Static Charges and Fields - Physics (Undergraduate Foundation)

Static charges are the basis of all electrical engineering. This course covers stationary electric charges, methods of charging, and Coulomb's law for force between points. You will study the superposition principle for multiple charges, electric field intensity, and Gauss's law to calculate fields for different shapes like spheres and cylinders. It provides the mathematical tools to understand how invisible forces act across space without physical contact. These principles explain everyday phenomena like lightning, photocopiers, and spray painting. In professional engineering, this knowledge is vital for designing capacitors, managing electromagnetic interference, and protecting sensitive electronic circuits from static discharge. Understanding how fields distribute around conductors and insulators allows you to predict how high-voltage systems behave in real-world environments. By the end of this course, you will calculate the force between multiple charges using vector addition and determine the electric field strength at any point in space. You will apply Gauss's law to solve complex field problems for symmetric charge distributions and explain the process of induction and conduction. These skills enable you to model electrical interactions accurately in both academic and industrial physics applications. This course is for first-year university students and engineering aspirants building a strong foundation in electromagnetism. It also serves science teachers and technical professionals who need a refresher on the core laws of physics. Even for those outside of engineering, the course develops analytical thinking and provides a clear understanding of the physical laws that govern the electronic devices used in modern life.

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 defines the atomic basis of electricity and the fundamental laws governing static charges. These principles are required to calculate electrical forces and understand modern electronic systems. You will master charge calculations using mass and electron counts, apply conservation and quantisation laws, identify conductors and insulators, and perform charging by induction and conduction.

Concept Overviews

6 Lessons

1:33:10

Problem Walkthroughs

4 Lessons

59:59

2. Coulomb's Law

This chapter quantifies the force between stationary charges. You will master the inverse square law and vector addition to predict electrical interactions. These calculations form the basis for all electrostatic analysis in engineering. You will calculate net forces using superposition, solve for unknown charges, and analyse equilibrium in systems with springs or pendulums. Practical examples cover charge redistribution and geometric arrangements like triangles.

Concept Overviews

3 Lessons

1:19:26

Problem Walkthroughs

10 Lessons

3:48:22

3. Point Charge Fields

This chapter explains the strength of the electric field and the mapping of lines around a charge. It is the basis for calculating invisible forces and predicting the movement of charges in electrical systems. You will calculate the field of the point charge; apply the principle of superposition to multiple charges; find the location of the null field; and determine the path of the particle in a uniform field.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

6 Lessons

4. Gauss's Law

Gauss's law provides a powerful alternative to Coulomb's law for calculating fields in symmetric systems. This chapter simplifies complex integration by focusing on enclosed charge and flux. You will define electric flux; apply Gauss's law to symmetric shapes like spheres, cylinders, and planes; and determine field strengths inside and outside conducting shells.

Concept Overviews

6 Lessons

Problem Walkthroughs

4 Lessons

5. Conclusion

This final chapter reviews the core relationships between charge, force, fields, and flux. It bridges these concepts to the study of electric potential and capacitance. You will summarise the laws of electrostatics and evaluate your ability to apply these principles to real-world engineering problems.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson