Electric Charge and

Electric Field
PHYSICS 72 – ELEMENTARY PHYSICS II

ELECTRIC CHARGE AND ELECTRIC FIELD

Electric Force and

2 Electric Field

National Institute of Physics

College of Science
University of the Philippines Diliman
Objectives

Calculate the net electric force on a point charge

exerted by a system of point charges.

Determine the electric field due to a point charge.

Establish the relationship between the electric field and

the electric force on a test charge.

Predict the trajectory of a massive point charge in a

uniform electric field.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 3

Recall: Law of Gravitation

𝑚1
𝑚1 𝑚2
𝑚2 𝐹g = 𝐺
𝑟2
𝑟 SI unit: Newton [N]

where 𝐺 – universal gravitational constant

N ⋅ m2
𝐺 = 6.67 × 10−11
kg 2

Electric Forces and Electric Field 4

Charles Augustin de Coulomb (1784) studied the force
between charged particles using a torsion balance.

From his experiment,

▪ 𝐹 ∝ 𝑞1
▪ 𝐹 ∝ 𝑞2
▪ 𝐹 ∝ 1/𝑟 2 𝑞1 𝑞2

𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑟
⇒𝐹∝ 2
𝑟
𝑞1 𝑞2
⇒ 𝐹=𝑘 2
𝑟
where 𝑘 is a proportionality constant.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 5

Coulomb’s Law

𝑞1 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑞2 𝐹e = 𝑘 (2.1)
𝑟2
𝑟 SI unit: Newton [N]

1 Nm 2
where:
𝑘= ≈ 8.99 × 109
4𝜋𝜖0 C2

with 𝜖0 – permittivity of free space

C2
𝜖0 = 8.9 × 10−12
Nm

Electric Forces and Electric Field 6

Coulomb’s Law
|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹e = 𝑘 (2.1)
𝑟2

𝑞1 𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝑞1
+ +
𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝑞2
𝑟 – 𝑞2 𝑟 +
𝐹Ԧ1 on 2
Opposite sign Same sign
➢ Attractive force ➢ Repulsive force

➢ By Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion, 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 = −𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 .

Electric Forces and Electric Field 7

Problem Solving Tips: Coulomb’s Law
1. Determine if the forces in between the charges are attractive or
repulsive.
2. Draw the free-body-diagrams on each charge.
➢ The vectors lie along the separation distance.

Like sign: Repulsive Unlike signs: Attractive

1 2 1 2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2

3. Solve for the magnitude of the forces via Coulomb’s Law.

𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹=𝑘
𝑟2
4. Affix the direction! (To complete the answer)

Electric Forces and Electric Field 8

EXAMPLE Two charges separated by a distance

𝑞1 is a positive charge and 𝑞2 is a negative

charge. They are separated by a distance
𝑎. What is the magnitude and direction of
𝑦
the force exerted
a. by 𝑞1 on 𝑞2 ?
b. by 𝑞2 on 𝑞1 ?

+ –
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 9

SOLUTION

1. Interaction: Attractive (unlike signs)

2. FBD: See below

𝑦 3. Magnitude of forces:
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹1 on 2 =𝑘 , 𝐹2 on 1 =𝑘
𝑎2 𝑎2
4. Affix direction:
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 = 𝑘 −𝐢Ƹ
𝑎2
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 =𝑘 +𝐢Ƹ
𝑎2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2
+ –
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 10

EXAMPLE Two charges separated by a distance

Both 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 are positive charges. They

are separated by a distance 𝑎. What is the
magnitude and direction of the force
𝑦
exerted
a. by 𝑞1 on 𝑞2 ?
b. by 𝑞2 on 𝑞1 ?

+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 11

 SOLUTION

1. Interaction: Repulsive (like signs)

2. FBD: See below

𝑦 3. Magnitude of forces:
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹1 on 2 =𝑘 , 𝐹2 on 1 =𝑘
𝑎2 𝑎2
4. Affix direction:
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 = 𝑘 +𝐢Ƹ
𝑎2
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 =𝑘 −𝐢Ƹ
𝑎2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 1 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2
+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 12

EXAMPLE Three charges separated by a distance

Now, we have a third charge, 𝑞3 which is

also positive. What is the magnitude and
direction of the net force exerted by 𝑞1 and
𝑦
𝑞2 on 𝑞3 ?

𝑞3
+

+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 13

 SOLUTION Solution
To solve for the net force acting on 𝑞3, consider the
interaction in between the 𝑞1–𝑞3 and 𝑞2–𝑞3 pairs:
▪ For the 𝑞1 –𝑞3 pair:
𝑦
Following the same solution illustrated in the
𝐹Ԧ1 on 3 previous examples, we get:
𝑞3 𝑞1 𝑞3
𝐹Ԧ1 on 3 = 𝑘 +𝐣Ƹ
+ 𝑎2

+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 14

 SOLUTION Solution
▪ For the 𝑞2 –𝑞3 pair:
Determine the distance between the pair first.
Via Pythagorean theorem,
𝑦
𝑟23 = 𝑎 2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 𝑞2 𝑞3
Magnitude of 𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 : 𝐹2 on 3 = 𝑘 2
𝑞3 𝑎 2
𝜃
𝑞2 𝑞3
+ Direction: 𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 = 𝑘 − cos 𝜃 𝐢Ƹ + sin 𝜃 𝐣Ƹ
2𝑎2

𝑎 𝑟23 = 𝑎 2 Solve for θ:

➢ We get θ = 45°
+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥 𝑞2 𝑞3 2 2
𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 = 𝑘 − 𝐢Ƹ + 𝐣Ƹ
𝑎 2𝑎2 2 2

Electric Forces and Electric Field 15

 SOLUTION Solution
𝑞1 𝑞3
𝑞1 –𝑞3 pair: 𝐹Ԧ1 on 3 = 𝑘 2 𝐣Ƹ
𝑎
𝐹ԦNet 𝑞2 𝑞3 2 2
𝑞2 –𝑞3 pair: 𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 =𝑘 − 𝐢Ƹ + 𝐣Ƹ
𝑦 2𝑎2 2 2

Solving for the net force:

𝐹Ԧ2 on 3 𝐹Ԧ1 on 3
𝐹Ԧnet = 𝐹Ԧ1 on 3 + 𝐹Ԧ2 on 3
𝑞3
𝑞1 𝑞3 𝑞2 𝑞3 2 2
+ 𝐹Ԧnet = 𝑘 2
𝐣Ƹ + 𝑘 2
− 𝐢Ƹ + 𝐣Ƹ
𝑎 2𝑎 2 2
2 𝑘 𝑞2 𝑞3 𝑘 𝑞1 𝑞3 2 𝑘 𝑞2 𝑞3
𝑎 𝐹Ԧnet = − 2
𝐢Ƹ + 2
+ 2
𝐣Ƹ
2 2𝑎 𝑎 2 2𝑎

+ +
𝑞1 𝑞2 𝑥
𝑎

Electric Forces and Electric Field 16

 EXAMPLE

Three charged particles of the same magnitude Q are

arranged as shown. What is the net force on particle 2?

Electric Forces and Electric Field 17

 EXAMPLE

Three charged particles of the same magnitude Q are

arranged as shown. What is the net force on particle 2?

𝐹Ԧ3 on 2

𝐹Ԧ1 on 2

SOLUTION

𝐹Ԧnet,2 = 𝐹Ԧ1 on 2 + 𝐹Ԧ3 on 2

𝑄2 𝑄2
𝐹Ԧnet,2 = 𝑘 2 𝐢Ƹ + 𝑘 2 𝐢Ƹ
𝑑 𝑑
𝑄2
𝐹Ԧnet,2 = 2𝑘 2 𝐢Ƹ
𝑑

Electric Forces and Electric Field 18

Electric Field
▪ Intermediary through which A
communicates its presence to B
(𝑞0 ).
▪ The electric force on a charged
body is exerted by the electric
field created by other charged
bodies.

➢ Symbol: 𝐸

➢ 𝐸 is vector quantity.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 19

Electric Field
▪ Electric force 𝐹0 experienced
by a test charge 𝑞0 at a certain
point, divided by the charge 𝑞0 .

𝐹Ԧ0
𝐸= (2.2)
𝑞0
SI unit: [N/C]

𝐹Ԧ0 = 𝑞0 𝐸 (2.3)

(For a point charge only.)

Electric Forces and Electric Field 20

Electric Field of a Point Charge

𝑃
1 |𝑞|
𝐸= (2.4)
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟 2 𝐫ො
𝑞 𝑟
(Magnitude only)

1 𝑞
𝐸= 2
𝐫ො (2.5)
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟
(Magnitude + direction)

➢ 𝐫ො – source-to-point unit vector.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 21

Electric Field of a Point Charge
1 𝑞
𝐸= 2
𝐫ො (2.5)
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟

+ –

Positive charge Negative charge

𝐸 points away from the charge. 𝐸 points towards the charge.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 22

Trajectory of a Charged Particle

Electric Forces and Electric Field 23

Uniform Electric Field
➢ Vectors are parallel and of equal magnitude.

Positively Charged Plate

+++++++++++++

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Negatively Charged Plate

Electric Forces and Electric Field 24

Trajectory in Uniform Electric Field
Parallel Case
➢ Positive charge

Direction of acceleration:
+ 𝑣Ԧ0
𝑎Ԧ
𝐸
➢ Negative charge

Direction of acceleration:
𝑣Ԧ0 – 𝑎Ԧ
𝐸
Electric Forces and Electric Field 25
Trajectory in Uniform Electric Field
Perpendicular Case
➢ Positive charge ➢ Negative charge

𝑣Ԧ0 𝑣Ԧ0
+ –
Direction of Direction of
acceleration: acceleration:
𝑎Ԧ
𝐸 𝐸
𝑎Ԧ
Electric Forces and Electric Field 26
 EXAMPLE

1. Three point charges lie at the vertices of an equilateral triangle

as shown. All three charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges 1 and 2 are positive (+𝑞) and Charge 3 is negative
(– 𝑞). The net electric force that Charges 2 and 3 exert on
Charge 1 is in:​
Charge 2
a) the +x-direction.
+q
b) the –x-direction.
c) the +y-direction. Charge 1
d) the –y-direction. +q

e) none of the above.

y
-q

x Charge 3

Electric Forces and Electric Field 27

 SOLUTION

1. Three point charges lie at the vertices of an equilateral triangle

as shown. All three charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges 1 and 2 are positive (+𝑞) and Charge 3 is negative
(– 𝑞). The net electric force that Charges 2 and 3 exert on
Charge 1 is in:​
Charge 2
a) the +x-direction.
+q
b) the –x-direction.
c) the +y-direction. Charge 1
d) the –y-direction. +q
𝐹Ԧ 2 on 1 𝐹Ԧ 3 on 1
e) none of the above.
y
Charge 2 will repel charge 1. 𝐹Ԧ net -q

Charge 3 will attract charge 1. Charge 3

x

Electric Forces and Electric Field 28

 EXAMPLE

2. Three point charges lie at the vertices of an equilateral triangle

as shown. All three charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges 1 is positive (+𝑞) and Charges 2 and 3 are negative
(– 𝑞). The net electric force that Charges 2 and 3 exert on
Charge 1 is in:​
Charge 2
a) the +x-direction.
–q
b) the –x-direction.
c) the +y-direction. Charge 1
d) the –y-direction. +q

e) none of the above.

y
–q

x Charge 3

Electric Forces and Electric Field 29

 SOLUTION

2. Three point charges lie at the vertices of an equilateral triangle

as shown. All three charges have the same magnitude, but
Charges 1 is positive (+𝑞) and Charges 2 and 3 are negative
(– 𝑞). The net electric force that Charges 2 and 3 exert on
Charge 1 is in:​
Charge 2
a) the +x-direction.
–q
b) the –x-direction. 𝐹Ԧ 2 on 1
c) the +y-direction. Charge 1
𝐹Ԧ net
d) the –y-direction. +q

e) none of the above. 𝐹Ԧ 3 on 1

y
–q
Both Charges 2 and 3 will attract
charge 1. Charge 3
x

Electric Forces and Electric Field 30

 EXAMPLE

3. A positive point charge +Q is released from rest in an electric

field. At any later time, the velocity of the point charge​:
a) is in the direction of the electric field at the position of the
point charge.
b) is directly opposite the direction of the electric field at the
position of the point charge.​
c) is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field at the
position of the point charge.​
d) is zero.​
e) not enough information given to decide​

Electric Forces and Electric Field 31

 SOLUTION

3. A positive point charge +Q is released from rest in an electric

field. At any later time, the velocity of the point charge​:
a) is in the direction of the electric field at the position of the
point charge.
b) is directly opposite the direction of the electric field at the
position of the point charge.​
c) is perpendicular to the direction of the electric field at the
position of the point charge.​
d) is zero.​
e) not enough information given to decide​

The velocity of the point charge​ is in the direction of the electric field at
the position of the point charge.

Electric Forces and Electric Field 32

References
▪ University Physics 13th ed., H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014.
▪ Physics 72 Lectures by R. Aguilar, A. Dumigpe, M. Onglao,
and M. Ugalino.

➢ Annotations by: Art Graeson B. Dumigpe

➢ Edited by: Jonel F. Binamira

Electric Forces and Electric Field 33