Calculating Charge on a Spherical Surface with Varying Density

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SUMMARY

The total electric charge on a spherical surface of radius 0.3, with a charge density defined by f(r, φ, θ) = 3 × 10-12 cos(θ), is calculated to be zero. This result arises because the charge density is positive in the upper hemisphere and negative in the lower hemisphere, leading to cancellation when integrated over the entire sphere. The integration process confirms that the contributions from both hemispheres balance each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of spherical coordinates
  • Knowledge of electric charge density and its implications
  • Familiarity with double integrals in calculus
  • Basic concepts of electric fields and charge distribution
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of charge density in electrostatics
  • Learn about spherical coordinate transformations in calculus
  • Explore the implications of charge cancellation in electric fields
  • Investigate applications of integrals in physics, particularly in electromagnetism
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Students studying electromagnetism, physicists analyzing charge distributions, and educators teaching calculus applications in physics.

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Homework Statement



Electric charge resides on a spherical surface of radius 0.3 centered at the origin with charge density specified in spherical polar coordinates by f(r,\phi, \theta) = 3 × 10^{-12} cos(\theta).

Determine the total amount of electric charge on the sphere.

Homework Equations



Total charge, Q = \int\limits_s f dA

The Attempt at a Solution



[/B]Essentially, I am confused about why I am finding the answer is zero. What is the physical explanation for this? (provided my maths is ok)

Total charge, Q = \int\limits_s f dA

Q = \int\limits_0^{2\pi} \int\limits_0^\pi 3 × 10^{-12} cos(\theta) r^{2} \sin(\theta) d\phi d\theta

Q = \int\limits_0^{2\pi} \int\limits_0^\pi 2.7×10^{-13} cos(\theta) \sin(\theta) d\phi d\theta

\int\limits_0^{2\pi} d\phi = 2\pi

Q = 5.4×10^{-13} \pi \int\limits_0^\pi cos(\theta) \sin(\theta) d\theta

\sin(2 \theta) = 2 \sin(\theta) \cos(\theta)

\frac{1}{2} \sin(2 \theta) = \sin(\theta) \cos(\theta)

Q = 5.4×10^{-13} \pi \int\limits_0^\pi \frac{1}{2} \sin(2 \theta) d\theta

Q = 5.4×10^{-13} \pi ((-\frac{1}{4} \cos(2 \pi)) - (-\frac{1}{4}\cos(0))

Q = 0

I can't see an obvious mistake in my maths, but the answer doesn't seem right either.

I really appreciate any help you can give,

thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
cos(θ) changes sign at θ=pi/2. The upper hemisphere is positive, the lower one is negatively charged.
 
ehild said:
cos(θ) changes sign at θ=pi/2. The upper hemisphere is positive, the lower one is negatively charged.

Ohhh!

That makes perfect sense, thank you!
 

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