PHY 102 Homework Answers 3

Revised

Lecture 1
1 When point charges q1 = + 8.4 x 10-6 C and q2 = + 5.6 x 10-6 C are brought near
each other, each experiences a repulsive force of magnitude 0.66 N. Determine
the distance between charges.

F=kq1q2/r2
0.66 = 9x109 x 8.4x10-6 x 5.6x10-6 / r2
r2 = 9x109 x 8.4x10-6 x 5.6x10-6 / 0.66 = 0.64145
r = 0.80 m

Lecture 2
2. What magnitude charge creates a 1.0 N/C electric field at a point 1.0 m away?

Field of a point charge is

Magnitude
E = kq/r2
1 = 9x109 x q /12
q = 1 / 9x109 = 1.11 x 10-10 C

3. What are the strength and direction of the electric field 0.02 m from a small glass
bead that has been charged to +6 x 10-9 C.

Field of a point charge is

Magnitude

E = kq/r2 = 9x109 x 6x10-9 / .022

E = 135,000 N/C

Direction
A positive test charge would be repelled from the charge
The direction of the field is radially outward from the small glass bead charge

4. The electric field 0.02 m from a small object points toward the object with a
strength of 180,000 N/C. What is the objects charge?

Field of a point charge is

Magnitude
E = kq/r2
q = Er2/k = 180,000 x (0.02)2 / 9x109 = 8 x 10-9 C
Charge is negative because field points towards negative charge.

5. What are the strength and direction of the electric field 0.001 m from (a) a proton
and (b) and electron?

The charge of electron and proton are the same magnitude. The distance is the same. So
the magnitude of the E field is the same.

E = kq/r2 = 9x109 x 1.6x10-19 / 0.0012 = .00144 N/C

Direction is away from proton and towards electron. Based on force direction on positive
test charge.

6. What are the strength and direction of an electric field that will balance the weight
of (a) a proton and (b) electron?

The weight or force of gravity on a particle is mg where g =9.8. Mass of proton is

1.67 x 10-27 kg and the mass of electron is 9.11 x 10-31 kg.

(a) Mass of proton is 1.67 x10-27 kg. Weight = 9.8 x 1.67 x 10-27 = 1.64 x 10-26 Weight
is the force of gravity.

F = qE = 1.6x10-19E =1.64 x 10-26

E = 1 x 10-7 N/C

Direction of field is upward

(b) Mass of electron is 9.11 x10-31 kg. Weight = 9.8 x 9.11 x 10-31 = 8.93 x 10-30
Weight is the force of gravity.

F = qE = 1.6x10-19E =8.93 x 10-30

E = 5.6 x 10-11 N/C

Direction of field is downward