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NewtonianAlch
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Homework Statement
[PLAIN]http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/5741/86853377.jpg
The Attempt at a Solution
For the long straight wire, the charge per unit length λ is already given, this is distributed on the surface of the wire. The electric field is zero for anything less than r1, because there is no enclosed charge inside the metal.
In the solutions booklet it says that the charge per unit length for the inner surface of the cylinder is -λ so that the internal charge adds to zero for r2 < r < r3.
What do they mean by that, and how did they get -λ ?
I understand that for r greater than r2, but less than r3, the same principle applies as it did earlier, the charge is on the surface, and no enclosed charge inside the metal, so therefore the electric field is zero inside. But why is -λ the charge per unit length for the inner surface of the cylinder?
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