Unit 2: Electric Energy and Capacitors

Introduction to Unit 2

Every time you turn on a light or an electric motor, you are making the use of electrical energy, a familiar part of our life, and an indispensable ingredient of our technology. In this section, we will learn about electric energy and how it is stored in capacitors. We introduce this study with work and energy in a mechanical context, then we combine these concepts with what we learned about electric charge, coulomb’s law, an electric field to define the electric energy.  Capacitors which are devices that can store electric potential energy in an electric field will be discussed and related calculations will be studied within this section.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this section, you should be able to

• Explain the meaning of electric potential difference;
• Describe quantitatively the potential difference and determine the electric fields form potential differences for a variety of charge distribution situations;
• Explain the concept of capacitance, and related charge, potential difference, and capacitan;
• Calculate the equivalent capacitance of parallel and series combination;
• Derive the relations for electric potential energy in capacitors and electric field energy density.

Learning Activities

E-tivity 2.1: Read the attached handouts

E-tivity 2.2: Post any question or challenge you faced while reading the handouts. You are also invited to react on posted topics by your colleague(s) or by e-moderator(s)

E-tivity 2.3: After reading the handouts attached under this unit, attempt the questions of the quiz

E-tivity 2.4: After completing this unit (and the previous ones), attempt the questions of assignment #1