lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 1

This print-out should have 15 questions. Since the forces are collinear, the force on
Multiple-choice questions may continue on the third particle is the algebraic sum of the
the next column or page – find all choices forces between the first and third and the
before answering. second and third particles:

001 10.0 points

~ =F
F ~ 13 + F~ 23
A particle with charge 9 µC is located on  
the x-axis at the point 10 cm , and a second q1 q2
= ke 2 r̂13 + 2 r̂23 q3
particle with charge 3 µC is placed on the r13 r23
x-axis at 6 cm . = 8.9875 × 109 N · m2 /C2

−9 µC

(9 × 10−6 C)

3 µC

9 µC
× (−ı̂)
(−0.08 m)2

(3 × 10−6 C)
−10 −8 −6 −4 −2 2 4 6 8 10 + (−ı̂)
x → (cm) (−0.04 m)2
What is the magnitude of the total elec- ×(−9 × 10−6 C)
trostatic force on a third particle with charge = 265.412 N ,
−9 µC placed on the x-axis at 2 cm ? The
Coulomb constant is 8.9875 × 109 N · m2 /C2 .
with a magnitude of 265.412 N .
Correct answer: 265.412 N.
Explanation: 002 (part 1 of 4) 10.0 points
Consider four charges of equal magnitude q
on the corners of a square with sides of length
Let : q1 = 9 µC = 9 × 10−6 C , a.
q2 = 3 µC = 3 × 10−6 C , A B
− +
q3 = −9 µC = −9 × 10−6 C ,
y
x1 = 10 cm = 0.1 m ,
x2 = 6 cm = 0.06 m , and a
O x
x3 = 2 cm = 0.02 m .
Coulomb’s law (in vector form) for the elec- − +
D C
tric force exerted by a charge q1 on a second
charge q3 , is What is the magnitude of the electric field
at the center O?
F~ 13 = ke q1 q3 r̂13 ,
r2 √ ke q
where r̂13 is a unit vector directed from q1 to 1. EO = 4 2 2 correct
a
q3 ; i.e., ~r13 = ~r3 − ~r1 . √ ke q
2. EO = 2 2
a
x13 = x3 − x1 1 ke q
= (2 cm) − (10 cm) = −0.08 m 3. EO = √
2 2 a2
x23 = x3 − x2 1 ke q
= (2 cm) − (6 cm) = −0.04 m 4. EO =√
2 a2
x3 − x1 √ ke q
x̂13 = p = −ı̂ 5. EO =3 2 2
(x3 − x1 )2 a
x3 − x2 1 ke q
x̂23 = p = −ı̂ 6. EO = √
(x3 − x2 )2 4 2 a2
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 2

√ ke q
7. EO = 2 2 2 003 (part 2 of 4) 10.0 points
a Find the direction of the electric field.
ke q
8. EO = 3 2 1
a 1. − √ (~i + ~j)
ke q 2
9. EO = 2
a 2. −~i correct
10. EO = 0 1
3. √ (~i + ~j)
Explanation: 2
The distance
a between each corner and the 4. ~i
center is √ , so
2
q q 5. −~j
E A = ke   2 = 2 ke 2
a a ~ =0
√ 6. Undetermined since E
2
1
Not all of the forces are collinear, so we must 7. √ (~i − ~j)
carry out vector addition. 2
The two negative charges yield a field point- 1
8. √ (−~i + ~j)
ing away from them on a line from O and the 2
two positive charges yield forces pointing to- 9. ~j
ward them from O:

EA + EC
E Explanation:
The direction is to the left.
EB + ED
004 (part 3 of 4) 10.0 points
~ A and E
E ~ C are collinear (as are E ~ B and What is the magnitude of the electric field at
~ D ), so
E C due to the charges at A, B, and D?
q
E A + E C = 4 ke 2 = E B + E D . ke q
a 1. EC =
a2
The Cartesian components of the two vec-
1 ke q
tors with the origin at O are 2. EC = √
  3 2 a2
~ ~ q 1 1 √ ke q
EA + EB = 4 ke 2 − √ ı̂ + √ ̂ and
a 2 2 3. EC = 4 2 2
  a
~ ~ q 1 1 9 ke q
EB + ED = 4 ke 2 − √ ı̂ − √ ̂ , so 4. EC =
a 2 2 4 a2
 √ ke q
~ q 1 1 5. EC = 2 2 2
E = 4 ke 2 − √ ı̂ + √ ̂ a
a 2 2 √ ke q
6. EC = 3 2 2

1 1
− √ ı̂ − √ ̂ a
2 2 √ ke q
√ q √ q 7. EC = 2 2
= 4 2 ke 2 (−ı̂) = −4 2 ke 2 ı̂ a
a a
√ q ke q
kEO k = −4 2 ke 2 . 8. EC = 3 2
a a
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 3
Find tan α, where α as the angle between
3 ke q the horizontal and the electric field at C due
9. EC = correct
2 a2 to the three charges at A, B, and D.
7 ke q
10. EC = √
4 2 a2 1. tan α = 1
Explanation: √ 1
The charge at A is now at a distance 2 a, 2. tan α = √
with field magnitude 2
1
q q 3. tan α = √
E A = ke √ = ke 2 2−1
( 2 a)2 2 a2 √
4. tan α = 2 2 + 1
whereas the charges at B and D are at a
distance a, with fields √
5. tan α = 3
q
E B = E D = ke 2 : √
a 6. tan α = 2 2 − 1
EA
1
7. tan α = √
2 2+1
√
ED C 2 2+1
α 8. tan α = √
2 2−1
√
9. tan α = 2
EA + EB + ED √
2 2−1
10. tan α = √ correct
2 2+1
EB + ED EB Explanation:
α is the angle between the horizontal and Construct a coordinate system with C as
the resultant field at C: E~ =E ~A + E~B + E ~ D. the origin. The Cartesian components are
~ ~
It is convenient to add EB and ED first. The
parallelogram ke q
√ they form is a square, so the ~A =
E √ (−ı̂ + ̂) and
diagonal is 2 times the side 2 2a2
√
kE ~ D k = 2 ke q .
~B + E
a2
~ D = ke q (−ı̂ − ̂) ,
~B + E
E
~B + E
E ~ D and E~ A in the figure are at right a2
angles, so we can use Pythagoras’ Theorem:
s
 2   so the resultant is
ke q 1 √ 2 3 ke q
E= 2 + 2 = . √ √
a 2 2 a2 ~ = ke q  
E √ −ı̂ + ̂ − 2 2 ı̂ − 2 2 ̂
2 2a2
005 (part 4 of 4) 10.0 points ke q h  √ 
A B = √ − 2 2 + 1 ı̂
− + 2 2a2
 √  i
y − 2 2 − 1 ̂

O x
and
√
− α + Ey 2 2−1
D C tan α = = √ .
Ex 2 2+1
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 4
force on the positive charge is in an opposite
006 10.0 points direction to the force on the negative charge
The electric field at a location C points north
and has a magnitude of 1.5 × 106 N/C. Where
must you place a proton and an electron Your answer should be a list of numbers
(charge |q| = 1.6 × 10−19 C) so that both lie corresponding to the correct statements, with
on the same line passing through C and are the numbers separated by commas
equidistant from C in order to produce this
field? Use k = 9 × 109 Nm2 /C2 . Correct answer: 1,2.
Correct answer: 4.38178 × 10−8 m. Explanation:
Let’s examine each of these claims individ-
Explanation: ually:
Since the proton and electron have equal
but opposite charge and we are told they are
at equal distances from C, it must be that 1 A dipole is defined to be a distribution of
the electron is north of C while the proton is two equal and opposite charges.
south, both at the same distance r. Therefore 2 Any electric field is the vector sum of the
individual charges that cause the electric
1

e −e
 field to be formed. This is known as the
E= N̂ + 2 (−N̂ ) principle of superposition.
4πǫ0 r 2 r
3 We do not expect the field to fall off at the
2 e
= N̂ same rate for a dipole as it would for a single
4πǫ0 r 2 charge, since the field from the negative
r
e charge has a cancelling effect against the
r=
2πǫ0 E positive charge.
= 4.38178 × 10−8 m 4 While the forces on the charges on a dipole
are equal in magnitude and in opposite di-
rections, they are applied in different loca-
007 10.0 points tions, which will create a net torque on the
dipole, even if the net force is zero.
Which of these statements about a dipole
are correct?

008 10.0 points

Consider the setup shown in the figure.
1 A dipole consists of two particles whose
charges are equal in magnitude but oppo-
site in sign
2 The electric field at any location in space,
due to a dipole, is the vector sum of the
electric field due to the positive charge and
the electric field due to the negative charge
3 At a distance d from a dipole, where d ≫ s
(where s is the separation of the charges),
the magnitude of the electric field due to
1
the dipole is proportional to 2 Determine the force exerted by -Q on the
d
4 When placed in a constant electric field, dipole. Choose the correct expression for the
a dipole does not interact at all, since the force. + sign is along the positive x-direction.
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 5

y
2qsQ
1. + k correct ++++
z3
2qsQ
2. − k L.
z3 x
qsQ
3. + k
z3 −−−−
qsQ
4. − k
z3 y
qsQ −
5. − k − +
z2 G. − +
− +
+
2qsQ
6. − k
z2 x
qsQ
7. + k y
z2
+++++
2qsQ
8. + k + −
z2 + −
M. + −
Explanation: + − x
According to the reciprocity relation, i.e. + −
the action force is equal and opposite to the +++++
reaction force, the force due to the charge -
Q on the dipole is equal in magnitude and y
opposite in direction to the force due to the
++++
dipole acting on the charge -Q. Thus for the
former we have
S.

+k2qs

2qsQ x
F = −(−Q) × = +k .
z3 z3 ++++

009 10.0 points For which configuration(s) does the total

electric field vector at the origin have non-
You are familiar with the principle of su- zero components in the x direction as well as
perposition as applied to the electric fields the y direction (i.e., both x and y components
of a collection of point charges. We may are non-zero)?
apply this principle to extended charge distri-
butions as well. For this problem, model each 1. Configuration G only
charged object as a collection of many indi-
vidual charges, then use symmetry arguments 2. Configurations S and P only
in order to reason out your answer.
y
3. Configurations G and P only
++
++

4. Configuration S only
++
++

P.
x
++
++

5. Configurations S, M and P only

−−−−−−
6. Configurations G, L and P only
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 6

y
7. Configuration L only correct ++++
8. Configurations G, S and P only
L
x
9. Configuration M only
−−−−
10. Configurations G and S only

Configuration M is symmetric about the

Explanation: x-axis, so the y component of the total field
must vanish.
y
+++++
+ −
k∆q X
+ −
∆E = r̂ and E= ∆E . + −
r2 M
+ − x
+ −
+++++
Symmetry of the configuration will cause
some component of the electric field to be Configuration P is symmetric about the y-
zero. axis, so the x component of the total field
Configuration G is anti-symmetric about must vanish.
the y-axis (opposite sign of charges), so the y
electric field has no y-component.

++
++
y
−

++
++
− + P
− + x

++
++

G − +
+
−−−−−−
x

Configuration S is symmetric by a rotation

of 180◦ , so the electric fields generated by
these two pieces have opposite directions and
the total field is zero.
y sions such as
++++
S
x Fortunately, there is an approximation
++++
Configuration L is anti-symmetric by rota-
tion of a 180◦ , so the total field has non-zero
components in both x and y directions, just
like the field generated by just one piece of
charge.
010 (part 1 of 4) 10.0 points
As you work with Coulomb’s law, you will
often find you’d like to approximate expres-
1
for s ≪ r .
(r + s)2
method for this type of expression that is in-
credibly common and is used throughout the
sciences. We will call this method the small
argument approximation, and its statement is:
(1 + ǫ)a ≈ 1 + aǫ for ǫ ≪ 1 ,
(1 + ǫ)−a ≈ 1 − aǫ for ǫ ≪ 1 .
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 7
Using this approximation method,
1
1 1 1. 1 + x2
2
= (r + s)−2 = 2 (1 + s/r)−2 2
(r + s) r
1
1 2. 1 − x2 correct
≈ 2 (1 − 2s/r) for s ≪ r , 2
r
1
where s/r = ǫ satisfies the condition that 3. 1 − x
2
ǫ ≪ 1.
1
For each of the exercises below, assume 4. 1 + x
2
x ≪ 1 and apply the small argument approxi-
mation to determine the correct approximate Explanation:
expression. Let ǫ = x2 .

1 f (x) = (1 + x2 )−1/2 = (1 + ǫ)−1/2

f (x) =
(1 + x)2 1 1
≈ 1 − ǫ = 1 − x2 .
1. 1 + x2 2 2

2. 1 + 2x 013 (part 4 of 4) 10.0 points

One may approximate more complex expres-
3. 1 − 2x correct sions through successive application of the
small argument approximation. Approximate
4. 1 − x2 the following expression by using the small
Explanation: argument approximation twice.

f (x) = (1 + x)−2 ≈ 1 − 2x. 1

f (x) =  2
1+ √2
1+x
011 (part 2 of 4) 10.0 points
 
1 2
1 1. 1− x
f (x) = 9 3
1 + x2  
1 2
2. 1+ x correct
1. 1 + x 9 3
 
1 1
2. 1 − x 3. 1− x
9 3
 
1 1
3. 1 − x2 correct 4. 1+ x
9 3
4. 1 + x2 Explanation:
Explanation: For the first approximation,
Let ǫ = x2 .
1 1
f (x) = (1 + x2 )−1 = (1 + ǫ)−1 √ ≈ 1− x.
1+x 2
≈ 1 − ǫ = 1 − x2 .
Substituting this into the original expression
012 (part 3 of 4) 10.0 points and simplifying, we obtain
s
1 1 1 1
f (x) = =
.
1 + x2 (3 − x) 2 9 1− x 2
3
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 8
For the second approximation, Therefore, we need only concern ourselves
1 2 with direction. The field due to the top charge
2 ≈ 1+ x. points up and to the left, since the electric
1 − x3 3


field due to a negative point charge points
Again substituting, we obtain the answer: toward the charge. Furthermore, the field
  due to the positive charge points up and to
1 2 the right. We therefore conclude that the x
f (x) ≈ 1+ x .
9 3 components of the two charges cancel, and
the field due to the entire left hand dipole
014 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points points exactly upward.
Two dipoles are oriented as shown in the Finally, we conclude that the field due to
diagram below the upper dipole also points exactly upward,
since the point A is on the line connecting
the two charges, and the electric field due to
a point charge always points either toward
r or away from the charge (and the negative
charge is closer).
Ax Therefore, the x component of the electric
field is zero.
r
Each dipole consists of two charges +q and 015 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
−q, held apart by a rod of length s, and What is Ey ?
the center of each dipole is a distance r from
location A. If q = 4 nC, s = 1 mm, and Correct answer: 108 N/C.
r = 10 cm, what is the electric field at location
A? Explanation:
Hint:Draw a diagram and show the direc- Now, we have to be more careful about
tion of each dipole’s contribution to the elec- determining the electric field.
tric field on the diagram (you do not have to First, we remember that the electric field
turn in the diagram). due to a point charge is
The net electric field can be written in the
~ = k q r̂ = k q hx, y, zi
F
form: r2 r3
~ = hEx , Ey , Ez i So, let’s consider the net field due to the
E
left dipole first.
where it is understood that Ez = 0 by the First, note that the electric field due to both
planar nature of the problem. point charges has a positive y component since
What is Ex ? Use k = 9 × 109 Nm2 /C2 . the electric field points away from positive
charges and toward negative charges.
Correct answer: 0 N/C. Then, we have:
Explanation:
Let’s look at the dipoles individually. q 2s q 2s
The two charges on the left hand dipole Ey,lef t = k +k
s 2 3/2 s 2 3/2



are equidistant from the point A. Therefore, (r 2 + 2 ) (r 2 + 2 )
the fields created by these charges are equal qs
=k
in magnitude. Furthermore, since the two s 2 3/2


(r 2 + 2 )
distance vectors to the point A form similar
triangles, we conclude that the x and y com-  s 2
Finally, we can neglect the factor of
ponents due to both of the charges are equal 2
in magnitude. in the denominator since r 2 ≫ s2 , and we
 lee (dl28863) – Ch22-h2 – turner – (90130) 9
then find that the net y-component of the (4 nC)(1 mm)
= 3(9 × 109 N · m2 /C2 )
electric field due to the left dipole is given by (10 cm)3
qs
Ey = k 3 . (1 × 10−9 C/nC)(0.001 m/mm)
r ×
Now, let’s consider the field due to the (0.01 m/cm)3
upper dipole. The field due to the positive = 108 N/C
charge points downward, while the field due
to the positive charge points upward.
Here, the entire electric field due to both
point charges points along our line, so we
need only use the net magnitude of the electric
q
field, k 2 . So, we have:
r
q q
Ey,top = k s 2 −k
(r − 2 ) (r + 2s )2
!
(r + 2s )2 − (r − 2s )2
= kq
2
(r 2 − 2s )2
!
r 2 + rs + 14 s2 − (r 2 − rs + 14 s2 )
= kq
2
(r 2 − 2s )2
2qrs
=k
2
(r 2 − 2s )2

And, once again, we make the approxima-

tion that r 2 ≫ s2 , which leaves us with
2qrs 2qs
Ey,top = k = k .
r4 r3
Digression: Using the small argument ex-
pansion approach, one writes

 
q 1 1
Ey,top =k 2 2
− ,
r (1 − ǫ) (1 + ǫ)2

where ǫ = s/(2r). This leads to

q 2qs
Ey,top ≈ k 2
4ǫ = k 3 ,
r r
which is the same as the above expression.
So, finally, we find that the net electric field
in the y direction due to both dipoles is:

Ey,net = Ey,lef t + Ey,top

qs 2qs
=k 3 +k 3
r r
qs
= 3k 3
r