General Physics 2 Electrostatics Hazeem Sakeek
General Physics 2 Electrostatics Hazeem Sakeek
General Physics 2 Electrostatics Hazeem Sakeek
com
ii
LECTURES IN
GENERAL PHYSICS
Part Two
Principles and Applications
Dr . Hazem Fal ah Sakeek
Associated Professor of Physics
Al-Azhar University Gaza
March 2001
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
iii
Lecture in General Physics
First Edition, 2001.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
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publisher.
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
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vi
Contents
Chapter (1) Electrostatic
1.1 Understanding Static Electricity 5
1.2 Properties of electrostatic 9
1.2.1 Electric charge 9
1.2.2 Conductor and insulator 9
1.2.3 Positive and negative charge 10
1.2.4 Charge is conserved 11
1.2.5 Charge and matter 11
1.2.6 Charge is Quantized 12
Chapter (2) Coulombs law
2.1 Coulombs Law 16
2.2 Calculation of the electric force 17
2.2.1 Electric force between two electric charges 17
2.2.2 Electric force between more than two electric charges 18
2.3 Problems 27
Chapter (3) Electric field
3.1 The Electric Field 32
3.2 Definition of the electric field 32
3.3 The direction of E
33
3.4 Calculating E
4
1
= K
where
=8.85 10
-12
C
2
/N.m
2
2 2 9
12
/ . 10 9
10 85 . 8 4
1
4
1
C m N K =
= =
Coulombs Law
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2.2 Calculation of the electric force
q
1
: -
2.2.1 Electric force between two electric charges
.
Figure 2.2(a)
Repulsive force .
+ +
q
1
q
2
F
12
F
21
- +
q
1
q
2
F
12
F
21
Figure 2.2(a) Figure 2.2(b)
q
1
q
2 .
q
1
q
2
F
12
q
2
.
:
21
2
2 1
12
F
r
q q
K F = =
21 12
F F
r r
=
.
Figure 2.2(b)
Attractive force .
.
21 12
F F
r r
=
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 2.1
Calculate the value of two equal charges if they repel one another with
a force of 0.1N when situated 50cm apart in a vacuum.
Solution
2
2 1
r
q q
K F =
Since q
1
=q
2
2
2 9
) 5 . 0 (
10 9
1 . 0
q
=
q =1.7x10
-6
C =1.7C
0.1N .
2.2.2 Electric force between more than two electric charges
The resultant electric forces
q
1
Figure 2.3
F
1
q
1
15 14 13 12 1
F F F F F
r r r r r
+ + + = (2.4)
F
1
: -
1 ( q
1
q
1
.
2 ( q
1
&q
2
. q
1
q
2
F
12
q
1
+
-
+
+
+
q
1
q
3
q
2
q
4
q
5
F
14
F
15
F
12
F
13
Figure 2.3
Coulombs Law
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q
2
. q
1
&q
3
F
13
F
14
.
3 ( q
2
& q
3
& q
4
q
1
.
4 ( : -
2
2 1
12
r
q q
K F =
2
3 1
13
r
q q
K F =
2
4 1
14
r
q q
K F =
5 ( F
1
F
1x
=F
12x
+F
13x
+F
14x
F
1y
=F
12y
+F
13y
+F
14y
2 2
1 ) ( ) ( y x F F F + =
(2.5)
x
y
F
F
1
tan
= (2.6)
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 2.2
In figure 2.4, two equal positive charges q=2x10
-6
C interact with a third
charge Q=4x10
-6
C. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force on Q.
Figure 2.4
Solution
Q
Q . q
1
&q
2
Q
2
2
6 6
9
2
1
29 . 0
) 5 . 0 (
) 10 2 )( 10 4 (
10 9
Qq Qq
F N
r
qQ
K F = =
= =
:
N F F
N F F
y
x
17 . 0
5 . 0
3 . 0
29 . 0 sin
23 . 0
5 . 0
4 . 0
29 . 0 cos
=
= =
=
= =
q
2
Q F
Qq2
y .
q
2
q
1
Q
0.3m
0.3m
0.4m
0.5m
0.5m
F
y
F
Qq2
F
Qq1
F
y
F
x
Coulombs Law
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=
= =
0
46 . 0 23 . 0 2
y
x
F
N F
0.46N x .
Example 2.3
In figure 2.5 what is the resultant force on the charge in the lower left
corner of the square? Assume that q=110
-7
C and a = 5cm
q
- q
- 2 q
2 q
1
2
3
4
F
12
F
13
F
14
Figure 2.5
Solution
For simplicity we number the charges as shown in figure 2.5, then we
determine the direction of the electric forces acted on the charge in the
lower left corner of the square q
1
14 13 12 1
F F F F
r r r r
+ + =
2
12
2
a
qq
K F =
2
13
2
2
a
qq
K F =
2
14
2 2
a
q q
K F =
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
.
:
F
12
=0.072 N,
F
13
=0.036 N,
F
14
=0.144 N
x,y
F
13
F
13x
=F
13
sin 45 =0.025 N &
F
13y
=F
13
cos 45 =0.025 N
F
x
=F
13x
+F
14
=0.025 +0.144 =0.169 N
F
y
=F
13y
- F
12
=0.025 - 0.072 =-0.047 N
y .
The resultant force equals
2 2
1
) ( ) (
y x
F F F + =
= 0.175 N
The direction with respect to the x-axis
equals
x
y
F
F
1
tan
= = -15.5
q
- q
- 2 q
2 q
1
2 3
4
F
y
F
x
F
Coulombs Law
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Example 2.4
A charge Q is fixed at each of two opposite corners of a square as shown
in figure 2.6. A charge q is placed at each of the other two corners. (a)
If the resultant electrical force on Q is Zero, how are Q and q related.
Q
- q
Q
- q
1
2
3 4
F
12
F
13
F
14
a
a
Figure 2.6
Solution
Q
Q ) 1 (
) 2 ( ) 4 ( Q ) 1 ( ) 3 (
) 1 .(
) 2.6 .( F
13
F
x
=0 F
12
- F
13x
=0
then
F
12
=F
13
cos 45
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Q - q
Q
- q
1
2
3 4
F
12
F
13
sinO
F
14
a
a
F
13
cosO
2
1
2
2 2
a
QQ
K
a
Qq
K = q =
2 2
Q
F
y
=0 F
13y
- F
14
=0
F
13
sin 45 =F
14
2 2
2
1
2 a
Qq
K
a
QQ
K = q =
2 2
Q
Q q Q
q Q
Q =- 2 2 q
Q =2 2 q
Coulombs Law
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Example 2.5
Two fixed charges, 1C and -3C are separated by 10cm as shown in
figure 2.7 (a) where may a third charge be located so that no force acts
on it? (b) is the equilibrium stable or unstable for the third charge?
Figure 2.7
Solution
equilibrium ) .
.(
.
. q
3
.
F
31
=F
32
2
32
2 3
2
31
1 3
r
q q
k
r
q q
k =
2
6
2
6
) 10 (
10 3 10 1
+
d d
d
(b) This equilibrium is unstable!! Why!!
F
32
F
31
3
2
1
d
10cm
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 2.6
Two charges are located on the positive x-axis of a coordinate system,
as shown in figure 2.8. Charge q
1
=2nC is 2cm from the origin, and
charge q
2
=-3nC is 4cm from the origin. What is the total force exerted
by these two charges on a charge q
3
=5nC located at the origin?
Figure 2.8
Solution
The total force on q
3
is the vector sum of the forces due to q
1
and q
2
individually.
N F
4
2
9 9 9
1 3
10 25 . 2
) 02 . 0 (
) 10 5 )( 10 2 )( 10 9 (
=
=
N F
4
2
9 9 9
32
10 84 . 0
) 04 . 0 (
) 10 5 )( 10 3 )( 10 9 (
=
=
q
1
q
3
F
31
q
2
q
3
F
32
.
F
3
:
N F
F F F
4 4 4
3
32 31 3
10 41 . 1 10 25 . 2 10 84 . 0
= =
+ =
The total force is directed to the left, with magnitude 1.41x10
-4
N.
2cm
4cm
q
1
q
2
q
3
F
31
F
32
Coulombs Law
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2.3 Problems
2.1) Two protons in a molecule are
separated by a distance of 3.810
-
10
m. Find the electrostatic force
exerted by one proton on the other.
2.2) A 6.7C charge is located 5m
from a -8.4C charge. Find the
electrostatic force exerted by one
on the other.
2.3) Two fixed charges, +1.010
-6
C
and -3.010
6
C, are 10cm apart. (a)
Where may a third charge be
located so that no force acts on it?
(b) Is the equilibrium of this third
charge stable or unstable?
2.4) Each of two small spheres is
charged positively, the combined
charge being 5.010
-5
C. If each
sphere is repelled from the other by
a force of 1.0N when the spheres
are 2.0m apart, how is the total
charge distributed between the
spheres?
2.5) A certain charge Q is to be
divided into two parts, q and Q-q.
What is the relationship of Q to q if
the two parts, placed a given
distance apart, are to have a
maximum Coulomb repulsion?
2.6) A 1.3C charge is located on
the x-axis at x=-0.5m, 3.2C charge
is located on the x-axis at x=1.5m,
and 2.5C charge is located at the
origin. Find the net force on the
2.5C charge.
2.7) A point charge q
1
=-4.3C is
located on the y-axis at y=0.18m, a
charge q
2
=1.6C is located at the
origin, and a charge q
3
=3.7C is
located on the x-axis at x= -0.18m.
Find the resultant force on the
charge q
1
.
2.8) Three point charges of 2C,
7C, and 4C are located at the
corners of an equilateral triangle as
shown in the figure 2.9. Calculate
the net electric force on 7C
charge.
-
+
+
C 7
C 4 C 2
0.5m
60
o
Figure 2.9
2.9) Two free point charges +q and
+4q are a distance 1cm apart. A
third charge is so placed that the
entire system is in equilibrium.
Find the location, magnitude and
sign of the third charge. Is the
equilibrium stable?
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
2.10) Four point charges are situated
at the corners of a square of sides a
as shown in the figure 2.10. Find
the resultant force on the positive
charge +q.
+q
- q
- q
- q
a
a
Figure 2.10
2.11) Three point charges lie along
the y-axis. A charge q
1
=-9C is at
y=6.0m, and a charge q
2
=-8C is at
y=-4.0m. Where must a third
positive charge, q
3
, be placed such
that the resultant force on it is zero?
2.12) A charge q
1
of +3.4C is
located at x=+2m, y=+2m and a
second charge q
2
=+2.7C is
located at x=-4m, y=-4m. Where
must a third charge (q
3
>0) be
placed such that the resultant force
on q
3
will be zero?
2.13) Two similar conducting balls of
mass m are hung from silk threads
of length l and carry similar
charges q as shown in the figure
2.11. Assume that is so small
that tan can be replaced by sin.
Show that
3 1
2
2
=
mg
l q
x
where x is the separation between
the balls (b) If l=120cm, m=10g
and x=5cm, what is q?
+q +q
x
L L
Figure 2.11
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Electric Field
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Electric field
3.1 The Electric Field
3.2 Definition of the electric field
3.3 The direction of E
r
3.4 Calculating E
r
due to a charged particle
3.5 To find E
r
for a group of point charge
3.6 Electric field lines
3.7 Motion of charge particles in a uniform electric field
3.8 Solution of some selected problems
3.9 The electric dipole in electric field
3.10 Problems
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Electric field
.
.
Electric Field
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3.1 The Electric Field
The gravitational field g at a point in space was defined to be equal to the
gravitational force F acting on a test mass m
o
divided by the test mass
m
F
g
r
r
= (3.1)
In the same manner, an electric field at a point in space can be defined in
term of electric force acting on a test charge q
o
placed at that point.
3.2 Definition of the electric field
The electric field vector E
r
at a point in space is defined as the electric force
F
r
acting on a positive test charge placed at that point divided by the
magnitude of the test charge q
o
q
F
E
r
r
= (3.2)
The electric field has a unit of N/C
E
r
q
o
3.1
q
o
q
o
.
Figure 3.1
q
o
F
q
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
3.3 The direction of E
r
If Q is +ve the electric field at point p in space is radially outward from Q as
shown in figure 3.2(a).
If Q is -ve the electric field at point p in space is radially inward toward Q
as shown in figure 3.2(b).
Figure 3.2 (a) Figure 3.2 (b)
3.2(a)
3.2(b) .
3.4 Calculating E
r
due to a charged particle
Consider Fig. 3.2(a) above, the magnitude of force acting on q
o
is given by
Coulombs law
2
4
1
r
Qq
F
q
F
E =
2
4
1
r
Q
E
= (3.3)
E
r
p
E
r
p
Electric Field
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3.5 To find E for a group of point charge
To find the magnitude and direction of the electric field due to several
charged particles as shown in figure 3.3 use the following steps
) 1 ( .
) 2 (
p p
) 2 .(
) 3 (
.........
4 3 2 1
+ + + + = E E E E E
p
r r r r r
(3.4)
) 4 (
x y
) 5 ( x y .
E
x
= E
1x
+ E
2x
+ E
3x
+E
4x
E
y
= E
1y
+ E
2y
+ E
3y
+E
4y
) 6 ( p
2 2
y x
E E E + =
) 7 (
x
y
E
E
1
tan
=
+
-
+
+
q
4
q
3
q
2
q
1
P
E
1
E
2
E
3
E
4
Figure 3.3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 3.1
Find the electric field at point p in figure 3.4 due to the charges shown.
Figure 3.4
Solution
3 2 1
E E E E
p
r r r r
+ + =
E
x
= E
1
- E
2
= -3610
4
N/C
E
y
= E
3
= 28.810
4
N/C
E
p
= (3610
4
)
2
+(28.810
4
)
2
= 46.1N/C
= 141
o
Figure 3.5 Shows the resultant electric field
p
50cm
50cm
50cm
-8C
+12C
+2C
3
2
1
E
3
E
2
E
1
p
46
28.8
36
= 141
o
Electric Field
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Example 3.2
Find the electric field due to electric dipole along x-axis at point p,
which is a distance r from the origin, then assume r>>a
The electric dipole is positive charge and negative charge of equal
magnitude placed a distance 2a apart as shown in figure 3.6
+q
-q
r
E
2
E
1
2
1
2a
P
cos
1
E cos
2
E
sin
1
E
sin
2
E
Figure 3.6
Solution
p E
1
q
1
E
2
q
2
2 1
E E E
p
r r r
+ =
p
2
2 2
1
1
4
1
E
r a
q
E =
+
=
.
E
x
= E
1
sin - E
2
sin
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
E
y
= E
1
cos + E
2
cos = 2E
1
cos
E
p
= 2E
1
cos
cos
4
1
2 2
r a
q
Ep
+
=
from the Figure
2 2
cos
r a
a
+
=
2 2
2 2
4
1
r a
a
r a
q
Ep
+
+
=
E
p
=
2 / 3
2 2
) ( 4
2
a r
aq
+
(3.5)
The direction of the electric field in the -ve y-axis.
The quantity 2aq is called the electric dipole momentum (P) and has a
direction from the -ve charge to the +ve charge
(b) when r>>a
3
4
2
r
aq
E
= (3.6)
electric dipole
electric dipole momentum
electric dipole
.
Electric Field
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3.6 Electric field lines
The electric lines are a convenient way to visualize the electric filed
patterns. The relation between the electric field lines and the electric
field vector is this:
(1) The tangent to a line of force at any point gives the direction of E
r
at
that point.
(2) The lines of force are drawn so that the number of lines per unit
cross-sectional area is proportional to the magnitude of E
r
.
Some examples of electric line of force
Electric field lines due to +ve
charge
Electric field lines due to -ve
charge
E
Electric field lines due to +ve
line charge
Electric field lines due two
surface charge
Figure 3.7 shows some examples of electric line of force
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Notice that the rule of drawing the line of force:-
(1) The lines must begin on positive charges and terminates on negative
charges.
(2) The number of lines drawn is proportional to the magnitude of the
charge.
(3) No two electric field lines can cross.
3.7 Motion of charge particles in a uniform electric field
If we are given a field E
r
, what forces will act on a charge placed in it?
We start with special case of a point charge in uniform electric field E
r
.
The electric field will exert a force on a charged particle is given by
F = qE
The force will produce acceleration
a = F/m
where m is the mass of the particle. Then we can write
F = qE = ma
The acceleration of the particle is therefore given by
a = qE/m (3.7)
If the charge is positive, the acceleration will be in the direction of the
electric field. If the charge is negative, the acceleration will be in the
direction opposite the electric field.
One of the practical applications of this subject is a device called the
(Oscilloscope) See appendix A (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope) for further
information.
Electric Field
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3.8 Solution of some selected problems
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
3.8 Solution of some selected problems
Example 3.3
A positive point charge q of mass m is
released from rest in a uniform electric
field E
r
directed along the x-axis as shown
in figure 3.8, describe its motion.
Solution
The acceleration is given by
a = qE/m
Since the motion of the particle in one dimension, then we can apply the
equations of kinematics in one dimension
x-x
o
= v
0
t+ at
2
v = v
0
+ at v
2
=v
o
2
+ 2a(x-x
o
)
Taking x
o
= 0 and v
0
= 0
x = at
2
= (qE/2m) t
2
v = at = (qE/m) t
v
2
=2ax = (2qE/m)x (3.7)
V
V=0
E
X
Figure 3.8
Electric Field
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Example 3.4
In the above example suppose that a negative charged particle is
projected horizontally into the uniform field with an initial velocity v
o
as shown in figure 3.9.
Solution
Since the direction of electric field E
r
in the y direction, and the charge is
negative, then the acceleration of charge is in the direction of -y.
a = -qE/m
The motion of the charge is in two dimension with constant acceleration,
with v
xo
= v
o
& v
yo
= 0
The components of velocity after time t are given by
v
x
= v
o
=constant
v
y
= at = - (qE/m) t
The coordinate of the charge after time t are given by
x = v
o
t
y = at
2
= - 1/2 (qE/m) t
2
Eliminating t we get
2
2
0
2
x
mv
qE
y = (3.8)
we see that y is proportional to x
2
. Hence, the trajectory is parabola.
E
(0,0)
(X,Y)
L
Y
X
V
V
o
Figure 3.9
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 3.5
Find the electric field due to electric dipole shown in figure 3.10 along
x-axis at point p which is a distance r from the origin. then assume
r>>a
Solution
2 1
E E E
p
r r r
+ =
E
1
= K
2
) ( a x
q
+
E
2
= K
2
) ( a x
q
E
p
= K
2
) ( a x
q
-
2
) ( a x
q
+
E
p
= Kq
2 2 2
) (
4
a x
ax
When x>>a then Figure 3.10
3
4
2
x
aq
E
= (3.9)
x 2a
.
2a
+q
-q
p
x
1
2
E
2
E
1
Electric Field
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Example 3.6
What is the electric field in the lower left corner of the square as shown
in figure 3.11? Assume that q = 110
-7
C and a = 5cm.
Solution
First we assign number to the charges (1, 2, 3, 4) and then determine the
direction of the electric field at the point p due to the charges.
2
1
4
1
a
q
E
=
2
2
2 4
1
a
q
E
=
2
3
2
4
1
a
q
E
=
Evaluate the value of E
1
, E
2
, & E
3
E
1
= 3.610
5
N/C,
E
2
= 1.8 10
5
N/C,
E
3
= 7.2 10
5
N/C
Since the resultant electric field is the vector additions of all the fields i.e.
3 2 1
E E E E
p
r r r r
+ + =
We find the vector E
2
need analysis to two components
E
2x
= E
2
cos45
E
2y
= E
2
sin45
E
x
= E
3
- E
2
cos45 = 7.210
5
- 1.8 10
5
cos45 = 6 10
5
N/C
+q
+q
-2q
P
E
2
E
3
E
1
E
2x
E
2y
1
2
3
Figure 3.11
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
E
y
= -E
1
- E
2
sin45 = -3.610
5
- 1.8 10
5
sin45 = - 4.8 10
5
N/C
2 2
y x
E E E + = = 7.7 10
5
N/C
x
y
E
E
1
tan
= = - 38.6
o
Example 3.7
In figure 3.12 shown, locate the point at which the electric field is zero?
Assume a = 50cm
Solution
- +
-5q 2q
V S P
d
a+d
a
E
2
E
1
1
2
Figure 3.12
To locate the points at which the electric field is zero (E=0), we shall try all
the possibilities, assume the points S, V, P and find the direction of E
1
and
E
2
at each point due to the charges q
1
and q
2
.
The resultant electric field is zero only when E
1
and E
2
are equal in
magnitude and opposite in direction.
At the point S E
1
in the same direction of E
2
therefore E cannot be zero in
between the two charges.
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At the point V the direction of E
1
is opposite to the direction of E
2
, but the
magnitude could not be equal (can you find the reason?)
At the point P the direction of E
1
and E
2
are in opposite to each other and
the magnitude can be equal
E
1
= E
2
2 2
) (
5
4
1
) 5 . 0 (
2
4
1
d
q
d
q
=
+
d = 30cm
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 3.8
A charged cord ball of mass 1g is suspended
on a light string in the presence of a uniform
electric field as in figure 3.13. When
E=(3i+5j) 10
5
N/C, the ball is in equilibrium
at =37
o
. Find (a) the charge on the ball and
(b) the tension in the string.
Solution
.
.
F=ma x y .
E
x
= 310
5
N/C E
y
= 5j10
5
N/C
F = T+qE+F
g
= 0
F
x
= qE
x
T sin 37 = 0 (1)
F
y
= qE
y
+ T cos 37 - mg= 0 (2)
Substitute T from equation (1) into equation (2)
C
E
E
mg
q
x
y
8
5
3
10 09 . 1
10
37 tan
3
5
) 8 . 9 )( 10 1 (
37 tan
+
=
To find the tension we substitute for q in equation (1)
N
qEx
T
3
10 44 . 5
37 sin
= =
q
E
mg
qE
T
q
E
Figure 3.13
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3.9 The electric dipole in electric field
If an electric dipole placed in an external electric field E as shown in figure
3.14, then a torque will act to align it with the direction of the field.
Figure 3.14
E P
r r
r
= (3.10)
= P E sin (3.11)
where P is the electric dipole momentum, the angle between P and E
equilibrium
) = 0 , (
Figure 3.15 (ii) Figure 3.15 (i)
) i ( 3.15 0= dipole
stable equilibrium 0=
) ii ( 3.15 dipole
unstable equilibrium dipole
0= = .
E
P
E
P
qE
-qE
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
3.10 Problems
3.1) The electric force on a point
charge of 4.0C at some point is
6.910
-4
N in the positive x
direction. What is the value of the
electric field at that point?
3.2) What are the magnitude and
direction of the electric field that
will balance the weight of (a) an
electron and (b) a proton?
(Use the data in Table l.)
3.3) A point charge of -5.2C is
located at the origin. Find the
electric field (a) on the x-axis at
x=3 m, (b) on the y-axis at y= -4m,
(c) at the point with coordinates
x=2m, y=2m.
3.4) What is the magnitude of a
point charge chosen so that the
electric field 50cm away has the
magnitude 2.0N/C?
3.5) Two point charges of
magnitude +2.010
-7
C and
+8.510
-11
C are 12cm apart. (a)
What electric field does each
produce at the site of the other? (b)
What force acts on each?
3.6) An electron and a proton are
each placed at rest in an external
electric field of 520N/C. Calculate
the speed of each particle after
48nanoseconds.
3.7) The electrons in a particle beam
each have a kinetic energy of
1.610
-17
J. What are the magnitude
and direction of the electric field
that will stop these electrons in a
distance of 10cm?
3.8) A particle having a charge of -
2.010
-9
C is acted on by a
downward electric force of 3.010
-
6
N in a uniform electric field. (a)
What is the strength of the electric
field? (b) What is the magnitude
and direction of the electric force
exerted on a proton placed in this
field? (c) What is the gravitational
force on the proton? (d) What is the
ratio of the electric to the
gravitational forces in this case?
3.9) Find the total electric field
along the line of the two charges
shown in figure 3.16 at the point
midway between them.
- +
3m
C 7 . 4
C 9 +
Figure 3.16
3.10) What is the magnitude and
direction of an electric field that
will balance the weight of (a) an
electron and (b) a proton?
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3.11) Three charges are arranged in
an equilateral triangle as shown in
figure 3.17. What is the direction
of the force on +q?
a
a
a
+q
+Q -Q
Figure 3.17
3.12) In figure 3.18 locate the point at
which the electric field is zero and
also the point at which the electric
potential is zero. Take q=1C and
a=50cm.
50cm
-5q +2q
Figure 3.18
3.13) What is E in magnitude and
direction at the center of the square
shown in figure 3.19? Assume that
q=1C and a=5cm.
P
a
a
+q
-2q
+2q -q
a
a
Figure 3.19
3.14) Two point charges are a
distance d apart (Figure 3.20). Plot
E(x), assuming x=0 at the left-hand
charge. Consider both positive and
negative values of x. Plot E as
positive if E points to the right and
negative if E points to the left.
Assume q
1
=+1.010
-6
C,
q
2
=+3.010
-6
C, and d=10cm.
q
1
q
2
P
x
d
Figure 3.20
3.15) Calculate E (direction and
magnitude) at point P in Figure
3.21.
+2q
+q
+q
P
a
a
Figure 3.21
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
3.16) Charges +q and -2q are fixed a
distance d apart as shown in figure
3.22. Find the electric field at
points A, B, and C.
+q
A
-2q
d d
d
2
d
2
B C
Figure 3.22
3.17) A uniform electric field exists
in a region between two oppositely
charged plates. An electron is
released from rest at the surface of
the negatively charged plate and
strikes the surface of the opposite
plate, 2.0cm away, in a time
1.510
-8
s. (a) What is the speed of
the electron as it strikes the second
plate? (b) What is the magnitude of
the electric field E?
Lectures in General Physics
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Electric Flux
4.1 The Electric Flux due to an Electric Field
4.2 The Electric Flux due to a point charge
4.3 Gaussian surface
4.4 Gausss Law
4.5 Gausss law and Coulombs law
4.6 Conductors in electrostatic equilibrium
4.7 Applications of Gausss law
4.8 Solution of some selected problems
4.9 Problems
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Electric Flux
.
" "
.
.
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4.1 The Electric Flux due to an Electric Field
We have already shown how electric field can be described by lines of
force. A line of force is an imaginary line drawn in such a way that its
direction at any point is the same as the direction of the field at that point.
Field lines never intersect, since only one line can pass through a single
point.
The Electric flux () is a measure of the number of electric field lines
penetrating some surface of area A.
Case one:
The electric flux for a plan surface perpendicular to a uniform electric
field (figure 4.1)
To calculate the electric flux we recall
that the number of lines per unit area is
proportional to the magnitude of the
electric field. Therefore, the number of
lines penetrating the surface of area A is
proportional to the product EA. The
product of the electric filed E and the
surface area A perpendicular to the field
is called the electric flux .
A E
r r
. = (4.1)
The electric flux has a unit of N.m
2
/C.
E
Area = A
Figure 4.1
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Case Two
The electric flux for a plan surface make an angle to a uniform electric
field (figure 4.2)
Note that the number of lines
that cross-area is equal to the
number that cross the projected
area A`, which is perpendicular
to the field. From the figure we
see that the two area are related
by A`=Acos. The flux is given
by:
A E =
r r
. = E A cos
A E
r r
. =
Where is the angle between
the electric field E and the
normal to the surface A
r
.
= 0
= 90 . A
r
.
Case Three
In general the electric field is nonuniform over the surface (figure 4.3)
The flux is calculated by integrating the normal
component of the field over the surface in
question.
= A E
r r
. (4.2)
The net flux through the surface is proportional
to the net number of lines penetrating the
surface
E
DdA
Figure 4.3
E
Area = A
A`=Acos
Figure 4.2
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net number of lines )
( - ) .(
Example 4.1
What is electric flux for closed cylinder of radius R immersed in a
uniform electric field as shown in figure 4.4?
Figure 4.4
Solution
= A d E
r r
.
+ + =
) 3 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 (
. . . A d E A d E A d E
r r r r r r
+ + =
) 3 ( ) 2 ( ) 1 (
0 cos 90 cos 180 cos dA E dA E dA E
Since E is constant then
= - EA + 0 + EA = zero
Exercise
Calculate the total flux for a cube immersed in uniform electric field E
r
.
E
2
3 1
dA
dA
dA
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
4.2 The Electric Flux due to a point charge
To calculate the electric flux due to a point
charge we consider an imaginary closed
spherical surface with the point charge in the
center figure 4.5, this surface is called gaussian
surface. Then the flux is given by
= A d E
r r
. =
cos dA E ( = 0)
=
dA
r
q
2
4
=
2
2
4
4
r
r
q
q
(4.3)
Note that the net flux through a spherical gaussian surface is proportional to
the charge q inside the surface.
4.3 Gaussian surface
Consider several closed surfaces as shown in
figure 4.6 surrounding a charge Q as in the
figure below. The flux that passes through
surfaces S
1
, S
2
and S
3
all has a value q/
.
Therefore we conclude that the net flux through
any closed surface is independent of the shape of
the surface.
Consider a point charge located outside a closed
surface as shown in figure 4.7. We can see that
the number of electric field lines entering the
surface equal the number leaving the surface.
Therefore the net electric flux in this case is
zero, because the surface surrounds no electric
charge.
S
1
S
2
S
3
Q
E
Figure 4.6
Q
E
S
Figure 4.7
DdA
Q
E
Figure 4.5
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Example 4.2
In figure 4.8 two equal and opposite charges of
2Q and -2Q what is the flux for the surfaces
S
1
, S
2
, S
3
and S
4
.
Solution
For S
1
the flux = zero
For S
2
the flux = zero
For S
3
the flux = +2Q/
o
For S
4
the flux = -2Q/
o
4.4 Gausss Law
Gauss law is a very powerful theorem, which
relates any charge distribution to the resulting
electric field at any point in the vicinity of the
charge. As we saw the electric field lines
means that each charge q must have q/
o
flux
lines coming from it. This is the basis for an
important equation referred to as Gausss
law. Note the following facts:
1. If there are charges q
1
, q
2
, q
3
, ......q
n
inside
a closed (gaussian) surface, the total
number of flux lines coming from these
charges will be
(q
1
+ q
2
+ q
3
+ ....... +q
n
)/
o
(4.4)
2Q
-2Q
S
1
S
2
S
3
S
4
Figure 4.8
DdA
Q
E
Figure 4.9
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
2. The number of flux lines coming out of a closed surface is the integral of
A d E
r r
. over the surface,
A d E
r r
.
We can equate both equations to get Gauss law which state that the net
electric flux through a closed gaussian surface is equal to the net charge
inside the surface divided by
o
in
q
A d E =
r r
. Gausss law (4.5)
where q
in
is the total charge inside the gaussian surface.
Gausss law states that the net electric flux through any closed gaussian
surface is equal to the net electric charge inside the surface divided by
the permittivity.
4.5 Gausss law and Coulombs law
We can deduce Coulombs law from Gausss
law by assuming a point charge q, to find the
electric field at point or points a distance r
from the charge we imagine a spherical
gaussian surface of radius r and the charge q at
its center as shown in figure 4.10.
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
in
q
dA E =
0 cos Because E is
constant for all points on the sphere, it can be factored from the inside of the
integral sign, then
in
q
dA E =
in
q
EA =
in
q
r E = ) 4 (
2
DdA
Q
E
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2
4
1
r
q
E
= (4.6)
Now put a second point charge q
o
at the point, which E is calculated. The
magnitude of the electric force that acts on it F = Eq
o
2
4
1
r
qq
F
o
=
4.6 Conductors in electrostatic equilibrium
A good electrical conductor, such as copper, contains charges (electrons)
that are free to move within the material. When there is no net motion of
charges within the conductor, the conductor is in electrostatic equilibrium.
Conductor in electrostatic equilibrium has the following properties:
1. Any excess charge on an isolated conductor must reside entirely on its
surface. (Explain why?) The answer is when an excess charge is placed
on a conductor, it will set-up electric field inside the conductor. These
fields act on the charge carriers of the conductor (electrons) and cause
them to move i.e. current flow inside the conductor. These currents
redistribute the excess charge on the surface in such away that the
internal electric fields reduced to become zero and the currents stop, and
the electrostatic conditions restore.
2. The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor. (Explain
why?) Same reason as above
In figure 4.11 it shows a conducting slab
in an external electric field E. The
charges induced on the surface of the slab
produce an electric field, which opposes
the external field, giving a resultant field
of zero in the conductor.
Figure 4.11
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Steps which should be followed in solving problems
1. The gaussian surface should be chosen to have the same symmetry
as the charge distribution.
2. The dimensions of the surface must be such that the surface
includes the point where the electric field is to be calculated.
3. From the symmetry of the charge distribution, determine the
direction of the electric field and the surface area vector dA, over
the region of the gaussian surface.
4. Write E.dA as E dA cos and divide the surface into separate
regions if necessary.
5. The total charge enclosed by the gaussian surface is dq = dq,
which is represented in terms of the charge density ( dq = dx for
line of charge, dq = dA for a surface of charge, dq = dv for a
volume of charge).
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dE
dx
r
x
4.7 Applications of Gausss law
.
.
4.12
(C/m)
dx dE ) p (
Figure 4.12
2 2 2 2
x r
dx
K
x r
dq
K dE
+
=
+
=
y
dE
y
= dE cos E
y
=
y
dE =
+
dE cos
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
E
= 2
+
0
cos dE
+
+
0
2 2
cos
4
2
x r
dx
x dx :
x = y tan dx = y sec
2
d
E =
2
0
cos
2
d
E =
r
2
.
Gausss law can be used to calculate the electric field if the symmetry of
the charge distribution is high. Here we concentrate in three different
ways of charge distribution
1 2 3
Charge distribution Linear Surface Volume
Charge density
Unit C/m C/m
2
C/m
3
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A linear charge distribution
In figure 4.13 calculate the electric field at a distance r from a uniform
positive line charge of infinite length whose charge per unit length is
=constant.
E
Rr
L
Figure 4.13
The electric field E is perpendicular to the line of charge and directed
outward. Therefore for symmetry we select a cylindrical gaussian surface
of radius r and length L.
The electric field is constant in magnitude and perpendicular to the surface.
The flux through the end of the gaussian cylinder is zero since E is parallel
to the surface.
The total charge inside the gaussian surface is L.
Applying Gauss law we get
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
L
dA E =
L
rL E = 2
r
E
2
= (4.7)
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
A surface charge distribution
In figure 4.4 calculate the electric field due to non-conducting, infinite plane
with uniform charge per unit area .
E
Figure 4.14
The electric field E is constant in magnitude and perpendicular to the plane
charge and directed outward for both surfaces of the plane. Therefore for
symmetry we select a cylindrical gaussian surface with its axis is
perpendicular to the plane, each end of the gaussian surface has area A and
are equidistance from the plane.
The flux through the end of the gaussian cylinder is EA since E is
perpendicular to the surface.
The total electric flux from both ends of the gaussian surface will be 2EA.
Applying Gauss law we get
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
A
EA = 2
2
= E (4.8)
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An insulated conductor.
= E (4.9)
.
Conductor
E
Figure 4.15
4.15
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
A volume charge distribution
In figure 4.16 shows an insulating sphere of radius a has a uniform charge
density and a total charge Q.
1) Find the electric field at point outside the sphere (r>a)
2) Find the electric field at point inside the sphere (r<a)
For r>a
Rr
Aa
E
Figure 4.16
We select a spherical gaussian surface of radius r, concentric with the
charge sphere where r>a. The electric field E is perpendicular to the
gaussian surface as shown in figure 4.16. Applying Gauss law we get
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
Q
r E A E = =
) 4 (
2
2
4 r
Q
E
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
It is important at this point to see that the charge inside the gaussian surface
of volume V` is less than the total charge Q. To calculate the charge q
in
, we
use q
in
=V`, where V`=4/3r
3
. Therefore,
q
in
=V`=(4/3r
3
) (4.11)
in
q
r E A E = =
) 4 (
2
r
r
r
r
q
E
in
3 4 4
2
3
3
4
2
= = = (4.12)
since
3
3
4
a
Q
=
3
4 a
Qr
E
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
Aa
Ab
Ac
A+ Q 2
A--Q
Figure 4.18
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2Q
= 0
.
E 4r
2
=
Q 2
2
2
4
1
r
Q
E
= a < r < b
Region (4) r > c
we construct a spherical gaussian surface of radius r > c, the total net charge
inside the gaussian surface is q = 2Q + (-Q) = +Q Therefore Gausss law
gives
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
E 4r
2
=
Q
2
4
1
r
Q
E
= r > c
Region (3) b > r < c
b<r<c . -Q
-Q
-2Q
-Q
+Q
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 4.6
A long straight wire is surrounded by a hollow cylinder whose axis
coincides with that wire as shown in figure 4.19. The solid wire has a
charge per unit length of +, and the hollow cylinder has a net charge
per unit length of +2. Use Gauss law to find (a) the charge per unit
length on the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow cylinder and (b) the
electric field outside the hollow cylinder, a distance r from the axis.
Solution
(a) Use a cylindrical Gaussian surface S
1
within
the conducting cylinder where E=0
Thus
in
q
A d E =
r r
. = 0
and the charge per unit length on the inner surface
must be equal to
inner
= -
Also
inner
+
outer
= 2
thus
outer
= 3
(b) For a gaussian surface S
2
outside the
conducting cylinder
in
q
A d E =
r r
.
E (2rL) =
1
( - + 3)L
r
E
2
3
=
+
+2
Figure 4.19
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Example 4.7
Consder a long cylindrical charge distribution of radius R with a
uniform charge density . Find the electric field at distance r from the
axis where r<R.
Solution
If we choose a cilindrical gaussian surface of length L and radius r, Its
volume is r
2
L, and it enclses a charge r
2
L. By applying Gausss law we
get,
in
q
A d E =
r r
. becomes
L r
dA E
2
=
rL dA 2 =
Q therefore
L r
rL E
2
) 2 ( =
Thus
2
r
E = radially outward from the cylinder axis
Notice that the electric field will increase as increases, and also the
electric field is proportional to r for r<R. For thr region outside the cylinder
(r>R), the electric field will decrese as r increases.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 4.8
Two large non-conducting sheets of +ve charge face each other as
shown in figure 4.20. What is E at points (i) to the left of the sheets (ii)
between them and (iii) to the right of
the sheets?
Solution
We know previously that for each sheet,
the magnitude of the field at any point
is
2
= E
(a) At point to the left of the two
parallel sheets
E = -E
1
+ (-E
2
) = -2E
= E
(b) At point between the two sheets
E = E
1
+ (-E
2
) = zero
(c) At point to the right of the two parallel sheets
E = E
1
+ E
2
= 2E
= E
Figure 4.20
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4.9 Problems
4.1) An electric field of intensity
3.5103N/C is applied the x-axis.
Calculate the electric flux through a
rectangular plane 0.35m wide and
0.70m long if (a) the plane is
parallel to the yz plane, (b) the
plane is parallel to the xy plane,
and (c) the plane contains the y axis
and its normal makes an angle of
40
o
with the x axis.
4.2) A point charge of +5C is
located at the center of a sphere
with a radius of 12cm. What is the
electric flux through the surface of
this sphere?
4.3) (a) Two charges of 8C and -
5C are inside a cube of sides
0.45m. What is the total electric
flux through the cube? (b) Repeat
(a) if the same two charges are
inside a spherical shell of radius 0.
45 m.
4.4) The electric field everywhere
on the surface of a hollow sphere of
radius 0.75m is measured to be
equal to 8.9010
2
N/C and points
radially toward the center of the
sphere. (a) What is the net charge
within the surface? (b) What can
you conclude about charge inside
the nature and distribution of the
charge inside the sphere?
4.5) Four closed surfaces, S
1
,
through S
4
, together with the
charges -2Q, +Q, and -Q are
sketched in figure 4.21. Find the
electric flux through each surface.
-2Q
S
1
S
4
S
3
S
2
-Q
+Q
Figure 4.21
4.6) A conducting spherical shell of
radius 15cm carries a net charge of
-6.4C uniformly distributed on its
surface. Find the electric field at
points (a) just outside the shell and
(b) inside the shell.
4.7) A long, straight metal rod has a
radius of 5cm and a charge per unit
length of 30nC/m. Find the electric
field at the following distances
from the axis of the rod: (a) 3cm,
(b) 10cm, (c) 100cm.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
4.8) A square plate of copper of
sides 50cm is placed in an extended
electric field of 810
4
N/C directed
perpendicular to the plate. Find (a)
the charge density of each face of
the plate and (b) the total charge on
each face.
4.9) A solid copper sphere 15cm in
radius has a total charge of 40nC.
Find the electric field at the
following distances measured from
the center of the sphere: (a) 12cm,
(b) 17cm, (c) 75cm. (d) How would
your answers change if the sphere
were hollow?
4.10) A solid conducting sphere of
radius 2cm has a positive charge of
+8C. A conducting spherical
shell d inner radius 4cm and outer
radius 5cm is concentric with the
solid sphere and has a net charge of
-4C. (a) Find the electric field at
the following distances from the
center of this charge configuration:
(a) r=1cm, (b) r=3cm, (c) r=4.5cm,
and (d) r=7cm.
4.11) A non-conducting sphere of
radius a is placed at the center of a
spherical conducting shell of inner
radius b and outer radius c, A
charge +Q is distributed uniformly
through the inner sphere (charge
density C/m
3
) as shown in figure
4.22. The outer shell carries -Q.
Find E(r) (i) within the sphere
(r<a) (ii) between the sphere and
the shell (a<r<b) (iii) inside the
shell (b<r<c) and (iv) out side the
shell and (v) What is the charge
appear on the inner and outer
surfaces of the shell?
Aa
Ab
Ac
A+Q
A--Q
Figure 4.22
4.12) A solid sphere of radius 40cm
has a total positive charge of 26C
uniformly distributed throughout its
volume. Calculate the electric field
intensity at the following distances
from the center of the sphere: (a) 0
cm, (b) 10cm, (c) 40cm, (d) 60 cm.
4.13) An insulating sphere is 8cm in
diameter, and carries a +5.7C
charge uniformly distributed
throughout its interior volume.
Calculate the charge enclosed by a
concentric spherical surface with
the following radii: (a) r=2cm and
(b) r=6cm.
4.14) A long conducting cylinder
(length l) carry a total charge +q is
surrounded by a conducting
cylindrical shell of total charge -2q
as shown in figure 4.23. Use
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Gausss law to find (i) the electric
field at points outside the
conducting shell and inside the
conducting shell, (ii) the
distribution of the charge on the
conducting shell, and (iii) the
electric field in the region between
the cylinder and the cylindrical
shell?
Figure 4.23
4.15) Consider a thin spherical shell
of radius 14cm with a total charge
of 32C distributed uniformly on
its surface. Find the electric field
for the following distances from the
center of the charge distribution:
(a) r=10cm and (b) r =20cm.
4.16) A large plane sheet of charge
has a charge per unit area of
9.0C/m
2
. Find the electric field
intensity just above the surface of
the sheet, measured from the sheet's
midpoint.
4.17) Two large metal plates face
each other and carry charges with
surface density + and -
respectively, on their inner surfaces
as shown in figure 4.24. What is E
at points (i) to the left of the sheets
(ii) between them and (iii) to the
right of the sheets?
Figure 4.24
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Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Electric Potential
5.1 Definition of electric potential difference
5.2 The Equipotential surfaces
5.3 Electric Potential and Electric Field
5.4 Potential difference due to a point charge
5.5 The potential due to a point charge
5.6 The potential due to a point charge
5.7 Electric Potential Energy
5.8 Calculation of E from V
5.9 Problems
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The Electric Potential
.
.
.
The electric potential .
.
: -
) 1 ( .
) 2 ( .
) 3 ( .
) 4 ( .
) 5 ( .
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
) 1 (
m h ) (
m .
h . m
.
) 2 (
U 5.1 .
B
A S
A
A&B .
) 3 (
A&B
Q 5.2 .
q
o
) m
B ( Q q
o
B A
q
o
.
Figure 5.1
Electric Potential Difference
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A&B E
) F
ex
( ) qE (
q
o
A B ) .(
Figure 5.2
1.5volt
.
U
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.1 Definition of electric potential difference
We define the potential difference between two points A and B as the work
done by an external agent in moving a test charge q
o
from A to B i.e.
V
B
-V
A
= W
AB
/ q
o
(5.1)
The unit of the potential difference is (Joule/Coulomb) which is known as
Volt (V)
Notice
Since the work may be (a) positive i.e V
B
> V
A
(b) negative i.e V
B
< V
A
(c) zero i.e V
B
= V
A
You should remember that the work equals
l F l F W
ex ex
cos . = =
r r
If 0 < < 90 cos is +ve and therefore the W is +ve
If 90 < < 180 cos is -ve and therefore W is -ve
If = 90 between F
ex
and l therefore W is zero
The potential difference is independent on the path between A and B. Since
the work (W
AB
) done to move a test charge q
o
from A to B is independent on
the path, otherwise the work is not a scalar quantity. (see example 5.2)
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5.2 The Equipotential surfaces
As the electric field can be represented graphically by lines of force, the
potential distribution in an electric field may be represented graphically by
equipotential surfaces.
The equipotential surface is a surface such that the potential has the same
value at all points on the surface. i.e. V
B
-V
A
= zero for any two points on
one surface.
The work is required to move a test charge between any two points on an
equipotential surface is zero. (Explain why?)
In all cases the equipotential surfaces are at right angles to the lines of force
and thus to E. (Explain why?)
E
E
Figure 5.3 (a) Figure 5.3 (b)
Figure 5.3 shows the equipotential surfaces (dashed lines) and the electric
field lines (bold lines), (a) for uniform electric field and (b) for electric
field due to a positive charge.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.3 Electric Potential and Electric Field
Simple Case (Uniform electric field):
The potential difference between two points A and B in a Uniform electric
field E can be found as follow,
Assume that a positive test charge q
o
is moved by an external agent from A
to B in uniform electric field as shown in figure 5.4.
The test charge q
o
is affected by electric
force of q
o
E in the downward direction. To
move the charge from A to B an external
force F of the same magnitude to the
electric force but in the opposite direction.
The work W done by the external agent is:
W
AB
= Fd = q
o
Ed (5.2)
The potential difference V
B
-V
A
is
Ed
q
W
V V
o
AB
A B = = (5.3)
This equation shows the relation between the potential difference and the
electric field for a special case (uniform electric field). Note that E has a
new unit (V/m). hence,
Coulomb
Newton
Meter
Volt
=
Oq E
o
A
B
E
F
Oq
o
Ddl
Dd
Figure 5.4
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The relation in general case (not uniform electric field):
If the test charge q
o
is moved along a curved path from A to B as shown in
figure 5.5. The electric field exerts a force q
o
E on the charge. To keep the
charge moving without accelerating, an external agent must apply a force F
equal to -q
o
E.
If the test charge moves distance dl
along the path from A to B, the work
done is F.dl. The total work is given
by,
= =
B
A
B
A
o AB
l d E q l d F W
r r r r
. . (5.4)
The potential difference V
B
-V
A
is,
= =
B
A o
AB
A B
l d E
q
W
V V
r r
. (5.5)
A B dl
.
If the point A is taken to infinity then V
A
=0 the potential V at point B is,
=
B
B
l d E V
r r
. (5.6)
This equation gives the general relation between the potential and the
electric field.
A
B
E
F
Oq E
o
Oq
o
Ddl
Figure 5.5
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.1
Derive the potential difference between points A and B in uniform
electric field using the general case.
Solution
= = =
B
A
B
A
B
A
A B
Edl dl E l d E V V
180 cos .
r r
(5.7)
E is uniform (constant) and the integration over the path A to B is d,
therefore
= =
B
A
A B
Ed dl E V V (5.8)
Example 5.2
In figure 5.6 the test charge moved
from A to B along the path shown.
Calculate the potential difference
between A and B.
Oq
o
Oq E
o
A
B
E
F
Ddl
Oq
o
Oq E
o
F
Ddl
Dd
C
Figure 5.6
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Solution
V
B
-V
A
=(V
B
-V
C
)+(V
C
-V
A
)
For the path AC the angle is 135
o
,
= = =
C
A
C
A
C
A
A C
dl
E
dl E l d E V V
2
135 cos .
r r
The length of the line AC is 2 d
Ed d
E
V V
A C
= = ) 2 (
2
For the path CB the work is zero and E is perpendicular to the path
therefore, V
C
-V
A
= 0
Ed V V V V
A C A B
= =
The Electron Volt Unit
A widely used unit of energy in atomic physics is the electron volt (eV).
ELECTRON VOLT, unit of energy, used by physicists to express the
energy of ions and subatomic particles that have been accelerated in particle
accelerators. One electron volt is equal to the amount of energy gained by
an electron traveling through an electrical potential difference of 1 V; this is
equivalent to 1.60207 x 10
19
J. Electron volts are commonly expressed as
million electron volts (MeV) and billion electron volts (BeV or GeV).
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.4 Potential difference due to a point charge
Assume two points A and B near to a positive charge q as shown in figure
5.7. To calculate the potential difference V
B
-V
A
we assume a test charge q
o
is moved without acceleration from A to B.
E B A
Oq
o
Oq E
o F
Ddl
R r
Figure 5.7
In the figure above the electric field E is directed to the right and dl to the
left.
Edl dl E l d E = =
180 cos .
r r
(5.10)
However when we move a distance dl to the left, we are moving in a
direction of decreasing r. Thus
r d l d
r
r
= (5.11)
Therefore
-Edl=Edr (5.12)
= =
B
A
r
r
B
A
A B
r d E l d E V V
r
r r r
. . (5.13)
Substitute for E
2
4
1
r
q
E
= Q (5.14)
We get
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= =
A B
r
r
A B
r r
q
r
dr q
V V
B
A
1 1
4 4
2
(5.15)
q .
5.5 The potential due to a point charge
If we choose A at infinity then V
A
=0 (i.e. r
A
) this lead to the potential
at distance r from a charge q is given by
r
q
V
4
1
= (5.16)
This equation shows that the
equipotential surfaces for a charge
are spheres concentric with the
charge as shown in figure 5.8.
.
Figure 5.8
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.6 The potential due to a point charge
V = V
1
+ V
2
+ V
3
+ ...........+ V
n
(5.17)
= =
n
n
n
n
n
r
q
V V
4
1
(5.18)
q
.
Example 5.3
What must the magnitude of an isolated positive charge be for the
electric potential at 10 cm from the charge to be +100V?
Solution
r
q
V
4
1
=
C r V q
9 12 2
10 1 . 1 1 . 0 10 9 . 8 4 100 4
= = =
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Example 5.4
What is the potential at the center of the square shown in figure 5.9?
Assume that q
1
= +1 10
-8
C, q
2
= -210
-8
C, q
3
=+310
-8
C, q
4
=+210
-8
C,
and a=1m.
Solution
r
q q q q
V V
n
n
4 3 2
1
4
1
+ + +
= =
The distance r for each charge from P is 0.71m
V V 500
71 . 0
10 ) 2 3 2 1 ( 10 9
8 9
=
+ +
=
Example 5.5
Calculate the electric potential due to an electric dipole as shown in
figure 5.10.
Figure 5.10
P
Qq
4
Qq
1
Qq
3
Q2q
2
Aa Aa
Aa
Aa
Figure 5.9
r
1
r
r
2
+q
-q
2a
P
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Solution
V = V
n
= V
1
+ V
2
V =
1 2
1 2
2 1
r r
r r
Kq
r
q
r
q
K
=
When r>>2a,
r
2
- r
1
2acos and r
1
r
2
r
2
,
V =
2 2
cos cos 2
r
p
K
r
a
Kq
= (5.19)
where p is the dipole momentum
Note that V = 0 when =90
o
but V has the maximum positive value when
=0
o
and V has the maximum negative value when =180
o
.
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5.7 Electric Potential Energy
The definition of the electric potential energy of a system of charges is the
work required to bring them from infinity to that configuration.
To workout the electric potential energy for a system of charges, assume a
charge q
2
at infinity and at rest as shown in figure 5.11. If q
2
is moved from
infinity to a distance r from another charge q
1
, then the work required is
given by
W=Vq
2
r
q
V
1
4
1
= Q
Substitute for V in the equation of work
12
2 1
4
1
r
q q
W U
= = (5.20)
r
q q
U
4
2 1
= (5.21)
To calculate the potential energy for systems containing more than two
charges we compute the potential energy for every pair of charges
separately and to add the results algebraically.
=
ij
j i
r
q q
U
4
(5.22)
.
If the total electric potential energy of a system of charges is positive this
correspond to a repulsive electric forces, but if the total electric potential
energy is negative this correspond to attractive electric forces. (explain
why?)
r
q
1 q
2
Figure 5.11
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.6
Three charges are held fixed as
shown in figure 5.12. What is the
potential energy? Assume that
q=1 10
-7
C and a=10cm.
Solution
U=U
12
+U
13
+U
23
+
+
+ +
+
+
=
a
q q
a
q q
a
q q
U
) 2 )( 4 ( ) 2 )( ( ) )( (
4
1
a
q
U
2
4
10
=
J U
3
2 7 9
10 9
1 . 0
) 10 1 )( 10 ( 10 9
=
=
.
.
Aa
Aa
Aa
-4q
+2q +1q
Figure 5.12
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5.8 Calculation of E from V
As we have learned that both the electric field and the electric potential can
be used to evaluate the electric effects. Also we have showed how to
calculate the electric potential from the electric field now we determine the
electric field from the electric potential by the following relation.
dl
dV
E =
r
(5.23)
New unit for the electric field is volt/meter (v/m)
.
equipotential surfaces .
Example 5.7
Calculate the electric field for a point charge q, using the equation
r
q
V
4
1
=
Solution
= =
r
q
dr
d
dl
dV
E
4
1
2
4
1 1
4 r
q
r dr
d q
E
=
=
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.9 Solution of some selected problems
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Example 5.8
Two charges of 2C and -6C are
located at positions (0,0) m and (0,3) m,
respectively as shown in figure 5.13. (i)
Find the total electric potential due to
these charges at point (4,0) m.
(ii) How much work is required to
bring a 3C charge from to the point
P?
(iii) What is the potential energy for
the three charges?
Solution
V
p
= V
1
+ V
2
+ =
2
2
1
1
4
1
r
q
r
q
V
3
6 6
9
10 3 . 6
5
10 6
4
10 2
10 9 =
=
V volt
(ii) the work required is given by
W = q
3
V
p
= 3 10
-6
-6.3 10
3
= -18.9 10
-3
J
The -ve sign means that work is done by the charge for the movement from
to P.
(iii) The potential energy is given by
U = U
12
+ U
13
+ U
23
Joule U
k U
2
6 6 6 6 6 6
10 5 . 5
5
) 10 3 )( 10 6 (
4
) 10 3 )( 10 2 (
3
) 10 6 )( 10 2 (
+
+
=
-6
+2
P
(4,0) (0,0)
(0,3)
Figure 5.13
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.9
A particle having a charge q=310
-9
C moves from point a to point b
along a straight line, a total distance d=0.5m. The electric field is
uniform along this line, in the direction from a to b, with magnitude
E=200N/C. Determine the force on q, the work done on it by the
electric field, and the potential difference V
a
-V
b
.
Solution
The force is in the same direction as the electric field since the charge is
positive; the magnitude of the force is given by
F =qE = 310
-9
200 = 60010
-9
N
The work done by this force is
W =Fd = 60010
-9
0.5 = 30010
-9
J
The potential difference is the work per unit charge, which is
V
a
-V
b
= W/q = 100V
Or
V
a
-V
b
= Ed = 200 0.5 = 100V
Example 5.10
Point charge of +1210
-9
C and
-1210
-9
C are placed 10cm part as
shown in figure 5.14. Compute the
potential at point a, b, and c.
Compute the potential energy of a
point charge +410
-9
C if it placed at
points a, b, and c.
A a Ab
A c
+2q
2
+2q
1
10cm
4cm 6cm 4cm
10cm
Figure 5.14
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Solution
We need to use the following equation at each point to calculate the
potential,
= =
i
i
n
n
r
q
V V
4
1
At point a
V V
a
900
04 . 0
10 12
06 . 0
10 12
10 9
9 9
9
=
=
At point b
V V
b
1930
14 . 0
10 12
04 . 0
10 12
10 9
9 9
9
=
=
At point c
V V
c
0
14 . 0
10 12
1 . 0
10 12
10 9
9 9
9
=
=
We need to use the following equation at each point to calculate the
potential energy,
U = qV
At point a
U
a
= qV
a
= 410
-9
(-900) = -3610
-7
J
At point b
U
b
= qV
b
= 410
-9
1930 = +7710
-7
J
At point c
U
c
= qV
c
= 410
-9
0 = 0
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.11
A charge q is distributed throughout a nonconducting spherical volume
of radius R. (a) Show that the potential at a distance r from the center
where r < R, is given by
3
2 2
8
) 3 (
R
r R q
V
=
Solution
A
A .
=
l d E V VB
r r
.
.
2
4 r
q
E
out
=
3
4 R
qr
E
in
=
V
A
- V
= (V
A
- V
B
) + (V
B
- V
)
=
l d E l d E V V
out in A
r r r r
. .
dl & E 180
o
cos180= -1 dl = -dr
V
A
- V
= -
3
4 R
qr
dr -
2
4 r
q
dr
= -
2 4
2
3
r
R
q
r
q 1
4
=
3
2 2
8
) 3 (
R
r R q
A
A
R
q
V
4
=
.
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Example 5.12
For the charge configuration shown in figure 5.15, Show that V(r) for
the points on the vertical axis, assuming r >> a, is given by
+ =
2
2
4
1
r
aq
r
q
V
Solution
V
p
= V
1
+ V
2
+ V
3
) ( 4 4 ) ( 4 a r
q
r
q
a r
q
V
+
+
=
r
q
a r
a r q a r q
4 ) ( 4
) ( ) (
2 2
+
+
r
q
r a r
aq
4 ) / 1 ( 4
2
2 2 2
+
when r>>a then a
2
/r
2
<<1
r
q
r a
r
aq
V
4
) / 1 (
4
2
1
2 2
2
+ =
(1 + x)
n
= 1 + nx when x<<1
r
q
r a
r
aq
V
4
) / 1 (
4
2
2 2
2
+ + =
a
2
/r
2
1
+ =
2
2
4
1
r
aq
r
q
V
+q
+q
-q
a
r
a
P
Figure 5.15
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.13
Derive an expression for the work
required to put the four charges together
as indicated in figure 5.16.
Solution
The work required to put these charges
together is equal to the total electric potential
energy.
U = U
12
+ U
13
+ U
14
+ U
23
+ U
24
+ U
34
+ +
=
a
q
a
q
a
q
a
q
a
q
a
q
U
2 2 2 2 2 2
2 2
4
1
=
a
q
a
q
U
2
2 4
4
1
2 2
a
q
a
q q
U
2
2 2
2 . 0
2
2 4 2
4
1
=
+
=
The minus sign indicates that there is attractive force between the charges
In Example 5.13 assume that if all the charges are positive, prove that
the work required to put the four charges together is
a
q
U
2
41 . 5
4
1
=
Q+q
Q+q
Aa Aa
Aa
A a
Q-q
Q-q
Figure 5.16
Electric Potential Difference
www.hazemsakeek.com
Example 5.14
In the rectangle shown in figure 5.17, q
1
= -5x10
-6
C and q
2
= 2x10
-6
C
calculate the work required to move a charge q
3
= 3x10
-6
C from B to A
along the diagonal of the rectangle.
Figure 5.17
Solution
from the equation V
B
-V
A
= W
AB
/ q
o
V
A
= V
1
+ V
2
& V
B
= V
1
+ V
2
+
=
05 . 0
10 2
15 . 0
10 5
4
6 6
q
VA
= 6 10
4
V
+
=
15 . 0
10 2
05 . 0
10 5
4
6 6
q
VB
= -7.8 10
4
V
W
BA
= (V
A
- V
B
) q
3
=(6 10
4
+ 7.8 10
4
) 3 10
-6
= 0.414 Joule
B
A
q
2
15cm
5cm
q
1
q
3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 5.15
Two large parallel conducting plates are 10 cm a part and carry equal
but opposite charges on their facing surfaces as shown in figure 5.18.
An electron placed midway between the two plates experiences a force
of 1.6 10
-15
N.
What is the potential difference between the plates?
Solution
V
B
-V
A
=Ed
F = eE E = F/e
V
B
-V
A
= 10000 0.1 = 1000 volt
A
B
E
10cm
Figure 5.18
Electric Potential Difference
www.hazemsakeek.com
5.10 Problems
5.1) What potential difference is
needed to stop an electron with an
initial speed of 4.210
5
m/s?
5.2) An ion accelerated through a
potential difference of 115V
experiences an increase in potential
energy of 7.3710
-17
J. Calculate the
charge on the ion.
5.3) How much energy is gained by
a charge of 75 C moving through
a potential difference of 90V?
5.4) An infinite charged sheet has a
surface charge density of 1.010
-
7
C/m
2
. How far apart are the
equipotential surfaces whose
potentials differ by 5.0 V?
5.5) At what distance from a point
charge of 8C would the potential
equal 3.610
4
V?
5.6) At a distance r away from a
point charge q, the electrical
potential is V=400V and the
magnitude of the electric field is
E=150N/C. Determine the value of
q and r.
5.7) Calculate the value of the
electric potential at point P due to
the charge configuration shown in
Figure 5.19. Use the values
q
1
=5C, q
2
=-10C, a=0.4m, and
b=0.5m.
-
- +
+
q
1
q
2
q
2
q
1
P
b
b
a
a
Figure 5.19
5.8) Two point charges are located
as shown in Figure 5.20, where
q
l
=+4C, q
2
=-2C, a=0.30m, and
b =0.90m. Calculate the value of
the electrical potential at points P
1
,
and P
2
. Which point is at the
higher potential?
+
-
b
b
a
a
q
1
q
2
P
2
P
1
x
y
Figure 5.20
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
5.9) Consider a point charge with
q=1.510
-6
C. What is the radius of
an equipotential surface having a
potential of 30V?
5.10) Two large parallel conducting
plates are 10cm apart and carry
equal and opposite charges on their
facing surfaces. An electron placed
midway between the two plates
experiences a force of 1.610
15
N.
What is the potential difference
between the plates?
5.11) A point charge has q=1.010
-
6
C. Consider point A which is 2m
distance and point B which is 1m
distance as shown in the figure
5.21(a). (a) What is the potential
difference V
A
-V
B
? (b) Repeat if
points A and B are located
differently as shown in figure
5.21(b).
q
A B
Figure 5.21(a)
q
A
B
Figure 5.21(b)
5.12) In figure 5.22 prove that the
work required to put four charges
together on the corner of a square
of radius a is given by (w=-
0.21q
2
/
a).
- q
- q a
a
+q
+q
Figure 5.22
5.13) Two charges q=+210
-6
C are
fixed in space a distance d=2cm)
apart, as shown in figure 5.23 (a)
What is the electric potential at
point C? (b) You bring a third
charge q=2.010
-6
C very slowly
from infinity to C. How much
work must you do? (c) What is the
potential energy U of the
configuration when the third charge
is in place?
q q
O
C
1/2d 1/2d
1/2d
Figure 5.23
Electric Potential Difference
www.hazemsakeek.com
5.14) Four equal point charges of
charge q=+5C are located at the
corners of a 30cm by 40cm
rectangle. Calculate the electric
potential energy stored in this
charge configuration.
5.15) Two point charges, Q
1
=+5nC
and Q
2
=-3nC, are separated by
35cm. (a) What is the potential
energy of the pair? What is the
significance of the algebraic sign of
your answer? (b) What is the
electric potential at a point midway
between the charges?
Part 1
Principles of Electrostatic
Coulombs Law
Electric Field
Gausss Law
Electric Potential Difference
Attempt the following question after the
completion of part 1
Multiple choice question for part 1
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110
[1] Two small beads having positive charges 3 and 1 are fixed on the
opposite ends of a horizontal insulating rod, extending from the origin to the
point x=d. As in Figure 1, a third small, charged bead is free to slide on the
rod. At what position is the third bead in equilibrium?
+3q +q
d
Figure 1
a. x =0.366d
b. x =0.634d
c. x =0.900d
d. x =2.37d
[2] Two identical conducting small spheres are placed with their centers
0.300m apart. One is given a charge of 12.0nC and the other one a charge of
18.0nC. (a) Find the electrostatic force exerted on one sphere by the other.
(b) The spheres are connected by a conducting wire. After equilibrium has
occurred, find the electrostatic force between the two.
a. (a) 2.16 10
-5
N attraction; (b) 0 N repulsion
b. (a) 6.47 10
-6
N repulsion; (b) 2.70 10
-7
N attraction
c. (a) 2.16 10
-5
N attraction; (b) 8.99 10
-7
N repulsion
d. (a) 6.47 10
-6
N attraction; (b) 2.25 10
-5
N repulsion
[3] An electron is projected at an angle of 40.0
o
above the horizontal at a
speed of 5.20 10
5
m/s in a region where the electric field is E = 3 50 j N/C.
Neglect gravity and find (a) the time it takes the electron to return to its
maximum height, (h) the maximum height it reaches and (c) its horizontal
displacement when it reaches its maximum height.
a. (a) 1.09 10
-8
s; (b) 0.909 mm; (c) 2.17 m
b. (a) 1.69 10
-8
s; (b) 2.20 mm; (c) 4.40 m
c. (a) 1.09 10
-8
s; (b) 4.34 mm; (c) 0.909 m
d. (a) 1.30 10
-8
s; (b) 1.29 mm; (c) 2.17 m
[4] Two identical metal blocks resting on a frictionless horizontal surface are
connected by a light metal spring for which the spring constant is k 175 N/m
and the unscratched length is 0.350 m as in Figure 2a.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
111
m m
k
m m
k
a b
Figure 2
A charge Q is slowly placed on the system causing the spring to stretch to an
equilibrium length of 0.460 m as in Figure 2b. Determine the value of Q,
assuming that all the charge resides in the blocks and that the blocks can be
treated as point charges.
a. 64.8 C
b. 32.4 C
c. 85.1 C
d. 42.6 C
[5] A small plastic ball 1.00 g in mass is suspended by a 24.0 cm long string
in a uniform electric field as shown in Figure P23.52.
E=1.5x10
3
i N/C
24cm
m=1g
23
o
y
x
Figure 3
If the ball is in equilibrium when the string makes a 23.0
o
angle with the
vertical, what is the net charge on the ball?
a. 36.1 C
b. 15.4 C
c. 6.5 3 C
d. 2.77 C
[6] An object having a net charge of 24.0 C is placed in a uniform electric
field of 6 10 N/C directed vertically. What is the mass of the object if it
"floats" in the field?
Multiple choice question for part 1
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112
a. 0.386 g
b. 0.669 g
c. 2.59 g
d. 1.49 g
[7] Four identical point charges (q =+14.0 C) are located on the corners of
a rectangle as shown in Figure 4.
q q
q q
L
W
Figure 4
The dimensions of the rectangle are L = 55.0 cm and W= 13.0 cm.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net electric force exerted on the
charge at the lower left corner by the other three charges. (Call the lower left
corner of the rectangle the origin.)
a. 106 mN @ 264
o
b. 7.58 mN @ 13.3
o
c. 7.58 mN @ 84.0
o
d. 106 mN @ 193
o
[8] An electron and proton are each placed at rest in an electric field of 720
N/C. Calculate the speed of each particle 44.0 ns after being released.
a. v
e
=1.27 10
6
m/S, v
p
=6.90 10
3
m/s
b. v
e
=5.56 10
6
m/S, v
p
= 3.04 10
3
m/s
c. v
e
. =1.27 10
14
m/S, v
p
=6.90 10
10
m/s
d. v
e
=3.04 10
3
m/S, v
p
=5.56 10
6
m/s
[9] Three point charges are arranged as shown in Figure 5.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
113
y
x
4 nC 3 nC
-2 nC
0.175 m
0.250 m
Figure 5
(a) Find the vector electric field that the 4.00 nC and -2.00 nC charges
together create at the origin. (b) Find the vector force on the 3.00 nC charge.
a. (a) (0.144i - 0.103 j) kN/C; (b) (0.432i - 0.308j) N
b. (a) (-0.575i - 0.587j ) kN/C; (b) (-1.73i- 1.76j) N
c. (a) (-0.144i - 0.103j) kN/C; (b) (-0.432i - 0.308j) N
d. (a) (-0.575i +0.587j) kN/C; (b) (-1.73i +1.76j) N
[10] Two 1.00 C point charges are located on the x axis. One is at x = 0.60
m, and the other is at x =-0.60 m. (a) Determine the electric field on the y
axis at x = 0.90 m. (b) Calculate the electric force on a -5.00 C charge
placed on the y axis at y = 0.90 m.
a. (a) (8.52 10
3
i +1.28 l0
4
j)N/C; (b) (-4.62 l0
-2
i 6.39 10
-2
j)N
b. (a) 8.52 10
3
j N/C; (b) -4.26 10
-2
j N
c. (a) 1.28 10
4
j N/C; (b) -6.39 10
-2
j N
d. (a) -7.68 10
3
N/C; (b) 3.84 10
-2
j N
[11] A 14.0C charge located at the origin of a cartesian coordinate system
is surrounded by a nonconducting hollow sphere of radius 6.00 cm. A drill
with a radius of 0.800 mm is aligned along the z-axis, and a hole is drilled
in the sphere. Calculate the electric flux through the hole.
a. 176 Nm
2
/C
b.4.22 Nm
2
/C
c. 0 Nm
2
/C
d. 70.3 Nm
2
/C
[12] An electric field of intensity 2.50 kN/C is applied along the x-axis.
Calculate the electric flux through a rectangular plane 0.450 m wide and
Multiple choice question for part 1
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114
0.800 m long if (a) the plane is parallel to the yz plane; (b) the plane is
parallel to the xy plane; (c) the.plane contains the y-axis and its normal
makes an angle of 30.0
o
with the x-axis.
a. (a) 900 Nm
2
/C; (b) 0 Nm
2
/C; (c) 779 Nm
2
/C
b. (a) 0 Nm
2
/C; (b) 900 Nm
2
/C; (c) 779 Nm
2
/C
c. (a) 0 Nm
2
/C; (b) 900 Nm
2
/C; (c) 450 Nm
2
/C
d. (a) 900 Nm
2
/C; (b) 0 Nm
2
/C; (c) 450 Nm
2
/C
[13] A conducting spherical shell of radius 13.0 cm carries a net charge of -
7.40 C uniformly distributed on its surface. Find the electric field at
points (a) just outside the shell and (b) inside the shell.
a. (a) (-7.88 mN/C)r; (b) (-7.88 mN/C)r
b. (a) (7.88 mN/C)r; (b) (0 mN/C)r
c. (a) (-3.94 rnN/C)r; (b) (0 mN/C)r
d. (a) (3.94 mN/C)r; (b) (3.94 mN/C)r
[14] A point charge of 0.0562 C is inside a pyramid. Determine the total
electric flux through the surface of the pyramid.
a.1.27 10
3
Nm
2
/C
2
b.6.35 10
3
Nm
2
/C
2
c. 0 Nm
2
/C
2
d. 3.18 10
4
Nm
2
/C
2
[15] A large flat sheet of charge has a charge per unit area of 7.00 C/m
2
.
Find the electric field intensity just above the surface of the sheet, measured
from its midpoint.
a. 7.91 10
5
N/C up
b. 1.98 10
5
N/C up
c. 3.95 10
5
N/C up
d. 1.58 10
6
N/C up
[16] The electric field on the surface of an irregularly shaped conductor
varies from 60.0 kN/C to 24.0 kN/C. Calculate the local surface charge
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
115
density at the point on the surface where the radius of curvature of the
surface is (a) greatest and (b) smallest.
a. 0.531 C/m
2
; (b) 0.2l2, C/m
2
b. l.06, C/m
2
; (b) 0.425 C/m
2
c. 0.425, C/m
2
; (b) 1.06C/m
2
d. 0.212 C/m
2
; (b) 0.531 C/m
2
[17] A square plate of copper with 50.0 cm sides has no net charge and is
placed in a region of uniform electric field of 80.0 kN/C directed
perpendicular to the plate. Find (a) the charge density of each face of the
plate and (b) the total charge on each face.
a. (a) = 0.708 C/m
2
; (b) Q =0.0885 C
b. (a) = 1.42 C/m
2
; (b) Q = 0.354 C
c. (a) = 0.708 C/m
2
; (b) Q = 0.177 C
d. (a) = 1.42 C/m
2
; (b) Q = 0.177 C
[18] The following charges are located inside a submarine: 5.00C, -9.00C,
27.0C and -84.0C. (a) Calculate the net electric flux through the
submarine. (b) Is the number of electric field lines leaving the submarine
greater than, equal to, or less than the number entering it?
a. (a) 1.41 10
7
Nm
2
/C; (b) greater than
b. (a) -6.89 10
6
Nm
2
/C; (b) less than
c. (a) -6.89 10
6
Nm
2
/C; (b) equal to
d. (a) 1.41 10
7
Nm
2
/C; (b) equal to
[19] A solid sphere of radius 40.0 cm has a total positive charge of 26.0C
uniformly distributed throughout its volume. Calculate the magnitude of the
electric field at 90.0 cm.
a. (2.89 10
5
N/C)r
b. (3.29 10
6
N/C)r
c. 0 N/C
d. (1.46 10
6
N/C)r
Multiple choice question for part 1
www.hazemsakeek.com
116
[20] A charge of 190 C is at the center of a cube of side 85.0 cm long. (a)
Find the total flux through each face of the cube. (b) Find the flux through
the whole surface of the cube.
a. (a) 3.58 10
6
Nm
2
/C; (b) 2.15 10
7
Nm
2
/C
b. (a) 4.10 10
7
Nm
2
/C; (b) 4.10 10
7
Nm
2
/C
c. (a) 1.29 10
8
Nm
2
/C; (b) 2.15 10
7
Nm
2
/C
d. (a) 6.83 10
6
Nm
2
/C; (b) 4.10 10
7
Nm
2
/C
[21] A 30.0 cm diameter loop is rotated in a uniform electric field until the
position of maximum electric flux is found. The flux in this position is
found to be 3.20 x 105 Nm2/C. What is the electric field strength?
a. 3.40 10
5
N/C
b. 4.53 10
6
N/C
c. 1.13 10
6
N/C
d. 1.70 10
5
N/C
[22] Consider a thin spherical shell of radius 22.0 cm with a total charge of
34.0C distributed uniformly on its surface. Find the magnitude of the
electric field (a) 15.0 cm and (b) 30.0 cm from the center of the charge
distribution.
a. (a) 6.32 10
6
N/C; (b) 3.40 10
6
N/C
b. (a) 0 N/C; (b) 6.32 10
6
N/C
c. (a) 1.36 10
7
N/C; (b) 3.40 10
6
N/C
d. (a) 0 N/C; (b) 3.40 10
6
N/C
[23] A long, straight metal rod has a radius of 5.00 cm and a charge per unit
length of 30.0 nC/m. Find the electric field 100.0 cm from the axis of the
rod, where distances area measured perpendicular to the rod.
a. (1.08 10
4
N/C)r
b. (2.70 10
2
N/C)r
c. (5.39 10
2
N/C)r
d. (0 N/C)r
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
117
[24] A solid conducting sphere of radius 2.00 cm has a charge of 8.00 C. A
conducting spherical shell of inner radius 4.00 cm and outer radius 5.00 cm
is concentric with the solid sphere and has a charge of -4.00 C. Find the
electric field at r = 7.00 cm from the center of this charge configuration.
a. (2.20 10
7
N/C)r
b. (4.32 10
7
N/C)r
c. (7.34 10
6
N/C)r
d. (1.44 10
7
N/C)r
[25] The electric field everywhere on the surface of a thin spherical shell of
radius 0.650 m is measured to be equal to 790 N/C and points radially
toward the center of the sphere. (a) What is the net charge within the sphere's
surface? (b) What can you conclude about the nature and distribution of the
charge inside the spherical shell?
a. (a) 3.7110
-8
C; (b) The charge is negative, its distribution is
spherically symmetric.
b. (a) 3.71 10
-8
C; (b) The charge is positive, its distribution
is uncertain.
c. (a) 1.9310
-4
C; (b) The charge is positive, its distribution is
spherically symmetric.
d. (a) 1.9310
-4
C; (b) The charge is negative, its distribution
is uncertain.
[26] Four identical point charges (q =+16.0 C) are located on the corners
of a rectangle, as shown in Figure 6.
q q
q q
L
W
Figure 6
The dimensions of the rectangle are L 70.0 cm and W= 30.0 cm. Calculate
the electric potential energy of the charge at the lower left corner due to the
other three charges.
a. 14.9 J
Multiple choice question for part 1
www.hazemsakeek.com
118
b. 7.94 J
c. 14.0 J
d. 34.2 J
[27] The three charges in Figure 7 are at the vertices of an isosceles triangle.
q
-q -q
2 cm
4 cm
Figure 7
Calculate the electric potential at the midpoint of the base, taking q=7.00 C.
a. -14.2 mV
b. 11.0 mV
c. 14.2 mV
d. -11.0mV
[28] An insulating rod having a linear charge density =40.0 C/m and linear
mass density 0.100 kg/m is released from rest in a uniform electric field
E=100 V/m directed perpendicular to the rod (Fig. 8).
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
119
E
E
Figure 8
(a) Determine the speed of the rod after it has traveled 2.00 m. (b)
How does your answer to part (a) change if the electric field is not
perpendicular to the rod?
a. (a) 0.200 m/s; (b) decreases
b. (a) 0.400 m/s; (b) the same
c. (a) 0.400 m/s; (b) decreases
d. (a) 0.200 m/s; (b) increases
[29] A spherical conductor has a radius of 14.0 cm and a charge of 26.0C.
Calculate the electric field and the electric potential at r = 50.0 cm from the
center.
a. 9.35 10
5
N/C, 1.67 mV
b. 1.19 10
7
N/C, 0.468 mV
c. 9.35 10
5
N/C, 0.468 mV
d. 1.19 10
7
N/C, 1.67 mV
[30] How many electrons should be removed from an initially unchanged
spherical conductor of radius 0.200 m to produce a potential of 6.50 kV at
the surface?
a. 1.81 10
11
b. 2.38 10
15
c. 9.04 10
11
d. 1.06 10
15
[31] An ion accelerated through a potential difference of 125 V experiences
an increase in kinetic energy of 9.37 10
-17
J . Calculate the charge on the
ion.
Multiple choice question for part 1
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120
a. 1.33 10
18
C
b. 7.50 10
-19
C
c. 1. 17 10
-14
C
d. 1.60 10
-19
C
[32] How much work is done (by a battery, generator, or some other source
of electrical energy) in moving Avagadro's number of electrons from an
initial point where the electric potential is 9.00 V to a point where the
potential is -5.00 V? (The potential in each case is measured relative to a
common reference point.)
a. 0.482 MJ
b. 0.385 MJ
c. 1.35 MJ
d. 0.867 MJ
[33] At a certain distance from a point charge, the magnitude of the electric
field is 600 V/m and the electric potential is -4.00 kV. (a) What is the
distance to the charge? (b) What is the magnitude of the charge?
a. (a) 0.150 m; (b) 0.445 C
b. (a) 0.150 m; (b) -1.50 C
c. (a) 6.67 m; (b) 2.97 C
d. (a) 6.67 m; (b) -2.97 C
[34] An electron moving parallel to the x-axis has an initial speed of 3.70
10
6
m/s at the origin. Its speed is reduced to 1.40 10
5
m/s at the point x =
2.00 cm. Calculate the potential difference between the origin and that
point. Which point is at the higher potential?
a. -38.9 V, the origin
b. 19.5 V, x
c. 38.9 V, x
d. -19.5 V, the origin
pppppppppppppppppp
Solution of the multiple choice questions
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
121
Q. No. Answer Q. No. Answer
1 b 18 b
2 c 19 a
3 a 20 a
4 d 21 b
5 d 22 d
6 d 23 c
7 a 24 c
8 b 25 a
9 b 26 c
10 c 27 d
11 d 28 b
12 a 29 c
13 c 30 c
14 b 31 b
15 c 32 c
16 d 33 d
17 c 34 a
pppppppppppppppppp
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Applications of Electrostatic
Part 2
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
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Capacitors and Capacitance
6.1 Capacitor
6.2 Definition of capacitance
6.3 Calculation of capacitance
6.3.1 Parallel plate capacitor
6.3.2 Cylindrical capacitor
6.3.3 Spherical capacitor
6.4 Combination of capacitors
6.4.1 Capacitors in parallel
6.4.2 Capacitors in series
4.5 Energy stored in a charged capacitor (in electric field)
6.6 Capacitor with dielectric
6.7 problems
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Capacitors and Capacitance
Capacitors
. .
.
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6.1 Capacitor
A capacitor consists of two conductors separated by
an insulator Figure 6.1. The capacitance of the
capacitor depends on the geometry of the
conductors and on the material separating the
charged conductors, called dielectric that is an
insulating material. The two conductors carry equal
and opposite charge +q and -q.
6.2 Definition of capacitance
The capacitance C of a capacitor is defined
as the ratio of the magnitude of the charge
on either conductor to the magnitude of the
potential difference between them as shown
in Figure 6.2.
V
q
C = (6.1)
The capacitance C has a unit of C/v, which
is called farad F
F = C/v
The farad is very big unit and hence we use submultiples of farad
1F = 10
-6
F
1nF = 10
-9
F
1pF = 10
-12
F
The capacitor in the circuit is represented by the symbol shown in Figure
6.3.
1+q
1-q
Conductor
Insulator
Figure 6.1
Capacitor
Electric field
Battery
Figure 6.2
Figure 6.3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
6.3 Calculation of capacitance
The most common type of capacitors are:-
Parallel-plate capacitor
Cylindrical capacitor
Spherical capacitor
We are going to calculate the capacitance of parallel plate capacitor using
the information we learned in the previous chapters and make use of the
equation (6.1).
6.3.1 Parallel plate capacitor
Two parallel plates of equal area A are separated by distance d as shown in
figure 6.4 bellow. One plate charged with +q, the other -q.
1+q
1-q
dd
Gaussian
surface
Figure 6.4
The capacitance is given by
V
q
C =
First we need to evaluate the electric field E to workout the potential V.
Using gauss law to find E, the charge per unit area on either plate is
= q/A. (6.2)
A
q
E
= = (6.3), (4.9)
The potential difference between the plates is equal to Ed, therefore
A
qd
Ed V
= = (6.4)
The capacitance is given by
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A qd
q
V
q
C
= = (6.5)
d
A
C
= (6.6)
Notice that the capacitance of the parallel plates capacitor is depends on the
geometrical dimensions of the capacitor.
The capacitance is proportional to the area of the plates and inversely
proportional to distance between the plates.
) 6.6 (
.
Example 6.1
An air-filled capacitor consists of two plates, each with an area of
7.6cm
2
, separated by a distance of 1.8mm. If a 20V potential difference
is applied to these plates, calculate,
(a) the electric field between the plates,
(b) the surface charge density,
(c) the capacitance, and
(d) the charge on each plate.
Solution
(a) m V
d
V
E
4
3
10 11 . 1
10 8 . 1
20
=
= =
(b)
2 8 4 12
10 83 . 9 ) 10 11 . 1 )( 10 85 . 8 ( m C E
= = =
(c) F
d
A
C
12
3
4 12
10 74 . 3
10 8 . 1
) 10 6 . 7 )( 10 85 . 8 (
= =
(d) C CV q
11 12
10 48 . 7 ) 20 )( 10 74 . 3 (
= = =
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
6.3.2 Cylindrical capacitor
In the same way we can calculate the capacitance of cylindrical capacitor,
the result is as follow
( ) a b
l
C
ln
2
= (6.7)
Where l is the length of the cylinder, a is the radius of the inside cylinder,
and b the radius of the outer shell cylinder.
6.3.3 Spherical Capacitor
In the same way we can calculate the capacitance of spherical capacitor, the
result is as follow
a b
ab
C
=
4
(6.8)
Where a is the radius of the inside sphere, and b is the radius of the outer
shell sphere.
Example 6.2
An air-filled spherical capacitor is constructed with inner and outer
shell radii of 7 and 14cm, respectively. Calculate,
(a) The capacitance of the device,
(b) What potential difference between the spheres will result in a
charge of 4C on each conductor?
Solution
(a) F
a b
ab
C
11
12
10 56 . 1
) 07 . 0 14 . 0 (
) 14 . 0 )( 07 . 0 )( 10 85 . 8 4 ( 4
(b) V
C
q
V
5
11
6
10 56 . 2
10 56 . 1
10 4
=
= =
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6.4 Combination of capacitors
Some times the electric circuit consist of more than two capacitors, which
are, connected either in parallel or in series the equivalent capacitance is
evaluated as follow
6.4.1 Capacitors in parallel:
In parallel connection the capacitors are connected as shown in figure 6.5
below where the above plates are connected together with the positive
terminal of the battery, and the bottom plates are connected to the negative
terminal of the battery.
V
C
2
C
3
C
1
Cq
1
Cq
2
Cq
3
Figure 6.5
In this case the potential different across each capacitor is equal to the
voltage of the battery V
i.e. V=V
1
=V
2
=V
3
The charge on each capacitor is
3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1
; ; V C q V C q V C q = = =
The total charge is
V C C C q
q q q q
) (
3 2 1
3 2 1
+ + =
+ + =
V
q
C = Q
The Equivalent capacitance is
3 2 1
C C C C + + = (6.9)
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
6.4.2 Capacitors in series:
In series connection the capacitors are connected as shown in figure 6.6
below where the above plates are connected together with the positive
V
C
2
C
3
C
1
V
1
V
2
V
3
1-q 1-q 1-q 1+q 1+q 1+q
Figure 6.6
In this case the magnitude of the charge must be the same on each plate with
opposite sign
i.e. q=q
1
=q
2
=q
3
The potential across each capacitor is
3 3 2 2 1 1
/ ; / ; / C q V C q V C q V = = =
The total potential V is equal the sum of the potential across each capacitor
3 2 1
V V V V + + =
+ + =
3 2 1
1 1 1
C C C
q V
3 2 1
1 1 1
1
C C C
V
q
C
+ +
= =
The Equivalent capacitance is
3 2 1
1 1 1 1
C C C C
+ + = (6.10)
.
.
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Example 6.3
Find the equivalent capacitance between points a and b for the group of
capacitors shown in figure 6.7 . C
1
=1F, C
2
=2F, C
3
=3F, C
4
=4F,
C
5
=5F, and C
6
=6F.
C
5
C
2
C
6
C
3
C
4
C
1
aa
Ab
Ag
Ad Ae
Al
Ak
Am
Ah
(i)
Figure 6.7
Solution
First the capacitor C
3
and C
6
are connected in series so that the equivalent
capacitance C
de
is
F C
C
de
de
2 ;
3
1
6
1 1
= + =
Second C
1
and C
5
are connected in parallel
C
kl
=1+5=6F
The circuit become as shown below
aa
Ab
Ag
Ad Ae
Al
Ak
Am
Ah
2
2
4
6
(ii)
Continue with the same way to reduce the circuit for the capacitor C
2
and
C
de
to get C
gh
=4F
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
aa
Ab
Ag
Al
Ak
Am
Ah
4 4
6
(iii)
Capacitors C
mg
and C
gh
are connected in series the result is C
mh
=2F, The
circuit become as shown below
aa
Ab
Al
Ak
Am
Ah
2
6
(iv)
Capacitors C
mh
and C
kl
are connected in parallel the result is
aa
Ab
8
(v)
C
eq
=8F.
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Example 6.4
In the above example 6.3 determine the potential difference across each
capacitor and the charge on each capacitor if the total charge on all the
six capacitors is 384C.
Solution
First consider the equivalent capacitor C
eq
to find the potential between
points a and b (V
ab
)
V
C
Q
V
ab
ab
ab
48
8
384
= = =
Second notice that the potential V
kl
=V
ab
since the two capacitors between k
and l are in parallel, the potential across the capacitors C
1
and C
5
= 48V.
V
1
=48V and Q
1
=C
1
V
1
=48C
And for C5
V
5
=48V and Q
5
=C
5
V
5
=240C
For the circuit (iv) notice that V
mh
=V
ab
=48V, and
Q
mh
=C
mh
V
mh
=228=96C
Since the two capacitors shown in the circuit (iii) between points m and h
are in series, each will have the same charge as that of the equivalent
capacitor, i.e.
Q
mh
=Q
gh
=Q
mh
=96C
V
C
Q
V
mg
mg
mg
24
4
96
= = =
V
C
Q
V
gh
gh
gh
24
4
96
= = =
Therefore for C
4
, V
4
=24 and Q
4
=96C
In the circuit (ii) the two capacitor between points g and h are in parallel so
the potential difference across each is 24V.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Therefore for C
2
, V
2
=24V and Q
2
=C
2
V
2
=48C
Also in circuit (ii) the potential difference
V
de
=V
gh
=24V
And
Q
de
=C
de
V
de
=224=48C
The two capacitors shown in circuit (i) between points d and a are in series,
and therefore the charge on each is equal to Q
de
.
Therefore for C
6
, Q
6
=48C
V
C
Q
V 8
6
6
6
= =
For C
3
, Q
3
=48C and V
3
=Q
3
/C
3
=16V
The results can be summarized as follow:
Capacitor
Potential
Difference (V)
Charge
(C)
C
1
48 48
C
2
24 48
C
3
16 48
C
4
24 96
C
5
48 240
C
6
8 48
C
eq
48 384
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4.5 Energy stored in a charged capacitor (in electric field)
If the capacitor is connected to a power supply such as battery, charge will
be transferred from the battery to the plates of the capacitor. This is a
charging process of the capacitor which mean that the battery perform a
work to store energy between the plates of the capacitor.
Consider uncharged capacitor is connected to a battery as shown in figure
6.8, at start the potential across the plates is zero and the charge is zero as
well.
V
C
S
Figure 6.8
If the switch S is closed then the charging process will start and the potential
across the capacitor will rise to reach the value equal the potential of the
battery V in time t (called charging time).
S
.
Suppose that at a time t a charge q(t) has been transferred from the battery
to capacitor. The potential difference V(t) across the capacitor will be
q(t)/C. For the battery to transferred another amount of charge dq it will
perform a work dW
dq
C
q
Vdq dW = = (6.11)
The total work required to put a total charge Q on the capacitor is
C
Q
dq
C
q
dW W
Q
2
2
0
= = =
(6.12)
Using the equation q=CV
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
C
Q
U W
2
2
= = (6.13)
2
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
CV QV
C
Q
U = = = (6.14)
The energy per unit volume u (energy density) in parallel plate capacitor is
the total energy stored U divided by the volume between the plates Ad
Ad
CV
Ad
U
u
2
2
1
= = (6.15)
For parallel plate capacitor
d
A
C
=
2
2
=
d
V
u
(6.16)
2
2
1
E u
= (6.17)
Therefore the electric energy density is proportional with square of the
electric field.
U u .
.
) 6.14 ( & ) 6.17 (
.
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Example 6.5
Three capacitors of 8F, 10F and 14F are connected to a battery of
12V. How much energy does the battery supply if the capacitors are
connected (a) in series and (b) in parallel?
Solution
(a) For series combination
3 2 1
1 1 1 1
C C C C
+ + =
14
1
10
1
8
1 1
+ + =
C
This gives
C = 3.37 F
Then the energy U is
2
2
1
CV U =
U = 1/2 (3.3710
-6
) (12)
2
= 2.4310
-4
J
(b) For parallel combination
3 2 1
C C C C + + =
C= 8+10+14=32F
The energy U is
U = 1/2 (3210
-6
) (12)
2
= 2.310
-3
J
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 6.6
A capacitor C
1
is charged to a
potential difference V
o
. This
charging battery is then removed
and the capacitor is connected as
shown in figure 6.9 to an
uncharged capacitor C
2
,
(a) What is the final potential difference V
f
across the
combination?
(b) What is the stored energy before and after the switch S is
closed?
Solution
(a) The original charge q
o
is shared between the two capacitors since they
are connected in parallel. Thus
2 1
q q q + =
q=CV
f f
V C V C V C
2 1 1
+ =
2 1
1
C C
C
V V
f
+
=
(b) The initial stored energy is U
o
2
1 2
1
V C U =
The final stored energy U
f
=U
1
+U
2
2
2 1
1
2 1 2
1
2
2 2
1
2
1 2
1
) (
+
+ = + =
C C
C V
C C V C V C U
f f f
U
C C
C
U
f
+
=
2 1
1
Notice that U
f
is less than U
o
(Explain why)
V
o
C
1
Cq
o
C
2
S
Figure 6.9
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Example 6.7
Consider the circuit shown in figure 6.10 where
C
1
=6F, C
2
=3F, and V=20V. C
1
is first charged
by closing switch S
1
. S
1
is then opened, and the
charged capacitor C
1
is connected to the
uncharged capacitor C
2
by closing the switch S
2
.
Calculate the initial charge acquired by C
1
and
the final charge on each of the two capacitors.
Solution
When S
1
is closed, the charge on C
1
will be
Q
1
=C
1
V
1
=6F 20V=120C
When S
1
is opened and S
2
is closed, the total charge will remain constant
and be distributed among the two capacitors,
Q
1
=120C-Q
2
The potential across the two capacitors will be equal,
2
2
1
1
C
Q
C
Q
V = =
F
Q
F
Q F
3 6
120
2 2
=
Therefore,
Q
2
= 40C
Q
1
=120C-40C=80C
Figure 6.10
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 6.8
Consider the circuit shown in figure
6.11 where C
1
=4F, C
2
=6F, C
3
=2F,
and V=35V. C
1
is first charged by
closing switch S to point 1. S is then
connected to point 2 in the circuit.
(a) Calculate the initial charge
acquired by C
1
,
(b) Calculate the final charge on each of the three capacitors.
(c) Calculate the potential difference across each capacitor after
the switch is connected to point 2.
Solution
When switch S is connected to point 1, the potential difference on C
1
is
35V. Hence the charge Q
1
is given by
Q
1
= C
1
xV=4x35 =140C
When switch S is connected to point 2, the charge on C
1
will be distributed
among the three capacitors. Notice that C
2
and C
3
are connected in series,
therefore
6
4
2
1
6
1 1 1 1
3 2
= + = + =
C C C
F C 5 . 1 =
We know that the charges are distributed equally on capacitor connected in
series, but the charges are distributed with respect to their capacitance when
they are connected in parallel. Therefore,
C Q 8 . 101 4
5 . 1 4
140
1
=
+
=
But the charge Q on the capacitor C is
C Q 2 . 38 8 . 101 140 = =
S
1 2
Figure 6.11
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Since C
1
and C
2
are connected in series then
Q
2
=Q
3
=Q =38.2C
To find the potential difference on each capacitor we use the relation
V=Q/C
Then,
V
1
=25.45V
V
2
=6.37V
V
3
=19.1V
Example 6.9
Consider the circuit shown in figure 6.12 where C
1
=6F, C
2
=4F,
C
3
=12F, and V=12V.
V
Figure 6.12
(a) Calculate the equivalent capacitance,
(b) Calculate the potential difference across each capacitor.
(c) Calculate the charge on each of the three capacitors.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Solution
C
2
and C
3
are connected in parallel, therefore
C =C
2
+C
3
=4+12=16F
Now C is connected in series with C
1
, therefore the equivalent capacitance
is
48
11
16
1
6
1 1 1 1
1
= + = +
=
C C C
C = 4.36F
The total charge Q =CV = 4.36x12 = 52.36C
The charge will be equally distributed on the capacitor C
1
and C
Q
1
=Q =Q=52.36C
But Q = C V, therefore
V = 52.36/16=3.27 volts
The potential difference on C
1
is
V
1
=12-3.27=8.73volts
The potential difference on both C
2
and C
3
is equivalent to V since they
are connected in parallel.
V
2
= V
3
=3.27volts
Q
2
= C
2
V
2
= 13.08C
Q
3
= C
3
V
3
= 39.24C
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Example 6.9
Four capacitors are connected as shown in Figure 6.13. (a) Find the
equivalent capacitance between points a and b. (b) Calculate the charge
on each capacitor if V
ab
=15V.
aa
Ac
Ab
15uF 3uF
6uF
24uF
Figure 6.13
Solution
(a) We simplify the circuit as shown in the figure from (a) to (c).
aa
Ac
Ab
2.5uF
6uF
24uF
aa
Ac
Ab
2.5uF 24uF
aa Ab
5.96uF
(a) (b) (c)
Firs the 15F and 3F in series are equivalent to
F 5 . 2
) 3 / 1 ( ) 15 / 1 (
1
=
+
Next 2.5F combines in parallel with 6F, creating an equivalent
capacitance of 8.5F.
The 8.5F and 20F are in series, equivalent to
F 96 . 5
) 20 / 1 ( ) 5 . 8 / 1 (
1
=
+
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
(b) We find the charge and the voltage across each capacitor by working
backwards through solution figures (c) through (a).
For the 5.96F capacitor we have
C CV Q 5 . 89 15 96 . 5 = = =
In figure (b) we have, for the 8.5F capacitor,
V
C
Q
V
ac
5 . 10
5 . 8
5 . 89
= = =
and for the 20F in figure (b) and (a) C Q 5 . 89
20
=
V
C
Q
V
cb
47 . 4
20
5 . 89
= = =
Next (a) is equivalent to (b), so V V
cb
47 . 4 = and V V
ac
5 . 10 =
Thus for the 2.5F and 6F capacitors V V 5 . 10 =
C CV Q 3 . 26 5 . 10 5 . 2
5 . 2
= = =
C CV Q 2 . 63 5 . 10 6
6
= = =
Therefore
C Q 3 . 26
15
= C Q 3 . 26
3
=
For the potential difference across the capacitors C
15
and C
3
are
V
C
Q
V 75 . 1
15
3 . 26
15
= = =
V
C
Q
V 77 . 8
3
3 . 26
3
= = =
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6.6 Capacitor with dielectric
A dielectric is a non-conducting material, such as rubber, glass or paper.
Experimentally it was found that the capacitance of a capacitor increased
when a dielectric material was inserted in the space between the plates. The
ratio of the capacitance with the dielectric to that without it called the
dielectric constant of the material.
C
C
= (6.18)
In figure 6.14 below two similar capacitors, one of them is filled with
dielectric material, and both are connected in parallel to a battery of
potential V. It was found that the charge on the capacitor with dielectric is
larger than the on the air filled capacitor, therefore the C
d
>C
o
, since the
potential V is the same on both capacitors.
V
C
d
C
o
K
Figure 6.14
If the experiment repeated in different way by placing the same charge Q
o
on both capacitors as shown in figure 6.15. Experimentally it was shown
that V
d
<V
o
by a factor of 1/.
V
o
C
o
C
d
K
V
d
Figure 6.15
V
V
d
= (6.19)
Since the charge Q
o
on the capacitors does not change, then
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Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
V
Q
V
Q
V
Q
C
d
= = = (6.20)
For a parallel plate capacitor with dielectric we can write the capacitance.
d
A
C
= (6.21)
Example 6.10
A parallel plate capacitor of area A and separation d is connected to a
battery to charge the capacitor to potential difference V
o
. Calculate the
stored energy before and after introducing a dielectric material.
Solution
The energy stored before introducing the dielectric material,
2
2
1
o o o
V C U =
The energy stored after introducing the dielectric material,
o
C C = and
V
V
d
=
o o
o
U V
C CV U =
= =
2
2
1
2
2
1
Therefore, the energy is less by a factor of 1/.
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Example 6.11
A Parallel plate capacitor of area 0.64cm
2
. When the plates are in
vacuum, the capacitance of the capacitor is 4.9pF.
(a) Calculate the value of the capacitance if the space between the
plates is filled with nylon (=3.4).
(b) What is the maximum potential difference that can be applied
to the plates without causing discharge (E
max
=1410
6
V/m)?
Solution
(a)
o
C C = = 3.44.9 = 16.7pF
(b) V
max
=E
max
d
To evaluate d we use the equation
m
C
A
d
o
4
12
5 12
10 16 . 1
10 9 . 4
10 4 . 6 10 85 . 8
= =
V
max
= 110
6
1.1610
-4
=1.6210
3
V
Example 6.12
A parallel-plate capacitor has a
capacitance C
o
in the absence of
dielectric. A slab of dielectric material of
dielectric constant and thickness d/3 is
inserted between the plates as shown in
Figure 6.16. What is the new capacitance
when the dielectric is present?
dd
dd
dd
1/3
2/3
K
Figure 6.16
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Solution
We can assume that two parallel plate capacitor are connected in series as
shown in figure 6.17,
3
1
d
A
C
=
and
3 2
2
d
A
C
=
A
d
A
d
C C C
3 2 3 1 1 1
2 1
+ = + =
+
=
+ =
2 1
3
2
1
3
1
A
d
A
d
C
d
A
C
+
=
1 2
3
C C
+
=
1 2
3
C
1
K
dd
dd
1/3
2/3
C
2
Figure 6.17
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6.7 Problems
6.1) Two capacitors, C
1
=2F and
C
2
=16F, are connected in parallel.
What is the value of the equivalent
capacitance of the combination?
6.2) Calculate the equivalent
capacitance of the two capacitors in
the previous exercise if they are
connected in series.
6.3) A 100pF capacitor is charged to
a potential difference of 50V, the
charging battery then being
disconnected. The capacitor is then
connected in parallel with a second
(initially uncharged) capacitor. If
the measured potential difference
drops to 35V, what is the
capacitance of this second
capacitor?
6.4) A parallel-plate capacitor has
circular plates of 8.0cm radius and
1.0mm separation. What charge
will appear on the plates if a
potential difference of 100V is
applied?
6.5) In figure 6.18 the battery
supplies 12V. (a) Find the charge
on each capacitor when switch S
1
is
closed, and (b) when later switch S
2
is also closed. Assume C
1
=1F,
C
2
=2F, C
3
=3F, and C
4
=4F.
Figure 6.18
6.6) A parallel plate capacitor has a
plate of area A and separation d,
and is charged to a potential
difference V. The charging battery
is then disconnected and the plates
are pulled apart until their
separation is 2d. Derive expression
in term of A, d, and V for, the new
potential difference, the initial and
final stored energy, and the work
required to separate the plates.
6.7) A 6.0F capacitor is connected
in series with a 4.0F capacitor and
a potential difference of 200 V is
applied across the pair. (a) What is
the charge on each capacitor? (b)
What is the potential difference
across each capacitor?
6.8) Repeat the previous problem
for the same two capacitors
connected in parallel.
6.9) Show that the plates of a
parallel-plate capacitor attract each
other with a force given by
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
A
q
F
2
2
=
6.10) A parallel-plate air capacitor
having area A (40cm
2
) and spacing
d (1.0 mm) is charged to a potential
V (600V). Find (a) the capacitance,
(b) the magnitude of the charge on
each plate, (c) the stored energy,
(d) the electric field between the
plates and (e) the energy density
between the plates.
6.11) How many 1F capacitors
would need to be connected in
parallel in order to store a charge
1C with potential of 300V across
the capacitors?
6.12) In figure 6.19 (a)&(b) find the
equivalent capacitance of the
combination. Assume that
C
1
=10F, C
2
=5F, and C
3
=4F.
Figure 6.19(a)
C
1
V
Figure6.19(b)
6.13) Two capacitors (2.0F and
4.0F) are connected in parallel
across a 300V potential difference.
Calculate the total stored energy in
the system.
6.14) A 16pF parallel-plate capacitor
is charged by a 10V battery. If
each plate of the capacitor has an
area of 5cm
2
, what is the energy
stored in the capacitor? What is the
energy density (energy per unit
volume) in the electric field of the
capacitor if the plates are separated
by air?
6.15) The energy density in a
parallel-plate capacitor is given as
2.1 l0
-9
J/m
3
. What is the value of
the electric field in the region
between the plates?
6.16) (a) Determine the equivalent
capacitance for the capacitors
shown in figure 6.20. (b) If they
are connected to 12V battery,
calculate the potential difference
across each capacitor and the
charge on each capacitor
aa Ab
F 3 F 6
F 2
Figure 6.20
6.17) Evaluate the effective
capacitance of the configuration
shown in Figure 6.21. Each of the
capacitors is identical and has
capacitance C.
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aa Ab
c
c
c c c
c
Figure 6.21
6.18) A parallel plate capacitor is
constructed using a dielectric
material whose dielectric constant
is 3 an whose dielectric strength is
210
8
V/m The desired capacitance
is 0.25F, and the capacitor must
withstand a maximum potential
difference of 4000V. Find the
maximum area of the capacitor
plate.
6.19) In figure 6.19(b) find (a) the
charge, (b) the potential difference,
(c) the stored energy for each
capacitor. With V=100V.
6.20) (a) Figure 6.22 shows a
network of capacitors between the
terminals a and b. Reduce this
network to a single equivalent
capacitor. (b) Determine the charge
on the 4F and 8F capacitors
when the capacitors are fully
charged by a 12V battery
connected to the terminals. (c)
Determine the potential difference
across each capacitor.
4 F u
2 F u
24 F u
8 F u
6 F u
Figure 6.22
6.21) A uniform electric field
E=3000V/m exists within a certain
region. What volume of space
would contain an energy equal to
10
-7
J? Express your answer in
cubic meters and in litters.
6.22) A capacitor is constructed from
two square metal plates of side
length L and separated by a
distance d (Figure 6.23). One half
of the space between the plates (top
to bottom) is filled with
polystyrene (=2.56), and the other
half is filled with neoprene rubber
(=6.7). Calculate the capacitance
of the device, taking L=2cm and
d=0.75mm. (Hint: The capacitor
can be considered as two capacitors
connected in parallel.)
L
K = 6 .7
K = 2 .5 6
Dd
Figure 6.23
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
6.23) A parallel plate capacitor is
constructed using three different
dielectric materials, as shown in
figure 6.24. (a) Find an expression
for the capacitance in terms of the
plate area A and
1
,
2
, and
3
. (b)
Calculate the capacitance using the
value A=1cm
2
, d=2mm,
1
=4.9,
2
=5.6, and
3
=2.1.
L
K
1
K
2
K
3
L/ 2
dd
Dd/2
Figure 6.24
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Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Current and Resistance
7.1 Current and current density
7.2 Definition of current in terms of the drift velocity
7.3 Definition of the current density
7.4 Resistance and resistivity (Ohms Law)
7.5 Evaluation of the resistance of a conductor
7.6 Electrical Energy and Power
7.7 Combination of Resistors
7.7.1 Resistors in Series
7.7.2 Resistors in Parallel
7.8 Solution of some selected problems
7.9 Problems
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Current and Resistance
" ."
.
.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
7.1 Current and current density
.
C
V
q
C =
A .
.
A
Conductor
Electric field
Batter y
Vv Tt
Figure 7.1
As shown in figure 7.1 above the electric field produces electric force
(F=qE), this force leads the free charge in the conductor to move in one
direction with an average velocity called drift velocity.
The current is defined by the net charge flowing across the area A per unit
time. Thus if a net charge Q flow across a certain area in time interval t,
the average current I
av
across this area is
t
Q
I
av
=
(7.1)
In general the current I is
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dt
dQ
I =
(7.2)
Current is a scalar quantity and has a unit of C/t, which is called ampere.
.
7.2 Definition of current in terms of the drift velocity
Consider figure 7.1 shown above. Suppose there are n positive charge
particle per unit volume moves in the direction of the field from the left to
the right, all move in drift velocity v. In time t each particle moves
distance vt the shaded area in the figure, The volume of the shaded area in
the figure is equal nAvt, the charge Q flowing across the end of the
cylinder in time t is
Q =nqvAt (7.3)
where q is the charge of each particle.
Then the current I is
nqvA
t
Q
I =
= (7.4)
7.3 Definition of the current density
The current per unit cross-section area is called the current density J.
nqv
A
I
J = =
r
(7.5)
The current density is a vector quantity.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.1
A copper conductor of square cross section 1mm
2
on a side carries a
constant current of 20A. The density of free electrons is 8 10
28
electron
per cubic meter. Find the current density and the drift velocity.
Solution
The current density is
2 6
/ 10 10 m A
A
I
J = =
The drift velocity is
s m
nq
J
v / 10 6 . 1
) 10 6 . 1 )( 10 8 (
10 20
3
9 28
6
=
= =
This drift velocity is very small compare with the velocity of propagation
of current pulse, which is 3 10
8
m/s. The smaller value of the drift
velocity is due to the collisions with atoms in the conductor.
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7.4 Resistance and resistivity (Ohms Law)
The resistance R of a conductor is defined as the ratio V/I, where V is the
potential difference across the conductor and I is the current flowing in it.
Thus if the same potential difference V is applied to two conductors A and
B, and a smaller current I flows in A, then the resistance of A is grater than
B, therefore we write,
I
V
R = Ohms law (7.6)
This equation is known as Ohms law, which show that a linear relationship
between the potential difference and the current flowing in the conductor.
Any conductor shows the lineal behavior its resistance is called ohmic
resistance.
The resistance R has a unit of volt/ampere (v/A), which is called Ohm ( ).
From the above equation, it also follows that
V = IR and
R
V
I =
The resistance in the circuit is drown using this symbol
Fixed resistor Variable resistor Potential divider
Each material has different resistance; therefore it is better to use the
resistivity , it is defined from
J
E
= (7.8)
The resistivity has unit of .m
The inverse of resistivity is known as the conductivity ,
1
= (7.9)
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
7.5 Evaluation of the resistance of a conductor
Consider a cylindrical conductor as shown in figure 7.2, of cross-sectional
area A and length l , carrying a current I. If a potential difference V is
connected to the ends the conductor, the electric field and the current
density will have the values
A
E
I
Figure 7.2
l
V
E = (7.10)
and
A
I
J =
The resistivity is
A I
I V
J
E
= = (7.11)
But the V/I is the resistance R this leads to,
A
R
l
= (7.12)
Therefore, the resistance R is proportional to the length l of the conductor
and inversely proportional the cross-sectional area A of it.
Notice that the resistance of a conductor depends on the geometry of the
conductor, and the resistivity of the conductor depends only on the
electronic structure of the material.
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Example 7.2
Calculate the resistance of a piece of aluminum that is 20cm long and
has a cross-sectional area of 10
-4
m
2
. What is the resistance of a piece of
glass with the same dimensions?
Al
=2.8210
-8
.m,
glass
=10
10
.m.
Solution
The resistance of aluminum
=
= =
5
4
8
10 82 . 2
10
1 . 0
10 82 . 2
A
R
Al
l
The resistance of glass
=
= =
13
4
10
10
10
1 . 0
10
A
R
glass
l
Notice that the resistance of aluminum is much smaller than glass.
Example 7.3
A 0.90V potential difference is maintained across a 1.5m length of
tungsten wire that has a cross-sectional area of 0.60mm
2
. What is the
current in the wire?
Solution
From Ohms law
R
V
I = where
A
R
l
=
therefore,
A
VA
I 43 . 6
) 5 . 1 )( 10 6 . 5 (
) 10 0 . 6 )( 90 . 0 (
8
7
=
= =
l
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.4
(a) Calculate the resistance per unit length of a 22 nichrome wire of
radius 0.321mm. (b) If a potential difference of 10V is maintained cross
a1m length of nichrome wire, what is the current in the wire.
nichromes
=1.510
-6
.m.
Solution
(a) The cross sectional area of the wire is
A =r
2
= (0.32110
-3
)
2
=3.2410
-7
m
2
The resistance per unit length is R/l
m
A
R
/ 6 . 4
10 24 . 3
10 5 . 1
7
6
=
= =
l
(b) The current in the wire is
A
R
V
I 2 . 2
6 . 4
10
= = =
Nichrome wire is often used for heating elements in electric heater, toaster and irons, since
its resistance is 100 times higher than the copper wire.
Material Resistivity (.m)
1 Silver 1.5910
-8
2 Copper 1.710
-8
3 Gold 2.4410
-8
4 Aluminum 2.8210
-8
5 Tungesten 5.610
-8
6 Iron 1010
-8
7 Platinum 1110
-8
8 Lead 2010
-8
9 Nichrome 15010
-8
10 Carbon 3.510
-5
11 Germanium 0.46
12 Silicon 640
13 Glass 10
10
-10
14
Table (7.1) Resistivity of various materials at 20
o
C
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7.6 Electrical Energy and Power
The current can flow in circuit when a
battery is connected to an electrical device
through conducting wire as shown in
figure 7.3. If the positive terminal of the
battery is connected to a and the negative
terminal of the battery is connected to b of
the device. A charge dq moves through
the device from a to b. The battery
perform a work dW = dq V
ab
. This work
is by the battery is energy dU transferred
to the device in time dt therefore,
dU=dW= dq V
ab
=I dt V
ab
(7.13)
The rate of electric energy (dU/dt) is an electric power (P).
ab
IV
dt
dU
P = = (7.14)
Suppose a resistor replaces the electric device, the electric power is
P = I
2
R (7.15)
R
V
P
2
= (7.16)
The unit of power is (Joule/sec) which is known as watt (W).
B
a
t
t
e
r
y
I
I
I
I
I
I
Aa
Ab
Figure 7.3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.5
An electric heater is constructed by applying a potential difference of
110volt to a nichrome wire of total resistance 8. Find the current
carried by the wire and the power rating of the heater.
Solution
Since V = IR
A
R
V
I 8 . 13
8
110
= = =
The power P is
P =I
2
R =(13.8)
2
8=1520W
Example 7.6
A light bulb is rated at 120v/75W. The bulb is powered by a 120v. Find
the current in the bulb and its resistance.
Solution
P = IV
A
V
P
I 625 . 0
120
75
= = =
The resistance is
= = = 192
625 . 0
120
I
V
R
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7.7 Combination of Resistors
Some times the electric circuit consist of more than two resistors, which are,
connected either in parallel or in series the equivalent resistance is evaluated
as follow:
7.7.1 Resistors in Series:
The figure 7.4 shows three resistor in series, carrying a current I.
A B C D
V
AB
R
1
R
2
R
3
V
AD
V
BC
V
CD
Figure 7.4
For a series connection of resistors, the current is the same in each
resistor.
If V
AD
is the potential deference across the whole resistors, the electric
energy supplied to the system per second is IV
AD
. This is equal to the
electric energy dissipated per second in all the resistors.
IV
AD
=IV
AB
+IV
BC
+IV
CD
(7.17)
Hence
V
AD
=V
AB
+V
BC
+V
CD
(7.18)
The individual potential differences are
V
AB
=IR
1
, V
BC
=IR
2
, V
CD
=IR
3
Therefore
V
AD
=IR
1
+IR
2
+IR
3
(7.19)
V
AD
=I (R
1
+R
2
+R
3
) (7.20)
The equivalent resistor is
R
=R
1
+R
2
+R
3
(7.21)
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
7.7.2 Resistors in Parallel:
The figure 7.5 shows three resistor in parallel, between the points A and B,
A current I enter from point A and leave from point B, setting up a potential
difference V
AB
.
I
1
I
2
I
3
A
B
V
AB
R
1
R
2
R
3
Figure 7.5
For a parallel connection of resistors, the potential difference is equal
across each resistor.
The current branches into I
1
, I
2
, I
3
, through the three resistors and,
I=I
1
+I
2
+I
3
(7.22)
The current in each branch is given by
1
1
R
V
I
AB
= ,
2
2
R
V
I
AB
= ,
3
3
R
V
I
AB
=
+ + =
3 2 1
1 1 1
R R R
V I
AB
(7.23)
The equivalent resistance is
3 2 1
1 1 1 1
R R R R
+ + = (7.24)
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Physical facts for the series and parallel
combination of resistors
No. Series combination Parallel combination
1
Current is the same through all
resistors
Potential difference is the same
through all resistors
2
Total potential difference =sum of
the individual potential difference
Total Current =sum of the
individual current
3
Individual potential difference
directly proportional to the
individual resistance
Individual current inversely
proportional to the individual
resistance
4
Total resistance is greater than
greatest individual resistance
Total resistance is less than least
individual resistance
Notice that parallel resistors combine in the same way that series
capacitors combine, and vice versa.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.6
Find the equivalent resistance for the circuit shown in figure 7.6.
R
1
=3, R
2
=6, and R
3
=4.
R
2
R
1
R
3
Figure 7.6
Solution
Resistance R
1
and R
2
are connected in parallel therefore the circuit is
simplify as shown below
R
3
R
1
&R
2
R
2 1
1 1 1
R R R
+ =
6
3
6
1
3
1 1
= + =
R
R =2
Then the resultant resistance of R
1
&R
2
( R ) are connected in series with
resistance R
3
R=R +R
3
=2+4=6
Example 7.7
Find the equivalent resistance for the circuit shown in figure 7.7.
R
1
=4, R
2
=3, R
3
=3, R
4
=5, and R
5
=2.9.
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R
4
R
5
R
3
R
2
R
1
Figure 7.7
Solution
Resistance R
1
and R
2
are connected in series therefore the circuit is simplify
as shown below
R
4
R
5
R
3
R
1
&R
2
R
4
R
5
R
1
&R
2
&R
3
R
R =R
1
+R
2
=4+3=7
Then the resultant resistance of R
1
&R
2
( R ) are connected in parallel with
resistance R
3
21
10
3
1
7
1 1 1 1
3
= + = +
=
R R R
R =2.1
The resultant resistance R for R
5
&R
4
&R are connected in series.
R=R + R
5
+R
4
=2.1+5+2.9=10
Example 7.8
Three resistors are connected in
parallel as in shown in figure 7.8. A
potential difference of 18V is
maintained between points a and b.
R
1
R
2
R
3
18V
I
1
I
2
I
3
I
a
b
Figure 7.8
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
(a) find the current in each resistor. (b) Calculate the power dissipated
by each resistor and the total power dissipated by the three resistors.
(c) Calculate the equivalent resistance, and the from this result find the
total power dissipated.
Solution
To find the current in each resistors, we make use of the fact that the
potential difference across each of them is equal to 18v, since they are
connected in parallel with the battery.
Applying V=IR to get the current flow in each resistor and then apply P =
I
2
R to get the power dissipated in each resistor.
A
R
V
I 6
3
18
1
1
= = = P
1
=I
1
2
R
1
=108W
A
R
V
I 3
6
18
2
2
= = = P
2
=I
2
2
R
2
=54W
A
R
V
I 2
9
18
3
3
= = = P
3
=I
3
2
R
3
=36W
The equivalent resistance R
eq
is
18
11
9
1
6
1
3
1 1
= + + =
eq
R
R
eq
=1.6
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7.8 Solution of some selected problems
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
7.8 Solution of some selected problems
Example 7.9
Two wires A and B of circular cross section are made of the same metal
and have equal length, but the resistance of wire A is three times
greater than that of wire B. What is the ratio of their cross-sectional
area? How do their radii compare?
Solution
Since R=L/A, the ratio of the resistance R
A
/R
B
=A
A
/A
B
. Hence, the ratio is
three times. That is, the area of wire B is three times that of B.
The radius of wire b is 3 times the radius of wire B.
Example 7.10
Two conductors of the same length and radius are connected across the
same potential difference. One conductor has twice the resistance of
the other. Which conductor will dissipate more power?
Solution
Since the power dissipated is given by P=V
2
/R, the conductor with the lower
resistance will dissipate more power.
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Example 7.11
Two light bulbs both operate from 110v, but one has power rating 25W
and the other of 100W. Which bulb has the higher resistance? Which
bulb carries the greater current?
Solution
Since P=V
2
/R, and V is the same for each bulb, the 25W bulb would have
the higher resistance. Since P=IV, then the 100W bulb carries the greater
current.
Example 7.12
The current I in a conductor depends on time as I=2t
2
-3t+7, where t is in
sec. What quantity of charge moves across a section through the
conductor during time interval t=2sec to t=4sec?
Solution
dt
dQ
I = ; dQ=I dt
+ = =
4
2
2
) 7 3 2 ( dt t t Idt Q
[ ] C t t t Q 3 . 33 7 3 2
4
2
2 3
= + =
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.13
A 2.4m length of wire that is 0.031cm
2
in cross section has a measured
resistance of 0.24. Calculate the conductivity of the material.
Solution
A
L
R = and
1
= therefore
m
RA
L
. / 10 23 . 3
) 10 1 . 3 )( 24 . 0 (
4 . 2
6
6
=
= =
Example 7.14
A 0.9V potential difference is maintained across a 1.5m length of
tungsten wire that has cross-sectional area of 0.6mm
2
. What is the
current in the wire?
Solution
From Ohms law,
R
V
I = where
A
L
R = therefore
A
L
VA
I 43 . 6
5 . 1 10 6 . 5
10 6 9 . 0
8
7
=
= =
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Example 7.15
A resistor is constructed by forming a material of resistivity into the
shape of a hollow cylinder of length L and inner and outer radii r
a
and
r
b
respectively as shown in figure 7.9. In use, a potential difference is
applied between the ends of the cylinder, producing a current parallel
to the axis. (a) Find a general expression for the resistance of such a
device in terms of L, , r
a
, and r
b
. (b) Obtain a numerical value for R
when L=4cm, r
a
=0.5cm, r
b
=1.2cm, and =3.510
5
.m.
Solution
(a)
) (
2 2
a b
r r
L
A
L
R
= =
(b)
[ ]
=
=
7
2 2
5
2 2
10 74 . 3
) 005 . 0 ( ) 012 . 0 (
) 04 . 0 )( 10 5 . 3 (
) (
a b
r r
L
R
L
r
b
r
a
Figure 7.9
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 7.16
If a 55 resistor is rated at 125W, what is the maximum allowed
voltage?
Solution
R
V
P
2
=
V PR V 9 . 82 55 125 = = =
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7.9 Problems
7.1) A current of 5A exists in a 10
resistor for 4min. (a) How many
coulombs, and (b) how many
electrons pass through any cross
section of the resistor in this time?
7.2) A small but measurable current
of 1.0 10
-10
A exists in a copper
wire whose diameter is 0.10in.
Calculate the electron drift speed.
7.3) A square aluminum rod is 1.0m
long and 5.0mm on edge. (a) What
is the resistance between its ends?
(b) What must be the diameter of a
circular 1.0m copper rod if its
resistance is to be the same?
7.4) A conductor of uniform radius
1.2cm carries a current of 3A
produced by an electric field of
120V/m. What is the resistivity of
the material?
7.5) If the current density in a
copper wire is equal to
5.810
6
A/m
2
, calculate the drift
velocity of the free electrons in this
wire.
7.6) A 2.4m length of wire that is
0.031cm
2
in cross section has a
measured resistance of 0.24.
Calculate the conductivity of the
material.
7.7) Aluminium and copper wires of
equal length are found to have the
same resistance. What is the ratio
of their radii?
7.8) What is the resistance of a
device that operates with a current
of 7A when the applied voltage is
110V?
7.9) A copper wire and an iron wire
of the same length have the same
potential difference applied to
them. (a) What must be the ratio of
their radii if the current is to be the
same? (b) Can the current density
be made the same by suitable
choices of the radii?
7.10) A 0.9V potential difference is
maintained across a 1.5m length of
tungsten wire that has a cross-
sectional area of 0.6mm
2
. What is
the current in the wire?
7.11) A wire with a resistance of
6.0 is drawn out through a die so
that its new length is three times its
original length. Find the resistance
of the longer wire, assuming that
the resistivity and density of the
material are not changed during the
drawing process.
7.12) A wire of Nichrome (a nickel-
chromium alloy commonly used in
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
heating elements) is 1.0 m long and
1.0mm
2
in cross-sectional area. It
carries a current of 4.0A when a
2.0V potential difference is applied
between its ends. What is the
conductivity , of Nichrome?
7.13) A copper wire and an iron wire
of equal length l and diameter d are
joined and a potential difference V
is applied between the ends of the
composite wire. Calculate (a) the
potential difference across each
wire. Assume that l=10m,
d=2.0mm, and V=100V. (b) Also
calculate the current density in each
wire, and (c) the electric field in
each wire.
7.14) Thermal energy is developed in
a resistor at a rate of 100W when
the current is 3.0A. What is the
resistance in ohms?
7.15) How much current is being
supplied by a 200V generator
delivering 100kW of power?
7.16) An electric heater operating at
full power draws a current of 8A
from 110V circuit. (a) What is the
resistance of the heater? (b)
Assuming constant R, how much
current should the heater draw in
order to dissipate 750W?
7.17) A 500W heating unit is
designed to operate from a 115V
line. (a) By what percentage will its
heat output drop if the line voltage
drops to 110V? Assume no change
in resistance. (b) Taking the
variation of resistance with
temperature into account, would
the actual heat output drop be
larger or smaller than that
calculated in (a)?
7.18) A 1250W radiant heater is
constructed to operate at 115V. (a)
What will be the current in the
heater? (b) What is the resistance of
the heating coil?
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Direct Current Circuits
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Direct Current Circuits
8.1 Electromotive Force
8.2 Finding the current in a simple circuit
8.3 Kirchhoffs Rules
8.4 Single-Loop Circuit
8.5 Multi-Loop Circuit
8.6 RC Circuit
8.6.1 Charging a capacitor
8.6.2 Discharging a capacitor
8.7 Electrical Instruments
8.7.1 Ammeter and Voltmeter
8.7.2 The Wheatstone Bridge
8.7.3 The potentiometer
8.8 Problems
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Direct Current Circuits
.
Kirchhoff's rule
.
Electromotive force .
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8.1 Electromotive Force
In any electrical circuit it must exist a device to provide energy to force the
charge to move in the circuit, this device could be battery or generator; in
general it is called electromotive force (emf) symbol ( ). The
electromotive force are able to maintain a potential difference between two
points to which they are connected.
Then electromotive force (emf) ( ) is defined as the work done per unit
charge.
dq
dW
= (8.1)
The unit of is joule/coulomb, which is volt.
The device acts as an emf source is drawn in the circuit as shown in the
figure below, with an arrow points in the direction which the positive charge
move in the external circuit. i.e. from the -ve terminal to the +ve terminal of
the battery
When we say that the battery is 1.5volts we mean that the emf of that battery
is 1.5volts and if we measure the potential difference across the battery we
must find it equal to 1.5volt.
A battery provide energy through a chemical reaction, this chemical
reaction transfer to an electric energy which it can be used for mechanical
work Also it is possible to transfer the mechanical energy to electrical
energy and the electric energy can be used to charge the battery is chemical
reaction. This mean that the energy can transfer in different forms in
reversible process.
Chemical Electrical Mechanical
See appendix (A) for more information
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
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8.2 Finding the current in a simple circuit
Consider the circuit shown in figure
8.1(a) where a battery is connected to
a resistor R with connecting wires
assuming the wires has no resistance.
In the real situation the battery itself
has some internal resistance r, hence it
is drawn as shown in the rectangle box
in the diagram.
Assume a +ve charge will move from
point a along the loop abcd. In the
graphical representation figure 8.1(b)
it shows how the potential changes as
the charge moves.
When the charge cross the emf from
point a to b the potential increases to a
the value of emf , but when it cross
the internal resistance r the potential
decreases by value equal Ir. Between
the point b to c the potential stay
constant since the wire has no
resistance. From point c to d the
potential decreases by IR to the same
value at point a.
The potential difference across the batter between point a and b is given by
V
b
-V
a
= - Ir (8.2)
Note that the potential difference across points a and b is equal to the
potential difference between points c and d i.e.
V
b
-V
a
= V
d
-V
c
= IR (8.3)
Combining the equations
IR = - Ir (8.4)
Or
= IR + Ir (8.5)
r
R
I
I
a
c
d
b
Figure 8.1(a)
r
R
Ir
IR
V
a d c b
Figure 8.1(b)
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Therefore the current I is
r R
I
+
=
(8.6)
This equation shows that the current in simple circuit depends on the
resistors connected in series with the battery.
We can reach to the same answer using this rule
The algebraic sum of the changes in potential difference across each
element of the circuit in a complete loop is equal to zero.
By applying the previous rule on the circuit above starting at point a and
along the loop abcda
Here in the circuit we have three elements (one emf and two resistors r&R)
applying the rule we get,
+ - Ir - IR = 0 (8.7)
The +ve sine for is because the change in potential from the left to the
right across the battery the potential increases, the -ve sign for the change in
potential across the resistors is due to the decrease of the potential as we
move in the direction abcda.
r R
I
+
=
(8.8)
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Example 8.1
In figure 8.2 find the current flow in the branch if the potential
difference V
b
-V
a
=12v. Assume
1
=10v,
2
=25v, R
1
=3, and R
2
=5.
R
1
R
2
a
b
I
1
2
Figure 8.2
Solution
We must assume a direction of the current flow in the branch and suppose
that is from point b to point a.
To find the current in the branch we need to add all the algebraic changes in
the potential difference for the electrical element as we move from point a
to point b.
V
b
-V
a
= +
1
+ IR
1
+ IR
2
-
2
a b .
V
b
-V
a
a b .
Solving for I
A
R R
V V
I
a b
375 . 3
8
) 10 25 ( ) 12 ( ) ( ) (
2 1
1 2
=
+
=
+
+
=
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 8.2
Find the potential difference V
a
-V
b
for the branches shown in figure 8.3
& figure 8.4.
Solution
10v 12v
a
b
1
2
Figure 8.3
To find the potential difference V
a
-V
b
we should add the algebraic change in
the potential difference for the two batteries as we move from point b to
point a.
V
a
-V
b
= +
2
-
1
= 12 - 10 = 2v
30v 5v
a
b
1
3
15v
2
Figure 8.4
V
a
-V
b
= +
3
+
2
-
1
= 5 + 15 - 30 = -10v
b a
3
2
1
.
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8.3 Kirchhoffs Rules
A practical electrical circuit is usually complicated system of many
electrical elements. Kirchhoff extended Ohms law to such systems, and
gave two rules, which together enabled the current in any part of the circuit
to be calculated.
Statements of Kirchhoffs Rules
(1) The algebraic sum of the currents entering any junction must equal the
sum of the currents leaving that junction.
0 =
i
i
I at the junction (8.9)
(2) The algebraic sum of the changes in potential difference across all of the
elements around any closed circuit loop must be zero.
0 =
i
i
V for the loop circuit (8.10)
Note that the first Kirchhoffs rule is for the current and the second for the
potential difference.
Applying the first rule on the junction shown below (figure 8.5)
I
1
I
2
I
3
Junction
Figure 8.5
I
1
= I
2
+ I
3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Applying the second rule on the following cases
(1) If a resistor is traversed in the direction of the current, the change in
potential difference across the resistor is -IR.
I
b a
V
b
-V
a
=-IR
(2) If a resistor is traversed in the direction opposite the current, the change
in potential difference across the resistor is +IR.
I
b
V
b
-V
a
=+IR
a
(3) If a source of emf is traversed in the direction of the emf (from - to + on
the terminal), the change in potential difference is + .
a b
V
b
-V
a
=+
(4) If a source of emf is traversed in the direction opposite the emf (from +
to - on the terminal), the change in potential difference is - .
a b
V
b
-V
a
=-
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Hints for solution of problems using Kirchhoffs rules
:
) 1 ( emf
.
) 2 (
.
.
) 3 (
.
) 4 (
.
) 5 ( ) 3 ( ) 4 ( .
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
8.4 Single-Loop Circuit
In a single-loop circuit there is no junctions and the current is the same in all
elements of the circuit, therefore we use only the second Kirchhoff rule.
Example 8.3
Two battery are connected in opposite in a circuit contains two resistors
as shown in figure 8.6 the emf and the resistance are
1
=6v,
2
=12v,
R
1
= 8, and R
2
=10 . (a) Find the current in the circuit. (b) What is
the power dissipated in each resistor?
a
c
d
b
R
1
R
2
2
I
I
I
I
Figure 8.6
Solution
From figure 8.6 the circuit is a single-loop circuit. We draw an arrow for
each emf in the circuit directed from the -ve to +ve terminal of the emf. If
we assume the current in the circuit is in the clockwise direction (abcda).
Applying the second Kirchhoffs rule along arbitrary loop (abcda) we get
0 =
i
i
V
Starting at point (a) to point (b) we find the direction of the loop is the same
as the direction of the emf therefore
1
is +ve, and the direction of the loop
from point (b) to point (c) is the same with the direction of the current then
the change in potential difference is -ve and has the value -IR
1
. Complete
the loop with the same principle as discussed before we get;
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+
1
- IR
1
-
2
+ IR
2
= 0
Solving for the current we get
A
R R
I
3
1
10 8
12 6
2 1
2 1
=
+
=
+
=
The -ve sign of the current indicates that the correct direction of the current
is opposite the assumed direction i.e. along the loop (adba)
The power dissipated in R
1
and R
2
is
P
1
= I
2
R
1
= 8/9W
P
2
= I
2
R
2
= 10/9W
In this example the battery
2
is being charged by the battery
1
.
Example 8.4
Three resistors are connected in series with battery as shown in figure
8.7, apply second Kirchhoffs rule to (a) Find the equivalent resistance
and (b) find the potential difference between the points a and b.
a
b
R
2
R
3
I
I
I
R
1
Figure 8.7
Solution
Applying second Kirchhoffs rule in clockwise direction we get
- IR
1
- IR
2
- IR
3
+
= 0
or
3 2 1
R R R
I
+ +
=
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
R
I
= Q
therefore,
R = R
1
+ R
2
+ R
3
This is the same result obtained in section 7.1.1
To find the potential difference between points a and b V
ab
(=V
a
-V
b
) we use
the second Kirchhoffs rule along a direction starting from point (b) and
finish at point (a) through the resistors. We get
V
b
+ IR = V
a
Where R is the equivalent resistance for R
1
, R
2
and R
3
V
ab
= V
a
- V
b
= + IR
The +ve sign for the answer means that V
a
> V
b
Substitute for the current I using the equation
R
I
=
we get
V
ab
=
This means that the potential difference between points a and b is equal to
the emf in the circuit (when the internal resistance of the battery is
neglected).
Example 8.5
In the circuit shown in figure 8.8 let
1
and
2
be 2v and 4v,
respectively; r
1
,r
2
and R be 1, 2, and 5, respectively. (a) What is
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the current in the circuit? (b) What is the potential difference V
a
-V
b
and
V
a
-V
c
?
r
1
I
a b
r
2
R
c
1
2
Figure 8.8
Solution
Since the emf
2
is larger than
1
then
2
will control the direction of the
current in the circuit. Hence we assume the current direction is
counterclockwise as shown in figure 8.8. Applying the second Kirchhoffs
rule in a loop clockwise starting at point a we get
-
2
+ Ir
2
+ IR + Ir
1
+
1
= 0
Solving the equation for the current we get
A
r r R
I 25 . 0
2 1 5
2 4
2 1
1 2
+ =
+ +
=
+ +
=
The +ve sign for the current indicates that the current direction is correct. If
we choose the opposite direction for the current we would get as a result
-0.25A.
The potential difference V
a
-V
b
we apply second Kirchhoffs rule starting at
point b to finishing at point a.
V
a
-V
b
= - Ir
2
+
2
= (-0.252)+4=+3.5v
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Note that same result you would obtain if you apply the second Kirchhoffs
rule to the other direction (the direction goes through R, r
1
, and
1
)
The potential difference V
a
-V
c
we apply second Kirchhoffs rule starting at
point c to finishing at point a.
V
a
-V
b
= +
1
+ Ir
1
= +2+(-0.251) = +2.25v
Note that same result you would obtain if you apply the second Kirchhoffs
rule to the other direction (the direction goes through R, r
2
, and
2
)
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8.5 Multi-Loop Circuit
Some circuits involving more than one current loop, such as the one shown
in figure 8.9. Here we have a circuit with three loops: a left inside loop, a
right inside loop, and an outside loop. There is no way to reduce this multi-
loop circuit into one involving a single battery and resistor.
a
c
d
b
R
2
R
1
R
3
Figure 8.9
In the circuit shown above there are two junctions b and d and three
branches connecting these junctions. These branches are bad, bcd, and bd.
The problem here is to find the currents in each branch.
A general method for solving multi-loop circuit problem is to apply
Kirchhoffs rules.
You should always follow these steps:
(1) Assign the direction for the emf from the -ve to the +ve terminal of the
battery.
a
c b
1
2
Figure 8.10
(2) Assign the direction of the currents in each branch assuming arbitrary
direction.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
a
c
d
b
R
2
R
1
1
2
I
1
R
3
I
2
I
3
Figure 8.11
After solving the equations the +ve sign of the current means that the
assumed direction is correct, and the -ve sign for the current means that the
opposite direction is the correct one.
(3) Chose one junction to apply the first Kirchhoffs rule.
0 =
i
i
I
At junction d current I
1
and I
3
is approaching the junction and I
2
leaving the
junction therefore we get this equation
I
1
+ I
3
- I
2
= 0 (1)
(4) For the three branches circuit assume there are two single-loop circuits
and apply the second Kirchhoffs rule on each loop.
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a
c
d
b
R
2
R
1
1
2
I
1
R
3
I
2
I
3
a
b
Figure 8.12
For loop a on the left side starting at point b we get
+
1
- I
1
R
1
+ I
3
R
3
= 0 (2)
For loop b on the left side starting at point b we get
- I
3
R
3
- I
2
R
2
-
2
= 0 (3)
Equations (1), (2), and (3) can be solved to find the unknowns currents I
1
, I
2
,
and I
3
.
The current can be either positive or negative, depending on the
relative sizes of the emf and of the resistances.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 8.6
In the circuit shown in figure 8.13, find the unknown current I,
resistance R, and emf .
a
18v
I
a
R
1A
6A
2
2
b
Figure 8.13
Solution
At junction a we get this equation
I + 1 -6 = 0
Therefore the current
I = 5A
To determine R we apply the second Kirchhoffs rule on the loop (a), we get
18 - 5 R + 1 2 = 0
R = 4
To determine we apply the second Kirchhoffs rule on the loop (a), we
get
+ 6 2 + 1 2 = 0
= -14v
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Example 8.7
In the circuit shown in figure 8.14, (a)
find the current in the 2 resistor, (b) the
potential difference between points a and
b.
(Use the current as labeled in the figure
8.14).
Solution
At junction a we get
I
1
= I
2
+ I
3
(1)
For the top loop
12 - 2I
3
- 4I
1
= 0 (2)
For the bottom loop
8 - 6I
2
+ 2I
3
= 0 (3)
From equation (2)
I
1
= 3 - 1/2 I
3
From equation (2)
I
2
= 4/3 - 1/3 I
3
Substituting these values in equation (1), we get
I
3
= 0.909A the current in the resistor 2
The potential difference between points a and b
V
a
- V
b
= I
3
R = 0.9092=1.82v V
a
> V
b
12v
I
2
I
3
2
4
a
6
8v
I
1
b
Figure 8.14
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 8.8
In the circuit shown in figure 8.15, (a) find the current I
1
, I
2
, and I
3
, (b)
the potential difference between points a and b. Use these values,
1
=10v,
2
=6v,
3
=4v, R
1
=6, R
2
=2, R
3
=1, and R
4
=4.
(Use the current as labeled in the figure below).
a
1
I
1
(b)
b
R
3
R
1
R
4
R
2
2
I
3
I
2
(a)
Figure 8.15
Solution
For the junction at the top we get
I
1
+ I
2
- I
3
= 0 (1)
For loop a on the left side we get
+
1
- I
1
R
2
-
2
+ I
2
R
3
- I
1
R
1
= 0
+10
- 2I
1
- 6
+ I
2
- 6I
1
= 0
+4
- 8I
1
+ I
2
= 0 (2)
For loop b on the right side we get
- I
2
R
3
+
2
-
2
+ I
3
R
4
= 0
- I
2
+ 6
- 4
- 4I
3
= 0
+2 - I
2
- 4I
3
= 0 (3)
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From equation (2)
I
1
=
8
4
2
I +
(4)
From equation (3)
I
3
=
4
2
2
I
(5)
Substitute in equation (1) from equations (4)&(5) we get
0
4
2
8
4
2
2
2
=
+
+ I
I
I
I
2
= 0
From equation (4)
I
1
= 0.5A
From equation (4)
I
3
= 0.5A
The potential difference between points a and b we use the loop (a)
V
b
- V
a
= -
1
+ I
1
R
2
V
b
- V
a
= -
1
+ I
1
R
2
V
b
- V
a
= 10 - 0.56 = -7v (V
b
< V
a
)
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Example 8.9
Consider the circuit shown in Figure 8.16. Find (a) the current in the
20.0 resistor and (b) the potential difference between points a and b.
b a
10Ohm
10Ohm
5Ohm
5Ohm
20Ohm
25 V
Figure 8.16
Solution
Turn the diagram ion figure 8.16 on its side, we
find that the 20 and 5 resistors are in series,
so the first reduction is as shown in (b). In
addition, since the 10, 5, and 25 resistors
are then in parallel, we can solve for their
equivalent resistance as
=
+ +
= 94 . 2
25
1
5
1
10
1
1
eq
R
This is shown in figure (c), which in turn
reduces to the circuit shown in (d).
Next we work backwards through the diagrams,
applying I=V/R and V=IR. The 12.94 resistor
is connected across 25V, so the current through
the voltage source in every diagram is
A
R
V
I 93 . 1
94 . 12
25
= = =
1
0
O
h
m
1
0
O
h
m
5
O
h
m
5
O
h
m
2
0
O
h
m
2
5
V
b
a
(a)
1
0
O
h
m
1
0
O
h
m
5
O
h
m
2
5
O
h
m
2
5
V
b
a
(b)
1
0
O
h
m
2
.
9
4
O
h
m 2
5
V
(c)
1
2
.
9
4
O
h
m
2
5
V
(d)
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In figure (c), the current 1.93A goes through the 2.94 equivalent resistor
to give a voltage drop of:
V = IR = (1.93)(2.94) = 5.68V
From figure (b), we see that this voltage drop is the same across V
ab
, the
10 resistor, and the 5 resistor.
Therfore
V
ab
= 5.68V
Since the current through the 20 resistor is also the current through the
25
I = V
ab
/R
ab
= 5.68/25 = 0.227A
Example 8.10
Determine the current in each of the branches of the circuit shown in figure
8.17.
4V
12V
3
5
1
1
8
Figure 8.17
Solution
First we should define an arbitrary direction for the
current as shown in the figure below.
I
3
= I
1
+ I
2
(1)
By the voltage rule the left-hand loop
+I
1
(8)-I
2
(5)-I
2
(1)-4V=0 (2)
I
1
I
2
I
3
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
For the right-hand loop
4V+I
2
(5+1)+I
3
(4)-12V=0 (3)
Substitute for I
3
from eqn. (1) into eqns. (2)&(3)
8I
1
-6I
2
-4=0 (4)
4+6I
2
+4(I
1
+I
2
)-12=0 (5)
Solving eqn. (4) for I
2
6
4 8
1
2
=
I
I
Rearranging eqn. (5) we get
4
8
4
10
2 1
= + I I
Substitute for I
2
we get
I
1
+3.33I
1
-1.67=2
Then,
I
1
=0.846A
I
2
=0.462A
I
3
=1.31A
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8.6 RC Circuit
In the previous section we studied either circuits with resistors only or with
capacitors only, now we will deal with circuits contains both the resistors
and capacitors together, these circuits are time dependent circuit where the
current in the is varying with time.
In the circuit shown in figure 8.18 we have connected an emf with resistor R
and uncharged capacitor C using a switch S.
R
b
a
s
C
I
Figure 8.18
8.6.1 Charging a capacitor
When the switch S is connected to point (a) the battery will force charges to
move to the capacitor this called charging process of the capacitor. Note
that the current will not flow through the capacitor since there is no way for
the charge to jump from one plate to the other. However a positive charge
will accumulate on the plate connected with the positive terminal of the
battery. The same number of a negative charge will accumulate on the other
plate.
The current must stop after the capacitor will become fully charged and its
potential difference equals the emf.
. .
To analyze this circuit lets assume that in time dt a charge dq moves
through the resistor and the capacitor. Apply the first Kirchhoffs rule in a
direction from the battery to the resistor to the capacitor we get,
- IR -
C
q
= 0 (8.11)
Where IR is the potential difference across the resistor and q/C is the
potential difference across the capacitor.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
The current I and the charge q are varying with time. Substitute for
I =
dt
dq
(8.12)
0 =
C
q
dt
dq
R (8.13)
By solving the differential equation to find the q as a function of time we
get,
) 1 (
RC t
e C q
= (8.14)
The quantity C is the maximum charge Q in the capacitor.
) 1 (
RC t
e Q q
= (8.15)
The current I is
RC t
e
R dt
dq
I
= =
(8.16)
t (sec)
I (A)
I
o
R
I
o
=
t (sec)
q
Q
C Q =
Figure 8.19
Plots of the charge Q and the current I as a function of
time in the charging process
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Note that the quantity RC in the equation has a unit of time (sec). Therefore
it is called the time constant of the circuit.
Unit of RC is Ohm . Farad=Sec
Ohm.Farad= Sec
Volt
Sec Volt
Volt
Sec Amp
Ohm
Volt
Coulomb
Ohm = = =
. .
. .
8.6.2 Discharging a capacitor
When the switch S is connected to point (b) the battery is disconnected and
now the charged capacitor plays the role of emf. Therefore the capacitor
will force a charge q to move through the resistor R this called discharging
process of the capacitor.
Apply the first Kirchhoffs rule in a direction from the resistor to the
capacitor we get,
- IR -
C
q
= 0 (8.17)
The current I and the charge q are varying with time. Substitute for
I =
dt
dq
(8.18)
0 = +
C
q
dt
dq
R (8.19)
By solving the differential equation to find the q as a function of time we
get,
RC t
Qe q
= (8.20)
The current I during the discharging process is
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
RC t
e
RC
Q
dt
dq
I
= = (8.21)
The -ve sign indicates that the direction of the current in the discharging
process is in the opposite direction of the charging process.
The quantity Q/RC is equal to the initial current I
o
(i.e. when t=0)
RC t
o
e I I
= (8.22)
I (A)
I
o
t (sec)
RC
Q
I
o
=
t (sec)
q
Q
Figure 8.20
Plots of the charge Q and the current I as a function of
time in the discharging process
In the end we found that charging and discharging process of the
capacitor is exponentially depends on the time constant (RC).
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Example 8.11
Consider an RC circuit in which the capacitor is being charged by a battery
connected in the circuit. In five time constants, what percentage of the final
charge is on the capacitor?
Solution
From equation (8.20)
) 1 (
RC t
e Q q
=
t = 5RC
RC t
e
Q
q
=1
5 5
1 1
= = e e
Q
q
RC RC
= 99.3%
Example 8.12
In figure 8.21 (a) find the time constant of the circuit and the charge on the
capacitor after the switch is closed. (b) find the current in the resistor R at a
time 10sec after the switch is closed. Assume R=110
6
, emf=30Vand
C=510
-6
F.
R
C
S
Figure 8.21
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
Solution
(a) The time constant = RC = (110
-6
)(510
-6
) = 5sec
The charge on the capacitor = Q = C = (510
-6
)(30) = 150 C
(b) The current in charging of the capacitor is given by
RC t
e
R
I
=
A e I
6 ) 10 5 )( 10 1 (
10
6
10 06 . 4
10 1
30
6 6
=
Example 8.13
Determine the potential difference V
b
-V
a
for the circuit shown in figure 8.22
Solution
The current is zero in the
middle branch since
there is discontinuity at
the points a and b.
Applying the second
Kirchhoffs rule for the
outside loop we get,
+12 - 10I - 5I - 8 - 1/2I - 1/2I = 0
+4 - 16I = 0
I = 4A
The potential difference V
b
-V
a
is found by applying the second Kirchhoffs
rule at point a and move across the upper branch to reach point b we get,
V
b
-V
a
= +10I - 12 + 1/2I + 4
V
b
-V
a
= - 8 + 10.5I = - 8 + (10.54) = 34volt
12V
4V
8V
10
5
2
1
2
1
2
1
b a
Figure 8.22
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Example 8.14
The circuit has been connected as shown in figure 8.23 for a long time. (a)
What is the voltage across the capacitor? (b) If the battery is disconnected,
how long does it take for the capacitor to discharge to 1/10 of its initial
voltage? The capacitance C=1F.
4
2
8
1
10V a b
c
d
Figure 8.23
Solution
After long time the capacitor would be fully charged and the current in the
branch ab equal zero.
The resistors in the left hand (1, and 4) are connected in series and
assume the current in this branch cbd is I
1
. The resistors in the right hand
(8, and 2) are connected in series and assume the current in this branch
cad is I
2
.
The potential difference across the points c and d is the same as the emf =
10volt. Therefore,
A I 2
4 1
10
1
=
+
= A I 1
8 2
10
2
=
+
=
The total current,
I = I
1
+ I
2
= 3A
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
The potential difference across the capacitor V
b
-V
a
is
V
b
-V
a
= 8I
2
- 1I
1
= 8 1 - 1 2 = 6volt
To find the answer of (b) we need to find the equivalent resistance,
10
3
10
1
5
1 1 1 1
2 1
= + = + =
R R R
Where R
1
is the equivalent resistance for (1, and 4), and R
2
is the
equivalent resistance for (2, and 8)
R=3.3
From equation 8.17
RC t
Qe q
=
Divide by the capacitance C, therefore
RC t
e
C
Q
C
q
=
RC t
Ve v
=
RC t
e
V
v
=
The time for the capacitor to discharge to 1/10 of its initial voltage
RC t
e
=
10
1
Ln1 - Ln10 = -t/RC
t = Ln10RC
t = 7.7s
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8.7 Electrical Instruments
8.7.1 Ammeter and Voltmeter
A device called ammeter is used to measure the current flow in a circuit, the
ammeter must connected in series in the circuit so that the current to be
measured actually passes through the meter. In order that the ammeter will
not affect the current in the circuit it must has very small resistance.
A device called voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference
between two points, and its terminal must be connected to these points in
parallel.
A
V
R
2
R
1
r
a
b
d
c
I
Figure 8.24
In figure 8.24 shows an ammeter (A) measure the current I in the circuit.
Voltmeter (V), measure the potential difference across the resistor R
1
, (V
c
-
V
d
). In order that the voltmeter will not affect the current in the circuit it
must has very large resistance.
Note that the ammeter is connected in series is the circuit and the voltmeter
is connected in parallel with the points to measure the potential difference
across them.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
8.7.2 The Wheatstone Bridge
This is a circuit consist of four resistors, emf, and galvanometer. The
Wheatstone bridge circuit is used to measure unknown resistance. In figure
8.25 show three resistors R
1
, R
2
, and R
3
are known with R
1
is a variable
resistance and resistor R
x
is the unknown one.
R
1
R
2
G
R
3
R
x
a b
I
2
I
1
Figure 8.25
To find the resistance R
x
the bridge is balanced by adjusting the variable
resistance R
1
until the current between a and b is zero and the galvanometer
reads zero. At this condition the voltage across R
1
is equal the voltage
across R
2
and the same for R
3
and R
x
. Therefore,
I
1
R
1
= I
2
R
2
I
1
R
2
= I
2
R
x
Dividing the to equation and solving for R
x
we get,
1
3 2
R
R R
R
x
= (8.23)
This shows how unknown resistor can be determined using the Wheatstone
bridge.
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8.7.3 The potentiometer
This circuit is used to measure potential differences by comparison with a
slandered voltage source. The circuit is shown in figure 8.26 where the
working emf is
w
and the unknown emf is
x
. The current flow in the
circuit is I in the left branch and I
x
is the current in the right branch and I-I
x
is the current flow in the variable resistor. Apply second Kirchhoffs rule
on the right branch abcd we get,
G
w
R
x
x
I I
x
I - I
x
a b
d
c
Figure 8.26
-(I-I
x
)R
x
+
x
= 0
When the variable resistance adjusted until the galvanometer reads zero, this
mean that I
x
=0.
x
= IR
x
In the next step the emf
x
is replaced with standard emf
s
, and adjusted
the resistance until the galvanometer reads zero, therefore,
s
= IR
x
Where the current I remains the same, divide the two equations we get,
s
s
x
x
R
R
= (8.24)
This shows how unknown emf can be determined using known emf.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
8.8 Problems
8.1) A battery with an emf of 12V
and internal resistance of 0.9 is
connected across a load resistor R.
If the current in the circuit is 1.4A,
what is the value of R?
8.2) What power is dissipated in the
internal resistance of the battery in
the circuit described in Problem
8.1?
8.3) (a) What is the current in a
5.6 resistor connected to a battery
with an 0.2 internal resistance if
the terminal voltage of the battery
is 10V? (b) What is the emf of the
battery?
8.4) If the emf of a battery is 15V
and a current of 60A is measured
when the battery is shorted, what is
the internal resistance of the
battery?
8.5) The current in a loop circuit
that has a resistance of R
1
is 2A.
The current is reduced to 1.6A
when an additional resistor R
2
=3
is added in series with R
1
. What is
the value of R
1
?
8.6) A battery has an emf of 15V.
The terminal voltage of the battery
is 11.6V when it is delivering 20W
of power to an external load
resistor R. (a) What is the value of
R? (b) What is the internal
resistance of the battery?
8.7) A certain battery has an open-
circuit voltage of 42V. A load
resistance of 12 reduces the
terminal voltage to 35V. What is
the value of the internal resistance
of the battery?
8.8) Two circuit elements with fixed
resistances R
1
and R
2
are connected
in series with a 6V battery and a
switch. The battery has an internal
resistance of 5, R
1
= 32, and
R
2
=56. (a) What is the current
through R
1
when the switch is
closed? (b) What is the voltage
across R
2
when the switch is
closed?
8.9) The current in a simple series
circuit is 5.0A. When an additional
resistance of 2.0 is inserted, the
current drops to 4.0 A. What was
the resistance of the original
circuit?
8.10) Three resistors (10, 20, and
30) are connected in parallel.
The total current through this
network is 5A. (a) What is the
voltage drop across the network (b)
What is the current in each
resistor?
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8.11) (a) Find the equivalent
resistance between points a and b in
Figure 8.27. (b) A potential
difference of 34V is applied
between points a and b in Figure
28.28. Calculate the current in each
resistor.
4 9
7
10
b a
Figure 8.27
8.12) Evaluate the effective
resistance of the network of
identical resistors, each having
resistance R, shown in figure 8.28.
R
R R R
R R
a b
Figure 8.28
8.13) Calculate the power dissipated
in each resistor in the circuit of
figure 8.29.
18V
2
3 1
4
Figure 8.29
8.14) Consider the circuit shown in
Figure 8.30. Find (a) the current in
the 20 resistor and (b) the
potential difference between points
a and b.
b a
20
6
12
V 24
6
12
Figure 8.30
8.15) (a) In Figure 8.31 what value
must R have if the current in the
circuit is to be 0.0010A? Take &
1
=2.0V,
2
=3.0V, and
r
1
=r
2
=3.0. (b) What is the rate of
thermal energy transfer in R?
R
1
r
1
r
2
Figure 8.31
8.16) In Figure 8.32 (a) calculate the
potential difference between a and
c by considering a path that
contains R and
2.
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
r
1
I
a b r
2
R
c
1
2
Figure 8.32
8.17) In Figure 8.33 find the current
in each resistor and the potential
difference between a and b. Put
1
=6.0V,
2
=5.0V,
3
=4.0V,
R
1
=100 and R
2
=50.
R
2
R
1
1
b
a
Figure 8.33
8.18) (a) Find the three currents in
Figure 8.34. (b) Find V
ab
. Assume
that R
1
=1.0, R
2=
2.0,
1
=2.0 V,
and
2
=
3
=4.0V.
R
1
R
1
R
1
R
2
2
R
1
b
a
1
Figure 8.34
8.19) (a) Find the potential difference
between points a and b in the
circuit in Figure 8.35. (b) Find the
currents I
1
, I
2
, and I
3
in the circuit.
a
b
5 7
3
V 10
V 5
I
3
I
1
I
2
Figure 8.35
8.20) Determine the current in each
of the branches of the circuit shown
in figure 8.36.
6V
24V
3
6
1
3
10
Figure 8.36
8.21) Calculate the power dissipated
in each resistor in the circuit shown
in figure 8.37.
16V 12V
I
3
I
1
I
2
4
4
1
Figure 8.37
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8.22) Consider a series RC circuit for
which R=1M, C=5F, and
=30V. Find (a) the time constant
of the circuit and (b) the maximum
charge on the capacitor after the
switch is closed. (c) If the switch
in the RC circuit is closed at t=0.
Find the current in the resistor R at
a time 10s after the switch is
closed.
8.23) At t=0, an unchanged capacitor
of capacitance C is connected
through a resistance R to a battery
of constant emf (Figure 8.38). (a)
How long does it take for the
capacitor to reach one half of its
final charge? (b) How long does it
take for the capacitor to become
fully charged?
emf
R
C
Close at t =0
Figure 8.38
8.24) A 4M resistor and a 3F
capacitor are connected in series
with a 12V power supply. (a) What
is the time constant for the circuit?
(b) Express the current in the
circuit and the charge on the
capacitor as a function of time.
Multiple Choice Questions
Part 2
Applications of Electrostatic
Capacitors and Capacitance
Current and Resistance
Direct Current Circuits
Attempt the following question after the
completion of part 2
Multiple choice question for part 2
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220
[1] (a) How much charge is on a plate of a 4.00F capacitor when it is
connected to a 12.0 V battery? (b) If this same capacitor is connected to a
1.50 V battery, what charge is stored?
a. (a) 3.00 C; (b) 2.67 C
b. (a) 3.00 C; (b) 0.375 C
c. (a) 0.333 C; (b) 2.67 C
d. (a) 48.00 C; (b) 6.00 C
[2] Calculate the equivalent capacitance between points a and b in Figure 1.
3uF
7uF
3uF
1uF
1uF
aa
Ab
3uF
7uF
3uF
1uF
1uF
aa
Ab
Figure 1
Note that this is not a simple series or parallel combination. (Hint: Assume a
potential difference V between points a and b. Write expressions for V
ab
in terms of the charges and capacitances for the various possible pathways
from a to b, and require conservation of charge for those capacitor plates that
are connected to each other.)
a. 4.68 F
b. 15.0 F
c. 0.356 F
d. 200 F
[3] Two capacitors C
l
=27.0 F and C
2
= 7.00 F, are connected in parallel
and charged with a 90.0 V power supply. (a) Calculate the total energy
stored in the two capacitors. (b) What potential difference would be required
across the same two capacitors connected in series in order that the
combinations store the same energy as in (a)?
a. (a) 0.0225 J ; (b) 25.7 V
b. (a) 0.0225 J ; (b) 36.4 V
c. (a) 0.138 J ; (b) 223 V
d. (a) 0.13 8 J ; (b) 157 V
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
221
[4] Each capacitor in the combination shown in Figure 2 has a breakdown
voltage of 19.0V.
12 F u
24 F u
24 F u 24 F u
24 F u
Figure 2
What is the breakdown voltage of the combination?
a. 57.0 V
b. 28.5 V
c. 95.0 V
d. 19.0 V
[5] When a potential difference of 190 V is applied to the plates of a parallel
plate capacitor, the plates carry a surface charge density of 20.0 nC/cm
2
.
What is the spacing between the plates?
a. 8.41 m
b. 0.119 m
c. 0.429 m
d. 2.3 3 m
[6] A parallel plate capacitor is constructed using a dielectric material whose
dielectric constant is 4.00 and whose dielectric strength is 2.50 10
8
V/m.
The desired capacitance is 0.450F, and the capacitor must withstand a
maximum potential difference of 4000V. Find the minimum area of the
capacitor plates.
a. 3.25 m
2
b. 0.203 m
2
c. 0.795 m
2
d. 0.814 m
2
Multiple choice question for part 2
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222
[7] Find the equivalent capacitance between points a and b in the
combination of capacitors shown in Figure 3.
3uF
4uF
7uF
6uF
aa Ab
Figure 3
a. 1.12 F
b. 1.94 F
c. 1.12 F
d. 20.0 F
[8] The inner conductor of a coaxial cable has a radius of 0.500 mm, and the
outer conductor's inside radius is 4.00 mm. The space between the
conductors is filled with polyethylene, which has a dielectric constant of
2.30 and a dielectric strength of 20.0 10
6
V/m. What is the maximum
potential difference that this cable can withstand?
a. 30.4 kV
b. 70.0 kV
c. 20.8 kV
d. 166 kV
[9] Two capacitors when connected in parallel give an equivalent
capacitance of 27.0 pF and give an equivalent capacitance of 4.00 pF when
connected in series. What is the capacitance of each capacitor?
a. 10.4 pF, 16.6 pF
b. 9.76 pF, 44.2 pF
c. 9.77 pF, 17.23 pF
d. 4.88 pF, 22.12 pF
[10] An isolated capacitor of unknown capacitance has been charged to a
potential difference of 100 V. When the charged capacitor is then connected
in parallel to an unchanged 10.0 F capacitor, the voltage across the
combination is 30.0 V. Calculate the unknown capacitance.
a. 7.00 F
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
223
b. 2.31 F
c. 4.29 F
d. 13.0 F
[11] Four capacitors are connected as shown in Figure 4.
Ab
aa
19uF 5uF
24uF
6uF
Figure 4
(a) Find the equivalent capacitance between points a and b. (b) Calculate the
charge on each capacitor if V
ab
=11.0 V.
a. (a) 28.8 F; (b) q
19
= 1254, q
5
=330, q
6
=396, q
24
=317
b. (a) 7.04 F; (b) q
19
=30.8, q
5
=30.8, q
6
=46.7, q
24
=77.4
c. (a) 28.8 F; (b) q
19
=1584, q
5
=1584, q
6
=396, q
24
=317
d. (a) 7.04 F; (b) q
19
=148, q
5
=38.9, q
6
=46.7, q
24
=77.4
[12] A 40.0F spherical capacitor is composed of two metal spheres one
having a radius four times as large as the other. If the region between the
spheres is a vacuum, determine the volume of this region.
a. 5.18 10
18
m
3
b. 1.46 10
13
m
3
c. 1.37 10
13
m
3
d. 5.26 10
18
m
3
[13] A 18.0 m metal wire is cut into five equal pieces that are then connected
side by side to form a new wire the length of which is equal to one-fifth the
original length. What is the resistance of this new wire?
a. 90.0
b. 3.60
c. 0.720
d. 19.0
Multiple choice question for part 2
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[14] A small sphere that carries a charge of 8.00 nC is whirled in a circle at
the end of an insulating string. The angular frequency of rotation is 100
rad/s. What average current does the rotating rod represent?
a. 251 nA
b. 400 nA
c. 127 nA
d. 160 nA
[15] An aluminun wire with a cross sectional area of 4.00 10
-6
m
2
carries a
current of 5.00A. Find the drift speeds of the electrons in the wire. The
density of aluminum is 2.70 g/cm
3
. (Assume that one electron is supplied by
each atom.)
a. 9.45 10
-4
m/s
b. 1.30 10
-4
m/s
c. 1.78 10
-7
m/s
d. 7.71 10
-3
m/s
[16] A 16.0 V battery is connected to a 100 resistor. Neglecting the
internal resistance of the battery, calculate the power dissipated in the
resistor.
a. 0.0625 W
b. 1.60 W
c. 16.0 W
d. 0.391 W
[17] An electric current is given by I(t) = 120.0 sin(l.10t), where I is in
amperes and t is in seconds. What is the total charge carried by the current
from t = 0 to t =1/220 s?
a. 0.347 C
b. 120 C
c. 415 C
d. 1.09 C
[18] A resistor is constructed of a carbon rod that has a uniform cross
sectional area of 3.00mm When a potential difference of 19.0 V is applied
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
225
across the ends of the rod, there is a current of 2.00 10
-3
A in the rod. Find
(a) the resistance of the rod and (b) the rod's length.
a. (a) 1.05 k; (b) 998 mm
b. (a) 9.50 k; (b) 111 mm
c. (a) 9.50 k; (b) 814 mm
d. (a) 1.05 k; (b) 902 mm
[19] A copper cable is designed to carry a current of 500 A with a power loss
of 1.00 W/m. What is the required radius of this cable?
a. 3.68 cm
b. 6.76 cm
c. 13.5 cm
d. 7.36 cm
[20] In a certain stereo system, each speaker has a resistance of 6.00 Q. The
system is rated at 50.0 W in each channel, and each speaker circuit includes
a fuse rated at 2.00 A. Is the system adequately protected against overload?
a. yes
b. no
c. n/a
d. n/a
[21] Compute the cost per day of operating a lamp that draws 1.70 A from a
110 V line if the cost of electrical energy is $0.06kWh.
a. 0.458 cents/day
b. 45.8 cents/day
c. 1.12 cents/day
d. 26.9 cents/day
[22] Calculate the power dissipated in each resistor of the circuit of Figure 5.
Multiple choice question for part 2
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226
18V
2Ohm
3Ohm
4Ohm
1Ohm
Figure 5
a. P
2
=14.2 W, P
4
=28.4 W, P
3
=1.33 W, P
1
=4.00 W
b. P
2
=162 W, P
4
=81 0 W, P
3
=60.8 W, P
1
=20.3 W
c. P
2
=14.2 W, P
4
=28.4 W, P
3
=12.0 W, P
1
=0.444 W
d. P
2
=162 W, P
4
=81.0 W, P
3
=20.3 W, P
1
=60.8 W
[23] When two unknown resistors are connected in series with a battery, 225
W is dissipated with a total current of 7.00 A. For the same total current,
45.0 W is dissipated when the resistors are connected in parallel. Determine
the values of the two resistors.
a. 3.32 , 2.40
b. 3.32 , 7.92
c. 1.27 , 5.86
d. 1.27 , 3.32
[24] A fully charged capacitor stores 14.0 J of energy. How much energy
remains when its charge has decreased to half its original value?
a. 3.50 J
b. 7.00 J
c. 56.0 J
d. 14.0 J
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
227
[25] For the current shown in Figure 6, calculate (a) the current in the 1.00
resistor and (b) the potential difference between the points a and b.
a
b
6Ohm
1Ohm
8Ohm
18 V
6 V
Figure 6
a. (a) 2.90 A; (b) -2.90 V
b. (a) 1.74 A; (b) -1.74 V
c. (a) 1.74 A; (b) 1.74 V
d. (a) 2.90 A; (b) 2.90 V
[26] Three 4.00 resistors are connected as in Figure 7.
4Ohm
4Ohm
4Ohm
Figure 7
Each can dissipate a maximum power of 34.0 W without being excessively
heated. Determine the maximum power the network can dissipate.
a. 434 W
b. 22.7 W
c. 51.0 W
d. 102 W
[27] Consider the circuit shown in Figure 8.
Multiple choice question for part 2
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228
b a
18Ohm
18Ohm
5Ohm
5Ohm
12Ohm
5 V
Figure 8
Find (a) the current in the 12.0 resistor and (b) the potential difference
between points a and b.
a. (a) 0.0554 A; (b) 0.665 V
b. (a) 0.294 A; (b) 5.00 V
c. (a) 0.250 A; (b) 4.25 V
d. (a) 0.0442 A; (b) 0.751 V
[28] Two resistors connected in series have an equivalent resistance of 590
. When they are connected in parallel, their equivalent resistance is 125 .
Find the resistance of each resistor.
a. 327 , 263
b. 327 , 202
c. 180 , 410
d. 180 , 54.8
pppppppppppppppppp
ppppppppppppp
pppppppp
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
229
Solution of the multiple choice questions
Q. No. Answer Q. No. Answer
1 d 15 b
2 d 16 c
3 c 17 a
4 b 18 c
5 a 19 a
6 b 20 a
7 c 21 d
8 c 22 a
9 d 23 d
10 c 24 a
11 b 25 b
12 a 26 c
13 c 27 d
14 b 28 c
pppppppppppppppppp
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
229
APPENDICES
Appendices
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230
APPENDIX (A)
Some practical application of
electrostatic
Chapter 2
2.1) 1.610
-9
N repelling each other
2.4) 1.210
-5
C and 3.810
-5
C
2.5) q=1/2Q
2.6) 8.510
-2
N in the positive x-axis
2.8) 0.873N at 330
o
2.11) (0,0.853m)
2.13) (b) 2.410
-8
C
Chapter 3
3.2) (a) (-5.5810
-11
N/C)j,
(b) (1.0210
-7
N/C)j
3.3) (a) (-5.2010
3
N/C)j, (b)
(2.9310
3
N/C)j and (c) 5.8510
3
N/C at
225
o
.
3.4) 5.610
-11
C
3.7) 110
3
N/C in the direction of the
beam
3.8) (a) 1.510
3
N/C, (b) 2.410
-16
N up,
(c) 1.610
-26
N and (d) 1.510
10
.
3.15)
2
a
q
E
o
c t
= along the bisector,
away from the triangle
3.17) (a) 2.710
6
m/s, (b) 110
3
N/C
Chapter 4
4.2) 5.5610
5
N.m
2
/C
4.7) (a) zero, (b) 5.410
3
N/C and (c)
540N/C both radially outward
4.9) (a) zero, (b) 12510
4
N/C radially
outward, (c) 639N/C radially outward and
(d) no charge
4.10) (a) zero, (b) 810
7
N/C radially
outward (c) zero and (d) 7.3510
6
N/C
radially outward
4.11) (i)
3
4 a
r Q
E
o
c t
=
,
(ii)
2
4 r
Q
E
o
c t
=
,
(iii) zero (iv) zero and (v) inner Q; outer
zero.
4.12) (a) zero, (b) 3.6610
5
N/C, (c)
1.4610
6
N/C and (d) 6.510
5
N/C radially
outward
4.13) (a) 0.713C, (b) 5.7C
4.14) (i)
r l
q
E
o
c t 2
=
radially outward,
(ii)-q on both inner and outer surfaces,
(iii)
r l
q
E
o
c t 2
= radially outward
4.15) (a) zero, (b) 7.210
6
N/C away from
the center
4.16) 5.0810
5
N/C up
4.17) (i) zero, (ii)
o
c
o
= E
, and (iii) zero
Lectures in General Physics
Dr. Hazem Falah Sakeek
245
Chapter 5
5.2) 6.4110
-19
C
5.4) 0.89m
5.5) 2m
5.6) 119nC, 2.67m
5.11) (a) 4500V, (b) same as (a) because
potential is scalar quantity
5.13) (a) 2.510
6
V, (b) 5.1J , and (c) 6.9J
5.15) (a) 386nJ positive binding energy
would have to be put in to separate them.
(b) 103V
Chapter 6
6.1) 18C
6.3) 4.3pF
6.5) (a) q
1
=9C; q
2
=16C; q
3
=9C;
q
4
=16C.
(b) q
1
=8.4C; q
2
=17C; q
3
=11C;
q
4
=14C.
6.6) (a) V
f
=2V; (b)
d
AV
U
i
2
2
1
o
c
=
,
U
f
=2U
i
; (c)
d
AV
W
2
2
1
o
c
=
6.7) (a) 4.810
-4
C, (b) V
4
=120V; V
6
=80V
6.11) 3300
6.12) (b) 3.2F
6.14) 800pJ , 5.79mJ /m
3
6.16) (a) 4F, (b) 8V; 24C, 4V; 24C,
12V, 24C
6.18) 0.188m
2
6.19) (a) q
1
=2.110
-4
C; q
2
=1.110
-4
C;
q
3
=3.210
-4
C. (b) V
1
=V
2
=21V; V
3
=79V.
(c) U
1
=2.210
-3
J ; U
2
=1.110
-3
J ;
U
3
=1.310
-3
J ;
Chapter 7
7.1) (a) 1.210
3
C, (b) 7.510
21
electron
7.2) 1.510
-15
m/s
7.6) 3.2310
6
/O.m
7.9) (a) 2.4 iron being larger, (b) no
7.10) 6.43A
7.12) 210
6
s
7.13) (a) 15V copper; 85V iron, (b)
8.510
7
A/m
2
, (c) 1.5V/m copper; 8.5V/m
iron
7.18) (a) 11A, (b) 11O and (c) 1100kcal
Chapter 8
8.1) 7.67O
8.3) (a) 1.79A, (b) 10.4V
8.5) 12O
8.7) 2.4O
8.9) 8O
8.10) (a) 27.3V, (b) 2.73A; 1.37A; 0.91A
8.11) (b) 1.99A; 1.17A; 0.819
8.12) (6/11)R
8.13) 14W; 28.5W; 1.33W; 4w
8.17) i
1
=50mA to the right; i
2
=60mA
down; V
ab
=9V
8.18) (a) the left branch, 0.67A down;
center branch, 0.33A up; the right branch,
0.33A up
8.19) (a) -10.4V
Appendices
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246
APPENDIX (C)
The international system of
units (SI)