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Physics

Mr. Mukesh Yadav

The B.S.G.Ds’ Jr. college

Chapter :- 08

ELECTROSTATICS
Note :-

1) A unit charge gives rise to no. of lines of force.

2) A charge q gives rise to no. of lines of force.
3) By Gauss theorem
T.N.E.I = algebraic sum of all the charges.
4) Also T.N.E.I =
= E.ds cos
= E ds cos
= E ds cos
q= 0 E ds cos
Introduction :-

= [ Gauss theorem in mathematical form]

Where is the total flux coming out of a closed surface and q is
the total charge inside the closed surface.
Application of Gauss’ Law:
Electric Field intensity due to Uniformly Charged Shell or Hollow
Sphere:-

To calculate the near a charged

sphere. Consider a sphere of
radius
R having centre at 0, placed in a
medium of dielectric medium
of permittivity . (K= ), =K
Let the sphere be given charge q. the sphere is uniform so
charges are evenly distributed so that charge on sphere

q= (1)
Consider a point P, at a distance r from the charged sphere. To
find at this point we construct a concentric Gaussian surface
of radius r. let ds be small area around the point P on Gaussian
surface.
is directed radially outward and angle between the direction
of ds is zero i.e. cos =1

= E ds
flux d through the area ds = E ds
Total electric flux through the Gaussian surface

=
= ds
(2)
By Gauss theorem
=E

(3)
Case (1):- If point P lies on the surface of charged sphere r=R
Case (2) :- If point lies inside the sphere since there are no
charges inside
0

due to an infinitely long straight changed

wire.
Consider a uniform charged wire of infinite
length having a constant linear charge
density . (charge per unit length) kept in a
medium of permittivity .
To find the electric field intensity at P, at a
distance r from the charged wire, imagine a
coaxial Gaussian cylinder of length l and
radius r, (closed at each end by the plane
caps normal to the axis) passing through
point P.
By symmetry the magnitude of will be same at all point and will be directed
radially outward.

The angle between is zero.

i.e cos =1

Total electric flux through the Gaussian surface

(1)
By using =
=E [

E=
E= [ ]
Electric field due to charged infinite plane sheet

Consider a uniform charged infinite plane sheet with

surface charge density .
Electric field is perpendicular to plane sheet and directed
outward, having same magnitude at a given distance on
either sides of the sheet.
To field electric field due to a charged infinite plane sheet
at P.
We consider a Gaussian surface around point P in the form of
cylinder having cross section at area A and length 2r. The plane
sheet passes through middle of length such that end points P
and P’ are equidistant (at a distance r) from plane sheet.

The electric field is at right angles to the end caps and away
from plane. Its magnitude is same at P and P’.
The flux passing through the curved surface is zero.
+ [’ (since
= EA +EA
2EA (1)
If is the surface charge density then
=
q= A (2)

Also (3) [ By Gauss theorem]

Put (3) in (2) we get
(4)
Equating (1) and (2) , we get
2EA =
E= (5)
Electrostatic potential
Electric potential energy isenergy
and potential the work
:- done against the
electrostatic forces to gain certain configuration of charge in
a given system.
Every system tries to attain the lowest potential energy.
Consider a positive charge Q fixed at some point in space for
bringing any other positive charge also to it, work is
necessary. This work is equal to the change in the potential
energy of their system.
Work done against a electrostatic force = Increase in the
potential energy
of the system
= dU.
Where dU is increase in potential energy where the charge is
displaced through dr and is the force exerted on the charge.
Expression for potential energy:-

Consider the electrostatic field due to a source charge +Q

placed at the origin O. let a small charge +q0 be brought from
point A to point B at respective distance r1 and r2 from O,
against the repulsive forces on it.
Work done against the electrostatic force in displacing the
charge q0 through a small displacement d appears as an
increase in the potential energy of the system.
du =
-ve sign appears because the displacement d is against the
force .
For the displacement of the charge from the initial position A to final position B.

The change in the potential energy , can be obtained by the

integrating dU.
u=

is the unit vector in the direction of .

for a system of two point charge,
u= r2
r1
u = (-
= (
The change in potential energy is equal to work done WAB
against the electrostatic force.

wAB = u = (
Electrostatic force is zero at r=ꝏ.
Potential energy U of the system of two point charge q1 and q2 separated by r can
be obtained by using r1 = ꝏ, r2 = r
U(r) =
Units of potential

SI unit = joule (J)

Definition :- One joule is the energy stored in
moving a charge of IC through a potential
difference of 1 volt.
Another unit of energy is electron volt (eV)
Definition :- It is change in the kinetic energy of
an electron while crossing two points maintained
at a potential difference of 1volt.
1eV = 1.6
1meV = 1.6
1KeV = 1.6
Concept of potential
w.k.t
U(r) =
P.E of a two particle system at a distance at a distance r from
each other
U(r) =
=
=( ) (1)
The quantity U(r) = ……………(2) depends upon the charge q and
location of a point at a distance r from it.
(2) gives us electrostatic potential of the charge q at a distance
r from it.
For potential energy of two charge system as
U(r) = V1(r) q2 = V2(r)q1

Where V1(r) and V2(r) are the respective potential of charges q1

and q2 at a distance r from either.
Electrostatic potential energy (U) = electric potential (V)charge
q or
Electrostatic potential (V) =
i.e V =
Electrostatic potential difference between any two points in an
electric field can be written as
v2 – v1 = =
Work done as dw (or change in PE) per unit change to move
the charge from point 2 to 1.
 Electric field and Electric potential
dw = dv = difference in p.d between two points
dv = -Edx
E=-
Thus the electric field at a point in an electric field is the
negative of the potential gradient at that point.

Electric potential at any point in an electric field is the

amount of work done to bring a unit positive charge from
infinity to that point.
 Electric potential due to a point charge.

Consider a point charge +q located at a point o. To calculate the

point at a point A, at a distance r from it.
The potential at a point A is the amount of work done per unit
positive charge, which is displaced from ꝏ to a point A.
Let M be an intermediate point on this path where OM=x. the
electrostatic force on a unit positive charge at M is
F = ……………….(1)
It is directed away from O, along OM, For infinitesimal displacement
dx from M to N, the amount of work done is given by

dw = -Fdx …………………….(2)
Total work done in displacing the unit positive from ꝏ to point A is given by
W = dx
=
= [] ( )
= [] ( =0)
W = …………………….(3)
By definition this is the electrostatic potential of A due to charge q.
V = W = ……………………(4)
Electric potential due to an electric dipole:

As shown in diagram electric dipole AB consisting of two charges

+q and –q separated by a finite distance 2l. Its dipole moment is
of magnitude p= q2l, directed from –q to +q. The line joining the
centres of the charge is called dipole axis. A straight line drawn
perpendicular to the axis and passing through centre O of the
electric dipole is called equator of dipole.
Let C be any point near the electric dipole at a distance r from the
center O inclined at an angle with the axis of the dipole r1 and r2 are
the distances of point C from charge +q and –q, respectively.

Potential at C due to charge +q at A is,

V1 =
Potential at C due to charge –q at B is,
V2 =
The electrostatic potential is the work done by electric field per
unit charge, ( V = ).
The potential at C due to dipole is,
V1 = V1 + V2 = [ ]
By geometry, r1 = r
r2 = r

Vc = V1 +V2
= [ -]
(1+ )
Using binomial expansion, (1+x)n =
(1+ ) 1+nx, x and retaining terms up to
For a short dipole, 2l and the first order of l/r only, we get
If r is small can be neglected
(1 )
(1 )
Vc =

i) Potential at an axial point,

(towards +q) or (towards –q)
= []
Vaxial =
= []
Vc = ( i.e this is the maximum value
of the potential.
Electric potential at C, can
ii) Potential at an equatorial
also be expressed as,
point, = and V = 0
Vc =
Vc = , {}
Where is a unit vector along
the position vector,
Electrostatics potential
Consider a system due to qa ,system
of charges of charges
1 q2 ,
……….qn at distance r1, r2, ………rn
respectively from point p.
The potential V1 at p due to charge qi is
V1 =
Similarly the potential V2, V3, ………Vn at
p due

to individual charges q2, q3,………..qn are given by

V2 = , V3 = , Vn =
By superposition principle
V = V1 + V2 +………………+Vn

= + +…………..+ )
V=
For a continuous charge distribution summation should be
replaced by integration.
Electrostatic potential energy of a system of point charges is
defined as the total amount of work done to assemble the
system of charges by bringing them from infinity to their present
location.
position
Vectors r1 and
(a) Potential r2 relative
energy of a systemto
of some
2 point origin
charges(O)
To calculate electric potential energy we
assume that the two charges q1 and q2 are
initially at infinity.
To bring the charge q1 to position A( ) no
work is done since no external field is
present. So W1 = 0.
This charge (q1) produce a potential in
space given by
V1 = …………………………(1)
Where r1 is distance of point (A) from the origin.
But in bringing the charge (q2) from infinitely to
B( at a distance r12 from (q1). Work done is
W2 = (potential at B due to q1) q2
W2 = q2 (where AB=r12 ) ………….(2)
This work done in bringing the two charge to their respective
location is stored as potential energy of the configuration of
two charges
U= …………………………………..(3)
Equation (3) can be generated for a system of any number of
point charges.
(b) Potential Energy for a system of N point charges:-

U= ………………….(1)
(1) gives us an expression for potential energy for a system
of two charges. (1) can be modified for N no. of charges.
In bringing a charge qs from ꝏ to C() work has to be done
against electrostatics forces of both q1 and q2.
W3 = (potential at C due to q1 and q2)q3
= [ ] q3
= [ ]
Similarly in bringing a charge q4 from ꝏ to D() work has to be
done against electrostatics forces of q1, q2 and q3.
W3 = [ ]

Similarly electrostatics potential energy of a

system of N point charges at as
U=
(c) Potential energy of a single charge in an external field
V () is the external potential at any point p having position
vector , then by definition work done in bringing a unit
positive charge from ꝏ to the point p is equal to v.
work done in bringing a charge q from to the given point
in the external field is qv().
This work is stored in the form of potential energy of a
system of charge q.
PE of a system of single charge q at in an external field is
given by
PE = qv()
(d) Potential energy of a system of two charges in an
external field
To find the potential energy of a system of two charge q1 and q2
located at r1 and r2 respectively in an external field, we calculate
the work done in bringing the charge q1 from to r1 from the
equation
PE = qv() ………………….(1)
The work done will be = q1v() ………………(2)
To bring the charge q2 to r2, the work is done not only against the
external field E but also against the field due to q1.
work done on q2 against the external field = q2V() and work done
q2 against the field due to q1 =
Where r12 = distance between q1 and q2.
By the principle of superposition for fields, we add the work done on q 2
against the two fields.

work done in beginning q2 to r2

=q2v() + ……………………..(3)
(2) and (3) potential energy of the system
= Total work done in assembling the configuration
= q1v() + q2v() +
(e) Potential energy of a dipole in an external field
Consider a dipole with charge –q
and +q separated by finite distance
2l, placed in a uniform electric
field .
It experiences a torque which
tends to rotate it.
=

In order to neutralize this torque, assume an external

torque ext rotate it in the plane of paper from to angle ,
without angular acceleration and at an infinitesimal
angular speed
Work done by external torque
w=
=

= pE
= pE [-cos]
= pE[ -cos ]
= pE[ - cos ]
This work done is stored as potential energy of
the system in the position when the dipole makes
an angle with the electric field
We have U() =0 which gives us
U() - U() = pE (cos- cos )
(a) If dipole is perpendicular to the field i.e =
then
) = pE(cos - cos)
= -pEcos
u() = -
(b) if initially the dipole is parallel to the field E then =
0
U() = pE (cos0-cos)
U() = pE (1-cos)
In metallic conductors the electron in the outermost
Free
shellscharge
of the and
atombound charges
are loosely bound to the nucleus and
hence can easily get detached and move freely inside
the metal.
When an external field is applied, they drift in direction
opposite to the direction of the applied field. These are
called free charges.
The nucleolus, which consist of positive ions and
electrons of the inner shells, remain held in their fixed
positions. These immobile charges are called band
charges.
available for conductivity and hence are poor conductors of
electricity.
Insulators :
There are no free charges. An insulating material can be
considerd as a collection of molecules that are not easily
ionized.
An insulator can carry any distribution of external electric
charge on its surface.
Dielectrics and Electric polarization
Dielectrics are insulators which can be used to store
electrical energy.
When dielectrics are placed in an external field, their
positive and negative charges get displaced in opposite
direction and molecules develop a net dipole moment. This
is called polarization of material and such materials are
called dielectrics.
Polar dielectrics

A molecules in which the centre of mass of positive

charge (proton) does not coincide with the centre of
mass of negative charges, because of the asymmetric
shape of the molecules is called polar molecule
eg. Of polar dielectrics- HCl, water, alcohol, NH3.
Non polar dielectrics

A molecules in which the centre of mass of positive

charges coincides with the centre of mass of negative
charges is called a non polar molecule.
The dielectrics like hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,CO2,
benzens, methane are called non polar dielectric.

(a) Nonpolar molecules,

Example of molecules
(b)H2
(c) CO2.
Polarization of a non polar dielectric in an external
electric field
Polarization of a polar dielectric in an external
electric field
(1) The applied external electric field which tends to
align the dipole with the field.
(2) Thermal energy tending to randomise the alignment of
the dipole.
The dipole moment per unit volume is called polarization
and is denoted by . For linear isotropic dielectrics .
is a constant called electric susceptibility of the dielectric
medium. It describes the electrical behaviour of a
dielectric. It has different volume for different dielectrics.
For vacuum = 0.
Concept of capacitor

The conductor 1 and 2 as shown in the diagram

have charges +Q and –Q with potential
differences v=v1-v2 between them.
The electric field in the region between them is
proportional to charge Q.
The potential differences v is the work done to
carry a unit test charge from the conductor 2
to conductor 1 against the field. As this work
done will be proportional to charge Q.

The potential difference v is the work done to

carry a unit test charge from the conductor 2
to conductor 1 against the field. As this work
done will be proportional to Q.
Then v and the ratio is constant.

C is called capacitance of the capacitor which

depends on
(1) Size

(2) Shape

(3) Separation of the system of two conductors.

SI unit of capacitor is farad (F).
Dimensional formula is [ ].
1 farad = 1 coulomb/1volt
A capacitor
Definition ofhas a capacitance of one farad, if potential
1 farad
difference across it rises to 1 volt when 1 coulomb of
charge is given to it.
1
1nF
1pF
Principle of capacitors
Consider a metal plate P1 having area A. Some positive
charge +Q be given to this plate. The potential of the plate
be v. Its capacity is given by
Now consider another insulated metal plate P2 brought
closer to P1.
By induction a negative charge is produced on inner side of P 2
and positive charge on upper side of it. +ve charge on outer
side of P2 will flow down to earth. The induced negative
charge lowers the potential of plate P1, while the induced
The following of the outer plate
charge raises its potential.
charge of P2 down to earth the
potential of P1 is reduced
considerably.
If V1 is potential on plate P2 then
net potential of the system will
be V-V1.
Hence capacity will be C2 =
(denominator is reduced)

The capacity of metal plate P1 is increased by placing

an identical earth connected metal plate P2 near it.
(a) Capacitors in series

When capacitor are connected end to end as it is known as

series combination.
In a series combination, charges on the plates (Q) are the
same on each capacitors.
Potential difference across the series combination of
capacitor is V volt.
Let Cs represent the equivalent capacitance then

V=

For n number of capacitors

+……………..+

i.e equivalent capacitance for n capacitors connected in series which is

equal to sum of the reciprocals of individual capacitance of capacitors.
If all capacitors are equal then
or Ceq =
In
(b)parallel combination
Capacitors one side plates
in parallel
are connected to one terminal and other
plates are connected to other terminal
of battery.
In the combination all the capicitors
have the same potential difference but
the plate charges () on capacitor 1 , ()
on capacitor 2 and () on capacitor 3 are
not same.

Q is applied at point A then it will be distributed to the

capacitors depending on the capacitance.
Total charge Q can be written as
Q= Q1+Q2+Q3
Q =C1V+C2V+C3V
Let Cp the equivalent capacitance of combination
then
Q = C pV

The general formula for effective capacitance Cp

for parallel combination of n capacitors will be
Cp = C1 + C2 + …………………+Cn
If all capacitor are equal then
Ceq = n C
Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor without a
dielectric
A parallel plate capacitor of two thin
conducting plates each of area A, held
parallel to each other at a suitable
distance d apart.
When a charge +Q is given to the
insulated plate, then a charge –Q is
induced on the inner face. But as this
face is earthed the charge +Q being free,
flows to earth.
In the outer regions the electric field due
to the two charged plates cancel out .
The net field is zero.
E = ……………….(1)
In the inner regions between two capacitor.

E=
E = …………………(2)
Direction of E is from positive to negative plate.
Let V be the p.d between two plates then field between two
plates is given by
E = V/d or V= Ed …………………..(3)
Put (2) in (3) we get
V= d
Capacitance of parallel plate capacitor is given by
C= = = ………………….(4)
(b) Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with
a dielectric slab between the plates
Consider a parallel plate capacitor with
two plates each of area A separated by a
distance d. The capacitance of capacitor is
given by
C0 = …………………………..(1)
Let E0 be the electric field intensity
between the plates before the introduction
of the dielectric slab. Then the potential
difference between the plates is given by
V0 = E 0 d
Where E0 = =
is the charge density on the plates.
Let a dielectric slab of thickness t(td) be introduced between the plates of
the capacitor.

The field E0 polarizes the dielectric, inducing charge –Qp on

the left side +Qp on the right side of the dielectric as shown
in figure.
These induced charges set up a field Ep inside the dielectric
in the opposite direction of E0. the induced field is given by
Ep =
The net field (E) inside the dielectric reduces to E0 – Ep.
Hence,
E = E0 – E p
= []
Where k is a constant called the dielectric constant,
The field Ep exists over a distance t and E0 over the
remaining distance (d-t) between the capacitor plates .
Hence potential difference between the capacitor plates is

V = E0 (d-t) + E(t)
= E0 (d-t) +(t) ()
= E0 [(d-t) +]
= [d-t+ ]
The capacitance of the capacitor on the introduction of
dielectric slab becomes
C=
Special cases :

1. If the dielectric fills up the entire space then t=d

capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor increases k times i.e k =

2. If the capacitor is filled with the dielectric slabs of thickness t 1, t2,

………….tn then this arrangement is equivalent to n capacitors
connected in series.

3. If the arrangement consists of n capacitors in parallel with plate

areas A1,A2,…………An and plate separation d

If A1=A2……………An= then
4. If the capacitor is filled with a conducting slab (k=ꝏ)
then

the capacitance thus increases by a factor

Energy stored in a capacitor:

Consider a capacitor of capacitance C

being charged by a DC source of V volt
as shown in figure. During the process
of charging , let q’ be the charge on the
capacitor and V be the potential
difference between the plates. Hence
A small amount of work is done if a small charge dq further
transferred between the plates.

Total work done in transferring the charge

W=
=
= =
This work done is stored as electrical potential energyof the
capacitor. This work done can be expressed in different forms as
follows.
=
 Numerical problems
(1) A 6 capacitor is charged by a 300V supply. It is then
disconnected from the supply and is connected to another
unchanged 3 capacitor. How much electrostatic energy of first
capacitor is lost in the form of heat and electromagnetic
radiation?
Solution :
C1 = 6 = 6
C2 = 3 = 1V1 = 300V
Energy of the capacitor before sharing
=
= 27
When C1 is connected to C2 = 3

Let V be the common potential attained

V1 = 0 as it is unchanged.
V=
=
= = 200V
Energy after sharing =
= 18
Loss of energy due to sharing = (27-18)
=9
(2) A metal sphere of radius 1cm is charged with 3.14 .
Find the electric intensity at a distance 1m from centre
of metal sphere.

Solution:
Given : R= 1cm = 1
q = 3.14 , r= 1m
To find : E=?
E=
=
=0.02823N/C
(3) A long cylinder of radius 2cm carries a charge of 5 kept in
a medium of dielectric constant 10. find the electric field
intensity at a point situated at a distance 1m from the axis of
cylinder.

Solution :
Given : R= 2cm=2
= 5C/m
K = 10, r = 1m
To find: E=?
E=
=
=9
(4) A metal spere of radius 20cm is charged with 12.57 C
situated in air. Find the surface charge density.

Solution :
Given : R = 20cm = 20
Q = 12.57
To find :

=
=
= 0.25
(5) Find the electric intensity due to a charged conducting
cylinder of radius 0.2m and having a charge density 40 at a
distance of 1m from its axis. (.I unit)

Solution :
Given : = 40
R = 0.2m, r= 1m.
To find : E = ?, K=1
The electric field intensity due to a charged cylinder:
E=
=
= 0.90395
= 9.039
(6) Find electric field intensity due to a charged conducting sphere of
radius 9cm placed in vacuum carrying a positive charged of 0.1 Find
the electric intensity at a point at a distance of 0.3 m from the center.

E=1
Solution :
Given : R = 9 cm =9, r = 0.3 m,
q = 0.1 = 0.1 C
To find :
Electric intensity is given by:
E=
=9
=
(7) A plane surface element of area 2 mm2 is situated in a
uniform electric field of intensity 4.5 with its plane making an
angle of with the direction of the field. Find the electric flux.

Solution :
Given : S = 2 mm2 = 2,
E = 4.5 , q = ,
To find :
Electric flux =
(8) A thin long cylinder of radius 1cm carrying a charge of 5 kept in
water. Find the electric intensity of 10 cm from point situated at a
distance of 10cm from the axis of cylinder if it is immersed in water .
(Kwater = 81)
Solution :
E=
Given : q = 5 = 5
=
R = 1cm = 1 r = 10cm = m
= 0.001110
Kwater = 81
To find : E = ?
Electric field intensity at a point
outside charged conducting
cylinder :
E=
(9) The electric field intensity at a point distant 1m from the
centre of a sphere of radius 25cm is NC. Find the surface charge
density of the sphere placed in air.

Solution :
Given : r = 1 m , R = 25 cm = 25
E = , K = 1,
To find :
Electric field intensity E =

=
10) Find the electric intensity due to a charged cylinder of radius
10cm at a distance of 1m from the axis along a line perpendicular
to axis. The charge per unit length is 1.77C/m, K=2.

= 15.93
Solution:
V/m
Given : R = 10cm =10
r= 1m, K=2, q = 1.77C/m,
To find: E=?
E=
=
=
=9
(11) A uniform charged infinite plane sheet has surface charge
density of 8.85C/. The dielectric constant of the medium
surrounding the plate is 4. find the electric intensity due to
infinite plane sheet.

Solution :
Given : , K=4
To find : E=?
E=
=
= 0.125
E = 1.25V/m
(12) A parallel plate air condenser has an area 2 and
separation between the two plates is 1mm. Find its capacity.
()

Solution :
Given : K=1 for air, A = 2
d= 1mm = 1
To find : C = ?
C=
=
C = 1.77pF