Question

The left side of Figure 3.62 shows a proton and an electron. (a) What is the direction of the electric force on the electron by the proton? (b) What is the direction of the electric force on the proton by the electron? (c) How do the magnitudes of these forces compare? The right side of the figure shows two electrons. (d) What is the direction of electric forces on electron A due to electron B? (d) What is the direction of electric forces on electron B due to electron A? (d) How do the magnitudes of these forces compare.

Short answer

1. The electron will move upwards.
2. The proton will move downwards.
3. The magnitude of the forces will be same, since charges and distance is same for the part (a) and (b).
4. The electron A will move away or upwards.
5. The electron B will move below or downwards
6. The magnitude of the forces will be same, since charges and distance is same for the part (e) and (f).

Step-by-step solution

Identification of given data

Two negatively charged objects.

One positively charged object.

Concept Introduction

According to Coulomb’s law, two charged particle system will exert an attractive or repulsive force between each other if particles of the different or same type of charges are there.

Determination of the net electric force (a)

The direction of the electric force on the electron due to the proton is attractive and towards the proton. Thus the electron will move upwards.

Determination of the net electric force (b)

The direction of the electric force on the proton due to the electron is attractive and towards the electron. Thus the proton will move downwards.

Comparison of the magnitude (c)

The magnitude of the forces will be same, since charges and distance is same for the part (a) and (b).

Determination of the net electric force (d)

The direction of the electric force on the electron A due to the electron B is repulsive and away from the electron B. Thus the electron A will move away or upwards.

Determination of the net electric force (e)

The direction of the electric force on the electron B due to the electron A is repulsive and away from the electron A. Thus the electron B will move below or downwards.

Comparison of the magnitude (f)

The magnitude of the forces will be same, since charges and distance is same for the part (e) and (f).