Potential Difference & Potential
Energy MC Fun Problems
The voltage between the cathode and the
screen of a television set is 22 kV. If we
assume a speed of zero for an electron as it
leaves the cathode, what is its speed just
before it hits the screen?
A. 8.8 × 107 m/s
B. 2.8 × 106 m/s
C. 6.2 × 107 m/s
D. 7.7 × 1015 m/s
E. 5.3 × 107 m/s
The voltage between the cathode and the
screen of a television set is 22 kV. If we
assume a speed of zero for an electron as it
leaves the cathode, what is its speed just
before it hits the screen?
A. 8.8 × 107 m/s
B. 2.8 × 106 m/s
C. 6.2 × 107 m/s
D. 7.7 × 1015 m/s
E. 5.3 × 107 m/s
The electric field in a region is given by E =
2x2 i + 3y j where the units are in V/m. What
is the change in electric potential from the
origin to (x, y) = (2, 0) m?
A. 8 V
B. –8 V
C. –16/3 V
D. –24/3 V
E. 11 V
The electric field in a region is given by E =
2x2 i + 3y j where the units are in V/m. What
is the change in electric potential from the
origin to (x, y) = (2, 0) m?
A. 8 V
B. –8 V
C. –16/3 V
D. –24/3 V
E. 11 V
A lithium nucleus with a charge of +3e and a mass
of 7 u, and an alpha particle with a charge of +2e
and a mass of 4 u, are at rest. They could be
accelerated to the same kinetic energy by
A. accelerating them through the same electrical
potential difference.
B. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts and
the lithium nucleus through 2V/3 volts.
C. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts and
the lithium nucleus through 7V/4 volts.
D. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts and
the lithium nucleus through 7V/6 volts.
E. none of these procedures.
A lithium nucleus with a charge of +3e and a mass
of 7 u, and an alpha particle with a charge of +2e
and a mass of 4 u, are at rest. They could be
accelerated to the same kinetic energy by
A. accelerating them through the same electrical
potential difference.
B. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts
and the lithium nucleus through 2V/3 volts.
C. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts and
the lithium nucleus through 7V/4 volts.
D. accelerating the alpha particle through V volts and
the lithium nucleus through 7V/6 volts.
E. none of these procedures.
The concept of difference in electric
potential is most closely associated with
A. the mechanical force on an electron.
B. the number of atoms in one gram-atom.
C. the charge on one electron.
D. the resistance of a certain specified
column of mercury.
E. the work per unit quantity of electric
charge.
The concept of difference in electric
potential is most closely associated with
A. the mechanical force on an electron.
B. the number of atoms in one gram-atom.
C. the charge on one electron.
D. the resistance of a certain specified
column of mercury.
E. the work per unit quantity of electric
charge.
Charges Q and q (Q ≠ q), separated by a distance d,
produce a potential VP = 0 at point P. This means that
A. no force is acting on a test charge placed at point P.
B. Q and q must have the same sign.
C. the electric field must be zero at point P.
D. the net work in bringing Q to distance d from q is zero.
E. the net work needed to bring a charge from infinity to
point P is zero.
Charges Q and q (Q ≠ q), separated by a distance d,
produce a potential VP = 0 at point P. This means that
A. no force is acting on a test charge placed at point P.
B. Q and q must have the same sign.
C. the electric field must be zero at point P.
D. the net work in bringing Q to distance d from q is zero.
E. the net work needed to bring a charge from infinity
to point P is zero.
When +2.0 C of charge moves at constant
speed from a point with zero potential to a
point with potential +6.0 V, the amount of
work done is
A. 2 J.
B. 3 J.
C. 6 J.
D. 12 J.
E. 24 J.
When +2.0 C of charge moves at constant
speed from a point with zero potential to a
point with potential +6.0 V, the amount of
work done is
A. 2 J.
B. 3 J.
C. 6 J.
D. 12 J.
E. 24 J.
The electron volt is a unit of
A. capacitance.
B. charge.
C. energy.
D. momentum.
E. potential.
The electron volt is a unit of
A. capacitance.
B. charge.
C. energy.
D. momentum.
E. potential.
Two parallel metal plates 5.0 cm apart have
a potential difference between them of 75 V.
The electric force on a positive charge of
3.2 × 10–19 C at a point midway between the
plates is approximately
A. 4.8 × 10–18 N.
B. 2.4 × 10–17 N.
C. 1.6 × 10–18 N.
D. 4.8 × 10–16 N.
E. 9.6 × 10–17 N.
Two parallel metal plates 5.0 cm apart have
a potential difference between them of 75 V.
The electric force on a positive charge of
3.2 × 10–19 C at a point midway between the
plates is approximately
A. 4.8 × 10–18 N.
B. 2.4 × 10–17 N.
C. 1.6 × 10–18 N.
D. 4.8 × 10–16 N.
E. 9.6 × 10–17 N.
Which of the points shown in the diagram
are at the same potential?
A. 2 and 5
B. 2, 3, and 5
C. 1 and 4
D. 1 and 5
E. 2 and 4
Which of the points shown in the diagram
are at the same potential?
A. 2 and 5
B. 2, 3, and 5
C. 1 and 4
D. 1 and 5
E. 2 and 4
Which point in the electric field in the
diagram is at the highest potential?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Which point in the electric field in the
diagram is at the highest potential?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Which point in the electric field in the
diagram is at the lowest potential?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Which point in the electric field in the
diagram is at the lowest potential?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5
Two equal positive charges are placed in an
external electric field. The equipotential lines
shown are at 100 V intervals. The work
required to move a third charge, q = e, from
the 100 V line to b is
A. 100 eV.
200V
00V
a
b
c
B. 100 eV.
C. 200 eV.
D. 200 eV.
E. zero
Q
Q
Two equal positive charges are placed in an
external electric field. The equipotential lines
shown are at 100 V intervals. The work
required to move a third charge, q = e, from
the 100 V line to b is
A. 100 eV.
200V
00V
a
b
c
B. 100 eV.
C. 200 eV.
D. 200 eV.
E. zero
Q
Q
The potential at a point due to a unit positive
point charge is found to be V. If the distance
between the charge and the point is tripled,
the potential becomes
A. V/3.
B. 3V.
C. V/9.
D. 9V.
E. 1/V 2 .
The potential at a point due to a unit positive
point charge is found to be V. If the distance
between the charge and the point is tripled,
the potential becomes
A. V/3.
B. 3V.
C. V/9.
D. 9V.
E. 1/V 2 .
In what direction can you move relative to an
electric field so that the electric potential
does not change?
A. parallel to the electric field
B. perpendicular to the electric field
In what direction can you move relative to an
electric field so that the electric potential
does not change?
A. parallel to the electric field
B. perpendicular to the electric
field
In what direction can you move relative to an
electric field so that the electric potential
increases at the greatest rate?
A. in the direction of the electric field
B. opposite to the direction of the electric
field
C. perpendicular to the electric field
In what direction can you move relative to an
electric field so that the electric potential
increases at the greatest rate?
A. in the direction of the electric field
B. opposite to the direction of the
electric field
C. perpendicular to the electric field
The figure depicts a uniform electric field.
Along which direction is there no change in
the electric potential?
The figure depicts a uniform electric field.
Along which direction is there no change in
the electric potential?
The figure depicts a uniform electric field.
Along which direction is the increase in the
electric potential a maximum?
The figure depicts a uniform electric field.
Along which direction is the increase in the
electric potential a maximum?
If the potential V of an array of charges versus the
distance from the charges is as shown in graph 1,
which graph A, B, C, D, or E shows the electric field E
as a function of distance r?
If the potential V of an array of charges versus the
distance from the charges is as shown in graph 1,
which graph A, B, C, D, or E shows the electric field E
as a function of distance r?
Which graph A, B, C, D, or E that best
represents the electric potential of a uniformly
charged spherical shell as a function of the
distance from the center of the shell?
Which graph A, B, C, D, or E that best
represents the electric potential of a uniformly
charged spherical shell as a function of the
distance from the center of the shell?
The vector that best represents the direction of the
electric field intensity at point x on the 20 V
equipotential line is
D.

1

2

3

4
E.
None of these is correct.
A.
B.
C.
The vector that best represents the direction of the
electric field intensity at point x on the 20 V
equipotential line is
D.

1

2

3

4
E.
None of these is correct.
A.
B.
C.
The vector that best represents the direction of
the electric field intensity at point x on the 200 V
equipotential line is
D.

1

2

3

4
E.
None of these is correct.
A.
B.
C.
The vector that best represents the direction of
the electric field intensity at point x on the 200 V
equipotential line is
D.

1

2

3

4
E.
None of these is correct.
A.
B.
C.
Two charged metal spheres are connected by a
wire. Sphere A is larger than sphere B, as shown.
The magnitude of the electric potential of sphere A
A. is greater than that at the surface of sphere B.
B. is less than that at the surface of sphere B.
C. is the same as that at the surface of sphere B.
Two charged metal spheres are connected by a
wire. Sphere A is larger than sphere B, as shown.
The magnitude of the electric potential of sphere A
A. is greater than that at the surface of sphere B.
B. is less than that at the surface of sphere B.
C. is the same as that at the surface of sphere B.
The potential on the surface of a solid
conducting sphere of radius r = 20 cm is 100
V. The potential at r = 10 cm is
A. 100 V.
B. 50 V.
C. 25 V.
D. Zero.
E. Cannot be determined.
The potential on the surface of a solid
conducting sphere of radius r = 20 cm is 100
V. The potential at r = 10 cm is
A. 100 V.
B. 50 V.
C. 25 V.
D. Zero.
E. Cannot be determined.
A solid conducting sphere of
radius ra is placed concentrically
inside a conducting spherical shell
of inner radius rb1 and outer radius
rb2. The inner sphere carries a
charge Q while the outer sphere
does not carry any net charge. The
potential for rb1  r  rb2 is
A.
kQ
ra
B.
kQ
rb1
C.
kQ
rb 2
D.
E.
kQ
r
zero
A solid conducting sphere of
radius ra is placed concentrically
inside a conducting spherical shell
of inner radius rb1 and outer radius
rb2. The inner sphere carries a
charge Q while the outer sphere
does not carry any net charge. The
potential for rb1  r  rb2 is
A.
kQ
ra
B.
kQ
rb1
C.
kQ
rb 2
D.
E.
kQ
r
zero
A metal ball of charge +Q is lowered into
an isolated, uncharged metal shell and
allowed to rest on the bottom of the shell.
When the charges reach equilibrium,
A. the outside of the shell has a charge of –Q
and the ball has a charge of +Q.
B. the outside of the shell has a charge of +Q
and the ball has a charge of +Q.
C. the outside of the shell has a charge of
zero and the ball has a charge of +Q.
D. the outside of the shell has a charge of +Q
and the ball has zero charge.
E. the outside of the shell has a charge of +Q
and the ball has a charge of –Q.
A metal ball of charge +Q is lowered into
an isolated, uncharged metal shell and
allowed to rest on the bottom of the shell.
When the charges reach equilibrium,
A. the outside of the shell has a charge of –Q
and the ball has a charge of +Q.
B. the outside of the shell has a charge of +Q
and the ball has a charge of +Q.
C. the outside of the shell has a charge of
zero and the ball has a charge of +Q.
D. the outside of the shell has a charge of
+Q and the ball has zero charge.
E. the outside of the shell has a charge of +Q
and the ball has a charge of –Q.
Which of the curves on the graph represents the
electrostatic potential energy of a small negative
charge plotted as a function of its distance from a
positive point charge?
Which of the curves on the graph represents the
electrostatic potential energy of a small negative
charge plotted as a function of its distance from a
positive point charge?
Which of the following statements is false?
A. The total work required to assemble a collection
of discrete charges is the electrostatic potential
energy of the system.
B. The potential energy of a pair of positively
charged bodies is positive.
C. The potential energy of a pair of oppositely
charged bodies is positive.
D. The potential energy of a pair of oppositely
charged bodies is negative.
E. The potential energy of a pair of negatively
charged bodies is negative.
Which of the following statements is false?
A. The total work required to assemble a collection
of discrete charges is the electrostatic potential
energy of the system.
B. The potential energy of a pair of positively
charged bodies is positive.
C. The potential energy of a pair of oppositely
charged bodies is positive.
D. The potential energy of a pair of oppositely
charged bodies is negative.
E. The potential energy of a pair of negatively
charged bodies is negative.
The work required to bring a positively
charged body from very far away is greatest
for which point?
The work required to bring a positively
charged body from very far away is greatest
for which point?
The electrostatic potential energy of a
positively charged body is greatest at which
point?
The electrostatic potential energy of a
positively charged body is greatest at which
point?
Three charges are brought from infinity and placed at
the corner of an equilateral triangle. Which of the
following statements is true?
A. The work required to assemble the charges is
always positive.
B. The electrostatic potential energy of the system is
always positive.
C. The electrostatic potential energy does not depend
on the order the charges are placed at the corners.
D. The work required to assemble the charges
depends on which charge is placed at which
corner.
E. The electrostatic potential energy depends on
which charge is placed at which corner.
Three charges are brought from infinity and placed at
the corner of an equilateral triangle. Which of the
following statements is true?
A. The work required to assemble the charges is
always positive.
B. The electrostatic potential energy of the system is
always positive.
C. The electrostatic potential energy does not
depend on the order the charges are placed at
the corners.
D. The work required to assemble the charges depends
on which charge is placed at which corner.
E. The electrostatic potential energy depends on which
charge is placed at which corner.
Calculate the work done to bring a charge,
Q = 1 mC, from infinity and place it at a distance
R = 10 cm along the axis of a thin uniformly
charged ring with linear charge density
λ = 10 C/m and radius R.
A. 564 J
B. 282 J
R
C. 127 J
D. 399 J
E. zero
from infinity

R
Q
Calculate the work done to bring a charge,
Q = 1 mC, from infinity and place it at a distance
R = 10 cm along the axis of a thin uniformly
charged ring with linear charge density
λ = 10 C/m and radius R.
A. 564 J
B. 282 J
R
C. 127 J
D. 399 J
E. zero
from infinity

R
Q