Charge Distribution on a Conducting Hollow Tube

  • Thread starter Thread starter stylez03
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Conducting Tube
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the charge distribution on a conducting hollow tube with inner radius 'a' and outer radius 'b', carrying a linear charge density of +α. The charge per unit length on the inner surface of the tube is determined by the electric field behavior at the boundaries, particularly at r = a. The presence of a line of charge along the axis of the tube also influences the charge distribution, leading to a discontinuity in the electric field at r = a, which necessitates a corresponding charge to maintain equilibrium. The charge per unit length on the outer surface of the tube is influenced by the total charge within the system.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatics and Gauss's Law
  • Familiarity with electric fields and charge distributions
  • Knowledge of cylindrical coordinates and their application in physics
  • Concept of discontinuity in electric fields and its implications
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Gauss's Law applications in cylindrical symmetry
  • Learn about electric field calculations in conductive materials
  • Explore the concept of charge density and its effects on electric fields
  • Investigate the behavior of electric fields at boundaries and interfaces
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone studying electrostatics and charge distributions in conductive materials.

stylez03
Messages
139
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A very long conducting tube (hollow cylinder) has inner radius a and outer radius b. It carries charge per unit length +alpha , where alpha is a positive constant with units of C/m. A line of charge lies along the axis of the tube. The line of charge has charge per unit length +alpha .

What is the charge per unit length on the inner surface of the tube?

What is the charge per unit length on the outer surface of the tube?

I've found the electric field where r < a, a < r < b, r > b already but I'm not sure how to apply that to the follow questions.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is there a "discontinuity" in the electric field at r= a? (Is the value using the formula for r< a, but taking r= a, different from the value for r> a?) If so, there must be a charge there to account for the difference.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Is there a "discontinuity" in the electric field at r= a? (Is the value using the formula for r< a, but taking r= a, different from the value for r> a?) If so, there must be a charge there to account for the difference.

I'm confused on what you said, the difference is going to be the charge per length for partA/B ?
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
23
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
12K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K