Applied Physics

Balochistan University of Engineering and Technology

Khuzdar
Chapter 2 Outline

2) Electricity and Magnetism

2.1) Electric field due to Discrete and Continuous Charge Distributions
2.2) Electrostatic Potential of Discrete and Continuous Charges
2.3) Gauss's Law and it's Applications
2.4) Lorentz Force And Hall Effect
2.5) Ampere's Law
2.6) Magnetic Field due to Current element ( Circular Current Loop and Solenoid)
2.7) Faraday's Law
2.8) Maxwell's Equations

2
Handout 5
2.1) Electric field due to Discrete and Continuous Charge Distributions
The Electric Field
• The space or region surrounding a charged body within which its
electric influence can be felt by other charged bodies or by a test
charge is called electric field.
• If a small test charge qo experiences an electric force F in an
electric field, the intensity of the electric field or electric field
strength E is defined as,
E=F/qo
• It is a vector quantity in the direction of F and is expressed in N/coul.
Hence intensity of the electric field is defined as the force on a unit
positive charge placed at some point inside the field.
Discrete Charge Distribution
• In discrete charge distribution electric charges are distributed in a
manner where individual charges are distinctly separated from each
other.
• For example, a discrete charge distribution could consist of several
point charges placed at various positions in space.
• There is considerable space between charges.
Continuous Charge Distribution
• Electric charge is distributed continuously throughout a region of
space, rather than being concentrated at specific points or locations.
• In other words, the charge is spread out over a certain volume, surface,
or line.
• Space between two consecutive charges is very small.
There are three main types of continuous charge distributions:
Linear charge Distribution
• Linear charge distribution occurs when charges are distributed evenly
along the length of a conductor, such as around the circumference of a
circle or along a straight wire.
• The symbol λ represents the linear charge distribution.
Surface Charge Distribution
• The charge is distributed uniformly over a two-dimensional surface. A
common example is a charged plate or a charged conducting shell.
• Measured in coulombs per square meter (C•m−2).
Volume Charge Distribution
• The charge is distributed uniformly throughout a three-dimensional
volume. An example could be a charged sphere or a charged cylinder.
• Volume charge density ρ is defined as:
ρ=Q /V
VQ