� COLORFUL PHYSICS NOTES �
Class 12 Physics Chapters: Electric Charge & Fields +
Electrostatic Potential & Capacitance
� CHAPTER 1: ELECTRIC CHARGE AND FIELDS �
� 1. ELECTRIC CHARGE
• Definition: Fundamental property of matter that causes electromagnetic
effects
• Types:
– � Positive charge (protons)
– � Negative charge (electrons)
• Unit: Coulomb (C)
• Elementary charge: e = 1.6 × 10�¹� C
� 2. PROPERTIES OF ELECTRIC CHARGE
� Quantization
• Formula: q = ± ne (where n = integer)
• Charge exists in discrete packets
� Additivity
• Total charge = algebraic sum of individual charges
• q_total = q� + q� + q� + …
� Conservation
• Total charge in isolated system remains constant
• Charge can neither be created nor destroyed
� Transfer Methods:
• Friction: Rubbing two objects
• Conduction: Direct contact
• Induction: Without contact
� 3. COULOMB’S LAW
Formula:
F = k(q�q�)/r²
1
Where: - k = 9 × 10� Nm²/C² (Coulomb’s constant) - F � q�q� (directly propor-
tional to charges) - F � 1/r² (inversely proportional to distance²)
Vector form: F� = k(q�q�)/r² × r̂
� 4. ELECTRIC FIELD
Definition: Region around charge where other charges experience force
Formula:
E = F/q� = kQ/r²
• Unit: N/C or V/m
• Direction: Away from +ve charge, towards -ve charge
� Superposition Principle **E�_net = E�� + E�� + E�� + …**
� 5. ELECTRIC FIELD LINES
� Properties:
• � Start from +ve, end at -ve charges
• � Never intersect each other
• � Perpendicular to conductor surface
• � Closer lines = stronger field
• � Tangent gives field direction
� 6. ELECTRIC DIPOLE
Definition: Pair of equal & opposite charges separated by distance
Dipole moment: p� = q × 2l (from -ve to +ve)
� In Uniform Field:
• Torque: � = pE sin �
• Potential Energy: U = -pE cos �
� 7. GAUSS’S LAW
Statement: Electric flux through closed surface = Q_enclosed/��
Formula:
� E�·dA� = Q_enclosed/��
2
� Applications:
• Point charge: E = kQ/r²
• Infinite line: E = �/(2���r)
• Infinite sheet: E = �/(2��)
• Spherical shell: E = 0 inside, kQ/r² outside
� CHAPTER 2: ELECTROSTATIC POTENTIAL AND
CAPACITANCE �
� 1. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Definition: Work done per unit charge in bringing charge from infinity
Formula:
V = W/q� = kQ/r
• Unit: Volt (V) = J/C
• Scalar quantity
� Potential Difference: V_AB = V_A - V_B = Work done per unit
charge
� 2. RELATION BETWEEN E & V
E = -dV/dr (in 1D)
• Electric field = negative gradient of potential
• E� = -�V (vector form)
� 3. EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACES
• Definition: Surfaces with same potential everywhere
• Properties:
– � No work done in moving charge along surface
– � Electric field � to equipotential surface
– � Closer surfaces = stronger field
� 4. POTENTIAL DUE TO SYSTEM OF CHARGES
V_total = V� + V� + V� + … (scalar addition)
For dipole:
V = kp cos �/r²
3
� 5. POTENTIAL ENERGY
� Single charge in field: U = qV
� Two charges: U = kq�q�/r
� Dipole in field: U = -p�·E�
� 6. CAPACITANCE
Definition: Ability to store charge
Formula:
C = Q/V
• Unit: Farad (F)
• 1F = 1 C/V
� Parallel Plate Capacitor:
C = ��A/d
Where A = area of plates, d = separation
� 7. COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
� Series Combination:
1/C_total = 1/C� + 1/C� + 1/C� + ...
• Same charge on all capacitors
• Voltages add up
� Parallel Combination:
C_total = C� + C� + C� + ...
• Same voltage across all capacitors
• Charges add up
� 8. DIELECTRICS
Effect: Increases capacitance by factor K (dielectric constant)
New capacitance: C’ = KC�
Benefits: - � Increases capacitance - � Increases breakdown voltage - � Reduces
size for same capacity
4
� 9. ENERGY STORED IN CAPACITOR
Three equivalent formulas:
U = ½CV²
U = ½QV
U = Q²/(2C)
� Energy Density:
u = ½��E²
� 10. APPLICATIONS
• Capacitor banks for power factor correction
• Flash cameras for quick energy release
• Electronic circuits for filtering & timing
• Defibrillators in medical equipment
� QUICK MEMORY TIPS �
� For Electric Fields:
• “Positive charges are generous” → Field lines go OUT
• “Negative charges are needy” → Field lines come IN
• “Like charges repel, unlike attract”
� For Capacitors:
• Series: “Same current, Smaller total” (1/C formula)
• Parallel: “Parallel = Plus” (C� + C� + …)
� Formula Patterns:
• Energy: Always has ½ factor
• Point charge: Always has 1/r² or 1/r
• Dipole: Always has cos � or sin �
� IMPORTANT CONSTANTS �
Constant Symbol Value
Coulomb’s constant k 9 × 10� Nm²/C²
Permittivity of free space �� 8.85 × 10�¹² C²/Nm²
5
Constant Symbol Value
Elementary charge e 1.6 × 10�¹� C
� EXAM SUCCESS STRATEGY �
� High Weightage Topics:
1. Coulomb’s Law applications
2. Gauss’s Law for symmetric distributions
3. Capacitor combinations (series/parallel)
4. Energy calculations in capacitors
5. Electric dipole in uniform field
� Common Mistakes to Avoid:
• � Confusing E-field direction with +ve charge movement
• � Wrong signs in potential energy calculations
• � Mixing up series/parallel capacitor formulas
• � Forgetting vector nature of electric field
� Problem-Solving Steps:
1. � Identify the system (charges, fields, capacitors)
2. � List given quantities and required answer
3. � Choose appropriate formula/law
4. � Substitute values with correct units
5. � Check dimensional consistency
6. � Verify answer makes physical sense
� Remember: Physics is about understanding concepts, not just mem-
orizing formulas! �
� Good luck with your Class 12 Physics exam! �
