Physics problem with electrodynamics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in electrodynamics involving a uniformly charged sphere with total charge Q. Participants are exploring how to determine the voltage at different radial distances from the center of the sphere, specifically for the regions R/2 ≤ r ≤ R and r ≥ R, given the electric field E.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the relationship between voltage and electric field using an integral approach but expresses confusion about its application in this scenario.
  • Some participants suggest using Gauss's law as a potential method for solving the problem, while others question the necessity of knowing the electric field E in the context of applying Gauss's law.
  • There are discussions about calculating voltage at various points, including the implications of setting V(inf) = 0 and how to integrate the electric field to find the potential.
  • Participants raise concerns about the correctness of integration steps and the relationship between electric field and potential.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing various approaches and calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration process and the relationship between electric field and potential, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct method or final expression for voltage.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that they know the electric field E for the specified regions, which influences their calculations. There is also an emphasis on ensuring that the potential aligns correctly with the defined boundary conditions.

kliker
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hello dear friends, i have another problem in physics, it has to do with electrodynamics.

if we have a sphere with total loading Q which is uniformly distributed throughout it's volume, how can we find the voltage for R/2<=r<=R and for r>=R? (assume that we know E).

i know that Va - Vb = integral(ra/rb) of Edl

but I can't understand how to use it here
 
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this is a good candidate for Gauss's law
 
lanedance said:
this is a good candidate for Gauss's law

it would be a good candidate (i guess) if we didnt know the value of E, but as i said we know E for (1) R/2<=r<=R and (2)r>=R

(1) E = k*Q*r/R^3
(2) E = k*Q/r^2
 
for r>=R/2

if we say V(inf) = 0

then for r > R/2

we will have

V(r) - V(inf) = Integral[r,inf] * Edl = (1/4p*eo)*Q/r

for r = R

we have V(R) = (1/4p*eo)*Q/R

so for r>=R/2

it will be V(r) = (1/4pe) * Q* (1/r - 1/R) ?

:S
 
you method looks reasonable, though I'm not so sure about the 2nd integration part...
kliker said:
for r>=R/2

if we say V(inf) = 0

then for r > R/2

we will have

V(r) - V(inf) = Integral[r,inf] * Edl = (1/4p*eo)*Q/r
so following what you have done, you mean for r>R and E = k*Q/r^2
V(r) = V(r) - V(\infty) = - \int_{\infty}^r \vec{E} \bullet \vec{dr} = - \int_{\infty}^r dr \frac{kQ}{r^2} = \frac{kQ}{r} <br />

note as the field is only dependent on r, we can differentiate reasonably easy & it gives the correct field, and the potential goes to zero as required, so we're looking good
\vec{E} = -\nabla V(r)= -\frac{dV(r)}{dr}\vec{\hat{r}} = \frac{kQ}{r}\vec{\hat{r}}

and fidning the correct offset potential for the edge of the sphere is
V(R)= \frac{kQ}{R}

kliker said:
for r = R

we have V(R) = (1/4p*eo)*Q/R

so for r>=R/2

it will be V(r) = (1/4pe) * Q* (1/r - 1/R) ?

:S

then for r<R, inside the sphere, integerate similar to before & carry the constant for V(R) so the potential is at the correct offset
V(r)-V(R) = - \int_{R}^r \vec{E} \bullet \vec{dr} <br />

now if you differentiate the potential you have found, you don't get the correct field, so i would look have a look at the integral again
\vec{E} = -\nabla V(r)= -\frac{d}{dr}( \frac{kQ}{r}-\frac{kQ}{R})\vec{\hat{r}}= \frac{kQ}{r^2}\vec{\hat{r}} ?
 

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