Electrostatics

Electrostatics is the study of electric charges at rest or moving at slow speeds.

What is an electric charge?
An electric charge is a property that, when possessed by an object, makes the object to
create and respond to an electric field. (Electric field due to or felt by a stationary or slow
moving charge is known as the electrostatic field)

A field is a region in space in which each point is affected by a force. Thus, an

electrostatic field is a space region for which every point is under the influence
of some electrostatic force. Visualisation of the magnitude and direction of a
field at any point is shown by a representation known as a field line.
Note. We shall here use electrostatic field and electric field interchangeably.

Electric charge of a substance is measured in coulombs, for which we use letter C.

There are two types of electric charge: positive electric charge and negative electric charge.
Positive electric charge is that charge for which electric field lines always point away from it,
while a negative electric charge has field lines pointing towards it.

+ -

The source of negative charge are electrons of an atom. Magnitude of am electron charge,
qe = - 1.6 × 10-19 C. The source of positive charge are protons (also found within an atom),
for which qp = + 1.6 × 10-19 C. Any charge found in nature is as a result of a difference of the
number of electrons to the number of protons of an object.
For negative charge: Q = n(excess electrons)qe; and for positive charge: Q = n(excess protons)qp.
e.g. 1 An object has a charge of + 6.0 C
1.1 Does the object have more electrons than protons? (Give a reason for your
answer)

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 1.2 What is the number of the excess charged particles?

Soln.
1.1 Since the charge of the object is positive, there are more protons than
electrons. If there were more electron, the charge would be negative.
1.2 n(excess protons) = (+ 6.0 C)/( + 1.6 × 10-19 C) = 3.75 × 1019 extra protons.

Electrostatic force and electric field strength

A positively charged particle repels and is repelled by another positively charged particle;
and similarly, negatively charged particles repel each other.
Positive and negative charges always attract each other.

Whether charges attract or repel each other, can be shown using field lines.
If an arrow direction is continuous from one charge to another, the two
charges attract each other; and if not, they repel each other.
Magnitude of the electrostatic force, F12 between two charges, q1 and q2, which are
separated by a straight line distance r12 can be determined with the aid of a law due to
Charles de Coulomb, known as the Coulomb’s law.

Coulomb’s law: Two electric charges attract each other, if they are unlike, and
repel, when they are alike. The magnitude of this force, known as electrostatic
force, is directly proportional to the charges magnitudes, but inversely
proportional to the square of their separation distance.

Based on Coulomb’s law, magnitude of the electrostatic force, F, exerted by two charges q1
and q2 upon each other, which are separated by a straight line distance, r12, can be
𝑞 𝑞
determined by: 𝐹12 = 𝑘 𝑟12 2 , where k = 8.99 × 109 N.m2.C-2, and is known as the Coulomb
12
1
constant. (k = , where ԑo = 8.85 × 10-12 C2.N-1.m-2 and is known as permittivity of free
4𝜋ԑ𝑜
space)

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e.g. 2 Two charges, q1 = + 5.6 µC and q2 = - 4.2 µC are located on the on a plane along the
x-axis at x = - 2.0 cm and x = + 3.5 cm, respectively.
2.1 How much force does each charge exerts on the other?
2.2 If another positive charge is placed along the x-axis; at which point should it
be placed so that net force upon it, due to q1 and q2, is 0.0 N?
2.3 If q3 = - 3.3 µC is located along the y axis, at y = -0.8 cm; what is the
magnitude and direction of the net electric force due to the other two
charges?

Soln. 2.1 F1/2 F2/1

q1 q2
2.0 cm 3.5 cm

q1 = + 5.6 × 10-6 C, q2 = - 4.2 × 10-6 C and r12 = 5.5 × 10-2 m

𝑞1 𝑞2
|F1/2| = | F2/1| = F = 𝑘 2 = 69.9 N
𝑟12

2.2 Suppose that third charge, q, is located a distance ‘r’ to the right of charge q2
= - 4.2 µC, and (r + 5.5 cm) of q1 = - 5.6 µC.

q1 q2 F3/2 q F3/1

r
5.5 cm + r

We have Fnet = F3/1 + F3/2 = 0.0 N

𝑞1 𝑞 𝑞2 𝑞
+ 𝑘 2 - 𝑘 = 0.0 N (taking all charges to be positive as
(0.055+ 𝑟) 𝑟2
directions of the forces have been considered)
𝑞1 𝑞2
+ - = 0.0 N
(0.055+ 𝑟)2 𝑟2
5.6r2 - 4.2r2 - 0.47r – 0.013 = 0.0
r=

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 2.3
q1 2.0 cm 3.5 cm q2
0.8 cm
F3/1

F3/2

q1 = + 5.6 × 10-6 C, q2 = - 4.2 × 10-6 C and q3 = - 3.3 × 10-6 C;

r3/2 = √(3.52 + 0.82 ) cm = 3.6 × 10-2 m and r3/1 = √(2.02 + 0.82 ) cm =
2.2 × 10-2 m

Force x-component y-component

F3/1 2.0 0.8
-343.25×(2.2) N +343.25×(2.2) N
F3/1 3.5 0.8
-257.44×(3.6) N -257.44×(3.6) N
Fnet -562.33 N +67.61 N

Therefore, Fnet =

When an object of charge q is in an electric field due to another charge, Q, the strength of
this electric field is proportional to the electrostatic force between q and Q. It can basically
be stated as the ratio of the force per magnitude of charge q; i.e. electric field strength felt
by q: E= 𝑭⁄𝑞. Direction of the field strength is the same as that of the electrostatic force
acting on charge q due to Q.
Note: Magnitude of the electric field strength at distance r from the source can be
𝑘𝑄
determined by E = ⁄𝑟 2.(towards negatively charged Q).

e.g. 3 From e.g. 2.3 above, what is the net electric field strength at the origin?

Soln. E1 E2
0.8 cm 3.5 cm q2
q1
E3 2.0 cm

Enet = E1 + E2 + E3

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 𝑞 𝑞2
Therefore, Enet(x) = E1(x) + E2(x) + E3(x) = k(𝑟 21 + + 0.0) =
1 𝑟22

𝑞3
and Enet(y) = E1(y) + E2(y) + E3(y) = k(0.0 + 0.0 + )=
𝑟32

2 2
Thus, magnitude of Enet = √𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑥) + 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑦) = and
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑦)
direction, Ɵ = tan−1 ( ⁄𝐸 )
𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑥)

Suppose, we have two large oppositely charged plates of the same

magnitude, which are separated by a small distance ‘d’. An electric
field shall be formed between the plates. Away from the edges of
the plates, the electric field shall be uniform throughout between
the plates, and is directed perpendicular to the areal surfaces.
𝑄
Magnitude of the electric field is given by E = , where
ԑ𝑜 𝐴
A is the area of each plate (assuming they are equal) and ԑo is the
permittivity of free space

Quiz. Is the potential constant throughout the space two parallel oppositely charged plates
of equal magnitude?

Electric potential and potential at a point

Whenever an object is subjected to a force due to its location in a field, it possesses a
potential energy linked to that field. (Like in a case of an object with mass in a gravitational
field, it possesses a gravitational potential energy, given by Ug = F × d = mgd, where d is the
distance between two masses or distance from the object to a reference point).
𝑞𝑄
Thus, a point charge, q, experiencing an electrostatic force, F = 𝑘 , due electric charge Q,
𝑟2
𝑞𝑄
shall have electric potential energy given by UE = F × r = 𝑘 .
𝑟

Magnitude of electric potential energy per magnitude of a charge, q, at a point in space, is

known as the electric potential at that point, V (due to Q ).
𝑞𝑄 𝑄
Electric potential, V = UE /q = (𝑘 ÷ q) = 𝑘 𝑟 , and is measured in volts (V).
𝑟

The magnitude of the electric potential energy and potential of a charged particle, q,
changes as it changes its position from point to point within an electric field,
Whenever potential energy of an object undergoes a change, work is done (i.e. object
changes its location within the field). For a charge that undergoes a potential energy change

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from point A to point B, work is done by the charge is given by: work(from A to B = - (UB – UA).
This leads to VB – VA = - q(workAB)
The difference of the potential between points A and B, VAB is known as potential difference
𝑘𝑄⁄ 𝑘𝑄
between the two points: VAB = 𝑟𝐴𝐵 = ⁄(𝑟 − 𝑟 )
𝐴 𝐵

If a positive charge, q, is placed in a uniform electric field E (e.g., the field between two
oppositely charged, parallel conducting plates that are a distance Δs apart). Upon moving q
from a negative plate towards the positive one require work to be done against the field.
The potential difference, V , between the plates is given by: V = 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘⁄𝑞 = (F.Δs)/q =
(qEΔs)/q = EΔs.

Quiz. Given two parallel oppositely charged plates of equal magnitude that are separated
by a small distance:
i. Is the electric field constant throughout between the plates?
ii. Does electric potential vary between the plates?
iii. How much work is required to move a positive charge from a negative to a
positive plate?

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Tutorials

1. Newton’s universal law of gravitation and Coulomb’s law have what in common?
A. Force depends on electric charge.
B. Magnitude of the force is proportional to a constant.
C. Force depends on distance.
D. Force is attractive.
E. They apply to bodies that have both mass and charge.

2. A 2.0 cg negatively charged particle is placed at a midpoint between two horizontal

parallel plates, which are 0.1 mm apart. The top plate’s charge is +12.0 mC, while the
bottom’s is -12.0 mC. If the particle does not move, what is its charge?
A. +4.7 × 10-3 C
B. -0.9 × 10-3 C
C. -2.3 × 10-3 C
D. -1.4 × 10-3 C
E. +6.9 × 10-3 C

3. Charges can be located at distance d from the location of charge Q. Which

combination of charges shall feel equal electric field strength, due to Q, when they
are at d?
A. + 5 × 10-9 C and - 5 × 10-9 C
B. + 5 × 10-9 C and + 5 × 10-19 C
C. + 5 × 10-19 C and + 10 × 10-19 C
D. All the above
E. None of the above

4. If a charge is placed at infinity, it's potential is

A. Zero
B. Infinite
C. 1
D. -1
E. Any value

5. When a charge is released in an electric field, its electric potential energy

A. changes from higher magnitude to lower
B. remains constant
C. changes from lower magnitude to higher
D. magnitude change depends on the sign of the charge
E. magnitude change depends on its initial location in the field

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 6. If a system is made of a positive charge traveling towards another positively charged
object, which is stationary; what happens to (a) the kinetic energy of the moving
charge, and (b) total energy of the system?
A. (a) Does not change, (b) Increases.
B. (a) Decreases (b) Does not change
C. (a) Increases (b) Decreases
D. (a) Does not change (b) Decreases
E. (a) Decreases (b) Does not change

7. Two charges attract each other with a force of 1.5 N. What will be the force if the
distance between them is reduced to one-fourth of its original value?

8. A rectangle has a height of d and length 2d. Charge +q 1 is located at the bottom left
corner, +q2 at the top right corner and -6.0 nC at the bottom right corner. The net
electric field at the top left corner is zero. Determine the magnitudes of q 1 and q2.

9. A uniform electric field of 1500 N.C-1 points to the left as shown.

A

10 cm
6 cm

B 8 cm C

9.1 What is the difference in potential (VBA) between points B and A?

9.2 What is the difference in potential (VBC) between points B and C?
9.3 How much work is done to move a 1 C charge from C to A?
9.4 Is it possible to determine the value of the electric potential at point A? If not,
explain why?

10. The electric potential at a point that is halfway between two identical charged
particles is 600 V. What is the potential at a point that is 33.33% of the way from one
particle to the other?
+ 1.5 nC

11. The figure on the right shows three point charges

located on the x-y plane.
11.1 What is the net electrostatic force on a +1.0 nC
A
2.0 cm

charge located at + 1.0 cm, along the y-axis?

11.2 Determine the net electric field strength at
midpoint between two charges along x-axis?
11.3 What is the electric potential energy of
a unit charge located at point A? - 2.0 cm + 1.5 nC
- 1.5 nC
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 12. How much voltage must be used to accelerate a proton so that it has sufficient
energy to just penetrate a silicon nucleus. (A silicon nucleus has 14 protons and its
radius is about 3.9 × 10-15 m, while that of a single proton is 1.2 × 10-15 m.)

13. A proton, of mass 1.67 x 10-27 kg, enters the

region between parallel plates a distance
20 cm apart. There is a uniform electric field
of 3 x 105 V.m-1 between the plates, as shown
in the figure on the right. If the initial speed
of the proton is 5 x 106 m.s-1, what is its final
speed?

14. The potential at location A is 521 V. A positively charged particle is released there
from rest and arrives at location B with speed v. The potential at location C is 875 V,
and when released from rest at this point, it arrives at B at speed 2v. Find the
potential at B.

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