Electric Fields

Module Overview

The concept of electric field is studies in this module.  This module starts by introducing the concepts of electric field and electric field lines. The electric flux is then discussed in reasonable detail, with several examples, leading up to the study of Gauss’ law where the attention is focused on applications of the law by exploring the symmetry in electric field patterns. The module ends on a derivation of electric field strength between a pair of conducting parallel-plate, paving the way for further study of capacitors in subsequent module. 

Introduction

The main challenge of this module is the abstract nature of electric field. The “field” terminology is introduced by using a point charge as an example, the electric field lines are then brought in to lend a body to the otherwise invisible fields. The additive (as vectors) nature of the electric fields is explored further in the discussion of many different charge distributions. The topic of electric flux is a natural progression following the electric field, in which the surface integral is used to describe the electric flux of a closed surface. This lays the foundation for the study of the Gauss’ law that follows.  

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the distinction between electric force and electric field
• Be able to explain the long-range interaction between electric charges using a field model
• Determine and describe the electric field of point charges in vector form
• Use Gauss’s law to calculate the electric field due to symmetric charge distribution

Explore Module

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