Electric Field Calculation (Square Wire)

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field above the center of a square loop of wire with uniform charge per length (λ) and side length (l). The key equation derived is the expression for the electric field (E) in terms of an integral involving λ, ε₀, and the dimensions of the loop. Participants confirmed the correctness of the equations and discussed the integration process, with one user successfully using a calculator to evaluate the integral. The final electric field is expressed as E_total = 4E, indicating the total field's vertical direction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and charge distributions
  • Familiarity with calculus, particularly integration techniques
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their applications in physics
  • Basic concepts of electrostatics, including Coulomb's law
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn advanced integration techniques for evaluating complex integrals
  • Study the derivation of electric fields from continuous charge distributions
  • Explore the use of trigonometric substitutions in integral calculus
  • Investigate the applications of electric fields in real-world scenarios, such as capacitors
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, as well as educators looking for practical examples of electric field calculations.

Arman777
Insights Author
Gold Member
Messages
2,163
Reaction score
191

Homework Statement


Find the electric field a distance ##z## above center of a square loop of wire,each of whose sides has length ##l## and uniform charge per length ##λ##

Homework Equations


##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {r^2}## (magnitude)

The Attempt at a Solution


I have a pic.
Adsız 1.png


So ##dq=λdx##
##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {r^2}##
##r^2## is here
##x^2+(\frac {l^2} {4})+z^2##

##E_x=E_y=0##
so the equation becomes,
##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {x^2+(\frac {l^2} {4})+z^2}sinθ## which its
##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {x^2+(\frac {l^2} {4})+z^2}\frac {z} {\sqrt {(\frac {l^2} {4})+x^2}}##

From there I get

##E=\frac {zλ} {4πε_0}\int_{\frac {-l} {2}}^{\frac {l} {2}}\frac {8} {(4x^2+l^2+4z^2)(\sqrt {l^2+4z^2})} \, dx##

I stucked at the integral part.I tried calculator but it didnt work out.And before that, are my equations true ? Of course for result I have to mulitply this by ##4## so the answer is
##E_{total}=4E##
It will be in the vertical direction
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Arman777 said:
##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {x^2+(\frac {l^2} {4})+z^2}sinθ## which its
##dE=\frac {1} {4πε_0} dq \frac {1} {x^2+(\frac {l^2} {4})+z^2}\frac {z} {\sqrt {(\frac {l^2} {4})+x^2}}##
See if you can find the mistake in setting ##\sin\theta = \frac {z} {\sqrt {(\frac {l^2} {4})+x^2}}##
 
Looks right for me ?
 
What is the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle which has the angle θ indicated in your sketch?
 
TSny said:
What is the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle which has the angle θ indicated in your sketch?

I see yeah thanks
 
TSny said:
What is the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle which has the angle θ indicated in your sketch?

I found but I used calculator to find ##\int_\frac {1} {(4x^2+l^2+4z^2)^{\frac {3} {2}}} \ dx ## is it too bad ?
 
The denominator should be raised to some power other than 1.
 
TSny said:
The denominator should be raised to some power other than 1.
I fixed sorry my typo
 
Its hard to write such things in here
 
  • #10
Arman777 said:
I found but I used calculator to find ##\int_\frac {1} {(4x^2+l^2+4z^2)^{\frac {3} {2}}} \ dx ## is it too bad ?
I'm not sure what you are asking here. If you get a final answer, I can check to see if I get the same answer.
 
  • #11
TSny said:
I'm not sure what you are asking here. If you get a final answer, I can check to see if I get the same answer.

No I found the answer,Just For solving the integral.I used calculator.Then I put the numbers and I found the answer.

Just I couldn't see the Solution of integral.And asked you Is is bad to not solve such integral.Its stupid question I know :/
 
  • #12
I think it's OK to use a calculator to do the integral.

To do the integration without a calculator, note that $$\int \frac{dx}{\left(4x^2 + l^2+4z^2 \right)^{3/2}} = \frac{1}{8} \int \frac{dx}{\left(x^2 + a^2 \right)^{3/2}}$$ where ##a^2 = \frac{l^2}{4}+z^2##. Let ##u = \frac{x}{a}## to put the integral into the form $$\frac{1}{8a^2} \int \frac{du}{\left(u^2 + 1\right)^{3/2}}$$ Then try an appropriate trigonometric substitution.
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K