Estimating electric field strength

In summary, the conversation discusses estimating the electric field at point A on a 5cmx5cm grid using the formula E = -dV/ds. The speaker had four options for the field strength and direction and determined that the field must be pointing to the left based on the direction of decreasing potential. They then calculated the strength to be 500V/m by dividing the total field strength by the number of boxes between the left side and point A.
  • #1
Linus Pauling
190
0
1. Estimate the electric field (strength and direction) at the point A.

5cmx5cm gridL
30.P49.jpg




2. E = -dV/ds



3. I had four options, each a combination of 500 or 1000V/m for the E field strength and then left or right for the direction. I knew it must be to the left because the field points in the direction of decreasing potential, but how was the strength obtained (the answer is 500V/m)?

I did E = dV/ds = 12.5V/.00625m = 2000V/m, because point A is 1/8(5cm) from the left side of the grid...
 
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  • #2
and then I divided by 4 because there are 4 boxes (1/2 of 5cm) between the left side and point A. So 2000V/m/4 = 500V/m.
 

Related to Estimating electric field strength

1. What is electric field strength?

Electric field strength, also known as electric field intensity, is a measure of the strength of an electric field at a particular point in space. It is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a small test charge placed at that point.

2. How is electric field strength calculated?

Electric field strength is calculated using the formula E = F/q, where E is the electric field strength, F is the force acting on the test charge, and q is the magnitude of the test charge. The direction of the electric field is the same as the direction of the force acting on the test charge.

3. What are the units of electric field strength?

The SI unit of electric field strength is volts per meter (V/m). Other units that are commonly used include newtons per coulomb (N/C) and volts per centimeter (V/cm).

4. How does the distance from a source affect electric field strength?

The electric field strength is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. This means that as the distance from the source increases, the electric field strength decreases. This relationship is described by Coulomb's Law.

5. How is electric field strength used in practical applications?

Electric field strength is used in various practical applications, such as in the design of electrical circuits and devices, in medical imaging techniques, and in the study of atmospheric phenomena like lightning. It is also used to measure the strength of electric fields in different environments, such as near power lines or electronic devices.

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