Physics 16: 7-12 Electric Fields

Homework

Reading Preparation
Key Equations
WebLecture
Study Activity
Chat Preparation Activities
Chapter Quiz
Lab Work

Reading Preparation

Text Reading: Giancoli, Physics - Principles with Applications, Chapter 16: Sections 7 to 12

Study Points

Section 7: We can characterize the effects of a charge as a force field, just as we characterize the effects of a mass by a gravitational field. We test the gravitational field generated by mass M by measuring the force exerted on a point mass m placed in the field: F = ma = m (Gm/r²). Likewise, we measure the electrical field of a charge Q by measuring the force exerted by Q's field on a point charge q placed within the field: F = q (Qk/r²) so F/q = E = Qk/r².
Section 8: Field lines are a useful conceptual model. The lines describe the direction a positive charge in the field would move; the number or density of lines can indicate the relative strength of the field.
Section 9: Conductors are materials that allow electrons to move more or less freely, redistributing themselves in response to nearby electrical charge. Non-conductors (insulators) don't have free electrons.
Section 10: We've already seen how a hydrogen atom in a strong bond with a highly electronegative element such as oxygen or nitrogen winds up having its lone electron spend all its time near the electronegative atom. The local positive charge concentration on the hydrogen can form bonds with local negative areas on other atoms or molecules. It is these "hydrogen bonds" that hold the two strands of the DNA double helix together. Since these bonds are not as strong as the inter-atom bonds that hold the hydrogen to its nitrogen partners, they can be easily broken and reformed by enzymes fitted to that purpose, without destroying the rest of the strand. Hydrogen bonds make possible the rapid duplication of DNA during cell reproduction, and the rapid translation of DNA to RNA during most cellular metabolic processes.
Section 11: Static electricity has many practical applications: chief among them in modern society is the use of differences in charge to attract ink during copy and print operations on modern printers.
Section 12: Early concepts of electricity envisioned a material fluid (similar to the caloric or heat fluid) that could move from one object to another, carrying charge. We sometimes find this concept still useful as a way of envisioning the force of an electrical field as a flow of charge potential. We can map the flow of "electrical stuff" from its center in a charged object through any surface at some distance from the charge. If we completely enclose a surface, then (according to Gauss's law) the flow of electrical stuff, the electric flux Φ_E, through the total area is equal to the charge source divided by a constant, ε₀ — the permittivity constant we've already seen in Coulomb's law. Keep this constant in mind, because it becomes very important later on when we look at theories of light.

Key Equations

The Electric Field and Electric Force: $\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q} and \vec{F} = q \vec{E}$
Electric Flux: $Φ_{E} = E_{⊥} A = E A_{⊥} = EA \cos θ$
Gauss's Law: $\sum_{closed surface} E_{⊥} Δ A = \frac{Q_{enclosed}}{ϵ_{0}}$

Web Lecture

Read the following weblecture before chat: Electric Fields

Study Activity

Use the simulation below to explore how field lines vary as you introduce new charges and move them around. Turn on the grid so that you can precisely place charges. Use the sensors to display net field direction and force values at specific points. What happens when you

Place a +1 nC charge at the center of the display and add a +1 nC one space unit (5 small units) away? How does the field change if you double the distance?
Place a +1 nC charge at the center of the display and add a -1 nC one space unit (5 small units) away? How does the field change if you double the distance?
Place three charges in a row
- all positive
- all negative
- with outside charges positive and central charge negative
- with left and center charges positive and right side charge negative
Experiment with charges in a triangle formation.
Experiment with charges in a square formation.

Physics simulation Java Applets are the product of the PHET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Chat Preparation Activities

Forum question: The Moodle forum for the session will assign a specific study question for you to prepare for chat. You need to read this question and post your answer before chat starts for this session.
Mastery Exercise: The Moodle Mastery exercise for the chapter will contain sections related to our chat topic. Try to complete these before the chat starts, so that you can ask questions.

Chapter Quiz

Required: Complete the Mastery exercise with a passing score of 85% or better.
Go to the Moodle and take the quiz for this chat session to see how much you already know about astronomy!

Lab Work

If you want lab credit for this course, you must complete at least 18 labs; you may complete more if you are preparing for the AP exam.. One or more lab exercises are posted for each chapter as part of the homework assignment. We will be reviewing lab work at regular intervals, so do not get behind!

Lab Instructions: Electroscope

© 2005 - 2025 This course is offered through Scholars Online, a non-profit organization supporting classical Christian education through online courses. Permission to copy course content (lessons and labs) for personal study is granted to students currently or formerly enrolled in the course through Scholars Online. Reproduction for any other purpose, without the express written consent of the author, is prohibited.

Physics

Chapter 16: 7-12 Assignment