Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample) | 11

20. Electrostatics (Chapter Exercise)

Multiple-choice Questions 8. Two identical spheres…

C The attractive electric forces FE between the two

2
1. 1 Q
Two neutral, insulated metal spheres X and Y … spheres is 4πϵ0 L2
. To keep their separation, both
B Statement (1) is incorrect as X carries positive spheres must have the same acceleration.
charge.
So, the net force acting on them must be the same.
2
Statement (2) is incorrect as the negative charges (i.e. 1 Q
Thus, F = 2FE = 2πϵ 0 L2
, pointing outwards along the
electrons) induced at Y low from Y to the Earth. Y is line joining the two particles.
eventually neutral.

2. A negatively charged sphere…

D As the air near the sphere is ionized by the α

source, there are many positive and negative charges
around the sphere. So, the sphere is discharged, and
remains in its original position.
Do not treat the α source as a positive charge. 9. Charged metal spheres A and B …

3. Metal spheres A , B , and C … B The free-body diagram of A and B :

C If A and B carry like charges, the electric force be-

comes 12 F . If they carry unlike charges, the electric

force becomes 0.

4. A small sphere A of charge…

D The free-body diagram:

As they are in equilibrium, the forces acting on them

form a closed triangle.

The maximum electric force F on A = T − mg =

10 − (0.05)(9.81) = 9.51 N. By Coulomb’s law, 9.51 =
(3 × 10−6 )(5 × 10−6 ) So d ≈ 11.9 cm.
4πϵ d 2
0

5. Four particles carrying…

B In arrangements (1) and (2), the electric forces on

X by the charges on opposite vertices cancel out.
FA WA FB WB
By sine law, we have sin 45° = sin 60° and sin 15° = sin 60° .
6. Which of the following statements…
45°
Since F A = FB , we have WB = sin
sin 15° · W A = 2.73W A .
B Statement (1) must be correct.
¯ By Coulomb’s
¯ law,
qP ¯ q A qB ¯ So mass of B is 2.73m .
the net force acting on P = 4πϵ0 ¯ R 2 − r 2 ¯ = 0.
Statement (2) may be incorrect. If P is positively Consider the free-body diagram of an object at equilibrium (i.e.
charged, it still experience no net force. zero net force), all the forces acting on it form a close loop when
their heads and tails are linked together, provided that the forces
7. Which of the following correctly describes…
are drawn in scale.
C As no net electric force is acting on P at Y , E Y = 0.

So, the electric ield at distance R away from charge A

cancels that at distance r away from charge B . Thus,
by comparing the electric ield at X due to charge B
and that at Z due to charge A , we know that E Z > E X .
12 | Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample)

Structured Questions

16. The set-up below consists of…

(a) (i) When C comes close, opposite charge is in-

duced on B and like charge is induced in
A. (1A)

So, A is repelled by C and then de lects. (1A)

(ii) Sphere A falls back to its initial position. (1A)

(b) (i) dummy

10. An electron is orbiting…
1
A Let k = 4πϵ and n be the number of protons in the
0
nucleus.
The centripetal force is provided by the electric force
2 2
F = ke
r2
, therefore ke
r2
= mr ω2 and thus r ∝ 12 .
ω3
1
When ω doubles, r is reduced to p
3 of its original
4
value.
As ball A is in equilibrium, all the forces act-
11. Which of the following statements…
ing on it forms a close loop. (1A)

A Statement (3) is incorrect. Only when the point

The electric force is along AB , the weight is
charge is positive, the electric force is in the direction along OB , and the tension is along O A . (1A)

of the ield line. Note that triangle O AB is an isosceles trian-

12. Two vertical parallel metal plates…
gle. So the magnitude of tension equals that
A Statement (1) is correct but statement (2) is incor- of the weight, and the tension is mg . (1A)

rect. By E = Vd0 , the electric ield would increase when (ii) Its swings back a little, but still de lects at
the voltage increases or the separation decreases. As some angle. (1A)

stronger electric ield increases the de lection of the

17. Two tiny spheres are hung…
foil.
Statement (3) is incorrect. The electric ield between (a) As unlike charges attract, the electric force
the plates is uniform. acting on A points right and that on B points
left. (1A)

13. A point charge…

When a leftward electric ield is applied on the
A The electric force acting on it always has the same spheres, the forces produced would cancel out
magnitude and points left. the attractive forces. (1A)

14. Suggested Solution to HKDSE 2012… So, the uniform electric ield points towards the
B Both statements (1) and (2) are incorrect. Assume left. (1A)

P carries positive charge and ind out the charge of (b) Electric force between the spheres =
−9 −9
1 (2.0 × 10 )(2.0 × 10 )
other objects. Observe that P and R carry opposite
4πϵ0 −2 2
= 2.25 × 10−5 N (1M)
(4 × 10 )
charge, so as Q and S . −5
× 10
By F = qE , E = Fq = 2.25
2.0 × 10−9
= 11 300 N C−1 . (1M+1A)

15. Suggested Solution to HKDSE 2014…

(c) No, they cannot. (1A)
D Since the three charges stay at rest, charges Q 1
Alternative solution:
and Q 2 carry the same sign and have a sign opposite
(a) The electric field on the position of sphere A produced by
to that of Q 1 .
sphere B points right. (1A)
Consider charge Q 1 , the force on it by Q 2 must be bal-
The uniform electric field has to cancel out the electric field
anced by the force on it by Q 3 . By F ∝ r12 , doubling produced by sphere B . (1A)

the distance means reducing the force to a quarter. So, the uniform applied electric should points left. (1A)
Therefore, FQ 2 = 4FQ 3 and thus |Q 3 | = 4|Q 2 |.
If you consider the position of sphere B , you will get the
same answer.
 Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample) | 13

(b) The electric field on the position of sphere A produced by (d) dummy
1 2.0 × 10−9
sphere B = 4πϵ −2 2 = 11 300 N C
−1
(2M+1A)
0 (4 × 10 )
(c) No, they cannot. (1A)

18. Below shows several electric ield lines…

(a) dummy

1A for more ield lines around A

1A for correct directions of ield lines
1A for neutral point
1A for correct arrows
20. Two point charges A and B …
(b) The electric ield strength at A is greater than
that at B (1A)
(a) Both of them are positive. (1A)

because the ield lines at A is denser than that at (b) At x = 8 cm, E = 0. (1A)

B. 1 Q 1 QA 1 QB
(1A) By E = 4πϵ0 r 2 , 4πϵ0 82 − 4πϵ0 22 =0 (1M)

19. Point charges A and B …

∴ Q A : QB = 16:1 . (1A)

(c) The electric force points towards the right and

(a) The resultant electric ield lines in the space be-
gets weaker when the test charge is moving
tween the charges are in the same direction. (1A)
from A to B . (1A)

(b) It lies at the right of B . (1A)

It then drops to zero at x = 8 cm. (1A)

(c) dummy After that, it points towards the left and get
stronger. (1A)

21. A small charged ball of mass…

(a) (i) Draw a best- it lines for the data points.

1 1 × 10−9
1 Q
By E = 4πϵ0 r2
, EB = 4πϵ0 0.82 ≈ 14 N C−1 , points
downward. (1M)
p
AX = 12 + 0.82 ≈ 1.28 m
1 Q
Vertical component of E A = 4πϵ0 r 2 sin θ =
1 4 × 10−9
4πϵ0 1.282
0.8
· 1.28 ≈ 14 N C−1 (1M)

1 Q
Horizontal component of E A = 4πϵ0 r 2 cos θ =
1 4 × 10−9 1 −1
4πϵ0 1.282 · 1.28 ≈ 17 N C (1M)

The vertical component roughly cancels out E B .

Therefore the electric ield strength is about 0.28−0
The slope of the graph = 70−0 =
17 N C−1 , (1A) 4 × 10 −3 −1
V (1A)

pointing towards the right. −3 −1

(1A) (Accept answers between 3.7 × 10 V and
4.2 × 10−3 V−1 )
(ii) By the free-body diagram:
14 | Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample)

23. Read the passage below…

(a) The mixture is charged by friction. (1A)

Two kinds of plastic carry opposite charges. (1A)

(b) The negatively charged plastic in the mixture

is attracted by the positive electrode and falls
further away. (1A)

Fe The positively charged plastic is attracted by the

We have tan θ = mg (1M)
earthed drum and then sticks on the drum. (1A)
By F = qE and E = Vd0 , we have
(c) No. (1A)
qE q
tan θ = = V0 (1M) When the mixture falls on the drum, all the
mg mg d
charged metals are already discharged. (1A)

∴ The slope represents q

mg d
. (1A)
So, the mixture behaves similarly when pass-
q
(b) As slope = mg d , ing the electrode and hence it cannot be
( )( )
q = 4 × 10−3 0.01 × 10−3 (9.81)(0.08) = separated. (1A)

−8
+3.14 × 10 C . (1A)
24. A cathode ray tube (CRT)…
(c) No, the de lection angle cannot be too large. (1A)

If the de lection angle was too large, the sphere (a) (i) Horizontal plates. (1A)

would touch the metal plate and share charges (ii) Vertical plates. (1A)

with the plate. Therefore the result found would 3

(b) (i) By geometry, tan θ ≈ 31.5 .
( 3 )( )
be wrong. (1A)
vx
As tan θ = v y , v y = 31.5 3 × 107 =
22. An electron is incident… 2.86 × 106 m s−1 . (1M+1A)

(ii) Time t spent in horizontal plates

(a) dummy
0.03
t= = 1 × 10−9 s (1M)
3 × 107
0
>
u + at ⇒ a = vt , we have
As v = 

2.86 × 106
a= = 2.86 × 1015 m s−2 (1M)
1 × 10−9

By F = ma and F = qE , we have E = ma
q
1A for correct path inside the plates
( )( )
1A for correct path outside the plates 9.11 × 10−31 2.86 × 1015
( ) ∴E =
(b) ∆KE = 12 m v 22 − v 12 = 1.09 × 10−17 J . (1M+1A)
1.60 × 10−19
= 16.3 × 103 N C−1
(c) By ∆U = q∆V and E = − Vd0 ,
(1M)

∆U = qE d (1M)
So, the magnitudes of the electric ield in the
horizontal and vertical plates are 16.3 kN C−1
1.09 × 10−17
∴E = ( )( ) (1M) and 0 respectively.
1.60 × 10−19 2 × 10−2
(1A)

= 3.41 × 103 N C−1 (1A) 25. Read the passage below…

(d) By F = ma , (a) Concentrated solution would form in interval

qE 2. (1A)

qE = ma ⇒ a = (1M)
m Under the electric ield, sodium ion shifts to the
Consider the vertical motion. right while chloride ion shifts to the left. (1A)

By s = ut + 12 at 2 , So, the ions in intervals 1 and 3 would enter in-

( ) terval 2 while that in interval 2 cannot escape.
1 qE 2
s = ut + t (1A)
2 m
( )( ) So ions accumulate in interval 2 to form concen-
1 1.60 × 10−19 3.41 × 103
2 = 0+ −31
t2 (1M)
trated solution.
2 9.11 × 10
∴t = 8.17 × 10 −8
s (1A)
 Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample) | 15

(b) The solution formed in interval 2 would be 27. Suggested Solution to OCR AS-level 2824 Jan 2006…

desalted. (1A)
(a) dummy
The solutions formed in intervals 1 and 3 would
consist a large amount of sodium and chloride
ions respectively. (1A)

26. Suggested Solution to CIE O-level 5054/02 Jun 2007 Q11…

(a) During rubbing, electrons (1)

are transferred from the cloth to the rod. (1)

(b) (i) The electrons move to the right side of the

sphere. (1)
1A for correct shape
It is because they are repelled by the nega-
tive charge on the rod. (1)
1A for lines perpendicular to and touching both
the plate and the sphere
(ii) dummy
1A for correct direction
(b) (i) dummy

1A for correct charge distribution

(iii) The positive charge in the sphere is at-
tracted by the rod, (1)

and the repulsion between the negative

charges is smaller than the attraction. (1)

From the free-body diagram,

(c) (i) It means connecting the sphere to the
{
earth/ground. (1) W = T cos 20°
(1)
(ii) They move down to the ground (1) F = T sin 20°
due to the repulsion by the rod. (1)
∴ F = W tan 20° (1)
(iii) dummy
= 3.6 × 10−6 N (1)

(ii) E = Fq (1)

3.6 × 10−6
= 1.2 × 10−9
= 3.0 × 103 (1)

The unit for the electric ield strength is

1A for correct charge distribution
N C−1 . (1)

(d) Electrostatic spraying (1) 1 q1 q2

(c) By F = 4πϵ0 r 2 , (1)
(Accept any reasonable applications.)
( )2
−6 1.2 × 10−9
3.6 × 10 = (1)
4πϵ0 r 2
∴r = 6 × 10−2 m (1)

(d) dummy

1A for correct igure

The droplets sprayed are charged. (1)

Due to the repulsion between like charges, the

droplets repel and hence spray evenly over a
large area. (1)

Other applications involving electrostatic charging include 1A for correct ield pattern
electroscope, Van de Graff generator, ink jet printer, photo- The right half of this electric ield pattern
copier, etc. matches that in (a). (1)
16 | Active Physics Full Solutions to Textbook Exercises (Sample)

28. Suggested solution to HKDSE Practice Paper… Shoot-the-stars Questions

(a) dummy
1. Two identical small balls…

A Treat A and B as one body. As there is no net elec-

tric force acting on it, the string at the top is vertical.
Then consider ball B only. The electric force acting
on it points right, so the string connecting A and B
de lects to the right.

2. A positive test charge…

T : tension B Initially, it moves in the tangential direction of the
F : electric force ield line, but not along the ield line. When it moves
W : weight forwards, the electric force acting on it rotates clock-
1A for any two forces correct wise, so its path bends towards the ield line.
1A for all forces correct In order for the text charge to cross the ield line, a
1A for correct electric ield direction sideway force has to be provided. As the direction of
F
(b) (i) tan θ = W (1A) the electric force is tangential, the text charge never
(ii) By F = qE and E = , V
(1M)
cross the ield line.
d

F qE qV 3. A light conducting ball…

tan θ = = =
W mg mg d
(a) The net electric force points towards right. (1A)
mg d tan θ
∴q= (1M)
As the sphere on the right is nearer to the rod, more
( V )
0.07 × 10−3 (9.81)(0.1)(tan 2°) charges is induced on it, so it attracts the ball more.
=
4000 (b) As the ball is attracted to the sphere on the right,
= 6.00 × 10−10 C (1A)
it acquires the induced charge on the sphere (1A)
and then repels. (1A)
(c) Fix the output voltage of the EHT and the plates
It acquires opposite charges when touching the
separation. (1A)
other sphere and the process repeats. (1A)
Move the point of support of the thread to
Hence, the ball shuttles between the spheres.
place the ball at different positions between the
plates. (1A) (c) As the ball shuttles between the spheres, it car-
Or: ries charges from one sphere to another. (1A)

Fix the point of support of the thread and move the polystyrene When the repulsive force produced by the ac-
tile such that the ball is at different position between the cumulated charges is larger than the attractive
plates. (1A) force, the ball slows down and then stops. (1A)

If the electric ield between the plates are uni- (d) The ball shuttles for a while and then stops. (1A)

form, the angle θ should remain unchanged. (1A)