Electric Fields and Capacitors

Flashcards created from lecture notes covering concepts about electric fields and capacitors.

What is a thermal capacitor similar to in shape?

A cylindrical capacitor.

What is the formula for the Coulomb force?

The Coulomb force is given by k times q1 times q2 over r squared.

What is the equation used to quantify the electric field from a point charge?

E = k * q / r squared, where E is the electric field, k is the Coulomb's constant, q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge.

What direction does the electric field point in relation to a positive charge?

The electric field points away from a positive charge.

What happens when the electric field strength exceeds the breakdown voltage of air?

It can result in ionization of the air, leading to phenomena like lightning.

What is the relationship between the distance from a charge and the strength of the electric field?

The strength of the electric field falls off as 1/r squared.

How do you represent the direction of electric field lines around a positive charge?

Field lines point radially outward from the positive charge.

What is the relationship between the charge and the electric field in a parallel plate capacitor?

The electric field strength (E) is equal to the charge (q) on one plate divided by epsilon naught times the area (A) of the plate.

What is the role of a test charge in electric field measurement?

A test charge is used to measure the electric field strength at a point in space.

How do electric field lines behave in the presence of both positive and negative charges?

Field lines point away from positive charges and toward negative charges.