Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5

Electricity and
Magnetism

15
Notes

ELECTRIC CHARGE AND

ELECTRIC FIELD

So far you have learnt about mechanical, thermal and optical systems and various
phenomena exhibited by them. The importance of electricity in our daily life is
too evident. The physical comforts we enjoy and the various devices used in daily
life depend on the availability of electrical energy. An electrical power failure
demonstrates directly our dependence on electric and magnetic phenomena; the
lights go off, the fans, coolers and air-conditioners in summer and heaters and
gysers in winter stop working. Similarly, radio, TV, computers, microwaves can
not be operated. Water pumps stop running and fields cannot be irrigated. Even
train services are affected by power failure. Machines in industrial units can not
be operated. In short, life almost comes to a stand still, sometimes even evoking
public anger. It is, therefore, extremely important to study electric and magnetic
phenomena.
In this lesson, you will learn about two kinds of electric charges, their behaviour
in different circumstances, the forces that act between them, the behaviour of the
surrounding space etc. Broadly speaking, we wish to study that branch of physics
which deals with electrical charges at rest. This branch is called electrostatics.

OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you should be able to :
z state the basic properties of electric charges;
z explain the concepts of quantisation and conservation of charge;
z explain Coulomb’s law of force between electric charges;
z define electric field due to a charge at rest and draw electric lines of force;
z define electric dipole, dipole moment and the electric field due to a dipole;

PHYSICS 1
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism z state Gauss’ theorem and derive expressions for the electric field due to a
point charge, a long charged wire, a uniformly charged spherical shell and
a plane sheet of charge; and
z describe how a van de Graaff generator functions.

15.1 FRICTIONAL ELECTRICITY

Notes
The ancient Greeks observed electric and magnetic phenomena as early as 600
B.C. They found that a piece of amber, when rubbed, becomes electrified and
attracts small pieces of feathers. The word electric comes from Greek word for
amber meaning electron.
You can perform simple activities to demonstrate the existence of charges and
forces between them. If you run a comb through your dry hair, you will note that
the comb begins to attract small pieces of paper. Do you know how does it
happen? Let us perform two simple experiments to understand the reason.

ACTIVITY 15.1
Take a hard rubber rod and rub it with fur or wool. Next you take a glass rod and
rub it with silk. Suspend them (rubber rod and a glass rod) separately with the
help of non-metallic threads, as shown in Fig. 15.1.

Glass-rod
rubber-rod
Attraction

Repulsion

rubber-rod
rubber-rod

(a) (b)
Fig. 15.1: Force of attraction/repulsion between charges: a) a charged rubber rod repels
another charged rubber rod : like charges repel each other; and b) a charged glass
rod attracts a charged rubber rod : unlike charges attract each other.

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Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
Now bring rubber rod rubbed with wool near these rods one by one. What do Magnetism
you observe? You will observe that
z when a charged rubber rod is brought near the charged (suspended) rubber
rod, they show repulsion [Fig. 15.1(a)]; and
z when the charged rubber rod is brought near the (suspended) charged glass
rod, they show attraction [Fig 15.1(b)].
Notes
Similar results will be obtained by bringing a charged glass rod.
On the basis of these observations, we can say that
z A charged rubber rod attracts a charged glass rod but repels a charged rubber
rod.
z A charged glass rod repels a charged glass rod but attracts a charged rubber
rod.
From these activities we can infer that the rubber rod has acquired one kind of
electricity and the glass rod has acquired another kind of electricity. Moreover,
like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other.
Franklin (Benjamin Franklin, 1706 -1790) suggested that the charge on glass rod
is to be called positive and that on the rubber rod is to be called negative. We
follow this convention since then.
Once a body is charged by friction, it can be used to charge other conducting
bodies by
conduction, i.e., by touching the charged body with an uncharged body; and
induction, i.e., by bringing the charged body close to an uncharged conductor
and earthing it. Subsequently, the charged body and the earthing are removed
simultaneously.

15.1.1 Conservation of Charge

In Activity 15.1, you have seen that when a glass rod is rubbed with silk, the rod
acquires positive charge and silk acquires negative charge. Since both materials
in the normal state are neutral (no charge), the positive charge on the glass rod
should be equal in magnitude to the negative charge on silk. This means that the
total charge of the system (glass + silk) is conserved. It is neither created nor
destroyed. It is only transferred from one body of the system to the other. The
transfer of charges takes place due to increase in the thermal energy of the system
when the glass rod is rubbed; the less tightly bound electrons from the glass rod
are transferred to silk. The glass rod (deficient in electrons) becomes positively
charged and silk, which now has excess electrons, becomes negatively charged.
When rubber is rubbed with fur, electrons from the fur are transferred to rubber.

PHYSICS 3
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism That is, rubber gains negative charge and fur gains an equal amount of positive
charge. Any other kind of charge (other than positive and negative) has not been
found till today.

15.1.2 Quantisation of Charge

In 1909, Millikan (Robert Millikan, 1886-1953) experimentally proved that charge
Notes always occurs as some integral multiple of a fundamental unit of charge, which is
taken as the charge on an electron. This means that if Q is the charge on an
object, it can be written as Q = Ne, where N is an integer and e is charge on an
electron. Then we say that charge is quantised. It means that a charged body
cannot have 2.5e or 6.4e amount of charge. In units 24-26, you will learn that an
electron has charge – e and a proton has charge + e. Neutron has no charge.
Every atom has equal number of electrons and protons and that is why it is neutral.
From this discussion, we can draw the following conclusions :
z There are only two kinds of charges in nature; positive and negative.
z Charge is conserved.
z Charge is quantised.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.1

1. A glass rod when rubbed with silk cloth acquires a charge q = +3.2×10–17 C.
i) Is silk cloth also charged?
ii) What is the nature and magnitude of the charge on silk cloth?
2. There are two identical metallic spheres A and B. A is given a charge + Q.
Both spheres are then brought in contact and then separated.
(i) Will there be any charge on B ?
(ii) What will the magnitude of charge on B, if it gets charged when in contact
with A.
3. A charged object has q = 4.8 ×10–16 C. How many units of fundamental charge
are there on the object? (Take e = 1.6 ×10–19 C ).

15.2 COULOMB’S LAW

You have learnt that two stationary charges either attract or repel each other. The
force of attraction or repulsion between them depends on their nature. Coulomb
studied the nature of this force and in 1785 established a fundamental law governing

4 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
it. From experimental observations, he showed that the electrical force between Magnetism
two static point charges q1 and q2 placed some distance apart is
– directly proportional to their product ;
– inversely proportional to the square of the distance r between them;
– directed along the line joining the two charged particles ; and
Notes
– repulsive for same kind of charges and attractive for opposite charges.
The magnitude of force F can then be expressed as
q1 × q2
F =k (15.1)
r2
1 q1 × q2
For free space, we write F = × (15.2)
4πε0 r2

1 1
where constant of proportionality k = for free space (vacuum) and k =
4πε0 4πε
for a material medium. ε0 is called permittivity of free space and ε is the permittivity
of the medium. It means that if the same system of charges is kept in a material
medium, the magnitude of Coulomb force will be different from that in free space.
The constant k has a value which depends on the units of the quantities involved.
The unit of charge in SI system is coulomb (C). The coulomb is defined in terms
of the unit of current, called ampere. (You will learn about it later.) In SI system of
units, the value of k is
1 N m2
k = = 9 × 109 (15.3)
4πε0 C2
since ε0 = 8.85 × 10–12 C² N–1 m–2.
Thus in terms of force, one coulomb charge can be defined as : If two equal
charges separated by one metre experience a force of 9 × 109 N, each charge
has a magnitude of one coulomb. The value of electronic charge e is 1.60 ×
10–19 C.
Note that
z Coulomb’s law is also an inverse square law just like Newton’s law of
Gravitation, which you studied in lesson 6.
z Coulomb’s law holds good for point charges only.
z Coulomb’s force acts at a distance, unlike mechanical force.

PHYSICS 5
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism
How Big is One Coulomb?
The unit of electrical charge is coulomb. Have you ever thought : How big
a coulomb is? To know this, let us calculate the magnitude of force between
two charges, each of one coulomb, placed at a distance of one metre from
one another:
Notes q1 × q2
F =k×
r2
1×1
= 9.0 × 109 ×
12
= 9.0 × 109 ≈ 1010 N
If the mass of a loaded passenger bus is 5000 kg, its weight mg = (5000 ×
10) N (assume g ≈ 10 m s–²) = 5 × 104 N.
Let us assume that there are 10,000 such loaded buses in Delhi. The total
weight of all these buses will be 5 × 104 × 10,000 = 5 × 108 N. If there
are 10 cities having same number of buses as those in Delhi, the total weight
of all these loaded buses will be 5 × 109 N. It means that the force between
two charges, each of 1C and separated by on metre is equivalent to the
weight of about two hundred thousand buses, each of mass 5000 kg.

Charles Augustin de Coulomb

(1736–1806)
A French physicist, Coulomb started his career as military
engineer in West Indies. He invented a torsional balance and
used it to perform experiments to determine the nature of
interaction forces between charges and magnets. He presented
the results of these experiments in the form of Coulomb’s law
of electrostatics and Coulomb’s law of magnetostatics. The SI unit of charge
has been named in his honour.
You now know that the ratio of forces between two point charges q1 and q2
separated by a distance r, when kept in free space (vacuum) and material medium,
is equal to ε/ε0:

F0 (in vaccum) ε
= = εr
F (in medium) ε 0

where εr is known as relative permittivity or dielectric constant. Its value is

always greater than one. We will define dielectric constant in another form later.

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Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
15.2.1 Vector Form of Coulomb’s Law Magnetism
You know that force is a vector quantity. It means that force between two charges
should also be represented as a vector. That is, Eqn. (15.1) should be expressed
in vector form. Let us learn to do so now.
Let there be two point charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance r (Fig. 15.3).
Suppose that F12 denotes the force experienced by q1 due to the charge q2 and F21
denotes the force on q2 due to charge q1. We denote the unit vector pointing from Notes
q1 to q2 by r̂12 . Then from Fig. 15.3 (a), it follows that

1 2q q
F12 = k | r 2 | rˆ12 (15.4)
12

Similarly, for charges shown in Fig. 15.3 (b), we can write

q q
1 2
F21 = – k | r 2 | rˆ12 (15.5)
12

r r
F12 F21 F12 F21
+ + + –
q1 q2 q1 q2
(a) (b)

Fig. 15.3 : Two point charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance r : a) the direction of
forces of repulsion between two positive charges, and b) the direction of forces
of attraction between a positive and a negative charge.

The positive sign in Eqn. (15.4) indicates that the force is repulsive and the negative
sign in Eqn. (15.5) indicates that the force is attractive.
The Coulomb’s law obeys the principle of action and reaction between two charges
q1 and q2. Therefore,
F12 = – F21
(15.6)
In general, we can write the expression for force between two charges as
q1 q2
F12 = k × r̂12 (15.7)
r2

15.2.2 Principle of Superposition

If there are more than two charges, we can calculate the force between any two
charges using Eqn. (15.7). Suppose now that there are several charges q1, q2, q3,
q4, etc. The force exerted on q1 due to all other charges is given by Eqn. (15.7):

PHYSICS 7
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and q3
q1 q2 q3
Magnetism
F12 = k | r 2 | rˆ12
12
r14
q1 q3 r13
F13 = k | r 2 | rˆ13
13

q q
and
1 4
F14 = k | r 2 | rˆ14 (15.8) q1 r12 q2
Notes 14
Fig. 15.4: Principle of superpo-
The resultant of all these forces, i.e., the total force sition
F experienced by q1 is their vector sum:
F = F12 + F13 + F14 + … (15.9)
This is known as principle of superposition.

Example 15.1 : A charge +q1 = 12C is placed at a distance of 4.0 m from another
charge +q2 = 6C, as shown in the Fig. 15.5. Where should a negative charge q3 be
placed on the line joining q1 and q2 so that the charge q3 does not experience any
force?
Solution : Let q3 be placed between q1 and q2 at a distance of x metre from q1. (It
can be easily seen that on placing q3 on the left of q1 or on the right of q2 or at any
position other than the one between the line joining q1 and q2 , the resultant force
can not be zero.) The force exerted on q3 by q1 will be
q1 q3
F31 = k r̂ towards q1
r312 31

q3 q1
∴ F31 = k
x2
The magnitude of force on q3 due to q2 is given by
q3 q2
F32 = k
(4 – x) 2 towards q2

4m

+ +
x q2
q1 q3

Fig. 15.5 : Three point charges q1 , q2 and q3 placed in a straight line

The resultant force on q3 will be zero when F31 = F32. Therefore, on substituting
the numerical values, we get

8 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
12q 6q3 Magnetism
k × 2 3 = k × (4 – x)2
x
Note that 6q3k is common on both sides and cancels out. Therefore, on
simplification, we get
2 1
2 = (4 – x)2
x
Notes
or 2(4 – x)² = x² The roots of a quadratic
equation of the form
⇒ x² – 16x + 32 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
On solving this, we get two values of x : 2.35 m and are given by
13.65 m. The latter value is inadmissible because it
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
goes beyond q2. Therefore, the charge q3 should be x =
2a
placed at a distance of 2.35 m from q1. In this case, a = 1, b = – 16
and c = 32.
It is a reasonable solution qualitatively also. The
16 ± 256 − 4 × 32
charge q1 is stronger than q2. Hence the distance ∴ x =
2
between q1 and q3 should be greater than that = 2.35, 13.65
between q2 and q3.

Example 15.2 : Two charges, each of 6.0 × 10–10 C, are separated by a distance
of 2.0 m. Calculate the magnitude of Coulomb force between them.

Solution : We know that the magnitude of Coulomb force between two charges
is given by Eqn. (15.2) :
q1 . q2
F =k
r2
Given, q1 = q2 = 6.0 × 10–10C and r = 2.0 m, Therefore on putting these values, we
get
(9 ×10 9 N m2C – 2 )× (6 .0 ×10– 10 C)2
F =
2 2 m2

9 × 109 × 36.0 × 10 –20

= N
4
= 81 × 10–11 N

INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.2

1. Two charges q1 = 16µC and q2 = 9 µC are separated by a distance 12m.
Determine the magnitude of the force experienced by q1 due to q2and also the
direction of this force. What is the direction of the force experienced by q2
due to q1?

PHYSICS 9
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
2. There are three point charges of equal B +q
Magnetism
magnitude q placed at the three corners of a
right angle triangle, as shown in Fig. 15.2. AB
= AC. What is the magnitude and direction of
the force exerted on – q?

C
Notes A –q +q
Fig. 15.2 : Three charges placed
at the three corners of
a right angle triangle.
15.3 ELECTRIC FIELD
To explain the interaction between two charges placed at a distance, Faraday
introduced the concept of electric field. The electric field E at a point is defined
as the electric force F experienced by a positive test charge q0 placed at that point
divided by the magnitude of the test charge. Mathematically, we write

F
E = q (15.10)
0

This is analogous to the definition of acceleration due to gravity, g = F/m0 ,

experienced by mass m0 in the gravitational field F.
The electric field E is a vector quantity and has the same direction as the electric
force F. Note that the electric field is due to an external charge and not due to the
test charge. The test charge q0 should, therefore, be so small in magnitude that it
does not disturb the field due to external charge. (In practice, however, even the
smallest test charge will disturb the external field.) Strictly speaking, mathematical
definition given below is more accurate :

F
E = qlim
0→0 q (15.11)
0

In SI system, the force is in newton and the charge is in coulomb. Therefore,

according to Eqn.(15.10), the electric field has the unit newton per coulomb. The
direction of E is same as that of F. Note that the action of electric force is mediated
through electric field.
Let us now examine why the test charge q0 should be infinitesimally small.
Refer to Fig. 15.6. It shows a uniformly charged metallic sphere with charge q
and a test charge q0(< < q). It means that charge density per unit area is same
around points A, B, C and D. The test charge q0 must measure the force F without
disturbing the charge distribution on the sphere. Fig. 15.6 (b) shows the situation
when q ~ q0. In this case, the presence of the test charge modifies the surface

10 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
B B
Magnetism
+ + + + + P
+ +
P ++ F¢
F +
C + + A + C + + A +
+ + +
+
+ + + q0 + + + q¢0
q q
D D
q > > q0 q q0

(a) (b) Notes

Fig. 15.6 : a) uniformly charged metallic sphere and a test charge, and b) redistribution of
charge on the sphere when another charge is brought near it.

charge density. As a result, the electrical force experienced by the test charge q0
will also change, say from F to F′. That is, the force in the presence of test charge
is different from that in its absence. But without q0 , the force cannot be measured.
If q0 is infinitesimally small in comparison to q, the charge distribution on the
sphere will be minimally affected and the results of measurement will have a
value very close to the true value. That is, F′ will be very nearly equal to F. We
hope you now appreciate the point as to why the test charge should be
infinitesimally small.
Let there be a point charge q. A test charge q0 is placed at a distance r from q. The
force experienced by the test charge is given by
qq0
F= k (15.12)
r 2 r̂

The electric field is defined as the force per unit charge. Hence
q
E =k× (15.13)
r 2 r̂
If q is positive, the field E will be directed away from it. If q is negative, the field
E will be directed towards it. This is shown in Fig. 15.7.

+q –q

Fig. 15.7 : Direction of electric field due to positive and negative charges

The principle of superposition applies to electric field also. If there are a number
of charges q1, q2, q3, ..., the corresponding fields at a point P according to Eqn.
(15.13) are

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MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism q1 q2 q3
E1 = k × r̂1 , E2 = k × 2 r̂2 and E3 = k × r̂3
r12 r2 r32

The total field at point P due to all charges is the vector sum of all fields. Thus,
E = E 1 + E2 + E 3 + …

Notes N
qi rˆi
or E = k∑ 2 (15.15)
i =1 ri

where ri is the distance between P and charge qi and r̂i is the unit vector directed
from qiˆ to P. The force on a charge q in an electric field E is

F =qE (15.16)
Example 15.3 : The electric force at some point due to a point charge q = 3.5µC
is 8.5×10–4 N. Calculate the strength of electric field at that point.
Solution : From Eq. (15.16) we can write

F 8.5 ×10–4 N
E= =
q 3.5 ×10–6 C

= 2.43 ×102 NC –1
Example 15.4 : Three equal positive point charges are placed at the three corners
of an equilateral triangle, as shown in Fig. 15.8. Calculate the electric field at the
centroid P of the triangle.
C +q
Solution : Suppose that a test charge
q0 has been placed at the centroid P of
the triangle. The test charge will
q0 P
experienced force in three directions
making same angle between any two +q +q
of them. The resultant of these forces A B
at P will be zero. Hence the field at P is
Fig. 15.8 : Electric field at the centroid of an
zero.
equilateral triangle due to equal
charges at its three corners is zero.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.3

1. A charge + Q is placed at the origin of co-ordinate system. Determine the
direction of the field at a point P located on
a) + x-axis b) + y-axis c) x = 4 units and y = 4 units

12 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
2. The Δ ABC is defined by AB = AC = 40 cm. A
Magnetism
And angle at A is 30°. Two charges, each of
magnitude 2 × 10–6 C but opposite in sign,
are placed at B and C, as shown in Fig. 15.9.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the
field at A.
3. A negative charge is located in space and the Notes
electric field is directed towards the earth. B –q
C
+q Fig. 15.9
What is the direction of the force on this
charge?
4. Two identical charges are placed on a plane surface separated by a distance d
between them. Where will the resultant field be zero?

15.3.1 Electric Field due to a Dipole

2l If two equal and opposite charges are separated
by a small distance, the system is said to form a
+q –q
dipole. The most familiar example is H2O. Fig
Fig. 15.10: Two unlike charges of 15.10 shows charges + q and – q separated by a
equal magnitude small distance 2l. The product of the magnitude
separated by a small
distance form a dipole. of charge and separation between the charges
is called dipole moment, p :
p = q × 2l (15.17)
Its SI unit is coulomb-metre.
The dipole moment is a vector quantity. Eqn. (15.17) gives its magnitude and its
direction is from negative charge to positive charge along the line joining the two
charges (axis of the dipole). Having defined a dipole and dipole moment, we are
now in a position to calculate the electric field due to a dipole. The calculations
are particularly simple in the following cases.
CASE I : Electric field due to a dipole at an axial point : End–on position
To derive an expression for the electric field of a dipole at a point P which lies on
the axis of the dipole, refer to Fig. 15.11.This is known as end-on position. The
point charges – q and +q at points A and A B
O P
B are separated by a distance 2l. The point
E E1
O is at the middle of AB. Suppose that –q 2l +q
2

point P is at a distance r from the mid

r
point O. Then electric field at P due to
Fig. 15.11 : Field at point P on the dipole axis
+q at B is given by
q
E1= k × (r – l )2 in the direction AP

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MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism Similarly, the electric field E2 at P due to – q is given by
q
E2 = k × in the direction PA
(r + l )2
The resultant field E at P will be in the direction of E1, since E1 is greater than
E2 [as (r – l) is less than (r + l)]. Hence

kq kq
Notes E = –
(r – l )2 (r + l )2

⎡ 1 1 ⎤
= kq ⎢ (r − l ) 2 − (r + l )2 ⎥
⎣ ⎦

⎡ (r + l )2 − (r − l )2 ⎤
= kq ⎢ (r 2 − l 2 )2
⎥
⎣ ⎦

4lr
= kq ×
(r – l 2 )2
2

(a + b)2 – (a – b)2 = 4ab

(a + b) (a – b) = a2 – b2
(2lq ) 2r
=k
(r 2 – l 2 )2

2pr
= k
(r – l 2 )2
2

where dipole moment p = 2lq. Since k = 1/4πε0 , we can rewrite it as

2p r
E = × 4
4πε 0 r (1 – l 2 / r 2 )2

If r >> l, l²/r² will be very small compared to 1. It can even be neglected and the
expression for electric field then simplifies to

2p
E = (15.18)
4πε 0 r 3

It shows that electric field is in the direction of p and its magnitude is inversely
proportional to the third power of distance of the observation point from the
centre of the dipole.
CASE II : Electric field due to a dipole at a point on the perpendicular bisector :
Broad-on position
Suppose that point P lies on the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the
charges shown in Fig. 15.12. Note that AB = 2l, OP = r, and AO = OB = l.

14 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
E1 E1
E1 sin q Magnetism

P
q
E2 E1 cosq + E2 cos q P
q
r
E2 sin q
q q Notes
A B E2
–q O +q
(a) (b)
Fig. 15.12 : a) Field at point P on the perpendicular bisector of the line joining the charges,
and b) resolution of field in rectangular components.

The angle θ is shown in Fig. 15.12(a). From right angled Δs PAO and PBO, we
can write

l2 + r2
AP = BP =
The field at P due to charge + q at B in the direction of BP can be written as
q
E1 = k
l + r2
2

Similarly, the field at P due to charge at A in the direction of PA is given as

q
E2 = k
l + r2
2

Note that the magnitudes of E1 and E2 are equal.

Let us resolve the fields E1 and E2 parallel and perpendicular to AB. The
components parallel to AB are E1cos θ and E2cos θ, and both point in the same
direction.
The components normal to AB are E1sin θ and E2sin θ and point in opposite
directions. (Fig. 15.12b) Since these component are equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction, they cancel each other. Hence, the magnitude of resultant
electric field at P is given by
E = E1cos θ + E2cos θ
q q
=k cosθ + k 2 2 cos θ
l +r
2 2
l +r
l
But cos θ = . Using this expression in the above result, the electric
(l + r 2 )
2

field at P is given by
kq 2l
E = ×
(l + r 2 )
2
(l + r 2 )
2

PHYSICS 15
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism 2lq
=k
(l + r 2 )3/ 2
2

2lq
=k
r (1 + l 2 / r 2 )3/ 2
3

But p = 2lq. If r 2 >> l 2, the factor l2/r2 can be neglected in comparison to unity.
Notes Hence
p
E = (15.19)
4πε 0 r 3
Note that electric field due to a dipole at a point in broad-on position is inversely
proportional to the third power of the perpendicular distance between P and the
line joining the charges.
If we compare Eqns. (15.18) and (15.19), we note that the electric field in both
cases is proportional to 1/r3. But there are differences in details:
z The magnitude of electric field in end-on-position is twice the field in the
broad-on position.
z The direction of the field in the end-on position is along the direction of
dipole moment, whereas in the broad-on position, they are oppositely directed.

15.3.2 Electric Dipole in a Uniform Field

A uniform electric field has constant magnitude and fixed direction. Such a field
is produced between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor. Pictorially, it
is represented by equidistant parallel lines. Let us now examine the behaviour of
an electric dipole when it is placed in a uniform electric field (Fig 15.13).
Let us choose x-axis such that the electric field points along it. Suppose that the
dipole axis makes an angle θ with the field
direction. A force qE acts on charge +q +q qE®
along the +x direction and an equal force
2l q
acts on charge – q in the –x direction. Two y E
equal, unlike and parallel forces form a
couple and tend to rotate the dipole in ¬qE –q
clockwise direction. This couple tends to
align the dipole in the direction of the Fig. 15.13 : A dipole in a uniform electric
field. The forces on the dipole
external electric field E. The magnitude of form a couple and tend to
torque τ is given by rotate it.
τ = Force × arm of the couple
= qE × y
= qE × 2l sin θ
= pE sin θ
16 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
In vector form, we can express this result to Magnetism
τ =p×E (15.20)
We note that
– when θ = 0, the torque is zero, and
– for θ = 90° , the torque on the dipole is maximum, equal to pE. So we may
conclude that the electric field tends to rotate the dipole and align it along its
own direction. Notes
Example 15.5 : Two charges +q and –q, each of magnitude 6.0 × 10–6 C, form a
dipole. The separation between the charges is 4 × 10–10 m. Calculate the dipole
moment. If this dipole is placed in a uniform electric field E = 3.0 × 102 NC–1 at an
angle 30° with the field, calculate the value of torque on the dipole.
Solution : The dipole moment p = qd
= (6.0 × 10–6C ) × (4.0 × 10–10 m)
= 24 × 10–16 Cm.
Since torque τ = pE sin θ, we can write
τ = (24 × 10–16cm) × 3.0 × 102 NC–1) sin 30º

72
= × 10–14 Nm
2

= 36 × 10–14 Nm
If a dipole is placed in a non-uniform electric field, the forces on the charges – q
and + q will be unequal. Such as electric field will not only tend to rotate but also
displace the dipole in the direction of the field.

15.3.3 Electric Lines of Force (Field Lines)

A very convenient method for depicting the electric field (or force) is to draw
lines of force pointing in the direction of the field. The sketch of the electric field
lines gives us an idea of the magnitude and direction of the electric field. The
number of field lines passing through a unit area of a plane placed
perpendicular the direction of the field is proportional to the strength of the
field. A tangent at any point on the field lines gives the direction of the field at
that point.
Note that the electric field lines are only fictitious construction to depict the
field. No such lines really exist. But the behaviour of charges in the field and the
interaction between charges can be effectively explained in terms of field lines.
Some illustrative examples of electric field lines due to point charges are shown
in Fig 15.14. The field lines of a stationary positive charge point radially in outward

PHYSICS 17
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism direction. But for stationary negative charge, the lines start from infinity and
terminate at the point charge in radially inward direction (towards the point charge).
You must understand that the electric field lines in both cases are in all directions
in the space. Only those which are in the plane containing the charge are shown
here.

Notes
+q –q

(a) (b)
Fig. 15.14 : Electrical field lines of single point charges : a) The field lines of positive charge,
and b) the field lines of negative charge.

Fig 15.15(a) shows a sketch of electric field lines of two equal and similar positive
charges placed close to each other. The lines are almost radial at points very close
to the positive charges and repel each other, bending outwards. There is a point P
midway between the charges where no lines are present. The fields of the two
charges at this point cancel each other and the resultant field at this point is zero.
Fig. 15.15(b) depicts the field lines due to a dipole. The number of lines leaving
the positive charge is equal to the number of lines terminating on the negative
charge.

+ –
+ P +

(a) (b)

Fig. 15.15 : Electric field lines due to a system of two point charges : a) Two positive charges
at rest, and b) The field lines due to a dipole start from the positive charge and
terminate on the negative charge.

You must remember the following properties of the electric field lines :
z The field lines start from a positive charge radially outward in all directions
and terminate at infinity.
z The field lines start from infinity and terminate radially on a negative charge.

18 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
z For a dipole, field lines start from the positive charge and terminate on the Magnetism
negative charge.
z A tangent at any point on field line gives the direction of electric field at that
point.
z The number of field lines passing through unit area of a surface drawn
perpendicular to the field lines is proportional to the field strength on this
Notes
surface.
z Two field lines never cross each other.

15.4 ELECTRIC FLUX AND GAUSS’ LAW

Let us consider a sphere of radius r having charge +q located at its center. The
magnitude of electric field at every point on the surface of this sphere is given by

q
E =k×
r2

The direction of the electric field is normal to the surface and points outward.
Let us consider a small element of area Δs on the spherical surface. Δs is a vector
whose magnitude is equal to the element of area Δs and its direction is
perpendicular to this element (Fig.15.16). The electric flux Δφ is defined as the
scalar product of Δs and E :
Δφ = E . Δs
The total flux over the entire spherical surface is obtained by summing all such
contributions:

φE = Δs∑→ 0 Ei . Δsi
i
(15.21)

Since the angle between E and Δs is zero, the total flux through the spherical
surface is given by

q
φE = k × Σ Δs
r2

The sum of all elements of area over the spherical Ds

E
surface is 4π r2. Hence the net flux through the
spherical surface is +

q
φE = k × × 4π r2
r2

=4πk×q Fig. 15.16

PHYSICS 19
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism On substituting for k = 1/4πε0, we get

1
φE = × 4πq
4πε0
= q/ε0 (15.22)
The spherical surface of the sphere is referred to as Gaussian surface. Eqn.
Notes (15.22) is known as Gauss’ law. It states that the net electric flux through a
closed gaussian surface is equal to the total charge q inside the surface
divided by ε0.
Gauss’ law is a useful tool for determining the electric field. You must also note
that gaussian surface is an imaginary mathematical surface. It may not necessarily
coincide with any real surface.

Carl Friedrich Gauss

(1777 – 1855)
German genius in the field of physics and mathematics,
Gauss has been one of the most influential mathematicians.
He contributed in such diverse fields as optics, electricity
and magnetism, astronomy, number theory, differential
geometry, and mathematical analysis.
As child prodgy, Gauss corrected an error in his father’s accounts when
he was only three year old. In primary school, he stunned his teacher by
adding the integers 1 to 100 within a second.
Though he shun interactions with scientific community and disliked
teaching, many of his students rose to become top class mathematicians
– Richard Dedekind, Berhard Riemann, Friedrich Bessel and Sophie
Germain are a few among them. Germany issued three postal stamps
and a 10 mark bank note in his honour. A crater on moon called Gauss
crater, and asteroid 100 called Gaussia have been named after him.

15.4.1 Electric Field due to a Point Charge

Let us apply Gauss’ law to calculate
electric field due to a point charge. Ds
Draw a spherical surface of radius r
with a point charge at the centre of +q
the sphere, as shown in Fig. 15.17.
The electric field E is along the radial
direction pointing away from the
centre and normal to the surface of the Fig. 15.17 : Electric field on a spherical surface
due to a charge +q at its centre

20 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
sphere at every point. The normal to the element of area Δs is parallel to E. Magnetism
According to Gauss’ law, we can write

φE = ∑i Ei.Δ
Δsi = q/ε0

Since cos θ = 1 and E is same on all points on the surface, we can write
φ E = E × 4πr² Notes
or q/ε0 = E × 4πr²
q
⇒ E = 4πε r 2 (15.23)
0

If there is a second charge q0 placed at a point on the surface of the sphere, the
magnitude of force on this charge would be
F = q0 × E
so that
qq0
F = 4πε r 2 (15.24)
0

Do you recogmise this result? It is expression for Coulomb’s force between two
static point charges.

15.4.2 Electric Field due to a Long Line Charge

A line charge is in the form of a thin charged wire of infinite length with a
uniform linear charge density σ l +
(charge per unit length). Let there be +
a charge +q on the wire. We have to +
calculate the electric field at a point +
P at a distance r. Draw a right circular +
cylinder of radius r with the long wire Ds
+ E
as the axis of the cylinder. The Gaussian +
cylinder is closed at both ends. The surface +
surface of this cylinder is the gaussian +
surface and shown in Fig. 15.18. The +
magnitude of the electric field E is +
same at every point on the curved +
surface of the cylinder because all +
points are at the same distance from
Fig. 15.18 : Electric field due to an infinite line of
the charged wire. The electric field charges having uniform linear charge
direction and the normal to area density. The gaussian surface is a right
element Δs are parallel. circular cylinder.

PHYSICS 21
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism Let the length of the gaussian cylinder be l. The total charge enclosed in the
cylinder is q = σ l l. The area of the curved surface of the cylinder is 2 πrl.

For the flat surfaces at the top and bottom of the cylinder, the normals to these
areas are perpendicular to the electric field (cos 90° = 0). These surfaces, therefore,
do not contribute to the total flux. Hence

Notes φE = Σ E. Δs E

= E × 2 πrl

According to Gauss’ law, φE = q/ε0. Hence Ea 1r

E × 2 πrl = q/ε0 = σ l l/ε0

r
σl Fig. 15.19 : Variation of E with r
or E = 2πε r (15.25) for a line charge
0

This shows that electric field varies inversely with distance. This is illustrated in
Fig. 15.19.

Electrostatic Filter
You must have seen black smoke and dirt particles coming out of a chimney
of a thermal power station or brick klin. The smoke consists of not only
gases but large quantities of small dust (coal) particles. The smoke along
with the dirt is discharged into the atmosphere. The dust particles settle
down on earth and pollute the soil. The gases contribute to global warming.
These are extremely injurious to living systems (health). It is therefore
essential that the dirt is removed from smoke before it is discharged into the
atmosphere.
A very important application of
electrical discharge in gases by
application of high electric field is the Clean air
construction of a device called
Electrostatic Filter or Precipitator.
dirty gases
The basic diagram of the device is
shown here. The central wire inside a
metallic container is maintained at a
very high negative potential (about 100
dust exist
kV). The wall of the container is
connected to the positive terminal of a high volt battery and is earthed. A
weight W keeps the wire straight in the central part. The electric field thus
created is from the wall towards the wire. The dirt and gases are passed

22 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
through the container. An electrical discharge takes place because of the Magnetism
high field near the wire. Positive and negative ions and electrons are
generated. These negatively charged particles are accelerated towards the
wall. They collide with dust particles and charge them. Most of the dust
particles become negatively charged because they capture electrons or
negative ions. They are attracted towards the wall of the container. The
container is periodically shaken so that the particles leave the surface and Notes
fall down at the bottom of the container. These are taken out through the
exit pipe.
The undesirable dust particles are thus removed from the gases and the
clean air goes out in the atmosphere. Most efficient systems of this kind
are able to remove about 98% of the ash and dust from the smoke.

15.4.3 Electric Field due to a Uniformly Charged Spherical Shell

A spherical shell, by definition, is a hollow sphere having infinitesimal small
thickness. Consider a spherical shell of radius R carrying a total charge Q which
is uniformly distributed on its surface. We shall calculate the electric field due
to the spherical charge distribution at points external as well as internal to the
shell.

(a) Field at an external point

Let P be an external point distant r from the center Q +
+ +
O of the shell. Draw a spherical surface (called + Ds
+
Gaussian surface) passing though P and concentric + O r P E
+
with the charge distribution. By symmetry, the electric +
+
+
field is radial, being directed outward as shown in
Fig. 15.20.
Fig. 15.20
→
The electric field E is normal to the surface element everywhere. Its magnitude
at all points on the Gaussian surface has the same value E.

According to Gauss’ law,

Q
ΣE Δs cos 0° =
ε0

Q
or ΔE ⋅ 4πr 2 =
ε0

Q
or E=
4πε0 r 2

PHYSICS 23
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism From the result we can conclude that for a point external to the spherical shell,
the entire charge on the shell can be treated as though located at its centre. The
electric field decreases with distance.

Instead of a spherical shell if we had taken a charged solid conducting sphere,

we would have obtained the same result. This is because the charge of a
conductor always resides on its outer surface. Q
Notes + +

+ +
(b) Field at an Internal Point
O r
+
Let P′ be an internal point distant r from the centre of the P¢ +
shell. Draw a concentric sphere passing through the point +
P′. +
+
+
Applying Gauss’ Law,
Fig. 15.21
Q
ΣE Δs cos 0° =
ε0 R

Q
or E ⋅ 4πr 2 =
ε0
⇒ E = 0 as Q = 0
the electric field at an internal point of the shell
is zero. The same result is applicable to a charged
Q
solid conducting sphere. 1
E = 4peo R 2
E
The variation of the electric field with the radial
distance r has been shown in Fig 15.22.
r=R

15.4.4 Electric Field due to a Plane Sheet of Fig. 15.22

Charge
Consider an infinite plane sheet of charge ABCD, charged uniformly with surface
charge density σ.
B
+
+ +
+ +
A + + + +
+ + +
+ + DS
P¢
E E
P
+ + +
+ + +
+ + + C
+ +
+ +
+
+
D

Fig. 15.23
24 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
For symmetry reasons, the electric field will be perpendicular to the sheet, Magnetism
directed away from it, if σ > 0. Let P be the point in front of the sheet where
we want to find the electric field. Draw a Gaussian surface in the form of a
cylinder with its axis parallel to the field and one of its circular caps passing
through P. The other circular cap of the cylinder lies symmetrically opposite at
P′, on the other side of the sheet, being situated at the same distance as P.
The electric flux through both the circular caps is Notes

→ → → →
E ⋅ Δ s + E ⋅ Δ s = E Δs + E Δs
= 2 E Δs

The electric flux through the curved surface of the Gaussian surface is
→ →
E ⋅ Δ s = E Δs cos 90° = 0. Hence, the total electric flux through the Gaussian
cylinder is

→ →
φE = ∑ E ⋅ Δ s
= 2 E Δs

As the charge enclosed by the Gaussian cylinder is σΔs, using Gauss’ Law we
have

1
2 E Δs = σΔs
ε0
σ
or E=
2ε 0

Please note that the electric field is independent of the distance from the sheet.

15.5 VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR

Van de Graaff Generator is an electrostatic device that can produce potential
differences of the order of a few million volts. It was named after its designer
Robert J. van de Graaff.
It consists of a large hollow metallic sphere S mounted on an insulating stand.
A long narrow belt, made of an insulating material, like rubber or silk, is wound
around two pulleys P1 and P2 as shown in Fig. 15.5. The pulley P2 is mounted
at the centre of the sphere S while the pulley P1 is mounted near the bottom.
The belt is made to rotate continuously by driving the pulley P1 by an electric
motor M. Two comb-shaped conductors C1 and C2, having a number of sharp
points in the shape of metallic needles, are mounted near the pulleys.

PHYSICS 25
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism
+ +
+

+ S +

+ C2
P2 + T
+

+
+
Notes +
+ Insulating
+ Stand
+
+

C1
Power P1 M
Supply
To
Earth

Fig. 15.24

The needles point towards the belt. The comb-shaped conductor C1 is

maintained at a high positive potential (~104 V) relative to the ground with the
help of a power supply. The upper comb C2 is connected to the inner surface
of the metallic sphere S.
Near the sharp points of the comb-shaped conductor C1, the charge density and
electrostatic field are very high. Large electrostatic field near their pointed ends
causes dielectric breakdown of the air, producing ions (both positive and
negative) in the process. This phenomenon is known as corona discharge. The
negative charges from the air move torwards the needles and the positive charge
towards the belt. The negative charges neutralize some of the positive charges
on the comb C1. However, by supplying more positive charges to C1, the power
supply maintains its positive potential. As the belt carrying the positive charges
moves towards C2, the air near it becomes conducting due to corona discharge.
The negative charges of the air move towards the belt neutralizing its positive
charges while the positive charges of the air move towards the needles of the
comb C2. These positive charges are then transferred to the conducting sphere
S which quickly moves them to its outer surface.
The process continues and positive charges keep on accumulating on the sphere
S and it acquires a high potential.
As the surrounding air is at ordinary pressure, the leakage of charge from the
sphere takes place. In order to prevent the leakage, the machine is surrounded
by an earthed metallic chamber T whose inner space is filled with air at high
pressure.

26 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
By using Van de Graaff generator, voltage upto 5 million volts (MV) have been Magnetism
achieved. Some generators have even gone up to creation of such high voltages
as 20 MV.
Van de Graaff generator is used to accelerate the ion beams to very high energies
which are used to study nuclear reactions.

Notes

INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.4

1. If the electric flux through a gaussian surface is zero, does it necessarily mean
that
(a) the total charge inside the surface is zero?
(b) the electric field is zero at every point on the surface?
(c) the electric field lines entering into the surface is equal to the number
going out of the surface?
2. If the electric field exceeds the value 3.0 × 106 NC–1, there will be sparking in
air. What is the highest value of charge that a metallic sphere can hold without
sparking in the surrounding air, if the radius of the sphere is 5.0 cm?
3. What is the magnitude and direction of the net force and net torque on a
dipole placed along a a) uniform electric field, and b) non-uniform field.

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT

z Electric charge is produced when glass rod is rubbed with silk or rubber is
rubbed with fur.
z By convention, the charge on glass rod is taken positive and that on rubber is
taken negative.
z Like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other.
z Coulomb’s law gives the magnitude and direction of force between two point
charges :
q1 × q2
F =k r̂
r2

1
where k = = 9.0 × 109 Nm²C–².
4πε0

z The smallest unit of charge in nature is the charge on an electron :

e = 1.60 × 10–19 C

PHYSICS 27
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism z Charge is conserved and quantised in terms of electronic charge.
z The electric field E due to a charge q at a point in space is defined as the force
experienced by a unit test charge q0 :

q
E = F/ q0 = k × r̂
r2
Notes z Superposition principle can be used to obtain the force experienced by a
charge due to a group of charges. It is also applicable to electric field at a
point due to a group of charges.
z Electric dipole is a system of two equal and unlike charges separated by a
small distance. It has a dipole moment | p| = qr; the direction of p is from
negative charge to positive charge along the line joining the two charges.
z The electric field due to a dipole in end-on position and broad-on position is
respectively given by

1 2p
E = 4πε r 3
0

1 p
and E = – .
4 π ε0 r3
z Electric field lines (line of force) are only a pictorial way of depicting field.
z Electric flux is the total number of electric lines of force passing through an
area and is defined as φE = E . A .
1
z Gauss’s law states that the total flux passing through a closed area is
ε0
times the total charge enclosed by it.

z The electric field due to a line charge is given by E = σl .

2πε0 r

TERMINAL EXERCISE
1. A + 12μ C charge is at x =20 cm and a –18 μ C (– q) charge is at x = 29 cm
on the x-axis. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the force on a charge
of 18μC. What is the direction of force on 12μC charge?
2. Two point Charges q1 and q2 separated by a distance of 3.0 m experience a
mutual force of 16 × 10–15 N. Calculate the magnitude of force when q1 = q2
= q. What will be the magnitude of force if separation distance is changed to
6.0 m?

28 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
3. There are two points A and B separated by a distance x. If two point charges Magnetism
+ q each are on the points A and B, the force between them is F. The point
charges are now replaced by two identical metallic spheres having the same
charge + q on each. The distance between their centers is again x only. Will
the force between them change? Give reasons to support your answer.
4. The force of repulsion between two point chargers placed 16 cm apart in
vaccum is 7.5 × 10–10 N. What will be force between them, if they are placed Notes
in a medium of dielectric constant k = 2.5?
5. Compare the electrical force with the gravitational force between two protons
separated by a distance x. Take charge on proton as 1.60 × 10–19 C, mass of
proton as 1.67 × 10–27 kg and Gravitational constant G = 6.67 × 10–11 Nm2 kg–2.
6. Four identical point charges +q each are placed at the four corners (one q at
one corner) of a square of side 1. Find the force experienced by a test charge
q0 placed at the center of the square.
7. When are the electric field lines parallel to each other?
8. How many electrons should be removed from a metallic sphere to give it a
positive charge = 6.4 × 10–7C.
9. Consider an electric dipole of q = 3.0 × 10–6 C and 2l = 4 × 10–10 m. Calculate
the magnitude of dipole moment. Calculate electric field at a point r = 6 × 10–6 m
on the equatorial plane.
10. A Charge – q = 15 × 10-6 C is placed on a metallic sphere of radius R=3.0 mm.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field at a point r =15 cm
from the center of the sphere. What will be the magnitude and direction of the
field at the same point if 3.0 mm sphere is replaced by 9.0 mm sphere having
the same Charge.
11. A charge of +15μC is located at the center of a sphere of radius 20 cm.
Calculate the electric flux through the surface of the sphere.
12. A proton is placed in a uniform electric field E = 8.0 × 104 NC–1. Calculate
the acceleration of the proton.
13. Two point charges q1 and q2 are 3.0 cm apart and (q1 + q2) = 20μC. If the
force of repulsion between them is 750N, calculate q1 and q2.

ANSWERS TO INTEXT QUESTIONS

15.1
1. (i)Yes (ii) Charge = 3.2 × 10–17 C.

PHYSICS 29
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism 2. A has charge + Q. When A and B are brought in contact, charge will get
distributed equally.
(i) Yes., (ii) + Q/2
3. q = 4.8 × 10–16
Since Ne = q, we get

Notes 4.8×10 –16

N= = 3.0 × 103charges
1.6×10 –19

15.2
1. Q1 = 16μC, Q2 = qµC and r = 12m
Since
1 q1q2
F = 4πε
0 r2

(9 × 109 Nm 2 C −2 )(16 × 10−6 C) × (12 ×−6 C)

=
144m 2
= 9× 10–3 N
(i) direction from q2 to q1
(ii) direction from q1 to q2

q2
2. The force at A due to charge at B, F1 = k where AB = a
a2
Since AB = AC, the force at A due to charge at B is

q2
F2 = k
a2
R2 = F12 +F22 = 2 F 2
R = F 2 at 45°

15.3
1. (a) E along the + x axis.
(b) along the + y axis.
(c) at 45° with the x axis
2. AB = AC = 40 cm

kq 9 ×109 Nm 2 C –2 × (2 × 10 –6 C)
| E1 | = = | E |
2 = 2
= 1.125 × 105 NC –1
2 (0.40m)
r

30 PHYSICS
Electric Charge and Electric Field MODULE - 5
Electricity and
The resultant of E1 and E2 will be parallel to BC. Hence Magnetism
R2 = E12 + E22 + 2E1 E2 cos 150
= 2 E 2 + 2 E 2 cos (180-30)

⎛ 3⎞
= 2 E 2 – 2 E 2 × cos 30 = 2 E 2 ⎜⎜1+ 2 ⎟⎟ = 4.723 × 1010 N2C–2.
⎝ ⎠
Notes
Direction will be parallel to BC in the direction B→C.

E1
q = 75°

A
30° E2

75° 75°
B C
3. E is directed towards the earth. The force on –ve charge will be vertically
upwards.
4. The field will be zero at the mid point between the charge.

15.4
1. (i) Yes (ii) not necessarily (iii) Yes.

Q
2. E = 4πε r 2
0

∴ Q = 4 πε0 r 2 E

1
= (3 × 106 NC–1) × (9 × 109 Nm 2 C –2 ) × (25 × 10–4m2)

= 8.3 × 10 – 7 C
3. (a) F = 0, τ = 0
(b) F ≠ 0 τ = 0

PHYSICS 31
MODULE - 5 Electric Charge and Electric Field

Electricity and
Magnetism Answers to Problems in Terminal Exercise
1. 240 N towards negative x–direction force on +12 µC charge is towards + x
direction.
2. q = 4 × 10–3C 4. 3 × 10–10N
5. Electric force is 1036 times the gravitational force.
6. zero. 8. 4 × 1012 electrons
Notes
9. 12 × 10–16 Cm. 0.5 × 1015 or Nc–1
10. 6 × 106 NC–1 towards the centre, same field.
11. 1.7 × 106 μm 12. 7.6 × 1012 ms–2
13. 15 µC and 5 µC.

32 PHYSICS