GPHY203 Concept Check 1

General Physics 2 17 January 2020

Instruction: Answer the following questions and provide illustrations as much as possible. Use the concepts that
we have discussed on class. DO NOT MENTION PROTONS AND ELECTRONS.
1. An electroscope is an early scientific instrument used to detect the presence of
electric charge on a body. It detects charge by the movement of a test object due
to the Coulomb electrostatic force on it Please see the right figure. We can also
describe the nature of charges as positive and negative; when we perform
conduction charges will transfer from one body into the other. Refer to the table
below:
Triboelectric series
Positive (in decreasing order) Negative (in decreasing order)
1. Dry hands 1. Steel
2. Glass 2. Wood
3. Mica 3. Amber
4. Polyamide (Nylon 6,6) 4. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)
5. Wool 5. Copper
6. Fur 6. Silver
7. Silica 7. Gold
8. Silk 8. Poly (ethylene terephthalate) (Mylar)
9. Aluminum 9. Epoxy resin
10. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) 10. Natural rubber
11. Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) 11. Polyacrylonitrite (PAN)
12. Paper 12. Poly (bisophenol Acarbonate)
(Lexan, PC)
(a) If we rub mica to mica and induce the metal lid of the electroscope will the metal plates inside the
electroscope move? (b) If we rub an amber with another amber induce the metal lid of the electroscope
will the metal plates inside the electroscope move? (c) If we rub a material with the other which will
be negatively charged; silica and steel, glass and wood, old with fur? (d) When you rub your dry hands
with a silk handkerchief, which will lose electrons, and which will gain electrons? (200 points)

2. Lightweight balls A and B hang straight down when both are neutral. They are close enough together to
interact, but not close enough to touch (please draw it). How the balls hang if (a) both are touched with a
glass rod that was rubbed with fur? (b) The ball A is touched by plastic rod that was rubbed with wool and
ball B is touched by a gloss rod that was rubbed with silk? (200 points)

3. Lightning is is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge during which two electrically charged regions
in the atmosphere or ground temporarily equalize themselves, causing the instantaneous release of as much
as one gigajoule of energy. (a) If lightning strikes your car and you are inside, you will be unharmed if
you not go out. Why is this possible? (b) If you are caught outdoors during thunderstorm, you should not
stand with your legs apart. Why? Many cattle and cows are killed during thunderstorms because they
cannot keep their feet together. (c) If you are standing near a tree, and that tree suddenly struck by a
lightning will you experience an electric shock like what the tree experienced? Why? Why not? (d) Why
is it more likely to be struck by lightning in an open area than in a closed one? (450 points)
GPHY203 Concept Check 1
General Physics 2 17 January 2020

4. For each pair of charges, draw a force vector on each charge to show the electric force acting on that
charge. The length of each vector should be proportional to the magnitude of the force. Each + and –
symbol represents the same quantity of charge. (200 points)

5. Why is it easier to establish a flow of charges through hundreds of kilometers of metal wire that through
a few centimeters of insulating material? (100 points)

6. If you bring your finger near a lightweight, negatively charged hanging ball, the ball
swings over toward your finger. Use charge diagrams and words to explain this
observation. (200 points)

7. Put a sign for each charge (positive or negative) so that these forces are correct. If so, the charges on the
figures. There (may be more than one correct response). If not, why not? (200 points)

8. A positively charged rod is held near, but not touching, a neutral metal sphere.
a. Add pluses and minuses to the figure to show the charge distribution on
the sphere.
b. Does the sphere experience a net force? If so, in which direction?
Explain.