Electric Charges and Fields

Question 1

Charge:

Answer 1

• q
• C for Coulombs

Question 2

Elementary Charge:

Answer 2

• e, minimum charge any particles can have
• Proton charge: 1.6x10^-19
• Electron charge: -1.6x10^-19

Question 3

How and when do objects become charged?

Answer 3

Objects are considered to be charged when they have unequal proportions of electrons and protons.
- This can be done via two objects rubbing each other causing them to undergo electron transfer.
- If the charges are not moving, then it is known as electrostatic charge/static electricity.

Question 4

Define voltage:

Answer 4

Voltage refers to the potential energy difference created when separating two opposite charges.

Question 5

State the process that occurs within a battery:

Answer 5

Atoms within the battery are chemically separated… The electrons and protons go to negative and positive terminals respectively, creating a potential difference. When a conductor is connected from the negative to the positive terminal

Question 6

Voltage equation:

Answer 6

V = E/q

Question 7

Current:

Answer 7

Current refers to the rate of flow of charge in a circuit.
Measured in Amps or C sec^-1

I = q/t or V/R

Question 8

Conventional Current:

Answer 8

Flows from positive terminal to negative. Although wrong, it was first thought that current was the flow of positive charges. Hence this is still used.

Question 9

Electric Current:

Answer 9

Refers to the flow of electrons from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.