Solution for Online Homework 2 Simple Electric Devices and Processes

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.1(Kinetics of Two Charged Particles)

Problem: Two positive point charges are released on a frictionless surface. Which of the following best describes
their subsequent motion?
Select One of the Following:
(a) The particles remain stationary.
(b) The particles move apart with constant velocity.
(c) The particles move apart with a velocity that decreases with time.
(d-Answer) The particles move apart with a velocity that increases with time.
(e) The particles move apart with a velocity that increases for a while and then becomes constant.
Solution
(a) Coulombs Law: The magnitude of the electric force between the two particles is F = kqr12q2 , and because
the two particles have the same sign of charge, the force felt between them is repulsive.
(b) Accelerations of the Particles: Newtons second law states F~ = m~a, so the charges begin to accelerate
away from each other due to the electric force felt between them. As they move away from each other, r2 becomes
much larger, so the force felt between them becomes much smaller. Since acceleration is directly proportional to
force, each particles acceleration becomes smaller as r approaches infinity.
(c) Velocities of the Particles: Even though each particles acceleration decreases as the distance between the
two particles increases, the particles do experience some acceleration even as they move apart. This means that
the velocity of each particle continues to increase as the particles move farther apart.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.2(Qualitative Vector Addition in the X-Y

Plane)
Problem:
The figure to the right shows two positive point
charges along the y axis. A third positive charge is located at the
point P on the x axis. In what direction does the electric force
on the positive charge at P point?

q
q
q

Select One of the Following:

(a) toward the positive x direction
(b) toward the positive y direction
(c) toward the negative x direction
(d) toward the negative y direction
(e-Answer) toward the lower right of the page in a direction between the positive x direction and the negative y
direction.
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(f) toward the upper right of the page in a direction between the positive x direction and the positive y direction.
Solution
The force exerted on the charge at point P by the charge at the
origin is purely in the x-direction. The force exerted on the charge
at point P by the charge located on the +y-axis is directed down
and to the right. The sum of these vectors points in the +x- and
y-direction.

q
q

Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.3(Stable Equilibirum for Point Charges)

Problem: If two point charges with charge q are spaced an equal distance from the origin on the x-axis on
opposite sides of the origin, then the electric force on a particle at the origin is zero. Is this equilibrium stable? If
yes why; if no why not?
Select One of the Following:
(a) No, if the particle is displaced from the origin, then the force tends to push it back to the origin.
(b) Yes, if the particle is displaced from the origin, then the force tends to push it back to the origin.
(c-Answer) No, if the particle is displaced from the origin, then the force tends to push it away from the origin.
(d) Yes, if the particle is displaced from the origin, then the force tends to push it away from the origin.
Solution
The equilibrium is unstable; if a particle at the origin is displaced it feels an outward force and move farther away
from the origin.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.4(Electric Force Between the Earth and a
Pith Ball)
Problem: The earth has a charge of approximately 7 105 C and a pith ball has a charge of approximately
1 109 C. Which of the following describes the relationship between the size of the force the earth exerts on
the pith ball and the size of the force the pith ball exerts on the earth?
Select One of the Following:
(a) The earth exerts a much larger force on the pith ball.
(b) The pith ball exerts a much larger force on the earth.
(c-Answer) The forces have the same magnitude.
Solution
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According to Newtons Third Law, the forces will have the same magnitudes and opposite directions.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.5(Electric Force Between Pith Ball and Van
de Graaff)
Problem: When the Van de Graaff electrostatic generator is operating, a charge of about 1C develops on the
12.5cm radius conducting sphere at the top of the machine.. This charge produces an opposite 1C charge
on a second grounded sphere placed a distance 10cm from the first. There is a noticable attraction causing the
second sphere to wobble until a spark occurs. The center-to-center distance between the two spheres is 35cm.
Treating each sphere as a 1C point charge with separation 35cm, what is the magnitude of the electric force
one sphere exerts on the other?
Select One of the Following:
(a) 2.6 102 N
(b-Answer) 7.3 102 N
(c) 2.6 106 N
(d) 7.3 106 N
(e) 2.6 1012 N
Solution
The force between two point charges is by Coulombs Law

2
6
kq1 q2 (8.99 109 Nm
C)(1 106 C)
2
C2 )(1 10
F = 2 =
= 7.3 10 N
d
(0.35m)2
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.6(Describe an Electrophorus)

Problem: What is an electrophorus?
Select One of the Following:
(a) An electrophorus is a compound used to build a capacitor.
(b-Answer) An electrophorus is a flat, conducting plate that develops a large static charge when charged by
induction over a dielectric.
(c) An electrophorus is two metal leaves used to detect charge.
(d) An electrophorus is a coil of wire wound on a nail.
(e) An electrophorus is a type of stereo speaker.
Solution
An electrophorus is a conducting plate that develops a large electrostatic charge when charged by induction over
a charged dielectric.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.7(Sign of Charge in the Leaves of an Electroscope)

Problem: A negatively charged rod is brought near a leaf electroscope. While the rod is near the bolt of the
electroscope, the leaves are undefelected. The charge of the leaves of the electroscope while the charged rod is
near the bolt is
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Select One of the Following:

(a) positive.
(b) negative.
(c-Answer) zero.
(d) positive or zero.
(e) negative or zero.
Solution
Since the leaves are not deflected, they contain zero net charge.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.8(Attraction of an Uncharged Object)

Problem: Can a charged object exert a force on an uncharged insulator? If yes, why; if no, why not?
Select One of the Following:
(a-Answer) Yes, by inducing an electrical polarization in the insulator; the insulator is then attracted to the
charged object.
(b) Yes, by inducing an electrical polarization in the insulator; the insulator is then repelled by the charged
object.
(c) No, because uncharged objects do not feel electrical forces.
(d) No, because only conductors are attracted to or repelled by charged objects.
Solution
Yes, by inducing an electrical polarization in the insulator; the insulator is then attracted to the charged object.
This is the effect that causes a soda bottle to roll toward the charged rod.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.9(Electroscope with a Plastic Bolt)

Problem: While constructing a leaf electroscope, a student finds the paperclip that connects the bolts to the
leaves difficult to work with. To make construction easier, the student uses a plastic tie wrap instead to connect
the bolt to the foil leaves. How does this substitution affect the operation of the electroscope?
Select One of the Following:
(a) The operation is unchanged.
(b-Answer) The electroscope will cease to function.
(c) The leaves of the electroscope will attract, rather than repel.
(d) The electroscope will only detect charge of one sign.
Solution
Plastic is an insulator, so the electroscope will do nothing.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 2.10(Grounding a Neutral Object in the Presence of a Charged Object)
Problem: A metal conducting sphere is grounded as shown to
the right. A positively charged object is brought near but does
not touch the metal sphere. With the charged object and the
metal sphere in the locations drawn at the right with the ground
attached, does the metal sphere have a net charge? If so, what
is the sign of the net charge?
Select One of the Following:

Positively
charged
object
++
Metal
Sphere

(a) The metal sphere has zero net charge.

(b) The metal sphere has a net positive charge.
(c-Answer) The metal sphere has a net negative charge.

Solution
When the rod is near the neutral conducting sphere, charge separates on the sphere. Since the object is positively
charged, a negative charge density is induced on the sphere near the rod, while positive charges are repelled away.
If the sphere is grounded while the positive object is near, the separated negative charge is held in place by the
rod; the separated positive charge is free to escape to the ground, leaving the sphere with a net negative charge.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points