UNIT 3 REVIEW

(Pages 434–437)

Understanding Concepts
1. The doctors and nurses should wear conducting shoes to allow charge to escape from their bodies. If they wore insulating
shoes and built up charge on their bodies, it could cause a spark that could be dangerous to the patient or equipment used.
2. Students should draw diagrams for each part of the question to help them calculate the answer.
q1 = +6.0 ¯ 10–5 C
q2 = –2.0 ¯ 10–5 C
d = 36 cm = 0.36 m
(a) q3 = +5.0 ¯ 10–5 C
d = 18 cm = 0.18 m
G
F =?

There are two forces on this charge both directed toward the negative charge. The magnitude of this force is:
kq q kq q
F = 12 3 + 22 3
r13 r23

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(6.0 ×10 C )(5.0 ×10 C ) + (9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )( 2.0 ×10 C )(5.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −5 −5 9 2 2 −5 −5

(0.18 m ) ( 0.18 m )
2 2

G
F = 1.1 ×103 N [toward the negative charge]
The force on the third small charge is 1.1 ¯ 103 N [toward the negative charge].
(b) There are two forces on this charge, one directed toward the negative charge and the other away. Assign the positive
direction toward the negative charge.

The magnitude of this force is:

kq q kq q
F = − 12 3 + 22 3
r13 r23

=−
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(6.0 ×10 C )(5.0 ×10 C ) + (9.0 ×10 Nm /C )(2.0 ×10 C )(5.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −5 −5 9 2 2 −5 −5

(0.54 m ) (0.18 m )
2 2

G
F = 3.7 × 10 2 N [toward the negative charge]
The force on the third small charge is 3.7 ¯ 102 N [toward the negative charge].
(c) The two electric fields will be in opposite directions. We assign the positive direction away from the positive charge.

508 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson
 There are two forces on this charge both directed toward the negative charge. The magnitude of this force is:
kq kq
ε = 213 − 223
r13 r23

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(6.0 ×10 C ) − (9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(2.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −5 9 2 2 −5

(0.18 m ) (0.54 m )
2 2

G
ε = 1.6 × 107 N/C [away from the positive charge]
The magnitude of the electric field is 1.6 ¯ 107 N/C [away from the positive charge].
(d)

The distance from the point to the charges is

(0.18 m ) + (0.18 m )
2 2
r=
r = 0.255 m

The magnitude of the electric field from the positive charge is:
kq
ε1 = 21
r1

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(6.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −5

(0.255 m )
2

ε1 = 8.30 × 106 N/C

For the negative charge:

kq2
ε2 =
r12

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(2.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −5

(0.255 m )
2

ε 2 = 2.77 × 106 N/C

The total electric field is:

(8.30 ×10 N/C ) + (2.77 ×10 N/C ) − 2 (8.30 × 106 N/C )( 2.77 × 106 N/C ) cos 45°
2 2
ε= 6 6

ε = 6.6 × 106 N/C

The total electric field is 6.6 ¯ 106 N/C.
(e) By symmetry this point is on the line joining the charges outside of the two charges. It is closer to the negative charge
since it is the smaller charge and to ensure the fields are in opposite directions. If the distance from the negative charge
is x then the distance from the positive charge is 0.36 + x. The two electric fields must be equal in magnitude to cancel,
therefore:
k ( 2.0 ×10 −5 C ) k (6.0 × 10−5 C )
=
x2 (0.36 + x )
2

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Unit 3 Review 509

 If we cancel and cross-multiply then:
(0.36 + x )
2
= 3x 2
2 x 2 − 0.72 x − 0.1296 = 0

Using the quadratic formula:

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a
− ( −0.72 ) ± ( −0.72 ) − 4 ( 2 )( −0.1296 )
2

=
2 (2)
x = 0.49 m
Therefore, the point at which the magnitude of the electric field is zero is 0.49 m.
3. k = 9.0 × 109 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2
q1 = 1.0 ×10 −6 C
q2 = −1.0 ×10−6 C
q3 = 2.0 ×10 −6 C
r12 = 1.0 m
F =?

This is a special triangle and so the other distances are 2.0 m and 3 m. The magnitude of the forces along the sides is
kq q
F = 12 2
r12

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(1.0 ×10 C )(1.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −6 −6

(1.0 m )
2

F = 0.90 N

kq1 q3
F=
r132

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(1.0 ×10 C )(2.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −6 −6

( )
2
3m
F = 0.60 N

kq2 q3
F=
r232

=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(1.0 ×10 C )(2.0 ×10 C )
9 2 2 −6 −6

( 2.0 m )
2

F = 0.45 N

For the +1.0 C charge:

(0.45 N ) + (0.90 N ) − 2 (0.45 N )(0.90 N ) cos 60°
2 2
F=
F = 0.779 N or 0.78 N

510 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson
 Using the sine law:
sin θ sin 60°
=
0.90 0.779
 0.90 (sin 60° ) 
θ = sin −1  
 0.779 
θ = 90°
Therefore, the force on the charge is 0.78 N [30º to the triangle].

For the – 1.0 C charge:

(0.60 N ) + (0.90 N )
2 2
F=
F = 1.1 N

 0.90 
θ = tan −1  
 0.60 
θ = 56°
Therefore, the force on the charge is 1.1 N [56º to the triangle].

For the +2.0 C charge:

(0.45 N ) + (0.60 N ) − 2 (0.45 N )(0.60 N ) cos150°
2 2
F=
F = 1.01 N, or 1.0 N

Using the sine law:

sin θ sin150°
=
0.60 1.01
 0.60 (sin150° ) 
θ = sin −1  
 1.01 
θ = 17°
Therefore the force on the charge is 1.0 N [163º to the triangle].
4. r = 2.64 ¯ 10–11 m
G
F =?

The force on either electron is due to the electric force from the nucleus and the other electron and they are in opposite
directions. Define the positive direction toward the nucleus.
kq q kq q
F = − 12 2 + 22 3
r12 r23
kq2 q3 kq1q2
= − 2
r232 r12

F=
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(1.6 ×10 C )(3.2 ×10
9 2 2 −19 −19
C)
−
(9.0 ×10 N ⋅ m /C )(1.6 ×10 C )(1.6 ×10
9 2 2 −19 −19
C)

( 2.64 ×10 m ) (5.28 ×10 m )

2 2
−11 −11

G
F = 5.8 × 10−7 N [toward the nucleus]
The electric force on either electron is 5.8 × 10–7 N [toward the nucleus].
5. (a) No, for a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium the electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.
If they are not then there is a component of the field parallel to the surface that causes the charges to move.
(b) Yes, the charges are held in place (not free to move across the surface) and so the field lines need not be perpendicular
to the surface.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Unit 3 Review 511

6.

7. m = 7.0 g = 7.0 ¯ 10–3 kg

q = 1.5 µC = 1.5 ¯ 10–6 C
θ = 8°
ε=?

The vertical and horizontal components of the tension must cancel the gravitational and electric forces respectively.
T cos8° = mg
mg
T=
cos8°

Therefore,
T sin 8° = qε
T sin 8°
ε=
q
mg tan 8°
=
q

=
(7.0 ×10 −3
kg ) (9.8 N/kg )( tan 8° )
1.5 × 10−6 C
ε = 6.7 × 103 N/C
The electric field is 6.7 ¯ 103 N/C.
8. (a) Charge q2 is positive and charge q1 is negative.
16
(b) By examining the number of field lines out of q2 and into q1, the ratio is = 4.
4
9. r = 4.0 ¯ 10–14 m
v=?

512 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson
 At the point of closest approach the two electrons must have the same velocity and momentum must be conserved at all
times, therefore:
m(2v ) − mv = (2m)v ′
v
v′ =
2
Also, the total energy must be conserved, therefore:
2 2
1 1 1  v  ke
m ( 2v ) + mv 2 = ( 2m )   +
2

2 2 2 2 r
5 2 1 2 ke 2
mv = mv +
2 4 r
9 2 ke 2
mv =
4 r
4ke 2
v=
9mr
2e k
=
3 mr
2 (1.6 × 10−19 C ) 9.0 ×109 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2
=
3 (9.11×10 −31
kg )( 4.0 × 10 −14 m )
v = 5.3 × 107 m/s
The initial speed of each electron is 5.3 ¯ 107 m/s.
10. (a) Yes, otherwise there would be a force on the particle and it would accelerate.
(b) Not necessarily, if the charge is moving parallel to the magnetic field lines then the magnetic force on the charge would
be zero and it would move at a constant velocity.
11. V = 2.4 ¯ 103 V
B = 0.60 T
θ = 90°
(a) F = ?
First we need the speed of the electron before it enters the field. Using conservation of energy we have:
1
qV = mv 2
2
2qV
v=
m
2 (1.6 × 10 −19 C )( 2.4 × 103 V )
=
9.1 × 10 −31 kg
v = 2.9 ×107 m/s
To calculate the force:
F = qvB sin θ
= (1.6 × 10−19 C )( 2.9 × 107 m/s ) (0.60 T )(sin 90° )
F = 2.8 ×10 −12 N
The magnetic force on the electron is 2.8 ¯ 10–12 N.
(b) The electron will move with uniform circular motion while it is in the magnetic field.
(c) No, it will move out of the field eventually since it follows a circular path once it enters the field. This circular path
will lead it back out of the field at some point.
12. l = 25 cm = 0.25 m
θ = 90°
B = 0.18 T
F = 0.14 N
I=?

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 F = BlI sin θ
F
I=
Bl sin θ
(0.14 N )
=
(0.18 T )(0.25 m ) sin 90°
I = 3.1 A
The current in the wire is 3.1 A.
13. r = 3.0 m
I = 1.2 A
B=?
(a) According to the right-hand rule the field from each wire is pointing down and since the fields have the same
magnitude at the midpoint then
 I 
B1 = 2  µ0 
 2π r 
 ( 4π × 10−7 T ⋅ m/A ) (1.2 A ) 
= 2 

 ( 2π )(1.5 m ) 

B1 = 3.2 ×10 −7 T
The magnetic field midway between the two wires is 3.2 ¯ 10–9 T [down].
(b) The field will be zero since the magnetic fields of equal magnitude are in opposite directions according to the right-
hand rule.
14. L = 12 cm = 0.12 m
N=5
B = 1.6 ¯ 10–2 T
I=?
BL
I=
µ0 N

=
(1.6 ×10 T ) (0.12 m )
−2

(4π ×10 T ⋅ m/A ) (500 )

−7

I = 3.1 A
The current in the coil is 3.1 A.
15. l = 4.00 m
d = 8.00 cm = 8.00 ¯ 10–2 m
F = 2.80 ¯ 10–5 N
I=?
 I 
Since F = IlB sin θ and B = µ0  :
 2π d 
µ IIl
F= 0 1 2
2π d
µ I (2I ) l
= 0
2π d
µ0 I 2 l
=
πd
π Fd
I=
µ0 l
π ( 2.80 × 10 −5 N )(8.00 × 10−2 m )
=
( 4π ×10 −7
T ⋅ m/A ) ( 4.00 m )
I = 1.18 A
The current in one conductor is 1.18 A. The other current is 2I, which is 2.36 A.

514 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson
16. ε = 1.2 ¯ 104 V/m
B = 0.20 T
m = 2.2 ¯ 10–26 kg
(a) v = ?
Since the particle passes through undeflected, the magnetic force up must be equal in magnitude to the electric force
down.
FM = FE
evB = eε
ε
v=
B
1.2 ×10 4 V/m
=
0.20 T
v = 6.0 ×10 4 m/s
The speed of the particle is 6.0 ¯ 104 m/s.
(b) r = ?
mv 2
evB =
r
mv
r=
eB

=
(2.2 ×10−26 kg )(6.0 ×104 m/s )
(1.6 ×10−19 C ) (0.20 T )
r = 4.1× 10 −2 m
The radius of the path of the particle is 4.1 ¯ 10–2 m.
17. Let the subscript I represent the inner conductor, and the subscript O represent the outer conductor.
II = 1.0 A [into the page]
IO = 1.5 A = 1.5 A – 1.0 A = 0.50 A [out of the page]
G
BA = ?
G
BB = ?

According to Ampère’s law the magnitude of the magnetic field at A is:

 I 
BA = µ0  I 
 2π r 

=
(4π ×10 −7
T ⋅ m/A ) (1.0 A )
( 2π ) (1.0 × 10−3 m )
G
BA = 2.0 × 10−4 T [down]

According to Ampère’s law the magnitude of the magnetic field at B is:

 I 
BB = µ0  O 
 2π r 

=
( 4π ×10 −7
T ⋅ m/A ) (0.50 A )
( 2π ) ( 4.0 ×10−3 m )
G
BB = 2.5 ×10−5 T [up]
The magnetic field at A is 2.0 ¯ 10–4 T [down], and at B is 2.5 ¯ 10–5 T [up].

Applying Inquiry Skills

18. Students need a method to measure the electric charge such as the deflection of a pith ball electroscope from the vertical.
Factors to be tested could include temperature of the air, humidity, dust particles in the air, etc.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Unit 3 Review 515

19. (a) l = 35 cm = 0.35 m
m = 12 g = 1.2 ¯ 10–2 kg
θ = 14°

From the diagram, T cos 7º = mg. Therefore,

FE = T sin 7°
 mg 
=  sin 7°
 cos 7° 
= mg tan 7°
= (1.2 ×10 −2 kg ) (9.8 N/kg )( tan 7° )
FE = 1.4 × 10−2 N

To determine the distance between the wires:

d = 2 ( 7.0 × 10−2 m ) (sin 7° )
d = 1.7 × 10 −2 m
To calculate the current in each wire:
2π dF
I2 =
µo l
( 2π ) (1.7 ×10−2 m )(1.4 × 10−2 N )
I=
(4π ×10−7 T ⋅ m/A ) (0.35 m )
I = 58 A
The current in each wire is 58 A, and must be in opposite directions.
(b) Test each of the following variables, one at a time: current in the wire, length of the conductor, and distance between
the wires. Calculations similar to those above can be used to determine the force.
20. Test the effect of the magnitude of the charge, the speed of the charge, and the angle between the velocity and the
magnetic field. The charged ball could be suspended from an insulating thread and dropped from various heights through
a magnetic field.
21. Since the liquids are conductors we can cause charge to flow through it. If this current is perpendicular to an external
magnetic field it will experience a force. This magnetic force will push the liquid through the pipe if both the current and
field are perpendicular to the length of the pipe. The pipes can pass near the nuclear material and absorb heat.

Making Connections
22. (a) Yes, the current in the lines is alternating and according to the law of electromagnetic induction the varying magnetic
field of the wire will induce a current in the loop. The energy will come from the power lines, according to Lenz’s law,
and the energy in the power lines will decrease.
(b) Yes, since the total sale of energy will be less than the energy produced. The power company will be able to estimate
fairly accurately the expected power loss in the wires. When they find out it is more than expected they will know there
is a problem.
(c) Yes, the frequency of the current induced in the loop will be the same as the current in the lines and the magnitude of
the current in the loop will be proportional to the magnitude of the current in the line. The current in the loop can be
transformed into sound and the conversation detected.
23. The screen becomes charged and attracts dust particles in the air by induction. These particles then attach to the screen
very quickly because the charge on the screen is large.
24. (a) The negatively charged oxygen atom will be attracted to positive charge and the positively charged hydrogen atoms
will be attracted to negative charges.
(b) It doesn’t matter if the charge is positive or negative, because both will attract water molecules in the air. When water
molecules come into contact with the surface some excess charge is transferred to the water molecule and the charge on
the object will therefore decrease.
(c) The ion is either positively or negatively charged and will attract water molecules. These water molecules will attract
other water molecules. When enough become attached together, they form a water droplet.

516 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson
25. Students will find that capacitors can be used to store electric energy that can be released very quickly in a burst of
current. This energy can be used to form a brief burst of light or a short electrical signal.
26. When the magnetic tape moves past the gap in the ferromagnetic core the field lines are directed through the metal and the
coil wrapped around it. The changing magnetic field in the coil induces a current in the coil with a magnitude and
frequency related to the magnetic field of the tape and the speed at which it is moved. The speakers then convert the
varying current into sound.
27. A degausser uses a strong magnetic field to change the orientation of the magnetic dipoles in each domain. Typically it
consists of a coil with a large current in it.
28. Birds often fly over large distances in North America to migrate south and north. One theory suggests birds use the
orientation of the magnetic field lines of the earth to guide them to different areas.

Extension
29. Typically the total energy of the charges will remain constant and the potential energy between the charges will increase
when the distance decreases if the charges are similar and decrease if the charges are opposite in sign. The kinetic energy
graphs for each particle for a range of values of y are shown. As y increases the percentage of kinetic energy transferred to
the second charge decreases.

Copyright © 2003 Nelson Unit 3 Review 517

30. Electromagnetic radiation and the gravitational effects between distant objects are the main factors used to investigate the
properties of distant objects. Students can study a wide range of topics.
31. The third charge must be placed at (a) or (b) since it should be closer to the smaller charge and the forces must be in
opposite directions to cancel. We can determine which one by equating the two forces on the third charge q3.
kqq3 k 4qq3
=
r2 ( r + 3)
2

( r + 3)
2
= 4r 2
r 2 + 6r + 9 = 4r 2
3r 2 − 6r − 9 = 0
3 ( r 2 − 2r − 3) = 0
( r + 1)( r − 3) = 0
r = 3 cm
Since r must be positive, the answer is (a).

518 Unit 3 Electric, Gravitational, and Magnetic Fields Copyright © 2003 Nelson