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1. Consider a very long (infinite) charged cylinder of radius R with a non-uniform charge
density inside it that varies linearly according to (r) = Br, (r < R) where r is the distance
from the central axis and B is a
constant.
Area vector dA is away from central axis from body of Gaussian surface and is parallel to E, bud
dA is outward from the caps hence it is perpendicular to E field.
Qenc
dA ( EdA cos 90 ) left cap ( EdA cos 0) body ( EdA cos 90 ) right cap 0
o o
E
Q
0 E I 2 r l 0 enc
0
The charge enclosed is the amount in the Gaussian surface of radius r. To find the enclosed
charge when choose a cylindrical shell of radius r, length l, and thickness dr that has volume dV.
2
r
Qenc dV Br ( 2rldr ) Br 3 l
0
3
Q 2Br l 3 B 2
E I 2 r l enc EI r r
0 3 0 3 0
In region II (r > R) a new pillbox of radius r and length
l as shown is chosen for Gaussian surface.
Electric field points away from the central axis. The
electric flux through our Gaussian surface is:
Qenc
dA 0
E
Area vector dA is away from central axis from body of Gaussian surface and is parallel to E, bud
dA is outward from the caps hence it is perpendicular to E field.
All steps and integration is same as above except the enclosed charge will be entire charge on
cylinder:
2
R
Qenc dV Br (2rldr ) BR 3 l
0
3
Qenc 2BR l 3 BR 3 1
E II 2 r l E II r
0 3 0 3 0 r
Here is the summary of the electric field inside and outside of the cylinder:
B 2
E I 3 r r rR
0
3
E BR 1 r rR
II 3 0 r
R r
V (r ) V (0) E I dl E II dl (dl and E are parallel)
0 R
R r
B 2 BR 3 1
V (r ) V (0) r dr cos 0 dr cos 0
0
3 0 R
3 0 r
BR 3 BR 3 r
V ( r ) V ( 0) ln
9 0 3 0 R
C) A point charge of mass m and charge q has been held at point P a distance of 1.5R as
shown. Find the speed of the point charge when it reaches a distance of 3R from the
central axis of the cylinder.
Since the charge is positive, therefore if released from rest it will accelerate in the direction of
electric field, by converting electric potential energy to KE. The change in kinetic energy (KE)
when the object moves from a distance r = 1.5R from the central axis of the cylinder to a distance
r = 3R is given by
KEf – KEi = –(Uf – Ui) = –q(Vf – Vi)
Recall we chose V(0) = 0 at central axis of cylinder (r = 0), so:
R r
V (r ) V (0) E I dl E II dl (dl and E are parallel)
0 R
2. On the x axis at distances of x = ± d and x = 0 three infinite vertical sheets of charge are
located. The sheets have uniform charge densities – andas shown.
A) Calculate the electric field at each region i – iv shown.
Qenc
E dA 0
( 2 )(area ) 0
B) Plot the x component of the electric field, Ex as a function of x. Clearly indicate on the
vertical axis the values of Ex for the different regions.
The electric potential difference between infinity and any point P located a distance x from
origin, is given by
x
V ( x ) V ( ) E dl (area under the graph of E vs x)
Now we use area under graph of E to evaluate the integral for each region. First for a charge
brought from infinity to point P where x > d
x
In region (iv), E = 0, hence V ( x) V () E dl 0 Viv ( x ) 0
For region (iii), the particle has to go through region (iv) first (0 < x <+d
d x
V ( x ) V () Eiv dl ( Eiii dl )
d
The potential is the negative of all area under graph of E and x axis
(from ∞ to shaded area at x):
Viii ( x ) V () 0 (x d )
0
Viii ( x) d x
0 0
For region (ii), the particle has to go through region (iii) and (iv) first coming from infinity.
d 0 x
Vii ( x) V () Eiv dl ( Eiii dl ) ( Eii dl )
d 0
The potential is the negative of all area under graph of E and x axis (from ∞ to shaded area at –
x):
Vii ( x ) o ( (0 d )) ( ( (0 ( x )))
0 0
Vii ( x ) x d
0 0
Finally for region (i), the particle has to go through region (iv),
(iii), and (ii) first coming from infinity:
d 0 d x
Vi ( x) V () Eiv dl ( Eiii dl ) ( Eii dl ) ( Ei dl )
d 0 d
The potential is the negative of all area under graph of E and x axis (from ∞ to x < –d):
Vi ( x) o ( (0 d )) ( (0 ( d ))) ( 0)
0 0
Vi ( x ) 0
Following is the summary of potential for all regions:
0 x d region (i)
d x d x 0 region (ii)
0 0
V ( x)
d x 0 x d region (iii)
0 0
0 x d region (iv)
D) Plot the electric potential as a function of x. Indicate units on the vertical axis.
The graph at right shows the plot of
the electric potential as a function of
x with units of [volts] on the vertical
axis.
W U 0 U Q(V0 V )
Q
W d
0