Chapter 22

Electric Fields
• Two charges Q1 and Q2 interact through the
electrostatic force:

kQ1Q2
F= 2
Coulomb’s Law
r

• How does Q1 know about the presence of Q2 ?

The charge q sets up an electric field E around itself.
• The electric field is a vector quantity.

• Therefore, it has magnitude & direction.

• For an electric field at a certain point P around Q1:

i. The magnitude depends on the distance between Q1
and P.
ii. The direction is determined by the sign of Q1.

• Thus, when a second charge Q2 is placed at P, the

electric force on it is determined by the electric
field.

• Chapter 22:
➢ How do we calculate E ?
➢ What is the effect of E on a point charge?
 (22-1) The Electric Field
• We can define the electric field at some point P around a
charged object in the following way:
– Place a positive test charge (qo) at point P.
– Measure the electrostatic force that acts on the test charge.

• The electric field at point P due to the charged object is then:

(N/C)

• Magnitude: F/qo
• Direction: same as F.
• Note that the field exists regardless of qo.
 Electric Field Lines
• These are curves that indicate the direction of the
electric field.

• Electric field lines are related to the magnitude

and direction of the electric field
• The number of lines
per unit area through a
surface perpendicular
to the electric field is
proportional to the
strength of the electric
filed in that region.

Therefore, the electric

field is large when the
electric field lines are
close together, and
small when the electric
field lines are far apart.
 RULES
1. Lines must begin on positive charges and
terminate on negative charges.
2. The number of lines drawn leaving a
positive charge or approaching a negative
charge is proportional to the magnitude of
the charge.

3. No two electric filed lines can cross.

Examples
Examples
Charged Non-Conducting Sheet
(22-2) Electric Field Due to a
Point Charge
(22-3) Electric Field Due
to an Electric Dipole
 Sample Problem 22.01

The figure shows three + –

particles with charges: E3
q1 = +2Q , q2 = –2Q,
and q3 = –4Q, each a E1
distance d from the
E2
origin. –
What net electric field is
produced at the origin?