Electrostatic stress: insightful analysis and manipulation of Maxwell´s stress equation for electrostatics

Maxwell´s stress equation for electrostatics identifies a tensile stress in the direction of the electric field and a pressure normal to this direction. For an isolated, spherically symmetric static charge distribution, Maxwell´s stress equation is manipulated using a variant of Stokes´ Theorem. The recast stress equation eliminates the stress normal to the electric field and establishes a stress only aligned with the electric field. For two separated, spherically symmetric static charge distributions, Maxwell´s stress equation is also manipulated using a variant of Stokes´ Theorem. The recast stress equation develops a line stress that only exists on the straight path between the two charge distributions. The analysis and manipulation of Maxwell´s stress equation provides some insight into electrostatic stresses and establishes additional tools for the electrical engineer when analyzing electrostatic system stresses.