Fall 2021 Homework 2 Due 9/6/2021

PH 531: Electromagnetic Theory I

1. Express the following charge distributions as three-dimensional charge densities ρ(x).
(a). A charge Q uniformly distributed over a spherical shell of radius a, in spherical coordinates.
(b). A charge λ per unit length uniformly distributed over a cylindrical surface of radius b, in cylindrical
coordinates.
(c). A charge Q spread uniformly over a flat circular disk of negligible thickness and radius r:
(i) in spherical coordinates.
(ii) in cylindrical coordinates.

2. Suppose that in another universe the laws of electromagnetism are different. There, the force of interaction
between two point charges, q1 and q2 , is governed by a modified form of Coulomb’s Law:
1 q1 q2  r  −r/λ
F = 1 + e r̂, (1)
4π0 r2 λ
where λ has the dimension of length. The principle of superposition still holds. With this modified
Coulomb’s Law, answer the following questions:
(a). Determine the electric field due to a charge distribution ρ(r).
(b). Find the potential Φ due to a point charge q, using ∞ as the reference point.
(c). Show that the following form of modified Gauss’ Law holds true:
I Z
1 q
E · da + 2 Φd3 x = , (2)
S λ V 0

where q is a point charge enclosed by the spherical surface S, and V is the volume of the sphere.

3. Use Gauss’ Law to find the electric field when the charge density is:
(a). ρ(x) = ρ0 exp(−κ|x|), where |x| is the absolute value of the x coordinate. Express the answer in
Cartesian coordinates. Note:pthis form of ρ means that it is independent of y and z.
(b). ρ(x, y, z) = ρ0 exp(−κ x2 + y 2 + z 2 ). Express the answer in spherical coordinates.

4. A two-dimensional disk of radius R carries a uniform charge per unit area σ > 0.
(a). Calculate the potential at any point on the symmetry axis of the disk (call that the z-axis).
(b). Calculate the potential at any point on the rim of the disk. Hint: use a point on the rim as the origin.
(c). Sketch the electric field pattern everywhere in the plane of the disk.
(d). Calculate the total electrostatic energy W of the disk.

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