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Electrostatics Quiz

Total questions: 79

Worksheet time: 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Just as "gravity" is the study of a wide range of gravitational interactions, "electricity" is the study of a wide range of

a)

electrical charges.

b)

electrical forces.

c)

electrical interactions.

d)

none of the above.

2.

Electrostatics is a branch of electricity that focuses on

a)

electrical charge.

b)

electrical force.

c)

both of these when static.

d)

none of the above.

3.

The force that binds atoms together to form molecules is

a)

gravitational.

b)

nuclear.

c)

electrical.

d)

centripetal.

e)

none of the above.

4.

The fundamental force underlying all chemical reactions is

a)

gravitational.

b)

nuclear.

c)

centripetal.

d)

electrical.

e)

none of the above.

5.

A fundamental rule of electricity is that

a)

like kinds of charges repel.

b)

unlike kinds of charges attract.

c)

both of these

d)

neither of these

6.

An electron and a proton

a)

attract each other.

b)

repel each other.

c)

neither attract nor repel each other.

7.

The vast numbers of electrons in a coin don't fly off the surface because

a)

mutual repulsion is incomplete.

b)

they are attracted by an equal number of protons.

c)

they are strongly bonded to their atoms.

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

8.

The pair of protons in the nucleus of a helium atom

a)

attract a pair of orbiting electrons.

b)

repel orbiting electrons.

c)

both of these

d)

neither of these

9.

In an electrically neutral atom the number of protons in the nucleus is equal to the number of

a)

electrons that surround the nucleus.

b)

neutrons in the nucleus.

c)

both electrons and neutrons.

d)

none of the above

10.

Which of these does NOT have an electrical charge?

a)

proton

b)

electron

c)

neutron

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

11.

Which of these has the greatest mass?

a)

proton

b)

electron

c)

both of these

d)

neither of these

12.

To say that electric charge is conserved means that no case has ever been found where the total charge on an object has changed. Which statement is true?

a)

The quantity of negative charge on an object exactly balances positive charge.

b)

The total quantity of charge on an object has increased.

c)

The net charge has been created or destroyed.

d)

none of the above

13.

An electrically charged atom is an

a)

ion.

b)

isotope.

c)

both of these

d)

neither of these

14.

To become a negative ion, an atom must

a)

lose an electron.

b)

gain an electron.

c)

lose a proton.

d)

gain a proton.

15.

To become a positive ion, an atom must

a)

lose an electron.

b)

gain an electron.

c)

lose a proton.

d)

gain a proton.

16.

A positive ion has more

a)

electrons than neutrons.

b)

electrons than protons.

c)

protons than electrons.

d)

protons than neutrons.

e)

neutrons than protons.

17.

If electrons are stripped from an atom it becomes a

a)

positive ion.

b)

negative ion.

c)

different element.

d)

molecule.

18.

It is said that electric charge is quantized, which means that the charge on an object

a)

may occur in an infinite variety of quantities.

b)

is a whole-number multiple of the charge of one electron.

c)

will interact with neighboring electric charges.

d)

can be neither created nor destroyed.

e)

is sometimes positive.

19.

It is said that electric charge is conserved, which means that electric charge

a)

may occur in an infinite variety of quantities.

b)

is a whole number multiple of the charge of one electron.

c)

will interact with neighboring electric charges.

d)

can be neither created nor destroyed.

e)

is sometimes negative.

20.

The unit of electric charge, the coulomb, is the charge on a

a)

single electron.

b)

specific large number of electrons.

c)

neutron.

d)

specific number of neutrons.

e)

quark.

21.

Two protons attract each other gravitationally and repel each other electrically. The stronger of these two forces is

a)

gravitation.

b)

electrical.

c)

neither of these.

22.

A main difference between gravitational and electric forces is that electrical forces

a)

attract.

b)

repel or attract.

c)

obey the inverse-square law.

d)

act over shorter distances.

e)

are weaker.

23.

The electrical force between charges is strongest when the charges are

a)

close together.

b)

far apart.

c)

either of these.

d)

need more information.

24.

The electrical force between electric charges depends only on their

a)

magnitude.

b)

separation distance.

c)

both of these.

d)

neither of these.

25.

When the distance between two charges is halved, the electrical force between them

a)

is reduced by 1/4.

b)

halves.

c)

doubles.

d)

quadruples.

e)

none of the above

26.

Particle A has twice the charge of nearby particle B. Compared to the force on Particle A, the force on Particle B is

a)

half as much.

b)

the same.

c)

twice as much.

d)

four times as much.

e)

none of the above

27.

Two charges that are separated by one meter exert 1-N forces on each other. If the charges are pushed together so the separation is 25 centimeters, the force on each charge will be

a)

1 N.

b)

2 N.

c)

4 N.

d)

8 N.

e)

16 N.

28.

Two charges separated by one meter exert 1-N forces on each other. If the charges are pulled 3 meters apart, the force on each charge will be

a)

0.11 N.

b)

0.33 N.

c)

0 N.

d)

3 N.

e)

9 N.

29.

Two charges that are separated by one meter exert 1-N forces on each other. If the magnitude of each charge is doubled, the force on each charge is

a)

1 N.

b)

2 N.

c)

4 N.

d)

8 N.

e)

none of the above

30.

Two charged particles repel each other with a force F. If the charge of one of the particles is doubled and the distance between them is also doubled, then the force will be

a)

F.

b)

2 F.

c)

F/2.

d)

F/4.

e)

none of the above

31.

Two charged particles repel each other with a force F. If the charge of one of the particles is doubled and the distance between them is halved, then the force will be

a)

F.

b)

2 F.

c)

F/2.

d)

F/4.

e)

none of the above

32.

Two charged particles repel each other with a force F. If the charge of both particles is tripled and the distance between them is also tripled, then the force will be

a)

F.

b)

2 F.

c)

F/2.

d)

F/4.

e)

none of the above

33.

Two charged particles attract each other with a force F. If the charges of both particles are doubled, and the distance between them also doubled, then the force of attraction will be

a)

F.

b)

2 F.

c)

F/2.

d)

F/4.

e)

none of the above

34.

Conducting materials are composed of atoms with

a)

strong cohesive forces between them.

b)

loose outer electrons.

c)

excess neutrons compared with protons.

d)

vastly more charge than insulators.

35.

Insulating materials are composed of atoms with

a)

weak cohesive forces.

b)

tightly bound outer electrons.

c)

excess protons.

d)

vastly more charge than conductors.

36.

Charge carriers in a metal are electrons rather than protons because electrons are

a)

negative.

b)

smaller.

c)

loosely bound.

d)

none of the above

37.

A conductor differs from an insulator in that a conductor has more

a)

electrons than protons.

b)

protons than electrons.

c)

energy than an insulator.

d)

faster moving molecules.

e)

none of the above

38.

A transistor is an example of a

a)

resistor.

b)

superconductor.

c)

semiconductor.

d)

dry cell.

e)

transmitter.

39.

A semiconductor can be

a)

a conductor.

b)

an insulator.

c)

both of these.

d)

neither of these.

40.

Superconductors are noted for their

a)

high electric resistance.

b)

low electric resistance.

c)

absence of electric resistance.

d)

low cost.

e)

bright colors.

41.

Superconductors most often require

a)

low operating temperatures.

b)

high operating temperatures.

c)

magnets.

42.

Electrons can be transferred from one place to another by the process of

a)

friction.

b)

contact, which means touching.

c)

induction, which means non-touching.

d)

all of the above.

e)

none of the above.

43.

Rub electrons from your hair with a comb and the comb becomes

a)

negatively charged.

b)

positively charged.

c)

discharged.

44.

If you comb your hair and the comb becomes positively charged, then your hair becomes

a)

positively charged.

b)

negatively charged.

c)

uncharged.

45.

The primary purpose of a lightning rod is to

a)

attract lightning and guide it to the ground.

b)

discharge the structure to which it is attached.

c)

cancel the electric field within the structure to which it is attached.

d)

induce a charge opposite to that of charged clouds overhead.

46.

A negatively-charged rod is held near an aluminum can that rests on a dry wood table. If you momentarily touch the opposite side of the can with your finger, the can becomes

a)

positively charged.

b)

negatively charged.

c)

partially discharged.

d)

completely discharged.

e)

none of the above.

47.

A positively-charged rod is held near an aluminum can that rests on a dry wood table. If you momentarily touch the opposite side of the can with your finger, the can becomes

a)

positively charged.

b)

negatively charged.

c)

partially discharged.

d)

completely discharged.

e)

none of the above.

48.

An electroscope is charged positively as indicated by foil leaves that stand apart. As a negative charge is brought close to the electroscope, the leaves become

a)

closer together.

b)

farther apart.

c)

motionless.

49.

A positive charge and a negative charge held a certain distance apart are released. As they move, the force on each particle

a)

increases.

b)

decreases.

c)

stays the same.

50.

Two charged particles held a certain distance apart are released. As they move, the acceleration of each decreases. Therefore, their charges have

a)

the same sign.

b)

opposite signs.

c)

need more information.

51.

Two charged particles held a certain distance apart are released. As they move, the force on each particle increases. Therefore, their charges have

a)

the same sign.

b)

opposite signs.

c)

the same mass.

d)

the same size.

e)

need more information.

52.

Two charged particles held close to each other are released. As they move, their speeds increase. Therefore, their charges have

a)

the same sign.

b)

opposite signs.

c)

either of these

d)

need more information

53.

To say that an object becomes electrically polarized means that

a)

it is electrically charged.

b)

its charges have been rearranged.

c)

its internal electric field is zero.

d)

it is only partially conducting.

e)

none of the above

54.

If you rub an inflated balloon against your hair and place the balloon against the wall it will stick to the wall, illustrating

a)

Coulomb's law.

b)

conduction and insulation.

c)

charge polarization.

d)

voltage.

55.

A common naturally-polarized bit of matter is

a)

an electron.

b)

a hydrogen atom.

c)

a water molecule.

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

56.

A balloon will stick to a wooden wall if the balloon is charged

a)

negatively.

b)

positively.

c)

either of these

d)

neither of these

57.

Before a thunder storm, clouds in the sky likely become

a)

conducting.

b)

polarized.

c)

grounded.

d)

a field-free region.

58.

An uncharged pith ball is suspended by a nylon fiber. When a negatively-charged rubber rod is brought near the pith ball, without touching, the ball

a)

becomes charged by induction.

b)

becomes polarized.

c)

is repelled by the rod.

d)

is unaffected.

e)

none of the above

59.

An uncharged pith ball is suspended by a nylon fiber. When a positively-charged rubber rod is brought nearby, the pith ball

a)

moves toward the rod.

b)

is unaffected.

c)

moves away from the rod.

d)

none of the above

60.

When a car is struck by lightning, the resulting electric field inside the car is

a)

normally huge, but for a brief time.

b)

small enough to be safe for a passenger inside.

c)

zero.

61.

Much of the charge on a conducting cube is

a)

uniformly spread over its surface.

b)

partly beneath the surface.

c)

mutually repelled toward its corners.

d)

none of the above.

62.

Electric charge distributes itself on conducting surfaces

a)

with greater concentration on more curved parts.

b)

such that the electric field inside is zero.

c)

both of the above.

d)

none of the above.

63.

Electric shielding within a conductor is a consequence of

a)

the balancing of opposing forces.

b)

both the attraction and repelling nature of electricity.

c)

cancellation of electric field lines.

d)

all of the above.

e)

none of the above.

64.

A reason for electric shielding inside a conductor is that any free electrons inside would

a)

not obey the inverse-square law.

b)

cancel one another.

c)

be set in motion until equilibrium is established, on the outside.

d)

all of the above.

e)

none of the above.

65.

Every isolated proton in the universe is surrounded by its own

a)

electric field.

b)

gravitational field.

c)

both of these

d)

neither of these

66.

The direction of an electric field is the direction of the force exerted on

a)

a neutral test charge.

b)

an electron.

c)

an atom.

d)

a proton.

e)

a molecule.

67.

The electric field between oppositely-charged parallel plates is

a)

uniform.

b)

stronger at the ends.

c)

composed of field lines in opposite directions.

d)

none of the above

68.

Between a pair of equal and opposite charges, field lines are

a)

directed from positive to negative.

b)

more concentrated closer to the charges.

c)

vectors, with patterns that stem from the inverse-square law.

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

69.

The electric field around an isolated electron has a certain strength 1 cm from the electron. The electric field strength 2 cm from the electron is

a)

half as much.

b)

the same.

c)

twice as much.

d)

four times as much.

e)

none of the above.

70.

During a lightning strike you don't want to be inside a building framed with

a)

steel.

b)

iron.

c)

aluminum.

d)

wood.

71.

The electric field inside an uncharged metal ball is zero. If the ball is negatively charged, the electric field inside the ball is then

a)

less than zero.

b)

zero.

c)

greater than zero.

72.

A proton and an electron are placed in an electric field. Which undergoes the greater acceleration?

a)

electron

b)

proton

c)

both accelerate equally

d)

none of the above

73.

The operation of a microwave oven makes use of

a)

the polar nature of water molecules.

b)

flip flopping of polarized molecules.

c)

an oscillating electric field.

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

74.

Electric potential, measured in volts, is the ratio of electric energy to the amount of electric

a)

current.

b)

resistance.

c)

charge.

d)

voltage.

e)

none of the above

75.

The net charge on a charged capacitor depends on

a)

the area of the capacitor plates.

b)

the distance between the capacitor plates.

c)

the medium between the capacitor plates.

d)

all of the above

e)

none of the above

76.

Normally a small party balloon charged to several thousand volts will have a relatively small amount of

a)

charge.

b)

energy.

c)

both of these.

d)

neither of these.

77.

Although the energy per coulomb of a high-voltage party balloon is high, the energy transfer that occurs if you touch it is low due to

a)

the relatively small amount of charge.

b)

rubber being a poor conductor.

c)

the small electric potential.

d)

all of the above.

78.

The electric field inside the dome of a Van de Graaff generator depends on the

a)

amount of external charge.

b)

volume of the dome.

c)

amount of charge and volume of the dome.

d)

none of the above.

79.

Lillian safely touches a 100,000-volt Van de Graaff generator. Although the voltage is high, the relatively small amount of charge means a relatively small amount of

a)

energy transfer.

b)

electric field.

c)

polarization.

d)

conduction.