Finding electric field of a wire within a cylinder

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the electric field generated by a wire with linear charge density (λ) surrounded by a cylindrical conducting shell with radius (r) and surface charge density (σ). The key approach involves applying Gauss's Law, which states that the electric field (E) can be derived from the enclosed charge (Q_enc) within a Gaussian surface. The electric field for the wire is given by E = λ/(2πrε₀), and the solution requires careful consideration of the variables to avoid confusion, particularly distinguishing between the radius of the shell and the distance from the wire.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's Law and its application in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with electric field calculations for linear charge distributions
  • Knowledge of cylindrical symmetry in electric fields
  • Basic concepts of charge density and permittivity of free space (ε₀)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of electric fields using Gauss's Law for different geometries
  • Learn about the effects of surface charge density on electric fields in conductors
  • Explore the concept of electric field superposition for multiple charge distributions
  • Investigate the behavior of electric fields in cylindrical coordinates
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, electrical engineers, and anyone involved in electrostatic field calculations.

ConnorL0404
Messages
7
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


[/B]
A wire with linear charge density lambda is surrounded by a cylindrical conducting shell with radius r and surface charge density sigma. Find an expression for the electric field (magnitude and direction) as a function of distance d from the wire, on an axis perpendicular to the wire.

Homework Equations



Gauss's Law

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I know the electric field of a wire is lambda/(2*pi*r*permittivity of free space) however, I don't know how to find the electric field of a cylinder with a wire within it rather than just a single point charge.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ConnorL0404 said:

Homework Statement


[/B]
A wire with linear charge density lambda is surrounded by a cylindrical conducting shell with radius r and surface charge density sigma. Find an expression for the electric field (magnitude and direction) as a function of distance d from the wire, on an axis perpendicular to the wire.

Homework Equations



Gauss's Law

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
I know the electric field of a wire is lambda/(2*pi*r*permittivity of free space) however, I don't know how to find the electric field of a cylinder with a wire within it rather than just a single point charge.
First things first, you are going to have to rename one of your variables. The r in the \vec E = \frac{\lambda}{2 \pi r \varepsilon_0} \hat {a_r} is not the same r as the radius of the cylindrical shell. You'll have to rename one of them to avoid confusion. [The problem statement tells you to change one of them to d.]

Second, can you use Gauss' Law to derive the \vec E = \frac{\lambda}{2 \pi r \varepsilon_0} \hat {a_r} formula with only the wire (ignoring the cylindrical shell for the moment)? If you know how to do that, adding in the cylindrical shell is pretty straightforward.

Let's look at Gauss's Law:
\oint \vec E \cdot \vec {dA} = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\varepsilon_0}

The dA is a differential area element on your chosen Gaussian surface. Choose your Gaussian surface wisely to take advantage of symmetry. If you choose it wisely in certain special cases like this one, the closed integral is easy to solve. The idea is that you want the dot product of the electric field and the differential area element to be constant over the entire surface [Edit: possibly ignoring things like cylindrical endcaps, if you can show that \vec E \cdot \vec{dA} = 0 at the endcaps]. That way the left hand side simply becomes EA, where A represents a formula for the Gaussian surface's area. (You can't do this for everything, but you can do this for a) things with spherical symmetry, b) infinitely long wires/cylinders [like this problem] or c) infinite planes.)

The right hand side only depends on the charge enclosed within the Gaussian surface. Anything outside the Gaussian surface doesn't matter.

Then solve for E. You can add the unit direction vector in as a final step. :wink:
 
Last edited:
collinsmark said:
First things first, you are going to have to rename one of your variables. The r in the \vec E = \frac{\lambda}{2 \pi r \varepsilon_0} \hat {a_r} is not the same r as the radius of the cylindrical shell. You'll have to rename one of them to avoid confusion. [The problem statement tells you to change one of them to d.]

Second, can you use Gauss' Law to derive the \vec E = \frac{\lambda}{2 \pi r \varepsilon_0} \hat {a_r} formula with only the wire (ignoring the cylindrical shell for the moment)? If you know how to do that, adding in the cylindrical shell is pretty straightforward.

Let's look at Gauss's Law:
\oint \vec E \cdot \vec {dA} = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\varepsilon_0}

The dA is a differential area element on your chosen Gaussian surface. Choose your Gaussian surface wisely to take advantage of symmetry. If you choose it wisely in certain special cases like this one, the closed integral is easy to solve. The idea is that you want the dot product of the electric field and the differential area element to be constant over the entire surface [Edit: possibly ignoring things like cylindrical endcaps, if you can show that \vec E \cdot \vec{dA} = 0 at the endcaps]. That way the left hand side simply becomes EA, where A represents a formula for the Gaussian surface's area. (You can't do this for everything, but you can do this for a) things with spherical symmetry, b) infinitely long wires/cylinders [like this problem] or c) infinite planes.)

The right hand side only depends on the charge enclosed within the Gaussian surface. Anything outside the Gaussian surface doesn't matter.

Then solve for E. You can add the unit direction vector in as a final step. :wink:

So after I find the equation for the Electric field of the cylindrical shell, do I just simply add it to the other equation i.e. E-Field of wire+ E-field of Cylinder?
 
ConnorL0404 said:
So after I find the equation for the Electric field of the cylindrical shell, do I just simply add it to the other equation i.e. E-Field of wire+ E-field of Cylinder?
You'll have to break it up into two parts: one part where r is less than d and the other part where r is greater than d.

Remember the right hand side of Gauss' Law, particularly Q_{enc}. The only thing that goes into the equation is the charge enclosed within the Gaussian surface. Anything outside doesn't count. When r is less than d is the charge on the cylindrical shell within the Gaussian surface? What about when r is greater than d?

[Edit: Since d is the independent variable, perhaps I should have switched those around and rather asked, "When d is less than r is the charge on the cylindrical shell within the Gaussian surface? What about when d is greater than r?"]
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
5K
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K