Nature’s Fundamental Forces and Electrical Phenomena
Fundamental Forces of Nature and Electrical Phenomena
Fundamental Forces
- Strong Interaction: A short-range force holding protons and neutrons together within the atomic nucleus.
- Electromagnetic Interaction: Occurs between electrically charged particles, resulting in attractive or repulsive forces.
- Weak Interaction: A short-range nuclear force responsible for instability in certain atomic nuclei.
- Gravitational Interaction: A force of mutual attraction between all bodies with mass, though relatively weak in intensity.
Quantization and Conservation of Charge
Quantization means a physical variable exists in discrete, indivisible units.
Electrostatic Induction
A method of charging a conductor without direct contact with an electrified object.
The Electroscope
An instrument used to detect the presence of electric charges.
Environmental Influence on Forces Between Charges
The forces between charges are reduced when the charges are located in a medium other than a vacuum.
Electric Field Strength
Defined as the force experienced by a positive test charge.
Lines of Force in an Electric Field
Lines tangent to the electric field intensity vector, indicating the direction of force at each point.
Uniform Electric Field
A field where the magnitude and direction are constant within a region of space.
Movement of Charged Particles in Uniform Electric Fields
A point charge of magnitude Q entering an electric field will experience a force.
Electric Field Inside a Conductor
The electric field inside a conductor in electrostatic equilibrium is zero.
Electric Force
A conservative force where the work done moving a charge between two points is independent of the path.
Absolute Potential
Potential is always measured relative to a reference point. It represents the potential difference between two points, distinguishing levels of electric potential energy.
Charged bodies can be considered as consisting of an infinite number of point charges, and the total field and potential are the vector or scalar sum of these.
Potential Due to a Charged Body
Any spherical body can be treated as a point charge if the distance is sufficiently large.
Equipotential Surfaces
A surface where the electric potential remains constant throughout.
Potential of a Conductor in Electrostatic Equilibrium
The electric field inside is zero, and the field is perpendicular to the surface at every point. The potential difference is zero, not necessarily the potential at a point.
Effect of Dielectric in a Capacitor
Placing a dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor has the following effects:
- Increasing the capacitance.
- Improving the mechanical rigidity of the capacitor’s structure.
Electricity
The flow of electric charges.
Photoelectric Effect
The emission of electrons from a metal surface when light shines on it.
Chemical Action (Batteries)
Devices that convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
Magnetic Action
Interaction between a closed electrical circuit and a moving magnetic field can generate an electrical current.