Page 6 - Electrostatics 11 class

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Electrostatic induction:

When a charged body is brought close to the conductor, the opposite charge
is developed at the near end of the conductor while a similar charge is developed

at the far end of the conductor temporarily so long as the charged body is close to
the conductor. This phenomenon is known as electrostatic induction.

Developed charge in a conductor is called induced charge and charge of the
charged body is called inducing charge.

Inducing charge and induced charge of each nature are equal in magnitude.

There are 2 types of induced charges.

1. Free charges: The similar types of charges produced on body at the far end

are called free charges.
2. Bound charges: The opposite type of charges induced on the body at the
nearer end are called bound charges.

Distribution of charge over the surface of conductor
☻ When a body is charged, the charge spreads all over the surface of the body

which may or may not be uniform.
☻ The distribution of charge depends upon the shape of the conductor.

☻ The greater the curvature at any point, the greater will be the accumulation of
charge.
Types of charge distribution:
1. Linear charge density (λ ): The charge per unit length of a body is called

linear charge density. i.e., λ =q/l
The charge distributed on a very thin straight rod.
2. Surface charge density (σ ): The charge per unit area of a body is called

surface charge density. i.e., σ =q/A
The charge distributed uniformly on a thin disc.
3. Volume charge density (ρ ): The charge per unit volume is called volume
charge density. i.e., ρ = q/V

The charge distributed inside a spherical non-conducting body.

6 Electrostatics