charged, cylindrical insulator of radius R with charge density
2 C/m3 .

Y
R
2.1 cm

4) and the third ball is finally removed.

X

What are the resulting charges?

1. Balls Y and X are still uncharged.
2. Balls Y and X are both negative.
3. Ball Y is negative and ball X is positive.
correct
4. Ball Y is positive and ball X is negative.
5. Balls Y and X are both positive.
Explanation:

What is the magnitude of the electric field

inside the insulator at a distance 2.1 cm < R
from the axis? The permittivity of free space
is 8.8542 1012 C2 /N m2 and the volume
of a cylinder with radius r and length is
V = r2 .
1. 1987.76
2. 621.174
3. 2371.76
4. 993.879
5. 2213.64
6. 869.644
7. 1919.99
8. 948.702
9. 1072.94
10. 1694.11

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

Correct answer: 2371.76 N/C.
Explanation:
Let : r = 2.1 cm = 0.021 m ,
= 2 C/m3 ,
= 2 106 C/m3 , and
0 = 8.8542 1012 C2 /N m2 .
Consider a cylindrical Gaussian surface of
radius r and length much less than the
length of the insulator so that the component of the electric field parallel to the axis is
negligible.

A particle of mass 9.6 1027 kg and charge

3e is observed to have an instantaneous acceleration of 6 1011 m/s2 . What is the magnitude of the electric field at the particles
location? (e = 1.6 1019 C)
1. 24000.0
2. 14000.0
3. 26000.0
4. 10000.0
5. 16000.0
6. 22000.0
7. 12000.0
8. 20000.0
9. 28000.0
10. 18000.0
Correct answer: 12000 N/C.

Explanation:
Since the electric force is far greater than
the gravitational force, we neglect the latter.
This leaves us with the relation
| = F = ma = qE ,
|F
which produces the simple expression

The flux leaving the ends of the Gaussian

cylinder is negligible, and the only contribution to the flux is from the side of the cylinder.
Since the field is perpendicular to this surface,
the flux is
s = 2 r E ,

ma
q
9.6 1027 kg 6 1011 m/s2
=
3e
= 12000 N/C

E=

and the charge enclosed by the surface is

Qencl = r 2 .
Using Gauss law,
Qenc
0
r2
2rE =
0

r
E=
2 0
!
"
2 106 C/m3 (0.021 m)
=
2 (8.8542 1012 C2 /N m2 )
s =

= 2371.76 N/C .
003

10.0 points

004 10.0 points

An electron moves at 1.2 106 m/s into a
uniform electric field of magnitude 1124 N/C.
The field is parallel to the electrons velocity
and acts to decelerate the electron.
How far does the electron travel before it is
brought to rest? The fundamental charge is
1.602 1019 C and the mass of an electron
is 9.109 1031 kg .
1. 2.88082
2. 7.95179
3. 0.50983
4. 10.3276
5. 1.0437
6. 4.44418
7. 0.364229

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

8. 2.68055
9. 3.27594
10. 3.76507
Correct answer: 0.364229 cm.
Explanation:
Let : v = 1.2 106 m/s ,
qe = 1.602 1019 C ,
m = 9.109 1031 kg , and
E = 1124 N/C .
1
m v 2 is depleted
2
by the amount of work done by the electric
force F = qe E on the particle:
#
W = F dx = F x = qe E x
The kinetic energy K =

since the force is constant, so

0

1
m v 2 = qe E x
2
m v2
x=
2 qe E
9.109 1031 kg
=
2(1.602 1019 C)
!
"2
1.2 106 m/s
100 cm

1124 N/C
1m
= 0.364229 cm .

005 10.0 points

Consider a square with side a. Four charges
q, +q, +q, and q are placed at the corners
A, B, C, and D, respectively
A
B

+
O

1 kq
1. EO =
2 a2
kq
2. EO = 3 2
a
1 kq
3. EO =
2 2 a2
kq
4. EO = 2 2
a
kq
5. EO = 4 2 2 correct
a
kq
6. EO = 2
a
kq
7. EO = 2 2 2
a
kq
8. EO = 3 2 2
a
1 kq
9. EO =
3 2 a2
1 kq
10. EO =
4 2 a2
Explanation:
The distance between each corner and the
a
center is , so the magnitude of each electric
2
field at D is
E=k $

q
a

%2 = 2 k

q
a2

The two negative charges yield forces pointing away from them from O and the two positive charges yield forces pointing toward them
from O with the collinear charges adding algebraically:
A + E
C = E
B + E
D = 2 E = 4 k
E

+
D
C
What is the magnitude of the electric field
at the center O?

EA + EC
E
EB + ED

q
.
a2

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

The Cartesian components of the two vectors with the origin at O are
$
%
q
1
1

EA + EB = 4 k 2 +
and
a
2
2
$
%
1
1
q

EB + ED = 4 k 2 , so
a
2
2
%
$
1
1
q

E = 4 k 2
a
2
2
$
%
1
1
+

2
2

q
= 4 2 k 2 ,
a

q
with magnitude 4 2 k 2 .
a
006 10.0 points
Consider the following two objects.
A: a uniformly charged disk.
B: a uniformly charged ring.
Choose the correct pair of statements.
When zR, the E field is approximately
constant for
Ia. A only
Ib. B only
Ic. A and B
When zR, the E field is approximately proportional to z 2 for
IIa. A only
IIb. B only
IIc. A and B

9. Ia, IIa
Explanation:
Ia. For zR, the E field of the ring rises
linearly but the E field of the disk is approximately constant.
Ering =

1
qz
2
40 (R + z 2 )3/2

Edisk =

Q/A
20

IIc. All finite charge distributions resemble

a point charge when viewed from afar.
007 10.0 points
Consider a thin plastic rod bent into a semicircular arc of radius R = 46 cm with a uniformly distributed charge of Q = 26 nC.

3. Ic, IIc

Determine the the magnitude of the electric

field at the origin generated by the rod.
1. 692.036
2. 721.171
3. 704.012
4. 568.223
5. 489.533
6. 501.129
7. 550.039
8. 407.944
9. 591.519
10. 529.732

4. Ib, IIa

Correct answer: 704.012 N/C.

5. Ia, IIb

Explanation:
The rod has a length R, so we may define a charge density = Q/R since the
charge is uniformly distributed. An infinitesimal length of rod is defined by dl = Rd
where d subtends an infinitesimal segment
of the rod. Therefore our infinitesimal charge

1. Ib, IIc
2. Ic, IIb

6. Ib, IIb
7. Ia, IIc correct
8. Ic, IIa

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

element is
dQ = dl =
=

Q
Rd
R

Q
d .

The electric field magnitude dE due to this

dQ is given by the expression
1 dQ
40 R2
1 Q
d ,
=
40 R2

dE =

ignoring for the moment the vector properties

of dE.
Examining the geometry of the problem,
we observe that the components of the electric field parallel to the y-axis will cancel since
the charge configuration is symmetric about
the x-axis. Therefore, in calculating the magnitude of E, we need only calculate Ex . Letting range from /2 to 3/2, Ex = E cos .
Therefore our integral is
# 3/2
1 Q
E=
cos d
40 R2
/2
#
1 Q 3/2
=
cos d
40 R2 /2
&3/2
1 Q
&
=
sin

&
2
/2
40 R
1 Q
= 2
40 R2
= 704.012 N/C .
008 10.0 points
A ring of radius 8 cm that lies in the yz plane
carries positive charge of 4 C uniformly distributed over its length. A particle of mass m
that carries a charge of 4 C executes small
oscillations about the center of the ring on its
axis with an angular frequency of 30 rad/s.
Find the angular frequency of oscillation of
the mass if the radius of the ring is doubled to
16 cm and all other parameters above remain
unchanged.
{Hint: it is useful to draw an analogy between this problem and a mass-spring system.

For the latter, the force on the mass is given by

F = ma = kx and produces 1d simple harmonic oscillation
with an angular frequency
'
of = k/m. For the near field behavior of
a charged ring, see fig 16.18 in the text book.}
1. 9.54594
2. 4.24264
3. 3.88909
4. 9.89949
5. 8.83883
6. 3.53553
7. 6.01041
8. 7.07107
9. 10.253
10. 10.6066
Correct answer: 10.6066 rad/s.
Explanation:
Let :

R = 8 cm ,
R = 16 cm ,
Q = 4 C ,
Qp = 4 C , and
i = 30 rad/s .

The electric field along the x axis is

E = (

kQx
R2

x2

)3 .

If x R, the electric field can be approxikQx

mated as E =
, so the force on the mass
R3
k Q Qp x
. Applying simple harmonic
is F =
R3 *
*
k Q Qp
1

, so
oscillation, =
3
mR
R3
*

R3
R3
$ %3/2
%3/2
$
R
8 cm

=
i =
(30 rad/s)
R
16 cm

=
i

= 10.6066 rad/s .
009

10.0 points

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

Two identical conducting spheres, A and B,
carry equal charge. They are stationary and
are separated by a distance much larger than
their diameters. A third identical conducting
sphere, C, is uncharged. Sphere C is first
touched to A, then to B, and finally removed
(to a far away distance).
If before the sphere C is introduced the
electrostatic force between A and B is Fi ,
how does Ff , the electrostatic force between
A and B after C is removed, compare to Fi ?
1
Fi
4
3
2. Ff = Fi correct
8
1. Ff =

Hence if the initial force is given by

Fi = ke
then the final force is

Ff = ke

3
Q
4

3
Fi
4
1
5. Ff = Fi
8

4. Ff =

%$
d2

q3

1
Q
2

3
Fi .
8

q3
q3

q2

6. Ff = 0 Fi
3
Fi
16
1
8. Ff = Fi
2
1
9. Ff =
Fi
16
Explanation:
Since the two conducting spheres are identical (i.e., same radius), when the spheres touch
the charges redistribute themselves equally
between the two spheres. Let spheres A and
B have an initial charge Q. When an identical uncharged sphere C comes in contact with
sphere A and is removed, then by conservation of charge, each sphere will carry charge

q1

7. Ff =

1
Q.
2
When sphere C touches sphere B, then each
sphere will carry charge
QC1 = QA =

QC1 + QB
2

Q2
,
d2

010 10.0 points

A point charge q1 is concentric with two spherical conducting thick shells. The smaller
spherical conducting shell has a net charge
of q2 and the larger spherical conducting shell
has a net charge of q3 .

3. Ff = Fi

QC2 = QB =

1
Q+Q
3
2
=
= Q.
2
4

q2
q2

What is the charge on the inner surface of

the larger spherical conducting shell? Under
static conditions, the charge on a conductor
resides on the surface of the conductor.
1. Q3 = +q1 q2
2. Q3 = q1 q2 q3
3. Q3 = +q1 + q2
4. Q3 = +q1 + q2 + q3
5. Q3 = q1 q2 + q3

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

2. 6.0e-08
3. 6.41427e-08
4. 4.89898e-08
5. 4.38178e-08
6. 5.36656e-08
7. 5.11682e-08
8. 5.65685e-08
9. 6.9282e-08
10. 7.58947e-08

6. Q3 = 0
7. Q3 = q1 + q2
8. Q3 = q1
9. Q3 = +q1
10. Q3 = q1 q2 correct
Explanation:
Consider a spherical Gaussian surface
through A :
q3

q3

q3
q2

Correct answer: 5.11682 108 m.

Explanation:
Since the proton and electron have equal
but opposite charge and we are told they are
at equal distances from C, it must be that
the electron is north of C while the proton is
south, both at the same distance r. Therefore

q2

The enclosed charge within the Gaussian

surface must be zero, so

011 10.0 points

The electric field at a location C points north
and has a magnitude of 1.1 106 N/C. Where
must you place a proton and an electron
(charge |q| = 1.6 1019 C) so that both lie
on the same line passing through C and are
equidistant from C in order to produce this
field? Use k = 9 109 Nm2 /C2 .
1. 4.53557e-08

43

cm

(The enclosed charge q1 + q2 induces an

equal but opposite charge on the inner surface
of the shell surrounding it.)

012 10.0 points

Three identical point charges, each of mass
150 g and charge +q, hang from three strings,
as in the figure.

10

0 = q1 + q2 + q3
q3 = q1 q2 .

= 5.11682 108 m

cm

q1

$
%
1
e
e
E=
N + 2 (N )
40 r 2
r
2 e
=
N
40 r 2
*
e
r=
20 E

10

q2

150 g
150 g
150 g
+q
+q
+q
If the lengths of the left and right strings
are each 10 cm, and each forms an angle of 43 with the vertical, determine the
value of q.
The acceleration of gravity
2
is 9.8 m/s , and the Coulomb constant is
8.98755 109 N m2 /C2 .
1. 0.641142
2. 0.57028
3. 0.39664

Version 080 midterm 01 S15d turner (56315)

4. 0.850676
5. 0.766313
6. 1.03906
7. 0.659836
8. 0.535187
9. 0.753346
10. 0.462618

5 ke q 2
4 L2 sin2
4 F L2 sin2
q2 =
5 ke
*
Fe
q = 2 L sin
5 ke
= 2 (0.1 m) sin 43
+
1.3708 N

5 (8.98755 109 N m2 /C2 )

=

Correct answer: 0.753346 C.

Explanation:

Let : = 43 ,
m = 150 g = 0.15 kg ,
L = 10 cm = 0.1 m ,
g = 9.8 m/s2 , and
ke = 8.98755 109 N m2 /C2 .
Consider the forces acting on the charge on
the right. There must be an electrostatic force
Fe acting on this charge, keeping it balanced
against the force of gravity m g. The electrostatic force is due to the other two charges
and is therefore horizontal.
In the x-direction
Fe T sin = 0
T sin = Fe
and in the y-direction
T cos m g = 0
T cos = m g .
Dividing,
T sin
Fe
=
T cos
mg
Fe = m g tan
= (0.15 kg) (9.8 m/s2 ) tan 43
= 1.3708 N .
The distance between the right charge and
the middle charge is L sin , and the distance
to the left one is twice that. Since all charges
are of the same sign, both forces on the right
charge are repulsive (pointing to the right).
We can add the magnitudes
qq
qq
+ ke
Fe = ke
2
(L sin )
(2 L sin )2

1 106 C
1C
= 7.53346 107 C = 0.753346 C .