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Electric Field Lines Around Charged Objects

Part of Static Electricity · GCSE GCSE Physics revision

This diagram covers Electric Field Lines Around Charged Objects within Static Electricity for GCSE Physics. Revise Static Electricity in Electricity for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 15 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Topic position

Section 5 of 15

Practice

15 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

🔍 Electric Field Lines Around Charged Objects

Three classical electric field patterns side by side on a dark backdrop. Left: a warm amber positive point charge with eight field-line arrows radiating outward in all directions. Middle: a cool cyan negative point charge with eight field-line arrows pointing inward from all directions. Right: two parallel plates (positive amber on the left, negative cyan on the right) with five evenly spaced parallel field-line arrows running from the positive plate to the negative plate, showing a uniform electric field. Caption reminds students that field lines always start on positive and end on negative charges, and closer lines mean a stronger field.

Figure 1: Left — radial field around a point charge (positive: lines out, negative: lines in). Right — uniform field between two parallel plates.

Field lines show the direction of force on a positive charge placed at that point:

  • Around a positive charge: lines point outward (away from the charge)
  • Around a negative charge: lines point inward (toward the charge)
  • Lines are closer together where the field is stronger (near the charge)
  • Lines are further apart where the field is weaker (far from the charge)
  • Field lines never cross

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Static Electricity. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Sparks and Discharge: When Charge EscapesElectric Fields: The Region of InfluenceThe Shock That Started It AllHow Static Charge Builds Up: Friction and Electron Transfer

Practice Questions for Static Electricity

When a plastic rod is rubbed with a cloth, the rod becomes negatively charged. Which statement best explains why?

  • A. Protons move from the cloth to the rod
  • B. Electrons move from the cloth to the rod
  • C. Electrons move from the rod to the cloth
  • D. Both protons and electrons transfer between the objects
1 markfoundation

Explain why a fuel tanker must be earthed before fuel is pumped, and describe how earthing prevents a dangerous spark.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

Give THREE uses of static electricity.
1. Inkjet printers — charged droplets deflected by electric fields 2. Photocopiers — charged toner attracted to charged drum 3. Electrostatic spray painting — charged paint attracted to oppositely charged object (Also: defibrillators, electrostatic precipitators)
State the rule for forces between electric charges.
Like charges REPEL each other. Unlike (opposite) charges ATTRACT each other.

15 questions on Static Electricity — practise free

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Sparks and Discharge: When Charge Escapes

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Electric Fields: The Region of Influence