(Electrostatics)

summary

1 Types of materials according to free electrons

1- conductors (have large number of free electrons such as metals)
2- insulators (do not have any free electrons such as plastic and rubber)
3- semi-conductors (intermediate between insulators and conductors)
2 The electric force between two charges. (Coulomb’s law‫)قانون كولوم‬
|q1 ||q2 |
Fe = k e ,
r2
1 N . m2
ke = = 9x109
4πε0 C2
Attractive between opposite charges and
repulsive between like charges.

3 The electric field due to a point charge Q at a distance r

|Q|
|E| = k e
r2

The electric field starts from a positive charge (out from positive
charge) and ends at a negative charge (into the negative charge).
any electric charge q if placed in an electric field E will experience
a force F
F =q E
The force will have the same direction of the field if the charge is positive and vice versa.
4 A dipole in an electric field ‫مزدوج قطبي كهربي موضوع في مجال كهربي‬
- An electric dipole is formed by placing two
charges +q and -q at a fixed distance d apart.
- The electric dipole moment p = d q
- The net force is zero
- The net torque ‫ عزم الدوران‬ = PE sin
- The work required to turn the dipole axis from o
to  W=(-P E cos ) – (-P E cos o)
- The electric potential energy of dipole U = −PEcosθ = − P ⃗ .E
⃗
5 Charge distribution
If a charge Q is uniformly distributed throughout a volume V, the volume charge density
𝑄
𝜌 = 𝑉 (𝐶/𝑚3 ).
If a charge Q is uniformly distributed on a surface of area A, the surface charge density
𝑄
(sigma) 𝜎 = 𝐴 (𝐶/𝑚2 ).
 If a charge Q is uniformly distributed along a line of length, the linear charge density
𝑄
𝜆 = 𝑙 (𝐶/𝑚)
Proves

1 Charges q1 and q2 are located on the x axis, at distances a and b, respectively, from the
origin as shown in Figure. (A) Find the components of the net electric field at the point P,
which is at position (0, y).
solution

(B) Evaluate the electric field at point P in the special case that |𝑞1 |=|𝑞2 | and a = b.
Solved Examples

1 Compare between the magnitudes of the electric and the gravitational force between the
two particles of a hydrogen atom (The electron and proton) if they are separated (on the
average) by approximately 5.3 x 10-11 m.
Solution
The magnitude of the electric force:
|𝑒||−𝑒| 9
(1.6 × 10−19 )2
𝐹𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒 = 8.988 × 10 = 8.2 × 10−8 𝑁
𝑟2 (5.3 × 10−11 )2
Using Newton’s law of universal gravitation:
𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑝 −11
(9.11 × 10−31 ) × (1.67 × 10−27 )
𝐹𝑔 = 𝐺 = 6.67 × 10 × = 3.6 × 10−47 𝑁
𝑟2 (5.3 × 10−11 )2
𝐹𝑒 (8.2 × 10−8 )
= = 2.28 × 1038
𝐹𝑔 (3.6 × 10−47 )
As shown from the numbers, the Coulomb force in the nature is huge compared to the
gravitational force.
2 Consider three-point charges located at the corners of a right triangle as shown in Figure,
where q1 = q3 = 5.00 𝜇C, q2 = -2.00 𝜇C, and a = 0.100 m. Find the resultant force exerted
on q3.
Solution
First, Find the force each charge 𝑞2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞1 exert on 𝑞3 :
 Their directions as shown in the figure
Second. Find the x and y components of each force:

Finally, Add the components together to get the resultant force

3 Two identical small charged spheres, each having a mass of 3.0x10-

2 kg, hang in equilibrium as shown in Fig. a. If the length of each

string is 0.15 m and the angle θ = 45o, find the magnitude of the
charge on each sphere.
Solution
From the right triangle in Fig. a:
sin θ = a / L
so, a=L sin θ= (0.15) sin(45o)=0.013 m
The separation of the spheres is 2a = 0.026 m.
The sphere is in equilibrium, the resultants of the forces in the horizontal and
vertical directions are:
Σ Fx = T sin θ - Fe = 0 (1)
 Σ Fy = T cos θ - m g = 0 (2)
From (2), we see that T = m g/cos θ,
substituting in (1); Fe = m g tan θ
Fe = (3.0x10-2 kg) 9.8 x tan (5o) = 2.6x10-2 N
From Coulomb's law, the electric force between the two identical charges has magnitude:
|𝑞|2
𝐹𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒 .
𝑟2
𝐹𝑒 𝑟 2
So |𝑞|2 = = (2.6x10-2 N) (0.026 m)2 / (9x109)
𝑘𝑒
|𝑞| = 4.4 x10-8 C
4 A water droplet of mass 3.00 × 10−12kg is located in the air near the ground during a
stormy day. An atmospheric electric field of magnitude 6.00 × 103 N/C points vertically
downward in the vicinity of the water droplet. The droplet remains suspended at rest in
the air. What is the electric charge on the droplet?
Solution

mg

5 An electric dipole consists of two opposite charges of magnitude q = 1.0x10-6 C separated

by d= 2.0 cm. The dipole is placed in an external field of 1.x105 N/C. a) What maximum
torque does the field exert on the dipole? b) How much work must an external agent do
to turn the dipole end for end, starting from a position of alignment (θ = 0)?
Solution
a) The maximum torque is found at θ = 90o
τ= p E sinθ = q d E sinθ = (1.0x10-6 C) (0.02 m) (1.0x105 N/C) sin90
= 2.0x10-3 N m
b) The work is the difference in potential energy U between θ = 180 o and θ = 0o ,
W = U180 - U0 = (- p E cos180o) - (- p E cosθ) = 2 p E
W = 2 q d E = 2 (1.x10-6 C) (0.02 m) (1.0x105 N/C) = 4.0x10-3 J

Additional problems
 Gauss's law ‫قانون جاوس‬

1
Electric flux 𝛗𝐞 ‫الفيض الكهربي‬
- It is the electric field lines penetrate a surface of area A, which is perpendicular to
the field.
- The flux is a scalar quantity ‫كمية قياسية‬
2 The electric flux 𝜑 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝐴 = 𝐸𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃)
𝐸⃗ : 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 and 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜃 is the angle between
the two vectors.
3 When the electric field is perpendicular to the surface, the flux will be 𝜑 = 𝐸𝐴 which is
the maximum value.
The flux will be zero if the field vector is parallel to the area (𝜃 = 90𝑜 ), no field
penetration to the area.
The flux has a positive value when the electric field is pointing outward from the surface
and a negative sign when is field is pointing inward.

𝐴 𝐴 𝐴
𝐸⃗ 𝐸⃗
𝜃 𝐸⃗

a b c

𝜑 = E A cos (𝜃) 𝜑= EA 𝜑 = zero

4
Gauss’s Law
𝑞
The net flux through any closed surface surrounding a point charge q is given by 𝜀 and is
𝑜
independent of the shape of that surface.

𝑞
𝜑 = ∮ 𝐸⃗ . ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝐴 = E A cos 𝜃 = 𝜀
𝑜

5 Infinite line of charge ‫خط النهائي من الشحنات‬

𝜆 2𝑘𝑒 𝜆 ∞
𝐸= =
2𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 𝑟
r
1
𝐸𝛼
𝑟
-∞
6
Infinite sheet of charge ‫سطح النهائي من الشحنات‬
𝜎
𝐸=
2𝜀𝑜
E is independent of r.
7 symmetric spherical charge distribution (solid insulating sphere)
“ the charge distributed uniformly through out its volume”
- E outside the sphere : 𝑟 > 𝑅
𝑄 𝑄
E = 4𝜋 𝑟 2 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑟 2
0
- E: intside the sphere : 𝑟 < 𝑅
𝑄𝑟 𝑄
E = 4𝜋 3
= 𝑘𝑒 𝑅3 𝑟
0𝑅

a b
Where : Q the total charge of the sphere.
R the radius of the sphere.

8 Spherical shell

- E outside the sphere : 𝑟 > 𝑅

𝑄 𝑄
E = 4𝜋 𝑟 2 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑟 2
0
- E: intside the sphere : 𝑟 < 𝑅
E=0
9
Conductors in Electrostatic Equilibrium
1. The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor, whether the conductor is
solid or hollow.
2. If the conductor is isolated and carries a charge, the charge resides on its surface.
3. The electric field at a point just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular to the
surface and has a magnitude 𝜎/𝜀𝑜 , where 𝜎 is the surface charge density at that point.
Solved Problems

1 Consider a uniform electric field E oriented in the x

direction in empty space. A cube of edge length, is
placed in the field, oriented as shown in Figure Find the
net electric flux through the surface of the cube.

2 Calculate the electric flux through the shown

surfaces s1, s2, s3 and s4 due to the point charge
q?

Surfaces s1, s2 and s3 are surrounding the charge q. Then the flux through all of them will
𝑞
be 𝜀 .
𝑜

On the other hand, q is located outside surface S4. So the flux through the surface will be
zero
4 Two large non-conducting sheets, with a fixed uniform charge on one side. Magnitudes
of the surface charge densities are σ+ = 6.8 μC/m2 for the positively charged sheet and σ-
= 4.3 μC/m2 for the negatively charged sheet. Find the electric field E a) to the left of the
sheets b) between the sheets, and c) to the right of the sheet.
 The magnitude E+ of the electric field due to the positive sheet at any point is:
𝜎+ 6.8x10−6
𝐸+ = = = 3.8 × 105 N/C
2𝜀0 (2)(8.85x10−12 )

For the negative sheet:

𝜎− 4.3x10−6
𝐸− = = = 2.43 × 105 N/C
2𝜀0 (2)(8.85x10−12 )
The resultant fields in the three regions are:

(1) EL = E+ - E- = 3.8 × 105 − 2.43 × 105 = 1.4 x 105 N/C

E+ is larger than E-, so EL points to the left.

(2) EB = E+ + E- = 3.8 × 105 + 2.43 × 105 = 6.3 × 105 N/C

Which points to the right.

(3) ER has the same magnitude but points to the right.

5 A solid insulating sphere of radius a carries a net positive charge Q uniformly distributed
throughout its volume. A conducting spherical shell of inner radius b and outer radius c
is concentric with the solid sphere and carries a net charge -2Q. Using Gauss’s law, find
the electric field in the regions labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Figure and the charge
distribution on the shell when the entire system is in electrostatic equilibrium.
 −𝑄
+𝑄

will induce a -Q charge on the inner surface of the shell and a similar one on the outer
surface as shown:

𝑄𝑟 𝑄𝑟
Region 1: 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑆𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 + 𝐸𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑅3 +0 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑅3

Where 𝑟 < 𝑎

𝑄 𝑄𝑟
Region 2: 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑆𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 + 𝐸𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑙 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑟 2+0 = 𝑘𝑒 𝑅3

Where 𝑎 < 𝑟 < 𝑏

Region 3: Note that the field here must be zero because it is inside a conductor. If we
take a Gaussian surface as a sphere of radius r between b and c

∑𝑄 𝑄−𝑄
𝐸 = 𝑘𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒 =0
𝑟2 𝑟2

Where 𝑏 < 𝑟 < 𝑐

Region 4:. If we take a Gaussian surface as a sphere of radius r > c

∑𝑄 −2𝑄+𝑄−𝑄+𝑄 −𝑄
𝐸 = 𝑘𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒 = 𝑘𝑒 ,Where 𝑟 > 𝑐
𝑟2 𝑟2 𝑟2
 The electric potential ‫الجهد الكهربي‬

1 Electric Potential Energy ‫طاقة الوضع الكهربي‬

Work done by a conservative force is equal to the negative of the change in potential
energy ‫الشغل يساوي سالب التغير في طاقة الوضع الكهربي‬
𝑊 = − (𝑈𝑓 − 𝑈𝑖 )
2
Potential Difference
The potential difference between points A and B is defined as the change in the potential
energy (final value minus initial value) of a charge q moved from A to B divided by the
size of the charge
.‫فرق الجهد الكهربي بين نقطتين يعرف بفرق طاقة الوضع الكهربي لشحنة بين النقطتين مقسوما على مقدار هذه الشحنة‬
∆𝑈 𝑈𝐵 −𝑈𝐴 −𝑊
𝛥𝑉 = 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = = =
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞
Another way to relate the energy and the potential difference:
ΔU = q ΔV, 𝑊 = −𝑞 ∆𝑉
Both electric potential energy and potential difference are scalar quantities ‫كميات قياسية‬.
3 A special case occurs when there is a uniform electric field:
𝛥𝑉 = 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − 𝐸𝑥 𝛥𝑥
4
Electric Potential of a Point Charge
𝑞
𝑉=𝐾
𝑟
‫يتم التعويض باشاار الشاحنة بحيي يكون الجهد النا ع عن الشاحنة الموجمة موجب و الجهد النا ع عن الشاحنة الساالمة‬
.‫سالب‬

5
Calculation of V from E

∆𝑈 − 𝑞 𝐸 𝑑𝑙
∆𝑉 = = = −𝐸 . 𝑑𝐿
𝑞 𝑞
𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − ∫ 𝐸. 𝑑𝐿
𝐴

1- Draw displacement vector dL from point A to point B.

2- Draw the electric field vector E according the shape and sign of the charge.
3- Find the angle 𝜃 between dL and E.
4- Substitute in equation
𝐵
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − ∫ 𝐸 𝑑𝐿 cos 𝜃
𝐴
6 If the electric field is given in the form of 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐸𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐸𝑧 𝑘
𝐵
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = − ∫ 𝐸𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐸𝑦 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐸𝑧 𝑑𝑧
𝐴

7 If the relation between E and displacement x is given in the form of graph as follow:-

D E

x
0 A B C
∆𝑉 = −𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒
𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉0 = −𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 (0𝐴𝐷)
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 = −𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 (𝐴𝐵𝐸𝐷)
𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝐵 = −𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 (𝐵𝐶𝐸)
8
Calculation of E from V
𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝐸⃗ = − ( 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑎𝑦 + 𝑎 )
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑧
The negative sign indicates that the direction of the electric field is the direction of
decreasing the electric potential.

9
Electrical Potential Energy of Two Charges

Since the relation between the electric potential energy of a charge q 1 due electric
𝑞2
potential of a charge q2 is 𝛥𝑈 = 𝑞1 𝛥𝑉, ∴ 𝑈 = 𝑞1 𝑉2 , ∵ 𝑉2 = 𝐾 𝑟
So the electric potential energy between two point charge q1 and q2 is

𝑞1 𝑞2
𝑈=𝐾
𝑟
 10 Potential of a charged conductor
We concluded that E = 0 for all points inside an isolated conductor. So the potential
difference between any two points A and B inside the conductor is zero
B
VB − V A = −  E . ds = 0 ∴ VB = VA
A

∴ All points on the surface of a charged conductor in electrostatic equilibrium are at the
same potential.‫كل النقاط الواقعة على سطح موصل مشحون متزن الكتروستا يكيا كون متساوية الجهد‬
11 ‫نالحظ ان جميع النقاط داخل الكر المصامتة الموصالة متسااوية الجهد‬
‫و ساوي جهد السطح و ساوي‬

𝑄
𝑉𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 𝑉𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 𝐾
𝑅

‫نالحظ ان الجهد الكهربي خارج الموصال يقل كلما ابتعدنا عن الساطح‬

‫بعالقة عكسية كما يلي‬
𝑄
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 𝐾
𝑟𝑜

Solved problems

1 A particular 12 V car battery can send a total charge of 84 A.h (ampere-hours) through a
circuit, from one terminal to the other. (a) How many coulombs of charge does this
represent? (b) If this entire charge undergoes a change in electric potential of 12 V, how
much energy is involved?
 Solution:

2 An infinite non-conducting sheet has a surface charge density 𝜎 = 0.10 𝜇C/m2 on one
side. How far apart are equipotential surfaces whose potentials differ by 50 V?
Solution:

3 The Figure shows a rectangular array of charged particles fixed in place, with distance a =
39 cm and the charges shown as integer multiples of q1 = 3.4 pC and q2 = 6 pC. With V = 0
at infinity, what is the net electric potential at the rectangle's center?
Solution:
8𝑞2 8𝑥6𝑥10−12
𝑉=𝐾 = 9𝑥109 = 2.21 𝑉
0.5 𝑎 0.5𝑥0.39

4 In Fig., particles with the charges ql = +5e and q2 = -15e are fixed in place with a separation
of d = 24 cm. With electric potential defined to be V = 0 at infinity, what are the finite (a)
positive and (b) negative values of x at which the net electric potential on the x axis is zero
5 How much work is required to set up the arrangement of Fig. if q = 2.3pC, a = 64 cm, and
the particles are initially infinitely far apart and at rest?

Solution
6 An electron is placed in an xy plane where the electric potential depends on x and y as
shown in Fig. (The potential does not depend on z). The scale of the vertical axis is set by
Vs = 500 V. what is the electric force on the electron?
7 The electric potential at points in an xy plane is given by V = 2 x2 - 3y2. what is the electric
field at the point (3.0 m, 2.0 m)?
Solution:

8 Two large parallel metal plates are 1.5 cm apart and have charges of equal magnitudes
but opposite signs on their facing surfaces. Take the potential of the negative plate to be
zero. If the potential halfway between the plates is then +5.0 V, what is the electric field
in the region between the plates?

solution

9 The electric field in a region of space has the components E y =Ez = 0 and Ex = 4x. Point A
is on the y axis at y = 3 m, and point B is on the x axis at x = 4 m. What is the potential
difference VB - VA?
Solution
10 A graph of the x component of the electric field
as a function of x in a region of space is shown
in Fig. The scale of the vertical axis is set by Es =
20N/C. The y and z components of the electric
field are zero in this region. If the electric
potential at the origin is 10 V, (a) what is the
electric potential at x = 2.0 m, (b) what is the
greatest positive value of the electric potential
for points on the x axis for which 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6.0 𝑚, and (c) for what value of x is the electric
potential zero?
Solution:
The change in potential is the negative of the “area” under the curve.
Thus, using the area-of-a-triangle formula
a) 𝑉2 − 𝑉0 = −(0.5). (2). (−20) = 20𝑉
𝑉2 − 10 = 20
𝑉2 = 30 𝑉
b) For any region within 0 < x < 3m, {− area under the curve} is positive, but for
any region for which x > 3 m it is negative. Therefore, V = V max occurs at x = 3
m. 𝑉3 − 𝑉2 = −(0.5). (1). (−20) = 10𝑉, 𝑉3 − 30 = 10
𝑉3 = 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 40 𝑉
c) In view of our result in part (b), we see that now (to find V = 0) we are looking for
some X > 3 m. we chose a point x at which the potential is zero(𝑉𝑥 = 0), 𝑉𝑥 − 𝑉3 =
0 − 40 = −[(0.5). (1). (20) + (𝑋 − 4). (20)], X = 5.5 m.

11 Two spherical conductors of radii r1 and r2 are separated by a distance much larger than
the radius of either sphere. The spheres are connected by a conducting wire. If the charges
on the spheres in equilibrium are q1 and q2, find the ratio of the field strengths at the
surfaces of the spheres. The two spheres have the same potential
Solution

∵ 𝑉1 = 𝑉2,
𝑞 𝑞
∴ 𝐾 𝑟1 = 𝐾 𝑟2
1 2
𝑞1 𝑟1
∴ =
𝑞2 𝑟2
𝐸1 𝑞 𝑟 2 𝑟 𝑟 2
∵ = 𝑞1 . 𝑟2 2 = 𝑟1 . 𝑟2 2
𝐸2 2 1 2 1
𝐸1 𝑟2
∴𝐸 =𝑟
2 1

The field is more intense in the vicinity of the smaller sphere.

 The capacitors
Laws
1 The capacitance
C=Q/V
Unit ( farad = F )
2 Parallel plates capacitor . ‫المكثف ذو‬
‫األلواح المتوازية‬
𝛔
the electric field between the two plates, 𝐄 = 𝛜𝟎

Q
the potential difference ∆V = E d = A .ϵ .
0

A
the capacitance C = ϵ0 d
3 Cylindrical capacitor ‫المكثف االسطواني‬
2𝜋𝜖0 𝐿 𝐿
𝐶= =
𝑏 𝑏
𝑙𝑛(𝑎) 2𝑘𝑒 ln (𝑎)

4 Spherical capacitor ‫المكثف الكروي‬

4𝜋𝜖0 𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑏
𝐶= =
𝑏−𝑎 𝑘𝑒 (𝑏 − 𝑎)

5 Combinations of Capacitors
• 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒍
∆𝑉 = ∆𝑉1 = ∆𝑉2
𝑄1 = 𝐶1 ∆𝑉1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑄2 = 𝐶2 ∆𝑉2
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2
• Series
𝑄𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑄1 = 𝑄2
∆𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 =△ 𝑉1 + △ 𝑉2
1 1 1
= +𝐶
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐1 2
 6 Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor
1 1 1 𝑄2
𝑈= 𝑐 𝑉2 = 𝑄 𝑉 =
2 2 2 𝐶

7 Capacitors with Dielectrics ‫المكثف في وجود مادة عازلة‬

𝐴
𝐶 = 𝜖𝑜 𝐾
𝑑
K is called the dielectric constant.
Note: the dielectric constant for air is equal 1 (𝑲 = 𝟏)and for any other dielectric is
greater than 1(𝑲 > 𝟏).

Problems

EX.1 A parallel-plate capacitor has circular plates of 8.20 cm radius and 1.30 mm separation.
(a) Calculate the capacitance. (b) Find the charge for a potential difference of 120 V.
Ex. 3 Each of the uncharged capacitors in Fig. has a capacitance
of 25𝜇𝐹.A potential difference of V = 4200 V is established
when the switch is closed. How many coulombs of charge then
pass through meter A?
1 1 1
= +
𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶1 𝐶2
Ex. 4 Two parallel-plate capacitors, 6𝜇𝑓 each, are connected in parallel to a 10 V battery. One
of the capacitors is then squeezed so that its plate separation is 50.0% of its initial value.
Because of the squeezing, (a) how much additional charge is transferred to the capacitors by
the battery and (b) what is the increase in the total charge stored on the capacitors?
Ex. 5 A 100 pF capacitor is charged to a potential difference of 50 V, and the charging battery
is disconnected. The capacitor is then connected in parallel with a second (initially uncharged)
capacitor. If the potential difference across the first capacitor drops to 35 V, what is the
capacitance of this second capacitor?
Ex. 6 A 20V battery is connected across capacitors of
capacitances C1= C6 = 3𝜇𝑓and C3 = C5 = 2C2 = 2C4 =
4𝜇𝑓. What are (a) the equivalent capacitance Ceq of
the capacitors and (b) the charge stored by Ceq? What
are (c) V1 and (d) q1 of capacitor 1, (e) V2 and (f) q2 of
capacitor 2, and (g) V3 and (h) q3 of capacitor 3?
Ex. 7 A parallel-plate air-filled capacitor having area 40 cm2 and plate spacing 1.0 mm is
charged to a potential difference of 600 V. Find (a) the capacitance, (b) the magnitude of
the charge on each plate, (c) the stored energy, (d) the electric field between the plates
EX. 8 The parallel plates in a capacitor, with a plate area of 8.50 cm2 and an air-filled
separation of 3.00 mm, are charged by a 6.00 V battery. They are then disconnected from
the battery and pulled apart (without discharge) to a separation of 8.00 mm. Neglecting
fringing, find (a) the potential difference between the plates, (b) the initial stored energy, (c)
the final stored energy, and (d) the work required to separate the plates.
 The direct current and circuits
Laws
1 The current
𝑄
𝐼=
𝑡

If the current varies in time; we define the instantaneous current I ‫ التيار اللحظي‬as
𝑑𝑄
𝐼=
𝑑𝑡
The SI unit of current is the ampere (A):
𝐶
1𝐴 ≡ 1 𝑠𝑒𝑐

2 ∆𝑉
𝑅= (𝑶𝒉𝒎′ 𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒘)
𝐼
3 Electrical Power
𝑃 = 𝐼. ∆𝑉
∴ 𝑃 = 𝐼2. 𝑅
𝑉2
∴𝑃= 𝑅
4 Electromotive Force ‫القوة الدافعة الكهربية‬
For an idealized battery with zero internal resistance, the
potential difference across the battery (called its terminal
voltage(∆𝑽)) equals its emf ( 𝜺 ).
For a real battery, however, the terminal voltage (∆𝑽) is ∆𝑉
not equal to the emf ( 𝜺 ) for a battery in a circuit in which
there is a current.
∆𝑉 = 𝜀 − 𝐼. 𝑟
𝜀
𝐼=
(𝑅 + 𝑟)
5
Resistors’ Connections
series combination
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2
∆𝑉 = ∆𝑉1 + ∆𝑉2
∆𝑉 = 𝐼1 𝑅1 + 𝐼2 𝑅2 = 𝐼. (𝑅1 + 𝑅2 )
∆𝑉 = 𝐼. 𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙

𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = (𝑅1 + 𝑅2 )
 parallel combination
∆𝑉 = ∆𝑉1 = ∆𝑉2
∆𝑉1 ∆𝑉2 ∆𝑉 ∆𝑉
𝐼 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 = + = +
𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑅1 𝑅2
1 1 1
= +
𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅1 𝑅2
6 Kirchhoff’s Rules
1. Junction rule. At any junction, the sum of the currents must equal
zero:
∑ 𝐼=0
𝑗𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

2- Loop rule. The sum of the potential differences across all elements
around any closed circuit loop must be zero:
∑ ∆𝑉 = 0
𝐶𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑝

Problems