Storyline

Chapter 22:
Electric Fields

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 10e

Raymond A. Serway
John W. Jewett, Jr.
Properties of Electric Charges
Properties of Electric Charges
Conservation of Charge
Charge is Quantized

q =  Ne

Robert A. Millikan
 Quick Quiz 22.1
Three objects are brought close to each other, two at a
time. When objects A and B are brought together, they
repel. When objects B and C are brought together, they
also repel. Which of the following are true?
(a) Objects A and C possess charges of the same sign.
(b) Objects A and C possess charges of opposite sign.
(c) All three objects possess charges of the same sign.
(d) One object is neutral.
(e) Additional experiments must be performed to
determine the signs of the charges.
 Quick Quiz 22.1
Three objects are brought close to each other, two at a
time. When objects A and B are brought together, they
repel. When objects B and C are brought together, they
also repel. Which of the following are true?
(a) Objects A and C possess charges of the same sign.
(b) Objects A and C possess charges of opposite sign.
(c) All three objects possess charges of the same sign.
(d) One object is neutral.
(e) Additional experiments must be performed to
determine the signs of the charges.
 Insulators and Conductors

Electrical conductors are materials in which some

of the electrons are free electrons that are not bound
to atoms and can move relatively freely through
the material; electrical insulators are materials in
which all electrons are bound to atoms and cannot
move freely through the material.
 Semiconductors

silicon polycrystalline germanium

Charging Objects by Induction
Charging Objects by Induction
 Quick Quiz 22.2
Three objects are brought close to one another, two at a
time. When objects A and B are brought together, they
attract. When objects B and C are brought together, they
repel. Which of the following are necessarily true?
(a) Objects A and C possess charges of the same sign.
(b) Objects A and C possess charges of opposite sign.
(c) All three objects possess charges of the same sign.
(d) One object is neutral.
(e) Additional experiments must be performed to
determine information about the charges on the
objects.
 Quick Quiz 22.2
Three objects are brought close to one another, two at a
time. When objects A and B are brought together, they
attract. When objects B and C are brought together, they
repel. Which of the following are necessarily true?
(a) Objects A and C possess charges of the same sign.
(b) Objects A and C possess charges of opposite sign.
(c) All three objects possess charges of the same sign.
(d) One object is neutral.
(e) Additional experiments must be performed to
determine information about the charges on the
objects.
 Electric Forces between
Charged Objects
Coulomb’s torsion balance,
used to establish the inversesquare
law for the electric force
between two charges.
 Coulomb’s Law

q1 q2
Fe = ke
r2
ke = 8.987 6  10 N  m /C
9 2 2

1
ke =
4 0

 0 = 8.854 2  10−12 C2 /N  m 2
e = 1.60218  10−19 C Charles Coulomb
Coulomb of Charge
Charges and Masses of Electrons,
Protons, and Neutrons
 Example 22.1:
The Hydrogen Atom
The electron and proton of a hydrogen atom are
separated (on the average) by a distance of
approximately 5.3  10−11 m. Find the magnitudes of
the electric force and the gravitational force between
the two particles.
 Example 22.1:
The Hydrogen Atom

(1.60 10 C)
−19 2
e −e
Fe = ke = ( 8.988  10 N  m /C
9 2 2
)
( 5.3 10 m)
2 2
r −11

= 8.2  10−8 N
me m p
Fg = G
r2
= ( 6.674  10
( 9.1110 kg )(1.67 10
−31 −27
kg )
−11
N  m /kg
2 2
)
( 5.3 10 m )
−11 2

= 3.6  10−47 N
Fe 8.2  10−8 N
=  2  10 39

Fg 3.6  10−47 N
Coulomb’s Law in Vector Form
q1q2
F12 = ke 2 rˆ12
r

F1 = F21 + F31 + F41

 Quick Quiz 22.3
Object A has a charge of +2 C, and object B has a
charge of +6  C. Which statement is true about the
electric forces on the objects?
(a) FAB = −3FBA
(b) FAB = −FBA
(c) 3FAB = −FBA
(d) FAB = 3FBA
(e) FAB = FBA
(f) 3FAB = FBA
 Quick Quiz 22.3
Object A has a charge of +2 C, and object B has a
charge of +6  C. Which statement is true about the
electric forces on the objects?
(a) FAB = −3FBA
(b) FAB = −FBA
(c) 3FAB = −FBA
(d) FAB = 3FBA
(e) FAB = FBA
(f) 3FAB = FBA
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force
Consider three point charges located at the corners of a
right triangle as shown in the figure, where q1 = q3 =
5.00 C, q2 = −2.00 C, and a = 0.100 m. Find the
resultant force exerted on q3.
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force

F23 = ke
q2 q3
= ( 8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2 )
( 2.00 10 −6
C )( 5.00  10−6 C )
= 8.99 N
( 0.100 m )
2 2
a

F13 = ke
q1 q3
= ( 8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2 )
( 5.00 10 −6
C )( 5.00 10−6 C )
= 11.2 N
( ) 2 ( 0.100 m )
2 2
2a

F13 x = (11.2 N ) cos 45.0 = 7.94 N

F13 y = (11.2 N ) sin 45.0 = 7.94 N

F3 x = F13 x + F23 x = 7.94 N + ( −8.99 N ) = −1.04 N

F3 y = F13 y + F23 y = 7.94 N + 0 = 7.94 N

(
F3 = −1.04ˆi + 7.94ˆj N )
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force
What if the signs of all three charges were changed
to the opposite signs? How would that affect the
result for F3?
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
Three point charges lie along the x axis as shown in the
figure. The positive charge q1 = 15.0 C is at x = 2.00
m, the positive charge q2 = 6.00 C is at the origin, and
the net force acting on q3 is zero. What is the x
coordinate of q3?
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
q2 q3 ˆ q1 q3 ˆ
 F3 = F23 + F13 = −ke x 2 i + ke 2.00 − x 2 i = 0
( )
q2 q3 q1 q3
ke = ke
( 2.00 − x )
2 2
x

( 2.00 − x ) q2 = x q1
2 2

( 2.00 − x ) q2 =  x q1
2.00 6.00  10−6
2.00 q2 x=
x= 6.00  10−6 + 15.0  10−6
q2  q1 = 0.775 m
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
Suppose q3 is constrained to move only along the x
axis. From its initial position at x = 0.775 m, it is
pulled a small distance along the x axis. When
released, does it return to equilibrium, or is it pulled
farther from equilibrium? That is, is the equilibrium
stable or unstable?
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
Two identical small charged spheres, each having a
mass of 3.00  10−2 kg, hang in equilibrium as shown
in the figure. The length L of each string is 0.150 m,
and the angle  is 5.00. Find the magnitude of the
charge on each sphere.
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
F x = T sin  − Fe = 0  T sin  = Fe
F y = T cos  − mg = 0  T cos  = mg
Fe
tan  =  Fe = mg tan 
mg
a
sin  =  a = L sin 
L
Fe ( 2a ) mg tan  ( 2 L sin  )
2 2 2
Fe r
q = = =
ke ke ke

( 3.00 10−2 kg )( 9.80 m/s 2 ) tan (5.00) 2 ( 0.150 m ) sin (5.00)
2

q = = 4.42  10−8 C
8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
Suppose your roommate proposes solving this problem
without the assumption that the charges are of
equal magnitude. She claims the symmetry of the
problem is destroyed if the charges are not equal, so
the strings would make two different
angles with the vertical and the problem
would be much more complicated. How
would you respond?
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
Fg
g
m0

Fg = mg

Fe
E
q0

Fe = q0 E
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
qq0 q
Fe = ke 2 rˆ E = Fe /q0 E = ke 2 rˆ
r r
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
Fg GM E
g= =− 2 r Fg = mg
m0 r

q
E = ke 2 rˆ
r

Fe = q0 E
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)

qq0
Fe = ke 2 rˆ
r
q
E = ke  2 rˆ
i r
Electric Force
 Quick Quiz 22.4
A test charge of +3 C is at a point P where an external
electric field is directed to the right and has a magnitude
of 4  106 N/C. If the test charge is replaced with
another test charge of −3 C, what happens to the
external electric field at P?
(a) It is unaffected.
(b) It reverses direction.
(c) It changes in a way that cannot be determined.
 Quick Quiz 22.4
A test charge of +3 C is at a point P where an external
electric field is directed to the right and has a magnitude
of 4  106 N/C. If the test charge is replaced with
another test charge of −3 C, what happens to the
external electric field at P?
(a) It is unaffected.
(b) It reverses direction.
(c) It changes in a way that cannot be determined.
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
 Example 22.5:
A Suspended Water Droplet
A water droplet of mass 3.00  10−12 kg is located in
the air near the ground during a stormy day. An
atmospheric electric field of magnitude 6.00  103 N/C
points vertically downward in the vicinity of the water
droplet. The droplet remains suspended at rest in the
air. What is the electric charge on the droplet?

F y = 0 → Fe − Fg = 0  q ( − E ) − mg = 0
q = −mg /E

q=−
( 3.00  10 −12
kg )( 9.80 m/s 2
) −15
= −4.90  10 C
6.00  10 N/C
3
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
Charges q1 and q2 are located on the x axis, at distances
a and b, respectively, from the origin as shown in the
figure.

(A) Find the components of the net electric

field at the point P, which is at position
(0, y).
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
q1 q1
E1 = ke = ke
r1
2
a +y2 2

q1 q1
E1 = ke cos  ˆi + ke sin  ˆj
a +y
2 2
a +y 2 2

q2 q2
E 2 = ke cos  ˆi − ke sin  ˆj
b +y
2 2
b +y 2 2

q1 q2
E x = ke cos  + ke cos 
a +y
2 2
b +y
2 2

q1 q2
E y = ke sin  − ke sin 
a +y
2 2
b +y
2 2
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
(B) Evaluate the electric field at point P in the special
case that |q1| = |q2| and a = b.
q q q
E x = ke 2 cos  + ke 2 cos  = 2ke 2 cos 
a +y 2
a +y 2
a +y 2

q q
E y = ke 2 sin  − ke 2 sin  = 0
a +y 2
a +y 2

a a
cos  = =
r ( a 2 + y 2 )1/2
 
q  a  2aq
E x = 2ke 2 = ke
a + y  ( a2 + y2 ) 
2 1/2
(a + y )
2 2 3/2
 
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
(C) Find the electric field due to the electric dipole when
point P is a distance y >> a from the origin.

2aq 2aq
E x = ke  E  ke 3
(a 2
+y )
2 3/2 y
Electric Field Lines

q
E = ke  2 rˆ
i r
Electric Field Lines
 Electric Field Lines

N 2 Q2
=
N1 Q1
Electric Field Lines
Electric Field Lines
 Quick Quiz 22.5
Rank the magnitudes of the electric field at points A, B,
and C shown in the figure (greatest magnitude first).
 Quick Quiz 22.5
Rank the magnitudes of the electric field at points A, B,
and C shown in the figure (greatest magnitude first).

A, B, C
Motion of a Charged Particle in a
Uniform Electric Field

 F = qE = ma
qE
a=
m
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models

A uniform electric field 𝐄 is directed along the x axis

between parallel plates of charge separated by a distance
d as shown in the figure. A positive point
charge q of mass m is released from rest
at a point A next to the positive plate and
accelerates to a point B next to the
negative plate.
(A) Find the speed of the particle at B
by modeling it as a particle under constant
acceleration.
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models

v f = v + 2a ( x f − xi ) = 0 + 2a ( d − 0 ) = 2ad
2 2

 qE  2qEd
v f = 2ad = 2  d =
 m  m
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models
(B) Find the speed of the particle at B by modeling it as
a nonisolated system in terms of energy.

W = K
1
Fe x = K B − K A = mv f 2 − 0
2
2 Fe x
 vf =
m
2 ( qE )( d ) 2qEd
vf = =
m m
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
An electron enters the region of a uniform electric field
as shown in the figure, with vi = 3.00  106 m/s and E =
200 N/C. The horizontal length of the plates is  =
0.100 m.
(A) Find the acceleration of
the electron while it is in the
electric field.
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
eE
ay = −
me

ay =−
(1.60  10 −19
C ) ( 200 N/C )
−31
9.11 10 kg
= −3.51 10 m/s
13 2
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
(B) Assuming the electron enters the field at time t = 0,
find the time at which it leaves the field.
x f − xi
x f = xi + vx t  t =
vx

−0 0.100 m
t= =
vx 3.00  106 m/s
−8
= 3.33  10 s
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
(C) Assuming the vertical
position of the electron as
it enters the field is yi = 0,
what is its vertical position
when it leaves the field?

1 2
y f = yi + v yi t + a y t
2

y f = 0 + 0 + ( −3.51 10 m/s )( 3.33  10 s )

1 13 2 −8 2

2
= −0.0195 m = −1.95 cm
 Assessing to Learn
The diagrams below show two uniformly charged spheres. The
charge on the right sphere is 3 times as large as the charge on the
left sphere. Which force diagram best represents the magnitudes
and directions of the electric forces on the two spheres?
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Assessing to Learn
The diagrams below show two uniformly charged spheres. The charge on the
right sphere is 3 times as large as the charge on the left sphere. Each arrow
represents the electric field at the center of one sphere created by the other.
Which choice best represents the magnitudes and directions of the electric
field vectors created by one sphere at the location of the other sphere?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Assessing to Learn
All charged rods have the same length and the same
linear charge density (+ or -). Light rods are positively
charged, and dark rods are negatively charged. For
which arrangement below would the magnitude of the
electric field at the origin be largest?

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8. Impossible to determine
 Assessing to Learn
Two uniformly charged rods are positioned horizontally as
shown. The top rod is positively charged and the bottom rod
is negatively charged. The total electric field at the origin:
1. is zero.
2. has both a non-zero x component and a non-zero
y component.
3. points totally in the +x direction.
4. points totally in the –x direction.
5. points totally in the +y direction
6. points totally in the –y direction.
7. points in a direction impossible to determine
without doing a lot of math.
 Assessing to Learn
Where, other than at infinity, is the electric field
0 in the vicinity of the dipole shown?

1. Along the y-axis.

2. At the origin.
3. At two points, one to the right of (a, 0), the other
to the left of (−a, 0).
4. At two points on the y-axis, one below the origin,
one above the origin.
5. None of the above.
 Assessing to Learn
Two point charges are fixed on the x-axis. Imagine
moving a positive charge from point P to the origin
along the different paths shown in the diagram. For
which path would you do the most work?
1. Path A
2. Path B
3. Path C
4. Path D
5. Cannot be determined
6. None of the above
 Assessing to Learn
For the following situations consider moving a
positive charge from very far away to the origin along
the y-axis. For which situation would you do the most
work?
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. A & C
6. None of the above.
7. Cannot be determined
 Assessing to Learn
A uniform spherical volume distribution of charge has
radius R and total charge Q. A point charge −q is
released from rest at point b, which is a distance 3R
from the center of the distribution. When the point
charge reaches a, which of the following is true
regarding the total energy E?
1. Ea = −Eb 2. Ea = −2Eb/3
3. Ea = −3Eb/2 4. Ea = −9Eb/4
5. Ea = Eb 6. Ea = 2Eb/3
7. Ea = 3Eb/2 8. Ea = 9Eb/4
9. None of the above
10. Cannot be determined
 Assessing to Learn
True or false: it is possible to have the electric field be
zero at some point is space and the electric potential
be non-zero at that same point.