HPH 102

HPH102:

Introduction and
Electrostatics
Miss L. G. Thwala
Real-time programming where actually you
need knowledge about electronics which is
very related to physics.

Physics engine for graphical software. This

is basically to know how stuff react when
thrown, bumped into something else.

May be knowledge about lenses and how

light passes through: related to 3D
rendering software ie computer
engineering

Hardware design eg information storage

by Magneto-striction
 What depends
I on physics
N around you?
T
Would you say
R physics is the
O basis of the
world???
electrostatics,

Electromagnetism

circuit theory
ELECTROSTATICS: is a branch of physics that deals with study of the
electric charges at rest

Nucleus ~ 10-14 m

Neutral Proton and electrons

atom

neutron

every object contains a vast amount of electric charge

PARTICLE CHARGE MASS

(C) (kg)

Electron - 1.6 x 10-19 9.11 x 10-31

Proton +1.6 x 10-19 1.673 x 10-27
Neutron 0 1.675 x 10-27
 How do Charged objects
interact?

Difference between electrostatic

and gravitational force?

What is your understanding of

the law of charge?

The coulomb (C) is the unit of electric charge.

The basic quantity of electric charge (e) is 1.6 x 10-19 C.
 Charge
“Charged” particles exhibit forces

- -
Like charges repel each other

- +
Opposite charges attract one another

Charge is the source of one of the fundamental forces in nature (others?)

 Properties of electric charges
1. Like charges repel-Unlike charges attract
2. Charges are additive in nature-they are like
scalars &can be added directly
3. Charge is conserved-can be transferred via
conduction& induction, net Q is constant
4. Charge is quantised- it is expressed as integral
multiples of a basic unit of charge
 Charge is quantized: Q= n e
• Where n integer not fraction/irrational number
e – 1.6 x10^ -19
• How many electrons are in 1 Coulomb?

• How many electrons are in 0.60 Coulomb?

Electrostatics: Applications
• The attraction and repulsion between charged bodies have
many industrial applications. Thus static electricity has many
practical uses for example:

– electrostatic paint spraying and powder

coating,

– defibrillators,

– electrostatic dust precipitators

– fly-ash collection in chimneys,

– nonimpact ink-jet printing and

defibrillators Electrostatic dust
precipitators
 Electrostatics Appl:
Photocopiers and laser printers
• In a photocopying machine, a carrier bead is covered with
particles of black powder called toner, which stick to it by
means of electrostatic forces.

• The negatively charged toner particles are eventually

attracted from the carrier bead to a rotating drum, where a
positively charged image of the document being copied has
formed.

• A charged sheet of paper then attracts the toner from the

drum itself, after which they are heat fused permanently in
place to produce the copy.
Photocopy Machines and Computer
Printers Use Electrostatics
 Photocopy Machines and Computer
Printers Use Electrostatics
Laser printer is similar, except a computer
controls the laser intensity to form the image
on the drum
 Electrostatics Appl:
Photocopiers and laser printers….

• A laser printer works in a similar way.

 Electrostatics Appl:
Paint Spraying
• Car manufacturers can save money by using charged paint
spray guns. They work because like charges repel and unlike
charges attract.

• The spray gun is charged positively, which causes every

paint particle to become positively charged. Like charges
repel and the paint particles spread out.

• The object to be painted is given a negative charge and so

attracts the paint particles.

• The advantages of using this system are that less paint is

wasted, the object receives an even coat and the paint
covers awkward ‘shadow’ surfaces that the operator cannot
 6-6. Conductors and Insulators
A conductor is a substance through which electric charge flows
readily.
An insulator is a substance that strongly resists the flow of electric
charge.
Semiconductors are substances whose electrical conductivity is
between that of conductors and insulators.
 Semiconductors
Transistors are switches that conduct
electricity only when a second source of
electricity is energized.

What a Transistor looks like.

A current will not flow from A to B unless C is energized.

 Worked example

A 50.0 g ball of Copper has a net

charge of 2.00μC. What fraction
of electrons has been removed if
each Copper atom has 29
protons and atomic mass of
copper is 63.5?
An electric charge
Q gives rise to an Coulomb’s Law
electric force F
given by

q1 q2
r (meters)

(Newtons)

F1,2 is the electrostatic force exerted on charge 1 due

to the presence of charge 2

ke is the Coulomb constant ke = 8.987 x 109 N*m2*C-2

 Worked example
1. Compare the electrostatic force between an electron and
proton separated by 0.530×10−10 m with the
gravitational force between them. This distance is their
average separation in a hydrogen atom.
what can you note about this comparison?

2. What is the net force

on the positive charge if
all charges have a value
of 1 x 10^-3C
ELECTRIC FIELDS…
The presence of an electric charge
produces a force on all other charges
present.

A field is a way of conceptualizing and

mapping the force that surrounds any
object and acts on another object at a
distance without apparent
physical connection.

Definition: The electric field

E is the force exerted per
unit charge, assuming the
“test charge” is extremely
small, so it doesn’t add its
own field to the mix!
Visualizing Electric Fields: A Single Point-
Charge

The number of field lines starting

(ending) on a positive (negative)
charge is proportional to the
magnitude of the charge.

The electric field is stronger where

the field lines are closer together.
 Visualizing Electric Fields: Two Charges

The lines emanating from two equal charges, opposite

in sign will connect to form a Dipole (two poles).

While if the charges are the same, the lines will avoid
each other, and the charges repel
More Complex Field Lines and Symmetry

The electric field between two

closely spaced, oppositely charged
parallel plates is constant. -where
might this configuration occur?
WORKED EXAMPLE

a) Find the direction and magnitude of an electric

field that exerts a 4.80x10^−17 N westward force
on an electron.
b) What magnitude and direction does this field
exerts on a proton
 Electric Fields and Conductors
The static electric field inside a conductor is zero. The free
charges “instantly” align themselves to totally cancel the
external field.

The net charge on a conductor is all on its surface. -Charges

want to be as far apart as possible.
Faraday Cage, Car in Thunderstorm etc…
 Summary

• Two kinds of electric charge – positive

and negative
• Charge is conserved
• Charge on electron:

• Conductors: electrons free to move

• Insulators: nonconductors
 Summary

• Charge is quantized in units of e

• Objects can be charged by conduction or
induction
• Coulomb’s law:

• Electric field is force per unit charge:

 Summary

• Electric field of a point charge:

• Electric field can be represented by

electric field lines
• Static electric field inside conductor is
zero; surface field is perpendicular to
surface
 Remain inspired!

TO BE CONTINUED….