Chapter 23

Electric Fields
Electric Charges
There are two kinds of electric charges
▪ Called positive and negative
▪ Negative charges are the type possessed by electrons.
▪ Positive charges are the type possessed by protons.
Charges of the same sign repel one another and charges with opposite signs
attract one another.

Section 23.1
Electric Charges

The rubber rod is negatively charged.

The glass rod is positively charged.
The two rods will attract.

Section 23.1
Electric Charges

The rubber rod is negatively charged.

The second rubber rod is also
negatively charged.
The two rods will repel.

Section 23.1
Conservation of Electric Charges

A glass rod is rubbed with silk.

Electrons are transferred from the glass
to the silk.
Each electron adds a negative charge
to the silk.
An equal positive charge is left on the
rod.

Section 23.1
Quantization of Electric Charges

The electric charge, q, is said to be quantized.

▪ q is the standard symbol used for charge as a variable.
▪ Electric charge exists as discrete packets.
▪ q = Ne
▪ N is an integer
▪ e is the fundamental unit of charge
▪ |e| = 1.6 x 10-19 C
▪ Electron: q = -e
▪ Proton: q = +e

Section 23.1
Conductors

Electrical conductors are materials in which some of the electrons are free
electrons.
▪ Free electrons are not bound to the atoms.
▪ These electrons can move relatively freely through the material.
▪ Examples of good conductors include copper, aluminum and silver.
▪ When a good conductor is charged in a small region, the charge readily
distributes itself over the entire surface of the material.

Section 23.2
Insulators

Electrical insulators are materials in which all of the electrons are bound to
atoms.
▪ These electrons can not move relatively freely through the material.
▪ Examples of good insulators include glass, rubber and wood.
▪ When a good insulator is charged in a small region, the charge is unable to
move to other regions of the material.

Section 23.2
Semiconductors

The electrical properties of semiconductors are somewhere between those of

insulators and conductors.
Examples of semiconductor materials include silicon and germanium.
▪ Semiconductors made from these materials are commonly used in making
electronic chips.
The electrical properties of semiconductors can be changed by the addition of
controlled amounts of certain atoms to the material.

Section 23.2
Charging by Induction

Charging by induction requires no

contact with the object inducing the
charge.
Assume we start with a neutral metallic
sphere.
▪ The sphere has the same number
of positive and negative charges.

Section 23.2
Charging by Induction, 2

B:
A charged rubber rod is placed near the
sphere.
▪ It does not touch the sphere.
The electrons in the neutral sphere are
redistributed.
C:
The sphere is grounded.
Some electrons can leave the sphere
through the ground wire.

Section 23.2
Charging by Induction, 3

The ground wire is removed.

There will now be more positive
charges.
The charges are not uniformly
distributed.
The positive charge has been induced
in the sphere.

Section 23.2
Charging by Induction, 4

The rod is removed.

The electrons remaining on the sphere
redistribute themselves.
There is still a net positive charge on
the sphere.
The charge is now uniformly distributed.
Note the rod lost none of its negative
charge during this process.

Section 23.2
Charge Rearrangement in Insulators

A process similar to induction can take

place in insulators.
The charges within the molecules of the
material are rearranged.
The proximity of the positive charges on
the surface of the object and the
negative charges on the surface of the
insulator results in an attractive force
between the object and the insulator.

Section 23.2
Coulomb’s Law

Charles Coulomb measured the

magnitudes of electric forces between
two small charged spheres.
The force is inversely proportional to
the square of the separation r between
the charges and directed along the line
joining them.
The force is proportional to the product
of the charges, q1 and q2, on the two
particles.
The electrical force between two
stationary point charges is given by
Coulomb’s Law.

Section 23.3
Point Charge

The term point charge refers to a particle of zero size that carries an electric
charge.
▪ The electrical behavior of electrons and protons is well described by
modeling them as point charges.

Section 23.3
Coulomb’s Law, cont.

The force is attractive if the charges are of opposite sign.

The force is repulsive if the charges are of like sign.
The force is a conservative force.

Section 23.3
Coulomb’s Law, Equation

Mathematically,
q1 q 2
Fe = k e
r2
The SI unit of charge is the coulomb ©.
ke is called the Coulomb constant.
▪ ke = 8.9876 x 109 N.m2/C2 = 1/(4πeo)
▪ eo is the permittivity of free space.
▪ eo = 8.8542 x 10-12 C2 / N.m2

Section 23.3
Coulomb's Law, Notes

Remember the charges need to be in coulombs.

▪ e is the smallest unit of charge.
▪ except quarks
▪ e = 1.6 x 10-19 C
▪ So 1 C needs 6.24 x 1018 electrons or protons
Typical charges can be in the µC range.
Remember that force is a vector quantity.

Section 23.3
Particle Summary

The electron and proton are identical in the magnitude of their charge, but very
different in mass.
The proton and the neutron are similar in mass, but very different in charge.

Section 23.3
Vector Nature of Electric Forces

In vector form,
q1q2
F12 = k e 2
rˆ12
r
r̂12 is a unit vector directed from q1 to
q2.
The like charges produce a repulsive
force between them.

Section 23.3
Vector Nature of Electrical Forces, cont.

Electrical forces obey Newton’s Third Law.

The force on q1 is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force on
q2
▪ F21 = −F12
With like signs for the charges, the product q1q2 is positive and the force is
repulsive.

Section 23.3
Vector Nature of Electrical Forces, 3
Two point charges are separated by a
distance r.
The unlike charges produce an
attractive force between them.
With unlike signs for the charges, the
product q1q2 is negative and the force is
attractive.

Section 23.3
Multiple Charges

The resultant force on any one charge equals the vector sum of the forces
exerted by the other individual charges that are present.
▪ Remember to add the forces as vectors.
The resultant force on q1 is the vector sum of all the forces exerted on it by other
charges.
For example, if four charges are present, the resultant force on one of these
equals the vector sum of the forces exerted on it by each of the other charges.

F1 = F21 + F31 + F41

Section 23.3
Zero Resultant Force, Example

Where is the resultant force equal to

zero?
▪ The magnitudes of the individual
forces will be equal.
▪ Directions will be opposite.
Will result in a quadratic
Choose the root that gives the forces
in opposite directions.

Section 23.3
Electric Field – Definition

An electric field is said to exist in the region of space around a charged object.
▪ This charged object is the source charge.
When another charged object, the test charge, enters this electric field, an
electric force acts on it.

Section 23.4
Electric Field – Definition, cont

The electric field is defined as the electric force on the test charge per unit
charge.
The electric field vector, E , at a point in space is defined as the electric force
acting on a positive test charge, qo, placed at that point divided by the test
charge:
F
E
qo

Section 23.4
Electric Field, Notes

E is the field produced by some charge or charge distribution, separate

from the test charge.
The existence of an electric field is a property of the source charge.
▪ The presence of the test charge is not necessary for the field to exist.
The test charge serves as a detector of the field.

Section 23.4
Electric Field Notes, Final

The direction of E is that of the force on

a positive test charge.
The SI units of E are N/C.
We can also say that an electric field
exists at a point if a test charge at that
point experiences an electric force.

Section 23.4
Relationship Between F and E

Fe = qE
▪ This is valid for a point charge only.
▪ One of zero size
▪ For larger objects, the field may vary over the size of the object.
If q is positive, the force and the field are in the same direction.
If q is negative, the force and the field are in opposite directions.

Section 23.4
Electric Field, Vector Form

Remember Coulomb’s law, between the source and test charges, can be
expressed as
qqo
Fe = ke 2
rˆ
r

Then, the electric field will be

Fe q
E= = ke 2 rˆ
qo r

Section 23.4
More About Electric Field Direction
a) q is positive, the force is directed away from q.
b) The direction of the field is also away from the positive source charge.
c) q is negative, the force is directed toward q.
d) The field is also toward the negative source charge.

Section 23.4
Electric Fields from Multiple Charges

At any point P, the total electric field due to a group of source charges equals the
vector sum of the electric fields of all the charges.

qi
E = ke  2 rˆi
i ri

Section 23.4
Electric Field – Continuous Charge Distribution
The distances between charges in a group of charges may be much smaller than
the distance between the group and a point of interest.
In this situation, the system of charges can be modeled as continuous.
The system of closely spaced charges is equivalent to a total charge that is
continuously distributed along some line, over some surface, or throughout some
volume.

Section 23.5
Electric Field – Continuous Charge Distribution, cont
Procedure:
▪ Divide the charge distribution into
small elements, each of which
contains Δq.
▪ Calculate the electric field due to
one of these elements at point P.
▪ Evaluate the total field by summing
the contributions of all the charge
elements.

Section 23.5
Electric Field – Continuous Charge Distribution, equations

For the individual charge elements

q
E = ke 2
rˆ
r

Because the charge distribution is continuous

qi dq
E = ke lim
qi →0
i r 2 i e  r 2 rˆ
ˆ
r = k
i

Section 23.5
Charge Densities
Volume charge density: when a charge is distributed evenly throughout a
volume
▪ ρ ≡ Q / V with units C/m3
Surface charge density: when a charge is distributed evenly over a surface
area
▪ σ ≡ Q / A with units C/m2
Linear charge density: when a charge is distributed along a line
▪ λ ≡ Q / ℓ with units C/m

Section 23.5
Amount of Charge in a Small Volume

If the charge is nonuniformly distributed over a volume, surface, or line, the

amount of charge, dq, is given by
▪ For the volume: dq = ρ dV
▪ For the surface: dq = σ dA
▪ For the length element: dq = λ dℓ

Section 23.5
Example – Charged Disk

The disk has a radius R and a uniform

charge density σ.
Choose dq as a ring of radius r.
The ring has a surface area 2πr dr.
Integrate to find the total field.

Section 23.5
Electric Field Lines, General

The density of lines through surface A

is greater than through surface B.
The magnitude of the electric field is
greater on surface A than B.
The lines at different locations point in
different directions.
▪ This indicates the field is
nonuniform.

Section 23.6
Electric Field Lines, Positive Point Charge

The field lines radiate outward in all

directions.
▪ In three dimensions, the
distribution is spherical.
The lines are directed away from the
source charge.
▪ A positive test charge would be
repelled away from the positive
source charge.

Section 23.6
Electric Field Lines, Negative Point Charge

The field lines radiate inward in all

directions.
The lines are directed toward the
source charge.
▪ A positive test charge would be
attracted toward the negative
source charge.

Section 23.6
Electric Field Lines – Dipole

The charges are equal and opposite.

The number of field lines leaving the
positive charge equals the number of
lines terminating on the negative
charge.

Section 23.6
Electric Field Lines – Like Charges

The charges are equal and positive.

The same number of lines leave each
charge since they are equal in
magnitude.
At a great distance, the field is
approximately equal to that of a single
charge of 2q.
Since there are no negative charges
available, the field lines end infinitely far
away.

Section 23.6
Electric Field Lines, Unequal Charges

The positive charge is twice the

magnitude of the negative charge.
Two lines leave the positive charge for
each line that terminates on the
negative charge.
At a great distance, the field would be
approximately the same as that due to
a single charge of +q.

Section 23.6
Motion of Particles, cont
Fe = qE = ma
If the field is uniform, then the acceleration is constant.
The particle under constant acceleration model can be applied to the motion of
the particle.
▪ The electric force causes a particle to move according to the models of
forces and motion.
If the particle has a positive charge, its acceleration is in the direction of the field.
If the particle has a negative charge, its acceleration is in the direction opposite
the electric field.

Section 23.7
Electron in a Uniform Field, Example

The electron is projected horizontally

into a uniform electric field.
The electron undergoes a downward
acceleration.
▪ It is negative, so the acceleration is
opposite the direction of the field.
Its motion is parabolic while between
the plates.

Section 23.7
QUESTIONS

&

ANSWERS
Q1

When you rub a plastic rod with fur, the plastic rod becomes negatively
charged and the fur becomes positively charged. As a consequence of
rubbing the rod with the fur,

A. the rod and fur both gain mass.

B. the rod and fur both lose mass.
C. the rod gains mass and the fur loses mass.
D. the rod loses mass and the fur gains mass.
E. none of the above
A1

When you rub a plastic rod with fur, the plastic rod becomes negatively
charged and the fur becomes positively charged. As a consequence of
rubbing the rod with the fur,

A. the rod and fur both gain mass.

B. the rod and fur both lose mass.
C. the rod gains mass and the fur loses mass.
D. the rod loses mass and the fur gains mass.
E. none of the above
Q2

A positively-charged piece of plastic exerts an attractive force on an

electrically neutral piece of paper. This is because

A. electrons are less massive than atomic nuclei.

B. the electric force between charged particles decreases
with increasing distance.
C. an atomic nucleus occupies only a small part of the
volume of an atom.
D. a typical atom has many electrons but only one
nucleus.
A2

A positively-charged piece of plastic exerts an attractive force on an

electrically neutral piece of paper. This is because

A. electrons are less massive than atomic nuclei.

B. the electric force between charged particles decreases
with increasing distance.
C. an atomic nucleus occupies only a small part of the
volume of an atom.
D. a typical atom has many electrons but only one
nucleus.
Q3

Three point charges lie at the vertices of an Charge #2

equilateral triangle as shown. All three +q
charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges #1 and #2 are positive (+q) and Charge #1
Charge #3 is negative (–q). +q
The net electric force that Charges #2 and
#3 exert on Charge #1 is in y

–q
x Charge #3
A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.
C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
A3
Charge #2
+q
Three point charges lie at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle as shown. All three Charge #1
charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges #1 and #2 are positive (+q) and +q
Charge #3 is negative (–q).
y
The net electric force that Charges #2 and
#3 exert on Charge #1 is in
–q
x Charge #3

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
Q4
Charge #2
–q
Three point charges lie at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle as shown. All three Charge #1
charges have the same magnitude, but
+q
Charge #1 is positive (+q) and Charges #2
and #3 are negative (–q).
y
The net electric force that Charges #2 and
#3 exert on Charge #1 is in
–q
x Charge #3

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
A4
Charge #2
–q
Three point charges lie at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle as shown. All three Charge #1
charges have the same magnitude, but
Charge #1 is positive (+q) and Charges #2 +q
and #3 are negative (–q).
y
The net electric force that Charges #2 and
#3 exert on Charge #1 is in
–q
x Charge #3

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
Q5

A positive point charge +Q is released from rest in an electric field. At any

later time, the velocity of the point charge

A. is in the direction of the electric field at the position of the point

charge.
B. is directly opposite the direction of the electric field at the position
of the point charge.
C. is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field at the position
of the point charge.
D. is zero.
E. not enough information given to decide
A5

A positive point charge +Q is released from rest in an electric field. At any

later time, the velocity of the point charge

A. is in the direction of the electric field at the position of the point

charge.
B. is directly opposite the direction of the electric field at the position
of the point charge.
C. is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field at the position
of the point charge.
D. is zero.
E. not enough information given to decide
Q6 Charge #1
–q
Two point charges and a point P lie at the
vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown.
Both point charges have the same
P
magnitude q but opposite signs. There is
nothing at point P.
y
The net electric field that Charges #1 and
#2 produce at point P is in
+q
x Charge #2

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
A6
Charge #1
–q
Two point charges and a point P lie at the
vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown.
Both point charges have the same
P
magnitude q but opposite signs. There is
nothing at point P.
y
The net electric field that Charges #1 and
#2 produce at point P is in
+q
x Charge #2

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
Q7
Charge #1
–q
Two point charges and a point P lie at the
vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown.
Both point charges have the same negative
P
charge (–q). There is nothing at point P.
The net electric field that Charges #1 and y
#2 produce at point P is in
–q
x Charge #2

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
A7
Charge #1
–q
Two point charges and a point P lie at the
vertices of an equilateral triangle as shown.
Both point charges have the same negative
P
charge (–q). There is nothing at point P.
The net electric field that Charges #1 and y
#2 produce at point P is in
–q
x Charge #2

A. the +x-direction. B. the –x-direction.

C. the +y-direction. D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
Q8

The illustration shows the electric field

lines due to three point charges. The
electric field is strongest

A. where the field lines are

closest together.
B. where the field lines are
farthest apart.
C. where adjacent field lines
are parallel.
D. none of the above
A8

The illustration shows the electric field

lines due to three point charges. The
electric field is strongest

A. where the field lines are

closest together.
B. where the field lines are
farthest apart.
C. where adjacent field lines
are parallel.
D. none of the above
Q9

Positive charge is uniformly

distributed around a semicircle. The
electric field that this charge produces
at the center of curvature P is in

A. the +x-direction.
B. the –x-direction.
C. the +y-direction.
D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above
A9

Positive charge is uniformly

distributed around a semicircle. The
electric field that this charge produces
at the center of curvature P is in

A. the +x-direction.
B. the –x-direction.
C. the +y-direction.
D. the –y-direction.
E. none of the above