1

Chapter 11:Electrostatics
The study of electric
charges at rest, the
forces between them
and the electric fields
associated with them.
2
CHAPTER 11
ELECTROSTATICS (4 HOURS)
LESSON 1
OBJECTIVE:
a) Identify types of charges

b) State Coulomb's Law



c) Apply Coulombs Law for a system of point charges
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
0
4 r
Qq
F
tc
2
r
kQq
F =
3
Electrostatics - is the study of electrical charges in static
condition.

- a matter consists of positively
charged nucleus and negatively charged
electrons at outer region of the matter.


4
11.1.1 Identify type of charges


The electric charge has the following important properties :
There are two kinds of charges in nature positive and negative
charge.

opposite sign attract one another attractive force.
same sign repel one another repulsive force.

The total charge in an isolated system is constant
(conserved) Principle of conservation of charges

Charge is quantized.


5

The force between two charges is inversely proportional to
the distance between two charges.

The number of charges is conserved
- Charge is not created, only exchanged
- Objects become charged because negative charge is
transferred from one object to another



11.1.1 Identify type of charges
6
11.1.2 Coulombs Law
States the magnitude of the electrostatic (Coulomb/electric)
force between two point charges is proportional to the
product of the charges and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.











+ +
r
2
q
Q
F

7


Mathematically,






charges point o between tw distance : r
2
k
r
Qq
F =
-2 2 9
C m N 10 0 9 constant (Coulomb) tic electrosta : k x . =
2
r
Qq
F
where
force (Coulomb) tic electrosta of magnitude : F
charge of magnitude : , q Q
8

Since






0
4
1
k
tc
=
, hence the Coulombs law can be written as
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
2
0
4
1
r
Qq
F
tc
where
air) or (vacuum space free of ty permittivi :
0
c
) . (
2 1 2 12
0
m N C 10 x 85 8

= c
9

If q
1
and q
2
are charges of opposite sign, the force (F) acting
on each charge is attractive as shown in figure below.




This mean that F is directed towards the neighbouring
charge and will result in both charges moving towards each
other.
If q
1
and q
2
are both positive or both negative charges, the
force (F) acting on each charge is repulsive.
This mean that F is directed away from the neighbouring
charge and will result in a separation of the two charges if
they are free to move.
+
r
-
2
q
1
q
F

10
Example 1 :
Two point charges, q
1
=-20 nC and q
2
=90 nC, are separated by a
distance of 4.0 cm as shown in figure below.



Find the magnitude and direction of
a. the electric force that q
1
exerts on q
2
.
b. the electric force that q
2
exerts on q
1
.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Solution: q
1
=2.0 10
-8
C, q
2
=9.0 10
-8
C, r=4.0 10
-2
m



2 1 F
12
charge on charge by force :

-
cm 0 . 4
+ 2
q
1
q
-
cm 0 . 4
+ 2
q
1
q
12
F

21
F

where
1 2 F
21
charge on charge by force :

11
a. By applying the Coulombs law equation :






b. By using the Coulombs law equation :



Conclusion :
The magnitude of both forces is the same but opposite in direction
obey the Newtons third law.

The characteristic of electric force exert on both charges is
attractive force.
2 2
8 8 9
12
) 10 4 (
) 10 0 . 9 )( 10 0 . 2 )( 10 0 . 9 (

= F
21 12
F F

=
2
2 1
12
k
r
q q
F =

N 10 0 . 1
2
12

= F
Direction : to the left (q
1
)
2
1 2
21
k
r
q q
F =

N 10 0 . 1
2
21

= F
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
12

Example 2 :
Two rain drop A and B falling side by side 10mm
apart carry charges of +4.0 pC and 5.0 pC
respectively. What is the force which one rain drop
act on the other?
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)


-
mm 0 . 10
+
2
q
1
q
13
SOLUTION:

By applying the Coulombs law equation :






By using the Coulombs law equation :



Conclusion :
This is an attractive force since the two rain drop are
oppositely charged.

2 3
12 12 9
12
) 10 10 (
) 10 0 . 5 )( 10 0 . 4 )( 10 0 . 9 (

= F
2
2 1
12
k
r
q q
F =

N 10 8 . 1
9
12

= F
Direction : to the left (q
1
)
2
1 2
21
k
r
q q
F =

N 10 8 . 1
9
21

= F
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
14





Example 2 : (exercise)
Two point charges are placed on the x-axis as follows :
Charge q1 = +4.00 nC is located at x = 0.200 m, charge q2 = +5.00 nC is at
x = -0.300 m. Find the magnitude and direction of the total electric force
exerted by these two charges on a negative point charge q3 = -6.00 nC that
is placed at the origin.
(Young & freedman,pg.829,no.21.20)
(Given c0=8.85 x 10-12 C2 N-1 m-2)
Ans. : 2.4 N to the right

15
CHAPTER 11
ELECTROSTATICS (4 HOURS)
LESSON 2
OBJECTIVE:
a) Explain electric Field
b) Define electric field strength,

c) Sketch the electric field lines of isolated point charge,
two charges and parallel plate of uniform charge.

o
q
F
E

=
16
11.2 Electric Field
Definition is defined as a region of space around isolated charge
where an electric force is experienced if a positive
test charge placed in the region.

Electric field around charges can be represented by drawing a series
of lines. These lines are called electric field lines (lines of force).

The direction of electric field is tangent to the electric field line at each
point.




17
Figures below show the electric field patterns around the charge.

a. Single positive charge



(the lines point radially inward
toward the charge)
b. Single negative charge
(the lines point radially outward
from the charge)
+q
-q
Field direction
18


c. Two equal point charges of opposite sign, +q and q











+q -q
(the lines are curved and they are directed
from the positive charge to the negative
charge.
Field direction
19

d. Two equal positive charges, +q and + q

(point X is neutral point )
is defined as a point (region) where the total
electric force is zero.
It lies along the vertical dash line.
+q +q
X
Field direction
20


e. Two opposite unequal charges, +2q and q














(note that twice as many lines leave +2q as there
are lines entering q, number of lines is
proportional to magnitude of charge.)
+2q -q
Field direction
21
f. Two opposite charged parallel metal plates
The electric field lines are perpendicular to the surface of
the metal plates.
The lines go directly from positive plate to the negative
plate.
22



The properties of electric field lines:

the field points in the direction tangent to the field line at
any point

closer the lines, the stronger the field.

Electric field lines start on positive charges and end on
negative charges, and the number starting or ending is
proportional to the magnitude of the charge.

The field lines never cross because the electric field dont
have two value at the same point.
23

g. Two equal negative charges, -q and -q (exercise).








h. Two unequal negative charges, -2q and -q (exercise).




-q
-q
-q
-2q
24

g. Two equal negative charges, +q and -q (exercise).








h. Two unequal negative charges, -2q and +q (exercise).




+q
-q
+q
-2q
25
11.2.1Electric Field Strength (intensity),

The electric field strength at a point,

Definition is defined as the electric (electrostatic) force per unit
positive charge that acts at that point in the same
direction as the force.


Mathematically,







It is a vector quantity.
The units of electric field strength is N C
-1
or V m
-1
.

E

0
q
F
E =
force electric the of magnitude : F
where
charge test of magnitude :
0
q
strength field electric the of magnitude : E
E

26
11.2.1Electric Field Strength (intensity),

Since
E

2
0
r
kqq
F =
, then the equation above can be written as
|
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
0
2
0
q
r
kqq
E
2
r
kq
E =
or
2
0
r 4
q
E
tc
=
where
charge point isolated of magnitude : q
charge point isolated and point e between th distance : r
27
Note :
The direction of the electric field strength, E depends on the sign
of isolated point charge.
The direction of the electric force, F depends on the sign of
isolated point charge and test charge. For example
A positive isolated point charge.
a. positive test charge







b. negative test charge



q
) ( ve q
0
+
E

r
q
) ( ve q
0

E

r
28
A negative isolated point charge.
a. positive test charge







b. negative test charge







In the calculation of magnitude E, substitute the magnitude of
the charge only.
q
) ( ve q
0
+
E

r
q
) ( ve q
0

E

r
29
Example 3 :
A small object carrying a charge of +20 C
experiences a force of 6.0 10
5
N at angle 30
0
when
placed at a point in an electric field. What are the
magnitude and direction of the electric field at that
point?
Solution:




qE F =
q
F
E =
C 10 20
N 10 0 . 6
6
5

= E
1
NC 3

= E
30
Example 4 :
Two point charges, q
1
=1 C and q
2
=-4 C, are placed 2 cm and 3 cm
from the point A respectively as shown in figure below.



Find
a. the magnitude and direction of the electric field intensity at point A.
b. the total electric force exerted on q
0
=-4 C if it is placed at point A.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Solution: q
1
=1 C, q
2
=4 C, q
0
=4 C, r
1
=2x10
-2
m, r
2
=3x10
-2
m




a. By applying the equation of electric field strength, the magnitude of
E at point A.
Due to q
1
:

+ - 2
q
1
q
cm 2 cm 3
A
+ - 2
q
1
q
cm 2 cm 3
A
1 A
E

2 A
E

2 2
9
2
1
1
1 A
10 x 2
1 10 x 0 9
r
kq
E
) (
) )( . (

= =
1 13
1 A
C N 10 x 25 2 E

= .
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
31
Due to q
2
:



therefore the electric field strength at point A due to the charges is
given by





b. From the definition of the electric field strength,


thus the total electric force exerted on q
0
is given by
2 2
9
2
2
2
2 A
10 x 3
4 10 x 0 9
r
kq
E
) (
) )( . (

= =
1 13
2 A
C N 10 x 4 E

=
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
2 A 1 A A
E E E

+ =
0
A
A
q
F
E =
13 13
A
10 x 4 10 x 25 2 E + = .

1 13
A
C N 10 x 25 6 E

= .

Direction : to the right (q

2
)
A 0 A
E q F =
N 10 x 5 2 F
14
A
. =
) . )( (
13
A
10 x 25 6 4 F =
Direction : to the left (q
1
)
32
CHAPTER 11
ELECTROSTATICS (4 HOURS)
LESSON 3
OBJECTIVE:
a) Explain quantitatively with the aid of a diagram the
motion of a charge in a electric field.

33
Direction of a moving charge which is parallel to
E

E
Charges are released in an electric field
The positive charge moves in the direction of
the field
+

+

+

+
-

-

-

-
34









Direction of a moving charge which is parallel to
E

Charges are released in an electric field

The negative charge moves in the opposite direction
+

+

+

+

+

+
-

-

-

-

-

-
35
Charges are projected perpendicularly into the field. Positive charge
moves along the line downwards.
The negative charge moves upward.
36
CHAPTER 11
ELECTROSTATICS (4 HOURS)
LESSON 4
OBJECTIVE:
a) Define electric potential.
b) Use for a point charge and a system of charges.

c) Define potential different between two points.

d) Use to calculate the potential difference
between point A and point B

r
Q
V
o
tc 4
=
B A AB
V V V =
0 q
W
V =
37



Electric potential, V of a point in the electric field

Definition is defined as the work done in bringing positive test
charge from infinity to that point in the electric field.



or





0
q
W
V =
then the equation above can be written as
done work : W
charge test :
0
q
where
r
kqq
W
0
=

11.3 Electric Potential, V

38




Since
0
0
q
r
kqq
V
|
.
|

\
|
=
or
r
q
4
1
V
0
|
|
.
|

\
|
tc
=
r
kq
V =
charge point : q
charge point the point with e between th distance : r
where
space free of ty permittivi :
0
c ) . (
2 1 2 12
0
m N C 10 x 85 8

= c
11.3 Electric Potential, V
39
Electric potential is a scalar quantity.
The S.I. unit for electric potential is the Volt (V) or
J C
-1
.
The total electric potential at a point in space is
equal to the algebraic sum of the constituent
potentials at that point.


40


Note :

The theoretical zero of electric potential of a charge is at
infinity.

The electric potential energy of a positively charged particle
increases when it moves to a point of higher potential.

The electric potential energy of a negatively charged
particle increases when it moves to a point of lower
potential.



41


Since charge q can be positive or negative, the electric
potential can also be positive or negative.

work done is negative work done by the electric force
(system).

work done is positive work done by the external force
or on the system.

In the calculation of V, the sign of the charge must be
substituted in the equation of V.


42
Example 5 :
Figure below shows a point A at distance 10 m from the positive point
charge, q=5C.



Calculate the electric potential at point A and describe the meaning of
the answer.
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Solution: q=5 C, r=10 m
By applying the equation of the electric potential at a point,
) 10 (
) 5 )( 10 0 . 9 (
9

= =
r
kq
V
A
1 9
@ 10 5 . 4

= C J V V
A
Meaning : 4.5 10
9
joule of work is done in bringing 1 C positive
charge from infinity to the point A.
+
q
A
m 10
43
Example 6 :
Two point charges, q
1
=+0.3 C and q
2
=-0.4 C are separated by a
distance of 6 m as shown in figure below.



Calculate
a. the electric field strength and
b. the electric potential
at point A ( 3 m from the charge q
1
).
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Solution: q
1
=+0.3 C, q
2
=-0.4 C





a. By applying the equation of electric field strength, the magnitude of
E at point A.
Due to q
1
:
+ - 2
q
1
q
A
m 6
+ - 2
q
1
q
A
m 3 r
1
= m 3 r
2
=
1 A
E

2 A
E

2
9
2
1
1
1
) 3 (
) 3 . 0 )( 10 0 . 9 (
= =
r
kq
E
A
1 8
1
10 3

= C N E
A
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
44
Due to q
2
:



therefore the electric field strength at point A due to the charges is
given by




b. By applying the equation of electric potential, the value of V at point
A is

2
9
2
2
2
2
) 3 (
) 4 . 0 )( 10 0 . 9 (
= =
r
kq
E
A
1 8
2
C N 10 4

=
A
E
Direction : to the right (q
2
)
2 A 1 A A
E E E

+ =
2 A 1 A A
V V V + =
8 8
10 4 10 3 + =
A
E

1 8
C N 10 7

=
A
E

Direction : to the right (q

2
)
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + =
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
A
r
q
r
q
k
r
kq
r
kq
V
( )
(

|
.
|

\
|

+
|
.
|

\
|
=
3
4 . 0
3
3 . 0
10 0 . 9
9
A
V
V 10 3
8
=
A
V
45
Example 7 :
Two point charges, q
1
=+12 nC and q
2
=-12 nC are separated by a
distance of 8 cm as shown in figure below.






Determine the electric potential at point P( 6 cm from the charge q
2
).
(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)
Solution: q
1
=+1210
-9
C, q
2
=-12 10
-9
C

1
q
+ -
2
q
P
m 8 c
m 6 c
1
q
+ -
2
q
P
m 10 8
2

m 10 6
2
2

= r
m 10 10
2
1

= r
46


By applying the equation of electric potential, the value of V at point P is





2 P 1 P P
V V V + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = + =
2
2
1
1
2
2
1
1
P
r
q
r
q
k
r
kq
r
kq
V
V 720 =
P
V
47
Potential Difference
Potential difference between two points in an electric field,
Definition is defined as the work done in bringing a positive test
charge from a point to another point in the electric field.
From the figure 3.8a, the potential difference between point A and B, V
AB

is given by












0
BA
AB
q
W
V =
B A AB
V V V =
and
0
BA
B A
q
W
V V =
or
A. point to B point from
charge test positive bringing in done work :
BA
W
where
A point at potential electric :
A
V
B point at potential electric :
B
V
charge test :
0
q
48
Note :
If the positive test charge moving from point A to point B, thus the
potential difference between this points is given by









therefore

0
q
W
V V V
AB
A B BA
= =
B. point A to point from
charge test positive bringing in done work :
AB
W
where
A point and B point between difference potential :
BA
V
BA AB
V V =
49

Example 9:

Two point charges q
1
=+2.40 nC and q
2
=-6.50 nC are 0.100 m
apart. Point A is midway between them, point B is 0.080 m
from q
1
and 0.060 m from q
2
as shown in figure below.











(Given Coulombs constant, k = 9.0 x 10
9
N m
2
C
-2
)

1
q
+ -
2
q
B
A
m 060 0 .
m 080 0 .
m 050 0. m 050 0 .
Find
a. the electric potential at point A,
b. the electric potential at point B,
c. the work done by the electric field
on a charge of 2.5 nC that travels
from point B to point A.
(Young &
freedman,pg.900,no.23.21)
50

Solution:
q
1
=+2.4010
-9
C, q
2
=-6.50 10
-9
C,
r
1A
=r
2A
=0.050 m, r
1B
=0.080 m , r
2B
=0.060 m

a. By applying the equation of electric potential, the value of V
at point
A is

A 2 A 1 A
V V V + =
V 738 V
A
=
A 2
2
A 1
1
A
r
kq
r
kq
V + =
51
b. By applying the equation of electric potential, the
value of V at point
B is




c. Given q
0
=2.5010
-9
C
The work done in bringing charge, q
0
from point B to
point A is
given by



B 2 B 1 B
V V V + =
V 750 V
B
=
B 2
2
B 1
1
B
r
kq
r
kq
V + =
AB 0 BA
V q W =
J 10 3
8
W
BA

=
) (
B A 0 BA
V V q W =
52

Example 10 :
A test charge q
0
=+2.3x10
-4
C is 5 cm from a point charge q. A work done
of +4 J is required to overcome the electrostatic force to bring the test
charge q
0
to a distance
8 cm from charge q.
Calculate :
a. the potential difference between point 8 cm and 5 cm from the point
charge, q.
b. the value of charge q.
c. the magnitude of the electric field strength for charge q
0
at point 5 cm
from the charge q
(given Coulombs constant, k = 9.010
9
N m
2
C
-2
)

53

Solution: q
0
=+2.3010-4 C




a. Given WAB= +4J,
From the figure above, rA= 510-2 m, rB= 8 10-2 m
By applying the equation of potential difference, the value of VBA is

0
AB
BA
q
W
V =
V 10 74 . 1
4
V
BA
=
q
B
A
m 10 5
2

m 10 8
2

e
F

54
b. The electric potential at point A due to point
charge, q :




) 10 5 (
q ) 10 9 ( k
2
9

= =
A
A
r
q
V
q 10 8 . 1
11
=
A
V
55
The electric potential at point B due to point charge, q :



The potential difference between point A and B is





c. By using the equation of electric field strength, thus

V V V
BA AB
10 74 . 1
4
= =
B A AB
V V V =
C 10 58 . 2
7
q

=
q 10 x 125 . 1 q 10 x 8 . 1 10 x 74 . 1
11 11 4
=
2
k
A
A
r
q
E =
and
1 5
C N 10 29 . 9

= E
A
q 10 125 . 1
) 10 8 (
q ) 10 9 ( k
11
2
9
=

= =

B
B
r
q
V