e-Notes by Prof.T.

Basavaraj Sri Revanna Siddeshwara Institute of Technology, Bangalore

FIELD THEORY

Sub Code : EC44 IA Marks : 25

Hrs/Week : 04 Exam Hrs. : 03
Total Hrs. : 52 Exam Marks : 100

1. Electric Fields 18 hours

a. Coulomb’s law and Electric field intensity
b. Electric flux density, Gauss law and divergence
c. Energy and potential
d. Conductors, dielectrics and capacitance
e. Poisson’s and Laplace’s equations

2. Magnetic fields 14 hours

a. The steady magnetic field
b. Magnetic forces, materials and inductance

3. Time varying fields and Maxwell’s equations 5 hours

4. Electromagnetic waves 15 hours

Text Books :

William H Hayt Jr and John A Buck, “Engineering Electromagnetics”, Tata McGraw-Hill,

6th Edition, 2001

Reference books :

John Krauss and Daniel A Fleisch, “Electromagnetics with Application”, McGraw-Hill,

5th Edition, 1999
Guru and Hiziroglu, Electromagnetics Field theory fundamentals, Thomson Asia Pvt. Ltd
I Edition, 2001
Joseph Edminster, “Electromagnetics”, Schaum Outline Series, McGraw-Hill
Edward C Jordan and Keith G Balmain, “Electromagnetic Waves and Radiating Systems”,
Prentice-Hall of India, II Edition, 1968, Reprint 2002.
David K Cheng, “Field and Wave Electromagnetics”, Pearson Education Ais II Edition, 1989,
Indian Repr-01

1
 Introduction to Field Theory

The behavior of a physical device subjected to electric field can be studied either by Field
approach or by Circuit approach. The Circuit approach uses discrete circuit parameters like
RLCM, voltage and current sources. At higher frequencies (MHz or GHz) parameters would no
longer be discrete. They may become non linear also depending on material property and
strength of v and i associated. This makes circuit approach to be difficult and may not give very
accurate results.

Thus at high frequencies, Field approach is necessary to get a better understanding of

performance of the device.

FIELD THEORY

The ‘Vector approach’ provides better insight into the various aspects of Electromagnetic
phenomenon. Vector analysis is therefore an essential tool for the study of Field Theory.

The ‘Vector Analysis’ comprises of ‘Vector Algebra’ and ‘Vector Calculus’.

Any physical quantity may be ‘Scalar quantity’ or ‘Vector quantity’. A ‘Scalar quantity’ is
specified by magnitude only while for a ‘Vector quantity’ requires both magnitude and direction
to be specified.

Examples :

Scalar quantity : Mass, Time, Charge, Density, Potential, Energy etc.,

Represented by alphabets – A, B, q, t etc

Vector quantity : Electric field, force, velocity, acceleration, weight etc., represented by alphabets
with arrow on top.
   
A, B, E, B e
tc.,

  
Vector algebra : If A, B, C are vectors and m, n are scalars then

(1) Addition
   
A +
B =
B +
A C
o
m
mu
ta
t
iv
     
A +
( B +
C) =
(A +
B) +
C A
s
s
o
ci
a
ti
v

(2) Subtraction
   
A - B =A +(- B)

(3) Multiplication by a scalar

 
m A = A m
 
m (
n A) = n (
m A )
  
(
m + n
) A = m A = n A
  
m (A + B) = m A + m

A ‘vector’ is represented graphically by a directed line segment.

2
A ‘Unit vector’ is a vector of unit magnitude and directed along ‘that vector’.

â A is a Unit vector along the direction of A .

Thus, the graphical representation of A and â A are

A


V
e
c
t
or A U
n
i
tv
e c
t
or â

   
A
l
s
o â A =
A / A o
r A =
â A A

Product of two or more vectors :

(1) Dot Product ( . )

     
A. B = A ( B COS θ OR { A COS θ} B , 0 ≤θ ≤π

 
B B

θ A Cos θ

A θ
 
B Cos θ A

A.B = B.A (A Scalar quantity)

(2) CROSS PRODUCT (X)

C=AxB= A B SIN θ n̂

E
x
.
,
w
h
e
r
e ' θ ' i
s a
n
g
l
e b
e
t
w
e
e
n
a
n
d n̂ i
s u
n
i
t
v
e
c
t
o r p
e
r
p
e
n
d
i
c
u
  
d
i
r
e
c
t
e
d s
u
c
h
t
h
a
t A B C

   
Ax B =- B x A
   
Ax ( B + C) =
Ax

3
 CO-ORDINATE SYSTEMS :

For an explicit representation of a vector quantity, a ‘co-ordinate system’ is essential.

Different systems used :

Sl.No. System Co-ordinate variables Unit vectors

1. Rectangular x, y, z ax , ay , az
2. Cylindrical ρ, φ , z aρ , aφ , az
3. Spherical r, θ , φ ar , aθ , aφ

These are ‘ORTHOGONAL‘ i.e., unit vectors in such system of co-ordinates are mutually
perpendicular in the right circular way.

i.e., x yz , ρφz , r θφ

RECTANGULAR CO-ORDINATE SYSTEM :

Z
x=0 plane
az
p
y=0 Y
plane ay
ax z=0 plane
X

a x . a y = a y . a z = a z . a x =0
ax x ay = az
ay x az = ax
az x ax = ay

az is in direction of ‘advance’ of a right circular screw as it is turned from ax to ay

Co-ordinate variable ‘x’ is intersection of planes OYX and OXZ i.e, z = 0 & y = 0

Location of point P :

If the point P is at a distance of r from O, then

If the components of r along X, Y, Z are x, y, z then


r = x a x + y a y +z a z = r ar

4
Equation of Vector AB :

I
f O
A=A = A x a x +A y

a
n
d = B O
B=Bx a x +B

A +
A
B = B

o
r AB =

B B
w
h
e
r
e A s , A y & A z a
r
e c
o
m
p
o
ne
n
t
s
a
n
d Bs , B y & Bz
 a
r
e c
o
m
p
o
ne
n
t
s

B AB
Dot and Cross Products :

  0 A A
A . B =(
A x ax +Ay a y +Az az ) . (
B x ax +By a y
 
Ax B = (
A x ax +Ay a y +Az az ) x (
B x ax +By a

T
ak
i
ng 'C
r
oss p
ro
du
ct
s' t
erm b
yte
rm a
nd g
ro
up
in
g, w
e

ax ay az
 
A x B = Ax Ay Az
Bx By Bz

A x
  
A . (B x C ) =
B x
C x

  
I
f A, B a
n
d C a
r
e n
o
n

 
(
i
) A . B = 0th
e
n Co
s
 
Ax B = 0t
h
e
n S
i
n
  
(
i
i
) A . ( B x C) r
e
p
r
e
s
e
n
ts

U
n
i
t V
e
c
t
o
r a
l
o
n
g A
B
A
B
a A
B =
A
B
w
h
e
r
e

V
e
c
t
o
r l
e
n
g
t
h A
B =

Differential length, surface and volume elements in rectangular co-ordinate systems


r = x â x + y â y + z â z
  
 ∂ r ∂ r ∂ r
d r = d
x + d
y +
∂ x ∂ y ∂ z

d r = d
x â x + d
y â y + d
z â z


Differential length dr = [ d x2 + d y2 + d z2 ]1 /2 - - - - -1

Differential surface element, d s

1. ⊥r to z : dxdy â z
2. ⊥r to z : dxdy â z ------ 2
3. ⊥r to z : dxdy â z

Differential Volume element

dv = dx dy dz ------ 3

z
dx p’

5
 φ
φ
φ
φ
p dz
 dy
r  
r +d r
0 y

x
Other Co-ordinate systems :-

Depending on the geometry of problem it is easier if we use the appropriate co-ordinate system
than to use the Cartesian co-ordinate system always. For problems having cylindrical symmetry
cylindrical co-ordinate system is to be used while for applications having spherical symmetry
spherical co-ordinate system is preferred.

Cylindrical Co-ordiante systems :-

z
P(ρ, φ , z) x = ρ Cos φ
y = ρ Sin φ

az r ρ z=z
ρ = x 2 + y2
0 
φ ap r y φ =tan -1
y/ x
 z =z
ρ
x


r =
x â x +
y â y +
z â z

r =ρ C
o
s â x + ρ S
i
n
 
 ∂ r ∂ r
d r = d ρ +
∂ ρ ∂

∂
r
= C
o
s â x + S
i
n
∂
ρ

∂
r
= - ρ S
i
n â x +
∂

∂r
= â z
∂z

Thus unit vectors in (ρ, φ , z) systems can be expressed in (x,y,z) system as

φ φ
φ φ
aρ =
Co
s a x +S
i
n a y a x =C
os
a ρ=- S
i
n a x +C
os a y a y =S
i
n
ρ φ
φφ
az =
az ; a , a a
nd az ar
e o
rt
hog
onal
ρ


φ
F
ur
the
r , dr =d ρ â + ρ d â + d
z â z
 2
a
nd dr =d ρ2 + (ρ d )2 + (
dz) 2

Differential areas :
= φ
φ
d
s â z (d ρ) (ρ d ) . â z
d
s â ρ=(
dz) (ρ d ) . â ρ - - - - - - - 3
d
s â φ=
(d ρ d
z) â φ

Differential volume :

6
 dτ = (d ρ) (ρ dφ) (dz)
or dτ =ρ d ρ dφ dz ----- 4

7
Spherical Co-ordinate Systems :-
Z X = r Sin θ Cos φ
Y = r Sin θ Sin φ
z p Z = r Cos θ
R
θ r

0 y Y

x φ r Sinφ

X

R = r S
in θ θ φ
C
os θφ
â x + r Si
n Si
n â y + r Cos â z

θ φ θ φ θ
 
∂ R ∂ R
â r = / = Si
n Cos â x + Si
n Si
n â y +
Co
s â z
∂ r ∂r

θ φ θ φ θ
 

θ θ
∂R ∂R
â θ= / = Cos C
os â x + Cos S
in â y −S
in â z
∂ ∂

φ φ
 

φ φ
∂ R ∂R
â φ= / = - S i
n â x + Cos â y
∂ ∂

θθ φφ
  
 ∂ R ∂R ∂ R
dR = dr + d + d
∂ ∂ ∂
θ θφ
r

dR = d
r â r + r d â θ + r S
in d â φ
=r2 θθφ
θ φ
d Sr S
in d d
d Sθ =
θ
r2 S
in d
r d
d Sφ=r d
r d
dv =
r2 S
in θ θφ d
r d d

8
General Orthogonal Curvilinear Co-ordinates :-
z u1 a3 u3

a1
u2
a2
y

Co-ordinate Variables : (u1 , u2, u3) ;

Here
u1 is Intersection of surfaces u2 = C & u3 = C
u2 is Intersection of surfaces u1 = C & u3 = C
u3 is Intersection of surfaces u1 = C & u2 = C
â 1 , â 2 , â 3 a
r
e u
b
n
i
t
v
e
c
t
S
y
s
t
e
m i
s O
r
t
h
o
g
o
n
a
l

I
f R =
x â x +
y â

∂
R
t
h
e
n d R = du
∂
u 1
=
h 1 d
u 1

w
h
e
r
e h 1 , h 2 , h 3


∂
R
h 1
= , h 2
=
∂
u 1

9
 Co-ordinate Variables, unit Vectors and Scale factors in different systems

Systems Co-ordinate Variables Unit Vector Scale factors

General u1 u2 u3 a1 a2 a3 h1 h2 h3

Rectangular x y z ax ay az 1 1 1

Cylindrical ρ φ z aρ aφ az 1 ρ 1

Spherical r θ φ ar aθ aφ 1 r r sin θ

Transformation equations (x,y,z interms of cylindrical and spherical co-ordinate system

variables)

Cylindrical : x = ρ Cos φ , y = ρ Sin φ , z = z ; ρ ≥ 0, 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π -∞ < z < ∞

Spherical
x = r Sinθ Cosφ , y = r Sinθ Cosφ , z = r Sinθ
r≥ 0 , 0 ≤ θ ≤ π , 0 ≤ φ ≤ 2π
1 ∂v 1 ∂v 1 ∂v
∇V = â 1 + â 2 + â 3
h 1 ∂u 1 h 2 ∂u 2 h 3 ∂u 3
 1 ∂ ∂ ∂ 
∇
.A =  (h 2 h 3 A 1 ) + (h 1 h 3 A 2 ) + (h 1 h 2 A 3 ) 
h 1 h 2 h3 ∂u1 ∂u2 ∂u3 
h â 1
1 h â 22 h
â 33
 1 ∂ ∂ ∂
∇
x A =
h 1 h 2 h 3 ∂ u1 ∂ u 2 ∂ u 3
h 1 A 1 h 2 A 2 h 3 A 3

w
he
re V =V ( u 1 , u 2 , u 3 ) a S
cala
r fie
ld

& A =A 1 â 1 +A 2 â 2 +A 3 â 3 is a V
ec
tor fie
ld w
he
re A1 =A1 (u 1 , u2 , u3 )
A2 =A2 (u 1 , u 2 , u3 ) a
nd A3 =A3 (u 1 , u 2 , u3 )

10
 Vector Transformation from Rectangular to Spherical :

R
e
c
t
a
n
g
S
p
h
e
r
i
c
a

w
h
e
r
e

A

A


A

u
l
a
l

r 

=



θ

â

â


â

θ
φ
θ
A

x
θ
θθ
φ φ φφ
.
φ
θ
r
θ
θ
φ
. â
â
. â
φ
φ:

r â
â
â
r
A

y
:

. â
. â
. â
A

S
R

,
=
=
(
=
A x

A R
A r
A
â x

â r
a
r
e
â r

r
e
l
a
t
e
+
A
d
â
+
)

r
+
A
A y
â r
â
t
o
â
â
â
â y
+

z

(A R

A
+
A z
â

. â
.
.
â
â
)

x
â z
â

r
+

(A R

A


A


A




A


x

z
. â






,
) â

A z a
s

11
Field Theory

A ‘field’ is a region where 

any object experiences a force. The study of performance in the
presence of Electric field (E) , Magnetic field (φ ) is the essence of EM Theory.

P1 : Obtain the equation for the line between the points P(1,2,3) and Q (2,-2,1)
PQ =a x - 4 a y - 2 a z
P2 : Obtain unit vector from the origin to G (2, -2, 1)

12
 Problems on Vector Analysis

Examples :-
1. Obtain the vector equation for the line PQ between the points P (1,2,3)m and Q (2,
-2, 1) m
Z
PQ P (1,2,3)
Q(2,-2,-1)
0
Y

T
he v
ec
to
r P
Q =(
x q -x p ) â x +(
y q - y p ) â y +
(
z q - zp ) â z
=(
2 -1
) â x +
(
-2 - 2
) â y +
(
-1 - 3
) â z
=
(â x - 4 â y - 2 â z )

2. Obtain unit vector from origin to G (2,-2,-1)

G

G
0
T
h
e v
e
c
t
o
r G =
(
x g - 0) â x +
= (
2 â x - 2 â

G
T
h
e u
n
i
t
ve
c
t o
r , â g = 
G

G =
22 +
(
-
2
) 2

∴
â g =
(
0
.
66
7 â x - 0
.
6
67 â y

3. Given

A =2 â x - 3 â y + â z

B =
- 4 â x - 2 â y + 5â z
   
find (1) A.B and (2) A x B

Solution
 
:
(1) A . B =(2 a x - 3 a y +a z ) . (-4 a x - 2 a y +5 a z )
=-8+6+5= 3
Since ax . ax = ay . ay = az . az = 0 and ax ay = ay az = az ax = 0

ax ay az
 
(2) Ax B = 2 −3 1 = (-13 ax -14 ay - 16 az)
−4 −2 5

4. Find the distance between A( 2, π /6, 0) and B = ( 1, π /2, 2)

Soln : The points are given in Cylindrical Co-ordinate (ρ,φ , z). To find the distance between
two points, the co-ordinates are to be in Cartesian (rectangular). The corresponding
rectangular co-ordinates are (ρ Cosφ , ρ Sinφ , z)

13
∴

&

∴
A
B



A

B

=
(
B

( A
B
)


B

A
B

=
[
(
1
0
+
[
+
[
=
(
1
0

y
=

=
C
o
s

=
1
.
7
3

â
(
(
1
0
C
o
s
1
0
2

-


x
C
o
s

â
â
8
-

x
6
x

A
B

â AB =

S
i
n
8

-
â

-
â

8
8
6

â

AB
AB

y
â

â
â

=
C
o
s

=
S
i
n


+
6

y
y
x

=
(

=
(

+
+
=
(

S
i
n

0
.
7
0
7

FCyl =[ 10 Cos (- 38.66)


B

BCy
l
=
=
0
.
7
0
7

ρ
ρ
φ
ρ
φ
ρ
ρ
φ
3

ρ
4
4
â

â
C
o
s
π
φ
ρ
C

x
o
s

=
(
B
+

= ( - 0.816

ρ
φ


=(12.8 â ρ +6 â z )

(
B
.
S
i
n
â )
â
â
x


-
+
(
B
.
S
i
n
C
o
s

=
[

=
[
=
-
(

S
i
n
x -
=
-
A
1
.
4
1
4
x
=
-
=
-

â
)
1
.
7
3
1
.
7
3

x
â
â

â

=
(
2
x

=
(

+
0
.
5

6. Find a unit vector along AB in Problem 5 above.

+
(
1
+
2

5. Find the distance between A( 1, π /4, 0) and B = ( 1, 3π /4, π )

A
B

â x - 0.408


. A
B

= [ - 1.414 ax + (-0.707) ay + (-0.707) az]

ρ
φ
FCyl =(F . â p ) â p +(F . â φ) â φ +(F . â z ) â z

- 8 Sin ( - 38.66)

8. Transform B =y â x - x â y +z â z
x = C
o
s , y =

â
S
i
n

C
o
s
+
z
â
+
[

â
x

z
-
S
i
n â x -

7. Transform F =(10 â x - 8 â y +6 â z ) into F in Cylindrica
Soln :
1
1.732
â y −0.408 â z )
π
π
Soln : The specified co-ordinates (r, θ , φ ) are spherical. Writing in rectangular, they are
(r Sin θ Cos φ , r Sin θ Sin φ , r Cos θ ).
Therefore, A & B in rectangular co-ordinates,

=
(
1 S
i
n

] â p +[- 10 Sin (- 38.66)

l Co - ordinates.

ρ
- 8 Cos (- 38.66)]

x
into Cylindrical Co-ordinates.
φ
y
â φ +6 â z

θ
θφ
φθ θ
θ
9. Transform 5 â x into Spherical Co-ordinates.

θ φ
φ φ
θφ θφ
AS
p
h =
(
A. â r ) â r +
(
A. â ) â +
(
A. â )
=
[ 5 â x . (
S
in C
o
s â x +
S
i
n S
i
[ 5 â x . (
Co
s C
o
s â x +
C
o
s
[ 5 â x . (
- S
i
n â x +
C
o
s â y )
] â
=
5 S
i
n C
o
s â r +
5 C
o
s S
i
n

10. Transform to Cylindrical Co-ordinates G =(2 x + y) â x - (y - 4x) â y at Q ( ρ, φ, z)

Soln :

14
∴
G
G

φ=
S
C

F=


F=

A

+
x


A

A
B

â

â r =S
â θ =C
â φ =

FSph

r = 10
1
0

in

-S
=
S
i
n
C
y
l

C
y
l

=
C
o
s

A
B
C
o
s

os θC

tan - 1

in θ =
s θ=
o

(11.529
S
C
,

A
B
y =
S
i
n

= ( 2 ρ Cos

12. Transform F =

in φâ x +


=(10 S
+(10
+(- 10 S

-8
10
2

=
C

in

in 64.69
os
ρ
φ
ρ


64.69
(10 x 0.9 x 0.781
( 10 x 0.42
(-10 x - 0.625
â r +

Line Integrals
φ
φ
+ ( 4 ρ Cos


B

os

82 +

5.38
=
[

=
6
.
1
2

=
=

62

- 38.66
(


B

os φâ y
(F . â r ) â r +
in θC

=
=
=
(
G
.
=
[

2
x

S
i
n

0.9
a
(
2

+
y
)

â

A

)
x

C
o
s

x
â
+
y
)

10 â x - 8 â y +

os φâ x + os θS

0.42

- 8 x 0.781)
â θ +
4
+

=
(
y
+
(
G
.
â

-
a
x

+
[

6 â z
-
[

-
(
y

(
2

φ − ρ Sin

3
.
5
3
C
o
s
-

θ Cos φâ x +Sin θSin φâ y +Cos θâ z

in φâ y - S

(F . â θ) â θ +
os φ- 8 S in θS

x 0.781

0.783

(
2

+
y
)

A
=
A
B

- 8x 0

â φ
â φ)
9
S
i
n

.
6
5

in θâ z


In general orthogonal Curvilinear Co-ordinate system

dl =h1 du 1 â1 + h 2 du 2 â 2 + h 3 du 3 â 3

F =F1 â1 + F2 â 2 + F3 â 3

∫F . dl =∫h1 F1 du 1 + ∫h 2 F2 du 2 + ∫h 3 F3 du 3
C C C
=

(F . â φ) â φ
in φ+
θCos φ- 8 Cos θSin
φ- 8 Cos φ) â φ
= 200

C
6C

S
os

in
C
x

os
.9 x (-0.625))
- 8 x 0.42
ρ
ρ

θ=Cos

φ=S
+
y
) â


x

G Cyl =[ ( 2 ρ Cos φ + ρ Sin φ ) Cos φ - ( ρ Sin φ - 4 ρ Cos φ) Sin φ] â ρ

-

+[ - ( 2 ρ Cos φ + ρ Sin φ ) Sin φ - ( ρ Sin φ - 4 ρ Cos φ) Cos φ] â φ

=[ 2 ρ Cos 2
φ + ρ Sin φ Cos φ - ρ Sin 2 φ + 4 ρ Sin φ Cos φ] â ρ
+[ - 2 ρ Sin φ Cos φ - ρ Sin 2
(
y -

φ - ρ Sin φ Cos φ + 4 Cos 2 φ ] â φ

φ + 5 ρ Sin φ Cos φ - ρ Sin 2 φ ) â ρ
φ - 3 ρ Sin φ Cos φ) â φ

11. Find a unit vector from ( 10, 3π /4, π /6) to (5, π /4, π )
Soln :
A(r, θ , φ ) expressed in rectangular co-ordinates
O
A =r S
i
n

into F in Spherical Co-orindates.

in (-38.66)

x (0.625))
-1

φ=Cos (-38.66)
θ) â r
φ- 6 Sin θ) â θ

z
r
=

â r
Cos

â θ
=
-1

0.781
θ
π
6
200

- 0.625
=
=64.89 0

15
Conservative Field A field φ is said to be conservative if it is such that ∫∇Φ. dl
C
=0

∫ ∇ Φ. dl = ∫ dΦ = Φ (b) - Φ (a) (does not depend on the path !). If φ is electrosta tic flux, then
a

E = - ∇ Φ represent the electric field intensity and
b

∫ ∇ Φ. dl
a
represent the potential between b and a and is zero if it is taken around a closed contour.

i.e., ∫ ∇Φ. dl =0
Therefore ES flux field is ‘Conservative’.

EXAMPLES :
 
13. Evaluate line integral I =∫a . dl where a = (x + y) â x + (y - x) â y

along y 2 = x from A (1,1) to B (4,2)

Soln : dl =dx â x +dy â y

a . dl =(x + y) dx +(y - x ) dy
y 2 =x or 2 dy dy =dx
2 2

∴∫a . dl = ∫ (y 2 + y) 2y dy + ∫(y - y 2 ) dy
1 1
2
= ∫ (2 y 3 + 2 y 2 + y - y 2 ) dy
1
2
= ∫ (2 y 3 + y 2 + y) dy
1
2
2/ y4 y3 y2 
=
 4 + + 
 /2 3 2 1
2 4 23 
22 1 1 1
=
 2 + + 
 - 2 + 3 + 2 
 3 2
  
 8  4  2 1 1
=8 + +2  -   = 12 -1 = 11
 3  3  3 3 3

16
  
14. Evaluate the Integral I =∫E . ds where E = x â x and S is hunisphere of radius a
S

Soln:
If S is hemisphere of radius a, then S is defined by
x 2 + y 2 + z 2 = a 2 , z ≥0 ;
ds =(a dθ) (a Sin θ) dφ â r
ds =a 2 Sin θ dθ dφ â r

E =(E . â r ) â r +(E. â θ ) â θ +(E. â φ ) a φ

E r =x Sin θ Cos φ â r ; x =a Sin θ Cos φ
 
E . ds =E r . ds =a ( Sin θ Cos φ ) 2 â r . a 2 Sin θ dθ dφ

E . ds =a Sin 3 θ Cos 2 φ dθ dφ
0 <θ <π / 2 , 0 <φ <2π
π/2 2π
 2 2 π a3
∫ = ∫0 θ θ ∫0 φ φ = π =
3 3 2 3
E . ds a Sin d Cos d a x x
3 3

17
where r, r1 , r2 ….. rm are the vector distances of q, q1 , …… qm from origin, 0.
 
r - rm is distance between charge qm and q.
â m is unit vector in the direction of line joining qm to q.

Electric field is the region or vicinity of a charged body where a test charge experiences a
force. It is expressed as a scalar function of co-ordinates variables. This can be illustrated by
drawing ‘force lines’ and these may be termed as ‘Electric Flux’ represented by ψ and unit is
coulomb (C).

Electric Flux Density (D) is the measure of cluster of ‘electric lines of force’. It is the
number of lines of force per unit area of cross section.
i.e.,
 ψ 
D =
A
c/m 2 or ψ= ∫ n̂ ds C where
S
D n̂ is unit vect or normal to surface


Electric Field Intensity (E) at any point is the electric force on a unit +ve charge at that
point.

 F q1
i.e., E = = â1 N/ c
q 4 π∈0 r12

1  q1  D  
= 
 4 π r2 
 â 1 N / c = ∈ N / c or D = ∈0 E C in
∈0  1  0

vacuum
In any medium other than vacuum, the field Intensity at a point distant r m from + Q C is
 Q
E = â r N / c ( or V / m)
4 π∈ 0 ∈ r r
2

   Q
and D =∈ ∈ E C o r D = â r C
4 πr2
0 r

 
Thus D is independent of medium, while E depends on the property of medium.

 
r E
+QC q = 1 C (Test Charge)
Source charge 
E

 E

18
 0 r,m


Electric Field Intensity E for different charge configurations

1. E due to Array of Discrete charges

Let Q, Q1 , Q2 , ……… Qn be +ve charges at P, P1 , P2 , ……….. Pn . It is required to find E
at P.
 
Q1 r1 En
P1
 
Q2 r2 P E2

E1

P2 r1
Qn 0

Pr rn

 1 Qm
Er =
4 π∈0
∑r-r 2
â m V / m
m


2. E due to continuous volume charge distribution

â R

R P

ρv C / m3

The charge is uniformly distributed within in a closed surface with a volume charge density
dQ
of ρv C / m3 i.e, Q = ∫ρ V dv and ρV =

ρ
V dv

π
ρ π
π
∆ V ∆
 Q V
∆ E = â R = â R
4 ∈
0 R 2 4 ∈0 R 2
 (r 1
)
=∫
V
Er â R N/ C
V 1
4 ∈ 0 (
r - r1 ) 2

â R is unit vector directed from ‘source’ to ‘filed point’.


3. Electric field intensity E due to a line charge of infinite length with a line charge
density of ρl C / m â R

P

R

dl ρl C / m

19
 L

 1 ρl dl
Ep =
4 π ∈0 ∫
L R2
â R N / C


4. E due to a surface charge with density of ρS C / m2

â R
P (Field point)

ds R

(Source charge)

 1 ρS ds
Ep =
4 π ∈0 ∫
S R2
â R N / C

Electrical Potential (V) The work done in moving a unit +ve charge from Infinity to that is
called the Electric Potential at that point. Its unit is volt (V).

Electric Potential Difference (V12) is the work done in moving a unit +ve charge from one
point to (1) another (2) in an electric field.

Relation between E and V
If the electric potential at a point is expressed as a Scalar function of co-ordinate variables
(say x,y,z) then V = V(x,y,z)

f 
d
V =
- d
l = - E . d
l - - - - -
q
∂
V ∂
V ∂
A
l
s
o, d
V = dx + d
y +
∂
x ∂
y
d
V =
∇
V . d
l - - - - -

F
r
o
m (
1
) a
n
d (
2
) E =
- ∇
V

Determination of electric potential V at a point P due to a point charge of + Q C

â l

R + dR

0 θ

+Q R P â R

20
  Q
At point P, E = â R N / C
4 π ∈0 R 2

Therefore, the force f on a unit charge at P.

  Q
∴f =1 x Ep = â R N

π
4 π∈ 0 R
2

π
The work done in moving a unit charge over a distance dl in the electric field is
 
d
V =
- f . d
l =
- E . d
l
R R
Q d
l
∴
Vp =
- ∫
4
∞
∈0 R 2
(â R . â l ) =
- ∫ ∞

Q
VP = 2 V
o
l
t (
a s
c
a
la
r
4 ∈0 R

Electric Potential Difference between two points P & Q distant Rp and Rq from 0 is

Q  1 1 
Vpq = (Vp - Vq ) =  -  volt
4 π ∈0  R p R q 

Electric Potential at a point due to different charge configurations.

1. Discrete charges
. Q1
. P
Q2 Rm
Qm
n
1 Qm
V1P =
4 π ∈0
∑1 R V
m

2. Line charge
1 ll
xP V2P =
4 π ∈0 ∫l R dl V
ρl C / m

3. Surface charge

1 ρ S ds
xP V3P =
4 π ∈0 ∫S R V
ρs C / m2
4. Volume charge

xP
ρv C/ m3

21
 1 ρ V dv
R V4P =
4 π ∈0 ∫V R V
5. Combination of above V5P = V1P + V2P + V3P + V4P

Equipotential Surface : All the points in space at which the potential has same value lie on a
surface called as ‘Equipotential Surface’.
Thus for a point change Q at origin the spherical surface with the centre of sphere at the
origin, is the equipotential surface.
Sphere of
Radius , R
R
0 P

+Q equipotential surfaces

Q
V

0 R

Potential at every point on the spherical surface is

Q
VR = volt
4 π ∈0 R
VPQ is difference of potential two equipotent ial surface potential


Gauss’s law : The surface integral of normal component of D emerging from a closed
surface is equal to the charge contained in the space bounded by the surface.

i.e., ∫ D . n̂ ds = Q
S
C (1)

where ‘S’ is called the ‘Gaussian Surface’.

ByDivergence Theorem,

∫D . n̂ ds = ∫∇. D
S V
dv ----------- (2)

Also, Q = ∫ ρV dv ---------- (3)

V

From1, 2 & 3,
∇ .D =ρ ----------- (4) is point form (or differential form) of Gauss’s law while
equation (1) is Integral form of Gauss law.

Poisson’s equation and Laplace equation

22
  
In equation 4, D =∈
0 E

∴∇. E = ρ / ∈0 or ∇. (- ∇V) = ρ / ∈0
ρ
∇ V-
2
Poisson equation
∈0
If ρ =0, ∇2 V =0 Laplace equation

Till now, we have discussed (1) Colulomb’s law (2) Gauss law and (3) Laplace equation.

The determination of E and V can be carried out by using any one of the above relations.
However, the method of Coulomb’s law is fundamental in approach while the other two use
the physical concepts involved in the problem.
 
(1) Coulomb’s law : Here E is found as force f per unit charge. Thus for the simple case
of point charge of Q C,
 1 Q 
E =   V/ M
4 π ∈0  R 2 

V = ∫E dl Volt
l

(2) Gauss’s law : An appropriate Gaussian surface S is chosen. The charge enclosed is
determined. Then

∫
D
S
n̂ d
s =Qe
nc

 
T
he
n a
ndD h
en
ce E a
re d
et
ermi
ned

A
l
so ∫
V = E d
l v
l
o
lt

(3) Laplace equation : The Laplace equation ∇2 V = 0 is solved subjecting to different


boundary conditions to get V. Then, E = - ∇V

23
Solutions to Problems on Electrostatics :-

1. Data : Q1 = 12 µ C , Q2 = 2 µ C , Q3 = 3 µ C at the corners of equilateral triangle d m.

To find : F on Q 3
Solution :

L
et Q1 , Q2 a
nd Q3 l
ie a
t P1 , P2 a
nd
I
f P1 , P2 a
nd P3 l
ie i
n Y
Z p
l
ane
, w
i
th P
a
t o
r
ig
int
he n
P1 = (0
,
0,0
) m
P2 =
(
0, d
, 0
) m
P3 = (
0, 0.
5 d
, 0
.
866 d) m

r1 =0

r2 =
d â y

r3 =
0.
5 d â y + 0
.
866 â z
   
Th
e f
o r
ce F3 i
s F3 = F13 + F23

π
 Q3 1Q Q 
F3 =  â 1
3 +2 2
â 2
3 
4 ∈0  d 2
d 
 
r3 - r 0.
5 d â y + 0.
866
â 1
3 =  
1
=
r3 - r1 d
 
r3 - r2
â 23 =   = - 0 .5 â y + 0.
866 â
r3 - r2
Substituting,

9  1 2 x1 0
 -6
2 x1 0- 6
F3 = ( 3 x1 0 ) 9 x 1 0  2 ( 0 .5â y + 0 .8 6â6z ) +
-6
2
( - 0 .5â y + 0 .8
 d d
2 7 x1 0-3  5 â y + 1 2 .1â2z 
= 2  2  1 3 .1 1
d  5 + 1 2 .1 2 
2


F3 = 0 .3 5â4F N w h e râeF = ( 0 .3 â8y + 0 .9 2â4z )
2. Data : At the point P, the potential is Vp = (x + y + z ) V
2 2 2

To find :

(1)
Ep (2) VPQ given P(1,0.2) and Q (1,1,2) (3) VPQ by using general expression for V

Solution :

24
  ∂Vp ∂Vp ∂Vp 
(1) E p = - ∇Vp = - â x + â y + â z 
 ∂x ∂y ∂z 
= - [ 2 x â x + 2 y â y + 3z â z ] V /m
2

P  1 0 2
( 2) VPQ = - ∫E p . dl = ∫2x dx + ∫2y dy + ∫3z
2
dz
Q 1 1 2

=0 + y 2 ] 0
+0 =- 1 V

π
π
(3) VPQ = VQ - VP = - 1 V

π
3. Data : Q = 64.4 nC at A (-4, 2, -3) m 
A

To find : E at 0 (0,0,0) m E0
Solution : 0
 Q
E 0 = â A
O N/
4 ∈
0 (
A
O) 2

- 9
6
4
.
4 x 1
0
= - 9
[ â
1
0 2
4 x (A
O
)
3
6
A
O =
(
0 +
4
) â x +
(
0 - 2
)
A
O 1
â A
O = = (A
O ) =
A
O 2
9
 6
4
.
4 x 9
E 0 = â A
O =
2
0 â
2
9

4. Q1 = 100 µ C at P1 (0.03 , 0.08 , - 0.02) m

Q2 = 0.12 µ C at P2 (- 0.03 , 0.01 , 0.04) m
F12 = Force on Q2 due to Q1 = ?
Solution :
 Q1 Q 2
F1
2 = â 1
2
4 ∈ 0
2
R 1
2
 
R 1
2 =
R 2 - R 1 = (
-
0
.
0
3
=
( - 0
.
0
6
â 1
2 =
( - 0
.
5
4
5 â x - 0
.
6
3
6
 1
0
0 x 1
0 - 6
x 0
.
1
2
1
F1
2 = 2
0
.
1
1

F1
2 =
9 â 1
2 N

25
 π
π
5. Q1 = 2 x 10-9 C , Q2 = - 0.5 x 10-9 C C

ππ


µ
(1) R12 = 4 x 10-2 m , F12 = ?

(2) Q1 & Q2 are brought in contact and separated by R12 = 4 x 10-2 m F12` = ?

Solution :

(1)
 2x 1
0 -
9
x - 0
.
5 x 1
0 -
9
F1
2 = - 9
1
0 - 2
4 x x ( 4x 1
0
3
6
(
2
) W
h
e
n b
r
o
u
g
ht i
n
t
o c
o
n
t
a
c
t

` ( 1
.
5 x 1
0 - 9
) 2
F1
2 = - 9
1
0
4 x x ( 4x 1
0
3
6
F1
2
`
=
1
2
.
6
6 N (
r
e
p
ul
s
i
v
e

6. Y
P3
x x

P1 P2
x x
0 X

Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = Q4 = 20 µ C

π
QP = 200 µ C at P(0,0,3) m

π
P1 = (0, 0 , 0) m P2 = (4, 0, 0) m
P3 = (4, 4, 0) m P4 = (0, 4, 0) m
FP = ?

Solution

:  
Fp =
F1
p +
F2
p +
F

R1p =
3 â z R1
p

R 2p =
- 4 â x +
3 â z

R 3p =
- 4 â x - 4 â y +

R 4p =
- 4 â y +
3 â z
 Q p 
Q1
Fp = - 9 2
1
0 R1


4 p

3
6

26
 1 1 1 
â 2 z+ 2 (-0 âx+ 0 âz.)+ 82.( 6âx- 0 â0y+ 0 . âz).6 . 6 4 2 2 7 5 5
-6 9 3 5 6 . 4 -6
= 20 1 x9 01x 0x 0 2 1 x 0 0
 + 1 (-0 â + 0 â.) 8. 6 
2 y z 
5
1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
â z+ ( 0 âx+ -0 âz.)+ 8. ( 6âx- 0 ây0+ 0 .âz) .6 . 6 4 2 2 7 5 5
- 6 9 9 -6 - 2 9 2 5 4 0 . 9 6
= 20 x 0x x9 x1  1x 01 01 0 0 
 + 1 (-0 â +00 â ). 80. 6 
 2 5 y z

 1
=0.36  (− 3.2 − 1.526 ) â x + (-1.526 - 3.2) â y +(11.11 +
 6.4 2
=(- 1.7 â x - 1.7 â y + 17 â z ) N =17.23 â p N

7. Data : Q1 , Q2 & Q3 at the corners of equilateral triangle of side 1 m.

Q1 = - 1µ C, Q2 = -2 µ C , Q3 = - 3 µ C
To find : E at the bisecting point between Q2 & Q3 .
Solution :

27
 Z
P1 Q1 P1 : (0, 0.5, 0.866) m
P2 : (0, 0, 0) m
P3 : (0, 1, 0) m
P : (0, 0.5, 0) m
Q2 P E1P Q3
Y
P2 E2P E3P P3

π
  
EP =
E1P +
E2P

1  Q
= 
4 ∈0 R1 P

R1
P =- 0
.
866 â z
R 2
P =
+0
.
5 â y

ππ
R 3
P =
- 0
.
5 â y

 1
EP = -9
10
4
3
6
=
9x 1
0 3
[
1
.
33
=
9x 1
0 3
[
4 â y

Z
E1P EP ( EP ) = 37.9 k V / m

Y
E2P (E3P – E2P) E3P

8. Data Pl = 25 n C /m on (-3, y, 4) line in free space and P : (2,15,3) m

To find : EP
Solution :
Z ρl = 25 n C / m

A 
R ρ (2, 15, 3) m
P

28
 ρπ
π
X

The line charge is parallel to Y axis. Therefore EPY = 0


R =
A
P = (
2 - (
-
3
)
) â x +
(
3

R
â R = =
(
0
.
8
34 â x - 0
.
16
7
R
 2
5
E P = l
â R =
2 ∈ 0 R 1
0
2
3
6

E P =
8
8
.
2
3 â R V / m

9. Data : P1 (2, 2, 0) m ; P2 (0, 1, 2) m ; P3 (1, 0, 2) m

Q2 = 10 µ C ; Q3 = - 10 µ C

π
To find : E1 , V1
Solution :
   1
E1 = E2 1 + E2 1 =
4 ∈ 0

R 2 1 = (2 â x + â y - 2 â z )

R3 1 = â x + 2 â y + 2 â z
 
1
0 -6
E1 =
9x 1
0 9
 (
0.
67
 9

π
=
1
0 3
[ â x +
â y ] =
1
4
.1
4
1 
Q2 Q
V1 =  +
4 ∈0 R 2
 1 R

E1 =14.14 V/ m V1 = 3000 V

29
10. Data : Q1 = 10 µ C at P1 (0, 1, 2) m ; Q2 = - 5 µ C at P2 (-1, 1, 3) m

π
P3 (0, 2,

0) m
To find : (1) E 3 (2) Q at (0, 0, 0) for E 3x = 0
Solution :
 1 
Q
(
1) E3 = 
4 ∈0 R1
3

R13 =
(
2 -1
) â y +

R 2
3 =
(
0 + 1
) â x

R1
â 1
3 = 3 = ( 0
.
4
R13

R 2
â 2
3 = 3 = 0.
3
R 23

  1
0
E3 =
9x 1
0 9

 (
[
=(
8 â y -1
6
[
=
-1
.
23 â x +

 Q1 Q2 Q 
(
2) E3 =
9x 1
0 9
 2 â 1
3 + 2
â 2
3 + 2
â 0
3 
R1
 3 R 2
3 R0
3 

E3x =
-1
.
23 â x

E3x c
a
nno
t b
e z
e
ro

11. Data : Q2 = 121 x 10-9 C at P2 (-0.02, 0.01, 0.04) m

Q1 = 110 x 10-9 C at P1 (0.03, 0.08, 0.02) m
P3 (0, 2, 0) m

To find : F12

π
Solution :
 Q Q2
F =1 â 1 N ; R1 =
- 0
.
05 â - 0

ππ
1
2 2 2 2 x
4 ∈0 R12

 1
2
1 x 10 -9
x 1
1
0 x 1
0 -9
F1
2 = -9
[â 1
2 ] R1
2 =
10 -3
4 x 7
.
8 x 1
0
3
6

F12 =0.015 ˆ 12 N
a

30
12. Given V =(50 x2yz + 20y2) volt in free space
Find VP , E P and â np at P (1, 2, - 3) m
Solution :
V P = 5
0 (
1
) 2
(
2
) (
-
3
) [
 ∂
E =- ∇ V = - V â
∂ x

E =- 1
0
0 x y z â x - 5
0

E P = - 1
0
0 (
2
) (
-3
) â x
=
6
0
0 â x +
1
5
0 â
=
6
2 6
.
5 â P V/ m

31
Additional Problems

A1. Find the electric field intensity E at P (0, -h, 0) due to an infinite line charge of density
ρl C / m along Z axis.
+∞
Z

A dz

R AP
z
dEPy P θ
Y
dEPz h 0

d EP
â P X

π
-∞

Solution :

π
π
Source : Line charge ρl C / m. Field point : P (0, -h, 0)
d
Q
d
E P = â R =
4 ∈ 0 R 2 4


â R
R
=

1
=
R
- h â y [ -
R
ρl d
z  h
d
E P = -
 â y
4 ∈ 0 R 2  R
ρl d
z h
d
E P
y =
- â y
4 ∈ 0 R 2 R

Expressing all distances in terms of fixed distance h,

h = R Cos θ or R = h Sec θ ; z = h tan θ , dz = h sec2 θ dθ
c 2θ dθ
d
E =-
ρl h Se
x C
os θ =-
ρl
C
os θdθ
4π c 2θ 4π
P
y
∈ 0 h
2
S
e ∈ 0 h

E Py = -
ρl
[ +S
in θ]π / 2
=-
ρl
x 2 =-
ρl
â y
4π 4π π
π - / 2
∈ 0 h ∈ 0 h 2 ∈ 0 h

ec 2θ dθ /ta θ
d
E =-
ρl h S
x
h n
=-
ρl
S
in θdθ
4π θ θ 4π
P
z
∈ 0 h 2
S
ec 2
/S
h ec ∈ 0 h

E Pz =
ρl
4π∈
[C
os θ]π
-π
/ 2
/ 2 =0
0 h

ρl
E =- aˆ y V / m
2 π ∈0 h

An alternate approach uses cylindrical co-ordinate system since this yields a more general
insight into the problem.
Z +∞

A dz

32
 
d
Q
T
h
e

d
E

d
E

(
i
)

T
a
k
i
n
g

(
i
)

(
i
i
)
w
h
e
r
e

∴EP =

=
ρ

ρl
t
a
X

2 π ∈0 ρ
, d
z
d
E
P

E
z

d
E

â ρ V / m

Thus, E is radial in direction

E

d
E
-∞
=
P
π /2

ρ l
θ

d
z
f
i
e
l
d

=
4

=
4

Z axis between A (0, 0, z1) and B(0, 0, z2)

P
Z

θ 2
θ 1

i
s

d
Q
∈0

R

ρ l
∈

P
d
z
0
P (ρ , π / 2, 0)

Pρ
Pρ
Y

z
Pρ

P
AP

d
Q

R

z
π
π
θ
=
4

ρ l
=
4

=
4

=
4
ρ

ρ
i
n
t
e
n
s
i
t
y

x
=
ρ

−
=
=
O
=
ρ

A2. Find the electric field intensity E at (0, -h, 0) due to a line charge of finite length along

B (0, 0, z2)

dz
A(0, 0, z1)

π
Solution :
ρl d
z  h z 
= −â y -

θθ
d
E  â 
θ
P z
∈ 2

π
4 0 R  R R 
z 2
  ρl 2

∫
= = ∫ θ
θ
EP d EP - C
o
s d
∈

π
4 h
θ
z1 0 1

ρ
θ
θ θ
=
+ l (
- S
i
n ) 2

π
4 ∈0 h 1


EP =
+ l
ρ
(
Si
n [ - S
i
n ) â

θ πθ π
1 2
4 ∈0 h
I
f t
he l
ine i
s e
xt
end
i
ng f
ro
m - ∞
t
o

2 =, 1 =
-
2 2

33
 - ρl
EP = aˆ y V / m
2 π ∈0 h

A3. Two wires AB and CD each 1 m length carry a total charge of 0.2 µ C and are disposed
as shown. Given BC = 1 m, find E at P, midpoint of BC.

P
A B . C
1m
1m

Solution :

(1)
θ 1 = 1800 θ 2 = 1800
A B P
1m


EPA B =
ρl
{ [ - ( S iθ n2 - S iθn1 ) ] â y + [ C oθ 2s- C oθ 1s] âz } = ( I n d e nt ea rtme ) i
0
4π ∈ 0 h 0

az
(2) Pay
C
1
θ 1 θ 1 = - tan-1 = - 63.430
0.5
θ 2 =0


E PCD =
ρl
4 π ∈0 h
[ - (Sin θ2 - Sin θ1 ) â y + (Cos θ2 - Cos θ1 ) â z ]
=
0.2 x 10 - 6
10 - 9
[
- (Sin (-63.43)) â y + (Cos 0 - Cos 63.43) â z ]
4π 0.5
36 π

E PCD [
=3.6 x 10 3 - 0.894 â y + (1 - 0.447) â z =(-3218 â y +1989.75 ] â z )

Since E ρ AB
is indeterminate, an alternate method is to be used as under :
Z

34
 d
E


R

d
E

L
e
t

d
E


∴ EP =


P
A

=
(
L +
d

ρl
P

P
y


=
+

4

y
) â

ρ l
∈

1

4 π ∈0 d
-
R

0
y

t

d




1 
=
4

L +d 

-
dy

=
4

ρ l
∈0

V/ m
ρ l

t
∈

=
4

2
d
y
0

−
∈
0

+
d

d
t
R

(
L

-
B

ρ l

y
â

=
-
â
+

t ;
y

d
d

π
π
π
dEPz

P dEPy

L +

0
.2 x 10 -6 1 1 
E PAB =  - â y
.5 
4
1
3
6
π
0 -9
π
0
.5 1 

E PAB =1
800 [ 2- 0
.67
] â y =2
400 â y V
/ m

  
∴
E P =
E PA
B
+
E PC
D
=
=
=
w
h
e
r
e â P =
(
- 0
.
3
8
1 â y +


A4. Develop an expression for E due to a charge uniformly distributed over an infinite
plane with a surface charge density of ρS C / m2.

Solution :
Let the plane be perpendicular to Z axis and we shall use Cylindrical Co-ordinates. The
source charge is an infinite plane charge with ρS C / m2 .
dEP Z

θ AP = R
z P

0 Y

dφ
φ
X A
ρ

AP =AO + OP = - OA +OP

R = ( - ρ â ρ +z â z )
1
â R = ( - ρ â ρ +z â z )
R

35
The field intensity dE P due to dQ = ρS ds = ρS (dφ dρ) is along AP and given by
ρ ρ dφ dρ ρS
dE P = S â R = ( - ρ â ρ + z â z ) dφ ρ dρ
4 π ∈0 R 2
4 π ∈0 R 3

Since radial components cancel because of symmetry, only z components exist

ρS z
∴ dEP = dφ ρ d ρ
4 π ∈0 R 3
 2π ∞ ∞
ρ z ρ dρ ρS zρ
E P = ∫ dEP = S ∫0 ∫0 R 3 4 π ∈0 x 2 π
d φ = ∫0 R 3 d ρ
S 4 π ∈0

‘z’ is fixed height of ρ above plane and let OP̂A = θ be integration variable. All distances
are expressed in terms of z and θ

ρ = z tan θ , d ρ = z Sec2 θ dθ ; R = z Sec θ ; ρ = 0, θ = 0 ; ρ = ∞ , θ = π / 2

∞ π /2
 ρ z z tan θ ρS ρS
EP = S ∫0 z3 Sec 3 θ θ θ = ∫ Sin θ dθ =
2
z Sec d [- C
2 ∈0 2 ∈0 0 2 ∈0
ρS
= â z (no
2 ∈0
A5. Find the force on a point charge of 50 µ C at P (0, 0, 5) m due to a charge of 500 π µ C
that is uniformly distributed over the circular disc of radius 5 m.
Z
P
h =5 m

0 Y
φ ρ

Solution :
Given : ρ = 5 m, h = 5 m and Q = 500 π µ C
To find : fp & qp = 50 µ C

36
  
f P =
E P x q P w
h
e
r
e E P


f P =
1
1
3
1 x 1
0 3
â z x 5
0 x 1

f P =
5
6
.
5
5 â z N

37