ELECTRIC FIELDS

State what is meant by a field of force.

region (of space)

where a particle experiences a force

State what is indicated by the direction of an electric field line

direction of force

on positive charge

State what is meant by an electric field

region where charge experiences an (electric) force

Define Electric potential at a point

work done per unit charge

work done moving positive charge from infinity (to the point)

State what is meant by Electric field strength

force per unit charge

(force on) positive charge

State Coulomb’s law

force proportional to the product of the two point charges

and inversely proportional to the distance of their separation

State an expression for the electric field strength E at a distance r from a point charge Q in a vacuum

State the name of any other symbol used

E=Q/4πϵ0r2 (r square)

ϵ0 is permittivity (of free space)

State the relationship between the electrical potential at a point and electric field strength at the
point

field strength = potential gradient

-sign shows direction

State one similarity and one difference between the electric and gravitational field

1) Similarity: both obeys inverse square law

both are radial
2) Difference: gravitational field always towards (the mass)
electric field can be towards or away from (the charge)

Suggest why the electric field strength in both spheres are zero

In an electric field, charges (in a conductor) would move

no movement of charge so zero field strength

By reference to electric field lines, explain why, for points outside an isolated spherical conductor, the
charge on the sphere maybe considered to act as a point charge at its centre.

lines are radial

lines appear to come from centre

A helium nucleus enters the region of the electric field along the same initial path as the proton and
travelling at the same initial speed

State and explain how the final speed of helium nucleus compares with the final speed of proton after
leaving the region of electric field

helium nucleus has double the charge but four times the mass

velocity parallel to plates same and acceleration perpendicular to plates smaller (for helium)

final speed is lower (for helium)

Explain how the electric force between the electron and the positron causes the path of the moving
particles to be circular

(electric) force is perpendicular to velocity (of particles)

force (perpendicular to velocity) causes centripetal acceleration