Physics

Electric Forces and Fields- Worksheet

Electric Force:

1. An alpha particle (charge = +2.0e) is sent at high speed toward a gold nucleus (charge
= +79e). What is the electric force acting on the alpha particle when the alpha
particle is 2.0× 10−14m from the gold nucleus? Kc= 9x109 N.m2/C2

Sample problems:

1. A positive charge of 3.0 C is pulled on by two negative charges. As shown in

Figure below , one negative charge, 2.0 C, is 0.050 m to the west, and the
other, 4.0 C, is 0.030 m to the east. What total force is exerted on the positive
charge?

Ms.Linda El Farra 1
 2. Consider three point charges at the corners of a triangle, as shown at right,
where q1 = 6.00  10–9 C, q2 = –2.00  10–9 C, and q3 = 5.00  10–9 C. Find
themagnitude and direction of the resultant force on q3.

Practice questions :

1. Three point charges, q1 , q2 , and q3 , lie along the x-axis at x = 0, x = 3.0 cm, and x
= 5.0 cm, respectively. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric force on
each of the three point charges when q1 = + 6.0 µC, q2 = +1.5 µC, and q3 = −2.0
µC.

Ms.Linda El Farra 2
 2. Four charged particles are placed so that each particle is at the corner of a
square. The sides of the square are 15 cm. The charge at the upper left corner is
+3.0 µC, the charge at the upper right corner is −6.0 µC, the charge at the
lower left corner is −2.4 µC, and the charge at the lower right corner is −9.0
µC.

a. What is the net electric force on the +3.0 µC charge?

b. What is the net electric force on the −6.0 µC charge?

Ms.Linda El Farra 3
 3. Three positive point charges of 3.0 nC, 6.0 nC, and 2.0 nC, respectively, are
arranged in a triangular pattern, as shown at right. Find the magnitude and
direction of the electric force acting on the 6.0 nC charge.

Ms.Linda El Farra 4
Equilibrium

1. A charge of +2.00 × 10−9 C is placed at the origin, and another charge of +4.00
× 10−9 C is placed at x = 1.5 m. Find the point between these two charges
where a charge of +3.00 × 10−9 C should be placed so that the net electric
force on it is zero.

2. A charge q1 of −5.00 × 10−9 C and a charge q2 of −2.00 × 10−9 C are

separated by a distance of 40.0 cm. Find the equilibrium position for a third
charge of +15.0 × 10−9 C.

3. An electron is released above the Earth’s surface. A second electron directly

below it exerts just enough of an electric force on the first electron to cancel the
gravitational force on it. Find the distance between the two electrons.

Ms.Linda El Farra 5
 Electric field strength
Sample question:
A charge q1 = +7.00 µC is at the origin, and a charge q2 = –5.00 µC is on the x-axis
0.300 m from the origin, as shown at right. Find the electric field strength at
point P,which is on the y-axis 0.400 m from the origin.

Ms.Linda El Farra 6
 Electric field strength
Practice problems:
1. A proton and an electron in a hydrogen atom are separated on the
average by about 5.3 × 10−11 m. What is the magnitude and direction of
the electric field set up by the proton at the position of the electron?

2. An electric field of 2.0 × 104 N/C is directed along the positive x-axis.
a. What is the electric force on an electron in this field?

b. What is the electric force on the proton in this field?

3. A charge, q1 = 5.00 µC, is at the origin, and a second charge, q2 = −3.00 µC, is on
the x-axis 0.800 m from the origin. Find the electric field at a point on the y-axis
0.500 m from the origin.

4. Consider three charges arranged in a triangle as shown below.

a. What is the net electric force acting on the charge at the origin?

Ms.Linda El Farra 7
 b. What is the net electric field at the position of the charge at the origin?

5. A small 2.0 g plastic ball is suspended by a 20.0 cm string in a uniform

electric field of 1.0× 104 N/C, as shown below.

a. Is the ball’s charge positive or negative?

b. If the ball is in equilibrium when the string makes a 15° angle with the
vertical as indicated, what is the net charge on the ball?

Ms.Linda El Farra 8
Potential Energy and Potential Difference

1. A charge moves a distance of 2.0 cm in the direction of a uniform electric field whose
magnitude is 215 N/C. As the charge moves, its electrical potential energy decreases
by 6.9 × 10–19 J. Find the charge on the moving particle. What is the potential
difference between the two locations?

2. As a particle moves 10.0 m along an electric field of strength 75 N/C, its electrical
potential energy decreases by 4.8 × 10−16 J
a. What is the particle’s charge?

b. What is the potential difference between the initial and final locations of the

particle

3. An electron moves 4.5 m in the direction of an electric field of strength 325 N/C.
Determine the change in electrical potential energy

4. At some distance from a point charge, the electric potential is 600.0 V and the
magnitude of the electric field is 200.0 N/C. Determine the distance from the charge
and the charge.

Ms.Linda El Farra 9
 5. A proton is accelerated from rest through a potential difference of 25 700 V.
a. What is the kinetic energy of this proton in joules after this acceleration?

b. What is the speed of the proton after this acceleration? (mass of the proton=
1.67× 10−27 kg)

6. A pair of oppositely charged parallel plates are separated by 5.33 mm. A potential
difference of 600.0V exists between the plates.
a. What is the magnitude of the electric field strength in the region that is located
between the plates?

b. What is the magnitude of the force on an electron that is in the region between the
plates at a point that is exactly 2.90 mm from the positive plate?

c. The electron is moved to the negative plate from an initial position 2.90 mm from
the positive plate. What is the change in electrical potential energy due to the
movement of this electron?

Superposition Principle and Electric Potential

7. In the figure below, find the electric potential at point P due to the grouping of charges
at the other corners of the rectangle.

Ms.Linda El Farra 10
 8. Four point charges are positioned on the circumference of a circle with radius of 10 cm
. The charge on each of the four is +0.5 µC, +1.5 µC, -1.0 µC, and -0.5 µC. If the
electrical potential at the center of the circle due to the +0.5 µC charge alone is 4.5
x104 V. What is the total electric potential at the center due to the four charges?

9. A uniform electric field with a magnitude of 500 N/C is directed parallel to the
positive x-axis. If the potential at x=5 is 2500 V. What is the potential at x=2 m?

10. The three charges shown at right are located at the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
Calculate the electric potential at the midpoint of the base if each one of the charges at
the corners has a magnitude of 5.0 × 10−9 C.

Ms.Linda El Farra 11
2 Capacitance:

1. A capacitor, connected to a 12 V battery, holds 36 µC of charge on each plate. What is

the capacitance of the capacitor? How much electrical potential energy is stored in the
capacitor?

2. A 4.00 µF capacitor is connected to a 12.0 V battery. a. What is the charge on each

plate of the capacitor? b. If this same capacitor is connected to a 1.50 V battery, how
much electrical potential energy is stored?

3. A parallel-plate capacitor has a charge of 6.0 µC when charged by a potential

difference of 1.25 V.
a. Find its capacitance.
b. How much electrical potential energy is stored when this capacitor is connected to a
1.50 V battery?

4. A capacitor has a capacitance of 2.00 pF.

a. What potential difference would be required to store 18.0 pC?
b. How much charge is stored when the potential difference is 2.5 V?

5. You are asked to design a parallel-plate capacitor having a capacitance of 1.00 F and a
plate separation of 1.00 mm. Calculate the required surface area of each plate. Is this a
realistic size for a capacitor

6. A circular parallel-plate capacitor with a spacing of 3.0 mm is charged to produce a

uniform electric field with a strength of 3.0 x106 N/C. What plate radius is required if
the stored charge is −1.0 μC?
Ms.Linda El Farra 12
 7. A parallel-plate capacitor has an area of 5.00 cm2, and the plates are separated by 1.00
mm. The capacitor stores a charge of 400.0 pC.
a. What is the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor?

b. What is the magnitude of the uniform electric field in the region that is located

between the plates?

Multiple choice Questions (MCQCs):

Charges-Electric force and electric field

What happens when a rubber rod is rubbed with a piece of fur, giving it a negative charge?
a. Protons are removed from the rod. c. Electrons are added to the fur.
b. Electrons are added to the rod. d. The fur is left neutral.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.1

2. A repelling force occurs between two charged objects when the charges are of
a. unlike signs. c. equal magnitude.
b. like signs. d. unequal magnitude.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.1

3. An attracting force occurs between two charged objects when the charges are of
a. unlike signs. c. equal magnitude.
b. like signs. d. unequal magnitude.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.1

4. When a glass rod is rubbed with silk and becomes positively charged,
a. electrons are removed from the rod. c. protons are added to the silk.
b. protons are removed from the silk. d. the silk remains neutral.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.1

Ms.Linda El Farra 13
5. Electric charge is
a. found only in a conductor. c. found only in insulators.
b. conserved. d. not conserved.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.1

6. If a positively charged glass rod is used to charge a metal bar by induction, the charge on the
bar
a. will be equal in magnitude to the charge on the glass rod.
b. must be negative.
c. must be positive.
d. will be greater in magnitude than the charge on the glass rod.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-1.1

7. Charge is most easily transferred in

a. nonconductors. c. semiconductors.
b. conductors. d. insulators.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.2

8. In the diagram shown above, the circles represent small balls that have electric charges. Ball 1
has a negative charge, and ball 2 is repelled by ball 1. Next, you see that ball 2 repels ball 3
and that ball 3 attracts ball 4. What is the electric charge on ball 4?
a. Ball 4 may have either a positive or negative charge.
b. Ball 4 has a negative charge.
c. Ball 4 has a positive charge.
d. It is not possible to determine the charge on ball 4.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-1.1

9. Which sentence best describes electrical conductors?

a. Electrical conductors have low mass density.
b. Electrical conductors have high tensile strength.
Ms.Linda El Farra 14
 c. Electrical conductors have electric charges that move freely.
d. Electrical conductors are poor heat conductors.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.2

10. Which statement is the most correct regarding electric insulators?

a. Charges within electric insulators do not readily move.
b. Electric insulators have high tensile strength.
c. Electric charges move freely in electric insulators.
d. Electric insulators are good heat conductors.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.2

11. The process of charging a conductor by bringing it near another charged object and then
grounding the conductor is called
a. contact charging. c. polarization
b. induction. d. neutralization.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

12. The figure shown above demonstrates charging by

a. grounding. c. polarization.
b. induction. d. contact.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

13. Both insulators and conductors can be charged by

a. grounding. c. polarization.
b. induction. d. contact.

Ms.Linda El Farra 15
 ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

14. A surface charge can be produced on insulators by

a. grounding. c. polarization.
b. induction. d. contact.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

15. Conductors can be charged by ____, while insulators cannot.

a. grounding c. polarization
b. induction d. contact

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

16. When a charged body is brought close to an uncharged body without touching it, a(n) ____
charge may result on the uncharged body. When a charged body is brought into contact with
an uncharged body and then is removed, a(n) ____ charge may result on the uncharged body.
a. negative; positive c. induced; residual
b. positive; negative d. residual; induced

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-1.3

17. Which of the following is not true for both gravitational and electric forces?
a. The inverse square distance law applies.
b. Forces are proportional to physical properties.
c. Potential energy is a function of distance of separation.
d. Forces are either attractive or repulsive.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-2.2

18. Two point charges, initially 2 cm apart, are moved to a distance of 10 cm apart. By what
factor does the resulting electric force between them change?
a. 25 c.

b. 5 d.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-2.2

19. If the charge is tripled for two identical charges maintained at a constant separation, the
electric force between them will be changed by what factor?

Ms.Linda El Farra 16
 a. c. 9

b. d. 18

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-2.2

20. Two point charges, initially 1 cm apart, are moved to a distance of 3 cm apart. By what factor
do the resulting electric and gravitational forces between them change?
a. 9 c.

b. 3 d.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-2.2

21. Two positive charges, each of magnitude q, are on the y-axis at points y = +a and y = –a.
Where would a third positive charge of the same magnitude be located for the net force on the
third charge to be zero?
a. at the origin c. at y = –2a
b. at y = 2a d. at y = –a

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-2.3

22. Which is the most correct statement regarding the drawing of electric field lines?
a. Electric field lines always connect from one charge to another.
b. Electric field lines always form closed loops.
c. Electric field lines can start on a charge of either polarity.
d. Electric field lines never cross each other.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 16-3.2

23. The relative distribution of charge density on the surface of a conducting solid depends upon
which of the following?
a. the shape of the conductor
b. the mass density of the conductor
c. the type of metal the conductor is made of
d. the strength of Earth’s gravitational field

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

24. Where is the electric field of an isolated, uniformly charged, hollow metallic sphere greatest?
a. at the center of the sphere c. at infinity

Ms.Linda El Farra 17
 b. at the sphere’s inner surface d. at the sphere’s outer surface

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

25. A conductor that is in electrostatic equilibrium has an electric field inside the conductor that
a. depends on the radius of the conductor.
b. is zero.
c. is greatest near the conductor’s surface.
d. is parallel to the surface of the conductor.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

26. The electric field just outside a charged conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is
a. zero.
b. at its minimum level.
c. the same as it is in the center of the conductor.
d. perpendicular to the conductor’s surface.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

27. For a conductor that is in electrostatic equilibrium, any excess charge

a. flows to the ground.
b. resides entirely on the conductor’s outer surface.
c. resides entirely on the conductor’s interior.
d. resides entirely in the center of the conductor.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

28. If an irregularly shaped conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium, charge accumulates

a. where the radius of curvature is smallest.
b. where the radius of curvature is largest.
c. evenly throughout the conductor.
d. in flat places.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.3

29. Electric field strength depends on

a. charge and distance. c. Coulomb constant and mass.
b. charge and mass. d. elementary charge and radius.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-3.1

Ms.Linda El Farra 18
 30. What occurs when two charges are moved closer together?
a. The electric field doubles.
b. Coulomb’s law takes effect.
c. The total charge increases.
d. The force between the charges increases.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-2.1

31. Resultant force on a charge is the ____ sum of the individual forces on that charge.
a. scalar c. individual
b. vector d. negative

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 16-2.3

Electric potential and Capacitance:

1.Which of the following is not a characteristic of electrical potential energy?

a. It is a form of mechanical energy.
b. It results from a single charge.
c. It results from the interaction between charges.
d. It is associated with a charge in an electric field.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-1.1

2. When a positive charge moves in the direction of the electric field, what happens to the
electrical potential energy associated with the charge?
a. It increases.
b. It decreases.
c. It remains the same.
d. It sharply increases, and then decreases.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-1.1

3. Two positive point charges are initially separated by a distance of 2 cm. If their separation is
increased to 6 cm, the resultant electrical potential energy is equal to what factor multiplied
by the initial electrical potential energy?
a. 3 c.

b. 9 d.

Ms.Linda El Farra 19
 ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 17-1.2

4. Charge buildup between the plates of a capacitor stops when

a. there is no net charge on the plates.
b. unequal amounts of charge accumulate on the plates.
c. the potential difference between the plates is equal to the applied potential
difference.
d. the charge on both plates is the same.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 17-2.1

5. When comparing the net charge of a charged capacitor with the net charge of the same
capacitor when it is uncharged, the net charge is
a. greater in the charged capacitor.
b. less in the charged capacitor.
c. equal in both capacitors.
d. greater or less in the charged capacitor, but never equal.

ANS: C PTS: 1 DIF: II OBJ: 17-2.1

6. When a capacitor discharges,

a. it must be attached to a battery.
b. charges move through the circuit from one plate to the other until both plates
are uncharged.
c. charges move from one plate to the other until equal and opposite charges
accumulate on the two plates.
d. it cannot be connected to a material that conducts.

ANS: B PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-2.1

7. A capacitor consists of two metal plates; ____ is stored on one plate, and ____ is stored on
the other.
a. negative charge, positive charge c. potential difference, internal
resistance
b. potential energy, kinetic energy d. residual charge, induced charge

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-2.1

8. What effect will be produced on a capacitor if the separation between the plates is increased?
a. It will increase the charge. c. It will increase the capacitance.
b. It will decrease the charge. d. It will decrease the capacitance.

ANS: D PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-2.1

Ms.Linda El Farra 20
 9. Increasing the potential difference between the plates of a capacitor will produce what effect
on the capacitor?
a. It will increase the charge on each plate.
b. It will decrease the charge on each plate.
c. It will increase the capacitance.
d. It will decrease the capacitance.

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-2.1

10. A 0.25 F capacitor is connected to a 9.0 V battery. What is the charge on the capacitor?
a. 1.2  10 C c. 2.5  10 C
b. 2.2  10 C d. 2.8  10 C

ANS: B
Given
C = 0.25 F = 0.25 x 10 F
V = 9.0 V

Solution

PTS: 1 DIF: IIIA OBJ: 17-2.2

11. A parallel-plate capacitor has a capacitance of C F. If the area of the plates is doubled while
the distance between the plates is halved, the new capacitance will be
a. 4C. c. .
b. 2C. d. .

ANS: A PTS: 1 DIF: I OBJ: 17-2.2

12. A 0.50 F capacitor is connected to a 12 V battery. Use the expression PE = C(V) to

determine how much electrical potential energy is stored in the capacitor.
a. 3.0  10 J c. 1.0  10 J
b. 6.0  10 J d. 3.6  10 J

ANS: D
Given
C = 0.50 F = 0.50 x 10 F
V = 12 V

Ms.Linda El Farra 21
 Solution

PTS: 1 DIF: IIIA OBJ: 17-2.3

13. A 1.5 F capacitor is connected to a 9.0 V battery. Use the expression PE = C(V) to
determine how much energy is stored in the capacitor.
a. 1.1  10 J c. 6.1  10 J
b. 6.1  10 J d. 60.8 J

ANS: B
Given
C = 1.5 F = 1.5  10 F
V = 9.0 V

Solution

PTS: 1 DIF: IIIA OBJ: 17-2.3

Ms.Linda El Farra 22