Measuring Charge

• The charge on a single elementary charge is

extremely small. In order to study charged
objects in the observable world, a large unit
is necessary.
• 1 Coulomb = 6.25 x 1018 electrons
• What is the charge on one electron?
• (6.25 x 1018 )-1 = 1.6 x 10-19C
 Coulomb’s Law

• Charged objects exert a force (Fe ) on each other

• Like charges _______

repel (force is __________
positive ).

• Unlike charges _______

attract (force is________).
negative
 Coulomb’s Law

• The magnitude of the electric force

increases with magnitude of the charges (q)
• Fe α q1q2
• The magnitude of the force is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance
between the two charges.
• Fe α 1/r2
 Coulomb’s Law

Combining the two relationships we

find :
Fe α q1q2
r2
 Coulomb’s Law
In order for the proportion to become an
equation,
the constant of proportionality, k = 8.99x 10 9
N-m2/C2, is added:

Fe = k q1q2
r2
 Coulomb’s Law
Example:
What force is between two point
charges that each have a charge of
-.0020 C at a separation of .50 m?
Fe = k q1q2
r2
= 8.99 x 109 N-m2/C2 (-0.0020C)((-0.0020C)
(0.50m)2

= 1.4 x 105 N
 Electric field

• An electric field is said to exist in any

region of space in which an electric force
acts on a charge.
• The Electric field strength (E) is equal to
the force acting on the test charge divided
by the charge:

E = F/q
 Lines of Force
• The direction of an electric field is represented by
lines of force.
• The lines indicate the direction in which a positive
test charge would move if it were placed in the field.
• The configuration of the field depends on the shape
of the charged object producing the field.
21.2 Drawing the electric field
Electric Fields
Electric Fields
Electric Fields
 Resources
• http://www.science.tamu.edu/CMSE/
powerpoint/Electricity.ppt
• http://www.shep.net/resources/curricular/
physics/P30/Unit2/electroscope.html
• http://surendranath.tripod.com/Applets/
Electricity/FieldLines/FieldLinesApplet.html
• http://www.its.caltech.edu/~phys1/java/
phys1/EField/EField.html