EFields of Insulating hallow sphere around conductive hallow sphere

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric fields of an insulating hollow sphere and a concentric conducting shell. The insulating sphere has a non-uniform charge density and a specified net electric charge, while the conducting shell has a different net charge. Participants are tasked with finding the electric fields and potential differences in various regions surrounding these spheres.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of Gauss's law to determine electric fields at different radii. There are attempts to calculate the electric fields based on the enclosed charge and surface area. Some participants question the interpretation of "net charge" and its implications for the calculations. Others express uncertainty about the correct formula for the area used in the calculations.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem setup, with participants providing insights into the calculations and questioning assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of surface area in the context of Gauss's law, and there is a recognition that the electric field may not be constant across the specified regions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies in the stated radii, with confusion arising from the original problem statement. There is also acknowledgment of the non-uniform charge density and its impact on the calculations, as well as the need to clarify the definitions of terms used in the problem.

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Homework Statement



There is a insulating hollow sphere of radius who's inner radius is 0.04 m and outside radius is 0.08 m. It's density is not uniform and is represented by [itex]\rho = 0.0211 \mu C / m^{3.5} * \sqrt{r}[/itex]. It has a net electric charge of +10.0 microC. There is a concentric conducting shell of inner radius 0.12 m and outer radius 0.16 m. It's net electric charge is -20.0 micro C

Find the inner and outer electric fields of both spheres

Homework Equations



[itex]\Phi = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{a} = \frac{q _{enclosed}}{\epsilon _{0}}[/itex]
[itex]E = \frac{q _{enclosed}}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{A}[/itex]

[itex]\epsilon _{0} = 8.85 * 10^{-12}[/itex]

[itex]q _{enclosed} = \int \rho dV[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[itex]A _{1} = 2\pi r = 2\pi(0.04m) = 0.08m\pi[/itex]
[itex]A _{2} = 2\pi r = 2\pi(0.08m) = 0.16m\pi[/itex]
[itex]A _{3} = 2\pi r = 2\pi(0.12m) = 0.24m\pi[/itex]
[itex]A _{4} = 2\pi r = 2\pi(0.16m) = 0.32m\pi[/itex]

[itex]E_{1} = \frac{0}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{0.08m\pi} = 0[/itex]

[itex]E_{2} = \frac{10 \mu C}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{0.16m\pi} = 2.25 MN/C[/itex]

[itex]E_{3} = \frac{10 \mu C}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{0.24m\pi} = 1.50 MN/C[/itex]

[itex]E_{4} = \frac{-20 \mu C}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{0.32m\pi} = -2.25 MN/C[/itex]

I thought the outside of the insulator should be equal to inside of conductor that somehow the A won't matter?

Also I wasn't sure if "net charge" meant the just conductor itself has a net charge of -20 uC [thus q enclosed= 10 uC (insulator) - 20 uC (conductor)= -10 uC] or if "net charge" meant all charges added up (10 uC + -30 uC = -20 uC)-----------------

Homework Statement



Using the same example, find the potential difference in KV for the following ranges

0 < r < 0.04 m
0.04 m < r < 0.08 m
0.08 m < r < 0.12 m
0.12 m < r < 0.16 m
0.16 m < r < infinity

Homework Equations

potential difference = [itex]ΔV = - \int \vec{E} \cdot dr = -E \int_{r_{intial}}^{r_{final}} dr = -E Δr[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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What's the formula for area A1 etc. again?
 
A1 is just the area of the Gaussian surface, which I believe in this case would be 2 * pi * radius in the

[itex]\Phi = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A}[/itex]

Since we picked a surface that E is constant we can pull it out:

[itex]\Phi = \vec{E_{1}} \cdot \int d\vec{A_{1}}[/itex]

[itex]\Phi = \vec{E_{1}} \cdot \vec{A_{1}}[/itex]

[itex]\Phi = E_{1} * A_{1} * cos (0)[/itex]

[itex]\Phi = E_{1} * A_{1}[/itex]

Set [itex]E_{1} * A_{1}[/itex]equal to [itex]\frac{q _{enclosed}}{\epsilon _{0}}[/itex] and get E by itself:

[itex]E_{1} = \frac{q _{enclosed}}{\epsilon _{0}}*\frac{1}{A_{1}}[/itex]

Mmm.. I think i was suppose to use the surface area of a sphere and not a circle. 4*pi*r^2 and not 2*pi*r
 
Last edited:
ParoXsitiC said:
Mmm.. I think i was suppose to use the surface area of a sphere and not a circle. 4*pi*r^2 and not 2*pi*r

Good bet!
 
Is it being setup right for the most part? Ignoring the Area mistake
 
ParoXsitiC said:
Is it being setup right for the most part? Ignoring the Area mistake

The question says "radii of 0.4m and 0.8m" yet then you talk about radii of 0.04m and 0.08m. Which is it?
 
rude man said:
The question says "radii of 0.4m and 0.8m" yet then you talk about radii of 0.04m and 0.08m. Which is it?

Sorry I typed the question from memory. It was 0.04 and 0.08.
 
Your approach is close, but not quite right. The electric field is going to vary with r. You should be finding E(r), not constant values.
 

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