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Question #42840

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

A solid non-conducting sphere of radius RR has a uniform volume charge density ρ\rho. A spherical cavity of radius rr (r<Rr < R) is made inside the sphere. The center of the cavity is displaced from the center of the sphere by a constant vector d⃗\vec{d}. A particle of mass mm and charge qq is placed inside the cavity. The particle is attached to the center of the cavity by a light insulating spring of force constant kk and zero natural length. The entire sphere is then given a constant acceleration a⃗\vec{a} in a direction perpendicular to d⃗\vec{d}. If the particle is released from rest relative to the cavity from the cavity's center, what is the maximum speed of the particle in the reference frame of the sphere? (Ignore gravity and assume the particle does not collide with the cavity walls).

Options

  • A.

    q2ρ2d29ϵ02mk+ma2k\sqrt{ \frac{q^2 \rho^2 d^2}{9 \epsilon_0^2 m k} + \frac{m a^2}{k} }

  • B.

    ma2k\sqrt{ \frac{m a^2}{k} }

  • C.

    q2ρ2d29ϵ02mk\sqrt{ \frac{q^2 \rho^2 d^2}{9 \epsilon_0^2 m k} }

  • D.

    qρd3ϵ0mk+amk\frac{q \rho d}{3 \epsilon_0 \sqrt{m k}} + a \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Intuition_Breaker

Train your brain to resist "obvious" answers that are designed to deceive your intuition.

Concepts Behind This Question

Gauss Law Applicability|SHM Definition via Differential Equation|Frame of Reference Dependency

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

This question tests the student's ability to superimpose electrostatic fields and mechanical pseudo-forces within a non-inertial reference frame to establish a new equilibrium for Simple Harmonic Motion.

A common trap is assuming the electric field inside the cavity is zero (confusing a solid non-conducting sphere with a conducting shell), which leads to ignoring the electric force entirely.

Another trap is failing to account for the pseudo-force due to the sphere's acceleration, or incorrectly adding the electric and pseudo-forces as scalars rather than vectors given their perpendicular orientation.

The student must correctly identify the effective constant force vector to find the shifted equilibrium and amplitude of the 3D harmonic oscillator.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectPhysics
ChapterElectric Charges and Fields - Class 12
ConceptGauss Law Applicability
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load7
Target Solve Time160 sec
AccessFree