Electric Fields COPY Flashcards
Define Coulombs Law
The force acting between two charged bodies is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them and is directly proportional to the product of the two charges.
If the distance between the charge doubles, what happens to the magnitude of the force?
X 1/4
If the distance between the charge triples, what happens to the magnitude of the force?
X 1/9
If the distance between the charge halves, what happens to the magnitude of the force?
X 4
Define electric field
The region of space where a charged particle feels a force
What is the equation for the strength of an electric field?
E = F/Q
What is the units for electric field strength?
N/C, V/m
Define electric field strength
The force per unit positive charge
What is the direction of an electric field at a point equal to?
The direction of the force at that point
Is electric field strength a scalar or vector quantity?
Vector
How does the density of an electric field line relate to its strength?
The density of the field lines is a measure of the strength of an electric field
Where does charge appear to act on a charged sphere?
Charge is considered to act from the centre
Which way do the arrows face on a field lines diagram depicting an positive charge in the centre?
Away from the positive centre
Which way do the arrows face on a field lines diagram depicting an negative charge in the centre?
Towards the negative centre
Explain what will happen to a positive particle if it is moving in the same direction as the field
The particle will get a force on it in the same direction and will accelerate. EQ= ma
Explain what will happen to a positive particle if it is moving in the opposite direction as the field
Force is in the opposite direction to its motion. There is a negative acceleration so the particle will slow down
Explain what will happen to an electron if it is moving at right angles to the field
- An e- will feel a force on it in the opposite direction to the E field because it is -ve
- The horizontal component of the e- velocity will be constant
- The force on it causes it to accelerate in the vertical direction
What can be used to determine the acceleration in the vertical direction of an e- in an E field at right angle to its direction of motion
SUVAT equations
What is meant by a uniform field?
The force on a charge will be the same wherever the charge is between the plates
How do you calculate field strength between parallel plates?
E = V/d
Define electric potential
The electric potential at a point is defined as the work done taking a unit positive charge from infinity to that point
Is electric potential a scalar or vector quantity
Scalar
What is the potential around a positive charge?
Positive as work needs to be done. This is due the repulsive force
What is the potential around a negative charge?
Negative since the charge itself will do work to pull the charge from infinity towards itself
What is an equipotential?
Points of equal potential at right angles to the electric field lines
What work is done moving alone an equipotential?
No work is done
What is done moving from one potential to the other?
Work is done. The +ve or -ve sign relates to the direction of energy transfer
Is work done moving along an equipotential?
No
Is work done moving along field lines?
Yes