All Flashcards
How do you find the net electric field from multiple charges?
Use vector addition. Calculate the electric field due to each charge individually, then add the electric field vectors using head-to-tail or parallelogram method.
How do you determine the direction of acceleration of a positive charge in an electric field?
A positive charge accelerates in the direction of the electric field.
How do you determine the direction of acceleration of a negative charge in an electric field?
A negative charge accelerates against the direction of the electric field.
How do you calculate electric field strength from force?
Use the formula: E = F_e/q, where E is electric field strength, F_e is electrostatic force, and q is the test charge.
How do you calculate electric field strength from a source charge?
Use the formula: E = kQ/r^2, where k is Coulomb's constant, Q is the source charge, and r is the distance from the source charge.
Label the following diagram of a point charge electric field.
Field lines radiate outward for positive charge, inward for negative charge.
Label the following diagram of an electric field between two parallel plates.
1: Positive Plate, 2: Negative Plate, 3: Uniform Electric Field Lines (pointing from + to -)
Label the following diagram of the electric field around two opposite charges.
Field lines curve from the positive charge to the negative charge.
What is the effect of placing a conductor in an external electric field?
Charges redistribute on the surface of the conductor, creating an induced field that cancels the external field inside the conductor.
What is the effect of increasing the distance from a point charge on the electric field strength?
The electric field strength decreases proportionally to the square of the distance (inverse square law).
What is the effect of increasing the magnitude of a source charge on the electric field strength?
The electric field strength increases proportionally to the magnitude of the source charge.
What is the effect of polarization on a neutral object near a charged object?
A slight separation of charge occurs within the neutral object, creating an attraction between the objects.
What is the effect of electric field lines crossing?
Electric field lines cannot cross. Crossing implies an infinitely strong field at the intersection, which is not physically possible.