ELECTRICITY

1. Meaning of electric field

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Meaning : _______________________________________________________________
ACTIVITY
1. Two plane electrodes connected to the terminals of an EHT power supply are dipped into
a dish of castor oil.

2. The EHT is switched on and some semolina grains is sprinkled on the surface of the oil.
3. Observe the pattern of the semolina grains on the surface of the castor oil and draw the
observation.
4. The activity is repeated using a point or plane electrode follow by the arrangement in
Diagram. For each arrangement, draw the pattern of the semolina grains which is
produced.
Discussion
1. Why EHT power supply is used?

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2. What happens to the parallel plate electrodes when the E.H.T power supply is switched
on?

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3. Why does the sprinkled semolina powder form a certain pattern when the E.H.T power
supply is switched on?

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4. Why cooking oil and not water is used in this activity?

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1. A charged ball in an electric field

Observation: ________________________________________________________________

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EXERCISE
1. Diagram shows the candle is placed between two plates, X and Y, which are connected to
an EHT power supply.

(i) What are the charges on plate X and Y?

X: ……………………. Y: ………………….

(ii) Draw the shape of the candle flame when it is placed in an electric field.

(a) What is the effect of candle flame on the air around the candle?

………………………………………………………………

(b) By referring to the movement of the charges between the two metal plates, explain the
shape of the candle flame observed.

The ………….. ions are attracted to the -ve plates while the …………… ions are attracted to
the +ve plate.

Meaning : ____________________________________________________

Meaning : _______________________________________________________
Exercise 1:
1. State the meaning of 15 A current.

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2. In a metal wire, the charges are carried by electrons. Each electron carries a charge of
1.6 x 10-19 C. Calculate how many electrons in 1 C of charge.

3. The current flows in a light bulb is 0.5 A.

a. Calculate the amount of electric charge that flows through the bulb in 2 hours.
b. If one electron carries a charge of 1.6 x 10-19 C, find the number of electrons transferred
through the bulb in 2 hours.

4. Electric charges flow through a light bulb at the rate of 20 C every 50 seconds. What is
the electric current shown on the ammeter?

5. When lightning strikes between two charged clouds, an electric current of 400 A flows for
0.05 s. What is the quantity of charge transferred?
 QUESTIONS
Diagram 8.1 shows a metal coated polystyrene ball hang between two metal plates, R
and S.

The metal plates are connected to an Extra High Tension, E.H.T. supply. A strong electric
field between metal plates R and S is produced when the switch is on.
(a)What is the meaning of electric field?

………………………………………………………………
[1 mark]
(b)When the metal coated polystyrene ball oscillates between the two plates for 3 minutes,
0.3 A of current flows in the circuit. Calculate the total charge transfered between the two
plates.
[2 marks]

(c) The frequency of oscillation of the metal coated polystyrene ball can be increased by
using one of the method listed in Table 8.1.

Distance Mass of the Voltage

Method between metal of
the two coated E.H.T.
plates polystyrene supply
ball
X Long Medium Low
Y Medium High Medium
Z Short Low High

Based on Table 8.1, state the suitable method to increase the frequency of oscillation.
(i) Diameter between the two plates:

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Reason:

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(ii) Mass of the metal coated polystyrene ball:

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Reason:

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(iii) Voltage of E.H.T. supply:

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Reason:

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(d)Based on the answers in (c)(i), (c)(ii) and (c)(iii), choose the most suitable method to
increase the frequency of oscillation.

…………………………………………………………..
[1 mark]
(e)The nylon thread in Diagram 8.1 is replaced with a copper thread.
(i) What happen to the motion of the metal coated polystyrene ball?

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[1 mark]