1. Lecture 01: Electric Fields & Forces
Origin of Charge
Conductors and Insulators
Coulomb’s Law
The Electric Field

2. Charge Charge is an intrinsic property of matter. Two types:
Units: Coulombs (C)
Two types:
Positive Charge: Protons (Q = +1.6 x C)
Negative Charge: Electrons (Q = -1.6 x C)
Opposites Attract - Likes Repel
In general, atoms are neutral:
Negatively charged electrons “orbit”…
Atomic Radius approximately m
…Positively charged central nucleus.
Nucleus Radius approximately m + - + -

3. Conductors & Insulators
Perfect Conductors:
Electrons free to move throughout the conductor.
Perfect Insulators:
Electrons fixed to atoms throughout the insulator.
Most materials are somewhere in-between.

4. Coulomb’s Law Gives the magnitude of the force between two charges:
Coulomb’s constant k = 9 x 109 N-m2/C2
R is the distance between the two charges.
Remember:
Opposite charges ATTRACT
Like charges REPEL
Give x vs t plot

5. Summary of Concepts Charge: a property of matter
Conductors vs. Insulators
Coulomb’s Law: a formula to calculate the electric force between two charges

6. Example Given: two positive charges and a negative charge. + - +
What is the magnitude and direction of the force on the middle charge due to the other two?
Q1 = +1.5C
Q2 = -2.5C
Q3 = +3.5C + - +
d1 = 2.0 m
d2 = 1.5 m

7. Example First, the direction of the force: + - +
Both positive charges attract the middle negative charge.
However, since the charge on the right has a greater magnitude and is closer, the force toward the right will be greater.
The NET force is to the RIGHT. + - +

8. Example Second, the magnitude of the force:
We need to use Coulomb’s Law for each charge:
Q1 = +1.5C
Q2 = -2.5C
Q3 = +3.5C + - +
d1 = 2.0 m
d2 = 1.5 m

9. Example
Finally, subtract the two forces since they are in opposite directions:
The NET force is:
26.6 x 10-3 N to the right
Q1 = +1.5C
Q2 = -2.5C
Q3 = +3.5C + - +
d1 = 2.0 m
d2 = 1.5 m

10. Example First, the direction of the force: + - +
Both positive charges attract the middle negative charge.
However, since the charge on the right has a greater magnitude and is closer, the force toward the right will be greater.
The NET force is to the RIGHT. + - +

11. The Electric Field A charged particle creates an Electric Field.
Electric Field Lines are used to represent fields.
Field lines point in the direction a positive charge would accelerate.
Density of field lines is proportional to the strength of the field.
The Electric Field around a single point charge is:

12. The Electric Field Fields lines point away form positive charges.
Fields lines point toward negative charges
The force on a charge in an Electric Field is: + - q E

13. Conductors Electrons are free to move in a Conductor.
The Electric Field in a conductor is Zero.
Electric Field Lines are always Perpendicular to the surface of a conductor.

14. Summary of Concepts
Coulomb’s Law: a formula to calculate the electric force between charges.
The Electric Field: created by charges
Conductors
Electrons are free to move
E = 0 inside
Field Lines 

15. Example
Given: two positive charges and a negative charge on three corners of a square with side length 3.8 m.
What is the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the 4th corner of the square? +
Q1 = +2 C
Q2 = -2 C
Q3 = +2 C - +

16. Example First the direction of the Electric Field: +
Since electric fields point away from positive charges and toward negative charges, the three vectors shown give the field from each individual point charge at the 4th corner.
Since the negative charge is farthest away, its electric field is the weakest, and the NET electric field will therefore be UP and to the RIGHT. +
Q1 = +2 C
Q2 = -2 C
Q3 = +2 C - +

17. Example Second, the magnitude of the field. We will use:
We need to calculate the field from each of the three charges:
1247 N/C
623 N/C
1247 N/C

18. Example
Finally, add the fields as VECTORS by adding the corresponding components:
The NET force is: +
Q1 = +2 C
Q2 = -2 C
Q3 = +2 C - +
x-component: cos45 = +806 N/C
y-component: sin45 = +806 N/C
1140 N/C up and to the right