PHY 2049 SPRING 2000 EXAM 2

1. Consider three copper resistors of simple cylindrical shape with resistance R1 , R2 , and
R3 . The first resistor has length L and diameter D, the second has length 2L and diameter
2D, the third one has length 4L and diameter 2D. Which of the following is true? An-
swer: R3 = R1 > R2

The resistance of a resistor is related to its geometry

ρL
R= .
A
The cross-sectional area of a cylinder is related to its diameter

2
D πD 2
A = πR2 = π = .
2 4
The expression for the resistance is now
4ρL
R= .
πD 2
For the 3 resistors
4ρL1 4ρL
R1 = 2
=
πD1 πD 2
4ρL2 4ρ(2L) 2ρL
R2 = 2
= 2
=
πD2 π(2D) πD 2
4ρL3 4ρ(4L) 4ρL
R3 = 2
= = .
πD3 π(2D)2 πD 2

Comparing R1 , R2 , and R3 , it is clear that R3 = R1 > R2 .

2. A charge q is distributed uniformly throughout a spherical volume of radius R. What is

2 −r 2 )
the potential V a distance r from the center if r < R and V = 0 at infinity? Answer: q(3R
8π0 R3

The electric field inside the charged sphere is

qr
E1 =
4π0 R3
and outside the sphere it is
q
E2 = .
4π0 r 2
The potential difference is given by
 f
Vf − Vi = −  · ds.
E
i
  · ds =
The integration is in the r direction and E is radially outward. Therefore, E
E dr cos 0 = E dr. In addition, it is given that V = 0 at infinity.
 f
Vf − Vi = −  · ds
E
i
 ∞
V (∞) − V (r) = − E dr
r ∞
0 − V (r) = − E dr.
r

It is necessary to break up the integral at r = R since the electric field is different for points
inside and outside the sphere.
 ∞
−V (r) = − E dr
r
 R  ∞
V (r) = E1 dr + E2 dr
r R
 R  ∞
= E1 dr + E2 dr
r R
 R ∞ 
qr q
= 3
dr + dr
r 4π0 R R 4π0 r 2
 


q R2 r 2 q 1
= − + 0− −
4π0 R3 2 2 4π0 R
q
= (R2 − r 2 + 2R2 )
8π0 R3
q(3R2 − r 2 )
= .
8π0 R3
3. Two batteries of identical e.m.f. E and three resistors of identical resistance R are
connected as shown. Find the difference of potentials across the central resistor in terms of
E. Answer: (2/3)E
+ - - +

i1 i2
i1 R i3 R i2
+ +
+
- R -

-
i1 i2

Using Kirchhoff’s loop rule as indicated in the picture:

E − i1 R − i3 R = 0
E − i2 R − i3 R = 0.

The junction rule yields

i3 = i1 + i2 .
Substituting into the two above equations and performing some reorganizing

E = 2Ri1 + Ri2
E = Ri1 + 2Ri2

Solving the first equation for Ri2

Ri2 = E − 2Ri1

and substituting into the second equation:

E = Ri1 + 2Ri2
= Ri1 + 2(E − 2Ri1 )
= 2E − 3Ri1
E
i1 = .
3R
The other current is found

Ri2 = E − 2Ri1
E
= E − 2R
3R
E
=
3
E
i2 =
3R
and i1 = i2 as would be expected from the symmetry of the circuit. The current through
the central branch is i3 = i1 + i2 = 2E/3R. So the potential drop in the central R is
∆V = i3 R = 2E/3.

4. A parallel-plate capacitance gap is filled with a slab made of material with dielectric
constant κ. The capacitance (with the slab inserted) is C. The capacitor is then charged
to a potential difference V and the battery is removed. How much work would be needed
to remove the slab from the capacitor gap? Answer: 12 CV 2 (κ − 1)

The work done is equal to the change in the potential energy

W = ∆U = Uf − Ui .

The charge on the capacitor is Q = CV and remains constant even though the dielectric is
removed because the charging battery was removed. The initial energy is

Q2 1
Ui = = CV 2 .
2C 2
After removing the dielectric, the new capacitance Cf = C/κ. The final energy is

Q2
Uf =
2Cf
Q2
=
2 Cκ
Q2
= κ
2C
1
= κ CV 2 .
2
The work done is

W = Uf − Ui
1 1
= κ CV 2 − CV 2
2 2
1
= CV 2 (κ − 1).
2
5. Three light bulbs labelled as 60 W / 120 V are connected in series by a curious student
and plugged into a 120 V outlet. How much power would this chain of light bulbs dissipate?
Answer: 20 W

The bulbs are rated as 60 W at 120 V. The resistance is related to the power by
P = V 2 /R. The resistance is

V2 (120 V)2
R= = = 240 Ω.
P 60 W
Connecting the light bulbs in series, the total resistance is the sum of the resistances of the
bulbs, Rs = 240 Ω + 240 Ω + 240 Ω = 720 Ω. The power dissipated by the three resistors is
V2 (120 V)2
P = = = 20 W.
R 720 Ω
6. Points A and B are separated as shown. What is difference of potentials between points
A and B, VB − VA ? The electric field is uniform and has magnitude E. Answer: xE
The potential difference is given by
 B
VB − VA = −  · ds.
E
A

Since the electric force is conservative, the path can be deformed without changing the
potential difference. The new path goes from A to C and then to B.
 B
VB − VA = −  · ds
E
A
 C  B
= −  · ds −
E  · ds
E
A C
 B
C
c
y

x
 B
= 0− E ds cos π
 C

= E ds
= Ex.
7. The current density in a cylindrical wire of radius R at a distance r from its axis is
2
J0 (1 − Rr 2 ) and parallel to the wire axis. The total current is Answer: 12 J0 πR2

To find the total current, integrate the current density.


I = J dA
  
r2
= J0 1 − 2 2πr dr
R
  R 3 
R r
= 2πJ0 r dr − dr
0 0 R2
 
1 2 1 R4
= 2πJ0 R − 2
2 R 4
2
πJ0 R
= .
2
8. A resistor R = 15.0 kOhm is connected in series with a capacitor C of unstated value. At
time t = 0 a potential difference E = 12.0 V is applied across this series combination. The
potential difference across the capacitor rises to a measured value of 5.0 V at t = 1.30 µs.
Calculate the value, in picofarads, of the capacitance C. [Hint: use the given data to cal-
culate the RC time constant.] Answer: 160.6 pF

The capacitor is charging since the problem mentions that the potential across the
capacitor rises. In a charging RC circuit, the charge on the capacitor is given by
Q = Q0 (1 − e−t/τ ).
Multiplying by C and replacing CQ0 = E the potential across the capacitor can be written
VC = E(1 − e−t/τ )
 VC
= 1 − e−t/τ
E
VC
e−t/τ = 1 −
E
E − VC
=
E
E
et/τ =
E − VC


E
t/τ = ln
E − VC
 
(12 V)
= ln
(12 V) − (5 V)
= 0.539
t
τ =
0.539
1.30 × 10−6 s
=
0.539
= 2.41 × 10−6 s.

The time constant τ = RC can be used to find the capacitance

τ 2.41 × 10−6 s
C= = = 1.61 × 10−10 F.
R 15 × 103 Ω
9. Consider two protons heading towards one another, each with kinetic energy E and
charge 1.6 × 10−19 Coulomb. Estimate the minimum energy that would allow the pro-
tons to come in contact, assuming that protons can be viewed as solid spheres of diameter
d = 10−15 m. Your estimate is a necessary condition for the nuclear fusion process so it
would be appropriate to express the answer in units of temperature: Use the conversion
factor: one degree Kelvin (K)≈ 2 × 10−23 Joules. Answer: ∼ 6 × 109 K

Energy is conserved in the process. The total kinetic energy is the energy of both moving
charges

U1 + K1 = U2 + K2
k(e)(e)
0+E+E = +0
d
ke2
E =
2d
(8.99 × 109 Nm2 /C2 )(1.6 × 10−19 C)2
E =
2(10−15 m)
= 1.15 × 10−13 J.

Converting to Kelvins
1K
E = 1.15 × 10−13 J × = 6 × 109 K.
2 × 10−23 J
10. Find the total energy stored in the three capacitors assuming that the battery has an
emf of 12 V and that the capacitors all have a capacitance of 4 µF. Answer: 432 µJ

4 µF
12 V 4µF
4 µF

The two capacitors on the right are in series

1 1 1
= +
Cs C1 C2
1 1
= +
4 µF 4 µF
2
=
4 µF
Cs = 2 µF.

This pair of series capacitors is in parallel with the other capacitor

C = C3 + Cs = 4 µF + 2 µF = 6 µF.

The energy is
1 1
U = CV 2 = (6 µF)(12 V)2 = 432 µJ.
2 2