Deviation of Coulomb's

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Deviation of Coulombs Force from the Force of

Electrostatic Interaction between two conducting
Spheres
Dragia Ivanov, Yordan Epitropov, Stefan Bozhkov, Kiril Kolikov
Faculty of Physics and Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics
Plovdiv University
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
bozhkov@uni-plovdiv.bg
AbstractThe magnitude of the force of electrostatic interaction

between two point charges is determined by applying Coulombs
law. However, in practice two charged bodies with certain
dimensional size, geometrical shapes and physical structures
interact rather than two point charges. This causes the problem
for evaluating the deviation of the Coulombs force from the
force of electrostatic interaction between two charged bodies to
emerge. We consider this problem for two charged spheres with
arbitrary radiuses and arbitrary electrical charges based on the
derived by us exact analytical formula for the force of
electrostatic interaction between them.
Keywords-law; conducting sphere; force of electrostatic
interaction; absolute inaccuracy; relative inaccuracy
INTRODUCTION
Coulombs law determines the magnitude of the force
FC Q1Q2 4 0 R2 of electrostatic interaction between two
point charges Q1 and Q2 which are at a distance R between
each other [1, 2, 3]. In practice, however, two charged bodies
with certain sizes, geometrical shapes and physical structures
interact rather than point charges. This causes the problem for
evaluating the deviation of Coulombs force FC from the
actual force F of electrostatic interaction between two
electrically charged bodies. We solve this problem for two
conducting spheres with arbitrary charges and arbitrary
radiuses.
The problem for determining the electrostatic force of
interaction between two charged conducting spheres with
arbitrary radiuses and charges is considered for the first time by
Poisson. Later on this research is considerably simplified by Sir
Thompson (Lord Kelvin) with the introduced by him theory of
image charges.
This problem is also looked into by Maxwell [1]. It is
precisely him who discovers that the electrostatic force
between two spheres is different than the electrostatic force
given by Coulombs law between point charges with the same
sizes, located at the centres of the spheres. According to
Maxwell this deviation is caused by the redistribution of the
charges as a result of the mutual electrostatic influence. He
suggests a general method for determining the force of

interaction between two spheres with arbitrary charges and
radiuses using zonal harmonics with complex mathematical
apparatus [1].
Smythe applies the method of image charges for
determining the electrostatic force between two spheres which
are not intersecting with arbitrary charges and radiuses [4] by
using hyperbolical functions. He computes the first few terms
in a sum describing the force by the capacities of the spheres.
Saranin [5] computes more concrete results using Smythes
approach.
Jackson [6] does not reach a concrete solution of this
problem in the general case but using the method of the image
charges he describes the way for solving of the problem for
two spheres which do not intersect with different radiuses and
charges by showing how the induced charges and their
locations can be determined iteratively.
For the first time we derive an exact analytical formula for
the electrostatic force of interaction between two conducting
spheres S1 and S 2 with arbitrary charges Q1 and Q2 and
arbitrary radiuses r1 and r2 , respectively [7].
Let R be the distance between the centres O1 and O2 of
the spheres S1 and S 2 in inertial system J . As the charges Q1
and Q2 are uniformly distributed on the surfaces of S1 and S 2
we assume that before the interaction of the spheres they are
concentrated in the centres O1 and O2 , respectively.
As a result of the electrostatic interaction between S1 and
S 2 on their surfaces some induced charges, respectively Q1

and Q2 , appear which are interconnected. Then on the surfaces
of S1 and S 2 there are some uniformly distributed charges Q1
and Q2 left, and given by the law of preservation of the electric
charge the following equations hold
Q1 Q1 Q1 and Q2 Q2 Q2 .
(1)
The current research is done with the financial support of the Fund
Scientific Studies of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, Youth and
Science as part of the contract DTK 02/35.
INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

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Formally, we can assume that Q1 and Q2 are located on the
1 X1 1 X 2 Y1Y2
Q2 1 X 1 Q1Y1
Q2
1
X1 1 X 2 Y1Y2
segment O1O2 as well as Q1 and Q2 are concentrated at the

centres O1 and O2 of the spheres.
We determine the charges Q1 and Q2 by using the method
of image charges [1, 8] and from (1) we determine the charges
Q1 and Q2 . As a result of Qi ( i 1, 2 ) the image charges Qi , j
( j 1, 2,3,... ) are generated.
Let i ri R ( i 1, 2 ). In [7] we assume that the binomial
n
coefficient 1 for every whole number n and introduce
0
for j 1, 2,3,... the following denominations
j
A1, j 1 1
k 1
j
A2, j 1 1
k 1
j 1 s j k s 2 s 2 k s
,
1 2
s
s 0 k s
B2, j 1 1
j s j k s 2 s 2 k s
.
1 2
s
s 0
k s
k 1
(2)
We denote with di , j ( i 1, 2 ; j 1, 2,3,... ) the distance

from the charge Qi , j to the centre O1 or O2 of the sphere in
which Qi , j lies. Then we prove the following
d1,2 m 1 R
2
2
d 2,2 m 1 R
2
1
A1, m 1
, d1,2m R
B1, m 1
, d 2,2 m R
B2, m 1
2
1
B1, m 1
A2, m 1
B2, m 1
2
2
A1, m
A2, m
Q1,2 m 1
Q2,2 m 1
Q1 , Q1,2 m
B1, m 1
m m 1
1
2
B2, m 1
Q2 , Q2,2 m
m m
1
2
1m 2m
A2, m
1m 2m
Q2,0 Q2 Q0 , and for m 1, 2,3,... we have Q2,2m1 Q2m1 ,

Q1,2 m Q2m and Q1,2 m1 Q2m1 , Q2,2m Q2m . Their respective
distances from (3) we denote with d j and d j ( j 0,1, 2,... ).
m 1
A1, m
Y1
m 1
m 1 m
1
2
B1, m 1
1m 2m
m 1
A2, m
4 0 R
, Y2
m 1
B2, m 1
where i0 1 when i 0 ( i 1, 2 ) and we get
j 0 i 0
Qj Qi
1
j
(7)
CONNECTION BETWEEN COULOMBS FORCE AND THE ACTUAL

ELECTROSTATIC FORCE FOR CONDUCTING SPHERES WITH
NON-ZERO CHARGES
As in [7 and 9] we will determine the coefficient of
proportionality between the force of interaction between two
spheres and Coulombs force.
and Q2 Q1 k then from (6) follows that Q1 Q1 L1 ,
Q2 Q2 L2 where
.
(3)
Q2 .
(4)
m m 1
1
2
L1 =
1 X 2 kY2
,
(1 X 1 )(1 X 2 ) Y1Y2
L2 =
1 X 1 k 1Y1
.
(1 X 1 )(1 X 2 ) Y1Y2
L2,2 m 1 =
(5)
(8)
From (4) and (6) we obtain that Qi , j Qi Li , j for i 1, 2

and j 1, 2,3,... where for m 1, 2,3,... we have
L1,2 m 1 =
, X2
Qi , j
If two spheres have non-zero charges Q1 0 and Q2 0
Moreover, in [7] we define
X1
charges
S 2 with Q j ( j 0,1, 2,... ). So Q1,0 Q1 Q0 and
Q1 ,
A1, m
(6)
We denote the charges from (4) which are located in the

sphere S1 with Q j and the ones located in the sphere
Furthermore, we establish that

m 1 m
1
2
Based
on
(4-6)
the
image
( i 1, 2 ; j 1, 2,3,... ) are determined.
Then, if j d j R and j d j R according to Coulombs

law for the magnitude F of the projection of the force of
interaction onto O1O2 acting in spheres S1 and S 2 we get
j s j k s 2 k s 2 s
1 1
2 ,
1
s
k 1
s 0 k s
B1, j
j 1 s j k s 2 k s 2 s
2 ,
1
s
s 0 k s
Q1 1 X 2 Q2Y2
Q1
1m 1 2m
B1, m 1
1m 2m 1
B2, m 1
L1 , L1,2 m =
k L2 ,
L2, 2 m =
1m 2m
A1, m
L1 ,
1m 2m
A2,m
k L2 .
(9)
Let us denote
L0 L1 , L2m1 L2,2m1 , L2m L1,2 m and

L0 L2 , L2m1 k 1 L1,2m1 , L2m k 1 L2,2 m .

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(10)
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Then (7) can be written in the following form
F=
Q1Q2
4 0 R 2
Lj Li
j 0 i 0
1
j
where the coefficient L

j 0 i 0
, i.e. F FC L ,
(11)
Lj Li
1
j
is caused by the
geometry of the two spheres.

Example 1. Let S1 and S 2 be two electrically charged
conducting spheres with equal radiuses r1 r2 2 102 m.
Based on (11) on Fig. 1 we present a family of graphics of the
force F of electrostatic interaction between S1 and S 2
depending on the distance R between the centres of the
spheres O1 and O2 , respectively. The graphics are made using
different ratio k between their charges Q2 and Q1 ,
respectively:
k Q2 Q1 1,1 2,1 4,1 8,0, 1 8, 1 4, 1 2, 1 .
Figure 1. Graphics of F depending on R given

different values of k
We can observe that when Q1 Q2 we get F 0 and

when Q2 0 , Q1 0 or when the charges are of different
types (a positive one and a negative one) we get F 0 .
However, when the charges Q1 Q2 are of the same type (both
positive or both negative) we get F 0 , F 0 or F 0
depending on R , while Coulombs force FC 0 is always
either only positive (of retraction) or only negative (of
attraction).
On Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the graphics of FC are collated with
the graphics of F depending on R for the case of charges of
the same type (both positive or both negative) when k 1 4
and the case of charges of different types (a positive one and a
negative one) when k 1 4 . Coulombs force FC is
determined for point charges Q1 and Q2 located at the centres
O1 and O2 of the spheres.
Figure 2. Graphics of FC and F depending on R when k
1
.
4
As shown by the graphics the idealised Coulombs force

FC 0 either strictly increases or strictly decreases with the
decreasing of the distance R according to the law FC ~ 1 R2 .
When k 1 4 with the decreasing of the distance R the
force F is initially one of retraction and gradually increases,
reaches a maximum and further decreases to zero. Afterwards
it assumes negative values and as a force of attraction it quickly
increases with further decreasing of R (Fig. 2). Obviously in
this specific case the change of the actual force depending on
R has very complex character and differs drastically from
Coulombs force.
When k 1 4 the force F 0 is a force of attraction for
each R (Fig. 3) but also differs from FC 0 .
In all cases the idealised Coulombs force FC for small
distances R with respect to the sum of the radiuses r1 and r2
Figure 3. Graphics of FC and F depending on R when k

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deviates strongly from the actual force F . Only when the

distance R is sufficiently large then both spheres can be
assumed to be point objects and the actual force and
Coulombs force are practically equal. Moreover, FC F for
each R r1 r2 . This result follows from the redistribution of
the charges on the surfaces of the two spheres S1 and S 2
caused by the electrostatic interaction between them.
In each particular case comparison between Coulombs
force FC and the actual force F can be made using (7).
I.
ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE INACCURACIES OF
COULOMBS FORCE FROM THE FORCE OF ELECTROSTATIC
INTERACTION BETWEEN CONDUCTING SPHERES
If one charge is zero and the other not, for example
Q1 0 and Q2 0 , then Coulombs force between them is
FC 0 , whereas the actual force of interaction F between the
spheres S1 and S 2 assumes very large absolute values when
k 0 according to the graphics from Fig. 1. This shows that in
this case Coulombs law cannot at all describe the actual
electrostatic interaction.
Figure 4. Graphics of the absolute inaccuracy FC depending on k given

spheres with equal radiuses and different R
When Q1 0 and Q2 0 from (11) follows that the

absolute inaccuracy FC of Coulombs force FC with respect
to the force of electrostatic interaction F between the
conducting spheres S1 and S 2 is
FC FC F FC . 1 L .
(12)
Then the relative inaccuracy FC FC of FC with respect

to F is
FC
1 L .
FC
The coefficient L
j 0 i 0
(13)
FC
depending on k given
FC
spheres with equal radiuses and different R
Lj Li
1
j
Figure 5. Graphics of the relative inaccuracy
is non-dimensional
variable depending only on r1 , r2 , R and k Q2 Q1 . The

variable L is actually a function describing the effect of
redistribution of the charges on the surfaces of the spheres.
Moreover, from (12) and (13) follows that the closer L is to 1
the smaller the absolute and relative inaccuracies are, and vice
versa.
According to (8-10) L is a function of the ratio k . That is
why we can express the absolute and relative inaccuracies of
FC as functions of k .
Example 2. On Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 the dependence of the
absolute and relative inaccuracies as functions of the ratio k
are graphically shown. In all of the graphics the spheres are
with equal radiuses r1 r2 2 102 m and the distance
between their centres from the top to the bottom is,
respectively,
and
R 4.5 102 m,
R 5 1 02 m
2
R 6.5 10 m.
In this case one can see that the absolute inaccuracy FC

has a single local minimum. The relative inaccuracy FC FC
has a single minimum when k 1 , i.e. when Q1 Q2 .
Moreover, when the spheres are charged with equal charges the
smallest value of FC FC is reached when the spheres are
with equal radiuses.
Let us point out that the absolute and relative inaccuracies
can also be expressed as functions of the distance R as well as
functions of r1 and r2 . We will only look into FC FC R
and FC FC FC FC R .
Example 3. On Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 for spheres with radiuses

r1 2 102 m and r2 1102 m and k 1 4 and
k 1 4 the graphics of FC and FC FC are presented

depending on the distance R .
One can see that FC 0 and FC FC 0 when the
distance R is relatively large with respect to the sum of the

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of the spheres which is caused by the mutual electrostatic

influence [1]. Moreover, given relatively large distances R it
can be practically assumed that FC F .
Our method for determining the deviation of the idealized
Coulombs force FC for point charges Q1 and Q2 from the
actual force F of electrostatic interaction between two spheres
with charges Q1 and Q2 can be also applied for determining
the deviation of the energy of the connection and the potential
of the field generated by Q1 and Q2 according to [7, (17) and
(18)].
Figure 6. Graphics of FC depending on R given spheres with different

radiuses and k
1
1
, k .
4
4
Moreover, other bodies which have centres of symmetry

can be considered by reducing them to spheres with the same
areas of the surfaces.
We use these results in our research of the electrostatic
interaction between the nucleons in the nucleuses [10, 11, 12].
We reach the conclusion that Coulombs forces are comparable
to the nuclear ones. This is caused by the forces of interaction
between the pairs proton-neutron which turn out to be acting in
the short range, whereas, the forces of interaction between the
pairs proton-proton are in turn determined to be acting in the
long range [13].
III.
Figure 7. Graphics of
FC
depending on R given spheres with different
FC
radiuses and k
CONCLUSION
The meaning of Coulombs law is practically applied in all

fields within physics and makes this elementary in form and at
the same time fundamental law one of the most useful
scientific tools [2, 3]. This is precisely why the considered by
us problem for determining the deviation of Coulombs force
FC from the force of electrostatic interaction F between two
conducting bodies is particularly important. The determined by
us deviation of FC from F in some particular cases is drastic
and shows how important in different practical situations it is
to make such an evaluation of this deviation.
1
1
, k
4
4
REFERENCES
[1]
radiuses r1 and r2 . This way the actual force F between

charged spheres given large distances R with respect to r1 r2
is practically equal to Coulombs force FC as earlier shown by
the type of graphics on Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.
From Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 one can also see that the absolute
and relative inaccuracies are smaller if both the spheres are
charged with the same type (both positive or both negative) of
charges.
II.
DISCUSSION
Given relatively small distances R with respect to the sum

of the radiuses r1 and r2 of two conducting spheres the force
of electrostatic interaction F between the spheres is different
from the electrostatic force FC between point charges with the
same sizes located at the centres of the spheres defined by
Coulombs law. This deviation of Coulombs force FC from
F is caused by the redistribution of the charges on the surfaces
J. Maxwell, A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, vol. 1, Dover,

1954.
[2] D. Halliday, R. Resnick and J. Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, Wiley,
2010.
[3] W. Rosser, Interpretation of Classical Electromagnetism, Kluwer
Academic Publishers, 2010.
[4] W. Smythe, Static and Dynamic Electricity, McGraw-Hill, 1968.
[5] V. Saranin, On the interaction of two electrically charged conducting
balls, Phys-Usp., vol. 42, pp. 385-390, 1999.
[6] J. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, Wiley, 1998.
[7] K. Kolikov, D. Ivanov, G. Krastev, Y. Epitropov and S. Bozhkov,
Electrostatic interaction between two conductive spheres, J.
Electrostat, vol. 70, pp. 91-96, 2012.
[8] B. Budak, A. Samarskii and A. Tikhonov, A Collection of Problems in
Mathematical Physics. Dover Publications, 1988.
[9] K. Kolikov, D. Ivanov, G. Krastev, Y. Epitropov and S. Bozhkov,
Erratum to Electrostatic interaction between two conducting spheres,
J. Electrostat. vol. 70, pp. 91-96, 2012.
[10] K. Kolikov, D. Ivanov and G. Krustev, Electromagnetic nature of the
nuclear forces and a toroid model of nucleons in atomic nuclei, Natural
Sciense, vol. 4, pp. 47-56, 2012.

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[11] K. Kolikov, D. Ivanov and G. Krustev, Electromagnetic nature of the

nuclear forces and toroid structure of the deuteron and triton, Natural
Sciense, vol. 4, pp. 123-130, 2012.
[12] K. Kolikov, Electromagnetic nature of nuclear forces and the toroid
structure of the helion and the alpha particle, Natural Sciense, vol. 4,
pp. 484-491, 2012.
[13] D. Ivanov and K. Kolikov, Short-range action and long-range action of

the electrostatic forces within atomic nuclei (unpublished)

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