Electrostatics

Definition

Electrostatics is the branch of physics that studies electric charges at rest. It involves understanding the forces, fields, and potentials associated with static electric charges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The fundamental law governing electrostatics is Coulomb's Law, which states that the force between two point charges is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
2. Electric field ($E$) at a point in space due to a charge is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a small positive test charge placed at that point.
3. The principle of superposition states that the net electric field due to multiple charges is the vector sum of the individual fields created by each charge.
4. Electric potential ($V$) at a point is defined as the work done per unit charge in bringing a positive test charge from infinity to that point.
5. Conductors and insulators respond differently in electrostatic situations; conductors allow free movement of electrons while insulators do not.

Review Questions

• What does Coulomb's Law state about the interaction between two point charges?
• How is electric field ($E$) defined at a given point?
• What is meant by the principle of superposition in electrostatics?

Related terms

Coulomb's Law: A fundamental law stating that the magnitude of electrostatic force between two point charges is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of their separation distance.

Electric Field: A vector field around a charged particle that represents the force exerted per unit charge on any other charged particle placed within it.

Electric Potential: The amount of work needed to move a unit positive charge from infinity to a specific point within an electric field without producing any acceleration.