Current:

Current:
Measured
Measured
in coulomb
in coulomb
per second
per second
(charge
(charge
over over
time).
time).
RateRate
at which
at which
charge
charge
is flowing.
is flowing.

Electrostatic Force between two charges. R = distance

between charges and is measured in meters.

Coulomb's Constant

R = Resistance (Units: Ohms)

Potential Difference P = Power(Units: Watts)
I = current (Units: amperes)
A = Area of the cross section of the wire
Electric field strength (Units: m^2)
L = Length of the wire (Units: m)
R = Resistance (Units: Ohms)
p= resistivity

Chapter 5:

R = Resistance (Units: Ohms)

P = Power(Units: Watts)

I = current (Units: amperes)

A = Area of the cross section of the wire (Units: m^2)

L = Length of the wire (Units: m)

R = Resistance (Units: Ohms)

p= resistivity (ohm meters)

K = Coulomb's constant (8.99 x 10^9 m^2/C^2)

W = Work (Unit: Joules)

F = Forces (Unit: Newtons)

Q= charge (unit : Coulombs)

V = drift velocity (measured in meters per second)

N = charge carrying density (units meters cubed)

B= magnitude of the magnetic field (measured in Teslas)

Explanation of Context:

In Chapter 5 we learned about the physics behind electric fields (a central aspect of our lives).
Certain equations used to explain electric fields mimic equations used for gravitational fields.

In Sub-Topic 5.1, we focused on electric fields. In the first equation, current is the rate of charge flowing through a

certain point in the wire in a given amount of time.

Like masses and the gravitational field, there can be electric force between two charges with a certain degree of
seperation. However these forces can be either attractive or repulsive depending on the charge of the charges (like

repels like while opposites attract). Charges can be positive or negative.

Potential difference (V) or the voltage is what causes the current to flow. Just like how PE differences would cause a ball
on a ramp to flow. Change in PE helps current flow

In 5.2 we use these equations to find the resistance in a circuit and how the circuit setup affects the degree to which the

current is affected. Power and dissipated power is also introduced in this subtopic.

In 5.3 and 5.4 we learn about electromagnetism and electric cells.

Restrictions

1. Charge must always be in coulombs

2. Electric force only used with 2 charges

3. Coulomb constant always must be used

4. Must always invert after adding resistors in parallel

5. Must always be working in the correct units

6. V total must be 0 in loops

7. I total must be 0 in junctions

8. Cross sectional area is often a circle

Context of equations:

In 6.2 we are being asked to explore how

gravitational fields are prevalent within the

world around us. With the first equation we

are able to find the force between two

masses.
Every object in the universe attracts

another object

g= F/m --> acceleration at the surface of

the earth (F=ma)

We use these equations to help us

calculate field strength and to see how this

strength is affected by distance and mass.

Restrictions

1. Distance/ separation is measure from

body's center of mass

2. Newtons Law of Gravitation utilizes 2

masses

3. Must always be in SI units

4. Commonly applied to gravitational fields

between bodies of incredibly large mass

( usually applied to planets or satellites

rather than humans)

G = Gravitational Constant Explanation of Context:

K = Coulomb's Constant Chapter 10 and the equations for chapter 10
Q= charge (Unit = Coulombs) focus on the relationships between electric and
R = Distance between two bodies (Unit = m) gravitational fields.
g = gravitational field strength (unit = Newtons per kg) Both fields, electric and gravitational have:
E = electric field strength (Newton per coulomb) Potentials
Ep = potential Energy (unit = Joules) Potential field strength
Fe = electric force (Unit= Newtons) Potential energy
Vesc= Escape velocity (Unit = meters per second) Force
Vorbit = Orbital Velocity around mass (Unit = meters per second) Restrictions
1. Must always use correct units
2. Electric potential difference and Voltage are
the same thing
3. Need all variables and correct units for each
problem
4. Need all constants
5. Each equation only applies to its own field

Measurement of Magnetic Flux: Measurement of

magnetic flux passing through a given area

(Weber)
B = Field Strength (Unit = Teslas)
Explanation of Context:

Moving a piece of conductor through a

A = Area chosen (affected by magnetic field) Units:
magnetic. Field produces a magnetic force on

m^2
Theta = Angle at which field affects theta (between the charges in the moving wire.

0 and normal) Units: degrees or radians Moving a conductor through a magnetic field

Small e = electromotive force/ Units: Volts produces a current.

N = number of wires or loops (usually pertains to In common AC generators this is how current is

solenoid) created.

Solenoid =
L = length of a straight wire

V = relative speed between wire and the B-field

Restrictions

RMS = root means square

C = Capacitance 1. Must keep all units correct

Pmax = Max Power/ Units: Watts 2. AC specific

P = Power dissipated/ Units : Watts 3. Some equations require a conductor/wire

I0 = Max Current / Units : Amperes with multiple loops or wires

V0 = Max Voltage / Units : Volts 4. RMS is used. Root means square is mean
Np = Primary

of the squares of a set of numbers.

Ns = Secondary 5. Only works for electromagnetic fields

R = resistance/ Units: ohms