Radial Field Strength
Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 4.4.1
Radial Field Strength
The field from a charge is the force per unit charge. Field lines show the direction of motion of a positively charged particle.
Field lines
- The number of field lines leaving a positive charge or entering a negative charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.
- The strength of the field is proportional to the density of the field lines.
- Field lines can never cross.
Direction of the field
- From a positive charge, the field lines go radially outwards from the center.
- From a negative charge, the field lines go radially inwards (towards the charge).
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Electric dipole
- An electric dipole is a system consisting of two charges that are equal in magnitude and opposite in sign.
Test yourself on Radial Field Strength
What is a radial line from a charge?
What direction do the field lines from a positive charge go?