FDE Homework 2 PDF

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FDE 2020-I Homework 2 March 20, 2020

Deadline: March 26, 2020

Problem 1
Positive charge Q is distributed uniformly along the y-axis between y = −a and y = +a
(Like a rod, see Fig. 1). Find the electric field at point P on the x-axis at a distance x from
the origin. Follow the instructions:

• Divide the rod into infinitesimal segments, each of which is a short segment of length
dy. How much charge is on a segment?.

• Consider an infinitesimal segment located position y on the rod, Find the distance and
the angle from the point P , What are the x− and y−components of the electric field
at P (dEx and dEy ) produced by just this segment?

• Integrate your expressions for dEx and dEy from y = −a to y = a.The integrals should
be for the vatiable y. The results will be the x−component and y−component of the
electric field at P.

• Optional: Check that if the point is to close to the rode and the length of the rood is
big (i.e. a >> x) , the Electric Field is :

~ = λ
E î, (1)
2π0 x
where λ = Q/2a is the linear charge density.

Figure 1: Problem 1

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FDE 2020-I Homework 2 March 20, 2020

Problem 2
Positive charge Q is uniformly distributed around a semicircle of radius a as shown in Fig.
2 Find the magnitude and direction of the resulting electric field at point P , the center of
curvature of the semicircle. Follow the instructions:

• Divide the semicircle into infinitesimal segments, each of which is a short circular arc
of radius a and angle dθ. What is the length of such a segment? How much charge is
on a segment?.
• Consider an infinitesimal segment located at an angular position θ on the semicircle,
measured from the lower right corner of the semicircle at x = a, y = 0. (Thus θ = π/2
at x = 0, y = a and θ = π at x = −a, y = 0.) What are the x− and y−components of
the electric field at P (dEx and dEy ) produced by just this segment?
• Integrate your expressions for dEx and dEy from θ = 0 to θ = π. The results will be
the x−component and y−component of the electric field at P.

Figure 2: Problem 2

Problem 3
Positive electric charge Q is distributed uniformly throughout the volume of an insulating
sphere with radius R. Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point P a distance r from
the center of the sphere. Instructions:

• Find the charge density of the sphere ρ.


• Find the portion of charge enclosed by a inner sphere with radius r < R. (Hint: you
can find the charge enclosed by multiplying the volume of the encloses surface by the
charge density qenclo = ρVenclo )

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FDE 2020-I Homework 2 March 20, 2020

• Use Gauss Law, inside and outside the sphere . Suggestion : use another sphere as a
Gaussian surface.

Figure 3: Problem 3

Problem 4
A long coaxial cable consists of an inner cylindrical conductor with radius a and an outer
coaxial cylinder with inner radius b and outer radius c. The outer cylinder is mounted on
insulating supports and has no net charge. The inner cylinder has a uniform positive charge
per unit length λ. Calculate the electric field (a) at any point between the cylinders a distance
r from the axis and (b) at any point outside the outer cylinder. (c) Graph the magnitude
of the electric field as a function of the distance r from the axis of the cable, from r = 0 to
r = 2c. Fig 4.

Figure 4: Problem 4

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FDE 2020-I Homework 2 March 20, 2020

Problem 5
A solid conducting sphere carrying charge q has radius a. It is inside a concentric hollow
conducting sphere with inner radius b and outer radius c. The hollow sphere has no net
charge. (a) Derive expressions for the electric field magnitude in terms of the distance r from
the center for the regions r < a, a < r < b , b < r < c, and r > c. (b) Graph the magnitude
of the electric field as a function of r from r = 0 to r = 2c. Fig. 5

Figure 5: Problem 5

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