EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST.

PROFESSOR
ENGINEERING ELECTROMAGNETICS [17EC36]
B.E., III Semester, Electronics & Communication Engineering/
Telecommunication Engineering (VTU)
[As per Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) scheme]

Module-1

I
Coulomb’s Law, Electric Field Intensity and Flux density

A
Experimental law of Coulomb, Electric field intensity, Field due to continuous

K
volume charge distribution, Field of a line charge, Electric flux density.

LE
Text Books:
1. W.H. Hayt and J.A. Buck, “Engineering Electromagnetics”, 7th Edition, Tata
BA
McGraw-Hill, 2009, ISBN-978-0-07-061223-5.

Reference Books:
1. Ian John Krauss and Daniel A Fleisch, “ Electromagnetics with applications”, Mc Graw
EJ

Hill.
2. N. Narayana Rao, “Fundamentals of Electromagnetics for Engineering”, Pearson.
IT

PREPARED BY:
V

RAVITEJA BALEKAI
RA

Asst Professor
ECE Dept, GMIT
Davangere 577006
Cell: +919739223504

Mail: ravitejj10@gmail.com , ravitejb@gmit.ac.in

Website: https://ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 1

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Coulomb’s Law
The Coulomb’s law states that force between the two point charges Q1 and Q2,

1. Acts along the line joining the two point charges.

2. Is directly proportional to the product (Q1 Q2) of the two charges.
3. Inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

Consider the two point charges Q1 and Q2 as shown in figure separated by the distance R. The charge Q1

I
exerts a force on Q2 while Q2 also exerts a force on Q1 .

A
Q1 R Q2

K
Fig. 1

LE
Mathematically the force F between the charges can be expressed as, Fα

F=
BA
Where k= constant of proportionality =

= Permittivity of the medium in which charges are located (Absolute Permittivity) = 0 r

0= Permittivity of free space or Vaccum = 8.854 x 10-12 F/m

EJ

r = Relative permittivity

F=
IT
V

F2

Q2 a12
RA

R12
Q1 r2
r1 Origin

Fig. 2 Vector form of Coulomb’s law

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 2

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
The force exerted by Q1 on Q2 acts along the direction . Hence the force in the vector form can be
expressed as

Similarly, the force exerted by Q2 on Q1 acts along the direction . Hence the force in the vector form
can be expressed as

I
A
= N

=Unit Vector = =

K
[ Note: The force exerted by the two charges on each other is equal but opposite in direction

LE
- =- ]
BA
Force Due to N Number of Charges
If there are more than two point charges, then each will exert force on the other, then the net force on any
charge can be obtained by the principle of superposition.

Q1 R1
EJ

Q2 R2 Q
IT

Q3 R3

Rn
V

Qn

Fig. 3 F due to N number of charges

RA

Consider a point charge Q surrounded by n point charges Q1, Q2, Q3 …. Qn as shown in figure. The total
force on Q in such case is vector sum of all the forces exerted on Q due to each of the other n point charges
Q1, Q2 ,Q3 ….Qn.

F = F1 + F2 + F3 + ……… + Fn

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 3

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

F= + + + ………. +

F= N

Electric Field Intensity

Consider a charge Q1 as shown in figure

I
A
F2

K
Q2

+Q1

LE
BA
Fig. 4 Electric Field

There exists a region around a charge in which it exerts a force on any other charge. This region where a
particular charge exerts a force on any other charge located in that region is called electric field of that
charge.
EJ

The force experienced by the charge Q2 due to Q1 is given by coulomb’s law as,
IT

F2
V

The force per unit charge can be written as

RA

The force exerted per unit charge is called electric field intensity or electric field strength.

E2 = V/m

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 4

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Electric Field at a point due to N number of charges

Consider n charges Q1, Q2, Q3 …. Qn as shown in figure. The combined electric field intensity is to
be obtained at point P. The distances of point P from Q1, Q2, Q3 …. Qn are R1, R2, R3 …. Rn respectively.

Q1 R1

Q2 R2 Q P

I
A
Q3 R3

Rn

K
Qn

LE
Fig. 5 E due to N number of charges

The total electric field intensity at point P is the vector sum of the individual field intensities produced by
the various charges at the point P.
BA
E = E1 + E2 + E3 + ……… + En

E= + + + ………. +
EJ

E= V/m
IT

Problems
1. A charge Q1 = - 20 µC is located at A(-6,4,6) and a charge Q2 = 50 µC is located at B(5,8,-2) in a free
V

space. Find the force exerted on Q2 by Q1 in vector form. The distances given are in meters.
RA

=-6 4 6 =5 8 -2

The force exerted on Q2 by Q1 = F2 ( 0 = 8.854 x 10-12 F/m )

= - = (5 – (-6)) + (8 - 4) (-2 - 6) = 11 +4 -8

= – = 14.1774 =

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 5

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

= = = 0.7758 + 0.2821 – 0.5642

F2 = -20 x 10-6 x 50 x 10-6 = - 0.0346 - 0.01261 + 0.0252 N

The magnitude of the force is,

= = 44.634 mN

I
2. Four point charges each of 10 µC are placed in free space at the points (1,0,0), (-1,0,0), (0,1,0) and

A
(0,-1,0) m respectively. Determine the force on a point charge of 30 µC located at a point (0,0,1).

K
Z

LE
Q M (0,0,1)

R2 -x

R4 R1 R3 Q2 B(-1,0,0)
BA
-y D(0,-1,0) Q4 Q3 C(0,1,0) y

Q1 A (1,0,0)

x
EJ

Fig. 6

Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = Q4 = 10 µC Q = 30 µC
IT

F = FAM + FBM + FCM + FDM

= + + +
V

FAM =
RA

= - =- + = = = R1

FAM = 10 x 10-6 x 30 x 10-6 = 0.9533 [- + ] N

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 6

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Similarly,

= - = + = = = R2

= - =- + = = = R3

= - = + = = = R4

FBM = 0.9533 [ + ] N FCM = 0.9533 [- + ] N FDM = 0.9533 [ + ] N

F = FAM + FBM + FCM + FDM = 3.813 N

I
A
3. Four 10nc positive charges are located in the z=0 plane at the corners of a square of side 8cm. A

K
fifth 10nc positive charges is located 8cm distant from the other charges. Calculate the
magnitude of the force on the fifth charge in free space.

LE
BA z E Q5 (0.04,0.04,z)

A Q1 (0,0,0) D Q4 (0,0.08,0)

y
EJ

B Q2 (0.08,0,0) C Q3 (0.08,0.08,0)

x Z= 0 plane
IT

Fig. 7
V

Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = Q4 = Q5 = 10 nC
RA

RAE = RBE = RCE = RDE = 0.08 mtr (8cm = 0.08mtr)

FT = FAE + FBE + FCE + FDE

= + + +

Point E is equidistance from other points A, B, C and E. So point E is (0.04,0.04, z).

Use distance formula between points A and E to get z component of E.

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 7

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
0.08 =

Z = 0.057 mtr

= =

FT= + + +

I
FT = [

A
]

K
FT = 4 x 10-4 N

LE
4. A 100 nC point charge is located at A(-1,1,3) in free space. i) Find the locus of all points P(x,y,z)
BA
at which Ex=500v/m. ii) Find y1 it P(-2, y1,3) lies on that locus.

EP = =

i) Find the locus of all points P(x,y,z) at which Ex=500 v/m

EJ

EP =
IT

Take only x component

V

500 =
RA

(x+1) = 0.556

ii) If P(-2, y1,3) lies on that locus , put x = -1 , y = y1 , z = 3

(x+1) = 0.556

y1 = 1.69 or 0.31 mtr

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 8

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

5. Calculate the field intensity at a point (3,4,5) due to a charge of 5nC placed at (1,2,3).

B (3,4,5)

A (1,2,3)

I
Q =5nC

A
Fig. 8

K
E=

LE
= BA = - =2 +2 +2 = = RAB

E = 5 x 10-9 =2 +2.1619 + 2.1619 V/m

6. A charge of -0.3µC is located at A(25,-30,15) in cm and a second charge of 0.5µC is at B(-

EJ

10,8,12) in cm. Find E at a) the Origin b) P(15,20,50) cm.

A (25,-30,15) B(-10,8,12)
IT

-0.3µC 0.5µC

R1 R2
V

O (0,0,0)

Fig. 9
RA

a) E = EAO + EBO = +

EAO = -0.3 x 10-6

= (9.21 -11.04 +5.52 ) 103 V/m

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 9

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

EBO = 0.5 x 10-6

= (83.1 - 66.4 - 99.6 ) 103 V/m

E = EAO + EBO = (92.3 -77.44 - 94.2 ) 103 V/m

b)

I
A (25,-30,15) B(-10,8,12)

A
-0.3µC 0.5µC

R1 R2

K
P (15,20,50)

LE
Fig. 10

E = EAP + EBP = +
BA
EAP = -0.3 x 10-6

= (1.17 - 5.6 - 3.99 ) 103 V/m

EJ

EBP = 0.5 x 10-6

= (10.76 +5.18 +16.4 ) 103 V/m

IT

E = EAP + EBP = (11.93 -0.52 +12.41 ) 103 V/m

V

Types of Charge Distribution

RA

Line charge: If the charge is spreaded all along a line, which may be finite or infinite. Such charge
uniformly distributed along a line is called a line charge.

++++++++++++++++

Fig. 11 Line charge distribution

Line charge density = l = C/ mtr

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 10

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
dQ = l dl = Charge on differential length (dl)

Q= =

Surface charge : If the charge is distributed over a surface then it is called surface charge.

+++++++++

+++++++++
Fig. 12 Surface charge distribution

I
A
K
Surface charge density = s = C/ mtr2

LE
dQ = s ds = Charge on differential surface (ds)

Q= = BA
Volume charge : If the charge is distributed uniformly in a volume then it is called volume charge.

+++

+ ++++
EJ

+++++

+ + +
IT

Fig. 13 Volume charge distribution

V

Volume charge density = v = C/ mtr3

RA

dQ = v dv = Charge on differential volume (dv)

Q= =

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 11

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Problems
1. Find the total charge contained in a 2cm length of the electron beam shown in figure below

Z= 4cm

= µC/m3

Z= 2cm r = 1cm

I
A
y

K
Fig. 14

LE
Q= dv = r dr dφ dz
BA Cylindrical coordinate system

Q= r dr dφ dz

Q= 0.0785 pC

2. Calculate the total charge within each of the indicated volumes

EJ

a) 0.1

b) 0 r ,2
IT

c) Universe
V

a) Q = dv = dx dy dz Cartesian coordinate system

RA

Q= dx dy dz + dx dy dz

Q=0C

b) Q = dv = r dr dφ dz Cylindrical coordinate system

Q= r dr dφ dz

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 12

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
-3
Q = 1.018 x 10 C

c) Q = dv = r2 sinθ dr dθ dφ Spherical coordinate system

Q= r2 sinθ dr dθ dφ

Q = 6.284 C

Electric field due to infinite line charge

I
A
Consider an infinitely long straight line carrying uniform line charge having density C/m. Let
this line lies along z-axis from to and hence called infinite line charge. Let the point P on y-axis at

K
which electric field intensity is to be determined. The distance of point P from the origin is ‘r’ as shown in
the figure.

LE
z
BA
dl A (0, 0, z)

R
EJ

O r P (0, r, 0) dEy y
IT

x dEz dE
V
RA

-z -

Fig. 15 Field due to infinite line charge

Consider a small differential length dl carrying a charge dQ along the line as shown in the figure. It is
along z axis hence dl = dz.

dQ = l dl =

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 13

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
The coordinates of dQ are A(0, 0, z) while the coordinates of point P are (0, r, 0). Hence the equation of
electric field intensity can be written as

dE = =

= - =r -z = = =R

I
A
dE =

Note: For every charge on positive z axis there is equal charge present on negative z axis. Hence the z

K
component of electric field intensities produced by such charges at point P will cancel each other. Hence

LE
effectively there will not be any z component of E at P. Hence the equation of dE can be written by
eliminating component.

dE =
BA
Now by integrating dE over the z axis from - to we can obtain total E at point P.

E=
EJ

For such integration, use the substitution

Z = r tan θ dz = r sec2 θ dθ For z= - θ= -90° and z= θ= 90°

IT

E= =
V

But = sec2 θ
RA

Hence the result of E can be expressed as

E= V/m

The general expression of electric field intensity due to infinite line charge is expressed as

E= V/m

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 14

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Electric field due to infinite sheet of charge
Consider an infinite sheet of charge having uniform charge density C/m2, placed in xy plane as
shown in the figure. Let us use cylindrical coordinates. The point P at which E to be calculated is on z axis.

Consider the differential surface area dS carrying a charge dQ. The normal direction to dS is z direction
hence dS normal to z direction is r dr dφ.

Now dQ = dS = r dr dφ (dsz = dr r dφ az )

I
A
Hence, dE = =

K
LE
P (0, 0, z)
BA
R

r A(r,0, 0)
EJ

dQ
IT

dS
Fig. 16
V

= = - =-r +z = = =R
RA

dE =

Note: As there is symmetry about z axis from all radial direction, all components of E are going to
cancel each other and net E will not have any radial component.

E=

Put = hence 2r dr = 2u du

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 15

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
For r = 0, u = z and r = and u =

E=

Hence the result of E can be expressed as

E= V/m (For points above xy plane)

I
Problems

A
1. Infinite uniform line charges of 5nC/m lie along the (positive and negative) x and y axes in free

K
space. Find E at a) P(0,0,4) b) Q(0,3,4).
a) z

LE
BA P (0,0,4)

x
EJ

Fig. 17

E1 = Electric field due to infinite line charge along x-axis

IT

E2 = Electric field due to infinite line charge along y-axis

E = E1 + E2
V

= +
RA

= + = 45 az v/m

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 16

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
b) z

P (0,3,4)

(0,y,0) y

x (x,0,0)

I
Fig. 18

A
E = E1 + E2

K
E= +

LE
As line is along x axis, no component of E1 will be along direction. Hence while calculating R
and , do not consider x coordinates of the points and As line is along y axis, no component of E2
will be along direction. Hence while calculating R and , do not consider y coordinates of the
BA
points.

R= =5

E1 = 5 x 10-9 = 10.78 +14.38 V/m

EJ

R=4

E2 = 5 x 10-9
IT

= 22.47 V/m
V

E = E1 + E2 = 10.78 +36.85 V/m

RA

2. Find E at P (1,5,2) m in free space if a point charge of 6 µC is located at (0,0,1), the uniform line
charge density l=180 /m along x axis and uniform sheet of charge with =25
s /m2 over the
plane z= -1.
Case 1: Point charge Q1 =6 µC at A (0,0,1) and P(1,5,2)

E1 =

= = - = +5 + = = = RAP

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 17

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

E1 = 6x 10-6 = +1921.879 +384.375 V/m

Case 2: Line charge along x axis, the general expression of electric field intensity due to infinite
line charge is

E2

As line is along x axis, no component of E will be along direction. Hence while calculating R

I
and , do not consider x coordinates of the points.

A
K
R=

LE
E2 = 180 x 10-9 = 557.859 +223.144 V/m

Case 3: Surface charge s is over the plane z= -1.

BA
E3 = = 1411.791 V/m

E = E1+ E2 + E3 = +2479.738 +2019.31 V/m

EJ

Electric Flux

The total number of lines of force in any particular electric field is called the electric flux. It is represented
IT

by the symbol . Similar to the charge, unit of electric flux is also coulomb C.

Properties of flux lines

V

The electric flux is nothing but the lines of force, around a charge. Such electric flux lines have following
RA

properties,

1. The flux lines start from positive charge and terminate on the negative charge.
2. If the negative charge is absent, then the flux lines terminate at infinity. While in absence of positive
charge, the electric flux terminates on the negative charge from infinity.
3. These lines are parallel and never cross each other.

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 18

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR

+Q -Q

I
A
K
Fig.19 Concept of Electric flux lines

LE
4. The lines always enter or leave the charged surface, normally.
5. If the charge on a body is ±Q coulombs, then the total number of lines originating or terminating on it
is also Q. But the total number of lines is nothing but a flux.
BA
Electric flux Q Coulombs

Electric Flux Density

EJ

Consider the two point charges as shown in figure. The flux lines originating from positive charge
and terminating at negative charge. Consider a unit surface area as shown in figure. The number of flux
lines are passing through this surface area. The net flux passing normal through the unit surface area is
IT

called the electric flux density. It is denoted as D.

D= =
V
RA

+Q -Q

Fig. 20 Concept of Electric flux density

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 19

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Electric flux density (D) due to a point charge Q
Consider a point charge +Q placed at the centre of the imaginary sphere of radius ‘r’. This is shown in
figure.

+Q

I
A
r

K
Fig. 21

LE
The flux lines originating from the point charge +Q are directed radially outwards. The magnitude of the
flux density at any point on the surface is, BA
D= =

= Q = Total flux , S = 4 r2 = Total surface area of sphere

The unit vector directed radially outwards and normal to the surface at any point on the sphere is
= . Thus in the form, electric flux density at a point which is at a distance of ‘r’, from the point
EJ

charge +Q is given by

= C/m2
IT

Relation between D and E

V

The electric field intensity E at a distance of ‘ r ’, from a point charge +Q is given by,
RA

Dividing the equations of D and E due to a point charge +Q we get

= =

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 20

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
Electric Flux Density for various Charge Distribution

Line Charge:

= = C/m2

Surface Charge:

I
= = C/m2

A
K
Volume Charge:

LE
= = C/m2
BA
EJ
IT
V
RA

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 21

 EE 17EC36 - MODULE - 1 RAVITEJ BALEKAI ASST. PROFESSOR
ASSIGNMENT

1. State and explain Coulomb's law of force between two point charges.
2. A charge Q1=50μC is located at point P(-6,4,6) and a charge Q2=30μC is located at R(5,8,-2)
in a free space. Find the force exerted on Q2 by Q1 in vector form. The distances given are in mtrs.
3. Four 10nc positive charges are located in the z=0 plane at the corners of a square of side 8cm. A
fifth 10nc positive charges is located 8cm distant from the other charges. Calculate the magnitude of

I
the force on the fifth charge in free space.

A
4. Define electric field intensity due to point charge in a vector form. With usual notations derive

K
expressions for field at a point due to many charges.
5. Calculate the field intensity at a point (2,4,8) due to a charge of 5nC placed at (3,5,7).

LE
6. A charge of -0.3μC is located at A(25,-30,10) in cm and a second charge of 0.5μC is at B(-10,7,11)
in cm. Find E at P(15,20,50) in cm.
BA
7. A 1000nc point charge is located at A(-1,1,3) in free space.
I. Find the locus of all points P(x,y,z) at which Ex=500v/m.
II. Find y1 it P(-2, y1,3) lies on that locus.
8. Calculate the total charge within each of the indicated volumes
EJ

I. 0.1<|x|,|y|,|z|<0.2 ρv = 1 / x3y3z3 II. 0<ρ<0.1 , 0<Φ< , 2<z<4 ρv =ρ2z2 sin0.6 Φ.

III. Universe ρv= e-2r/r2

IT

9. Obtain an expression electric field intensity due to an infinitely long line charge.
10. Obtain an expression electric field intensity due to charged circular ring.
V

11. Obtain an expression electric field intensity due to infinite sheet of charge.
RA

12. Infinite uniform line charges of 5nC/m lie along the (positive and negative) x and y axes in free
space. Find E at a) P(0,0,4) b) Q(0,3,4).
13. Find E at P(1,2,3) m in free space if a point charge of 6μC is located at (0,0,1) ,the uniform line

charge density ρl=180nC/m along x axis and uniform sheet of charge with ρs=25nC/m2 over the

plane z=1.
14. Derive the expression for D due to a point charge and hence deduce the relationship between D and
E.

DEPT. OF E&CE, GMIT ravitejb.wixsite.com/ravitej Page No - 22