Electric field due to a line of charge: HELP

In summary, the problem involves finding the electric field due to a line of positive charge with a magnitude of 7.81 x 10^-12 C and a length of 14.5 cm. The electric field at a point P, located at a distance of 0.06 m from the line charge along its perpendicular bisector, is determined by using the equations E = k * (q/(r^2)) and dq = lamda * dx. The solution involves using symmetry and integration to solve for the magnitude and direction of the electric field.
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afcwestwarrior
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Electric field due to a line of charge: HELP!

Homework Statement


Positive charge q = 7.81 X 10^-12 C is spread uniformly along a thing nonconducting rod of length L = 14.5 cm or .145 m. What are (a) magnitude and (b) direction (relative to the postive direction of the x axis) of the electric field produce at point P, at distance R = .06 m from the rod along its perpendicular bisector?


Homework Equations


E = k * (q/(r^2))

dq = lamda * dx

replace q with dq









The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Use symmetry and integration to solve. Try drawing the line charge along the y axis, pick a point on the line charge, dq, and express dE at a point P along the x-axis created by dq.
 

Q: What is an electric field?

An electric field is a physical quantity that describes the influence that an electric charge has on other charges in its vicinity. It is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

Q: What is a line of charge?

A line of charge is an infinitely long, thin distribution of electric charge. It can be thought of as a one-dimensional version of a point charge.

Q: How is the electric field due to a line of charge calculated?

The electric field due to a line of charge is calculated using Coulomb's law, which states that the electric field at a point is directly proportional to the charge and inversely proportional to the distance from the charge. The formula for the electric field due to a line of charge is E = kλ/r, where k is the Coulomb's constant, λ is the charge per unit length, and r is the distance from the line of charge.

Q: How does the direction of the electric field change along a line of charge?

The direction of the electric field due to a line of charge is always perpendicular to the line of charge. As you move away from the line of charge, the direction of the electric field will change, but it will always be perpendicular to the line of charge.

Q: What are some real-world applications of the electric field due to a line of charge?

The electric field due to a line of charge has many real-world applications, such as in the design of electric motors and generators, in particle accelerators, and in the study of atmospheric electricity. It is also used in the design of electronic devices, such as capacitors and semiconductors.

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