Electric Field of a Finite Cylinder

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving expressions for the electric field produced along the axis of a finite cylindrical slab with a specified thickness and radius, focusing on the charge distribution within the volume of the cylinder.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Coulomb's Law and integrate to find the electric field, expressing uncertainty about integrating through the height of the cylinder. Other participants discuss the electric field for a disk of charge and question the integration process, particularly regarding height dependence and the definition of variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem, including the integration limits and the implications of charge distribution. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for careful definition of variables, but no consensus has been reached on the approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the specifics of integrating over the height of the cylinder and the implications of charge distribution, indicating potential constraints in their understanding of the problem setup.

wxguy28
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Derive expressions for electric field produced along the axis of radial symmetry for an H km thick cylindrical slab of radius R with charge distributed around the volume. Then, give the electric field on the vertical axis for four of these cylindrical slabs.

Homework Equations


Obviously start with Coloumb's Law (q/4*pi*ε0*r2). Must integrate from there.

The Attempt at a Solution


As this isn't for an infinite cylinder, we can't use a Gaussian surface. Knowing that q = ρV where rho is the charge density and V = ∏R2, I've come up with:

ρ/4ε0 ∫∫∫ R2h2/r2

However, I'm not sure how to integrate through the heights of the cylinder in the case if the charge is not found on the axis. I know this is a vague attempt at the answer up to this point, but I'm honestly just not sure how to do the height part of the integration. Any help is appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I have found the E-field for a disk of charge, that being (2∏ρ/ε0)(1-[r/√r2+R2])

However there is no height dependence here. Is it has simple as integrating over some dh term from h1 to h2?
 
God damn it, I am dealing with the same problem.
 
wxguy28 said:
I have found the E-field for a disk of charge, that being (2∏ρ/ε0)(1-[r/√r2+R2])

However there is no height dependence here. Is it has simple as integrating over some dh term from h1 to h2?
Yes, but be careful with r. How are you defining that?

Do you want the field inside the slab, outside the slab, or both?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K