CHAPTER 1

ELECTROSTATICS
1-1 COULOMBS LAW
PROBLEM 1-1
A point charge C
6
10 12 . 3

+ is cm 3 . 12 distant from a second
charge of C
6
10 48 . 1

. Calculate the magnitude of the force on
each charge.
SOLUTION
The magnitude of the force between two point charges is given by

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

2 2
6 6 9
) 10 3 . 12 (
) 10 48 . 1 )( 10 12 . 3 )( 10 998 . 8 (

N F 743 . 2
PROBLEM 1-2
What Coulombs force exists between two protons inside a nucleus
which are separated by a distance of
15
10 4

metres from each
other? B.U. B.Sc. 1993S
SOLUTION
According to Coulombs law

2
2
0
2
2 1
0
4
1
4
1
r
e
r
q q
F



2 15
2 19 9
) 10 4 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

N F 418 . 14
PROBLEM 1-3
The electron and proton in a hydrogen atom are
pm 9 . 52
apart.
What is the magnitude of the electric force between them?
SOLUTION
According to Coulombs law

2
2
0
2
2 1
0
4
1
4
1
r
e
r
q q
F




2 12
2 19 9
) 10 9 . 52 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

N F
8
10 243 . 8


CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 2
PROBLEM 1-4
In an ionized helium atom, the electron and nucleus are separated
by a distance of
pm 5 . 25
. What electric force is being experienced
by the electron due to nucleus? F.P.S.C. 2005
SOLUTION
The magnitude of the force experienced by the electron due to helium
nucleus is given by

C e e q
19
1
10 602 . 1


C C e q
19 19
2
10 204 . 3 ) 10 602 . 1 ( 2 2

+

m m pm r
11 12
10 55 . 2 10 5 . 25 5 . 25


Hence
2 11
19 19 9
) 10 55 . 2 (
) 10 204 . 3 )( 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

F
N F
7
10 095 . 7


PROBLEM 1-5
Find the separation between two point charges of
C 9
and
C 5
, if
the Coulomb force between them is N 62 . 1 . B.U. B.Sc.
2004A
SOLUTION
According to Coulombs law

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

F
q q
r
2 1
0
2
4
1

2 / 1
2
2 1
0
4
1

,
_

r
q q
r

2 / 1
6 6 9
62 . 1
) 10 5 )( 10 9 )( 10 988 . 8 (
1
]
1

r
m r 500 . 0
PROBLEM 1-6
What must be the distance between point charges C q 3 . 26
1
and
point charge C q 1 . 47
2
in order that the attractive electrostatic
force between them has a magnitude of N 66 . 5 ?
K.U. B.Sc. 2000A

SOLUTION
According to Coulombs law
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 3

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

F
q q
r
2 1
0
2
4
1

2 / 1
2
2 1
0
4
1

,
_

r
q q
r

2 / 1
6 6 9
66 . 5
) 10 1 . 47 )( 10 3 . 26 )( 10 988 . 8 (
1
]
1

r
m r 403 . 1
PROBLEM 1-7
What must be the distance between point charges of
C 36
and
C 26
if the force of attraction is N 96 . 3 ?
B.U. B.Sc. 2010A
SOLUTION
According to Coulombs law

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

F
q q
r
2 1
0
2
4
1

2 / 1
2
2 1
0
4
1

,
_

r
q q
r

2 / 1
6 6 9
96 . 3
) 10 26 )( 10 36 )( 10 988 . 8 (
1
]
1

r
m r 46 . 1
PROBLEM 1-8
How far away an electron be kept from the nucleus of hydrogen
atom where the Coulombs force on the electron is equal to its
weight? B.U. B.Sc. 2011A
SOLUTION
Now
TIC ELECTROSTA
F W

2
2
0
4
1
r
e
g m
e

CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 4

g m
e
r
e
2
0
2
4
1

2 / 1
2
0
4
1

,
_

g m
e
r
e

m r 083 . 5
) 8 . 9 )( 10 109 . 9 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (
2 / 1
31
2 16 9

1
]
1

This separation clearly indicates that the force of gravity is not

important on the molecular scale.
PROBLEM 1-9
How far apart must two protons be if the magnitude of the
electrostatic force acting on either one due to the other is equal to
the magnitude of the gravitational force on a proton at Earths
surface?
SOLUTION
Under given condition we have

TIC ELECTROSTA
F W

2
2
0
4
1
r
e
g m
p

g m
e
r
p
2
0
2
4
1

g m
e
r
p
2
0
4
1

m r 119 . 0
) 8 . 9 )( 10 673 . 1 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (
27
2 16 9

PROBLEM 1-10
A proton is at the origin and an electron is located at the point
nm x 41 . 0 and
nm y 36 . 0
. Find the electric force on the proton.
SOLUTION
Now
m nm r
9 2 2
10 2977 . 0 2977 . 0 ) 0 36 . 0 ( ) 0 41 . 0 (

+
The desired electric force on proton is given by

2
2
0
2
2 1
0
4
1
4
1
r
e
r
q q
F


CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 5
N F
10
2 9
2 19 9
10 748 . 7
) 10 2977 . 0 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

PROBLEM 1-11
Two charged spheres are separated by m 1 and attract each other
with a force of N 1 . Calculate the size of the charge. How many
electrons are in this charge?
SOLUTION
Assume that the charges are equal in magnitude i.e.
q q q
2 1 and
opposite in sign. The magnitude of the force of attraction between two
point charges is given by

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

2
2
0
) 1 ( 4
1
1
q

0
2
4 q

0
4 q
C q
5 12
10 055 . 1 ) 10 854 . 8 ( 4


PROBLEM 1-12
Two small plastic spheres are given positive electrical charges.
When they are cm 0 . 15 apart, the repulsive force between them
has magnitude N 220 . 0 . What is charge on each sphere
(a) if the charges are equal and
(b) if one sphere has four times the charge on the other?
SOLUTION
The magnitude of force of repulsion between two charges is given by
2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

(a) Now
q q q
2 1
therefore

2
2
0
4
1
r
q
F

F r q
2
0
2
4
F r q
2
0
4
) 220 . 0 )( 10 0 . 15 )( 10 854 . 8 ( 4
2 12
q

C q
7
10 42 . 7


(b) For present case
q q
1
and
q q 4
2

, therefore

2
2
0
4
4
1
r
q
F

CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 6
F r q
2
0
2

F r q
2
0

) 220 . 0 )( 10 0 . 15 )( 10 854 . 8 (
2 12
q

C q
7
10 71 . 3


Hence C q q
7
1
10 71 . 3


C C q q
6 7
2
10 48 . 1 ) 10 71 . 3 ( 4 4


PROBLEM 1-13
Calculate the force of electrostatic repulsion between two alpha
particles when they are separated by a distance of m
13
10

.
Compare this force with the gravitational force between these
alpha particles. Given that
Charge on alpha particle = C e
19
10 204 . 3 2

+
Mass of alpha particle =
kg
27
10 645 . 6

SOLUTION
Now
C e q q
19
2 1
10 204 . 3 2

+
kg m m
27
2 1
10 645 . 6

, m r
13
10 1



2 2 9
0
10 988 . 8
4
1

C m N

and
2 2 11
10 673 . 6

kg m N G
According to Coulombs law

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F
e

N F
e
2
2 13
2 19 9
10 227 . 9
) 10 1 (
) 10 204 . 3 )( 10 988 . 8 (

According to Newtons law of gravitation

2
2 1
r
m m
G F
g

N F
g
37
2 13
2 27 11
10 946 . 2
) 10 1 (
) 10 645 . 6 )( 10 673 . 6 (

35
37
2
10 3
10 946 . 2
10 227 . 9

g
e
F
F
It is clear that gravitational force is negligible as compared with the
electrostatic force.
PROBLEM 1-14
(a) Two protons in a molecule are m
10
10 80 . 3

apart. Find the
electrical force exerted by one proton on the other.
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 7
(b) State how the magnitude of this force compares with the
magnitude of the gravitational force exerted by one proton on the
other.
(c) What must be a particles charge-to-mass ratio if the magnitude
of the gravitational force between two of these particles is equal to
the magnitude of electrical force between them?
SOLUTION
(a) The electrostatic force between two point charges is given by
2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F
e

Now C e q q
19
2 1
10 602 . 1

+ and m r
10
10 80 . 3

.
Therefore
N F
e
9
2 10
2 19 9
10 597 . 1
) 10 80 . 3 (
) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

The nature of above force is repulsive because both charges (i.e.

protons) are positively charged.
(b) According to Newtons law of gravitation
2
2 1
r
m m
G F
g

Now
kg m m m
p
27
2 1
10 673 . 1


, therefore
N F
g
45
2 10
2 27 11
10 293 . 1
) 10 80 . 3 (
) 10 673 . 1 )( 10 673 . 6 (

36
45
9
10 235 . 1
10 293 . 1
10 597 . 1

g
e
F
F
i.e. the electrostatic force is
36
10 235 . 1 times larger than the
gravitational force.
(c) If g e
F F
then
2
2 1
2
2 1
0
4
1
r
m m
G
r
q q

2 1
0
2 1
4
m m G
q q

But
q q q
2 1
and
m m m
2 1
, therefore above equation reduces to

2
0
2
4
m G
q

G
m
q
0
2
2
4

G
m
q
0
4
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 8
) 10 673 . 6 )( 10 854 . 8 ( 4
11 12

m
q

kg C
m
q
/ 10 617 . 8
11

PROBLEM 1-15
A certain charge
Q
is to be divided into two parts
) ( q Q
and
q
. What is the relation of
Q
to
q
if the two parts, placed a given
distance apart, are to have maximum Coulomb repulsion?
SOLUTION
Let the given charges
q Q q
1
and
q q
2
be placed at a given
distance r apart, then Coulomb repulsive force is given by

2
0
2
2
0
2
2 1
0
) (
4 4
) (
4
1
r
q Qq
r
q q Q
r
q q
F
q

The value of Q for which ) (q
F
will be maximum can be achieved by
equating
) / ( dq dF
to zero i.e.

0
4
2
2
0

r
q Q
dq
dF

0 2 q Q

q Q 2
PROBLEM 1-16
Each of two small spheres is charged positively, the total charge
being
C 6 . 52
. Each sphere is repelled from the other with a force
of N 19 . 1 when the spheres are m 94 . 1 apart. Calculate the
charge on each sphere.
SOLUTION
Let
1
q
and
2
q
be the charge on two small spheres respectively, then

6
2 1
10 6 . 52

+ q q

1
6
2
) 10 6 . 52 ( q q

(1)
The force of repulsion the two charges
1
q
and
2
q
is given by

2
0
2 1
4 r
q q
F

2
1
6
1
9
) 94 . 1 (
] ) 10 6 . 52 [( ) 10 988 . 8 (
19 . 1
q q

] ) 10 6 . 52 [(
) 10 988 . 8 (
) 94 . 1 )( 19 . 1 (
1
6
1
9
2
q q

2
1 1
6 10
) 10 6 . 52 ( 10 983 . 4 q q

CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 9
0 10 983 . 4 ) 10 6 . 52 (
10
1
6 2
1
+

q q (2)
Eq.(2) is quadratic in
1
q
and the solution can be obtained using the
quadratic formula

a
ac b b
q
2
4
2
1
t

with ) 10 6 . 52 ( , 1
6
b a and
10
10 983 . 4

c . Hence
) 1 ( 2
) 10 983 . 4 )( 1 ( 4 ) 10 6 . 52 ( ) 10 6 . 52 (
10 2 6 6
1

t
q
C q
6
1
10 206 . 40

and C
6
10 394 . 12

Now ) 10 6 . 52 (
6
1 2

q q
If C q
6
1
10 206 . 40

, then
) 10 206 . 40 ( ) 10 6 . 52 (
6 6
2

q
C q
6
2
10 394 . 12

and
) 10 394 . 12 ( ) 10 6 . 52 (
6 6
2

q
C q
6
2
10 206 . 40

for C q
6
1
10 394 . 12

.
Hence the charge on two spheres are C q
6
1
10 206 . 40

and
C q
6
2
10 394 . 12

respectively.
PROBLEM 1-17
Two free point charges
q +
and
q 4 +
are a distance apart. A
third charge is so placed that the entire system is in equilibrium.
Find the location, magnitude and sign of the third charge.
B.U. B.Sc. 1991S
SOLUTION
As the given charges
q q
1
and
q q 4
2

are both positive, therefore
the third charge
3
q
has to be placed in between
1
q
and
2
q
to achieve the equilibrium i.e. the force on each charge is zero. The
situation is illustrated in the figure.

Now

23 13
F F

2
23
3 2
0
2
13
3 1
0
4
1
4
1
r
q q
r
q q


x
1
q
2
q
3
q
) ( x l
l
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 10

2
23
2
2
13
1
r
q
r
q

2 2
) (
4
x
q
x
q

x x

2 1
x x 2
x 3 or
3

x
For calculation of
3
q
, we take the force on
1
q
due to
2
q
and
3
q
as
zero because of equilibrium i.e.

0
12 13
+ F F F

0
4
4
1
2
2
2
3
0

1
]
1

q
x
q q

0
4
2 2
3
+

q
x
q

2
2
3
4

qx
q
q
q
q
9
4 ) 3 / ( 4
2
2
3

Hence the system of three charges will be in equilibrium if

q q
9
4
3

and located at
3

x
from
1
q
.
PROBLEM 1-18
Two point charges are placed on the x-axis as follows: Charge
nC q 00 . 4
1
+ is located at m x 200 . 0 and charge nC q 00 . 5
2
+
is at m x 300 . 0 . What are the magnitude and direction of the
total force exerted by these two charges on a negative charge
nC q 00 . 6
3

that is placed at the origin?
SOLUTION
Observe that like charges repel and unlike charges attract each other.
Taking into account this fact, the charges
1
q
,
2
q
and their
corresponding forces on
3
q
are illustrated in figure given below.
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 11
The magnitudes of
1
F
and
2
F
are calculated as under

2
1
3 1
0
1
4
1
r
q q
F

N F
6
2
9 9 9
1
10 393 . 5
) 200 . 0 (
) 10 00 . 6 )( 10 00 . 4 )( 10 988 . 8 (

2
2
3 2
0
1
4
1
r
q q
F

N F
6
2
9 9 9
1
10 996 . 2
) 300 . 0 (
) 10 00 . 6 )( 10 00 . 5 )( 10 988 . 8 (

As
1
F
and
2
F
are acting in opposite directions with
2 1
F F >
,
therefore the magnitude of net force will be

2 1
F F F
N F
6 6 6
10 397 . 2 ) 10 966 . 2 ( ) 10 393 . 5 (


The direction of the net force is along
1
F
i.e. from charge
3
q
to
1
q
.
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 12
1-2 QUANTIZATION OF CHARGE
PROBLEM 1-19
Find the total charge in coulombs of
kg 0 . 75
of electrons.
SOLUTION
Total mass = M = 75.0 kg
Mass of an electron =
kg m
e
31
10 109 . 9


The total number of electrons N in total mass is calculated as under

31
31
10 234 . 8
10 109 . 9
0 . 75

e
m
M
N
Hence the total charge is given by

e N q
C q
13 19 31
10 319 . 1 ) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 234 . 8 (

PROBLEM 1-20
A charge equal to the charge of Avogadros number of protons is
called a faraday. Calculate the number of coulombs in a faraday.
SOLUTION
Now

A
eN q
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 13
C q
4 23 19
10 647 . 9 ) 10 022 . 6 )( 10 602 . 1 (

PROBLEM 1-21
How many electrons would have to be removed from a coin to leave
it with a charge of C
7
10 0 . 1

+ .
SOLUTION
Now
q ne

11
19
7
10 242 . 6
10 602 . 1
10 1

e
q
n
The desired number of electrons is
11
10 242 . 6 .
PROBLEM 1-22
What is the total charge, in coulombs, of all the electrons in
mol 8 . 1 of hydrogen atoms?
SOLUTION
The number of electrons (or atoms) in 1.8 mol of Hydrogen is
calculated as under.

24
23
10 08396 . 1
1
) 10 022 . 6 )( 8 . 1 (

M
mN
n
A
The desired charge q is
C ne q
5 19 24
10 737 . 1 ) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 08396 . 1 (

PROBLEM 1-23
The electrostatic force between two identical ions that are
separated by a distance of m
10
10 5

is N
9
10 7 . 3

.
(a) Find the charge on each ion.
(b) How many electrons are missing from each ion?
SOLUTION
(a) According to Coulombs law

2
2 1
0
4
1
r
q q
F

Now m r q q q
10
2 1
10 5 ,

and N F
9
10 7 . 3

, therefore

2 10
2 9
9
) 10 5 (
) 10 988 . 8 (
10 7 . 3

q
C q
19
9
2 10 9
10 208 . 3
10 988 . 8
) 10 5 )( 10 7 . 3 (

(b)
q ne
or 2
10 602 . 1
10 208 . 3
19
19

e
q
n
CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 14
Hence two electrons are missing from each ion.
PROBLEM 1-24
You have a pure (24-karat) gold ring with mass
grams 7 . 17
. Gold
has an atomic mass of
mol g / 197
and an atomic number of 79 .
(a) How many protons are in the ring and what is their total
positive charge?
(b) If the ring carries no net charge, how many electrons are in it?
SOLUTION
(a) The number of gold atoms in 17.7 g is

22
23
10 411 . 5
197
) 10 022 . 6 )( 7 . 17 (

M
mN
N
A
The number of protons in the ring is

24 22
10 275 . 4 ) 79 )( 10 411 . 5 ( NZ n
The total positive charge on the gold ring is

C e n q
5 19 24
10 848 . 6 ) 10 602 . 1 )( 10 275 . 4 (


(b) The number of electrons will be equal to the number of protons i.e.
24
10 275 . 4
PROBLEM 1-25
Excess electrons are placed on a small lead sphere with mass
g 00 . 8
so that its net charge is C
9
10 20 . 3

.
(a) Find the number of excess electrons on the sphere.
(b) How many excess electrons are there per lead atom?
The atomic number of lead is 82 and its atomic mass is
mol g / 207
.
SOLUTION
(a) The number of excess electron needed to produce the given net
charge
q
is obtained by
electrons
e
q
n
10
19
9
10 998 . 1
10 602 . 1
10 20 . 3

(b) First the number of atoms

' '
1
N
present in the given mass
g M 00 . 8
1
is calculated using the relation

M
M N
N
A 1
1

atoms N
22
3
3 22
1
10 327 . 2
10 207
) 10 00 . 8 )( 10 022 . 6 (

The desired number of excess electrons per lead atom is

atom electrons
N
n
/ 10 586 . 8
10 327 . 2
10 998 . 1
13
22
10
1

CHAPTER 01 ELECTROSTATICS 15
PROBLEM 1-26
Two tiny, spherical water drops, with identical charges of
C
16
10 00 . 1

, have a centre-to-centre separation of cm 00 . 1 .
(a) What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting between
them?
(b) How many excess electrons are on each drop, giving it its
charge imbalance?
SOLUTION
(a) The electrostatic force between two point charges is given by
2
2
0
2
2 1
0
4
1
4
1
r
q
r
q q
F



2 2
2 16 9
) 10 00 . 1 (
) 10 00 . 1 )( 10 988 . 8 (

F
N F
19
10 988 . 8


(b) electrons
e
q
n 624
10 602 . 1
10 00 . 1
19
16