PLEASE SIT IN SEAT NUMBER ______________

PH2200 Exam II Spring 2017

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove the Answer Sheet from the exam booklet.

2. Using a #2 pencil, enter the following information on the left side of the Answer Sheet:

Email / User ID enter your MTU email address without the @mtu.edu
Last Name enter your last name
FI enter the first letter of your first name
Tech ID enter the eight digits of your Tech ID (M-number)
Key leave blank
Name / Signature print your name and sign your name
Course PH2200
Instructor Dr. Weidman

3. Be sure to fill in the circles completely and avoid stray marks on the form.

4. This is a ninety minute exam.

5. Please cover your Answer Sheet at all times.

6. This is a closed book exam. You may use the PH2200 Formula Sheet that is attached to this exam. The next to last
sheet of paper is blank and may be used as scratch paper. You may find it convenient to rip the formula sheet and
scratch paper from the exam booklet.

7. Graphing calculators are permitted, but equations may not be stored in calculators, nor may calculators be
exchanged.

8. Cell phones, communication devices, and music devices must be turned off and may not be used during the
examination period.

9. Assume all numerical data supplied with the problems have the accuracy of three significant figures, unless
explicitly identified otherwise.

10. This exam consists of a total of 28 questions. Each question has a single correct answer and is worth five points.
The total number of points on the exam is 140.

11. If you have any questions during the exam, please raise your hand and wait for assistance.

12. Please turn in only your Answer Sheet. You may keep the exam booklet, formula sheet, and scratch paper.

SI PREFIXES

Prefix Symbol Factor Prefix Symbol Factor

femto f 10−15 hecto h 102

pico p 10−12 kilo k 103
nano n 10−9 mega M 106
micro μ 10−6 giga G 109
milli m 10−3 tera T 1012
centi c 10−2 peta P 1015
PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
The following information applies to the first two questions (questions 1 and 2).
G
A uniform electric field of 100 V/m points vertically upward in a E
certain region of space. Within this region is a flowerpot as shown
in the figure to the right. The bottom circular face of the flowerpot
has a diameter of 20.0 cm, the upper circular face of the flowerpot
has a diameter of 30.0 cm, and both of these faces are perpendicular to
the electric field. There is no charge in the flowerpot.

1. What is the electric flux through the bottom circular face of the
flowerpot?

(A) −5.18 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(B) −4.23 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(C) −3.14 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(D) −2.29 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(E) −1.07 N ⋅ m 2 /C

2. What is the electric flux through the curved side of the flowerpot?

(A) −5.97 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(B) −5.26 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(C) −4.61 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(D) −3.93 N ⋅ m 2 /C
(E) −3.02 N ⋅ m 2 /C

The following information applies to the next two questions (questions 3 and 4).

The visible portion of a lightning strike is preceded by an invisible stage in which

a column of electrons extends downward from a cloud to the ground. Assume λ = −1.00 × 10−3 C/m
the linear charge density along the column is −1.00 × 10−3 C/m . Treat the
column of charge as if it were straight and infinitely long.

3. What is the electric flux through a closed Gaussian cylinder

1.00 m in length that is coaxial with the column of electrons? 1.00 m

(A) −4.76 × 107 N ⋅ m2 / C

(B) −5.90 × 107 N ⋅ m2 / C
(C) −7.77 × 107 N ⋅ m2 / C Gaussian
cylinder
(D) −9.97 × 107 N ⋅ m2 / C
(E) −1.13 × 108 N ⋅ m2 / C

4. At what distance from the column of electrons is the electric field strength 3.00 × 106 V/m (the electric field strength
at which air becomes a conductor)? This is an estimate of the radius of a visible lightning bolt.

(A) 5.99 m
(B) 7.48 m
(C) 11.3 m
(D) 14.9 m
(E) 23.2 m
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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
5. The figure to the right shows a conducting sphere that
carries an excess charge of +Q. The sphere is surrounded
by a concentric spherical conducting shell that carries an
excess charge of -5Q. How is the charge distributed on the excess charge of +Q
inner and outer surfaces of the shell?

(A) 0 on the inside, -5Q on the outside. excess charge of -5Q

(B) -5Q on the inside, 0 on the outside.
(C) -2.5Q on the inside, -2.5Q on the outside.
(D) -Q on the inside, -4Q on the outside.
(E) +Q on the inside, -6Q on the outside.

6. Wire A is long and straight and has a uniform linear charge density; its radius is R. Wire B is long and straight, and
it has the same linear charge density as wire A; its radius is 2 R. Which wire has the greater external electric field on
its surface?

(A) A
(B) B
(C) The external electric fields on the surfaces of the wires are the same.

7. Two point charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance a. At a point a/3

from q1 and along the line joining the two charges, the electric potential
is zero. Find the ratio q1/q2. q1 V =0 q2
•
(A) -1/2
(B) -1/4 a/3
(C) -1/6 a
(D) +4/1
(E) +6/1

8. A proton is released from rest at point B, where the electric potential

is 0 V. Afterward, the proton

(A) remains at rest at B.

(B) moves toward A with a constant speed.
(C) moves toward A with an increasing speed.
(D) moves toward C with a constant speed.
(E) moves toward C with an increasing speed.

9. Which of the following contour maps best represents the electric potential due to a single positive point charge? In
each figure, the potential difference between adjacent contours is the same.

+ + +

(A) (B) (C)

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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
The following information applies to the next three questions (questions 10, 11, and 12).

Consider the following situation, which is related to Ernest Rutherford’s discovery of the nuclear model of the atom.
A gold nucleus having charge +1.27 × 10−17 C is at rest at the origin of a coordinate system as shown in the figure below.
An alpha particle having mass 6.64 × 10−27 kg and charge +3.20 × 10−19 C is instantaneously at rest a distance of
3.25 × 10−14 m from the gold nucleus. Treat both charges as point charges, and assume the gold nucleus remains at rest at
the origin.
y

3.25 × 10−14 m
x
−17 −19
+1.27 × 10 C +3.20 × 10 C

10. Determine the electric potential at the point on the x-axis midway between the charges.

(A) 3.75 × 106 V

(B) 5.45 × 106 V
(C) 6.10 × 106 V
(D) 7.20 × 106 V
(E) 8.40 × 106 V

11. What is the electric potential energy of the pair of point charges at the instant shown in the figure above?

(A) 1.12 × 10−12 J

(B) 2.24 × 10−12 J
(C) 3.36 × 10−12 J
(D) 4.48 × 10−12 J
(E) 5.60 × 10−12 J

12. What final speed is acquired by the alpha particle after it has been repelled by the gold nucleus and is very
far away?

(A) 6.63 × 106 m/s

(B) 8.85 × 106 m/s
(C) 1.09 × 107 m/s
(D) 1.49 × 107 m/s
(E) 1.84 × 107 m/s

13. An isolated aluminum sphere has a radius of 5.00 cm. How many electrons must be removed from the sphere for its
electric potential to become 400 V?

(A) 6.46 × 109

(B) 7.78 × 109
(C) 8.65 × 109
(D) 9.57 × 109
(E) 1.39 × 1010
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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
14. Two uniformly charged insulating rods are each bent into a quarter
circle of radius R. The left rod is positive, with total charge +3Q
(smeared out uniformly along the rod). The right rod is negative, +3Q -Q
with total charge -Q (again smeared out uniformly). What is the R
electric potential at point P located at the center of the semi-circle
formed by the two rods?
•
3Q P
(A) 0
4πε 0 R
Q
(B)
4πε 0 R
2Q
(C)
4πε 0 R
3Q
(D)
4πε 0 R
3Q
(E) none of the above
4πε 0 R

15. A thin spherical shell of radius R has a total charge Q uniformly distributed on its surface. What is the electric
potential at the center of the shell?

Q Q Q2 Q2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4πε 0 R 2 4πε 0 R 4πε 0 R 4πε 0 R 2

The following information applies to the next two questions (questions 16 and 17).

In the figure to the right, a proton is fired to the right with an initial speed
of 2.00 × 105 m/s from the midpoint of the parallel-plate capacitor.

16. What is the mechanical energy (the sum of kinetic and potential 0V 500 V
energies) of the proton when it is located at the midpoint of the
capacitor and moving with a speed of 2.00 × 105 m/s ? - +

(A) 5.91 × 10−17 J - +

(B) 6.37 × 10−17 J - +
(C) 6.84 × 10−17 J
(D) 7.34 × 10−17 J - +
(E) 7.94 × 10−17 J

17. Which plate of the capacitor does the proton strike, and with what
speed does the proton collide with the plate?

(A) left plate, 2.52 × 105 m/s

(B) left plate, 2.96 × 105 m/s
(C) right plate, 1.19 × 105 m/s
(D) right plate, 1.42 × 105 m/s
(E) right plate, 1.74 × 105 m/s
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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
18. The graph to the right shows the x-component of the electric field
as a function of position along the x-axis. If the electric potential
at the origin is -50.0 V, what is the electric potential at x = 3.00 m?

(A) -800 V
(B) -550 V
(C) -300 V
(D) +350 V
(E) +525 V

19. Capacitors C1 and C2 are connected in series. If C1 >> C2 (C1 is much larger than C2), the equivalent capacitance of
the series combination is approximately

(A) 0.
(B) C1.
(C) C2.
(D) 1/C1.
(E) 1/C2.

The following information applies to the next two questions (questions 20 and 21).

Three identical capacitors, each of which has a capacitance of 3.00 μF ,

are connected to a battery as shown in the circuit to the right. The charge C1
on capacitor C2 is 18.0 μC. +

E
20. What is the charge on capacitor C1? - C2 C3
(A) 3.00 μC
(B) 9.00 μC
(C) 18.0 μC
(D) 27.0 μC
(E) 36.0 μC

21. What is the emf of the battery?

(A) 6.00 V
(B) 9.00 V
(C) 12.0 V
(D) 18.0 V
(E) 24.0 V

22. An electron moves from point i to point f along the trajectory

shown in the figure to the right. The positive charge remains fixed.
Does the electric potential energy of the two charges increase, •
decrease, or remain the same as the electron moves from point i i
to point f ?

(A) increase + +
+ •
(B) decrease
f
(C) remain the same
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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
23. A parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a battery. The capacitor remains
connected to the battery as a dielectric is inserted between the plates.
Which one of the following statements is true?

(A) The electric potential difference between the plates decreases.

(B) The charge on the plates of the capacitor increases.
(C) The energy stored in the capacitor remains constant.
(D) The electric field strength between the plates decreases.

24. A copper cylinder is machined to have the shape shown to the right.
The ends are connected to a battery so that a current flows through
the copper. In which region is the electric field strength greatest?
A B C
(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) The electric field strength is the same in all three regions.

25. A hollow copper wire with an inner diameter of 1.00 mm and an outer diameter
of 2.00 mm carries a current of 10.0 A. What is the current density in the wire?

(A) 2.38 × 106 A / m2

(B) 2.80 × 106 A / m2
(C) 3.15 × 106 A / m2
(D) 4.24 × 106 A / m2
(E) 5.37 × 106 A / m2 cross-section of hollow copper wire

26. The resistance across your (wet) tongue from one side to the other near the tip is 375 Ω . If you connect two thick
copper wires of relatively negligible resistance to the terminals of a 1.50 volt flashlight battery and place the ends of
the two wires on opposite sides of your tongue, you will be able to "taste" the electricity as it flows across your
tongue, producing a sour metallic flavor. What current is flowing through the saliva that coats your tongue?

(A) 3.50 mA
(B) 4.00 mA
(C) 4.50 mA
(D) 5.00 mA
(E) 5.50 mA

The exam continues on the following page.

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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
The following information applies to the last two questions (questions 27 and 28).

A silver wire of diameter 1.00 mm carries a current of 150 mA. The conduction electron density in silver is
5.80 × 1028 electrons/m3 , and the conductivity of silver is 6.20 × 107 Ω −1 ⋅ m −1.

27. What is the electric field strength inside the wire?

(A) 1.30 × 10−3 V/m

(B) 1.89 × 10−3 V/m
(C) 2.34 × 10−3 V/m
(D) 2.71 × 10−3 V/m
(E) 3.08 × 10−3 V/m

28. How long does it take for a conduction electron to move 1.00 cm along the wire?

(A) 377 s
(B) 441 s
(C) 486 s
(D) 535 s
(E) 602 s

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PH2200 EXAM II SPRING 2017
1. C 11. A 21. D
2. D 12. E 22. A
3. E 13. E 23. B
4. A 14. C 24. B
5. D 15. B 25. D
6. A 16. D 26. B
7. A 17. B 27. E
8. C 18. B 28. C
9. C 19. C
10. D 20. E