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Subject Physics
Topic Coulombs Law
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The law was first published in 1784 by French physicist Charles Augustin de Coulomb and was essential to the
development of the theory of electromagnetism. It is analogous to Isaac Newton's inverse-square law of
universal gravitation. Coulomb's law can be used to derive Gauss's law, and vice versa. The law has
been tested heavily, and all observations have upheld the law's principle.

Statement:

The force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is

directly proportional to the product of magnitude of charges and
the force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

OR

The force of attraction or repulsion acting along a straight line

between two electric charges is directly proportional to the
product of the charges and inversely to the square of the distance
between them.

Derivation:

1 2 ()

Also,

1
()
2
By combining equation (i) and (ii):
1 2

2

1 2
=
2
Where F is the magnitude of the mutual force that acts on each of the point charges q1, q2 and r is the
distance between them, k is the constant of proportionality. Value of k is

1
=
4

Where is permittivity of free space1. Its value is 8.85 1012 C 2 N1 m2.

1
The permittivity of free space (a vacuum) is a physical constant equal to approximately 8.85 x 10-
12
farad per meter (F/m). In general, permittivity is symbolized and is a constant of proportionality that
exists between electric displacement and electric field intensity in a given medium.
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Putting the value of :

1
= = 9 109 Nm2 C 2
4

Thus Coulombs force in space is:

1 1 2
=
4 2

Vector form of Coulombs law:

Coulombs force is a mutual force, it means that if charge q1 exerts a force on charge q2 then q2 also
exerts an equal and opposite force on q1. If charge q1 exerts an electrostatic force F12 charge
q2 and q2 exerts electrical force F21 on charge q1.
If r12 represents the direction of force from charge q1 to charge q2 and r21 is the unit vector which
represents the direction of force from charge q2 to q1 then:

According to Newtons 3rd law:

21 = 12
This expression shows that Coulombs force is a mutual force.

Comparison of Coulombs law and Newtons law of gravitation:

The electrical force between two charges is directly proportional to the product of their charges and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
1 2
=
2

The gravitational force between two masses is directly proportional to the product of their masses and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

1 2
=
2
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Coulombs force in the presence of dielectric medium:

If the space between the charges is filled with a non conducting medium or an insulator called
"dielectric", it is found that the dielectric reduces the electrostatic force as compared to free space by a
factor ( ) called dielectric constant. This factor is also known as relative permittivity. It has different
values for different dielectric materials. In the presence of a dielectric between two charges the
Coulomb's law is expressed as:

1 1 2
=
4 2

Written by:

Daniyal Akram

(Student of FSc Part-II (R-3))

Submitted to:

Sir Aamir Shahzad