Republic of the Philippines

Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELLEZER JAY A. BALANE PHYSICS 2
2ECE-B ENGR. JUANCHO ARAGON

MIDTERM REFLECTION

Introduction

"Have you ever stopped to think about the invisible forces that power our world and
make our lives easier? It's all thanks to electricity and magnetism! Even though we can't see
them, these forces play a crucial role in our daily lives, from lighting up our homes to running
our appliances and driving technological advancements. In this midterm, we're diving into the
principles behind these amazing forces, starting from their invention. We'll explore concepts like
the electric field, Coulomb's Law, electric potential, electric potential energy, magnetism,
Faraday's Law, and conductance. These might sound a bit complex, but they're the building
blocks that make things work. As future Electronics Engineers, we'll also look at how these
principles are applied in our field.

Electric Field

Electric field cannot be viewed by our naked eye, but we can observe this phenomenon
by just rubbing a PVC and a towel, just like we did in Senior high days. After rubbing the PVC,
place it near you skin and you will observe that your hair will stand, it is like your hair is
reaching the PVC pipe. Mainly because when you rub the PVC with a towel, the PVC will
become negatively charge while the towel will become more positive. Since you hair has
positive charge and the PVC has negative charge it will attract each other. Remember that
opposite attract and alike repel.

Lets note that even though we cannot see an electric field, it exist and has a major effect
on our daily life. Another real world example of this is the capacitor. Capacitor is very essential
in electronics world. It is an electronics component that stores electric energy in an electric field.
It consist of conductive plate separated by a insulating material. That is why understanding of
electric filed is very crucial for as an engineering student as it also help us to understand much
complex electronics component such as capacitor.

Coulomb’s law
 Republic of the Philippines
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Coulombs Law states that a force between a charge particle is the product of two charges
and constant k divided by the squared of their distance. It is named after Charles-Augustin de
k Q1 Q2
Coulomb, who publish this Law. This law represent a formula of F= 2 , where F is the
r
Force ( like charges is repel and opposite charge is attract ), Q is the charge particle has a unit of
2
N∙m 9
coulombs, k is the coulombs constant that has a value of 8.99 x 10 2 and lastly the r which
C
is the distance between the charge, it should be in meter.

Application of this principle help engineers calculate the electrostatic force, allowing
precise determination of how charges behave and move in a circuit. By applying Coulomb's law,
engineers can design components such as capacitors and resistors, predicting how charges will
distribute and move through a system. This is fundamental for optimizing the performance of
electronic devices, ensuring reliable operation and efficient utilization of electrical energy in a
wide range of applications, from microelectronics to power systems.

Electric Potential

The electric potential refers to the strength or intensity of the electric field at certain
U
point. It has a equation of V = , where the V is the Electric Potential measured in Volts (V), U
q
is the Electric Potential Energy measured in Joules (J), and q represent the charge measure in
Coulombs.

To further understand the concept of electric potential, imagine a ball on the top of the
building, where the height of the building represent the Electric potential. We can prove it by
using the formula of P . E .=mgh. In simpler word as the height increase, the potential energy of
the ball increase.

In comparison, the charge particle are the ball and the electric potential is like the height.
But that is not always the case. In the case of gravitation force, it is always attract. But charges
can be negative or positive. Remember that alike repel and opposite attract, so if the charge is
both positive, being close to each other will result to a high electric potential that is also the case
if both charge is negative. On the other hand the opposite charge such as negative - positive has a
higher electric potential when the charge are far from each other.

One application of electric potential in electronics engineering is the design and analysis
of electrical circuit. We know that controlled amount of voltage is the fundamental to the proper
function of electronics device. Because to much voltage or too small amount will lead to
 Republic of the Philippines
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
malfunction. Example of this, lets say that we have simple resistor connected to a battery, the
voltage across the resistor determine the current flowing through it, it is related to the Ohm’s
Law. Since electric potential is measure in volts, engineers use the volt as a parameter to design
and analyze electronics circuit, this ensure that the component operate to the right amount of
voltage to avoid damages on the electronics circuit and achieve the desired function.

Electric potential energy

Electric potential energy is the work done to move a certain charge from one point to
another against the electric field. Remember the ball on top of building where the height of the
building is the electric potential. In this case lets imagine a hill, and there is a big ball that you
have to push until you reach the top of hill. The big ball represent the charges that you have to
move against the force of electric field. Where the gravity is the opposite force you have to
overcome to move the big ball uphill. That basically explain the electric potential energy. If the
electric potential is measured in Volts (V), the electric potential energy is measured in Joules (J).

q1 q2
It is express in the equation of U =k , where the U is the electric potential energy
r
measured in Joules (J) just like any energy, k is the coulombs constant where the value is
2
N∙m
9
8.99 ×10 2 , q is the charge measure in Coulomb (C), and lastly the r which mean the
C
distance between charges measure in meter.

One of the application of this principle in electronics world is the capacitor. Capacitor
stores electric potential energy between its plate. Which is important in designing electronics
circuit. Also batteries and other energy sources provide a supply of electric potential energy.
Understanding energy sources is crucial for designing a electronics component making it
efficient and long lasting electronics system.

Magnetism

It is the force that a magnetic field or magnet produces. Metallic elements like cobalt,
nickel, and iron can be attract to it or repelled by it. Numerous essential functions in our daily
lives rely on magnetism, including the daily note you place in your refrigerator door, the
movement of an electric fan, and navigational compasses.

In electronics engineering, magnetism plays a crucial role in various applications. One

key application is in the creation of electric motors, where magnets generate magnetic fields that
 Republic of the Philippines
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
interact with electric currents, causing the motor to spin. This principle is fundamental to a wide
range of devices, from fans and hard drives to electric vehicles. Additionally, magnets are
essential components in transformers, which are used to change the voltage of electrical signals.
Magnetic materials are also employed in sensors, such as those in compasses and magnetic stripe
cards.

Faraday's Law

According to Faraday's Law, magnets can generate electricity. To put it simply, an

electric fan operates in the exact opposite way since electricity powers the motor. However, it is
the fundamental idea behind why we use natural resources to produce power. An illustration of
this is the dam; the water's kinetic energy causes the turbine to spin, which generates electric
energy.

This law is crucial for various electronic devices, such as transformers and inductors,
where it is employed to transfer electrical energy between circuits. For instance, in transformers,
Faraday's law enables the conversion of voltage levels for efficient power transmission.
Additionally, it plays a key role in the operation of inductors, which are components used in
electronic circuits to store and release energy. In simpler terms, Faraday's law is like the "magic"
behind the scenes that allows us to transform and manipulate electrical energy in countless
electronic devices, making it a crucial principle in the field of electronics engineering.

Resistance

Resistance is a property that opposes the flow of electric current in a material. It's kind of
like a traffic jam for electrons moving through a wire. The unit of resistance is the ohm. Every
material has some resistance, but materials like metals generally have low resistance, allowing
electricity to flow more easily.

In electronics engineering, resistance is a crucial element in designing circuits. Resistors,

which are components specifically designed to provide resistance, find widespread use. They're
like the traffic cops of a circuit, controlling the flow of current and preventing it from getting too
fast or causing problems. Resistors are used to limit current, divide voltages, and protect
components from damage. For example, in LED circuits, resistors are often added to limit the
current flowing through the LED, ensuring it doesn't burn out. So, in simpler terms, resistance is
like the regulator that keeps the flow of electricity in check, making sure everything in a circuit
operates smoothly and safely.
 Republic of the Philippines
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Conductance

V
Conductance is the reciprocal of resistivity, if the formula for resistivity is R=
I
I
therefore the reciprocal of that formula is G= where G is the conductance measure in
V
siemens, I is the current measure in ampere and V is the voltage measure in volts. If the given
problem has a given of only resistance you can use this formula to determine the conductance
1
G=
R
Where G is the conductance and R is the resistance measure in ohms.

Understanding conductance, which is the reciprocal of resistance, is crucial for

optimizing the flow of electric current through various components. Engineers utilize
conductance to design circuits with specific performance characteristics, ensuring that electronic
devices operate with minimal power losses. This concept is particularly influential in
semiconductor devices, such as transistors, where precise control of conductance enables signal
amplification and switching functions. Additionally, conductance considerations play a key role
in the design of power distribution networks, electronic filters, and antennas, contributing to the
overall efficiency and performance of electronic systems.

Conclusion

In summary, our exploration into electricity and magnetism has revealed the hidden
forces that drive our everyday technology. From the unseen electric fields that make our hair
stand on end to the practical applications of Coulomb's Law in designing electronic components,
these principles form the backbone of electronics engineering. Concepts like electric potential
and energy help us understand voltage in circuits, crucial for preventing malfunctions.
Magnetism powers electric motors and transformers, while Faraday's Law allows us to generate
electricity from magnets. Resistance acts as a traffic cop for electrons, managed by resistors,
ensuring smooth and safe circuit operation. Conductance, the opposite of resistance, is key for
efficient current flow in devices like transistors. In simpler terms, our journey through these
principles unveils the essential magic behind the scenes, guiding us as future engineers in
creating and optimizing the electronic systems that shape our modern world.
 Republic of the Philippines
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
(UNIVERSITY OF CABUYAO)
Katapatan Subd. Brgy. Banay-banay, City of Cabuyao, Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

REFERENCE

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023). Coulomb’s law. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/Coulombs-law

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023). electric field. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/science/electric-field

Bird, J. (2003). Electrical and Electronic Principle and Technology (2nd ed.) [Ebook]. Newnes.

EE Power. (n.d.). Electric field. Fundamentals | Capacitor Guide. https://eepower.com/capacitor-

guide/fundamentals/electric-field/#

GPB Education. (2019). What is magnetism? | Physics in motion [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP83ppIq9WU

Ling, S. J., Sanny, J., & Moebs, W. (2016). University Physics Volume 2 (Vol. 2) [Ebook].
OpenStax.

Professor Dave Explains. (2017). Electric potential, current, and resistance [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWlZ9bfGIoI

Professor Dave Explains. (2017). Magnets and magnetic fields [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgtIdttfGVw

Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2016). Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern

Physics (10th ed.) [Ebook]. Cengage Learning.

https://studylib.net/doc/26988546/serway--- physics-for-scientists-and-engineers-with-modern?