Physics 217 Practice Final Exam: Solutions

Fall 2002

This was the Physics 217 final exam in Fall 1990. Twenty-three students took the exam.
The average score was 110 out of 150 (73.1%), and the standard deviation 29. The high
and low scores were 145 and 75.

If any of these solutions seems obscure, please contact us so we can explain it better.

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 1 (30 points)

a. An infinite cylinder with radius 2R is

charged uniformly, with charge
density ρ, except for an infinite y
cylindrical hole parallel to the
cylinder's axis. The hole has radius R
and is tangent to the exterior of the
cylinder. A short chunk of the
cylinder is shown in the accom- E
panying figure.

Calculate the electric field everywhere ρ

inside the hole, and sketch the lines of z R x
E on the figure.

Superpose a narrow cylinder with charge y

density − ρ on a wide cylinder with charge
density ρ to create the hole; then superpose
the fields from these two charge distributions.
The field inside a uniformly charged infinite s−
cylinder can be computed by using Gauss’ s+
Law, with a cylindrical Gaussian surface R
(radius s less than the wire’s radius, length A )
coaxial with the wire: x

v∫ E ⋅ da = 4π Qenclosed
(
E2π sA = 4π ρπ s 2 A ) ⇒ E = 2πρ s .
 2

Then, with E+ as the field from the wide cylinder and E− as the field inside the
narrow one, we have (see figure):

E+ = 2πρ s+ , E− = −2πρ s− ,
E = E+ + E− = 2πρ ( s+ − s− ) = 2πρ Ryˆ .

The field is constant, and points straight up. Multiply on the right by 1 4πε 0 to get
the answer in MKS units.

b. An infinite cylindrical wire with

radius 2R carries a uniform current
density J, except inside an infinite y
cylindrical hole parallel to the wire's
axis. The hole has radius R and is
tangent to the exterior of the wire. A B
short chunk of the wire is shown in
the accompanying figure.

Calculate the magnetic field

everywhere inside the hole, and sketch J
the lines of B on the figure.
z R x
Superpose a narrow wire with
current density -J on a wide cylinder with charge density J to create the hole; then
superpose the fields from these two current distributions. The field inside a uniform-
density current can be computed by using Ampère’s Law, with a circular Ampèrean
loop (radius s less than the wire’s radius) coaxial with the wire:

4π
v∫ B ⋅ dA = c
I enclosed

4π 2π Js
B2π s =
c
(
Jπ s 2 ) ⇒ B=
c
ˆ .
φ

Then, with B+ as the field from the wide cylinder and B− as the field inside the
narrow one, we have:

2π Js+ 2π J 2π J
B+ = φˆ+ = s+ ( − sin φ+ xˆ + cos φ+ yˆ ) = ( − y+ xˆ + x+ yˆ ) ,
c c c
2π J
B− = − ( − y− xˆ + x− yˆ ) .
c

But x+ = x− = x and y + = y − + R = y (see cross section figure in part a), so

 3

2π J 2π JR
B = B+ + B− =
c
(
− yxˆ + xyˆ −  − ( y − R ) xˆ + xyˆ  = − ) c
xˆ .

The field is constant, and points horizontally, to the left in the figure. Replace the
1 c with µ0 4π to get the answer in MKS units.

c. An infinite cylindrical “flux tube”

with radius 2R carries a uniform
magnetic field B, parallel to the y
cylinder's axis, except inside an
infinite cylindrical hole parallel to the
flux tube’s axis. The hole has radius R E
and is tangent to the exterior of the
flux tube. A short chunk of the flux
tube is shown in the accompanying
figure. The magnetic field is zero
inside the hole and outside the flux B
tube, but where it exists, it is
increasing linearly with time: z R x
t
B ( t ) = B0 zˆ .
t0

Calculate the electric field everywhere inside the hole, and sketch the lines of E on the figure.

Superpose a narrow flux tube with magnetic field -B on a wide flux tube with
magnetic field B to create the hole; then superpose the fields from these two flux
tubes. The field inside a uniform magnetic flux tube can be computed by using
Faraday’s Law, with a circular “Ampèrean” loop (radius s less than the flux tube’s
radius) coaxial with the flux tube:

1 dΦ B
v∫ E ⋅ dA = − c dt
1  2 dB  π s 2 B0 B0 s
E2π s = −  π s =− ⇒ E=− ˆ .
φ
c dt  ct0 2ct0

Then, with E+ as the field from the wide flux tube and E− as the field inside the
narrow one, we have:

B0 s+ B
E+ = − ˆ + = − 0 ( − yxˆ + xyˆ ) ,
φ
2ct0 2ct0
B
E− = 0 ( − ( y − R ) xˆ + xyˆ ) ,
2ct0
 4

so

E = E+ + E− = −
B0
2ct0
( )BR
− yxˆ + xyˆ −  − ( y − R ) xˆ + xyˆ  = 0 xˆ .
2ct0

The field is constant, and points horizontally, to the right in the figure. Eliminate the
factor of 1 c to get the answer in MKS units.

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 2 (30 points)

a. Calculate the electric field at a point on the axis of a

uniformly-charged circular disk, a distance z from the circle's dE
center. The disk has surface charge density σ and radius a.

For two infinitesimal elements the same distance away

from the axis (s) on opposite sides ( φ and φ + π ), the z
horizontal components of dE cancel and the vertical (z) θ
r
components add; thus the contribution to the electric
field from a ring with radius s and width ds is
s ds
dq cos θ 2π sds z σ
dE = 2
zˆ = σ 2 2 .
r z +s 2
z +s 2

Thus a

a z2 + a2
2 sds du z2 + a2
E = zˆπσ z ∫ = zˆπσ z ∫ = − zˆ 2πσ z u−1 2
( z2 + s 2 )
32
0 z2
u3 2 z2

 z 
= 2πσ  1 −  zˆ .

 z2 + a2 

dB
b. The charged circular disk from part a is set into rotation
about its axis, with angular frequency ω. Calculate the
magnetic field B at a point on the axis a distance z from the
z
center of the disk.
r
Again, the horizontal components cancel and vertical ω
components add, for current elements symmetrically θ
placed about the axis, so
σ

a
 5

1 Kda 1 (σω r )( 2π sds ) s

dB = 2
cos θ = 2 2
.
c r c z +s z + s2
2

Thus

a
2πσω s 3 ds
c ∫0 z2 + s 2
B = zˆ .
( )
32

Not many points would be lost by stopping here, but we’ll assume we’re trying for a
perfect score:

a2
πσω udu
B = zˆ ∫ .
(z )
c 2 32
0 +u

( )
32
Integrate by parts, with dv = du z 2 + u , v = −2 z2 + u :

 a2 
πσω  a2 
a2 a2
πσω  − 2 u du 
B = zˆ
c  0
uv − ∫ vdu = zˆ c  z2 + u + 2 ∫ z2 + u 
 0   0 0 

2πσω  dw 
z2 + a2
a2 2πσω  a2 z2 + a2 
= zˆ − + ∫ = zˆ  − + 2 w 
c  2 2 w c  2 2 z2
 z + a z 2
 z + a 

2πσω  a2  2πσω  a 2 + 2 z 2 
= zˆ − + 2 z 2 + a 2 − 2 z  = zˆ  − 2 z .
c  z2 + a2  c  z 2 + a 2 

Multiply on the right by 1 4πε 0 in part a, and replace the 1 c with µ0 4π in part b, to
get the answers in MKS units.

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 3 (20 points)

Consider the reference point for electric potential to be at infinity for both parts of this problem.

a. A conducting sphere with radius a is in an infinite vacuum. What is its capacitance?

Consider it to carry a charge q; then, for r > a ,

 6

q
E= rˆ ,
r2
a
qdr q CV
V = − ∫ E ⋅ dA = − ∫ 2
= =
∞
r a a
⇒ C=a .

Multiply on the right by 1 4πε 0 for the MKS answer.

b. The same sphere is placed in an infinite, weakly-conducting medium with resistivity ρ. What
is the resistance between the sphere and infinity?

If the conductivity is small enough, the electric field is given simply by the
electrostatic value, so

σq
J =σE = rˆ .
r2

For all r > a , then,

2π π
1
I = ∫ J ⋅ da = σ q ∫ dφ ∫ dθ sin θ r
2
= σ q ( 2π )( 2 ) = 4πσ q .
0 0
r2

But V = q a still, so, since V also = IR ,

V 1 ρ
R= = = .
I 4πσ a 4π a

Divide on the right by 1 4πε 0 for the MKS answer.

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 4 (10 points)

a. Calculate the magnetic field inside a long solenoid with radius a, N a turns per unit
length, and current I.

Use Ampère’s Law with a rectangular loop, two sides parallel to the solenoid’s axis:

4π
v∫ B ⋅ dA = c
I enclosed

4π 4π
Bh = IaN ah ⇒ B = N a I a zˆ ,
c c
 7

where I a is the current in each turn of the solenoid, and the z direction is along the
coil’s axis in the direction given by the right hand rule. Replace the 1 c with µ0 4π
to get the answer in MKS units.

b. Inside the long solenoid and parallel to it,

there is a short solenoid with radius b, N b
b
turns per unit length, and length A . What
is the mutual inductance of the two a
solenoids?

It’s easiest to work out the flux in the small coil from the field in the large one:

4π
Φ Bb = Ba Ab = N a I a N b Aπ b 2 (flux threads N b A loops)
c
4π N a N b Ab 2
2
= Ia
c
= cMI a , so
4π 2 N a N b Ab 2
M= .
c2

Replace the 1 c 2 with µ0 4π to get the answer in MKS units.

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 5 (20 points)

An infinite, charged, straight wire (charge per unit length λ ) lies parallel to the z axis, and
parallel to two infinite, grounded conducting planes which intersect at a 90D angle. The charged
wire lies a distance a from each plane. Calculate the electric field E at point A, 2a from each plane
on the same side as the line charge, and at point B, a 2 from each plane but on the side opposite
the line charge.

y
A

2 1
−λ λ
a
x

4 B 3
λ −λ
 8

Point B is inside the conductor, so the electric field is zero there. For point A, use the
method of images. There are three images of the line charge in the conducting plane,
two with charge per unit length −λ and one with λ , labeled 2-4 in the figure above.
The electric field for an infinite line charge can be calculated from Gauss’ Law, using a
Gaussian cylinder with radius s and length h:

v∫ E ⋅ da = 4π qenclosed
2λ
E2π sh = 4πλ h ⇒ E = sˆ .
s

So we can superpose the fields from the four line charges at point A:

E = E1 + E2 + E3 + E4
 1  1 1  1  3 1 
= 2λ   xˆ + yˆ  −  xˆ + yˆ 
a 2  2 2  a 10  10 10 
1  1 3  1  1 1 
−  xˆ + yˆ  +  xˆ + yˆ  
a 10  10 10  3a 2  2 2 
2 λ  1 3 1 1  1 1 3 1  
=   − − +  xˆ +  − − +  yˆ 
a  2 10 10 12   2 10 10 12  
11λ
= ( xˆ + yˆ ) .
30 a

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 6 (20 points)

A sphere with radius R carries a polarization P = Kr , where K is a constant and r is the vector
distance from the center.

a. Find the surface and volume bound charges.

σ b = P ( R ) ⋅ rˆ = KR ,

ρ b = −— ⋅ P = − 2 (
1 d 2
r dr
)
r Kr = −3K .

Check: the total bound charge should come out to zero, and it does:

4
q = 4π R 2σ b + π R 3 ρb = 4π KR 3 − 4π KR 3 = 0 .
3

b. Calculate the fields E and D everywhere.

 9

Since the charges are distributed with spherical symmetry, we can use Gauss’ Law
with spherical gaussian surfaces. With one of those drawn outside the sphere
( r > R ) , we enclose no charge (see part a, above), so

v∫ E ⋅ da = 0 ⇒ E = 0 , D = E + 4π P = 0 .

For the inside of the sphere ( r ≤ R ) , a Gaussian sphere encloses a charge

proportional to its volume:

v∫ E ⋅ da = 4π qenclosed
4 3 4
E4π r 2 = 4ππ r ρb = 4π π r 3 ( −3K )
3 3
⇒ E = −4π Kr = −4π P , D = E + 4π P = 0 .

Note that we could have done the whole problem with D, because there are no free
charges and the polarization is radial (i.e. — × P = 0, so — × D = 0 ).

______________________________________________________________________________

Problem 7 (20 points)

a. A circular wafer is made of very weakly

conducting material with resistivity ρ and r
dielectric constant ε. Its radius is r and its
thickness is A (  r ) . Highly conductive, metallic
electrodes cover the circular faces.
Ar

Under the assumption that the material’s ρ, ε

conductivity doesn't affect the capacitance,
calculate the resistance and capacitance of the wafer with its electrodes.

ρA ρA
R= = ,
A π r2
ε A ε r2
C= = .
4π A 4A

Replace ε by 4πε 0 to convert to MKS.

b. Suppose that the wafer is charged up with a battery with voltage V, and that the battery is
disconnected at t = 0. Write one differential equation describing the charge on the electrodes,
and the similar equations describing the potential difference V ( t ) , and the electric field E ( t )
within the wafer.
 10

(Hint: The wafer's resistance and capacitance have the same dq

potential difference, and can therefore be represented by two I= q
elements in parallel.)
dt
+
Kirchhoff’s rule #2, with the loop drawn counterclockwise, R C V
+
gives us

q
+ IR = 0 ;
C
dq 1 dq 4π
+ q= + q=0 .
dt RC dt ερ

Divide this result through by C and use q = CV to get

dV 4π
+ V =0 .
dt ερ

The field is constant between the plates; divide this last result by A and use V = −EA
to get

dE 4π
+ E=0 .
dt ερ

c. Solve the differential equation to obtain the electric field between the electrodes as a function
of time.

dE 4π dE 4π
+
dt ερ
E=0 ⇒ ∫ E
=−
ερ ∫
dt

E 4π t
ln =−
E0 ερ
E ( t ) = E0 e − 4π t ερ .

d. In terms of the resistivity and dielectric constant of the material, what is the time constant?
Comment on the generality of this result, considering the dependence of the time constant on
the shape of the wafer.

The result of part c can also be written as

ερ
E ( t ) = E0 e −t τ , τ= .
4π

Replace ε by 4πε 0 to convert to MKS. Note that the time constant doesn’t have any
factors or variables in it that have to do with the shape of the wafer; this must
 11

therefore be a general result for the relaxation of an electric field in a medium that
conducts.

______________________________________________________________________________