elektrostatischer

Elektrostatischer, in physics, refers to phenomena and forces associated with electric charges at rest or in quasi-static conditions. The term is the German equivalent of electrostatic and is used in contexts from theory to engineering. Electrostatics examines how stationary charges generate electric fields, how these fields act on other charges, and how potential energy is stored in the field.

Coulomb's law gives the force between point charges: F = k q1 q2 / r^2. The electric field E and the electric potential V provide a convenient description of these forces. Gauss's law relates E to charge distribution: ∮ E·dA = Q_enc/ε0. Dielectric materials influence field lines and capacitance, described simply by C = ε A/d for parallel plates.

Charging methods include conduction, induction, and the triboelectric effect. In practice, electrostatics enable devices and processes such as electrostatic precipitators for air pollution control, xerography and laser printing, and powder coating.

Electrostatics is contrasted with magnetostatics and with electrodynamics when fields vary in time. In German-language literature, elektrostatischer describes phenomena, laws, or devices related to stationary charges or slowly varying fields.

See also: Coulomb's law; Gauss's law; electric field; capacitance; triboelectric effect; electrostatic precipitator; xerography.