First Chapter (Chapter 23)

ELECTRIC FIELD
In this chapter we are going to discuss the following topics:
 Electric Charge
 Electric Force and Coulomb’s Law
 Electric Field for Point Charges
 Electric Field for Continuous Charge Distributions
 Electric Field Lines

Recommended Problems:
11,12,15,16,19,25,29,31,33,42,43,44,45,46,49,63,67,69,71.
Properties of Electric Charges
There are two kinds of electric charges. Named by (Benjamin
Franklin) as:
Positive charges (protons) Negative charges (electrons)
The negative charge of an electron and the positive charge of a
19
proton have the same magnitude given as e 1.6  10 C
Thus, an atom is electrically neutral when the number of electrons
equals the number of protons.
• Properties of Charges
1- Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each
other.
2- Electric charge is conserved.

When a glass rod is rubbed with silk,

electrons are transferred from the glass to
the silk. That is there is no creation of
charges. The net charge on the glass-silk
system is not changed.

3- Electric charge is quantized (Robert Millikan), i.e.,

q = ne , with n=0,1,2,…..
• Quick Quiz (1)
Three objects are brought close to each other, two at a time.
When objects A and B are brought together, they repel. When
objects B and C are brought together, they also repel. Which of
the following are true?

a) Objects A and C posses charges of the same sign but

opposite to that of object B.
b) Objects A and C posses charges of opposite sign.
c) All three objects posses charges of the same sign.
d) One object is neutral.
Charging Objects by Induction
Materials are classified into:
1- Conductors are materials in which some of the electrons are
free electrons that are not bound to atoms and can move relatively
freely through the material, e.g.
Silver, Copper, and Aluminum
2- Insulators are materials in which all electrons are bound to
atoms and cannot move freely through the material, e.g.

glass, plastic, and rubber

3- Semiconductors are a third class of materials with their electrical

properties are somewhere between those of insulators and those
of conductors., e.g. Germanium, Silicon.
With the properties of conductors and insulators in mind, one can
charge a conductor by a technique called charging by induction.
a) Consider a conductor insulated from the ground.
b) Now let a negative charged object to be
brought near the conductor without touching it. -+ +++
+ + + ++
-+ + + ++
Conductor
- +
c) Due to the attractive and repulsive forces, -+
+
+ + ++
+ + ++
-+ + ++
the charges within the conductor will be
redistributed.
d) Now let conductor be grounded.

e) Due to the repulsive force, the negative charges move out of

the sphere into the ground.
f) Disconnect the conductor from the ground, and then remove the
charged object.
g) Due to the repulsive force between them, the positive charges
will be redistributed uniformly over the surface of the conductor.
• Quick Quiz (2)

A positively charged rod is brought

close to a metal ball that is
suspended by a string. We
conclude that: metal

a) the ball attracted to the object.

b) the ball repelled away from the object.

c) the ball first attracted to the object and then repelled away from
it.
d) the ball first repelled away from the object and then attracted to
it.
Coulomb’s Law
Concerning the electric force, it is found that:
(i) The force is directly proportional to the
magnitude of the charges of each particle.
(ii) The force is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the two
particles.
(iii) The direction of the force is along the line joining the two
particles.
(iv) The force is attractive if the charges are of opposite signs and
repulsive if the charges have the same signs.
From these observations the magnitude of the force acting on a
point charge q1 due to another point charge q2 can be expressed
as
  q1 q2
F21 k 2
r21
where r21 is the distance between the two charges, and
k is the proportionality constant known as Coulomb’s constant.
The direction of the force is determined according to the sign of
the two charges.
It is repulsive if the two charges are alike and attractive if they are
unlike.
The proportionality constant, k, has a numerical value depends on
the choice of units.
The SI unit of charge is Coulomb (C), which is considered as the
fourth primary unit beside meter, kilogram, and second.
In this system (SI) k has the value k  9.0  109 N.m2/C2
1
Coulomb’s constant is usually written as k
4 o
with  o  8.85 1012 C 2 /N.m 2 is the permittivity of free space.
The cgs unit of charge is statcoulomb or electrostatic unit (esu). In
this system, the constant k is defined to be unity with no units.
In vector form Coulomb's law can be written as
 qq q1
F21k 12 2 r̂21 F21
r21 r21
q2
r̂21 is a unit vector directed from q2 to q1.
It should be noted that the electric force is conservative like the
gravitational force and the force of spring.
If there are more than two charges, the total force acting on one
charge due to the others is the vector sum of the forces due to the
individual charges.
This means that, if there are three charges, then the net force on
particle 1 due to the other two particles is given as
  
F1F21F31 F21
q 1

Always remember that the electric r21

force obeys Newton’s third law, i.e., q2
 
F21 F12
F12
Remark: Coulomb’s law applies only for point charges.

• Quick Quiz (3) Q 2Q

Object A has a charge Q and object B has a

charge 2Q. Which of the following is correct?
   
a) FAB  2 FBA b) FAB   2 FBA
   
c) FAB  FBA d) FAB   FBA
Example 23.1 Find the magnitude of the electrical force and the
gravitational force between the electron and the proton in the H-
atom. The average distance between the two particles is 0.53 Ao.
Solution q1 q2
Fe  k
r122
9 (1.6 1019 ) 2 8
 (9 10 ) 10 2
 8 .2 10 N
(0.53 10 )
To find the gravitational force we have

 
 31  27
m1m2 11 (9.11  10 )(1.67  10 )  47
Fg  G  6.67 10 10 2
 3.6 10 N
r122 (0.53 10 )

Note that Fe
 21039
Fg
Example 23.2 Three point
charges of 5 C, -2 C, and 5 F13
C are located at the corners of q2 =-2.0 C q3=5.0 C
0.1 m
a right triangle as shown in the
F2 3
Figure. Find the resultant electric
force exerted on q3.
0.1 m
Solution Here the charge q3 are
affected by two forces, F13 due to
q1 and F23 due to q2 with the
directions shown. Now q1=5.0 C

q1 q3 9 (5.0  106 )(5.0  106 )

F13k 2
 (9  10 ) 2
 11N
r13 ( 20.1)
q2 q3 9 (2.0  106 )(5.0  106 )
F23k 2
 (9  10 ) 2
 9N
r23 (0.1)
In vector notation we have for F13 F13
q2 =-2.0 C q3=5.0 C
0.1 m 
0.707
F2 3

F13 11cos iˆ 11sin  ˆj
0.1 m

F13  7.9 iˆ  7.9 ˆj N

and F23 we have

 q1=5.0 C
F23   9.0 iˆ  N

Now the resultant force acting on q3 is the sum of the two forces,
i.e.,
  
F3  F13  F23  7.9  9.0 iˆ  7.9 ˆj   1.1iˆ  7.9 ˆj  N
Example 23.2 Three point charges, q1 = 15C at x=2.0 m, q2 =
6.0 C at the origin, and q3 at x. If the resultant electric force
exerted on q3 is zero, find x.
Solution The two forces 2.0 m
acting on q3 are both attractive q2= 6.0 C q1=15C
x
and so opposite, as shown. F13 F23 F23 q3 F13
For the net force to be zero their magnitudes
must, therefore, be equal. i.e.,

q1 q3 q2 q3 15106 6.0 106

F13 F23  k k  
r132 2
r23 2  x 2
x 2

5x 2  8  8 x  2x 2
 3x 2  8 x  8  0 
x = 0.78 m and x = - 3.4 m
The second solution is not acceptable since at a point to the left of
q2 the two forces will be in the same direction, and so their sum
can't be zero at all even if their magnitudes are equal.
Example 23.4 Two identical small
charged spheres, each of mass 30 g and 
0.15 m
charge q are hanged in equilibrium as shown
in the Figure. The length of each string is
0.15 m, and the angle  = 5.0o . Find q.
2a
Solution It is enough to study the equilibrium
state of one of the spheres. The free-body
diagram of the left sphere is
Applying the equilibrium condition we obtain Tcos T

 Fx  0  Fe T sin  (1)
Fe Tsin
 Fy 0  mg T cos (2)
Dividing Equation (1) by Equation (2), we obtain mg

Fe
tan    Fe mg tan 
mg
Now the magnitude of the electric force Fe
is obtained from Coulomb’s law as 
0.15 m
2
q
Fe k
r2
knowing that 2a

r  2a  20.15sin   0.026 m
We get

Fe r 2 mg tan  3.0 102 9.8 tan 5.0 8

q r  (0.026)  4.4 10 C
k k 9 10 9
Electric Field for Point Charges E
Consider a fixed positive point charge q.
q
Now imagine another positive charge qo
(test charge) approaches the fixed charge q.
When qo reaches a region around q, it will r
feel a repulsive force. qo
This region is named as the electric field E
F
of the charge q, i.e., any charge has its own
electric field within a region surrounding it.
It is clear that E is exclusive for q and does not
depend on qo.
Now, from Coulomb’s law the force acted on the test charge qo is
 q qo
F k 2 rˆ
r
Where r̂ is a unit vector directed away from q.
Now defining the electric field E at a point as the electric force
acting on the test charge qo placed at that point divided by the
magnitude of the test charge, i.e.,

 F
E
qo
From this definition, we find that the electric filed E for a point
charge q at a point a distance r from q is

 F 1  qq  q
E    k 2o rˆ   k 2 rˆ
qo qo  r  r
The test charge should be small enough to ensure that its
presence does not affect the charge distribution that produces E.
It is clear that E is a vector quantity, with the SI unit of Newton per
Coulomb (N/C).
Since qo is assumed to be always positive, the direction of E is the
direction of F.
It should be noted that if the charge q is
E
negative the direction of E will be reversed.
q
if q is positive the direction of E is
outward from the charge,

if q is negative the direction of E is E

inward toward the charge. qo
E

The electric field at a point due to a group of point charges is the

vector sum of the electric fields at that point due to each charge
individually, i.e. the electric field due to n-point charges is,
   
E E1  E2 E n

where E1, E2, and En are the electric fields due to the charges q1,
q2, and qn, respectively.
The magnitude of the electric field is obtained as
 q It is clear that E is directly
E k 2
r proportional to q and inversely
proportional to r2.
Now, if any charge q is placed at a point in an electric field E, this
charge experiences an electric force given by
 
F qE

• Quick Quiz (4)

A test charge qo is located at point P in an external electric filed E.
If the test charge is replaced by another test charge -2qo, the
external electric filed will:
a) increase b) decrease
c) reverse its direction only d) not change
Example 23.5 A water droplet of mass 3.0×10-12 kg is located in
the air near the ground during a stormy day. An atmospheric
electric field of magnitude 6.0×103 N/C points vertically downward
in the vicinity of the water droplet. The droplet remains suspended
at rest in the air. What is the electric charge on the droplet?
Solution The droplet is affected by two forces: the gravitational
force and the electric force. For the droplet to be in equilibrium we
have.
    Fe
Fg  Fe  0  Fe  Fg

  
But Fe  qE  q E  And Fg  mg E

Then  qE  mg 
Fg

q
mg

 
3  1012 9.8
 4.9  1013
C 
E 3
6.0  10
 E1

E2
r1
y r2

Solution The directions of the e.field due

to each charge are shown. The
magnitude of each e.field is given as q1 a b - q2

 q q
E1  k 12  k 2 1 2
r1 
a y 
 q2 q2

E2  k 2  k 2
r2 b  y2 
To write these electric field in vector notations we have
 E1
 q1 ˆ q1
cos i  k 2 sin ˆj
E1 k 2

a y 2
 a y 2
 p


 q2 q2 
 ˆ  ˆj

E2  k 2
b  y2
cos
i  k

b2  y2
sin
 r1
E2

y r2
The components of E is then
E x  E1x  E2x  q1 b - q2
a
q q
E x  k 2 1 2 cos  k 2 2 2 cos
a y  
b y 
E y  E1 y  E2 y 

q1 q2
sin   k 2 sin

E y k 2
a y 2
 
b y 2

 E1

p

 E2
q ˆ


E  2k 2
a  y2
cos i
 y

From the figure we see that

 q1 a a q2
a 2qa
cos   E k iˆ
a2  y2 
3
a2  y2 2

a 
2 
2 2 3 3 2qa
y y  E  k 3 iˆ
y
• Quick Quiz (5)
Two point charges of 2Q and –Q are
2Q -Q
located as shown. The electric field
will be zero at a point

a) between the two charges only

b) left to 2Q only

c) right to –Q only

d) left to 2Q or right to -Q
Electric Field of a Continuous Charge
Distribution
To evaluate the electric field of such a configuration, the following
procedure are used:
(i) We divide the distribution into small elements such that the
electric field for each element can be calculated easily.
(ii) Each element is assumed a charge dq

(iii) Next, we calculate the electric field due to one of these

elements at the point in question
(iv) Finally, we integrate over the charge distribution to evaluate
the total electric field due to the whole charge distribution.
Remark: The integration should be performed for each
component of the electric field, why?
Charge Density
When dealing with continuous charge distribution we, sometimes,
need to express the charge in terms of dimensions. The quantity
that relates the charge with dimensions is called charge density.
If the charge is distributed along a line we define the linear
charge density  as
dq

dl
If the charge is distributed over a surface we define the surface
charge density  as
dq

dA
If the charge is distributed within a volume we define the volume
charge density  as
dq

dV
where dq is the charge of a small line, surface, or volume
element.
The SI units of the charge densities, , , and  are C/m, C/m2,
and C/m3, respectively.
If the charge is uniformly distributed along a line, over a surface,
or within a volume, the charge densities are constants.
In this case the total charge Q can be obtained by integrating both
sides of the above Equations obtaining
Q   dq    dl  l
Q   dq    dA  A
Q   dq    dV  V

where l, A, and V are the length of the line, the area of the
surface, and the volume of the distribution, respectively.
Example 23.7 A wire of
length L lying along the x-
axis is uniformly charged with
a total charge Q. Calculate a L
dE
the electric field at a point p
along the axis of the rod, a x dq
distance a from one end, as dx
shown in the Figure.
Solution: We divide the rod into small elements each of length dx
and charge dq.
so the electric filed dE due to one of these elements a distance x
from the point is
dq
dEk 2
x
Note that each element produces a field in the negative x-axis,
and so we can integrate simply to get
 dq
E k  2
x
Expressing dq in term of the dE a L
charge density  as
x dq
dx
dq  dl  dx 

?L  a a L
dxdx
Ek   2 2 Ek 
1 L Q
k k
? ax x xa a L  a  a L  a 

Now if p is far away from the rod (aL), then we have

Q
La  a  Ek 2
a

That is we recover the result of the point charge as expected.

Example 23.8 A ring of radius R dq
has a uniform charge distribution of
r
magnitude Q. Calculate the electric field R dE
along the axis of the ring at a point p a x
distance x from the center of the ring. x P
dE
Solution
Again we divide the ring into small
elements each of charge dq.
The e.f due to one element is
dq dq
dEk 2 k 2 2
r 
R x 
Because of the symmetry about the x-axis we note that there
exists a similar element below the x-axis, which is also located a
distance r from p. This element produces an equal field dE but
differing in direction.
As shown in the figure, the vertical dq
components of these two fields cancel
R r
one another and this will be hold for dE
each such pair of elements. 
x
x P
Hence, the total field is the sum of the
dE
x-components of dE which is given as
x/r
xdq
dEx  dE cos  k Integrating we get
R 2  x 2 
3
2

x xQ At the center of the

E x k  dq k
R 
ring x=0 and E must
R 2  x2 
3 3
2 2 2
x 2
be zero, comment.
Again, for the limiting case xR we recover the result of the point

 
charge. 3 Q
2
R x 2 2
 x  E x k 2
3
x
Example 23.9 A disk of radius R R dr
has a uniform charge density .
Calculate the electric field along the axis
of the disk at a point p lying a distance x r x P
from the center of the disk.
dy
Solution dx
Here we divide the disk into thin rings each of thickness dr and
charge dq. (why not points?)
From the result of the previous example, the
electric filed due to one element with radius r is
dr
xdq dq
dEk  Ekx  2r
r 2  x 2  r 2  x 2 
3 3
2 2

R
2rdr
But dqdA   2 rdr   E kx 
r 
3
0 2
x 2 2
  
R
 2 2  2
1
 x r   x 
E  kx  2k 1  
  12   2 2
 x R 
 0
For a point far away from the disc xR we have
 x   1  
  1  1  1 R 2
R 2
1    1 1
 2 2  2 2  2 2 2 2
 x  R   1  R x   x  x

R 2 Q
 Ek 2
k 2
x x
The electric field for a large charged plane can be obtained from
the last result by letting R (or x0). This gives

 x  zero 
E  2k 1   E2k 
 x2  R2  2 o
Electric Field Lines
The electric filed in a region is represented by imaginary lines
known as electric field lines (lines of force) introduced by
Michael Faraday. These lines have the following properties:
(i) The direction of the lines at any point is the direction of the
electric field at that point.
(ii) The lines must begin at positive charges and terminate at
negative charges.
(iii) The number of lines per unit area, perpendicular to E, is
proportional to the magnitude of E in that region.
(iv) No two field lines can cross.
From property (iii) we conclude that a uniform electric field in a
region is represented by parallel lines in that region.
q -q

Uniform electric field

 q q

Two field lines leave

Note that the electric field at
2q for every one that
point C is zero, and pointing
terminates on q.
straight up along the vertical
line passing through C.
• Quick Quiz (6)
Which of the following statements about electric field lines is false?
a) The lines can be either straight or curved.
b) The lines can form closed loops.
c) The lines begin on +ve charges and end on -ve charges.
d) The lines can never intersect with one another.
• Quick Quiz (7)
The figures shows the electric field lines for two
point charges. Which of the following is correct
a) q2=q1 b) q2=-q1

c) q2=3q1 d) q2=-3q1
• Quick Quiz (8)
The figures shows the electric field lines
for two point charges. Rank the
magnitudes of the electric field at points
A, B, and C, from greatest to smallest
a) At A is the greatest b) Then at B
c) At C is the smallest (zero)
Motion of Charged Particle in a Uniform
Electric Field.
The e. force obeys Newton's laws, i.e., this force will creates an
acceleration on the particle 
If a particle of mass m and charge q exists in a uniform e.f E the e.
force acting on the charge is

    qE Since is E uniform  a is
Fe  qE  ma  a
m constant.
Example 23.10 A uniform electric field E
is directed along the x-axis between two
plates separated by a distance d as shown. A
positive point charge q of mass m is released
from rest at a point A and accelerates to a
point B. Find the speed of the particle at B.
Solution The acceleration
 of the charge is
 qE qE ˆ
a  i
m m
Since E is uniform we can use

v 2f  vi2  qE 
 2ax  2 d  vf 
2qEd
m m
Applying the conservation of energy principle 
Wnet  K  2qEd
qEd  12 mv2f  vf 
m
Example 23.11 An electron is ___________________
_
projected, horizontally with initial speed of E

3.00  106 m/s into a region of uniform y

electric field between two plates of 200
N/C and directed vertically upward. The ++++++++++++++++++++++

l
horizontal length of the plates is 0.1 m.
a) Find the acceleration of the electron while it is in the field.
b) How long is it in the field?
c) What is the vertical displacement of the electron inside the
field?
Solution a) The acceleration of the electron is
 
 F qE
a  
 
 1.6 1019 200 j
 3.51 1013
j m/s 2
m m 9.111031
This means that the acceleration has only y-component, i.e.,
ax = 0.
b) For the time we have ___________________
_
E

x 0.1 8 y
t  6
 3.33 10 s
vx 3.00 10 ++++++++++++++++++++++

c) The vertical displacement can be calculated from the equation

y  viy t  12 a y t 2

 12  3.5110 3.3310 
13 8 2
 1.95 cm