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Problem Set 1

This document is the problem set 1 for the course Physics 15b Introductory Electromagnetism at Harvard University for Spring 2015. It is due on February 6th. The 4 problems address various concepts in electromagnetism and physics including Coulomb's law, the fine structure constant, gravitational force law, electric fields from a line of charge, and a self-reported time to complete the problem set.

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26 views

Problem Set 1

This document is the problem set 1 for the course Physics 15b Introductory Electromagnetism at Harvard University for Spring 2015. It is due on February 6th. The 4 problems address various concepts in electromagnetism and physics including Coulomb's law, the fine structure constant, gravitational force law, electric fields from a line of charge, and a self-reported time to complete the problem set.

Uploaded by

ictoab
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics 15b

Introductory Electromagnetism

Harvard University

Spring 2015

Problem Set 1
Due Friday, February 6, 6 PM, in the boxes outside Science Center 108-112

1.

(a) The magnitude of the force between two point charges q1 and q2 separated by distance r12 follows from Coulombs law, and in SI units, F =

1 |q1 q2 |
40 r2 , where 0
12

= 8.851012 C2 .N1 .m2 .

Because charges are quantized in units of e, we can write q1 = N1 e and q2 = N2 e,


where N1 and N2 are integers, and F =

e2 N1 N2
40 r2 .
12

We see that

e2
40

parameterizes the in-

trinsic strength of the force, independent of total charge or separation between the charges.
Determine the dimension (or unit) of

e2
40 .

Because

e2
40

is a dimensionful parameter, we

can choose to use a dierent set of units and rescale its numerical value. However, when
quantum mechanics and relativity are taken into account, two additional parameters, ~ =
1.05 1034 J.s (reduced Plancks constant, in SI units) and c = 3 108 m.s1 (speed of light,
in SI units) appear and combine with

e2
40

to produce a dimensionless parameter that pa-

rameterizes the natural strength of electromagnetic interactions. Starting with

e2
40 ~ c ,

determine the appropriate powers of ~ and of c which result in a dimensionless and


determine its numerical value. This is called the fine structure constant. (5 points)

(b) Starting with Coulombs law in Gaussian units and repeating similar steps as in part (1a),
determine the expression for the fine structure constant in Gaussian units and determine
its numerical value. Point out if this is what you expected. (5 points)
(c) Following Newtons universal law of gravitation, the magnitude of the force between two
point masses m1 and m2 separated by distance r12 is given by F = GN mr12m2 . Most of the mass
12

of ordinary matter we see around us comes from protons and neutrons (with approximately
equal masses mp mn ) which reside within the nucleus, and we can write m1 N1 mp and
m2 N2 mp , which give F GN m2p Nr12N2 . In SI units, GN = 6.67 1011 m3 .kg1 .s2 and
12

mp = 1.67 1027 kg. Again, when quantum mechanics and relativity are taken into account,
GN m2p combines with ~ and c to produce a dimensionless parameter that can be used to
characterize the natural strength of gravitational interactions. Repeating similar steps as in
part (1a), determine the dimensionless parameter and its numerical value. Compare it with
the numerical value of the fine structure constant of electromagnetic interactions and point
out what it means. (5 points)
2. Consider two point objects, one of mass m and charge q and the other of mass m and charge 2q,
each suspended with a string of length l and negligible mass, where the acceleration due to gravity
is g. See the figure below.

Physics 15b

Introductory Electromagnetism

Harvard University

Spring 2015

m, q

m, 2q
Figure 0.0.1

Determine the angle each object makes with the vertical. (5 points)
3.

(a) Find the electric field at any point (x, y, z) in three dimensions from a wire of uniform linear
charge density and length 2L lying on the y-axis with its midpoint at the origin. You may
leave your answer as an integral. (5 points)
z

(x, y, z)
y

O
x

(b) Considering only the leading term, find the electric field and discuss whether
it is what you

expected in the limit (i). when (x, y, z) is very far away from the wire ( x2 + y2 + z2 >> L),
and (ii). when y = 0 and (x, 0, z) is very close to the wire (|x|, |z| << L). (5 points)
4. How long did it take you to complete this problem set?

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