Electrostatic Fields

Coulombs law and Electric Field Intensity

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Coulombs law
Coulomb stated that the force between two very small objects
separated in a free space by a distance R proportional to the charge
on each (Q1 and Q2) and inversely proportional with the distance
R
Q1

Q2
R
Q1

Q2

1 2
2

Coulombs law
in unit of N
If Q in coulomb (C) , R in meter (m) and force in Newton's (N), then

Where o is called the free space permittivity and equal to

Coulombs law

Coulombs law

Repulsive Force

Repulsive Force

Attractive Force

Coulombs law
z
Q2
r2
Q1 r-r1
r1

r-r2
Q

r
y

x
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Coulombs law
Example

Electric Field Intensity

The electric field intensity E is a vector force on a unit
positive test charge.

in unit of N/C
=

Or V/m

E
Q

Qt

Electric fields intensity due to single point

charges
for a charge located at a source point r=xax+yay+zaz and we want to
find the E at point r=xax+yay+zaz:
The E at point P due to Q is along the R=r-r
Vector
Therefore E(r)

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Electric fields intensity due to multiple

charges
The coulomb forces are linear, therefore the electric field intensity due
to two point charges, Q1 at r1 and Q2 at r2, is the sum of the forces on 1 C
test charge caused by Q1 and Q2:
r2)

For multiple point charges:

r2)

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Electric fields intensity due to multiple

charges
Example
the electric field at (0,3,1).

From the last example

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13

Application: Electrostatic separation of

solids
A practical application of
electrostatics is in electrostatic
separation of solids. For example
, Florida phosphate ore,
consisting of small particles of
quartz and phosphate rock, can
be separated into its components
by applying a uniform electric
field

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Application: Electrostatic Ionizer

An air ionizer (or negative ion
generator) is a device that
uses
high
electric
field
to ionize (electrically charge)
air molecules.
Air ionizers are used in air
purifiers. Airborne particles are
attracted to the electrode in an
effect similar to static electricity.

Air ionizer and purifier with

its dust collection plates
removed
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Electric fields intensity due to continuous

charge distribution
P

r
r\

Origin

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Electric fields intensity due to continuous

charge distribution

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Electric fields intensity due to continuous

charge distribution

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Electric fields intensity due to continuous

charge distribution

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Electric fields intensity due to line charge

For finite line charge (from A to B)

For infinite line charge

(from - + )
2

1 = /2 and 2 = -/2
1

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Electric fields intensity due to surface

charge
For infinite sheet of charge on the xy plane

In general for infinite sheet charge

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Application: Parallel Plate Capacitor

+s

-s

0
y

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Electric fields intensity due to volume

charge

In general,

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Example

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Solution

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Solution (cont.)

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Solution (cont.)

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Example

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Solution

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Solution (cont.)

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Example

Solution

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Solution (cont.)

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Solution (cont.)

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Electric Flux
The electric field intensity E, of test charge around a charge Q, can
described by Streamlines or flux lines
Electric flux is a measure of the streamlines distribution

Electric flux is another face of the source charge

The electric flux passing through an imaginary surface is a measure of
the included source charge

Qb 2 Qa b 2 a

Imaginary
Closed surface

Electric Flux Density

The electric flux density D is a measure of the amount of charge per unit
area, therefore for a rb and with a

0 (point charge)

The electric field E intensity is a measure of the

electric force per unit charge

Therefore in free space the relation between D and E is

Electric Flux Density

For point charge in free space
E

Q
4 0 r 2

ar

Q
ar
2
4r

For infinite line charge in free space

L
E
a
2 0

L
a
2

For finite volume charge in free space

E

v dv
ar
2
4 0 R
vol

v dv
ar
2
4R
vol

For infinite surface charge in free space

s
E
aN
2 0

s
2

aN

Electric Flux Density

Example: