Challenge Problems

91.

The Hubble Space Telescope can measure the energy flux from distant objects such as supernovae and stars. Scientists then use this data to calculate the energy emitted by that object. Choose an interstellar object which scientists have observed the flux at the Hubble with (for example, Vega3), find the distance to that object and the size of Hubble’s primary mirror, and calculate the total energy flux. (Hint: The Hubble intercepts only a small part of the total flux.)

92.

Re-derive Gauss’s law for the gravitational field, with $\vec{g}$ directed positively outward.

93.

An infinite plate sheet of charge of surface charge density $σ$ is shown below. What is the electric field at a distance x from the sheet? Compare the result of this calculation with that of worked out in the text.

Figure shows a plane with plus signs on it. It goes through a cylinder S perpendicularly at the center, dividing the cylinder into two halves of length x each. The top surface of the cylinder is labeled A. Arrows labeled E emerge from both ends of the cylinder, along its axis.

94.

A spherical rubber balloon carries a total charge Q distributed uniformly over its surface. At $t = 0$ , the radius of the balloon is R. The balloon is then slowly inflated until its radius reaches 2R at the time $t_{0} .$ Determine the electric field due to this charge as a function of time (a) at the surface of the balloon, (b) at the surface of radius R, and (c) at the surface of radius 2R. Ignore any effect on the electric field due to the material of the balloon and assume that the radius increases uniformly with time.

95.

Find the electric field of a large conducting plate containing a net charge q. Let A be area of one side of the plate and h the thickness of the plate (see below). The charge on the metal plate will distribute mostly on the two planar sides and very little on the edges if the plate is thin.

A cylinder goes through a hole at the center of a plate of thickness h. The plate has plus signs on its edge. The cylinder is labeled Gaussian pill box. The portion of the cylinder on the right side of the plate is of length z. Two arrows from its flat surface point outward, perpendicular to the surface. These are labeled vector E subscript P and delta vector A. The flat surface of the cylinder to the left of the plate has two arrows perpendicular to it, pointing outward. These are labeled mod vector E equal to mod vector E subscript P and delta vector A.