ELECTROSTATICS

Definition of Electrostatics
Electrostatics is the study of charges at rest. It is electricity that does not move from one point to another in the
substance in which it is produced.
Types of Charges
Positive charge
A body becomes positively charged if it losses electron. This can be obtained in the Laboratory if glass rod is rubbed
with silk and there is a net transfer of surface electrons from glass to the silk. The glass becomes positively charged
and the silk becomes negatively charged.
Negative charge
A body is negatively charged if it gains electron. This is obtained by rubbing ebonite rod with fur and there is a transfer
of electrons from the atoms of fur to the ebonite rod. The fur becomes positively charged.
The positively charged protons deep in the nucleus are not free to be transferred. Hence bodies do not become
electrically charged by transfer of protons. They become charged by transfer of electrons

The Law of Electrostatics

Like or similar charges repel each other; unlike or opposite charges attract each other.

GOLD LEAF ELECTROSCOPE

An electroscope is an instrument used for the detection and testing of small electric charges. It consists of a flat brass
disc or cap, a brass rod with a gold leaf. The metal case is made draught-proof and connected to the earth to prevent
accumulation of charges due to external influence.

Uses of the Gold Leaf Electroscope

To detect charges: If a charged body is placed on the cap of a charged electroscope an increase in divergence or
collapse of the leaf shows the body is charged. If there is no change in the divergence, it means the body is not
charged.
To determine the nature of charge on the body: If a charged body is placed on a charged electroscope, increase in
divergence means the charge on the electroscope and the body are the same. If there is collapse of the leaf, it means
they have opposite charge or the body is uncharged.
To determine the conducting properties of a body: If a good conductor is placed on the cap of an electroscope, the
leaf collapses immediately. If it is a semi-conductor, it collapses gradually and if an insulator, there is no alteration of
the leaf

Ways of Producing Charges

1. Electrostatic Induction:
Electrostatic induction is the act of charging a neutral body by placing a charged body near it without any contact
between the two.
STEP 1: A negatively charged body is brought near the uncharged body, free electrons from the metal sphere are
repelled by the excess electrons on the rod. They shift towards the right. They cannot escape from the sphere
because the stand and the surrounding air are insulated.
STEP 2: These excess charges called induced charges are released to the earth by touching the right part of the sphere
with a wire and the other part of the wire to the earth.
STEP 3: The wire is disconnected.
STEP 4: The negatively charged rod is removed. A net positive charge is left on the rod.

2. Friction:
Charges can also be produced by friction. By rubbing as in ebonite and fur, glass rod and silk, charges are transferred
from one by either of the two bodies involved. Equal and opposite charges are produced by friction.
Effects of Charging by Friction
Passengers stepping out of cars and buses complain of a slight electric shock as soon as their feet touch the ground.
This is because friction between the air and the body of the fast moving car makes the body of the vehicle to be
charged. A chain is often left hanging from the rear of a petrol tanker to discharge the charges acquired on the body
during movement as this may cause a spark when inflammable vapour is present.
3. Contact: This is done by bringing a charged body in contact with an uncharged body. Charges are transferred from
the charged body to the uncharged body.

Charge Distribution in a Conductor

Charges are usually concentrated at places where the surface is sharply curved. The charge density is highest at the
sharpest point of the conductor. Because of this high charge density, air molecule close to this point get ionized ( i.e
broken down into positive and negative ions). Those with charge opposite to the conductor will be attracted to the
conductor. Those with charge opposite to that of the conductor will be repelled. As these ions move, they collide with
other molecules and knock off electron from them thereby ionizing those molecules. This process could continue
leading to a geometrical increase in the number of ions around the conductor.
For a hollow conductor, charges reside only on its outside surface, no charges reside inside the conductor.

LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS
Lightning conductors are used to prevent tall buildings from being damaged when being struck by lightning. They
are made from a copper with a sharp point edge or spike at the top. It helps to conduct the charges generated
harmlessly to the earth. When electrical charges in thunderclouds build up, attraction between unlike charges
within a cloud increases steadily until a heavy spark and sound is produced as the charges approach one
another. This spark is observed as lightning and the sound is thunder. The heat generated can set a building or
tree on fire.
The charge on the cloud induces electrical charges on the lightening conductor. This buildup at the sharp edge
and cause ionization of air molecule around it. Some of the charge avalanche result from the ionization of air
around the lightening conductor travels toward the cloud and help to neutralize some of the charge on the cloud

thereby reducing the possibility of a lightening

Electrophorus
Electrophorus is used for storing and transferring electric charges. It consists of a metal disc fitted with an
insulating handle and another flat disc made of insulating material such as ebonite

TOPIC: FIELD - CONCEPT AND TYPES OF FIELD. GRAVITATIONAL AND MAGNETIC FIELD. FORCE OF GRAVITY
CONTENT
 Concept of Field
 Types of Field
 Gravitational Field

Concept of Field
Field can be defined as the region or space under the influence of some physical agency such as gravitational,
electricity and magnetism.
Types of Field
Fields are of various types namely: gravitational, magnetic and electric field.
1. Gravitational Field: Gravitational field is any region or space around a mass in which the gravitational force of
the mass is felt. If we throw up massive objects, it is our common observation that they move up to their highest
points, stay stationary very briefly and eventually move downwards, falling faster and faster until they hit the
ground level. The up and down movements objects on the earth’s surface are subject to the influence of the
gravitational field.
Force of Gravity: The force of gravity is the pull of attraction between the earth, itself and objects on or near it.
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation: Newton’s law of gravitation states that the force of attraction between
two bodies of mass m1 and m2 is inversely proportional to the square of their distance r, between their centers
and it is directly proportional to the product of their mass.

Mathematical expression
m1 m2
F∝ 2
r
Gm1 m2
F= 2
r
Where F is the gravitational force on either particle, m1 ¿ m2 are their masses, r is the distance between them,
and G is a universal gravitational constant, whose numerical value depends on the units in which the force, mass,
and length are expressed.
Acceleration Due to Gravity
The acceleration of objects due to the earth’s gravitational attraction is called the acceleration due to gravity. It is
represented by the symbol g whose average value is about9.81 m s−1Without air resistance, different mass or
objects released from rest at the same point will fall to the ground at the same time (free fall)

2. Magnetic Field
The region or space around a magnet in which the influence of the magnet can be felt or detected is called a
magnetic field. If a white sheet of paper is placed over a magnet and iron fillings are sprinkled on the paper, it
will be observed that the iron filings will arrange themselves in a definite pattern which illustrates the magnetic
lines of force of the magnet. A similar pattern can be obtained by using the compass needle to plot the magnetic
lines of force.

draw this from the text book, Page 71, fig. 6.5

Magnetic Lines of Force Round a Bar Magnet

Lines of Force
A line of force is an imaginary line drawn in such a way that its direction at any point, that is the direction of the
tangent, is the same as the direction of the field at that point.

TOPIC: ELECTRIC FIELD

Electric field is defined as any region where a charge experiences a force of electrical origin. There are two types
of charges namely : positive and negative charges.
Electric Line of Force: An electric field has been defined as a region where an electric force is experienced.
Electric fields can be mapped out by electrostatic lines of force. An electrostatic line of force may be defined as a
line whose tangent is in the direction of the force on small positive charge at that point. Arrows on the lines of
force show the direction of the force on a positive charge. The force on a negative charge is in the opposite
direction. Since the direction of a field varies from point to point, lines of force are usually curves.

Draw the Electric line of force page 385, fig.3.4

Draw the Electric fields from page 75, fig.7.2

Properties of Lines of Force

1. Lines of force never intersect.
2. Lines of force are usually curves, as the direction of a field varies from point to point.
3. In a uniform field, the lines of force are straight, parallel and uniformly spaced.
4. No lines of force originate or terminate in the space surrounding a charge.
5. Every lines of force in an electrostatic field is a continuous line terminated by a positive charge at one end
and a negative charge at the other end.
Coloumb’s Law states that the force experience by two charges Q1Q2 separated by a distance r is directly
proportional to their product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of their distance apart. It
is also known as inverse square law.

q 1 q2
F∝ 2
r

k q1 q 2
F= 2
r

Electric Field Intensity (E)

The strength of an Electric Field or Electric Field Intensity, E, It is simply the force per unit charge (q). It is a vector
quantity and measured in Newton per Coulomb (N C−1)

F
E=
q

Electric Field Potential (V)

It is the work done in moving a unit positive charge from its point of infinity to a point in the field. It can also be
defined as work done per unit charge, it is a scalar quantity and measured in joules per coulomb or volt.

W
V=
q

Flux Density D
It is denoted by D. It is simply charge per unit area. It is measured in Cm -2 or C/m²

q
D=
A

TOPIC: PRODUCTION OF CONTINUOUS ELECTRIC CURRENT

CONTENT
Production of Continuous Current From Mechanical Energy.
Production of Continuous Current From Chemical Energy
Production of Continuous Current From Heat Energy
Production of Continuous Current from Solar Energy.

Production of continuous energy from mechanical energy

When a force is applied at a prime mover, the prime mover drives the amature/ rotar. As the amature is rotating
in the magnetic field system, the amature cuts the magnetic flux produce by the magnet. Hence E.M.F will be
induced in the coil of the amature based on faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.
The induced E.M.F can be supplied to an external load.

Production of Continuous Current from Chemical Energy

A cell consist of two dissimilar metals separated by solution of various acids or salt. The metal are known as the
electrodes and the solutions are the electrolyte. The positive electrode is known as the anode. The negative
electrode is the cathode.
A cell is a device for converting chemical energy into electrical energy

Production of Continuous Current from Heat Energy

The ends of two dissimilar metal joined are inserted in cold and hot water and a galvanometer to detect the flow
of charges. Due to temperature difference at both end current will flow in the connection. The greater the
difference in temperature between the hot and cold junction, the greater the current flow.

Production of Continuous Current from Solar Energy: If solar energy is made to fall on a photo electric cell, solar
energy will be converted to electric energy directly by photo electric effect.