Physics

[Electric Field Due to Uniformly Charged Thin Wire of Finite Length]

PF-33

FORMULA OF THE DAY

Electric field due to uniformly charged thin
wire of finite length at perpendicular distance X

 1 λ
=E ( sin θ1 + sin θ2 ) iˆ + (cos θ2 – cos θ1) jˆ 
4πε0 x 

Where, λ = Linear charge density

x = Perpendicular distance of point from wire.
θ1 & θ1 = Angle between perpendicular distance and line
joining point to ends of wire.
Important point :
(1) If wire is of infinite length
θ1 = θ2 ≈ 90°
 1 λˆ
E= i
2πε0 x

(2) If wire is of infinite length and point is in front of one end

θ1 = 0, θ2 =90°
 1 λ ˆ ˆ
E= (i – j )
4πε0 x

Try Yourself

Q. The magnitude of net electric field at the centre of square frame of side
length L and linear charge density λ and – λ as shown in figure is

1 4 2λ 1 8λ 1 4 2λ 1 8 2λ
(1) (2) (3) (4)
4πε0 L 4πε0 L 4πε0 L 4πε0 L
 Physics Solution
[Electric Field]
PF-32

PF-32 Correct Answer Option (3)

Solution
kQx
E=
( x 2 + R 2 )3/2

kQR kQR
=E (R ) =2 2 3/2
(R + R ) 23/2.R 3

 R  kQ(R / 2) kQ(R / 2)
=
E  = 3/2 3/2
 2   R2 2 3 3
 +R    .R
 2  2

kQR 1
E (R ) 23/2.R 3 2 2
= =
E (R 2) kQ(R / 2) 1
3
3/2
3 3
R3 2.
  2 2
2

3 3 1 3 3
= × =
2 2 2 4 2

E (R ) 3 3
=
E (R / 2) 4 2