Electric field due to a flat hollow disk

AI Thread Summary
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
Messages
55
Reaction score
15
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?
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
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?
 
  • Like
Likes madafo3435
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
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top