Electric Fields and Conductors
We have previously shown in Lesson 4 that any charged object - positive or negative, conductor or insulator - creates an electric field that permeates the space surrounding it. In…
Electric Field Lines
In the previous section of Lesson 4, the vector nature of the electric field strength was discussed. The magnitude or strength of an electric field in the space surrounding a source charge is…
Electric Field Intensity
In the previous section of Lesson 4, the concept of an electric field was introduced. It was stated that the electric field concept arose in an effort to explain action-at-a-distance forces.…
Electric Fields
Action at a Distance The underlying and primary question being addressed in this unit of The Physics Classroom is: How can an object be charged and what effect does that…
Newton’s Laws and the Electrical Force
The attractive or repulsive interaction between any two charged objects is an electric force. Like any force, its effect upon objects is described by Newton's laws of motion. The electric force -…
Inverse Square Law
Science in general and Physics in particular are concerned with relationships. Cause and effect is the focus of science. Nature is probed in order to find relationships and mathematical patterns.…
Coulomb’s Law
The interaction between charged objects is a non-contact force that acts over some distance of separation. Charge, charge and distance. Every electrical interaction involves a force that highlights the importance…
Electric Force
Charge Interactions Revisited Previously in Lesson 1, the interactions between charged objects of like charge and opposite charge were discussed. At that time, the two fundamental charge interactions were stated: oppositely charged…
Grounding – the Removal of a Charge
The previous three sections of Lesson 2 discussed the three common methods of charging - charging by friction, charging by induction, and charging by conduction. A discussion of charging would not be complete…
Charging by Conduction
In the previous two sections of Lesson 2, the process of charging by friction and charging by inductionwere described and explained. In this section of Lesson 2, a third method of charging - charging by conduction -…
