Name :

Roll No. :

Topic : Electrostatics
Mohammed
Asif Ph : 9391326657, 64606657

Coulomb’s Law

ELECTROSTATICS
• The branch of physics dealing with charges at rest
• Under electrostatic condition, the electric field inside the metallic conductor remains zero.
• Application in instruments like microphones, cathode ray tube, capacitors, van de Graaff
generator, photocopier, electrostatic shielder etc.

CHARGE
• Benzamin franklin and Milikan
• Fundamental property exhibited due to deficiency or sufficiency of electrons
• Two types of charges : Positive and negative charge
• Unlike charge attract one another and like charges repel
• Exhibit properties like Quantization, superposition, invariance, conservation, induction etc
• Negatively charged bodies : electron sufficient & slightly mass sufficient also

QUANTISATION
• Q = ±ne , wher n is interger
• e = - 1.6 x 10-19C
• Exception : Quark particle
• Not continuous transfer but in discrete packet

OBJECTIVE 1
• How many electrons are there in 1C of charge?
i) 1 ii) 6.25 x 1018 iii) 1.6 x 10-19 iv) None

Solution: (ii)
q 1
n= = −19
= 6.25 ×10 18
e 1.6 ×10

OBJECTIVE 2
• Minimum charge that a body can retain is
i) 1.6 x 10-19C ii) 3.2 x 10-19 iii) 2.4 x 10-19C iv) None
Solution: (i)
The minimum charge that a body can retain is one electronic charge

SUBJECTIVE 3

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• What would be the interaction force between two copper spheres, each of mass 1gm, separated
by the distance 1m, if the total electronic charge in them differs from the total charge of the
nuclei by one percent?
Solution:
Atomic weight of 29 C
63 .5
= 63 .54
1
No. of atoms in 1gm = ×6.023 ×10 23
63 .54
1
No. of electrons = ×6.023 ×10 23 × 29
63 .54
1 1
Charge = ×6.023 ×29 × ×1.6 ×10 −19 C
63 .54 100
(Since 1% of electrons has been transferred)
= 4.39 x 102C
1 q q
F= × 122
4π ε0 r

=
(
9 ×10 9 × 4.39 ×10 2 ) 2

= 1.74 ×10 15 N
(1) 2

• Electric force between two charged particle

⇒ Inversely proportional to the square of separation between the two particles and directed
along the line joining charges
⇒ Proportional to the product of the magnitudes of charges q1 & q2 on the two particles
⇒ Attractive if charges are of opposite sign and repulsive if having same sign
1 q q
• Mathematically, F=
4π ε0
× 122
r
ε 0 = 8.85 ×10 −12 C 2 / Nm 2
1 Nm 2
= 9 ×10 9
4π ε0 C2
Where ε0 is known as permittivity of free space.

• Victorial form

1 q1 q2 ^
→
Force on 2 due to 1 = F2 1 = × .r
4π 0 ε r 2
1 q1 q 2 →
× .r
4πε0 →3
r

→
r should be in direction of Colombian force.

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 → 1 q q →
1 = F21 = × 1 32 r
Force on 2 due to 4πε0 →
r

q1 q2  ( x f − xi ) i+ ( y f − yi ) j+ ( z f − zi ) k
 ^ ^
 ^

1  
= × .
[
4π 0 ( x − x ) 2 + ( y − y ) 2 + ( z − z ) ε
f i f i
3
f i
/ 2
]
OBJECTIVE 4
Calculate the ratio of electrostatic to gravitational interaction between two electrons
Solution:
1 e2 Gm 2
Fe = × 2 Fg =
4π ε0 r r2
Fe e2 × r 2 e2
= =
Fg 4π ε0 r 2 × Gm 2 4π ε0 × Gm 2

=
(
9 ×10 9 × 1.6 ×10 −19 ) 2

≈ 10 42
−11
6.67 ×10 × 9.1×10 ( −31 2
)
Electrostatic force is much stronger compared to gravitational force.

OBJECTIVE 5
A point charge q is situated at a distance ‘d’ from one end of a thin non conducting rod of
length L having a charge Q (uniformly distributed along its length) as shown in figure. Find the
magnitude of electric force between the two.

Solution:
Consider an element of rod, of length d x, at a distance x from the point charge q as shown in
figure. Treating the element as a point charge, the force between q and charge element will be
as:

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 Q
Charge on elementary strip = ×dx
L
Coulombian force acting on strip
1 Q dx × q
= × ×
4πε0 L x2
d +L
1Qq dx
Therefore, F=
4πε0
×
L
× ∫
d
x2

d +L
1 Qq  1
= × × − 
4πε0 L  x
1 Qq  1 1 
= × × − −
4π ε0 L  d d + L 
Qq
=
4π ε0 d ( d + L )

SUBJECTIVE 6
A thin wire ring of radius R has an electric charge q. What will be the charge of the force
stretching the wire if a point charge q0 is placed at the ring’s centre?
Solution:
When the wire is given charge q, it comes in tension, called hoop tension. When another charge
q0 is placed at the centre of the ring, the tension in the wire increases to keep this segment into
equilibrium again.

Consider an elementary strip subtending angle d θ at its centre.

The string is in equilibrium in X-direction. For equilibrium in y-direction,

dθ
Fe = 2T sin ……………(i)
2
q
Charge on elementary strip = × dθ
2π

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 1 q dθ × q0
F= × × …………….(ii)
4π ε0 2π R2
Substituing (ii) in (i)
dθ 1 q q0 .dθ
2T = × ×
2 4π ε0 2π R2
q q0
⇒ T=
8π 2ε 0 R 2

SUBJECTIVE 7
The identical beads each having a mass m and charge q, when placed in hemi spherical bowl of
radius R with frictionless, non-conducting walls, the beads move, and at equilibrium they are at
a distance R apart. Determine the charge on each bead.

Solution:
The bead is under electrostatic equilibrium and force acting are its weight, electrostatic force
and Normal Reaction.

For equilibrium
N sin 600 = mg ………..(i)
2
1 q
N cos 60 0 = × ………..(ii)
4π ε0 R2
Dividing (i) by (ii),
mg × 4π ε0 R 2
tan 60 0 =
q2
4π ε0 mg R 2
⇒ q2 =
3
1/ 2
 4π ε0 mg R 2 
⇒ q = 
2

 3 

SUPERPOSITION

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• The interaction between any two charges completely unaffected by the presence of other
charges
• Net resultant force on any charge equals vectorial sum o coulombian force contributed by
individual particle in surroundings
→ → →
Net force on q1 = F 2 + F 3 + F 4

• All vectorial technique to be applied for calculation of net force.

• For three dimensional distribution of charges, the coulomb’s law in vectorial form should be
used.

OBJECTIVE 8
Three charges q are placed at the vertices of equilateral triangle of side a. Find the electrostatic
force on the charge Q kept at the centroid of triangle.
Solution :
1 Qq
F= × 2
4πε0 r

Since three equal forces are acting at a point making angle of 1200, net resultant force is zero.
Concept : The net force acting on the charge kept at centre of regular polygon is zero due to
charges kept at the vertices provided they are of same magnitude & sign.

OBJECTIVE 9
Five point charges, each of value +q coulomb, are placed on five vertices of a regular hexagon of
side Lm. The magnitude of the force on the point charge of –q coulomb placed at the centre of
hexagon will be:
ii) a / 4 ×ε 0 L iii) 2 q 2 / 4πε0 L2
2 2
i) Zero iv) None of these
Solution :
If there would have been charge at the left vertices also, net force at the centre will be zero.

The coulombian force due to five charge should balance the coulombian force exerted by the
charge dept at left vertices. Force due to all charges should be along OA.
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 1 q2
F= .
4π ε0 L2

OBJECTIVE 10
There equal charges, each equal to q, are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle of side
a find the force on the left most corner of charge q.
Solution:

1 q2
F= .
4π ε0 a 2
The net resultant force
= F1
= F 2 + F 2 + 2 FF cos 60 0 = 3F
q2
= 3,
4π ε0 a 2

OBJECTIVE 11
A charge Q is placed at each of the opposite corner of a square. A charge q is placed at each at
each of the two other two corners. If the resultant force on Q is zero, then:
a) Q = 2q b) Q =− 2q c) Q =2 2q d) Q =−2 2 q
Solution:

1 Qq 1 Q2
F= × F= ×
4π ε0 a2 4π ε0 2a 2
Net resultant = F + 2 F
1 Q 2 
= 2 
+ 2 × Q q = 0
4π ε0 a  2 
Q2
=− 2Qq
2
⇒ Q =−2 2q

OBJECTIVE 12
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 A cube of edge ‘a’ carries a point charge q at each corner. Show that the magnitude of the
resultant force on any one of the charge is
0.261 q 2
F=
ε0 a 2
Solution:
Refer to coulomb’s law in vector form
→
→ q2. r
F = →
4πε0 r 3

2
^
q  ^
− ai
−i
2 
2
→ q
F 41 = × 3
4π 0ε a
4π 0 a   ε
→ 2^→ 2^
q q
F 2 = 1 2  − j  ; F 2 = 12  − k  ;
4π 0a   4π 0a  

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 
^^
→ 2 ai−− aj 2 ^^
q  q  
F3 = 1 3 = 2  − i j
()
4π 0 2a 4π 0× 2 a  
 ^^
q→  − i k → 2 ^^
2

F =  ; F = q  − i k
5 1 7 1 
4π 0× 2 a 4π 0× 2 a  
2 2

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  ^^^

→ q2 ^ ^ ^  
q −−−
2
kji
  
F3 = 1 3 . ai aj−−− ak = 2
()
4π 0× a 3   4π 0× 33 a
According to superposition principle,
→ → → → → →
F = F21 + F41 + F51 + F61 + F81

q   1 1
2 ^^^
= − 2  ++ kji  1+ + 
4π 0a    33 2 ε
→ q2 3 6 + 2 + 3 3  0.261 q 2
F = × 3 .  =
4πε0 a 2  3 2  ε0 a 2
SUBJECTIVE 13

 ^ ^ ^
Two point charges A and B have charges
1
2
C & 2C respectively and position vectors
 i + j+ k  and

 
 ^ ^ ^
 − i − j− k  respectively. Find the force on the charge at A due to B.

 
Solution :
Force on A and to B

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 →
= FAB
1 q A .q B →
= × . BA
4πε0 BA
3

→ →
1 rA −rB 
=9 ×10 9
× ×2 × 
2 →3
BA

  ^ ^ ^
9× 1 ×  20i+ 2 j− 2k
9

=  
( 2 3) 3

9× 1  0 9^ ^ ^
=  2 i× 2 j− 2 k 
2 34 
STRING RELATED PROBLEMS
• Draw the free body diagram of force
• Write down the condition for equilibrium
• Solve the equation after co-relating situation.

SUBJECTIVE 14
Two small charged spheres, each of charge q and each of mass m, are suspended form the same
point by silk threads of length 1
(a) Find the distance between the spheres x, if x < < < 1, for the equilibrium of charges.

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 dQ
(b) If the charge starts leaking form both the spheres at the constant rate dt
, find the
velocity of approach of the spheres.
Solution:
The force acting on the charged spheres are shown in the equilibrium.

T sin θ = F ………..(i)
T cos θ = mg ………..(ii)
Dividing (i) by (ii),
F
tan θ =
mg
If x < < < 1, then tan θ ≈ sin θ
x 1 q2
= × 2
2 l 4πε0 x × mg
q2 l
x3 =
2π ε0 mg
1/ 3
 l 
Or x =  
 . q2/3
 2πε0 mg 
2π ε0 mg 3 / 2
ii) q = .x
l
Differentiating both side with respect to t
dQ 2πε0 mg 3 3 / 2−1 d x
= . .x ×
dt l 2 dt
2πε0 mg 3
= × × x ×V
l 2
2 l ×d θ / at
V =
2π ε0 mg ×3 × 3

SUBJECTIVE 15
If the two balls in the above mentioned problem contains different charges q 1 > q2. The
deflection in the cases are θ1 and θ2 as shown in figure. The two balls are of same mass, then

i) θ1 >θ2 ii) θ2 <θ1 iii) θ1 =θ2 iv) Cannot be predicated

Solution: (iii)

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 F
tan θ = ; since two balls are of same mass and electrostatic force is also same.
mg

SUBJECTIVE 16
Three small balls, each of mass m are suspended separately from a common point by silk
threads, each of length 1. The balls are identically charged and hung at the corners of
equilateral triangle of side a (a < < < 1). What is the charge on each ball?
Solution:
The lengths of the threads are same, the mass of each ball is same, the balls are identically
charged, and the balls are suspended form the same point. Under the equilibrium, the balls will
make an equilateral triangle in a horizontal Plane.
Let ABC be the triangle formed by them.

a 3 a
⇒ = ⇒P =
2P 2 3
The force on one of the balls at c are
(i) Coulombic repulsion by charges at A & B
F1 = F 2 + F 2 + 2 FF ×cos 60 0 = 3 F
q2
= 3×
4π ε0 a 2
ii) mg, acting down ward
iii) Tension in thread
T sin θ = F …………(1)
T cos θ = mg …………(2)
From (1) and (2)

F' 3 ×q2
tan θ = ⇒ tan θ = …………(3)
mg 4π ε0 mg a 2
If tan θ is small, then tan θ ≈ sin θ
a
sin θ = …………(4)
3l
Substituting (4) in equal no. (3),

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 a 3 q2
=
31 4π ε0 mg a
2

4π 0 aε 3 m g
⇒ q2 =
3
4π 0 m
ε ga 3
⇒ q=
3

SUBJECTIVE 17
A particle A having a charge of 5 x 10-7C is fixed in a vertical wall. A second particle B of mass
100g and having equal charge is suspended by a silk thread of length 30cm form the wall. The
point of suspension is 30cm above particle A. Find the angle of the thread with the vertical
when it stays in equilibrium?
Solution:

θ
AB = 2l sin
2
So the electrostatic force between the charge will
1 q2
F= ×
Be 4π ε0  θ
2
…………….(i)
 2l sin 
 2
Lami’s theorem can be applied in order to solve this question
T F mg
= =
sin ( 90 + θ / 2 ) sin (180 − θ ) sin ( 90 0 + θ / 2 )
0 0

T F mg
= =
Or, θ sin θ cos θ / 2
cos
2
θ
∴ F = 2mg sin …………….(ii)
2
Equating (i) and (ii),
θ q2
2mg sin =
2 θ
16π ε0 l 2 × sin 2
2
θ q2
⇒ sin 3
=
2 32π ε0 × mg × l 2
In the given problem,
q = 5 x 10-7C
1
m = 100 g = kg , 1 = 30 cm = 0.3m
10

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 θ 25 ×10 −14 × 9 ×10 9 25
sin 3 = = ×10 −14 × 9 ×10 9
2 8 ×1 × 0.3 × 0.3 8
θ θ
Or sin 3 = 0.0032 or sin 3 = 0.15 θ = 17 0
2 2

CONSERVATION
• Total charge of isolated system remains constant,
• Appearance of charge is due to slight disturbance of electrical neutrality of each.

OBJECTIVE 18
A certain charge Q is to be divided into two parts, q and (Q-q). What is the relationship of Q to
q of the two parts, placed at a given distance apart are to have maximum coulomb repulsion?
Solution:
1 q( Q − q )
F= ×
4π ε0 r2
dF
For F to be maximum, dq = 0 ,
dF 1
= .[ Q − 2q ] = 0
dq 4π ε0 r 2
Q
⇒ Q − 2q = 0 ⇒ q =
2

SUBJECTIVE 19
Two identical oppositely charged metallic sphere placed 0.5m apart attract each other with a
force of 0.108 N. When they are connected by a Cu wire, they begin to repel each other with a
force of 0.036 N. What are the initial charges on them?
Solution:
Let the charge be q1 and q2 before connecting by cu-wire. After connection, charges on each will
 q − q2 
be  1 
 2 
1 q q
× 1 22 = 0.108 ………..(i)
4π ε0 ( 0.5)
2
 q1 − q 2 
 
1  2  …………(ii)
× = 0.036
4π ε0 ( 0 .5 ) 2
After solving these two equations,
q1 = 3 × 10 −6 C q 2 = −10 −6 C

OSCILLATIONS
• Under equilibrium condition, net force on particle = 0
• By displacing slightly, the net force should be restoring in nature.
• If net force ∝ displacement, it will be making SHM
Exampls

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SUBJECITIVE 20
Two particles A and B, each carrying a charge Q, are held fixed with O separation 2l between
them. A particle C having mass m and charge q is kept at the middle points of the line AB.
If the particle c is displaced through a distance x and x <<<1, then find the condition of SHM,
oscillation and also the time period of oscillation.
Condition –I: If it is displaced along the line AB
Condition –II: If it is displaced perpendicular to the line AB.
Solution:
Condition –I: The particle has to be positive in sign for oscillation along the axis.

Suppose the particle C is displaced by small distance x.

Net force towards the centre = FB - FA

Qq  1 1  Q q  4l x 
=  − =  
4π ε0  ( l − x ) 2
( l − x ) 2  4π ε0  l 2 − x 2
( ) 2

If x <<< 1, then oscillation will become SHM.
Q q ×4 l x Qq
ma = a= ×x
4πε0 l 4
π ε0m l 3
Qq 2π π ε0 m l 3
ω= T = = 2π
π ε0 m l 3 ω Qq
Condition-II: The particle C has to be negative in sign in order to have restoring force along
perpendicular bisector.

Net restoring force = 2F cos θ

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 Qq x
= 2× ×
(
4π ε0 x + l
2 2
) (
x +l2
2
)1/ 2

Qq x
=
( )
4π ε0 x 2 + l 2
3/ 2

If x <<< l, oscillation will become SHM

Q qx Qq x
ma = or a =
4π ε0 l 3
4π ε0 ml 3
Qq 2πε0 ml
Or ω = T 1 = 2π
1

4π ε0 m l 3 Qq
Equatorial oscillation is having time period 2 times compared to axial oscillation.

SUBJECTIVE 21
Three particles each carrying charge are placed at the vertices of triangle of side ‘a’ A fourth
particle of charge –q and mass m is kept at the centroid of the triangle and then displaced by
very small distance x along the vertical direction.
Find the time period of oscillation.
Solution :
When charged particle is kept at centroid, the net electrostatic force on it will be zero. Taking
centroid as origin of Co-ordinate system, the co-ordinates of points is as follows:

Taking vector from of coulomb’s law

 a ^ a ^ ^
 i − j− x k 
→ Qq 2
F1 =  23 
4π 0  2 a  2 3/ 2
ε
 x + 
 3
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  a ^ a ^ ^
 − i − j− x k 
→ Qq 2
F2 =  23 
4π 0  2 a2  3/2 ε
 x + 
 3
 a ^ ^
 j− x k 
→ Qq
F3 =  3 
4π 0  2 a2  /3 2 ε
 x + 
 3
^
→ → → → Q q × 3x k
F = F1 + F2 + F3 = 3/ 2
 2 a2 
4π ε0  x + 
 3 
3Q q × x ×3 3
If x <<< a, ma =
4πε0 × a 3
9 3 Q q ×x 9 3Qq
a= ; ω=
4πε0 ma 3 4π ε0 ma 3
4π ε0 ma 3
T = 2π
9 3 Qq

SUBJCTIVE 22
Two free particles with charge +q and +4q are at a distance L apart. A third charge is placed so
that the entire system is in equilibrium. Find the location, magnitude and sign of third charge?

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Solution:
Third charge can be of any sign for its equilibrium. But it has to be negative in order to make
force on q and 4q equal to zero. Then only the entire system will be in equilibrium. For net
force on –Q1 to be zero.
1 Qq 1 Q×4q L−x
× 2 = × ⇒ =2
4π ε0 x 4π ε0 ( L − x ) 2
x
⇒ L − x = 2x ⇒ x = L / 3
For net force on q to be zer,
1 Qq 1 4 q2 4q
× = × or Q =
4π ε0 ( L / 3) 2 4π ε0  2 L  2 9
 
 3 

EFFECT OF MEDIUM
• In medium the electrostatic force reduces by factor of K (dielectric constant)
•
• If charge is kept in interfacing media, then effective distance has to be calculated for calculation
of force

Effective distance = k1 r1 + k 2 r2
q1 q 2
Force in interfacing media =
4π ε 0 [ k1 r1 + k 2 r2 ] 2

OBJECTIVE 23
If charge q1 and q2 kept in interfacing media of three different dielectric constant 9, 81 and air.
The thickness of each median in interfacing system is equal. If the distance between the charge
is r. Then the coulomb force acting between than.
Solution:
The effective distance in medium = k ×r
Net effective distance

r r r r
= 9+ 81 + = ( 3 + 9 + 1) = 13 r
3 3 3 3 3
Colombian force
1 q q 9q1 q 2
= × 1 2 2 =
4π ε0 (13r / 3) 4π ε0 × 169 r 2

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SUBJECTIVE 24
Two balls each having a density d are suspended form Q common point by two insulated string
of equal length. Both the balls have same mass and charge. In equilibrium, each string makes
θ angle with the vertical. Both the balls are immersed in a liquid. As a result, angle does not
change. The density of liquid is ρ . Find the dielectric strength?
Solution:
Refer to concept section,

F
tan θ = …….. (i)
vdg
When the system is immersed in liquid medium, then the force (electrostatic) becomes F/K and
upward thrust acts on the system.
F
tan θ = …….. (ii)
k .v ( d − ρ) g

Equating (i) and (ii)

1 1 d
= ⇒k=
d k( d − ρ ) d−ρ

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