Electric field inside a charged ring

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the electric field inside a charged ring, particularly focusing on the effects of modifications to the ring's structure on the electric field at its center. Participants express confusion regarding the implications of these modifications and the stability of the configuration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question whether the problem statement is complete and if the ring is uniformly charged. There are discussions about the electric field's behavior at the center before and after making cuts in the ring, with some suggesting that symmetry leads to a zero field at the center.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have offered insights into the stability of the configuration and the implications of symmetry on the electric field, while others express uncertainty about the completeness of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential missing information regarding the uniformity of the charge and the nature of the modifications to the ring. Participants are also grappling with the conceptual challenges posed by the problem's setup.

takelight2
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Homework Statement
What is the direction of the electric field at the centerpoint P of a charged ring when two pieces are cut off to create respective gaps on the rings circumference as shown in the image?
Relevant Equations
E = Kq/r^2
circle.PNG
I am just a bit confused here. Would doing this even change the electric field direction at the center at all? I'm thinking no, but a bit of direction would be appreciated. This problem is really simple, I'm just a bit confused.
 
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Are you sure the question is complete/correct?
Is the ring uniformly charged?
What do you think we can say about the field at the centre before and after the cuts?
 
The problem is pretty artificial, although that doesn't make it bad. The issue as I see it is that this configuration in 3D is riotously unstable for +or- charge at the center. It will be slightly more unstable with the cuts! Anyone have a more anodyne solution?
 
hutchphd said:
The problem is pretty artificial, although that doesn't make it bad. The issue as I see it is that this configuration in 3D is riotously unstable for +or- charge at the center. It will be slightly more unstable with the cuts! Anyone have a more anodyne solution?
Surely the field at the centre is zero both before and after the cuts (due to symmetry). Therefore it makes no sense to ask about the field's direction at the centre. What am I missing?
 
I was pointing to conceptual difficulties from lurking singularities, and trying not to provide the answer.(it being homework). I see nothing incorrect in what you said.
 
@hutchphd - ok, thanks.
@takelight2 - would be very interested to hear the 'official' answer when you have it.
 
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