A2 ELECTRIC FIELDS.pptxVIP

ELECTRIC FIELDSSUB-TOPICS:Learning Objectives:Coulombs Law:The force of attraction or repulsion between two charges placed a distance apart is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.If Q1 and Q2 are the charges separated by a distance ‘r’ then F α Q1Q2 ……….(1) and F α 1/r2 ……….(2) Combining (1) and (2) we get, F α Q1Q2/r2 ……….(3)To eliminate the proportionality sign we introduce a constant, therefore eqn (3) becomes F = k Q1Q2/r2……...(4)Where ‘k’ is a constant of proportionality which depends on the medium in which the charges are located and the system of units used.When SI unit is used ‘k’ is given as k = 1/(4πε0) …….(5)So, eqn (4) becomes F = 1/(4πε0) Q1Q2/r2……..(6)The term ‘ε’0 is called the permittivity of free space, whose value is 8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2Permittivity is the ability of the to transmit (allow) the electric field.Different media have different values of permittivity.Unless mentioned otherwise we always consider charges to be in air or vacuum (free space).The value of permittivity of air is very close to the permittivity of vacuum, so the permittivity of air and vacuum is considered the same.Putting this value in eqn. (5) we get the value of ‘k’ as 8.99 x 109 C-2 N m2, which is usually taken as 9 x 109 C-2 N m2.Thus for two charges placed in air or vacuum the equation for Coulomb’s law can be written as F = 9 x 109 Q1Q2/r2………(6)Electric Field:The region or space around a charge where its influence can be felt is the electric field.When a test charge is placed in the electric of a charge the test charge experiences a force. A test charge is a unit positive charge.An electric field is represented by electric field lines.Electric field line:An electric field line is an imaginary path taken by a test charge in the electric field.Examples of some electric fields:Characteristics of electric field lines:They start on a positive charge and end on a negative charge.