Class 12 Physics - Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields
1. Coulomb's Law:
The electrostatic force between two point charges q■ and q■ separated by a distance r is:
F = k * (q■q■ / r²), where k = 1 / (4π■■)
Direction: Along the line joining the two charges.
2. Principle of Superposition:
The net force on a charge due to a system of charges is the vector sum of individual
forces.
3. Electric Field:
Electric field at a point is the force experienced by a unit positive charge placed at that
point.
E=F/q
4. Electric Field due to a Point Charge:
E = k * (q / r²), directed radially outward (for +q) or inward (for -q).
5. Electric Field on Axial Line of a Dipole:
Consider a dipole of charges +q and -q separated by distance 2a. Dipole moment p = q ×
2a.
On the axial line at distance r from center:
E = (1 / 4π■■) * (2p / (r² - a²)²)
For r >> a: E ≈ (1 / 4π■■) * (2p / r³)
6. Electric Field on Equatorial Line of a Dipole:
E = (1 / 4π■■) * (p / (r² + a²)^(3/2)), perpendicular to dipole axis.
For r >> a: E ≈ (1 / 4π■■) * (p / r³)
7. Gauss's Law:
The total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to (1/■■) times the total charge
enclosed.
■ E ⋅ dA = q_enc / ■■
8. Applications of Gauss's Law:
1) Field due to infinitely long straight uniformly charged wire: E = λ / (2πε■r)
2) Field due to uniformly charged infinite plane sheet: E = σ / (2■■)
3) Field due to uniformly charged spherical shell:
• Outside shell (r > R): E = (1 / 4π■■) * (Q / r²)
• Inside shell (r < R): E = 0
Tip: Revise formulas daily and practice derivations with neat diagrams for full marks.