How Does Coulomb's Law Apply to Non-Point Charged Particles?

[mather]

hello!

which equation descripts the electrostatic interaction between two non-point (ie. that have dimensions) charged particles?

thanks!

 

[Delphi51]

That would be different for every shape! Start with the formula for point charges and integrate over all the infinitesimal charges in the shape. Spheres work out nicely; other shapes do not.

 

[mather]

Yeah, i want for spheres only, forgot to mention

 

[Delphi51]

For spheres, just use the point charge formulas - as if the entire charge was located at the center point. Make a note that you need to work that out for yourself once you take 3D calculus.