Physics 212

Spring 2009
Problem Set #1

NOTE: Show ALL work and ALL answers on a piece of separate loose leaf paper. Not on this
sheet.

Read: 15.1 – 15.3 and then do the following problems.

1)A plastic rod has a charge of –2.0 µC.

How many electrons
must be removed so that the charge on the rod becomes
+3.0µC?
6) Two small metallic spheres, each of
mass 0.20 g, are suspended by light
2)Three identical metal spheres, A, B, and C initially have net strings from a common point as
shown. The spheres are given the
charges as shown. Spheres A and B are now touched same electric charge, and it is found
together and then separated. Sphere C is then touched to that the two come to equilibrium when
sphere A and separated from it. Lastly, sphere C is touched 5°
each string is at an angle of 5° with
to sphere B and then separated from it. (a) How much
the vertical. If each string is 30.0 cm
charge ends up on sphere C? What is the total charge on
long, what is the magnitude of the
the three spheres (b) before they are allowed to touch each
charge on each sphere?
other and (c) after they have touched?
A B C
7) Three charges are arranged as shown. Calculate the
magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force on
+5q -1q None
each of the three charges.

3)Two small spheres are initially neutral and separated by a
distance of 0.50 m. Suppose that 3.0 x 1013 electrons are
removed from one sphere and placed on the other. (a)
What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force that acts on
each sphere? (b) Is the force attractive or repulsive?
Explain how you can tell.
4) Three charges are fixed to an xy coordinate system. A
charge of +18 µC is on the y axis at y = +3.0 m. A charge of
–12 µC is at the origin. Lastly, a charge of + 45 µC is on the
x axis x =+3.0 m. Calculate the magnitude and direction of
the net electrostatic force on the charge x = +3.0 m.
6 µC 1.5 µC -2 µC
3 cm 2 cm
8) Two charges are sitting 1.5 m apart with a force of 3 N
between them. They are now moved farther apart to 2.25 m
and one of the charges is increased by a factor of 4. What is
the magnitude of the new force between the two charges?
9) The distance between two charges is increased by a factor of
3 while the values of the charges are both decreased by a
factor of ½. By what fraction does the magnitude of the
force change?

10) If the magnitude of the force between two identical charges

5)Skid of 40 kg and Mitch of 60 kg are standing on ice. They is to remain constant while the distance between the two
are each carrying massless spheres of charge +500 µC charges increases by a factor of 2, by what factor will each
while standing 2 m apart. (a) Calculate the electrostatic charge change?
force on each sphere. Are the forces the same or different?
Explain. (b) Calculate the accelerations for Skid and Mitch
at the moment they are 2 m apart. Are they the same or
different? Explain. (c) As Skid and Mitch move farther apart
do their accelerations increase, decrease, or remain the
same? Explain.

Skid Mitch
Ice

ANSWERS:

1)3.1 x 10 13
electrons 7) 46.7 N (left), 157.3 N (right),
2) a) 1.5q 110.6 N (left)
b) 4q 8) 5.33 N
 c) 4q 9) 1/36
3) a) 0.83 N 10) 2

4)0.38 N, 49°
6) 7.2 x 10-9 C