4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

1 Electrostatics 9 (a)

Practice 1.1 (p.20) + –

1 D
2 A
Negative charges move from the earth to the
(b)
metal sphere. In this process, sparks may not
be produced.
3 B – –
4 C
Electrons move towards side X. Protons
cannot move freely in a metal.
5 C 10 When he combs his hair, the comb and his
As electrons leave the metal, the metal hair are charged by friction and carry opposite
becomes positively charged. charges. Thus, they attract each other.
6 B 11 When moving on a dry day, the body is easily
R must carry negative charge, so C and D are charged by friction. The body is earthed when
not possible. When Q touches P, it carries a touching the door handle, and the transfer of
charge of magnitude less than 6 × 10–9 C. charges gives an electric shock.
When it touches R, R shares only part of this 12 (a) The metal rod is earthed by the hand.
charge. Therefore A is not possible. Whenever the rod is charged, the
7 A charges are immediately shared with the
A charge placed between X and Y would earth via the human body.
experience a force in the opposite direction as (b) Hold the rod with an insulator and rub it
in other positions on ST. with a piece of cloth.
∴ (2) is incorrect. 13 (a) They repel each other.
The electric field at the mid-point of XY is (b) B is earthed through the metal thread. A
non-zero, so a charge placed at that point negative charge is induced on B by A. As
experiences an electrostatic force. the spheres carry opposite charges, they
∴ (3) is incorrect. attract each other.
8 (a) Incorrect
(b) Correct Practice 1.2 (p.34)
(c) Correct 1 C
(d) Correct 2 C
By W = Fs, the field applies a force on the
electron.
∴ B is incorrect.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

The electrostatic force acting on the electron is Since the distance of D from B is 2 times of
opposite to the direction of the field, but the that from A, the force acted on a test charge at
direction of motion of the electron cannot be F F
B is . The electric field is hence .
determined. 2 2q
QQ
∴ D is not necessarily correct. 6 Apply F = 1 2 2 .
4 πε 0 r
3 A
5 × 10 −8 × 2 × 10 −8
Electric field strength at X (a) F=
4π(8.85 × 10 -12 )(0.05) 2
q2
=
4πε 0 (3d ) 2 = 3.60 × 10–3 N
5 × 10 −8 × 5 × 10 −8
Electric field strength at Y (b) 5.5 × 10 −8 =
4 π(8.85 × 10-12 )r 2
1  q2 q2 q2 
=  + + 
4 πε 0  (3d ) 2 (5d ) 2 (7 d ) 2  r = 20.2 m
7 (a) Electric field strength
Therefore the field strength at X is smaller.
V 230
∴ (2) is incorrect. = = = 4600 N C–1
d 0.05
The field strength at the mid-point of Q2 and (b) The answer will be doubled.
Q3 is the same as that at X. (c) The answer will be halved.
∴ (3) is incorrect. 8 (a) A: negative; C: positive
4 A (b) TA TB TC
Consider the forces acted on the central charge
as shown below. Note that F1 and F2 have the FAB FBA
same magnitude. Let F be this magnitude. A B C
FAC FBC FCA FCB
F3
(c)
Q1 Q2
B A C

60° 60° 9 (a) Directions of the forces are as follows.

F2 F1
FZX
θ
Q3
FZY
Magnitude of F3 = F cos 60° + F cos 60° = F
Therefore, Q3 must have the same value as Q1
and Q2. Distance between X and Z
5 B = (4d ) 2 + (3d ) 2 = 5d
1
Electrostatic force ∝ 2 The magnitudes of the forces are
r
calculated as follows.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

Q1Q2 q×q 1  q2  Magnitude of resultant field strength

F= = =  
4 πε 0 r 2 4 πε 0 (4d ) 2 16  4 πε 0 d 2  = 2997 2 + 444 2 = 3030 N C–1
q × 5q 16 Magnitude of resultant force
(i) FZX = = F
4 πε 0 (5d ) 2
5
= 3030 × 2 × 10–8 = 6.06 × 10–5 N
q × 5q 80
(ii) FZY = = F 11 (a) Consider the vertical direction.
4 πε 0 (3d ) 2
9
T cos 10° = mg
(b) In the horizontal direction, mg
T=
Fx = FZX sin θ cos 10°
16 4 0.02 × 9.81
= F× =
5 5 cos 10°
64 = 0.1992 N
= F
25 ≈ 0.199 N
In the vertical direction,
The tension in the string is 0.199 N.
Fy = FZY + FZX cos θ (b) Consider the horizontal direction.
80 16 3
= F+ F× F = T sin 10°
9 5 5
2432 = 0.1992 × sin 10°
= F
225 = 0.03459 ≈ 0.0346 N
Magnitude of resultant force The electrostatic force is 0.0346 N.
2
 64   2432 
2
QQ
=  F + F (c) F = A B2
 25   225  4πε 0 r
F × 4 πε 0 r 2
= 11.1F QB =
Q QA
10 (a) By E = ,
4 πε 0 r 2 0.03459 × 4 π(8.85 × 10-12 ) × 0.12
=
5 × 10 −8
magnitude of resultant field strength
1  3 × 10 −8 − 4 × 10 −8  = 7.69 × 10–7 C
=  + 
4 π(8.85 × 10-12 )  0.12 0.32  The charge in B is 7.69 × 10–7 C.
(d) Electric field strength
= 2.30 × 104 N C–1
F
Magnitude of resultant force =
QA
= 2.30 × 104 × 2 × 10–8 = 4.60 × 10–4 N 0.03459
=
(b) Magnitude of E1 5 × 10 −8
1  3 × 10 −8  = 6.92 × 105 N C–1 (towards B)
=  
4 π(8.85 × 10 )  0.32 
-12 
1 2
12 (a) mv = qV
= 2997 N C−1 2
Magnitude of E2 2qV
v=
 4 × 10 −8  m
1
=  
4 π(8.85 × 10 )  0.9 2 
-12  2 × 1.6 × 10 −19 × 1000
=
9.11 × 10 −31
= 444 N C−1
= 1.87 × 107 m s–1

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

The speed is 1.87 × 107 m s–1.

(b) The answer is the same as in (a) which is
1.87 × 107 m s–1.
(c) The speed of the electron when reaching
Q does not change with the separation of
resultant force
the plates.
10 B
Revision exercise 1 When the charge in one of the spheres
Concept traps (p.39) increases, the force acted on both spheres
1 T increase.
2 F 11 B
Positive and negative charges are induced on If a charge is released from rest at Q, it will
opposite sides of the conductor but the net experience an electrostatic force along the
charge on it is zero. tangent to the field line. It leaves the field line
3 F once it starts moving.
The electric field between two oppositely ∴ (2) is incorrect.
charged parallel plates is uniform. By F = Eq, 12 A
the electric force acting on the proton is A positive charge at Q will experience a
constant. horizontal force.
∴ (2) is incorrect.
Multiple-choice questions (p.39) A neutral object at R will experience no net
4 C force.
The induced charge is shown as follows: ∴ (3) is incorrect.
13 B
Q 1
E′ = = E
4 πε 0 (3R) 2
9
5 B 2 2
F ′ = 2qE ′ = qE = F
Charged insulators remain charged after 9 9
earthing. 14 A
6 D The field is uniform.
7 C ∴ (1) is correct.
8 D The particle accelerates along the vertical
P and Q are in contact when P is earthed. This direction. Thus, its speed and hence its kinetic
makes both of them neutral. energy changes.
9 B ∴ (2) is incorrect.
The resultant force is shown as follows: The particle may move from Y to X.
∴ (3) is incorrect.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

15 C 18 B
When Y carries a charge Q, it exerts a force FY Work is done on Q by the electric field so Q
on q to the left, while X and Z exert no force loses electric potential energy.
on q. ∴ (1) is incorrect.
Q When Q moves from Y to Z, its direction of
When the three particles carry charge , the
3
motion is perpendicular to the electrostatic
forces exerted by X and Y on q cancel each
force, so no work is done by the field.
other and Z exerts a force FZ on q to the left.
∴ (2) is correct.
FZ is smaller than FY as Z carries less charge V
By E = , the electric field strength
and is further away from q. d
In both cases, a force to the right is needed to increases if the negative plate moves closer.
hold q in place but the force required in the Since W = Fs = QEs , more work is done on
second case is smaller. Q and the potential energy difference is larger.
16 C ∴ (3) is incorrect.
Suppose X initially carries charge Q, which 19 (HKCEE 2007 Paper 2 Q19) A
may be positive or negative. Then Y carries 20 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1A Q24) D
3Q or –3Q. The force between them has 21 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1A Q25)C
3Q 2
magnitude F = where d is the
4 πε 0 d 2 Conventional questions (p.42)
distance between them. 22 (a) Charge carried
After touching, they may both carry 2Q or Q. = 3 × 1012 (−1.60 × 10–19) 1M
4Q 2 4F = −4.8 × 10 C–7
1A
The force between them are =
4 πε 0 d 2
3 (b) No, 1A
Q2 F this is because the plastic sphere is an
and = respectively in these two
4 πε 0 d 2
3
insulator and cannot be charged by
cases. sharing. 1A
17 C 23 (a) A carries negative charges. 1A
X is attracted to the negative plate, so it carries Since it is repelled by B, they must carry
positive charge. like charges. 1A
∴ (1) is correct. (b) tension
Y has a larger acceleration towards the plates.
Since X and Y have the same mass, by F = ma,
Y experiences a larger force.
electrostatic force
∴ (2) is correct.
The electric field between the plates is
uniform. By F = qE, the quantity of charge on
gravitational force
Y is larger than that on X.
∴ (3) is incorrect.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

(1 correct force with correct name) 1A (ii) Yes, 1A

(All correct) 1A work is done on the particle by the
(c) The statement is incorrect. 1A electrostatic force, which is the net
C may be neutral. 1A force acting on it. 1A
FS
24 (a) When the car is travelling, its metal case 27 (a)
is charged by friction. 1A P (–1 nC) Q (–2 nC)
FQ
When the driver touches the ground and
the metal case, he connects the car to the FR
50 cm
earth 1A
and a current flows between the car and
the earth through his body. 1A S (–2 nC) R (+3 nC)

(b) Any one of the following: 1A (Correct FS, FQ) 1A

The driver should wear plastic shoes. (Correct FR) 1A
QQ
Earth the car before the driver touches it. (b) Apply F = 1 2 2 . 1M
4 πε 0 r
25 When the ball touches the positive metal plate,
(1 × 10 −9 ) × ( 2 × 10 −9 )
it gains positive charge by sharing. 1A FQ = 9 × 10 9 ×
0.52
Since the ball and the positive metal plate
= 7.2 × 10–8 N
carry the same charge, the ball is repelled and (1 × 10 −9 ) × ( 2 × 10 −9 )
FS = 9 × 10 9 ×
swings to the negative metal plate. 1A 0.52
When the ball touches the negative metal plate, = 7.2 × 10–8 N
it gains negative charge by sharing and swings (1 × 10 −9 ) × (3 × 10 −9 )
FR = 9 × 10 9 ×
back to the positive metal plate. 1A ( 2 × 0.5) 2
The above process repeats and the ball will = 5.4 × 10–8 N
oscillate and touch alternately the two metal Horizontal component of resultant force
plates. 1A = 7.2 × 10e – 5.4 × 10–8 cos 45° 1M
–8
26 (a) (i) = 3.38 × 10 N (towards left)
Vertical component of resultant force
F
7.2 × 10–8 – 5.4 × 10–8 sin 45°
= 3.38 × 10–8 N (upwards)
Resultant force
(Correct arrows) 1A = (3.38 × 10 ) + (3.38 × 10 )
−8 2 −8 2

(ii) F will change in both magnitude = 4.78 × 10–8 N 1A

and direction 1A (away from R) 1A
as the electric field is not uniform. 28 (a) E is independent of x. 1A
1A (b) V = Ed 1M
(b) (i) Negative 1A = 2.8 × 10 × 0.06
5

= 1.68 × 104 V 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

The voltage between the plates is 30 Since the E-fields due to W and X cancel out
4
1.68 × 10 V. each other at P, we only need to consider Y
5 –1
(c) E / 10 N C and Z. 1M
0 x / cm Q
By E = , 1M
1 2 3 4 5 6
4 πε 0 r 2
–0.5
4 × 10 −9
EY =
4 π(8.85 × 10 −12 )( 2 × 0.2) 2
–1

–1.5
= 450 N C–1 (towards Y)
–2 Similarly, EZ = 450 N C–1 (away from Z)
–2.5 The vertical components of EY and EZ cancel

–3
out each other. 1A
Consider the horizontal direction and take the
(Horizontal line at –1.4 × 105 N C–1) 1A
Q direction to the right as positive.
29 (a) Apply E = . 1M
4 πε 0 r 2 Horizontal component of the resultant field
−8
5 × 10 = EY sin 45° + EZ sin 45°
E1 = 9 × 109 ×
0.4 2 = 450 cos 45° + 450 cos 45°
–1
= 2813 N C (away from Q1) = 636 N C–1 1A
3 × 10 −8 –1
The resultant field is 636 N C to the right.
E2 = 9 × 109 ×
0.52 31 (a) Negative 1A
= 1080 N C–1 (towards Q2) (b) Electric field strength
Horizontal component of resultant field V
= 1M
= 2813 × cos 60° – 1080 1M d
1224
= 326.5 N C–1 (towards right) =
0.006
Vertical component of resultant field
= 2.04 × 105 N C–1 (downwards) 1A
= 2813 × sin 60°
(c) The charged oil droplet will fall due to
= 2436 N C–1 (downwards)
gravity. 1A
Magnitude of resultant field
(d) mg = qE 1M
= (326.5) 2 + (2446) 2 mg
q=
= 2458 N C−1 E
1 × 10 −14 × 9.81
≈ 2460 N C–1 1A =
2.04 × 10 5
(b) F = Eq 1M
–8
= 4.81 × 10–19 C 1A
= 2458 × 4× 10
The charge carried by the oil droplet is
= 9.83 × 10–5 N 1A
−4.81 × 10–19 C.
The resultant electrostatic force is
32 (a) KE gained
9.83 × 10–5 N. 1
= mv 2 1M
2

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

1
= × 9.11 × 10 −31 × (6.6 × 10 6 ) 2 The attractive force acted on the positive
2
side is greater than the repulsive force
= 1.98 × 10–17 J 1A
acted on the negative side by bell A. 1A
(b) EPE lost = KE gained 1M
As a result, the metal ball moves towards
qV = ∆KE
bell A and hit it.
∆KE
V= (b) (i) Sparks 1A
q
(ii)
1.98 × 10 −17
=
1.60 × 10 −19
= 124 V 1A
The voltage output is 124 V. (Correct shape) 1A
(c) KE gained = work done on electron (Correct direction) 1A
ΔKE = Fs 1M 34 (a) (i) The gold leaf deflects upwards. 1A
∆KE When the rod is brought near the
F=
s metal cap, negative charge is
1.98 × 10 −17
= induced on the metal cap and
0.1
positive charge is induced on the
= 1.98 × 10–16 N 1A
V 124 gold leaf and the lower part of the
Or E= = = 1240 N C–1 1M
d 0.1 metal support. 1A
F = qE The gold leaf and the lower part of
= 1.60 × 10 –19
×1240 the metal support carry like charges
= 1.98 × 10 –16
N 1A and repel each other. 1A
Magnitude of the electrostatic force is (ii) It hangs down again. 1A
1.98 × 10 N. –16
(b) (i) The gold leaf deflects more. 1A
1 2 (ii) The gold leaf deflects less. 1A
(d) mv = qV
2 35 (a) Both are towards the left. 1A
⇒ v ∝ V (m and q constant) 1M QA QB
(b) E= + 1M
4 πε 0 rA 4 πε 0 rB
2 2
When V is increased by 4 times, v is
doubled. 1A 2 × 10 −8
= +
33 (a) Bell A. 1A 4 π(8.85 × 10 −12 )(0.15) 2
When a lightning strikes the lightning 2 × 10 −8
rod, bell A becomes negatively charged. 4 π(8.85 × 10 −12 )(0.15) 2
1A = 1.60 × 104 N C 1A
This induces a positive charge on the The electric field strength is
side near bell A of the metal ball and a 1.60 × 104 N C towards the left.
negative charge on the other side of the (c) (i) The electric field at T is zero so it
ball. 1A does not have a direction. 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

The direction of field at S is (b) (i) X

upwards. 1A
(ii) It does not move. 1A
(iii) Since there is an upward field, –Q Y +Q

positive charge is induced in the

upper part of the sphere and Z

negative charge is induced in the (correct directions) 3 × 1A

lower part. 1A (ii) Y 1A
The negative charge experiences a E
(c) (i)
downward force and the positive
charge experiences an upward force.
1A
The downward force is slightly
larger than the upward force since
the negative charge is closer to A
and B. 1A
1
As a result, the sphere will move
d
downwards. 1A
(Correct graph) 1A
36 (HKDSE Practice Paper 2012 Paper 1B Q8)
(ii)
37 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1B Q11)
38 (HKALE 2011 Paper 1B Q7)
F
39 (a)

graph 2
(Correct polarity) 1A
(iii) V = Ed 1M
3
= 7.0 × 10 × 0.012 1M
= 84 V 1A
V
graph 1 40 (a) By E = and F = qE, 1M
r d
V
(Correct shape) 1A F=q
d
(Both graphs are positive) 1A 100
= 1.60 × 10–19 ×
(Graph 2 have values about 4 times that 0.1
of graph 1) 1A = 1.60 × 10–16 N 1A
(towards the 0-V plate) 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

(b) Consider the vertical direction and take (2) From Coulomb’s law, the
upwards as positive. electric field strength due to
By F = ma, 1M each of the charges follows
F 1
a= E∝ 2 . 1A
m r
1.60 × 10 −16 (b) (i) Force on the ion
=
9.11 × 10 −31 = qE 1M
= 1.756 × 1014 m s–2 –19
= 4.8 × 10 × 0.5
uy = 6.0 × 106 sin 60° –19
= 2.4 × 10 N
= 5.196 × 106 m s–1
Acceleration
1
By sy = uy t + ay t 2, 1M F
2 =
m
1
0 = (5.196 × 106) t + (–1.756 × 1014) t 2 2.4 × 10 −19
2 =
4.5 × 10 − 26
⇒ t = 5.92 × 10–8 s or 0 (rejected)
= 5.33 × 106 m s–2 1A
1A
(ii) The speed never decreases. 1A
The time taken is 5.92 × 10–8 s.
It increases at the greatest rate
41 (a) (i)
where the Eres graph is maximum.
1A
Q
42 (a) Apply E = . 1M
4 πε 0 r 2
5 ×10−9
EA = 2
 3.5 ×10− 2 
(correct arrows) 1A 4π(8.85 ×10−12 ) 
 2 
(ii) The vertical components of the
= 1.47 × 105 N C–1 (to the left)
field due to the two charges cancel 4 × 10 −9
out each other. EB = 2
−12  3.5 × 10 
−2

The electric field due to one charge 4 π(8.85 × 10 ) 

 2 
Q
= 1M = 1.17 × 105 N C–1 (to the left) 1M
4 πε 0 r 2
7.0 × 10 −12 Resultant field
=
4 π(8.85 × 10 −12 )0.382 = 1.47 × 105 + 1.17 × 105
= 2.64 × 105 N C–1 1A
= 0.4359 N C–1
(to the left) 1A
Resultant field
QQ
= 2 × 0.4359 cos 55° 1M + 1M (b) F = 1 22 1M
4πε 0 r
= 0.500 N C–1 1A
4 × 10 −9 × 5 × 10 −9
(iii) (1) The fields from the two = 1M
4 π(8.85 × 10 −12 )3.5 × 10 −2
charges cancel each other out.
= 1.5 × 10–4 N
1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

(c) Let T be the tension in the string. attracted to the car body and would not
Consider the force acted on A. land on the floor. 1A
Along the horizontal direction, (c) If the droplets and the car body have the
T sin θ = 1.5 × 10 N –4
(1) 1M same charge, the droplets and the car
Along the vertical direction, body will repel each other. 1A
T cos θ = mg The droplets will not stick onto the car
–5
= 4.5 × 10 × 9.81 body. 1A
–4
= 4.41 × 10 N (2) 1M
(1) ÷ (2),
1.5 × 10 −4
tan θ =
4.41 × 10 − 4
θ = 18.8° 1A

Experiment questions (p.48)

43 Touch the metal plate of the gold leaf
electroscope for a short moment so that it is
earthed. 1A
Bring the two spheres in contact momentarily
without earthing them. 1A
Bring one of the spheres in contact with the
electroscope. Record the degree of deflection
of the gold leaf. 1A
Earth the gold leaf electroscope again. 1A
Bring the other sphere in contact with the
electroscope and record the degree of
deflection of the gold leaf. 1A
The large sphere would cause the gold leaf to
deflect at a larger angle. This shows that the
large sphere acquires more charge. 1A

Physics in article (p.49)

44 (a) The paint droplets with the same charge
repel each other. 1A
The tiny droplets will not accumulate to
be a large droplet of spray. 1A
(b) Since the car body is charged oppositely
to the paint, the paint droplets are

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36 (HKDSE Practice Paper 2012 Paper 1B Q8)

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

37 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1B Q11)

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