http://www.lab-initio.com (nz089.

jpg)

Todays agenda:

Announcements and review.

The electric field of a dipole.
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a dipole.

The electric field due to a collection of point charges
(continued).
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a collection of point charges.

Electric field lines.
You must be able to draw electric field lines, and interpret diagrams that show electric field
lines.

A dipole in an external electric field.
You must be able to calculate the moment of an electric dipole, the torque on a dipole in
an external electric field, and the energy of a dipole in an external electric field.


Special Announcement!
Todays lecture is brought to you by
The Bavarian College of Mad Science.

And now, a word from our sponsor
- Remember to check the Physics 24 web page for useful
information, handouts, and changes to syllabus.
Announcements
You can help yourself immensely by being able to
say in words what each starting equation means.
- E-mail me by the end of Friday of this week if you have a
time conflict for Exam 1. Include the details of your
circumstance. (That doesnt mean I accept responsibility for
fixing the conflict.)
- If you need help with Physics 24:

Go to the PLC.

Go to the tutors, 7-9 pm Monday through Thursday, 208
Norwood (check here for updated schedule of tutors).

See your recitation instructor (he/she will tell you to start by
doing the above).

Try the counseling center!
Announcements
Labs have started this week.
If you have lab this week, dont miss it!
3L01 is odd 3L02 is even
In Lecture 1 you learned Coulomb's Law:
+
-
The Big Picture, Part I
Q
1
Q
2
r
12
1 2
2
0 12
q q
1
F = ,
12
4 r
Coulombs Law quantifies the force between charged particles.
In Lecture 2 you learned about the electric field.
The Big Picture, Part II
There were two kinds of problems you had to solve

The Big Picture, Part II
F
E =
q
1. Given an electric field, calculate the force on a charged
particle.
-
F
E
F= qE You may not be given any information about
where this electric field comes from.
Or: given the force on a charged particle, calculate the electric field that caused the force.
The Big Picture, Part II
2
q

E=k r
r
2. Given one or more charged particles, calculate the electric
field they produce. Well focus on this topic today.
2
q
E=k
r
I strongly recommend you
start with this and do x and y
components separately.
Avoid for now.
The Big Picture, Part III
After I show you the dipole (two charged particles), well
calculate the electric field due to a collection of many charges.
http://www.amasci.com/emotor/vdg.html

Todays agenda:

Review.

The electric field of a dipole.
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a dipole.

The electric field due to a collection of point charges
(continued).
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a collection of point charges.

Electric field lines.
You must be able to draw electric field lines, and interpret diagrams that show electric field
lines.

A dipole in an external electric field.
You must be able to calculate the moment of an electric dipole, the torque on a dipole in
an external electric field, and the energy of a dipole in an external electric field.

A Dipole
A combination of two electric charges with equal magnitude and
opposite sign, separated by a fixed distance, is called a dipole.
+
-
+q -q
d
The charge on this dipole is q (not zero, not +q, not q, not
2q). The distance between the charges is d. Dipoles are
everywhere in nature.
This is an electric dipole. Later in the course well study magnetic dipoles.
The Electric Field of a Dipole
Example: calculate the electric field at point P, which lies on the
perpendicular bisector a distance L from a dipole of charge q.
+
-
+q -q
d
P
L
to be worked at the blackboard
3
o
qd
E
4 r
=
tc
the answer (to make
sure I get it right!)
+
-
+q -q
d
P
L
3
o
qd
E
4 r
=
tc
Caution! The above
equation for E applies
only to points along
the perpendicular
bisector of the dipole.
It is not a starting
equation.

Todays agenda:

Review.

The electric field of a dipole.
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a dipole.

The electric field due to a collection of point charges
(continued).
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a collection of point charges.

Electric field lines.
You must be able to draw electric field lines, and interpret diagrams that show electric field
lines.

A dipole in an external electric field.
You must be able to calculate the moment of an electric dipole, the torque on a dipole in
an external electric field, and the energy of a dipole in an external electric field.

The Electric Field
Due to a Collection of Point Charges
2
0
1 (x) dx
E = r' .
4 r'
}
x
dq
P
r
r'
E
As shown last time, the electric field at P due to the line of
charge is
2
dq
use dE = k
r
| |
|
\ .
and work with one
component at a time
If charge is distributed over a two-dimensional surface, the
amount of charge dq on an infinitesimal piece of the surface is
o dS, where o is the surface density of charge (o = charge/area).
x
y
area = dS
o
charge dq = o dS
dE
The electric field at P due to the charge dq is
2 2
0 0
1 dq 1 dS
dE = r' = r'
4 r' 4 r'
o
x
y
P
r
r'
The net electric field at P due to the entire surface of charge is
x
y
P
r
r'
2
0
S
1 (x, y) dS
E = r'
4 r'
o
}
E
2
dq
use dE = k
r
| |
|
\ .
and work with one
component at a time
x
z
P
r
r'
2
0
V
1 (x, y, z) dV
E = r' .
4 r'

}
After you have seen the above, I hope you believe that the net
electric field at P due to a three-dimensional distribution of
charge is
y
E
2
dq
use dE = k
r
| |
|
\ .
and work with one
component at a time
Summarizing:
2
0
1 dx
E = r' .
4 r'
}
2
0
S
1 dS
E = r' .
4 r'
o
}
2
0
V
1 dV
E = r' .
4 r'

}
Charge distributed along a line:
Charge distributed over a surface:
Charge distributed inside a volume:
If the charge distribution is uniform, then , o, and can be taken outside
the integrals.
2
0
1 dx
E = r'
4 r'
} 2
0
S
1 dS
E = r'
4 r'
o
} 2
0
V
1 dV
E = r'
4 r'

}
Hold it right there! These equations
are not on my starting equation sheet. Thats not fair!
Just start with
2
dq
dE = k
r
Ive written equations with 1/4tc
0
several times, just to remind you that you can replace k by 1/4tc
0
.
and do one component at a time.

Quiz time (maybe for points, maybe just for practice!)

The Electric Field
Due to a Continuous Charge Distribution
(worked examples)
finite line of charge (example worked last lecture)
general derivation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmZ3G2DWHlg
ring of charge
disc of charge
infinite sheet of charge
infinite line of charge
semicircle of charge
Example: A ring of radius a has a uniform charge per unit
length and a total positive charge Q. Calculate the electric field
at a point P along the axis of the ring at a distance x
0
from its
center.
P
a
dQ
r
x
0
dE
x
u
u
Homework hint: you must provide this derivation in your solution to any
problems about rings of charge (e.g. 21.55 or 21.55, if assigned).
Visualization here (requires Shockwave, which downloads automatically):
http://web.mit.edu/viz/EM/visualizations/electrostatics/calculatingElectricFields/RingIntegration/RingIntegration.htm
Example: A ring of radius a has a uniform charge per unit
length and a total positive charge Q. Calculate the electric field
at a point P along the axis of the ring at a distance x
0
from its
center.
P
a
dQ
1
r
x
0
dE
1
x
u
u
By symmetry, the y- and z-
components of E are zero.
Also, all points on the ring
are the same distance r
from point P.
dQ
2
The y-components cancel
pairwise. Same for z-
components (not shown).
dE
2
r
P
a
dQ
r
dE
x
u
u
2
dQ
dE=k
r
x
2
dQ
dE =k cos
r
u
2 2
0
r = x a +
0
x
cos
r
u =
x
0
( )
0 0 0 0
x x
3/ 2 2 3 3
2 2
ring ring ring
0
x x x kx Q dQ
E dE k k dQ k Q
r r r r
x a
| |
= = = = =
|
\ .
+
} } }
Or, in general, on the ring axis
( )
x,ring
3/ 2
2 2
kxQ
E .
x a
=
+
For a given x
0
, r is a constant
for points on the ring.
No absolute value
signs because Q is
positive.
Ill show you another way to do the integral (often needed for
homework; e.g. a problem like 21.54b or 21.97, if assigned).
Direction of E is
away from center
of ring.
( )
ring
3/ 2
2 2
k x Q
E .
x a
=
+
This is another legal answer.
Only works because all E
x
are in same direction.
Example: A disc of radius R has a uniform charge per unit area
o. Calculate the electric field at a point P along the central axis
of the disc at a distance x
0
from its center.
P
r
dQ
x
x
0
R
The disc is made of
concentric rings. The
area of a ring at a
radius r is 2trdr, and
the charge on each ring
is o(2trdr).
We can use the equation on the previous slide for the electric
field due to a ring, replace a by r, and integrate from r=0 to
r=R.
( )
0
ring x, ring
3/ 2
2 2
0
kx 2 rdr
dE dE .
x r
o t
= =
+
Caution! Ive
switched the
meaning of r!
Lets assume o is positive
so dQ is positive.
P
r
dQ
x
x
0
R
( ) ( )
R
0
x x 0
3/ 2 3/ 2
0
2 2 2 2
disc disc
0 0
kx 2 rdr 2r dr
E dE kx
x r x r
o t
= = = to
+ +
} } }
( )
( )
R
1/ 2
2 2
0
0 0
x 0
1/ 2
2 2
0
0
0
x r
x x
E kx 2k
1/ 2 x
x R

( | |
+
| (
= to = to
| (
+
\ .
Example: Calculate the electric field at a distance x
0
from an
infinite plane sheet with a uniform charge density o.
Treat the infinite sheet as disc of infinite radius.
Let R and use to get
0
1
k
4
=
tc
sheet
0
E .
2
o
=
c
Interesting...does not depend on distance from the sheet.
Ive been Really Nice and put this on your starting equation sheet. You dont have to
derive it for your homework!
( )
0 0
x 1/ 2
2 2
0
0
x x
E 2k
x
x R
| |
|
= to
|
+
\ .
Example: calculate the electric field due to an infinite line of
positive charge. Read notes if you want. In lecture skip to here.
There are two approaches to the mathematics of this problem.
One approach (the recommended one) is that of example
21.10, where an equation for the electric field for an infinite line
of charge is derived. See notes here. The resulting equation is
not on your OSE sheet. You may not use it as a starting
equation!
Thus, if a homework problem has an infinite line of charge, you
would need to repeat the derivation!
0
E
2 r

=
tc
Not a starting
equation!
Example: calculate the electric field due to an infinite line of
positive charge.
An alternative mathematical approach is posted here.
( )
2
d tan sec d u = u u
If you were assigned homework 21.52,* you could do it like the
book does it, or the way I do it in the link above. If you do the
problem the way it is done in the link above, your recitation
instructor would give you these trig facts, which I dont expect
you to have memorized:
1
sec
cos
u =
u
*21.52 is not assigned
this semester. Sorry.
Help!
We covered a lot of material in a brief time.
If you want to explore a slightly different presentation of this at
your leisure, try the MIT Open Courseware site.
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02sc-physics-ii-electricity-
and-magnetism-fall-2010/index.htm E&M main page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsWDUqJQcpk&feature=rel
mfu lecture on electric fields
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/physics/8-02sc-physics-ii-electricity-
and-magnetism-fall-2010/electric-fields-and-continuous-charge-
distributions/ all course material on electric fields
Outline of derivation of electric field at center of semicircular
line of uniformly-distributed positive charge, oriented as shown.
By symmetry, E
x
=0 (why?).
R

d
ds
dE
2 2 2
dq ds Rd d
dE = k k k k
R R R R

= = =
y
d sin( )
dE = -dE sin( ) -k
R

=
y y
0 0
d sin( ) k 2k
E = - dE = - k = - sin( ) d = -
R R R
t t


} } }
y
x
There is dq of charge
on the ds of the line.
That dq of charge gives
rise to dE of field.
Nice Youtube derivation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1n2EUvayfw
Because each dE is in a different
direction, you cant just use dq=Q.


Todays agenda:

Review.

The electric field of a dipole.
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a dipole.

The electric field due to a collection of point charges
(continued).
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a collection of point charges.

Electric field lines.
You must be able to draw electric field lines, and interpret diagrams that show electric field
lines.

A dipole in an external electric field.
You must be able to calculate the moment of an electric dipole, the torque on a dipole in
an external electric field, and the energy of a dipole in an external electric field.

Electric Field Lines
Electric field lines help us visualize the electric field and predict
how charged particles would respond to the field.
http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/charges-and-fields/charges-and-fields_en.html
Electric Field Lines
Example: electric field lines for isolated +2e and -e charges.
Heres how electric field lines are related to the field:
- The electric field vector E is tangent to the field lines.
- The number of lines per unit area through a surface
perpendicular to the lines is proportional to the electric field
strength in that region
- The field lines begin on positive charges and end on
negative charges.
- The number of lines leaving a positive charge or
approaching a negative charge is proportional to the
magnitude of the charge.
- No two field lines can cross.
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~phys1/java/phys1/EField/EField.html
This applet has issues with calculating the correct number of field lines, but the idea is OK.
Example: draw the electric field lines for charges +2e and -1e,
separated by a fixed distance. View from near the charges.
http://www.its.caltech.edu/~phys1/java/phys1/EField/EField.html
This applet has issues with calculating the correct number of field lines, but the idea is OK.
Example: draw the electric field lines for charges +2e and -1e,
separated by a fixed distance. This time you are looking from
far away.
Applets illustrating motion of charged particle in electric field:

http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/physical/giambattista/electric/electric_fields.html

http://www.nhn.ou.edu/~walkup/demonstrations/WebAssignments/ChargedParticles001.htm

http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/charges-and-fields/charges-and-fields_en.html


Todays agenda:

Review.

The electric field of a dipole.
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a dipole.

The electric field due to a collection of point charges
(continued).
You must be able to calculate the electric field of a collection of point charges.

Electric field lines.
You must be able to draw electric field lines, and interpret diagrams that show electric field
lines.

A dipole in an external electric field.
You must be able to calculate the moment of an electric dipole, the torque on a dipole in
an external electric field, and the energy of a dipole in an external electric field.

Electric Dipole in an
External Electric Field
An electric dipole consists of two charges +q and -q, equal in
magnitude but opposite in sign, separated by a fixed distance d.
q is the charge on the dipole.
Earlier, I calculated the electric field along the perpendicular
bisector of a dipole (this equation gives the magnitude only).
3
o
qd
E .
4 r
=
tc
The electric field depends on the product qd. This is true in
general.
Caution! This is not the general expression
for the electric field of a dipole!
q and d are parameters that characterize the dipole; we define
the "dipole moment" of a dipole to be the vector
p qd, =
where the direction of p is from negative to positive (NOT away
from +).
+q -q
p
caution: this p is not momentum!
To help you remember the direction of p, this is on the equation
sheet:
p q d, from to plus =
A dipole in a uniform electric field experiences no net force, but
probably experiences a torque.
Noooooooo! No torques!
Apologies to the ladies in the audience: I do not mean to imply that
you are any less competent to deal with torques than the males are.
There are worse things on this earth than torques
from http://www.nearingzero.net (nz262.jpg)
E
A dipole in a uniform electric field experiences no net force, but
probably experiences a torque
+q
-q
p
F
+
F
-
u
F F F qE qE 0.
+
= + = + =

There is no net force on the dipole:

and in this case the direction is into the plane of the figure.
Expressed as a vector,
p E. t =
d sinu
Recall that the unit of torque is
Nm, which is not a joule!
E
+q
-q
p
F
+
F
-
u
d sinu
d sinu
The torques magnitude is p E sinu and the direction is given by
the right-hand rule.
What is the maximum torque magnitude? For
what angle u is the torque a maximum?
Energy of an Electric Dipole in an
External Electric Field
If the dipole is free to rotate, the electric field does work* to
rotate the dipole.
E
+q
-q
p
F
+
F
-
u
initial final
W pE(cos cos ). = u u
The work depends only on the initial and final coordinates, and
not on how you go from initial to final.
*Calculated using , which you learned in Physics 23.
z
W d = t u
}
Does that awaken vague memories of Physics 23?
If a force is conservative, you can define a potential energy
associated with it.
What kinds of potential energies did you learn about in Physics
23?
Because the electric force is conservative, we can define a
potential energy for a dipole. The equation for work
initial final
W pE(cos cos ) = u u
suggests we should define
dipole
U pEcos . = u
E
+q
-q
p
F
+
F
-
u
dipole
U pEcos = u
With the definition on the previous slide, U is zero when u=t/2.
U is maximum when cosu=-1, or u=t (a point of unstable
equilibrium).
U is minimum when cosu=+1, or u=0 (stable equilibrium).
It is better to express the dipole potential energy as
dipole
U p E. =
Recall that the unit of energy is the
joule, which is a Nm, but is not the
same as the Nm of torque!
Summary:
dipole max
U p E pEcos U pE = = u =
max
p E pE sin pE t = t = u t =
Units are Nm, but not joules!
Units are Nm = joules!
E
+q
-q
p
u
The information on this slide is enough to work homework problems involving torque.