z

Coulombs law
e
and electric field
intensity
y
e

(6, 8,
z)

P (x, y,
z)

L
(0, 8,
0)
(6, 0, 0)
P3 (-1, -1, 0)

(x, y,
z)

P2 (-1, 1, 0)
P (1, 1, 1)

Chapter 2

r-r3

r-r2

r-r1

r-r4
Y

P4 (1, -1, 0)

P1 (1, 1, 0)

P (x, 0,
0)

R = x2 +y2

SI
unit
s
Cgs
uni
ts

EXAMPLE;
A 2nC positive charge is located in vacuum at P 1 (3, -2, -4) and a 5C negative charge at P 2 (1, -4,
2). Find the vector force on the negative charge, and the magnitude of the force on the charge at
P1.

P2 (1, -4, 2)

P1 (3, -2,
-4)

Thus;

z
The vector addition of the
total electric field intensity
at P due to Q1 and Q2 is
made possible by the
linearity of Coulombs law

Q2

r2
r r2

P
Q1

r r1

E1

r1
a
2

E2

E(r)

EXAMPLE;
Find E at P (1, 1, 1) caused by four identical 3-nC charges located at P 1 (1, 1,
0), P2 (-1, 1, 0), P3 (-1, -1, 0), and P4 (1, -1, 0).

z
P (1, 1, 1)
P3 (-1, -1, 0)
r-r3

P4 (1, -1,
0)

r-r4

P2 (-1, 1,
0)
r-r2

r-r1
P1 (1, 1,
0)

FIELD DUE TO CONTINUOUS VOLUME CHARGE

DISTRIBUTION
Cylindrical
d = ( + d)
dz = (z + dz) -z

z+
dz

[ ( + d) ] = d
V=

+ d

( + d)

Volume charge density

v = Q/V C/m3
v =

SPHERICAL COORDIANTES
z

V=bxwxh

EXAMPLE;
Find the total charge contained in a 2-cm length of the electron beam.

= 1cm

Z =4cm
v = -5e-105 z C/m3
Z = 2cm

FIELD OF A LINE CHARGE

But;

z
dQ = PLdz

(0, 0, z)d

ar

R = r r

P (0, 0,
Y)

dE

L
dE

EXAMPLE;
1. An infinite long uniform line charge is located at y=3, z=5. If PL = 30 C/m, find E at P b (0, 0,
1).

2. A uniform line charge density of 20 nC lies on the z axis between z = 1 and z = 3 m

no other charge present. Find E at the origin.

2.5 FIE

2.5 FIE

Adding the effects of all the strips;

dy

R = x2 + y 2
x

P (x, 0,
0)

If the point P is chosen on the negative x axis,

then;

For the field is always

directed away from the
positive charge. In
addition of a unit
vector aN the sign now
will be +;

EXAMPLE;
In the rectangular region -2<x<2, -3<y<3, z=0. The surface charge density is given by s =
(x2 + y2)3/2 ,If no other change present. Find E at P (0, 0, 1).

EXAMPLE;
Given the electric field E = (4x 3y)x - (2x + 4y)y . Find the equation of that streamline
passing through the point P (2, 3, -4) and a unit vector E specifying the direction of at Q (3,
-2, 5).