Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.

2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

Chapter two: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

Coulomb’s law
It has been experimentally observed by Charles Augustin Coulomb in1875, that the
net force between two stationary point charges Qa &Qb:
1)Acts along the line joining the two-point charges Qa &Qb (radial force).
2)It is linearly proportional to the product of the two-point charges Qa &Qb.
→
3)It is inversely proportional to the square of the separation distance R ab between the
two-point charges.
The net force exerted by a point charge Qa on point charge Qb is given by:
→ Q Q
F ab = k a b2 a Rab (Newton in SI unit)
→
Rab

1 →
Where k is the constant of proportionality k = , R ab is the vector from point a to
4
→
→ → → R
b, R ab = R b − R a ,and a Rab is a unit vector =
→
R

If Qa Qb  0 attractive force F<0.

If Qa Qb  0 repulsive force F>0.

The net force exerted by point charge Qb on point charge Qa:

→ QQ
F ba = k b a2 a Rba
→
Rba
→ → → →
R ba = R a − R b = − R ab
→ →
 F ab = − F ba
This is the Newton first law: every action there is equal and opposite reaction.
 =   r
1
Where   is the electric permittivity of free space = 8.854  10 −12 =  10 −9
36
(F/m=C2/N.m),  r is the relative permittivity.
→ →
Notice that Q in coulomb (C), R in meter (m), and F in Newton (N),   in F/m.

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 9

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

Example//A point charge Q1=3*10-4 C at M (1,2,3), and a charge of Q2= -10-4 at

N(2,0,5),in a vacuum ,find the force exerted on Q2 by Q1.

→
Solution// R12 = (2 − 1)a x + (0 − 2)a y + (5 − 3)a z = a x − 2a y + 2a z
→
R12 = 12 + 2 2 + 2 2 = 3

a x − 2a y + 2a z
aR =
3
→ Q1Q2 3 * 10 −4 * −10 −4 a x − 2a y + 2a z
F 12 = aR = *
→2
4  3
2
3
4  R
a x − 2a y + 2a z
= −30 * ( ) = −10a x + 20a y − 20a z N
3
Note: If there are more than one charge then the force on the desired charge is the sum
of the forces exerted by each individual charge (superposition).

The electric field or electric field intensity

We have introduced that the force of Qa acting on Qb:
→ Qa Qb
F ab = a
2 Rab→
4 Rab

If we divide the above equation by Qb, then

→
F ab Qa
= a Rab
Qb → 2
4 Rab
→
F ab → →
But = E ,where E is the electric field intensity generated by Qa at the point b.
Qb
Example//Find the electric field intensity at point p(1,1,1) caused by four identical 3-
nC charges located at p1(1,1,0),p2(-1,1,0),p3(-1,-1,0),and p4(1,-1,0) as shown in fig.

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 10

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

→ → → →
Solution// R1 = a z , R 2 = 2a x + a z , R 3 = 2a x + 2a y + a z , R 4 = 2a y + a z

→ → → →
R1 = 1 , R2 = 5 , R3 = 3 , R4 = 5
→ Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
E= a R1 + a R2 + a R3 + aR
4  R1 2
4  R2 2
4  R3 2
4  R4 2 4
→ az 1 1 2a x + a z 1 2 a x + 2a y + a z 1 2a y + a z
E = 26.96 * [ * + * + * + *
1 1 ( 5)2 5 32 3 ( 5)2 5
→
 E = 6.82a x + 6.82a y + 32.8a z

Field due to continuous volume charge distribution

If the space filled with a tremendous number of charges separated by a very small
distance, we can replace this distribution of very small particles with a smooth
continuous distribution described by volume charge density, we denote the volume
charge density by  v , having a unit of coulomb per cubic meter (C/m3).
The small amount of charge Q in a small volume v is given by:
Q
Q =  v v , where  v = lim , hence the total charge Q =   v dv
v →0 v
vol
Example//find the total charge contained in a 2-cm length of electron beam shown in
figure.

z
Solution //from the figure  v = −5 *10 −6 * e −10
5

dv =  d d dz
Q=   v dv
vol
0.04 2 0.01
z
   − 5 *10
−6
* e −10
5
Q =  d d dz
0.02 0 0
We integrate first with respect to Ø

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 11

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

0.04 0.01
z
  − 10
−5
 e −10
5
Q=  d dz
0.02 0
Then with respect to z
z
− 10 −5  e −10
5
0.01
 d 0.04
Q=  − 10 5 
]
0.02
0

0.01
Q=  − 10
−10
(e −2000 − e −4000 ) d
0

 e −2000  e −4000   0.01

Q = −10 −10   −  ] = 0.0785 pC
 − 2000 − 4000  0

Field of line charge

Let us assume a straight-line charge extending along the z-axis in cylindrical
coordinates system from −  to  as shown in the figure below. We want to find the
→
electric field intensity E at any and every point resulting from a uniform charge
density  L

We choose the point (0, y,0) on the y-axis

→ dQ
d E = a
2 R →
4  R
→
→ → R  a  − za z
R =  a  − za z , R =  +z , 2 2
aR = →
=
R  2 + z2

dQ =  L dz
Because of the symmetry, only the radial component will remain
→  L dz (  a  − za z )
dE= 3
4  (  + z )
2 2 2

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 12

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

 L  dz
dE  = 3
4  (  +2 2 2
z )

 L  dz
E =  3
−
4  (  + 2 2 2
z )
Integrating by integral table or by change of variables, z =  cot  ,we have
→ L
E= a
2  
The above equation is used to find the electric field from an infinite line charge
located along the z-axis.
Example//consider an infinite line charge parallel to the z-axis at x=6, y=8.Find the
electrical field at the point p(x,y,z).

Solution//
→ →
R = ( x − 6) a x + ( y − 8) a y , R = ( x − 6) 2 + ( y − 8) 2 , dQ =  L dz

→ dQ  L dz ( x − 6)a x + ( y − 8)a y
d E = aR = *
→2 4  3
4  R (( x − 6) + ( y − 8) ) 2
2 2

→  L ( x − 6)a x + ( y − 8)a y
E= *
2  ( x − 6) 2 + ( y − 8) 2

Field of sheet of charge

Let us place a sheet of charge in the yz-plane (x=0 plane) as shown below, we want to
find the electric field intensity at the point P(x,0,0).

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 13

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

Because of the symmetry, the x-component will remain, and all the other components
will vanish.
→ L
From the line charge E = a
2  
But here  L =  S dy , and the distance from this line charge to our general point P on
the x-axis is R = x 2 + y 2
 S dy S xdy
dE x = . cos = . 2
2  x 2 + y 2 2  x + y 2
Adding the effect of all the stripes

S xdy S −1 y

Ex =
2   x 2 + y 2 2 
= tan
x −
]

−

Ex = S
2 
S
If the point P were chosen on the negative x-axis, then E x = −
2 
This difficulty in sign is usually overcome by specifying a unit vector a N ,which is
normal to the sheet and directed outward or away from it, then
→ S
E= aN
2 
Electric field lines or streamlines

Electric field lines or streamlines or flux lines are the lines used to specify the
direction of the electric field at any point. In the case of two dimensional field
( E z = 0 ), the equation of the streamlines can be used by solving the differential
E y dy
equation =
E x dx
For example, //consider the field of the uniform line charge with  L = 2  .
→ 1
 E = a

In cartesian coordinates

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 14

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

→ x y
E= a + 2
2 x
ay
x +y
2
x + y2
Thus, we form the differential equation:
E y dy y dy dx
= = , = , ln y = ln x + c1 = ln x + ln c
E x dx x y x
y = cx , is the equation of the streamlines.
If we want to find the equation of one particular streamline, let us say the one that
passing through the point p(-2,7,10), we substitute the coordinates of the point into
streamlines equation and evaluate the constant c.
7 = c * −2  c = −3.5
 y = −3.5 x is the equation of the line at point p (-2,7,10). Each streamline is
associate with a specific value of c.

→
Example//Given the electric field E = (4 x − 2 y )a x − (2 x + 4 y )a y , find a)the equation
of the streamline passing through the point p(2,3,-4) b)a unit vector a E specify the
→
direction of E at the point Q(3,-2,5).

Solution//
E y dy − (2 x + 4 y )
a) = =
E x dx 4x − 2 y
2( xdy + ydx) = ydy − xdx
1 1
2d ( xy) = d ( y 2 ) − d ( x 2 )
2 2
1 2 1 2
 2 xy = y − x + c
2 2
y − x = 4 xy + c2
2 2

Evaluating c2 at the point p (2,3, -4)

9 − 4 = 4 * 2 * 3 + c 2  c 2 = −19
The streamline equation at (2,3, -4)
y 2 − x 2 = 4 xy − 19
→
b) E Q = (4 * 3 − 2 * −2)a x − (2 * 3 + 4 * −2)a y
= 16 a x + 2a y
→
E Q = 16 2 + 2 2 = 16.12

16a x + 2a y
aE = = 0.94a x + 0.12a y
16.2

Example//In cylindrical coordinates with E (  ,  ) = E  (  ,  ) a  + E (  ,  ) a ,the

E d
differential equation describing the direction lines = in any constant z-plane.
E  d

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 15

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006
Lecture notes on Electromagnetic Fields by Dr. Amean Al-Safi Ch.2: Coulomb’s law and electric field intensity

Derive the equation of the line passing through the point p(  = 4,  = 10  , z = 2 )in the
→
field E = 2  2 cos 3 a  + 2  2 sin 3 a .
Solution//
E d
= = cot 3
E  d
d
 = cot 3 d

1 1
ln  = ln sin 3 + c1 = ln sin 3 + ln c
3 3
1
= c (sin 3 ) 3
At point p(  = 4,  = 10  , z = 2 )
1
4= c * (sin 3 *10) 3
 c = 7.14
1
= 7.14 (sin 3 ) 3 at the point p (  = 4,  = 10  , z = 2 ).

University of Thi-Qar, College of Engineering, Electrical & Electronics dept. 16

Notes and figures are based on or taken from materials in the textbook: Engineering Electromagnetics (6th edition), William H.
Hayt, Jr. and John A. Buck, 2006