Chapter C - Problems

Blinn College - Physics 2426 - Terry Honan

Problem C.1
Here we will study the speed v of an electron after it is accelerated from rest across a potential difference of magnitude V.

(a) What is the sign of the change in potential? In other words: Is D V = +V or D V = -V?

1
(b) Using the standard nonrelativistic kinetic energy formula of K = m v2 find the speed.
2

(c) Find the value for the speed in part (b) when V = 12 V. The standard nonrelativistic expression for kinetic energy given above
only applies to particles with a speed that is significantly less than the speed of light. What fraction of the speed of light is this value?

(d) In the picture tube of a television it is typical to have voltages (potential differences) of V = 25 kV. Find the speed of an electron
after accelerating across this voltage using the nonrelativistic expression. What fraction of the speed of light is this?

(e) The correct relativistic expression for kinetic energy is

1
K= - 1 m c2 .
1-v2 ëc2

Use this to find the correct speed of an electron after accelerating across V = 25 kV. What is the percent error in using the nonrelativis-
tic formula?

Solution to C.1

(a) The direction of a force is always toward lower potential energy. A particle released at rest will then move that way.

0 > D U = Q D V and Q = -e < 0 ï D V > 0

(b) Use the conservation of energy, DU + DK = 0 . The potential energy change is: DU = Q D V . The easiest way to approach
such a problem is to avoid signs by taking absolute values. For an electron †Q§ = e and take V to be the magnitude of the potential
difference: V = D V.

1 2eV
†DU§ = †DK§ ï e V = m v2 ï v =
2 m

(c) For an electron: e = 1.60 µ 10-19 C and m = 9.11 µ 10-31 kg. Using V = 12 V we get

2eV 2µ1.60µ10-19 µ12 m

v= = = 2.05 µ 106
m 9.11µ10-31 s

The speed of light is c = 3.00 µ 108 m ê s. The fraction of the speed of light is tiny.
v
= 0.00684
c

(d) Using V = 25 000 V we get

2eV 2µ1.60µ10-19 µ25 000 m

v= = = 9.37 µ 107
m 9.11µ10-31 s
2 Chapter C - Problems

2eV 2µ1.60µ10-19 µ25 000 m

v= = = 9.37 µ 107
m 9.11µ10-31 s

The speed of light is c = 3.00 µ 108 m ê s. The fraction of the speed of light is now a significant value.
v
= 0.312
c

Since this value is so high, the above value for the speed should not be trusted.

(e) Using the relativistic expression will give the correct answer for the speed.

1
K= - 1 m c2 .
1-v2 ëc2

1 e V -2
†DU§ = †DK§ ï e V = - 1 m c2 ï v = c 1- 1+
m c2
1-v2 ëc2

Using V = 25 000 V we get

m
v = 9.04 µ 107 .
s

Problem C.2
A some distance from a point charge the voltage is -180 V and the electric field magnitude is 800 V ê m. Find the charge and the
distance from the charge?

Solution to C.2

We need to solve for r and Q from E and V.

†Q§ Q
E = ke and V = ke
r2 r
Since V < 0 we know that Q < 0. To simplify matters we will just use the absolute values of V and Q.

†Q§ †Q§ †V§

†V§ = ke and E = ke ï r=
r r2 E

Q r †V§ = V2
V = ke ï †Q§ =
r ke ke E

Using the values V = -180 and E = 800 V ê m, we can find r and Q.

†V§ V2
r= = 0.225 m and †Q§ = = 4.5 µ 10-9 ï Q = -4.5 nC
E ke E
 Chapter C - Problems 3

Problem C.3
A 5 mC charge sits at the origin and a -8 mC charge sits at H2 m, -3 mL. What is the potential at H0, -2 mL? Compare this to problem
A.5, where the electric field at H0, -2 mL was found.

Solution to C.3

Qi Q1 Q2 5µ10-6 -8µ10-6
V = ke ⁄ = ke + ke = 9 µ 109 + 9 µ 109
i ri r1 r2 2
22 +12
= 22 500 - 32 200. = -9700 V

Problem C.4
What is the potential at the origin due to a line of charge from x0 to x1 along the positive x-axis with a uniform linear charge density
(charge/length) of l. Compare this to problem A.7, where the electric field at the origin was found and where x0 Ø ¶.

Solution to C.4

r=x

P x0 x x + „x x

Limits of integration are x0 § x < ¶. The infinitesimal charge „ q has the form: „ q = l „ x.
” `
In the electric field problem we had r = -x ex . Here all we need is the magnitude of it: r = x.

„q „x x
V = ke ‡ = ke l Ÿxx1 = ke l ln 1
r 0 x x0

Note that in the limit that x1 Ø ¶, as in the chapter A problem, the result becomes infinite.

Problem C.5
Consider a flat annulus in the xy-plane with an inside radius a and an outside radius b and with a uniform surface charge density s.
What is the potential at a point z0 along the positive z-axis?

Solution to C.5

Break up the annulus into concentric rings between r and r + „ r. The infinitesimal charge in each ring is

„ q = s „ Area = s 2 p r „ r.

The distance from the ring to the point z0 is r2 + z20 and the limits of integration are a § r § b. The integral becomes:

„q r „r
V = ke · = s 2 p ke Ÿab
z20 + r2 z20 + r2
4 Chapter C - Problems

„q r „r
V = ke · = s 2 p ke Ÿab
z20 + r2 z20 + r2

This is an integral of the form Ÿ u-1ê2 „ u. Evaluating it gives

V = s 2 p ke z20 + b2 - z20 + a2

Problem C.6
What is the total potential energy of the configuration for each configuration shown?

Q s Q - Q s Q

s s s s

Q s Q Q s - Q
HaL HbL

Solution to C.6

The potential energy for a distribution of point charges is

Qi Q j
U = ke ⁄ ,
i< j ri j

where the sum is over all pairs of charges.

For a square with side a the diagonals have length a 2 . To get the total potential energy we must sum over all six pairings of the
four charges. These pairing correspond to the 4 sides and the 2 diagonals.

Q2 Q2 Q2 Q2
(a) U = 4 µ ke + 2 µ ke = J4 + 2 N ke = 5.414 ke
a a 2 a a

Q H-QL Q2 Q2 Q2
(b) U = 4 µ ke + 2 µ ke = J-4 + 2 N ke = -2.586 ke
a a 2 a a

Problem C.7
Two protons are released from rest from a distance of 1 nm. What is their speed when they are a large distance apart? Both will have
the same speed. You may assume all speeds are nonrelativistic.

Solution to C.7

The potential energy for two charges separated by a distance r is

Q1 Q2
U = ke .
r
 Chapter C - Problems 5

Q1 Q2
U = ke .
r
1
If charges of e start at r = d and move to infinity then Ui = ke e2 ë d and U f = 0. The total kinetic energy is K = 2 µ m v2 , since both
2
protons are moving. It is easiest when using the conservation of energy here to just take absolute values.

1 e2 ke e2
†D K§ = †D U§ ï 2 µ m v2 = ke ï v=
2 d md

Using ke = 9.0 µ 109 N m2 ë C2 , e = 1.60 µ 10-19 C, m = 1.67 µ 10-27 kg and d = 10-9 m, we get
m
v = 117 µ 00 .
s

Problem C.8
Consider a ring of radius R uniformly charged with a charge Q. How much work is required to move a point charge q from a distance
z0 from the center along the central axis to the center.

Solution to C.8

Q
V HzL = ke is the potential as a function of z, the distance from the center along the central axis.
z2 +R2

1 1
D V = VH0L - VIz0 M = ke Q -
R
z20 +R2

The work done by some agent moving a charge is W = DU . (Note that the work done by some agent moving something against a
field is opposite the work done by the field itself.)

1 1
W = q DV = ke q Q -
R
z20 +R2

Problem C.9
The potential as a function of position is VHx, y, zL = 6 x2 - 5 y z3 - 8 x3 z in SI units.

(a) Find the electric field as a function of position.

(b) What is the value of the field at H3 m, -2 m, 4 mL? What is the magnitude of the field there?

Solution to C.9

(a) The electric field is found from the potential by evaluating derivatives. When evaluating derivatives of functions of more than one
variable partial derivatives are used. To take a partial derivative with respect to some variable, just take the ordinary derivative with
respect to that variable while treating all the other variables as constants.
6 Chapter C - Problems

(a) The electric field is found from the potential by evaluating derivatives. When evaluating derivatives of functions of more than one
variable partial derivatives are used. To take a partial derivative with respect to some variable, just take the ordinary derivative with
respect to that variable while treating all the other variables as constants.
∂V
Ex = - = -I12 x - 0 - 24 x2 zM = 24 x2 z - 12 x
∂x

∂V
Ey = - = -I0 - 5 z3 - 0M = 5 z3
∂y

∂V
Ez = - = -I0 - 15 y z2 - 8 x3 M = 15 y z2 + 8 x3
∂z

or E = Y24 x2 z - 12 x, 5 z3 , 15 y z2 + 8 x3 ]

(b) At the position Hx, y, zL = H3 m, -2 m, 4 mL we have

V
E = X828, 320, -264\ .
m

The magnitude of the field is

V
E= Ex2 + Ey2 + Ez2 = 926 .
m

Problem C.10
Consider a uniform electric field of magnitude 300 V ê m in the negative z-direction. A -20 mC charge is moved from the point
H3 m, -2 m, 5 mL to the origin.
(a) What is the change in the potential for the charge?
(b) How much work is needed to move the charge?

Solution to C.10

”
(a) The general expression for the potential from an electric field is the integral D V = -Ÿ E × „ r. In this case we have a uniform field
and this becomes
”
D V = -E × D r
”
The field and D r have the values

V ` V ”
E = -300 z =Z0, 0, -300 ^ and D r = X-3 m, 2 m, -5 m\.
m m

It follows that

”
D V = -E × D r = 0 + 0 - H-300L H-5L = -1500 V.

(b) The wording of the problem implies that we want the wok done by some agent moving the charge against the field and not the
work done by the field itself. For instance it takes positive work to lift something but the work done by gravity is the negative of that.

W = D U = Q D V = -20 µ 10-6 H-1500L = 0.030 J

 Chapter C - Problems 7

Problem C.11
How many electrons must be removed from a conducting sphere with a 12 cm radius to give it a voltage of 5000 V?

Solution to C.11

The potential of the conductor is constant and thus is the same as the voltage at its surface.

Q VR 5000µ0.12
V = ke ï Q= = = 6.67 µ 10-8 C
R ke 9µ109

When electrons are removed something gets a positive charge. The number of electrons is the number of fundamental charges in it.

Q Q
Q=ne ï n= = = 4.16 µ 1011
e 1.60µ10-19

Problem C.12
Two conducting spheres of radius 6 cm and 9 cm are separated by a large distance and connected by a conducting wire. If a total
charge of 25 mC is added to the configuration then what charge flows to each conductor? What is the potential of each conductor?

Solution to C.12

When 2 conductors are connected, charge will flow until the potentials become equal. The potential of an isolated conducting sphere
of radius R with charge Q is V = ke Q ê R. If two distant spheres are connected by a wire then the final charge distribution will satisfy:

Q1 Q2 Q2 R 9
V1 = V2 ï = ï = 2= = 1.5 .
R1 R2 Q1 R1 6

We also know that

Q1 + Q2 = Qtotal = 25 mC ï Q1 + 1.5 Q1 = 25
ï Q1 = 10 mC and Q2 = 15 mC .

The potential of each is the same so we just need one.

Q1 10µ10-6
V2 = V1 = ke = 9.0 µ 109 = 1.5 µ 106 V
R1 .06

Problem C.13
What is the potential as a function of position for a thin spherical shell of radius R with a uniform charge Q?

Solution to C.13

We need to first find the electric field as a function of position using Gauss's law. For any problem with spherical symmetry we have

1 Qinside ` Qinside
ò E ׂ A = Qinside ï E = ke
2
r ï Er = ke .
ε0 r r2

The last expression above is the radial component of the field. This is what we will need to find the voltage.
8 Chapter C - Problems

The last expression above is the radial component of the field. This is what we will need to find the voltage.

For r < R: Qinside = 0 ï Er = 0

Q
For r > R: Qinside = Q ï Er = ke
r2
„V
To find the potential we use = -Er and integrate Er to get VHrL. Each integration will give and arbitrary constant. To fix the
„r
values of these constants we insist the voltage goes to zero at infinity and that the voltage is a continuous function.

Since our reference potential is at infinity (where V = 0) we will begin at infinity and work our way in.

For r > R:

„V Q Q
= -Er = -ke ï VHrL = ke + C1
„r r 2 r

We now find the integration constant

0 = VH¶L = 0 + C1 ï C1 = 0.

The potential becomes:

Q
VHrL = ke for r ¥ R.
r

For r < R:

„V
= -Er = 0 ï VHrL = C2
„r

The new constant is found by insisting the potential is continuous. It must have the same value at r = R for the two expressions

Q
VHR- L = VIR+ M ï C2 = ke
R

Q
VHrL = ke for r § R.
R
 Chapter C - Problems 9

Problem C.14
A solid insulating sphere of radius a has a uniform charge Q. This sits inside of a hollow conducting sphere with and inside radius b
and outside radius c. The conductor is given a net charge of q. (All spherical surfaces are concentric.) What is the potential as a
function of position? Give answers for all cases: r < a, a < r < b, b < r < c and r > c. This is an extension of Problem B.13 from the
previous chapter.

c b

a
Insulator

Conductor

Solution to C.14

We found the electric field as a function of position in Problem B.13 . The magnitude of the field is Er .

Q ` Q
E = ke r r ï Er = ke r (for r < a)
a3 a3

Q ` Q
E = ke r ï Er = ke (for a < r < b)
r2 r2

E = 0 ï Er = 0 (for b < r < c)

Q +q ` Q +q
E = ke r ï Er = ke (for r > c)
r2 r2

„V
To find the voltage we use = -Er and integrate Er to get VHrL. Each integration will give and arbitrary constant. To fix the
„r
values of these constants we insist the voltage goes to zero at infinity and that the voltage is a continuous function.

Since our reference potential is at infinity (where V = 0) we will begin at infinity and work our way in.

For r > c:

„V Q+q Q+q
= -Er = -ke ï VHrL = ke + C1
„r r 2 r

We now find the integration constant

0 = VH¶L = 0 + C1 ï C1 = 0.

The potential becomes:

Q+q
VHrL = ke for r ¥ c.
r

For b < r < c:

10 Chapter C - Problems

For b < r < c:

„V
= -Er = 0 ï VHrL = C2
„r

The new constant is found by insisting the potential is continuous. It must have the same value at r = c for the two expressions

Q+q
VHc- L = VIc+ M ï C2 = ke
c

Q+q
VHrL = ke for b < r < c.
c

For a < r < b:

„V Q Q
= -Er = -ke ï VHrL = ke + C3
„r r2 r

We find C3 by insisting the function is continuous at b.

Q Q+q Q+q Q
VHb- L = VIb+ M ï ke + C3 = ke ï C3 = ke - ke
b c c b

The voltage becomes:

Q Q+q Q
VHrL = ke + Kke - ke O for a < r < b.
r c b

The part of the above expression in brackets is just a constant.

For r < a:

„V Q 1 Q 2
= -Er = -ke r ï VHrL = - ke r + C4
„r a 3 2 a3

We find C4 by insisting the function is continuous at a.

1 Q Q Q+q Q
VHa- L = VIa+ M ï - ke a2 + C4 = ke + ke - ke
2 a3 a c b
Q+q Q 3 Q
ï C4 = ke - ke + ke
c b 2 a

The potential becomes:

1 Q 2 Q+q Q 3 Q
VHrL = - ke r + Kke - ke + ke O for r < a.
2 a3 c b 2 a

The very ugly part of the above expression in brackets is just a constant.