Generating Electric Fields Inside Cylinders: Experimental Approaches

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experimental methods to generate an electric field inside a hollow stainless steel cylinder, specifically by imposing a voltage on its surface. Participants explore various approaches and considerations related to the geometry and material of the cylinder.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about experimental methods to impose a voltage on a cylinder to generate an electric field, emphasizing the need for practical approaches.
  • Another participant suggests looking into cylindrical capacitors as a relevant example but notes that the question is too general without specific details about the cylinder's material and dimensions.
  • A later reply clarifies that the cylinder is made of stainless steel and is already hollow, indicating a desire to impose an electric field within it.
  • Further, a participant asks for more details about the dimensions and the specific type of electric field desired, highlighting the broad nature of the initial question and suggesting various methods such as shining light or placing circuits inside the cylinder.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a lack of consensus on the specifics of the experimental approach, with multiple competing views on how to generate the electric field and the need for further clarification on the cylinder's characteristics.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the absence of specific dimensions, the geometry of the desired electric field, and the implications of using different materials or configurations for the cylinder.

sina_mech
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Hi!

I would like to create an electric field inside a cylinder. Is there any EXPERIMENTAL way to impose 120V DC (or any higher or lower) voltage on the surface of a cylinder and generate electric field inside it?

I'm specifically looking for "experimental" approaches.

Thank you very much :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is there any EXPERIMENTAL way to impose 120V DC (or any higher or lower) voltage on the surface of a cylinder and generate electric field inside it?
Look up "cylindrical capacitor" for an example.

The question is actually too general to answer properly, i.e. you can put an electric field inside a cylinder the same way you put one anywhere else.
You have not said what the cylinder is made of - you can always, for eg. , embed charges in a cylinder made of an insulating material.
You have not specified the dimensions of the cylinder ... or if it is hollow or what.

Don't know what you mean by "experimental approach" - is this different from just building one?

What is this for?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sina_mech
the material is stainless steel. the hollow cylinder (tube) already exist and we would like to impose electric field inside it.
 
Dimensions? What sort of (geometry etc) field - can you describe what you are after?
To give you an idea how wide open your question is: shine light into the cylinder and there is an electric field in it; put any electric circuit in it, same; put an atom in it... so you see it would help to narrow it down.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sina_mech

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K