Physics 1422

Chapter 21
Chapter 21. The Electric Field I: Discrete Charge Distribution

Introduction

Fundamental Forces (Interactions) of Nature:

1. Gravitational Force: Force between masses M1

r
M2
G: Gravitational Constant (= )

2. Strong Nuclear Force: Holds Nuclei together

3. Weak Nuclear forces: it is responsible for radioactive decay of subatomic particles.

4. Electromagnetic Force. (Electricity and Magnetism are linked together)

- a force between charges
- responsible for all familiar forces (except gravity) – friction, normal, magnetic

When charges at rest (Static), the magnetic force due them is Zero
but have Electrostatic Interaction.
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What is a Charge

- A charge is an intrinsic (a Fundamental) property of matters.

- It comes in two types: - a positive charge such as a proton (+e)
- a negative charge such as an electron (-e)
where e = is the fundamental unit of charge. (C reads Coulomb)

- A charge is quantized: any observable charge (Q)occurring in nature is equal an integer

number (N) multiply the fundamental unit of charge.

- Charge is conserved: when a negative charge is created, a positive charge is

spontaneously created so that the net charge of the universe is kept constant.

Question: How many electrons you need to add on a particle with positive charge of 1.28 C
to have neutral (net charge = 0).

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 1. Electrostatic Interaction (Coulomb’s Interaction): Coulomb’s Law

Question :How do charges see (or feel) each other.

Answer: Through electrostatic interaction (Electrostatic Force, or Coulomb’s Force)

Consider two point charges q1 and q2 a distance r away as shown in the figure.
The magnitude of electrostatic force between these charges q1
o is directly proportional to the magnitude of each charge
o is inversely proportional to the square of the distance q2
between the two charges. r

The electric force is directed along the line joining the two charges:
o Charges with the same sign repel each other ( the force on either charge
is directed away from the other
o Charges with opposite signs attract each other (the force in either charge
is directed toward the other)

q2 q1 q2 q1
+ + + -
F12 F21 F12 F21
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Electrostatic Interaction (Coulomb’s Interaction): Coulomb’s Law

The magnitude of the electric force exerted by a point charges q1 on another point
charge q2 a distance r away is thus can be written in the form:

q1

and vice versa q2

r

K : Coulomb constant ( = )

Note: Compare the mathematical form of the electrostatic force to the one of the
gravitational force on page 1.

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The force exerted by one point charge on another acts along the
line between the charges. It varies inversely as the square of the
distance separating the charges and is proportional to the product
of the charges. The force is repulsive if the charges have the same
sign and attractive if the charges have opposite signs.
Example
Consider the electric force between a pair of charged particles a certain distance apart.
By Coulomb’s law:

1) If the charge on one of the particles is doubled, the force is

a) unchanged b) halved c) doubled d) quadrupled

2) If, instead, the charge on both particles is doubled, the force is

a) unchanged b) halved c) doubled d) quadrupled

3) If, instead, the distance between the particles is halved, the force is
a) unchanged b) halved c) doubled d) quadrupled

4) If the distance is halved, and the charge of both particles is doubled,

The force is ______ times as great.

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Example 1
Example 2
Example 2
Vector Addition

Give an example of vector addition

Coulomb’s force
Simulation.
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Math-Scientific/Electrostatic-Zoo.shtml
Example 3
The Electric Field, E
In mechanics, we picture the gravitational interaction between masses as one of the mass
creating a gravitational field , ,and other masses sense that field and hence experience a
force due to their presence in that field,

r
m

Similarly, we follow this approach to picture the electric field Gravitational Field

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The Electric Field, E

Consider a set of point charges q1, q2, q3 , ….. qn arbitrary arranged in space, and a positive
tiny test charge qo at a point p.

q1 +
q2
-

qo

+
q3
-
qn

+
q4

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The electric field lines of a single positive charge
The Electric Field
The electric field due to a single charge
Example 4
Electric Dipoles
The electric field lines of a single positive charge
This figure shows the electric field lines for two equal positive
point charges q separated by a small distance. Near each charge, the field
is approximately due that charge alone.
This figure shows the electric field line s due to an electric
dipole. Very near the positive charge, the lines directed radially
outward.

http://mac.softpedia.com/get/Math-Scientific/Electrostatic-Zoo.shtml
This figure shows the electric field lines for a negative charge −q
at a small distance from a positive charge +2q.
Example 5
Example 21-12
Electron moving perpendicular to a uniform electric field
Example 21-12
Electron moving perpendicular to a uniform electric field
Example 6
Example 3. (In-class)
Three charged particles are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side 1.20 m.
The charges are +7.0 C, -8.0 C, and -6.0 C. Calculate the force on each due to the other
two.

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(Problem 74, Page 74 of the text book) HW (1-point) due next week

Two identical point articles, each of mass m and charge q, are suspended from a common
point by threads of length L. Each thread makes an angle  with the vertical as shown in the
side figure . Show that where k is Coulomb constant.

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Thank you