Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

P H Y S I C S - XI
( N e w T e x t B o o k )

By:

ASPIRE ACADEMY NEAR SONERI BANK NASEEM NAGAR QASIMABAD

Sir Mehrab Ali Samejo Contact: 03332615426

PHYSICS - XI 1 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO

Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

ELECTROSTATICS:
The study of effects of charges at rest is called electrostatics.”
CHARGE:
Charge is the fundamental property of a matter that exhibit electrostatic attraction or repulsion
over other matter. The charges of free-standing particles are integer multiples of the elementary
charge e.
Physical property of matter that expresses the extent to which it has more or fewer electrons
than protons.
Michael Faraday in his electrolysis experiments, was the first to note the discrete nature of
electric charge
Electric charge comes in two types, called positive and negative.
Two positively or two negative charged substances, experience a mutual repulsive force.
Positively charged objects and negatively charged objects experience an attractive force.
SI unit of charge is the coulomb (C).
Charge can be induced either by rubbing two materials or by electrostatic induction.
One coulomb charge is equal to the amount of charge transferred by a current of 1 ampere in
𝟏second.
It is approximately equal to the charge of 𝟔. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟖 protons or 𝟔. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟖 electrons
𝟏C = A.s

COLUMB’S LAW:
Coulomb's law describes the electrostatic interaction between charged particles. It was studied
by French physicist Charles Augustine de Coulomb.

STATEMENT:
“The magnitude of the electrostatic force between two point electric charges is directly
proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between the two charges.”

EXPLANATION:
Let q1 and q2 be the two positive point charges placed at a distance “r” from each other,

Mathematically
𝑭 ∝ 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐 …………………….. (i)
𝟏
And 𝑭 ∝ 𝒓𝟐 ……………………. (ii)
By combining relations (i) and (ii)
𝒒 𝒒
𝐹 ∝ 𝟏𝒓𝟐 𝟐
𝑘𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹 = 𝒓𝟐
1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹 = 4𝜋𝜖 ×
𝑜 𝒓𝟐
Where 0 is called permittivity of free space and its value is 8.85 × 10−12 𝐶 2 𝑁 −1 𝑚−2
1 1
𝑘 = 4𝜋𝜖 = 4×3.14×8.85×10−12 = 8.98755 × 109 ≈ 9 × 109 𝑁𝑚2 𝐶 −2
𝑜

And “K” is called Coulomb’s constant.

1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹 = × 𝟐
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝒓
PERMITIVITY OF MEDIUM
If medium is other than free space such as insulator, then force between charges is reduced by
1
factor ∈ . Where r is called relative permittivity or dielectric constant.
𝑟

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

The relative permittivity for air is 1.0006. This is very low and can be rounded off to 1 for all
practical purposes. The value r for other insulators is always greater than 1.
Hence
∈
∈𝑟 =
∈𝑜
𝑂𝑟 ∈𝑜 ∈𝑟 =∈
This force in presence of medium other than free is space is given by
1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹 = × 𝟐
4𝜋 ∈ 𝒓
1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹 = × 𝟐
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 ∈𝑟 𝒓
Coulomb used an apparatus known as Torsion-balance to measure the force between two-point
charges. The magnitude of force applied by charge 𝒒𝟏 is equal to the magnitude of force applied
by charge 𝒒𝟐 .
Vector form of Coulombs’ force:

1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹 = × 𝟐 . 𝑟̂
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝒓
WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.1
The electron and proton of a hydrogen atom are separated by approximately 5.3 𝑥 1011 𝑚. Find
the magnitudes of (a) the electric force and (b) the gravitational force between the two particles.
(c) What is your conclusion about these forces.
Data:
Charge on Proton = q1 = 1.6 × 10−19 C
Charge on Electron = q 2 = 1.6 × 10−19 C
Distance between electron and proton = r = 5.3 × 1011 m
Coulomb′ s Constant = K = 9 × 109 Nm2 C−2
Mass of Proton = m1 = 1.672 × 10−27 kg
Mass of Electron = m2 = 9.109 × 10−31 kg
Gravitational Constant = G = 6.673 × 10−11 Nm2 kg −2
a. Electrostatic force = Fe =?
b. Gravitational force = FG =?
c. Conclusion about forces =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑎. 𝐹 =𝑘 𝟐
𝒓
9 × 109 × 1.6 × 10−19 × 1.6 × 10−19
𝐹 =
(5.3 × 10−11 )2
23.04 × 10−29
𝐹 =
28.09 × 10−22
𝐹 = 0.8202 × 10−7
𝐹 = 8.202 × 10−8 𝑁
𝑚1 𝑚2
𝑏. 𝐹 =𝐺
𝑟2
6.673 × 10−11 × 1.672 × 10−27 × 9.109 × 10−31
𝐹 =
(5.3 × 10−11 )2
−69
101.63 × 10
𝐹 =
28.09 × 10−22
𝐹 = 3.61 × 10−47 𝑁
𝒄. The gravitational force is of order of 10−47 and electrostatic force is of 10−8 ,so gravitational
force is very small as compared to electrostatic force.
PHYSICS - XI 3 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO
Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.2

Two positive charges of equal magnitude are placed of in vacuum at distance of 50𝑐𝑚 and repel
each other with the electric force of 0.1𝑁. (a) Find the value of the charge. (b) Calculate the
force between these two charges if they are places in an insulating liquid whose permittivity is
five times that of a vacuum.

Data:
Distance between two charges = r = 50cm = 0.5m
Electrostatic Force = F = 0.1N
Permittivity of medium =∈= 5𝜖𝑜
Coulomb′ s Constant = K = 9 × 109 Nm2 C−2
a. Electric charge = 𝑞1 = q 2 = q =?
b. Electrostatic forcein presensence of medium(liquid) = Fmed =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑎. 𝐹 =𝑘 𝟐
𝒓
9 × 109 × 𝑞 × 𝑞
0.1 =
(0.5)2
9 × 109 × 𝑞 2
0.1 =
0.25
0.1 × 0.25
𝑞2 =
9 × 109
𝑞 = 0.0028 × 10−9
2

𝑞 2 = 2.8 × 10−12
𝑞 = √2.8 × 10−12
𝒒 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 C
𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝑏. 𝐹 =𝑘 𝟐
𝒓
1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 =
4𝜋𝜖 𝒓𝟐
1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 =
4𝜋 × 5𝜖𝑜 𝒓𝟐
1 1 𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟐
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 = ( )
5 4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝒓𝟐
1
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 = (𝐹 )
5
𝐹
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 =
5
0.1
𝐹𝑚𝑒𝑑 =
5
𝑭𝒎𝒆𝒅 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝑵

WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.3

Three charges 𝑞1 = +2𝜇𝐶, 𝑞2 = +3𝜇𝐶, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞3 = +4𝜇𝐶 are placed in air at the vertices of an
equilateral triangle of sides 10𝑐𝑚 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the
charge 𝑞3 ?

Data:
Electric charge = 𝑞1 = +2𝜇𝐶 = 2 × 10−6 𝐶
Electric charge = 𝑞2 = +3𝜇𝐶 = 3 × 10−6 𝐶
Electric charge = 𝑞3 = +4𝜇𝐶 = 4 × 10−6 𝐶

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

Distance between 𝑞1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞2 = r1 = 10cm = 0.1m

Distance between 𝑞2 𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑞3 = r2 = 10cm = 0.1m
Distance between 𝑞3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑞1 = r3 = 10cm = 0.1m
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 = θ = 600
Coulomb′ s Constant = K = 9 × 109 Nm2 C−2
Resultant Electrostatic force on 𝑞3 = 𝐹 =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Force on charge 𝑞3 due to charge 𝑞1 will be
𝒒𝟏 𝒒𝟑
𝐹1 = 𝑘
𝒓𝟏 𝟐
9 × 109 × 2 × 10−6 × 4 × 10−6
𝐹1 =
(0.1)2
9−12
72 × 10
𝐹1 =
10−2
𝐹1 = 72 × 10−3+2
𝐹1 = 72 × 10−1
𝐹1 = 7.2𝑁
Force on charge 𝑞3 due to charge 𝑞2 will be
𝒒𝟐 𝒒𝟑
𝐹2 = 𝑘
𝒓𝟐 𝟐
9 × 109 × 3 × 10−6 × 4 × 10−6
𝐹2 =
(0.1)2
9−12
108 × 10
𝐹2 =
10−2
𝐹2 = 108
𝐹2 = 108 × 10−1
𝐹2 = 10.8𝑁
As angle between 𝐹1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹2 is 600 so resultant force on 𝑞3 will be
𝐹 = √𝐹12 + 𝐹22 + 2𝐹1 𝐹2 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝐹 = √(7.2)2 + (10.8)2 + 2(7.2)(10.8)𝐶𝑜𝑠60
𝐹 = √51.84 + 116.64 + 77.76
𝐹 = √246.24
𝑭 = 𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟗𝑵

ELECTRIC FIELD:
The region or space around the charge within which the effects of electric force can be
experienced by other charges is called Electric field.
The concept of a field was developed by Michael Faraday.
An electric field is said to exist in the region of space around a charged object.
The charged object which produces the electric field is known as the source charge.
ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY (E):
The Physical Vector quantity describes both, the strength of electrical field and its direction at
that point is known as electric field intensity.
To observe the strength of electric field of the source charge, another charged object is required
which is known as the test charge 𝑞𝑜 . This test charge experiences the electric force due to the
field produced by the source charge 𝑞.
The electric intensity 𝐸⃗ at any point in electric field is defined as:
“The force experienced by unit positive test charge placed at that point.”
𝐹
𝐸⃗ =
𝑞𝑜

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

 Intensity of an electric field is a vector quantity.

 It is directed from positive to negative charge.
 Direction of intensity is same as that of force.
 S.I. Units of electric field intensity are NC-1 or V.m-1
ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY DUE TO A POINT CHARGE:
Suppose a point charge “q” is situated at point “O”. In order to find the electric field intensity
of charge “q”, let another charge “qo” called the test charge is brought near the charge “q” at
point “P” at a distance “r” from “O”, as shown in figure.

According to the Coulomb’s Law, electrostatic force F experienced by the test charge is given by:
1 qqo
F=
4 0 r 2
Electric field intensity of charge “q” is given by,
𝐹
𝐸⃗ =
𝑞𝑜
1 q qo 1
E= × 2 
4 0 r qo
1 q
E= × 2
4 0 r
1 q
E= x 2
4 0 r
Vector form of intensity is given by:
 1 q
E= × 2 .rˆ
4 0 r
 kq
E = 2 .rˆ
r
If there are n number of charged particles 𝑞1, 𝑞2, 𝑞3, 𝑞4, 𝑞5, … … … … 𝑞𝑛. then the net electric
force of these charges at a point. According to superposition principle

𝐹 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3 +𝐹4 + 𝐹5 + ⋯ … … … +𝐹𝑛.

The net electric intensity due to these charges will be

𝐹1 𝐹2 𝐹3 𝐹4 𝐹𝑛
𝐸⃗ = + + + + ⋯ … … … +
𝑞𝑜 𝑞𝑜 𝑞𝑜 𝑞𝑜 𝑞𝑜
⃗𝐸 = 𝐸⃗1 + 𝐸⃗2 + 𝐸⃗3 +𝐸⃗4 + … … … … +𝐸⃗𝑛.
Therefore, the electric field of these charges experiences by the test charge is vector sum of electric
field of individual charges.
ELECTRIC LINES OF FORCE:
1. The lines of the electric force are imaginary which can be traced from positive to
negative.
2. Every line is a continuous line which originates on positive charge and terminal on
negative charge.
3. These lines never cross each other.

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

4. They are tangential at any point give the direction of the intensity.
5. These lines are close to each other. When the electric field is strong and away from
each other when the field is weak.
6. These lines always start from the surface of the conductor so, they never exist inside
the conductor.

(Around a positive charge) (Around a negative charge)

WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.4
Find the intensity of electric field at a point such that a proton placed at it would experience a
force equal to its weight.
Data:
Mass of proton = m𝑝 = 1.672 x 10−27 kg
Charge on proton = e = 1.602 × 10−19 C
Gravitational Acceleration = 𝑔 = 9.8ms −2
Electric field strength = 𝐸 =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

𝐹
𝐸 =
𝑞0
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝐹 = 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔
𝑚𝑔
𝐸 =
𝑒
1.672 × 10−27 × 9.8
𝐸 =
1.602 × 10−19
𝐸 = 10.228 × 10−27+19
𝐸 = 10.228 × 10−8
𝑬 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟐𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟕 𝑵/𝑪
WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.5
a) Calculate the magnitude of electric field strength, if a test charge 𝑞0 = +3.5𝜇𝐶
experience a force of 70 𝑚𝑁 (filed lines of electric filed shown in figure ).
b) if this test charge is replaced by an electron, then calculate force on an electron
and state the direction of force.
Data:
Test Charge = 𝑞0 = +3.5𝜇𝐶 = 3.5 × 10−6 𝐶
ElectricForce = F = 70𝑚𝑁 = 70 × 10−3 𝑁
Charge on eletron = e = 1.602 × 10−19 C
a. Magnitude of electric field strength = 𝐸 =?
b. Force on electron = 𝐹 =?
c. Direction of force =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
a. Force on charge 𝑞3 due to charge 𝑞1 will be

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

𝐹
𝐸 =
𝑞0
70 × 10−3
𝐸 =
3.5 × 10−6
𝐸 = 20 × 10−3+6
𝐸 = 2 × 103+1
𝑬 = 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑵/𝑪
b. 𝐹 =𝑒×𝐸
𝐹 = 1.602 × 10−19 × 2 × 104
𝐹 = 3.204 × 10−19+4
𝐅 = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟎𝟒 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟓 𝐍
ELECTRIC DIPOLE:
An electric dipole is defined as a couple of opposite and equal charges “q” and “–q” separated
by a distance “d”. By default, the direction of electric dipoles in space is always from negative
charge “-q” to positive charge “q”.
The midpoint “q” and “–q” is called the center of the dipole.An electric dipole is denoted by the
symbol “𝑝”. We know that electric dipole is the product of the magnitude of any the charges multiplied
by the distance between them., and this can be mathematically represented as follows:
𝑝 = 𝑞𝑑
The SI unit of dipole moment is Coulomb-meter (C.m). It is a vector quantity.
ELECTRIC FIELD AT APOINT DUE TO TWO CHARGES:
A pair of equal and opposite point charges separated by a small distance form an electric dipole.
To calculate the electric field of the dipole at point C which is at a distance "𝑦" from the center
of dipole. Consider two charges " − 𝑞" and " + 𝑞" place at a small distance "𝑑" from each other
as shown in figure.
The charge " + 𝑞" sets up field"𝐸+𝑞 " and the charge " − 𝑞" produce the field "𝐸−𝑞 ". Resolving
the field vectors into the components. From figure, it clear that the vertical components
"𝐸+𝑞 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃" and "𝐸−𝑞 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃" cancel each other. Therefore, the net electric is due to the vector
sum of the horizontal components "𝐸+𝑞 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃" and "𝐸−𝑞 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃"
𝐸 = 𝐸+𝑞 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝐸−𝑞 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 − − − − − − − − − (1)
As both charges are equal so the magnitudes of both intensities
"𝐸+𝑞 " and "𝐸−𝑞 " are equal hence
1 𝑞
𝐸+𝑞 = 𝐸−𝑞 = × 2
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟
Putting in equation (1)
1 𝑞 1 𝑞
𝐸= × 2 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 + × 2 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟
1 𝑞
𝐸 =2×( × ) 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 − − − − − −(2)
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2

From figure in triangle ∆𝐴𝐷𝐶 it is clear that

𝑑
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 2
𝑟
𝑑
𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃 =
2𝑟
Putting in equation (2)

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

1 𝑞 𝑑
𝐸 = 2×( × 2) ×
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 2𝑟
1 𝑞𝑑
𝐸= × − − − − − −(3)
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 3
𝐴𝑠 𝑞𝑑 = 𝑃 = 𝑑𝑖𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
And from figure in triangle ∆𝐴𝐷𝐶
2 2
𝑑 2
𝑟 =𝑦 +( )
2
𝑑 2
√ 2
𝑟 = 𝑦 +( )
2
Putting these values in equation (3)
1 𝑃
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 2
𝑑
(√𝑦 2 + ( 2) )
1 𝑃
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 2 2
𝑑
(𝑦 2 + ( ) )
2
1 𝑃
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 2 2
𝑑
{𝑦 2 (1 + (2𝑦) )}
1 𝑃
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 2 2
𝑑
𝑦 3 (1 + (2𝑦) )
𝑑
As d is very much small as compared to y (𝑑 ≪ 𝑦) so 𝑑 ≈ 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 =0
2𝑦
1 𝑃
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
𝑦 3 (1 + (0)2 )2
𝟏 𝑷
𝑬= × 𝟑
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝒐 𝒚
This is expression for intensity at point due to two charges

WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.6

Calculate the electric field intensity at point P of two positive charges
of same magnitude which are separated by small distance as given in
figure
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The charge +q 𝑎𝑡 𝐴 sets up field"𝐸" and the charge " + 𝑞"
at B produce the field "𝐸".
Resolving the field vectors into the components.
From figure, it clear that the horizontal components "𝐸𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃" and
"𝐸𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃" cancel each other.
Therefore, the net electric is due to the vector sum of the vertical
components "𝐸𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃" and "𝐸𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃"
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝐸𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝐸 = 2𝐸𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 − − − − − − − − − (1)

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Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

Form figure
𝑦
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑟
And intensity is given by
1 𝑞
𝐸= × 2
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟
Putting in equation (1)
1 𝑞 𝑦
𝐸 =2×( × 2)
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟 𝑟
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
2𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑟

And from figure in triangle ∆𝐴𝐷𝑃

2 2
𝑑 2
𝑟 =𝑦 +( )
2
𝑑 2
√ 2
𝑟 = 𝑦 +( )
2
Putting these values in equation (3)
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
√ 2 𝑑 2
( 𝑦 + (2) )
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
𝑑 2 2
(𝑦 2 + ( 2) )
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
𝑑 2 2
{𝑦 2 (1 + (2𝑦) )}
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
𝑑 2 2
𝑦 3 (1 + (2𝑦) )
𝑑
As d is very much small as compared to y (𝑑 ≪ 𝑦) so 𝑑 ≈ 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 =0
2𝑦
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜
𝑦 3 (1 + (0)2 )2
1 𝑞𝑦
𝐸= × 3
4𝜋𝜖𝑜 𝑦
𝟏 𝒒
𝑬= × 𝟐
𝟒𝝅𝝐𝒐 𝒚

This is expression for intensity at point P due to two positive charges.

PHYSICS - XI 10 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO

Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

ELECTRIC FLUX(Δ):
“The total number of electric lines of force passing through a surface is called the electric flux.”
The flux passing through a surface depends upon the electric intensity at the points and the
vector area of the electric field.
So electric flux can also be defined as
“The dot product of electric intensity (𝐸⃗ ) and vector area (𝛥𝐴)
is known as electric flux
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸⃗ . ∆𝐴
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸 ∆𝐴 𝐶𝑜𝑠
It is denoted as 𝜑𝑒 .
The flux is a scalar quantity.
Electrical flux has SI units of volt meter (𝑉 𝑚),
or, equivalently, Newton meter squared per coulomb (𝑁 𝑚2 𝐶 −1 ).

TYPES OF FLUX:
The flux through a given surface depends upon the angle at which
the surface is placed with respect to the electric field.
a) MAXIMUM FLUX
Flux will be maximum, when vector area 𝛥𝐴is parallel to the electric field 𝐸⃗
i.e. 𝜃 = 0𝑂 .
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝜑𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠00
𝜑𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴 × 1
𝝋𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝑬. 𝜟𝑨
b) POSITIVE FLUX:
If the angle between the vector area and intensity lies between
0𝑂 and 90𝑂 then flux will be Positive.
Positive flux is regarded as the out coming flux from the surface.
c) NEGATIVE FLUX:
If the angle between the vector area and intensity lies between 90𝑂 and 180𝑂 then flux will
be negative
Negative flux is regarded as the incoming flux towards the surface.
d) ZERO FLUX:
Flux will be zero when vector area is perpendicular on the electric field.
i.e., 𝜃 = 90𝑂
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝜑𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠900
𝜑𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴 × 0
𝜑𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 = 0

e) MINIMUM FLUX:
Flux will be minimum when vector area is perpendicular on the electric field.
𝜃 = 180𝑂
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝜑𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴𝐶𝑜𝑠1800
𝜑𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸. 𝛥𝐴 × −1
𝝋𝒎𝒊𝒏 = −𝑬. 𝜟𝑨

PHYSICS - XI 11 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO

Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

ELECTRIC FLUX THROUGH THE SURFACE ENCLOSING A CHARGE:

Suppose an isolated point positive charge “+q” is placed at the center of sphere of radius “r
Dividing whole surface into a large number of small but equal flat surfaces of areas
∆𝐴1 , ∆𝐴2 , ∆𝐴3 , − − − − − − − − − −, ∆𝐴𝑁 , such the electric intensity “E” is the
geometric mean over any flat surface and it remains constant at all surfaces.
Electric flux at every surface is given by:
𝜑1 = 𝐸Δ𝐴1 , 𝜑2 = 𝐸Δ𝐴2 , 𝜑3 = 𝐸Δ𝐴3 , − − − − , 𝜑𝑛 = 𝐸Δ𝐴𝑛
Total electric flux passing through the surface is:
𝑒 =  1 +  2 +  3 + − − − − − − − − − + 𝑛
𝑒 = 𝐸 𝛥𝐴1 + 𝐸 𝛥𝐴2 + 𝐸 𝛥𝐴3 + − − − − − − +𝐸 𝛥𝐴𝑛
𝑒 = 𝐸( 𝛥𝐴1 + 𝛥𝐴2 + 𝛥𝐴3 + − − − − − − − + 𝛥𝐴𝑛 )
𝑒 = 𝐸𝛥𝐴 − − − − − − − − − (1)
Electric field intensity due to an isolated point charge is given by:
1 𝑞
𝐸= . 2
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 𝑟
Put in equation (1)
1 𝑞
𝜑𝑒 = . 2 . ∑𝛥𝐴
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 𝑟
To evaluate the flux through a closed surface such as the flux through a surface of a sphere. The
electric flux through a sphere can be calculated by considering a sphere of radius 'r' enclosing
the charge "q".
If we divide the whole sphere into small area element, then the field lines are penetrating parallel
to the vector area for each area element
Where ΔA is the area of the sphere.
𝛴𝛥𝐴 = 4𝜋𝑟 2
1 𝑞
∴ 𝜑𝑒 = 4𝜋∈ . 𝑟 2 . 4𝜋𝑟 2
𝑜
𝒒
𝝋𝒆 = ∈
𝒐
1
This expression shows that the total flux through a sphere is times the charge enclosed(q) in
∈0
the sphere. The total flux through closed sphere is independent of the radius of sphere
ELECTRIC FLUX DENSITY:
The electric flux per unit area is called flux density.
𝜑𝑒 = 𝐸𝛥𝐴
e
E=
A
The flux density at any point fixes the number of lines originating from or terminating on a unit
area.
The unit of electric flux density is N/C or V/m.
Electric Potential Difference:
Electric potential is defined as: “The work done on unit positive charge in displacing it against
the direction of electric field is known as Electric Potential”.
Work Electric Potential Energy
Electric Potential = Ch arg e = Ch arg e
𝑊 𝑈
𝑉=𝑞 =𝑞
𝑜 𝑜
It is scalar quantity. S.I. unit of electric potential is volt.
Definition of one Volt:
“If one coulomb charge is displaced against the field by doing one Joule work on it then the
electric potential is said to be of one volt”
𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡 =
𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏
PHYSICS - XI 12 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO
Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.7

An alpha particle (+2𝑒) in a nuclear accelerator moves from one terminal at the potential of
6.5 × 106 𝑉 to another terminal at zero potential. What is the corresponding change in the
potential energy of the system?
Data:
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 = 𝑞 = 2𝑒 = 2 × 1.6 × 10−19 𝐶 = 3.2 × 10−19 𝐶
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉1 = 6.5 × 106 𝑉
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 = 𝑉2 = 0 𝑉
Change in Potential Energy = ∆𝑈 =?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
∆𝑈 = q∆V
∆𝑈 = q(V1 − V2 )
∆𝑈 = 3.2 × 10−19 (6.5 × 106 − 0)
∆𝑈 = 3.2 × 10−19 × 6.5 × 106
∆𝑈 = 20.8 × 10−19+6
∆𝑈 = 20.8 × 10−13
∆𝑼 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟖 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟐 J
WORKED EXAMPLE: 8.8
For what value of change in electric potential to remove the six electrons from the carbon atom
if the change in potential energy is 120𝐾𝑒𝑉
Data:
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = 𝑞 = 6𝑒 = 6 × 1.6 × 10−19 𝐶 = 9.6 × 10−19 𝐶
Change in Potential Energy = ∆𝑈 = 120KeV = 120 × 103 𝑒𝑉 = 120 × 103 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 192 × 10−16 𝐽
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = ∆𝑉 = ?
𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
∆𝑈
∆V =
𝑞
192 × 10−16
∆V =
9.6 × 10−19
∆V = 20 × 10−16+19
∆V = 20 × 10+3
∆V = 20 × 103 𝑉
∆𝐕 = 𝟐𝟎𝑲𝑽

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL OF POINT CHARGE: OR (ABSOLUTE POTENTIAL):

The electric potential can be calculated by considering a point charge 𝑞 as a source charge. This
charge creates an electric field at all points in space surrounding it.
A test charge 𝑞0 , is placed at a distance 𝑟 from the point charge as shown in figure.
We know that
𝑊
𝑉=
𝑞𝑜
And work done is given by
𝑊 = 𝑞0 𝐸𝑟
Putting value of W in equation
𝑉 = 𝐸𝑟
Electric field of point charge will be
1 𝑞
𝐸= . 2
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 𝑟
Putting value of E we have

PHYSICS - XI 13 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO

Chapter - 8 THE ASPIRE ACADEMY Electric Fields

1 𝑞
𝑉= . 2 ×𝑟
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 𝑟
1 𝑞
𝑉= .
4𝜋 ∈𝑜 𝑟
This potential difference can be written as:
𝑞 1 1
𝑉2 − 𝑉1 = ( − )
4𝜋𝜖0 𝑟2 𝑟1
where 𝑉1 and 𝑉2 are electric potentials at a distance 𝑟1 and 𝑟2 respectively.
Form above relation, the absolute potential is the work done on a unit charge to bring it from
infinity to a certain point in the electric field.
The absolute potential at point A is obtained by considering the point B to be situated at infinity.

Relation Between Electric Potential And Electric Intensity:

Explanation: Let a very small test charge 𝑞𝑜 is displaced from point “P” to point “Q” along any
arbitrary path in the field as shown in the figure. The displacement of charge 𝑞𝑜 is ∆𝑟.
The force on this charge 𝑞𝑜 in the field is given by:
𝐹 = 𝑞𝑜 . 𝐸⃗
𝑊 = 𝐹. 𝑑
𝑊 = 𝑞𝑜 𝐸⃗ . 𝛥𝑟 𝑞0
𝑊
= 𝐸⃗ . 𝛥𝑟 P
𝑞𝑜 r
𝑉 = 𝐸⃗ . 𝛥𝑟
Thus, mathematically electric potential is defined as: Q
“The dot product of electric field intensity and radial displacement of charge in the field”
𝑉 = 𝐸𝛥𝑟𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
Since displacement of charge is against the electric field, therefore,
𝜃 = 180𝑜
𝑉 = 𝐸∆𝑟𝐶𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑉 = 𝐸∆𝑟𝐶𝑜𝑠180𝑜
𝑉 = 𝐸∆𝑟 × −1
𝑉 = −𝐸∆𝑟
This result shows that electric intensity is the negative potential gradient.

PHYSICS - XI 14 SIR MEHRAB ALI SAMEJO