Electric Field

Analogy The electric field is the space around an electrical charge just like a gravitational field is the space around a mass.

Electric Field Space around a charge.

What is the difference?

Van de Graaff Generator Builds up static electric charges. This Van de Graaff Generator was responsible for creating a field large enough to ‘fry’ our multi-media device!

Electric Field Vector, E Electric Field is designed as follows E = F/ q o q o, positive test charge E is a vector quantity Direction indicated by small + test charge Unit: N/C E is analogous to the gravitational field, g, where g=F/m

Example 1 A charge of 3µC is used to test the electric field of a central charge of 6C that causes a force of 800N. What is the magnitude of the electric field? Hint… Which charge ‘tests’ the field Answer: 2.7 x10 8 N/C

Electric Field- Diagrams Electric Field Hockey Complete pages

Electric Field Lines

Electric Field Lines of two Positive Charges

Electric Field Lines Lines that indicate the strength and direction of the electric field. The more dense the lines, the stronger the field. Electric field vectors are tangent to the curve.

Conductors and Electric Fields (under electrostatic conditions) “The electric field is zero inside a charged conductor”. “Excess charge on an isolated conductor resides on the surface”. “Excess charge accumulates on sharp points”. Electric field lines meet the conductor perpendicular to the surface of the conductor.

Shielding The electric field is zero inside a charged conductor.

Where are you safe during a thunderstorm? A) In a car or B) Outdoors

Where are you safe during a thunderstorm? A) In a car or B) Outdoors

Which field is stronger? AB

Which field is stronger? AB

Electric Field for a Point Charge Using E=F/q o and Coulomb’s Law prove: E = k Q ______ r 2 where Q is the central charge.

Example 2 A test charge of +3µC is located 5m to the east of a -4µC charge. A) Find the electric force felt by the test charge. B) Find the electric field at that location. Answer: 4.32x10 -3 N, 1.44 x 10 3 N/C along the –x axis.

Example 3 If a test charge is moved to a location three times as far as its original location, how does the electric field change? Inverse-Square Law says… 1/9

Example 4 Calculate the electric field felt by a positive test charge located half way between a charge of +1C and a charge of -3C, that are 2m apart. Answer: 3.6 x N/C (toward the -3C charge)