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Electric Potential
 Electric Potential
Electric Potential

• Electrical Potential is a scalar quantity

capable of describing the nature of the Electric Field lines
electric field in the 3𝐷 space.

• When a charge +𝑞 is moved from point 𝐴

to 𝐵 in a region of electric field under the 𝑈𝐵
action of an external force, the potential 𝐵
energy change is given by,
𝑈𝐴
𝑈𝐵 − 𝑈𝐴 = 𝑊𝑒𝑥𝑡 provided ∆𝐾𝐸 = 0.
𝐴
• The change in electric potential is defined as the change in potential energy
per unit charge.
𝑈𝐵 − 𝑈𝐴
𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐴 =
𝑞
 The kinetic energy of a charged particle decreases by 10 𝐽 as it moves
from a point at potential 100 𝑉 to a point at potential 200 𝑉. Find the
charge on the particle.

Solution :
∆𝐾𝐸 = −10 𝐽 100 𝑉
𝐴
From the conservation of
mechanical energy principle -
200 𝑉
𝑊𝑒𝑥𝑡 + 𝑊𝑒𝑙 = ∆𝐾𝐸 𝐵

𝑊𝑒𝑙 = ∆𝐾𝐸 = −∆𝑈 Considering 𝑊𝑒𝑥𝑡 = 0

−𝑞 200 − 100 = −10 𝐽
− 𝑈𝑓 − 𝑈𝑖 = ∆𝐾𝐸 = −𝑞 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖
𝑞 = 0.10 𝐶
−𝑞 𝑉𝑓 − 𝑉𝑖 = −10 𝐽
 Electric Potential of a Point Charge

𝑄𝑞
𝑈𝑟 = 𝑃
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑄 𝑞 𝑞 ∞
𝑟 𝑈∞ = 0

𝑄𝑞
Change in potential energy of the system in moving charge 𝑞 from 𝑟 = ∞ to 𝑟 = 𝑟 : 𝑈𝑃 − 𝑈∞ =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
𝑄
⇒ 𝑉𝑃 𝑟 = = Electric potential at point 𝑃 due to charge 𝑄
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟

Point Charge 𝐸 𝑟Ƹ 𝑉𝑃 𝑟
𝑄 𝑄
+𝑄 𝑟Ƹ
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
−𝑄 −𝑄
−𝑄 𝑟Ƹ
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟
 Four electric charges +𝑞, +𝑞, −𝑞 and −𝑞 are placed at the corners of a
square of side 2𝐿. The electric potential at point 𝐴, midway between the
two charges +𝑞 and +𝑞, is:

Solution :
2𝐿
𝑉𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3 + 𝑉4
+𝑞 −𝑞

𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝐿 5𝐿 𝐿
= + + − + −
𝐿 𝐿 5𝐿 5𝐿
𝐴

2𝑘𝑞 2𝑘𝑞 𝐿 5𝐿 𝐿
= −
𝐿 5𝐿
+𝑞 −𝑞

2𝑘𝑞 1
𝑉𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 1−
𝐿 5
 Electric Dipole

𝑃 𝑟, 𝜃 Location of 𝑃 𝐸 𝑟 𝑉 𝑟

2𝑝Ԧ 𝑝
𝑟Ԧ At the axis
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 3 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

𝜃
−𝑞 +𝑞 𝑝Ԧ
𝑂 𝑝Ԧ At the equatorial plane − 0
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 3
𝑎 𝑎

1
𝑝 1+ 2
3 cos 𝜃 2
𝑝Ԧ ∙ 𝑟Ԧ
At any general point 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 3
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 3
(Magnitude)
 Two electric dipoles, 𝐴, 𝐵 with respective dipole moments 𝑑𝐴 = −4𝑎𝑞 𝑖Ƹ and
𝑑𝐵 = −2𝑎𝑞 𝑖Ƹ are placed on the 𝑥-axis with a separation 𝑅, as shown in the
figure. The distance from 𝐴 at which both produce the same potential is

𝐴 𝐵 𝑃
Solution :
𝑠 𝑥
Electric potential produced at point 𝑃 by
both electric dipoles -

4𝑎𝑞 2𝑎𝑞
− =−
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑠 2 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑠 − 𝑅 2

2
𝑠2 𝐴 −2𝑎𝑞 𝑖Ƹ 𝐵 𝑃
⇒ 𝑠−𝑅 =
2 −4𝑎𝑞 𝑖Ƹ 𝑥
𝑅
2𝑅 𝑠
𝑠=
2−1
 Electric Potential due to a Circular Arc

𝑄 𝑄

𝑂
𝑅
𝛼

𝐾𝑄
𝑉𝑜 =
𝑅 𝐾𝑄
𝑉𝑜 =
𝑅
 Relation between Electric Field and Potential

Work done by the electric field Change in electric potential

𝑑𝑈
𝑑𝑊𝑒𝑙 = 𝐹Ԧ𝑒𝑙 ∙ 𝑑𝑟Ԧ = 𝑞𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟Ԧ 𝑑𝑉 = = −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟Ԧ
𝑞
𝑑𝑈 = −𝑑𝑊𝑒𝑙 𝑟Ԧ2

𝑉2 − 𝑉1 = − න 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑 𝑟Ԧ
𝑑𝑈 = −𝑞𝐸 ∙ 𝑑 𝑟Ԧ
𝑟Ԧ1

In Cartesian coordinate system

For 𝑉 = 𝑓 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 corresponding to the

electric field 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐸𝑦 𝑗Ƹ + 𝐸𝑧 𝑘෠
𝑑𝑉 = −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑 𝑟Ԧ

𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝐸=− 𝑖Ƹ − 𝑗Ƹ − 𝑘෠
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
 The electric potential existing in space is 𝑉 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 = 𝐴 𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑧𝑥
a. Find the expression for the electric field.
b. If 𝐴 is 10 𝑉 𝑚−2 , then find the magnitude of the electric field at
(1 𝑚, 1 𝑚, 1 𝑚)

Solution :
𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝐸𝑥 = − = −𝐴 𝑦 + 0 + 𝑧 = −𝐴(𝑦 + 𝑧) 𝐸=− 𝑖Ƹ − 𝑗Ƹ − 𝑘෠
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝑉 𝐸 = −𝐴 𝑦 + 𝑧 𝑖Ƹ + (𝑥 + 𝑧)𝑗Ƹ + (𝑥 + 𝑦) 𝑘෠
𝐸𝑦 = − = −𝐴 𝑥 + 𝑧 + 0 = −𝐴(𝑥 + 𝑧)
𝜕𝑦

𝜕𝑉 𝐸 1, 1, 1 = 20 3 𝑉𝑚−1
𝐸𝑧 = − = −𝐴 0 + 𝑦 + 𝑥 = −𝐴(𝑥 + 𝑦)
𝜕𝑧
 Find out the potential difference between points 𝐴 and 𝐵.

Solution : 𝑦
𝐵(4,6)
We know : 𝑉𝑖 − 𝑉𝑓 = ‫𝐸 ׬‬. 𝑑 𝑟Ԧ

Displacement : 𝑟Ԧ = 4 − 1 𝑖Ƹ + 6 − 2 𝑗Ƹ = 3𝑖Ƹ + 4𝑗Ƹ

Electric field : 𝐸 = 𝐸0 cos 45° 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐸0 sin 45° 𝑗Ƹ 𝐴(1,2)

𝐸0
𝐸= 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗 Ƹ 45°
2
𝑥
As the electric field is uniform, 𝐸0 = Constant

𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 = 𝐸. 𝑟Ԧ
𝐸0 7𝐸0
⇒ 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 = 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑗Ƹ . (3𝑖Ƹ + 4𝑗)Ƹ 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵 =
2 2
 Equipotential Surface

• A surface on which potential is same at every point. 𝐸

• Electric field at any point on an equipotential surface

is perpendicular to it. (∵ 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟Ԧ = 0) 𝐶

• Work done by electrostatic force in moving a charge

𝐴
𝐵
𝐷
from one point to the other on such a surface is zero.

Point Charge Uniform Line Charge Plane Sheet of Charge

𝑅2
𝑅1 𝑉1 𝑉2
𝐸
𝐸

𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉1 𝑉2
+ −
𝐸 𝐸

𝑉1 𝑉2
 Some equipotential surfaces are shown. Find the magnitude of the electric field
and the angle it makes with the 𝑥-axis.

Solution : 𝑦 (𝑐𝑚)
𝑉2 − 𝑉1
𝐸=
𝑑
20 − 10 𝑉 10 𝑉 20 𝑉 30 𝑉 40 𝑉
= 𝐸
10 sin 30° × 10−2 𝑚

10 𝑉 300 300 300 300

= × 100 𝑂 10
5 𝑚 20 30 40 𝑥 (𝑐𝑚)

𝐸 = 200 𝑉/𝑚 120° w.r.t. 𝑥−axis

• Direction of electric field is from high potential to low potential.

• Electric field vector is perpendicular to the equipotential surface.

 Figure shows lines of constant potential in a region in which an electric field is
present. At which point among 𝑃, 𝑄, 𝑅 and 𝑆 the magnitude of the electric field
will be greatest?

Solution :
Relation between electric field and potential :

𝑑𝑉
𝐸=−
𝑑𝑟
Here, difference in potential between equipotential
surfaces is constant (10 𝑉).
𝑃
For equipotential surfaces, this relation can be written as : 𝑆 𝑅

1
𝐸∝ 50 𝑉
𝑑𝑟 𝑄
40 𝑉
So, magnitude of the electric field will be greatest where
spacing between equipotential surfaces will be less. 30 𝑉
20 𝑉
The magnitude of electric field will be greatest at point 𝑅. 10 𝑉
 Consider the situation given in the figure. The work done in taking a point
charge from 𝑃 to 𝐴 is 𝑊𝐴 , from 𝑃 to 𝐵 is 𝑊𝐵 , and from 𝑃 to 𝐶 is 𝑊𝐶 . Find the
relation between 𝑊𝐴 , 𝑊𝐵 , 𝑊𝐶 .

𝐶 𝐴 𝑃
Solution :

• Equipotential surface of a point charge is

a sphere.
𝐵
• Potential of each point 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 is same.

𝑊12 = 𝑞 න 𝐸. 𝑑 𝑟Ԧ = 𝑞(𝑉1 − 𝑉2 )

• Work done to go from point 𝑃 to point 𝐴, 𝐶 𝐴 𝑃

𝐵 and 𝐶 through individual paths will also 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞
be same. 𝑟 𝑟

𝐵 𝑘𝑞
𝑟
 Electric Potential due to Uniformly Charged Ring
𝑑𝑞
• Electric potential at point 𝑃 due to a
charge element 𝑑𝑞 :

𝑘 𝑑𝑞
𝑑𝑉 = 𝑅
𝑥2 + 𝑅2
𝑃

++

++
• Net electric potential at point 𝑃 due to 𝑥
whole ring :

𝑉 = න 𝑑𝑉

𝑘 𝑑𝑞
𝑉=න
𝑥 2 + 𝑅2

𝑘𝑄 𝑘𝑄
𝑉= 𝑉=
𝑥 2 + 𝑅2 𝑥 2 + 𝑅2
 Electric Field due to Uniformly Charged Ring

• Electric potential at point 𝑃 on the axis of

uniformly charged ring:

𝑘𝑄 𝑅
𝑉=
𝑥 2 + 𝑅2 𝑃

++

++
• 𝑉 varies with 𝑥 only. So, the electric field
𝑥
at 𝑃 :
𝑑𝑉
𝐸=− 𝑥ො
𝑑𝑥
𝑑 𝑘𝑄
𝐸=− 𝑥ො
𝑑𝑥 𝑥2 + 𝑅2

1 3
− 2 𝑘𝑄𝑥
𝐸 = −𝑘𝑄 − 𝑥2 + 𝑅 2 2𝑥 𝑥ො 𝐸= 3𝑥ො
2
𝑥2 + 𝑅2 2
 A non-conducting ring of radius 0.5 𝑚 carries a total charge of 1.11 × 10−10 𝐶
distributed non-uniformly on its circumference producing an electric field 𝐸
𝑙=0
everywhere in space. The value of the integral ‫ ∞=𝑙׬‬−𝐸 ∙ 𝑑 𝑙Ԧ (𝑙 = 0 being the centre of
the ring) in volt is ____

Solution :
𝑙=0 𝑙=0 𝑙=0
න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ = න 𝑑𝑉 ⇒ න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ = 𝑉 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 − 𝑉 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑙=∞ 𝑙=∞ 𝑙=∞

If the point at infinity is chosen as reference point, then, 𝑉 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 0

𝑙=0
න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ = 𝑉 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 = Potential at centre of ring
𝑙=∞

𝑙=0 1 𝑞
න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ = 𝑉 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 =
𝑙=∞ 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅

𝑙=0 9 × 109 1.11 × 10−10 ⇒

𝑙=0
න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ = න −𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑙Ԧ ≈ 2 𝑉
𝑙=∞
0.5 𝑙=∞
 A uniformly charged ring of radius 3𝑎 and total charge 𝑞 is placed in 𝑥𝑦-plane
centred at origin. A point charge 𝑞 is moving towards the ring along the 𝑧-axis and
has speed 𝑣 at 𝑧 = 4𝑎. The minimum value of 𝑣 such that it crosses the origin is

Solution : 𝐽𝐸𝐸 𝑀𝐴𝐼𝑁 2019

Potential at any on the axis of the ring at 𝑥

distance 𝑧 from its centre is,
𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞
𝑉𝑃 = = =
2
𝑅 +𝑧 2 2
(3𝑎) +(4𝑎) 2 5𝑎
Potential at the centre of the ring is,

𝑅 = 3𝑎
𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞
𝑉𝐶 = = = 𝑃
𝑅2 + 𝑧 2 (3𝑎)2 +(0)2 3𝑎 𝐶

++

++
𝑧
Energy required to move the point charge 𝑧 = 4𝑎 +𝑞
from 𝑥 = 4𝑎 to the centre is,
∆𝑈 = 𝑞∆𝑉 = 𝑞 𝑉𝐶 − 𝑉𝑃
𝑘𝑞 2 1 1 2 𝑘𝑞 2 𝑦
∆𝑈 = − ⇒ ∆𝑈 =
𝑎 3 5 15 𝑎
The particle will able to cross the centre of
the ring, if, 𝑥
1
∆𝑈 ≤ 𝑚𝑣 2
2
So, minimum energy required is,

𝑅 = 3𝑎
1 2
2 𝑘𝑞 2
𝑚𝑣 =
2 15 𝑎 𝑃
𝐶

++

++
𝑧
2 2 𝑞2 +𝑞
𝑣2 = 𝑧 = 4𝑎
𝑚 15 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑎

1/2
2 2 𝑞2 𝑦
𝑣=
𝑚 15 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑎
 Electric Potential due to Uniformly Charged Disc

• Due to symmetry, a disc can be thought of

as a collection of concentric rings.

𝑄
• Surface charge density : 𝜎 =
𝜋𝑅2
𝑅 𝑃
𝑄 𝑟
• Electric potential at point 𝑃 due to a
elementary charged ring of charge 𝑑𝑞,
radius 𝑟 and thickness 𝑑𝑟 :

𝑘 𝜎 × 2𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑉 =
𝑥 2 + 𝑟2
𝜎 1
𝑉 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑅2 2 −𝑥
• Electric potential at point 𝑃 due to whole 2𝜀0
disc :
𝑅
𝑘 𝜎 × 2𝜋𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝜎 𝑅 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
𝑉=න = න
0 𝑥 2 + 𝑟2 2𝜀0 0 𝑥 2 + 𝑟 2
 Electric Field due to Uniformly Charged Disc

• Electric potential at point 𝑃 on the axis of

uniformly charged disc :

𝜎 1
𝑉 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑅2 2 −𝑥
2𝜀0 𝑅 𝑃
𝑄
• 𝑉 varies with 𝑥 only. So, the electric field
at 𝑃 :

𝑑𝑉
𝐸=− 𝑥ො
𝑑𝑥
𝜎 1 1
− 2
𝐸= − 𝑥2 + 𝑅 2
2𝑥 − 1 𝑥ො
2𝜀0 2

𝜎 𝑥
𝐸= 1− 1 𝑥ො
2𝜀0
𝑥2 + 2
𝑅 2
 A point charge 𝑞1 is fixed and a point charge 𝑞2 of mass 𝑚 at infinity starts moving
towards 𝑞1 with velocity 𝑣𝑜 as shown in figure. Find the minimum separation
distance between the two charges.

Solution :

(Fixed) 𝑣=0
𝑣𝑜
𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐 𝒒𝟐
∞
𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛

Using Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy,

𝑈𝑖 + 𝐾𝑖 = 𝑈𝑓 + 𝐾𝑓

1 2
𝑘𝑞1 𝑞2 2𝑘𝑞1 𝑞2
⇒ 0 + 𝑚𝑣0 = +0 𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
2 𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑣02
Properties of a Conductor

Excess charge given to an isolated conductor

redistributes itself on the conductor’s surface
in order to minimize the potential energy and
maximize stability.

𝐸𝑖 When an isolated conductor is placed

in an external electric field, internal
division of charges occurs, resulting an
internal Electric Field ( 𝐸𝑖 ) in the
direction opposite to external Field ( ).
This phenomenon is call Polarisation of
charges.
Conductor under Electrostatic Steady State Conditions

𝐴 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 0
𝐸𝑖
𝑆
𝐵

Net electric field inside Conductor is an equipotential

a conductor is zero. body under electrostatic
conditions.
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐸𝑖 + 𝐸 = 0
𝑑𝑉 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑟Ԧ = 0
 Electrostatics Steady State

• For 𝐸𝑡 (𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐸) ≠ 0, the

charge will start moving along the boundary 𝐸
of conductor, which means the conditions
of electrostatic steady state are no longer
satisfied.

• Hence, the net electric field at the surface of

the conductor is always perpendicular to
the surface.
A metallic solid sphere is placed in a uniform electric field. The lines of
force follow the path(s) shown in figure as

A 1 1

2
B 2
3
4
C 3

D 4
 Conductors with Cavity

• Under electrostatic steady state condition, net

electric field in the material of the conductor is
zero.
𝑞
• In accordance with the Uniqueness theorem,
−𝑞

Inside the conductor material,

+𝑞
𝑃
𝐸𝑞 + 𝐸𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 = 0

𝐸𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 = 0

• The charge distribution on the outer surface is unaffected by the movement of the
point charge inside the cavity.

• External charge brought near the conductor will only affects the outer surface charge
distribution of the conductor.
 Conductors with Cavity (Geometry)

Shape of Charge Charge Shape of Charge Charge

Conductor distribution 𝑆1 distribution 𝑆2 Conductor distribution 𝑆1 distribution 𝑆2

𝑞 Uniform Uniform 𝑞 Uniform Non−uniform

𝐶 𝐶

𝑞 𝑞
Non−uniform Uniform Non−uniform Non−uniform
𝐶 𝐶
 Conductors with Cavity (Geometry)

Shape of Conductor Charge distribution 𝑆1 Charge distribution 𝑆2

𝑞 Non−uniform Uniform

𝑞 Non−uniform Non−uniform

Under electrostatic condition, the surface charge density at

any point is inversely proportional to its radius of curvature.

1
𝜎∝
𝑟
An elliptical cavity is carved within a perfect conductor. A positive charge
𝑞 is placed at the centre of the cavity. The points 𝐴 and 𝐵 are on the cavity
surface as shown in the figure. Then

electric field near 𝐴 in the cavity = electric

A field near 𝐵 in the cavity. 𝐴

𝐵
B charge density at 𝐴 = charge density at 𝐵 𝑞

𝑑𝑉 = 0
C potential at 𝐴 = potential at 𝐵

D None of these
 Electric Potential

𝑉 𝑟

Uniformly 𝑘𝑄
Charged Thin 𝑅
Spherical
Shell

𝑟=𝑅 𝑟

𝑄 𝑉 𝑟
Solid
𝑘𝑄
Conducting
Sphere 𝐸=0 𝑅

𝑟=𝑅 𝑟
 A spherical metal shell 𝐴 of radius 𝑅𝐴 and a solid metal sphere 𝐵 of radius
𝑅𝐵 < 𝑅𝐴 are kept far apart and each is given charge +𝑄. Now they are
connected by a thin metal wire. Then find out;
𝜎𝐴
1. Electric field inside shell A 2. relation between 𝑄𝐴 & 𝑄𝐵 3.
𝜎𝐵

𝑄𝐴 When both the shell and

𝑄𝐵 sphere are connected by 𝑄𝐴 𝑅𝐴
a metal wire, their =
𝑄𝐵 𝑅𝐵
potentials become equal.

⇒ 𝑉𝐴 = 𝑉𝐵 𝑄𝐴 4𝜋𝑅𝐵2 𝑅𝐴 4𝜋𝑅𝐵2
⇒ × = ×
𝐵 𝑘𝑄𝐴 𝑘𝑄𝐵 4𝜋𝑅𝐴2 𝑄𝐵 𝑅𝐵 4𝜋𝑅𝐴2
⇒ =
𝐴 𝑅𝐴 𝑅𝐵

𝑄𝐴 𝑅𝐴 𝜎𝐴 𝑅𝐵
The electric field inside a ⇒ = >1 ⇒ =
𝜎𝐵 𝑅𝐴
conducting shell is always zero. 𝑄𝐵 𝑅𝐵

Electric field inside shell A = 0 ⇒ 𝑄𝐴 > 𝑄𝐵

 Electric Potential

Uniformly Charged Non-Conducting Sphere

In terms of 𝜌: 𝑄, 𝜌
𝑉 𝑟
Outside
the sphere 𝑘𝑄 𝜌𝑅3 𝑅
𝑉 𝑟 = 𝑉 𝑟 = 𝜌𝑅2
𝑟>𝑅 𝑟 3𝜀0 𝑟 𝑉0 =
2𝜖0

At the surface
of the sphere 𝑘𝑄 𝜌𝑅2
𝑉 𝑟 = 𝑉 𝑟 = 𝜌𝑅2
𝑟=𝑅 : 𝑅 3𝜀0 𝑉𝑅 =
3𝜖0
Inside the 2 3 2
𝑘𝑄 𝜌𝑅 𝑟
sphere 𝑉 𝑟 = 3 (3𝑅2 − 𝑟 2 ) 𝑉 𝑟 = − 2
𝑟<𝑅 : 2𝑅 3𝜀0 2 2𝑅
𝜌𝑅2 3 𝑟2 𝜌𝑅3
𝑉= − 𝑉=
3𝜖0 2 2𝑅2 3𝜖0 𝑟 𝑉∞ = 0
At the centre 3𝑘𝑄 𝜌𝑅2 0 𝑟<𝑅 𝑅 𝑟>𝑅 𝑟
𝑟=0 : 𝑉 𝑟 = 𝑉 𝑟 =
2𝑅 2𝜀0
 Consider a uniformly charged non-conducting sphere of radius 𝑅. Electric
potential at distance 2𝑅 from its centre was found to be 20 𝑉. What would
be the potential at the centre of the sphere?

Solution :
Electric potential outside the uniformly charged
non-conducting sphere is given by,
20 𝑉
𝜌𝑅3 2𝑅
𝑉 𝑟 = for 𝑟 > 𝑅
3𝜖0 𝑟

𝜌𝑅3 𝜌𝑅2
⇒ 𝑉 𝑟 = 2𝑅 = =
3𝜖0 × 2𝑅 6𝜖0
⇒ 3 × 𝑉 𝑟 = 2𝑅 = 𝑉 𝑟 = 0

Electric potential at the center of the uniformly ⇒ 3 × 20 = 𝑉 𝑟 = 0

charged non-conducting sphere is given by,

𝜌𝑅2 𝑉 𝑟 = 0 = 60 𝑉
𝑉 𝑟=0 =
2𝜖0
 Electric Field outside Charged Conductor’s surface

We take a small area 𝑑𝑠 of the conductor of charge

density 𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 ,
Take a Gaussian cylindrical surface as shown, (3)
𝐸𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 0 𝐸
Applying Gauss’s Theorem,
(2) 𝑑𝑠
𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 (1)
𝜙𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝜙1 + 𝜙2 + 𝜙3
𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 ∙ 𝑑𝑠 𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝜙1 = 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝑠 = ⇒𝐸=
𝜀0 𝜀0

𝜙2 = 0 (𝐸 is zero inside the conductor)

𝜙3 = 0 (𝐸 is parallel to the curved surface)

Thus, Electric field just outside the 𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙

𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡 =
charged conductor’s surface is, 𝜀0
 Electric Pressure on a Charged Metal Surface
𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑋
Let us consider the electric field at points 𝑋 and 𝑌, 𝐸𝑑𝑆

𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑌
At 𝑋, 𝐸𝑋 = 𝐸𝑑𝑆 + 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 = 𝑛ො 𝑋
𝜀0 𝑑𝑆
𝑌 𝐸𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 = 0
At 𝑌, 𝐸𝑌 = 𝐸𝑑𝑆 + 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 = 0
𝐸𝑑𝑆
From the two equations,
𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐸𝑑𝑆 = 𝑛ො ⇒ 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 = 𝐸𝑑𝑆 =
2𝜀0 2𝜀0

Calculating the force experienced by 𝑑𝑆, The pressure experienced by the small
section of area 𝑑𝑆 is,
(𝑑𝐹)𝑑𝑆 = (𝑑𝑞)𝑑𝑆 × 𝐸𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡

(𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 )2
(𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 )2 𝑃𝑒 =
⇒ (𝑑𝐹)𝑑𝑆 = 𝑑𝑆 2𝜀0
2𝜀0
 Field Energy of Electric Field

We know that the electrostatic pressure on the surface of the conductor due to
(𝜎𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑙 )2 1
mutual repulsion of the charges is 𝑃𝑒 = 2𝜀0
2
= 2 𝜀0 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡

Let 𝑑𝑉 be the change in volume due to this pressure.

Thus, work done 𝑑𝑊, 𝑑𝑊 = 𝑑𝑈 = 𝑃𝑒 𝑑𝑉

1 2
𝑑𝑈 = 𝜀0 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑉
2

𝑑𝑈 1
Thus, energy density is, = 2
𝜀0 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝑑𝑉 2

The energy associated with a uniform electric The energy associated with a non-uniform electric
field is, field is,
1 1
𝑈 = න 𝑑𝑈 = 2
𝜀0 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑉 𝑈 = න 𝑑𝑈 = න 𝜀0 𝐸 2 𝑑𝑉
2 2
 Self Energy of a Uniform Spherical Shell

The total work required to assemble the charges on the shell will be stored as the potential energy of
the shell. This stored energy is known as its self energy

Let’s take an initially uncharged thin spherical shell and charge it

by bringing charges externally from infinity to the shell. +
+ + 𝑄
Electric potential due to the charge 𝑞 on surface is, + +
𝑘𝑞
𝑉=
𝑅 + +
𝑅
Total work to assemble 𝑄 charge on the shell is,
𝑄
𝑘𝑞 + +
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = න 𝑑𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = න 𝑉𝑑𝑞 = න 𝑑𝑞
0 𝑅 + +
+

Thus, self energy of the uniformly

charged spherical shell is,

𝑘𝑄2
𝑈𝑛𝑒𝑡 =
2𝑅
 Self Energy

Consider two regions of storing the self energy of the shell: 𝑄

space inside the boundary of the shell, and space outside +
+
+
the boundary
+ +
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 = 𝑈𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 + 𝑈𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑟
Since the electric field inside is zero, + +
𝑅
1 𝜀0 + +
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 = 0 + න 𝜀0 𝐸𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 2 𝑑𝑉 = න 𝐸 2 𝑑𝑉
2 2
𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 + +
+
Using a hypothetical shell of radius 𝑟(𝑟 > 𝑅), and
thickness 𝑑𝑟, we get 𝑑𝑉 = 4𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟
2
𝜀0 ∞ 𝑄
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 = න 4𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟
2 𝑅 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 2

Solving, we get
𝑘𝑄2
𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 =
2𝑅
 Self Energy of a Uniformly Charged Sphere
𝑄
𝑄3𝑄
Volume Charge density of the sphere is, 𝜌= =
4 3 4𝜋𝑅3
𝑅
3 𝜋𝑅
𝑑𝑟
Charge contained inside the sphere of radius 𝑟 is, 𝑟
4 3 4 3 3𝑄 𝑄𝑟 3
𝑞 = 𝜋𝑟 𝜌 = 𝜋𝑟 × = 3
3 3 4𝜋𝑅3 𝑅
The total work done in assembling the
Potential at the surface of the considered shell is, charged sphere of radius 𝑅 is,
𝑄 𝑅
𝑞 𝑄𝑟 3 1 𝑄𝑟 2 𝑄𝑟 2 3𝑄 2
𝑉= = 3 × = 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = න 𝑉𝑑𝑞 = න 3
× 3 𝑟 𝑑𝑟
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 𝑅 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅3 0 0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 𝑅
𝑅
3𝑄 2 3𝑄 2
Charge required to increase the radius from 𝑟 to 𝑟 + 𝑑𝑟 is, = 6
න 𝑟 4 𝑑𝑟 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 0 20𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
3𝑄 3𝑄 2
𝑑𝑞 = 𝜌 ∙ 4𝜋𝑟 2 𝑑𝑟 = × 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑑𝑟 = 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 3𝑄 2
4𝜋𝑅3 𝑅3 𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 =
20𝜋𝜀0 𝑅
 Induction and Redistribution of Charge

++
+
+
+𝑞 +𝑞 + + − + 2𝑞
+𝑞 + − +
−𝑞
+ + +− −+
+ +
+𝑞 +− +𝑞 −+
+ +
+ −
+ −++
+ +
+ − − −+
+ + + ++
+ + +

+2𝑞
−2𝑞
−𝑞+𝑞 +𝑞
+𝑞 +𝑞 +𝑞 −𝑞 +𝑞 +2𝑞
−𝑞
+𝑞 +𝑞
 Earthing of Conductors

Electrostatically,
𝑘𝑄
• Earth is an infinite resource and a sink of charges i.e. 𝑉𝑒 =
𝑅𝑒
=0
• Earth’s potential is assumed to be zero

Whenever a conductor is grounded, it results in the charge transfer to/from the Earth till its
potential becomes zero.
It is not necessary that the charge on the body becomes zero. There are certain cases where the
potential of the body becomes zero but the net charge remains non-zero

+ + +
+ +
+ +
Thus, after earthing,
++ +
+
+
+ + +
+ 𝑉𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 𝑉𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ = 0
Neutral
 There are two uncharged identical metallic spheres of radius 𝑎, separated
by a distance 𝑑. A charged metallic sphere (charge 𝑞) of same radius is
brought and it touches sphere 1. After some time, it is moved to a far off
distance. After this, the sphere 2 is earthed. Find the charge on sphere 2.

Solution : 𝑑

Since the sphere 2 is grounded, 𝑎 𝑎

𝑞 1 2
𝑘 2 𝑘𝑞 ′
𝑉2 = + =0
𝑑 𝑎
𝑞 𝑞′ + + 𝑞
𝑞′
⇒ + =0 + −
2𝑑 𝑎 + 2 −
+
𝑎 𝑎
+ + −
𝑞𝑎
𝑞′ = − + 1 + − 2
2𝑑 + + + −

𝑑
 A charge 𝑞 is distributed uniformly on the surface of a solid sphere of
radius 𝑅. It is covered by a concentric hollow conducting sphere of radius
2𝑅. Find the charges on the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow sphere
if it is earthed.

Solution : 𝑞′
−𝑞
Since the shell 𝐵 is grounded outside, +𝑞

𝑘 +𝑞 𝑘 −𝑞 𝑘𝑞 ′
𝑉𝐵 = + + =0
2𝑅 2𝑅 2𝑅 𝑅
2𝑅

𝑘𝑞 ′
⇒ =0
2𝑅

𝐴
𝑞′ = 0
𝐵
 Two concentric shells 𝐴 and 𝐵 have radii 𝑎 and 𝑏 as shown in the figure.
The shell 𝐵 is given charge 𝑞 and the shell 𝐴 is earthed. Find the charge
appearing on the outer surface of shell 𝐴.

Solution : 𝐵
𝑞
𝐴
Since the shell 𝐴 is grounded outside, 𝑎
𝑘 𝑞1 𝑘 −𝑞1 𝑘 𝑞 + 𝑞1
𝑉𝐴 = + + =0
𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑞1 𝑞1 𝑞 𝑞1
⇒ − + + =0
𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏
𝑞 + 𝑞1
𝑎 −𝑞1
⇒ 𝑞1 = − 𝑞
𝑏 +𝑞1
𝑎
𝑞𝑎
𝑞𝐴 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑟 =−
𝑏
𝑏 𝐴
𝐵
 Three concentric shells 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 have radii 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐. The shells 𝐴 and 𝐶
are given charges 𝑞 and −𝑞 respectively and shell 𝐵 is earthed. Find the
charges appearing on the outer surface of 𝐵 and 𝐶.

Solution :

Since the shell 𝐵 is grounded outside,

−𝑞′
𝑘𝑞 𝑘 −𝑞 𝑘𝑞′ 𝑘 −𝑞′ 𝑘 𝑞′ − 𝑞 −𝑞
𝑉𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝐵 = + + + + =0 𝑞′ − 𝑞
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑐 𝑞′
𝑏 𝑞
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞′ 𝑞′ 𝑞′ 𝑞
⇒ − + − + − =0 𝑎
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐

𝑏 𝑐 𝐴
𝑞′ = 𝑞
𝑐 𝐵

𝑏 𝐶
𝑞𝐶 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑞′ −𝑞 =𝑞 −1
𝑐
 Three concentric shells 𝐴, 𝐵 and 𝐶 have radii 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 respectively. The
shells 𝐴 and 𝐶 are connected via a thin conducting wire and shell 𝐵 is
earthed. If the shell 𝐴 was given charge 𝑞 at the beginning, find the
charge appearing on the outer surface of 𝐶.

Solution :
𝑞′
The potentials of shells 𝐴 and 𝐶 are the same. −𝑞′

𝑉𝐴 = 𝑉𝐶 𝑞′
−𝑞
𝑞
𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 ′ 𝑘𝑞 ′
𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 𝑘𝑞 ′ 𝑘𝑞 ′
− + − + = − + 𝑏
𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐
𝑎
1 1 1 1
𝑞 − = 𝑞′ −
𝑎 𝑏 𝑐 𝑏 𝑐 𝐴

𝑞𝑐 𝑏 − 𝑎 𝐵
𝑞′ =
𝑎 𝑏−𝑐 𝐶
𝑞𝑐 𝑏 − 𝑎
𝑄𝐶 𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
𝑎 𝑏−𝑐
 Van de Graaff Generator
+ Metal brush
• An arrangement developed to create + +
high voltage (typically few Megavolts). Pulley
+ +

• Based on the accumulation of charge on

+ +
the outer sphere due to its lower + Insulating belt to
potential compared to the inner sphere. +
+ + + carry and deliver
• A large spherical shell is held at several
+ charge
+
meters high above the ground. +
+ Insulating
(Insulated) + supporting column
+
• Charge is continuously transferred to the
+
+ Motor driven pulley
smaller shell by means of a moving belt. +
+ Metal brush delivering
charge from source
• Over time, larger shell acquires enormous
+++

amount of charge until the electrical Grounded metal

breakdown. base
 The dielectric strength of air is 3 × 106 𝑉 𝑚−1 . With a sphere of radius 1.5 𝑚,
how much electrical potential can be achieved with the Van De Graaff
generator?

Solution :

Electric field just outside the sphere The electric field generated by the generator
is - cannot exceed the dielectric strength of air.
𝑘𝑄 𝑉
𝐸= 2 ⇒𝐸= < 𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑅 𝑅

Electric potential just outside the ⇒ 𝑉 < 𝑅𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥

sphere is -
⇒ 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.5 × 3 × 106
𝑘𝑄
𝑉= = 𝐸𝑅
𝑅
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4.5 × 106 𝑉
𝑉
⇒𝐸=
𝑅