Cambridge International A Level Physics

Answers to self-assessment questions

Answers to SAQs
Chapter 23
1 a
Electric field strength due to first sphere,
E1 =

6
Q1
2.010
2=
12
2
40r
48.8510 (0.25)

= 2.87105 2.9105Vm1 (or NC1)

b Centre-to-centre distance of spheres
=20+20+10 = 50cm
Force between two point charges
F=

6
6
Q1 Q2
1.010 2.010
2=
12
2
40r
48.8510 (0.50)

= 0.072N
The minus sign indicates a force of attraction.
c In part a, we calculated the electric field due
to the first sphere at 25cm from its centre
(which is also the midpoint between the two
spheres).
Electric field strength due to second sphere
6
Q
1.010
E2 = 2 2 =
12
2
40r

48.8510 (0.25)

= 1.44105 1.4105Vm1 (or NC1)

The minus sign indicates the field is attractive
to a sample positive charge towards the
second sphere, whereas the field of the first
sphere is repulsive to a positive charge away
from the first sphere (and towards the second
sphere). So the total field strength due to both
spheres = 1.4105+2.9105 = 4.3105Vm1 (or
NC1) (towards the second, negative sphere).
2 Diameter of sphere 40cm means distance of
surface from centre = 20cm.
Rearrange E =

Q
2
2 to find charge Q = 40r E
40r

b Electrical potential energy

W = QV = +2 potential difference
= +2 answers in a.
A, 0J; B, 4kJ; C, 2kJ; D, 3kJ
4 Rearrange V =

Q2
2 to give charge
40r

Q = 40r2V
= 48.851012(0.10)2100000
= 1.1106C
Treating charge on the sphere as
concentrated at a point in the centre of the
sphere, potential
V=

6
Q2
1.110
2=
12
2 = 25kV
40r
48.8510 (0.20)

5 a
Work done in uniform field = QV so
E H, 5kJ; E F, 2.5kJ; F G, 0J; H E, 5kJ
b i E H, 5kJ; E F, 2.5kJ; F G, 0J;
H E, +5kJ
ii E H, 10kJ; E F, 5kJ; F G, 0J;
H E, 10kJ
6 Electrostatic force FE =
2

Q1 Q2
2
40r

(+1.61019)
12
1 2 = 230N
48.8510 (1.010 5)
Gravitational force FG = GMm
2
r
11
27 2
) = 1.91034N
= 6.6710 (1.6710
15 2
(1.010 )

This answer tells us that the gravitational

attraction is nowhere near enough to balance
the electric repulsion. Some other force must
hold the protons together. (In fact, it is the
strong nuclear force.)

= 48.851012(0.20)24.0106
= 1.8105C
3 a
Electrical potential energy
W = QV = +1 potential difference.
So at different positions in the uniform field,
electrical potential energy is
A, 0J; B, 2kJ;
C, 1kJ
(C is halfway between A, 0V and B, +2kV);
D,1.5kJ (D is halfway between C, +1kV and B,
+2kV).
Cambridge International AS and A Level Physics Cambridge University Press 2014