A Conducting Shell around a Conducting Rod

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the electric field and surface charge densities associated with an infinitely long conducting cylindrical rod and its surrounding conducting shell. The rod has a linear charge density of "lambda," while the shell has a linear charge density of "-2 lambda." The radial electric field E(r) between the rod and shell is derived using Gauss's law, resulting in E(r) = (lambda / (2 * pi * epsilon * r)). The surface charge densities on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell are calculated as "fi - inner" = -lambda / (2 * pi * r1) and "fi - outer" = -lambda / (2 * pi * r2), respectively. The electric field outside the shell is zero due to the symmetry of the charge distribution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with cylindrical coordinates and symmetry in electric fields
  • Knowledge of surface charge density calculations
  • Concept of permittivity of free space (epsilon)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Gauss's Law to various charge distributions
  • Learn about electric field calculations in cylindrical geometries
  • Explore the concept of surface charge density in electrostatics
  • Investigate the implications of permittivity of free space in electric field equations
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone interested in understanding electric fields around charged conductors.

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Homework Statement



An infinitely long conducting cylindrical rod with a positive charge "lambda" per unit length is surrounded by a conducting cylindrical shell (which is also infinitely long) with a charge per unit length of "-2 lambda" and radius r1.

a) What is E(r) , the radial component of the electric field between the rod and cylindrical shell as a function of the distance r from the axis of the cylindrical rod?

Express your answer in terms of "lambda", r, and "epsilon" , the permittivity of free space.

b) What is "fi - inner" , the surface charge density (charge per unit area) on the inner surface of the conducting shell?

c) What is "fi - outer" , the surface charge density on the outside of the conducting shell? (Recall from the problem statement that the conducting shell has a total charge per unit length given by "-2 lambda" .)

d) What is the radial component of the electric field, E(r), outside the shell?


I have no idea how to solve this

Anyone that knows?
 

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http://www.physics.wisc.edu/undergrads/courses/spring08/202/hw2sols.pdf
 
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