GENPHYSICS 12

ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL

Electrical potential, also known as electric potential or voltage, is a fundamental concept in physics that
describes the amount of electric potential energy per unit charge at a specific point in an electric field. It
represents the work done in moving a unit positive charge from a reference point to a specific point in
the electric field.

The formula for electrical potential is given by:

V=W/q

where:

- V is the electrical potential or voltage,

- W is the work done in moving the charge,

- q is the magnitude of the charge.

To understand this concept better, let's consider an example. Imagine we have a battery connected to a
light bulb in a circuit. The battery provides a voltage of 12 volts. This means that for every unit positive
charge that moves through the circuit, it gains 12 joules of electric potential energy.

When the circuit is closed and the current flows, the charge moves from the battery's positive terminal
to the negative terminal. Along the way, the charge encounters various components like resistors,
capacitors, and inductors. Each component contributes to the overall electrical potential difference in
the circuit.
For instance, if we have a resistor with a resistance of 5 ohms, the voltage drop across the resistor can
be calculated using Ohm's law: V = I * R, where I is the current flowing through the resistor. The voltage
drop across the resistor represents the decrease in electrical potential energy as the charge passes
through it.

CAPACITOR

A capacitor is an electronic component that stores and releases electrical energy. It consists of two
conductive plates separated by a non-conductive material called a dielectric. When a voltage is applied
across the plates, the capacitor stores electric charge on its plates, creating an electric field between
them.

The capacitance of a capacitor, represented by the symbol C, is a measure of its ability to store electric
charge. The formula for capacitance is given by:

C=Q/V

where:

- C is the capacitance,

- Q is the magnitude of the charge stored on the plates,

- V is the voltage across the capacitor.

The capacitance is measured in farads (F), where 1 farad is equal to 1 coulomb per volt.

The dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor plays a crucial role in its performance. It is an
insulating material that reduces the electric field between the plates and increases the capacitance. The
dielectric material can be made of various substances, such as ceramic, paper, plastic, or electrolytic
materials.
The presence of a dielectric material increases the capacitance according to the formula:

C = k * ε₀ * A / d

where:

- C is the capacitance,

- k is the relative permittivity or dielectric constant of the material,

- ε₀ is the permittivity of free space (8.85 x 10^-12 F/m),

- A is the area of the plates,

- d is the distance between the plates.

The dielectric constant, denoted by k, is a measure of how well the dielectric material can store electric
charge compared to a vacuum. It represents the ratio of the electric field strength in a vacuum to the
electric field strength in the dielectric material.

CURRENT, RESISTANCE, AND ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE

Current, resistance, and electromotive force are fundamental concepts in electricity that describe the
behavior of electric circuits. Let's dive into each of these concepts in detail:

1. Current (I):

Current refers to the flow of electric charge in a circuit. It is measured in amperes (A) and represents the
rate at which charge flows through a specific point in the circuit. Current can flow in two directions:
positive charges moving in one direction and negative charges moving in the opposite direction.
The formula for current is given by Ohm's law:

I=V/R

where:

- I is the current,

- V is the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- R is the resistance in the circuit.

2. Resistance (R):

Resistance is a property of a material or component that opposes the flow of electric current. It is
measured in ohms (Ω). Resistance determines how much current will flow through a circuit for a given
voltage. Materials with higher resistance impede the flow of current more than materials with lower
resistance.

The formula for resistance is also given by Ohm's law:

R=V/I

where:

- R is the resistance,

- V is the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- I is the current flowing through the circuit.

3. Electromotive Force (EMF):

Electromotive force, often referred to as voltage, is the driving force that pushes the electric charges
through a circuit. It is measured in volts (V) and represents the energy per unit charge provided by a
power source, such as a battery or generator.

The formula for electromotive force is:

EMF = V + Ir

where:

- EMF is the electromotive force,

- V is the voltage across the circuit,

- I is the current flowing through the circuit,

- r is the internal resistance of the power source.

The internal resistance accounts for the resistance within the power source itself.

Let's consider an example to illustrate these concepts. Suppose we have a circuit with a voltage of 12
volts and a resistance of 3 ohms. We can calculate the current flowing through the circuit using Ohm's
law:

I=V/R

I = 12 V / 3 Ω

I=4A

In this example, a current of 4 amperes flows through the circuit.

In summary, current represents the flow of electric charge, resistance opposes the flow of current, and
electromotive force provides the driving force for the charges in a circuit. The formulas for current,
resistance, and electromotive force are given by Ohm's law and the equation for electromotive force.
Understanding these concepts is essential for analyzing and designing electric circuits.

Ohm's Law is a fundamental principle in electricity that relates the voltage, current, and resistance in an
electric circuit. It states that the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to the
voltage across it and inversely proportional to the resistance.

OHM's LAW

Ohm's Law can be expressed using the following formula:

V=I*R

where:

- V represents the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- I represents the current flowing through the circuit,

- R represents the resistance in the circuit.

Let's explore the concepts of energy and power in electric current in more detail:

1. Energy:

In an electric circuit, energy is transferred as electric charges flow. The amount of energy transferred can
be calculated using the formula:

E=V*Q
where:

- E represents the energy transferred,

- V represents the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- Q represents the charge that flows through the circuit.

The unit of energy is joules (J).

For example, if a circuit has a voltage of 10 volts and a charge of 5 coulombs flows through it, the energy
transferred can be calculated as:

E = 10 V * 5 C

E = 50 J

In this example, 50 joules of energy are transferred in the circuit.

2. Power:

Power in an electric circuit represents the rate at which energy is transferred or the rate at which work
is done. It is calculated using the formula:

P=V*I

where:

- P represents the power,

- V represents the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- I represents the current flowing through the circuit.

The unit of power is watts (W).

For example, if a circuit has a voltage of 12 volts and a current of 2 amperes flowing through it, the
power can be calculated as:

P = 12 V * 2 A

P = 24 W

In this example, the power in the circuit is 24 watts.

Understanding Ohm's Law, energy, and power in electric circuits is crucial for analyzing and designing
electrical systems. These concepts help in calculating the voltage, current, energy transferred, and
power dissipated in various components of a circuit.

CURRENT IN A DIRECT - CURRENT (DC)

Current in a direct-current (DC) circuit refers to the flow of electric charge in a single direction. A DC
circuit is one in which the current flows steadily in one direction, without changing its magnitude or
direction over time. Let's delve into the details of current in DC circuits.

1. Current (I):

Current represents the flow of electric charge in a circuit. It is measured in amperes (A) and is defined as
the rate of flow of charge. In a DC circuit, the current remains constant over time.

The formula for current in a DC circuit is:

I=Q/t

where:

- I represents the current,

- Q represents the charge that flows through the circuit,

- t represents the time taken for the charge to flow.

The unit of charge is coulombs (C), and the unit of time is seconds (s).

For example, if a charge of 20 coulombs flows through a circuit in 5 seconds, the current can be
calculated as:

I = 20 C / 5 s

I=4A

In this example, the current flowing through the circuit is 4 amperes.

2. Direct-Current (DC) Circuits:

A DC circuit is a circuit in which the current flows in one direction only. It can be created using a direct
current source, such as a battery or a DC power supply. In a DC circuit, the voltage remains constant, and
the current flows steadily without changing its magnitude or direction.

In a simple DC circuit, Ohm's Law can be used to relate the current, voltage, and resistance:

V=I*R
where:

- V represents the voltage or potential difference across the circuit,

- I represents the current flowing through the circuit,

- R represents the resistance in the circuit.

By rearranging the formula, we can also calculate the current:

I=V/R

For example, if a DC circuit has a voltage of 12 volts and a resistance of 3 ohms, the current flowing
through the circuit can be calculated as:

I = 12 V / 3 Ω

I=4A

In this example, a current of 4 amperes flows through the DC circuit.

Understanding current in DC circuits is essential for analyzing and designing electrical systems that
utilize direct current. By applying Ohm's Law and considering the voltage and resistance in a circuit, the
current can be determined, allowing for proper circuit design and analysis.