Question and Answers for Tutorial on 25 July 2023

Q. 1. Compare the magnitudes of the gravitational and electric forces exerted by the nucleus of
a hydrogen atom—a single proton mp=1.7 × 10−27 kg —on an electron me= 9.1×10−31 kg when
the two are 0.50×10−10m apart.
Q. 2 You are given three charged particles. Particles 1 and 2 carry charge +q and particle 3
carries charge −4q. (a) Determine the relative values of the separation distances r12 and r13
when the three particles are arranged along a straight line in such a way that the vector sum of
the forces exerted on particle 1 is zero. (b) With the particles arranged this way, are the vector
sums of the forces exerted on particles 2 and 3 also zero?
Q. 3. Consider four charged particles placed at the corners of a square whose sides have length
d. Particles 1, 2, and 4 carry identical positive charges. In order for the vector sum of the forces
exerted on particle 1 to be zero, what charge must be given to particle 3, which is in the corner
diametrically opposite particle 1?
Q. 4. Consider the arrangement of charged particles shown in the Figure below. The charge
magnitudes are the same in all three cases, but q1 and q2 are positive and q3 is negative. Sketch
the trajectory of particle 1 if it is released while particles 2 and 3 are held fixed. Ignore any
gravitational force exerted by Earth on the particle.