Comparison of Electric and Gravitational Fields Gravitational Fields Electric Fields All gravitational fields: All electric fields:

Field strength, g = Field strength, E = i.e. field strength is force per unit i.e. field strength is force per unit mass charge 1 2 Unit: F in N, g in N kg or m s Unit: F in N, E in N C1 or V m1 Uniform gravitational fields: Uniform electric fields Parallel field lines Parallel field lines g = constant E = = constant Spherical gravitational fields: Spherical electric fields: Radial field lines Radial field lines Force given by Newtons law: F = Force given by Coulombs law: F= , where k = Field strength is therefore: E = Vector forces: Only gravitational attraction, no repulsion Field strength is therefore: E = Vector forces: Both electrical attraction and repulsion are possible (because of positive and negative charges)