National School in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology-Algiers

Chapter II ELECTRIC FIELD

and POTENTIAL-part II

Pr Yacine SALHI 1
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
VII. INTERNAL ENERGY OF A POINT CHARGE
• Consider a set of electric charges Qi placed in fixed positions Mi. The internal electrostatic energy Ue of this system is
defined as the total work necessary for an external operator to bring all the charges Qi from infinity to their final position
Mi.

These charges are initially at rest and located at infinite distances from each other. Their movtion to their final positions Mi is
carried out with an infinitely small velocity.

To calculate the work required to bring a charge Qifrom infinity to a point Mi, let's use the total energy law :

Mi
 
 E T    E k    E p 
Mi
 Wi  Fop 
Mi Mi

 
0
Thus :
Mi
 
Wi  Fop   E pMi  E p  Qi VMi
 
Qi VM QiV 0
i
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

1. Internal energy of a system of two fixed point charges

The necessary work to move a first charge Q1 from infinity to a point M1 is :
M1
 
W1  Fop   Q1VM1
 

The absence of charge around M1 makes that : VM1  0V

M1
 
W1  Fop   0 J
 
Q1 being maintained in M1, the work that an external agent would carry out to bring a second point charge, Q2, from infinity
to the point M2 located at a distance r12 from M1 is then
M2
 

W2  Fop   Q2 VM2
 
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

Q1being maintained in M1, the work that an external agent would do to bring a second point charge, Q2, from infinity to point
M2
M2 located at a distance r12 of M1 is :  
W2  Fop   Q2 VM2
 
The potential at point M2 is that created by the charge Q1:
Q1
VM2  K
r12
The work carried out by the operator is :
M2
 
 QQ
W2  Fop   K 1 2
  r12
The internal energy of the system formed by Q1and Q2 is :
M1 M2 M2

  
  

Ue  Q1 ,Q2   W1  Fop   W2  Fop   W2  Fop 
     
Thus, the internal energy of a system of two charges Q1and Q2 distant from r1and r2 is:

Q1Q2
Ue  Q1 ,Q2   K
r12
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
2. Internal energy of a system of three fixed point charges
The two charges Q1and Q2 are at their final positions M1 and M2, to bring a third charge Q3 in M3 the external operator
must provide a work like:
M3
 

W3  Fop   Q3VM3
 
As the potential at point M3 is that created by the charges Q1 and Q2 :
Q1 Q
VM3  K K 2
r13 r23
The work carried out by the operatoron Q3 is:
M3
 
 QQ QQ
W3  Fop   K 1 3  K 2 3
  r13 r23

Thus the internal energy of the system formed by the three charges is qual to the work carried out by the operator to assemble
the system formed by Q1,Q2 and Q3, i.e. W1+W2+W3:
Q1Q 2 QQ QQ
U e  Q1 ,Q 2 ,Q3   K K 1 3 K 2 3
r12 r13 r23
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3.Generalization :
The work required to bring a j-charge Qj on point Mj is:

Mj j1
 
 Qi Q j
Wj  Fop    K (*)
  i 1 rij

Internal energy Ue of a system of j charges Qj (j=1, 2, , j) placed at fixed points Mj is the work required to bring the system of
these charges from infinity. It is, by definition, equal to the sum of all contributions of type(*). We thus obtain:

1 j j

U e Q1 , Q 2 ,....., Q j    K
2 i 1 k 1
Qi Q k
rik
k i
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
VIII. ELECTROSTATIC DIPOLE
1. Definition

An electrostatic pair (+q, -q, a) is the set of two opposite charges q and -q, maintained at a constant distance, a, from each
other. An electrostatic dipole (+q, -q, a) is an electrostatic pair for which the distance a is very small, that is to say much less
than the observation distances.
2. Potential electric created by a dipole

According to the principle of superposition, the potential created by the two charges of the
dipole at a point M in space (seefigure)is given by:

q q  1 1 
V(M)  V q (M)  V q (M)  K K  Kq    
AM BM  AM BM 
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
.
To determine AM and BM let's use the metric relation in any triangle (figure)
c2 = a 2 + b 2  2ab  cosθ

We have: 
AM2  OM2  OA2  2OM  OA  cos OM, OA  ; BM2  OM2  OB2  2OM  OB  cos  OM, OB

 OM, OB    OM, OA     

a
OM  r ; OA  OB 
2

 cos   
a 2
a  a 2
a cos  
AM 2  r 2   2r   cos       r 2 1  2  
4 2  4r r 
  
As result :  cos   
a 2
a  a 2
a cos  
AM 2  r 2   2r   cos       r 2 1  2  
4 2  4r r 
  
 
a 2
a  a 2
a cos  
BM  r   2r  cos   r 1  2 
2 2 2

4 2  4r r 
 ' 
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
As result :
1 1 1
   1     1   '  
1 2 1 2
 
AM BM r  

let's remember that since   1 and   1, , then (1  ) 1 2  1 1 2 n and (1  ) 1 2  1 1 2 n so :

1 1 1       '  1 a 2 a cos  a 2 a cos  

     1    1      1  2  1 2 
AM BM r   2   2   r 8r 2r 8r 2r 
a cos 

r2

thus: q a cos 
V(M)  K
r2
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3. Dipole moment
 
Let's introduce the vector a  AB and notice that
     
a  u r  a u r cos(a, u r )  a cos 

consequently,
   
qa cos  q a ur p u r p cos 
V(M)  K  K  K  K
r2 r2 r2 r2

 
The vector p  q a is the dipole moment of the pair (+q, -q).
It is oriented from the negative charge to the positive charge.
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
4. Electric field created by a dipole
 
The electric field created by a dipole (+q, −q, a) can be calculated by applying the relationship E   grad V to the expression
of the potential that we have just established. The axial symmetry of revolution with respect to (Ox) requires the field to have
only radial and orthoradial:

  
E(r)  E r u r  E  u 

V   p cos   2Kp cos 

Er     K 2  
r r  r  r3
1 V 1   p cos   Kp sin 
E    K 2  
r  r   r  r3
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
5. Dipole placed in a uniform electric field
Let's considera region of space where a uniform electric field exists. Let us place the dipole

(+q, −q,a) at a point O in this
 
zone. The charges -q, located in A, and +q, located in B, are then subject to the forces FA (q)  q E and , FB (q)  q E
respectively.
 
As FA   FB , these two forces form a couple moment, with respect to O:
    
 / O  OA  FA  OB  F B
if the dipole is in the plane (Oxy) of the figure
   
/O   /O k  pEsin  k

k being the unit vector in the direction of the axis (Oz) (see above).The

torque acting on the dipole tends to make it rotate to align p parallel to

the field E    0  (see figure). Let's note that there are two equilibrium

positions (  / O  0 ):

0 stable equilibrium

 Unstable equilibrium
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
6. Potential energy of a dipole placed in a uniform electric field
The potential energy of the dipole (-q, +q, a) is equal to the sum of the potential energies of the charges –q and +q:
E P  E P  q   E P  q    q  VA   q  VB  q  VB  VA 
   
The distance a=AB being very small, we can use the relationship dV   E dl for an elementary displacement dl  AB
So,VB  VA can be written as :
   
VB  VA  dV A   E AB   E a
B

By introducing this expression into that of the potential energy we obtain

 
E P  q a  E

so  
E P   p E
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
IX. FLUX OF AN ELECTROSTATIC FIELD - GAUSS law
1. Definition of a flux of a vector field through a surface
a. Elementary flux 
Consider an elementary surface (dS), around a point M, oriented by its unit normal vector n(figure). The elementary flux d of a
   
vector field E through the elementary surface dS is by definition the scalar product of vector E by the vector surface dS  dS n :
    
d  E dS  E n dS= E dScos 
  
With    E, dS  the angle that the field vector makes with the normal surface normal. Let's notice that:
 
 
d  0 si  <  2 : E and n are directed towards the same side relative to the surface
 
d  0 si    2 : E and n are directedreverserelation to the surface

E


E
E

E 
E
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
a. Flux through a finite surface

Consider a surface (S) which is in the field vector E . If we decompose (S) into surface elements (dS), each of them is crossed by
 
the elementary flux d  E dS

E

The total flux  of the vector field E through the surface S is
the sum of all the elementary fluxs d:

 
   d  E dS


By making it tender dS towards zero, the summation transforms into integration and we obtain the definition of the flux of E
through the surface (S):

 
   E dS
(S)
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

b. Orientation of a surface

Calculating a flux requires having an oriented surface. This involves defining the direction of the normal unit vector

n . We need to consider two types of surfaces: those that rest on a contour and those that are closed.

In the first case we can define two sides located on either side of the surface. n is then oriented towards the same
side whatever the considered point of (S).
A surface closed (S) delimits a finite volume of space. There are then two regions of space: the interior of (S) and

the exterior of (S). For any point on the surface, it is customary to orient the normal vector n from the inside
towards the exterior.
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
c. Solid angle
A plane angle  of vertex O is defined in a two-dimensional space by the intersection of two
half-lines in O (figure).If we consider in terms of  a circle of any radius R centered at O, the
value of  is measured by the ratio of the length s of the arc of the circle which it intercepts
by the radius: =s/R. The unit of plane angle is the radian (rd).

Sphere
Solid angle
In space, a solid angle is delimited by a cone whose section can be of any
shape (figure).If we consider a sphere of radius R and centered at the top of
the solid angle, the latter is measured by the ratio of the surface S of the
portion of the sphere that it intercepts to the square of the radius:
  S R2
The unit´ of solid angle is the steradian (sr)
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
2. Flux of an electrostatic field created by a point charge:
a. Flux through a surface element
Consider a point charge q (here positive) placed at a point O in space.The electrostatic

field vector produced by q at a point M
 q    r
has the expression E  r   K 2 u with r  OM and u  
r r 
We consider an elementary surface (dS), around the point M, oriented by its normal unit vector n (figure). The elementary flux
of the electrostatic field across the elementary surface dS is :

    dScos 
d  E dS  E n dS= E dScos   Kq
r2
Consider the elementary solid angle d of the figure under which the elementary surface (dS) is seen from O. At this scale, the
surface element dS' (=dScos) is the portion of the sphere with center O and radius r  OMintercepted by the solid angle d.
Therefore, the quantity
dScos  dS'
2
 2  d
r r
is the elementary solid angle under which we see the
surface (dS) from point O. Thus we can write:
d  Kqd
 
d  0 if  <  2 : E and n are directed towards the same side relative to the surface
 
d<0 if    2 :E and n are directed in opposite directions relative to the surface Circle with radius r
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
b. Flux through a closed surface
Two cases arise depending on whether the charge q is outside or inside the closed surface.
1) q is outside of (S)
Let's considerthe elementary solid angle coming from the point O instead of the charge q and cutting on a closed surface (S) two
oriented elementary surfaces (dS1) and (dS2), in accordance with the orientation of a closed surface (figure).The total flux passing
through the two surfaces is d  Kq(d1  d 2 )

Solid angles d1 and d 2 which intercept (dS1) and (dS2), respectively, are equal in absolute values ​since they are relative to
   
the same cone, d.2  0 If E 2 and n 2 are oriented on the same side of (dS2). d1  0 if E1 et n1 are oriented in opposite
directions with respect to (dS1). Consequently,

Note that any elementary solid angle which crosses the closed surface (S) intercepts an
even number of surface elements of (S). Thus, taking into account the signs of the

corresponding solid angles, we find that the total flux E passing through them is zero.
The total flux  of the field through the surface S being the sum of all the elementary
fluxes d, the total flux is therefore zero if the source charge is outside this surface.
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
Flux through an open surface:

We consider a surface (S) which rests on a contour (C) (figure). By reasoning as in the previous case, it appears that only the
elementary fluxs crossing the interior of the contour are not zero. The total flux of the electrostatic field through (S) is then:

  Kq

 being the solid angle which intercepts the contour (C).

 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
2. q is inside (S)
In the case of the figure, the closed surface (S) encompasses the charge q
and any elementary solid angle d coming from the point O which cuts
out a surface element (dS) is positive. Thus, the elementary flux which
crosses (dS) is : d  Kqd  0
The total flux of the electrostatic field is obtained by adding all the elementary fluxes through the elementary surfaces dS
constituting the surface S.    d  Kq  d  Kq

, is the solid angle which intercepts the entire closed surface (S), intercepts the entire space. This property is valid for any closed
surface. In particular we can consider a sphere of radius R and center O. By definition,  is then measured by:
Ssphère 4R 2
  2  4
R2 R
Which gives us the flux of the electrostatic field through a closed surface (S) enclosing the source charge q:

1 q
  Kq  4Kq  4 q
40 0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3. Gauss law
Let's consider any closed surface S located in a space in which exists an electrostatic field created by a finite set of point charges
or a continuous distribution of charge. Now we know how to determine the flux, through (S), of the electrostatic field created by
a single point charge. We can deduce the flux of the electrostatic field created by all the charges in the space considered by
applying the principle of superposition. Indeed, in the case of a discrete distribution, if a charge qeis exterior to the surface (S),
the corresponding elementary contribution will be zero; otherwise, it will be:

qi
i 
0
The flux of the total field created by all the charges internal to (S) is then:

   i 
 qi Qi

  0 0
In the case of a continuous charge distribution, each element dq behaves like a point charge. If dq is outside the surface
(S), the corresponding elementary contribution will be zero; otherwise, it will be
dq
d 
0
The flux of the total field created by all the charge Q i , interior to (S), is then:

 d 
 dqintérieur Qi

0 0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3. Gauss law

law:
The flux of the electrostatic field created by a charge distribution, across any closed surface, is equal to the ratio
of the total charge, interior to this surface Qi , by vacuum permittivity  0 .

 Qi
   E dS 
(S)
0
The integration surface (S) is named “Gauss surface”.

This law can be useful for calculating the electrostatic field produced by a charge distribution whose properties of symmetry
and invariance make it possible to find:

- surfaces, which we will designate by (S ), on which the field is constant at all points and is perpendicular to the surfaces ;

- surfaces, (S// ) ,on which the field is parallel to the surfaces at each point.
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3. Gauss law
Consequences:
 
• On the surfaces (S ) ,E and dS are parallel:
   
E dS   E  dS
 
 + sign corresponds to the case where E and dS are in the same direction and the sign – if they are in opposite directions.
The
E is constant in each point of (S ) ; resulting in :
   
  E dS   E  dS   E S
(S ) (S )
 
• On the surfaces (S// ) , E and dS , are perpendicular:  
  E dS  0
(S// )

Thus, to determine the electrostatic field at any point M in the space created by a known charge distribution, it is necessary to
find a (closed) Gauss surface (SG) which passes through the point M and which does not coincide with a material surface
charged. To do this, you must choose a surface (S ) containing M and if it is not closed, we can complete it with surfaces.(S// )
The total flux through (SG) is : 
   E S
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
3. Gauss law

Consequences:

The application of Gauss law then allows us to simply determine the module of the field by writing

 
Qi Q
   E S   E  i
0 0S
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

4. Applications of Gauss law

 SCOPE AND POTENTIALELECTRICAL (Part III)
4. Applications of Gauss law
 Electrostatic field and potential created by an infinite uniformly charged plane:
An infinite plane() charged uniformly with a surface positive density . We recall that a plane can be considered infinite if its
distance from the point considered is very small compared to its own dimensions.
 Choice of Gaussian surface:
it is appropriate to choose as Gaussian surface a cylinder, symmetrical with respect to and with a generator parallel to (Oz).
In fact, it is composed of:
  
- of the upper base surfaces, (S1,) and lower, (S2 ,)on which we have ; E1  (S1 ), E 2  (S2 ) and E  constant

- (S3 ) the side surface on which E3 / / S3 

Infinite uniformly
charged plane
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• Calculation of the flux

• Calculation of the flux through the Gaussian surface: it is the flux which crosses the three surfaces(S1), (S2) and (S3):
       
  E1 dS1   E 2  dS2   E 3  dS3  E1  S1  E 2  S2
(S1 ) (S2 ) (S3 )

Let's notice that: 0

S1  S2  Sb (base surface)
  
E1  E 2  E because (S1) and (S2) are equidistant to plan ()

So:

  2 E  Sb

Infinite uniformly
charged plane
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:
• Determination of the internal charge at (SG): the charge which is inside the Gaussian surface is that which is carried by the
disk, surface Sb, cut by the cylinder in the plane (). So we have :
Qi   Sb

• Applicationof Gauss' law: the latter allows us to write :


Qi  Sb
  2 E  Sb 
0 0
We get:


E
20
Infinite uniformly
In vectors:   
E k pour z  0 charged plane
2 0
  
E k pour z  0
20
Thus, the electrostatic field created by a uniformly charged plane is independent of the distance to the plane.
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
• The electrostatic potential
The potential created at any point in space is obtained using the relation:
 
V    E  dl cst    E x dx   E y dy   E z dz  cst
0 0
 
for z>0 V  
20  dz  cst  
20
z  V0

   

Infinite uniformly
for z<0 V     dz  cst  z  V0
 20  20 charged plane

The constantV0 represented then the potential of the charged plane.

 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• Graphical representation of field and potential



Ez V


V0
2 0 z

z


20

 
Slope=
Pente Pente 
Slope=
2 0 20
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
b. Field and electrostatic potential created by two uniformly charged parallel infinite planes:
We consider two infinite parallel plans,(1 and (2), uniformly charged. (1 carries a charge of density + and(2 a
density charge;these two planes are distant by e and perpendicular to an axis (Ox) of origin O located on (1.
The electrostatic field
Using the relationships found in the case of a plan,
the electrostatic field created by(1is :
2)
  
  i for x  0

 20
E1  
  
i for x  0

 20
Region I Region II Region III
and the electrostatic field created by (2 is :

  
 2 i for x  e


E2  
0

  i for x  e


 20
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

The two planes delimit three regions of space: region I : x  0 ; region II : 0  x  e ; region III : x > e .
Let's apply the principle of superposition in each region:
2)
       
region I (x  0) : E  E1  E 2   i i 0 i
20 20
       
region II (0  x  e ): E  E1  E 2   i i i
20 20 0
Region I Region II Region III
       
region III (x > e) : E  E1  E 2   i i 0 i
20 20
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
The electrostatic potential
To calculate the potential created by the two planes, we can use the relation
 
V    E  dl cste    E x dx   E y dy   E z dz  cst
2)
0 0
Successively we get:


- For the region II: V   x  V0
0
The constant V0 represents the potential of the plan (1 ;
Region I Region II Region III

- For the region I: V  cst , and using the continuity ofpotential; V  V(x  0)  V0

- For region III: V  cst and using the continuity of the potential

V  V(x  e)   e  V0
0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
c. Field and electrostatic potential created by a sphere uniformly charged in volume:
Consider a sphere (S) with center O and radius R uniformly charged in volume with a volume density of charge, for example
positive   0 . We look for the electrostatic field and potential created by this sphere at a point M located at a distance r
from O.
• Choic eof the Gaussian surface:

The electrostatic field produced by a uniformly charged sphere is oriented in the radial direction,
It depends on the distance r to its center.
We must therefore retain as Gauss surface SG a spherical surface of radius r= OM.

• Calculation of the flux through the Gaussian surface:

Here the Gaussian surface SG being of type( S ):

    
  E dS  E  r   dS  E  r  SG  E  r  4  r 2
(SG ) (SG )

Two cases arise depending on whether point M is outside or inside the charged sphere (S).
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
• M is outside of (S)
 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:
The internal charge at (SG) is the total charge Qtot carried by (S):
4
Qi  Q tot    R 3
3 4
  R 3
Qi 
and Gauss' law allows us to write:   E r  4  r2  3
0 0
4
  R3
 1  R 3
1
thus: E r  3 
4 0 r 2 30 r 2
   R3 1
In vectorial form E r  R   E r  R  ur  u
30 r 2 r

The electrostatic potential

   R3  1   R3 1
V    E  dl cst     2 dr  cst   cst
30  r  3 0 r
 R3 1
The constant is determined by a zero potential at infinity; we deduce: V(r  R) 
30 r
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
• M is inside (S)
 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:
The internal charge at (SG) is no longer the total charge Qtot since this Gaussian surface
is inside (S). Qi is then the charge contained in the sphere of radius r:

4 3
Qi    r
3
The application of Gauss' law gives:
4 3
 r
Qi 
  E r 4  r  3
2
0 0
thus:
 
E r  R   r
30

In vectorial form:   
E r  R   E r  R  ur  ru r
30
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

The electrostatic potential :

We deduce the potential from:
    2
V(r  R)    E  dl cst    r dr  cst   r  cst
30 60
 R3 1
The constant is determined using the continuity of the potential on the surface of the sphere : V(r  R) 
30 r
 R2
For (r = R) we have: V(R) 
30

 R2  R2  R2
So V(R)    cst   cst 
60 30 20

 2  R2 
 
Then :
V(r  R)   r   r 2  3R 2
60 20 60
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
 Graphical representation of field and potential


E V
R
Fonctionofen  r 2
1,0

30 Function
0,8 1
Function
Fonctionof
en
r2
0,6

R 2 Function
Fonctionofen
1
r
0,4
30
0,2

-2 0 2 4 6 -2 0 2 4 6
O R r O R r
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
d. Field and electrostatic potential created by sphere uniformly charged at surface: :
The total charge Qtot is in this case distributed uniformly on the external surface of the sphere (S) with a surface density of
charges, for example positive   0 ,. We look for the electrostatic field and potential created by this sphere at a point M
located at the distance r from O.
• Choiceof the Gaussian surface:
Here too we have a uniformly charged sphere which produces an electrostatic field oriented in the radial direction and which
only depends on the distance r from its center. Consequently, surfaces of the type( S ) are spherical surfaces centered on O.
We must therefore retain as the surface of Gauss SG a sphere of radius r=OM. For the calculation of Qi, we distinguish two
cases again:
• M is outside of (S)
• Calculation of the flux through the Gaussian surface:
As in the case of a sphere charged in volume:
    
  E dS  E  r   dS  E  r  SG  E  r  4  r 2
(SG ) (SG )
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:

The internal charge at (SG) is the total charge Qtot carried by the surface of (S):


Qi  Qtot   4  R 2 
Gauss' law gives rise to:

Qi  4  R 2
  E r 4  r 
2
0 0
thus:   R2 1
E r  R  
0 r 2

The electrostatic field vector is :

   R2 1
E r  R   E r  R  ur  u
0 r 2 r
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• The electrostatic potential:

The calculation of the electrostatic potential is carried out as before:
   R2  1   R2 1
V    E  dl cst     2  dr  cst   cst
0  r  0 r
The constant is determined by taking the potential at infinity equal to zero;

 R2 1
V r  R  
0 r
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
• M is inside (S)
 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:
All the charge of (S) is outside of(SG). Thus, we have Qi=0 , by virtue of Gauss' law :
has

Qi   
   E dS   0  E r  0
(S )
0
G
• The electrostatic potential:
The calculation of the electrostatic potential is carried out as before:
 
V    E  dl cst  0  cst  cst

As V  r  R   cst , the constant is determined using the continuity of the potential on the surface of the sphere (r =A):

V r  R   V r  R 
We will use the relationship :
 R2 1
V r  R  
0 r
thus:
R
V r  R   V r  R  
0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• Graphical representation of field and potential

Function of Function of
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
e. Field and electrostatic potential created by an infinite uniformly charged cylinder in volume:
Consider a full cylinder (C), of radius R with an infinite length, uniformly charged in volume with a volume density of charge   0
. We look for the electrostatic field created by this cylinder at a point M located at the distance r from its axis.

• Choice of the Gaussian surface

The electrostatic field produced by a uniformly charged cylinder of infinite length is oriented in the radial direction and that it
depends only on the distance r to its axis. We must therefore retain as Gauss surface SG a cylinder of length L with the same
axis as (C). We here also distinguish two cases:

• M is outside of the cylinder (VS)

The Gaussian cylinder then surrounds part of the charged cylinder.
 
 E dS3 
E E
M
M
 
dS1 r dS2
R

(SG )
Infinite
Cylindrecylinder
infini
L
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• flux through the Gaussian surface:

it is the flux which crosses the three surfaces(S1) , (S2) and (S3):

         
  E dS1   E dS2   E dS3  E  dS3  E S3  E 2 r L
(S1 ) (S2) (S3 ) (S3 )

0 0
 
 E dS3 
(S3)is the lateral surface 2 r L E E
M
M
 
dS1 r dS2
R

(SG )
Cylindre infini
Infinite cylinder L
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:
The charge carried by a length L of the cylinder(C) is:
Qi   sec tion  L   R 2 L

Qi    R2 L
• Application of Gauss law:   E  r  2 r L 
0 0

  R2 1
E r  R  
thus:
20 r
•Calculation of the otential
 Here too we can use the integral formula
   R2 1  R2
V    E  dl cst    dr  cst   log r  cst
20 r 0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
• M is inside (C)
• Choice of the Gaussian surface

Infinite cylinder
• flux through the Gaussian surface:

a calculation similar to the previous one leads to an identical result

         
  E dS1   E dS2   E dS3  E  dS3  E S3  E 2 r L
(S1 ) (S2) (S3 ) (S3 )

0 0
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:

Qi is the charge contained in the cylinder of radius r and length L:

Qi   sec tion  L   r 2 L

Qi    r2 L
  E  r  2 r L 
0 0
 
thus: E r  R   r
20

•Calculation of the potential:

Let's use the integral formula

    2
V    E  dl cst    r dr  cst   r  cst
20 40
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

 Graphical representation of field and potential


E V
R
en  r 2
1,0

2 0 Fonction of
Function
0,8 1
Function
Fonctionofen
r
Function
Fonctionof  log r
0,6
en
0,4

0,2

-2 0 2 4 6 -2 0 2 4 6
O R r O R r

Figure 48
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL
f. Field and electrostatic potential created by an infinite uniformly charged straight wire:

Consider a rectilinear wire (F), of infinite length and uniformly charged with a linear density of charges   0. We look for the
electrostatic field created by this wire at a point M located at the distance r from the wire.

• Choice of the Gaussian surface

As in the case of the infinite cylinder, we must choose as Gaussian surface a cylinder of length L with the same axis as (F).

• flux through the Gaussian surface

It is identical to that found for the case of the cylinder for r  R


  E 2 r L
L

 Determination of the internal charge at (SG) and the electrostatic field:

The internal charge at (SG) is the charge carried by a length L of the wire:

Qi   L
 ELECTRIC FIELD AND POTENTIAL

• Application of Gauss law:

Qi  L
  E  r  2 r L 
0 0

thus L
  1
E r 
20 r
•Calculation of th potential:
we can use the integral formula :

   1 
V    E  dl cst    dr  cst   log r  cst
20 r 20