2.

0 Electrostatic Field

2.0.1 Definition

An electrostatic field is a vector field that surrounds charged particles or objects, such as electrons,
protons, or ions. It is a region around the charged particle where the electric force can be detected. The
electrostatic field is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering, providing a framework for
understanding the behavior of charged objects.

2.0.1 Properties

1. Direction: The direction of the electrostatic field is defined by the direction of the electric force on a
positive test charge. The field lines emerge from positive charges and enter negative charges.

2. Magnitude: The magnitude of the electrostatic field depends on the amount of charge and the
distance from the charge. The field strength decreases with increasing distance from the charge.

3. Conservative Nature: The electrostatic field is a conservative field, meaning that the work done in
moving a charge around a closed loop is zero.

2.0.3 Characteristics

1. Electric Field Lines: Electric field lines are imaginary lines that emerge from positive charges and enter
negative charges. They provide a visual representation of the electrostatic field.

2. Electric Field Strength: The electric field strength is the magnitude of the electric field at a given point,
measured in units of newtons per coulomb (N/C) or volts per meter (V/m).

3. Electric Potential: Electric potential, also known as voltage, is the potential difference between two
points in an electrostatic field, measured in units of volts (V).

2.0.4 Types of Electrostatic Fields

1. Uniform Electrostatic Field: A uniform electrostatic field is a field where the electric field strength is
the same at all points.

2. Non-Uniform Electrostatic Field: A non-uniform electrostatic field is a field where the electric field
strength varies from point to point.

2.0.5 Applications

1. Electrostatic Precipitation: Electrostatic fields are used to remove particles from the air in applications
such as air purifiers and industrial pollution control.

2. Electrophoresis: Electrostatic fields are used to separate charged particles, such as DNA and proteins,
in applications such as molecular biology and biomedical research.
3. Electrostatic Charging: Electrostatic fields are used to charge objects, such as in the production of
electrostatically charged paints and coatings.

2.1.0 Electric force

2.1.1 Definition

Electric force is a fundamental force of nature that acts between charged particles, such as protons and
electrons. It is a non-contact force that can cause objects to attract or repel each other.

2.1.2 Types of Electric Forces

1. Attraction: Oppositely charged particles attract each other.

2. Repulsion: Like-charged particles repel each other.

2.2.0 Coulomb's law

2.2.1 Definition

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the electric force between two
charged particles. It states that the magnitude of the electric force between two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between them.

Mathematical Formulation

The mathematical formulation of Coulomb's Law is:

F = k * (Q1 * Q2) / r2

Where:

- F is the electric force between the two charges

- k is Coulomb's constant (approximately 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2)

- Q1 and Q2 are the magnitudes of the two charges

- r is the distance between the centers of the two charges

2.3.1 Definition

An electric field is a region around a charged particle or object where the electric force can be detected.
It is a vector field that describes the distribution of electric force around a charged object.

2.3.2 Characteristics

1. Radial Electric Field: The electric field around a point charge is radial, meaning it points directly away
from or towards the charge.

2. Uniform Electric Field: A uniform electric field is a field where the electric field strength is the same at
all points.

3. Non-Uniform Electric Field: A non-uniform electric field is a field where the electric field strength
varies from point to point.

2.3.0.1 Electric Lines of Force

2.3.0.2 Definition

Electric lines of force, also known as electric field lines, are imaginary lines that emerge from positive
charges and enter negative charges, providing a visual representation of the electric field.

2.3.0.3 Characteristics

1. Electric Field Lines Never Cross: Electric field lines never cross each other, as this would imply two
different directions of the electric force at the same point.

2. Electric Field Lines Are Continuous: Electric field lines are continuous, forming closed loops or
extending to infinity.

3. Electric Field Lines Are Not Physical Entities: Electric field lines are not physical entities, but rather a
mathematical tool used to visualize the electric field.

2.4.0 Electric field intensity:

2.4.1 Definition
Electric field intensity, also known as electric field strength, is the magnitude of the electric field at a
given point. It is a measure of the force exerted on a unit charge by the electric field.

Units

The unit of electric field intensity is typically measured in:

- Newtons per coulomb (N/C)

- Volts per meter (V/m)

2.4.2 Factors Affecting Electric Field Intensity

1. Charge: The electric field intensity increases with the magnitude of the charge.

2. Distance: The electric field intensity decreases with increasing distance from the charge.

3. Medium: The electric field intensity can be affected by the medium surrounding the charge.

Formula

The electric field intensity (E) can be calculated using the following formula:

E = k * Q/ r2

Where:

- E is the electric field intensity

- k is Coulomb's constant (approximately 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2)

- Q is the magnitude of the charge

- r is the distance from the charge

2.5.0 Electric potential:

2.5.1 Definition
Electric potential, also known as voltage, is the potential difference between two points in an electric
field. It is a measure of the work required to move a unit charge from one point to another.

Units: The unit of electric potential is typically measured in:

- Volts (V)

1. _Electric Potential Difference_: The electric potential difference between two points is the work
required to move a unit charge from one point to the other.

2. _Electric Potential Gradient_: The electric potential gradient is the rate of change of electric potential
with respect to distance.

3. _Equipotential Surfaces_: Equipotential surfaces are surfaces where the electric potential is constant.

Formula

The electric potential (V) can be calculated using the following formula:

V=W/q

Where:

- V is the electric potential

- W is the work required to move a unit charge

- q is the magnitude of the charge

Types of Electric Potential

1. _Electric Potential at a Point_: The electric potential at a point is the potential difference between
that point and a reference point.

2. _Electric Potential Difference_: The electric potential difference between two points is the work
required to move a unit charge from one point to the other.

2.5.0 Gauss's Law!

2.6.1 Definition
Gauss's Law is a fundamental principle in physics that relates the distribution of electric charge to the
resulting electric field. It states that the total electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to the
charge enclosed within that surface.

Mathematical Formulation

The mathematical formulation of Gauss's Law is:

Φ = Q / ε₀

Where:

- Φ is the electric flux through the closed surface

- Q is the charge enclosed within the surface

- ε₀ is the electric constant (also known as the permittivity of free space)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Electric force

Question 1

Two point charges, q1 = 2 μC and q2 = -3 μC, are separated by a distance of 0.5 m. What is the
magnitude of the electric force between them?

Solution

Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

F = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (2 μC * -3 μC) / (0.5 m)^2

F = -107.8 N

Question 2

A proton and an electron are separated by a distance of 1 angstrom (Å). What is the magnitude of the
electric force between them?

Solution
Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q1 = 1.6 x 10^-19 C (proton)

q2 = -1.6 x 10^-19 C (electron)

r = 1 Å = 10^-10 m

F = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (1.6 x 10^-19 C * -1.6 x 10^-19 C) / (10^-10 m)^2

F = 2.31 x 10^-8 N

Question 3

A point charge of 5 μC is placed at the origin of a coordinate system. What is the magnitude of the
electric field at a point 2 m away from the charge?

Solution

Using the formula for electric field:

E = k * q / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q = 5 μC = 5 x 10^-6 C

r=2m

E = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (5 x 10^-6 C) / (2 m)^2

E = 5.62 x 10^4 N/C

Question 4

Two parallel plates are separated by a distance of 0.1 m and have a potential difference of 100 V
between them. What is the magnitude of the electric field between the plates?

Solution

Using the formula for electric field:

where V = 100 V

d = 0.1 m

E = 100 V / 0.1 m

E = 1000 V/m = 1000 N/C

Question 5

A point charge of -2 μC is placed at the center of a spherical surface of radius 0.5 m. What is the total
electric flux through the surface?

Solution

Using Gauss's Law:

Φ = Q / ε₀

where Q = -2 μC = -2 x 10^-6 C

ε₀ = 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m

Φ = (-2 x 10^-6 C) / (8.85 x 10^-12 F/m)

Φ = -2.26 x 10^5 N m^2/C

Gauss's Law

Question 1

A point charge of 5 μC is enclosed by a spherical surface of radius 0.2 m. What is the total electric flux
through the surface?

Solution

Using Gauss's Law:

Φ = Q / ε₀

where Q = 5 μC = 5 x 10^-6 C

ε₀ = 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m

Φ = 5.65 x 10^5 N m^2/C

Question 2

A long, straight wire carries a uniform linear charge density of 2 μC/m. What is the total electric flux
through a cylindrical surface of radius 0.1 m and length 0.5 m that surrounds the wire?

Solution

Using Gauss's Law:

Φ = Q / ε₀

where Q = λL = (2 μC/m) x (0.5 m) = 1 μC

ε₀ = 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m

Φ = (1 μC) / (8.85 x 10^-12 F/m)

Φ = 1.13 x 10^5 N m^2/C

Question 3

A uniform electric field of 200 N/C is applied to a rectangular surface of area 0.1 m^2. What is the total
electric flux through the surface?

Solution

Using the formula for electric flux:

Φ = EA

where E = 200 N/C

A = 0.1 m^2

Φ = (200 N/C) x (0.1 m^2)

Φ = 20 N m^2/C
Question 4

A point charge of -3 μC is enclosed by a cube of side length 0.2 m. What is the total electric flux through
each face of the cube?

Solution

Using Gauss's Law:

Φ = Q / ε₀

where Q = -3 μC = -3 x 10^-6 C

ε₀ = 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m

Φ = (-3 x 10^-6 C) / (8.85 x 10^-12 F/m)

Φ = -3.39 x 10^5 N m^2/C

Since the cube has 6 faces, the electric flux through each face is:

Φ_face = Φ / 6

Φ_face = (-3.39 x 10^5 N m^2/C) / 6

Φ_face = -5.65 x 10^4 N m^2/C

Question 5

A spherical shell of radius 0.1 m carries a uniform surface charge density of 2 μC/m^2. What is the total
electric flux through the shell?

Solution

Using Gauss's Law:

Φ = Q / ε₀

where Q = σA = (2 μC/m^2) x (4π x (0.1 m)^2) = 2.51 μC

ε₀ = 8.85 x 10^-12 F/m

Φ = (2.51 μC) / (8.85 x 10^-12 F/m)

Electric potential

Question 1

A point charge of 2 μC is located at the origin of a coordinate system. What is the electric potential at a
point 0.5 m away from the charge?

Solution

Using the formula for electric potential:

V=k*q/r

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q = 2 μC = 2 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.5 m

V = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (2 x 10^-6 C) / (0.5 m)

V = 35980 V

Question 2

A uniform electric field of 100 N/C is applied over a distance of 0.2 m. What is the potential difference
between the two ends of the field?

Solution

Using the formula for electric potential difference:

ΔV = E * d

where E = 100 N/C

d = 0.2 m

ΔV = (100 N/C) * (0.2 m)

ΔV = 20 V
Question 3

Two parallel plates are separated by a distance of 0.1 m and have a potential difference of 50 V between
them. What is the electric field between the plates?

Solution

Using the formula for electric field:

E = ΔV / d

where ΔV = 50 V

d = 0.1 m

E = (50 V) / (0.1 m)

E = 500 V/m = 500 N/C

Question 4

A point charge of -3 μC is located at the center of a spherical surface of radius 0.2 m. What is the electric
potential at the surface of the sphere?

Solution

Using the formula for electric potential:

V=k*q/r

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q = -3 μC = -3 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.2 m

V = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (-3 x 10^-6 C) / (0.2 m)

V = -67425 V
Question 5

A battery has an emf of 12 V and an internal resistance of 2 Ω. What is the potential difference across
the terminals of the battery when a current of 3 A flows through it?

Solution

Using the formula for potential difference:

ΔV = emf - Ir

where emf = 12 V

I=3A

r=2Ω

ΔV = 12 V - (3 A) * (2 Ω)

ΔV = 12 V - 6 V

ΔV = 6 V

Coulomb's Law

Question 1

Two point charges, q1 = 3 μC and q2 = -2 μC, are separated by a distance of 0.3 m. What is the
magnitude of the electric force between them?

Solution

Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q1 = 3 μC = 3 x 10^-6 C

q2 = -2 μC = -2 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.3 m

F = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (3 x 10^-6 C * -2 x 10^-6 C) / (0.3 m)^2

F = -59.8 N
Question 2

A point charge of 2 μC is located at the origin of a coordinate system. What is the electric force on a
charge of -3 μC located at a distance of 0.2 m from the origin?

Solution

Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q1 = 2 μC = 2 x 10^-6 C

q2 = -3 μC = -3 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.2 m

F = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (2 x 10^-6 C * -3 x 10^-6 C) / (0.2 m)^2

F = -134.85 N

Question 3

Two identical point charges are separated by a distance of 0.1 m. If the electric force between them is
0.9 N, what is the magnitude of each charge?

Solution

Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

F = 0.9 N

r = 0.1 m

q1 = q2 = q (since the charges are identical)

0.9 N = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (q^2) / (0.1 m)^2

q^2 = (0.9 N) * (0.1 m)^2 / (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2)

q = 1.005 x 10^-6 C

Question 4

A point charge of 4 μC is located at the center of a spherical surface of radius 0.5 m. What is the electric
force on a charge of -2 μC located on the surface of the sphere?

Solution

Using Coulomb's Law:

F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q1 = 4 μC = 4 x 10^-6 C

q2 = -2 μC = -2 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.5 m

F = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (4 x 10^-6 C * -2 x 10^-6 C) / (0.5 m)^2

F = -28.8 N

Question 5

Two point charges, q1 = 2 μC and q2 = 3 μC, are separated by a distance of 0.2 m. What is the electric
force between them when a third charge of -4 μC is placed at a distance of 0.1 m from q1? Solution

First, calculate the electric force between q1 and q2:

F12 = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2

where k = 8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2

q1 = 2 μC = 2 x 10^-6 C

q2 = 3 μC = 3 x 10^-6 C

r = 0.2 m

F12 = (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2 C^-2) * (2 x 10^-6 C * 3 x 10^-6 C) / (0.2 m)^2

References

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