Charged straight wire Electrostatics

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field and force on a charge in the vicinity of a charged straight wire and two concentric cylinders. The user is advised to start by applying Gauss's Law to determine the electric fields in different regions: inside the wire, between the wire and the first cylinder, between the first and second cylinders, and outside the second cylinder. Key equations include the relationship between electric field and force on a point charge, as well as the formula for electric field intensity for cylindrical symmetry. The user is encouraged to simplify the problem by initially ignoring the outer cylinder. Understanding these concepts will aid in solving the problem effectively.
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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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