ELECTROSTATICS – FULL DETAILED NOTES
1. INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROSTATICS
Electrostatics is the branch of physics that deals with charges at rest. Electric charge is a
fundamental property of matter.
There are two types of charges: positive and negative. Like charges repel each other,
while unlike charges attract.
Charge is quantized, meaning it exists in multiples of the fundamental charge e = 1.6 ×
10■¹■ C. Charge is also conserved,
meaning it cannot be created or destroyed.
2. COULOMB’S LAW
Coulomb’s law gives the force between two point charges.
Statement: The magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of charges
and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Formula: F = (1 / 4π■0) * (q1 q2 / r²)
Here ■0 is the permittivity of free space.
Force acts along the line joining the charges. It is a central force and follows the principle
of superposition.
Superposition principle: The net force on a charge due to multiple charges is the vector
sum of all individual forces.
3. ELECTRIC FIELD (E)
Electric field at a point is the force experienced by a unit positive test charge placed at that
point.
Formula: E = F / q
Electric field due to a point charge:
E = (1 / 4π■0) * (q / r²)
Electric field is a vector quantity.
Electric field lines are imaginary curves whose tangent at any point gives the direction of
electric field.
Properties of field lines:
1. They originate from positive charge and end on negative charge.
2. Field lines never intersect.
3. Density of field lines indicates field strength.
4. ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)
Electric potential at a point is the work done in bringing a unit positive charge from infinity
to that point.
Formula: V = (1 / 4π■0) * (q / r)
Potential difference: Work done in moving a unit charge between two points.
Relation between E and V in one dimension: E = – dV/dx
Potential energy of a system of charges: U = k * (q1 q2 / r)
5. GAUSS’ LAW
Gauss’ law relates electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by it.
Statement: The total electric flux through any closed surface is equal to (1/■0) times the
total charge enclosed.
Mathematically: ■ E · dA = Q_enclosed / ■0
Gauss’ law is useful for symmetric charge distributions:
(i) Spherical
(ii) Cylindrical
(iii) Planar symmetry
Applications:
a) Electric field due to an infinite line charge:
E = λ / (2π■0 r)
b) Electric field due to an infinite plane sheet:
E = σ / (2■0)
c) Electric field due to a uniformly charged sphere:
Outside sphere: E = kQ / r²
Inside sphere: E ∝ r
6. ELECTRIC DIPOLE
An electric dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges separated by a small
distance.
Dipole moment: p = q × 2a (vector from negative to positive charge)
Electric field due to dipole:
On axial line: E = (1 / 4π■0) * (2p / r³)
On equatorial line: E = (1 / 4π■0) * (p / r³)
Dipole in uniform electric field experiences torque:
τ = pE sinθ
Potential energy: U = – pE cosθ
7. CAPACITORS & DIELECTRICS
A capacitor stores electric charge and energy.
Capacitance: C = Q / V
Parallel plate capacitor:
C = ■0 A / d
When dielectric of constant k is introduced:
C’ = kC
Energy stored: U = 1/2 * CV²
Types of capacitors:
1. Parallel plate
2. Spherical
3. Cylindrical
Combination of capacitors:
Series: 1/Ceq = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + ...
Parallel: Ceq = C1 + C2 + ...
8. CONDUCTORS & INSULATORS
Conductors allow free movement of electrons; insulators do not.
Properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium:
• Electric field inside a conductor is zero.
• All charge resides on the surface.
• Potential inside conductor is constant.
• Electric field is normal to the surface.
9. IMPORTANT FORMULAS SUMMARY
• F = k q1 q2 / r²
• E = k q / r²
•V=kq/r
• U = k q1 q2 / r
• C = ■0 A / d
• τ = pE sinθ
• U = –pE cosθ