Physics Clarified

Algebra-Based Physics with

Extra Topics for Calculus-Based Physics

x = v0t + at
F = ma

E = mc2

L = I

Physics
= RFsin

V = IR

= RFsin
L = I

K = mv2
K = mv2
P = mv
2014 Stan Eisenstein

x = v0t + at2
P = mv
F = ma

V = IR
E = mc2

Chapter 12
Electrostatics:
Getting Zapped by Your Doorknob and
Sticking Balloons to Walls

e-

+
+

Power
Supply

+
Variable Power
Supply

Lesson 12.2
Coulombs Law

4
+q

+q

1/3

Lesson 12.2 Table of Contents

Introduction
The Coulomb Experiment
Coulombs Law
vector nature
in 2-D
Review
Closing
Return to Main Table of Contents

Introduction
Electrostatics is the study of the electric force.
Like charges repel and unlike charges attract.

Introduction
Neutral objects consist of an equal number of
positive and negative charges.

+-+-+-+-+-++-+-+-+-+-++-+-+-+-+-++-+-+-+-+-+Neutral

Introduction
Neutral objects and charged objects attract.
When a
charged object approaches a neutral object,
the
neutral object is polarized. The unlike charges
are
closer, so attraction is stronger than
+--repulsion.
+ ++-+-+-+-+-- - -+++-+-+-+-+-+-+- ++-+-+-+-+--+-++- ++-+-+-+-+-Negative

Neutral but Polarized

Introduction
There are three methods of charging objects.
1) In the triboelectric effect, electrons are
transferred from one object to the other as
they come in contact often through
rubbing.
+-++-+- +-+-+-+Neutral

+-++-+- + +-+ ++
-

Introduction
2) In conduction, a charged object shares
charge with another object through
contact.

6+

4+

2+

++-+
- +++
++

-+-+
- +-+
+-

-+ - +
++- +
-+
-+ + +- - ++++ +
+ +-

+-+
+-+
+-

3+

3-

- + +
- + +
- + +

-- +-+
-- +-+
- - +-+

3+

3-

- + +
- + +
- + +

-- +-+
-- +-+
- - +-+

- +-+
- +-+
- +-+

3) In induction, a charged
object is held near two
neutral conductors in
contact. The like charges
move away from the
charged object. When
the conductors are
separated, they are
charged equally and
opposite.
-

0
- +-+
- +-+
- +-+

Introduction

Introduction
In all these methods of charging, the law of
conservation of charge holds. The total
amount of
charge stays constant.

6+

4+

2+

++-+
- +++
++

-+-+
- +-+
+-

-+ - +
++- +
-+
-+ + +- - ++++ +
+ +-

+-+
+-+
+-

Introduction
So far we have studied electric force and
charge
qualitatively, without the use of the
numbers and
equations. In this lesson we analyze the
electric
force quantitatively.

+q

+q

F = kq1q2/d2

The Coulomb Experiment

In 1784, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb invented
the torsion balance, the same balance that
Cavendish used to determine the value of G in
Newtons Law of Universal Gravitation.

+q

+q
Return to Table of Contents

The Coulomb Experiment

Coulomb showed that the amount of force (torque,
actually) needed to maintain a certain amount of
twist of the supporting wire was directly
proportional to the angle of twist.
Top View

3F

Side View

2F
0F

1F

The Coulomb Experiment

In 1785, Coulomb used his invention to study the
proportionality relationship between the electrical
force between two spheres, the amount of charge
on the spheres, and the distance between the
spheres.

+q

+q

The Coulomb Experiment

For instance, Coulomb charged two spheres with
like charge (q) so that they would repel, causing
the balance to twist through an angle when the
charges were separated by a distance d. If the
charges were brought closer,
Top View
to a distance d, then the
angle of twist would be
multiplied by 4. For a
separation distance of d/3,
4 9
the angle of twist was 9.
(click to animate)

+q

+q

1/3

The Coulomb Experiment

Question 1a: What proportionality relationship
between electric force and separation distance did
Coulomb find?
Force
(angle)

Separation
Distance

d/2

d/3

The Coulomb Experiment

Answer 1a: Force is inversely proportional to the
square of the separation distance.

F 1/d2
If d is multiplied by , then F is multiplied by
1/(1/2)2 or 4.
If d is multiplied by 1/3, then F is multiplied by
1/(1/3)2 or 9.

The Coulomb Experiment

In order to determine the effect of the size of the
charges on the force, Coulomb needed to be able
to change the size of the charge in a predictable
way. He did this by touching a charged conductor
to an uncharged conductor of the same size.
Although he did not know how much charge was
on the original conductor, he knew that the charge
must be cut in half. (click to animate)

+q/4
+q/2

+q/2
+q
+q/4

The Coulomb Experiment

With a charge +q on each of the spheres, the
balance rotates through an angle when the
sphere are held a distance d apart. When the
charge on one sphere is reduced to q/2, the angle
is halved. When the charge
is reduced to q/4, the
angle is reduced to /4.

Top View

+q/4

/4
/2

+q

(click to animate)

+q
+q/2 +q/2
+q/4 d d

The Coulomb Experiment

Question 1b: What proportionality relationship
between electric force and charge did
Coulomb find?
Force
(angle)

Charge

q/2

q/4

The Coulomb Experiment

Answer 1b: Force is directly proportional to the
charge.

Fq
If q is multiplied by , then F is multiplied by
.
If q is multiplied by 1/4, then F is multiplied by
1/4.

The Coulomb Experiment

Answer 1b:

Fq

It doesnt matter which sphere changes charge, so

actually, the force is directly proportional to the
charge on either sphere.

F q1q2

Coulombs Law
F 1/d2

F q1q2

Putting these proportionalities together yields

Coulombs Law:

F = kq1q2/d2
where q1 and q2 are the charges, d is the
separation distance between the charges, and k is
the proportionality constant.
Return to Table of Contents

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
The unit for charge q is the coulomb. A coulomb
of charge is equal to 6.25 x 1018 elementary
charges. An elementary charge is the charge on
an electron or a proton. Conversely, one
elementary charge equals 1.6 x 10 -19 coulombs.

6.25 x 1018

e-

1 coulomb

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
A coulomb is a very large amount of charge, about
the amount of charge delivered in a small lightning
bolt. A typical lightning bolt delivers about
5 coulombs of charge.

A few coulombs

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
A typical amount of charge that you might
experience from rubbing your feet on a carpet is
between 10-8 and 10-5 coulombs. A common unit
for measuring these charges is the microcoulomb
(C). One C equals 10-6 coulombs.

10-8 10-5 C

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
The constant k has a value of
9.0 x 109 newtonmeter2/coulomb2. This large
value is indicative of the strength of the electric
force.

e-

p+

5 x 10-11 m

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2

F = Gm1m2/d2

To get an idea of the relative strength of the

electric force, lets compare the electric force to
the gravitational force between the electron and
the proton in a hydrogen atom. Recall that the
force of gravity is given by the
equation shown above in blue.
5.3 x 10-11 m
G = 6.67 x 10-11 nm2/kg2
ep+

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2

F = Gm1m2/d2

Question 2:
An electron has a mass of 9.1 x 10-31 kg. A proton
has a mass of 1.7 x 10-27 kg. Both have a charge
of 1.6 x 10-19 coulombs. The separation distance
is 5.3 x 10-11 m. Determine the
sizes of the gravitational and
electric forces between the
5.3 x 10-11 m
ep+
proton and the electron.

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2

F = Gm1m2/d2

Answer 2: The gravitational force is 3.7 x 10 -47 n.

The electric force is 8.2 x 10-8 n. The electric force
is almost 1040 times stronger than the gravitational
force.

e-

p+

5.3 x 10-11 m

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
The constant k is also stated as 1/40.
0 is called the constant of permittivity and has a
value of 8.85 x 10-12 coulomb2/newtonmeter2.
1/40. = 9.0 x 109 nm2/c2

k = 1/40

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
Coulombs Law applies only to spherical charges
or point charges. Point charges have sizes that
are much smaller than the separation distance.

Coulombs Law applies to Spherical and Point Charges

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
For instance, suppose the two rectangles shown
below are both charged. Coulombs law does not
apply to these charges. The sizes of the charged
bodies are comparable to the separation distance.
These bodies are not point charges.

d size

F kq1q2/d2

Coulombs Law
F = kq1q2/d2
As the rectangles are moved further apart, they
approach becoming point charges. As the
separation distance increases, it becomes
substantially larger than the size of the charged
objects. Coulombs Law applies better as the
bodies move further apart.

d >> size

F kq1q2/d2

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 3a: A point charge of +1.0 C is placed
10 meters to the left of a point charge of -1.0 C.
What is the force acting on each charge?

+ 1.0 C
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Return to Table of Contents

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 3a: (-)9 x 10-5 n or (-)90 n
Dont forget to convert 1.0 C into Coulombs.
F = (9.0 x 109 nm2/C2)(+1.0 x 10-6 C)(-1.0 x 10-6 C)
(10 m)2

+ 1.0 C
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 3b: (-)9 x 10-5 n or (-)90 n
What does the negative sign for force mean?
Does it tell you the direction the charge is forced?

+ 1.0 C
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 3b: (-)9 x 10-5 n or (-)90 n
The negative sign tells you that the charges
attract. If the charges had been the same sign
(either both positive or both negative), then the
force would be positive, meaning that the charges
repel.
-90 n
-90 n

+ 1.0 C

Attraction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 3b: The negative sign does not tell you the
absolute direction the charge is forced. In this
case, both charges experience a negative force.
This means that one charge is force to the left and
the other is forced to the right.
-90 n

-90 n

+ 1.0 C

Attraction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Physics Trick: When solving electricity problems
that involve vector quantities, such as force, do
not include the sign of the charge in the
calculation. Make all numbers positive, and then
use your reasoning to determine the sign.
-90 n

-90 n

+ 1.0 C

Attraction

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 4a: A +2.0 C charge is placed 5 m to
the right of a +1.0 C charge and 5 m to the left of
a 1.0 C charge. What is the size and direction of
the net force on the +2.0 C charge?

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 4a: 0.00144 n to the right.
Each charge exerts a force of 0.00072 n
F = (9.0 x 109 nm2/C2)(2.0 x 10-6 C)(1.0 x 10-6 C)
(5 m)2
Notice that no negative signs are used.

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 4a: 0.00144 n to the right.
Now we note that the +1.0 C charge repels the
+2.0 C charge to the right. The -1.0 C charge
attracts the +2.0 C charge, also to the right.
0.00072 n
0.00072 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 4a: 0.00144 n to the right.
Because the forces are in the same direction, they
are added.
Fnet = F+ + F- = (0.00072 n) + (0.00072 n) = 0.00144 n
0.00072 n
0.00072 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Answer 4a: 0.00144 n to the right.
Notice that if we had used the signs of the charges
in the equation, we would have arrived at an
erroneous result of zero.
Fnet = F+ + F- = (0.00072 n) + (-0.00072 n) = 0 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 4b: What is the size and direction of the
force acting on the +1.0 C charge?

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 4b: 6.3 x 10-4 n to the left.
The -1.0 C charge attracts the +1.0 C charge to
the right with a force of 9 x 10-5 n (see question 3)
The +2.0 C charge repels the +1.0 C charge to
the left with a force of 7.2 x 10-4 n (see question 4a)
7.2 x 10-4 n 9 x 10-5 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 4b: 6.3 x 10-4 n to the left.
Because the forces oppose each other, they
subtract.
Fnet = F+ + F- = (-0.00072 n) + (0.00009 n)
= (-0.00063 n)
7.2 x 10-4 n 9 x 10-5 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 4b: 6.3 x 10-4 n to the left.
Fnet = -0.00063 n
The negative sign means that the net force points
left.
7.2 x 10-4 n 9 x 10-5 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 5a: Charge A of +1.0 C charge is
placed at a position of +2 m. Charge B of +4.0 C
charge is placed at a position of -1 m. At what
position (not including ) could a third positive
charge be placed and experience a net force of
zero?
B
A

+ 4.0 C

+ 1.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

+
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5a: +1 m.
In order to experience a net force of zero, the third
charge must experience opposite forces. If placed
to the left of B, both repelling forces are to the left.
If placed to the right of A, both repelling forces are
to the right. Only between A and B do the repelling
forces oppose each other.
B
A

+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5a: +1 m.
The forces must be equal as well.
FB = kq(4 x 10-6 C)/dB2 = kq(1 x 10-6 C)/dA2 = FA
Canceling terms and rearranging yields:
d B2 = 4 d A2

dB = 2 dA
B

dB dA

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

+
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5a: +1 m.
dB = 2 dA
We also know that dB + dA = 3 m
Substituting: 2dA + dA = 3 m dA = 1 m; dB = 2 m

dB dA

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

+
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Question 5b: How would your answer to question
5a have been different if the third charge were
negative instead of positive?

+ 4.0 C

A
+ 1.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

+
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5b: No difference. The answer would be
the same. To the left of B, the attracting forces
would both point right. To the right of A, the
attracting forces would both point left. Only
between A and B do the attracting forces oppose
each other.
B

+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

F = kq1q2/d2 k = 9.0 x 109 nm2/C2 = 1/40
Question 5c: How would your answer to question
5a change if charge A were negative?

+ 4.0 C

A
- 1.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

+
4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5c: Now the position where the third
charge experiences no net force is +5 m.
The correct position cannot be between A and B
because now the attraction from A and the
repulsion from B point in the same direction.

+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5c: +5 m.
The correct position cannot be to the left of B
either. Although the attraction from A to the right
opposes the repulsion from B to the left, B has a
larger charge and a lesser distance, so it will
always exert a larger force.
B

+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5c: +5 m.
To the right of A, the attraction from A to the left
opposes the repulsion from B to the right. B has a
larger charge but a further distance, so the forces
can balance somewhere in this region.

+
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5c: +5 m.
Setting the forces equal again yields:
FB = kq(4 x 10-6 C)/dB2 = kq(1 x 10-6 C)/dA2 = FA
Canceling terms and rearranging yields:
d B2 = 4 d A2

dB = 2 dA
B

dB

A dA

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

+
X (m)

Vector Nature of Coulombs Law

Answer 5c: +5 m.
dB = 2 dA
We also know that dA + 3 m = dB
Substituting: dA + 3 m = 2dA dA = 3 m; dB = 6 m

dB

A dA

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

4 5

+
X (m)

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Question 6a: A charge of +4q is placed a distance
2d to the west of a charge of +2q. A charge of + q
is placed a distance d to the south of the +2q
charge. What are the size and direction of the net
force acting on the +2q charge? Note: leave k as
k; do not substitute its numerical value.
+4q

Return to Table of Contents

+2q
2d

d
+q

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 6a: (kq2/d2)22 45 N of E
F4q = k(4q)(2q)/(2d)2 = 2kq2/d2 East
(repulsion)
Fq = k(q)(2q)/(d)2 = 2kq2/d2 North
(repulsion)
Fnet = [(2kq2/d2)2 + (2kq2/d2)2] = (kq2/d
Fq2)22

+4q
F4q
= tan-1[(2kq2/d2)/(2kq2/d2)] = 45 2d
d

+q

Fnet

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Question 6b: A charge of -4q is placed a distance
2d to the west of a charge of +2q. A charge of + q
is placed a distance d to the south of the +2q
charge. What are the size and direction of the net
force acting on the +2q charge? Note: leave k as
k; do not substitute its numerical value.
-4q

+2q
2d

d
+q

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 6b: (kq2/d2)22 45 N of W
F4q = k(4q)(2q)/(2d)2 = 2kq2/d2 West
(attraction)
Fq = k(q)(2q)/(d)2 = 2kq2/d2 North
(repulsion)

Fnet

Fnet = [(2kq2/d2)2 + (2kq2/d2)2] = (kq2/d2)22

Fq

-4q
= tan-1[(2kq2/d2)/(2kq2/d2)] = 45 F4q
d

+q

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Question 7: Determine the net force acting on
charge C from charges A and B. Hint: First
determine the sizes of each of the forces. Then
determine the size and direction of x- and ycomponents of each force.
+1.0 x 10-6 C
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 7: 0.108 n in the +y direction.
F = (9.0 x 109 nm2/C2)(2.5 x 10-6 C)(1.0 x 10-6 C)
(0.5 m)2
FA = FB = 0.090 n
+1.0 x 10-6 C
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 7: 0.108 n in the +y direction.
FAx = (0.09 n)cos(37) = 0.072 n
FBx = (0.09 n)cos(37) = -0.072 n
FAx + FBx = 0 n
FB

FBx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

FBy FAy

37

37

FA

FAx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 7: 0.108 n in the +y direction.
FAy = (0.09 n)sin(37) = 0.054 n
FBy = (0.09 n)sin(37) = 0.054 n
FAy + FBy = 0.108 n
FB

FBx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

FBy FAy

37

37

FA
FAx

0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Coulombs Law in 2-D

Answer 7: 0.108 n in the +y direction.
Notice that because of symmetry, the xcomponents of the forces cancel and the ycomponents add.
FB
FBx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

FBy FAy
37

37

FA
FAx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Review
Coulombs Law describes the force between two
point charges and is given by the equation:

F = kq1q2/d2
in which q1 and q2 are the charges, d is the
separation distance between the charges, and k is
the proportionality constant equal to
9.0 x 109 nc2/m2.

Return to Table of Contents

Review
Electric Force is a vector. Forces in the same
direction add and forces in opposite directions
subtract. When using Coulombs Law, use the
absolute value of the charges in the equation and
then use reasoning regarding attractions and
repulsions to determine the directions of the
forces.
0.00072 n
0.00072 n

+ 1.0 C

+ 2.0 C

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

- 1.0 C
4 5

X (m)

Review
When working with Coulombs Law in two
dimensions, we determine the x- and ycomponents of the net force separately. Again,
attractions and repulsions are used to determine
the direction of each force.
Fnet

-4q

Fq

F4q
+q

Review
Sometimes there is sufficient symmetry that one of
the force components cancels while the other
force component adds.
FB
FBx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

FBy FAy
37

37

FA
FAx
0.50 m
37

+2.5 x 10-6 C

Closing