{"id":1918,"date":"2018-04-18T16:14:28","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T08:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/?p=1918"},"modified":"2023-08-09T05:15:40","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T05:15:40","slug":"static-electricity-problems-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/static-electricity-problems-and-solutions.htm","title":{"rendered":"Static electricity \u2013 problems and solutions","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Static electricity \u2013 problems and solutions<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric force<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1. Point A in an electric field<\/a>. The magnitude of the electric field at point A = 0.5 NC-1<\/sup>. If a 0.25-C charge placed at point A, then what is the electric force<\/a> exerted on the charge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Electric field at point A = 0.5 NC-1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Electric charge<\/a> at point A = 0.25 C<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted:<\/u> Electric force<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

F = q E<\/span><\/p>\n

F = (0.25 C)(0.5 NC-1<\/sup>)<\/span><\/p>\n

F = 0.125 N<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Two charges 5 C and 4 C are separated by a distance of 3 meters. If Coulomb constant is 9 \u00d7 109<\/sup> Nm2 <\/sup>C\u20132<\/sup>, what is the magnitude of electric force experienced by two charges?<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 1 (q1<\/sub>) = 5 C<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 2 (q2<\/sub>) = 4 C<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between charge 1 and charge 2 (r) = 3 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Coulomb’s constant (k) = 9 \u00d7 109<\/sup> Nm2 <\/sup>C\u20132<\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> The magnitude of the electric force (F)<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Electric charge +q1<\/sub> = 10 \u03bcC ; +q2<\/sub> = 20 \u03bcC ; and q3<\/sub> are separated, as shown in figure below. The electric force exerted on charge q2<\/sub> = 0, then what is the charge of q3<\/sub>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 1 (q1<\/sub>) = 10 \u03bcC = 10 x 10-6 <\/sup>C<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 2 (q2<\/sub>) = 20 \u03bcC = 20 x 10-6 <\/sup>C<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> What is the charge of q3<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

There are two forces acts on +q2<\/sub>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The first force is the repulsive force between charge +q1 <\/sub>and charge +q2<\/sub> that is F12<\/sub>, rightward.<\/span><\/p>\n

The net electric force acts on q2<\/sub> = 0 then q3<\/sub> must negative.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second force is the attractive force between charge +q2<\/sub> and -q3<\/sub> that is F23<\/sub>, leftward. <\/span><\/p>\n

Both of these forces act on q2<\/sub>, have the same magnitude but the opposite direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Net force acts on +q2<\/sub> = 0.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Three charges q1<\/sub>, q, and q2<\/sub> are in a line. If q = 5.0 \u03bcC and d = 30 cm, then what is the magnitude and direction of the electric force acts on the charge q.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 1 (q1<\/sub>) = 30 \u03bcC = 30 x 10-6<\/sup> C <\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 2 (q2<\/sub>) = 60 \u03bcC = 60 x 10-6<\/sup> C <\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 3 (q) = 5 \u03bcC = 5 x 10-6<\/sup> C <\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between q1<\/sub> and q = d<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between q2<\/sub> and q = 2d <\/span><\/p>\n

d = 30 cm = 0.3 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

d2 <\/sup>= (0.3)2<\/sup> = 0.09 <\/span><\/p>\n

Coulomb’s constant (k) = 9 x 109<\/sup> N m2<\/sup> C-2<\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> The magnitude and the direction of the electric force acts on the electric charge<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

There are two forces act on q that is F1<\/sub> rightward (q and q1<\/sub> are positive so F1<\/sub> away from q and q1<\/sub>) and F2<\/sub> leftward (q and q2<\/sub> are positive so F2<\/sub> away from q and q2<\/sub>). First calculated F1<\/sub> and F2<\/sub>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"StaticThe net force is 7.5 Newton. The direction of the net force = the direction of F1<\/sub>, rightward point to charge q2<\/sub>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric field<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

5. A point <\/span>charge <\/span>q is at the point P in the electric field <\/span>produced <\/span>by the charge (+) so that it experiences a force of 0.05 N in the direction towards the charge. If the <\/span>magnitude of the electric <\/span>field <\/span>at <\/span>point P is 2 x 10<\/span>-2<\/span><\/sup> NC<\/span>-1<\/span><\/sup>, then <\/span>what is <\/span>the magnitude and type of charge that causes the <\/span>electric <\/span>field.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Electric force (F) = 0.05 N<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric field (E) = 2 x 10 \u20132 <\/sup>NC \u20131 <\/sup>= 0.02 NC \u20131<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted:<\/u> The magnitude and type of electric charge<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

The electric charge is calculated using a formula that expresses the relationship between electric force (F), the electric field (E) and electric charge (q):<\/span><\/p>\n

F = q E<\/span><\/p>\n

q = F \/ E = 0.05 N \/ 0.02 NC \u20131<\/sup> = 2.5 Coulomb<\/span><\/p>\n

The charge q experiences an electric force in the direction to charge (+) which produces an electric field, so the charge q is negative.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Charge A and B are separated by a distance of 4 meters. Point C is between both charges, 1 meter from point A. If QA<\/sub> = \u2013300 \u03bcC, QB <\/sub>= 600 \u03bcC. 1\/4 \u03c0 \u03b50<\/sub> = 9 \u00d7 109 <\/sup>N m2 <\/sup>C\u2013 2, then what is the magnitude of the electric field at point C produced by both charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between charge A and B (rAB<\/sub>) = 4 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between point C and charge A (rAC<\/sub>) = 1 meter<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance between point C and charge B (rBC<\/sub>) = 3 meters<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge A (qA<\/sub>) = \u2013300 \u03bcC = -300 x 10-6<\/sup> C = -3 x 10-4<\/sup> Coulomb<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge B (qB<\/sub>) = 600 \u03bcC = 600 x 10-6 <\/sup>C = 6 x 10-4<\/sup> Coulomb <\/span><\/p>\n

Constant (k) = 9 \u00d7 109 <\/sup>N m2 <\/sup>C\u20132<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Electric field at point C<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Electric field produced by charge A at point C :<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge <\/i>A <\/i>is negative so that the direction of the electric field point to charge A and away from charge B (to left).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The electric field produced by charge B on point C :<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge B is positive so that the direction of electric field away from charge B and point to charge A (to left).<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The resultant of the electric field at point A :<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

E = EA<\/sub> + EB<\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

E = (27 x 105<\/sup>) + (6 x 105<\/sup>)<\/span><\/p>\n

E = 33 x 105 <\/sup>N\/C<\/span><\/p>\n

The direction of the electric field point to charge A and away from charge B (to left).<\/span><\/p>\n

7. A 1-mg dust float in the air. If the charge of the dust is 0.5 \u03bcC and acceleration due to gravity is 10 m\/s2, determine the magnitude of the electric field that supports dust.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Mass of dust (m) = 1 mg = 1 x 10-6<\/sup> kg<\/span><\/p>\n

Charge of dust (q) = 0.5 \u03bcC = 0.5 x 10-6 <\/sup>C <\/span><\/p>\n

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 10 m\/s2<\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Electric field<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

w = m g <\/span><\/p>\n

w = weight of dust, m = mass of dust, g = acceleration due to gravity<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

The force of gravity acts on dust :<\/span><\/p>\n

w = m g = (1 x 10-6 <\/sup>kg)(10 m\/s2<\/sup>) = 10 x 10-6<\/sup> kg m\/s2<\/sup> = 10 x 10-6 <\/sup>Newton <\/span><\/p>\n

The equation of the electric field :<\/span><\/p>\n

E = F\/q<\/span><\/p>\n

E = electric field, F = electric force, q = electric charge<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Substitute F in the equation of electric field with w in the equation of weight :<\/span><\/p>\n

E = F\/q = w\/q <\/span><\/p>\n

E = (10 x 10-6 <\/sup>N) \/ (0.5 x 10-6 <\/sup>C)<\/span><\/p>\n

E = 10 N \/ 0,5 C<\/span><\/p>\n

E = 20 N\/C <\/span><\/p>\n

8. Two charges q1 <\/sub>= 32 \u03bcC and q2<\/sub> = -214 \u03bcC are separated by a distance of x, as shown in figure below. No electric field at point P located at 10 cm from q2<\/sub>. Find x.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 1 (Q1<\/sub>) = 32 \u03bcC <\/span><\/p>\n

Charge 2 (Q2<\/sub>) = -214 \u03bcC<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance of point P from q1<\/sub> = x + 10 cm <\/span><\/p>\n

The distance of point P from q2<\/sub> = 10 cm<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted:<\/u> x <\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

E1<\/sub> = electric field produced by charge Q1<\/sub>. The direction of the electric field away from Q1<\/sub> because Q1<\/sub> is positive. E2<\/sub> = electric field produced by Q2<\/sub>. The direction of the electric field point to Q2<\/sub> because Q2<\/sub> is negative. <\/span><\/p>\n

No net force at point p located at 10 cm from Q2 <\/sub><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

Use quadratic formula :<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Static<\/span><\/p>\n

9. A charged point q is at the point P in the electric field <\/span>produced <\/span>by the charge (+), thus having a force of 0.05 N. <\/span>If the charge is +5 \u00d7 l0<\/span>\u20136 <\/span><\/sup>Coulomb, then what is the magnitude of the electric field at point C.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Electric force (F) = 0.05 Newton<\/span><\/p>\n

Electric charge (Q) = +5 \u00d7 l0\u20136 <\/sup>Coulomb = 0.000005<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanted :<\/u> Electric field at point P<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

E = F \/ Q <\/span><\/p>\n

E = 0.05 Newton \/ 0.000005 Coulomb <\/span><\/p>\n

E = 5 Newton \/ 0.0005 Coulomb<\/span><\/p>\n

E = 10,000 Newton\/Coulomb<\/span><\/p>\n

E = 104 <\/sup>N\/C <\/span><\/p>\n

E = 104 <\/sup>NC-1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What is static electricity?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Static electricity refers to the buildup of electric charge on the surface of objects. It’s called “static” because the charges remain in one area rather than moving or flowing as in current electricity.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. How is static electricity generated?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Static electricity is often generated through the process of triboelectric charging, where certain materials become charged when they come into frictional contact with a different material. Rubbing a balloon against hair or walking across a carpet in rubber-soled shoes can lead to the buildup of static charges.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Why do you sometimes get a shock when touching a doorknob after walking on a carpet?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Walking on a carpet, especially in dry conditions, can cause a buildup of static charges on your body. When you touch a doorknob or another conductor, the charges can discharge quickly, resulting in a static shock.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. How does humidity affect static electricity?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Humidity tends to reduce the buildup of static electricity. The water molecules in the air can help dissipate electric charges. On drier days, there’s a higher likelihood of experiencing static buildup and shocks.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Why are some materials more prone to developing a static charge than others?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Materials differ in their ability to hold or transfer electrons. Some materials, like rubber or certain plastics, tend to gain or lose electrons more easily than others, making them more prone to static charge buildup.<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. What is the principle behind an electroscope?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: An electroscope is a device used to detect the presence of a static charge. It typically consists of a metal rod connected to two thin leaves of metal foil. When a charged object is brought near the rod, the leaves move apart due to the repulsion of like charges, indicating the presence of static electricity.<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. How does grounding eliminate static charges?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Grounding provides a path for excess charge to move to the Earth, which is a vast reservoir of charges. When a statically charged object is grounded, the extra charges are neutralized, reducing or eliminating the static buildup.<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. Why might you see sparks in a grain silo or during the refueling of an airplane, and why is this dangerous?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Grain moving or rubbing against surfaces can generate static electricity, and the same goes for the flow of fuel. If there’s a buildup of static charge, it can discharge as a spark. In environments with flammable gases, dust, or liquids (like in a grain silo or during airplane refueling), these sparks can ignite the flammable material, leading to explosions.<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. How do antistatic sprays or products work?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: Antistatic sprays and products typically contain substances that make surfaces slightly conductive. By doing so, they prevent the buildup of static charges or help dissipate any charges that do build up.<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. \n

    What is the triboelectric series?<\/strong> Answer<\/em>: The triboelectric series is a list that ranks materials based on their tendency to become positively or negatively charged when rubbed against another material. Materials at the top of the list tend to become positively charged, while those at the bottom tend to become negatively charged.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Static electricity \u2013 problems and solutions Electric force 1. Point A in an electric field. The magnitude of the electric field at point A = 0.5 NC-1. If a 0.25-C charge placed at point A, then what is the electric force exerted on the charge. Known : Electric field at point A = 0.5 NC-1 … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"Static electricity \u2013 problems and solutions","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1918","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-solved-problems-in-basic-physics"],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1918"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8684,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1918\/revisions\/8684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1918"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1918"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}