6.1.

Eleetrio Field Intenaity Due to Polnt Charge

distancerfrom
Let there be one point charge Q and P be a pointP ata
is to be calculated.
the point charge. Electric field intensity at point
Assume that a test charge +9o is placed at point P.
The magmitude of force experienced by the test charge (Coulomb's
law) is given by:
F= 14 T eQ02
P is:
Hence, by definition, electrie field intensity at point
E-
E = 1
4TE0 r
The direction of electric field intensity, at a point due to a point
charge, is along the line joining the point charge and that point. It i8
away from the positive charge and towards the negative charge (refer to
Fig. 6.2 and Fig. 6.3).
 P
F

P E

Fig. 62. Electric field at point P

due toQ charge.

F P

E
P
Fig. 6.3. Electric field at pointP
due to-Q charge.
6. Electric field due to a uniformly charged hollow sphere
We already know that in electrostatics, charge given to a olid
metallic object always comes to the outer surface. That is why a
charged hollow sphere and a charged solid conducting sphere of
same radius produce identical electric fields in their surroundings.
Electric field due to uniformly distributed charge on a Bpherical
surface will be spherically symmetric like that of a point charge.
Consider a hollow sphere of radius R, on which chargeis
distributed uniformly. A Gaussian surface selected here 1s alo
spherical. Fig. 10.10 shows two Gaussian surfaces in the form of
pnere One Gaussian sphere is of radius (r) less than the radius of
charged sphere (R); and other Gaussian sphere is of radius ()greater
than R.
The electric flux for spherical Gaussian surface in case of point
charge has already been mentioned. We can take it from the section
where the electric field due to point charge is discussed.
Electric fux of Gaussian sphere of radius r is as followa:

ëda-z(n")
pber
) Cae Ir«R
Inside the hollow sphere as there is no eharge. Thus, the net
charge enclosed by the Gaussian sphere is 0.
According to Gauss's law

() Case Dtr>R
As the charged spbere lHes inaide the Gaussian sphere,
therefore the net charge encloeed by it iaO

There is no electria eld instde bolo pbeAnd for outside

points it behaves le apobat chargo bpt at its cenbr
(refer to Fig 10.11.