Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

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The due time is Central time.
Chapter 23 problems.

3.8 C

7.3
m

5.1 m

001 (part 1 of 1) 0 points

A solid conducting sphere is given a positive
charge Q.
How is the charge Q distributed in or on
the sphere?

3 C
1. It is uniformly distributed throughout the
sphere.
2. Its density decreases radially outward
from the center.
3. It is concentrated at the center of the
sphere.

Find q .
Correct answer: 0.704413 C.
Explanation:

Given :

4. Its density increases radially outward

from the center.
5. It is uniformly distributed on the surface
of the sphere only. correct

002 (part 1 of 1) 10 points

Three point charges are located at the vertices
of an equilateral triangle. The charge at the
top vertex of the triangle is given in the figure.
The two charges q at the bottom vertices of
the triangle are equal. A fourth charge 3 C
is placed below the triangle on its symmetryaxis, and experiences a zero net force from
the other three charges, as shown in the figure
below.

Q1

Explanation:
The charge distribution on conductors can
only be on the surface, and since on a spherical
surface every point is like any other surface
point, the charge distribution is uniform.
The electric field is normal to the surface of
a conductor. The conductor is symmetrical
(since it is spherical), so the charge must be
uniform.

Q1 = 3.8 C ,
Q2 = q ,
Q3 = q ,
Q4 = 3 C ,
a = 7.3 m , and
d = 5.1 m .

Q2

Q3
d

3 C
The force on Q4 is due to the Coulomb
forces from Q1 , Q2 , and Q3 . Because Q2 and
Q3 have equal charge, the x-components of
their forces cancel out (by symmetry). Thus
we only need to consider the y-components of
the forces.
Qi Q4
Coulombs law tells us Fi = k
is the
r2
ith force on Q4 from the ith charge. The forces
from Q2 and Q3 are equal to each other, and
opposite the direction of the force from Q1 ,
since otherwise they could not cancel. Total

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

force on Q4 is
F Q4 = k

Q1 Q4
Q2 Q4
+ 2k 2
sin
2
r14
r24

Our force equation becomes

Q1

0 = k Q4
2
3
a
+
|d|
2
+

2 Q2

a2
4

+ d2

Rearranging, we get

|d|

a2
4

+ d2

003 (part 1 of 1) 0 points

Two identical small charged spheres hang in
equilibrium with the masses shown in the figure. The length of the strings are equal and
the angle (shown in the figure) with the vertical is identical.

6
0.02 kg

Find the magnitude of the charge on each

sphere.
Correct answer: 4.43048 108 C.
Explanation:

Given :

i3/2
a2
2
+
d
Q1 4
h
i2
2 |d| 3
a
+
|d|
2
h

(3.8 C)
2 (5.1 m)
h
i3/2
(7.3 m)2
2
+ (5.1 m)
4
h
i2
3
2 (7.3 m) + (5.1 m)

= 0.704413 C .

Note: Neither the sign nor the magnitude

of the charge Q4 (given in the problem as
3 C) enter into this equation.
Actually, the resultant force on Q4 is zero
means that the resultant electric field is zero.
Because the electric filed is independent of the

0.02 kg

L = 0.14 m ,
m = 0.02 kg ,
= 6 .

and

Q2 =

test charge Q4 , the answer is also independent

of the sign or magnitude of the charge Q4 .

4m
0.1

with r14 the distance between Q4 and Q1 ,

r24 = r34 the distance between Q4 and either
Q2 or Q3 , and indicated in the sketch above.
Remember that this force FQ4 will be set equal
to zero since the problem tells us the forces
are in equilibrium.
Because Q1 , Q2 , and Q3 form an equilateral
triangle, of sides of length a, it can be seen

!2
3
a2
2
2
that r14
=
a + |d|
+ d2 .
and r24
=
2
4
Also,
|d|
|d|
sin =
=q
.
r24
a2
2
d +

q
m
From the right triangle in the figure above,
we see that
a
sin = .
L
m

Therefore,
a = L sin
= (0.14 m) sin(6 )
= 0.014634 m .
The separation of the spheres is r = 2 a =
0.029268 m . The forces acting on one of the
spheres are shown in the figure below.

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

T

T cos
Fe

T sin

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. As a result the
electrostatic force between A and B, which
was originally F , becomes

mg

Because the sphere is in equilibrium, the

resultant of the forces in the horizontal and
vertical directions must separately add up to
zero:
X
Fx = T sin Fe = 0
X
Fy = T cos m g = 0 .

From the second equation in the system

mg
, so T can be
above, we see that T =
cos
eliminated from the first equation if we make
this substitution. This gives a value

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

for the electric force.

From Coulombs law, the electric force between the charges has magnitude
|Fe | = ke

|q|2
,
r2

where |q| is the magnitude of the charge on

each sphere.
Note: The term |q|2 arises here because the
charge is the same on both spheres.
This equation can be solved for |q| to give
s
|Fe | r2
|q| =
ke
s
(0.0206004 N) (0.029268 m)2
=
(8.99 109 N m2 /C2 )
= 4.43048 108 C .
004 (part 1 of 1) 0 points
Two identical conducting spheres, A and B,
carry equal charge. They are separated by

1
F
2
3
F
4
3
F correct
8
3
F
16
1
F
16

6. 0
7.

Fe = m g tan

= (0.02 kg) 9.8 m/s2 tan(6 )

= 0.0206004 N ,

1
F
8

8. F
1
F
4
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 removed, then by conservation
of charge, each sphere will carry charge
QC1 = QA = Q/2
When sphere C touches sphere B, then each
sphere will carry charge
QC1 + Q B
Q/2 + Q
3
QC2 = Q B =
=
= Q
2
2
4
Hence if the initial force is given by
Q2
Fi = k e 2
d
then the final force is
(3/4 Q)(1/2 Q)
Ff = k e
d2
3
= Fi
8
9.

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

005 (part 1 of 1) 0 points
Two large, parallel, insulating plates are
charged uniformly with the same positive
areal charge density +, which is the charge
per unit area. The permittivity of free space
1
. The magnitude of the resultant
0 =
4ke
electric field E (where outside stands for
above and below the two plates) is
2
between the plates, zero outside.
0

2.
between the plates,
outside.
20
20

3.
between the plates, zero outside.
0

4. Zero between the plates,

outside. cor0
rect
1.

5. Zero between the plates,

6.

everywhere.
0

2
outside.
0

7. Zero everywhere.
8. Zero between the plates,

outside.
20

between the plates, zero outside.

20
2
2
10.
between the plates,
outside.
0
0
9.

4
II

III

O
q1

q2

1. all possibilities: right, left, or zero

2. right correct
3. down
4. up
5. left
6. none of these
Explanation:
The direction of the electric field at a point
P is the direction that a positive charge would
move if placed at P . A positive charge placed
in region II would be attracted to q2 and repelled by q1 . Thus the direction is to the
right.

007 (part 2 of 3) 3 points

Identify the direction of E in region III. (x >
a, along x-axis).
1. left correct
2. none of these

Explanation:
Each plate produces a constant electric field

directed away from the plate for

of E =
20
positive charge density, and toward the plate
for negative charge density. Between the two
plates, the two fields cancel each other so that
Enet = 0. Outside the two plates, the fields

add together, so that Enet = .

0
006 (part 1 of 3) 4 points
Given two charges q1 = 2.01 C at the origin,
q2 = 5.71 C, and a = 10 cm in the figure
below. Identify the direction of E in the
region II (0 < x < a, along x-axis).

3. up
4. right
5. down
6. all possibilities: right, left, or zero
Explanation:
In region III, a positive charge would be forced
to the left since |q2 | > |q1 | and q2 is closer to
region III. The effect of q2 dominates and the
direction of the electric field is to the left.

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

y
008 (part 3 of 3) 3 points

Locate the x coordinate such that E = 0.

A

(Note that the origin O is at q1 .)

r

Correct answer: 0.145886 m.

Explanation:

We have already seen that the electric field is

nonzero in regions II and III. Thus the only

candidate is region I (negative x-axis).

B
The point where E = 0 is the point where
the magnitudes are equivalent |E1 | = |E2 |.
q is given by
Call the point where this happens x = c.
2 Q
Then
1. q =
k |q1 |
k |q2 |

=
2
2
c
(c a)
2. q = Q

ca
c

q2
=
q1

3. q =

5. q =

= 0.145886 m

II

IV

2Q

Explanation:
The angle of a semicircle is , thus the
charge on a small segment with angle is
q =

III
q2

III
x

10. q = 2 Q

x = 0.145886 m

q1

7. q =

We find that E = 0 at

Q
correct

Q
8. q =
2
Q
9. q =
2

a
c = r
q2
q1 1
5.71106 C
2.01106 C

II

6. None of these.

Solving for c,

0.1 m

4. q = Q

s
q2
a
1 =
c
q1

c = q

O 1 of 3) 4 points
009 (part
Consider the setup shown in the figure below, where the arc is a semicircle with radius
r. The total charge Q is negative, and distributed uniformly on the semicircle. The
charge on a small segment with angle is
labeled q.

Q
.

010 (part 2 of 3) 3 points

The magnitude of the x-component of the
electric field at the center, due to q, is given
by
1. Ex = k |q| (cos ) r 2
2. Ex =

k |q| cos
correct
r2

3. Ex = k |q| (sin ) r 2

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

4. Ex = k |q| r

k |q|
r2
k |q| cos
6. Ex =
r
k |q| sin
7. Ex =
r

5. Ex =

8. Ex = k |q| (sin ) r
9. Ex =

k |q| sin
r2

10. Ex = k |q| (cos ) r

Explanation:
Negative charge attracts a positive test
charge. At O, E points toward q . According to the sketch, the vector Ex is pointing
along the negative x axis. The magnitude of
the Ex is given by
k |q|
cos .
Ex = E cos =
r2
011 (part 3 of 3) 3 points
Given: Q = 41 C, r = 86 cm, and k =
8.98755 109 N m2 /C2 .
Determine the magnitude of the electric
field at O .
Correct answer: 317182 N/C.
Explanation:
By symmetry of the semicircle, the ycomponent of the electric field at the center
is
Ey = 0.
Combining part 1 and part 2,
k |q| cos
Ex =
r2
k |Q|
=
cos
r2
Therefore, the magnitude of the electric field
at the center is given by
Z /2
k |Q|
E = Ex =
cos d
2
/2 r
2 k |Q|
=
.
r2

For the above values, the magnitude is given

by

2 8.98755 109 N m2 /C2 |(41 C)|

E=
(86 cm)2
= 317182 N/C .

The direction is along negative x axis.

y
y

A
II
I

x
r

III IV
E

B
012 (part 1 of 1) 10 points
A line of charge starts at x = x0 , where x0
is positive, and extends along the x-axis to
positive infinity. If the linear charge density is given by = 0 x0 /x, where 0 is a
constant, determine the electric field at the
origin. (Here denotes the unit vector in the
positive x direction.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

k 0
() correct
2 x0
k 0
()
2 x0
k 0
()
x0
k 20
()
2 x0
k 0
()
x0
k 0
()
2 x20

Explanation:
First we realize that we are dealing with a
continuous distribution of charge (as opposed
to point charges). We must divide the distribution into small elements and integrate.

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

Using Coulombs law, the electric field created by each small element with charge dq
is
k dq
dE = 2
x
where
dq = dx =

0 x0
dx
x

Now we integrate over the entire distribution

(i.e. from x = x0 to x = +) and insert our
dq:
Z
k dq
~ =
|E|
x2
Z
dx
=
k 0 x0 3
x
x0
k 0 x0 1
=

2
x 2 x0
k 0
=
2 x0
Since the distribution is to the right of the
point of interest, the electric field is directed
along the x axis if 0 is positive. That is, a
positive charge at the origin would experience
a force in the direction of from this charge
distribution. In fact, the direction of an electric field at a point P in space is defined as
the direction in which the electric force acting
on a positive particle at that point P would
point. So
~ = k 0 ().
E
2 x0
013 (part 1 of 1) 0 points
The diagrams below depict three electric field
patterns. Some of these patterns are physically impossible.
Assume: These electric field patterns are
due to static electric charges outside the regions shown.

(a)

(b)

(c)
Which electrostatic field patterns are physically possible?
1. (b) only correct
2. (b) and (c)
3. (a) and (c)
4. (a) only
5. (a) and (b)
6. (c) only

Explanation:
Electrostatic lines of force do not intersect
one another. Neither do they form a closed
circuit (unless there is a changing magnetic
field present).
014 (part 1 of 1) 0 points
A particle of mass 0.000116 g and charge
36 mC moves in a region of space where the
electric field is uniform and is Ex = 7.2 N/C,
Ey = Ez = 0.
If the initial velocity of the particle is given
by vy = 1.3 106 m/s, vx = vz = 0, what is
the speed of the particle at 0.7 s?
Correct answer: 2.03385 106 m/s.
Explanation:

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

Given : m = 0.000116 g = 1.16 107 kg ,

Ex = 7.2 N/C ,
Ey = E z = 0 ,
vy = 1.3 106 m/s ,
vx = v z = 0 ,
t = 0.7 s .

Since the electric field has only an x component, the particle accelerates only in the x
direction
q Ex
ax =
.
m
To determine the x component of the final
velocity, vxf , use the kinematic relation
vxf = vxi + a (tf ti ) = a tf .
Since ti = 0 and vxi = 0,
q E x tf
m
(0.036 C) (7.2 N/C)(0.7 s)
=
(1.16 107 kg)
= 1.56414 106 m/s .

vxf =

No external force acts on the particle in the y

direction so vyi = vyf = 1.3 106 m/s. Hence
the final speed is given by
q
2 + v2
vf = vyf
xf

2
= 1.3 106 m/s
= 2.03385 106 m/s .

1/2

Note: This is analogous to a particle in a

gravitational field with the coordinates ro
tated clockwise by (90 ).
2
015 (part 1 of 3) 0 points
Given: qe = 1.60218 1019 C .

+++++++++

~ = m ~a = q E
~.
F

2
+ 1.56414 106 m/s

An electron enters the region of a uniform

electric field of 138 N/C, as in the figure.
0.09 m

3 106 m/s

According to Newtons second law and the

definition of an electric field,

vxf

Find the magnitude of the acceleration of

the electron while in the electric field.
Correct answer: 2.42717 1013 m/s2 .
Explanation:
Given :

qe = 1.60218 1019 C ,
me = 9.10939 1031 kg ,
E = 138 N/C .

and

F = m a = q E , so
qe E

~a =
me
(1.60218 1019 C)(138 N/C)
=

9.10939 1031 kg
= (2.42717 1013 m/s2 ) ,
and the magnitude of the acceleration of the
electron is 2.42717 1013 m/s2 .
016 (part 2 of 3) 0 points
Find the time it takes the electron to travel
through the region of the electric field, assuming it doesnt hit the side walls.
Correct answer: 3 108 s.
Explanation:
Given : ` = 0.09 m ,
v0 = 3 106 m/s .
The horizontal distance traveled is
` = v0 t
`
t=
v0
0.09 m
=
3 106 m/s
= 3 108 s .

Answer, Key Homework 8 David McIntyre

017 (part 3 of 3) 0 points
What is the magnitude of the vertical displacement y of the electron while it is in the
electric field?
Correct answer: 0.0109223 m.
Explanation:
Using the equation for the displacement in
the vertical direction and the results from the
first two parts of the problem, we find that
1 2
at
2

2.42717 1013 m/s2

=
2
8 2
(3 10 s)
= 0.0109223 m .

y =

which has magnitude of 0.0109223 m .