Physics 2: Electricity and Magnetism: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 10 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Coulomb’s law & electric fields

Coulomb’s law: F = k·|q₁q₂|/r²
Field of a point charge: E = k·|q|/r²
Constant: k = 8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C²
Force on a charge: F = q·E

Series & parallel resistors

Resistors in series: R_eq = R₁ + R₂ + …
Resistors in parallel: 1/R_eq = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …
Two in parallel: R_eq = R₁R₂ / (R₁ + R₂)
Ohm's law: V = I·R
Power: P = V·I = I²R = V²/R

Method

Start at the end of the network furthest from the terminals.
Combine resistors in series by adding them, and resistors in parallel with 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …
Redraw the circuit after each step.
Repeat until one resistor is left between the terminals.

RC & RL transients

Time constant: τ = RC | τ = L/R
Response: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e^−t/τ
Capacitor at DC: open circuit; v_C cannot jump
Inductor at DC: short circuit; i_L cannot jump
Settled: t ≈ 5τ

Method

Find the initial value just after switching: a capacitor voltage and an inductor current cannot jump.
Find the final value long after switching: a capacitor acts as an open circuit, an inductor as a short circuit.
Find the time constant: τ = RC or τ = L/R, using the resistance seen by the capacitor or inductor.
Use x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e^−t/τ.

Magnetic fields & induction

Long straight wire: B = μ₀I/(2πr)
Centre of a flat coil: B = μ₀NI/(2R)
Long solenoid: B = μ₀nI, n = N/L
Constant: μ₀ = 4π × 10⁻⁷ T·m/A
Force on a wire: F = BIL·sin θ
Force on a charge: F = |q|vB·sin θ
Circular motion: r = mv/(|q|B), T = 2πm/(|q|B)
Parallel wires: F/L = μ₀I₁I₂/(2πd)
Flux: Φ = BA·cos θ
Faraday’s law: ε = −N·ΔΦ/Δt
Moving rod: ε = BLv
Generator: E₀ = NBAω, E_rms = E₀/√2
Inductance: ε = L·ΔI/Δt, L = μ₀N²A/l, W = ½LI²
Mutual inductance: ε₂ = M·di₁/dt, M = k√(L₁L₂)
Velocity selector and spectrometer: v = E/B, r = √(2mV/|q|)/B

Method

Convert every quantity to SI units: cm to m, cm² to m², mT and µT to T.
Pick the right formula: B = μ₀I/(2πr) for a wire, μ₀NI/(2R) for the centre of a coil, μ₀nI inside a solenoid; F = BIL·sin θ or |q|vB·sin θ for forces.
For induction, find the change of flux ΔΦ = Δ(BA·cos θ) and use ε = N·ΔΦ/Δt, or ε = BLv for a moving rod and NBAω for a rotating coil.
Find directions separately with the right-hand rules, and Lenz’s law for induced currents.

AC impedance & phasors

Impedances: Z_R = R, Z_L = jωL, Z_C = 1/(jωC)
Angular frequency: ω = 2πf
Magnitude and angle: |Z| = √(R² + X²), φ = atan(X/R)
Phasor Ohm’s law: V = I·Z

Method

Convert the frequency: ω = 2πf.
Find each reactance: X_L = ωL and X_C = 1/(ωC).
Add impedances like resistors, with Z = R + jX.
Find the magnitude |Z| = √(R² + X²) and the angle φ = atan(X/R), then use Ohm’s law with phasors.

2Practice problems

1.Coulomb’s law & electric fieldsMedium

Two identical small metal spheres carry charges of +4 µC and +8 µC. They are touched together and then put back 50 cm apart. Find the magnitude of the force F between them now. Use k = 8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C².

q₁ = +4 µCq₂ = +8 µCr = 50 cm

F = N

2.Coulomb’s law & electric fieldsHard

An electron enters the uniform field between two parallel plates moving parallel to them at 3 × 10⁷ m/s. The plates are 4 cm long and the field between them is 4900 N/C. Electron charge 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C, mass 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kg; ignore gravity. How far y is it deflected sideways when it leaves the plates? Give the answer in mm.

v₀ = 3 × 10⁷ m/sL = 4 cmE = 4900 N/Ce = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ Cm_e = 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kg

y = mm

3.Series & parallel resistorsMedium

Find the current I_R1 delivered by the source, which flows through R₁.

V₁ = 9 VR₁ = 4 ΩR₂ = 8 ΩR₃ = 20 ΩR₄ = 4 Ω

I_R1 = A

4.Series & parallel resistorsHard

Find the current I_R2 through R₂.

V₁ = 5 VR₁ = 12 ΩR₂ = 3 ΩR₃ = 10 ΩR₄ = 2 ΩR₅ = 5 ΩR₆ = 15 Ω

I_R2 = A

5.RC & RL transientsMedium

The inductor carries no current before the switch closes at t = 0. Find the current i at t = 1 ms.

V_s = 5 VR = 100 ΩL = 47 mHt = 1 ms

i = A

6.RC & RL transientsHard

The switch has been closed for a long time, so the circuit is in steady state. At t = 0 the switch opens. Find the capacitor voltage v_C at t = 40 ms.

V_s = 9 VR₁ = 1 kΩR₂ = 2.2 kΩC = 47 µFt = 40 ms

v_C = V

7.Magnetic fields & inductionMedium

A coil of 20 turns has an area of 20 cm². The coil is turned over (rotated through 180°) in a uniform field of 0.4 T, which is perpendicular to its plane, in 20 ms. Find the average induced emf ε.

N = 20A = 20 cm²B = 0.4 TΔt = 20 ms

ε = V

8.Magnetic fields & inductionHard

A proton starts from rest, is accelerated through a potential difference of 1000 V and then enters a uniform magnetic field of 0.5 T at right angles. Find the radius r of its path in the field.

m = 1.673 × 10⁻²⁷ kg|q| = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ CV = 1000 VB = 0.5 T

r = cm

9.AC impedance & phasorsMedium

A series RLC circuit is connected to a 12 V (rms), 50 Hz supply. Find the real power P taken from the supply.

V = 12 V (rms)f = 50 HzR = 40 ΩL = 250 mHC = 100 µF

P = W

10.AC impedance & phasorsHard

A series RLC circuit is driven by a 24 V (rms) source whose frequency is set to the resonant frequency of the circuit. Find the rms voltage V_L across the inductor.

V = 24 V (rms)R = 2 ΩL = 20 mHC = 10 µF

V_L = V

3Solutions

1.Coulomb’s law & electric fields

Answer: F = 1.295 N

Coulomb’s law: two point charges attract or repel with F = k·|q₁·q₂|/r², with k = 8.99 × 10⁹ N·m²/C². The field of a point charge is E = k·|q|/r², pointing away from a positive charge and towards a negative one. Forces and fields from several charges add as vectors.

Charge after touching

q′ = (4 + 8)/2 = 6 µC

New force

F = 8.99 × 10⁹·(6 × 10⁻⁶)²/0.5² = 1.295 N

Answer

F = 1.295 N

Both spheres now carry the same sign, so they repel.

2.Coulomb’s law & electric fields

Answer: y = 0.766 mm

Time between the plates

t = L/v₀ = 0.04/3 × 10⁷ = 1.333 × 10⁻⁹ s

Sideways acceleration

a = e·E/m = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹·4900/9.109 × 10⁻³¹ = 8.618 × 10¹⁴ m/s²

Deflection

y = ½·a·t² = ½·8.618 × 10¹⁴·(1.333 × 10⁻⁹)² = 0.000766 m = 0.766 mm

Answer

y = 0.766 mm

The electron is pushed towards the positive plate, against the field direction.

3.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: I_R1 = 0.9 A

Series and parallel resistors: in series the same current flows through each resistor and R = R₁ + R₂ + …. In parallel each resistor has the same voltage and 1/R = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ + …. A ladder network is reduced one pair at a time until a single equivalent resistance remains.

Combine resistors from the far end

Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.

R₃ + R₄ = 20 + 4 = 24 Ω

R₂ ∥ 24 = 8·24/(8+24) = 6 Ω

R_eq = R₁ + 6 = 4 + 6 = 10 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only R_eq, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

I_R1 = V₁/R_eq = 9/10 = 0.9 A

Answer

I_R1 = 0.9 A

4.Series & parallel resistors

Answer: I_R2 = 0.2771 A

Combine resistors from the far end

Start at the end farthest from the source and work back towards it. Resistors carrying the same current are in series; resistors across the same two nodes are in parallel.

R₅ + R₆ = 5 + 15 = 20 Ω

R₄ ∥ 20 = 1.818 Ω

R₃ + 1.818 = 11.82 Ω

R₂ ∥ 11.82 = 2.393 Ω

R_eq = R₁ + 2.393 = 12 + 2.393 = 14.39 Ω

Current from the source

The source sees only R_eq, so Ohm’s law gives the current it delivers. That current flows through R₁.

I_R1 = V₁/R_eq = 5/14.39 = 0.3474 A

Current through R₂

Subtract the drop across R₁ to get the voltage at node A, which is the voltage across R₂.

V_A = V₁ − I_R1·R₁ = 5 − 0.3474·12 = 0.8312 V

I_R2 = V_A/R₂ = 0.8312/3 = 0.2771 A

Answer

I_R2 = 0.2771 A

5.RC & RL transients

Answer: i = 0.04404 A

First-order transients: in a circuit with one capacitor or one inductor, every voltage and current moves exponentially from its initial value to its final value: x(t) = x(∞) + [x(0) − x(∞)]·e^−t/τ, with τ = RC or τ = L/R. After about 5τ the circuit has settled.

Time constant and final current

Long after the switch closes the inductor behaves like a short circuit, so the final current is set by R alone.

τ = L/R = 47 mH / 100 Ω = 0.47 ms

i(∞) = V_s/R = 5/100 = 0.05 A

Current at the given time

i(t) = i(∞)·(1 − e^−t/τ) = 0.05·(1 − e^−1/0.47) = 0.04404 A

Answer

i = 0.04404 A

6.RC & RL transients

Answer: v_C = 4.203 V

Initial capacitor voltage

In steady state the capacitor is an open circuit, so R₁ and R₂ form a voltage divider. The capacitor voltage cannot jump when the switch opens.

v_C(0) = 9·2.2/(1 + 2.2) = 6.188 V

Time constant after the switch opens

τ = R₂·C = 2.2·47 = 103.4 ms

Discharge

v_C(t) = 6.188·e^−40/103.4 = 4.203 V

Answer

v_C = 4.203 V

7.Magnetic fields & induction

Answer: ε = 1.6 V

Electromagnetic induction: the flux through a loop is Φ = BA·cos θ, with θ between B and the normal of the loop. Faraday's law: a change of flux induces emf = −N·dΦ/dt in a coil of N turns, and Lenz's law says the induced current flows so that its own field opposes the change. A rod moving across a field gives emf = BLv. A coil rotating at ω gives e = NBAω·sin ωt, peak NBAω. Self-inductance: emf = −L·di/dt, with L = μ₀N²A/l for a long solenoid, and the energy stored is W = ½LI². Two coupled coils: emf₂ = −M·di₁/dt with M = k√(L₁L₂).

Change of flux per turn

ΔΦ = 2·0.4·0.002 = 0.0016 Wb

Average emf

ε = NΔΦ/Δt = 20·0.0016/0.02 = 1.6 V

Answer

ε = 1.6 V

8.Magnetic fields & induction

Answer: r = 0.914 cm

Magnetic forces: a straight wire carrying I in a field B feels F = BIL·sin θ, and a moving charge F = |q|vB·sin θ, where θ is the angle between the current (or velocity) and B. The force is perpendicular to both: point the fingers of the right hand along I or v, curl them towards B, and the thumb gives F for a positive charge; reverse it for a negative charge. Because F is perpendicular to v, a charge moving across a uniform field moves on a circle: |q|vB = mv²/r gives r = mv/(|q|B) and the period T = 2πm/(|q|B), which does not depend on the speed. Two parallel wires attract for currents in the same direction: F/L = μ₀I₁I₂/(2πd).

Speed after the acceleration

v = √(2|q|V/m) = √(2·1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹·1000/(1.673 × 10⁻²⁷)) = 437621 m/s

Radius in the field

r = mv/(|q|B) = 0.00914 m = 0.914 cm

Answer

r = 0.914 cm

Combined: r = √(2mV/|q|)/B, so heavier ions of the same charge move on larger circles; this separates isotopes.

9.AC impedance & phasors

Answer: P = 1.523 W

AC circuits with phasors: resistors, inductors and capacitors have impedances R, jωL and 1/(jωC), with ω = 2πf. In series, impedances add like resistances, but as complex numbers. Rms current and voltage follow Ohm’s law with |Z|.

Reactances

X_L = 78.54 Ω, X_C = 31.83 Ω

Impedance

|Z| = √(40² + (46.71)²) = 61.5 Ω

Real power

Inductors and capacitors only store and return energy; the resistor absorbs all of the real power.

I = 12/61.5 = 0.1951 A

P = I²·R = 0.1951²·40 = 1.523 W

Answer

P = 1.523 W

10.AC impedance & phasors

Answer: V_L = 536.7 V

Resonance

At resonance the reactances cancel, so the impedance is just R.

ω₀ = 1/√(LC) = 1/√(0.02·10·10⁻⁶) = 2236 rad/s

I = V/R = 24/2 = 12 A

Voltage across the inductor

X_L = ω₀L = 2236·0.02 = 44.72 Ω

V_L = I·X_L = 12·44.72 = 536.7 V

Answer

V_L = 536.7 V

This is Q = 22.36 times the supply voltage.

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