Electric field due to a flat hollow disk

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field due to a flat hollow disk, focusing on the vertical component of the field using polar coordinates. Participants are examining the mathematical formulation and the physical interpretation of the electric field in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the procedure for calculating the electric field, questioning the choice of trigonometric functions and the implications of symmetry. There is also a focus on the direction of the electric field vector and its components.

Discussion Status

Some participants express agreement with the original poster's approach while raising questions about specific aspects of the calculation, such as the direction of the electric field and the inclusion of a minus sign in the final answer. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the problem potentially asking for the electric field at the center of semicircles, which introduces a point of clarification regarding the setup. The discussion also reflects on the uniformity of the charge distribution and its effects on the electric field components.

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
 

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