ELECTRIC FIELDS WORKSHEET:

1. Draw the electric field around these charge distributions:

a.

+ +

b.

c.

2. Draw the electric field and the charge distribution around a

negatively charged pear shaped conductor

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3. Explain in your own words what do you understand by the term
electric field and give the mathematical definition of the strength of
such a field.

4. A charge of +5 C experiences a force 100 N due west when placed in

a uniform electric field. Determine the size and direction of such a
field.

5. A - 5mC charge travels due south under the influence of a 10N force
when placed into a uniform electric field. What force would a 10mC
charge experience if placed in the same field and in which direction
would it move?

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6. The potential difference between the poles of an automobile battery
is 12 V. Explain what this means in terms of the definition of potential
as work per unit charge.

7. A charge of 15mC experiences a gain in potential energy of 60 J in

moving from point X to point Y in a uniform electric field. Determine
the potential difference between points X and Y.

8. On an electrostatic surface, such as the surface of a Van de Graaff

generator, no work is needed to move charge from one point to
another on the surface. What does this tell you about the potential
difference between points on such a surface?

9. Humid air breaks down (its molecules become ionised) in an electric

field of 3.0 106 N/C. In that field, what is the magnitude of the
electrostatic force on:
a. an electron,

b. an ion with a single electron missing

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10. The figure shows the deflecting plates of an ink jet printer. An ink
drop of mass 1.3 10-10 kg and charge of -1.5 10 -13 C enters the
region between the plates, initially moving along the axis with a
speed of 18 m/s. The length of each plate is 1.6 cm. The plates are
charged and produce an electric field between them at all points.
Assume the electric field is uniform and has a magnitude 1.4 10 6
N/C and is directed downwards. What is the vertical deflection of the
drop at the far end of the plate?