Calculating the Electric Field generated by a rod with charge

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field generated by a charged rod of length 2L, with a charge of -Q uniformly distributed over its left half and +Q over its right half. The electric field E at point p, located a distance z above the center of the rod, is derived using the equation E = (1/(4πε₀))∫(dq/r)â. The charge element dq is expressed as λdl, where λ represents the charge per unit length. The solution involves integrating the contributions of symmetrically placed charge elements and resolving the resultant electric field components.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and charge distributions
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of Gauss's Law and its applications
  • Basic concepts of electrostatics, including charge density (λ)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Gauss's Law in calculating electric fields
  • Learn about integration techniques for continuous charge distributions
  • Explore the concept of electric field superposition for multiple charge elements
  • Review the derivation of electric fields from point charges and extend to linear charge distributions
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Students in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators and anyone seeking to understand the calculation of electric fields from charged objects.

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Homework Statement


A rod of length 2L has a charge -Q uniformly distributed over its left half and +Q uniformly distributed over its right half. Find E at point p a distance z above the center of the rod.


Homework Equations


E= 1/(4pi\epsilon_{0})∫dq/r(\hat{r})
dq=λdl

where \epsilon_{0}= 8.854 x 10-12 C2/Nm2
and λ=charge per unit length


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not even sure where to start exactly. I know the length from the rod to p at any given point will be √(L2+z2) but I'm really not sure where to go from here. I missed a couple of class periods due to being sick and I've been trying to play catch up ever since so any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
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Find the field dE at the point p due to symmetrically placed charged element with opposite charge. Resolve dE into two components and find the resultant field dE. To find the field due to whole rod, find the integration.
 
That's the thing. I'm at a loss as to how to do that exactly. The only thing I've been able to calculate the electric field for is point charges. Like I said, I've missed a couple of days and really have no idea what to do. I'd imagine you'd use Gauss's law, I just don't know how to go about doing it exactly.
 

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