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Electric Charge and Electric Field

This chapter discusses electric fields and forces, calculating electric fields from point charges and continuous charge distributions, and properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium. Key topics covered include: - Calculating electric fields and forces from point charges and continuous charge distributions like line charges, surface charges, and volume charges using the concepts of charge density. - Electric field distributions from dipoles, point charges, infinite line charges, and infinite plane charges. - The electric field inside a conductor is zero in electrostatic equilibrium. Excess charge resides only on the surface of isolated conductors.

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61 views19 pages

Electric Charge and Electric Field

This chapter discusses electric fields and forces, calculating electric fields from point charges and continuous charge distributions, and properties of conductors in electrostatic equilibrium. Key topics covered include: - Calculating electric fields and forces from point charges and continuous charge distributions like line charges, surface charges, and volume charges using the concepts of charge density. - Electric field distributions from dipoles, point charges, infinite line charges, and infinite plane charges. - The electric field inside a conductor is zero in electrostatic equilibrium. Excess charge resides only on the surface of isolated conductors.

Uploaded by

ccny07
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 21

Electric Charge and Electric Field

 Electric field and force

 Electric Fields
 Some calculations

Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 1


Electric Field and
Force

New Topic
Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 2
Motion of a charged particle in a given electric field
! !
F = qE
Once the field is given, the force
can be easily calculated by

Once the force is known, the ! !


motion can be solved by F = ma

Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 3


Example:
Is there a point along the line of the two charges where
the electric field vanishes? If yes, find the location.

+Q +4Q
x
3R

 Assume the point is in between and x away from the +Q


charge. Also assume to the right is positive.

Q 4Q
E = k 2 !k =0
x (3R ! x) 2

x = R, or ! 3R Discard X=-3R
because it’s unphysical.
Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 4
What makes water special?
 The large electric dipole moment of water makes it an
excellent solvent.

Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 5


ConcepTest 21.6 (Post) Electric Dipole
 Imagine an electric dipole placed in
an uniform electric field. What will
it experience?
(1) A net force and a net torque
(2) Zero net force and a net torque
(3) Zero net force and zero net torque
(4) A net force and zero net torque

Phys 2435: Chap 21, Pg 6


Electric field of
continuous charge
distributions

New Topic
Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 7
How to calculate Electric Fields
from
Continuous Charge Distributions ?

 Divide into small chunks What’s electric field at point P


due to the charge distribution?
 Treat each chunk as a point charge
dq
 Superposition principles of electric fields.
 Add up contribution from all chunks
 Sum becomes integral r

dq
dE = k 2
P
.
r
(vector sum)

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 8


Charge Densities
 How do we represent the charge “Q” on an extended object?
small pieces
total charge of charge
Q dq
 Line of charge:
λ = charge per
unit length
dq = λ dx

 Surface of charge:
σ = charge per dq = σ dA
unit area

 Volume of charge:
ρ = charge per dq = ρ dV
unit volume

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 9


Example: A ring of charge
 A ring of radius a carries a total charge Q distributed uniformly around
it. Determine the electric field at a point on its axis.

Set up coordinate system:

By symmetry: Ey=0
So E is along x-axis.

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 10


Example: A ring of charge (continued)

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 11


Problem-solving techniques:
calculating electric fields from continuous
charge distributions
 Break up the charge into small
pieces, then add up the fields from
each piece. (use charge density
dQ=λ dl)

 Use symmetry to simplify the


problem.

 Check special cases where you


know or expect the answer. If it
doesn’t check out, the result would
be wrong entirely.

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 12


Example: Long line of charge
 Determine the electric field at any point a distance x away from a disk
of uniformly distributed charge of density λ.

Set up coordinate system

By symmetry: Ey=0. So E is along x.

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 13


Example: Uniformly charged disk
 Determine the electric field at any point a distance z away from a long
line of uniformly distributed charge of density σ.

Set up coordinate system:

Divide into small rings:

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 14


Example: Two parallel plates
(one positive, one negative)

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 15


Review: Some Electric Field Distributions

Dipole ~ 1 / r3

Point Charge ~ 1 / r2

Infinite
Line of Charge ~1/r

Infinite
Plane of Charge ~ constant

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 16


Conductors in Electrostatic Equilibrium
charges can move freely no motion of charges

 Electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor


 if E ≠ 0, then charges would move -- no equilibrium!

 Excess charge on isolated conductor resides only


on the surface of the conductor
 mutual repulsion pushes the charges apart
 Electric field is perpendicular to the surface of a
conductor
 if a parallel component existed, charges would
move!!
 For irregular shaped conductors, more charge
accumulates near sharp points, i.e. the field strength
is greater there Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 17
Electric field inside
a conductor is zero after
charges are settled !

Conductors are good


shields.

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 18


ConcepTest 21.7 (Post) line charge
 Which arrow best represents the 2
electric field at a point on the middle P 3
line from a positive line charge? 1

(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 4


(E) none of these

Phys 2435: Chap. 21, Pg 19

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