Task 1: Universal Gravitation and Gravitational Fields

Answer both parts with a complete solution.

A complete solution means that you have provided the Given, Required, Analysis, Solution and
Statement. Be sure that you communicate your final answer with appropriate units and the correct
number of significant figures.

1. The earth has a mass of 5.98 × 1024 and the moon has a mass of 7.35 × 1022 kg. The distance
from the centre of the moon to the centre of the earth is 3.84 × 108 m. A rocket with a total
mass of 1200 kg is 3.0 × 108 m from the centre of the earth and directly in between the earth
and the moon. Find the net gravitational force on the rocket from the earth and moon.

Given: m1 = 5.98 x 1024 kg

m2 = 7.35 x 1022 kg

m3 = 1200 kg

r1 = 3.0 x 108 m

r2 = 3.84 x 108

G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2

Required: Fnet = ?

Analysis:

There are 2 gravitational forces acting on mass 3 which are F g1 on 3 and Fg2 on 3. These forces are each
attractive but opposite in direction. The net gravitational force acting on the rocket will be equal to
the sum of both forces acting on mass 3 though since they are in opposite directions the net force
will be the difference between them. In order to find a positive net force, I will subtract the smaller
force from the larger one.

Solving for Fg1 on 3:

Fg1 on 3 = Gm1m3/r12

= (6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2)(5.98 x 1024 kg)(1200 kg)/(3.0 x 108 m)2

= 5.3182 N
Solving for Fg2 on 3:

Fg2 on 3 = Gm2m3/(r2-r1)2

= (6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2)(7.35 x 1022 kg)(1200 kg)/(3.84 x 108 – 3.0 x 108)2

= 0.83375 N

Solving for Fnet:

Fnet = Fg1 on 3 - Fg2 on 3

= 5.3182 N - 0.83375 N

= 4.48445

= 4.5 N (2 sig. figures)

Statement:

Therefore, the net gravitational force on the rocket is 4.5 N (answer given to 2 significant figures).

2. A 500 kg satellite experiences a gravitational force of 3000 N, while moving in a circular orbit
around the earth.

a. Determine the radius of the circular orbit.

Given: m1 = 5.98 x 1024 kg

m2 = 500 kg

Fg = 3000 N

G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2

Required: r = ?
Analysis:

To find the radius of the circular orbit I can use the law of universal gravitation. Knowing the mass of
both the earth and satellite, the universal gravitational constant as well as the force of gravity on the
satellite I can work backwards to solve for the radius.

Solving for r:

Fg = Gm1m2/r2

3000 N = (6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2)( 5.98 x 1024 kg)(500 kg)/r2

N m2 (

√ ( )
−11 24
r=
6.67 x 10 2
5.98 x 10 kg ) ( 500 kg )
kg
3000 N

= 8153383.7556359

= 8 x 106 m (1 sig. figure)

Statement:

Therefore, the radius of the circular orbit is 8 x 10 6 m (answer given to 1 significant figure).

b. Determine the speed of the satellite.

Given: m1 = 5.98 x 1024 kg

m2 = 500 kg

Fg = 3000 N

G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2

r = 8 x 106 m

Required: v = ?
Analysis:

In this situation, the centripetal force is equal to the force of gravity since gravity is the only force
acting on the object and it is moving in uniform circular motion. So to solve for speed I can use the
centripetal force equation and work backwards to find v.

Solving for v:

Fc = F g

Fg = m2v2/r

3000 N = (500 kg)v2/8.15 x 106

√
v = ( 3000 N ) ( 8.15 x 10 m )
500 kg

= 6992.85

= 7 x 103 m/s (1 sig. figure)

Statement:

Therefore, the speed of the satellite is 7 x 10 3 m/s (answer given to 1 significant figure).

c. Determine the period of the orbit.

Given: m1 = 5.98 x 1024 kg

m2 = 500 kg

Fg = 3000 N

G = 6.67 x 10-11 Nm2/kg2

r = 8 x 106 m

v = 7 x 103 m/s
Required: T = ?

Analysis:

An equation to find velocity is v = Δd/Δt. Knowing that Δd is equal to the circumference of the orbit
in this case which can be found by the equation 2 πr and Δt is equal to the period, T, the equation for
velocity can become v = 2 πr/T. Since I am looking for the period in this problem, I can rearrange this
to T = 2πr/v and solve for T.

Solving for T:

T = 2πr/v

= 2π(8.15 x 106 m)/6993 m/s

= 7322.7 s

= 2 h (1 sig. figure)

Statement:

Therefore, the period for this satellite is 2 hours (answer given to 1 significant figure).

Task 2: Coulomb’s Law and Electric Fields

1. In this unit, you were learning about different yet similar laws of physics - Newton’s
universal law of gravitation and Coulomb’s law of electrostatics. Describe one similarity and
one difference for these two laws.

One similarity between Newton’s universal law of gravitation and Coulomb’s law of electrostatics is
that both of them are action-at-a-distance forces that grow weaker as the distance increases. The
forces of each are directly proportional to the product of the sizes of the charges/objects and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
One difference between these laws is that the force of gravitation will always be attractive while the
force of electricity can either be attractive or repulsive depending on whether the charges are similar
or opposite.

2. Refer to the following two images for the questions that follow.

a. Refer to Figure 1:

i. State whether the source charge is positively or negatively charged.

The source charge is positively charged because the arrows are pointing away from it.
 ii. Figure 1 contains arrows that are outwardly pointing. By convention, state how the
directions of field lines are detected.

Electric field lines point in the direction that a positive test charge would move if it were placed near
the source charge. Since similar charges repel and opposite charges attract, field lines are directed
towards negatively charged source charges and away from positively charged source charges. So, the
directions of field lines can be detected by determining whether the source charge is positive or
negative.

b. Comparing Figure 1 and Figure 2, you can see Figure 2 does not have any arrowheads.
Observe the sign of charges for each source charge, (in Figure 2) and state the direction the
arrowheads should be pointing to make it accurate.

In figure 2, the arrowheads should be pointing to the right away from the positive charge and
towards the negative charge. They should point outwards from the positive and towards the
negative.

3. Examine the charge distribution in the diagram below.

 a. Determine the net force charge acting at q1 (+ 2.0 × 10-5 C), caused by q2 (-4.0 × 10-5 C)
and q3 (-4.0 × 10-5 C). Be sure to include a free body diagram representing the force acting
at q1 in your solution.

Given: q1 = + 2.0 × 10-5 C

q2 = -4.0 × 10-5 C

q3 = -4.0 × 10-5 C

r = 24 cm

k = 9.0 x 109 N m2/C2

Required: Fnetq1 = ?

Analysis:

Charges q2 and q3 are equal in magnitude and the distance between q1 & q2, and q1 & q3are equal
as well so the magnitude of the forces exerted by each charge on q1 will be the same. The charge q1
is positive while q2 and q3 are negative so the electric forces acting on q2 will both be attractive.
This can be represented by the following free body diagram:

Fq3onq1

Fq2onq1

The components of the force can be represented in the following diagram:

Fq3onq1

Fq3onq1sin45o Fq2onq1sin45o

Fq2onq1

Fq2onq1cos45o
Fnetq1 = Fq2onq1 + Fq3onq1

= (125N)sin45o + (125N)sin45o

= 88.39 + 88.39

= 176.78

= 1.8 x 102 N (2 sig figures)

Solving for direction:

tan = o/a

= 0.24 m/0.24 m

=1

Tan-1(1) = 45o

Statement:

Therefore, the net force charge acting at q1 is 1.8 x 10 2 N [N45oE] (answer given to 2 significant
figures).

b. Determine the net electric field acting at q1.

Given: q1 = + 2.0 × 10-5 C

q2 = -4.0 × 10-5 C

q3 = -4.0 × 10-5 C

r = 24 cm

k = 9.0 x 109 N m2/C2

Required: εnetq1 = ?
Analysis:

The electric field at q1 due to q2 will point towards q2 [N], since q2 is negative. The electric field at
q1 due to q3 will point towards q3 [E], since q3 is negative. The resultant magnitude of the electric
field at q1 can be found using the Pythagorean theorem.

So, the net electric field at q1 will be:

kq 1 kq 2
εnetq1 =
√ r2
+ 2
r

Solving for εnetq1:

kq 1 kq 2
εnetq1 =
√ r2
+ 2
r

m2 m2

√
9 −5 9 −5
(9.0 x 10 N 2 )(2.0 x 10 ) (9.0 x 10 N 2 )(2.0 x 10 )
= C C
2
+
(0.24 m) (0.24 m)2

180000 180000
=
√ +
0.0576 0.0576

= √ 3125000+3125000

= √ 6250000

= 2500

= 2.5 x 103 N/C (2 sig figures)

Solving for direction:

Tan θ = o/a

θ = tan-1 3125000/3125000

= tan-1 1

= 45o
Statement:

Therefore, the net electric field acting at q1 is 2.5 x 10 3 N/C [N45oE] (answer given to 2 significant
figures).

4. An electron is in motion at 4.0 × 106 m/s horizontally when it enters a region of space

between two parallel plates, as shown, starting at the negative plate. The electron deflects
downwards and strikes the bottom plate. The magnitude of the electric field between the
plates is 4.0 x 102 N/C and separation between the charged plates is 2.0 cm.

a. Referring to the above image, state the sign of the charge on each electric plate:

i. Sign of bottom plate - __+____________________

ii. Sign of the top plate - __- ____________________

b. Determine the acceleration of the electron between the plates.

Given: me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg

qe = 1.6 x 10-19 C

d = 2.0 cm or 0.020 m

ε = 4.0 x 102 N/C

v = 4.0 x 106 m/s [right]

Required: a = ?

Analysis:

To determine the acceleration, Newton’s second law of motion can be applied. Following is a free
body diagram representing the forces acting on the electron:

Fg

Fe

I will let down be the positive direction.

The net force equation will be as follows:

Fnet = Fe + Fg

However, in comparison to Fe, Fg is so small that it can be ignored:

Fg = mg

= (9.11 x 10-31 kg)(9.8 N/kg)

= 8.9 x 10-30 N

≈0N

So, the net force equation becomes:

Fnet = Fe

Solving for a:

Fnet = Fe + (-Fg)

= Fe – 0 (Fg is negligible)

ma = qε

a = qε/m
 = (1.6 x 10-19 C)( 4.0 x 102 N/C )/( 9.11 x 10-31 kg)

= 70252469813392

= 7.0 x 1013 m/s2 (2 sig figures)

Statement:

Therefore, the acceleration of the electron between the plates is 7.0 x 10 13 m/s2 (answer given to 2
significant figures).

c. Determine the horizontal distance travelled by the electron when it hits the plate.

Given: me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg

qe = 1.6 x 10-19 C

d = 2.0 cm or 0.020 m

ε = 4.0 x 102 N/C

v = 4.0 x 106 m/s [right]

a = 7.0 x 1013 m/s2

Required: Δdx = ?

Analysis:

In this problem, the initial velocity is only in the horizontal direction so the initial velocity
components are vxi = 4.0 x 106 m/s [right] and vyi = 0 m/s. Using motion equation 3 for the vertical
direction, I can determine Δt and apply this value for the horizontal direction to find the horizontal
displacement.

Solving for Δt:

Δdy = vyiΔt + 1/2aΔt2

(0.020 m) = (0 m/s) Δt + 1/2(7.0 x 1013 m/s2) Δt2

0.020
Δt =
√ 3.5 x 10 13
= 2.4 x 10-8 s

Solving for Δdx:

vxi = Δdx/Δt

Δdx = vxiΔt

Δdx = (4.0 x 106 m/s)(2.4 x 10-8 s)

= 0.096

= 9.6 x 10-2 m

Statement:

Therefore, the horizontal distance travelled by the electron when it hits the plate is 9.6 x 10 -2 m
(answer given to 2 significant figures).

d. Determine the velocity of the electron as it strikes the plate.

Given: me = 9.11 x 10-31 kg

qe = 1.6 x 10-19 C

Δdy = 2.0 cm or 0.020 m

ε = 4.0 x 102 N/C

vxi = 4.0 x 106 m/s [right]

a = 7.0 x 1013 m/s2

Δdx = 9.6 x 10-2 m

 Δt = 2.4 x 10-8 s

Required: vf = ?

Analysis:

Since the acceleration is constant, kinematics equation 5, v f2 = vi2 + 2aΔd can be used to determine
the final velocity components as the electron hits the plate. Then to find the final velocity I can use
the Pythagorean theorem with the v fx and vfy components. Lastly, I can use the tangent function on
the components to find the direction.

Solving for vfx:

Vfx2 = vix2 + 2aΔd

= (4.0 x 106 m/s)2 + 2(7.0 x 1013 m/s2)(9.6 x 10-2 m)

= 1.6 x 1013 + 1.344 x 1013

Vfx = √ 29440000 000000

= 5425864

= 5.4 x 106 m/s

Solving for vfy:

Vfy2 = viy2 + 2aΔd

= (0 m/s)2 + 2(7.0 x 1013 m/s2)(0.020 m)

Vfy = √ 2.8 x 1012

= 1673320.16

= 1.7 x 106 m/s

Solving for vf:

vf = √ vf x 2+ vf y 2
 = √ 542586 4 2+1673320 2

= 5678027.8

= 5.7 x 106 m/s (2 sig figures)

Solving for direction:

tanθ = vfy/vfx

θ = tan-1(1673320/5425864)

= 17o

Statement:

Therefore, the velocity of the electron as it strikes the plate is 5.7 x 10 6 m/s [E17oS] (answer given to
2 significant figures).

Task 3: Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

1. Examine the charge distribution shown. Sphere 1 has a charge of +3.0 × 10-4 C; sphere 2 has a
charge of –3.0 × 10-4 C; and sphere 3 has a charge of +3.0 × 10-4 C. Assume that Coulomb’s
constant, (k) is equal to 9.0×109 Nm2/C2.
Show all your work when completing each of these questions.
 a. Determine the total electric potential energy for the charge distribution.

Given: q1 = +3.0 × 10-4 C

q2 = -3.0 × 10-4 C

q3 = +3.0 × 10-4 C

k = 9.0×109 Nm2/C2

rq1q2 = rq2q3 = 3.00 m

rq1q3 = 6.00 m

Required: EeTotal = ?

Analysis:

Amongst the three charges that are distributed within a region of space, there exists an amount of
energy. To determine the total amount of stored electric energy for the system I will use:

EeTotal = kq1q2/rq1q2 + kq1q3/rq1q3 + kq2q3/rq2q3

The distance between charges q1 and q2 as well as q2 and q3 are both 3.00 m so the amount of
electric energy between them will be the same, but the distance between q 1 and q3 is larger at a
magnitude of 6.00 m so between these charges the amount of electric energy will be larger.

Solving for EeTotal:

EeTotal = kq1q2/rq1q2 + kq1q3/rq1q3 + kq2q3/rq2q3 (k is common so I can factor)

= k(q1q2/rq1q2 + q1q3/rq1q3 + q2q3/rq2q3)

= (9.0×109 Nm2/C2)[(3.0 × 10-4 C)(- 3.0 × 10-4 C)/3.00 m + (3.0 × 10-4 C)(3.0 × 10-4 C)/6.00 m

+ (-3.0 × 10-4 C)(3.0 × 10-4 C)/3.00 m]

= -405 J (3 sig figures)

Statement:
Therefore, the total electric potential energy for the charge distribution is -405 J (answer given to 3
significant figures).

b. Determine the total electric potential at point Z.

Given: q1 = +3.0 × 10-4 C

q2 = -3.0 × 10-4 C

q3 = +3.0 × 10-4 C

k = 9.0×109 Nm2/C2

rq1z = rq3z = 4.24 m

rq2z = 3.00 m

Required: VTotal = ?

Analysis:

Each of the three charges will contribute to the electric potential at point z. To determine the total
electric potential at this point I will use:

VTotal = kq1/rq1z + kq2/rq2z + kq3/rq3z

The electric potential between q1 and z will be the same as the electric potential between q 3 and z
due to them having equal distance and equal magnitude of charges.

Solving for VTotal:

VTotal = kq1/rq1z + kq2/rq2z + kq3/rq3z (I can factor since k is common)

= k(q1/rq1z + q2/rq2z + q3/rq3z)

= 9.0×109 Nm2/C2 [3.0 × 10-4 C/4.24 m + (-3.0 × 10-4 C)/3.00 m + 3.0 × 10-4 C/4.24 m]

= 373584.9

= 3.74 x 105 V (3 sig figures)

Statement:

Therefore, the total electric potential at point Z is 3.74 x 10 5 V (answer given to 3 significant figures).