Electrodynamics

Prof. Ulrich Kleinekathöfer

Fall term 2023
Problem set 4, due October 6, 2023, 15.30 pm
to be uploaded to https://elearning.jacobs-university.de

16. Image charges [3 points]

Consider the configurations of point charges in the presence of conducting planes shown in the
figure. For each case, find the solution for the electrostatic potential over the whole space and
evaluate the electrostatic energy of the system. Use the method of image charges.
a) A charge q is located at a distance a from an infinite conducting plane.
b) Two opposite charges +q and −q are at a distance d from each other, both at the same
distance a from an infinite conducting plane.
c) A charge q is at distances a and b, respectively, from two infinite conducting half planes
forming a right dihedral angle.

17. Electrostatic force [2 points]

a) A point charge q is located a distance d away from the center of a grounded conducting
sphere of radius a. Does the electrostatic force between the charge and the sphere pull these
two objects together or push them apart. Why?
b) Now suppose the conducting sphere is not grounded and carries no net charge. Does the
electrostatic force pull the two objects together or push them apart? Why? Is the magnitude of
the force greater or less than the force between the charge and the grounded sphere? Why?

18. Uniformly charged semicircular arc [2 points]

A positive charge Q is spread over an semicircular arc with radius R as shown. What is the work
required to bring in a charge −q from infinity to the center of the arc? Calculate the magnitude
and direction of the force on a charge −q at the center of the arc.

19. Disk [3 points]

A circular disk of radius a has uniform surface charge density σ . Compute the potential at a
point on the axis of symmetry at distance z from the center. Compute the electric field at this
point. Find the discontinuity in the normal electric field at the center of the disk. Show that, far
along the axis of symmetry, the electric field looks approximately like that of a charged point
particle.