Electromagnetism: Charges and Coulomb's Law

Notes

Electromagnetism First approach By Georges Reaidy, Phd Dr. Georges REAIDY Faculty of Engineering - ESIB Department of Preparatory Classes Academic year 2026–2027 | Semester 1 1 C o u r s e O u t l i n e Chapter 0 : Mathematical Concepts Related to Vector Fields Chapter I : The Electrostatic Field Chapter II : Applications of Gauss’s Law Chapter III : The Magnetostatic Field Chapter IV : Maxwell’s Equations Dr. Georges REAIDY 2 C o u r s e O u t l i n e Chapter 0 : Mathematical Concepts Related to Vector Fields Chapter I : The Electrostatic Field Chapter II : Applications of Gauss’s Law Chapter III : The Magnetostatic Field Chapter IV : Maxwell’s Equations Dr. Georges REAIDY 3 1. Electric charge 1.1 Fundamental properties Before studying the electrostatic force and field, let us define their source: the electric charge. Scalar nature The charge q is a scalar quantity- positive, negative, or zero - that characterizes the electric state of a system. Conservation • In an isolated system, the total charge: - remains constant over time; - can vary only through an exchange with the surroundings. • Charge is neither created nor destroyed; it is transferred. Additive property The total char...