Gauss' law electrostatics problem involving charge densities

AI Thread Summary
A nonconducting spherical shell with a thickness defined by inner radius a and outer radius b has a volume charge density of ρ = A/r. To ensure a uniform electric field within the shell, the electric field at any point must equal the field at the inner radius, E1 = k(q/a^2). The electric field within the shell is expressed as E2 = k(q/r^2 + (4Aπ/3)(r^3 - a^3)/r^2). The solution requires careful evaluation of the charge distribution within the Gaussian surface, indicating that a volume integral approach is necessary for accuracy.
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Homework Statement


A nonconducting spherical shell has a thickness b-a, where b is the outer radius and a the inner radius has a volume charge density \rho=\frac{A}{r}, r\in[a,b]. If there is a charge +q located at the center, what must A be in order for the electric field to be uniform in the shell?

The Attempt at a Solution


The electric field for any r\in[a,b] must be equal to the field at a, whiuch is E_1=k\frac{q}{a^2}. The field at any point in the shell is E_2=k(\frac{q}{r^2}+\frac{4A\pi}{3r}(r^3-a^3)\frac{1}{r^2}). I equated the two expressions and tried to solve for A but the expression I'm getting is not in agreeance with the the solution. Is this approach correct?

Here's a diagram of the problem (right)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/answer-board-image/81404896-a1bf-4193-80c7-9d515c2eb554.jpeg
 
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The approach is correct, but you should reconsider the charge inside your Gaußian surface. It's not uniform, and thus you have to really evaluate the volme integral!
 
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Got it! Thanks :p
 
chipotleaway said:
Got it! Thanks :p

OK, and your answer is ... ?
 
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