Preparation for Physics C and College

mit_lecture_notes_on_potential.pdf
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mit_lecture_notes_on_capacitor.pdf
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Java Applet 1

Java Applet 2

NOTE: You must be connected to the Internet to view this simulation!

DESCRIPTION: This simulation illustrates the interaction of charged particles inside the two plates of a capacitor. Each plate contains twelve charges interacting via the Coulomb and Pauli forces, where one plate contains positive charges and the other contains negative charges. Because of their mutual repulsion, the particles in each plate are compelled to maximize the distance between one another, and thus spread themselves evenly around the outer edge of their enclosure. However, the particles in one plate are attracted to the particles in the other, so they attempt to minimize the distance between themselves and their oppositely charged correspondants. Thus, they distribute themselves along the surface of their bounding box closest to the other plate.

VISUALIZATION: Start Simulation (you must have Java™ J2SE v1.4+ JRE installed. Mac OS X users need the Java3D update.)

Video presentation

Note: You must have the Real Player installed on your computer to play these videos. If not, you could download on http://cn.real.com/
realplayer_cn.exe
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video_lecture_on_electrostatic_potential_energy.ram
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video_lecture_on_electric_potential.ram
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video_lecture_on_potential_difference.ram
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video_lecture_on_capacitance.ram
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Labs

lab_on_capacitance.pdf
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lab_on_potential.pdf
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harvard_lab_on_potential.pdf
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An interesting problem to think about

Picture
Which is more dangerous, touching a faulty 110-volt light bulb or a Van de Graaff generator charged to 100,000 volts? Why?


























Answer to the previous question

Touching the 110-volt light bulb. Why?
Touching the Van de Graaff generator may be a hair-raising experience, but touching the 110-volt faulty fixture could be the last thing you do. The charged generator nicely illustrates the difference between electric potential energy and electric potential.   Electric potential is electric potential energy per charge. Although the generator may be charged to an electric potential of 100,000 volts the amount of charge is relatively small. That and the short time of charge transfer is why you're normally not harmed when it discharges through you.   In contrast, if you become the short-circuit for household 110 volts, the sustained transfer of charge is appreciable. Less energy per charge, but many, many more charges!