Electric Charge, Fields, Flux & Gauss's Law

Electric Charge

• Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter.
• Charges can be positive or negative.
• Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
• The SI unit of charge is the coulomb (C).

Electric Fields

• An electric field is a region around a charged object where another charged object experiences a force.
• Electric field strength is measured in Newtons per Coulomb (N/C).
• Electric field lines show the direction of the force on a positive charge.
• Electric field lines originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges.

Coulomb's Law

• Coulomb's law describes the force between two point charges.
• Force is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Electric Flux

• Electric flux is a measure of the electric field passing through a surface.
• It's directly proportional to the area and perpendicular component of the electric field.

Gauss's Law

• Gauss's law relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the enclosed charge.
• It's a powerful tool for calculating electric fields in symmetrical situations.

Electric Potential

• Electric potential is the work done per unit charge in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point in an electric field.
• Units are volts (V).
• Potential difference is the difference in potential between two points.

Capacitors

• Capacitors store electrical energy in an electric field.
• Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store charge.
• The SI unit of capacitance is the farad (F).

Capacitors in Series and Parallel

• Capacitors in series have the same charge.
• Capacitors in parallel have the same voltage.
• Calculations for equivalent capacitance differ based on series or parallel connections.

Dielectric

• A dielectric material inserted between capacitor plates increases capacitance.
• Dielectric constant quantifies this increase.

Electrical Safety

• Electrical safety is crucial to avoid electric shock and fire.
• Grounding is essential to safely dissipate excess charge.
• Understand safe procedures/practices.

Current

• Electric current is the rate of flow of charge.
• Measured in amperes (A).

Resistance

• Resistance opposes the flow of current.
• Measured in ohms (Ω).
• Materials have differing resistances.

Ohm's Law

• Ohm's law relates voltage, current, and resistance.
• V = IR (Voltage = Current × Resistance).

Electrical Power

• Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is used.
• Measured in watts (W).

Energy Consumption

• Energy consumption is calculated by multiplying power and time.

Circuit Diagram

• Circuit diagrams represent electrical circuits visually.
• Symbols represent components.

Kirchhoff's Laws

• Kirchhoff's laws deal with current and voltage in circuits.
• Kirchhoff's current law (junction rule).
• Kirchhoff's voltage law (loop rule).

Electricity and Magnetism

• Electricity and magnetism are closely related phenomena.
• Electromagnetic forces act over a distance.

Magnetic Field Lines

• Magnetic field lines show the direction of the magnetic force on a north pole.
• Magnetic field lines originate from north poles and terminate on south poles.

Explore fundamental concepts of electric charge, electric fields, and Coulomb's Law. Learn about electric flux, Gauss's Law and their importance. Understand the behavior of charged particles and electric forces.