Lecture on Electric Potential and Conductivity

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts from the lecture notes on electric potential, conductivity, and related principles.

Electric Scalar Potential

The potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field, typically assigned a reference voltage at a chosen node.

Ground

A reference point in an electric circuit assigned a zero voltage.

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law

A fundamental principle stating that the sum of the electrical potential differences (voltage) around any closed circuit is zero.

Conservative Field

A vector field where the line integral along any closed path is zero, implying that the work done is path-independent.

Potential Function

A scalar function that describes the potential energy of an electric field in relation to position.

Conductivity

A measure of a material's ability to conduct electric current, denoted by the symbol σ (S/m).

Perfect Conductor

A hypothetical material with infinite conductivity (σ = ∞), allowing electric current to flow without resistance.

Perfect Dielectric

A material with zero conductivity (σ = 0), which does not conduct electricity.

Resistivity

The electrical resistance per unit length and cross-sectional area, characteristic to the material, often denoted as ρ.

Ohm's Law

The principle that states the current (I) through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points, commonly expressed as V = IR.

Conduction Current Density

The electric current per unit area of cross-section, represented by the equation J = σE (A/m²).