Contents:
COULOMBS LAW,
ELECTRIC FEILD, ELECTRIC INTENSITY AND CALCULATION.
ELECTRIC FLUX AND CALCULATION FLUX DUE TO CHARGE.
GAUSSS LAW ANDTHREE APPLICATIONS.
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGYAND POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE.
ABSOLURE POTENTIAL AND ABSOLUTE ENERGY
KINETIC ENERGY AND LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
ELECTRON VOLT , RELATION BETWEEN ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL , AND EQUIPOTENTAL
SURFACE
9.
CAPACITOR
10.
CAPACITANCE OF PARALLEL PLATES CAPACITOER
11. COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
12. VARIABLE CAPACITORS
13. EQUATIONS.
14. DIMENSIONS
15. SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Electrostatics: It is the branch of physics explaining phenomena arising due to the existence of electric charges,
which do not move means, they are static. Electrostatic phenomena arise from the forces that electric charges
exert on each other. Electroscope is device used to detect static charge.
Electrostatic induction: It is a redistribution of electrical charge in an object, caused by the influence of nearby
charges.
Conductors: Materials which contain movable charges that can flow with minimal resistance.
Insulators: Materials with few or no movable charges, or with charges which flow with extremely high resistance.
Semiconductors: Materials whose behavior ranges between that of a conductor and that of an insulator under
different conditions. Their conducting behavior may be heavily dependent on temperature. They are useful
because we are able to change their conducting behavior to be dependent on many other factors.
The Atom: An atom contains a positively charged nucleus and one or more negatively charged electrons. The
atom exists in three states: neutral, positively charged, and negatively charged. A neutral atom has the same
number of electrons and protons, a positively charged atom has more protons than electrons and a negatively
charged atom has more electrons than protons.
Charge : charge, property of matter that gives rise to all electrical phenomena. The basic unit of charge, usually
denoted by e, is that on the proton or the electron; that on the proton is designated as positive (+e) and that on the
electron is designated as negative (-e).
There are two kinds of charge, positive and negative
like charges repel, unlike charges attract. Charge is conserved
Positive charge comes from having more protons than electrons; negative charge comes from having more
electrons than protons
Charge is quantized, meaning that charge comes in integer multiples of the elementary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The electrostatic force between two point charged particles is directly proportional to
the product of the charges on these particles and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them and force acts along a straight line joining the centers of these particles.
Page 1
Explanation:
Consider two point charges q1 and q2 create equal electrostatic force on each other which is directly
proportional to the magnitude of each charge.
F q1 q 2
And electrostatic force on each other which is inversely proportional to square of the separation between their
centers.
1
r2
Mathematical Derivation:
F= K
q1 q 2
r2
q1 q 2
r 2
In this equation, K is called Coulombs Constant, its value depend on the medium in which the electric charges
interact.
K=
1
=9109 N m 2 c-2
4 o
That,
The o is called Permittivity of free space; its value is 8.854210-12 C N-1 m-, when the charges are placed in
vacuum. Thus, the electrostatic coulombs force can be written as,
F=
1
4 o
q1 q 2
r 2
, For vacuum.
Effect of medium: When a dielectric medium is completely filled between charges the force between the same
two charge decreases. A dielectric substance has relative permittivity r.
For air, r
F' =
1
q1 q 2
4 o r r 2
= 1(least value).
, For any dielectric medium
Vector form: As we know that electrostatic force is a vector quantity, then it can be written as,
F' =
1
q1 q 2 $
r
4 o r r 2
Relative permittivity
F
r F'
=
It is defined as the ratio of the force in vacuum to the force in any other medium between the same pair of
charges separated by the same distance r. The relative permittivity r is greater than 1 for any medium other than
vacuum or air.
Coulomb:
The coulomb is defined as the quantity of charge that has passed through the cross-section of an
electrical conductor carrying one ampere within one second.
1 Coulomb = 6.3x1018 elementary charges
-19
1 elementary charge = 1.6x10 Coulomb.
Page 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Field strength and line density decreases as move away from the charges.
The negative flux just equals in magnitude the positive flux, so that the net, or total, electric flux is zero.
E =
F
qo
Explanation:
Let's suppose that an electric charge q creates an electric field; as the
source
charge. The strength of the source charge electric field could be measured by
any other
charge placed in its surroundings as a test charge since it is used to test the field strength. The test charge has a
quantity of charge qo, when placed within the electric field. The magnitude of the electric
field is simply
defined, as the force per charge on the test charge. The electric field strength is denoted by the symbol E, then
E =
F
qo
Page 3
F =
As we know,
q qo ^
r2 r
1
4 o
we get,
E =
1
4 o
q ^
r 2 r
E =
1
4 o
q
r 2
We get,
qo
F
1
=
qo
4 o
q qo ^ 1
r 2 r q
o
E and
area
= E .A
Explanation:
Let's suppose that surface of area A be so small that is in the uniform electric field
passing thorough the surface is as scalar product,
= E .A
Or
Page 4
Or
Explanation:
Let's suppose that a positive charge +q is
placed at the center of sphere. It is surrounded by a closed spherical surface of radius r. The uniform electric
E=
1
4 o
q
r 2
The electric flux through such smaller vector area is given by,
= E . A
= E A Cos
= E A Cos0o
= E A 1
= E A
1 q
A
4 o r 2
N
1 q N
=
A
4 o r 2 i=1
i =1
N
Because,
A =A
i
i=1
Thus,
1 q
4 r2
2
4 o r
q
o
1
o
times
1
o
e = Q
Proof:
Let us consider charge is uniformly distributed on the surface, where q = q 1+ q2 + - - - + qn . The electric flux
1 = q 1
1
o
, 2 = q2
1
o
, - - -,
n = qn
1
o
Page 5
e =
q
q1
q
q
+ 2 + 3 +---+ n
o
o o
o
e = q1 + q 2 + q 3 + - - - + q n
or
Hence,
or
e = ( q )
1
o
1
o
e = Q
1
o
FIRST
APPLICATION :
Let us consider a spherical shell of radius r uniformly charged by charge Q.
The intensity of electric field at a point due to this shell depends onto the position of
the point with respect to this shell. The intensity of electric field at different positions
of point is calculated as follows:
a) Electric field of a uniform spherical surface charge at a distance r from the
center:
Consider a uniform spherical distribution of charge on a conductor would be free
to move and would end up on the surface. This charge density is uniform throughout
the sphere. Charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout a sphere of radius a. First
consider r > a; the electric field is at a radius r. That is, find the electric field at a point
outside the sphere. Just as for the point charge with Gauss's Law.
we find =E A
Mathematical Derivation:
=E (4 r2)
and we
know = o
Q
o
=E(4 r2)
E=
1 Q
4 o r 2
That is, the electric field outside the sphere is exactly the same as if there were only a point charge Q.
b).When a point is on to the surface of the spherical shell (outside the sphere):
Suppose a point P is lying on the spherical shell .The electric intensity, of the electric field, is to be
calculated at the distance a from the center at the given shell. Where, a > r, at every point of this inner sphere,
the electric field will be equal and normal on to the surface. According to the gausss law,
Mathematical Derivation:
Page 6
Hence,
q
o
ur ur
q
E.A =
o
We get,
q
o
(4a)
E ( 4a ) =
o
E ( 4a ) =
E=
q
A
Mathematical Derivation:
According to the Gausss law,
=E A
Where, q = 0, this result is independent of the radius, provided that it is less than that charged sphere.
Therefore,
E = 0,
And in terms of charge density, = 0
Conclusion:
Intensity of electric field at every point inside the uniformly charged hollow empty sphere is zero.
SECOND APPLICATION :
Explanation:
Let's suppose an infinitely large and thin
plane sheet which carries a positive charge a
per unit area. The electric field is
perpendicular to the plane.
q
A
- - - - - - - eq. # 1
Let be the charge density of an infinite plane sheet.
For Gaussian surface we can choose a point P, is right circular cylinder with faces parallel to the plane of
charge. The field lines are parallel to the sides of cross sectional area of the cylinder. It has two faces P and P
will contribute to the flux as the electric field lines parallel to them.
Page 7
Total charge
o
By putting q from
equation # 1 we get, According to the Gausss law,
A
o
A
o
2EA=
By putting the value of e in equation # 2, we get,
E=
2 o
or
We know that, electric intensity is a vector quantity, its direction given by unit vector r ^.
E =
^
U
2 o
Hence,
Conclusion:
The electric intensity is independent of distance. That is because the field lines everywhere are straight,
parallel, and uniformly spaced. This is because, the sheet is infinitely large.
THIRD APPLICATION :
Explanation:
Consider two parallel conducting plates are
equal size it is assumed that each plate has
equal and opposite charge. One plate has positive charge with charge density +, while the other plate
negatively charged with charge density -. Imagine a point P is between the two parallel oppositely charged
plates. The electric field due to the charged plate is uniform in the space between them. The electric intensity due
to positively charged plate is given by,
E1 = +
^
U
2 o
E2 = +
^
U
2 o
will be,
E = E1 E 2
^
U +
2 o
E = +
2 o
Page 8
2 o
^
E =
U
E = +2
^
U
or
Conclusion:
The electric intensity due to two oppositely charged plates is double the electric intensity due
to single charged plate.
The amount of work-done, in displacing the
charge from one point to another against the
electric field, is called Electric Potential
energy.
Explanation:
Work = F . d
UO - U P = E q o . r
r
ur
F
E=
qo
Because,
The magnitude of electrical potential energy is given by, U = E qo r Cos
U = E qo r Cos180o
U = -E qo r
The work done per unit charge in moving a test charge from point to
another is the electrostatic potential difference between the two points .
Explanation:
Let us consider a charge +q produced an electrostatic field E . The charge is to be moved from P to O, the
work be to be done in the opposite direction of electric field.
Mathematical Derivation:
U = E q o . r
We know that,
E qo . r
U
=
qo
qo
U
=E . r
qo
UO
U
- P= E . r
qo
qo
The change in potential energy per unit charge between two fixed points is called potential difference.
VO - VP = E . r
Page 9
V = E . r
Thus Potential difference is, The dot product between electric intensity and displacement. It is scalar quantity,
denoted by V having magnitude,
V = E r Cos
The unit of potential difference is Volt, denoted by V.
Volt:
When one-Joule work is to be done in moving one coulomb charge against the electric intensity, then
potential difference between two points is one volt.
Potential difference =
1 Volt =
work
charge
1 Joule
1 Coulomb
field.
Explanation:
Let us suppose a positive charge +q, produced an electric field of intensity E . It is required to
calculate the potential at an isolated point B in the electric field at a distance r.
Let us calculate work done in carrying the charge q o from infinity point B to that point A. The
displacement is to be divided into very smaller equal displacement elements
Mathematical Derivation:
Where,
r = rB - rA
Work done =
F .r
Work = E q o . r
Or
Or
Work = E q o r Cos
Work = E q o r Cos 180 o
Hence,
Work = - E q o r
E=
We know that,
1
4 o
q
r 2
Work
B A
=-
1
4 o
q
r 2
qo r
- - - - - - - -eq. # (1)
The average distance between the these two points is given by,
By simplifying and squaring we get,
r 2 = rA rB
Or
rave =
rA + rB
2
Work
B A
=-
1
4 o
rB rA
q o rB - rA
Page 10
Work
=-
B A
Or
Work
=-
B A
We get,
UA + UB = -
r
1
r
q qo B - A
4 o
rA rB rA rB
1
1
1
q qo
-
4 o
rA rB
1 1
1
q qo
4 o
r
A rB
1
UA
U
1
1
+ B =q
-
qo
qo
4 o
rA rB
The electric field at point B is zero, thus electric potential energy at that point also zero, Say, U B = 0 and rB = .
1
UA
0
1
1
=q
-
qo
qo
4 o rA
1 q
VA + 0 = 0
4 o rA
Therefore,
VA = -
1
4 o
If, VA = V then, rA = r
q
rA
V= -
1 q
4 o r
potential energy.
Mathematical derivation:
V=
We know that
1
4 o
q
r
work
Potential =
charge The definition of electric potential energy is,
Or
U=
Electrical potential energy
1
4 o
1 q
qo
4 o r
q qo
r
Explanation:
Page 11
Vq=
Ve=
1
m v2
2
1
m v2
2
or
The modern unit of the electrical energy is electron volt.
AAn electron volt is a measure
Conversion:
V=
Work
q
We know that,
Energy (Work) = Vq
1 electron volt (eV) = potential difference charge of
an electron.
1eV = V (1.6 10-19 C)
J
1eV= C (1.610-19 C )
V
r
Potential Gradient =
Units are volts per meter (V/m). The electric field is the same as the potential gradient but with
opposite sign.
Relation between Electric Potential Gradient and Electric Intensity:
The relation between potential difference and electric intensity is given by an equation,
V
r
=-E
The change in potential per unit distance in an electric field is called Potential gradient.
Page 12
Potential Gradient =
Potential gradient = - E
This is the relation between potential gradient and electric intensity.
The electric field is directed from higher potential to lower potential point while the
gradient is directed from lower to higher potential .
potential
Q V
Q=CV
Q
V
The amount of charge stored between the two plates for a potential difference existing across the plates.
It is called Capacitance of parallel plates capacitor.
The basic unit of capacitance is a farad.
The electric charge one coulomb stored on the parallel plates of a capacitor per one volt
electric potential, the capacitance is called One farad.
C=
Q
V
1 coul.
1Farad =
1Volt
Explanation:
A capacitor consists of two
parallel
conducting plates, each of area A, separated by a distance d. When the capacitor is
charged, the plates carry equal amounts of charge, one plate carries positive charge + Q,
and the other carries negative charge Q on the surface. The electric field lines for a
parallel-plate capacitor that the field is uniform in the central region between the plates.
Mathematical Derivation:
The electric intensity due to two oppositely charged pates is given
by the Gauss law,
E=
Page 13
We know that,
Therefore,
Q
A
Q
E=
A o
=
- - - - - - - - - eq. 1
Therefore,
E=
V
d
- - - - - - - - -eq. 2
Q
V
=
A o
d
CV
V
=
A o
d
C=
V=Ed
A o
d
We get,
Conclusion:
The capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor is directly proportional to the area of its
plates and inversely proportional to the plate separation between the plates.
Effect of Dielectric:
If the dielectric completely fills the space between the plates,
the capacitance increases by r, which is called the dielectric constant known as relative
permittivity. The capacitance of the capacitor will be,
C' =
A o r
d
There are two methods to find out the equivalent capacitance using
methods described.1.parllel and 2. Series combination
Description:
Two or more
capacitors connected
as, the left plates of all the capacitors are connected by a wire to the positive
terminal of the battery and right plates to the negative terminal of the voltage
source. Thus, the potential difference across each capacitor is same and equal
to the potential applied. Hence, such network connection is called parallel
combination.
Explanation:
Suppose two capacitors C1 and C2 are connected as shown in
the figure. One plate of both capacitors is connected at junction A, while the
other plate at the B, the junctions is connected with the positive and negative
terminals of source respectively. The voltage V across the capacitors is equal
to that across the battery terminals. The charges on each capacitor is Q1 and Q2 while. However, different charge
on each capacitor is given by,
Page 14
Q
= C1 + C2
V
These two capacitors are replaced by one equivalent capacitor having
Ce.
Ce
a capacitance
Q
V
Therefore,
Thus,
Ce= (C1 + C2)
Conclusion:
The equivalent capacitance of a parallel combination of capacitors is equal to the sum of individual
capacitances of capacitors.
Description:
Two or more capacitors connected as the left
plate of first
capacitor and the right plate of last capacitor is connected to the
terminals of a battery. The remaining plates are connected to each other.
The charges on each capacitor connected are same. Such type of
network is called Series combination of capacitors.
Explanation:
Lets suppose two capacitors C1, and C2 are connected as shown.
If +Q charge are given to left plates of C1, then by induction -Q charge
appears on the right plate. +Q appears on the left plate of capacitor C 2 and
so on. Thus, same charge Q appears on each capacitor. The potential
difference across each capacitor however is different. Therefore,
Mathematical Derivation:
The total potential V of the combination capacitor, is
We know that,
Q = C1V1
and
Q = C2 V2
V1 =
Q
C1 ,
V2 =
and
Q
C2
Q Q
V=
C1 C2
1
1
C1 C 2
V=Q
V 1
1
=
Q C1 C2
These two capacitors are replaced by one equivalent capacitor having a capacitance Ce.
Therefore,
Thus,
V
1
=
Q
Ce
1
1
1
=
+
Ce
C1 C2
Page 15
Page 16
1.
1 q1 q 2
q1 q 2
=
2
4 o r 2
r
F=K
= E A Cos
7.
14.
2.
= q
Charge density =
E=
E=
8.
q Total charge
A
ur r
V = E . r
15.
uu
r
r
Potential energy U = E q . r
C'for dielectric =
A o r
d
20.
24.
3.
E=
11.
q
r
F
q
= o
M L T -3 A -1
10.
12.
U=Ve
17
ur ur
=
E
.A
5.
6.
work energy
q charge
Q=CV
18.
C'
= r
C
A o
1
m v2
C=
2
d
22.
1
1
1
1
=
+
Ce
C1
C2 C3
25.
Ve =
21.
A T
q
r 2
Potential V =
16.
DIMENSION
1
4 o
Min.Flux = 0
1
2 o
Ce C1 C2
Electric Charge, (Q = I t)
4.
9.
V = E r Cos
1
V=
4 o
E=
F= E q o
Max. Flux = E A
Electric Intensity, E
F
qo
13.
19.
23.
UNIT
C = amp.sec
N C-1 = kg.m.sec-3.amp-1.
Page 17
Electric Potential, (V =E d )
M L3 T -3 A -1
Electric Flux, ( = E A )
Capacitance,
C=
A o
d
M -1 L-2 T 4 A 2
Dielectric constant, k =
Charge Density,
MLT C
-2
q
A
-1
o =
= M LT
N
Coul. / m2
q1 q 2
2
4
-1 -3
4 F r 2 A T M L
CN
-1
m-2 = amp2.sec4.kg-1.m-3
M L2T -2 A -1 T -1 A T = M L2 T -2
Energy, U = V e
Electric Intensity, E
o =
q1 q 2
4 F r2
F
q
= o
CN
M L2 T -2
MLT C
q
=
A
-1
coul.meter = amp.sec. m.
A T L-2
Charge Density,
-1
Charge, molar
[Charge]/[Quantity] [T.A.mol ]
Energy flux [Energy]/[Time].
[ M L2 T 3 ]
= V= kg.m2.sec-3.amp-1.
dimensionless
-2
-1
A T L
m-2 = amp2.sec4.kg-1.m-3
M -1 L-2 T 4 A 2
-1
N C-1 = kg.m.sec-3.amp-1.
J-coul
M L3 T -3 A -1
A o
d
F= E q o
A 2 T 4 M -1 L-3
M L2 T -3 A -1
Electric Flux, ( = E A )
Dielectric constant, k =
C = amp.sec
[M L T-3A-1]
Electric Potential, (V =E d )
C=
kg.m2.sec2. = J
A T
Electric Charge, (Q = I t)
Electric force,
no unit
-2
A T L-2
Capacitance,
coul.meter = amp.sec. m.
dimensionless
F= E q o
=
A T L
= V= kg.m2.sec-3.amp-1.
M L2 T -2
-1
=[Charge]/[Potential]
Electric force,
J-coul
no unit
= M LT
-2
m-3.s.A = Coul. / m2
C.mol-1
-1
J.s = W Same as power.
Page 18
Q.No.1 What happens to the force between two charges, if the distance between them is halved?
q1 q 2
r
F
Answer
If,
r=
We know that,
r
2
F'
Therefore,
Or
q1 q 2
r2
q1 q 2
2
r
2
q q
F' 1 2 2
r
4
4 q1 q 2
F'
r2
F' 4 F
This shows that, if the distance between two charges is halved then force increases four times the initial value.
Q. No.2
What happens to the force between two point charges if each charge is tripled and the
distance between them is made one third?
Answer
We know that,
F=K
q1q 2
r2
F' = K
or
3q1 3q 2
2
1
3 r
9q q
F' = K 1 2
1 2
r
9
81q1q 2
F' = K
r2
F' = 81F . This dhows that force increases 81 times when each charge is tripled and the distance between them is
made one third.
Q.No.3
Two identical metal spheres carry positive charge and negative charge; they touched
together and again separated. What are their charges?
Answer
The identical charged two spheres carrying positive and negative charge are touched together.
They cancel their charge. Hence, they have no any charge after separation.
Q. No.4
Explain why it is so much easier to remove an electron from an atom of large atomic weight
than it is to remove proton?
Answer
Page 19
q
o
Answer
We know that,
If, q = 0, then, =o
Hence, the flux will be zero through a closed surface.
Q. No.8
Convert 1 kWh in to joules.
Answer
We know that, Work = 1kilowatthour
1kwh = 1000 w x3600 sec
1kwh = 36x 10 5J.sec / sec
1kwh = 3.6 x10 6J
Q. No.9
Repulsion is a sure test for electrification. Explain?
Answer
Attraction is possible even when one of the bodies is charged. But repulsion is possible only
when BOTH the bodies are electrically charged. The force exerted by one charge over another, to keep away from
one another. Hence, repulsion is the sure test of electrification.
Q. No.10
What are equi potential surfaces?
Answer
The surfaces on which electric lines of force are perpendicular and the value of potentials are
same known as equi potential surfaces.
Q. No.11
The work done in moving the one coulomb charge between two points in an electric field
is 10 joules. What is the potential difference between them?
Answer
From the definition of potential,
work
charge
10J
Potential =
1coul .
Potential =
1
1
1
1
=
+
Ce
C1
C 2 C3
1
1 1 1
= = 3
Ce
3 3 3
3
Page 20
E=
The electric intensity due two parallel oppositely charged plates is,
Therefore,
If,
d
V=
o
Q
A , as charge density,
Qd
V=
A o
Then,
We know that,
C=
A o r
d
C
1
d
C A
This shows that,
and
It means, if the separation between plates is doubled then capacitance decreases to one half the initial value.
Similarly, if the size is reduced to half then capacitance also decreases to half the original value.
Q. No.24 Define absolute potential energy?
Page 21
U=
Q. No.25
Answer
1 q
qo
4 o r 2
U = V qo
Define electric intensity and give its unit in SI system.
The force per unit charge is called electric intensity.
E=
F
q . Its unit is N / coul. in SI System.
Q. No.26
Define coulombs law.
Answer
The magnitude of electrostatic force is directly proportional to the product of charges and
inversely proportional to the square of distance between them, is called Coulombs law.
F=
1 q1 q 2
4 o r 2
Potential difference =
work
charge
1volt =
1J
1coul
or
Q. No.28 Define potential difference.
Answer Potential Difference between two points is the difference in Potential between the two points and is equal
to the work done per unit charge ion carrying a positive test charge from one point to another against the electric
field and without any acceleration
Work (U)
Potential Difference =
Charge(q)
r r
V=E .d
Q. No.29
Define flux .
r r
=E.A
Answer
The dot product between electric intensity and vector area is called electric flux.
Q.No.30
What happens to the capacitance of parallel plate capacitor if,
a)
the area of each plate increased and b) the distance between the plates is increased
Answer
The capacitance of parallel plates capacitor,
a) Increased, if the area of plates increased and b) Decreases, if the distance between the plates
increased.
Q.No.31
How the force will change between two points charges if each charge is double and the
distance between them also double.
Answer:
There will be no change in electrostatic force.
F=
Because,
F=
1
4 o
2q 2q
1
2
2
2r
1 4 q1 q 2
4 o 4 r 2
1 q1 q 2
F=
4 o r 2
Or,
Q. No.32 Give the advantages of dielectric medium used in capacitor.
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Answer If dielectric medium used in capacitor then capacitance increases. We know that,
Q. No.33 How many electrons contain one coulomb charge?
Answer
We know that, Q = n e
C =
A or
d
Q
e
1coul.
n=
1.6 10-19 coul
n=
E=
Answer Total electric flux passing through a unit area is called electric flux.
Q. No.39 Can two equi potential surfaces intersect each other?
Answer
No, two equi potential surfaces cant intersect each other, because, these surfaces are always
perpendicular to electric field. The value of potential is same at every position.
Q. No.40
Will the energy stored by three capacitors be greater if they were connected in series or in
parallel?
Energy =
1
C V2
2
Answer
We know that,
This shows that, when capacitors are connected in parallel then energy will be greater.
Q. No.41 A capacitor of 6f is connected in parallel with the combination of 4F capacitor and a 3F
capacitor that are in series. Find (a) the net capacitance of the entire combination. and (b) The Potential
Difference across the 3F capacitor when 20V is maintained across the 6F capacitor.
AnswerCapacitors 3 F and 4 F are in series
let Cs = capacitance of a single capacitor which replaces the above two capacitors in series.
Then, 1/Cs = 1/4 + 1/3 =(4+3)/12=7/12
therefore Cs = 12/7 (see Fig a )
let Cp = capacitance of the capacitor which replaces the capacitors in parallel on Fig b
Cp = (12/7+6) F = 54/7 F = net capacitance
20 V potential difference is across 6 F as well as 12/7 F as they are in parallel
Charge through 12/7 F
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E=
that of the charged conducting plate:
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Electric Fields
Also similar to gravity, the electrostatic force is a non-contact force. Charged objects do not have to be in contact
with each other to exert a force on each other. Somehow, a charged object feels the effect of another charged
object through space. The property of space that allows a charged object to feel a force is a concept called
electric field. Although we cannot see an electric field, we can detect its presence by placing a positive test
charge at various points in space and measuring the force the test charge feels.
While looking at gravity, the gravitational field strength was the amount of force obsered by a mass per unit mass.
The electric field strength is the amount of electrostatic force observed by a charge per unit charge. Therefore,
the electric field strength, E, is the electrostatic force observed at a given point in space divided by the test
charge itself. Electric field strength is measured in Newtons per Coulomb (N/C).
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Electric field lines point away from positive charges, and toward negative charges.
2.
3.
Electric field lines always intersect conductors at right angles to the surface.
4.
5.
Field strength and line density decreases as you move away from the charges.
Let's take a look at a few examples of electric field lines, starting with isolated positive (left) and negative (right)
charges. Notice that for each charge, the lines radiate outward or inward spherically. The lines point away from
the positive charge, since a positive test charge placed in the field (near the fixed charge) would feel a repelling
force. The lines point in toward the negative fixed charge, since a positive test charge would feel an attractive
force.
If you have both positive and negative charges in close proximity, you follow the same basic procedure:
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Of course, electric field lines actually lie in three dimensions, as demonstrated in this video animation.
Force:
Field Strength:
Field Strength:
Electrostatic Constant:
Charge Units: Coulombs
Gravity
Force:
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Field Strength:
Field Strength:
Gravitational Constant:
Mass Units: kilograms
The big difference between electrostatics and gravity? The gravitational force can only attract, while the
electrostatic force can both attract and repel. Notice again that both the electric field strength and the
gravitational field strength follow the inverse-square law relationship. Field strength is inversely related to the
square of the distance.
V in this formula is potential difference (in volts), W is work or electrical energy (in Joules), and q is your charge
(in Coulombs). Let's take a look at a sample problem.
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You'll note that with the potential difference V in volts, and the distance between the plates in meters, units for
the electric field strength are volts per meter [V/m]. Previously, we stated that the units for electric field strength
were newtons per Coulomb [N/C]. It is easy to show that these units are equivalent:
Question: The diagram represents two electrons, e1 and e2, located between two oppositely charged parallel
plates. Compare the magnitude of the force exerted by the electric field on e 1 to the magnitude of the force
exerted by the electric field on e2.
Answer: The force is the same because the electric field is the same for both charges, as the electric field is
constant between two parallel plates.
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Equipotential Lines
Much like looking at a topographic map which shows you lines of equal altitude, or equal gravitational potential
energy, we can make a map of the electric field and connect points of equal electrical potential. These lines,
known as equipotential lines, always cross electrical field lines at right angles, and show positions in space with
constant electrical potential. If you move a charged particle in space, and it always stays on an equipotential line,
no work will be done.
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