Gulnaz Gahramanova -2020

L2-Electrostatics
Part 1: Electric charges – Electric fields –Fields lines
Exercise 1
1.1) The Hydrogen Atom is composed of a nucleus made of one proton ( mp
=1.67×10-27 kg and 𝑞=𝑒=1.602 ×10-19C) and one electron (me =9.11×10-31 kg and
𝑞=−𝑒=−1.602 × 10-19C) whose average distance from the nucleus is 𝑑 = 53 pm.
Calculate and compare the magnitude of the electric force and the gravitational
force between the electron and the proton. We give 𝜀0=8.85×10-12 F·m-1 and
G=6.67×10-11 N·𝑚2𝑘𝑔-2.
1.2) The size of an atomic nucleus made of protons and neutrons is in the order of
magnitude of the femtometer. Calculate the electrostatic repulsion between two
protons. Comments.
Correction
(1.1). Electric force. The magnitude of the electrostatic force F between point
charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance r is given by Coulomb’s law
|𝑞1𝑞2 |
𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘
𝑟2

In SI (International System of Units) units, the constant k is Called electrostatic

1 𝑁∙𝑚2
constant or Coulomb constant. k is used as equal to 𝑘 = 9 × 109 . Here
4𝜋𝜀0 𝐶2
𝜀0 vacuum permittivity or electric constant which value is
−12 −1
ε0 = 8.8541878128(13)×10 F⋅m .

The electrostatic force is a vector quantity and is expressed in units of newtons.

The force is determined to be along the line of joining the two charges.

a) b)

Figure 1. (a) Unlike. (b) Like charges.

Note that Newton’s third law (every force exerted creates an equal and opposite force)-the force
on q1 is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force it exerts on q 2. The charges
are opposite in sign, so this is an attractive force. If charges are same in sing so this is a repulsive
force

The following value is obtained by entering the given values of the electron and
proton into the expression of Coulomb’s law.

|𝑞𝑝 𝑞𝑒 | 𝑁∙𝑚2 1.602∙10−19 C ∙(−1.602∙10−19 C)

𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘 =9 ∙ 109 ≈ 0.00822 × 10−5 = 8.22 × 10−8𝑁
𝑑2 𝐶2 (53∙10−12 𝑚)2

This is a very large force for an electron!

Gravitational force (Gravitational force is always attractive!). As we know,
the gravitational force between an object on the Earth's surface and the Earth is
given by Newton’s law of gravitation as:
𝑚𝑀
𝐹𝐺 = 𝐺 2
𝑅
𝑁∙𝑚2
Where, 𝐺 = 6.67 × 10−11 gravitational constant
𝑘𝑞2
Rewriting this equation for electron and proton:

𝑚𝑝 𝑚𝑒 −11
𝑁 ∙ 𝑚2 1.67 × 10−27 kg ∙ 9.11 × 10−31 kg
𝐹𝐺 = 𝐺 = 6.67 × 10 =
𝑑2 𝑘𝑞 2 (53 ∙ 10−12𝑚)2

= 0.0361 × 10−23 = 3.61 × 10−25𝑁

Thus, in this case, the ratio of the magnitude of the electrostatic force to
gravitational force is:
𝐹𝐸 8.22 × 10−8𝑁
= = 2.28 × 1017
𝐹𝐺 3.61 × 10−25

Discussion: This is a remarkably large ratio! This ratio gives some indication of how much
larger the Coulomb force is than the gravitational force between two of the most common
particles in nature.

(1.2). The size of an atomic nucleus made of protons and neutrons is in the order
of magnitude of the femtometer. Calculate the electrostatic repulsion between two
protons.

Given:
The amount of charge on a proton is 𝑞𝑝 = 1.6 × 10−19 C
The distance between two protons is 𝑟 = 1𝑓𝑚 = 10−15 𝑚
Electric force between two protons is repulsive:
𝑞𝑝 𝑞𝑝 9
(1.6 × 10−19 )2
𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘 2 = 9 × 10 = 230.4𝑁
𝑟 (10−15 )2

Comments The role of the electrostatic repulsion of protons in the nucleon charge to that how
proton based on the limits of nuclear stability:
Nuclei are held together by the mutual attraction between neutrons and protons. Protons are
repelled from each other through the strong force. Therefore there has to be some balance
between the number of neutrons and the number of protons for a nucleus to hold together. If
there are too many protons compared to the number of neutrons the repulsion between the
protons overwhelms the attraction between neutrons and protons. Likewise if there are too few
protons the repulsion between the neutrons overwhelms the neutron-proton attraction.
 Exercise 2
Copper molar mass is 𝑀 = 63g/mol and its volumic mass is 𝜌 = 8,7g/cm3.
Calculate the number of atoms in 1 cm3 of copper. We will assume that there is
one free electron per copper atom. We give N A=6.023×1023 mol-1.
2.1) What would be the electric charge of 1 cm3 of copper if we remove 1/1000000
of its free electrons?
2.2) What would be the intensity of the electric force between two identical pieces
of copper like described in the first question and separated from 1 meter?

Correction
𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
The number of copper atom = × 𝐴𝑣𝑜𝑔𝑎𝑑𝑟𝑜 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
𝑀𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑚
𝑁=
∙𝑁
𝑀 𝐴
The volume of the copper is given: V=1 cm3
g
From the given density the mass is: 𝑚 = 𝜌 ∙ 𝑉 = 8.7 ∙ 1𝑐𝑚3 = 8.7g
cm3

𝑚 8.7𝑔
𝑁= ∙ 𝑁𝐴 = 𝑔 ∙ 6.023 ∙ 1023 𝑚𝑜𝑙 −1 ≈ 8.32 ∙ 1022
𝑀 63𝑚𝑜𝑙
(2.1) If we remove 1/1000000 the number of atoms in 1 cm3:
1
8.32 ∙ 1022 × = 8.32 × 1016 electrons will be removed.
1000000
We get the removed electric charge:
q = N ∙ e = 8.32 × 1016 · 1.6 × 10−19 = 13.31 × 10−3𝐶

(2.2) 𝑞𝑐1 = 𝑞𝑐2 = 𝑁 × 𝑒 = 1.6 × 10−19 𝐶 ∙ 8.32 × 1022 = 13.3 × 103 C

𝑞𝑐1 𝑞𝑐2 𝑁𝑚2 (13.3×103 𝐶)2

𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘 = 9 × 109 = 1592 × 1015 𝑁
𝑟2 𝐶2 1𝑚2

Note: The molar mass of a particular substance is the mass of one mole of that
substance. The units of molar mass are grams per mole, abbreviated as g/mol. The
mole allows to calculate the number of elementary entities (usually atoms or
molecules) in a certain mass of a given substance. Avogadro's number tells you
that there are 6.022x1023 particles in one mole of a substance.
 Exercise 3
Two identical electrostatic pendulums of length 𝑙 = 0.3 m and mass 𝑚 = 0.2 g,
attached in the same point are in contact at initial situation. We assume the radius
of the spheres are negligible so that the initial angles made by the pendulums with
the vertical is taken to be zero. We give them the same electric charge 𝑞. What is
the value of that charge if the equilibrium distance between the two pendulums is
𝑑 = 10 cm?
Correction

We represent this tension force in terms of its x –and y-

components
𝐹𝐸 = 𝑇 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞2
𝐹𝐸 = 𝑘 =𝑘 = 𝑇 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 (1)
𝑑2 𝑑2

𝑚𝑔 = 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (2)

Redrawing the equations and substituing T will give

𝑞2
𝑘 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
𝑚𝑔𝑑2

𝑑/2
On the other hand 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑥
,
F=mg is gravitational force
𝑑
where 𝑥 = √𝑙 2 − ( )2 = √0.3𝑚 2 −(0.05)2 = 0.2958𝑚 FE is the electrostatic
2
force between charged bodies.
according to Pythagorean Theorem.
T is tension the thread of
0.05𝑚
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 0.2958𝑚 = 0.169. pendulum

𝑚𝑔 ∙ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 ∙ 𝑑2 0.2 ∙ 9.8 ∙ 0.169 ∙ 0.12

𝑞2 = =
𝑘 9 ∙ 109

𝑞 = 0.0613 ∙ 10−6 ≈ 6 ∙ 108 𝐶

 Exercise 4
1) Draw the field lines of an electrostatic doublet: (-q ;+q) and then (+q ;+q).
2) We consider an equilateral triangle with electric charges on its summits. We have three
configuration (+q;+q;+q) , (+q;+q;+2q) and (+q,+q,-2q). Calculate the electric field in the center
of the triangle for each case. Draw the field lines and determine the axis of symmetry.
3) We consider four electric charges in the summits of a square ABCD of size a. Two are
positive and two are negative. In the first configuration, the positive charges share the same side
of the square (A and B) and in the second configuration, the positive charges occupy the
diagonal (A and C). Draw the field lines and determine the axis of symmetry. For the second
configuration, calculate the electric force felt by the charge in A and then the electric force in
the center of the square when the electric charges are 0.4 μC, -0.8 μC and if the size of the
square a is 10 cm.
Correction

(4.1) Lines of electric fields originate on positive charges and either terminate on negative
charges, or extend to infinity. If q is positive, then the electric field points radially away from
the charge. If q is negative, then the electric field points radially towards the charge.

Rules for drawing field lines:

 Electric field lines begin on positive charges and end on negative charges, or at infinity.
 Lines are drawn symmetrically leaving or entering a charge.
 The number of lines entering or leaving a charge is proportional to the magnitude of the
charge.
 The density of lines at any point (the number of lines per unit length perpendicular to
the lines themselves) is proportional to the field magnitude at that point.
 No two field lines can cross, since the field magnitude and direction must be unique.
4.2) We consider an equilateral triangle with electric charges on its summits. We have three
configuration (+q;+q;+q) , (+q;+q;+2q) and (+q,+q,-2q). Calculate the electric field in the center
of the triangle for each case. Draw the field lines and determine the axis of symmetry.

In many situations, there are multiple charges. The total electric field created by multiple
charges is the vector sum of the individual fields created by each charge. The following example
shows how to add electric field vectors.

The arrows form a triangle in this case and can be added using the Pythagorean theorem. The
magnitude of the total field Etot is

𝐸𝑡𝑜𝑡 = √𝐸12 + 𝐸22

Let’s draw electric field vector at the center for first (+q, +q, +q) configuration that are
produce by three positive charges.

We recall that the electric field produced by that positive charge will point away from the
charge. So when we draw the electric field vectors we have to make sure that they are pointing
away from the positive charges. For example, if we look at electric field for the 1 positive
charge is producing at the center the electric field is as shown.

The electric field produced by the charge in the lower left of the triangle is also pointing away
that positive charge and we should draw the electric field vector pointing away from it as shown
in the figure. So we want to draw the vector so this is same size as the arrow we have drown for
the other electric field. Reason for that it is because the magnitude of charges is equal.
Therefore, to represent X component furthermore notice that pointing to the right so it is
going to be positive. So if we write done in the table

X Y
E1 0 -E1
E2 E2cos 30 E2sin30=E2*1/2
E3 -E3 cos 30 E3sin 30=E3*1/2
Etot 0 0

The main symmetry axis points from us to the image vertically and triangle there
are three more symmetry axis due to equilateral.

Assignments for students

HA-1.What is the he force on a charge Q placed at the centroid of the triangle?

HA-2. We consider an equilateral triangle with electric charges on its summits.

We have two configuration (+q;+q;+2q) and (+q,+q,-2q). Calculate the electric
field in the center of the triangle for each case
(4.3) We consider four electric charges in the summits of a square ABCD of size a. Two are
positive and two are negative. In the first configuration, the positive charges share the same side
of the square (A and B) and in the second configuration, the positive charges occupy the
diagonal (A and C). Draw the field lines and determine the axis of symmetry. For the second
configuration, (a) calculate the electric force felt by the charge in A and then (b) the electric
force in the center of the square when the electric charges are 0.4 μC, -0.8 μC and charge in
center is 0.1 μC. The size of the square a is 10 cm.
The charged have been labeled as qA, qB, qC, qD.

(4.3) A fields produced by a negative charge is going to point towards the charge.
A fields produces the positive charge is going to point away the charge.

(a) the electric force at the A point:

Let’s draw the free-body diagram of all the electric forces FA acting on qA.

qA.=qC=0.4 μC, qB= qD=-0.8 μC

𝑞𝐴 𝑞𝐶
𝐹𝐴,𝐶 = 𝑘 ,
𝐴𝐶 2

AD=AB=10cm , 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐵𝐷 = 10√2 cm
𝑞𝐴 𝑞𝐶
𝐹𝐴,𝐶 = 𝑘
𝐴𝐶 2
(0.4 × 10−6𝐶)2
9
= 9 × 10
200𝑐𝑚
0.00144
= = 0.720𝑚𝑁
2
𝑞𝐴 𝑞𝐷 9
0.4 × 10−6 ∗ 0.8 × 10−6 0.00288
𝐹𝐴,𝐷 =𝑘 = 9 × 10 = = 1.4𝑚𝑁
𝐴𝐷 2 200𝑐𝑚 2
𝑞𝐴 𝑞𝐵
𝐹𝐴,𝐵 =𝑘 = 𝐹𝐴,𝐷 = 1.4𝑚𝑁
𝐴𝐵 2
Using parallelogram rule we can draw and calculate the sum of
three F vectors:

2 2
𝐹 = √𝐹𝐴,𝐷 + 𝐹𝐴,𝐵 = √1.4𝑚𝑁 2 + 1.4𝑚𝑁 2 = 1.98𝑚𝑁

FA=F-FA,C=1.98mN-0.720mN=1.26mN, direction of FA: to the center along the

diagonal.
 (b) the electric force in the center:
Q is positive charge and due to Q we can draw the forces at the center

AB=BC=AD=DC=10cm

AC=DC diagonal of squire, AC=10√2

AO=OC=DO=CO=5√2

In given exercise the forces are cancel

each other because the charges are equal
at the top of diagonal. So, in this case, the net force will be zero.

In general, the following formula is used to calculate the net force and
direction if the charges are different. to calculate the net force, we need to
find the x and y components of each force vector and then sum of all them
up.

𝑭𝒚
𝑭𝒏𝒆𝒕 = √∑ 𝑭𝟐𝒙 + ∑ 𝑭𝟐𝒚 , the direction 𝜽 = 𝒕𝒂𝒏−𝟏 )
𝑭𝒙