Solution for Online Homework 4 Adding Electric Fields and Field Maps

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.1(Draw Field or Force Vectors to Scale Based
On Field Map Spacing)
Problem: Select the choice that correctly represents the relative size and direction of the electric field at points
A and B in the field map below.
Select One of the Following:
(a) choice (a)

(b-Answer) choice (b)

(c) choice (c)

(d) choice (d)

(a)

A
B

(c) A
B

A
(b) B

A
B

(d)

Solution
The field is stronger where the field lines are closer together, so the force vectors should be longer where the field
lines are closer together.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.2(Charge Density from Force for Charge
Plane)
Problem: A charged board, modelled as an infinite uniform plane of charge, exerts a force of 3 106 N on a
styrofoam bead. The bead has charge 0.5nC. Compute the surface charge density of the board.
Select One of the Following:
(a) || = 5.31 1017 C/m2
|| = 1.06 10

C/m

(b) || = 1.06 109 C/m2

8

(c) || = 1.08 1014 C/m2

(e) || = 2.11 10 C/m

Solution
The electric field of a charged board is E =

20

The electric force is

|Fe | = qE = q

20

Solving for gives

2

C
6
2(8.85 1012 Nm
N|
20 |Fe |
2 )|3 10
=
q
0.5nC

|| = 1.06 107 C/m2

1

(d-Answer)

Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.3(Charge in Region from Field Map)

Problem: A field map is shown to the right, the dashed region
contains a dipole distribution of charge. Select one of the following that best describes the orientation of the dipole moment of
the system.
Select One of the Following:
(a-Answer) dipole moment toward the top of page
(b) dipole moment toward the bottom of page
(c) dipole moment toward the left of page
(d) dipole moment toward the right of page

Solution
The moment points toward the top of the page in the direction the field lines leave the dashed region.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.4(Field Map of Point Charges)

Problem: The three figures below show three possible field maps for the two +Q point charges. Select the field
map that best represents the correct field.
Select One of the Following:
(a-Answer) Figure (a)

(b) Figure (b)

(a)

(c) Figure (c)

(b)

(c)

Solution
Electric field lines exit positive charges, so (b) is not possible because each charge has two field lines entering
(even though there are two field lines exiting). Also, field lines do not cross, so rule out (c). The electric field
map is drawn correctly in (a).
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.5(Force on Point Charge from Two Infinite
Planes)
Problem: Two infinite parallel planes are shown to the right.
The left plane has uniform surface charge density l = 2.0C/m2 .
What must the surface charge density, r of the right plane be to
produce a net force of F~ = 3.0 105 N
x in the
x direction
on a 1.0nC charge placed at point P a distance 3.0cm in the
+x direction from the right plane?

Select One of the Following:

(a) 3.3 106 C/m2

(b-Answer) 1.5 106 C/m2
(c) 7.2 104 C/m2
(d) 1.5 107 C/m2
(e) 2.5 106 C/m2

y
x
Solution

~ P , where E
~ P is the total field at P and F = 3.0 105 N.
The force on a pith ball placed at P is F~ = F x
= qE
~
The total electric field at P is EP = /20 x
+ r /20 x
= ( + r )/20 x
using linear superposition on the fields
of infinite planes. Substituting yields
~ P = q( + r )/20 x
F~ = F x
= qE

or
F = q( + r )/20
Solve for r .
2

C
5
N)
2(8.85 1012 Nm
20 F
2 )(3.0 10
=
(2.0 106 C/m2 )
r =
q
1 109 C

r = 1.5 106 C/m2

Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.6(Acceleration of a Negatively Charged Particle Traveling in an Electric Field)
Problem: A negatively charged particle is released at point A
in a uniform electric field as drawn to the right. Which of the
following is true of the particles acceleration?

Select One of the Following:

(a-Answer) The particles acceleration is constant and in the x direction.
(b) The particles acceleration is constant and in the +x direction.
(c) The particles acceleration varies and is in the x direction.
(d) The particles acceleration varies and is in the +x direction.
Solution
(a) Force on a Charged Particle Due to an Electric Field: The force on a charged particle due to an electric
~ The particle is negatively charged, and the electric field is pointed in the +x direction,
field is given by F~ = q E.
so the force on the particle due to the electric field will be in the x direction.
(b) Variation of Electric Force: The charged particle is in a uniform electric field. This means that the field
is constant, and therefore the electric force on the particle is constant.
(c) Acceleration of the Particle: Newtons second law says F~ = m~a, so the acceleration of an object is
directly proportional to the force on it. Since the force is constant and in the x direction, the acceleration is
also constant and in the x direction. The correct answer is (a).
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.7(Basic Plane Charge Problem)

Problem: What is the magnitude of the electric field of an infinite plane of charge at a point 10m from the
plane, if = 1.77 1010 C/m2 ?
Select One of the Following:
(a) 20 N
C
(b-Answer) 10 N
C
(c) 1000 N
C
(d) 2 109 N
C
(e) 0
Solution
The electric field for an infinite plane is given by,
~ =
|E|
substitute,
~ =
|E|

20

1.77 1010 C/m2

C2
2(8.85 1012 Nm
2)

solve,
E = 10

N
C

.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.8(Potential Energy of Electric Dipole)

Problem: The figure to the right shows an electric dipole in a

number of orientations in an electric field. Select the orientation
where the potential energy is maximum.

_
(a) +

Select One of the Following:

(b)
+

(a-Answer) Figure (a)

(b) Figure (b)
(c) Figure (c)
(d) Figure (d)

(c) _

(d) +
_

Solution
The potential energy of an electric dipole is U = ~
p E, so the potential is maximum when the dipole moment
aligns with the field.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.9(Field Strength from Line Spacing)

Problem: Two points, A and B, are drawn in the electric field
map to the right. Compare the relative magnitude of the electric
field at the two points.
Select One of the Following:
(a) The field has approximately the same magnitude at both
points A and B.

(b) The field is weaker at A and stronger at B.

(c-Answer) The field is weaker at B and stronger at A.
(d) The field relative strength cannot be determined from the
field map.

Solution
The field is weak where the field lines are far apart, strong where they are near together, so the field is stronger
at A.
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.10(Person Floating After Lightning Strike)

Problem: The average electric field near the surface of the earth is 150N/C downward. A typical lightning
strike transfers 40C of charge. If a typical person has mass of about 75kg, what is the net force on a person
struck by lightning and carrying the full 40C. Note, g = 9.81 sm2 . The net upward force is the sum of the electric
and gravitational forces.
Select One of the Following:

(a) 1, 200N downwards

(b) 585N downwards
(c-Answer) 5, 200N upwards
(d) 6, 000N upwards
(e) 60, 000N upwards
Solution
The net force is the sum of the gravitational force F~g and the electric force from the earths field F~E giving
F~E + F~g = F~net
Let upward be the positive z direction.The magnitude of the force of gravity is F~g = mg
z . By definition of the
~ earth , where q = 40C and E
~ earth = 150 N z. Since the charge is negative and the field
electric force, F~E = q E
C
is downward, the force is upward. Therefore,
~ earth mg
F~net = F~E + F~g = q E
z
N
m
F~net = (40C)(150 z) (75kg)(9.81 2 )
z = +5, 200N
z
C
s
Total Points for Problem: 3 Points

Solution to Online Homework Problem 4.11(Electric Field Due to Equal but Opposite
Charges)
Problem: The figure below shows two charged particles with equal but opposite charges Q. The two particles
are a distance d from the origin. The point a is at the origin. Select the vector that is in the direction of the
total electric field at the point a.

(a)

(b)
-Q
a

(c)

+Q
(d)

Select One of the Following:

(a-Answer) Vector (a)
(b) Vector (b)
(c) Vector (c)
(d) Vector (d)
(e) The electric field is zero at the origin.
Solution

The electric field points toward negatively charged particles and

away from positively charged particles, so the electric field due
to the Q charge at point a points in the
x direction and the
electric field due to the +Q charge points in the y direction. Add
the vectors by placing the tail of one vector at the head of the
second vector. The resultant is the vector from the tail of the first
vector to the head of the second vector, as drawn to the right.

-Q
a
+Q

Total Points for Problem: 3 Points