MODULE 3

ELECTROSTATIC AND MAGNETISM

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Apply the concepts of electrostatics in charging the body through different ways,
and differentiate
2. Construct coulombs law model using Styrofoam balls to appreciate the electro-
magnetisms in the real world scenario.
3. Design an electric field model to acquaint the concepts and realized the exis-
tence of it in the real world
INTRODUCTION

Electromagnetic forces exist everywhere and all around us, but are invisible and intangible. Yet
it's electromagnetism that is behind almost every invention of the modern world, from light
bulbs to iPads. It's the theory that makes smart phone apps possible (by describing the motion
of electrons flying through wires) a

nd allows you to send text messages (by explaining how a cell phone antenna can send data
through the air)

Moving charges create magnetic fields—electricity and magnetism are really two sides
of the same bar magnet. Just like electricity, magnetism has polarity, la-
beled north and south, and opposite poles attract.

Unlike electricity, however, there is no way to isolate a magnetic pole. Break a refrigera-
tor magnet in half and you're left with two smaller refrigerator The interaction of electric-
ity and magnetism, called electromagnetic induction, can be used to generate power,
turn motors, accelerate particles, and is an essential part of our modern lifestyle.

CONTENT

ELECTROSTATIC

The study of electromagnetic phenomena that occur when there are no moving charge, i.e., af-
ter a static equilibrium has been established. Charges reach their equilibrium positions rapidly,
because the electric force is extremely strong. The mathematical methods of electrostatics
make it possible to calculate the distributions of the electric field and of the electric poten-
tial from a known configuration of charges, conductors, and insulators. Conversely, given a set
of conductors with known potentials, it is possible to calculate electric fields in regions between
the conductors and to determine the charge distribution on the surface of the conductors. The
electric energy of a set of charges at rest can be viewed from the standpoint of the work re-
quired to assemble the charges; alternatively, the energy also can be considered to reside in the
electric field produced by this assembly of charges. Finally, energy can be stored in a capacitor;
the energy required to charge such a device is stored in it as electrostatic energy of the electric
field.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity is a type of energy that can build up in one place or flow from one place to another.
When electricity gathers in one place it is known as static electricity (the word static means
something that does not move); electricity that moves from one place to another is called cur-

rent electricity.

Static electricity often happens when you rub things together. If you rub a balloon against your
pullover 20 or 30 times, you'll find the balloon sticks to you. This happens because rubbing the
balloon gives it an electric charge (a small amount of electricity). The charge makes it stick to
your pullover like a magnet, because your pullover gains an opposite electric charge. So your
pullover and the balloon attract one another like the opposite ends of two magnets.

Have you ever walked across a nylon rug or carpet and felt a slight tingling sensation? Then
touched something metal, like a door knob or a faucet (tap), and felt a sharp pain in your hand?
That is an example of an electric shock. When you walk across the rug, your feet are rubbing
against it. Your body gradually builds up an electric charge, which is the tingling you can sense.
When you touch metal, the charge runs instantly to Earth—and that's the shock you feel.

Lightning is also caused by static electricity. As rain clouds move through the sky, they rub
against the air around them. This makes them build up a huge electric charge. Eventually, when
the charge is big enough, it leaps to Earth as a bolt of lightning. You can often feel the tingling in
the air when a storm is brewing nearby. This is the electricity in the air around you. Read more
about this in our article on capacitors.
RESISTANCE

The property of materials that allow the flow of electric current. Resistance certainly opposes the
flow of current. It is expressed in terms of Ohm (Ω).

According to OHM”S LAW , "The electric current flowing through a conductor is directly pro-
portional to the potential difference across its ends provided the physical conditions
(temperature, dimensions, pressure) of the conductor remains the same."

The Ohm’s Law is given by the formula;

V
I
R=

Where;

R = resistance, ohm

V = potential difference, volt

I = current, ampere

Sample Problem

1. A potential difference across 24 Ω resistor is 12 V. What is the current through the resis-
tor?
Given

V = 12 V and R = 24 Ω
Required

Solution

From Ohm’s law,

I = V/R

I = 12/24

I = 0 .5 A

2. A small light bulb is connected to a 6 V battery and draws 2 A of current. What is the net
resistance of the bulb?

Given
V=6V
I=2A

Required
R

Solution
From Ohm’s Law;

V
I
R=

R = 6/2

R = 3Ω

RESISTORS IN SERIES

Resistors are connected in series if they are joined end to end so that the same amount of elec-
tricity flows through each resistor
RT = R1 + R2 + R3 +……..Rn

IT = I1 = I2 = I3 =……….In

VT = V1 + V2 + V3 + …….Vn

RESISTORS IN PARALLEL

Resistors are said to be connected together in parallel when both of their terminals are respec-
tively connected to each terminal of the other resistor or resistors

1 1 1 1 1
= + + +. .. . ..
R T R 1 R2 R3 Rn

IT = I1 + I2 + I3 +……In

VT = V1 = V2 = V3 = …..Vn
RESISTORS IN SERIES – PARALLEL

Combinations of series and parallel can be reduced to a single equivalent resistance using the
technique illustrated. Various parts can be identified as either series or parallel connections, re-
duced to their equivalent resistances, and then further reduced until a single equivalent resis-
tance is left.

Sample Problem

1. Find the current I passing through and the voltage across each of the resistors in the circuit below.

Given
 Required
IT
V1 , V2 , V 3
Solution
RT = 100 + 400 + 200
RT = 700 Ω

IT = VT/RT = 7/700
IT = 0.01 A = I1 = I2 = I3

V1 = I1 R1 = (0.01)(100) = 1 V
V2 = I2 R2 = (0.01)(400) = 4 V
V3 = I3 R3 = (0.01)(200) = 2 V

2. In this circuit, three resistors receive the same amount of voltage (24 volts) from a single
source. Calculate the amount of current “drawn” by each resistor and the total resistance
of the circuit
Given
 Required

I1 , I 2 , I 3

RT

Solution

I1 = V1/R1 = (24)(1) = 24 A

I2 = V2/R2 = (24)(2) = 12 A

I3 = V3/R3 = (24)(3) = 8 A

1/RT = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 = 1/1 + ½ + 1/3

RT = 0.545 Ω

3. Determine the total resistance of the circuit shown below

Given Required: R T or Req Solution
CAPACITANCE

Expressed as the ratio of the electric charge on each conductor to the potential difference (i.e.,
voltage) between them. The capacitance value of a capacitor is measured in farads (F), units
named for English physicist Michael Faraday (1791–1867). A farad is a large quantity of capaci-
tance.

Q
V
C=

Where;

C = capacitance expressed in Farad (F)

Q = electric charge expressed in Coulomb (Coul)

V = potential difference expressed in volt (v)

Sample Problem

1. Determine the amount of charge stored on either plate of a capacitor having a capaci-
tance of 4 x 10-6 when connected across a 12 v battery
Given
C = 4 x 10-6 F
V = 12 v
Required
Q
Solution
Q
V
C=

Q = CV = (4 x 10-6 F)(12 v)

Q = 4.8 x 10-5 Coul

2. How many electrons are stored in the capacitor of a memory chip of a computer if it has
a capacitance of 3 x 10-14 F if the voltage across the capacitor is 0.5 v?
Given
C = 3 x 10-14 F
 V = 0.5 v
Required
# of electrons
Solution
Q = CV = (3 x 10-14 F)(0.5 v)
Q = 1.5 x 10-14 Coul
Q 1. 5 x 10−14
Qofelectron 1. 6 x 10−19
# of electrons = =

# of electrons = 93750 electrons

CAPACITORS IN SERIES

1 1 1 1 1
= + + +.. . .. ..
CT C 1 C 2 C 3 Cn

VT = V1 + V2 + V3 + ……..Vn

QT = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = …….Qn

CAPACITORS IN PARALLEL
 CT = C1 + C2 + C3 +……Cn

Q T = Q1 + Q2 + Q3 +…..Qn

VT = V1 = V2 = V3 =…….Vn

CAPACITORS IN SERIES-PARALLEL

Sample Problem

1. Find the capacitance for three capacitors connected in seriesl, given their individual ca-
μ μ μ
pacitances are 4 F, 3 F and 6 F
Given
 Required
CT
Solution
1 1 1 1
= + +
CT 4 3 6

μ
CT = 1.33 F

2. Five capacitors, C1 = 2 μF, C2 = 4 μF, C3 = 6 μF, C4 = 5 μF, C5 = 10 μF, are connected

in series and parallel. Determine the capacitance of a single capacitor that will have the
same effect as the combination.

Given

C1 = 2 μF
C2 = 4 μF
C3 = 6 μF
C4 = 5 μF
C5 = 10 μF
 Required

CT

Solution :

Capacitor C2 and C3 are connected in parallel. The equivalent capacitance :

CP = C2 + C3
CP = 4 + 6
CP = 10 μF
Capacitor C1, CP, C4 and C5 are connected in series. The equivalent capacitance :
1/C = 1/C1 + 1/CP + 1/C4 + 1/C5
1/C = 1/2 + 1/10 + 1/5 + 1/10
1/C = 5/10 + 1/10 + 2/10 + 1/10
1/C = 9/10
CT = 10/9 μF

3. Calculate the total capacitance and the charge in each capacitor of the circuit shown be-
low
Given

Required

CT

Q1 , Q 2 , Q 3

Solution
 CT = C1 + C2 + C3 = 0.1 + 0.2 + 0.3

CT = 0.6 μF
Q1 = C1V1 = (1x10-7F)(12v) = 1.2x10-6 Coul
Q2 = C2V2 = (2x10-7F)(12v) = 2.4x10-6 Coul
Q3 = C3V3 = (3x10-7)(12v) = 3.6x10-6 Coul

CELLS

A cell or a battery is a power supply that uses chemical energy to make electricity.
In the circuit below, electricity will flow from the cell or battery, through the lamp and back to the
cell. This is called direct current. Two or more cells joined together is called battery

CELLS IN SERIES

If cells are joined together one after the other, they are said to be connected in series. Compo-
nents are connected in series when they are joined end to end in a circuit, so that the same cur-
rent flows through each. When cells are connected in series their voltages are summed

.
 EmfT = E1 + E2 + E3 + …..En

rT = r1 + r2 + r3 +…..rn

IT = I1 = I2 = I3 =…..In

CELLS IN PARALLEL

Cells are connected in parallel if all the positive terminals are connected together and all the
negative terminals connected together

EmfT = E1 = E2 = E3 = …….En

1 1 1 1 1
= = = =. . .. .
rT r1 r2 r3 rn

IT = I1 = I2 = I3 =……In

CELLS IN SERIES-PARALLEL

Cells can be connected in series or in parallel or a combination of both

 Sample Problem

1. Four cells of 1.5 v each and 1Ω internal resistance are connected in series to external
resistor of R resistance. If the total current flowing in the circuit is 0.5 A, what is the value
of R
Given

Required

Solution

EmfT = 1.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 =1.5 = 6 v

RT = EmfT/IT = 6v0./0.5 A = 12 Ω

R = R T – 4(1.0) = 12 – 4

R=8Ω
 2. From the figure below

Find

a) Equivalent emf

b) Equivalent internal resistance

c) Total current (I)

d) Potential difference across each cell

e) Current from each cell

Solution

a) Equivalent emf ξeq = 5 V

b) Equivalent internal resistance,

Req = r/n = 0 .5/4 = 0.125Ω

c) total current,

I ≈ 0.5 A

d) Potential difference across each cell V = IR = 0.5 × 10 = 5 V

e) Current from each cell, I ′ = I/n

I ′ = 0.5/4 = 0.125 A

3. Four group of cell are connected in parallel. Each has two cell connected in series. If
each cell has an Emf of 2 V, what is the total Emf
Given

Required

EmfT

Solution

Consider group 1

Emf1 = 2v + 2v = 4 v

EmfT = Emf1 = Emf2 = Emf3 = Emf4 = 4V

KIRCHHOFF’S LAW

Kirchhoff’s Circuit Laws allow is used solve complex circuit problems that cannot be reduced to
a simple series or parallel connection by defining a set of basic network laws and theorems for
the voltages and currents around a circuit

1. KIRCHHHOFF’S FIRST LAW OR THE CURRENT LAW (KCL)

States that the “total current or charge entering a junction or node is exactly equal to the
charge leaving the node as it has no other place to go except to leave, as no charge is
lost within the node“. In other words the algebraic sum of ALL the currents entering and
leaving a node must be equal to zero,
 @ ANY JUNCTION

ΣI = 0

2. KIRCHHOFF’S SECOBD LAW OR THE VOLTAGE LAW (KVL)

States that “in any closed loop network, the total voltage around the loop is equal to the
sum of all the voltage drops within the same loop” which is also equal to zero. In other
words the algebraic sum of all voltages within the loop must be equal to zero
@ any closed loop

ΣV = 0

Common DC Circuit Theory Terms:

Circuit – a circuit is a closed loop conducting path in which an electrical current flows.

Path – a single line of connecting elements or sources.

 Node – a node is a junction, connection or terminal within a circuit were two or more cir-
cuit elements are connected or joined together giving a connection point between two or
more branches. A node is indicated by a dot.

Branch – a branch is a single or group of components such as resistors or a source

which are connected between two nodes.

Loop – a loop is a simple closed path in a circuit in which no circuit element or node is
encountered more than once.

Mesh – a mesh is a single closed loop series path that does not contain any other paths.
There are no loops inside a mesh.

Note that:

Components are said to be connected together in Series if the same current value flows
through all the components.

Components are said to be connected together in Parallel if they have the same voltage ap-
plied across them.

A Typical DC Circuit

Sample Problem
 1. Find the current flowing in the 40Ω Resistor, R3

Given

Required
I3
Solution
The circuit has 3 branches, 2 nodes (A and B) and 2 independent loops.

Using Kirchhoffs Current Law, KCL the equations are given as:

At node A : I1 + I2 = I3

At node B : I3 = I1 + I2

Using Kirchhoffs Voltage Law, KVL the equations are given as:

Loop 1 is given as : 10 = R1 I1 + R3 I3 = 10I1 + 40I3

Loop 2 is given as : 20 = R2 I2 + R3 I3 = 20I2 + 40I3

Loop 3 is given as : 10 – 20 = 10I1 – 20I2

As I3 is the sum of I1 + I2 we can rewrite the equations as;

Eq. No 1 : 10 = 10I1 + 40(I1 + I2) = 50I1 + 40I2

Eq. No 2 : 20 = 20I2 + 40(I1 + I2) = 40I1 + 60I2

We now have two “Simultaneous Equations” that can be reduced to give us the values
of I1 and I2
Substitution of I1 in terms of I2 gives us the value of I1 as -0.143 Amps

Substitution of I2 in terms of I1 gives us the value of I2 as +0.429 Amps

As : I3 = I1 + I2

The current flowing in resistor R3 is given as : -0.143 + 0.429 = 0.286 Amps

and the voltage across the resistor R3 is given as : 0.286 x 40 = 11.44 volts

The negative sign for I1 means that the direction of current flow initially chosen was wrong, but
never the less still valid. In fact, the 20v battery is charging the 10v battery.

2. Resistors of R1= 10Ω, R2 = 4Ω and R3 = 8Ω are connected up to two batteries

(of negligible resistance) as shown. Find the current through each resistor.
Given

Required
I1 , I2 and I3
 Solution:
Assume currents to flow in directions indicated by arrows.
Apply KCL on Junctions C and A.
Therefore, current in mesh ABC = i1
Current in Mesh CA = i2
Then current in Mesh CDA = i1 – i2
Now, Apply KVL on Mesh ABC, 20V are acting in clockwise direction. Equating the sum
of IR products, we get;
10i1 + 4i2 = 20 ……………. (1)

In mesh ACD, 12 volts are acting in clockwise direction, then:

8(i1–i2) – 4i2= 12
8i1 – 8i2 – 4i2= 12
8i1 – 12i2 = 12 ……………. (2)
Multiplying equation (1) by 3;
30i1 + 12i2 = 60
Solving for i1
30i1 + 12i2 = 60
8i1 – 12i2 = 12
38i1 = 72

The above equation can be also simplified by Elimination or Cramer’s Rule.

i1 = 72/38 = 1.895 Amperes = Current in 10 Ohms resistor
Substituting this value in (1), we get:
10(1.895) + 4i2 = 20
4i2 = 20 – 18.95
i2 = 0.263 Amperes = Current in 4 Ohms Resistors.
Now,
i1 – i2 = 1.895 – 0.263 = 1.632 Amperes

MAGNETISM
 It refers to physical phenomena arising from the force caused by magnets. objects that
produce fields that attract or repel other objects. Materials/elements that can be mag-
netic include Fe, Co, Ni
Properties of magnets
1. Have polarity ( North seeking pole and South seeking pole)
2. Cannot have only 1 pole
3. Like poles repel; opposite poles attract
HISTORY OF MAGNETISM

ØRSTED'S LAW

“When a steady electric current passes through a wire it creates a magnetic field around it”

FARADAY'S LAW OF INDUCTION

“An electric current can be produced from changing magnetic fields.”

RELATIONSHIP between MAGNETISM and ELECTRICITY

LORENTZ FORCE
The combination of electric and magnetic forces on a charged object is known as the
Lorentz Force.
The Lorentz Force on an electric charge occurs when the charge moves through a mag-
netic field.
– This force was perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.
The direction of the force is demonstrated by the RIGHT HAND RULE

THE RIGHT HAND RULE

The RIGHT HAND RULE is used to determine the direction of the MAGNETIC FORCE
from a MAGNETIC FIELD on the VELOCITY OF THE CURRENT running through a
wire.
They are perpendicular to each other.
FORMULA
F = IL B sin θ

DESCRIPTION UNIT SYMBOL

F Force from the magnetic
Newton N
field

q charge Coulom
C
b

v velocity m/sec m/sec

B Magnetic field T T

sin θ Angle between the current

Degree °
and magnetic field

Sample Problem
1. A 1.5m wire has a 4.5A electric current is oriented horizontally. At that point on the
Earth’s surface, the dip angle of the Earth’s magnetic field makes an angle of 38° to the
wire. What is the magnitude of the magnetic force due to the Earth’s magnetic field of
5.5 x 10-5 T at this point?
Given
L = 1.5 m
I = 4.5 A
Θ = 380
B= 5.5x10-5 T

Required
F
Solution
F = ILBSinθ
F = (4.5A)(1.5m)(5.5x-5T)sin 380
F = 2.29x10-5 N
 2. A proton moves east with a speed of 4 x 106 m/s in a magnetic field of 2 x 10-4 T directed
into the page. What is the magnitude of the magnetic force acting on the proton?
Given
V = 4 x 106 m/s in
B = 2 x 10-4 T
Q = 1.6 x 10-19 C
Required
F
Solution
F = ILBSinθ
Q
But I = t
Q
F= t LBSinθ
F = Q V B Sin θ
F = (1.6 x 10-19 C)( 4 x 106 m/s in)( 2 x 10-4 T) Sin 900
F = 1.28 x 10-16 N

REFERENCES
Kruas, Allan D. (2012) introduction to thermal and fluid engineering: Boca Raton FL CRC Press

Cengel, Yunus S (2011) Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach. Singapore McGraw Hill

Moran, Michael J (2010) Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, New Jersey: Wiley&

Sons Inc

https://www.google.com/search?q=cells+in+series+and+parallel+problems&tbms

Young, Hugh D. and Freedman, Roger A.(1996) University Physics, 9th Edition, Volume I1, Ad-

dison-Wesley Publishing Co. Inc.

Jones, Edwin R. and Childers, Richard (1999) Contemporary Physics, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill

Companies, Inc