Physics 22.1 Electric Field Patterns

Question 1

Define charge

Answer 1

Charge is a fundamental physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field.

Question 2

Define an insulator

Answer 2

Insulators contain no free electrons

Question 3

Define a conductor

Answer 3

Conductors, such as metals, contain free-moving charge carriers; free or delocalised electrons that are not attatched to individual atoms.

Question 4

What is an electric field?

Answer 4

An electric field is a region in which a charged particle will experience a force

Question 5

What are field lines?

Answer 5

Field lines are imaginary lines representing the influence of a field.

Question 6

How can the direction of an electric field be defined?

Answer 6

The direction of a field line in the electric field is the direction of thee force on a small positive charge

Question 7

TASK

Answer 7

Draw each type of field pattern for an electric field.