Introduction
The topic concerned with force between charges is covered in grade 10. In grade11 you will now learn how to determine this force and about the most common law relating electrostatics.
Coulomb’s law
Like charges repel each other while unlike charges attract each other. If the charges are at rest then the force between them is known as the electrostatic force. The electrostatic force between charges increases when the magnitude of the charges increases or the distance between the charges decreases.
The electrostatic force was first studied in detail by Charles-Augustin de Coulomb around 1784. Through his observations he was able to show that the magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point-like charges is inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the charges. He also discovered that the magnitude of the force is directly proportional to the product of the charges. Thus, F = kQ1Q2/r2 , where Q1 and Q2 are the magnitudes of the two charges respectively and r is the distance between them. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point-like charges is given by Coulomb's law.
Electric field
Every charge is being surrounded in space by an electric field. The electric field is the region of space in which an electric charge will experience a force. The direction of an electric field at a point in space is the same direction in which a positive test charge would move if placed at that point.
Task
1.Research on Coulomb's law of electrostatics and present your findings in a class presentation.
2.Bring all necessary apparatus to demonstrate your findings.
Process
According to Coulomb's law, like charges repel each other while opposite or unlike charges attract each other. Charles-Augustine de Coulomb discovered that the electrostatic force between charges increases when the magnitude of the charges increases or the distance between the charges decreases. He also discovered that every charge is being surrounded in space by an electric field. The electric field is the region of space in which an electric charge will experience a force. The direction of an electric field at a point in space is the same direction in which a positive test charge would move if placed at that point.
1.In this presentation task learners are expected to bring their own material or apparatus they are going to use to present and show their findings on Coulomb's law of electrostatics.
2.They must include drawings that show electric fields that each object experience.
3.Learners are expected to be as creative as they can be in this task.
Evaluation
1.Understanding of the topic and task. (5 marks)
2.Suitable material or apparatus to present the findings as required by the assessment task presentation.(5 marks)
3.Creativity and presentation.(20 marks)
Conclusion
Coulomb's law states that like charges repel and unlike or opposite charges attract. This discovery made by Charles-Augustine de Coulomb has made students understand and have a clear view of what happens around each and every object. It has helped us know that every particle is charged and has a magnitude and as well the distance between two particles matters.
Credits
Siyavula Grade 11(Electrostatics and coulomb's law)
PlusPhysics(Electric fields)
Teacher Page
A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web. It is a valuable tool to use with students. It allows students to work at their own pace either individually or in a team. A WebQuest is a fun, research based tool to help students learn more detailed information about a specific topic being studied and creates a greater sense of importance for that topic. To learn more on how to create a WebQuest follow the link below.