Calculating Electric Field at Midpoint Between Two Charged Disks

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field at a specific point along the x-axis between two charged disks, one positively charged and the other negatively charged. The disks have defined charge densities and are oriented perpendicularly to the x-axis.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the interpretation of charge density and its application in calculations. There are attempts to clarify the integration process and the definitions of variables used in the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on correcting misunderstandings regarding the charge density and its role in the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the integration steps and the implications of using the correct definitions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion arising from the terminology used in the problem statement, particularly regarding the distinction between charge density and total charge. There are indications of uploaded images to aid in visualizing the problem setup.

Puchinita5
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Homework Statement



Consider two thin disks, of negligible thickness, of radius R oriented perpendicular to the x-axis such that the x-axis runs through the center of each disk. The disk centered at x=0 has positive charge density n, and the disk centered at x=a has negative charge density -n , where the charge density is charge per unit area. What is the magnitude E of the electric field at the point on the x-axis with x coordinate a/2?
Express your answer in terms of n, R, a, and the permittivity of free space Epsilon0

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Since I can't type this out with proper math code legibly (or at least i don't know how to), I uploaded a picture of the sheet I did my work on. Please let me know where i went wrong! I also uploaded a pic of the problem so you can visualize it. Thank you!
 

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i think that is what i did in my work??
 
One mistake is in your calculations is that you used n as the total charge on the disk. You didn't need to do that because n is the charge density; it's what you called [itex]\sigma[/itex].

Also, check your integration. You didn't show any steps, so I can't tell what you did wrong.
 
Actually, I think your integration is correct, so it's just the other mistake. Everything else looks okay to me.
 
OOOHHH THANK YOU...yea i definitely thought n was the charge, not the charge desnity...got the answer correct when i fixed that...9 times out of 10, i usually just read the problem wrong! HAHA

thanks again! :)
 

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