PH-212 La Rosa

Example
The figure shows a “semi-infinite” nonconducting rod (that is, infinite in one
direction only) has uniform linear charge density . Show that the electric field E
at point P makes an angle of 45o with the rod. Notice that this result of 45o
orientation is independent of the distance R.
(Hint: Separately find i) the component of E parallel to the rod, and ii) the
component of E perpendicular to the rod.
+ + + + + + + + + + +

R
P

Answer

q q q
The total electric field at
P is the sum of the
 individual fields R
produced by the Y
 different charges q P
located along the rod.
X
dEx , dEy )

Let’s choose a generic charge q located at the coordinate “s’ along the rod.

s q
Electric field produced
by the charge q
(located at the
R  
Y
coordinate “s”) at the
point P
P
X
d E = ( dEx , dEy )
 1 = -1

Notice, the Ex and Ey components are equal.

Hence, the electric filed makes 45o with the rod; this happens for any value of R
that we choose.

__________________________
Example (To be compared with the previous example)
The figure below shows nonconducting rod in the form of a circular quadrant of
radius “R” with center at +
the+point
+ +P. Evaluate
+ + + the+ electric
+ + filed
+ at P.

R
P

Notice, the Ex and Ey components are equal.

Hence, the electric filed makes 45o with the horizontal axis.
Example Comparing the electric fields produced at a given point “P” by
i) a semi-infinite line and
ii) by a corresponding quadrant.
Credit to former student Mr. Rong Wu ( PH-212, Summer term), who brought this
comparison to my attention.

PS d
A
R PA = R
 dl=R d
R
P PS Cos = R
PS = R/ Cos

In the graph above,  is the linear charge density.

Prove that the electric-field at the point P produced by the charge

contained in the segment ds
is the same as
the electric field at the point P produced by the charge contained
in the segment dl.
Show that (2) and (3) are equal.
__________________
Problem-73 Chapter-23. A nonconducting solid sphere has a uniform volume charge density r.
Let :r be the vector from the center of the sphere to a gen- eral point P within the sphere. (a)
Show that the electric field at P is given by E = (/3o)r. (Note that the result is independent of
the radius of the sphere.) (b) A spherical cavity is hollowed out of the sphere, as shown in the
Fig. Using superposition concepts, show that the electric field at all points within the cavity is
uniform and equal to E = (/3o)a, where a is the position vector from the center of the sphere to
the center of the cavity.