IA: 1P3: Electromagnetics Flashcards
How are electric flux density and electric field strength related?
D = electric flux density
E = electric field strength
What is the equation for the magnitude of the electric flux density, D, at a distance r from a point charge?
What is the equation for the magnitude of the electric field strength, E, at a distance r from a point charge?
What are the equations for the electric flux density and electric field strength at a distance r from an infinitely long wire?
ρ = static charge density (per unit length)
What are the equations for the electric flux density and electric field strength at a distance r from an infinitely large plane?
α = static charge density (per unit area)
What is Gauss’ law?
The total electric flux D passing through any closed surface S equals the charge Q enclosed by the surface. The surface is called a Gaussian surface.
What is the equation for Gauss’ law when the gaussian surface is always perpendicular to the flux?
Q = DA
What is the equation for Gauss’ law when the gaussian surface is NOT always perpendicular to the flux?
What is an equipotential?
A line or a surface of constant potential. A point charge can be moved along it without having to do any work against electric fields. They are always perpendicular to the electric field lines (because if a charge travels perpendicular to an electric field then it isn’t doing any work with or against the field).
What can an equipotential be replaced by?
Any equipotential can be replaced by a conducting surface. Conductors are equipotentials, with the electric field lines ending at right angles to their surface.
What is the method of images?
Use the diagram shown as an example
The method of images is a technique used to solve problems involving conducting boundaries - especially when dealing with point charges near conductors like planes or spheres. It uses the idea that an equipotential can be replaced by a conductor, in reverse. You can construct a system of charges which has, as one of its equipotentials, the same plane as that occupied by a conductor. The second imaginary charge is known as the “image charge”. Once you have added the “image charges” you can calculate the electric field produced by using superposition from the fields arising from the charges.
How can you use the method of images to determine the electric field between the point charge and the conductor?
A metal sphere of radius 5mm is centred at a height of 10mm from an earthed conducting sheet. The electrical breakdown strength of air, |Eₘₐₓ|, is 3x10⁶ Vm⁻¹. Determine the maximum voltage and charge which may be applied to the sphere without breakdown occuring.
Qₘₐₓ = 7.5nC
Vₘₐₓ = 9000 V
Take note of the step where they substitute in the values for r (superposition step)
What is the equation for the energy stored in a capacitor?
½CV²
Derive the expression for the energy stored in a capacitor (½CV²)
What is the equation linking the electric field strength and voltage in a parallel plate capacitor?
V = Ex
x = separation of the 2 plates
What is the electrostatic force (in a direction x) given by?
Determine the force acting between the 2 plates of a capacitor
½qE
Determine the force F acting on the dielectric
Derive the “virtual work” equation
What is the equation for the magnetic flux passing through a surface?
What is the Biot-Savart law?
a short element of wire of length dl carrying a current I produces a magnetic flux density δB at a position described by the vector r. The direction given by the cross product between the vector dl of the current in the wire at 1 and the position given by the vector r.
What is the equation for the magnetic flux density around an infinitely long current carrying wire?
What is the equation for the Biot-Savart law?
r³ in the denomindator rather than r² as the r in the numerator is NOT a unit vector