Electric Field and Magnetic Field

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concepts of electric fields and magnetic fields, specifically addressing a conducting sphere with a charge of 3 µC and a point charge of -2 µC located 3 meters away. The electric field at point P, located halfway between the sphere and the point charge, is determined to be zero due to the properties of conductors, as the point P lies within the conducting sphere. Additionally, the discussion clarifies that the force on a square loop placed near a current-carrying wire is also zero when the current increases, contradicting initial assumptions based on the right-hand rule.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and their properties
  • Knowledge of magnetic fields and the right-hand rule
  • Familiarity with the behavior of conductors in electrostatics
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electrostatics, focusing on conductors and electric fields
  • Learn about the right-hand rule and its applications in magnetic fields
  • Explore the concept of electric field lines and their significance
  • Investigate the relationship between current, magnetic fields, and forces on loops
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for exams in physics, educators teaching electromagnetism, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of electric and magnetic field interactions.

nightseeress
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I'm studying for an exam on Saturday and some of the old practice exams don't have explanations for the solutions so I came on here for help. Thanks in advance.

1. A conducting sphere of radium 2m carries a charge of 3uC. A point charge of -2uC is 3m away from the sphere center. Find the magnitude of electric field at point P halfway between the sphere center and the point charge.

The correct answer is 0. However, I'm not too sure I understand why it's 0. Is it because the point P is inside the conducting sphere?

2. A square loop is placed in the plane of the page next to a wire with current I going into the page. If the current I increases with time, what is the direction of the force on the loop?

The correct answer is "the force is zero". However, I thought it would be up because of the right hand rule for the magnetic field of wires carrying a current.
 
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If you draw yourself a circle and arbitrarily mark the charge on the spheres surface (+ve since the charge is 3uC).

Now you know the concept of an electric field line: it must follow the path a +ve charge would; with this you can see that there is no way to move a field line from the outside of a complete circle and find the end of that line inside the circle without breaking the shapes confines.

Now, if you can draw the field lines, what does that mean?
 

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