Halliday/Resnick/Walker

Fundamentals of Physics 8th edition

Classroom Response System Questions

Chapter 23 Gauss’ Law

Interactive Lecture Questions

23.2.1. The end of a garden hose is enclosed in a mesh sphere of
radius 4 cm. If the hose delivers five liters per minute, how much
water flows through the sphere each minute?

a) 0.0013 liters

b) 0.67 liters

c) 3.2 liters

d) 5.0 liters

e) 20 liters
23.2.1. The end of a garden hose is enclosed in a mesh sphere of
radius 4 cm. If the hose delivers five liters per minute, how much
water flows through the sphere each minute?

a) 0.0013 liters

b) 0.67 liters

c) 3.2 liters

d) 5.0 liters

e) 20 liters
23.2.2. The a solid brass sphere of radius 3 cm is placed 0.5 m directly
below a water faucet. The flow of water from the faucet is two
liters per minute. How much water flows through the sphere each
minute?

a) zero liters

b) 0.018 liters

c) 0.09 liters

d) 2 liters

e) 6 liters
23.2.2. The a solid brass sphere of radius 3 cm is placed 0.5 m directly
below a water faucet. The flow of water from the faucet is two
liters per minute. How much water flows through the sphere each
minute?

a) zero liters

b) 0.018 liters

c) 0.09 liters

d) 2 liters

e) 6 liters
23.2.3. In July, Joe set up his fixed array of solar panels to maximize the amount of
electricity output from the array when the Sun was high in the sky.
Unfortunately, Joe finds that the array doesn’t operate as well during the winter
months, even though there is nothing physical wrong with the array. What is the
most likely cause of Joe’s winter problem?

a) Less sunlight reaches the Earth during the winter months.

b) The sun is lower in the sky during the winter, so sunlight strikes the solar panels
at an angle.

c) The average temperature is much colder during the winter months.

d) More sunlight is absorbed by the atmosphere during the winter months because
the Sun is much lower in the sky.

e) The Sun is not as bright during winter months as it is during the summer months.
23.2.3. In July, Joe set up his fixed array of solar panels to maximize the amount of
electricity output from the array when the Sun was high in the sky.
Unfortunately, Joe finds that the array doesn’t operate as well during the winter
months, even though there is nothing physical wrong with the array. What is the
most likely cause of Joe’s winter problem?

a) Less sunlight reaches the Earth during the winter months.

b) The sun is lower in the sky during the winter, so sunlight strikes the solar panels
at an angle.

c) The average temperature is much colder during the winter months.

d) More sunlight is absorbed by the atmosphere during the winter months because
the Sun is much lower in the sky.

e) The Sun is not as bright during winter months as it is during the summer months.
23.3.1. When you calculate the electric flux through a Gaussian
surface, of what are you determining the flow through the surface?

a) charge

b) electric current

c) electric energy

d) electric field

e) None of the above answers are correct.

23.3.1. When you calculate the electric flux through a Gaussian
surface, of what are you determining the flow through the surface?

a) charge

b) electric current

c) electric energy

d) electric field

e) None of the above answers are correct.

23.3.2. Consider the five situations shown. Each one contains either a charge q or a charge
2q. A Gaussian surface surrounds the charged particle in each case. Considering the
electric flux through each of the Gaussian surfaces, which of the following comparative
statements is correct?

a) Φ 2 = Φ 4 > Φ1 = Φ 3

b) Φ1 = Φ 3 > Φ 2 = Φ 4

c) Φ 2 > Φ1 > Φ 4 > Φ 3

d) Φ 3 = Φ 4 > Φ 2 = Φ1

e) Φ 4 > Φ 3 > Φ 2 > Φ1

23.3.2. Consider the five situations shown. Each one contains either a charge q or a charge
2q. A Gaussian surface surrounds the charged particle in each case. Considering the
electric flux through each of the Gaussian surfaces, which of the following comparative
statements is correct?

a) Φ 2 = Φ 4 > Φ1 = Φ 3

b) Φ1 = Φ 3 > Φ 2 = Φ 4

c) Φ 2 > Φ1 > Φ 4 > Φ 3

d) Φ 3 = Φ 4 > Φ 2 = Φ1

e) Φ 4 > Φ 3 > Φ 2 > Φ1

23.3.3. When a particle with a charge Q is surrounded by a spherical
Gaussian surface, the electric flux through the surface is ΦS. Consider
what would happen if the particle was surrounded by a cylindrical
Gaussian surface or a Gaussian cube. How would the fluxes through the
cylindrical ΦCyl and cubic ΦCubic surfaces compare to ΦS?

a) Φ S = Φ Cubic > Φ Cyl

b) Φ S > Φ Cyl = Φ Cubic

c) Φ S =Φ Cyl =Φ Cubic

d) Φ S < Φ Cubic < Φ Cyl

e) Φ S > Φ Cubic > Φ Cyl

23.3.3. When a particle with a charge Q is surrounded by a spherical
Gaussian surface, the electric flux through the surface is ΦS. Consider
what would happen if the particle was surrounded by a cylindrical
Gaussian surface or a Gaussian cube. How would the fluxes through the
cylindrical ΦCyl and cubic ΦCubic surfaces compare to ΦS?

a) Φ S = Φ Cubic > Φ Cyl

b) Φ S > Φ Cyl = Φ Cubic

c) Φ S =Φ Cyl =Φ Cubic

d) Φ S < Φ Cubic < Φ Cyl

e) Φ S > Φ Cubic > Φ Cyl

23.4.1. A spherical Gaussian surface of radius R is surrounding a
particle with a net charge q. If the spherical Gaussian surface is
replaced by a cube, under what conditions would the electric flux
through the sides of the cube be the same as through the spherical
surface?

a) under all conditions

b) if the sides of the cube are of length R

c) if the sides of the cube are of length 2R

d) if the diagonals of the cube are of length 2R

e) under no conditions
23.4.1. A spherical Gaussian surface of radius R is surrounding a
particle with a net charge q. If the spherical Gaussian surface is
replaced by a cube, under what conditions would the electric flux
through the sides of the cube be the same as through the spherical
surface?

a) under all conditions

b) if the sides of the cube are of length R

c) if the sides of the cube are of length 2R

d) if the diagonals of the cube are of length 2R

e) under no conditions
23.4.2. Using Gauss’ law, find the approximate magnitude of the
electric field at the surface of a cube that has 0.10-m sides and a
uniform volume charge density ρ = 2.0 × 10−9 C/m3.

a) 0.042 N/C

b) 7.1 N/C

c) 23 N/C

d) 44 N/C

e) 116 N/C
23.4.2. Using Gauss’ law, find the approximate magnitude of the
electric field at the surface of a cube that has 0.10-m sides and a
uniform volume charge density ρ = 2.0 × 10−9 C/m3.

a) 0.042 N/C

b) 7.1 N/C

c) 23 N/C

d) 44 N/C

e) 116 N/C
   q
∫ E ⋅ dA
Φ 
23.4.3. Gauss’ law may be written: = =
ε0
. Which of

the following statements concerning the charge q is true?

a) The charge q is the sum of all charges.

b) The charge q is the sum of all charges on the Gaussian surface.

c) The charge q is the sum of all charges inside the Gaussian surface.

d) The electric field due to q is zero inside the Gaussian surface.

e) The charge q is the amount of charge present whenever the electric

field is constant.
   q
∫ E ⋅ dA
Φ 
23.4.3. Gauss’ law may be written: = =
ε0
. Which of

the following statements concerning the charge q is true?

a) The charge q is the sum of all charges.

b) The charge q is the sum of all charges on the Gaussian surface.

c) The charge q is the sum of all charges inside the Gaussian surface.

d) The electric field due to q is zero inside the Gaussian surface.

e) The charge q is the amount of charge present whenever the electric

field is constant.
23.6.1. A conducting shell with an outer radius of 2.5 cm and an inner
radius of 1.5 cm has an excess charge of 1.5 × 10−7 C. What is the
surface charge density on the inner wall of the shell?

a) 1.5 × 10−9 C/m2

b) 2.9 × 10−10 C/m2

c) 4.8 × 10−10 C/m2

d) 8.5 × 10−9 C/m2

e) None of the above answers is correct.

23.6.1. A conducting shell with an outer radius of 2.5 cm and an inner
radius of 1.5 cm has an excess charge of 1.5 × 10−7 C. What is the
surface charge density on the inner wall of the shell?

a) 1.5 × 10−9 C/m2

b) 2.9 × 10−10 C/m2

c) 4.8 × 10−10 C/m2

d) 8.5 × 10−9 C/m2

e) None of the above answers is correct.

23.6.2. A metal sphere with a net charge Q is at the center of an insulating sphere of radius R. What is the
magnitude of the electric field at a point located at r > R?

1 Q
a) E=
4πε 0 Rr

1 Q
b) E=
4πε 0 r 2

1 Q
c) E=
4πε 0 R 2

1 Q
d) E=
4πε 0 r

1 Q
e) E=
4πε 0 R
23.6.2. A metal sphere with a net charge Q is at the center of an insulating sphere of radius R. What is the
magnitude of the electric field at a point located at r > R?

1 Q
a) E=
4πε 0 Rr

1 Q
b) E=
4πε 0 r 2

1 Q
c) E=
4πε 0 R 2

1 Q
d) E=
4πε 0 r

1 Q
e) E=
4πε 0 R
23.7.1. Using Gauss’ law, find the approximate magnitude of the
electric field at the center of a circular face of a solid cylinder that
has a length of 0.050-m, a radius of 0.020 m, and a uniform
volume charge density ρ = 2.0 × 10−9 C/m3.

a) 0.42 N/C

b) 11 N/C

c) 23 N/C

d) 33 N/C

e) 76 N/C
23.7.1. Using Gauss’ law, find the approximate magnitude of the
electric field at the center of a circular face of a solid cylinder that
has a length of 0.050-m, a radius of 0.020 m, and a uniform
volume charge density ρ = 2.0 × 10−9 C/m3.

a) 0.42 N/C

b) 11 N/C

c) 23 N/C

d) 33 N/C

e) 76 N/C
23.7.2. A straight, copper wire has a length of 0.50 m and an excess
charge of –1.0 × 10−5 C distributed uniformly along its length.
Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point located 7.5 × 10–
3 m from the midpoint of the wire.

a) 1.9 × 1010 N/C

b) 7.3 × 108 N/C

c) 6.1 × 1013 N/C

d) 1.5 × 106 N/C

e) 4.8 × 107 N/C

23.7.2. A straight, copper wire has a length of 0.50 m and an excess
charge of –1.0 × 10−5 C distributed uniformly along its length.
Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point located 7.5 × 10–
3 m from the midpoint of the wire.

a) 1.9 × 1010 N/C

b) 7.3 × 108 N/C

c) 6.1 × 1013 N/C

d) 1.5 × 106 N/C

e) 4.8 × 107 N/C

23.8.1. An infinite slab of electrically insulating material has a thickness t. The slab
has a uniform volume charge density ρ. Which one of the following expressions
gives the electric field at a point P at a depth t − d relative to the surface?
ρt
a) E =
ε0
ρd
b) E =
ε0
ρ
c) E =
( t − d )ε 0

ρ (t − d )
d) E =
ε0

ρ
e) E =
tε 0
23.8.1. An infinite slab of electrically insulating material has a thickness t. The slab
has a uniform volume charge density ρ. Which one of the following expressions
gives the electric field at a point P at a depth t − d relative to the surface?
ρt
a) E =
ε0
ρd
b) E =
ε0
ρ
c) E =
( t − d )ε 0

ρ (t − d )
d) E =
ε0

ρ
e) E =
tε 0
23.8.2. A large sheet of electrically insulating material has a uniform charge density σ.
Let’s compare the electric field produced by the insulating sheet with that produced
by a thin metal (electrically conducting) slab with σ/2 charge density distributed on
one large surface of the slab and σ/2 distributed over the surface on the opposite
side. How does the electric field at a distance d from each surface compare?

a) The electric field near the insulating sheet is four times that near the conducting slab.

b) The electric field near the insulating sheet is twice that near the conducting slab.

c) The electric field near the insulating sheet is the same as that near the conducting slab.

d) The electric field near the insulating sheet is one half that near the conducting slab.

e) The electric field near the insulating sheet is one fourth that near the conducting slab.
23.8.2. A large sheet of electrically insulating material has a uniform charge density σ.
Let’s compare the electric field produced by the insulating sheet with that produced
by a thin metal (electrically conducting) slab with σ/2 charge density distributed on
one large surface of the slab and σ/2 distributed over the surface on the opposite
side. How does the electric field at a distance d from each surface compare?

a) The electric field near the insulating sheet is four times that near the conducting slab.

b) The electric field near the insulating sheet is twice that near the conducting slab.

c) The electric field near the insulating sheet is the same as that near the conducting slab.

d) The electric field near the insulating sheet is one half that near the conducting slab.

e) The electric field near the insulating sheet is one fourth that near the conducting slab.
23.9.1. A spherical shell has an outer radius of 0.10 m and an inner
radius of 0.040 cm. Within the shell is a charge q = −2.0 × 10−9 C.
What is the surface charge density on the outer surface of the
shell?

a) −2.0 × 10−9 C/m2

b) −9.9 × 10−9 C/m2

c) −1.6 × 10−8 C/m2

d) −3.8 × 10−10 C/m2

e) −8.0 × 10−8 C/m2

23.9.1. A spherical shell has an outer radius of 0.10 m and an inner
radius of 0.040 cm. Within the shell is a charge q = −2.0 × 10−9 C.
What is the surface charge density on the outer surface of the
shell?

a) −2.0 × 10−9 C/m2

b) −9.9 × 10−9 C/m2

c) −1.6 × 10−8 C/m2

d) −3.8 × 10−10 C/m2

e) −8.0 × 10−8 C/m2

23.9.2. A total charge of –6.50 µC is uniformly distributed within a
sphere that has a radius of 0.150 m. What is the magnitude and
direction of the electric field at 0.300 m from the surface of the
sphere?

a) 2.89 × 105 N/C, radially inward

b) 9.38 × 105 N/C, radially outward

c) 1.30 × 106 N/C, radially inward

d) 6.49 × 105 N/C, radially outward

e) 4.69 × 105 N/C, radially inward

23.9.2. A total charge of –6.50 µC is uniformly distributed within a
sphere that has a radius of 0.150 m. What is the magnitude and
direction of the electric field at 0.300 m from the surface of the
sphere?

a) 2.89 × 105 N/C, radially inward

b) 9.38 × 105 N/C, radially outward

c) 1.30 × 106 N/C, radially inward

d) 6.49 × 105 N/C, radially outward

e) 4.69 × 105 N/C, radially inward