Syllabus sections » |
5.1 – Electric fields
Description
Nature of science:
Modelling: Electrical theory demonstrates the scientific thought involved in the development of a microscopic model (behaviour of charge carriers) from macroscopic observation. The historical development and refinement of these scientific ideas when the microscopic properties were unknown and unobservable is testament to the deep thinking shown by the scientists of the time. (1.10)
Understandings:
- Charge
- Electric field
- Coulomb’s law
- Electric current
- Direct current (dc)
- Potential difference
Applications and skills:
- Identifying two forms of charge and the direction of the forces between them
- Solving problems involving electric fields and Coulomb’s law
- Calculating work done in an electric field in both joules and electronvolts
- Identifying sign and nature of charge carriers in a metal
- Identifying drift speed of charge carriers
- Solving problems using the drift speed equation
- Solving problems involving current, potential difference and charge
Guidance:
- Students will be expected to apply Coulomb’s law for a range of permittivity values
Data booklet reference:
International-mindedness:
- Electricity and its benefits have an unparalleled power to transform society
Theory of knowledge:
- Early scientists identified positive charges as the charge carriers in metals; however, the discovery of the electron led to the introduction of “conventional” current direction. Was this a suitable solution to a major shift in thinking? What role do paradigm shifts play in the progression of scientific knowledge?
Utilization:
- Transferring energy from one place to another (see Chemistry option C andPhysics topic 11)
- Impact on the environment from electricity generation (see Physics topic 8 andChemistry option sub-topic C2)
- The comparison between the treatment of electric fields and gravitational fields (see Physics topic 10)
Aims:
- Aim 2: electrical theory lies at the heart of much modern science and engineering
- Aim 3: advances in electrical theory have brought immense change to all societies
- Aim 6: experiments could include (but are not limited to): demonstrations showing the effect of an electric field (eg using semolina); simulations involving the placement of one or more point charges and determining the resultant field
- Aim 7: use of computer simulations would enable students to measure microscopic interactions that are typically very difficult in a school laboratory situation
Directly related questions
-
20N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
A metal wire has free charge carriers per unit volume. The charge on the carrier is . What additional quantity is needed to determine the current per unit area in the wire?
A. Cross-sectional area of the wire
B. Drift speed of charge carriers
C. Potential difference across the wire
D. Resistivity of the metal
-
20N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
A metal wire has free charge carriers per unit volume. The charge on the carrier is . What additional quantity is needed to determine the current per unit area in the wire?
A. Cross-sectional area of the wire
B. Drift speed of charge carriers
C. Potential difference across the wire
D. Resistivity of the metal
-
17N.1.HL.TZ0.15:
Two wires, X and Y, are made from the same metal. The wires are connected in series. The radius of X is twice that of Y. The carrier drift speed in X is vX and in Y it is vY.
What is the value of the ratio ?A. 0.25
B. 0.50
C. 2.00
D. 4.00
-
17N.1.HL.TZ0.15:
Two wires, X and Y, are made from the same metal. The wires are connected in series. The radius of X is twice that of Y. The carrier drift speed in X is vX and in Y it is vY.
What is the value of the ratio ?A. 0.25
B. 0.50
C. 2.00
D. 4.00
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.2d: Satellite X must release ions into the space between the satellites. Explain why the current in...
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.2d: Satellite X must release ions into the space between the satellites. Explain why the current in...
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.d: Satellite X must release ions into the space between the satellites. Explain why the current in...
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.3b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.3b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.3c:
The centre of the ball, still carrying a charge of , is now placed from a point charge Q. The charge on the ball acts as a point charge at the centre of the ball.
P is the point on the line joining the charges where the electric field strength is zero.
The distance PQ is .Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.3c:
The centre of the ball, still carrying a charge of , is now placed from a point charge Q. The charge on the ball acts as a point charge at the centre of the ball.
P is the point on the line joining the charges where the electric field strength is zero.
The distance PQ is .Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
21M.2.SL.TZ2.c:
The centre of the ball, still carrying a charge of , is now placed from a point charge Q. The charge on the ball acts as a point charge at the centre of the ball.
P is the point on the line joining the charges where the electric field strength is zero.
The distance PQ is .Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4c.ii:
Show that .
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4c.ii:
Show that .
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.c.ii:
Show that .
-
18M.1.HL.TZ1.15:
An ion of charge +Q moves vertically upwards through a small distance s in a uniform vertical electric field. The electric field has a strength E and its direction is shown in the diagram.
What is the electric potential difference between the initial and final position of the ion?
A.
B. EQs
C. Es
D.
-
18M.1.HL.TZ1.15:
An ion of charge +Q moves vertically upwards through a small distance s in a uniform vertical electric field. The electric field has a strength E and its direction is shown in the diagram.
What is the electric potential difference between the initial and final position of the ion?
A.
B. EQs
C. Es
D.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4c.i:
Determine the electric field strength E.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4c.i:
Determine the electric field strength E.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.c.i:
Determine the electric field strength E.
- 18M.1.SL.TZ2.20: An electron enters the region between two charged parallel plates initially moving parallel...
- 18M.1.SL.TZ2.20: An electron enters the region between two charged parallel plates initially moving parallel...
- 21N.2.SL.TZ0.4b.ii: Describe the motion of Q after release.
- 21N.2.SL.TZ0.4b.ii: Describe the motion of Q after release.
- 21N.2.SL.TZ0.b.ii: Describe the motion of Q after release.
-
21N.2.HL.TZ0.3a.i:
Show that the magnitude of the resultant electric field at P is 3 MN C−1
-
21N.2.HL.TZ0.3a.i:
Show that the magnitude of the resultant electric field at P is 3 MN C−1
-
21N.2.HL.TZ0.a.i:
Show that the magnitude of the resultant electric field at P is 3 MN C−1
- 21N.2.HL.TZ0.3a.ii: State the direction of the resultant electric field at P.
- 21N.2.HL.TZ0.3a.ii: State the direction of the resultant electric field at P.
- 21N.2.HL.TZ0.a.ii: State the direction of the resultant electric field at P.
-
18N.2.HL.TZ0.1c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
18N.2.HL.TZ0.1c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
18N.2.HL.TZ0.c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
18N.2.SL.TZ0.1c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
18N.2.SL.TZ0.1c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
18N.2.SL.TZ0.c.i:
Outline why the ions are likely to spread out.
-
22M.1.SL.TZ1.22:
Two cylinders, X and Y, made from the same material, are connected in series.
The cross-sectional area of Y is twice that of X. The drift speed of the electrons in X is and in Y it is .
What is the ratio ?
A. 4
B. 2
C. 1
D.
-
22M.1.SL.TZ1.22:
Two cylinders, X and Y, made from the same material, are connected in series.
The cross-sectional area of Y is twice that of X. The drift speed of the electrons in X is and in Y it is .
What is the ratio ?
A. 4
B. 2
C. 1
D.
- 22M.1.SL.TZ2.19: A charge Q is at a point between two electric charges Q1 and Q2. The net electric force on Q is...
- 22M.1.SL.TZ2.19: A charge Q is at a point between two electric charges Q1 and Q2. The net electric force on Q is...
- 22M.2.HL.TZ2.9a.ii: Show that the energy E of each electron in the beam is about 7 × 10−11 J.
- 22M.2.HL.TZ2.9a.ii: Show that the energy E of each electron in the beam is about 7 × 10−11 J.
- 22M.2.HL.TZ2.a.ii: Show that the energy E of each electron in the beam is about 7 × 10−11 J.
- 19N.1.SL.TZ0.18: A thin copper wire and a thick copper wire are connected in series to an electric cell. Which...
- 19N.1.SL.TZ0.18: A thin copper wire and a thick copper wire are connected in series to an electric cell. Which...
- 19N.1.SL.TZ0.17: A negatively charged particle in a uniform gravitational field is positioned mid-way between two...
- 19N.1.SL.TZ0.17: A negatively charged particle in a uniform gravitational field is positioned mid-way between two...
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.5b(i):
Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the electron.
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.5b(i):
Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the electron.
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.b(i):
Calculate the magnitude of the initial acceleration of the electron.
-
22N.1.HL.TZ0.16:
Two copper wires of equal lengths but different diameters are used to connect a cell to a load. Wire 1 has a diameter M, wire 2 has a diameter 2M. The electron drift velocities in wires 1 and 2 are and .
What is ?
A.B.
C.
D.
-
22N.1.HL.TZ0.16:
Two copper wires of equal lengths but different diameters are used to connect a cell to a load. Wire 1 has a diameter M, wire 2 has a diameter 2M. The electron drift velocities in wires 1 and 2 are and .
What is ?
A.B.
C.
D.
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.8a: Outline what is meant by electric field strength.
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.8a: Outline what is meant by electric field strength.
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.a: Outline what is meant by electric field strength.
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.8b: An electron is placed at X and released from rest. Draw, on the diagram, the direction of the...
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.8b: An electron is placed at X and released from rest. Draw, on the diagram, the direction of the...
- 17N.2.HL.TZ0.b: An electron is placed at X and released from rest. Draw, on the diagram, the direction of the...
-
17N.2.HL.TZ0.8c:
The electron is replaced by a proton which is also released from rest at X. Compare, without calculation, the motion of the electron with the motion of the proton after release. You may assume that no frictional forces act on the electron or the proton.
-
17N.2.HL.TZ0.8c:
The electron is replaced by a proton which is also released from rest at X. Compare, without calculation, the motion of the electron with the motion of the proton after release. You may assume that no frictional forces act on the electron or the proton.
-
17N.2.HL.TZ0.c:
The electron is replaced by a proton which is also released from rest at X. Compare, without calculation, the motion of the electron with the motion of the proton after release. You may assume that no frictional forces act on the electron or the proton.
-
18M.2.SL.TZ1.4b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
18M.2.SL.TZ1.4b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
18M.2.SL.TZ1.b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.4b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.b:
Calculate the drift speed v of the electrons in the conductor in cm s–1.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.8c.ii:
An electron is emitted from the photoelectric surface with kinetic energy 2.1 eV. Calculate the speed of the electron at the collecting plate.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.8c.ii:
An electron is emitted from the photoelectric surface with kinetic energy 2.1 eV. Calculate the speed of the electron at the collecting plate.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ1.c.ii:
An electron is emitted from the photoelectric surface with kinetic energy 2.1 eV. Calculate the speed of the electron at the collecting plate.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.8c.ii:
Calculate, in A, the average current during the discharge.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.8c.ii:
Calculate, in A, the average current during the discharge.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.c.ii:
Calculate, in A, the average current during the discharge.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.9c.i:
Show that the speed v of an electron in the hydrogen atom is related to the radius r of the orbit by the expression
where k is the Coulomb constant.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.9c.i:
Show that the speed v of an electron in the hydrogen atom is related to the radius r of the orbit by the expression
where k is the Coulomb constant.
-
18M.2.HL.TZ2.c.i:
Show that the speed v of an electron in the hydrogen atom is related to the radius r of the orbit by the expression
where k is the Coulomb constant.
-
18N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
Two copper wires X and Y are connected in series. The diameter of Y is double that of X. The drift speed in X is v. What is the drift speed in Y?
A.
B.
C. 2v
D. 4v
-
18N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
Two copper wires X and Y are connected in series. The diameter of Y is double that of X. The drift speed in X is v. What is the drift speed in Y?
A.
B.
C. 2v
D. 4v
-
18N.1.HL.TZ0.30:
Two point charges Q1 and Q2 are one metre apart. The graph shows the variation of electric potential V with distance from Q1.
What is ?
A.
B.
C. 4
D. 16
-
18N.1.HL.TZ0.30:
Two point charges Q1 and Q2 are one metre apart. The graph shows the variation of electric potential V with distance from Q1.
What is ?
A.
B.
C. 4
D. 16
- 18N.2.SL.TZ0.2c: One advantage of this system is that if one lamp fails then the other lamps in the circuit remain...
- 18N.2.SL.TZ0.2c: One advantage of this system is that if one lamp fails then the other lamps in the circuit remain...
- 18N.2.SL.TZ0.c: One advantage of this system is that if one lamp fails then the other lamps in the circuit remain...
- 19M.1.SL.TZ1.22: Charge flows through a liquid. The charge flow is made up of positive and negative ions. In one...
- 19M.1.SL.TZ1.22: Charge flows through a liquid. The charge flow is made up of positive and negative ions. In one...
-
19M.2.SL.TZ1.1a.i:
Show that the time taken for the battery to discharge is about 3 × 103 s.
-
19M.2.SL.TZ1.1a.i:
Show that the time taken for the battery to discharge is about 3 × 103 s.
-
19M.2.SL.TZ1.a.i:
Show that the time taken for the battery to discharge is about 3 × 103 s.
-
19M.1.SL.TZ2.18:
A particle with a charge ne is accelerated through a potential difference V.
What is the magnitude of the work done on the particle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
-
19M.1.SL.TZ2.18:
A particle with a charge ne is accelerated through a potential difference V.
What is the magnitude of the work done on the particle?
A.
B.
C.
D.
- 19M.1.HL.TZ2.31: A proton of velocity v enters a region of electric and magnetic fields. The proton is not...
- 19M.1.HL.TZ2.31: A proton of velocity v enters a region of electric and magnetic fields. The proton is not...
- 19M.1.SL.TZ2.2: What is the unit of electrical potential difference expressed in fundamental SI units? A. kg m...
- 19M.1.SL.TZ2.2: What is the unit of electrical potential difference expressed in fundamental SI units? A. kg m...
-
19M.1.HL.TZ1.16:
Two parallel plates are a distance apart with a potential difference between them. A point charge moves from the negatively charged plate to the positively charged plate. The charge gains kinetic energy W. The distance between the plates is doubled and the potential difference between them is halved. What is the kinetic energy gained by an identical charge moving between these plates?
A.
B. W
C. 2W
D. 4W
-
19M.1.HL.TZ1.16:
Two parallel plates are a distance apart with a potential difference between them. A point charge moves from the negatively charged plate to the positively charged plate. The charge gains kinetic energy W. The distance between the plates is doubled and the potential difference between them is halved. What is the kinetic energy gained by an identical charge moving between these plates?
A.
B. W
C. 2W
D. 4W
-
19N.1.HL.TZ0.31:
The force acting between two point charges is when the separation of the charges is . What is the force between the charges when the separation is increased to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
-
19N.1.HL.TZ0.31:
The force acting between two point charges is when the separation of the charges is . What is the force between the charges when the separation is increased to ?
A.
B.
C.
D.
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.5a:
Show that the electric field strength due to the point charge at the position of the electron is 3.4 × 108 N C–1.
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.5a:
Show that the electric field strength due to the point charge at the position of the electron is 3.4 × 108 N C–1.
-
19N.2.SL.TZ0.a:
Show that the electric field strength due to the point charge at the position of the electron is 3.4 × 108 N C–1.
-
20N.2.HL.TZ0.8c(i):
Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and B.
-
20N.2.HL.TZ0.8c(i):
Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and B.
-
20N.2.HL.TZ0.c(i):
Calculate the electric potential difference between points A and B.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.3b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.3b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.b.ii:
The charge on the ball is 1.2 × 10−6 C. Determine σ.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.3d.i:
Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.3d.i:
Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
-
21M.2.HL.TZ2.d.i:
Calculate the charge on Q. State your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.
- 21M.1.SL.TZ1.18: Two charges Q1 and Q2, each equal to 2 nC, are separated by a distance 3 m in a vacuum. What is...
- 21M.1.SL.TZ1.18: Two charges Q1 and Q2, each equal to 2 nC, are separated by a distance 3 m in a vacuum. What is...
-
21N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
A charge +Q and a charge −2Q are a distance 3x apart. Point P is on the line joining the charges, at a distance x from +Q.
The magnitude of the electric field produced at P by the charge +Q alone is .
What is the total electric field at P?
A. to the rightB. to the left
C. to the right
D. to the left
-
21N.1.SL.TZ0.18:
A charge +Q and a charge −2Q are a distance 3x apart. Point P is on the line joining the charges, at a distance x from +Q.
The magnitude of the electric field produced at P by the charge +Q alone is .
What is the total electric field at P?
A. to the rightB. to the left
C. to the right
D. to the left
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.4a:
The work done to move a particle of charge 0.25 μC from one point in an electric field to another is 4.5 μJ. Calculate the magnitude of the potential difference between the two points.
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.4a:
The work done to move a particle of charge 0.25 μC from one point in an electric field to another is 4.5 μJ. Calculate the magnitude of the potential difference between the two points.
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.a:
The work done to move a particle of charge 0.25 μC from one point in an electric field to another is 4.5 μJ. Calculate the magnitude of the potential difference between the two points.
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.4b.i:
Determine the force on Q at the instant it is released.
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.4b.i:
Determine the force on Q at the instant it is released.
-
21N.2.SL.TZ0.b.i:
Determine the force on Q at the instant it is released.
-
22M.1.SL.TZ1.19:
P and Q are two opposite point charges. The force F acting on P due to Q and the electric field strength E at P are shown.
Which diagram shows the force on Q due to P and the electric field strength at Q?
-
22M.1.SL.TZ1.19:
P and Q are two opposite point charges. The force F acting on P due to Q and the electric field strength E at P are shown.
Which diagram shows the force on Q due to P and the electric field strength at Q?
- 22M.1.SL.TZ1.20: Three point charges of equal magnitude are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The...
- 22M.1.SL.TZ1.20: Three point charges of equal magnitude are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The...
- 22M.2.HL.TZ1.7c.i: Identify the direction of the resultant force acting on Z as it oscillates.
- 22M.2.HL.TZ1.7c.i: Identify the direction of the resultant force acting on Z as it oscillates.
- 22M.2.HL.TZ1.c.i: Identify the direction of the resultant force acting on Z as it oscillates.
-
22M.2.HL.TZ1.7c.ii:
Deduce whether the motion of Z is simple harmonic.
-
22M.2.HL.TZ1.7c.ii:
Deduce whether the motion of Z is simple harmonic.
-
22M.2.HL.TZ1.c.ii:
Deduce whether the motion of Z is simple harmonic.
-
22M.1.HL.TZ2.16:
Four particles, two of charge +Q and two of charge −Q, are positioned on the -axis as shown. A particle P with a positive charge is placed on the -axis. What is the direction of the net electrostatic force on this particle?
-
22M.1.HL.TZ2.16:
Four particles, two of charge +Q and two of charge −Q, are positioned on the -axis as shown. A particle P with a positive charge is placed on the -axis. What is the direction of the net electrostatic force on this particle?
-
22N.1.SL.TZ0.16:
Wire and wire are connected in series in a circuit. Wire has three times the radius and one third the charge carrier density of wire .
What is ?
A.B.
C.
D.
-
22N.1.SL.TZ0.16:
Wire and wire are connected in series in a circuit. Wire has three times the radius and one third the charge carrier density of wire .
What is ?
A.B.
C.
D.
-
22N.1.HL.TZ0.31:
An electric field is established between two electrodes separated by distance d, held at a potential difference of V. A charged particle in this field experiences a force F.
What is the charge on the particle?
A.B.
C.
D.
-
22N.1.HL.TZ0.31:
An electric field is established between two electrodes separated by distance d, held at a potential difference of V. A charged particle in this field experiences a force F.
What is the charge on the particle?
A.B.
C.
D.