electric fields Flashcards
what is an electric field line
the path that a free positve charge would take within an electric field
what is the type of field for a point charge
radial field
in a radial field around a positive point charge, what direction would the lines be going in
outward
define electric field strength
the force per unit charge on a positive test charge placed at that point
since F=ma and F=EQ
ma=EQ
how is work done related to F=EQ
W=EQxd
Coulomb’s Law
The magnitude of the force F between two electrically charged particles, at distance apart r, is inversely proportional to r2 and proportional to the product of their charges Q1 and Q2
what is electric potential
as the work done per unit charge on a “small +ve test charge” when it is moved from infinity to that point
what is the potential gradient at any point in an electric field
The potential gradient at any point in an electric field is the change in potential per unit change of distance in a given direction.
what is a point charge
a charge in a situation where the distance between the objects is much greater than the size of the objects
when all force is in the same direction
The resultant F is
The resultant field strength E
= F1 + F2
=E1 + E2
when forces are in opposite direction
The resultant F is simply
The resultant field strength E
F1 - F2
E = E1 - E2
