Electric field in the narrow wire

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between electric fields and current in narrow wires, specifically focusing on the application of Ohm's law and resistance formulas in a circuit context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between current density and current in different wires, questioning the assumption of uniformity in current density. There are attempts to derive expressions for current and electric field using Ohm's law and resistance formulas.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on approaching the problem by suggesting the use of Ohm's law and resistance formulas. There is an acknowledgment of the need for a clear goal and strategy in solving the problem, particularly in finding the ratio of electric fields.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the differences in resistance between the wires and the implications this has for current density, which remains a point of discussion. The original poster expresses confusion about the relationships and calculations involved.

DottZakapa
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Homework Statement
A narrow copper wire of length L and radius b is attached to a wide copper wire of length L and radius 2b, forming one long wire of length 2L. This long wire is attached to a battery, and a current is flowing through it. If the electric field in the narrow wire is E, the electric field in the wide wire is
Relevant Equations
current
i've started from this I1=I2
then
I1= JA1=##\frac {E l} R##

I2= JA2=##\frac {E_2 l} R##

but can't get anything useful relating them. Am i forgetting any other useful formula?
I get as result E4
 
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Why are you using the same J in the two equations? If the current is the same in the two wires would the current density also be the same? Also the wires don't have the same resistance.
 
kuruman said:
Why are you using the same J in the two equations? If the current is the same in the two wires would the current density also be the same? Also the wires don't have the same resistance.
you right
##I_1= J A## , ##A_2 = pi 4b^2##
##I_2=J_2 A_2##
##j_2= \frac j 4 ##
then ?
##I_2 = \frac j 4 \ A_2 = \frac {E l} {R}\space but\space then \space A_2\space simplify\space with\space the\space 4\space and \space i\space get\space back\space to\space the\space beginning...##
sorry I'm not getting anywhere :oldconfused:
 
There are many equivalent ways to get to the answer, but you need a goal and a strategy. The goal is to find the ratio ##E_2/E##. The strategy is the use of Ohm's law and the formula for the resistance of a cylindrical wire ##R=\dfrac{\rho L}{A}##. You need to write Ohm's law for each wire separately then write separate expressions for each wire's resistance and then take the appropriate ratio.
 
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kuruman said:
There are many equivalent ways to get to the answer, but you need a goal and a strategy. The goal is to find the ratio ##E_2/E##. The strategy is the use of Ohm's law and the formula for the resistance of a cylindrical wire ##R=\dfrac{\rho L}{A}##. You need to write Ohm's law for each wire separately then write separate expressions for each wire's resistance and then take the appropriate ratio.
haven't thought about R
👍 now it works, thanks a lot for your time
 
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