Gauss's law, determing average volume charge density

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the average volume charge density in air between two altitudes, specifically 500 m and 600 m, using Gauss's law. The electric fields at these altitudes are given as 120 N/C and 100 N/C, respectively. The solution involves substituting volume charge density (ρ) for total charge (Q) in the equation \(\Phi_{net} = \frac{Q}{\epsilon}\) and equating it to the electric field area product from \(\Phi = \int E \cdot dA\). The user correctly identifies the need to average the charge densities calculated at both elevations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Gauss's law and its application in electrostatics
  • Familiarity with electric field concepts and units (N/C)
  • Knowledge of volume charge density (ρ) and its relation to charge (Q) and volume (V)
  • Basic calculus for evaluating integrals in electric field calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the average volume charge density (ρ) using the formula ρ = E/(hε)
  • Explore the implications of positive and negative charge densities in electrostatics
  • Study the derivation and applications of Gauss's law in different geometries
  • Review unit consistency checks in physics equations to ensure accuracy
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone interested in applying Gauss's law to real-world problems involving electric fields and charge distributions.

Breedlove
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Homework Statement


In the air over a particular region at an altitude of 500 m above the ground, the electric field is 120 N/C directed downward. At 600 m above the ground, the electric field is 100 N/C downward. What is the average volume charge density in the layer of air between these two elevations? Is it positive or negative?


Homework Equations


[tex]\Phi[/tex]net=[tex]\stackrel{Q}{\epsilon}[/tex]
[tex]\rho[/tex]=[tex]\stackrel{Q}{v}[/tex]
[tex]\Phi[/tex]=[tex]\int[/tex]E(dot)dA

The Attempt at a Solution


I substituted [tex]\rho[/tex]V for Q in
[tex]\Phi[/tex]net=[tex]\stackrel{Q}{\epsilon}[/tex]
and then set that equal to EA from [tex]\Phi[/tex]=[tex]\int[/tex]E(dot)dA, and solved for [tex]\rho[/tex], getting [tex]\rho[/tex]=E/(h[tex]\epsilon[/tex])
h is coming from A/V

Am I going about this the right way? My next step would be to find [tex]\rho[/tex] at both elevations and average them. Are the steps that I have taken this far correct?

Thanks for whatever help you can offer! :smile:

Oh, and anything that looks like a superscript or subscript is just an error on my part, I didn't mean for the equations to look like they had them. I'm still pretty new with it.
Thanks!
 
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Looks like a good way to go about the calculation. As a safety check make sure your units on both sides of your equation are consistent, that way you know when your definitely on the wrong track! (P.S. I think your units are good in this case).
 

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