Electric field from a circle arc

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the x-component of the electric field at the origin due to a charged circular arc. The charge is specified as 3.8 μC, with a radius of 1.9 m, and relevant equations are provided for electric field calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the electric field using the formula E = kq/r^2 and considers the contributions from the arc. Some participants question the correctness of the integration limits and the expressions used for dq and λ.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the method used to calculate the electric field. There is a suggestion to re-evaluate the integration limits and the expressions for dq and λ. No consensus has been reached regarding the correctness of the original poster's method.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the original poster may have made assumptions about the integration limits and the setup of the problem, which are currently under scrutiny by other participants.

nautola
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the x-component of the electric field
at the origin due to the full arc length
for a charge of 3.8 μC and a radius of
1.9 m. The value of the Coulomb constant
is 8.98755 × 109 N · m2/C2.


Homework Equations


E = kq/r^2
dq = q dθ
λ = Q/ (R θ)


The Attempt at a Solution


I said E = kq/r^2
And so Ex = kq/r2 * sinθ
and dEx = k*dq/r2 * sinθ
and dq = λ ds
ds = R dθ
λ = q/s
so dq = Q/θ dθ

I get kq/r2 ∫sinθ/ θ dθ

But when I input the answer from this integral (from the calculator) the answer is wrong.
 

Attachments

  • 2012-09-12_0155.png
    2012-09-12_0155.png
    4.3 KB · Views: 674
Physics news on Phys.org
What is your answer?
 
I got 12968.1 N/C. Is my method correct?
 
I don't think so.
dq = λ*ds, where
λ= q / s , ds = r*dθ and s = πr/2
Substituute these values in the expression of dE and find the integration taking limits θ = 0 to π/2
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 79 ·
3
Replies
79
Views
10K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K