Superposition of Electrostatic Forces

COULOMBS LAW
The electrostatic force of interaction between
any two point charges is directly proportional to the
product of the magnitudes of the charges and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance
between the charges.

COULOMBS LAW IN VECTOR FORM

Suppose two similar charges q1 and q2 are placed at
points 1 and 2 with the position vectors and . As per
Coulombs law, the force on q2 applied by q1 will be

where is the unit vector in the direction from 1 to 2.

Similarly, force on q1 applied by q2 is

where is unit vector in the direction from 2 to 1.

is equal in magnitude and opposite in the direction of the vector .

Some important points regarding coulombs law

1. Electrostatic force is a conservative force i.e., work done by this force is path
independent and only depends on initial and final positions.
2. Electrostatic force is a central force, in the absence of any other external
force, angular momentum of one particle with respect to the other particle (in
two particle system) is conserved.
3. It follows inverse square law.
4. Electrostatic interaction may be attractive or repulsive.
5. Electrostatic force is medium dependent i.e., this force depends on the nature
of medium in between the two charges.
6. It follows superposition principle.
7. Electrostatic interaction is much stronger than the gravitation force.