27 ELECTRIC FIELD

ELECTRIC FIELD
2.0 INTRODUCTION

You are already familiar with many electrical phenomena such as lightning. You can see a
brief spark, but the effect does not persist. Such events are due to what we call static
electricity or electrostatic.

2.1 ELECTROSTATICS

We will begin our discussion of electricity by studying electrostatics, the science of stationary
electric charges What is static electricity? Static electricity is defined as an electrical charge
caused by an imbalance of electrons on the surface of a material. Put in simple terms, static
electricity is when electrons (not protons) are moved, usually by rubbing or brushing. The
study of static electricity, electrostatics investigates every aspect of static charge. There is also
one more way to define static electricity, by defining and comparing its opposite. Current
electricity is the opposite of static electricity, the difference between the two is static is when
electrons are moved, as stated above, and current is when electrons flow inside a conductor.
So just remember, static electricity is a build up of charge, positive or negative, in one place.

Electric Charge

The structure of atoms can be described in terms of three particles that is electron, proton and
neutron. Proton and electron are charged particle but neutron is the uncharged particle. There
are two types of electric charged that is positive and negative charges. The positive charge is
called proton and the negative charge is called electron. Basically, if an object has an equal
number of proton and electron, the object is called neutral charged. If the object has the
number of electron more than the number of proton the object is said as negatively charged
and if the object has deficiency of electron it will become as positively charged

The unit of charge used in the SI system is called the Coulomb (C) *. 1 Coulomb charges =
6.242 x 1018 number of electrons, therefore 1 electron charge = 1.602 x 10-19 C. Similarly, the

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proton charge is 1.602 x 10-19 C. The sign of charge is labeled as (+ve) for proton and (-ve)
for an electron.
* Charles Augustin de Coulomb was a French physicist. He found the mathematic theory of
interaction of electric charges.

The formula for charge is 'Q = ne'. In the equation Q stands for charge of an object in
coulombs, n is the number of elementary charges, and e is the elementary charge, to be 1.60 x
10-19 C.
Exercise 2.1

A person has received a charge of 8 coulombs how many elementary charges does the
person have?

Test your understanding

What is the mass of the electron, proton and neutron?

In electrostatics, we are studying three important quantities, those are

(i) Electric Force (vector quantity)
(ii) Electric Field (vector quantity)
(iii) Electric Potential (scalar quantity)

2.2 ELECTRIC FORCE AND COULOMB’S LAW

Electric Force between two point charges.

We now know the properties of charges, but we still do not know how to measure charges
interactions. When two charges interact, there are two possibilities the charges can either
attract or repel . In both of these possibilities, the charges feel either an attractive or repulsive
force– we know that this force exists, but how can we measure it? Charles-Augustin de
Coulomb asked this same question in 1784. Coulomb was a great French physicist who was
responsible for discovering a relationship between the force of two charges and the square of
its distance. He compiled this relationship into an equation called Coulomb's Law. Electric
charge and a basic rule describing their behavior is- like electric charges repel each other, and
unlike charges attract each other. If two point charges are arranged as shown in Figure 2.1,
each point charge will experienced the force due to other charge as indicated in figure. The
direction of electric force on each point charge is depend on the charge itself.

Q1 Q2

 
F 12 + + F 21
Figure 2.1

+
 
F 12 F 21

 
F 12 F 21

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Coulomb’s Law

Charles Augustin de Coulomb was the first to measure electrical attractions and repulsion
quantitatively. As a result of his experimentation, he deduced the law that governs these
forces. It is called Coulomb’s Law,

The force between two stationary point charges is directly proportional to the product of
their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

1
F  Q1Q2 and F
r2

Coulomb’s law can be expressed algebraically as

F =k
QQ 1 2 or F=
1 Q1 Q 2
r
2
4π  0 r 2

F = magnitude of force experienced by each of two charges.

Q1 and Q2 = magnitude of charges
r = distance between charges
k = constant of proportionality (9 x 109 Nm2/C2)
0 = permittivity of free space ( 8.854 x 10-12 C2/N )

Thus, the magnitude of the force between two point charges is

Q1 Q2
F12 = k
2
r

Example 2.1

Two isolated small objects have charges of 0.04 C and –0.06 C and are 5cm apart as
Figure 2.2. What will be the magnitude of electrostatic force acting on each object?

Q1 = +0.04C Q2 = -0.06C

50.0 cm Figure 2.2

Solution

Q1 Q2 9  10 9 (0.04  10 −6 )(0.06  10 −6 )
F12 =k =
r
2
0.05 2
= 0.00864 N

F21 = F12

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When dealing with Coulomb’s law, you must remember that the force is vector quantity and
must be treated accordingly

F12 = k Q1 Q2 r̂
2
r

F12 = Q1
Q ˆ + k Q1 Q 2 ĵ + k Q1 Q 2 k̂
i 2
k 2 2
r
2
r r

Exercise 2.1

Refer to an example 2.1 above. Identify the direction of electric force and write the
vector component on each charge.

Superposition of Electric Forces

As we have stated in Coulomb’s Law describes that the only interaction of two point charges.
Experiments show that when two charges exert force simultaneously on a third charge, the
total force acting that charge is the vector sum of the forces that the two charges would exert
individually. This independence of the forces is known as the principle of superposition of
Electric Forces.

We can determine the net force on any one charge by summing up the individual
contributions to the force due to each of the other charge.

   
Fnet = F1 + F2 + F3 + ……

Exercise 2.2

Calculate the resultant force on the charge Q3 due to other two charges located as shown
in Figure 2.3. Identify the direction of resultant/ net force.

Q1 = -4.2C Q2 = +1.3C Q3 = +1.1C

1.0 cm
Figure 2.3

2.0 cm

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PROBLEM-SOLVING HINTS.

Step 1: Determine the directions of the individual forces on Q3 due to charge Q1 and Q2
and indicate it in a sketch.

Step 2: Find the magnitude of forces on Q3 due to charge Q1 and Q2 that is │F31│&
│F32│. Please make sure these values always positive.
 
Step 3: Find the vector components for F 31 & F 32 by using iˆ , ĵ , k̂ form (normally
in iˆ or ĵ only in one dimension case ).
  
Step 4: Find the resultant forces vector F net = F 31 + F 32

Step 5: Identify the direction and magnitude of resultant force from F net

Solution
 
(1) F 31 F 32

Q3 Q1 9 10 9 (1.110 −6 )(4.2 10 −6 )

(2) F31 = k = = 103.95N
2 0.02 2
r
Q Q 9 10 9 (1.110 −6 )(1.3 10 −6 )
F32 =k 3 2 = = 128.70 N
2 0.012
 r
(3) F = - 103.95 iˆ
 31
F 32 = + 128.70 iˆ
  
(4) F net = F 31 + F 32 = + 24.75 iˆ

The magnitude of electric force are 24.75 N and in positive x axis direction.

Exercise 2.2

Using the same method as above to find the resultant (net) force on Q1 due to charges Q2
and Q3. Identify the direction for resultant electric force?

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Example 2.3

Three point charges QA, QB, and QC of +12µ, -16µ and + 20C respectively, are arranged
as shown in Figure 2.4. Find the magnitude and direction of the net force on charge QA.

QA =+12C

4m
Figure 2.4

3m

PROBLEM-SOLVING
QB = -16C HINTS. QC = +20C

Step 1: Determine the directions of the individual forces on QA due to charge QB and QC
and indicate it in a sketch.

(1)

F AC

 = 53.130


F AB

 = 53.130

Step 2: Find the magnitude of forces on QA due to charge QB and QC that is │FAB│&
│FAC│..

Q A QB 9 10 9 (12 10 −6 )(16 10 −6 )

(2) FAB = k
= = 0.069N
2 52
r

Q A QC 9 10 9 (12 10 −6 )(20 10 −6 )

FAC = k
= = 0.135 N
2 42
r

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 
Step 3: Find the vector components for F AB & F AC by using iˆ , ĵ , k̂ form.

(3) F AB = │FAB│cos  iˆ + │FAB│sin  ĵ

F AB = 0.069 cos 233.130 iˆ + 0.069 sin 233.130 ĵ

F AB = -0.041 iˆ + ( -0.055 ĵ )

F AC = +│FAC│ ĵ

F AC = +0.135 ĵ
  
F net = F AB + F AC
  
Step 4: Find the resultant forces vector F net = F AB + F AC

(4) F net = -0.041 iˆ + -0.055 ĵ + 0.135 ĵ

F net = -0.041 iˆ + 0.08 ĵ

Step 5: Find the magnitude of resultant force on │ F net │by using the formula.

(5) Fnet = (0.04) 2 + (0.08) 2 = 0.089N

Step 6: Find the direction of resultant force on θ by using the formula.

(0.08)
(6) Direction θ = tan –1 = 63.430
(0.04)

Step 7: Check the quadrant for direction of the force.

(7) 63.430 (2 nd quarter) or 63.43 above –ve x-axis

Exsercise 2.3

Using the same methods as above calculate the resultant force on QC due to the charges
QA and QB.

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34 ELECTRIC FIELD

Tutorial 2.1

1. How many electron must be removed from an electrically neutral silver ball to give it
a charge of +2.4 μC ?
(Ans : 1.5 x 1013 electrons)

2. Excess electrons are placed on a small lead sphere with mass 8.00g so that the net
charge is –3.20 X 10-9C. Find the number of excess electrons on the sphere
(Ans : 2.0 X 1010 numbers of electron)

3. Two isolated small objects have charges of 1.0 C and –2.0 C and are 50cm apart
as Figure 2.5. What will be the magnitude of electrostatic force acting on each
object? Write the electrostatic force vector component for each object.

Q1 = +1.0C Q2 = -2.0C

50.0 cm Figure 2.5

 
(Ans : 0.072N , F12 = +0.072iˆ , F21 = −0.072iˆ )

4. Three point charges are arranged as Figure 2.6. Find the resultant electric force
vector component on the charge q3 due to charge q2 and q1.

1.5 m 2.0 m

Figure 2.6

q1 = +5C q2 = -10 C q3 = +20C


(Ans : F3 = −3.765 1011 iˆN )

5. Three point charges Q1 , Q2 and Q3 are arranged as shown in Figure 2.7

(i) Write the vector component for resultant force on charge Q3 due to other
charges
(ii) Calculate the resultant force on charge Q3.

Q3 = +1C

10cm 10cm
Figure 2.7

Q1 = +2C 10cm Q2 = +1C


[ Ans : i) F3 = 0.45iˆ + 2.34 ˆj , ii) 2.38N , 79.10 (1st quarter)

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35 ELECTRIC FIELD

6. Three point charges Q1 , Q2 and Q3 are arranged as shown in Figure 2.8 .

(i) Find the vector component for resultant force on charge Q2 = + 200C due to
other two charges.
(ii) Calculate the resultant force on charge Q2. .

Q1= +400C 4 cm
Q2= +200C

Figure 2.8
3 cm

Q3= -300C

(Ans: i. 4.5 x 105 N i – 6 x 105 N j, ii. 7.5 x 105 N, 530, 4th quarter)

7. Two point charges Q1 and Q2 are 3m apart and repel each other with a force 0.075N.
If Q1 + Q2 = 20C, what is the charge on Q1 and Q2 .
( Ans: 5C , 15C )

8. Four point charges Q1 , Q2 , Q3 and Q4 are arranged as shown in Figure 2.9,

(a) find the vector component for the force acting on Q2 due to Q1.
(b) find the vector component for the force acting on Q2 due to Q3.
(c) find the vector component for the force acting on Q2 due to Q4
(d) find the force acting on Q2
5cm
Q1 = +20C Q4 = -30C

5cm Figure 2.9

Q2 = -30C Q3 = +40C

(Ans : a. +2160N j , b. +4320N i , c –1145.5 i – 1145.5 j , d. 3332.21 N,  = 17.720

(1st quarter) @ 17.72 above posite x axis.)

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9. Three stationary charges are arranged at the corners of a triangle as shown in Figure
2.10. Given Q1 = + 5 C, Q2 = - 3 C and Q3 = - 3 C

Q1

5 cm
10 cm
Q3

5 cm

Q2
Figure 2.10

a) Sketch the direction of the forces exerted on Q1 due to the other two
charges
b) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant electrostatics force
on Q1
APR 2009
(Ans : 20.72 N, - 62.21o (4th quarter @ below +ve x-direction)

10. Three point charges Q1, Q2 and Q3 are arranged as shown in Figure 2.11.
Calculate the net force experienced by charge Q3 due to charges Q1 and Q2.

APR 2008
Q1 = +2C

Figure 2.11
4 cm

3 cm
Q3 = +4C Q2 = -3C
o th
(Ans : 128.16 N, 20.56 (4 quarter @ below +ve x-direction)

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37 ELECTRIC FIELD

2.3 ELECTRIC FIELD

An electric field is said to exist at a point if a small positive charge placed at that point
experiences an electric force on it.

The electric field E has magnitude and direction (vector quantity). The electric field intensity
(or strength) E at any point is defined as the force per unit positive charge acting on a charged
body at that point.

F
E=
q

Just as charges cannot be seen with the eye, electric fields are also not visible. To diagram
electric fields, we use electric field lines. Electric field lines are drawn out of or into a charge.
Each line represents the path a test charge (a very small positive charge) would take if it came
into contact with the given charge.

When multiple lines are drawn, an electric field diagram is constructed. Also the number of
lines and there spacing are not drawn in a random or artistic manner instead they are
representative. The number of lines drawn around a given charge represents the magnitude of
that charge while the space of the drawn lines represents the approximate strength of the
electric field. So a diagram with many lines drawn close together would represent a powerful
charge with a strong electric field.

The direction of the electric field at a point is defined as the direction of the force on a
positive charge (test charge q) placed at that point.

The field points radially away from an isolated positive charge (Q> 0C), and radially toward a
negative charge (Q< 0C) as shown in Figure 2.12 and Figure 2.13.

Figure 2.12 the electric field lines around a single charged

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 38 ELECTRIC FIELD

Figure 2.13 the electric field lines around (a) & (b) two
unlike charges (c) two like positive charges

The magnitude of electric field created by the positive charge Q is

Q 1 Q
│Eon Q│ = k =
r
2
4π 0 r 2

The SI unit of field intensity is the Newton per coulomb (N/C).

Thus the electric field of the positive charge Q at a distance r from Q can be written in vector
form as
 Q
E Q = k 2 r̂
r

 Q Q Q
E Q = k 2 iˆ + k 2
ĵ + k 2
k̂
r r r

Example 2.4

(a) Calculate the magnitude of electric fields at point P in Figure 2.14 which is 30cm to
the right of a point charge Q = -3.0 x 10-6 C.
(b) Identify the direction of electric field at point P and write the vector component of
electric field at point P.

30 cm
P Figure 2.14
-6
Q = -3.0 x 10 C

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39 ELECTRIC FIELD

Solution

QP 9 10 9 (3.0 10 −6 )

(a) │EP│ = k = = 3.0 x 105 N/C
r
2
0.32


(b) EP

P

E1 = - 3.0 x 105 iˆ N/C

The magnitude of electric fields is 3.0 x 105 N/C and in negative x axis direction.

Superposition of Electric Fields

The electric field vector of a static arrangement of charges obeys a principle of linear
superposition. The total field at any point is the vector sum of the individual fields produced
by each charge acting alone :
   
E total = E1 + E 2 + E 3 + ………

In this way, if a charge q, placed at a point in space where the electric field E is exist, the
charge will be experiences a force that is

 
Fon q = q E

Example 2.5

A distance of 10.0 cm as shown in Figure 2.15 separates two point charges. Find the
electric fields at point P. (6.3 x 108 N/C)

Q1 = +25 μC P Q2 = +50 μC

Figure 2.15
r1 = 2.0cm r2 = 8.0cm

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Solution

(1)
 
E PQ2 E PQ1

Q1 9  10 9 (25.0  10 −6 )
(2) E PQ1 = k = = 56.25 X 107 N/C
r1
2
0.02 2

Q2 9  10 9 (50.0  10 −6 )
E PQ2 = k = = 7.03 X 107 N/C
r2
2
0.08 2


(3) E PQ1 = + 56.25 X 107 iˆ

E PQ2 = - 7.03 X 107 iˆ
  
(4) E P (total ) = E1 + E 2 = + 49.22 X 107 iˆ

The magnitude of electric fields are 49.22 x 107 N/C and in positive x axis
direction

Exercise 2.4

Two point charges are arranged as in a Figure 2.16. Find the electric field at point P.

Q1 = -25 μC
r1 = 2.0cm
P
Figure 2.16

r2 = 8.0cm

Q2 = -50 μC

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Example 2.5

1. Two point charges are arranged as in a Figure 2.17. Calculate the electric field at
point G due two both charges Q1 and Q2. Identify the direction for resultant electric
field.

2. Determine the force on a charge q = -2.0μC if placed at point G.

30 cm
Figure 2.17

26 cm 26 cm
x
Q1 = +50 μC Q2 = -40 μC

Solution

1. (i)

EGQ1




EGQ2

 = 49.10

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42 ELECTRIC FIELD

Q1 9  10 9 (50  10 −6 )
(ii) E GQ1 = k = = 2.86 X 106 N/C
2
0.397 2
r

Q2 9  10 9 (40  10 −6 )
E GQ2 = k = = 2.28 X 106 N/C
r
2
0.397 2


(iii) E GQ1 = │EGQ1│cos  iˆ + │EGQ1│sin  ĵ

E GQ1 = 2.86 X 106 cos 49.10 iˆ + 2.86 X 106 sin 49.10 ĵ

E GQ1 = 1.87 X 106 iˆ + 2.16 X 106 ĵ

E GQ2 = │EGQ2│cos  iˆ + │EGQ2│sin  ĵ

E GQ2 = 2.28 X 106 cos (40.90 + 2700) iˆ + 2.28 X 106 sin (40.90 + 2700 ĵ )

E GQ2 = 1.49 X 106 iˆ + (-1.7 X 106 ĵ )
  
(iv) E G (net ) = E GQ1 + E GQ2 = (1.87 X 106 iˆ + 2.16 X 106 ĵ ) +
(1.49 X 106 iˆ - 1.70 X 106 ĵ )

E G (net ) net = 3.36 X 106 iˆ + 0.46 X 106 ĵ

(v) The magnitude E net = (3.36 10 6 ) 2 + (0.46 10 6 ) 2 = 3.39 X 106 N/C

(0.46 106 )
(vi) Direction θ = tan –1 = 7.80
(3.36 106 )

(vii) The magnitude of electric fields are 3.39 x 106 N/C and 7.80 ( 1st quarter) @ 7.80
above positive x axis.

 
2. Fon qG = q EG (net )
= (-2.0 X 10-6 ) ( 3.36 X 106 iˆ + 0.46 X 106 ĵ )
= (-6.72 iˆ - 0.92 ĵ )
FonqG = (−6.72) 2 + (−0.92) 2 = 6.78 N

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43 ELECTRIC FIELD

(0.92)
Direction θ = tan –1 = 7.790
(6.72)

= 7.790 (3 rd quarters)

The magnitudes of electric force are 6.78 N and 7.790 (3 rd

querters) @ 7.790 below negative x-
axis.

Exercise 2.5

1. If a charge Q3 = - 10μC are placed at origin in Figure 2.17, find the magnitude and
direction for resultance electric fields at point G.

2. Determine the force on a charge q = +2.0μC placed at point G now. What is the
magnitude of the force on this charge and sketch the direction of that force?

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Tutorial 2.2

1. A point charge q1 = 2 C is placed at the origin. Find the electric fields at point A
(3,0) cm from origin .
(Ans : +2.0 X 107 N/C i )

2. Find the total electric field along the line of the two point charges shown in Figure
2.18 below at the midpoint between them.

-4.7μC 9.0μC Figure 2.18

(Ans : -54800 N/C i ) 3m

3. Three point charges are arranged as in a Figure 2.19. Determine the electric fields at
point R due to other charges.

2cm 2cm 2cm Figure 2.19

Q1 =+ 6C Q2 = - 8C R Q3 = +12C

(Ans : -4.16 X 108 NC-1 i)

4. A point charge Q1 = 2C is placed at the origin and charge Q2 = -3C at (3,0) cm as
Figure 2.20,
(a) sketch electric field vector E1 and E2 at point P due to charge Q1 and Q2.
(b) write the vector component for field at point P due to Q1 charge.
(c) write the vector component for field at point P due to Q2 charge.
(d) write the vector component for resultant electric field at point P
(e) find the magnitude and direction for resultant electric field at point P
(f) if a point charge - 5C is placed at point P, determine the force
experience by this charge due to electric field at point P.

y
Figure 2.20
P

2 cm
x
Q1 Q2
3 cm

{Ans : b) 1.148 x 107 N/Ci + 0.766 x 107 N/C j c)-6.75 x 107 N/C j
d) 1.148 x 107 N/Ci - 5.98 x 107 N/C j e) 6.1 X 107 N/C , 2810 @
(79.10 4th quarter) f) 305N , 110 ( 4st quarter) }

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45 ELECTRIC FIELD

5. Two point charges Q1 = +5C and Q2 = +15C lie 5m apart on a straight line in a
vacuum as shown in Figure 2.21. Find the point between of two charges where
the resultant electric fields intensity is zero.

Q1 =+ 5C Q2 =+ 15C
Figure 2.21

(Ans : 1.83m from Q1) 5m

6. A small 2g plastic ball is suspended by a 20cm long string in a uniform electric

field (Figure 2.22). If the ball is in equilibrium when the string makes a 150 angle
with the vertical as indicated, what is the net charge on the ball? (g = 9.80ms-2).
(Ans : 5.25 x 10-6 C)

20cm
Figure 2.22

E = 103i N/C

m = 2g

7. Two positive charges Q1 located at (-3,0) m and Q2 at (0,2) m. Calculate the

magnitude and direction of the net electric field at the origin due to these two point
charges if Q1 = 7 x 10-9 C and Q2 = 6 x 10-9 C. APR 2009
(Ans : 15.2 N/C, θ= -62.6o (2nd quadrant or above negative x-axis)

PHY 193 Engineering Physics II UiTM Pulau Pinang