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Electric Fields

Uniform fields between parallel plates

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 2

Overview

Recall questions on how a uniform field is produced and what uniform means, the field-line pattern, E = V/d with worked calculations, the force on an electron between the plates, the effect of halving the separation, fringe distortion at the edges, the work done moving a charge across, and why that work is path-independent.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How is a uniform electric field produced?

Key term

What is meant by saying the field between parallel plates is uniform?

Key term

How are the field lines drawn between parallel plates?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How is a uniform electric field produced?

    Model answer

    By applying a potential difference between two parallel conducting plates that are close together compared with their size.

  2. 2

    What is meant by saying the field between parallel plates is uniform?

    Model answer

    The field strength has the same magnitude and direction at every point between the plates, except near the edges.

  3. 3

    How are the field lines drawn between parallel plates?

    Model answer

    As straight parallel lines equally spaced, running from the positive plate to the negative plate at right angles to both.

  4. 4

    Give the equation for the field strength between parallel plates and define each symbol.

    Model answer

    E = V/d, where E is the field strength in V m⁻¹, V the potential difference between the plates in volts and d their separation in metres.

  5. 5

    Calculate the field strength between plates 5.0 mm apart with 2000 V across them.

    Model answer

    E = V/d = 2000 ÷ 5.0 × 10⁻³, which is 4.0 × 10⁵ V m⁻¹.

  6. 6

    Calculate the force on an electron in that field.

    Model answer

    F = qE = 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ × 4.0 × 10⁵, which is 6.4 × 10⁻¹⁴ N, directed towards the positive plate.

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