The Electric Field Due to a Point Charge
A Spherically Symmetric Charge Distribution
Electric field outside the sphere
For Electric field in side the sphere total charge is not same
A plot of “E” versus “r” for a uniformly charged insulating
sphere. The electric field inside the sphere varies linearly
with r. The field outside the sphere is the same as that of a
point charge Q located at r 0
point charge Q located at r 0.
Inside the sphere E α r
The Electric Field Due to a Thin Spherical Shell
A Cylindrically Symmetric Charge Distribution
The electric field a distance r from a line of positive charge
of infinite length and constant charge per unit length λ.
φ = endcaps + side
= EdA cos 90 + E.
E dA
the electric field due to a non conducting, infinite plane
of positive charge with uniform surface charge density σ.
CONDUCTORS IN ELECTROSTATIC EQUILIBRIUM
A conductor in electrostatic equilibrium has the following properties:
A conductor in electrostatic equilibrium has the following properties:
1. The electric field is zero everywhere inside the conductor.
2. If an isolated conductor carries a charge, the charge resides on its
surface.
surface
3. The electric field just outside a charged conductor is perpendicular
to the surface of the conductor and has a magnitude σ/ε◦ , where σ
is the surface charge
g
density at that point.
4. On an irregularly shaped conductor, the surface charge density is
greatest at locations where the radius of curvature of the surface is
smallest.
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Electric lines of flux and
Derivation of Gauss’ Law using Coulombs law
• Consider a sphere drawn around a positive point charge.
Evaluate the net flux through the closed surface.
r r
Net Flux = Φ= ∫ E • dA
dA = ∫ E cosθdA = ∫ EdA E II n
Cos 0 = 1
For a Point charge E=kq/r2
Φ= ∫ EdA = ∫ kq /r 2 dA
Φ = kq /r 2 ∫ dA = kq /r 2 (4 πr 2 ) nn̂
dA
Φ = 4 πkq r
C2 dA = nn̂dA
dA dA
4 πk = 1/ε0 where ε0 = 8.85x10 −12
Nm 2
qenc
Φ net = Gauss’ Law
Gauss
ε0
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