All Flashcards
Compare charge distribution in conductors vs. insulators.
Conductors: Excess charge resides only on the surface. | Insulators: Excess charge can be distributed throughout the volume and on the surface.
Compare electric fields inside conductors vs. insulators in electrostatic equilibrium.
Conductors: Electric field inside is always zero. | Insulators: Electric field inside can be non-zero.
Compare charge mobility in conductors vs. insulators.
Conductors: Charges move freely. | Insulators: Charges are fixed and do not move freely.
Compare the behavior of electric field lines near positive and negative charges.
Positive charges: Field lines point radially outward. | Negative charges: Field lines point radially inward.
Compare the effect of an external electric field on conductors and insulators.
Conductors: Charges redistribute to cancel the external field inside. | Insulators: Charges do not move freely, so the external field can penetrate.
Given an electric field line diagram around a positive and negative charge, what do the arrows represent?
The arrows represent the direction of the electric field at that point.
In an electric field line diagram, what does the density of the lines indicate?
The density of the lines indicates the strength of the electric field.
In a diagram of a charged conductor, where does excess charge reside?
Excess charge resides only on the surface of the conductor.
In a diagram of electric field lines, what do the starting and ending points of the lines represent?
Field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges.
In a diagram representing a Faraday cage, what is the electric field inside the cage?
The electric field inside the cage is zero.
What is the effect of placing a positive test charge in an electric field?
The test charge experiences a force in the same direction as the electric field.
What is the effect of excess charge on a conductor?
The charges redistribute until the electric field inside the conductor is zero, with all excess charge residing on the surface.
What is the effect of a strong electric field on an insulator?
Dielectric breakdown can occur, causing the insulator to conduct electricity.
What is the effect of increasing the density of electric field lines?
It indicates a stronger electric field.
What is the effect of placing a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium?
The electric field inside the conductor becomes zero.