Summary of the electrostatics course


1. Direct calculation of the electrostatic (electric) 
E field and of potential

Distribution of point chargesIplaced in Pi(Coulomb)

qPM q u⃗ P M
electrostatic field in M: ⃗E ( M) = ∑ i 4 π iϵ I P M 3 = ∑ i 4 π iϵ i

2
0 i 0 P iM

qi 1
Electrostatic potential in M: φ(M )= ∑ I assuming zero potential at infinity.
4 π ϵ 0 P iM
⃗ P( M )
dE
Continuous load distribution: τ
Elementary electrostatic field ⃗ created inMpar the chargedqplaced inP:
dE dτ M
dq( P) PM dq( P)u⃗ PM ud⃗ PM
⃗ P( M ) =
dE =
4π ϵ0 PM 3
4π ϵ0 PM2 P
Field and potential created by the distribution of charges:
dq(P) 1
⃗E ( M)= ∫ P ∈Dist dE(⃗ M) = ∫ P ∈Dist dq( P) PM
4π ϵ PM3
and φ ( M )=∫ P∈ Dist 4π ϵ0PM
0

for a linear distribution: dq P =P dland

psimple sum ∫ ...

for a surface distribution: dq P = P dSand

pdouble sum ∬ ...
for a volumetric distribution:  P d
dq P = and
ptriple sum ∭ ...
Force on the loadPlaced in a load distribution that creates the field   QE M 
E : F=
Symmetries:
Let itΠbe a symmetry plan of the charge distribution:
⃗ P ( M )+d E⃗ P ' (M)
dE
Prop. 1: For every point M∈ : ⃗E ( M) ∥ Π

⃗ P ' (M)
dE ⃗ P( M )
dE
Let P be two symmetric points by Π
same charge inPetP'
==> dE⃗ P( M )+dEP⃗ ' ( M ) ∥ Π


Prop. 2: For every point M in space: let M' be the symmetric of M by the orthogonal symmetry of
plan : E  M' is the symmetric of E  M by the orthogonal symmetry of a plane
.

Let PetP be two symmetric points by Π ⃗ P( M )

dE ⃗ P ( I')
dE
same charge in PetP'

⃗ P ' (M)
dE ⃗ P ( M')
Let M be two points symmetric by Π : dE
dE⃗ P( M') +dEP ' ( M⃗ ') ⃗ PM )+d E(⃗ M
andd E( P' ) are
symmetrical by the plane symmetry Π .

L2S3 - Electrostatic Summary 1/5 v. 07/11/13

 *
Let it beΠ an anti-symmetry plan of the charge distribution:
Prop. 1: For any point M∈Π* :E( M)⃗ ⊥ Π
* ⃗ P( M )
dE
⃗ P ( M )+d E⃗ P ' ( M)
dE
Let PetP be two symmetric points by Π* ⃗ P ' (M)
dE
opposite charges in PetP' 
==> dE⃗ P( M )+dEP⃗ '( M ) ⊥ Π
*

Prop. 2: For every point M in space: let M' be the symmetric of M by the orthogonal symmetry of
planΠ* : −E M 'is the symmetric of  E  M by the orthogonal symmetry of a planeΠ*.

⃗ P( M )
dE
Let P be two symmetrical points by Π
same load inPetP' 
Let M be two points symmetric by Π : ⃗ P ' (M)
dE
⃗ P ( M')
dE
−(dEP⃗ ( M') +dEP ' ( M⃗ ')) etdEP( M )+dE⃗ P ' ( M ) are⃗
symmetrical by plane symmetry Π.
⃗ P ' (M')
dE

Invariances:
• If there is invariance of the charge distribution under all translations along an axis (by
⃗
for example the Oz axis)∥E(M) ∥and Mdo not depend on the coordinate along this axis
(for example)
• If there is invariance of the charge distribution under all rotations around an axis (by
example the axis Oz) then∥⃗ E(M)∥and Mdo not depend on the angle that rotates around
this axis.

●Link between
⃗E andφ in electrostatics: ⃗E (M) = −gradφ (M)

Gradient property (definition): dφ = gradφ. d l ⃗ so ⃗ l⃗

dφ = −E.d
∂ ∂ ∂
In Cartesian coordinates: grad = x
u y
u u
∂x ∂y ∂z z
dφ
In cylindrical and spherical coordinates if  only depends on: gradφ = u⃗
dr r

Circulation of ⃗E devil along a path: C Γ , AB ( ⃗E) = Γ,∫A →BE . d⃗ l ⃗

Property: In electrostatics ⃗ =
C Γ AB ( E) ∫ Γ ,A→B E⃗ . d⃗ l = − Γ ∫, A →Bdφ = φ ( A)−φ(B) not
does not depend on the path taken to go from A to B: is a field
Eof vectors in circulation
conservative.
Note: If Γ is a closed contour: Γ
⃗ =
C(E) ∫ Γ ,A→ A E⃗ . d⃗ l= 0

L2S3 - Electrostatic summary 2/5 v. 07/11/13

Definition: Field line: a curve tangent at each of its points to the field vectors and oriented in
the meaning of the field.

Properties: If two field lines of ⃗E cross in Malors: E( M)=0⃗ or ⃗ ⃗E ( M) is not defined

diverge

field lines
Def.: Field tube: set of lines of
field supported by a closed contour.

●Déf. :Surface équipotentielle: ensemble des points de l'espace qui

are at the same potential.

Properties:
• At every point M, the equipotential that passes through M is perpendicular to the field line that
pass by Mr.
• Along a line of field 
E the potential decreases.
• The direction of ⃗E ( M) corresponds to the direction and the sense of the greatest decrease of
potential from Mr.

2. Gauss's theorem

Definition: Flux of a vector field 

A  Mthrough a surface S: Flux= ∬
M∈ S
A (⃗ M). d S ( M
⃗ )

withS M perpendicular to the elementary surface dS(M) and ∥dS∥=dS


d
(arbitrary choice for the meaning of S ).

If we take a closed surface (i.e., a surface that completely encloses a finite volume): we take
obligatorily M to the outside of the closed surface and we note: ∬ ...

Gauss's Theorem:
Whatever the closed surface: ⃗ Qint with Qint charges inside S.
∬P∈ S E(P) .d ⃗ S(P) = ϵ0
 it is outward.
This is the 'outgoing' flow because
dS


Use Gauss's theorem to calculate E. M (practical advice):
1. Search for the symmetries to know the direction
E of
in every point in space.
2. Use the invariances of the charge distribution to deduce the consequences for ∥ ⃗E∥ .
3. Choose a closed surface SG(called Gauss surface) passing through M, such that at each point
E  P∥SGyou 
From this surface  E  P ⊥S.G
Qint
4. Use ∬P∈ S E  P .d S  P
G
= 
 0 to determine E M  .

L2S3 - Electrostatic summary 3/5 v. 07/11/13

Continuity 
E and :
•  is always continuous at every point where it does not diverge (i.e. if there are volumetric charges or
surface.
•  diverges (is not defined) at M if there is a linear or point charge at M.
• 
E is continuous in M if there is a volume charge (or no charge) in M.
• 
E is discontinuous in M (but does not diverge) if there is a surface charge in M.
• 
E diverges (is not defined) at M if there is a linear or point charge at M.

3. Local forms
Divergence of a vector field: div
Def: Let there be a vector fieldA M Let it be an elementary volumedτ(M) surrounding the pointM,
⃗ P) .d ⃗ S(P) = divA⃗ d τ
delimited by the closed surface S: ∬ P∈ S A(

∂ Ax ∂ Ay ∂ Az
In Cartesian coordinates: ⃗
divA= + +
∂x ∂y ∂z

⃗ ∂A
In cylindrical and spherical coordinates: if ⃗ (M)= A(r)u⃗ r so
A divA= .
∂r
Def.: The Laplacian of a scalar function f(M) is: Δ f( M ) = div gradf(M)
∂ 2f ∂ 2f ∂ 2f
In Cartesian coordinates: Δ f( x, y, z) = + +
∂ x2 ∂ y2 ∂ z2

Rotational of a vector field rot : d ⃗l

Def.: Let a vector field ⃗ (M) Let it be an elementary surfacedS( M )

A
enM, delimited by the closed contour : ⃗
dS
d ⃗l
∫ A⃗ ( P). d ⃗ l ( P) = rotA.d
P ∈Γ
⃗ S⃗

Attention: the meaning dof⃗ l and ofd S

⃗ must be compatible (right-hand rule).

In Cartesian coordinates: ⃗
rotA=
( ∂ Az
∂y
−
∂ Ay
∂z x ) (
u⃗ +
∂ Ax
∂z
−
∂ Az
∂x y) (
u⃗ +
∂ Ay
∂x
−
∂ Ax
∂y z )
u⃗

●Formulas of electrostatics:
Global shape Local form
Circulation of E in ∫ P ∈Γ E⃗ ( P). d ⃗ l ( P) =0 ⃗
rotE(M) =0 ⃗
electrostatics.
Gauss's Theorem Qint
⃗ P) .d S(P)
∬P∈ SE( ⃗ = ϵ0 ρ(M)
⃗
divE(M) = ϵ0

Poisson's equation of electrostatics: ρ

Δφ + ϵ = 0
0

L2S3 - Electrostatic Summary 4/5 v. 07/11/13

 4. Conductors and capacitors

In a perfect conductor at electrostatic equilibrium:

• There are always mobile charges that can move freely within the conductor.
• ⃗ interior= 0 ⃗
E andφ interior= Constant

• The volume charge density (mobile charges + fixed charges) is zero: ρinterior=0
The charge of the conductor is on the surface of the conductor (surface charge) ) σ

Coulomb's theorem: In the vicinity of a pointPotential of the surface of a perfect conductor at equilibrium
σ (P)
Electrostatics, outside, the electric field is ⃗E= ϵ0 n⃗ ⃗
normal
with vector to
the surface directed outward.

Definition: A capacitor is composed of two perfect conductors in electrostatic equilibrium, of which

a surface1of conductor 1 and a surface S2the driver 2 are under total influence.
Two surfaces are said to be in total influence if all the field lines that start from one surface...
arrive on the other surface (and vice versa).
The charges1 etQ2the 2 surfaces in total influence are opposite: Q2= −Q1

Definition: There exists a positive constant, which depends only on the shape of the capacitor, called
capacity C, such that: Q1= C(φ(driver1)−φ(driver2)) = See you
What is the potential difference across the terminals of the capacitor: U=φ(driver1)−φ ( driver2)

1 1Q2
The electrostatic potential energy of a charged capacitor is: E pot= S e e y o u 2=
2 2C

S
To know: Capacity of a flat capacitor: C=ϵ 0 with surface and thickness.
e

Two capacitors in series with capacitance C1etc2are equivalent to a capacitor of capacitance

1 1 1
Ceqsuch as: = +
C eq C1C 2
Two capacitors in parallel (derivation) with capacitances C1etc.2are equivalent to a
capacitor of capacitance Ceq= C 1+C 2.

L2S3 - Electrostatic summary 5/5 v. 07/11/13