TOPIC 1

ELECTROSTATICS

Activity 1
1.

What are the two types of charge called?

Answer: Positive charge (proton) and negative charge (electron)

2.

Provide evidence for the existence of two types of charge.

Answer: When rubbing certain materials against each other, we observe that
some of the materials are able to attract or repulse other objects.

3.

Fill in the blanks: The electrostatic force between like charges is ________________
while the electrostatic force between opposite charges is ___________________.
Answer: The electrostatic force between like charges is repulsive while the
electrostatic force between opposite charges is attractive.

4.

I have two positively charged metal balls placed 2 m apart.

4.1

Is the electrostatic force between the balls attractive or repulsive?

Answer: Repulsive

4.2

If I now move the balls so that they are 1 m apart, what happens to the
strength of the electrostatic force between them?
Answer: The repulsive force will increase by a factor of 4.

5.

I have 2 charged spheres each hanging from string as shown in the picture below.

Figure 1

Choose the correct answer from the options below: The spheres will
5.1

swing towards each other due to the attractive electrostatic force between them.

5.2

swing away from each other due to the attractive electrostatic force between them.

5.3

swing towards each other due to the repulsive electrostatic force between them.

5.4

swing away from each other due to the repulsive electrostatic force between them.

Answer: 5.4

6.

swing away from each other due to the repulsive electrostatic force between
them.

Describe how objects (insulators) can be charged by contact or rubbing.

Answer: When rubbing certain materials against each other, electrons can be
transferred from the one material to the other, thereby giving the materials
net charge.

TOPIC 2

VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND RESISTANCE

Activity 1
1.

How much is the voltage when there are 24 joules of energy for 10 coulombs of
charge?
From the information, we know that W = 24J, Q = 10 C
V

W
Q

24 J
10 C

2.4 V

Answer: The voltage is 2.4 V.

2.

How many current in amperes when 20 C flows past a point in a wire 4s?
From the information, we know that Q = 20 C, t = 4 s
I

Q
t

20 C
4s

=
Answer: The current is 5 A.

5A

3.

Show the placement of an ammeter and a voltmeter to measure the current and the
source voltage in below figure.

Answer:

+
+

R1

R2

4.

Calculate the voltage across each resistor in Figure 2.35, and find the value of

From the information, we know that I = 1 mA ,

R1

= 1.0 k

,
R3

Let

Thus

the voltage across

R1

is

V1

the voltage across

R2

is

V2

the voltage across

R3

is

V3

= 4.7 k

, V = IR

V1

=I

R1

= 1 mA 1.0 k

V2

=I

R2

= 1 mA 3.3 k = 3.3V

V3

=I

R3

= 1 mA 4.7 k

= 1V

= 4.7V

R2

Vs

= 3.3 k

Let

RT

Thus

RT

= 1.0 k

V s = I RT

+ 3.3 k

= 1 mA 9 k

Answer: The value of

5.

R 1 + R2 + R 3

Vs

+ 4.7 k

=9k

= 9V

is 9V.

Using 1.5V batteries, a switch, and three lamps, devise a circuit to apply 4.5V across
either one lamp, two lamps in series, or three lamps in series with a single-control
switch. Draw the schematic.

Answer:

1.5 A

1.5V 3 = 4.5V

1.5V

1.5V

1.5V

6.

Find the voltage

Vs

across the parallel circuit in Figure 2.36.

From the information, we know that

1
RT

1
R1

1
RT

1
220

+
+

R1

= 220

R3

= 1.0 k

= 1000

1
R2

1
560

1
R3

1
1000

R2

= 560 k

, I = 10 mA

1
RT

560000+220000+ 123200
123200000

1
RT

903200
123200000

RT

123200000
903200

RT

= 136.4

V = IR
V s = 10 mA 136.4

10
1000

A 136.4

= 1.364 V
.
Answer: The voltage

Vs

is 1.364 V.