Couple of electromagnetics questions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around electromagnetics, specifically focusing on surface charge density, electric displacement field (D), and electric field intensity in different media. Participants are exploring concepts related to conductors and their interactions with electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to relate surface charge density to the electric field and questioning the implications of uniform versus non-uniform charge distributions. There are discussions about applying Gauss' Law and the behavior of electric fields at boundaries between different materials.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights and confirmations regarding the relationships between electric fields and surface charge density. However, there are ongoing questions about the uniformity of charge distribution and its effects on the electric field, indicating that multiple interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that certain parameters, such as the uniformity of surface charge, are not explicitly stated in the problem, which may affect their reasoning and conclusions.

formulajoe
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E = 15 i - 8 k at a point on a conductor surface, what is the surface charge density at that point? assume Eo.

surface charge density is just -Eo*E correct? but i take the magnitude of the electric field and than multiply it by Eo.
am i right?
 
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How come??What equation did you use...?

Daniel.
 
Gauss' Law

another quick question.

Region y is great than or equal to 2 is occupied by a conductor. If the surface charge on the conductor is -20 nC/M^2, find D just outside the conductor.
Since the surface is y = , than the normal would be in the y direction. and D = Eo*E. but E doesn't have a y component (its the same E from above), so Dn would be 0. Dt is also 0 correct? so overall, D would be 0.
 
if somebody can confirm my answers that would be great. i also have another one i need confirmation on.

A conducting sphere of radius a is half-embedded in a liquid dielectric medium of permittivity E1. The region above the liquid is a gas of permittivity E2. If the total free charge on the sphere is Q, determine the electric field intensity everywhere.

E inside the conductor is zero.

E at boundary with region 1 = (Q/surface area)/E1

E at boundary with region 2 = (Q/surface area)/E2

surface area = 4*pi*a^2

is there sometihng at the boundary between the two materials?
the only E is going to be normal to the sphere, so it would seem to me that the electric field would not be passing the boundary.
 
question 1: Seems correct to me, although the minus-sign is arbitrary (it depends on whether the field points toward or away from the conductor).

question 2: Unreadible

question 3: why do you think the surface charge (Q/surface area) is uniform on the whole sphere?
 
it doesn't not say the surface charge is not uniform. if its not uniform, than i don't see any way to solve it with the information I've been given.

Fixed Question 2

Region y is greater than or equal to 2 is occupied by a conductor. If the surface charge on the conductor is -20 nC/M^2, find D just outside the conductor.
Since the surface is y = 2, than the normal would be purely in the y direction. D = Eo*E. E doesn't have a y component (its the same E from above), so Dnormal would be 0. Dtangential is also 0 correct? so overall, D would be 0.
 
Last edited:
if the surface charge was not uniform, would the electric field be proportional to the permittivity of the medium?
 

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