electric field and potential

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  1. scalar
    a variable quantity that cannot be resolved into components
    The above expression shows how the electric field , which is a vector field, is related to the electric potential , which is a scalar field.
  2. electric potential
    the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
    We have seen that the difference in electric potential between two arbitrary points in space is a function of the electric field which permeates space, but is independent of the test charge used to measure this difference.
  3. electric field
    a field of force surrounding a charged particle
    We have seen that the difference in electric potential between two arbitrary points in space is a function of the electric field which permeates space, but is independent of the test charge used to measure this difference.
  4. positive charge
    the state of having a deficiency of electrons
    Since a positive charge is accelerated in this direction, we conclude that positive charges are accelerated down gradients in the electric potential, in much the same manner as masses fall down gradients of gravitational potential (which is, of course, proportional to height).
  5. field strength
    the vector sum of all the forces exerted by an electrical or magnetic field (on a unit mass or unit charge or unit magnetic pole) at a given point in the field
    According to Eq. (87), electric field strength has dimensions of potential difference over length.
  6. gradient
    a graded change in the magnitude of something
    Energy conservation demands that (i.e., the increase in the charge's energy matches the work done on the charge), or

    (86)



    which reduces to

    (87)



    We call the quantity the gradient of the electric potential in the -direction.
  7. potential difference
    the difference in electrical charge between two points in a circuit expressed in volts
    According to Eq. (87), electric field strength has dimensions of potential difference over length.
  8. electric
    using or providing the flow of charge through a conductor
    We have seen that the difference in electric potential between two arbitrary points in space is a function of the electric field which permeates space, but is independent of the test charge used to measure this difference.
  9. negative charge
    the state of having a surplus of electrons
    Likewise, negative charges are accelerated up gradients in the electric potential.
  10. vector
    a quantity that has magnitude and direction
    The above expression shows how the electric field , which is a vector field, is related to the electric potential , which is a scalar field.
  11. coulomb
    a unit of electrical charge equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in 1 second
    Of course, these new units are entirely equivalent to newtons per coulomb: i.e.,


    (88)



    Consider the special case of a uniform -directed electric field generated by two uniformly charged parallel planes normal to the -axis.
  12. subtend
    be opposite to; of angles and sides, in geometry
    By definition, the change in the charge's electric potential energy is given by


    (84)



    From Eq. (76), the work which we perform in moving the charge is

    (85)



    where is the local electric field-strength, and is the angle subtended between the direction of the field and the -axis.
  13. axis
    a straight line through a body or figure
    Consider a charge which is slowly moved an infinitesimal distance along the -axis.
  14. potential energy
    energy stored by a body or system by virtue of its position
    By definition, the change in the charge's electric potential energy is given by


    (84)



    From Eq. (76), the work which we perform in moving the charge is

    (85)



    where is the local electric field-strength, and is the angle subtended between the direction of the field and the -axis.
  15. newton
    force imparting acceleration of 1 m/sec/sec to 1 kilogram
    Of course, these new units are entirely equivalent to newtons per coulomb: i.e.,


    (88)



    Consider the special case of a uniform -directed electric field generated by two uniformly charged parallel planes normal to the -axis.
  16. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
    By definition, , where is the -component of the local electric field.
  17. volt
    a unit for measuring the force of an electric current
    It follows that the units of electric field are volts per meter ( .
  18. displacement
    the act of moving something from its natural environment
    Suppose that is the vector displacement of point relative to point .
  19. meter
    a basic unit of length (approximately 1.094 yards)
    It follows that the units of electric field are volts per meter ( .
Created on Wed Mar 23 14:23:52 EDT 2011

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