10 CHAPTER 15

(b) When the spheres are connected by a conducting wire, the net charge
qnet = q1 + q2 = −6.0 × 10 −9 C will divide equally between the two identical spheres.
Thus, the force is now

9 N⋅m  (
k e ( qnet 2 ) −6.0 × 10 −9 C )
2 2
 2
F= =  8.99 × 10 
r2  C 2  4 ( 0.30 m )2

or F = 9.0 × 10 −7 N (repulsion)

15.10 The forces are as shown in the sketch ur ur

at the right. +6.00 mC +1.50 mC F1 F2 –2.00 mC
ur ur ur ur
F1 F2 F3 F3

3.00 cm 2.00 cm

9 N⋅m  (
k e q1 q2  2 6.00 × 10 −6 C )( 1.50 × 10 −6 C )
F1 = =  8.99 × 10  = 89.9 N
( 3.00 × 10-2 m )
2
r122  C2 

9 N⋅m  (
ke q1 q3  2 6.00 × 10 −6 C )( 2.00 × 10 −6 C )
F2 = =  8.99 × 10  = 43.2 N
( 5.00 × 10-2 m )
2
r132  C2 

N ⋅ m 2  ( 1.50 × 10 C )( 2.00 × 10 C )
−6 −6
ke q2 q3 
F3 = =  8.99 × 109  = 67.4 N
( 2.00 × 10-2 m )
2
r232  C2 

The net force on the 6 µ C charge is F6 = F1 − F2 = 46.7 N (to the left)

The net force on the 1.5 µ C charge is F1.5 = F1 + F3 = 157 N (to the right)

The net force on the −2 µ C charge is F−2 = F2 + F3 = 111 N (to the left)
 Electric Forces and Electric Fields 11

15.11 In the sketch at the right, FR is the resultant of the ur 5.00 nC 6.00 nC
F6
forces F6 and F3 that are exerted on the charge at q
ur ur 0.100 0.300
m
m
the origin by the 6.00 nC and the –3.00 nC charges FR F 3
respectively. –3.00 nC

9 N⋅m  (
 2 6.00 × 10 −9 C )( 5.00 × 10 −9 C )
F6 =  8.99 × 10 
( 0.300 m )
2
 C2 

= 3.00 × 10 −6 N

N ⋅ m 2  ( 3.00 × 10 C )( 5.00 × 10 C )
−9 −9

F3 =  8.99 × 109  = 1.35 × 10 −5 N
( )
2 2
 C  0.100 m

F 
( F6 ) + ( F3 ) = 1.38 × 10 −5 N at θ = tan −1  3
2 2
The resultant is FR =  = 77.5°
 F6 
G
or FR = 1.38 × 10 −5 N at 77.5° below − x axis

15.12 Consider the arrangement of charges shown in the sketch at 3.00 nC

the right. The distance r is ur
F2

r= ( 0.500 m ) + ( 0.500 m ) = 0.707 m

2 2
0.500 m r
45.0°

The forces exerted on the 6.00 nC charge are 0.500 m 45.0°

0.500 m

r
N ⋅ m  ( 6.00 × 10 C )( 2.00 × 10 C)
−9 −9 6.00 nC ur
 2
F3
F2 =  8.99 × 109 
( 0.707 m )
2
 C2 
2.00 nC

= 2.16 × 10 −7 N

9 N⋅m  (
 2 6.00 × 10 −9 C )( 3.00 × 10 −9 C )
and F3 =  8.99 × 10  = 3.24 × 10 −7 N
( )
2 2
 C  0.707 m
12 CHAPTER 15

Thus, ΣFx = ( F2 + F3 ) cos 45.0° = 3.81 × 10 −7 N

and ΣFy = ( F2 − F3 ) sin 45.0° = −7.63 × 10 −8 N

The resultant force on the 6.00 nC charge is then

 ΣFy 
( ΣFx ) ( )
2
= 3.89 × 10 −7 N at θ = tan −1 
2
FR = + ΣFy  = − 11.3°
 ΣFx 
G
or FR = 3.89 × 10 −7 N at 11.3° below +x axis

15.13 The forces on the 7.00 µC charge are shown at the right. y ur
F1

9 N⋅m  (
 2 7.00 × 10 −6 C )( 2.00 × 10 −6 C ) + 7.00 mC
F1 =  8.99 × 10 
( 0.500 m ) ur
2
 C2 
F2

= 0.503 N 60.0°
x
+ –
0.500 m
N ⋅ m 2  ( 7.00 × 10 C )( 4.00 × 10 C )
−6 −6 2.00 mC –4.00 mC

F2 =  8.99 × 109 
( 0.500 m )
2
 C2 

= 1.01 N

Thus, ΣFx = ( F1 + F2 ) cos 60.0° = 0.755 N

and ΣFy = ( F1 − F2 ) sin 60.0° = −0.436 N

The resultant force on the 7.00 µC charge is

 ΣFy 
( ΣFx ) ( )
2
= 0.872 N at θ = tan −1 
2
FR = + ΣFy  = −30.0°
 ΣFx 
G
or FR = 0.872 N at 30.0° below the +x axis
 Electric Forces and Electric Fields 13

15.14 Assume that the third bead has charge Q and is located at 0 < x < d . Then the forces
exerted on it by the +3q charge and by the +1q charge have magnitudes

k e Q ( 3q ) keQ ( q )
F3 = and F1 = respectively
(d − x)
2 2
x

These forces are in opposite directions, so charge Q is in equilibrium if F3 = F1 . This gives

3 ( d − x ) = x 2 , and solving for x, the equilibrium position is seen to be
2

d
x= = 0.634 d
1+1 3

This is a position of stable equilibrium if Q > 0 . In that case, a small displacement from
the equilibrium position produces a net force directed so as to move Q back toward the
equilibrium position.

15.15 Consider the free-body diagram of one of the spheres given ur

+y T
at the right. Here, T is the tension in the string and Fe is the
repulsive electrical force exerted by the other sphere. 5.0°
ur
mg Fe
ΣFy = 0 ⇒ T cos 5.0° = mg , or T =
cos 5.0° +x

ΣFx = 0 ⇒ Fe = T sin 5.0° = mg tan 5.0°

ur
mg
At equilibrium, the distance separating the two spheres is r = 2 L sin 5.0° .

ke q2
Thus, Fe = mg tan 5.0° becomes = mg tan 5.0° and yields
( 2 L sin 5.0° )
2

mg tan 5.0°
q = ( 2 L sin 5.0° )
ke

=  2 ( 0.300 m ) sin 5.0°

( 0.20 × 10 −3
kg )( 9.80 m s 2 ) tan 5.0°
= 7.2 nC
8.99 × 109 N ⋅ m 2 C 2
14 CHAPTER 15

15.16 The required position is shown in the 6.00 nC –3.00 nC q

sketch at the right. Note that this places q ur ur
F3 F6
closer to the smaller charge, which will
allow the two forces to cancel. Requiring 0.600 m x
that

F6 = F3 gives

k e ( 6.00 nC ) q k e ( 3.00 nC ) q
= , or 2 x 2 = ( x + 0.600 m )
2

( x + 0.600 m )
2
x2

Solving for x gives the equilibrium position as

0.600 m
x= = 1.45 m beyond the − 3.00 nC charge
2 −1

15.17 For the object to “float” it is necessary that the electrical force support the weight, or

qE ( 24 × 10 C ) ( 610 N C )
−6

qE = mg or m= = 2
= 1.5 × 10 −3 kg
g 9.8 m s

ur
15.18 (a) Taking to the right as +6.00 mC P E3 +1.50 mC –2.00 mC
positive, the resultant ur ur
q1 E2 q2 q3
electric field at point P is E1
given by 1.00 cm
2.00 cm 3.00 cm
ER = E1 + E3 − E2

k e q1 k e q3 k e q2
= 2
+ 2
−
r
1 r 3 r22

 N ⋅ m2   6.00 × 10 −6 C 2.00 × 10 −6 C 1.50 × 10 −6 C 

=  8.99 × 109  + − 
  ( 0.020 0 m ) ( 0.030 0 m ) ( 0.010 0 m ) 
2 2 2
 C2

This gives ER = + 2.00 × 107 N C

G
or E R = 2.00 × 107 N C to the right

G G
(b) F = qE R = ( −2.00 × 10 −6 C )( 2.00 × 107 N C ) = −40.0 N

G
or F = 40.0 N to the left
 Electric Forces and Electric Fields 15

15.19 We shall treat the concentrations as point charges. Then, the resultant field consists of
two contributions, one due to each concentration.

The contribution due to the positive charge at 3 000 m altitude is

 9 N ⋅ m  ( 40.0 C )
2
q
E+ = k e =  8.99 × 10  = 3.60 × 10 5 N C ( downward )
r2  C 2  ( 1 000 m )2

The contribution due to the negative charge at 1 000 m altitude is

 9 N ⋅ m  ( 40.0 C )
2
q
E− = k e =  8.99 × 10  = 3.60 × 10 5 N C ( downward )
r2  C 2  ( 1 000 m )2

The resultant field is then

G G G
E = E + + E − = 7.20 × 10 5 N C ( downward )

15.20 (a) The magnitude of the force on the electron is F = q E = eE , and the acceleration is

eE ( 1.60 × 10 C ) ( 300 N C )
−19
F
a= = = −31
= 5.27 × 1013 m s 2
me me 9.11 × 10 kg

(b) v = v0 + at = 0 + ( 5.27 × 1013 m s 2 )( 1.00 × 10 −8 s ) = 5.27 × 10 5 m s

15.21 If the electric force counterbalances the weight of the ball, then

mg ( 5.0 × 10 kg )( 9.8 m s )
−3 2

qE = mg or E= = −6
= 1.2 × 10 4 N C
q 4.0 × 10 C

15.22 The force an electric field exerts on a positive change is in the direction of the field. Since
this force must serve as a retarding force and bring the proton to rest, the force and
hence the field must be in the direction opposite to the proton’s velocity .

The work-energy theorem, Wnet = KE f − KEi , gives the magnitude of the field as

KEi 3.25 × 10 −15 J

− ( qE ) ∆x = 0 − KEi or E= = = 1.63 × 10 4 N C
q ( ∆x ) ( 1.60 × 10 -19 C ) ( 1.25 m )
16 CHAPTER 15

F qE ( 1.60 × 10 C ) ( 640 N C )
−19

15.23 (a) a= = = = 6.12 × 1010 m s 2

m mp 1.673 × 10 -27 kg

∆v 1.20 × 10 6 m s
(b) t = = = 1.96 × 10 −5 s = 19.6 µ s
a 6.12 × 1010 m s 2

(1.20 × 10 m s ) − 0 =
2
v 2f − v02 6

(c) ∆x = = 11.8 m
2a 2 ( 6.12 × 10 m s )
10 2

mp v 2f = ( 1.673 × 10 −27 kg )( 1.20 × 106 m s ) = 1.20 × 10 −15 J

1 1 2
(d) KE f =
2 2

15.24 The altitude of the triangle is q1 = 3.00 nC

h = ( 0.500 m ) sin 60.0° = 0.433 m

m
00
h

0.5
and the magnitudes of the fields due to
each of the charges are ur
60.0° E2
q2 = 8.00 nC ur
0.250 m ur E q2 = –5.00 nC
k e q1 ( 8.99 × 10 N ⋅ m C )( 3.00 × 10 C )
9 2 2 −9 E1 3
E1 = =
( 0.433 m )
2
h2

= 144 N C

k e q2 ( 8.99 × 10 N ⋅ m C )( 8.00 × 10 C )
9 2 2 −9

E2 = 2 = = 1.15 × 10 3 N C
( )
2
r2 0.250 m

and E3 =
k e q3
=
( 8.99 × 10 9
N ⋅ m 2 C 2 )( 5.00 × 10 −9 C )
= 719 N C
( 0.250 m )
2
r32
 Electric Forces and Electric Fields 17

Thus, ΣEx = E2 + E3 = 1.87 × 10 3 N C and ΣEy = −E1 = −144 N C

giving

( ΣEx ) ( )
2 2
ER = + ΣEy = 1.88 × 10 3 N C

and

θ = tan −1 ( ΣEy ΣEx ) = tan −1 ( −0.0769 ) = −4.40°

JG
Hence E R = 1.88 × 10 3 N C at 4.40° below the +x axis

15.25 From the symmetry of the charge distribution, students

should recognize that the resultant electric field at the ur
q ur q
center is E2 E1

G 30° 30°
ER = 0
ur
E3
If one does not recognize this intuitively, consider:
G G G G q
E R = E1 + E 2 + E 3 , so

ke q ke q
Ex = E1x − E2 x = 2
cos 30° − cos 30° = 0
r r2

and

ke q ke q ke q
Ey = E1 y + E2 y − E3 = 2
sin 30° + 2
sin 30° − =0
r r r2

Thus, ER = Ex2 + Ey2 = 0

18 CHAPTER 15

15.26 If the resultant field is to be zero, the contributions

of the two charges must be equal in magnitude q1 = –9.0 mC
and must have opposite directions. This is only
possible at a point on the line between the two r1 ur
negative charges. 6.0 m E1

Assume the point of interest is located on the ur y

y-axis at − 4.0 m < y < 6.0 m . Then, for equal E2
magnitudes, +x

4.0 m r2
k e q1 k e q2 9.0 µ C 8.0 µ C
= or =
( 6.0 m − y ) ( y + 4.0 m )
2 2
r12 r22
q2 = –8.0 mC

8
Solving for y gives y + 4.0 m = ( 6.0 m − y ) , or y = + 0.85 m
9

15.27 If the resultant field is zero, the +y

contributions from the two charges must
r1 = d 1.0 m
be in opposite directions and also have +x
equal magnitudes. Choose the line ur ur
E2 E1 q1 = –2.5 mC q2 = 6.0 mC
connecting the charges as the x-axis, with
the origin at the –2.5 µC charge. Then, the r2 = 1.0 m + d
two contributions will have opposite
directions only in the regions x < 0 and
x > 1.0 m . For the magnitudes to be equal, the point must be nearer the smaller charge.
Thus, the point of zero resultant field is on the x-axis at x < 0 .

k e q1 k e q2 2.5 µ C 6.0 µ C
Requiring equal magnitudes gives = or =
( 1.0 m + d )
2 2 2 2
r
1 r2 d

2.5
Thus, (1.0 m + d ) =d
6.0

Solving for d yields

d = 1.8 m , or 1.8 m to the left of the − 2.5 µ C charge

15.28 The magnitude of q2 is three times the magnitude of q1 because 3 times as many lines
emerge from q2 as enter q1 . q2 = 3 q1

(a) Then, q1 q2 = − 1 3
 Electric Forces and Electric Fields 19

(b) q2 > 0 because lines emerge from it,

and q1 < 0 because lines terminate on it.

15.29 Note in the sketches at the right that

electric field lines originate on
positive charges and terminate on
negative charges. The density of
lines is twice as great for the −2 q
–2q
charge in (b) as it is for the 1q
charge in (a).
q>0
(a) (b)
15.30 Rough sketches for these charge configurations are shown below.

–2 mC
+1 mC –2 mC +1 mC

(a) (b) (c)

15.31 (a) The sketch for (a) is shown at

the right. Note that four times
as many lines should leave q1
as emerge from q2 although, for
clarity, this is not shown in this
sketch.
q1 = 4q2 q2
(b) The field pattern looks the same
here as that shown for (a) with
the exception that the arrows
are reversed on the field lines.