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A field is defined as a region of space influenced by physical forces such as gravitation and magnetism, categorized into scalar and vector fields. Gravitational fields affect the motion of objects, with the acceleration due to gravity varying by location, while magnetic fields are regions around magnets where magnetic forces can be detected. Both gravitational and magnetic fields are vector fields, possessing both magnitude and direction.

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30 views2 pages

Doc 20250119 Wa0050.

A field is defined as a region of space influenced by physical forces such as gravitation and magnetism, categorized into scalar and vector fields. Gravitational fields affect the motion of objects, with the acceleration due to gravity varying by location, while magnetic fields are regions around magnets where magnetic forces can be detected. Both gravitational and magnetic fields are vector fields, possessing both magnitude and direction.

Uploaded by

palmer okiemute
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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1 Concept of Fields

We define a field as a region of space under the infuence of some physical agency such as
Gravitation, magnetism and electricity.

There are many types of fields but for this

chapter we shall be discussing gravitational and magnetic fields.There are two classes of force
fields - scalar

fields and vector fields. A scalar field is one that has only magnitude but no direction, e.g.
temperature, energy and density. A vector field is a field that has both magnitude and direction,
e.g.gravitational, magnetic and electric fields.

Gravitational Field

If we throw up massive objects, it is our common observation that they move up to their highest
points, stay stationary very briefly and eventually move downwards, falling faster and faster until
they hit the ground level or the lowest level on their path. The up and down movements of
objects on the earth's surface are subject to the influence of the Gravitational field of the earth.

The acceleration of objects due to the earth's gravitational attraction is called the accele ration
due to gravity. It is represented by the symbol g whose average value is about 9.81 ms-2

The acceleration due to gravity g is uniform at a given place and is the same for all bodies
irrespective of their masses. It however varies from place to place. It is minimum at the equator
(9.78 ms-2) and increases with latitude reaching the maximum value of 9.83 ms-2 at the poles
of the earth. Hence it is less in Lagos than in London. It is because the acceleration due to
gravity is the same for all bodies in the same locality that all objects whatever their masses,
when released from rest at the same point above the ground fall to the ground simultaneously
(at the same time).

Magnetic Field

The region or space around a magnet in which the influence of the the magnet can be felt or
detected is called a magnetic field. This space can be mapped out using a magnetic compass
needle. The compass needle when placed in a magnetic field, swings around and settles ina
definite direction. The swinging of the needle when in the vicinity of the magnet shows that it
has been subjected to a force. This force is known as the magnetic force. Thus magnetic feld is
a force field. Magnetic force can be felt at a distance. It influences an object even when not in
contact with it.
Magnetic field is also a vector field, i.e. it has both magnitude and direction.

We can demonstrate the pattern or nature of the magnetic field around a bar magnet by the use
of (a) Iron filings (b) magnetic compass needle.

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