Why Does a Ring of Dipoles Produce a Smaller Upward Force Than Expected?

In summary, the conversation discusses the mathematical description of a ring's force production and suggests using a different method, involving unit vectors and an integral, for a more accurate representation. The speaker also provides a link for further understanding of the topic.
  • #1
That Neuron
77
0
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=x-XZBJngdM4C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

This post is referring to page 35-36.

I just find it odd that this book doesn't change it's mathematical description to align with the fact that a ring produces a component force up smaller than the force that it would produce if it weren't pointing straight up.

In other words, taking an infitesmal ring of small dipoles that interact with a single dipole of the same type above it by a force proportional to 1/(r^6) (dipole-dipole interaction), wouldn't the force be something involving the unit vectors of the vectors connecting the dipole being studied and the ring of dipoles?

More to the point, wouldn't it be the integral per portion of dipoles in the ring dq with some function based off of the distance from the dipoles(charge analogy), so the integral of (kdq/(x^2 + y^2)^(6/2)) cosθ = integral of (kxdq/(x^2 + y^2)^5/2)?

This might help illustrate what I'm talking about: http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/phys208/exercises/kevan/efield1.html
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
. I'm not sure why the book doesn't take this into account, as it would lead to a much more accurate description of the force produced by the ring in comparison to the force produced when the dipoles are pointing up.
 

1. What is charge distribution?

Charge distribution refers to the arrangement of electric charges within a given space. It describes how the charges are distributed and whether they are evenly or unevenly spread out.

2. How is charge distribution related to electric fields?

Charge distribution plays a crucial role in determining the strength and direction of electric fields. The distribution of charges affects the magnitude of the electric field at any given point, as well as the overall shape and direction of the field.

3. What factors affect charge distribution?

The factors that affect charge distribution include the number and type of charges present, the distance between charges, and the dielectric properties of the materials surrounding the charges.

4. How is charge distribution measured?

Charge distribution can be measured using various methods, such as using a charged plate or a Faraday cage. These methods involve measuring the electric potential or charge at different points in the space and using mathematical equations to determine the charge distribution.

5. Why is understanding charge distribution important?

Understanding charge distribution is important in many areas of science, including physics, chemistry, and engineering. It helps us understand and predict the behavior of electric fields and how they interact with charged particles, which is essential in many technological applications such as electronics and telecommunications.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
16K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
8K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
7
Views
3K
Back
Top