Electrostatics Notes

Electrostatics
Two kinds of charge

• State that:
o All materials contain positive charges (protons) and negative charges (electrons)
o An object that has an equal number of electrons and protons is neutral (no net charge)
o Positively charged objects are electron deficient and negatively charged objects have an excess of
electrons.
 objects (insulators) can be charged by contact (or rubbing) - tribo-electric charging.
Tribo-electric charging: A type of contact electrification in which certain materials become electrically charged
after they come into contact with different materials and are then separated (such as through rubbing). The
polarity and strength of the charges produced differ according to the materials.
Forces between charges (Electrostatic forces)

 Repulsion: Like charges
 Attraction: Opposite charges
o The closer the charges are to each other, the stronger the electrostatic force between them.
 Polarisation: The partial or complete polar separation of positive and negative electric charge in a
system.
Charge Conservation
 Principle of Conservation of Charge: The net charge of an isolated system remains constant during any
physical process e.g. two charges making contact and then separating.
 Electric charge (both negative and positive) is measured in coulomb (C).
 In an atom an electron and a proton each
have a charge of 1,6 x 10-19 C. The charge of
an electron and a proton is very small.
 Q is the symbol for an electric charge. For example, if two identical charged metal spheres 1 and 2 carry
respective charges of 5nC and -10nC, we write it as follows Q1=5 nC∧Q2=−10 nC or in the correct SI
form Q1=5 ×10−9 C∧Q 2=−10 ×10−9 C
1
 A small letter q is also acceptable as a symbol for charge. Especially when referring to the charge on an
electron or proton, then we write qe for an electron and qp for a proton so that qe = - 1,6 x 10-19 C and qp
= + 1,6 x 10-19 C.
• Apply the principle of conservation of charge.
 When two identical conducting objects having charges Q 1 and Q2 on insulating stands are brought to
contact (to touch), they will have the same net charge and both will be charged either positive or
negative when the are separated from each other. They will repel each other after separation because
like charges repel each other.
 Final charge after separation:
NOTE: This equation is only true for identically sized conductors on insulated stands.
Charge Quantization
 Quantization means a quantity consists of quantities that cannot be made smaller. A quantity is called a
quantum. In 1911, Robert Millikan found out that no charge was smaller than 1,6 x 10 -19 C, and all other
value where integer multiple of 1,6 x 10 -19 C. They use there's no change that can exist freely in nature
that has values between these multiples. This principle that all charges in the universe occur in integer
multiples of 1,6 x 10-19 C, is known as the quantization of charge.
 Principle of Charge Quantization: All charges in the universe consist of an integer multiple of the charge
on one electron, i.e. 1,6 x 10-19 C.
 The principle of charge quantization: Q = nqe, where Q is the charge on an object, qe is the charge of an
electron, 1,6 x 10-19 C and n is an integer.
ELECTROSTATICS QUESTIONS
Data sheet
2
qe = -1,6 x 10-19 C Q = nqe
1. State the principle of conservation of charge.

2. In the following table, enter the unknown value of the charge. Use scientific notation where
appropriate.
Coulomb (C) Microcoulomb (µC) Nanocoulomb (nC)

1 2.1 2.2
2.3 2,75 2.4
2.5 2.6 8
2,5 x10-9 2.7 2.8
3. Two identical metal spheres, each on an isolated stand have initial charges of +10 nC and -2 nC
respectively.
3.1 Is there a force of attraction or repulsion? Explain.
3.2 Which sphere has a shortage of electrons?
3.3 Calculate the net charge of the system.
Now the spheres are brought to contact with each other and then separated again.
3.4 Calculate the charge on each sphere after spheres are separated.
3.5 Calculate the size of the charge that is transfer from the one to the next.
4. Initially two identical balloons A and B on isolated strings have charges of +8,8 nC and -4 nC
respectively.
4.1 Which balloon has an excess electron?
The balloons are brought into contact with each other and separated again.
4.2 What force attractive or repulsive will the balloon exercise on each other after they are separated?
Give a reason.
4.3 Calculate the net charge on the balloon during contact.
4.4 Calculate the charge on each balloon after they are separated.
4.5 calculate the size of the charge that is transferred from one balloon to the other.
5. Name the principle of quantization of charge.
6. An object has 350 excess electrons. Calculate the charge on the object.
7. Calculate the electrons in a charge of −1 ,12 ×10−17 C .
3
8. Calculate the electrons in one nanocoulomb.
9. Two small identical metal balls on isolated string respectively have charges of 3 μC and −6 μC -. The
two balls come in contact with each other.
9.1 Which ball will gain electrons? Give a reason for your answer.
9.2 Calculate the net charge of the system.
9.3 After the balls are separated from each other, calculate the charge on each ball.
9.4 Calculate the size of the charge that is transferred from one ball to the other.
9.5 Calculate the number of electrons that are transferred from one ball to the other.
10. Two identical isolated spheres have different charges. Sphere A has a charge of 4 , 8× 10−18 C and
sphere B has 50 excess electrons. The spheres are allowed to touch to make contact and are separated
again.
10.1 Calculate the charge on each sphere after they have separated.
10.2 calculate the number of electrons that are transferred from one sphere to the other.

Electrostatics Notes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrostatics Notes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrostatics Notes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrostatics

Two kinds of charge

Forces between charges (Electrostatic forces)

• Apply the principle of conservation of charge.

 Final charge after separation:

1. State the principle of conservation of charge.

Coulomb (C) Microcoulomb (µC) Nanocoulomb (nC)

You might also like