Clueless about electric charges questions;

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding electric charges and related calculations. A user struggles with deriving total charge and electric field from a uniform line charge, initially calculating total charge correctly but questioning the formula for electric field. They also attempt to calculate electric flux through a square due to a point charge but find a discrepancy with the textbook answer. Additionally, they express confusion regarding calculating volume charge density from given electric field values at different distances. Overall, the thread highlights common challenges in grasping electric charge concepts and formulas.
Matt Jacques
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Oh boy, for some reason I'm just not getting this. I must be fouling up some really simple part. He just dives into problems without explaining the derivations and uses of the problems. Forgive my lack of knowledge on use of units.

My questions:

"A uniform line charge extends from x = -2.5 to x = 2.5 and charge density of 6.0 nC/m. a ) find the total charge

Ok, that's easy. That's just Q = 6.0 nC/m * .05 m = .3 * 10^-9

B) Find the electric field at 4.0 cm

The examples infer I should use:

E = kQ / (xp^2 - (1/2L)^2) where xp = (1/2)L

Is that the right formula?

Next question:

A 2 micro-coulomb charge is .2 m above the center of a square of sides .4 m. Find the flux through the square.

I found the electric field at the square with:

E = kQ/ r^2

E = (9*10^9)(2*10^-6) / (.2^2)
E = 450,000

Flux = E*A
Flux = (450,000)(.4^2) = 72,000

However, the book says 37700 ...

Next...

"The electric field at 250 m is 150 n/C and at 400 m it is 170 N/C. Calculate the volume charge density"

I'm just clueless here.

Any help is appreciated. I'll be back for more help soon :(
 
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no one has a clue?
 
Ya for Pro1

For Finite Line of Charge use the formulae

E_{n}=\frac{\lambda}{4\pi \epsilon_{0} x}(\sin\alpha+sin\beta)

Similarly for
E_{t}=\frac{\lambda}{4\pi \epsilon_{0} x}(\cos\alpha+cos\beta)

where alpha & beta are the angles which the point makes with the line perpendicular to the line of charge and the line joing the top point of Charge & bottom point of line charge
 
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