GRADE 12 REVISION 2013

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM: Electrostatics

Study of charges at rest
Neutral (uncharged): ELECTROSTATICS
Number of protons = number of electrons
Charging of objects
Quantisation of charge Two kinds of charge By contact: Electrons transferred
All charges are multiples of the smallest Positive: electron deficient from one object to another.
charge i.e. the charge on one electron: Negative: excess of electrons
1,6 x 10-19 C Rubbing

Conservation of charge
-
Charge cannot be created or destroyed. It can Rod: neutral Rod: positive (e lost)
-
only be transferred from one object to another. Cloth: neutral Cloth: negative (e gained)

Electric field
Region in space where an electric charge
Electrostatic force experiences a force. Represented with field lines.
Like charges repel
Unlike charges attract Electric potential F
Definition of electric field: E =
q
Coulomb’s law Electric potential energy Electric field between two
1 V
F  Q1Q2 and F  2 U
kQ 1Q 2
parallel plates: E =
r r d Electric field pattern
kQ 1 Q 2 Parallel-plate capacitor
F  2
k = 9 x 109 N∙m2∙C-2 Stores charge
r
Q ε A
C= ; C= 0
kQ V d
Electric field at a certain distance from a point charge: E =
r2
Electric field patterns
Electricity and magnetism: Electrostatics FSDoE Revision 2013

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS/TERMS
Capacitance Capacitance is the charge stored on the plates of the capacitor per unit
potential difference between the plates.
Q
In symbols: C 
V
Capacitor An electronic device that stores electric charge and energy.
Charging by The process in which an object obtains a charge by placing it in contact with
contact an object that is already charged.
Charging by The process in which an object obtains a charge without being in contact with
induction a charged object.
Coloumb’s law The magnitude of the electrostatic force exerted by one point charge (Q1) on
another point charge (Q2) is directly proportional to the product of the
magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the
kQ 1Q 2
distance (r) between them. In symbols: F 
r2
Dielectric An insulating material placed between the plates of a capacitor.
Electric field A region in space where a charge experiences an electrostatic force.
Definition:
The electric field at a point is the electrostatic force experienced per unit
positive charge placed at that point.
F
In symbols: E 
q
Electric field line An imaginary line drawn in such a way that it gives the direction of the force on
a positive point charge placed at that point in the field.
Electric potential The electric potential at a point is the electrical potential energy per unit charge
situated at the point.
Electric potential The energy of a charge because of its position relative to other charges that it
energy interacts with.
kQ 1Q 2
For a system of two charges: U 
r
Law of The net electric charge in an isolated system remains constant during any
conservation of process.
charge OR
Charge cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred from one
object to another.
Parallel plate A device that consists of two oppositely charged conducting plates separated
capacitor by a small distance.
Potential Electric potential difference is the work done per unit charge in moving the
difference charge between two points in an electric field.
W
In symbols: V 
q
Quantisation of
All charges are integers of the charge on one electron i.e. 1,6 x 10-19 C.
charge

IMPORTANT UNITS
coulomb (C) Unit of electric charge – the charge is 1 coulomb when a current of 1 ampere
passes a point in a conductor in one second. (1 C = 1 A∙s)
farad (F) Unit of capacitance – one farad is one coulomb per volt. (1 F = 1 C∙V-1)
volt (V) Unit of potential difference – 1 volt is 1 joule per coulomb. (1 V = 1 J∙C-1)
N∙C-1 or V∙m-1 Unit of electric field
newton (N) Unit of force
joule (J) Unit of energy or work done

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TYPICAL QUESTIONS

ONE-WORD ITEMS: COULOMB’S LAW, ELECTRIC FIELDS & POTENTIAL ENERGY

1. The law that describes the interaction between two point charges at rest
2. The work done per unit charge moved between two points in an electric field
3. The unit of measurement of electric field
4. The unit of measurement of potential difference

ONE-WORD ITEMS: CAPACITORS

5. The unit of measurement of capacitance
6. A device used to store charge in an electric circuit
7. The general name given to the insulating material between the plates of capacitors
8. A circuit component which stores electric charge and releases it instantly

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS: COULOMB’S LAW

1. A positively charged metal sphere X on an insulated stand is brought into contact with an
identical neutral metal sphere Y on an insulated stand. The two spheres are then separated.
Which ONE of the following describes the charge on each sphere after they have been
separated?

Sphere X Sphere Y
A Positive Neutral
B Positive Positive
C Neutral Positive
D Neutral Neutral

2. A negatively charged plastic comb is brought close to, but does not touch, a small piece of
paper. If the comb and the paper are now attracted to each other, the original charge on the
paper was …

A negative.
B positive.
C negative or neutral.
D positive or neutral.

3. The sketch below shows two identical small metal spheres, A and B, on insulated stands
carrying charges of magnitude q and 2q respectively. The distance between the centres of
the two spheres is r. r

A q 2q B

Sphere A exerts a force of magnitude F on sphere B. What is the magnitude of the force that
sphere B exerts on sphere A?
1
A F B F C 2F D 4F
2

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4. Two identical small metal spheres on insulated stands carry equal charges and are a
distance d apart. Each sphere experiences an electrostatic force of magnitude F.
The spheres are now placed a distance 21 d apart. The magnitude of the electrostatic
force each sphere now experiences is …
1
A 2
F. B F. C 2F. D 4F.

5. The centres of two identical metal spheres are a distance r apart. They carry charges of Q1
and Q2 respectively as shown in the diagram below. Each sphere exerts an electrostatic force
of magnitude F on the other.
r

Q1 Q2

The distance between the charges is now HALVED and the charge on Q1 is DOUBLED.
The magnitude of the new force that the one sphere exerts on the other is:
A F B 2F C 4F D 8F

6. Three identical metal spheres X, Y and Z with charges of +1 nC, -4 nC and +2 nC

respectively, are placed as shown:

X Y Z

½r r
If the magnitude of the force exerted by Z on Y is F, then the magnitude of the force exerted
by X on Y is:

A F B 2F C 3F D 4F

7. A negatively charged rod RS is brought nearer to two identical neutral conducting spheres P
and Q, which are touching each other and mounted on insulated stands as shown in the
diagram to the left below. P and Q are now separated and after that rod RS is removed as
shown in the diagram to the right below.
P Q P Q
RS

Which ONE of the following correctly shows the charge on P and Q after separation?
Charge on P Charge on Q
A Negative Positive
B Positive Negative
C Neutral Neutral
D Positive Neutral
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8. A charged object exerts an electrostatic force on another charged object. Which ONE of the
following could cause the force to be halved?
A The charge on one object is removed.
B The charge on one of the objects is doubled.
C The charge on one of the objects is halved.
D The charge on both objects is halved.

9. Two small identical metal spheres, on insulated stands, carry charges - q and + 3q
respectively. When the centres of the spheres are separated by a certain distance d, the one
exerts an electrostatic force of magnitude F on the other.

The spheres are now made to touch each other and are then brought back to the same
distance as before. What will be the magnitude of the electrostatic force which one sphere
now exerts on the other?
A ¼F B ⅓F C ½F D 3F

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS: ELECTRIC FIELDS & POTENTIAL ENERGY

10. Which ONE of the following statements regarding the electric field around a positive charge
is TRUE?
A The field lines cross each other.
B The electric field around the charge is uniform.
C The direction of the field is directed towards the charge.
D The density of the field lines is an indication of the field strength.

11. The electric field pattern between two charged spheres, A and B, is shown below.

A B

Which ONE of the following statements regarding the charge on spheres A and B is
CORRECT?
A Spheres A and B are both positively charged.
B Spheres A and B are both negatively charged.
C Sphere A is positively charged and sphere B is negatively charged.
D Sphere A is negatively charged and sphere B is positively charged.

12. When 1 J of work is done to move a charge of 1 C from point X to point Y in an electric field,
the …
A potential difference between X and Y is 1 V.
B current between X and Y is 1 A.
C resistance between X and Y is 1 Ω.
D magnitude of the force exerted on the charge is 1 N.
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13. The diagram below represents two small identical metallic spheres on insulated stands. Each
sphere carries a positive charge of magnitude q and is separated by a distance r, as shown.
The total electrical potential energy of the system of two charges is U.

q q

The distance between the centres of the spheres is now HALVED. Which ONE of the
following now represents the magnitude of the electrical potential energy of the system of two
charges?
1 1
A U B U C 2U D 4U
4 2

14. The diagram below represents the electric field pattern around a negative point charge. R, S
and T are points at different distances from the negative point charge.
S●

R T
● ─ ●

The magnitude of the electric field of the point charge is ...

A greatest at point R.
B greatest at point S.
C greatest at point T.
D the same at points R, S and T.

15. The electric field caused by point charge Q at a distance r from it has a magnitude E.
r
Q•
The electric field at a distance ½r from Q is:

A ¼E B ½E C 2E D 4E

16. Which ONE of the following statements about electric fields is TRUE?
A There is no electric field inside a hollow charged metallic conductor.
B The electric field between oppositely charged parallel plates is not uniform.
C The electric field surrounding a single point charge is uniform.
D The electric field between two oppositely charged point charges is uniform.

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17. A neutral metal sphere, M, is placed on an insulated stand. An identical metal sphere N
carries a charge of +Q as shown.

M and N are brought into contact. What is the magnitude of the charge on M when N is
taken away?
Q
A Q B Q C D 0
2
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS: CAPACITORS

18. When the distance between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor is decreased, its
capacitance …
A increases.
B decreases.
C becomes zero.
D remains unchanged.

19. A fully charged capacitor is connected in a circuit, as shown below. The capacitor discharges
when switch S is closed.
R
S

Which ONE of the following graphs correctly shows the change in the voltmeter reading with
time when switch S is closed?
potential difference (V)
potential difference (V)

A B

time (s) time (s)

potential difference (V)
potential difference (V)

C D

time (s) time (s)

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20. The farad is equivalent to a:

A volt per ampere
B volt per ohm
C coulomb per volt
D volt per coulomb

21. A fully charged capacitor is connected to a resistor R in a circuit, as shown below.

S
R ● ●

Which ONE of the following correctly describes the changes in the current, I, in the circuit
and the potential difference, V, across the capacitor when the switch S is closed?

I V
A Decreases Increases
B Increases Decreases
C Decreases Decreases
D Increases Increases

22. A potential difference V is applied across two identical, parallel plates a distance y apart, as
shown in the diagram below. The magnitude of the electric field between the plates is E.

y V

Which ONE of the following changes to the above arrangement will result in an electric field
of magnitude 2E?

Potential Distance
difference between plates
A 2V 2y
1
B 2V 2
y
C V 2y
1
D V 2
y

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23. Point P is a distance x from the positive plate of a parallel-plate capacitor as shown in the
diagram below. + -
+ •P -
x
+ -
+ -
+ -

1
The magnitude of the electric field at point P is E. At a distance x from the positive plate,
2
the magnitude of the electric field will be:
1 1
A E B E C E D 2E
4 2

24. A negative point charge, q, is stationary between two oppositely charged, parallel plates,
which are a distance d from each other (FIGURE 1). The point charge experiences an
electric force F due to the electric field E between the parallel plates.

The distance between the plates is increased to 3d, while the potential difference across the
plates remains the same (FIGURE 2). Which ONE of the following statements regarding the
motion of the point charge in FIGURE 2 is correct?
A The charge moves upward at constant velocity.
B The charge moves downward at constant velocity.
C The charge accelerates uniformly downwards
D The charge accelerates uniformly upwards.

25. An alpha (α) particle (an He atom without its electrons) is held stationary at a distance r from
a fixed, negatively charged sphere, as indicated in the diagram below. The magnitude of the
electric field at that point where the particle is located is E, and the electrical potential energy
relative to the sphere is Ep.

If the particle is released, it moves towards the sphere. Which ONE of the following
combinations is correct for the new values of E and Ep when the particle is a distance ½r
from the sphere?

Electric field Potential

strength E energy Ep
A ¼E Increases
B ¼E Decreases
C 4E Increases
D 4E Decreases
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26. When an electron moves against a uniform electric field, its ...
- +

- • e-
+

- +
A kinetic energy remains constant.
B electric potential energy remains constant.
C electric potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases.
D electric potential energy increases and its kinetic energy decreases.

STRUCTURED QUESTIONS: COULOMB’S LAW, ELECTRIC FIELDS & POTENTIAL ENERGY

QUESTION 1
Two small, identical spheres, K and L, on insulated stands, are placed as indicated in the diagram
below. K, which carries a charge of -5 x 10-9 C, is 0,35 m from L, which carries a charge of
+7 x 10-9 C.

1.1 State, in words, Coulomb's Law.

1.2 Calculate the magnitude of the force which K exerts on L.
K and L are brought into contact with each other and are separated. The final charge on L is
1 x 10-9 C.
1.3 Calculate the number of electrons transferred.

QUESTION 2
Two identical objects A and B, carrying charges of +6 x 10-9 C and -7 x 10-9 C respectively, are
placed 0,15 m apart.
+6 x 10-9 C -7 x 10-9 C
A • 0,15 m •
B
2.1 Sketch the resultant electric field due to A and B.
2.2 State Coulomb’s law in words.
2.3 Calculate the magnitude of the force that the object A exerts on object B.
2.4 Is the force calculated in QUESTION 2.3 attractive or repulsive?

QUESTION 3
3.1 Write down the definition of the unit of charge, the coulomb.
3.2 The distance between the centres of two equally charged identical spheres is 500 mm. If the
spheres exert a force of 0,9 N on one another, calculate the charge on each sphere.

QUESTION 4
Two small, identical, copper spheres, A and B, with identical positive charge, are fixed on a
horizontal, insulated surface with their centres 10 mm apart.
4.1 Draw the resultant electric field pattern produced by A and B, assuming the surface does not
affect the field in any way.
4.2 If the magnitude of the electrostatic force exerted by B on A is equal to 23,04 x 10-1 N,
calculate the charge on EACH sphere.
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QUESTION 5
Two identical conducting spheres A and B have charges of +9 x 10-6 C and -5 x 10-6 C respectively
and their centres are separated by a distance of 0,5 m.

A B
+ -
5.1 State the principle of conservation of charge.
5.2 Sketch the electric field lines resulting from the two charges clearly showing the direction of
the field.
5.3 Is the force that sphere A exerts on sphere B a force of attraction or repulsion?

The spheres are now allowed to touch each other and are then moved back to their original
positions.

5.4 Calculate the new charge on each sphere.

5.5 Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force now exerted by each sphere on the other.
5.6 How will the force calculated in QUESTION 4.5 change if the distance between the spheres
is halved?

QUESTION 6
The diagram below shows a small metal sphere P on an insulated stand. The sphere carries a
charge of -4 x 10-9 C, as shown in the diagram.

-4 x 10-9 C - P

6.1 Draw the electric field pattern around sphere P. Assume that no other charges affect this
pattern.
6.2 Calculate the number of electrons in excess on sphere P.

A second identical metal sphere T carrying a charge of +2 x 10-9 C is placed 1 cm from sphere P,
as shown in the diagram below. 1 cm

P T
-4 x 10-9 C - +2 x 10-9 C +

6.3 Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force that sphere P exerts on sphere T.
6.4 The spheres are now brought into contact with each other and returned to their original
positions. Calculate the electric potential energy of the system of two charges.

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QUESTION 7
Two identical metal spheres, P and T, on insulated stands, carry charges of +3 x 10-9 C and
-6 x 10-9 C respectively. +3 x 10-9 C -6 x 10-9 C
P T

The spheres are allowed to touch each other and are then placed 1,5 m apart as shown below.
1,5 m

P T

7.1 In which direction will electrons flow while spheres P and T are in contact? Write down only
FROM P TO T or FROM T TO P.
7.2 Calculate the net charge gained or lost by sphere P after the spheres have been in contact.
7.3 Calculate the number of electrons transferred during the above mentioned process.
7.4 A third sphere R, carrying a charge of -3 x 10-9 C, is NOW placed between P and T at a
distance of 1 m from T. Calculate the net force experienced by sphere R as a result of its
interaction with P and T.
QUESTION 8
Two point charges, Q1 and Q2, a distance 3 m apart, are shown below. The charge on Q1 is
- 14  C and the charge on Q2 is + 20  C.
- 14  C P + 20  C
Q1  Q2

2m
3m
8.1 Define the electric field at a point in space.
8.2 Draw the electric field pattern due to these two charges.
8.3 Calculate the net electric field at point P situated 2 m from Q2.
QUESTION 9
Two identical metal spheres on insulated stands carry charges of +4 μC and -6 μC respectively.
The spheres are arranged with their centres 40 cm apart, as shown below.
40 cm 20 cm
P
+4 μC -6 μC


9.1 Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by each sphere on the other.
9.2 By what factor will the magnitude of the force in QUESTION 9.1 change if the distance
between the spheres is halved? (Do not calculate the new value of the force.)
9.3 Calculate the net electric field at point P as shown in the diagram above.
9.4 The spheres are now brought into contact with each other and then returned to their original
positions. Now calculate the potential energy of the system of two charges.
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QUESTION 10
Two charged conducting spheres, P and Q, on insulated stands, carry charges of -8 x 10-9 C and
+16 x 10-9 C respectively. The spheres are placed 20 mm from each other, as indicated in the
diagram below.

10.1 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant electric field halfway between P and Q.
10.2 Calculate the magnitude of the force that a proton will experience halfway between the two
charged spheres.
The two spheres are moved to make contact with each other, after which they are moved back to
their original positions.
10.3 Determine the new charge on each sphere.
10.4 How much charge was transferred?
10.5 State, in words, Coulomb's Law.
10.6 Without applying Coulomb's law, determine the factor by which the force that the one sphere
exerts on the other, changed after the spheres made contact and were placed back at their
original positions.

QUESTION 11
Two identical metal spheres, P and Q, on insulated stands, carrying charges of +5 x 10-9 C and
+5 x 10-9 C respectively, are placed with their centres 20 mm apart. X is a point at a distance of
10 mm from sphere Q, as shown below.

20 mm 10 mm

+5 x 10-9 C +5 x 10-9 C
P Q 
X

11.1 Define the term electric field.

11.2 Sketch the net electric field pattern for the two charges.
11.3 Calculate the net electric field at point X due to the presence of P and Q.
11.4 Use your answer to QUESTION 11.3 to calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force that
an electron will experience when placed at point X.

QUESTION 12
A point charge A of -14 μC is placed at a point in space.

12.1 Define the potential difference between two points in an electric field.
12.2 Draw a sketch to indicate the electric field pattern around the charge.
12.3 Calculate the electric field caused by the charge at a distance of 0,5 m from the charge.
12.4 A charge B of +8 μC is placed at a distance of 6 mm from charge A. Calculate the electric
potential energy of A as a result of charge B.

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CONTEXTUAL QUESTIONS: CAPACITORS

QUESTION 13
Capacitors are circuit devices used to store electrical energy. The capacitance of capacitors
depends, amongst other factors, on the plate area. The larger the plate area, the more the energy
that can be stored.
13.1 Apart from plate area, state TWO other factors that can influence the capacitance of a
capacitor.
13.2 A certain parallel plate capacitor consists of two plates, each having dimensions of 2 cm by
10 cm. The plates are 0,2 mm apart and are held at a potential difference of 20 V. The
space between the plates is filled with air.
13.2.1 Sketch the electric field pattern between the two oppositely charged parallel plates of the
capacitor.
13.2.2 Calculate the capacitance of this capacitor.
13.2.3 Calculate the maximum charge stored on the plates of this capacitor.
QUESTION 14
An ink-jet printer makes use of the electric field between two oppositely charged parallel plates to
control the position of an ink drop on paper. In the diagram below, the generator (G) of the printer
shoots out ink drops that are charged in the charging unit C. The input signal from a computer
controls the charge given to each ink drop. P is a negatively charged ink drop.

Input signals
A
P

B
B
G C Paper
14.1 Define the electric field at a point in space.
14.2 Is plate B negatively or positively charged? Give a reason for your answer.
14.3 Sketch the electric field pattern between plates A and B.
The plates A and B are 6,4 x 10-4 m apart and ink drop P has a charge of magnitude 1,5 x 10-13 C.
When the ink drop enters the field it experiences an electrical force of 2,1 x 10-7 N.
14.4 Calculate the potential difference across the parallel plates.

QUESTION 15
The ability of capacitors to store charge makes them essential components in electrical appliances.
Users are often warned of the dangers associated with capacitors inside appliances.

15.1 Briefly explain why it can be dangerous to touch a charged capacitor.

A certain parallel plate capacitor consists of two identical aluminium plates, each of area
2 x 10-4 m2. The plates are separated by a distance of 0,03 mm, with air occupying the space
between the plates.

15.2 Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.

15.3 Calculate the charge stored on the plates of the capacitor when connected to a 6 V battery.
15.4 How will the capacitance of the capacitor in QUESTION 8.2 change (INCREASES,
DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME) if:
15.4.1 Paper is used to fill the gap between the plates instead of air
15.4.2 The distance between the plates is increased

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QUESTION 16
A certain parallel plate capacitor consists of two plates, each of dimension 15 mm by 20 mm,
separated by a distance of 1,5 mm. The space between the plates is occupied by air.

16.1 Define the term capacitance, in words.

16.2 Calculate the capacitance of this capacitor.

The circuit diagram below shows the ABOVE CAPACITOR, initially uncharged, connected in series
to a resistor, an ammeter of negligible resistance and a source with an emf of 12 V. The internal
resistance of the battery is negligible. 12 V
S

P Q

Switch S is now closed.

16.3 Draw a sketch graph of current versus time to show how the ammeter reading changes with
time as the capacitor charges.

The capacitor is now fully charged.

16.4 Calculate the magnitude of the charge on each plate of the capacitor.
16.5 One of the molecules in the air between the plates of the capacitor becomes ionised. This
ion carries a charge of +3,2 x 10-19 C. Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force
experienced by this ion between the plates.

QUESTION 17
A capacitor is an electric circuit component that consists of two conducting plates, separated by a
small gap, and which is used to store charge. A certain capacitor is labelled 10 F and 2 100 V.
17.1 What is meant by the term 'capacitance'?
17.2 Calculate the maximum amount of charge that can be stored by this capacitor.
17.3 Calculate the area of the plates of this capacitor if they are separated by an air gap of
0,0001 m.
17.4 Explain, in words, why the capacitance increases when there is a dielectric between the
plates of a capacitor.

QUESTION 18
A parallel plate capacitor consists of two metal plates which are 8 mm apart and have an area of
0,04 m2 each. A potential difference of 1 000 V is applied across the plates.

18.1 Define the term capacitance of a capacitor.

18.2 Calculate the electric field strength between the plates.
18.3 Calculate the capacitance of the capacitor.
18.4 The potential difference across the capacitor is increased to 2 000 V. What influence will
this increase have on the capacitance of the capacitor?
18.5 The potential difference across the capacitor plates are increased to 3000 V (which exceed
the dielectric strength of the capacitor). This causes an electron to jump across the gap
between the capacitor plates. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the electron
between the capacitor plates caused by the electric field.

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QUESTION 19
Forensic laboratories can reveal fingerprints on paper by using the electric field between two
parallel plates. The diagram below shows how this is done in principle.
Paper attached to inside of
upper plate 8 000 V

Carbon powder
32 m
m

The paper is attached to the inside of the upper plate and finely powdered, NEUTRAL carbon is
sprinkled on the lower plate. The ridges on human fingertips contain sweat pores, and small
volumes of sweat, mixed with other body oils and dirt, produce fingerprints on smooth surfaces.

When the SWITCH IS CLOSED, the CARBON PARTICLES ARE REPELLED from the lower plate
and attracted to the upper plate. As the carbon particles reach the paper, they adhere (stick) to the
fingerprints due to the sweat, oil and dirt in the fingerprint.

Those carbon particles that hit places on the paper where there are NO FINGERPRINTS, DO NOT
stick to the paper.

19.1 Calculate the electric field between the plates if they are 32 mm apart with a potential
difference of 8 000 V across them.
19.2 Explain why the carbon, which is a good conductor of electricity, is repelled from the lower
plate and attracted to the upper plate when the switch is closed.
19.3 What happens to the carbon particles that do not stick to the paper? Briefly explain your
answer.

Question 20

In the circuit diagram below, C is a 1  F capacitor, initially uncharged, and R is a 5 kΩ resistor.

S 9V
Switch S is suddenly closed.
20.1 Calculate the initial reading on the ammeter.

After some time the reading on the voltmeter is 6 V. A

C
20.2 What is the potential difference across resistor R at this R
instant?
20.3 Calculate the reading on the ammeter at this instant. 5 kΩ
20.4 Sketch a graph to show how the charging current varies V
with time.
20.5 Sketch a graph to show how the potential difference
across the capacitor varies with time while it is being charged.

The capacitor becomes fully charged.

20.6 Calculate the charge stored on the plates of the capacitor when it is fully charged.
20.7 What is the reading on the ammeter when the capacitor is fully charged?

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QUESTION 21

A potential difference of 500 V exists across the oppositely charged parallel plates shown in the
diagram below. - +

- +

- +

- +
21.1 Sketch the electric field pattern for these parallel plates.
21.2 Explain why an electron, when released from the negative plate, will experience a constant
acceleration if the gravitational effects are ignored.
21.3 Calculate the speed at which the electron in QUESTION 19.2 will arrive at the positive
plate.

QUESTION 22
Each plate of a parallel plate capacitor has an area of 40 cm2. The plates are 1 cm apart. The
capacitor is connected to a 12 V DC supply.
22.1 Calculate the magnitude of the charge on each plate.
22.2 By which factor will the charge calculated in QUESTION 22.1 change if the area of each
parallel plate is changed to 20 cm2? Explain your answer in terms of physics principles and
the charge stored in the capacitor. (NO calculations needed.)
22.3 What is the net charge on the capacitor?
22.4 Capacitors are used in flash cameras. Give a reason for this use.

QUESTION 23
In the circuit represented below, an uncharged capacitor is connected in series with a 1 000 Ω
resistor. The emf of the battery is 12 V. Ignore the internal resistance of the battery and the
ammeter. 12 V

1 000 Ω
S
23.1 Calculate the initial current in the circuit when switch S is closed.
23.2 Write down the potential difference across the plates of the capacitor when it is fully
charged.
The capacitor has a capacitance of 120 F and the space between its plates is filled with air.
23.3 Calculate the charge stored on the plates of the capacitor when it is fully charged.
After discharging the capacitor, it is connected in the same circuit to a resistor of HIGHER
resistance and switch S is closed again.
23.4 How would this change affect each of the following:
(Write down INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.)
23.4.1 The initial charging current
23.4.2 The time it takes for the capacitor to become fully charged
23.5 The two parallel plates of the fully charged capacitor are 12 mm apart.
23.5.1 Sketch the electric field pattern between the parallel plates.
23.5.2 Calculate the magnitude of the electric field at a point midway between the plates.
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Electricity and magnetism: Electrostatics FSDoE Revision 2013

QUESTION 24
24.1 Write down the main function of a capacitor in a circuit.

A high-resistance light bulb and an uncharged parallel plate capacitor are connected in series with
a 12 V battery and a switch S, as shown below. The internal resistance of the battery and the
resistance of the connecting wires should be ignored.
● ●
S

12 V

Switch S is now closed and the capacitor charges.

24.2 Describe how the brightness of the light bulb changes during the charging process. The
capacitor is NOW fully charged.
24.3 Write down the potential difference across the:
24.3.1 Light bulb
24.3.2 Capacitor
24.4 The distance between the plates of the capacitor is 5,4 mm. For the fully charged capacitor,
calculate the magnitude of the:
24.4.1 Electric field between the plates
24.4.2 Electrostatic force exerted on an electron between the plates
24.5 An electron is positioned 3,8 mm from the positive plate of the capacitor. Calculate the:
24.5.1 Distance (in mm) between the electron and the negative plate
24.5.2 Work that must be done to move the electron to the negative plate (Ignore the effects of
gravitational force.)

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Electricity and magnetism: Electrostatics FSDoE Revision 2013

PHYSICAL CONSTANTS AND FORMULAE

NAME SYMBOL VALUE

Coulomb's constant k 9,0 x 109 N·m2·C-2
Charge on electron e -1,6 x 10-19 C
Electron mass me 9,11 x 10-31 kg
Permittivity of free space 0 8,85 x 10-12 F·m-1

kQ1Q2 kQ
F E
r2 r2
V F
E E
d q
kQ Q W
U 1 2 V
r q
Q ε A
C= C= 0
V d

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