Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Electric force between point charges

Electric force between point charges — practice question

A charged particle $P$ is in a vacuum a distance $x$ from the centre of a charged conducting sphere of radius $r$, as shown in Fig. 5.1. For particle $P$ located outside the conducting sphere, the sphere’s charge may be treated as though it were concentrated at the centre.
(a(i))[2]

State Coulomb’s law.

(a(ii).1)[1]

The sphere and particle $P$ are both positively charged. State the direction of the force acting on particle $P$.

(a(ii).2)[1]

State the position of particle $P$ for the force to be maximum.

(a(ii).3)[2]

Determine the ratio $\dfrac{\text{force on particle }P\text{ at }x = r}{\text{force on particle }P\text{ at }x = 4r}$.

(a(ii)-1)[1]

The sphere and the particle P are both charged positively. State the direction of the force acting on particle P.

(a(ii)-2)[1]

State the position of particle P for the force to be maximum.

(a(ii)-3)[2]

Determine the ratio $\dfrac{\text{force on particle P at } x = r}{\text{force on particle P at } x = 4r}$.

(b)[3]

When the charge on the sphere is $6.0 \times 10^{-7}\,\text{C}$, the electric field strength at the surface of the sphere is $1.5 \times 10^{6}\,\text{V m}^{-1}$. Electrical breakdown (a spark) occurs when the electric field strength at the surface of the sphere exceeds $2.0 \times 10^{6}\,\text{V m}^{-1}$. Determine the additional charge that may be added to the sphere before breakdown occurs.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 13-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Force proportional to the product of two point charges

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