Electricity I

TD 1:
Chapters 1,2

Dr Majd Saied 1
Problem 1:
An electric field is created by two electric charges: 𝑞 = 30 𝑛𝐶, 𝑞 ′ = −10 𝑛𝐶.
Find the magnitude of this field at a point 𝑀 situated at distances 𝑟 and 𝑟′ from these
two charges such that: 𝑟 = 𝑀𝑞 = 15 𝑐𝑚, 𝑟 ′ = 𝑀𝑞 ′ = 10 𝑐𝑚, 𝑞𝑞 ′ = 20 𝑐𝑚.

Solution:

𝐾𝑞 9. 109 . 30. 10−9 270

𝐸𝑞 = 𝑢𝐴𝑀 = 𝑢𝐴𝑀 = 𝑢
𝐴𝑀2 (15. 10−2 )2 225. 10−4 𝐴𝑀
𝐾 𝑞′ 9. 109 . −10. 10−9 90
𝐸𝑞′ = 𝑢 = 𝑢 = − 𝑢
𝐵𝑀2 𝐵𝑀 (10. 10−2 )2 𝐵𝑀
100. 10−4 𝐵𝑀
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑞 + 𝐸𝑞′
𝐸 = 𝐸𝑞2 + 𝐸𝑞′
2
+ 2𝐸𝑞 𝐸𝑞′ cos(180 − 𝛼) = 𝐸𝑞2 + 𝐸𝑞′
2
− 2𝐸𝑞 𝐸𝑞′ cos(𝛼)
Dr Majd Saied 2
Problem 2:
Consider a linear wire 𝑂𝐴 of length 𝑙, placed along the Ox axis and carries an electrical
charge 𝑄 linearly distributed as per the expression 𝜆 = 𝑎𝑥 (𝐶/𝑚), 𝑎 being constant > 0.
And consider a positive charge 𝑄′ distributed over the top surface of a washer of axis OZ
with an internal radius 𝑅1 and external radius 𝑅2 . The non uniform surface charge density
there is given by the expression 𝜎 𝑟 = 𝜎0 /𝑟 2 , where 𝜎0 is a constant and 𝑟 is the radial
distance as measured from the axis OZ.
Calculate the total charges 𝑄 and 𝑄′.

Solution:
For the linear wire:
𝜆 = 𝑎𝑥
𝑙 𝑙 𝑙
1 𝑙
1
𝑄 = න 𝜆 𝑑𝑙 = න 𝜆 𝑑𝑥 = න 𝑎𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥2 0 = 𝑎𝑙 2
0 0 0 2 2

For the top surface of the washer:

𝜎 𝑟 = 𝜎0 /𝑟 2
The elementary surface 𝑑𝑠 is: 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟
𝑅 2𝜋 𝜎 𝑅 𝜎 𝑅
𝑄 ′ = ‫ 𝑅׬ = 𝑠𝑑 𝜎 ׭‬2 ‫׬‬0 02 𝑟𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑟 = 2𝜋 ‫ 𝑅׬‬2 0 𝑑𝑟 = 2𝜋𝜎0 ln 2
1 𝑟 1 𝑟 𝑅1
Dr Majd Saied 3
Problem 3:
Consider two point charges 𝑞1 > 0 and 𝑞2 > 0 placed in the air and separated by a
distance 𝑑 = 2𝑚. The magnitude of the repulsion forces between these two charges is
1 𝑁. Find the values of 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 if 𝑞1 + 𝑞2 = 5 × 10−5 𝐶.

Solution:
The magnitude of the force applied by each charge on the other one is given by the
Coulomb’s Law:
𝑞1 𝑞2
𝐹Ԧ = 𝐾 2
𝑑
𝐹Ԧ × 𝑑 2
1 × 22
→ 𝑞1 𝑞2 = = 9
= 4.44 × 10−10 = 𝑃
𝐾 9 × 10
And
𝑞1 + 𝑞2 = 5 × 10−5 = 𝑆
The charges 𝑞1 and 𝑞2 are the solutions of the quadratic equation:
𝑋 2 − 𝑆𝑋 + 𝑃 = 0 → 𝑋 2 − 5 × 10−5 𝑋 + 4.44 × 10−10 = 0

→ 𝑞1 = 3.8 × 10−5 𝐶 and 𝑞2 = 1.2 × 10−5 𝐶

Dr Majd Saied 4
Problem 4:
Given two fixed point charges 9𝑞 and −𝑞 separated by a distance 𝐿 = 50 𝑐𝑚. A third
point charge 𝑄 is made free to move along the line joining 9𝑞 and −𝑞. Where would be
the position of stable equilibrium of 𝑄?

Solution:
𝑄 is on the line holding 9𝑞 and −𝑞. The charge 𝑄 could be to the right or the left of
this line, or between the two charges, at a distance 𝑥 from the charge 9𝑞, 𝐴𝑀 = 𝑥.

Let 𝐹Ԧ1 be the force applied by the charge 9𝑞 on the charge 𝑄

Let 𝐹Ԧ2 be the force applied by the charge −𝑞 on the charge 𝑄
Stable equilibrium of 𝑄 → the sum of forces applied on 𝑄 should be zero,
→ 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 = 0 → 𝐹Ԧ1 = 𝐹Ԧ2 and 𝐹 Ԧ1Majd
Dr 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹Ԧ2 have opposite directions.
Saied 5
Problem 4:
9𝑞 𝑄 9𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ1 = 𝐾 𝑢𝐴𝑀 = 𝐾 𝑢
𝐴𝑀2 𝑥 2 𝐴𝑀
−𝑞 𝑄 −𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾 2 𝑢𝐵𝑀 = 𝐾 2 𝑢𝐵𝑀 (𝐵𝑀 = 𝐵𝐴 + 𝐴𝑀 = −𝐿 + 𝑥)
𝐵𝑀 (𝐿−𝑥)

• Case 1: The charge 𝑄 is in region 1 to the left of 𝐴 (𝑥 < 0)

𝐴𝐵
We define the unit vector 𝑢 = then the forces 𝐹Ԧ1 and 𝐹Ԧ2 will be:
,
𝐴𝐵
9𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ1 = 𝐾 2 (−𝑢)
𝑥
−𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾 (−𝑢)
(𝐿 − 𝑥)2
−9 1 −9 1
→ 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾𝑞𝑄 2 + 𝑢 = 𝐾𝑞𝑄 + 𝑢
𝑥 𝐿−𝑥 2 𝑥2 𝐿 + |𝑥| 2
9 1 9 1
For 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 = 0 → 2 = 2 which is impossible since 2 > 2 for every 𝑥.
𝑥 𝐿+|𝑥| 𝑥 𝐿+|𝑥|
→ 𝐹Ԧ1 > 𝐹Ԧ2 → 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 ≠ 0 → The equilibrium position is not in region 1.

Dr Majd Saied 6
Problem 4:
• Case 2: The charge 𝑄 is in region 2 between A and B (𝑥 > 0)
9𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ1 = 𝐾 2 (𝑢)
𝑥
−𝑞 𝑄 𝑞𝑄
𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾 −𝑢 = 𝐾 (𝑢)
𝐿−𝑥 2 𝐿 − |𝑥| 2
𝐹Ԧ1 and 𝐹Ԧ2 have the same directions → 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 ≠ 0 → The equilibrium position is not in
region 2.
• Case 3: The charge 𝑄 is in region 3 to the right of B (𝑥 > 0, 𝑥 = |𝑥|)
9𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ1 = 𝐾 2 (𝑢)
𝑥
−𝑞 𝑄
𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾 𝑢
𝐿−𝑥 2
9 1 9 1
→ 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 = 𝐹Ԧ1 + 𝐹Ԧ2 = 𝐾𝑞𝑄 2 − 𝑢 = 𝐾𝑞𝑄 − 𝑢
𝑥 𝐿−𝑥 2 𝑥2 𝐿 − |𝑥| 2
9 1
For 𝐹Ԧ𝑡 = 0 → 2 = 2
𝑥 𝐿−𝑥
→ 9(𝐿 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 2
2 → 3 𝐿 − 𝑥 = ±𝑥
3𝐿
3 𝐿 − 𝑥 = 𝑥 → 3𝐿 − 3𝑥 = 𝑥 → 𝑥 = → 𝑥 < 𝐿 (𝑄 is in region 2, solution
4
not acceptable)
3𝐿
3 𝐿 − 𝑥 = −𝑥 → 3𝐿 − 3𝑥 = −𝑥 Dr→ 𝑥Saied
Majd = → acceptable solution 7
2
Problem 4:
What do we mean by stable equilibrium?
If we move 𝑄 away to the right or to the left of its equilibrium position -> it returns
to its equilibrium position. If we move 𝑄 away to the right -> the force will be to the
left, if we move 𝑄 away to the left the force will be to the right

The condition of stability of a position of equilibrium is that:

𝑑𝐹
< 0 for 𝑥 =position of equilibrium
𝑑𝑥

9 1
𝐹𝑡 = 𝐾𝑞𝑄 − for 𝑥 = 3𝐿/2
𝑥2 𝐿−𝑥 2
𝑑𝐹 18 2 9 1
= 𝐾𝑞𝑄 − 3 − = 2𝐾𝑞𝑄 − −
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 (𝐿 − 𝑥)3 𝑥 3 (𝐿 − 𝑥)3
For 𝑥 = 3𝐿/2
𝑑𝐹 9 1 2𝐾𝑞𝑄 9 10.667 𝐾𝑞𝑄
= 2𝐾𝑞𝑄 − − = − − 8 =
𝑑𝑥 3𝐿/2 3 (𝐿 − 3𝐿/2)3 𝐿3 27 𝐿3
8
𝑑𝐹
< 0 if 𝑄 and 𝑞 are of opposite signs.
𝑑𝑥

Dr Majd Saied 8
Problem 5:
Consider a linear wire 𝐴𝐵 of length 𝑙 and midpoint 𝑂 that carries an electrical
charge 𝑄 characterized by its linear charge distribution 𝜆. Find the force applied by
the linear wire on a charge 𝑞 placed at a point 𝑃 on the perpendicular bisector of
the wire at a height ℎ.

Solution
We decompose the wire into elementary lengths 𝑑𝑙 around a point 𝑀 ∈ wire. 𝑑𝑙
carries the elementary charge 𝑑𝑄 which is considered as point charge with 𝑑𝑄 =
𝜆 𝑑𝑙.
𝛼

𝛼0 𝛼

Dr Majd Saied 9
Problem 5:
Using Coulomb’s Law, the force applied by the charge 𝑑𝑄 on the charge 𝑞 is given
by:
1 𝑞 𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐹 = 𝑢
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃2 𝑀𝑃
h
With h = 𝑀𝑃 cos 𝛼 → MP =
cos α
The total force applied by the entire wire is:
𝐹Ԧ = σ 𝑑𝐹 = ‫𝐹𝑑 ׬‬𝑙
And 𝐹Ԧ has components on the x and y directions: 𝐹Ԧ = 𝐹Ԧ𝑥 + 𝐹Ԧ𝑦 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖Ԧ + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗Ԧ
With: 𝐹𝑥 = ‫ 𝑥𝐹𝑑 𝑙׬‬and 𝐹𝑦 = ‫𝑦𝐹𝑑 𝑙׬‬
1 𝑞 𝑑𝑄 1 𝑞 𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐹𝑥 = 𝑑𝐹 sin 𝛼 = 2
sin 𝛼 = 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 . sin 𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃 4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
1 𝑞 𝜆 𝑑𝑥
= 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 . sin 𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
𝑥 ℎ
Or: tan 𝛼 = → 𝑥 = ℎ tan 𝛼 → 𝑑𝑥 = 2 𝑑𝛼
ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼
1
→ 𝑑𝐹𝑥 = 𝜆𝑞 sin 𝛼 𝑑𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
𝛼0
1 𝜆𝑞
→ 𝐹𝑥 = න 𝜆𝑞 sin 𝛼 𝑑𝛼 = Saied
Dr Majd cos 𝛼0 − cos(−𝛼0 ) = 0 10
−𝛼0 4𝜋𝜀0 4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
Problem 5:
1 𝑞 𝑑𝑄 1 𝑞 𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐹𝑦 = 𝑑𝐹 cos 𝛼 = 2
cos 𝛼 = 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 . 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃 4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
1 𝑞 𝜆 𝑑𝑥
= 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 . cos 𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
𝑥 ℎ
Or: tan 𝛼 = → 𝑥 = ℎ tan 𝛼 → 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝛼
ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼
1
→ 𝑑𝐹𝑥 = 𝜆𝑞 cos 𝛼 𝑑𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
𝛼0
1 𝜆𝑞 𝜆𝑞
→ 𝐹𝑥 = න 𝜆𝑞 cos 𝛼 𝑑𝛼 = sin 𝛼0 − sin(−𝛼0 ) = sin 𝛼0
−𝛼0 4𝜋𝜀0 4𝜋𝜀0 ℎ 2𝜋𝜀0 ℎ
𝜆𝑞 𝑙/2
=
2𝜋𝜀0 ℎ (𝑙/2)2 +ℎ2

Dr Majd Saied 11
Problem 6:
a- Consider a circular wire of radius 𝑅 in the Oxy frame that carries an electrical
charge 𝑄. Find the electric field created by the circular wire on a charge 𝑞 placed at
a point 𝑃 on the Oz axis at a height 𝑧. Verify your result using the relation between
the electric field and electric potential.
b- Consider a disk of center O, radius 𝑅 and axis 𝑂𝑧 uniformly charged on its top
surface with a surface charge density 𝜎 𝐶/𝑚2 . Using part (a), find the electric field
created by the disk on a charge 𝑞 placed at a point 𝑃 on the Oz axis at a height 𝑧.
Verify your result using the relation between the electric field and electric
potential.

Solution
a- Electric field
We decompose the wire into elementary lengths 𝑑𝑙
around a point 𝑀 ∈ wire. 𝑑𝑙 carries the elementary
charge 𝑑𝑄 which is considered as point charge.

Dr Majd Saied 12
Problem 6:
The elementary electric field is given by:
1 𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐸 = 𝑢
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃2 𝑀𝑃
Due to the symmetry, 𝐸𝑥 = 𝐸𝑦 = 0 → 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑧 𝑘 and 𝐸 = 𝐸𝑧 = ‫𝑧𝐸𝑑 𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑤׬‬
𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝐸𝑧 = 𝑑𝐸. cos 𝛼 = cos 𝛼
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃2
𝑧
With cos 𝛼 = 2 2 and 𝑀𝑃2 = 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2
𝑧 +𝑅
𝑧 𝑧
→ 𝐸𝑧 = න 𝑑𝑄 = 𝑄
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 )3/2 𝑤𝑖𝑟𝑒 4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 )3/2

Electric Potential
The voltage created by the elementary length 𝑑𝑙 is:
𝑑𝑄 𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝑉 = =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑀𝑃 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2
The voltage 𝑉 is then:
𝑄
𝑉 = ‫= 𝑉𝑑 ׬‬ 2 2
+ 𝑐𝑡𝑒
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑧 +𝑅

Dr Majd Saied 13
Problem 6:
We can deduce the electric potential from the electric field as:
𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝑑𝑉
𝐸 = −𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑉 = − 𝑖Ԧ + 𝑗Ԧ + 𝑘 =− 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑑𝑧
𝑄 1 3 𝑧
=− − 2𝑧 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 −2 𝑘 = 𝑄𝑘
4𝜋𝜀0 2 4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 )3/2

b- Let decompose the disc into concentric elementary rings (of the same center of
the disc) of radius 𝑟 and thickness 𝑑𝑟.
Each elementary ring creates an elementary electric field 𝑑𝐸.
𝑧
𝑑𝐸 = 𝑑𝑄 𝑘
4𝜋𝜀0 (𝑧 2 + 𝑟 2 )3/3
𝑑𝑄 = 𝜎𝑑𝑆 = 𝜎 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝜎𝑧 𝑅 1
→ 𝐸= න . 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟 𝑘
4𝜋𝜀0 0 𝑧 2 + 𝑟 2 3/2
𝜎𝑧 𝑅 𝑟 𝜎𝑧 𝑅 2𝑟
= න 𝑑𝑟 𝑘 = න 𝑑𝑟 𝑘
2𝜀0 0 𝑧 2 + 𝑟 2 3/2 4𝜀0 0 𝑧 2 + 𝑟 2 3/2
𝜎𝑧 −1 1 𝜎 −𝑧
= + 𝑘 = 1 − 𝑘
2𝜀0 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 1/2 𝑧 2𝜀0 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 1/2
Dr Majd Saied 14
Problem 6:
If 𝑅 → +∞, the disc tends towards an infinite uniformly charged plane
𝜎
→ 𝐸= 𝑘
2𝜀0
Where 𝐾 is a unit vector perpendicular to the charged plane directed towards the
considered point.

Electric Potential
The voltage created by the elementary ring is:
𝑑𝑄
𝑑𝑉 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2
The voltage 𝑉 is then:
𝑅 1/2 𝑅
𝜎 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟 𝜎 𝑅 2𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝜎 𝑧2 + 𝑟2
𝑉 = න 𝑑𝑉 = න = න =
0 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 4𝜀0 0 𝑧 2 + 𝑟 2 1/2 4𝜀0 1/2 0
𝜎
= 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 1/2 − 𝑧 + 𝑐𝑡𝑒 Dr Majd Saied 15
2𝜀0
Problem 6:
𝑄 𝑄
Or 𝜎 = =
𝑆 𝜋𝑅 2
𝑄 𝑄 𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 1/2
𝑧
→ 𝑉= 2
𝑧 2 + 𝑅2 1/2
− 𝑧 + 𝑐𝑡𝑒 = − + 𝑐𝑡𝑒
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 2𝜋𝜀0 𝑅2 𝑅2
−𝑄𝑧 𝜎
If 𝑅 → +∞, 𝑉 = + 𝑐𝑡𝑒 = − 𝑧 + 𝑐𝑡𝑒
2𝜋𝜀0 𝑅 2 2𝜀0

We can deduce the electric potential from the electric field as:
𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝑑𝑉 𝜎 −𝑧
𝐸 = −𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑉 = − 𝑖Ԧ + 𝑗Ԧ + 𝑘 =− 𝑘= 1− 2 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝑑𝑧 2𝜀0 𝑧 + 𝑅2 1/2

Dr Majd Saied 16
Problem 7:
Consider two infinite uniformly charged planes 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 of surface charge
distributions 𝜎1 = 0.4 𝜇𝐶/𝑚2 and 𝜎2 = 0.1 𝜇𝐶/𝑚2 respectively and separated by a
distance 2𝑎.
Find the electric field and potential in the different regions. We assume that the
electric potential is continuous between regions and the mediator plane of 𝑃1 and
𝑃2 is a zero potential plane.

Solution

Dr Majd Saied 17
Problem 7:
The total electric field is: 𝐸 = 𝐸1 + 𝐸2
𝜎
For an infinite plane, the electric field is given by: 𝐸 = 𝑢 with 𝑢 being the unit
2𝜀0
vector directed from the plane to the considered point.
• In region 1:
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸1 = 𝑢, 𝐸2 = 𝑢
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
1
→ 𝐸= 𝜎 + 𝜎2 𝑘
2𝜀0 1
• In region 2:
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸1 = 𝑢, 𝐸2 = 𝑢
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
1
→ 𝐸= 𝜎 − 𝜎1 𝑘
2𝜀0 2
• In region 3:
𝜎1 𝜎2
𝐸1 = − 𝑢, 𝐸2 = − 𝑢
2𝜀0 2𝜀0
1
→ 𝐸=− 𝜎 + 𝜎2 𝑘
2𝜀0 1
Therefore the electric field is not continuous when passing from one region to
Dr Majd Saied 18
another.
Problem 7:
𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉 𝜕𝑉
𝐸 = −𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑 𝑉 = − 𝑖Ԧ + 𝑗Ԧ + 𝑘 =− 𝑘
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧

→ 𝑉 = − න 𝐸 𝑑𝑧 = −𝐸𝑧 + 𝑐𝑡𝑒

• Region 1:
1
𝑉1 = − 𝜎 + 𝜎2 𝑧 + 𝐶1
2𝜀0 1
• Region 2:
1 1
𝑉2 = − 𝜎2 − 𝜎1 𝑧 + 𝐶2 = 𝜎 − 𝜎2 𝑧 + 𝐶2
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 1
• Region 3:
1
𝑉3 = 𝜎 + 𝜎2 𝑧 + 𝐶3
2𝜀0 1
Knowing that the potential is zero in the mediator plane of 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 , the potential
at a point 𝑂 of altitude 𝑧 = 0 in region 2 is zero:
1
𝑉2 0 = 0 → 𝜎 − 𝜎2 0 + 𝐶2 = 0 → 𝐶2 = 0
2𝜀0 1
1
→ 𝑉2 =Dr Majd Saied
𝜎 − 𝜎2 𝑧
2𝜀0 1 19
Problem 7:
Knowing that the potential is continuous between regions, then:
𝑉1 𝑎 = 𝑉2 𝑎 1
𝑉2 −𝑎 = 𝑉3 −𝑎 2
1 1 𝜎1
1 →− 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 𝑎 + 𝐶1 = 𝜎1 − 𝜎2 𝑎 → 𝐶1 = 𝑎
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 𝜀0
1 1 𝜎2
2 → 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 −𝑎 + 𝐶3 = 𝜎1 − 𝜎2 −𝑎 → 𝐶3 = 𝑎
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 𝜀0
1 𝜎1
→ 𝑉1 = − 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 𝑧 + 𝑎
2𝜀0 𝜀0
1 𝜎2
𝑉3 = 𝜎1 + 𝜎2 𝑧 + 𝑎
2𝜀0 𝜀0

Dr Majd Saied 20
Problem 8:
Consider two charges 𝑞1 = 3 𝜇𝐶 and 𝑞2 = 20 𝑛𝐶 separated by a distance 𝑟 =
1.5𝑚. Find the work done to move one charge 0.5 𝑚 towards the other one.

Solution
We assume that 𝑞1 is fixed and 𝑞2 is under the effect of the field created by 𝑞1 .

(1)
(2)
A force should be applied to overcome the repulsive electric force:
→ 𝑊𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 = −𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = −𝑞2 𝑉11 − 𝑉12

where 𝑉11 is the potential created by the charge 𝑞1 on the charge 𝑞2 when in
position 1 and 𝑉12 is the potential created by the charge 𝑞1 on the charge 𝑞2 when
in position 1.
𝑞1 1 𝑞1 1
𝑉11 = ; 𝑉12 =
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1
𝑞1 𝑞2 1 1 1 1
𝑊𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑 = − = 3. 10−6 . 20. 10−9 . 9. 109 −
4𝜋𝜀0 𝑟1 𝑟 1 1.5
Dr Majd Saied 21
−4
= 1,8. 10 𝐽
Problem 9:
Consider two infinite uniformly charged planes 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 of surface charge
distributions 𝜎 and −𝜎 respectively and separated by a distance ℎ = 3 𝑐𝑚. A
charge 𝑞 = 10 𝑛𝐶 is located between the two planes. Find the electrical work done
to move the charge from position 1 to position 2.

Solution
𝑂

𝑧Ԧ

The electric field between the two planes is uniform.

𝜎 −𝜎 𝜎
𝐸(𝜎) = 𝑢, 𝐸(−𝜎) = −𝑢 = 𝑢
2𝜀0 2𝜀0 2𝜀0
𝜎
𝐸𝑡 = 𝐸(𝜎) + 𝐸(−𝜎) = 𝑢
Dr Majd Saied 𝜀0 22
Problem 9:
First Method:
The potential created by the electric field between the two planes is given by:
𝜎
𝑉 = − 𝑧 + 𝑐𝑡𝑒
𝜀0
The work is given by:
𝑞𝜎 𝑞𝜎
𝑊 = 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = 𝑞 𝑉1 − 𝑉2 = 𝑧2 − 𝑧1 = ℎ
𝜀0 𝜀0

Second Method:
We first calculate the force applied on the charge:
𝜎
𝐹Ԧ = 𝑞𝐸 = 𝑞 𝑢
𝜀0
The elementary work done to move the charge by a length 𝑑𝑙 is:
𝑑𝑊 = 𝐹.Ԧ 𝑑𝑙
The total work is given by:
2 2 2
Ԧ 𝑑𝑙 = න 𝐹𝑢 𝑑𝑙 𝑢 cos 𝛼 + 𝑣Ԧ sin 𝛼 = න 𝐹. 𝑑𝑙 cos 𝛼 = 𝐹𝑙 cos 𝛼 = 𝐹ℎ
𝑊 = න 𝐹.
1 1 1
𝑞𝜎
= ℎ = 𝑊𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝜀0
Dr Majd Saied 23