What you already know
• Origin of charge
• Properties of charge
• Charge and mass
Welcome to • Coulomb’s law
• Electrostatic forces
What you will learn
PbBY : Kanhaiya Kumar Jha (M.TECH IIT DELHI)
ELECTROSTATICS
Electrostatic equilibrium and
S3: Electrostatic Equilibrium
•
numericals
Two blocks carrying charges 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 are separated by a distance 𝑙. If
the mass of 𝑞2 is 𝑚 and the coefficient of friction between the blocks
and the platform is 𝜇, then find 𝑞2 such that it just starts to move.
(fixed)
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝜇
Solution
The two charges exert electrostatic force on each
other. Once the magnitude of electrostatic force is just
more than limiting friction force, the block starts
moving.
If they are like charges, they will repel each other.
In this case, FBD of block with charge 𝑞2 is as shown:
For the limiting case,
Electrostatic force = Friction force
If the charge 𝑞2 is negative, the charges attract
each other. FBD in this case is as shown:
For the limiting case,
𝜇𝑚𝑔𝑙2
𝑞2 =
𝑘𝑞1
A rod of length 𝑙 has charge distributed uniformly as 𝜆 𝐶/𝑚 as shown.
Find the electrostatic force acting between the rod and the charge 𝑞
placed at distance 𝑎 from one ends of the rod as shown.
𝑙 𝑎
+++++++++++++++ + 𝑞
𝜆 𝐶/𝑚
Solution
Consider a small cross-sectional element of the rod having charge 𝑑𝑞 as shown.
The force exerted on charge 𝑞 due to
𝑙 𝑎
the small element of charge is,
𝜆 𝐶/𝑚 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
Integrating it over the length of rod,
𝑙 𝑎
𝜆 𝐶/𝑚 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
1 1
𝐹 = 𝑘𝑞𝜆 −
𝑎 𝑎+𝑙
A semi – circular ring of radius 𝑅 is given a charge 𝜆 𝐶/𝑚 and a point
charge 𝑞 is placed at the center of the ring. Find the electrostatic
force acting between the ring and the point charge.
Solution
𝑑𝑙
Consider a small cross-sectional
element of the ring having charge 𝑅 𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝑞 as shown in the adjacent figure: 𝜃
𝒒
The net force acting on central charge due to small element can be resolved
in vertical and horizontal component as shown: 𝑑𝑞
Small elemental force: 𝑑𝐹 = 𝑘𝑞𝑑𝑞 𝑑𝐹 cos 𝜃 𝜃
𝑅2
𝒒
Horizontal component: 𝐹𝐻 = 𝑑𝐹 cos 𝜃 𝜃
𝑑𝐹
Vertical component: 𝐹𝑉 = 𝑑𝐹 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝐹 sin 𝜃
Total force in horizontal direction:
𝑑𝑙
𝑅 𝑑𝜃
𝜃
𝒒 𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝐹 cos 𝜃 𝜃
𝒒
Net force:
Total force in vertical direction: 𝑑𝐹
𝑑𝐹 sin 𝜃
2𝑘𝑞𝜆
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 =
𝑅
2𝑘𝑞𝜆
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 =
𝑅
ELECTROSTATIC EQUILIBRIUM
At electrostatic equilibrium of system of charged particles, the net force acting
on any charged particle is zero.
Two-point charges 𝑞 and 4𝑞 are separated by a distance 𝑙 as shown.
Where should a third charge 𝑄 be placed so that it is in electrostatic
equilibrium?
(Fixed) (Fixed)
𝒒 𝟒𝒒
Solution
The charge 𝑄 can be in equilibrium when net force acting on it is zero.
The net force will be zero when two equal and opposite forces acts on it.
For opposite forces to act on charge 𝑄 , it should be placed on the line joining two
charges.
Divide the line joining two charges in three parts as shown. Forces will act on third
charge (𝑄) in these three parts as shown:
𝐹𝑞 : Force exerted by charge q
If the charge Q is positive 𝐹4𝑞 : Force exerted by charge 4𝑞
𝐹𝑞 𝐹𝑞 𝐹𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
+𝑄 𝒒 +𝑄 𝟒𝒒 +𝑄
𝐹4𝑞 𝐹4𝑞 𝐹4𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
▪ Forces in same direction ▪ Forces in opposite direction ▪ Forces in same direction
▪ Equilibrium not possible ▪ Equilibrium is possible ▪ Equilibrium not possible
As the forces are opposite in only part II, the net force can be zero. Thus, charge Q can be
placed in this part only.
𝐹𝑞 : Force exerted by charge q
If the charge Q is negative
𝐹4𝑞 : Force exerted by charge 4𝑞
𝐹𝑞 𝐹𝑞 𝐹𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
-𝑄 𝒒 -𝑄 𝟒𝒒 -𝑄
𝐹4𝑞 𝐹4𝑞 𝐹4𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
▪ Forces in same direction ▪ Forces in opposite direction ▪ Forces in same direction
▪ Equilibrium not possible ▪ Equilibrium is possible ▪ Equilibrium not possible
As the forces are opposite in only part II, the net force can be zero. Thus, charge Q can be placed in this
part only.
The position of the third charge 𝑄 is independent of its nature.
Location of charge Q:
Let the charge is located at distance x from charge q.
As the net force is zero,
(Fixed) (Fixed)
4𝐾𝑄𝑞 𝐾𝑄𝑞
= 𝒒 𝑸 𝟒𝒒
(𝑙 − 𝑥)2 𝑥2
𝑥
𝑙
The position of the third charge 𝑄 is independent of its nature and magnitude.
𝑙
𝑥=
3
Two-point charges 9𝑞 and −𝑞 are separated by a distance 𝑙 as shown.
Where should a third charge 𝑄 be placed so that it is in equilibrium?
(Fixed) (Fixed)
𝟗𝒒 −𝒒
Solution
Divide the line joining two charges in three parts as shown. Forces will act on third charge (𝑄)
in these three parts as shown:
𝐹−𝑞 : Force exerted by charge -q
If the charge Q is positive
𝐹9𝑞 : Force exerted by charge 9𝑞
𝐹−𝑞 𝐹−𝑞 𝐹−𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
+𝑄 9𝒒 +𝑄 −𝒒 +𝑄
𝐹9𝑞 𝐹9𝑞 𝐹9𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
▪ Forces in opposite direction ▪ Forces in same direction ▪ Forces in opposite direction
▪ Equilibrium is possible ▪ Equilibrium not possible ▪ Equilibrium is possible
As the forces are opposite in part I and part III, the net force can be zero in part I and part III. Thus,
charge Q can be placed in part I and part III.
𝐹−𝑞 : Force exerted by charge -q
If the charge Q is negative
𝐹9𝑞 : Force exerted by charge 9𝑞
𝐹−𝑞 𝐹−𝑞 𝐹−𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
-𝑄 9𝒒 -𝑄 −𝒒 -𝑄
𝐹9𝑞 𝐹9𝑞 𝐹9𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
▪ Forces in opposite direction ▪ Forces in same direction ▪ Forces in opposite direction
▪ Equilibrium is possible ▪ Equilibrium not possible ▪ Equilibrium is possible
As the forces are opposite in part I and part III, the net force can be zero. Thus, charge Q can be placed
in part I and part III.
The position of the third charge 𝑄 is independent of its nature.
If the charge Q is in Part I:
𝐹−𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
𝑄 9𝒒 −𝒒
𝑥
𝑙
𝐹9𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
Let the net force on 𝑄 is zero in this position. Thus,
𝑘𝑄 × 9𝑞 𝑘𝑄 × (𝑞)
=
𝑥2 (𝑙 + 𝑥)2
In the above equation, numerator of LHS is greater than numerator of RHS. Also, denominator of
LHS is smaller than denominator of RHS. Therefore, LHS > RHS which implies that at this position the
force on 𝑄 due to 9𝑞 is greater than that due to −𝑞. Hence, above equation is not true.
Thus, the charge can not be in equilibrium at Part I.
If the charge Q is in Part III:
𝐹−𝑞
(Fixed) (Fixed)
9𝒒 −𝒒 𝑄
𝑥
𝑙
𝐹9𝑞
Part I Part II Part III
As the net force is zero,
𝑘𝑄 × 9𝑞 𝑘𝑄 × (𝑞) 9 1 𝑙
= = (𝑙 + 𝑥)2 = 9𝑥 2 𝑙 + 𝑥 = 3𝑥 𝑥=
(𝑙 + 𝑥)2 𝑥2 (𝑙 + 𝑥)2 𝑥 2 2
If the nature and magnitude of given charges are different, then the equilibrium
position of the third charge should be next to the smaller charge.
𝑙
𝑥=
2
Two-point charges 9𝑞 and −𝑞 are separated by a distance 𝑙 as shown.
Find the nature, magnitude and the position of the third charge 𝑄 so
that all the three charges are in equilibrium?
𝟗𝒒 −𝒒
Solution
From the previous problem:
If the nature and magnitude of given charges are different, then the equilibrium
position of the third charge is next to the smaller charge.
Thus, third charge will be on the right side of charge −𝑞.
If the nature of third charge is negative (i.e., −𝑄), charge −𝑞 won’t be in equilibrium as
other two charges (9𝑞 and −𝑄) apply force on it in same direction. Thus, nature of
third charge should be positive. 𝐹−𝑄
9𝒒 −𝒒 −𝑄
𝑙 𝑥
𝐹9𝑞
Position of the charge: 𝐹−𝑞
9𝒒 −𝒒 𝑄
𝑥
𝑙
𝐹9𝑞
As the net force is zero,
𝑘𝑄 × 9𝑞 𝑘𝑄 × (𝑞) 9 1 𝑙
= = 2 (𝑙 + 𝑥)2 = 9𝑥 2 𝑙 + 𝑥 = 3𝑥 𝑥=
(𝑙 + 𝑥)2 𝑥2 (𝑙 + 𝑥)2 𝑥 2
Magnitude of the charge:
As the charge –q is also in equilibrium, let’s equate forces on this charge.
𝑘𝑄𝑞 𝑘𝑄 × (9𝑞) 4𝑄 9𝑞 9𝑞
= = 2 𝑄=
𝑙 (𝑙)2 𝑙2 𝑙 4
(2)2
𝐹𝑄
9𝒒 −𝒒 +𝑄
𝑙 9 𝑙
𝑙
𝑥= 𝑄= 𝑞 𝐹9𝑞 2
2 4
