Calculating Required Surface Charge Density for a Cylinder

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a long, straight wire with a linear charge density and a coaxial non-conducting cylinder. The goal is to determine the surface charge density required on the cylinder to achieve a net external electric field of zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Gauss's Law and the concept of superposition of electric fields. There are attempts to clarify the signs of the charges involved and how to set up the equations to find the required surface charge density.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on using Gauss's Law and the relationship between the electric fields from the wire and the cylinder. There is ongoing confusion regarding the setup and interpretation of the problem, with multiple interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the signs of the charges and the implications for the electric field calculations. There is also mention of a misunderstanding in the initial reading of the problem statement.

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Homework Statement


A long, straight wire has a linear charge density of magnitude 3.6nC/m. The wire is to be enclosed by a thin, no-conducting cylinder of ouside radius 1.5cm, coaxil witht he wire. The cylinder is to have positive charge on its outside surface with a surface charge density [tex]\sigma[/tex] such that the net external electric field is zero. Calculate the required [tex]\sigma[/tex].


Homework Equations


[tex]E=\frac{\lambda}{2\pi \epsilon_0 r}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



The electric field can be found, but then how do I go about finding the required [tex]\sigma[/tex] value?
 
Last edited:
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Sorry, misread.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thats what it sayss...
 
The wire has obviously negative charge. Hasn't it?
Apply Gauss's Law, to a gaussian surface, I recommend you to use another cylinder, and put the condition that:

[tex]\oint E\cdot dS=0[/tex]
 
Im still confused
 
The total field is zero right? It is due to a superposition of the field from the wire and the field from the cylindrical shell.
 
So Do I just find an electric field for the gaussian surface that when summed with the electric field already found wll equal zero?
 
not sure what exactly you mean there
 
Since the total electrical field is 0, and I can find [tex]E=\frac{\lambda}{2\pi \epsilon_0 r}[/tex], can't I just find [tex]E=\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}[/tex]

and then [tex]\frac{\lambda}{2\pi \epsilon_0 r} = -\frac{\sigma}{\epsilon_0}[/tex] and then solve for [tex]\sigma[/tex]

Sorry if this make no sense, I don't really understand this stuff.
 

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