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Field and Potential

Part of the Electricity and Magnetism section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 12 of 51.

In a uniform field, between plates a distance d apart with a voltage V across them:

$E = \frac{V}{d}$

$1\ \mathrm{V/m}$ = $1\ \mathrm{N/C}$ .

Equipotentials across a uniform field

The field points from high to low potential. Equipotentials cross the field at right angles; moving a charge along one takes no work.

Challenge

Two horizontal plates $0.05\ \mathrm{m}$ apart are connected to $200\ \mathrm{V}$ , the top plate at $200\ \mathrm{V}$ and the bottom one at $0\ \mathrm{V}$ . An electron sits between them, and its weight is far too small to count. Draw the force on the electron, then find how big it is, $F$ .

Try it yourself

Physics diagram: plates, charge

Solve for $F$

Test yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Electricity and Magnetism

1Electric Charge and Force

Electric Charge Coulomb's Law Several Charges Recap - Charges in a Line

4Charged Conductors

The Charged Sphere Connecting Spheres Recap - Beam Between Plates

7Real Batteries

Internal Resistance The Variable Resistor Ammeters and Voltmeters Recap - Flashlight

10Magnetic Fields

Magnets and Magnetic Fields Field of a Wire Loops and Solenoids Recap - Electromagnet

2The Electric Field

The Electric Field Field of Several Charges The Uniform Field A Charge in a Uniform Field Recap - Stopping a Proton

5Capacitors

The Capacitor Combining Capacitors Changing a Capacitor Recap - Camera Flash

8Kirchhoff's Laws

The Junction Rule The Loop Rule Solving Two Loops Recap - Charging a Battery

11Magnetic Forces

Force on a Moving Charge Circles in a Field Force on a Wire Two Parallel Wires Recap - Current Balance

3Energy and Potential

Electric Potential Energy Electric PotentialField and PotentialRecap - Accelerating Ions

6Current and Resistance

Current and Voltage Resistance and Ohm's Law Series and Parallel Electric Power Recap - Fairy Lights

9Capacitors in Circuits

A Capacitor in a Circuit Charging a Capacitor Discharging a Capacitor Recap - Defibrillator

12Induction

A Rod Moving in a Field Magnetic Flux Faraday's Law Lenz's Law Recap - Generator