Practice: Basics of Electrostatics: Solutions

Level 1

1. A charged rod is placed between two insulated conducting spheres as shown. The spheres have no net charge.
Region II has the same polarity as Region
(A) I only (B) III only (C) IV only (D) I & III only (E) I & IV only
The rod will attract the same charge from each sphere to the side closer to the rod.

2. Two positive point charges repel each other with force 0.36 N when their separation is 1.5 m. What force do
they exert on each other when their separation is 1.0 m?
(A) 0.81 N (B) 0.54 N (C) 0.36 N (D) 0.24 N (E) 0.16 N

Level 2
3. A point charge +q is placed midway between two point charges +3q and q separated by a distance 2d. If
Coulombs constant is k, the magnitude of the force on the charge +q is:

Answer: B
The distance between the +q charge and each charge is d. The force on the +q charge from each
charge is in the same direction, making the net force kq2/d2 + k(3q2)/d2

4.
 Answer: E
The force vectors from the two +Q charges point down and to the left (away from the charges) so
the resultant force points down and left
Answer D
The two vectors, each of magnitude F, point at right angles to each other so the resultant field is
2F

5. Two uniformly charged nonconducting spheres on insulating bases are placed on an air table. Sphere A has a
charge +3Q coulombs and sphere B has a charge +Q coulombs. Which of the following correctly illustrates the
magnitude and direction of the electrostatic force between the spheres when they are released?

Answer: D
Newtons third law requires the forces be equal and opposite. This eliminates choices A, B and
C. Since they both positive, the force is repulsive.

Jedi

6. A small positively charged sphere is lowered by a nonconducting thread into a grounded metal cup without
touching the inside surface of the cup, as shown above. The grounding wire attached to the outside surface is
disconnected and the charged sphere is then removed from the cup. Which of the following best describes the
subsequent distribution of excess charge on the surface of the cup?
(A) Negative charge resides on the inside surface, and no charge resides on the outside surface.
(B) Negative charge resides on the outside surface, and no charge resides on the inside surface.
(C) Positive charge resides on the inside surface, and no charge resides on the outside surface.
(D) Positive charge resides on the outside surface, and no charge resides on the inside surface.
(E) Negative charge resides on the inside surface, and positive charge resides on the outside surface.

When lowered inside, the charged sphere induces a negative charge on the inner surface of the
cup. The outer surface remains neutral since it is grounded. When the grounding wire is
removed, the cup has a net negative charge, which when the sphere is removed, will move to the
outer surface of the cup.