PHYS 1006: Electric Potential and Electric Currents

Flashcards covering key concepts from the PHYS 1006 lecture on Electric Potential and Electric Currents.

What are the learning outcomes of the lecture on Electric Potential and Electric Currents?

You should be able to demonstrate knowledge of Electric Potential Energy, Electric Potential, the relation between V and E, Electric Current, Ohm's Law, Resistance and Resistivity, and Electric Power.

What does Electric Potential Energy (EPE) signify in the context of a charge moving in an electric field?

The change in Electric Potential Energy is equal to the work done on the charge by the electric force as it moves from one point to another.

What is the unit of Electric Potential?

The unit of Electric Potential is the Volt (V), which is equivalent to Joules per Coulomb (J/C).

What is Ohm's Law?

Ohm's Law states that the current in a conductor is proportional to the potential difference (V) across its ends and inversely proportional to its resistance (R).

How is electric current defined?

Electric current is the amount of charge flowing per unit time at any point in the circuit, measured in Amperes (A).

What is the relationship between resistance (R), resistivity (ρ), length (L), and cross-sectional area (A) of a conductor?

Resistance (R) is directly proportional to the length (L) of the conductor and inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area (A).

What happens to the resistance of a conductor when its length is doubled?

If the length of a conductor is doubled, its resistance will increase by a factor of four, assuming the area remains constant.

What is the effect of temperature on the resistivity of metals?

The resistivity of metals increases linearly with temperature.

What is the principle of a capacitor?

A capacitor is a device used to store electric charge, consisting of two conductors separated by an insulator (dielectric).

What happens to the capacitance of a capacitor when a dielectric material is inserted between its plates?

The capacitance increases by a factor known as the dielectric constant (k).

How much energy is stored in a capacitor?

The energy stored in a capacitor can be calculated using W = 1/2 CV², where C is the capacitance and V is the voltage.