Electricity and Magnetism

Isolated Conductors and Potential

Dipole in an Electric field
Millikan’s Experiment

Lana Sheridan

De Anza College

Jan 25, 2018

Last time

• relation between E-field and potential

• potential from many charges

• potential around continuous charge distributions

Warm Up Questions

What is an alternative unit for the electric field?

(A) Vm
(B) V/m
(C) V/m2
Warm Up Questions

What is an alternative unit for the electric field?

(A) Vm
(B) V/m ←
(C) V/m2
Overview

• Potential of charged conductor

• torque on a dipole in an E-field

• potential energy of a dipole in an E-field

• Millikan’s experiment
Conductor in an Electric field
The E-field inside an isolated conductor at equilibrium is zero.
eg. an isolated conductor with excess charge:

E =0

1
Figure from Openstax College Physics.
Potential due 762
to an IsolatedChapter
Charged Conductor
25 Electric Potential
What is the potential at the point R?

!
!
!
perpendicular to t
a ! R !
Equation 25.3, we
! ! essarily zero:
!

V
k eQ
k eQ r
This result applies
b R
where on the surfa
r
the surface of a
k eQ potential surfac
E
r2 librium is at th
c field is zero insi
inside the cond
r
R
 uming a small hole exists —
sePotential
no net electricdueforce
to anactsIsolated Charged
PA0R
Conductor
0 T 31 2 3 4
potential at all points inside r (m)
ISOLATED
Fig. All excess
24-18a CONDUCTOR
shows. 645 in the interior, the electric
charge flows to the outside,
(a)
field is zero.
with radial distance for the
ll. The curves
12 of Fig. 24-18b 12
rentiating with respect to r,
stant is zero). The curve of 8

E (kV/m)
8
24-18b by integrating with
V (kV)

4 4

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
r (m) r (m)
R(a) (b)
Since ∆V = − E · ds the potential inside the conductor is
Fig. 24-18 (a) A plot of V(r) both
constant.
12 inside and outside a charged spheri-
cal shell of radius 1.0 m. (b) A plot of
1
Figure from Halliday, Resnick, Walker, 9th ed.
 inside is zero.
Charge distribution
We on
nowagenerate
conductor
another property of a charged c
potential.
The electric potential Consider
is constant two points
everywhere on a ! and " on the surfa
conductor
shown in Figure 25.17. Along a surface path connect
(including the surface!), but the charge distribution may vary.

Notice from the spacing of the

positive signs that the surface
charge density is nonuniform.

!
!
!!
!
! !
!
! !
! !
! !
! Figure 25.17 An arbitra
!
!
!
! " positive charge. When the
!
librium, all the charge res
!
!
!
!
! ! the conductor, and the dir
!S the conductor is perpendi
!
!
!

E potential is constant inside

potential at the surface.
Charge distribution on a conductor
An illustrative example (25.8), electric field around conductor.

At all points on the object V is

r1 constant.

q1
V1 = V2
ke q1 k e q2
=
r1 r2
q1 r1
=
q2 r2

Since r1 > r2 , q1 > q2 .

r2
q2 ⇒ sharper curvature of surface,
higher charge density
 Question: Charge Density
V1 = V2
ke q1 k e q2
=
r1 r2
r1 q1 r1
=
q2 r2
q1

What is the ratio of the surface

charge densities σ1 /σ2 on the
spheres?
r
(A) r1
2
r2 r2
q2 (B) r12
2
r
(C) r2
1
Figure 25.19 (Example 25.8) Two r3
charged spherical conductors connected (D) r23
1
by a conducting wire. The spheres are at
 Question: Charge Density
V1 = V2
ke q1 k e q2
=
r1 r2
r1 q1 r1
=
q2 r2
q1

What is the ratio of the surface

charge densities σ1 /σ2 on the
spheres?
r
(A) r1
2
r2 r2
q2 (B) r12
2
r
(C) r2
1
←
Figure 25.19 (Example 25.8) Two r3
charged spherical conductors connected (D) r23
1
by a conducting wire. The spheres are at
Charge distribution on a conductor
An illustrative example (25.8), electric field around conductor.

At all points on the object V is

r1
constant.
q1 V1 = V2
E1 r1 = E2 r2
E1 r2
=
E2 r1

Since r2 < r1 , E1 < E2 .

r2 ⇒ sharper curvature of surface,

q2 stronger electric field
Corona Discharge
A corona discharge occurs when a conductor at a very high
potential ionizes a fluid (eg. air) that surrounds it.

The fields that form around sharp edges of the conductor are high
enough to form small plasma regions, but not full electric
breakdown.
Corona Discharge
A corona discharge occurs when a conductor at a very high
potential ionizes a fluid (eg. air) that surrounds it.

The fields that form around sharp edges of the conductor are high
enough to form small plasma regions, but not full electric
breakdown.

• responsible for significant power losses in high voltage lines

• useful for
• pool sanitation
• ozone manufacture
• ionizers
• air purifiers
• nitrogen lasers (TEA lasers)
Coronal Discharge

1
Photo “Wartenburg Pinwheel” by Giles Read. 30–50kV
Corona Discharge

Fork in a microwave.

(Microwave ovens generate electric fields.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1MFWbX3Bfc
Potential Energy: Electric Dipole in an E-Field
halliday_c22_580-604hr.qxd 7-12-2009 14:16 Page 594

Remember:
electric dipole
A pair of charges of equal magnitude q but opposite sign,
separated by a distance, d.
594 CHAPTER 22 ELECTRIC FIELDS
A water molecule is an example

Positive side
22-9 A Dipole
Hydrogen Hydrogen
We have defined the
p
points from the nega
105°
of a dipole in a unifo
:
Oxygen of the two vectors E
A molecule of
the black dots repr
hydrogen nuclei (h
Negative side the regions in which
Fig. 22-18 A molecule of H2O, showing In a water mo
the three nuclei (represented by dots) and lie on a straight lin
 electric field is uniform, those forces act in op
Electric Dipole in an Electric Fieldand(26.6)
Fig. 22-19a) with the same magnitude F !
uniform, the net force on the dipole from the fiel
Because the net charge of a of the
dipole dipolethe
is zero, doesnet
not force
move. However,
is zero the forces
a net torque :t on the dipole about its center of m
also. But there is a torque! the line connecting the charged ends, at some di
a distance
θ is x from the the
d " between
the angle otherpend.
andFrom
E Eq. 10
the magnitude of the net torque : t as
t ! Fx sin u # F(d " x) sin u
+q We can also write the magnitude of : t in term
d
F tric field E and the dipole moment p ! qd. To do
p
θ p/q for d in Eq. 22-32, finding that the magnitude o
com
t ! pE sin u.
E
–q
–F We can generalize this equation to vector form as
:
(a) $ ! p
: :
!E (torque on a

The dipole is being Vectors p: :

and E are shown in Fig. 22-19b. The to
torqued into alignment. rotate p:
(hence the dipole) into the direction of
p Fig. 22-19, such rotation is clockwise. As we discu
θ E
τ resent a torque that gives rise to a clockwise rot
(b) with the magnitude of the torque. With that notati
Fig. 22-19 (a) An electric dipole in a t ! "pE sin u.
 electric field is uniform, those forces act in op
Electric Dipole in an Electric Fieldand(26.6)
Fig. 22-19a) with the same magnitude F !
uniform, the net force on the dipole from the fiel
Because the net charge of a of the
dipole dipolethe
is zero, doesnet
not force
move. However,
is zero the forces
a net torque :t on the dipole about its center of m
also. But there is a torque! the line connecting the charged ends, at some di
a distance
θ is x from the the
d " between
the angle otherpend.
andFrom
E Eq. 10
the magnitude of the net torque : t as
τ = r×F t ! Fx sin u # F(d " x) sin u

d
+q =We2(d/2)(qE
can also write theθmagnitude
) sin of :
[clockwise]t in term
F tric field E and the dipole moment p ! qd. To do
p
θ p/qpfor in Eq. 22-32, finding that the magnitude o
com and =dqd
t ! pE sin u.
E
–q
–F
τ=
We can pE sin θthis[clockwise]
generalize equation to vector form as
:
(a) $ ! p
: :
!E (torque on a
In general,
The dipole is being Vectors p: :
and E are shown in Fig. 22-19b. The to
torqued into alignment. rotate p:
(hence the dipole) into the direction of
p Fig. 22-19, such rotation is clockwise. As we discu
θ E τ= × E rise to a clockwise rot
τ resent a torque thatp gives
(b) with the magnitude of the torque. With that notati
Fig. 22-19 (a) An electric dipole in a t ! "pE sin u.
Electric Dipole in an Electric Field (26.6)
We can also find an expression for the potential energy of a dipole
in an E-field. Define U = 0 when θ = π2 (the dipole is ⊥ to the
field lines). For a conservative force:
∆U = −Wint
Zθ
:0
U(θ) − 
U(π/2)
  
= − θ0
τ · dθ
π/2
Zθ
U(θ) = − −τdθ 0
π/2
where the minus sign inside the integral is due to τ being
clockwise, while θ increases counter clockwise.
U = pE [− cos θ]θ
π/2
= −pE cos θ

U = −p · E

can be positive or negative.

ole is least
electric dipole in an external electric
l energy is
Question: Electric Dipole in an Electric Field
field. Rank the orientations according
to (a)
The figure shows the
four magnitude
orientations of of the torque
an electric dipoleon in an
ntation uf , electric
external the field.
dipole andthe
Rank (b)orientations
the potential energy
according to the
magnitude of of the dipole, greatest first.
the torque on the dipole, greatest first.
(22-39) (1) + + (2)
ntation is
θ θ
ent), then
θ θ
the work E
(3) + + (4)
(22-40)
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4
(B) (1 and 3), (2 and 4)
(C) (2 and 4), (1 and 3)
ains water
en, the(D)
mi-all the same
1
Page 595, Halliday, Resnick, Walker.
ole is least
electric dipole in an external electric
l energy is
Question: Electric Dipole in an Electric Field
field. Rank the orientations according
to (a)
The figure shows the
four magnitude
orientations of of the torque
an electric dipoleon in an
ntation uf , electric
external the field.
dipole andthe
Rank (b)orientations
the potential energy
according to the
magnitude of of the dipole, greatest first.
the torque on the dipole, greatest first.
(22-39) (1) + + (2)
ntation is
θ θ
ent), then
θ θ
the work E
(3) + + (4)
(22-40)
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4
(B) (1 and 3), (2 and 4)
(C) (2 and 4), (1 and 3)
ains water
mi-all the same ←
en, the(D)
1
Page 595, Halliday, Resnick, Walker.
ole is least
electric dipole in an external electric
l energy is
Question: Electric Dipole in an Electric Field
field. Rank the orientations according
to (a)
The figure shows the
four magnitude
orientations of of the torque
an electric dipoleonin an
ntation uf , electric
external the field.
dipole andthe
Rank (b)orientations
the potential energy
according to the
of the dipole, greatest first.
potential energy of the dipole, greatest first.
(22-39) (1) + + (2)
ntation is
θ θ
ent), then
θ θ
the work E
(3) + + (4)
(22-40)
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4
(B) (1 and 3), (2 and 4)
(C) (2 and 4), (1 and 3)
ains water
en, the(D)
mi-all the same
1
Page 595, Halliday, Resnick, Walker.
ole is least
electric dipole in an external electric
l energy is
Question: Electric Dipole in an Electric Field
field. Rank the orientations according
to (a)
The figure shows the
four magnitude
orientations of of the torque
an electric dipoleonin an
ntation uf , electric
external the field.
dipole andthe
Rank (b)orientations
the potential energy
according to the
of the dipole, greatest first.
potential energy of the dipole, greatest first.
(22-39) (1) + + (2)
ntation is
θ θ
ent), then
θ θ
the work E
(3) + + (4)
(22-40)
(A) 1, 2, 3, 4
(B) (1 and 3), (2 and 4) ←
(C) (2 and 4), (1 and 3)
ains water
en, the(D)
mi-all the same
1
Page 595, Halliday, Resnick, Walker.
Microwave Ovens

An application of the fact that a dipole experiences a torque in an

electric field is microwave cooking.

Microwave ovens produce electric fields that change direction

rapidly.

Since water molecules are dipoles, they begin to rotate to align

with the field, back and forth.

This motion becomes thermal energy in the food.

esign and
given in
Van
ar physics de Graaf generator
by means
Metal dome
ow metal
means of !
!
grid. The !
!
e positive ! " !
needles at !
ve charge ! !
. In prac- !
!
Belt
trical dis- !

r is about
! Can (in principle) build up
!
tential of ! to 3 million Volts when
!
e’s radius ! used in air.
!
!
as 20 mil- !
! !
s receive !

ous target ! P
ums. If a
f genera-
son’s hair
as in the
Insulator
Ground
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment

The value of e, the basic unit of charge was found in this

experiment.

From 1908–1913 Robert Millikan worked with Harvey Fletcher on

the experiment.

At the time the idea of both atoms and subatomic particles was
only just gaining acceptance.
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment
Some history:
• early 1800s – John Dalton realized chemical reactions could
be explained if there were element-particles
• 1827 – Robert Brown noticed that pollen particles vibrated
randomly when viewed with a microscope
• early 1870s – Ludwig Boltzmann explained thermodynamic
behavior in terms of statistics of particles
• 1897 – JJ Thompson discovered the electron in “cathode
rays”; noticed it had a charge and very small mass
• 1905 – Albert Einstein explained Brown’s “Brownian motion”
in terms of atoms
• 1909 – Ernest Rutherford’s experiment done by Hans Geiger
and Ernest Marsden discovered the nucleus
 Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment
al

Oil droplets
Pinhole
! "

q
S
d v

Telescope with
scale in eyepiece

is overwhelmed by ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Newly devel

 field that other charges h
not the field set up by t
Question E
acting on the particle in
In an experiment, a potential difference (voltage) of particle
∆V or object
= 10V is is not a
x
supplied to a pair of conducting
e plates separated by a distance :
The electrostatic force F
d = 20 cm. What is the electric field strength betweenfield
theE: plates?
has the direction o
opposite direction if q is n

Oil
spray
A Measuring the Eleme
Insulating Equation 22-28 played a
P1
chamber American physicist Robe
wall
tation of his apparatus. W
Oil C
drop them become charged, e
Microscope
drop that drifts downwar
P2
Let us assume that this dr
If switch S in Fig. 22-
S + – chamber C. If the switch
(A) 2 N/C B
positive terminal of the
(B) 50 N/C Fig. 22-14 The Millikan oil-drop appa- positive charge on condu
ratus for measuring the elementary charge ing plate P2. The charge
(C) 200 N/C e. When a charged oil drop drifted into chamber C. According to
chamber C through the hole in plate P1, its
charged drop that happe
(D) cannot be motion could be controlled by closing and
determined ular, our negatively charg
opening switch S and thereby setting up or
 field that other charges h
not the field set up by t
Question E
acting on the particle in
In an experiment, a potential difference (voltage) of particle
∆V or object
= 10V is is not a
x
supplied to a pair of conducting
e plates separated by a distance :
The electrostatic force F
d = 20 cm. What is the electric field strength betweenfield
theE: plates?
has the direction o
opposite direction if q is n

Oil
spray
A Measuring the Eleme
Insulating Equation 22-28 played a
P1
chamber American physicist Robe
wall
tation of his apparatus. W
Oil C
drop them become charged, e
Microscope
drop that drifts downwar
P2
Let us assume that this dr
If switch S in Fig. 22-
S + – chamber C. If the switch
(A) 2 N/C B
positive terminal of the
(B) 50 N/C ← Fig. 22-14 The Millikan oil-drop appa-
ratus for measuring the elementary charge
positive charge on condu
ing plate P2. The charge
(C) 200 N/C e. When a charged oil drop drifted into chamber C. According to
chamber C through the hole in plate P1, its
charged drop that happe
(D) cannot be motion could be controlled by closing and
determined ular, our negatively charg
opening switch S and thereby setting up or
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment
S
vT under the influence of the influence of the electric,
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment demonstrated the qu
gravitational, and drag forces.
gravitational and drag forces.
Figure 25.21, contain
S are allowedS
qE to pass t
FD to ionize the air in t
S drops, giving them a
vT S
Silluminate the E oil dro
vT#
" q perpendicular to the
as shining
" stars again
fall can be determine
S S
mg Let’s
S assume
FD# a sin
mg
a FD ∝ vT , w is weight of droplet viewed and its charge
b the two forces acting
 0
vT
When the electric field qE = w +Figure
is turned w ward3 and a viscous d
vT 25.22 The forces acting
drag force
on, the droplet moves upward aton a negatively chargedis oil
proporti
drop-
S
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment

Conclusion: all drops had a charge that was some number of

multiples of e.

q = ne ; n ∈ Z
Accepted value:

e = 1.602176565(35) × 10−19 C

Millikan’s value:

e = 1.5924(17) × 10−19 C

A bit low...
Milikan’s Oil Drop Experiment
Richard Feynman:
Millikan measured the charge on an electron by an experiment with
falling oil drops, and got an answer which we now know not to be
quite right. It’s a little bit off because he had the incorrect value
for the viscosity of air. It’s interesting to look at the history of
measurements of the charge of an electron, after Millikan. If you
plot them as a function of time, you find that one is a little bit
bigger than Millikan’s, and the next one’s a little bit bigger than
that, and the next one’s a little bit bigger than that, until finally
they settle down to a number which is higher.

Why didn’t they discover the new number was higher right away?
... When they got a number that was too high above Millikan’s,
they thought something must be wrong—and they would look for
and find a reason why something might be wrong. When they got
a number close to Millikan’s value they didn’t look so hard.
Summary

• conductor in an electric field

• dipole in an electric field
• Millikan’s experiment

Homework
• Study for test tomorrow.
Serway & Jewett:
• Ch 25, Problems: 49, 51