Electric field questions Feb 2023 [27 marks]

1a. [2 marks]
The diagram shows the electric field lines of a positively charged conducting sphere of
radius ! and charge ".

Points A and B are located on the same field line.
Explain why the electric potential decreases from A to B.

E
KI r ta EBC EA

1b. [2 marks]
Draw, on the axes, the variation of electric potential # with distance $ from the centre of
the sphere.

1c. [1 mark]
A proton is placed at A and released from rest. The magnitude of the work done by the
electric field in moving the proton from A to B is 1.7 × 10!"#  +. Point A is at a distance of
5.0 × 10!$  - from the centre of the sphere. Point B is at a distance of 1.0 × 10!"  - from the
centre of the sphere.
Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and B.

of
Dehnih voltage v
y It
yr on
1d. [2 marks]
Determine the charge " of the sphere.

V KE
9

ma
1 9

9 10 Q
I yid I 8 10

i i was 9 10100
8
91
1
Q 1.2 10
1e. [1 mark]
The concept of potential is also used in the context of gravitational fields. Suggest why
scientists developed a common terminology to describe different types of fields.

Deep understanding

2a. [2 marks]
An electron is placed at a distance of 0.40 m from a fixed point charge of –6.0 mC.

Show that the electric field strength due to the point charge at the position of the electron is
3.4 × 108 N C–1.
d
k 94109 x by o
E 2
3 3754108 Nc t
o 42
3 44108 NC Rsf

2b. [2 marks]
Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the electron.
Itt

FEE ma
gE 3.44108
F ma 1.6412 x
a EE 91 10
31

Z
6.0 10 ng


2c. [3 marks]
Describe the subsequent motion of the electron.

Continue accelerating to the right

at a decreasing rate

3a. [2 marks]
Ion-thrust engines can power spacecraft. In this type of engine, ions are created in
a chamber and expelled from the spacecraft. The spacecraft is in outer space when
the propulsion system is turned on. The spacecraft starts from rest.

The mass of ions ejected each second is 6.6 × 10–6 kg and the speed of each ion is 5.2 ×
104 m s–1. The initial total mass of the spacecraft and its fuel is 740 kg. Assume that the ions
travel away from the spacecraft parallel to its direction of motion.
Determine the initial acceleration of the spacecraft.

Conservation of momentum

6
5.2 104
after I second
0 6.6410 740

Va 4 6 10 4ms Is

Z

a

4 Gyro 4ms
3b. [2 marks]
An initial mass of 60 kg of fuel is in the spacecraft for a journey to a planet. Half of the fuel
will be required to slow down the spacecraft before arrival at the destination planet.
Estimate the maximum speed of the spacecraft.

V 2 2 x 103 ms

3c. [1 mark]
Outline why scientists sometimes use estimates in making calculations.

Because they can't lad the truth

3d. [2 marks]
In practice, the ions leave the spacecraft at a range of angles as shown.

Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.

All have some dage

like cages
rep

3e. [2 marks]
Explain what effect, if any, this spreading of the ions has on the acceleration of the
spacecraft.

Nat so n d

3f. [2 marks]
On arrival at the planet, the spacecraft goes into orbit as it comes into the gravitational field
of the planet.
Outline what is meant by the gravitational field strength at a point.

Em for per mil mass a a

g small test the field
mass placed in

3g. [1 mark]
Newton’s law of gravitation applies to point masses. Suggest why the law can be applied to
a satellite orbiting a spherical planet of uniform density.

Point planet

Printed for DISCOVERY CLG
© International Baccalaureate Organization 2023
International Baccalaureate® - Baccalauréat International® - Bachillerato Internacional®