Unit 10 - Electrostatics

Equipotential

a series of points where the electric potential is the same (no potential difference)

Conductors

charges pass through easily, if insulated charge will spread evenly throughout object, elections are mobile not protons

Capacitor

device for storing charge by physical Separation, which therefore allows for the storing of electric potential energy

Insulators

do not allow charges to pass easily, can build up charge on outside, elections & protons are not mobile

Charge interactions

like charges repel, opposites attract, neutral attracted by positive or negative

Electrostatics

study of charges that are not moving

Electric Field Strength

the electric force per unit charge experienced by a small point positive charge

Coulomb's Law

the electrostatic force between two charged objects is proportional to the product of the charges of the objects and inversely proportional to the square of their separation.

Electron volt

the energy an electron gains when accelerated through a potential difference of one volt

Electric Potential

work per unit charge required to bring a positive test charge from infinity to a point P

Electric Potential Difference

work per unit charge required to move a positive test charge between two points in space

Electric Potential Energy

work required to bring a set of charges from infinity to some arrangement