Find the Electric field due to two curved rods

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field at point P, located at the center of a circle formed by two curved rods. The top rod carries a charge of -q, while the bottom rod has a charge of +q. The user initially assumes that the electric field from the top rod does not contribute, but later realizes this assumption is incorrect. The correct approach involves integrating the contributions of both rods, particularly focusing on the y-components of the electric field due to symmetry.

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  • Understanding of electric fields and charge distributions
  • Familiarity with calculus, specifically integration techniques
  • Knowledge of symmetry in physics problems
  • Basic concepts of electrostatics, including Coulomb's law
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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?
 
Last edited:
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Figured out my mistake. Can't assume that the top rod contributes no field.
 

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