Electric Field of an n sided polygon

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field (E-field) of an n-sided polygon with each side measuring 2L, where R is the distance from the center to the midpoint of any side, defined by the equation L=Rtan(π/n). The goal is to determine the E-field at a point distance h above the polygon's axis. As n approaches infinity, the E-field converges to that of a uniform ring charge, expressed as E = kQh/(h² + R²)^(1.5). The discussion emphasizes the importance of symmetry and suggests analyzing the field from a single side of the polygon.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electric fields and charge distributions
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, particularly tangent
  • Knowledge of calculus, specifically limits and integration
  • Basic concepts of symmetry in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the electric field for a uniform ring charge
  • Explore the application of symmetry in electric field calculations
  • Learn about the mathematical implications of limits in physics
  • Investigate the use of line integrals in calculating electric fields from finite line segments
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in electrostatics and electric field calculations will benefit from this discussion.

lao
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
We have an n sided polygon, each side is length 2L and R is the distance from the center of the polygon to the mid-point of any side. We know, L=Rtan(pi/n).

I need: "the E-field on the axis of the polygon at a point distance h above it"

When n goes to infinity, we should get the same E-field as a uniform ring charge:
E= kQh/(h^2+R^2)^1.5

any help would be awesome, thanks :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
And, what have you done so far to solve the problem?
 
Simple: do we have any symmetry here? Find the field to a single side (a finite line segment).

Hope this helps.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
772
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
2K