Motion in Electric Fields

SACE Stage 2 Physics

Energy Changes in Electric

Fields

Consider the movement of a small charge in a uniform

electric field
To lift a charge towards the top (positive)
plate we exert an external force
B

10 m

q = +2 C

q = +4 C

E = 10 N C-1

Fext= FE in size (opposite direction).

Increase in electrical Potential Energy
(EP)
= Work Done by external Force
= Fext x S
= qE h
(sinceF = E.q)

Energy Changes in Electric

Fields
The work done on each charge is,
A

E = 10 N C-1

q = +2 C

w qEh
2 10 10
200 J

10 m

q = +4 C

w qEh
4 10 10
400 J
3

Energy Changes in Electric

Fields
We define the Work done (in moving a small positive test
charge from one position to another) per unit positive
charge as the change in electric potential, V.

W
V
q
Work done in moving each charge,
+2C Charge,

200 J
V
2C
100 JC 1

+4C Charge,

400 J
V
4C
100 JC 1
4

Energy Changes in Electric

Fields
A

E = 10 N C-1

q = +2 C

10 m

q = +4 C

We say the top plate is 100J/C higher in potential than the

bottom plate.
A potential difference of 1J/C is also referred to as 1 volt.
ie. we define the unit of potential difference as, one
volt (V) equals one joule per coulomb (J.C-1)
5

Energy Changes in Electric

Fields
Both charges are at the same potential compared to the bottom
plate.
They are on an equipotential line.
The electric field is affecting the potential of the charges in a similar
way.
Each charge is at the same potential relative to the bottom plate.
The larger charge has the higher potential energy.
Eg, consider the 4 C charge

100V

W
V
q
W qV

4C 100 JC 1
400 J

+4 C

0V
6

Electron Volt
Work done when a charge of one electron moves through
a potential difference of 1 V is one electron volt (e.V). (Is
a unit of energy)
The equivalent energy is:
q = e = 1.6 x 10-19C,
hence

1 eV

and 1 V = 1 J C-1

= 1.6 x 10-19C x 1 J C-1

ie.

1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J

Relationship Between E and

V
Calculate the work done by
considering the force that
needs to be exerted to move
the charge against the field.
W = F s
=qE s

V2

FE = qE

Separation
between the
plates = d

V1

Calculate the work done using

voltage
W = q V

Relationship Between E and

V
These expressions for the Work Done should be the same.
Therefore
qE s
ie.

q V

V
E
s

Electric field strength is equal to the number of volts potential

difference per metre of distance in the field

Electric Field Strength

Between Parallel Plates
For parallel plates separated by a distance d, with a potential
difference V, the uniform electric field within the plates has
strength:

V
E
d

We sometimes use an alternate unit for E.

Voltage
distance
Volts

metre
Vm 1

10

Electric Field Strength

Between Parallel Plates
Example 2 parallel plates separated by 0.1m have a potential
difference V = 100V. What is the Electric Field strength
between the plates?

V
E
d
100V

0.1m
1000Vm 1 or 1000 NC 1
11

Motion in an Electric Field

Charged particles that move through electric fields behave the
same way as mass does in a gravitational field. The corolation
is as follows,

Mass Charge
Gravitational Electric
Field
Field

12

Motion in an Electric Field

Consider a positive charge placed in a uniform electric field, as
shown in the diagram below. (Note the direction of the Electric
field is the direction that a positive charge would move in that
field)
Electric Field
+ + + + + + + + + + +
+

0.1
m

1000V
q=10C

+
FE

M=0.1g
0V

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Find the velocity of the charge after it has travelled a distance of 5

cm. Use the following information:
13

Motion in an Electric Field

Electric Field
+ + + + + + + + + + +
+

V
E
d
1000

110 4 Vm 1
0.1
110 4 NC 1
F qE
10 10 6 110 4
10 1 N

q=10C

0.1
m

1000V

FE

M=0.1g
0V

- - - - - - - - - - - -

F
m
10 1
4 103 ms 2
10
a

14

Motion in an Electric Field

Can use the equations of motion to determine the speed of
particle after travelling for 5cm.

v1 0ms 1

s 0.05m

a 103 ms 2

v2 ?

v 22 v12 2as
v22 2as (v1 0ms 1 )
v2 2as
v2 2 103 0.05
v2 10ms 1 towards the -' ve plate
15

Motion in an Electric Field

Can also determine the velocity by using the change in kinetic
energy of the particle.
Electric Field
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
1000 V

V
E
d
10000Vm 1

A
0.05 m

0.1 m
B

0V
- - - - - - - - - - - -

16

Motion in an Electric Field

To find the potential difference
between A and B, rearrange the
equation,

Electric Field
+ + + + + + + + +
+ + +
A
0.1 m

1000 V

0.05 m
B

V
s
V Es
E

- - - - - - - - - - -

0V

V 10000Vm 1 0.05m
V 500V

17

Motion in an Electric Field

Now calculate the kinetic energy at point B. If the charge is
released at rest
K at B (Gain in K) = electric Ep lost
1

mv 2 qV
2qV
v
m

2 10 10 6 500

10 4
10ms 1 towards the -' ve plate
18

Motion in an Electric Field

The work done by the field on the charge can be calculated easily
because it is equal to the gain in kinetic energy by the charge.

E K W qV
10 5 500
5 10 3
5mJ

19

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
Assumptions
- ignore fringe effects (ie. assume that the field is completely
uniform)
- ignore gravity (it is quite easy to show that the acceleration
due to
gravity is insignificant compared with the acceleration
caused
by the electric field).
-Before entering electric field, the charge follows a straight
line path
(no net force)
-As soon as it enters the field, the charge begins to follow a
parabolic
path (constant force always in the same
direction)
line

- As soon as it leaves the field, the charge follows a straight

path (no net force)

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Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
Straight
line

parabola

+
q

Straight
line

Horizontal Component of the velocity (H component)

vh v1h v2 h horizontal velocity is constant

L
vh
t
a0

L
so t
vh
as

v 0

21

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
Vertical Component of the
velocity (v component)
As it is initially travelling
horizontally, vy1 = 0 m/s

F qE
Now av
m m
So, v y2 at

qE L
m vx

So, s v 2 av
vx

2
L
sv 1 2 av 2
vx

22

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
v

Direction of F on +

+q

-q

Electric Field
+ + + + + + + + + + +
+

Direction of F on -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The direction of the force depends on the charge on the

particle. However, the force at all times is parallel (or "antiparallel') to the field.

23

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
Example: Consider a
negative charge entering a
uniform electric field initially
perpendicular to the field.
The acceleration will always
be in the opposite direction
to the
fieldfor
lines.
Find: (a)
Theelectric
time taken
an
electron to pass through the field
(b) The sideways deflection of the
electron beam in the field.
(c) The final velocity of the
electrons when they leave the
field.
(d) The trajectory (path) of the
electron beam on exit from the
field.

2000 V
Electri
c Field
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+

d = 10
cm

0V
-

L = 10 cm

v = 5.9 x 107 m/s

Electron
Beam

24

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
(a) The time taken for an electron to pass
through the field.
v (perpendicular) does not change as the
force only acts parallel to the field.
The time taken for the beam to pass
through the field is given by

2000
ElecV
tric
Fiel
d
+
+
+

s L
t

v
v
0.1

5.9 10 7
1.7 10 9 s or 1.7 ns

d=
10
cm

0V
L = 10
cm
- x
v = 5.9
7
10 m/s

Electron
Beam

25

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
(b)The sideways deflection of
the electron beam in the
field.
To find the sideways deflection,
we need to consider the
component of the velocity
|| to
tthe
1field.
.7 10 9 s

vi parallel 0ms 1

Need to find the acceleration,

V
F qE
a
s
m m
m
qV 1.6 10 19 C 2000V

ms 9.11 10 31 Kg 0.1m
q

a 3.5 1015 ms 2 towards ' ve plate

26

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
Can now use the value for acceleration to substitute in to the
following equation to determine the deflection.

at 2

3.5 10

15

1.7 10

9 2

s 5.110 3 m
The deflection of the electron beam is 5.1 x 10-3m towards the
+ve plate.

27

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
(c) The final velocity of the electrons when they leave the field.
Need to use a vector diagram to calculate
Final velocity = final velocity + final || velocity
Need to calculate vparallel,

v parallel at

3.5 1015 1.7 10 9

5.95 10 6 ms 1
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Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
By Pythagoras Theorem,

v 2 v 2parallel v 2perpendicular

5.95 10

5.9 10

6 6

v 5.9 10 ms
7

7 2

5.95 106
tan
5.9 107
5.80
The electron beam leaves the field at 5.9 x 107ms-1 at 5.8o towards the
+ve plate.

29

Motion Perpendicular to the

Electric Field
(d)

The trajectory (path) of the electron beam on exit from the field.

As soon as an electron leaves the field there is no force on it and

hence the path of the beam is a straight line. (Newton's First
Law).
ie. Velocity is in the same direction as the final velocity in part
(c)

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Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The cyclotron is a device for accelerating particles to high velocities,
generally for the purpose of allowing them to collide with atomic
nuclei in a target to cause a nuclear reaction. The results of these
reactions are used in research about the nucleus, but can be used
to make short lived radioactive isotopes used in nuclear medicine.

31

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
Alternatingpotential
difference

Main components of a cyclotron

There are 4 main parts to a cyclotron

evacuatedouter
chamber

1. The ion source

2. Two semicircular metal
containers called 'dees'
because of their shape
3. An evacuated outer container
4. An electromagnet.

planview
dee
target

ion
source

Magnet
dee

sideview
Magnet
32

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The ion source
Produces the charged particles for the cyclotron.
Done by passing the gas over a hot filament where electrons
being emitted can ionise the gas. More modern cyclotrons pass
the gas to be tested through an electric arc.

33

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
Semicircular Metal Containers,
or 'dees
The dees are two hollow dee
shaped metal electrodes with their
straight edges facing. A large
alternating voltage is applied
between the dees (~ 1KV and 10
MHz). The high voltage establishes
an electric field between the dees
which reverses every time the
alternating current reverses. Note
that there is no electric field within
the dees - there is no electric field
inside a hollow conductor.

Alternatingpotential
difference
evacuatedouter
chamber
planview
dee
target

ion
source

Magnet
dee

sideview
Magnet

34

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
Evacuated outer container
The dees are placed within an outer evacuated container so that the
ions being accelerated do not suffer energy loses due to collisions
with air molecules, or that they are not scattered away from their
intended paths by the collisions.
In addition to reducing the beams intensity, scattered ions may
collide with the walls at high energies. This can cause the walls to
become radioactive.

35

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The electromagnets.
The electromagnets produce a strong magnetic field , but unlike
the electric field, this field can pass through the dees. This
magnetic field causes the ions to move in a circular pathway.

36

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
Principles of Operation
Ions in the cyclotron are accelerated when they cross the electric
field between the dees.
The magnetic field in the apparatus ensures the ionic particles
travel a circular path. The particles will the repeatedly keep
crossing the Electric field which only exists between the dees.

37

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
At position A, the ionic particle is
accelerated to the right dur to the
electric field. It then enters the dee
where there is no electric field (no
electric field inside of a conductor).
The magnetic field causes the ionic
particle to traverse a circular path.
While doing so the Electric field
changes direction due to the
alternating current across the dees.

38

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
At position B, the ionic
particle is accelerated across
the gap and then enters the
other side of the dee where
there is only a magnetic field
to keep the ionic particle
travelling in a circular path.
The Electric field changes
again to the opposite
direction.

39

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The particle is now at C
where the whole process is
repeated. The radius of the
circle is only depended upon
the velocity of the ionic
particle and as it speeds up
the radius becomes bigger.

40

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The accelerated ionic
particles can be evacuated
by placing deflecting
electrodes that will cancel
the magnetic field in that
region so the path of the
particles becomes a
straight line.

41

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The Energy Transfer to the ions by the Electric Field.
When the ions pass the gap, their speed increases, hence they
have a gain in kinetic energy.
Work done on the ion is given by,

W qV
The work done is equal to the increase in Kinetic Energy. As the
particles pass the gap many times, they end up with a large
increase of Kinetic Energy.

42

Use of Electric Fields in

Cyclotrons
The energetic protons are bombarded with stable atoms of carbon,
nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine to produce certain radioactive forms of
these elements. The radioactive forms are combine with elements
commonly found n the body such as glucose.
After small amounts are administered into a patient, it can then be
traced to determine the functions of the body. It can also be used
in the treatment of certain kinds of cancer in certain organs where
the chemical tends to concentrate.

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