High School Physics
Electric Field due to a thin infinite Plane Sheet of Charge In this section, we will derive the equation for the Electric Field due to a thin infinite Plane Sheet of Charge. Consider a thin infinite plane sheet of charge ABCD, charged uniformly with surface charge density σ. Note that, in a thin infinite plane […]
4) A positively charged object Q is placed as shown in the sketch. The potential difference between two points A and B is 4 x 10-4 V. (a) Calculate the change in electrical potential energy of a +2nC charge when it moves from A to B.(b) Which point, A or B, is at the higher […]
3 ) A charge of +5nC is moved by a distance of 4 cm against a uniform electric field of magnitude 2 x 1012 NC-1 from A to B. (a) Calculate the work done in moving the charge from A to B.(b) The charge is now released and returns to A. Calculate the kinetic energy […]
Question 2) In the picture below, X is a small negatively charged sphere with a mass of 10kg. It is suspended from the roof by an insulating rope which makes an angle of 60o with the roof. Y is a small positively charged sphere that has the same magnitude of charge as X. Y is […]
1 ) Determine the electrostatic force and gravitational force between two electrons 1ºA apart (i.e. the forces felt inside an atom) [ here is the complete worksheet: electrostatics worksheet 1 ] Solution: Getting everything into S.I. units: The charge on an electron is 1.6×10-19C, the mass of an electron is 9.11 x 10-31kg, and 1ºA=1 […]
In this post, we publish a worksheet containing a bunch of numerical problems from the Electrostatics chapter of HS physics. This set of Electrostatics Numericals for class 12 includes problems based on Coulomb’s force or electrostatic force, electric field, electric potential, electric potential energy, etc. Links to the solutions to the numerical problems will be found beside every problem. This worksheet is apt for grade 11 & grade 12 (class 11 and class 12) students.
In this post, we will study 2 formulas of the electric field due to a short dipole. These electric field formulas represent the following: (1) Electric Field Due to a Short Dipole at a point P on its axis & (2) Electric Field Due to a Short Dipole at a point on the equatorial line. […]
Electric flux – definition, formula – In this post, we will define electric flux and study its equation. We will also study a few figures that come with numerical problems related to electric flux. Later, we will find the statement of Gauss’ theorem. Electric Flux – definition Definition of flux: The total number of electric […]
In this post, we will understand the fundamentals of Electric Charge through a set of questions and their answers. What is the electric charge? Electric charge is a physical property of matter which causes it to experience a force when near other electrically charged matter. Electric charge is measured in coulombs (C). What is the […]
In this post, we will solve numerical problems based on the formula of electric potential difference and mechanical work. Formulas Used The potential difference between two points in a circuit is the electrical energy per unit charge. When this electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy (thermal, light, mechanical, etc.), then it can […]
In this post, we will analyze different scenarios of the motion of a charged particle in an electric field between two parallel plates. Effect of electric fields on the motion of charged particles A charged particle in an electric field experiences a force and therefore tends to accelerate. If the particle is stationary the magnitude […]
The lines of equal potential difference between two parallel plates resemble those shown in figure 1. These lines are called equipotentials because they represent points on two-dimensional paper where the voltage is always the same. When a charge moves from one point to another along an equipotential line, no work is done. Figure 1 also […]
The electric field between two parallel plates:– is uniform in the region between the plates– becomes weaker at the edges (these are known as edge effects) as the field changes from the value between the plates to the value outside-the plate (often zero). Electric field lines are also called “Lines of force” – why? The […]
In this post, we will solve Numerical problems on electric potential energy. [Electric potential energy is also known as electrical potential energy] Numerical Problem based on electrical potential energy Suppose a charge of 5.60 x 10−3 C is placed at one end of the 8.37 km sandcastle, while an unspecified charge is placed at the […]
In this post, let’s solve Numerical problems based on the motion of a charge in a uniform electric field between two parallel plates. In the case of the motion of a charge in a uniform electric field between two parallel plates, the acceleration is constant because of the constant force, so either the work-energy theorem […]
Here, we will solve a set of Numerical Problems based on the formula of the electric field between two charged parallel plates. Numerical Problem (Physics) – based on the formula of the electric field between two charged parallel plates 1 ) A cathode-ray-tube (CRT) computer monitor accelerates electrons between charged parallel plates (Figure 1).These electrons […]
Here we will derive the formulas of electric field & potential difference between charged plates. fundamentals Now, let’s see some of the facts we need to know (or revise) first, before going for the derivation. 1 ) The electric field strength (E) surrounding a point charge Q using the following equations: |E| = |Fe| /q […]
In this post, we will find how the charges are distributed if two parallel metal plates are oppositely charged. We will also know about the Electric field lines between two oppositely charged and parallel plates. How charge distribution in two oppositely charged parallel metal plates happens? Electrostatic forces of repulsion of like charges, within each […]
When a hollow conducting object is charged, either negatively or positively, does the charge distribute evenly throughout the inner and outer surfaces of the object? It is witnessed that, excess charges move to achieve static equilibrium, and they move as far apart as possible because of electrostatic forces of repulsion. In a hollow conducting object, […]
The electric field is zero everywhere inside the hollow conductor, so there are no electric field lines anywhere inside a hollow conductor. This effect (electric field being zero everywhere inside the hollow conductor) can be explained using the superposition principle. Fields set up by many sources superpose, forming a single net field. The vector specifying […]
For many applications, a much simple method is used to represent electric fields. Instead of drawing an infinite number of vector arrows, we can draw lines, called electric field lines, to represent the electric field. While drawing the Field lines it can be monitored so that exactly one field line goes through any given point […]
In this post, we will talk about the Dielectric & Dielectric constant (Relative Permittivity). One way to keep the plates of a capacitor apart is to insert an insulator called a dielectric between them. A dielectric increases the capacitance. The action of a dielectric in a charged capacitor A dielectric material is one that is […]
In this post, we will define Equipotential lines and equipotential surfaces in an electric field. Then we will see their significance. Potential gradients for Equipotential lines and equipotential surfaces are shown in diagrams for uniform and radial electric fields. Equipotential lines A line of equipotential is a line joining points of equal potential just like […]
Here, we will find how electric field strength is related to the electric potential gradient. Before that, we will define the electric potential gradient. Electric potential gradient The electric potential gradient is the change of electric potential (V) with the change in distance(r). Electric potential gradient = ΔV/Δr how electric field strength is related to […]
In this post, we will discuss the following: (1) definition of electric potential, (2) formula of electric potential, (3) solving a sample numerical problem using the formula of electric potential. Definition of electric potential The electric potential at a point in an electric field is defined as the work done in bringing a unit positive […]
In this post, we will see how Electric field lines in uniform and radial electric fields differ. An electric field may be represented by a diagram that shows field lines (Figure 1). These are lines that show both the direction in which a positive charge would move in the field and also the strength of […]
In this post, we will discuss Permeability & Relative Permeability with their definition, relationship, equations, formula, the permeability of air, examples, etc. Permeability The ability of a material to conduct magnetic lines of force through it is called the permeability of that material. It is generally represented by μ (mu, a Greek letter). The greater […]
Potential difference (Electrical) Worksheet Questions Q1. How much is the work done in moving a charge of 4 C across two points having a potential difference of 24 V? Q2: What is the work done in moving a charge of 2 C from a point at 220 V to a point at 120 V? Q3: […]
A table of the comparisons between the electric field and the magnetic field is shown below. Electric Field Magnetic Field An electric field is caused by charges. But, a magnetic field is caused by magnets (or electric currents). The electric field affects charges. But, the magnetic field affects magnets (or electric currents). There are 2 […]
Here, we will study the concepts and formula of the torque on an electric dipole. Torque on an electric dipole – how is it generated? Two equal and opposite charges (q) each, separated by a small distance (2l) constitute an electric dipole (figure 1). When this dipole is placed in an electric field E then […]
Say, two Identically Charged spheres of the same mass are suspended vertically and they got to be in equilibrium. Now, here we will derive the formulas related to this equilibrium condition. As shown in figure 1, let the spheres be of mass m and each of these is charged with charge q. These are suspended […]
Lami’s theorem is used to solve numerical problems of electrostatics when electrostatic forces are in equilibrium. To solve some questions of electrostatics, Lami’s theorem is very useful. Lami’s theorem (when forces are in equilibrium) If three forces are in equilibrium, as shown in figure 1, it means that F1 + F2 + F3 = 0, […]
In this post, we will discuss and list down different examples of static electricity in everyday life. Also, we will find how sticking a balloon to the wall is caused by static electricity. Examples of static electricity in everyday life Examples of static electricity in everyday life are: Combing dry hair with a plastic comb […]
In this post, we will see how to derive the Formula of Electric Potential Difference from the concept of energy difference in an electric field. We will derive 2 equations of Electric Potential Difference. In the example below a sample, positive charge +q is moved from position A to position B in an electric field […]
IB physics study guide Oxford IB diploma program by Tim Kirk
In this post, we will find How to determine the Relative strength & sign of charges from lines of force seen in the drawing or map of the electric field. Strategy to determine Relative strength & sign of charges from the drawing of the electric field We use the following concepts to determine the relative […]
Electric Field due to a Uniformly Charged Spherical Shell & solid sphere
[(ref: niosbook12 = 312_E_book2.pdf) | ]
A line charge is in the form of a thin charged wire of infinite length with a uniform linear charge density σ (charge per unit length). Let there be a charge +q on the wire. We have to calculate the electric field at a point P at a distance r. Draw a right circular cylinder […]
Let us apply Gauss’ Law to calculate electric field due to a point charge.Draw a spherical surface of radius r with a point charge at the center of the sphere, as shown in Fig. 1 The electric field E is along the radial direction pointing away from the center and normal to the surface of […]
In this post, we will find out what exactly an electric dipole is. We will also define dipole moment and find out the formula of dipole moment. Dipole | Electric Dipole If two equal and opposite charges are separated by a small distance, the system is said to form a dipole. The most familiar example […]
