Module 6: Electromagnetism

Topic 1.1: Charged Particles in Electric/Magnetic Fields

Electric Fields

• The force experienced by a charge due to an electric field is given by:

• Recall that electric fields are vector quantities

• The charge producing the electric field is referred to as the source charge and denoted
with Q

• The charge used to measure the source charge’s electric field is called the test charge
and denoted q

• The test charge experiences a force F inside the source charge’s electric field

• This force can be either attractive or repulsive

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• Electric field strength between parallel plates is calculated using:

• The plates produce a uniform electric field throughout the plate

• Field lines leave and enter perpendicular to the plates
• The density of field lines visually represents the field strength
– i.e. lots of field lines close together indicates a strong electric field

Example 1
When an electron is placed in an electric field that was produced by a particle of charge 45 C,
it experiences a force of 3.0 × 10−5 N to the left. Determine the magnitude and direction of
this electric field.

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Example 2
Two parallel plates are placed 50 cm from each other. The plates are then attached to the
same power supply so that a potential difference of 10 V exists between them.

(a) Calculate the charge of an object placed in between the plates, if it experiences a force of
5 × 10−6 N.

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(b) Determine the acceleration experienced by an electron placed midway between the plates.

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Example 3
An electron is placed between two parallel plates.

The electron is released and experiences a force of magnitude 7.2 × 10−18 N.

(a) In which direction will the electron accelerate?

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(b) Describe the electric field between the plates.

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(c) If the electron were to be replaced by a particle that has twice the charge and triple the
mass of a proton, determine its acceleration.

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Work in Electric Fields

• The work done in an electric field is given by:

• Refers to the work required to move a point charge q in an electric field E a distance d

• Only works in uniform electric fields such as the one in parallel plates

• Work is done whenever a charged object moves inside an electric field

• It can be alternatively represented as:

• The constant electric field relationship:

• If a charge moves against the electric field, work is done onto the field by the charge

• If a charge moves along the electric field, work is done by the field onto the charge

• An equipotential line consists of points which all have the same electric potential

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Example 1
A fun experiment is performed involving a charged particle in an electric field. The particle
was released from rest and travelled between two points in the electric field.

(a) Calculate the work required to move the particle of charge +400 µC between the points if
the potential difference between the two points is 5 × 1010 V.

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(b) If the particle had a mass of 4.52 × 10−6 kg, calculate its final velocity.

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Example 2
A mad scientist sets up a parallel plate arrangement such that one plate has potential energy
of 12.0 V and the other plate having −25.0 V positioned 50 cm away.
(a) Calculate the work done to move a proton, a distance of 20 cm towards the positive plate.

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(b) The proton now moves 10 cm perpendicular to the electric field. The proton remained
within the plates the entire journey. Determine the work done by the electric field.

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Example 3
A 20 µC charge is moved 50 cm along an equipotential line from point A to B.

Determine the potential difference and hence work done.

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Gravitational Field vs Electric Fields

Quantity Gravitational fields Electrical fields

Field strength

Uniform Field Strength

Forces between monopoles

Force due to a uniform field

Potential energy changes in a

uniform field

Trajectory of a charged particle in a E-field vs. a projectile in a G-field

Uniform gravitational field Uniform electric field

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Example 1
An electron possesses an initial horizontal velocity of 2 × 107 m s−1 and enters halfway between
two parallel plates that are separated by 10 cm. One plate is earthed while the other has a
potential of 5.0 kV.

(a) Sketch the scenario described, including the path of the electron before and after entering
the electric field.

(b) Calculate the electron’s horizontal displacement within the plates.

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(c) Calculate the final velocity just before the electron hits the positive plate.

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Tutorial Questions

Question 1 − HSC 2005

The diagram shows two parallel horizontal metal plates connected to a DC source of electricity.
Suspended between the plates is a charged particle of mass 9.6 ×10−6 kg.

(a) Using conventional symbols, draw the electric field between the metal plates on the diagram 1
above.

(b) Determine the magnitude of the electric field between the plates. 1

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(c) Determine the sign and magnitude of the charge on the particle if it is suspended motionless 3
between the plates.

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Question 2 − HSC 2009

An electron is emitted from a mineral sample, and travels through aperture A into a spectrometer
at an angle of 60◦ with a speed of 6.0 × 106 m s−1 .

(a) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the force experienced by the electron inside the 3
spectrometer.

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(b) The electron experiences constant acceleration and eventually strikes the detector, D. 3

What is the time taken for the electron to travel from A to D?

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Question 3 − HSC 2015

A part of a cathode ray oscilloscope was represented on a website as shown.

Electrons leave the cathode and are accelerated towards the anode.
(a) Explain why the representation of the path of the electron between the deflection plates 3
is inaccurate.

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(b) Calculate the force on an electron due to the electric field between the cathode and the 2
anode.

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(c) Calculate the velocity of an electron as it reaches the anode. 2

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Question 4 − HSC 2019

A particle having mass m and charge q is accelerated from rest through a potential difference
V . Assume that the only force acting on the particle is due to the electric field associated with
this potential difference.
r
2qV
Show that the final velocity of the particle is given by v = .
m

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Syllabus outcomes addressed (Topic 1.1)

• Investigate and quantitatively derive and analyse the interaction between charged particles
and uniform electric fields, including:

– electric field between parallel charged plates (E = − Vd )

– acceleration of charged particles by the electric field (F = ma, F = qE)
– work done on the charge (W = qV , W = qEd, K = 12 mv 2 )

• Model qualitatively and quantitatively the trajectories of charged particles in electric

fields and compare them with the trajectories of projectiles in a gravitational field

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