📚 Topic Summary
The electric force is the force exerted on a charged particle when it is placed in an electric field. The magnitude of the electric force is given by $F = qE$, where $q$ is the magnitude of the charge and $E$ is the magnitude of the electric field. The direction of the force depends on the sign of the charge; positive charges experience a force in the direction of the electric field, while negative charges experience a force in the opposite direction.
This worksheet gives you practice applying this concept to different scenarios.
🧮 Part A: Vocabulary
Match the terms on the left with their definitions on the right:
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Electric Field |
A. A region around a charged particle or object within which a force would be exerted on other charged particles or objects. |
| 2. Electric Force |
B. A fundamental physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. |
| 3. Charge |
C. The force exerted on a charged particle by an electric field. |
| 4. Coulomb |
D. The SI unit of electric charge, equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in 1 second. |
| 5. Magnitude |
E. The absolute value or size of a physical quantity. |
Match the terms to the definitions (e.g., 1-A, 2-C, etc.).
✍️ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following paragraph by filling in the missing words:
The electric force on a charge is proportional to the ______ of the charge and the ______ of the electric field. If the charge is ______, the force is in the same direction as the electric field. If the charge is ______, the force is in the opposite direction. The formula to calculate electric force is $F = ______$.
🤔 Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine you have a small, negatively charged dust particle floating in the air. Suddenly, a uniform electric field is applied vertically upwards. Describe what happens to the dust particle and explain why, in terms of the electric force acting on it.