Electrostatics Basic Theory: Electrostatics is a branch of science which deals with static electricity i.

e, e lectricity at rest such as stationary charges on conductors and the laws that go vern them. Electric Filed: The space around the charge experiences stress and when another charge is brough t near to the stress zone, force will be created on the charge which was brought . The region of space in which stress exist can be defined as electric (or diele ctric or electrostatic) field. The stress in the space is represented by lines o f force. Field Strength or Field Intensity: The force experienced on a unit point charge placed at any point in l field is known as electrical field strength or field intensity or ensity at that point. The field strength is represented by E and is newtons per coulomb of charge. This is a vector quantity (i.e, have well as magnitude) Electric Flux Density: Electric flux density is defined as the number of tubes of force per unit area e manated normally from the surface. Electric flux density is represented by lette r D and is measured in coulombs/m2. Potential: It is the work done to bring the unit point charge from infinity to that point i s defined as potential Potential Difference: Potential Difference between two points in an electrical field is defined as the work done in moving a unit positive charge from point of lower potential to the point of higher potential Potential Gradient: Potential Gradient is defined as the rat if change of potential with distance me asured in the direction of electrical force. Electric intensity at any point is equal to the negative potential gradient at that point. Electrical intensity at any point is equal to the negative potential gradient at that point Equipotential Surface: The surface in an electric field at right angles to the lines of force or flux e verywhere is equipotential surface. Breakdown potential: When the potential applied across the dielectric medium or insulating medium gra dually increased, a point will be reached where the insulation of the medium get s damage and starts conducting. This potential gradient at which insulation just gets breakdown is known as breakdown potential or dielectric strength of an ins ulator material. It is measured in terms of volts / mm Potential and Electrical Field Intensity Inside Sphere: an electrica electric int measured in direction as

It was experimentally found that, when a charge is given to the sphere or to any body, charge resides only on the outer surface of the body. Inside the body or within the body conducting body charge, flux and field intensity are zero. All t he points within the surface area at the same potential as the points on the cha rge. Coulomb's Law of Electrostatics: When two charged bodies are placed near to each other, mechanical force is exper ienced on them. According to Coulomb's first law charges of same nature repel one another and that of opposite nature attract i.e, force experienced between two b odies charged with the charges of same nature will be force of repulsion and for ce experienced between tow bodies charged with charges of opposite charges attra ct each other According to Coulomb's second law the force between the two charges Is directly proportional to the product of charges Inversely proportional tot the square of distance between them Depending on the nature of medium surrounding the charges