Electrostatics Overview

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What determines the extent of polarization in a dielectric material?

  • The type of external field applied
  • The temperature of the dielectric material only
  • The relative strength of dipole potential energy and thermal energy (correct)
  • The size of the dielectric slab

What is the term used to describe the dipole moment per unit volume in a dielectric?

  • Dielectric constant
  • Susceptibility
  • Polarization (correct)
  • Temperature coefficient

In the equation P = ε0 χe E, what does χe represent?

  • Total charge density
  • Electric susceptibility of the dielectric medium (correct)
  • Molecular dipole strength
  • Electric field strength

What happens to the positive and negative charges in a dielectric when it is subjected to an external field?

<p>The positive ends of the dipoles remain unneutralized at one surface (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor tends to disrupt the alignment of dipoles in a dielectric material?

<p>Thermal energy (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of applying a uniform external field to a dielectric slab?

<p>Uniform polarization of the dielectric (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the internal field of a polarized dielectric?

<p>It has no net charge but has a net dipole moment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs at the surfaces of a dielectric when it is polarized in an external electric field?

<p>A net charge density forms due to unneutralized dipole charges (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the work done by an external force when moving charge q from point R to point P?

<p>It is negative of the work done by electric force. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the potential energy difference $ riangle U$ represent?

<p>The work done by the external force moving from R to P. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When the external force is removed after reaching point P, what does the electric force do?

<p>It causes the charge q to accelerate towards point R. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the direction of work done by the electric field?

<p>It is in the opposite direction to the motion of the charge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the potential energy at point P relate to the work done moving charge q from R to P?

<p>It is equal to the work done. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influences the value of the potential energy difference $ riangle U$?

<p>Only the initial and final positions of the charge. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the work done by electric force considered negative in this context?

<p>Because it opposes the movement of charge q. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If charge q is moved with constant speed, what can be said about the net force acting on it during the process?

<p>It is equal to the electric force. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the total dipole moment of all the molecules in the substance when the dipole moment of each molecule is $10^{-29}$ C m?

<p>$6 × 10^{-6}$ C m (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial potential energy (Ui) when $q = 0°$?

<p>$-6$ J (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for the electrostatic potential V at a distance r from a point charge Q?

<p>$\frac{Q}{4\pi\epsilon_0 r}$ (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

For a negative charge Q, how does the work done by the external force compare when a positive test charge is brought from infinity to a point P?

<p>The work done is negative. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the change in potential energy indicate when dipoles align with a new electric field direction?

<p>Energy is released as heat. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the electrostatic field inside a conductor?

<p>It is zero. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does it imply if the electrostatic potential V is negative when Q < 0?

<p>It implies that work done by the electrostatic force is negative. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In metallic conductors, which charged particles are primarily responsible for conducting electricity?

<p>Valence electrons (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the electrostatic potential vary with distance r from a point charge?

<p>It varies as $1/r$. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the final potential energy (Uf) when the dipoles align at an angle of $60°$?

<p>$-3$ J (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the work done in bringing a charge from infinity to point P if the charge Q is doubled?

<p>It doubles. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between electrostatic force and displacement when bringing a positive charge to a point P near a negative charge?

<p>Both are in the same direction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of electrolytic conductors, what adds complexity to the movement of charge carriers?

<p>Chemical forces (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When switching the direction of an external electric field by 60º, what is the energy released during the alignment of dipoles?

<p>$3$ J (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of considering the potential at infinity to be zero?

<p>It simplifies calculations for potential energy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When integrating to find the potential due to a point charge, which variable is used in the limits of integration?

<p>The distance from the charge to the point of interest. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the electrostatic potential (V) at a point represent?

<p>The work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When calculating the work done per unit test charge, which quantity is used as an infinitesimal change?

<p>The work done, dW. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the work done by an external force depend on the electrostatic field?

<p>It depends only on the initial and final positions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is assumed about the charge Q when determining the potential at point P?

<p>It is taken to be positive for definiteness. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the work done in bringing a unit positive test charge from infinity indicate about the electrostatic potential?

<p>The work done is independent of the test charge's mass. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of choosing the potential to be zero at infinity?

<p>It provides a baseline reference for potential at all other points. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to consider the electrostatic force acting on a test charge when determining potential?

<p>It allows for an equal external force to be applied. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the potential difference in regions with electrostatic fields?

<p>It depends on the charge configuration and distance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards are hidden until you start studying

Study Notes

Work done by external forces

  • Work done by external forces in moving a charge q from R to P is equal to the negative of the work done by the electric force.
  • This work done is stored as potential energy.
  • Potential energy difference between two points is defined as the work required to be done by an external force in moving charge q from one point to another.

Electrostatic potential

  • Electrostatic potential (V) at any point in a region with electrostatic field is the work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to that point.
  • The potential at infinity is zero.

Potential due to a point charge

  • The potential at point P due to a charge Q at the origin is given by: V(r) = Q/(4πε₀r).
  • The potential is positive for a positive charge Q and negative for a negative charge Q.
  • The variation of potential V with r is proportional to 1/r.

Electrostatics of conductors

  • Conductors contain mobile charge carriers. In metallic conductors, these charge carriers are electrons.
  • Inside a conductor, electrostatic field is zero.
  • The free electrons in a conductor move randomly in different directions.
  • In an external electric field, the electrons drift against the direction of the field.

Dielectrics

  • The extent of polarisation of a dielectric depends on the dipole potential energy in the external field and thermal energy.
  • The dipole moment per unit volume is called polarisation and is denoted by P.
  • For linear isotropic dielectrics, P = ε₀ χe E, where χe is the electric susceptibility of the dielectric medium.
  • The polarized dielectric modifies the original external field inside it.
  • At the surfaces of the dielectric normal to the electric field, there is a net charge density.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

Related Documents

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Browser