GIKPKC7 94107 Electrical Interaction I Page 1

Introduction
10/6/98
Terms:
Electric field Region of influence surrounding a charged object and in which
another charge experiences a force.

Atomic Structure:
 All materials are made from molecules that are combinations of elements or element
themselves.
 Elements are formed from electrons that have electrically charged particles.
 The ionisation of these particles in an electric circuit can produce heat, magnetism,
and chemical change and effect the normal function of human and animal physiology.
 Each proton and neutron has approximately 1800 times the mass of the electron.

P+: Proton (+ ve)

Nucleus
 Atom Neutron (No Change)
e: Electrons (– ve)

Nucleus

Electrons
Valence Shell
(Outer Layer)

Positive Charge
 A deficiency of electrons
No e < No P+
Negative Charge
 An excess of electrons
No e > No P+
Uncharged
 An equal number of electrons to protons
No e = No P+

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Static Electricity
11/6/98
Attraction
 Caused by opposite charges
Repulsion
 Caused by like charges
Untreated
 No effect on each other

Transferring Charges:
By Friction
 Perspex is positively charged

 Ebonite is negative charge

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By Contact

Contact causes the same charge on the electroscope.

By Induction
(1) Bring a +ve charged rod near the electroscope. (Electrons come to the top plate)
(2) Earth the top plate. (The earths electrons have enter the top plate. Though needle
has an even charge due to the excess electrons are at the top plate)
(3) Remove the earth. (The excess electrons are still at the top plate and the needle
has an even charge)
(4) Remove the rod. (electrons run freely with an overall negative charge and the
needle spit)

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Induction causes the opposite charge on the electroscope.

The Force Between Charged Objects:
 A coulomb is Amp.s-1.
 An Amp is 6.24  1018 Electrons.
 k .q 1 .q 2  
Equation: F = 2 or F = E .q Where, k=
d
1
4.. 0

F = Force (N)
k = Constant = 9  109 N.m2.C-2
q1 = 1st charge (C)
q2 = 2nd charge (C)
d = Distance (m)
0 = Permitivity of free space = 8.9  10-12 C2N-1m2
 -1 -1
E = Electric field strength (N.C or V.m )
q = Charged object (C)

Lines of Forces:
 The lines of force, representing an electric field is the force acting on a single
positive charge at a point.
E.g.

Electric Field Strength:

 The field strength at a point is defined as the force on a single positive charge at a
point. 
 F  k .q
Equation: E = or E= 2
q d
 -1 -1
E = Electric field strength (N.C or V.m )
F = Force (N)
q = Coulomb (C)
d = Distance (m)
k = Constant = 9  109N.m2.C-2

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Work and Potential Difference:

+ 
+ A B 
+ 
+ 
+ 
+ 

 Points A and B are positive charges.

 Moving a charge in an electric field increases its PE.
 Point ‘A’ is said to be at a greater potential than point ‘B’.
Equation: W = q.E.d
W = Work (J)
q = Charge (C)
E = Electric field strength (N.C-1 or V.m-1)
d = Distance (m)
Proof:
 
Since, W = F.s , F = E .q & s = d:
 W = q.E.d

Equation: W = V.q or V = E.d or ½.m.v2 = q.V

W = Work (J)
q = Charge (C)
E = Electric field strength (N.C-1 or V.m-1)
V = Potential difference (V)
Proof:
Since, 1 volt = 1 joule/1 coulomb:
 W = q.V
And since, W = q.E.d & W = q.V:
q.E.d = q.V
 V = E.d
Also since, W = ½.m.v2 & W = q.V:
 ½.m.v2 = q.V

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Electric Potential:
 Two points of equal potential have no potential difference between them (No work
done).
 Many points of equal potential are called equipotentials.
k .q
Equation: V=
d
V = Potential difference (V)
q = Coulomb (C)
d = Distance (m)
k = Constant = 9  109 N.m2.C-2
Proof:

Since, V = E.d & E = (k.q)/d2
 V = (k.q)/d

Millikan’s Oil Drop Experiment:

Equation: q = n.e
q = Charge (C)
n = Number of excess electrons
e = Charge of an electron (C)

When a Particle Between


Two

Opposite Charges is Stationary
Equation: E .q = m. g
 -1 -1
E = Electric field strength (N.C or V.m )
q = Charge (C)
m = Mass (kg)

g = Gravity (m.s-2)
Proof: 
  
Since, F = m. g & F = E .q
 
 E .q = m. g

m .g .d
Equation: q=
V
q = Charge (C)
m = Mass (kg)
g = Gravity (m.s-2)
d = Distance (m)
V = Potential difference (V)
Proof:
 
Since, E = V/d & q = (m.g)/ E
 q = (m.g.d)/V
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