Storyline

Chapter 22:
Electric Fields

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 10e

Raymond A. Serway
John W. Jewett, Jr.
 Coulomb’s Law
Magnitude of electric force (Coulomb force) between two-point
charges, q1 and q2 given by Coulomb’s law

q1 q2
Fe = ke 2
r

1
ke =
4 0
Coulomb’s law: force, Fe exerted on q2 due to q1.
ke = 8.987 6  10 N  m /C
9 2 2

 0 = 8.854 2  10−12 C2 /N  m 2
e = 1.60218  10−19 C
 Coulomb’s Law in Vector Form
• Coulomb’s law in vector form for electric force on charge q2 due to charge
q1:
➢ r12 = unit vector directed from q1 toward q2
• Electric force obeys Newton’s third law →
➢ Electric force on q1 due to q2 = in magnitude to force on q2 due to q1
and in opposite direction, i.e., F21 = −F12

q1q2
F12 = ke 2 rˆ12
r

Coulomb’s law: force exerted by q1 on q2.

 Coulomb’s Law in Vector Form
• If q1 and q2 have same sign (figure (a)), the product q1q2 is positive and
the electric force on one particle directed away from the other particle.
• If q1 and q2 have opposite sign (figure (b)), the product q1q2 is negative
and electric force on one particle directed toward the other particle.
• Signs that describe relative direction of force are as follows:
• Negative product → attractive force
• Positive product → repulsive force
• The Absolute direction of force on charge depends on location of other
charge.
 Coulomb’s Law in Vector Form
Example: if ‘x’ axis lies along two charges (figure (a)):
• Product of q1 and q2 is positive
• F12 points in positive x direction
• F21 points in negative x direction

Example: When more than two charges are present, the force between any
pair is given by superposition principle:

For example, if four charges are present, the resultant force exerted by
particles 2, 3, and 4 on particle 1 is equal to the vector sum of forces
exerted by other individual charges:

F 1 = F21 + F31 + F41

 Charges and Masses of Electrons,
Protons, and Neutrons

• 1 C of charge  charge of 6.24  1018 electrons or protons

• Very small when compared with number of free electrons in 1 cm3 of copper:
•  1023
 Quick Quiz 22.3
Object A has a charge of +2 C, and object B has a
charge of +6  C. Which statement is true about the
electric forces on the objects?
(a) FAB = −3FBA
(b) FAB = −FBA
(c) 3FAB = −FBA
(d) FAB = 3FBA
(e) FAB = FBA
(f) 3FAB = FBA
 Example 22.1:
The Hydrogen Atom
 Example 22.1:
The Hydrogen Atom
(1.60 10 C)
−19 2
e −e = ( 8.988  10 N  m /C
Fe = ke
9 2 2
)
( 5.3 10 m)
−11 2
2
r
= 8.2  10−8 N

me m p
Fg = G
r2
= ( 6.674  10−11 N  m 2 /kg 2 )
( 9.11  10 −31
kg )(1.67  10 −27
kg )

( 5.3 10 m)
−11 2

= 3.6  10−47 N
Fe 8.2  10−8 N
=  2  10 39

Fg 3.6  10−47 N
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force

• Because charge q3 is near two other charges, it

will experience two electric forces. These
forces are exerted in different directions as
shown in the figure 22.8.

• The force 𝑭𝟏𝟑 exerted on q3 due to q1 is repulsive because both charges

are positive. The repulsive force 𝐹Ԧ13 makes an angle of 45.00 with the x
axis. The magnitudes of the forces 𝐹Ԧ13 and 𝐹Ԧ23 are determined using the
absolute magnitudes of the charges for 𝐹Ԧ13 (force on q3 due to q1) and for
𝐹Ԧ23 (force on q due to q ) in Equation 22.1.
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force

F23 = ke
q2 q3
= ( 8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2 )
( 2.00 10 −6
C )( 5.00  10−6 C )
= 8.99 N
( 0.100 m )
2 2
a

F13 = ke
q1 q3
= ( 8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2 )
( 5.00 10 −6
C )( 5.00  10−6 C )
= 11.2 N
( ) 2 ( 0.100 m )
2 2
2a

F13 x = (11.2 N ) cos 45.0 = 7.94 N

F13 y = (11.2 N ) sin 45.0 = 7.94 N

F3 x = F13 x + F23 x = 7.94 N + ( −8.99 N ) = −1.04 N

F3 y = F13 y + F23 y = 7.94 N + 0 = 7.94 N

(
F3 = −1.04ˆi + 7.94ˆj N )
 Example 22.2:
Find the Resultant Force
What if the signs of all three charges were changed
to the opposite signs? How would that affect the
result for F3?

Answer: The charge q3 would still be

attracted toward q2 and repelled from q1
with forces of the same magnitude.
Therefore, the final result for F3 would
be the same.
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
Three point charges lie along the x axis as shown in the figure. The
positive charge q1 = 15.0 C is at x = 2.00 m, the positive charge q2 =
6.00 C is at the origin, and the net force acting on q3 is zero. What
is the x coordinate of q3?
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
• Because the net force on q3 is zero, we model the point charge as a particle in
equilibrium.
q2 q3 ˆ q1 q3 ˆ
 F3 = F23 + F13 = −ke i + k i=0
( 2.00 − x )
2 e 2
x
• Move the second term to the right side of the equation and set the coefficients of the unit
vector 𝑖Ƹ equal:
q2 q3 q1 q3
ke = ke
( 2.00 − x )
2 2
x

( 2.00 − x ) q2 = x 2 q1
2

( 2.00 − x ) q2 =  x q1

2.00 q2 2.00 6.00  10−6

x= x=
q2  q1 6.00  10−6 + 15.0  10−6
= 0.775 m
 Example 22.3:
Where Is the Net Force Zero?
Suppose q3 is constrained to move only along the x axis. From its initial
position at x = 0.775 m, it is pulled a small distance along the x axis. When
released, does it return to equilibrium, or is it pulled farther from
equilibrium? That is, is the equilibrium stable or unstable?

What if q3 is moved to the right, what would happen to F13 and F23 and the
resultant?

Answer:
• If q3 is moved to the right, F13 becomes larger and F23 becomes smaller.
The result is a net force to the right, in the same direction as the
displacement. Therefore, the charge q3 would continue to move to the
right and the equilibrium is unstable.
• If q3 is constrained to stay at a fixed x coordinate but allowed to move up
and down in the figure, the equilibrium is stable. In this case, if the
charge is pulled upward (or downward) and released, it moves back
toward the equilibrium position and oscillates about this point.
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
Two identical small charged spheres, each having a mass of 3.00  10−2 kg,
hang in equilibrium as shown in the figure. The length L of each string is
0.150 m, and the angle  is 5.00. Find the magnitude of the charge on each
sphere.
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
F x = T sin  − Fe = 0  T sin  = Fe
F y = T cos  − mg = 0  T cos  = mg
Fe
tan  =  Fe = mg tan 
mg
a
sin  =  a = L sin 
L
Fe ( 2a ) mg tan  ( 2 L sin  )
2 2 2
Fe r
q = = =
ke ke ke

( 3.00 10−2 kg )( 9.80 m/s 2 ) tan (5.00) 2 ( 0.150 m ) sin (5.00)
2

q = = 4.42  10−8 C
8.988  109 N  m 2 /C 2
 Example 22.4:
Find the Charge on the Spheres
Suppose your roommate proposes solving this problem without the
assumption that the charges are of equal magnitude. She claims the
symmetry of the problem is destroyed if the charges are not equal, so
the strings would make two different angles with the vertical and the
problem would be much more complicated. How would you respond?
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
Gravitational field, g, at point in space due to source particle =
gravitational force Fg acting on test particle of mass m0 divided by that
mass:
Fg
g
m0
Fg = mg

Fe
E
q0

Fe = q0 E
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
qq0 q
Fe = ke 2 rˆ E = Fe /q0 E = ke 2 rˆ
r r
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
Fg GM E
g= =− 2 r
m0 r Fg = mg
q
E = ke 2 rˆ
r
Fe = q0 E
qq0
Fe = ke 2 rˆ
r
q
E = ke  2 rˆ
r
 Analysis Model:
Particle in a Field (Electric)
 Example 22.5:
A Suspended Water Droplet
A water droplet of mass 3.00  10−12 kg is located in the air near the
ground during a stormy day. An atmospheric electric field of
magnitude 6.00  103 N/C points vertically downward in the vicinity
of the water droplet. The droplet remains suspended at rest in the air.
What is the electric charge on the droplet?
 Example 22.5:
A Suspended Water Droplet
• Write Newton’s second law from the particle in equilibrium model in the vertical
direction:

F y = 0 → Fe − Fg = 0 (1),

• Substitute for the forces in Equation (1), recognizing that the vertical component of the
electric field is negative: Re-write the Newton’s second law from the particle in
equilibrium model in the vertical direction:

 q ( − E ) − mg = 0
q = −mg /E
• Solve for the charge on the water droplet:

q=−
( 3.00  10 −12
kg )( 9.80 m/s 2 )
= −4.90  10−15 C
6.00  103 N/C
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
Charges q1 and q2 are located on the x axis, at distances
a and b, respectively, from the origin as shown in the
figure.

(A) Find the components of the net electric

field at the point P, which is at position
(0, y).
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
q1 q1
E1 = ke = ke
r1
2
a +y2 2

q1 q1
E1 = ke cos  ˆi + ke sin  ˆj
a +y
2 2
a +y 2 2

q2 q2
E 2 = ke cos  ˆi − ke sin  ˆj
b +y
2 2
b +y 2 2

q1 q2
E x = ke cos  + ke cos 
a +y
2 2
b +y
2 2

q1 q2
E y = ke sin  − ke sin 
a +y
2 2
b +y
2 2
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
(B) Evaluate the electric field at point P in the special
case that |q1| = |q2| and a = b.
q q q
E x = ke 2 cos  + ke 2 cos  = 2ke 2 cos 
a +y 2
a +y 2
a +y 2

q q
E y = ke 2 sin  − ke 2 sin  = 0
a +y 2
a +y 2

a a
cos  = =
r ( a 2 + y 2 )1/2
 
q  a  2aq
E x = 2ke 2 = ke
a + y  ( a2 + y2 ) 
2 1/2
(a + y )
2 2 3/2
 
 Example 22.6:
Electric Field Due to Two Charges
(C) Find the electric field due to the electric dipole when
point P is a distance y >> a from the origin.

2aq 2aq
E x = ke  E  ke 3
(a 2
+y )
2 3/2 y
Electric Field Lines

q
E = ke  2 rˆ
i r
Electric Field Lines
 Electric Field Lines

N 2 Q2
=
N1 Q1
Electric Field Lines
Electric Field Lines
 Quick Quiz 22.5
Rank the magnitudes of the electric field at points A, B, and C shown
in the figure (greatest magnitude first).
 Quick Quiz 22.5
Rank the magnitudes of the electric field at points A, B,
and C shown in the figure (greatest magnitude first).

A, B, C
Motion of a Charged Particle in a
Uniform Electric Field

 F = qE = ma
qE
a=
m
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models
A uniform electric field 𝐄 is directed along the
x axis between parallel plates of charge
separated by a distance d as shown in the figure.
A positive point charge q of mass m is released
from rest at a point ‘A’ next to the positive plate
and accelerates to a point ‘B’ next to the
negative plate.

(A) Find the speed of the particle at ‘B’ by

modeling it as a particle under constant
acceleration.
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models

• Use Equation 2.17 to express the velocity of the particle as a function of position:

v f 2 = v 2 + 2a ( x f − xi ) = 0 + 2a ( d − 0 ) = 2ad
• Solve for vf and substitute the acceleration from Equation 22.11:

 qE  2qEd
v f = 2ad = 2  d =
 m  m
 Example 22.7:
An Accelerating Positive Charge: Two Models
(B) Find the speed of the particle at B by modeling it as a non-
isolated system in terms of energy.
• Write the appropriate reduction of the conservation of energy equation

W = K
• Replace the work and kinetic energies with values appropriate for this situation:

1
Fe x = K B − K A = mv f 2 − 0
2
2 Fe x
 vf =
m
• Substitute for the magnitudes of the electric force Fe from the particle in a field model
and the displacement ∆x:

2 ( qE )( d ) 2qEd
vf = =
m m
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
An electron enters the region of a uniform electric field
as shown in the figure, with vi = 3.00  106 m/s and E =
200 N/C. The horizontal length of the plates is  =
0.100 m.
(A) Find the acceleration of
the electron while it is in the
electric field.
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
eE
ay = −
me

ay =−
(1.60  10 −19
C ) ( 200 N/C )
−31
9.11 10 kg
= −3.51 10 m/s
13 2
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
(B) Assuming the electron enters the field at time t = 0,
find the time at which it leaves the field.
x f − xi
x f = xi + vx t  t =
vx

−0 0.100 m
t= =
vx 3.00  106 m/s
−8
= 3.33  10 s
 Example 22.8:
An Accelerated Electron
(C) Assuming the vertical
position of the electron as
it enters the field is yi = 0,
what is its vertical position
when it leaves the field?

1 2
y f = yi + v yi t + a y t
2

y f = 0 + 0 + ( −3.51 10 m/s )( 3.33  10 s )

1 13 2 −8 2

2
= −0.0195 m = −1.95 cm
 Assessing to Learn
The diagrams below show two uniformly charged spheres. The
charge on the right sphere is 3 times as large as the charge on the
left sphere. Which force diagram best represents the magnitudes
and directions of the electric forces on the two spheres?
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Assessing to Learn
The diagrams below show two uniformly charged spheres. The charge on the
right sphere is 3 times as large as the charge on the left sphere. Each arrow
represents the electric field at the center of one sphere created by the other.
Which choice best represents the magnitudes and directions of the electric
field vectors created by one sphere at the location of the other sphere?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Assessing to Learn
All charged rods have the same length and the same
linear charge density (+ or -). Light rods are positively
charged, and dark rods are negatively charged. For
which arrangement below would the magnitude of the
electric field at the origin be largest?

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8. Impossible to determine
 Assessing to Learn
Two uniformly charged rods are positioned horizontally as
shown. The top rod is positively charged and the bottom rod
is negatively charged. The total electric field at the origin:
1. is zero.
2. has both a non-zero x component and a non-zero
y component.
3. points totally in the +x direction.
4. points totally in the –x direction.
5. points totally in the +y direction
6. points totally in the –y direction.
7. points in a direction impossible to determine
without doing a lot of math.
 Assessing to Learn
Where, other than at infinity, is the electric field
0 in the vicinity of the dipole shown?

1. Along the y-axis.

2. At the origin.
3. At two points, one to the right of (a, 0), the other
to the left of (−a, 0).
4. At two points on the y-axis, one below the origin,
one above the origin.
5. None of the above.
 Assessing to Learn
Two point charges are fixed on the x-axis. Imagine
moving a positive charge from point P to the origin
along the different paths shown in the diagram. For
which path would you do the most work?
1. Path A
2. Path B
3. Path C
4. Path D
5. Cannot be determined
6. None of the above
 Assessing to Learn
For the following situations consider moving a
positive charge from very far away to the origin along
the y-axis. For which situation would you do the most
work?
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
5. A&C
6. None of the above.
7. Cannot be determined
 Assessing to Learn
A uniform spherical volume distribution of charge has
radius R and total charge Q. A point charge −q is
released from rest at point b, which is a distance 3R
from the center of the distribution. When the point
charge reaches a, which of the following is true
regarding the total energy E?
1. Ea = −Eb 2. Ea = −2Eb/3
3. Ea = −3Eb/2 4. Ea = −9Eb/4
5. Ea = Eb 6. Ea = 2Eb/3
7. Ea = 3Eb/2 8. Ea = 9Eb/4
9. None of the above
10. Cannot be determined
 Assessing to Learn
True or false: it is possible to have the electric field be
zero at some point is space and the electric potential
be non-zero at that same point.