1

General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

Outline:
1. Electric Charge
2. Coulomb’s Law

Learning Objectives:
After completing the module, the students should be able to:
• explain the role of electron transfer in electrostatic charging by rubbing
• state that there are positive and negative charges, and that charge is measured in coulombs
• calculate the net electric force on a point charge exerted by a system of point charges

Electrostatics is all about electric charges at rest. An electric charge has basic properties, and
its charge is quantized. There are forces acting between charged objects. The region where electric
forces act is known as electric field. A charge in an electric field has electrical energy.

I. ELECTRON THEORY AND ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Ernest Rutherford and Neils Bohr states that all matter composed of atoms, each consisting of
a small, tightly packed, positively charged mass called protons and electrons which are number
of larger, lighter negatively charged particles revolving around the nucleus at tremendous speed.

The nucleus consists of protons, which are positively charged, and neutrons of no charge. The
number of protons a nucleus can contain is called the atomic number of the atom.

The mass of one electron is 9.1083 x 10-31 kg while a proton is about 1.6726 x10-27 kg, almost 1,
836 times that of an electron. A neutron is about 1.6749x10-27kg.

II. ELECTRIC CHARGE (Q or q)

Electric charge is a basis of fundamental interaction of matter. Electric came from the Greek
word ‘elektron’ meaning amber. When you scuff your shoes across a nylon carpet, you become
electrically charged, and you can charge a comb by passing it through dry hair. Plastic rods and
fur (real or fake) are particularly good for demonstrating electrostatics, the interactions between
electric charges that are at rest (or nearly so).

Image Credit: Young & Freedman (2016) University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th edition. Sears and Zemansky Publishing Inc.

“Two positive charges or two negative charges repel each other. A positive chargeand a negative charge attract
each other.”
 1
General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

Electric charge is also defined as a physical property of an object that causes to be attracted
toward or repelled form another charged object; each charged object generates and is influenced
by a force called electromagnetic force.

The magnitude of an electric charge could be determined by multiplying the number of

excess electron or proton (N) multiplied to the charge of 1 electron or 1 proton.
𝑸 = 𝑵𝒆
where: N = number of excess +e (proton) or –e (electron)
E = charge of +1e or -1e = 1.6 x 10-19 Coulomb

Unit of Charge: MKS: Coulomb (C) CGS: statcoulomb, (statC)

Sample Problem 1: What is the charge of a body whose electron is 15x1013 and proton of 30x1013?

“What are the given in the problem?”−𝒆 (𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏) = 𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟑

+𝒆 = (𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒏) = 𝟑𝟎𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟑
“What is the unknown?” Q (charge of the body
FORMULA: Q = Ne
SOLUTION
Excess proton =(+e) – (-e)
Solve first for the number of excess = (30x1013) – (15x1013)
proton or electron = 15x1013
Q = Ne
Solve for the charge of the body 𝑄 = (15𝑥1013 )(1.6𝑥10−19 𝐶
𝑄 = 24𝑥10−6 𝐶

Sample Problem 2: How many excess electrons make up a charge of -30.0µC?

“What do we know from the problem?” -30.0µC µC is microcoulomb or x 10-6 C

“What is the unknown?” -e (electron)
FORMULA: Q = Ne
𝑄
𝑁=
𝑒
SOLUTION
𝑄
𝑁=
𝑒
Solve for the number of excess electrons −30.0𝑥10−6 𝐶
𝑁=
−1.6𝑥10−19 𝐶
𝑁 = 18.75 𝑥 1013

III. INSULATORS AND CONDUCTORS

Conductors are materials that have free electrons and allow it to move free through it.
Meanwhile Superconductors allow the movement of charge without any loss of energy.

On the other hand, some materials hold electrons that securely within their atomic orbits and
does not allow charges to move through the, such materials are called insulators.

In general, good conductors of electricity like metals (copper, gold and silver) are also good
conductor of heat, whereas insulators of electricity like wood, plastic and rubber are poor heat
conductor.
1
General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

IV. COULOMB’S LAW

When a body has more electron than proton it is said to be negatively charged. Bodies
interact because of these differences in charges and follow basic laws of charged bodies that is
like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each other.

Coulomb’s law determines the amount and direction of attraction and repulsion between two
bodies, moreover the force that is determine is termed as electrostatic force or Coulomb’s force.

Coulomb’s law state that the force (F) exerted by charge q 1 to another body q2 is directly
proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance r between them. In symbol:

𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟2
𝑁𝑚2
where: k = 8.99 x 109 2
𝐶
q1q2 = magnitude of the charges
r = distance between of the charges

Sample Problem 1: Two point charges, 𝑞1 = +4𝜇𝐶 and 𝑞2 = −12𝜇𝐶, are separated by 15cm. Calculate
the force that one charge exerts on the other.

“What do we know from the problem?” 𝒒𝟏 = +𝟒𝝁𝑪 µC is microcoulomb or x 10-6 C

𝒒𝟐 = −𝟏𝟐𝝁𝑪
𝒓 = 𝟏𝟓 𝒄𝒎 convert it to meters so 0.15 m

“What is the unknown?” F

FORMULA: 𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟2
SOLUTION
𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝐹1→2 =
𝑟2

𝑁𝑚2
Solve for the force acted by charge 1 to (8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(+4 𝑥10−6 𝐶 )(−12 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )|
charge 2 (𝑭𝟏→𝟐 )
𝐶2
𝐹1→2 =
(0.15 𝑚)2

𝐹1→2 = 19.18 𝑁 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 based on the free-body diagram

𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞1 |
Solve for the force acted by charge 2 to 𝐹2→1 =
charge 1 (𝑭𝟐→𝟏 ) 𝑟2
1
General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(−12 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )(+4 𝑥10−6 𝐶 )|
𝐶2
𝐹2→1 =
(0.15 𝑚)2

𝐹2→1 = 19.18 𝑁 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 based on the free-body diagram

𝐹1→2 = 𝐹2→1 these forces are equal but in opposite direction

Sample Problem 2: A force of 25N is experienced by two charges with -10µC and -15µC. How far apart
are these charges?

“What do we know from the problem?” 𝒒𝟏 = −𝟏𝟎𝝁𝑪 µC is microcoulomb or x 10-6 C

𝒒𝟐 = −𝟏𝟓𝝁𝑪
𝑭 = 𝟐𝟓𝑵
“What is the unknown?” r
FORMULA: 𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟2

𝑘|𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑟=√
𝐹
SOLUTION

𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
𝑟=√
𝐹

Solve for the distance between the 𝑁𝑚2

charges (8.99 𝑥 109 2 |(−10 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )(−15 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )|
𝑟=√ 𝐶
(25 𝑁)

𝑟 = 0.23𝑚
The charges are 0.23m apart

(This time, ley us have three point charges in linear orientation)

Sample Problem 3: Two point charges are located on the x-axis of a coordinate system. 𝒒𝟏 =
𝟏. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒙 = +𝟐. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎, and 𝒒𝟐 = −𝟑. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪 is at 𝒙 = +𝟒. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎. What is the total electric force
exerted by 𝒒𝟏 and 𝒒𝟐 on a charge 𝒒𝟑 = 𝟓. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪 at 𝒙 = 𝟎?

Here is an illustration of the problem. You’ll see the charges plotted direction of forces experienced by
𝒒𝟑 due to 𝒒𝟏 and 𝒒𝟐 . 𝑭𝟏→𝟑 points west because 𝒒𝟏 will repel 𝒒𝟑 . Meanwhile, 𝑭𝟐→𝟑, is directed east
because 𝒒𝟐 attracts 𝒒𝟑 .

𝒒𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪 nC is nanocoulomb or x 10-9 C
“What do we know from the problem?” 𝒒𝟐 = −𝟑. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪
𝒒𝟑 = 𝟓. 𝟎 𝒏𝑪
1
General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

𝒓𝟏→𝟑 = +𝟐. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎 convert it to meters so 0.02 m

𝒓𝟐→𝟑 = +𝟒. 𝟎 𝒄𝒎 convert it to meters so 0.04 m
F3
“What is the unknown?” Thus, we need to solve for 𝐹1→3 and the 𝐹2→3 and get the
resultant
𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
FORMULA: ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟2
SOLUTION
𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞3 |
𝐹1→3 =
𝑟2

𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(1 𝑥10−9 𝐶 )(5 𝑥 10−9 𝐶 )|
𝐶2
𝐹1→3 =
Solve for ⃗𝑭𝟏→𝟑 (0.02 𝑚)2

𝐹1→3 = 1.12 𝑥 10−4 𝑁 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡

Or
𝐹1→3 = −1.12 𝑥 10−4 𝑁

𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞3 |
𝐹2→3 =
𝑟2

𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(−3 𝑥10−9 𝐶 )(5 𝑥 10−9 𝐶 )|
𝐶2
𝐹2→3 =
⃗ 𝟐→𝟑
Solve for 𝑭 (0.04 𝑚)2

𝐹2→3 = 8.43 𝑥 10−5 𝑁 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡

so
𝐹2→3 = 8.43 𝑥 10−5 𝑁

𝐹3 = (𝐹1→3 ) + (𝐹2→3)

Solve for the Resultant Force on q3 𝐹3 = (−1.12 𝑥 10−4 𝑁) + (8.43 𝑥 10−5 𝑁)

𝐹3 = −2.77 𝑥 10−5 𝑁 or 𝐹3 = 2.77 𝑥 10−5 𝑁 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡

The next examples now show three or more charges in the x-y plane.
Sample Problem 3: The figure shows three point charges that lie in the x-y plane in a vacuum. Find
the magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force on 𝒒𝟏

In this problem, the charge of interest is 𝒒𝟏 . Analyzing the situation,

since 𝒒𝟏 is positive, it will be attracted by 𝒒𝟐 and 𝒒𝟑 , thus the forces
will be towards these charges.

We can therefore plot the Resultant Force experienced by 𝒒𝟏 to be

⃗ 𝟐→𝟏(green) and 𝑭
in between 𝑭 ⃗ 𝟑→𝟏(blue). (shown in red arrow)
 1
General Physics 2
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

MODULE 1 – Physics 2 Subject Teacher:

𝑞1 = 4.0𝜇𝐶 µC is microcoulomb or x 10-6 C

𝒒𝟐 = 6.0𝜇𝐶
“What do we know from the problem?” 𝒒𝟑 = −𝟓. 𝟎 𝜇𝑪
𝑟2→1 = 0.15𝒎
𝑟3→1 = 0.10𝒎
𝐹𝟏
“What is the unknown?” Thus, we need to solve for 𝐹2→𝟏 and the 𝐹3→1 and get the
resultant using component method. You may recall this from
General Physics 1.
𝑘 |𝑞1 𝑞2 |
FORMULA: ⃗⃗⃗
𝐹𝑒 =
𝑟2
SOLUTION
𝑘|𝑞2 𝑞1 |
𝐹2→1 =
𝑟2

𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(−6 𝑥10−6 𝐶 )(4 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )|
⃗ 𝟐→𝟏
Solve for 𝑭 𝐶2
𝐹2→1 =
(0.15 𝑚)2

𝐹2→1 = 9.59 𝑁

𝑘 |𝑞𝟑 𝑞1 |
𝐹𝟑→1 =
𝑟2

𝑁𝑚2
(8.99 𝑥 109 ) |(−5 𝑥10−6 𝐶 )(4 𝑥 10−6 𝐶 )|
⃗ 𝟑→𝟏
Solve for 𝑭 𝐶2
𝐹𝟑→1 =
(0.10 𝑚)2

𝐹𝟑→1 = 17.98 𝑁

x-component y-component
𝐹2→1 = (𝐹2→1 ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = (𝐹2→1 ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
We were able to solve for the magnitude
of the individual forces. Now, we solve = (9.59𝑁) cos 73° = (9.59𝑁) sin 73°
for the Resultant Force on 𝒒𝟏 using the
component method = 2.80N =9.17N
𝐹𝟑→1 =17.98N =0N
ΣF =20.78N =9.17N
𝐹 = √(𝛴𝐹𝑥) + (𝛴𝐹𝑦)2
2
Now that we have the components of the
resultant force, we can now complete for 𝐹 = √(20.78𝑁)2 + (9.17𝑁)2
the magnitude of the resultant force
using the Pythagorean Theorem 𝐹 = 22.71𝑁

𝛴𝐹𝑦
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( )
𝛴𝐹𝑥
Solve for the direction 9.17
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( )
20.78
𝜃 = 23.81°
Therefore 𝐹3 = 22.71 𝑁 𝑎𝑡 𝜃 = 23.81° 𝑁𝑜𝑓𝐸

References:
• ALVAREZ, J. (2019) General Physics 2. P2-7 Oxford Publishing (Malaysia)
• LUBRICA, J.V. (2016) Course Manual in General Physics 2. Benguet State University.