Physics: Fields and Forces

A set of flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields in physics.

Gravitational Field

A region where a mass experiences a force due to another mass.

Gravitational Field Strength (g)

The force per unit mass at a point in a gravitational field.

Gravitational Potential (Vg)

The work done per unit mass to bring a small mass from infinity to a point.

Gravitational Potential Energy (U)

The energy stored due to the position of a mass in a gravitational field.

Electric Field

A region where a charge experiences a force due to another charge.

Electric Field Strength (E)

The force per unit charge at a point in an electric field.

Electric Potential (VE)

The work done per unit charge to bring a small charge from infinity to a point.

Electric Potential Energy (U)

The energy stored due to the position of a charge in an electric field.

Coulomb’s Law

The force between two point charges is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Permittivity of Free Space (ε0)

A constant that describes how electric fields interact in a vacuum, with a value of 8.85×10−12 C²/Nm².

Magnetic Field

A region where a moving charge or a current-carrying conductor experiences a force.

Magnetic Field Strength (B), Magnetic Flux Density

A measure of the strength of a magnetic field, measured in Tesla (T).

Lorentz Force

The force experienced by a charged particle moving in a magnetic field.

Right-Hand Rule (for moving charges)

A rule that helps determine the direction of magnetic force for a moving charge.

Right-Hand Palm Rule (for current-carrying wires)

A rule that indicates the direction of force on a wire carrying current in a magnetic field.

Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire

The force experienced by a wire carrying current in a magnetic field.

Magnetic Field Around a Long Straight Wire

The magnetic field around a wire follows concentric circles.

Magnetic Force Between Two Parallel Wires

Two parallel wires carrying current exert a force on each other.

Velocity Selector

A device that allows only particles with a specific velocity to pass through.