A long plastic rod has radius a. Charge is uniformly distributed inside such that the total charge per unit length = A. Show that the potential difference between a point on the axis of the rod and a point outside the rod at radius ris mw: > (420% \ ee Hints: - Draw side-view and axial view diagrams - Find Eforra (see Assignment 3) - Split the integral for AV into two parts In a certain region, the electric potential is V(xy,z) = 3x°z + 3y’z - 22° Volts (x, y,z in metres) (a) Find the electric field E(x,y,z). Answer: To be given during the class (b) How much work must be done to move a charge of -2 C from the origin to position (1, 2, 3)? Answer: W = +18 Joules [ Think carefully about the sign of W ] (c) Show that, in any plane parallel to the x-y plane, the equipotentials are circles centred on the origin. [What’s the equation of a circle with centre at (0,0)?]EME 2002 Exercise Class4___Answers 1: Long plastic (i.e., insulating) rod. Radius a, Uniform charge density inside Charge per unit length = A. Note: The derivation of the electric field is given on the question sheet. By symmetry, the field lines will radiate outwards, perpendicular to the axis. NN Wy V 3 ne 7 AXIAL VIEW SIDE VIEW Use Gauss’s Law: 1. Diagram with field pattern: as above. 2. Best Gaussian surface: Choose a cylinder, radius r (two eases: ). For either of the two Gaussian cylinders, + Flatends: E and dA are perpendicular => E-dA=0 * Curved side: E and dA are parallel => E-dA=EdA and: because r is the same over the whole of the curved side, so is E. 3. Work out &: = fess = fea + Jaca : fess 0+ 0+ Jesx = few = » fos bp ‘eto Soe tie Sie Se So, d= 4, Find Qenctosea! (E)(Area of curved surface) = (2nrL)EVolume of Gi ian cylinder nee = (Ch length L of rod} @ra Que = (Charge on length L of rod) = AL 5. Equate ® and Qepe/E, to find E: @rea QmL)E = (/a’)ALe, > E(r) (r>a: QmL)E=ALe, To find AV: [avj= Never mind the sign, just work out the magnitude of AV for the moment. Choose a radial path from the axis to r(r > a): |dF| =|dL] and E and. are always parallel Break the integral into two parts, 0 a and a — r using the two expressions for E: This integrates directly to give |AV| = {V, -V,| | A eatesa/ay mE, Use common sense to decide on the sigh of AV: AV is positive because we would need to push a positive charge from radius r inwards towards the axis,(a) (b) © V(xyz) = 3x + 3y’z- 22? - BV, BV. bv E(x, y.2)=—|—i+——j+ =k (x,y.2) (= x | E(x, y,2)=—(6xz)i — (6yz)j + Gx? +3y? -627)K V(0,0.0) =0 V(1,2,3) = 3(17)3 + 3(27)3 - 2(3%) = 9436-54 = -9 Volts ‘The magnitude of the work done in bringing -2C from the origin to (1,2,3) is, IWI = (Charge)(Potential difference)! = \(-2)(-9)! = 181 Joules Is W positive or negative: Positive charge would tend to be pullled by the field from the origin to (1,2,3) because (1,2,3) has a lower potential. Negative charge would need to be pushed from the origin to (1,2,3,) Therefore W is positive: W =18 Joules Equipotential line = V(x,yz) is a constant. Plane parallel to the x-y plane => z is a constant. V(xy.z) = 3x72 + 3y"z - 227 So 3z(x? +") = Vixy.z) +22” V(x, y,z) +22” 32 Therefore x+y? = = K, aconstant. This is the equation of a circle with radius K"? centred on the origin.