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Electricity & Magnetism — Circuits, Fields & Induction Notes

Master electric fields, Coulomb’s law, Ohm’s law ($V=IR$), series and parallel circuits, and electromagnetic induction with clear study notes, formulas, and practice MCQs.

Electricity & Magnetism Study Notes

1. Electric Charge and Coulomb’s Law (Coulomb’s law, charges, and electric force)

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter. Protons carry positive charge (+e) and electrons carry negative charge (−e), where e = 1.6×10&sup-19; C. Like charges repel; unlike charges attract. Coulomb Law gives the magnitude of the force between two point charges: F = kq&sub1;q&sub2;/r², where k = 9×10&sup9; N·m²/C².

2. Current, Voltage, and Ohm’s Law (Ohm’s law formula $V=IR$, resistance, potential difference)

Electric current (I): Rate of flow of charge. I = Q/t, measured in Amperes (A).

Voltage (V): Electric potential difference — energy transferred per unit charge. Measured in Volts (V).

Resistance (R): Opposition to current flow. Measured in Ohms (Ω).

Ohm Law: V = IR. Voltage = current × resistance. Valid for ohmic conductors at constant temperature.

3. Series and Parallel Circuits (circuit behavior, total resistance, current distribution)

Series: Components share the same current. R⊂total; = R&sub1; + R&sub2; + R&sub3;. Voltage divides proportionally to resistance.

Parallel: Components share the same voltage. 1/R⊂total; = 1/R&sub1; + 1/R&sub2; + 1/R&sub3;. Current divides between branches.

4. Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetic Induction (Faraday’s law, magnetic flux, and induced EMF)

Moving charges create magnetic fields. A current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force: F = BIL. A changing magnetic flux induces an EMF (Faraday Law): EMF = −NΔΦ/Δt. Lenz Law states the induced current opposes the change causing it.

Electricity & Magnetism Formula Sheet

Essential circuit equations, Ohm’s law formulas, power equations, and SI units for exam revision.

Ohm's Law

V = IR

Voltage = current × resistance

Unit: V (Volts)

Power

P = IV = I²R

Electrical power (three forms)

Unit: W (Watts)

Coulomb Law

F = kq1q2/r²

Electric force between two point charges

Unit: N (Newtons)

Electric Field

E = F/q

Force per unit charge

Unit: N/C or V/m

Current

I = Q/t

Charge flow per unit time

Unit: A (Amperes)

Faraday Law

EMF = NΔΦ/Δt

Induced EMF from changing flux

Unit: V (Volts)

Frequently Asked Questions About Electricity & Magnetism

Clear answers to key questions about Ohm’s law, series/parallel circuits, and Faraday’s law.

Ohm’s Law states V = IR: voltage across a conductor is proportional to current through it at constant temperature. Double the voltage and you double the current. Double the resistance and you halve the current.

Series: same current through all components; resistances add; voltage divides. Parallel: same voltage across all branches; total resistance decreases; current divides between branches.

Faraday Law states that a changing magnetic flux through a circuit induces an EMF: EMF = −NΔΦ/Δt. The negative sign (Lenz Law) means the induced current opposes the change that caused it.

DC (direct current) flows in one direction only, from a battery. AC (alternating current) periodically reverses direction — mains electricity is AC at 50 Hz or 60 Hz depending on country.

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