03/04/2017

1 Electric Fields – Learning Outcomes

 Describe electric fields.
 Note the vector nature of electric fields.
 Demonstrate an electric field pattern.
 HL: Define electric field strength.
 HL: Solve problems about electric field strength.
 Describe precipitators.
 Describe xerography (photocopying).
 Discuss the hazards of electric fields on integrated
circuits.

2 Describe Electric Fields

 Electric fields are the region of space
in which electric forces are felt.
 Electric fields are represented with
electric field lines.
 The lines connect charges.
 Lines have arrows that show the
direction of the force on a positive
charge.
 Lines that are closer together
indicate a stronger field.
 e.g. Draw the electric field around a
negative charge.

3 Describe Electric Fields

 Some more complicated fields:
 Draw the field around two negative charges.

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4 Describe Electric Fields

 Some more complicated fields:

5 Describe Electric Fields

 Some more complicated fields:

6 Demonstrate an Electric Field Pattern

1. Part fill a petri dish with cooking oil.
2. Immerse two metal plates at opposite ends of the petri
dish.
3. Connect each plate to a terminal of a high voltage
power supply.
4. Sprinkle ground rice over the oil.
5. The ground rice lines up in the shape of the electric field
between the plates.

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7 Demonstrate an Electric Field Pattern

8 HL: Define Electric Field Strength

 The electric field strength at a point is the force per unit
positive charge at that point.
𝐹
 Formula: 𝐸 = 𝑄
 E = electric field strength, F = force, Q = charge
 Units are newtons per coulomb (N C-1) or volts per metre
(V m-1).
1 𝑄1 𝑄2
 Since 𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜀 𝑑2
, combining this with the above formula
gives:
1 𝑄
 𝐸 = 4𝜋𝜀 𝑑 2 (not given in tables)

9 HL: Solve Problems

 What is the force on an electron when it is in an electric
field of strength 5 N C-1?
 (charge on electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C)

 Calculate the electric field strength at B, which is 10 mm

from an electron.
 What is the direction of the electric field strength at B?

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10 HL: Solve Problems

 A negative 2 𝜇C charge is placed 25 cm away from a
positive 5 𝜇C charge.

 Draw the direction of the electric field at P.

 Calculate the electric field strength at P.

11 HL: Solve Problems

 The polished spherical dome of a Van de Graaff
generator has a diameter 40 cm and a charge of +3.8
𝜇C. What is the electric field strength at a point 4 cm
from the dome?

12 Describe Precipitators
 Precipitators are used to remove
dust and other small particles from
air.
 The ‘dirty’ gas passes through a
negatively charged grid which
transfers this charge to the dust.
 Later, the gas passes between
positively charged plates.
 The negative dust sticks to the
plates and the air is cleaned.

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13 Describe Xerography
 Light shines on paper, which reflects where it is white
and absorbs where it is black.
 The reflected light hits a charged drum and discharges it
in those areas it hits.
 The remaining charge acts like a photo negative.

14 Describe Xerography
 The drum rotates through negatively charged toner
which sticks to the positively charged parts of the drum.
 The drum rolls over positively charged paper, which
takes the toner.
 The paper passes through heated rollers, binding the
toner to the paper.

15 Describe Xerography

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16 Discuss Hazards on Integrated Circuits

 Static charges will damage integrated circuits (e.g.
computer chips, motherboards) if discharged nearby.
 People who work with these devices often use anti-static
bracelets which connect them to ground.

by Kms – CC-BY-SA-3.0