8.
Electrostatics - Quick Cheatsheet
8.1 Introduction 8.4 Electric Potential due to a Point Charge
• Gauss's Law: Φ = ∮ E · dS = q_enclosed / ε0 • V at distance r: V = k q / r
• Relates closed-surface flux to total enclosed charge. • E in radial direction: E = k q / r^2
• Useful for calculating E with symmetry.
• Steps to compute E by Gauss's law:
8.4b Electric Dipole
◦ Identify distribution (linear/cylindrical/spherical)
◦ Visualize a symmetric Gaussian surface
◦ Compute flux: Φ = ∮ E · dS • Dipole moment p = qℓ
◦ Use symmetry to write flux as E × area • Potential at distance r: V = (k p cosθ)/r^2
◦ Equate to q/ε0 and solve for E • axial (θ = 0): V = k p / r^2; equatorial (θ = 90°): V = 0
• Key results for common configs:
◦ Uniform spherical shell: outside E = q/(4π ε0 r^2) , inside
8.5 Equipotential Surfaces
E = 0
◦ Infinite straight wire: E = λ/(2π ε0 r)
• Equipotential surface: V is constant at all points
◦ Infinite plane sheet: E = σ/(2ε0) (on each side)
• Electric field is everywhere normal to equipotential surfaces
• For a point charge, equipotentials are spheres; for a line charge,
cylinders
8.2 Applications of Gauss' Law
• 8.2.1 Uniformly charged spherical shell
8.6 Conductors & Insulators
• E_out = q/(4π ε0 r^2) (r > R)
• E_in = 0 (r < R)
• Conductors: E inside = 0; potential constant; surface charges
• Shell behaves like a point charge at center for external points arrange to yield perpendicular E outside
• 8.2.2 Infinitely long straight charged wire • Insulators: charges are bound; E can be nonzero inside; free
• Gaussian cylinder: curved surface carries flux; ends cap flux zero charges are not mobile
or included • Free vs bound charges; metals, earth, and living tissue as
• E = λ/(2π ε0 r) conductors
• 8.2.3 Charged infinite plane sheet
• Flux through curved surface is zero
8.8 Dielectrics & Polarisation
• E = σ/(2ε0) (both sides)
• Dielectrics: insulating materials that can be polarized in an
external field
8.3 Electric Potential & Potential Energy
• Polarisation P, electric susceptibility χe, dielectric constant κ
• D = ε0 E + P = ε0 κ E; E_inside ≈ E_outside/κ for a filled dielectric
• Potential energy U is work done against electrostatic forces to
• Polarisation can be due to induced dipoles or permanent dipoles in
assemble charges
polar dielectrics
• Zero of potential is arbitrary; typically V(∞) = 0
• Electric potential V = U/q Note: The greater the external field, the greater the polarization.
• Relationship: E = - dV/dr or E = -∇V
• Two point charges U = k q1 q2 / r12
8.9 - 8.12 Capacitors & Displacement
• Capacitance: C = Q/V
• Parallel plate (vacuum): C = ε0 A/d
• Series: 1/Ceq = Σ 1/Ci
• Parallel: Ceq = Σ Ci
• Energy: U = 1/2 C V^2 = 1/2 Q V
• Displacement current i_d = ε0 dΦ_E/dt; equals conduction current
i_c in circuit with capacitor
8.13 Van de Graaff Generator
• Produces very high voltages via corona discharge and charge
distribution on a hollow conductor
• Used to accelerate charged particles for nuclear physics
experiments