Find the electric field of a point outside sphere

AI Thread Summary
To find the electric field outside a sphere without using Gauss's law, the discussion emphasizes the need to clarify the type of sphere involved, such as whether it is solid, conducting, or a spherical shell. Participants highlight the importance of expressing the distance from the point of interest to the differential element using the spherical coordinate system and the law of cosines. The symmetry of the problem indicates that the y-component of the electric field will cancel out. There is also mention of using the method of images if the sphere is conducting. Overall, the discussion revolves around the challenges of solving the problem without a complete problem statement.
Coderhk
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Homework Statement


Find the electric field of a point outside sphere without using Gauss's law. (Do not evaluate the integral)

Homework Equations


Coulomb's Law
Spherical Co-ordinate System

The Attempt at a Solution


I have attached my attempt as a picture but now I am stuck, I don't know how I can express the distance (h )from the point to the differential element in terms of the other variables. From symmetry I know the y component of the electric field will cancel out
 

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Mission impossible without a complete problem statement: what kind of sphere ? Imaginary, solid, conducting, grounded ?
 
BvU said:
Mission impossible without a complete problem statement: what kind of sphere ? Imaginary, solid, conducting, grounded ?
I believe the question is talking about a shpherical shell like a gaussian enclosed sphere. I figured out that I need to express h in terms of the cos law. Thanks.
 
Conducting ? In which case the method of images might help ...
 
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