Electric Field of a Point Charge
where
- is Coulombβs Constant
- is the unit vector pointing in direction from the charge to the point we are measuring
Original equation.
Electric Field of Multiple Point Charges
title: Principle of Superposition
Electric fields obey the *principle of superposition*, which means that **the net electric field is the vector sum of the electric fields due to each charge**.
For multiple point charges, the net electric field is the superposition of the electric fields due to each individual charge.
Electric Field of a Continuous Charge Distribution
The charged region we look at must be divided into small charge elements so each can act as a point charge. Charge Density
Algorithmic steps in calculation Electric Field
HIGH LEVEL INTUITION: Break electric field down into components and integrate. To solve these problems, here are the steps we should consider: 0. If charge density is not given, calculate the charge density from the charge distribution.
- Choose the right co-ordinate system and place the origin appropriately. You need to integrate over the complete charge distribution.
- Go to an arbitrary point A on the charge distribution. Represent the position of point A and the differential element at A in terms of the co-ordinate system. By changing the variables of the position, you should be able to go to any arbitrary point within the charge distribution.
- Write down the differential Electric field, ππΈβββββ , in terms of the charge density and vector πΜ.
- Simplify. Look for symmetry and cancel things out. If you cannot find symmetry, then you have to write the components of π π¬βββββ in all three directions and integrate them separately.
- Represent and other terms which vary with position in terms of the parameters of position of point A and integrate the components of ππΈβββββ which you think exist due to symmetry to get the value of the Electric field. If you get the answer to be β0β, check whether your symmetry was correct. If you canβt find an error, do the calculation in the other direction.
Related
We can also use Gauss Law to calculate the Electric Field, but it must respect certain conditions (Gaussian Symmetry).
- See Gauss Law