kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

This print-out should have 13 questions.

Multiple-choice questions may continue on
the next column or page find all choices
before answering.

4. D

001 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points

5. A

3. E

6. F
Explanation:
For the case of the plastic sphere, the electric field induces dipoles in the neutral atoms
in the plastic. Hence, the correct answer is: B

+
+
+

3. B

C
+
+
+

2. F

1. E

Which of the diagrams (A-F) in the figure

correctly displays the polarization of a metal
sphere by an electric field that points to the
left?

003 (part 1 of 2) 10.0 points

Consider the following diagram, which displays various ways in which a sphere of unspecified neutral material might polarize in
the presence of an external electric field. The
charges on the surface of the spheres indicate
that electrons have been displaced within the
sphere, accumulating on one side and leaving a net positive charge on the other. The
dipoles inside the spheres indicate that atoms
within the material have become polarized.

4. C
D
5. A correct
6. D
Explanation:
For the case of the metal sphere, the electron sea shifts opposite the electric field.
Hence, the correct answer is: A
002 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
Which of the diagrams (A-F) in the figure
correctly displays the polarization of a plastic
sphere by an electric field that points to the
left?
1. B correct
2. C

E
+
+
+

+
+

+
+

+
+
+

Which of the diagrams (A-F) in the figure

correctly displays the polarization of a neutral
metal sphere by an electric field that points to
the left?
Correct answer: A.
Explanation:
The electron sea shifts opposite to the electric field. A metal object has a sea of mobile
electrons, which can move through the metal.
Excess charge builds up at the surface of the
object.

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

004 (part 2 of 2) 10.0 points
Which of the diagrams (A-F) in the figure
correctly displays the polarization of a neutral
plastic sphere by an electric field that points
to the left?
Correct answer: B.
Explanation:
The electric field induces dipoles in the neutral atoms in the plastic. Plastic is an insulator, and does not have mobile charges. Under
the applied field, they shift slightly, but remain bound to the molecule.
005 10.0 points
When the metallic body of a car is moved
into a painting chamber, a mist of electrically
neutral paint is sprayed around the car. When
the car is given a sudden electric charge, the
mist is attracted to it, and the car is quickly
and uniformly painted.
What does the phenomenon of polarization
have to do with this?
1. The car is magnetic; with some polarization of the paint, it will be easier for the paint
to be attracted to the car.
2. The paint particles in the mist are polarized and as such are attracted to the charged
metallic body of the car. correct
3. The air is polarized and makes the paint
flow uniformly.
4. The car is polarized and easily attracts
paint particles.
Explanation:
The paint particles are initially neutral.
When the car is charged, it causes the paint
particles to polarize. The polarized paint particles are then attracted to the car.
For the other options: polarization of the
air molecules has no effect upon the deposition
of paint on the car; we are told the car is
charged, not that it is polarized; we know
nothing about the magnetic state of the car.

006 10.0 points

You observe that a negatively charged plastic
pen repels a charged piece of magic tape.
You then observe that the same piece of tape
is repelled when brought near a small metal
sphere. You are wearing rubber soled shoes,
and you touch the metal sphere with your
hand. After you touch the metal sphere, you
observe that the tape is attracted to the metal
sphere. Which of the following statements
could be true. List all that apply, separated
by commas. If none apply, type none.
A. Electrons from the sphere traveled
through your body into the earth.
B. Electrons from the sphere moved into
the salt water on your skin, where they
reacted with sodium (Na+ ) ions.
C. After you touch it, the metal sphere becomes very nearly neutral.
D. Chloride ions (Cl ) from the salt water
on your hand moved onto the sphere.
E. The excess negative charge from the
sphere spreads out all over your body.
F. Electrons from your hand moved onto
the sphere.
G. Sodium ions from the salt water on your
hand moved onto the sphere.
Correct answer: B, C, E, G.
Explanation:
Choice A is false because rubber shoes prevent the electrons from traveling into the
earth.
Choice B is true, because electrons from the
sphere are attracted by the positively charged
sodium ions.
Choice C is true. You are told that after
touching the sphere, the tape is attracted to
it since the tape is negatively charged,
this is only possible if the tape is capable of
inducing sufficient polarization in the sphere
to produce an attractive force. The sphere
must be very nearly neutral for this to happen.
Choice D is false; the sphere is negatively
charged to begin with, so it will repel negatively charged chloride ions.
Choice E is true. In detail, the electrons
from the sphere enter the blood stream to neu-

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

tralize Na+ this process leaves excess negative charges of Cl . Blood circulation spreads
out the negative excess charges throughout
the body.

I
+

III
+

++
+

+
IV

Choice G is true. Na+ from the wet hand

can move to the sphere to neutralize negative
charge.

007 (part 1 of 4) 10.0 points

The diagrams in the following figure show
a sequence of events involving a small
lightweight aluminum ball that is suspended
from a cotton thread.

II

Choice F is false, since negative charge will

not neutralize the negative sphere.

VII

+ +
++
+ +

+
+

VI

+ +
++
+ +

VIII

IX

Which of the diagrams in the above figure best shows the distribution of charge in
and/or on the ball after step 1?

1. VII
3

2. IX correct
3. VIII
4. III

6
Cha

5. II
rged

Ro d

The sequence of events is as follows:

1: You touch the ball briefly, then release it
so it hangs motionless.
2: A charged metal block is brought close
to the ball.
3: The ball swings toward the charged
block.
4: The ball briefly touches the block.
5: The ball swings away from the block,
eventually coming to rest at the angle
shown.
6: The block is removed, and a negatively
charged rod is brought close to the ball
and the ball is repelled by it.

6. V
7. IV
8. I
9. VI
Explanation:
IX is the correct choice because any excess
charge spreads over your body and the net
charge on the sphere is nearly zero.
008 (part 2 of 4) 10.0 points
Which of the choices best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball during
step 3?

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

1. VII correct

6. I

2. II

7. III

3. VI

8. VII

4. VIII

9. VIII

5. IX
6. IV
7. I
8. III
9. V
Explanation:
In step 6, the sphere must be negatively
charged because the sphere and rod repel
where the rod is negatively charged (see part
4). In 5, the block must be negatively charged
because the sphere and block repel. In 4 the
sphere becomes negatively charged because it
touches the block and acquires part of its negative charge. Based on the fact that we know
the block is negatively charged in diagram 3,
it is convenient for now to do further reasoning in going from 1 to 3. In 2 the neutral
metal sphere is polarized by the negatively
charged block. So the charge distribution on
the ball is VII. The positive charge is closer to
the block, resulting in attraction.
009 (part 3 of 4) 10.0 points
Which of the choices best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball at the end
of step 5?

Explanation:
VI is the correct choice; the sphere is negatively charged. Since the charge is mobile,
there is a greater density of negative charge
away from the negatively charged block.
010 (part 4 of 4) 10.0 points
Which of the choices best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball during
step 6?
1. I
2. VII
3. V
4. VI correct
5. IX
6. VIII
7. II
8. III
9. IV
Explanation:
VI is the correct choice; see the explanation
for part 3.

1. V
2. VI correct
3. IV
4. IX
5. II

011 10.0 points

In this problem you will estimate the polarizability of a carbon atom. Imagine you
rub a plastic pen through your hair, depositing 1.4 108 C on the tip of the pen. You
move the tip of the pen toward a small scrap
of paper, and the paper just begins to lift
when the tip is 0.01 m away. Assume that

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

the outermost electron cloud of carbon (containing 4 electrons) shifts a distance s when
polarized by the pen. First find this charge
separation s, then use it to solve for the polarizability of carbon. The mass of one carbon
atom is 2 1026 kg. [The measured value
of C is 1.961040 . Expect to calculate an
answer within about a factor of 10 of this
value.] Assume the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
Correct answer: 6.173 1040 .

s =

qs = Epen


Q
(4e)s = k 2
h
4esh2
kQ
On substituting the value of s we obtain
=

Q = 1.4 10 C ,
k = 9 109 N.m2 /C2 ,
g = 9.8 m/s2 ,
m = 2 1026 kg , and
h = 0.01 m .
8

We know that
Ecarbon = k

2s(4e)
h3

here s is the charge separation at the instant

when the paper is picked up and k is given by
k =

1
40

Approximating the pen as a point charge, the

force exerted by the carbon atom on the pen
is denoted by F1 .
F1 = |Qpen|Ecarbon


8seQ
F1 = k
h3
For the paper to be lifted upwards with a
constant velocity, the upward force on the
carbon atom by the pen must be balanced by
the gravitational force on the carbon atom.
This follows from Newtons second law, i.e
the momentum principle. We solve for s.
F1 = Fgrav


8seQ
k
= mg
h3

mgh3
8kQe

We know that

Explanation:
Let :

mgh5
2k 2 Q2

(2 1026 kg)(9.8 m/s2 )(0.01 m)5

2

2(9 109 N.m2 /C2 ) (1.4 108 C)

= 6.173 1040
Comment : If one bypasses solving for s,
we show here the derivation may be shortened
considerably. Begin with


2qs
Q = mg (1)
F1 = k
h3
Polarizability is defined as


kQ
qs =
h2

(2)

From (2) solving for leads to:



mgh3
mgh5
qs
2kQ
 = 
 =
= 
kQ
kQ
2(kQ)2
h2
h2
In the second step (1) was used.
012

10.0 points

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

The center of the spherical metal ball of radius R, carrying a negative charge Q, is located a distance r from the center of a short,
thin, neutral copper wire of length L. Assume that L r and that the sphere is far
enough away that it may be modeled as a
point charge. The induced charges at the two
ends of the wire is q. Determine the polarizability of the wire segment which has a length
L = 0.015 m. The units of polarizability are
C2 m/N.
Your answer must be within 2.0%
Correct answer: 4.687 1017 .
Explanation:
First, we must determine the magnitude
of the induced charge. Since the wire is a
conductor, we must have E = 0 inside; using
this fact, we can calculate q:
EQ (A) = Edip (A)
1 Q
1
q
=2
 2
2
40 r
40 L
2

Q
8q
=
r2
L2
 2
Q L
.
q=
8 r
The polarizability is given by
p
qL
=
=
kQ
E
r2
Using the value of q given above
=

2) A third ball carrying a negative charge, is

brought near the first two.

3) While the positions of these balls are fixed,

ball Y is connected to ground.

4) Then the ground wire is disconnected.

5) While Y and X remain in touch, the ball

carring the negative charge is removed.
X

6) Then ball Y and X are separated.

X

(Q/8)(L/r)2 L
kQ
r2

After these procedures, what are the signs

of the charge qY on Y and qX on X?

L3
C2 m
=
= 4.687 1017
8k
N
013 10.0 points
1) Two uncharged metal balls, Y and X, each
stand on a glass rod and are touching.
X

1.

qY is neutral and qX is positive

2.

qY is neutral and qX is negative

3.

qY is positive and qX is positive correct

4.

qY is negative and qX is positive

5.

qY is positive and qX is negative

kim (hk9297) HW3-b li (55120)

6.

qY is positive and qX is neutral

7.

qY is negative and qX is neutral

8.

qY is negative and qX is negative

9.

qY is neutral and qX is neutral

Explanation:
When the ball with negative charge is
brought nearby, the mobile charges inside the
system composed of Y and X polarize. Ball
X acquires a positive charge, while ball Y
acquires a negative charge.
When we ground Y, the presence of the
negative ball prevents X from losing its positive charge. Conversely, the negative ball
causes Y to become neutralized by the flow of
electrons through the ground wire.
Now we remove the third ball with negative
charge. The charge on X is redistributed in
the system Y X; i.e., they share the positive
charge (equally if identical).
Finally we separate Y and X. The signs
of the charge on Y and that on X are both
positive.