1. Electric Field and Electric Potential (Voltage)

2. Electric Field Any charged object has an invisible field around it. Any charged object has an invisible field around it. The Field creates an electric Force on any charged object which is located in the field. The Field creates an electric Force on any charged object which is located in the field. The direction of the Electric Field (indicated by electric field lines) always points in the direction a positive charge would be forced to move. The direction of the Electric Field (indicated by electric field lines) always points in the direction a positive charge would be forced to move.

3. Electric Fields

4. Electric Field The electric Field is defined as the electric force acting on a test charge divided by the amount of the test charge The electric Field is defined as the electric force acting on a test charge divided by the amount of the test charge E = F/q E = F/q

5. Electric Potential (also called Voltage Voltage is defined as the amount of electrical potential Energy (joules) which a charge (Coulomb) experiences Voltage is defined as the amount of electrical potential Energy (joules) which a charge (Coulomb) experiences Think of Voltage like potential energy. Think of Voltage like potential energy. The higher the voltage the more potential energy (like raising a mass higher in the air). The higher the potential energy, the more energy that can by transferred per charge. The higher the voltage the more potential energy (like raising a mass higher in the air). The higher the potential energy, the more energy that can by transferred per charge.

6. Voltage (electric Potential) Common voltages…… Common voltages…… Car battery = 12Volts Car battery = 12Volts Plug in the wall = 120V (it varies some) Plug in the wall = 120V (it varies some) Standard D cell battery = 1.5 volts Standard D cell battery = 1.5 volts

7. Voltage Voltage tells you how much energy there is Per Charge. Voltage tells you how much energy there is Per Charge. Something can have a high voltage but if there isnt much charge then there isnt much total energy. Something can have a high voltage but if there isnt much charge then there isnt much total energy. You can build up a very high voltage static charge by rubbing your shoes on carpet, but because it isnt a lot of total charge it isnt dangerous. You can build up a very high voltage static charge by rubbing your shoes on carpet, but because it isnt a lot of total charge it isnt dangerous.

8. Voltage The plug in the wall is at 120V but it can supply an unlimited (almost) amount of continuous charge (the flow of charge is called Current) The plug in the wall is at 120V but it can supply an unlimited (almost) amount of continuous charge (the flow of charge is called Current) Its actually the flow of charges (current) which is dangerous….. Its actually the flow of charges (current) which is dangerous…..