Physics 72 Reviewer
January 7, 2016
Calculating Electric Field and Electric Force
for Discrete Distribution of Charges
Relevant Equations:
Electric Field of a point charge:
1 q
r
4 r2
x
y
r = i + j
r
r
~ =
E
(1)
(2)
Electric Force on a point charge:
~
F~ = q E
(3)
~ total = E
~1 + E
~2 + . . .
E
F~total = F~1 + F~2 + . . .
(4)
Multiple Charges:
(5)
Problem 1:
Two point charges q1 = +1 nC and q2 = 2 nC are located at (1, 1) and
(1, 1), respectively. (a) What is the Electric field at the origin? (b) If a positive
unit charge is placed at the origin, find the force it feels.
(a)
Note that r2 = x2 + y 2 , so r12 = 2 and r22 = 2.
Using equation (2),
1
r1 = i +
2
1
r2 = i +
2
1
j
2
1
j
2
Now, using equation (1),
1 +1 nC
1
i +
4
2
2
1
~ 2 = 1 2 nC
E
i+
4
2
2
~1 =
E
1
j =
2
1
j =
2
1 nC
1
i +
8
2
1 nC
1
i +
4
2
1
j
2
1
j
2
Thus, using equation (4)
~ total = E
~1 + E
~2
E
1 nC
1
1
1 nC
1
1
i+ j +
i+ j
=
8
4
2
2
2
2
~ total = 3 nC
E
8
1
1
i + j 9.5 i + j N/C
2
2
(b) Using equation (3),
~ = (+1C)(9.5 N/C) i + j
F~ = q E
F~ = +9.5
i + j N
Calculation of Electric Flux
Relevant Equations:
Electric Flux:
Z
~ n
E
dA
(6)
2
(7)
1
2 r
(8)
E =
S
Electric field of Infinite Plane:
E=
Electric field of Infinite Line:
E=
Problem 2: Find the Electric flux on a Spherical surface of radius r = 2 m
with a positive charge q = +1 nC located at its center.
Soln:
Using equation (1), the electric field at the surface of the sphere is given by,
~ = +1 nC 1 r (2.3 N/C) r
E
4 (2m)2
2
Now, using equation (6),
Z
~ n
E =
E
dA
sphere
Z
=
(2.3 N/C) r rdA
sphere
Z
= (2.3 N/C)
dA = (2.3 N/C) (surf ace area of sphere)
sphere
= (2.3 N/C) (4(2m)2 )
E = 120
N m2
C
Calculating electric potential and potential energy for discrete distribution of charges
Relevant Equations:
Electric Potential of a point charge:
V =
q
4 r
(9)
Electric Potential due to multiple charges:
V = V1 + V2 + =
q1
q2
+
+ ...
4 r1
4 r2
(10)
Electric Potential energy:
U = qV
(11)
Problem 3:
(a) Find the Electric potential at the origin due charges in Problem 1. (b) What
is the potential energy of the test charge in Problem 1b?
Soln:
(a) Using equation (10),
q2
q1
+
4 r1
4 r2
2 nC 1
+1 nC 1
+
=
4
4
2m
2m
+1 nC 1
=
4
2m
V =
V 6.4N m/C
(b) Using equation (11),
U = qV
= (+1 C)(6.4N m/C)
U = 6.4 N m or 6.4 J
Calculating capacitance for a parallel plate capacitor
Relevant Equations:
Definition of Capacitance:
C=
Q
V
(12)
Capacitance of Parallel-plate capacitor:
A
d
where A = area of each plate, d = distance between the plates
Capacitance with dielectric:
C=
C=
A
d
(13)
(14)
where = dielectric constant
Problem 4:
A capacitor is composed of two neutral plates each with dimension 1m x 1m and
separated 2 m from each other. (a) What is the capacitance of the capacitor?
(b) if a charge of 1 C is injected on one plate, what is the potential difference
between the two plates? (c) if a material with dielectric constant = 2 is inserted between the plates, what is the new capacitance of the capacitor?
Soln:
(a) using equation (13)
A
d
(1m2 )
=
(2 m)
C=
C = 4.4 C 2 /N m or 4.4F
(b) Using equation (12),
V =
Q
1C
=
= 230 103 N m/C = 230 kV
C
4.4 F
4
(c) Using equation (14),
C = (4.4 F ) = (2)(4.4 F ) = 8.8 F
Solving for effective capacitance
Relevant Equation:
Capacitors in Parallel:
Ceq = C1 + C2 + . . .
(15)
1
1
1
=
+
+ ...
Ceq
C1
C2
(16)
Capacitors in Series:
Problem 5:
Find the effective capacitance of 3 sets of capacitor connected in parallel with
each set composed of 5 identical capacitors(1 F) in series.
Soln:
Using equation (16), the equivalent capacitance of each set is,
1
1
1
=
+
+ = 5
C0
C1
C2
1F
C0 =
= 0.2 F
5
1
1F
=
5
1F
Using equation (15), the equivalent capacitance of of the 3 identical set in parallel is,
Ceq = C1 + C2 + = 3(0.2 F )
Ceq = 0.6 F
Solving for effective resistance
Relevant Equations:
Resistors in Series:
Resistors in Parallel:
Req = R1 + R2 + . . .
(17)
1
1
1
=
+
+ ...
Req
R1
R2
(18)
Problem 6:
Find the effective resistance of 3 sets of resistor connected in parallel with each
set composed of 5 identical resistors(1 ) in series.
Soln:
Using equation (17), the equivalent resistance of each set is,
R0 = R1 + R2 + = 5(1) = 5
Using equation (18), the equivalent resistance of of the 3 identical set in parallel
is,
1
1
1
=
+
+ = 3
Req
R1
R2
Req =
1
R0
=
3
5
5
= 1.67
3
Ohms Law, Kirchoff s Rules
Relevant Equations:
Ohms Law:
V = IR
(19)
Kirchoffs Rules:
1.) In a circuit loop, the total potential drop is equal to the total potential rise.
2.) In a circuit juntion, the total outgoing current is equal to the total incoming
current.
Probem 7:
In the Circuit below, find the current and potential drop on each resistor.
Solnn:
Solving For the Current in R3 . First solve for the effective resistance of the
circuit. Equivalent resistance of R1 and R2 , using equation (18),
1
1
1
1
1
3
=
+
=
+
=
Req:1,2
R1
R2
1 k 2 k
2 k
2
Req:1,2 = k
3
Equivalent resistance of Req:1,2 and R3 , using equation (17),
Req = Req:1,2 + R3 =
2
5
k + 1 k = k
3
3
Req = 1.67 k
The total current in the circuit then is, using equation (19),
I=
15 V
V
=
= 9 mA
Req
1.67 k
The current in R3 is equal to the total current. So I3 = 9 mA . Using Ohms
law, V3 = I3 R3 = 9 V .
Using 1st rule(voltage rule) of Kirchoff on the outside loop,
V V3 V2 = 0
V2 = V V3 = 15 V 9 V
V2 = 6V
Thus, using Ohms law: I2 =
V2
6V
=
= 3 mA
R2
2 k
Using 2nd rule(current rule) of Kirchoff on the right junction,
I3 = I1 + I2
I1 = I3 I2 = 9 mA 3 mA
I1 = 6 mA
Using ohmss law: V1 = I1 R1 = (6 mA)(1 k) = 6 V
Magnetic force on current loops
Relevant Equations:
Torque on a Current Loop:
~
~ =
~ B
7
(20)
Magnetic Dipole Moment of a Current Loop:
~ = N IA
n
(21)
where, N = number of turns,
I = current on the loop,
A = area of the loop,
n
= normal unit vector to the loop(curl your hand to the diretion of the
current, the thumb points to the normal vector)
Problem 8:
A circular wire or radius 1 m is placed on the xy-plane and a constant magnetic
field of 1T is applied towards the positive z-axis. If a current of 1 A is allowed
to pass in the wire such that the normal vector is along z-axis (a) what is the
dipole moment of the loop? (b) what is the net torque on the loop? (c) If the
loop is rotated such that its normal vector is along +x-axis, what now is the
net torque on the loop?
Soln:
Using equation (21),
(a) The normal vector to the loop is k.
~ = N IA
n = (1)(1 A)(r2 )k (3.14 A)(1 m)2 k
~ (3.14 A m2 )k
Using equation (20),
~ = (1 T )k.
(b) The magnetic field is B
~ = (3.14 A m2 )k (1 T )k = (3.14N m)(k k)
~ =
~ B
~ = 0
(c) The normal vector of the loop is i so the dipole moment is
~ (3.14 Am2 )i.
The torque then is,
~ = (3.14 A m2 )i (1 T )k = (3.14N m)(i k)
~ =
~ B
~ = (3.14N m)(j)
Magnetic field produced by moving point charge
Relevant Equations:
Magnetic field produced by a moving point charge(assuming v c, c speed of
light):
~ = q~v r
B
4 r2
Problem 9:
8
(22)
A +1 C point charge is moving along the +x-axis with speed 100 m/s. A loop
of dipole moment
~ = (1 A m2 )(j) is then placed at (0, 10 m) the moment
the point charge reached the origin. What then is the torque on the loop due
to the magnetic field of the point charge? (assume rloop 10 m, use: =
4 107 N/A2 )
Soln:
Using equation (22), the magnetic field at the location of the loop is,
7
2
~ = q~v r = (4 10 N/A ) (1 C)(100 m/s i) (j)
B
4 r2
4
(10 m)2
7
7
~ = (10 N/Am)k = (10 T )k
B
Now using equation (20),
~ = (1 A m2 )j (107 N/Am)k
~ =
~ B
~ = (107 N m)i
10
Electromagnetic induction/Induced EMF
Relevant Equations:
Magnetic Flux:
Z
~ n
B
dA
(23)
dM
dt
(24)
M =
S
Faradays Law (Induced EMF):
=
Problem 10:
A wire loop of radius 1 m is placed on the xy-plane and is connected to a 1 k
resistor. What is the current induced in the wire if a changing magnetic field
is applied?
~
B(t)
= (1 T /s)t(k)
Soln:
Using equation (23), the flux in the wire is,
Z
M =
~ n
B
dA =
kdA
(1 T /s)t(k)
= (1 T /s)t
dA = (1 T /s)t (area of loop)
S
= (1 T /s)t((1 m)2 ) = (1 T m2 /s)t
M = (1 W b/s)t
Using equation (24), the induced EMF is,
dM
(1 W b/s)t
=
dt
dt
= (1 W b/s) = 1 V
=
Using Ohms Law, the current then is,
I=
V
1 V
=
R
1 k
I = 1 mA
Since negative, the current is clockwise.
11
LRC circuit
Relevant Equations:
Reasonance frequency:
=
1
LC
(25)
XC =
1
C
(26)
XL = L
(27)
Capacitive reactance:
Inductive reactance:
Impedance in Series:
q
ZT =
R2 + (XL XC )
(28)
Impedance in Parallel:
1
=
ZT
s
1
R
2
+
1
1
XL
XC
2
(29)
Critically damped:
r
R=
4L
C
(30)
4L
C
(31)
4L
C
(32)
Underdamped:
r
R<
Overdamped:
r
R>
Problem 11:
An RLC circuit in series is connected to an alternating voltage source V (t) =
10
(5 V )cos(t) where R = 1 k, L = 0.1 H, and C = 1 F. (a)What value of
will result to the maximum value of current across the resistor? (b) What
kind of damping does the circuit have? (c) What is the total impedance of the
circuit at reasonce?
Soln:
(a) The current across the resistor will be maximum at resonance. Thus, using
equation (25),
=
1
1
=p
LC
(0.1 H)(1 F )
3.2 kHz
(b) Using equation (30),
r
4L
=
C
4(0.1 H)
0.632 k
(1 F )
Since R = 1 k > 0.632 k, the circuit is overdamped
(c) At reasonance XL = XC , so equation (28) reduces to,
q
2
ZT = R2 + (XL XC ) = R2 = R
ZT = 1 k
12
EM waves
Relevant Equations:
Speed of light:
c=
1
(33)
Relation of magnitude of E and B:
E = cB
(34)
~ = E cos (kx + t) j
E
(35)
Equation of E-field:
In this form, the E-field has maximum value of E and along the y-axis(direction
of j) while the EM-wave is propragating towards the negative x-direction.
Problem 12:
Find
~ = (30 V /m)cos (5 m1 )x + (1kHz)t k.
The Electric field is given by E
the (a) direction of propagation (b) orientation of the Electric field (c) the magnetic field.
Soln:
(a) the coefficients of x and t have opposite sign, thus wave propagates along
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the positive x direction .
the Electric field is oriented along the +k axis
(b) Since the unit vector is k,
(c) Using equation (34), the maximum value of B is
30 V /m
B = Ec = 310
8 m/s = 1 nT .
Using right hand rule, E cross B must be along +x (direction of propagation).
Since E is along +k, B must be along negative y-axis. Thus, the magnetic field
~ = (1 nT )cos (5 m1 )x + (1kHz)t (j)
is, B
13
Law of Reflection and Refraction
Relevant Equations:
Law of Reflection:
incident = ref lected
(36)
Law of Refraction(Snells Law):
n1 sin1 = n1 sin1
Index of refraction:
n=
c
v
(37)
(38)
Problem 13:
A light ray passed from air to water as shown in the figure. What is the angle
between the reflected and the refracted ray if the angle of incident is i = 52.4o ?
Soln:
Using law of reflection, r = i = 52.4o .
Using law of refraction,
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nair sini = nwater sin2
(1.0)sin(52o ) = (1.3)sin2
(1.0)sin(52.4o )
1
2 = sin
1.3
2 = 37.6o
Now, from the figure the angle between the reflected and refracted rays is
= 180o r 2 = 180o 52.4o 37.6o = 90o =
14
Thin Lens Equation
Relevant Equations:
Thin-Lens Equation:
1
1
1
+
=
so
si
f
(39)
Lens-Maker equation:
1
= (n 1)
f
1
1
r1
r2
(40)
Lateral Magnification for Thin-lenses:
m=
si
so
(41)
where, si = image distance, so = object distance, f = focal length of the thin
lens, n = index of refraction of lens, r1 = front radius of curvature, r2 = back
radius of curvature
Convention [1]:
1. An object is real, and the object distance is positive, if the object is on
the same side of the lens as the light was traveling before it was refracted;
otherwise the object is virtual, and the object distance is negative.
2. An image is real, and the image distance is positive, if the image forms
on the same side of the lens as the light is traveling after it is refracted; otherwise the image is virtual, and the object distance is negative
3. The radius of curvature of curvature of a refracting surface is positive if
the center of curvature is on the same side of the surface as the light is traveling
after it is refracted; otherwise it is negative
Problem 14:
A candle of height 10 cm is placed in 10 cm front of a convex lenx of radii 5
cm and index of refraction of n = 1.5. (a)What is the focal length of the lens?
(b) What is the location of the image? (c) is the image magnified or not? is
13
inverted or not?(d)is the image real or virtual?
Soln:
(a) Note that r1 = +5 cm and r2 = 5 cm. Using lens-maker equation,
1
1
1
1
1
1
= (n 1)
= (1.5 1)
=
f
r1
r2
5 cm 5 cm
5 cm
f = 5 cm
(b) Note that s0 = 10 cm. Using thin-lens equation,
1
1
1
+
=
s0
si
f
1
1
1
+
=
10 cm si
5 cm
1
1
1
1
=
=
si
5 cm 10 cm
10 cm
si = 10 cm
The image is located 10 cm from the back of the lens
(c) Using equation (41),
m=
si
10 cm
=
so
10 cm
m = 1
Thus the image is inverted but not magnified(same size)
(d) since the image is formed at the refracted side, the image is virtual .
15
General Interference
Relevant Equations:
Phase difference due to path difference:
=
r
r
2 =
360
(42)
Constructive interference:
Destructive interference:
= 2m
(43)
1
= 2 m +
2
(44)
where m = 0, 1, 2, ...
When light reflects from medium of lower index of refraction to medium of
higher index of refraction, additional phase difference of or 180 is produced.
Problem 15:
14
A light beam of wavelength 500 nm normally incident to a glass film(immersed
in air) with index of refraction 1.5 produces intereference pattern(figure). What
is the minimum thickness of the film?
Since Beam 1 reflection occurs from air to water(lower to higher index), a
phase of is produced. The second Beam travelled additional distance of 2d,
2d
using equation (42) this corresponds to a phase difference of r
2 = 500 nm 2.
2d
The total phase difference then is = 500 nm 2 . Using equation (43) for
the constructive interference, and setting m = 0 since we want the minimum d.
16
2d
2 = 0
500 nm
2d
2 =
500 nm
500 nm
d=
4
d = 125nm
Double Slit-Interference
Relevant Equations:
Constructive Interference:
dsin = m
(45)
Destructive Interference:
dsin =
1
m+
2
(46)
where m = 0, 1, 2, ...
Problem 16:
Two slits seperated by a distance of L = 1 cm is located 1 m from a viewing
15
screen. A laser of wavelength 600 nm is incident on the slits. What is the width
of the central maxima?
Soln:
The edge of the central maxima is the 1st minima, so the width of the central
maxima is twice the location of the 1st minima. Using equation (46), the angle
of the edge of the central maxima is the value of theta when m = 0.
1
1
=
dsin = m +
2
2
600 nm
= sin1
= sin1
2d
2(1 cm)
3 105
The location of the first minima is then y1 = Ltan = (1 m)tan(3 105 ) =
3 105 m = 30 m.
Thus the width of the central maxima is 2y1 = 60 m
17
Single Slit-Diffraction
Relevant Equation:
Minima(destructive):
asin = m
(47)
where m = 1, 2, 3, ...
Problem 17:
Derive an expression for the width of the central maxima in a single slitdiffraction with the viewing screen located a distance R from the slits. Assume
sin tan .
Soln:
The edge of the central maxima is the 1st minima and the width of the central
maxima is twice the location of the 1st minima.
Using equation (47), the location of the first minima corresponds to m = 1.
Thus,
asin1 = (1)
sin1 =
a
1
a
Now, the location of the 1st minima is give by y1 = R tan1 R 1
2R
Thus the width of the central maxima is w = 2y1 =
a
16
R
a .
References
[1] Study Guide Vol. 2: Physics for Scientists and engineers, 5th ed. P. A.
Tipler and G. Mosca. W.H. Freeman and Company. 2003.
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