ELECTROSTATICS

⃗⃗ and V at various points

𝑬

TIP: Use the formulas for magnitudes. Use your brain for directions

Charge distribution ⃗𝑬 – field Electrostatic Potential

(V)
kq kq
EP  VP 
Point charge: r2 r
⃗𝑬 is radially away if q>0 Remember to put ‘q’
⃗𝑬 is radially inwards if q<0 with proper sign in the
equations of V.
Finite wire having
uniform linear charge
distribution 𝝀: Perpendicular to wire:
k
EP    sin   sin  
d
Parallel to wire:
k
EP   cos   cos  
d

Absolute potential
cannot be found at a
point.

Infinite wire having Net electric field is perpendicular to

uniform linear charge the wire.
density 𝝀: Away from the wire is 𝝀 > 𝟎
Towards the wire if 𝝀 < 𝟎 Potential difference
2k between points A and B
EP 
r is
b
VA  VB  2K ln
a
VA  V B if   0
VA  VB if   0

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ELECTROSTATICS
FORMULA SHEET

Arc of uniform linear

charge density 𝝀:
kQ
Electric field at centre of arc: Vcentre 
R
2k 
sin Q = Net charge on the
R 2
arc.
E-field is along angle bisector. It is
This equation is valid
away from the arc if   0 and
even if Q is non –
towards the arc if   0
uniformly distributed.

kQ
Vcentre 
R
Electric field at centre = 0 if the Q = Net charge on the
Ring having charge Q
charge is uniformly distributed. arc.
(uniformly distributed):
𝑬 ≠ 𝟎 at centre if Q is not This equation is valid
uniformly distributed. even if Q is non –
uniformly distributed.
KQx
EP 
x 2  R2 kQ
At axis of a ring having ⃗𝑬 is along the axis if Q is VP 
x  R2
2

charge Q (uniformly uniformly distributed. This equation is valid

distributed): ⃗ is towards the ring if Q<0
𝑬 even if Q is non –
⃗𝑬 is away from the ring if Q>0 uniformly distributed.

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ELECTROSTATICS
FORMULA SHEET

Disc having uniform

surface charge density 𝝈
C/m2:   x 
EP  1  
20  x R 
2 2
  2
⃗ is along the axis if Q is
𝑬 VP  x  R2  x 
20  
uniformly distributed. (R  x)
⃗𝑬 is towards the ring if Q<0 If x<<R: V 
20
⃗𝑬 is away from the ring if Q>0

If x<<R: E 
20

Hemisphere having
uniform surface charge
density 𝝈: 
Ecentre 
4 0
E is away from the hemisphere if R
Vcentre 
𝝈>𝟎 20
E is towards the hemisphere if
𝝈<𝟎

Infinite conducting Ein r  R   0

cylinder having surface 2K
Eout  r  R  
charge density 𝝀 𝑪/𝒎: r

r
Ein  r  R  
20
Infinite dielectric cylinder
R2
having uniform volume Eout  r  R  
20r
charge density 𝝆 C/m3:

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ELECTROSTATICS
FORMULA SHEET

Infinite sheet of charge 

having uniform charge E
20
density 𝝈 𝑪/𝒎𝟐 : On either side of the sheet, the
field is uniform.

Infinite conducting plate 

E
of thickness ‘d’: 0

Infinite dielectric plate x

Ein  x  d / 2  
having uniform volume 0
charge density 𝝆 𝑪/𝒎𝟑 : “x” is the distance measured
from the central line as shown.
d
Eout  x  d / 2  
20

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ELECTROSTATICS
FORMULA SHEET

KQ
Hollow sphere/shell Ein  0 Vout 
r
having charge Q KQ KQ
Eout  Vsurface 
(uniformly distributed): r2 R
KQ
Vin  Vsurface 
R

The above equation is valid iff charge Q is uniformly

distributed (or there is spherical symmetry in charge
distribution)
If charge is non – uniformly distributed then only potential
KQ
at centre can be written Vcentre 
R
KQ
Spherical conductor Vout 
Ein  0 r
having charge Q KQ
KQ Vsurface 
(uniformly distributed): Eout  R
r2 KQ
Vin  Vsurface 
R
The above equation is valid iff charge Q is uniformly
distributed (or there is spherical symmetry in charge
distribution)
If charge is non – uniformly distributed then only potential
KQ
at centre can be written Vcentre 
R
r
Ein 
3 0
Spherical dielectric KQ KQ  r2 
Eout  2 Vin   3  
having uniform volume r 2R  R2 
charge density 𝝆 𝑪/𝒎𝟑 : Where 
3Q
Vout 
KQ
4R3 r

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ELECTROSTATICS
FORMULA SHEET

2Kpr
E
r 
2
Axial point of a dipole:
2
 a2
2Kp 2kp
If r>>a, E 3
;E 3
r r
⃗𝑬 is parallel to 𝒑
⃗

Equatorial point of a
dipole: Potential at point
kp
E 𝑷(𝒓, 𝜽):
r 
3/2
2
 a2
kp cos 
V
kp kp r2
If r>>a, E ;E 3
r3 r Note that 𝜽 is measured
⃗𝑬 is antiparallel to 𝒑
⃗ ⃗.
wrt 𝒑
Equatorial plane is an
equipotential plane.

FIITJEE Office: A-3 Nandalal Bithi, City Center, Durgapur -713216. Ph. 03432542642, 03432542643, 9679997745
National Admission Office: FIITJEE Ltd. FIITJEE House, 29-A, Kalu Sarai, Sarvapriya Vihar, New Delhi-110016, Ph-46106000 6