- The potential energy of an electric dipole in a uniform electric field is
U = − p ⋅ E = − pE cos θ - When the dipole is parallel to the field (θ = 0∘),
U = − pE
This is the minimum potential energy (stable equilibrium). - When the dipole is perpendicular to the field (θ = 90∘),
U = 0 - When the dipole is anti-parallel to the field (θ = 180∘),
U = +pE
This corresponds to an unstable equilibrium. - Work done in rotating the dipole through an angle θ\thetaθ is W = pE(1 − cosθ) and this work equals the increase in potential energy.
Topics
Electric Charges and Fields
- Electric Charge
- Conductors and Insulators
- Basic Properties of Electric Charge
- Coulomb’s Law
- Forces between Multiple Charges
- Electric Field
- Electric Field Due to a System of Charges
- Physical Significance of Electric Field
- Electric Field Lines
- Electric Flux
- Electric Dipole
- Dipole in a Uniform External Field
- Continuous Charge Distribution
- Gauss’s Law
- Application of Gauss' Law
Electrostatics
Current Electricity
Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance
- Electric Potential and Potential Energy
- Electrostatic Potential
- Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge
- Potential Due to an Electric Dipole
- Potential due to a System of Charges
- Equipotential Surfaces
- Relation Between Electric Field and Electrostatic Potential
- Potential Energy of a System of Charges
- Potential Energy of a Single Charge
- Potential Energy of a System of Two Charges in an External Field
- Potential Energy of a Dipole in an External Field
- Electrostatics of Conductors
- Dielectrics and Polarisation
- Capacitors and Capacitance
- The Parallel Plate Capacitor
- Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance
- Combination of Capacitors
- Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor
- Overview: Electric Potential
- Overview: Capacitors and Dielectrics
Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
Current Electricity
- Electric Current
- Electric Currents in Conductors
- Ohm's Law
- Drift of Electrons and the Origin of Resistivity
- Mobility of Electrons
- Limitations of Ohm’s Law
- Resistivity of Various Materials
- Temperature Dependence of Resistivity
- Electrical Energy and Power in Conductors
- Cells, EMF, and Internal Resistance
- Cells in Series and in Parallel
- Kirchhoff’s Laws
- Wheatstone Bridge
- Overview: Electric Resistance and Ohm's Law
- Overview: DC Circuits and Measurements
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
Moving Charges and Magnetism
- Electromagnetism
- Magnetic force
- Motion in a Magnetic Field
- Biot-Savart Law
- Magnetic Field on the Axis of a Circular Current-Carrying Loop
- Ampere’s Circuital Law
- Solenoid
- Force Between Two Parallel Currents (Ampere’s Law)
- Torque on a Rectangular Current Loop in a Uniform Magnetic Field
- Circular Current Loop as a Magnetic Dipole
- Moving Coil Galvanometer
- Overview: Moving Charges and Magnetic Field
- Overview: Torque on a Current-Loop : Moving-Coil Galvanometer
Electromagnetic Waves
Magnetism and Matter
- Concept of Magnetism
- The Bar Magnet
- Magnetic Field Lines
- Bar Magnet as an Equivalent Solenoid
- The Dipole in a Uniform Magnetic Field
- The Electrostatic Analog
- Magnetism and Gauss’s Law
- Magnetisation and Magnetic Intensity
- Magnetic Properties of Materials
- Overview: Magnetism and Mater
Electromagnetic Induction
Optics
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Alternating Current
- AC Voltage Applied to a Resistor
- Representation of AC Current and Voltage by Rotating Vectors - Phasors
- AC Voltage Applied to an Inductor
- AC Voltage Applied to a Capacitor
- AC Voltage Applied to a Series LCR Circuit
- Phasor-diagram Solution
- Resonance
- Power in AC Circuit
- Transformers
- Overview: AC Circuits
Atoms and Nuclei
Electromagnetic Waves
- Concept of Electromagnetic Waves
- Displacement Current
- Sources of Electromagnetic Waves
- Nature of Electromagnetic Waves
- Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Overview of Electromagnetic Waves
Electronic Devices
Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
- Ray Optics Or Geometrical Optics
- Reflection of Light by Spherical Mirrors
- Sign Convention for Reflection by Spherical Mirrors
- Focal Length of Spherical Mirrors
- Mirror Equation of Spherical Mirrors
- Refraction of Light
- Total Internal Reflection
- Applications of Total Internal Reflection
- Refraction at a Spherical Surfaces
- Refraction by a Lens
- Power of a Lens
- Combined Focal Length of Two Thin Lenses in Contact
- Refraction of Light Through a Prism
- Optical Instruments
- Microscope and it’s types
- Telescope
- Overview of Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Wave Optics
- Concept of Wave Optics
- Huygens Principle
- Refraction of a Plane Wave
- Refraction at a Rarer Medium
- Reflection of a Plane Wave by a Plane Surface
- Coherent and Incoherent Addition of Waves
- Interference of Light Waves and Young’s Experiment
- Diffraction of Light
- The Single Slit
- Seeing the Single Slit Diffraction Pattern
- Polarisation of Light
- Overview: Wave Optics
Communication Systems
The Special Theory of Relativity
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
- Dual Nature of Radiation
- Electron Emission
- Photoelectric Effect - Hertz’s Observations
- Photoelectric Effect - Hallwachs’ and Lenard’s Observations
- Experimental Study of Photoelectric Effect
- Effects of Intensity and Frequency on Photocurrent
- Photoelectric Effect and Wave Theory of Light
- Einstein’s Photoelectric Equation: Energy Quantum of Radiation
- Particle Nature of Light: The Photon
- Wave Nature of Matter
- Overview: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Atoms
Nuclei
- Atomic Masses and Composition of Nucleus
- Size of the Nucleus
- Mass - Energy
- Nuclear Binding Energy
- Nuclear Force
- Radioactivity
- Forms of Energy > Nuclear Energy
- Nuclear Fission
- Nuclear Fusion
- Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion
- Overview: Nuclei
Semiconductor Electronics - Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits
- Concept of Semiconductor Electronics
- Classification of Metals, Conductors and Semiconductors
- Intrinsic Semiconductor
- Extrinsic Semiconductor
- n-type Semiconductor
- p-type Semiconductor
- Diode or p-n Junction
- Semiconductor Diode
- Application of Junction Diode as a Rectifier
- Overview: Semiconductor Electronics
Communication Systems
- Detection of Amplitude Modulated Wave
- Production of Amplitude Modulated Wave
- Basic Terminology Used in Electronic Communication Systems
- Sinusoidal Waves
- Modulation and Its Necessity
- Amplitude Modulation (AM)
- Need for Modulation and Demodulation
- Satellite Communication
- Propagation of EM Waves
- Bandwidth of Transmission Medium
- Bandwidth of Signals
The Special Theory of Relativity
- The Special Theory of Relativity
- The Principle of Relativity
- Maxwell'S Laws
- Kinematical Consequences
- Dynamics at Large Velocity
- Energy and Momentum
- The Ultimate Speed
- Twin Paradox
Estimated time: 24 minutes
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Electric Potential at a Point
The work done by an external agent in carrying a unit positive test charge from infinity to a point in the electric field is called the electric potential at that point.
OR
The work done in bringing a unit positive charge (without acceleration) from infinity to a given point in an electric field, is called electrostatic potential at that point.
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Electron-volt
1 electron-volt is the work done in taking one electron from one point to the other, when the potential difference between these points is 1 volt.
OR
1 electron-volt is the (kinetic) energy which an electron acquires when accelerated through a potential difference of 1 volt.
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Potential Gradient
The rate of change of potential with distance in the electric field is called the 'potential gradient'.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Electric Potential Energy
The electric potential energy of a system of charges is the work that has been done in bringing those charges from infinity to near each other to form the system.
OR
The total work done by an external agency in assembling the charges from infinity to their specified positions (without acceleration), is called the electrostatic potential energy of the system.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Equipotential Surface
Any surface over which the electric potential is same everywhere is called an equipotential surface.
OR
A surface on which the electric potential has the same value at every point, is called an equipotential surface.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Definition: Electric Dipole
An electric dipole is a pair of equal and opposite point charges, placed at a small distance. Its moment, known as electric dipole moment.
OR
A system of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance, is called an electric dipole.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Electric Potential
V = \[\frac {W}{q_0}\]
- Dimensions: [V] = [ML2T−3A−1]
- SI unit is volt (V), where 1 V =1 J C−1
OR
\[V=\frac{W_{\infty\to P}}{q}\]
Unit: 1 volt=1 joule per coulomb (J/C)
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Potential Difference between Two Points
\[V_A-V_B=\frac{W}{q_0}\]
OR
\[V_P-V_R=\frac{U_P-U_R}{q}\]
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Electron-volt
1 electron-volt = 1.6 × 10-1 joule.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Electric Potential Due to a Point Charge
V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\] volt
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Electric Potential Energy of Two Point Charges
U = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{r}joule\]
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Dipole Potential on Axial Line
V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{P}{r^2-l^2}\]
Far-field, r ≫ 2l: V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{p}{r^{2}}\] volt.
CBSE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Potential at any Point
V = \[\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}\frac{p\cos\theta}{r^{2}}\] volt.
CISCE: Class 12
Formula: Work Done in Rotating an Electric Dipole
W = pE (cos θ1 – cos θ2)
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Properties of Equipotential Surfaces
- Zero Work: No work is done in moving a charge along an equipotential surface because the potential difference is zero.
- Relation with Electric Field: The electric field is always perpendicular to an equipotential surface; there is no electric field component along the surface.
- Spacing and Field Strength: Equipotential surfaces are closer where the electric field is strong and farther apart where the field is weak.
- Non-intersection: Equipotential surfaces never intersect, since that would imply two directions of the electric field at one point, which is impossible.
CISCE: Class 12
Key Points: Electric Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole at Electrostatic Field
CBSE: Class 12
Definition: Electric Dipole Moment
The product of the magnitude of one charge and the separation vector directed from negative to positive charge, is called the electric dipole moment.
\[\vec p\] = q × (2\[\vec a\])
CBSE: Class 12
Formula: Potential Due to a System of Charges
Potential due to a continuous charge distribution:
\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\int\frac{\rho dV}{r}\]
Potential outside a uniformly charged spherical shell:
\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{r}\quad(r\geq R)\]
Potential inside a uniformly charged spherical shell:
\[V=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\frac{q}{R}\quad(r<R)\]
CBSE: Class 12
Formula: Relation between Electric Field and Potential
E = -\[\frac {dV}{dl}\]
