ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY

Definitions
An electric field is a region where an electric force is experienced by a charge. Electric
fields can be represented by electric field line.
An electric field line is the path taken by a small positive charge placed in the electric
field.
Properties of electric field lines
 They begin or end on charge.
 They are in a state of tension which causes them to shorten.
 They repel one another sideways
 They never cross each other
 The electric field line are symmetrical on point charges
 The number of filed lines originating or terminating on a charge is proportional to
the magnitude of the charge
Direction of electric field
The direction of the electric field at any point is the direction of force on a small positive
test charge placed at that point.
Electric field Patterns
Electric field lines are used to represent the distribution and strength of the electric field
around charges. The figures below show the electric patterns around some charge
distribution.
1) Isolated point charge

a) positive charge b) negative charge

2) Two point opposite charges close to each other

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3) Two point charges of similar charges close to each other

*P *P

* P is a neutral point
a) positive charges b) negative charges
A neutral point is defined as point in an electric field where there is no electric
force experienced by a charge placed at that point.
4) Point charge close to a plate

a) positive charge b) negative charge

5) Point charge close to a plate of similar charge

*P P* *P P*

+++++++++++++++ __________
a) positive charge b) negative charge
*P is a neutral point
6) Parallel plates of opposite charge
++++++++++++++

-------------
7) Parallel plates of similar charge
++++++++++++++ ------------
*P P* *P P*
+++++++++++++ -------------
*P is a neutral point
a) positive charge b) negative charge

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Why the electric field lines close to the conductor are always at right angles to the
surface of the conductor.
 Very close to the surface of a conductor, there is maximum force exerted on the
charge; because the distance from the conductor is very small.
 The electric field experienced is always in the direction of the force and is little
influenced by neighbouring electric fields.
 The maximum force (and hence the electric field) is directed along the normal to
the surface. Therefore the electric field is normal to the surface of the conductor.
ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY
Electric field intensity is defined as the force experienced by a positive charge of 1C
placed at a point in an electric field.
From Coulomb’s law

Q Qo= +1C
r E
The force between two point charges is given by
𝑄 𝑄𝑜 𝑄 𝑄𝑜
F= =𝐾 ……………………………. (1)
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2 𝑟2

When Qo = +1C, then F=E

𝑄 𝑄
Hence E = =K …………………………….. (2)
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2 𝑟2

Relation between Electric field intensity and electric Force

𝐹
(1) ÷ (2) gives = 𝑄𝑜
𝐸

F = E Qo …………………………….. (3)
SI unit of electric field intensity:
Generally from eqn (3)
𝐹 (𝑁)
E=
𝑄 (𝐶)

Hence electric field intensity E is measured in newton per coulomb (NC-1)

NB: Electric field intensity is a vector quantity and therefore has both magnitude and
direction.

EXAMPLES.(Already covered in class)

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ELECTRIC FLUX ∅
great electric flux low electric flux
A A E
charge

This is the product of electric field strength at any point and area normal to the field
∅=𝐴𝐸
TOTAL ELECTRIC FLUX (Guass’s theorem)
Consider a spherical surface of radius r, concentric with point charge Q as shown in the
figure below.
r
Q E

The electric field intensity on the spherical surface

𝑄
E=
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2

The area of the spherical surface is A = 4𝜋𝑟 2

Electric flux Φ= EA
𝑄
= x 4𝜋𝑟 2
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2

𝑄
= (Gauss’ theorem)
𝜀𝑜

Guass’s theorem of electrostatic states that the total electric flux passing normally
through a closed surface, whatever its shape is given by the ratio of charge enclosed to
the permittivity of the medium.
Electric field intensity due to hollow charged sphere

+ +
+ ri r ro
+ +
+

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Consider a hollow sphere of radius r, carrying a charge Q as shown in the figure above.
(i) inside the sphere
Consider a spherical surface of radius ri drawn inside the sphere as shown in the
figure above. The net charge inside a hollow sphere is Zero (as per Faradays ice
𝑄
pail experiment). Hence the electric field intensity E= 2 is zero everywhere
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟
inside the sphere.
(ii) on the surface of the sphere
The area of the surface along the sphere is given by A=4𝜋𝑟 2 and the charge
enclosed by the surface of the sphere is Q.
𝑄
From Gauss’ theorem the product E x A =
𝜀𝑜

𝑄
E x 4𝜋𝑟 2 =
𝜀𝑜

𝑄
The electric field intensity E=
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟 2

(iii) outside the sphere

The electric flux through a spherical surface of radius ro drawn concentric with the
sphere carrying a charge Q is given by
𝑄
Electric flux E x A =
𝜀𝑜
𝑄
E x 4𝜋𝑟𝑜 2 =
𝜀𝑜
𝑄
E=
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟𝑜 2
1
Hence E ∝
𝑟2
The graph below shows the variation of electric field intensity E with the distance
from a point on the far left to a point on the far right of the charged sphere.
E

outside inside outside

O distance

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 ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Electric potential difference
This is the work done in moving a positive charge of 1C from one point to another.
SI Unit:
The SI unit of potential difference is a volt. A volt is defined as the potential difference
between two points A and B in which 1J of energy is used to transfer one coulomb of
positive charge from B to A.
Electric potential and energy
From the definition of a volt, if a charge Q (coulombs) is moved through a p.d V(volts) the
work done W (joules) is given by
W= QV
Consider two points A and B in an electric field in which A is at a higher potential than B.

Q
A B

If a positive charge Q is moved from B to A work is done on it of VABQ and the charge
gains this potential energy.
If the charge goes back from A to B it loses that potential energy and work is done on the
charge by the electrostatic force.

Expression for potential energy between charges

b
a
Q1 A P B
x ● 𝛿𝑥 Q2

The electrostatic force on a charge Q2 at a distance x from a charge Q1 is given by

𝑄 𝑥𝑄
F=K 1 2 2
𝑥
𝑄1 𝑄2
Hence F = K
𝑥2

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The work done by an external force in moving Q2 through a distance 𝛿𝑥 is given by
𝑄1 𝑄2
𝛿𝑤 = −𝐹𝛿𝑥 = -𝐾 𝛿𝑥
𝑥2

negative because work is done against the force of repulsion between the charges
The total work done in moving Q2 form B to A at a distance b and a respectively from Q
gives the electric potential energy gained
𝑎 1
W =∫ 𝑑𝑤 = −𝐾𝑄1 𝑄2 ∫𝑏 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2
1 𝑎 1 𝑎
W = -K𝑄1 𝑄2 [ ] = K𝑄1 𝑄2 [ ]
−𝑥 𝑏 𝑥 𝑏

1 1
∴ W= K𝑄1 𝑄2 [ − ]
𝑎 𝑏

If the charge Q2 is moved from infinity to a point P at a distance r from Q1 then a=r and
b=∞, the potential energy between the charges is given by
1 1
W= K𝑄1 𝑄2 [ − ]
𝑟 ∞
1
But 0
∞
𝑄1 𝑄2
Hence potential energy W= K
𝑟

What happens to the potential energy as two point charges of the same sign are
brought together.
 Like charges repel. Work has to be done against the repulsive forces between
them to bring them closer.
 This work is stored as electric potential energy of the system.
 The potential energy of the two like charges therefore increases when the charges
are brought closer together
Expression for potential difference
b
a
Q A P B
x ● 𝛿𝑥 Qo=+1C
The electrostatic force on a charge Qo at a distance x from a charge Q is given by
𝑄𝑥𝑄 𝑄𝑥1
F =K 2 𝑜 = K 2
𝑥 𝑥
𝑄
Hence F= K
𝑥2
The work done by an external force in moving Qo through a distance 𝛿𝑥 is given by
𝑄
𝛿𝑤 = −𝐹𝛿𝑥 = -𝐾 𝛿𝑥
𝑥2

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 negative because work is done against the force of repulsion between the charges
The total work done in moving Qo (of positive 1C) form B to A at a distance b and a
respectively from Q gives the electric potential difference VAB between A and B
𝑎 1
VAB =∫ 𝑑𝑤 = −𝐾𝑄 ∫𝑏 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2
1 𝑎 1 𝑎
VAB = -KQ [ ] = KQ [ ]
−𝑥 𝑥 𝑏 𝑏
1 1
∴ VAB= KQ[ − ]
𝑎 𝑏

Electric potential at a point

This is the work done in moving a positive charge of 1C from infinity to a point against
the electric field.
Expression for electric potential at a point

Q r P A B
x ● 𝛿𝑥 Qo=+1C

The electrostatic force on a charge Qo=+1C at a distance x from a charge Q is given by

𝑄𝑥𝑄 𝑄𝑥1
F =K 2 𝑜 = K 2
𝑥 𝑥
𝑄
Hence F= K
𝑥2

The work done by an external force in moving Qo through a distance 𝛿𝑥 is given by

𝑄
𝛿𝑤 = −𝐹𝛿𝑥 = -𝐾 𝛿𝑥
𝑥2

negative because work is done against the force of repulsion between the charges
The total work done in moving Qo (of positive 1C) from infinity to a point P at a distance r
from Q gives the electric potential difference V at P
𝑟 1
V =∫ 𝑑𝑤 = −𝐾𝑄 ∫∞ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥2
1 𝑟 1 𝑟
V = -KQ [ ] = KQ [ ]
−𝑥 𝑥 ∞ ∞
1 1
V= KQ[ − ]
𝑟 ∞
1
But 0
∞
𝑄
∴ V= K
𝑟

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Electric potential due to a hollow charged sphere

+ +
+ ri r ro
+ +
+
Consider a hollow sphere of radius r, carrying a charge Q as shown in the figure above.
(i) inside the sphere
Consider a spherical surface of radius ri drawn inside the sphere as shown in the
figure above. No net charge resides on the inside of a hollow conductor. Therefore
there is no work done to transfer a charge from one point to another a point inside
the sphere. All points inside and on the surface of the sphere have the same
potential.

(ii) on the surface of the sphere

The charge Q lies on the surface of the sphere of radius r.
𝑄
The electric potential V=
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟

(iii) outside the sphere

The work done in moving a positive charge of 1C to a point a distance ro from the
center of the sphere carrying a charge Q is given by
𝑄
V=
4 𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑟𝑜
1
Hence V ∝
𝑟
The graph below shows the variation of electric potential V with the distance from a
point on the far left to a point on the far right of the charged sphere.
V

outside inside outside

O distance

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ELECTRIC POTENTIAL AND ELECTRIC FIELD INTENSITY (Electric Potential Gradient)
Consider two points A and B separated by a distance ∆𝑥 in an electric field E as shown
in the figure below:
X+∆𝑥
x ∆𝑥
Q A Qo
B E
V V+∆𝑉
If A and B are at electric potentials V and V +∆𝑉 respectively, then
the potential difference between A and B
VAB = VA – VB
= V –(V +∆𝑉)
= -∆𝑉 …………………….. (1)
The work done in moving a positive charge Qo =+1C from B to A
∆𝑤 = force x distance
= F x ∆𝑥
But F= EQo
∆𝑤 = EQo∆𝑥
Since work done in moving a charge Qo =+1C gives the electric potential VAB between A
and B then
∆𝑊
VAB = = E∆𝑥 ………………………… (2)
𝑄𝑂

Using eqn (1) and (2)

E∆𝑥 = -∆V
−∆𝑉
E=
∆𝑥

In the limit as ∆𝑥 0
𝑑𝑉
∴E = − the potential gradient
𝑑𝑥

Other Unit of Electric field strength E

𝑑𝑉
Since V is in volts and x in meters then E = is in volts per meter (Vm-1)
𝑑𝑥

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EQUIPOTENTIAL SURFACES
An equipotential surface is any surface over which the electric potential is constant.

equipotential surfaces

Q E

equipotential surfaces
a) isolated point charge b) two opposite point charges
Properties of equipotential surface
 The work done moving charge from one point on surface to another is zero.
 The electric field is always at right angles to equipotential surfaces.
 There is no electric field along the surface
 There is no potential gradient lying in the equipotential surface
Closest distance of approach
Consider alpha particles incident head-on to the nucleus of an atom in a foil.

alpha particle Q1=+2e Q2=+Ze

b

At the closest distance of approach, all the kinetic energy of the alpha particles is
converted into electrostatic potential energy of the alpha particle-nucleus system. If u is
the initial speed of the alpha particles, then
1 𝑄1 𝑄2
mu2 = K
2 𝑟
1 (2𝑒)(𝑍𝑒)
mu2 =
2 4𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑏

𝑍𝑒 2
The closest distance of approach b =
𝜋𝜀𝑜 𝑚𝑢2

EXAMPLES (leave 2 pages space)

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