LAST concept

The solution of electrostatic field problems is greatly simplified by the

use of the scalar electrostatic potential V. Although this potential
possesses a very real physical significance for us, it is mathematically
no more than a stepping-stone which allows us to solve a problem by
several smaller steps. Given a charge configuration, we may
first find the potential and then from it the electric field intensity.

We should question whether or not such assistance is available in

magnetic fields.
Can we define a potential function which may be found from the current
distribution
and from which the magnetic fields may be easily determined? Can a
scalar magnetic potential be defined, similar to the scalar electrostatic
potential? We will show in the next few pages that the answer to the first
question is yes, but the second must be answered sometimes.
LAST concept
Find H in Cartesian co-ordinates?????
 The Experimental Law of Coulomb
Coulomb stated that the force between two very small objects separated in vacuum
or free space by a distance which is large compared to their size is proportional to
the charge on each and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
them.

Q1Q2
F k 2
R
In SI Units, the quantities of charge Q are measured in coulombs (C), the separation
R in meters (m), and the force F should be newtons (N).
This will be achieved if the constant of proportionality k is written as:

1
k
4 0
 The Experimental Law of Coulomb
The permittivity of free space is measured in farads per meter (F/m), and has the
magnitude of:

1
0 8.854 10 12
109 F m
36
The Coulombs law is now:
1 Q1Q2
F
4 0 R 2
The force F acts along the line joining the two charges. It is repulsive if the charges
are alike in sign and attractive if the are of opposite sign.
 The Experimental Law of Coulomb
R12 R r r
a12 12 2 1
R12 R12 r2 r1

In vector form, Coulombs law is written as:

1 Q1Q2
F2 a12
4 0 R12
2

F2 is the force on Q2, for the case where Q1 and Q2 have the same sign, while a12 is
the unit vector in the direction of R12, the line segment from Q1 to Q2.
 Electric Field Intensity
Let us consider one charge, say Q1, fixed in position in space.
Now, imagine that we can introduce a second charge, Qt, as a unit test charge, that
we can move around.
We know that there exists everywhere a force on this second charge This second
charge is displaying the existence of a force field.

The force on it is given by Coulombs law as:

1 Q1Qt
Ft a1t
4 0 R1t
2

Writing this force as a force per unit charge gives:

Ft 1 Q1
a Vector Field,
Qt 4 0 R1t
2 1t Electric Field Intensity
 Electric Field Intensity
We define the electric field intensity as the vector of force on a unit positive test
charge.
Electric field intensity, E, is measured by the unit newtons per coulomb (N/C) or volts
per meter (V/m).

Ft 1 Q1
E= a
Qt 4 0 R1t
2 1t

The field of a single point charge can be written as:

1
Q
E= a
4 0 R 2 R

aR is a unit vector in the direction from the point at which the point charge Q is located, to
the point at which E is desired/measured.
 Electric Field Intensity
For a charge which is not at the origin of the
coordinate, the electric field intensity is:

1 Q r r
E(r ) =
4 0 r r 2 r r

1 Q(r r)
=
4 0 r r 3

1 Q ( x x)a x ( y y)a y ( z z )a z
=
4 0 ( x x) 2 ( y y) 2 ( z z) 2 3 2

 Electric Field Intensity
The electric field intensity due to two point charges, say Q1 at r1 and Q2 at r2, is the
sum of the electric field intensity on Qt caused by Q1 and Q2 acting alone
(Superposition Principle).

1 Q
E(r ) = a1
4 0 r r1 2

1 Q
a
4 0 r r2 2 2
 Electric Field Intensity
Example
A charge Q1 of 2 C is located at at P1(0,0,0) and a second charge of 3 C is at P2(
1,2,3). Find E at M(3,4,2).

r r1 3a x 4a y 2a z , r r1 29
r r2 4a x 6a y a z , r r2 53

1 Q1 1 Q2
E(r ) = a a2
4 0 r r1 2 1
4 0 r r2 2

1 Q1 (r r1 ) Q2 (r r2 )
= 3
4 0 r r1 3
r r2
6 6
1 2 10 (3a x 4a y 2a z ) 3 10 (4a x 6a y a z )
=
4 0 29
3
53
3


623.7a x 879.92a y 160.17a z V m