Force Fields IB Physics Content Guide
Big Ideas
• Opposite charges/poles attract while like charges/poles repel
• The force between charged particles demonstrates the same relationship as the force between bodies with mass
• A force field describes the force at a location per unit mass, charge, or current
• A current flowing through a conductor produces a magnetic field
• The relative directions of current, magnetic field, and electromagnetic force can be found using the right-hand rules
Content Objectives
1 – Static Electricity
I can explain how objects can become charged
I can qualitatively describe the reactions between charged particles
I can describe the process of grounding a charged object
2 – Electrostatic and Gravitational Force
I can use Coulomb’s Law to relate electrostatic force to particle charge and separation distance
I can use the Law of Gravitation to relate gravitation force to object mass and separation distance
I can determine the units of Coulomb’s Constant and the Gravitation Constant using unit analysis
I can describe how the sign of the calculated electrostatic force indicates attraction or repulsion
I can compare and contrast electrostatic and gravitation forces
I can discuss the impact of permittivity on Coulomb’s Constant
3 – Force Fields
I can calculate force between objects with a net charge or mass
I can draw the vector force field for electric and gravitational fields
I can describe the role of a test charge or test mass in representing force fields
I can describe how the magnitude of a force changes with distance from an object
I can calculate field strength with proper units around a single object
I can calculate the net field strength based on two or more objects
I can determine the location where the net field strength is zero
4 – Magnetism and Right Hand Rule
I can describe the pole conditions required for magnetic attraction and repulsion
I can explain what happens when a dipole magnet is cut into pieces
I can describe the role of magnetic domains in magnetizing and de-magnetizing a material
I can draw in magnetic field lines around a magnet with a north and south pole
I can describe the layout of the Earth’s magnetic poles
I can use the right-hand rule to draw in a magnetic field around a current carrying wire
I can use the right-hand rule to predict the current direction through a wire with a surrounding field
I can indicate a vector that is pointing into or out of the page
I can describe some applications of electromagnets in use today
I can describe the design factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet
5 – Electromagnetic Force
I can use the right-hand rule to predict the force direction on a charge moving through a field
I can use the right-hand rule to predict the force direction on a current carrying wire placed a field
I can describe the general functions of electric motors and generators
I can calculate the magnetic field strength and force on a wire or moving charged particle
I can predict the trajectory of a charged particle moving through a magnetic field at different speeds
Force Fields Shelving Guide
Forces between objects
Coulomb’s Law
Variable Symbol Unit Data Booklet Equations:
Electrostatic Force 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹=𝑘
Object 1 Charge 𝑟2
Object 2 Charge
1
𝑘=
4𝜋𝜀0
Separation Distance
Coulomb Constant k=
Permittivity of Free Space ε0 =
Universal Law of Gravitation
Variable Symbol Unit Data Booklet Equation:
Gravitational Force 𝑚1 𝑚2
𝐹=𝐺
Object 1 Mass 𝑟2
Object 2 Mass
Separation Distance
Gravitational Constant G=
Force Fields
Electric Field Gravitational Field
Symbol Data Booklet Equation: Symbol Data Booklet Equation:
𝐹 𝐹 𝑀
Units 𝐸=𝑞 Units 𝑔=𝑚 𝑔 = 𝐺 𝑟2
Magnetic Fields
Right Hand Rule
Right Hand Rule #1 Right Hand Rule #2
Electromagnetic force direction on a wire or
Magnetic field around a current carrying wire
moving particle
Thumb Thumb
Fingers Fingers
Palm
Electromagnetic Force
Variable
Unit
Symbol Data Booklet Equations:
Magnetic Force
Magnetic Field Strength Wire:
Current 𝐹 = 𝐵𝐼𝐿 sin 𝜃
Wire Length
Angle to Field Particle:
Particle Charge 𝐹 = 𝑞𝑣𝐵 sin 𝜃
Particle Velocity
Charged Particles Moving through a Magnetic Field
Magnetic Field | Out of Screen Magnetic Field | Into Screen
Positive Particle
Negative Particle