Homework #3

Chapter 23 Electrical Potential

3 • If the electric potential is uniform throughout a region of space, what
can be said about the electric field in that region?

Determine the Concept If V is constant, its gradient is zero; consequently the

electric field is zero throughout the region.
r
4 • If V is known at only a single point in space, can E be found at that
point? Explain your answer.
r
Determine the Concept No. E can be determined without knowing V at a
continuum of points.

6 •• Figure 23-30 shows a point particle that has a negative charge –Q and
a metal sphere that has a charge +Q. Sketch the electric field lines and
equipotential surfaces for this system of charges.

Picture the Problem The electric

field lines, shown as solid lines,
and the equipotential surfaces
(intersecting the plane of the
paper), shown as dashed lines, are
sketched in theadjacent figure.
The point charge -Q is the point
at the right, and the metal sphere
with charge +Q is at the left. Near
the two charges the equipotential
surfaces are spheres, and the field
lines are normal to the metal
sphere at the sphere’s surface.

11 •• [SSM] The electric potential is the same everywhere on the surface

of a conductor. Does this mean that the surface charge density is also the same
everywhere on the surface? Explain your answer.

Determine the Concept No. The local surface charge density is proportional to
the normal component of the electric field, not the potential on the surface.

19 • A point particle has a charge equal to +2.00 µC and is fixed at the

origin. (a) What is the electric potential V at a point 4.00 m from the origin
assuming that V = 0 at infinity? (b) How much work must be done to bring a
second point particle that has a charge of +3.00 µC from infinity to a distance of
4.00 m from the +2.00-µC charge?
Picture the Problem The Coulomb potential at a distance r from the origin
relative to V = 0 at infinity is given by V = kq/r where q is the charge at the origin.
The work that must be done by an outside agent to bring a charge from infinity to
a position a distance r from the origin is the product of the magnitude of the
charge and the potential difference due to the charge at the origin.

(a) The Coulomb potential of the kq

V =
charge is given by: r

Substitute numerical values and

V=
(8.988 ×10 9
)
N ⋅ m 2 /C 2 (2.00 µC )
evaluate V: 4.00 m
= 4.494 kV = 4.49 kV

(b) The work that must be done is W = q ∆V

given by:

Substitute numerical values and W = (3.00 µC )(4.494 kV ) = 13.5 mJ

evaluate W:

24 •• The picture tube of a television set was, until recently, invariably a

cathode-ray tube. In a typical cathode-ray tube, an electron ″gun″ arrangement is
used to accelerate electrons from rest to the screen. The electrons are accelerated
through a potential difference of 30.0 kV. (a) Which region is at a higher electric
potential, the screen or the electron’s starting location? Explain your answer.
(b) What is the kinetic energy (in both eV and joules) of an electron as it reaches
the screen?

Picture the Problem The work done on the electrons by the electric field changes
their kinetic energy. Hence we can use the work-kinetic energy theorem to find
the kinetic energy and the speed of impact of the electrons.

(a) Because positively charged objects are accelerated from higher potential to
lower potential regions, the screen must be at the higher electric potential to
accelerate electrons toward it.

(b) Use the work-kinetic energy W = ∆K = K f

theorem to relate the work done by or
the electric field to the change in the K f = e∆V (1)
kinetic energy of the electrons:

Substitute numerical values and K f = (1e )(30.0 kV ) = 3.00 × 10 4 eV

evaluate Kf:

 1.602 × 10 −19 J 
Convert this energy to eV:
(
K f = 3.00 × 10 4 eV ) eV

 
= 4.81× 10 −15 J

26 • Four point charges, each having a magnitude of 2.00 µC, are fixed at
the corners of a square whose edges are 4.00-mlong. Find the electric potential at
the center of the square if (a) all the charges are positive, (b) three of the charges
are positive and one charge is negative, and (c) two charges are positive and two
charges are negative. (Assume the potential is zero very far from all charges.)

Picture the Problem Let the numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 denote the charges at the
four corners of square and r the distance from each charge to the center of the
square. The potential at the center of square is the algebraic sum of the potentials
due to the four charges.

Express the potential at the center of kq1 kq2 kq3 kq4

V = + + +
the square: r r r r
k k 4
= (q1 + q2 + q3 + q4 ) = ∑ qi
r r i=1

(a) If the charges are positive: 8.988 × 109 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2

V = (4)(2.00 µC )
2.00 2 m
= 25.4 kV

(b) If three of the charges are 8.988 × 109 N ⋅ m 2 /C 2

positive and one is negative:
V = (2)(2.00 µC )
2.00 2 m
= 12.7 kV

(c) If two are positive and two are V= 0

negative:

32 •• A point charge of +3e is at the origin and a second point charge of –2e
is on the x-axis at x = a. (a) Sketch the potential function V(x) versus x for all
points on the x axis. (b) At what point or points, if any, is V= zero on the x axis?
(c) What point or points, if any, on the x-axis is the electric field zero? Are these
locations the same locations found in Part (b)? Explain your answer. (d) How
much work is needed to bring a third charge +e to the point x = 12 a on the x-axis?
Picture the Problem For the two charges, r = x − a and x respectively and the
electric potential at x is the algebraic sum of the potentials at that point due to the
charges at x = a and x = 0. We can use the graph and the function found in Part (a)
to identify the points at which V(x) = 0. We can find the work needed to bring a
third charge +e to the point x = 12 a on the x axis from the change in the potential
energy of this third charge.

k (3e ) k (− 2e )
V (x ) =
(a) The potential at x is the sum of
+
the potentials due to the point x x−a
charges +3e and −2e:

The following graph of V(x) for ke = 1 and a =1 was plotted using a spreadsheet
program.
25

20

15

10
V (V)

-5

-10

-15
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

x (m)

(b) From the graph we can see that x = ±∞

V(x) = 0 when:

Examining the function, we see that 3 2

− =0
V(x) is also zero provided: x x−a

For x > 0, V(x) = 0 when: x = 3a

For 0 < x < a, V(x) = 0 when: x = 0 .6 a

(c) The electric field at x is the sum k (3e ) k (− 2e )
E (x ) = +
of the electric fields due to the x2 (x − a )2
point charges +3e and −2e:

Setting E(x) = 0 and simplifying yields: x 2 − 6ax + 3a 2 = 0

Solve this equation to find the points on the x = 5.4a and x = 0.55a
x-axis where the electric field is zero:

(d)
 
1   k (3e ) k (− 2e )  2ke 2
W = eV  a  = e  + =
2   1a 1
a − a  a
 2 
 2 

r
36 • An electric field is given by the expression E = bx 3 iˆ , where b = 2.00
kV/m4. Find the potential difference between the point at x = 1.00 m and the point
at x = 2.00 m. Which of these points is at the higher potential?

Picture the Problem Because V(x) and Ex are related through Ex = − dV/dx, we
can find V from E by integration.

Separate variables in Ex = − dV/dx  kV 

dV = − E x dx = − 2.00 x 3 4  dx
and substitute for b to obtain:  m 

V2
Integrate V from V1 to V2 and x from
x = 1.00 m to x = 2.00 m: ∫ dV = V
V1
2 − V1

2.00 m
 kV 
= − 2.00 4  ∫ x 3 dx
 m 1.00 m
 kV 
[ ]
= − 2.00 4  14 x 4 2.00 m
1.00 m
 m 

Simplify to obtain: V2 −V1 = − 7.50 kV

Because V2 = V1 − 7.50 kV , the point at x = 1.00 m is at the higher potential.

39 •• Three identical point charges, each with a charge equal to q, lie in the
xy plane. Two of the charges are on the y-axis at y = –a and y = +a, and the third
charge is on the x-axis at x = a. (a) Find the potential as a function of position
along the x axis. (b) Use the Part (a) result to obtain an expression for Ex(x), the x
component of the electric field as a function of x, on. Check your answers to Parts
(a) and (b) at the origin and as x approaches ∞ to see if they yield the expected
results.

Picture the Problem Let r1 be the distance from (0, a) to (x, 0), r2 the distance
from (0, −a), and r3 the distance from (a, 0) to (x, 0). We can express V(x) as the
sum of the potentials due to the charges at (0, a), (0, −a), and (a, 0) and then find
Ex from −dV/dx.

(a) Express V(x) as the sum of the kq1 kq2 kq3

V (x ) = + +
potentials due to the charges at (0, r1 r2 r3
a), (0, −a), and (a, 0): where q1 = q2 = q3 = q

At x = 0, the fields due to q1 and q2 cancel, so Ex(0) = −kq/a2; this is also obtained
from (b) if x = 0.

As x→∞, i.e., for x >> a, the three charges appear as a point charge 3q, so
Ex = 3kq/x2; this is also the result one obtains from (b) for x >> a.

Substitute for the ri to obtain:

 1 1 1   2 1 
V ( x ) = kq + +  = kq
 +
 x2 + a2 x − a

 x≠a
 x +a
2 2
x2 + a2 x − a   

(b) For x > a, x − a > 0 and: x−a = x−a

Use Ex = −dV/dx to find Ex:

d   2 1  2kqx kq
E x (x ) = − kq 2 +  = + x>a
dx   x + a 2 x − a  (x 2
+a )
2 32
(x − a )2

For x < a, x − a < 0 and: x − a = −( x − a ) = a − x

Use Ex = −dV/dx to find Ex:

d   2 1  2kqx kq
E x (x ) = − kq 2 +  = − x<a
dx   x + a 2 a − x  (x 2
+a )
2 32
(a − x )2

42 • (a) Find the maximum net charge that can be placed on a spherical
conductor of radius 16 cm before dielectric breakdown of the air occurs. (b) What
is the electric potential of the sphere when it has this maximum charge? (Assume
the potential is zero very far from all charges.)
Picture the Problem We can relate the dielectric strength of air (about 3 MV/m)
to the maximum net charge that can be placed on a spherical conductor using the
expression for the electric field at its surface. We can find the potential of the
sphere when it carries its maximum charge using V = kQmax R .

(a) Express the dielectric strength of kQmax Ebreakdown R 2

Ebreakdown = ⇒ Qmax =
a spherical conductor in terms of the R2 k
charge on the sphere:

Substitute numerical values and

Qmax =
(3 MV/m )(0.16 m )
2
= 8.545µC
evaluate Qmax : N ⋅ m2
8.988 ×10 9

C2
≈ 9 µC

(b) Because the charge carried by kQmax

Vmax = ±
the sphere could be either positive R
or negative:  N ⋅ m2 
 8.988 × 10 9  (8.545 µC )
 C 2 
=±
0.16 m
= ± 5 × 10 5 V

48 •• The electric potential at the surface of a uniformly charged sphere is

450 V. At a point outside the sphere at a (radial) distance of 20.0 cm from its
surface, the electric potential is 150 V. (The potential is zero very far from the
sphere.) What is the radius of the sphere, and what is the charge of the sphere?

Picture the Problem Let R be the radius of the sphere and Q its charge. We can
express the potential at the two locations given and solve the resulting equations
simultaneously for R and Q.

Relate the potential of the sphere at kQ

= 450 V (1)
its surface to its radius: R

Express the potential at a distance of kQ

= 150 V (2)
20.0 cm from its surface: R + 0.200 m

Divide equation (1) by equation (2) kQ

to obtain: R 450 V
=
kQ 150 V
R + 0.200 m
 or
R + 0.200 m
= 3 ⇒ R = 10.0 cm
R

R
Q = (450 V )
Solving equation (1) for Q yields:
k

Substitute numerical values and

Q = (450 V )
(0.100 m )
evaluate Q: (8.988 ×10 9
N ⋅ m 2 /C 2 )
= 5.01 nC

54 ••• A disk of radius R has a surface charge distribution given by σ = σ0R/r

where σ0 is a constant and r is the distance from the center of the disk. (a) Find
the total charge on the disk. (b) Find an expression for the electric potential at a
distance x from the center of the disk on the axis that passes through the disk′s
center and is perpendicular to its plane.

Picture the Problem We can find Q by

integrating the charge on a ring of σ
radius r and thickness dr from r = 0 to
r = R and the potential on the axis of r
the disk by integrating the expression
x
for the potential on the axis of a ring of
R
charge between the same limits.
dr

(a) Express the charge dq on a ring  R

dq = 2πrσdr = 2πr  σ 0 dr
of radius r and thickness dr:  r
= 2πσ 0 Rdr

R
Integrate from r = 0 to r = R to
Q = 2πσ 0 R ∫ dr = 2πσ 0 R 2
obtain:
0

(b) Express the potential on the axis kdq 2πkσ 0 Rdr

dV = =
of the disk due to a circular element r' x2 + r 2
of charge dq = 2πrσdr :
 R
Integrate from r = 0 to r = R to dr
V = 2πkσ 0 R ∫
obtain: x2 + r 2
0

 R + x2 + R2 
= 2πkσ 0 R ln 
 x 
 

64 •• A point particle that has a charge of +11.1 nC is at the origin.

(a) What is (are) the shapes of the equipotential surfaces in the region around this
charge? (b) Assuming the potential to be zero at r = ∞, calculate the radii of the
five surfaces that have potentials equal to 20.0 V, 40.0 V, 60.0 V, 80.0 V and
100.0 V, and sketch them to scale centered on the charge. (c) Are these surfaces
equally spaced? Explain your answer. (d) Estimate the electric field strength
between the 40.0-V and 60.0-V equipotential surfaces by dividing the difference
between the two potentials by the difference between the two radii. Compare this
estimate to the exact value at the location midway between these two surfaces.

Picture the Problem We can integrate the expression for the electric field due to
a point charge to find an expression for the electric potential of the point particle.

(a) The equipotential surfaces are spheres centered on the charge.

b rb rb
(b) From the relationship r r
∫ dV = − ∫ E ⋅ dr = −kQ ∫ r dr
−2
between the electric potential
a ra ra
due to the point charge and the
or
electric field of the point charge
1 1
we have: Vb − Va = kQ − 
 rb ra 

Taking the potential to be zero at 1 kQ kQ

Vb − 0 = kQ  ⇒ V = ⇒r =
ra = ∞ yields:
 rb  r V

Because Q = +1.11 × 10–8 C:

 N ⋅ m2 
 8.988 × 10 9
C 2
( )
 1.11× 10 −8 C 99.77 N ⋅ m
2

r= = C (1)
V V

Use equation (1) to complete the following table:

V (V) 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0

r (m) 4.99 2.49 1.66 1.25 1.00
The equipotential surfaces are 20.0 V
shown in cross-section to the
right:
40.0 V
80.0 V
60.0 V
100.0 V
point charge

(c) No. The equipotential surfaces are closest together where the electric field
strength is greatest.

(d) The average value of the ∆V 40 V − 60 V

magnitude of the electric field between E=− =−
∆r ∆r
the 40.0-V and 60.0-V equipotential
surfaces is given by:

Drop perpendiculars to the r axis from 40 V − 60 V V

40.0 V and 60.0 V to approximate the radii E est ≈ − = 29
2 .4 m − 1 .7 m m
corresponding to each of these potential
surfaces:

The exact value of the electric field at the location midway between these two
surfaces is given by E = kQ r 2 , where r is the average of the radii of the 40.0-V
and 60.0-V equipotential surfaces. Substitute numerical values and evaluate
Eexact.

 N ⋅ m2 
 8.988 ×10 9 2
C 
(
 1.11×10 −8 C )
=
V
Eexact 2
= 23
 1.66 m + 2.49 m  m
 
 2 

The estimated value for E differs by about 21% from the exact value.

70 •• Consider two point particles that each have charge +e, are at rest, and
are separated by 1.50 × 10–15 m. (a) How much work was required to bring them
together from a very large separation distance? (b) If they are released, how much
kinetic energy will each have when they are separated by twice their separation at
release? (c) The mass of each particle is 1.00 u (1.00 AMU). What speed will
each have when they are very far from each other?

Picture the Problem (a) In the absence of other charged bodies, no work is
required to bring the first proton from infinity to its initial position. We can use
the work- energy theorem to find the work required to bring the second proton to
a position 1.50 × 10−15 m away from the first proton. (b) and (c) We can apply
conservation of mechanical energy to the two-proton system to find the kinetic
energy of each proton when they are separated by twice their separation at release
and when they are separated by a large distance.

(a) Apply the work-energy theorem ke 2 ke 2

Wext = ∆K + ∆U = 0 + =
to the second proton to obtain: r r

Substitute numerical values and evaluate Wext :

 N ⋅ m2 
 8.988 ×10 9
C 2
(
 1.602 ×10 −19 C )2

=  1 eV
Wext = 1.538 × 10 −13 J ×
1.50 × 10 −15 m 1.602 × 10 −19 J
= 960 keV

(b) Apply conservation of mechanical ∆K + ∆U = 0 ⇒ K f − K i + U f − U i = 0

energy to the separating protons to or, because Ki = 0,
obtain: Kf +U f −Ui = 0

Substituting for Ui and Uf and ke 2 ke 2 ke 2 ke 2

Kf = Ui −U f = − = −
simplifying yields: ri rf r 2r
ke 2
=
2r
Remembering that Kf is the kinetic energy of both protons, substitute numerical
values and evaluate Kf, each proton:

 N ⋅ m2 
 8.988 × 10 9
C 2
(
 1.602 × 10 −19 C )2

= 
1
K f, each proton
2 (
2 1.50 × 10 −15 m )
1 eV
= 3.844 × 10 −14 J ×
1.602 × 10 −19 J
= 240 keV

(c) Apply conservation of mechanical ∆K + ∆U = 0 ⇒ K f − K i + U f − U i = 0

energy to the separating protons to or, because Ki = Uf = 0,
obtain: K f −U i = 0 ⇒ 12 mp v∞2 − U i = 0

Solving for v∞ yields: 2U i

v∞ = where Ui is half the initial
mp
potential energy of the two-proton
system.

Substitute numerical values and  1.602 × 10 −19 J 

evaluate v∞: 2 480 keV × 
 eV 
v∞ = −27
1.673 × 10 kg
= 9.59 × 106 m/s

80 •• A charge of +2.00 nC is uniformly distributed on a ring of radius

10.0 cm that lies in the x = 0 plane and is centered at the origin. A point charge of
+1.00 nC is initially located on the x axis at x = 50.0 cm. Find the work required
to move the point charge to the origin.

Picture the Problem Let q represent the charge being moved from x = 50.0 cm to
the origin, Q the ring charge, and a the radius of the ring. We can use
Wq→final position = q∆Vi→ f , where V is the expression for the axial field due to a ring
charge, to find the work required to move q from x = 50.0 cm to the origin.

Express the required work in terms W = q∆V = q[V (0) − V (0.500 m )]

of the charge being moved and the
potential due to the ring charge at
x = 50.0 cm and x = 0:

The potential on the axis of a kQ

V (x ) =
uniformly charged ring is given by: x2 + a2

At x = 50.0 cm: kQ
V (0.500 m ) =
(0.500 m )2 + a 2

kQ kQ
V (0 ) =
At x = 0:
=
a2 a

Substituting for V(0) and V(0.500 m) yields:

  kQ kQ  1 1 
W = q −  = kQq  − 
 a (0.500 m )2 + a 2   a (0.500 m )2 + a 2 
Substitute numerical values and evaluate W:

 N ⋅ m2 
W =  8.988 ×10 9  (2.00 nC )(1.00 nC )
 C 2 
 1 1 
× − 
 0.100 m
 (0.500 m )2 + (0.100 m )2 
1eV
= 1.445 ×10 − 7 J = 1.4 ×10 − 7 J = 1.445 × 10 − 7 J ×
1.602 ×10 −19 J
= 9.0 × 1011 eV

88 ••• A particle that has a mass m and a positive charge q is constrained to

move along the x-axis. At x = –L and x = L are two ring charges of radius L
(Figure 23-38). Each ring is centered on the x-axis and lies in a plane
perpendicular to it. Each ring has a total positive charge Q uniformly distributed
on it. (a) Obtain an expression for the potential V(x) on the x axis due to the
charge on the rings. (b) Show that V(x) has a minimum at x = 0. (c) Show that for
x << L , the potential approaches the form V(x) = V(0) + α x2. (d) Use the result
of Part (c) to derive an expression for the angular frequency of oscillation of the
mass m if it is displaced slightly from the origin and released. (Assume the
potential equals zero at points far from the rings.)

Picture the Problem We can express the potential due to the ring charges as the
sum of the potentials due to each of the ring charges. To show that V(x) is a
minimum at x = 0, we must show that the first derivative of V(x) = 0 at x = 0 and
that the second derivative is positive. In Part (c) we can use a Taylor expansion to
show that, for x << L , the potential approaches the form V(x) = V(0) + α x2. In
Part (d) we can obtain the potential energy function from the potential function
and, noting that it is quadratic in x, find the ″spring″ constant and the angular
frequency of oscillation of the particle provided its displacement from its
equilibrium position is small.

(a) Express the potential due to the V ( x ) = Vring to + Vring to

the left the right
ring charges as the sum of the
potentials due to each of their
charges:
 kQ
V (x ) =
The potential for a ring of charge is:
x2 + a2
where a is the radius of the ring and Q
is its charge.

For the ring to the left we have: kQ

Vring to =
the left (x + L )2 + L2

For the ring to the right we have: kQ

Vring to =
the right (x − L )2 + L2

Substitute for Vring to and Vring to to obtain:

the left the right

kQ kQ
V (x ) = +
(x + L )2 + L2 (x − L )2 + L2

(b) Evaluate dV/dx to obtain:

dV  L−x L+x 
= kQ − 3 2
= 0 for extrema
dx [
 (L − x )2 + L2 ] [ 3 2
(L + x )2 + L2  ]
Solving for x yields: x=0

Evaluate d2V/dx2 to obtain:

 3(L − x ) 3(L + x )
2 2
d 2V 1
= kQ  − +
dx 2 [
 (L − x )2 + L2 ]
5 2
[(L − x ) 2
+ L2 ]
3 2
[(L + x ) 2
+ L2 ]
5 2

1 
− 3 2
[
(L − x )2 + L2  ]
Evaluating this expression for d 2V (0 ) kQ
= >0
x = 0 yields: dx 2
2 2 L3
⇒ V ( x) is a maximum at x = 0.

(c) The Taylor expansion of V(x) V ( x ) = V (0 ) + V ' (0 )x + 12 V ' ' (0 )x 2

is: + higher order terms
For x << L: V ( x ) ≈ V (0 ) + V ' (0 )x + 12 V ' ' (0 )x 2

Substitute our results from Parts (a) 2kQ  kQ  2

V (x ) = + (0 )x + 12  x
and (b) to obtain: L 3
 2 2L 
2kQ kQ
= + 3
x2
L 4 2L
or
V ( x ) = V (0 ) + αx 2
where
2kQ kQ
V (0 ) = and α =
L 4 2 L3

(d) Express the angular frequency of k'

oscillation of a simple harmonic
ω=
m
oscillator: where k′ is the restoring constant.

From our result for Part (c) and the 1  kqQ  2

U ( x ) = qV (0 ) +  x
definition of electric potential: 2  2 2 L3 
= qV (0 ) + 12 k ' x 2
kqQ
where k ' =
2 2 L3

Substituting for k′ in the expression kqQ

for ω yields: ω=
2m 2 L3