Direction of Electric Field in a Bent Rod with Uniformly Distributed Charges?

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion about the electric field direction in a bent rod with uniformly distributed charges, it is established that the rod consists of a positively charged half and a negatively charged half. The electric field at the center of the circular arc points towards the negatively charged side due to the nature of electric fields, which always extend from positive to negative charges. The presence of a test charge is not necessary to define the electric field, as it exists independently of any charge placed within it. Using symmetry arguments, it is confirmed that the electric field lines will converge towards the negative charge at the center. Understanding these principles is crucial for accurately determining the electric field's direction in this scenario.
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Homework Statement


a thin nonconducting rod is bent in a circular arc. Half is given a uniformly distributed postive charge and the other half uniformly negative. Draw the direction of the electric field at the center of the circle.

Homework Equations


E=Fe/qo, F=qE E=ke(q/r2)r


The Attempt at a Solution


Im not really sure what to apply here, a test particle is always postive, so if placed in the middle of the circle made by the bended rod it the electric field points to the negative side...
 
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trah22 said:
Im not really sure what to apply here, a test particle is always postive, so if placed in the middle of the circle made by the bended rod it the electric field points to the negative side...
That's correct. To make sure you've got this completely figured out try and draw the field lines everywhere (inside and ouside the ring).
 
Electric field lines are drawn propagating outwards from a positive charge and in towards a negative charge. Using this knowledge, what can you determine about the electric field at the center of the said ring? Use symmetry arguments.


trah22 said:

Homework Statement


a thin nonconducting rod is bent in a circular arc. Half is given a uniformly distributed postive charge and the other half uniformly negative. Draw the direction of the electric field at the center of the circle.

Homework Equations


E=Fe/qo, F=qE E=ke(q/r2)r


The Attempt at a Solution


Im not really sure what to apply here, a test particle is always postive, so if placed in the middle of the circle made by the bended rod it the electric field points to the negative side...
 
doesnt there need to be a charge in the middle in the first place to relate the electric field to..?
 
Last edited:
The electric field is present regardless of whether or not a test charge is in place. The test charge serves the purpose of allowing one to manually probe the field and determine its strength at certain points.

trah22 said:
doesnt there need to be a charge in the middle in the first place to relate the electric field to..?
 

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