Electric field at centre of hollow half sphere

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving finding the electric field due to a hemisphere with a surface charge density. The solution involves integrating over infinitely many rings, but there is confusion about the notation and limits of integration. The correct integral appears to be found, but the upper limit is uncertain.
  • #1
Cocoleia
295
4

Homework Statement


upload_2017-1-25_12-3-58.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I figured you could consider it as infinitely many rings? Here is what I did so far:
upload_2017-1-25_12-4-55.png


I feel like 0 is the wrong answer. Can anyone help me? Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
For future posts: please try to type in your messages as it is difficult to impossible to read it on mobile devices.
 
  • #3
Your notation is confusing. The axis of the rings is the z-axis, but you use the symbol ##x## to denote the position of the center of a ring. Also, you appear to initially use the symbol ##R## for the radius of a ring, but then later use ##R## for the radius of the hemisphere. (The problem statement says the radius of the hemisphere is ##a##.) Also, the symbol for the surface charge density as specified in the problem is ##\rho_s##.

Nevertheless, your final integral looks correct except for the upper limit of integration. [Edit: Should your integration variable be ##\theta## or ##\phi## (if these symbols are defined according to the problem statement)?]
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes cnh1995
  • #4
Cocoleia said:
I feel like 0 is the wrong answer. Can anyone help me? Thanks.
Everything looks fine except the limits of your final integral. Are you sure Φ varies from 0 to 2π?
Edit: TSny beat me to it while I was typing..
 

FAQ: Electric field at centre of hollow half sphere

What is the definition of electric field?

The electric field is a physical quantity that describes the strength and direction of the electric force experienced by a charged particle at any given point in space.

What is the formula for calculating the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere?

The formula for electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere is E = Q/4πεr^2, where Q is the charge on the surface of the half sphere, ε is the permittivity of free space, and r is the radius of the half sphere.

Does the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere depend on the size of the sphere?

Yes, the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere is directly proportional to the charge on the surface of the half sphere and inversely proportional to the square of the radius of the sphere. Therefore, the larger the sphere, the weaker the electric field at the centre.

What happens to the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere if the charge on the surface is doubled?

If the charge on the surface of the half sphere is doubled, the electric field at the centre will also double. This is because the electric field is directly proportional to the charge.

Can the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere be zero?

Yes, the electric field at the centre of a hollow half sphere can be zero if the charge on the surface is also zero. In this case, there is no electric force acting on a charged particle at the centre of the sphere.

Back
Top