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jss3 Physics 3rd Term

The document explains the concept of fields, specifically force fields, which can be classified into vector fields and scalar fields. It details gravitational, magnetic, and electric fields, describing their properties, effects, and examples. Key properties of field lines are also outlined, including their direction and behavior in different types of fields.

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21 views4 pages

jss3 Physics 3rd Term

The document explains the concept of fields, specifically force fields, which can be classified into vector fields and scalar fields. It details gravitational, magnetic, and electric fields, describing their properties, effects, and examples. Key properties of field lines are also outlined, including their direction and behavior in different types of fields.

Uploaded by

henrolevra5
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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A field is a region under the influence of some physical agencies such as

gravitation, magnetism and electricity.

Force field is a force that do not require contact with the body to which they
are applied. There are two classes of field:

Vector field Scalar field.

A vector field is that field which is usually represented by lines of force; while
a scalar field is that field that is not represented by lines of force.

Examples of vector fields include gravitational field, magnetic field and


electric field. Examples of scalar fields include regions with distribution of
temperature, density, etc.

i) Gravitational field

This is a force field that influence the motion of objects in the space where it
operates without coming in contact with the objects.

A gravitational field is a force field that affects every object that has mass.
The earth’s gravitational field attracts every object in the earth and gives it
an acceleration known as acceleration due to gravity. It is represented by the
symbol g whose average value is about 9.81m/s2.
The Force of gravitational attraction is given by: F = mg,

ii) Magnetic Field

Magnetic field is a region around a magnet where it exerts force on other


magnets. It is also a region where magnetic force is felt.

We have 2 types of magnet; these are Bar magnet and Horse shoe magnet.
The pole of a magnet where it’s magnetic attraction appears to be the
strongest, the end of the magnet that

Points in the direction North ward is called North pole while the other hand
that points in the southward direction is called South pole. If a magnet is
suspended freely it is always appearing North-South direction.

Like or similar poles of magnet repel one another but unlike or dissimilar pole
attract one another.

A magnet can attract some substances like piece of iron buckle and cobalt
such substances is called Magnetism.
Magnetic line of of force is defined as the line along which a free N pole
would tend to move if placed in the field or line such the tangent to it at any
point gives the direction of the field at that point.

iii) Electric Field

It is a region where of space where a charged body experiences an electric


force. The pattern of the electric lines of force are shown below

PROPERTIES OF FIELD LINES


i) The lines of force start on positive charges and end only on negative
charges.

ii) Line of force do not cross each other

iii) In a uniform field, the line of force are straight, parallel and
uniformly spaced.

iv) Lines of force indicates the direction of the field. The field points in
the direction tangential to the lines of force at any point.

v) The lines of force are continuous in any region with free charges

vi) The lines are drawn in such that the electric field is proportional to
the number of line crossing unit area perpendicular to the lines. The
closer the lines are together, the stronger the electric field in that
region.

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