Electric Fields & Potential

Terms & Objectives

New Terms:

field	gravitational field
electric field	electric field lines
lines of force	electric potential energy
electric potential	potential difference
Volt	voltage
capacitor	Van de Graaf generator

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Objectives:

When you finish your study of electric fields and potential, you should be able to:

• Fields:
  1. Compare and contrast the concepts "action at a distance" and "field".
  2. Compare and contrast a gravitational field and electric field.
  3. Correctly interpret diagrams of electric fields in terms of the magnitude and direction of forces placed in them.
  4. Sketch electric fields for:
     1. isolated charges
     2. two like charges
     3. two unlike charges
     4. two oppositely charged parallel plates
  5. Perform simple calculations (with appropriate units) involving:
     1. a test charge (in Coulombs),
     2. the force on a test charge (in Newtons), and
     3. the electric field at a point. (magnitude (in N/C) and direction)
• Charged Conductors:
  6. State that the electric field inside a charged conductor is zero, and give a qualitative explanation.
  7. Explain how static charges arrange themselves on a conductor.
  8. Explain how a charge can be shielded from an electric field.
• Energy & Potential:
  9. Compare and contrast gravitational potential energy and electric potential energy.
  10. Make simple energy calculations involving a charge moving in a uniform electric field or against a constant electric force.
  11. Recognize the volt as the unit of electric potential.
  12. Compare and contrast electric potential energy and electric potential.
  13. Perform simple calculations (with appropriate units) involving:
      1. a test charge (in Coulombs),
      2. its electric potential energy (in Joules), and
      3. its electric potential (in Volts).
  14. Recognize and use the volt/meter as a unit of electric field strength
  15. Discuss the operation of a Van de Graaff generator.
• A Capacitor:
  16. describe its construction in general terms.
  17. describe the charge on a capacitor.
  18. describe the electric field between its plates.
  19. describe how a capacitor can store energy. 

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last update March 24, 2008 by JL Stanbrough