elektrostatika

Elektrostatika, or electrostatics, is the branch of classical physics that studies electric charges at rest and the forces and fields they produce. It focuses on the interaction between static charges and electric potentials in space. The fundamental force between stationary charges is described by Coulomb's law: F = k q1 q2 / r^2. The electric field E is the force per unit charge, and the electric potential V is the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point to a location, with E = -∇V. The superposition principle applies: the total field from several charges is the vector sum of their fields.

Gauss's law relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the enclosed charge: ∮ E·dA = Q_enclosed/ε0. In conductors at electrostatic equilibrium, charges reside on surfaces and the interior field vanishes. Dielectrics polarize in an external field, reducing the field inside. Capacitance, C = Q/V, measures stored electric energy, with energy U = 1/2 C V^2.

Key phenomena include charging by contact (triboelectric effect), electrostatic induction, and static discharges. Practical applications include electrostatic precipitators for pollution control, inkjet and laser printers, electrostatic painting, and lithography. The field underpins many areas of electrical engineering, electronics, and materials science, and is distinguished from electrodynamics, which treats time-varying fields. Safety considerations emphasize avoiding unintended discharges and managing high voltages in industrial and laboratory contexts.