diff --git a/education/physics/PHYS2220/Electric Charge.md b/education/physics/PHYS2220/Electric Charge.md index 15a4541..4b05c88 100644 --- a/education/physics/PHYS2220/Electric Charge.md +++ b/education/physics/PHYS2220/Electric Charge.md @@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ An electric dipole consists of two point charges of equal magnitude but opposite # Continuous Charge Distributions It's largely impossible to sum the electric field from every particle in a piece of matter, so the approximation is made that the charge is spread continuously over the distribution. -- If the charge distribution extends throughout a *3d volume*, we describe it in terms of the **volume charge density** $\rho$, with units of $\frac{C}{m^3}$. -- For charge distributions spread over *surfaces*, we use **surface charge density** $\sigma$ ($\frac{C}{m^2}$). -- For charge distributions spread over *lines*, we use **line charge density** $\lambda$ ($\frac{C}{m}$). \ No newline at end of file +- The number of dimensions involved changes the unit and terminology used: + - If the charge distribution extends throughout a *3d volume*, we describe it in terms of the **volume charge density** $\rho$, with units of $\frac{C}{m^3}$. + - For charge distributions spread over *surfaces*, we use **surface charge density** $\sigma$ ($\frac{C}{m^2}$). + - For charge distributions spread over *lines*, we use **line charge density** $\lambda$ ($\frac{C}{m}$).