Chapter 18 • Key Terms 591

KEY TERMS
capacitor arrangement of objects that can store electrical of negative electric charge
energy by virtue of their geometry induction creating an unbalanced charge distribution in an
conductor material through which electric charge can object by moving a charged object toward it (but without
easily move, such as metals touching)
Coulomb’s law describes the electrostatic force between insulator material through which a charge does not move,
charged objects, which is proportional to the charge on such as rubber
each object and inversely proportional to the square of inverse-square law law that has the form of a ratio, with
the distance between the objects the denominator being the distance squared
dielectric electrically insulating material that becomes law of conservation of charge states that total charge is
polarized in an electric =eld constant in any process
electric 6eld de=nes the force per unit charge at all polarization separation of charge induced by nearby excess
locations in space around a charge distribution charge
electric potential the electric potential energy per unit proton subatomic particle that carries the same magnitude
charge charge as the electron, but its charge is positive
electric potential energy the work that a charge can do by test charge positive electric charge whose with a charge
virtue of its position in an electric =eld magnitude so small that it does not signi=cantly perturb
electron subatomic particle that carries one indivisible unit any nearby charge distribution

SECTION SUMMARY
18.1 Electrical Charges, • For a point charge or a sphere of uniform charge, the
Conservation of Charge, and electric =eld is inversely proportional to the distance
Transfer of Charge from the point charge or from the center of the sphere.
• Electric-=eld lines never cross each other.
• Electric charge is a conserved quantity, which means it • More force is applied to a charge in a region with many
can be neither created nor destroyed. electric =eld lines than in a region with few electric =eld
• Electric charge comes in two varieties, which are called lines.
positive and negative. • Electric =eld lines start at positive charges and point
• Charges with the same sign repel each other. Charges away from positive charges. >ey end at negative
with opposite signs attract each other. charges and point toward negative charges.
• Charges can move easily in conducting material.
Charges cannot move easily in an insulating material. 18.4 Electric Potential
• Objects can be charged in three ways: by contact, by
• Electric potential energy is a concept similar to
conduction, and by induction.
gravitational potential energy: It is the potential that
• Although a polarized object may be neutral, its electrical
charges have to do work by virtue of their positions
charge is unbalanced, so one side of the object has
relative to each other.
excess negative charge and the other side has an equal
• Electric potential is the electric potential energy per
magnitude of excess positive charge.
unit charge.
18.2 Coulomb's law • >e potential is always measured between two points,
where one point may be at in=nity.
• Coulomb’s law is an inverse square law and describes • Positive charges move from regions of high potential to
the electrostatic force between particles. regions of low potential.
• >e electrostatic force between charged objects is • Negative charges move from regions of low potential to
proportional to the charge on each object and inversely regions of high potential.
proportional to the distance squared between the
objects. 18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
• If Coulomb’s law gives a negative result, the force is
• >e capacitance of a capacitor depends only on the
attractive; if the result is positive, the force is repulsive.
geometry of the capacitor and the materials from which
18.3 Electric Field it is made. It does not depend on the voltage across the
capacitor.
• >e electric =eld de=nes the force per unit charge in the • Capacitors store electrical energy in the electric =eld
space around a charge distribution. between their plates.
592 Chapter 18 • Key Equations

• A dielectric material is an insulator that is polarized in • Putting a dielectric between the plates of a capacitor
an electric =eld. increases the capacitance of the capacitor.

KEY EQUATIONS
18.2 Coulomb's law de=nition of electric
potential
Coulomb’s law
change in electric potential
for a charge that moves in a
constant electric =eld
18.3 Electric Field
electric potential of a charge
electric =eld a distance r from a point
charge or sphere of uniform
magnitude of electric =eld of point charge
charge

18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics

18.4 Electric Potential
capacitance
change in electric potential
energy for a charge that energy stored in a capacitor
moves in a constant electric
=eld
capacitance of a parallel-plate
capacitor
electric potential energy of a
charge a distance r from a
point charge or sphere of
uniform charge

CHAPTER REVIEW
Concept Items c. Yes, an uncharged insulator can charge a conductor
by induction.
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of d. Yes, a charged insulator can charge a conductor
Charge, and Transfer of Charge upon contact.
1. >ere are very large numbers of charged particles in most 3. True or false—A liquid can be an insulating material.
objects. Why, then, don’t most objects exhibit static a. true
electric effects? b. false
a. Most objects are neutral.
b. Most objects have positive charge only.
18.2 Coulomb's law
c. Most objects have negative charge only.
d. Most objects have excess protons. 4. Two plastic spheres with uniform charge repel each other
with a force of 10 N . If you remove the charge from one
2. Can an insulating material be used to charge a sphere, what will be the force between the spheres?
conductor? If so, how? If not, why not?
a. >e force will be 15 N.
a. No, an insulator cannot charge a conductor by b. >e force will be 10 N.
induction.
c. >e force will be 5 N.
b. No, an insulating material cannot charge a d. >e force will be zero.
conductor.
5. What creates a greater magnitude of force, two charges

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 Chapter 18 • Chapter Review 593

+q a distance r apart or two charges – q the same b. true

distance apart?
10. True or false—>e characteristics of an electric =eld
a. Two charges +q a distance r away
make it analogous to the gravitational =eld near the
b. Two charges −q a distance r away
surface of Earth.
c. >e magnitudes of forces are equal.
a. false
6. In Newton’s law of universal gravitation, the force b. true
between two masses is proportional to the product of the
11. An electron moves in an electric =eld. Does it move
two masses. What plays the role of mass in Coulomb’s
toward regions of higher potential or lower potential?
law?
Explain.
a. the electric charge
a. It moves toward regions of higher potential because
b. the electric dipole
its charge is negative.
c. the electric monopole
b. It moves toward regions of lower potential because
d. the electric quadruple
its charge is negative
c. It moves toward regions of higher potential because
18.3 Electric Field its charge is positive.
7. Why can electric =elds not cross each other? d. It moves toward regions of lower potential because
a. Many electric-=eld lines can exist at any given point its charge is positive.
in space.
b. No electric-=eld lines can exist at any given point in 18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
space.
12. You insert a dielectric into an air-=lled capacitor. How
c. Only a single electric-=eld line can exist at any given
does this affect the energy stored in the capacitor?
point in space.
a. Energy stored in the capacitor will remain same.
d. Two electric-=eld lines can exist at the same point in
b. Energy stored in the capacitor will decrease.
space.
c. Energy stored in the capacitor will increase.
8. A constant electric =eld is (4.5 × 105 N/C)ŷ. In which d. Energy stored in the capacitor will increase =rst,
direction is the force on a −20 nC charge placed in this and then it will decrease.
=eld?
13. True or false— Placing a dielectric between the plates of
a. >e direction of the force is in the direction.
a capacitor increases the energy of the capacitor.
b. >e direction of the force is in the direction.
a. false
c. >e direction of the force is in the −ŷ direction.
b. true
d. >e direction of the force is in the +ŷ direction.
14. True or false— >e electric =eld in an air-=lled capacitor
18.4 Electric Potential is reduced when a dielectric is inserted between the
plates.
9. True or false—>e potential from a group of charges is
a. false
the sum of the potentials from each individual charge.
b. true
a. false

Critical Thinking Items d. No, because equal amounts of positively and

negatively charged particles are moving.
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of
Charge, and Transfer of Charge 16. True or false—>e high-voltage wires that you see
connected to tall metal-frame towers are held aloft by
15. If you dive into a pool of seawater through which an insulating connectors, and these wires are wrapped in
equal amount of positively and negatively charged an insulating material.
particles is moving, will you receive an electric shock? a. true
a. Yes, because negatively charged particles are b. false
moving.
b. No, because positively charged particles are 17. By considering the molecules of an insulator, explain
moving. how an insulator can be overall neutral but carry a
c. Yes, because positively and negatively charged surface charge when polarized.
particles are moving. a. Inside the insulator, the oppositely charged ends of
594 Chapter 18 • Chapter Review

the molecules cancel each other. repelled or attracted.

b. Inside the insulator, the oppositely charged ends of b. No, because an electrically neutral body can be
the molecules do not cancel each other. attracted but not repelled.
c. >e electron distribution in all the molecules shifts c. Yes, because an electrically neutral body can be
in every possible direction, leaving an excess of repelled or attracted.
positive charge on the opposite end of each d. Yes, because an electrically neutral body can be
molecule. repelled.
d. >e electron distribution in all the molecules shifts
in a given direction, leaving an excess of negative 18.4 Electric Potential
charge on the opposite end of each molecule.
22. What is the relationship between voltage and energy?
More precisely, what is the relationship between
18.2 Coulomb's law
potential difference and electric potential?
18. In terms of Coulomb’s law, why are water molecules a. Voltage is the energy per unit mass at some point
attracted by positive and negative charges? in space.
a. Water molecules are neutral. b. Voltage is the energy per unit length in space.
b. Water molecules have a third type of charge that is c. Voltage is the energy per unit charge at some point
attracted by positive as well as negative charges. in space.
c. Water molecules are polar. d. Voltage is the energy per unit area in space.
d. Water molecule have either an excess of electrons
23. >ree parallel plates are stacked above each other, with a
or an excess of protons.
separation between each plate. If the potential
19. A negative lightning strike occurs when a negatively difference between the =rst two plates is ΔV1 and the
charged cloud discharges its excess electrons to the potential between the second two plates is ΔV2, what is
positively charged ground. If you observe a cloud-to- the potential difference between the =rst and the third
cloud lightning strike, what can you say about the plates?
charge on the area of the cloud struck by lightning? a. ΔV3 = ΔV2 + ΔV1
a. >e area of the cloud that was struck by lightning b. ΔV3 = ΔV2 − ΔV1
had a positive charge. c. ΔV3 = ΔV2 / ΔV1
b. >e area of the cloud that was struck by lightning d. ΔV3 = ΔV2×ΔV1
had a negative charge.
c. >e area of the cloud that was struck by lightning is 18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
neutral.
24. When you insert a dielectric into a capacitor, the energy
d. >e area of the cloud that was struck by lightning
stored in the capacitor decreases. If you take the
had a third type of charge.
dielectric out, the energy increases again. Where does
this energy go in the former case, and where does the
18.3 Electric Field
energy come from in the latter case?
20. An arbitrary electric =eld passes through a box-shaped a. Energy is utilized to remove the dielectric and is
volume. >ere are no charges in the box. If 11 electric- released when the dielectric is introduced between
=eld lines enter the box, how many electric-=eld lines the plates.
must exit the box? b. Energy is released when the dielectric is added and
a. nine electric =eld lines is utilized when the dielectric is introduced
b. 10 electric =eld lines between the plates.
c. 11 electric =eld lines c. Energy is utilized to polarize the dielectric and is
d. 12 electric =eld lines released when the dielectric is introduced between
the plates.
21. In a science-=ction movie, a villain emits a radial
d. Energy is released to polarize the dielectric and is
electric =eld to repulse the hero. Knowing that the hero
utilized when dielectric is introduced between the
is electrically neutral, is this possible? Explain your
plates.
reasoning.
a. No, because an electrically neutral body cannot be

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 Chapter 18 • Chapter Review 595

Problems c. 2.0 × 10–8 C

d. 2.0 × 10–9 C
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of
Charge, and Transfer of Charge 30. Two uniform electric =elds are superimposed. >e =rst
electric =eld is . >e second electric
25. A dust particle acquires a charge of −13 nC. How many
excess electrons does it carry? =eld is . With respect to the positive
a. 20.8 × 10−28 electrons x axis, at which angle will a positive test charge
b. 20.8 × −19 electrons accelerate in this combined =eld?
c. 8.1 × 1010 electrons a. 27°
d. 8.1 × 1019 electrons b. 54°
c. 90°
26. Two identical conducting spheres are charged with a net d. 108°
charge of +5.0 q on the =rst sphere and a net charge of
−8.0 q on the second sphere. >e spheres are brought
18.4 Electric Potential
together, allowed to touch, and then separated. What is
the net charge on each sphere now? 31. You move a charge q from ri = 20 cm to rf = 40 cm from a
a. −3.0q =xed charge Q = 10 nC. What is the difference in
b. −1.5q potential for these two positions?
c. +1.5q a. −2.2 × 102 V
d. +3.0q b. −1.7 × 103 V
c. −2.2 × 104 V
18.2 Coulomb's law d. −1.7 × 102 V

27. Two particles with equal charge experience a force of 10 32. How much work is required from an outside agent to
nN when they are 30 cm apart. What is the magnitude move an electron from xi = 0 to xf = 20 cm in an electric
of the charge on each particle? =eld ?
a. -5.8 × 10-10 C a. 1.6 × 10−15 J
b. -3.2 × 10-10 C b. 1.6 × 10−16 J
c. +3.2 × 10-10 C c. 1.6 × 10−20 J
d. +1.4 × 10-5 C d. 1.6 × 10−18 J

28. >ree charges are on a line. >e left charge is q1 = 2.0 nC

18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
. >e middle charge is q2 = 5.0 nC . >e right charge is q3
= − 3.0 nC . >e left and right charges are 2.0 cm from 33. A 4.12 µF parallel-plate capacitor has a plate area of
the middle charge. What is the force on the middle 2,000 cm2 and a plate separation of 10 µm . What
charge? dielectric is between the plates?
a. −5.6 × 10−4 N to the left a. 1, the dielectric is strontium titanate
b. −1.12 × 10−4 N to the left b. 466, the dielectric is strontium
c. +1.12 × 10−4 N to the right c. 699, the dielectric is strontium nitrate
d. 5.6 × 10−4 N to the right d. 1,000, the dielectric is strontium chloride

34. What is the capacitance of a metal sphere of radius ?

18.3 Electric Field a.
29. An electric =eld (15 N/C)ẑ applies a force (− 3 × 10–6 N)ẑ b.
on a particle. What is the charge on the particle? c.
a. −2.0 × 10–7 C d.
b. 2.0 × 10–7 C

Performance Task where . >is describes

the gravitational force between two point masses m1 and
18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics m2.
35. Newton’s law of universal gravitation is Coulomb’s law is

18.46 18.47
596 Chapter 18 • Test Prep

where . >is describes the the gravitational force, discuss why the law for
electric force between two point charges q1 and q2. gravitational force was discovered much earlier than the
(a) Describe how the force in each case depends on the law for electric force.
distance r between the objects. How do the forces (d) Consider a hydrogen atom, which is a single proton
change if the distance is reduced by half? If the distance orbited by a single electron. >e electric force holds the
is doubled? electron and proton together so that the hydrogen atom
(b) Describe the similarities and differences between the has a radius of about . Assuming the
two laws. Consider the signs of the quantities that create force between electron and proton does not change,
the interaction (i.e., mass and charge), the constants G what would be the approximate radius of the hydrogen
and k, and their dependence on separation r. atom if ?
(c) Given that the electric force is much stronger than

TEST PREP
Multiple Choice negative, whereas the charge of the electron is
positive.
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of d. >e magnitudes of charge of the proton and the
Charge, and Transfer of Charge electron are unequal, but the charge of the proton
36. A neutral hydrogen atom has one proton and one is negative, whereas the charge of the electron is
electron. If you remove the electron, what will be the positive.
leftover sign of the charge?
a. negative 18.2 Coulomb's law
b. positive 41. If you double the distance between two point charges, by
c. zero
which factor does the force between the particles
d. neutral
change?
37. What is the charge on a proton? a. 1/2
a. +8.99 × 10–9 C b. 2
b. −8.99 × 10–9 C c. 4
c. + 1.60 × 10–19 C d. 1/4
d. −1.60 × 10–19 C
42. >e combined charge of all the electrons in a dime is
38. True or false—Carbon is more conductive than pure hundreds of thousands of coulombs. Because like
water. charges repel, what keeps the dime from exploding?
a. true a. >e dime has an equal number of protons, with
b. false positive charge.
b. >e dime has more protons than electrons, with
39. True or false—Two insulating objects are polarized. To
positive charge.
cancel the polarization, it suf=ces to touch them
c. >e dime has fewer protons than electrons, with
together.
positive charge.
a. true d. >e dime is polarized, with electrons on one side
b. false and protons on the other side.
40. How is the charge of the proton related to the charge of
43. How can you modify the charges on two particles to
the electron? quadruple the force between them without moving
a. >e magnitudes of charge of the proton and the them?
electron are equal, but the charge of the proton is
a. Increase the distance between the charges by a
positive, whereas the charge of the electron is factor of two.
negative. b. Increase the distance between the charges by a
b. >e magnitudes of charge of the proton and the factor of four.
electron are unequal, but the charge of the proton c. Increase the product of the charges by a factor of
is positive, whereas the charge of the electron is
two
negative. d. Increase the product of the charges by a factor of
c. >e magnitudes of charge of the proton and the
four.
electron are equal, but the charge of the proton is

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 Chapter 18 • Test Prep 597

18.3 Electric Field much?

a. 2
44. What is the magnitude of the electric =eld 12 cm from a
b. 4
charge of 1.5 nC ?
c. 1/2
a. 9.4 × 107 N/ C
d. 1/4
b. 1.1 × 102 N/C
c. 9.4 × 102 N/C 50. True or false—Voltage is the common word for potential
d. 9.4 × 10–2 N/C difference, because this term is more descriptive than
potential difference.
45. A charge distribution has electric =eld lines pointing
a. false
into it. What sign is the net charge?
b. true
a. positive
b. neutral
18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
c. =nal
d. negative 51. Which magnitude of charge is stored on each plate of a
12 µF capacitor with 12 V applied across it?
46. If =ve electric =eld lines come out of point charge q1 and
a. –1.0 × 10–6 C
10 electric-=eld lines go into point charge q2, what is the
b. 1.0 × 10–6 C
ratio q1/q2?
c. –1.4 × 10–4 C
a. –2
d. 1.4 × 10–4 C
b. –1
c. –1/2 52. What is the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor
d. 0 with an area of 200 cm2, a distance of 0.20 mm between
the plates, and polystyrene as a dielectric?
47. True or false—>e electric-=eld lines from a positive
a. 2.3 nC
point charge spread out radially and point outward.
b. 0.89 nC
a. false
c. 23 nC
b. true
d. 8.9 nC

18.4 Electric Potential 53. Which factors determine the capacitance of a device?
a. Capacitance depends only on the materials that
48. What is the potential at 1.0 m from a point charge Q = −
make up the device.
25 nC?
b. Capacitance depends on the electric =eld
a. 6.6 × 102 V
surrounding the device.
b. −2.3 × 102 V
c. Capacitance depends on the geometric and
c. −6.6 × 102 V
material parameters of the device.
d. 2.3 × 102 V
d. Capacitance depends only on the mass of the
49. Increasing the distance by a factor of two from a point capacitor
charge will change the potential by a factor of how

Short Answer 55. >e positive terminal of a battery is connected to one

connection of a lightbulb, and the other connection of
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of the lightbulb is connected to the negative terminal of the
Charge, and Transfer of Charge battery. >e battery pushes charge through the circuit
54. Compare the mass of the electron with the mass of the but does not become charged itself. Does this violate the
proton. law of conservation of charge? Explain.
a. >e mass of the electron is about 1,000 times that a. No, because this is a closed circuit.
of the proton. b. No, because this is an open circuit.
b. >e mass of the proton is about 1,000 times that of c. Yes, because this is a closed circuit.
the electron. d. Yes, because this is an open circuit.
c. >e mass of the electron is about 1,836 times that of 56. Two flat pieces of aluminum foil lay one on top of the
the proton. other. What happens if you add charge to the top piece
d. >e mass of the proton is about 1,836 times that of of aluminum foil?
the electron. a. >e charge will distribute over the top of the top
598 Chapter 18 • Test Prep

piece. charge q/2 and the other three with a charge q6 . How do
b. >e charge will distribute to the bottom of the you proceed?
bottom piece. a. Charge one sphere with charge q. Touch it
c. >e inner surfaces will have excess charge of the simultaneously to the three remaining neutral
opposite sign. spheres.
d. >e inner surfaces will have excess charge of the b. Charge one sphere with charge q. Touch it to one
same sign. other sphere to produce two spheres with charge
. Touch one of these spheres to one other neutral
57. >e students in your class count off consecutively so
sphere.
each student has a number. >e odd-numbered students
c. Charge one sphere with charge q. Touch it to one
are told to act as negative charge, and the even-
other sphere to produce two spheres with charge
numbered students are told to act as positive charge.
How would you organize them to represent a polarized . Touch one of these spheres simultaneously to the
material? two remaining neutral spheres.
a. >e even-numbered and odd-numbered students d. Charge one sphere with charge q. Touch it
will be arranged one after the other. simultaneously to two other neutral spheres to
b. Two even-numbered will be followed by two odd- produce three spheres with charge q/3. Touch one
numbered, and so on. of these spheres to one other neutral sphere.
c. Even-numbered students will be asked to come to
the front, whereas odd-numbered students will be 18.2 Coulomb's law
asked to go to the back of the class. 62. Why does dust stick to the computer screen?
d. Half even-numbered and odd-numbered will come a. >e dust is neutral.
to the front, whereas half even-numbered and odd- b. >e dust is polarized.
numbered will go to the back. c. >e dust is positively charged.
58. An ion of iron contains 56 protons. How many electrons d. >e dust is negatively charged.
must it contain if its net charge is +5e? 63. >e force between two charges is 4 × 10–9 N . If the
a. =ve electrons magnitude of one charge is reduced by a factor of two
b. 51 electrons and the distance between the charges is reduced by a
c. 56 electrons factor of two, what is the new force between the
d. 61 electrons charges?
59. An insulating rod carries of charge. After a. 2 × 10–9 N
rubbing it with a material, you =nd it carries of b. 4 × 10–9 N
charge. How much charge was transferred to it? c. 6 × 10–9 N
a. d. 8 × 10–9 N
b. 64. True or false—Coulomb’s constant is k = 8.99 × 109
c. N·m2/C2. Newton’s gravitational constant is G = 6.67 ×
d. 10−11 m3/kg⋅s2. >is tells you about the relative strength
60. A solid cube carries a charge of +8e. You measure the of the electrostatic force versus that of gravity.
charge on each face of the cube and =nd that each face a. true
carries +0.5e of charge. Is the cube made of conducting b. false
or insulating material? Explain. 65. An atomic nucleus contains 56 protons, for iron. Which
a. >e cube is made of insulating material, because all force would this nucleus apply on an electron at a
the charges are on the surface of the cube. distance of 10×10–12 m?
b. >e cube is made of conducting material, because a. 0.65 × 10–4 N
some of the charges are inside the cube. b. 0.02 × 10–4 N
c. >e cube is made of insulating material, because all c. 1.3 × 10–4 N
the charges are on the surface of the cube. d. 72.8 × 10–4 N
d. >e cube is made of insulating material, because
some of the charges are inside the cube. 18.3 Electric Field
61. You have four neutral conducting spheres and a 66. >e electric =eld a distance of 10 km from a storm cloud
charging device that allows you to place charge q on any is 1,000 N/C . What is the approximate charge in the
neutral object. You want to charge one sphere with a

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 Chapter 18 • Test Prep 599

cloud? d. +400 mC
a. 0.0011 C
72. Given the potential difference between two points and
b. 11 C
the distance between the points, explain how to obtain
c. 110 C
the electric =eld between the points.
d. 1,100 C
a. Add the electric potential to the distance to obtain
67. Which electric =eld would produce a 10 N force in the the electric =eld.
+x- direction on a charge of – 10 nC ? b. Divide the electric potential by the distance to
a. − 1.0 × 109 N/C obtain the electric =eld.
b. 1.0 × 109 N/C c. Multiply the electric potential and the distance to
c. 1.0 × 1010 N/C obtain the electric =eld.
d. 1.0 × 1011 N/C d. Subtract the electric potential from the distance to
obtain the electric =eld.
68. A positive charge is located at x = 0 . When a negative
charge is placed at x = 10 cm, what happens to the
electric =eld lines between the charges?
18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
a. >e electric =eld lines become denser between the 73. If you double the voltage across the plates of a capacitor,
charges. how is the stored energy affected?
b. >e electric =eld lines become denser between the a. Stored energy will decrease two times.
charges. b. Stored energy will decrease four times.
c. >e electric =eld lines remains same between the c. Stored energy will increase two times.
charges. d. Stored energy will increase four times.
d. >e electric =eld lines will be zero between the
74. A capacitor with neoprene rubber as the dielectric stores
charges.
0.185 mJ of energy with a voltage of 50 V across the
plates. If the area of the plates is 500 cm2, what is the
18.4 Electric Potential
plate separation?
69. >e energy required to bring a charge q = − 8.8 nC from a. 20 µm
far away to 5.5 cm from a point charge Q is 13 mJ. What b. 20 m
is the potential at the =nal position of q? c. 80 µm
a. −112 MV d. 80 m
b. −1.5 MV
75. Explain why a storm cloud before a lightning strike is
c. −0.66 MV
like a giant capacitor.
d. +1.5 MV
a. >e storm cloud acts as a giant charged capacitor,
70. How is electric potential related to electric potential as it can store a large amount of charge.
energy? b. >e storm cloud acts as a giant charged capacitor,
a. Electric potential is the electric potential energy as it contains a high amount of excess charges.
per unit mass at a given position in space. c. >e storm cloud acts as a giant charged capacitor,
b. Electric potential is the electric potential energy as it splits in two capacitor plates with equal and
per unit length at a given position in space. >is opposite charge.
relation is not dimensionally correct. d. >e storm cloud acts as a giant charged capacitor,
c. Electric potential is the electric potential energy as it splits in two capacitor plates with unequal and
per unit area in space. opposite charges.
d. Electric potential is the electric potential energy
76. A storm cloud is 2 km above the surface of Earth. >e
per unit charge at a given position in space.
lower surface of the cloud is approximately 2 km2 in
71. If it takes 10 mJ to move a charge q from xi = 25 cm to xf = area. What is the approximate capacitance of this storm
− 25 cm in an electric =eld of what is the cloud-Earth system?
charge q? a. 9 × 10–15 F
a. −1.0 mC b. 9 × 10-9 F
b. +0.25 mC c. 17.7 × 10-15 F
c. + 1.0 mC d. 17.7 × 10-9 F
600 Chapter 18 • Test Prep

Extended Response touched to a second small metal sphere that is initially

neutral. >e spheres are then placed 20 cm apart. What
18.1 Electrical Charges, Conservation of is the force between the spheres?
Charge, and Transfer of Charge a. 1.02 × 10−7 N
77. Imagine that the magnitude of the charge on the b. 2.55 × 10−7 N
electron differed very slightly from that of the proton. c. 5.1 × 10−7 N
How would this affect life on Earth and physics in d. 20.4 × 10−7 N
general?
a. Many macroscopic objects would be charged, so we 18.3 Electric Field
would experience the enormous force of electricity
83. Point charges are located at each corner of a square with
on a daily basis.
sides of 5.0 cm . >e top-left charge is q1 = 8.0 nC >e
b. Many macroscopic objects would be charged, so we top right charge is q2 = 4.0 nC. >e bottom-right charge
would experience the small force of electricity on a is q3 = 4.0 nC. >e bottom-left charge is q4 = 8.0 nC.
daily basis.
What is the electric =eld at the point midway between
c. Many macroscopic objects would be charged, but it
charges q2 and q3?
would not affect life on Earth and physics in
a.
general.
b.
d. Macroscopic objects would remain neutral, so it
would not affect life on Earth and physics in c.
general. d.

78. True or false—Conservation of charge is like balancing a 84. A long straight wire carries a uniform positive charge
budget. distribution. Draw the electric =eld lines in a plane
a. true containing the wire at a location far from the ends of the
b. false wire. Do not worry about the magnitude of the charge
on the wire.
79. True or false—Although wood is an insulator, lightning
a. Take the wire on the x-axis, and draw electric-=eld
can travel through a tree to reach Earth.
lines perpendicular to it.
a. true
b. Take the wire on the x-axis, and draw electric-=eld
b. false lines parallel to it.
80. True or false—An eccentric inventor attempts to levitate c. Take the wire on the y-axis, and draw electric-=eld
by =rst placing a large negative charge on himself and lines along it.
then putting a large positive charge on the ceiling of his d. Take the wire on the z-axis, and draw electric-=eld
workshop. Instead, while he attempts to place a large lines along it.
negative charge on himself, his clothes fly off.
a. true 18.4 Electric Potential
b. false
85. A square grid has charges of Q = 10 nC are each corner.
>e sides of the square at 10 cm . How much energy does
18.2 Coulomb's law it require to bring a q = 1.0 nC charge from very far away
81. Electrostatic forces are enormous compared to to the point at the center of this square?
gravitational force. Why do you not notice electrostatic a. 1.3 × 10−6 J
forces in everyday life, whereas you do notice the force b. 2.5 × 10−6 J
due to gravity? c. 3.8 × 10−6 J
a. Because there are two types of charge, but only one d. 5.1 × 10−6 J
type of mass exists. 86. How are potential difference and electric-=eld strength
b. Because there is only one type of charge, but two related for a constant electric =eld?
types of mass exist. a. >e magnitude of electric-=eld strength is
c. Because opposite charges cancel each other, while equivalent to the potential divided by the distance.
gravity does not cancel out. b. >e magnitude of electric-=eld strength is
d. Because opposite charges do not cancel each other, equivalent to the product of the electric potential
while gravity cancels out. and the distance.
82. A small metal sphere with a net charge of 3.0 nC is c. >e magnitude of electric-=eld strength is

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 Chapter 18 • Test Prep 601

equivalent to the difference between magnitude of 88. Explain why capacitance should be inversely
the electric potential and the distance. proportional to the separation between the plates of a
d. >e magnitude of electric-=eld strength is capacitor.
equivalent to the sum of the magnitude of the a. Capacitance is directly proportional to the electric
electric potential and the distance. =eld, which is inversely proportional to the
distance between the capacitor plates.
18.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics b. Capacitance is inversely proportional to the electric
=eld, which is inversely proportional to the
87. A 12 μF air-=lled capacitor has 12 V across it. If the
distance between the capacitor plates.
surface charge on each capacitor plate is σ = 7.2 mC /
c. Capacitance is inversely proportional to the electric
m2, what is the attractive force of one capacitor plate
=eld, which is directly proportional to the distance
toward the other?
between the capacitor plates.
a. 0.81 × 105 N
d. Capacitance is directly proportional to the electric
b. 0.81 × 106 N
=eld, which is directly proportional to the distance
c. 1.2 × 105 N
between the capacitor plates.
d. 1.2 × 106 N