Answers to test yourself questions

Topic 10
10.1 Describing fields
Gm 16Gm 25Gm 16 × 25Gm
1 a The net field at P is: g = 2
− 2
= − =0
(d / 5 ) ( 4d / 5 ) d2 16d 2
Gm 16Gm 5Gm 16 × 5Gm 5Gm 20Gm 25Gm
b The net potential at P is: V = − − =− − = − =−
d / 5 4d / 5 d 4d d d d
GM
2 a V =−
5R e
6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.98 × 10 24
=−
5 × 6.38 × 106
= −1.249 × 107 ≈ −1.25 × 107 J kg −1

GMm
b EP = −
5R e
6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.98 × 10 24 × 500
=−
5 × 6.38 × 106
= −6.252 × 109 ≈ −6.25 × 109 J

GM earth M moon 6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.97 × 10 24 × 7.35 × 10 22

3 a EP = − =− = −7.62 × 10 28 J
r 3.84 × 10 8

GM earth 6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.97 × 10 24

b V =− =− = −1.04 × 106 J kg −1
r 3.84 × 108
GM earth 6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.97 × 10 24
c v= = = 1.02 × 10 3 m s −1
r 3.84 × 108
GM earthm GM moonm
4 We must plot the function EP = − − giving the graph in the answers. Here m is the mass
r d−r
of the spacecraft and d the separation of the earth and the moon (center-to-center). Putting numbers in,
6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.98 × 10 24 × 3.0 × 104 6.67 × 10 −11 × 7.35 × 10 22 × 3.0 × 104
EP = − −
r 3.84 × 108 − r
1.2 × 1019 1.5 × 1017
= −
r 3.84 × 108 − r
1.2 × 10 / 3.84 × 108 1.5 × 1017 / 3.84 × 108
19
= −
r / 3.84 × 108 1 − r / 3.84 × 108
3.1 × 1010 3.9 × 108
= −
x 1− x

PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2015 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 1
 r
where x = . In this way the function can be plotted on a calculator to give the graph shown here.
3.84 × 108
r /d
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
0

–5
EP/ 3.12 × 1010 J

–10

–15

GM P GM m M P (0.75d )2
5 a At r = 0.75, g = − =0 . Hence = = 9.
(0.75d )2 (0.25d )2 M m (0.25d )2
b The probe must have enough energy to get to the maximum of the graph. From then on the moon will pull it
1
in. Then W = mv 2 = m ∆V ⇒ v = 2 ∆V = 2( −0.20 × 1012 − ( −6.45 × 1012 ))) = 3.5 × 106 m s −1.
2
6 The tangential component at A is in the direction of velocity and so the planet increases its speed. At B it is
opposite to the velocity and so the speed decreases. The normal component does zero work since the angle
between force and displacement is a right angle and cos 90° = 0.
7 The work done by an external agent in moving an object from r = a to r = b at a small constant speed.
8 a The pattern is not symmetrical and so the masses must be different. The spherical equipotential surfaces of the
right mass are much less distorted and so this is the larger mass.
b The gravitational field lines are normal to the equipotential surfaces.
c From far away it looks like we have a single mass of magnitude equal to the sum of the two individual masses.
The equipotential surfaces of a single point mass are spherical.
kq kq 4kq
9 a V = + =
d/2 d/2 d
kq kq
bV = − =0
d/2 d/2
10 A diagram is:
P

Q1 Q2
8.99 × 109 × 2.0 × 10 −6 8.99 × 109 × 4.0 × 10 −6
The potential at P is V = − = −1.5 × 104 V.
0.4 0.6
kq 8.99 × 109 × 5.0 × 10 −6
11 a V = 4 × where r = 0.050 2 m. Hence V = 4 × = 2.5 × 106 V.
r 0.050 2
b E=0
c The potential at the centre has a maximum value. At a maximum value the derivative is zero.
12 a The work done is
 kQ kQ  −3  8.99 × 109 × 10 8.99 × 109 × 10 
W = q∆V = q  −  = 1.0 × 10 ×  −  = 3.6 × 107 J.
 r2 r2   2.0 10 
b No

2 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2014
 13 The work done on the electron is
 kQ  8.99 × 109 × ( −10)
W = q∆V = q  − 0 = ( −1.6 × 10 −19 ) × = +1.44 × 10 −7 J.
 r  0.10
1
14 The work done (W = q∆V ) is equal to the change in kinetic energy  mv 2  . Hence
2 
1 −31 −19
× 9.1 × 10 × v = 1.6 × 10 × ( 200 − 100)
2

2
2 × 1.6 × 10 −19 × 100
⇒v = −31
= 5.9 × 106 m s −1
9.1 × 10
15 a The forces are roughly as follows.

F1 F2

F3

They have magnitudes:

8.99 × 109 × 1 × 10 −6 × 2 × 10 −6
F1 = = 7.19 N
0.052
8.99 × 109 × 4 × 10 −6 × 2 × 10 −6
F2 = = 14.4 N
0.052 + 0.052
8.99 × 109 × 3 × 10 −6 × 2 × 10 −6
F3 = = 21.6 N
0.052
We must find the components of F2:
F2 x = F2 cos 45° = 10.2 N and F2 y = F2 sin 45° = 10.2 N. So the net force has components:
Fx = 10.2 − 7.2 = 3.0 N and Fy = 10.2 − 21.6 = 11.4 N. The net force is then F = (11.4 )2 + ( 3.0)2 = 11.8 N.
 −11.4  = −75°
The direction of the net force is arctan  .
 3.0 
b The distance of the center of the square from each of the vertices is
a = 0.0252 + 0.0252 = 0.0354 cm. So the potential at the center is
kQ1 kQ2 kQ3 kQ4 8.99 × 109
V = + + + = × ( −1 × 10 −6 + 2 × 10 −6 − 3 × 10 −6 + 4 × 10 −6 )
a a a a 0.0354
V = 5.1 × 105 V
c The work done is W = q∆V = q(V − 0) = 1.0 × 10 −9 × 5.1 × 105 = 5.1 × 10 −4 J.
kq1 kq2
16 a Charge will move until both spheres are at the same potential. Then = . By conservation of charge,
r1 r2
q q
q1 + q2 = Q where Q is the charge on the one sphere originally. Thus 1 = 2 ⇒ 3q1 = 2q2
10 15
2 3
and q1 + q2 = 2.0. Hence q1 = × 2.0 = 0.80 µC and q2 = × 2.0 = 1.2 µC.
5 5
−6
0.80 × 10 −6
1.2 × 10
b σ1 = = 6.4 × 10 −6 C m −2 and σ 2 = = 4.2 × 10 −6 C m −2.
4π × 0.10 2
4π × 0.15 2

kq1
c E1 = 2
= 4π kσ 1 = 4π × 8.99 × 109 × 6.4 × 10 −6 = 7.2 × 105 N C−1 and
r1
E 2 = 4π kσ 2 = 4π × 8.99 × 109 × 4.2 × 105 = 4.8 × 105 N C−1.
d The electric field is largest for the sphere with the larger charge density. The wire has to be long so that the
charge of one sphere will not affect the charge distribution on the other so that both are uniformly charged.

PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2014 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 3
 17 You must draw lines that are normal to the equipotentials.
18 a The potential a distance x from the bottom plate is given by
250 − ( −250)
V = −250 + x = ( −250 + 3.33 × 10 3 x ) V and so at x = 3.00 cm,
0.15
V = ( −250 + 3.33 × 10 3 × 0.0300) = −150 V. Therefore the electric potential energy of the charge is
EP = qV = ( −2.00 × 10 −6 ) × ( −150) = 0.300 mJ.
b The potential at x = 12.0 cm is V = ( −250 + 3.33 × 10 3 × 0.120) = 150 V and hence
EP = qV = ( −2.00 × 10 −6 ) × 150 = −0.300 mJ.
c The work done must be W = q∆V = ∆EP = −0.300 − 0.300 = −0.600 J.
1 2 1
19 a The kinetic energy of the electron E K = mv = × 9.1 × 10 −31 × (1.59 × 106 )2 = 1.15 × 10 −18 J
2 2
gets converted to electric potential energy eV at the point where the electron stops. Hence the potential
1.15 × 10 −18
at P is V = = −7.19 V.
−1.6 × 10 −19
kQ Vr ( −7.19) × 2.0 × 10 −10
b V = ⇒Q = = = −1.6 × 10 −19 C.
r k 9 × 109
20 a The field due to each of the charges has the direction shown. It is clear that the net field will point in the
negative y – direction.

kQ kQ
The magnitude of the field due to one of the charges is E = 2 = 2 . The y – component is
r a + d2
kQ kQ a kQa 2kQa
Ey = 2 sin θ = 2 = 2 and so the net field is Enet = 2 .
a +d 2
a +d a +d
2 2 2
(a + d )
2 3/ 2
(a + d 2 )3 / 2
b For two negative charges:

The net field is clearly directed to the left. It has magnitude

2kQ 2kQ d 2kQd
Enet = 2E x = 2 cos θ = 2 = 2 .
a +d 2
a +d a +d2 2 2
(a + d 2 )3 / 2
2kQa 2kQ 1
c We have Ea = 2 = 2 3/ 2
(a + d ) 2 3/ 2
a  d2 
 1 +
a 2 
2kQd 2kQ d 2kQ d /a
and Eb = 2 = 3 2 3/ 2
= 2 3/ 2 .
(a + d )
2 3/ 2
a  d  a  d2 
 1 + a 2   1 + a 2 
2kQ
The plots are (the vertical axis is in units of 2 ):
a

4 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2014
 Ea 1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

d/a

Eb

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

d/a

21 The initial potential energy of the three protons is zero. When at the vertices of the triangle of side a the potential
k(e )(e ) 3ke 2
energy is EP = 3 × = since there are three pairs of charges a distance a apart. This evaluates to
a a
3 × 8.99 × 109 × (1.6 × 10 −19 )2
EP = −16
= 1.4 × 10 −12 J ≈ 8.6 MeV. This is the energy that must be supplied.
5.0 × 10
10.2 Fields at work
GMm mv 2 GM
22 a 2
= ⇒v =
r r r
6.67 × 10 −11 × 5.98 × 10 24
Substituting values: v = = 7.6 × 10 3 m s −1
6.38 × 10 + 500 × 10
6 3

2π r 2π r 2π × (6.88 × 106 )
b From v = ⇒T = = = 5688 s = 94.8 ≈ 95 min
T v 7.6 × 10 3
GMm v2 GM 2π r 4π 2 R 3
23 We know that = m ⇒ v 2
= . But v = and so we deduce that T 2
= .
R2 R R T GM
24 a From the previous problem, Therefore
GMT 2 3 6.67 × 10 −11 × 6.0 × 10 24 × ( 24 × 60 × 60)2
r= 3 = = 4.2 × 107 m. The distance from the surface is
4π 2 4π 2
therefore r = 4.2 × 10 − 6.38 × 10 = 3.6 × 10 km.
7 6 4

b No, it has to be above the equator.

25 The net force is the gravitational force and this must point towards the center of the earth. This happens only for
orbit 2.

PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2014 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 5
 26 As shown in the text the reaction force from the spacecraft floor is zero giving the impression of weightlessness.
More simply, both spacecraft and astronaut are in free fall with the same acceleration.
27 a Apply energy conservation to get: total energy at the point the fuel runs out is
1 GMm 1 GM GMm GMm
E T = mv 2 − = m − =− . At the highest point the kinetic energy is zero and so
2 2R 2 2R 2R 4R
GMm GMm
− =− leading to r = 4 R
4R r
b The total energy of the rocket at the point where the fuel runs out is negative so the rocket cannot escape, it
will fall back down.
c Apply energy conservation again between the points where the fuel runs out and the crash point to get:
GMm 1 2 GMm
− = mv − leading to
4R 2 R
1 2 GM GM 3GM
v = − =
2 R 4R 4R
3GM
v=
2R
d From energy conservation, when the rocket is a distance r from the centre of the planet:
GMm 1 2 GMm 2GM GM
− = mv − . This simplifies to v = − (where R ≤ r ≤ 4 R ). We need to plot this
4R 2 r r 2R
GM 4R
function. It is best to write the equivalent form: v = − 1. The graph is then:
2R r
v
3GM
2R

r
R 4R
GM 1 GMm GMm GMm GMm
28 a We deduced many times that v 2 = and so ET = mv 2 − = − =− .
r 2 r 2r r 2r
6.67 × 10 −11 × 2.0 × 10 30 × 6.0 × 10 24
b ET = − = −2.7 × 10 33 J
2 × 1.5 × 10 11

GMm GMm GMm

29 Using E K = , EP = − and ET = − we deduce that
2r r 2r
a B has the larger kinetic energy
b A has the larger potential energy
c A has the larger total energy
30 a The total energy is negative so the satellite cannot escape.
GMm GMm
b From problem 30, ET = − . Since we are told that ET = − and energy is conserved,
2r 5R
GMm GMm 5R
− =− ⇒r = .
2r 5R 2
GMm
31 The engines do positive work increasing the total energy of the satellite. Since ET = − it follows that the
orbit radius will increase. 2r

6 ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF QUESTIONS 10 PHYSICS FOR THE IB DIPLOMA © CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS 2014
 GMm
A bit more: Since the kinetic energy is given by E K = and the orbit radius has increased the speed in the
new circular orbit will decrease. 2 r
The firing of the rockets when the satellite is in the lower orbit makes the satellite move on an elliptical orbit.
After half a revolution the satellite will be at A and further from the earth than in the original position at P. As the
satellite gets to A its kinetic energy is reduced and the potential energy increases. At A the speed is too low for the
new circular orbit and the engines must again be fired to increase the speed to that appropriate to the new orbit.
(If the engines are not fired at A then the satellite will remain in the elliptical orbit and will return to P.)

new circular orbit

F

old circular P
A
orbit

GMm
32 The potential energy is given by EP = − . This is least when the distance to the sun, r, is smallest
r
(remember, EP is negative). Therefore since the total energy is conserved, the kinetic energy and hence the speed
are greatest at P.
2GM GM
33 The escape speed is v esc = . At the surface of the planet, g = 2 ⇒ GM = gR 2. Substituting:
R R
2 gR 2
v esc = = 2 gR .
R
34 a We have done this before.
4π 2 r 3 M 3M M 4πρ
b T2 = . Now r ≈ R and ρ = = . Hence, 3 = .
GM 4π R 3 4π R 3 R 3
3
4π 3
2
3π
Substituting, T = = .
G 4πρ Gρ
T planet ρearth ρearth  1669  2
c = ⇒ =  = 3.95 ≈ 4
Tearth ρ planet ρ planet  85 
4π 2 R 3
35 a We must use the formula T 2 = that we have derived many times already. Now
GM
GM 4π 2 R 3 4π 2 R R
g = 2 ⇒ GM = gR 2. Substituting, T 2 = 2
= . Hence T = 2π .
R gR g g
3.4 × 106
b T = 2π = 5.5 × 10 3 s = 91 min.
4.5
4π 2 R 3 T 2 R3 912 ( 3.4 × 106 )3
c From T 2 = we deduce that 12 = 13 hence = and so R2 = 4.5 × 106 m. The height
GM T2 R2 140 2 R23
is therefore h = 4.5 × 106 − 3.4 × 106 = 1.1 × 106 m.
GM 2
36 a F =
4R 2
GM 2 Mv 2 GM  2π R  2 GM  2π R  2 16π 2 R 3
b = and so v 2
= . But v 2
=   and so =   . Hence T 2
=
4R 2 R2 4R  T  4R  T  GM

16π 2 (1.0 × 109 )3

c T = = 2.8 × 104 s = 7.8 h
6.67 × 10 −11 × 1.5 × 2.0 × 10 30

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 1 1 GM 2 GM
d ET = Mv 2 + Mv 2 − . Since v 2 = we have that
2 2 2R 4R
1 GM GM 2 GM 2 GM 2 GM 2
ET = M ×2− = − =− .
2 4R 2R 4R 2R 4R
e Since energy is being lost the total energy will decrease. This implies that the distance R will decrease. (From
the period formula in (b) the period will decrease as well.)
GM 2 16π 2 R 3
f i The total energy is ET = − and the period is T 2 = . Combining the two gives
2 4R GM
GM −3 / 2
ET = − 3 / 2 or ET = − cT where c is a constant. Working as we do with propagation of
 GMT 2 
4
 16π 2  ∆ET ∆T
∆ET 3 ∆T 3
uncertainties (or using calculus) we have that = or ∆t = ∆t .
ET 2 T ET 2 T
∆ET ∆T
−6 −1
ET 3 T 3 72 × 10 s yr
ii = = × = 3.99 × 10 −9 yr −1
∆t 2 ∆t 2 2.8 × 104 s
1
g The lifetime is therefore −9 −1
= 2.6 × 108 yr.
3.9 × 10 yr
37 a Force towards the centre of the circle.
1 q2 v2
b We equate the electric force to the centripetal forcer to get: = m . Solving for the speed gives the
answer. 4 πε 0 r 2
r
1 1 q2
c The total energy is kinetic plus electric potential energy: E = mv 2 − . Using the previous result for
2 4πε 0 r
1 q2 1 1 q2 1 q2 1 q2 1 q2 1 q2
speed: v 2 = gives E = m − = − =− .
4πε 0 mr 2 4πε 0 mr 4πε 0 r 8πε 0 r 4πε 0 r 8πε 0 r
1 q2  1 q2  1 q2
d The change in energy is an increase of ∆E = − − − =+ .
8πε 0 2r  8πε 0 r  16πε 0 r
e2 2π r 4π 2 r 2 e2 4π 2 m 3
38 a As in the previous problem v 2 = k . Using also v = we get = k ⇒ T 2
= r .
mr T T2 mr ke 2
4π 2 × 9.1 × 10 −31
b T = × (0.5 × 10 −10 )3 = 1.397 × 10 −16 ≈ 1.4 × 10 −16 s.
8.99 × 109 × (1.6 × 10 −19 )2
ke 2
c The change in energy is E = − . In the first orbit this evaluates to
2r
8.99 × 109 × (1.6 × 10 −19 )2
E1 = ≈ 2.30 × 10 −18 J. In the other orbit this becomes
2 × 0.5 × 10 −10
8.99 × 109 × (1.6 × 10 −19 )2
E2 = −10
≈ 5.75 × 10 −19 J. The change is 1.7 × 10 −18 J.
2 × 2.0 × 10

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