Document 1: Physics – Electrostatics & Capacitance
Coulomb’s Law: The electrostatic force between two point charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ is $F =
k \frac{q_1 q_2}{r^2}$.
Electric Field Intensity: Defined as the force per unit test charge. $E = \frac{F}{q_0}$. For a
point charge, $E = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q}{r^2}$.
Gauss’s Theorem: The net electric flux through any closed surface is equal to $1/\epsilon_0$
times the net charge enclosed. $\oint E \cdot dS = \frac{q}{\epsilon_0}$.
Electric Potential ($V$): Work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity to a point.
For a point charge, $V = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q}{r}$.
Capacitance: The ratio of the charge given to a conductor to the increase in its potential ($C
= Q/V$).
o Parallel Plate Capacitor: $C = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{d}$.
o Energy Stored: $U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2$.
Page 2: Electric Dipoles and Field Derivations
2.1 Electric Dipole Moment ($\vec{p}$): A pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a distance
$2a$.
$$\vec{p} = q \times (2\vec{a})$$
(Direction: From negative charge to positive charge)
2.2 Derivation: Electric Field on the Axial Line
For a point $P$ at distance $r$ from the center of the dipole:
$$E_{axial} = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{2pr}{(r^2 - a^2)^2}$$
For a short dipole ($r \gg a$): $E_{axial} \approx \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{2p}{r^3}$.
2.3 Derivation: Electric Field on the Equatorial Line
For a point $P$ at distance $r$ on the perpendicular bisector:
$$E_{equatorial} = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{p}{(r^2 + a^2)^{3/2}}$$
For a short dipole ($r \gg a$): $E_{equatorial} \approx \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{p}{r^3}$.
Page 3: Gauss’s Law and Its Applications
3.1 Electric Flux ($\Phi_E$): The total number of electric field lines passing through a given area.
$$\Phi_E = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = E A \cos \theta$$
3.2 Gauss’s Theorem: The surface integral of the electric field over a closed surface (Gaussian
surface) is $1/\epsilon_0$ times the charge enclosed.
$$\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \frac{q_{enclosed}}{\epsilon_0}$$
3.3 Applications of Gauss’s Law:
1. Field due to an infinitely long straight wire: $E = \frac{\lambda}{2\pi\epsilon_0 r}$ (where
$\lambda$ is linear charge density).
2. Field due to an infinite plane sheet: $E = \frac{\sigma}{2\epsilon_0}$ (where $\sigma$ is
surface charge density).
3. Field due to a uniformly charged thin spherical shell:
o Outside ($r > R$): $E = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q}{r^2}$.
o Inside ($r < R$): $E = 0$.
Page 4: Electrostatic Potential and Energy
4.1 Electric Potential ($V$): The work done per unit charge in bringing a charge from infinity to a
point.
$$V = \frac{W}{q_0} = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q}{r}$$
4.2 Relation between $E$ and $V$:
$$E = -\frac{dV}{dr}$$
(The electric field is the negative gradient of the potential).
4.3 Equipotential Surfaces: A surface where the potential is the same at every point.
No work is done in moving a charge on an equipotential surface.
Electric field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surfaces.
4.4 Potential Energy of a System: For two charges, $U = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{q_1 q_2}{r}$.
Page 5: Capacitance and Dielectrics
5.1 Capacitance ($C$): The ability to store charge. $C = Q/V$. Unit: Farad (F).
5.2 Parallel Plate Capacitor:
$$C = \frac{\epsilon_0 A}{d}$$
If a dielectric of constant $K$ is inserted: $C' = K C = \frac{K \epsilon_0 A}{d}$.
5.3 Combination of Capacitors:
Series: $\frac{1}{C_{eq}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \dots$
Parallel: $C_{eq} = C_1 + C_2 + \dots$
5.4 Energy Stored in a Capacitor:
$$U = \frac{1}{2}CV^2 = \frac{Q^2}{2C} = \frac{1}{2}QV$$