6.2 Electric fields

Electric Potential and EnergyElectric Potential and Energy

Electric potential energy is given by the formula   This result is obtained by integrating the force-distance graph because work done is equal to the area under the graph.  Electric potential is the electric potential energy experienced per unit charge. Therefore, it...

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Uniform Electric FieldsUniform Electric Fields

The electric field strength of a uniform electric field is given by:  Derivation: The units of electric field strength can therefore be given as  This also yields some equations of capacitance: Where   is the permittivity of free space and ε is the relative...

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Coulomb’s LawCoulomb’s Law

Coulomb’s law can be applied to any point charges. It is given by: Since ,  it follows that, for a point charge, the electric field strength is given by: Gravitational and electric fields show some similarities and differences:                                    ...

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Point and Spherical ChargesPoint and Spherical Charges

Fields are regions in which an object will experience a force at a distance (non-contact force). An electric field is created by charged objects. A uniformly charged sphere can be modelled can be modelled as a point charge at its centre. Electric field lines map...

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