Exercise Problems

Electric Force, Electric Field, and Electric Potential

1. Three point charges are fixed in place in a right triangle. (a) What is the
electric force on the −0.60-μC charge due to the other two charges? (b) What
is the electric force on the +1.0-μC charge due to the other two charges?

Key: a) 1.6 N; b) 1.2 N

Figure 1

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2. Find the direction and magnitude of the net electrostatic force exerted on
the point charge q2 in the figure. Let q = +2.4 µC and d = 33 cm.

Key: a) θ = 170°; b) 4.2 N

Figure 2

3. A point charge (m = 1.0 gram) at the end of an insulating cord of length 55 cm is

observed to be in equilibrium in a uniform horizontal electric field of 9500 N/C when
the pendulum’s position is as shown in the figure, with the charge 12 cm above the
lowest (vertical) position. If the field points to the right, determine the magnitude and
sign of the point charge.
Figure 3
Key: +0.82 µC

4. The drawing shows the charges are placed on the x and y axes. They are all
located at the same distance of 6.1 cm from the origin O. For each of the
situations in the drawing, determine the magnitude of the net electric field at
the origin.
Key: 1.7 x 107 N/C
Figure 4
5. Find the electric field and the potential at the center of a square of side 2.0
cm with a charge of +9.0 μC at one corner of the square and with charges of
−3.0 μC at the remaining three corners.

Key: a) 5.4 x 108 N/C; b) 0 V

6. (a) Find the electric potential at points a and b for charges of +4.20 nC Figure 5

andv−6.40 nC located as shown in the figure. (b) What is the potential

difference ΔV for a trip from a to b?
Key: a) Va = 270 V, Vb = -170 V ; b) 430 V

7. An electron and a proton, starting from rest, are accelerated through an

electric potential difference of the same magnitude. In the process, the
electron acquires a speed ve, while the proton acquires a
speed vp. Find the ratio ve/vp.
Key : 42.8