Electric field due to a flat hollow disk

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The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field due to a flat hollow disk using polar coordinates, emphasizing the vertical component of the field. The derived equation for the electric field is presented, with a specific focus on the use of sine instead of cosine for the direction of the electric field vector. Participants confirm the correctness of the approach while questioning the need for a negative sign in the vector answer due to the orientation of the y-axis in the provided figure. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of symmetry and coordinate choice in electric field calculations. The participants express agreement on the methodology and findings.
madafo3435
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Homework Statement
A charge distribution with a uniform positive charge surface density + σ is formed by a circular section of radii R1 and R2.
Relevant Equations
Charges to continuous charge distributions
I would like if my procedure is correct ...

Due to the symmetry of the problem, I only worry about the vertical coordinate of the field, so I will work with the magnitude of the field, and I will treat the problem in polar coordinates.

##E= \int_{R_1} ^ {R_2} \int_{0} ^ {\pi} \frac {\sigma sen(\theta)}{4\pi \epsilon _0 r^2} rd\theta dr = \frac {\sigma}{4\pi \epsilon _0} \int_{R_1}^{R_2} \frac {2}{r} dr = \frac {\sigma}{2\pi \epsilon _0} ln(\frac {R_2}{R_1})##

## \therefore \vec{E} = \frac {\sigma}{2\pi \epsilon _0} ln(\frac {R_2}{R_1}) \hat{\jmath} ##
I attach a picture of the problem below.

Is this correct?
 

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It appears to me you are on the right track, but is the problem asking for the E field at the center of the semicircles?

Can you explain why sinθ and not cosθ?
 
CPW said:
It appears to me you are on the right track, but is the problem asking for the E field at the center of the semicircles?

Can you explain why sinθ and not cosθ?

Because the direction of ##\vec{E}## is given by ##cos(\theta )\imath + sen(\theta )\jmath ## and due to the fixedness and uniformity, the as a component in ##\imath ## total is canceled

Do you agree with me?
 
I agree. Nice work.
But with y-axis up in your figure, shouldn't you include a minus sign in your vector answer?
 
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CPW said:
I agree. Nice work.
But with y-axis up in your figure, shouldn't you include a minus sign in your vector answer?
Thanks for your appreciation
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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