4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

1 Electrostatics 9 (a)

Practice 1.1 (p.20)

1 D
2 A
Negative charges move from the earth to the
(b)
metal sphere. In this process, sparks may not
be produced.
3 B
4 C
Electrons move towards side X. Protons
cannot move freely in a metal.
5 C 10 When he combs his hair, the comb and his
As electrons leave the metal, the metal hair are charged by friction and carry opposite
becomes positively charged. charges. Thus, they attract each other.
6 B 11 When moving on a dry day, the body is easily
R must carry negative charge, so C and D are charged by friction. The body is earthed when
not possible. When Q touches P, it carries a touching the door handle, and the transfer of
charge of magnitude less than 6 × 10–9 C. charges gives an electric shock.
When it touches R, R shares only part of this 12 (a) The metal rod is earthed by the hand.
charge. Therefore A is not possible. Whenever the rod is charged, the
7 A charges are immediately shared with the
A charge placed between X and Y would earth via the human body.
experience a force in the opposite direction as (b) Hold the rod with an insulator and rub it
in other positions on ST. with a piece of cloth.
 (2) is incorrect. 13 (a) They repel each other.
The electric field at the mid-point of XY is (b) B is earthed through the metal thread. A
non-zero, so a charge placed at that point negative charge is induced on B by A. As
experiences an electrostatic force. the spheres carry opposite charges, they
 (3) is incorrect. attract each other.
8 (a) Incorrect
(b) Correct Practice 1.2 (p.34)
(c) Correct 1 C
(d) Correct 2 C
By W = Fs, the field applies a force on the
electron.
 B is incorrect.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

The electrostatic force acting on the electron is Since the distance of D from B is times of
opposite to the direction of the field, but the that from A, the force acted on a test charge at
direction of motion of the electron cannot be B is . The electric field is hence .
determined.
 D is not necessarily correct. 6 Apply F = .
3 A
Electric field strength at X
(a) F=
=
= 3.60  10–3 N
Electric field strength at Y (b)
=
r = 20.2 m
7 (a) Electric field strength
Therefore the field strength at X is smaller.
 (2) is incorrect. = = = 4600 N C–1
The field strength at the mid-point of Q2 and
(b) The answer will be doubled.
Q3 is the same as that at X.
(c) The answer will be halved.
 (3) is incorrect.
8 (a) A: negative; C: positive
4 A
(b)
Consider the forces acted on the central charge
as shown below. Note that F1 and F2 have the
same magnitude. Let F be this magnitude.

(c)

9 (a) Directions of the forces are as follows.

Magnitude of F3 = F cos 60° + F cos 60° = F

Therefore, Q3 must have the same value as Q1
and Q2.
Distance between X and Z
5 B = = 5d
Electrostatic force The magnitudes of the forces are
calculated as follows.

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

= 2997 N C1
F= = =
Magnitude of E2

= 444 N C1
(i) FZX = =
Magnitude of resultant field strength
(ii) FZY = = = = 3030 N C–1
Magnitude of resultant force
(b) In the horizontal direction,
= 3030 × 2  10–8 = 6.06  10–5 N
Fx = FZX sin θ
11 (a) Consider the vertical direction.
= T cos 10 = mg

= T=

In the vertical direction, =

Fy = FZY + FZX cos θ
= 0.1992 N
=  0.199 N
The tension in the string is 0.199 N.
=
(b) Consider the horizontal direction.
Magnitude of resultant force F = T sin 10°
= 0.1992 × sin 10°
=
= 0.03459  0.0346 N
= 11.1F The electrostatic force is 0.0346 N.

10 (a) By E = , (c) F=

magnitude of resultant field strength

QB =
=
=

= 2.30  104 N C–1

Magnitude of resultant force = 7.69 × 10–7 C
= 2.30  104 × 2  10–8 = 4.60  10–4 N The charge in B is 7.69 × 10–7 C.
(b) Magnitude of E1 (d) Electric field strength

= =

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

= Charged insulators remain charged after

earthing.
= 6.92 × 10 N C (towards B)
5 –1
6 D
12 (a) = qV 7 C
8 D
v= P and Q are in contact when P is earthed. This
makes both of them neutral.
= 9 B
The resultant force is shown as follows:
= 1.87  107 m s–1
The speed is 1.87  107 m s–1.
(b) The answer is the same as in (a) which is
1.87  107 m s–1.
(c) The speed of the electron when reaching
Q does not change with the separation of
the plates.
10 B
When the charge in one of the spheres
Revision exercise 1
increases, the force acted on both spheres
Concept traps (p.39)
increase.
1 T
11 B
2 F
If a charge is released from rest at Q, it will
Positive and negative charges are induced on
experience an electrostatic force along the
opposite sides of the conductor but the net
tangent to the field line. It leaves the field line
charge on it is zero.
once it starts moving.
3 F
 (2) is incorrect.
The electric field between two oppositely
12 A
charged parallel plates is uniform. By F = Eq,
A positive charge at Q will experience a
the electric force acting on the proton is
horizontal force.
constant.
 (2) is incorrect.
A neutral object at R will experience no net
Multiple-choice questions (p.39)
force.
4 C
 (3) is incorrect.
The induced charge is shown as follows:
13 B

5 B

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

14 A X is attracted to the negative plate, so it carries

The field is uniform. positive charge.
 (1) is correct.  (1) is correct.
The particle accelerates along the vertical Y has a larger acceleration towards the plates.
direction. Thus, its speed and hence its kinetic Since X and Y have the same mass, by F = ma,
energy changes. Y experiences a larger force.
 (2) is incorrect.  (2) is correct.
The particle may move from Y to X. The electric field between the plates is
 (3) is incorrect. uniform. By F = qE, the quantity of charge on
15 C Y is larger than that on X.
When Y carries a charge Q, it exerts a force FY  (3) is incorrect.
on q to the left, while X and Z exert no force 18 B
on q. Work is done on Q by the electric field so Q
When the three particles carry charge , loses electric potential energy.
 (1) is incorrect.
the forces exerted by X and Y on q cancel each When Q moves from Y to Z, its direction of
other and Z exerts a force FZ on q to the left. motion is perpendicular to the electrostatic
FZ is smaller than FY as Z carries less charge force, so no work is done by the field.
and is further away from q.  (2) is correct.
In both cases, a force to the right is needed to
By , the electric field strength
hold q in place but the force required in the
second case is smaller. increases if the negative plate moves closer.
16 C Since , more work is done
Suppose X initially carries charge Q, which on Q and the potential energy difference is
may be positive or negative. Then Y carries larger.
3Q or –3Q. The force between them has  (3) is incorrect.
19 (HKCEE 2007 Paper 2 Q19)
magnitude F = where d is the
20 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1A Q24)
distance between them. 21 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1A Q25)
After touching, they may both carry 2Q or Q.
Conventional questions (p.42)
The force between them are =
22 (a) Charge carried
= 3 × 1012 (1.60 × 10–19) 1M
and = respectively in = 4.8 × 10 C –7
1A
(b) No, 1A
these two cases.
17 C

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this is because the plastic sphere is an The above process repeats and the ball will
insulator and cannot be charged by oscillate and touch alternately the two metal
sharing. 1A plates. 1A
23 (a) A carries negative charges. 1A 26 (a) (i)
Since it is repelled by B, they must carry
like charges. 1A
(b)

(Correct arrows) 1A
(ii) F will change in both magnitude
and direction 1A
as the electric field is not uniform.
1A
(b) (i) Negative 1A
(ii) Yes, 1A
(1 correct force with correct name) 1A work is done on the particle by the
(All correct) 1A electrostatic force, which is the net
(c) The statement is incorrect. 1A force acting on it. 1A
C may be neutral. 1A 27 (a)
24 (a) When the car is travelling, its metal case
is charged by friction. 1A
When the driver touches the ground and
the metal case, he connects the car to the
earth 1A
and a current flows between the car and
the earth through his body. 1A (Correct FS, FQ) 1A
(b) Any one of the following: 1A (Correct FR) 1A
The driver should wear plastic shoes.
(b) Apply F = . 1M
Earth the car before the driver touches it.
25 When the ball touches the positive metal plate, FQ =
it gains positive charge by sharing. 1A
Since the ball and the positive metal plate
carry the same charge, the ball is repelled and
= 7.2  10–8 N
swings to the negative metal plate. 1A
FS =
When the ball touches the negative metal
plate, it gains negative charge by sharing and
swings back to the positive metal plate. 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

= 7.2  10–8 N
E2 =
FR =
= 1080 N C–1 (towards Q2)
Horizontal component of resultant field
= 5.4  10–8 N = 2813 × cos 60° – 1080 1M
Horizontal component of resultant force = 326.5 N C (towards right)
–1

= 7.2 × 10e – 5.4  10–8 cos 45° 1M Vertical component of resultant field
= 3.38 × 10–8 N (towards left) = 2813 × sin 60°
Vertical component of resultant force = 2436 N C–1 (downwards)
7.2 × 10–8 – 5.4  10–8 sin 45° Magnitude of resultant field
= 3.38 × 10–8 N (upwards) =
Resultant force = 2458 N C1
=  2460 N C–1 1A

= 4.78  10–8 N 1A (b) F = Eq 1M

(away from R) 1A = 2458 × 4 10 –8

28 (a) E is independent of x. 1A = 9.83  10–5 N 1A

(b) V = Ed 1M The resultant electrostatic force is

= 2.8  105 × 0.06 9.83 × 10–5 N.

= 1.68  104 V 1A 30 Since the E-fields due to W and X cancel out

The voltage between the plates is each other at P, we only need to consider Y

1.68 × 104 V. and Z. 1M

(c) By E = , 1M

EY =

= 450 N C–1 (towards Y)

Similarly, EZ = 450 N C–1 (away from Z)
The vertical components of EY and EZ cancel
out each other. 1A
Consider the horizontal direction and take the
direction to the right as positive.
(Horizontal line at –1.4  105 N C–1) 1A
Horizontal component of the resultant field
29 (a) Apply E = . 1M = EY sin 45 + EZ sin 45
= 450 cos 45 + 450 cos 45
E1 = = 636 N C–1 1A
The resultant field is 636 N C to the right.
–1
= 2813 N C–1 (away from Q1)

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

31 (a) Negative 1A Or E= = = 1240 N C–1 1M

(b) Electric field strength
F = qE
= 1M
= 1.60  10–19 ×1240
= = 1.98  10–16 N 1A
Magnitude of the electrostatic force is
= 2.04  105 N C–1 (downwards) 1A 1.98  10–16 N.
(c) The charged oil droplet will fall due to
(d) = qV
gravity. 1A
(d) mg = qE 1M v (m and q constant) 1M

q= When V is increased by 4 times, v is

doubled. 1A
= 33 (a) Bell A. 1A
When a lightning strikes the lightning
= 4.81  10–19 C 1A rod, bell A becomes negatively charged.
The charge carried by the oil droplet is 1A
4.81  10–19 C. This induces a positive charge on the
32 (a) KE gained side near bell A of the metal ball and a
= 1M negative charge on the other side of the
ball. 1A
= The attractive force acted on the positive

= 1.98  10–17 J 1A side is greater than the repulsive force

(b) EPE lost = KE gained 1M acted on the negative side by bell A. 1A

qV = KE As a result, the metal ball moves towards

bell A and hit it.
V=
(b) (i) Sparks 1A
(ii)
=

= 124 V 1A
The voltage output is 124 V. (Correct shape) 1A
(c) KE gained = work done on electron (Correct direction) 1A
ΔKE = Fs 1M 34 (a) (i) The gold leaf deflects upwards.1A
F= When the rod is brought near the
metal cap, negative charge is
= induced on the metal cap and
positive charge is induced on the
= 1.98  10–16 N 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

gold leaf and the lower part of the As a result, the sphere will move
metal support. 1A downwards. 1A
The gold leaf and the lower part of 36 (HKDSE Practice Paper 2012 Paper 1B Q8)
the metal support carry like charges 37 (HKDSE 2013 Paper 1B Q11)
and repel each other. 1A 38 (HKALE 2011 Paper 1B Q7)
(ii) It hangs down again. 1A 39 (a)
(b) (i) The gold leaf deflects more. 1A
(ii) The gold leaf deflects less. 1A
35 (a) Both are towards the left. 1A

(b) E = + 1M

= +

(Correct shape) 1A
= 1.60 × 104 N C 1A (Both graphs are positive) 1A
The electric field strength is (Graph 2 have values about 4 times that
1.60 × 104 N C towards the left. of graph 1) 1A
(c) (i) The electric field at T is zero so it (b) (i)
does not have a direction. 1A
The direction of field at S is
upwards. 1A
(ii) It does not move. 1A
(iii) Since there is an upward field,
positive charge is induced in the
(correct directions) 3  1A
upper part of the sphere and
(ii) Y 1A
negative charge is induced in the E
(c) (i)
lower part. 1A
The negative charge experiences a
downward force and the positive
charge experiences an upward
force. 1A
The downward force is slightly
larger than the upward force since
the negative charge is closer to A 1
and B. 1A d
(Correct graph) 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

(ii) 41 (a) (i)

(correct arrows) 1A
(Correct polarity) 1A
(ii) The vertical components of the
(iii) V = Ed 1M
field due to the two charges cancel
= 7.0 × 103 × 0.012 1M
out each other.
= 84 V 1A
The electric field due to one charge
40 (a) By E = and F = qE, 1M
= 1M

F=
=
= 1.60  10 –19
×
= 0.4359 N C–1
= 1.60  10–16 N 1A Resultant field
(towards the 0-V plate) 1A = 2  0.4359 cos 55 1M + 1M
(b) Consider the vertical direction and take = 0.500 N C –1
1A
upwards as positive. (iii) (1) The fields from the two
By F = ma, 1M charges cancel each other out.
a= 1A
(2) From Coulomb’s law, the
= electric field strength due to
each of the charges follows
= 1.756  1014 m s–2
uy = 6.0  106 sin 60 . 1A

= 5.196  106 m s–1 (b) (i) Force on the ion

By sy = uy t + ay t ,
2
1M = qE 1M
= 4.8 × 10 –19
× 0.5
0 = (5.196  106) t + (–1.756  1014) t = 2.4 × 10 –19
N
2 Acceleration
 t = 5.92  10–8 s or 0 (rejected) 1A =
The time taken is 5.92  10 s. –8

= 5.33 × 106 m s–2 1A

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4 Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 1 Electrostatics

(ii) The speed never decreases. 1A

tan θ =
It increases at the greatest rate
where the Eres graph is maximum. θ = 18.8° 1A
1A
Experiment questions (p.48)
42 (a) Apply E = . 1M
43 Touch the metal plate of the gold leaf
EA = electroscope for a short moment so that it is
earthed. 1A
Bring the two spheres in contact momentarily
without earthing them. 1A
= 1.47 × 105 N C–1 (to the left) Bring one of the spheres in contact with the
EB = electroscope. Record the degree of deflection
of the gold leaf. 1A
Earth the gold leaf electroscope again. 1A
Bring the other sphere in contact with the
electroscope and record the degree of
= 1.17 × 105 N C–1 (to the left) 1M
deflection of the gold leaf. 1A
Resultant field
The large sphere would cause the gold leaf to
= 1.47 × 105 + 1.17 × 105
deflect at a larger angle. This shows that the
= 2.64 × 105 N C–1 1A
large sphere acquires more charge. 1A
(to the left) 1A

(b) F = 1M Physics in article (p.49)

44 (a) The paint droplets with the same charge
= repel each other. 1A
The tiny droplets will not accumulate to
1M
be a large droplet of spray. 1A
= 1.5 × 10–4 N
(b) Since the car body is charged oppositely
(c) Let T be the tension in the string.
to the paint, the paint droplets are
Consider the force acted on A.
attracted to the car body and would not
Along the horizontal direction,
land on the floor. 1A
T sin θ = 1.5 × 10–4 N (1) 1M
(c) If the droplets and the car body have the
Along the vertical direction,
same charge, the droplets and the car
T cos θ = mg
body will repel each other. 1A
= 4.5 × 10–5 × 9.81
The droplets will not stick onto the car
= 4.41 × 10–4 N (2) 1M
body. 1A
(1)  (2),

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