Bound surface charge - hollow tube

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the bound surface charge on a thick-walled cylindrical tube of dielectric material, with given internal and external radii and a specific polarization expression. The user attempts to derive the expressions for the net charge on the inner and outer surfaces and the charge within the volume of the tube. They calculate the bound surface charge for both surfaces but find a discrepancy with the model answer for the inner surface charge. The confusion arises from a potential misinterpretation of the radius in the polarization equation, leading to incorrect algebraic results. Clarification is sought regarding the correct application of the radius in the calculations.
Roodles01
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Homework Statement


A thick-walled cylindrical tube of dielectric material has internal radius a/2 and external radius 2a, and its polarization is given in cylindrical coordinates by the expression P = (A/r2) er.

Derive expressions for the net charge on the inner and outer surfaces of a length L of the tube and for the charge within the volume of length L of the tube.


Homework Equations


σb = P . n hat
where n hat is the outward-pointing unit vector normal to the surface and P is the polarization.
surface area of cylinder (ignoring ends) = 2∏rL


The Attempt at a Solution



σb total = σb inner + σb outer

σb outer = (A/(2a)2) * area of cylinder
σb outer = (A/(2a)2) * 2∏(2a)L
σb outer = ∏AL/a

Now the bit I can't seem to marry with the model answer . . .

σb inner = (A/(a/2)2) * 2∏(a)L
σb inner = (4A/a2) * 2∏(a)L
σb inner = 8∏AL/a

At least that's how I got it.

The model answer shows it to be
σb inner = 4∏AL/a

It has to be a problem I'm having with algebra again, but I can't see where.
Could you show me where I went wrong please.

Or am I right?
 

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Aaaaah!
Details.
Please ignore this.

Yes, the wrong bit is me not looking proplerly.
radius is a/2 not a.
Sorry.
 
Still has me puzzled. In the attachment I read ##\vec P = \left ( A/r^3\right ) \, \vec e_r ## (in the text; in the picture it's hard to distinguish if it's a 3 or a 2).

Or is your exercise another one, with the a/2 instead of the a and the 2 instead of the 3 ?
 
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