Cylindrical Shells and Gauss' Law

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field around cylindrical shells using Gauss' Law. For an infinitely long cylindrical shell with a radius of 6.0 cm and a surface charge density of 12 nC/m², the electric field at r = 5.9 cm is determined to be zero, as the charge is on the surface and no charge is enclosed within that radius. In another scenario, for a cylinder with a radius of 4.0 cm and a volume charge density of 200 nC/m³, the electric field at r = 8.0 cm is calculated using the enclosed charge and results in a value of approximately 452 N/C. The method applied for both problems is consistent with the principles of Gauss' Law, although there were initial confusions regarding the radii in the second case. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the charge distribution when applying Gauss' Law.
Soaring Crane
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Homework Statement



An infinitely long cylindrical shell of radius 6.0 cm carries a uniform surface charge density sigma = 12 nC/m^2. The electric field at r = 5.9 cm is approximately


a.0.81 kN/C

b.zero.

c.1.3 kN/C.

d.12 kN/C.

e.0.56 kN/C.



Homework Equations



See below.

The Attempt at a Solution



Will the correct choice be b. 0? I am assuming that this is a conducting cylindrical shell. When r < R, E will be 0.




Homework Statement



An infinitely long cylinder of radius 4.0 cm carries a uniform volume charge density rho = 200 nC/m^3. What is the electric field at r = 8.0 cm?


a.0.23 kN/C

b.0.11 kN/C

c.57 kN/C

d.0.44 kN/C

e.zero



Homework Equations



electric flux = Integral [E*dA] = Q_enclosed/epsilon_0

The Attempt at a Solution



I sloshed through this one because I mixed up the radii (r and R) at first. Did I eventually get the correct answer?

Q_enclosed = rho*2*pi*R^2*l

flux = E*2*pi*r*l

E*2*pi*r*l = (rho*2*pi*R^2*l)/(epsilon_0)

E = (rho*R^2)/(r*epsilon_0) = (200*10^-9 c/m^3)(0.04 m)^2/[0.08 m*8.85*10^-12] = 452 N/C??



Thanks.
 
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Soaring Crane said:

Homework Statement



An infinitely long cylindrical shell of radius 6.0 cm carries a uniform surface charge density sigma = 12 nC/m^2. The electric field at r = 5.9 cm is approximately


a.0.81 kN/C

b.zero.

c.1.3 kN/C.

d.12 kN/C.

e.0.56 kN/C.



Homework Equations



See below.

The Attempt at a Solution



Will the correct choice be b. 0? I am assuming that this is a conducting cylindrical shell. When r < R, E will be 0.
No reason to think the shell has any thickness or that it's a conductor. Nonetheless, since the charge is on the surface of the shell (and we presume no other charge exists) the field will be zero for r < R. (Since the charge enclosed within any cylindrical shell with such a radius would be zero.)


Homework Statement



An infinitely long cylinder of radius 4.0 cm carries a uniform volume charge density rho = 200 nC/m^3. What is the electric field at r = 8.0 cm?


a.0.23 kN/C

b.0.11 kN/C

c.57 kN/C

d.0.44 kN/C

e.zero



Homework Equations



electric flux = Integral [E*dA] = Q_enclosed/epsilon_0

The Attempt at a Solution



I sloshed through this one because I mixed up the radii (r and R) at first. Did I eventually get the correct answer?

Q_enclosed = rho*2*pi*R^2*l

flux = E*2*pi*r*l

E*2*pi*r*l = (rho*2*pi*R^2*l)/(epsilon_0)

E = (rho*R^2)/(r*epsilon_0) = (200*10^-9 c/m^3)(0.04 m)^2/[0.08 m*8.85*10^-12] = 452 N/C??
I didn't check your arithmetic, but your method is correct.
 
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