Did I Make Mistakes in Calculating the Potential of a Charged Sphere?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric potential of a charged sphere with a volume charge density that varies with distance from the center. The original poster is attempting to find the potential at the center of the sphere given that the total charge is Q and the potential at infinity is zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use Gauss's law to find the electric field both inside and outside the sphere. They express concern about their calculations and seek hints on potential mistakes. Other participants suggest calculating the charge density and electric field, as well as integrating to find the potential.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the calculations and interpretations of the equations involved. Some guidance has been provided regarding the relationship between charge density and total charge, and there is an ongoing exploration of the potential expressions. There is no explicit consensus on the correctness of the original poster's answer, but some participants indicate that the calculations appear accurate.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses frustration over the difficulty of the problem and their lack of confidence due to repeated mistakes. There is mention of confusion regarding the notation used in the potential expression, indicating a need for clarity in communication.

Neolight

Homework Statement


A sphere of radius R has a volume charge density proportional to distance from center. Total charge contained in the sphere is Q. If electric potential at infinity is taken to be zero , potential at it's center is

Homework Equations


Here given are
ρ= βr where β is a constant

The Attempt at a Solution


Since in this question the charger density is not uniform so I attempted the question by first finding out the electric field on the inside and outside region by using Gauss law than.

IMG_20171101_002557.jpg


IMG_20171101_003427.jpg
Please give me some hints on what I have done wrong because the answer is
V= Q/3Πξ.R
And I also think that somehow we have to find the value of β

And one final personal question
Is this question a difficult level question because I have spent like 2 hours in a day for 4 days and haven't been able to answer due to mistakes here and there and lately because of this I have started losing confidence in myself because I can't even solve this question.
 

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I don't want to read your sideways picture, but ## Q=\int\limits_{0}^{R} \beta r \, 4 \pi r^2 dr ##. That will allow you to find ## \beta ##. You then need to find ## E(r) ##, (by Gauss' law), as a function of ## r ## both inside and outside the sphere. That will allow you to compute ## V(r)=-\int\limits_{+\infty}^{r} E(r') \, dr' ##. ## \\ ## Maybe I'm a little fussy, but I think it is asking a lot to have someone need to turn their computer sideways to try and read a sideways picture.
 
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IMG_20171101_002557_01.jpg
IMG_20171101_003427_01.jpg


I'm really sorry about that tilted photos.
Here are my calculations
 

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It looks quite accurate. The equation ## \beta \pi R^4=Q ## applies, so that ## \beta=Q/( \pi R^4) ##. You basically computed this, but didn't include it. You can substitute this for ## \beta ## in your final answer. From what I can tell it looks right=I didn't see any mistakes.
 
Neolight said:
View attachment 214150 View attachment 214151

I'm really sorry about that tilted photos.
Here are my calculations

You say your answer of V= Q/3Πξ.R is wrong. I cannot figure out if you mean ##\frac{Q}{2 \pi \xi R}## or ##\frac{Q}{3 \pi \xi} R## or something else. Parentheses would help.

Anyway, why do you think you answer is wrong? What is the apparent correct answer?

(I, for one, will not look at posted images; I look at typed work only, except for diagrams.)
 
Ray Vickson said:
You say your answer of V= Q/3Πξ.R is wrong. I cannot figure out if you mean ##\frac{Q}{2 \pi \xi R}## or ##\frac{Q}{3 \pi \xi} R## or something else. Parentheses would help.

Anyway, why do you think you answer is wrong? What is the apparent correct answer?

(I, for one, will not look at posted images; I look at typed work only, except for diagrams.)
Looks like the OP got the right answer, which is ## V=\frac{Q}{3 \pi \epsilon_o R} ##. And the OP should use an ## \epsilon_o ## (epsilon), rather than a ## \xi_o ## (xi).
 
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