Chapter 25

Electric Potential
Multiple Choice
1.

A charged particle (q = 8.0 mC), which moves in a region where the only force
acting on the particle is an electric force, is released from rest at point A. At point
B the kinetic energy of the particle is equal to 4.8 J. What is the electric potential
difference VB VA ?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

2.

A particle (charge = 50 C) moves in a region where the only force on it is an

electric force. As the particle moves 25 cm from point A to point B, its kinetic
energy increases by 1.5 mJ. Determine the electric potential difference, VB VA .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3.

50 V
40 V
30 V
60 V
+15 V

Points A [at (2, 3) m] and B [at (5, 7) m] are in a region where the electric field is
uniform and given by E = (4i + 3j) N/C. What is the potential difference
VA VB ?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

4.

0.60 kV
+0.60 kV
+0.80 kV
0.80 kV
+0.48 kV

33 V
27 V
30 V
24 V
11 V

A particle (charge = +2.0 mC) moving in a region where only electric forces act
on it has a kinetic energy of 5.0 J at point A. The particle subsequently passes
through point B which has an electric potential of +1.5 kV relative to point A.
Determine the kinetic energy of the particle as it moves through point B.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

3.0 J
2.0 J
5.0 J
8.0 J
10.0 J

49

50

5.

CHAPTER 25

A particle (mass = 6.7 1027 kg, charge = 3.2 1019 C) moves along the positive
x axis with a speed of 4.8 105 m/s. It enters a region of uniform electric field
parallel to its motion and comes to rest after moving 2.0 m into the field. What is
the magnitude of the electric field?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

6.

A proton (mass = 1.67 1027 kg, charge = 1.60 1019 C) moves from point A to
point B under the influence of an electrostatic force only. At point A the proton
moves with a speed of 50 km/s. At point B the speed of the proton is 80 km/s.
Determine the potential difference VB VA .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

7.

+15 V
15 V
33 V
+33 V
20 V

What is the speed of a proton that has been accelerated from rest through a
potential difference of 4.0 kV?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

9.

+20 V
20 V
27 V
+27 V
40 V

A proton (mass = 1.67 1027 kg, charge = 1.60 1019 C) moves from point A to
point B under the influence of an electrostatic force only. At point A the proton
moves with a speed of 60 km/s. At point B the speed of the proton is 80 km/s.
Determine the potential difference VB VA .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

8.

2.0 kN/C
1.5 kN/C
1.2 kN/C
3.5 kN/C
2.4 kN/C

1.1 106 m/s

9.8 105 m/s
8.8 105 m/s
1.2 106 m/s
6.2 105 m/s

An electron (m = 9.1 1031 kg, q = 1.6 1019 C) starts from rest at point A and
has a speed of 5.0 106 m/s at point B. Only electric forces act on it during this
motion. Determine the electric potential difference VA VB .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

71 V
+71 V
26 V
+26 V
140 V

Electric Potential

10.

A proton (m = 1.7 1027 kg, q = +1.6 1019 C) starts from rest at point A and has
a speed of 40 km/s at point B. Only electric forces act on it during this motion.
Determine the electric potential difference VB VA .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

11.

+4.2 V
4.2 V
9.4 V
+9.4 V
8.4 V

Points A [at (3, 6) m] and B [at (8, 3) m] are in a region where the electric field is
uniform and given by E = 12i N/C. What is the electric potential difference
VA VB ?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

14.

2.2 kV
+1.1 kV
1.1 kV
+2.2 kV
+1.3 kV

An alpha particle (m = 6.7 1027 kg, q = +3.2 1019 C) has a speed of 20 km/s at
point A and moves to point B where it momentarily stops. Only electric forces act
on the particle during this motion. Determine the electric potential difference
VA VB .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

13.

+8.5 V
8.5 V
4.8 V
+4.8 V
17 V

A particle (m = 2.0 g, q = 5.0 nC) has a speed of 30 m/s at point A and moves
(with only electric forces acting on it) to point B where its speed is 80 m/s.
Determine the electric potential difference VA VB .
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

12.

51

+60 V
60 V
+80 V
80 V
+50 V

If a = 30 cm, b = 20 cm, q = +2.0 nC, and Q = 3.0 nC in the figure, what is the
potential difference VA VB ?
a
A

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

+60 V
+72 V
+84 V
+96 V
+48 V

a
B

52

15.

CHAPTER 25

Several charges in the neighborhood of point P produce an electric potential of

6.0 kV (relative to zero at infinity) and an electric field of 36i N/C at point P.
Determine the work required of an external agent to move a 3.0-C charge along
the x axis from infinity to point P without any net change in the kinetic energy of
the particle.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

16.

21 mJ
18 mJ
24 mJ
27 mJ
12 mJ

Point charges q and Q are positioned as shown. If q = +2.0 nC, Q = 2.0 nC,
a = 3.0 m, and b = 4.0 m, what is the electric potential difference, VA VB ?
a
A

q
90
90
b

90
90

a
B

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
17.

Three charged particles are positioned in the xy plane: a 50-nC charge at y = 6 m

on the y axis, a 80-nC charge at x = 4 m on the x axis, and a 70-nc charge at
y = 6 m on the y axis. What is the electric potential (relative to a zero at infinity)
at the point x = 8 m on the x axis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

18.

8.4 V
6.0 V
7.2 V
4.8 V
0V

+81 V
+48 V
+5.8 V
72 V
18 V

Point charges of equal magnitudes (25 nC) and opposite signs are placed on
(diagonally) opposite corners of a 60-cm 80-cm rectangle. If point A is the
corner of this rectangle nearest the positive charge and point B is located at the
intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle, determine the potential difference,
VB VA.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

47 V
+94 V
zero
94 V
+47 V

Electric Potential

19.

Identical 2.0-C charges are located on the vertices of a square with sides that are
2.0 m in length. Determine the electric potential (relative to zero at infinity) at the
center of the square.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

20.

4.5 kV
2.7 kV
1.8 kV
3.6 kV
14 kV

Four identical point charges (+6.0 nC) are placed at the corners of a rectangle
which measures 6.0 m 8.0 m. If the electric potential is taken to be zero at
infinity, what is the potential at the geometric center of this rectangle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

23.

6.0 kV
8.4 kV
9.6 kV
4.8 kV
3.6 kV

Identical 4.0-C charges are placed on the y axis at y = 4.0 m. Point A is on the x
axis at x = +3.0 m. Determine the electric potential of point A (relative to zero at
the origin).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

22.

38 kV
51 kV
76 kV
64 kV
13 kV

A +4.0-C charge is placed on the x axis at x = +3.0 m, and a 2.0-C charge is

located on the y axis at y = 1.0 m. Point A is on the y axis at y = +4.0 m.
Determine the electric potential at point A (relative to zero at the origin).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

21.

53

58 V
63 V
43 V
84 V
11 V

Three identical point charges (+2.0 nC) are placed at the corners of an equilateral
triangle with sides of 2.0-m length. If the electric potential is taken to be zero at
infinity, what is the potential at the midpoint of any one of the sides of the
triangle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

16 V
10 V
70 V
46 V
44 V

54

24.

CHAPTER 25

A particle (charge = Q) is kept in a fixed position at point P, and a second particle

(charge = q) is released from rest when it is a distance R from P. If Q = +2.0 mC,
q = 1.5 mC, and R = 30 cm, what is the kinetic energy of the moving particle
after it has moved a distance of 10 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

25.

Particle A (mass = m, charge = Q) and B (mass = m, charge = 5 Q) are released

from rest with the distance between them equal to 1.0 m. If Q = 12 C, what is the
kinetic energy of particle B at the instant when the particles are 3.0 m apart?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

26.

0.75 m
0.84 m
0.95 m
0.68 m
0.56 m

A particle (charge 7.5 C) is released from rest at a point on the x axis, x = 10 cm.
It begins to move due to the presence of a 2.0-C charge which remains fixed at
the origin. What is the kinetic energy of the particle at the instant it passes the
point x = 1.0 m?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

28.

8.6 J
3.8 J
6.0 J
2.2 J
4.3 J

A particle (charge = 40 C) moves directly toward a second particle

(charge = 80 C) which is held in a fixed position. At an instant when the
distance between the two particles is 2.0 m, the kinetic energy of the moving
particle is 16 J. Determine the distance separating the two particles when the
moving particle is momentarily stopped.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

27.

60 kJ
45 kJ
75 kJ
90 kJ
230 kJ

3.0 J
1.8 J
2.4 J
1.2 J
1.4 J

A particle (charge = 5.0 C) is released from rest at a point x = 10 cm. If a 5.0-C

charge is held fixed at the origin, what is the kinetic energy of the particle after it
has moved 90 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

1.6 J
2.0 J
2.4 J
1.2 J
1.8 J

Electric Potential

29.

A 60-C charge is held fixed at the origin and a 20-C charge is held fixed on
the x axis at a point x = 1.0 m. If a 10-C charge is released from rest at a point
x = 40 cm, what is its kinetic energy the instant it passes the point x = 70 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

30.

2.1 m/s
1.5 m/s
1.8 m/s
2.4 m/s
3.2 m/s

Two identical particles, each with a mass of 4.5 mg and a charge of 30 nC, are
moving directly toward each other with equal speeds of 4.0 m/s at an instant
when the distance separating the two is equal to 25 cm. How far apart will they
be when closest to one another?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

33.

7.3 m/s
9.8 m/s
9.2 m/s
6.5 m/s
4.6 m/s

Two particles, each having a mass of 3.0 mg and having equal but opposite
charges of magnitude 5.0 nC, are released simultaneously from rest when the
two are 5.0 cm apart. What is the speed of either particle at the instant when the
two are separated by 2.0 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

32.

9.8 J
7.8 J
8.8 J
6.9 J
2.8 J

Two identical particles, each with a mass of 2.0 mg and a charge of 25 nC, are
released simultaneously from rest when the two are 4.0 cm apart. What is the
speed of either particle at the instant when the two are separated by 10 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

31.

55

9.8 cm
12 cm
7.8 cm
15 cm
20 cm

Two particles, each having a mass of 3.0 mg and having equal but opposite
charges of magnitude of 6.0 nC, are released simultaneously from rest when they
are a very large distance apart. What distance separates the two at the instant
when each has a speed of 5.0 m/s?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

4.3 mm
8.6 mm
7.3 mm
5.6 mm
2.2 mm

56

34.

CHAPTER 25

A particle (q = +5.0 C) is released from rest when it is 2.0 m from a charged

particle which is held at rest. After the positively charged particle has moved
1.0 m toward the fixed particle, it has a kinetic energy of 50 mJ. What is the
charge on the fixed particle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

35.

Four identical point charges (+4.0 C) are placed at the corners of a square which
has 20-cm sides. How much work is required to assemble this charge
arrangement starting with each of the charges a very large distance from any of
the other charges?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

36.

84 mJ
54 mJ
96 mJ
63 mJ
48 mJ

Through what potential difference must an electron (starting from rest) be

accelerated if it is to reach a speed of 3.0 107 m/s?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

38.

+2.9 J
+3.9 J
+2.2 J
+4.3 J
+1.9 J

Identical 8.0-C point charges are positioned on the x axis at x = 1.0 m and
released from rest simultaneously. What is the kinetic energy of either of the
charges after it has moved 2.0 m?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

37.

2.2 C
+6.7 C
2.7 C
+8.0 C
1.1 C

5.8 kV
2.6 kV
7.1 kV
8.6 kV
5.1 kV

Identical point charges (+50 C) are placed at the corners of a square with sides
of 2.0-m length. How much external energy is required to bring a fifth identical
charge from infinity to the geometric center of the square?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

41 J
16 J
64 J
10 J
80 J

Electric Potential

39.

A charge of +3.0 C is distributed uniformly along the circumference of a circle

with a radius of 20 cm. How much external energy is required to bring a charge
of 25C from infinity to the center of the circle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

40.

22 J
16 J
13 J
19 J
8.0 J

A charge per unit length given by (x) = bx, where b = 12 nC/m2, is distributed
along the x axis from x = +9.0 cm to x = +16 cm. If the electric potential at infinity
is taken to be zero, what is the electric potential at the point P on the y axis at
y = 12 cm?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

43.

26 J
16 J
23 J
21 J
12 J

Identical point charges (+30 C) are placed at the corners of a rectangle

(4.0 m 6.0 m). How much external energy is required to bring a charge of 55 C
from infinity to the midpoint of one of the 6.0-m long sides of the rectangle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

42.

5.4 J
3.4 J
4.3 J
2.7 J
6.8 J

Identical point charges (+20 C) are placed at the corners of an equilateral

triangle with sides of 2.0-m length. How much external energy is required to
bring a charge of 45 C from infinity to the midpoint of one side of the triangle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

41.

57

5.4 V
7.2 V
9.0 V
9.9 V
16 V

A charge Q is uniformly distributed along the x axis from x = a to x = b. If

Q = 45 nC, a = 3.0 m, and b = 2.0 m, what is the electric potential (relative to zero
at infinity) at the point, x = 8.0 m, on the x axis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

71 V
60 V
49 V
82 V
150 V

58

44.

CHAPTER 25

Charge of uniform density (3.5 nC/m) is distributed along the circular arc
shown. Determine the electric potential (relative to zero at infinity) at point P.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
45.

61 V
42 V
52 V
33 V
22 V

7.1 V
5.8 V
9.0 V
13 V
16 V

A charge of 20 nC is distributed uniformly along the x axis from x = 2.0 m to

x = +2.0 m. What is the electric potential (relative to zero at infinity) at the point
x = 5.0 m on the x axis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

47.

60
60

A charge of uniform density (0.80 nC/m) is distributed along the x axis from the
origin to the point x = 10 cm. What is the electric potential (relative to zero at
infinity) at a point, x = 18 cm, on the x axis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

46.

57 V
48 V
38 V
67 V
100 V

Charge of uniform density 12 nC/m is distributed along the x axis from x = 2.0 m
to x = 5.0 m. What is the electric potential (relative to zero at infinity) at the origin
(x = 0)?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

91 V
99 V
82 V
74 V
140 V

Electric Potential

48.

A linear charge of nonuniform density = bx, where b = 2.1 nC/m2, is distributed

along the x axis from x = 2.0 m to x = 3.0 m. Determine the electric potential
(relative to zero at infinity) of the point y = 4.0 m on the y axis.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

49.

19 V
17 V
21 V
23 V
14 V

A charge of 10 nC is distributed uniformly along the x axis from x = 2 m to

x = +3 m. Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric potential
(relative to zero at infinity) at the point x = +5 m on the x axis?

b.

c.

d.

a.

e.
51.

36 V
95 V
10 V
17 V
15 V

A nonuniform linear charge distribution given by (x) = bx, where b is a constant,

is distributed along the x axis from x = 0 to x = +L. If b = 40 nC/m2 and
L = 0.20 m, what is the electric potential (relative to a potential of zero at infinity)
at the point y = 2L on the y axis?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

50.

59

90 dx
x
90 dx
5x
18 dx
x
18 dx
5x
90 dx
5+x

Charge of uniform linear density 3.0 nC/m is distributed along the x axis from x
= 0 to x = 3 m. Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric potential
(relative to zero at infinity) at the point x = +4 m on the x axis?

b.

c.

d.

e.

a.

27dx
x
9dx
4x
27 dx
4x
27 dx
x
27 dx
4+x

60

52.

CHAPTER 25

A charge of 4.0 nC is distributed uniformly along the x axis from x = +4 m to

x = +6 m. Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric potential
(relative to zero at infinity) at the origin?
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.
53.

18 dx
4x
36 dx
x
18 dx
x
36 dx
6x
36 dx
4+x

A charge of 20 nC is distributed uniformly along the y axis from y = 0 to y = 4 m.

Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric potential (relative to
zero at infinity) at the point x = +3 m on the x axis?

c.

d.

e.

a.
b.

54.

45dy
(y + 9)1/ 2
180 dy
( y 2 + 9)1/ 2
45dy
y2 + 9
180 dy
y2 + 9
45dy
2
( y + 9) 3 / 2
2

Charge of uniform linear density 6.0 nC/m is distributed along the x axis from
x = 0 to x = +3 m. Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric
potential (relative to zero at infinity) at the point y = +4 m on the y axis?
54 dx
0 ( x + 16)1/ 2
3
18 dx
2
0 ( x + 16)1/ 2
3 54dx
0 x 2 + 16
3 18 dx
0 x 2 + 16
3
108 dx
0 ( x 2 + 16)1/ 2

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

Electric Potential

55.

A rod (length = 2.0 m) is uniformly charged and has a total charge of 5.0 nC.
What is the electric potential (relative to zero at infinity) at a point which lies
along the axis of the rod and is 3.0 m from the center of the rod?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

56.

57.

22 V
19 V
16 V
25 V
12 V

A charge of 18 nC is uniformly distributed along the y axis from y = 3 m to

y = 5 m. Which of the following integrals is correct for the electric potential
(relative to zero at infinity) at the point x = +2 m on the x axis?
81dy
3 (y + 4 )1/ 2
5
162dy
3 ( y 2 + 4)1/ 2
5 81dy
3 y2 + 4
5 162 dy
3 y2 + 4
5 81dy
3
y

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

Two large parallel conducting plates are 8.0 cm apart and carry equal but
opposite charges on their facing surfaces. The magnitude of the surface charge
density on either of the facing surfaces is 2.0 nC/m2. Determine the magnitude of
the electric potential difference between the plates.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

58.

61

36 V
27 V
18 V
45 V
16 V

A solid conducting sphere (radius = 5.0 cm) has a charge of 0.25 nC distributed
uniformly on its surface. If point A is located at the center of the sphere and point
B is 15 cm from the center, what is the magnitude of the electric potential
difference between these two points?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

23 V
30 V
15 V
45 V
60 V

62

59.

CHAPTER 25

Charge of uniform density 50 nC/m3 is distributed throughout the inside of a

long nonconducting cylindrical rod (radius = 5.0 cm). Determine the magnitude
of the potential difference of point A (2.0 cm from the axis of the rod) and point B
(4.0 cm from the axis).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

60.

Charge of uniform density 90 nC/m3 is distributed throughout the inside of a

long nonconducting cylindrical rod (radius = 2.0 cm). Determine the magnitude
of the potential difference of point A (2.0 cm from the axis of the rod) and point B
(4.0 cm from the axis).
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

61.

12 V
6.8 V
3.0 V
4.7 V
2.2 V

A charge of 40 pC is distributed on an isolated spherical conductor that has a

4.0-cm radius. Point A is 1.0 cm from the center of the conductor and point B is
5.0 cm from the center of the conductor. Determine the electric potential
difference VA VB.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

63.

1.9 V
1.4 V
2.2 V
2.8 V
4.0 V

A nonconducting sphere of radius 10 cm is charged uniformly with a density of

100 nC/m3. What is the magnitude of the potential difference between the center
and a point 4.0 cm away?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

62.

2.7 V
2.0 V
2.4 V
1.7 V
3.4 V

+1.8 V
+29 V
+27 V
+7.2 V
+9.0 V

Two flat conductors are placed with their inner faces separated by 6.0 mm. If the
surface charge density on one of the inner faces is 40 pC/m2, what is the
magnitude of the electric potential differences between the two conductors?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

36 mV
18 mV
32 mV
27 mV
14 mV

Electric Potential

64.

The electric field in a region of space is given by Ex = (3.0x) N/C, Ey = Ez = 0,

where x is in m. Points A and B are on the x axis at xA = 3.0 m and xB = 5.0 m.
Determine the potential difference VB VA.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

65.

d.
e.

d.
e.

the electric field does no work on the charge.

the electrical potential energy of the charge does not change.
the electrical potential energy of the charge undergoes the maximum change
in magnitude.
the voltage changes, but there is no change in electrical potential energy.
the electrical potential energy undergoes the maximum change, but there is
no change in voltage.

When a positive charge is released and moves along an electric field line, it
moves to a position of
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

68.

the electric field is constant in magnitude and direction.

the electric charge is constant in magnitude and direction.
maximum work against electrical forces is required to move a charge at
constant speed.
a charge may be moved at constant speed without work against electrical
forces.
charges move by themselves.

When a charged particle is moved along an electric field line,

a.
b.
c.

67.

24 V
+24 V
18 V
+30 V
6.0 V

Equipotentials are lines along which

a.
b.
c.

66.

63

lower potential and lower potential energy.

lower potential and higher potential energy.
higher potential and lower potential energy.
higher potential and higher potential energy.
greater magnitude of the electric field.

When a negative charge is released and moves along an electric field line, it
moves to a position of
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

lower potential and lower potential energy.

lower potential and higher potential energy.
higher potential and lower potential energy.
higher potential and higher potential energy.
decreasing magnitude of the electric field.

64

69.

CHAPTER 25

A charge is placed on a spherical conductor of radius r1. This sphere is then

connected to a distant sphere of radius r2 (not equal to r1) by a conducting wire.
After the charges on the spheres are in equilibrium,
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

70.

The electric potential inside a charged solid spherical conductor in equilibrium

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

71.

is always zero.
is constant and equal to its value at the surface.
decreases from its value at the surface to a value of zero at the center.
increases from its value at the surface to a value at the center that is a
multiple of the potential at the surface.
is equal to the charge passing through the surface per unit time divided by
the resistance.

Which statement is always correct when applied to a charge distribution located

in a finite region of space?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

72.

the electric fields at the surfaces of the two spheres are equal.
the amount of charge on each sphere is q/2.
both spheres are at the same potential.
q
V
the potentials are in the ratio 2 = 2 .
V1 q1
V
r
the potentials are in the ratio 2 = 2 .
V1 r1

Electric potential is always zero at infinity.

Electric potential is always zero at the origin.
Electric potential is always zero at a boundary surface to a charge
distribution.
Electric potential is always infinite at a boundary surface to a charge
distribution.
The location where electric potential is zero may be chosen arbitrarily.

Which of the following represents the equipotential lines of a dipole?

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Electric Potential

73.

Can the lines in the figure below be equipotential lines?

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
74.

nq .
(ln n)q .
+q.
+(ln n)q .
+ nq .

A series of 3 uncharged concentric shells surround a small central charge q. The

charge distributed on the outside of the third shell is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

76.

No, because there are sharp corners.

No, because they are isolated lines.
Yes, because any lines within a charge distribution are equipotential lines.
Yes, they might be boundary lines of the two surfaces of a conductor.
It is not possible to say without further information.

A series of n uncharged concentric shells surround a small central charge q. The

charge distributed on the outside of the nth shell is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

75.

65

3q .
(ln 3)q .
+q.
+(ln 3)q .
+3q .

A series of n uncharged concentric spherical conducting shells surround a small

central charge q. The potential at a point outside the nth shell, at distance r from
the center, and relative to V = 0 at , is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

nk e q
.
r
(ln n)k e q

.
r
kq
+ e .
r
(ln n)k e q
+
.
r
nk q
+ e .
r

66

77.

CHAPTER 25

A series of 3 uncharged concentric spherical conducting shells surround a small

central charge q. The potential at a point outside the third shell, at distance r from
the center, and relative to V = 0 at , is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

78.

79.

80.

3k e q
.
r
(ln 3)k e q

.
r
kq
+ e .
r
(ln 3)k e q
+
.
r
3k q
+ e .
r

The electric field in the region defined by the y-z plane and the negative x axis is
given by E = ax , where a is a constant. (There is no field for positive values of
x.) As x increases in magnitude, relative to V = 0 at the origin, the electric
potential in the region defined above is
a.

a decreasing function proportional to x 2 .

b.
c.
d.

a decreasing function proportional to x .

constant.
an increasing function proportional to + x .

e.

an increasing function proportional to + x 2 .

The electric field in the region defined by the y-z plane and the positive x axis is
given by E = ax , where a is a constant. (There is no field for negative values of x.)
As x increases in magnitude, relative to V = 0 at the origin, the electric potential
in the region defined above is
a.

a decreasing function proportional to x 2 .

b.
c.
d.

a decreasing function proportional to x .

constant.
an increasing function proportional to + x .

e.

an increasing function proportional to + x 2 .

Two charges lie on the x axis, +3q at the origin, and 2q at x = 5.0 m . The point
on the x axis where the electric potential has a zero value (when the value at
infinity is also zero) is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

1.0 m.
2.0 m.
2.5 m.
3.0 m.
4.0 m.

Electric Potential

81.

Two charges lie on the x axis, +2q at the origin, and 3q at x = 5.0 m . The point
on the x axis where the electric potential has a zero value (when the value at
infinity is also zero) is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

82.

along an electric field line, in the positive direction of the line.

along an electric field line, in the negative direction of the line.
from a point at a positive potential to a point at a negative potential.
from a point at a negative potential to a point at a positive potential.
as described in both (a) and (c).

A system consisting of a positively-charged particle and an electric field

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

85.

along an electric field line, in the positive direction of the line.

along an electric field line, in the negative direction of the line.
from a point at a positive potential to a point at a negative potential.
from a point at a negative potential to a point at a positive potential.
as described in both (b) and (d).

When introduced into a region where an electric field is present, an proton with
initial velocity v will always move
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

84.

1.0 m.
2.0 m.
2.5 m.
3.0 m.
4.0 m.

When introduced into a region where an electric field is present, an electron with
initial velocity v will always move
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

83.

67

loses potential difference and kinetic energy when the charged particle
moves in the direction of the field.
loses electric potential energy when the charged particle moves in the
direction of the field.
loses kinetic energy when the charged particle moves in the direction of the
field.
gains electric potential energy when the charged particle moves in the
direction of the field.
gains potential difference and electric potential energy when the charged
particle moves in the direction of the field.

A system consisting of a negatively-charged particle and an electric field

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

gains potential difference and kinetic energy when the charged particle
moves in the direction of the field.
loses electric potential energy when the charged particle moves in the
direction of the field.
gains kinetic energy when the charged particle moves in the direction of the
field.
gains electric potential energy when the charged particle moves in the
direction of the field.
gains potential difference and electric potential energy when the charged
particle moves in the direction of the field.

68

86.

CHAPTER 25

The Bohr model pictures a hydrogen atom in its ground state as a proton and an
electron separated by the distance a0 = 0.529 10 10 m . The electric potential
created by the proton at the position of the electron is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

87.

The Bohr model pictures a hydrogen atom in its ground state as a proton and an
electron separated by the distance a0 = 0.529 10 10 m . The electric potential
created by the electron at the position of the proton is
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

88.

13.6 V .
+13.6 V .
27.2 V .
+27.2 V .
+5.12 10 9 V .

The electric potential at the surface of a charged conductor

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

89.

13.6 V .
+13.6 V .
27.2 V .
+27.2 V .
+5.12 10 9 V .

is always zero.
is always independent of the magnitude of the charge on the surface.
may be set equal to zero by adding an appropriate constant to the potential
at all points of space.
is always such that the potential is zero at all points inside the conductor.
is always such that the potential is always zero within a hollow space inside
the conductor.

An electron is released form rest in a region of space where a uniform electric

field is present. Joanna claims that its kinetic and potential energies both increase
as it moves from its initial position to its final position. Sonya claims that they
both decrease. Which one, if either, is correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

Joanna, because the electron moves opposite to the direction of the field.
Sonya, because the electron moves opposite to the direction of the field.
Joanna, because the electron moves in the direction of the field.
Sonya, because the electron moves in the direction of the field.
Neither, because the kinetic energy increases while the electron moves to a
point at a higher potential.

Electric Potential

90.

Four electrons move from point A to point B in a uniform electric field as shown
below. Rank the electrons in diagrams I through IV by the changes in potential
energy from greatest to least when traveling from A to B.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

91.

69

A
II

III

B
IV

I=II=III=IV .
II=III>I>IV .
III>I=IV>II .
II>I=IV>III .
I>II=III>IV .

Four electrons move from point A to point B in a uniform electric field as shown
below. Rank the electrons in diagrams I through IV by the changes in potential
from greatest to least when traveling from A to B.

A
I
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

I=II=III=IV .
II=III>I>IV .
III>I=IV>II .
II>I=IV>III .
I>II=III>IV .

A
II

III

B
IV

70

92.

CHAPTER 25

An infinite plane of charge with = +5.55

C
m2

is tilted at a 45 angle to the

vertical direction as shown below. The potential difference, VB VA , in volts,

between points A and B, a 4.50 m distance apart, is

A
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
93.

7.06 .
9.98 .
14.11 .
+7.06 .
+9.98 .

An infinite plane of charge with = +5.55

C
m2

is tilted at a 45 angle to the

vertical direction as shown below. The potential difference, VA VB , in volts,

between points A and B a 4.50 m distance apart is

A
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

7.06 .
9.98 .
14.11 .
+7.06 .
+9.98 .

Electric Potential

71

Open-Ended Problems
94.

How much electrical charge is needed to raise an isolated metal sphere of radius
1.0 m to a potential of 1.0 106 V?

95.

In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the electron circles the proton at a
distance of 0.51 1010 m. Find the potential at the position of the electron.

96.

The gap between electrodes in a spark plug is 0.06 cm. In order to produce an
electric spark in a gasoline-air mixture, the electric field must reach a value of
3 106 V/m. What minimum voltage must be supplied by the ignition circuit
when starting the car?

97.

To recharge a 12-V battery, a battery charger must move 3.6 105 C of charge
from the negative to the positive terminal. What amount of work is done by the
battery charger? How many kilowatt hours is this?

72

CHAPTER 25

Electric Potential

Chapter 25
Electric Potential
1.

32.

2.

33.

3.

34.

4.

35.

5.

36.

6.

37.

7.

38.

8.

39.

9.

40.

10.

41.

11.

42.

12.

43.

13.

44.

14.

45.

15.

46.

16.

47.

17.

48.

18.

49.

19.

50.

20.

51.

21.

52.

22.

53.

23.

54.

24.

55.

25.

56.

26.

57.

27.

58.

28.

59.

29.

60.

30.

61.

31.

62.

73

74

CHAPTER 25

63.

81.

64.

82.

65.

83.

66.

84.

67.

85.

68.

86.

69.

87.

70.

88.

71

89.

72.

90.

73.

91.

74.

92.

75.

93.

76.

94.

1.1 104 C

77.

95.

28.2 Volts

78.

96.

1800 V

79.

97.

4.32 MJ, 1.2 kWh

80.