Find the Electric field due to two curved rods

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field at point P, the center of a circle formed by two curved rods with opposite charges. The top half of the circle has a charge of -q, while the bottom half has a charge of +q. Initially, it was assumed that the electric field from the top rod does not contribute, but this was corrected to acknowledge that it does. The symmetry of the system means that the x-components of the electric fields cancel each other out, leaving only the y-components to be considered. The user is working through the integration process to find the electric field's magnitude and direction, seeking confirmation on their approach.
LeFerret
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Homework Statement


Two curved plastic rods, together form a circle of radius r. The top half of the circle is the first rod with charge -q, the bottom half of the circle is the other rod with charge q. Find the magnitude and direction of the electric field at point P, at the center of the circle.

Homework Equations


dE=k∫dq/r2

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm wondering if my assumptions are correct.
So since the top half of the circle has charge -q, the electric field would go towards the rod, away from the center so it would not contribute.
The bottom half of the circle has charge +q, so the electric field would be directed away from the rod, towards the center of the circle.
By symmetry the x-components of the field would cancel and we would have only the y-components.
Therefore dE=dEy=dEsinθ=k∫dqsinθ/r2
we know that λdx=dq
but we know that dx=rdθ, so by substitution I would have, dq=λrdθ
also λ=q/x=q/(rθ)
so dq=qrdθ/(r*pi)
for my limits of integration I would go from pi to 2pi
does all of this seem reasonable? or is it completely off?
 
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Figured out my mistake. Can't assume that the top rod contributes no field.
 
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