Charged straight wire Electrostatics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving electrostatics, specifically concerning a charged straight wire and two concentric hollow cylinders. The original poster seeks guidance on how to approach calculating the force on a test charge placed at various distances from the wire and cylinders.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss relevant equations related to electric fields and forces on charges. There is an attempt to apply Gauss's Law to find electric fields in different regions around the charged objects. Questions are raised about the relationship between electric fields and forces on point charges.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the necessary equations and concepts, while others have confirmed the validity of the original poster's approach to calculating electric fields. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly concerning the application of Gauss's Law.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication that the original poster is uncertain about the initial steps and the relevant physics principles to apply, particularly regarding the electric field calculations and the influence of the outer cylinder.

Lucky7
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Homework Statement


We have a charged straight wire with radius ra = 0.2 cm and with charge ta = 3nanoC/m. Around the wire there are two hollow concentric cylinders, so that the wire is in their axis. Let the charge on the first cylinder be of radius rb = 3cm and its charge tb = -1.5nC/m and on the second cylinder with rc = 5cm with charge tc = 2 NC / m What is the force on the charge Q =-5NC in the distances
R = 0.8 cm,
R = 2.5 cm,
R = 100 cm?

I do not have the slightest idea what to do. I do not want you to compute it for me but give samo advice, please.
 
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What you want to do is collect some relevant equations and list them under 2.)
Hint: They might have to do with electric field calculations and with forces on a charge in an electric field.

Then you attempt a solution, e.g. at calculating the field in different areas. If that's too difficult, start with leaving out the outer cylinder.
 
What he said:
Do you know the relationship between the force on a point charge and the electric field?
How would you normally calculate the electric fields around charged objects?
 
The attempt at a solution
In the wire there should be electrical intensity E = 0. From the Gauss Law for cylindric symmetry the electric intensity E1 between the wire and the first cylinder should be E1=ta/(2pi*r), where 0.2< r< 3 thus E1(R)=ta/(2pi*R). Analogically for E2 = (ta+tb)/(2pi*r), whre 3<r<5 and E3=(ta+tb+tc)/(2pi*r), where r>5.
Does it make sense? Thank you in advance!
 
Yes. There might be a factor ##1/\epsilon_0## somewhere as well.
And then there still is the relationship between Force, test charge and E field.
 

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