Electric field by continuous charge distributions.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the electric field due to a continuous charge distribution on a spherical shell. It clarifies that the electric field just outside the shell is given by 4πσ, while inside the shell it is zero. The user initially misinterpreted the charge on the shell as the electric field, leading to confusion about the derivation for the field "on it." It is confirmed that the charge on the shell is 4πr₀²σ, and the electric field at the surface is also 4πσ. The conversation concludes with an acknowledgment of the misunderstanding and a correction regarding the interpretation of the charge and electric field.
Buffu
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While reading the book, Electricity and magnetism, the author says that electric field just outside a spherical shell is ##4\pi \sigma##, on it ##4\pi\sigma r_0^2## ,inside is ##0## and outside is ##Q/R^2##.

My derivations :-

For inside,

##E\Delta S = 4\pi Q = 0## since ##Q = 0##.

For outside,

##E \Delta S = 4 \pi {Q} \iff E \cdot 4 \pi R^2= 4 \pi {Q} ##

For just outside,

##E \cdot (4\pi r_0^2) = 4\pi \sigma (4\pi r_0^2)##.

But I am unable to derive the one for "on it", any suggestions what should I do ?

So far I get,

##E \cdot (\Delta S) = 4\pi (\sigma 4\pi r_0^2)##.

What should be ##\Delta S## ?

Note for future readers :-

The charge is ##4\pi\sigma r_0^2## not the Field. I read it incorrectly.
 
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It looks like the author is using cgs units, where ## E=Q/r^2 ##. Meanwhile "on it", refers to the charge ## Q ## that is "on it", ## Q=(4 \pi r_o^2) \sigma ##. ## \\ ## Editing... Additionally ## E=4 \pi \sigma ## at ## r=r_o ## (i.e. ## r ## just slightly greater than ## r_o ##.)
 
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Charles Link said:
It looks like the author is using cgs units, where ## E=Q/r^2 ##. Meaning "on it", refers to the charge ## Q=(4 \pi r_o^2) \sigma ##. Editing... ## E=4 \pi \sigma ## at ## r=r_o ## (i.e. ## r ## just slightly greater than ## r_o ##.)

Yes you are correct. It my mistake, he meant charge on it is ##4\pi r^2_0\sigma## not the electric field.

Thanks and sorry for this useless question :((.
 
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