CHAPTER 1

1.1. Given the vectors M = 10ax + 4ay 8az and N = 8ax + 7ay 2az , nd:
a) a unit vector in the direction of M + 2N.
M + 2N = 10ax 4ay + 8az + 16ax + 14ay 4az = (26, 10, 4)
Thus
(26, 10, 4)
a= = (0.92, 0.36, 0.14)
|(26, 10, 4)|

b) the magnitude of 5ax + N 3M:

(5, 0, 0) + (8, 7, 2) (30, 12, 24) = (43, 5, 22), and |(43, 5, 22)| = 48.6.
c) |M||2N|(M + N):
|(10, 4, 8)||(16, 14, 4)|(2, 11, 10) = (13.4)(21.6)(2, 11, 10)
= (580.5, 3193, 2902)

1.2. The three vertices of a triangle are located at A(1, 2, 5), B(4, 2, 3), and C(1, 3, 2).
a) Find the length of the perimeter of the triangle: Begin with AB = (3, 4, 8), BC = (5, 5, 1),
and
CA = (2, 1,
7). Then the perimeter will be
= |AB| + |BC| + |CA| = 9 + 16 + 64 +
25 + 25 + 1 + 4 + 1 + 49 = 23.9.
b) Find a unit vector that is directed from the midpoint of the side AB to the midpoint of side
BC: The vector from the origin to the midpoint of AB is MAB = 12 (A + B) = 12 (5ax + 2az ).
The vector from the origin to the midpoint of BC is MBC = 12 (B + C) = 12 (3ax + ay 5az ).
The vector from midpoint to midpoint is now MAB MBC = 12 (2ax ay + 7az ). The unit
vector is therefore

MAB MBC (2ax ay + 7az )

aM M = = = 0.27ax 0.14ay + 0.95az
|MAB MBC | 7.35

where factors of 1/2 have cancelled.

c) Show that this unit vector multiplied by a scalar is equal to the vector from A to C and that the
unit vector is therefore parallel to AC. First we nd AC = 2ax + ay 7az , which we recognize
as 7.35 aM M . The vectors are thus parallel (but oppositely-directed).

1.3. The vector from the origin to the point A is given as (6, 2, 4), and the unit vector directed from
the origin toward point B is (2, 2, 1)/3. If points A and B are ten units apart, nd the coordinates
of point B.
With A = (6, 2, 4) and B = 13 B(2, 2, 1), we use the fact that |B A| = 10, or
|(6 23 B)ax (2 23 B)ay (4 + 13 B)az | = 10
Expanding, obtain
36 8B + 49 B 2 + 4 83 B + 49 B 2 + 16 + 83 B + 19 B 2 = 100

or B 2 8B 44 = 0. Thus B = 8 64176
2 = 11.75 (taking positive option) and so

2 2 1
B= (11.75)ax (11.75)ay + (11.75)az = 7.83ax 7.83ay + 3.92az
3 3 3
1
1.4. A circle, centered at the origin with a radius of 2 units, lies in the xy plane. Determine
the unit
vector in rectangular components that lies in the xy plane, is tangent to the circle at ( 3, 1, 0), and
is in the general direction of increasing values of y:
A unit vector tangent to this circle in the general increasing y direction is t =
a . Its x and y
components are tx = a ax = sin , and ty = a ay = cos . At the point ( 3, 1), = 30 ,
and so t = sin 30 ax + cos 30 ay = 0.5(ax + 3ay ).

1.5. A vector eld is specied as G = 24xyax + 12(x2 + 2)ay + 18z 2 az . Given two points, P (1, 2, 1)
and Q(2, 1, 3), nd:
a) G at P : G(1, 2, 1) = (48, 36, 18)
b) a unit vector in the direction of G at Q: G(2, 1, 3) = (48, 72, 162), so

(48, 72, 162)

aG = = (0.26, 0.39, 0.88)
|(48, 72, 162)|

c) a unit vector directed from Q toward P :

PQ (3, 1, 4)
aQP = = = (0.59, 0.20, 0.78)
|P Q| 26

d) the equation of the surface on which |G| = 60: We write 60 = |(24xy, 12(x2 + 2), 18z 2 )|, or
10 = |(4xy, 2x2 + 4, 3z 2 )|, so the equation is

100 = 16x2 y 2 + 4x4 + 16x2 + 16 + 9z 4

1.6. If a is a unit vector in a given direction, B is a scalar constant, and r = xax + yay + zaz , describe
the surface r a = B. What is the relation between the the unit vector a and the scalar B to this
surface? (HINT: Consider rst a simple example with a = ax and B = 1, and then consider any a
and B.):
We could consider a general unit vector, a = A1 ax + A2 ay + A3 az , where A21 + A22 + A23 = 1.
Then r a = A1 x + A2 y + A3 z = f (x, y, z) = B. This is the equation of a planar surface, where
f = B. The relation of a to the surface becomes clear in the special case in which a = ax . We
obtain r a = f (x) = x = B, where it is evident that a is a unit normal vector to the surface
(as a look ahead (Chapter 4), note that taking the gradient of f gives a).

1.7. Given the vector eld E = 4zy 2 cos 2xax + 2zy sin 2xay + y 2 sin 2xaz for the region |x|, |y|, and |z|
less than 2, nd:
a) the surfaces on which Ey = 0. With Ey = 2zy sin 2x = 0, the surfaces are 1) the plane z = 0,
with |x| < 2, |y| < 2; 2) the plane y = 0, with |x| < 2, |z| < 2; 3) the plane x = 0, with |y| < 2,
|z| < 2; 4) the plane x = /2, with |y| < 2, |z| < 2.
b) the region in which Ey = Ez : This occurs when 2zy sin 2x = y 2 sin 2x, or on the plane 2z = y,
with |x| < 2, |y| < 2, |z| < 1.
c) the region in which E = 0: We would have Ex = Ey = Ez = 0, or zy 2 cos 2x = zy sin 2x =
y 2 sin 2x = 0. This condition is met on the plane y = 0, with |x| < 2, |z| < 2.

2
 1.8. Demonstrate the ambiguity that results when the cross product is used to nd the angle between
two vectors by nding the angle between A = 3ax 2ay + 4az and B = 2ax + ay 2az . Does this
ambiguity exist when the dot product is used?
We use the relation A B = |A||B| sin n. With the given vectors we nd


2ay + az
A B = 14ay + 7az = 7 5 = 9 + 4 + 16 4 + 1 + 4 sin n
5
  
n

where n is identied as shown; we see that n can be positive or negative, as sin can be
positive or negative. This apparent sign ambiguity is not the real problem, however, as we
really want
the magnitude
of the angle anyway. Choosing the positive sign, we are left with
sin = 7 5/( 29 9) = 0.969. Two values of (75.7 and 104.3 ) satisfy this equation, and
hence the real ambiguity.

In using the dot
product, we nd A B = 6 2 8 = 4 = |A||B| cos = 3 29 cos , or
cos = 4/(3 29) = 0.248 = 75.7 . Again, the minus sign is not important, as we
care only about the angle magnitude. The main point is that only one value results when
using the dot product, so no ambiguity.

1.9. A eld is given as

25
G= (xax + yay )
(x2 + y2 )
Find:
a) a unit vector in the direction of G at P (3, 4, 2): Have Gp = 25/(9 + 16) (3, 4, 0) = 3ax + 4ay ,
and |Gp | = 5. Thus aG = (0.6, 0.8, 0).
b) the angle between G and ax at P : The angle is found through aG ax = cos . So cos =
(0.6, 0.8, 0) (1, 0, 0) = 0.6. Thus = 53 .
c) the value of the following double integral on the plane y = 7:
 4  2
G ay dzdx
0 0

 4  2  4 2  4
25 25 350
2 2
(xax + yay ) ay dzdx = 2
7 dzdx = 2
dx
0 0 x +y 0 0 x + 49 0 x + 49

 
1 1 4
= 350 tan 0 = 26
7 7

1.10. By expressing diagonals as vectors and using the denition of the dot product, nd the smaller angle
between any two diagonals of a cube, where each diagonal connects diametrically opposite corners,
and passes through the center of the cube:
Assuming a side length, b, two diagonal vectors would be A = b(ax +
ay + az ) and B =
b(ax ay + az ). Now use A B = |A||B| cos , or b (1 1 + 1) = ( 3b)( 3b) cos cos =
2

1/3 = 70.53 . This result (in magnitude) is the same for any two diagonal vectors.

3
1.11. Given the points M (0.1, 0.2, 0.1), N (0.2, 0.1, 0.3), and P (0.4, 0, 0.1), nd:
a) the vector RM N : RM N = (0.2, 0.1, 0.3) (0.1, 0.2, 0.1) = (0.3, 0.3, 0.4).
b) the dot product RM N RM P : RM P = (0.4, 0, 0.1) (0.1, 0.2, 0.1) = (0.3, 0.2, 0.2). RM N
RM P = (0.3, 0.3, 0.4) (0.3, 0.2, 0.2) = 0.09 + 0.06 + 0.08 = 0.05.
c) the scalar projection of RM N on RM P :

(0.3, 0.2, 0.2) 0.05

RM N aRM P = (0.3, 0.3, 0.4) = = 0.12
0.09 + 0.04 + 0.04 0.17

d) the angle between RM N and RM P :

 
1 RM N RM P 1 0.05
M = cos = cos = 78
|RM N ||RM P | 0.34 0.17

1.12. Show that the vector elds A = cos a + sin a + az and B = cos a + sin a az
are everywhere perpendicular to each other:
We nd A B = 2 (sin2 + cos2 ) 2 = 0 = |A||B| cos . Therefore cos = 0 or = 90 .

1.13. a) Find the vector component of F = (10, 6, 5) that is parallel to G = (0.1, 0.2, 0.3):

FG (10, 6, 5) (0.1, 0.2, 0.3)

F||G = G= (0.1, 0.2, 0.3) = (0.93, 1.86, 2.79)
|G|2 0.01 + 0.04 + 0.09

b) Find the vector component of F that is perpendicular to G:

FpG = F F||G = (10, 6, 5) (0.93, 1.86, 2.79) = (9.07, 7.86, 2.21)

c) Find the vector component of G that is perpendicular to F:

GF 1.3
GpF = G G||F = G F = (0.1, 0.2, 0.3) (10, 6, 5) = (0.02, 0.25, 0.26)
|F|2 100 + 36 + 25

1.14. Show that the vector elds A = ar (sin 2)/r2 +2a (sin )/r2 and B = r cos ar +r a are everywhere
parallel to each other:
Using the denition of the cross product, we nd

sin 2 2 sin cos
AB= a = 0 = |A||B| sin n
r r

Identify n = a , and so sin = 0, and therefore = 0 (theyre parallel).

4
1.15. Three vectors extending from the origin are given as r1 = (7, 3, 2), r2 = (2, 7, 3), and r3 =
(0, 2, 3). Find:
a) a unit vector perpendicular to both r1 and r2 :

r1 r2 (5, 25, 55)

ap12 = = = (0.08, 0.41, 0.91)
|r1 r2 | 60.6

b) a unit vector perpendicular to the vectors r1 r2 and r2 r3 : r1 r2 = (9, 4, 1) and r2 r3 =

(2, 5, 6). So r1 r2 r2 r3 = (19, 52, 32). Then

(19, 52, 32) (19, 52, 32)

ap = = = (0.30, 0.81, 0.50)
|(19, 52, 32)| 63.95

c) the area of the triangle dened by r1 and r2 :

1
Area = |r1 r2 | = 30.3
2

d) the area of the triangle dened by the heads of r1 , r2 , and r3 :

1 1
Area = |(r2 r1 ) (r2 r3 )| = |(9, 4, 1) (2, 5, 6)| = 32.0
2 2

1.16. The vector eld E = (B/) a , where B is a constant, is to be translated such that it originates at
the line, x = 2, y = 0. Write the translated form of E in rectangular components:
First, transform the given eld to rectangular components:

B B B x Bx
Ex = a a x =
cos =

= 2
2
x +y 2 2
x +y 2 2
x +y 2 x + y2

Using similar reasoning:

B B By
Ey = a ay =
sin = 2
2
x +y 2 x + y2

We then translate the two components to x = 2, y = 0, to obtain the nal result:

B [(x 2) ax + y ay ]
E(x, y) =
(x 2)2 + y 2

1.17. Point A(4, 2, 5) and the two vectors, RAM = (20, 18, 10) and RAN = (10, 8, 15), dene a
triangle.
a) Find a unit vector perpendicular to the triangle: Use

RAM RAN (350, 200, 340)

ap = = = (0.664, 0.379, 0.645)
|RAM RAN | 527.35

The vector in the opposite direction to this one is also a valid answer.

5
 1.17b) Find a unit vector in the plane of the triangle and perpendicular to RAN :

(10, 8, 15)
aAN = = (0.507, 0.406, 0.761)
389

Then

apAN = ap aAN = (0.664, 0.379, 0.645) (0.507, 0.406, 0.761) = (0.550, 0.832, 0.077)

The vector in the opposite direction to this one is also a valid answer.
c) Find a unit vector in the plane of the triangle that bisects the interior angle at A: A non-unit
vector in the required direction is (1/2)(aAM + aAN ), where

(20, 18, 10)

aAM = = (0.697, 0.627, 0.348)
|(20, 18, 10)|

Now
1 1
(aAM + aAN ) = [(0.697, 0.627, 0.348) + (0.507, 0.406, 0.761)] = (0.095, 0.516, 0.207)
2 2
Finally,
(0.095, 0.516, 0.207)
abis = = (0.168, 0.915, 0.367)
|(0.095, 0.516, 0.207)|

1.18. Transform the vector eld H = (A/) a , where A is a constant, from cylindrical coordinates to
spherical coordinates:
First, the unit vector does not change, since a is common to both coordinate systems. We
only need to express the cylindrical radius, , as = r sin , obtaining

A
H(r, ) = a
r sin

1.19. a) Express the eld D = (x2 + y 2 )1 (xax + yay ) in cylindrical components and cylindrical variables:
Have x = cos , y = sin , and x2 + y 2 = 2 . Therefore

1
D= (cos ax + sin ay )

Then
1 1 2  1
D = D a = [cos (ax a ) + sin (ay a )] = cos + sin2 =

and
1 1
D = D a = [cos (ax a ) + sin (ay a )] = [cos ( sin ) + sin cos ] = 0

Therefore
1
D= a

6
1.19b) Evaluate D at the point where = 2, = 0.2, and z = 5, expressing the result in cylindrical and
cartesian coordinates: At the given point, and in cylindrical coordinates, D = 0.5a . To express this
in cartesian, we use

D = 0.5(a ax )ax + 0.5(a ay )ay = 0.5 cos 36 ax + 0.5 sin 36 ay = 0.41ax + 0.29ay

1.20. A cylinder of radius a, centered on the z axis, rotates about the z axis at angular velocity rad/s.
The rotation direction is counter-clockwise when looking in the positive z direction.
a) Using cylindrical components, write an expression for the velocity eld, v, that gives the tan-
gential velocity at any point within the cylinder:
Tangential velocity is angular velocity times the perpendicular distance from the rotation axis.
With counter-clockwise rotation, we therefore nd v() = a ( < a).
b) Convert your result from part a to spherical components:
In spherical, the component direction, a , is the same. We obtain

v(r, ) = r sin a (r sin < a)

c) Convert to rectangular components:

y
vx = a ax = (x2 + y 2 )1/2 ( sin ) = (x2 + y 2 )1/2 = y
(x2 + y 2 )1/2
Similarly

x
vy = a ay = (x2 + y 2 )1/2 (cos ) = (x2 + y 2 )1/2 = x
(x2 + y 2 )1/2

Finally v(x, y) = [y ax x ay ], where (x2 + y 2 )1/2 < a.

1.21. Express in cylindrical components:

a) the vector from C(3, 2, 7) to D(1, 4, 2):
C(3, 2, 7) C( = 3.61, = 33.7 , z = 7) and
D(1, 4, 2) D( = 4.12, = 104.0 , z = 2).
Now RCD = (4, 6, 9) and R = RCD a = 4 cos(33.7) 6 sin(33.7) = 6.66. Then
R = RCD a = 4 sin(33.7) 6 cos(33.7) = 2.77. So RCD = 6.66a 2.77a + 9az
b) a unit vector at D directed toward C:
RCD = (4, 6, 9) and R = RDC a = 4 cos(104.0) + 6 sin(104.0) = 6.79. Then R =
RDC a = 4[ sin(104.0)] + 6 cos(104.0) = 2.43. So RDC = 6.79a + 2.43a 9az
Thus aDC = 0.59a + 0.21a 0.78az
c) a unit vector at D directed toward the origin: Start with rD = (1, 4, 2), and so the
vector toward the origin will be rD = (1, 4, 2). Thus in cartesian the unit vector is a =
(0.22, 0.87, 0.44). Convert to cylindrical:
a = (0.22, 0.87, 0.44) a = 0.22 cos(104.0) + 0.87 sin(104.0) = 0.90, and
a = (0.22, 0.87, 0.44) a = 0.22[ sin(104.0)] + 0.87 cos(104.0) = 0, so that nally,
a = 0.90a 0.44az .

7
1.22. A sphere of radius a, centered at the origin, rotates about the z axis at angular velocity rad/s.
The rotation direction is clockwise when one is looking in the positive z direction.
a) Using spherical components, write an expression for the velocity eld, v, which gives the tan-
gential velocity at any point within the sphere:
As in problem 1.20, we nd the tangential velocity as the product of the angular velocity and
the perperdicular distance from the rotation axis. With clockwise rotation, we obtain

v(r, ) = r sin a (r < a)

b) Convert to rectangular components:

From here, the problem is the same as part c in Problem 1.20, except the rotation direction is
reversed. The answer is v(x, y) = [y ax + x ay ], where (x2 + y 2 + z 2 )1/2 < a.

1.23. The surfaces = 3, = 5, = 100 , = 130 , z = 3, and z = 4.5 dene a closed surface.
a) Find the enclosed volume:
 4.5  130  5
Vol = d d dz = 6.28
3 100 3

NOTE: The limits on the integration must be converted to radians (as was done here, but not
shown).
b) Find the total area of the enclosing surface:
 130  5  4.5  130
Area = 2 d d + 3 d dz
100 3 3 100
 4.5  130  4.5  5
+ 5 d dz + 2 d dz = 20.7
3 100 3 3

c) Find the total length of the twelve edges of the surfaces:


30 30
Length = 4 1.5 + 4 2 + 2 2 3 + 2 5 = 22.4
360 360

d) Find the length of the longest straight line that lies entirely within the volume: This will be
between the points A( = 3, = 100 , z = 3) and B( = 5, = 130 , z = 4.5). Performing
point transformations to cartesian coordinates, these become A(x = 0.52, y = 2.95, z = 3)
and B(x = 3.21, y = 3.83, z = 4.5). Taking A and B as vectors directed from the origin, the
requested length is
Length = |B A| = |(2.69, 0.88, 1.5)| = 3.21

8
1.24. Express the eld E = Aar /r2 in
a) rectangular components:

A A A x2 + y 2 x Ax
Ex = 2 ar ax = 2 sin cos = 2 2 2


= 2
r r x +y +z 2
x +y +z2 2 2
x +y 2 (x + y 2 + z 2 )3/2

A A A x2 + y 2 y Ay
Ey = 2 ar ay = 2 sin sin = 2 2 2


= 2
r r x +y +z 2
x +y +z2 2 2
x +y 2 (x + y 2 + z 2 )3/2
A A A z Az
Ez = 2
ar az = 2 cos = 2 2 2

= 2
r r x +y +z 2 2
x +y +z 2 (x + y 2 + z 2 )3/2
Finally
A(x ax + y ay + z az )
E(x, y, z) =
(x2 + y 2 + z 2 )3/2

b) cylindrical components: First, there is no a component, since there is none in the spherical
representation. What remains are:

A A A A
E = ar a = 2 sin = 2
= 2
r2 r ( + z 2 ) 2 + z 2 ( + z 2 )3/2

and
A A A z Az
Ez = 2
ar az = 2 cos = 2 2

= 2
r r ( + z ) 2 + z 2 ( + z 2 )3/2
Finally
A( a + z az )
E(, z) =
(2 + z 2 )3/2

1.25. Given point P (r = 0.8, = 30 , = 45 ), and


1 sin
E= 2 cos ar + a
r sin

a) Find E at P : E = 1.10a + 2.21a .

b) Find |E| at P : |E| = 1.102 + 2.212 = 2.47.
c) Find a unit vector in the direction of E at P :

E
aE = = 0.45ar + 0.89a
|E|

1.26. Express the uniform vector eld, F = 5 ax in

a) cylindrical components: F = 5 ax a = 5 cos , and F = 5 ax a = 5 sin . Combining, we
obtain F(, ) = 5(cos a sin a ).
b) spherical components: Fr = 5 ax ar = 5 sin cos ; F = 5 ax a = 5 cos cos ; F = 5 ax a =
5 sin . Combining, we obtain F(r, , ) = 5 [sin cos ar + cos cos a sin a ].

9
1.27. The surfaces r = 2 and 4, = 30 and 50 , and = 20 and 60 identify a closed surface.
a) Find the enclosed volume: This will be
 60  50  4
Vol = r2 sin drdd = 2.91
20 30 2

where degrees have been converted to radians.

b) Find the total area of the enclosing surface:
 60  50  4  60
Area = 2 2
(4 + 2 ) sin dd + r(sin 30 + sin 50 )drd
20 30 2 20
 50  4
+2 rdrd = 12.61
30 2

c) Find the total length of the twelve edges of the surface:

 4  50  60
Length = 4 dr + 2 (4 + 2)d + (4 sin 50 + 4 sin 30 + 2 sin 50 + 2 sin 30 )d
2 30 20
= 17.49

d) Find the length of the longest straight line that lies entirely within the surface: This will be
from A(r = 2, = 50 , = 20 ) to B(r = 4, = 30 , = 60 ) or

A(x = 2 sin 50 cos 20 , y = 2 sin 50 sin 20 , z = 2 cos 50 )

to
B(x = 4 sin 30 cos 60 , y = 4 sin 30 sin 60 , z = 4 cos 30 )
or nally A(1.44, 0.52, 1.29) to B(1.00, 1.73, 3.46). Thus B A = (0.44, 1.21, 2.18) and

Length = |B A| = 2.53

1.28. Express the vector eld, G = 8 sin a in

a) rectangular components:

8y z x
Gx = 8 sin a ax = 8 sin cos cos =

x2 + y2 x2 + y2 + z2 x2 + y2
8xyz
=

(x2 + y 2 ) x2 + y 2 + z 2
8y z y
Gy = 8 sin a ay = 8 sin cos sin =

x2 + y 2 x2 + y 2 + z 2 x2 + y 2
8y 2 z
=

(x2 + y 2 ) x2 + y 2 + z 2

10
1.28a) (continued)

8y x2 + y 2
Gz = 8 sin a az = 8 sin ( sin ) =

x2 + y 2 x2 + y 2 + z 2
8y
=

x2 + y 2 + z 2
Finally,

8y xz yz
G(x, y, z) =
2 2
ax + 2 ay az
x2 + y 2 + z 2 x +y x + y2
b) cylindrical components: The a direction will transform to cylindrical components in the a
and az directions only, where
z
G = 8 sin a a = 8 sin cos = 8 sin

+ z2
2

The z component will be the same as found in part a, so we nally obtain


8 sin z
G(, z) =
a a z
2 + z 2

1.29. Express the unit vector ax in spherical components at the point:

a) r = 2, = 1 rad, = 0.8 rad: Use
ax = (ax ar )ar + (ax a )a + (ax a )a =
sin(1) cos(0.8)ar + cos(1) cos(0.8)a + ( sin(0.8))a = 0.59ar + 0.38a 0.72a

b) x = 3, y = 2, z = 1: First, transform the point to spherical coordinates. Have r = 14,
= cos1 (1/ 14) = 105.5 , and = tan1 (2/3) = 33.7 . Then
ax = sin(105.5 ) cos(33.7 )ar + cos(105.5 ) cos(33.7 )a + ( sin(33.7 ))a
= 0.80ar 0.22a 0.55a

c)
= 2.5, = 0.7 rad, z = 1.5: Again,convert the point to spherical coordinates. r = 2 + z 2 =
8.5, = cos1 (z/r) = cos1 (1.5/ 8.5) = 59.0 , and = 0.7 rad = 40.1 . Now
ax = sin(59 ) cos(40.1 )ar + cos(59 ) cos(40.1 )a + ( sin(40.1 ))a
= 0.66ar + 0.39a 0.64a

1.30. At point B(5, 120 , 75 ) a vector eld has the value A = 12 ar 5 a + 15 a . Find the vector
component of A that is:
a) normal to the surface r = 5: This will just be the radial component, or 12 ar .
b) tangent to the surface r = 5: This will be the remaining components of A that are not normal,
or 5 a + 15 a .
c) tangent to the cone = 120 : The unit vector normal to the cone is a , so the remaining
components are tangent: 12 ar + 15 a .
d) Find a unit vector that is perpendicular to A and tangent to the cone = 120 : Call this vector
b = br ar + b a , where b2r + b2 = 1. We then require that A b = 0 = 12br + 15b , and
2

therefore
 b = (4/5)b r . Now b r [1 + (16/25)] = 1, so b r = 5/ 41. Then b = 4/ 41. Finally,
b = 1/ 41 (5 ar + 4 a )

11
CHAPTER 2

2.1. Four 10nC positive charges are located in the z = 0 plane at the corners of a square 8cm on a side.
A fth 10nC positive charge is located at a point 8cm distant from the other charges. Calculate the
magnitude of the total force on this fth charge for
=
0 :
Arrange the charges in the xy plane at locations
(4,4), (4,-4), (-4,4), and (-4,-4). Then the fth charge
will be on the z axis at location z = 4 2, which puts it at 8cm distance from the other four. By
symmetry, the force on the fth charge will be z-directed, and will be four times the z component of
force produced by each of the four other charges.

4 q2 4 (108 )2
F = = = 4.0 104 N
2 4
0 d2 2 4(8.85 1012 )(0.08)2

2.2. Two point charges of Q1 coulombs each are located at (0,0,1) and (0,0,-1). (a) Determine the locus
of the possible positions of a third charge Q2 where Q2 may be any positive or negative value, such
that the total eld E = 0 at (0,1,0):
The total eld at (0,1,0) from the two Q1 charges (where both are positive) will be

2Q1 Q1
E1 (0, 1, 0) = 2
cos 45 ay = ay
4
0 R 4 2
0

where R = 2. To cancel this eld, Q2 must be placed on the y axis at positions y > 1 if Q2 > 0,
and at positions y < 1 if Q2 < 0. In either case the eld from Q2 will be

|Q2 |
E2 (0, 1, 0) = ay
4
0

and the total eld is then


Q1 |Q2 |
Et = E1 + E2 = =0
4 2
0 4
0

Therefore 
Q |Q2 | |Q2 |
1 = y = 1 21/4
2 (y 1)2 Q1

where the plus sign is used if Q2 > 0, and the minus sign is used if Q2 < 0.
(b) What is the locus if the two original charges are Q1 and Q1 ?

In this case the total eld at (0,1,0) is E1 (0, 1, 0) = Q1 /(4 2
0 ) az , where the positive Q1 is
located at the positive z (= 1) value. We now need Q2 to lie along the line x = 0, y = 1 in order
to cancel the eld from the positive and negative Q1 charges. Assuming Q2 is located at (0, 1, z),
the total eld is now
Q1 |Q2 |
Et = E1 + E2 = az + =0
4 2
0 4
0 z 2

or z = 21/4 |Q2 |/Q1 , where the plus sign is used if Q2 < 0, and the minus sign if Q2 > 0.

1
2.3. Point charges of 50nC each are located at A(1, 0, 0), B(1, 0, 0), C(0, 1, 0), and D(0, 1, 0) in free
space. Find the total force on the charge at A.
The force will be:

(50 109 )2 RCA RDA RBA
F= + +
4
0 |RCA |3 |RDA |3 |RBA |3

where RCA = ax ay , RDA = ax + ay , and RBA = 2ax . The magnitudes are |RCA | = |RDA | = 2,
and |RBA | = 2. Substituting these leads to


(50 109 )2 1 1 2
F= + + ax = 21.5ax N
4
0 2 2 2 2 8
where distances are in meters.

2.4. Eight identical point charges of Q C each are located at the corners of a cube of side length a, with
one charge at the origin, and with the three nearest charges at (a, 0, 0), (0, a, 0), and (0, 0, a). Find
an expression for the total vector force on the charge at P (a, a, a), assuming free space:
The total electric eld at P (a, a, a) that produces a force on the charge there will be the sum
of the elds from the other seven charges. This is written below, where the charge locations
associated with each term are indicated:

a + a + a
q x y z ay + az ax + az ax + ay
Enet (a, a, a) = + + + + a + a + a z
4
0 a2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 

x y

 


 
 
 
 (0,a,a) (a,0,a) (a,a,0)
(0,0,0) (a,0,0) (0,a,0) (0,0,a)

The force is now the product of this eld and the charge at (a, a, a). Simplifying, we obtain


q2 1 1 1.90 q 2
F(a, a, a) = qEnet (a, a, a) = + + 1 (ax + ay + az ) = (ax + ay + az )
4
0 a2 3 3 2 4
0 a2
in which the magnitude is |F| = 3.29 q 2 /(4
0 a2 ).

2.5. Let a point charge Q1 25 nC be located at P1 (4, 2, 7) and a charge Q2 = 60 nC be at P2 (3, 4, 2).
a) If
=
0 , nd E at P3 (1, 2, 3): This eld will be


109 25R13 60R23
E= +
4
0 |R13 |3 |R23 |3

where R13 = 3ax + 4ay 4az and R23 = 4ax 2ay + 5az . Also, |R13 | = 41 and |R23 | = 45.
So

109 25 (3ax + 4ay 4az ) 60 (4ax 2ay + 5az )
E= +
4
0 (41)1.5 (45)1.5
= 4.58ax 0.15ay + 5.51az

b) At what point on the y axis is Ex = 0? P3 is now  at (0, y, 0), so R13 = 4ax + 

(y + 2)ay 7az
and R23 = 3ax + (y 4)ay + 2az . Also, |R13 | = 65 + (y + 2) and |R23 | = 13 + (y 4)2 .
2

Now the x component of E at the new P3 will be:


109 25 (4) 60 3
Ex = +
4
0 [65 + (y + 2)2 ]1.5 [13 + (y 4)2 ]1.5

2
 To obtain Ex = 0, we require the expression in the large brackets to be zero. This expression
simplies to the following quadratic:

0.48y 2 + 13.92y + 73.10 = 0

which yields the two values: y = 6.89, 22.11

2.6. Three point charges, each 5 109 C, are located on the x axis at x = 1, 0, and 1 in free space.
a) Find E at x = 5: At a general location, x,


q 1 1 1
E(x) = + + ax
4
0 (x + 1)2 x2 (x 1)2

At x = 5, and with q = 5 109 C, this becomes E(x = 5) = 5.8 ax V/m.

b) Determine the value and location of the equivalent single point charge that would produce the
same eld at very large distances: For x >> 1, the above general eld in part a becomes

. 3q
E(x >> 1) = ax
4
0 x2

Therefore, the equivalent charge will have value 3q = 1.5 108 C, and will be at location x = 0.
c) Determine E at x = 5, using the approximation of (b). Using 3q = 1.5 108 C and x = 5 in
.
the part b result gives E(x = 5) = 5.4 ax V/m, or about 7% lower than the exact result.

2.7. A 2 C point charge is located at A(4, 3, 5) in free space. Find E , E , and Ez at P (8, 12, 2). Have


2 106 RAP 2 106 4ax + 9ay 3az
EP = = = 65.9ax + 148.3ay 49.4az
4
0 |RAP |3 4
0 (106)1.5

Then, at point P , = 82 + 122 = 14.4, = tan1 (12/8) = 56.3 , and z = z. Now,

E = Ep a = 65.9(ax a ) + 148.3(ay a ) = 65.9 cos(56.3 ) + 148.3 sin(56.3 ) = 159.7

and

E = Ep a = 65.9(ax a ) + 148.3(ay a ) = 65.9 sin(56.3 ) + 148.3 cos(56.3 ) = 27.4

Finally, Ez = 49.4 V/m

2.8. A crude device for measuring charge consists of two small insulating spheres of radius a, one of which
is xed in position. The other is movable along the x axis, and is subject to a restraining force kx,
where k is a spring constant. The uncharged spheres are centered at x = 0 and x = d, the latter
xed. If the spheres are given equal and opposite charges of Q coulombs:
a) Obtain the expression by which Q may be found as a function of x: The spheres will attract, and
so the movable sphere at x = 0 will move toward the other until the spring and Coulomb forces
balance. This will occur at location x for the movable sphere. With equal and opposite forces,
we have
Q2
= kx
4
0 (d x)2

3

from which Q = 2(d x)
0 kx.
b) Determine the maximum charge that can be measured in terms of
0 , k, and d, and state the
separation of the spheres then: With increasing charge, the spheres move toward each other until
they just touch at xmax = d 2a. Using the part a result, we nd the maximum measurable

charge: Qmax = 4a
0 k(d 2a). Presumably some form of stop mechanism is placed at
x = x
max to prevent the spheres from actually touching.
c) What happens if a larger charge is applied? No further motion is possible, so nothing happens.

2.9. A 100 nC point charge is located at A(1, 1, 3) in free space.

a) Find the locus of all points P (x, y, z) at which Ex = 500 V/m: The total eld at P will be:

100 109 RAP

EP =
4
0 |RAP |3

where RAP = (x+1)ax +(y1)ay +(z 3)az , and where |RAP | = [(x+1)2 +(y1)2 +(z 3)2 ]1/2 .
The x component of the eld will be


100 109 (x + 1)
Ex = = 500 V/m
4
0 [(x + 1)2 + (y 1)2 + (z 3)2 ]1.5

And so our condition becomes:

(x + 1) = 0.56 [(x + 1)2 + (y 1)2 + (z 3)2 ]1.5

b) Find y1 if P (2, y1 , 3) lies on that locus: At point P , the condition of part a becomes
 3
3.19 = 1 + (y1 1)2

from which (y1 1)2 = 0.47, or y1 = 1.69 or 0.31

2.10. A positive test charge is used to explore the eld of a single positive point charge Qat P (a, b, c). If
the test charge is placed at the origin, the force on it is in the direction 0.5 ax 0.5 3 ay , and when
the test charge is moved to (1,0,0), the force is in the direction of 0.6 ax 0.8 ay . Find a, b, and c:
We rst construct the eld using the form of Eq. (12). We identify r = xax + yay + zaz and
r = aax + bay + caz . Then

Q [(x a) ax + (y b) ay + (z c) az ]
E= 3/2
(1)
4
0 [(x a)2 + (y b)2 + (z c)2 ]

Using (1), we can write the two force directions at the two test charge positions as follows:

[a ax b ay c az ]
at (0, 0, 0) : = 0.5 a x 0.5 3 ay (2)
(a2 + b2 + c2 )1/2

[(1 a) ax b ay c az ]
at (1, 0, 0) : = 0.6 ax 0.8 ay (3)
((1 a)2 + b2 + c2 )1/2

4

observe immediately that c = 0. Also, from (2) we nd that b = a 3, and therefore
We
a2 + b2 = 2a. Using this information in (3), we write for the x component:

1a 1a
 = = 0.6
(1 a)2 + b2 1 2a + 4a2

or 0.44a2 + 1.28a 0.64 = 0, so that


1.28 (1.28)2 + 4(0.44)(0.64)
a= = 0.435 or 3.344
0.88
The corresponding b values are respectively 0.753 and 5.793. So the two possible P coordinate
sets are (0.435, 0.753, 0) and (3.344, 5.793, 0). By direct substitution, however, it is found that
only one possibility is entirely consistent with both (2) and (3), and this is

P (a, b, c) = (3.344, 5.793, 0)

2.11. A charge Q0 located at the origin in free space produces a eld for which Ez = 1 kV/m at point
P (2, 1, 1).
a) Find Q0 : The eld at P will be


Q0 2ax + ay az
EP =
4
0 61.5

Since the z component is of value 1 kV/m, we nd Q0 = 4
0 61.5 103 = 1.63 C.

b) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in cartesian coordinates: This eld will be:


1.63 106 ax + 6ay + 5az
EM =
4
0 [1 + 36 + 25]1.5

or EM = 30.11ax 180.63ay 150.53az .

c) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in cylindrical coordinates: At M , = 1 + 36 = 6.08, = tan1 (6/1) =
80.54 , and z = 5. Now

E = EM a = 30.11 cos 180.63 sin = 183.12

E = EM a = 30.11( sin ) 180.63 cos = 0 (as expected)

so that EM = 183.12a 150.53az .

d) Find E at M (1, 6, 5) in spherical coordinates: At M , r = 1 + 36 + 25 = 7.87, = 80.54 (as
before), and = cos1 (5/7.87) = 50.58 . Now, since the charge is at the origin, we expect to
obtain only a radial component of EM . This will be:

Er = EM ar = 30.11 sin cos 180.63 sin sin 150.53 cos = 237.1

5
2.12. Electrons are in random motion in a xed region in space. During any 1s interval, the probability
of nding an electron in a subregion of volume 1015 m2 is 0.27. What volume charge density,
appropriate for such time durations, should be assigned to that subregion?
The nite probabilty eectively reduces the net charge quantity by the probability fraction. With
e = 1.602 1019 C, the density becomes

0.27 1.602 1019

v = = 43.3 C/m3
1015

2.13. A uniform volume charge density of 0.2 C/m3 is present throughout the spherical shell extending
from r = 3 cm to r = 5 cm. If v = 0 elsewhere:
a) nd the total charge present throughout the shell: This will be
 2   .05
.05
r3
Q= 0.2 r2 sin dr d d = 4(0.2) = 8.21 105 C = 82.1 pC
0 0 .03 3 .03

b) nd r1 if half the total charge is located in the region 3 cm < r < r1 : If the integral over r in
part a is taken to r1 , we would obtain

r
r3 1
4(0.2) = 4.105 105
3 .03

Thus
1/3
3 4.105 105
r1 = + (.03)3 = 4.24 cm
0.2 4

2.14. The charge density varies with radius in a cylindrical coordinate system as v = 0 /(2 + a2 )2 C/m3 .
Within what distance from the z axis does half the total charge lie?
Choosing a unit length in z, the charge contained up to radius is
 1  2 


0   1 0 1
Q() = 2
d ddz = 20 = 2 1
0 0 0 ( + a )
2 2 2(a2 +  2) 0 a 1 + 2 /a2

The total charge is found when , or Qnet = 0 /a2 . It is seen from the Q() expression
that half of this occurs when = a.

2.15. A spherical volume having a 2 m radius contains a uniform volume charge density of 1015 C/m3 .
a) What total charge is enclosed in the spherical volume?
This will be Q = (4/3)(2 106 )3 1015 = 3.35 102 C.
b) Now assume that a large region contains one of these little spheres at every corner of a cubical
grid 3mm on a side, and that there is no charge between spheres. What is the average volume
charge density throughout this large region? Each cube will contain the equivalent of one little
sphere. Neglecting the little sphere volume, the average density becomes

3.35 102
v,avg = = 1.24 106 C/m3
(0.003)3

6
2.16. Within a region of free space, charge density is given as v = 0 r/a C/m3 , where 0 and a are
constants. Find the total charge lying within:
a) the sphere, r a: This will be
 2   a  a
0 r 2 0 r 3
Qa = r sin dr d d = 4 dr = 0 a3
0 0 0 a 0 a

b) the cone, r a, 0 0.1:

 2  0.1  a
0 r 2 0 a3
Qb = r sin dr d d = 2 [1 cos(0.1)] = 0.0240 a3
0 0 0 a 4

c) the region, r a, 0 0.1, 0 0.2.

 0.2  0.1  a  
0 r 2 0.2
Qc = r sin dr d d = 0.0240 a3 = 0.00240 a3
0 0 0 a 2

2.17. A uniform line charge of 16 nC/m is located along the line dened by y = 2, z = 5. If
=
0 :
a) Find E at P (1, 2, 3): This will be
l RP
EP =
2
0 |RP |2
where RP = (1, 2, 3) (1, 2, 5) = (0, 4, 2), and |RP |2 = 20. So


16 109 4ay 2az
EP = = 57.5ay 28.8az V/m
2
0 20

b) Find E at that point in the z = 0 plane where the direction of E is given by (1/3)ay (2/3)az :
With z = 0, the general eld will be


l (y + 2)ay 5az
Ez=0 =
2
0 (y + 2)2 + 25

We require |Ez | = |2Ey |, so 2(y + 2) = 5. Thus y = 1/2, and the eld becomes:


l 2.5ay 5az
Ez=0 = = 23ay 46az
2
0 (2.5)2 + 25

2.18. An innite uniform line charge L = 2 nC/m lies along the x axis in free space, while point charges
of 8 nC each are located at (0,0,1) and (0,0,-1).
a) Find E at (2,3,-4).
The net electric eld from the line charge, the point charge at z = 1, and the point charge at
z = 1 will be (in that order):


1 2L (3 ay 4 az ) q(2 ax + 3 ay 5 az ) q(2 ax + 3 ay 3 az )
Etot = + +
4
0 25 (38)3/2 (22)3/2

7
 Then, with the given values of L and q, the eld evaluates as

Etot = 2.0 ax + 7.3 ay 9.4 az V/m

b) To what value should L be changed to cause E to be zero at (0,0,3)?

In this case, we only need scalar addition to nd the net eld:
L q q
E(0, 0, 3) = + 2
+ =0
2
0 (3) 4
0 (2) 4
0 (4)2

Therefore

1 1 2L 15
q + = L = q = 0.47q = 3.75 nC/m
4 16 3 32

2.19. A uniform line charge of 2 C/m is located on the z axis. Find E in cartesian coordinates at P (1, 2, 3)
if the charge extends from
a) < z < : With the innite line, we know that the eld will have only a radial component
in cylindrical coordinates (or x and y components in cartesian). The eld from an innite line
on the z axis is generally E = [l /(2
0 )]a . Therefore, at point P :

l RzP (2 106 ) ax + 2ay

EP = = = 7.2ax + 14.4ay kV/m
2
0 |RzP |2 2
0 5

where RzP is the vector that extends from the line charge to point P , and is perpendicular to
the z axis; i.e., RzP = (1, 2, 3) (0, 0, 3) = (1, 2, 0).
b) 4 z 4: Here we use the general relation

l dz r r
EP =
4
0 |r r |3

where r = ax + 2ay + 3az and r = zaz . So the integral becomes


(2 106 ) 4
ax + 2ay + (3 z)az
EP = dz
4
0 4 [5 + (3 z)2 ]1.5

Using integral tables, we obtain:

4
(ax + 2ay )(z 3) + 5az
EP = 3597 V/m = 4.9ax + 9.8ay + 4.9az kV/m
(z 2 6z + 14) 4

The student is invited to verify that when evaluating the above expression over the limits <
z < , the z component vanishes and the x and y components become those found in part a.