2012 PhC

Physics CompetitionPhC2012 2 Question2

(a) X EA -q C

R r

RA RC 0
The net intensity of the electric field is the vector sum of electric field strength along RA and RC. The vertical components of EA and EB cancel each other, resulting 0 electric field strength.

E =EAcos + EBcos B +q
Meanwhile, the horizontal component is the net electric field strength Enet

EA=EBE=2EAcos
and therefore

1 2 2( 2 + )2 4

1 RA = 4

= 4 RC =
1 4

( 1
0

)2

along RA
2

cos =
substitute

E=4

0 2 2 + 4

1 2 2( 2 + )2 4

2 +(

)2

into the aforementioned equation, we get

(2 +
3 2 )2 4

= 4 (b) y

0 ( 1 0

)2

along RC
2

() = k Edipole

RX (along RX)

2 +(

)2

p 1 R 2 x Q a -Q

p
Let point P be any point on the surface of the sphere.

p V= ( - )
1 2 1 = kQ ( 2) 1 2

Then, the electric potential on point P, V

, 1 = 2 = ; 1 2 = 0
Since then

V=0
Hence, the electric potential V=0

Alternative Solution: Consider the Gauss's law on the surface of the conductor, since the enclosed charge inside the Gaussian surface is zero (-q + q = 0), the electric field on the conductor E = 0, therefore resulting a zero potential on the conductor. The conductor remains neutral since both positive charge and negative charge of same magnitude act on it simultaneously. (c)
Due to the fact that the energy U explicitly represents the electric potential energy generated between two particles (charges), hence, energy U

U =
2

(d) a<<R

[From A, if a<<R, Edipole]

qa R E [After the insertion of a positive point charge, q, a and R remain unchanged, therefore Edipole remains the same]
2012 6 13 copyright@13 June 2012 Kam Eu Siang