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Physics Factsheet

April 2002 www.curriculumpress.co.uk Number 35

Comparison of Gravitational and Electric Fields


This Factsheet will highlight the similarities and differences of gravitational These expressions can be used to determine an expression for the gravitational
and electric fields. Before working through this Factsheet, you should ensure field strength due to a point mass m and the electric field strength due to a
you understand the two types of field individually. point charge Q :

Nature of field Field Strength


Both electric and gravitational fields are vector quantities. Gravitational case Electric case
• Gravitational fields act on all particles with mass. m q
They are always attractive. r r
F F
M Q
• Electric fields act on all particles with charge.
They may be attractive or repulsive Mm Qq
F=G× F= 1 × 2
r2 4πε0 r
Field Strength or Intensity
For both electric and graviational fields, there is a relationship between field Field strength Field strength:
F F 1 Q
strength and force on a body in the field. g = m = G× M2 Nkg-1 F = q = 4πε × 2 NC-1
r 0 r
• For a gravitational field, F = mg
Electric force F = qE
Gravitational force F = mg
(F = force; m = mass; g = gravitational field intensity)

• For an electric field, F = qE The decline of either field with distance can be represented graphically:
(F = force; q = charge; E = electric field intensity) E or g

Exam Hint: - "g" is only equal to 9.81ms-2 at the earth's surface.

To measure the strength of a gravitational field we place a test mass m in


the field and measure the force F on it .
F, giving gravitation
The intensity of the field is then defined to be the ratio m r
-1
field strength the units Nkg
Note that these expressions for field strength assume that we are considering
To measure the strength of an electric field, we place a positive test charge a point mass or point charge - which are useful approximations if the size
q in the field and then measure the force F on it. of the body concerned is small compared to the distances being considered.
The intensity of the field is defined to be the ratio qF, giving electric field
strength the units NC-1. For a uniform sphere, the gravitational or electrical field outside it will be
as if all of the body's mass or charge was concentrated at the centre of the
body.
Variation of force and field with distance
What affects field strength?
The gravitational force Fg between two masses m1 and m2 separated by a
• Field strength is always positive for a gravitational field, but for an
distance r is given by Newton’s law:
m1 m2 electric field, may be positive (for the field produced by a positive
Fg = G charge) or negative (for a field produced by a negative charge).
r2
The electrostatic force Fe between two charges q1 and q2 separated by a • For both electric and gravitational fields, field strength is affected by
distance r in a material of relative permittivity εr is given by Coulomb’s law: distance from the body producing the field - they follow inverse
q q square laws.
Fe = 1 × 12 2
4π εrε0 r • Field strength is directly proportional to the mass of the body for
gravitational fields, and the charge on the body for electric fields.
Both forces follow an inverse square law. • The strength of the gravitational field is not affected by the
The constants of proportionality are medium - it will be the same whether the body is in air, vacuum,
G for gravitation water...
1 for electrostatic
The strength of the electric field is affected by the medium - it is
4πεrε0
inversely proportional to the relative permittivity of the medium.

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Comparison of Gravitational and Electric Fields Physics Factsheet
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Potential V Field lines, equipotentials and movement in fields


For both gravitational and electrical fields, the potential at infinity is defined Both types of field can be represented by field lines.
to be zero. • The closer together the lines are, the stronger the field.
• For a gravitational field, the potential is defined as the work done • The direction of the lines indicates the direction a mass would move in
in bringing a test unit mass from infinity to that point. a graviational field, and the direction a positive charge would move in
It is given by Vg = − GMr
an electric field (a negative charge would move in the opposite direction).
The gravitational potential energy of a mass in a gravitational
Equipotentials - surfaces joining points of equal potential - are at right-
field is given by: (p.e)g = m × Vg
∆Vg angles to the field lines in both cases.
The gravitational field strength is given by g = −
∆r
• For an electric field, the potential is defined as the work done in
bringing a test unit positive charge from infinity to that point. An unsupported mass m is in a gravitational field will always move from
Q a position of high gravitational potential to a point where the potential is
1
It is given by Ve = 4πε × r lower - in the same direction as the field lines.
0
The electrical potential energy of a charge in an electric field is Direction of V increasing
given by: (p.e.)e = q × Ve (to zero at ∞)
∆Ve
The electric field strength is given by E = −
∆r
M
In both cases, potential is inversely proportional to r, and field
strength is given by − gradient of potential.

Comparing the sizes of gravitational and electrostatic forces Similarly, a positive charge that is free to move will always move from a
Gravitational forces only really become important when very large objects position of high electrical potential to a point where the potential is lower
are involved - you feel the gravitational force due to the Earth, but not due - in the same direction as the field lines.
to other people, for example. Electrostatic forces, in contrast, are quite
easily noticeable - you will have seen experiments with charged spheres
demonstrating "like charges repel, unlike charges attract". The electric field and associated potential due to a positively charged body
will be positive, so the potential decreases to infinity.
To illustrate this, consider a hydrogen atom.
Direction of V increasing
(from zero at ∞)

+Q positive
p+ R
charge

In this field, as we might expect, a positive test charge will tend to move
The proton and electron are oppositely charged; the magnitude of the outwards, and a negative charge inwards.
1
charge on each is 1.6 ×10-19C. 4πε is approximately 9 × 109 Fm-1
0

So the electrical force is given by: The electric field and associated potential due to a negatively charged body
(1.6 × 10 ) 2.3 × 10
-19 2 -28 will be negative, so the potential increases to infinity.
Fe = 9 × 109 × = N
R2 R2 Direction of V increasing
(to zero at ∞)
The masses of the particles are mp = 1.7 ×10-27kg and me = 9.1 ×10-31kg.
G is approximately 6.67×10-11 Nm2kg-2.
negative
So the gravitational force is given by: -Q
charge
1.7 × 10-27 × 9.1 × 10-31 1.03 × 10-67
Fg = 6.67 × 10-11 = N
R2 R2

To compare these forces we find their ratio:


In this field, a positive test charge will tend to move inwards, and a negative
Fe 2.3 × 10-28 charge outwards.
= ≈ 1039
Fg 1.03 × 10-67

This shows why it is acceptable, when calculating electrostatic forces


between small objects, to ignore the effects of the gravitational force
between them.

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Comparison of Gravitational and Electric Fields Physics Factsheet
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Summary
Gravitation Electrical
1
G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2kg-2 = 9 × 109 Fm-1
Constant Constant 4πε0
m1 m2 q q
F= G 2 Coulomb's Law Fe = 1 × 1 2 2
Newton's Law r 4πε0 r
Gm 1 q
g= Field Strength E = 4πε × r 2
Field Strength r2 0

-Gm 1 q
Potential V= r V = 4πε × r
Potential 0

Acts on General mass distribution Acts on General charge distribution


F F
Force g= m F = mg Force E= q F = Eq

∆Vg ∆V V
Field g=− Field E=− or E=−
∆r ∆x d

Work done W = mV Work done W = qV

Interaction Attractive only Interaction Attractive or Repulsive

Medium No permittivity effect Medium Permittivity important

most significant with massive objects such as planets, stars and galaxies holds atoms and molecules together

Exam Workshop Questions


This is a typical student’s answer to an exam question. The comments 1. (a) Write down expressions for field strength for
explain what is wrong with the answers and how they can be improved. (i) the gravitational field due to a point mass M
The examiner’s answer is given below. (ii) the electric field due to a point charge Q

(a) Illustrate mathematically why we do not feel the gravitational (b) Sketch graphs to show how field strength declines with distance for
force of attraction between ourselves and other people. the two cases in (a).
Take G = 6.67 × 10-11 Nm2kg-2 [5]
People have masses M and m, and are a distance r apart. 2. (a) Define potential for electrical and gravitational fields, and state its
m1 m2  m m relationship to field strength.
So force on them is F = G 2 = 6.67 × 10-11 1 2 2 2/5
r r
(b) Explain what is meant by an equipotential.
The candidate has the correct idea, but without putting actual values
in for m1, m2 and r, the argument is not convincing, so full marks 3. State the factors that affect field strength for electric fields and gravitational
cannot be awarded. Substitution of "sensible" values for the masses fields.
and distance would show that the force involved was too small to
be felt. 4. Discuss the similarities and differences between electric and gravitational
fields.
(b) (i) Estimate the mass of an object if you experienced a gravitational
force of 100N at a distance of 1m from it. [3] Answers
2 
m1 = Fr /Gm2 = 1.5× 10 kg 
12
1/3 Answers to questions 1, 2 and 3 can be found in the text.
The equation has been rearranged correctly, but this time the candidate
4. Differences:
has simply ignored m2, rather than substituting in a value. If the
Gravitational forces can only be attractive; electric forces can be
candidate had written down the step in which the substitution was
attractive and repulsive.
carried out, s/he might have realised this mistake.
Gravitational fields exist around masses; electrical around charges.
(ii) Calculate the charge that you and the object would each need, Medium is important for electrical fields, not for gravitational fields
(assuming both charges are the same), to feel the same
electrostatic force at this distance. Take 1 = 9 × 109 Fm-1 Similarities:
 4πε0 Field strengths follow inverse square relationships with distance
q = √(4πεor2F) = 9.5 × 105 C  1/3 Work done in moving through the field is (mass or charge) ×
potential
The problem here is that the candidate has taken 4πε0= 9 × 109
Potential is proportional to 1/distance
If s/he had shown more working, s/he might have gained a second mark,
despite this mistake.

Examiner's Answers.
(a) F = Gm1m2/r2  For 2 people each of mass 60kg, 1m apart Acknowledgements:
(or other sensible values) F= 6.67 × 10-11 × 60 × 60/1  = 0.24µN  This Physics Factsheet was researched and written by Keith Cooper
The Curriculum Press,Unit 305B, The Big Peg,120 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6NF
Physics Factsheets may be copied free of charge by teaching staff or students, provided that
(b) (i) m1 = Fr2/Gm2  = 100 × 1/(G × 60) = 2.5 × 1010kg their school is a registered subscriber.
No part of these Factsheets may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted,
(ii) q2 = F × 4πε0 × r2  in any other form or by any other means, without the prior permission of the publisher.
q = √(100 × 4πε0 × 12)  q ≈ 10 –5C ISSN 1351-5136

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