Attendance Quiz:

Electric Field
Calculation
A.
 Objective
Evaluate the electric field at a point in space due to a
system of arbitrary charge distributions
1. Make a sketch for the
problem, clearly showing the
chosen coordinate axes,
= 2 charge locations, and field
point location. Identify and
indicate all needed
information.
Linear charge density () 2. Define a small charge
Charge per unit length element, find its electric field.
Write electric field vector in
Area charge density () component form.
Charge per unit area
3. Integrate to get total field of
all charge elements.
Attendance Quiz
Draw the electric field lines for a dipole
(6 lines per charge only)
Attendance Quiz
Draw the electric field lines for a dipole
(6 lines per charge only)
Electric Field Lines
Objective
Given the electric field lines, deduce the electric field
vectors and nature of electric field sources
Electric Field Lines
Visual representation of E-
field!
Also known as lines of
force
It tells the magnitude of
the electric field
The closer the lines are,
the stronger the field is.

It tells the direction of the

electric field
The tangent along the
line gives the direction.
Electric Field Lines
Index Card Exercise
 Objective
Given the electric field lines, deduce the electric
field vectors and nature of electric field sources
Electric Dipoles
Objective
Discuss the motion of an electric dipole in a
uniform electric field
Electric Dipoles
A pair of point charges with equal magnitudes and opposite signs
separated by some distance.

d
+q -q
Electric Dipoles
A pair of point charges with equal magnitudes and opposite signs
separated by some distance.

Molecules to TV antennas can be

described as dipoles
Electric dipole moment
It is a vector quantity.
Magnitude is |qd|
Direction is from the negative charge
to the positive charge.
SI unit: Coulomb-meter (C*m)
+q -q

Force on Electric Dipoles

Torque on Electric Dipoles

The net force on an

electric dipole in a
uniform electric field is
ZERO!

There is Torque!
Force and Torque on Electric
Dipoles

Angle between the

electric field and the
dipole axis.

Magnitude of the net torque qE d sin

 qE d sin and p qd
Torque is greatest when the

pE sin
electric dipole moment and the
electric field are perpendicular
and is zero when they are
parallel or antiparallel.

Vector form of Torque:

RIGHT- HAND RULE

=
Potential Energy of an Electric Dipole
When a dipole changes direction in an electric field, the
electric-field torque does work on it, with a corresponding
change in potential energy.

The work dW done by a torque

during an infinitesimal dW d
displacement d is:

Since the torque is in the direction

of decreasing , we must write the
pE sin
torque as:
Potential Energy of an Electric
Dipole
Equilibrium and Stability
Index Card Exercise
Consider this dipole in a uniform electric field.
The dipole is

A. Static, in stable equilibrium

B. Static, in unstable equilibrium
C. Rotating clockwise
D. Rotating counterclockwise
Consider this dipole in a uniform electric field.
The dipole is

A. Static, in stable equilibrium

B. Static, in unstable equilibrium
C. Rotating clockwise
D. Rotating counterclockwise
An electric dipole is placed in a region of
uniform electric field, with dipole moment
pointing in the direction opposite to the
field. The dipole is

A. Static, in stable equilibrium

B. Static, in unstable equilibrium
C. Rotating clockwise
D. Rotating counterclockwise
An electric dipole is placed in a region of uniform
electric field, with dipole moment pointing in the
direction opposite to the field. The dipole is

A. Static, in stable equilibrium

B. Static, in unstable equilibrium
C. Rotating clockwise
D. Rotating counterclockwise
Objective
Discuss the motion of an electric dipole in a
uniform electric field
Discussion 1 Jan 26
Attendance Quiz Coverage
Friday Jan 27
Sec 22-1 Charge & Electric Flux

Sec 22-2 Calculating Electric Flux