Electric field strength at the center of semicircle

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the electric field strength at the center of a semicircular rod that is uniformly charged. The rod has a specified length and total charge, and the original poster attempts to apply a formula to find the electric field magnitude.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the vector nature of electric fields, noting that contributions from different segments of the rod will have varying directions, which affects the resultant electric field magnitude. There is also mention of considering a complete ring for comparison.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the vector nature of the electric field and questioning the assumptions made by the original poster regarding the radius used in calculations. Some participants suggest looking at external resources for further clarification.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a potential error in the radius used for calculations, indicating a need for careful consideration of the geometry involved in the problem.

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Homework Statement


A uniformly charged insulating rod of length 12.0 cm is bent into the shape of a semicircle as shown in the figure below. The rod has a total charge of −7.50 µC.

Find the magnitude of the electric field at O, the centre of the semicircle.

Homework Equations


E = 2kq / pi r2
(Acquired on the internet)

The Attempt at a Solution


E = 2(9X109)(-7.5X10-6) / pi (0.06)2
E = -135000 / 0.01130973355
E = -11936620.73

magnitude: 11936620 N/C

Got it wrong... I don't know why...
 
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You want the magnitude of a vector ##\vec E##. Contributions from different places on the rod point in different directions, so the sum vector is not as big as you calculate now.
If the ring were not half but complete, ##|\vec E|## would be ...?
 
BvU said:
You want the magnitude of a vector ##\vec E##. Contributions from different places on the rod point in different directions, so the sum vector is not as big as you calculate now.
If the ring were not half but complete, ##|\vec E|## would be ...?

Less...?
 
You used the wrong radius.
 

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