Chapter 12 Electrostatic

Coulomb’ law The electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional
to the product of the charges, Q and q2 of the charges and inversely
proportional to the square of the distance r between them
Electric field Electric field is a region in which an electric charge will experience an
electric force.
Electric field strength // Electric Field Strength at a point is defined as the electric force per unit
electric intensity charge acting on a small positive test charge placed at the point.
Electric flux Electric flux is the dot product of the electric field E and surface area A.
Gauss’s law Gauss’s law says that the net electric flux Φ through any closed surface
is equal to the net charge inside the surface divided by ε0 .
Electric potential Electric potential at a point in an electric field is the work to move a
positive unit charge from infinity to that point.
Electric potential energy Electric potential energy for a charge q at a point in the electric field is
the work done to move the charge q from infinity to that point.
Electric potential Electric potential difference between point A and B in an electric field is
difference defined as the work done to move a positive unit charge from A to B.
Equipotential surface A surface where all points on the surface have the same electric potential.

Chapter 13 Capacitor
Capacitance The capacitance C of a capacitor is the ratio of the magnitude of charge
Q on either conductor to the potential difference between them.
Dielectric constant // Dielectric constant of a dielectric/medium is the ratio of the permittivity
Relative permittivity of the medium to the permittivity of vacuum.
Time constant of a charging capacitor circuit is the time taken for the
1
charge to increase to (1 − 𝑒) of its final value.
Time constant of a discharge capacitor circuit is the time taken for the
1
charge becomes 𝑒 of the initial charge.

Chapter 14 Electric Current

Current Current is defined as the rate of flow of electric charges.
Drift velocity The mean velocity of the free electrons when a potential difference is
applied across the metal.
Current density The current density in the conductor is defined as the current per unit
cross-sectional area.
Resistivity, ρ The resistivity ρ of a material is the resistance of a unit length ℓ of the
material which has a unit cross-sectional area A.
Conductivity, σ Electrical conductivity is the reciprocal of electrical resistivity.
Conductance, G Electrical conductance is the reciprocal of resistance.

Chapter 15 Direct Current Circuits

The electromotive force, The electromotive force, e.m.f. of a power source is defined as the non-
e.m.f. electric energy per unit charge that is converted into electric energy.
Internal resistance Internal resistance within a source of electric current (such as a cell or
generator).
Kirchhoff’s first law state that at any junction in the circuit, the algebraic
sum of the currents is zero. ∑ Ι = 0
Kirchhoff’s second law state that in any closed loop, the algebraic sum
of e.m.f. is equal to the algebraic sum of products of current and
resistance. ∑ 𝜀 = ∑ Ι𝑅
Chapter 16 Magnetic Field
Magnetic Field A magnetic field is a region where a magnetic force acts on a magnetic
pole.
Magnetic flux density is defined as the magnetic force acting on a unit of
charge that moves at a speed of 1ms−1 in a direction perpendicular to the
magnetic field.
Magnetic flux density is defined as the magnetic force acting on a
conductor of unit length carrying a unit current at right angle to the
magnetic field.
Ampere’s law Ampere’s law states that for any closed loop path, the sum of the length
elements Δℓ times B∥ the magnetic field in the direction of the length
element is equal to the permeability times the electric current 𝜇0 enclosed
in the loop. ∑ B∥ Δℓ = 𝜇0 Ι
Hall effect Hall effect is the phenomenon in which a transverse voltage is set up in a
conductor carrying current when a perpendicular magnetic field is
applied.
Hall voltage Hall voltage is the voltage set up transversely or across a conductor
carrying current when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied.

Chapter 17 Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic flux, Φ Magnetic flux through a surface is defined as the dot product of magnetic
flux density, B and the area of relevant surface, A.
Faraday’ law Faraday’ law states that the magnitude of induced e.m.f. is directly
proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.
Lenz’s law Lenz’ law states that the direction of the induced current is such that it
opposes the change in magnetic flux that gives rise to it.
Self-induction Self-induction is the phenomenon when an e.m.f. is induced in a
conductor itself due to changes in the magnetic flux linked with the
conductor.
Self-inductance, L of a conductor is the back e.m.f. induced in a coil per
rate of change of current in the coil.
L = self-inductance
𝜀
L = − 𝑑I E = induced e.m.f. in a coil
𝑑𝑡 𝑑I
= rate of change of current in the same coil
𝑑𝑡
Mutual induction Mutual induction is the phenomenon in which a changing current in one
circuit induces an e.m.f. in another circuit.
Mutual inductance, M between two magnetically linked circuits is the
back e.m.f. generated in one circuit when the current in another changes
at rate of 1.0As−1 .
L = mutual inductance
𝜀
M = − 𝑑I E = induced e.m.f. in a coil
𝑑𝑡 𝑑I
= rate of change of current in the same coil
𝑑𝑡
Chapter 18 Alternating Current Circuits
Alternating current Alternating current is an electric current that reverse its direction
periodically.
Root-mean-square The root-mean-square (r.m.s.) value of an a.c. is the effective value of the
(r.m.s.) value current.
Reactance of an inductor, 𝑉0 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠
X𝐿 = = = 𝜔𝐿 = 2𝜋𝑓𝐿
X𝐿 I0 I𝑟𝑚𝑠
X𝐿 = reactance of inductor
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = root-mean-square (r.m.s.) voltage
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = root-mean-square (r.m.s.) current
𝑉0 = peak voltage
𝐼0 = peak current
L = self-inductance of inductor
f = frequency
Reactance of a capacitor, 𝑉0 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 1 1
X𝐶 = = = =
X𝐶 I0 I𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝜔𝐶 2𝜋𝑓𝐶
X𝐶 = reactance of capacitor
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = root-mean-square (r.m.s.) voltage
𝐼𝑟𝑚𝑠 = root-mean-square (r.m.s.) current
𝑉0 = peak voltage
𝐼0 = peak current
C = capacitance of capacitor
f = frequency
Impedance, Z Z = √R2 + (X𝐿 − X𝐶 )2
Z = impedance
R = resistance of resistor
X𝐿 = reactance of inductor
X𝐶 = reactance of capacitor