Electric Field in center of half spherical shell

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric field at the center of a half spherical shell with a non-uniform surface charge density defined as \(\sigma(\theta) = \sigma_{0} \cos \theta\). Participants are exploring the implications of symmetry and the appropriate integration limits for the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the expression for the electric field and the appropriate differential area element \(dA\) for integration. There are questions about the limits of integration and the rationale behind choosing specific geometrical representations for the area.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning each other's reasoning and clarifying concepts related to the geometry of the problem. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several productive lines of inquiry are being explored regarding the integration process and the definition of the area element.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities introduced by the non-uniform charge density, which affects how the area is defined and integrated. There is an emphasis on understanding the implications of the charge distribution on the electric field calculation.

yevi
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A half spherical shell as seen in the picture.
[URL=http://img219.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picnw3.jpg][PLAIN]http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3424/picnw3.th.jpg[/URL][/PLAIN]

charged with surface density [tex]\sigma(\theta)=\sigma_{0}cos\theta[/tex]

Need to find the Electric field in center of the axis.

As I see the direction of the electric field is the Z axis (because of the symmetric)

to find the Field I use:

dE[tex]_{z}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{kdq}{R^2}[/tex]

Finding q, q=2[tex]\pi R^{2}\sigma_{0}cos\theta[/tex]?
 
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shouldn't Ez be [tex]\frac{kdq}{R^2}cos(\theta)[/tex]

dq = [tex]\sigma(\theta)dA = \sigma_{0}cos\theta dA[/tex]

what is dA here...

plug your dq into your Ez formula... integrate from theta = 0 to pi/2.
 
Why from 0 to pi/2?
Can you explain?
 
yevi said:
Why from 0 to pi/2?
Can you explain?

your [tex]dA = 2\pi*Rsin\theta(Rd\theta)[/tex]

My element area is a circle of circumference 2*pi*Rsin(theta) multiplied by ds = Rdtheta. (see what I'm doing... I'm taking a circle of radius Rsin(theta))

to cover the half circle theta needs to go from 0 to pi/2.

to cover the whole circle you'd go from theta = 0 to pi.
 
why do you multiply 2*pi*Rsin(theta) by Rdtheta?
We need area so we must find the integral from circumference...

And what is the logic taking circle 2*pi*Rsin(theta) as element of area?
Why can't i just use 4[tex]\pi r^{2}[/tex] as the area of the shell?
 
yevi said:
why do you multiply 2*pi*Rsin(theta) by Rdtheta?
We need area so we must find the integral from circumference...

And what is the logic taking circle 2*pi*Rsin(theta) as element of area?
Why can't i just use 4[tex]\pi r^{2}[/tex] as the area of the shell?

because your charge density depends on theta. so you need the charge at a particular theta...
 
Thank you
 

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