PHY 150

ELECTRICITY &MAGNETISM

Chapter 1 :
ELECTRIC CHARGE AND
FIELD
 Lesson Contents
Electric charges & Electric Fields

Static Electricity, electric charge and its

conservation
Insulators and Conductors
Coulomb's Law
Electric Field
Field Lines
Electric Flux
Gauss's Law
Lesson Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

 describe the electric charge and its conservation –

phenomenon of static electricity

 know the existence of two types of electric charge.

 state Coulomb’s law and apply its formula to solve

problems involving electric forces (F).

 define the electric field (E) and calculate electric field

value (E) due to a point charge and several charges.
Static Electricity; Electricity Charge and its
Conservation
• There are two kinds of electric charges:-
 positive and
 negative charges
• Electrostatics are defined as the interactions between electric charges that
are at rest (or nearly so).
• Like charges repel one another and unlike charges attract one another.
 Static Electricity; Electricity Charge and its Conservation

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ELECTRIC CHARGE

Electric charge is conserved

the arithmetic sum of the total charge

cannot change in any interaction

When a glass rod is

rubbed with silk,
electrons are transferred
from the glass to the
silk.
Static Electricity; Electricity Charge and its Conservation

Body possible to transfer

electric charge

Loses electrons Gains electrons

Has excess of positive charge Has excess of negative charge

Static Electricity; Electricity Charge and its Conservation
 Electron Charge in the Atom

Atom:

• Nucleus (small, massive,

proton, positive charge)
• Electron cloud (large, very
low density, negative
charge)
• An intrinsic property of
protons and electrons,
which make up all matter,
is electric charges
 Electron Charge in the Atom

Particle Mass Charge

Electron 9.11 x 10-31 kg - 1.60 x 10-19 C

Proton 1.673 x 10-27 kg + 1.60 x 10-19 C

Neutron 1.673 x 10-31 kg 0

Properties of electric charge
• Two types of electric charge, positive and negative; a
proton has a positive charge, and an electron has a
negative charge.
• The SI unit for measuring the magnitude of electric
charge is the coulomb (C).
• The electric charge is said to be quantized. The smallest
amount of free charge is e =1.6×10-19 C.
• Any electric charge, q, occurs as integer multiples of the
elementary charge e

q  ne
Example 1.1
How many electrons are there in one coulomb of negative charge?

q  ne
q
n
e
1.00C

1.60  10 9 C

n  6.25  1018
 EXERSICE
1. How many electrons make up a charge of -30.0 μC?
(Ans: 1.875 x 1014 electrons)

2. A conducting sphere has a net charge of –4.8x10-17C. What

is the approximate number of excess electrons on the sphere?
(Ans: 300 electrons)

3. In walking across a carpet, you acquire a net negative

charge of 50 μC. How many excess electrons do you have?
(Ans: 3.125 x 1014 electron)
 Insulators and Conductors

•Not only electric charge exist on an object, but it also can move
through an object.

•Substances that readily conduct electric charge are called electrical

conductors.

•Materials that conduct electric charge poorly are called electrical

insulators.
Insulators and Conductors

Electrical

Conductor Insulators

•materials in which electric

•materials in which electric
charges cannot move freely/no
charges move freely
charges
•Metals
•Most other materials

Some materials are semiconductors.

Insulators and Conductors
third class of materials, and their electrical properties
Semiconductors are somewhere between those of insulators and those of
conductors.
eg: germanium (Ge), silicon (Si) (PIC)

are perfect conductor that charges move without

Superconductors resistance.
eg: mercury (Ag) (PIC)

Example

Good
Poor conductors Semiconductors Insulators
conductors
•Silver •Plastic
•Copper •Water •Carbon •Glass
•Aluminium •Human body •Germanium •Rubber
•Tungsten •silicon •Nylon
•Iron •Paper
Induce Charge; the Electroscope
Metal objects can be charged
by conduction:
Induce Charge; the Electroscope

Metal objects can be charged

by induction, either while connected to ground or not:

is the process in which a charged body can give

Induction another body a charge of opposite sign without
losing any of its own charge
Induce Charge; the Electroscope

Nonconductors won’t become charged by conduction or induction, but will

experience charge separation:
Properties of Electric Charges

Lets try..
For each of these pair of charges, select whether the force is attractive or repulsive.

repulsion
+ - attraction
repulsion
+ + attraction

repulsion
- + attraction
repulsion
- - attraction

What we conclude about the type of charge between like charges and unlike charges?
Answer
Lets try..
For each of these pair of charges, select whether the force is attractive or repulsive.

+ - attraction
√
repulsion
+ + √
- + attraction
√
repulsion
- - √
What we conclude about the type of charge between like charges and unlike charges?
Answer
The force between like charges is repulsive and the force between unlike charges is
attractive.
 + +
Repel Each other Repulsive Force
Occur

- +
Attract Each other Attractive Force
Occur

Yes! We can calculate the forces value by using…

 Coulomb’s Law
• The electric force between two small charges is proportional to
the inverse square of their separation distance, r

1
Fe  2
r
• Coulomb’s experiments showed that the electric force between
two stationary charged particles:
– is inversely proportional to the square of the separation r between
the particles and directed along the line joining them;
– is proportional to the product of the charges q1 and q2 on the two
particles;
– is attractive if the charges are of opposite sign and repulsive if the
charges have the same sign.
Coulomb’s Law

Coulomb ‘s Law
The magnitude of the electric force (Coulomb force)
between 2 point charges;
ke | Q1 || Q21
Fe 
r2
F : magnitude of electrostatic force,N
Q1 , Q2 : magnitude of charges; unit: Coulomb

r : distance between two point charges

1
ke  k is Coulomb constant = 8.99 x 109 N.m2 / C2
4 o
Whereas,  o= permittivity of free space
= 8.8542 x 10-12 C2/Nm2
Coulomb’s Law

• Dealing with several charges;

 First subscript ~ refers to the particle on which force
acts
 Second subscript ~ refers to the particle that exerts
theforce
 F31 force exerted on particle 3 by particle 1
Coulomb’s Law

How to determine the direction of electric force

between two charges ???

ATTRACTIVE FORCE (unlike charges)

r

Q1 F12 Q2

+ -
F12 = force exerted on
F21
Q1 due to Q2 F21 = force exerted on
Q2 due to Q1
Coulomb’s Law

How to determine the direction of electric force

between two charges ???

REPULSIVE FORCE (like charges)

r

Q1 Q2 F21
F12
- -
F12 = force exerted on F21 = force exerted on
Q1 due to Q2 Q2 due to Q1
Coulomb’s Law

How to determine the direction of electric force

between two charges ???

REPULSIVE FORCE (like charges)

r

Q1 Q2 F21
F12
+ +
F12 = force exerted on F21 = force exerted on
Q1 due to Q2 Q2 due to Q1
Coulomb’s Law

• When dealing with Coulomb’s law, you must remember that

force is a vector quantity
• Thus the law expressed in vector form for the electric force
exerted on a charge q1 by a second charge q2, written F12 , is

q1q2
F12  ke 2 rˆ
r
• Where is a unit vector directed from q1 q2
Coulomb’s Law

• Electric force obeys Newton's third law,

• the electric force exerted on q1 by q2 is equal in magnitude to
the force exerted on q2 by q1 and in the opposite direction : that
is
:.
F12   F21 @ | F12 |  | F21 |
q1q2
• From Equation F12  ke 2 rˆ, we see that if q and q have the
r 1 2
same sign or different sign, the force of repulsive or attractive
is occurred.
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.2

• The electron and proton of a hydrogen atom are separated (on

the average) by a distance of approximately 5.3 x 10-11 m. Find
the magnitude of the electric force.

| q1 || q2 |
Fe  ke 2
r
19 2 2
(1.6  10 ) c
Fe  8.988 10 Nm / c 
9 2 2

(5.3 1011 )2 m 2

F = 8.20 x 10-8 N
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.3
Two isolated small objects have charges of 0.04 C and
–0.06 C are 5 cm apart. What is the direction of
electric force acting on each object? ( F12 and F21 )

Q1 = + 0.04 µC Q2 = - 0.06 µC

r = 5 cm
Coulomb’s Law
Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric force on each CHARGE.
Q1 = +0.04 µC Q2 = -0.06 µC
F12 F21

r = 0.05 m

Step 2 Q1 = |+0.04| µC
Q2 =I-0.06I µC
Find the magnitude of force exerted on Q1

k Q1 Q 2
Q1
F12 F12 
r122 (0.05 m)2

(9 x 109 Nm2/C2) F12 = 0.00864 N

Coulomb’s Law

Step 3
Write the vector component Hence, the vector
Q1 component:-
F12
F12 = 0.00864 N
F12 =(0.00864 N iˆ
)

the electric force

direction is to +x

Step 4
iˆ
Calculate Force exerted on Q2 Hence, the vector
Q2 = -0.06 µC component:-
F21

F21 = (-0.00864N)iˆ
F21 = 0.00864 N

IF12I = IF21I
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.4 : Three charges in a line

Q1 = -4.2 µC Q2 = +1.3 µC Q3 = +1.1 µC

- 2.0 cm
+ 1.0 cm +

Calculate the resultant force exerted on the charge Q3

due to other two charges located as shown in figure
above. Identify the direction of resultant electric force
exerted on Q3 .
Coulomb’s Law

Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric force exerted on Q3 due to Q1 and Q2

Q1 = -4.2 µC Q2 = +1.3 µC Q3 = +1.1 µC

F31 F32
- + +
Step 2
Find the magnitude of force exerted on Q3 due to Q1 and Q2

Force Calculation Method Value

F31 Q3 Q1 9 109 (1.110 6 )( 4.2 10 6 ) 103.95 N

k 2
r 0.02 2
F32 Q3 Q2 9 109 (1.110 6 )(1.3 10 6 ) 128.70 N
k
0.012
2
r
Coulomb’s Law

Step 3
Write the vector component
F31 F32
+
-103.95 i 128.7 i
Step 4
Total up all the forces
Fnet = F31 + F32
= (-103.95 i) + ( 128.7 i)
= 24.75 i
Hence, the MAGNITUDE of total the DIRECTION of total
electric force = 24.32 N Force = +x direction
Coulomb’s Law
Example 1.5

• Three charged particles are arranged in a line. Calculate the net

electrostatic force on particle 3 (the – 4.0 μC on the right) due to the
other two charges.
Solution :
| q3 || q1 | (9.0 109 N .m2 / c 2 )(4.0 106 C )(8.0 106 C )
F31  ke 2
 2
 1.2 N
r (0.50m)
| q3 || q2 | (9.0 109 N .m2 / c 2 )(4.0 106 C )(3.0 106 C )
F32  k e 2  2
 2.7 N
r (0.20m)
F   F  F  2.7 N iˆ  1.2 N iˆ  - 1.5 N iˆ
32 31

:- magnitude net electric force is 1.5 N,

points to the left @ - x direction
Coulomb’s Law
Example 1.6

• Three charged particles are arranged in a line. Calculate the net

electrostatic force on particle 1 (the – 4.0 μC on the right) due to the
other two charges.

Solution :
| q1 || q2 | (9.0 109 N .m2 / c 2 )(8.0 106 C )(3.0 106 C )
F12  ke 2
 2
 2.4 N
r (0.30m)
6 6
| q1 || q3 | (9.0 10 N .m / c )(8.0 10 C )(4.0 10 C )
9 2 2
F13  k e 2
 2
 1.152 N
r (0.50m)
F   F32  F31  1.152.7 N iˆ  2.4 N iˆ  1.248 N iˆ
:- magnitude net electric force is 1.248 N,
points to the right @ + x direction
Coulomb’s Law

Solving problems involving Coulomb’s Law

and Vectors
• Superposition: for multiple point charges, the forces
on each charge from every other charge can be
calculated and then added as vectors.
• The electric force between charged particles at rest
(referred as Electrostatic force / Coulomb force) all
forces:-
 vector has both, magnitude and direction.

• Net force Fnettis the vector sum of all forces acting on
it.   
• Fnett  F1  F2  .....
Coulomb’s Law
Vector Addition Review
Coulomb’s Law

Vector Addition Review

 
• Resolve the F1and F2 into x and y components
Coulomb’s Law

Vector Components Review

• Resolve the vectors in x and y components

Coulomb’s Law
 
• Resolve the F1 and F2 into x and y components

X-component Y-component
F1 F1x= (F1 cos θ1 )N F1y= (F1 sin θ1 )N
F2y= (- F2 sin θ2 )N @
F2 F2x= (F2 cos θ2 )N
(F2 sin 360- θ2 )N
Fnett Fx= (F1 cos θ1 + F2 cos θ2 )N Fy= (F1 sin θ1+ (- F2 sin θ2) )N

Fnett  Fx iˆ  Fy ˆj

| Fnett | ( Fx ) 2  ( Fy ) 2

 Fy 
  tan  1

 x
F
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.7
QA= +12 µC
Three point charges are +
arranged as shown in
Figure below. Find the
magnitude and direction
of the net force on charge 4m
QA

3m
-
Q = -16 µC
+
B QC= +20 µC
Coulomb’s Law

Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric force exerted on QA due to QB and QC

FAC
+QA=+12 µC
FAB

4m

3m
- +Q =+20 µC
QB=-16 µC C
Coulomb’s Law

Step 2
Find the magnitude of force exerted FAC
on QA due to QB and QC
+ QA=+12 µC
FAB

Force Calculation Method Magnitude

FAC QA QC 9  109 (12  106 )(20  106 ) 0.135 N

k
r
2
42
FAB QA QB 9  109 (12  106 )(16  106 )
k 0.069 N
r
2
52
Coulomb’s Law

Step 3
Write the vector component

How to get value of this angle ?

FAC = 0.135 N

53.13o + QA
FAB = 0.069 N

Magnitude X - component Y - component

FAC = 0.135 N 0.135N (cos 90o )= 0N iˆ 0.135 N (sin 90o )= 0.135N ĵ

FAB = 0.069 N 0.069N (cos 233.13o)= -0.04N iˆ 0.069 N (sin 233.13o )= - 0.055N ĵ
FAnett FAX = 0N+(-0.04N)= - 0.04 N iˆ FAy = 0.135N+(-0.055N)= 0.08 N ĵ
Coulomb’s Law
Step 4
Find the magnitude from the vector component calculated
Vector component = ( 0.04 N )iˆ  (0.08 N ) ˆj
Hence,
Magnitude = (0.04) 2  (0.08) 2
= 0.089 N
Step 5
Calculate the direction of the total force
Vector component = ( 0.04 N )iˆ  (0.08 N ) ˆj
Hence,
 (0.08) 
  tan 1
  63.43
 ( 0.04) 
63.43o
Ans : 0.089 N, (116.570)
This angle is measured from positive x-axis and anticlockwise
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.8
Calculate the net electrostatic force on charge q3 as shown in
figure due to the charges q1 and q2.
Coulomb’s Law

Step 1
Find the magnitude of force exerted F32
on q3 due to q1 and q2
q3=+65 µC +
F31

Force Calculation Method Magnitude

F32 | q3 || q2 | 9 109 (65 106 )(50 106 )

ke 325 N
r2 (0.3)2

F31 | q3 || q1 | 9 109 (65 106 )(86 106 )

ke 139.75 N
r2 (0.60)2
Coulomb’s Law

Step 3
Write the vector component
F32 = 325 N

q3=+65 µC +
30o

F31 = 139.75 N

Magnitude X - component Y - component

F32 = 325 N 325N (cos 90o )= 0N iˆ 325 N (sin 90o )= 325N ĵ

F31 = 139.75 N 139.75 N (cos 330o)= 121 N iˆ 139.75 N (sin 330o )= - 69.88N ĵ

F3nett F3X = 0N+(121N)= 121 N iˆ F3y = 325N+(-69.88N)= 255 N ĵ

Coulomb’s Law
Step 4
Find the magnitude from the vector component calculated
Vector component = (121 N )iˆ  ( 255 N ) ˆj
Hence,
Magnitude = (121) 2  ( 255) 2
= 282.25 N
Step 5
Calculate the direction of the total force
Vector component = (121 N )iˆ  ( 255 N ) ˆj
Hence,
 ( 255) 
  tan 1    64.6  65
 (121) 
65o
Ans : 282.25 N, (650)
This angle is measured from positive x-axis and anticlockwise
Coulomb’s Law

Example 1.9
Find the magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force on q1.
.
Coulomb’s Law

Step 1 F12
Find the magnitude of force exerted
on q1 due to q2 and q3
+ F13
q1=+4.0 µC

Force Calculation Method Magnitude

F12 | q1 || q2 | 9 109 (4.0 106 )(6.0 106 )

ke 9.6 N
r2 (0.15)2

F13 | q1 || q3 | 9 109 (4.0 106 )(5.0 106 )

ke 18 N
r 2 (0.10)2
Coulomb’s Law

Step 3
Write the vector component F12 = 9.6 N

+
q1=+4.0 µC F13 = 18 N

Magnitude X - component Y - component

F12 = 9.6 N
9.6 N (cos 73o )= 2.8 N iˆ 9.6 N (sin 73o )= 9.18 N ĵ

F13 = 18 N
18 N (cos 0o)= 18 N iˆ 18 N (sin 0o )= 0 N ĵ

F1nett F1X = 2.8N+(18N)= 20.8 N iˆ F1y = 9.18N+(0 N)= 9.18 N ĵ

Coulomb’s Law
Step 4
Find the magnitude from the vector component calculated
Vector component = ( 20.8 N )iˆ  (9.18 N ) ˆj
Hence,
Magnitude = ( 20.8) 2  (9.18) 2
= 22.74 N ≈ 23 N
Step 5
Calculate the direction of the total force
Vector component = ( 20.8 N )iˆ  (9.18 N ) ˆj
Hence,
 (9.18) 
  tan 1    23.8  24
 ( 20.8) 
24o
Ans : 23 N, (240)
This angle is measured from positive x-axis and anticlockwise
 Electric Field, E


• The electric field,

E at any point in space is defined as the
electric force Feacting on a positive test charge placed at that
point divided by the magnitude of the test charge q0 :

 Fe
E
qo
• The electric field that exists at a point is the electrostatic force
experienced by a small test charge placed at that point divided by
the charge itself:
• Electric field, E is a vector quantity represented by arrow line,
called electric field lines

SI Units of Electric Field: newton per coulomb (N/C)

Electric Field
Derivation

Fe q qo 1 1 |q|
E k 2 E
qo r qo 4 0 r 2

•or, in terms of  o as ( k  1
4o) :
Proportionality
Point charge q: constant The value
of charge

|q|
Electric Field Ek 2 Distance between the
charge and the point
Magnitude at r ( in meter)
point(NC-1)
Unit E = NC-1
The electric field does not depend on the test charge.
Electric Field

•The positive charge experiences a force which is the vector sum

of the forces exerted by the charges on the rod and the two
spheres.

•This test charge should have a small magnitude so it doesn’t

affect the other charge.

.
Electric Field

Example 1.10
Calculate the magnitude and direction of Electric Field at point P
in Figure below which is 30 cm to the right of a point charge
Q = -3.0 x 10-6 C.

Q = -3.0 x 10-6 C P
_

r = 30 cm
Electric Field
Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric field TROUGH point P due to Q.

Q = -3.0 x 10-6 C P
_ EP

Step 2
Calculate the magnitude of the electric field TROUGH point P
9 x 109 Nm2 / C2 IQI = -3.0 x 10-6 C
EP P
+ kQ
Ep  2 Ep = 3.0 x 105 N/C
r 0.3 m
Electric Field

Step 3
Write the vector component

P Ep = 3.0 x 105 N/C

EP
+

The direction
of E is to -X Hence, the vector
component is
Ep =( -3.0 x 105 N/C) iˆ
Final Answer

Magnitude = 3.0 x 105 N/C and

direction = to –X axis (to the left)
Electric Field
Example 1.11
The positive test charge has a magnitude of
3.0x10-8C and experiences a force of 6.0x10-8N.

(a) Find the force per coulomb that the test charge
experiences.

(b) Predict the force that a charge of +12x10-8C

would experience if it replaced the test charge.

Solution:

(a) (b)
Fe
E  NC1 Fe  qo  E
qo

F 6.0 10 N 8 
F  2.0 N C 12.0  108 C 
 8
 2.0 N C  24  108 N
qo 3.0 10 C
Electric Field

Electric field for positive charge ~ radially outward direction.

Electric field for negative charge ~ radially inward direction
Electric Field

Example 1.12
The isolated point charge of
q=+15μC is in a vacuum. The test
charge is 0.20m to the right and
has a charge qo=+0.80μC.
Determine the electric field at
point P. 
 Fe
E The direction
Solution: qo of E is to + X
q qo 1
Ee  k 2
r qo


8.99 10 9
 
N  m 2 C2 0.80  10  6 C 15  10  6 C  1
 
 
6
3.4 10 N /c
0.20m 2 6
0.80  10 C

Final Answer Hence, the vector

component is
Magnitude = 3.4 x 106 N/C and
direction = to + X axis (to the right) Ee =(+3.4 x 106 N/C) iˆ
 Superposition of Electric Field
Example 1.13

Q1 = +25 µC P Q2 = +50.0 µC

+ +
r1 = 2.0 cm r2 = 8.0 cm

A distance of 10.0 cm a above separates two charges. Find

the electric field,E at point P.
Electric Field
Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric field of Q1 and Q2 trough point P.

Q1 = +25 µC P Q2 = +50 µC

+ EPQ2 EPQ1
+
Step 2
Calculate the electric field of Q1 and Q2 trough point P.

Force Calculation Method Value ; N/C

5.63 x108

7.03x 107
Electric Field
Step 3
Write the vector component
EPQ2 EPQ1
+
-7.03x 107 NC-1i 5.63 x108 NC-1 i

Step 4
Total up all the electric field ;
Enet = EPQ1 + EPQ2
= (56.25 x 107NC-1) i + ( - 7.03 x 107 NC-1)i
= (+ 49.22 x 107NC-1 )i
Hence, the MAGNITUDE of the DIRECTION of total
total electric field, electric field = +x direction
E = 49.22 x 107 NC-1
Electric Field

Example 1.14
Two positive point charges, q1=+16μC and q2=+4.0μC are separated in a
vacuum by a distance of 3.0m. Find the spot on the line between the
charges where the net electric field is zero.

q
Ee  k 2
r
Solution:
Enett   E1  E 2
E1 E 2
4.03.0m  d   d 2
2

k

16 10 C
k
4.0 10 C
6 6

d2 3.0m  d 2 d  2.0 m
Electric Field

Example 1.15
Two point charges are arranged as in a Figure below. Calculate the electric field
at point G due two both charges Q1 and Q2 . Identify the direction for resultant
electric field.
Electric Field

Step 1
Draw the direction of the electric field exerted at point G due to QB and QC ;

EGQ1
Click on charge Q1 and Q2
to observe the direction of
G
electric field experienced at
point G.
EGQ2
30 cm

26 cm 26 cm
+ -
Q1= +50 µC Q2= -40 µC
Electric Field

Step 2 EGQ1
Calculate the magnitude of electric
field at point G due to Q1 and Q2
G
x
EGQ2
Force Formula Calculation Value; NC-1

EGQ1 Q1 9  109 (50  106 ) 2.86 x 106

k
r
2
0.3972

EGQ2 Q2 9  109 (40  106 ) 2.28 x 106

k
r
2
0.3972
Electric Field

Step 3 How to get value of this angle ?

EGQ1
Write the vector component
49.1o
G
310.9o x
EGQ2

Magnitude X - component Y - component

EGQ1
2.86 x 106 cos 49.1o= 1.87 x 106 i 2.86 x 10-6 sin 49.1o= 2.16 x 106 j

EGQ2
2.28 x 106 cos 310.9o= 1.49 x 106 i 2.28 x 10-6 sin 310.9o= - 1.7 x 106 j

EGnet
= (3.36 x 106 NC-1)i = (0.46 x 106 NC-1)j
Electric Field

Step 4
Calculate the magnitude of Electric Field,E from the vector
component calculated;
Vector component = 3.36 x 106 i + 0.46 x 106 j
Hence,

Magnitude =
(3.36 x106 )2  (0.46 x106 )2

= 3.39 x 106 NC-1

Step 5 E
Calculate the direction of the total force
Hence, Vector component = 3.36 x 10-6 i + 0.46 x 10-6 j
7.79o
6
(0.46 x10 )
  tan1
 7.79o

(3.36x106 )
This angle is measured from positive
Ans : 3.39 x 106 NC-1, (7.790) x-axis and anticlockwise
 Electric Field lines
• .Electric field lines or lines of force provide a map of the electric field in
the space surrounding electric charges

field direction field direction

- + +Q
Q

(Electric field lines point radially (Electric field lines point radially
inward the positive charge) outward from the negative charge)
 Electric Field lines
• The direction of electric field always tangent to the electric field line at
each point..
• The closer the lines, the stronger the field.
• number of lines is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.
• Electric field lines start on positive charges and end on negative charges
(not stop in midspace).
• The field lines never cross because the electric field don’t have two value
at the same point.
 Electric Field lines

The closer the field

lines, the stronger the
electric field in that
region.
Electric Field Lines

field direction
field direction
- +
Q
+Q

(the lines point radially outward

(the lines point radially inward
from the positive charge)
the negative charge)

field direction Electric Dipole

(the lines are curved

and they are directed +Q -Q
from the positive + -
charge to the negative
charge.
Electric Field Lines

Field lines
don’t cross

The absence of the lines indicates that the electric field is

relatively weak between the charges
Electric Field Patterns
Field between two opposite charges

Field between two like charges

Electric Field Lines

PROPERTIES OF FIELD LINES

E Graph of E versus r

E  1/r2

0 r

• When the distance is close (r is smaller), electric

field, E is greater.
 Electric Flux ΦE
 Electric flux: the number of field lines that pass
through a given surface.
 Larger surface: more field lines pass through
corresponding to a larger flux.

 The number of lines of force that pass through the

surface is proportional to the electric flux.
 When the surface is not perpendicular to the
direction of field, fewer lines pass through.
 If the surface is parallel to the field direction, no
lines pass through it and the flux is zero.
Electric Flux
Electric flux:

• Unit φE : N.m2/C
• θ = the angle between the
electric field direction and a line
drawn perpendicular to the area.

Electric flux through an

area is proportional to the
total number of field lines
crossing the area.

N  EA = E
Electric Flux

Flux through a closed surface:

Electric Flux

Example 1.16
Electric Flux
Example 1.17
Calculate the electric flux through the rectangle shown in Figure . The
rectangle is 10 cm by 20 cm, the electric field is uniform at 200 N/C,
and the angle θ is 30o.

Solution :

 E  EA  EAcos 
 E  (200 N / C)(0.10 m  0.20 m) cos 30
 3.5 Nm 2 / C
Electric Flux

Example 1.18
A uniform electric field of magnitude E = 435 N/C makes an angle of θ=
65.0o with a plane surface of area A = 3.50 m2 as in figure below. Find the
electric flux through this surface.

E
Solution : θ

 E  EA  EAcos 

 E  (435 N / C )(3.50 m2 ) cos(90  65)

 1.38 103 Nm2 / C

 Electric Flux

Example 1.19
Calculate the electric flux through the rectangle shown in Figure The
rectangle is 10 mm by 20 cm, the electric field is uniform at 900 N/C,
and the angle θ is 20o.
.
E
Solution :
θ

 E  EA  EAcos 

 E  (900 N / C )(0.002 m2 ) cos(90  20 )

 0.62 Nm2 / C
 Gauss’s Law
 Gauss’s Law states that the net number of electric field
lines of force (electric flux) crossing any closed surface
in an outward direct proportion to the net total charge
within that surface.
Electric flux:
 
Φ E  E . A  E A  EA  EA cos 

Whereas,  o= permittivity of free space

= 8.8542 x 1012 C2/Nm2
 Gauss’ Law – How does it work?
Consider a POSITIVE POINT CHARGE, Q.

Step 1 – Is there a source of symmetry?

Yes, it is spherical symmetry!

 Then draw a shape in such a way as to obey the

symmetry and
 ENCLOSE the charge. In this case, we enclose
the charge within a sphere.
 This surface is called a GAUSSIAN
SURFACE.[imaginary surface]

Step 2 – What do you know about the

qenc
electric field at all points on this surface?
E  da 
It is constant. o
The “E” is then brought out of the integral.
Gauss’s Law

Gauss’ law and cylindrical symmetry

Step 3 – Identify the area of the
Gaussian surface?
In this case, summing each and every dA gives
us the surface area of a sphere.

qenc
E (4r ) 2

o
Step 4 – Identify the charge enclosed?

The charge enclosed is Q!

Q Q
E (4r )   E
2 This is the equation for a

o 4r 2 o
POINT CHARGE!
Gauss’s Law

continue…..
• Field outside spherical shell is same as
for point charge at center.

Q Q
E (4r ) 
2
 E
o 4r 2 o

• Field inside uniformly charged

spherical shell is: (Qencl = Q = 0)

   )0
2
E.d A E ( 4 r
Hence, E 0
Gauss’s Law

The static electric field inside a conductor is zero – if it were

not, the charges would move.

The net charge on a conductor resides on its outer surface.

Gauss’s Law

Gauss & Michael Faraday

Faraday was interested in how charges move when
placed inside of a conductor. He placed a charge inside,
but as a result the charges moved to the outside surface.

Then he choose his Gaussian surface to be just inside

the box.

qenc qenc
E  da   0( A) 
o o
qenc  0

He verified all of this because he DID NOT get shocked while INSIDE the box. This is
called Faraday’s cage.
Gauss’s Law

Faraday’s Cage
(a) (b)

An external electrical
field causes the
(c) charges to rearrange,
which cancels the
field inside.

Fig. 1-19: (a) Sample, (b) application, and (c) mechanism of Faraday’s
Cage.
Gauss’ law and cylindrical symmetry
Consider a line( or rod) of charge that is very long (infinite)

We can ENCLOSE it within a CYLINDER. Thus our Gaussian

+ surface is a cylinder.
+
+
qenc qenc
E  da 
+
+ E (2rL ) 
+ o o
+
+ L RECALL : Macro   
Q
+ E (2rL)  L
+ o
+ Q  L  qenc
+
 Acylinder  2rL
E
2r o
  Charge per unit length (C/m)
This is the same equation we got doing extended charge distributions.
Gauss’ law for insulating sheets and disks
• A charge is distributed with a uniform charge density over an
infinite plane INSULATING thin sheet. Determine E outside the
sheet.
• For an insulating sheet the charge resides INSIDE the sheet. Thus
there is an electric field on BOTH sides of the plane.

qenc
 E  dA  o
+ Q Q
EA  EA   2 EA 
o o
Q A
  , 2 EA  This is the same equation
A o
we got doing extended

E  
charge distributions.
2 o
2
Charge per area (C/m )
 Gauss’ law for conducting sheets and disks

• A charge is distributed with a uniform charge density over an

infinite thick conducting sheet. Determine E outside the sheet.

• For a thick conducting sheet, the charge exists on the surface only

qenc
 E  dA  o
+
Q
+
EA 
E =0 +
o
Q A
+
  , EA 
+
A o
+

+
E 
o
 In summary
Whether you use electric charge distributions or Gauss’ Law you
get the SAME electric field functions for symmetrical situations.
Q dq
E  dE 
4o r 2 4o r 2
qenc
 E  dA  o

Function Point, hoop, or Disk or Sheet Line, rod, or

Sphere (AREA) cylinder
(Volume) “insulating and (LINEAR)
thin”
Equation Q  
E E E
4o r 2 2 o 2o r
Gauss’s Law

Example 1.20
1. A thin spherical shell of radius ro possesses a total net Q
that is uniformly distributed on it, as figure below.
Determine the electric field at points
a) Outside the shell
b) Inside the shell
E

ro
r r
A1 A2
Gauss’s Law

(a) Gauss’s law equation:

Qencl = Q

Qenc Q
E  A  E (4r ) 
2

o o
Where 4πr2 is the surface area of our sphere (Gaussian surface) of radius r.

Thus,
1
Q
E
4 o r 2
Thus the field outside a uniformly charged spherical shell is the same as
if all the charge were concentrate at the center as a point charge.
Gauss’s Law

Continue…….

(b) Qencl = 0 since the charge inside the surface (shell with radius=r) is zero, we
have

Qencl 0
E  A  E  A  E ( 4r )  2

o

o
Hence

E0
Inside the uniform spherical shell of charge.
 In summary

 Electric Force is a vector quantity.

 Unit for electric field is N (newton).

 Electric field is a vector quantity.

 Unit for electric field is N/C or V/m.

 In summary

• Two kinds of electric charge – positive and

negative
• Charge is conserved
• Charge on electron:

• Conductors: electrons free to move

• Insulators: nonconductors
 In summary

• Charge is quantized in units of e

• Objects can be charged by conduction or induction
• Coulomb’s law:

• Electric field is force per unit charge:

 In summary

• Electric field of a point charge:

• Electric field can be represented by electric field

lines
• Static electric field inside conductor is zero;
surface field is perpendicular to surface
• Electric flux:
• Gauss’s law:
Strive not to be a success, but rather
to be a value