POGIL: Electric Forces We have already seen that electric charges exert forces on each other through the

electric field. The electric field is a force field produced by charge in the space surrounding the charge. When other charges come in contact with this force field, the field pushes or pulls on the charges. This is a model for explaining how two charges can exert forces on each other without touching. In this POGIL, we quantify the electric field and learn how to calculate it. The Electric Force Between Charges The direction of the electric force between two charges can be summed up by the following wellknown rule: Like charges repel, opposite charges attract. 1. The diagram below shows two objects, one having a charge of +2 C and the other having a charge of 4 C.

+2 C

4 C

(a) On the +2 C charge in the diagram above, draw a vector indicating the direction of the electric force on it. (b) On the 4 C charge in the diagram above, draw a vector indicating the direction of the electric force on it. (c) Suppose the electric force on the +2 C charge is 100 N. Is the electric force on the 4 C less than, equal to, or greater than 100 N? Justify your answer.

2. The diagram below shows two objects, one having a charge of 10 C and the other having a charge of 20 C.

10 C

20 C

(a) On the 10 C charge in the diagram above, draw a vector indicating the direction of the electric force on it. (b) On the 20 C charge in the diagram above, draw a vector indicating the direction of the electric force on it. (c) Suppose the electric force on the 20 C charge is 500 N. Is the electric force on the 10 C less than, equal to, or greater than 500 N? Justify your answer.

The Magnitude and Direction of the Electric Field If a charge q is placed in an electric field E at some point in space, the field exerts a force F on the charge. We wish to express the relationship between these three variables. The magnitude of an electric field at a point in space tells us the electric force F that will be exerted for each unit of charge q placed at that point. We can write this as
E= F q .

Electric field is therefore measured in Newtons per Coulomb (N/C). The direction of the electric field at a point in space is the direction that a positive charge would be pushed if it was placed at that point. If you place a negative charge at that point, the field pushes the charge in the direction opposite the field. In the example below, the electric field at the point shown is 5 N/C to the right. E = 5 N/C The following chart shows the force that acts on various charges placed at the point. Convince yourself and your group members that these numbers fit the description above. charge (C) +1 +2 2 3 magnitude of force (N) 5 10 10 15 direction of force right right left left

3. Is electric field a vector or a scalar? Justify your answer.

4. In the diagram below, a charged object sets up an electric field in the space surrounding it. Points P, Q, and R are various points at which the electric field is to be measured. P R

charged object Q

The following chart shows the amount of force exerted by the electric field on various point charges placed at P, Q, and R.

point P Q R

point charge (C) +10 +1 15

force (N) 1.125 1.8 0.1875

direction of force 180 90 180

electric field (N/C)

direction of electric field

(a) Fill in the last two columns of the chart for the magnitude and direction of the electric field at points P, Q, and R. Then draw a vector at each point in the diagram showing the direction of the field. (b) If we place a +5 C point charge at P, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(c) If we place a 5 C point charge at P, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(d) If we place a +2 C point charge at Q, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(e) If we place a 100 C point charge at R, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

5. In another diagram below, a large charged plate sets up an electric field in the space surrounding it. Points P, Q, and R are points at different distances from the plate. P charged plate R Q

The following chart shows the amount of force exerted by the electric field on various point charges placed at P, Q, and R.

point P Q R

point charge (C) +5 +7 9

force (N) 10 14 18

direction of force 0 0 180

electric field (N/C)

direction of electric field

(a) Fill in the last two columns of the chart for the magnitude and direction of the electric field at points P, Q, and R. Then draw a vector at each point in the diagram showing the direction of the field. (b) If we place a +10 C point charge at P, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(c) If we place a 10 C point charge at P, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(d) If we place a +15 C point charge at Q, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(e) If we place a 50 C point charge at R, what is the magnitude and direction of the force on the charge?

(f) Is the charge on the plate positive or negative? Justify your answer.