SEHH1051 PHYSICS II

LECTURE 1
Electric Charge and Electric Fields
(Textbook #21 and #22)
Content
• Coulomb’s Law (ch21‐1)
– Electric Charge, Conductors and Insulators, Coulomb’s Law
• Charge is Quantized (ch21‐2)
• Charge is Conserved (ch21‐3)
• Electric Field (ch22‐1)
– Electric Field Lines
• The Electric Field Due to
– a Point Charge (ch22‐2), an Electric Dipole (ch22‐3), a Line of Charge
(ch22‐4), a Charged Disk (ch22‐5)
• A Point Charge in an Electric Field (ch22‐6)
– Measuring the Elementary Charge, Ink‐Jet Printing

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1.1 Coulomb’s Law (ch21-1)
1.1.1 Electric Charge
Charges with the same electrical sign repel each other, and
charges with opposite electrical signs attract each other.

Figure 21-2 (a) Two

charged rods of the same
sign repel each other. (b)
Two charged rods of
opposite signs attract
each other. Plus signs
indicate a positive net
charge, and minus signs
indicate a negative net
charge.

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1.1.2 Conductors and Insulators
 Conductors are materials through which charge can move freely;
examples include metals (such as copper in common lamp wire), the
human body, and tap water.

 Nonconductors — also called insulators — are materials through

which charge cannot move freely; examples include rubber, plastic,
glass, and chemically pure water.

 Semiconductors are materials that are intermediate between

conductors and insulators; examples include silicon and germanium
in computer chips.

 Superconductors are materials that are perfect conductors, allowing

charge to move without any hindrance.

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 The properties of conductors and insulators are due to the structure
and electrical nature of atoms.

 Atoms consist of positively charged protons, negatively charged

electrons, and electrically neutral neutrons. The protons and neutrons
are packed tightly together in a central nucleus.

 When atoms of a conductor come together to form the solid, some of

their outermost (and so most loosely held) electrons become free to
wander about within the solid, leaving behind positively charged
atoms (positive ions).We call the mobile electrons conduction
electrons.

 There are few (if any) free electrons in a nonconductor.

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Fig. 21-3 A neutral copper rod is
electrically isolated from its surroundings by
being suspended on a non-conducting thread.
Either end of the copper rod will be attracted by a
charged rod. Here, conduction electrons in the
copper rod are repelled to the far end of that rod
by the negative charge on the plastic rod. Then
that negative charge attracts the remaining
positive charge on the near end of the copper rod,
rotating the copper rod to bring that near end
closer to the plastic rod.

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1.1.3 Coulomb’s Law
This force of repulsion or attraction due to the charge properties
of objects is called an electrostatic force.

The equation giving the force for charged particles is called

Coulomb’s law: 𝑞 𝑞
𝐹⃗ 𝑘 𝑟̂ (Coulomb’s law)
𝑟
where particle 1 has charge q1 and particle 2 has charge q2, and
F is the force on particle 1.
Fig.21-6 The electrostatic
Here, 𝑟⃗ is a unit vector along an axis extending through the two force on particle 1 can be
particles, r is the distance between them, and k is a constant. described in terms of a unit
vector 𝑟̂ along an axis
The SI unit of charge is the coulomb. through the two particles,
1 radially away from particle 2.
The constant 𝑘 8.99 10 Nm /C
4𝜋𝜀
The quantity 0 is called the permittivity constant
𝜀 8.85 10 C /Nm

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If there are n charged particles, they interact independently in pairs, and the
force on any one of them, say particle 1, is given by the vector sum
𝐹⃗ , 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ ⋯ 𝐹⃗
in which, 𝐹⃗ , is the force acting on particle 1 due to the presence of particle 4,
etc.

Analogous to the shell theories for the gravitational force law, we have two
shell theories for the electrostatic force:
Shell theory 1. A charged particle outside a shell with charge uniformly
distributed on its surface is attracted or repelled as if the shell’s charge were
concentrated as a particle at its center.

Shell theory 2. A charged particle inside a shell with charge uniformly

distributed on its surface has no net force on it due to the shell.

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Example 1: Finding the net force due to two
other particles
(a) Figure 21-7a shows two positively
charged particles fixed in place on an x axis.
The charges are q1 = 1.60 × 10−19 C and q2 =
3.20 × 10−19 C, and the particle separation is R
= 2.00 cm. What are the magnitude and
direction of the electrostatic force 𝐹⃗ 12 on
particle 1 from particle 2?

Fig. 21-7 (a) Two charged particles of charges q1

and q2 are fixed in place on an x axis. (b) The free-
body diagram for particle 1, showing the
electrostatic force on it from particle 2.

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Example 1(a): Solution
The magnitude of the force,
1 𝑞 𝑞 1 1.6 10 3.2 10
𝐹
4𝜋𝜀 𝑅 4𝜋 8.85 10 0.02
1.151 10 N At least 4 sig. fig. in steps

Thus, force 𝐹⃗ has the following magnitude and direction (relative to the
positive direction of the x axis):

𝟐𝟒 3 sig. fig. in final

𝟏. 𝟏𝟓 𝟏𝟎 N and 180 answer

We can also write 𝐹⃗ in unit-vector notation as

3 sig. fig. in final

𝐹⃗ 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓 𝟏𝟎 𝟐𝟒 ⃗
N answer

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Example 1(b)
(b) Figure 21-7c is identical to Fig. 21-7a
except that particle 3 now lies on the x axis
between particles 1 and 2. Particle 3 has charge
q3 = −3.20 × 10−19 C and is at a distance ¾ R
from particle 1. What is the net electrostatic
force 𝐹⃗ 1, net on particle 1 due to particles 2 and 3?

Fig. 21-7 (c) Particle 3 included. (d) Free-body diagram for particle 1.

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 Example 1(b): Solution
The magnitude of force,
1 𝑞 𝑞 1 1.6 10 3.2 10
𝐹 2.046 10 N
4𝜋𝜀 3 4𝜋 8.85 10 3
𝑅 0.02
4 4 At least 4 sig. fig. in steps
We can also write 𝐹⃗ in unit-vector notation: 𝐹⃗ 2.046 10 𝚤⃗ N

The net force 𝐹⃗ , on particle 1 is the vector sum of 𝐹⃗ and 𝐹⃗ ; and we can write
the net force 𝐹⃗ , on particle 1 in unit-vector notation as

𝐹⃗ , 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 1.151 10 𝚤⃗ 2.046 10 𝚤⃗ 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗𝟓 𝟏𝟎 𝟐𝟒 ⃗

𝐍

OR 𝐹⃗ , has the following magnitude and direction (relative to the positive

direction of the x axis): 3 sig. fig. in final
𝟎. 𝟖𝟗𝟓 𝟏𝟎 𝟐𝟒 N and 0 answer

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Example 1(c)
(c) Figure 21-7e is identical to Fig. 21-7a
except that particle 4 is now included. It
has charge q4 = −3.20 × 10−19 C, is at a
distance ¾R from particle 1, and lies on a
line that makes an angle θ = 60 with the
x axis. What is the net electrostatic force
𝐹⃗ 1, net on particle 1 due to particles 2 and
4?

Fig. 21-7 (e) Particle 4 included. (f ) Freebody diagram for particle 1.

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 Example 1(c): Solution
The magnitude of force,
1 𝑞 𝑞 1 1.6 10 3.2 10
𝐹 2.046 10 N
4𝜋𝜀 3 4𝜋 8.85 10 3
𝑅 0.02
4 4

At least 4 sig. fig. in steps

Method 1: Summing unit-vector notation
𝐹⃗ 𝐹 cos 𝜃 𝚤⃗ 𝐹 sin 𝜃 𝚥⃗ 2.046 10 cos 60° 𝚤⃗ 2.046 10 sin 60° 𝚥⃗
1.025 10 𝚤⃗ 1.775 10 𝚥⃗ N

Then, we sum
𝐹⃗ , 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗
1.151 10 𝚤⃗ 1.025 10 𝚤⃗ 1.775 10 𝚥⃗
𝟐𝟓 ⃗ 𝟐𝟒 ⃗
𝟏. 𝟐𝟔 𝟏𝟎 𝟏. 𝟕𝟖 𝟏𝟎 𝐍 3 sig. fig. in final answer

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 Example 1(c): Solution
Method 2: Summing components axis by axis
The sum of the x components,
𝐹, , 𝐹 , 𝐹 , 1.151 10 2.046 10 cos 60° 1.280 10 N

The sum of the y components,

𝐹, , 𝐹 , 𝐹 , 0 2.046 10 sin 60° 1.772 10 N

The net force 𝐹⃗ , has the magnitude, 𝐹 , 𝐹, , 𝐹, , 𝟏. 𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝟏𝟎 𝟐𝟒

𝐍

𝐹,
To find the direction of 𝐹⃗ , , we take 𝜃 tan
,
85.87°
𝐹, ,

However, this an unreasonable result because 𝐹⃗ , must have a direction between

the direction of 𝐹⃗ and 𝐹⃗ . To correct , we add 180, obtaining

−85.87 + 180 = 94.1

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Example 2: Equilibrium of two forces on a
particle
Figure 21-8a shows two particles
fixed in place: a particle of charge
q1 = +8q at the origin and a particle
of charge q2 = −2q at x = L. At what
point (other than infinitely far away)
can a proton be placed so that it is in
equilibrium (the net force on it is
zero)? Is that equilibrium stable or
unstable? (That is, if the proton is
displaced, do the forces drive it
back to the point of equilibrium or
drive it farther away?)

Fig. 21-8 (a) Two particles of charges q1 and q2 are fixed in place on an x axis, with
separation L.(b)-(d) Three possible locations P, S, and R for a proton. At each location, 𝐹⃗ 1
is the force on the proton from particle 1 and 𝐹⃗ 2 is the force on the proton from particle 2.

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Example 2: Solution
The equilibrium at x = 2L is unstable;
1 8𝑞𝑞 1 2𝑞𝑞 that is, if the proton is displaced
leftward from point R, then F1 and F2
4𝜋𝜀 𝑥 4𝜋𝜀 𝑥 𝐿
both increase but F2 increases more
(because q2 is closer than q1), and a net
𝑥 𝐿 1 force will drive the proton farther
leftward.
𝑥 4 If the proton is displaced rightward,
both F1 and F2 decrease but F2
𝑥 𝐿 1 decreases more, and a net force will
𝑥 2 then drive the proton farther rightward.

∴𝑥 𝟐𝑳 In a stable equilibrium, if the proton is

displaced slightly, it returns to the
equilibrium position.

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1.2 Charge is Quantized (ch21‐2)
Since the days of Benjamin Franklin, our understanding of the
nature of electricity has changed from being a type of ‘continuous
fluid’ to a collection of smaller charged particles. The total charge
was found to always be a multiple of a certain elementary charge,
“e”:

The value of this elementary charge is one of the fundamental

constants of nature, and it is the magnitude of the charge of both
the proton and the electron. The value of “e” is:

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Elementary particles either carry no charge, or carry a single
elementary charge. When a physical quantity such as charge can have
only discrete values, rather than any value, we say the quantity is
quantized. It is possible, for example, to find a particle that has no
charge at all, or a charge of +10e, or −6e, but NOT a particle with a
charge of, say, 3.57e.

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1.3 Charge is Conserved (ch21‐3)
If one rubs a glass rod with silk, a positive charge appears on the rod. Measurement
shows that a negative charge of equal magnitude appears on the silk. This suggests
that rubbing does not create charge but only transfers it from one body to another,
upsetting the electrical neutrality of each body during the process.

This hypothesis of conservation of charge has stood up under close examination,

both for large-scale charged bodies and for atoms, nuclei, and elementary particles.

Example: Radioactive decay of nuclei, in which a nucleus transforms into (becomes)

a different type of nucleus.

A uranium-238 nucleus (238U) transforms into a thorium-234 nucleus (234Th) by

emitting an alpha particle. An alpha particle has the same makeup as a helium-4
nucleus, it has the symbol 4He. Here the net charge is 238.

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 1.4 The Electric Field (ch22‐1)
The Electric Field is a vector field.

The electric field, 𝐸 , consists of a distribution of vectors, one for

each point in the region around a charged object, such as a charged
rod.

We can define the electric field at some point near the charged
object, such as point P in Fig. 22-2a, as follows:

A positive test charge q0, placed at the point will experience an

electrostatic force, 𝐹⃗ .

The electric field at point P due to the charged object is defined as

the electric field, 𝐸 , at that point:

Fig.22-2 (a) A positive test charge q0 𝐹⃗

𝐸 electric field
placed at point P near a charged object. 𝑞
An electrostatic force 𝐹⃗ acts on the test
charge. (b) The electric field 𝐸 at point P The SI unit for the electric field is the newton per coulomb (N/C).
produced by the charged object.

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 1.4.1 Electric Field Lines
Electric field lines extend away from positive charge (where they originate) and
toward negative charge (where they terminate).
AR
• At any point, the direction of a straight field line or the direction of the
tangent to a curved field line gives the direction of 𝐸 at that point.

• The field lines are drawn so that the number of lines per unit area,
measured in a plane that is perpendicular to the lines, is proportional to
the magnitude of 𝐸 .

Thus, 𝐸 is large where field lines are close together

and small where they are far apart.

Fig. 22-3 (a) The electrostatic force 𝐹⃗ acting on a positive test charge near a sphere of
uniform negative charge. (b) The electric field vector 𝐸 at the location of the test
charge, and the electric field lines in the space near the sphere. The field lines extend
toward the negatively charged sphere. (They originate on distant positive charges.)
AR

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AR AR
Fig.22-4
(a) The electrostatic force 𝐹⃗ on a positive test charge near
a very large, non-conducting sheet with uniformly
distributed positive charge on one side. (b) The electric
field vector 𝐸 at the location of the test charge, and the
electric field lines in the space near the sheet. The field
lines extend away from the positively charged sheet. (c)
Side view of (b).

Fig.22-5
Field lines for two particles with equal
positive charge. Doesn’t the pattern
itself suggest that the particles repel
each other?

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1.5 The Electric Field Due to a Point Charge (ch22‐2)
To find the electric field due to a point charge q (or charged particle) at any point a distance r
from the point charge, we put a positive test charge q0 at that point.

The direction of 𝐸 is directly away from the point charge if q is positive, and directly toward
the point charge if q is negative. The electric field vector is:
𝐹⃗ 1 𝑞
𝐸 𝑟̂ point charge
𝑞 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟
The net, or resultant, electric field due to more than one point charge can be found by the
superposition principle. If we place a positive test charge q0 near n point charges q1, q2, . . . ,
qn, then, the net force, 𝐹⃗ 0 , from the n point charges acting on the test charge is
𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ ⋯ 𝐹⃗
The net electric field at the position of the test charge is

𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗ 𝐹⃗
𝐸 ⋯ 𝐸 𝐸 ⋯ 𝐸
𝑞 𝑞 𝑞 𝑞

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Example 3: Net electric field due to three
charged particles
Figure 22-7a shows three particles with charges q1 = +2Q, q2 = −2Q, and
q3 = −4Q, each a distance d from the origin. What net electric field 𝐸 is
produced at the origin?

Fig. 22-7 (a) Three particles with

charges q1, q2, and q3 are at the same
distance d from the origin. (b) The
electric field vectors 𝐸 1 , 𝐸 2 , and 𝐸 3 , at
the origin due to the three particles. (c)
The electric field vector 𝐸 3 and the
vector sum 𝐸 1+ 𝐸 2 at the origin.

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 Example 3: Solution
Find the magnitude of 𝐸 , 𝐸 and 𝐸 ,
1 2𝑄 1 2𝑄 1 4𝑄
𝐸 𝐸 𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑑 4𝜋𝜀 𝑑 4𝜋𝜀 𝑑

Since the electric fields 𝐸 and 𝐸 have the same direction,

1 4𝑄
𝐸 𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑑

From the symmetry of Fig. 22-7c, we realize that the equal y components of our two
vectors cancel and the equal x components add. Thus, the net electric field at the
origin is in the positive direction of the x axis and has the magnitude

1 4𝑄 𝟔. 𝟗𝟑𝑸
𝐸 2𝐸 2𝐸 cos 30° 2 cos 30° 𝟐
𝐍/𝐂
4𝜋𝜀 𝑑 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒅

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1.6 The Electric Field Due to an Electric
Dipole (ch22‐3)
AR

Fig. 22-9 (a) An electric dipole. The electric

field vectors 𝐸 and 𝐸 at point P on the
dipole axis result from the dipole’s two
charges. Point P is at distances r(+) and r(−)
from the individual charges that make up the
dipole. (b) The dipole moment 𝑝⃗ of the dipole
points from the negative charge to the
positive charge.

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 1 𝑞 1 𝑞
From symmetry, the electric field 𝐸 at 𝐸 𝐸 𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟
point P — and also the fields 𝐸 (+) and 1 𝑞 1 𝑞
𝐸 (-) due to the separate charges that 4𝜋𝜀 1 4𝜋𝜀 1
make up the dipole — must lie along 𝑧 𝑑 𝑧 𝑑
2 2
the dipole axis, which we have taken to 𝑞 1 1
be a z axis. From the superposition 𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑑 𝑑
principle for electric fields, the 1 1
2𝑧 2𝑧
magnitude E of the electric field at P is
𝑞 2𝑑/𝑧 𝑞 𝑑
𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑑 2𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑑
1 1
2𝑧 2𝑧
1 𝑞𝑑
The product qd, which involves the two 𝑑/2𝑧 ≪ 1 𝐸
2𝜋𝜀 𝑧
intrinsic properties q and d of the dipole,
is the magnitude p of a vector quantity 1 𝑝
known as the electric dipole moment 𝐸 electric dipole
𝑝⃗ of the dipole. 2𝜋𝜀 𝑧

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1.7 The Electric Field Due to a Line of
Charge (ch22‐4)
When we deal with continuous charge distributions, it is most convenient to
express the charge on an object as a charge density rather than as a total
charge. For a line of charge, for example, we would report the linear charge
density (or charge per unit length) , whose SI unit is the coulomb per meter.

Table 22-1 shows the other charge densities we shall be using.

Table 22-1

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 We can mentally divide the ring into differential elements of
AR charge that are so small that they are like point charges, and then
we can apply the definition to each of them.
Next, we can add the electric fields set up at P by all the
differential elements. The vector sum of the fields gives us the
field set up at P by the ring.
Let ds be the (arc) length of any differential element of the ring.
Since  is the charge per unit (arc) length, the element has a
charge of magnitude
𝑑𝑞 𝜆𝑑𝑠
This differential charge sets up a differential electric field 𝑑𝐸 at
point P, a distance r from the element.
1 𝑑𝑞 1 𝜆𝑑𝑠 1 𝜆𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑅
All the 𝑑𝐸 vectors have components parallel and perpendicular
to the central axis; the perpendicular components are identical in
𝑞 magnitude but point in different directions.
𝜆 The parallel components are
2𝜋𝑅 𝑧𝜆
Fig.21-11 A ring of uniform positive
Finally, for the entire ring, 𝑑𝐸 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑠
4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑅 /
charge. A differential element of charge
occupies a length ds. This element sets 𝑧𝜆
𝐸 𝑑𝐸 cos 𝜃 𝑑𝑠
up an electric field 𝑑𝐸 at point P. 4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑅 /
𝑞𝑧
/
charged ring
4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑅
Page 30
Example 4: Electric field of a charged
circular rod
Figure 22-13a shows a plastic rod having a uniformly distributed charge – Q.
The rod has been bent in a 120 circular arc of radius r. We place coordinate axes
such that the axis of symmetry of the rod lies along the x axis and the origin is at
the center of curvature P of the rod. In terms of Q and r, what is the electric field
𝐸 due to the rod at point P?

Fig. 22-13 (a) A plastic rod of charge −Q is a

circular section of radius r and central angle 120;
point P is the center of curvature of the rod.

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Example 4: Solution
Our element has a symmetrically located (mirror image) element
ds in the bottom half of the rod.
If we resolve the electric field vectors of ds and ds into x and y
components as shown in Fig. 22-13(f), their y components
cancel (because they have equal magnitudes and are in opposite
directions) and their x components have equal magnitudes and
are in the same direction. °
1 𝜆
𝐸 𝑑𝐸 cos 𝜃 𝑟𝑑𝜃
Fig. 22-13 (f) The field ° 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟
components from symmetric
elements from the rod. °
𝜆
cos 𝜃 𝑑𝜃
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 °

1 𝑑𝑞 1 𝜆𝑑𝑠 𝜆 ° 1.732𝜆
𝑑𝐸 𝑑𝑞 𝜆𝑑𝑠 sin 𝜃 °
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟

charge 𝑄 0.477𝑄 𝟎. 𝟖𝟑𝑸

𝜆 ∴𝑬 𝟐
⃗ 𝐍/𝐂
length 2𝜋𝑟/3 𝑟 𝟒𝝅𝜺𝟎 𝒓

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1.8 The Electric Field Due to a Charged
Disk (ch22‐5)
We need to find the electric field at point P, a distance z from
the disk along its central axis.
Divide the disk into concentric flat rings and then to calculate
the electric field at point P by adding up (that is, by
integrating) the contributions of all the rings. The figure shows
one such ring, with radius r and radial width dr. If  is the
charge per unit area, the charge on the ring is
𝑑𝑞 𝜎𝑑𝐴 𝜎 2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟 ,
𝑧𝜎2𝜋𝑟𝑑𝑟 𝜎𝑧 2𝑟𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝐸 / /
4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑟 4𝜀 𝑧 𝑟
We can now find E by integrating dE over the surface of the
Fig. 22-15
disk — that is, by integrating with respect to the variable r
from r = 0 to r = R.

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 𝜎𝑧 𝜎𝑧 𝑧 𝑟
𝐸 𝑑𝐸 𝑧 𝑟 2𝑟 𝑑𝑟
4𝜀 4𝜀 1
2
AR

𝜎 𝑧
𝐸 1 charged disk
2𝜀 𝑧 𝑅

Page 34
If we let R → ∞, while keeping z finite, the second term in the
parentheses in the above equation approaches zero, and this equation
reduces to
AR

𝜎
𝐸 infinite sheet
2𝜀

Page 35
1.9 A Point Charge in an Electric Field
(ch22‐6)
The electrostatic force 𝐹⃗ acting on a charged particle located in an
external electric field 𝐸 has the direction of 𝐸 if the charge q of the
particle is positive and has the opposite direction if q is negative.

When a charged particle, of charge q, is in an electric field,𝐸 , set up by

other stationary or slowly moving charges, an electrostatic force, 𝐹⃗ , acts
on the charged particle as given by the above equation.

Page 36
1.9.1 Measuring the Elementary Charge

Fig. 22-16 The Millikan oil-drop

apparatus for measuring the
elementary charge e. When a
charged oil drop drifted into
chamber C through the hole in plate
P1, its motion could be controlled by
closing and opening switch S and
thereby setting up or eliminating an
electric field in chamber C. The
microscope was used to view the
drop, to permit timing of its motion.

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1.9.2 Ink‐Jet Printing

Fig. 22-17 Ink-jet printer. Drops shot from generator G receive a

charge in charging unit C. An input signal from a computer
controls the charge and thus the effect of field 𝐸 on where the drop
lands on the paper.

Page 38
Example 5: Motion of a charged particle in
an electric field
Figure 22-19 shows the deflecting plates of an ink-jet printer, with superimposed
coordinate axes. An ink drop with a mass m of 1.30 × 10−10 kg and a negative
charge of magnitude Q = 1.50 × 10−13 C enters the region between the plates,
initially moving along the x axis with speed vx = 18.0 m/s. The length L of each
plate is 1.60 cm. The plates are charged and thus produce an electric field at all
points between them. Assume that field 𝐸 is downward directed, is uniform, and
has a magnitude of 1.40 × 106 N/C. What is the vertical deflection of the drop at the
far edge of the plates? (The gravitational force on the drop is small relative to the
electrostatic force acting on the drop and can be neglected.)

Fig. 22-19 An ink drop of mass m and charge

magnitude Q is deflected in the electric field of
an ink-jet printer.

Page 39
Example 5: Solution
Calculations: Applying Newton’s second law (F = ma) for components along the y axis,
we find that 𝐹 𝑄𝐸
𝑎 Eq. 22 30
𝑚 𝑚
Let t represents the time required for the drop to pass through the region between the plates.
During t the vertical and horizontal displacements of the drop are
1
𝑦 𝑎 𝑡 and 𝐿 𝑣 𝑡, Eq. 22 31
2
respectively. Eliminating t between these two equations and substituting Eq. 22-30 for ay ,
we find
𝑄𝐸𝐿 1.50 10 C 1.40 10 N/C 1.60 10 m
𝑦
2𝑚𝑣 2.00 1.30 10 kg 18.0 m/s

𝟒
𝟔. 𝟑𝟖 𝟏𝟎 𝐦

Page 40
Equations
1 𝑞 𝑞 𝐹⃗
Coulomb’s Law 𝐹⃗ 𝑟̂ Electric Field 𝐸
4𝜋𝜀 𝑟 𝑞

Electric field due to a 1 𝑞

|𝐸|
Point Charge 4𝜋𝜀 𝑟

Electric field due to an 1 𝑝

𝐸
Electric Dipole 2𝜋𝜀 𝑧

Electric field due to a 1 𝑞𝑧

𝐸 /
Charged Ring 4𝜋𝜀 𝑧 𝑅

Electric field due to a 𝜎 𝑧

Charged Disk 𝐸 1
2𝜀 𝑧 𝑅

Page 41