ME-122

Problem Solving 1
Chapter 21 – Electric Charge and Electric Field
Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law
Chapter 23 – Electric Potential
Chapter 24 – Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage
Chapter 25 – Electric Currents and Resistance

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ziyafer Gizem Portakal-Uçar

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Let the right be the positive direction on the line of

charges. Use the fact that like charges repel and unlike
charges attract to determine the direction of the forces.
In the following expressions,

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Now calculate the net force on each charge and the direction of that net force, using components

= F21

= F31

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

The negative charges will repel each other, and so the

third charge must put an opposite force on each of the
original charges.
Consideration of the various possible configurations
leads to the conclusion that the third charge must be
positive and must be between the other two charges. 4𝑥 2 = 𝑙 2 − 2𝑙𝑥 + 𝑥 2 0 = 𝑙 2 − 2𝑙𝑥 − 3𝑥 2
𝒍
See the diagram for the definition of variables. For 3𝑥 − 𝑙 −𝑥 − 𝑙 = 0 𝒙 = , 𝑥 = −𝑙
each negative charge, equate the magnitudes of the 𝟑
two forces on the charge. Also note that 0 < x < l.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Choose the rightward direction to be positive.

Then the field due to +Q will be positive, and
the field due to –Q will be negative.

The negative sign means the field points to the left.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

60o

60o

60o

(a) The field due to the charge at A will point straight 30o
downward, and the field due to the charge at B will
point along the line from A to the origin, 30o below the
negative x axis.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Ay

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

(b) Now reverse the direction of 𝑬𝑩

60o Ay

60o -Q
𝑬𝑩
60o

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

𝟏
Consider Example 21-9. We use the result from this example, but shift the center of the ring to be at 𝒙 = 𝒍
𝟐
𝟏
for the ring on the right, and at 𝒙 = − 𝒍 for the ring on the left. The fact that the original expression has a
𝟐
factor of x results in the interpretation that the sign of the field expression will give the direction of the field.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

This is very similar with the Example 21-11, but with

different limits of integration. From the diagram
here, we see that the maximum angle is given by

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Length → ∞

-90° ≤ Sin θ ≤ 90°

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

We evaluate the
results at that angle.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

From the diagram, we see that the x components of the

two fields will cancel each other at the point P.
Thus the net electric field will be in the negative y-
direction, and will be twice the y-component of either
electric field vector.

𝒓= 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒂𝟐

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

dQ = λ dl

dl = R dθ

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

𝜆 = 𝜆0 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

From the diagram, considering pieces of the arc that are

symmetric with respect to the x axis, we see that the total
field will only have a y component, because the magnitudes
of the fields due to those two pieces are the same.
From the diagram we see that the field will point down. The
horizontal components of the field cancel.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 21 - Electric Charge and Electric Field

Fq
FE

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

The net flux through each closed surface is

determined by the net charge inside.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

Since the charges are of opposite sign, and since the

charges are free to move since they are on conductors,
the charges will attract each other and move to the inside
or facing edges of the plates.
There will be no charge on the outside edges of the plates.
And there cannot be charge in the plates themselves,
since they are conductors. All of the charge must reside
on surfaces. Due to the symmetry of the problem, all field
lines must be perpendicular to the plates.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

(a) To find the field between the plates, we choose a Gaussian cylinder, perpendicular to the plates, with area A for the
ends of the cylinder. We place one end inside the left plate (where the field must be zero), and the other end between
the plates. No flux passes through the curved surface of the cylinder.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

(b) If we now put the cylinder from above so that the right end is inside the conducting material, and the left end is to the
left of the left plate, the only possible location for flux is through the left end of the cylinder. Note that there is NO
charge enclosed by the Gaussian cylinder.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

(c) If the two plates were nonconductors, the results would not change. The charge would
be distributed over the two plates in a different fashion, and the field inside of the plates
would not be zero, but the charge in the empty regions of space would be the same as
when the plates are conductors.
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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

This implies that the shells are of opposite charge.

(a) In the region 0 < r < r1, a Gaussian

surface would enclose no charge. Thus,
due to the spherical symmetry;

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

(b) For the region r1 < r < r0 , the enclosed charge is

the product of the volume charge density times
the volume of charged material enclosed. The
charge density is given by

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

We choose the Gaussian cylinder to be the same

length as the cylindrical shells.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 22 – Gauss’s Law

(d) The force on an electron between the cylinders points in

the direction opposite to the electric field, and so the force
is inward. The electric force produces the centripetal
acceleration for the electron to move in the circular orbit.

We choose the Gaussian cylinder to be the same

length as the cylindrical shells.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

The kinetic energy gained by the electron is the work done by the electric force.

The electron moves from low potential to high potential, so plate B is at the
higher potential.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

(a) The electric field outside a charged, spherically

symmetric volume is the same as that for a point
charge of the same magnitude of charge.
Integrating the electric field from infinity to the
radius of interest will give the potential at that
radius.
(b) Inside the sphere the electric field is obtained from Gauss’s
Law using the charge enclosed by a sphere of radius r.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

(b) The direction of the electric field due to a negative charge is towards the charge, so the field at point a will point
downward, and the field at point b will point to the right. See the vector diagram.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

The potential at the corner is the sum of

the potentials due to each of the charges

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

We follow the development of Example 23-9.

The charge on a thin ring of radius R and
thickness dR is

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

Consider an infinite plane which carries the uniform charge per

unit area σ.
Suppose that the plane coincides with the y – z plane (i.e., the
plane which satisfies x = 0).
By symmetry, we expect the electric field on either side of the
plane to be a function of x only, to be directed normal to the
plane, and to point away from/towards the plane depending on
whether σ is positive/negative.
Let us draw a cylindrical Gaussian surface, whose axis is normal to
the plane, and which is cut in half by the plane. Let the cylinder
run from x = -a to x = +a, and let its cross-sectional area be A.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

where E(a) = -E(-a) is the electric field strength at x = +a.

Here, the left-hand side represents the electric flux out of the
surface.
Note that the only contributions to this flux come from the
flat surfaces at the two ends of the cylinder.
The right-hand side represents the charge enclosed by the
cylindrical surface, divided by ε0.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

The electric field from a large plate is uniform, with the field pointing away from the plate on both sides.
Equation can be integrated between two arbitrary points to calculate the potential difference between
those points.

Setting the change in voltage equal to 100 V and solving for x0 - x1 gives the distance between field lines.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 – Electric Potential

(a) The electron was accelerated through a potential difference of 1.33 kV (moving from low
potential to high potential) in gaining 1.33 keV of kinetic energy.
The proton is accelerated through the opposite potential difference as the electron, and
has the exact opposite charge. Thus the proton gains the same kinetic energy, 1.33 keV.

(b) Both the proton and the electron have the same KE. Use that to find the ratio of the speeds.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 - Electric Potential

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 - Electric Potential

Let a side of the square be l, and number the charges

clockwise starting with the upper left corner.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 23 - Electric Potential

To find the angle, the horizontal and vertical components

of the velocity are needed.
The horizontal component can be found using
conservation of energy for the initial acceleration of the
electron. That component is not changed as the electron
passes through the plates.
The vertical component can be found using the vertical
acceleration due to the potential difference of the plates,
and the time the electron spends between the plates.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

After the first capacitor is disconnected from the battery,

the total charge must remain constant.
The voltage across each capacitor must be the same when
they are connected together, since each capacitor plate is
Q1, V = 15V connected to a corresponding plate on the other capacitor by a
constant-potential connecting wire.
Use the total charge and the final potential difference to
find the value of the second capacitor.
Q2, V = 15V

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

V=Ed

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

We want a small voltage drop across C1. Since V = Q C , if we put the

smallest capacitor in series with the battery, there will be a large voltage drop
across it. Then put the two larger capacitors in parallel, so that their
equivalent capacitance is large and therefore will have a small voltage drop
across them.
So put C1 and C3 in parallel with each other, and then put that
combination in series with C2.
See the diagram. To calculate the voltage across C1, find the equivalent
capacitance and the net charge. That charge is used to find the voltage drop
across C2, and then that voltage is subtracted from the battery voltage to find
the voltage across the parallel combination.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

Ceq1 = C1+C3

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

(b) The charge on the equivalent capacitor C1234 is given by

Q1234 = C1234V = 3/5 CV.
This is the charge on both of the series components of C1234.

The voltage across the equivalent capacitor C123 is the voltage

across both of its parallel components. Note that the sum of
the charges across the two parallel components of C123 is the
same as the total charge on the two components, 3/5 CV.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

Finally, the charge on the equivalent capacitor C12 is the charge

on both of the series components of C12.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

(a) From the diagram, we see that C1 and C2 are in parallel,

and C3 and C4 are in parallel. Those two combinations
are then in series with each other.
Use those combinations to find the equivalent
capacitance. We use subscripts to indicate which
capacitors have been combined.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

(b) The charge on the equivalent capacitor C1234 is given by

Q1234 = C1234V. This is the charge on both of the series
components of C1234 . Note that V12 + V34 = V.

The voltage across the equivalent capacitor C12 is the

voltage across both of its parallel components, and the
voltage across the equivalent C34 is the voltage across
both its parallel components.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 24 - Capacitance, Dielectrics, Electric Energy Storage

The intermediate potential at the boundary of the two

dielectrics can be treated as the “low” potential plate of one
half and the “high” potential plate of the other half, so we
treat it as two capacitors in series.
Each series capacitor has half of the inter-plate distance
of the original capacitor.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

(a) If the voltage drops by 15%, and the resistance stays the same.
V = IR , the current will also drop by 15%.

(b) If the resistance drops by 15% (the same as being multiplied by 0.85), and the voltage stays the same,
the current must be divided by 0.85.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

The resistance R of any wire is directly proportional to its length l and inversely proportional
to its cross-sectional area A.

where ρ, the constant of proportionality, is called the resistivity and depends on the material used.

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

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Problem Solving 1 - Chapter 25 - Electric Currents and Resistance

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