Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD

17

Chapter 2
Electric Field
2.1 ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY

Electric Field is the energetic region of space surrounding a charged object. It is said
to exist at a point if a force of electrical origin is exerted on charged object place at the point.
It is a vector quantity; its direction is the same as the direction of force (F) on a positive test
charge.

+ qo

E Fe
+

Fe
E
Fig. 2.1
- qo

The test charge qo ( + ) serves as test charge for determining the extent to which the
surrounding charges generates a force.

Note: In using a test charge, its value in terms of magnitude should be very small, so
that it does not alter the locations of the other charges.

Electric fields (E) that exist at a point is the electrostatic force (F) experienced by a
small test charge (qo) placed at that point divided by the test charge itself.
kqq o
Fe r2
E= =
qo qo

eq. 2.1
kq
E= 2
r

Units of Electric Field Intensity (E) : N/C or V/m

 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
18

Note: It is the surrounding charge that creates an electric field at a given point. Any
positive or negative charged placed at the point interact with the field, as a result, experiences
a force.

2.2 ELECTRIC FIELD LINES

Michael Faraday (1791-1867), an English physicist, provides the idea of “MAP”

showing the idea of electric field lines.

+q

-q

Fig. 2.2
Lines of force on an isolated positive charge and on an isolated negative charge
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Electric Lines of Force

Electric lines of force indicate the direction in which a positive test charge would move
if it were placed in an electric field. The diagram on the left shows lines of force for
two positive charges that repel each other. A positive test charge would be pushed
away from both charges. The diagram on the right shows lines of force for two unlike
charges that attract each other. A positive test charge would be pushed away from
the positive charge and toward the negative charge.

Characteristics of Electric Field Lines

1. Electric field lines are always directed away from positive charges and directed
toward negative charges.

2. Electric field lines also provide information on the magnitude or strength of the field.
a) Near the charge, electric field strength is strongest; electric field lines are
closer together.
b) A distance far from the charge, electric field strength is weaker, electric field
lines are spread out.

3. Electric field lines do not start and stop in midspace.

4. The number of electric field lines leaving the positive charge or entering the negative
charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.

5. Electric field lines can never cross to each other.

2.3 ELECTRIC FIELD USING UNIT VECTOR CONCEPT

Electric Field due to Charged Particle

z
E

qo (+) test charge

r̂
positive +Q
charge
y

x
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E
qo (+) test charge
r̂
negative -Q
charge
y Fig. 2.3

x eq. 2.2
kq
E= ^r
r2

Note: Consider the electric field (E) produced by two or more charged particles.
From the principle of superposition, it states that:

“The electric field due to two or more point charges is the vector sum of the
individual contributions to the field produced bye each charge separately.”

qi eq. 2.3
E=k ∑ r^ i
ri 2

2.4 ELECTRIC FIELD OF A CHARGED LONG, STRAIGHT WIRE

dq

dz dE
l θ
L y
l y dE
x
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Fig. 2.4

E=
λℓ
2 πε o y (√ ) 1
2
y +ℓ
2
or
E=
λℓ
2 πε o y (√ )
1
2
y +ℓ
2
^j eq. 2.4

Q
λ=
L = linear charge density

2.5 ELECTRIC FIELD OF A CHARGED CIRCULAR RING

r  x2  a2 dE
a
x
x qo
dE
r  x2  a2
z dq

Fig. 2.5

k⋅Q Or k⋅Q eq. 2.5

E= ^i E=
( x 2 + a2 )3/2 ( x 2 + a2 )3/2

2.6 UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD

In many experimental studies of atomic structure, a great deal of knowledge can be

obtained by observing the behavior of charged atomic particles traversing a uniform electric
field. To obtain such a field, that is, a field constant in magnitude and direction over a
specified volume of space, two flat metal plates are set up parallel to each other as shown
below.
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+ + + + + + + ++
V d

- - - - - - - - -

Fig. 2.6

When the terminals of a battery are connected to these plates as indicated in figure
2.6, a uniform electric field E is produced between the plates. Outside the plates and near the
ends, the field is not uniform.

eq. 2.6
V IN A UNIFORM ELECTRIC FIELD
2.7 MOTION OF CHARGED PARTICLE
E=
d
When a particle q and mass m is placed in an electric field E, the electric force
exerted on the charge is qE. If this is the only force exerted on the particle, it must be the net
force and causes the particle to accelerate according to Newton’s Second Law of Motion.
Thus,

Eq. 2.7

F =qE=ma
The acceleration of the particle is therefore

qE
a=
m
If E is uniform (that is, constant in magnitude and direction), then the acceleration is
constant. If the particle has a positive charge, its acceleration is in the direction of the electric
field. If the particle has a negative charge, its acceleration is in the direction opposite the
electric field.

V
E=
d
Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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SOLVED PROBLEM

1. Two charges q1 = +2.0 x 10-8 C and q2 = 3.0 x 10-8 C are 50 mm apart. What is the electric
field halfway between them?

50 mm
E2 E1
_
+ r1 = 25 mm r2 = 25 mm
q1 qo q2

kq 1 Nm 2 ( +2 .0 x 10 C )
−8
N
E1 = =9 x 10 9 2 2
=2. 9 x 10 5
r2 C ( 2 .5 x 10 )
−2 C
1
kq 2 Nm 2 ( 3. 0 x 10 C )
−8
N
E1 = =9 x 109 2 2
=4 . 3 x 105
r2 C ( 2. 5 x 10 ) −2 C
2

Enet =E1 −E2

5N 5N
Enet =2. 9 x 10 −4 . 3 x 10
C C
N
E net =−1 . 4 x 105
C

N
E net =1. 4 x105
C toward left or –x axis
 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS

1. Three particles with charges q1 = +2q, q2 = -2q, and q3 = -4q, are each at a distance d from
the origin. What net electric field E is produced at the origin?

2. What is the magnitude of a point charge that would create an electric field of 1.00 N/C at
points 1.00m away?

3. Two particles with equal charge magnitudes 2.0 x 10 -7 C but opposite signs are held 15cm
apart. What are the magnitude and direction of E at the point midway between the charges?
Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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4. Two point charges q1 = 2.1 x 10-8 and q2 = -4q1 are fixed in place 50cm apart. Find the
point along the straight line passing through the two charges at which the electric field is
zero.

5. Dipole charges q1 and q2 of magnitude 12 x 10 -9C are placed 0.10m apart as shown.
Compute the electric fields caused by these equal but of opposite sign charges at point a, b,
and c.
c

10cm 10cm

b q1 a q2
4cm 6cm 4cm

6. A small object has a mass of 2.0 x 10 -3 kg and a charge of -25μC. It is placed at a certain
spot where there is an electric field. When released, the object experiences an acceleration
of 3.5 x 103 m/s2 in the direction of the +x-axis. Determine the magnitude and direction of
the electric field.

7. (a) In figure below, two fixed point charges q 1 = -5q and q2 = +2q are separated by distance
d. Locate the point (or points) at which the net electric field due to the two charges is zero.
(b) Sketch the net electric field lines qualitatively.

y
 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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x
q1 q2
d

8. Calculate the direction and magnitude of the electric field at point P in figure below
due to the three point charges.

+q +

a P

+ a +
+2.0q +q

9. What are the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the center of the square if
q = 1.0 x 10-8 and a = 5.0cm?
a
+q + -2.0q-

a a

-q - +2.0q+
a
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10.A rectangle has a length of 2d and a height of d. Each of the following three charges is
located at a corner of the triangle: +q 1 (upper left corner); +q2 (lower right corner); -q
(lower left corner). The net electric field at the upper right corner is zero. Find the
magnitude of q1 and q2. Express your answers in terms of q.

11.An electron is accelerated by constant electric field F magnitude 300 N/C. (a) Find the
acceleration of the electron. (b) Use the equation with constant acceleration to find
the electron’s speed after 1.00 x 10-8s, assuming its starts from rest.

12. Two point charges lie along the y-axis. A charge of q 1 = -9.0μC at y = 6.0m, and a
charge of q2 = -8.0μC at y = -4.0m. Locate the point (other than infinity) at which the
total electric field is zero.
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13.Two positive point charges, q1 = +4.0μC, and q2 = +16μC, are separated by a distance
of 3.0m. Find the spot on the line between the charges where the net field is zero.

14.A charge q1 = +5.0 x 10-9C is located at the origin of an xy-coordinate system, and a
charge q2 = -2.0 x 10-9C on the y-axis, at y = 0.30m. Find the components of the
electric field and its magnitude and direction at a point P with coordinates (-0.40m,
0.30m).

15.A proton accelerates from rest in a uniform electric field of 640N/C. At some later
time, its speed is 1.20 x 106 m/s. (a) Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the
proton. (b) How long does it take the proton to reach this speed? (c) How far has it
moved in this interval? What is the kinetic energy at the later time?

2.8 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY

Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
29

Electric Potential Energy of a system of point charges is defined on the work that has
to be done by an external agent to assemble this system of charges by bringing them to their
present positions from infinity.

k qq o
EPE=W =Fr=
r

For system containing more than two charges, the procedure is to compute the
potential energy for every pair of charges separately and to add the results algebraically.
Consider the following system:

q1 + +q3

q2 - - q4

EPE=EPE 1 +EPE 2 +EPE 3 + EPE 4

kqo q1 kq o q 2 kqo q3 kq o q4
EPE= + + +
r1 r2 r3 r4

q
EPE=kqo Σ
r

2.9 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL (VA)

 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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The potential at a point in an electric field is defined as the ratio of the potential
energy (EPE) of a small test charge qo situated at that point divided by the charge itself.

EPE k qq o kq
V A= = =
qo rqo r

SI Unit of Electric Potential:

Joule / Coulomb = Volt (V)
For two or more charges:

q
V A =kΣ
r

2.10 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE

The potential difference Vab between two points a and b is defined as the ratio
between the work that must be done to take a charge qo from a to b and the value of qo. It is
also known as the voltage or the difference in potentials between two points in an electric
field.
We can express the potential difference between two points “a” and “b” as
Vab = Va – Vb and Vba = Vb - Va
Therefore, Vab = -Vba

EPE b −EPE a W ab
V b −V a= =
qo qo
W ab=q o ( V b −V a )
Note:
a) If Wab is +, Vb > Va (The electric potential at “b” is higher than that in “a”)
b) If Wab is -, Vb < Va (The electric potential at “b” is lower than that in “a”).
c) If Wab is 0, Vb =Va (The electric potential at “b” is the same as that in “a”)
The term “ground”,” earth” and “infinity” refer to a reference level in an electrostatic
field which is usually taken as the point of zero potential.
The unit of potential difference is joule per coulomb which is equal to volt (V): 1J/C
= 1 V. The volt is named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). In fact, the
less formal expression voltage change or simply voltage is often used when referring to the
potential difference between two points.
Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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2.11 THE ELECTRON VOLT (eV): A UNIT OF ENERGY

One electronVolt is the change in electric potential energy of an electron (q o = 1.6 x
10-19 C) when the electron moves through a potential difference of one Volt
Since the change in potential energy equals qo∆V, one electron volt is equal to
(1.60 x 10-19 C)(1.00V) = 1.60 x 10-19 Joule
1 ℮ Volt (eV) = 1.60 x 10-19 J
106 electron volts = 1 MeV (Mega Volt)
109electron volts = 1 GeV (Giga Volt)

2.12 EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACE

It is a surface in which the electric potential is the same everywhere. The easiest
equipotential surfaces to visualize are those that surround on the isolated point charge. The
potential at distance r from a charge q is kq/r. Thus, whenever r is the same, the potential is
the Electric
same, and the Potential
equipotential surfaces are spherical surfaces centered on the charged. The
largest distance r, the smallest is the potential of the equipotential surface.
No work is required to move a charge at constant speed on an equipotential surface.

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS

1. Two protons in a nucleus of U 248 are 6.0 x 10-10 m apart. What is their mutual potential
energy? Ans: 2.4eV
 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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2. Three charges of +5.0C and -2.0C and +3C, initially very far apart, are brought
together and placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle, of side 0.50m. Determine the
electric potential energy of the group.
Electric
Ans: EPEPotential
= -1.8x10-2 J

3. Point charges of +12 x 10-9 C and -12 x 10-9 C are placed 10cm apart.
c (a) Compute the potential at point a, b, c.
(b) What is the potential difference between
points a and b?
10cm (c) Between b and c?
10cm (d) How much work would be required to move
a point charge of +4 x 10 -9 C from a to b, in
the absence of friction and with no increase
in kinetic energy?
b a
(e) From c to a?
4cm 6cm 4cm

4. Charges q1 and q2 are fixed in place, q 2 being located at a distance d to the right of q 1. A
third charge q3 is then fixed to the line joining q1 and q2 at a distance d to the right of q2. The
third charge is chosen so the potential energy of the group is zero, that is, the potential
energy has the same value as that of the three charges when they are widely separated.
Determine q3, assuming that (a) q1 = q2 = q and (b) q1 = q and q2 = -q. Express your answers
in terms of q. Ans: (a) q3 = -2q/3; (b) q3 = -2q
Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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5. In the Bohr Model of the hydrogen atom, the electro (-e) is in an orbit around the nuclear
proton at a distance of 5.29 x 10 -11m. Find the (a) electric potential that the proton creates at
this distance, (b) total energy of the atom, and (c) the ionization energy for the atom.
Ionization energy is the energy needed to put into the atom to remove the electron and place
it at rest infinitely far from the proton. Express the answers in b and c in electron volt (eV).

6. A positive charge of +q1 is located 3.00m to the left of a negative charge – q 2. The charges
have different magnitude. On the line through the charges, the net electric field is zero at a
spot 1.00m to the right of the negative charge. On this line there are also two spots where
the potential is zero. Locate these two-spots relative to the negative charge.

7. In a television picture tube, electrons striking the screen are being accelerated from rest
through a potential difference of 25,000V. Find the electron speed just before the electron
strikes the screen.

8. A pair of oppositely charge parallel plates is separated by 5.33 mm. A potential difference
of 600V exists between the plates. (a) What is the magnitude of the electric field between
the plates? (b) What is the magnitude of the force on an electron between the plates? (c)
How much work must be done on the electron to move it to the negative plate if it is initially
positioned 2.90 mm form the positive plate?

9. (a) Find the electric potential, taking zero at infinity, at the upper-right corner (the corner
without a charge) of the rectangle in the figure. (b) Repeat if the 2.00C charge is replaced
with a charge of –2.00C.
 Chapter 2 : ELECTRIC FIELD
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8 µC 6cm

3cm

2 µC 4 µC

10. Find the following: a) the potential energy of an electron placed at A, and the its
potential energy at B , b) the potential difference between points A & B, c) the speed of
the electron at B if its speed at A is 150 m/s, for the diagram shown.

q1 = -25 x 10-9 C A B q2 = 50 x 10-9 C

2.5 cm 1.5 cm
10cm