Electric Field Help: Questions & Answers

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around electric fields and related calculations, including electric flux through surfaces and the application of Gauss's Theorem. Participants are exploring various scenarios involving charged objects and their effects on electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for electric flux and the correct angle to use in calculations. There is confusion regarding the application of the formula EAcos(theta) and whether to use the angle directly or its complement.
  • Questions arise about calculating electric flux for a negatively charged sphere and whether the charge affects the sign of the flux.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to approach problems involving multiple charges and the implications for electric fields outside the spheres.
  • Another participant considers using Gauss's Theorem for a long solid nonconducting cylinder but struggles with the lack of length information for volume calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using Gauss's Theorem and correcting the area formula for a circle. However, there remains a lack of clarity on specific problems, particularly regarding the electric field inside the cylinder and the implications of multiple charges. Participants are actively seeking clarification and exploring different interpretations of the problems.

Contextual Notes

Participants emphasize a preference for understanding the process rather than receiving numerical answers, indicating a focus on conceptual clarity. There is also mention of constraints related to the information provided in textbooks and lecture notes.

arutha
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I have these questions on electric fields that I'm a bit confused on..

A flat circle of radius 8 cm is placed in a uniform electric field of 8.5 × 10^2 N/C. What is the electric flux (in Nm^2/C) through the circle when its face is at 51° to the field lines?

I just use EAcos(theta) don't I? Where A is 2*pi*r, but that angle do I use 51 or 90-51 since it is the angle is meant to be between the normal and the object not the object and the surface right?

A metallic sphere of radius 22 cm is negatively charged. The magnitude of the resulting electric field, close to the outside surface of the sphere, is 1.8 × 10^2 N/C. Calculate the net electric flux (in Nm^2/C) outward through a spherical surface surrounding, and just beyond, the metallic sphere's surface.

I'm thinking just E*A*cos(theta) again.. Would the answer be negative because it is negatively charged?


Two concentric spherical shells of radii R1=1 m and R2=2 m, contain charge Q1=0.005 C and Q2=0.0065 C respectively.
Calculate the Electric field at a distance r=1.79 m from the centerpoint of the spheres


I have absolutely no idea on this one.. How does it work with the two charges? And what if I was calculating the field outside the two spheres, would that be any different?

A very long solid nonconducting cylinder of radius 18.3 cm possesses a uniform volume charge density of 1.68 μC/m^3. Determine the magnitude of the electric field (in N/C) inside the cylinder at a radial distance of 8.8 cm from the cylinder's central axis

Heres what I've thought of, multiply the volume charge density by the volume of the cylindar to get the charge in μC, then use E=kQ/r^2 to get the magnitude of the electric field. Is that right? Edit: That won't work because I don't have a length of the cylindar to get the volume... Woops.

Thanks for any help, btw I don't want numbers or any answers I'd rather hear the process then get the numbers myself so I can figure out other problems of similar nature..
 
Last edited:
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what is the area of a circle 2*pi*r ? Check it.
 
Oh yeah I forgot the square after the r... I wrote it down on the sheet, just missed typing it.
 
A = (Pi)*r^2
 
For the rest problems go through Gauss's Theorem
 
Well, I got them all except the last one now. Still have absolutely no idea how to do it, I've gone through my textbook, lecture notes and everythnig but can't find anything on it.
 
arutha said:
A very long solid nonconducting cylinder of radius 18.3 cm possesses a uniform volume charge density of 1.68 μC/m^3. Determine the magnitude of the electric field (in N/C) inside the cylinder at a radial distance of 8.8 cm from the cylinder's central axis.

The distance of the point at which the field magnitude is required is 8.8 cm which is less then the radius of cylinder 18.3 cm.
Consider a coaxial cylindrical Gaussian surface of radius 8.8 cm and apply the Gauss’s theorem. Remember the charge to be taken within the Gaussian surface.
 

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