JEE/NEET

Electrostatics
 ELECTROSTATICS

Charge
Charging a body implies transfer of charge (electrons) from one body to another. Positively charged body
means loss of electrons, i.e., deficiency of electrons. Negatively charged body means excess of electrons.
Conservation of charge: In an isolated system, total charge (sum of positive and negative) remains constant.
Quantization of charge: Charge on any body always exists in integral multiples of a fundamental unit of
electric charge. This unit is equal to the magnitude of charge on electron (i.e. = 1.6 x 10-19 coulomb). So Q = ±
ne, where n is an integer and e is the charge of the electron.
1. Repulsion is a sure test of electrification. A charged body may attract a neutral body or an oppositely
charged body but it always repels a similarly charged body.
2. A body can be charged by means of (a) friction (b) conduction and (c) induction.
3. In charging by induction, if q be the inducing charge, then charge induced on body having dielectric
 1
constant K is given by: q   q1   . For a conductor induced charge is: q' = – q (as K =  for a
 K
conductor). Charging a body by means of induction is preferable since the same charged body can be
used to charge any number of bodies without loss of charge.
4. A charge at rest produces only electric field around itself; a charge having un-accelerated motion
produces electric as well as magnetic field around itself while a charge having accelerated motion emits
electromagnetic radiation also in addition to producing electric and magnetic fields.
5. Surface charge density: Surface charge density on a charged conductor   1/r (r is radius of
curvature)
Coulomb's law
The force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is given by:
1 q1q 2
(a) For air or vacuum Fair 
4 0 r 2
1  q1q 2  1  q1q 2  Fair
(b) For any other medium Fmedium      , So  r  where, r = (/0) =
4  r 2  4 0  r  r 2  Fmedium
relative permittivity of the medium and it is also known as dielectric constant (K) of the medium. It
has got no units and no dimensions. The dielectric constant of a metal is infinity.
2. If a charge Q is to be divided into two parts such that the force between them is to be maximum, then
each part is equal to Q/2.
3. When two identical conductors having charges q1 and q2 are put in contact and then separated, then each
has a charge equal to (q1 + q2)/2. On the other hand, if charges are q1 and – q2, then each has a charge
(q1 – q2)/2.
4. Two charges Q each are at a distance r from each other. If a third charge q equal to (– Q/4) is placed at a
distance (r/2) from each charge, then all the charges will be in equilibrium.
5. The force of interaction (attraction or repulsion) between two charges increases with decrease of
dielectric constant and is maximum when the medium between them is air.
Electric field and electric field intensity:

The electric field intensity E at any point is equal in magnitude to the force experienced per unit (test)
F
charge placed at that point and is directed along the direction of the force experienced, i.e., E 
q0

1. Electric field intensity E is a vector quantity. Electric field intensity due to a positive charge is always
away from the charge and that due to a negative charge is always towards the charge.

2. Unit of E is newton/coulomb or volt/metre and its dimensional formula is [MLT-3A-1].

1 q
3. Electric field due to a point charge q at a distance r from it is: E  r̂
4 0 r 2
4. Intensity of the electric field inside a charged spherical (hollow or solid) conductor is zero, since charge
resides on the outer surface of the conductor.
5. The intensity of the electric field outside the charged spherical (hollow or solid) conductor is:
1 Q
E where r > R (R = radius of spherical conductor)
40 r2
6. Electric field due to a non-conducting charged sphere:
1 Q 1 Q 1 Qr
(a) Eout  , (b) Esurface  , (c) E in 
40 r2 40 R 2 4K 0 R 3
7. Intensity of the electric field at some point (distant x from centre) on the axis of uniformly charged ring
1 qx
(Radius R) is given by: E  i.e.E  x, for a small distance, but it is zero at the centre of
40 ( x  R 2 )3/2
2

ring.
8. Electric field due to a plane sheet (infinite dimensions) of charge having surface charge density  is: E
= (/20). For a positively charged sheet, the field is directed towards outward normal and does not
depend on the distance of point from the sheet.
9. For a charged metal plate, Einside = 0 and Eout = (/0).
10. Intensity of the electric field in between the plates of a charged parallel plate capacitor is E = (/0).
  2 
11. Electric field at a distance r from a line charge (density ) is: E   K  . If the line charge is a
20r  r 
cylinder of radius R,
(a) then the electric field outside: E = /20r
(b) electric field on the surface; E = /20R
r
(c) and electric field inside at a distance r from the axis: E 
20R 2
Electric lines of force
The imaginary line or a curve, tangent to which at any point gives the direction of field at that point, is known
as electric line of force.
1. Electric field lines emerge from a positive charge and terminate into a negative charge.
2. Electric lines of force never cross each other.
3. Electric field lines do not exist inside a conductor.
4. Electric field lines are always perpendicular to charged conducting surface.
5. Electric field lines never form closed loops.
6. Electric field lines are always perpendicular to equipotential surface.
7. In a uniform electric field, the electric lines of force are equidistant, parallel straight lines.
8. If the lines of force are closer, the intensity of electric field is more and if the lines of force are far apart,
the intensity of electric field is less.
9. If a metallic solid sphere is placed in a uniform electric field, then the lines of force are normal to the
surface at every point but they cannot pass through the conductor.
Electric dipole
Two equal and opposite charges separated by a small distance constitute an electric dipole.
Electric dipole moment p is a vector quantity whose magnitude is equal to the product of magnitude of one
charge and the distance between the two charges. It is directed from negative charge to positive charge.
Electric field at some axial point: at a distance r from midpoint of dipole of length 2a, the magnitude of
1 2pr
field is: E   The direction of E is along axis and parallel to p . For short dipole r >> 2a
4 0 [r 2  a 2 ]2
1  2p 
E  
40  r3 
Electric field at some equatorial point: at a distance r from midpoint of dipole of length 2a, the magnitude
1 p
of electric field is: E  The direction of E is opposite to that of p . For short dipole r >> 2a
40 [r  a 2 ]3 / 2
2

1 p
E  
40  r3 
1. If  be the angle between the direction of uniform electric field E and the axis of dipole, then the torque
acting on the dipole is:  = pE sin  or   p E and potential energy U = - pE cos 
2. The work done in deflecting the dipole through an angle 1 to 2 is given by: W = pE ( cos 1 - cos 2)
Electric flux

Electric flux is defined as d  E  dS or  

  E  dS and for a closed surface,   E  dS . In a uniform

electric field E , flux through a plane surface of area S is:   E  S  ES cos  . The flux is positive, if field lines
leave the area, negative if field lines enter the area.
Gauss’ law: The total or net outward electric flux through a closed surface is equal to the total charge


enclosed by the surface divided by 0, i.e.,.   E  dS = (q/0). Even if total net flux through a closed surface
is zero, the electric field E at the Gaussian surface may be nonzero. (e.g. A conductor placed in uniform
electric field)
Force per unit area on a charged conductor (or electric pressure):
If  is the surface charge density, then electric pressure dF/dA = (2/20). The force is always directed
outward as (±)2 is positive, i.e., whether body is charged positively or negatively, this force will always try
to expand the charged body. A soap bubble or rubber balloon expands on giving a positive or negative charge
to it.
Electric potential
The absolute electric potential at any point in the electric field is defined as the work done per unit positive
charge required to move the test charge from infinity to that point. Potential difference between two points A
and B in an electric field is defined as the work required to move a unit positive charge from the point A to
the point B against the intensity of the electric field.
W AB
i.e. VB  V A  (where q0 is the test charge)
q0
(a) If WAB is +ve, VB > VA (b) if WAB is – ve, VB < VA and (c) if WAB is zero, VB = VA.
1 q
1. The electric potential at a distance r from a point charge q is given by: V 
40 r
2. The electric potential at a point due to a group of point charges q1, q2,…….., qn, which are at distances r1,
r2, ...,rn„ from the point, is given by; V  V1  V2  V3  ...........Vn
1 p cos 
3. The potential at any point due to a dipole is given by: V  (where p = 2lq = electric dipole
40 r 2
moment)
1 p
4. The potential on the axial line of the dipole: V    and the potential on the equator of the dipole
40  r2 
is zero
5. Potential due to a charged hollow spherical conductor: Electric potential is constant from the centre
1 q
to the surface and is equal to V    . Outside the conductor, the potential is inversely proportion
4 0  R 
to the distance from the centre.
6. If the charge distribution is continuous rather than being a collection of point charges, then
1 dq

V  dV 
4 0  r
Relation between electric field intensity and electric potential difference
If A and B are two points in an electric field separated by an infinitesimal distance dx so that the potential
difference between them is dV and the electric field intensity is E, then E = – (dV/dx). The negative of the
potential gradient is known as intensity of the electric field. The negative sign shows that E points in the
direction of decreasing V.
Electric potential energy
1. The electric potential energy of a system of fixed point charges is equal to the work done by an external
agent to assemble the system, bringing each charge in from an infinite distance. The potential energy
may be positive or negative depending on whether the work is done against the electric force or by the
electric force during transport respectively.
2. A charged particle placed in an electric field has potential energy because of its interaction with the
electric field.
1 q 1q 2
3. If two charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance r, then the potential energy of system 
40 r
4. If three charges q1, q2 and q3 are arranged at the three vertices of an equilateral triangle, then the PE of
1  q1q2 q2q3 q1q3 
the system is given by: U   
40  r r r 
Equipotential surface
The locus of all points which are at the same potential is known as equipotential surface.
1. No work is required to move a charge from one point to another on equipotential surface.
2. Near an isolated point charge the equipotential surface is a sphere.
3. The work required to move a unit positive charge around a charge Q along a circle of radius r is equal to
zero.
4. The electric lines of force are always normal to the equipotential surface, since E should not have a
component along the equipotential surface.
5. The surface of a charged conductor is always an equipotential surface whatever may be its shape.
Motion of charge particle in an electric field
When a positive charge is placed in an electric field, it experiences a force which drives it from points of
higher potential to points of lower potential. On the other hand, a negative charge experiences a force driving
it from lower to higher potential.
1. The work done in moving a charge between two points in an electric field is independent of the path
followed between these two points, since the electric field is a conservative field.
2. If a charged particle is accelerated through a potential difference of V volts, then the kinetic energy
acquired by the particle KE = eV.
3. The ratio of the velocities acquired by two charged particles accelerated from rest through the same
v1  q / m1 
potential difference are in the ratio:   1 
v2  q2 / m2 
Trajectory of a charged particle in a uniform electric field
1. A charged particle thrown horizontally into a uniform electric
field acting vertically downwards is similar to a body thrown
horizontally from the top of a tower. Therefore, it follows a
parabolic path.
2. If t is the time taken by the charged particle to cross the length
l of the electric field with constant velocity vx then t = (l/vx) and
velocity gained by the charged particle along y-direction at the
eE l
point of exit is: v y  at 
m vx
3. Deviation suffered by the charged particle along y-axis, as it just comes out of the electric field, is given
1 1 eE l 2
by: y  at 2  
2 2 m v 2x
Electric capacitance
1. The capacitance of a conductor is defined as the ratio of the charge given to the conductor to the
potential raised due to it, i.e., C = Q/V (Q is measured in coulomb and V in volt). The SI unit of capacitance
is farad.
2. A capacitor or condenser consists of two conductors separated by an insulator or dielectric. The
conductors carry equal and opposite charges ±Q. It is an electrical device that stores electric charge.
Electric potential energy stored in a charged capacitor
Q2 1 1
1. The capacitor stores charge as well as electric energy, which is given by: U   QV  CV 2
2C 2 2
2. The energy is stored in the electric field between the plates of a charged capacitor.
3. The energy stored per unit volume in the electric field between the plates is called energy density (u). It
1 2
is given by: u  0E 2  where  represents surface charge density on the plates of capacitor.
2 20
Q2 1
4. Force of attraction between oppositely charged plates of capacitor is F  or F  0E 2 A
2 0 A 2
Capacitance formulae for different types of capacitors
1. The electrical capacitance of a conducting sphere is 40R, where R is the radius of conductor.
0 A
2. Capacity of a parallel plate condenser with air in between the plates is given by: C0  , where A is the
d
effective area of the plates, d is the distance between the plates and 0 is the permittivity of free space.
3. Capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor with a dielectric slab of dielectric constant K, completely filled
K A   A
between the plates of the capacitor, is given by: C med .  0  0 r
d d
4. If a dielectric slab of thickness t and dielectric constant K is introduced between the plates, then the
0 A

capacity of the condenser is given by: C dielectric  . If the dielectric slab is replaced by a
 1
d  t 1  
 K
0 A

metallic slab of same thickness, then C metal  (because K is infinite for metal). It is interesting to
d t
note here that C' metal > C' dielectric
5. If a number of slabs of thickness t1, t2,..., tn and dielectric constants K1, K2,…….., Kn are completely fill the
0 A
space between the plates, then the capacity is given by: C  
 t1 t 2 t3 t 
    .....................  n 
 K1 K2 K3 Kn 
6. If the upper plate of the parallel plate condenser is connected to the lower plate, then its electrical
capacitance becomes infinity.
40ab
7. For an air filled spherical capacitor: C 0  .
(b  a)
20 L
8. For an air filled cylindrical capacitor: C0 
log e (b / a)
Grouping of capacitors
1 1 1 1
1. In series grouping,    and i.e., Q1 = Q2 = Q3 . Here, effective capacitance CS, is always less
C S C1 C 2 C3
than the least of the individual capacitances.
2. In parallel grouping, Cp = C1 + C2 + C3 and i.e., V1 = V2 = V3
Regrouping of condensers
Two condensers of capacity C1 and C2 are charged separately to potentials V1 and V2. If the condensers are
now connected with plates of same polarity together, then
C1V1  C2V2
Common potential (V) = and final charges on two condensers is q1 = C1V, q2 = C2V.
C1  C 2
Two condensers of capacities C1 and C2 are charged separately to potentials V1 and V2. If they are reconnected
C V C V
with plates of opposite polarity together, then the common potential is given by: V  1 1 2 2
C1  C 2
Effect of dielectric
1. Effect of inserting dielectric slab on capacitance, potential difference, charge, intensity of the electric field
and energy stored with battery still in connection:
(a) C = KC0 (b) V = V0 (c) Q = KQ0 (d) E = E0 (e) U = KU0
2. Battery is disconnected and dielectric slab is inserted:
(b) C = KC0 (b) Q = Q0 (c) V = V0/K (d) E = E0/ K (e) U = U0/K
3. Capacitor is charged and then battery is disconnected: If the distance between the two plates is increased
by insulating handles, then
(a) capacity decreases (b) potential difference increases (c) intensity of electric field remains same
(d) charge on the plates remains same and (e) energy stored in the capacitor increases