Term 1 – Practice Questions

Grade 12 Advanced Physics

PHY71

Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 1: Electrostatics 3 Chapter 1

Section 1.1– Electric Charge and Electrostatic Charging
(KPIs 1.1.1 – 1.1.3)

• Practice Questions
Multiple Choice Questions

1. A negatively charged conductor attracts a second 3. A glass rod is charged by triboelectric charging and
object. The second object could be which of the 13 × 10!& electrons removed. What is the charge on
following? the rod?

I. A conductor with positive net charge A. −20.8 𝑛𝐶
II. A conductor with zero net charge
III. An insulator with zero net charge B. −6.40 𝑛𝐶
C. +6.40 𝑛𝐶
A. I only
D. +8.12 𝑛𝐶
B. II only
√ E. +20.8 𝑛𝐶
C. I or III only
D. II or III only 4. The figure below shows an electroscope.
The hinged conductor moves away from the fixed
√ E. I, II, or III conductor if a charge is applied to the electroscope,
because ____.
2. How many electrons does it take to make 1.00 𝐶 of
charge?

A. 1.60 × 10!"
B. 6.60 × 10!"
C. 3.20 × 10!#
√ D. 6.24 × 10!$
E. 6.66 × 10!% √ A. like charges repel each other
B. like charges attract each other

C. unlike charges attract each other
D. unlike charges repel each other

E. there is no force between the charges

1
5. The leaves of a positively charged electroscope 8. A spherical conductor is on an insulating stand, as
diverge more when an object is brought near the shown in the figure below. A negatively charged rod
knob of the electroscope. The object must be _____. is brought close to the sphere but does not touch the
sphere. Which of the following describes the
A. a conductor resulting charge on the sphere?

B. an insulator
√ C. positively charged

D. negatively charged

E. uncharged


A. Positive
6. Consider two protons placed near one another
with no other objects close by. They would _____. B.
Negative
No net charge, but the sphere is polarized
√ A. accelerate away from each other √ C.
with positive charge on the left side
No net charge, but the sphere is polarized
B. remain motionless D.
with negative charge on the left side
C. accelerate toward each other E. No net charge and no polarization
D. be pulled together at constant speed
9. A neutral metal ball is suspended by a string. A
move away from each other at constant
E. positively charged insulating rod is placed near the
speed
ball, which is observed to be attracted to the rod. This
is because ____.
7. Two initially uncharged conductors, 1 and 2, are
mounted on insulating stands and are in contact, as
the ball becomes positively charged
shown below. A negatively charged rod is brought A.
by induction
near but does not touch them. With the rod held in
place, conductor 2 is moved to the right by pushing the ball becomes negatively charged
its stand, so that the conductors are separated. Which B.
by induction
of the following is now true of the conductor 2?
the number of electrons in the ball is
C.
more than the number in the rod

D. the string is not a perfect insulator

A. Uncharged there is a rearrangement of the
√ E.
electrons in the ball
B. Positively charged

√ C. Negatively charged 10. Two lightweight metal spheres are suspended
D. Charged, but its sign can’t be predicated near each other from insulating threads. One sphere
has a net charge; the other sphere has no net charge.
Is at the same potential that it was before The spheres will ___.
E.
the charged rod was brought near
√ A. attract each other
B. exert no net electrostatic force on each other

C. repel each other
attract or repel depending on the sign of the
D.
charge on the one sphere

E. lose all their charges

2
Answer the following:

1. Give the charge of the following elementary particles or atoms in terms of the elementary charge,
𝑒 = 1.602 × 10'!" 𝐶.

a. Proton
+1𝑒 = 1.602 × 10'!" 𝐶

b. Electron
−1𝑒 = 1.602 × 10'!" 𝐶

c. Neutron
None (zero)

d. Helium atom (2 protons, 2 neutrons and 2 electrons)
None (zero)

e. Hydrogen atom (one proton and one electron)
None (zero)

f. Alpha particle (2 protons, 2 neutrons)
+2𝑒 = 3.204 × 10'!" 𝐶

2. The figure below shows the process of charging an electroscope by induction. Describe each of the steps below.

Step (a): Uncharged electroscope
Step (b): A negatively charged paddle is brought close to the electroscope.
Step (c): A ground is connected to the electroscope.
Step (d): The connection to the ground is removed.
Step (e): The negatively charged paddle is taken away, leaving the electroscope positively charged.


3. When a positively charged rod is brought near to an isolated neutral conductor without touching it, will the rod
experience an attractive force, a repulsive force, or no force at all?
A. an attractive force
B. a repulsive force
C. no force at all

3
4. An uncharged metal plate (P) is connected by a conductor to ground through a switch (S). The switch (S) is
initially closed. A negative charge -Q is brought close to P without touching it and then the switch (S) is opened.
After the switch (S) is open, the negative charge -Q is removed. After the negative charge -Q is removed, what is the
charge on the plate (P)?

A. It is now positively charged

B. It is now negatively charged
C. It is still uncharged


5. You bring a negatively charged rubber rod close to a grounded conductor without touching it. Then you
disconnect the ground. What is the sign of the charge on the conductor after you remove the charged rod?
A. Negative
B. Positive
C. No charge

6. When a positively charged rod is brought close to a neutral conductor without touching it, will the rod
experience an attractive force, a repulsive force, or no force at all? Explain.
When a positively charged rod is brought near to an
isolated neutral conductor without touching it the rod
will experience an attractive force. The electric charge
on the rod induces a redistribution of charge in the
conductor. The net effect of this distribution is that
electrons move to the side of the conductor nearest to
the rod as shown below. The positively charged rod is
attracted to this region.


Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 1: Electrostatics 5 Chapter 1

Section 1.2– Electrostatic Force- Coulomb’s Law
(KPIs 1.2.1 – 1.2.3)

• Practice Questions

Multiple choice question
1. You place two charges a distance 𝑟 apart. Then you 2. The magnitude of the electrostatic force
double each charge and double the distance between between two point charges is 𝐹. If the distance
the charges. How does the force between the two between the charges is doubled, the electrostatic
charges change? force between the charges will become ____.

A. The new force is twice as large √ A. 𝐹/4
B. The new force is half as large B. 𝐹/2
C. The new force is four times larger C. 0
D. The new force is four times smaller D. 2𝐹
√ E. The new force is the same E. 4𝐹

4
3. The force between a charge of 25 𝜇𝐶 and a charge 7. Three charges are arranged on a straight line as
of −10 𝜇𝐶 is 8.0 𝑁. What is the separation between shown in the figure. What is the direction of the
the two charges? electrostatic force on the right charge?

A. 0.15 m
√ A. →
B. 0.28 m
B. ←
C. 0.45 m
C. ↓
√ D. 0.53 m
D. ↑
E. 0.72 m
E. There is no force on that charge

4. A proton moving along the positive x-axis enters
an electric field that is directed along the positive Questions 8 and 9
y-axis. What is the direction of the electric force
acting on the proton after it enters the electric
field?
A. Along the negative z-axis
B. Along the positive z-axis

C. Along the negative y-axis
√ D. Along the positive y-axis 8. What do the forces acting on the charge 𝑞( in the
figure below indicate about the signs of the three
The direction cannot be determined since
charges?
E. the magnitude of the electric field is not
known A. All three charges must be positive
B. All three charges must be negative
5. An object with negative charge is placed in a region
of space where the electric field is directed vertically C. Charge 𝑞( must be zero
upward. What is the direction of the electric force
Charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) must have opposite
exerted on this charge? D.
signs
A. Up
Charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) must have the same
√ B. Down √ E.
sign, and 𝑞( must have the opposite sign
C. Left

D. Right 9. Assuming that the lengths of the vectors in the
figure are proportional to the magnitudes of the
E. There is no force forces they represent, what do they indicate about
the magnitudes of the charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) ? (The
6. Three charges are arranged on a straight line as distance between 𝑥! and 𝑥) is the same as the
shown in the figure. What is the direction of the distance between 𝑥) and 𝑥( ).
electrostatic force on the middle charge?
A. |𝑞! | < |𝑞) |
A. →
B. |𝑞! | = |𝑞) |
√ B. ←
√ C. |𝑞! | > |𝑞) |
C. ↓ The answer cannot be determined from
D.
D. ↑ the information given in the figure

E. There is no force on that charge

5
10. Consider three charges placed along the x-axis, as 12. Four charges are arranged at the corners of a
shown in the figure. square as shown in the figure. What is the direction
of the electrostatic force on the lower-right charge?

The values of the charges are:
A. ↙
𝑞! = −8.10 𝜇𝐶,
𝑞) = 2.16 𝜇𝐶, √ B. ↖
𝑞( = 2.16 𝑝𝐶.
C. ↗

The distance between 𝑞! and 𝑞) is 𝑑! = 1.71 𝑚. The D. ↘
distance between 𝑞! and 𝑞( is 𝑑) = 2.62 𝑚. What is
the magnitude of the total electrostatic force exerted E. There is no force on that charge
on 𝑞( by 𝑞! and 𝑞) ?
13. Three particles having charges of +q, +Q, and -Q
√ A. 2.77 × 10'$ 𝑁 are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of
side a, as shown below. The net force on the particle
B. 7.92 × 10'# 𝑁 with charge +q due to the other two charges is in the
plane of the page and directed ____.
C. 1.44 × 10'* 𝑁
D. 2.22 × 10'+ 𝑁
E. 6.71 × 10') 𝑁

11. Three charges are arranged at the corners of a
square as shown in the figure. What is the direction
of the electrostatic force on the lower-right charge?

A. vertically upward
B. vertically downward
√ C. horizontally to the right

D. horizontally to the left
A. ↙ E. toward the charge –Q
B. ↖
14. Three electrons are located at the vertices of an
√ C. ↗ equilateral triangle, one at each vertex. The length of
D. ↘ one side of the triangle is 1.00 nm. What is the
magnitude of the net electrostatic force on each
E. There is no force on that charge electron?
A. 2.30 × 10'!& 𝑁

B. 3.25 × 10'!& 𝑁
√ C. 3.39 × 10'!& 𝑁

D. 4.60 × 10'!& 𝑁
E. 5.30 × 10'!& 𝑁

6
15. Two charges are placed at the corners of an 19. Find the magnitude of the net force on a
equilateral triangle that is 0.25 m on each side. The +1.20 𝑚𝐶 charge at the origin if there is a +2.40 𝑚𝐶
first charge is 4.5 µC and the second is 3.2 µC. If a charge at (3.0 𝑚, 0) and a −5.70 𝑚𝐶 charge
charge if 2.5 µC is placed at the third corner of the at (0, 4.0𝑚).
triangle, what is the magnitude of the electric force
on the third charge due to the first two charges? A. 1.8 𝑘𝑁

B. 2.9 𝑘𝑁
A. 0.602 𝑁
C. 3.8 𝑘𝑁
B. 1.96 𝑁
√ D. 4.8 𝑘𝑁
√ C. 2.41 𝑁
E. 16 𝑘𝑁
D. 3.19 𝑁

E. 4.31 𝑁 20. Which of the following have a largest net force?
A 1 𝐶 charge a distance of 1 𝑚 from a −2 𝐶
16. A charge 𝑄! is positioned on the 𝑥-axis at 𝑥 = 𝑎. A.
charge
Where should a charge 𝑄) = −4𝑄! be placed to
produce a net electrostatic force of zero on a third A 1 𝐶 charge a distance of 0.5 𝑚 from a
√ B.
charge, 𝑄( = 𝑄! , located at the origin? −1 𝐶 charge
A. At the origin A 1 𝐶 charge exactly halfway between a
B. At 𝑥 = −2𝑎 C. −1 𝐶 charge and a 1 𝐶 charge separated by
2 𝑚
C. At 𝑥 = −𝑎
A 1 𝐶 charge exactly halfway between two
D. At 𝑥 = 𝑎 D.
−2 𝐶 charges separated by 2 𝑚
√ E. At 𝑥 = 2𝑎
A 1 𝐶 charge a distance of 2 𝑚 from a −4 𝐶
E.
charge

17. A charge 𝑄! = 𝑄 is positioned on the 𝑥 axis at
𝑥 = 𝑎. Where should a charge 𝑄) = 9𝑄 be placed to 21. Four, point charges of equal magnitude but
produce a net electric force of zero on a charge different signs are arranged on the corners of a
placed at the origin? square as shown below. Which of the vectors shown
represents the direction of the net force acting on the
√ A. At 𝑥 = −3𝑎 charge at the upper left-hand corner of the square
B. At 𝑥 = −2𝑎 due to the other charges?

C. At 𝑥 = 2𝑎
D. At 𝑥 = 3𝑎

E. At 𝑥 = 4𝑎
A. A

18. A fixed +2.0 𝑚𝐶 charge is located at the origin, B. B
and a fixed −5.0 𝑚𝐶 charge is located at 𝑥 = √ C. C
1.0 𝑚. Where could a +7.0 𝑚𝐶 charge be placed so
that the net force on it is zero? D. D
√ A. −1.7 𝑚 E. It has no direction because the force is zero
B. −0.67 𝑚

C. −0.39 𝑚
D. +0.39 𝑚

E. +0.67 𝑚

7
22. Object A and object B are separated by distance d. 23. Two point charges are arranged as shown. In
Object A has charge + q, and object B has charge – 2q. which region could a third charge +1 𝐶 be placed so
Object A has a force of magnitude F exerted on it by that the net electrostatic force on it is zero?
object B. What are the magnitude and direction of the
force exerted on object B?

Magnitude Direction
√ A. I only
A. F/2 Away from object A
B. II only
B. F Away from object A
C. III only
C. 2F Away from object A
D. I and II only
√ D. F Toward object A
E. I and III only
E. 2F Toward object A



Answer the following questions.

1. A positive point charge +𝑞 is placed at point 𝑃, to the right of two charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) , as shown in the figure
below. The net electrostatic force on the positive charge +𝑞 is found to be zero. Identify each of the following
statements as true or false.

a. Charge 𝑞) must have the opposite sign from 𝑞! and be smaller in magnitude. True
b. The magnitude of charge 𝑞! must be smaller than the magnitude of charge 𝑞) . False
c. Charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) must have the same sign. False
d. If 𝑞! is negative, then 𝑞) must be positive. True
e. Either 𝑞! or 𝑞) must be positive. True

2. Two charged spheres are 8.00 𝑐𝑚 apart. They are moved closer to each other by enough that the force on each of
them increases four times. How far apart are they now?

! !
𝐹! ∝ " and 𝐹) ∝ "
,! ,"
Taking the ratio of 𝐹! /𝐹) :
𝐹! 𝑟) ) 1 𝑟) )
= ) ⟹ = )
4𝐹! 𝑟! 4 𝑟!
𝑟! 8.00 𝑐𝑚
𝑟) = = = 4.00 𝑐𝑚
2 2

3. Two identically charged particles separated by a distance of 1.00 𝑚 repel each other with a force of 1.00 𝑁. What
is the magnitude of the charges?

𝑘𝑞! 𝑞) 𝑘𝑞)
𝐹= = )
𝑟) 𝑟
𝐹𝑟 ) (1.00 𝑁)(1.00 𝑚))
𝑞=U =U = 1.05 × 10'* 𝐶
𝑘 8.99 × 10" 𝑁𝑚) /𝐶 )
The sign does not matter, so long as each particle has a charge of the same sign, so that they repel.

8

4. A −4.00 𝜇𝐶 charge lies 20.0 𝑐𝑚 to the right of a 2.00 µ𝐶 charge on the x-axis as shown below. What is the force
on the 2.00 µ𝐶 charge?

𝑘𝑞! 𝑞) (8.99 " ) )
× 10 𝑁𝑚 /𝐶 )(2.00 µ𝐶)(4.00 µ𝐶)
𝐹= = = 1.8 𝑁
𝑟) (0.200 𝑚))
The −4.00 µ𝐶 charge pulls the 2.00 µ𝐶 charge to the right.


5. Three charges 𝑞! , 𝑞) and 𝑞( are located on the 𝑦 −axis as shown below.

a. Find the magnitude of the force that charge 𝑞! exerts on charge 𝑞) .

𝑘|𝑞! 𝑞) |
𝐹!) =
(𝑑!) ))
(8.99 × 10" )|(3 × 10'( )(4 × 10'( )|
𝐹!) =
(2))
𝐹!) = 27000 𝑁

b. Find the magnitude of the force that 𝑞( exerts on 𝑞) .

𝑘|𝑞( 𝑞) |
𝐹() = )
𝑑()
(8.99 × 10" )|(7 × 10'( )(4 × 10'( )|
𝐹() =
(3.5))
𝐹() = 21000 𝑁


c. Calculate the magnitude of the net force on the charge 𝑞) .
𝐹-./ = 𝐹!) − 𝐹() = 27000 − 21000
𝐹-./ = 6000 𝑁

d. What is the direction of the net force on the charge 𝑞) ?
𝐷𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑟 (−𝑦) − 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

6. Three charges are located in the 𝑥𝑦 −plane as shown below. Charge 𝑄 = 5.0 µ𝐶 is located at the origin, charge
𝑞! = −3.0 µ𝐶 is located on the +𝑦 −axis, a distance 𝑑! = 4.0 𝑐𝑚 from 𝑄 and charge 𝑞) = −2.0 µ𝐶 is located on the
+𝑥 −axis, a distance 𝑑) = 2.0 𝑐𝑚 from 𝑄.

a. Determine the magnitude of the force that charge 𝑞! exerts on 𝑄.

𝑘|𝑞! 𝑄| (8.99 × 10" )|(−3.0 × 10'# )(5.0 × 10'# )|
𝐹!0 = = = 84 𝑁
𝑑!) (0.040))

b. Determine the magnitude of the force that charge 𝑞) exerts on 𝑄.

𝑘|𝑞) 𝑄| (8.99 × 10" )|(−2 × 10'# )(5 × 10'# )|
𝐹)0 = = = 225 𝑁
𝑑)) (0.02))

c. Determine the magnitude of the net force on the charge 𝑄.

9
 ) )
𝐹-./ = `𝐹!0 + 𝐹)0 = a(225)) + (84)) = 240 𝑁
d. Determine the direction (angle from the +𝑥 −axis) of the net force.
𝐹!0 84
𝜃 = tan'! c d = tan'! e f = 20&
𝐹)0 225

7. Two charged objects experience a mutual repulsive force of 0.100 𝑁. If the charge of one of the objects is reduced
by half and the distance separating the objects is doubled, what is the new force?

The original force is:
𝑘𝑞! 𝑞)
𝐹! = = 0.100 𝑁
𝑟)

The new force is:
1
𝑘 g2 𝑞! h 𝑞) 1 𝑘𝑞! 𝑞) 1
𝐹) = = = 𝐹
(2𝑟)) 8 𝑟) 8
1
𝐹) = (0.100 𝑁) = 0.0125 𝑁
8

8. Two point charges lie on the x-axis. If one point charge is 6.00 𝜇𝐶 and lies at the origin and the other is −2.00 𝜇𝐶
and lies at 20.0 𝑐𝑚, at what position must a third charge be placed to be in equilibrium?









A third point charge needs to be placed on the x-axis such that it is in equilibrium. This means that the net force on
the third charge due to the other charges is zero. Since 𝑞! > 𝑞) , the third charge must be closer to 𝑞) than to 𝑞! .
Also, since 𝑞! and 𝑞) are oppositely charged, the forces on a particle between them will be in the same direction
and hence cannot cancel. The third charge must be in the region 𝑥 > 20.0 𝑐𝑚.
The net force on 𝑞( is:
𝑘𝑞! 𝑞( 𝑘𝑞) 𝑞(
𝐹-./ = −
𝑥( ) (𝑥( − 𝑥) ))

Substituting for 𝐹-./ = 0 and simplifying:
𝑞! 𝑞)
=
𝑥( ) (𝑥( − 𝑥) ))
(𝑥( − 𝑥) )) 𝑞)
=
𝑥( ) 𝑞!
(𝑥( − 𝑥) ) 𝑞) 2.00 µ𝐶
=U =U
𝑥( 𝑞! 6.00 µ𝐶
(𝑥( − 20) = 0.58 𝑥(
𝑥( = 47.6 𝑐𝑚

10
 Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 2: Electric Fields and Potentials 5 Chapter 2

Section 2.1– Electric Field
(KPIs 2.1.1 – 2.1.5)

• Practice Questions
Multiple choice question

1. Which is a possible unit for electric field? 5. A point charge is placed on the x-axis at the origin.
A. Volt-meter The electric field produce at 𝑥 = 40.0 𝑐𝑚 is
157 𝑁/𝐶. What is the point charge?
B. Joule-coulomb
A. 1.20 × 10'" 𝐶
C. Joule-newton
√ B. 2.80 × 10'" 𝐶
D. Joule per coulomb
C. 3.40 × 10'" 𝐶
√ E. Newton per coulomb
D. 4.00 × 10'" 𝐶

2. Electric field lines always point from _____. E. 4.20 × 10'" 𝐶
A. positive charges to positive charges
6. A 4.00 × 10'" 𝐶 point charge is placed at the
B. negative charges to negative charges origin. Where on the x-axis is the electric field
√ C. positive charges to negative charges produced by the point charge 157 𝑁/𝐶?
A. 22 cm
D. negative charges to positive charges
B. 28 cm
E. Positive charge to neutral object
C. 32 cm
3. At a distance 𝑑 from a charge, the magnitude of the D. 40 cm
electric field is 𝐸. What would be the magnitude of
the electric field a distance 𝑑/2 from the same √ E. 48 cm
charge?
A. 𝐸/4 7. Two point charges are placed on two of the corners
of a triangle as shown. Find the magnitude of the
B. 𝐸/2 electric field at the third corner of the triangle.
C. 𝐸

D. 2𝐸
√ E. 4𝐸

4. A point charge 𝑞 = 4.00 × 10'" 𝐶 is placed on the
x-axis at the origin. What is the electric field produce
at 𝑥 = 40.0 𝑐𝑚?
A. 90.0 𝑁/𝐶 A. 3.9 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
B. 108 𝑁/𝐶 B. 4.5 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
C. 157 𝑁/𝐶 √ C. 5.4 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
D. 201 𝑁/𝐶 D. 6.7 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
√ E. 225 𝑁/𝐶 E. 7.1 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
11
8. A + 5.0 𝐶 charge is located at the origin. A −13.0 𝐶 11. Which diagram represents the electric field lines
charge is placed at 𝑥 = 1.0 𝑚. At what finite between two small electrically charged spheres?
location(s) on the x axis will the electric field be equal
to zero?

A.
in between the particles, closer to the
A.
positive particle
in between the particles, closer to the
B.
negative particle
not in between, but closer to the positive √ B.
C.
particle
not in between, but closer to the negative
√ D.
particle
E. It can never be zero
C.
9. Three charged particles are arranged on corners of
a square as shown in the figure below. What is the
direction of the electric field at the upper right
corner, which is a point in empty space?

A. a
D.
B. b
C. c

√ D. d
E. e

10. Two stationary point charges of unknown E.
magnitude and sign are isolated from all other
charges. If the electric field strength is zero at the
midpoint of the line joining them, which of the
following can be concluded about the charges?
12. Which of the charges in the figure is/are positive?
They are equal in magnitude but opposite
A.
in sign

They are equal in magnitude and have the
√ B.
same sign
They are not necessarily equal in A. 1
C.
magnitude but have opposite signs √ B. 2
They are not necessarily equal in C. 3
D.
magnitude but have the same sign
D. 1 and 3
None of the above can be concluded
E. E. All three charges are positive
without additional information







12
13. The spatial distribution of the electric field due to 15. Assuming that there are no charges in the four
charges (A, B) is shown in the figure below. Which of regions shown in the figure, which of the patterns
the parameters regarding the charges are correct? could represent an electric field?

Charge Charge Magnitude of

on A on B charges
A. + − 𝐴 < 𝐵
√ B. + − 𝐴 > 𝐵
C. + + 𝐴 = 𝐵
D. − − 𝐴 > 𝐵
E. − + 𝐴 > 𝐵

14. What are the signs of the charges in the A. 1 only
configuration shown in the figure?
√ B. 2 only
C. 2 and 3
D. 1 and 4
E. None of the patterns

16. A small positively charged object is placed at rest
in a uniform electric field as shown in the figure.
When the object is released, it will ______.



A. Charges 1, 2, and 3 are negative
√ B. Charges 1, 2, and 3 are positive
Charges 1 and 3 are positive, and 2 is
C.
negative
Charges 1 and 3 are negative, and 2 is
D.
positive
A. Not move
All that can be said is that the charges
E.
have the same sign Begin to move with a constant
B.
speed
Begin to move with constant
√ C.
acceleration

Begin to move with an
D.
increasing acceleration
Move back and forth in simple
E.
harmonic motion

13
17. A small positively charged object could be placed 19. The diagram shows the electric field lines due to
in a uniform electric field at position A or position B two charged parallel metal plates. We conclude that
in the figure. How do the electric forces on the object ______.
at the two positions compare?

the upper plate is positive and the
A.
lower plate is negative

a proton at X would experience the

√ B.
same force if it were placed at Y
The magnitude of the electric force on
A.
the object is greater at position A a proton at X experiences a greater
C.
force than if it were placed at Z
The magnitude of the electric force on
B.
the object is greater at position B a proton at X experiences less force
D.
than if it were placed at Z
There is no electric force on the object at
C. an electron at X could have its weight
either position A or position B E.
balanced by the electrical force
The electric force on the object at
position A has the same magnitude as the
D. 20. The diagram below shows the electric field lines
force on the object at position B but is in
the opposite direction due to two charged metal plates. X, Y and Z are
The electric force on the object at locations where charges may be placed. Which of the
√ E. position A is the same nonzero electric following is true?
force as that on the object at position B

18. A negative charge −𝑞 is placed in a nonuniform
electric field as shown in the figure. What is the
direction of the electric force on this negative charge?

The left plate is positive and the right plate

A.
is negative
A negative charge at X experiences a
B.
greater force than if it were placed ay Y
A positive charge at X experiences less
C.
force than if it were placed ay Y
A negative charge at X experiences less
D.
force than if it were placed ay Z
A. → √ E.
A positive charge at X would experience
the same force if it were placed ay Z
B. ↑
√ C. ←

D. ↓
E. The force is zero







14
21. In the diagram below, point P is located in the 24. Four charges are located on the corners of a
electric field between two oppositely charged square as shown in the drawing. What is the
parallel plates. direction of the net electric field at the point labeled
P?





Compared to the magnitude and direction of the
electrostatic force on an electron placed at point P,
the electrostatic force on a proton placed at
point P has _____.
Toward the upper left corner of the
A.
the same magnitude and the same square
A.
direction Toward the middle of the right side
B.
of the square
the same magnitude, but the
√ B. Toward the middle of the bottom side of
opposite direction √ C.
the square
a greater magnitude, but the same Toward the lower right corner
C. D.
direction of the square
a greater magnitude and the There is no direction. The electric field at
D. E.
opposite direction P is zero.

a smaller magnitude and the 25. The diagram below represents a positively
E.
opposite direction charged particle about to enter the electric field
between two oppositely charged parallel plates.
22. The diagram shows a particle with positive The electric field will deflect the particle ____
charge Q and a particle with negative charge –Q. The
electric field at point P on the perpendicular bisector
of the line joining them is ____.

√ A.
B.

C.
A. into the page
D.
B. out of the page
E. zero
C. toward the top of the page

23. The diagram shows two particles with positive √ D. toward the bottom of the page
charge +Q. The electric field at point P on the
E. to the right of the page
perpendicular bisector of the line joining them is ____.

A.

B.

√ C.

D.

E. zero

15
Answer the following questions.

1. Which of the following statements is/are true?

a. Electric field lines point inward toward negative charges. True
b. Electric field lines form circles around positive charges. False
c. Electric field lines may cross. False
d. Electric field lines point outward from positive charges. True
e. Positive point charge released from rest will initially accelerate along a tangent to the electric field line at
that point. True

2. The figure shows a two-dimensional view of electric field lines due to two opposite charges. What is the
direction of the electric field at the five points A, B, C, D, and E ? At which of the five points is the magnitude of the
electric field the largest?

The direction of the electric field is downward at points A, C, and E
and upward at points B and D. (There is an electric field at point E,
even though there is no line drawn there; the field lines are only
sample representations
of the electric field, which also exists between the field lines.) The
field is largest in magnitude at point E, which can
be inferred from the fact that it is located where the field lines have
the highest density.

3. A point charge, 𝑞 = 4.00 × 10 '" 𝐶, is placed on the x-axis at the origin. What is the electric field produced at
𝑥 = 25.0 𝑐𝑚?

𝑘𝑞
𝐸 = )
𝑟
(8.99 × 10" 𝑁𝑚) /𝐶 ) )(4.00 × 10'" 𝐶)
𝐸= = 575 𝑁/𝐶
(0.250 𝑚))


4. Two point charges are placed at two of the corners of a triangle as shown in the figure. Find the magnitude and
the direction of the electric field at the third corner of the triangle.


The electric field is the sum of the fields
generated by the two charges of the corner
triangle. The first charge is 𝑞! = −10 × 10'* 𝐶
and the second charge is 𝑞) = 15 × 10'* 𝐶.

The magnitude of the electric field is:
𝑞! ) 𝑞) )
𝐸 = `𝐸! ) + 𝐸) ) = 𝑘Ue ) f + e ) f
𝑟! 𝑟)

) )
−10 × 10'* 𝐶 15 × 10'* 𝐶
𝐸 = (8.99 × 10" )Uc d + c d = (8.99 × 10" )a(−0.01)) + (0.00375)) = 9.6 × 10# 𝑁/𝐶
(0.100 𝑚)) (0.200 𝑚))
0.01
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛'! e f = 69°
0.00375
16
 Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 2: Electric Fields and Potentials 5 Chapter 2

Section 2.2– Electric Potential Energy
(KPIs 2.2.1 – 2.2.3)

• Practice Questions
Multiple choice question
3. The potential energy of a system of three 2 µ𝐶
1. A negative charge is released and moves along an charges arranged in an equilateral triangle is
electric field line. This negative charge moves to a 0.54 𝐽 What is the length of one side of this triangle?
position of _____.
√ A. 20 cm
A. lower potential and lower potential energy
B. 51 cm
lower potential and higher potential
B. C. 85 cm
energy
higher potential and lower potential
√ C. D. 33 cm
energy
higher potential and higher potential E. 62 cm
D.
energy
E. Lower potential and zero potential energy 4. The potential energy of a system of three equal
charges arranged in an equilateral triangle is 0.54 J If
Each of the following pairs of charges are separated the length of one side of this triangle is 33 cm, what is
by a distance 𝑑. Which pair has the highest potential the charge of one of the three charges?
energy?

A. 1.7 µC
√ A. +5 C and +3 C
B. 2.0 µC
B. +5 C and –3 C
√ C. 2.6 µC
C. –5 C and +3 C
D. 3.7 µC
D. All pairs have the samepotential energy
E. 4.3 µC

2. What is the potential energy of a system of three

2 µ𝐶 charges arranged in an equilateral triangle of 5. Four identical point charges (+ 2.50 nC) are placed
side 20 𝑐𝑚? at the corners of a rectangle which measures 2.00 m
¥ 4.00 m. If the electric potential is taken to be zero
at infinity, what is the potential at the geometric
A. 0.18 J center of this rectangle?
B. 0.26 J
C. 0.32 J A. 8.99 V

√ D. 0.54 J B. 19.9 V

E. 0.74 J C. 20.1 V
D. 30.0 V
√ E. 40.2 V

17
6. When two charges are separated by a distance 𝑑,
their electric potential energy is equal to 𝑈. What 9. Three particles having charges of +q, +Q, and -Q
would be their electric potential energy if the are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of
separation distance was 𝑑/2? side a, as shown below. The potential energy of the
particle with charge +q due to the other two charges
is _____.
A. 𝑈/4

B. 𝑈/2
√ A. zero
C. 𝑈
√ D. 2𝑈 −2𝑘𝑄
B.
𝑎
E. 4𝑈
𝑘𝑞𝑄
C.
7. Two negative point charges are a distance 𝑥 apart 𝑎
and have potential energy 𝑈. If the distance between 2𝑘𝑞𝑄
the point charges increases to 3𝑥, what is their new D.
𝑎
potential energy?
2𝑘𝑞𝑄
E.
A. 9𝑈 𝑎)

B. 3𝑈
10. Three identical positive point charges are located
C. 𝑈 at fixed points in space. Then charge 𝑞) is moved
from its initial location to a final location as shown in
√ D. 𝑈/3 the figure. Four different paths, marked (a) through
E. 𝑈/9 (d), are shown. Path (a) follows the shortest line;
path (b) takes 𝑞) around 𝑞( ; path (c) takes 𝑞) around

𝑞( and 𝑞! ; path (d) takes 𝑞) out to infinity and then to
8. An electron moves from point 𝑖 to point 𝑓, in the
the final location. Which path requires the least
direction of a uniform electric field.
work?

During this motion the work done by the field is _____
and the potential energy of the electron-field system
_____.

A. negative decreases
√ B. negative increases
C. positive decreases

D. positive increases A. path (a)
E. positive does not change B. path (b)
C. path (c)

D. path (d)

√ E. The work is the same for all the paths

18
Answer the following questions.

1. The amount of work done to move a positive charge Q on an equipotential surface of 1000 V compared to that on
an equipotential surface of 10 V is
A. the same.
B. less.
C. more.
D. dependent on distance travelled.

2. How much work would be required to move an electron from 0.0529 × 10'" 𝑚 from a proton to four times that
distance?

𝑊 = −∆𝑈 = 𝑈! − 𝑈)
𝑘𝑞) 𝑘𝑞) 1 1 3
𝑊= − = 𝑘𝑞) e − f = 𝑘𝑞) e f
𝑟 4𝑟 𝑟 4𝑟 4𝑟
3
𝑊 = 8.99 × 10" × (1.6 × 10'!" )) e f = 3.3 × 10'!$ 𝐽
4 × 0.0529 × 10'"


3. Three charges, 𝑞! , 𝑞) , and 𝑞( , are located at the corners of an equilateral triangle with side length of 1.20 𝑚.

Find the work done in each of the following cases:

a. to bring the first particle, 𝑞! = 1.00 𝑝𝐶, to 𝑃 from infinity.
Since there is no charge for 𝑞! to interact with,
𝑈! = 𝑊! = 0 𝐽

b. to bring the second particle, 𝑞) = 2.00 𝑝𝐶, to 𝑄 from infinity.
Charge 𝑞! is present as 𝑞) is moved to its corner, so
𝑘𝑞! 𝑞)
𝑈) = 𝑊) =
𝑙
(8.99 × 10" )(1.00 × 10'!) 𝐶)(2.00 × 10'!) 𝐶)
𝑈) = = 1.50 × 10'!+ 𝐽
1.20 𝑚

c. to bring the last particle, 𝑞) = 3.00 𝑝𝐶, to 𝑅 from infinity.
Charges 𝑞! and 𝑞) are present as 𝑞! is moved to its corner, so
𝑘𝑞! 𝑞( 𝑘𝑞) 𝑞( 𝑘
𝑈( = 𝑊( = + = (𝑞! 𝑞( + 𝑞) 𝑞( )
𝑙 𝑙 𝑙
(8.99 × 10" )
𝑈( = [(1.00 × 10'!) 𝐶)(3.00 × 10'!) 𝐶) + (2.00 × 10'!) 𝐶)(3.00 × 10'!) 𝐶)]
1.20 𝑚
𝑈( = 6.74 × 10'!+ 𝐽

d. Find the total potential energy stored in the final configuration of 𝑞! , 𝑞) , 𝑞( .
𝑈𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑠𝑙 = 𝑈1 + 𝑈2 + 𝑈3
𝑈𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑠𝑙 = (0 𝐽) + g1.50 × 10−14 𝐽h + g6.74 × 10−14 𝐽h = 8.24 × 10−14 𝐽





19

Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 2: Electric Fields and Potentials 5 Chapter 3

Section 2.3– Electric Potential and Potential Difference
(KPIs 2.3.1 – 2.3.4)

• Practice Questions (Addition to Specified Example Questions)
Multiple choice question

1. At a distance 𝑑 from a charge, the electric potential 4. An electron is positioned and then released on the
is 𝑉. What would be the electric potential a distance x-axis, where the electric potential has the value
𝑑/2 from the same charge? – 20 𝑉. Which of the following statements describes
the subsequent motion of the electron?
A. 𝑉/4
The electron will move to the left (negative
B. 𝑉/2 A. x-direction) because it is negatively
C. 𝑉 charged
The electron will move to the right
√ D. 2𝑉
B. (positive x-direction) because it is
E. 4𝑉 negatively charged
The electron will move to the left (negative
2. A proton is placed midway between points 𝐴 and C. x-direction) because the electric potential
𝐵. The potential at point 𝐴 is −20 𝑉, and the potential is negative
at point 𝐵 is +20 𝑉. The potential at the midpoint The electron will move to the right
is 0 𝑉. The proton will _____. D. (positive x-direction) because the electric
potential is negative
A. remain at rest
Not enough information is given to predict
move toward point B with constant √ E.
B. the motion of the electron
velocity
√ C. accelerate toward point A
5. An electron is accelerated from rest through a
D. accelerate toward point B
potential difference of 450 𝑉. What is its final speed?
move toward point A with constant
E.
velocity
A. 0.81 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
3. What is the electric potential 45.5 𝑐𝑚 away from a √ B. 1.3 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
point charge of 12.5 𝑝𝐶?
C. 2.9 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
√ A. 0.247 V D. 4.1 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
B. 1.45 V E. 5.6 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
C. 4.22 V

D. 10.2 V
E. 25.7 V





20
6. In large televisions, electrons are accelerated from 10. If a proton and an alpha particle (composed of
rest by a potential difference of 20 𝑘𝑉 and shot onto a two protons and two neutrons) are each accelerated
phosphorescent screen to produce an image. What is from rest through the same potential difference, how
the speed of the electrons when they reach the do their resulting speeds compare?
screen?
A. 1.4 × 10# 𝑚/𝑠 The proton has twice the speed of the
A.
alpha particle
B. 1.3 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
C. 4.4 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠 The proton has the same speed as the
B.
alpha particle
D. 5.9 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠
The proton has half the speed of the alpha
√ E. 8.4 × 10% 𝑚/𝑠 C.
particle
The speed of the proton is 2 times the
7. A 5.0 V battery is connected to two parallel metal √ D.
speed of the alpha particle
plates placed in a vacuum. An electron is accelerated
from rest from the negative plate toward the positive The speed of the alpha particle is 2 times
E.
plate. What kinetic energy does the electron have as the speed of the proton
it just reaches the positive plate?
11. The diagram below shows a uniform horizontal
A. 5.6 × 10'!" 𝐽 electric field and three points that lie in the field.
Which of the following is true of the electric potential
B. 6.1 × 10'!" 𝐽 at the points shown?
√ C. 8.0 × 10'!" 𝐽
D. 8.9 × 10'!" 𝐽
E. 9.7 × 10'!" 𝐽


8. An electron is accelerated from rest through a I. It is lower at point A than at point B
potential difference V. Its final speed is proportional II. It is lower at point A than at point C
to _______. III. It is the same at points A and B
A. 𝑉 IV. It is the same at points B and C.

B. 𝑉) A. I only
√ C. √𝑉 B. III only
D. 1/𝑉 √ C. IV only
E. 1/√𝑉 D. II and III only
E. I, II and IV
9. A cathode ray tube uses a potential difference of
5.0 𝑘𝑉 to accelerate electrons and produce an 12. A point charge of 5.0 µ𝐶 is located at
electron beam that makes images on a phosphor (2.5 𝑚, 4.1 𝑚). A second point charge of −2.0 µ𝐶 is
screen. What is the speed of these electrons as a located at (−2.0 𝑚, 1.0 𝑚). What is the electric
percentage of the speed of light? potential at the origin?

A. 0.025% √ A. 1.4 × 10( 𝑉
B. 0.22% B. 2.6 × 10( 𝑉
C. 1.3% C. 3.7 × 10( 𝑉
D. 4.5% D. 5.2 × 10( 𝑉
√ E. 14% E. 7.9 × 10( 𝑉
21
13. A positively charged particle is at the origin of an 16. Two point charges are located at two corners of a
x-axis. The potential difference between the points triangle as shown. What is the electric potential at the
on the axis at 𝑥 = 1.0 𝑚 and 𝑥 = 2.0 𝑚 due to the right corner of the triangle?
particle is 0.90 𝑉. The value of the charge is most
nearly ___.

A. 1.0 × 10'!& 𝐶

B. 1.3 × 10'!& 𝐶
√ C. 2.0 × 10'!& 𝐶

D. 3.0 × 10'!& 𝐶
E. 4.0 × 10'!& 𝐶 A. 2.1 × 10* 𝑉
B. 3.4 × 10* 𝑉
14. Two charged particles, 𝑄! = + 12.0 𝑚𝐶,
𝑄) = −5.0𝑚𝐶 are placed on a line. At what finite √ C. 4.5 × 10* 𝑉
locations along the line may the electric potential be D. 6.3 × 10* 𝑉
equal to zero?
E. 7.2 × 10* 𝑉
I. in between the particles, closer to the positive
particle 17. Suppose an electric potential is described by
II. in between the particles, closer to the 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = −(5𝑥 ) + 𝑦 + 𝑧) in volts. Which of the
negative particle following expressions describes the associated
electric field, in units of volts per meter?
III. not in between, but closer to the positive

particle
IV. not in between, but closer to the negative A. 𝐸|⃗ = 5𝑥𝑥~ + 2𝑦~ + 2𝑧̂
particle B. 𝐸|⃗ = 10𝑥𝑥~
V. It can never be zero
C. 𝐸|⃗ = 5𝑥𝑥~ + 2𝑦~
√ D. 𝐸|⃗ = 10𝑥𝑥~ + 𝑦~ + 𝑧̂
A. I only
B. II only
E. 𝐸|⃗ = 0

C. V only 18. The electric potential in the 𝑥𝑦 −plane in a

D. 1 and IV certain region of space is given by 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦) = 6𝑥 ) 𝑦 −
2𝑦 ( , where 𝑥 and 𝑦 are in meters and 𝑉 is in volts.
√ E. II and IV What is the magnitude of the 𝑦 −component of the
electric field at the point (−1, 2)?
15. In the opposite corners of a square there are two
identical ions. Each has a charge of +𝑒. The length of A. 0 𝑉/𝑚
one side of he square is 𝐿. What is the net electric
potential caused by the two positive ions at both of B. 4 𝑉/𝑚
the empty corners of the square? √ C. 18 𝑉/𝑚
D. 24 𝑉/𝑚
A. 𝑘𝑒/2𝐿
E. 30 𝑉/𝑚
B. 𝑘𝑒/𝐿
C. √2𝑘𝑒/𝐿
√ D. 2𝑘𝑒/𝐿
E. 4𝑘𝑒/𝐿

22
Questions 19 to 21
The electric potential at a point is space is given by 24. The electric potential at a certain point is given by
the relation V = 23x - 27y + 11y2 + 72. V = –7.5x2 + 3x, where V is in volts and x is in meters.
What is the electric field at that point?
19. What is the x-component of the electric field (in
V/m) at the point 𝒓 = (3.0, 2.0, 1.0)? √ A. 𝐸|⃗ = (15x – 3)𝚤̂
A. –95 B. 𝐸|⃗ = (–15x + 3)𝚤̂
√ B. –23 C. 𝐸|⃗ = (–2.5x3 + 1.5 x2)𝚤̂
C. –17 D. 𝐸|⃗ = (2.5x3 – 1.5 x2)𝚤̂
D. 23 E. 𝐸|⃗ = 0
E. 29
25. The electric potential along an x-axis is given
by the expression 𝑉 = 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏𝑥 ) , where a and b
20. What is the y-component of the electric field (in are constants. At what point on the x-axis is the
V/m) at the point 𝒓 = (3.0,2.0,1.0)? electric field zero?

A. –95 A. x = 0
B. –23 √ B. x = a/2b
√ C. –17 C. x = a/b
D. 23 D. x = 3a/2b
E. 29 E. At no point

21. What is the magnitude of the electric field (in 26. The graph below gives the electric potential 𝑉 as a
function of distance through five regions on the
V/m) at the point 𝒓 = (3.0,2.0,1.0)?
𝑥 −axis. Which of the following is true for the electric
field 𝐸 in these regions?
A. 5
B. 23
√ C. 29
D. 59
E. 131

23. If the electric field is in the positive x direction
and has a magnitude given by E = Cx2, where C is a
constant, then the electric potential is given by ___.
√ A. 𝐸! = 𝐸( = 𝐸* 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸) < 𝐸+
A. 𝑉 = 2𝐶𝑥 B. 𝐸) = 𝐸+ , 𝐸* = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸( > 𝐸!
B. (
𝑉 = 𝐶𝑥 /3 C. 𝐸) = 𝐸+ = 𝐸* 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸! < 𝐸(
C. 𝑉 = −2𝐶𝑥 D. 𝐸! > 𝐸) > 𝐸( > 𝐸+ > 𝐸*
(
√ D. 𝑉 = −𝐶𝑥 /3 E. 𝐸! < 𝐸) < 𝐸( < 𝐸+ < 𝐸*
(
E. 𝑉 = −3𝐶𝑥



23
27. The graph shows the electric field as a function of 30. In the figure, the lines represent equipotential
position in a particular region of space. If 𝐸23 = lines. How does the magnitude of the electric field, E,
100 𝑁/𝐶, what is the potential difference between x = at point P compare for the three cases?
3 m and x = 6 m?

√ A. –250 V
B. –50 V
C. 0 V
D. 50 V
E. 250 V

28. Two protons are located in space in the three
ways shown in the figure. Rank the three cases from
A. 𝐸! = 𝐸) = 𝐸(
highest to lowest net electric potential, V, produced
at point P. B. 𝐸! > 𝐸) > 𝐸(
C. 𝐸! < 𝐸) < 𝐸(
D. 𝐸( > 𝐸! > 𝐸)
√ E. 𝐸( < 𝐸! < 𝐸)

31. In the figure, the lines represent equipotential
lines. A positive charge is placed at point P, and then
another positive charge is placed at point Q. Which
A. 2 > 3 > 1 set of vectors best represents the relative magnitudes
and directions of the electric field forces exerted on
√ B. All three potentials are the same the positive charges at P and Q?
C. 3 > 2 > 1
A.
The potentials are equal for cases 1 and 3,
D.
with the potential for case 2 lower
E. 1 > 2 > 3
√ B.


29. If 𝑎 = 30 𝑐𝑚, 𝑏 = 20 𝑐𝑚, 𝑞 = +2.0 𝑛𝐶, and 𝑄 =
−3.0 𝑛𝐶 in the figure, what is the potential difference
𝑉4 − 𝑉5 ? C.



D.

A. –48 V E.
B. –96 V

√ C. +60 V
D. +72 V

E. +84 V

24
Answer the following questions
1. A point charge 𝑞! = 1 µ𝐶 is at the origin and a point charge 𝑞) = −4 µ𝐶 is located 4 𝑚 along the +𝑥 axis as
shown below.









a. Calculate the electric potential at a point 𝑃 due to 𝑞! and 𝑞) .
𝑞7 𝑞! 𝑞) 1 × 10'# −4 × 10 '#
𝑉6 = 𝑘 ‚ = 𝑘 e + f = 9 × 10" c + d
𝑟7 𝑟! 𝑟) 3 5
𝑉6 = −4.2 × 10( 𝑉

b. A point charge, 𝑞( = +3 µ𝐶 is brought from infinity to point 𝑃 as
shown below.

i. Find the work required to bring the charge 𝑞( from
infinity to point 𝑃.

𝑊.2/.,-89 = ∆𝑈 = 𝑞( ∆𝑉 = 𝑞( (𝑉6 − 𝑉: )
𝑊.2/.,-89 = 3 × 10'# (−4.2 × 10( − 0)
𝑊.2/.,-89 = −1.26 × 10') 𝐽

ii. Find the total potential energy of the system of three
charges.

𝑞! 𝑞) 𝑞! 𝑞( 𝑞) 𝑞(
𝑈 = 𝑘e + + f
𝑟!) 𝑟!( 𝑟)(
"
(1 × 10'# )(−4 × 10'# ) (1 × 10'# )(3 × 10'# ) (−4 × 10'# )(3 × 10'# )
𝑈 = 8.99 × 10 c + + d
4 3 5
𝑈 = −2.16 × 10') 𝐽


2. Two point charges are located at two corners of a rectangle, as shown in the figure.


a. What is the electric potential at point A?
𝑘𝑞! 𝑘𝑞) 𝑞! 𝑞)
𝑉4 = + = 𝑘 e + f
𝑟! 𝑟) 𝑟! 𝑟)
−1.00 × 10'# 3.00 × 10'#
𝑉4 = (8.99 × 10" ) c + d
0.250 𝑚 0.500 𝑚
𝑉4 = 1.80 × 10+ 𝑉




25
 b. What is the potential difference between points A and B?
𝑞! 𝑞) 𝑞! 𝑞) 1 1
𝑉45 = 𝑉4 − 𝑉5 = 𝑘 e + f − 𝑘 e + f = 𝑘(𝑞! − 𝑞) ) e − f
𝑟! 𝑟) 𝑟) 𝑟) 𝑟! 𝑟)
1 1
𝑉𝐴𝐵 = (8.99 × 10" )(−1.00 × 10'# − 3.00 × 10'# ) c − d = −7.19 × 10+ 𝑉
0.250 0.500


3. A proton is placed between two parallel conducting plates in a vacuum. The difference
in electric potential between the two plates is 450 𝑉. The proton is released from rest close to the positive plate.
What is the kinetic energy of the proton when it reaches the negative plate?

∆𝐾 = −∆𝑈 = −𝑞∆𝑉
Because the proton started from rest, we can express its final kinetic energy as:

𝐾 = −𝑞∆𝑉 = −(1.6 × 10'!" 𝐶)(−450 𝑉) = 7.21 × 10'!% 𝐽


4. How much work would be done by an electric field in moving a proton from a point at a potential of +180 𝑉 to a
point at a potential of −60.0 𝑉?

The work done by an electric field is given by:
𝑊 = ∆𝐾 = −𝑞∆𝑉 = −𝑞„𝑉; − 𝑉7 …
𝑊 = −(1.6 × 10'!" 𝐶)(−60.0 𝑉 − 180 𝑉) = 3.8 × 10'!% 𝐽


5. The electric potential in a volume of space is given by 𝑉(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑥 ) + 𝑥𝑦 ) + 𝑦𝑧. Determine the electric field in
this region at the coordinate (3, 4, 5).

In three dimensions, the electric field is:
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝐸|⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = − e 𝑥~ + 𝑦~ + 𝑧̂ f
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑧

𝑑𝑉
= 2𝑥 + 𝑦 )
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑉
= 2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑉
= 𝑦
𝑑𝑧

𝐸|⃗(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = −(2𝑥 + 𝑦 ) )𝑥~ − (2𝑥𝑦 + 𝑧)𝑦~ − (𝑦)𝑧̂
𝐸|⃗(3, 4, 5) = −[2(3) + (4)) ]𝑥~ − [2(3)(4) + (5)]𝑦~ − (4)𝑧̂
𝐸|⃗(3, 4, 5) = −22𝑥~ − 29𝑦~ − 4𝑧̂

26
 Learning Outcome Number of Chapter
Periods

Topic 2: Electric Fields and Potentials 2 Chapter 3

Section 2.4– Equipotential Surfaces and Lines
(KPIs 2.4.1 – 2.4.3)

• Practice Questions (Addition to Specified Example Questions)
Multiple choice question
4. Equipotential are lines along which ____.
1. Equipotential lines and electric field lines are
always the electric field is constant in magnitude
A.
and direction
A. parallel
the electric charge is constant in magnitude
√ B. perpendicular B.
and direction
C. tangential maximum work against electrical forces is
C.
D. disjoint required to move a charge at constant speed

E. at any angle to each other a charge may be moved at constant speed

√ D.
without work against electrical forces

2. Electric field lines always point E. charges move by themselves

√ A. from higher potential to lower potential 5. In the figure, the lines represent equipotential
lines. A charged object is moved from point P to point
B. from lower potential to higher potential Q. How does the amount of work done on the object
in the same direction as the equipotential compare for these three cases?
C.
lines
in the opposite direction as the
D.
equipotential lines
E. tangential to the equipotential lines

3. The amount of work done to move a positive point
charge q on an equipotential surface of 1000 V
relative to that done to move the charge on an
equipotential surface of 10 V is ______.


√ A. the same
B. less √ A. All three cases involve the same work

C. more B. The most work is done in case 1

Dependent on the distance the charge C. The most work is done in case 2
D.
moves
D. The most work is done in case 3
E. Dependent on the magnitude of the charge
Cases 1 and 3 involve the same amount of
E. work, which is more than is involved in
case 2

27
6. In the figure, the lines represent equipotential Questions 9 and 10.
lines. What is the direction of the electric field at The diagram above shows a cross section of
point P? equipotential lines produced by a charge distribution.
Points A, B, C, and D lie in the plane of the page.

√ A. Up
B. Down
C. Left
D. Right
E. The electric field at P is zero


Questions 7 and 8.
9. For which two points can a negatively charged
Equipotential lines due to an electric field in a certain
particle be moved from rest at one point to rest
region of space are illustrated in the figure below.
at the other with no work being done by the
Points A and B are located on lines 𝑉) and 𝑉+ ,
electric field?
respectively, and points C and D are located within
the equipotential region 𝑉# . A. A and B
√ B. A and C
C. A and D
D. B and C
E. B and D

10. A positively charged particle is moved by an
external force from rest at one point to rest at
another. For which of the following motions
would net positive work be required by the
7. At which labeled point is the magnitude of the external force?
electric field the greatest? A. From A to D
√ A. A
B. From B to A
B. B
C. From C to A
C. C
D. From C to D
D. D
√ E. From D to B
E. It is the same at all the points
11. The work required to carry a particle with a
8. How much work is required by an external force charge of 6.0-µC from a 5.0-V equipotential surface to
to move a 2.0 µ𝐶 charge from rest at point A to rest at a 6.0-V equipotential surface and back again to the
point D via the path ABCD? 5.0-V surface is _______.
A. 2.0 µ𝐽
√ A. 0 J
B. 3.0 µ𝐽
B. 1.2 x 10–5 J
C. 4.0 µ𝐽
C. 3.0 x 10–5 J
D. 12 µ𝐽
D. 6.0 x 10–5 J
√ E. 16 µ𝐽
E. 6.0 x 10–6 J

28
12. An electron goes from one equipotential surface
to another along one of the four paths shown below.
Rank the paths according to the work done by the
electric field, from least to greatest

A. 1 < 2 < 3 < 4

B. 1 < 3 < 4 = 2

C. 4 < 3 < 2 < 1

√ D. 4 = 2 < 3 < 1
E. 4 < 3 < 1 < 2



Answer the following questions

1. Which one of the following statements is/are true?

a. Equipotential lines are parallel to the electric field lines. False
b. Equipotential lines for a point charge are circular. True
c. Equipotential surfaces exist for any charge distribution. True
d. When a charge moves on an equipotential surface, the work done on the charge is zero. True

29