📌 ELECTROSTATICS – SHORT NOTES &

FORMULA SHEET
1. Coulomb’s Law
The force between two point charges q1 and q2 separated by distance r :
​

∣q1 q2 ∣
F =k
​ ​

r2
​

1
where k = 4πε0 ​
​ ≈ 9 × 109 Nm2 /C2 .
In vacuum:

ε0 = 8.854 × 10−12 C2 /Nm2

​

In a medium:

Fvacuum
Fmedium =
​

K
​ ​

where K = dielectric constant of the medium.

2. Electric Field (E⃗ )

The force experienced by a unit positive charge at a point:
F
E=
q
​

For a point charge:

∣q∣
E=k
r2
​

Electric Field Due to a Dipole at Axial and Equatorial Points:

Axial:

2kp
E= , p = qd
r3
​

Equatorial:
 kp
E=
r3
​

3. Electric Potential (V)

Work done to bring a unit positive charge from infinity to a point:
W
V =
q
​

Due to a Point Charge:

q
V =k
r
​

Potential Due to an Electric Dipole at Axial and Equatorial Points:

Axial:

kp cos θ
V =
r2
​

Equatorial:

V =0

4. Relation Between E and V

dV
E=−
dr
​

Electric field is the negative gradient of electric potential.

5. Gauss’s Law
The total electric flux through a closed surface:
qenclosed
∮ E ⋅ dA =
​

ε0
​

​
 Applications of Gauss’s Law:

1. Infinite Line Charge:

λ
E=
2πε0 r
​

2. Infinite Plane Sheet:

σ
E=
2ε0
​

3. Spherical Shell:

Outside: E = k rQ2 ​

Inside: E =0

6. Capacitance (C) and Capacitors

Capacitance Definition:

Q
C=
V
​

Parallel Plate Capacitor:

ε0 A
C=
​

d
​

With Dielectric:

Kε0 A
C=
​

d
​

Energy Stored in a Capacitor:

1 2 1 Q2
U = CV = QV =
2 2 2C
​ ​ ​

Capacitors in Series & Parallel:

Series:

1 1 1
= + +…
Ceq C1 C2
​ ​ ​

​ ​ ​

Parallel:

Ceq = C1 + C2 + …
​ ​ ​
7. Electrostatic Potential Energy
For a System of Two Charges:
q1 q2
U =k
​ ​

r
​

For an Electric Dipole in an External Field:

U = −pE cos θ

8. Electric Dipole and Torque

Dipole Moment:

p = qd
Torque on a Dipole in an Electric Field:

τ = pE sin θ

9. Motion of Charged Particles in an Electric Field

Force on a Charge:

F = qE
Acceleration of Charge in E-Field:

qE
a=
m
​

Velocity of Charge in E-Field:

v= 2qV /m ​

Time Taken to Move a Distance d:

2d
t=
a
​ ​
10. Work Done in Moving a Charge in an Electric Field
W = q(Vf − Vi )
​ ​

If perpendicular to field, W = 0.

11. Combination of Conductors (Capacitors in Presence of

Dielectric Slabs & Conducting Slabs)
Slab of Thickness t in Between Plates:

ε0 A
C=
​

t
d−t+
​

K
​

Conducting Slab of Thickness t in Between Plates:

ε0 A
C=
​

d−t
​

12. Important Special Cases

Spherical Conductor:

C = 4πε0 R ​

Cylindrical Capacitor:

2πε0 L
C=
​

ln(b/a)
​

Energy Density in an Electric Field:

1
u= ε0 E 2
2
​