Charge density

 ( Density ) 

In electromagnetism, charge density is the amount of electric charge per unit length, surface area, or volume. Volume charge density (symbolized by the Greek letter ρ) is the quantity of charge per unit volume, measured in the SI system in per cubic meter (C⋅m⁻³), at any point in a volume.

(2025). 9781133954149, Cengage Learning. . ISBN 9781133954149

Surface charge density (σ) is the quantity of charge per unit area, measured in coulombs per square meter (C⋅m⁻²), at any point on a Surface charge on a two dimensional surface. Linear charge density (λ) is the quantity of charge per unit length, measured in coulombs per meter (C⋅m⁻¹), at any point on a line charge distribution. Charge density can be either positive or negative, since electric charge can be either positive or negative.

Like mass density, charge density can vary with position. In classical electromagnetic theory charge density is idealized as a continuous scalar function of position $\backslash boldsymbol\{x\}$, like a fluid, and $\backslash rho(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$, $\backslash sigma(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$, and $\backslash lambda(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$ are usually regarded as continuous charge distributions, even though all real charge distributions are made up of discrete charged particles. Due to the conservation of electric charge, the charge density in any volume can only change if an electric current of charge flows into or out of the volume. This is expressed by a continuity equation which links the rate of change of charge density $\backslash rho(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$ and the current density $\backslash boldsymbol\{J\}(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$.

Since all charge is carried by subatomic particles, which can be idealized as points, the concept of a continuous charge distribution is an approximation, which becomes inaccurate at small length scales. A charge distribution is ultimately composed of individual charged particles separated by regions containing no charge.

For example, the charge in an electrically charged metal object is made up of conduction electrons moving randomly in the metal's crystal lattice. Static electricity is caused by surface charges consisting of electrons and near the surface of objects, and the space charge in a vacuum tube is composed of a cloud of free electrons moving randomly in space. The charge carrier density in a conductor is equal to the number of mobile (, , etc.) per unit volume. The charge density at any point is equal to the charge carrier density multiplied by the elementary charge on the particles. However, because the elementary charge on an electron is so small (1.6⋅10⁻¹⁹ C) and there are so many of them in a macroscopic volume (there are about 10²² conduction electrons in a cubic centimeter of copper) the continuous approximation is very accurate when applied to macroscopic volumes, and even microscopic volumes above the nanometer level.

At even smaller scales, of atoms and molecules, due to the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics, a charged particle does not have a precise position but is represented by a probability distribution, so the charge of an individual particle is not concentrated at a point but is 'smeared out' in space and acts like a true continuous charge distribution. This is the meaning of 'charge distribution' and 'charge density' used in chemistry and chemical bonding. An electron is represented by a wavefunction $\backslash psi(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})$ whose square is proportional to the probability of finding the electron at any point $\backslash boldsymbol\{x\}$ in space, so $|\backslash psi(\backslash boldsymbol\{x\})|^2$ is proportional to the charge density of the electron at any point. In and the charge of the electrons is distributed in clouds called atomic orbital which surround the atom or molecule, and are responsible for chemical bonding.

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Definitions

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Continuous charges Following are the definitions for continuous charge distributions.

(2025). 9780471927129, Manchester Physics, John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780471927129

D.J. Griffiths (2025). 9788177582932, Pearson Education, Dorling Kindersley. ISBN 9788177582932

The linear charge density is the ratio of an infinitesimal electric charge dQ (SI unit: coulomb) to an infinitesimal line element, $$\backslash lambda\_q\; =\; \backslash frac\{d\; Q\}\{d\; \backslash ell\}\backslash ,,$$ similarly the surface charge density uses a surface area element dS $$\backslash sigma\_q\; =\; \backslash frac\{d\; Q\}\{d\; S\}\backslash ,,$$ and the volume charge density uses a volume element dV $$\backslash rho\_q\; =\backslash frac\{d\; Q\}\{d\; V\}\; \backslash ,\; ,$$

Integrating the definitions gives the total charge Q of a region according to line integral of the linear charge density λ _q( r) over a line or 1d curve C, $$Q\; =\; \backslash int\_L\; \backslash lambda\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; \backslash ,\; d\backslash ell$$ similarly a surface integral of the surface charge density σ _q( r) over a surface S, $$Q\; =\; \backslash int\_S\; \backslash sigma\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; \backslash ,\; dS$$ and a volume integral of the volume charge density ρ _q( r) over a volume V, $$Q\; =\; \backslash int\_V\; \backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; \backslash ,\; dV$$ where the subscript q is to clarify that the density is for electric charge, not other densities like mass density, number density, probability density, and prevent conflict with the many other uses of λ, σ, ρ in electromagnetism for wavelength, electrical resistivity and conductivity.

Within the context of electromagnetism, the subscripts are usually dropped for simplicity: λ, σ, ρ. Other notations may include: ρ_ℓ, ρ_s, ρ_v, ρ_L, ρ_S, ρ_V etc.

The total charge divided by the length, surface area, or volume will be the average charge densities: $$\backslash langle\backslash lambda\_q\; \backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash frac\{Q\}\{\backslash ell\}\backslash ,,\backslash quad\; \backslash langle\backslash sigma\_q\backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash frac\{Q\}\{S\}\backslash ,,\backslash quad\backslash langle\backslash rho\_q\backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash frac\{Q\}\{V\}\backslash ,.$$

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Free, bound and total charge In dielectric materials, the total charge of an object can be separated into "free" and "bound" charges.

Bound charges set up electric dipoles in response to an applied electric field E, and polarize other nearby dipoles tending to line them up, the net accumulation of charge from the orientation of the dipoles is the bound charge. They are called bound because they cannot be removed: in the dielectric material the charges are the bound to the atomic nuclei.

Free charges are the excess charges which can move into electrostatic equilibrium, i.e. when the charges are not moving and the resultant electric field is independent of time, or constitute .

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Total charge densities In terms of volume charge densities, the total charge density is: $$\backslash rho\; =\; \backslash rho\_\backslash text\{f\}\; +\; \backslash rho\_\backslash text\{b\}\backslash ,.$$ as for surface charge densities: $$\backslash sigma\; =\; \backslash sigma\_\backslash text\{f\}\; +\; \backslash sigma\_\backslash text\{b\}\backslash ,.$$ where subscripts "f" and "b" denote "free" and "bound" respectively.

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Bound charge The bound surface charge is the charge piled up at the surface of the dielectric, given by the dipole moment perpendicular to the surface: $$q\_b\; =\; \backslash frac\{\backslash mathbf\{d\}\; \backslash cdot\backslash mathbf\{\backslash hat\{n\}\}\}$$ where s is the separation between the point charges constituting the dipole, $\backslash mathbf\{d\}$ is the electric dipole moment, $\backslash mathbf\{\backslash hat\{n\}\}$ is the unit normal vector to the surface.

Taking : $$d\; q\_b\; =\; \backslash frac\{d\backslash mathbf\{d\}\}$$

\cdot\mathbf{\hat{n}} and dividing by the differential surface element dS gives the bound surface charge density: $$\backslash sigma\_b\; =\; \backslash frac\{d\; q\_b\}\{d\; S\}\; =\; \backslash frac\{d\backslash mathbf\{d\}\}$$>

where P is the polarization density, i.e. density of electric dipole moments within the material, and dV is the differential volume element. Using the divergence theorem, the bound volume charge density within the material is $$q\_b\; =\; \backslash int\; \backslash rho\_b\; \backslash ,\; dV\; =\; -\backslash oint\_S\; \backslash mathbf\{P\}\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash hat\backslash mathbf\{n\}\; \backslash ,\; dS\; =\; -\backslash int\; \backslash nabla\; \backslash cdot\; \backslash mathbf\{P\}\; \backslash ,\; dV$$ hence: $$\backslash rho\_b\; =\; -\; \backslash nabla\backslash cdot\backslash mathbf\{P\}\backslash ,.$$ The negative sign arises due to the opposite signs on the charges in the dipoles, one end is within the volume of the object, the other at the surface. A more rigorous derivation is given below. {

^3} For a continuous distribution, the material can be divided up into infinitely many infinitesimal dipoles $$d\backslash mathbf\{d\}=\backslash mathbf\{P\}dV=\backslash mathbf\{P\}d^3\backslash mathbf\{r\}$$ where is the volume element, so the potential is the volume integral over the object: $$\backslash varphi\; =\; \backslash frac\{1\}\{4\backslash pi\backslash varepsilon\_0\}\backslash iiint\backslash frac\{(\backslash mathbf\{r\}-\backslash mathbf\{r\}\text{'})\backslash cdot\backslash mathbf\{P\}\}\{$$

^3}d^3\mathbf{r'} Since $$\backslash nabla\text{'}\backslash left(\backslash frac\{1\}\{$$

\right) \equiv \left(\mathbf{e}_x \frac{\partial }{\partial x'} + \mathbf{e}_y\frac{\partial }{\partial y'} + \mathbf{e}_z\frac{\partial }{\partial z'}\right)\left(\frac{1}\right) = \frac{\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{r}'}>

where ∇′ is the gradient in the r′ coordinates, $$\backslash varphi\; =\; \backslash frac\{1\}\{4\backslash pi\backslash varepsilon\_0\}\backslash iiint\backslash mathbf\{P\}\backslash cdot\backslash nabla\text{'}\backslash left(\backslash frac\{1\}\{$$

\right) d^3\mathbf{r'}

Integrating by parts $$\backslash varphi\; =\; \backslash frac\{1\}\{4\backslash pi\backslash varepsilon\_0\}\backslash iiint\backslash left\backslash nabla\text{'}\backslash cdot\backslash left(\backslash frac\{\backslash mathbf\{P\}\}$$

\right)d^3\mathbf{r'} using the divergence theorem:

dS'}- \frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0} \iiint\frac{\nabla'\cdot\mathbf{P}} d^3\mathbf{r'}

which separates into the potential of the surface charge (surface integral) and the potential due to the volume charge (volume integral):

that is $$\backslash sigma\_b=\backslash mathbf\{P\}\backslash cdot\backslash mathbf\{\backslash hat\{n\}\}\backslash ,,\backslash quad\; \backslash rho\_b\; =\; -\backslash nabla\backslash cdot\backslash mathbf\{P\}$$

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Free charge density

The free charge density serves as a useful simplification in Gauss's law for electricity; the volume integral of it is the free charge enclosed in a charged object - equal to the net flux of the electric displacement field D emerging from the object:

dS = \iiint \rho_f dV

See Maxwell's equations and constitutive relation for more details.

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Homogeneous charge density

For the special case of a homogeneous charge density ρ₀, independent of position i.e. constant throughout the region of the material, the equation simplifies to: $$Q\; =\; V\; \backslash rho\_0.$$

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Proof

Start with the definition of a continuous volume charge density: $$Q\; =\; \backslash int\_V\; \backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; \backslash ,\; dV.$$

Then, by definition of homogeneity, ρ _q( r) is a constant denoted by ρ _{q, 0} (to differ between the constant and non-constant densities), and so by the properties of an integral can be pulled outside of the integral resulting in: $$Q\; =\; \backslash rho\_\{q,0\}\; \backslash int\_V\; \backslash ,dV\; =\; \backslash rho\_0\; V$$ so, $$Q\; =\; V\; \backslash rho\_\{q,0\}.$$

The equivalent proofs for linear charge density and surface charge density follow the same arguments as above.

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Discrete charges

For a single point charge q at position r₀ inside a region of 3d space R, like an electron, the volume charge density can be expressed by the Dirac delta function: $$\backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; =\; q\; \backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_0)$$ where r is the position to calculate the charge.

As always, the integral of the charge density over a region of space is the charge contained in that region. The delta function has the shifting property for any function f: $$\backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; f(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_0)\; =\; f(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\_0)$$ so the delta function ensures that when the charge density is integrated over R, the total charge in R is q: $$Q\; =\backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; \backslash ,\; \backslash rho\_q\; =\backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; \backslash ,\; q\; \backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_0)\; =\; q\; \backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; \backslash ,\; \backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_0)\; =\; q$$

This can be extended to N discrete point-like charge carriers. The charge density of the system at a point r is a sum of the charge densities for each charge q_i at position r _i, where : $$\backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})=\backslash sum\_\{i=1\}^N\backslash \; q\_i\backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_i)$$

The delta function for each charge q_i in the sum, δ( r − r _i), ensures the integral of charge density over R returns the total charge in R: $$Q\; =\; \backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; \backslash sum\_\{i=1\}^N\backslash \; q\_i\backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_i)\; =\; \backslash sum\_\{i=1\}^N\backslash \; q\_i\; \backslash int\_R\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\; \backslash delta(\backslash mathbf\{r\}\; -\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}\_i)\; =\; \backslash sum\_\{i=1\}^N\backslash \; q\_i$$

If all charge carriers have the same charge q (for electrons q = − e, the electron charge) the charge density can be expressed through the number of charge carriers per unit volume, n( r), by $$\backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; =\; q\; n(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\backslash ,.$$

Similar equations are used for the linear and surface charge densities.

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Charge density in special relativity

In special relativity, the length of a segment of wire depends on velocity of observer because of length contraction, so charge density will also depend on velocity. Anthony French has described how the magnetic field force of a current-bearing wire arises from this relative charge density. He used (p 260) a Minkowski diagram to show "how a neutral current-bearing wire appears to carry a net charge density as observed in a moving frame." When a charge density is measured in a moving frame of reference it is called proper charge density.

Richard A. Mould (2025). 9780387952109, Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9780387952109

Derek F. Lawden (2025). 9780486132143, Courier Corporation. ISBN 9780486132143

Jack Vanderlinde (2025). 9781402027000, Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9781402027000

It turns out the charge density ρ and current density J transform together as a four-current vector under Lorentz transformations.

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Charge density in quantum mechanics

In quantum mechanics, charge density ρ _q is related to wavefunction ψ( r) by the equation$$\backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; =\; q\; |\backslash psi(\backslash mathbf\; r)|^2$$where q is the charge of the particle and is the probability density function i.e. probability per unit volume of a particle located at r. When the wavefunction is normalized - the average charge in the region r ∈ R is$$Q=\; \backslash int\_R\; q\; |\backslash psi(\backslash mathbf\; r)|^2\; \backslash ,\; d^3\; \backslash mathbf\{r\}$$where d³ r is the integration measure over 3d position space.

For system of identical fermions, the number density is given as sum of probability density of each particle in :

$n(\backslash mathbf\; r)\; =\; \backslash sum\_i\; \backslash langle\; \backslash psi\; |\; \backslash delta^3\; (\backslash mathbf\; r-\backslash mathbf\; r\_i\text{'})|\; \backslash psi\backslash rangle$

$n(\backslash mathbf\; r)\; =\; \backslash sum\_i\; \backslash int\{\backslash mathrm\; d\}^3\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2\; \backslash cdots\; \backslash int\{\backslash mathrm\; d\}^3\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N\; \backslash ,\; \backslash Psi^*(\backslash mathbf\; r,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2,\backslash dots\; ,\backslash mathbf\; r\_i=\backslash mathbf\; r\text{'},\; \backslash dots\; ,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N)\; \backslash Psi(\backslash mathbf\; r,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2,\; \backslash dots\; ,\backslash mathbf\; r\_i=\backslash mathbf\; r\text{'},\; \backslash dots\; ,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N).$

Using symmetrization condition:$$n(\backslash mathbf\; r)\; =\; N\; \backslash int\{\backslash mathrm\; d\}^3\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2\; \backslash cdots\; \backslash int\{\backslash mathrm\; d\}^3\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N\; \backslash ,\; \backslash Psi^*(\backslash mathbf\; r,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2,\; \backslash dots,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N)\; \backslash Psi(\backslash mathbf\; r,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_2,\; \backslash dots,\; \backslash mathbf\; r\_N).$$where $\backslash rho\_q(\backslash mathbf\{r\})\; =\; q\; \backslash cdot\; n\; (\backslash mathbf\; r)$ is considered as the charge density.

The potential energy of a system is written as:$$\backslash langle\; \backslash psi\; |\; U|\backslash psi\backslash rangle\; =\; \backslash int\; V(\backslash mathbf\; r)\; n(\backslash mathbf\; r)\; \backslash delta^3\backslash mathbf\; r$$The electron-electron repulsion energy is thus derived under these conditions to be:$$U\_\{ee\}n\; =\; Jn\; =\backslash frac\{1\}\{2\}\backslash int\; \backslash delta^3\backslash mathbf\; r\text{'}\; \backslash int\; \backslash delta^3\backslash mathbf\; r\; \backslash left(\backslash frac\{(en(\backslash mathbf\; r))(e\; n(\backslash mathbf\; r\text{'}\; ))\}$$

\right) = \frac{1}{2}\int \delta^3\mathbf r' \int \delta^3\mathbf r \left(\frac{\rho(\mathbf r)\rho(\mathbf r' )}\right) Note that this is excluding the exchange energy of the system, which is a purely quantum mechanical phenomenon, has to be calculated separately.

Then, the energy is given using Hartree-Fock method as:

$En\; =\; I\; +\; J\; -\; K$

Where I is the kinetic and potential energy of electrons due to positive charges, J is the electron electron interaction energy and K is the exchange energy of electrons.

Jun John Sakurai (2025). 9781108473224, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108473224

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Application The charge density appears in the continuity equation for electric current, and also in Maxwell's Equations. It is the principal source term of the electromagnetic field; when the charge distribution moves, this corresponds to a current density. The charge density of molecules impacts chemical and separation processes. For example, charge density influences metal-metal bonding and hydrogen bonding. For separation processes such as nanofiltration, the charge density of ions influences their rejection by the membrane.

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See also

• Continuity equation relating charge density and current density
• Ionic potential
• Charge density wave

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Further reading

• A. Halpern (1988). 9780070257344, Schaum Series, Mc Graw Hill. ISBN 9780070257344
• G. Woan (2025). 9780521575072, Cambridge University Press. . ISBN 9780521575072
• P. A. Tipler, G. Mosca (2025). 9780716789642, Freeman. ISBN 9780716789642
• R.G. Lerner, G.L. Trigg (1991). 9780895737526, VHC publishers. . ISBN 9780895737526
• C.B. Parker (1994). 9780070514003, VHC publishers. . ISBN 9780070514003

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External links

• [1] - Spatial charge distributions

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