Electric Field

An electric field E at a point in space is the ratio of the net electric force acting on a small,
positive test charge qo placed at that point, divided by the value of the test charge.
E = F/ qo Equation 1
unit: Newton/ Coulomb (N/C)
The definition emphasizes that an electric field is a vector quantity with the same direction as
the force on a positive test charge. The electric field is a property of the space and not of the
charge testing the field. Example if the test charge is doubled, the electric force acting on it
would also double. The electric field depends only on the charges causing the field and not on
the test charge used to measure it. It is the surroundings charges that create an electric field at
a given point.
Equation 1 is often used to calculate the force on a charge q that is placed in a known electric
field E.
F = qE
This equation is used to determine the force on both positive and negative charges. If q is
positive, then F and E are in the same direction; if q is negative F is in the opposite direction of
E.
Example 1. Calculate the electric field (magnitude and direction) at point A caused by dipole
charges q and – q, each of magnitude 5.0 x10- 7 C.

0.40m 1.20m

- + x

- + + x
F- F+

qo

(9.0𝑥109 )(5.0𝑥10− 7) 𝑞𝑜
F + = kqqo / r2 = (1.2 𝑚)2
= 3125 qo N/C
 (9.0𝑥109 )(5.0𝑥10− 7 ) 𝑞0
F-= (1.6)2
= 1758 qo N/C

Resultant Force FR = F+ - F- = ( 3125qo – 1758 qo) N/C = 1367 qo N/C towards the right
1367 𝑞𝑜 𝑁⁄𝐶
Electric Field : E = FR / qo = = 1367 N/C towards the right
𝑞𝑜

Gauss’ Law:

Two large parallel plates are separated by a distance d holds opposite charges + q uniformly distributed
on the top of the plate and – q on the bottom. If the area of each plate is A, then the charge per unit
area on the positively charge plate is
𝑞
𝜎 = charge per unit area = 𝐴

Using Gauss’ Law : The electric field between the plates is given by
𝑞 𝒒 1
E = 4𝜋𝑘𝜎 = 4𝜋𝑘 ; E= ; 𝜀0 = permittivity of free space = = 8.85 x10- 12 C2/ Nm2
𝐴 𝜺𝟎 𝑨 4𝜋𝑘

EA = 4𝜋𝑘𝑞

Where: EA = electric flux

and points down from the positively charged plate toward the negatively charged plate.

Charged plates are used in oscilloscope and television sets to deflect electron beams.

Example: An electron moves toward the screen of an oscilloscope. On its way, it passes two parallel
plates. The upper plate has a positive charge of 1.2x10- 10 C, and the lower plate has an equal magnitude
negative charge. The plates are 0.1 m wide and 0.20 m long. (a) Calculate the electric field between the
plates, (b) the force on the electron while moving between the plates, and (c) the vertical component of
the electron’s velocity as it leaves the plates. Its initial vertical velocity is zero, and it spends 2.1x10 – 8 s
while traveling horizontally between the plates.

Given : +q = 1.2x10 -10 C - q = -1.2x10 -10 C

Width = 0.10 m Length = 0.20 m F

Area = LW = (0.20m) ( 0.10m ) = 0.02m2 = 2.0 x10 – 2 m2 E

𝑞
a.) E = 4𝜋𝑘 𝐴 = 4𝜋 (9.0x109 Nm2/ C2) ( 1.2x10- 10C) / (2.0 x10 -2 m2)

E = 679 N/C E points down from the positive

toward the negative plate.

b.) The force of the electron is opposite the direction of the electric field. The magnitude of an
electron is 1.6x10 – 19 C.
 Using the Formula:
F = qE = (1.6x10 -1 9 C) (679 N/C ) = 1.1 x10 – 16 N

c.) Using Newton’s Second Law: ∑ 𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 ; ay = ∑ 𝐹 / m

But ∑ 𝐹 = qE = 1.1 x10 – 16 N
The upward force due to electric field causes the electrons to accelerate upward.
Mass of an electron = 9.11x10 -31 kg ; time = 2.1 x10- 8 s
Initial velocity (Vyi) = 0
1.1 x10− 16 N
Vyf = Vyi + ay t = 0 + 9.11 𝑥10− 31 𝑘𝑔 ( 2.1x10 – 8s) = 2.5 x 106 m/s

Problems:
1.Two positive charges q1 = +16 µC and q2= +4 µC are separated in a vacuum by a
distance 3.0 m. Find the spot on the line between charges where the net electric field is
zero.
2. An electric field 260,000 N/C points due west at a certain spot. What are the
magnitude and direction on a charge of – 7 µC at this spot?
3. A charge of +3.0x10 – 5C is located at the place where there is an electric field that
points due east and has a magnitude of 15,000 N/C. What are the magnitude and
direction of the force acting on it.
4. The magnitude of the electric field between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor is
2.4x105 N/ C. Each plate carries a charge whose magnitude is 0.15 µC. What is the area
of each plate.
𝑞 𝒒 1
E = 4𝜋𝑘𝜎 = 4𝜋𝑘 𝐴 ; E=𝜺 ; 𝜀0 = permittivity of free space = 4𝜋𝑘 = 8.85 x10- 12 C2/ Nm2
𝟎𝑨

5. Two point charges are lying in the y - axis shown in the figure q1 = - 4.0 µC and
q2 = + 4.0 µC. They are equidistant from point P which lies on the x-axis.
a.) What is the net electric field at P?
b.) A small object of charge qo = + 8.0 µC and mass m=1.20 grams is placed at P. When it
is released, what is its acceleration?
E = F/ qo Fnet = ma
𝒎𝒂 𝑞𝑜 𝑬
E =𝒒 ; a= Q1 = - 4 µC
𝒐 𝑚
E2 E2

310

310 P

Q2 = + 4 µC