Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment

Section 1 Measuring Electric Fields: Practice Problems

 
−6  −4 
1. A positive test charge of 5.0×10 C is in an electric field that exerts a force of 2.0×10 N on it. What is the
magnitude of the electric field at the location of the test charge?
SOLUTION:  

−8 
2. A negative charge of 2.0×10 C experiences a force of 0.060 N to the right in an electric field. What are the field’s
magnitude and direction at that location?
SOLUTION:  

−3 4 
3. Suppose that you place a 2.1×10 -N pith ball in a 6.5×10 N/C downward electric field. What net charge
(magnitude and sign) must you place on the pith ball so that the electrostatic force acting on that pith ball will suspend
it against the gravitational force?
SOLUTION:  
The electric force and the gravitational force algebraically sum to zero because the ball is suspended, i.e.
not in motion:
 

 
The electric force is upward (opposite the field), so the charge is negative.

4. Complete Table 2 using your understanding of electric fields.

 

SOLUTION:  
 
Table 2 Sample Data
Test Charge Force Exerted on
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Electric Field Page 1
Strength (C) Test Charge (N) Intensity (N/C)
–6 0.30 5
1.0×10 [3.0×10 ]
  
Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
The electric force is upward (opposite the field), so the charge is negative.

4. Complete Table 2 using your understanding of electric fields.

 

SOLUTION:  
 
Table 2 Sample Data
Test Charge Force Exerted on Electric Field
Strength (C) Test Charge (N) Intensity (N/C)
–6 0.30 5
1.0×10 [3.0×10 ]
–6 [0.65] 5
2.0×10 3.3×10
–6 0.45 5
[3.0×10 ] 1.5×10
 
 
−7 
5. A positive charge of 3.0×10 C is located in a field of 27 N/C directed toward the south. What is the force acting on
the charge?
SOLUTION:  

6. A negative test charge is placed in an electric field as shown in Figure 3. It experiences the force shown. What is
the magnitude of the electric field at the location of the charge?
 

SOLUTION:  

   
   = 1.6×10–4 N/C, toward q
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7. Challenge You are probing the electric field of a charge of unknown magnitude and sign. You first map the field
−6 −6
Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment

6. A negative test charge is placed in an electric field as shown in Figure 3. It experiences the force shown. What is
the magnitude of the electric field at the location of the charge?
 

SOLUTION:  

   
   = 1.6×10–4 N/C, toward q
 

7. Challenge You are probing the electric field of a charge of unknown magnitude and sign. You first map the field
−6 −6
with a 1.0×10 -C test charge, then repeat your work with a 2.0×10 -C test charge.
 
a. Would you measure the same forces at the same place with the two test charges? Explain.
b. Would you find the same field strengths? Explain.
SOLUTION:  
a. No. The force on the 2.0-μC charge would be twice that on the 1.0-μC charge.
b. Yes. You would divide the force by the strength of the test charge, so the results would be the same.
−6
8. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a position that is 1.2 m from a 4.2×10 -C point charge?
SOLUTION:  

9. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance twice as far from the point charge in the previous problem?
SOLUTION:  
Because the field strength varies as the square of the distance from the point charge, the new field
3
strength will be one-fourth of the old field strength, or 6.5×10 N/C.
−6 
10. What is the electric field at a position that is 1.6 m east of a point charge of +7.2×10 C?
SOLUTION:  

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The direction of the field is east (away from the positive point charge).
 9. What is the magnitude of the electric field at a distance twice as far from the point charge in the previous problem?
SOLUTION:  
Because
Chapter the fieldProblems,
21 Practice strength varies as the
Review, andsquare of the distance from the point charge, the new field
Assessment
3
strength will be one-fourth of the old field strength, or 6.5×10 N/C.
−6 
10. What is the electric field at a position that is 1.6 m east of a point charge of +7.2×10 C?
SOLUTION:  

The direction of the field is east (away from the positive point charge).

11. The electric field that is 0.25 m from a small sphere is 450 N/C toward the sphere. What is the net charge on the 
sphere?
SOLUTION:  

   
 
The charge is negative, because the field is directed toward it.
−6 
12. How far from a point charge of +2.4×10 C must you place a test charge in order to measure a field magnitude of
360 N/C?
SOLUTION:  

13. Explain why the strength of the electric field exerted on charge q′ by the charged body q is independent of the
charge on q′. Hint: Use mathematics to prove your point.
SOLUTION:  
Because the strength of the test charge (q′) and the force (F) are directly proportional, F = (Kq/r2)q′. 
Therefore, the electric field, which is the ratio of the force to the test charge, is independent of q': E =
F/q'.

14. What is the magnitude of the electric field exerted on the test charge shown in Figure 4?
 

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 SOLUTION:  
Because the strength of the test charge (q′) and the force (F) are directly proportional, F = (Kq/r2)q′. 
Therefore,
Chapter the electric
21 Practice field,Review,
Problems, which isand
theAssessment
ratio of the force to the test charge, is independent of q': E =
F/q'.

14. What is the magnitude of the electric field exerted on the test charge shown in Figure 4?
 

SOLUTION:  

    
    
2
       or 7.5×10 N/C toward q 
 
 
−6 
15. Challenge You place a small sphere with a net charge of 5.0×10 C at one corner of a square that measures 5.0 m
on each side. What is the magnitude of the electric field at the opposite corner of the square?
SOLUTION:  

    
3
    = 6.4×10 N/C

Section 1 Measuring Electric Fields: Review

 
16. MAIN IDEA Suppose you are asked to measure the electric field at a point in space. How do you detect the field
at a point? How do you determine the magnitude of the field? How do you choose the magnitude of the test charge?
SOLUTION:  
To detect a field at a point, place a test charge at that point and determine whether there is a force on it.

To determine the magnitude of the field, divide the magnitude of the force on the test charge by the
magnitude of the test charge.

The magnitude of the test charge must be chosen so that it is very small compared to the magnitudes of
the charges producing the field.
 
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−8 
17. Field Strength and Direction A positive test charge of magnitude 2.40×10 C experiences a force of
−3 
1.50×10 N toward the east. What is the electric field at the position of the test charge?
      21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
Chapter
3
    = 6.4×10 N/C

Section 1 Measuring Electric Fields: Review

 
16. MAIN IDEA Suppose you are asked to measure the electric field at a point in space. How do you detect the field
at a point? How do you determine the magnitude of the field? How do you choose the magnitude of the test charge?
SOLUTION:  
To detect a field at a point, place a test charge at that point and determine whether there is a force on it.

To determine the magnitude of the field, divide the magnitude of the force on the test charge by the
magnitude of the test charge.

The magnitude of the test charge must be chosen so that it is very small compared to the magnitudes of
the charges producing the field.
 

−8 
17. Field Strength and Direction A positive test charge of magnitude 2.40×10 C experiences a force of
−3 
1.50×10 N toward the east. What is the electric field at the position of the test charge?
SOLUTION:  

18. Field Lines How can you tell which charges are positive and which are negative by examining the electric field
lines?
SOLUTION:  
The arrows going away from a positive charge point away from the charge; the arrows going away from a
negative charge point toward the charge.

19. Field Versus Force How does the electric field at a test charge differ from the force on that charge?
SOLUTION:  
The field is a property of that region of space, and does not depend on the test charge used to measure
it. The force depends on the magnitude and sign of the test charge.

20. Critical Thinking Suppose the top charge in the field on the far right in Figure 5 is a test charge measuring the
field resulting from the two negative charges. Is it small enough to produce an accurate measurement? Explain.

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 SOLUTION:  
The field is a property of that region of space, and does not depend on the test charge used to measure
it. The force depends on the magnitude and sign of the test charge.
Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
20. Critical Thinking Suppose the top charge in the field on the far right in Figure 5 is a test charge measuring the
field resulting from the two negative charges. Is it small enough to produce an accurate measurement? Explain.

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Figure 5
SOLUTION:  
Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment

Figure 5
SOLUTION:  
No; this charge is large enough to distort the field produced by the other charges with its own field.

Section 2 Applications of Electric Fields: Practice Problems

 
21. The electric field intensity between two large, charged parallel metal plates is 6000 N/C. The plates are 0.05 m 
apart. What is the electric potential difference between them?
SOLUTION:  

22. A voltmeter reads 400 V across two charged, parallel plates that are 0.020 m apart. What is the magnitude of the 
electric field between them?
SOLUTION:  

    

23. What electric potential difference is between two metal plates that are 0.200 m apart if the electric field between
3 
those plates is 2.50×10 N/C?
SOLUTION:  
ΔV = Ed 
3
      = (2.50×10 N/C)(0.200 m)
      = 5.00×102 V

24. When you apply a potential difference of 125 V between two parallel plates, the field between them is 
3 
4.25×10 N/C. How far apart are the plates?
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SOLUTION:  
 SOLUTION:  
ΔV = Ed 
3
Chapter 21 PracticeN/C)(0.200
      = (2.50×10 m)
Problems, Review, and Assessment
2
      = 5.00×10 V

24. When you apply a potential difference of 125 V between two parallel plates, the field between them is 
3 
4.25×10 N/C. How far apart are the plates?
SOLUTION:  

    

    

25. Challenge You apply a potential difference of 275 V between two parallel plates that are 0.35 cm apart. How large
is the electric field between the plates?
SOLUTION:  

    

26. What work is done on a 3.0-C charge when you move that charge through a 1.5-V electric potential difference?
SOLUTION:  
W = qΔV = (3.0 C)(1.5 V) = 4.5 J

27. What is the magnitude of the electric field between the two plates shown in Figure 12?
 

SOLUTION:  

    

28. An electron in an old television picture tube passes through a potential difference of 18,000 V. How much work is 
done on the electron as it passes through that potential difference?
SOLUTION:  
W = qΔV = (1.602×10–19 C)(1.8×104 V)
–15
    = 2.9×10 J
5 
29. The electric field in a particle accelerator has a magnitude of 4.5×10 N/C. How much work is done to move a
proton 25 cm through that field?
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SOLUTION:  
W = qΔV = qEd
–19 5
 done on the electron as it passes through that potential difference?
SOLUTION:  
–19 4
W = qΔV = (1.602×10
Chapter  C)(1.8×10
21 Practice Problems, V) Assessment
Review, and
–15
    = 2.9×10 J
5 
29. The electric field in a particle accelerator has a magnitude of 4.5×10 N/C. How much work is done to move a
proton 25 cm through that field?
SOLUTION:  
W = qΔV = qEd
–19 5
    = (1.602×10  C)(4.5×10 N/C)(0.25 m)
    = 1.8×10–14 J
6 
30. Challenge A 12-V car battery has 1.44×10 C of useable charge on one plate when it is fully energized. How much
work can this battery do before it needs to be energized again?
SOLUTION:  
W = qΔV = (1.44×106 C)(12 V)
7
     = 1.8×10 J

Chapter Assessment
Section 1 Measuring Electric Fields: Mastering Problems
 
–8 
57. What charge exists on a test charge that experiences a force of 1.4×10 N at a point where the electric field
−4 
intensity is 5.0×10 N/C? (Level 1)
SOLUTION:  

   

5 
58. A test charge experiences a force of 0.30 N on it when it is placed in an electric field intensity of 4.5×10 N/C. What
is the magnitude of the charge? (Level 1)
SOLUTION:  

    
−7 
59. What is the electric field strength 20.0 cm from a point charge of 8.0×10 C? (Level 2)
SOLUTION:  

  so,

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Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
    
−7 
59. What is the electric field strength 20.0 cm from a point charge of 8.0×10 C? (Level 2)
SOLUTION:  

  so,

   

   
−5 
60. A positive charge of 1.0×10 C, shown in Figure 20, experiences a force of 0.30 N when it is located at a certain 
point. What is the electric field intensity at that point? (Level 1)
 

SOLUTION:  

    
in the same direction as the force

61. The electric field in the atmosphere is about 150 N/C downward. (Level 1)

a. What is the direction of the force on a negatively charged particle?

−19 
b. Find the electric force on an electron with charge −1.602×10 C.
c. Compare the force in part b with the force of gravity on the same electron (mass = 9.1×10−31 kg).
SOLUTION:  
a. upward
 
b.

   
    directed upward
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−31
c. F = mg = (9.1×10  kg)(9.8 N/kg) 
−30
      21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
Chapter
in the same direction as the force

61. The electric field in the atmosphere is about 150 N/C downward. (Level 1)

a. What is the direction of the force on a negatively charged particle?

−19 
b. Find the electric force on an electron with charge −1.602×10 C.
c. Compare the force in part b with the force of gravity on the same electron (mass = 9.1×10−31 kg).
SOLUTION:  
a. upward
 
b.

   
    directed upward
 
−31
c. F = mg = (9.1×10  kg)(9.8 N/kg) 
       = 8.9×10−30 N 
−30
    F = 8.9×10 N (downward), more than one trillion times smaller
 

62. Carefully sketch each of the following: (Level 1)

a. the electric field produced by a +1.0-μC charge

b. the electric field resulting from a +2.0-μC charge (Make the number of field lines proportional to the change in
charge.)
SOLUTION:  
a. 

b.

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63. A positive test charge of 6.0×10 is placed in an electric field of 50.0-N/C intensity, as in Figure 21. What isPage
C the12
strength of the force exerted on the test charge? (Level 1)
 
Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment

−6 
63. A positive test charge of 6.0×10 C is placed in an electric field of 50.0-N/C intensity, as in Figure 21. What is the
strength of the force exerted on the test charge? (Level 1)
 

SOLUTION:  
 

−6
F = qE = (6.0×10 C)(50.0 N/C)
   = 3.0×10−4 N
−19 
64. A force of 14.005 N exists on a positive test charge (q′) that has a charge of 4.005×10 C. What is the magnitude
of the electric field?
SOLUTION:  

  

  = 3.497×1019 N/C

65. Charges X, Y, and Z all are equidistant from each other. X has a +1.0-μC charge. Y has a +2.0-μC charge. Z has a
small negative charge. (Level 2)

a. Draw an arrow representing the force on charge Z.

b. Charge Z now has a small positive charge on it. Draw an arrow representing the force on it.
SOLUTION:  
a. 

b.
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Chapter 21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment
  = 3.497×1019 N/C

65. Charges X, Y, and Z all are equidistant from each other. X has a +1.0-μC charge. Y has a +2.0-μC charge. Z has a
small negative charge. (Level 2)

a. Draw an arrow representing the force on charge Z.

b. Charge Z now has a small positive charge on it. Draw an arrow representing the force on it.
SOLUTION:  
a. 

b.

5 
66. In a television picture tube, electrons are accelerated by an electric field having a value of 1.00×10 N/C. (Level 2)

a. Find the force on an electron.

b. If the field is constant, find the acceleration of the electron (mass 9.11×10−31 kg).
SOLUTION:  
a. 

 
 F = Eq
−19 5
    = (−1.602×10  C)(1.00×10 N/C)
    = −1.60×10−14 N
 
b. F = ma

    
16 2
       = –1.76×10 m/s

67. The nucleus of a lead atom has a charge of 82 protons. (Level 2)
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a. What are the direction and the magnitude of the electric field at 1.0×10−10 m from the nucleus?

 b. F = ma

     21 Practice Problems, Review, and Assessment

Chapter
16 2
       = –1.76×10 m/s

67. The nucleus of a lead atom has a charge of 82 protons. (Level 2)

a. What are the direction and the magnitude of the electric field at 1.0×10−10 m from the nucleus?

b. What are the direction and the magnitude of the force exerted on an electron located at this distance?
SOLUTION:  
a. Q = (82 protons)
−19
          (1.602×10  C/proton) 
        = 1.31×10−17 C

    
b. F = Eq
13 −19
       = (1.2×10 N/C)(−1.602×10 C)
−6
      = −1.9×10 N, toward the nucleus

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