AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Unit 7 - Electrostatics

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on electrostatics, including definitions, laws, and fundamental principles.

What is the unit of electric charge?

Coulombs (C)

What charge do protons and electrons have respectively?

Protons have a positive charge, and electrons have a negative charge.

What is the fundamental charge of a proton or electron?

The fundamental charge is equal to $1.60 imes 10^{-19} C$.

What happens to the charge of a glass rod when it is rubbed with silk?

The glass rod loses electrons and becomes positively charged.

What is the difference between conductors and insulators?

Conductors have free electrons that can move easily, allowing charge to be transferred, while insulators have electrons tightly bound to the nucleus, preventing charge transfer.

What is an electroscope used for?

An electroscope is used to detect electric charge.

What is Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law states that the electrostatic force between two charges is given by $F = k \frac{|Q_1 Q_2|}{r^2}$ where $k$ is a proportionality constant.

What is the principle of superposition in electrostatics?

The net electrostatic force on a charge is the sum of all the forces from all the individual charges acting on it.

Describe charging by induction.

Charging by induction involves bringing a charged object close to a conductor, causing its charge to redistribute without direct contact.

What does Gauss’s Law state?

Gauss’s Law states that the total electric flux out of a closed surface is equal to the charge enclosed divided by the permittivity of free space: $\Phi = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\epsilon_0}$.