Advanced Gauss's Law Question

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a solid sphere with a non-uniform volume charge density and a constant surface charge density. Participants are exploring the implications of Gauss's Law in determining the charge densities in relation to the sphere's radius and the electric field behavior at various distances from the center.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to find the total charge on the sphere by integrating the contributions from both the surface and volume charge densities. There are questions about applying Gauss's Law inside and outside the sphere, and suggestions to visualize the problem using Gaussian surfaces. One participant expresses uncertainty about determining the volume charge density.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering guidance on using Gauss's Law and suggesting methods to approach the problem. There is a mix of understanding regarding the surface charge density, while the volume charge density remains a point of confusion for some. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a correction regarding the direction of the electric field inside the sphere, indicating it is directed radially outwards rather than being uniformly radially aligned. There is also an emphasis on the need to clarify the relationship between the total charge and the surface charge density.

blackhawk97
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
A solid sphere of radius R has a non-uniform volume charge density \rho(r) and a constant surface charge density \sigma. If the field inside the sphere is uniform and radially atuned, and the field a distance 2R away from the center is zero, find \rho and \sigma in terms of R, r (distance from the center of the sphere), and Q_\text{volume} (the charge associated with \rho, but not with \sigma).

Homework Equations


Gauss's Law

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not sure how to proceed, but I think the solution should begin by find the total charge on the sphere (ie., adding the integral of the charge calculable from the surface charge density with the integral of the charge calculable from the volume charge density). Am I on the right track?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
So, inside the sphere, what does Gauss's law say? Outside the sphere? Try drawing Gaussian surfaces which are spheres inside and outside the sphere of charge.
 
I know how to do the first part, i think... (finding \sigma). Basically you just use Gauss's Law

\oint{E \cdot dA}=\frac{Q_\text{enclosed}}{\epsilon_0}

... except you set the r in that equation equal to 2R, so you can ultimately set the expression for the E-field equal to zero and... yeah.

But the part about \rho still has me stumped. Can anyone offer a bit more help?

Also, correction to the problem: the field inside the sphere is not radially atuned, it is directed radially outwards.
 
So can you express \sigma in terms of Q_{total}?

For the \rho part you have to take Gauss surfaces inside the sphere as Matterwave said.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
899
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K