Electric Potential and Capacitors - Physics (Undergraduate Foundation)

Electric potential governs how charges move and store energy in circuits. This course builds a rigorous foundation in electrostatics by linking field theory to practical capacitor design. You will master the mathematics of potential, understand how continuous charge distributions create fields, and analyse complex capacitor networks with precision. Engineers use these principles to design circuit boards, power supplies, and medical devices like defibrillators. Students apply this knowledge to solve advanced physics problems and prepare for university examinations. Hobbyists gain the insight needed to build safe electronic gadgets and understand component limits without guesswork. You will calculate potential from point charges and continuous distributions using integration techniques. The course covers Gauss law applications for cylindrical and spherical capacitors, series and parallel network analysis, and dielectric polarisation effects. You will learn to predict voltage division, charge sharing, and breakdown risks in real-world configurations. This programme targets undergraduate science and engineering students, secondary school leavers preparing for university physics, and hobbyists building electronic projects. It provides the mathematical rigour required for higher education while maintaining clarity for self-taught learners. Professionals seeking to refresh their core physics knowledge will also find direct value in the structured approach to electrostatics and capacitance.

35 hrs

$ 14.89

Enrolment valid for 12 months

This course is also part of the following learning track. You may join the track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.

PHY 102: General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism run every home, factory, and phone all over the world. This track builds the technical foundation to master laws governing electrical energy and signals. You will progress from stationary charges to alternating current and electromagnetic waves. It simplifies the NUC CCMAS syllabus into actionable knowledge for solving practical technical problems. The programme is for first-year university and polytechnic students in engineering or physical sciences. It also serves school leavers preparing for university physics or technical entrance exams. Science teachers and technicians who need a solid refresher on core electrical principles will find the material direct and relevant to their work. You will learn to calculate electrical forces, design functional DC and AC circuits, and predict how magnetic fields drive motors and generators. You will master the use of Gauss's Law, Kirchhoff's rules, and Maxwell's equations to solve engineering challenges. Completing this track ensures success in PHY 102 exams and prepares you for a career in power systems, telecommunications, or renewable energy.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction

This chapter builds the foundation of electric potential energy and voltage. You will learn why electric force is conservative and how to calculate work done on charges. Mastering these concepts allows you to track energy changes in any electric field. You will define potential difference; convert between joules and electron-volts; apply conservation of energy to find charge speed; and calculate work done by external agents. These skills prepare you for complex electric potential problems later in the course.

Concept Overviews

6 Lessons

3:37:12

Problem Walkthroughs

5 Lessons

1:35:44

2. Electric Potential

Electric potential maps the energy landscape of charges. We treat it as a scalar sum to avoid vector complexity and examine equipotential surfaces alongside the unique behaviour of charged conductors in equilibrium. You will apply the superposition principle to find resultant potentials; calculate system assembly energy for charge groups; locate null points where contributions cancel; and determine the constant potential inside conducting spheres.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

1:42:39

Problem Walkthroughs

5 Lessons

53:59

3. Field-Potential Relations

Electric potential and field are two sides of the same coin. This chapter links scalar voltage to vector force, showing how one defines the other in space. You will derive field from potential gradients; calculate voltage drops in uniform fields; extract vectors from multi-variable functions; and interpret graphical data to find field strength.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

1:52:45

Problem Walkthroughs

6 Lessons

1:15:47

4. Continuous Distributions

Point charges are simple. Real objects like rods and disks have charge spread out. We use integration to find potential for these continuous distributions. This moves you from basic sums to calculus-based physics. You will integrate for rods, rings, and disks; handle symmetric and off-axis points; solve for non-uniform density. These skills let you calculate voltage for any charged shape.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

2:27:30

Problem Walkthroughs

6 Lessons

1:18:44

5. Electric Dipoles

Two opposite charges form a dipole. This chapter shows how to calculate the potential they create at any point in space using superposition and vector maths. You will derive the exact formula for axial positions; apply the far-field approximation for large distances; and solve problems involving angular dependence.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

1:08:28

Problem Walkthroughs

2 Lessons

24:44

6. Capacitance

Capacitance measures how much charge a system holds for a given voltage. This chapter explains the geometric limits of storage in isolated conductors and parallel plates, linking physical dimensions to electrical capacity without relying on complex jargon. You will calculate capacitance for spheres and plates; derive energy stored in electric fields; analyse how plate separation affects charge and energy under constant voltage or isolation; and solve practical problems involving medical defibrillators and real-world components.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

2:12:11

Problem Walkthroughs

5 Lessons

1:17:47

7. Other Capacitor Geometries

Most capacitors are not flat plates. This chapter covers curved geometries where the electric field changes with distance. You will study cylindrical and spherical designs found in coaxial cables and high-voltage equipment. You will derive capacitance for coaxial cylinders and concentric spheres. Learn to calculate storage per unit length for transmission lines. Compare scaling effects of length versus radius to optimise design. Solve for charge density and voltage limits in practical systems.

Concept Overviews

2 Lessons

1:20:37

Problem Walkthroughs

3 Lessons

41:59

8. Capacitor Networks

Capacitors in circuits follow strict rules for charge and voltage. This chapter explains how series and parallel connections change total storage and potential difference across components. You will calculate equivalent capacitance for mixed networks; determine charge distribution in parallel branches; analyse voltage division in series paths; and solve problems involving battery-connected or isolated modifications.

Concept Overviews

2 Lessons

1:07:48

Problem Walkthroughs

9 Lessons

2:12:03

9. Dielectrics

Insulators reshape electric fields through internal polarisation. This chapter explains how bound charge weakens the net force and boosts capacitance without changing geometry. You will see why dielectrics are vital for safe circuit design and energy storage. You will calculate the dielectric constant and induced surface charge. We distinguish between isolated and connected scenarios to predict energy shifts. You will also model partial fills and side-by-side materials as series or parallel networks.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

1:45:55

Problem Walkthroughs

7 Lessons

1:11:35

10. Conclusion

This chapter consolidates the principles of electric potential and capacitance. It connects abstract theory to practical circuit design, ensuring you grasp how energy storage works in real hardware. You will review calculation methods for complex networks; analyse the effect of dielectrics on field strength; and summarise key formulas for exam success. This final overview cements your ability to solve advanced physics problems with confidence.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

12:36