Electrostatic - electricity at

rest.

Charles Coulomb

Chapter 1 : ELECTROSTATICS
{ 4 Hours }

The study of
electric
charges at rest,
the forces
between them
and the electric
fields associated
with them.

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

ELECTROSTATICS

Coulombs Law.
Electric field.
Electric Potential
Charge in a uniform electric field

1.0 Introduction
Electric charges , Q
There are two kinds of charges in nature positive and
negative charge.
Charges of opposite sign attract one another attractive
force.
Charges of the same sign repel one another repulsive
force.

Principle of conservation of charges state the

total charge in an isolated system is constant
(conserved).
Charge is quantized.
Electric charge exists as discrete packets
and written as

Q ne
n : positive integer number, 1, 2, 3,
e : 1.6 1019 C

Charge, Q is a scalar quantity.

The S.I. unit of charge is coulomb (C).
1 Coulomb is defined as the total charge
transferred by a current of one ampere in one
second.

1.1 Coulombs Law

Q1

Q2

Q1

Q2

Coulombs Law states that the electrostatic force, F

between two charges separated by a distance, r, is
(i) inversely proportional to the square of
separation, r between the two charges, and ;

the

(ii) directly proportional to the product of the

magnitudes of the charges, Q1 and Q2.

Mathematically;

Q1Q2
F k
2
r
where :
k = Coulomb constant which has the value of
9 109 N m2 C2
Q1 = magnitude of charge Q1
Q2 = magnitude of charge Q2
r = distance between the two charges.

Coulomb constant k is given by

k

1
4

9.0 109 Nm 2 C -2

where :
o = permittivity of free space
( 8.85 1012 F m1 )

Figures (a) and (b) show the variation of

electrostatic force with the distance between
two charges.

Gradient of the
graph=?

This electrostatic force is directed along the line

joining the charges.
The electrostatic force between two charges is
attractive if the charges are of opposite sign and
repulsive if the charges have the same sign.
F12

F21

Q1
F12

Q2

Q1

Q2

F21

The notation F12 denotes the force exerted on

charge 1 by charge 2 and F21 is the force exerted on
charge 2 by charge 1.

Since electric forces obey Newtons Third

Law, therefore the forces F12 and F21 are equal
in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Hence, it can be written as
F12 = F21
Note :
The sign of the charge can be ignored when
substituting into the Coulombs law equation.
The sign of the charges is important in
distinguishing the direction of the electric force
when we draw the electric force vector.

The electrostatic force

is a vector quantity
and has a direction as
well as magnitude.
When adding
electrostatic forces,
must take into
account the directions
of all forces, using
vector components as
needed.

Example 1 :
Three point charges are firmly held on a
straight line of 4 cm in length as shown in the
figure below.
Q1 = +10 C

Q2 = +5 C
2 cm

Q3 = -8 C
2 cm

Find the resultant electric force acting on ;

(a) charge Q2
(b) charge Q1

Solution :
Step 1 :

Draw the electric force vectors

F23

Q1 = +10 C

Q2 = +5 C

F21
Q3 = -8 C

The force acting on Q2 due to Q1 is repulsive

because Q1 and Q2 have the same sign,
therefore the direction of F21 is to the right.
The force acting on Q2 due to Q3 is attractive
because Q2 and Q3 have the opposite sign,
therefore the direction of F23 is also to the
right.

Step 2 :

Use Coulomb equation, find the

magnitude of each of the electric
forces.

The magnitudes of F21 and F23 are given by :

F21
F21

Q1Q2
k
r2

(10 10 6 )(5 10 6 )
(9 10 )
0.02 2
9

1125 N

Q2 Q3
r2
(5 10 6 )(8 10 6 )
9
(9 10 )
0.02 2

F23 k
F23

900 N

Step 3 :
Electric force adds as vector
(consider the direction)
Therefore, the resultant electric force
acting on charge Q2 is ;
F = F21 + F23
= (+1125) + (+900)
= 2025 N ( to the right )

(b)

Step 1 :

Draw the electric force vectors

F13

F12
Q1 = + 10 C

Q2 = + 5 C

Q3 = - 8 C

The force acting on Q1 due to Q2 is repulsive

because Q1 and Q2 have the same sign,
therefore the direction of F12 is to the left.
The force acting on Q1 due to Q3 is attractive
because Q1 and Q3 have the opposite sign,
therefore the direction of F13 is to the right.

Step 2 :

Find magnitude of electric force

The magnitudes of F12 and F13 are given by ;

F12
F12

Q1Q2
k
r2

6
6
(
10

10
)(
5

10
)
9
(9 10 )
0.02 2

1125 N
F13
F13

Q1Q3
k
r2
6
6
(
10

10
)(
8

10
)
9
(9 10 )
0.04 2

450 N

Step 3 :

Adds as vector (consider the direction)

Therefore, the resultant electric force acting on

charge Q1 is ;
FT = F12 + F13
= ( 1125) + (+ 450)
= 675 N ( to the left )

Example 2 :
Figure shows three point charges that lie in the
x, y plane in a vacuum. Find the electrostatic
force on q1
q2

q1

q3

Solution
Step 1 : Draw the electric force vectors

F12 sin 73

+
q1

F12 cos 73

Step 2 : Find magnitude of electric force

The magnitude of the forces are
F12 k

Q1 Q 2
r 12 2

6
6
(
4

10
)(
6

10
)
9
(9 10 )
(0.15) 2

F 12 9.6 N
F 13 k

Q1 Q 3
r 13 2

(9 10 )
9

F 13 18 N

( 4 10 6 )(5 10 6 )
(0.10) 2

Step 3 :

Adds as vector (consider the direction)

Force

x - comp

y - comp

F12

+9.6 cos73
= +2.8 N

+9.6 sin73
= +9.2 N

F13

+ 18 N

0N

Fx = + 21 N

Fy = +9.2 N

The electrostatic force acting on q1 :

F

Fx 2 Fy 2

Fy
tan
Fx

9.2

21

212 9.2 2

23 N

24 above x

Example 3
A 2 C charge lies on the straight line between
a 3 C charge and a 1 C charge. The
separation between the 3 C and 1 C is 4 cm.
(a)

Draw the position of the three charges and

show the forces acting on the 2 C charge.

(b)

Calculate the distance of 3 C from 2 C

where net force on 2 C is zero.

F
2
F
1

Solution:

(a)

x2.53102m
d 4 10 2 m
x
d x

Q1 3 10

q 2 10

Q2 1 10 6 C

(b) Nett force acting on q is zero,

F1 F2
kQ1q
r1

kQ2 q
r2

3 10 6
1 10 6

2
x
4 10 2 x


1
5
.
0
c
m
0
.6
0
.9

(8) A small point charge of mass 80 g and charge of +0.600

C is hung by a thin wire of negligible mass. A charge of
0.900 C is held 15.0 cm away from the first charge and
directly to the right of it, so the wire makes an angle to
the vertical as shown in Figure.

a. Sketch a free body diagram

of the charge +0.600 C.
b. Calculate
i. the angle ,
ii. the tension in the wire.
(Given electrostatic constant,
k = 9 109 N m2 C2 and
gravitational acceleration, g
= 9.81 m s2)
Answer : (b)(i) 15.4 ; (ii) 0.814

1.2 Electric Field

An electric field is a region in which an
electric force will act on a test charge which
is placed in that region.


E
Electric Field Strength,

Definition : The electric force, F acting on a

test charge that is placed in the electric field
region divided by the magnitude charge of
r
the test charge, qO. r
F
E
qo

E is a vector quantity. SI unit for E is N C1 or V

1
m
Electric field patterns can be represented by
electric field lines which is drawn pointing in
the direction of the E vector at any point.

(1)

These electric filed lines never cross each

other and the number of lines determine the
strength of the electric field.

(2)

E is large when the field lines are close

together and small when they are far apart.

(3)

A positive and a negative charge can produce

electric field.

(4)

The direction of E for a positive point charge

is outward from the charge in all direction
( 3 dimension ).

(5)

The direction of E for a negative point charge

is toward the charge in all direction (3
dimension)

(6)

The number of electric field lines entering or

leaving a charge is proportional to the magnitude
of the charge.
Electric field lines (patterns) for two equal and
opposite point charges.

Electric field lines (patterns) for two equal

positive point charges.

Electric field lines (patterns) for a point

charge +2q and a second point charge q.

Electric field lines (patterns) for two

opposite charged parallel metal plates
The electric field lines are perpendicular to
the surface of the metal plates.
The lines go directly
from positive plate to
the negative plate.

The field lines are parallel and equally

spaced in the central region far from the
edges but fringe outward near the edges.

In the central region, the electric field has

the same magnitude at all points.

Electric field strength, E for a

point charge.
Consider a test charge, qO located at a
distance r from a point charge Q,

According to Coulombs Law ;

r
Qqo
F k
r2

L (1)

From definition :
r
r
F
E
qo

L (2)


Q
E

k
2
r

By substituting (1) into (2), we get :

where

k Coulomb constant ( 9.0109

N m2 C2 )
Q point charge that produce
electric field
Note:
r distance a point from the
The
direction
point
charge of the electric field strength, E
depends on the sign of the point charge only.

Notice that E is inversely proportional to r2

1
E 2
r

The strength of E will decrease when the

distance from the charge increase.
The relationship between E and r can be
shown in the graph below.
E

Example 4
Determine
(a) the electric field strength at a point X at a
distance of 20 cm from a point charge
Q
= +8 C.
(b) the electric force that acts on a point charge
q = 1 C placed at point X.

Solution:

Fe

Q = 8 C
+

q o= 1C
x

20 cm

(a) From

Q
E k 2
r

6
(
8

10
)
(9 10 9 )
0.2 2

E = 1.8 106 N C1
(b) Knowing that

r
r
F
E
qo

r
r
F qoE

= (1 10 6) (1.8 106)
F = 1.8 N towards Q

Example 5
Two point charges, Q1 = +7 C and Q2 = -5 C are
separated by a distance of 0.3 m between each other
as in figure below. Determine the resultant E
produced by these two charges at point P.
P
0.4 m
Q1

0.3 m

Q2

Solution :
First, we have to draw the vector diagram for E
produced by Q1 and Q2 at point P.
E1 is produced by Q1 and E2 is produced by Q2.

How we draw the electric

field line, E that exist at point
P?
Use this concept :
E is outward for + charge
E is inward for charge

E1
P

Vector E is draw along the line that

joining point P and the charge.

E2

0.4 m
0.5 m

Q1 +

0.3 m

Q2

The magnitude of the electric fields on point P,

kQ1
E1
r12

E1

9 109

7 10 6

0.4

3.93 105 N C -1

and

kQ2
E2
r2 2
9 10 5 10

E2

0.5

1.80 10 N C
5

-1

E1
P

E2y

Given that ;

E2x

E2

Resolve E2
into comp x &
y

tan = 0.4 / 0.3

= 53.13
Since E is a vector quantity, so we have to resolve E1
and E2 into x and y component and find the
summation of each of the component.
Vector

E1

E2

x-comp.(N C-1)
0

1.80 105 cos 53.13

1.08 105

y-comp.(N C-1)

3.93 105
1.80 105 sin 53.13
1.44 105

6.4

5
1
E

1.08

10
N
C
x

5
1
E

2.49

10
N
C
y

Therefore, the magnitude of the resultant E is ;

E

Ex E y
2

(1.08 105 ) 2 (2.49 105 ) 2

E 2.714 105 N C-1

Direction of the resultant E is given by ;

tan

Ey
Ex

2.49 105

1.08 105

above the positive x-axis

(2)

Q
Q
11
2
2cm30cm

Two point charges, Q1= 3.0 C and Q2= 5.0 C,

are placed 12 cm and 30 cm from the point P
respectively as shown in figure below.
P

Determine
(a)

the magnitude and direction of the electric

field intensity at P,

(b)

the nett electric force exerted on q0=

+1C if it is placed at P,
(c) the distance of a point from Q1 where the
electric field intensity is zero.
Answer :
(a) EP = - 1.38 x 106 N C-1 ; towards Q1
(b)

1.38 N ; towards Q1

(c)

0.183 m

(2)Solution :

(1) a.
Draw the E
vectors

Q
.rE

0
3
;2

1
.kE
C
Q

5
0

1
C
;
r9rQ
m
3
m

Q
E
23.01
.0
1

66

12
2
2
1Q
2
2
1
1
P
P
r
r
1
2
1
1
P
2
9

6
1
P
2
-

By applying the equation of electric field intensity,

thus
(2) Find
magnitude E

915
EE
E
11P222PPP.58kr9Q
.200631N
C

6
C12
.5N
0

Solution :

Direction : to the left (towards Q1)

Direction : to the right (towards Q2)

E
P
1
P
2
P

6
5
.Q
1
8

5
.
0

1
P

1
3
1
N
C

E
P

Q
2
1
E
1r
2r
P

Solution :
Therefore the electric field intensity at P is given by
(3) Add E as
vectors

1
2

Direction
Direction : to the left (towards Q1)

qF

1.0q13.8E
C
0N
1.38
10

Solution :
b) Given

6
0PE
F
P

P
q
0
0P66

From the definition of electric field intensity,

The nett electric force exerted on qo is given

by

Direction
Direction : to the left (towards Q1)

Solution :
c.

Q
.rQ

3
042x
310.0E
;1m
C
.r
Q

5
0

1
C
;

Q
E
r

E
.xx
00
421
5
18

3
xm

66

12
2
121E

2
2
A
1
A
1
2
1
2
1
A
2
A
k
Q
k
Q

2
2
r12A6rA262
-

The electric field at A is zero, hence

To get electric field at A
zero means E1A and E2A
must have same
magnitude but point
in opposite direction

1.3 Electric Potential, V

Electric potential, V is defined as the work done by
external force per unit test charge to bring that test
charge from infinity () to a point (r) in an electric field
produced by a source point charge, Q.

W
V
qo

Electric potential, V is a scalar quantity

SI Unit is J C1 or Volt (V).

Equipotential Lines and Surfaces

Equipotential line or surface is a line or surface on which
all points on it are at the same potential.

The blue lines represent the equipotential surfaces (lines).

Red line with arrow head represents electric field lines.

The important properties of equipotential surfaces are

(1) The electric field at every point on an

equipotential surface is perpendicular to the
surface.
(2) The electric field points in the direction
of decreasing electric potential.
(3) The surfaces are closer together where the
electric field is stronger, and farther apart
where the field is weaker

(4) No two equipotential surfaces can intersect

each other. An equipotential surface is
normal to the electric field. If two
equipotential surfaces intersect each other
then at the point of intersection there will be
two directions of electric field, which is
impossible.

Electric field lines and cross sections of

equipotential surfaces for
(a) A point charge

(b) A uniform field

Equipotential
surfaces

Equipotential lines

V can also be written in terms of k, Q and r which is

given by :

Q
V k
r

Note:
The total electric potential at a point in space is equal
to the algebraic sum of the constituent potentials at
that point.
In the calculation of U and V, the sign of the charge
must be substituted in the related equations.

Example 7 :
A point charge q1 = +5.0 C is at the origin and a point
charge q2 = -2.0 C is on the x-axis at (3,0) m as in
figure below.
y (m)

(0,4) m

Q2
Q1

(3,0) m

x (m)

Find the total electric potential due to these charges

at point P.

V at P due to each charge can be calculated from ;

Q
V k
r
The total V is the scalar sum of these two potentials.

Q1
V1 k
r1

5
.
0

10
(9 10 9 )
4.0

1.125 10 4 V

V2

Q2
k
r2

Include sign of charge in

the substitution.
6

2.0

10
9
(9 10 )

5.0

0.36 104 V
Therefore,
Vp = V1 + V2
= (+1.125 104) + (0.36 104)
= 7650 V

1
3
c
m
Q
Q
2
1
1
0
c
m
5
cV
m
6

9
.

1
0
V
A
6
3
8
6
B

FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

Two point charges, Q1= 40 C and Q2= 30 C are

separated by a distance of 15 cm as shown in Figure
below.
B

Calculate
a. the electric potential at point A and describe the
meaning of the answer,
b. the electric potential at point B.
Answer : (a)
(b)

6
Q

4
0

1
C
;
Q

3
0

1
C
1
2
2
2
rV
5
m
r
m
A
A
Q
Q
2
1
r
r
2
A
1
A
V

V
A
1
A
2
A
A
k
Q
k
Q
1
2

rArA

Solution :
a. Given

The electric potential at point A is


2
rr1B2B

1
3

0
m
2
2

1B2rQ
92B.0m

Q
1VVBB15r1B1kBr0Q
B121V3m
kBrQ
1
5

Solution :
b. Given

Therefore the electric potential at B is

Electric Potential Difference, V

VBA

Potential difference between two points A & B in an

electric field is the work done ( or required ) in bringing a
positive test charge from point A to point B in an electric
field per unit charge.

VBA

WA B

where :

VBA = VB VA ( * Vfinal Vinitial )

The electric field is a conservative field. The work done

to bring a charge from one point to another point in an
electric field is independent of the path.
If the value of work is positive work is required (we
need external force to move the charge).
If the value of work done is negative no work required
( or work done by the electric force itself, no external
force is needed to move the charge).
CAUTION !
In the calculation of U, W
and V, the sign of the
charge must be substituted
in the related equations.

NOTE:

The potential difference between any two points

on an equipotential surface is zero.
Hence, no work is required to move a charge at
constant speed along an equipotential surface.

WA B qVBA
W 0
WA D 0
A C

VEF 0

Example 8 :
Points A and B are at distances of 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm
respectively from a point charge Q = 100 C.
A

100C

Determine ;
(a) the electric potential at A and B,
(b) the work required in moving a point charge q =
+2.0 C, from A to B.
Solution :
(a)

VA

kQ

rA

100 106
(9 10 )

0.02

4.5 107 V

kQ
VB
rB

100 10 6
(9 10 )

0.03

3.0 107 V
(b) the work required is given by :
F=qoE

100C

WAB q VBA

q (VB VA)
( 2 10 6 )[( 3.0) ( 4.5)] 10 7
30 J
Work is done by external force, W positive
Potential energy, U increase

.VS6
8
0
c
m
.T0
c324m
.VW

4TSn4C
5
.86107J

FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

(1) Two points, S and T are located around a point charge of

+5.4 nC as shown in Figure below
S

+
Calculate
a. the electric potential difference between points S and T,
b. the work done in bringing a charge of 1.5 nC from point T to
point S.
Answer :

6
.
0

1
m
.Q
8
01r
m
rV

81.0
V
1m
6.01

9
.rS2T
Q

5
410TSTCkQ
S22
S
T
k
Q
V

S
T
rSrT

Solution :
(1) a. Given
S

The electric potential difference between S and T is given by

V
V
1
ST
3294.0V

k
Q

S
T
rW
S
T

1
1
TTSSq(

99

541
.V
4.8S5
T6
100

97)63

22
.J02
40

a.

b. From :

Work is done by the system, W negative

Potential energy, U decreases

7
.Q
V

1
0
9

V
B
A

7
2
1
0
C
1
E
6.548N

(2) A test charge qO =+2.3 C is placed 20 cm from a point

charge Q. A 25 joule of work is done by external force
required in bringing the test charge qO to a distance 15
cm from the charge Q.
Determine
a. the potential difference between point 15 cm and 20
cm from the point charge, Q,
Ans:(
)
b. the value of charge Q,

Ans:(
)
c. the magnitude of the electric field strength at point
10 cm from the charge Q.
Ans:(
)
(Given k = 9109 N m2 C2)

Change in Electric Potential Energy, U between 2 points

in electric field
When a charged particle moves in an electric field, the
field exerts a force that can do work on the particle.
When a charged particle moves from a point where the
potential energy is UA to a point where it is UB , the
change in potential energy is U = UB UA and the work,
WAB done by the external force to move the charge is

WAB U BA

WAB (U B U A )
q (VB VA ) U B U A

qVBA U BA
Note: B : Final ; A : Initial

If the electric potential at a point in an electric field

is V, then a charge q placed at that point will have
electric potential energy, U of :

U qV
Note:
The total electric potential at a point in space is equal
to the algebraic sum of the constituent potentials at
that point.
In the calculation of U and V, the sign of the charge
must be substituted in the related equations.

Example 10
When an alpha particle which has charge 2e
moves between 2 points with potential
difference of 1000 V, the change in potential
energy is

U qV
2e(1000)
19
2(1.6 10 )(1000)

U 3.2 10

16

Electric Potential Energy, U of two point charges

k q1 q 2
U
r
where
k Coulomb constant
q1 charge 1
q2 charge 2
r distance between q1 & q2
U is +ve if the charges q1 & q2 have the same sign, ve if
they have opposite sign.
U is proportional to 1

Electric Potential Energy, U of a system of point

charges

The potential energy associated with the

charge q1 at point a is the sum of the potential
energy of interaction for each pair of charges.

 q1 q 2 q1 q 3 q 2 q 3
U k

r 13
r 23
r 12
( Algebraic sum with the sign of charge included )

Example 9

Take distance d = 14.0 cm & charge q =

150 nC
What is the electric potential energy of
this system of charges ?

Solution
q1 q 3
q 2 q3
q1 q 2

r 12
r 13
r 23

U k

Include sign of
charge in the
substitution.

( 4q )( 2q ) ( 4q )( 5q) ( 5q)( 2q)

k

d
d
d

8q 2
20q 2
10q 2
k

d
d
d

2q 2
k

9 2

2(150

10
)
9
8.99 10

0.14

U 2.9 10

c.

Q
2
r

5
.
0
m
2
3
r1U
3Q
.k0Q
m
2U
Q
1
3
4
1
3
U
1r21
12
3k
2Q
3r13
kQ
2r3
-

The total electric potential energy for the system of three

charges is given by

U
9k.0 r192r2.0166r326.06.0116646653.010
Q
Q
Q
1
3
2
3
1
2
U
5.4910J
Substitute
sign of
charge (+ or
) in
equation

1.4 Charge in a uniform electric field.

- -

- -

E
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

A uniform electric field is represented by a set of

electric field lines which are straight, parallel to each
other and equally spaced.
It can be produced by two flat parallel metal plates
which is charged, one is positive and one is negative
and is separated by a distance as shown in the figure
above.
The
direction of a uniform E is from the positive plate
to the negative plate.

a
E
F
e

F
e

Consider a stationary particle of charge q and mass m is

placed in a uniform electric field E,
If the mass of
the
If
thecharged
mass of the
charged
particleparticle
is toois
too
small (eg:
small
proton
or
(eg: proton
or
electron), weight
electron),
can be negligible.
weight can be
negligible.

Figure (a)

Figure (b)

The electric force Fe exerted on the charge is given by

Fe qE

Since only electric force exerted on the particle, thus

this force contributes the nett force, F and causes the
particle to accelerate.
accelerate

According to Newtons second law, then the magnitude

of the acceleration of the particle is

Fnet ma

qE ma

q
E
m

where - m is mass of the charged particle

Eg: If charged particle is electron,m = 9.11 1031 kg
- a is the acceleration of the charged particle
To find other kinematics quantities such as v, s and t, we
can always apply the equations of linear (straight line )
motion.
v u at

v u 2as
2

1 2
s ut at
2

x
s
x
v

E
F
e

s
y
a
u
q
0

Consider an electron (e) with mass, me enters a uniform

electric field, E perpendicularly with an initial velocity u, the

upward electric force will cause the electron to move along a
parabolic path towards the upper plate as shown in Figure (c).

Knowing that ;

It experiences
acceleration ,a along y
axis only.

Fnet ma
qE ma

q
a E
m

We can determine the velocity in the x and y component.

vx u x constant
v y u y at
In y-component, uy = 0, therefore ;

qE
v y at
t
m

The final position [coordinate ; (x,y)] of the electron at

a certain time can be determined from ;

sx u xt

1 2
s y u y t at
2

Example 6:
A uniform electric field exists in the space between two
identical parallel charged metal plates. The plates are
1.0 cm apart. An electron is released from rest at the
negatively charged plate. It arrives at the positively
charged plate 2.0 ns later. Determine ;
(a) the electric field strength
(b) the speed of the electron when it
arrives at the positively charged plate.
(given ; me = 9.11 1031 kg)
Solution :
(a) From

F = mea and F = qE

me a
E
q

L (1)

From kinematics equation ;

1
2
s ut at
2

Given that u = 0 (from ret), so ;

1
s 0 at 2
2
2s
a 2
L (2)
t
(2) Into (1) :

me 2 s
E
qt 2
(9.11 10 31 )( 2 0.01)

(1.6 10 19 )( 2 10 9 ) 2
2.85 10 4 N C 1

(b) From

v = u + at

2s
v 0
t
2
t
2s
v
t

2(0.01)
v
9
2 10

1 10 m s
7

-1

d
V

V
V

00

V
d
Relationship between uniform E and potential difference.
Consider a uniform electric field is produced by a pair
of flat metal plates, one at which is earthed and the
other is at a potential of +V as shown in Figure (a)

Figure (a)

Figure (b)

The V against r graph for pair of flat metal plates can

be shown in Figure (b)


V
(
0

V
)
E

r
d

The graph is a straight line with negative constant

gradient, thus

For uniform E such

as in capacitor.

The negative sign indicates that the value

of electric potential decreases in the
direction of electric field.

Example 7:

10 mm

300 V

A charged particle of 2.8 x 10-18 C enters the region

between two parallel plates as shown in FIGURE.
Calculate the electric field strength in the region
between the plates.
Solution :

V
300
4
1
E

10
Vm
d 10 10 3

FOLLOW UP EXERCISE
Two charged parallel plates are separated by a
distance of 5.0 cm. the potential difference
between the plates is 2.0 kV.
a) Find the electric field strength between the
4
-1
4.0

10
V
m
plates.
(ANS:
)
b) Explain whether the force on an electron in the
electric field is affected by the distance of the
electron from the negative plate.

Next Chapter
CHAPTER 2:
Capacitor and dielectrics