Module II

Coulomb’s Law and Electric Field

Intensity

Lesson 1 Coulomb’s Law

Lesson 2 Electric Field Intensity
Lesson 3 Electric Fields Due to Continuous
Charge Distributions
Lesson 4 A Line Charge
Lesson 5 A Surface Charge
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COULOMB’S LAW & ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY

Introduction
Having mastered some essential mathematical tools needed for this course, we
are now prepared to study the basic concepts of Electromagnetics. We will establish
and describe a few basic principles of electricity. In this module, we introduce
Coulomb’s electrostatic force law and then formulate this in a general way using field
theory. The tools that will be developed can be used to solve any problem in which
forces between static charges are to be evaluated or to determine the electric field
that is associated with any charge distribution. Initially, we will restrict the study to
fields in vacuum or free space; this would apply to media such as air and other gases.

OBJECTIVES
After studying the module, you should be able to:

Discuss Coulomb’s Law

Apply and Solve Coulomb’s Law problems
Identify and differentiate the different types of electric field
DIRECTIONS/ MODULE ORGANIZER
There are three lessons in the module. Read each lesson carefully then answer
the exercises/activities to find out how much you have benefited from it. Work on these
exercises carefully and submit your output to your instructor. In case you
encounter difficulty, discuss this with your tutor during the face-to-face meeting. If not
contact your tutor via messenger.

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LESSON I COULOMB’S LAW

2.1 Coulomb’s Law
Records from at least 600 B.C. show evidence of the knowledge of static
electricity. The Greeks were responsible for the term electricity, derived from their
word for amber, and they spent many leisure hours rubbing a small piece of amber on
their sleeves and observing how it would then attract pieces of fluff and stuff. However,
their main interest lay in philosophy and logic, not in experimental science, and it was
many centuries before the attracting effect was considered to be anything other than
magic or a “life force.” Dr. Gilbert, physician to Her Majesty the Queen of England, was
the first to do any true experimental work with this effect, and in 1600 he stated that
glass, sulfur, amber, and other materials, which he named, would “not only draw to
themselves straws and chaff, but all metals, wood, leaves, stone, earths, even water
and oil.” Shortly thereafter, an officer in the French Army Engineers, Colonel Charles
Coulomb, performed an elaborate series of experiments using a delicate torsion balance,
invented by himself, to determine quantitatively the force exerted between two
objects, each having a static charge of electricity. His published result bears a great
similarity to Newton’s gravitational law (discovered about a hundred years earlier).
According to Coulomb, the force of attraction or repulsion between two unlike
and like charges (Q1 and Q2 as shown in Fig. 2-1) is directly proportional to the product
of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance r separating them.
Moreover, as regards the direction, Coulomb has commented that, there exists an
attractive/repulsive force unlike/like charges along the line joining them.
Q1

Q2

Fig. 2-1: Two point charges Q1 and Q2 separated by distance r

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Mathematically, it can be quoted that,

𝑄1 𝑄2 1 𝑄1 𝑄2
|F|𝛼 ⇒ |F|= ( ) ,
𝑟2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2
1
here (4𝜋𝜀 ) is constant of proportionality.
0

Ɛ0 is known as permittivity for free space i.e. for vacuum; its value is 8.85 × 10 -12 F/m,
the dimensions of which can be obtained from equation (2-1) as C2/N-m2. If both the
charges are like (i.e. positive-positive or negative-negative) then there exists a
repulsive force tending to displace each other away along the line joining them.

z-axis

Q1

r1

r2
Q2
y-axis
x-axis

Fig. 2-2: Two point charges Q1 and Q2 in 3D coordinate system

On the other hand, if charges are unlike (i.e. positive-negative), then there exists an
attractive force tending to displace them towards each other along the line joining
them. Now, let us represent the problem in vector notations.

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Let the charge Q1 be placed at point P1 (x1, y1, z1) and Q2 be placed at P2 (x2, y2, z2) as
in Fig. 2-2.
We now intend to find the vector force at point P1 and P2 respectively and establish the
relation between them.
The force on charge Q1 due to charge Q2 is denoted by F1, 2. As suggested by Coulomb’s
law, this force may be expressed as:
1 𝑄1 𝑄2
F1,2 = 𝑎 here 𝑎2,1 → unit vector pointing from 𝑄2 to 𝑄1 .
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑟1 − 𝑟2 |2 2,1

1 𝑄1 𝑄2 (𝑟1 − 𝑟2 ) 𝑄1 𝑄2 [(𝑥1 − 𝑥2 )𝑎𝑥 + (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )𝑎𝑦 + (𝑧1 − 𝑧2 )𝑎𝑧 ]

F1,2 = = { }
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑟1 − 𝑟2 |3 4𝜋𝜀0 [(𝑥1 − 𝑥2 )2 + (𝑦1 − 𝑦2 )2 + (𝑧1 − 𝑧2 )2 ]3⁄2

Similarly, the force on charge Q2 due to Q1 may be expressed as:

1 𝑄1 𝑄2
F2,1 = 𝑎 here 𝑎1,2 → unit vector pointing from 𝑄1 to 𝑄2 .
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑟2 − 𝑟1 |2 1,2

1 𝑄1 𝑄2 (𝑟2 − 𝑟1 ) 𝑄1 𝑄2 [(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )𝑎𝑥 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )𝑎𝑦 + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 )𝑎𝑧 ]

F2,1 = = { }
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑟2 − 𝑟1 |3 4𝜋𝜀0 [(𝑥2 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦2 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 )2 ]3⁄2

Thus, F2,1 = -F1, 2

2.2 Forces in multiple charge system

Let us now extend Coulomb’s law for finding forces in multiple charge system. Let Q 1,
Q2, Q3... be the system of n charges placed at points P1 (x1, y1, z1), P2 (x2, y2, z2), P3 (x3, y3,
z3)… Pn (xn, yn, zn) respectively having position vectors r1,r2,r3…rn . In such a system, force
on any charge, say Q1, due to all remaining charges can be found out by superimposing
Coulomb’s force due to each charge.

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Force on charge Q1, having position vector r1, due to charges Q1, Q2, Q3,… Qi-1, Qi+1,...Qn
can be expressed as
𝐹𝑖 = 𝐹𝑖,1 + 𝐹𝑖,2 + ⋯ + 𝐹𝑖,𝑖−1 + 𝐹𝑖,𝑖+1 + ⋯ + 𝐹𝑖,𝑛
𝑄𝑖 𝑄1 (𝑟1 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 𝑄𝑖−1 (𝑟𝑖−1 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 𝑄𝑖+1 (𝑟𝑖+1 − 𝑟𝑖 ) 𝑄𝑛 (𝑟𝑛 − 𝑟𝑖 )
𝐹𝑖 = [ + ⋯ + + + ⋯ ]
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑟1 − 𝑟𝑖 |3 |𝑟𝑖−1 − 𝑟𝑖 |3 |𝑟𝑖+1 − 𝑟𝑖 |3 |𝑟𝑣 − 𝑟𝑖 |3

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Two similar balls of mass m are hung from the silk threads of length
l and carry similar charge q as shown in Fig. 2-3. Assuming 𝜃 to be very small
show that

1⁄
𝑞2𝑙 3
𝑥=( )
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑚𝑔
where x is separation between the balls. If l=120 cm, m=10 gm and x=5.0 cm what is q.

……….……....……….
𝜃
l
x
m m
Figure 2-3: Two identical charges suspended by silk thread
Solution
Equating Coulomb’s force of repulsion to component of weight (mg sin 𝜃) of the ball
along the thread.
𝑞2
= 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝜃
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥 2
𝑥⁄
for sin 𝜃 = 2
𝑙

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1⁄
𝑞2 𝑚𝑔𝑥 𝑞2𝑙 3
= ⇒ 𝑥 = ( )
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑥 2 2𝑙 2𝜋𝜀0 𝑚𝑔

For l= 120 cm = 1.2 m, m=10 gm= 10 x 10-3Kg, x=0.5 cm= 0.5 x 10-2 m

2𝜋𝜀0 𝑚𝑔𝑥 3
𝑞=√ = 75.32 𝑛𝐶
𝑙

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Find Coulomb’s force of attraction between an electron and a

proton in hydrogen atom. Also find the gravitational force of attraction between them
(using Newton’s Gravitational Law) and compare the two forces.

Solution
1 𝑒2
The electrostatic force of attraction can be expressed as 𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜀 = 8.19 × 10−8 𝑁.
0 𝑟2

Where e represents change on electron 1.6 × 10-19 C,

p is radius of orbit in which electron is revolving i.e. 5.3 × 10-11 m for hydrogen,
𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑝
The gravitational force of attraction Fg using Newton’s law 𝐹𝑔 = 𝐺 = 3.69 ×
𝑟2
10−47 𝑁.
2
Where 𝐺 = 6.672 × 10−11 N − 𝑚 ⁄𝑘𝑔2

me represents mass of electron = 9.11 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔

mp represents the mass of proton =1.67 × 10−27 𝑘𝑔
The electric force is 2.21 × 1039 times stronger than the gravitational force.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM: A 2 mC positive charge is located in a vacuum at P1 (3, -2, -4) and
a 5 nC negative charge is at P2 (1, -4, 2).
(a) Find the vector force on negative charge
(b) what is the magnitude of the force on positive charge at P1.
(c)
Solution
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑷 −𝑷
(a)Using Coulomb’s law F2.1 = [|𝑷 2−𝑷 1|3 ]
4𝜋𝜀0 2 1

Where, 𝜋= 3.14, 𝜀0 = 8.85 x 10-12, Q1=2x10-3 C and Q2=-5x10-6 C,

P2 – P1 = (1-3) ax + (-4+2) ay + (2+4) az = -2ax – 2ay+ 6az and |P2 – P1|=6.633
(2×10−3 )(−5×10−6 ) (−2𝐚x – 2𝐚y + 6𝐚z )
We get, F2.1= 4×3.14×8.5×10−12 [ ]=0.616ax +0.616ay -1.848az N
(6.633)3

(b)Magnitude of force on charge at P1 F1.2= -F2.1,|F1.2|=(0.379 +0.379 +3.415)1/2=2.042

N

LEARNING ACTIVITY:
1. Point charges 1 mC and - 2 mC are located at (3, 2, -1) and (—1, —1,4),
respectively. Calculate the electric force on a 10-nC charge located at (0, 3, 1).
2. Point charges 5 nC and —2 nC are located at (2,0, 4) and (-3,0, 5), respectively.
(a) Determine the force on a 1-nC point charge located at (1, —3, 7).
3. Four 10nC positive charges are located in the z = 0 plane at the corners of a
square 8cm on a side. A fifth 10nC positive charge is located at a point 8cm
distant from the other charges. Calculate the magnitude of the total force on
this fifth charge for 𝜀0 = 𝜀.

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LESSON 2: ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY

Let us have a charge +Q coulombs placed rigidly at the origin of the Cartesian coordinate
system. Now, when another tiny point charge (+q t) is brought at point P(x,y,z) in the
close neighborhood of +Q (refer Fig. 2-4), then this test charge will experience a force
which can be expressed by Coulomb’s law as:

Writing as force per unit of charge gives,

The quantity on the right side is a function of Q1 and the directed line segment form
Q1 to the position of the test charge. This describes a vector field and its called the
eletric field intensity.
The definition therfore of eletic field intensity is a vecor force per unit of charge.
Electric field intensity must be measured by the unit newtons per coulomb- the force
per unit charge. Using capital E for electric field intensity, finally

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Calculate E at M(3,-4,2) in free space caused by:

(a) a charge Q1 = 2 µC at P1(0,0,0),
(b) a charge Q2 = 3 µC at P2(-1,2,3);
(c) a charge Q3 = 2 µC at P1(0,0,0) and Q2 = 3 µC at P2(-1,2,3).

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Solution
(a)E at M = (3,-4,2) due to Q1 = 2 µC at P1(0,0,0)
𝑄1 𝑹𝑀𝑃 2×10−6 −3𝐚x + 4𝐚y − 2𝐚z
E1= = 4×3.14×8.5×10−12 =345.6ax -460.8ay +230.4az V/m
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑹𝑀𝑃 |3 (29)3/2

(b)E2 at M(3,-4,2)due to Q2 at P2(-1,2,3)

𝑄2 𝑹𝑀𝑃2 3×10−6 −4𝐚x + 6𝐚y ∓𝐚z
E2 = = 3 = -279.79ax +419.6ay +69.9az
4𝜋𝜀0 |𝑹𝑀𝑃 |3 4×3.14×8.5×10−12 (53) ⁄2

(c)The simultaneous effect of Q1 and Q2 is E=E1+E2.

1 𝑄1 𝑄1
E=4𝜋𝜀 [|𝑹 3
𝑹𝑀𝑃1 + |𝑹 3
𝑹𝑀𝑃2 ]= -625.3ax +880.4ay -160.5az V/m
0 𝑀𝑃1 | 𝑀𝑃1 |

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Find E at P(1, 1, 1) caused by the four identical 3-nC charges at
P1(1,1,0), P2 (-1,1,0), P3(-1, -1,0) and P4(1,-1, 0).

LEARNING ACTIVITY:
1. A charge of -0.3 µC is located at A( 25,-30,15) ( in cm), and a second charge
of 0.5µC is at B(-10, 8, 12) cm. Find E at: (a) origin (b) P( 15, 20, 50) cm.
2. Point charges of 120 nC are located at A(0, 0, 1) and B(0, 0, −1) in free space.
(a) Find E at P(0.5, 0,0) (b) What single charge at the origin would provide
identical filed strength?

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LESSON 3: ELECTRIC FIELDS DUE TO CONTINUOUS CHARGE

DISTRIBUTIONS
So far we have only considered forces and electric fields due to point charges,
which are essentially charges occupying very small physical space. It is also possible to
have continuous charge distribution along a line, on a surface, or in a volume. It is
customary to denote the line charge density, surface charge density, and volume charge
density by ρL (in C/m), ρs (in C/m2 ), and ρv (in C/m3 ), respectively. These must not
be confused with ρ (without subscript) used for radial distance in cylindrical coordinates.
The charge element dQ and the total charge Q due to these charge distributions.

𝒅𝑸 = 𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍 → 𝑸 = ∫𝑳 𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍 (line charge)

𝒅𝑸 = 𝝆𝑺 𝒅𝑺 → 𝑸 = ∫𝑺 𝝆𝑺 𝒅𝑺 (surface charge)

𝒅𝑸 = 𝝆𝒗 𝒅𝒗 → 𝑸 = ∫𝒗 𝝆𝒗 𝒅𝒗 (volume charge)

The electric field intensity due to each of the charge distributions ρL, ρs , and
ρv may be regarded as the summation of the field contributed by the numerous point
charges making up the charge distribution.
𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
𝝆𝒔 𝒅𝑺
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
𝝆𝒗 𝒅𝒗
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
It should be noted that R2 and aR vary as the integrals are evaluated.

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Find the total charge inside of the volume indicated
(a) ρ𝑣 = 10 z 2 ρ−0.1𝑥 sin 𝑦 𝜋, for -1≤ 𝑥 ≤2, 0≤ 𝑦 ≤1, 3≤ 𝑧 ≤3.6,
(b) ρ𝑣 = 4𝑥𝑦z 2 for 0≤ ρ ≤2, 0≤ ϕ ≤ 𝜋/2, 0≤ z ≤3,
3𝜋cos2 𝜃cos2 ϕ
(c) ρ𝑣 = [2𝑟 2 (𝑟 2 +1)]
; universe

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Solution

Q = ∫𝑣𝑜𝑙 ρ𝑣 . 𝑑𝑣
(a) For volume element in Cartesian co-ordinate system.
2 3.6
2 1 3.6 𝑒 −0.1𝑥 −cos 𝜋𝑦 1 10𝑧 3
ρ𝑣 = ∫𝑥=1 𝑒 −0.1𝑥 𝑑𝑥 ∫𝑦=0 sin 𝜋𝑦𝑑𝑦 ∫𝑧=0 10𝑧 2 𝑑𝑧 = [ ] [ ] [ ]
−0.1 𝑥=−1 𝜋 𝑦=0 3 𝑧=3
=199.5C
(b) In cylindrical coordinate system dv =ρ dρ.dϕ dz and ρ𝑣 = 4𝑥𝑦𝑧 2 =
4ρ cos ϕ ρ sin ϕ. 𝑧 2
2 𝜋⁄
2 𝜋⁄ ρ4 − cos 2ϕ 2 z3 3
𝑄= 2 ∫0 ρ3 𝑑ρ ∫0 2 sin 2ϕdϕ = 2[ ] [ ] [ ] =72C
4 0 2 0 3 0
3𝜋𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠2 ϕ
(c) In spherical coordinates dv = r 2 sin 𝜃dr d𝜃dϕ and ρ𝑣 = 2𝑟 2 (𝑟 2 +1)

∞ 𝜋
3𝜋𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ϕ 2 3𝜋 1
𝑄=∭ 𝑟 sin 𝜃𝑑𝑟𝑑𝜃𝑑ϕ = ∫ 𝑑𝑟 ∫ sin 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑑𝜃 ∫ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ϕ𝑑ϕ
2𝑟 2 (𝑟 2 + 1) 2 (𝑟 2 + 1)
𝑟𝜃ϕ r=0 𝜃 ϕ

3𝜋 𝜋 2𝜋 𝜋3
𝑄 = ( 2 ) (2 ) ( 3 ) = = 15.479C
2

1 𝜋 x 2 2𝑥 1 1 2x
{∫ 𝑟 2 +1 𝑑𝑟 = Tan−1 (r) = − 2 , ∫𝜃 sin 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃𝑑𝜃 = 3 , ∫0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 ϕ𝑑ϕ = [2 ϕ + 4 sin2ϕ] =
0

3.14}

SAMPLE PROBLEM: What is the total charge contained in a 2-cm length of the electron beam
shown in the figure;

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LEARNING ACTIVITY: Let ρv =(x+2y+3z) C/m3 in the cubical region 0≤x,y,z,≤1 mm. And
ρv = 0 outside the cube.

(a) What is the total charge contained with in the cube?

(b) Setup the volume integral that will give E(x,0,0) for x>1mm. Do not
integrate.

LESSON 4: A LINE CHARGE

Consider a line charge with uniform charge density ρL extending from A to B along the
z-axis as shown in Figure below. The charge element dQ associated with element dl = dz of the
line is

𝒅𝑸 = 𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍 = 𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒛

Figure: Evaluation of the E field due to a line

charge
and hence the total charge Q is

𝑸 = ∫ 𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒛

The electric field intensity E at an arbitrary point P(x, y, z) can be found in

𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍
𝑬=∫ 𝒂𝑹 .
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐

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. It is important that we learn to derive and substitute each term in

𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
𝝆𝒔 𝒅𝑺
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
𝝆𝒗 𝒅𝒗
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
for a given charge distribution. It is customary to denote the field point4 by (x, y, z) and the
source point by (x', y', z'). Thus from figure above

Substituting all this into equation

𝝆𝑳 𝒅𝒍
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
We get

To evaluate this, it is convenient that we define α, α1, and α2 as in above figure.

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Hence

Becomes

As a special case, for an infinite line charge, point B is at (0,0,∞) and at A ( 0,0,-∞) so
that α = π/2, α2= -π the z- component vanishes and above equation becomes
𝜌𝐿
𝐸= 𝑎
2𝜋𝜀0 𝜌 𝜌
Bear in mind that the above equation is obtain for an infinite line charge along z- axis
so that ρ and aρ have their usual meaning. If the line is not along z-axis, ρ is the
perpendicular distance from the line to point of interest and a ρ is a unit vector along
that distance directed from the line charge to the field point.

SAMPLE PROBLEM: An infinitely long, uniform line charge is located at y=3, z=5. It
+ρ𝑖 = 30 nC/m, find E at
(a) Origin,

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(b) PB(0,6,1) and

(c) PC(5,6,1)

Solution
E due to line charge passing through y1=3 and z1=5 and all x can be expressed as
ρ (𝑦−𝑦1) 𝐚y +(z−𝑧1 )𝐚z (𝑦−3)𝐚y +(z−5)𝐚z
𝑬 = 2𝜋𝜀𝑖 [ 2 ]=593.78[ ] V/m
0 (𝑦−𝑦1) +(z−𝑧1 )2 (𝑦−3)2 +(z−5)2

(a) At origin (x=0, y=0, z=0), E = -47.6𝐚y -79.3𝐚z V/m

(b) At PB(x=0, y=6, z=1), E = 64.7𝐚y -86.3𝐚z V/m
(c) At PC(x=5, y=6, z=1), E = 64.7𝐚y -86.3𝐚z V/m

(Note: Field is independent of x-coordinate hence remained same for (b) and (c)
parts.)
SAMPLE PROBLEM: Four infinite uniform sheets of charge are located as follow; 20
pC/m2 at y=7, -8 pC/m2 at y=3, 6 pC/m2 at y=-1 and -18 pC/m2 at y=-4, Find E at the
point
(a) PA (2, 6, -4),
(b) PB (0, 0, 0),
(c) PC (-1, -1.1, 5) and
(d) PD (106, 106, 106)

Solution

ρ𝑠4 = −18𝑝𝐶/𝑚2 ρ𝑠3 = 6𝑝𝐶/𝑚2 ρ𝑠2 = −8𝑝𝐶/𝑚2 ρ𝑠1 = +20𝑝𝐶/𝑚2

−𝐚y (0,0) +𝐚y

y =-4 y =-1 y =3 y =7

Fig.2-17: Directions for field due to four surfaces charges

As the infinite sheets are placed in y=constant planes i.e. in X-Z planes, the electric
field will be independent of x and z co-ordinates. Hence, for simplicity of discussion let

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us arbitrarily choose x=0 and z=0. Now considering the y-co-ordinate of given point. Let
us account for the direction of field i.e. either +ay or –ay (Fig.2-17) for respectiveρ𝑠 .
The resultant field will be vectors sum.
1
(a) 𝑬𝐴 = 2𝜀 [|ρ𝑠1 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠2 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠3 |(𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠4 |(−𝐚y )]
0

10−12
𝑬𝐴 = 2×8.85×10−12 [−20𝐚y − 8𝐚y + 6𝐚y − 18𝐚y ]=-0.25𝐚y V/m
1
(b)𝑬𝐵 = 2𝜀 [|ρ𝑠1 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠2 |𝐚y + |ρ𝑠3 |𝐚y + |ρ𝑠4 |(−𝐚y )]=
0

10−12 −24𝐚y
𝑬𝐵 = [−20𝐚y + 8𝐚y + 6𝐚y − 18𝐚y ] = = −1.335𝐚y V/m
2×8.85×10−12 2×8.85
1
(c) 𝑬𝑐 = 2𝜀 [|ρ𝑠1 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠2 |(+𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠3 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠4 |(−𝐚y )]=
0

10−12 −36𝐚y
𝑬𝑐 = 2×8.85×10−12 [−20𝐚y + 8𝐚y + 6𝐚y − 18𝐚y ] = 2×8.85 = −2.03𝐚y V/m
1
(e) 𝑬𝐷 = 2𝜀 [|ρ𝑠1 |(+𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠2 |(−𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠3 |(+𝐚y ) + |ρ𝑠4 |(+𝐚y )]
0

10−12
𝑬𝐷 = 2×8.85×10−12 [20𝐚y − 8𝐚y + 6𝐚y − 18𝐚y ] = 0

LEARNING ACTIVITY: Infinite uniform line charges of 5 nC lie along the (positive and
negative) x and y axes in free space. Find E at: (a) PA(0, 0, 4) (b) PB(0, 3, 4)

LESSON 5: A SURFACE CHARGE

Consider an infinite sheet of charge in the xy-plane with uniform charge density ρs. The
charge associated with an elemental area dS is
𝒅𝑸 = 𝝆𝒔 𝒅𝑺
Hence the total charge is

𝑸 = ∫ 𝝆𝑺 𝒅𝑺

From equation

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𝝆𝒔 𝒅𝑺
𝑬=∫ 𝒂
𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝑹𝟐 𝑹
the contribution to the E field at point P(0, 0, h) by the elemental surface 1 in figure
below is
𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐸 = 𝑎
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅2 𝑅

From the figure

Substitution of these terms into

𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐸 = 𝑎𝑅 , gives
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 2

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that is, E has only z- component if the charge is in the xy-plane. In general, for an
infinite sheet of charge
𝜌𝑠
𝐸= 𝑎
2𝜀0 𝑛
Where an is a unit vector normal to the sheet. Notice that the electric field is normal
to the sheet an it is surprisingly independent of the distance between the sheet and the
point of observation P. in a parallel plate capacitor, the electric field existing between
the two plates having equal and opposite charges is given by

SAMPLE PROBLEM: A sheet of charge, 𝜌𝑥 = 2 nC/m2 is present at the plane x=3 in free
space and a line 𝜌𝐿 = 20 nC/m is located at x=1, z=4
(a) Find the magnitude of the field intensity at origin
(b) Find the direction of E at P(4,5,6) and
(c) What is the force per meter length on the line change

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Solution
−𝑝𝑠
(a) Electric field due to sheet at origin is 𝐄1 = 𝒂𝑥 = −112. 99𝒂𝑥
2𝜀0
For field due to line charge passing through (1,0,4)°(x,y,z) at point (0,0,0)°(x,y,z)
𝜌1 (𝑥 − 𝑥1 )𝒂𝑥 + (𝑧 − 𝑧1 )𝒂𝑧
𝐄2 = = −21.16𝒂𝑥 − 84.67𝒂𝑧
2𝜋𝜀0 [(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑧 − 𝑧1 )2 ]
V
𝐄 = 𝐄𝟏 + 𝐄2 = −134.15𝒂𝑧 and |𝐄| = 158.63 m
(b) To find E at P(4,5,6) 𝐄1 due to charge sheet 𝜌𝑠 is
−𝜌𝑠 𝒂𝑥 20x10−9 (4 − 1)𝒂𝑥 + (6 − 4)𝒂𝑧
𝐄1 = = −112.99𝒂𝑥 , 𝐄2 = [ ] = 83.04𝒂𝑥 + 55.6𝑎𝑧
2𝜀0 2𝜋𝜀0 (9 + 4)
E
𝐄 = 𝐄1 + 𝐄2 = 196.03𝒂𝑥 + 55.36𝒂𝑧 , 𝐚𝐸 = = 0.962𝒂𝑥 + 0.271𝒂𝑧
|E|
(c) Force per unit length on line charge
F= [Electric field due to 𝜌𝑠 ] x [charge in unit length of 𝜌𝐿 ]
−𝜌𝑠 −2x10−9
𝐄=[ 𝒂𝑥 ] 𝜌𝐿 = x20x10−9 𝒂𝑥 = −2.25𝒂𝑥 𝜇𝑁/𝑚
2𝜀0 2x8.85x1012

SAMPLE PROBLEM: Find E at P(1,5,20) in free space if a point charge of 6nC is

location Q(0,0,1) a uniform line charge of 180 nC/m lies along the x-axis , and
a uniform sheet of charge equal to 25 nC/m2 lies in the plane z=-1.
Solution
Field 𝐄1 due to point charge Q(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) at point (x,y,z) is
1 𝑄[(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )𝒂𝑥 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )𝒂𝑦 + (𝑧 − 𝑧1 )𝒂𝑧 ]
𝐄1 =
4𝜋𝜀0 [(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )2 + (𝑦 − 𝑦1 )2 + (𝑧 − 𝑧1 )2 ]3/2
= 384.54𝒂𝑥 + 1922.74𝒂𝑦 + 384.54𝒂𝑧 V/m
for (x,y,z) = (1,5,2) and (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 )=(0,0,1)
Field 𝐄2 due to line charge 𝜌𝐿 passing through the point (𝑦1 , 𝑧1 ) at space point (x,y,z)
placed along x-axis
𝜌 (𝑦−𝑦1 )𝒂𝑦 +(𝑧−𝑧1 )𝒂𝑧
𝐄2 = 2𝜋𝜀1 [(𝑦−𝑦1 )2 +(𝑧−𝑧1 )2 ]
= 622.5𝒂𝑦 = 124.5𝒂𝑧 for 𝑦 = 5, 𝑧 = 2, 𝑦1 = 0, 𝑧1 = 1
0

The electric field intensity 𝐄3 due to a charge sheet for 𝜌3 = 25 nC/m2 lying in the
plane z=-1 at point P(1,5,2);

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𝜌
𝐄1 = 2𝜀𝑠 𝒂𝑧 = 1412.42𝒂𝑧 V/m
0

The resultant electric field E

𝐄 = 𝐄1 + 𝐄2 + 𝐄3 = 384.54𝒂𝑥 + 2545.24𝒂𝑦 + 1921.46𝒂𝑧

LEARNING ACTIVITY:
1. Three infinite uniform sheets of charge are located in free space as follows: 3
nC/m2 at z = -4, 6 nC/Cm2 at z = 1, and -8 nC/m2 at z = 4. Find E at the point:
(a) PA (2.-5.-5); (c) PB (4, 2, -3); (c) PC (-1, -5,2); (d) PD ( -2,4,5)
2. Surface charge density is positioned in free space as follows: 20 nC/m 2 at x = -
3, -30 nC/m2 at y = 4, and 40 nC/m2 at z = 2. Find the magnitude of E at: (a)
PA( 4, 3,-2); PB (-2, 5,-1); (c) PC(0, 0, 0)

SUMMATIVE TEST
1. Point charges Q1 = 5 µC and Q2 = - 4 µC are placed at (3, 2, 1) and (-4, 0, 6),
respectively. Determine the force on Q1.

2. Five identical 15-µC point charges are located at the center and corners of a
square defined by - 1 < x, y < 1, z = 0.
(a) Find the force on the 10-µC point charge at (0, 0, 2).
(b) Calculate the electric field intensity at (0, 0, 2).

3. Point charges Q1 and Q2 are, respectively, located at (4,0, -3) and (2,0, 1). If Q2
= 4 nC, find Q1 such that-
(a) The E at (5, 0, 6) has no z-component
(b) The force on a test charge at (5, 0, 6) has no x-component.

4. Charges + Q and + 3Q are separated by a distance 2 m. A third charge is located

such that the electrostatic system is in equilibrium. Find the location and the
value of the third charge in terms of Q.

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5. Determine the total charge

(a) On line 0 < x < 5 m if ρL = 12x2 mC/m
(b) On the cylinder ρ = 3, 0 < z < 4 m if ρs = ρz 2 nC/m2
10
(c) Within the sphere r = 4 m if 𝜌𝑣 = 𝐶/𝑚3
𝑟 sin 𝜃

6. A point charge 100 pC is located at (4,1,— 3) while the x-axis carries charge 2
nC/m. If the plane z = 3 also carries charge 5 nC/m2 , find E at (1, 1, 1).

7. Line x = 3, z = — 1 carries charge 20 nC/m while plane x = —2 carries charge 4

nC/m2. Find the force on a point charge - 5 mC located at the origin.
8. A uniform line charge density of 5 nC/m is at y = 0, z = 2m in free space, while
-5 nC/m is located at y= 0, z = -2m. A uniform surface charge density of 0.3
nC/m2 is at y = -0.2m. Find /E/ at the origin.

Module Summary:
1. The two fundamental laws for electrostatic fields (Coulomb's and Gauss's) are
presented in this chapter. Coulomb's law of force states that
𝑄1 𝑄2
𝐹= 𝑎
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 2 𝑅
2. Based on Coulomb's law, we define the electric field intensity E as the force per
unit charge; that is,
𝑄1 𝑄2 𝑄𝑅
𝐹= 2
𝑎𝑅 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 4𝜋𝜀𝑅 3
3. For a continuous charge distribution, the total charge is given by
𝑄 = ∫ 𝜌𝐿 𝑑𝑙 for line charge
𝑄 = ∫ 𝜌𝐿 𝑑𝑙 for surface charge
The E field due to a continuous charge distribution is obtained from the
formula for point charge by replacing Q with dQ = ρL dl, dQ = ρs dS or dQ = ρv
dv and integrating over the line, surface, or volume respectively
4. For the infinite line charge
𝜌𝐿
𝐸= 𝑎
2𝜋𝜀0 𝜌 𝜌

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And for an infinite sheet of charge,

𝜌𝑠
𝐸= 𝑎
2𝜀0 𝑛

24