Phys281

Electricity and Magnetism

Dr. Hiba S. Abdallah

Assistant Professor of Communications and Electronics

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department

Beirut Arab University
Textbook
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Raymond A. Serway
and John W. Jewett, Thomson Brooks/Cole, 9th edition.

Reference Books
1- Fundamentals of Physics, David Halliday, Robert
Resnick and JearlWalker, John Wiley and sons Inc., 8 th
edition 2007.

2- University Physics, Hugh Young and Roger A

Freedman, 12th edition, Pearson Education, Inc.,
publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley 2008.
Week/Unit/Topic Basis
Week Topics Covered Hours
1,2,3 Chapter 23, Electric fields(23.1 - 23.7) 9
4 Chapter 24, Gauss’s Law (24.1 – 24.4) 3
5 TEST 1 1
5 Chapter 25, Electric Potential (25.1 - 25.6) 2
6 Chapter 26, Capacitors & Dielectrics (26.1 - 26.6) 3
7 Chapter 27, Current and Resistance (27.1 - 27.4, 3
27.6)
8 Chapter 28, Direct Current Circuits (28.1 - 28.3) 3
9,10 Chapter 29, Magnetic Fields (29.1- 29.5) 6
11,12 Chapter 30, Sources of the Magnetic Field (30.1- 5
30.5)
TEST 2 1
13 Chapter 31, Faraday’s Law (31.1,31.2, 31.4) 3
14 Chapter 32, Inductance (32.1 ) 3
Some Prefixes for Powers of
Ten
Chapter 23
Electric Fields
Subjects that will be covered
in this chapter:
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field (Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges

⚫ There are two kinds of electric charges

⚫ Called positive and negative
⚫ Negative charges are the type possessed by electrons
⚫ Positive charges are the type possessed by protons
⚫ Charges of the same sign repel one another
and charges with opposite signs attract one
another
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges(2)
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges(3)

⚫ You can easily electrify your body by vigorously rubbing your shoes on a
wool rug.
Electrically charged
Or
Electrified

⚫ Evidence of the electric charge on your body can be detected by lightly

touching (and startling) a friend.
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges(4)
Conservation of Electric Charges
⚫ A glass rod is rubbed with
silk
⚫ Electrons are transferred
from the glass to the silk
⚫ Each electron adds a
negative charge to the silk
⚫ An equal positive charge is
left on the rod
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges(5)
Quantization of Electric Charges

⚫ The electric charge, q, is said to be quantized

⚫ q is the standard symbol used for charge as a variable
⚫ Electric charge exists as discrete packets
⚫ q = Ne
⚫ N is an integer

⚫ e is the fundamental unit of charge

⚫ |e| = 1.6 x 10 -19 C

⚫ Electron: q = -e

⚫ Proton: q = +e
23.1 Properties of Electric Charges(6)
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.2 Charging objects by induction
Charging Objects by Induction

⚫ Charging by induction
requires no contact with
the object inducing the
charge
⚫ Assume we start with a
neutral metallic sphere
⚫ The sphere has the
same number of positive
and negative charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction (2)

⚫ A charged rubber rod is

placed near the sphere
⚫ It does not touch the
sphere
⚫ The electrons in the
neutral sphere are
redistributed
23.2 Charging objects by induction (3)
Charging Objects by Induction

⚫ The sphere is grounded

⚫ Some electrons can
leave the sphere
through the ground wire
23.2 Charging objects by induction (4)

⚫ The ground wire is

removed
⚫ There will now be more
positive charges
⚫ The charges are not
uniformly distributed
⚫ The positive charge has
been induced in the
sphere
23.2 Charging objects by induction (5)

⚫ The rod is removed

⚫ The electrons
remaining on the
sphere redistribute
themselves
⚫ There is still a net
positive charge on the
sphere
⚫ The charge is now
uniformly distributed
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (2)
⚫ Charles Coulomb measured
the magnitudes of electric
forces between two small
charged spheres
⚫ He found the force
depended on the charges
and the distance between
them
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (3)
Point Charge
⚫ The term point charge refers to a particle of
zero size that carries an electric charge
⚫ The electrical behavior of electrons and protons is
well described by modeling them as point charges
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (4)
⚫ The electrical force between two stationary point
charges is given by Coulomb’s Law
⚫ The force is inversely proportional to the square of
the separation r between the charges and directed
along the line joining them
⚫ The force is proportional to the product of the
charges, q1 and q2, on the two particles
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (5)
⚫ The force is attractive if the charges are of
opposite sign
⚫ The force is repulsive if the charges are of
like sign
⚫ The force is a conservative force
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (6)
Coulomb’s Law, Equation

⚫ Mathematically,
q1 q 2
Fe = k e
r2
⚫ The SI unit of charge is the coulomb (C)
⚫ ke is called the Coulomb constant
⚫ ke = 8.9876 x 109 N.m2/C2 = 1/(4πεo)
⚫ εo is the permittivity of free space
⚫ εo = 8.8542 x 10-12 C2 / N.m2
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (7)
Coulomb's Law, Notes

⚫ Remember the charges need to be in coulombs

⚫ e is the smallest unit of charge
⚫ except quarks

⚫ e = 1.6 x 10-19 C
⚫ So 1 C needs 6.24 x 1018 electrons or protons
⚫ Typical charges can be in the µC range
⚫ Remember that force is a vector quantity
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (8)
Particle Summary
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (9)
Vector Nature of Electric Forces

⚫ In vector form,
q1q 2
F12 = k e 2 rˆ12
r
⚫ r̂12 is a unit vector
directed from q1 to q2
⚫ The like charges
produce a repulsive
force between them
⚫ Use the active figure to
move the charges and
observe the force
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (10)
Vector Nature of Electrical Forces

⚫ Electrical forces obey Newton’s Third Law

⚫ The force on q1 is equal in magnitude and
opposite in direction to the force on q2
⚫
F21 = −F12
⚫ With like signs for the charges, the product
q1q2 is positive and the force is repulsive
 23.3 Coulomb’s Law (11)
Vector Nature of Electrical Forces

⚫ Two point charges are

separated by a
distance r
⚫ The unlike charges
produce an attractive
force between them
⚫ With unlike signs for the
charges, the product
q1q2 is negative and the
force is attractive
⚫ Use the active figure to
investigate the force for
different positions
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (12)
A Final Note about Directions

⚫ The sign of the product of q1q2 gives the

relative direction of the force between q1 and
q2
⚫ The absolute direction is determined by the
actual location of the charges
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (13)
The Superposition Principle

⚫ The resultant force on any one charge equals

the vector sum of the forces exerted by the
other individual charges that are present
⚫ Remember to add the forces as vectors
⚫ The resultant force on q1 is the vector sum of
all the forces exerted on it by other charges:
F1 = F21 + F31 + F41
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (14)
Superposition Principle, Example

⚫ The force exerted by q1

on q3 is F13
⚫ The force exerted by q2
on q3 is F23
⚫ The resultant force
exerted on q3 is the
vector sum of F13 and
F23
23.3 Coulomb’s Law (15)
Zero Resultant Force, Example

⚫ Where is the resultant

force equal to zero?
⚫ The magnitudes of the
individual forces will be
equal
⚫ Directions will be
opposite
⚫ Will result in a quadratic
⚫ Choose the root that
gives the forces in
opposite directions
 23.3 Coulomb’s Law (16)
Electrical Force with Other Forces, Example
⚫ The spheres are in
equilibrium
⚫ Since they are separated,
they exert a repulsive force
on each other
⚫ Charges are like charges
⚫ Proceed as usual with
equilibrium problems, noting
one force is an electrical
force
 23.3 Coulomb’s Law (17)
Electrical Force with Other Forces, Example

⚫ The free body diagram

includes the
components of the
tension, the electrical
force, and the weight
⚫ Solve for |q|
⚫ You cannot determine
the sign of q, only that
they both have same
sign
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.4 Particle in an electric field
Electric Field – Introduction
⚫ The electric force is a field force
⚫ Field forces can act through space
⚫ The effect is produced even with no physical
contact between object
23.4 Particle in an electric field(2)
Electric Field – Definition

⚫ An electric field is said to exist in the region

of space around a charged object
⚫ This charged object is the source charge
⚫ When another charged object, the test
charge, enters this electric field, an electric
force acts on it
23.4 Particle in an electric field (3)
Electric Field – Definition

⚫ The electric field is defined as the electric

force on the test charge per unit charge
⚫ The electric field vector, E , at a point in space
is defined as the electric force F acting on a
positive test charge, qo placed at that point
divided by the test charge:
F
E
qo
23.4 Particle in an electric field (4)
Electric Field, Notes

⚫ E is the field produced by some charge or charge

distribution, separate from the test charge
⚫ The existence of an electric field is a property of the
source charge
⚫ The presence of the test charge is not necessary for the
field to exist
⚫ The test charge serves as a detector of the field
23.4 Particle in an electric field (5)
Electric Field Notes, Final

⚫ The direction of E is
that of the force on a
positive test charge
⚫ The SI units of E are
N/C
⚫ We can also say that
an electric field exists at
a point if a test charge
at that point
experiences an electric
force
23.4 Particle in an electric field (6)
Relationship Between F and E

⚫ Fe = qE
⚫ This is valid for a point charge only
⚫ One of zero size
⚫ For larger objects, the field may vary over the size of the
object
⚫ If q is positive, the force and the field are in the
same direction
⚫ If q is negative, the force and the field are in
opposite directions
23.4 Particle in an electric field (7)
Electric Field, Vector Form

⚫ Remember Coulomb’s law, between the

source and test charges, can be expressed
as
qqo
Fe = ke 2 rˆ
r
⚫ Then, the electric field will be
Fe q
E= = ke 2 rˆ
qo r
23.4 Particle in an electric field (8)
More About Electric Field Direction

⚫ a) q is positive, the force is

directed away from q
⚫ b) The direction of the field
is also away from the
positive source charge
⚫ c) q is negative, the force is
directed toward q
⚫ d) The field is also toward
the negative source charge
⚫ Use the active figure to
change the position of point
P and observe the electric
field
PLAY
ACTIVE FIGURE
23.4 Particle in an electric field (9)
Superposition with Electric Fields

⚫ At any point P, the total electric field due to a

group of source charges equals the vector
sum of the electric fields of all the charges
qi
E = ke  2 rˆi
i ri
23.4 Particle in an electric field (10)
Superposition Example

⚫ Find the electric field

due to q1, E1
⚫ Find the electric field
due to q2, E2
⚫ E = E1 + E2
⚫ Remember, the fields
add as vectors
⚫ The direction of the
individual fields is the
direction of the force on a
positive test charge
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.5 Electric Field – Continuous
Charge Distribution
⚫ The distances between charges in a group of
charges may be much smaller than the distance
between the group and a point of interest
⚫ In this situation, the system of charges can be
modeled as continuous
⚫ The system of closely spaced charges is equivalent
to a total charge that is continuously distributed
along some line, over some surface, or throughout
some volume
23.5 Electric Field – Continuous
Charge Distribution (2)
⚫ Procedure:
⚫ Divide the charge
distribution into small
elements, each of which
contains Δq
⚫ Calculate the electric
field due to one of these
elements at point P
⚫ Evaluate the total field by
summing the
contributions of all the
charge elements
23.5 Electric Field – Continuous
Charge Distribution (4)
⚫ For the individual charge elements
q
E = ke 2 rˆ
r
⚫ Because the charge distribution is continuous
qi dq
E = ke lim  2 rˆi = ke  2 rˆ
qi →0 ri r
i
23.5 Electric Field – Continuous
Charge Distribution (5)
Charge Densities
⚫ Volume charge density: when a charge is
distributed evenly throughout a volume
⚫ ρ ≡ Q / V with units C/m 3
⚫ Surface charge density: when a charge is
distributed evenly over a surface area
⚫ σ ≡ Q / A with units C/m 2
⚫ Linear charge density: when a charge is
distributed along a line
⚫ λ ≡ Q / ℓ with units C/m
23.5 Electric Field – Continuous
Charge Distribution (6)
Amount of Charge in a Small Volume
⚫ If the charge is nonuniformly distributed over
a volume, surface, or line, the amount of
charge, dq, is given by
⚫ For the volume: dq = ρ dV
⚫ For the surface: dq = σ dA
⚫ For the length element: dq = λ dℓ
Calculating the Electric Field
Example A – The Electric Field Due to a Charged Rod
Example B – Charged Ring
Example C– The Electric Field of a Uniform disk of
Charge Q

If the disk is considered to be a set of

concentric rings, we can use our result
from Example B—which gives the field
created by a single ring of radius a—and
sum the contributions of all rings making up
the disk.
The electric field due to an infinite plane of
charge is uniform throughout space.
An infinite plane of charge is impossible in
practice. If two planes of charge are placed
close to each other, however, with one plane
positively charged, and the other negatively,
the electric field between the plates is very
close to uniform at points far from the edges.
Such a configuration will be investigated in
Chapter 26.
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.6 Electric Field Lines
⚫ Field lines give us a means of representing the
electric field pictorially
⚫ The electric field vector E is tangent to the electric
field line at each point
⚫ The line has a direction that is the same as that of the
electric field vector
⚫ The number of lines per unit area through a surface
perpendicular to the lines is proportional to the
magnitude of the electric field in that region
 23.6 Electric Field Lines (2)
Electric Field Lines, General
⚫ The density of lines through
surface A is greater than
through surface B
⚫ The magnitude of the
electric field is greater on
surface A than B
⚫ The lines at different
locations point in different
directions
⚫ This indicates the field is
nonuniform
23.6 Electric Field Lines (3)
Electric Field Lines, Positive Point Charge

⚫ The field lines radiate

outward in all directions
⚫ In three dimensions, the
distribution is spherical
⚫ The lines are directed
away from the source
charge
⚫ A positive test charge would
be repelled away from the
positive source charge
23.6 Electric Field Lines (4)
Electric Field Lines, Negative Point Charge

⚫ The field lines radiate

inward in all directions
⚫ The lines are directed
toward the source charge
⚫ A positive test charge
would be attracted
toward the negative
source charge
23.6 Electric Field Lines (5)
Electric Field Lines – Dipole

⚫ The charges are equal

and opposite
⚫ The number of field
lines leaving the
positive charge equals
the number of lines
terminating on the
negative charge
23.6 Electric Field Lines (6)
Electric Field Lines – Like Charges

⚫ The charges are equal

and positive
⚫ The same number of
lines leave each charge
since they are equal in
magnitude
⚫ At a great distance, the
field is approximately
equal to that of a single
charge of 2q
23.6 Electric Field Lines (7)
Electric Field Lines, Unequal Charges

⚫ The positive charge is twice

the magnitude of the negative
charge
⚫ Two lines leave the positive
charge for each line that
terminates on the negative
charge
⚫ At a great distance, the field
would be approximately the
same as that due to a single
charge of +q
⚫ Use the active figure to vary
the charges and positions and
observe the resulting electric
field
23.6 Electric Field Lines (8)
Electric Field Lines – Rules for Drawing

⚫ The lines must begin on a positive charge and

terminate on a negative charge
⚫ In the case of an excess of one type of charge, some
lines will begin or end infinitely far away
⚫ The number of lines drawn leaving a positive
charge or approaching a negative charge is
proportional to the magnitude of the charge
⚫ No two field lines can cross
⚫ Remember field lines are not material objects, they
are a pictorial representation used to qualitatively
describe the electric field
23.1 Properties of Electric charges
23.2 Charging objects by induction
23.3 Coulomb’s Law
23.4 Analysis Model: Particle in a field
(Electric)
23.5 Electric field of a continuous charge
distribution
23.6 Electric field lines
23.7 Motion of a charged particle in a uniform
electric field
23.7 Motion of Charged Particles
⚫ When a charged particle is placed in an
electric field, it experiences an electrical force
⚫ If this is the only force on the particle, it must
be the net force
⚫ The net force will cause the particle to
accelerate according to Newton’s second law
23.7 Motion of a charged particle (2)

⚫ Fe = qE = ma
⚫ If E is uniform, then the acceleration is constant
⚫ If the particle has a positive charge, its acceleration
is in the direction of the field
⚫ If the particle has a negative charge, its acceleration
is in the direction opposite the electric field
⚫ Since the acceleration is constant, the kinematic
equations can be used
v = v o + at
v 2 = Vo2 + 2ar
1
r = vot + at 2
2
23.7 Motion of a charged particle (3)
An Accelerating Positive Charge, Example

⚫ The point charge can be modeled

as a charged particle under
constant acceleration.
23.7 Motion of a charged particle (4)
Electron in a Uniform Field, Example
⚫ The electron is projected
horizontally into a uniform
electric field
⚫ The electron undergoes a
downward acceleration
⚫ It is negative, so the
acceleration is opposite the
direction of the field
qE
a =
⚫ Its motion is parabolic m
while between the plates v
v = v o + at  t =
a
1 1
r = vot + at 2  r = at 2
2 2