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University Physics Volume 2

Key Terms

University Physics Volume 2Key Terms

Key Terms

electric dipole
system of two equal but opposite charges a fixed distance apart
electric dipole moment
quantity defined as p→=qd→p→=qd→ for all dipoles, where the vector points from the negative to positive charge
electric potential
potential energy per unit charge
electric potential difference
the change in potential energy of a charge q moved between two points, divided by the charge.
electric potential energy
potential energy stored in a system of charged objects due to the charges
electron-volt
energy given to a fundamental charge accelerated through a potential difference of one volt
electrostatic precipitators
filters that apply charges to particles in the air, then attract those charges to a filter, removing them from the airstream
equipotential line
two-dimensional representation of an equipotential surface
equipotential surface
surface (usually in three dimensions) on which all points are at the same potential
grounding
process of attaching a conductor to the earth to ensure that there is no potential difference between it and Earth
ink jet printer
small ink droplets sprayed with an electric charge are controlled by electrostatic plates to create images on paper
photoconductor
substance that is an insulator until it is exposed to light, when it becomes a conductor
Van de Graaff generator
machine that produces a large amount of excess charge, used for experiments with high voltage
voltage
change in potential energy of a charge moved from one point to another, divided by the charge; units of potential difference are joules per coulomb, known as volt
xerography
dry copying process based on electrostatics
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