Coulomb's law, electrostatics?

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of Coulomb's law to calculate net forces on charged particles under static conditions. The participants debate whether the term "static" in "electrostatics" refers to a steady state or no net force condition. The conversation also touches on the application of Coulomb's law in engineering statics and the generalizability of the term "static" in different contexts. In the end, it is concluded that Coulomb's law applies to all electrostatic situations and can also be applied in engineering statics.
  • #36
Jurtinus said:
What if it is not. Could Coulombs Law alone suggest the impending motion of a particle at an instant, without the need of additional conditions? Such as Coulombs dry friction, covered in engineering statics.

Thanks:)

What if it is? Aren't you trying to make this more complicated than it is, and adding stuff to something you had just barely learned? Look further into your textbook. There's a LOT more in classical E&M than what you know right now. You haven't done anything to account for time-varying effects, and the added complications there may make you regret that you will have to consider such effects.

Be careful what you ask for, because you might just get it!

Zz.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #37
Jurtinus said:
Could Coulombs Law alone suggest the impending motion of a particle at an instant, without the need of additional conditions?
Yes, If by “impending motion” you mean “acceleration”. For this specific problem Coulomb’s law holds even if the FBD is complete.
 
  • #38
ZapperZ said:
What if it is? Aren't you trying to make this more complicated than it is, and adding stuff to something you had just barely learned? Look further into your textbook. There's a LOT more in classical E&M than what you know right now. You haven't done anything to account for time-varying effects, and the added complications there may make you regret that you will have to consider such effects.

Be careful what you ask for, because you might just get it!

Zz.

The things I discuss here are things I wonder about. I come to this forum in search of enlightenment. There is not enough time nor care at school to ponder these things with fellow peers and professors. I hope, one day, you find the curiosity of other humans inspiring Zz. Please, refrain from patronizing.

I have strenuously attempted to read derivations (among others) of the magnetic field in the past. I’ll tell you about my right hand. As I punch myself in the face with it.

Thanks:/
 
  • #39
Dale said:
Yes, If by “impending motion” you mean “acceleration”. For this specific problem Coulomb’s law holds even if the FBD is complete.

Impending, as in; “about to happen.”

Although, I think your catching my drift. In which case, you have answered my inquiry.

Thanks:)
 
  • #40
Jurtinus said:
The things I discuss here are things I wonder about. I come to this forum in search of enlightenment. There is not enough time nor care at school to ponder these things with fellow peers and professors. I hope, one day, you find the curiosity of other humans inspiring Zz. Please, refrain from patronizing.

I encourage curiosity all the time! It is part of my job, and all the students that I mentor hear this from me often!

But what you asked was not "curiosity", especially when you've been told that you're applying a wrong set of rules and criteria taken from somewhere else! I've spent time and effort trying to correct that, and at some point, when I have to keep repeating the same thing over and over again, even you should understand how frustrating it can get!

Like I have said, look further into your text. And if you're curious enough, look at what we call as Maxwell equations. Your E&M lessons are all leading up to them and the Lorentz force law. I show my students Maxwell equations and the Lorentz force law on the very first day and explicitly tell that everything they are about to learn in E&M is aimed towards finally understanding all those equations. So if you are that curious, go look it up!

Zz.
 
  • #41
Jurtinus said:
Impending, as in; “about to happen”
Well then that is wrong. Coulomb’s law (plus Newton’s 2nd law and any other applicable force laws) at time t=t0 tell you the acceleration at time t=t0. They do not tell you the motion at time t>t0. They tell you about “instantaneous acceleration” not “impending motion”.
 
  • #42
Dale said:
Well then that is wrong. Coulomb’s law (plus Newton’s 2nd law and any other applicable force laws) at time t=t0 tell you the acceleration at time t=t0. They do not tell you the motion at time t>t0. They tell you about “instantaneous acceleration” not “impending motion”.

Then, I must conclude, Coulombs Law cannot suggest impending motion. At least, not without additional conditions.

Thanks:)
 
  • #43
ZapperZ said:
I encourage curiosity all the time! It is part of my job, and all the students that I mentor hear this from me often!

But what you asked was not "curiosity", especially when you've been told that you're applying a wrong set of rules and criteria taken from somewhere else! I've spent time and effort trying to correct that, and at some point, when I have to keep repeating the same thing over and over again, even you should understand how frustrating it can get!

Like I have said, look further into your text. And if you're curious enough, look at what we call as Maxwell equations. Your E&M lessons are all leading up to them and the Lorentz force law. I show my students Maxwell equations and the Lorentz force law on the very first day and explicitly tell that everything they are about to learn in E&M is aimed towards finally understanding all those equations. So if you are that curious, go look it up!

Zz.

I do understand your frustration, and I appreciate all your (and everyone’s) effort. Usually, I have to beat my head against a wall to understand something completely.

However, I think my approach was appropriate. I stuck to the laws and definitions, while trying to see what I can squeeze out of them. Nonetheless, wisdom is a maturation process. The same definitions, will have the same form, but will become to mean something else.

Thanks Zz:)

P. S. I will take a peak at Maxwell’s equations.
 

Similar threads

  • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
790
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
859
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
1
Views
555
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
21
Views
667
Back
Top