Electric Fields

• What does any charged object have around it?

  An electric field
• How do electric fields compare to gravitational and magnetic fields?

  They are similar areas of influence
• What happens when you have a positive and a negative charged particle?

  They attract each other
• How are electric fields represented in physics?

  With field lines
• In which direction do electric field lines point?

  From positive to negative
• How should field lines be drawn in relation to surfaces?

  At right angles to the surface
• How many field lines should be shown in an exam drawing?

  At least eight
• What happens to the strength of the electric field as you move away from a charged particle?

  It gets weaker
• What occurs when oppositely charged particles get closer together?

  They experience electrostatic attraction
• What do field lines indicate between a positive and negative particle?

  Attractive force between them
• What happens when two particles have the same charge?

  They repel each other
• What is the effect of a strong electric field on nearby air particles?

  It can cause ionization
• What is air considered in its normal state regarding electricity?

  An electrical insulator
• What happens during the ionization process in air particles?

  They lose electrons and become positive ions
• How does ionization affect the ability of air to conduct electricity?

  It allows air to conduct electricity
• What phenomenon can occur due to ionization in air?

  Sparks can travel through air
• What are the key characteristics of electric fields around charged particles?

  • Present around any charged object
  • Represented by field lines
  • Lines point from positive to negative
  • Strength decreases with distance
  • Opposite charges attract, like charges repel
• What is the relationship between electric fields and air particles?

  • Air is an electrical insulator
  • Strong electric fields can ionize air
  • Ionized air can conduct electricity
  • Sparks can occur due to ionization