SAT II Physics : Electric Fields

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Coulomb's Law

If the distance between two charged particles is doubled, the strength of the electric force between them will __________.

Possible Answers:

quadruple

be quartered

be halved

double

remain unchanged

Correct answer:

be quartered

Explanation:

Coulomb's law gives the relationship between the force of an electric field and the distance between two charges:

The strength of the force will be inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges.

When the distance between the charges is doubled, the total force will be divided by four (quartered).

Example Question #1 : Electric Fields

On which of the following does the amount of work required to move a charge in an electric field depend?

Possible Answers:

Only the change in potential

Only the path traveled

Only the magnetic field

Neither the potential nor the path traveled

Both the potential and the path traveled

Correct answer:

Only the change in potential

Explanation:

Work done by electric field is defined:

Notice that the only variable in the equation is the potential, so this is the only quantity on which work depends.

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