2005B3 Two point charges are fixed on the y–axis at the locations shown in the figure above.

A charge of
+q is located at y = +a and a charge of +2q is located at y = –a. Express your answers to parts a. and b.
in terms of q, a, and fundamental constants.
a. Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the origin.
b. Determine the electric potential at the origin.

A third charge of –q is first placed at an arbitrary point A (x = –x o ) on the x–axis as shown in the
figure below.

c. Write expressions in terms of q, a, x 0 , and fundamental constants for the magnitudes of the forces on
the –q charge at point A caused by each of the following.
i. The +q charge
ii. The +2q charge
d. The –q charge can also be placed at other points on the x–axis. At each of the labeled points (A, B, and
C) in the following diagram, draw a vector to represent the direction of the net force on the –q charge
due to the other two charges when it is at those points.

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2005Bb3 The figure above shows two point charges, each of charge –2Q, fixed on the y–axis at y = +a and
at y = –a. A third point charge of charge –Q is placed on the x–axis at x = 2a. Express all algebraic
answers in terms of Q, a, and fundamental constants.

a. Derive an expression for the magnitude of the net force on the charge –Q due to the other two charges,
and state its direction.
b. Derive an expression for the magnitude of the net electric field at the origin due to all three charges,
and state its direction.
c. Derive an expression for the electrical potential at the origin due to all three charges.
d. On the axes below, sketch a graph of the force F on the –Q charge caused by the other two charges as
it is moved along the x–axis from a large positive position to a large negative position. Let the force be
positive when it acts to the right and negative when it acts to the left.

2006B3. Two point charges, q 1 and q 2 , are placed 0.30 m apart on the x–axis, as shown in the figure
above. Charge q 1 has a value of –3.0 x 10–9 C. The net electric field at point P is zero.
a. What is the sign of charge q 2 ?
____ Positive ____ Negative
Justify your answer.
b. Calculate the magnitude of charge q 2 .
c. Calculate the magnitude of the electric force on q 2 and indicate its direction.
d. Determine the x–coordinate of the point on the line between the two charges at which the electric
potential is zero.
e. How much work must be done by an external force to bring an electron from infinity to the point at
which the electric potential is zero? Explain your reasoning.

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 2006Bb3. Three electric charges are arranged on an x–y coordinate system, as shown above. Express all
algebraic answers to the following parts in terms of Q, q, x, d, and fundamental constants.
a. On the diagram, draw vectors representing the forces F 1 and F 2 exerted on the +q charge by the +Q
and –Q charges, respectively.
b. Determine the magnitude and direction of the total electric force on the +q charge.
c. Determine the electric field (magnitude and direction) at the position of the +q charge due to the other
two charges.
d. Calculate the electric potential at the position of the +q charge due to the other two charges.
e. Charge +q is now moved along the positive x–axis to a very large distance from the other two charges.
The magnitude of the force on the +q charge at this large distance now varies as 1/x3. Explain why this
happens.

2009B2B.(modified) Three particles are arranged on coordinate axes as shown above. Particle A has charge
q A = –0.20 nC , and is initially on the y–axis at y = 0.030 m. The other two particles each have charge
q B = +0.30 nC and are held fixed on the x–axis at x = –0.040 m and x = +0.040 m, respectively.

a. Calculate the magnitude of the net electric force on particle A when it is at y = 0.030 m, and state its
direction.
b. Particle A is then released from rest. Qualitatively describe its motion over a long time.

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2009B2. Two small objects, labeled 1 and 2 in the diagram above, are suspended in equilibrium from
strings of length L. Each object has mass m and charge +Q. Assume that the strings have negligible
mass and are insulating and electrically neutral. Express all algebraic answers in terms of m, L, Q, q ,
and fundamental constants.
a. On the following diagram, sketch lines to illustrate a 2–dimensional view of the net electric field due to
the two objects in the region enclosed by the dashed lines.

b. Derive an expression for the electric potential at point A, shown in the diagram at the top of the page,
which is midway between the charged objects.
c. On the following diagram of object 1, draw and label vectors to represent the forces on the object.

d. Using the conditions of equilibrium, write—but do not solve—two equations that could, together, be
solved for q and the tension T in the left–hand string.

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 V

*1974E2. A parallel–plate capacitor with spacing b and area A is connected to a battery of voltage V as
shown above. Initially the space between the plates is empty. Make the following determinations in
terms of the given symbols.
a. Determine the electric field between the plates.
b. Determine the charge stored on each capacitor plate.

A copper slab of thickness a is now inserted midway between the plates as shown below.

c. Determine the electric field in the spaces above and below the slab.
𝐶𝐶𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤𝑤 ℎ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
d. Determine the ratio of capacitances when the slab is inserted
𝐶𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜

1975E1. Two stationary point charges +q are located on the y–axis as shown above. A third charge +q is
brought in from infinity along the x–axis.
a. Express the potential energy of the movable charge as a function of its position on the x–axis.
b. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force acting on the movable charge when it is located at
the position x = l
c. Determine the work done by the electric field as the charge moves from infinity to the origin.

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