Electromagnetics - Fall 2023

Chapter 4: Electrostatics

The following subjects will be discussed

• Definition of the Electric Potential.

• Potential-Field Relations.
• Potential Calculations for Charge Distributions.
• Energy Density in Electrostatic Fields.
 The Electric Potential

The electric field can also be related and

evaluated from the concept of potential energy. 𝐵
𝑑𝑙
Starting with the electrostatic force relation,
we can find the work done on a charge 𝐸 𝐴
moving within some electric field distribution.
𝐹⃑ = 𝑞𝐸 → 𝑑𝑊 = − 𝐹⃑ ' 𝑑𝑙 = −𝑞 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙
"
The total work done by the field (energy gained or lost), 𝑊 = −𝑞 % 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙
going from point A to point B, is !

The electric potential between two points (A and B) "

is defined as the amount of work per unit charge 𝑉!" = 𝑊/𝑞 = − % 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙
!
needed to bring a charge (𝑞) from point A to point
B within a field 𝐸 .
Stokes
Because the electric force is conservative, Theorem
𝑉!" = −𝑉"! → 𝑉!" + 𝑉"! = 0 → 1 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙 = 0 → ∇×𝐸 = 0 → 𝐸 = −∇𝑉

The rate of change in potential speaks about the properties of the field.
 Example

A proton is accelerated by the field in the set-up given below from rest.

1) Find the potential difference 𝑉" − 𝑉! and 𝑉! − 𝑉" .

8×10! 𝑉/𝑚
𝑉! − 𝑉" = −𝐸𝑑 = −8×10# 0.5 = −4×10# (V)
(constant field) (A is at a higher
𝑉" − 𝑉! = −(𝑉! − 𝑉" ) = 4×10# (V) potential than B)

2) As the proton travels from A to B, what is the

loss/gain in the system energy? 𝐴 𝐵
𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 = ∆𝑈 = (𝑉! − 𝑉" ) 𝑞 = −4×10#×1.6×10$%& = −6.4×10$%' (J)
$(.#×%+"#$ (This energy loss is gained
𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑠 = %.(×%+"#%
= −4×10# (eV)
by the proton as KE) 0.5 𝑚
 Potential Calculations: A Point Charge

The field-potential relation can be used to calculate the potential difference between
any two points. Starting with the field equation, the potential difference can be found
using !
𝑉! − 𝑉" = − ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 𝐵 𝐸
" 𝑟!
Let’s apply it for a point charge case. The electric field
due to a point charge is given by 1 𝑞 𝐴
𝐸= 𝑎⃑. 𝑟"
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟-

1 ! 𝑞 𝑞 .' 1
𝑉! − 𝑉" = − ; 𝑎⃑ < 𝑑𝑟 𝑎⃑. = − ; 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝜀, " 𝑟 - . 4𝜋𝜀, .& 𝑟 -
.
𝑞 1 ' 𝑞 1 1
𝑉! − 𝑉" = − A = −
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟 . 4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟! 𝑟"
&
Remarks
𝑞 1 1 Potential difference 1) Potential behaves as 1/𝑟.
𝑉! − 𝑉" = − in the space of a
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟! 𝑟" 2) If we take the reference as 𝑉 ∞ = 0, then
point charge we can define the potential at a point
𝑞 1
𝑉/ = Potential at a point independently.
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟/
 Potential Calculations: Many Point Charges

For many point charges, use superposition to find the potential at a point in the space
of the charges. 1 𝑞 1
𝑉/ = E
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟1
𝑞0
Example
Consider two charges, as follows.
𝑟$
𝑞! =2 µC at (0, 0) 𝑃
𝑞" =-6 µC at (0, 3 m)
𝑟# 𝑟% 𝑞-
1) Find the potential at 𝐴(4 m, 0).
Take V(∞)=0. 𝑞%

# %) *+)
𝑉! = + = −6.29 kV
&'(! & ,

2) Find the potential difference between 𝐴

and 𝐵(-2 m, 1 m), 𝑉#$ .
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions

In the case of continuous charge distributions, defined by a charge density (𝜌- , 𝜌. or

𝜌/ ), the electric potential is calculated using an integral equation.

Starting with the point 𝑞 𝑑𝑞

𝑉= → 𝑑𝑉 =
charge equation 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟

1 𝑑𝑞 1 𝜌2
𝑉= ; = ; 𝑑𝑙 Line charge
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟

1 𝑑𝑞 1 𝜌3
𝑉= ; = ; 𝑑𝑆 Surface charge
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟

1 𝑑𝑞 1 𝜌4
𝑉= ; = ; 𝑑𝑣 Volume charge
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Line
Find the electric potential at any point due to a thin line charge (continuous
distribution). The line has a uniform charge density 𝜌- (C/m).
The point P is directly above the left end of the line.
The final result will only be good for this case. But it 𝑟= 𝑥 - + 𝑑-
also applies for the right end of the line.
For a very small length of the line 𝑑𝑙, we can write
𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝑉5 = 𝑑𝑄 = 𝜌2 𝑑𝑙 = 𝜌2 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀+𝑟
Notice that we will integrate over the whole length of 𝑑𝑙
the line. So, the differential in the integration will be 𝑑𝑥. 𝐿
Let’s write all other variables in terms of 𝑥.
𝑉
2
𝜌2 1 Use trigonometric
𝑉5 = ; 𝑑𝑥 substitution
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑥 - + 𝑑-
+ (put 𝑥 = 𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃)

𝜌2 𝐿 + 𝐿- + 𝑑 -
𝑉5 = ln
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑑 𝑑
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Line
Find the electric potential at any point due to a thin ring charge (continuous
distribution). The ring has a uniform charge density 𝜌- (C/m). 𝑃
The point P is along the axis of the ring. The final result

𝑅(
𝑑(+
will only be good for this case. 𝑑

𝑟=
For a very small length of the ring 𝑑𝑙, we can write

𝑑𝑄 𝑅
𝑑𝑉5 = 𝑑𝑄 = 𝜌2 𝑑𝑙 = 𝜌2 𝑅 𝑑𝜃
4𝜋𝜀+𝑟

Notice that we will integrate over the whole length of 𝑑

the ring. So, the differential in the integration will be 𝑑𝜃.
Let’s write all other variables in terms of 𝜃. The potential is
NOT zero at the
-6 center of the
𝜌2 𝑅 𝜌2 𝑅 ring, (in fact, it’s
𝑉5 = ; 𝑑𝜃 𝑉5 = 𝑉
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑑- + 𝑅- 2𝜀+ 𝑑- + 𝑅- maximum).
+ Why?
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Disk
Find the electric potential at any point due to a thin disk charge (continuous
distribution). The disk has a uniform charge density 𝜌. (C/m2), radius 𝑅.

The point P is along the axis of the disk. The final

result will only be good for this case.

1 𝜌3 𝑃
𝑉= ; 𝑑𝑆 𝑑𝑆 = 𝜌 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝜑 𝑟= 𝜌- +𝑧
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟
𝑧 𝑟
-6 7 7
𝜌3 𝜌 𝜌3 𝜌
𝑉= ; ; 𝑑𝜌 𝑑𝜑 = ; 𝑑𝜌 𝑅
4𝜋𝜀 -
𝜌 +𝑧 - 2𝜀 -
𝜌 +𝑧 -
+ + + 𝜌3 C/m2

Use substitution 𝜌3
𝑉5 = 𝑧 - + 𝑅- − 𝑧
(𝑢 = 𝑧 - + 𝜌-) 2𝜀
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Sphere
Find the electric potential at any point due to a charged solid non-conducting sphere.
The sphere has a uniform charge density 𝜌/ (C/m3), radius 𝑅.

Find the potential at any point inside or outside the

sphere.

We can use the same procedure as before by taking a

very small volume 𝑑𝑣 and finding the charge 𝑑𝑄.

An alternative method is to find the potential from the

electric field using the following equation.

𝑉0 = − % 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙 Notice that this is an indefinite integral. So, a constant

of integration will appear in the final answer.

Do we know the electric field everywhere for this sphere case? Yes. We have
done this problem as an application of Gauss’ Law (Check your notes).
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Sphere
Find the electric potential at any point due to a charged solid non-conducting sphere.
The sphere has a uniform charge density 𝜌/ (C/m3), radius 𝑅.
1) 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅 (points inside sphere)
𝜌4 𝑟 𝜌4
𝐸= 𝑎⃑ 𝑉 = − ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 = − ; 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
3𝜀+ . 3𝜀+
𝜌 𝑟-
𝑉=− + 𝐶%
6𝜀+
2) 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅 (points outside sphere)
𝜌4 𝑅 0 𝜌4 𝑅 0 1
𝐸= 𝑎⃑ 𝑉 = − ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 = − ; - 𝑑𝑟
3𝜀+𝑟 - . 3𝜀+ 𝑟
0
𝜌4 𝑅 1
𝑉= + 𝐶-
3𝜀+ 𝑟

To evaluate the constants of integration, we use boundary conditions; two

constants means we need two boundary conditions.
1) V(∞)=0.
2) At 𝑟 = 𝑅, the two solutions are equal.
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Sphere
Find the electric potential at any point due to a charged solid non-conducting sphere.
The sphere has a uniform charge density 𝜌/ (C/m3), radius 𝑅.
Applying 𝑉 ∞ = 0 condition
means a point outside sphere
𝜌4 𝑅 0 1
𝑉 ∞ = + 𝐶- = 0 𝐶- = 0
3𝜀+ ∞
Applying 𝑉 𝑅 condition
𝜌4 𝑅 0 1 𝜌4 𝑅 - 𝜌4 𝑅 -
=− + 𝐶% 𝐶% =
3𝜀+ 𝑅 6𝜀+ 2𝜀+
𝜌! 𝑅"
𝑉
1) 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅 (points inside sphere) 2𝜀#
𝜌4 𝜌! 𝑅"
𝑉= (3 𝑅 -− 𝑟 -)
6 𝜀+ 3𝜀#

2) 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅 (points outside sphere)

𝜌4 𝑅 0 1
𝑉=
3𝜀+ 𝑟 0 𝑅 𝑟
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Shell
Find the electric potential at any point due to a conducting shell. The shell has a total
charge of 𝑄 distributed uniformly over the surface. Radius 𝑅.
Find the potential at any point inside or outside the
shell.
Here we can use the same approach, because
we can easily find the electric field using Gauss’
Law.
Gaussian
𝑄12345.16 = 𝜀% % 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝐴 Surfaces

For the left-hand side For the right-hand side

We have two regions: In both regions, 𝐸 is constant over any
1) 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅: The total 𝑄12345.16 is zero. spherical Gaussian surface so it goes out of
2) 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅: The total 𝑄12345.16 is 𝑄. the integral. The integral gives the surface
area of the Gaussian surface 4𝜋𝑟 % .
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Shell
Find the electric potential at any point due to a conducting shell. The shell has a total
charge of 𝑄 distributed uniformly over the surface. Radius 𝑅.

1) 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅 (points inside sphere)

𝑄>?@A,3>B = 0 𝐸=0 𝑉 = − ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 = 𝐶%

2) 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅 (points outside sphere)

𝑄
𝑄>?@A,3>B = 𝑄 𝐸= 𝑎⃑
4𝜋𝜀+𝑟 - .

𝑄 1 𝑄 1
𝑉 = − ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 = − ; - 𝑑𝑟 𝑉= + 𝐶-
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑟

To evaluate the constants of integration, we use boundary conditions; two

constants means we need two boundary conditions.
1) V(∞)=0.
2) At 𝑟 = 𝑅, the two solutions are equal.
 Potential Calculations: Charge Distributions
Shell
Find the electric potential at any point due to a conducting shell. The shell has a total
charge of 𝑄 distributed uniformly over the surface. Radius 𝑅.
Applying 𝑉 ∞ = 0 condition
means a point outside sphere
𝑄 1
𝑉 ∞ = + 𝐶- = 0 𝐶- = 0
4𝜋𝜀+ ∞

Applying 𝑉 𝑅 condition
𝑄 1 𝑄
= 𝐶% 𝐶% =
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑅 4𝜋𝜀+𝑅
𝑉
𝑄
1) 𝑟 ≤ 𝑅 (points inside sphere)
4𝜋𝜀# 𝑅
𝑄 1
𝑉=
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑅
2) 𝑟 ≥ 𝑅 (points outside sphere) 0 𝑅
𝑟

𝑄 1 Notice that because the electric field is zero inside the sphere,
𝑉= the potential is constant. All points inside the sphere,
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑟
including the surface, are at the same potential.
 Potential Calculations: Summary

Approach (1)
𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝑉 = Start from basics. Find a differential potential. Set-up the
4𝜋𝜀7 𝑟
integral. Integrate to find potential expression.

Approach (2)
𝑉 = − % 𝐸 ' 𝑑𝑙 Start from the electric field expressions (if known), or
find electric field if easy. Use the potential-field relation
to find the potential expression.
 Examples

(1) The potential function in space is given by the following expression (which is the
potential along the axis of the disk we studied before, slide 11)
𝜌3
𝑉 𝑧 = ( 𝑧 - + 𝑅 - − 𝑧)
2𝜀,

Find the corresponding electric field.

We notice that the potential is only a function of z. So,

𝑑𝑉
𝐸(𝑧) = −𝛻𝑉 = − 𝑎⃑
𝑑𝑧 F

𝜌3 𝑧
𝐸 𝑧 = 1− 𝑎⃑F
2𝜀, 𝑧 - + 𝑅-

It is the same result that we obtained when we studied the electric field subject.
 Examples

(2) A very thin finite line with uniform charge density 𝜌- (C/m) and length L, placed
along the x-axis, as in the figure.
Find an expression for the electric potential at any point along the negative x-axis.

𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝑉5 = 𝑑𝑞 = 𝜌2 𝑑𝑙 = 𝜌2 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀+𝑟 𝑥 𝑑𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥
2
𝜌2 1
𝑉5 = ; 𝑑𝑥
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑑 + 𝑥 𝑟 =𝑑+𝑥
+

𝜌2 𝑑+𝐿
𝑉5 = ln
4𝜋𝜀+ 𝑑
 Examples

(3) Consider a very thin infinite line with uniform charge density 𝜌- = 1 (nC/m) is
placed along the y-axis, as in the figure.
Find the potential difference 𝑉!" , where 𝐴 −3, 2, 4 and 𝐵 6, 1, 0 .
𝜌2
Starting with 𝐸/ = 𝑎⃑
2𝜋𝜀 𝑠 ?
!
𝜌2 ! 1 𝜌2 𝜌! 𝐴 (-3, 2, 4)
𝑉"! = ; 𝐸 < 𝑑𝑙 = − ; 𝑑𝜌 = − ln 𝜌 Z
" 2𝜋𝜀 " 𝜌 2𝜋𝜀 𝜌"

𝜌2 5
𝑉"! = ln = −3.3 𝑉
2𝜋𝜀 6

Given 𝑉" = 5 𝑉, then 𝜌" = 3- + 4- = 5

𝑉"! = 𝑉! − 𝑉" = −3.3 𝑉 → 𝑉! = 1.7 𝑉 𝜌! = 6- + 0- = 6

 Stored Electric Potential Energy

Consider a system consisting of three particle charges. We would like to find the
stored electric potential energy in this system.
Take 𝑊1?1G1HA = 0

Assume that the system is assembled by 𝑞0

bringing one charge at a time starting with 1
then 2 then 3, each one to its given location. 𝑟&"
Bring 𝑞# , no change in potential energy. 𝑊# = 0
𝑟&!
Bring 𝑞% , potential energy is added 𝑞-
8 #
(subtracted). 𝑊% = 𝑞% 𝑉# = 𝑞% &'(" 9
# $"
𝑟"!
Bring 𝑞$ , potential energy is added (subtracted). 𝑞%
8 # 8 #
𝑊$ = 𝑞$ 𝑉# + 𝑞$ 𝑉% = 𝑞$ &'(" + 𝑞$ &'($
# 9%" # 9%$
𝑞%𝑞- 𝑞%𝑞0 𝑞-𝑞0
Stored electric potential energy 𝑊G,G = 𝑊% + 𝑊- + 𝑊0 = + +
4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟-% 4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟0% 4𝜋𝜀, 𝑟0-
1
𝑊I = E 𝑞1 𝑉1
2
 Stored Electric Potential Energy

Example
Consider two charges, as follows.
𝑞! =2 µC at (0, 0)
𝑞" =-6 µC at (0, 3 m)

3) What is the change in system potential energy

if a charge 𝑞& =3 µC is brought to point A?
The system lost potential energy because
∆𝑈 = 𝑞$ 𝑉! = 3 𝜇 −6.29 𝑘 = −18.9 𝑚𝐽
the field is “helping” the third charge.

4) If all three charges were brought (in order) from infinity to their respective
locations, what is the change in system electric potential energy?

1 𝑞# 𝑞% 𝑞# 𝑞$ 𝑞% 𝑞$
Δ𝑈 = + + = −54.8 𝑚𝐽
4𝜋𝜀7 3 4 5
 Electric Energy Density

In the case of continuous charge distributions, defined by a charge density (𝜌- , 𝜌. or

𝜌/ ), the energy stored in the electric field is calculated using an integral equation.
1
Starting with the point charge equation 𝑊I =
2
E 𝑞1 𝑉1

1
𝑊I = ;𝜌2 𝑉 𝑑𝑙 Line charge
2
1
𝑊I = ;𝜌 𝑉 𝑑𝑆 Surface charge
2 3

1
𝑊I = ;𝜌 𝑉 𝑑𝑣 Volume charge
2 4

Substituting ∇ < 𝐷 = 𝜌4 and 𝐸 = −∇𝑉 and using the divergence theorem, we obtain

1 𝜀 - 𝜀 -
𝑊I = ; 𝐷 < 𝐸 𝑑𝑣 = ; 𝐸 𝑑𝑣 → 𝑤I = 𝐸
2 2 2
Electrostatic energy Electrostatic energy
stored in the field (J) density (J/m3)
 Q&A

Send me an email if
you have any
questions.