Electric field with electric potential

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a metallic hollow cylinder and a wire along its axis, with a specified voltage between them. The task is to determine the electric field at the surfaces of both the wire and the cylinder.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the electric field using the relationship between electric potential and electric field, but expresses confusion about which electric field is being calculated. Some participants suggest using the differential form of the electric field and question the boundary conditions relevant to the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different approaches, including the use of Gauss' Law and the implications of boundary conditions. There is a focus on understanding how the electric field relates to the geometry of the problem and the assumptions about charge distribution. No explicit consensus has been reached, but various lines of reasoning are being discussed.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the charge distribution and how it affects the electric field. The participants are also considering the implications of using cylindrical coordinates and the nature of the boundaries defined by the surfaces of the cylinder and wire.

Kernul
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Homework Statement


A metallic hollow cylinder has a diameter of ##4.2 cm##. Along his axis there is a wire having a diameter of ##2.68 \mu m##(considering it as a hollow cylinder). Between the cylinder and the wire there is a voltage of ##855 V##.
What is the electric field on the wire surface and the cylinder surface?

Homework Equations


Electric potential:
##\int_{A}^{B} \vec E_0 \cdot d\vec l = V_0(A) - V_0(B)##
For a generic point ##P##
##V_0(x, y, z) = \int_A^P \vec E_0 \cdot d\vec l + V_0(A)##

The Attempt at a Solution


First I got the radius from the diameters, so:
##D_1 = 2.68\mu m = 2.68 * 10^-6 m##
##D_2 = 4.2 cm = 4.2 * 10^-2 m##
##R_1 = 1.34 * 10^-6 m##
##R_2 = 2.1 * 10^-2 m##

At this point I know that ##V_0(R_1) - V_0(R_2) = 855 V##, so I have to use the first equation to find out ##E_0##. The problem is that I don't understand what ##E_0## I am calculating with this equation:
$$\int_{R_1}^{R_2} \vec E_0 \cdot d\vec l = V_0(R_1) - V_0(R_2)$$
Is it the wire surface? Or am I calculating the electric field inside the cylinder but outside the wire?
 
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You could try the differential form: ##\vec E=-\vec \nabla V## and select a suitable coordinate system and boundary conditions.
 
Boundary conditions? What do you mean by that?
 
Kernul said:

Homework Statement


A metallic hollow cylinder has a diameter of ##4.2 cm##. Along his axis there is a wire having a diameter of ##2.68 \mu m##(considering it as a hollow cylinder). Between the cylinder and the wire there is a voltage of ##855 V##.
What is the electric field on the wire surface and the cylinder surface?

Homework Equations


Electric potential:
##\int_{A}^{B} \vec E_0 \cdot d\vec l = V_0(A) - V_0(B)##
For a generic point ##P##
##V_0(x, y, z) = \int_A^P \vec E_0 \cdot d\vec l + V_0(A)##At this point I know that ##V_0(R_1) - V_0(R_2) = 855 V##, so I have to use the first equation to find out ##E_0##. The problem is that I don't understand what ##E_0## I am calculating with this equation:
Where is that equation from? You should use only such formulas which are explained.
You certainly know that the line integral between two points does not depend on the path taken and ##\int_{A}^{B} \vec E \cdot d\vec l = V(A) - V(B)## where the integral goes along the radius now, from the wire surface to the surface of the cylinder. You have to know how the electric field depends on the radius. For that, use Gauss' Law.
 
Kernul said:
Boundary conditions? What do you mean by that?
Boundary conditions are the conditions on the boundary of the problem. Your problem has two boundaries - which is the cylinder surfaces.
The relevant condition on those boundaries is the potentials there.
Do you not know how to solve differential equations?

Do you know how to use cylindrical-polar coordinates?
Do you know Gauss' Law?
 
Differential equations are those where you derive for each unknown and take the others as constant. (x, y, z in this case, since we have three coordinates)
I never used the cylindrical and polar coordinates but I read about them in the book.
Yes, I know the Gauss' Theorem.

ehild said:
You have to know how the electric field depends on the radius. For that, use Gauss' Law.
But how? I don't know the charge distribution.
 
Kernul said:
Differential equations are those where you derive for each unknown and take the others as constant. (x, y, z in this case, since we have three coordinates)
I never used the cylindrical and polar coordinates but I read about them in the book.
Yes, I know the Gauss' Theorem.But how? I don't know the charge distribution.
But you know the symmetry of the problem. You can assume that the charge distribution is even, the charge is λ on unit length of the wire.
And you know the potential difference between the metallic surfaces. The metallic surfaces are equipotentials, and the electric field is perpendicular to them, and is the same in every direction. The blue lines show the electric field lines, and the grin circle is the cross section of a Gaussian cylinder. Apply Gauss Law to get the electric field intensity at distance r from the axis.
upload_2016-5-3_17-53-13.png
 

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