Key Areas covered Fields exist around a charged particle and between charged parallel plates. Examples of electric field patterns for single-point charges, systems of two-point charges and between parallel plates. Movement of charged particles in an electric field.

What we will do today State that fields exist around a charged particle and between charged parallel plates. Draw diagrams of examples of electric field patterns for single-point charges, systems of two-point charges and between parallel plates. Draw diagrams to show movement of charged particles in an electric field.

Forces on a charged particle

Electric Fields

- In an electric field, a charge experiences a force. + Electric field lines show the direction of a force (on a positive charge). The separation of the field lines is an indication of the strength of the field. - +

Radial Fields around a point charge + - Note how arrows move AWAY from +ve charges and TOWARDS –ve charges. Also, with the radial fields above, field strength decreases with distance.

Uniform Electric Field A uniform electric field exists between two parallel charged plates. The space around an electric charge where the influence of that charge on another charge can be detected, is called an electric field. Like charges repel. Unlike charges attract. Field lines are continuous, starting on a +ve charge and ending on a –ve charge. They give the direction of the force acting on a positive charge at a point in the field. + -

CfE Specimen Paper C

CfE Specimen Paper A