Physics 72-TWHFW-x Recitation Quiz 4

Name: Score:
Recit Teacher: Recit Section: TWHFW-

Instructions: Encircle the letter of the best answer for multiple choice questions. For the problem solving
questions, answer the problems completely and neatly.

1. OME. The electric potential V in a region of space is given by V(x,y,z)=Ax3z-By2-Cz where A, B, and C are
positive constants. What is the electric field E in this region?

A. E 3 Ax 2 zi 2Byj Ck C. E 3 Ax 2 zi 2Byj Ck


B. E 3 Ax 2 zi 2Byj Ax 3 C k
D. E 3 Ax 2 zi 2Byj Ax 3 C k



SOLUTION: E V 3 Ax 2 zi 2Byj Ax 3 C k B

For the next two items, consider three air-core parallel plate capacitors labeled X, Y, and Z with plate
separation d and circular radius r given in the table.

2. Capacitus Maxima. Which of the following gives the correct d r

order of increasing capacitance? X d R
Y d 2R
A. X < Y < Z C. Z < X < Y Z 2d R
B. X < Z < Y D. Z < Y < X

0 A 0 r 2 R2 4R 2 R2
SOLUTION: C ; CX , CY , CZ ; Z < X < Y C
d d d d 2d

3. Reducto Plato. If the plate separation is halved, how will the charge stored in capacitor Y change?

A. Halved C. Quadrupled
B. Doubled D. Remain the same

0 A 2 0 A
SOLUTION: Q C ; C ; C 2C B
d d

4. Capacitance. A 3 mF capacitor is initially connected to a 4 V power supply. The voltage is later decreased
to 2 V. What is the new capacitance of the capacitor?

A. 3/2 mF C. 6 mF
B. 3 mF D. 12 mF

SOLUTION: Capacitance depends ONLY on geometry (d, A). B

5. Stored Energy. A capacitor connected to a constant potential V can store a potential energy U. If the
potential across the capacitor is doubled while the capacitance is kept constant, what is the new stored
energy in the capacitor?

A. 4U C. U/2
B. 2U D. U/4
 CV 2 ; U C 2V 4U A
1 1
SOLUTION: U
2

2 2

6. Electric-Field Energy. The plate area of a charged isolated air parallel plate capacitor is halved. What will
happen to the electrical energy density?

A. Quadrupled C. Halved
B. Doubled D. Quartered

2
1 1 1 2Q
SOLUTION: u 0 E 2 ; u 0 E 2 0 4u A
2 2 2 A 0

7. K. Bye! Consider two isolated parallel plate capacitors A and B. Capacitor A has no dielectric and
capacitor B has a dielectric material in between the plates. Both capacitors have the same separation d
and area A, and are given the same potential difference V. The charge magnitude on capacitor A is QA
while QB in capacitor B. Which of the following is true?

A. QA > QB C. QA = QB = 0
B. QA < QB D. QA = QB 0

Q A QB Q
SOLUTION: V A VB ; ; CB=CA; Q A B ; QA < QB B
C A CB

8. Dielectric. A parallel plate capacitor is connected to an ideal battery with voltage V. While the battery is
still connected, a slab with dielectric constant is inserted between the plates. Which of the following is
TRUE about the magnitude of the electric field E and the stored energy U?

A. E decreases, U increases C. E remains the same, U decreases

B. E increases, U decreases D. E remains the same, U increases

1
SOLUTION: Constant V Constant E; U C0V 2 D
2

For the next two items, consider four capacitors, C1=C2=C3=C4=1 F, arranged in the circuit as shown. A
constant 4 V battery is connected across points a and b.

9. Cequivalent. What is the equivalent capacitance of the circuit?

1
1 1 1
C eq
C1 C 2 C 3 C 4
1
1
C eq 1 1 F
2
2
C eq F
5
10. Charge. What is the charge stored in C3?
2
QT Q1 Q23 Q4 CeqVT F 4V C
8
5 5
Since C2=C3 and Q23=Q2+Q3
4
Q2 Q3 C
5
EXPLICITLY:
Q23 8 5 C 4
V23 V2 V3 V
C 23 2F 5
4 4
Q3 C3V3 1F V C
5 5