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1st Quarter Handouts in General Physics 2
1st Quarter Handouts in General Physics 2
ELECTRIC CHARGE
An atom consists of a small, relatively massive nucleus that contains
particles called protons and neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus is a
diffuse cloud of orbiting particles called electrons.
It is the fundamental property of matter.
Experiment reveals that the magnitude of the charge of the proton is
exactly the same to the magnitude of the charge of the electron.
The SI unit for measuring the magnitude of an electric charge is the
coulomb* (C), and e has been determined experimentally to have the
value e=1.60x10^-19 C
q = Ne
q is the magnitude of the electric charge of an object
e is the magnitude of the electric charge of the particle
N is the number of particles in an object
The fundamental unit of electric charge is denoted by the small letter “e”
An electron has a charge of –e
A proton has a charge of +e
Law of Conservation of Electric Charge
During any process, the net electric charge of an isolated system remains constant (is conserved).
Like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other.
ELECTRIC FORCE
The electrostatic force that stationary charged objects exert on each other depends on the amount of
charge on the objects and the distance between them.
COULOMB’S LAW
q1q2
F¿ k r 2
Where:
F is the force exerted by the two electric charges
k is constant with a value of 8.99x10^9 N.m^2/C^2
q is the electric charge
r is the distance of the two electric charges
CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS
Substances that readily conduct electric charge are called electrical conductors.
Metals such as copper, aluminum, silver, and gold are excellent electrical conductors.
Materials that conduct electric charge poorly are known as electrical insulators.
Insulators, such as rubber or plastic that coats electrical wiring, prevent electric charge from going
where it is not wanted.
CHARGING BY CONTACT AND INDUCTION
The process of giving one object a net electric charge by placing it in contact with another object that is
already charged is known as charging by contact.
The process of giving one object a net electric charge without touching the object to a second charged
object is called charging by induction.
By contact
Two objects touching each other
Conductors or insulators
By induction
No contact required
Grounding source needed
Conductors only
By polarization
Realignment of charge on surface
Contact or no contact
Insulators only
ELECTRIC FIELD
The electric field E (at a given point in space) is the force per unit charge that would be experienced by
a test charge at that point.
Electric Field Lines
Electric Field Lines are lines that represent both the magnitude and the direction of the electric field.
The number of lines shown is proportional to the electric field strength. As lines get closer together, the
field strength increases.
Lines begin on + charges (or at infinity) and terminate on – charges (or at infinity)
The number of lines drawn leaving a + or terminating on a – is proportional to the magnitude of the
charge
No two field lines can cross one another.
Electric field lines always begin on a positive charge and end on a negative charge and do not start or
stop in mid-space. Furthermore, the number of lines leaving a positive charge or entering a negative
charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.
The electric field from an isolated positive charge
The electric field from an isolated negative charge
ELECTRIC FLUX
E E A
How much of something passes through some surface
Number of particles passing through a given surface
Number per unit area (e.g., 10 particles/cm2)
Number passing through an area of interest
If surface area is not perpendicular to the electric field we have to slightly change our definition of the
flux
E E A cos