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(most recent revision: 05-21-02)
Electrostatics Test Review
Most, if not all, concepts found on the test are included in the list below. It is not my intention to omit any item found on the test from this list, so review all teacher's notes, lab demonstrations, and problems solved.
(1) Differentiate between the following terms:
(A) induction vs. conduction
(B) temporary induction vs. permanent induction
(C) grounding vs. charging
(D) bakelite electrophorus vs. lucite electrophorus
(E) negative body's lines of force vs. positive body's lines of force
(F) electric field intensity vs. electric potential
(G) coulomb of charge vs. micro-coulomb of charge
(H) charge on one electron in coulombs vs. charge on one proton in coulombs
(I) positive charge vs. negative charge
(2) Diagram and explain the following situations:
(A) Place a charged aluminum disk (positive, negative) NEAR a neutral leaf electroscope. Explain why the leaves diverge and remain separated while the charged disk remains nearby.
(B) Touch the metal ball of a leaf electroscope with a charged aluminum disk (positive, negative). Explain the resulting charge on the leaves.
(C) Explain the behavior of electrons on a neutral aluminum disk when it makes contact with the flat plate of a bakelite electrophorus. Explain the behavior of the neutral aluminum disk's electrons when it makes contact with the flat plate of a lucite electrophorus rubbed with silk.
(D) Place a charged aluminum disk (positive, negative) NEAR a neutral leaf electroscope. While the disk remains nearby, briefly touch the opposite side of the electroscope's metal ball, then remove the aluminum disk. Explain the mechanism used and the resulting net charge on the electroscope.
(E) Place an aluminum disk, charged using a lucite electrophorus rubbed with silk, NEAR the left sphere of two neutral metal spheres that are in contact with one another. While the disk remains in position, break contact between the spheres by pulling the right sphere away. Use the charged aluminum disk to charge by conduction a pith ball. Bring the charged pith ball near each sphere. Identify the charge on each of the four bodies involved, and explain how the charge on each body was formed.
(F) Repeat (D), using a bakelite electrophorus rubbed with flannel.
(G) Charge an insulated Faraday Ice Pail with the aluminum disk of a bakelite electrophorus rubbed with flannel. Place a negatively charged pith ball near the outer surface of the pail, then drop the charged pith ball directly into the middle of the pail, without touching the inner surface. Explain the charge on the outer and inner surfaces of the pail, and explain the behavior of the charged pith ball at both locations.
(3) Explain the following:
(A) lines of force, defined
(B) lines of force between two spheres having the same charge placed near each other.
(C) lines of force between two spheres having opposite charge placed near each other.
(D) the mass of body "A" once it makes contact with a positively charged body, and the mass of body "A" once it makes contact with a negatively charged body.
(E) the mutual electrostatic force between two charged bodies when the distance between them is doubled; halved.
(4) Calculate the mutual electrostatic force between two bodies each having a stated charge and separated by a given distance. Your answer must include a magnitude, unit, and direction.
(5) Calculate the electric field intensity of a charged body at a given distance. Your answer must include a magnitude, unit, and direction.
(6) What is the meaning of -1.6 x 10-19?
(7) Determine the potential difference between point "A" and point "B" in the electric field of a charged body.
(8) Determine the combined field intensity (εtot) at a specific point between two charged bodies.