Define Electric Field.
A field created by charged objects that exerts a force on other charged objects. It can be attractive or repulsive.
What is electric field strength?
The force per unit charge experienced by a test charge placed in the electric field. Measured in N/C or V/m.
Define electrostatic equilibrium in conductors.
A condition where there is no net motion of charge within the conductor and the electric field inside the conductor is zero.
What is polarization?
The separation of positive and negative charges within an insulator (or even a neutral object) when placed in an electric field.
Define electric field lines.
Lines used to visualize the electric field, indicating the direction a positive test charge would move. Density of lines indicates field strength.
What is a test charge?
A hypothetical charge used to measure the electric field at a point. It is assumed to be small enough not to disturb the field it is measuring.
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 happens when a positive charge is placed in an electric field?
The charge accelerates in the direction of the electric field.
What happens when a negative charge is placed in an electric field?
The charge accelerates against the direction of the electric field.
What happens when a conductor is placed in an external electric field?
Charges redistribute on the surface of the conductor, creating an induced electric field that cancels the external field inside the conductor.
What is the effect of a stronger electric field on a test charge?
A stronger electric field exerts a greater force on the test charge.
What happens to the electric field strength as you move further away from a point charge?
The electric field strength decreases proportionally to the square of the distance from the charge ($E ∝ 1/r^2$).
