ELECTROSTATICS

High Yield Notes

 NOTES
NOTES
ELECTROSTATICS
Study of charges at rest.

Electric Charge:

Ability of a body to attract or

repel another body
Represented by “q” or “Q”
SI Unit: Coulomb
(1C = 6.24 x 10¹⁸ electrons)
Formula:
Q=ne
(n = +/- 1,2,3,4,5………)
(e = 1.6 x 10¹⁹ C)
When charge is added, the
body attains a negative charge
When charge is removed, the
body attains a positive charge

Laws:

Same charges repel each other

(Repulsion is a sure test)
Opposite charges attract each
other
A charged body always attracts
a charged body

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 NOTES
COULOMB'S LAW
It is an empirical law
It explains mutual force which Dielectric
Medium
always acts along the line Constant (K)
joining two charges
It measures the force of Air 1.006
attraction or repulsion between
two charges
Ability of a body to attract or Vacuum 1.00
repel another body
Statement:
Represented by “q” or “Q” Water 1.00026
SI-Unit:
The law states that the
Coulomb
magnitude of electrons)
the electrostatic Mica 3 to 6
(1C = 6.24 x 10¹⁸
force of attraction or repulsion
Formula:
Qbetween
= ne two point charges is Metals ∞
(ndirectly proportional to the
= +/- 1,2,3,4,5………)
(eproduct of the
= 1.6 x 10¹⁹ C) magnitudes of
charges and inversely εr > 1 for insulators
proportional to the square of εr = ∞ for conductors
the distance between them. εr can never be less than 1
K (medium) = ke / εr
Derivation: εr = ε2 / ε1
εr has no unit
F ∝ q1q2
or, F ∝ 1/r² Dependence of K:
F = k q1q2/ r²
Coulomb's Law: Medium (Fm = Fvac / εr)
System of units

K is the coulomb's constant Limitations:

Derivation:
∝
F q1q2
It is applicable ∝
or, Fonly1/r²
on
1. Point charges
F = k q1q2/ r²
Hence, K = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻² 2. Static charges
Distance between two charges
mustK isbe greater
the thanconstant
coulomb's the size of
the nucleus
At least one charge must be
static
Entry of 3rd chargeHence,does not
affect Coulomb's force
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² butC⁻²
entry
of medium (dielectric) decreases
the force

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC FIELD LINES
Coulomb's Law:
The space around an electric
charge, where it exerts a force Electric Field
on another charge is an electric Intensity/Strength
field.
It is the intrinsic property of a It is the force experienced by a
charge test charge
Electric force (non-contact It is a vector quantity
force) is controlled by electric SI-Unit: NC⁻¹
field
These are the imaginary lines of
force and the tangent at any
point on the lines of force gives
the direction of the electric field
at that point.

Properties:

They are imaginary lines

They are 3D
These lines never cross each
other
These lines never form a closed
loop
Originate from positive charge
Terminate at negative charge
For positive charge , the lines
are radially outward
For negative charge, the lines Derivation:
are radially inward F ∝ q1q2
or, F ∝1/r²
F = k q1q2/ r²

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC FLUX
Coulomb's Law:
The number of lines of force Minimum Flux:
that pass through the area
placed in the electric field. When area A has been placed
Φ = EAcosӨ parallel to the field lines
The angle is 90 degree between
vector area and electric field
lines
Ө = 90
Φ=0

Maximum Flux:

The electric flux of a surface is

maximum when the area is held
perpendicular to the field lines
having uniform electric field
intensity E.
Electric flux is maximum when
the angle is 0 degrees between
the vector area and electric field
lines.
Ө = 0 (zero degree)
Φ = EAcosӨ

Derivation:
F ∝ q1q2
or, F ∝1/r²
F = k q1q2/ r²

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO
POINT CHARGE
Consider a charged body q that
has an electric field all around it.
We want to find out electric
intensity E at point P. For this
purpose, we placed a point
charge q1 at that point.

E = F / qₒ
= 1 / qₒ ( kqqₒ / r²)
Magnitude: E = kq / r²
Vector Form:
E = kq / r² (r^)
Emed = Evac / Er
For Electron:
E = k(-e) / r²
= ke / r²
Dependence:
1.E∝ q
2.E∝ 1 / r²
Medium ( E ∝ medium)

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 NOTES
GAUSS’S LAW AND ITS
APPLICATIONS
It states that the net electric flux
through a closed surface is
equal to the total charge q
Ability of a by
enclosed body
thetosurface
attractdivided
or
repel another
by the body of free space
permittivity
Represented by “q” or “Q”
SI-Unit:
Coulomb
(1C = 6.24 x 10¹⁸ electrons)
Formula: n
Q = ne
(n = +/- 1,2,3,4,5………) E

(e = 1.6 x 10¹⁹ C)

Guassian Surafce

Coulomb's Law:
Derivation:
F ∝ q1q2
or, F ∝1/r²
F = k q1q2/ r²

K is the coulomb's constant

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC FIELD DUE TO AN
INFINITE SHEET
OF CHARGE
E = 𝜎/2ε0
𝜎 = surface charge density
Ability of a body to attract or
𝜎=Q/A
repel another body
Electric field is independent of
Represented by “q” or “Q”
distance from the infinite sheet
SI-Unit:
of charges
Coulomb
E = σ / Єₒ
(1C = 6.24 x 10¹⁸ electrons)
Formula:
Q = ne
σ = sheet charge density
(n = in
+/- 1,2,3,4,5………)
Coulumbs per meter
sqaure
(e = 1.6 x 10¹⁹ C)

σA = charge inside
Guassian surface

Coulomb's Law:
Derivation:
F ∝ q1q2
or, F ∝1/r²
F = k q1q2/ r²

K is the coulomb's constant

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES HOLLOW CHARGED
SPHERELaw:
Coulomb's
Charge enclosed = 0
Φ = Q / εₒ
= 0 / εₒ
=0
EA = 0 (A is not equal to zero)
E=0
ΔV = O
V surface = V inside
W=0

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Coulomb's Law:
Electric potential at a point in
an electric field is defined as the
potential at a point in an electric
field is defined as the
It is denoted by V
It is a scalar quantity
SI-Unit: JC–1 or volt

Formula:
V = W/Q

Electric Potential
Gradient:
It is used to check the electric
field strength between a
certain distance
It is the maximum change in
potential with respect to
change of distance
Represented by “q” or “E”
SI-Unit:
Volt per metre
Formula:
E = - ΔV / Δr
(The negative sign is because
the direction of E is towards
low potential and opposite to
the motion of charge)

Potential Difference:
Work done on the charge in
moving it from low potential to
high potential keeping the
charge in equilibrium

ΔV = W / q Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
CAPACITOR
Two-terminal device used to Energy Stored in a
store charges in the form of EF
Capacitor:
between the plate is called
capacitor If Q is charge, V is p.d, C is the
Capacitors are also called capacitance of the capacitor
condensers then the energy stored is
Q = CV
(Q = charge on one plate)
(V = potential difference
between plates)
(C = capacitance)
If there is no potential difference
across both plates, no current will
flow and the capacitor will
behave like an open circuit

Capacitance:
Ability of a capacitor to store
charge
SI-Unit:
Farad

Formula:
C = AEₒ / d
Cmed = AEₒEr / d
Cmed = Cvac x Er
Cmed > Cvac
Dependance:
a. C ∝ A Hence,
b. C ∝ 1/d K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES COMBINATION OF CAPACITORS
Series Combination: Parallel Combination:
In this combination, the positive In this arrangement, +ve plates
plate of one capacitor is of all the condensers are
connected to the negative plate connected to one point and
of the other. negative plates of all the
condensers are connected to
the other point.
The Potential difference across
the individual capacitor is the
same.

The charges of individual

capacitors are equal.
The potential difference is shared
by the capacitors in the inverse
ratio of their capacities
i.e. Q = C₁V₁ = C₂V₂ = C₃V₃
Hence V = V₁ + V₂ + V₃
The equivalent capacitance (C)
The total charge shared by the
between A and B is
individual capacitor is in direct
ratio of their capacities i.e.

Hence, Q = q₁ + q₂ + q₃
The equivalent capacitance
between a and b is ceq = c₁ +
c₂ + c₃ + ........+ cn

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC POLARISATION
Battery Disconnected:
Q = same
Cmed = Er Cr
V=Q/C
Vmed = V / Er
E=V/d
Emed = E / Er
U = QV / 2
∝
U V
Surface charge density decreases

Battery Connected:
V = same
E=V/d
Cmed = Er x Cvac
Q = CV
Qmed = Er x Qvac
U = QV / 2
U ∝ Q
Surface charge density remains
same

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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 NOTES
CHARGING OF A
CAPACITOR
The charge on the capacitor
increases from ‘zero’ to the final
steady charge.
The potential difference
developed across the capacitor
opposes the constant potential
difference of the source.
The charge on the capacitor
‘grows’ only as long as the Then
potential difference of source is
greater than the potential and i = current in the circuit at
difference across the capacitor. time ‘t’ =
This transport of the charge
from the source to the capacitor
constitutes a transient current At time ‘t’ by Kirchhoff’s law
in the circuit.
As the charge on the capacitor
increases, more energy is stored
in the capacitor.
When the capacitor is fully
charged, the potential i.e.
difference across the capacitor
is equal to the potential
Integrating and putting in the
difference of the source and the
initial condition q = 0 at t = 0,
transient current tends to zero.
we get
If Vₒ = constant potentia
difference of the source
R = pure resistance in the circuit
C = capacity of the capacitor
Qₒ= final charge on the
capacitor when fully charged
q = charge on the capacitor at
time ‘t’ from the starting of the
charging
V = potential difference across
the capacitor at time ‘t’

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 NOTES
DISCHARGING OF A
CAPACITOR
If after charging the capacitor, Putting,
the source of constant potential The initial condition, q = Qₒ
difference is disconnected and at t = 0 and
the charged capacitor is shorted The final condition, q = 0 at ,
through a resistance ‘R’, then by the solution to the above
Kirchhoff’s law, at time ‘t’ from equation is
the instant of shorting,

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 NOTES
TIME CONSTANT
The time during which 63% of
maximum value of charge stored
on the plates of the capacitor
q = qo (1 - e ^ (-RC/ RC))
q = qo (1 - 0.37)
q = 63 % qo
The time during which 63% of
maximum value of charge
removed from the plates of the
capacitor
q = qo e ^ -RC / RC
q = qo (0.37)
q = 37% qo
After 5 RC, the capacitor is
considered to be fully charged
(99.3%)
Charging / Discharging ∝ 1 / time
constant

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 NOTES
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL ENERGY
AND POTENTIAL DUE
TO POINT CHARGE
Work done on the charge in
moving it from low potential to
high potential keeping the
charge in equilibrium

Formula:
ΔV = W/Q

The potential difference between

two points is the work done in
bringing unit positive charge
from one point to another
For positive charge:
V = + kq / r
For negative charge:
V = - kq / r
Electric Potential in the middle:
V = kq / r - kq / r
E.P.E = kq1q2 / r

Hence,
K = = 9 × 10⁹ Nm² C⁻²

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