Electric Fields • This is because if you place a positive charge in an electric field it will be repelled away from a positive charge whereas it will be attracted towards a negative charge. • The closer together the field lines the stronger the field • In radial fields the field strength decreases according to the inverse square law.
Radial Electric Fields
Uniform Electric Fields •
Uniform Electric Field
Coulombs law • When a charged object is placed inside an electric field it experiences a force • The force is proportional to the product of the two charges (the one creating the field and the one placed inside it) and inversely proportional to the distance between them. • Hence the two charged objects will experience the same force.
Coulombs Law •
Forces on particles moving through uniform electric fields •
Comparing gravitational and electric fields • Similarities • They both obey the inverse square law • They both have either radial or parallel field lines • They are both force per unit…
Comparing gravitational and electric fields • Differences • Gravitational fields are created by mass, electrical fields are created by charge • Gravitational fields are only attractive, electrical fields can be attractive and repulsive. • You can be shielded from an electric field but not from a gravitational field.