Electrical discharge

Lightning
Lightning is an unbelievably huge
discharge
Clouds get charged through air
friction
1 kilometer strike means 3 billion
volts!
Main path forms temporary wire
along which charge equalizes
often bounces a few times before
equal
Thunder is bang produced by the
extreme pressure variations induced
by the formation and collapse of the
plasma conduit
www.stormchasing.nl/lightning.html

Lightning Rods
Perform two functions
provide safe conduit for lightning away from
house
diffuse situation via coronal discharge
Charges are attracted to tip of rod, and
electric field is highly concentrated
there.
Charges leak away, diffusing charge
in what is sometimes called St. Elmos
Fire, or coronal discharge

Static Electricity; Electric

Charge and Its Conservation
Electricity is from Greek word
elecktron=amber, a petrified tree resin that
attracts matter if rubbed
Static Electricity: an amber effect
An object becomes charged or posses a net
electric charge due to rubbing
Can you give some examples?

Two types of electric charge

Like charges repel while unlike charges

attract
Benjamin Franklin referred the charge
on glass rod as the positive, arbitrarily.
Thus the charge that attracts glass rod
is negative. This convention is still

Methods of charging

Static electricity through charging

Conductor
Insulator

Insulators and Conductors

Lets imagine two metal balls of which one is charged
What will happen if they are connected by
A metallic object?
Some charge is transferred.
These objects are called conductors of
electricity.
A wooden object?
No charge is transferred
These objects are called nonconductors or insulators.
Metals are generally good conductors whereas most other
materials are insulators.
There are third kind of materials called, semiconductors, like silicon or germanium conduct only in
certain conditions
Atomically, conductors have loosely bound electrons while
insulators have them tightly bound!

Properties of Material
The gap between the conduction and valence band
determines the conductive properties of the material

Metal
negligible band gap or overlap

Insulator
large band gap, ~ 8 eV

Semiconductor
medium sized gap, ~ 1 eV
Electrons can gain energy from
lattice (phonon) or photon to become free

What is Electricity?
Electricity
From the word Elektron
Greek for amber

electron

neutron

proton

Electricity is generated
from the motion of tiny
charged atomic particles
called electrons and
protons!
Protons = +
Electrons = -

Electric Charge in the

Atom
Atom Model

Recall that atoms are really tiny

With a golf ball size nucleus, the
atom is 2.5 miles in diameter, so
it is mostly empty space

Electrons are responsible for negative charge;

protons for positive charge;
neutrons have no charge.

The International System

of Units (SI)
Fundamental Dimension

length [L]
mass [M]
time [T]
electric current [A]
absolute temperature []
luminous intensity [l]
amount of substance [n]

Base Unit

meter (m)
kilogram (kg)
second (s)
ampere (A)
kelvin (K)
candela (cd)
mole (mol)

SI Base Quantities and

Units
Quantity

Unit

Unit
Abbrevation

Length

Meter

Time

Second

Mass

Kilogram

kg

Electric current

Ampere

Temperature

Kelvin

Amount of substance Mole

mol

Luminous Intensity

cd

Candela

There are prefixes that scales the units larger or smaller for convenience (see pg. 7)

Vectors and Scalars

Physical quantities are divided into vectors and scalars.
Scalars have magnitude or size only.
Vectors have magnitude and direction.

Scalars

Vectors

Mass

Weight

Distance

Displacement

Speed

Velocity

Time, Length,Area,
Volume,Density,
Energy,Power,etc.

Acceleration, Force
Momentum, Impulse,
etc.

Prefix

Decimal Multiplier

Symbol

nano

10-9

micro

10-6

milli

10-3

centi

10-2

deci

10-1

deka

10+1

da

hecto

10+2

kilo

10+3

mega

10+6

giga

10+9

Supplementary Dimension

Base Unit

plane angle

radian (rad)

solid angle

steradian (sr)

How do we convert quantities

from one unit to another?

Unit 1 = Conversion factor X Unit 2

1 inch

2.54

cm

1 inch

0.0254

1 inch

2.54x10-5

km

1 ft

30.3

cm

1 ft

0.303

1 ft

3.03x10-4

km

1 hr

60

minutes

1 hr

3600

seconds

And many

More

Here.

Prefixes, expressions and their

meanings

deca (da): 101

hecto (h): 102
kilo (k): 103
mega (M): 106
giga (G): 109
tera (T): 1012
peta (P): 1015
exa (E): 1018

deci (d): 10-1

centi (c): 10-2
milli (m): 10-3
micro (): 10-6
nano (n): 10-9
pico (p): 10-12
femto (f): 10-15
atto (a): 10-18

Example Problem 1.1

Write the following in the most convenient form using Table besaran
(a) 10,000 V
(b) 0.00001 A
(c) 0.004 seconds
(d) 630,000,000 Watts
(e) 0.0006 A

Induced Charge
Charge can also be coaxed to
redistribute itself within an object
Result: Attraction!
+

+
+
+
+
+

charge repelled by rod

Charged rod approaches sphere

+ charge attracted to charge in rod

Induced Charge

ground

We can induce a net charge on a

metal object by connecting a wire
to the ground.
Since it is so large and conducts,
the Earth can give or accept
charge.
If the negative charge is brought
close to a neutral metal
The positive charges will be induced
toward the negatively charged
metal.
The negative charges in the neutral
metal will be gathered on the
opposite side, transferring through
the wire to the Earth.
An electroscope is a device that can be used for detecting charge and signs.

Forces on Charges

Unlike charges attract.

Like charges repel.

Fundamental Charges
When we break matter up, we find there are just a
few fundamental particles: electron, proton and
neutron. (Well consider whether these are really
fundamental or not in the last part of this course.)
electron: qe = -1.6 x 10-19 Coul; me = 9.1 x 10-31kg
proton: qp = +1.6 x 10-19 Coul; mp = 1.67 x 10-27kg
neutron: qn = 0;
mn = 1.67 x 10-27kg
(note: despite what appears above, the mass of
neutron and proton are NOT exactly the same; the
neutron is slightly heavier; however, the charge of
the proton and electron ARE exactly the same except for sign)

Your body has 51028 positive charges and 51028 negative charges,
balanced within millions or billions

Charge Balance
Neutral atoms are made of equal quantities
of positive and negative charges
Neutral carbon has 6 protons, 6 electrons, (& neutrons)

Electrons can be stripped off of atoms

Electrons occupy the vulnerable outskirts of atoms

Usually charge flows in such a way as to

maintain neutrality
Excess positive charge attracts excess negative charge
Your body has 51028 positive charges and 51028
negative charges, balanced within millions or billions

The Elementary Charge and

Permittivity
Elementary charge, the smallest charge, is that of
19
e

1.602

10
C
an electron:

Since electron is a negatively charged particle,

its charge is e.
Object cannot gain or lose fraction of an electron.
Electric charge is quantized.
It changes always in integer multiples of e.
The proportionality constant k is often written in
terms of another constant, 0, the permittivity of
12 2
2

1
4

8.85

10
C
N

m
k

1
4

0
free space. They 0are related
and
1 Q1Q2
F

.
4 0 r 2
Thus the electric force can be written:
Note that this force is for point charges at rest.

The SI unit of charge

is the Coulomb,
named in honor of
Charles Augustin Coulomb.

1 C = charge on 6.25 x 1018 electrons (or protons)

1 e- = 1.60 x 1019 Coul = elementary charge
Electric force is a vector and must be treated as such.

Forces on Charges
Unlike charges attract.
Like charges repel.

Coulombs Law

Coulombs torsional balance

1785

q1 q2
F
,
2
r

or

q1 q2
F K
r2

1
K
8.99 109 N m 2 / C2
4 o
= 8.85418781762 10-12 C2/Nm2

1
o
7
2
2
2
4

10
N

s
/
C

c = speed of light in vacuum

= 299792458 m/s

Coulomb's Law
The magnitude F of the electrostatic force exerted by one point
charge on another point charge is directly proportional to the
magnitudes q1 and q2 of the charges and inversely proportional to the
1 qq
F
square of the distance r between
them.
4 r
1 2
2

F k

Q1 Q2
r

1
8.99 109 N m 2 /C 2
40
9.0 109 N m 2 /C 2

0 8.85 10 12 C 2 /N m 2

Coulombs Law The Formula

Q11
Q
Q
Q22
F
2
r

Formula

Q1Q2
F k
2
r

Is Coulomb force a scalar quantity or a vector quantity? Unit?

A vector quantity. Newtons
Direction of electric (Coulomb) force is always along the line
joining the two objects.
If the two charges are the same: forces are directed away
from each other.
If the two charges are opposite: forces are directed
toward each other.
Coulomb force is precise to 1 part in 1016.
Unit of charge is called Coulomb, C, in SI.

The value of the proportionality

constant,
k, in
9
2
2
SI unit isk 8.988 10 N m C

Thus, 1C is the charge that gives F~9x109N of

force when placed 1m apart from each other.

Coulombs Law
The electric force is a vector!
Superposition of forces Fnet = F1 + F2 +

Coulombs Law
The electric force is a vector!
Superposition of forces Fnet = F1 + F2 +

Coulombs Law in vector notation

r
r
1 q1q2
F12
r12 F21
2
4 o r12
r
1 q1q2
F21
r21
2
4 o r21

r
r12
r12
r21
r12

Superposition principle
Source
charges

Test charge

q0

r
r r r
r
r
Fq0 F1 F2 F3 ...Fi Fi
i

Leads to Maxwells equations being linear.

Calculus (continuous charge distribution):

r
r
F dF i dFx j dFy k dFz

r
dF

1 q0 dq
r
2
4 o r

q0 = test charge

Electric
and Gravitational Force
Force
M 1M 2
Q1Q2
F G
F k
2
2
r
r
Extremely
Similar

Does the electric force look similar to another force?

What is it?
Gravitational Force

What are the sources of the forces?

Electric Force: Charges, fundamental properties of matter
Gravitational Force: Masses, fundamental properties of matter

What else is similar?

Inversely proportional to the square of the distance between
the sources of the force What is this kind law called?
Inverse Square Law

What is the difference?

Gravitational force is always attractive.
Electric force depends on the type of the two charges.

Electric field Analogy with gravitation

Problem:
Force depends on test mass!
But:

r
r
r
r F
F mg or g
m

r
GM
g 2 r
r
Same for all masses.
Represents the gravitational
influence (field) of the mass M.

r
GMm
F 2 r
r

Coulombs Law
Compare electrical to gravitational
force in a hydrogen atom

1.6 10 8.2 10
0.5310
19

Felectrical 9 10

Fgravity 6.67 10

10

27
31
1.67
10

9.1110
11

0.5310
10

3.6110

47

Coulombs Law
GravitationalForce
FG

M pme
r2

F 6.7 10

11 1.67

10 27 9.1 10 31

5 10 11

F 4 10 47 N
CoulombForce
Fk

q p qe
r

F 9 10

1.6 10 19 1.6 10 19

F 9.2 10 8 N

5 10

11 2

Electric Force - example

What is the electric force on a 3 Coulomb charge due to
a -5 Coulomb charge located 7 cm to the right of the
3 Coulomb charge?
What is the electric field due to the -5 Coulomb charge
at the location where the 3 Coulomb charge is?
7 cm

7 cm

+3 Coul.
-5 Coul
+3 Coul.
-5 Coul
From Coulombs Law, we know that there is an electric force
between any two charges:
F = kq1q2/r122 , with the direction determined by the signs of the
charges.

Electric Force - example

What is the electric force on a 3 Coulomb charge due to
a -5 Coulomb charge located 7 cm to the right of the
3 Coulomb charge?
What is the electric field due to the -5 Coulomb charge
at the location where the 3 Coulomb charge is?
7 cm

7 cm

+3 Coul.
-5 Coul
+3 Coul.
-5 Coul
From Coulombs Law, we know that there is an electric force
between any two charges:
F = kq1q2/r122 , with the direction determined by the signs of the
charges.
F = (9x109 Nt-m2/C2) * (3 C) * (5 C) / (.07 m)2 = 2.76 x 1013 Nt.
Note that we ignore the sign on any charge when
calculating the magnitude.
Since the charges are opposite, the force is attractive!

Example 2
Electric force on electron by proton. Determine
the magnitude of the electric force on the electron
of a hydrogen atom exerted by the single proton
(Q2=+e) that is its nucleus. Assume the electron
orbits the proton at its average distance of
r=0.53x10-10m.

Example 2
Electric force on electron by proton. Determine
the magnitude of the electric force on the electron
of a hydrogen atom exerted by the single proton
(Q2=+e) that is its nucleus. Assume the electron
orbits the proton at its average distance of
r=0.53x10-10m.

Q1Q2
1 Q1Q2
Using Coulombs law
F
k 2
2
4 0 r
r
19
Each charge is Q1 e 1.602 10 19 C and Q2 e 1.602 10 C
So the magnitude of the force is

Q1Q2
F k 2 9.0 109 N m 2 C 2
r
8.2 108 N
Which direction?

Toward each other

1.6 1019 C 1.6 1019 C

0.53 10

10

Example 3

Which charge exerts greater force? Two

positive point charges, Q1=50C and Q2=1C,
are separated by a distance L. Which is
larger in magnitude, the force that Q 1 exerts
on Q2 or the force that Q2 exerts on Q1?

What is the force that Q1 exerts on Q2?

What is the force that Q2 exerts on Q1?
Therefore the magnitudes of the two forces are identical!!
Well then what is different?
Which direction?

Example 3

Which charge exerts greater force? Two

positive point charges, Q1=50C and Q2=1C,
are separated by a distance L. Which is
larger in magnitude, the force that Q 1 exerts
on Q2 or the force that Q2 exerts on Q1?

What is the force that Q1 exerts on Q2?

What is the force that Q2 exerts on Q1?

Q1Q2
F12 k 2
L
Q2 Q1
F21 k 2
L

Therefore the magnitudes of the two forces are identical!!

Well then what is different? The direction.
Which direction?

Opposite to each other!

What is this law?

Newtons third law, the law of action and reaction!!

Another Force Example

Suppose that we have an electron orbiting a proton
such that the radius of the electron in its circular
orbit is 1 x 10-10m (this is one of the excited states
of hydrogen). How fast will the electron be going in
its orbit?
qproton = +e = 1.6 x 10-19 Coul Why is this labeled a Force
qelectron = -e = -1.6 x 10-19
r = 1 x 10-10 m,

melectron = 9.1 x 10-31kg

example - instead of an energy

Coulexample? Energy is easier to
use since it doesnt involve
direction or time.

v
p

Another Force Example

Suppose that we have an electron orbiting a proton
such that the radius of the electron in its circular
orbit is 1 x 10-10m (this is one of the excited states
of hydrogen). How fast will the electron be going in
its orbit?
Why is this labeled a Force
qproton = +e = 1.6 x 10-19 Coul example - instead of an energy
qelectron = -e = -1.6 x 10-19
r = 1 x 10-10 m,
melectron = 9.1 x 10-31kg

example? Energy is easier to

Couluse since it doesnt involve
direction or time.

= ma becomes ke2/r2 =
m(v2/r),
or v = [ke2/mr]1/2 =
[{9x109 * (1.6x10-19)2} / {9.1x10-31 *
1x10-10}]1/2 = 1.59 x 106 m/s.

v
p

Charge densities
In 1D (a line or wire):

Q
,
L

or

dQ

dL

is the line charge density, or charge per unit length, in Coulombs

per meter. L represents length, and Q is charge.

In 2D (a surface or sheet): Q ,
A

or

dQ

dA

is the surface charge density, or charge per unit area in Coulombs

per meter2; A represents area, and Q is charge.

In 3D (a solid object):

Q
,
V

or

is the volume charge density, or charge per unit volume in

Coulombs per meter3. V represents volume, and Q is charge.

dQ

dV

Electric Field
Can think of electric force as establishing field
telling particles which way to move and how fast
Electric field lines tell a positive
charge which way to move.
For example, a positive charge itself
has field lines pointing away from it,
because this is how a positively-charged
test-particle would respond if placed
in the vicinity (repulsive force).

Run Away!
+

Electric Field of a Positive Point Charge

The picture (a) shows the electric field vector at several
points.
The picture (b) shows the electric field lines for a negative
point charge

(a)

(b)

The direction of the electric field at any point is defined

to be the same direction as the direction of force on a
positive test charge placed in the region at that point.
Field lines point away from positive
and toward negative charges.

Electric field lines

The tangent to an electric field line at a point in space

gives the direction of the electric field at that point.
The magnitude of the electric field at any point is
proportional to the number of field lines per unit crosssectional area perpendicular to the lines.

Electric field lines

Electric field lines start on positive charges and end on

negative charges (can also start/end at infinity).
The symmetry of the problem dictates the directions in
which field lines radiate from charges.

Electric field lines

The number of field lines radiating from a charge is

proportional to the charge.

Electric field
Newtons law for electrostatics:

r
r
F q0E
Theres really no need for the test charge

r
r
F qE

r
This is the force on a charge q in an electric field E
Units for E are N/C in this chapter
(later we shall use volts per meter)

Electric field
Coulombs law:

r
E

1 q

r
2
4 o r

Note that the force may be directed both towards and

away from the source charge, since this charge may be
either positive or negative.
r
Length of arrow signifies magnitude of E

Of course, superposition principle still holds:

r r r r
r
r
E E1 E2 E3 ...Ei Ei

i
r
r
E dE i dE x j dE y k dE z

Electric field
Analogy with gravitation

q0 +

r
qq0
F K 2 r
r

Problem:
Force depends on test charge!
Definition:

r
r
r
r F
F q0E or E
q0

When E is known, the force, F,

on a charge, q0, is given by:
F = q0E
The direction of E is the
direction of the force on a
positive charge.
Represents the electrostatic

q = Q
source charge

For a point charge q, the

force on q0 is,
1 qq0
F

4 0 r 2

Then, at q0s location,

F
1 q
E
q0 4 0 r 2

The Electric Field

F
E
q0
When E is known, the force, F, on a charge,
q0, is given by:
F = q0E
The direction of E is the direction of the force
on a positive charge.

Electric Field
Electric Field E is defined as the force
acting on a test particle divided by the
charge of that test particle

F
E
Q0
r

E
+Q0

r
Q

Thus Electric Field

from a single
charge is

1 Q

E
r
2
4 0 | r |

Electric Field of a single

charge
E
+Q0

+Q0

+Q0

r
+Q0

Electric field
from test
particles

Electric Field
from isolated
charges
(interactive)

Note: the Electric Field is defined

everywhere, even if there is no test
charge is not there.

Charged particles in electric

field
Using the Field to determine the force

F QE
+Q
-Q

F QE

Electric Field Lines

Define

N lines

The number density of field lines is

4r

N lines Q

since

Q
4r

we know

| E |

1 Q
| E |
4 0 | r |2

Gauss Law and Coulombs Law

Flux =

qenc
E d A 0

Now find magnitude of E

1 q
4 0 r 2

Gauss Law is equivalent to Coulombs Law for

static charges
Proof of this is in T 22-6 and uses solid angle

E d A

Flux through the surface due to ALL

the charges

this charge contributes ZERO flux as every

field line from it that enters the surface at
one point, leaves at another

The net number

of electric field
lines out of each
surface is the
same
SHAPE OF
SURFACE
DOESNT
MATTER

TRUE or FALSE?

A
F
All particles contribute to the electric field at
point P on the surface.
The net flux of electric field through the surface
due to q3 and q4 is zero.
All True
The net flux of electric field through the surface
due to q1 and q2 is proportional to (q1 + q2).

E d A

qenc
0

Gauss Law

These
are two-dimensional
Answers:
B= E > cross
A=sections
C= Dthrough three
dimensional closed spheres and a cube.
The flux
closed
surface
on theA to E?
Which
of through
them hasa the
largest
fluxdepends
through only
surfaces
amount of enclosed charge, not the size or shape of the
Which
has the smallest flux?
surface.

Applying Gauss Law: planar symmetry

Gaussian surface
(cylinder)

A thin, infinite,
nonconducting sheet with
uniform surface charge
density
Find E a distance r from
sheet.

E
2 0

(sheet of charge)

Electric field
due to plane of
charge is
By integration
methods:

Ex
2 0

Ex

2 0

Ex

2 0

EXAMPLE: Two large, parallel,

nonconducting sheets, each have
a fixed uniform charge on one
side. The magnitudes of the
surface charge densities are
+ = 6.8 C/m2 and

- = 3.4 C/m2

Find the electric field E

(a) to the left of the sheets
(b) between the sheets
(c) to the right of the sheets

Applying Gauss Law: cylindrical symmetry

A section of an infinitely long
plastic rod with a uniform
linear charge density, .
Find an expression for E at
distance r from axis of rod.

E
2 0 r

(line of charge)

(Compare this result with C question on sheet 3, when L >> y)

Applying Gauss Law: spherical symmetry

Apply Gauss law to spherical
surface S2

1 q
E
4 0 r 2

A thin, uniformly charged

spherical shell with total
charge q, in cross section.

(spherical shell r > R)

Apply Gauss law to spherical

surface S1

E0

(spherical shell r < R)

A shell of uniform charge attracts or

repels a charged particle that is outside
the shell as if all the shells charge were
concentrated at the centre of the shell
A shell of uniform charge exerts no
electrostatic force on a charge particle
that is located inside the shell

Use Gausss Law for:

A spherically symmetric
distribution of charge of
radius R, with volume
density a function only
of distance from the
centre.

to find E

Use Gausss Law for:

A uniformly charged solid
sphere of radius R, with
total charge Q

to find E

CHECKPOINT 5: The figure

shows two large parallel,
nonconducting sheets with
identical (positive) volume
charge density. Rank the
four labelled points
according to the magnitude
of the net electric field
there, greatest first.

A
B

Answer:
C, D equal
B
A

Words from Tipler page 695.

Fig. 22-20 shows an infinite plane
of charge of uniform surface
charge density. By symmetry E
must be perpendicular to the
plane and can depend only on the
distance from it.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS?
FIRST EMAIL TO ME WITH CORRECT ANSWER AND CLEAR
EXPLANATION WINS A PRIZE

bsl@soton.ac.uk

Electric Potential
Separate a positive charge from a
negative charge and give it electric
potential energy

PE work
PE force distance
PE Eq h
PE Eqh

Electric Potential
Define electric potential as the
electric potential energy per unit
charge

electricpotentialenergy
ElectricPotential =
amountofcharge
1Joule
1Volt =
Coulomb

Voltages and Electric

Fields

Just like force and work are related,

so are field and voltage related:
PE = W = - F s,
so too are electric field and voltage:
V = - E s .
Note that voltage changes only in the
direction of electric field. This also
means that there is no electric
field in directions in which the
voltage is constant.

Voltage due to a point

charge
Since the potential energy of one charge
due to another charge is:
PEel = k q1 q2 / r12
and since voltage is defined to be:
Vat 2 = PEof 2 / q2
we can find a nice formula for the voltage
in space due to a single charge:
Vat 2 due to 1 = k q1 / r12 .

Voltages due to several

point charges
Since voltage, like energy, is a scalar,
we can simply add the voltages created
by individual point charges at any point
in space to find the total voltage at that
point in space: Vtotal = k qi / ri .
If we know where the charges are, we
can (at least in principle) determine the
voltage at any location.

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL(POTENTIAL)
When a charge, q0, moves from one point to
another in an electric field, its potential energy
changes.
Electric Potential vs Potential Energy

U U f U i Wif
F q0E, so U q0

F ds

E ds

The Electric Potential is the Potential

Energy per unit test charge due to
the electric field of a distribution of
charges.
V = UE/qo

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
For point charges, or for spherical
charge distributions, it is customary to
choose the zero of potential to be at
infinity.
r

V E ds

UE = - FE d s =- qo E d s
V = UE /qo
V =- E d s

Electric Potential Difference

the change in
electric potential energy
per unit charge

V = W/Q

The SI unit of electric potential

difference is the VOLT,
VOLT named in
honor of Alessandro Volta.
Volta
One VOLT
is the electric potential difference
between two points when one Joule of work
is done in moving one Coulomb of charge
between the points.

Unit of Potential, Volt:

Electric Field:

V = J/C

N/C =
V/m

Volt = Joule / Coulomb

Allesandro
Volta

James Joule

Charles
Coulomb

POINT CHARGE
1 q
V
4 0 r
1 q
E
2
4 0 r
V is a scalar, and E is a vector.

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
(POTENTIAL)
When a charge, q0, moves from one
point to another in an electric field, its
potential energy changes.
f

U U f U i Wif i F ds
f

F q0E, so U q0 i E ds

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
Electric potential (or potential) is defined as the
potential energy per unit charge.

U
f
V
i E ds
q0

ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
For point charges, or for spherical
charge distributions, it is customary to
choose the zero of potential to be at
infinity.
r

V E ds

Application and Practice (A&P):

What is the electric field between
two parallel plates attached to the
terminals of a 12 V battery, if the
plates are very large and the
separation is 3.00 mm?

Review
F1on2 = k q1 q2 / r122
Fon 2 = q2 Eat 2

PE12 = k q1 q2 / r12

PEof 2 = q2 Vat 2

Eat 2 = k q1 / r122 Vat 2 = k q1 / r12

use in use in
F = ma
KEi + PEi = KEf +PEf +Elost
VECTOR
scalar
Ex = -V / x

Application and Practice (A&P):

What is the electric field between two
parallel plates attached to the
terminals of a 12 V battery, if the plates
are very large and the separation is
3.00 mm?
V =0

V =12
V

Application and Practice (A&P):

What is the electric field between two
parallel plates attached to the
terminals of a 12 V battery, if the plates
are very large and the separation is
3.00 mm?
V =0

V =12
V

E = V/d = 12 V/(.003
m)
E = 4000 V/m

Example
There are two equal charges on two vertices of an
equilateral triangle. Find the electric field at point P,
the third vertex. d equals 3.0 cm.

Example
Let us go back to our example. What is the
potential at point P? Remember, d equals 3.0 cm.

Example (continued)
Each charge produces a field of the same
magnitude at point P. That magnitude is:

1 q
E1
4 0 d 2
8
1
.
0

10
C
9
2
2
(9.0 10 Nm /C )
(3.0 102 m) 2

E1 1.0 105 N/C

Example (continued)
Since V is a scalar, we just add the
potentials due to the two charges.
1 q
1 q
V

4 0 d 4 0 d
8

(1.0 10 C)
2(9.0 10 Nm /C )
3.0 102 m
9

V 6.0 103 V

Example (continued)
The two fields point toward the negative charges that
produce them, and must be added as vectors to get the final
result.

Example (continued)
The horizontal components of the two vectors add
to zero, so the resultant points downward. Its
magnitude is equal to the sum of the vertical
components of the two vectors. Since it is an
equilateral triangle, each vector makes an angle of
30 with the vertical direction. Then:
E1vertical = E1 cos 30
and
E = 2 E1 cos 30

Example (continued)
Then, the answer is:
E = 2(1.0 105 N/C) cos 30
E = 1.7 105 N/C
Downward

Example
A third charge, of the same magnitude and
sign as the other two, is placed at point P.
What is the potential energy of the
configuration?

Example
The potential energy of a pair of
point charges, separated by a
distance r, is given by:

1 q1q2
U
4 0 r

Example
In this case, there are three pairs of
charges, so the potential energy is:
2

1 q1q2 q2 q3 q3 q1
1 q
U

3
4 0 r12
r23
r31
4 0 d

Since all the charges and separations

are equal.

Example (concluded)
Then the answer is:
2

1 q
U 3
4 0 d

(1.0 10 C)
3(9.0 10 N m /C )
2
3.0 10 m
5
U 9.0 10 J
9

Summary
Coulombs Law
Electric Field
Potential

1 q1 q 2
F
4 0 r 2
F
E
q0
r

V E ds

DNA in Naturalis Museum Leiden

Summary
Coulombs Law
Electric Field
Potential

1
4 0

q1 q 2
2
r

F
F
E

E
q
q00
r

V E ds

Some Kinds of Energy

Kinetic Energy the energy of moving objects

Heat, or thermal energy of warm bodies.
Chemical Energy of chemical reactions.
Gravitational Potential Energy of a gravitational field.
Electromagnetic Energy energy associated with
electric and magnetic forces.
Mass Energy all objects have energy by virtue of
their mass, the energy released in nuclear explosions.

Mechanical Energy

When work is done on an object, the object generally has acquired the
ability to do work.
This "ability to do work" is called energy and it has the same units as
work.Joules.
Two Types of Mechanical Energy
Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy

Some Kinds of Energy

Kinetic Energy the energy of moving objects

Heat, or thermal energy of warm bodies.
Chemical Energy of chemical reactions.
Gravitational Potential Energy of a
gravitational field.
Electromagnetic Energy energy associated
with electric and magnetic forces.
Mass Energy all objects have energy by
virtue of their mass, the energy released in
nuclear explosions.

Mechanical Energy
When work is done on an object, the
object generally has acquired the
ability to do work.
This "ability to do work" is called
energy and it has the same units as
work.Joules.
Two Types of Mechanical Energy
Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy

Kinetic Energy Examples

1. A ball with mass of 0.01 kg traveling at 100 km/hour.
First convert v=100 km/hour to
v=100,000 m/hour x 1hour/3600 sec=28 meters/sec
then,
E = 0.5 x 0.01 x (28)2 Joules
E = 3.9 Joules
2. An asteroid, 10 km in diameter, with mass of 1x10 13 kg
traveling at 15 km/sec.
First convert v=15 km/sec = 15,000 meters/sec
E = 0.5 x 1013 x (15,000)2 Joules
E = 1.1x1021 Joules
Convert to kilotons of TNT
E = 1.1x1021 Joules x (1 kiloton/4.184x1012 Joules)
E = 2.7x108 kilotons of TNT
The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima released and energy
of 15 kilotons

2
Kinetic Energy = mass

speed
1
2

KE linear mv
2
1
KE
mv 2
2
1 2
KE rotation I
2

Gravitational Potential Energy

PE = Weight height
PE = m g h
Work/Energy Relationship
If you want to move something, you have to do work.
The work done is equal to the change in kinetic energy.
Work = KE

Review
F1on2 = k q1 q2 / r122
Fon 2 = q2 Eat 2

PE12 = k q1 q2 / r12

PEof 2 = q2 Vat 2

Eat 2 = k q1 / r122 Vat 2 = k q1 / r12

use in use in
F = ma
KEi + PEi = KEf +PEf +Elost
VECTOR
scalar
Ex = -V / x

Energy example
Through how many volts will a proton
have to be accelerated if it is to reach
a million miles per hour? V = ?
qproton = 1.6 x 10-19 Coul
mproton = 1.67 x 10-27 kg
vi = 0 m/s
vf = 1 x 106 mph * (1 m/s / 2.24 mph) =
4.46x105 m/s .

Energy Example
Since Volts are asked for, and voltage is connected to
potential energy, this suggests we use
Conservation of Energy.
We can use the Conservation of Energy including
the formulas for kinetic energy and potential
energy:
KEi + PEi = KEf + PEf + Elost , where
KE = (1/2)mv2 and PE = qV:
(1/2)mpvi2 + qpVi = (1/2)mpvf2 + qpVf + Elost
Since vi=0 and Elost=0, and bringing qpVf to the left side, we
have: qp(Vi-Vf) = (1/2)mpvf .

Energy Example
qp(Vi-Vf) = (1/2)mpvf2
We note that (Vi-Vf) = -V since the change
is normally final minus initial. Thus,
V = -(1/2)mpvf2 / qp =
-(1/2)(1.67x10-27)(4.46x105)2 / 1.6x10-19 =
1040 volts.
We see that the proton must fall down (V is
negative) through 1040 volts to reach a
million miles/hour.

Work

The work done on an object by a constant force F is:

F = magnitude of the force, s = magnitude of the displacement,

and = angle between the force and the displacement.

Work and Energy

Definition: Work is the energy added to an object through the
action of forces over a distance.

Work = Force x distance

W = Fxd
Joules = Newton x meters

Power
The rate of doing work or expending energy
Energy and power are related:
W=Pt
W = energy in Joules
P = power in Watts
t = time in seconds

TORQUE and LEVER ARM

Torque = (Magnitude of the force)(Lever
arm)
= Fl
Direction: Counterclockwise OR Clockwise.
SI Unit of Torque: newton meter (N m)

TORQUE and LEVER ARM

Torque = (Magnitude of the force)(Lever
arm)
= Fl
Direction: Counterclockwise OR Clockwise.
SI Unit of Torque: newton meter (N m)

Conservation of Energy
Energy cannot be created or
destroyed...
...it may be transformed from one form
into another...
...but the total amount of energy never
changes.
Demos
Galileo's incline
Bowling ball pendulum

Conservation of Energy
Energy is neither created nor destroyed but only
transformed from one form to another.
In a closed system, the total amount of energy is
conserved. If we add up the amount of energy in a
closed system including all of the different forms,
the sum will not change with time.
The total amount of energy never changes, it only
moves from place to place and from one form to
another.
Conservation of Energy applies not just to kinetic
and potential energy, as in the example, but to all
kinds of energy (heat, chemical, )

Potential Energy
The energy that is stored is
called potential energy.
Examples:
Rubber bands
Springs
Bows
Batteries
Gravity?

Potential Energy Example

A NATS102 professor lifts a ball with
mass 0.5 kg a height of 10 meters.
How much potential energy does the
ball gain?
W = mah = 0.5 9.8 10 = 49 Joules
But this is the same as the kinetic energy
the ball gained by falling 10 meters.
Whats going on???

Gravitational Potential
Energy:

E = mgh
h = height
g = * 9.82 m/s2
m = mass

* On Earth

Questions:
How much work is done when a weight
lifter lifts a barbell weighing 1000
Newtons 1.5 meters above the
ground?
How much work is done when a weight
lifter pushes on a stationary wall with
a force of 1000 Newtons for 15
seconds?

Example Question
When the brakes of a car going
90 km/h are locked, how much
farther will it skid than if the
brakes lock at 30 km/h?

Example Problem
A 100 kg mass is dropped from rest
from a height of 1 meter.
How much potential energy does it
have when it is released?
How much kinetic energy does it
have just before it hits the ground?
What is its speed just before impact?
How much work could it do if it were
to strike a nail before hitting the
ground?

Power
The rate of doing work or
expending energy

P = Energy/Time
Rock climbers
gain a lot of
potential energy
but do so slowly,
at low power

 Energy and power are related:

W=Pt
W = energy in Joules
P = power in Watts
t = time in seconds

An object of mass 6 kg is traveling

at a velocity of 30 m/s. How much
total work was required to obtain
this velocity starting from a position
of rest?
(a) 180 Joules
(b) 2700 Joules
(c) 36 Joules
(d) 5 Joules
(e) 180 N

A 20 Newton weight is lifted 4

meters. The change in potential
energy of the weight in
Newton.meters is
(a) 20
(b) 24
(c) 16
(d) 80
(e) 5

Niagara Falls
570,000 kg of water descend every
second.
The falls height is 55 meters.
Thus the potential energy of 1 kg of water
is E=mha=19.855 J = 539 J.
The total power is then
P=570,000539 Joules/sec=3.1108
Watts
or 310 Megawatts.