Electric Fields

Electric Fields

The idea of a field is required in order to explain the "action at a distance." Many of the
phenomena in physics are described in terms of a field. A field is an object that can be specified
simultaneously for all points within a given region of interest.

Recall the idea of gravitational field. In this view, Earth creates a gravitational field that is exerting
the gravitational force on the mass m placed in this field. The gravitational field is defined as
G
JG Fg
g=
m

We can use the same approach with the electric force.

q q
0
G G
r E

Instead of thinking of q exerting the force on q0, we think of q creating a field and that field is
exerting the force on q0.

Electric field at a point in space is the electric force per unit positive test charge at that point, i.e.,
it is numerically equal to the force that would be experienced by a test charge of +1 C at that
K K
point. Thus, the electric field E at location r from a point source charge q is simply
K
K FE q
E= = ke 2 rˆ
q0 r

The units of electric field are N/C.

Electric field vectors may thus be assigned to every point in space surrounding a charge or
distribution of charges. These vectors’ directions may then be used to draw continuous electric
field lines.
Rules for Drawing Electric Field Lines
Electric field lines:
G
• Point in the direction of electric field vector E at every point;

• Start at positive (+) charges or at infinity;

• End at negative (–) charges or at infinity;

G
• Are denser where E has a greater magnitude. In particular, the number of lines entering
or leaving a charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.

By definition, electric field lines are always tangent to the electric field. Since the electric force,
and hence the electric field, can point in only one direction at any given location, it follows that
field lines cannot intersect. If they did, the field at the intersection point would have two conflicting
directions.

Principle of Superposition in Electric Fields

G G G G G G G G
The resultant electric field E at a point is given by E = E1 + E2 + E3 …., where E1 , E2 , E3 …. are
the electric fields experienced at that point due to charges 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Dipole in an Electric Field

A dipole consists of two equal and opposite charges. A dipole in a uniform electric field
experiences a torque τ. Note that the total force acting on the dipole is zero.

G +q G
d2 F+
G
G θ d1
F− –q G
E
G G G G G
F = F+ + F− = qE + (−q) E = 0
G G
G G d G d
If d is the vector pointed from –q to q, then d1 = , d 2 = − .
2 2

G G G G G
If we take the moment at the center of the dipole, the torque τ = d1 × F+ + d 2 × F− .

G G
G G G ⎧⎪ F = qE
Hence, we have τ = p × E , since ⎨ G G.
⎪⎩ p = qd

In scalar form, we have τ = pE sin θ .

Discrete and Continuous Charge Distribution

a) Discrete case (point charges)

G G G G
E = E1 + E2 + E3 + ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅

b) Continuous case

i) When charge is uniformly distributed along a line, we define linear charge density to be charge
q dq
per unit length. λ ≡ or λ =
l dl

Total charge q

ii) When charge is uniformly distributed on a surface, we define surface charge density to be
q dq
charge per unit area. σ ≡ or σ =
S dS

Total charge q

Surface area S

Electric Field of a Ring of Charge

G
dE G
E

G G
r θ
z dE θ θ dE

ds Total charge q
R

Due to the symmetry of the ring, the electric field along ẑ direction can be calculated as follows:

z 1 dq 1 λ dl
E = ∫ dE cos θ , where cos θ = and dE = =
r 4πε 0 r 2 4πε 0 z 2 + R 2
 q dq
The linear charge density of the ring is λ = = , where R is the radius of ring.
2π R dl

1 λz
E=
4πε 0 ( z + R 2 )3 / 2
2 ∫ dl

The integral of the distance around the ring is just the circumference of the ring, so ∫ dl = 2π R
1 z (2π Rλ )
E=
4πε 0 ( z 2 + R 2 )3 / 2

Plug in the expression 2π Rλ = q ; hence, the electric field at any point P, a perpendicular distance

q z
z from the plane and center of ring, E = .
4πε 0 ( z 2 + R 2 )3 / 2

Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Disk

G
The surface charge density E
Disk of Radius R
q
σ=
π R2

r
q
The differential area of the ring

dA = 2π rdr dA dr
r
dq = σ dA = σ (2π rdr )

The electric field experienced at a perpendicular distance z from the center of disk due to the
differential ring is

zdq σz 2r dr
dE = =
4πε 0 ( z 2 + r 2 )3 / 2 4ε 0 ( z 2 + r 2 )3 / 2

σz R 2r dr
E = ∫ dE = ∫
4ε 0 0 ( z + r 2 )3 / 2
2

R 2r dr R2 dy
Letting y = r 2 , we have dy = 2rdr . The integral ∫0 ( z + r 2 )3 / 2
2
becomes ∫
0 ( z 2 + y )3 / 2
, which

R2
σz −
1
σ z
gives E = (−2)( z 2 + y ) 2 . Hence, we have E = (1 − ).
4ε 0 0
2ε 0 z + R2
2