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Spring 2009
Problem Set #2
2)A small sphere of mass 12 g carries a charge of –18 µC. 6) Points A and B have potentials of +250 V and –150 V
respectively. An alpha particle (a helium nucleus that
Determine the magnitude and direction of an electric field contains two protons and two neutrons) starts from rest at A
that would be needed to cause the sphere to float in the air. and accelerates toward B. When the alpha particle arrives at
B, what kinetic energy (in electron volts) does it have?
3) A proton accelerates from rest in a uniform electric field of
magnitude 640 N/C. At a later time, its speed is 1.20 x 10 6
m/s. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the proton. (b) How
much time is needed for the proton to reach this speed? (c)
7)Three point charges are located as shown. (a) Determine
How far has the proton traveled during this time? (d) What is the electric potential at point A due to these charges. (b)
the proton’s kinetic energy at this time? What is the electric potential energy of a +3.5 µC charge
placed at A?
4) Positive charges are placed at the three corners of a
rectangle as shown. Calculate the magnitude and direction -20 µC
of the electric field at the fourth corner.
6 nC
4 cm
20 cm
3 nC 5 nC
A
3.6 µC 6 µC
60 cm
2 cm 3 cm
ANSWERS:
1) a) 2.9 x 105 N/C, +x direction 6) 8.0 x 102 eV
b) 2.3 N, - x direction 7) (a) –1.1 x 106 V
2) 6.5 x 103 N/C, down (b) –3.8 J