Calculating Electric Field of Non-Conducting Sphere | Step-by-Step Guide"

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field of a non-conducting sphere with a given volume charge density. The original poster presents a mathematical expression for the electric field in two regions: inside and outside the sphere.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric field using integration and expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their result for the region inside the sphere. Another participant suggests using Gauss's law to derive the electric field and questions the discrepancies between their results.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to derive the electric field using different methods, with participants exploring the reasons for differing results. One participant identifies a mistake in their LaTeX formatting, while another claims to have resolved their issue, indicating some progress in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific charge density functions and are navigating the complexities of mathematical representation, including LaTeX formatting issues. There is a focus on ensuring the correct application of physical laws in their calculations.

Azael
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I apologise for any spelling errors or terms missnamed since I am swedish and this course I am reading is only swedish books and terms. But I think I have gotten the translations right. Also my first try with latex.


I have a non conducting sphere with the radius R and the volume charge density

[tex]\rho (r) = \rho_o (1- \frac{r}{R}[/tex] when 0<r<R
and [tex]\rho(r) = 0[/tex] when r>R
where [tex]\rho_0[/tex] is a positive constant.


I want to calculate the field E(r) for 0<r<R and R<r and I want to use this formula

[tex] E = \int \frac{dQ \hat{r}}{4 \pi \epsilon r^2}[/tex]

This is how I do it

[tex] E = \frac{\rho}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 } \int_{0}^{r} (1-\frac{r}{R}) sin\theta d\theta dr d\phi[/tex]

I get that to [tex]\bar{E}= \frac{\rho_o}{\epsilon_0} (r- \frac{r^2}{2R}) \hat{r}[/tex]

is that a correct answere for 0<r<R??

gonna post this now and se if I got the latex right
 
Last edited:
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if I use gauss

[tex] \oint Eds = \frac{{Q_e_n_c_l}}{{\epsilon_o}} [/tex]

with [tex]Q_e_n_c_l = \int_{0}^{r} \rho_0(1 - \frac{r}{R}) r^2 \sin \Theta dr d \Theta d \Phi = \rho_0 4\Pi (\frac{r^3}{3} - \frac{r^4}{4R})[/tex]

I get as answere
[tex]\overline{E} = \frac{\rho_o}{\epsilon_0} ( \frac{r}{3} - \frac{r^2}{4R}) \hat{r}[/tex]

why do I get different answeres. What equation do I implement wrong(or do I do them both wrong)?

seems like the latex won't work :confused:
 
Last edited:
might want to fix your tex tags. put the tags on the same line as the code
 
found my error. I used capitals by misstake in the [ /tex ] :blushing:
 
Last edited:
I solved it today fortunaly :)
 

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