UNIT – I- Electrostatics

Vector analysis
Introduction:
• Vector Algebra is a part of algebra that deals with the theory of vectors and vector
spaces. Most of the physical quantities are either scalar or vector quantities.
Scalar Quantity:
• Scalar is a number that defines magnitude. Hence a scalar quantity is defined as a
quantity that has magnitude only. A scalar quantity does not point to any direction
i.e. a scalar quantity has no directional component.
• For example when we say, the temperature of the room is 30o C, we don‘t specify
the direction. Hence examples of scalar quantities are mass, temperature, volume,
speed etc.
• A scalar quantity is represented simply by a letter – A, B, T, V, S.
Vector Quantity:
• A Vector has both a magnitude and a direction. Hence a vector quantity is a quantity
that has both magnitude and direction.
• Examples of vector quantities are force, displacement, velocity, etc.
• A vector quantity is represented by a letter with an arrow over it or a bold letter.
Unit Vectors:
• When a simple vector is divided by its own magnitude, a new vector is created
known as the unit vector. A unit vector has a magnitude of one. Hence the name -
unit vector.
• A unit vector is always used to describe the direction of respective vector.
• Hence any vector can be written as the product of its magnitude and its unit vector.
Unit Vectors along the co-ordinate directions are referred to as the base vectors. For
example unit vectors along X, Y and Z directions are ax, ay and az respectively.
Position Vector / Radius Vector (̅ ̅ ̅ ):
• A Position Vector / Radius vector define the position of a point(P) in space relative
to the origin(O).Hence Position vector is another way to denote a point in space.
• ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑥 ̅𝑥 + 𝑦 ̅𝑦 + 𝑧 ̅𝑧
Displacement Vector :
• Displacement Vector is the displacement or the shortest distance from one point to
another.
Vector Multiplication :
• When two vectors are multiplied the result is either a scalar or a vector depending
on how they are multiplied. The two important types of vector multiplication are:
• Dot Product/Scalar Product (A.B)
• Cross product (A x B)
1. DOT PRODUCT (A. B):
• Dot product of two vectors A and B is defined as:
• ̅. ̅ = │ ̅││ ̅│ cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵
• Where 𝜃𝐴𝐵 is the angle formed between A and B. Also 𝜃𝐴𝐵 ranges from 0 to π i.e.
0 ≤ 𝜃𝐴𝐵 ≤ π
• The result of A.B is a scalar, hence dot product is also known as Scalar Product.
• Properties of Dot Product:
1. If A = (Ax, Ay, Az) and B = (Bx, By, Bz) then ̅. ̅= AxBx + AyBy + AzBz
2. ̅. ̅= |A| |B|, if cos𝜃𝐴𝐵=1 which means θAB = 00 This shows that A and B are in
the same direction or we can also say that A and B are parallel to each other.
3. 𝐴.̅ ̅= - |A| |B|, if cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵=-1 which means 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 1800.
• This shows that A and B are in the opposite direction or we can also say that A and
B are antiparallel to each other.
4. ̅. ̅ = 0, if cos 𝜃𝐴𝐵 =0 which means 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 900.
• This shows that A and B are orthogonal or perpendicular to each other.
5. Since we know the Cartesian base vectors are mutually perpendicular to each other,
we have
• ̅𝑥 . ̅𝑥 = ̅𝑦. ̅𝑦 = ̅𝑧 . ̅𝑧 = 1
• ̅𝑥 . ̅𝑦 = ̅𝑦. ̅𝑧 = ̅𝑧 . ̅𝑥 = 0
2. Cross Product (A X B):
• Cross Product of two vectors A and B is given as:
• ̅𝑋 ̅ = │ ̅││ ̅│ sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 ̅𝑁
• Where 𝜃𝐴𝐵 is the angle formed between A and B and ̅𝑁 is a unit vector normal to
both A and B. Also θ ranges from 0 to π i.e. 0 ≤ 𝜃𝐴𝐵≤ π
• The cross product is an operation between two vectors and the output is also a
vector.
• Properties of Cross Product:
1. If A = (Ax, Ay, Az) and B = (Bx, By, Bz) then,
• The resultant vector is always normal to both the vector A and B.
2. ̅𝑋 ̅ = 0, if sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 0 which means 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 00 or 1800;
• This shows that A and B are either parallel or antiparallel to each other.
3. ̅𝑋 ̅ =│ ̅││ ̅│ ̅𝑁, if sin 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 0 which means 𝜃𝐴𝐵 = 900.
• This shows that A and B are orthogonal or perpendicular to each other.
4. Since we know the Cartesian base vectors are mutually perpendicular to each other,
we have
• ̅𝑥 𝑋 ̅𝑥 = ̅𝑦 𝑋 ̅𝑦 = ̅𝑧 𝑋 ̅𝑧 = 0
• ̅𝑥 𝑋 ̅𝑦 = ̅𝑧 , ̅𝑦 𝑋 ̅𝑧 = ̅𝑥 , ̅𝑧 𝑋 ̅𝑥 = ̅𝑦
CO-ORDINATE SYSTEMS:
• Co-Ordinate system is a system of representing points in a space of given
dimensions by coordinates, such as the Cartesian coordinate system or the system
of celestial longitude and latitude.
• In order to describe the spatial variations of the quantities, appropriate coordinate
system is required. A point or vector can be represented in a curvilinear coordinate
system that may be orthogonal or non-orthogonal. An orthogonal system is one in
which the coordinates are mutually perpendicular to each other.
• The different co-ordinate system available are:
• Cartesian or Rectangular co-ordinate system.(Example: Cube, Cuboid)
• Circular Cylindrical co-ordinate system.(Example : Cylinder)
• Spherical co-ordinate system. (Example: Sphere) The choice depends on the
geometry of the application.
• A set of 3 scalar values that define position and a set of unit vectors that define
direction form
• a co-ordinate system. The 3 scalar values used to define position are called co-
ordinates. All coordinates are defined with respect to an arbitrary point called the
origin.
 Basics of coordinate system
Cartesian Co-ordinate System / Rectangular Co-ordinate
System (x,y,z)
• A Vector in Cartesian system is
represented as (Ax, Ay, Az) Or
• ̅ = 𝐴𝑥 ̅𝑥 + 𝐴𝑦 ̅𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧 ̅𝑧

• Where ̅𝑥 , ̅𝑦 and ̅𝑧 are the unit vectors in x, y, z

direction respectively
• Range of the variables: It defines the minimum and the
maximum value that x, y and z can have in Cartesian
system. -∞ ≤ x,y,z ≤ ∞
• Differential Displacement / Differential Length (dl):
• It is given as ̅𝑙 = 𝑑𝑥 ̅𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 ̅𝑦 + 𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑧
• Differential length for a line parallel to x, y and z axis are
respectively given as:
• dl = 𝑑𝑥 ̅𝑥---( For a line parallel to x-axis).
• dl = 𝑑𝑦 ̅𝑦 ---( For a line Parallel to y-axis).
• dl = 𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑧 ---( For a line parallel to z-axis).
• If there is a wire of length L in z-axis, then the differential
length is given as dl = dz az. Similarly
• if the wire is in y-axis then the differential length is given
as dl = dy ay.
• Differential Normal Surface (ds):
• Differential surface is basically a cross product
between two parameters of the surface.
• The differential surface (area element) is
defined as ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑠 ̅𝑁 Where ̅𝑁 , is the unit
vector perpendicular to the surface. For the 1st
figure, ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑥 ,2nd figure, ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑦3rd
figure, ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦 ̅𝑧
• Differential Volume: The differential volume
element (dv) can be expressed in terms of the
triple product.
• 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧
Circular Cylindrical Co-ordinate System

• A Vector in Cylindrical system is represented

as (Ar, AǾ, Az) or
• ̅ = 𝐴𝑟 ̅𝑟 + 𝐴∅ ̅∅ + 𝐴𝑧 ̅𝑧
• Where ̅𝑟 , ̅∅ and ̅𝑧 are the unit vectors in r, Φ
and z directions respectively
• The physical significance of each parameter of
cylindrical coordinates:
1. The value r indicates the distance of the point
from the z-axis. It is the radius of the cylinder.
2. The value Φ, also called the azimuthal angle,
indicates the rotation angle around the zaxis.
• It is basically measured from the x axis in the
x-y plane. It is measured anti clockwise.
3. The value z indicates the distance of the point
from z-axis. It is the same as in the Cartesian
system. In short, it is the height of the cylinder.
• Differential Displacement / Differential
Length (dl):
• It is given as ̅𝑙 = 𝑑𝑟 ̅𝑟 + 𝑟𝑑𝜑 ̅𝜑 + 𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑧
• Differential length for a line parallel to r, Φ
and z axis are respectively given as:
• dl = 𝑑𝑟 ̅𝑟---( For a line parallel to r-direction).
• dl = 𝑟𝑑𝜑 ̅𝜑 ---( For a line Parallel to Φ-
direction).
• dl = 𝑑𝑧 ̅𝑧 ---( For a line parallel to z-axis).
• Differential Normal Surface (ds):
• Differential surface is basically a cross product
between two parameters of the surface.
• The differential surface (area element) is
defined as ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑠 ̅𝑁
• Where ̅𝑁 , is the unit vector perpendicular to
the surface.
• This surface describes a circular disc. Always
remember- To define a circular disk we need
two parameter one distance measure and one
angular measure.
• An angular parameter will always give a
curved line or an arc.
• In this case dΦ is measured in terms of change
in arc.
• Arc is given as: Arc= radius * angle ,̅
• ̅ ̅ = 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜑 ̅𝑧 ,̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝑧 ̅𝜑 , ̅ ̅ = 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜑 ̅𝑟
• Differential Volume:
• The differential volume element (dv) can be
expressed in terms of the triple product.
• 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜑𝑑𝑧
 Spherical coordinate System
• Spherical coordinates consist of one scalar
value (r), with units of distance, while the
other two scalar values (θ, Φ) have angular
units (degrees or radians)
• A Vector in Spherical System is represented as
(Ar ,AӨ, AΦ) or ̅ = 𝐴𝑟 ̅𝑟 + 𝐴𝜃 ̅𝜃 + 𝐴𝜑 ̅𝜑
• Where ̅𝑟 , ̅𝜃 and ̅𝜑 are the unit vectors in r, θ
and Φ direction respectively
• The physical significance of each parameter of
spherical coordinates:
1. The value r expresses the distance of the point from
origin (i.e. similar to altitude). It is the radius of the
sphere.
2. The angle θ is the angle formed with the z- axis (i.e.
similar to latitude). It is also called the co-latitude
angle. It is measured clockwise.
3. The angle Φ, also called the azimuthal angle,
indicates the rotation angle around the zaxis (i.e.
similar to longitude). It is basically measured from
the x axis in the x-y plane. It is measured counter-
clockwise.
• Range of the variables:
• It defines the minimum and the maximum
value that r, θ and υ can have in spherical co-
ordinate system.
• 0≤r≤∞
• 0≤θ≤π
• 0 ≤ Φ≤ 2π
• Differential length:
• It is given as
• ̅𝑙 = 𝑑𝑟 ̅𝑟 + 𝑟𝑑𝜃 ̅𝜃 + 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜑 ̅𝜑
• Differential length for a line parallel to r, θ and
Φ axis are respectively given as:
• dl = 𝑑𝑟 ̅𝑟--(For a line parallel to r axis)
• dl = 𝑟𝑑𝜃 ̅𝜃---( For a line parallel to θ direction)
• dl = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜑 ̅𝜑 --(For a line parallel to Φ
direction)
• Differential Normal Surface (ds):
• Differential surface is basically a cross product
between two parameters of the surface.
• The differential surface (area element) is
defined as ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑑𝑠 ̅𝑁
• Where ̅𝑁 , is the unit vector perpendicular to
the surface. ̅ ̅ = 𝑟𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃 ̅𝜑 ,
• ̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑟2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃 ̅𝑟 ,̅ ̅ ̅ = 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜑 ̅𝜃
• Differential Volume:
• The differential volume element (dv) can be
expressed in terms of the triple product.
• 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑟2 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜑𝑑𝜃
 ELECTROSTATICS
• Electrostatics is a branch of science that involves the
study of various phenomena caused by electric
charges that are slow-moving or even stationary.
• Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter
and charge exist in integral multiple of electronic
charge.
• Electrostatics as the study of electric charges at rest.
• The two important laws of electrostatics are
 Coulomb‘s Law.
 Gauss‘s Law.
• Both these laws are used to find the electric
field due to different charge configurations.
• Coulomb‘s law is applicable in finding electric
field due to any charge configurations where
as Gauss‘s law is applicable only when the
charge distribution is symmetrical
Introduction
Coulomb's Law
Principle Of Superposition
Steps to Solve Problems on Coulomb’s Law
Problems
ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY
TYPES OF CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS
Electric Flux Density
Gauss’s Law
 CONVECTION CURRENT DENSITY

• Convection current occurs in insulators or dielectrics

such as liquid, vacuum and rarified gas.
• Convection current results from motion of electrons
or ions in an insulating medium.
• Since convection current doesn‘t involve conductors,
hence it does not satisfy ohm‘s law.
• Consider a filament where there is a flow of charge
ρv at a velocity u = uy ay.
Where uy is the velocity of the moving electron or ion and ρv is the
free volume charge density.
- Hence the convection current density in general is given as:
J = ρv u