Transcript Slide 1

Lecture A

Fundamentals and Background

Charge

“Charge” is the basic quantity

in electrical circuit analysis

Fundamental charge quantity is

the charge of a single electron

Charge will be in integer

multiples of a single electron’s charge

Units of charge = Coulombs (C)One Coulomb

electrons -6.2

10 18

Electric Fields

A charge induces an

electric field (E-field)

The electric field is a vector

field

Point charge E- field:

E

q R

2

Analogy: E-field vs. Gravitational field

Electric Field:

Gravitational Field:

E

q R

2    

m R

2

Forces on Charged Particles

A second “charge” placed in the

electric field induces a force on both charges

Coulomb’s Law:

F

q

1

q

2

R

2 

q

2 

E

Electric field is essentially the

force per unit charge placed in the field

“Like” charges repel; opposite

charges attract

Analogy: Mass in a Gravitational Field

Coulomb’s Law:

Newton’s Law:

F

q

1

q

2

R

2 

q

2 

E

F

m

1

m

2

R

2 

m

2  

• Demo: static electricity charge on balloon causes it to stick to wall

Energy Transfer

In circuit analysis, we are primarily

concerned with energy transfer

Charges move aroundMoving a charge in an electric field

changes the charge’s potential energy

Work to move charge from b to a:

W ba

 

a

b

F

d s

  

q a

b

E

d s

Electric Potential Difference

W ba

is the work required to move a charge from point b to point a in an electric field

Work is a form of energy  

W ba

is a difference in potential energy (units are Joules, J)

This difference is typically quantified as an Electric

Potential Energy Difference

Electric potential difference is the electrical potential

energy difference per unit charge:

V ba

 

W ba q

Voltage

V ba

is generally referred to as a voltage difference; (units of

V ba

are volts, V)

Generally defined in terms of derivatives, for

infinitesimal variations in charge and energy:

v

dw dq

change in energy change in charge

Joules Coulomb

Volts , V

Notes on Voltage

The potential energy difference is due to a physical

separation (a distance) between the two points

This potential difference provides a force which can

move charges from place to place.

This is sometimes called an electromotive force (emf)

Charge in motion & current

Recall

:

We are concerned with energy transfer

charge motion

emf (or potential energy difference, or voltage difference)

can move charges

Current is the time rate of change of charge

i

dq dt

change in charge change in time

Coulombs

A mperes Second , A

Charge Motion in Materials

Common model of materials:Materials composed of atomsAtoms contain protons and

neutrons in a nucleus, surrounded by a “cloud” of electrons

Protons are positively charged, and

are bound “tightly” in the nucleus

Electrons are negatively charged,

and bound less “tightly” to the atom

Charge Motion in Materials -- continued

Electrons can move from atom to atom within a

material.

We can transfer charge through a material via electron

motion

Current is defined as the motion of “positive” chargePositive current is (by definition) in opposite direction to

electron flow

Charge motion in materials -- continued

We apply a potential difference across the materialemf causes electron motion away from negatively charged endCurrent is in the direction of “positive” charge motion

Current Flow in Materials

The less “tightly” bonded the electrons are to the atom,

the more “easily” the material allows current to flow

The material conducts electricity more easilyThe material has less resistance or higher conductivityFor example,conductors have low resistance to current flow

potential differences can provide high currents

insulators have high resistance to current flow

current flow, even with high potential differences low nearly no

• Demo: touch electric fence with conductor and insulator

General Passive Circuit Elements

General, two-terminal,

passive circuit element

Apply a voltage difference

across the terminals

This voltage difference

results in current flow

Our circuit elements will be

electrically neutral

Current entering the element

is the same as the current leaving the element

Power

Power is the rate of change of energy with time

P

dW dt

dW dq

dq dt

v

i

Units of power are Watts (W)

Power Generation and Dissipation

Power dissipation:Current enters the positive voltage terminalExamples:Power dissipated as heat (light bulbs)Power converted to mechanical system (electric motors,

pumps)

Power generationCurrent enters the negative voltage terminalExamples:Power generated by mechanical system (turbines,

generators)

Power generated by chemical processes (batteries)

• Demos?

– Pulling mass across surface with DC motor (point out energy added, dissipated) – Pump water through horizontal tubing (point out energy exchange)