STATIC ELECTRICITY SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

Coulomb's Law
(K |q1q2|) 1. Two particles with electric charges Q and 3Q are
F= r
2
separated by a distance of 1.2 m. (a) If Q 4.5 C, what is
where: q1 & q2 = electric charges in coulomb, C the electric force between the two particles? (b) If Q 4.5
r = distance between two charges C, how does the answer change?
9 2 2
K = 8.99 x 10 N m / C 2. Two small, identical particles have charges Q1 3.0 mC
F = electric force in newton, N and Q2 5.0 mC. If the electric force between the particles
in CGS units: is 120 N, what is the distance between the particles?
2 2
K= 1 dyne cm / statC Answer: 0.034 m
r = cm 3. Three charges with q 7.5 mC are located in the positive
F = dyne and negative x-axis and in the negative y-axis, with L=25
other units: cm from the origin. (a) What are the magnitude and
9
1 C = 3 x 10 statC direction of the total electric force on the charge at the
5
1 N = 1 x 10 dynes bottom? (b) What are the magnitude and direction of the
-6
1 µC = 10 C total electric force on the charge at the right?
-9
1 nC = 10 C Answer: 5.7 N downward (b) 5.7 N at 30.4° above horizontal
-12
1 µµC = 10 C 4. Particles of charge Q and 3Q are placed on the x axis at
x= -L and x= + L, respectively. A third particle of charge q
Determination of Direction of F is placed on the x axis, and it is found that the total
Like charges, REPEL electric force on this particle is zero. Where is the
Unlike charges, ATTRACT particle?
Answer: At x = 0.27L
Resultant Force 5. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance
 vector sum of electric forces in a system of of 1.5 m from a point charge with Q = 3.5 C?
10
charges Answer: 1.4 x 10 N/C
6. A charged paint is spread in a very thin uniform layer
GAUSS' LAW over the surface of a plastic sphere of diameter 12 cm,
Electric Flux Ф (lines of force) produced at a spot normal giving it a charge of -15μC. Find the electric field (a) just
to the surface where electric field exists due to electric inside the paint layer; (b) just outside the paint layer; (c)
charge q. 5cm outside the surface of the paint layer.
7
Answer: (a) 0 (b) 3.75 x 10 N/C radially inward (c) 1.11 x
7
Ф=q 10 N/C radially inward

2
for spherical surface with area, An = 4πR ELECTRIC POTENTIAL

Ф = εo E An  Due to an isolated charge q

𝐤𝐪
where: V=
-12 2 2 𝐫
εo = 1 / 4πK = 8.85 x 10 C /Nm
 Due to two or more point charges q 1, q2, q3 …
UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD
F ma V = V 1 + V 2 + V3 + …
E=q = q
𝐪𝐢
2 V = k𝚺
y = Vo t + ½ at 𝐫𝐢
 Potential energy due to two charges Q and q
2
H = (Vosinθ) / 2a
𝐤𝐐𝐪
PE = Fr = (J, ergs)
𝐫
tH = Vosinθ / a Note: Include signs of charges in computation

R = (Vocosθ) (tR)  PE due to three charges

𝑸
PE = kq𝚺
𝒓

Example:
1.) Two point charges +40nC and -30nC are 10 cm apart. Point EPE = qV
𝑞 𝑞
A is midway between the charges and point B is 6 cm from EPE = k 1 2
𝑟12
+40nC and 8 cm from +30 nC.
a. Electric potential at point A
Due to 3 or more point charges
b. Electric potential at point B 𝑞𝑖 𝑞𝑗
EPE = kΣ
𝑟 𝑖𝑗
SOLUTION:
9𝑥10 9 (40 𝑥 10 −9 )
a. Va(+40) = = 7200 volts
0.05 Referring to example 1, what must be the electric potential
(9 𝑥 10 9 ) (−30 𝑥 10 −9 )
energy of the system?
Va(-30) = = -5400 volts
0.05
9 𝑥 10 9 40 𝑥 10 −9 (−30 𝑥 10 −9 )
EPE =
0.1
Va = 7200 – 5400 -4
EPE = -1.08 x 10 J
Va = 1, 800 volts

9 𝑥 10 9 (40 𝑥 10 −9 )
2.) Three point charges +5𝜇C, -2 𝜇C and -6 𝜇C initially are
b. Vb(+40) = = 6000 volts infinitely far apart. They are then brought together and
0.06
placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle, 50 cm on a
9 𝑥 10 9 (−30 𝑥 10 −9 ) side.
Vb(-30) = = -3375 volts
0.08

Determine the electric potential energy of the system of

Vb = 6000 – 3375
charges.
Vb = 2625 volts
q1

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

𝚫𝑽= Va - Vb
Vab = Va - Vb
Vba = Vb - Va
Vab = -Vba

* Referring to example 1, determine the potential difference

between A and B, Vab
q3 q2
Vab = Va - Vb
= 1800 – 2625 𝑞𝑖 𝑞𝑗
EPE = kΣ
Vab = -825 volts 𝑟 𝑖𝑗

WORK DONE, W 9 𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3
= (9 x 10 ) + +
𝑟12 𝑟13 𝑟23

W = qΔ𝑉
9 𝑥 10 9
Signs of W: = 5 −2 + −2 −6 + (−6)(5) 𝑥 10−12
0.5
W is + :Va>Vb
W is -: Va<Vb EPE = -0.504 J
W is 0: Va = Vb
3.) Three charges q1 = +12nC and q2 = -12nC are 10cm apart.
Point A is 6 cm from q1 and 4 cm from q2. Point B is 4 cm from
Referring to example 1, determine the work done in q1 and 14 cm from q2. Point C is 10 cm from both q1 and q2.
transferring +20𝜇C from A to B
a. Electric potential at A, B, C
-6
W = (20 x 10 ) (-825 volts) b. EPE at A, B, C when +4nC is placed at each point
W = -0.0165 J c. Vab, Vba, Vbc, Vcb
-2
W = -1.65 x 10 J d. Work done in moving a charge of +4nC from A to
B, from C to B

ELECRIC POTENTAIL ENERGY SOLUTION:

 Examples:
9 𝑥 10 9 (12 𝑥 10 −9 ) 1. What is the current when a charge of 15 coulombs flows in
a. Va(12) = = 1800 V
0.06 a circuit in 1.5 seconds?
9 𝑥 10 9 (−12 𝑥 10 −9 )
Va(-12) = = -2700 V I = q/t
0.04
I = 15/1.5
Va = -900 V I = 10 A

2. How much heat is developed in one minute in an electric

9 𝑥 10 9 (12 𝑥 10 9 ) heater which draws a current of 5 A when connected to a 110
Vb(12) = = 2700 V
0.04 V line?
9 𝑥 10 9 (−12 𝑥 10 −9 )
Vb(-12) = = -771. 43 V Q = 0.24 VIt
0.14
Q = (0.24) (110) (5) (60 s)
Vb = 1928.57 V Q = 7920 calories

SERIES CIRCUIT
9 𝑥 10 9 (12 𝑥 10 −9 )  I is the same
Vc(12) = = 1080 V
0.1  V is subdivided
 R is the sum of Ris
9 𝑥 10 9 (−12 𝑥 10 −9 )
Vc(-12) = = -1080 V
0.1
PARALLEL CIRCUIT
Vc = 0V  I is subdivided
 V is the same
 R is less than the lesser/least value of Rs
-9 -6
b. EPEa = (4 x 10 ) (-900) = -3.6 x 10 J
-9 -6
EPEb = (4 x 10 ) (1928.57) = 7.71 x 10 J Example
-9
EPEc = (4 x 10 ) (0) = 0 1.) In the circuit, let R1 = 5Ω, R2 = 10 Ω, R3 = 4 Ω and V = 2V.
Find the currents I1, I2, I3.
c. Vab = (-900 V) – (1928.57) = -2828.57 V
Vba = 2828.57 V
Vbc = (1928.57) – (0) = 1928.57 V 5𝛀
Vcb = -1928.57 V
-9 -5
4𝛀
d. Wab = (4 x 10 ) (-2828.57) = 1.13 x 10 J
-9 -6
Wcb = (4 x 10 ) (-1928.57) = -7.71 x 10 J 2V

10 𝛀
DC CIRCUITS

Electric Current I = q/t Ampere (A)

Resistance R = V/I Ohms V12 = V1 = V2
Voltage V = IR Volts (V) R = R12 + R3
Power P = IV Watts (W)
2 5 (10)
P=I R R12 = = 3.33 Ω
2 15
P = V /R
Energy W = Pt = JQ Joule (J) R = 3.33 Ω + 4 Ω = 7.33 Ω
Heat Q = Pt/J Cal
Q = 0.24 VIt I = I12 = I3
MEH 4.186 J/cal J/cal I = 2/3.33 = 0.27 A
I3 = 0.27 A

V12 = I12R12
= (0.27 A) (3.33)
= 0.9 V
V1 = 0.9 V
V12 = 0.9 V
Example:
I1 = 0.9 / 5 = 0.18 A
I2 = 0.9 / 10 = 0.09 A

2.) In the circuit, (a) Find the currents through each resistor.
R1 = 3 Ω, R2 = 6Ω, R3 = 6 Ω, R4 = 12 Ω, V = 18 V. (b) What is the R = 5Ω
12 V
total current i?
1Ω

R1 R3
R3

Determine:
a) Current delivered by the battery
I = I12 = I34 b) Terminal voltage of the battery
V12 = V1 = c) Power delivered by the battery
R2 R4
i V2
𝜀 12
V34 = V3 = a. I = = = 2 A, clockwise
𝑟+𝑅 1+5
V4
R = R12 + b. Vab = 𝜀 – Ir
V R34 = 12 – 2r
= 10 V
R12 = (3 x 6) / 9 = 2 Ω
R34 = (6 x 12) /18 = 4 Ω c. P = IV
= 12 (2)
R=6Ω = 24 watts
I = V/R = 18 V/6 Ω 2 OR MORE EMFS:
I=3A Series circuit (aiding)
V12 = I12R12 = 3 (2) = 6V
V34 = I34R34 = 3(4) = 12 V A C
I1 = 6V / 3 Ω = 2 A
I2 = 6 V / 6 Ω= 1 A 𝜀 `1 𝜀 `2
I3 = 12V / 6 Ω = 2 A R1 R2
I4 = 12V / 12 Ω = 1 A

BATTERY WITH EMF

B D

𝜺𝟏 +𝜺𝟐
I=
Vab = terminal voltage 𝒓𝟏 +𝒓𝟐 +𝑹𝟏 +𝑹𝟐
r = internal resistance
Series Circuit (opposing)

A C

𝜀 `1 𝜀 `2
R1 R2

B
D
𝜺𝟏 −𝜺𝟐
I=
𝒓𝟏 +𝒓𝟐 +𝑹𝟏 +𝑹𝟐
 V2 = 1.89 V
Example:
R1 = 4Ω, R2 = 6 Ω V23 = I23R23
𝜀 1 = 12 V, 1 Ω V23 = (0.04) (3.75)
𝜀 2 = 6 V, 0.5 Ω V23 = 0.15 V

Find: V23 = V2 = V3
a. Current in the circuit and its direction I2 = V2 / R2 = 0.15 / 5 = 0.03 A
b. Terminal voltage I3 = 0.15 / 15 = 0.01 A
*Refer to the figures above Vba = 1.5 + 0.04 (3.75)
= 1.65 V
*Series circuit – opposing Vab = -1.65 V

12−6
I= = 0.52 A, clockwise KIRCHHOFF’S RULES
1+ 0.5+4+6

Vab = 12 – (0.52) = 11.48 V KVL:

ΣV = 0
Vcd = 6 + 0.52 (0.5) = 6.26 V
KCL:
*Series circuit – aiding ΣI = 0
12+6
I= = 1.57 A, clockwise
1+0.5+4+6 LOOP DIRECTION:

Recall: Terminal Voltage

(potential difference between 2 points)

loop
+E

loop
-E

Vab = E1 – Ir Va’b’ = E2 + Ir

Where E = emf
Ir = voltage drop
Example: loop -IR

The current I through R1 in the circuit diagram is 40 mA. (a)

What is the current through R2, R3 and R4? (b) What is the
potential difference between A and B?

loop +IR

0.04 =
𝑉2 −1.5
2+3.75+4
Example:
The voltage drop across R3 in the circuit diagram is 4 V. (a) a. What is the potential difference Vab?
Find the currents through the resistor R1, R2 and R3. (b) What b. What is the potential difference V bc?
is the resistance of R2? c. How much work is done on the electric field I moving a
charge of 4nC from A to B?
d. How much work is done by the electric field in moving a
charge of 4nC from B to C?

3. I the circuit shown, R1 = 1Ω, R2 = 10Ω, I1 = 3.5 A and I4 = 2A.

The battery has negligible internal resistance. If the rate at
which R4 is dissipating electrical energy is 20 W;

a. What is R4?
b. What is R3?
c. What is I3?
d. What is the emf of the battery?
ΣV = 0

Loop ACDA

6 – i1R1 – i3R3 = 0
6 – 4i – (0.8)(0.5) = 0
I = (4-6) / 4
I1 = 0.5 A

Loop ABCA
4. A uniform electric filed of 5000 N/C exists in the region
1.5 – i2R2 – i1R1 = 0 between two oppositely charged parallel plates separated by
1.5 – i2R2 = 2 a distance of 0.05 m. An electron is released from rest at the
I2R2 = 0.5 surface of the negative plate.

I = i1 + i 2 a. What is the magnitude of the force experienced by the

I2 = i – i 1 electron as it moves toward the positive plate?
I2 = 0.8 – 0.5 = 0.3 A b. What is the work done against the electric field in moving
the electron across the plates?
R2 = 1.67 Ω c. What is the poential difference between the plates?
d. What is the speed of the electro as it strikes the opposite
SAMPLE PROBLEMS: plate?

1.) A charge of +16nC is fixed at the origin of coordinates. A 5. If the internal resistances of the batteries in the circuit
second charge of +12nC is at x= 4m, y = 0 and a third below are
unknown charge is at x = 11 m,y = 0. If the resultant electric r1 = 0.1Ω,
field at x = 8 m, y = 0 is 24.25 N/C directed to the right: r2 = Ω and
r3 = 0.3 Ω
a. What is the magnitude of the electric field at x = 8m, y = 0 respective
due to the +16nC charge? ly.
b. What is the magnitude of the elctric field at x = 8m, y=0
due to the +12nC charge? a. What is
c. What are the sign and magnitude of the third charge? the
d. How far from the origin should the third charge be placed current
so that the resultant electric field at x= 8m, y=0 is zero? through
the 3 V
2.) A charge of +20nC is 20 cm from a second charge of -20nC. battery?
Point A is 12 cm from the 20nC charge and 8 cm from the - b. What is the current through the 8 V battery?
20nC. Point B is 8cm from the 20 C charge and 28 cmfrom the c. What is the current through the 12 V battery?
-20C. Point C is 20 cm from the 20nC chrge and 20 cm from d. What is the terminal voltage of the 3 V battery?
the -20nC.