Static Fields-Review

1
 z
Coulomb’s Law
Charge in free space
r̂
Experimental law:
q1q2
r
q2 F2 = rˆ  N
4 0 r 2

y 0 8.854187818 10−12  F/m 

q1 (permittivity of free space)

x Electric Field q
E= rˆ
D  0 E 4 0 r 2
Define:
“flux density vector”
(This definition holds in free space.)

We then have
q
D= rˆ [C/m ] 2

4 r 2
2
 Gauss’s Law
A charge q is inside a closed surface.
z
 D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl =q
S (closed surface)

nˆ (outward normal)
q
y

q
x E D= rˆ [C/m 2 ]
4 r 2
Assume q produces Nf flux lines

3
 Choice of Gaussian Surface
 D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl

Rule 1: S must be a closed surface.

Rule 2: S should go through the observation point (usually called r).

Guideline: Pick S to be ⊥ to E as much as

possible E
𝑆 ⊥ 𝐸 ⇒ 𝑛ොӈ ∥ 𝐷 n̂
(This simplifies the dot product calculation.)

S
4
 Example
Hollow shell of uniform surface charge density

z
Find E everywhere

s = s 0

y
a
x

5
 Example
z
(cont.)
s = s 0 Case a) r < a

LHS = RHS
y
a Dr ( 4 r 2 ) = Qencl = 0
x
so
Dr = 0
s0
r
r Hence
a
E = 0 [V/m]

6
 Example (cont.)
Case b) r > a LHS = RHS

Dr ( 4 r 2 ) = Qencl =  s 0 4 a 2
r
4 a 2  s 0
 Dr =
a
r 4 r 2
s0  Dr =
Q
4 r 2
( Q =  s0 4 a 2
)
Hence

Q
E = rˆ [V/m]
4 0 r 2

The electric field outside the sphere of surface charge is the

same as from a point charge at the origin.
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 Example (cont.)
z
Summary

s = s 0
ra E = 0 [V/m]

y Q
ra E = rˆ [V/m]
a 4 0 r 2

Note:
A similar result holds for the force due to gravity
from a shell of material mass.

8
 Example (cont.)

z Important Point:
The electric field is discontinuous as we
cross the boundary of a surface charge
s = s 0 density.

y
a Er
x Q
Q / ( 4 0 a2 ) 4 0 r 2

r
a

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 Example
Solid sphere of uniform volume charge density

z Find E (r) everywhere

v = v 0

y
a
x

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 z
Example (cont.)

v = v 0
Case a) r < a
y
a
 D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl

 Dr ( 4 r 2 ) = Qencl
x

r
Qencl =   v ( r ) dV
r
V

a
v 0
Gaussian surface S
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 Example (cont.)
Calculate RHS:

Qencl =   v 0 dV r
r
V

=  v 0  dV a
V
v 0

4 3 Gaussian surface S
= v 0   r 
3 

LHS = RHS

4 3
Dr ( 4 r ) = v 0   r 
2

3 
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 Example (cont.)
z

Hence, we have
v = v 0
1 
Dr = v 0  r  r
3 
y
a
x

ra
The vector electric field is then:

 r 
E = rˆ v 0   [V/m]
 3 0 
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 Example (cont.)
Case b) r > a  D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl

 Dr ( 4 r 2 ) = Qencl
r
a 4 3
r Qencl = v0   a 
3 
v = v 0
Gaussian surface S

so
Hence, we have
4 
Dr ( 4 r 2 ) =  v 0   a 3 
3   v0 a3 
 a3 
E = rˆ  2  V/m
 Dr =  v 0  2  3
 0  r
 3r 
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 Example (cont.)
We can write this as: z

  v 0 a 3   ( 4 / 3)   v = v 0
E = rˆ  2  
  ( 4 / 3) 
 3 0 r  
r
Hence y
a
Q
E = rˆ x
4 0 r 2

ra
wher
e 4 
Q = v 0   a 3  The electric field outside the
3  sphere of charge is the same as
from a point charge at the origin.

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 Example (cont.)
z

Summary
v = v 0
 r 
E = r v 0 
ˆ  [V/m] ra
y  3 0 
v 0 a 3 Q
a
E=r
ˆ =r
ˆ  V/m ra
x 3 0 r 2
4 0 r 2

Er
Note:
v 0 a / ( 3 0 ) The electric field is continuous as
we cross the boundary of a
volume charge density.

r
a
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 Divergence Definition
Definition of divergence:

1
div D  lim
V → 0 V  D  nˆ dS
S

Small cube

V n̂ = outward normal

Divergence at a given point

Note: The limit exists independent of the shape of the volume

A region with a positive divergence acts as a “source” of flux lines.

A region with a negative divergence acts as a “sink” of flux lines.
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 Gauss’s Law -- Differential
Form
Apply divergence definition to a small volume V inside a region of charge:
1
div D  lim
V → 0 V  D  nˆ dS
S

Gauss's law:
V

 D  nˆ dS = Q encl   v ( r ) V
S r S

Hence
v ( r )
div D ( r ) = lim
V →0 V
1
( v ( r ) V )
= v ( r )
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Gauss’s Law -- Differential Form
(cont.)
The electric Gauss law in point (differential) form:

div D ( r ) = v ( r )

𝜵. 𝑫 𝒓 = 𝝆𝒗 𝒓  D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl

This is one of Maxwell’s equations.

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 Equipotential Contours
An equipotential contour CV is a contour on which the potential is constant.

y
Line charge example
E
l 0 Flux lines

 = −1  V 

Equipotential contours CV  = 0 V

 = +1  V 
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Equipotential Contours (cont.)
Property:

E ⊥ CV

The flux line are always

CV E perpendicular to the equipotential
contours.
(proof on next slide)

( = constant )

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 Equipotential Contours (cont.)
Proof of perpendicular property:
Two nearby points on an Proof:
equipotential contour are considered.
B
On CV :
  VAB =  E  dr  = 0
CV A
B
E B  E   dr E  r = 0
A
r
= E  r
A
E ⊥ r

Conclusion: The r vector is perpendicular to the flux lines.

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Maxwell’s Equations for
Electrostatic

∇ × Eӈ = 𝟎
∇ ⋅ Dӈ = ρ𝑣

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 Electrostatic Triangle
v

v Rˆ
v E= dV 
= dV  4  0 R 2

4  0 R
V
V
  (  0 E ) = v
 D  nˆ dS = Q
S
encl

v
 2 = −
0

E = −
 E
r

 ( r ) =  ( R ) −  E  dr
R
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