Electromagnetism module B23 EM1

Tutorial Problem Sheet 1 2007/08

The material for all questions on this sheet will be covered by the end of Lecture 5.

ε0 = 8.85x10-12 Fm-1 , e = 1.6x10-19 C

1. Two equal but opposite charges Q are separated by a distance 2a. Use Coulomb’s law and the
principal of superposition to find expressions for the electric field E and electric potential V along
the line through the midpoint between the charges and normal to the axis of the charges.

2. Four equal positive charges Q are at the corners of a square of side a. Find the work done in
assembling this charge configuration. Find the electric field E and electric potential V at the
centre of the square.

3. A uniform electric field of 300N/C is directed at an angle of 30o to an electric dipole of

magnitude 2.6x10-9Cm. Find the torque on the dipole. What is the potential energy of the dipole?

4. A point charge of 4µC is placed i) just outside ii) just inside one of the corners of a cube of side
2m. In each case determine the total electric flux over the cube.

5. An isolated conductor of arbitrary shape carries a total charge of 10µC. Inside the conductor is a
hollow cavity within which is a point charge of 3µC. What is the charge (a) on the cavity wall
and (b) on the outer surface of the conductor?

6. The earth’s electric field in a particular location and just above the surface of the earth is 100N/C
and points vertically downwards. How much charge resides on 100m2 of the earth’s surface in
this location? Assume the earth is a good conductor.

7. A positively charged metal sphere of radius a and charge Q1 is at the centre of a spherical metal
shell of radius b. This outer shell has a net charge of Q2 on it. Obtain expressions for the electric
field E as a function of the distance r from the common centre. (i.e. r < a, a < r < b, and r > b).
What is the charge on the inside and outside surfaces of the metal shell?
(Hint : apply Gauss’ law to spherical surfaces at the various radii)

8. Calculate (a) the electric potential established by the nucleus of a hydrogen atom at the
average distance of the circulating electron (r = 5.29 x 10-11m), (b) the electric potential en-
ergy of the atom when the electron is at this radius, and (c) the kinetic energy of the electron,
assuming it to be moving in a circular orbit of this radius centred on the nucleus. (d) How much
energy is required to ionize the hydrogen atom? Express all energies in electron-volts.