Coulomb
Definition
A coulomb (C) is the SI unit of electric charge, representing the amount of charge transported by a constant current of one ampere in one second. One coulomb is equivalent to approximately $6.242 \times 10^{18}$ elementary charges.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The symbol for coulomb is C.
- One coulomb is equal to the charge of approximately $6.242 \times 10^{18}$ electrons.
- In the context of electric fields, a point charge in coulombs is used to calculate the electric field strength using Coulomb's law.
- When dealing with magnetic forces between parallel currents, the force per unit length between two wires carrying currents I1 and I2 separated by distance d can be expressed using coulombs as part of the interaction formula.
- A capacitor's capacitance is measured in farads, where one farad equals one coulomb per volt.
Review Questions
- What physical quantity does a coulomb measure?
- How many elementary charges make up one coulomb?
- Describe how a coulomb relates to electric current and time.
"Coulomb" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Related terms
Ampere: The SI unit of electric current, defined as one coulomb per second.
Electric Field: A region around a charged particle where a force would be experienced by other charges, often calculated using Coulomb's law.
Capacitance: \text{The ability of a system to store an electric charge, measured in farads (F), where } \text{1 F} = \text{1 C/V}.
