PHYS 2426 (Summer 2024) Garcia Electric Fields & Forces

Problem 1: Consider two metallic rods mounted vertically on insulated supports. One is neutral, the other positively charged. You
slide the two rods close to each other, but without touching, and then briefly ground the neutral rod by touching the top of it with
your hand.

What would be resulting charge (if any) on the initially neutral rod?
MultipleChoice :

1) It will remains neutral.

2) It will be negatively charged.
3) It will be positively charged.
4) There is not enough information given to be able to answer.

Problem 2: The force between two charges is increased by decreasing the distance between them. Then force is increased by a
factor of 28.

By what factor did their separation decrease?

Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
rinitial/rnew = __________________________________________
Problem 3: Four positive point charges of equal magnitude are fixed at the center and three corners
of a square, as shown in the figure.

What arrow best represents the net electric force acting on the charge at the center?
MultipleChoice :

1) D
2) A
3) B
4) C

Problem 4: Two point charges exert a 4.5-newton force on each other.

What will the force become, in newtons, if the distance between them is increased by a factor of three?
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________ N

Problem 5: Common static electricity involves charges in the range between nanocoulombs and microcoulombs.

Part (a) How many electrons are needed to form a charge of Q1 = –10 nC?
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
N = __________________________________________
Part (b) How many electrons must be removed from a neutral object to leave a net charge of Q2 = 1.1 μC?
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
N = __________________________________________

Problem 6: The figure shows the electric field lines near two charges (red, on the left)
and (blue, on the right).

Part (a) What is the ratio of their charges?

Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________

Part (b) Select the diagram which represents the electric field lines a long distance from the charges, assuming .
SchematicChoice :
Problem 7: Consider the two
electric field line diagrams in the
figure.

Part (a) Select the correct diagram that represents the electric field lines a long distance from the charge distributions shown in figure (a).
SchematicChoice :

Part (b) Select the correct diagram that represents the electric field lines a long distance from the charge distributions shown in figure (b).
SchematicChoice :
Problem 8: A charged particle enters the region of uniform electric field between two
charged plates with an initial velocity directed parallel to the plates, as shown in the
figure.

Part (a) The particle is a proton. It is deflected to the left. What is the direction of the electric field? Choose the best answer.
MultipleChoice :

1) Left
2) Down
3) Up
4) Right

Part (b) The particle is an electron. It is deflected to the right. What is the direction of the electric field? Choose the best answer.
MultipleChoice :

1) Up
2) Left
3) Down
4) Right

Part (c) The field is pointing from A to B and the particle is deflected to the left. What kind of particle could it be? Choose the best answer.
MultipleChoice :

1) Na+
2) Proton
3) Neutron
4) Cl-
Problem 9: Four charges are arranged at the corners of a square, as depicted in the
figure.

Part (a) Using the symmetry of the arrangement, determine the direction of the electric field at the center of the square due to the four charges at the
corners, given that qa = qb = -3.9 μC and qc = qd = 3.9 μC .
MultipleChoice :

1) Down
2) Out of the screen
3) Left
4) Up
5) Into the screen
6) Right

Part (b) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field, in newtons per coulomb, at the center of the square (the location of q), given that the square is
6.5 cm on a side.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
|E| = __________________________________________

Problem 10: The figure shows sketches of electric field line configurations that might be due to one or two point charges, as shown.

Select all the sketches that could represent realistic situations.

SchematicSelect :
Problem 11: Four point charges of equal magnitude = 35 nC are placed on the
corners of a rectangle of sides = 23 cm and = 7 cm. The charges on the left side of
the rectangle are positive while the charges on the right side of the rectangle are negative.
Use a coordinate system where the positive -direction is up and the positive -direction
is to the right.

Part (a) Which of the following represents a free-body diagram for the charge on the lower left hand corner of the rectangle?
SchematicChoice :
Part (b) Calculate the horizontal component of the net force, in newtons, on the charge which lies at the lower left corner of the rectangle.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________ N

Part (c) Calculate the vertical component of the net force, in newtons, on the charge which lies at the lower left corner of the rectangle.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________ N

Part (d) Calculate the magnitude of the net force, in newtons, on the charge located at the lower left corner of the rectangle.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________ N

Part (e) Calculate the angle of the net force vector relative to the +x axis, with the positive direction being counterclockwise from the positive
horizontal axis. Enter an angle between -180° and 180°.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________ °

Problem 12: A negative point charge, , is located at the origin. A rod of length is
located along the axis with the near side a distance from the origin. A positive charge,
is uniformly spread over the length of the rod.

Part (a) Consider a thin slice of the rod, of thickness , located a distance from the origin. What is the direction of the force on the charge located
at the origin due to the charge on this thin slice of the rod?
MultipleChoice :

1) positive direction
2) The magnitude of the force is zero,
3) negative direction
4) negative direction
5) There is insufficient information to answer.
6) positive direction

Part (b) Write an expression for the magnitude of the force on the point charge, , due to the thin slice of the rod. Give your answer in terms of the
variables Q1, Q2, L, x, dx, and the Coulomb constant, k.
Expression :
= __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, γ, θ, |Q1|, |Q2|, d, dx, g, h, k, L, m, n, P, x

Part (c) Integrate the force from each slice over the length of the rod, and write an expression for the magnitude of the electric force on the charge at
the origin.
Expression :
= __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, γ, θ, |Q1|, |Q2|, d, dx, g, h, k, L, m, n, P, x

Part (d) Let , , , and . Calculate the magnitude of the force, in newtons, that the rod exerts
on the point charge at the origin.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________
Problem 13: A thin rod of length lies along the positive axis with the
lower end at the origin. The rod carries a uniformly distributed charge of .
A point charge is located on the positive axis a distance
from the origin. Refer to the figure.

Part (a) Consider a thin slice of the rod of thickness located a distance away from the origin. Which option best describes the direction of the
force on the point charge due to the charge on this thin slice?
MultipleChoice :

1) towards the right and down

2) towards the right and up
3) The magnitude of the force is zero.
4) Not enough information is provided.
5) towards positive
6) towards the left and up
7) towards the left and down

Part (b) Choose the correct equation for component of the force, , on the point charge due to the thin slice of the rod.
SchematicChoice :

Part (c) Integrate the correct expression in part (b) over the length of the rod to find the component, in newtons, of the net force.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________

Part (d) Choose the correct equation for the component of the force, , on the point charge due to the thin slice of the rod.
SchematicChoice :
Part (e) Integrate the correct expression in part (d) over the length of the rod to find the component, in newtons, of the net force.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
= __________________________________________

Problem 14: Four point charges, two positive charges on the x-axis and two negative charges
on the y-axis, are located at a distance a = 9.5 cm from the origin on either side of it. The
charge of each of them is q = 10 μC or -10 μC Another positive point charge, with charge Q =
109 μC, is located at point P on the positive x-axis a distance b = 1.1 m to the right of the
rightmost positive charge. Refer to the figure.

Part (a) Enter an expression for the x-component of the force on the point charge, in terms of defined quantities and the Coulomb constant k, at P
due to the negative charges.
Expression :
Fx,1 = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, θ, a, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, n, P, q, Q, t

Part (b) Enter an expression for the x-component of the force on the point charge at P due to the nearest positive charge, in terms of defined
quantities and the Coulomb constant k.
Expression :
Fx,2 = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
α, β, θ, a, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, P, q, Q, t

Part (c) Enter an expression for the x-component of the force on the point charge at P due to the farthest positive charge, in terms of defined
quantities and the Coulomb constant k.
Expression :
Fx,3 = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, θ, a, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, n, P, q, Q, t

Part (d) Calculate the x-component of the net force, in newtons, acting on the point charge at P.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Fx = __________________________________________

Problem 15: A plastic rod of length d = 1.5 m lies along the x-axis with its midpoint at
the origin. The rod carries a uniform linear charge density λ = 7.5 nC/m. The point P is
located on the postive y-axis at a distance y0 = 35 cm from the origin. The z-axis points
out of the screen.
Part (a) By symmetry the electric field at point P has no component in the _____________.
MultipleChoice :

1) x direction
2) x and z directions
3) y and z directions
4) y direction
5) z direction
6) x and y directions

Part (b) Choose the correct expression for the y-component of the electric field at P due to a thin slice of the rod of thickness dx located at point x.
SchematicChoice :

Part (c) Integrate your correct choice in part (b) over the length of the rod and choose the correct expression for the y-component of the electric field
at point P.
SchematicChoice :

Part (d) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at point P, in newtons per coulomb.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
E = __________________________________________

Problem 16: A semi-infinite rod lies along the positive x-axis with its end at the origin.
The rod carries a uniform linear charge density of λ = 4.5 μC/m. Point P is located on the
positive y-axis a distance a = 0.45 m from the origin. Refer to the figure.

Part (a) Consider a thin slice of the rod of thickness dx that is located at distance x from the origin. In which direction will the electric field at P
point due to the charge in the thin slice of the rod? Choose the best option.
SchematicChoice :
Part (b) Choose the correct expression for the x-component of the electric field at point P, dEx , due to the thin slice of the rod.
SchematicChoice :

Part (c) Integrate your correct choice in part (b) over the length of the rod to obtain an expression for the x-component of the electric field at P due to
the entire rod in terms of λ, a, and the Coulomb constant k. Enter that expression.
Expression :
Ex = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, λ, θ, a, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, n, P, S, t

Part (d) Calculate the value of the x-component of the electric field at point P, in kilonewtons per coulomb, due to the semi-infinite charged rod.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Ex = __________________________________________

Part (e) Choose the correct expression for the y-component of the electric field at point P, dEy , due to the thin slice of the rod.
SchematicChoice :
Part (f) Integrate your correct choice in part (e) over the length of the rod to obtain an expression for the y-component of the electric field at P due to
the entire rod in terms of λ, a, and the Coulomb constant k. Enter that expression.
Expression :
Ey = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, λ, θ, a, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, n, P, S, t

Part (g) Calculate the value of the y-component of the electric field at point P, in kilonewtons per coulomb, due to the semi-infinite charged rod.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Ey = __________________________________________

Problem 17: A 3-D printer lays down a semicircular arc of positively charged plastic
with a radius R = 2.5 cm, and a linear charge density of λ = +1.9 μC/m. After the
printer has finished the arc, the stylus moves to the center of the arc as shown. The
minute segment of the plastic arc highlighted in the diagram subtends an angle dθ.

Part (a) Input an expression for the charge dq on the segment of size dθ in terms of given parameters.
Expression :
dq = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
cos(θ), sin(θ), α, λ, π, θ, dθ, e, g, m, q0, qe, R, t, z

Part (b) Input an expression for the electric field vector, dE, generated at the center of the arc by the minute segment of plastic subtending the arc
dθ. Express your answer in terms of given parameters, the Coulomb constant k, and the unit vectors i and j.
Expression :
dE = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
cos(θ), sin(θ), α, λ, π, θ, i, j, dθ, k, q0, qe, R, t, z

Part (c) Evaluate the expression from part (b) as an indefinite integral to determine the x-component of the electrical field, Ex, at the center of the arc
generated by the entire line of charged plastic.
Expression :
Ex = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
cos(θ), sin(θ), α, λ, π, θ, e, g, k, m, q0, qe, R, t, z

Part (d) Select the limits of integration that would result in the correct calculation of the electric field at the center of the arc generated by the entire
line of charged plastic as shown in the diagram.
MultipleChoice :

1) r = 0 to r = ∞
2) θ = 0 to θ = π
3) r = 0 to r = R
4) θ = π to θ = 0
5) θ = –π/2 to θ = π/2

Part (e) Use the limits from part (d) and the expression from part (c) to determine an expression for the magnitude of the electric field at the center
of the arc generated by the entire line of charged plastic.
Expression :
E = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
cos(θ), sin(θ), α, λ, π, θ, g, k, m, q0, qe, R, sqrt(2), t, z

Part (f) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field (in N/C) at the center of the arc generated by the entire line of charged plastic.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
E = __________________________________________

Part (g) What direction is the electric field at the center of the arc?
MultipleChoice :

1) Down
2) Right
3) Out of the page
4) Into the page
5) Some other direction not offered
6) Left
7) Up
8) Cannot be determined with the information given

Problem 18: A basic mass spectrometer can be constructed by shooting a charged

particle through a pair of charged plates and measuring the deflection angle at the end of
the plates. This device can measure the ratio of the charge to the mass of the particle.
Such a device is shown in the figure, which has a length L, a plate separation h, and a
constant electric field E between the plates as shown. In this problem, you may assume
the particle deflection is small relative to the separation h of the plates.

Part (a) Find the tangent of the angle θ shown in the figure, in terms of the variables which describe the spectrometer as well as the the mass m,
charge q, and initial speed v of the particle. You may ignore the force of gravity on the particle.
Expression :
tan(θ) = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, γ, θ, d, E, g, h, j, k, L, m, n, P, q, v

Part (b) For a particular mass spectrometer with parameters L = 2.5 m, E = 7 N/c, v = 8.6×104 m/s, the measured angle is θ = 0.65 rad. Calculate the
charge to mass ratio (R = q/m), in coulomb's per kilogram, of the outgoing particles.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
R = __________________________________________
Problem 19: A uniformly charged solid disk of radius R = 0.35 m carries a uniform
charge density of σ = 250 μC/m2. A point P is located a distance a = 0.25 m from the
center of the disk and perpendicular to the face of the disk.

Part (a) What will be the direction of the electric field at point P?
SchematicChoice :

Part (b) Consider a thin ring of the disk of radius r and thickness dr that is concentric with the disk. Write an equation for the electric field dE, at
point P due to the charge located on this ring. Give your answer in terms of σ, r, dr, a, and Coulomb’s constant k.
Expression :
dEz = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, π, σ, θ, a, b, dφ, dr, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, P, r, R, t

Part (c) Calculate the electric field at point P in units of kilonewtons per coulomb.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Ez = __________________________________________

Part (d) Write an equation for the electric field at point P when a<<R. This is the approximation for an infinitely large sheet of charge.
Expression :
ER>>a = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
α, β, π, σ, θ, a, b, dφ, dr, g, h, j, k, l, m, P, r, R, S, t

Part (e) Write an equation for the electric field at point P when a>>R. When a>>R the disk appears as a single point.
Expression :
Ea>>R = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, π, σ, θ, a, b, dr, g, k, l, m, n, r, R, t
Problem 20: A thin, flat ring (an annulus) with inner radius R1 and outer radius R2 is
uniformly charged on one side with a surface charge density σ > 0. Refer to the figure.

Part (a) Select the correct expression for the magnitude of the electric field at point P, which is at height h over the plane of the ring above its center,
as shown in the figure.
SchematicChoice :

Part (b) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at P, in newtons per coulomb, for the parameter values R1 = 0.066 m, R2 = 0.16 m, σ = 0.37 ×
10-4 C/m2, and h = 0.17 m.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
E = __________________________________________

Part (c) When R1 = 0, the charged ring becomes a charged disk of radius R2. Select the expression for the magnitude of the electric field at P in that
case.
SchematicChoice :

Part (d) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at P, in newtons per coulomb, for the charged disk described in part (c). Use the parameter
values from part (b): R2 = 0.16 m, σ = 0.37 × 10-4 C/m2, and h = 0.17 m.
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Edisk = __________________________________________

Part (e) When R2 → ∞, the charged disk described in part (c) becomes an infinite charged plane. Enter an expression for the magnitude of the
electric field at P in that case. Use the quantities h, σ, π, and k = (1/(4πε0)), as necessary.
Expression :
Eplane = __________________________________________

Select from the variables below to write your expression. Note that all variables may not be required.
β, γ, π, σ, θ, b, d, g, h, j, k, m, n, P, S

Part (f) Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at P, in newtons per coulomb, for the infinite charged plane described in part (e). Use the value σ
= 0.37 × 10-4 C/m2 from part (b).
Numeric : A numeric value is expected and not an expression.
Eplane = __________________________________________

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