12 Electrostatics

12.1 Coulomb’s Law

(a)Electrostatic Force

As we now know, charged objects exert a force on one another. If the charges are at rest then this force
between them is known as the electrostatic force. An interesting characteristic of the electrostatic force is that
it can be either attractive or repulsive, unlike the gravitational force which is only ever attractive. The
relative charges on the two objects is what determines whether the force between the charged objects is
attractive or repulsive. If the objects have opposite charges they attract each other, while if their charges are
similar they repel each other.
(b) Coulomb’s Law
The electrostatic force between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges but
inversely proportional to the square of their separation.

Q1Q 2
 F k
r2 ---------- (1)

where Q1 is the charge on the one point-like object, Q2 is the charge on the second, and r is the distance
between the two.

1
k
4
where  is called the permittivity of the medium.
For vacuum

   o  8.85 1012 Fm1

In general,

Q1Q2
F ...............(2)
4o r 2

Example 1
Two point charges are 5.0 m apart. If the charges are 0.020 C and 0.030 C, what is the force between them and
is it attractive or repulsive?
1 q1q2 Nm 2   0.020 C  0.030 C  
F  8.99 x 109  
4 0 r 2 C 2   5.0 m 2 


F  0.000216 x 109 N  2.2 x 105 N

The force is repulsive - both charges are positive.

Comparison between Electric Force and Gravity: Both gravity and the electric force are fundamental forces.
The equations for the gravity and the electromagnetic force have the same form; they are both inverse square
relationships.

1 q1q2
F and
4 0 r 2

G m1m2
F
r2

Where the 1 term is the constant for Coulomb’s law and G is the constant for the law of gravity.
4 0

There are four really significant differences in the two forces:

 Gravity is always attractive. The electromagnetic force can be either attractive or repulsive.

 Gravity is much weaker.

 Gravity has a much greater range within which it is a significant force.

 The electric force can be shielded, blocked, or cancelled. You cannot do any of these things with
the gravity force.

Example 2
The hydrogen atom is made up of a proton and an electron. The two particles attract each other because they
both have mass and they also have opposite charges.
The magnitude of the electron/proton charge is 1.60 × 10-19 C. The distance between them in a hydrogen atom
is around 5.3 × 10-11 m. For the mass of an electron we’ll use 9.1 × 10 –31 kg. For the mass of a proton we’ll use
1.7 × 10 –27 kg.
(a) Find the magnitude of the electrostatic force and the gravitational force between the proton and electron.
(b) Calculate the ratio of the electrostatic force to the gravitational force.

Solution:

(a) We can now calculate the force of gravity between the two particles:

F
Gm1m2
 6.67  10 11 
 27

Nm 2  1.7  10 kg 9.1  10 kg
31
 
kg 2  
r2
 
2
5.3  1011 m 
 
F 3.7  1047 N

Next, we solve for the electromagnetic force.

F
1 q1q2
 8.99  10

 19
Nm 2  1.60  10 C 1.60  10 C
9 
19
 
C 2  
4 0 r 2
 
2
5.3  1011 m 
 
F  0.82  107 N  8.2  108 N

(b) Looking at the two forces, we see that gravity is much weaker. The electromagnetic force is 2.2 x 1039
times bigger!
12.2 Electric Field
The Electric field strength at one point in an electric field is defined as the electrostatic force per unit
positive charge at that point.
(a) Electric field due to a point charge

If a test charge +q is placed at distance r from the charge +Q, the electrostatic force is

Qq
F
4o r 2
F
The electric field strength, E 
q
Q
 ( N C 1 )
4o r 2

The magnitude of the electric field due to a point charge is inversely proportional to the square of the
distance from the charge as shown in the graph below.

Notes:
1. An electric field of an isolated point charge is the region surrounding the charge within which a charge that is
brought into it will experience an electric force.
2. The lines and directions of the electric force on the positive point charge are called the lines of force of the
isolated charge.
3. The direction of the electric field is outward for positive charge and inward for a negative charge.
 (b) Electric field due to a charged spherical conductor

In an isolated charged spherical conductor, all the charges are distributed on the outer surface of the
sphere. Therefore the electric field inside the sphere is equal to zero. The electric field outside the sphere
is equivalent to that caused by a point charge located at the centre of the sphere.

(c) Electric field due to several point charges

Electric field is a vector quantity. The electric field at any point caused by several point charges is the
vector sum of the electric field due to the charges respectively.
   
E  E1  E2  E3      

Example 3
Determine the electric field strength, E at point P, referring to diagram below.

10 cm -2 µC

Solution:

At point P

 2C  2C
E  2 C   3.6 10 6 and E 2 C   3.6  10 6
4 0 (0.1) 2 40 (0.1) 2

  
E  E 2 C  E2 C
Draw a vector diagram:

E2 E2 

Since it is an equilateral triangle, therefore E = 3.6 ×106 N C-1 towards the right.

(d) Motion of charged particle in uniform electric field

Consider an electron moving at speed vx enters a uniform electric field perpendicularly as shown in the
diagram above. The potential difference across the plates is V and the distance between the plates is d.

The electric field strength is given by E = V/d

The electron will experience a downward electrostatic force given by,

Electrostatic force F on electron = electric field strength x charge

Ve
F  Ee 
d
 Ve
me a 
d
Ve
a
me d

The time from point A to point B in the electric field 𝑡𝐴𝐵 , is

𝐿
𝑡𝐴𝐵 =
𝑣𝑥

The vertical displacement of electron, y.

1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2

Where initial downward velocity, u = 0. Therefore

1 𝑉𝑒 𝐿 2
𝑦 = 0𝑡 + ( )
2 𝑚𝑒 𝑑 𝑉𝑥

1 𝑉𝑒 𝐿 2
= ( )
2 𝑚𝑒 𝑑 𝑉𝑥

The electron will move in a parabolic path.

The downward velocity,𝑣𝑦 at time, t

𝑣 = 𝑎𝑡 + 𝑢

Where the initial downward velocity, u = 0. Therefore

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑎𝑡

𝑉𝑒
= 𝑡
𝑚𝑒 𝑑

𝐿
The downward velocity,𝑣𝑦 , at point B. where 𝑡𝐴𝐵 = 𝑉
𝑥

𝑉𝑒 𝐿
𝑣𝑦 = ∙
𝑚𝑒 𝑑 𝑉𝑥
 The actual velocity,𝑣 at any point inside the electric field (point A to B)

𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑦2

The direction of motion of the electron at point B,

𝑣𝑦
tan 𝜃 =
𝑣𝑥

12.3 Gauss’s Law

The electric flux through a surface is the product of the normal component of the electric field strength and the
surface area.

Gauss’s Law states that the total electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the ratio of the net charge
enclosed by the surface to the permittivity of vacuum.


Q
o

Applications of Gauss’s Law

1. To verify Coulomb’s Law

Steps:

1. Draw the electric field lines due to a point charge +Q

2. Sketch a closed surface which is perpendicular to the electric field lines (Gaussian surface) at distance r
from the point charge.
3. Find the area of the Gaussian surface A  4r 2 ,
Find an expression for the electric flux through the closed surface

 E  EA  4r 2 E

4. From Gauss' Law, 0 E = Qenclose= Q

0 (E × 4r2) = Q

Q
Electric field, E 
40 r 2

5. Electrostatic force, F = qE

Qq
= (Coulomb's Law)
40 r 2

2. To Derive an expression for the Electric Field Strength

(i) For An Isolated Charged Conducting Sphere

1. Inside the sphere, r < 0

Q  0
. 0 (E × 4r2) = ∑Q = 0

E=0

2. On the surface, r = R, the quantity of the enclosed charge is Q.

0 (E × 4R2) = ∑Q = Q
 Q
E
4R 2  0

3. Outside the sphere r > R

Q  Q
0 (E × 4r2) = ∑Q = Q

Q
E
4r 2  0

From the graph above, we can see that Electric field strength, E inside the conducting sphere is zero and outside
the sphere it is inversely proportional squared of the distance from the centre of the sphere.

Example 4

A breakdown occurs when the electric field strength in the air exceeds 3.6 × 106 N C-1. What is the maximum
charge stored on the surface of a metal sphere of radius 0.50 cm?

Solution:

Q
E
4R 2  0
Q
3.0  10 6 
4 (8.85  10 )(0.50  10  2 ) 2
12

Q  8.34  10 9 C
(ii) To derive the electric field strength due to an isolated uniformly charged metal plate

To use Gauss’ law for a uniform charge plate, we need to check the material being used whether it’s a conductor
or a non-conductor material.

Conductor Non conductor

For a conducting plate, the charges are For a non-conducting plate, the charges are
distributed on the outer surface of the plate. distributed in the whole volume inside the
Choose a Gaussian surface, with area A on non-conductor sheet.
one side of the metal plate, the electric flux is Choose a Gaussian surface on the right and
  0  EA . left of the conductor sheet by forming a
cylindrical Gaussian surface, with area A.
Charge enclosed q encl  A
  EA  EA
Gauss law equation becomes :
Charge enclose q encl  A
 0EA  A
Gauss law equation becomes :
  0 (EA  EA)  A
E
0 
E
2 0

12.4 Electric potential, V

The electric potential at one point in the electric field is defined as the work done to bring a unit positive
charge from infinity to that point to overcome the electrostatic force.

The electric potential is a scalar quantity and is measured in unit of volt or J C-1.

(a) Electric potential due to a point charge

The electric potential at a point at distance r from a point charge + Q is given by

 Q
V 
40 r

Proof: Consider a positive test charge +q at distance r from an isolated stationary point charge, +Q in vacuum.
The force between the charges is

Qq
F
4o r 2

The work done to move the charge from point B to point A is given by:

A a a
Qq Qq 1
WBA    Fdr    dr   r dr
B b
4o r 2
4o b
2

Qq   1
a
Qq  1 1 
      
4o  r  b 4o  a b 

The total work done to move it from infinity to A is

Qq 1 1 
W   
4o a 
Qq

4o a

The electric potential is the work done per unit positive charge

Qq
VA 
4o a

In general, the electric potential at distance r from a point charge +Q is given by

Qq
VA 
4 o r

Note:

• Electric potential is a scalar quantity.

• At infinity, the electric potential is zero.
• The electric potential due to positive charge is positive. Similarly, the electric potential due to a
negative charge is negative.
The graph below shows the variation of electric potential V with distance r due to a point charge +Q.

For point charge -Q, the electric potential at distance r is as shown in the graph below.

(b) Electrical Potential due to several point charges

V P  V1  V2  V3
1  Q1 Q2 Q3 
Vp     
40  r1 r2 r3 
(c) Electric potential due to an isolated charged metal sphere

(i) For region outside the sphere, r > R

(ii) On the surface of the sphere, r = R

(iii) Inside the sphere r < R

Since the electric field inside the sphere is zero, therefore no work is done to bring the charge
from the surface to any point inside the sphere. Therefore the electric potential inside the sphere
is same as that on the surface of the sphere.

r
Example 5

Three point charges -1μC, 2μC and 3μC are placed respectively at the corners A, B and C of an
equilateral triangle of side 2 m.

(a) Calculate the resultant electric potential a point X which is mid-point between BC.
(b) Calculate the work done to bring a proton from infinity to the point X.

Solution:

(a)

(b) The work done to bring a charge from infinity to a point X is equal to the electric potential energy of the
charge at point X.

W = U =qV

= 1.60 ×10-19 × 40 ×103

= 6.40 ×10-15 J.
Relation between Electric Field Strength and Electric Potential.

When a charge +q moves from point P to P’, the change in the potential energy of the charge is equal to
U  qV
But work done by charge = force x distance moved = qE ( r )

So qEr  q ( V )
V
Therefore E
r
In general, the electric field strength at one point is equal to the negative potential gradient at that point.
𝛿𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝐸=− =− = −(gradient of graph V-r)
𝛿𝑟 𝑑𝑟
The minus sign indicates that E is in the direction of decreasing potential.
Electric Field between two parallel charged plates
The graph above shows the variation of electric potential with the distance from the positive plate. The electric
potential varies linearly with distance. Therefore the electric field between the plates is a uniform filed.

V
E
d

From the equation above, E can be expressed in N C-1 or in V m-1

Example 6

Point A and point B are at distance of 2 cm and 3 cm respectively from a point charge Q = +100 C. Calculate

(a) Electric potential at A and B

(b) Work done by another charge q = + 2.0 C to move from A to B.

Solution:

(a) electric potential at :

Point A:

Q
V
40R
100  10 6 C

4 (8.55  10 12 C 2N 1m 2 )( 0.02m )
 4.68  10 7 V

Point B:

Q
V
40R
100  10 6 C

4 (8.55  10 12 C 2N 1m 2 )( 0.03m )
 3.12  10 7 V

(b) Work done by the charge q = + 2.0 C from A to B.

W  qV
 2.0  10 6 C (3.12  10 7  4.68  10 7 )V
 3.12  10 6 J
Example 7

Solution:
(a) (i)

5.0 cm  Plate
0.5 cm
vo
1.5 cm

+ Plate

(ii) Motion in x has constant speed ax = 0

x = v0 t .................................. (1)
Motion in y in the uniform field (E upwards) gives
uniform acceleration downwards (ay  0)
F
ay =
m
 qE
=
m
eE
= ............................. (2)
m
Its vertical position is given by the linear equation
1
y = a y t2
2
2
1 eE t
= .................................. (3)
2 m

Substitute (1) into (3)

1 eE 2
y = 2
x ............................... (4)
2 mv
o

(iii) It moves in a parabolic path.

(iv) Let y = 0 at the point of entry,
so equation (4) becomes
19 2 2
1 (1.6  10 )(500 )(5.0 10 )
1.5  102 =  31
(9.11 10 )  vo
2 2

vo = 2.7  106 m s-1

(b) (i)The proton carries positive charge. Initially its kinetic energy is zero. It gains kinetic energy as it
moves from region of high potential to region of lower potential and loses in potential energy.
(ii) From (i), change in energy U is positive
U = + K.E.
1
= mv2
2
Change in potential is negative (decrease)
The relation between electric potential energy U and electric
potential difference gives
U = q V
U
V =
q

1
mv 2
= 2
q
27
1 (1.67  10
)(2.0  106 ) 2
=
2 (1.6  1019 )
= 2.1  104 V
Example 8

Solution:

(a) Electric field strength at a point is defined as the electric force per unit positive charge.
Electric potential at a point is defined as the work done to bring one unit positive charge from infinity to
that point.

Q
(b) (i) EA 
4 o r 2
12  106
=
4  8.85  1012  (5.0  102 ) 2
= 4.316  107 N C1

Q
(ii) V
4 o r
= 2.16  106 V
 (iii)
V
0 3.0
r

(c) (i) loss in KE = gain in electric PE

1 2
mv  eV
2
1 2
mv  eEs
2
1 2 V
mv  e s
2 d

1 4.0
 9.11 1031  (9.8  105 )2  1.6  1019  s
2 2.0  102
s = 1.37  102 m

(ii) If the separation is closer but same potential difference applied, the electric field strength is bigger

distance moved is smaller.