Electrostatic Fields 1

Electrostatic field theory is concerned with electric charges at rest. In this programme we begin the study of electrostatics by becoming familiar with the meaning of the following terms and concepts: electric charge electric field strength electric field electric lines of force (also known as electric flux or streamlines) electric flux density absolute and relative permittivity electric potential and potential difference electric potential gradient equipotential surfaces electric dipoles the moment of electric dipoles. We shall learn how to: use Coulomb’s law to calculate the force between point charges decide whether the forces between charges are attractive or repulsive use Gauss’s theorem to relate electric flux to electric charge apply the Principle of Superposition to find the resultant effect when a number of forces or charges are acting simultaneously.