SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Coulomb’s law:
Introduction
The magnitude of the force of attraction or repulsion between two electric charges at rest
was studied by French Scientist Charles Coulomb (1736-1806) Charles in 1784. He
formulated a law, known as "COULOMB'S LAW".
statement
According to Coulomb's law:
1. The electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is directly
proportional to the product of charges.
2. The electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is
inversely proportional to the square of distance between them.
Mathematical Representation of Coulomb's Law
Consider two point charges q1 and q2 placed at a distance of r from each other. Let the
electrostatic force between them is F.
According to the first part of the law
F ∝ q1 q 2
According to the second part of the law
1
F∝ 2
r
Combining above relations
q1 q 2
F∝ 2
r
q1 q 2
F=K 2
r
Where K is the constant of proportionality
Value and unit of k
1
Value of K is equal to 4π∈
o
∈o is permittivity of free space. Its value is 8.85 x 10-12 c2/Nm2.
Thus in S.I. system numerical value of K is 8.98755 x 109 Nm2c-2.
Force In The Presence of Dielectric Medium
If the space between the charges is filled with a non-conducting medium or an insulator
called "dielectric", it is found that the dielectric reduces the electrostatic force as
compared to free space by a factor (∈r) called dielectric constant. It is denoted by ∈r. This
factor is also known as relative permittivity. It has different values for different dielectric
materials.
In the presence of a dielectric between two charges the Coulomb's law is expressed as:
1 q1 q 2
F=
4π ∈0 r 2
Vector Form of Coulomb's Law
The magnitude as well as the direction of electrostatic force can be expressed by using
Coulomb’s law by vector equation
1 q1 q 2
⃗ 12 =
F 𝑟̂
4π ∈0 r 2 12

Page 1 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Where F12 is the force exerted by q1 on q2 and r12 is the unit vector along the line joining
the two charges from q1 to q2.
Definition of Coulomb
Coulomb is the S.I unit of charge. A unit coulomb is defined as the amount of charge that
flow through a given cross section of a wire in one second, if there is a steady current of 1
ampere in the wire.
Quantization of charges:
When the two bodies are rubbed together, transfer of electrons from one body to the other
takes place and they are said to be electrified. The magnitude of charge q that can be
detected and measured on any object is given by

𝑞 = 𝑛𝑒 − − − (1)
Where 𝑛 = 0, ±1, ±2 … 𝑛 and e is the elementary unit of charge called on unit charge,
has the experimentally determined value Equation (1) shows that charge is also a quantized
quantity like matter, energy, angular momentum etc. It means that we can find a body that
can have a charge of 10e or-4e but it is not possible to find a body with fractional charge
such as 3.56e or -5-7e .
When a physical quantity is discrete values, it is called quantized quantity.

Electric field
Space or region surrounding an electric charge or a charged body within which another
charge experiences some electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion when placed at a point
is called Electric Field.”
Electric Field Intensity
Electric field intensity at a point is defined as the force experienced per unit positive test
charge at a point placed in the electric field.
OR
It may also be also defined as the electrostatic force per unit charge which the field exerts at
a point.
Mathematically
F
E=
qo
UNIT
N/C or Volt/m
Factors affecting force
The force experienced by a charge +q in an electric field depends upon.
1. Magnitude of source charge (q)
2. Intensity of electric field (E)
Nature and Direction of Electric Filed Intensity
1. It is a vector quantity.
2. It is directed away from positive charge and directed toward negative charge.
3. It has the same direction as that of force

Page 2 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Electric Field Intensity near An Isolated Point Charge
Consider a point charge q called SOURCE CHARGE placed at a point ‘O’ in space. To find its
intensity at a point ‘p’ at a distance ‘r’ from the point charge we place a test charge 'q'.
The force experienced by the test charge q’ will be
F = Eq′
Kqq′
F= 2
r
We know that:
F
E=
q′
Or
1
E= ×F
q′
Putting the value of F we get
1 Kqq′
E= × 2
q′ r
Kq
E= 2
r
1
But K = 4π∈
o
𝟏 𝐪
𝐄 = 𝟒𝛑∈ × 𝐫 𝟐
𝐨
This shows that the electric intensity due to a point charge is directly proportional to the
magnitude of charge q and inversely proportional to the square of distance.
Effect of Dielectric Medium
If there is a medium of dielectric constant (∈r) between the source charge and the field
charge, intensity at a point will decrease ∈r time’s i.e
𝟏 𝐪
𝐄= × 𝟐
𝟒𝛑 ∈𝐨 ∈𝐫 𝐫
Electric field due to many (n) point charges
Let 𝑞1 , 𝑞2 𝑞3 … 𝑞𝑛 are the “n” point charges which is at
distances 𝑟1 , 𝑟2 𝑟3 … 𝑟𝑛 respectively. We want to find out
the expression of electric field intensity due to assembly
of n point charges at field point P. Now if 𝐸⃗1 , 𝐸⃗2 𝐸⃗3 … 𝐸⃗𝑛
be the electric field intensities at a field point due to
the point charges respectively. Then, the total electric
field intensity due to assembly of „n‟ point charges will
be;
𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2 + 𝐸⃗3 + ⋯ +𝐸⃗𝑛 − − − (1)
where
1 q1
𝐸⃗1 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑃 = 𝐸⃗1 = r̂
4π ∈o r1 2 1
1 q2
𝐸⃗2 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑃 = 𝐸⃗2 = r̂
4π ∈o r2 2 2

Page 3 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

1 q3
𝐸⃗3 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑃 = 𝐸⃗3 = r̂
4π ∈o r3 2 3
1 q𝑛
𝐸⃗𝑛 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑃 = 𝐸⃗𝑛 = r̂
4π ∈o r𝑛 2 𝑛
Putting values in equation (1), we get:
1 q1 1 q2 1 q3 1 q𝑛
𝐸⃗ = 2 r̂
1+ 2 r̂
2+ 2 r̂
3 + ⋯+ 2 r̂
𝑛
4π∈o r1 4π∈o r2 4π∈o r3 4π∈o r𝑛
1 q1 q q3 q𝑛
𝐸⃗ = ( r̂ + r 22 r̂2 + r 2 r̂3 + ⋯ + r 2 r̂𝑛 )
4π∈o r1 2 1 2 3 𝑛
𝑛
1 q𝑖
𝐸⃗ = ∑ 2 r̂𝑖
4π ∈o r𝑖
𝑖=1
This equation gives the total electric field intensity due to assembly of „n‟ point charges at
a specific field point.
Electric Dipole:
An electric dipole is defined as a couple of opposite charges “q” and “–q” separated by a
distance “d”.. The midpoint “q” and “–q” is called the center of the dipole. The simplest
example of an electric dipole is a pair of electric charges of two opposite signs and equal
magnitude separated by distance.

Electric Field due to a Dipole:

Two equal and opposite charges separated by a small
distance form an electrical dipole. Consider two point
charges +q and – q of equal magnitude lying at a
distance d as shown in the figure

We want to determine the electric field intensity E due to

a dipole at point P. The point P is at a distance x along the
perpendicular bisector of the line joining the charges. Let the electric field intensities at
point P due to the charges +q and –q be 𝐸⃗+ and 𝐸⃗− respectively.
The total electric field intensity at point P due to the charges +q and –q is given by the
expression.
𝐸⃗ = 𝐸⃗+ + 𝐸⃗− − − − (1)
For the present case
|𝐸⃗+ | = |𝐸⃗− |
Because the point P is equidistant for the charges +q and – q. Therefore,
𝟏 𝐪
|𝐸⃗+ | = |𝐸⃗− | = 𝟒𝛑∈ 𝐫 𝟐
𝐨
𝑑 2
From figure 𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + (2 )
𝟏 𝐪
|𝐸⃗+ | = |𝐸⃗− | = 𝟒𝛑∈ [ 𝑑 2
]
𝐨 𝑥 2 +( )
2

From the figure it is clear that the y-components of 𝐸⃗+ and 𝐸⃗− will cancel the effect of each

Page 4 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

other, while the x-components of 𝐸⃗+ and 𝐸⃗− added up to give of resultant electric field
intensity of electric dipole. Therefore
|𝐸⃗ | = |𝐸⃗+ | cos θ + |𝐸⃗− | cos θ
|𝐸⃗+ | = |𝐸⃗− | 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛
|𝐸⃗ | = 2|𝐸⃗+ | cos θ − − − (2)
From figure
𝑑 𝑑
(2) (2)
cos θ = =
𝑟 2
√ 𝑥 2 + (𝑑 )
2
Equation (2) will be
𝑑
(2)
|𝐸⃗ | = 2|𝐸⃗+ |
2
√𝑥 2 + (𝑑)
2
𝑑
|𝐸⃗ | = |𝐸⃗+ |
2
√𝑥 2 + (𝑑)
2

1 q 𝑑
|𝐸⃗ | = [ ]
4π ∈o 𝑑 2 2
𝑥 2 + (2) √𝑥 2 + (𝑑)
( 2 )

1 𝑞𝑑
|𝐸⃗ | = 𝟑
4π ∈o
𝑑 2 𝟐
[𝑥 2 + (2) ]
Where 𝑝 = 𝑞𝑑
1 𝑝
|𝐸⃗ | = 3
4π ∈o 𝑑 2 2
[𝑥 2 + ( 2 ) ]
1 𝑝
|𝐸⃗ | = 3
4π ∈o 𝑑 2 2
𝑥 3 [1 + (2𝑥) ]
−3
p 𝑑 2 2
|𝐸⃗ | = [1 + ( ) ]
4π ∈o 𝑥 3 2𝑥
By using binomial expansion, we get
−3
𝑑 2 2 3 𝑑 2
[1 + (2𝑥) ] = [1 − 2 (2𝑥) + − − − − −]
p 3 𝑑 2
|𝐸⃗ | = [1 − ( ) + − − − − −]
4π ∈o 𝑥 3 2 2𝑥
If we neglect the 2nd and higher order terms, then

p
|𝐸⃗ | =
4π ∈o 𝑥 3
Page 5 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

This is the expression of electric field due to a dipole.
ELECTRIC LINES OF FORCE
An electric line of force is an imaginary continuous line or curve drawn in an electric field
such that tangent to it at any point gives the direction of the electric force at that point. The
direction of a line of force is the direction along which a small free positive charge will move
along the line. It is always directed from positive charge to negative charge.
Characteristics of Electric Lines Of Force:
1. Lines of force originate from a positive charge and terminate to a negative charge.
2. The tangent to the line of force indicates the direction of the electric field and electric
force.
3. Electric lines of force are always normal to the surface of charged body.
4. Electric lines of force contract longitudinally.

5. Two electric lines of force cannot intersect each other.

6. Two electric lines of force proceeding in the same direction repel each other.
7. Two electric lines of force proceeding in the opposite direction attract each other.
8. The lines of force are imaginary but the field it represents as real.
9. There are no lines of force inside the conductor.

Electric flux
General interpretation of Electric Flux
In common language flux refers to the flow or stream of anything from one point to another
point. In the similar way electric flux is the total number of lines of force passing through a
surface. Physical meaning of electric flux .The total number of lines of force passing through
the unit area of a surface held perpendicularly.
Mathematical interpretation of Electric Flux
The dot product of electric field intensity (E) and the vector area (∆A) is called electric flux.
∆∅ = ⃗E∆A⃗
∆∅ = E∆A cosθ
Where θ is angle between E and ∆ A
Maximum Flux

Page 6 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

If the surface is placed perpendicular to the electric field then maximum electric lines of
force will pass through the surface. Consequently maximum electric flux will pass through
the surface
∆∅ = E∆A cosθ
But θ = 0
∆∅ = E∆A cos0
∆∅ = E∆A (1)
∆∅ = E∆A
Zero Flux
If the surface is placed parallel to the electric field then no electric lines of force will pass
through the surface. Consequently no electric flux will pass through
the surface.
∆∅ = E∆A cosθ
But θ = 90
∆∅ = E∆A cos90
∆∅ = E∆A (0)
∆∅ = 0
Unit and nature of flux
newton − meter 2
or Volt. meter
columb

THE ELECTRIC EIELD OF CONTINUOUS CHARGE DISTRIBUTIONS:

Even though electric charge is quantized , a collection of a large number of elementary
charges can be regarded as a continuous charge distribution. The field set up by a
continuous charge distribution can be computed by dividing the distribution into
infinitesimal elements dq. Each element of charge establishes a field dE at a point F, and
the resultant field at P is then found from the superposition principle by adding (that is,
integrating) the field contributions due to all the charge elements,
𝐸 = ∫ 𝑑𝐸
In Cartesian coordinates we have
𝐸𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑥 , 𝐸𝑦 = ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑦 , 𝐸𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑧
Question Define linear, surface, and volume charge densities, and give examples of
when each would be used.
Ans. Linear charge density,𝜆, is charge per unit length. It is used when trying to determine
the electric field created by a charged rod.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑞
𝜆= =
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿
Surface charge density, σ, is charge per unit area. It is used when determining the electric
field above a charged sheet or disk.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑞
𝜎= =
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴
Page 7 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Volume charge density, ρ, is charge per unit volume. It is used when determining the
electric field due to a uniformly charged sphere made of insulating material.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑞
𝜌= =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑉

Electric Field Intensity due to an Infinite Line of Charges

Consider a portion of an infinite line of positive charge as shown in the figure below.
We want to calculate the electric field intensity at point “P‟ at a perpendicular distance “x”
from the line of charge. As the charge is distributed uniformly over it, so it has constant
linear charge density;
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑞
𝜆= =
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝐿
For an infinitesimal length element “dy”
having charge „ dq ‟
𝑑𝑞
𝜆 = 𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑞 = 𝜆𝑑𝑦
The electric field intensity due to this
length element at point “P” ‟ is given by

1 𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2

1 𝜆𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2

1 𝜆𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 + 𝑦 2
2

The rectangular components of “𝑑𝐸‟ are

𝑑𝐸𝑥 = 𝑑𝐸 cos 𝜃 and 𝑑𝐸𝑦 = 𝑑𝐸 sin 𝜃
If we consider identical charge elements symmetrically located on both sides of “O”, then the y-
components of electrical field intensity will cancel out each other and its x- components are added
up to give the total electric field intensity due to this continuous charge distribution. Therefore, the
total electric field intensity will be

𝑦=+∞

𝐸= ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑥
𝑦=−∞
𝑦=+∞

𝐸= ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝑦=−∞
𝑦=+∞

𝐸= ∫ 2𝑑𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝑦=0
+∞

𝐸 = 2 ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
0
Page 8 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Putting the value of dE ,we get
+∞
1 𝜆𝑑𝑦
𝐸 = 2∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 + 𝑦 2
2
0
+∞
1 𝜆𝑑𝑦
𝐸= ∫ 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 − − − − − (𝐴)
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 + 𝑦2
0
𝑦
From figure 𝑥 = tan 𝜃 then
𝑦 = 𝑥 tan 𝜃
Differentiating with respect to 𝜃
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑥 sec 2 𝜃
𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝑦 = 𝑥 sec 2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
When 𝑦 = 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃 = 0
𝜋
When 𝑦 = ∞ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜃 = 2
Now eq (A) will be
𝜋
2
1 𝜆 𝑥 sec 2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝐸= ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 tan2 𝜃
0
𝜋
2
𝜆 𝑥 sec 2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝐸= ∫ 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 (1 + tan2 𝜃)
0
𝜋
2
𝜆 sec 2 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
𝐸= ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 sec 2 𝜃
0
𝜋
2
𝜆
𝐸= ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑑𝜃
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥
0
𝜋
𝜆
𝐸= |sin 𝜃|02
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥
𝜆 𝜋
𝐸= [sin − sin 0]
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥 2
𝜆
𝐸= (1 − 0)
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥
𝜆
𝐸=
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑥
This is the expression for electric field intensity at point “P” due to an infinite line of charge.

Page 9 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

Electric Field Intensity due to a Ring of Charge
Consider a ring of positive charge of radius “R” as shown in the figure. We want to find out
the electric field intensity at point “P” which is at the
distance “Z” from the plane of ring.
As the charge is distributed uniformly over it, so it has
constant linear charge density . For an infinitesimal length
element “ds” of ring,

𝑑𝑞
𝜆=
𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝑞 = 𝜆𝑑𝑠
The electric field intensity due to this length element at
point “P” ‟ is given by

1 𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2

1 𝜆𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2

1 𝜆𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝐸 =
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑧 2 + 𝑅 2

The rectangular components of dE are

𝑑𝐸z = 𝑑𝐸 cos 𝜃 and 𝑑𝐸y = 𝑑𝐸 sin 𝜃

If we consider the identical charge elements located on the opposite end of the diameter,
then dEy components will cancel out each other and dEz components are added up to give
the final value of electric field intensity at point P. Therefore, the total electric field
intensity will be

𝐸 = 𝐸𝑧 = ∫ 𝑑𝐸𝑧

𝐸 = ∫ dE cos θ
Putting value of dE, we get

1 𝜆𝑑𝑠
𝐸=∫ cos θ
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑧 + 𝑅 2
2
𝑧
From figure cos θ =
𝑟
1 𝜆𝑑𝑠 𝑧
𝐸= ∫ 2
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑧 + 𝑅 2 𝑟
From figure 𝑟 2 = 𝑧 2 + 𝑅 2
𝜆𝑧 𝑑𝑠 1
𝐸= ∫ 2
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 𝑟
Page 10 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET
 SIR SYED UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applied Physics (MS-111) For CS Sec C &D

𝜆𝑧 𝑑𝑠
𝐸= ∫ 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟
𝜆𝑧
𝐸= ∫ 𝑑𝑠
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 3
𝜆𝑧
𝐸= (2𝜋𝑅)
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 3
(2𝜋𝜆𝑅)𝑧
𝐸=
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 3
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
𝜆=
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝑞
𝜆=
2𝜋𝑅
So
𝑞 = 2𝜋𝜆𝑅
𝑞𝑧
𝐸= 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 (𝑧 2 + 𝑅 2 )2
This expression gives electric field intensity due to ring of charge.
Special Case:
When the point P is far away from ring ie z>>R then
𝑞𝑧
𝐸= 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 (𝑧 2 + 02 )2
𝑞𝑧
𝐸= 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 (𝑧 2 )2
𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑧 2
Or
1 𝑞
𝐸=
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑧 2
Which is the expression for the electric field intensity, when the field point is far away from
the ring. Thus, the charged ring acts like a point charge when the field point is at the large
distance.

Page 11 of 11
ALAY RAZA
Senior Lecturer, Department Of Physics, SSUET