Electric field of a coaxial cable

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field (E), electric potential (V), and charge enclosed (Q) in a coaxial cable modeled as two long circular metal cylinders with inner radius 'a' and outer radius 'b'. The participants emphasize the importance of recognizing cylindrical symmetry to apply Gauss's Law effectively. By establishing the electric field as a function of radius (r) and integrating E along the distance between the two cylinders, one can derive the voltage applied across the conductors. The relationship between the electric field and voltage is crucial for solving the problem accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Cylindrical coordinates
  • Gauss's Law
  • Understanding of electric fields and potentials
  • Basic calculus for integration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Gauss's Law in cylindrical symmetry
  • Learn how to derive electric fields from voltage differences
  • Explore the concept of electric potential in coaxial cables
  • Investigate the relationship between charge density and electric field
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the electric field dynamics in coaxial cables.

balanto
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
We have a coaxial cable with inner radius a and outer radius b. The coaxial cable is modeled as two very long circular metal cylinders. I'm supposed to calculate the electric field E, the electric potential V and the charge enclosed Q when a voltage is applied between the metal cylinder, meaning between the inner conductor and the outer conductor

I know that if I can calculate the electric field the electric potential 'V and Q should not be hard to find. But how do i set up the problem? Is there any symmetry that allows me to use gauss law or am i stuck with using superposition?
If the case is that we have symmetry(which is a hard thing for me to figure out?) then we can use cylindrical coordinates and set up the problem as the integral of E dot ds and E=Er*r^ (because the electric field is pointing radially?) and ds=r^rdzd(theta)
But i have a hard time understanding the voltage that is applied, how do I take that into account when it comes to the integral above? Maybe I'm thinking totally wrong
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi! :)
I would not like to say anything wrong, but I think the following:
Because the cable consist of two metal cylinders, I think we have a cylindrical symmetry.
It should be possible to find an expression for the electrical field (with dependence on r) from Gauss's law.
Then, one should remember that the integral of E along a distance (the difference in radius between the two cylinders) is the potentialdifference, which is the same as voltage.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
5K
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
7K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
870
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K