General Physics 2

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

Electrostatics is all about electric charges at rest. An electric charge has basic properties, and
its charge is quantized. There are forces acting between charged objects. The region where electric
forces act is known as electric field. A charge in an electric field has electrical energy.

I. ELECTRON THEORY AND ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Ernest Rutherford and Neils Bohr states that all matter composed of atoms, each consisting of
a small, tightly packed, positively charged mass called protons and electrons which are number of
larger, lighter negatively charged particles revolving around the nucleus at tremendous speed.

The nucleus consists of protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons of no charge. The
number of protons a nucleus can contain is called the atomic number of the atom.

The mass of one electron is 9.1083 x 10-31 kg while a proton is about 1.6726 x10-27 kg, almost 1,
836 times that of an electron. A neutron is about 1.6749x10-27kg.

II. ELECTRIC CHARGE (Q OR q)

Electric charge is a basis of fundamental interaction of matter. Electric came from the Greek
word ‘elektron’ meaning amber. When you scuff your shoes across a nylon carpet, you become
electrically charged, and you can charge a comb by passing it through dry hair. Plastic rods and fur
(real or fake) are particularly good for demonstrating electrostatics, the interactions between electric
charges that are at rest (or nearly so).

Image Credit: Young & Freedman (2016) University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th edition. Sears and Zemansky Publishing Inc.

“Two positive charges or two negative charges repel each other. A positive charge
and a negative charge attract each other.”

Electric charge is also defined as a physical property of an object that causes to be attracted
toward or repelled form another charged object; each charged object generates and is influenced
by a force called electromagnetic force.

The magnitude of an electric charge could be determined by multiplying the number of

excess electron or proton (N) multiplied to the charge of 1 electron or 1 proton.
𝑄 = 𝑁𝑒
where: N = number of excess +e (proton) or –e (electron)
e = charge of +1e or –1e = 1.6x10-19 Coulomb
 General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

Unit of Charge: MKS: Coulomb (C) CGS: statcoulomb, (statC)

Sample Problem 1: What is the charge of a body whose electron is 15x1013 and proton of 30x1013?

“What are the given in the problem?” –e (electron) = 30x1013

+e (proton) = 15x1013
“What is the unknown?” Q (charge of the body)
Formula: 𝑄 = 𝑁𝑒
Solution
Excess proton = (+e) – (–e)
Solve first for the number of excess
proton or electron
= (30x1013) – (15x1013)
= 15x1013

𝑄 = 𝑁𝑒
𝑄 = (15 × 1013 )(1.6 × 10−19 𝐶)
Solve for the charge of the body
𝑄 = 24 × 10−6 𝐶

Sample Problem 2: How many excess electrons make up a charge of -30.0µC?

“What do we know from the problem?” –30.0µC µC is microcoulomb or × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑪

“What is the unknown?” –e (electron)
𝑄 = 𝑁𝑒
Formula: 𝑄
𝑁=
𝑒
Solution
𝑄
𝑁=
𝑒
−30.0 × 10−6 𝐶
Solve for the number of excess electrons 𝑁 =
−1.6 × 10−19 𝐶
𝑁 = 18.75 × 1013

III. INSULATORS AND CONDUCTORS

Conductors are materials that have free electrons and allow it to move free through it.
Meanwhile Superconductors allow the movement of charge without any loss of energy.

On the other hand, some materials hold electrons that securely within their atomic orbits and
does not allow charges to move through the, such materials are called insulators.

In general, good conductors of electricity like metals (copper, num, gold and silver) are also
good conductor of heat, whereas insulators of electricity like wood, plastic and rubber are poor heat
conductor.
 General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

IV. COULOMB’S LAW

When a body has more electron than proton it is said to be negatively charged. Bodies
interact because of these differences in charges and follow basic laws of charged bodies that is like
charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.

Coulomb’s law determines the amount and direction of attraction and repulsion between two
bodies, moreover the force that is determine is termed as electrostatic force or Coulomb’s force.

Coulomb’s law state that the force (F) exerted by charge q1 to another body q2 is directly
proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance r
between them. In symbol:
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹⃗𝑒 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
where: 𝑘 = 8.99 × 109 𝐶 2
q1q2 = magnitude of the charges
r = distance between of the charges

Sample Problem 1: Two point charges, q1=+4µC and q2=-12µC, are separated by 15 cm. Calculate the force that
one charge exerts on the other.
q1=+4µC µC is microcoulomb or × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑪
q2=-12µC
r=15cm convert it to meters so 0.15m

“What do we know from the problem?”

“What is the unknown?” F

𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
Formula: 𝐹⃗𝑒 =
𝑟2
Solution
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹⃗1→2 =
𝑟2
Solve for the force acted by charge 1 to 𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 × 109
−6
2 )|(+4 × 10 𝐶)(−12 × 10 𝐶)|
−6
charge 2 (F1→2)
𝐹⃗1→2 = 𝐶
(0.15𝑚)2
𝐹⃗1→2 = 19.18𝑁 to the left based on the free-body diagram
𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞1 |
𝐹⃗2→1 =
𝑟2
Solve for the force acted by charge 2 to 𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 × 109 2 )|(−12 × 10−6 𝐶)(+4 × 10−6 𝐶)|
charge 1 (F2→1) ⃗
𝐹2→1 = 𝐶
(0.15𝑚)2
𝐹⃗2→1 = 19.18𝑁 to the right based on the free-body diagram
𝐹⃗1→2 = 𝐹⃗2→1 these forces are equal but in opposite direction

Sample Problem 2: A force of 25 N is experienced by two charges with -10µC and -15µC. how far apart are these
charges?
“What do we know from the problem?” q1=-10µC µC is microcoulomb or × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑪
q2=-15µC
F=25N
“What is the unknown?” r
 General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹⃗𝑒 =
𝑟2
Formula:
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑟=√
𝐹

Solution
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑟=√
𝐹
Solve for the distance between the
9 𝑁𝑚2
charges √(8.99 × 10 )|(−10 × 10−6 𝐶)(−15 × 10−6 𝐶)|
𝑟= 𝐶2
25𝑁
𝑟 = 0.23𝑚
The charges are 0.23m apart

Sample Problem 3. (This time, let us have three point charges in linear orientation) Two point charges are
located on the x-axis of a coordinate system: q1 = 1.0 nC is at x = +2.0 cm, and q2 = -3.0 nC is at x = +4.0
cm. What is the total electric force exerted by q1 and q2 on a charge q3 = 5.0 nC at x = 0?

Here is an illustration of the problem. You’ll see the charges plotted direction of forces experienced by q3 due to
q1 and q2. F1→3 points west because q1 will repel q3. Meanwhile, F2→3 is directed east because q2 attracts q3.

“What do we know from the problem?” q1=1.0nC nC is nanocoulomb or × 𝟏𝟎−𝟗 𝑪

q2=-3.0nC
q3=5.0nC
r1→3=2.0cm convert it to meters so 0.02m
r2→3=4.0cm convert it to meters so 0.04m
“What is the unknown?” F3 Thus, we need to solve for 𝑭 ⃗⃗𝟏→𝟑 and
the ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑭𝟐→𝟑 and get the resultant.
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
Formula: 𝐹⃗𝑒 =
𝑟2
Solution
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞3 |
𝐹⃗1→3 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
Solve for ⃗𝑭⃗𝟏→𝟑 (8.99 × 109 −9
2 )|(1 × 10 𝐶)(5 × 10 𝐶)|
−9
𝐹⃗1→3 = 𝐶
(0.02𝑚)2
𝐹⃗1→3 = 1.12 × 10 𝑁 to the left or 𝐹⃗1→3 = −1.12 × 10−4 𝑁
−4

𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞3 |
𝐹⃗2→3 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
⃗⃗𝟐→𝟑
Solve for 𝑭 (8.99 × 109 2 )|(−3 × 10−9 𝐶)(5 × 10−9 𝐶)|
𝐹⃗2→3 = 𝐶
(0.04𝑚)2
𝐹⃗2→3 = 8.43 × 10−5 𝑁 to the right so 𝐹⃗2→3 = 8.43 × 10−5 𝑁
𝐹3 = (𝐹1→3 ) + (𝐹2→3 )
Solve for the Resultant Force on q3 𝐹3 = (−1.12 × 10−4 𝑁) + (8.43 × 10−5 𝑁)
𝐹3 = −2.77 × 10−5 𝑁 or 𝐹3 = 2.77 × 10−5 𝑁 to the left
 General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

The next examples now show three or more charges in the x-y plane.
Sample Problem 4. The figure shows three point charges that lie in the x, y plane in a vacuum. Find the
magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force on q1.

In this problem, the charge of interest is q1. Analyzing the situation,

since q1 is positive, it will be attracted by q2 and q3, thus the forces
will be towards these charges.

We can therefore plot the Resultant Force experienced by q1 to be

in between F2→1 and F3→1 (blue). (shown in red arrow)
“What do we know from the problem?” q1=4.0µC µC is nanocoulomb or × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 𝑪
q2=-6.0 µC r2→1=0.15m
q3=-5.0 µC r3→1=0.10m
“What is the unknown?” F1 ⃗⃗𝟐→𝟏 and the ⃗⃗⃗⃗
Thus, we need to solve for 𝑭 𝑭𝟑→𝟏 and
get the resultant using component method. You
may recall this from General Physics 1.
𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
Formula: 𝐹⃗𝑒 =
𝑟2
Solution
𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞1 |
𝐹⃗2→1 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
Solve for ⃗𝑭⃗𝟐→𝟏 (8.99 × 109 )|(−6 × 10−6 𝐶)(4 × 10−6 𝐶)|
𝐹⃗2→1 = 𝐶2
(0.15𝑚)2
𝐹⃗2→1 = 9.59𝑁
𝑘|𝑞3 𝑞1 |
𝐹⃗3→1 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
⃗⃗𝟑→𝟏
Solve for 𝑭 (8.99 × 109 )|(−5 × 10−6 𝐶)(4 × 10−6 𝐶)|
𝐹⃗3→1 = 𝐶2
(0.10𝑚)2
𝐹⃗3→1 = 17.98𝑁
x-component y-component
⃗𝑭⃗𝟐→𝟏 ⃗⃗
= (F2→1 )cosƟ ⃗⃗
= (F2→1 )sinƟ
We were able to solve for the magnitude
of the individual forces. Now, we solve = (9.59𝑁)cos73˚ = (9.59𝑁)sin73˚
for the Resultant Force on q1 using the = 2.80N = 9.17N
component method.
⃗⃗𝟑→𝟏 = 17.98N
𝑭 = 0N
ΣF = 20.78N = 9.17N
Now that we have the components of the 𝐹 = √(𝚺𝐅𝐱)2 + (𝚺𝐅𝐲)2
resultant force, we can now compute for
the magnitude of the resultant force 𝐹 = √(𝟐𝟎. 𝟕𝟖𝐍)2 + (𝟗. 𝟏𝟕𝐍)2
using the Pythagorean Theorem 𝐹 = 22.71𝑁
𝚺𝐅𝐲
𝜃 = tan−1
𝚺𝐅𝐱
Solve for the direction −1
9.17𝑁
𝜃 = tan
20.78𝑁
𝜃 = 23.81°
Therefore 𝐹3 = 22.71𝑁 at 𝜃 = 23.81° N of E
 General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1A – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

EXERCISE PROBLEMS
Instruction: Answer the following in a clean sheet of paper. Identify the given and show your
complete solution.

1. What is the charge of a body whose proton is 4 × 1015 and 5 × 1015? (5 points : 1 point for the
given/illustration, 3 points solution, 1 point final answer).

2. A body with an electron of 15 × 10−20 has a charge of 6 × 10−10 .Determine the number of protons
the body has? (5 points : 1 point for the given/illustration, 3 points solution, 1 point final answer).

3. Two charged spheres, q1= -2.00 x 10−5 C and q2 = -1.50 x 10−5C are 0.1 m apart. Calculate the
force that each charge exerts on the third charge, q3 = 5.00 x 10−6 C which is 0.06 m away from
q2. (5 points : 1 point for the given/illustration, 3 points solution, 1 point final answer).

4. Three charges q1 = 8𝜇𝐶 , q2 = 3 𝜇𝐶 , and q3 = −2 𝜇𝐶. Particle 1 from particle 2 has a distance of
0.06 m and particle 2 to particle 3 is separated by a distance of 0.04 m. a)Calculate the resultant
force on q2,b) Solve for its direction. (10 points : 3 point for the given/illustration, 5 points solution, 2
points final answer).

5. Refer to the figure below. There are four point charges with a charge of q1 = 5 𝜇𝐶, q2 = −6 𝜇𝐶, q3
= 8 𝜇𝐶, and q4 =−10 𝜇𝐶 arranged in equal sides with r as 0.5m. a) Calculate for the amount of
electric force experienced by q4 due to the other charges. b) What will be its direction? (10 points
: 3 point for the given/illustration, 5 points solution, 2 points final answer).

References:
• ALVAREZ, J. (2019) General Physics 2. p2-7 Oxford Publishing (Malaysia)
• LUBRICA, J. V. (2016) Course Manual in General Physics 2. Benguet State University.