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VICPhysicsQuick questions
Unit 3: How do fields explain motion and electricity?
Quick questions on Electric fields, Coulomb's law and parallel plates: VCE Physics Unit 3
8short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is the field model?Show answer
An electric field surrounds every electric charge. Another charge placed in the field experiences a force. The field is drawn with field lines that point in the direction of the force on a positive test charge.
What is electric field strength?Show answer
The electric field strength at a point is the force per unit positive test charge:
What is point charge?Show answer
A single point charge produces a radial field:
What are parallel plates?Show answer
Two large, parallel, oppositely charged plates separated by distance with potential difference produce a uniform field in the gap:
What is direction?Show answer
A positive charge accelerates along the field. A negative charge accelerates opposite to the field.
What is q1?Show answer
Define electric field strength and state its SI unit. [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Two parallel plates separated by mm have a potential difference of V. Calculate (a) the field strength, and (b) the force on a C charge between them. [4 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Refer to the synchrotron deflector. (a) Calculate the field between plates at V, mm. (b) Determine the acceleration of an electron in this field. (c) Explain why parallel plates produce a uniform field.