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Electrostatics
Chapter Snapshot
Electric Charge
Conductors and Insulators
Charging of a Body
Coulombs Law
Electric Field
Electric Potential Energy
Electric Potential
Relation between Electric Field and Potential
Equipotential Surfaces
Electric Dipole
Gausss Law
Properties of a Conductor
Electric Field and Potential due to Charged Spherical Shell of Solid
Conducting Sphere
Electric Field and Potential due to a Solid Sphere of Charge
Capacitance
q = ne
n = 1, 2, 3
1
Charge on any body can never be e , 1.5e, etc.
3
Note
1. Apart from charge, energy, angular momentum and mass are also quantized.
h
The quantum of energy is hn and that of angular momentum is . Quantum
2p
of mass is yet not known.
2. The protons and neutrons are combination of other entities called quarks,
2
3
which have charges 1 e and e. However, isolated quarks have not been
3
Ebonite rod
Metal
sphere
Insulated
stand
1.0
= 6.25 1018
n= =
e 1.6 10 -19
Fig. 18.1
+ ++
+
+
+
+
++
Metal
sphere
+ ++
+
Grounding
+
+
wire
+
++
Insulated
stand
(a)
Earth
(b)
+ + ++ +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
++
++
(c)
Fig. 18.2
+ Plastic
the sphere, the free electrons
+
+
close to the rod move to the other
side (by repulsion). As a result,
Fig. 18.3
the part of the sphere nearer to
the rod becomes positively charged and the part farthest
from the rod negatively charged. This phenomenon is
called induction. Now if the rod is removed, the free
electrons return to their original places and the charged
regions disappear. Under most conditions the earth is a
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
good electric conductor. So when a metal wire is attached
between the sphere and the ground as in Fig. (b) some of
the free electrons leave the sphere and distribute
themselves on the much larger earth. If the grounding
wire is then removed, followed by the ebonite rod, the
sphere is left with a net positive charge. The process of
giving one object a net electric charge without touching
the object to a second charged object is called charging by
induction. The process could also be used to give the
sphere a net negative charge, if a positively charged rod
were used. Then, electrons would be drawn up from the
ground through the grounding wire and onto the sphere.
If the sphere were made from an insulating material
like plastic, instead of metal, the method of producing a
net charge by induction would not work, because very
little charge would flow through the insulating material
and down the grounding wire. However, the electric force
of the charged rod would have some effect as shown in
figure. The electric force would cause the positive and
negative charges in the molecules of the insulating
material to separate slightly, with the negative charges
being pushed away from the negative rod. The surface of
the plastic sphere does acquire a slight induced positive
charge, although no net charge is created.
Example 18.2
Solution No, because the comb loses its net charge after
some time. The excess charge of the comb transfers to earth
through our body after some time.
Example 18.4
each other?
3
Example 18.6
grounding?
N - s2 2
c
k = 10 -7
C 2
1
, where e0
This constant k is often written as
4 pe0
(epsilon-nought) is another constant. This appears to
complicate matters, but it actually simplifies many
formulae that we will encounter in later chapters. Thus,
Eq. (i) can be written as,
1 | q1q2|
(ii)
Fe =
4 pe0 r 2
Here,
1
N - s2
= 10 -7
4 pe0
C2
2
c
Fe
1
qq
1 q1q2
=
12 2 =
K 4 pe0 K r
4 pe r 2
(in medium)
Objective Galaxy 1 8 . 1
1. In few problems of electrostatics Lamis theorem is very
useful.
According to this theorem, if three concurrent forces F1, F2
and F3 as shown in figure are in equilibrium or if
F1 + F2 + F2 = 0, then
F2
g
F3
Fig. 18.5
1 q1 q2
4pe0 r 2
= e = 1.6 10 -19 C
(i)
4pe0 | r2 r1|3
F1
Solution
F1
F
F
= 2 = 3
sin a sin b sin g
= 2.304 10-28 N
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
q3
q3
q1
q2
Fig. 18.8
q2
Fig. 18.6
1
q1 q2
(r1 r2 )
F1
q1
[(0 1) i$ + (0 0) $j + (0 0) k$ ]
= (1.8 10-2 i$) N
q2
and
120
F net
Fig. 18.7
F2
|F1| = F1 =
1 q1 q2
4pe0 r 2
-6
-6
= 1.8 10
-2
1 q1 q3
4pe0 r 2
= 2.7 10-2 N
Now, |Fnet | = F12 + F22 + 2F1 F2 cos 120
1
= (1.8)2 + (2.7)2 + 2 (1.8) (2.7) 10-2 N
= 2.38 10-2 N
F2 sin 120
F1 + F2 cos 120
-2
tan a =
F = F1 + F2
= (0.45 $i 2.349 $j) 102 N
and
1
q1 q3
(r1 r3 )
4pe0 | r1 r3|3
Similarly,
|F2| = F2 =
(2.7 10 ) (0.87)
1
(1.8 10-2 ) + (2.7 10-2 ) -
2
or
a = 79.2
Thus, the net force on charge q1 is 2.38 10-2 N at an
angle a = 79.2 with a line joining q1 and q2 as shown in
the figure.
q
q
q
T
Fe
Fe
In liquid
In vacuum
Fig. 18.9
In the liquid,
Fe
K
w = w - upthrust
w
F
= e
cos q sin q
(i)
Similarly in liquid,
w
F
= e
cos q sin q
(ii)
Example 18.10
w Fe
=
w F
e
or
K=
=
or
K=
w
w upthrust
Vrg
Vrg Vsg
F
as e = K
Solution Force on + 2 mC = qE
= (2 106 ) (105 )
= 0.2 N (due west)
(V = volume of ball)
5 m C = (5 106 ) (105 )
Force on
r
r-s
Note In the liquid F e and w have been changed. Therefore, T will also change.
q0
Fe
q +
E
E
Fig. 18.10
Fe =
1
qq
20
4 p e0 r
1
q
2
4 pe0 r
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
Example 18.11
Fig. 18.11
4pe0 r12 4pe0 r22
r1
=
r2
Also,
(i)
r1 + r2 = 3.0 m
(ii)
Emax
+
+
Ex
x
R
Ex
R
2
Fig. 18.13
q1
q2
16
=2
4
Ex
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
E
P
l
Fig. 18.14
1
r
Thus, E-r graph is as shown in Fig. 18.15.
E
or
+
+
Fig. 18.12
4 pe0 x 2
much farther from the ring, its field is the same as
Fig. 18.15
Objective Galaxy 1 8 . 2
1. Suppose a charge q is placed at a point whose position vector is rq and we want to find the electric field at a point P whose position
vector is rp Then in vector form the electric field is given by,
E =
1
q
( rp rq )
4pe0 | rp rq|3
rp = x p i$ + y p $j + z p z$
rq = x q i$ + y q $j + zq k$
Here,
and
Example 18.12
Solution Here,
rq = i$ + 2$j + 4k$
rp = 4$j + 3k$
and
rp rq = i$ 6$j k$
or
= 38 m
E=
Now,
1
q
(rp rq)
4pe0 | rp rq|3
(a)
(b)
N
= (38.42 i$ 230.52 $j 38.42 k$ )
C
+ q
(c)
(d)
2q
Q
Ep
B
A
(e)
Fig. 18.17
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
Fig. 18.18
\
or
Wi - f = DU
DU = Wi - f = [ q0 E0 (2a a)]
= q0 E0 a
Note Here work done by electrostatic force is positive. Hence, the potential
energy is decreasing.
a
q
q0
r
ra
rb
Fig. 18.19
qq0
4 pe0
10
Here,
q3
q1
1 q3 q2
qq
qq
+ 3 1 + 2 1
W=
qq
1 q3 q2
+ 3 1
(2.0)
(1.0)
q4
1 q4 q3 q4 q2 q4 q1 q3 q2 q3 q1 q2 q1
+
+
+
+
+
r21
4 pe0 r43
r42
r41
r32
r31
(ii)
Here, all the charges are to be substituted with sign.
U=
Four
charges
q1 = 1 mC ,
q2 = 2 mC ,
q3 = 3 mC and q4 = 4 mC are kept on the vertices of a square of
side 1 m. Find the electric potential energy of this system of
charges.
Example 18.14
q4
q3
= 4.5 103 J
(b) The total potential energy of the three charges is
given by,
U=
1
4pe0
q3 q2
qq
qq
+ 3 1 + 2 1
r31
r21
r32
1m
1m
q2
q1
Example 18.16
Fig. 18.20
q3
y=4m
and
= (9.0 103 ) 12 +
= 7.62 102 J
2
q2
q1
x 2 = 3 m
x
x1 = 3 m
Fig. 18.21
Note Here negative sign of U implies that positive work has been done by
electrostatic forces in assembling these charges at respective distances from infinity.
y
q3
Example 18.15
Fnet
q1
q2
O
Fig. 18.22
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
Solution Let v be the speed of particle at origin. From
conservation of mechanical energy,
Ui + Ki = Uf + Kf
or
1 q3 q2
qq
qq
+ 3 1 + 2 1 + 0
1 q3 q2
qq
qq 1
+ 3 1 + 2 1 + mv2
4pe0 (r32 )f
(r31 )f
(r21 )f 2
16 1
16
(9 103 ) = (9 103 ) + 103 v2
5
3 2
2 1
(9 103 ) (16) = 103 v2
15 2
v = 6.2 m /s
11
The SI unit of potential is volt ( V ) which is equal to
joule per coulomb. So,
1 V = 1 volt = 1 J /C = 1 joule / coulomb
The work done by the electrostatic force in displacing
a test charge q0 from a to b in an electric field is defined as
the negative of change in potential energy between them,
or
DU = Wa b
\
Ub Ua = Wa b
We divide this equation by q0 ,
Wa b
Ub Ua
=
q0 q0
q0
Wa b
U
or
as V =
Va Vb =
q0
q0
Thus, the work done per unit charge by the electric
force when a charged body moves from a to b is equal to
the potential at a minus the potential at b. We sometimes
abbreviate this difference as Vab = Va Vb.
Another way to interpret the potential difference Vab is
that the potential at a minus potential at b, equals the work
that must be done to move a unit positive charge slowly
from b to a against the electric force.
( Wb a)external force
Va Vb =
q0
U = q0 V
Objective Galaxy 1 8 . 3
Following three formulae are very useful in the problems
related to work done in electric field.
(W a b ) electric force = q 0 (V a V b )
= q 0 (V b V a ) = (W a b ) electric force
(W a ) external force = q 0V a
Here, q 0 , V a and V b are to be substituted with sign.
(W a b ) external
q0 = 1.6 1019 C
Example 18.17
force
VA = 20 V
VB = 40 V
Work done by external force
(WB A)external force = q0 (VA VB)
and
12
Note Here we can see that the electron (a negative charge) moves from B
(lower potential) to A (higher potential) and the work done by electric force is
positive. Therefore, we may conclude that whenever a negative charge moves
from a lower potential to higher potential work done by the electric force is
positive or when a positive charge moves from lower potential to higher
potential the work done by the electric force is negative.
Example 18.18
force = (2
106 ) (104 )
= 2 102 J
q q0
1
U 4 pe0
r
V=
=
q0
q0
or
1
q
4 pe0 r
V=
of point
by each
of point
to each
Objective Galaxy 1 8 . 4
qi
1
In the equationV =
if the whole charge is at equal
4pe0 i ri
distance r0 from the point where V is to be evaluated, then
we can write,
1 q net
V =
4pe0 r0
where q net is the algebraic sum of all the charges of which
the system is made.
Here are few examples:
Examples 1. Four charges are placed on the vertices of a
square as shown in figure. The electric potential at centre of
the square is zero as all the charges are at same distance
from the centre and
+4 mC
2 mC
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ ++
+
+
+
+
+q
+
+ + ++
(a)
(b)
Fig. 18.24
C
4 mC
+2 mC
Fig. 18.23
Fig. 18.25
q net = 4 mC 2 mC + 2 mC 4 mC
= 0.
V =
1 q
4pe0 R
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
13
q
1 q1 q2
+ 3
+
r2
r3
4pe0 r1
10
1.0 2.0 3.0
V =
V0 =
In the figure,
+q
VP =
4m
+
1.0 r
Fig. 18.28
3m
+
+
+
+
q
1
4pe0 r0
q = 10 mC = 105 C
V =
Further,
Fig. 18.26
V =
q
3q
=0
4 pe0 r 4 pe0(1 + r )
3q
or
z
P
3q
1.0 m
q
1
4 pe0 R
Example 18.21
= 9.0 103 V
r0
1
q
4pe0 R2 + r 2
(9.0 10 ) (10 )
= 1.8 104 V
(5.0)
VP =
q
3q
= 0,
4 pe0 r 4 pe0 (1 r )
Here, Ex =
V $ V $ V $
E=-
i+
j+
k
z
y
x
14
Example 18.22
represented as,
V = 2x + 3y z
obtain expression for electric field strength.
V $ V $ V $
E=
i+
j+
k
y
z
x
V
=
(2x + 3y z) = 2
x x
V
=
(2x + 3y z) = 3
y y
Solution
Here,
=
(2x + 3y z) = 1
z z
E = -2i$ - 3$j + k$
\
We have determined how to calculate electric field E from
the electrostatic potential V. Let us now consider how to
calculate potential difference or absolute potential if
electric field E is known. For this use the relation,
dV = E dr
B
Example 18.24
2m
(a) VA VB
(1,2 , 1 )
(2 , 1,2 )
(1,2 , 1 )
(2 , 1,2 )
VA VB = EdAB
= (10) (1) = 10 V
rb = (2 i$ + $j 2 k$ ) m.
and
(b) VB VC
where
2m
Fig. 18.30
When E is Uniform
Example 18.23
2m
A E dr
dr dx $i + dy $j + dz k$
Here,
VB VA =
or
A dV = A E dr
or
VA VB = Ed.
VB VC = (10) (2) = 20 V
Example 18.25
b E dr
(2 $i + 3 $j + 4 k$ ) (dx $i + dy $j + dz k$ )
30
(2 dx + 3 dy + 4 dz)
( 1, 2, 1 )
Fig. 18.31
C
d
Fig. 18.29
and
\
B (0, 4 m, 0)
VBA = VB VA
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
=
15
A E dr
(0 , 4 m , 0 )
( -2 m , 0 , 0 )
= 100 (2 + 3 ) V
Method 2. We can also use, V = Ed
With the view that VA > VB or VB VA will be negative.
Here,
3
1
+ 4 = ( 3 + 2)
2
2
VB VA = EdAB = 100 (2 + 3)
40 V
30
V
20
V
1 0V
40 V
30 V 20 V
Fig. 18.32
and
Now,
V1 > V2
1 q
V1 =
4pe0 r1
V2 =
V1 V2 =
q
4pe0
1 1
r1 r2
r2
V1 V2
Fig. 18.33
r2 r1
r1 r2
(4pe0 ) (V1 V2 )
(r2 r1 ) =
(r1 r2 )
q
=
1
q
4pe0 r2
q
+
r1
q
4pe0
+
fluorine
ion
2a
Fig. 18.34
16
+q
A (x, y, z)
x 2 + z 2 + (y+a)2
x
a
q
z
Fig. 18.35
V=
q
1
4 pe0 x 2 + ( y a)2 + z2
x 2 + ( y + a)2 + z2
q
q
x
x
=
2
2
2
2 3 /2
2
2 3 /2
4 pe0 [ x + ( y a) + z ]
[ x + ( y + a) + z ]
V
Ey =
y
q
ya
y+a
2
=
2
2
2 3 /2
2
2 3 /2
4 pe0 [ x + ( y a) + z ]
[ x + ( y + a) + z ]
V
Ez =
z
q
z
z
2
=
2
2
2 3 /2
2
2 3 /2
4 pe0 [ x + ( y a) + z ]
[ x + ( y + a) + z ]
Special Cases
x = 0, z = 0
q 1
1
2 aq
=
V=
4 pe0 y a y + a 4 pe0 ( y 2 a2 )
(as 2aq = p)
Vaxis
p
4 pe0 r 2
(for r >> a)
Ey =
1
2 py
4 pe0 ( y 2 a2 )2
Eaxis
1 2p
4 pe0 r 3
(for r >> a)
1
q
q
\
V=
=0
4 pe0 x 2 + a2
x 2 + a2
or
V^ bisector = 0
Moreover the components of electric field are as
under,
Ez = 0
Ex = 0,
a
q
a
and
2
Ey =
2
2 3 /2
2 3 /2
4 pe0 ( x + a )
(x + a )
2 aq
=
4 pe0 ( x 2 + a2 )3 / 2
or
p
4 pe0 ( y 2 a2 )
V=
p =(2 a) q
x 2 + z 2 + (y a)2
or
Ey =
1
p
2
4 pe0 ( x + a2 )3 / 2
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
E=
or
E^
bisector
17
1
p
2
4 pe0 ( r + a2 )3 / 2
1
p
4 pe0 r 3
(for r >> a)
Force on Dipole
Suppose an electric dipole of dipole moment| p| = 2aq
is placed in a uniform electric field E at an angle q. Here q
is the angle between p and E. A force F1 = qE will act on
positive charge and F2 = qE on negative charge. Since, F1
and F2 are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Hence,
F1
O
a
F2
+q
a
or
t =pE
Thus, the magnitude of torque is t = PE sin q. The
direction of torque is perpendicular to the plane of paper
inwards. Further this torque is zero at q = 0 or q = 180 , i.e.,
when the dipole is parallel or antiparallel to E and
maximum at q = 90 .
90
Fig. 18.37
Fig. 18.36
F1 + F2 = 0
dU = pE sin q dq
From 90 to q, we have
q
Fnet = 0
or
Torque on Dipole
The torque of F1 about O,
t1 = OA F1
= q (OA E)
and torque of F2 about O is,
t2 = OB F2
= q (OB E)
= q(BO E)
The net torque acting on the dipole is,
t = t1 + t2
= q (OA E) + q (BO E)
= q (OA + BO) E
= q (BA E)
90 dU = 90 pE sin q dq
q
U ( q) = pE cos q
= pE
If the dipole is rotated from an angle q1 to q2 , then
work done by external forces =U ( q2) U ( q1)
or
Wexternal forces = pE cos q2 ( PE cos q1 )
or
Wexternal forces = pE (cos q1 cos q2 )
and work done by electric forces,
Welectric force = Wexternal force
= pE (cos q2 cos q1)
Equilibrium of Dipole
When an electric dipole is placed in a uniform electric
field net force on it is zero for any position of the dipole in
the electric field. But torque acting on it is zero only at
q = 0 and180. Thus, we can say that at these two positions
of the dipole, net force or torque on it is zero or the dipole is
18
+q
E
F1
F1
+q
+q
p
Restoring torque
Torque in opposite
direction
F2
q = 0
U = minimum = - PE
Fnet = 0, t = 0
+q
q = 180
U = maximum = + PE
F2
Fnet = 0, t = 0
Fig. 18.38
Objective Galaxy 1 8 . 5
1. As there are too many formulae in electric dipole, we have
summarised them as under:
q
+q
2a
P
Fig. 18.39
| p | = ( 2a ) q
2. On the axis of dipole :
1
p
(i)
V =
4pe0 r 2 a2
V axis
or
1 p
4pe0 r 2
if r >> a
1
2pr
4pe0 ( r 2 a2 )2
1 2p
4pe0 r 3
E =
(ii)
or
E axis
(along p)
for r >> a
a=
where
\
Fig. 18.40
(for r >> a)
1 p
4pe0 r 3
(opposite to p)
Chapter 18 Electrostatics
19
Electric Flux
E
S1
S1
S2
q
(b)
(a)
Fig. 18.41
90
90
90
Closed
surface
90
90
E
90
90
E
E
Fig. 18.43
Case 2.
fe = 0
If at all points on the surface the electric field is
tangential to the surface.
n1
q1
Direction of n$
E1
n2
q2
E2
E
E
S
Closed
surface
Fig. 18.42
Fig. 18.44
20
Gausss Law
This law gives a relation between the net electric flux
through a closed surface and the charge enclosed by the
surface.
According to this law, the net electric flux through
any closed surface is equal to the net charge inside the
surface divided by e0 . In symbols it can be written as,
fe = E n$ dS =
S
qin
e0
(i)
qin
e0
(ii)
S = area of sphere = 4 pr 2
E
E
Curved surface
Plane surface
Fig. 18.47
q
E
and
E=
4 pe0 r 2
E=
l
2 pe0 r