Calculating Electric Flux and Field: Flat Sheet and Solid Sphere Examples

  • Thread starter Thread starter gmuniz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Homework
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating electric flux and electric fields for a flat sheet and a solid sphere. For the flat sheet, the correct angle to use in the electric flux formula is 70 degrees, derived from the electric field's angle of 20 degrees with respect to the sheet's normal. The electric flux is calculated using the formula φ = E * A * cos(70 degrees). For the solid sphere, the electric field at a point outside the surface is determined using E = (1/4πε₀) * (q/r²), where the distance r must be measured from the center of the sphere, not the surface.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric flux and its calculation using φ = E * A * cos(θ)
  • Knowledge of electric fields generated by point charges and spherical charge distributions
  • Familiarity with the constants involved, such as ε₀ (permittivity of free space)
  • Basic geometry for calculating area of shapes, specifically rectangles and spheres
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Learn about the concept of electric field lines and their relation to electric flux
  • Explore the implications of charge distribution on electric fields for various geometries
  • Investigate the role of angles in electric field calculations, particularly in relation to surface normals
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, electrical engineering, and anyone interested in understanding electrostatics and electric field calculations.

gmuniz
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
#! A flat sheet is in the shape of a rectangle with sides of length 0.400m and0.600m. the sheet is immersed in a uniform electric field 71.0 N/C that is directed at 20 deg. from the plane of the sheet. Find the magnitude of the electric flux through the sheet?
A = L*W= 0.600m*.400.
E = 71 N/C
angle = 20 deg
phi = E*A*cos(20 deg)
I don't know where i am making my mistake?
#2 a solid sphere with radius 0.460.m carries a net charge of 0.300nC. Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point 0.103 m outside the surface of the sphere?
A =4*pi*r^2= 4*pi*(0.460)^2
E =(1/4*pi*epsilon_0)*(q/r^2)= (1/(4*pi*epsilon_0))((.300*10^-9)/(0.103^2)) PHI=E*A where is my mistake?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
gmuniz said:
#! A flat sheet is in the shape of a rectangle with sides of length 0.400m and0.600m. the sheet is immersed in a uniform electric field 71.0 N/C that is directed at 20 deg. from the plane of the sheet. Find the magnitude of the electric flux through the sheet?
A = L*W= 0.600m*.400.
E = 71 N/C
angle = 20 deg
phi = E*A*cos(20 deg)
I don't know where i am making my mistake?
You need the angle that the field makes with the normal to the plane, which is 90-20 = 70 degrees.
#2 a solid sphere with radius 0.460.m carries a net charge of 0.300nC. Find the magnitude of the electric field at a point 0.103 m outside the surface of the sphere?
A =4*pi*r^2= 4*pi*(0.460)^2
E =(1/4*pi*epsilon_0)*(q/r^2) = (1/(4*pi*epsilon_0))((.300*10^-9)/(0.103^2)) PHI=E*A where is my mistake?
That formula is for the field from a point source (or a spherically symmetric charge distribution); the distance is measured from the center of the sphere, not the surface. That's all you need. (Assume the charge is distributed uniformly.)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
23
Views
6K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K