University Physics, 13e (Young/Freedman)

Chapter 21 Electric Charge and Electric Field

21.1 Conceptual Questions
1) X and Y are two uncharged metal spheres on insulating stands, and are in contact with each
other. A positively charged rod R is brought close to X as shown in Figure (a).

Sphere Y is now moved away from X, as in Figure (b).

What are the final charge states of X and Y?

A) Both X and Y are neutral.
B) X is positive and Y is neutral.
C) X is neutral and Y is positive.
D) X is negative and Y is positive.
E) Both X and Y are negative.
Answer: D
2) Two identical small charged spheres are a certain distance apart, and each one initially
experiences an electrostatic force of magnitude F due to the other. With time, charge gradually
leaks off of both spheres. When each of the spheres has lost half its initial charge, the magnitude
of the electrostatic force will be
A) 1/16 F.
B) 1/8 F.
C) 1/4 F.
D) 1/2 F.
Answer: C
3) A point charge Q is located a short distance from a point charge 3Q, and no other charges are
present. If the electrical force on Q is F, what is the electrical force on 3Q?
A) F/3
B) F/ 3
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C) F
D) 3 F
E) 3F
Answer: C
4) A positive point charge Q is fixed on a very large horizontal frictionless tabletop. A second
positive point charge q is released from rest near the stationary charge and is free to move.
Which statement best describes the motion of q after it is released?
A) Its speed will be greatest just after it is released.
B) Its acceleration is zero just after it is released.
C) As it moves farther and farther from Q, its acceleration will keep increasing.
D) As it moves farther and farther from Q, its speed will decrease.
E) As it moves farther and farther from Q, its speed will keep increasing.
Answer: E
5) The figure shows two unequal point charges, q and Q, of opposite sign. Charge Q has greater
magnitude than charge q. In which of the regions X, Y, Z will there be a point at which the net
electric field due to these two charges is zero?

A) only regions X and Z

B) only region X
C) only region Y
D) only region Z
E) all three regions
Answer: B

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6) Two point charges Q1 and Q2 of equal magnitudes and opposite signs are positioned as shown
in the figure. Which of the arrows best represents the net electric field at point P due to these two
charges?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) The field is equal to zero at point P.
Answer: A
7) Three equal negative point charges are placed at three of the corners of a square of side d as
shown in the figure. Which of the arrows represents the direction of the net electric field at the
center of the square?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
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E) The field is equal to zero at point P.

Answer: C
8) The figure shows three electric charges labeled Q1, Q2, Q3, and some electric field lines in
the region surrounding the charges. What are the signs of the three charges?

A) Q1 is positive, Q2 is negative, Q3 is positive.

B) Q1 is negative, Q2 is positive, Q3 is negative.
C) Q1 is positive, Q2 is positive, Q3 is negative.
D) All three charges are negative.
E) All three charges are positive.
Answer: A
21.2 Problems
1) A piece of plastic has a net charge of +2.00 C. How many more protons than electrons does
this piece of plastic have? (e = 1.60 10-19 C)
A) 1.25 1013
B) 1.25 1019
C) 2.50 1013
D) 2.50 1019
Answer: A
2) Three point charges are placed on the x-axis. A charge of +2.0 C is placed at the origin, -2.0
C to the right at x = 50 cm, and +4.0 C at the 100 cm mark. What are the magnitude and
direction of the electrostatic force that acts on the charge at the origin? (k = 1/40 = 8.99 109
N m2/C2)
Answer: 0.072 N, toward the right
3) A +7.00 C point charge and -9.00 C point charge are placed along the x-axis at x = 0.000
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cm and x = 40.0 cm, respectively. Where must a third charge, q, be placed along the x-axis so
that it does not experience any net electric force due to the other two charges?
A) -0.200 m
B) 2.99 m
C) -0.187 m
D) -2.99 m
E) 0.187 m
Answer: D
4) The point charge at the bottom of the figure is Q = +17 nC, and the curve is a circular arc.
What is the magnitude of the force on the charge Q due to the other point charges shown? (k =
1/40 = 8.99 109 N m2/C2)

A) 1.9 10-4 N
B) 1.2 10-4 N
C) 1.6 10-4 N
D) 2.3 10-4 N
Answer: A
5) The electric field 1.5 cm from a very small charged object points toward the object with a
magnitude of 180,000 N/C. What is the charge on the object? (k = 1/40 = 8.99 109 N
m2/C2)
A) -4.5 nC
B) +4.5 nC
C) -5.0 nC
D) +5.0 nC
Answer: A
6) What is the minimum magnitude of an electric field that balances the weight of a plastic
sphere of mass 6.4 g that has been charged to -3.0 nC?
A) 2.1 107 N/C
B) 2.4 106 N/C
C) 4.5 106 N/C
D) 6.4 106 N/C
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Answer: A
7) Two point charges, Q1 = -1.0 C and Q2 = + 4.0 C, are placed as shown in the figure. (k =
1/40 = 8.99 109 N m2/C2) The y component of the electric field, at the origin O, is closest
to

A) 6.0 10-3 N/C.

B) -6.0 10-3 N/C.
C) 3.8 10-3 N/C.
D) -3.8 10-3 N/C.
E) 7.1 10-3 N/C.
Answer: A
8) A 3.0-C positive point charge is located at the origin and a 2.0-C positive point charge is
located at x = 0.00 m, y = 1.0 m. Find the coordinates of the point where the net electric field
strength due to these charges is zero.
A) x = 0.00 m, y = 0.55 m
B) x = 0.00 m, y = 0.67 m
C) x = 0.00 m, y = 1.5 m
D) x = 0.00 m, y = 0.60 m
Answer: A

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