An electric field can be used to accelerate charged particles. Conservation of energy tells us that the work done by the field is equal to the change in the particle’s kinetic energy. The speed of the particle can be determined if its charge and the accelerating voltage are known. These notes show how to perform the calculation.
These short video clips show how to draw electric field lines for point charges and parallel plates, with example calculations for the work done by electric fields and the final speed of charged particles in electric fields.
Q1(a) Electric fields lines around point charges from mr mackenzie on Vimeo.
Q1b – Electric field between parallel plates from mr mackenzie on Vimeo.
Q2 – Work done in moving a charged particle through a potential difference from mr mackenzie on Vimeo.
Q3 – Calculating the speed of a charged particle in an electric field from mr mackenzie on Vimeo.
