ALLL

Physics
ELECTROSTATICS Physics
FLECTRIC CHARGE
tameter and

is the property associated

with matter due to which it produces and experiences electrical and magnetic
Charge
effects. arge on the

or deficiency of electrons in a body gives the concept of charge.

The excess
of charge ampere X s Dimensions : [A T]
SI Unit
units of charge are ampere x hour (-3600 C) and faraday (=96500C)
Practical
OF CHARGE
lar charge)
PROPERTIES
c CIFIC
SPE

scalar
Charge is
a

excess or deficiency of electrons.

It represents
Charge is transferable

then charge can be transfered to another body.

is put in contact with an another body,
Ifa charged body
always associated with mass
Charge is
mass can exist without charge.
can not exist without mass though t of mas
Charge of existence of mass.
convincing proof
So the presence of charge itself is a

In charging, the mass of a body changes.

its mass decreases. charg
When body is given positive charge
mass increases.
is given negative charge its
When body vatu
multiple of a
Charge is quantised
which all free charges are integral
electric charge is the property
by virtue of
of by
The quantization
e. Thus charge q
of a body is always given
represented by
basic unit of charge integer
or negative
q = nee n = positive integer
carries.
that an electron
or proton
of charge is the charge
The quantum 1.6 x 10-19C
electron =

on a n
proton
=
-

charge
on a
Note : Charge e.
i.e. charge
Charge is conserved individual charge may change
though reactions
does not change with time, in all types of
total charge also found to hold good
isolated system, C o n s e r v a t i o n of charge
is
In an
destroyed. been found.
the rule have
ever
created n o r
neither be exceptions to
can
nuclear. No or
chemical(atomic)
either
be its speed.
change what
ever
not
Charge is invariant
i.e. charge
on a body does
reference.

independent
of frame of
Charge is
radiates energy
Accelerated
charge v*
constant (i.e. time varying)
V = constant

= 0 (i.e. at rest)
V
produces only Eand
produces only and radiation energy
produces only E but no radiation

attract
dissimilar
other while
each
repel
Similar charges
conductor

surface ofa

resides on
the outer
reside inside
the body also
Charge i.e. may
placed.
where it is
remains
insulators it
In
 ALLLE
Pre-Medical
METHODS OF CHARGING r
Friction one body to the other.
electrons are transfered from
body other body
of heigher work function.
we rubbed one on

Transfer of electrons
takes place from Jowerwork function body to body
- Negative charge
Positive charge T
Silk cloth
Glass rod Rubbershoes,Amber, Plastic objects
Woollen cloth
Comb
Dryhair
Ebonite rod
Flannel or cat skin
become charged by friction
Note Clouds -

similar
Electrostatic induction charge and repel
body, the charged body will attract opposite while the other
a neutral becomes negativ
brought near
a charged body is As a result of this one side of the neutral body
present in the
neutral body.
charge
called 'electrostaticinduction
positive, this process is
Charging a body by induction (in four successive steps) q-ve
charging q--ve charging
charging q-0 charging
gve

body+ body+
body body
uncharged body uncharged body charging body
charged body is disconnected
i sbroughtn e a r
is connected by isremoved
earth from the earth
uncharged body step-4
step-2 step-3
step-1

In case of induction it is worth noting that -

Inducing body neither gains nor loses charge

to that of inducing charge
The nature of induced charge is always opposite
and its maximum
Induced charge can be lesser or equal to inducing
charge (but never greater)
(ii
constant
value is given by: 9-qll Where q isthe inducing charge and e, is the dielectric
of the material of the uncharged body.
(iv) For Metals e, = 0 so q=-q
Induction takes place only in bodies (either conducting or non conducting) and not in particles.
()
Conduction
The process of transfer of charge by contact of two bodies is known as conduction.

If charged body is put in contact with uncharged body, the uncharged body
a
becomes charged due to transfer
of electrons from.one body to the other.
The charged body loses some of its charge (which is equal to the charge gained by the uncharged body)
The charge gained by the uncharged bodyis always lesser than initial charge present on the charged
body.
Flow of charge depends upon the potential difference of both bodies.
No potential difference No conduction).
Positive charge flows from higher potential to lower potential, while negative charge flows from lower to
higher potential.

2
 ALLEN
Physics
DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRIC CHARGE
Charge be
detected and measured with the
can
help of gold leaf electroscope, electrometer, vollameter and
ballistic alvanomele
If a charged body is brought near a
charged electroscope the leaves will further dliverge if the charge on the
body is slnmilar to thal on the electroscope and will
usually converge if opposite
Gold leaf electroseope (GLI)
Any charged bocly (+ve or -ve) come in closed
uncharged GLE, leaves diverges. to
lf charged body come in close to charged GLE, Ieaves diverges (for object having
a
similar charge
and converges (lor object having unlike charge).
IXray incident on GLE, leaves alvays collapses, whatever be the charge on leaves.

GOLDEN KEY POINTs

Charge dillers hom mass in sense
(6) In Sl units, charge is a derived physical quantity while mass is fundamental quantity.

(i) Change is ahways conserved butl mass is not (Note: Mass can be converted into energy (E=mc)
(it) Although both charge and mass are quantised, the quanta of charge is electronic charge while that of mass
il is yet not clear.

(iv) For a moving charged body mass increases while charge remains constant.
T r u e test of electrilication is repulsion and not attraction as attraction may also take place between a charged

and an uncharged bhody and also between two similarly charged bodies.
maximum where the radius of curvature
I n case ol iregular conducting body charge density is not uniform. It is
is minimum and vice versa. This is why charge leaks from sharp points.

=constant
For a non relativistic (i.e. V << C) charge particle, specific charge m

decreases as v increases, where v is speed of charged body.

For a relalivistic charged particle m

107 C is developed on polythene. What

When a piece of poly!hene is
rubbed with wool, a charge ol -2 x
Ex.
which is transfered to polythene.
is the amount of mass,

Q 2x 107
1.25 x1012
So, the no. of electrons n== 10-19
Sol. From Q =
ne, e1.6x

mass of one electron

=n x
Now mass of transfered electrons
= 1.25 x 1012 x9.1 x 10-31 = 11.38 x 101 kg
calculate time in which sphere gets
falls on a neutral sphere,
101" particles (Nuclei of helium) per second
Ex. a
-

charged by 24C.
1014
particles falls in t second
=

Sol. Number of a-

incident in time t =
(1012).(2e)
Charge on
a- particle =
+2e, So charge

Given charge is 2 C

10-18
- 6.25 sec
t
2x 10= (10120).(2e) 1.6x 1019

3
Medica Pre-Medical ALLEm
iODS O Q.1. n a neutral
sphere 5 10*
x electrons are present. If 10 percent electrons are removed, then calculate the
Friction charge on sphere [Ans. 80 C
lf we rut Q.2. Can a body have a charge (a) 0.32 x 10-18C (b) 0.64x 10-20 C (c) 4.8 x 10-21 C
Transfer
[Ans. (a) Yes, (b) No , (c) No]
Q.3. Twvo identical metal splheres A and B are
supported insulating stand and placed in contact. What
on
kind of
charges will A and B develop when a negatively charged ebonite rod is brought near A.

[Ans. A will have a positive charge and B will have negative chargel
COULOMB'S LAw
The electrostatic force of interaction between
two point electric charges is directly
of the
proportional to the product
charges, inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them and acts along the
line joining the two charges. straight
ectros
charg Coulomb's law applies to stationary point charges only.
rge
itive, Force of electrostatic interaction depends on
the nature ofmeduim between the charges.
C If two points charges q, and q, separated by a distance r. Let F be the electrostatic force
between these
two charges. According to Coulomb's law.
harg
ody F and
oc 91 2 F oc-

F. ka192
2 where k
4T E0
=9x109Nm|

k =
coulomb's constant or electro-static or
kappa constant
In COULOMB'S LAW IN VECTOR FORM

i
Feforce on q, due to q, = ka02 fp1
T21 F.21
T12

F (here 1, is unit vector from

q, to a,)
COULOMB'S LAW IN TERMS OF POSITION VECTOR

kq192
F - G-)
PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION
When a number of charges are
interacting, the total force on a given charge is vector sum of the forces exent

on it by all other charges F= Kgo1 4o42,.kQo +. kgo9

kaon 2
n

n
in vector form

kao27 i=l
 M

ALLEN
Physics
FOULIBRIUM OF CHARGED PARTICLES
Farnshaw's theoremn
The equilibriurn l à charged particle. under the action of couiormaian
forces alone can never be stable.
Uconst
Nalure of cquilibriurn

du
Stable equilibriurn (point A) d 0 and d
ve

U
Unslable equilibriurn (point B) Up 0 and = -ve

Neulral equilibriurn (point C) Const.St..0

dx ard
EQULIBRIUM OF POINT CHARGE

Main charges must be of like nature

Third charge should be of unlike nature

and
-Q02

EQUILIBRIUM OF SYMETRIC GEOMETRICAL POINT CHARGE SYSTEM

Value of Q at centre for which system to be in state of equilibriumn

For square Q = -Q22+1)

For equilateraltriangle Q= 4

CHARGE SYSTEM
EQUILIBRIUM OF SUSPENDED POINT

For equilibrium posilion Tcos 0

=
mg and T sin =

F, =

TcosA
kQ
an 0 mg xmg TSinG

X
If 0 is small tan 0 sin 0 = o
mg

kQ 2kQ-

so
2x'mg mg 27tE mg
If whole set up is taken into an artificial satellite (g «0) - 2(~***--**.

kq 180°
-
T F 4
 Pre-Medical
GOLDEN KEY P O N T S
ALL
Hed Pre- electrastatic rorce is centrei
r o m coulomb's law in vector form it follows that the
ODS Q.1. each other i.e. reaction pai
torms action
charges exert equal & opposite forces on
ricti The force between any two charges is not affected by preserice or another charges.

we Q.2. Effect of medium on coulombian force:

rans

Q.3
Fmedu
1 142f 4TE0
medium
4TE r E

where , relative permitivity of the medium or dielectric constan

For the systerm shown in fig. find Q for which resultant force on q is zero
x
CO
Sol for force on q to be zero, charges q and Q must be of opposite of nature

Repulsion farce due

Net attraction force onq due to Q = to a

ect1 kQg kq2

2,2Q
ch (V2a)2
arg
Hence q=- 2
siti /2Q
Ex. The force of repulsion between two point charges is F when these are ata distance cf 1
charges are replaced by spheres of radii 25 cm having the charge same as that of poin
h between their centres is 1 m, then compare the force of repulsion in tuwo cases.
Sol. In 2nd case due to mutual repulsion the effective

distance between their centre of charge will be

increased (d'> d) so force of repulsion decreases as

F
Two identical metal sphere carry charges of
q and
+ 2q respectively. When the sphere are separatec
-

a distance r, the force between them is F. Now the spheres are allowed to touch and then
moved back to se
separation. Find the force of repulsion between them.
[Ans
The electrostatic force of repulsion between two
positive ions carrying equal charge is 3.7x10* N. whe
their separation is 5A. How many electrons are
missing from each. [Ans. 21
Two identical particles each of mass M and are charge Q placed some distance apart. lf they are in equillitbrium
under mutual gravitational and electric force then calculate the order of
signature of chargein SI system
M

[Ans. 10-i0 C/kg

The force between two point charges in air is 100 N. Calculate the force if the distance between them is increased
by 50%.
[Ans. 44 NN
Q. Two insulating
small spheres are rubbed against each other and then
are kept at a distance of 4m apart.
they attract each other with a force of 3.5 N, then
() Calculate the charge on each sphere, and
(i) Calculate the number of electrons transferred from one sphere to another during the rubbing
[Ans. ()8 x10-C (i) 5 x10
6
 ALLEN"
ELECTRIC FIELD Plhysics
es

The region surrounding a charge (or

charge distribution) in which its eleciric
electric field of the given charge. effects are perceptible is calicd tihe
Intensityof electric field due to point charge
Flectric intensity, potential and lines of forces are different ways of describing the same field
E Lim
lo-0 qo

Note: Test charge (q) is fictitious

a
charge that exerts no force on nearby charges but experiences force
them due to

Unit N/C, V/m Din ensibns MITrSA")

Due to discrete distribution of charge
Field produced by a charge distribution for
discrete distribution:
by principle of superposition

intensily of electric field due to ith charge Ep =

net electric field due to whole

distribution of chrarge E, =

i=l
Continuous distribution of charge

treating a small element as particle dq

ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO SPECIAL CHARGE DISTRIBUTION

(a) () Point charge
P

(i) Group of point

charges

E-
4 6q,.da
(b) Continuous distribution of charges
E k

due to linear
dq
charge distribution E
=*Jare. 2

due to surface sods

charge distribution E-k

due to volume
charge distribution pdv
E- V
 Pre-Medical
Med Charged conducting sphere:
1OD! Q.1 for point out
side the sphere

Frict (0 E- r>R

If we
Q. surface of the sphere
for point at the
Trans
(i E RK
for point inside
the sphere
Q. (ii) E =0 r<R

Uniformly charged non conducting sphere :

C 0 E r>R

ectr
ch
arge kqr
itive i E-R r<R

(iv) E, =0 r= 0 (at centre)

ha Gausslan
od
Surlace
(e Infinite line of charge

E,- (-

Charged cylindrical nonconductor of infinite length

Electric field at outside point E

= r>R

Electric field at inside point Es

ZnE R2 r<R

Linear charge distribution of length '(' asasee

Ep sin() 2ka sin(9)
27ET sin(
(h Infinite charged conducting plate

i)/ Infinite sheet of

charge (or charged non conducting plate)

8
 Physics
A L L E N

CARRASIA
xOTAU
2q {)
Electric dipole: (p
=

6) Pir.0)

E-V13cos e

Eaxiai(=0°) =Np
A
Eaxial=2 2**
=E||equatoriai
equatoriai(0
=
90)

Charged circular ring at an axial point

(k) Q=A(2TR)
Rx kQx
E ER+*j ******** -..
3 where =
VR +x ******:
A ********°
L

kQx At centre of ring x = 0 so E, = 0

or ER+ 3/2

Uniformaly charged semicircular ring

2 Q Q
(0 E,-R 2eR n R (i) E,e, R

(m) Segment of ring

E,Rsin
2ka T r-*******1***
*******-***

GOLDEN KEY POINTS

Electric field inside a solid conductor is always zero.

Electric field inside a hollow conductormay.ormay not be zero (E # 0if nonzero charge isinsidethesphere).

The electric field due to a circular loop of charge and a point charge are identical provided the distance of the
observation point from the circular loop is quite large as compared to its radius
i.e. x>>>R.

Charged particle in an electric field always experiences a force either it is at rest or in motion.

In presence of a dielectric , electric field decreases and

becomestimes
Fr
of its value in free space.

Test charge is always a unit (+ ve) charge E= Ftes

test charge

9
Pre-Me Pre-Medical
METHOr ERFor infinite line distribution of charge draw the curve between log E and log r is

Fric E
If w constant]
Sol.
Trar
E2t Eo A2T Eo log A
log E = logA - logr (take log on both side) ELECTR
( : y = -mx + c) Elec
log E = -log r + log A
Ima
E A charged particle is kept in equilibrium in the electric field between the plates of millikan oil
(i) Car
f the direction of the electric field between the plates is reversed, then calculate acceleratioxDe (ii) Car
particle. iv)
Sol. Let of the charge on particle = q
arnga Th
rat
mass
particle =
m,
to
intensity of electric field in between plates = E initially mg = qE V) T
Elect after reversing the field ma =
mg +qE
If a ch
ma = 2mg
charge acceleration of particle = a 2g =

positiv Ex.A point charge of 0.009 HC is placed at origin. Calculate intensity of electric field due
to this ne

point (2,V7,0). charge a

(vi)
cha
Sol. E= qr (vii)
bod
4T E r where =
xi +yj 2i+7
=
(vii)

9x10x9x10(V2i+7). (3/2i+3/7NC-
(3)3
(ix)

Ex.Calculate the electric field at origin due to infinite number of charges as shown in figures below.

o 4 o 4 x(m)
fig (a) fig (b)
(i
Sol. (a)
Eg -ka -1/4) :S,-
1a-1and r-
(iv b) kq.1
(
Q Two charges of value
2uC and 50uC are placed at a distance 80 cm
-

Conduct apart. Calculate the distance of

point from the smaller charge where the
intensity will be zero.
the
The proc
Q. A charged
particle of mass 2 mg hang in air in an electric field of [Ans. 20 c
If a charg
the charge and determine its strength 4 volt/meter directed upward. Calcuate
of electr nature (g 10 m/sec? =

Q. How many electrons should be added [Ans. 5 x 10-4C; + ve chargel

TH or removed from a
remain hanging in air in an electric
neutral body of mass 10 mg so that it may
TH field of strength 100 N/C
g 10 m/sec.9 directed upward
bo [Ans. 6.25 x 1012 electrons to be removeu
Q. An oil drop of mass M is found
Flc floating freely between the plates of a
horizontal and the lower plate carrying a parallel plate condenser, the plates ben's
ing
N charge +Q. The area of each plate is A
between them is D. Then how much and the distance of separau
Po: charge of the oil drop must be
(the acceleration due to gravity 5 |
hig
SoMgA
[Ans. Q
10
 LLEN

ELECTRIC LINES OF FORCE (ELF)

Physics
Electric lines of electrostatic field have following properties
() Imaginary
(i) Can never cross each other
Can never be closed loops
(iv) The number of lines originating or terminating on a charge is proportional to the magnitude of charge. In
rationalised MKS system (1/e) electric lines are assoicated with unit charge, so if
total lines of force associated with it (called flux) will be
a body encloses a charge q,
q/.
Total lines of force may be fractional lines of force
as are imaginary.

(vi) Lines of force ends or starts normaly at the surface of a conductor.

(vi) If there is no electric field there will be no lines of force.
(vii) Lines of force per unit area normal to the area ata point represents magnitude of intensity, crowded lines
represent strong field while distant weak field.
(ix) Tangent to the line of force at a point in an electric field gives the direction of intensity. So a positive charge
free to move follow the line of force.

GOLDEN KEY POINTS

Lines of force starts from (+ve) charge and ends on (ve) charge.
Lines of force starts and ends normaly on the surface of a conductor.

E=0
E-

fixed point charge near

infinite metal plate edge effect

Lines of force do not exist inside a conductor (as field inside a conductor is zero) the field between the plates is
as shown.
Q-Q Q -Q -Q Q

a-a-
metal dielectricC

The lines of force never intersect each other due to superposition principle.
leads to explain attraction between opposite
The property that electric lines of force contract longitudinally
charges.
lateral pressure on each other leads to explain repulsion between
The property that electric lines of force exert
like charges.
11
 Pre-Medical A
ELECTRIC FLUX (6)

for open surface o=ldo =E.ds

=6Eds (by defination of flux)
a
«
for closed surface or 4tkq (Gauss's law)
0.=

-.S =EScose

and pointed out wards.

S always normal to surface
Electric flux:
It is a real scalar quantity
Units (V-m) and N - m/C Dimensions: [ML3TA]
The value of 4 does not depend upon the distribution of charges and the distance bet
the closed surface. between them ing
The yalue of Ùiszero inthe following circumstances:
(a) fadipole is(or many dipoles are) enclosed by a closed surface
(b) Magnitude of (+ve) and (ve) charges are equal inside a closed surface
If no charge is enclosed by the closed surface
d) Incoming flux (- ve) = out going flux (+ve)

E
TtR E and| ou nRE
0

arcular= -nR'E and

You curedtRE totl =

ds -aE
Eand #E Ptol0

RF'E and outTR°E| Ytolal0

12
ALLE
Physics
ER = 27R x
4T E R2 2E

Note : here electric field is radial

hemisphere 2 Eo

* .

cyinder 2 Eo

cube 2 E0

Totel E0 8 Eo

TotalE 4 E0

13
 Pre-Medical
times
the charge
enclosed by the oclosed surtace l
closo.
ALLEN
CAREERIgT
GAUSS THEOREM
IS
KATLSSIIAIJ
surface
closed An alternative
flux linked with a
The total obeyina

surface) i.e.
Eds distribution
and valid
for all
vector fields
inverse square between the pla

symmertrical
charge
is suitable for
This law

GAUSSIAN SURFACE
spheres
Is imaginary surface conducting
charges, charo
-

and non
line of
conducting infinite
point charge,
surfaces,
for
conducting charge
spherical a
S

cylindrical for infinite

sheet of charge, Gaussian surtace such
(in)s We selecta or

conductors etc. that

determination of SE.ds can be
done in symplest way (by symmetry)
Dielectric
closed surface intersects a spherical
conductor. close suriace conductor
Ex. As shown in fig. a
electric flux If a very
the nature of the
is placed at point P. What is atoms. TH
fa ve) charge
P
coming out of the closed surface?
The min
Sol. Point charge Q induces charge on
conductor as shown in fig --.
Q
(-ve) flux is negative.
charge enclosed by closed surface is so
Net

flux through the square of

10 cm its niplane
side, if the normal of ite
Ex. Consider Ë (3 x10)i (N/C) then what is the
makes a 60° angle with the X axis.

Sol. = EScos6 = 3 x 103 x [10 x 10-P x cos60° = 3 x 103 x 102 x = 15 Nm/C

Ex. Find the electric field due to an infinitely long cylindrical charge distribution of radius R and having linear charg
arge
density at a distance half of the radius from its axis.
Mag
R 2kAr
Sol. r= point will be inside so
ERR2 2-4 e R
Q. A charge Q is uniformly distributed over a large plastic (non-conducting)
plate. The electric tield at a point close
to the centre of the plate is 20 V/m. If the plate is
replaced by a copper plate of the same geometrical dimensions
and carrying the same charge Q. What is the electric field at that
point ? Ans. 20 V/m]
ELECTE
Q.An infinite number of electric cliys each equal to 5 nano-coulomb (magnitude) are placed along X-axis at
X= 1 cm, X= 2 cm, 4cm,
x =
x =8 cm * . ******** .....and so on. In the setup if the consecutive charges have

opposite sign, then find the electric field at x =0. =9x10"N -m/C)
4TE0 [Ans. 36 x 10* N/C]
Q. A charge 'q is placed at the certre of a cube of which top face is
open (it means has only 5 faces). Calculate
total electric flux from the cube.

C
DIELECTRIC IN ELECTRIC FIELD
Ans
Let be the applied field Eo E
Due to E
polarisation, electric field is E
E
The resultant field is
EË. For homogeneous arnd isotropic dielectric, the direction of
direction of E, is opposite to the
g. So, Resultant field is Ë Eo Ë,
= -

14
E
ALLEN
Physics
An alternative form of Gauss's law: consider a parallel plate capacitor with a charge Q and the space in
(i)
between the plates is filled with a dielectric slab of dielectric constant e,

E ds Q-Qp -1- gaussian

E surface
L.-------------..

Eds-
GOLDEN KEY POINTS

Dielectric material effectively there are no free electrons.

If a very high electric field is created in a dielectric, the outer electrons may get detached from their parent
atoms. This phenomenon is known as/dielectric breakdown,
The minimum field at which the breakdown occurs is called the dielectric strength of the material

Material dielectric strength Dielectric constant

Vacuum 1

glass 24 x 106 Vm 4.9

water 80
kerosene 2
Air at 1 atm 3x 106 Vml 1.00059
Magnitude of the induced charge

Q-
T +Q
E, = dielectric constant of slab

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (V)

Potential at a point can be physically interpreted as the work done by the field in displacing a unit (+ve) charge

W
from some reference point to the given point. V =
Potential ata point is analytically defined as a scalar function of position whose (-ve) gradient at that point gives

-i-CVCV
electric intensity E=-grad V = -VV =

Regarding potential it is worth noting that

It is a scalar. Dimensions: IMLT*A' Unit volt (V). J/C

ii) V- -JEdi

(ii) Potential produced by a point charg¢ V

4TE
=

E 15