Electric Fields - MCAT Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Card 1 of 35
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
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Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
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Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field, 
?
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field,
Tap to reveal answer
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
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Consider a spherical shell of radius 
has a charge 
.
What is the electric field 
away from the center of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field
Tap to reveal answer
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
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Consider a spherical shell of radius 
has a charge 
.
What is the electric field at a distance 
from the surface of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field at a distance
Tap to reveal answer
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case, 
since we are at a distance of 
from the surface of the shell and therefore 
away from the shell's center. Plug into the equation for electric field.
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case,
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field, ?
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field,
Tap to reveal answer
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field away from the center of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field
Tap to reveal answer
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field at a distance from the surface of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field at a distance
Tap to reveal answer
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case, since we are at a distance of from the surface of the shell and therefore away from the shell's center. Plug into the equation for electric field.
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case,
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field, ?
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field,
Tap to reveal answer
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field away from the center of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field
Tap to reveal answer
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field at a distance from the surface of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field at a distance
Tap to reveal answer
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case, since we are at a distance of from the surface of the shell and therefore away from the shell's center. Plug into the equation for electric field.
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case,
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, what direction do the electric field lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
As with a point charge, remember that electric field lines point from areas of high potential to areas of low potential. Areas of high potential have positive (+) charge and areas of low potential have negative (-) charge, thus the electric field lines point to the right.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Batteries and AC current are often used to charge a capacitor. A common example of capacitor use is in computer hard drives, where capacitors are charged in a specific pattern to code information. A simplified circuit with capacitors can be seen below. The capacitance of C1 is 0.5 μF and the capacitances of C2 and C3 are 1 μF each. A 10 V battery with an internal resistance of 1 Ω supplies the circuit.
Using the plate diagram above, in what direction do the electric force lines point?
Tap to reveal answer
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
As with a point charge, remember that electric force lines point away from positive charge and towards negative charge. As can be seen in the image, electric force lines point to the right. As an aside, electric field lines point in the same direction as electric force lines, so if you know the direction of one, you also know the direction of the other.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field, ?
Which of the following equations best relates capacitance, charge, and distance between parallel plates as they pertain to the electric field,
Tap to reveal answer
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
This question forces us to combine two equations.
Using substitution, we can solve for the electric field with the variables given in the question stem.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field away from the center of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field
Tap to reveal answer
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
The electric field inside a charged spherical shell is always zero.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Consider a spherical shell of radius has a charge .
What is the electric field at a distance from the surface of the shell?
Consider a spherical shell of radius
What is the electric field at a distance
Tap to reveal answer
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case, since we are at a distance of from the surface of the shell and therefore away from the shell's center. Plug into the equation for electric field.
According to the shell theorem, a charged spherical shell can be treated as a point charge at the center of the spherical shell. The equation for the electric field of a point charge is:
In this case,
← Didn't Know|Knew It →