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Lec Electric Fields Part 1

The document defines electric field and discusses how it is calculated for both discrete point charges and continuous charge distributions. It introduces the concepts of charge density for a line (λ), sheet (δ), and volume (ρ) of charge. The electric field of a continuous distribution is computed by dividing the charge into infinitesimal elements dq, treating each as a point charge, and integrating the field over all elements using calculus. Symmetry is often used to simplify the calculations.

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Muhammad Moiz
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25 views24 pages

Lec Electric Fields Part 1

The document defines electric field and discusses how it is calculated for both discrete point charges and continuous charge distributions. It introduces the concepts of charge density for a line (λ), sheet (δ), and volume (ρ) of charge. The electric field of a continuous distribution is computed by dividing the charge into infinitesimal elements dq, treating each as a point charge, and integrating the field over all elements using calculus. Symmetry is often used to simplify the calculations.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Moiz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Electric Fields

• Electric field E at some point in space


is defined as the force experienced by
an imaginary point charge of +1 C,
divided by 1 C.
• Note that E is a VECTOR. Electric Field of a Point Charge
• Since E is the force per unit charge, it –q
E
is measured in units of N/C. +1C
R
• We measure the electric field using
very small positive “test charges”, and
dividing the measured force by the
magnitude of the charge.
E-Field is E-Force Divided by E-Charge

Definition of
Electric Field:

E-
+q1 –q2
Force
on P1 P2
Charge
E-Field
at Point –q2

P1 P2

Units: F = [N] = [Newton] ; E = [N/C] = [Newton/Coulomb]


Compare to Gravitational to Electric Fields

Gravitational Electric
Force: Force:
(Units: Newtons = N)
(Units: Newtons = N)

Gravitational Electric Field:


Field: (Units: N/C)
(Units: N/kg)

Given the Field, Given the Field,


Find the Force: Find the Force:

Find the Force: Find the Force:


(Vector Form) (Vector Form)
Compare to Electric Field to Gravitational Field

Gravitational Electric Field


Field Lines Lines

+q
m

Note: Field Exists in Note: Field Exists in


Empty Space Empty Space
Whether Test Mass Whether Test
m is There or Not! Charge +q is There
or Not!
Electric Field Lines
• Field lines: useful way to Example: a negative
visualize electric field E point charge — note
• Field lines start at a positive spherical symmetry
charge, end at negative
charge
• E at any point in space is
tangential to field line
• Field lines are closer where
E is stronger
Direction of Electric Field Lines
E-Field Vectors
Point Away from
Positive Charge
— Field Source!
E-Field Vectors
Point Towards
Negative Charge
— Field Sink!
+qs +qR
_ +
+qs +qR
_ +
+qs +qR
_ +
+qs +qR
_ +
+qs +qR
_ +
+qs +qR
_ +
Superposition of F and E
• Question: How do we figure out
the force or field due to several
point charges?
• Answer: consider one charge at
a time, calculate the field (a
vector!) produced by each
charge, and then add all the
vectors! (“superposition”)
• Useful to look out for
SYMMETRY to simplify
calculations!
• http://phys.lsu.edu/
~jdowling/PHYS21024SP10/
Vectors.pdf
• 4 charges are placed at the corners
of a square as shown.
• What is the direction of the electric +q -2q
field at the center of the square?

(a) Field is ZERO!


(b) Along +y
(c) Along +x

-q +2q
y

+q is the test charge


x
Total electric field
• 4 charges are placed at the corners
of a square as shown.
+q -2q
• What is the direction of the electric
field at the center of the square?

(a) Field is ZERO!


(b) Along +y
(c) Along +x
-q +2q
y

+q is the test charge


x
Which Way is Enet?
Which Way is Enet?
Which Way is Enet?
Which Way is Enet?
Continuous Charge Distribution
• Thus Far, We Have Only Dealt With

Discrete, Point Charges. q


• Imagine Instead That a Charge q Is

Smeared Out Over A: q


– LINE

– AREA q
– VOLUME

• How to Compute the Electric Field E?

Calculus!!! q
Charge Density

 = q/L
• Useful idea: charge density
• Line of charge: charge per unit length =

 = q/A
• Sheet of charge: charge per unit area = 
• Volume of charge: charge per unit
volume = 

 = q/V
Computing Electric Field
of Continuous Charge Distribution
• Approach: Divide the Continuous Charge
Distribution Into Infinitesimally Small
dq
Differential Elements

• Treat Each Element As a POINT Charge &


Compute Its Electric Field

• Sum (Integrate) Over All Elements


dq =  dL
• Always Look for Symmetry to Simplify dq =  dS
dq =  dV
Calculation!
Differential Form of Coulomb’s Law
for Electric FIELD

E-Field
q2
at Point
P1 P2

Differential
dE-Field at dq2
Point P1
The configuration of charge differential elements for (a) line charge, (b)
sheet of charge, and (c) a volume of charge.

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