After completing this section, students should be able to do the following.

  • distinguish between the distance vector and
  • vector at a point whose length describes strength of the field
  • Identify charge of electron, neutron and proton
  • State and explain Coulombs law
  • Apply Coulombs law using vector algebra to find electrostatic force at a point due to several point charges
  • Explain definition of electric field
  • Derive and calculate electric field due to several point charges using vector algebra
  • Define conditions under which Gausss law can be used.
  • Outline steps necessary to apply Gausss law
  • Derive electric field due to line and sphere of charge
  • Discuss analogy of circuits with water pipes
  • Define potential as difference in potential energy per charge
  • Derive potential of point charge
  • Find electric field from potential and vice versa
  • Define capacitance
  • Derive capacitance of simple symetrical structures.
  • Explain displacement current
  • Describe how materials affect electric fields.