Electrostatics

Understanding static electricity, electric fields, and electric potential

Topics

How do capacitors work?

Capacitors work by storing electrical charge on two conductive plates separated by an insulating material. When voltage is applied, charges accumulate on the plates, creating an electric field that stores energy. The capacitor can then release this stored energy when connected to a circuit.

What is an electric dipole?

An electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a distance. It creates an electric field that points from the positive to the negative charge and has a dipole moment that measures the strength and orientation of the charge separation.

What is an electric field?

An electric field is a region around an electric charge where electric forces act on other charges. It represents the force per unit charge and describes how charges influence each other through space, even without direct contact.

What is capacitance?

Capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store electrical energy in an electric field. It's measured in farads and represents how much charge a capacitor can store per volt of voltage applied across it.

What is Coulomb's law?

Coulomb's law describes the force between two electric charges. It states that the force is proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. Like charges repel (positive force) and opposite charges attract (negative force).

What is electricity?

Electricity is the flow of electric charge, typically electrons moving through a conductor. It involves electric current (flowing charge), voltage (electrical pressure), and can power devices and create magnetic fields.

What is static electricity?

Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on an object's surface. It occurs when electrons transfer between objects through contact or friction, creating an imbalance of charge that can cause sparks or attraction.

What is voltage?

Voltage is the electrical potential difference between two points, representing the 'pressure' that drives electric current. It's measured in volts and determines how strongly charge is pushed through a circuit.

Why do like charges repel?

Like charges repel because they create electric fields that push away from each other. Two positive charges or two negative charges experience repulsive forces because their electric fields interact in a way that pushes them apart, following Coulomb's law which states that like charges repel with a force proportional to the product of their charges.

Why do we get electric shocks?

We get electric shocks when electric charge suddenly flows through our body. This can happen from static electricity (charge buildup discharging) or from contact with live electrical circuits, causing a painful sensation.