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At-a-Distance
Forces
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 Physical Sciences

Unit

At-a-Distance
Forces
 Unit Structure

Cover page
The unit title is highlighted and the learn-
ing objectives presented. An index of the
contents according to the 5-E Model is also
provided. The digital version also includes an
activity to review the skills and knowledge
required to undertake the unit.

Engage
A video and a related activity are available
with the digital version. Both versions have
a summary on page one. Different activities
are proposed for the video; some of these
may be interactive in the digital version, but
they all contain open-ended questions.

Explore
This exploratory and discovery activity is
devised to mobilize prior knowledge and
check it against the results obtained from
the experience. The digital version con-
tains the necessary multimedia resources
required for this activity: simulators, videos,
interactivities, etc.

4 [Link]
 Unit Structure

Explain
The unit’s key concepts are formally and
systematically addressed. The digital version
includes a wide range of multimedia resourc-
es to facilitate understanding of the ideas
presented. The printable version includes
all basic graphical elements and references
to the digital resources available. The digital
version may also include reinforcement or
enrichment activities.

Elaborate
In this section, the newly acquired knowl-
edge can be applied in a practical way. Thus,
a problem-solving activity is proposed, one
which requires the application of the con-
cepts, attitudes, and procedures learned
throughout the unit. The digital version may
provide multimedia tools (such as simulators
or videos) to help develop and solve the
activity.

Exercises
Each of the concepts addressed in the
“Explain” section is related to interactive
or open-ended exercises with the aim of
consolidating the topics covered through
practice. The printable version includes all
the exercises except for reinforcement or en-
richment activities, and they are organized
in accordance with the contents from the
“Explain” section.

[Link] 5
 At-a-Distance
Index
· Engage
· Strange Powers? ..................................................................08
· Explore
· Gravitational Forces .............................................................10
· Explain
· At-a-Distance Forces ............................................................15
· Gravitational Forces .............................................................15
· Objects with Mass Attract Each Other .......................15
· Gravity Decreases with Distance .................................16
· The Law of Universal Gravitation ...............................16
· Weight ..............................................................................16
· Gravitational Fields .........................................................17
· Planetary and Satellite Motions ...................................17
· Magnetic and Electric Forces ..............................................17
· Electric Forces .......................................................................18
· Electric Charge ............................................................... 18
· Electrical Attraction and Repulsion ............................ 19
· The Strength of Electric Force .................................... 19
· Electric Field ................................................................... 19
· Magnetic Forces ....................................................................19
· Magnetism ..................................................................... 20
· Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion ............................ 20
· Magnetic Field ............................................................... 21
· Electromagnetism ................................................................ 21
· Electromagnetic Machines .......................................... 22
· Elaborate
· A Toy Crane ......................................................................... 23
· Exercises ....................................................................................25

In this unit, you will learn:

That an object can exert a force on another without necessarily having to be in physical
contact.

That the most obvious at-a-distance forces are: gravitational, magnetic, and electric.

That we can calculate the magnitude of forces exerted at a distance.

That forces exerted at a distance create force fields around the object exerting them.

That electricity and magnetism are closely related phenomena.

6 [Link]
Forces

[Link] 7
 Engage

Strange Powers?
Video The alleged ability to move objects from a distance, without ever tou-
ching them, is called telekinesis. Some fictional characters have this
power. But… can it exist in reality? Well… Moving objects without tou-
ching them is not a figment of our imagination... But only in some cases.

Indeed, we have forces which are exerted at a distance in our world.

These forces are exerted by one object on another without touching it.
Magnets are the most obvious example. And also, electrostatic pheno-
mena. In fact, magnetic and electrostatic forces were already known in
ancient times.

However, the at-a-distance force most commonly exerted in our

everyday lives went unnoticed for centuries. This happened mostly be-
cause it didn't look like a force, but a different natural phenomenon. We
are talking about the fact that objects fall down. Something we observe
daily and we treat as a natural law.

A few centuries ago, some scientists proposed the weird idea that ob-
jects fall because the Earth attracts them as if it were a magnet. And ca-
lled this force gravity. They even suggested that all objects attract each
other.

But if that’s true, why can’t we observe this force between any two ob-
jects?

8 [Link]
Questions

a. There are contact forces and at-a-distance forces.

But, what do all these forces have in common?

b. Use your own words to explain what a force is.

c. Give two examples of situations where forces are at

play between objects in contact.

d. The video in the digital version defines at-a-distance

forces as interactions in which an object exerts a force
on another object without being in contact, that is, from
a distance.
What at-a-distance forces are you familiar with? What
objects cause them?

e. Why do you think that we see the apparent attractive

force that the Earth exerts on all objects, but we do not
see objects attracting each other?

[Link] 9
 Explore

Gravitational Forces
Do Gravitational Forces Really Exist?
We see it happening every now and then and we think it's the most nat-
ural thing in the world: objects falling freely. But, why does this happen?
Scientists affirm that objects fall freely because the Earth attracts them
as if it were a magnet.
They even affirm that, in reality, all objects attract each other by simply
having mass. They call this strange force gravity.
But if that's true, why can't we see this force between every pair of ob-
According to science, an object's
jects?
weight is in fact the force with which
the Earth attracts it.

It certainly is difficult to believe that gravity is a force which exists be-

tween all objects. If that’s a fact, then our body attracts and is attracted
by all the objects around us. But that doesn’t really seem to be the case.

a. Why do you think scientists can affirm that there is an attractive force
between all objects even if we can’t feel it? How do they justify this?

b. Can you think of a way to demonstrate that there is a force of attraction

between all objects?

10 [Link]
Leaving aside the Earth or any other planet, it may be a little too
hasty to claim that we can’t observe the gravity force between any
two objects. In reality, we can observe it and even measure it, al-
though it’s not easy.

To measure the strength of a force pulling on an object we can

use a dynamometer.

In fact, dynamometers allow us to measure an object’s weight, if we

consider weight to be the force with which the Earth pulls on objects.
As you know, the strength of a force is measured in newtons (N). One
newton corresponds approximately to the strength of the force needed
to lift two tennis balls.

The digital version includes a simulator of an experimental design that

will allow you to observe and measure the attractive force between
two objects.

The simulator consists of a high-precision dynamometer and several

lead spheres of different masses. When a sphere hangs from it, the dy-
namometer measures the force of the Earth pulling on the sphere, that
is, its weight. The measurement is in newtons.

But, what will happen if we place another object directly below the
sphere? Will the downward, attractive force increase?

c. Experiment with the simulator in the digital version and gather evi-
dence of the existence of an attractive force between two objects, neither
Simulator
of which are the Earth.

The simulator you used is an adaptation of a real experimen-

tal design scientists use to measure the gravitational attrac-
tive force between two objects.

d. Explain how this experimental design works and why it

provides evidence about the existence of an attractive force
between two objects.

e. Observe the order of magnitude of the variations of the apparent

weight produced when heavy objects are placed below a weight hang-
ing from the dynamometer. What can we say about the strength of the
gravitational force?

[Link] 11
 What Does the Strength of Gravitational Forces Depend On?
Up to this point, the evidence we have gathered points to the exis-
tence of an attractive force between two objects with mass. Now,
we need to explain why this attractive force is so small whereas the
attractive force exerted by the Earth on any object is so much greater.

a. What factors do you think the strength of a gravitational force de-

pends on?

Scientists affirm that the gravitational force between two objects

depends on the mass of the two objects involved and the dis-
tance between them.

Therefore, there are three variables at play:

m1 (kg)
 The mass of object 1 (m1)
 The mass of object 2 (m2)
 The distance between the centers of mass of the two objects (d)
d (cm)
Next, we will use the simulator in the digital version to explore how
each of these factors affects the strength of the gravitational force
m2 (kg) between two objects.

The strength of the force is obtained by subtracting the force exerted

by the Earth on object 1 (which is also measured by the dynamometer)
from the reading of the dynamometer.

This is done automatically by clicking on the tare button after hang-

ing object 1 from the dynameter and before placing object 2 below
it.

b. First, let’s use the simulator in the digital version to analyze the role that
Simulator the mass of object 2 plays in the magnitude of the gravitational force.
What variables will have to remain constant in these experiments?

To distinguish the effect of a variable, we need to select a constant value for

the other variables, so that their effects do not mix into the calculation.

 The mass of object 2

 The distance between the centers of mass of the two objects
 The mass of object 1

Attractive force c. Complete the table in the simulator.

m2 (kg) between masses (N)
Remember to select the value of the variables that must be kept con-
300 stant before taking any measurements.

600

900

12 [Link]
d. What conclusion can be drawn from the data gathered
on the relationship between the mass of object 2 and the
strength of the gravitational force? m1 (kg) m1 (kg)

d (cm) d (cm)
e. This time, we will use the simulator to analyze the role of
the mass of object 1. What variables must be kept constant in m2 (kg)
these experiments? m2 (kg)

 The distance between the centers of mass of the two

objects
 The mass of object 1
 The mass of object 2

f. Complete the table in the simulator in the digital version. m1 (kg) Attractive force
between masses (N)
Remember to select the value for the variables that must be kept
constant. Also, if you use the tare button, remember you must click on 50
it every time you switch to a different object 1, making sure there is no
other object placed under object 1. 75

100

g. What conclusion can be drawn from the data gathered

on the relationship between the mass of object 1 and the
strength of the gravitational force? m1 (kg) m1 (kg)

d (cm) d (cm)
h. Finally, we will analyze the role of distance in the strength
of the gravitational force. What variables will have to be kept
constant in these experiments? m2 (kg) m2 (kg)

 The mass of object 1

 The distance between the centers of mass of the two
objects
 The mass of object 2

i. Complete the table in the simulator. Attractive force

d (cm) between masses (N)
Remember to select the value for the variables that must be kept
constant. Also, if you use the tare button, remember you must click on 40
it every time you switch to a different object 1, making sure there is no
other object placed under object 1. 45

50

[Link] 13
 j. What conclusion can be drawn from the data gathered on
the relationship between the distance separating the two
m1 (kg) m1 (kg) objects and the strength of the gravitational force?

d (cm)

d (cm)
m2 (kg) m2 (kg)

k. Using the experimental data you’ve gathered through the

simulator, indicate the variables that the strength of the force
depends on and how the force changes with each of the
variables.
m2 (kg)
Your explanation must include arguments based on data you
have gathered through the simulator.

m1 (kg) d (cm)

l. Finally, explain why the force of gravity doesn’t seem to exist between
pairs of objects and yet it is noticeable between one object and the Earth.
Your explanation must include arguments based on data you have gath-
ered through the simulator.

Conclusions
The natural tendency of all objects to fall freely to the ground can
be explained as the result of a force exerted at a distance: gravity.
Gravity is an at-a-distance force existing between all objects sim-
ply because they have mass.
Gravitational forces are attractive forces.

The greater the objects’ masses involved in an interaction,

the greater the magnitude of gravitational force between
them. On the other hand, the greater the distance be-
tween these objects, the lower the gravitational force
between them.

Gravitational forces are very weak and they only become apparent
when at least one of the objects involved has an extremely large
mass (such as the Earth or the Sun).

14 [Link]
 Explain

At-a-Distance Forces
A force is produced when one object interacts with another, pushing
or pulling on it.

The interaction between two objects occurs in two different situa-

tions: when the objects come into contact or when they are located
away from each other.

At-a-distance forces are interactions between two objects

that are not in contact.

These forces act all the time and their strength (or magnitude) de-
pends on the distance between the objects: the closer they are, the
greater the force.

The most obvious at-a-distance forces are:

 Gravitational forces
All objects on the Earth's surface fall
 Magnetic forces due to the pull of gravity.

 Electric forces

Gravitational Forces
Interactivity
Objects with Mass Attract Each Other
We understand gravity as the force with which Earth attracts objects and
causes them to fall down. But, in fact, Earth isn’t the only object that exerts 0,45 kg
0.45

gravitational forces.

Gravity is the force with which all objects with mass attract each
other.

The greater the mass of the objects interacting, the greater the pull
(or magnitude) of gravity.
Gravity’s Strength and Objects’
Gravitational forces are not very strong, which is why the gravitational at- Masses.
traction of most objects is undetectable and we cannot perceive it.

Only when at least one object has a huge mass—like celestial bodies—is
gravity strong enough for its effects to become evident.

[Link] 15
 Gravity Decreases with Distance

As the distance between the objects involved in an

F
interaction increases, the strength of the gravita-
tional forces at play decreases.
F
d
d To be more precise, the strength of the force decreases
F
d with the square of the distance separating the two inter-
acting objects.
So, the attractive force of the Earth acting on an object lo-
cated at a very high altitude will be less than the force on
d = 6,371 km d = 11,371 km d = 16,371 km an object standing on the Earth's surface.
F = 17,760,000 N F = 5,580,000 N F = 2,700,000 N
The measurement of the distance between two objects al-
ways considers the distance separating the objects' centers
of mass.

So, if one object is positioned on the Earth's surface, its distance to the
planet corresponds approximately to the planet's radius, that is, about
6,371 km.

The Law of Universal Gravitation

The Law of Universal Gravitation is the mathematical law we use to cal-
culate the strength of the gravitational force between two objects.

m1 · m2
Fg = G ∙ —————
r2
where Fg is the attractive force, G is a constant of proportionality known
as the universal gravitation constant (a value of 6.674 ∙10 −11 N ∙ m2 / kg2),
m1 and m2 the masses in kg of the two interacting objects, and d the dis-
Isaac Newton established the Law tance in meters between them.
of Universal Gravitation in his work
Philosophiae Naturalis Principia
Mathematica (1687). This expression shows that the gravitational attraction between
two objects is directly proportional to the product of their
masses and inversely proportional to the square of the dis-
tance separating them.

Interactivity
Weight
m = 4,500 kg
Weight is the gravitational force with which a celestial body
attracts objects near its surface.
COROT-7b
9 terrestrial
masses
Since it is a gravitational force, the weight of an object on
W = 158,922 N a celestial body depends on the object's mass. It also de-
pends on the celestial body's mass and radius.

The weight of an object on a celestial body can be calculated as:

Weight of a Probe on Different W=m·g

Celestial Bodies.

16 [Link]
where m is the object's mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The
value of this acceleration depends on the mass and radius of the celestial
body. On Earth, the value of g is 9.8 m/s2.

The acceleration due to gravity increases with the mass of the celestial
body and decreases with its radius.

Gravitational Fields
An object with mass disturbs the region of space surrounding it, so if Simulator
a second object with mass enters this region, the first one will exert a
gravitational force on it.

The disturbance created by an object with mass in the region of

space surrounding it is called a gravitational field.

The gravitational fields created by each of the objects with mass in a re-
gion of space overlap and give rise to a single field, the total gravitational
field.

Planetary and Satellite Motions

Gravitational forces are the reason why the planets of the solar
system orbit the Sun and the Moon orbits the Earth.
Animation

But you are probably wondering why they orbit. Shouldn’t the orbiting 
v

bodies fall down toward the larger bodies? Fg

The answer is that they are indeed falling, but they move so fast in a per-
pendicular direction to the gravitational force that they never crash into
the surface of the body attracting them.
Newton’s Cannonball is a thought
In truth, this phenomenon is the same for objects falling on Earth which experiment in which a cannonball is
have been thrown horizontally from a certain height. This fall can be read shot at different velocities to try to
as an orbit with a very tight turn, which is interrupted because the object understand the relationship between
objects falling and orbits: an orbit can
crashes onto the Earth’s surface.
be interpreted as a falling object that
never hits the ground.
A body’s orbit depends on its speed and the gravitational force
that is exerted on it by the celestial body.

Magnetic and Electric Forces

There are two other types of at-a-distance forces that can be both attrac-
tive (like gravity) and repulsive.
Video
Electric forces
Some objects are made of materials that can easily become electrically
charged. When two objects are charged, whether positively or negatively,
an electric force is created between them.

The electric force is repulsive if the charges of the objects have the same
sign and attractive if the charges have opposite signs.

[Link] 17
 Video Magnetic forces
Magnets are objects with magnetic properties. They have two poles,
called north and south, and they interact with other magnets and some
metals such as iron. They act over a distance.

The magnetic force repels like poles and attracts opposite poles.

Electric Forces
Electric Charge

To explain electrical phenomena, we can consider that matter con-

tains countless tiny electric charges, which can be of two types:
positive or negative.

All objects contain the two types of charges. Usually, objects have the
same number of positive and negative charges, and therefore the charges
cancel each other out.

Animations But when an object has more charges of one type, then this object is elec-
trically charged, that is, it has a net charge.

Positively Charged (+) Objects Negatively Charged (–) Objects Objects with Zero Net Charge
An object is positively charged An object is negatively charged An object with an equal number
(+) if it contains more positive (–) if it contains more negative of positive and negative charges
charges than negative charges. charges than positive charges. has zero net charge. We also say
that the object is neutral.

The greater the difference between positive and negative charges, the
greater the magnitude of its net charge.

The magnitude of the electric charge is measured in coulombs (C).

18 [Link]
Electrical Attraction and Repulsion
Interactivity
Positively or negatively charged objects exert attractive and repulsive
forces.

This means that:

Two objects with opposite net electric charge attract one another.

Two objects with like net electric charge repel one another.

Two neutral objects do not attract or repel one another.

Generally, objects around you do not attract or repel each other. This is Do They Attract or Repel?
so because matter tends to be electrically neutral.

The Strength of Electric Force

The electric force that a charged object exerts on another depends on
Interactivity
their electric charges and on the distance between them.
–1 C +1 C
The strength of this force is: Q1 Q2

Directly proportional to the magnitude of the charges.

Inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them.
d
We use Coulomb's Law to calculate the strength of the electric force
between two objects:

Q1 · Q2 The Strength of Electric Force.

Felectric = k ∙ —————
d2

where Felectric is the force (in N); Q1 and Q2 are the objects' charges (in C);
d is the distance between them (in m); and k is Coulomb's constant, which
in the vacuum is 9 · 109 N · m2/ C 2.

Electric Fields
An electrically charged object disturbs the region of space surrounding
it, so if a second charged object enters this region, the first one will exert Simulator
an electrical force on it.

The disturbance generated by an electrically-charged object in a

region in space is called an electric field.

The electric fields of each of the electrically-charged objects in a region

of in space overlap and give rise to a single field, the total electric field.

[Link] 19
 Magnetic Forces
Magnetism

Magnetism is the set of phenomena related with magnets and

magnetic materials.

Magnetite, a mineral used since ancient times, is known for its ability to
attract metals such as iron.

Objects behaving like magnetite are called magnets. These objects:

c an exert forces on each other over a distance, which can be attrac-

tive or repulsive;
 xert attractive forces on objects made of magnetic materials—such
e
as iron, nickel, or cobalt—and turn them into magnets; and

a lways have two magnetic poles—north pole and south pole— that
cannot be separated.

Depending on their origin, magnets can be:

Naturally Occurring Magnets Manmade Magnets

Some pieces of magnetite (Fe3O4 ) are magnets. The compass needle has been magnetized so that it aligns itself with
the magnetic field produced inside Earth.
Some minerals rich in iron and titanium oxides act as naturally oc-
curring magnets. The Earth’s core is also a natural magnet. Magnetic materials can become magnets. This occurs when they
interact with strong magnets or with an electric current.

Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion

Interactivity
Magnetic materials can exert magnetic
forces and have magnetic forces exerted
N1 S1 N2 S2 on them.
F21 = F12

Magnetic forces act at a distance. These forces


F21 
F12 can be attractive or repulsive, depending on the
position of the magnet poles:
d
Magnet 1 Magnet 2

Magnets and Magnetic Forces.

20 [Link]
 T he opposite poles of two magnets exert an attractive magnetic
force on each other.
T he like poles of two magnets, on the other hand, exert a repulsive
magnetic force on each other.

The magnetic force depends both on the strength of the magnets and
the distance between them: the further they are from each other, the
weaker the force is.

Magnetic Fields
A magnet alters the region in space surrounding it, so any other mag- Simulator
net—or an object made of magnetic material—entering that region will
be exerted a magnetic force by the first magnet.

The disturbance generated by a magnet in a region in space is

called a magnetic field.

The magnetic fields created by each of the magnetized objects in a re-

gion in space superimpose, giving rise to a single field, the total mag-
netic field.

Electromagnetism
In the beginning of the 19th century, the detailed study of electricity and
magnetism unveiled that these phenomena are closely related. Oerst-
ed’s and Faraday’s experiments were key in establishing this close link:

Electricity and magnetism are phenomena both related to elec- Hans Christian Oersted (left) and
tric charges and their movement. Michael Faraday (right).

Electromagnetism is the field of study that merges electric phe-

nomena and magnetic phenomena into a single theory. Videos

Oersted’s Experiment. In an experiment, in 1820 the Danish

physicist Hans Christian Oersted discovered that an electric current
produces a magnetic field around the wire it flows through. The
movement of electrons through the wire creates a magnetic field
surrounding the wire. The movement of the magnetized compass
needle—which no longer points to the north—indicates the
existence of the magnetic field. When the connections from the
battery are reversed, the direction of both the current flow and
the magnetic field are also reversed. That’s why the magnetized
compass needle deflects in the opposite direction.

[Link] 21
 Faraday’s Experiment. In 1831, English physicist and chemist Michael Faraday dis-
covered that applying a changing magnetic field to a conductor induced an electric
current in the conductor. In this electric circuit has no power source: it only has a loop
of wire—a coil of electric wire—connected to two diodes. The red diode flashes if
the current flows in one direction, and the the green one flashes when it flows in the
opposite direction. When moving the magnet fast through the coil, a change is pro-
duced in the magnetic field. This induces an electric current that turns the red diode
on. If the magnet’s poles are inverted, the electric current created in the coil flows in
the opposite direction and the green LED diode flashes.

Electromagnetic Machines
Thanks to advances in the knowledge of electromagnetism, electromag-
netic machines are being designed for multiple applications. Electro-
magnetism is used in many types of electric appliances.

Examples of these machines include:

iron
core

electric magnetic electric magnetic

current field current field

Solenoid. A solenoid is a coil of current-carrying wire. A uniform Electromagnet. An electromagnet is a solenoid with a core made
magnetic field is created inside the loops. of a magnetic material such as iron. The magnetic field created by
the current inside the solenoid becomes stronger due to the mag-
netic core. Also, the magnetic field can change as the current is
increased or decreased.

external magnets electric current

magnetic field

electromagnet

variable current

Electric Motor. An electric motor transforms electrical energy Dynamo. A dynamo is a machine that transforms mechanical en-
into mechanical energy. An electromagnet is fixed on a rotation ergy into electrical energy. It consists on a coil that spins between
axis and placed between two magnets. A current that repeatedly two magnets. As the coil turns, the magnetic field acting on it
reverses direction flows through the coil, causing a change in the changes, inducing an electric current.
direction of the electromagnet's magnetic field, which rotates in
one direction or another depending on the poles of the permanent
magnets.

22 [Link]
 Elaborate

A Toy Crane
A Job to Be Done
Mrs. Jackson's toy factory is famous for its amazing metal car replicas.
For next year, Mrs. Jackson wants to make a special toy: a lifting crane
that can hold, lift, and transport one of their miniature cars, and then
release it back to the ground.

The factory designers suggested using a hook to secure the car, but
Mrs. Jackson wants something fancier and asked them to come up
with a toy that can hold and move loads through magnetic forces.

In short, Mrs. Jackson wants a mechanism that can exert a magnetic

force only when required, a force that is capable of lifting a toy car and
then stop acting to release it when desired.

To do this assignment, your design team decides to use an electro-

magnet: a device that acts as a magnet when it’s turned on. Also, de-
pending on how it’s built, we can adjust the strength of its magnetic
force to accomplish its function.

An electromagnet consists of a coil of wire wrapped around a me-

tallic object. When a current flows through the wire, the device be-
comes a magnet.

Electromagnets are present in lots of machines. The strength of the

magnetic force varies widely across these machines.
High-power electromagnets are
In this activity, you will build an electromagnet for Mrs. Jackson’s used in cranes capable of lifting cars.
toy crane. To do that, you will explore how to get the electromag-
net to have the desired force.

[Link] 23
 Prior Aspects: Force of an Electromagnet
Voltage of the Number of
Core material Since your electromagnet must be capable of lifting a
battery (V) paper clips
toy car (approximately 50 g in weight), it is key that you
1.5 Iron 2 understand what the force exerted by the electromagnet
depends on.
4.5 Iron 4
To that end, let's analyze the data provided here on dif-
9 Iron 8
ferent electromagnets. The tables show the results of ex-
1.5 Aluminum 0 periments where the force of an electromagnet is deter-
mined by the number of paper clips it is capable of lifting.
4.5 Aluminum 1
Using the data from the previous tables, ask questions
9 Aluminum 2
that will allow you to determine the factors the force of
the electromagnet depends on.
Total wire Number of turns Number of
length (m) in the solenoid paper clips During the design and construction project of the elec-
1 30 3
tromagnet, you will try to answer these questions by
0.5 30 6
proposing hypotheses about the variables that affect
the magnetic force and putting them to the test. These
0.25 30 11
answers will guide you in building your electromagnet.
1 20 2
0.5 20 3
0.25 20 6
1 10 1
0.5 10 2
0.25 10 3

Wire section Length of Number of

(mm2) solenoid (cm) paper clips

0.25 2 6
0.5 2 12
1 2 21
0.25 4 4
0.5 4 7
1 4 16
0.25 8 3
0.5 8 6
1 8 13

Let’s Get Down to Business!

You are now ready to tackle the design and construction of your electro-
magnet.

Dossier
The dossier in the digital version will guide your project.
You must complete it as you progress with your work.

Rubric
In addition, in the digital version there’s the rubric
that Mrs. Jackson’s team will use to evaluate the quali-
ty of your project.

24 [Link]
 EXERCISES
At-a-Distance Forces

1. Through Contact or At a Distance?

Consider the following forces and indicate whether they are exerted at a distance or through contact.
Your weight, that is, the force Earth exerts on you is .......... force.
The force one hand exerts shaking another hand is .......... force.
The force a magnet exerts on an iron ball is .......... force.
Atmospheric pressure, that is, the force the air exerts on all objects in the atmosphere is .......... force.
The force a branch exerts on the fruit hanging from it is .......... force.
The force your foot exerts on the ground as you walk is .......... force.
The force the Sun exerts on Earth, keeping it in orbit, is .......... force.

Objects with Mass Attract Each Other

2. Attraction
a. Which of the following objects would exert a gravitational pull on you if they were sufficiently close? Classify
them into exert a gravitational pull or don’t exert a gravitational pull.
b. Which of the following objects would exert a highly noticeable pull on you if they were sufficiently close?
Classify them into no significant gravitational pull or highly significant gravitational pull.

a. An elephant b. The Sun c. Saturn d. A human being e. An ant

B
f. A pyramid g. A truck h. A bicycle i. A paramecium j. The Andromeda galaxy

Gravity Decreases with Distance

3. Interplanetary Travel It remains the same because Earth's mass


A probe designed to explore the surface of other does not change at any point.
planets is set to take off from a launch pad. Wthout
b. Suppose that this probe is traveling to a planet
the additional propellers that will be used during
that has the same mass as Earth but only half its
takeoff, the probe has a mass of 568 kg and Earth
radius. How does the force with which the planet
attracts it with a force of 5.572 N.
attracts the probe change as it nears the planet?
a. How does the strength of the gravitational force
It gradually decreases.

that Earth exerts on the probe change when it is
8,000 km away from its surface? A planet with a smaller radius than Earth’s

does not generate a gravitational force.
It decreases as the probe moves away from

It gradually increases.

Earth.
It decreases since this force increases with

distance.

[Link] 25
 EXERCISES
c. The probe has landed on this planet. Describe the
force with which the planet attracts the probe.

The same as the force with which Earth


attracted it before takeoff.
Smaller than the force with which Earth

attracted it before takeoff.
Greater than the force with which Earth

attracted it before takeoff.

4. Black Holes
Carefully read this text and answer the questions
on the following pages.

Don’t let the name fool you: a black hole is

anything but empty space. Rather, it is a great a. What is a black hole?
amount of matter packed into a very small area.
A low-density area of matter within a

Think of a star ten times more massive than the
high-density region.
Sun squeezed into a sphere approximately the
diameter of New York City. The result is a gravita- An extremely dense region in space.

tional field so strong that nothing, not even light, An aggregate made up of dark matter.

can escape.
b. How can you describe the mass and volume of
In recent years, NASA’s instruments have painted a black hole?
a new picture of these strange objects that are, The mass is huge.
q
to many, the most fascinating objects in space.
The volume is huge.
q
Scientists can’t directly observe black holes with The mass is relatively small.
q
telescopes. We can, however, infer the presence The volume is relatively small.
q
of black holes and study them by detecting their
effect on other matter nearby. If a star passes c. What force does a black hole exert on nearby
close to a black hole, it can tear the star apart as objects?
it pulls it toward itself.
An electromagnetic force

Although the basic formation process is under- Gravity

stood, one perennial mystery in the science of A nuclear force

black holes is that they appear to exist on two
radically different size scales. d. How can the magnitude of the force exerted by
a black hole be described?
On the one end, there are the countless black
holes that are the remnants of massive stars. It is so powerful that it even attracts light.

Peppered throughout the Universe, these “stellar It is insignificant, since these holes are within

mass” black holes are generally 10 to 24 times the matter.
as massive as the Sun. On the other end of the It is similar to the magnitude of the forces

size spectrum are the giants known as “super- exerted by other celestial bodies.
massive” black holes, which are millions, if not
billions, of times as massive as the Sun. e. The magnitude of the gravity with which a
celestial body attracts any object on its surface in-
Adapted from “Black Holes,” NASA Science creases with mass and decreases with the distance
website, between the object and the center of the celestial
[Link] body, which is the radius of the celestial body.
areas/black-holes/.

26 [Link]
 EXERCISES
Select the statements that are true. c. Knowing that the Sun’s mass is 2 · 1030 kg and
that the average black hole is ten times heavier
The smaller the radius, the greater the gravity.
q than the Sun, what is the density of the average
The greater the mass, the greater the gravity.
q black hole?

The lower the mass, the greater the gravity.

q 3.1 · 103 kg/m3

6.5 · 1017 kg/m3

The longer the radius, the greater the gravity.
q
1.6 · 1017 kg/m3

f. Therefore, the denser the celestial body… 2 · 1030 kg/m3

6.1 · 1043 kg/m3

…the lower the gravity on its surface.

…the greater the gravity on its surface.
 d. Look up the average density of the Earth and
indicate how much greater the density of a black
hole is.
The Density of a Black Hole
Interestingly, since the gravitational force exerted 100 trillion times greater

by a celestial body depends on its density, cal- 100,000 times greater

culating the density of a black hole allows us to 1,000 times greater

assess the magnitude of the force it exerts.
a. In the text, the size of a black hole is compared 5. Gravity on a Planet
to the size of New York City. The table shows the mass and radius of the planets
in the solar system.
Given that New York City is approximately 39 km
in diameter, what is the approximate radius of the Planet Mass (kg) Average radius (km)
black hole?
Mercury 3.3022 · 10 23 2,440
3.9 · 103 m

Venus 4.8685 · 10 24 6,052
1.95 · 103 m

3.9 · 104 m
 Earth 5.9736 · 10 24 6,371
1.95 · 104 m
 Mars 6.4185 · 10 23 3,396
3.9 · 105 m

Jupiter 1.8986 · 10 27 71,492
1.95 · 105 m

Saturn 5.6846 · 10 26 60,268
b. The volume of a sphere (V) in terms of its radius
(r) is expressed by the equation: Uranus 8.681 · 10 25 25,559

Neptune 1.0243 · 10 26 24,764

4
V = —— ∙ π ∙ r 3
3
Mass and average radius of the planets in the solar system.
What is the approximate volume of the black hole?
a. Rank the planets according to their mass, from
8.2 · 10 m
 4 3 greatest to lowest.
1.6 · 106 m3
 A. 
Mars B. 
Uranus C. 
Venus
9.9 · 1012 m3
 D. 
Jupiter E. 
Mercury F. 
Neptune
3.1 · 1013 m3

G. 
Saturn H. Earth
9.3 · 1013 m3

2.5 · 1014 m3


[Link] 27
 EXERCISES
This other table shows the strength of the gravi- The attraction between Earth and an airplane is
tational force that each planet would exert on a [lesser / greater / the same] when the plane is
hypothetical object with mass of 1 kg located on loaded than when it is not.
the planet's surface.
The gravitational attraction between two
passengers on an airplane is [lesser / greater /
Gravitational force the same] both on the runway and when the
Planet on the surface (N)
airplane is at a higher altitude.
Mercury 3.7
7. Facts about Gravity
Venus 8.87 Indicate whether each of the following statements
is true or false:
Earth 9.81
 t  f  
The pull of gravity prevents the air in
Mars 3.71 the atmosphere from escaping into
Jupiter 24.79
space.

Saturn
 t  f  
There is no gravity on the Moon.
10.44
 t  f  
The Earth exerts a gravitational pull
Uranus 8.69
on us, but we do not exert a pull on
Neptune 11.15 Earth.

Attractive force each planet would exert on an  t  f  

If all the air in the atmosphere disap-
object with mass located on its surface. peared, we would float.
 t  f  
Gravity is always an attractive force.
b. Rank the planets according to the strength of  t  f  
The greater the mass of the interact-
the gravitational force on their surface, from great- ing objects, the greater the pull of
est to lowest. gravity between them.
A. 
Mars B. 
Uranus C. 
Venus  t  f  
All objects that have a mass always
D. 
Jupiter E. 
Mercury F. 
Neptune exert gravitational pulls on each other.

G. 
Saturn H. Earth  t  f  
Gravity is measured in kilograms.

Compare the two lists you ranked in order. 8. Modifying Gravitational Attraction
The two objects in the picture attract one anoth-
Why don’t the lists of planets ranked according to er because they both have mass. According to
their mass and planets ranked according to the the Law of Universal Gravitation, this attraction is
strength of the gravitational force on their surface directly proportional to the product of the masses
match? and inversely proportional to the square of the
Here’s a clue: check the data on table one regard- distance separating them.
ing the planets’ radii.

The Law of Universal Gravitation

6. As Above, So Below
Complete the following sentences with the correct
option.

The attraction between Earth and an airplane

[decreases / doesn't change / increases] when
the plane is at a higher altitude.
The attraction between Earth and an airplane
[doesn't change / changes / only changes ] if its
mass changes.
The objects inside the airplane [attract / do not
attract] one another.
28 [Link]
 EXERCISES
a. How does the force of attraction between the The force of attraction drops by half.

two objects change when we double the distance
The force of attraction is four times stronger.

between the objects?
The force of attraction is twice as strong.
 9. Mission to the Moon
The force of attraction drops to one fourth of
 Analyze the data shown in the image and complete
its value. the following activities.
The force of attraction drops by half.

m = 75 kg
The force of attraction is four times stronger.

b. How does the force of attraction between the
two objects change when we double the mass of
one of the objects?

r = 6,371 km d = 384,400 km r = 1,737 km

m = 5.97 ∙1024 kg m = 7.35 ∙1022 kg

a. Calculate the gravitational attraction between

Earth and the astronaut when he is on the planet's
surface.
Express the result correct to one decimal place.
Keep in mind that G = 6.67 · 10–11 N · m2/kg2.
The force of attraction is twice as strong.

.......... N
The force of attraction drops to one fourth of

its value.
The force of attraction drops by half.

The force of attraction is four times stronger.
 m = 75 kg

c. What will happen if we decrease the two objects’

masses by half?

r = 6,371 km d = 384,400 km r = 1,737 km

m = 5.97 ∙1024 kg m = 7.35 ∙1022 kg

b. Calculate the gravitational attraction between

Earth and the astronaut when he is on the surface
of the Moon.
Express the result correct to one decimal place.
Keep in mind that G = 6.67 · 10–11 N · m2/kg2.
The force of attraction is twice as strong.

.......... N
The force of attraction drops to one fourth of

its value.

[Link] 29
 EXERCISES
c. Calculate the gravitational attraction between a. A rover has a mass of 900 kg on Earth. What is
the Moon and the astronaut when he is on the the value of its mass on Mars?
surface of the Moon.  Less than it is on Earth
Express the result correct to one decimal place.  Greater than it is on Earth
.......... N The same as it is on Earth

b. What is the value of its weight on the Earth?

Weight
.......... N
10. Mass and Weight
c. What is the value of its weight on Mars?
Different Magnitudes
When we weigh an object, we are actually measur-  Less than it is on Earth
ing its mass. However, mass and weight are not the  Greater than it is on Earth
same thing.  The same as it is on Earth
Mass is the quantity of matter the object contains.
11. Weight on the Moon
Weight, in contrast, is the force of attraction that
a large body—normally the Earth—exerts on that
object.
Select the correct option in each case.

Mass is measured in [cubic meters / Newtons /

kilograms], whereas weight, since it is a force, is
measured in [cubic meters / Newtons / kilo-
grams].
In 1969, the Apollo 11 mission managed to land
Measuring the Weight, Indicating the Mass on the Moon’s surface. Neil Armstrong and Buzz
Using W = m · g, we can get an expression that Aldrin, the astronauts who stepped on the Earth’s
helps us infer the mass of an object provided that satellite, felt incredibly light walking on its surface.
we know its weight:
Between 1969 and 1972, several missions saw the
W number of astronauts reaching the planet’s satel-
m = —— lite rise to 12. Several experiments on the Moon’s
g
gravity were carried out during these missions.
After all, that's how a scale works: it measures the
To study gravitational force, the astronauts carried
weight of an object and then it works out its mass.
some objects previously weighed on Earth and
Calculate the weight that the scale is measuring weighed them on the Moon’s surface. The results
when it shows the following masses: are shown in the table.
Give the results correct to two decimal places and
remember that, on Earth, g= 9.8 m/s2. Weight on Weight on
Earth (N) the Moon (N)

If m = 49.5 kg, W = .......... N

Object 1 5.88 0.97
If m = 53 kg, W = .......... N
Object 2 9.81 1.62
If m = 66.5 kg, W = .......... N
Object 3 23.54 3.89
Beyond the Earth
But the value of g is 9.8 m/s2 only on Earth. When
the force of gravity is exerted by other planets, the Why do the same objects have different weights
weight of objects changes. on Earth and on the Moon?

On Mars, the value of g is lower than on Earth. Use the data gathered by the astronauts as evi-
dence to support your answer.

30 [Link]
 EXERCISES
12. The Astronaut 13. The Acceleration Due to Gravity
The formula to calculate an object’s weight on the
surface of a planet is:

W=m·g
Earth
where m is the mass of the object and g is the
acceleration due to gravity, which is different on
each planet.
The value of the acceleration due to gravity (g)
can be calculated by combining two fundamen-
tal laws of Physics: the Law of Universal Gravi-
tation and Newton’s Second Law.
Recall that if W = m · g, then:
Law of Universal Gravitation
W W
g = —— m = —— We use this law to calculate the magnitude of the gravita-
m g
tional force (Fg) with which a planet pulls on an object
a. Knowing that the acceleration due to gravity on placed on its surface. This force is, in other words, the
Earth is 9.8 m/s2, calculate the mass of the astro- object’s weight (W).
naut. Use the simulator in the digital version.
M·m
Round off your result and express it as a whole W = Fg = G · ———
number. R2

The astronaut's mass is .......... kg. Where G is the universal gravitation constant,
M is the mass of the planet and R is the planet’s radius
b. Use the previous result to calculate the accelera- or the distance separating its surface and its center.
tion due to gravity on Mars and the Moon.
Give the results correct to one decimal place.
g Mars =.......... N/kg or m/s2
g Moon =.......... N/kg or m/s2

c. Why is the acceleration due to gravity greater on

Mars than on the Moon?
Because Mars is much further from Earth
 Newton’s Second Law
than the Moon and the gravity of our planet
cannot cancel out Mars's gravity. This law establishes that mass (m), acceleration (a), and
the magnitude of the net force (F) acting on an object are
Because the Moon is not a planet.
 related according to the expression:
Because Mars has a greater mass and the

acceleration due to gravity depends on the F=m·a
mass.
An object’s weight can be calculated as the product of its
d. Why does the astronaut fall more quickly on mass and the acceleration due to gravity (g).
Mars than on the Moon?
Fg = W = m · g
Because he has a greater mass on Mars.

Because his weight is greater on Mars.

Because the Moon is not a planet.


[Link] 31
 EXERCISES
Keep in mind that G = 6.67 · 10–11 N · m2/kg2.
Calculating g If necessary, express the result correct to one deci-
mal place.
To calculate the value of g, we combine the following two
expressions: gMars =.......... m/s 2
M·m gUranus =.......... m/s 2
m · g = G · ———
R2
Isolating g, we get the following expression: Planetary and Satellite Motions

M 14. Orbital speed of planets

g = G · ———
R2 a. The greater the gravitational force a celestial
Using this expression we can calculate the value of body exerts on its satellites, the greater the orbital
gravity in any planet. We only need to know the values speed needed to remain in orbit. Therefore, the
of radius and mass. closer the satellites are to the body, the greater
their orbital speed.
Each planet moves in its orbit at a different speed
from the others.
Using the radius of its orbit and the time taken to
complete one turn, calculate the speed at which
a. Complete the following sentences with the each planet orbits.
correct option. Suppose that the orbits are circular and use
The acceleration due to gravity [decreases / π = 3.14. Give your answers in km/s and correct to
increases] when we move away from Earth’s 2 decimal places.
center.
Radius of the orbit Orbital period
On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity (million km) (days)
[doesn't depend / depends] on the mass of the
Mercury 58 87.6
object.
The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is Venus 108 224.5
[different than / the same as] it is on the other
planets of the solar system. Earth 150 365

The value of g on a planet with the same mass Mars 228 686.5
as Earth but with a smaller radius would be
[smaller / greater]. Jupiter 778 4,329.9
The value of g on a planet with the same radius
Saturn 1,428 10,748.3
as Earth but with a lower mass would be [small-
er / greater].
Uranus 2,872 30,666.1

b. Use the expression and the mass and radius Neptune 4,500 60,148.8
values shown in the table to calculate the accel-
eration due to gravity on the surfaces of Mars and Radii and periods of planetary orbits in the solar system.
Uranus:

Mars Uranus

Mass (kg) 6.39 · 10 23 8.68 · 10 23

Radius 3,390 25,362

(km)

32 [Link]
 EXERCISES
Mercury: .......... km/s
 Jupiter: .......... km/s The order of the planets by size, from smallest

to largest
Venus: .......... km/s
 Saturn: .......... km/s

The order of the planets by their distance

Earth: .......... km/s Uranus: .......... km/s
from the Sun, from longest to shortest
Mars: .......... km/s Neptune: .......... km/s
The order of the planets by size, from largest

b. Notice how, in the previous answer, the planets to smallest
were ordered by their orbital speeds from fastest The order of the planets by their distance

to slowest. What other order does this match? from the Sun, from shortest to longest

Electric Charge

15. Electric Charge

a. Complete this text with the appropriate terms. b. Complete this text with the appropriate terms.
To explain electrical phenomena, suppose that Sometimes, an object can have more charges of
matter contains a very large number of ......... one type than the other type. Then, we say that
charges so small that we can’t see them. the object is ......... or that it has a net ........... .
There are two types of tiny charges: positive If an object has more positive charges than
and .......... . All objects contain tiny charges [of a negative charges, its electrical net charge will be
single type / of the two types]. ........... .

Usually, the number of tiny positive charges in If an object has fewer positive charges than
an object is [greater / lesser / the same as] the negative charges, its electrical net charge will be
number of negative charges. ........... .
If an object has the same number of positive and
negative charges, its net charge will be ........... .

16. The Electric Charge Model

a. Suppose that a sweater is negatively charged. According to the electric charge model, which image or
images correctly represent the distribution of tiny charges in the sweater?

q q q q

b. This time, suppose that a balloon is positively charged. According to the electric charge model, which
image or images correctly represent the distribution of tiny charges in the balloon?

q q q q

[Link] 33
 EXERCISES
c. Finally, suppose a PVC pipe has zero net charge. According to the electric charge model, which image or
images correctly represent the distribution of tiny charges in the PVC pipe?

q q q q

17. Electric Charge is a Scientific Model

To try to explain why an object has a net charge, b. Using this scientific model, how can an object
we say that matter contains a huge number of tiny have a negative net charge?
positive and negative charges.
It has a negative net charge because it con-

This idea is a scientific model: a representation tains more tiny negative charges than positive
of reality that we use to explain the phenomena charges.
around us.
It has a negative net charge because it only

a. So, according to this scientific model, how can contains tiny negative charges.
an object have a positive net charge?
c. Using this scientific model, how can an object
It has a positive net charge because it only
 not have a net charge?
contains tiny positive charges.
It doesn’t have a net charge because it doesn’t

It has a positive net charge because it con-
 contain either positive or negative charges.
tains more tiny positive charges than negative
charges. It doesn’t have a net charge because it

contains the same number of positive and
negative charges.
18. Magnitude of Electric Charge
These three images represent positively charged objects.
a. Rank them according to their net charge, from greatest to lowest.

A B C
These three images represent negatively charged objects.
b. Rank them according to their net charge, from greatest to lowest.

A B C

34 [Link]
 EXERCISES
c. Complete this text with the appropriate terms. d. Rank the following electric charges according to
their magnitude, from greatest to lowest.
The magnitude of an object’s net charge
increases as the difference between its positive A. 
+20 C
and negative charges .......... .
B. 
+3 C
Electric charge is measured in ........., a unit of
measurement represented by the letter .......... C. 
-28 C
(in uppercase). D. 
-9 C

Electrical Attraction and Repulsion

19. Which One Becomes most Electrically Charged?

Carefully watch the video in the digital version and answer the questions below.

a. Which of the balloons in the video has no net

charge?
Balloon A
q Balloon B
q Balloon C
q

b. Which balloons have a net charge?

Balloon A
q Balloon B
q Balloon C
q A B C
c. Look at balloons B and C. Although they both seem to behave electrically, they do so with different
intensities. Which of the two balloons attracts the confetti more strongly?
Balloon A
 Balloon B
 Balloon C


Not all charged objects behave the same way because, regardless of the type of charge, the net charge
of an object can differ. The greater the charge, the stronger the attraction or repulsion it exerts on other
objects.

d. Which of the balloons in the video of the digital version has the greatest net charge?
Balloon A
 Balloon B
 Balloon C


e. When we say that one object has more net charge than another, we refer in fact to the tiny charges con-
tained in them. The greater the number of charges of one type compared to the other type, the greater its
net charge. Match each balloon to the representation that best describes its electrical behavior: A, B or C.

.......... .......... ..........

f. The total net charge of an object does not depend on the total number of tiny charges contained in
it, but on the difference in the amount of positive and negative charges. Rank the following models of
objects according to their net charge, from lowest to greatest.

A B C
35
 EXERCISES
20. Electrostatic Inferences
a. Watch the video in the digital version. All the
objects you see are charged.
What are the net charges of the plastic tube and
the glass rod?

The plastic tube and the balloon [have the

same type of charge / have opposite charges].
The glass rod and the balloon [have the same
type of charge / have opposite charges].

Net charge
b. After rubbing it with the cloth, the duct tape
becomes positively charged.

Use the simulator in the digital version to see how

the other objects behave when rubbed with the
cloth and placed closed to the charged tape. This
way, you can find out the type of net charge. Next,
complete the table.

The Strength of Electric Force

21. The Strength of Electric Forces The distance between the charged objects.
q
As you know, an electrically charged object exerts The tilt angle with respect to the vertical of
q
a force on another charged object. If the two the thread that holds the charged objects.
objects have like charges, the force is repulsive.
If they have opposite charges, they attract each d. According to the previous experiments, what
other. variables influence the strength of the electric
forces?
a. But, what does the strength of the at-a-distance
force between two electrically charged objects The masses of the charged objects.
q
depend on? The electric charge of each of the charged
q
Propose a hypothesis to this question based on objects.
your prior knowledge. The distance between the charged objects.
q
b. Use the simulator in the digital version to an- The tilt angle with respect to the vertical of
q
alyze the factors determining the strength of the the thread that holds the charged objects.
electric force between two charged objects.
e. The role of which of the following variables is
c. In this experimental design, the value of what not analyzed in these experiments?
variable allows you to measure the strength of the
electric forces? The masses of the charged objects.
q
The electric charge of each of the charged
q
The masses of the charged objects.
q objects.
The electric charge of each of the charged
q The distance between the charged objects.
q
objects.
The tilt angle with respect to the vertical of
q
the thread that holds the charged objects.

36 [Link]
 EXERCISES
22. Charge and Distance a. Look at Coulomb's Law and answer the follow-
ing questions.
+1C +1C
hat is the sign of the force between two like
W
charges? [Positive / Negative]
1m
What is the sign of the force between two
opposite charges? [Positive / Negative]
+1C +1C
b. Tell whether the following values of electrostatic
0.5 m force correspond to attractive or repulsive forces.
[Attractive / Repulsive]
+1C +1C F= 9.4 N F = ­ −9.2 · 10−8 N
........
 ........
2m
c. Select the pairs of electric charges that are able
a. What is the electric force between two particles to generate an electric force of 9.4 N:
of +1C separated by a distance of 1 m? q Two protons Two electrons
q
F = ........... ∙ 10
...........
N A proton and an electron
q
b. How much does the force change if the distance d. Select the pairs of electric charges that are able
between the particles goes from 1 m to 0.5 m? to generate an electric force of –9.2 · 10−8 N.
The force [would be doubled / would be tripled q Two protons Two electrons
q
/ would be four times as much / would be
half as much / would be three times smaller / A proton and an electron
q
would be four times smaller].
24. Subatomic Particles
c. How much does the force change if the distance
Electrons and protons are electrically charged sub-
between the particles goes from 1 m to 2 m?
atomic particles. The magnitude of their charges is
The force [would be doubled / would be tripled the same, but they are opposite charges.
/ would be four times as much / would be
a. Find the value of the electric charge of a proton
half as much / would be three times smaller /
and an electron and select the correct option.
would be four times smaller].
[+1 C / −1 C / −9.1 · 10−31 C / −1.6 · 10−19 C /
23. Electric Force and Sign +1.6 · 10−19 C / +1.6 · 10−27 C]

Electron’s charge: ..........

Proton’s charge: ..........

b. What is the electric force between an electron

and a proton in a hydrogen atom?

Use Coulomb's constant in the vacuum,

k = 9 · 109 N · m2/C 2, and consider a distance of
5.3 · 10−11m. Write your answer in scientific nota-
tion and correct to two decimal places.

F = ........... ∙ 10........... N

c. What is the electric force between two protons

separated by the same distance?

F = ........... ∙ 10........... N

[Link] 37
 EXERCISES
Electric Fields Magnetism
25. Field lines 26. Facts about Magnetism
a. Select the diagram that most accurately rep- Determine whether the following statements are
resents the field lines created by two positive true or false:
charges.
Magnetism is the ability of a material to exert
forces over a distance on other magnetic
materials.
The Earth’s core is a magnet.

q q A compass is a naturally occurring magnet.

North and south poles in magnets can be
broken apart.
All materials have magnetic properties.
Like electrical forces, magnetic forces may be
attractive or repulsive.
q q
Magnetic materials may become magnets
under certain conditions.
b. Select the diagram that most accurately rep-
resents the field lines created by two negative Magnetic materials are materials that look exac-
charges. tly like magnetite.

27. Breaking Magnets in Two

Suppose a magnet is split in the middle. Which
one of the following diagrams most accurately
represents the distribution of the new poles?
q q

q q
q q

c. Select the diagram that most accurately rep-

resents the field lines created by two opposite
charges.

q q

q q Magnetic Attraction and Repulsion

28. Playing Around with Magnets

When representing a magnetic force, we must
consider that:

q q

38 [Link]
 EXERCISES
The direction of a magnetic force depends on
whether the force is attractive or repulsive.
The magnitude of a force depends on the
power of each of the interacting magnets and
the distance separating them.

Watch the video in the digital version and answer

the following questions: q q
c. Select the image that correctly represents the
attractive magnetic force exerted by the magnet
on the compass needle.

a. Select the image that correctly represents the

magnetic force exerted by magnet 1 on magnet 2. q q

Recall that poles of equal color are of the same

type.

q q

d. Select the image that correctly represents the

magnetic force exerted by the magnet on the ball
q q
at two different points along the path traveled.
The red line represents the path traveled by the
metallic ball.

q q

b. Select the image that correctly represents the

magnetic force exerted by magnet 1 on magnet 2. q q
Recall that poles of equal color are of the same
type.

q q

q q

[Link] 39
 EXERCISES
Magnetic Fields
29. Earth Is a Magnet
Use the interactive resource in the digital version and complete the following text.

A compass is an instrument used for orientation. It consists of a magnetic needle whose north pole is
pulled toward Earth's Geographical [North / South] Pole.

When a magnet is moved closer to a compass, the red end points toward the magnet's [north /
south] pole.

Likewise, since Earth is a magnet, the compass needle always points toward Earth's magnetic [north /
south] pole.

Funny enough, the Geographical [North / South] Pole on Earth corresponds to the south magnetic
pole, and the Geographical South Pole corresponds to the magnetic [north / south] pole.

Electromagnetism

30. Is the Current Flowing?

Cable A Cable B Cable C

a. Indicate whether current flows through cable A, and if so, the direction it is flowing in.

Current [flows / doesn't flow] through cable A [and thus follows no direction / in a downward direction.
/ in an upward direction].

b. Indicate whether current flows through cable B, and if so, the direction it is flowing in.

Current [flows / doesn't flow] through cable B [and thus follows no direction / in a downward direction.
/ in an upward direction].

c. Indicate whether current flows through cable C, and if so, the direction it is flowing in

Current [flows / doesn't flow] through cable C [and thus follows no direction / in a downward direction.
/ in an upward direction].

40 [Link]
 NOTES

[Link] 41
 NOTES

42 [Link]
 At-a-Distance Forces

Related Units:

Forces Forces (II)

Electricity

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