LE1 Recits

Instructions: Answer the following problems. Show all the important steps.

1. A neutral metal sphere (A) has mass and hangs from an insulating wire of length . An
identical sphere (B) with charge is brought into contact with sphere A. The spheres then
repel each other so that the angle of the wire is as shown.

a. What are the charges on spheres A and B after contact? [2 pts.]

b. Using Coulombs Law, what is the magnitude of the electrostatic
force on sphere A? [2 pts.]
c. Find an expression for the electrostatic force on sphere A in terms of
, , and . (Hint: use a free body diagram!) [4 pts.]
d. From your answers in b and c, solve for . [2 pts.]
B A

2. A rod with uniform linear charge density + is bent into a semicircle of

radius R as shown. An infinitesimal section of the rod at subtends an
angle d.

a. How much charge does this infinitesimal section have? [2 pts.]

b. What is the magnitude of the electric field due to this infinitesimal
section at the center of the semicircle? [2 pts.]
c. What are the x- and y-components of the electric field due to this
infinitesimal section at the center of the semicircle? [2 pts. each]
d. What is the net electric field at the center of the semicircle? [2 pts.]

3. Consider an infinite cylinder with a non-uniform volume charge density (r) = +0r and radius b.
A cylindrical Gaussian surface with radius a and length L is coaxial to the charged cylinder, as
shown below.

a. How much charge does this Gaussian surface enclose? (Hint: use dq = (r)dV, where
dV = (2pr dr)L for this cylinder) [4 pts.]
b. What is the electric flux through this Gaussian surface? [2 pts.]
c. What is the magnitude of the electric field at this Gaussian surface? [4 pts.]
4. Consider an insulating disk with a uniform surface charge density +s and radius R. An
infinitesimal ring with radius r and area dA = 2pr dr is concentric to the charged disk, as shown.

a. How much charge dQ does the infinitesimal ring have? [2 pts.]

b. What is the electric potential contribution dV of this ring at point P? [2 pts.]
c. What is the electric potential due to the entire disk at point P? [4 pts.]
d. What is the electric field due to the entire disk at point P? [2 pts.]

5. Consider five capacitors, C1 = C5 = 3F, C2 = C3 = C4 = 6F, connected as shown in the figure.

After fully charging the circuit, the 9-V battery is then disconnected. [2 pts. each]

a. What is the effective capacitance of this circuit?

b. How much charge is stored in C2?
c. C3 is isolated and then inserted with a dielectric of k=2.
a. What is the new potential difference across it?
b. What is its plate separation if the new energy density is
( 10, (V/m)2?
d. C4 is isolated and then inserted with a dielectric of k=3.
How much energy does it now store?

6. A power supply with internal resistance r is connected to a rechargeable battery with emf , as
shown in the given circuit.

a. What is the current I through the power supply? [2 pts.]

b. What is the internal resistance r of the power supply? [4 pts.]
c. What is the magnitude of the emf ? [4 pts.]