Exam 1 Solutions: Problem 1

PHY
2049 Fall 2013 – Acosta, Woodard Exam 1 solutions
Exam 1 Solutions

Note that there are several variations of some problems, indicated by choices in
parentheses.

Problem 1

A rod of charge per unit length λ is surrounded by a conducting, concentric cylinder
of radius R (see figure) that has no net charge. What is the charge per unit length on
the inner (outer) surface of the conductor?

(1) –λ
(2) λ
(3) λ / (2 π ε0 r)
(4) –λ / (2 π ε0 r)
(5) 0

The electric field inside of a conductor must be zero (otherwise charges
would be accelerating). However, the electric field just outside the charged rod but
inside the radius of the conducting shell (r<R) is λ / (2 π ε0 r) by Gauss’ Law. In
order to make the field zero within the volume of the conductor for r>R we must
have a charge per unit length of –λ on the inner surface of the shell. This charge
cannot come for free if the conductor has no net charge, so the charge density on the
outer surface is λ.

Problem 2

The figure shows two non-‐conducting plastic sheets that are large, parallel, and
uniformly charged. The graph below the figure gives the component of the net
electric field (in N/C) along an X axis perpendicular through the sheets. What is the
charge density of sheet 1 (sheet 2)?

(a) 8 ε0 (b) 0 (c) 4 ε0 (d) 2 ε0 (e) ε0

PHY 2049 Fall 2013 – Acosta, Woodard Exam 1 solutions

From the graph, the electric field is pointing to the negative X direction to the
left of both sheets, and to the positive X direction to the right of both sheets. So it
appears that the sheets are positively charged and have field directions as indicated
by the arrows.
The field from an infinitely large charged sheet is E = σ / 2ε0
From the graph we have the following algebraic relations:

−E1 î − E2 î = −6 î (to the left of both plates)
+E1 î − E2 î = 2 î (between plates)
E1 î + E2 î = 6 î (to the right of both plates)

The first and third equations are redundant. Solving for the two unknowns,
and also using the relation to the charge density gives us:

E1 = 4 ⇒ σ 1 = 8ε 0

E2 = 2 ⇒ σ 2 = 4ε 0

Problem 3

What is the net enclosed charge in the shown cube if the electric field is given by
 
E = ( x − 1) î + 4 ĵ (or E = 2 ( x − 1) î + 4 ĵ ) and the cube has a side length of 2?

(a) 8 ε0 (b) 0 (c) 4 ε0 (d) 16 ε0 (e) 32 ε0

Because of the directions of the electric field, the flux could only be non-‐zero
for the top-‐bottom and left-‐right faces. However, the top and bottom faces
have a constant field, and so no net flux. The relevant component of the field
on the left face is E = − î (or E = −2 î ), and the field on the right face is E = î
(or E = 2 î ). In other words, the field points out from the cube in both cases
and is considered positive. So the net charge enclosed is:

qenc = ε 0 Φ = ε 0 Φ left + ε 0 Φ right = ε 0 Eleft ⋅ A left + ε 0 Eright ⋅ A right
= ε 0 2(1)(2)2 = 8ε 0 or = ε 0 2(2)(2)2 = 16ε 0

Problem 4

The figure indicates an electric field directed only in the + ĵ direction passing
through a cube, with the length of the arrows indicating the magnitude of the field at
the bottom and top faces. What can be concluded about the net charge contained
within the cube?

(1) It is positive
(2) It is negative
(3) It is zero
(4) Insufficient information
(5) It must be moving

or

The flux is positive from the top face (field points out of surface), and it is negative
for the bottom face (field points into the cube). Since the magnitude is larger for the
top (bottom) face, the total net flux is positive (negative). Thus the net enclosed
charge by Gauss’ Law must be positive (negative).

Problem 5

A sphere of radius 1 cm contains a positive charge density whose magnitude grows
linearly with radius: ρ = ρ0 r , where ρ0 = 3 μC/m4. What is the magnitude of the
electric field 0.5 cm from the center of the sphere?
(You may need the relation ∫ dV = ∫ 4π r 2 dr in spherical coordinates.)

(1) 2.1 N/C (2) 565 N/C (3) 0 (4) 8.5 N/C (5) 5400 N/C

We expect that the electric field will point in the radial direction by
symmetry. It’s magnitude at a radius r within the sphere can be calculated using
Gauss’ Law:
q
Φ = 4π r 2 E = enc
ε0
To get the enclosed charge we need to integrate the charge density:

qenc = ∫ ρ dV = ∫ ρ0 r4π r 2 dr
r

qenc = 4πρ0 ∫ r 3 dr = πρ0 r 4
0

So the field is therefore:
πρ0 r 4
4π r E =
2
ε0

πρ0 r 2
E= = 2.1 N/C
4πε 0

Problem 6

Four charges are arranged on the vertices of a cube of side length a = 4 cm.
The charges are q1 = 100nC, q2 = 200nC, q3 = 300nC and q4 = 400nC.
What are the x and y components of the force on q1?

(1) Fx = -‐0.19 N , Fy = +0.25 N

(2) Fx = +0.19 N , Fy = -‐0.25 N
(3) Fx = -‐0.34 N , Fy = +0.39 N
(4) Fx = +0.34 N , Fy = -‐0.39 N
(5) Fx = -‐0.25 N , Fy = +0.19 N

The coordinates at which we observe the field are (x,y) = (0,a).

Charge
 2 is at (x',y') = (a,a) so its force is
F2 = q1q2 / (4π 0 a 2 ) × (−1,0)

Charge
 3 is at (x',y') = (0,0) so its force is
F3 = q1q3 / (4π 0 a 2 ) × (0,+1)

Charge 4 is at (x',y') = (a,0) so its force is
 3
F4 = q1q4 / (4π 0 a ) × (−1,1) / 2
2 2

Taking into account that q4 = 4q1, q3 = 3q1, and q2 = 2q1, we have

F = q12 / (4π 0 ) × (−2 − 2, 3 + 2 ) ≈ (−.19N,+.25N )

Problem 7

Two charges are held fixed on the x axis. The first charge Q is at x=0 and the other
charge 2Q is at x = L. At what value of x can we place an unknown charge so that the
force on it from the first two charges vanishes?

(1) x = (√2 -‐ 1) L
(2) x = (√ 2 + 1) L
(3) x = 1/3 L
(4) x = 1/2 (1 -‐ √ 3 ) L
(5) Insufficient information.

It's obvious that a point between 0 and L will work. Under this assumption the force
on the charge q is
1 2
qQ / (4π 0 ) × [+ 2 − ]
x (L − x)2
Setting this to zero requires
x = (−1 ± 2 )L
Only the + root corresponds to 0 < x < L,
so we must take x = ( 2 − 1)L


Problem 8

Suppose four unknown charges q1, q2, q3 and q4 are placed on the vertices of a
square as shown in the figure. If the electric field at the center of the square is −5
N/C ( î + ĵ ), which of the following statements can be correct?

(1) q1 = q4 and q2 = −q3 > 0
(2) q1 = q4 and q2 = −q3 < 0
(3) q2 = q3 and q1= −q4 > 0
(4) q2 = q3 and q1= −q4< 0
(5) None of these statements can be correct

Note that q2 = −q3 > 0 means that q2 = −q3 (opposite charge), and that q2 > 0 and
that −q3 > 0 (i.e. that q3 < 0)

Because the field is perpendicular to the line from q1 to q4, these two charges must
be equal so that their fields at the center cancel. Because the field points from q2 to
q3, we must have q2 − q3 > 0, which is consistent with q2 = −q3 > 0.

Problem 9

Consider a total charge of 5 pC which is uniformly distributed throughout a sphere
of radius 10 cm . What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance 5 cm from
the center of the sphere?

(1) 2.25 N/C
(2) 2.25 × 10 −4 N/C
(3) 18.0 N/C
(4) 1.80 × 10 −3 N/C
(5) 28.2 N/C

By the sphere rule (or Gauss's Law) the field at radius r is the charge enclosed over
4π 0 r 2 . The charge enclosed at radius r < 10cm is Q = (r /10cm)3 × 5 pC, hence the
field has magnitude 5pC r / (4π 0 10 −3 m 3 ) = 2.25 N/C.

Problem 10

Suppose an electric dipole is located at the origin and points in the − ĵ direction.
What direction does the electric field at (x,y,z) = (-‐1 m , 0,0) point?

(1) + ĵ (2) − ĵ (3) − î (4) + î (5) − î − ĵ

Recall that a dipole's field goes up above the dipole axis and then circulates around
to come back into the dipole from below. On the plane which is perpendicular to the
dipole, the field points in the opposite direction. For this dipole that would be in the
+ ĵ direction.

Problem 11

A linear charge density λ(x) = 4 nC/m × |x| (Note the absolute value function |x| =
Abs (x)) is distributed on the x axis from x=−.4 m to to x = +.4 m. What is the electric
field vector at the point (x,y,z) = (0,.3m,0)?

(1) 29 N/C ĵ (2) 0 (3) 43 N/C ĵ (4) 14 N/C ĵ (5) 85 N/C î

By symmetry, the x component of the electric field cancels so only its y component is
nonzero. Again, by symmetry, the contribution to this from the region -‐.4m < x < 0 is
the same as that from 0 < x < +.4m, so we can just double the integral. If we define
D = .3m, L = .4m and a = 4 nC/m^2 then we have
L x
Ey = aD / (2π 0 ) ∫ d x 3
0
(x 2 + D 2 ) 2
1 1
= aD / (2π 0 )[ − ] ≈ 29 N/C
D D 2 + L2

Problem 12

Suppose the electric field is (Ex,Ey,Ez) = (1,2,3) N/C . What is the potential
difference in moving from the starting point (x,y,z) = (4,5,6) m to the stopping
point (x,y,z) = (7,8,9) N/C ?

(1) -‐18 V (2) +18 V (3) +54 V (4) -‐32 V (5) +50 V

The potential difference between any two points is minus the line integral of the
electric  field. For this constant electric field we have

V = − E ⋅ Δx = −[1(7 − 4) + 2(8 − 5) + 3(9 − 6)] volts = −18 volts

Problem 13

Suppose the electric potential is V(x,y,z) = a x y2 z3, where a is a constant. What is
the z component of the electric field?

(1) −3 a x y2 z2
(2) +3 a x y2 z2
(3) −a x y2 z2
(4) +a x y2 z2
(5) −a (y2 z3 + 2 x y z3 + 3 x y2 z2)

Recall that the electric field is minus the gradient of the potential.
∂
Hence Ez = − axy 2 z 3 = −3axy 2 z 2
∂z

Problem 14

Consider a negative cylindrically symmetric charge density whose magnitude which
grows linearly with the distance s from the central axis. The charge density is ρ(s) =
−a s, where a = 7 nC/m4. What is the potential difference from s = 2 cm and s = 5
cm ?

(1) 10 mV (2) 280 mV (3) 23 mV (4) 15 mV (5) 1.6 mV

The linear charge density enclosed within radius s is
s 2
λ (s) = 2π ∫ ds′s′ × −as′ = − π as 3
0 3

The electric field at radius s is
E(s) = λ (s) / (2π 0 s) = −(as 2 ) / (30 )

The potential difference from s1 to s2 is minus the line integral
s2
= a / (30 ) ∫ dss 2
s1
= a / (90 )[(s2 ) − (s1 ) ] ≈ 10 mV.
3 3

Problem 15

Consider three charges which are arranged at intervals of 60 degrees around a circle
of radius R. The first charge is q1 = q. The second charge is q2 = −q and lies 60
degrees around in the counter-‐clockwise direction. The third charge is q3 = +q and
lies 60 degrees further around in the counter-‐clockwise direction. What is the
electric potential energy of this system of three charges in units of q2/(4π ε0 R)?

(1) −2 + 1/√ 3
(2) 2 + 1/√ 3
(3) 0
(4) 1/√ 3
(5) −1/√ 3

Recall that the potential energy of three charges is

1 q1q2 q2 q3 q3q1
U= [ + + ]
4π 0 d12 d23 d13

Because the three charges are on a circle their distances are
d12 = R, d23 = R and d31 = 3R .

Hence the energy is
q2
U= [−1− 1+ 1 / 3]
4π 0 R

Problem 16

Consider a charge of 5 pC which is distributed uniformly along the x axis from x=−2
cm to x = 0. If we define the electric potential to vanish at infinity, what is its value
on the x axis at x = +3 cm ?

(1) 1.1 V (2) 2.2 V (3) -‐2.5 V (4) 0.8 V (5) -‐0.9 V

Recall that the potential at position (x,y,z) due to a source dq' at (x',y',z') is
1
dV = dq′ / (4π 0 ) ×
(x − x′ ) + (y − y′ )2 + (z − z′ )2
2

For this problem dq' = a/L dx', where a = -‐5pC and L = 2cm. If we define D = 3cm, the
potential is
0
V = a / (4π 0 L) ∫ d x ′ / (D − x ′ ) = a ln(1+ L / D) / (4π 0 L) ≈ 1.1 volts
−L

Problem 17

A 1 nF capacitor is formed by two concentric spheres. If the outer sphere has radius
1 m, what is the radius of the inner sphere?

(1) .9 m (2) .8 m (3) .7 m (4) .6 m (5) .5 m

Recall that the capacitance of concentric spheres with radii a < b is
C = 4π 0 / [1 / a − 1 / b]

Hence a = [1 / b + 4π 0 / C]−1 ≈ .9m

Problem 18

All three capacitors shown in the figure have the same capacitance C. What is the
capacitance of three together?

(1) 2/3 C (2) C (3) 3/2 C (4) 3 C (5) 1/3 C

C1 and C2 are connected in parallel so their equivalent capacitance is
C12 = C1 + C2 = 2C. This capacitor is connected in series with C3, so the total
capacitance is [1 / 2C + 1 / C]−1 = 2 / 3 C

Problem 19

Suppose a 5 F capacitor is charged up using a 3 volt battery, then disconnected after
it has been fully charged, and connected to a 4 volt battery. How much additional
energy does it draw from the 4 volt battery in becoming fully charged?

(1) 17.5 J (2) 22.5 J (3) 40 J (4) 35 J (5) .7 J

1
Recall that the energy in a capacitor is U = CV 2 . So the additional energy to go
2
from 3 volts to 4 volts is 2.5 [16 -‐ 9] J = 17.5 J

Problem 20

Consider two square parallel conducting plates of side length 2 cm, which hold ±4
nC of charge and are separated by a 3 mm slab of dielectric with κ = 1.5. How much
work (in μJ) must be done to withdraw the dielectric slab?

(1) 2.3 (2) 3.4 (3) 6.8 (4) 0 (5) 4.5

Recall that the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with area A and distance d is
C = κ 0 A / d . Here κ is the dielectric constant of the material separating the plates.
Recall also that the energy of a capacitor with fixed charge Q is U = Q 2 / 2C .
Withdrawing the slab changes κ from 3/2 to 1, so the work needed to withdraw the
slab is (1 -‐ 2/3) × the energy for κ = 1, which works out to be about 2.3 × 10-‐6 J.

Exam 1 Solutions: Problem 1

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2049 Fall 2013 – Acosta, Woodard Exam 1 solutions

(1) Fx = -‐0.19 N , Fy = +0.25 N

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Exam 1 Solutions: Problem 1

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2049 Fall 2013 – Acosta, Woodard Exam 1 solutions

(1) Fx = -­‐0.19 N , Fy = +0.25 N

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(1) Fx = -‐0.19 N , Fy = +0.25 N