Calculating the resultant electric field

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the resultant electric field at a point on the Z axis due to a charged semicircular wire with a known linear charge density. The wire is considered to be infinitely thin.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the projections of the electric field components but questions the validity of a solution found in a reference, particularly regarding the treatment of the linear charge density.
  • Some participants seek clarification on the problem statement to ensure understanding of the charge distribution.
  • Others discuss the charge density and its relation to the total charge and radius of the semicircle.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants clarifying the problem statement and exploring the implications of the charge distribution on the electric field calculations. There is no explicit consensus yet, but some productive dialogue regarding the charge density has emerged.

Contextual Notes

Participants are addressing potential misunderstandings regarding the charge density expression and its application to the semicircular configuration. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the problem is clearly articulated for effective assistance.

diredragon
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Homework Statement


In the picture below it is asked that i calculate the resultant electric field if the linear charge density is known.

Calculate the resultant electric field of a charged semicircle wire (positioned as in the picture) at some point M on the Z axis if the linear charge density of the wire is known ( wire is thought to be infinetly thin. )
IMG_1636.JPG

Homework Equations


3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
I calculated the projections but the part ( which i circled ) is the solution from the book. That has to be wrong right? When we replace the linear charge density expression the π is squared not lost?[Mentor note: Added OP's text description of the problem statement, moved the image to be inside the problem statement section.]
 
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Can you provide a text description of the problem statement please? Helpers shouldn't have to decipher your math to understand the layout of the charge distribution under consideration.

Update: I massaged the problem statement to include the description provided by the OP.
 
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gneill said:
Can you provide a text description of the problem statement please? Helpers shouldn't have to decipher your math to understand the layout of the charge distribution under consideration.
Ok sorry xD...Calculate the resultant electric field of a charged semicircle wire (positioned as in the picture) at some point M on the Z axis if the linear charge density of the wire is known ( wire is thought to be infinetly thin. )
 
Looks like a circular line of total charge ##Q##... radius ##a## ... so charge density ##\lambda = Q/2\pi a##
[edit - no it is a semi-circle ... then charge density is ##Q/\pi a## - you wrote the other]
The task is to find the field on the z axis... is this correct?
However, you spend a lot of time apparently looking for ##E_x##
[edit: explains the time to find the x component]

See example:
http://www.phys.uri.edu/gerhard/PHY204/tsl329.pdf
 

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